Friday, April 23, 2004

Seeking A Classical Education
Margaret Coe Read Homer's ‘The Iliad’ In The First Grade. Her Favorite Play? Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night.’

In college Joy Coe once argued against homeschooling.

Today, she and about 50 of her South Boston neighbors are "in the thick of it."

In the Charleston College debate, Coe had asked: "How can you do such a thing?"

But today she views homeschoolers as more and more mainstream.

"We are the kids next door," she added. "We are doing something fundamentally different and worth considering."

When parents Joy and Andy Coe first considered homeschooling their oldest child, Margaret, their reasons were "strictly academic."

"That is still an issue," added Joy.

But there are other issues.

A bias against the "over socializing" of young children is one, but by far dominating their homeschooling choice is a commitment to a classical education and to a Christian influence.

A classical education begins with the ancients, moving forward through history in chronological order.

"It is The Trivium, which breaks education into three stages that coincide with children's developmental stages," Joy explained. "What a child is inclined to do academically in these stages."

The three academic stages are Grammar in the first four grades; Dialectic in grades five through nine; and Rhetoric in grades 10-12.

Children like to memorize in the first stage and absorb knowledge at an incredible rate, explained the homeschooler.

One example, Margaret read an age-appropriate translation of the "The Iliad" in the first grade. She will read age-appropriate editions again in the fourth grade and later in high school.

In the second educational phase, students pursue debate and analyze information they have gathered.

In the rhetoric phase students are taught to express themselves, how to articulate their viewpoints, explained Joy.

"The Trivium is laying the foundation for learning, how to learn, the pursuit of knowledge.

"We believe academically that is the best approach," she added.

The Coes view homeschooling as the vehicle to provide that education.

"It is the wisdom of the ages. There is a reason their system worked and we can learn from modeling after them," said Joy.

"Why wouldn't I provide that for my children?" she asked.

"I am blessed to be with them. The sacrifices are worth the payoff," she added.

For the Coes, a classical education also opens the door to an educational aspect of major importance.

"We want our children taught from a Christian world view," she emphasized.

"Public schools cannot embrace a particular world view because ours is a pluralistic society. They (public schools) cannot teach a particular world view.

"Who is man? Where do we come from? You must have a perspective, some world view to answer those questions," added the mother of three.

"The topic of education is humanity, its accomplishments, its discoveries, its savage treatment of its own kind, its willingness to endure self sacrifice.

"You cannot learn - or teach - about humanity without considering God," Coe said, quoting the "Well-Trained Mind" by homeschooling advocates Jesse Wise and Susan Wise Bauer.

"I want my children to be able to defend their faith in an articulate, coherent way," she added.

"My husband, Andy, and I want to make sure we help build that foundation, stone by stone."

To reach that goal, they have chosen a blend of educational options, with each of their three children, Margaret, 8, Joshua, 5, and 14-month-old Sarah Anne considered individually.

At the Coes' home, the children live in a television-free environment, but one packed with books.

"Reading and writing depend on left hemisphere brain development," Joy advised.

"Computers and children's television programming depend almost entirely on right hemisphere stimuli.

"We read, read, read to our kids," she emphasized. "That is one thing that's been constant since they were babies, and I think that has produced readers."

Since homeschoolers in Virginia are required to take standardized tests each year, the Coes know that Margaret achieved a perfect score.

It is also apparent Margaret is reading on the fifth grade level in the second grade.

"Joshua is five and reading," added his mother.

Both Margaret and Joshua have attended preschools, she in Massachusetts and Joshua at First Baptist Church in South Boston.

"Joshua is very extroverted," said his mother. "He loves school, loves his teacher. It is a social outlet with structure," she said.

Joy said it is also easier for her with baby Sarah Anne at home.

During the day, Joy and Margaret pursue her classical education.

"So far I am very fortunate. The children love to sit down and do school work," observed their mother.

Is it difficult to homeschool?

"Not imparting education, but it is difficult balancing it with mopping the floor, feeding the baby and paying bills," said Joy with a smile.

The Coes also enjoy working with other families who opt for homeschooling.
TEACH, a group of 30 to 35 families, is described by Joy as "a general support group," one which has grown from 10 families to over 30 in less than two years.

TEACH gets together once a month for programs, field trips and special events.

There may be up to 50 children there, according to Joy.

There's also H&ARTS, which meets every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m., a pilot program with about 30 children this year.

Through H&ARTS the children are offered a classical curriculum with music and history based on a classical curriculum time line, the homeschooler explained.

This year the children learned old testament history, art, music and dance.
While studying the old testament, the students learned Hebrew songs, made oil lamps, tunics, sandals and goat-skin tents.

Next year, Joe Coe said H&ARTS is adding Latin and science to the curriculum.

How long will the Coes homeschool their children?

"We take it a year at a time and will continue as long as it is working," she said.

"We try to look at each child individually, their particular learning styles and interests."

The Coes' South Boston neighborhood is an educational mix with some students attending public school, others at private school and some homeschooling.

Joy and Andy Coe are both public school graduates, receiving an education she describes as "by and large a very good education."

Both Coes also are graduates of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. She majored in French and English at Furman, graduating with a secondary education teaching certificate.

Andy Coe is a family therapist by training, having earned his undergraduate degree in psychology at Furman and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Kentucky.

He brought his family to South Boston in January of 2002 for the opening of Carlbrook School, where he serves as director of the upper school.

For more information on H&ARTS or TEACH, contact Joy Coe at ajmjscoe@earthlink.net.

For more information on a classical education via the Internet, contact www.logos.com or www.classicalhomeschooling.com.

Suspect Escapes Police Custody
Leads Police On Five-Hour Chase Before Turning Himself In

An attempt to serve an arrest warrant quickly turned into a manhunt Wednesday afternoon when a 20-year-old Turbeville area man escaped custody, according to Halifax County Sheriff's Office Captain Larry Fears.

Jermaine Antwon Davis, of Phillpot Road, had already been handcuffed by Deputy S.E. Bowen when he fled at around 2:45 p.m., said Fears.

"Deputy Bowen was originally there to serve a warrant for forgery from Pittsylvania County," he said. "After he had been handcuffed, the suspect said he needed some medication from his house, and when Bowen went to get it the suspect took off."

After Davis escaped, the Sheriff's Office quickly mounted a manhunt, calling in a K-9 unit from Charlotte County and the Virginia State police helicopter from Lynchburg, according to Fears.

"It took about 45 minutes for the helicopter and dogs to get there and then we searched until just before dark," he said.

Although the search was called off at dark, Davis turned himself in at approximately 4 a.m. Thursday, said Fears.

"He had gone to several houses in the area knocking on doors," said Fears.
"Someone finally came to the door at one of the houses and Davis asked them to call the Sheriff's Office."

Fears said Davis was still handcuffed when Deputy R.C. Lipscomb arrived to take him into custody.

Davis is now facing an additional felony charge for attempting to escape custody.

In other police business:

Larry Donnell Owen, 46, of Lakewood Mobile Home Park in Halifax, was arrested Thursday By Halifax County Sheriff's Office Deputy D.H. Barksdale for failure to appear in court on misdemeanor charges.

The charges stemmed from a March 26 offense.

Tobacco Proposal Is Killed
Attempt To Extract More Tobacco Settlement Money From Small Cigarette Manufacturers Scuttled

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Mark R. Warner’s attempt to extract more tobacco settlement money from small cigarette manufacturers was scuttled by a parliamentary ruling Wednesday in the House of Delegates.

House Speaker William J. Howell ruled that Warner’s proposal was not relevant to the bill to which it was affixed — an obscure measure dealing with enforcement of the state’s cigarette revenue stamp law.

The ruling headed off debate and a floor vote on a measure vigorously opposed by small makers of discount-brand cigarettes and strongly supported by Richmond-based industry giant Philip Morris.

Warner said his amendments to the cigarette stamp bill would close a loophole that has deprived Virginia of more than $12 million from the 1998 national settlement between states and the tobacco industry.

Cigarette makers not participating in the Master Settlement Agreement pay into an escrow account but quickly recover most of the money, allowing them to lower the price of their smokes. Warner’s amendments would have ended the rapid refunds, erasing the pricing advantage.

Small tobacco companies argued that the amendments could put them out of business. Philip Morris claimed the upstarts, who have used the loophole to increase their market share, were desperately trying to retain an unfair competitive advantage.

‘‘Philip Morris USA is disappointed that this important piece of legislation was never addressed for a vote by the entire General Assembly,’’ the company said in a written statement. ‘‘Without this legislation the integrity of Virginia’s escrow statute and the important financial benefits that it brings to the commonwealth are threatened.’’

The issue was heavily lobbied by both sides, and Howell was clearly prepared for House Republican Leader H. Morgan Griffith’s parliamentary inquiry about the relevance of Warner’s amendments.

‘‘The governor’s proposed amendments have nothing to do with tax stamping of cigarettes and enforcement of cigarette sales,’’ Howell said, reading from a statement on the speaker’s dais.

Warner’s amendments would have accomplished the same goal as separate legislation that the General Assembly has decided to study for the rest of this year. More than two dozen states already have passed similar legislation backed by the National Association of Attorneys General.

‘‘We were prepared to debate this bill and try to defeat it,’’ said Del. Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax, whose district is home to discount cigarette manufacturer Virginia Brands. ‘‘We clearly have a lot of work to do in the next eight months.’’

Bill Leachman, president of Virginia Leaf in Front Royal, said he was happy that Philip Morris, which rarely loses a battle in the Virginia legislature, lost this one — at least for the time being.

‘‘They’re making more money in a quarter than the smaller companies will make in a lifetime,’’ he said. ‘‘They’re not content with half the market, they want it all.’’

Comets Ready To Face GW
Archrivals Halifax County And GW Will Square Off Here Tonight At 7 P.M. In A Key Western Valley District Baseball Game

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Throw out the standings. Throw out the records. Throw out past history.

Anthing that can happen generally does when Halifax County and GW take to the diamond.

Tonight's 7 p.m. Western Valley District contest here at Comets Field should be no exception.

The Comets, 9-1 overall and 1-0 in Western Valley District play, and GW, 3-0 in district play, will square off in one of the key contests in the first half of the district schedule.

Tonight's game is a big one as the winner will get a leg up in the race for the regular-season district championship.

GW. coached by former Halifax County High School coach Scooter Dunn, has already faced and beaten the other district teams, Franklin County, Patrick Henry and E.C. Glass.

The Comets, meanwhile, have played only one district game, a game in which the Comets beat Patrick Henry 13-3.

"If we can reach up and beat GW in this game, it will really help us down the line," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.

"We don't play GW again until very late in the season (the next-to-last game) and our other district games are coming up. It's important to win all of the district games we can."

Davis says says he expects tonight's game to be the same dogfight it always is when the two archrivals face each other.

"This is your typical Halifax County-GW game," said Davis.

"It's a district game and that's the big thing. Emotions are going to be up and we're going to be ready."

Davis pointed out that while emotions will be high tonight, mental preparation will be one of the keys.

"Mental preparation is so important in this," said the Comets coach.

"If the kids know how to control their emotions, when to get jacked up and when not to get jacked up, that's important.

"It helps to be pumped up a little bit for this game," he continued.

"I feel if we can go out there and get runs early and get on top early, our momentum will continue on."

Halifax County comes into tonight's game with a three-game winning streak behind it, a streak that includes wins this week over Park View and Martinsville.

The Comets have hit the ball well in recent games, including a 13-hit night Wednesday against Martinsville.

Ten Comets players got a hit in the game.

Halifax County's defense has also been getting the job done.

"We're playing really good defense," Davis pointed out.

"Defense will be a big key to this game. I think the team that can make the routine plays and do the little things the best will win the ballgame.

"I'm really pleased with the way we're playing right now," he added.

Davis says what he is looking for is for his team to play Comets baseball.

"We know GW is going to come out fighting," said Davis.

"We're going to try to do things to move runners, try to manufacture runs the old-fashioned way. Hopefully, we can get ahead of them, get them down and come out of the game with a win."

Davis said yesterday he is planning to start sophomore hurler Jeremy Jeffress against GW tonight and bring in Tyler Clarke, who went the distance in Monday's game against Park View, as a relief man, if needed.

Davis said he is not concerned about putting Jeffress on the mound in this, the biggest baseball game Jeffress will face to date.

"When you look at Jeremy's character, he doesn't play like a sophomore," Davis pointed out.

"If you think back to last season when he played on the varsity basketball team, he didn't look like or play like a sophomore. He's doing the same thing in baseball.

"He knows how to get himself prepared for a game," Davis continued.

"He's very mature. Jeremy knows how to go out and do the things he needs to do. He doesn't get down on himself. He's the type of pitcher who will go after them pitch after pitch."

One of the big things Jeffress and the Comets have to do, Davis said, is keep the top batters in GW's lineup off of the sacks early.

"GW has been scoring a lot in the early innings," said Davis.

"We've got to be real careful with the first three batters in their lineup and try to keep them off the bases early.

"Hopefully, we can get some runs early for Jeremy and let him go out there and do what he does best," Davis concluded.

Obituaries

Beulah Buchanan Ellixson

Beulah Buchanan Ellixson, 89, of Richmond, formerly of Clarksville, died April 18.

Funeral services were held April 20 at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in Clarksville. Burial followed in Oakhurst Cemetery.

Mrs. Ellixson was a member of Clarksville Baptist Church until she moved.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Loretta R. Perry and Edward, of Richmond; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lawrence W. Ellixson and Patricia, of Greensboro, N.C. and Graham J. Ellixson and Brenda, of Virginia Beach; five grandchildren, Elizabeth R . Speas and husband, Joseph, of Sandy Hook, Budd 'Garnett' L. Riddle Jr. and wife, Theresa, of Lynchburg, Andy Ellixson and wife, Mary, of Fredericksburg, Bonnie Lyons and husband, Bob, of Md. and Cheri Ellixson of Greensboro; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Hilliard B. Powers of Midlothian; four brothers, Burton Buchanan and wife, Mary, of Clarksville, Franklin Buchanan and wife, Catherine, of Glen Allen, William W. Buchanan and wife, Winnie, of Cary, N.C. and Stuart Buchanan and wife, Marianne, of Skipwith; and her sisters-in-law, Paris E. Gravitt and Jane Ellixson, both of South Boston.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mecklenburg County Lifesaving & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1539, Clarksville, 23927.

Kathleen Williams Granger

Kathleen Williams Granger, 75, of 3077 Bellevue Road, Halifax died April 21 at her home. She was born in Halifax County on March 28, 1929, the daughter of the late Raymond P. Williams and Sadie Adams Williams and was married to Cecil Gray Granger.

Mrs. Granger was a member of Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church and attended Winns Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband; four sisters, Laura W. Boax of Clifton Forge, Betty W. Stacy of Cary, N.C., Grace Lee Williams and Virginia W. Jones, both of South Boston; and two brothers, Raymond P. Williams Jr. of Manassas and James R. Williams of Vienna.

Mrs. Granger was preceded in death by four sisters, Nell Williams, Margaret W. Edmondson, Essie Mae W. Phelps and Louise Williams; and two brothers, George L. Williams and John G. Williams.

Funeral services will be held today, April 23 at 11 a.m. at Winns Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Vance Midgett and Richard Cooke officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

Mabel Sue Lowery Puryear

Mabel Sue Lowery Puryear, 97, of 10411 Virgilina Road, Roxboro, N.C. died April 22 at her home.

Mrs. Puryear was born in Halifax County the daughter of the late Walker Green Lowery and Mary Ida Ford Lowery and was married to the late Charlie Herbert Puryear. She was a homemaker and a member of High View Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Her survivors include five sons, Clifton, Roy, Bailey Lomax, C.H. and Huel Puryear, all of Roxboro; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, John M. and Lowery Puryear; and one grandchild, Mark Andrew Puryear.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow, April 25 at High View Baptist Church by the Revs. Buddy Hall and Leslie Puryear. Burial will follow in Virgilina Cemetery.

The family will receive friends this evening, April 24 from 7-9 at High View Baptist Church.

Richard Walden Snead Jr.

Richard Walden Snead Jr., 74, of 4204 McDonald Road, Scottsburg died April 21 at Boston Manor.

Mr. Snead was born in Halifax County on May 3, 1929, the son of Richard Walden Snead Sr. and Bessie Moorefield Snead and was married to Nannie Newcomb Snead. He was a member of Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Patsy and husband, William Harris, of Scottsburg, Linda and husband, Floyd Short, of Gretna, and Carolyn and husband, Bill Anderson, of Scottsburg; five grandchildren, Steve Short, Kelly Conner, April Anderson, Angela Hendrick and Beth Cash; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Edna Hatcher and Shirley Snead, both of Scottsburg, Edith Francis of Clover, and Nancy Lowery of South Boston; six brothers, James Snead of Cluster Springs, Johnny Snead and Lonnie Snead, both of Clover, Cecil Snead of Richmond, Robert Snead of South Boston and Roger Snead of Halifax.

Mr. Snead was preceded in death by his wife, and one grandson, Richard Short.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, April 24 at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Murray officiating. Entombment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, April 23, from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home of his daughter, Carolyn Anderson, 2055 Scottsburg Road, Scottsburg.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Fork Baptist Church Memorial Fund.

Walter Lewis Womack

Walter Lewis Womack, 53, of 801 Edmonds Street, South Boston died April 18 at his home.

Mr. Womack was born in Halifax County on May 25, 1950, the son of the late Sherman Womack and Nellie Sparrow Womack, and was married to Nancy Meadows Womack. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Mitchell Womack and Patrick Womack, both of Knoxville, Tenn.; two brothers, Bernard Womack of Dillwyn and Kenneth Womack of Hagerstown, Md.; and a devoted friend, Larry Mosby.

A funeral service for Mr. Womack will be held tomorrow, April 25 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home with the Rev. William Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home tomorrow.