Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Elderly County Man Is Robbed By Force
Three Suspects Cut Tires, Telephone Line So Victim Couldn't Summon Help

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is investigating the strong-arm robbery of an elderly man that occurred in the Aaron's Creek community yesterday.

Capt. Larry Fears said that deputies responded to a call at 10:30 a.m. at the William Bowen residence on Buckshoal Road.

Fears said that evidence at the scene revealed that three white males went to Mr. Bowen's residence stating that they had some money for him.

The captain said that once Bowen opened the door, the thieves held him down and took his wallet containing approximately $200.

The victim was not injured in the attack, according to police.

"Two tires on Mr. Bowen's truck were slashed and his telephone wires were cut so he couldn't summon any help," Fears said.

According to police, the three suspects left the scene on what Bowen said appeared to be a mid-1980s black or dark blue Chevrolet pickup.

Police are searching for three white males, one heavyset with a beard.

"The three were seen leaving the Bowen residence headed toward Aaron's Creek Road.

Deputies Ronnie Lipscomb, Stanley Britton and Quenton Clark are investigating the robbery.

Fears asks that anyone with information about this crime call Crimestoppers at 476-TIPS.

A reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the three subjects.

A New Crop Takes Root

By BETH ROBERTSON | G-V Staff Writer

One of our oldest Christian prayers - a prayer for a successful harvest and for its workers - offered a spiritual foundation as Bill and Jane Carlton Confroy dedicated 2,088 vines at Carlton Vineyards this spring.

Episcopal Priest David Booher delivered the prayer at the three and one-half acre site about six miles outside the Town of Halifax.

Plants went in the ground the early part of May, 2003, according to Confroy. "But it's normally about three years before harvest," he explained.

And Confroy knows the years without income will be a bit of a struggle.
"No cash flow for three years," he confirmed, and agreed that planting a vineyard "is a substantial investment."

To protect their investment, the Confroys installed a seven-foot, solar-powered electric fence to protect the vineyard - and later its harvest - from natural predators.

The fenced enclosure is about seven acres.

On The Cusp Of A New Industry

In planting a vineyard, the Confroys are joining several Halifax County residents exploring grape production.

One is Mike Hudson, who has a vineyard near Virgilina, according to former Industrial Development Authority Director Bill Confroy.

Confroy said Hudson's is about three and one-half acres.

"He started two years ago so this is his third year," he added.

Why grapes in Halifax County?

About five years ago several speakers talked with the Agricultural Committee, he recalled.

"That's really what perked my interest in grapes as a supplementary crop to tobacco.

"Since the poundage for tobacco has been cut so, ultimately it's just another source for revenue for Southside Virginia."

Confroy also raises tobacco in conjunction with an area farmer.

Planting The Vines

"Robert Gregory and his sons Clark and John from Java," Confroy said. "I worked with them in putting in the trellis and posts" for the vineyard.

Each vine hole is 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep and a little crown is built with soil at the bottom for drainage.

"The vine is about 12 inches long, you put the roots over the crown and fill the hole back to within three inches above the ground level."

What kind of grapes will Carlton Vineyards produce?

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Syrah, Barbera, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese, all red wines, and one row of Chardonnay, a white wine.
But don't expect Confroy to begin bottling his wines right away.

"First of all, I will contract my grapes to sell to a winery. You normally don't contract for about three years until you have a proven product.

"Shipment, in many instances depend on quantity," Confroy said. "They (the winery) will send a refrigerated truck or I will lease a refrigerated truck to drive to the winery."

And protecting his investment from natural predators can prove to be a challenge for a wine producer.

Predators at harvest time include deer, rabbits, opossum, Japanese beetles (he's installed beetle traps) and mice.

But Confroy has several strands of wire prepared for the smaller critters.
One is tied with colored metal strips and coated with peanut butter to shock a would-be animal thief.

"Then I hope they will go home and tell their friends," he added with a laugh.
During fall harvest time, typically September through October, birds can also be a problem.

And Confroy knows that his grapes can't be protected from every bird.
"They are going to get their share of the harvest," he confirmed.

To minimize the loss from the flying pests, Confroy also posts owl decoys around the fields.

During production, Confroy's harvest will come out under the buying winery's label.

"Hopefully, at some point there will be a Carlton vineyard. A lot depends on a number of things. One has to do with legality.

"In California, a vineyard can have their grapes processed and bottled by another winery but it comes out with both the vineyard's and winery's name," he said. "Currently, that is illegal in Virginia."

Confroy suggested that if a tobacco buyout takes place, he might take those assets to construct a winery.

And his wines seem to be acclimating well to the Virginia weather.

When his vines were planted in May they were about 12 inches. "Now some are seven feet, "he said.

Carlton Vineyards is laid out north to south to capture the sunrise from east to west and the prevailing southwest winds.

"Vines need water, so this has been an excellent year," said Confroy.

However, grapes do not care for too much water.

Learning the Craft

To gain the necessary knowledge to undertake this new challenge, Jane Carlton and Billy Confroy visited vineyards and wineries in Northern Virginia and in California.

The duo also took a three-day class on vineyards in Virginia. And he has attended other meetings to learn about the crop.

"Virginia Tech has been extremely helpful," added Confroy.

"I know Bill studied this many years before he did it, at least five years," said Bill's wife, Jane Carlton. "Even though we're breaking new boundaries here I really feel he knows what he's doing."

"I am just waiting for the finished product," she added with a smile.

Friends Pitched In
With some tobacco workers, a Skipwith man's crew and friends Carrington Powell, Aubrey Houghton, Sandy Mosby, Joe Simonson, Cabel Osborne, and sons Tim, Bill and Wirt Confroy the May planting phase was completed.

Advertised VES Numbers Challenged
Freedom Of Information Act Request Filed

By KEITH STRANGE | G-V Staff Writer

Following challenges to figures published in The Gazette-Virginian on July 21 by the Halifax County School Board, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was filed by G-V Staff for documentation on the numbers presented.

While not all of the requested documents had arrived at press time, information on the school system's debt service appear to paint a clearer picture on the closing of Virgilina Elementary School (VES).

"If a person goes into a situation with figures and wants to make a point, they can do it," an outside accountant brought in by the Gazette-Virginian said yesterday.

According to the School Board's figures, the annual operating savings by closing VES is $271,827.

That includes a savings of $170,591 by reducing the number of teachers by four, $19,871 in savings by reducing one secretary, a savings of $47,006 in administrative costs, $13,613 in technology lab savings and a reduction of $20,746 in maintenance and utility costs.

"We reduced our total school personnel by the positions listed in the paper," Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt wrote in response to the FOI request. "This is a fact.

"All personnel at Virgilina were offered positions where people had retired or left the school system," he added. "That chart is the documentation."

In the 2002-2003 fiscal year, the school system paid $393,939 in debt service.
But in FY 2003-2004, the system expects to begin paying on loans for Phase I capital improvements to Clays Mill, Scottsburg and Sydnor Jennings elementary schools.

The Phase I loans were $2,300,000 for Clays Mill, $3,900,000 for Scottsburg and $3,400,000 for Sydnor Jennings, according to documents furnished by Witt.

"When new debt service kicks in, those numbers will jump from $393,939 to $752,432 per year," the accountant said.

"Those numbers tell the story," the accountant, who has extensive municipal experience, said. "The figures Mr. Witt gave the public were true as far as I can tell with the information I have here.

"But he didn't tell the whole story. He didn't mention the payments would be that much.

"The debt service is going to be a whole lot more than they saved by closing Virgilina," he said.

"Phase I capital improvements are a 20-year investment in those schools," Witt said. "If we kept Virgilina open, we would eventually have to make capital improvements on that facility. It's basic mathematics to divide by 350 students versus100-120 students.

"So as far as I'm concerned, they are two separate issues," he added.
But the accountant was quick to point out that the figures didn't take into account the proposed $21,913,748 the School Board is requesting from the Board of Supervisors for Phase II capital improvements.

Supervisors are expected to vote on the proposed funds at their August 18 meeting.

The school system is seeking $7,832,000 to build a new K-3 school to replace Washington-Coleman Elementary School, $3,712,848 for improvements to South of Dan, $4,345,200 for renovations at Cluster Springs, $3,195,750 for Meadville and $2,827,950 for Sinai elementary schools.

While repayment schedules for the proposed $21.9 million capital improvement funding weren't available, Witt told the Board of Supervisors at their July 21 meeting that "the repayments are based on a $21 million project and are estimated to start at $350,000 in the first year, increase to $1,340,000 the second year, increase to $1,668,000 in the third year and begin to decrease in the remaining years in the 20-year financing," according to meeting notes from Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan.

According to the notes, Witt told the supervisors that the repayments on the money he was requesting from the county would not be due for another fiscal year, and probably not until 2005-2006.

Cost Per Student At VES

As part of the FOI request, figures on the cost per student at VES at 80, 100,120 and 140 students were requested.

"Such data does not exist," Witt replied. "You cannot calculate data without real facts."

But the accountant said that given the numbers published in the Gazette, the figures were easy to extrapolate.

"To determine the cost per student at the figures requested, simply take the cost per pupil ($6,475) published by the school board and multiply this by the number of students," he said. "This gives you the operating cost for the school."

That operating cost is $609,892, based on 2001-2002 School Board figures.
"Then take the total operating cost and divide it by the number of students you want determined to get the cost per student," he added.

According to the accountant, VES costs per student, based on the figures published in the Gazette are as follows:

• At 80 students - $7,623.65.
• At 100 students - $6,098.92.
• At 120 students - $5,082.43.
• At 140 students - $4,356.37.

"I disagree with that," Witt said yesterday. "There would be different teachers there and we don't know how many teachers per grade level would be needed. That would affect the operating costs."

"Based on the figures published, Virgilina would need 127 students to be as efficient as either C.H. Friend or Meadville elementary schools," the accountant concluded.

"But that's only one of the issues that I'm interested in," he added. "If you told me that the operating cost is $609,892 and they are telling you they only saved $271,827 by eliminating those positions, where did the rest of the savings like operating and maintenance costs go?"

"As far as the savings from Virgilina goes, the School Board would roll those monies into maintenance, roof maintenance, teacher salaries and other operating costs," Witt said.

Surprising Angels Are Ready For WS Opener
HC National Angels Hope To Keep Their Opponents Guessing

By DOUG FORD | G-V Staff Writer

A young and relatively inexperienced Halifax County National Dixie Angels team may have surprised some observers by winning the Virginia Dixie Angels State Tournament.

Coach Beverly Perrow hopes the team keeps everyone guessing as it plays Mississippi Saturday in the Dixie Angels World Series in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Tony Conner is the manager of the Halifax National Angels all-stars, and Tracey White joins Perrow as coach of the team.

Perrow said there were a lot of questions surrounding this all-star team, which returned only one of 12 players from last year's squad.

"We had a lot of young players never before exposed to tournament play, and we thought nerves would play a big part.

"But, they seemed to go right to it, and got the butterflies out."

A rule change increasing the distance from the pitcher's mound to the plate was also something for the players to consider.

"The rule change for Angels pitching at 35 feet from the plate instead of 30 feet created a lot of unknowns," she added.

"I didn't know how that would affect anyone in the district.

"They did pitch from 35 feet in the district for the first time during in the Dixie regular season, and they seemed to have a lot of trouble with it."

Halifax National lost once to Halifax American in the district tournament and once to Powhatan in the state tournament title game, and that has helped Halifax National prepare for World Series play.

"We saw no one better as a group than Halifax American and Powhatan was equal to them, with pretty good defense, some sticks that could hit the ball," said Perrow.

"And, their pitching was good."

Pitching was a pleasant surprise for Halifax National in both the district and state tournaments, according to Perrow.

"We have pretty consistent pitching that has come through for us, from girls who didn't pitch that many innings in the Dixie regular season," said Perrow.

Jill Trickey pitched her maximum allotment of innings in both the district and state tournaments, according to Perrow, while Jamilia Smith also stepped up.
The lone returnee from last year's all-star team, Allison Thaxton, remains the team's most experienced and most consistent pitcher, Perrow added.

With so many first-time all-stars on this year's team, teamwork has become an important component in its success.

"That's one of the team's strong points," noted Perrow.

"All 12 of these players rely on each other, and no one of them tries to do it all.

"They look to the person beside them to help them, and that creates excellent teamwork."

Both the infield and outfield came up with key plays on defense in the team's march to the state title, particularly in the championship game, according to Perrow.

Jameshia Smith will play the shortstop position in the World Series, while Robin Jennings is slated for third and Brittany Long is at second base, according to Perrow.

Jennifer Vaughan will step in at first base while Trickey is pitching, and Mayghan Strange will be behind the plate.

Jamilia Smith is a leader in the outfield, and has the most speed, according to Perrow.

Kelsey White, Emily Conner, Samantha Osborne and April Francis are in the outfield, with Thaxton adding depth.

Perrow said a turning point for the team occurred against Halifax American in the district tournament.

"They were happy with a 2-0 record and weren't ready to play Halifax American," said Perrow.

She added the team learned from its loss to Halifax American, and were more mentally prepared to play them later in the tournament.

The win against Halifax American "got our girls' confidence up," added Perrow.
Halifax National's chances in the World Series depend upon pitching and defense, Perrow said.

"We've been able to throw strikes in the state tournament, and I don't think we've walked 10 batters in five games," said Perrow.

"We have a windmill, slingshot and windmill style in our pitching rotation, with differences in speed and placement," she added.

The team committed few errors, played good defense, and allowed few baserunners in the state tournament, according to Perrow.

The majority of the team's errors came in one inning during the loss to Powhatan, she noted.

Pitching, defense, hitting, and basic fundamentals of a more seasoned team are traits that Halifax National has developed this tournament season.
"I think we've learned as coaches what our team could do," Perrow said.

Obituaries

Norma Jean DeJarnette Barksdale

Norma Jean DeJarnette Barksdale, 70, of 703 Woodbrook Avenue, South Boston died July 26 at The University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill.
Mrs. Barksdale was born in Halifax County on June 20, 1933, the daughter of the late Edward DeJarnette and Louise Woodson DeJarnette and was married to the late Joseph Lee Barksdale. She was a member of Mt. Zion Holiness Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Larette Hairston of South Boston and Mary DeGraffenridt of Burlington, N.C.; one son, Joseph Robert Barksdale of Charlotte, N.C.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Thomas DeJarnette and Joe Louis DeJarnette, both of South Boston; one daughter-in-law, Selinda Barksdale; one son-in-law, Calvin DeGraffenridt; and devoted friends, Frances M. Russell, Sherry Bailey, Alvin Logan, Lynn Stewart and William Faulkner.

Funeral services for Mrs. Barksdale will be held today, July 30 at 2 p.m. at Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church with District Elder Bernard Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow in Banister Hill CME Church Cemetery.

Mary Crawley Clark

Mary Crawley Clark, 90, of Bold Springs community in South Boston died July 27 in Martinsville.

She was born in Halifax County on February 13, 1913, the daughter of Joseph Crawley and Mary Clay Crawley and was married to Donald Earl Clark. She was a member of Dan River Bethel Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Willie Clark of Durham, N.C.; two grandchildren, Anthony Willie Clark and Angelena Clark; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Wade of South Boston; one sister-in-law, Mary Crawley of Baltimore, Md.; and devoted friends, Evelyn Robertson and Robert Bullock, both of Durham, and Wayne Harris of Hillsboro, N.C.

Funeral services for Mrs. Clark will be held August 1 at 1 p.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. James L. Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Friday.

Fletcher Clement Edwards Sr.

Fletcher Clement Edwards Sr., 90, of Danville died July 28 at his home.

Mr. Edwards was born June 4, 1913, in Brooksville, Miss. the son of Olander Chrispen Edwards Sr. and Dollie Lou Edwards Edwards and was married to Jessie Evelena Oldham Edwards of the home. He was first married to the late Ollie Ruth Thaxton Hughes Edwards.

Mr. Edwards was a retired correctional officer for the City of Danville Prison Department. He was the oldest member of Temple Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Fletcher C. Edwards Jr. of Axton and Hardin Hairston Edwards of Martinsville; two daughters, Dollie Lou Edwards Little of Axton and Patsy Inez Edwards Haynie of Reedville; five stepdaughters, Minnie Belle Howerton and Patsy Henderson, both of South Boston, Doris Stacy of Liberty, N.C., Ila Arthur of Danville and Ava Rives of Siler City, N.C.; three stepsons, Ralph Oldham of Roxboro, N.C., Melvin Oldham of Goldston, N.C. and Charlie Oldham of Bear Creek, N.C.; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Orlander Chrispen Edwards Jr., George Edwards, Glover Edwards and Gid Edwards.

Graveside services for Mr. Edwards will be held today, July 30 at 2 p.m. at Highland Burial Park with Pastor Roy Newton officiating.

Leon Thomas Holcombe

Leon Thomas Holcombe, 86, of 1034 Cornelia's Lane, Nathalie died July 28 at his home.

Mr. Holcombe was born in Greenville, S.C. on July 1, 1917, the son of Loten Lavant Holcombe and Omey Case Holcombe and was married to Jessie Steele Holcombe.

Survivors include one son, Tommy Holcombe of Nathalie; three grandchildren, Christina Kelly of Hillsboro, N.C., Chrystal Jones of South Boston and John Thomas Holcombe of Nathalie; one great-grandchild, Gavin Thomas Holcombe of Nathalie; two brothers, Bill Holcombe of Spartanburg, S.C. and Lavant Holcombe of Seminole, Fla.; and two sisters, Nina Willis of Orlando, Fla. and Elizabeth Coggins of Greenville.

Graveside services for Mr. Holcombe will be tomorrow, July 31 at 2 p.m. in Halifax Memorial Gardens. The Revs. Ricky Bibee and Ed Fulenwilder will officiate.

The family will receive friends this evening from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Mary E. Johnson

Mary E. Johnson, 85, of Virginia Beach died July 21 at Sentara Bayside Hospital.

Mrs. Johnson was born February 6, 1918, in Halifax County the daughter of Watkins Meadows and Eliza T. Conner Meadows, and was married to Paul E. Johnson. She was a member of Kings Grant Presbyterian church.

Survivors include her husband; one son and daughter-in-law, Louis W. and Darla R. Johnson; two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara A. and James A. Riviere, and Lynnette J. Gawrys; her grandchildren, Laurie A. Gurley, Karlyn L. Gawrys, all of Virginia Beach, Lewis B. Johnson of Lanexa and Jeremy C. Johnson of Alexandria; great-grandchildren, Ashley T. Themides and D. Conner Gurley; three sisters, Jane E. Propst of Baltimore, Md., Bessie E. Dawson of South Boston and Mildred I. Collie of Cape Cod, Mass; and one brother, Louis W. Meadows of Cape Cod. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard E. Meadows and Joe L. Meadows of South Boston.

A funeral was held July 25 at 1 p.m. at Kellum Funeral Home in Virginia Beach with the Rev. Selden Harris Jr. officiating. Entombment followed in the Chapel of Serenity.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.

Mell J. Lacy Jr.

Mell J. Lacy Jr. died July 8 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

A native of Halifax County, he attended Virginia Military Institute. Mr. Lacy served as a Judge Advocate officer in the Air Force, retiring in 1990 with the rank of colonel.

Survivors include his wife, Janice, of the home; one daughter, Meredith Williamson and her husband, David, and three grandchildren, Hannah, Rebekah, and Daniel Williamson.

A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. July 12 at North Colonial Chapel of Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider VMI Foundation, PO Box 932, Lexington, 24450.

Nevville Homan O’Regan

Nevville Homan O'Regan, 65, of 506 Greenway Drive, South Boston died July 27 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. O'Regan was born in Paris, Mo. on March 28, 1938, the daughter of Harold Homan and Ruby Lange Homan and was married to Jack O'Regan. She was a member of St. Paschal Catholic Church.

Survivors include her husband of the home; three daughters, Barbara O'Regan of Atlanta, Ga., Nancy O'Regan and Carol O'Regan, both of Richmond; one son, Phillip O'Regan of Tampa, Fla.; and one sister, Phyllis H. Beamer of Overland Park, Kans.

A memorial service for Mrs. O'Regan was held July 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Paschal Catholic Church with Sister Edna Maier officiating.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, 395 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, 23227.

Thomas A. Toombs

Thomas A. 'Jack' Toombs, 79, of Fort Mitchell, widower of Clara L. Toombs, died July 9.

Mr. Toombs was retired vice-president of Love & Associates, and a WWII Army Veteran.

He is survived by three daughters, Patsy Toombs of Red Oak, Lori LaPradd and husband, Michael, of Drakes Branch, and Karren DeJarnette and husband, Pearson, of Cullen; a son, Tommy Toombs and wife, Shannon, of Drakes Branch; five sisters, Edith Warren of Colonial Heights, Madelene Spain of Skipwith, Agnes Brankley of Richmond, Charlotte Reese and Evelyn Ellington, both of Chase City; a brother, Ernest Toombs Jr. of Red Oak; seven grandchildren; and a devoted friend, Janet Rogers of Halifax. Mr. Toombs was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline Raye Toombs.

Funeral services for Mr. Toombs was held July 12 at 3 p.m. at Public Fork Christian Church with Denis Fritz officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

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

Lawrence Franklin Wilson

Lawrence Franklin Wilson, 67, of 1046 Belt Blvd., South Boston died July 27 at Berry Hill Nursing Home.

Mr. Wilson was born in Brunswick County on July 18, 1936, the son of Melvin Marion Wilson and Edith Betterton Wilson and was married to Helen Martin Wilson. He attended Revelation Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Harold Dennis Wilson and Lawrence Randolph Wilson, both of South Boston; one sister, Virginia Christine W. Duffer of South Boston; three grandchildren, H.D., Krystle and Tiffany Wilson, all of South Boston.

Funeral services for Mr. Wilson will be today, July 30 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.