Home-schoolers have their own party in Churchland

The TEAM home-school group had its annual Christmas party at the Churchland library Dec. 8. TEAM, an acronym for Together Everybody Achieves More, is a group of homeschoolers who meet regularly for physical education and fellowship. During warm weather, the youngsters meet at Bennett’s Creek park. Now that cooler weather is upon us, they’ll begin meeting at Portsmouth’s West Side Church of Christ. Helen Stanphill of Western Branch coordinated the Christmas party, which included crafts, games and cookie decorating stations. Debbie Wynn and her children played guitar and led the group in caroling. More than 40 kids and their moms enjoyed the party. The homeschoolers weren’t the only ones who benefitted. Last year, the families bought canned goods to donate to the food bank. For this party, each family contributed toward the food and craft purchases and the extra money was donated to Samaritan’s Purse to be used toward the purchase a bicycle for a Japanese tsunami victim.

You really do eat an elephant one bite at a time. After a fire closed the main library last December, the basement reopened in August for the monthly Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library sales. Now comes word the history room has also reopened. This is wonderful news. I’ve always received great assistance from historian Edie Carmichael when I’ve visited the room for research. Hours are by appointment only, on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 393-8501, ext. 39 or email localhistory@portsmouthva.gov to arrange an appointment. Plan to enter the building through the Friends of the Library book-sale entrance. The room is also open during Olde Towne’s monthly First Weekend celebrations. Friday hours are noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Churchland resident and city councilman Paige Cherry received the 2011 Still Serving military retiree and veteran award from the Flagship military newspaper. The award honors those who have served our country and continue to serve the Hampton Roads community. Paige was in great company when he and nine others received the honor at a Dec. 1 program at Nauticus. Other award winners included a Vietnam vet who leaves the country next year to begin a children’s home in Haiti and a retired chief petty officer who directs the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. A retired Army captain and Desert Storm Bronze Star recipient, Paige serves in many capacities locally, including co-chairing the Portsmouth Personnel Committee, vice chair for the Portsmouth Democratic Committee and board member for both the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation and the Westmoreland Children and Youth Association. The inaugural award recognizes the volunteer efforts of highly skilled former military personnel who lend their expertise to better our communities.

Contact me at pamelawrites@hotmail.com or 717-0628 with Churchland news you’d like to see on this page.

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