Through a phone conversation that spanned an ocean, U.S. Navy Mate Fireman Mark Davis, a 2008 graduate of Mills E. Godwin High, shared with the Henrico Citizen’s Caitlin Davis (no relation) a glimpse into what his daily life aboard the USS Harry S. Truman is like.

The Henrico Theatre, a recently restored jewel from the Art Deco period, made a fitting backdrop Oct. 20 as the 2010 Awards of Merit were presented to six champions of preservation. Awarded by the Henrico Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC), the honors went to individuals and organizations that have excelled at efforts ranging from creating a website to clearing cemeteries. Dr. Jearald D. Cable received his award for the preservation of the Curle’s Neck Farm Plantation. The farm is significant for its long history as one of the oldest, largest and most productive agricultural operations on the banks of the James River.

Four boys prepare to compete in a sack race during the Henrico County Harvest Festival Oct. 16 at Meadow Farm in Glen Allen. The festival kicked off 15 months of celebratory events to commemorate Henrico County’s 400th anniversary.

The corn-centric event was billed as an “a’maize’ing” experience and included a number of hands-on activities for children, as well as performances by Native Americans and others.

Wawa Inc. celebrated the Sept. 30 grand opening of its new Innsbrook store with donations to the Henrico Police Athletic League and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

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Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Richmond celebrated its 30th Birthday Party with a Sept. 27 gala at the Westin Richmond, featuring silent and live auctions and gourmet tastings provided by local restaurants.

The two-day celebration, which included a golf tournament and represented the biggest fundraiser of the year for RMHC Richmond, raised approximately $175,000. Among the guests and volunteers who paused for a photo beneath the giant birthday cake were (above, left to right) Linda Handzo, event committee member; Susan Durlak, event chair and McDonald’s franchisee; Ronald McDonald; Lori Costa; Karen Brimm, event volunteer; and Lynne Fye. For details about RMHC, visit richmondrmhc.org.

Two years ago, as members of the Innsbrook Rotary Club sat down to screen proposals for their 20th anniversary project, one proposal kept rising to the top.

While the other plans were slick, polished, and professionally packaged, the one that caught the eye of the Rotarians was painstakingly handwritten.

“You could just see the passion in the handwriting,” recalls the club’s past president, Fred Thompson.

Authored by Dorothy Gallimore, founder and director of the Coal Pit Learning Center, the handwritten pages summed up Gallimore’s dream of reaching out to more low-income families.

United Way kickoff brings volunteers to Henrico facility