SSentinel.com Serving Middlesex County and adjacent areas of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck since 1896 Vol. 119, No. 43 Urbanna, Virginia 23175 • January 30, 2014 Two Sections • 75¢ On Sunday, rescue workers, friends and family of Kirstin Cole, who was seriously injured in a car accident on August 18, gathered at the tree her vehicle struck. The occasion was to recognize some of the first respond- ers and those who helped save Kirstin, who came home from the hospital recently. In the photo at right Kirstin, with her dad Jerry Cole, and mother Misty Smith, cut the ribbon that had been tied around the tree as a reminder for all to pray for her recovery. (Photo by Kristee Norwood) After long hospitilzation, many prayers, Kirstin Cole is back home Kirstin Cole has returned to her home after recovery. being hospitalized from a car accident on The outpouring of support from Middlesex and surround- Kirstin’s mother, Misty Smith, said her August 18, 2013. ing communities has been something “I could have never daughter has come a long way and still has Shortly after the accident, her family placed a long road ahead of her. “She amazes me a purple and green ribbon around the tree imagined.” every day how strong she is,” said Smith. involved in her accident. The ribbon was to — Jerry Cole, Kirstin’s father “She struggles and thrives through her recov- remind everyone to pray for her recovery and ery and always has a beautiful smile on her to show support for her until she came home. responders on the scene, and took command He said the outpouring of support from face.” On Sunday, January 26, Kirstin, her family of the rescue efforts. Middlesex and surrounding communities has Kirstin was named the most caring and and members of the Middlesex County Vol- Debbie Holaday and Will Boards played been something “I could have never imag- helpful student at the Middlesex High School unteer Rescue Squad met at the tree to cut off important roles stabilizing Kirstin and extri- ined.” senior awards ceremony in June. Her ordeal the ribbon. “It was a very special occasion cating her from the vehicle. “The profession- Although Kirstin still has a long road to has been followed by the community. for all of us and an opportunity to recognize alism and quick response shown by everyone full recovery, she has been working hard in Smith added, “I cannot find the words to some of the first responders from that dread- involved were essential in saving her life,” her therapies to return to how she was prior to exactly thank everyone who was involved in ful day,” said her dad, Jerry Cole. said Jerry Cole. the accident, he said. During the past couple coming to the aid of my daughter that rainy According to the information Cole has When Kirstin met them on Sunday, she of months, Kirstin has undergone intensive August night. Without each and every one of been given, Richard Shore was one of the first reached her arm out for an overdue embrace. physical, occupational and speech therapy at the rescuers, my daughter wouldn’t be here responders on the scene that day. “He essen- “These are just a few of the people that MCV. She will continue home health therapy today. tially saved her life by opening her airway,” played key roles in Kirstin’s rescue and recov- and will eventually begin outpatient therapy. “I count my blessings and say a prayer said Jerry Cole. ery,” Jerry said. “We are forever grateful for Her positive attitude and willingness to every night that I still have all three of my Seth Foster was also one of the first the service of all of these first responders.” participate in therapy have been key to her beautiful children with me today.” Fire destroys Unpaid overtime suit settled; former deputies get $17,000 by Larry Chowning The complaint was filed in United supervisors’ meeting on December 3, county sheriff Guy Abbott. Middlesex another home States District Court for the Eastern Dis- supervisors voted to pay Moon $13,000, County hired the law firm of Guynn, The Middlesex County Board of trict of Virginia in Richmond on Febru- Burch $2,500 and Lyons $1,500 for Memmer & Dillon, P.C. of Salem to Supervisors agreed in December to ary 28, 2013, by former deputies Austin unpaid overtime and wages. It is unclear defend the sheriff’s office. near Urbanna settle an unpaid overtime and wage Moon, Ashland Burch and Perry T. how legal fees incurred by the county Attorney Jim Guynn said in a January by Tom Chillemi lawsuit against the Middlesex Sheriff’s Lyons Jr. The deputies sued Middlesex and the plaintiffs will be paid. 21 telephone interview that all the over- Office out of court. The suit was brought County Sheriff David Bushey for over- Although Sheriff Bushey was named time was incurred before Sheriff Bushey The smell of smoke awoke a mother last year by three former county depu- time compensation. the defendant in the case, the suit goes in time for her to get her infant and ties. After a closed session at the board of back to the administration of former (See Overtime, Page A2) escape their burning mobile home on Thursday, January 23, about 4:47 a.m. Outside the temperature was about 9 degrees. Dressed in pajamas, robe and Cheering goes on for Deltaville deadrises slippers, she ran to a neighbor’s home by Larry Chowning Evans, the longtime boatbuilder and recently spotted by Urbanna resident munity was known far and wide as and knocked on the door. former waterman looked at it and said Bill Hight of the Chesapeake Bay a center of wooden boatbuilding. The home on Johnson Drive, just Several months ago, Robert T. under his breath, “That’s a Maylon Buyboat Association. Hight found the Although Deltaville’s early boat- west of Urbanna, was fully involved by Brown, president of the Maryland Green boat.” He recognized Green’s Virginia Estelle, built in 1931 by Lin- building culture has for the most part the time firefighters arrived, said Ray Watermen’s Association, had Eugene boatbuilding style immediately wood Price, still alive and active. She passed on with time, other regions Burch, chief of the Middlesex Volun- Evans of Crisfield, Maryland, fiber- because the first wooden deadrise is now named the Mary Jemison and still recognize the significance of the teer Fire Department. glass the hull of his wooden work Evans owned was built in Deltaville is owned by the Corn Hill Navigation area’s boatbuilding heritage. Fighting the fire was compounded by boat. by Green. Foundation in Rochester, New York. Last summer, Deltaville boatbuild- live electric lines on the ground, which When Brown brought the boat to Another Deltaville boat has been The vessel was converted to a cruise/ ers Willard Norris and Grover Lee stopped firemen from spraying water education vessel and is currently for Owens were honored for their long- on part of the fire until power was shut sale, said Hight. time dedication to building wooden off by Dominion Virginia Power. “We are finding more and more boats when the communities of Nor- The home had no working smoke Deltaville boats alive and working,” folk and Poquoson recognized their detectors, said Chief Mark Nugent, said Hight. “Part of accomplishments. the Middlesex the goal of the Ches- Both men were Emergency Ser- apeake Bay Buyboat “I turned down awarded plaques in Smoke vice Coordina- Association is to find June at the 37th annual detectors tor. “She got out and track buyboats more calls for new Norfolk Harborfest and with the clothes that are still active.” boats last year Workboat Races, and are free. on her back,” he A buyboat is the in September Norris (See page A2) said. “They lost largest of the dead- than I can ever was recognized at the everything else.” rise style boats remember.” Poquoson Seafood (A relief effort is under way, see related (ranging from 50-to- — Willard Norris Festival and Workboat story.) 90-feet long) and Races. Smoke detectors give occupants an was used to purchase At the races, Rain- early warning at the first sign of a fire, oysters, crabs, and fish from water- bow Chaser, a Norris 42-footer built even if it’s just smoldering and has not men working in smaller deadrise in 1974, won in both Norfolk and erupted into flames, said Nugent. (See boats on the fishing grounds. There Poquoson. Several of Owens’ boats related story.) are approximately 45 still alive. There were finalists in the races. The fire appears to have started in the were about 2,000 buyboats in exis- “They really let us know how much kitchen area, said Nugent. tence during their heyday from the they appreciated wooden boats,” said Without a home are the 25-year-old 1920s to 1950s. Norris. “There were fiberglass and mother, her 9-month-old child and her During the evolution of wooden wooden deadrises running together boyfriend, who was at work when the deadrise construction on the Chesa- but most of the people were cheering fire started. peake Bay, Deltaville boatbuilders for the wooden boats.” Also responding were the Upper perfected a style that became known Norris has slowed down after Middlesex Volunteer Fire Depart- as the Deltaville deadrise. The dead- having knee surgery and Owens has ment of Water View and the Central rise boats ranged from 12-foot skiffs been battling health issues. Norris Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad of to the 100-foot Marydel, built by now has a 28-foot crab/oyster skiff Urbanna.