Briefly… for Dec. 19, 2013-Jan. 8, 2014

Colonial Downs track burning set

Colonial Downs has scheduled its annual burning of the Secretariat turf course for Friday, April 11, 4-8 p.m., with the event open to the public for the first time.

Each year, the track’s Secretariat turf course is strategically set on fire to quickly remove dead “cover” and drive nutrients into the ground so grass returns greener and more lush in time for the upcoming summer racing season. The event will consist of fire-themed activities, including fire juggler Jonathan Austin. Fire breathers, fire eaters, a garage “fire sale” and hot meals will be available.

Admission is $1, with a pig roast plated meal $9 for adults, $5 for kids (includes dessert and iced tea).

Be sure to check for registration information soon in the New Kent-Charles City Chronicle, or visit www.colonialdowns.com.

Judge scolds Disputanta woman

A Disputanta woman will not receive any active time behind jail bars, but received a stern warning for her “deceptive behavior” from Judge Thomas B. Hoover during Dec. 9 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.

Katherine Delores Woodlief, 33, of the 10700 block of Pole Run Road, received a five-year suspended sentence.

While Woodlief accepted a plea last year, she was placed in the first offender’s program in exchange for sentencing being suspended until the conclusion of the program. The defendant failed to complete the program, and charges from the February 2012 offenses returned to court.

While assistant Commonwealth’s attorney Randy Del Rossi recommended a 30-day sentence because of Woodlief’s multiple drug tests, Hoover took into account the new mother and her three-week old baby. But Hoover also spoke directly to Woodlief when it came to the pain medicine she had been prescribed by her doctor.

“I am not impressed with your character,” said the judge. “Here you are, getting over a drug addiction and you are receiving prescribed medication from a doctor, who is trying to do his job honestly by comforting his patients, for something you’re addicted to.”

“Ms. Woodlief, I expect you to be honest with your doctor and tell him about your addiction,” the judge concluded.

‘Christmas Belles’ to hit NKMS stage

New Kent StageHands will present “Christmas Belles”, beginning Friday, Jan. 24, inside the New Kent Middle School auditorium.

Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, the comedy introduces audience members to the Futrelle sisters and their hilarious situations. The production also reflects the trials and tribulations of trying to mount a Christmas program when characters are sick. Santa is dealing with a kidney problem, and other looming desires.

Other performances are Saturday, Jan. 25, Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1. Curtains open at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Call Beverley Sparks at 966-5972 for tickets.

Correction

Three New Kent Middle School students were omitted from the first quarter honor roll that was supplied by the school to the Chronicle and published Dec. 5.

Russell Fitzgerald and Alex Payne, sixth grade students, both made the “A-B” honor roll for the first quarter. Caitlin Ferrell, a seventh grader, was inadvertently left off the “All A’s” honor roll list.