The Lake of the Woods Democratic Club will meet in the lower level of the LOW Clubhouse starting with the first meeting in January, Chair Shirley Pfile has announced.
The move was made necessary by plans to enlarge the Fareways Restaurant in the Woods Center, which will willl greatly reduce space available for club meetings. The space in the lower level of the Clubhouse was the only other space available large enough to accommodate our growing club.
Members are asked to spread the word of he change.
The Club’s January meeting features Dr. Robert Grimesey, superintendent of Orange County Schools. The meeting will be in the Lower Level of the LOW Clubhouse.
Dr. Robert P. Grimesey Jr., superintendent of Orange County Schools, will address the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club on Jan. 19 on the status of local public education.
Guests are welcome to attend the meeting, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Lower Level of the LOW Clubhouse. Dr. Grimesey will take questions after his remarks.
Dr. Grimesey assumed his responsibilities as superintendent in July 2009.
Orange County’s school system includes five elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school. The school system represents more than 70 percent of Orange County’s annual budget.
In November 2010, he was named “Virginia Child Advocate of the Year” by the Virginia Parent-Teacher Association. He has served as chairman of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents’ Legislative Committee since the summer of 2010.
Prior to coming to Orange County, Dr. Grimesey served as superintendent of Alleghany County Public Schools from July 2001 through June 2009. In May 2007, he was named Virginia Region 6 Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents.
In November, 2004, Dr. Grimesey was named “State Administrator of the Year” by the Virginia Music Educators Association. In February, 2005, he received the “Curriculum and Instructional Leadership Award” from the Virginia Technology Education Association.
Prior to his tenure in Alleghany County, Dr. Grimesey served from 1987 to 2001 in Rockingham County Public Schools as assistant principal of John C. Myers Middle School (1987-1991), principal of Ottobine Elementary School (1991-1994), principal of Spotswood High School (1994-1998), and director of grants and partnerships (1998-2001). He began his administrative career as assistant principal at King George Middle School (1986-87). Prior to becoming an administrator, Dr. Grimesey taught social studies and coached football and wrestling at Harrisonburg High School (1982-1984), and at Osbourn High School in Manassas City (1985-86). He also served as a graduate assistant at James Madison University during 1984-85 while he completed work on his master of education degree in school administration.
He graduated from Fairfax County’s Annandale High School in 1974, where he played football under legendary coach Bob Hardage. Dr. Grimesey received his bachelor of science degree in communication arts from James Madison University in 1978. He served stints as a staff writer and sports writer for the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record between 1977 and 1984. In 1978, Dr. Grimesey earned first-place awards from the Virginia Press Association for “Best Sports Feature Article” and “Best Series of Stories.” He worked as an agricultural volunteer in Israel during 1979-1980.
Dr. Grimesey completed his master’s degree in 1985, and he received his Doctor of Education degree in leadership and policy studies from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education in May 1991.
He married his wife, the former Carol Y. Martin, in 1982 and they reside in Locust Grove. Their oldest child, John, serves in the United States Air Force. They also have two daughters: Sarah, who teaches English at the American College of Sophia, Bulgaria; and Hannah, who attends Germanna Community College.
Speaker Richard Bradie, who addressed the club at its Nov. 17 meeting, came laden down with gifts designed to make club members safer.
Mr. Bradie represents TRIAD, a cooperative program involving law enforcement agencies, community groups and senior citizens, working together to protect seniors.
Club members were given “Files for Life,” a kit containing a chart for listing a person’s medical conditions and medications. The file is magnetic so it can be affixed to a refrigerator door. A sticker for a window or door will alert first responders in the event of an emergency, so EMTs can have life-saving medical information even if the patient is unable to communicate. Mr. Bradie said all local first responders have been trained to look for a “File for Life.”
In addition, Mr. Bradie offered members power-failure lights, motion-detecting night lights, magnifying lenses and other items and literature designed to make seniors more secure.
The speaker demonstrated a Guardian Alert 911 system, which a senior can use to summon help at the touch of a button. The system has the advantage of not requiring a monthly fee. Triad provides the systems at no cost, but asks for a $150 donation to defray costs.
The Orange County Triad program is a joint effort by the sheriff’s office, AARP and local seniors.
