Pumpkin run // Kamyra Hall, 8, is on the lookout for her next pumpkin pick at the Pumpkin Patch at Gallmeyer Farms in Eastern Henrico. Children of all ages excitedly picked pumpkins last Sunday, ran through a maze of hay bales, took a spooky house tour and went on hay rides at the farm that is open through Halloween.

Cityscape // It’s almost done. This is a view of the new T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge that pedestrians and cyclists can use to cross the James River. No motorized vehicles are allowed. The bridge links Brown’s Island near 5th Street in Downtown to the Manchester Climbing Wall, part of the floodwall, in South Side. It is named for the late city planner who once led the effort to create the bridge. The project took two years of planning and a year of construction. It includes improvements to the land area on the south bank to make the bridge more accessible. More than $11.5 million has been spent on the development, according to the city, including more than $9 million in city taxpayer funds and $2.5 million from a state grant. Part of the structure, now reinforced and improved, dates to 1901 and sat atop a dam that was built at the time to provide water to generate electricity at a long-defunct power plant on 12th Street. A few years ago, the old power plant was transformed into apartments.

Honoring the past // When the headstone of a prominent Richmond physician born into slavery around 1852 was taken last year from historic East End Cemetery, his descendants and other volunteers raised money to purchase a new headstone. The new marker for Dr. Richard F. Tancil was dedicated Oct. 22 during a short ceremony at the cemetery to honor the remarkable man who graduated from Howard University’s medical school and set up a practice in Church Hill. He also started the Nickel Savings Bank in 1896, and operated it out of his East End home. Instrumental in replacing the grave marker are, standing from left, Dr. Tancil’s great-granddaughter-in-law, Susan Mitchell; John Shuck, coordinator of cleanup and restoration efforts at East End Cemetery; Jess Kilgore, Melissa Pocock and Bruce Tarr. Also, kneeling from left, Brian Palmer, Justin Curtis and Erin Palmer. East End Cemetery, established around 1897, is the final resting place for more than 13,000 people, including pioneering educator and civic leader Rosa D. Bowser; Hezekiah F. Jonathan, vice president of Mechanics Savings Bank; and William Custalo, longtime proprietor of the Custalo House bar and restaurant on Broad Street.

East End on the James River

Virginia State homecoming slays off, on field // Friends, classmates and families enjoyed a trove of activities last weekend at Virginia State University’s 2016 homecoming celebration. From hip-hop and gospel concerts featuring Grammy Award winner Kirk Franklin, and Jazz on the Hill, to a parade through Downtown Petersburg, the Trojans showed their school spirit with the blue and orange at tailgates and at the football game at Rogers Stadium. In a perfect sunny, fall day, the Trojans were victorious on the gridiron, beating the Lincoln University Lions 69-7 at the homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Trojans also welcomed back Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, a 2011 VSU alumna and lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, and retired Gen. Dennis L. Via, a VSU alumnus and four-star general who retired Sept. 30 as commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command headquartered in Alabama. Fans, students and alumni pack Rogers Stadium on campus in a display of school spirit and support for the Trojans football team.

Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah, left, greets university alumni Deshauna Barber, Miss USA 2016, and retired Gen. Dennis L. Via, at a campus event last Friday.

The VSU Woo Woos perform a cheer on the sidelines during the blowout game against Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

From left, Bobette Banks, Alfred Harris and Vicki Grant enjoy the food and fellowship at last Saturday’s homecoming tailgate.

Mr. VSU Sebastian Despiau and Ms. VSU Ebony Acton stop for a photo at last Saturday’s homecoming football game, where they were introduced to the crowd.