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Feast VFD fish, Ruritan shrimp and Rotary oysters november/december 2016 • vol. 7, no. 6
2 suffolk living
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FEATURE
18
It takes a lot of work to do a fish fry right. The folks at Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department have it down to a science.
contents nov - dec | 2016 25
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Oyster Roast
10 They don’t look like much coming off the smoking pits, but the oysters at this roast had everybody licking their fingers.
On the cover suffolklivingmag.com
14 Shrimp. As many as you can eat. If you missed the Shrimp Feast, you’ll wish you hadn’t when you see how yummy they looked.
26 The Suffolk Peanut Festival was cut short this year by Hurricane Matthew, but early visitors were able to enjoy the fun.
Feast VFD FISH, RURITAN SHRIMP AND ROTARY OYSTERS november/december 2016 • vol. 7, no. 6
by Troy Cooper
editor's note nov - dec
2016
A seafood extravaganza EDITORIAL R.E. Spears III Editor Tracy Agnew News Editor Sterling Giles Staff Writer news@suffolklivingmag.com
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I learned a valuable lesson while working on this edition of Suffolk Living magazine: My wife doesn’t appreciate it when I come home smelling of oyster smoke. “You stink,” she said. Of course, stinky is all in the nose of the smeller. Some wives probably loved the eau de oyster that clung to their husbands’ clothing after they’d worked the steam pits at the North Suffolk Rotary Club’s annual oyster roast on Nov. 2. Some say that oysters are an acquired taste (one I’ve not acquired in 52 years, I’ll admit). Perhaps the same is true of the wood-smoke/steamed oyster perfume I came home wearing after photographing the event for Sterling Giles’ story in this edition. Suffolk has its share of oyster roasts, but there is hardly a more beautiful venue for this great tradition than the farm in Everets that hosts the event these days. I knew early on that I wanted to choose this particular event as one of the features for this magazine. And since we were talking about feasts, it soon became apparent that our fall feasts would be this edition’s theme. The hard part was winnowing down the list of great events held around the city this time of year. As it happens, seafood became the common denominator. There may be no food-related event in Suffolk that is as eagerly anticipated each year as the Suffolk Ruritan Club’s Shrimp Feast, the traditional kickoff event for Suffolk Peanut Fest. This year marked the return of all-you-can-eat shrimp to the event, and folks didn’t let a little (or a lot of) rain keep them from filling their bellies. There’s just something about looking at a plateful of steamed shrimp, knowing that you can go back for more when you’re done, that brings out the glutton in the best of us. Yes, there’s beer, and there’s a band, and we’ve heard there is even barbecue on the plate. But the shrimp are the main attraction, and Tracy Agnew, supported by her photographer/designer husband, Troy Cooper, captured the meat of the story (see what I did there?) for all to savor. Finally, our tour of Suffolk’s seafood fests took us to Chuckatuck, where the volunteer fire department has made a science of the ennobled fish fry. That was my story, and my diet took a beating for it, but it’s just the kind of sacrifice I think our readers expect me to make on their behalf. I can attest that the hush puppies were among the best I’ve eaten, the fish was tender and flaky and the camaraderie was everything one would expect from a group that has held these events twice a year for longer than anyone can remember. And here’s the bonus for my wife: No oyster-smoke. God bless, Res Spears, Editor
Suffolk Living is published six times per year by Suffolk Publications, LLC. P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 www.suffolklivingmag.com • (757) 539-3437
suffolk living 7
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what to do Send us your news To submit your calendar or news item, simply email it to: news@suffolklivingmag.com
Grand Illumination November 18 The holiday season officially begins in Suffolk with the city’s Grand Illumination ceremony at Market Park in Downtown Suffolk. The park opens at 6 p.m. Watch the 32-foot tree light up when the switch is flipped. Be there as Santa arrives in style and enjoy seasonal music courtesy of local choirs. Stick around to purchase tasty treats from the Stillwater House Tea Room as your children decorate their letter to Santa and visit the local Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. All activities are open until 8 p.m. Parking will be available at the Suffolk Visitor Center at 524 N. Main St., and free shuttle service will run from the Godwin Courts Building parking lot from 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
suffolk living 9
what to do Continuing
This Suffolk Art League’s annual juried exhibition will be held Nov. 19 through Dec. 11. The exhibition is open to all visual artists working in any medium and typically features approximately 100 works of art by artists from the Hampton Roads region and beyond. The show will be held at the Suffolk Art Gallery, located at 118 Bosley Ave. Tuesday November 15
Discover the Native American Tribes in our area during the November Afternoon Conversations Series talk led by Joseph L. Bass, a descendant of the local Native Americans that lived in this area during the Jamestown era. He is a distant cousin of those that make up the local Nansemond Tribe. His mother's ancestors were Creek. Bass has studied Native American culture and provides talks dealing with their huntergatherer cultures from this area and the American West. This event, sponsored by the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, is free and open to the public. It will be held at 137 Bank St. from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 514-7323. Saturday November 19
A glassblowing workshop featuring Richmond-based glass artist Neil Duman will be held at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave. Participants will create their own glass piece with handson supervision from Duman, who has 40 years experience in the art. Six time slots are available between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., during which two participants per hour will work with the artist. Cost for the workshop is $50. For more information, visit www. SuffolkCenter.org. Saturday November 26
The Riddick’s Folly House Museum, located at 510 N. Main St., will host an American Girl program, “Meet Lea Clark: Girl of the Year 2016.” There will be three sittings, at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m., for this free program. Lea is ready for adventure on a family trip to Brazil, where her big brother Zaz is studying the rainforest. One of the girls attending will receive a Lea Clark doll. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call for reservations at 934-0822 or email riddicksfolly@verizon.net beginning 14 days before the event.
Christmas in the village of Driver will kick off with a visit from Santa and free photos from 5 to 8 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Driver Merchants Association and the Driver Volunteer Fire Department. For more information, visit www.driverevents.com. Friday December 2
A musical play to inspire you to achieve your dreams against impossible odds will be held at noon at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. “The Wright Brothers — Those Daring Young Men and Their Flying Machines” is an educational performance that the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, America’s pioneers of aviation. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.SuffolkCenter.org. Saturday December 3
Enjoy a hometown, handcrafted holiday at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion during the fifth annual Artisan Gift Fair. Suffolk's traditional outdoor holiday market features a variety of handmade, artisan-quality crafts, jewelry, soaps, fine art, home decor and more. There will be live music and complimentary refreshments, along with crafts for kids. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, located at 326 N. Main St., will host a “Fill the Caboose” program for Suffolk’s Toys for Tots program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help fill the caboose by donating toys for Toys for Tots. Write letters to Santa and give them to Bob the conductor to take on the train to the North Pole. Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa. Receive a 10% discount if you purchase a toy for donation from our gift shop. For more information, visit www. suffolktrainstation.org. Enjoy lunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Shores Recreation Center, 6791 Respass Beach Road. Children 12 and under can participate in this holiday event with a donation of one new, unwrapped toy per child that will be donated to a local charity. Adults wishing to have lunch can do so for $5 per person. There will be games for fun prizes. Registration forms are available at the following Joint Use Facility sites: Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, Creekside Recreation Center, Mack Benn Jr. Recreation Center, Northern Shores Recreation Center, and Oakland Recreation Center.
The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts will host “A Tennessee Christmas” at 8 p.m. This concert, featuring Meagan Atkins and Jason Cramer, includes a mix of vocal and instrumental songs that spotlight their vocal harmonies with a variety of pop, country, jazz, and intimate acoustic arrangements of Christmas classics old and new. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www. SuffolkCenter.org. Saturday and Sunday December 3 and 4
The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society’s Candlelight Tour is the quintessential event of the holiday season. This is the 40th edition of the holiday tradition of touring some of Suffolk's most historic and interesting homes in a variety of architectural styles and period. Tickets are available in advance for $20 each at the Suffolk Visitor Center (524 N. Main St.), Seaboard Station Railroad Museum (326 N. Main St.), A. Dodson's (2948 Bridge Road), or for $25 on tour days at each site. For more information, visit www.SuffolkHistory.org. Wednesday December 7
Active adults and seniors 55 and up are invited to celebrate with the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department during an “Active Adult Holiday Gala.” There will be music, dancing and gifts, all topped off with a delicious holiday lunch. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the East Suffolk Recreation Center at 514-4500 or email parksemail@suffolkva.us. Saturday December 10
Join in the lights and sounds of the 2016 Suffolk Holiday Parade at 7 p.m. This year's theme is "Holidays in Toyland." Find the best spot to watch the floats, equestrian units, marching bands and festive vehicles stroll down West Washington Street and take a turn up North Main Street, with the parade route ending on Finney Avenue. A grandstand will be in front of the SunTrust building on Main Street. Friday December 16
Allonge Dance Academy presents The Nativity Ballet at 7 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church, 617 Carolina Road. Come experience the power of the story of Christmas through the beauty of ballet. This is a free performance.
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Oysters: Steamed and shoveled story by Sterling Giles photos by R.E. Spears III
A
surprisingly warm November afternoon broke a cycle of cooler days the first week of the month, providing perfect weather for the North Suffolk Rotary Club’s annual oyster
roast. Tucked in the corner of a farm in Everets, hundreds of Rotarians, friends and family huddled around rows of makeshift tables. A smoky, seawater aroma permeated the grounds, and the sound of bluegrass music, courtesy of Fentress Station, completed the rustic setting. “It’s an open, beautiful location,” said Steven Sheppard, president of the North Suffolk Rotary Club. “We keep it relatively intimate.” To the left of the tables was a custom-made grill, which was donated by one of the property residents, Doug McConnell, president of local concrete manufacturer Nansemond Pre-Cast Concrete Company. The grill’s base is made of concrete blocks slightly cracked from age, and half-inch-thick, lightly rusted, convex steel plates provided the base for cooking. Glowing embers from the fire below were evidence that the cooking temperature had reached its prime, well over 1,000 degrees, based on measurements taken at past oyster roasts. Rotary members and Nansemond River High School volunteers had a precise operation with the oysters. See OYSTERS page 12
Nothing worth having comes easily, and these oysters were no exception. Gloves are highly recommended when cracking into oysters. Michael Jackson would approve.
suffolk living 11
Josh West rakes a pile of oysters into a wheelbarrow during the North Suffolk Rotary Club’s annual oyster roast in Everets. Rakes, wheelbarrows and shovels aren’t the tools of choice for most chefs, but they’re just right for this job.
12 suffolk living OYSTERS continued from page 10
First, the oysters, provided by North Carolina-based Murray L. Nixon Fishery, were unloaded from a truck and placed onto the grill. Then, two men placed burlap bags that had been soaked in water on top of the oysters. This was done to prevent the oysters from burning and to preserve the oysters’ moisture. After several minutes, brown liquid bubbled from the oyster heaps, which signaled they were ready to be taken off the grill. Andy Brooks, a North Suffolk Rotarian and a seasoned grill volunteer, said the process of smoking the oysters “is a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.” “The oysters are nice and plump and juicy,” he said. Next, the oysters were scraped from the grill into wheelbarrows, which were pushed by the students to the hungry guests. Once consumed, the emptied oyster shells were placed into white plastic barrels and carried to a large truck and dumped onto the truck bed. In the days to follow, the oyster shells would be placed back into the waterways for harvesting. The 11 students were members of the school’s Future Business Leaders of America club, which has built a relationship with the North Suffolk Rotary club during the last few years. About three years ago, the students asked the club to sponsor them. The following year, the club asked the students to help with its oyster roasts. “The kids love doing it,” said Jason Bartholomew, lead advisor for the high school’s FBLA club. “We’re just helping each other.”
A little Texas Pete was the perfect condiment for some of the guests at the North Suffolk Rotary Club’s oyster roast. Others brought their own concoctions to dress up the main fare.
See OYSTERS page 13
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suffolk living 13 OYSTERS continued from page 12
“It’s always good to step out and show we have really good young adults who want to help out.” Maverick Lozano, a student who has volunteered for the last two years, said the event “is a nice community event to come together and donate to the local Rotary Club.” After a long day of hard work, the students enjoyed servings of the remaining oysters. Among the sea of 350 people, the roast’s largest showing to date, were many bright smiles, along with lots of greasy, stained hands and laughter. “I get to revisit friends from previous years,” said Danny Barker, a roast regular. “The [oysters] are clean and a nice size — it doesn’t taste like river bottom.” “People are ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the oysters — they’re huge,” Sheppard said. Cracking open the rugged, dark grey oyster shells revealed a handful of milky-gray, delicate, lima bean-shaped oysters. Barker was right — the oysters didn’t taste bitter, but rather savory and slightly salty. The consistency was slightly slimy and smooth. While chewing, there was the occasional crunch of shell bits.
Dozens of bushels of oysters were cleaned, roasted and eaten during the North Suffolk Rotary Club’s annual oyster roast at the beginning of November.
“That puts a little hair on your chest,” Sheppard joked. Everets Properties, owned by the Rose family, has hosted oyster roasts and other community events for many years. Lynn Rose’s grandfather bought the 160-acre property in 1940, and it has been owned by the family ever since. “My grandfather was a big supporter of the community, and we have carried through to be civic-oriented,” Lynn said. “This is our contribution to the city,” said Charles Rose, Lynn’s husband. “We’re proud to
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be able to have a place to share.” All proceeds from the oyster roast will be given to various charities, the Nansemond River High FBLA chapter, the North Suffolk Rotary Club Foundation and a host of other organizations and initiatives. In previous years, the event has raised between $6,000 and $7,000. Sheppard was pleased with the event’s turnout. “We placed the order early for the weather, and it came through,” he said. “It’s a sell-out.” ←
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suffolk living 15
Peel. Eat. Repeat. story by Tracy Agnew photography by Troy Cooper
S
uccessfully conquering an event like the annual Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast requires preparation and experience. After all, as S. Eugene Porter can attest, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. “I got caught short once,” Porter says, never taking his eyes off the task of peeling shrimp. That’s why he makes sure these days to come prepared with his own, new bottle of cocktail sauce and a bowl to pour it into for dipping shrimp. For some, successfully conquering the Shrimp Feast just requires a lot of travel. “We don’t have barbecue in Tampa, Fla.,” Lynnette Phelps Hefley says as she comes through the line at this year’s Shrimp Feast. “Not like this.” Indeed, very few places or events serve up food like this. The Shrimp Feast, an annual happening on the first day of the Peanut Festival, is known for its unpretentious atmosphere and heaping helpings of barbecue, cole slaw and rolls — oh, and also beer — all of which are mere side dishes in comparison to the all-you-can-eat main attraction. The shrimp are actually cooked the day before, unloaded in batches from a refrigerated box truck, steamed, smothered in Old Bay seasoning, packed in ice and then loaded back on. They stay that way until it’s time to start serving shrimp the next day. The crowds start arriving in the early afternoon and get their fill of beer and entertainment — country singer Celeste Kellogg has been the crowd favorite in recent years — before the shrimp are served. When the line forms, volunteers spoon out barbecue and See SHRIMP page 16
16 suffolk living SHRIMP continued from page 15
Fred Brinkley and Jesse Pruden of the Bethlehem Ruritan Club help out.
cole slaw and dump shrimp by the fistsful, straight from the boxes filled with ice, onto plates held by hungry fairgoers. Packets of Texas Pete and cocktail sauce are handed out for those less prepared than Mr. Porter. The shrimp and sides are consumed at makeshift wooden tables, and guests stand while they peel and eat. Some might chat with their neighbors, but others are far too focused on the matter at hand. It’s difficult work, after all, to smack Old Bay off one’s fingers and still look dignified near acquaintances and work colleagues. The 2016 Shrimp Feast took place on a rainy and dreary day, and some folks in line shunned the roll for fear it would be soggy by the time they found their place at the table. But let’s be honest, the roll only exists to mop up extra cocktail sauce, anyway. But no matter the weather — rain or shine, cool or hot — devotees of the event never miss out on one See SHRIMP page 17
suffolk living 17 SHRIMP continued from page 16
Rain didn't slow down fairgoers at the Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast. They simply donned ponchos and hoodies and kept on peeling.
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savory mouthful. “We come out here every year,” said Ebony Powell. Hefley, the Tampa resident, admitted she didn’t come to Suffolk this year solely for the Shrimp Feast, although one can understand why she might have. But it was a happy coincidence that her trip to visit family coincided with the feast. The Suffolk Ruritan Club deeply appreciates its devotees. The event is the main fundraiser for the club, which supports many other local organizations with donations throughout the year. The club puts on a veterans’ appreciation event every year, and other organizations such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts benefit, as well. So next October, make sure you get yourself a ticket to the Shrimp Feast — and arrive with cocktail sauce in hand. ←
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Changes during the holiday season in a pet's daily diet, exercise routine and the surrounding environment, along with unfamiliar guests dropping by or staying overnight can all be stressful for your dog or cat. Travel can be stressful too, whether you are taking your pet with you on leaving them behind. Plan out your holiday itinerary keeping your pet in mind making their holiday season as familiar and stress-free as possible. Feel free to call us with any questions about changes in your pet's appetite or attitude during the holiday season.
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Battered and fried fish awaits the plates of eager fish fry visitors at the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department's semi-annual event.
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Family, friends and a fish fry story and photography by R.E. Spears III
T
o hear Tom Sparling and his crew of corn meal-dunkers tell it, hush puppies are the main attraction at the semiannual Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department fish fry. The secret, he says, is the beer. The high yeast content of cheap beer — his recipe once called for Old Milwaukee, but now uses Budweiser Red — makes the hush puppies come out light and fluffy. Sparling has been making the corn meal treats for 40 years. During that time, he figures “a couple million” dollops have been deep fried on the way to the plates of eager diners. During September’s fish fry in Chuckatuck, more than 300 pounds of hush puppy mix found its way — one hot, golden, bitesized ball at a time — into the bellies of hundreds of guests. Whether it’s because of the hush puppies, the fried tilapia filets or the fellowship, there’s always a packed house when CVFD holds a fish fry. During the course of three to four hours, twice a year, the department’s volunteers, along with helpers from the Chuckatuck Ruritan Club, the Chuckatuck Civic League and a variety of individuals pitching in for the cause, as many as 1,700 people have their plates and to-go containers filled. And when they’re done, they can come back for more at this all-you-can-eat extravaganza. “The driving force is the fire department,” says Chief Jacob Johnson. “But we couldn’t do it without the community.” From Johnson’s perspective, in fact, the fish fry really isn’t about the fish — or the hush puppies. See FISH page 21
20 suffolk living The Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department’s semiannual fish fry actually starts with the potatoes, which are peeled and then cubed by volunteers (top right) from Chuckatuck on the night before the event. On Saturday, an army of volunteers from the department and the town are on hand to churn out plates heaping with fried fish, hush puppies, boiled potatoes and bread. The fish are battered (bottom left) and then fried (bottom right), before being placed in warmers, where they’re kept until it’s time to load plates for the hungry guests.
suffolk living 21 FISH continued from page 19
Nobody in the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department gets away without lending a hand during the semi-annual fish fry.
“The main thing that has always been the same is the community aspect,” he said. “People come in and sit down and they see each other every year at the fish fry.” As Suffolk’s only all-volunteer fire department, CVFD relies on the fundraiser for much of its support, netting between $8,000 and $10,000 per event. Fish, corn meal, potatoes and drinks are all purchased, but the desserts are donated, and all the work is done by volunteers. And it all starts with a potato-cutting party in the firehouse bay on the Friday night before Saturday’s event. Chairs arranged in a broad circle are occupied by members of the Ruritan Club and some firefighters, each with a knife in hand and two buckets at his feet. Whole potatoes, peeled by a machine the department has used for more than 30 years, are grabbed from one bucket and then cut into cubes, which are dropped into the other bucket. The atmosphere is light and congenial. There’s a bit of lighthearted ribbing, and one young boy takes whole potatoes from his father’s bucket and drops them into that of another man nearby. On Saturday, they’ll be boiled in industrial-sized pots, one of the improvements to the process through the years. In days past, Johnson says, each of the ladies in the community would be given two or three pots to take home and boil. Long before the first guests arrive at the event — an hour early, but patient — the firehouse has been cleared of equipment, long rows of tables have been set with malt vinegar, salt and pepper and sugar containers, and the fish fryers have been cleaned and filled with fresh oil. All 48 or so members of the fire department are on duty this day. “The second Saturday in June and the last Saturday in September — it’s what See FISH page 22
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One of the big draws for the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department’s semi-annual fish fry is the chance to catch up with friends and neighbors. But those who can’t stay for the all-you-can-eat event are treated to a wellmanaged carryout experience — and they go home with to-go containers heaped full of fried tilapia. And hush puppies.
FISH continued from page 21
you do,” Johnson says. Some are working the hush puppy line. Some are breading fish. Some are frying the breaded fish. Some are taking potatoes off the stove. Some are carrying cooked food to the warmers. And some are preparing to serve. “Don’t act like you’re a visitor!” someone gruffs at a late-arriving firefighter. “Get to work!”
“Pretty much, from 3:30 on, it’s wide open,” Johnson says. Cars have begun to line up for carryout orders, and the first sit-down customers are being served. Mike and Helen Eggleston of Surry County are among the first to have their plates filled. They’ve been coming to the fish fry for three years, following the recommendation of Herb
DeGroft, whom they know from the Smithfield VFW post. “He said it was the best fish fry around,” Mike says. Lots of folks seem to agree. “It’s for a good cause, and they’re delicious,” Suffolk resident Glenda Wadford says as she picks up meals to go. “Everybody is so friendly.” And we hear the hush puppies are the best. ←
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suffolk living 23
in the news
Bringing the Christmas ‘Cheer’
E
very Christmas, thousands of children in Suffolk would not have toys under the tree if it weren’t for the Suffolk Cheer
Fund. The Cheer Fund collects money for the Toys for Tots program, which purchases and distributes thousands of toys to ensure the Christmas cheer spreads Suffolk-wide every Dec. 25. The Cheer Fund started during the Great Depression to provide clothes and food for needy families. It eventually began providing toys for children and teamed up with the Toys for Tots program. There are many reasons to give to the Cheer Fund, and head elf Margie Wiley can list them all. “Sometimes, it’s just easier than going out shopping,” Wiley said. “You can let somebody else do the shopping for you.” While many people enjoy shopping for toys, money given to the Cheer Fund goes farther, because toys are purchased in bulk at a discount. “It’s great that a community will donate a toy to Toys for Tots, but it’s even better when you donate directly to the Cheer Fund, because they’re able to get toys at a discount, so the dollar goes farther,” Wiley said. The Toys for Tots experts keep up on the lat-
est in toys, so they’re able to get toys that will be favored by the kids. “You can have somebody really put a toy in someone’s hand that someone can use,” Wiley said. “We just want to make sure the money and toys are getting utilized the best way they can.”
Wiley said many people may not realize the level of need in the city. “Your neighbor or the person you go to church with — you see them every day, but you don’t know what’s going on at home,” she said. “We see the expansion going on, which is
wonderful, but you don’t realize the magnitude within the city of people that don’t have enough to buy toys for their children. Without the Toys for Tots, those kids would never get a toy like that.” All money given to the Cheer Fund stays in Suffolk, unlike checks written directly to Toys for Tots. “It’s even better when you send it to the local organization, because we can make sure it stays here,” Wiley said. One hundred percent of the money given to the Cheer Fund goes toward purchasing toys. Wiley said the ability for parents to come to the Salvation Army in early December and shop for the toys they will receive for their children gives them a sense of accomplishment. “It’s a sense of pride,” she said. For those who still need an incentive, a donation to the Cheer Fund is taxdeductible. Donations for the Cheer Fund are accepted year-round. To give, write a check payable to the Cheer Fund and mail it to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439, or stop by our office at 130 S. Saratoga St. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also find the Cheer Fund on Facebook. Just search for “Suffolk Cheer Fund.” ←
To our past. To our future...
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Two-Stone Fashion Jewelry
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Cabins and Lodge
EST: 1991 Family Owned & Operated
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1411 N. Main St. Suffolk, VA 23434
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24 suffolk living
through the lens: Valoree Vargas-Barry
V
aloree Vargas-Barry has lived in Suffolk for 16 years. She enjoys gardening and travel. She especially enjoys landscape photography, but on occasion she likes to take out the close-up lens to capture the world on a smaller scale. “I have lived and traveled all over the country and overseas as a kid,” she wrote when submitting her photos for the Through the Lens feature. “One thing that is common anywhere you go is flowers and the crawly critters that call them home, and I love to see the variety of colors on display.” We’re always looking for amateur and professional photographers who have captured images of Suffolk that we can spotlight in this feature. To have your work considered, send an email to news@suffolklivingmag.com.
suffolk living 25
where am I?
I
n each edition the Suffolk Living staff provides a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Suffolk you really know. We photograph some location in Suffolk that is readily accessible and open to the public, and see if you can tell us where it is. If you know where this photo was taken, submit your answer, along with your name and contact information to news@suffolklivingmag.com. If you’re right, you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to any one of our partner advertisers. So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner. Go out and enjoy Suffolk!
26 suffolk living
Peanut Fest 2016 T
Above, Landon and Cason Cordel have fun on the rides at the Suffolk Peanut Festival. Below, the midway is the best place to get your fill of the festival.
he 2016 Peanut Festival may have gotten cut short by Hurricane Matthew, but Thursday and Friday still provided a car-smashing, nutcracking good time. A large crowd came out on Friday to enjoy the beautiful fall weather that turned out to be the calm before the storm. Both runways used for parking at the Suffolk Executive Airport were packed, as were the stands at the demolition derby and the walkways along the midway. The masses exuded a sense of determination to fit all that the festival has to offer — the food, the rides, the games, the demolition derby and fireworks — into one day. These photos reflect that although the festival was cut short, plenty of people still had a good time.
suffolk living 27
Above, the demolition derby is one of the biggest draws of the Suffolk Peanut Festival, and it happened on a perfect evening this year — the only rain-free evening, that is. At right, Tony Melendez, also known as the Rad Hatter, has become a favorite at the Peanut Fest, especially for youngsters like Connor Frantzich.
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28 suffolk living
suffolk scene
Cocktails & Conversation Dozens of downtown businesspeople gathered at 1 Foot, 2 Foot Centre for Foot and Ankle Care on Oct. 12 for networking. The celebration was also the 10th anniversary for 1 Foot, 2 Foot. PHOTOS BY Tracy Agnew
Connie Womack and Bob Stephens
Christie Creasy and Hoan Dang Tom Powell and Tyler Kent
Dr. Marc Barbella and Dr. Chantel Pinnock
Lauresa McKinnie and Shanita Davis
suffolk living 29
Driver Days Driver was buzzing with life during the town’s annual premier event, Driver Days. The festival, running Oct. 15 and 16, featured more than 90 regional vendors, music performances, running events, unique contests and much more. All proceeds from the event went toward local charities and organizations. PHOTOS BY Sterling Giles
“Big Juicy” and Amy Shirley from the reality television show, “Lizard Lick Towing”
suffolk scene
John Barnes and Ashley Heath
From left, Ira Foltz, Ryan Foltz, Deborah Foltz, Ivana Foltz and Luke Foltz
Sabrina Buetow and her sister, Sierra
Chelsea Eaton
30 suffolk living
suffolk scene
First Citizen On Sept. 29, members of the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs gathered at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts for the annual Suffolk First Citizen ceremony. Lydia Duke, a local General Motors dealer, was this year’s honoree. PHOTOS BY Sterling Giles
Roger W. Fawcett, Ronald H. Williams and Thomas Shaia
Lydia Duke
Gloria Chorey, Lynn Cross, Ann Carr and Lila Pretlow
Eley Duke, E. Duke, Parker Duke and Nicole Duke
Philip and Sally Ford
suffolk living 31
Taste of Suffolk Suffolk’s annual Taste of Suffolk downtown street festival on Sept. 10 featured dishes from restaurants across Suffolk and, symbolically at least, around the world. PHOTOS BY Tracy Agnew
Jane Jackson and Grace Ann Lewis
suffolk scene
Enrique Vasquez, Carlos Vasquez, Ryan Schmack, Jodiel Velez and Luis Hernandez
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32 suffolk living
on vacation Burt and Harriett Laskin traveled from Lake Prince Woods to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, recently, and they carried a copy of Suffolk Living magazine along on the journey. “What a beautiful trip through Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York State and Massachusetts,” Burt wrote when he sent us the photo. Next time you’re on vacation, take along a copy of Suffolk Living and snap a photo. Send it to news@ suffolklivingmag.com, and your could see your photo here.
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suffolk living 17
Last edition’s Where Am I? If you’ve only been inside the North Suffolk Library, then you’ve missed a treat. Nestled into the space behind the library, accessible from the parking lot or through a door from the main library space, there’s a great spot to spend a warm afternoon knocking off a few pages of the book you just checked out. Lots of people apparently don’t know about it, as we received only five correct answers to the September/October edition of Where Am I. Theresa Penalosa was one of the few who knew just where to find this quiet setting, and her name was picked at random from the correct entries. She has won a $25 gift card for her library knowledge. Your chance to win can be found on Page 25 of this edition. Be warned: This is a tough one.
where am I?
I
n each edition the Suffolk Living staff provides a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Suffolk you really know. We photograph some location in Suffolk that is readily accessible and open to the public, and see if you can tell us where it is.
If you know where this photo was taken, submit your answer, along with your name and contact information to news@suffolklivingmag.com. If you’re right, you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to any one of our partner advertisers. So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner. Go out and enjoy Suffolk!
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The only AAHA-Certified Animal Hospital in Suffolk! Offering friendly, full service veterinary care since 1938. We also offer boarding and grooming! Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 110 Kensington Boulevard, Suffolk, VA Next to the Suffolk YMCA
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34 suffolk living
scrapbook
The CATCH: Thomas Britt shows off his catch in this undated photo from the collection of the legendary Spike Moore. Courtesy of Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society
COMING THIS DECEMBER!
M A G A Z I N E Life and Living in Churchland and Western Branch One of Hampton Roads' fastest growing communities, Western Branch has long since developed its own identity with a business community that is vibrant and diverse. Western Branch Magazine is the one publication they can call their own. Locally produced content is devoted exclusively to the people, events and happenings that makes the Western Branch area unique. DEADLINES
PUBLICATION
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RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!!
Call 757-934-9603 or email: Dana.Snow@SuffolkNewsHerald.com The ďŹ rst edition will be distributed December 15th. Don't miss out!! Great way to reach the Western Branch and Churchland communities!!
AT THIS SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR WE WANT TO GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED TRUST AND LOYALTY IN CHOREY & ASSOCIATES REALTY AND OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF
2016
Billy Chorey Owner/Broker
Robert Askew Sales Professional
Mary Browning Sales Professional
Sammy Copeland Sales Professional
Johnny Leggett Sales Professional
Leigh Anne Parks Our Newest Sales Professional
John Pinner Sales Professional
Cindy Wilkins Administrative Assistant
Marcia Fulford Administrative Assistant
Susan Powell Administrative Assistant
Please welcome the newest members to the Chorey & Associates family!