S U MMER 2011 • vol. 2, no. 3
The Men’s issue
Baseball, cigars and antique cars, PLUS GIfts for dads and other dudes
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contents | summer 2011
EDITORIAL R.E. Spears III Editor Tracy Agnew News Editor Emily R. Collins Staff Writer Beth Beck Land Staff Writer news@suffolklivingmag.com
ADVERTISING Sue Holley General Manager Nikki J. Reeves Director of Special Projects Sue Barnes Marketing Consultant
Inside this edition
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Suffolk Events
There’s never a better time than summer to get out and enjoy all that there is to do in Suffolk — and there’s plenty going on to keep you and the kids occupied this summer right here at home. Check the events calendar, and make plans now.
Obici House
After years of neglect and decay, the Obici House is now in the midst of a major renovation that will convert it into a place for community events, a golf pro shop and a 19th-hole gathering place.
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sales@suffolklivingmag.com
PRODUCTION Troy Cooper Designer Suffolk Living is published four times per year by Suffolk Publications, LLC. P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 www.suffolklivingmag.com (757) 539-3437
Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $16 annually in-state; $20 annually out-of-state; $24 for international subscriptions. Please make checks payable to Suffolk Publications, LLC PO Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439
Whether it’s for Father’s Day, an anniversary or “just because,” you’ll find some suggestions for great gifts for men.
The Thinker
gifts for guys The Collegiate
The Afficianado
TOP: Jester’s Gift Shop, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434 – All merchandise is handmade by North American artisans with ties to Virginia and North Carolina. As seen in “The Foodie” picture: Handturned Peppermills by Dailey Woodworking, 8” size at $78, or 10” size at $85; handturned Oyster Knives by Nice Figures Studio at $48 ea. As seen in “The Collector” picture: Pottery by Michael Walsh, wheel-thrown stoneware bowls at $34 each. As seen in “The Thinker” picture: handcarved pen and pencil set at $64.50, and assortment of travel books and guides. ABOVE: UniquelyLeo’s LTD., 165 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434 –This striking collegiate artwork depicts original black-and-white photography of architectural elements from colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. The elements are then used to spell the college or university’s name, nickname or mascot. Additionally, each photograph illustrates actual landmarks from the college or university represented in the artwork, making these framed art collections truly one-of-a-kind. As seen in “The Collegiate” picture: ECU artwork at $99.95, UNC artwork at $99.95, and Hokies artwork at $144.95. LEFT: Bond’s Cigar Shop, 6255 College Drive #1, Suffolk, VA 23435 – As seen in “The Afficianado” picture: La Flor Dominicana Cabinet Oscura Natural cigars at $8.95 ea., Craftsman’s Bench Remington Glass Top Humidor at $129.95, Boca Grande Natural Ashtray at $24.95, Xikar table top triple torch lighter and Xikar X12 Titanium cutter in select size and patterns.
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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.
Earl Jones Marketing Consultant Melissa Snook Marketing Consultant
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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.
Where is it? Identify the hiding-inplain-sight architectural feature, and you could win a prize.
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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Showroom Conditon
You can bet that Dwight Schaubach has a car in his garage that will turn your head. In fact, he’s got more than a dozen, all restored to perfect condition and each of them ready for the road.
At the tEE It takes a special person to teach a group of children from 3 to 6 years old about the game of baseball. T-ball coaches in Suffolk might have the hardest and most fun volunteer jobs in Suffolk.
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In the dirt
When children are taught early to value gardens, they tend to grow up with an appreciation of healthy food and hard work. Folks around Suffolk are making a special effort to raise a new crop of healthy children and gardeners.
SU MM
no . 3 • vo l. 2, ER 20 11
The Men’s issue
Cover photograph by R.E. Spears III On the cover: The steering-wheel emblem on one of Dwight Schaubach’s Buick Skylarks.
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ffo lkl ivi
ng m ag
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what to do Stars and Stripes Spectacular
Wine Tasting Fundraiser Flower Festival at Smithfield Gardens
National Night Out Duck Race
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
6/5 — Wine Tasting Fundraiser Location: Bon Vivant in Suffolk Bon Vivant will have a wine tasting fundraiser from 2 to 4 p.m. with raffles, a silent auction and more to raise money for Suffolk Fire and Rescue’s Project Lifesaver. Cost is $10 per person. For more information, call 238-7038. 6/11-7/21 — Suffolk Art League’s Open Members’ Show Location: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. The annual Open Members’ Show allows members to display their work in any medium completed within the last two years. Suffolk Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 514-7284. 6/17 — T.G.I.F. Kickoff/ National Night Out Duck Race Location: Constant’s Wharf Park Kick off your weekend with a T.G.I.F. party,
One Person Show by artist Paul Belote
Send us your news To submit your calendar or news item, simply email it to: news@suffolklivingmag.com
complete with a Duck Race on the Nansemond River. “Shake your tail feathers” to the sounds of Strictly Bizness, sponsored by Parks & Recreation. Visit the National Night Out 2011 Display Tent to get your free ticket to participate in this wacky race! Free treats and balloons for the kids. Call 514-4104 or visit www.suffolknno.org for more information. 6/18 – Flower Festival at Smithfield Gardens Location: Smithfield Gardens, 1869 Bridge Road Join Smithfield Gardens as it celebrates its 22nd annual Flower Festival. The event is free and open to the public, and includes wine tasting, sales, free classes and more. For more information, call 238-2511.
6/24-7/22 — T.G.I.F. summer concert series Location: Constant’s Wharf Park Each Friday evening throughout the summer is highlighted by a different musical genre, including salsa, bluegrass, rock and roll, country, dance, beach music and more. The events are free and open to the public and run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call 514-7267 for more information. 6/27-7/1 — Art Sampler Camp Location: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Children ages 6 to 11 will enjoy a variety of art experiments, including painting, sculpture, pottery and photography, over the course of a week. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 through July 1. Lunch is included. Cost is $200. For more information, call 923-0003. 6/30-8/4 — Summer Art Days Location: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. Summer art days will allow children to explore a new art activity each Thursday from June 30 to
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what to do Aug. 4. Cost is $1 per student per day. Registration is accepted the day of on a first-come, first-served basis. Times are 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 5 to 8, and 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 9 to 14. For more information, call the Suffolk Art League at 925-0448. 7/4 — Stars and Stripes Spectacular Location: Constant’s Wharf Park Visit this annual celebration of America’s independence, complete with entertainment, food and fireworks. Free and open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. Call 514-7267 for more information. 7/4 — Eclipse July 4 celebration Location: Eclipse The village of Eclipse in North Suffolk will hold its traditional parade, raft race and fireworks in the neighborhood off Bridge Road. Call 238-2359 for more information 7/29 — T.G.I.F./National Night Out Self-Defense Exhibition Location: Bennett’s Creek Park Start your weekend with a T.G.I.F. party and take pleasure in the sounds of Strictly Bizness, sponsored by Parks & Recreation. During the band’s break, fine-tune your self-defense skills with a dynamic demonstration by karate classes from Triple T Sports, sponsored by the National Night Out 2011 Committee. Call 514-4104 or visit www.suffolknno.org for more information. 7/30-8/26 — One-Person Show by artist Paul Belote Location: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. The Suffolk Art Gallery will feature Chesapeake artist Paul Belote, who specializes in oil, watercolor and various drawing media. Free and open to the public. Call 514-7284 for more information. 8/2 — National Night Out Celebration Location: Citywide Suffolk neighborhoods will host crime, drug and gang prevention events throughout the city starting at 5:30 p.m. The night includes visits from public safety and city officials. For more information, call 514-4104 or visit www.suffolknno.org. 8/7 — National Kids’ Day Location: Constant’s Wharf Park Suffolk Parks & Recreation and the National Night Out 2011 Committee will host child safety seat inspections, K-9 and bicycle safety demos, a state-of-the-art child identification program and other safety information presentations from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is free and includes a bounce house, clowns, face painting, arts and crafts, old-fashioned sack races, pie-eating contests, a DJ, local youth entertainment and more. For more information, call 514-4104 or visit www.suffolknno.org. 8/8-8/12 — Art Camps Location: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. Children will explore the culture and art of Australia through drawing, painting, sculpture and more. A light snack will be provided each day. Registration fee is $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers. The deadline to register is Aug. 1. For more information, call the Suffolk Art League at 925-0448. 8/15-8/19 — Theater Sampler Camp Location: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Children ages 6 to 14 will enjoy all aspects of the theater, including a new focus on the ins and outs of backstage theater as well as acting techniques from around the world. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15-19. Lunch is included. Cost is $200 for children ages 6-11 and $225 for ages 12-14. For more information, call 923-0003. 8/20-8/21 — Nansemond Indian Tribe PowWow Location: Lone Star Lakes Lodge Join the Nansemond Indians for a celebration of the tribe’s culture heritage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The powwow features music, dance, authentic crafts and food. For more information, call 514-7250.
www.franklinsouthamptonva.com
suffolk living
on location
At sea with Suffolk Living
Ron Scintilla, the Medical Services Officer aboard the USNS Observation Island, which is a missile range instrumentation ship operated by Military Sealift Command, took a copy of Suffolk Living along with him on a recent deployment to Japan. In the background is the city of Yokohama, Japan, caught as the ship visited in January, a couple of months before the devastation experienced in the northeast areas of Japan as a result of a massive earthquake March 11 and the tsunami that followed. Yokohama, which is south of Tokyo, experienced relatively minor damage and problems, compared to areas along the northeast coast. The Japanese people continue to suffer from the economic and psychological effects of the natural disasters, as well as from the ongoing nuclear crisis taking place at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Submitted Photo
Every Child a Star ... Together, We Help Them Shine!
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suffolk scene Storm over suffolk
History buffs from all over Hampton Roads were in Suffolk in May for a re-enactment of the call to arms of Suffolk men and boys in the cause of the Confederacy 150 years ago. Clockwise, from below, a re-enactor stands at attention after being mustered into the service; Don Solomon portrays Dr. Wellons, founder of Suffolk Christian Church and others in the area, who met the newly recruited soldiers at the train station and encouraged them as they prepared to head to Norfolk; Harriet and Mitch Hunter enjoy some shade; women from the area also got into the spirit of the re-enactment, dressing the part in order to see the soldiers off to war; and Andrew Shaffer, 17, of Suffolk (left) and Danny Chastanet, 17, of Chesapeake give a cheer for themselves and the new Army units. Photos by R.E. Spears III
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MAKING MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME!
Kindred Transitional Health and Rehabilitation
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Transitional Health and Rehabilitation
Nansemond Pointe
suffolk living
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suffolk scene Suffolk First Citizen
The Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs honored Virginia Senator Fred Quayle for his work to better the city, naming him Suffolk’s First Citizen of 2011 at a program and reception held April 14 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Clockwise from right, Becky and Bob Anderson with Kim O. Butler; Margaret Gellas, Susan Blair and Councilman Charles Parr; Jackie and Tom Williams with Susan Babiy, center; Marvin and Christine Sagun; and Gloria Chorey and Sara Ann Johnson. Photos by Emily R. Collins
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suffolk scene Chili fest
Hundreds gathered for the annual Suffolk Chili Fest at Bennett’s Creek Park in April to benefit the Sertoma Club. Attendees tasted and voted on chili samples from nine different teams representing local businesses and organizations. Clockwise from far left, Ryan Rebbe of Wise Investments stirs his team’s pot of chili while wearing a colorful sombrero; Tyson Bradley of the Bradley Team at Keller Williams Realty cooks up some chili for the fans; from left, Lisa James, Lynn Duffee, James Lee, Terry Lee and Peggy Saunders enjoyed themselves for a good cause; from left, Robby Grandy, Ian Zarate and Martin Zarate created a pot of chili; and from left, Angie Fiedler and Ashley Morabek bundled up for the chilly day. Photos by Tracy Agnew
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Helping those who help others. Free checking for churches and non-profit organizations. At Farmers Bank we’re proud of our tradition of being a community bank and we want to help those who are helping our neighbors. With a Non-Profit Appreciation Account, benefits include: • No minimum balance requirement • Free Online Banking and Bill Pay • Free Farmers Bank VISA check card when used as a credit transaction* • Bonus rates on CDs (an extra .25% APY on a CD up to a one year term not applicable for CD specials)**
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suffolk living
State Of the City
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suffolk scene
Business and community leaders joined at the Suffolk State of the City event on April 26 to hear details about the city’s past and present, and to look toward the future. At left, from left, Darren Schultz, chair of the Suffolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn; Michael P. Zarpas of Global Real Estate Investment; and Dean McClain, director of municipal affairs for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Below, Karey Sitzler directs the Cavalier Chamber Players of Lakeland High School during a dessert reception following the luncheon. Photos by Tracy AGnew
Investments
Looking for investment advice? Look no further. Contact: Cathy P. Stancell, Investment Counselor 1512 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 32434 Phone: 757-923-4520
Investment and/or insurance products offered through BB&T Investment Services, Inc., are not deposits or other obligations of Branch Banking and Trust Company or any affliate; are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other agency of the United States Government, Branch Banking and Trust Company or any affliate; and in case of a product that is subject to investment risk, there is possible loss of value. BB&T Investment Services, Inc., is a Member of FINRA and SIPC. 200 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Client Services: (800) 453-7348
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news happenings
The Obici House, reinvented I
Obici House lessee James R. “Ronnie” Rountree stands in the second-floor bedroom area of the house in April. Rountree is renovating the memorable mansion to become a special-events venue, pro shop and golfers’ lounge for the Sleepy Hole Golf Course.
story by Tracy Agnew photography by R.E. Spears III
t once was the elaborate home of Planters Peanuts founder Amedeo Obici and his beloved wife, Louise. After their deaths, it became a place to hold weddings and other special events. Many Suffolk residents of a certain age remember attending parties at the storied mansion by the Nansemond River. Then the home fell into disrepair. Located beside the challenging 18th green at Sleepy Hole Golf Course, Obici House became a target for stray balls. Time and weather despoiled the exterior and eventually broke through to the interior. Paint peeled and wood rotted, both inside the home and out. James R. “Ronnie” Rountree now leases the home, as well as the golf course. He is renovating it to restore it to its former glory as a special events venue, as well as a pro shop and golfers’ lounge. A look inside the house now affords the opportunity to see a rare work in progress. Slowly but surely, contractors are making headway restoring or replacing the most badly damaged parts of the house. For the moment, it still looks like it has seen better days. Dirt covers the floor — that is, where there is a floor. Pieces of original molding lie around in piles, with numbers written on the back so they can be replaced exactly where they were removed from. Stained glass windows and chandeliers have been removed for restoration and safekeeping, leaving holes in the wall and bare spots on the ceiling. See OBICI page 21
OBICI continued from page 20
But it’s still easy to imagine the home in its former life — fine furniture in the parlor where Mr. and Mrs. Obici received formal guests; local children playing in the large family room; the diminutive Mr. Obici washing his hands at a petite sink; Mrs. Obici sipping tea in her breakfast nook while looking out over the Nansemond River. That’s why Rountree is trying to maintain as much of the home’s original character as possible, even if that means having wood and metal pieces custom-made to match the original Italianate detailing. Contractors took about three months working on just the front porch area, which is nearly complete, Rountree said. They had to remove 11 coats of paint from the front porch columns and caps before repainting and reinstalling them. Distinctive molding on the front porch and in the dining room were matched as precisely as possible. The difference between old and new is nearly indistinguishable. That’s the way it is throughout the home as restoration continues. The kitchen and back porch were in such bad shape that they had to be demolished, but they are currently being reconstructed. The kitchen area will be expanded to provide more space to support the building’s use as a modern special events venue. Rountree hopes to have the home finished by the end of this year. “I’ll be tickled when I finish it,” Rountree said. “We’ve really taken a love to this project.” ←
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Workers have spent more than a year completing a major renovation and restoration project on the Obici House mansion at Sleepy Hole Golf Course. More than 11 coats of paint had to be removed from the front porch columns.
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get to know
party professional Felton Mann puts the special in special events story by Tracy Agnew photography by Paul Costen
I
f Felton Mann had applied for the job he holds now, he might have answered an ad like this one: “City of Suffolk seeks facilities management coordinator. Must be willing to relocate to beautiful waterfront property. Spend your days maintaining 13 city buildings and 14 parks and preparing them for special events. Attend numerous weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, proms, reunions and more. Hold fathers-of-the-bride while they cry on your shoulder. Console brides when they get stood up at the altar. Listen to people reminisce about the parties they used to have at the Planters Club. And did we mention that you’d live at the Planters Club?” But Mann didn’t apply for that job. He simply started working at the Suffolk National Guard Armory decades ago because he needed a job and his uncle already worked there. “From there, we expanded and we See MANN page 23
Felton Mann is all things Planters Club to a generation of Suffolk residents who have attended events at the waterfront property. He is responsible for upkeep of all the city’s recreation buildings, but the Planters Club is his favorite.
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MANN continued from page 22
had to go to other facilities,” Mann said. All of the city’s parks and facilities fall under his purview, but Mann says the Planters Club is his favorite. “This is my baby,” he said. “It always seemed magical here.” The Planters Club, located by the Nansemond River off Sleepy Hole Road, was built by Amedeo Obici, the founder of Planters Peanuts. It was originally intended as a social hall for his employees. “You meet a lot of people that have a lot of history here,” Mann said. “You get the chance to talk to all of them. One man said he remembered getting his first kiss from his girlfriend there.” The hall, which sits across the water from Obici’s Italianate mansion, has changed through the years. The pool was filled in, and the club no longer hosts Obici’s elaborate parties. Instead, it hosts plenty of elaborate parties thrown by others. “Some of the beautifulest weddings you want to see,” recalled Mann, who’s been to hundreds of nuptials over the years. Other parties —
‘It goes a lot further than this building. I’ve come many times and found gifts on the front steps. I enjoy the people so much.’ Felton Mann — Facilities Management Coordinator
showers, proms and the like — likely number in the thousands. The city requires a facilities representative at each event held in the building, and Mann has drawn that duty for years now. Mann works closely with the happy couples to orchestrate every aspect of their wedding days. “This is a big day for them,” Mann said. “I like to contribute to that cause. If you work with them from beginning to end, you don’t see many surprises. You get to meet them ahead of time. You know what they want.” Of course, there are the things nobody can
prepare for, like when the groom fails to show up. Mann has comforted a handful of brides when their big day turned into a big disappointment. When the groom does show up, it’s usually the bride’s father who needs to be comforted. “You meet a lot of fathers when their daughters get married,” Mann said. “You’re there for them.” All the hard work is worth it, he says, when people thank him for making their event special and remember him years later. “It goes a lot further than this building,” he said. “I’ve come many times and found gifts on the front steps. I enjoy the people so much.” But it’s not just the people who make the job unique. Mann has seen the sun rise many times as he worked frantically — sometimes with only a few hours between the end of one event and the beginning of another — to set up the building. And the cottage behind the Planters Club is nothing to sneeze at — it offers the same incredible waterfront view of the Nansemond River as does the venue itself. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. ←
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The Thinker
gifts for guys The Collegiate
A. Dodson’s, 2948 Bridge Road — From the adorable to the memorable to the instructional, these books are sure to put a smile on someone’s face. As seen in “The Thinker” picture”: Old Man Drinks: Recipes, Advice and Barstool Wisdom by Robert Schnakenberg at $14.95 My Dad: His Stories, His Words interview book at $9.99; The Moustache Grower’s Guide by Lucien Edwards at $9.95; The Observation Deck: A Toolkit for Writers at $19.95.
The Aficionado Photography shot on site at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts by Rebecca Keeling-Gagnon
UniquelyLeo’s LTD., 165 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434 –This striking collegiate artwork depicts original black-and-white photography of architectural elements from colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. The elements are then used to spell the college or university’s name, nickname or mascot. Additionally, each photograph illustrates actual landmarks from the college or university represented in the artwork, making these framed art collections truly one-of-a-kind. As seen in “The Collegiate” photo: ECU artwork at $99.95, UNC artwork at $99.95, and Hokies artwork at $144.95. Bond’s Cigar Shop, 6255 College Drive #1, Suffolk, VA 23435 – As seen in “The Aficionado” photo: La Flor Dominicana Cabinet Oscura Natural cigars at $8.95 ea., Craftsman’s Bench Remington Glass Top Humidor at $129.95, Boca Grande Natural Ashtray at $24.95, Xikar tabletop triple-torch lighter and Xikar X12 Titanium cutter in select size and patterns.
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The Collector The Foodie
Katody’s, 1893 Governor’s Pointe Dr., Suffolk, VA 23436 – As seen in “The Collector”: Local Suffolk clay artist Donna Proctor showcases her skills with this delightful mug and “salt fish.” Both are dishwasher and microwave safe. Jester’s Gift Shop, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434 – All merchandise is handmade by North American artisans with ties to Virginia and North Carolina. As seen in “The Foodie” photo: Handturned Peppermills by Dailey Woodworking, 8” size at $78, or 10” size at $85; handturned Oyster Knives by Nice Figures Studio at $48 each. As seen in “The Collector” photo: Pottery by Michael Walsh, wheel-thrown stoneware bowls at $34 each. As seen in “The Thinker” photo: handcarved pen and pencil set at $64.50, and assortment of travel books and guides. A Tisket, A Tasket, 1897 Governor’s Pointe Dr., Suffolk, VA 23436 – All food made by Virginia-based businesses. As seen in “The Foodie” photo: Sabrosa Salsa, $7.95; Blue Crab Bay Co. Spices, $5.95; Blue Crab Bay Co. Bloody Mary Mix, $10.95; Cranberry Spread, $7.95; Relish, $6.95 and assorted sizes of Hubs Peanuts.
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The Techie If your guy is gaga for gadgets, consider making his day with some of these high-tech devices. If he’s into sightseeing, bird-watching or just exploring the intricacies of his toes, consider the digital camera binoculars by Barska (right). The device packs eight megapixels of sightseeing photography. If your man is into cooking with some time to grind, maybe he’ll enjoy the LEM Big Bite meat grinder (far right). It’s a lean, mean grinding machine with groundbreaking auger technology, which results in a better grind and less waste. Since no man is complete without a grill, no techie-griller is complete without the Grill Daddy Pro grill brush (right). The specially designed stainless steel bristles clean in between grill grates and surfaces, while the brush releases a stream of water to wash away baked-on food and grease.
Is he into personal devices? If so, there is an entire world of options to explore. For the road warrior or the geocacher looking to stay ahead of the game, pick a Garmin Nuvi 3700 (far left). This GPS is pencil-thin and comes preloaded with full-coverage mapping for all of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For the smartphone lover, the Motorola Atrix 4G (left) puts the power of a PC with dual processor technology right in his manly palm. Of course, you could go bigger but just as sleek with an Apple iPad (below left), with its fast A5 chip and two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording. The avid reader will have his fire lit by the Amazon Kindle (below). Complete with Wi-Fi capabilities and a sleek 6-inch screen, the Kindle makes downloading and reading his favorite books a real breeze.
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showroom
A 1929 Duesenberg Murphy Roadster (right) and a 1930 Duesenberg J LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton hold pride of place in the collection of antique cars owned by Dwight and Jane Schaubach.
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condition Dwight Schaubach’s garage pays homage to automotive art
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story and photography by R.E. Spears III
verything was fine right up until the garage caught on fire. Actually, it was just the carburetor of a 1940 Mack pickup truck — one of only 123 built for Mack truck dealers more than 70 years ago. But as the flame licked up against the bottom of the immaculately detailed hood of the antique truck and folks scurried around the garage looking for a blanket and then an extinguisher to put out the fire, I found myself looking around the garage and wanting to shrink into a speck on the floor. After all, the pickup truck was just one of nearly a dozen priceless automotive gems in this special garage in North Suffolk, part of an eclectic collection of transportation history owned by Dwight and Jane Schaubach and housed in a specially built garage on See SCHAUBACH page 30
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SCHAUBACH continued from page 29
their estate off of Crittenden Road. With Dwight Schaubach and his mechanic, Roy Kingam — “Roy’s just one of those guys who can do it all,” Schaubach says — scurrying to put out the fire, my journalist’s instincts had me looking around to see what could be lost if the fire did, indeed, spread to the rest of the garage. There was the Mack pickup, of course, which had flamed up from a blast of ether used to try to get it started so it could be moved into place for a photo. There were two Buick Skylarks, 1953 and 1954 models, the red ’53 one of only 168 that were built and showing just 18,000 original miles on the odometer, and the pale yellow ’54 boasting what was then an entirely new body style. Both were in showroom condition. “The red Buick is a great car. It’s got great lines,” Schaubach says when asked to name a favorite from his fleet. “But I like them all, or I wouldn’t have them. We’ve had fun in all of See SCHAUBACH page 31
Above, the engine in Jane Schaubach’s Murphy Roadster is a piece of art in its own right. Top, Dwight Schaubach stands with, from front, a red 1953 Buick Skylark (one of only 168 that were ever built), a turquoise 1960 Impala and a pale yellow 1954 Skylark.
suffolk living 31 SCHAUBACH continued from page 30
The hood of Dwight Schaubach’s 1954 Buick Skylark shows how both ornamentation and brand identification have changed through the years. Inset, from left, are the taillight of the same car, the hubcap from a 1950s-era Cadillac and a Lalique eagle hood ornament from a 1929 Duesenberg.
them.” Glancing around the garage as I noticed the blanket had been discarded when it wouldn’t extinguish the fire, I saw the 1948 Lincoln Continental Mark 1, the first car that Schaubach had restored when he discovered the passion in 1980. That car, with its bulbous wheel wells and a pinched hood covering a flathead V-12 engine, was the one that carried the Schaubachs’ first son to and from church for his wedding. Parked in front of the Lincoln was a turquoise 1960 Impala, a restored version of the car that Dwight Schaubach owned when he married Jane, his wife of 49 years. The car was a gift to her for their 42nd anniversary. Other gems in the now-threatened garage included a midget racecar that an uncle had built and driven when Dwight Schaubach was a boy. It’s one of the restoration projects currently in the works, along with a 1950s-era cream-colored Cadillac whose tailfins are a tangible reminder of the Space Age that had newly dawned at the time of its production. There’s even an old motor scooter that someone once gave him to restore, now shiny in its spot between an already-restored Cadillac and a 1910 Alliance — one of three the short-lived company ever started and the only one ever completed — its heavy bronze parts ensuring that it will never win a race. That old, slow car gives Schaubach inspiration for the next acquisition. “A rumpty-rump,” he says, smiling. “Something with a big motor, something with a 550-horsepower engine — a hot rod. That way, I’d have the slowest car and the fastest car in the same garage.” See SCHAUBACH page 32
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As I mused on the pricelessness of this collection, a burst of powder and foam from a fire extinguisher quenched the flame inside the old Mack pickup’s engine compartment. Roy Kingam, who has worked for Schaubach for 25 years, began to check the carburetor and engine for damage, hands trembling from the adrenaline infusion that took place when he first heard his boss shout “Fire!” The carb would have to be replaced, and the engine cleaned completely, but damage had been minimal, and none of the other cars were involved. Exhaling for what seemed the first time in many long minutes, I expected to be shown the garage door, but a gracious Schaubach smiled and soon turned the subject to the true gems of his collection, stored in a separate garage attached to the main house. A 1923 Packard and a 1931 Franklin Victoria Brougham, made by an airplane company, hold two spaces in the garage, along with automotive collectibles of various types and even a small desk. But prime placement belongs to the Duesenbergs. There’s the black one — a 1929 Murphy Roadster, chassis No. J-112, originally bought by Humphrey Chadburn after he saw one at the New York Auto Show at the Commodore Hotel in New York — that belongs to Jane Schaubach. “It’s got a 405-cubic-inch, 265-horsepower, dualoverhead cam straight-8,” she says, as her husband raises his eyebrows in surprise. Indeed, the engine is a piece of art on its own. That’s her Duesy. His is a 1930 J LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton. It’s a two-tone red color and boasts a wheelbase nine inches longer than his wife’s version. Both cars have the smooth lines and platter-sized headlights that characterize the Duesy and make it such a head-turner. Both cars have been driven to shows hundreds of miles from Suffolk, and Dwight Schaubach even drove his in a drag race with others at one of those shows. When it was first built, he said, the car would have done 120 miles per hour.
The Duesenbergs are the point where his hobby intersects with his wife’s interests. “Dwight and I don’t have a lot of hobbies we do together,” Jane Schaubach says. “We both love history and antiques. But he liked the ‘50s cars, and I just think the cars from the age of ‘gracious and lovely’ will never be (made) again.” The Duesenbergs, as well as the other antiques that I had so worried would be lost to fire earlier in the day, she said, had given them the opportunity to travel all over the East Coast — and even to Pebble Beach, Calif. — for auto shows. And although he doesn’t mention them, many of the cars in both garages sport small metal medallions in their grilles that proclaim the awards they’ve won. Dwight Schaubach’s interest, though, seems to be engaged at a more basic level. “I like the part of building the cars,” he says. “I’ve been involved in everything that goes on with them.” Which is a good thing, considering there’s an engine in a 1940 Mack pickup truck with minor fire damage that needs repairing and restoring. ←
Dwight and Jane Schaubach live in the Hobson area of Suffolk, where their estate includes two garages that hold a stable of antique cars.
Age 9: suffolk living 33 Discovered a mutual delight in practical jokes during a Scouts’ outing. Age 20: Every Friday night, drinks with the boys. Age 35: Jobs in different towns and family obligations – difficult to keep in touch. Age 57: Both recall the pact they made as kids to be “lifelong buddies.” Age 76: Reunited when they both moved to The Village. And quickly rediscovered their delight in practical jokes.
Keeping your friends close. It’s one of the values that defines the essence of retirement living at The Village. You’ll find not only a closeknit community where your neighbors become your friends, you’ll also enjoy spacious apartments and cottages with a maintenance-free lifestyle. This means you’ll have more time for what’s really important – even if it’s just pulling a fast one on your buddy. Learn more about The Village at Woods Edge. Please visit us at www.villageatwoodsedge.com or call (757) 562-3100.
The Village at Woods Edge
Small town charm. Engaging senior living.
Small town charm. Engaging senior living. 1401 North High Street • Franklin, VA 23851 • www.villageatwoodsedge.com • (757) 562-3100 • fax: (757) 562-0051
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a tightly-rolled pastime story and photography by R.E. Spears III
With the occasional exception of a wife shopping for her husband, there is hardly anyone in a hurry at a fine cigar shop. Even a quick trip to pick up a couple of favorite smokes can turn into 30 minutes of browsing boxes in the humidor in search of some new combination of rich tobacco flavors. And the more one learns about how hand-rolled cigars are made, the countries where the tobacco is grown and the types of leaf that are used, the greater the chance that a brief jaunt to what one local aficionado calls “the men’s candy store” will become an exploration of tastes. Take one of those cigars into the lounge area of such a shop, and you should be prepared to spend even longer. “Everybody who comes in here, they’re coming in here to relax,” says Dave Bond, who owns Bond’s Fine Cigar Shoppe in Suffolk’s Harbour View East Shopping Center with his wife, Deb. The 400-square-foot smoking lounge features a 42-inch plasma television and rich leather seats with deep cushions, combined with low lighting that encourages one to take his time and enjoy a nice smoke. “Bond’s has got the nicest lounge, as far as comfort,” says Ed Burton, a Hampton resident who works at the Joint Warfighting Center nearby and See CIGARS page 36
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‘You can’t think of it like smoking a cigarette. You can’t be in a hurry. It’s kind of like drinking wine. You have to take time to taste the different components.’ Andy Wheat — Cigar Aficionado
Fred Kiesow, a Suffolk resident and Bond’s Fine Cigar Shoppe employee, lights his pipe in the Bond’s lounge. The store sells fine cigars and pipe tobacco and encourages customers to enjoy their tobacco purchases in its specially designed lounge.
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A few words about cigars Every hobby has its jargon, and cigars are no exception. Following are some of the mostused terms related to fine cigars: Band — A ring of paper wrapped around the closed head of most cigars. Belicoso — Frequently used today to describe coronas with a tapered head. Churchill — A large corona-format cigar, traditionally 7 inches by a 47 ring gauge but often a 48 ring gauge today.
Ed Burton of Hampton, left, who works at the Joint Warfighting Center, chats with Gus Roberts of Chesapeake, center, and James Dickie of Norfolk, both of whom work at the Irregular Warfare Center, on a recent afternoon in the Bond’s Fine Cigar Shoppe smoking lounge.
Corona — The most familiar size and shape for premium cigars: generally straight-sided with an open foot and a closed, rounded head. Draw — The amount of air that gets pulled through a lit cigar.
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makes Bond’s a regular stop. Burton is also an organizer for the Southside Cigar Club, which puts together events throughout the Hampton Roads area for cigar smokers. Bennett’s Creek resident Andy Wheat is a regular in the lounge at Bond’s. He works at nearby U.S. Joint Forces Command and comes in most days around lunchtime for a smoke, “to read the paper and forget about work for an hour or so.” “You can’t think of it like smoking a cigarette,” he says. “You can’t be in a hurry. It’s kind of like drinking wine. You have to take time to taste the different components.” Wheat is one of a cadre of current and former members of the military and military contractors who make up a large portion of the Bond clientele. But the group is actually quite diverse, comprising people — though almost exclusively men — from all walks of life. Lawyers and judges, shipyard workers and journalists — even the occasional preacher — drop in to enjoy the leathery, nutty or spicy flavors of their favorite cigars. The atmosphere is almost that of a fraternity without the raucous Animal House connotations. “I remember immediately enjoying the camaraderie that comes with smoking cigars,” says Chris Patterson of his early experiences
in cigar shops. Patterson, a utilities and communications consultant from Dallas who visits Suffolk for both business and personal reasons, is a regular at Bond’s whenever he is in town. He’s also a regular at other cigar shops around the country, depending on where his work takes him, finding shops that he can use as “home base” in every new city. “I work three to four hours out of every day in a cigar shop,” he says. Bond’s offers free wi-fi service to customers in the lounge, and at any given time of day, one can find men tapping away on laptops, making business calls or just watching TV and talking about politics, women, business, the news and anything else that strikes their fancy — sometimes even cigars. “People come in here as total strangers and leave as friends,” Bond says. The lounge often has a feeling of the old corner bar, as immortalized in the television show “Cheers.” “I feel like I come in here, and people are like, ‘Norm!’” Patterson says. It’s a sentiment that is shared by most of the men — and the occasional woman — who have joined the sedate, alcohol-free party in Bond’s back room and in cigar shops around the country. As Ed Burton puts it, “This is my home away from home.” ←
English Market Selection — Abbreviated EMS, a term used to designate a natural color wrapper. Finish — Refers to the taste that lingers on your palate after a puff. Foot — The end of the cigar you light. Filler — The tobacco leaves used in the body of the cigar. There usually are between two and five different types of filler tobacco in a fine cigar. Humidor — A room or a box designed to preserve or promote the proper storage and aging of cigars by maintaining a relative humidity level of 70 percent and a temperature of approximately 65°F to 70°F. Maduro — A wrapper shade from a very dark reddish-brown to almost black. Perfecto — A cigar shape that is closed at both ends, with a rounded head, usually with a bulge in the middle. Ring Gauge — A measurement for the diameter of a cigar, based on 64ths of an inch. A 50 ring gauge cigar is 50/64ths of an inch thick. Robusto — A substantial, but short cigar; traditionally 5 to 5 1/2 inches by a 50 ring gauge. Wrapper — A high-quality tobacco leaf wrapped around the finished bunch and binder. Source: CigarPass.com
suffolk living
where am I?
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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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swinging from the T
Children from the SYAA Shetland league cling to the chain link fence prior to a game of T-ball. Players ages 3-6 learn the basics of the game with hands-on coaches.
story by Andrew Giermak photography by Troy Cooper
‘A kid takes a big swing. The ball rolls slowly to the pitcher. The batter ends up spinning around and facing the pitcher. So, zoom, off he goes running, right at the pitcher.’ — Coach Ronnie Oliver
Even in America, kids aren’t just born knowing baseball
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verything about one of the baseball leagues at Suffolk Youth Athletic Association sounds like a great idea. There’s heading off to the leftfield bleachers for a hot dog while your team’s batting during the third inning. There’s getting help from both teams’ coaches equally — right in the middle of the game. Everyone gets to run ‘round the bases at the end of each inning, regardless of how well they did at bat. Everyone plays a different position, to
the extent there are any positions, each time out in the field. The batting order doesn’t matter, because everyone hits each inning. No score is kept, and “innings” are merely a way of describing who’s at bat. Everyone plays for an hour, and then it’s time for another hot dog. Soon enough, the T-ball players out at SYAA, ages 3-6, will be playing allout, competitive baseball and softball. For this season, though, it’s all about learning the game of baseball, getting a chance to play it, and, finally, learning to enjoy it. Eric Crafton is co-head coach of the Red Sox, the maroon-shirted T-ball team at SYAA. He’s coaching two of his sons, and he has an older son in the Pinto or coach-pitch division. See SYAA page 39
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SYAA continued from page 38
‘We had a runner going from second to third. She stopped as the ball stopped right in front of her, and then she picked up the ball and handed it to the fielder.’ — Coach Sherri Porter
Whether they are out on the diamond or at bat, SYAA T-ballers get guidance on the fundamentals of game.
“Baseball’s my first love,” Crafton said after his Red Sox had just played the Dark Green team one evening at SYAA. “We have Tides season tickets. My three boys and me, we go over there whenever we can, and we have a blast,” Crafton said. Sherri Porter is the other head coach for the Red Sox, although whenever any of SYAA’s 10 T-ball squads is in action, there are always four or five coaches per team out on the field. Between all those coaches and the players milling about, picking dandelions and whatnot, a T-ball field in action can be a chaotic, crowded place. “It’s very difficult to describe,” Porter said. “It can be chaos sometimes. It’s sort of like herding cats, although this team has come along the fastest of any team I’ve been with.” Part of the challenge is bridging the wide gap between a 3- or 4-year-old playing a sport, or doing anything groupor team-oriented for a first time, and a 6-year-old who’s now a T-ball veteran. “With a 3-year-old, some of them maybe haven’t been to preschool yet,” Porter said. “For the little ones, it’s all about getting them so they are interested in more than just playing in the dirt,” Porter said. The older kids, who will be moving up to coach-pitch in the fall or next spring, are starting to understand the difference between winning or losing, or at least making outs versus letting runs score. “You have some of the team that’s really starting to understand the concept,” Crafton said, “and we’re moving players to different positions every inning. An older kid sees an out that could’ve been made, so you have to help them not get frustrated.” If some fundamentals and athletic skills are achieved from March to May, that’s certainly great progress. Ronnie Oliver coaches the Yellow Jackets. He’s coached PONY League and AAU baseball teams during the past couple decades. His sons played at SYAA, on AAU squads and at the high school level. If anyone could be excused for pushing competition and baseball skills a little too much, it would likely be Oliver. Instead, as he’s coaching his 4-year-old See SYAA page 40
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adopted daughter’s T-ball team, baseball fundamentals are way down the list of what’s important. “With the first couple practices I tried introducing them to a few basics, but basically, the biggest thing was getting all of the kids to be comfortable with me and comfortable with each other,” Oliver said. “I need to be someone they can talk to.” “It’s really more of a team-building process, even more than coaching baseball,” he added. “If we can get the kids to understand being on a team, being in a group, staying in line, knowing where to stay on the field, then we’re doing pretty well.” As the season goes along, the frequency of hilarious plays not covered anywhere in any rulebook decreases. That’s where a good — and patient — coach is important. How does one teach batting order, for instance. One trick is to line everyone up on the bench in the batting order at the start of each inning. But one child hungry enough to leave the dugout for a hot dog can violate the whole batting-order strategy. And base-running? Everyone loves to do it. With the Red Sox on defense against the Dark Green team recently, a hitter sent a shot through the left side of the infield. As a runner took off from second, the Red Sox shortstop and leftfielder both joined him, leaving the ball to land where it might. All three runners came around third base to score. No one argued the call, partly because there’s no umpire at the T-ball games. And everyone in both sets of bleachers, along with the seven coaches on the field, cheered. What else can you do? ←
‘We had a runner, one of our better players actually. In the middle of the base path, he stops, looks up, watches an airplane going by and puts his arms out.’ — Coach Eric Crafton
Young T-ballers learn the art of good sportsmanship through shaking hands with the opposing team at the end of a spirited outing.
3508 Robs Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434 • 757-934-2223
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suffolk at home
Cave sweet cave
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Code of the cav e
4DO tre at your “ man cave your hom ” like it’s e. Includ part of e comfo lighting, rtable se and soft ating, touches. 4DON’T paint the walls in th alma ma ter. Keep e colors of your the walls complim a neutra entary co l or a lor to the Save the rest of yo school c ur home olors for framed w . pillows, th all décor. rows or 4DON’T treat the “man ca house. If ve” like it you’ve b ’s a frat een colle yardstick cting wo s, wine c oden o rks, base T-shirts, ball hats edit you o r collecti best of th on and sh r fishing e best in owcase th a select bookcase e a re a of the or in a sh room, a adowbo not obse x. Be cre ssive. ative but 4DO in clud snacks. W e a mini-fridge fo r cold dri hat’s the nks and point of if you ha having a ve to com “cave” e out of time you hibernati get thirst on every y? 4DON’T settle fo r an emp giant TV ty room and a re with a cliner. It’s space; sh your pers are it wit onal h your frie show it o nds and ff. You’re family an worth it. d
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This is the man cave of Chris and Jennifer Mikell in Hampton Roads Crossing, which boasts a collection of sports memorabilia Chris has collected since a young age.
column by Janice Powell photography by Paul Costen
here really are only two kinds of houses, those with strong personalities and those with little or none. This isn’t about architecture or the actual design of the structure, but the feeling you get when you cross the threshold — where you find the personality or you don’t. Sometimes the personality is so evident, it seems one can know the family just by looking around. Other homes, often exquisitely decorated and furnished, tell nothing about their occupants. Outsiders could wonder who, if anyone, actually lives there. Clearly, the choice of furniture, fabric and color help to define the feel of a room, but the real personality of a home comes from the people who live there. Are the accessories, books and wall décor simply objects selected because they fit with the style of the room, or do they have a special meaning for the family? A photographic reminder of a trip or
See MAN CAVE page 44
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MAN CAVE continued from page 43
From left, Dustin Packard, Jennifer Mikell, Stephanie Appling, Laura Price, Damon Appling and Chris Mikell gather regularly for sports and entertainment in the Mikell home. Below, a collection of coasters from Chris’s childhood as well as his travels serve as a backlit frame for the large mirror behind the bar.
vacation, books on a favorite hobby or historical figure, or a piece of artwork selected from a local art show help give a home true personality. Or sometimes, there’s a wild boar’s head sporting a jaunty fedora with a band of Florida Gators football game ticket stubs mounted on the wall. Strong personality indeed! The “Man Cave” of Chris and Jennifer Mikell in the Hampton Roads Crossing neighborhood of North Suffolk is the envy of the neighborhood. It’s not a garage full of mechanics’ tools or antique car parts, nor is it a giant media room with oversized leather lounge chairs and movie posters. Instead, the Mikells have created in their third-floor “loft” a tastefully decorated, cozy room that reflects his Florida roots and their mutual passion for their alma mater, the University of Florida, and Gators football. See MAN CAVE page 45
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MAN CAVE continued from page 44
The walls are painted a muted brown, allowing the orange-andblue framed Gators posters to carry most of the color in the room. Their sports memorabilia has been carefully edited, showcasing only the best of the best. There’s a full-size bar, built by Chris, and comfortable seating for friends and neighbors to congregate comfortably on game day or movie night. Behind the bar is an old mirror, framed with coasters from bars and restaurants near and far — he’s been collecting them since he was about 4. It’s an inventive, whimsical way to showcase his ever-growing collection. In homage to his hometown music heroes, the mirror is flanked by two rare and classic Lynyrd Skynyrd tour posters. Sports jerseys are carefully aligned in a closet, along with autographed soccer balls, hockey pucks and football helmets. The Mikells have created a comfortable and classic “Man Cave” that will stand the test of time and their mutual decorating styles. Now about that boar’s head. ← Janice Powell is owner and lead decorator at Powell Home in Suffolk. Think your home has what it takes to be featured in Suffolk Living? Email news@suffolklivingmag.com.
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medically
Suffolk’s rich medical history is as storied as the rest of its past
speaking Photos courtesy of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society
W
ith new health care options springing up in Suffolk, it bears remembering that high-tech medical care was not always the thing of the day. In fact, most early health care was provided at home, with hospitals merely a symbol of wartime. One of the earliest Revolutionary War hospitals was in Suffolk, under the direction of Dr. Alexander Skinner. During the Civil War, churches served as hospitals for the wounded, and several makeshift hospitals sprang up as needed. Take a tour through some of Suffolk’s historical hospitals.
Louise Obici Memorial Hospital, seen in these photos from postcards, was established in September 1951 by a hospital fund created by Planters Peanuts founder Amedeo Obici in honor of his wife Louise. Though he died in 1947, he had already hand-picked the initial officers and directors. A nursing school started up along with the hospital, graduating more than five decades’ worth of quality nurses. The original building on North Main Street was enlarged and changed several times and eventually moved to Godwin Boulevard. Sentara Healthcare took it over in 2005.
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Lakeview Hospital, seen in these photos from postcards, was founded in May 1906 by Drs. E.R. Hart and J.E. Rawls. At first it was quite far from town, which was disconcerting to residents who usually walked where they needed to go. It soon grew to consume the entire block of Bosley Avenue between Gittings and Smith streets. It featured a nursing school, exam rooms, X-ray rooms and an operating room. The background picture is of a horse-drawn ambulance belonging to the Lakeview Hospital.
St. Andrews Hospital, seen in this postcard depiction, was opened in 1911 by Drs. E.R. Hart and Frank J. Morrison. It was reorganized in 1917 and renamed the Virginia Hospital at that time. It was operated as a private hospital with a small nursing staff until it closed when Louise Obici Memorial Hospital opened, as did Lakeview Hospital. After it closed, it served as an ophthalmologist’s office for 10 years, then became a hotel. It has now been demolished and a parking lot is in its place.
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from the ground up
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story by Beth Beck Land photography by Rebecca Keeling-Gagnon
Gardening success is all about starting young
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here’s a reason avid gardeners are said to have green thumbs. For many, they’ve been doing it for so long, the act of growing plants is as much a part of them as their thumbs. For example, a fond memory of picking blackberries at a friend’s house, coupled with growing up tending to a garden, drove Sally Smith to cultivate berries, asparagus and a variety of vegetables at her home in North Suffolk. “We’d have to get up early to weed the garden before school,” said Smith, who’s working towards her Master Gardener title. For Jeff Hancock, a Master Gardener and retired Marine who also lives in Suffolk, gardening was just a way of life for a family of farmers who grew up in Nebraska. “Growing up on a farm, we grew all of our food,” he said. But times are changing. More and more, kids are losing touch with their roots. Some children can’t even identify what a tomato looks like, despite the fact that
it is the key ingredient in ketchup, pizza and other kid-friendly foods. But across the country, and in Suffolk, gardeners are seeking to change that. Master Gardener Pam Courtney didn’t grow up gardening. She says her mother didn’t have the time to corral the kids and a garden. And it never occurred to Courtney to bother learning, at least not until her brother-in-law gave her a plant as a gift. “He taught me how to keep it alive, and my skills just grew from there,” she said. Her husband, Brad Holcum, on the other hand, grew up with a vegetable garden and greenhouse. Together they form a gardening team and have made it their mission to change the way kids in Suffolk think about nature. “Tending to a garden can show kids how to nurture and to respect plants,” Courtney said. While pursuing her Master Gardener title, Courtney, a retired librarian who worked at Oakland See GARDENING page 49
GARDENING continued from page 48
Elementary School, realized she needed a volunteer project. With the help of the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation, their fellow Master Gardeners and a Clean Community Commission grant, Courtney and Holcum set out to start a garden. From planting seeds or bulbs, to weeks of careful watering and weeding, to the final hours before they’re given a taste of what they’ve worked so hard to grow, the children nurture the many plants growing in the courtyard at the center of Oakland’s building. And it shows in the way the kids talk about the garden. “They are very proud,” Courtney says. “The kids say, ‘I planted those, those are my radishes.’” In a world where it’s a daily battle to get children to eat their vegetables, it turns out that giving them a stake in their food is the ultimate weapon. “At the end of the school year, the kids love to eat their veggies
a day in the garden
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A
chorus of “Me’s” rings out when Master Gardener Cheryl Pisani asks for help with the next task in Oakland Elementary School’s community garden. The courtyard is abuzz with activity as some youngsters from Suffolk Parks and Recreation’s Kidzone help Master Gardeners plant bulbs, weed raised beds and water the various plants in the garden. “The program is great. I love being outside and seeing the kids getting into it,” said J.J. Stevens, afterschool program coordinator at Oakland Elementary School and self-proclaimed plant killer. “When they hear the Master Gardeners are here, they get really excited.” Even a short afternoon spent with the kids in their garden is enough time to observe the positive effects the garden is having on the participants.
See GARDENING page 50
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Top right, Gabriella ‘Gaby’ Valenzuela, 6, waters a newly planted bulb in the Oakland Elementary School community garden with the help of Devon Foskey, 8. Above, Tyler Watkins, 8, shown above pruning a plant, says that Swiss Chard is the best vegetable he’s tried at the community garden.
abriella “Gaby” Valenzuela, 6, above, says she loves planting seeds and watering the plants. Her tiny form is barely big enough to haul the watering cans around when they are filled to the brim, but she does it anyway. “Me and my mom had a plant, but it died,” Gaby said. But her experience in the garden has made her think she can bring about a more positive outcome in the future. “We might get (a plant) to live now,” she said. Program leaders Pam Courtney and Brad Holcum see her story as a main goal of the garden. “The kids can take what they’ve learned and take it to the parents,” Holcum said. “Maybe they’ll encourage their parents to grow gardens or grow their own,” Courtney said. “It’s a good thing.”
T
yler Watkins, 8, above, had no problem pointing out his favorite vegetable. “The chards tasted really good,” said Tyler. He laughed when a fellow participant made a face, but was steadfast in his love of the brightly colored green vegetable. The garden is really a feast for the eyes, explained Courtney. It’s fun for the kids, and when it comes time to taste, they all want to try the brightly colored food first. Swiss chard, a leafy green vegetable with bright red veins that isn’t typically a childhood favorite, was especially popular. “You see kids come through here who would say, ‘I don’t eat radishes,’ and then they realize it’s not so bad,” Holcum said.
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to the table T
he best part about growing your own food is eating it. “There’s a lot of flavor out there,” says Cora Hancock, a Master Gardener from Suffolk. “Eating right out of your backyard is just perfect.” “When you can go outside, harvest something, cook it and eat it all within an hour, it’s better. You don’t get the nutrients you get from that from something that’s been sitting on a shelf in a grocery store,” says Sally Smith, another Master Gardener who cultivates several types of berries, among other things, at her home in North Suffolk. So run out to your garden or favorite farmers’ market and grab what’s fresh. Then use the recipes on the following pages to make some delicious summer fare.
GARDENING continued from page 49
from the garden,” Courtney said. “They’ll eat it here because they grew them.” What the Master Gardeners hope to accomplish at Oakland is to inspire a new way of life for these kids. “We’re re-establishing some of the stuff that we knew growing up,” said Holcum. It’s a consensus among most of the Master Gardeners, even ones that aren’t involved at Oakland. “It’s very important that we get our younger generation back to traditional roots,” Hancock said. “If kids garden, they will get outside in nature. It’s just good for the soul.” With his wife, Cora Hancock, the two are now starting to see green thumbs appearing in their own children. “Our kids are getting into it now,” said Cora, also a Master Gardener. “They’ll call for advice for their own plants.” And passing on gardening knowledge is what being a Master Gardener is all about. ←
garden
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hile Jeff Hancock’s experience of growing up on a farm isn’t feasible for most children these days, the community garden aims to create a place where the kids are exposed to nature and all it can provide for them. And for many of them, it’s about discovering new tastes. The flavor of the day, the notquite-ripe cherries growing from a tree in the center of the courtyard, drew the interest of all the children. “We don’t know if they’re crab apples or cherries,” Oakland Elementary’s J.J. Stevens said, though a later inspection of the fruits revealed they likely were cherries. What they were didn’t matter to these kids. For them it was all about trying something new. “I tried them and they were sour,” cried Bria Miller, 10. “But I like sour,” she admitted. The rest of the kids followed suit, leaping into the air to grab cherries off the lower limbs, an acrobatic testament to the power of the community garden.
Master Gardener Brad Holcum, who together with his wife, Pam Courtney, organizes the community garden at Oakland Elementary School, hopes the program can bring the children back to their roots.
in the kitchen
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roasted vegetables
1 red or green pepper, cored and cut into strips 1 zucchini, sliced into 1-inch strips 1 summer squash, sliced into 1-inch strips 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp salt, divided 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided ¼ tbsp each dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme and dried rosemary On a baking sheet, toss all the vegetables with olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and dried herbs. Roast in a 425-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until tender. Variations: Use whatever vegetables are fresh from your garden or farmers’ market. On the grill: Place vegetables in aluminum foil, drizzle with Italian salad dressing. Seal aluminum foil, and cook on the grill for about 15 minutes or until tender. Helpful hint: Leftover vegetables can be used for pasta casserole dish by mixing them with cooked penne pasta. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and serve.
summer salad
1 carrot, sliced thin 1 red bell pepper, cut julienne style 1 stalk celery, cut julienne style 1 medium cucumber, sliced thin ¼ wedge white onion, cut julienne style 1-2” slice butternut squash, shredded Mix all ingredients, add dressing of your choice and serve cold. Variations: Add shredded cabbage, zucchini or summer squash
Recipes courtesy of Jeff and Cora Hancock
summer gazpacho 6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped 1 purple onion, finely chopped 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped 1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons sugar Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option) 4 cups tomato juice Combine all ingredients. Blend slightly, to desired consistency. Place in non-metal, non-reactive storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend.
Recipe courtesy of Simplyrecipes.com
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fruit cobbler photography by R.E. Spears III
For the batter: 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 stick margarine or butter, melted For the filling: 4 cups of berries 3/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 4Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 inch pan and set aside. 4To make filling: Mix 3/4 cup sugar with 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Place 4 cups berries in a pan and add sugar/cornstarch mixture. Add cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well. Cook together over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the fruit releases its juices and starts to thicken. Set aside to cool slightly. Add vanilla before placing over flour mixture. 4In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar and milk and stir until all the lumps are gone. Pour batter into the greased baking dish. 4Spoon fruit or berry mixture over batter and drizzle with melted margarine. 4Place casserole dish on a baking sheet with aluminum foil to collect any spills. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe courtesy of Sally Smith
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index of advertisers Atlantic Urogynecology.......9 Array 700...........................21 Autumn Care.......................5 BB&T Investments.............19 Bon Secours Health System.55 Brandon House Furniture....4 Bronco Federal Credit Union.....................41 Carrollton Furniture.............8 Carver Memorial Cemetery.18 Charter Communications..10 Chorey & Associates..........56 D.B. Bowles Jewelers........16 Davis Lakes & Campground...................16 Duke Automotive.........12, 17 East End Baptist Church....16 Edward Jones...................14 Ellen Drames.......................2 Farmers Bank....................17 Franklin Biz Incubator..........8 Holiday Inn Express...........14 Isle of Wight Academy.......12 Kindred Rehab..................12
Mike Duman......................18 Nancy’s Calico Patch..........5 Nansemond Suffolk Academy...........................52 Parr Funeral Home..............8 Paul Costen Photography....5 Rawlings Mechanical.........21 Rebecca Keeling Studios...27 RL Howell & Associates....14 Saunders & Ojeda.............16 Sentara Healthcare..............3 Smithfield Gardens...........19 Starr Motors......................23 State Farm Insurance Ken Deloach.....................52 Suffolk Insurance...............19 Suffolk Pest Control...........40 Suffolk Public Schools..........9 Suffolk Sheet Metal.............8 UniquelyLeos LTD...............9 Village at Woods Edge.......33 Virginia Soaps & Scents.....16 Woodard Orthodontics.....32 Zuni Peanuts......................14
Last issue’s Where Am I?
hitting the road soon? got room for one more? Let us help you remember your vacation.Take a copy of Suffolk Living with you on your road trips and vacations. Snap some photos and email them to us. Maybe they’ll be in the next issue. It’ll be a much better way to show off your photos than showing slides.
news@suffolklivingmag.com
Photos WANTed
suffolklivingmag.com
Anyone who’s driven Crittenden Rd. from Chuckatuck to Godwin Blvd. has passed this landlocked channel marker in the yard of Nansemond Marine Inc., and several of our readers identified it quickly as the spring where am I? issue’s “Where Am I?” I subject. Suffolk’s Dan Clements Jr. was the winner of the contest and picks up a $25 gift certificate to the advertiser of his choice for his good eye. Check on page 37 for this edition’s photo and instructions on how to enter the contest.
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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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scrapbook
Suffolk GAs: A group of men and ladies stand in front of the Suffolk Gas Electric Company’s truck
on North Main Street in this photo dated around 1920. Offices for the “Southern Gas and Power Co.” are behind the group. Signs in the windows advertise old stoves for sale and facial massages. The photo is included in the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society’s 2003 calendars. Society calendars for the current year are always available at the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. — Photo courtesy of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society
good news
Bon Secours Maryview Has the Region’s Lowest Rate of Hospital-Acquired Conditions A recent study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reveals that Bon Secours Maryview has the lowest rate of Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) in Hampton Roads.
This data reflects Maryview’s commitment to its patients and
Lower HAC rates are not only good for patients’ health, they
attention to detail in all aspects of care, according to
can contribute to reducing health care costs. “The conditions
Vice President of Medical Affairs, Warren Austin, MD.
monitored by Medicare can be dangerous or even deadly,” said Linda Greene, a board member of the Association for
This study is part of a $1 billion public-private safety initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to reduce occurrences of preventable hospital-acquired
Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. “They also can be expensive, with some costing between $1,000 and $25,000 to treat.
conditions by 40% by 2013. With the national average currently
For more information visit www.bshr.com
at a rate of occurrence at 1.4 per 1,000, Maryview’s rate of .55 per 1,000 already exceeds this goal.
HOSPITAL/MEDICAL CENTER Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center National
ELIGIBLE DISCHARGES
TOTAL ACQUIRED CONDITIONS
9,015
5
0.55
18,737,512
26,901
1.44
RATE PER 1,000 DISCHARGES
0.000
3.09 2.92
BON SECOURS MARYVIEW MEDICAL CENTER
2.77 1.73
0.875
1.750
2.625
Based on data at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov