Buffalo Rider
Public servants and the story of a bridge apr.-may 2017 • vol. 1, no. 3
2 western branch magazine
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western branch magazine 3
18
april
what's inside?
2017
feature
10
Ken Wright is an artist, but he really gets his kicks as a Buffalo Rider, one of a group of black men working to keep alive the absolutely true legend of the Buffalo Soldiers.
24
Traffic stopper Mike Lamonea come across a bit like Clark Kent, but he’s a lot closer to Dick Tracy in the flesh. His title’s too long for this space, but just know he’s keeping you safe.
Tale of a bridge You know that bridge that connects Western Branch to Portsmouth? There really was a ferry there at one time. And carriages used it. And pigs.
Where am I? So you think you know Western Branch? Test your knowledge of its landmarks with this photo quiz. You could win a $25 gift card.
Buffalo Rider
Public servants and the story of a bridge apr.-may 2017 • vol. 1, no. 3
By John H. Sheally II
on the cover
Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $20 annually in-state; $25 annually out-of-state; $30 for international subscriptions. Please make checks payable to Suffolk Publications, LLC P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439
A view from the Branch Kathy Reagan Young takes a look at the “buy local” campaign and asks just what makes it so important.
Public servant Tony Scardina delivers the mail. And he does it with great style.
16 28 30
apr
2017 EDITORIAL R.E. Spears III Editor Tracy Agnew News Editor Alex Perry Staff Writer news@westernbranchmagazine.com
ADVERTISING
Earl Jones Marketing Consultant Nathan Richardson Marketing Consultant Dana Snow Marketing Consultant Kandyce Kirkland Marketing Consultant sales@westernbranchmagazine.com
PRODUCTION Troy Cooper Designer
ADMINISTRATION John Carr Publisher
editor's note I’m on the list! I figured I would be put on some kind of federal list or other when Tracy Agnew and I set an appointment to interview and photograph Western Branch’s Mike Lamonea for this edition of Western Branch Magazine. It seemed unlikely that one could just stroll into the Federal Building in Norfolk, where Lamonea serves as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (now, THAT’s a mouthful), so I was prepared for a close search of my camera and tripod bags and a stroll through the metal detectors. What I was not prepared for was the fact that I hadn’t really listened carefully when I’d been told where to go in Norfolk. Tracy said, “the Federal Building,” and she even gave me the address, but I heard “the Federal Courthouse.” So when I arrived at the courthouse — four blocks from where I should have been for our appointment — I waited for Tracy to arrive. And waited. And noticed all the cameras stationed along that building’s exterior. And thought how glad I was to be expected there. After all, a guy with a big backpack on his shoulders, loitering outside a federal courthouse and looking faintly irritated might raise a few eyebrows in this day and age. When my cellphone rang and the voice on the other end identified himself as a federal agent, I began to sweat. He was a nice gentleman, and he directed me to the right place. But as I walked away from the courthouse, headed for the Federal Building, I could imagine hard drives whirring in the courthouse as they saved images of the guy with the big backpack. Lamonea thought the whole thing was a hoot and could hardly seem to wait to laugh about it with his friends in the federal marshals’ office at the courthouse. Well, at least they’re laughing, I suppose. Speaking of laughter, that’s a sound I was not expecting to hear when I visited the Jolliff Station postal facility for photos of Western Branch public servant Tony Scardina. But Scardina and his coworkers — even in the midst of a truly mountainous amount of packages and letters — were having a good time, and it’s clear that they enjoy their work and the camaraderie of people engaged in the pursuit of serving others. And if you ever had the chance to see just how many Amazon boxes pass through that postal facility in a day, you’d have a new respect for the job. Finally, and speaking of respect, Ken Wright cuts an imposing figure as he sets his 6-foot-5-inch frame atop his Tennessee walker, Major. But so did the Buffalo Soldiers that he seeks to honor as the founder of the Buffalo Riders. He loves to share this amazing story, and you can read more about it in the excellent piece by our friends Phyllis Speidell and John H. Sheally II. We hope you enjoy this edition of Western Branch Magazine. There’s so much to love in this part of the world. God bless, Res Spears, Editor Western Branch Magazine is published six times per year by Suffolk Publications, LLC. P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 www.suffolklivingmag.com • (757) 539-3437
western branch magazine 7
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around the branch
ONGOING
Get your shag on with Boogie on the Bay Shag Club, a Portsmouth-based organization dedicated to promoting and preserving shag dancing and beach music. Weekly dance socials are held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. every Friday night at Big Woody’s Bar & Grill, 4200
Portsmouth Blvd. There is no cover, and new friends are always welcome. Visit www. boogieonthebay.com or call 967-7740.
students on display. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except university holidays.
The Old Dominion University Tri-Cities Center, 1070 University Blvd., Portsmouth, has an exhibit of art from local public school
The Dunedin Civic League meets monthly on the first Monday at the Aldersgate campus of New Creation United Methodist Church,
western branch magazine 9 Editor’s Note: We’d love to hear about what’s going on in the Western Branch community! Send your events to be included in this calendar to news@westernbranchmagazine.com.
with other interested people.
April 18
garden week APRIL 22 The Elizabeth River, Nansemond River and Franklin garden clubs will host a Historic Garden Week event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Properties open for tours include Wildwood, 3809 Portsmouth Blvd.; 2808 Lilley Cove Drive; 2822 Lilley Cove Drive; 3070 Falmouth Drive; 3087 Stratford Court; and 3929 Oak Drive East. Advance tickets are $25 and are available at www.vagardenweek.org and at many local businesses until April 21. Tickets are $35 the day of the tour and must be purchased at headquarters, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4320 Bruce Road. Parking is available at all sites, but satellite parking with shuttle service is recommended for Wildwood. The satellite parking lot is at 6231 Portsmouth Blvd. Lunches available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at headquarters; reserve by April 17 at 484-8346. Lunches are $15, and a limited number will be available without a reservation. Flower arranging demonstrations at headquarters will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and are included in the tour ticket. Complimentary light refreshments will be served from 1 to 4 p.m. at 307 Falmouth Drive.
4320 Bruce Road, Chesapeake. The Russell Memorial Library, 2808 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, holds “Hot Topics” from 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday. Come engage in conversation about current events
The ODU Tri-Cities Center, 1070 University Blvd., Portsmouth, will have the opening reception for the Suffolk Public School Art Show from 5 to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public with complimentary refreshments. The art will be available for viewing through September.
April 18
The Mix book group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 686-2538.
April 18
Family Movie Night will take place from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 686-2538.
April 19
The Adult Coloring Society will meet from 11 a.m. to noon at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 465-2916 for more information.
April 20
True Colors Teen Coloring Club will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 686-2538 for more information.
April 22
to noon at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Contact Aren Gonzalez at 686-2538 or gonzaleza@portsmouthva.gov.
April 29
The Portsmouth Humane Society will hold its ninth annual Cause for Paws at North Landing Park in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The 5K run begins at 9 a.m., with $25 early registration and $35 race day registration. The 1-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. and costs $10 for registration. Run or walk with your canine friend. Post-race beer will be served. A festival will follow until 2 p.m. with doggie Olympics, food, raffle prizes, live music, rescue groups, vendors, children’s activities and more. Visit www. portsmouthhumanesociety.org to register.
April 29
North Suffolk Library, 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, will hold IconiCon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This gathering of sci-fi, fantasy, comic and anime fans will include a Lightsaber Academy, Super Smash Bros. tournament, a cosplay contest, a fan art contest, vendors, a food truck and more. Call 514-7323 for more information.
May 9
The Adult Coloring Society will meet from 11 a.m. to noon at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 465-2916 for more information.
May 9
The Suffolk Business Women will have the third annual Suffolk Wine Festival at the former Tidewater Community College campus, 7000 College Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Performers include Island Boy and Joint Therapy, with many regional wineries and breweries. Tickets are on sale at www.SuffolkWineFest.com or at local businesses including River Stone Chophouse, Mason’s Grill and Smokehouse, Uncork’d, Farmers Bank, Gwaltney Dental, Suffolk Visitor Center and Xenith Bank.
The Portsmouth Master Gardeners will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 393-5314.
April 25
A Home Buyers Information Seminar will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Learn everything you need to know to make buying your home easy and affordable, the financial benefit to buying a home, your mortgage finance options and how to improve your credit.
The Adult Coloring Society will meet from 11 a.m. to noon at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Call 465-2916 for more information.
April 27
The Quilting Guild meets from 10 a.m.
May 25
The Quilting Guild meets from 10 a.m. to noon at the Churchland branch of Portsmouth Public Library, 4935 High St. W. Contact Aren Gonzalez at 686-2538 or gonzaleza@portsmouthva.gov.
May 27
10 western branch magazine
Story by Tracy Agnew Photos by R.E. Spears III
At his kids’ PTA meetings in the evenings, Mike Lamonea looks pretty much like any other Dad in the Western Branch community. To those who didn’t know any better, his life could seem to have a lot in common with one of the old family sitcoms of the ‘60s. But by day, Lamonea, whose square jaw and almost military bearing hint at a determination that serves him well in his career, is more Dick Tracy than Dick van Dyke. Lamonea is a top federal agent helping to track down some of the most despised criminals in America, from those exploiting children and trafficking humans to those manufacturing drugs and smuggling illegal aliens into the country. At just 44, Lamonea might seem young for the job as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Norfolk. Simply put, that means he’s in charge of the Norfolk and Richmond offices including a host of crime-fighting agents, the number of which he holds as a secret from those who might want to try to harm or take advantage of the agency. In fact, he’s been at this job — and living in Western Branch with his Suffolk-born wife — for a few years now, so he was even younger when he landed the gig.
Traffic Stopper
See LAMONEA page 12
western branch magazine 11
In his job as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Mike Lamonea is in charge of untold numbers of federal agents.
12 western branch magazine LAMONEA continued from page 10
But he’s quick to deflect credit to his staff for the successes that have put him in this position and helped him retain it. “I am blessed with this office,” he said. “They are doing the work. My job is to really give them all the tools to accomplish everything they need to do.” Lamonea was born in New Jersey and always wanted to be in law enforcement. Somewhere, there exists a photo of him as a child wearing a police helmet. “I’ve always been a good guy,” he said. He went to the University of Scranton and majored in criminal justice. He made such an impression there that when federal agents came to the university in in 1995 to recruit, they knocked on the door of his apartment unannounced. He got the job several months later. He was in New York through the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He then was transferred to Washington, D.C., in 2003, during the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. About five or six years ago, he was moved to the Norfolk office. His department has more than 400 statutory responsibilities, everything from border patrol and customs to investigating child exploitation. “We’ve got a monster footprint,” he said. His office has helped take down a wide variety of evildoers. Among them: a ring of criminals bootlegging copyrighted movies, for which his team received an award from the Motion Picture
See LAMONEA page 13
Sometimes the job calls for Mike Lamonea to ditch the suit and show the colors. (Photo courtesy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
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western branch magazine 13 RADIO continued from page 12
Association of America; an intricate document-fraud organization; a ring of criminals selling “spice,” or synthetic cannabinoids; and, recently, a 50-year-old Suffolk man who admitted collecting and distributing thousands of pornographic images and videos of children. For Lamonea, who has four children, the most meaningful cases are when he can rescue victims. “Anything we can do to protect the public is huge,” he said. “The rescuing of victims is huge. That’s one of the things I enjoy the most. When you can save a life or get a life back on track, it’s a great thing.” His agency is the federal lead on a task force to bring down human trafficking, which Lamonea said is a bigger problem than many people realize. “We have to bring all the forces to bear to take down those networks,” he said. The task force began its work in January and already has secured two guilty pleas and an indictment. Despite all of this, Lamonea still finds
The windowsill in Mike Lamonea’s office at the Federal Building in Norfolk is decorated with challenge coins from a variety of different federal agencies.
time to be heavily involved in the community. He is a proponent of plans for a sportsplex in Western Branch. He is presidentelect of the Great Bridge Rotary Club, chair of Chesapeake Youth Committee and serves on the board of its fundraising arm, the Chesapeake Youth Foundation. His brother, who has Down syndrome, inspires Lamonea to be involved in an
organization called Hope and Happiness, which provides opportunities for socialization and recreation for people with special needs throughout the area. He also coaches travel league soccer — he played himself as a child — and teaches Sunday school. “I do all sorts of stuff and I love it,” he said. “I’m a civil servant at heart. It brings me a lot of joy.”
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14 western branch magazine
in the news Hoffler Creek has big spring plans Story by R.E. Spears III
There’s a little piece of heaven tucked away in a remote corner of Greater Western Branch, where visitors can easily forget they’re within a few miles of the hustle and bustle of the world. Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is a 142-acre park nestled along Twin Pines Road, where visitors can find all sorts of opportunities to see wildlife, row across a brackish lake that was once a borrow pit for highway construction projects and even taste a few new treats. After the Virginia Department of Transportation finished using the property for construction activities surrounding the building of the Western Freeway and I-664 in the early 1990s, the city of Portsmouth responded to the calls of area citizens to protect the property from development by purchasing the land and giving responsibility for its management to a group of citizens who formed the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation. Since then, Hoffler Creek has been the largely undiscovered jewel of Western Branch, a place of wonderful surprises to those who find it. With five named trails and a variety of viewing decks on and around Lake Ballard, as well as a scattering of bird blinds for viewing avian visitors, there is much for a visitor to enjoy at the preserve. And springtime is surely the right time to visit. The preserve’s annual Spring Foraging Tour, set for 1 to 3 p.m. April 23, will give visitors a chance to taste all the edibles the park has to offer. Think greens, and you’ll get the gist of it. Local naturalist, survival expert and author Vickie Shufer leads the tour, and participants — the group is limited to
Visitors to Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve head out along a trail in a bird watching hike in 2015. A similar walk is planned for May 13. (File photo)
25 — will collect dandelions, chickweed and other edibles on their way to making a Spring Greens salad. The cost is $10 per person for members and $18 apiece for non-members. Sunset paddles on Lake Ballard are a popular way to enjoy the park, and two are scheduled during the next couple of months, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. May 6 and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 9. The guided kayak tours wrap up with sunset viewed from the James River, over the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial BridgeTunnel. Advance registration is required, and the cost is $20 for members and $35 for non-members. There’s something special about being on the water at night, and the preserve offers opportunities to do just that, including a moonlight paddle from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
May 6. After time on the water, the group will return to headquarters for s’mores by the fire. Advance registration is required, and the cost is $25 for members and $40 for non-members. If you’re more of a morning person, the preserve has you covered, too. An early bird walk is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. May 13, before the facility is open to the public. The gates are closed at 8:10 a.m., so arrive early. Local birding experts will lead the group and help identify the birds they see and hear. The walk is free, but donations are encouraged to help fund the preserve’s programs. For more information about Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, visit www.hofflercreek.org or call 686-8684.
western branch magazine 15
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16 western branch magazine
where am i?
I
n each edition the Western Branch Magazine staff provides a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Western Branch you really know. We photograph some location in Western Branch 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@westernbranchmagazine.com. If you’re right, you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card. So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner. Go out and enjoy Western Branch!
western branch magazine 17
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18 western branch magazine
feature story
asasa
western branch magazine 19
Preserving a legacy
on horseback Story by Phyllis Speidell John H. Sheally II photos
Astride his Tennessee walker, Major, the rangy, 6-foot-5-inch Ken Wright is an imposing figure and a flashback to the renowned Buffalo Soldiers of the mid-1800s. The long-time Western Branch resident is co-founder and president of the Buffalo Riders of Hampton Roads, the AfricanAmerican equestrian group dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and the black cowboys who helped tame the western frontier. The Buffalo Soldiers date back to 1866. The Civil War was over, and an estimated 10,000 black soldiers remained in the stillsegregated Army. The question, according to Wright, was what to do with those men? “The answer was to put them on horseback and send them to Indian Territory, “Wright said. “They rode mostly mustangs, in some cases tied to the horses until they broke them. They were fierce, tenacious fighters, but they never knew the history they made.” Congress created six all African-American army units in 1866 — the 9th and 10th Cavalry and four infantry regiments that, two years later, reorganized into the 24th and 25th Infantry. See BUFFALO page 20
20 western branch magazine BUFFALO continued from page 19
Black soldiers received $13 a month for their five-year enlistment — more than most could earn in civilian life. White officers led the black troops, although the command was not a popular one at that time, and black troops had to serve west of the Mississippi because of the rancor remaining from the Civil War. The primary mission of the black units was protecting settlers and providing the infrastructure for new settlements to survive. The story goes, Wright said, that the Cheyenne first saw the soldiers bundled in buffaloskin coats against the winter cold, noticed the soldiers’ curly hair and brown skin and thought that, on horseback, they resembled a herd of humped-back buffalo. They called them Buffalo Soldiers. The name became a sign of respect for the troops. When units of Buffalo Soldiers came to town, residents cheered their arrival. Normally black soldiers were required to dismount and walk into a town while the white soldiers rode, Wright said, but the Buffalo Soldiers were so popular they were allowed to ride. When Wright organized the Buffalo Riders 20 years ago, he had to search for enough African-Americans who shared his passion for horses, trail riding and history. When the group began its annual parades in downtown Portsmouth, Wright realized that the common perception was that black men do not ride horses. Recently Wright, in his Buffalo Rider regalia, stopped for coffee at a McDonald’s. When the young woman at the drive-through window asked if Buffalo Soldiers really rode buffalo, Wright replied “I’m on my way to an appointment, but I’ll be back to tell you all about it.” He continues to tell people about the Buffalo Soldiers, black cowboys and their history at talks for civic groups, libraries and historical associations. Wright, who is also an abstract painter working from the d’Art Center in Norfolk, counts Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama among his collectors. After graduating from Norfolk State, where he was a second lieutenant in the ROTC and majored in graphics and fine art, he worked as a page See BUFFALO page 21
At top is a leather jacket worn by the Hampton Roads chapter of the Buffalo Riders. At bottom is the Buffalo Riders logo on Ken Wright’s truck. It always attracts attention.
western branch magazine 21
"[Buffalo Soldiers] rode mostly mustangs, in some cases tied to the horses until they broke them. They were fierce, tenacious fighters, but they never knew the history they made." Ken Wright — Co-founder and president of the Buffalo Riders of Hampton Roads
BUFFALO continued from page 20
designer and graphic artist for The Ledger Star and The Virginian-Pilot for 39 years. He grew up in Richmond, the youngest of four children, in a family of musicians. His father was a graphic artist for the W.T. Grant store on Broad Street, and Wright often accompanied him to the Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Champion tennis player and activist Arthur Ashe was Wright’s childhood friend and classmate, “When I was 11, we would play seven of us against him, and he’d serve so hard I couldn’t get to the ball,” Wright said. Wright graduated from Richmond’s Maggie Walker High School, where he was the drum major, played basketball and played trombone, baritone and sousaphone in the band. He also met
a young majorette, Simonetta, now an educator retired from the Portsmouth schools. The couple has been married for 48 years. “I’m a city guy, but I’ve always loved horses,” Wright said. “My father had a friend in the country who had horses, so from when I was 7 years old, we went riding. When I was 25, I decided I wanted a horse, and I’ve had seven of them.” Wright’s love of horses led to Western novelist Robert Vaughan using Wright as a prototype for a lead character his 2009 novel “Ride with the Devil” and to Wright playing a minor role in the TV miniseries “Sally Hemings — An American Scandal.” Most of all, Wright appreciates that the horses led him to the Buffalo Riders and preserving the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers.
Ken Wright’s senior photo from high school
22 western branch magazine
When he’s not sitting astride a horse with the Buffalo Riders, Western Branch’s Ken Wright can often be found at the d’Art Center in Norfolk, where he is an abstract painter.
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western branch magazine 23
through the lens: Sam Mizelle
Sam Mizelle is a longtime resident of Western Branch. Having raised three sons in Tidewater, she spent most of her free time on athletic fields with a camera. Now looking to expand her portfolio, she recently started working on outdoor portraits and landscape photography. "We live in such a visually interesting area, from the many lakes and rivers to those areas off the beaten path,” she said. “There are many beautiful spots to explore in our backyard; we just have to go looking." Contact Mizelle at sammizelle@hotmail.com. To have your work considered for the Through the Lens feature, email news@ westernbranchmagazine.com.
24 western branch magazine
The story of a bridge Story and photo by R.E. Spears III
Long before there was an area known as Western Branch or an area known as Churchland, long before Chesapeake or even Portsmouth were cities, there was Norfolk County. Norfolk County was the mother county for much of what is now Hampton Roads — Tidewater as many of us still think of it today — and it was a sprawling place encompassing both bustling port towns and vast expanses of farmland. Even then, however, the residents of the different parts of that vast county were connected by trade, despite the rivers that separated them. In fact, the rivers — those free-flowing and natural transportation lanes from whom Hampton Roads got its name — were a primary means of commerce during the colonial and post-colonial periods, and both the Eastern and Western branches of the Elizabeth River were busy with the traffic of that commerce. Farmers had their crops delivered to the towns of Norfolk, Berkley and Portsmouth via the river, and they received goods from those cities that helped them survive in the wilds of what are now See BRIDGE page 26
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26 western branch magazine BRIDGE continued from page 24
Western Branch, Suffolk and Chesapeake. One of those farmers was William Hodges, whose family had come to Virginia in the early part of the 17th century. One of his descendants, John Hodges, born in 1786, rose to the rank of Brigadier General of the 9th Brigade of the Virginia Militia in the War of 1812. John Hodges seems to have been well known in Norfolk County, judging from a family history curated by the Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library at Old Dominion University. He was postmaster in Portsmouth for a number of years, and he bought a tract of land that he called “Wildwood” along the banks of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. The property retains that name to this day and was featured in a previous edition of Western Branch Magazine. From that property, General Hodges operated a ferry, but it seems that he long had ideas for something more permanent. On Dec. 17, 1829, Hodges and Samuel Haynes submitted a request to the Virginia General Assembly for authorization to build a toll bridge to replace the ferry. The ferry, they wrote, had become “useless and unprofitable” because of “the great inconvenience of crossing said ferry with horses and carriages in open boats….” “Your petitioners therefore pray that a law may be [passed] Image of a petition filed with the Virginia General Assembly authorizing them to erect a toll bridge across said branch in in 1829 for the right to build a toll bridge over the Western See BRIDGE page 27 Branch of the Elizabeth River.
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place of the ferry.” Demonstrating that transportation issues were controversial in Virginia, even in the early 19th century, that request was soon followed by a petition signed by 29 men who were opposed to the idea on the grounds that it would impede trade along the river. They wrote that “… such a bridge would greatly obstruct the navigation, being located at such a bleak place, it would be very difficult for a vessel to pass through, and almost entirely destroy our trade….” The General Assembly seemed to have settled the matter on Feb. 6 of the following year, when it passed legislation allowing Hodges and Haynes to build their bridge. The law set out tolls that could be collected — “For a man, five cents; for every horse, mare, mule or work-ox, the same; for all riding carriages, five cents per wheel; for every head of neat cattle, two cents each; and for every score of hogs, sheep or goats, ten cents.” But the Assembly also established a sunset clause that required work to commence within three years and to be complete within five. There is no record of Hodges ever building his bridge. The first bridge to span the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River — a deck girder drawbridge — was built in 1929. The 1979 Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America warned boaters that they must give the Virginia Depart-
Artist Martin Johnson Jr. painted this scene of the Hodges Ferry in action. (Photo by John H. Sheally II)
ment of Highways eight-hours’ advance notice of a need for the draw to open. In a 2007 story about Hodges Ferry, The Virginian-Pilot talked to Saunders Early, who told them that he had to wait for low tide to get his boat back home from downstream. That drawbridge was replaced in 1982 with the fixed span that is there today. And the river traffic that petitioners were worried would be impacted by the bridge is no longer a factor.
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28 western branch magazine
a view from the branch Spring: Get out and enjoy it! By Kathy Reagan Young
I couldn’t believe when I looked out in my backyard and saw my star magnolia in full bloom — in February! That bush is my harbinger of spring. I can count on it to burst forth right around March 15 or so. It was a gift from my parents upon the birth of our oldest child, Maggie Mae, on March 8. However, it was never actually blooming on her birthday, until this year. Climate change? Oh no, I’m not going into that political minefield. Regardless of the reason, spring came early to the Branch. Now, the question is this: Will we get to enjoy it, or will summer follow suit and show up prior to its normal debut timeframe? There are so many things to love about spring, I’m not sure where to start. That spring green color that is so hard to replicate. It’s delicate and fleeting. It seems that as soon as I notice it on the trees, the shade has shifted to a darker one, not to be seen again until next year. The flowers — oh, the flowers. Bursting with life affirming color and scent. I’m so grateful to all of the people in this community that have worked so hard on their yards to share with those of us that perhaps aren’t as gifted in the garden. There are several yards in my own neighborhood of Jolliff Woods that are absolutely stunning. One of my favorite areas to drive through in the spring is on Route 17 (I know, not Western Branch, but it’s close enough to get to and enjoy) in Suffolk just past the bridge overlooking the former Bennett’s Creek Marina (cannot wait for the new restaurant to open!). There
is a time each spring, during which both wisteria and honeysuckle are in bloom. The smell is intoxicating, and it looks like a painting. Not feeling it yet? Here’s an idea: plan to participate in this year’s Historic Garden Week (April 22-29), especially the tour of homes right here in Western Branch from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22. You can get more information and purchase tickets online at www.wbgardentour. com. There are tickets available at the tour headquarters, as well as online, and online tickets must be verified at the tour headquarters, which is at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4320 Bruce Road. One of the homes on the tour was featured on the front of the first edition of this magazine: Wildwood, owned by Alison and Tommy Anderson. I love seeing all the flowers in their yard each year — and the llamas, miniature horses and chickens stepping through them! Spring has sprung, people. Get out there and soak it up. Enjoy this beautiful season of renewal. Quickly. Summer’s not far behind. Enjoy the Branch — with all its buds and blossoms! Kathy Reagan Young has lived in Western Branch for 17 years. She owns PR Plus, a digital marketing company specializing in social media management, website development, reputation management and business development ideas for small businesses. Email her at Kathy@ PRPlusMarketing.com.
western branch magazine 29
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30 western branch magazine
public servant
The U.S. mail, delivered with a smile Story by Alex Perry Photos by R.E. Spears III
Jolliff Station letter carrier Tony Scardina lives in Churchland with his wife of 31 years. The two are members of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, where he plays rhythm guitar for church band “Awake.”
When the snow falls hard in Western Branch, at least one postman is ready with shovels and rock salt, undeterred by the elements. “My goal is to get through the route every day, no matter what the weather is,” he said. Tony Scardina has been a postal worker in Chesapeake since 1988. His career began in Great Bridge, “when Battlefield Boulevard was only four lanes, and you
could walk across it safely with a mailbag.” He moved to the Jolliff Station office nearly 22 years ago. The 58-year-old letter carrier has earned a reputation in the Western Branch community as a dedicated employee who goes out of his way for his job and for others. “He is a familiar, friendly and welcomed face that these people look forward to seeing every day,” supervisor Connie Ainsley said. “I know I’m glad to see him every
morning.” Scardina sorts packages, letters and magazines at 8 a.m. each day before starting his seven-hour route in and around Stonebridge Landing. He said his goal is to provide consistency with a personal touch. “Sometimes they want to see a familiar face, and I ask them how it’s going,” he said of his customers. For some of the residents and businesses he serves, Scardina has become part of See MAIL page 31
western branch magazine 31
MAil continued from page 30
their daily routine. “He’s got some older residences where he’s the only communication outside the four walls of their homes,” Ainsley said. Scardina’s coworkers have appreciated his enthusiasm, as well. He greets everyone happily and is always ready with encouragement and guidance, they say. That attitude has proven especially helpful for new employees adapting to their roles. “It’s overwhelming at first, and if they get in a spot when they’re getting late, you go out there and help them,” he said. He maintains that eagerness when volunteering in the community on Saturdays. The National Association of Letter Carriers organizes annual food drives nationwide in May. Residents leave canned foods at their mailboxes for pickup, and the collections are sorted by volunteers on Saturdays. Ainsley said Scardina volunteers for hours “without thinking twice about it.” “It’s one drop of water in a big bucket that can do so much for hunger,” Scardina said. “It’s exciting and very fulfilling.” He said the charity doesn’t stop there, as he and his coworkers always try to help residents during the holidays as well. “Someone on the route will identify someone in need, and we’ll all chip in and make someone’s holiday a whole lot better,” he said. It’s the Western Branch community that keeps his station motivated, he explained. “We’re not a big station, but we’ve got a big heart,” he said. “We get out there and get the public involved.”
Postal worker Tony Scardina carries one of many boxes of mail from the Jolliff Station postal facility to his truck one recent morning.
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32 western branch magazine
on the road Corapeake, N.C., resident and Chesapeake Walmart employee Aimee Foley took a copy of Western Branch Magazine along on a short-term mission trip to Montrouis, Haiti, with the Supply and Multiply ministry in March. Supply and Multiply provides care for some of the town’s elderly residents at several different sites in the community. Next time you’re away, take us along and have someone snap a photo. Then send it to news@ westernbranchmagazine. com and you could see your photo in the next edition of Western Branch Magazine.
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western branch magazine 33
western branch
scene
Shag Night at Big Woody's Friday evenings at Big Woody’s at Chesapeake Square Mall is the regular meeting of the Boogie on the Bay Shag Club. Members and non-members alike get together to dance the night away. PHOTOS BY TRoy Cooper
Barbara Livingston and Sandy Long
Bob and Christy Taylor
Butch Wickline and Sandra Alford
Vince and Janet Garrenton
Elaine and Dave Dembicki
34 western branch magazine
Last Edition’s Where Am I? As it turns out, lots of baseball fields have where am i? yellow fence posts and white distance markers on green backgrounds. But only one of those fields is in Western Branch and has the “325” featured in the Where Am I contest in the last edition of Western Branch Magazine. I Trevor Styron not only knew where it was, he also knew which field it can be found on. Congratulations, Trevor, you’re the winner of a $25 gift card! Good eye! For your chance to win, check out Page 16 for this edition’s Where Am I challenge. western branch magazine 29
n each edition the Western Branch Magazine staff provides a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Western Branch you really know. We photograph some location in Western Branch 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@westernbranchmagazine.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 Western Branch!
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western branch magazine 35
scrapbook
Even back in 1887, there was an area known as Western Branch, but it was part of sprawling Norfolk County. Chesapeake wasn’t even a dream then. What was considered Western Branch back then can be seen in pink in the upper left side of this map, courtesy of the Library of Congress. — Courtesy of the Library of Congress
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