Western Tidewater Magazine

Always ready to cook

Jean Bradshaw holds her own — and then some — in the kitchen

Crazy about cornhole A subculture of its own

Catching up with ...

Waite Rawls

Summ er 2010 • vol. 1, no. 2

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6 western tidewater living

letter from the publisher

O

ne of our goals with the launch of Western Tidewater Living this spring was to lift the spirits of a community that’s taken its fair share of punches lately.

With your overwhelming response to the magazine’s debut issue, you lifted ours.

I’ve enjoyed seeing my staff, a talented, hard-working team of professionals who don’t always get the credit they deserve from the boss, beam with pride over every congratulatory note or e-mail, comment on the streets, and request for additional copies. And there has been lots of that feedback. Any credit that comes my way, I deflect to my staff.

Concepts are easy. I’ve envisioned a lifestyle magazine from the day I first stepped foot in Franklin four years ago and became instantly hooked by this community and its people.

Executing a good concept is the hard part. My staff did the executing.

Some have been confused by the opportunity to subscribe to a free magazine. To clarify: For those willing to pay for the convenience, we are happy to mail the magazine to your home as soon as it is published each quarter for $20 annually to cover postage and handling. If you’d rather pick it up free at one of our 50-plus distribution points, that’s fine too.

We continue to seek your input on making the magazine better. To pass along a story idea, to send us photographs from a recent party, to have a wedding featured or to suggest a new distribution point, send an e-mail to magazine@tidewaternews. com or call us at 562-3187. We’ll work hard to make the next issue even better than the first two.

Sincerely, Steve Stewart

letter to the editor

W

Dear editor, e were at Bronco Federal Credit Union and picked up several copies of the premier edition of Western Tidewater Living. Our first reaction was quite simply, “Wow!” It is very nicely done. We especially like the focus on people in each of the feature articles.

Our ad for River Birch Farm on page 13 turned out even better than we could imagine. What Steve Stewart calls a “leap of faith” is more accurately described as a “calculated risk” for us - but one that will pay out in the long run.

We are happy and proud to be among the initial advertisers in the magazine.

Kudos to all who made this premier edition of Western Tidewater Living magazine a great success. May it live long and prosper!

Ann and Chuck Gayle River Birch Farm

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ON THE COVER: Cooking is a family affair for Franklin resident Jean Bradshaw, who frosts a cake with daughter Jill Brock and granddaughter Reese of Zuni. See story on Page 32.

Inside this edition Steve Stewart Publisher Betty Ramsey General manager Gwen Albers Managing editor Nicholas Langhorne Staff writer Charlie Passut Staff writer Merle Monahan Contributing writer Troy Cooper Designer Ryan Outlaw Designer Loretta Lomax Editorial assistant Mitzi Lusk Account executive Sara Johnson Account executive Michelle Stainback Office manager

10

18

18 western tidewater living

catching up with ...

party pix From high school proms to pig pickins, we’ve got Western Tidewater’s social scene covered.

Christian rocKers The band Stronghold presents the “whole picture” of Christianity.

S. Waite Rawls S

. Waite Rawls III has always been a Civil War buff. That’s why he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become president of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, even if it meant walking away from a successful career in banking.

“It’s still relevant,” Rawls said of the war.

“It shapes the way we live and breathe and talk today.”

There was only one thing about the job that made the Franklin native uncomfortable: the fact that the Confederacy is associated with racism in the minds of many.

“I did not want to be confused with being a racist,” said Rawls, who has been active in minority-empowerment programs throughout his career. “That was a big concern for me.”

The association of the Confederacy with racism “is a new phenomenon, and it’s a phenomenon that will pass,” he said.

Rawls, 61, said his childhood in Franklin

story and photograph by Nicholas Langhorne

“was like living a dream.”

“I can’t imagine growing up at a better time or in a better place,” he said. “It was like out of a storybook.”

After graduating from Franklin High School, Rawls went on to Virginia Military Institute. He had been accepted at Princeton but decided to go to VMI instead. He still remembers the reaction when he called Princeton officials to tell them of his decision.

“I’ll never forget the guy said, ‘Wow, that’s a first,’ ” Rawls said.

From VMI, he went on to the University of Virginia for graduate school and served in the Franklin unit of the Army National Guard for six years.

After finishing the joint law and Master of Business Administration program at UVA, Rawls got a job offer in New York City. He figured he’d stay there for a couple of years and come back to Virginia; he ended up staying 15 years.

“I did not expect to like New York,” he said. “And I really liked it.”

From New York, Rawls moved to Chicago, where, at age 39, he became the vice chairman of Continental Bank, which was the sixth-largest in the country at the time.

In 2004, Rawls became president of the Museum of the Confederacy. He still remembers his first trip to the museum as a child in the 1950s.

He said the No. 1 goal of the museum is education.

“To me, the fun of bringing history to life is to expose people to stuff that either they didn’t know at all before or to expose them to something that’s counter to what they thought,” he said.

Rawls lives in Richmond. His father, Sol Rawls, still lives in Franklin.

“I admire my father more than most anybody I know because of his selflessness, or service to others,” he said. ←

20

30

30 western tidewater living

22

Tell us where our photographer captured this scene and win a chance at a gift certificate.

Matrimony Chippokes State Park was the setting for the October wedding of Surry resident Hunt Emmerson and Priscilla Douberly. where am I?

I

n each edition the magazine staff will provide a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Western Tidewater you really know. We will photograph a scene in the area that is readily visible to motorists or pedestrians.

If you know where this photo was taken, you will be entered for a chance to win

It’s Happening

Summertime means longer days — and a long list of fun stuff to do in Western Tidewater. We list some of our favorite events on the upcoming calendar.

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. E-mail your answer to magazine@tidewaternews.com.

Go out and enjoy Western Tidewater!

34 46

46 western tidewater living

common ground

Western Tidewater Living is published four times a year by Tidewater Publications, LLC P.O. Box 497, Franklin, VA 23851 www.westerntidewaterliving.com 757-562-3187 Advertising rates and information available upon request to magazine@ tidewaternews.com. Subscriptions are $20 annually in-state; $24 annually out of state; and $30 annually overseas.

Each quarter our magazine will catch up with a Western Tidewater native who is living and working outside the area. In this issue we tell the story of Waite Rawls, president of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.

38

The good fight World War II veteran Clarence Joyner recalls life on the battlefield.

you too are an author L

ike the ocean waves, arising from some distant place and throwing themselves upon the shore, never to exist again, so it is with your story. It’s being written as we speak.

Yesterday you penned a page. Last month a chapter was written. Now — even now — words are forming on parchment.

Let’s turn back toward the front and see what we find.

So these were your parents? That certainly explains a few things. You have your mother’s eyes and your father’s walk.

It also reveals why you look at life as you do. Why you feel so awkward in this situation and so natural in that. How you view risk and deal with conflict. My, this is interesting. That which your father found humorous likewise makes you laugh. Your mother was competitive also! Those two individuals certainly had an influence on you.

Here’s an intriguing chapter. Rather

sad, actually. You were hurt, weren’t you?

Deep down, where no one goes but you.

All these years, you’ve kept it inside.But it comes out in other ways, doesn’t it? I know it does, for I see it in later pages. You’re only now realizing how powerful it was.

The paper here is moist.Tears that fell upon it, perhaps?

And what’s this?

Ha! If you and your friends had been caught, it’s no telling what would have happened. Who thought of that? Get a bunch of teens together and mischievousness rises to the surface. You were crazy!

So here’s where you fell in love. And out of love. And in love. And out. Reads like a roller coaster. Make up your mind! Your emotions seem in disarray, your life out of sorts.

column by Rex Alphin photo by Judson Alphin

Afraid. That’s what you were here. And over there. And here. Fear appears to be quite a constant companion. I notice as the book progresses it does not cease to exist, but rather your capacity to deal with it increases.

Here’s a comment made to a friend that had great significance, though you were unaware of the impact at the time. If you had only known.

These here — well, let’s just say I can’t read them aloud. They would make me blush.

But here we are. At the present. Flipping forward, there are many pages, but nothing has been written. Empty page after empty page, awaiting their turn.

Waiting for you. On them, anything may be written. Anything. But once written, they cannot be erased. For then the page is turned.

Tell me, my friend: What will you write about today? ←

Columnist Rex Alphin says we’re all writers, whether we realize it or not.

8 western tidewater living

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10 western tidewater living

party pix Prom Night at Southampton High School

Top Left: Melodi Bradshaw, left, Amanda Nichols and Lamar Ennis.

Top right: Sher-nae Earls and Calvin Stringfield.

Middle left: Tasheka Rooks. Middle right: Megan Revelle (purple) and Katelyn Harper (pink). Lower left: Yvette Hawthorne and Jarvis Lucas. Lower right: Kateisha Davis, Jeanette Robinson and Kirsten Lassiter.

western tidewater living

11

party pix Prom Night at Southampton Academy

At left: Samantha Upton, Gabby Gatten, Rachel Baugham, Lindsay Raulston and Forrest Best. Lower left: Beth Waller is escorted by Cameron Ray. Lower middle: Wesley Barnes escorts Catherine Glover. Lower right: Dudley Pittman and Jennifer Lynch.

12 western tidewater living

party pix Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ Festival

All of these photos were taken during the 34th annual Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ Festival at Foster’s Pond. At left, Buzz Ballard, left, Vicki Davis, Steve Ballard and standing, Hugh Davis.

Buzz Ballard is Steve Ballard’s father; both are from Windsor. The Davises are from Suffolk; Below left, From left in front are Lorraine Dinga, Dr. Karen Perkins and Diana Ashe; and in back, the Rev. Nate Perkins and Dr. Davis Gardner. All except Rev. Perkins are on the staff for Dr. Harold Demsko, a dentist whose office is in Zuni; Below right, William E. and Katherine Wills of Windsor; Below, Windsor Woman’s Club members, who all helped with serving, are from left, Dot Gwaltney, Susannah Presson, Verna Jones, Joyce Bracey, Kathy Queen, Mary Lee Willis and Theresa Beale.

Photos by Merle Monahan

western tidewater living

13

party pix 40th Anniversary of the Franklin Sportsman Association

The Franklin Sportsman’s Association celebrated its 40th anniversary with a March gala. At top left, Moses Wyche, left, and Larry Rose; At bottom left, Moses Wyche and Delegate Roslyn Tyler; Below, Delegate Roslyn Tyler, Franklin Mayor Jim Councill and the Rev. Anthony Goodwyn.

Photos by Frank Davis

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14 western tidewater living

party pix 56th Annual Chamber of Commerce Meeting

Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce members gathered in March at Cypress Cove Country Club for the organization’s 56th annual meeting.

Right: Clyde Parker, left, Roger Drake and Juanita Drake. Below left, David Fuller, left, Delegate Bill Barlow, center, and Dan Hoctor. Below right, Gerry and Ed Patnesky. Bottom left, Randy Betz, left, and Taylor Williams. Bottom right, Bob Petty and Pam Vaughan Photos by ANDREW FAISON

western tidewater living

15

Poochie Pageant

Far left: Sarah Burgess of Sedley with her dog, Yoko; Left: Tobey Edwards with her dog Peppy and Mary Marshall; Below, enjoying the Spring Fling are, from left, William E. Jones, Venita Hewitt, B.E. Raiford, LaRue Brittle and Joni Joyner.

Photos by Gwen Albers

16 western tidewater living

party pix

Relay for Life

Above, The High Street United Methodist Church team poses for a photo under the Relay arch; Top right, Cancer survivor Judy Riddick and caregiver Jane Fries walk the first lap to kick off the Relay for Life; At right, Glenda Jervey, Kathy Worrell and Billie Turner enjoying the fun under the Relay Big Top; Bottom left, Christian Pearson shaves Justin McHenri’s head during Relay for Life; Bottom right, Members of the Throwing Cancer a Curve team for Franklin-Southampton Relay for Life, are from left in front, Stephanie Duke and Dana Jones; and in back Terri Marcotte, Angela Baker, Joanne Kitchen, Theresa Griffin, Jan Aleshire, Debbie Story and Linda Goodman, all of Franklin.

Photos by Merle Monahan and Kathy Worrell

western tidewater living

17

party pix

Top left, Pat the Clown, aka Pat Ballard, poses with Harry and Vivian Christie; Top right, Ann Jervey and Anne Williams; At left, Young Farmer’s Club from Ivor Relay for Life members Jennie Wells, left, Barbara Greene, Eloise Holloway and Virginia Scott. Holloway is a cancer survivor.

Photos by MERLE MONAHAN and KATHY WORRELL

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18 western tidewater living

catching up with ...

S. Waite Rawls S

. Waite Rawls III has always been a Civil War buff. That’s why he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become president of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, even if it meant walking away from a successful career in banking.

“It’s still relevant,” Rawls said of the war.

“It shapes the way we live and breathe and talk today.”

There was only one thing about the job that made the Franklin native uncomfortable: the fact that the Confederacy is associated with racism in the minds of many.

“I did not want to be confused with being a racist,” said Rawls, who has been active in minority-empowerment programs throughout his career. “That was a big concern for me.”

The association of the Confederacy with racism “is a new phenomenon, and it’s a phenomenon that will pass,” he said.

Rawls, 61, said his childhood in Franklin

story by Nicholas Langhorne photograph courtesy of the Museum of the Confederacy

“was like living a dream.”

“I can’t imagine growing up at a better time or in a better place,” he said. “It was like out of a storybook.”

After graduating from Franklin High School, Rawls went on to Virginia Military Institute. He had been accepted at Princeton but decided to go to VMI instead. He still remembers the reaction when he called Princeton officials to tell them of his decision.

“I’ll never forget the guy said, ‘Wow, that’s a first,’ ” Rawls said.

From VMI, he went on to the University of Virginia for graduate school and served in the Franklin unit of the Army National Guard for six years.

After finishing the joint law and Master of Business Administration program at UVA, Rawls got a job offer in New York City. He figured he’d stay there for a couple of years and come back to Virginia; he ended up staying 15 years.

“I did not expect to like New York,” he said. “And I really liked it.”

From New York, Rawls moved to Chicago, where, at age 39, he became the vice chairman of Continental Bank, which was the sixth-largest in the country at the time.

In 2004, Rawls became president of the Museum of the Confederacy. He still remembers his first trip to the museum as a child in the 1950s.

He said the No. 1 goal of the museum is education.

“To me, the fun of bringing history to life is to expose people to stuff that either they didn’t know at all before or to expose them to something that’s counter to what they thought,” he said.

Rawls lives in Richmond. His father, Sol Rawls, still lives in Franklin.

“I admire my father more than most anybody I know because of his selflessness, or service to others,” he said. ←

western tidewater living

19

20 western tidewater living

The Christian rock group Stronghold are (from left) drummer Jim Writesel, lead vocalist and guitarist Mickey Rosenfeld, bassist Ron Lee and keyboardist Ann Rosenfeld.

rocking you toward God

story and photography

by Charlie Passut

T

o passersby, the small farm off Seacock Chapel Road looks like your typical Southampton County homestead. But pull over, shut off the engine, listen very carefully and you might hear . . . hard rock.

It’s too far away to make out the lyrics, but that jammin’ sound is unmistakable.

Queensrÿche? Megadeth? Iron Maiden?

Nope.

Welcome to the domain of Stronghold.

“For the last 40 years or more, churches have had weak messages, weak ministries,” said Mickey Rosenfeld, the band’s guitarist and lead vocalist. “They’ve gotten away from everything that was the whole character of God. They’ve only stayed on one side – God is love.”

Oh, but there’s another side, one that

the band — Rosenfeld, his wife, Ann, on keyboards, Ron Lee of Virginia Beach on bass and Jim Writesel of Virginia Beach on drums — wants you to hear.

“They don’t look at the wrath side of it, the whole picture,” Rosenfeld added.

“What our second CD will do is bring focus to that.”

Stronghold was founded in 2002 and rehearses at the Rosenfelds’ home, on the second floor of a barn that has been conSee stronghold page 21

western tidewater living

21

Mickey Rosenfeld, guitar and lead vocals for the Christian rock band Stronghold, sings “Stop Running From God” during a recent rehearsal. At right is drummer Jim Writesel.

Stronghold continued from pg. 20

verted into a modern recording studio.

It was here that they put together their debut album, “A Cross And A Crown,” in October 2006.

“It’s a little bit of a ride, but it’s worth it because this is my sanctuary,” Writesel said. “That’s the way I look at it.”

Although a name for the second album hasn’t been decided — Writesel jokingly suggests that since Jesus gave his blood for our sins, it should be called the “Blood” album — “A Cross And A Crown” was nominated for a Momentum award by Indieheaven and the Christian Artist Alliance.

The band has its roots through Ivor United Methodist Church.

“They didn’t have a choir,” Rosenfeld said. “The preacher at the time, Don Chapman, found out that I played guitar. He was quite a piano player. We sat down and started writing songs together. He had songs that he had written to established music.”

Chapman died in November 2002 from cancer. Three of the songs on “A Cross And A Crown” are Chapman’s, so the band dedicated its first album to

him.

From its Ivor roots, “We started doing a little bit at church and at other churches in the area,” Rosenfeld said. “We just kept the ministry going. But now for the first time in our whole ministry we feel like we’ve got something solid. We’ve got four committed people with the desire to go.”

He said Stronghold wants to play bigger venues, including Christian colleges.

“We’re still honing down a decent 90-minute concert,” Rosenfeld said. “If you’ve got that much time, that’s good.

But we can also do a 60- or 30-minute concert as well. We still have the same revival-type message.”

The second album will feature a familiar tune, Sammy Haggar’s “There’s Only One Way To Rock.” Rosenfeld recently received permission from The Red Rocker to re-record the hit to different lyrics. Stronghold’s version will be called “There’s Only One Way To God.” “It was a simple change,” Rosenfeld said. “We added a few words here, changed a few words there and it was

done. When we go out and play it, people recognize the tune.”

For those wanting to hear the band play live, the band has several gigs scheduled for the summer, including at The Light House Café in Virginia Beach on July 24 and at Magnolia United Methodist Church on Aug. 14.

The band also has a fan page on the social networking site Facebook and an “artist” page on the website indieheaven. com.

“We’re called to be the salt and light of the world,” Rosenfeld said. “We’re called to go out and make disciples. We can’t do that sitting inside a stained-glass building. We have to get out of it and we have to talk to people.”

The band’s second album, he says, is about getting oneself right for the last days.

“Our first CD was about God’s promises, His goodness and that He’s always there for you — which is all true,” Rosenfeld said. “With this CD, the day’s come and prepare yourself. You’ve been told. You’ve heard it before. It’s not a game.” ←

22 western tidewater living

nuptials

xxxxxxxx continued from pg. 21

Priscilla Douberly donned cowboy boots for her April nuptials with Hunt Emmerson at Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry County.

Photos courtesy of Kristin Partin Photography

Emmerson - Douberly O

n April 24, 2010, Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry County, Virginia, was the setting for the marriage of Priscilla Marie Douberly and Richard Hunt Emmerson. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Douberly of Moseley, Virginia, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Emmerson, of Spring Grove, Virginia. The marriage was officiated by the Reverends Glenn Chewning and Chris Morris.

Their story went something like this: Hunt met Priscilla in April 2007 after her family built a vacation log cabin on the James River in Surry County, next door to Hunt’s parents’ home, “Riverscape.” The next day they exchanged phone numbers before Hunt headed west to work in Idaho for the season.

They “phone dated” that summer, but knew right away that they were meant to be together. In October 2008, Hunt bought “the ring” and planned the proposal, but things were awry when the ring was stolen from his apartment, just days before the “asking.” That See WEDDING page 23

The wedding party: Front row, from left, Caleb Morris, Tallula Roberts-Dunn and Aaron Morris; middle row, Alison Hamlin, Kristen Shull, Priscilla Emmerson, CarlyJane Harrell and Sarah DeJarnette; back row, Scott Harrell, Travis Shull, groom Hunt Emmerson, Richard Emmerson and Kenny Williams.

western tidewater living WEDDING continued from pg. 22

The bride makes her grand entrance by horse-drawn carriage. In the foreground at right is her father, Mike Douberly.

Lower right: At top, the bride’s parents, Mike and Connie Douberly.

At bottom, the groom and his parents, Richard and Jeanne Emmerson.

didn’t stop Hunt, though – he took Priscilla to Bald Head Island, N.C., bought a substitute $11 Dolphin Ring at the Turtle Central Gift Shop there, climbed the lighthouse on a rainy day and asked his girl to be his forever love.

Fast forward – wedding plans were moved up to spring 2010 – because Priscilla wanted her brother Aaron to serve as an usher before his first Marine deployment to Afghanistan. Her brother Jeremiah and friend Charles Johnson also would be ushers.

Hunt and Priscilla were thrilled when they toured Chippokes, and even in January were able to envision how gorgeous the azaleas and gardens would be in April.

Their families went to work with plans – Priscilla, a current VCU fine arts major, designed the invitations; the bride’s mom, Connie, organized and sewed a memory quilt with squares contributed by family and friends; the groom’s mother, Jeanne, planned the flowers for the table arrangements she would place in Priscilla’s teapots; grandmother Frances Douberly made decisions concerning the beautiful wedding cake she would make; Hunt’s grandma, “Ba,” Barbara Prince, made dozens of rolls for the reception; cousin of the groom, Jim Kellenberger, prepared for a “pig pickin’ feast.” Guests eagerly

awaited the events, including Priscilla’s grandma, Peggy Dean, and Hunt’s grandparents, Frank and Jane Emmerson.

Priscilla chose Hunt’s sister, CarlyJane Harrell, to be her matron of honor.

Bridesmaids were Kristen Shull, Alison Hamlin and Sarah DeJarnette. Tallula Roberts-Dunn was flower girl. Hunt asked his dad to be his best man. Groomsmen were his brother-in-law Scott Harrell and longtime friends Travis Shull and Kenny Williams. Ring bearers were Caleb and Aaron Morris. Mistress of ceremonies was Penny Harrell, and guest register frame attendees were Desiree McCrorey and Dawn Celine.

Following the reception at the Conference Shelter at Chippokes, the couple left on his dad’s tractor to spend the wedding night at one of the quaint cabins on the Plantation’s farm. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon in the Florida Keys, and make their home in Glen Allen, Virginia. And that’s the story of the boy who married the girl next door.

PS – Priscilla did get a “real” ring, and Hunt wears his grandpa Prince’s wedding band! ← Want your wedding featured in an upcoming issue?

E-mail magazine@tidewaternews.com for rates and specifications.

23

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26 western tidewater living story and photography

by Gwen Albers

With each bag tossed, the game grows

T

crazy

about cornhole Mike Dail, 41, prepares to make a toss during a Cornhole tournament hosted by Blake Ford’s Relay for Life Team in May.

he co-pastor of Courtland’s Community Praise and Worship Center has an addiction that’s making her money.

Sharon Seal is capitalizing on her latest habit and Western Tidewater’s latest craze: the lawn game cornhole.

The 42-year-old Courtland woman makes and sells the corn-filled duct cotton baggies to play cornhole, which is becoming commonplace at backyard barbecues and fundraising tournaments.

Participants toss the bags a distance of 27 feet onto a raised platform, which has a hole at the far end.

“I started playing last year,” Seal said. “No one around here made the bags.My mom had taught me how to sew, and I started making them myself.”

Bags weigh 14 ounces to 16 ounces. They are filled with feed corn or plastic pellets.

Seal uses duct cotton, which is similar to the material used to make seat belts. She also makes plywood scorekeepers.

Seal, like many, enjoys playing cornhole.

“It’s an addicting game,” she said. “You start to play and you can’t stop.”

That’s what happened to Franklin’s Tony Longoria.

A self-employed contractor, Longoria played for the first time two years ago during a wedding reception at the American Legion in Franklin.

“They had a set of boards, but I thought it was for children – a little-kid game,” he said. “It’s harder than it looks.”

Today, the 31-year-old belongs to the American Cornhole Organization, See CORNHOLE page 27

western tidewater living

27

CORNHOLE continued from pg. 26

the governing body of the sport. Longoria competes around the region. Tuesday evenings are spent playing cornhole at Fred’s Restaurant.

Wednesday nights are spent at the Ag Center doing — what else? — playing Cornhole.

“The best thing about it is anybody can play,” Longoria said. “We have women, old people.

My son, who is 9, plays in tournaments.”

Tony Longoria also makes the 2- by 4-foot cornhole boards, which stand 9 inches off the ground at the top end. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points; one on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a player reaches the score of 21.

Cornhole matches are broken down into

“It’s an addicting game. You start to play and you can’t stop.”

Sharon Seal — Cornhole player

innings, or frames of play. During each inning, every player throws four bags.

A player may deliver the bag from either the left or right pitcher’s box, but, in any one inning, all bags must be delivered from the

same pitcher’s box. It is possible that both players can throw from the same pitcher’s box.

Also, the player gets a 3-foot box to throw in.

Each player must deliver the bag within 20 seconds.The time starts when the player steps onto the pitcher’s box with the intention of pitching.

The player who scored in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning. If neither pitcher scores, the contestant or team who pitched last in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning.

Cornhole can be played as either See CORNHOLE page 28

Players warm up for the Cornhole tournament at Blake Ford.

28 western tidewater living CORNHOLE continued from pg. 27

doubles or singles.

In doubles play, four players split into two teams. One member from each team pitches from one platform, and the other members pitch from the other.

The first side of players alternate pitching bags until both players have thrown all four of their bags; then the players pitching from the opposing cornhole board continue to alternate in the same manner until all four of their bags are delivered and the inning or frame is completed. In singles play, two players play against each other.

Delivery is handled in the same manner as doubles play.

Both contestants pitch from the same cornhole platform and alternate their pitches until all of their bags have been pitched, completing the inning or frame.

Allen Drewry got into playing Cornhold two years

Jeremy Riddick of Chesapeake eyes up his target while playing a game of cornhole at Blake Ford.

See CORNHOLE page 29

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western tidewater living

CORNHOLE continued from pg. 28

ago. The 41-year-old self-employed Franklin electrician and plumber has his sights set on going to the ACO’s national competition in Las Vegas. Drewry may face Matt Guy, a native of Alexandria, Ky., who in January became the “King of Cornhole” for the fourth consecutive year.

Drewry is considered semi-pro. He earned the ranking by participating in the Skills Challenge program sponsored

by ACO. The Skills Challenge program determines one’s rank among all ACO members. Drewry ranks 82 among 186, according to the ACO website.

Drewry had to play three frame games backto-back. The average score from the games determined what’s known as his Skill Challenge Rank. ←

Sharon Seal of Courtland sells homemade cornhole bags during a Relay for Life fundraiser at Blake Ford.

29

30 western tidewater living

where am I?

I

n each edition the magazine staff will provide a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Western Tidewater you really know. We will photograph a scene in the area that is readily visible to motorists or pedestrians.

If you know where this photo was taken, 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. E-mail your answer to magazine@tidewaternews.com.

Go out and enjoy Western Tidewater!

western tidewater living

31

around town HunterDale Ruritan Western Beef BBQ

Far left, Warner Enos, left, and John Lash of Yorktown; At left, Sandra Quisenberry sits with her grandaughter Peyton Quisenberry, 8, both of Wakefield; Bottom left, Opal Elks, left, Gerald Elks of Hunterdale, Gerry Elks and Robin Carver of Culpepper, Melanie Carver of Fredericksburg and Jennifer Elks of Locust Grove; Below, Brenda Stephenson, left, Gerldine Williams, J. R. Williams, Janice Byrum and Marie Stephenson, all of Windsor, attended the event at Bronco Rod & Gun Club.

Photos by Merle Monahan

what’s cooking

story and photography

by Merle Monahan

W

atching Jean Bradshaw maneuver around her kitchen, no one would guess she couldn’t cook when she got married.

But this generous, warm-hearted next-door neighbor, who is always there in times of stress with a hot dish, says it’s true.

“Joe, my husband, was a little perturbed when he found out, to say the least,” Bradshaw said with a grin. “His mother, of course, was an excellent cook, and he couldn’t understand why I wasn’t.”

Bradshaw learned quickly, however.

“I was determined,” she said. “I read cookbooks and I watched and learned from some of the good cooks I knew, including Joe’s mother.

“It was trial and error at first,” she added with a laugh, “but I feel confident that I can hold my own now.”

The 72-year-old can indeed.

For the past seven months she has lived at the Village at Woods Edge, where she has become friends with neighbors. When there is an illness or death at the Village, she is the first to bring food to the family.

When there’s a party, she volunteers to help with refreshments. Her cooking talents are, in fact, now known throughout the Village.

Why, just the aroma of her home-

heartwarming dough

See Rolls page 33

Jean Bradshaw of Village at Woods Edge holds a pan of her freshly baked homemade rolls.

western tidewater living

ROLLS continued from pg. 32

Jean Bradshaw’s homemade dinner rolls Ingredients: 1 cup cold water 1 cup shortening (I use solid butterflavored) 1 cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons salt 2 eggs, beaten 3 packages dry yeast (3 come in pkg together) 1 cup lukewarm water 6 cups plain flour

made rolls has been known to halt the work of the the retirement community’s maintenance crew. She is trying to find out when the crew will be on her floor again, so she can make rolls for them.

But Village residents are not the only recipients of Bradshaw’s culinary cre-

Directions: Combine cold water, sugar, salt and shortening in pot and bring to boil.

Let it cool down to warm. Add beaten eggs. Let cool completely. Sprinkle yeast in lukewarm water and stir until dissolved. Combine egg mixture with yeast. Add to flour until mixed. Store in covered bowl overnight or at least five hours in refrigerator.

When ready to use, pinch off as much as needed and knead slightly.

Form into golf-sized rolls and place in greased baking pan. Cover with clean dish towel and let rise for two hours. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

ations. She also has not forgotten her church family.

“My husband, children and I attended Sycamore Baptist near Franklin for nearly 45 years,” she said, “And I’m as close to the members there as I am to my own family.

33

“When a church member has an illness or death, it affects me as much as it does them,” Bradshaw continued. “Of course, I’m going to see that they don’t have to worry about cooking.”

Because of her love of the art, the one thing she insisted on when she moved to the Village was that her kitchen be fully equipped and in excellent shape.

“I love having my dinner in the Village dining room because I get to see my friends and to visit, but I cook my own breakfast and lunch, and I also have my family over for holidays, so I need my kitchen,” she said.

“Not long ago, for instance, I had 12 family members here for lunch, and I did all the cooking.”

Depending on the holiday, Bradshaw cooks either the ham or the turkey with all the trimmings for her family, which includes two sons, a daughter and their families. This is what she has always done and expects to continue, she said.

“Of course I don’t have a big dining room with the space I used to have, but I do have a great kitchen,” she said.

“And we can always put up a card table to take care of the overflow,” she added with a smile. ←

34 western tidewater living

what to do Nottoway Indian Powwow

Isle of Wight Fair

Lions Steak Feast

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 7/1-9/2—“We Be Jammin” summer concert series Location: Barrett’s Landing at 300 S. Main St. in downtown Franklin.

Enjoy free concerts every Thursday at picturesque Barrett’s Landing from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy live music from local and regional bands, refreshments and concessions. Dance or just relax and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and entertainment.

July-December—Farmers’ Market Location: 210 S. Main St. next to Franklin Depot/

Visitor Center.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A variety of vendors are on hand with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, plants and more. Although the market closes at 1 p.m., it doesn’t mean vendors pack up and leave for the day.

7/3—Fourth of July FestiVITIES Location: Sedley The day will include a Veterans Celebration at 9:30 a.m. at Sedley Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Fourth of July Parade at 11 a.m., car show at noon, a poker run at 1 p.m. followed by a motorcycle show. Other events include the Silver Street

Band taking the main stage from 5 to 9 p.m. The Rhythm Sensation Cloggers will perform at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Location: Boykins Festivities will begin at 3 p.m. at Raymond Parker Park on Bryant Avenue. The day will include inflatable units for children, face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn. Wayne Cook will serve as disc jockey.

Fireworks will begin at 9.

Location: Windsor will be holding its Fourth of July celebration at Robinson Park on Duke Street. The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. with the

western tidewater living

35

Windsor Ruritan Club and Windsor Women’s Club providing dinner. The clubs are asking residents to bring a dessert dish to pass. Fireworks will begin at 9:30.

Through 7/11— rawls juried art exhibition Location: Rawls Museum Arts, 22376 Linden St., Courtland The Francis Gallery will feature works by Nikki Painter, and the Main Gallery will host the 2010 Rawls Juried Art Exhibition 7/24-7/25—cheroenhaka nottoway Indian powwow Location: Southampton Fairgrounds, Route 58 and New Market Road, Courtland Experience the traditions, history and culture of the indigenous people of Southampton County at the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Pow Wow and Gathering – the “Green Corn Harvest.”

It will be two days filled with Native American drums and music, intertribal dancing, Ethnohistorical presentations and demonstrations, children’s activities, storytelling, jewelry, crafts, food vendors and the “Indian Kitchen. The Pow Wow will be held 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Admission is free. For information, call 562-7760 7/28-7/31—north Carolina watermelon festival Location: Murfreesboro Daily events include, home and garden section, watermelon contest, antiques/collectibles/crafts fair, food, amusements rides, street dances at night and watermelon games. There will be a barbecue chicken dinner on July 30 and 5K run on

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36 western tidewater living July 31. For information, call 252-398-5922.

2009 Franklin-Southampton Fair Queen Candidates

7/31—NAACP banquet Location: Regional Workforce Development Center at Paul D. Camp Community College.

The NAACP will hold its first of what is hoped to be an annual banquet beginning at 7:30 p.m. All donations will go toward helping send four high school students to college with $500 scholarships. For more information call Dr. Ricky Beale at (757) 943-0958 or (757) 569-7943.

8/12-8/14—30th Annual Franklin-Southampton County Fair Location: Fairgrounds outside Courtland Enjoy great local and special foods, home arts, exhibits, crafts, livestock shows, talent shows and the Queen’s Pageant. The fair offers more than 1,200 exhibits. Admission fee is $6. For information, call 562-3765 or visit www. southamptoncounty.org/ tourismarts.asp.

9/1—Lions Steak Feast Location: Draper Pond on White Meadow Road

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western tidewater living The Boykins Lions Club will start its annual feed at 4 p.m. and begin serving dinner at 5. Tickets are $25. For information, call 654-6271, 654-6412, 654-9776 or 6508134.

9/15-9/19—Isle of Wight County Fair Location: Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds, 21311 Courthouse Highway, Windsor Main stage events include Coastland Band, The Band Perry, Honkytonk Highway, Jason Michael Carroll, Southern Heartland, Silver Street, Kentucky Headhunters and Past Due. The week also will include a Seafood Fest, truck pool, monster truck rides, bull-riding competition, cornhold and horseshoe tournaments and more. For ticket prices, call 357-2291.

9/18—Heritage Day Festival Location: Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum & Heritage Village in Courtland Hundreds of visitors will help celebrate Southampton County’s rich cultural heritage. Attractions include local arts and crafts, entertainment, food and fun.

Admission is $2. For information, call 757-653-9554 or 757-653-9028 10/1-10/2—Franklin fall Festival Location: Barrett’s Landing at 300 S. Main St. in downtown Franklin.

From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. there will be a block party featuring TFC Band. A worldclass fireworks display by Pyrotecnico will begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $2, children under 6 free. Food and beverage available. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and spend an evening of fun and relaxation. The second day will feature a traditional street scene with arts and crafts booths, food vendors, cloggers, local musicians, clowns, children’s games and fun for all ages. Mustang Club of Tidewater Annual Festival Car Show will be held at Main Street and Fourth Avenue.

Need a booth or want to show off your talent: Call the Downtown Franklin Association office at 562-6900 for more information or to receive an application.

11/6—chili cook-off Location: Barrett’s Landing at 300 S. Main St., Franklin.

The 5thAnnual Chili Cook-off is open to non-profit organizations, hunt clubs, churches, civic groups, businesses, or individuals. Judging will be done on booth decoration, best chili and People’s Choice Award. Prizes will be awarded. Call the Downtown Franklin Association office at 562-6900 for further information.

37

38 western tidewater living

fighting the good fight C

story by Nicholas Langhorne photography by Marco Di Florio

larence Truman Joyner’s memories of serving in the Army during World War II haven’t faded.

“It’s so much that went on, you could think about it tonight and it’s just as clear as day,” Joyner said.

When the 90-year-old Franklin resident was drafted at age 24, he left behind his wife and their 3-year-old daughter.

“It made you think a lot,” Joyner said. “Not knowing or having any idea whether you’ll ever get back or not.”

He served in the Army under the legendary Gen. George Patton, who made sure the troops had adequate supplies, Joyner said.

“He kept us in shape, and he was a good man,” Joyner said. “When he told you something, you could depend on it.”

Joyner said the war “was a very hard time” for soldiers, who dodged attacks from German Army snipers while trying to find a warm place to rest.

“You might be lucky enough to be in a barn or a house where you could get some heat,” he said.

In January 1945, Joyner and the rest of his infantry division went on an invasion of France, but a combination of rain, snow and sleet left the troops stranded in Germany for five days.

“We had a total of 245 in the company,” he recalled, but when support was able to get to the See VETERAN page 39

World War II veteran Clarence Joyner in his uniform.

western tidewater living

When When life life throws throws curveballs...

When life throws curveballs... curveballs...

The Joyners share a hug.

Veteran continued from pg. 38

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troops, 65, including Joyner, couldn’t get out of the trench on their own.

Joyner, who was suffering from frostbite, was taken to a field hospital and then sent to a hospital in Metz, France, for treatment.

“I stayed there nine weeks, and during that time I was treated with hot ice and penicillin,” he said. “They were good to me. I don’t think I could get any better care.”

Doctors were concerned that Joyner’s left leg may have to be amputated. One doctor, Joyner said, “smoked a cigar, and he would come in there three or four times a day and stick that cigar in the bottom of my foot to see if the nerves were healed.”

Just as doctors were preparing to send Joyner to England, which was a sign that amputation was coming, he regained feeling in his left leg.

“I was some kind of glad about it,” he said.

After the war ended, Joyner was stationed in Austria to secure a steel mill. While there, he stayed in a castle.

“Those were the good times,” he said, but not as good as the view of the Statue of Liberty a few months later when he came home.

“I would hate to have to go through it again,” Joyner said of the war.

“He was very fortunate,” said Joyner’s wife of 70 years, Peggy.

“He had buddies getting shot down around him.” ←

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“I didn’t realize what an impact they had on the whole community. One person said ‘Sedley won’t be the same without Peugeots.’

It’s been a staple in the community.”

Nancy Altstatt — Daughter of Walter Barton

western tidewater living

43

Peugeots

to-go story by Gwen Albers photographyby Mitzi Lusk

N

ancy Altstatt calls her dad a practical man.

That’s because Walter Barton never paid more than $150 for the Peugeots he acquired over the years. At one time, Barton owned 31 of the French-made cars.

“I didn’t need personal tags. I had personal cars,” he said.

A near-death experience about a year ago prompted the Sedley man to sell his remaining 17 Peugeots and the parts and pieces he accumulated over the years. It was the end of an era for the town.

“I didn’t realize what an impact they had on the whole community,” said Alstatt, who grew up around the cars. “One person said ‘Sedley won’t be the same without Peugeots.’ It’s been a staple in the community.”

Dave Klemencic of Ellenboro, W.Va., purchased the 35year collection of mostly disabled cars and parts, including 30 doors, hoods, windshields and fenders. When Klemencic arrived in Sedley in mid-April with a tractor-trailer and trucks to haul the cars away, the town turned out.

“I never seen as much traffic as we (did that day),” said Phyllis Barton, who is Walter’s wife.

Klemencic learned about Barton’s Peugeots through the auction website eBay. At the time, he was redoing a 1966 Peugeot he acquired 33 years earlier as a teen.

“I called him to see if he wanted to sell any parts, and he said, ‘It’s all or nothing,’ ” Klemencic said.

He traveled to Sedley a few times and negotiated a price with Barton, but he had troubles with shipping. The 50-year-old set See peugeots page 44

44 western tidewater living Peugeots continued from pg. 43

aside the purchase for two years while building a home for his mother.

Klemencic came across Barton’s phone number on his desk and wondered if he’d gotten rid of the Peugeots and their parts. Barton had not.

So Klemencic coordinated a 400-mile moving effort, using a car hauler and his friends’ vehicles.

“The trucking company (with the car hauler) made three trips,” he said.

Klemencic’s attempting to store and dismantle as many cars as possible before the “weather destroys them.”

“I’ve actually cleaned the better cars and got them running,” he said. “There’s eight that are in an acceptable position to sell. My hope is to sell enough cars to recoup my money and get all of my parts for free.”

Walter Barton has no regrets about selling his Peugeots.

“When I was done, I was done,” he said.

“I’ve been over with it since No. 2 hit the yard,” his wife added.

The Peugeots Barton owned were built between 1962 and 1969.

They were stored at Barton’s Museum in Sedley, in the Bartons’ yard and a warehouse. The cars all looked alike.

“They had little differences, but I’d have to point them out,” he said.

The owner of Barton’s Auto Service in Sedley, the 65-year-old was introduced to Peugeots when his dad purchased a new one in 1963 from Empire Renault Peugeot in Portsmouth. At that time, Peugeot was considered the seventh-best automobile in the world, Barton said.

“The ’63 got wrecked and dad bought another one,” he said. “He

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had several, except he didn’t get as wild as I did.”

Barton’s collection began in 1975, after he spotted a Peugeot with its hood up in Martinsville.

“I bought it for $150,” he said. “That was the most expensive one I ever bought. We drove that car all over the country.”

Barton drove that car 200,000 miles during his 15-year ownership.

Among Barton’s Peugeots was a 1962 model he found in Holland for $40.

“It didn’t take a whole lot” to get it going, he said.

Barton sold that car to Keith Barrett, who resold it.

“When it broke down, I bought it back for $25 and sold it for $400,” Barton said.

See peugeots page 45

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Nancy Alstatt leans against a Peugeot owned by her father, Walter Barton of Sedley.

Barton recently sold his fleet of Peugeots, which he began collecting 35 years ago.

western tidewater living

Peugeots continued from pg. 43

Featured in a newspaper, Barton’s collection grew — as did his reputation. When Peugeot owners couldn’t afford the expensive parts and repairs, they gave the cars to Barton.

“I had a man who worked for a Peugeot distribution warehouse in Norfolk, and he couldn’t find a taillight lens,” said Barton, who sold him one.

Phyllis Barton also drove Peugeots.

“I had one I drove as a family car, she said.

Altstatt remembers being embarrassed when her mom would pick her up from school in a Peugeot.

“I didn’t appreciate it,” she said. “When Mom picked me up from school, I waited until all the buses pulled in.”

“After the buses came, she would bend down and try to hide,” Phyllis Barton added.

Alstatt concedes that her friends thought the cars “were great.”

“It’s we just had so many of them,” said the now 35-year-old, who lives in Hunterdale.

Walter Barton’s favorite was a Peugeot car he turned into a truck.

“It cut it right in half,” he said. “Some-

Walter and Phyllis Barton stand in front of car carrier loaded with Peugots. The couple recently sold their collection of French-made cars to a West Virginia man.

one gave me a wrecked Datsun (pickup), and I used the Datsun on the back of the Peugeot.”

Barton drove the canary-yellow contraption for 20 years.

“Everybody knew me by that truck,” he said.

And when the Bartons’ 29-year-old son, Phillip, wrecked one of the Peugeots after driving too fast around a bend, there were two good things: Phillip Barton wasn’t hurt, and his dad had the parts to fix the

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car.

The Bartons for the most part drove Peugeots until the mid-1990s.

“When I got an ’86 LTD in 1994, I thought I died and went to heaven,” Phyllis Barton said.

Today, the Bartons owned a 2008 Nissan Sentra and a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup.

As for Klemencic’s plans for the remaining Peugeots . . .

“That’s for me and my therapist to work out,” he said. ←

46 western tidewater living

common ground

you too are an author L

ike the ocean waves, arising from some distant place and throwing themselves upon the shore, never to exist again, so it is with your story. It’s being written as we speak.

Yesterday you penned a page. Last month a chapter was written. Now — even now — words are forming on parchment.

Let’s turn back toward the front and see what we find.

So these were your parents? That certainly explains a few things. You have your mother’s eyes and your father’s walk.

It also reveals why you look at life as you do. Why you feel so awkward in this situation and so natural in that. How you view risk and deal with conflict. My, this is interesting. That which your father found humorous likewise makes you laugh. Your mother was competitive also! Those two individuals certainly had an influence on you.

Here’s an intriguing chapter. Rather

sad, actually. You were hurt, weren’t you?

Deep down, where no one goes but you.

All these years, you’ve kept it inside.But it comes out in other ways, doesn’t it? I know it does, for I see it in later pages. You’re only now realizing how powerful it was.

The paper here is moist.Tears that fell upon it, perhaps?

And what’s this?

Ha! If you and your friends had been caught, it’s no telling what would have happened. Who thought of that? Get a bunch of teens together and mischievousness rises to the surface. You were crazy!

So here’s where you fell in love. And out of love. And in love. And out. Reads like a roller coaster. Make up your mind! Your emotions seem in disarray, your life out of sorts.

column by Rex Alphin photo by Judson Alphin

Afraid. That’s what you were here. And over there. And here. Fear appears to be quite a constant companion. I notice as the book progresses it does not cease to exist, but rather your capacity to deal with it increases.

Here’s a comment made to a friend that had great significance, though you were unaware of the impact at the time. If you had only known.

These here — well, let’s just say I can’t read them aloud. They would make me blush.

But here we are. At the present. Flipping forward, there are many pages, but nothing has been written. Empty page after empty page, awaiting their turn.

Waiting for you. On them, anything may be written. Anything. But once written, they cannot be erased. For then the page is turned.

Tell me, my friend: What will you write about today? ←