Western Tidewater Living - Summer 2012

Sensational SinglesMeet 10 eligible men and women

Canning CreationsSee what Nancy Cook is cooking up

Catching up with ...Latonya Dunlow

SUMMER 2012SUMMER 2012 • vol. 3, no. 2 • vol. 3, no. 2

©2011 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO

The Village at Woods Edge

Small town charm. Engaging senior living.

What makes Western Tidewater so special?

Th e people who call it home, of course.And that’s one of the many reasons we love producing Western

Tidewater Living. Because for a brief moment (brief for us anyway), we turn our attention away from the day-to-day news and focus solely on the wonderful folks who make our region such a terrifi c place to live and work.

In this issue, we’re excited to introduce you to 10 interesting individuals who call Western Tidewater home. Th ey also happen to be eligible and single.

We’ll reintroduce you to Boykins native Latonya Dunlow, who has gone on to achieve personal and professional success elsewhere, Nancy Cook from Isle of Wight, who spends this time of year canning, and showcase Audra Gardner and Robert Foster’s wedding.

And, of course, we have a lot of photos of our friends and neighbors from community events.Th is issue is a celebration of those who make Western Tidewater a wonderful community. We

hope you have as much fun reading it as we did putting it together.

Sincerely,Tony Clark

letter from the publisher

letters to the editor

4 western tidewater living

Th e Franklin Garden Club thanks you and your staff for such an outstanding job of supporting our April 21 Franklin Home and Garden Tour with such excellent articles in the Western Tidewater Living magazine and Th e Tidewater News.

We have heard such wonderful comments from folks here and around the state concerning the stories’ content, as well as the beautiful photographs. We are so pleased with the success of the tour. You are such an asset to this and our surrounding communities in supporting and promoting such activities.

Judy LivesayCo-chairwoman for Franklin Garden Club Home and Garden 2012 Tour

CONTENTS | summer 2012

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Twenty-three-year-old Danielle Williams conquers debilitating stroke

MIRACULOUS RECOVERY44

Tony ClarkPublisher

Gwen AlbersManaging editor

Dale LieschStaff writer

Rex AlphinColumnist

Merle MonahanContributing writer

Troy CooperDesigner

Ryan Outlaw

Designer

Loretta LomaxEditorial assistant

Mitzi Lusk

Marketing consultant

Kate ArcherMarketing consultant

Michelle Stainback

Offi ce manager

Western Tidewater Living is published four times a year by Tidewater Publications, LLC

P.O. Box 497, Franklin, VA 23851757-562-3187

Advertising rates and informa-tion available upon request to

[email protected]. Subscriptions are $20 annually

in-state; $24 annually out of state; and $30 annually overseas.

PARTY PIXFrom Franklin High School’s Class of 1967 Reunion to the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, Western Tidewater spent the spring celebrating.

6

SUMMERIN SUNBEAMA day in the life of this Southampton County farming community

40

SENSATIONAL SINGLESTen interesting singles living in Western Tidewater

26

Sensational Singles

Meet 10 eligible men and women

Canning Creations

See what Nancy Cook is cooking up

Catching up with ...

Latonya Dunlow

SUMMER 2012

There they are. Thousands upon thou-sands of trees, grasses, bushes, vines- crawling under, covering over, wrap-

ping around, sticking through, saturating the landscape. The warming of the earth calls forth their arrival, like some giant multi-colored wave breaking over the earth and crashing forth with her energy. The sun pours out her splendor, illuminating this canvas, exposing reds, purples, oranges, ambers, pinks, blues and a hundred shades in between, displayed in pat-terns of streaks and dots, lines and splotches, heart shapes and kidney designs, transparent and translucent. The senses are bombarded, yea, attacked by nature’s onslaught!

And then- there is the single buttercup.Hold it. Stop. There it is. Right at your foot.

Stoop down with me, will you? Let us take a look. Push away- for one solitary minute- your schedule, your demands, your problems, your

myriad duties. Let us see what we can observe.It’s bright, isn’t it? What a vivid yellow!

Glowing, almost! With little lines of texture. Five petals. Five tear-dropped petals. Not four, not six. Five. All symmetrical, as if placed by some-one in a particu-lar formation. As if intentionally drawing atten-tion to itself. A billboard, per-haps? A delib-erate display? Pointing up, as if making an appeal. Feel them. How soft, how supple the texture! What holds such a sculpture together? The petals seem to be the choir, the backup, to the main central event. They draw your eyes down towards their base, on which is situated

an intricate, cone-shaped, light green creation with small, multiple protrusions, all equidistant from each other. Notice how the yellow and green contrast, yea, complement each other. The central protrusion has a harder, more solid feel to it. Notice the yellow slivers, like little ropes, at the base, as if it needed one additional decoration. And it is all held up into the atmo-sphere by a long green bit of scaffolding that appears to push the handiwork out into space, as if hoping that a set of eyes might just happen along and appreciate its beauty. It all seems to be so right, so balanced, so proportional, don’t you think?

Okay. On your way. Summer awaits you. Duties lie before you. The demands of life will once again creep down into your pores and set you on the path of duty. But on your way, one thing I ask. Do not forget to stop and smell the…………buttercups.

A singlebuttercup


column and photo by Rex Alphin


Nancy Cook doesn’t know why her friends call her Miss Cookie.

It could be because her last name is Cook, or that she loves to cook. Either one is fine with her.

Married to Robert Cook for almost 52 years, Nancy Cook has been cooking for at least eight years longer than that.

“I was about 10 when I started helping mama in the kitchen,” she said. “I’ve always cooked the way she taught me and I still love it.”

Raised on a farm, Cook learned how to cook for her 10 siblings and parents, and pre-pare foods to last through the winter.

“I can remember when my sisters and I helped shell bush-els of butter beans and peeled washtubs full of tomatoes at the

MerryMissCookie

story and photographyby Merle Monahan

cooking with

See COOKIE page 37

Cover photographby Mitzi Lusk

NUPTIALSAudra Gardner and Robert Foster marry 42

western tidewater living 39

In each edition, our magazine staff provides a challenge of sorts for readers, testing how much of Western Tidewater you really know. We photograph a scene in Western Tidewater that is visible to motorists or pedestrians.

Whoever can identify this scene will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to any one of our partner advertisers.

Dan Fowler of Franklin was the winner for the question in the spring edition.

So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner. E-mail your answers to [email protected]

Go out and enjoy Western Tidewater!

where am I? 39Tell us where our photographer took this photo and get a chance to win a gift certifi cate

46Columnist Rex Alphin shares his thoughts on summer.

36Each quarter our magazine features a local cook. See what Nancy Cook does during canning season.

ON THE COVER: Jenny Baughman, 23, is one of 10 Western Tidewater singles profi led in this issue.


party pix

CLASS OF 1967 REUNIONPhilip Wood, from left, Linda and Jon Jorgensen, and Jane Blythe Wood attend the 45th reunion for the Franklin High School Class of 1967 on May 5 at Cypress Cove Country Club; below left, Dennis Bradner, left, and Richard Atkinson; below right, Jim Hansford, left, Debbie Beale, Cheryl Hansford and Nita Carr; bottom, Barbara and Frank Whitehead.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS


FRANKLIN BUSINESS INCUBATORLocated in Historic Downtown Franklin

Let us help you

GROWyour business!

Let us help you

your business!

We can make THIS...

...into THIS!

105 2nd Avenue, Franklin VA (757) 562-3175

Turning ‘out of style’into ‘THE style!’ since 1958


party pix

CHAMBER’S ANNUAL MEETINGTop right, former Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna McCullough, left, and Judy Riddick of The Peanut Patch attend the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in May; middle left, Rick Henrich and Julie Brennan; middle right, Mallory Taylor, left, and Mandy Crumpler; bottom left, Rose Warren, left, and Cheryl Stepp; bottom right, Elizabeth Sawyer, from left, Mark Pierce, Brad Bailey and Tammy Lowe.

PHOTOS BY DALE LIESCH


24478 New Market Rd. Courtland, VA

Storage Solutions757-516-8887

East Coast Buildings757-516-2828

Portable Buildings & Storage Units Available

Dr. Floyd Clingenpeel | Dr. Sharon Sheffield

Dr. Leroy Stiff | Dr. Claudia Richardson

Sally Carr, OB-GYN, NP

Call (757) 562-4156 to make appointments for BOTH locations

www.ob-gyndocs.com

We believe that your money should always be where you are. Our mobile banking makes it easier than ever to check your account balances, transfer funds, find a branch or ATM, receive alerts and more – all from your mobile device.

To learn more, visit us at farmersbankva.com,

or call 757-242-6111.

reliable

C o u r t e o u s | P r o m p t | R e l i a b l e | S e c u r e

party pix10 western tidewater living

HARLEM AMBASSADORS FUNDRAISERAt left, attending the Franklin-Southampton United Way Harlem Am-bassadors fundraiser on March 19 were Deborah Faulk, left, and Doro-thy Blount; below left, Wendy Foreman, from left, Anna Piferi and her daughter, Rachel Piferi; below right, from left in front, Ernestine Orr, Bobby Myrick, Bob Myrick and Madison Anderson; and in back, Glo-ria Knight, Reggie Hammond and Ralph Anderson; bottom left, Holly Ledbetter and daughter, Makenzie, 6 months; bottom right, Leah Pixley, from left, Skiler Woolfolk, Amy Cutchins and Kate Lyn Woolfolk.

PHOTOS BY DON BRIDGERS


Toll Free (800) 8 89.76 8 8 www.hubspeanuts.com

www.airmechanix4u.com

Sleep well knowing you’ve madethe right choice!

We want to be your service company with free second opinions, free estimates and

100% satisfaction guaranteed!

No gimmicks, just honest

solutions and real value.

www.bsvnet.com

Smithfield115 Main St

757-357-4381

Franklin1310 Armory Dr

757-562-6722

Capron23003 Main St

434-658-4121

Boykins18207 Virginia Ave

757-654-6121

Wakefield630 County Dr

757-899-7310

What gives you financial peace of mind?

bbb t

The Bank of Southside Virginia

Is it having lots of choices for checking, savings and loans?We have them.

Or is it security for your family such as retirement accounts and education IRAs,

plus the benefit of having an expert financial planning specialist on staff?

We have those, too.

How about 24/7 access to your accounts online, at ATMs and on your mobile phone? And a local bank with a strong reputation for safety and soundness?

BSV has it all.

Come and bank with BSV!


party pix

IVOR GUN BASHAt right, Ivor volunteer fi refi ghter Troy Fon-taine with his daughter, Ashley Fontaine, 17, a junior fi refi ghter, attend the Ivor Gun Bash in February; bottom left, Ivor fi re-fi ghter Jeffrey Holt and daughter, Peyton, 2; bottom right, Ivor fi refi ghter Brooks Cabell.

PHOTOS BY MERLE MONAHAN


Presented by

(757) 365-6325(7TheFairIsComing.com

Prresented byd b

Thursday, September 13 -Sunday, September 16, 2012

JoEL C. BrAdshAw FAirgrounds, WindsorW WWWinindsds

ndadaJo J w

ss

ber 16, 20126, ber 16, 2012wFw AFF irgrounds,AiwFww AFF irrgrgrg ounds,AAisorr

SunSuSunSu

hursday, September 13 -hur day Septe ber 13 -y p 36

TTh

ISLE OF WIGHTCOUNTY FAIRSSSS

SAVETHEDATE!

WE’VE GOOOTTTTTT YYYYYYYOOOOOOOOUUUUU COVERED

Breakfast & Lunch DailyFishing Licenses & Bait

Non-Ethanol Gas for your Small EnginesPicnic and Grocery Items

BBQ

We’re just sayin’!

105 2nd Avenue, Franklin VA (757) 562-3175

HIS GOLF TRIP COST HOW MUCH?


party pix

OYSTER ROASTAt right, Ashley Webb of Yale, from left, Blair Beale and Jessica Thore, both of Petersburg, attend an oyster roast hosted by the Capron/Drewryville Athletic Association at the Joyner-Gray-Yale Ruritan Building; clockwise from right, Hunter Taylor, 7, left, and Drake Taylor, 9; Bert Har-rup, left, David Jarratt, Connie Grizzard and Carole Sibis-towicz; Kathy Worrell, from left, Dave Lease, Jim Jervey, Kathy Brown and Camilla Wainright; Jerry Seymour, left, and Paul Sopko; Jeffrey Davis, left, Milton Claud, Travis Joyner and Dupree Stephens.

PHOTOS BY KATE ARCHER


Franklin City Public SchoolsBuilding High Expectations for Success!

Health and Medical Science

students at state conference

New Beginnings in Richmond

Kindergarten students in

“Little Red Hen”

Robotics students in the 1st Cardboard Regatta


party pix

DOWN HOME DAYAt left, Attending Down Home Day on April 14 at the Southampton Heritage Vil-lage and Agriculture & Forestry Museum are Beverly Branche, from left, Mildred Branche and Kathleen Bulls; and in back, Juanita Richards; clockwise from left, Rob-ert Wayne Pope and wife, Carol; Marian Preedy and her brother, Calvin Ricks; Larry Gary and Carolyn Goodwyn with grand-children Darryl Goodwyn, left, and Julian Gary; Nan Grissom, left, and Carol Sewell; Dr. Howard Wainright and wife, Camilla; Robert Wayne Pope and wife, Carol.



T&A Repairs, LLC22189 Main Street, Courtland

757-653-2336

We Make Farm Service

Calls!

We’ll Take Care of All Your Automotive Needs!

Technicians are here to help!

Physician’s Choice

Physical Therapist’s Choice

Healthcare Consumer Choice

Since 1986Tidewater Physical Therapy

Your recovery is our sole priority. Period.We believe that your trust and confidence in our care is something that must be earned and valued – one physician, one physical therapist, and one healthcare consumer at a time.

Tidewater Physical Therapy. It’s your choice. Call today to experience the difference that is

Why?

Tidewater Physical Therapy - 31 locations throughout SouthEastern Virginia. www.tpti.com

Regional Director - Kevin Schrack, PT, OCS

FRANKLIN1580 Armory Drive, Ste. B Franklin, VA 23851 Ph: (757) 562-0990

WINDSOR70-E Windsor Blvd., Ste. F Windsor, VA 23487 Ph: (757) 242-4236

Immediate scheduling is available. We participate with most health insurance carriers.


party pix

PDCCC GRADUATIONAt right, Logan Patterson, left, and Ronald Ruffi n prepare for the May 11 graduation from Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin; below, Sissy Jumper, from left, Brittany, Barnes, Desiree Gunn and Cayleigh Cantrell; middle, Melissa Reid, from left, Charlotte Rush, Anthony Spivey, Cecila Holloway and Cassie Hedgepeth; bottom, Jamie D’Amico, from left, Antoinette Adams, Celia Jones, Merdell Simmons and Karen Jenkins.

PHOTOS BY DON BRIDGERS


SAVINGS

Make sure yourAir Conditioner is always ready to stand against the sunbeams with aPreventative Maintenance Agreement!

Don’t wait for the

Annual & Semi-Annual Agreements Available!

757-569-0885www.improveyourcomfort.com

We Service All Makes and Models

1. 8 0 0 . 5 9 8 .9 8 5 4W W W . P C P G O N L I N E . C O M

PERSONAL TOUCH HOME CARE

MOORE HOME CARE

SOUTHERN TOUCH HEALTH CARE

With offices in Colonial Heights, Emporia, Franklin, Lawrenceville, Stony Creek & Waverly

Member of the BBB, VA Dept. of Medical Assistance Services & VA Personal Care Providers Assoc. Bonded & Insured.

Mom and dad were always there for

you when you needed them most. Now

it’s their turn to need help. Shouldn’t

you be there for them? Personal Care

Preferred Group can help. From meal

preparation and light cleaning to

transportation or 24-hour live-in care.

We know you’d like to take care of

them yourself. But when you can’t,

there’s Personal Care Preferred Group.. MEDICATION ASSISTANCE . VITAL SIGN MONITORING . RESPITE CARE . COMPANIONSHIP. DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES . PERSONAL CARE. HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE

Private pay, long-term insurance, workman’s compensation & Medicaid accepted.

NOW IT’S TURN TO NEED

HELP.THEIR

party pix

DAY IN THE COUNTRYAbove right, Dylan Blodgett, Samantha Thomas, Adriana Adams, Jordan West and Mackenzie West attend the annual Day in the Country on April 28 at Zuni Presbyterian Homes; below, Richard and Judy Wright with dachs-hunds, Tonka and Lance; top left, Ed and Elois Rhodes; left, Laura Harmon, left, and her daughter, Terri Harmon; bottom left, Rick Gonzales and grand-daughter, Fiona Gonzales.




tidewaternewsdotco

m

Your Key to the Latest News

YOU STORE ITYOU LOCK IT

YOU KEEP THE KEY

Key Pad, Access Code7 Days a Week 8am-10pm

We SellBoxes & Locks

562-7070or 562-7272

1440 Armory Drive

Franklin, VA (next to walmart)

[email protected]

www.StorageFront.com/

ABCSelfStorage


Subscriptions are $20 annually in-state; $24

annually out of state; and $30 annually overseas.

Get Western Tidewater anywhere.

Subscribe today.


catching up with

story by Stephen H. Cowles

Latonya Dunlow knew her life’s work quite

some time ago.

“I always wanted to be in the health

care arena, and to improve quality and access to

health care,” she said.

Th ough the Boykins native who lives in

Woodbridge was not following in anyone’s foot-

steps, she had supportive friends and family.

Aft er graduating from Southampton High

School, Dunlow, 35, earned a bachelor’s degree

in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth

and master’s degree at Eastern Virginia Medical

School in Norfolk.

Th en it was on to Medical University of South

Carolina.

Aft er working at the Norfolk Health Depart-

ment, Dunlow worked for a federal contractor

in Maryland before her work with Innovative

Management Strategists in Lake Ridge, of which

she is president.

With a focus in program management exper-

tise, IMS serves federal and private clients in the

health care arena.

Th is past May, Dunlow completed the Execu-

tive Doctoral Program in Health Administra-

tion and Leadership from the Medical Univer-

sity of South Carolina.

Th is accomplishment allows her to add the

initials of DHA (Doctor of Health Administra-

tion) along with her MPH (Master of Public

Health) to her name.

More notably, it helps her being able to assist

the clients.

“It strengthens their confi dence in what we

bring to the table,” said Dunlow.

Th e program is intended to make possible the

training of highly advanced health care leaders

who can infl uence the shaping of policy and

more eff ectively address the health delivery de-

mands and the citizens they serve.

Dunlow is the daughter of Phillip McGee and

Susette McGee of Capron. She is the sister of the

late Christa McGee, and the granddaughter of

James and Lavenia McGee of Capron and the

late Bernard and Cora Darden.

Life is not all work for Dunlow. In addition

to being a member of the Delta Sigma Th eta

Sorority and Public Health Delta Omega Honor

Society, she likes to travel; Puerto Rico was her

most recent destination. She also likes to read

and discover vineyards, with dessert wines be-

ing a favorite.

Latonya Dunlow

CALENDAR OF EVENTS7/5-8/30—“WE BE JAMMIN” SUMMER CONCERT SERIESLocation: Barrett’s Landing in downtown Franklin.Enjoy live music from local and regional bands and refreshments from 6 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.

7/14—CAR SHOWLocation: Southampon Speedway on Highway 58 west of CapronVicksville Hunt Club will host a hot rod car and motorcycle show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

JULY-DECEMBER—FRANKLIN FARMERS’ MARKETLocation: 210 S. Main St. next to Franklin Depot/Visitor Center.Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

7/4—FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVALLocation: SedleyThe parade will begin at 3 p.m. followed by the raising of the fl ag and invocation at 3:45 at the ball fi eld and a car show. Other events include a disc jockey, children’s games, Cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. and a pedal tractor pull at 6. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

7/4—FOURTH OF JULY EVENT Location: Robinson Park, WindsorThunder Creek will play at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30.

THROUGH 7/11—RAWLS JURIED ART EXHIBITIONLocation: Rawls Museum Arts, 22376 Linden St., CourtlandJuror is Brooklyn artist Marcy Rosenblat

7/27-8/31—YEAR OF THE DRAGON REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITLocations: Rawls Museum Arts, 22376 Linden St., CourtlandHuman deconstruction fi gurative paintings by Carolyn Phillips, the Chowan University art faculty chairperson

7/28-7/29—11TH ANNUAL CHEROENHAKA NOTTOWAY INDIAN POW WOW AND GATHERING, A CELEBRATION OF THE GREEN CORN DANCE.Location: Southampton County 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. Event features

Native American drums and music, intertribal dancing, Ethno-historical presentations and demonstrations, children’s activities, storytelling, jewelry, crafts, food vendors and native food. A $6 donation is asked, $4 for senior citizens and youth 6 to 12 years old and free for children under 6. Event will be held 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For information, call 562-7760 or www.cheroenhaka-nottoway.org.

8/1-8/4—NORTH CAROLINA WATERMELON FESTIVALLocation: MurfreesboroDaily events include home and garden section, watermelon contest, antiques/collectibles/crafts fair, food, amusements rides, street dances at night and watermelon games. For information, call 252-398-5922.

8/9-8/11—32ND ANNUAL FRANKLIN-SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY FAIRLocation: Fairgrounds at Route 58 and New Market Road in CourtlandEnjoy great local and special foods, home arts, exhibits, crafts, livestock shows, talent shows and the Queen’s Pageant. For information, call 562-3765.

8/10—PAUL D. CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE

what to do24 western tidewater living

9TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENTLocation: Sleepy Hole Golf Course, SuffolkFor more information, call Jessie Hobbs at 569-6790.

9/5—LIONS STEAK FEASTLocation: Draper Pond on White Meadow RoadBoykins Lions Club will start its annual feed at 4 p.m. and begin serving dinner at 5. Tickets will be $25. For information, call 654-6412, 654-9776 or 650-8134.

9/8—HERITAGE DAY FESTIVALLocation: Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum & Heritage Village in CourtlandSouthampton County’s rich cultural heritage will be celebrated from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attractions include local arts and crafts, entertainment and food. Admission is $2. For information, call 653-9554 or 653-9028.

9/12-9/15—ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY FAIRLocation: Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds, 21311 Courthouse Highway, WindsorThere will be main stage events, the annual Seafood Fest, antique tractor pull, Cornhole and horseshoe tournaments and more. For ticket prices, call 357-2291.

10/5-10/6—FRANKLIN FALL FESTIVALLocation: Barrett’s Landing in downtown Franklin.Friday will feature a block party from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday will feature a traditional street scene with arts and crafts booths, food vendors, local musicians, clowns, children’s games and more. Need a booth or want to show off your talent, call the Downtown Franklin Association offi ce at 562-6900 for more information.



Name: Darlene Wilkerson

Age: 50

Occupation: Administrative assistant for the City of Franklin

Education: High school and some college

Organizations you belong to: Member of True Word Christ Church, chairwoman of the Tiny Tots Contest with the Franklin-Southampton County Fair.

Children, ages and names: Brandi Wilkerson, 29; Caitlin Wilkerson, 20; and granddaughter, Sophia 2½

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: I guess you could say the cruises I have taken and the visits to the islands.

Favorite movie: “Holiday”

Favorite activity: Spending good times with my daughters, granddaughter or my circle of great friends.

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite place to visit: Pools, lakes, beaches, oceans, water parks and boating; anything that is near, around and in the water.

Favorite music genre: I love all types of music. My mood, most of the time, determines what music I will be listening to.

Your idea of a perfect night out: Time spent with my friends, with lots of laughter, good food, good music and a trip to “nowhere” thrown in the mix.

Books or TV: Both. Summertime I do more reading and wintertime is more TV time for me.

If you could be any animal it would be: An indoor cat

Something about you only your closest friends know: That I put everyone else’s needs before my own.

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Honesty and loyalty.

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: To be the best role model I can be for my daughters, to be their “rock” as they are for me and to give them as much back as they give me each and every day.

DarleneWilkerson

Western Tidewater has a lot of interesting people, some of whom are single. Take a look at who we spoke with.


JeffreyNoia

Name: Jeffrey Noia

Age: 51

Occupation: Lead utility operator

Education: Some college

Organizations you belong to: Church and Boy Scouts

Children, ages and names: Justin 25, Nicole 23, Mckenna 13 and Jackson 8

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Repelled off a 150-foot tall building

Favorite movie: Too many to choose from

Favorite activities: Golf and fi shing

Favorite food: Italian

Favorite place to visit: Beach and mountains

Favorite music genre: Country and rock

Your idea of a perfect night out: Quiet dinner, then a barefoot walk on a moonlit beach

Books or TV: TV

If you could be any animal it would be: Bear

Something about you only your closest friends know: I have the softest heart for children.

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Someone to be there though good and bad times

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Raising four children

Name: Hattie Francis

Age: 23

Occupation: Freshman English teacher at Southampton High School

Education: Bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Tech

Organizations you belong to: Jameer Woodley Reading Foundation

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done:

Tried pig tongue and pig brain

Favorite movie: “Stardust”

Favorite activity: Tailgating at Virginia Tech home games

Favorite food: Chipotle

Favorite place to visit: Europe and Blacksburg

Favorite music genre: Anything but country

Your idea of the perfect night out: Sports event – baseball or football

Books or TV: Anything by Neil Graiman, Richard Russo, Ron Rash

If you could be any superhero it would be: Windy Woman – so that my hair fl ows in the wind

Something about you only your closest friends know: I cannot spell (shh, I teach)

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Smart, educated, funny and semi-aware of nutrition

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Spread the Jameer Woodley Reading Foundation to all of Hampton Roads


HattieFrancis


Name: Mitch White

Age: 33

Occupation: Professional farrier and owner of Mitch White’s Horseshoeing

Education: Paul D. Camp Community College, studied criminal justice

Organizations you belong to: Sedley Volunteer Fire Department

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Participated in the Courtland Rescue Squad’s womanless beauty pageant

Favorite movie: “The Shawshank Redemption”

Favorite activity: Trail riding with friends

Favorite food: Mexican-style seafood

Favorite place to visit: Outer Banks to fi sh, swim and boogie board

Favorite music genre: Alternative rock and classic rock

Your idea of the perfect night out: Going out to a nice restaurant followed by a sunset walk on the beach and then off to a club for dancing

Books or TV: TV

If you could be any animal it would be: Owl, so I can sleep late every day

Something about you only your closest friends know: I’m a very compassionate person

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Great personality with plenty of ambition and a deep compassion for others

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: To have fun in life, to be good to my family and try to make a good impression on the world

MitchWhite


Name: Jenny Baugham

Age: 23

Occupation: Cache in Norfolk

Education: Bachelor’s degree in studio art with an emphasis on painting

Organizations you belong to: Blackwater Artist League

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Traveled to Korea alone at 17

Favorite movie: “Forrest Gump”

Favorite activity: Playing in co-ed softball tournaments

Favorite food: Crab legs

Favorite place to visit: Outer Banks, N.C.

Favorite music genre: Top 40

Your idea of the perfect night out: Going to dinner, obviously, and maybe dancing

Books or TV: TV

If you could be any animal it would be: A tiger. I love cats and they’re like big cats. I love their stripes. I also love snow leopards because I love winter, and they’re always in the cold

Something about you only your closest friends know: I can break dance and rap any song

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Sense of humor

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Be a successful artist

JennyBaugham

Name: Robert A. Hill Jr.

Age: 22

Occupation: Freshman social studies teacher at Southampton County Fresh Start Center

Education: Norfolk State University

Organizations you belong to: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., NAACP

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: I sat on an alligator at Gator World in Florida

Favorite movie: “Harlem Nights”

Favorite activity: Being with my fraternity

Favorite food: French fries

Favorite place to visit: Europe

Favorite music genre: R&B, gospel, rap

Your idea of the perfect night out: Dinner out, movies, bowling

Books or TV: “Letters to a Young Brother,” “Hill Hoper,” or “Law and Order: SVU”

If you could be any animal it would be: Leopard because they are quiet and ambitious

Something about you only your closest friends know: I’m goofy and a big kid at heart

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Brains, confi dence, class and style

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: I want my doctorate degree

RobertHill Jr.



Name: Joronda M. Baxter

Age: 24

Occupation: Human resources coordinator

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in public relations from Virginia State University

Organizations you belong to: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Performed a solo baton routine in front of more than 10,000 people at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta

Favorite movie: “Pretty Woman”

Favorite activity: Attending my church, swimming and dancing

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite place to visit: New York City

Favorite music genre: ‘70s and ‘80s R&B

Your idea of the perfect night out: Listening to live jazz, dinner for two and great conversation

Books or TV: I love to watch “Golden Girls”

If you could be any animal it would be: A dolphin. They are adorable, smart and entertaining.

Something about you only your closest friends know: Still only my closest friends know!

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: A sense of humor

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: To complete my master’s degree and continue to pursue my education

JorondaBaxter


Name: Tom Fretts

Age: 39 with an extra 12 years of experience

Occupation: Own and operate Fretts Construction, ex-teacher and wrestling coach at Franklin High School. Also operate a little website called Virginiapicker.com

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education plus 27 hours toward a master’s degree in exercise physiology and kinesiology; also the Courtland School of Raising Four Kids

Organizations you belong to: Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Suffolk , Video Conference Coordinator for Answers in Genesis (Christian apologetics ministry), vice-chairman of the Western Tidewater Tea Party, several Bible study groups, James L. Camp Jr. YMCA in Franklin, National Rifl e Association

Children, ages and names: Calen, 27, running for U.S. Congress for Florida District 1; Cody, 24, serving in the Army in Afghanistan; Monica, 20, graduate of Rudy and Kelly School of Cosmetology, works at Center Street Grill in Williamsburg and seeking to intern in a salon; and Emma, 18, who will attend college in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Went skydiving twice while in college and got married. Both were pretty adventurous. One worked out better than the other.

Favorite movie: “Passion of the Christ” – it brings out the pure brutality of the suffering which Christ endured because of his love for his people

Favorite activity: Debating and discussing apologetics, religion and philosophy, preferably while dining at a fi ne restaurant

Favorite food: Are chocolate chip cookies considered a food? If

not I’d have to go with a good steak and baked potato

Favorite place to visit: Home in Sebrell if my kids are there, otherwise my family home in Scottdale, Pa.

Favorite music genre: Gospel and bluegrass!

Your idea of the perfect night out: Doing all of the favorites listed above with a woman described below

Books or TV: If one doesn’t understand the Bible, one cannot truly understand what life is all about – the wisdom therein is the beginning of all knowledge. If the TV is on, it’s usually Fox News, apologetics, or American Pickers.

If you could be any animal it would be: A circus bear. They seem to have a lot of fun and they eat a lot of junk food

Something about you only your closest friends know: You’d have to become a closest friend to fi nd that out. Or the fact that I wrestled a circus bear in college

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: If she’s really out there, she’s a serious Christian believer and all of her characteristics fl ow from that – honest, trustworthy, loving, caring, concerned about others. She likes to have fun together and likes to relax together. And of course, she’s beautiful in the eye of the beholder

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Continually uncovering those things that are ultimately true and then used by God to help those whom I love and care about fi nd the ultimate truth

g

TomFretts


Name: April Cutchins

Age: 27

Occupation: Kennel/veterinarian assistant at Southampton Veterinary Clinic

Education: GED and attending Paul D. Camp Community College

Organizations you belong to: Phi Theta Kappa honor society

Children, ages and names: Lucas Cutchins, 5

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Duck hunting

Favorite movie: “The Bone Collector”

Favorite activities: Fishing and softball

Favorite foods: Chicken parmesean

Favorite place to visit: The beach

Favorite music genre: ‘80s

Your idea of a perfect night out:: Dinner and a good movie

Books or TV: Both. I love science fi ction and romance

If you could be any animal it would be: An elephant

Something about you only your closest friends know: I am afraid of the dark

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Adventurous and funny

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Being a great mom and graduating from college

AprilCutchins


Name: William “Will” Dallas Drewery

Age: 23

Occupation: Communications offi cer for Division of Emergency Communications in Richmond

Education: Graduate of Franklin High School in 2007 and Tidewater Community College in 2010 with a degree in emergency medical services

Organizations you belong to: Franklin/Southampton County Fair Board of Directors, Virginia APCO, Virginia DECA

The most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: A long weekend in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in a foot of snow on top of a mountain. Not an experience I wish to repeat anytime soon

Favorite movies: “Forrest Gump,” “Twister,” “SWAT” and “Backdraft.”

Favorite activity: I love to travel. Whether it’s a day trip or a weeklong excursion, I love to hit the road

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite place to visit: The beach. Mainly the Outer Banks, but I also love Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Favorite music genre: I listen to all types of music, but I’m a big fan of country. My favorite artists include Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.Your idea of a perfect night out: With a good group of friends for laughs and drinks. It doesn’t matter where we go, we always have a good time

Books or TV: I’m not really big on books. As far as TV, “Criminal Minds”If you could be any animal it would be: A dog, man’s best friend. They get to be lazy and playful. Nothing is expected of them; they just go with the fl ow

Something about you only your closest friends know: My love for family and close friends; I would bend over backwards to help anyone, especially them

Something you look for in a signifi cant other: Someone who sees me for me, enjoys themselves, and is a good person. Also someone who has the same interests I do. Travel, music, etc.

The most important thing you hope to accomplish: Finish my education and build a house

WillDrewery


Nancy Cook doesn’t

know why her friends

call her Miss Cookie.

It could be because her last

name is Cook, or that she loves

to cook. Either one is fi ne with

her.

Married to Robert Cook for

almost 52 years, Nancy Cook

has been cooking for at least

eight years longer than that.

“I was about 10 when I started

helping mama in the kitchen,”

the Isle of Wight woman said.

“I’ve always cooked the way she

taught me and I still love it.”

Raised on a farm, Cook

learned how to cook for her 10

siblings and parents, and pre-

pare foods to last through the

winter.

“I can remember when my

sisters and I helped shell bush-

els of butter beans and peeled

washtubs full of tomatoes at the

MerryMissCookie

story and photographyby Merle Monahan

cooking with

See COOKIE page 37


time for canning and freezing,” she said. “Mama

did freeze the beans later when we got our fi rst

freezer.”

“But before that, we had to pick all of these

vegetables,” Cook added. “It always took all day

to put up a batch.”

Her mother cooked on a wood-fueled stove,

which made the kitchen almost unbearable on

hot days.

“We always had a large garden, which kept

us in vegetables the whole year,” Cook said. “In

the spring and summer, we had fresh vegetables

and during the winter we had everything from

beans and peas, to tomatoes, corn and pickled

cucumbers that we preserved by canning.”

“We also had strawberries and fruit trees for

jams and preserves,” she added. “If you didn’t

know better, when you ate our canned vegeta-

bles and fruits, you’d think you were eating right

out of the garden.”

Th e 68-year-old still cans for the winter

months.

“When you grow up this way, it’s a habit that’s

hard to break,” she said.

Cook hasn’t made any changes since those

days. In addition to canning, she freezes but-

ter beans and black-eyed peas from her home,

which lies on a portion of the farm where she

grew up.

Th e Cooks acquired a lot on Rattlesnake Trail

off Jones Town Road and built a home there in

1962.

Th ey always have a garden, which is cared for

by her husband, but Nancy Cook can be seen

planting and chopping right along with him.

“Since I pick and cook the produce, I want to

be involved,” she said. “Besides, I used to do this

when I was growing up, so why stop?”

She has always cooked for her husband, but

it was quite diff erent because she had to cut the

quantities.

“Cooking for two was a challenge, but I man-

aged,” Cook said.

She does not cut quantities on the vegetables

she cans. By September, her pantry is full of jars

of vegetables, fruit jams, preserves and pickles.

Much more than they need, she says.

But her canned foods do not go to waste.

She makes almost everything from scratch

“because that’s the way her mother did.”

Cook can whip up a batch of cookies in re-

cord time when there is a need.

“And it’s always nice to have what you need on

hand to make a casserole or pie when someone

in the neighborhood gets sick, or when some-

one has a death in the family,” she said.

Cook is known for her willingness to step

into the cook’s spot when there is a function at

Mill Swamp Baptist Church, which she has at-

tended most of her life.

“Th at’s the way we live around here,” she said.

“We help each other.”

Th e couple has no children, but a lot of niec-

es, nephews and friends, so Cook has many op-

portunities to use her creations.

“I’ll bake a batch of cookies, slip them in a

basket with a few jars of pickles, jams and veg-

etables, tie a bow on the handle, attach a card

and I’ve come up with a wonderful gift .”

She buys the baskets, ribbons and cards in

batches and keeps them until needed.

“Birthdays, Christmas and anniversaries are

not a problem,” Cook said. “I’m always ready.”

Nancy Cook clears the weeds from her garden.

PEACH PICKLEIngredients

2 T mixed pickle spices7 pounds sugar5 pints vinegar1 peck peaches, peeled.

Directions:Tie pickle spices in small cloth bag. Mix sugar and vinegar in large pot. Add spice bag and bring to boil. Add fi rm peaches, a few at the time and simmer 5 to 10 minutes until peaches are soft enough a toothpick can easily be stuck in them.Pack peaches in sterilized jars, cover with syrup while hot. Seal.Note: Smaller peaches fi t better in the jars.

STRAWBERRY JAMIngredients

5 cups crushed strawberries7 cups sugar1 box Sure Jell

Directions:Mix strawberries and Sure Jell in saucepan and bring to hard boil that continues while stirring. Add sugar, bring back to a boil and cook for one minute. Remove from heat, skim off acid and pour into 8-ounce jars while hot. Seal.

PICKLED BEETSIngredients

10 pounds small beets4 cups vinegar

4½ cups sugar2 T pickling spices

Directions:Cook beets. Peel and pack in jars. Use whole if small; cut once in half if larger. Mix vinegar, sugar and spices in pot and boil fi ve minutes. Drain off spices and cover beets with hot syrup. Seal.

CANNED TOMATOESIngredients

Tomatoes Salt

Directions:Peel tomatoes and drop into cold water as you peel. Drain off water and place tomatoes in a large pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Skim acid off and pour into sterilized jars while hot. Add one teaspoon salt to each jar. Salt may be added while cooking.Note: Be sure that no grease gets into tomatoes

NANCY COOK’S RECIPES:

COOKIE continued from page 36

Federally insured by NCUA EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER


In each edition, our magazine staff provides a challenge of sorts for readers, testing how much of Western Tidewater you really know. We photograph a scene in Western Tidewater that is visible to motorists or pedestrians.

Whoever can identify this scene will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certifi cate to any one of our partner advertisers.

Dan Fowler of Franklin was the winner for the question in the spring edition.

So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner. E-mail your answers to [email protected]

Go out and enjoy Western Tidewater!

where am I?


sunbeam fieldsof gold

Things move a little slower in Sun-

beam.

Th e farming community between

Franklin and Newsoms is quiet and probably

best known for the 106-year-old church that

bears its name.

However, when summer approaches this

small village buzzes as farmers tend to the

fi elds.

Th e Rev. Hoyle Green said Sunbeam Bap-

tist Church attendance is altered due to plant-

ing season.

“During planting season I can expect a few

people not to be here,” Green said.

He also avoids planning revivals and

other church events during harvest time to

accommodate farmers.

“God provided the crops, and it’s not wrong

to harvest them when it’s right,” Green said.

Th e church, much like the community,

lives up to its name because as Sunday wor-

ship service begins, the right side of the sanc-

tuary is drenched in sunlight and the beams

shine through the windows, Green said.

“You can see God through the rays of

them,” he said. “Th e spirit fi lls these walls with

sun through the windows.”

Th e church started in the back of a store at

Sunbeam and Monroe roads when the com-

munity thrived.

Before folks began driving to Franklin for

daily necessities, Sunbeam had the store, a

meat packing facility and a post offi ce.

Franklin attorney Dan Crumpler III’s fa-

ther, P.D. Crumpler Jr. ran the Drake family

store in its heyday.

“Men would come out of their farms and

have lunch there,” Crumpler said. “People

didn’t come to Franklin to shop.”

Sunbeam resident Bryan Joyner, 34, re-

members stopping at the store for candy when

he was around 11 years old.

“It sold candy and hoop cheese,” he said.

“Th is was our school bus stop.”

Th e store also sold other items, includ-

ing everything from meat to hardware, said

Crumpler, adding that he and most other

children worked on family farms growing up.

story by Dale Lieschphotography by Frank A. Davis

An old farm house sits near a field of wheat near the intersection of Sunbeam and Monroe roads. At right, James Hawkins bought farmland on Mt. Horeb Road 20 years ago.

Small village is all abuzz harvesting summer cropsSmall village is all abuzz harvesting summer crops

See SUNBEAM page 41


Walter F. Drake Jr., 54, has farmed property in Sunbeam all his life

and tends to peanuts, corn, cotton and cattle with his two sons.

“It’s a very small community, real quiet, simple, country living,” he

said. “It lives up to its name.”

Drake’s sons, Matthew, 28, and Jason, 24, are fi xing up the store,

which they consider a landmark. Th ere are no plans to reopen it.

Gene Worley, 82, of Virginia Beach is president of the Sunbeam Hunt

Club and has been hunting there since 1954.

Worley said he can remember stopping at the store for a quarter’s worth

of cheese, a nickel’s worth of crackers and a can of sardines for lunch.

“We used to sit around the steps and talk,” Worley said.

Mount Horeb Road resident James Hawkins bought farmland and built

a home for his family.

Hawkins, who moved from Suff olk, said life in the country is just the right

speed.

“It’s a good community,” Hawkins said. “We don’t have any trouble here.”

western tidewater living

SUNBEAM continued from page 40


nuptials

Audra Gardner of Isle of Wight County and Robert Foster of

Franklin were married on March 24, 2012, at Rock Church of

Franklin. Pastor Dan Dowdy offi ciated.

Th e bride is the daughter of Darlene and Alan Richardson of Zuni

and Randy Gardner of Carrsville.

Th e groom is the son of Connie and Douglas Parker of Franklin.

Th e bride’s father escorted his daughter down the aisle.

Matron of honor was Jodi Rose, friend of the bride.

Bridesmaids were Ashley Vick; Jenny Shurtleff ; Taylor Matthews,

cousin of the bride; and Mindy Demasse, niece of the groom.

Flower girl was Chloe Schucker, niece of the bride.

Best man was Huck Myers, friend of the groom.

Groomsmen were Ken Dougherty and Jonathan Barrett, along with

Lee Foster and Chris Ramey, nephews of the groom.

Ring bearer was Aubrey Richardson, brother of the bride.

Mistresses of ceremonies were the bride’s sisters, Katie Schucker of

Chesapeake and Joanne Carpenter of Elizabeth City, N.C.

Th e wedding colors were black and white with accents of orange and

fuchsia.

Gardnerand Fostertie the knot

See NUPTIALS page 43


Th e bride chose a formal wedding gown of

satin designed by Maggie Sottero. Th e strapless,

corseted gown had an asymmetrical draped

bodice embellished with Swarovski crystals at

the neckline and left hip.

Th e bride’s ensemble included a chapel-length

train and fi ngertip veil adorned with petite

crystals. Her hand-tied bouquet of Oriental lil-

ies, gerbera daisies and baby’s breath included a

single red rose in honor of her grandmother, the

late Myrtle Gardner, who lived in Carrsville.

Th e pianist was Hanna Colian of Salem,

Ohio.

Th e bride and groom symbolized their union

by blending black and white sands.

Th e ceremony was interpreted into sign lan-

guage by Janet Buppert and Todd Hampton,

friends of the bride.

Following the ceremony, the wedding re-

ception was held at the Regional Workforce

Development Center at Paul D. Camp Com-

munity College with Shelton Walton serving as

disc jockey.

Th e new Mrs. Foster was home-schooled and

graduated from P.D. Pruden Vocational Techni-

cal Center in Suff olk.

Her husband graduated from Southampton

High School.

Th e newlyweds took a honeymoon to Ni-

agara Falls.

Clockwise from top left, Bride Audra Gardner prepares for her wedding; groomsmen Ken Dougherty, from left, Jonathan Barrett, Huck Myers, Lee Foster and Chris Ramey with the bride; Darlene Richardson gives her daughter some last-minute advice; groom Robert Foster, center, reviews the wedding schedule with the Rev. Don Dowdy, right, and best man Huck Myers; Randy Gardner walks his daughter down the aisle.

NUPTIALS continued from page 42


story by Stephen H. Cowlesphotography by Frank A. Davis

On a Sunday in May, Danielle Wil-

liams spoke before the Rev. Antho-

ny Goodwin and fellow members of

New Hope Baptist Church in Franklin.

Her theme was “God can.”

Th e signifi cance of the occasion and topic

were twofold for Williams.

Th e day before, the 23-year-old Franklin

woman graduated from Virginia Union Uni-

versity’s School of Th eology. Th is ceremony

completed the fi rst phase of her goal to enter

the ministry.

Second, Williams reached a milestone in

her rehabilitation from a stroke she suff ered

nearly four years earlier.

Speaking carefully and steadily, Williams

recalled – with help from her mother, Gabri-

elle Williams – an event that altered her life.

Six days aft er giving birth to her daughter,

Ayeonna, Danielle Williams told her mother

she had a headache and went to lie down.

When Gabrielle came into the bedroom with a

heating pad, Danielle announced, “I can’t see.

I can’t see.”

Her condition deteriorated, and she went to

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. A few days

aft er an operation, Danielle went into a 19-day

coma.

“It’s still a mystery,” both said about Dan-

ielle suff ering a stroke just days before her 21st

birthday. Th ere had been no history of high

blood pressure or symptoms. In fact, they de-

scribed the pregnancy as very healthy.

“It was a hard time just to see her lie in bed,”

said Gabrielle, who stayed by her daughter’s

side every day. “Why? Why? Why? Why?”

Th en 13 days aft er Danielle lapsed into a

coma, her mother dreamed of her daughter as

a 5-year-old on a swing saying, “I’ll be back.”

Th ere was no more crying for Gabrielle af-

An awakening

See AWAKENING page 45


ter that night. Th e 47-year-old knew Danielle would return.

Five days later, Gabrielle took Ayeonna to her mother. Danielle’s

brother, Dominique Barron, also visited. Th e next day, on his birth-

day, Danielle awoke.

Th at’s when the hard work began.

Initially, doctors thought Danielle would never walk or feed her-

self again.

“I had to learn to walk again, to write with my left hand, to talk

and drive again,” said Danielle.

Two years would pass before she “felt sort of like my former

self.”

Her previous life had included smoking, drinking and clubbing.

She gave all that up when she learned she was pregnant.

Her post-coma living included intensive rehabilitation and in-

valuable help from her mother, family and friends.

“It’s been a long, trying battle,” said Gabrielle, who’s thankful her

employer, Farm Fresh, allowed her to transfer wherever she needed

to go to help her daughter.

Th ough Danielle admits concentrating is still diffi cult, she pushed

herself to attend school that would help her achieve the goal of be-

coming a minister. Th e second phase begins this September.

“I want to go as high as I can go,” said Danielle. “I want to spread

the word of my testimony. If I can make it, anybody can.”

The Rev. Anthony Goodwyn introduces Danielle Williams, before she gave her first sermon at New Hope Baptist Church.

Gabrielle Williams, from left, her granddaughter Ayeonna, daughter Danielle Williams, Vivian Goodwyn and the Rev. Anthony Goodwyn attend a May 20 service at New Hope Baptist Church.

AWAKENING continued from page 44

There they are. Th ousands upon thou-

sands of trees, grasses, bushes, vines-

crawling under, covering over, wrap-

ping around, sticking through, saturating the

landscape. Th e warming of the earth calls forth

their arrival, like some giant multi-colored

wave breaking over the earth and crashing

forth with her energy. Th e sun pours out her

splendor, illuminating this canvas, exposing

reds, purples, oranges, ambers, pinks, blues and

a hundred shades in between, displayed in pat-

terns of streaks and dots, lines and splotches,

heart shapes and kidney designs, transparent

and translucent. Th e senses are bombarded,

yea, attacked by nature’s onslaught!

And then- there is the single buttercup.

Hold it. Stop. Th ere it is. Right at your foot.

Stoop down with me, will you? Let us take a

look. Push away- for one solitary minute- your

schedule, your demands, your problems, your

myriad duties. Let us see what we can observe.

It’s bright, isn’t it? What a vivid yellow!

Glowing, almost! With little lines of texture.

Five petals. Five tear-dropped petals. Not four,

not six. Five. All

symmetrical, as if

placed by some-

one in a particu-

lar formation. As

if intentionally

drawing atten-

tion to itself. A

billboard, per-

haps? A delib-

erate display? Pointing up, as if making an

appeal. Feel them. How soft , how supple the

texture! What holds such a sculpture together?

Th e petals seem to be the choir, the backup, to

the main central event. Th ey draw your eyes

down towards their base, on which is situated

an intricate, cone-shaped, light green creation

with small, multiple protrusions, all equidistant

from each other. Notice how the yellow and

green contrast, yea, complement each other.

Th e central protrusion has a harder, more solid

feel to it. Notice the yellow slivers, like little

ropes, at the base, as if it needed one additional

decoration. And it is all held up into the atmo-

sphere by a long green bit of scaff olding that

appears to push the handiwork out into space,

as if hoping that a set of eyes might just happen

along and appreciate its beauty. It all seems to

be so right, so balanced, so proportional, don’t

you think?

Okay. On your way. Summer awaits you.

Duties lie before you. Th e demands of life will

once again creep down into your pores and

set you on the path of duty. But on your way,

one thing I ask. Do not forget to stop and smell

the…………buttercups.

A singlebuttercup


column and photo by Rex Alphin

Mom, canwe keep it?

Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:30, Sat 9 - 4www.ivorfurniturecompany.com

35569 General Mahone Blvd. Ivor, VA, 23866757-859-6231

No bonesabout it.

Ivor Furniture has everything you need to feel

comfurtable!

Your baby will be here before you know it!Make sure you get things started on the right foot by enrolling in Tiny Toes, offered exclusively bySouthampton Memorial Hospital.

Join Tiny Toes Today!You’ll receive a copy of well-known book,What to Expect When You’re Expecting

from local merchants

And a special collection of keepsakesfor you and your baby:

A silver baby spoon engravedwith hospital name

A Healthy Woman sports bottle

A special dinner prepared just for you!

And more!

Enrollment is FREE and easy!Just log on to www.smhfranklin.com and click the

call 757-569-6350

Date post:	10-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	the-tidewater-news
View:	216 times
Download:	0 times

Western Tidewater Living - Summer 2012

Documents