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My Northern Neck
MY NORTHERN NECK By David Mower 21 April 2008 SPECIALS. My wife was looking for a special gift for a special relative without much luck for the past couple of weeks. Time was drawing near when the gift presentation was due. As luck would have it, she found the special gift she was looking for in of all places, a new Main Street Kilmarnock shop called … what else – “Specials”.
Specials is the brain child of Amy Groh and her father Tom Groh. Amy is the owner and Tom, drawing on his background in department store merchandising, is the buyer. I first encountered Amy and Tom last December as they were wandering the Steptoe District streets in search of an appropriate location for the store. Little did I know they would settle on the former Jim’s Gym which has stood empty for about a year and is just a neighborly few doors down from the NorthernNeck.com office. For the next 4 months they worked long hours renovating, laying out, and stocking the facility turning it from a sweaty gym to a beautiful and exciting boutique complete with a new exterior front. Amy named the store Specials because that is what she intends to bring to the region’s residents. The store offers a little bit for every occasion – the range of merchandise is absolutely amazing – original art, estate and antique merchandise, fun jewelry, dinnerware and dining accessories (check out their wine glasses!), waterfront cottage décor as well as necessities (linens, soaps, aromatic candles) for the unexpected guest that happens to drop in for the weekend. Tom describes Specials as “a different type of variety store” that will offer quality merchandise at good prices.
Amy says the items she stocks are “fun” – fun because she stocks what she personally enjoys and, fun, because she know that customers will be excited at opportunity to buy locally, the range and quality of items that currently require a trip to Richmond, DC, or Williamsburg. Specials merchandise is priced for rapid sale as Amy’s goal is to keep the store presentation evolving so that a customer’s every visit is a fresh, new experience. The other day, a card arrived in the mail from Specials thanking my wife for her purchase. Now that was really a unique and special touch.
By David Mower 31 March 2008 If you need help, the Northern Neck is a good place to live. Every week as I post the area events to the Northern Neck calendar I am amazed at the number and varieties of local organizations that are available to meet almost any situation of distress or need. Most of these organizations are small groups that work quietly in donated meeting spaces that provide a personal touch and warmth to humans in need of a little understand, warmth and human touch. See how many of these fine community efforts you recognize and may even want to consider supporting with your time and talents. Here are a few of the many Northern Neck organization that were alone listed in just March 2008 calendar: Support Groups Groups providing direct regularly scheduled personal support Al-ANON meets Mondays at 8:00 PM at Al-ANON meets Thursdays at 8:00 PM at Palmer Hall (St. Francis de Depression Recovery Support Group meets every Thursday at 3:00 PM at the National Northern Neck Grieving Support Group - meets at 7:00 PM at Long and Foster at RGH Cancer Support Group - meets the second and fourth Thursdays at Women’s Cancer Support Group - meets at the Lancaster Community Library in Alzheimer’s Association Support Group - The Alzheimer’s Association sponsors a support group for family caregivers and loved ones at 10:30 AM at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, Alzheimer’s Association Support Group - The Alzheimer’s Association sponsors a support group for family caregivers and loved ones at 1:00 PM at The Community Room at The Orchard at The Parkinson’s Care Partners Support Group at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury meets the first Monday at 10:30 AM and the third Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Call 804-435-9553 for more information.
Brain Injury Support Group meets the first Tuesday. The Northern Neck Support Group will meet at the Orchard Senior Living Center, 20 Delfae Street, Warsaw from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The group is for suriviors of Brain Injury, family members, and anyone wanting to learn more about brain injury. For more information, call 804-986-8073.
Free Legal Assistance - John Rellick, Manageing Attorney from Rappahannock Legal Services will be at the First Baptist Church, 3585 Courthouse Road, in Heathsville the second Tuesday of every month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Attorney Rellick will meet with persons from Northumberland and Lancaster counties seeking free legal services. Walk-ins are welcome, but people seeking free legal services are asked to contact the Tappahannock Office at 804-443-9393 or 1-800-572-3094 to see if they qualify for free legal service and to set an appointment time. Household income and assets determine eligibility. Personal injury, divorce, traffic and criminal cases are not handled by Rappahannock Legal Services.
Free General Health Clinic for Uninsured Residents of the Northern Neck and Middlesex County are held in the evening every Tuesday and Thrusday. Clients must register from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. The office is off Harris Drive in Kilmarnock Service Organizations Organizations providing Gifts, Grants, and As-Needed Assistance Rotary Club - Every Tuesday - First, The Rotary Breakfast Club meets at 7:30 AM at Lee’s Restaurant in Historyland Community Workshop - The Historyland Community Workshop volunteer craft group meets at the Lancaster Woman’s Club every Monday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Bring a brown bag lunch. Guests welcome. Historyland Community Workshop is a non-profit charitable community organization dedicated to providing support to education, literacy, and public health with proceeds from an Annual Holiday Greens and Gifts Sale. Kiwanis Club - The Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at 7:30 AM at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Interfaith Service Council - The Interfaith Service Council meets the second Thursday at 7:30 PM at Wicomico Episcopal Church, Preparing Kits for Local Women’s Shelter - Two Eastern Star Chapters in the Northern Neck will prepare Bath Care Kits for The Haven at Am Legion Post 117 – Reedville, 39 School Street, Meets first Mondays at 5:30 PM for a chicken dinner. Cost is $8:00 for adults; $4.00 for children under age 13. Call 804-580-8599 for more information. Am Legion Post 86 – Sit & Stitch and Warm Up Upper Lancaster Ruritan Club - The Upper Lancaster Ruritan Club plays Bingo at the Upper Lancaster Ruritan Center, 3989 White Chapel Road (Route 201), near Lively at every Friday beginning at 5:45 PM. Northumberland Homemakers - The Northumberland Homemakers meet at 11:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6807 Northumberland Highway (Route 360) in Heathsville. Northumberland Homemakers Club supports the 4-H camp, the Haven, and various county organizations in the
All of the above doesn’t count the hundreds of church dinners, bazaars, bingo games and assorted activities held to raise funds returned as gifts, grants and community action projects; It doesn’t count the benefit yard sales for the animal shelters; the various fairs, oysterfests and open houses to support the region’s volunteer fire departments and rescue squads; nor are included the many thrift shops and community second hand stores supporting needy causes. The opportunities list of support, giving and contributing just goes on and on and on. Northern Neck residents giving of time, talent and treasure surely must be measured in the millions of dollars and thousands of man-years as we look out for the needs of our fellow man in the course of a typical year. I have mentioned just a few community support activities documented from one month’s event calendar. If you know of a group that meets regularly that wasn’t mentioned, please send me the details and I will be only to glad to add it to the event calendar.
By David Mower 14 March 2008 Lancaster Court Houser, A Booming Town. Lancaster Court House (circa 1793), four miles down the road from Kilmarnock (circa 1804) suddenly appears to humming with new, expanding and exciting opportunities. I see talk of construction for a new county courthouse actually getting underway. Maybe one of these days soon, a ground breaking ceremony will get actual construction started.
In colonial day it might have been an “Ordinary” which the dictionary of Colonial Terms says: “Ordinary - A complete meal provided at a fixed price or a tavern or an inn providing such a meal.” I might add that ordinarily, the Tavern already provides breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any more information about it at the time of this writing, except to observe that the lounge is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 3:00 to 10:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 10:00.
The place on the Lancaster strip making the biggest splash is the Netcruisers Café and Oxygen Bar (circa 2006). They enjoyed so much success during their initial years of operating, that they are expanding both their facility capabilities and their offerings. It’s a perfect fit for a small town offering many of the services that you would find at a large urban metro mall – A coffee bar NetCruisers Café is owned by Holly Pleasant, but the day-to-day staff includes manager Jessica Ercelino; Margie Young, PhD; and Natile Stickel. The Café is a great place to stop by for a little relaxing idle conversation, or you can discuss bio-physics and traumatic brain injury research with Margie who has a doctorate in the subject. Margie is also one of the local artist whose watercolors are on display and for sale in the community room.
According to Richard Pleasant, there will be live entertainment once a month on a Friday and Saturday night. The first such event will be March 21st featuring a comedian from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and the next night will be “Open Mic Night” from 6:30 to 9:00 PM with local musicians playing their favorite instruments.
A unique feature of the Café is its “Oxygen Bar and Aroma Therapy” station – the latest thing in relaxation therapy. Customers "hook up" individual sanitized plastic tubes to inhale the soothing aromas of their choice such as lavender, orange, eucalyptus, etc. along with fresh oxygen. The effect is general relaxation and relief from stress. No trip to the NetCruisers Café would be complete without a cup of your favorite espresso, fruit smoothie, flowering or herbal tea, and a great deli sandwich. Beginning in April, they will also have homemade – yes, made right here – Gelato, Sorbets, and Italian Ices along with expanded outside seating to enjoy the beautiful Northern Neck weather. The menu is available HERE. NetCruisers Cafe Next time you are passing through Lancaster to points beyond or just going there for county business, check out the progress and offerings of the Lancaster Tavern, Bar Point Seafood and NetCruisers Café. You just might want to linger in Lancaster at bit longer for some good eats and relaxing times.
By David Mower 8 February 2008 The Palmer Building, 22 East Church Street. You have
driven by it a million times. Maybe even wondered who owned the building and what it was used for. It certainly is a Kilmarnock landmark, and many have always wanted to go in and look around. Now is your chance. Open house 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, 10 February, hosted by Pam Deihl and her family. Pam Deihl was given the opportunity to buy the building by the "Peck" Humphreys family in January, and she leapt at the opportunity. Peck was the owner of the building's last active occupant - American Products Corporation. The Eubank/Cox/Richard Lee Hotel/Standard Products Corporation/Palmer Building had been standing vacant and neglected for many years and was in need of significant repair just to open the front door. In fact, the door itself need a little TCL which has been done and once again present a striking entry way to Palmer Building visitors.
In 1910, the hotel was rebuilt, but this time with brick. This is the structure that still stands in somewhat modified form today. This 1910 version was the Cox Hotel. Later the hotel was sold and renamed the Richard Lee Hotel. As you tour the newly renovated Palmer Building, you can see Richard Lee Hotel room rate cards and room keys on display dated from 1962.
Pam gave me a tour of the unfinished renovation. Most of the work is being done on the main and second floors with the effort on the third floor mostly restricted to clean up for now. In some ways the third floor was the most interesting as the rooms still were covered with wall paper. Every room was a distinctive pattern. In fact, it looked like someone had a wallpaper book and told the sales clerk, "I'll take one of each."
Pam has had a crew seemingly working around the clock cleaning up the accumulation of debris cause by years of neglect, replacing walls, removing worn out carpet, shining hard wood floors, painting the interior, and much, much more. It’s been no small task. The building is about 8,000 square feet and about 30 total rooms on three floors and a cupola. The second and third floors each had 9 bedrooms with shared bathrooms. The main floor consisted of a lobby, public parlor, kitchen, dinning room, a private (“smooching”) parlor, and the owner’s suite.
The question on everyone's mind is, "what does the cupola look like?" A narrow third floor stair case winds up to the "fourth floor" cupola. As you go up the passage, it gets noticeably warmer as the sun heats up the tiny space at the top of the stair. It's obvious why the building’s signature cupola was used during the winter month in the hotel years as a conservatory for house plants and fruit trees. The sun's warmth even on cold winter days must have kept the temperature quite balmy. Oranges and lemons (said to be as big as grapefruit) were picked from the fruit trees and used to make pies for the hotel guests. It is said, that it was hard work carrying water up the narrow winding stairway to the cupola in the winter to keep the plants moist.
Pam stated she doesn’t have any specific plans for use of the Palmer Building at this time. She may rent it out, sell it, or entertain ideas from the people who visit the building as to potential uses. She is very fond of the old building and very honored that the previous owner wished her to buy it. Now with it in her trust, tended with TLC, and confident that a good use for it will eventually arise, she is opening it up for the community to come and tour. Who knows, maybe the next Holly Ball will gather at the Palmer Building for hor’douvres before moving on to the crowning site.
Thank you, Pam!
By David Mower 31 January 2008 “Quaint”. That’s a term I often hear to describe the shops and the town of Kilmarnock; as in “there are a lot of quaint little stores in Kilmarnock.” The other day I happened to look up the dictionary definition of “quaint” and was surprised to find that the more common application of the term is actually the third definitional usage. Merriam-Webster’s on-line dictionary has this entry for “quaint”:
It’s the perfect place to find all types of unusual foods and unique gifts. The shelves are filled with gourmet foods and kitchen gadgets; freezers full of prepared foods, cold cases loaded with specialty beverages, beers, cheeses, and meats.
Kelsick Gardens, Too, at 79 South Main Street in Kilmarnock is owned by Beth Haskell of Gloucester and locally tended by Chris Winstanley and Marian. Yep, Merriam-Webster would do well to put a picture of Kelsick Gardens next to the definition of “quaint” – as all three usages apply to the Gardens – EXPERT/SKILLED; MARKED BY BEAUTY AND GRACE; UNUSUAL/PLEASINGLY OLD FASHIONED. Come and See.
By David Mower 11 January 2008 Bishop to Visit Local Church. It’s not everyday that a real Bishop comes to Kilmarnock, but on the 20th of January, Reverend James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will come to Living Water Lutheran Church right here in Kilmarnock.
Living Water Lutheran Church as been on fast growth journey moving from the Simonovich’s living room, to the Grace Chapel on South Main Street, to the United Methodist Church on Church Street, to its present rented facility at “church street corner” as the congregation has grown – moving about once a year to larger accommodations. Now the congregation is negotiating for its own facility and property, hence the Bishop’s interest in meeting with his newest congregation. Living Water Lutheran Church is the only ELCA-affiliated congregation on the Northern Neck. Apostle’s Lutheran in Gloucester is the next nearest congregation and is a partner in fostering and supporting the Kilmarnock congregation’s development and growth. Bishop Mauney oversees the Virginia Synod with headquarters in Salem. The Virginia Synod is comprised of 163 congregations (44,074 members) throughout the state of Virginia except the an area of Northern Virginia around metro Washington DC.
By David Mower 11 December 2007 "The Kilmarnock Inn" One nice thing about writing for a website, is breaking news can be posted immediately without waiting for a publication cycle to close. Today, my curiosity about the "Kilmarnock Inn" was partially sated when a press release came my way. I thought I would share it with you. Kilmarnock Inn Local entrepreneurs vision will be realized in the spring of 2008 with the grand opening of the Kilmarnock Inn. Located on East Church Street (Route 200) and a building or two shy of the “Crossroads” T bone into Route 3 (South Main Street). The Kilmarnock Inn will be a landmark Mid Atlantic destination for avid weekend travelers, special events and or a wonderful breakfast and lunch for Northern Neck Locals.
The Grand Vision of local developer Shawn Donahue will be expressed with the theme that celebrates our Presidential Heritage on the Northern Neck and in the State of Virginia. The Virginia born Presidents of the United States, in order of office are George Washington #1, Thomas Jefferson #3, James Madison #4, James Monroe#5, William Harrison #9, John Tyler#10, Zachary Taylor#12, and Woodrow Wilson#28. The Kilmarnock Inn will have outside inside and outside dinning, several common rooms, a business center with high-speed internet access, fax and printer. The grounds will be landscaped to feature beautifully White dogwood Virginias State flower/tree and design with winding brick walkways that connect at a circular courtyard center and then radiate to all eight presidential cottages and the Inn. Each presidential cottage is themed and designed with attention to details and offered to create an individualized experience unto itself. The Jefferson Cottage will have gathering rooms for special events. Whether you looking for a local facility to produce an Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, or Rehearsal dinner we can take care of all the details for/with you. The Kilmarnock Inn is ideal for corporate retreats with a state of the art meeting space that comes complete with high-speed Internet access, projector and conference like table and seating. Just imagine the Kilmarnock Inn as an motivational training site, corporate classroom, and ideal for board of directors meetings where each member has his or her own inspirational presidential cottage to retire to. Most importantly the Kilmarnock Inn will become a destination unto itself, a must see and a regular stop with over a dozen great historic and ecological “Day Trips” within an hour by car, boat and yes airplane. Whether you want to go to See George Washington Birthplace just up Route 3 or walk to shop and dine on Kilmarnock’s South Main Street you will fall in love with The Kilmarnock Inn the Northern Neck and the Chesapeake Bay. The Kilmarnock Inn is ideal destination to experience the birthplace of America and it vast cultural, historic and natural resources.
For instance, the names listed are generally associated with the establishment of a U.S. Post Office. According to Mr. Wharton, the (1983) list for Lancaster County cites fifty-two names of record since the first post office – Lancaster Court House – opened in 1793. Kilmarnock was second to be formed in 1803.
From the Book: KILMARNOCK. The answer to where Kilmarnock’s name came from is quick and easy: Scotland. But the answer to when and how is likely to remain slow and difficult. At least tow old families of the environs, the Kelleys and the Curries, both of Scots descent, lay claim to credit for naming it. No documentary proof has been adduced. The date is still in doubt. If the year of the establishment of a post office is any guide to the age of a settlement, then Kilmarnock is the second oldest in the county. The first post office was at Lancaster, 1793; Kilmarnock came next in 1804. Kilmarnock is most strategically placed for doing business. It has proved successful for years in that respect, even back into the mists of history before it was named and simply referred to as “Crossroads.” The Scotland Kilmarnock daily newspaper “The Standard,” once replied to a query as to the origin of the name this way: ‘The town derives its name from a holy man Mernoc or Marnock, who according to tradition founded a church on the bank of the river. The exact date is in doubt, some writers stating it to have been in the 4th Century, while others think that Mernoc settled here in the end of the 6th or beginning of the 7th Century. His church became the center of a community, which in the course of centuries developed into the present town of Kilmarnock. The prefix KIL was a Celtic word signifying a cell or church, and the name simply means the cell or church of Marnock. OTTOMAN. When the U.S. Post Office authorities wished to establish a post office here, they inquired, as they always do, what name the inhabitants favored. “Corotoman.” They replied. That’s all right,” the official replied. “It’s Indian, so I’m told, and if the Indians had no alphabet who am I to call you wrong? But one thing is wrong. The name you propose is too long. There’s a ruling now against names of unnecessary length. You’ll have to do some cutting down. What’s wrong with chopping off the first syllable?” Thus OTTOMAN was born. Wonder about a name? Email me and I will post what Mr. Wharton poses as the orgin. DMOWER@NORTHERNNECK.COM VETERANS DAY is Sunday, 11 November 2007
Freedom is not free, but comes at a very dear cost. Thank God we have men and women who are willing to bear that cost! By David Mower 24 Oct 2007 WAL-MART - KILMARNOCK NOW OPEN Wal-Mart opened this morning at 8:00 o'clock. The opening featured the nationally renown Lancaster County High School Marching Band. It was a quietly festive opening with about 200-300 people present (if you count the band members). Store manager Jim Fryear took the stage shortly before 8:00 AM to welcome the crowd to the opening of the "Wal-Mart Kilmarnock store". He added "Thank you for making Wal-Mart your neighbor." I didn't know we had a choice. Anyway, Wal-Mart is now here for your shopping convenience from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM seven days a week.
I had to run off to work on my house, but reports during the day said Wal-Mart traffic bore a resemblance to Kilmarnock Friday afternoon rush hour with west bound traffic backed up to the Post Office. I finally got a moment to actually inspect the newly opened store about 8:00PM. Things had definitely quieted down by then. I parked 3 spots from the front of the store and ventured inside. It certainly was bright, clean and fully stocked. It didn't look like a rampaging crowd had been raging the aisle during the day. There were plenty of "Associates" manning the various sections. I chatted with Bonnie for a few minutes. Bonnie was a transfer from the I guess the Bonnie was excited to be part of the Kilmarnock Wal-Mart. She had been here since they initially started hiring and was part of the workforce that turned barren walls and concrete floors into organized shelves stocked with goods and merchandise. Bonnie said it looked like an impossible task when they first started - such a big facility with nothing in it and so little time. Wal-Mart brought in a "Set-up" crew to organize and control the layout, delivery and placement of merchandise. In true fashion, as Manager Fryear was announcing the opening, the set-up crew was quietly slipping away to its next assignment somewhere in Bonnie was a delight to chat with as was Neil who checked me out at one of sales counters in the rear of the store. It was nice to know I could check out at a register without having to stand in the 2 and 3 deep crowds at the regular check out aisle up front. Neil was going to staple my bag shut in accordance with store policy for checkouts inside the store, but his station was yet to be armed with a stapler and staples for the purpose. Consequently, he found some tape and taped my bag shut – in the spirit of the policy, if not the actual letter. Neil was working just part time for a little extra money, but liked his full time day job better. Never the less, both Neil and Bonnie were very conscientious employees and able representatives for the Wal-Mart Kilmarnock. Oh, my purchase? In true impulse buyer fashion, I did not intend to buy anything, but just look around. While chatting with Bonnie about where I could find that Zorro guy who slashes prices I spied a whole rack of doggie treats for $8.00 a bag -- a real deal, as everywhere else I pay over $9.00 a bag. So, I bought 3 bags.
As I was wandering around in search of the Sushi Bar which I never did locate, an announcement blurted forth and was repeated reminding "Wal-Mart Kilmarnock shoppers that Wal-Mart will be closing at 11:00 PM" - a mere 2 or 3 hours away. I decided I had better leave at that point. I didn't want to wind up spending the night in the Wal-Mart Kilmarnock. Who knows what goes on in there after closing. Maybe they would force me to restock the shelves for the next day.
071015 I was in the Kilmarnock Farm and Home Supply store the other day when I spotted a flyer on the checkout counter requesting cards and letters of encouragement for a local Marine stationed in Fallujah, Iraq. Corporal Benjamin Bryan's parents, Chris and Doreen Robertson of Lancaster, requested prayers for their son who is currently serving as a communications specialist with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment (DarkHorse), 1st Marine Division. As I was preparing this article about CPL Benjamin Bryan, I "Googled" his name to see what information might be available. To my suprise, several article options were presented about a CPL Benjamin Bryan, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Marine Division being killed in action on 13 November 2004, during the original battle for Fallujah. I thought, what are the chances of two Marine CPLs named Benjamin Bryan being assigned to the 5th Marines, (different battalions - 1st vs 3rd), both seeing action in Fallujah, almost exactly 3 years apart? I think I understand why Doreen and Chris Robertson hope and are soliciting prayers for a different out come for the 2007 3/5 Marine version of Marine Corporal Benjamin Bryan. Will you include CPL Benjamin Bryan in your prayers? Will you send him and his buddies cards and letters? Here is the address that was posted on the flyer: CPL Bryan, Benjamin We are approaching that time of the year when Thanksgiving is being offered and Christmas wishes are being extended. If you are inclinded to do something for our soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coast guardmen standing watch in your behalf, considers some of these opportunites: CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS: Cell Phones for Soldiers is seeking used cell phones to recycle. Money raised from the recycled phones will buy phone cards to allow troops to call home. Phones can be any brand and any condition and don't need batteries. Mail used phones to: Postage Due Unit, U.S. Postal Service, P.O. Box 9998, Dexter, MI 48130. You can get a PRE-PAID MAILING LABEL **HERE** to send phones to the Dexter, MI "Cell Phones for Soldiers" collection point. SOLDIER ANGLES: Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family. In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide. FISHER HOUSE: The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. [My favorite] OPERATION GRATITUDE: Hundreds of thousands of American troops are deployed in hostile and remote regions of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, Guantanamo Bay and on ships throughout international waters. The physical conditions they must endure are difficult and they may be separated from loved ones for long periods of time. OPERATION GRATITUDE seeks to lift troops' morale, and bring a smile to their faces by sending care packages to service members overseas. OPERATION GRATITUDE care packages contain food, toiletries, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support. Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns and Donations of requested items or funds for shipping expenses, OPERATION GRATITUDE provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. military in an active, hands-on manner. G.I. PIZZA: Believe it or not....you can send pizza and Pepsi to Soldiers overseas. Also available is an optional message and certificate to go with your pizza delivery. INJURED MARINE FUND: The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial assistance to: Marines and Sailors injured in combat, in training or with life threatening illness; Other service members injured while in direct support of Marine units; Their families; Help defray the expenses incurred during hospitalization, rehabilitation, and recovery; Help with expenses associated with the purchase of specialized equipment, adapted vans or vehicles, and handicap home modifications. Our goal is to alleviate the financial burden placed on the family so that their focus can be on their loved one’s recovery. PEN PALS FOR SOLDIERS: Pen Pals for Soldiers is a volunteer organization dedicated to the support and morale of our brave men and women in uniform serving overseas, in appreciation of their efforts in defense of our Nation, our freedoms, and our way of life. Soldiers will receive cards, letters, and care packages from individual volunteers who have signed up to be Pen Pals. Pen Pals are screened through address verification, and are informed of Pen Pals for Soldiers policies with regards to sending care packages, mail, and email that would be deemed suggestive, inappropriate, or hazardous. Our purpose is to support you with hygiene, toiletry, snacks, comfort items, and words of support and caring. Headquartered in Simi Valley, California, Pen Pals for Soldiers was founded by Barry Thomas in May 2004. After reading "US Troops Overseas Need Your Cards and Letters to Boost U.S. Troops Morale" in the local community newspaper, Barry felt compelled to contribute to the cause. Barry partnered with Simi Valley's local community, including public and private schools, churches, service clubs, and merchants, asking volunteers to write supportive letters to the men and women serving in the military. The letters were then sent to US Armed Forces stationed overseas. In addition to cards and letters, Pen Pals for Soldiers expanded into sending care packages to the troops in combat zones. OPERATION UPLINK: Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters like you, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about. THANKS A MILLION: A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show our U.S. Military Men and Women, past and present, our appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through our letters, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts. OPERATION SPECIAL DELIVERY: Operation Special Delivery (or OSD), provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured or who have lost their lives due to the current war on terror, or who will be deployed at the time that they are due to give birth. What is a doula? A doula is specially trained to give informational, emotional, and physical support to women during childbirth. A doula does not perform medical tasks, but is trained to provide uninterrupted support to a mother in labor. Why military moms? Because OSD believes that no one should give birth without support, especially the women who are giving birth while these fathers are making such a great sacrifice for our country and our freedom. We just want to try to give back in appreciation. There are many more opportunities. A little effort on the internet will add a thousand fold opportunities to those listed above. When you go to sleep tonight and wake up free tomorrow morning, first thank God; then thank the men and women of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force who are willing to stand in the breach, willingly go in harms way, preform the multitude of thankless tasks that are vital to ensuring the security of our great country, the United States of America. So, now it's your turn. Do something. Do it now! ... and don't forget to remember Marine CPL Benjamin Bryan, 3/5 Marines in your prayers. Thank you CPL Bryan. And thank you Doreen and Chris for raising a Marine!
By Weight Restrictions Placed on the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Memorial Bridge, Effective Immediately White Stone, The restrictions came about as a result of an in-depth inspection of the bridge which revealed a problem with one of the pins holding the bridge together. This problem is one that can not be seen by the naked eye, but was discovered using ultrasonic tests. In light of the restrictions placed by VDOT on the Delegates Rob Wittman and Harvey Morgan will spearhead an initiative to obtain the support of the counties and towns in the Northern Neck and It is critical that we begin now to get the bridge into the six year plan so that we can begin the planning for replacement and so that the money for construction can be obtained. The process for planning, design and construction is an extended process and we must start in earnest now so that we have a realistic chance of having a new bridge within the next 10 years. “I look forward to working with Delegate Morgan, the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the local governing bodies in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula to assure that we immediately address the safety and economic issues surrounding the current bridge conditions,” stated Delegate Rob Wittman. “A plan for replacement of this bridge is vital to assure the future safety of our citizens and the economic vitality of the region.”
070831 - WAL-MART SATELLITE SHOPS. Time to check out Wal-Mart site progress, now that they are actually hiring. The exterior, of course is about done with the parking lot paved and landscaping underway.
The satellite shops don't have an anchor store at the moment of this writing. May be they ought to go talk to the Kilmarnock Postmaster about room for a new post office in the 28,000 square feet. The post office could be a long term anchor tenant which would very nicely compliment the open area, spacious parking and traffic controls recently installed. How about it, Mr. Kilmarnock Postmaster? Where are you going to be when your current lease expires? How about an address at the prestigous Wal-Mart satellite Shopping Mall.
31 August 2007 THERE'S NOTHING TO DO IN THE NORTHERN NECK. Of course that's not true unless you are a teenager, in which case it seems that it doesn't make any difference where you are ... "there is nothing to do." Have you been scanning the up-coming events in the NorthernNeck.com calendar? If so, Saturday, September the 8th should be leaping off the screen at you with the overwhelming variety of excellent events and opportunities. Its almost too bad you can't be everywhere at once there are so many enticing activities all over the Northern Neck. Here a just a few of the ones I find exciting:
While the women are off at Wine Class, there is a special opportunity for us men also:
14 August 2007 DUCK HUNTING SEASON OPENS EARLY.... for Rubber Ducks that is.
I came across an interesting advertisment last week in the Northumberland Echo for "The Inaugural Rubber Duckie Derby." It turns out the Kinsale Foundation and Museum will hold its Inaugural Rubber Duckie Derby on Saturday, September 15th at the The schedule of events includes the annual membership meeting of the Kinsale Foundation at 11:00 AM followed by lunch and then, subject to tides, they will hold the first annual Rubber Duckie Derby in
The Foundation is offering various adoption options for perspective derby duck sponsors. According to the Rubber Duckie Derby Official Adoption Form (available HERE) you can:
You can use cash, check or credit card to adopt your covey of ducks. The flock of adopted ducks herded down to the Each duck will be numbered. The first duck to come completely under the bridge will be awarded a first prize of $500. The second duck's holder under will receive $250, and the third $100. Eyeball decision of the judge on finish order is final. The monies raised by the Foundation go to underwrite the cost of operations and maintenance of the Click here to download the Duckie Adoption Form Please complete the form after downloading, and mail to: The Kinsale Foundation Questions?? Call Joni Lawler at 804-472-4206
6 August 2007 - THE HOUSES OF KILMARNOCK. We are doing a "re-build". Re-builds are the "in" thing in Northern Virgina - tear down an existing 50's-ish house; build a mansion on the lot to replace the bungalow that previously occupied the spot. Soooo... when it came time to permanently move into our cabin on the creek, it was nice as a weekend cabin, but determined insufficient for full time living. We looked around for about a year, but could not find a parcel as nice as the one we currently owned, thus REBUILD was the option we have taken. During the rebuild, we are renting a house in Kilmarnock on the main street just a few doors down from the business district. It's a nice old house, one of a string of once proud and stately homes along the east side of South Main Street. It even has a name - the Old Henderson House. It's sort of a handyman's special now, but at one time the house must have been very prominent in Kilmarnock with it's carriage house out back and a huge oak tree that look like it must be 300 or 400 hundred years old - at least it keeps dropping large branches like it is 400 years old.
The block is zoned commercial. Mostly businesses occupy the neighboring houses on the block and across the street. The house was last acquired by a developer who had plans to tear the old girl down and build condos or something similiar. While that effort has past away, the Henderson House's days are surely numbered. But what about the other old houses of Kilmarnock? I started to take notice in my morning walks that the town seems to have a very fair share of these 1920s era homes that gives rise to the belief that Kilmarnock must have been a very stately little community back when steamboats still roamed the waterways of the Northern Neck. Here is a short tour of homes that I found particularly impressive, at least on the outside. You can view the full inventory and take the full tour of these wonderful old (and some not so old) Kilmarnock homes in the Photo Gallery.
If you have a particular house that you would be interested in sharing a bit of background and histroy, please email me with the details. As for my REBUILD, you can follow along by visiting MYHOUSE.
27 July 2007 - KILMARNOCK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FESTIVAL. The KVFD 72nd Festival is underway. It was an almost perfect summer's evening. A nearly full moon, arcing up in the night sky, was shining down on the festival taking place on Waverly Avenue. The temperature was in the mid-70's and slipping lower. The crowd was changing over and growing -- changing over from predominately families with small children to the later evening crowd of teenagers and young (and not so young) adults when I arrived.
The voice of the festival could be heard blocks away calling out the lucky dime numbers, announcing festival sponsors like "Northern Neck Wireless Internet Services", pointing out the donated gifts available for the nightly drawings, and noting that the festival has been an on-going tradition since 1934 entirely maintained and operated by volunteers - like you!
Crowd watching was as much fun as the rides, games and tests of skill. THE WALL, of course, was a magnet for the adventurous youngsters, while Bingo appears to be the reigning favorite of the Greatest Generation. A normal crowd pleaser is "Dunk the Coach" (or whoever happens to be sitting on the spill board) has been moved from last year's center stage to a dark and quiet corner where contestant must battle dim light in their efforts to hit the plunger trigger with a softball. Still, a splashing sound resounded from that corner with good regularity.
The real reason I always come to the festival several times each year isn't for the games and rides, but the food -- yes, the food! Funnelcakes with powered sugar; cheezie fries, sweet Italian suasage with fried onions; and tall glasses of lemonade. Good thing they only do this once a year.
A sign in one of the games-of-skill booths says "A Winner Every Time!". This year's Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department Festival is certainly a winner. Come to Kilmarnock, to the festival grounds on Waverly Avenue between now and August 4th and have a great time with rides, food, games, socializing and crowd watching. The fun begins nightly at 7:00 PM with closing hours at 10:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. While there is no admission or parking fees, rides require a ticket which are $1.00 each; and some rides require two tickets. Don't forget to buy one of those raffle tickets for that nice, dark blue Dodge Ram pickup truck ... if there are any tickets left. Check with the Dime-a-Chance booth to see if you are still in luck. Tickets are only $10.00 and they only had 3,000 to sell. Congratulations KVFD on your 75th Anniversary and on another spectacular community festival. See you at the festival tonight!
13 July 2007 - HOW DO THEY DO THAT? I was walking home at a late hour from the office the other night when Well, someone knew of course, because the siren told them so … well, not exactly I found out. In the “old” days, the siren was used to summons the resident volunteer firefighters to come man the equipment. According to the Fire Chief, Benny Balderson, proprietor of Capn John’s Antiques on Route 200 north of Today’s siren cycles don’t have any particular meaning – yes, it's still is a summons to volunteers within hearing to come to the station, but the cycle durations have lost their specificity. It seems like when it rings, it usually goes for 3 cycles, which is an appropriate compromise between the old 2 calls and 4. Mostly the siren call now is a nostalgic call for the days before pagers and cell phones. I asked if the siren was ever used for other things such as weather (tornado) warnings. Chief Balderson indicated that no “community warning” system had been established in recent years for the using the siren. He speculated that it may have had some use for air raid warnings during the 1940s, 50s and early 60s. He said, currently, the only other time the siren is sounded is at the death of a former member firefighter. So far that has happened about a half dozen times --- memorialization during funerals of old fire fighters, not on-the-job casualties. The siren can still be triggered manually by the call box on the front of the station house, but it is normally set off by the Lancaster County Sherriff’s Department when they broadcast a call to the pagers today’s volunteer firemen’s carry. The siren hasn’t always been on the tower behind the fire house. It used to be over on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
