ORAL HISTORY: David Mitchell $.50 Short in 21 Years

David Mitchell today (13 years after his remarks transcribed here). Photo courtesy Marion Naar

April 7, 2014

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Cape Charles Historical Society has for more than a decade been recording oral histories of the area’s earlier days. A grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities enabled 15 interviews to be transcribed, and the Historical Society has made this one available for readers of the Wave. All the transcriptions may be read at the Cape Charles Museum.)

David Mitchell speaks April 12, 2001

PART 3

There was a company that came down called Union News; they took over the concession part of the building. They served all the meals, at the counter and in the dining room. They gave me a job as the dish and linen to the ferries and I did some custodian work also. I did that until the ferries stopped running. The last day out of Kiptopeke, I put the linen on the boat, turned the key into the secretary and left, not knowing if I had a job. As I was leaving I thought about the badge I used to wear, Badge 39, and I wanted to keep it as a souvenir. So I went back down and asked the lady for the key and said I left something in the laundry room. I went and got the badge and came back to give her the key and Mr. Forrest was in there. He said, “David, tomorrow morning I want you to bring some linen down to the Bridge. Get all of it out of the linen room and bring it down there.” I said, “I didn’t know if I had a job.” He said, “Oh yeah, you’re one of those who didn’t want your severance pay and wanted a job instead, so you got a job.” I said, “Fine,” and I was happy about that.

I started working down there in maintenance. I started off as custodian there. I had to go across the bridge and pick up the trash from the islands and South Plaza, clean up, and come back. And one day, Mr. Anderson, who was one of the people who worked in the office over there, told me Mr. Forrest was looking for a good man to work in the administration building — there was mostly women over there. He told Mr. Forrest, “Now there’s a good man for you right there! He comes in looking like that every day. Clean and neat.” Mr. Forrest said he wanted me as soon as possible, so I got off the truck and went over there. I worked there from 1964 until 1966. [Read more…]

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Tuesday Wake for Philip Briggs at St. Charles Church

April 7, 2014

Philip John Briggs, 55, of Eastville, died Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Nassawadox. A Christian wake service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at St. Charles Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, with the Rev. Michael Breslin officiating. Interment will follow in Cape Charles Cemetery.

Mr. Briggs was born in Nassawadox on January 20, 1959, the son of the late Raymond John and Irene Hoeffner Briggs, and was a self-employed general contractor. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and attended Virginia Tech. He is survived by a sister, Mary Beth Briggs of Eastville, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Charles Catholic Church, 545 Randolph Ave., Cape Charles, VA 23310.

Condolences may be sent to the family at foxandjamesfh.com. Arrangements are by Fox and James Funeral Home, Eastville.

Cape Charles Christian Competes in Odyssey of Mind

THUMBS UP!

By TAMMY HOLLOWAY
Cape Charles Christian School

April 7, 2014

Students at Cape Charles Christian School expanded their minds this academic year by participating in the Odyssey of the Mind program. Students in grades 4-7 were able to participate in a weekly after school program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities. Team members are encouraged to apply their creativity to solve problems ranging from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

The 4th and 5th grade team of six students under the direction of Kate Tayloe worked on a “Not So Haunted House.” They created a haunted house that used mechanisms to create special effects that were intended to frighten, but actually produced a different effect. CCCS teacher Holly Hubbard coached four middle school aged students on the project they selected which was called “Drivers Test.” The overall project was to create a vehicle that moved forward using one propulsion system and backward using a different propulsion system. They had to write a skit that included a driver’s test and accomplished three separate tasks along the way. “Our students put an Eastern Shore spin on the problem by making their driver’s test a boat driving test and including channel markers as their directional signals. They also make mention of Cobb Island, and include a lesson about the harmful effects of mylar balloons on the sea turtle population.” said Hubbard.

“ I was really impressed with the creativity and imagination students put into the projects and that they did all of the work themselves” said Kate Tayloe, CCCS teacher and OTM coach. Students must do all of the work as a team, planning and executing the solution for the problem they select. The role of the coach is to guide students in their problem solving and collaboration, not do it for them.

Cape Charles Christian School along with other Northampton and Accomac students participated in the Tidewater Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind Tournament on March 29 at Tabb High School in Yorktown, VA. As they packed up their projects, they were filled with excitement over participating in this event for the first time. They had no expectations of winning. They were quite simply just excited to participate and of course to embark on a road trip! The CCCS community was humbled by the recognition the middle school “Drivers Test” team received as they were named the Division Two Region 6 champions for this problem. They came back to Cape Charles with happy hearts and eager minds, ready to prepare to compete at the state level on April 26 in Rocky Mount. “Our kids have collaborated to solve a very complicated problem. Odyssey of the Mind is an amazing experience for our students where they are forced to think and problem solve in a hands on project. They are developing skills they will take with them and use in real life experiences,” said middle school team coach Hubbard.

Follow the student’s adventure on the CCCS Facebook page at Cape Charles Christian School. Enrolling now for the 2014-15 academic year. Forward questions about the Cape Charles Christian School to 757-331-1717 or [email protected].

NHS Students Construct Cabinet for American Legion

Northampton High cabinetmakers (Photo courtesy Dave Steward)

By JOE VACCARO
American Legion Post 56

April 7, 2014

Despite being one of the oldest Posts in America, American Legion Post 56 had to literally restart from the ashes of a fire that completely consumed it decades ago when it was located in Cape Charles. The past few years have seen a transformation within the Post, including not only an internal structural change but also a collection of items and mementos that reflect the proud military service of its membership.

Ever mindful that Post 56 evolved from a well-known supermarket that was once a gas station and car dealership, the Post’s leadership, under the skillful direction of Commander Dave Steward, has made great efforts to preserve Post history. More important is the effort to preserve the veterans’ stories and the culture of the Shore where the veterans reside. [Read more…]

TUESDAY 4/8: ‘Sky’s the Limit’ Tourism Workshop at ESCC

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission (ESVATC) will host its first Tourism Summit – The Sky’s the Limit — a free afternoon workshop for Eastern Shore tourism business owners and future tourism entrepreneurs, on Tuesday, April 8, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Eastern Shore Community College. Travel and tourism industry experts from National Geographic, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Artisans Center of Virginia, DIA Advertising and Marketing, and a panel of local experts will address the challenges and opportunities involved in competing for tourism dollars. [Read more…]

SATURDAY 4/12: ESO Live at Cape Charles Coffee House

Next Saturday, April 12, set against the beautiful, historic backdrop of the Cape Charles Coffee House, the eclectic, acoustic roots of Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith will delve into the vast trove of traditions that shaped American music. As part of ESO Arts Center’s ESO LIVE! On the Road Series, this in-demand duo from Richmond will both perform and share the intriguing stories behind the tunes. Their show is a surprising mix of Appalachian ballads, Blues, Celtic, Old Time/Country, Cajun and other styles. [Read more…]