ORAL HISTORY: How Harbor Avenue Got its Skew
101 Tazewell Avenue, corner of Harbor, was “right on the beachfront” when built by Capt. Sadler c. 1912. Later, Harbor Avenue layout was skewed to accommodate the house.
May 19, 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.)
1990 Interview of Virginia Fitzhugh conducted by Virginia Savage
PART ONE
VIRGINIA SAVAGE: I am talking to Virginia Fitzhugh, who was born and raised in Cape Charles. Virginia, what was your maiden name?
Virginia Sadler. I was raised in Cape Charles. I was born next door to the old Virginia Hotel and the Henderson Travis House. [Across from the Post Office, on the southwest corner. Her father was Capt. Sadler, a NYP&N steamer captain.]
West side of Virginia Hotel? Which would be right across from the Post Office on the corner of Strawberry and Randolph.
That’s where I was born. And then Daddy bought the house up in the middle of the block on Randolph. I don’t know who lives there now but he bought right in the middle. Alva Stiles used to live there. And then Daddy built the first house that was built this side of Pine Street other than the house that was back in the woods. And he bought the lot from the Scott Estate and built down there. And we thought we were right on the beachfront. The corner of Tazewell and Harbor.
Did he have to build that house on pilings?
No. He happened to get the house part of the land that was down there. And see, the beach came right up to Harbor Avenue. Sand and everything. That’s a built in place from Harbor right up to beachfront. That was sand that was blown up and built up all that up there. Daddy thought he was right on the beachfront.
Isn’t that amazing! I knew that Jeannette Edgerton’s house, for one, was built on pilings.
Well, all those apartments across from us, they’re all built on pilings. And we used to watch them and the pile driver would hit one and it would go out of sight and they’d have to put another one right on top of it. You see, that’s all swamp there. And because it had the cat o’ nine tails and the grass that grows on the beach and all that stuff. [Read more…]
SUNDAY 6/1: Sunset Cruise for ESSO Spay Fundraiser
Sunday, June 1, is the Eastern Shore Spay Organization (ESSO) fundraiser. Wine & Sunset Dolphin Cruise on the Miss Jennifer departs 7:30 p.m. at the Cherrystone Campground Dock. [Read more…]
Friday Service for Glenn Roper at American Legion Post
May 19, 2014
Glenn Lee Roper, 83, husband of Essie West Roper and a resident of Cheriton, passed away Saturday, May 17, at his residence. A celebration of life service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, at American Legion Post #56 in Cheriton. Rev. Elizabeth Lutz will officiate with Post Honors.
Mr. Roper was a native of Staunton, the son of the late George W. Roper and the late Margaret Fitzgerald Roper. He was a United States Air Force Veteran, retired mechanic for United Airlines, taught airline mechanics, and member of American Legion Post #56.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Margaret R. Martin and her husband, Roger, of Townsend, Patricia R. Becker of Bloxom, Eva R. Jee and her husband, Edmond, of Vacaville, CA; eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. [Read more…]
WEEKEND: Messing About in Boats
WEEKEND: MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS
(May 17, 2014 Weekend edition) “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” (Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows). But as boat enthusiasts know, much of the time is spent working on the boat. And that’s not a bad thing either — especially when there’s a boat yard at hand. The photo above, courtesy of Cape Charles Yacht Center, belies the activity going on there now — especially Thursday’s soirée hosted by Eyre Baldwin to mark the grand opening of the yacht center. Some 500 guests attended, and Baldwin announced that “Phase Two is now.” He was talking about accommodation for mega-yachts that will require a 300-ton boat lift. That was planned for sometime in the future, but according to Baldwin it’s going to happen now. Meanwhile, the 75-ton-capacity Travel Lift is up and running, and Cape Charles Yacht Center is open for business. It’s a great time to mess around in a boat!
Half-Millionth Visitor to Eastern Shore Welcome Center
Kerry Allison, Executive Director of the ES Tourism Commission; Jacques and Shirley Dumoulin; Fred Stant, CBBT Commission Chairman; Allan Burns, ES Welcome Center Manager; and Bill Murphy, ES Welcome Center Volunteer.
By KERRY ALLISON
Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission
May 17, 2014
Jacque Dumoulin and his wife, Shirley, driving from Florida to Pennsylvania to visit family, needed a break after they arrived on the Virginia Eastern Shore via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and stopped at the rest area on the right. As is often the case, they noticed the tiny, cheerful and information-rich visitor center housed in the same building and decided to take a look around.
When Mr. Dumoulin walked through the Welcome Center door, he was greeted by Allan Burns, center manager, as the official half millionth visitor to the Eastern Shore Southern Gateway Welcome Center, which opened in August 2009. It’s another milestone for the center, which has seen increases in utilization every year since opening and averages 10,000 visitors monthly.
The lucky Dumoulins were showered with gifts, all local treasures donated by Eastern Shore businesses. “We can’t wait to tell our daughter and her family,” Dumoulin said. “We’ve never stopped here before and had no idea this area was so interesting.” He pointed to the 3D map of the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, one of the state-of-the-art features of the Welcome Center, which has four attention-grabbing light box displays, two 3D exhibits, a real-time video weather feed, videos showcasing local attractions, area restaurant menus, and over 200 rack cards touting everything from history, recreation, shops, restaurants and lodging to upcoming events. A touchscreen information kiosk in a corridor just outside the center helps visitors who stop in during off-hours. [Read more…]
FRIDAY 6/6: 7th Annual American Legion Post 56 Golf Tournament
Golfers — mark your calendars for June 6, the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, and support military veterans, the American Legion, and its programs, at Bay Creek Golf Club. CLICK to download golf tournament application. [Read more…]
FRIDAY 5/23: Young Artist Show for Franktown Montessori
Young Artist Show, Franktown United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 23. Featuring art by young artists ages 2-6. Artwork offered from $5-$30 and all proceeds go to Montessori Children’s House of Franktown.
3rd Annual Crabby Blues Festival Saturday in the Park
The town turned out for last year’s Crabby Blues Festival despite chilly weather. This year will be warmer!
By TAMMY HOLLOWAY
May 16, 2014
Saturday, May 17, from 3-8 p.m., the 3rd Annual Crabby Blues Festival sponsored by Rayfields Pharmacy will fill Central Park with the sounds of great music, the smell of good food, and the feeling of good community fellowship.
This year will be bigger and better than ever with even more adult and kids games, music sponsored by ESLAND, food from fabulous vendors, and adult beverages sold by Citizens for Central Park.
Performers include the Cape Charles Community Band, Freshwater Frank and the Fish, The Motto, Mr. B. and the Boys, and the classic sound of the Inspectors.
Don’t miss the chance to bid on a Jimmy Buffett autographed guitar, which is among many fabulous silent auction items. And you will want to shop the park green to check out the unique and creative art and gift vendors.
For the first time ever we will have commemorative Crabby Blues Festival T-shirts, sponsored by Ocean Cove Seafood and available for adults and kids. A limited number have been ordered so make sure to get them early in the day!
Advance tickets are $10/adults and $5/children. At the gate they are $15/adults and $5/children. Purchase tickets at Rayfield’s Pharmacies, Sullivan’s Office Supply, Kings Creek Marina, Northampton Lumber, Little Italy Restaurant, and the Cape Charles Christian School. [Read more…]
