WAYNE CREED: New Cape Charles Ignores Gritty Past

By WAYNE CREED

October 20, 2014

Some have described the Stay Tuned Music Fest on Oct 4 at the Shanty as a flop, or even an epic fail. Even if it was, that’s not really a bad thing. Getting in the ring and taking a swing is the most important part — these festival things are hard to predict, and given the limited population and demographic, they sometimes don’t turn out as well as we hope.

I know the promoters, and I’m sure they will collect some Lessons Learned, and make some adjustments for next time (maybe move to coincide with Harbor for the Arts, or go old school with Shore Made Music by Shore Made Musicians — then cook up a pig, some crabs or oysters, with plenty of cold beer).

All this aside, there was still something about Stay Tuned Fest that bothered me; as if something was just a bit off. One evening, after a few martinis, staring at the old brick at Kelly’s, I realized just what was bugging me: it was that holding the event at that location (new harbor) lacked so much authenticity, and was so typical of the New Cape Charles — that is, to completely ignore the old Eastern Shore ways and arrogantly try to impose some foreign aesthetic in its place. [Read more…]

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CONCLUSION: Andy Zahn Remembers the War Years

By ANDY ZAHN

October 20, 2014

PART 5

With so many women working on the war effort, and many had children, there had to be a way to take care of these kids. My town came up with “Child Care Centers,” and my mother, being a natural with children, got a job as a Child Care teacher. Now this was amazing since Mom never graduated from 8th grade because her father got killed at work and left a widow with seven kids. The oldest had to quit school and had to find jobs.

I’ve heard of “horse whisperers” and “dog whisperers” where a person can train the animal through just plain love, and I think some people, especially kindergarten teachers, also have this talent.

After Mom quit school she was playground director in the school she had just left. At times she taught nursery school and in a large federal housing project in California she was in recreation for the teenagers. I saw my mother who was 4′ 11″ just simply clap her hands at a dance of a couple hundred boys and girls and the place fell totally silent. The respect was incredible!

Dad was overseas, and he loved real stinky German Limburger and Liederkranz cheese. The cheese came in a wooden box with about eight half-pound blocks, each wrapped in tin foil, and then Mom wrapped the whole thing securely in brown paper and I took it to the Post Office. They could smell it, and it had to be re-wrapped and then sent. I avoided the kitchen whenever my parents were eating that cheese.

Dad was a stickler about eating. “Eat that fat. I paid 35 cents a pound for that too!” “Clean your dish.” We had a deal which was fine for me. Eat everything on your dish, that meant all the veggies, etc., and then you could have seconds on whatever you wanted, which meant steak and chops. Dad couldn’t abide people who ate with their eyes or noses. “Taste it. You may like it,” and usually he was right. Finally he goaded me into trying the stinky cheese, but one bite was my limit. I said it tasted just like what it smelled like.

Turkey, I got the drum stick. T-bone steak, I got the tail. I thought it was the best part and because they loved me. Only now I realize their teeth couldn’t handle it! [Read more…]

SUNDAY 10/19: Special Olympics Fundraiser at King’s Creek Inn

Dawn Nevill of King’s Creek Inn is happy to announce that Sunday, October 19, from 1-5 p.m. the Inn is hosting a fundraiser for Special Olympics here on the shore. [Read more…]

SUNDAY 10/19: Virginia Chorale at Hungars Episcopal Church

The renowned Virginia Chorale will be presenting Hope, Faith, Life, Love, a musical pilgrimage through life, at Hungars Episcopal Church, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19. This program will include songs of childhood, of love and marriage, of faith and death, among them, some familiar pieces: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “When I’m 64” (John Lennon), as well as the exquisite “Requiem” by Herbert Howells. [Read more…]

FRIDAY 10/24: Stage Door Gallery Reception

Friday, October 24, from 5-8 p.m. is the next Fourth Friday at Stage Door Gallery. Music, food and friends. [Read more…]

FRIDAY 10/24: Secular Religion Seminar at ESCC

Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia has scheduled its next seminar which is called “Secular Religion.” The free 90-minute seminar will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24 in the Lecture Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa. [Read more…]

SATURDAY 11/15: Fall Festival at Trinity UMC

Trinity United Methodist Church, Cape Charles, will be holding their annual FALL FESTIVAL from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. An auction will begin at 10:15. There will be a chicken salad & ham lunch including deviled egg, roll and dessert for $8.00. Lunches will be available for take-out only beginning at 11 a.m.. Tickets are on sale now and are available from any church member. The bazaar will also feature an Arts & Crafts table, Country Store, Bake Shoppe, and White Elephant. Martha Harris will have Shore Creations Jewelry available for purchase. [Read more…]