Historic Review Board Postpones Decision on Old School

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

June 24, 2013

Petersburg developer J. David McCormack came to town last Tuesday with hopes of receiving approval by the Historic District Review Board of his plans to convert the Old School at Central Park into an apartment complex.

But after two and a half hours of questioning, the Board told McCormack they needed more information and tabled his request until August.

Newly appointed town planner Rob Testerman had advised the Board to consider only exterior features of the building. “The interior modifications are not in the purview of the Cape Charles Historic District Review Board,” Testerman wrote in a memo to the Board.

But newly appointed Board Chairman David Gay said he got a different impression after talking to Julie Langan of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in Richmond. Gay said that according to Langan, while features that can be seen from the outside should be the focus of the Board, the whole building and its site are considered in the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines.

“When you take a public building of this magnitude, the Historic District Review Board has a role in considering all the aspects of the building,” Gay stressed. [Read more…]

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FOOD: Eastville Inn Rises Again

By SARAH GOLIBART
Cape Charles Wave

June 22, 2013

As an Eastville native, I have seen the Eastville Inn change hands several times. And long-time Eastville resident Ralph Dodd says he’s seen the Inn run by “six or more” people during the time he’s been around. Different tastes and visions have passed through the Eastville Inn as quickly as flipping through the pages of a book.

And now the Eastville Inn has another new owner: Brent Schmidt, who until recently was owner-chef of Brent’s Fine Foods in downtown Hampton.

Schmidt is returning the Eastville Inn’s menu to offer upscale dining, after the last proprietor’s unsuccessful attempt to attract a larger clientele with diner-style food.

Ralph Dodd, whose real estate office is a short walk from the Eastville Inn, pronounces the food at the reopened restaurant as “very good.”

“It looks sharp inside,” Dodd adds.

Dodd sees the inn as  a valuable asset to the Town of Eastville, especially considering its historical background. The Inn dates to 1724.

Despite some changes over the years, the building still holds its antique charm and has attracted both locals and passersby with its promise of a great bite to eat. [Read more…]

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COMMENTARY: Field of Dreams, Hoops, and Hopes

By WAYNE CREED

June 21, 2013

I spend most of my days driving across the Bay, going to work in Norfolk. Once back on the Shore, in Cape Charles, I tend to do what I really do best: nothing. Sometimes, once I park the car on Friday evening, I don’t get back into it until the next Monday morning.

It sounds boring, but there are many things that fill those empty moments. One of them is taking my beloved Labrador Retriever, Chloe, on walks through the old baseball field, to the fire road that winds through the woods back there. Full of scents and action, on a good day she might even jump a rabbit or a deer.

One Saturday in May I took her back to her haunt, and was surprised to find that the old ball field had been tilled, in preparation for planting summer cotton.

Chloe was unperturbed, nose to the ground like a good gun dog. I, on the other hand, was affected by the turned-up field. Looking past the tilled ground, to the old dugouts, a feeling of emptiness and loss began to spread over me.

Back from the walk, I sat on my porch, watching my son Joey and his friends, Max and Finn, playing baseball in the grassy knoll in front of my house on Monroe Street.

It was becoming overcast, and the slow feeling of dread began to mount. I remembered how, before the high cotton was planted, we used to have the Cape Charles Little League and a ball field, but the Town got rid of it.

We had soccer goals: now gone.

Then the basketball court, part of the old Cape Charles High School: gone.

When I heard the pop of the strike as it hit Max’s catcher mitt, I was jarred again. Why had the majority of people in this town been deaf to the plight of the kids of Cape Charles, and taken sides against them in favor of out-of-town developers? [Read more…]

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THURSDAY: Budget Public Hearing; Town Council Meets

Cape Charles Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Town budget 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at St. Charles Parish Hall. Members of the public may speak for up to three minutes, or send a statement to be read by the clerk at the meeting.

Statements may be emailed to the Town Clerk at [email protected].

Budget details are contained in an earlier Wave story here.

The budget includes a plan to raise sewer rates by 72 percent. A Wave analysis of Town sewer rates may be read here.

The regular monthly Town Council meeting will follow the Public Hearing. The full Town information packet may be read here (part 1) and here (part 2).

COMMENTARY: Secrets from Seaside

By SHER HOROSKO
Cape Charles Wave

June 19, 2013

After days of rain, the sun is bright and sure in a baby blue sky dotted with white sheep. I am itchy to jump in the car and explore.

My map is a scant line-drawing. I aim to travel up the thin gray line that runs parallel to the thick red one. That’s the extent of the plan. I head out, down the long dirt road, through the khaki-colored sea of wheat, turn into Cheriton and end back on the red line. This is the second time I’ve done this: it’s a bit like driving in a corn maze.

I try again, taking a random right off of Route 13. “This is it” I say out loud as I spot a road sign reading “Seaside.” The names we give to things usually make sense. Blackbirds are black. Bluebirds are blue. Pine Street has a row of pines (or at least it did once). Seaside is on the side of the sea.

I drive north with just the right amount of confidence.

It’s a different world back here. Navigating the twists in the road, I drive slowly, spotting boats at-the-ready on pull behinds and stacks of wire boxes six feet high. Even if I’d been taken here blindfolded and set free, I would know the sea was near. The evidence of love for the watery world is all around.

The road curves and opens up to a field of tomatoes, staked-up straight as soldiers, and teeming with green balls. Soon, the fruit will flash like cardinals and the land will be filled with the melodic sounds of Spanish. This language is music to me and it’s sung by a people who have always treated me kindly. Always.

On one side of the road, the draping fronds of corn are knee high. On another, the land is waiting for the farmer-man’s intent. Meanwhile, the copper-colored ibis plunge their beaks into the furrows of dark earth. I stop to watch. [Read more…]

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New Historic Review Board Tackles Old School Issue Tonight

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

June 18, 2013

A new group of Cape Charles residents, advised by a new-hire town planner, will meet at 4:30 p.m. today (Tuesday) to consider whether proposed exterior changes to the Old School building in Central Park meet historic guidelines.

The Town’s Historic District Review Board is authorized by the State of Virginia to exercise regulatory control over properties in an officially designated Historic District. The Old School is listed as a “contributing structure” by the National Register of Historic Places.

Although the Historic Review Board has regulatory authority, the Town Council has authority to overrule the Board, which is what happened last February when the Board refused to approve the modern glass balconies on Hotel Cape Charles. All but one member of the Historic Board resigned after being overruled by Town Council.

The new Board has already tasted controversy after denying a request by the owner of 621 Jefferson Avenue to remove a non-working chimney.

But that was a minor issue in comparison to the Old School in Central Park, which a developer plans to convert into a 17-unit apartment building. The plans are the subject of two lawsuits now under appeal to the State Supreme Court.

The developer, J. David McCormack, has applied for federal and state tax credit reimbursements of up to 45 percent of his costs.

According to McCormack, construction of the apartment building will not happen unless he gets the tax credits. But tax credit criteria are stringent, requiring that exterior details as well as interior spaces remain faithful to the original 1912 design.

McCormack has requested tax credits from both the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the National Park Service.

His application to the Virginia DHR was denied on November 21, 2012, for failure to retain historic features and spaces. [Read more…]

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East Coast Pirate Crew Teaches History with a Sword

By SARAH GOLIBART
Cape Charles Wave

June 17, 2013

During the Tall Ships festival this past weekend, the town of Cape Charles was hopping with visitors from out of town. Wandering around the harbor, among the usual sounds of Cape Charles seagulls and wonderful nautical music, the sharp sounds of clanking swords and loud cries of “Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!” could be heard.

While walking along the harbor, the East Coast Pirate Crew drew many into their tents with their elaborate costumes, authentic pirate stories, and happy dispositions.

The East Coast Pirate Crew is a historical re-enactment group that finds joy in “portraying history accurately,” as Captain William Russel stated. After attending the first Tall Ships Festival last year, they were eager to return to the small town atmosphere and activity on Mason Avenue.

“The people are also so friendly,” added the Captain’s wife, Mistress Fitchett, otherwise known as Sherry Williams. [Read more…]

Town’s First ‘Great Bay Run’ Draws 128 Competitors

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

June 17, 2013

In conjunction with the Tall Ships Festival, the Great Bay Run in Cape Charles Saturday morning featured both a 5k and a 1.25 mile fun run/walk.

Perfect weather made for a great race, and 128 athletes competed.

The overall 5k winner on the men’s side was Van Lewin, a Broadwater Academy alumnus, in 18:15. Van is currently competing for Christopher Newport University in both cross country and track.

The women’s race was won by Samantha Sawyer of Indian Trail, NC.

The 1.25 mile division was won by Jackson Rose and Michaux Tankard, both middle school students at Broadwater Academy.

The race was co-directed by Eric Hack, a teacher and coss country/track and field coach at Broadwater Academy, and Eva Noonan, an agent at Blue Heron Realty and assistant coach at Broadwater.

Proceeds will benefit both the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Broadwater Academy Cross Country and Track & Field Teams.

Runners enjoyed post-race refreshments courtesy of Cape Charles Yacht Club and Hook-U-Up Gourmet.

Here are the complete results: [Read more…]

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New Roots Youth Garden Plans Farm Stand This Year

By TAMMY HOLLOWAY
Special to the Wave

June 17, 2013

The youth of Cape Charles have already planted the seeds for their vegetable garden and are gearing up to begin to reap their harvest.

The New Roots Youth Group are taking applications for the 2^nd annual Summer Garden Club on the corner of Fig and Randolph beside Rayfield’s Pharmacy.

The club begins Thursday, June 20. Youths 6-12 can sign up for the free program, organized by volunteers from the youth recreation department of the Town of Cape Charles, Cape Charles Rotary, Eastern Shore Master Gardeners, and Northampton 4-H program.

The NRYG Summer Garden Club meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and offers hands-on vegetable gardening, composting, and learning from garden gurus.

Children can attend the entire program or select from the weeks focused on an area of interest they may have (insects, butterflies, birds, etc.).

This year the NRYG participants will be running their very own farm stand on Thursday at the garden site. [Read more…]

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Tall Ships Festival Through a Newcomer’s Eyes

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

June 16, 2013

One of our area’s most recent arrivals, Sher Horosko, ventured among Saturday’s throngs of Tall Ships visitors. Everything was new to her, and this is what she saw.

[Read more…]

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Area’s Newest Savior Buys Again: This Time Kiptopeke Inn

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

June 13, 2013

Robert Occhifinto, the newest millionaire “come-here” to Northampton County, has done it again, purchasing yet another failed property near Cape Charles – this time the crumbling Kiptopeke Inn.

Built in 1963 as a Holiday Inn, the 104-room motel closed last September after going into receivership. Most recently it was owned by developer Nimrod Tavi.

The Kiptopeke Inn was listed for sale at $995,000, but Occhifinto has shown a penchant for offering pennies on the dollar. He bid $300,000 last year, but his offer was refused.

So Occhifinto waited, and more than six months later the owner apparently decided that $300,000 was better than nothing. The sale is expected to be completed soon.

That’s good news for the Kiptopeke Inn, as Occhifinto has already demonstrated that he’s no slumlord. Take a look at the now-gleaming Peacock Motor Inn which he rescued from disrepair last year.

The Peacock will always be for travelers on a budget, but the rooms are bright, clean, and nicely furnished.

Occhifinto, 51, is a New Jersey entrepreneur who made his fortune producing and marketing over-the-counter diet supplements. He is famous locally for purchasing Aqua Restaurant, Bay Creek Marina, and related properties last December for $4.6 million. [Read more…]

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