Village News Staff
A word or two from our Editor
Peter Cousin Editor-in-Chief Peter@InsitePublishing.com 757-301-9617
Welcome to the May “Mother’s Day” edition of Village News Magazine. It’s also the month we celebrate the anniversary of our magazine. We’re now 14 years old and proud of it! The original idea came from a golf game at the Signature with Jim Murphey (who used to live here). He even came Editor up with the name; Village News. Thanks to him, in us Co r te Pe our staff, our advertisers, our contributing editors and our faithful readers, we’ve entered into another new year. Thanks to everyone for your support and contributions. May is also an exciting month of celebrations. May Day is the 1st. Lots of parades. Cinco De Mayo is Friday the 5th. It’s a celebration of the Mexican Army's victory over France during the Franco-Mexican War. But what it means to most of us is great Mexican music and lots and lots of Mexican drinks. The Kentucky Derby comes on the 6th. It’s the most popular and oldest horse race in the world. Last year it produced a winner that went on to win the Tripple Crown. Mother’s Day is on Sunday the 14th. A day to celebrate that wonderful woman that gave you life, taught you right from wrong, and gave you an amazing opportunity. Armed Forces Day is on the 20th. A day to recognize members of the Armed Forces that are currently serving. Memorial Day comes on Monday the 29th. A US holiday to honor and remember those who died while serving in the military. It is a day to raise our awareness about the Nation’s freedom and the price for this freedom.
Tara Perrone Lead Graphic Designer Tara@InsitePublishing.com 757-301-9617 Andrea Cousin Production Manager Andrea@InsitePublishing.com 757-301-9617 Nicole Pandeloglou Director of Sales & Marketing Nicole@InsitePublishing.com 757-513-7816 Lynda Brdran Up Town - Downtown Editor Ideas@VillageNewsVA.com Pam Monahan - “Mocha’s Mom” Pammonahan551@yahoo.com 757-301-9887 David Cando IT Department Dcando@Gmail.com 757-497-1620
Told you there was a lot to do in May.
At whatever you do this month, we hope you enjoy your Daylight Saving Time. Take a walk in the late afternoon. Get in a bike ride after dinner (if you eat early). Get in 9 more holes of golf. Please view this publication online Sit back and read Village News Magazine and enjoy the beginning of our 14th year! www.VillageNewsVA.Com Enjoy!
Featuring In This Issue Golf Tips 5 Sweep the long irons
Education Education 4 6 10
Fashion - 2017 Real Estate Computer Mandate
FEATURE FEATURE 15 Virginia Beach Photographer works with wildlife-Pam Monahan 9 Day cation Eastern Shore
Neighborhood Neighborhood News News 10 UPTOWN - DOWNTOWN - ALL AROUND 17 Saying Goodbye to Mocha
Culture Culture 7 Gourmet SELECTS - Beef Wellington & Chocolate Ganache 14 Cocktails - Coconut Mojito
Humor 14 Golf Humor 12 “Flash-Fiction” TAXES
18 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MOM! 3 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Fashion
TRE ND DS S EN
2017
Rainbow-Bright Stripes: In every color, shape, size, and form (think: both broad bands and skinny hypnotic stripes).
Street-Chic Utilitarianism There's more to the trend than the khaki textile—in 2017, there are oversize cargo pockets, boxy shapes, and ripstops equipped with drawstring cords and toggles.
New Shirting Every season, designers task themselves to reinvent everyone's most essential workwear staple— the button-down shirt. In 2017, that looks like oneshoulder split-shirt tops, shirtdresses with graphic lines (and only one shoe?!?!), and oversize shapes with extended sleeves.
Remember to Act
4 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
& Stay Classy!
S end it flying
Sweep the long irons
Golf Tips
BALL FORWARD: If you're using a long iron, address the ball so it's a little closer to your front foot than to our back foot.
A golf writer once asked me to pick the best full shot I ever hit, and I didn't have to think twice. It was the 2-iron on the last hole at the 1983 British Open. I faced a 213-yard second shot into the wind on the longest par 4 at Royal Birkdale. I needed a par and had a 10-minute wait that seemed like an hour. But I hit it flush—a little draw into a leftto-right wind—and it hung right at the hole. I knew I'd won my fifth British Open, a wonderful feeling. Two putts left me a stroke ahead of Hale Irwin and Andy Bean. All I was thinking on that 2-iron shot was smooth rhythm. And it worked. I've always tried to sweep my long irons (like Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson did) rather than take much of a divot. To do that you must position the ball slightly forward of center in your stance. Then the swing arc must be shallow, not steep. Practice this sweeping swing without a ball. Hit the turf just forward of the center at the bottom of your arc. Do it enough times to become consistent. Remember: sweep, don't dig. Long irons are the hardest clubs to hit. If you don't swing at least 95 mph, replace your long irons with a hybrid club or two. I still use a 2-iron, but I have more difficulty getting shots to fly high as I get older. The hybrid is next for my set.
I hate it that he’s right all the time!
5 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
What’s Your Hang Up? Here are some helpful hints when trying to determing the correct hanging heights. Pictures- One of the most common mistakes I see when staging homes is artwork hung incorrectly. Here are some foolproof tips for hanging artwork at the proper height. Generally, a single piece of art should be hung so that the center of th pictue is at eyelevel. A good rule of thumb to follow is to hang the picture so that the center is 60-66” off the floor. If a piece is hung above a sofa it should be 4-6” above the sofa and the picture’s width should be about 2/3’s the width of the sofa. If you are hanging two pieces together then treat them as one and space them 2-3” apart (vertically or horizontally). To create an eclectic gallery wall, trace out each frame in the grouping on butcher paper or a paper bag. Mark the location of the hanger on each. Then cut them out and use painter’s tape to hang them on the wall spacing each 2-3” apart (smaller pieces 1.5”-2.5” apart). Once you find the arrangement you like, drive a nail through the spot that you marked on the paper for the hanger and pull the paper off. You are now ready to hang your gallery. (illustration from potterybarn.com) Curtains- Think “high and wide”. People commonly position the curtain rod directly above the window trim. You can make your ceilings
appear taller by mounting the curtain rod just below the base of the ceiling molding. This draws the eye upward, elongating the space and making it appear taller. Also, rather than mounting the drapery hardware just outside the window casing, mount the drapery hardware 6-8″ beyond the frame on each side. This will make the window feel like more of an architectural feature that fills more of the wall and will allow more light to flood the space making it appear brighter and roomier. (illustration from homestoriesatoz.com) Chandeliers- Often, I see chandeliers that are hung too high above a table. For 8’ ceilings the bottom of the chandelier should be 30”-33” above the table and for 9’ ceilings the bottom of the chandelier should be 33”-36” above the table. (illustration from designinghome.blogspot.com)
I provide professional staging advice to all my clients. Need help buying, selling or investing in real estate? Please give me a call to set up an appointment today! I’d love the opportunity to chat with you about my all my services.
Karen Adcock ®
REALTOR , licensed in Virginia Keller Williams Realty Town Center One Columbus Center, Suite 1100 Virginia Beach, Va 23462 Direct: 757-632-3237 23 Years Experience KarenAdcock@KW.com SoldByKarenAdcock.com 6
VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Gourmet SELECTS Beef Wellington 2 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin 2 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons butter 1 onion, chopped 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 2 ounces liver pate
Dinner & Dessert Good Enough to Eat!
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place beef in a small baking dish, and spread with 2 tablespoons softened butter. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until browned. Remove from pan, and allow to cool completely. Reserve pan juices. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool. Mix together pate and 2 tablespoons softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Spread pate over beef. Top with onion and mushroom mixture. Roll out the puff pastry dough, and place beef in the center. Fold up, and seal all the edges, making sure the seams are not too thick. Place beef in a 9x13 inch baking dish, cut a few slits in the top of the dough, and brush with egg yolk. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 min., then reduce heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 to 15 more minutes, or until pastry is a rich, golden brown. Set aside, and keep warm. Place all reserved juices in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in beef stock and red wine; boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly reduced. Strain, and serve with beef.
Chocolate Ganache 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)
Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rum if desired. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring over a cake. Start at the center of the cake and work outward. For a fluffy frosting or chocolate filling, allow it to cool until thick, then whip with a whisk until light and fluffy.
Drop us an email and let us know what you think. Gourmet@VillageNewsVA.com
You should enjoy the food you eat. Here, Village News shows you how. 7 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
To All The Moms We Love To Love! Are you a mom? Are you a Grandmother? Are you a CareGiver? Are you a person all your son’s and daughter’s friends call mom? Then you fit right into our article this month. At Either Ore Jewelers Starwbridge, we specialize in moms. What they like. What they need, and what they don’t know they want. We are your professional Jewelers who have been your family go-to store for more than a decade. It’s YOU that have made us the favorite Jewelers in Hampton Roads. We’re locally owned, and operated. Owner, Donna Firestone, and her entire staff seek to provide you with a superb shopping experience, whether helping you to select that perfect gift for someone or while purchasing a special item to add to your jewelry collection! We have a full service jeweler and GIA certified appraiser on site five days a week, Monday through Friday, for all repair needs. Please stop in for some of the most unique pieces for your collection anywhere in Virginia Beach. We’re the professionals that are here to serve your every needs. All work performed on site!
The Computer Mandate www.ExecTechVA.net
Dear Village News Readers, This horror story is brought to you by your editor, Peter Cousin. I will let him tell you in his own words.
prospective advertiser the site under these conditions, I had to go with GoDaddy’s suggestion. They partner with a company called SiteLock. That’s all they do. Clean infections.
One of my readers called me a week ago to say our Village News website was infected. I checked and to my horror, there it was. Every page I clicked on was in bright red saying it was infected. F R E A K E D O U T !
It took a full 8 days of constant repair but they finally cleaned it. Then they resubmitted to Google who has to agree to release the site for protection of their customers. Bottom line is, it may have been a $200 error on my part (what it cost to fix). I failed to run my Malware in some time to see if a problem existed. That may have fixed it.
The first think I did was call David Cando. Since he is our trusted IT person for Village News, he was the logical choice. David looked online and told me to contact GoDaddy who hosts our website. The technician looked at the site and told me he was sympathetic but this was more than a normal “HACK!” This was going to take a professional company to rid my code of the intrusion.
Suggestion, call David and let him go through your computer today. Might just be the smartest thing you do! I always say: We're always available to Village News readers for a quick analysis of your equipment. Just give us a call at 497-1620.
Knowing my readers rely on our online presentation and that our Director of Sales & Marketing couldn’t show a 8 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Remember our motto: David “Can-Do!”
By Peter Cousin - Editor This month our “Daycation” takes us to the quiet Eastern Shore of Virginia. Picture if you will: May in Virginia Beach. Let’s take mom for an unforgetable get-away to the beautiful and quiet Eastern Shore. Here’s some interesting statistics that many in Virginia Beach do not know about Williamsburg... (Note there is a toll to pay. $12 for 4 wheel car and $5 on the return.) 1. Virginia Beach to Bay Creek on the Eastern Shore by car is 57 miles. 2. A 1 hour drive (same time it takes to watch an hour of The Tonight Show.) 3. The National average of miles per gallon (MPG) is 24. 4. Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore and back is 5 gallons. 5. Virginia’s average gas price per gallon is $2.35. 6. Cost of a round trip in gas is $11.75. 7. Cost of a Virginia Beach Italian dinner is $12.99. 8. The average weather on the Eastern Shore in May makes for a comfortable day at 72.
Things to Do on Virginia’s Quiet Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore of Virginia, the southernmost tail of the sea-ray shaped Delmarva Peninsula that divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Chesapeake Bay, is not often touted in travel guides or in media. But it should be. The Eastern Shore doesn’t have the party atmosphere of Virginia Beach to the south or the Big City culture of Baltimore to the north, but it is splendid in its own quiet and genuinely friendly way. Because the scale is so small here, everything is an intimate experience: from tour boats that only hold six guests to respected artists who talk to you while they paint. You come here to decompress, to slurp a Chincoteague Oyster washed down with acclaimed Chardonnay from its source, to sleep in an inn where caretakers actually take care of you. The Eastern Shore Tourism Commission really nails the personality of people and place. Its tagline? “You’ll Love Our Nature.” Take Captain Dan’s Sunset Boat Tour completely around the island of Chincoteague to see the wild ponies of Assateague. Feel the bracing sea breeze as you make your way around the most famous of Virginia’s Eastern Shore barrier islands. On a 26 foot boat equipped for six guests, you’ll see Chincoteague Oyster beds, shore birds, NASA’s launch-site — Wallop’s Island, squat duck blinds, exceptional sunsets, and of course, the wild ponies that everyone hopes to find. Captain Dan has life-long knowledge of these waters combined with a knack for story telling, which makes for a very entertaining two to three hours. Pop into The Museum of Chincoteague to see the “artfully preserved” (read: stuffed/taxidermied) Misty and her foal Stormy. In 1945, the acclaimed middle-school book, Misty of Chincoteague, brought international fame to this quiet little town, and most visitors are surprised to discover that Misty was a real beloved pony. Yes, she was, and, um, still is, as her eternal rest is now being spent in this appealing and wonderfully-curated local history museum. Watch a NASA Rocket Launch. Driving up the rural road from Route 13 to Chincoteague, you’ll see an abundance of massive satellite dishes: certainly not the pastoral low-tech pony-rich landscape you were expecting. Established in 1945, Wallops Island is one of the world’s oldest rocket launch sites, and much of the area is now base to NASA’s Suborbital Vehicle activities. Time it right and you’ll witness a payload heading up to the International Space Station in all of its “bone-jarring sound and majesty.” Eat at Woody’s Beach BBQ and Eatery, Chincoteague. Don’t dismiss this slightly dilapidated but whimsical outdoor barbeque shack of a place as just another tourist trap. The owners of Woody’s are foodies through and through, passing off a variety of inventive sandwiches as well as pork and seafood dishes as common roadside fare. Go for The Clipper: chicken, pork, “bacon jam,” slaw and rum sauce for $8.99. Uncommonly good. Also for you golfers, don’t forget Bay Creek Golf Course. Two courses designed by famed golfers Arnold Palmer & Jack Nicklaus. 9 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
All-Around By Lynda Badran, Contributing Editor May is a wonderful month – pleasant weather (we hope), lots of flowers are blooming, vegetables are growing – and the tourists have not yet begun to crowd the beach. There are a lot of things to do in May in Virginia Beach. The Beach Music Weekend – from May 13th through May 16th – blends the best of the “oldies” with dancing under the stars. Presented on a stage built right on the beach at 30th Street, the weekend offers a series of free concerts, with full days of entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. Or decide to fly a kite on May 6th during the 13th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. Everyone is invited to participate in the “Colors in the Sky” themed event as the skies between 16th and 18th streets are filled with kites. Admission to the family fun event is free. And here’s hoping that the odd weather in February and March hasn’t spoiled the strawberry crop and that the Pungo Strawberry will once again be the place to be on Memorial Day Weekend. For 33 years this berry delightful event is the highlight of the beginning of summer. On May 27 and 28th, find varieties of strawberries prepared more than 50 different ways; enjoy continuous entertainment on 3 stages; pony rides; pig races; a parade; a pie eating contest; and a strawberry bake-off. Admission to the Festival is free and parking is $10. And let’s not forget Mother’s Day on the 14th of May! Perhaps one of these years we will be able to attend “something” at the new Arena. Yes, that bouncing ball is back in play. The terms of the latest deal, which has been approved, to build an Oceanfront sports and entertainment venue include a $150 million loan and $70 million in equity from the developers, according to a city official who has seen the documents but asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of negotiations.
Road will be extremely happy – and I will be glad to have my shortcut back. But there is some bad news on that same front for those of us who drive West Neck Road on a daily basis. A&W (contractors not root beer) has begun the work on King’s Landing, a new subdivision directly across from the Signature Golf Course entrance. The subdivision has 153 lots. More to come on this subject………….. And the new Veterans’ Care Center, a long term nursing care center for Veterans, will be built on the corner of North Landing Road and Nimmo Parkway. The developers hope to break ground in October and have the center ready to open by the end of 2019. Work on the site can be expected between about 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., but it won’t go on seven days a week, according to Mark Wawner, project development coordinator for economic development. In the same article, it was noted that Work to expand Nimmo Parkway is expected to begin in April 2018 and continue for a year. Moving on to fun and nostalgia, the new Dairy Queen (fondly known as DQ) has opened in Landstown Centre. Everything there tastes good – but nothing there is for the calorie conscious. I have eaten lunch at Casby’s on several occasions. The restaurant, located on Great Neck Road on the site of many previous restaurants, offers a great lunch deal. A buffet that includes several types of soup, three varieties of flat bread pizzas, a great salad bar and dessert costs only $9.99. Now that’s a deal. And the owners of Casby’s and several other establishments are opening My Tomato in the Old Atlanta Bread Company on Phoenix Drive off Lynnhaven Parkway. They plan to have a 30-foot buffet line that will include bakery, fresh pasta, pizza, soup and ice cream. If you prefer to cook at home, yet another grocery store is opening in our area. This one is an Aldi’s on Holland Road across from Lowe’s. I suppose we can’t have too many grocery stores.
Do you have a favorite place or information you would like to share with the Village Some good news on the construction front: the obstacle course, once News readers? If so, please send it to me, known as Holland Road (and my favorite shortcut), will be finished Lynda Badran, at (maybe) by October of this year. Residents who live off Holland Ideas@VillageNewsVA.Com. I’ll do my best to include it in the next issue. 10 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory compromise: Know your risk Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - a potentially serious sleep disorder that can stop a person's breathing during sleep - affects 25 million adults in the U.S. Individuals living with OSA may know they are at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes or headaches. What they may not know is that OSA is also a risk factor for respiratory compromise, a potentially fatal condition. Respiratory compromise is the second leading avoidable patient safety issue and can occur during hospitalization when a patient is recovering from a surgery or during an outpatient procedure using anesthesia. Although relatively unknown, respiratory compromise can cause an individual's breathing to weaken, potentially leading to respiratory failure and even death. OSA is just one of several conditions that increase a person's risk for respiratory compromise; age, obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are other risk factors. Although respiratory compromise is a serious health issue, it is frequently preventable. By using appropriate therapies and patient monitoring technologies to evaluate a patient's respiratory status, healthcare professionals can detect respiratory compromise and treat patients earlier. "OSA sufferers must understand that their condition not only impacts their sleep and overall health. They need to be aware that it may increase their risk for respiratory compromise. Signs of respiratory compromise include apneas or stop-breathing episodes and changes in consciousness and alertness, among others," said Dr. Peter C. Gay, a sleep medicine specialist. "If you have OSA and need to undergo a medical or surgical procedure, speak with your healthcare provider about respiratory compromise. It can be detected early with appropriate respiratory monitoring technologies." To learn more about respiratory compromise, visit www.respiratorycompromise.org/.
11 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
“Flash-Fiction” TAXES By Donna Levy
I gathered up my courage and purchased a computer program to do last year’s tax returns. I was determined to complete it myself. With the money I’d save from not paying a tax preparation service, I’d splurge on a pedicure and adorn my toenails with purple polish. While standing in line at the grocery store, I overhead a couple of guys talking about new IRS requirements for people who prepare tax returns. One man said, “You have to complete 20 hours of classes and then pass an exam.” What? I never did any of these requirements. Nor did I want to. Did that mean I could go to jail for doing my own taxes? It just doesn’t pay to be an independent woman.
12 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Listed and Sold
That’s what YOU want to hear!
When it comes to selling condos and homes in West Neck, NO ONE has sold more than
SOLD
3432 Misty Court
Karen Adcock REALTOR
REALTOR®
As a who has participated in more than 400 sales in West Neck, Karen is the community’s #1 REALTOR® in condo and single family home sales! When it comes time to sell or buy, be sure to contact Karen, one of... “The BEST in the Business!”
West Neck
Karen Adcock REALTOR, licensed in Virginia Keller Williams Realty Town Center ® One Columbus Center, Suite 1100 Virginia Beach, Va 23462 23 Years Experience KarenAdcock@KW.com
Direct: 757-632-3237 www.SoldByKarenAdcock.com
Natural ways to keep roses radiant this season
W
arm weather welcomes flowerbeds, gardens burst with color and fragrance, and in many yards, roses are the stars of the show. They're the most popular and prized flower in American gardens, one of the mostbeloved flowers for weddings, and staples of Valentine's and Mother's Day bouquets. Americans love their roses and so do a host of harmful pests, including Japanese beetles, aphids, mites among other insects, and let's not forget about deer. Pests can cause a great deal of damage to roses, especially considering many varieties have a reputation for being tenderly delicate. While some types of roses are hardier against disease, no rose alive can fight off an aphid infestation or fight foraging deer without some help from the gardener. As more states prohibit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, many gardeners may have to start looking for alternative, more environmentally friendly solutions to protect their prized roses. Natural solutions: Fortunately, rose aficionados have several natural ways to defend their gardens from pests. These measures can help protect rose gardens and the environment:
1. Choosing a good location for your roses is the first step. If you'll be planting new rose bushes this season, look for a location that will help the roses thrive. The healthier the plant, the hardier it will be in resisting disease and pests. 2. Next, keep a careful eye on your roses. Regularly inspect blooms, branches, stems, undersides of leaves and vines for signs of insect infestation, including the presence of eggs, grubs and adult insects. Watch for evidence of deer damage too; such as ragged bites a foot or more above the ground. 3. Keep pests and deer away with a natural, environmentally friendly, dual purpose repellent like Bobbex Rose Deer and Insect Repellent. The easy-toapply, ready-to-use foliar spray discourages deer foraging through taste and smell aversion, while simultaneously repelling insects such as aphids, mites, Japanese beetles, leafhoppers, greenflies and sawflies. 4. Use nature to defend your roses; hang bird feeders to attract backyard birds that regularly dine on insects harmful to roses. You can also purchase lady bugs, which eat aphids, to release in your rose garden.
13 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
C O C K TA I L S
On The House
Coconut Mojito INGREDIENTS This coconut mojito is made with fresh mint, lime and coconut rum. It's the type of drink that makes you feel like you are on the beach while sipping away. 6 mint leaves 1 lime, cut in half 1-1/2 teaspoons Truvia Spoonable (more if desired) 2 ounces coconut rum Ice Seltzer water
METHOD
In a tall (12 ounce) glass add mint leaves, juice of half a lime and Truvia. Using a wooden muddle muddle the mint into the bottom of the glass. This will release the mint flavor and help dissolve the Truvia. The mint will tear, this is totally normal. Pour in coconut rum and stir to combine. Your Truvia should be dissolved at this point. Fill the glass to the top with ice and pour in seltzer water. Serve with an extra wedge of lime and enjoy!
And Speaking of Mother’s Day... I was going through some old pictures the other day from Mother’s Day and found this one. I used it in the May edition of Village News back in 2010 but couldn’t resist using it again. Here’s a shout out to my mom, Clarice. She left us in 1989 but I can still hear her voice on the phone. “Hiiii Peeeet.” Though her voice wasn’t really high, when she called me the first two words were always at a high pitch. The year this was taken, I’m guessing by my attire, I had just signed up for the Merchant Marines . My sister Ricki, (3 1/2 years my senior and still living in hell - (that’s what I call Arizona because of the heat) was paying close attention to her attire. The gloves apparently were not perfect. The year I’m guessing was 1948 or 9. That would have made my mom around 30. Funny the things you remember. Though it was taken close to 70 years ago (Geez), I still remember that fence separating our drive way on Kenyon Avenue in Westchester, California and our neighbor’s house. It was block housing in those days. All the homes were about 900 SF and mostly looked the same. Built right after WWII. But the block was filled with so many kids around the same age. Wonderful to grow up with. When I think back now, I realize just how lucky I was. Happy Mother’ Day Mom! 14 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Virginia Beach photographer works with wildlife experts to capture close-ups of local wild animals By Kathy Van Mullekom Correspondent A wildlife cam is like reality TV. You just can’t stop watching it. Pam Monahan knows full well just how addictive those live cameras can be because she spent days upon days watching the eagle cam at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Strategically placed remote cameras capture the hour-byhour details of nest life, everything from mom and dad sitting on the nest to the eaglets hatching and feeding and finally leaving for good. “The eagle cam was simply captivating to me,” she said. “I learned so much about bald eagle life history and their challenges to survive. I actually saw the banding of the three eaglets in the 2009 nest on this live cam.” Monahan’s cam-watching led to volunteering with Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach SPCA Wildlife Program. Eventually, she discovered that bald eagles were congregating at the Honey Bee Golf Course in 2011. Local bald eagle expert Reese Lukei confirmed that HK from the botanical garden was building a nest at Honey Bee in 2013, and Monahan has been documenting his life there with her camera and blog ever since. HK’s life and the antics of other bald eagles are featured on a Facebook page called “Honey Beeagles,” and she blogs about HK, “Notes From The Nest” at http://hknotesfromthenest.blogspot.com. “You can find me at Honey Bee most days during nesting season, and very often throughout the year,” said Monahan. Monahan’s interaction with wildlife programs shows her how often local wildlife, especially mammals, come into conflict with humans and how misunderstood wildlife can be. “Humans are afraid of what they don’t understand, so often the solution to dealing with wildlife conflicts is just to kill the wildlife,” she said. “Both Evelyn Flengas of Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge and Sharon Adams, the Virginia Beach SPCA executive director at the time, are not afraid to stand up for wildlife. I try to take their lead and give our local wildlife a voice through my photography.” Bucket list of wildlife you have seen or hope to see? I finally was able to photograph a bobcat in the wild, twice in fact, which was a bucket list item for me. The sightings were within a couple of months of each other, which was really exciting. Favorite Virginia Beach spot to watch wildlife? Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, because it has such a diverse selection of wildlife in different natural habitats.
There are shorebirds, pelicans and gulls on the beach. There are many wonderful species of migrating waterfowl on Back Bay. Songbirds are plentiful in the wooded areas, and many different amphibians and reptiles are common in the ponds and along the boardwalks. Butterflies abound in the wildflowers. Mammals are more commonly seen there than in any other local place I visit. Why you love what you do? I love getting outside. I enjoy all the seasons and how wildlife adapts to the changes — from the squirrels gathering nuts to backyard bluebirds building in my nest box to butterflies nectaring on flowers. I am always surprised by something I see. To me, nature is a treasure box, because you never know what you will see when you go out and open the box. I give back to wildlife in several ways. I am a dedicated citizen scientist, and report my bird counts to eBird. I participate in the Center for Conservation Biology “Osprey Watch,” and report bald eagle nesting observations to them. I hand-raised more than 100 monarch butterflies from caterpillars for the Butterfly Society of Virginia in 2016. This summer, I plan to volunteer mentor my grandson at the Virginia Aquarium. If I see wildlife in distress, I stop and try to help — I cannot just put down my camera and walk by. The VBSPCA Wildlife line is a dependable way to get assistance; call 757-263-4762, and keep the number in your cell phone, please. Who inspires you? Reese Lukei, a volunteer research associate for the Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary, took me under his wing after I discovered that bald eagle “Azalea” was hanging out on my own neighborhood golf course, the Signature at West Neck. I got in touch with Reese and he confirmed it was indeed Azalea. I was thrilled. I saw her many times over the next couple of years and still religiously follow his CCB blogs. He is patient, kind, and gives generously of his time. Imagined photo of you on a perfect day? I would be sitting in the shade in an Adirondack chair across from HK’s nest, watching him feed his chicks while I sip a margarita. If you could be any wild animal? I would be a gray fox. Gray foxes are omnivores and are considered monogamous. They are very intelligent. The male helps the female in the rearing of their young, and they have a strong family unit until the young reach maturity. They can live just about anywhere and adapt. A little known fact is that they can climb trees. Picture by Dee Akrigh 15 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Papa Needs a New Pair of Shoes! See Golf Galaxy for special SALE pricing!
16 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
A Tribute to a sweet & loving friend Sadly, we were informed by Pam & Joe Monahan that they had to make the painful decision to put Mocha down.
Mocha’s pal Frodo will be heart broken for awhile but knows life for dogs goes on.
Mocha has played an important role in our magazine for many years - educating us, inspiring us, providing us a look inside a dog’s mind.
We’ll miss Mocha’s words of wisdom but know he’s out of pain, no more Vet appointments and will rest in peace.
Yes, Mocha was more than just an ordinary pooch. The stories Mocha told were important, not only for himself but for his friends - all living things. Especially those living at the S.P.C.A.. Mocha reminded us of what not to feed dogs or how often we should take them for a walk or what to feed them - Yes Mocha was a champion of all pets.
Mocha Monahan
If you’re so inclined, a donation in Mocha Monahan’s name to the S.P.C.A. would be most appreciated. 3040 Holland Road, VA Beach, VA 23453-2610. Here’s to you sweet Mocha. We shall all miss you!!!
WOOF!
Message from Mocha and Frodo
2017 Combo Associate Memberships ALL of 2017 for the low price of $299 or $29 per month* (Limited Combo Associate $199 year/$19 month*) Includes Heron Ridge, VB Nat’l & Riverfront Golf Courses Call For Details! (757)426-3800 17 VILLAGE NEWS May 2017
Happy Mother’s Day Mom! The Power of a Mother's Promise
H
ave you ever made a promise to God when you were terribly ill -- you thought you were going to die? Or when you were on the verge of bankruptcy? Or like my husband, when the roof of a huge chicken barn was collapsing because of the snow? Did you keep the promise? My husband did and so did Stacy’s mother. Heart touching story. “Twenty seven years ago my Mom made a promise that changed our lives forever”, says Stacy W. Now as a mother herself she sees the benefit of that promise unfold in her own life. On May 30, 1975 Stacy’s sister Carey was born. This completed a trio of girls. A week after Carey’s birth her Mom knew something was terribly wrong. Her left leg suddenly stopped working. As soon as she arrived at the hospital it was diagnosed as blood clots – two hundred of them! In her hospital bed her Mom had a conversation with God – something that had comforted her battered heart as a child. Life had been harsh during her earlier years. Now she turned to it again. “Oh God, I want to live to see my babies grow up and get married,” she prayed. “Please help me. I will do anything… I’ll… I’ll read the Bible…from cover to cover.” was her promise. As she recovered she acted on her promise. Starting in Genesis, she plodded through, thinking it could be understood only by men who wore stiff collars. In the book of Acts the question came up, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer was clear, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” She understood that Jesus had taken the punishment for everything she had ever done wrong. She responded to his call. She later told Stacy the truth about Santa Claus and replaced it with the story of Mary and Jesus. “This story is real,” she said. When Stacy was eight her Mom decided they
needed to go to church. They did, but it felt like a foreign culture to them. Her mother had another prayer, “God, if you really want us to go to church, you’re going to have to send one to our back yard. Three weeks later a short Norwegian pastor invited them to a new church starting up in a barber/beauty shop near their house. They went, but tried to stay invisible, but were soon surrounded and embraced by caring people. Mom grew in her faith and Dad and the rest of the family decided to follow Jesus too. Her parent’s lives were drastically changed. The time came when Stacy decided she wanted some freedom to “live it up a little”. She thought she’d come back after she’d had some time to do things her way. At 17 she indeed did decide to come back. God had protected her in spite of her bad decisions. When Stacy and her sisters married, their Mom relished in the weddings. God answered her prayer that she would see them wed, and choose mates who loved God. Her joy ballooned with the arrival of grandchildren, and when Mike and Stacy were expecting a baby they flew home to share the news in person. After some tests, a blood test came back indicating a genetic blood disorder that could cause clotting during pregnancy. Suddenly she was having a “high risk pregnancy”. Her Mom felt guilty: “How could I have passed this on to you?” she thought. But God intervened and prevented Stacy from suffering what her mother had. “Why was I singled out for so great a grace?” was Stacy’s response. On March 30, 2001 Stacy’s Mom witnessed the birth of Mike and Stacy’s son, Liam. She would also see how Stacy and Mike would tell him about God’s plan for his life. Stacy’s Mom saw the benefits of her earlier promise unfold before her eyes as her children and grandchildren chose to walk in the ways of the Lord.