Although many components of the Athenaeum’s transition have concluded, Miller said more changes are in the works for the library. For example, the 24-hour study area will be known as ‘the study’ and serve more functions. Accommodating the university’s transition to including e-textbooks in tuition, it will have additional computers, according to Miller, which will particularly benefit students who don’t have laptops to read their e-books.
Regarding textbooks in tuition, Miller said students will have the option to keep the book and refer to the notes they took within it to prepare for later use like licensure exams.
Miller said hopes for the Athenaeum have been realized, with one exception: “there was a hope that there would be a satellite location for a Starbucks.”
With the move from Lighthouse to Athenaeum, select Student Success offices moved from the Learning Center to the Lighthouse, making space for new resources in the Learning Center, such as a space designated for the neurodiversity grant from a year and a half ago.
In addition to this, Miller described development from Student Success in the form of grants designed for underrepresented student populations and added staffing for the department.
Miller spoke about opportunities with the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), a project he said three donor families collaborated on.
It will provide “the most modern and largest classrooms on campus,” Miller said. He also anticipates meaningful employment opportunities there for students while getting their degrees.
Iyonna Valentine, senior and current Art major, who will start the master of Education program at VWU this summer, said, “I am still excited about MOCA opening even though I'll have already graduated by the time it’s completed.”
Valentine said she believes the MOCA will “transform the way students, especially Art majors, experience art education.”
Miller spoke on how internship opportunities at the MOCA will support the newly added Master of Arts program in art leadership. For students getting both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in related programs, Miller said this is a resource that VWU students can benefit from.
Valentine said she hopes for “hands-on opportunities like internships, workshops with professional artists, maybe even chances to help with exhibits or community outreach, for students and maybe even alumni.”
In reference to another master’s program in progress, Miller said the university is adding Psychology, “because our undergraduate degree in Psychology has been so popular.”
Miller referred to Goode, MOCA, DeFord Manor, Birdsong Field and Coastal 61 as “a beautiful front porch”
for the campus. “Each of those facilities play a unique role in the types of programs that we offer to our campus community, and we’re proud of those developments,” Miller said.
“This summer, we’ll also be investing 10 million in some of the less visible projects on campus,” which Miller said includes replacing roofs, new heating and cooling systems, bathroom updates and basic upkeep. He said the intention is to complete the bulk of these projects while most of the residential population is not on campus.
In the realm of Marlin sports, Miller expressed excitement for Women’s Flag Football beginning their first season in Spring 2026, and explained why the university has not implemented men’s football. “We’ve always had the philosophy here that men’s football [...] drains resources, and if you want to watch college football, go watch it at a division one school. But we’re not going to drain our resources on it,” Miller said.
Regarding residence halls, there are planned projects that have yet to enter the implementation phase due to funding.
“At some point in the coming years, we’d like to build a new residence hall, somewhere around 128 beds,” which Miller said would likely be built on Rose Lawn. “But there will be a need in the coming years to look at something as the usefulness of Village One reaches its
maximum age and capacity.”
The reason this project has not been started, according to Miller, is because “we have to find funding for it, and we really haven’t identified any donors that are interested in supporting a project like that. So while we wait to do that, we continue to put money into upkeep of some of the older residence halls, primarily Villages One and Two.”
Additional townhouses in Honors Village are also part of the plan. “If you’re wondering why there's a grassy area from the back of the three on the parking lot side — that is designed for three additional townhouses to be added there,” Miller said. “So pre-stubbing for utilities is already there.”
This project’s start has not been seen for the same reason: “It’s a matter of finding the funding to build three additional residence halls,” Miller said.
“While a lot of schools in the west of Virginia [...] are struggling with enrollment issues, we’re not,” Miller said. “We’re not because we develop new, creative, innovative things that are what the students of the future are looking for.”
Noting that 104 of the top businesses in the country are in Hampton Roads, Miller said, “that means every student in every major, if they want an internship before they graduate, there’s an accessibility to these top businesses.” He said this access is deeply tied to the university’s success.
Pope Francis' impact
BY CLAY YOKOM kayokom@vwu.edu
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, passed away on April 21, Easter Monday. “It's sad he's gone, but [...] in a lot of ways, it was beautiful,” Marianne McMillin, a professional tutor with the Learning Center, said of the timing. He was known for his stance on LGBTQ marriage that allowed for same sex couples to be blessed and for expanding the power of women in the Catholic Church, though they are still unable to be ordained. These choices weren’t popular with the conservative sections of the Church, McMillin said. She heard some express disappointment that women were still not in positions of authority in the church.
“There are ways in which Pope Francis put a more human touch on issues, just as there are ways in which he affirmed traditional Catholic doctrine.”
Professor of Religious Studies
Eric Mazur
“There are ways in which Pope Francis put a more human touch on issues, just as there are ways in which he affirmed traditional Catholic doctrine,” Dr. Eric Mazur, professor of Religious Studies and Religion, Law and Policy fellow of the Robert Nusbaum Center, said. During his time as pope, Francis prioritized working with marginalized groups. “The thing I appreciate about the pope [...] is that he stood up for some important societal issues,” President Scott Miller said. “We’re in a better place as a result of him serving as pope.” Francis, “was seen as invested personally with the people — both parishioners and non-Catholics,” Mazur said. “His impact was to bring a sense of warmth to the Papal office, and that this impact would have been greater had he served in that office longer,” Mazur said.
The election for a new pope is in progress, and any baptized Roman Catholic man under the age of 80 is eligible for election, though there is a long set precedent for those elected to be cardinals.
The electors meet together in Rome and vote multiple times a day on the future pope, without contact with the outside world, and remain there until a two-thirds majority is reached. In the election, Mazur said there is speculation that the next pope may come from Africa or Asia, which would reflect Catholicism’s growing influence in Africa and may bolster its spread in Asia.
A common phrase mentioned by McMillin about the conclave is that ‘a cardinal that walks into the conclave expecting to be pope will leave a cardinal,’ which mainly is a warning against hubris and trying too hard to predict the next pope.
Virginia Wesleyan, which is affiliated with the Methodist church, has a substantial population of Catholics, according to Miller. “We serve all students,” Miller said, noting that campus ministries intentionally does not specify any particular denomination.
Elliot Fylstra|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
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“In the beginning, I was so focused on what is up to par with what art standards are, but then I was like, ‘I’m gonna take a step back and do my own thing,’” Valentine said.
Steering away from the hyper-realism drawings she started with, she got her inspiration from movies and songs instead. Valentine said she hopes to send the message to relax and not take life too seriously through her creations.
Looking to the performing arts, the Marlin Gems Dance Team began prepping for their spring showcase in November, spending time since August laying the groundwork of learning technique and team bonding.
“I definitely am excited to perform because we are really a family. When we’re at practice, we have fun and we laugh, and this is just like a big celebration for what’s been months of hard work,” senior Daryl Tucker, captain and founder of the Marlin Gems, said.
The showcase featured solos, duets and large group dances. They had a total of 11 dances, ranging in styles from contemporary to hip hop and jazz pieces. Tucker said this was their fourth annual showcase and her last. She said it feels different in many ways, some being that the group wasn’t as large as it has been in her time, and she handed off some choreographing duties to current dancers who are set to take over in the fall.
“I have been with a lot of these girls since they were freshmen, so not only have some of them seen me develop, but I’ve also seen a lot of the girls develop, not only as dancers, but as people,” Tucker said.
Last spring’s dance performance was held virtually, so for many of the dancers, this marked their first time performing live on stage. The dancer’s input helps create the flow of each show. Solo dancers choose a genre, then select from options curated by the captain, tailored to their style and strengths. For group pieces, they decide on the team’s vibe, whether serious, flowy or themed around a specific era, and Tucker builds her choreography from those requests.
The orchestra is a group consisting of cellos, violas, violins and flutes. The spring program, following a circle of life theme, started with the cheerful “Morning Mood” moving into the sneaky “Hall of the Mountain King”, with other music pieces being “Palladio” and “Can-Can.”
“Performing gives performers, not just myself, a sense of recognition for their hard work, because usually what people see is everyone in their pit blacks just performing this beautiful piece, but what they don’t see is going into a practice room at seven and leaving at two in the morning. I often do that,” Zack Chapman, concertmaster of the orchestra, said.
Chapman helps the orchestra with sight reading, rhythmic patterns and counting of the music. He also judges the difficulty of pieces to ensure the group will succeed in learning them.
Chapman said this semester, the orchestra focused on playing confidently together because of their small size.
“I always try to say that music is like one of the heart strings. There’s music, there’s
dance, there’s theater; and then there’s singing, and music can hit one of those strands. If the audience comes out of that concert hall and feels moved, then as the performer, you did your job,” Chapman said.
The Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Cory Franklin, had their spring concert including performances of Funk, Jazz and Latin music. The ensemble played the funk song “Chameleon” and the Latin piece “Moving and Grooving.” Franklin said the music is chosen based on the comfort of the students and audience participation.
“This group jelled the first time we conducted and that’s what made this class fun. They genuinely like each other and take constructive criticism from each other,” Cory Franklin, director of the Jazz Ensemble said.
Franklin said throughout the semester the group has grown to conduct rehearsals on their own if need be, including how to set up the stage and equipment. The ensemble also often offers input and ideas during the class for the concert, some even being used in the spring showcase.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Freshman violinist Zack Chapman plays at the Virginia Wesleyan Orchestra Spring Concert.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Sophomore drummer Luke Arters plays at the Virginia Wesleyan Spring Jazz Concert.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Freshman Bailey Grey plays the saxophone alongside other jazz musicians.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
The orchestra and jazz concerts happened in direct succession.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Junior Steven Medinets plays the vibraphone.
Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle
Members of the Marlin Gems Dance Team line up at their spring performance.
Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle Junior Isabella Grosswiler and senior Kaza Dayton perform a duet at the Marlin Gems Spring Showcase.
Transfer portal shakes up athletic world
BY SYDNEE WASHINGTON sawashington2@vwu.edu
With the removal of the one-time transfer exception rule, the transfer portal has been blown open, sucking in more athletes than ever before. Stories swirl about athletes transferring to their third school, teams losing their entire roster to the portal and teams building their entire roster through the portal. Transferring has become so prevalent that some athletes have to come out to inform the athletic world that they do not intend on entering the transfer portal to squash speculation. Paired with NIL opportunities, the transfer portal offers more options for athletes, especially at the DI level, but its impacts are rarely discussed at the DIII level.
When deciding to transfer, DIII athletes have two options. They can sign a self-release form which allows them to communicate with only another DIII school for 30 days without having to notify the school they currently attend. Any communication beyond the 30 days needs to be approved with another completed self-release form, and within seven days of the issuance of the second release, the school communicating with the athlete must notify the currently attended school of the communication. The other option is the transfer portal: an online platform where coaches have permission to contact any athlete in the portal. To enter the portal, the athletic director has to fill out a form in the portal that authorizes schools from any division to contact the athlete. All coaches at VWU have logins for the portal.
Men’s Basketball head coach David Macedo discussed the portal’s impact on recruitment for his program.
“For us, we do pay attention to it. We still recruit traditionally, but we were able to get two young men out of the transfer portal this past year that have been great additions, TJ East and Jeremiah Boetang,” Macedo said. “It’s something we look at because it is part of everyday recruiting now.” The portal has not been significantly disruptive for the program either.
“We’ve been very fortunate that the kids have enjoyed their experience. If we do have somebody that is not back with us, it’s usually just because they want to have an opportunity to play more elsewhere, and that’s fair because we keep a lot of guys,” Macedo said.
Although many athletes reach out to Macedo in hopes of joining his program, he prioritizes players that match the team’s culture.
“We’ve had a ton of kids contact us, and there’s a lot of kids maybe that might not be a great fit that we are real honest about,” Macedo said.
Athletic Director Andrea Hoover-Erbig is familiar with the effects of the portal. One of the biggest effects is the increased ease of transferring. “Before, if somebody wanted to try to go to division II or division I, we had
to send an email giving particular institutions permission to contact our student-athletes, so it definitely has streamlined the process,” Hoover-Erbig said.
As a result, Hoover-Erbig said she has seen an increase in DIII athletes using the portal to seek out better opportunities.
“It’s something we look at because it is part of everyday recruiting now.”
Men’s Basketball head coach David Macedo
“I think the other thing I see is people want to test the waters. They enjoy being here. They want to see what other options are out there,” Hoover-Erbig said.
Hoover-Erbig believes many athletes are drawn by the desire to play at a higher level or explore other options by putting their name in the portal.
Women’s Soccer player Camille Jernigan used the transfer portal to continue competing as a graduate student.
“The extra year of eligibility I received due to COVID-19 played a big role in my decision. Without that extra year, I don’t think I would have participated in the transfer portal,” Jernigan said.
The process was relatively easy for Jernigan.
“In my opinion, it really comes down to who you know,” Jernigan said. “My coaches at Longwood were incredibly helpful and guided me through the process. I’m really grateful for that because that is not always the case. Thanks to their connections, as well as mine, I was able to find the right fit for me at Virginia Wesleyan.”
Jernigan enjoyed her time as a student-athlete at Longwood University and did not feel the need to transfer during her undergraduate years. She credits this to her mom, who advised her to choose a college she loved devoid of sports.
Jernigan believes the overwhelming nature of the recruitment process is responsible for elevated transfer numbers in recent years.
“I think in today’s society, especially with social media, younger athletes can tend to feel rushed in the recruitment process. I think a lot of them take the first offer they get without really weighing all their options, and then they end up unhappy and wanting to transfer,” Jernigan
The attractiveness of the portal for unhappy athletes can be both good and bad, according to Jernigan.
“It gives them more control over their careers, especially when factors outside of their control, like coaching changes or personal circumstances, influence their decisions,” Jernigan said. “However, I think the portal can be harmful if athletes use it without fully thinking through their decision. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new opportunity, but athletes should consider the bigger picture. While the transfer portal can be incredibly beneficial, it should be used thoughtfully and not just as a quick fix when things don’t go exactly as planned.”
Overall, the changes in the transfer portal impacts DIII on a much smaller scale than at the DI level.
“I think at division I, the impact is a whole different ball game,” Hoover-Erbig said. “I think collegiate athletics, in my opinion, is the purest here at division III. People come; they’re not getting any scholarships. They’re playing because they love the game. I think division I, with the transfer portal and NIL, has blown up the four-year experience of being a student-athlete […] and so I think the negative impacts of the transfer portal, in my opinion, are seen much more at the Division I level than at the Division III level.”
Sydnee Washington|Marlin Chronicle
Elliot Fylstra|Marlin Chronicle
SportS
SportsHead|NBA playoffs
BY COY CAMISCIOLI clcamiscioli@vwu.edu
Eight teams remain in the hunt for the NBA championship as the first round came to an end this past Sunday. Perhaps the most
surprising storyline from the first round stems from the No. 3 seed Lakers losing the series to the No. 6 seed Timberwolves.
I was close to having a perfect bracket through round one, but the Nuggets’ defeat of the Clippers was my one mistake.
The next four series have the potential to go six or seven games, as all eight teams seem to have a legitimate case at a championship.
In the Western Conference, I think that the No. 1 seed Thunder will defeat the No. 4 seed Nuggets in seven games to advance but it is hard to doubt the championship experience of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets won it all two years ago against the Miami Heat.
The Thunder dominated the regular season earning a 68-14 record and seem to be a formidable contender even with such a young roster.
The league’s top MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Thunder and Nikola Jokic of Nuggets, will now get a chance to prove why they are the MVPs.
On the other side of the West, the No. 6 seed Timberwolves will face the No. 7 seed Warriors. The Timberwolves fell short of
their goal last year losing in the Western Conference Finals to the Mavericks.
As for the Warriors, four championships in the Stephen Curry era speak for themselves as they look to push the narrative of being the greatest dynasty ever.
I don’t think the Warriors have the size on the defensive side to contain the Timberwolves after watching the Lakers get exposed for their lack of size and I think the Timberwolves will win this series in five games.
If my predictions are correct, that would put the Thunder and the Timberwolves in the Conference Finals in which I have the Thunder moving on to the NBA Finals.
For the Eastern Conference, the No. 1 seed Cavaliers are facing the No. 4 seed Pacers. The Cavaliers have had a similar season to the Thunder with such a young team dominating the regular season and earning the No. 1 seed.
However, I think the Pacers are dangerous in transition and shooting the 3-ball which I think will propel them to the Conference Finals knocking off the Cavaliers in seven games.
In the other series in the East, the reigning
champion No. 2 seed Celtics will face the No. 3 seed Knicks. I think this could be an all-time series between the two historic franchises, but I do think the Celtics will prevail in seven games.
This would set up a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and Pacers. The Celtics swept the Pacers last year, but I don’t think it will be quite as easy to do it again.
I want the Pacers to win it, but I would have to take the Celtics winning in six games to set up an NBA Finals match between the Thunder and the Celtics.
This hypothetical series has all of the potential to go seven games, which would be the first time an NBA Finals series went to a game seven since 2016 when the Cavaliers defeated the Warriors.
I think if this series were to happen, the Thunder would defeat the reigning champs in seven games with Shai GilgeousAlexander winning Finals MVP. No matter how the bracket plays out, we are set for an epic finish to the 2024-25 NBA season.
Closing the chapter of collegiate athletics
Seniors weigh in on the process of moving on from their
As another school year comes to a close, senior athletes across the country are walking off the and track for the last time. For many, it is the end of a chapter filled with wins, losses, long practices and team memories.
Senior studentathletes juggle full academic schedules with intense team commitments, part-time jobs, community involvement and internships.
According to NCAA data, DIII athletes typically spend 20-30 hours per week on their sport during their season. These athletes play truly based on passion for the sport since there are no athletic scholarships at the DIII level.
Valuable memories from their sports will stay in an athlete’s mind throughout the rest of their life. “My favorite team memory was my walk-off home run against Ferrum my junior year. Walkoffs are always fun when you’re on the winning side of it. Seeing the team pile out of the dugout celebrating, I will forever remember that moment,” senior baseball player Nick Sylvester said.
Graduating student-athletes reflect on how being a part of their team here has added to their college life. “Being on a team gives you your own tight-knit community, lifelong friendships and something to keep your head up during off days,” senior swimmer Lauren Hendricks said.
One of the unwritten jobs of a senior athlete is to give advice to the younger teammates and the future players.
A piece of advice that Sylvester said he would give is to “embrace the memories you make with your team. Some of the guys on your team will be in your life forever.”
Additionally, Nick offered the advice to “take advantage of every opportunity you are given and leave it all out on the field.”
A senior’s last moment on the field, court, track or pool that they played at for the majority of their college career can be emotional, not only because it can feel like they are leaving their second home but they may also be leaving their sport behind.
athletic
SportsHead|F1 racing
BY
Formula One (F1) is in danger of losing its soul. With the announcement of yet another street race, this time in Madrid, it’s becoming painfully clear that F1 is steering itself into a corner.
The pinnacle of motorsport, known for its speed, intensity and legendary circuits like Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, seems to be turning into a traveling roadshow of tight, narrow street circuits devoid of any real character.
The Madrid Grand Prix, replacing the Circuit de Catalunya, is now the latest symptom of a trend that’s undermining one of the key facets that makes F1 special.
In fairness, not every street circuit is inherently bad. Monaco, despite all of its professional racing, is iconic. It’s the place to win. Even Las Vegas, despite all of its hectic and over the top nature, has produced some great races, particularly last year.
Yet, for every Vegas, there’s a Miami or a Baku where drivers end up spending most of the race stuck in a DRS train,
unable to overtake due to the narrow track and complete absence of any rhythm.
After the first lap or pit stop, the grid is practically set, save for a pit stop or rare move. Races should not rely on pit strategy for overtakes, the action needs to occur on track.
What’s even worse than just boring races is that many of the new circuits are visually and even technically sterile. The new Madrid layout, based on early previews, looks more like an oversized go-kart track than an actual grand prix circuit.
It’s squeezed through urban sprawl, built on uneven roads with barely any elevation change or corner variety. The track has no character, no history and certainly no soul.
Furthermore, the surface is a patchwork of different asphalt types, which are notorious for low grip and high tire degradation.
To be clear — Formula One is not Formula E. The essence of F1 is natural circuits, places like Interlagos, Monza and Suzuka, where drivers can fully embrace the most advanced cars on the planet. F1 cars are not built for 90-degree corners,
painted walls or 1 car-width sections like the Baku Castle section. Forcing drivers and their cars into awkward stop-start layouts stifles the very nature of the sport.
This isn’t emanating from a lack of circuits either: iconic tracks such as Hockenheimring, Nurburgring, Portimao or Kyalami are all missed by fans.
Any of these aforementioned tracks could be tweaked to produce better races, if that’s even necessary.
Yet, instead of watching an exciting race on an iconic track, we’re stuck trying not to fall asleep while watching Singapore or Abu Dhabi.
So why does F1 keep doing it? Money, mostly. Street races bring the sport to cities, maximizing exposure while minimizing infrastructure costs. Promoters and sponsors love it, but fans and drivers are growing weary.
Max Verstappen, for instance, described street circuits as the “worst experience.” It’s a lack of enjoyment with an increased risk of damage and injury for minimal racing payoff.
The magic of F1 isn’t just the spectacle:
McKenna Howenstine, Emilie Dajc & Eli Casey|Marlin Chronicle Collage of senior athletes from the 2024-2025 sports seasons.
Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
Strawberry season:U-pick at Flanagan Farms
BY BRIAN MADDEN
Imagine biting into a bright red strawberry that you picked yourself. Sounds delicious, right? If you visit Flanagan Farms at 1707 Princess Anne Road you won’t have to imagine. Flanagan Farms just opened their U-Pick strawberry farm about a week ago, so now is the perfect time to go.
Approaching the farm, it almost comes out of nowhere, as big fields and other farms surround the area.
The small shack where they sell their strawberries provides a great experience for customers. The process is extremely easy: they give you a small bucket and you go and roam the rows and rows of strawberry shrubs. When you’re finished, you pay at the shack and are on your way to enjoying the freshest strawberries you have probably ever eaten.
Flanagan Farms is family-owned by Roy and Jeanie Flanagan. They run the farm with their five children. Everything is about family to them. “I like the interaction between me and the customers, I see a lot of family and friends too,” Fletcher Flanagan, one of the daughters, said. The way they interact is genuine from the start. Even friends are part of this amazing atmosphere and seem like they are part of the family. “I started working here freshman year, two years ago,” one of the workers at the cash register, a family friend of the Flanagans, said.
The history of the farm goes back further than just Roy
the farm side rather than retail, said. “There is so much that goes into making sure you and I can go and have a wonderful experience picking strawberries. Some things may be simple compared to everything else,” Colby said. When asked about his favorite part about working at the farm Colby said, “driving the tractor.”
Flanagan Farms prides themselves on providing the best customer experience, which is evident as soon as you arrive. Freshness and quality at a fair price is what they try to provide.
and Jeanie. Currently farmed by the fourth and fifth generations, the farm started with more than fruits and vegetables. “We used to do turkeys for turkey killing, we would raise them and that was going on for like 100 years. But my parents started the strawberry farm, and I think they’ve been doing it for 27 years,” Fletcher said. The Flanagan family is equipped with experience spanning generations.
The farm’s location in Pungo Ridge is part of their success. Located in southern Virginia Beach, Pungo Ridge has rich soil perfect for growing fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sustainability is a big part of making sure that Flanagan Farms can provide at their best. As fourth and fifth generation farmers, they practice sustainability in their production. They follow integrated pest management, using the right treatment only for pests causing significant damage, whether that be chemical or biological control.
Though Flanagan Farms is a bit of a drive from campus, it is a great idea to check them out along with other farms or locations in the Pungo area. Flanagan Farms is a great place to get some fresh strawberries, enjoy the view or just spend some quality time with people close to you in an amazing family-friendly environment.
“We have a good climate for it because during the strawberry season, it’s actually hot enough,” Fletcher said. They grow a variety of fruits and vegetables from spring through to fall.
Preparation is a huge part in making sure the farm stays in good shape throughout their whole growing season. There is a whole process devoted to making sure the strawberries are ready to pick and grow correctly. “We laid it, covered it and then we put down fertilizer. And then we bed it with the fruit with the black plastic,” Colby Flanagan, who mostly helps out with
A Taste of Europe in Virginia Beach
something like that here,” she said.
Only 25 minutes away from campus, Granier European Bakery & Café brings a little bit of Europe to Virginia Beach.
With an extensive menu, Granier serves freshly baked European-style pastries and brunch options, including omelets, sandwiches, salads and fresh juices.
As customers enter the bakery, they are struck by the welcoming and elegant vibe of the place. A sign on the wall indicates popular European locations: London, Barcelona, Rome and Lisbon.
Tables for two on the left and outside, big tables in the middle, a three person couch with two armchairs in the corner, and an extensive display of pastries in the front. There’s a place for everyone, whether customers are bringing friends, family, a study group or just want to enjoy some time alone
The first Granier Bakery opened 15 years ago in Barcelona, Spain. With over 400 locations around Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, South America and the U.S., Granier strives to bring pastries, coffee and European breakfast around the world to their customers.
Open everyday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Virginia Beach location is the third in the U.S., the other two in Miami.
Gabriela Gonzalez, owner of the Virginia Beach location, said there are almost 400 Granier franchises just in Spain. “This is like the Starbucks over there,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said she fell in love with the concept after visiting Spain multiple times throughout the years. “We didn’t have
She opened the Virginia Beach locations three and a half years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to transition jobs.
America’s convenient drive-through coffee culture contrasts with how drinking coffee is viewed in Europe and other parts of the world, where it is characterized by a more mindful and social experience.
Senior Inès Pouliquen, an international student from France, said that Granier is a mixture of French coffee shop and bakery. Pouliquen said that in France “you actually have to take your time, take a coffee, sit at the table. You can stay two minutes to drink a coffee or two hours and no one would mind.”
Originally from Venezuela, Gonzalez said she tries to offer a coffee shop experience similar to what someone would find in Europe or South America.
Gonzalez said she had European customers ask her if they could “do what they do in Europe.” She said customers are happy to be able to take their time to drink a coffee or just talk for hours.
Granier’s pastries are made in Spain and shipped to the different franchise locations, ensuring a unique and authentic European flavor. “They ship it from Barcelona, and we bake it here. So that’s why the dough is different. It has less gluten, it’s less processed and it is amazing,” Gonzalez said. Even though the products come
frozen, Gonzalez said the products taste the same as in Spain.
Pouliquen tried a chocolate eclair to compare to the European version, and called it the best one she’s tasted in the U.S. “The dough is the same, and the texture is also the same as in France,” Pouliquen said.
She took some pastries home for her family to try, and they also thought the flavours were authentic.
The Virginia Beach location serves breakfast options, including different styles of eggs and croissant sandwiches. The runny egg croissant features crispy bacon, a runny egg and mixed greens.
The breakfast items are freshly made daily by their chefs. Gonzalez said having breakfast items is a way to Americanize the franchise, since those are not available in the Spanish locations.
With an extensive breakfast and brunch menu, Gonzalez said Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times at Granier. She said that the best time to come and stay for hours is during the weekdays or weekend afternoons.
Isabel Gardner, a student at Tidewater Community College, said she visits the bakery regularly.
“I really like it here. I think that the coffee’s always really good, and they have really good pastries, and the people who work here are really nice and it’s a good place to sit and work,” she said. Gardner said she usually goes in the afternoon to sit and do homework with her friend.
Gardner said her favorite pastries are the tiramisu and Granier’s flaky pastries, such as the Nutella croissant.
To ensure it stays authentic to the European style, the franchise follows certain standards.
Gonzalez said they need to use the Julius coffee, a brand from Vienna, Austria. She also said they need to buy Garnier pastries and use recipes that are given to them.
“I think those two elements make it very European,” she said.
She said the franchise owners are flexible about letting her try new menu items, such as new beer and wine options that Gonzales said have been well received.
In hopes to build an afternoon clientele, Gonzalez introduced a new afternoon menu called Midday Delights. The menu features tapas, small Spanish savory dishes, such as mini pizzas, focaccia bread and tortillas Españolas (Spanish omelettes).
Pouliquen said Granier positively surprised her, describing it as the closest place she’s been to that resembles a French experience.
Since Granier has been very well received at this location, Gonzalez said they are looking to expand to a second Virginia Beach location soon.
Gonzalez also said they are thinking about keeping this location open until 9 p.m. to satisfy customers that come in for dinner and want to stay longer.
Located near the oceanfront at Hilltop East Shopping Center, this spot is the perfect choice for everyone who enjoys a special coffee experience. The drive is worth it for the incredible pastries, authentic flavors and fresh products you will find there. If you ever feel like getting to know a little bit more about Europe, consider visiting Granier European Bakery & Café at 1544 Laskin Road. Returning customers can get a loyalty card and with 10 purchases they earn a free coffee and croissant.
Brian Madden|Marlin Chronicle Rows of strawberry shrubs ready to be picked by excited U-Pick crowds.
Brian Madden|Marlin Chronicle Baskets and baskets of summer strawberries.
Brian Madden|Marlin Chronicle Flanagan Farms U-Pick is an absolute mustsee in Pungo Ridge.
Mars Johnson |Marlin Chronicle
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
pastries
display at Granier European Bakery & Café.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle Make a beautiful day even sweeter with a treat from Granier.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle European-inspired chocolate eclair, nutella croissant and hot chocolates.
Sarah Richards |Marlin Chronicle
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle Granier’s breakfast menu pairs with their pastries and European coffee
Monday night blues uplift Norfolk
Tidewater Blues provides a community space of belonging through dance.
BY AIDEN CROGHAN & MJ MATTHEWS accroghan@vwu.edu & mjmatthews@vwu.edu
Amid the hustle and bustle of Norfolk every Monday night, something magical happens. Smack dab in the middle of the quaint and quiet Botetourt Gardens, Tidewater Blues throws down to the sounds of the greats in blues music, as well as contemporaries. In the Fred Heutte Center, a rebuilt ferry terminal now standing in the middle of Norfolk, common barriers to entry for gatherings of this sort are taken care of.
The night begins with a beginner’s lesson on blues dancing, and Tidewater Blues operates on donations only, no cover fee. Supportive people combined with the connectedness of blues dance make this one of the most community-feeling spaces to be found in the Tidewater area.
Today’s thriving Tidewater Blues group is the product of many passionate volunteers and a community of blues enthusiasts that have been in retirement since the previous Hampton Roads group, Siren City Blues, came to a close. “A lot of the organizers who were like, ‘We want to bring blues back, they danced when there was something called Siren City Blues, and it was here. It was very nostalgic when we got back into the Fred [Huette Center] because we were just dancing out by the Pagoda when the weather was nice,” Savanna Baltero, an organizer for Tidewater Blues, said.
“A big part of what we do is maintaining blues dancing in Norfolk and around Hampton Roads and trying to support live music. We are trying to get more connected in the live blues music that’s around, and seeing what’s danceable [...] because it would be so awesome to go in and blues-bomb places,” Baltero said.
It is evident how much care is put into making Tidewater Blues a mindful and inclusive space. “When I first started, it was kind of breaking through, where they were getting away from ‘men lead, women follow,’ and specifically trying to break that [gendered] language down,” Owl Motley, a longtime blues dancer and instructor at Tidewater Blues, said. “Nobody really knows that’s how it was supposed to be originally [...] if you go to other dance styles, it’s still very regimented.”
“We’re creating space to create community, to have community, but also to learn about the history and to honor the history,” Baltero said.
Tidewater Blues emphasizes the roots of blues in their introduction to newcomers. “We also focus on the education side, understanding where blues came from and all of the history behind it,” Baltero said. She quoted bluesman Willie Dixon: “The blues are the roots and other music are the fruits.”
The evolution of Tidewater Blues from its predecessor blues group has brought many changes, but kept the same electric energy. “We’ve tried to make a conscious
effort, especially over the past year or so, to really focus on traditional forms of Blues dancing and honoring the roots as a group — where this dance actually comes from, especially it being a dance that comes largely from African American culture,” Aaron Wright, a regular at Tidewater Blues, said.
Tidewater Blues embraces the many influences blues has had on music, so while dancing, you will hear traditional blues, along with jazz, fusion blues and even modern RnB. It’s easy to fall into a comfortable step with those around you, and just as easy to find a reason to stay with it. “Dancing and being able to move your body is hugely important for me… I tend to be pretty introverted in most other aspects of my life. This is a venue that helps me break out of my shell a bit, socialize and meet other people,” Wright said.
Though blues is a partnered dance, it can provide an outlet for self-expression. “The main thing I like about it is that the central thing about blues as a style is connection. It’s about dancing with the person that you’re partnered with and that’s a two-way kind of thing. In a lot of other dances, having a lead and follow designation is a lot more rigid. But in blues, when it’s working and functioning, both people keep their own style, they keep their own voices,” Joshua Simmons, who has been dancing with Tidewater Blues for nine months, said.
“I really like physical connection with people and this is a great way to do it –– sharing that kind of dance language with people,” Motley said. “It’s just really fun to dance with people.”
Dancing can also provide a moment of peace for people. “I come here not to think, I just listen to the music. I don’t think about what I’m doing, I just honor it,” Joshua Purnell, a longtime dancer at Tidewater Blues, said, comparing dancing to meditation.
Group instructor and volunteer organizer Nick Griffiths came to Virginia Beach looking for a blues group and found home with Tidewater Blues. “I came here, and I found that it was not only well established, but everybody here was kind and really engaged and loving it,” Griffiths said. “I just immediately dropped myself in.”
“Dance communities in particular live and die by their by the people that like prop them up,” Griffiths said. “It’s grassroots. Not a lot of people are really getting paid for this. It’s a labor of love, right?”
Griffiths’ admiration for the blues community is evident.
“There’s just so much buy-in and love and care that goes into keeping this alive. You can’t help but see when you come in, everybody just really appreciates everybody here and wants to dance and make sure this project works,” Griffiths said. “And that’s just such a cozy, ooey, gooey, lovey feeling. That’s why I keep coming here week after week.”
While many of those dancing Monday night had a
background in blues or Lindy Hop dancing, there were plenty of new dancers as well.
“This is one of the best, easiest places to fit in,” Motley said. “Just like with the music and diversity of dancing, there is a diversity of dancers.”
You can find Tidewater Blues at the Fred Heutte Center at 1000 Boutetort Gardens every Monday night. Beginner lessons start at 7 p.m., dancing starts at 8 p.m. — all are welcome.
Landon Crooks
|Marlin Chronicle
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Nick Griffiths (RIGHT) and Savanna Baltero (LEFT) at Tidewater Blues dancing with smiles on their faces.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Sophomore Editors Aiden Croghan and MJ Matthews dance alongside others to the soulful sound of blues.
