Suffolk Living March/April 2023

Cover photo submitted by Suffolk Tourism

Greeting the morning, a blanket of reds and oranges rise over the Nansemond River.

publisher's note mar-apr 2023

Bursting with color

EDITORIAL

Jen Jaqua Photographer

Rachel Austin Writer

James Robinson Writer

Stephen Faleski Writer news@suffolklivingmag.com

ADVERTISING

Lindsay Richardson Director of Advertising

Earl Jones Marketing Consultant

Dana Snow Marketing Consultant sales@suffolklivingmag.com

PRODUCTION

Troy Cooper Designer

ADMINISTRATION

Betty J. Ramsey Publisher

Hope Rose Production

Spring — a time of new growth, warmer days and plenty of sunshine. In our area we have already seen daffodils blooming and showing off their vibrant yellow, white and sometimes shades of orange. Of course, with warmer days and gentle rains, soon to follow are trees showing off their new coat of leaves and brightly colored flowers such as the ever lovely dahlias.

The Great Dismal Swamp is a real gem filled with wildlife, rare plants, even a 900-year-old cypress tree and sits squarely in our neck of the woods. In this edition Rachel Austin spoke with Theresa Earls, Suffolk’s tourism development manager about and The Great Dismal Swamp and National Wildlife Refuge. For almost 20 years Suffolk Tourism has offered a safari to explore the swamp where participants usually see turtles, deer beaver lodges and dams and sometimes even a black bear foraging for berries. Gracing this month’s cover, the full story starts on Page 14 where you will want to turn to find out more about this treasure and maybe plan your own expedition or safari in the near future.

Robert Rhodes captured some of the best scenery this spring has to offer during his morning workouts while kayaking and biking through Suffolk. Turn to Page 24 for this month’s Thru the Lens.

Of course, there are more stories within these pages and we hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. As always, we are deeply appreciative of the many advertisers and readers, whose support makes Suffolk Living magazine possible.

Betty Ramsey, Publisher

Oh yes, it’s coming! Summer, graduations, wedding and vacations! But not before the Bodacious Bazaar, where there is something for everyone! 250 quality Vendors, Artists, Crafters and local businesses. Take a break from shopping and try our wonderful Virginia Wineries and Distilleries hosted by the Bodacious Bombshells where you can do tastings, and buy by the glass. They are all waiting just for you.

what to do

Send us your news

To submit your calendar or news item, simply email it to: news@suffolklivingmag.com

APRIL 1

Calling all Patsy Cline fans! Award-winning actress/singer/songwriter Katie Deal soulfully embodies country icon Patsy Cline. The show will take place at 8 p.m. at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Deal positively mesmerizes on classic hits including Walking After Midnight, I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and many more! Tickets are $28 to $42.

APRIL 5, 19, 22; MAY 10, 20; JUNE 7, 21, 24

Join the Great Dismal Swamp Safari and see that the swamp is anything but dismal. The narrated Swamp Safari is a four-hour tour led by a biologist specializing in the unique habitat of the swamp. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation and wildlife with this adventure that includes a brief walk to Lake Drummond. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes and explore the Great Dismal Swamp.

APRIL 15; MAY 20; JUNE 17

Victorian Suffolk: Dying To Be There, a Guided Discovery of Cedar Hill Cemetery

MARCH 4 THROUGH APRIL 14 Join

through

open to the public.

is a 75-minute walking tour that explores the hidden meanings buried in Suffolk’s Historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The tour features Victorian-era symbolism, burial practices, funerary industries and mourning rituals. This intriguing and educational excursion is set to highlight how the residents of Suffolk both lived and died in the 19th century. Cedar Hill Cemetery is more than two centuries old, with roots that harken back to the founding of Suffolk. With keen eyes and curious minds, this tour will bring into focus the fascinating world of Victorian America, their obsession with death, dying and living beyond the grave.

APRIL 18; MAY 16; JUNE 20

Storytime at the Station has returned to the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. Come from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to take part in this interactive program featuring a different transportation-themed book each month followed by the opportunity to explore the museum and a take-home activity.

APRIL 22

Keep Suffolk Beautiful and the Suffolk Art League have teamed up to host the 2023 Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival on Earth Day, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., outdoors at the Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church located at 3488 Godwin Blvd. This outdoor festival will feature live music, face painting, local food, family-friendly activities, and local vendors. The Suffolk Master Gardeners will hold a large plant sale and be available to answer questions to share their gardening expertise.

APRIL 22; MAY 20; JUNE 24

Hometown Heroes Tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery is a 60-minute walking tour that highlights and honors the graves and memorials of soldiers from Suffolk and old Nansemond County who died in combat during the two World Wars, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The tour starts at 11 a.m. and departs the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 N. Main St. Cost is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors, military, and children.

what to do

APRIL 22; MAY 20; JUNE 24

Join the Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour to see Suffolk through the eyes of years gone by! Suffolk’s rich heritage dates back to the early 17th century when Captain John Smith first encountered the Nansemond Indians on the Nansemond River. Guided by a Suffolk historian, you meet the people and places that made Suffolk the city it is today. Highlights of this windshield tour include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Constant’s Wharf, College Court and Suffolk’s Historic Lakeside neighborhood. Transportation via Suffolk Tourism’s bus, which boards at 1:55 p.m. Masks must be worn while on the bus.

APRIL 22; MAY 20; JUNE 24

Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk is a hair-raising encounter with the spirited side of Suffolk. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street discovering stories, legends and “unexplained occurrences” by lantern light. Tales of unsolved mysteries and

unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk’s historically hip Ghost Walk.

April 22; May 20; June 24

Cedar Hill Cemetery Stroll is set at the official Virginia Civil War Trail site. Cedar Hill Cemetery has long been an attraction for history buffs and even walking groups. The Suffolk Division of Tourism offers a guided stroll through the pleasant 32acre cemetery, rich in history and natural beauty. The 75-minute daytime tour offers unique insights into Suffolk’s heritage as tour goers traverse the cedar-lined terrain dotted with timeworn headstones.

April 23

Kayak Excursion of Nansemond River is set for Constant’s Wharf, located on the Nansemond River. John Constant founded this important trading center and village known as Constant’s Warehouse, which would become the Town of Suffolk in 1742. Guided kayak excursions are facilitated by a water adventures outfitter with years of experience. All equipment is included

with the registration fee. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable clothing are recommended; you are encouraged to bring a snack and bottled water.

April 23

Come celebrate with an exceptional afternoon of harmonies and melodies. The Spring Choral Fest welcomes the Chowan University Singers from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Suffolk Center for Cultral Arts. This community event will also feature Suffolk Public School’s Center for Performance and Production Arts choral ensembles.

April 29

The third annual Tea Tasting & Spring Plant Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion, in honor of Historic Garden Week in Virginia. There will be tea tastings and pastries available for purchase, along with teapots, teacups, and packaged teas; in addition, seedlings, plants and flowers will also be available for purchase. Enjoy live music! This is an outdoor event.

Drizzle or Shine, the Winter Farmers Market goes on

Despite the light rain forecast and cold temperature, Suffolk’s Winter Farmers Market saw many locals come out to buy fresh produce and unique goods from participating vendors. From Italian cuisine, coffee supporting veteran mental health, and even soaps and fragrances based on coffee and Fruity Pebbles, the market had a variety of goods for the community.

Nicole Pianezze of La Cucina di Milania participates in the market, selling a variety of fresh Italian cuisine — homemade pasta, marinara sauce and even mozzarella balls. With six years working in the food truck business, Pianezze discussed how her food affects the Suffolk community.

“The way that we feel, because we’re Italian, family is everything. Friends are everything,” said Pianezze at the market. “So most memories are made over good meals and conversations are made over good meals. And so that’s where I feel like that’s an impact.”

Jenn Martinez, wife of the owner of Coffee of Valhalla, is another market vendor. The beans are roasted the day it is shipped to be the freshest coffee it can be.

Martinez discussed the origin of the coffee business and the “passion project” recently started by her husband.

“He served in the Navy for 17-and-a-half years,” Martinez said. “While he was serving, he was always down range in Afghanistan and he never had a good cup of coffee. So he had a friend of his send him a bag that was, he said, ‘The best cup of coffee even though it was just the beans.’”

Martinez said in order for him to grind it, he had to use rocks.

“He ground the beans between two rocks,” she said. “Between all the hair, the dirt and the pebbles from the rocks, he said it was the best cup of coffee he ever had.”

After getting out of the Navy and working a few odd jobs, Martinez’s husband started Coffee of Valhalla. The company takes 50% of the proceeds to donate towards “Stop Soldier Suicide.”

“He’s seen a lot of death, not just in his career, but even afterwards,” Martinez said. “Mental health is very close and near and dear to his heart. So he wants to be able to give back to his veteran community.”

Elizabeth Crawford was at the market selling soap and fragrances from her Lizzie’s Lathers Soap Studio. A former paralegal, Crawford gave up working after having her child. She talked about how she spoke to her husband one night about starting up a soap business.

“And I sat straight up and I looked at my husband and See MARKET page 12

Nicole Pianezze of La Cucina di Milania helps a member of the 7th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line Revolutionary War Reenactors at the Farmers Market.

Story and photos by James W. Robinson

I said ‘I want to make soap’ and it was very weird, it was just this weird thing. And he looked at me and was like ‘...Alright, do it then,’” Crawford humorously reflected. “So, I spent the next couple months really researching because you’re using sodium hydroxide and lye and stuff like that. I started real slow in making lip balms, selling that to get the supply money for the soaping. And then I made my first batch of soap and it was history.”

Crawford discussed how she uses only four ingredients for her main base — shea butter, olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil. After the lye comes in and the colors come through, the fun begins for Crawford.

“It’s mostly just a basic ingredient, so you don’t have a lot of stuff that can flare your skin or do any harm at all,” she explained. “They’re

very mild. I also like to get honey from local vendors and farms and I put honey in my soap.”

Brandy Roberts, chief executive officer of Edible Arts by Brandy, shared the story behind the shop she started 10 years ago to raise money for her son as a single mother.

“Being that I have a graphic design background, I was researching on YouTube and found out that you could do art on cookies. So I self taught myself how to bake cookies, trial and error for a little bit. They were a little ugly,” Roberts said, with a laugh. “I just started doing YouTube videos and learning. It was kind of like I was just doing it part-time because I was still working.”

About two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she went full-time.

“We started with the cookies, then with

COVID, we decided to add something because we couldn’t just have the cookies out,” she said.

With a focus on food within containers during the pandemic, Roberts and her business tried having cake jars. This became a hit with recipes such as strawberry shortcake crunch and lemon crunch. Roberts also brought new additions to the business with drinks such as lavender lemonade and other snack foods that made her sugar cookie business into a “full-blown treat” business.

Roberts said she enjoys bringing happiness to her customers.

“We love to see the expression on our customers' faces,” Roberts said. “We want to bring them happiness and joy, and it’s not always about the money with us. It’s just making them satisfied, and I love doing that.”

Top left, Renee Visicaro of A Slice of Heaven sells delicious desserts and bakery for Farmer’s Market visitors. Left, JC3 Family Farm also provides fresh farm produce for the Suffolk Farmer’s Market. Above, Brandy Roberts, CEO of Edible Arts by Brandy poses with her food truck affectionately named “Cookie” at the Winter Farmer’s Market.

Suffolk Business Women held its Christmas meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was the last meeting of 2022, with a dinner, Secret Sister gift exchange, great friendship, laughter and great year of inspiration, fundraising and accomplishments.

Exploring the wildlife and history of the GREAT DISMAL SWAMP

Suffolk has a lot to offer both visitors and locals. The city has various shops, diverse eateries and a variety of events that provide something for everyone. Despite its downbeat name, there is another not-so-hidden gem many folks pass right by, the Great Dismal Swamp.

The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge offers a unique expanse that visitors from all over can visit to see its wildlife, rare plants and learn about its unique history. For nearly 20 years, Suffolk Tourism has taken willing participants on a safari to explore the swamp in the best way possible, with a narrated tour.

The Great Dismal Swamp Safari is one of Suffolk Tourism's more popular tours as it runs multiple times a month. The tour starts at the Suffolk Visitor Center on North Main Street where folks can view the Great Dismal Swamp Gallery which holds a variety of preserved animals, historic and wildlife information. Then the tour-goers load up on the bus to go down to Lake Drummond to see what they learned up close.

“Tours are approximately three hours and is full of fun and information,” said Theresa Earles, Suffolk’s tourism development manager. “It isn’t guaranteed that wildlife will be seen but participants usually see turtles, deer, beaver lodges and dams and lucky tour-goers may even see a black bear foraging for berries.”

During the three hours, folks aren’t sitting on the bus the entire

Story by Rachel Austin

While touring the Great Dismal Swamp, folks should look at the logs in the water to see if they spot any turtles bathing in the sun.

There are numerous boardwalks located in the Great Dismal Swamp to allow visitors to get a closer look at the plants and wildlife that call the swamp home.

Penny Lazauskas explains to a tour group about the various plantlife found in the Great Dismal Swamp.

SWAMP continued from page 14 time. When they sign up, folks are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes as they have a chance to walk around the boardwalks to get a closer look than behind the bus windows.

While on the bus, the tour-goers will hear from Great Dismal Swamp expert and tour guide Penny Lazauskas. Lazauskas leads numerous tours of the Great Dismal Swamp to teach others about the nature around them and how to preserve it through education and understanding. While on the bus and walking the boardwalk, Lazauskas gives interesting educational information about native wildlife, habitat preservation and the vast history of the Swamp.

Many may think of the swamp as just a murky collection of water and trees, but as the tour says “the Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal.” While in the swamp, folks can see a 900-year-old cypress tree among other native and rare plants. Although they are not always active, tour-goers can try to spot black bears, river otters, bobcats, snakes, frogs, lizards, salamanders, turtles and over 200 species of birds.

“For most tour goers, the realization that this incredible wilderness still exists and provides so many opportunities for visitor engagement is a welcome surprise and a treasured experience,” said Earles.

Along with its wildlife, the swamp holds a fascinating history. During the tour, folks will be able to see where African-Americans during the time of slavery in the southern United States used the swamp to escape to freedom. While walking the boardwalks or driving the path, tour-goers can imagine what it may have been like for those people to travel through to swamp or choose to call it home as some remained in the swamp to live a life of freedom.

From nature lovers to history buffs, this tour has something for everyone as the whole family is welcome to participate. The bus only allows for 14 passengers each tour and fills up quickly. For those who can’t get enough of the swamp, Lake Drummond is also known as a great place for photography, running and hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing and kayaking.

“Throughout the years, other specialty tours have been added to our Great Dismal activities including guided nature walks, Underground Railroad Pavilion tours and kayak excursions of Lake Drummond,” said Earles. “We find the best way to truly explore the Great Dismal is with an educated and entertaining expert on an official tour via Suffolk’s Tourism office.”

Above, on the Underground Railroad Pavilion, visitors can learn more about the slaves who used the swamp to gain their freedom. Below, there are numerous boardwalks located in the Great Dismal Swamp to allow visitors to get a closer look at the plants and wildlife that call the swamp home.

Taraski looks back on over a decade of service

Protecting Suffolk’s waterways is a passion for Dr. Elizabeth Taraski. After 12 years of advocating and educating, she stepped down on March 30, from her position as CEO of the Nasemond River Preservation Alliance (NRPA).

In 2010, Taraski had worked in the University sector for around 20 years and was looking for an opportunity to do more service. She loved the outdoors and while living in New Jersey, working with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, she lived near the Great Dismal Swamp and would visit with her children when they were young.

Taraski had moved down to Suffolk from New Jersey in 1998 and had always wanted to lead an environmental organization and help it grow. One day while on the golf course, a

board member from the NRPA invited her to do exactly that.

NRPA was started in 2009 to protect the local waterways in Suffolk and the board earned its 5013(C) in August 2010. Taraski came on board shortly after in October 2010.

“I’m not a founding member, but I’ve been an active one,” she said. “It’s been a great opportunity to work with the wonderful board members.”

The organization has its focus on Suffolk as it is both experiencing economic expansion and is by the Nansemond River and Chesapeake Bay. NPRA wants to encourage both economic development and environmental stewardship.

Many of their projects focus on education as they raise public awareness and encour-

age environmental stewardship of the nearby waterways. Taraski helps spread the word to get all citizens involved in their part of keeping the waterways clean. According to Taraski, the work they do is mostly preventive and she hopes to keep it that way.

“I want to make sure that the next generation has an opportunity to enjoy all the things that we have today,” she said.

To do this, Taraski led various projects to help, including getting the monthly water sampling for their report. Each month, NPRA would collect samples to check how the waterways are doing and create a report card to keep everyone up to date on what was happening at various levels. According to Taraski, taking folks on this trip was a great way to expose them to what they are trying to save.

See TARASKI page 19

Story by Rachel Austin

Dr. Elizabeth Taraski, president and CEO of the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, and Mike Kelly from Suffolk Parks and Recreation participate in a clean-up day at Bennett’s Creek Park where Suffolk citizen volunteers creating a Shoreline Buffer by planting native trees and plants to decrease stormwater runoff into the Nansemond River.

Other projects include work at their conservation site at Sleepy Hole Park. Since more development means more runoff can get into the waterways, these workshops at the park would educate folks about the native plants, bushes and trees. Native plants grow better as they do well with the local soil and climate and plant life can help reduce runoff and keep the rainwater in the soil. Part of the educational process is sharing this with the home and business owners who are located on the water.

Other projects include oyster gardening, providing resources and working with students in the schools to create a new generation mindful of the environment. All this happens due to various businesses, individuals, civic organizations and government agencies partnering with the NPRA.

“We work with wonderful and talented people with over a thousand volunteers and a really talented board,” said Taraski

Looking ahead, NPRA hopes to partner with more people and organizations. Taraski hopes the new CEO, Beth Cross, will be able

See TARASKI page 20

Ralph L Howell, Jr , DDS I R Leroy Howell, Sr , DDS C Danielle Howell, DDS I Melissa L Kovacevic, DMD

Dr. Elizabeth Taraski, president and CEO of the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, loads the bagged oysters for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation with Teresa Mullins, owner of Decoys Seafood.

TARASKI continued from page 18

Karla Smith, Chair, NRPA Environmental Committee, Elizabeth Taraski and Max Batholomew, Dominion Energy lead a group of seventh grade students on the NRPA Environmental Boat Trip along the Nansemond River educating them about the waterways and best practices to protect the river and creeks.

TARASKI continued from page 19

to expand and collaborate with churches as the goal is to get everyone involved in saving the local waterways.

After stepping down Taraski looks forward to spending time with her five grandchildren. They don’t live locally so she hopes to stay available to go see them whenever she can. She also owns her own nonprofit consulting business and plans to do that part-time. In her free time she looks forward to playing golf and playing pickleball when she can.

“It’s been rewarding,” said Taraski looking back at her time with the NPRA. “Suffolk has a bright future. There are so many individuals who care about Suffolk and are passionate to work for that bright future and I’m confident it will happen.”

where am I?

In each edition the Suffolk Living staff provides a challenge of sorts, testing how much of Suffolk you really know. We photograph some location in Suffolk that is readily accessible and open to the public, and see if you can tell us where it is.

If you know where this photo was taken, submit your answer, along with your name and contact information to news@suffolklivingmag.com. If you’re right, you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card.

So, if you know where this is, let us know. If you’re right, you could be a winner.

Go out and enjoy Suffolk!

scenes

St. Patty's Parade

Suffolk residents enjoy nearby Smithfield’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. PHOTOS BY STEPHEN FALESKI.

The Moyers family of Chesapeake watches the parade with the Robinson family of Carrollton.

Jen Eckerle, Frederick Jones and Kai and Kendrick Jones, all of Suffolk

Dancers with Dynamic Movements, a Suffolk team, perform.

Health Fair

suffolk scenes

The Links Inc. an international non-profit organization, held its first Black Family Wellness Expo Saturday, March 18 at the East Suffolk Recreation Center. PHOTOS

Suffolk VA Chapter President of Links, Inc. Vicki C. WigginsPittman gives a speech to attendees of The Wellness Expo held at the East Suffolk Recreation Center, Saturday March 18.

Eastern Virginia Medical School Student Abhinav Sahu and Fatima representing EVMS

Sherryann Brown and Keva Newsome of the Suffolk Redevelopment Housing Authority provide support for those in need of housing.

Shanice Hatfield of the Western Tidewater

Sonji Hairston and Allison Copeland of Links provide bags and raffle tickets for prizes at The Links Wellness Expo.

BY JAMES W. ROBINSON

Boy Scouts

suffolk scenes

Celebrating 100th anniversary. PHOTOS BY JAMES W. ROBINSON.

Troop 1 Scouts and Scoutmasters, past and present, join together to celebrate the organization’s 100 anniversary.

Troop 1 Eagle 1986 Scott Sherard reflects on his scouting experience and how it helped his future work in the Navy.

Scoutmaster Robert N. Baker, III and Troop 1 Scouts present the Scout Oath.

through the lens: Robert Rhodes

Rows of shocked (stacked) peanuts drying in the

In all its glory a yellow dahlia brightens the day.

Between the bridges on Bennett's Creek.

A pelican takes flight.

sun.

Sunrise on Nansemond River.

Last edition’s Where Am I?

Hopefully as the weather turns warm everybody will visit our local parks. Nobody guessed the toes on the statue of children reading included in our last Where Am I? challenge. This cute statue can be found in the Bill Jessee Park in the Riverfront community in Harbor View. Find this month’s challenge on page 21.

BUSINESS BLOCK: The main business block of Washington Street took the name Washington Square. This area suffered terrible fires in 1885 and 1888, so most of the buildings shown were built after that time. Some of Suffolk’s oldest and finest businesses were on that block as was the office that produced this postcard.

— COURTESY OF “SUFFOLK IN VINTAGE POSTCARDS,” SUFFOLK-NANSEMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY