Washington the Magazine Nov.-Dec. 2017

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A PLACE CALLED HOME: Beaufort County, from the Big League to world - class collections

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 1

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Left to right: Anthony Canino, MD, Bonnie Corley, MD and Jake Shaffer, MD

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IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES & DEPARTMENTS FINDING THE LIGHT

IN EVERY ISSUE

26

8 10 22 46 50 56 60 62 66 67

BALANCING ACT: Restoration of the old to create something new

26 HAPPY HOLIDAYS 32

CHRISTMAS CHEER: Resident spreads joy from home

Publisher’s Note The Scene What's in Store Cast a Line What's to Eat Calendar Word on Wine Dining Guide Why I Love Washington Advertiser Index

32 LIFE'S PASSION 36

ONE LIFETIME: An unusual collection brings untold happiness

36 BIG LEAGUE, SMALL TOWN 42

42 6 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

TWINKLE ON THE DIAMOND: Zimmerman makes his hometown proud

ON THE COVER These ornaments sparkle on one of several Christmas trees in Linda Lancaster’s home.

They hold a special meaning, however, as most of them were handmade by Lancaster herself.

See CHRISTMAS CHEER, page 32.

[PHOTOGRAPH BY MEREDITH LOUGHLIN]

Publisher Ashley Vansant Editorial Kevin Scott Cutler Caroline Hudson Michael Prunka Vail Stewart Rumley Mackenzie Tewksbury Contributors Richard Andrews Nancy Bowen Advertising Director David Singleton Marketing & Sales Theresa Futas Thomas Hall Cecilia Prokos Amy Whitaker Distribution Sylvester Rogers Art Direction Elizabeth Reed Contact information Washington the Magazine P.O. Box 1788 Washington, NC 27889 Advertising inquiries 252-946-2144 Ext. 221 Subscriptions & change of address 252-946-2144 Washington the Magazine is published six times a year by Washington Newsmedia, LLC. Copyright 2016, Washington Newsmedia, LLC

NOTE FROM ASHLEY

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IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE A WASHINGTON CHRISTMAS

ll-star first baseman Ryan Zimmerman finished the 2017 season as one of the best players for one of baseball’s best teams.

When professional baseball returned to D.C. in 2005, Zimmerman was the first pick of the Washington Nationals. He’s been the face of the franchise ever since.

Zimmerman is clearly a favorite son in the nation’s capitol, but he also has a local connection. Pay attention and you’ll see it right there on the scoreboard during a game at Nationals Park. You might find it in his bio flipping through the media guide or see it when you turn over his baseball card.

Ryan Zimmerman, the pride of modern-day Washington, D.C., baseball, was born in Washington, North Carolina.

It’s safe to say Zimmerman has done plenty to make Washington — both “big and little” — proud.

In preparation for a Washington the Magazine feature, sports editor Michael Prunka and I covered a late-summer game at Nationals Park. The game was delayed by rain, and shortly after it resumed, one of Zimmerman’s teammates, and one of the brightest young stars in all of sports, Bryce Harper, injured his knee after slipping on a wet first base bag. He would go on to miss much of the remaining season.

Fortunately, Harper returned to the field for the playoffs, but the incident clearly rattled players in both dugouts and served as a stark reminder of just how fragile sports careers can be.

When it comes to Ryan Zimmerman, his legacy is built on a solid foundation both on and off the field. Inspired by his mother’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Ryan created the ziMS Foundation, an organization that has raised millions of dollars and unmeasured awareness for MS. Read more about Washington’s diamond on the diamond on page 42.

From a modest studio in Hyde County, Alison Ellis turns glass and zinc into works of art. Her creations can be found in local homes or featured at festivals on the Outer Banks. Go inside the Green Heron Glass Studio on page 26.

Kathleen Allen’s Aurora home holds a collection of more than 2,000 dolls. And each of them has a story. The 95-year-old treasures the dolls and memories alike.

Share in some of them on page 36.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Beaufort County, perhaps nowhere more than the Washington home of Linda Lancaster. Decorations begin as early as July for the “Christmas Lady.”

Celebrate the season in yuletide style on page 32.

As the holiday season approaches, I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving, a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Ashley Vansant, Publisher

We would love to hear what you think about Washington the Magazine. Email us at news@ Write thewashingtondailynews.com or write to P.O. Box 1788, Washington, NC 27889. Letters chosen for publication to us may be edited for length and clarity. All submissions become the property of Washington the Magazine.

8 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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THE SCENE READERS' CHOICE AWARDS The Washington Daily News held a party Sept. 7 honoring local businesspeople for their achievements in the 2017 Readers' Choice Awards.

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THE SCENE AOP ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Arts of the Pamlico hosted its anniversary celebration and annual meeting Sept. 15, from 6–7 p.m. at the Turnage Theatre in Washington. Guests enjoyed a reception and entertainment by the Steve Creech Jazz Band.

Following the annual meeting, AOP kicked off its Marquee Film Festival with a showcased film at 7:30 p.m.

Bill and Jonell Barbara

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Pat and Charlie Brown

14 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 15

THE SCENE DR. DENNIS A. O’NEAL DINING IN THE DARK GALA The Blind Center of North Carolina hosted its fourth-annual Dr. Dennis A. O’Neal Dining in the Dark Gala on Sept. 9 at The Washington Yacht & Country Club. Guests enjoyed dinner, a live and silent auction and some guests even tried to eat dessert blindfolded to simulate what blindness would feel like. The Blind Center’s “Fight for Sight” campaign was revealed.

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16 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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THE SCENE PICKIN’ ON THE PAMLICO Hundreds gathered on the Washington waterfront Sept. 23, for the annual Pickin’ on the Pamlico celebration, from 6–10 p.m. at Festival Park.

The event featured guests’ choice of seafood, including the Pamlico’s fresh blue crabs, or fried chicken. The Main Event Band entertained the crowd. Pickin’ on the Pamlico serves as a fundraiser for the Washington Harbor District Alliance.

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18 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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Washington WRITTEN BY MACKENZIE TEWKSBURY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH REED

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Get into the season with these festive ornaments from Nauti Life in downtown Washington. They will make your tree sparkle with style this Christmas. (a.) Crab ornament, $11.95, (b.) Joy to the World and (c.)North Carolina ornament, $12.95.

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22 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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24 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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FINDING LIGHT

BALANCING AC Hyde County glass artist restores the old, creates the new STORY AND PHOTOS BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY

T

he walls are covered in words. Some are brash; others, accepting. Some are political; others philosophical.

They are both original and quoted from other voices.

In many ways, they define a space dedicated to a lost art — and define the artist, herself.

Tucked back amid low-lying fields of Hyde County is the Green Heron Glass Studio. It’s an unprepossessing space, a ramshackle outbuilding where Alison Ellis turns glass and zinc into works of art. Color defines her work, from sunset scenes and undersea life, to custom-made pieces depicting flowers and wildlife, local landscapes and even shrimp trawlers. They come in all shapes and sizes, in windows, doors, tabletops and lampshades. Some are small enough to hang by suction cup in a window; others are immense — such as the barn door she created in sinuous shades of earth tones for Belhaven resident Ricky Keech’s home.

Ellis didn’t find glass; it found her.

“It was just supposed to be a summer job between colleges, and I fell in love with it. I could see myself doing it for the rest of my life,” she said.

26 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

CT

A custom piece evoking a sunset beach scene is held aloft to the light at artist Alison Ellis’ Hyde County studio. (Facing page) Ellis works on restoring an antique lead-glass window, replacing original lead with zinc, a harder metal.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 27

The job was with Darling Restoration Glass Studio in central Pennsylvania, where she worked restoring lead glass pieces that had deteriorated over time: cutting glass, replacing lead with the stronger metal of zinc, glazing and caulking and sealing the restored product back in place.

“None of it is rocket science or brain surgery, but it does require a decent set of hands, patience and the right mindset,” she laughed.

But Ellis found she was more interested in the creative side of glass.

“It ended up being like too much of a

28 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

construction job to do it full time. … I have been 60 feet in the air, on I don’t how many layers of scaffolding, hauling up 60 pounds’ worth of windows. And if it was windy, forget it,” Ellis said. “The fun part was in the studio — it was like putting a puzzle together, the full restoration.”

Ellis decided to branch out on her own, to see if she could make a living turning sheets of glass into works of art.

“It was like jumping off a cliff and seeing if you can fly. And 30 years later, I’m still doing it,” she said.

(Above) Ellis and her assistant, Robert Garnett, tackle two projects in the Green Heron Glass Studio in Hyde County: Garnett glazing one piece, while Ellis studies a current restoration project.

(Above right) Ellis uses a specialized tool to bend zinc for a restoration project — the harder metal holds up better over time than lead. (Right) Ellis transformed a block print of two herons by artist Effie Rae Goff into a stained-glass work of art.

The work was commissioned by Goff’s son-in-law as a gift for her daughter.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 29

Ellis displays the precise art of cutting glass. Each piece is painstakingly crafted and the entirety pieced together like a puzzle before it heads to the kiln.

From Pennsylvania, she and her thenhusband would bring their stained glass pieces to festivals on the Outer Banks. They had such success, they decided to move to the area and provide works to Outer Banks shops to sell to vacationers.

“It worked out fairly well — the business, not necessarily the marriage,” Ellis laughed. “Sun catchers are my bread and butter, so when a project like Ricky Keech’s bathroom door comes up, you can go ahead and devote yourself to it.”

And she is devoted. Give her an idea for a design, and she immediately grabs a piece of paper, sketches it out and by the end of the sketch is already working out what glass to use where. From sturdy shelving, she begins pulling large panes of brightly colored glass, some solid jewel tones, others more ephemeral, wispy designs.

“When I do another, I will be having her doing the glass,” Keech said of Ellis’ work on his master bath’s door. “She is so talented.”

Ellis still does restoration in between her custom work and pieces she creates to sell wholesale to stores such as The Village Craftsman on Ocracoke Island. She’s currently

30 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

restoring the lead glass sidelights and arched transom window of a North Market Street home in Washington. When new owners Greg Purser and Everett Duncan moved into the house, they found the original lead glass windows in the basement, missing panes and in need of repair. Ellis was recommended to them for the work.

“Lead, eventually after 60 or 80 years, it’s just going to settle. It’s going to loosen up and wear out and bend,” Ellis said.

The work can be painstaking, but also rewarding. Ellis’ assistant, Robert Garnett, is new to glass repair, and from Ellis is learning the art of restoration, in addition to helping with installation of her larger jobs.

“She’s taught me a lot of stuff,” Garnett said. “It’s something different, and I ain’t never done it before — dealing with glass. I think it’s really neat.”

From a small studio deep in the Hyde County countryside, Ellis balances her passion for glass, forging new creations bursting with life and color and giving new life to those created long ago, their craftsmanship preserved for generations to come.(

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

CHRISTMAS

cheer

Resident’s longtime tradition spreads joy from home

S

WRITTEN BY CAROLINE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEREDITH LOUGHLIN

ome call her “the Christmas lady.”

Others simply know her as Linda Lancaster, a longtime Washington resident and avid lover of all things yuletide.

For decades, Lancaster has turned her Market Street Extension home into a haven of Christmas — collecting knick-knacks, deciding a theme for each of her Christmas trees, and then finding the perfect spot for everything.

“When I was a little girl, we were real poor. We didn’t have anything. I can only remember us ever having a little silver tinsel tree,” Lancaster recalled. “My mama died when I was 23, and so Aunt Rachel kind of took me under her wing, kind of adopted me and made me one of her children.

“She had Christmas in every room in her house, and I remember just thinking that was the coolest thing in the world. And I told her, I said, ‘Aunt Rachel, when I grow up, if I have a house, I’m going to have Christmas in every room just like you.’”

When Lancaster and her husband Larry purchased their home in the 1970s, that’s exactly what she did. She put Christmas in every room.

Lancaster said she starts decorating in July, beginning with the shelves in the living room. The shelves are lined with holiday figurines, arranged just so. More than 10 Christmas trees sparkle throughout the house: one purple, and another full of

32 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

One half of Linda Lancaster’s garage is dedicated to an extensive Christmas village setup. Lancaster estimates that she has around 130 colonial homes by Lefton.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 33

Welcome to Graceland! Linda Lancaster loves Christmas, but she’s also an avid fan of Elvis Presley. This display shows a miniature version of Elvis’ mansion, along with tiny figurines of the crooner.

peppermints. Another is bathed in gold, and yet another — Lancaster’s personal favorite — is full of handcrafted ornaments, most of which she herself made.

Christmas- and animal-themed puzzles, mounted in picture frames, hang along the walls. One half of the garage is a space dedicated to a Christmas village, with roughly 130 colonial homes on display.

It wasn’t long before Lancaster’s friends and the surrounding community took notice of her knack for creativity.

Lancaster said she accumulated her décor over a period of decades. Some were gifts, and others she purchased half price the day after Christmas. Still others belonged to her late sister.

34 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

“All of a sudden, everybody in the family realized that Christmas was my thing, so for birthdays, for anniversaries, for Christmas, all my gifts were Christmas things,” Lancaster said.

She knows just about every piece she owns.

Every so often, Lancaster dusts and cleans the displays. For some, she photographs the setup to help her put it back the way it was.

“Last year was the first year that I left some of the stuff up,” Lancaster said. “I’m getting older. There’s a lot of difference in 24, 25 and 73. You know, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to do it.”

When her husband passed away from cancer, Lancaster’s meticulous process of decorating for Christmas helped her cope. Even today, it’s a way for her to remember their happiest days.

Each Christmas tree in Linda Lancaster’s home has a theme: two are decked out in gingerbread men and peppermints; another is swathed in purple. The tree on the left suggests angelic snowfall, with accents of white and silver, while the other showcases a white woodland theme.

That’s what gives her items meaning.

“He loved for me to do this because he loved for people to come because he was really a people person. The year he died in August, which this past August will be 21 years, I didn’t do it,” Lancaster said. “I wasn’t going to do it the next year, and all my friends said, ‘Yes you are.’ So actually, it is what kept me going and kept me busy and kept me motivated.”

She and her husband also never had children.

Lancaster described her Christmas items as her children, in a way.

Lancaster plans to continue her Christmas

display for as long as she’s able. She doesn’t turn the lights on every night, but give her 30 minutes, and it’ll be aglow for visitors.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a simple way to spread some joy during the holidays. After all, that’s what Christmas is about.

“I don’t care who gets it, as long as they’ll use it and enjoy it, and not just pack it up in a box and just leave it,” Lancaster said of after she passes. “I love it when people come, and they get so excited and they just enjoy.”

“It’s worth it, all of it. Besides, I love every little piece of it.” (

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 35

LIFE'S PASSION

one

LIFETIME Aurora woman’s passion shines bright in home WRITTEN BY MACKENZIE TEWKSBURY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE HUDSON

A

t 95 years old, Kathleen Allen is a woman of many passions.

Dolls, dancing and chocolate — but one thing shines louder than most.

Every inch of her Aurora home is scattered with dolls she’s collected throughout her entire life. Each step bears a different story, one that Allen remembers vividly. “This one my son-in-law brought from Nantucket, this one from a yard sale in Aurora,” Allen said, pointing to various dolls propped up on her living room bookshelf. Some are dressed in their original clothing, some dressed in gowns Allen sewed herself, and she has named all of them: Janis, Penelope, Melissa — anything that popped into her head.

Today, Allen has lost most, if not all of her eyesight, but that doesn’t hold her back from her passion of collecting, dressing and creating dolls. A former hairdresser and seamstress, she’s styled each doll's hair, and even painted some of their fingernails.

She still knows exactly where each doll sits in her home, almost down to a science. As she walks through her home of almost 50 years, she can tell any visitor the history a given doll holds.

“I’ve collected my dolls all my life. I love

36 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

dolls just like I love children,” Allen said.

The hobby began with a single doll. A beautiful, 3-foot-tall, brown-haired doll was given to her by Santa Claus when she was 3 years old. Through the years, it got destroyed — she shed many tears over it.

“Crying comes easy to some folks,” she said, as she detailed the event when her brother’s children were left alone to play with the doll and they destroyed it, leaving it unsalvageable.

No doll will replace that first one, she

Allen’s passion of collecting antique dolls is visible throughout her home.

Each doll is displayed with purpose.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 37

Allen named each doll in her house and painted some of their nails. As a former hairdresser and seamstress, she even created some of their outfits and styled their hair.

38 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Kathleen Allen smiles with one of her favorite dolls, Granny. Most of the dolls in Allen's collection were gifts, but some of them she bought on her own. She says they are all treasures.

said, but by now she has acquired more than 2,000 dolls that line her entire home. Some were gifts from friends and family members, some she bought herself, some come from right at home in Aurora, and some come from all the way across the country. Allen couldn’t name a favorite, and no matter the origin or history attached to the dolls, they all proved to be her prized possessions.

“They are all treasures. The ones that are gifts are special, but the ones I bought myself were special because I had the money to buy them,” Allen said.

Her family has been supportive of her

collection, and Allen’s late husband even fancied them, as well. Allen reminisced on a time when he surprised her with a present from a local yard sale years ago.

“My husband was just as crazy about them as I was. One time he went to a yard sale and brought me back 38 dolls,” Allen said.

My husband was just as crazy about them as I was. One time he went to a yard sale and brought me back 38 dolls.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 39

There is a spot tucked back in her home dedicated to her family, as she’s created and dressed a doll to perfection to represent each member of her family. Allen, one of 17, grinned as she said she was her daddy’s favorite. She went everywhere with him, presumably because she didn’t misbehave, and that’s when she learned another passion of hers — dancing.

“I was the baby. The favorite. Papa would take me with him. He was going to the mill one day to grind corn and make dumplings, and he stopped at a black man's house. Old man wanted to know why I was there. My daddy said, “Oh, to dance. She can do the Charleston,’” Allen said. “I was less than 5 years old. I like to show off.”

Perhaps that’s what keeps an earto-ear grin on her face at all times — dancing, the dolls that line her home and the occasional chunk of chocolate.

“My son said he’s a workaholic, and I said, ‘Oh, I’m a chocoholic.’ I even lick the spoons,” Allen laughed. (

One of Allen’s many dolls rests in her Aurora home. This one is her oldest doll, which is said to be more than 100 years old.

40 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Think You’re Too Active for Retirement Living?

Meet Future Residents Dr. and Mrs. Markello.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to interact with people. While I love the idea of the library, where I can read to my heart’s content, I’m also looking forward to the dining area and the social aspect of breaking bread together.” Ð Rhea “SpringShire has all that we wanted in a retirement community. The physical facilities provide all our needs from meals, exercise and entertainment to medical services when needed. But unlike other similar communities, Springshire’s big plus is its beautiful environment where residents can enjoy the natural surroundings.” Ð Jim

Think you’d like to enjoy the natural beauty of SpringShire with Dr. and Mrs. Markello?

Call and schedule your visit today 252-689-7921 or visit us online at www.SpringShire.org Information Center: 3404 NC-43 North ¥ Greenville, NC 27834

SpringShire is a Retirement Living Associates (RLA) Community run by the Ammons family. RLA operates a number of other continuing care communities including Springmoor in Raleigh and SearStone in Cary, NC.

BIG LEAGUE SMALL TOWN

TWINKLE on the diamond Zimmerman doing his hometown proud WRITTEN BY MICHAEL PRUNKA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY VANSANT

W

hen Ryan Zimmerman steps up to the plate in Washington, D.C., the scoreboard reads “Washington, N.C.” for the birthplace of the Nationals’ first baseman.

The majority of his upbringing took place in Virginia and he now resides in the nation’s capital. Zimmerman, though, was born in “little Washington” — or, as locals often refer to it, the original Washington.

He remembers little from his time living in eastern North Carolina. There are recollections of the infancy of his baseball career as a T-ball player in Edenton.

And that’s about it. Zimmerman knows next to nothing about Washington.

“We didn’t want to give birth in Plymouth,” his mother, Cheryl Zimmerman, said with a chuckle. The Zimmerman family resided in Plymouth at the time Ryan was born.

“She was literally in the hospital for about 20 minutes before Ryan was born,” father Keith Zimmerman remembers. “I’m lucky I didn’t miss the exit.”

The Zimmermans are familiar with North Carolina. Keith Zimmerman played third base for Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson. He and Cheryl Zimmerman both grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. They lived in Siler City and Plymouth before settling in Edenton, where they opened a fitness center.

“I miss the people,” Keith Zimmerman said of eastern North Carolina. He also admitted that there was much more opportunity for his athletic sons in Virginia Beach. “The people were so nice. Virginia Beach is nice, then you come up here to Washington, D.C., and it’s like everything is on steroids.”

Ryan Zimmerman’s athletic predisposition was nurtured well in Virginia Beach.

Besides baseball, he grew up with a love of surfing. He went on to play at the University of Virginia before being the Nationals’ first draft pick after moving the franchise from Montreal.

42 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Ryan Zimmerman makes a throw at first base while warming up between innings.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 43

Ryan Zimmerman discusses the game plan with teammates and coaches in the Nationals’ dugout.

Zimmerman’s accomplishments on the baseball field are numerous. The two-time all star is among the best all-around infielders in Major League Baseball. His career-high 36 home runs this past season pushed his total to 251 since entering the league in 2005.

He is, in many ways, the cornerstone of Washington’s franchise.

“I never thought my career, anything, would happen like it has,” Zimmerman said. “I feel lucky to have obviously played baseball for a job, if you can call it that, and to be lucky enough to play for as long as I have with the same team.

“To grow up in Virginia Beach, go to UVA, get drafted by the Nationals as their first-ever pick, to be able to play here for going on 13 years, that stuff doesn’t usually happen. Everything’s not that convenient for your family.”

Zimmerman may know little about his

44 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

birthplace, but “little” Washington is beaming with pride for its superstar. Yes, because of his baseball accolades, but also because of his contributions to the world through the ziMS Foundation.

Zimmerman’s mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995. She’s used a wheelchair since 2000. Starting a foundation dedicated to treating and curing the disease that has afflicted his mother was a no-brainer.

“My family, if we ever had a chance to have a platform, we’d try to do something,” he said.

“My platform, obviously, is baseball. We started it back home in Virginia Beach in the living room of my parents' house.”

A golf event has been the foundation for the ziMS Foundation since its infancy. It’s been happening annually for 13 years. There are events in Washington, D.C., and Charlottesville,

Ryan Zimmerman tees off on the San Francisco Giants during an Aug. 12 game. He notched a new career high in home runs with 36 this past season.

Virginia, too. It’s a family operation, and Zimmerman gets help from volunteers in Virginia Beach.

“It’s a lot of work, but I think my parents enjoy it. They enjoy helping other people out that are going through the same hardships that they have,” he said. “We’re just happy with how successful it’s been. I don’t know if we ever thought it would turn out to be what it is.”

The ziMS Foundation donates money raised to a bevy of organizations. Included are the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the UVA Department of Neurology. According to www. zimsfoundation.org, it has given more than $3 million toward the fight against MS. The fundraising efforts may be beyond what Zimmerman ever imagined, but he still has just one ultimate goal for the ziMS Foundation.

“We always say the ultimate dream is we won’t have to have (our foundation) anymore because they’ll find a cure for the disease,” he said.

Zimmerman has done Washington — both “little” and “big” — quite proud. His competitiveness on the baseball field is dwarfed only by the empathy he has for those battling MS. Thinking about the end of his career isn’t something Zimmerman does. The 33-year-old all star knows he’s on the back end of it, but still has plenty of goals left ahead: a deep playoff run that is elusive for every D.C. franchise and continued growth for the ziMS Foundation, to name a couple.

When his baseball days wind down, Zimmerman does intend on checking out his birthplace. It’s been in the back of his mind.

“Little” Washington will certainly welcome him with open arms. (

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 45

CAST A LINE

T

Autumn brings color in the form of stripes and specs STORY AND PHOTO BY CAPT. RICHARD ANDREWS

he two most abundant targets for anglers in November and December will be speckled trout and striped bass. As water temperatures drop in the fall, stripers become more active. They are better adapted to cold water, as they are a northern fish. While they range from Canada to the Gulf Coast, they are most abundant in the mid-Atlantic states.

North Carolina’s extensive brackish estuaries provide the perfect habitat and nursery grounds for juvenile stripers.

In the Pamlico River, anglers typically encounter fish ranging from 15 to 30 inches in length. They can weigh up to 10 pounds. A 25- to 30-inch striper on light tackle is a great catch anywhere you go to striper fish.

This year, we are blessed with an extremely abundant stock of juvenile stripers. There are more young stripers in the estuary than most people have ever seen. Most of these stripers were born on the spawning grounds of the Roanoke River in Weldon.

That river system can be so productive that it can have a dramatic effect on the numbers of stripers in the Pamlico River and its tributaries, offsetting the less productive spring spawns on the Tar and Neuse due to relatively lower spring flows than compared to their northern neighbor, the Roanoke.

Fall slot drum fishing should be excellent. The 3-year-old class of fish is dominant in the estuary this year.

We’ve been catching them through the summer and early fall this year. Most of those fish range from 23 to 27 inches, making excellent light tackle targets.

In the late fall, the puppy drum have a tendency to school up better as the water

A large speckled trout like this one will be lurking in our river this fall.

temperature drops, so if you can find them, you might catch more than one.

Last but not least, the fall speckled trout fishing should be some of the finest we’ve seen in recent years. We’ve had two relatively mild winters the two previous years, which has allowed the fish to survive the winter and grow to maturity.

I expect many fish weighing 5 or more pounds to be caught this fall.

I encourage you to explore the Pamlico and its tributaries this fall for some excellent fishing. In my opinion, it’s the prettiest time of year to be on the water. The weather is cool, the winds

46 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

are calm, and the fishing is outstanding.

For more information on your very own fishing adventure on the Pamlico, check us out on the web at www. tarpamguide.com. We cater to all skill levels and will customize your fishing experience. We also have holiday gift certificates available, which make the best gift for the fisherman in your family.

Capt. Richard Andrews is a resident of Washington and the owner of a local year-round guide service offering fishing excursions on the Pamlico and nearby rivers. He can be reached at 252-9459715 or richard@tarpamguide.com. (

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Professional Solutions

WHAT'S TO EAT

Holiday entertaining on the Pamlico WRITTEN BY KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER PHOTOS AND FOOD PREP BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY

F

rom tart and tangy to decadently sweet, the dishes featured in this issue of Washington the Magazine are tried and true hits.

Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings offer the perfect excuse to give any or all of them a try, from the tangy cranberry salsa with extra zing from a jalapeño pepper to a sinfully delicious sweet potato cake.

Holiday parties, neighborhood gatherings and family get-togethers become even more memorable with spicy cheese squares and stuffed mushrooms, served either as side dishes or appetizers. Most everyone likes old-fashioned, savory roasted pecans, while fruitcake cookies offer a different take on an old holiday favorite. And sausage muffins and Parmesan puffs are yummy additions to Christmas morning breakfast.

These recipes are gathered from points throughout Beaufort County and, as always, are chosen from local fundraising cookbooks also featured in the Washington Daily News’ Pamlico Pantry column.

Happiest of holidays to you and yours ... enjoy!

AUSTRIAN COCOA

Kathy Carter Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church, Chocowinity 2 tablespoons cocoa; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 3/4 cup boiling water; 2 1/3 cups milk; 1 or 2 sticks cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

In saucepan, combine cocoa, sugar and hot water.

Stir to combine. Add milk and cinnamon sticks. Heat over medium/low heat until just hot. Add vanilla.

Serve immediately.

50 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Margaret Petersen First Presbyterian Church, Washington 24 mushrooms, about 1 1/4 inches in diameter; 1 or 2 green onions, chopped; 1 piece sharp cheddar cheese about the size of an egg, grated; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; dash of Tabasco sauce; 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt; 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs; 1/4 cup butter; dash of Tabasco sauce; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; paprika.

Clean mushrooms and pull stems out. Chop the stems fine and mix them with cheese and onions. Add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt, pepper, garlic salt and bread crumbs. Mix all of this well. Melt butter; add Tabasco sauce and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of this into each mushroom cap and add the remaining to the chopped stem mix. Stuff caps and sprinkle with paprika. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes.

PUMPKIN PIE DESSERT

Andrea Nikkoli Washington Pediatrics 1 box yellow cake mix (save 1 cup for topping); 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted; 1 egg; 1 (1 pound, 13 ounces) can pumpkin pie filling; 2/3 cup evaporated milk; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup sugar (optional); 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon cloves; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ginger.

Topping: 1 cup reserved yellow cake mix; 1/8 to 1/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 3 to 4 tablespoons butter, softened.

Grease the bottom of a 9-by-13 inch pan. Mix together first three ingredients and put in bottom of your pan. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over bottom layer. Mix together topping ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Bake in 350-degree oven for 45-50 minutes. Knife should come out clean. Serve with whipped cream or Cool Whip.

FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Anne Higgins First Presbyterian Church, Washington 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup currant jelly (red); 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 1/2 tablespoons milk; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 pound chopped candied cherries; 1/2 pound chopped citron; 1 pound chopped pecans; 1 pound seedless raisins.

Cream together butter, brown sugar, currant jelly and eggs. Dissolve baking soda in milk.

Mix together flour and spices. Add milk and baking soda to batter. Add half of flour mixture to batter. Dust fruit with remaining half of flour mixture. Add batter with fruit. Use large vessel to mix together; this will be thick. Flour and grease cookie sheets. Drop by spoonful. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

SWEET POTATO CAKE

Joyce Mayo First Free Will Baptist Church, Washington 1 yellow cake mix; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 cup cooking oil; 4 eggs; 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes; dash of nutmeg; 1/4 cup water.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into a well-greased tube pan and bake at 325 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 51

EASY SAUSAGE MUFFINS

Carolyn Ricks The Wilkinson Center, Belhaven 1 cup Bisquick; 1 pound sausage, cooked and drained; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded.

Mix together Bisquick, sausage, eggs and cheese and put in muffin tins that have been sprayed with Pam or baking spray. Even batter out with a fork. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, then broil two or three minutes to brown. These may be cooked and frozen for later. Yield: 12 muffins.

HOT PARMESAN PUFFS

Dottie Lou Smith Tri-Community Ruritan Club 3 ounces cream cheese; 1 1/2 teaspoons grated onion; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 loaf thin sliced bread; extra grated Parmesan cheese; paprika.

Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated onion, Parmesan cheese and cayenne pepper. Cut 2-inch bread rounds with cookie cutter and bake on cookie sheet for five minutes on 300 degrees to harden. Spread the cheese mixture generously on bread rounds. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese and a dash of paprika. Broil until puffy and golden on top. Serve hot.

SALTED & ROASTED PECANS

BUTTERMILK PECAN CHICKEN

Ruth Hopkins Arts of the Pamlico’s Plate & Palette 1/3 cup butter; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup ground pecans; 1 egg, beaten; 1 cup buttermilk; 8 chicken breasts, skinned and boned; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans.

Melt butter in a 9-by-13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Combine next six ingredients to make seasoned flour mixture.

Combine egg and buttermilk. Dip chicken in egg mixture and dredge in flour mixture, coating well. Place chicken in baking dish, turning once to coat in butter. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

52 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Love Cox Smyrna Original Free Will Baptist Church, Blounts Creek 1 quart pecans; 3/4 stick butter.

Spread pecan halves in baking dish and dot with butter.

Place in 275-degree oven. When butter melts, stir and add salt to taste. Continue to stir often while cooking. Cook approximately four to five minutes. Pecans will change color as they get done. Be careful not to burn. Store in covered container.

WASSAIL

Nancy Bunch Bath Christian Church 2 quarts apple juice; 4 cinnamon sticks; 12 whole cloves; 2 cups brown sugar; 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate.

Place cinnamon sticks and cloves in mesh bag, if desired.

Combine all ingredients. Simmer on low heat. May be served hot or cold (we prefer hot). Works very well in slow cooker.

Makes about 25 five-ounce servings.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Leta Thompson Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Washington 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries; 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut in eighths; 1/2 large red bell pepper, cut in large chunks; 1/2 medium red onion, cut in large chunks; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/3 cup apple juice; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper; 1 tablespoon grated lime zest; tortilla chips.

In a food processor add cranberries, apple, red pepper and onion. Pulse until chopped. Transfer to a large glass bowl.

Stir in remaining ingredients (except chips) until blended. Cover and refrigerate. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: four cups.

CHILIES & CHEESE SQUARES

Kathryn Brake St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bath 8 eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoned salt; 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded; 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (may also use mozzarella); 1 (16-ounce carton small curd cottage cheese; 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chilies, drained; dash of onion powder or garlic powder (optional); dash of Tabasco sauce (optional).

Beat eggs until frothy. Add flour, baking powder, salt and optional seasonings. Blend well. Fold in remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased (you may use Pam) 9-by-13 inch baking pan or glass casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown on top and center is firm. Cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 1-inch squares and serve.

May be frozen. Thaw and reheat at 325 degrees for five to 10 minutes or microwave two to three minutes. Yield: 120 pieces. Great served as a side dish for any meal or an appetizer at a party.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 53

CALENDAR

OUT AND ABOUT

All Month

November and December BCTMA Jams Turnage Theatre Thursday night/Saturday morning Jam. Open jam Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Musicians and fans are encouraged to attend and play. Sponsored by the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association.

No admission fee. www.bctma.org.

Pamlico Rose Institute Fall Fundraiser North Carolina Estuarium

Nov. 7

6 p.m. For more than three decades, members and friends have gathered together to celebrate our waterways while enjoying delicious oysters, craft beer from Duck Rabbit Brewery, live music, a silent auction and fun.

Music this year is by Pamlico Sound Machine.

VIP Ticket option — including early access to oysters at 5 p.m., wine tasting and a welcome gift. Call 252-975-7211 for tickets or more information.

6:30 p.m. Join area musicians in this great new Tuesday night jam set to some of the best rock music! Free.

The Belle of Washington Brunch Cruise Washington waterfront

Tickets for the barbecue/fundraiser will be $25 and $45 and can be purchased from PRISC staff and BoD members, by mail, PRISC, P.O. Box 264, Washington, N.C. or on the website at www. pamlicorose.org/store/. All proceeds will go to Rose Haven. Call 805-320-2967 or visit www. pamlicorose.org.

Rock the Pamlico Turnage Theatre

Nov. 4

ECU presents Iolthane Operatta Turnage Theatre Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Since its sparkling 1882 premiere at London’s new Savoy Theatre, the fantastical satire "Iolanthe" has delighted audiences with its clever combination of romance, humor, political satire and the memorable musical numbers that made Gilbert and Sullivan household names. Call 252-946-2504 or visit www. artsofthepamlico.org.

Bath High School Preservation Pirate 5K Historic Bath

Nov. 9

Senior Dance Washington Civic Center 7 p.m. Singles and couples over 40 are welcome to come and dance the night away. Admission is $8. 50/50 drawing. Door prizes. No alcohol/no smoking/no children.

“Two on Tap” Turnage Theatre

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Children are invited to the site for an arts and craft activity. Call 252-923-3971.

7:30 p.m. Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano take you to the days when Fred and Ginger and Mickey and Judy filled the screen with undeniable chemistry, effortless harmony and precision tap dancing. This duo breathes new life into classic song-and-dance. Sponsored by the Beaufort County Concert Association. 252-946-6738. www.gobcca.org.

Annual Humane Society Dinner & Auction Washington Civic Center

“The Bridge on the River Kwai” Turnage Theatre

6 p.m. Silent auction, raffle table and live auction items from local businesses and artists. Delicious food, wine and beer. For more information, call 252-946-1591.

1 p.m. This adaptation of the Pierre Bouelle novel about POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. $5. 252-946-2504.

9 a.m. Join us for the 2017 Pirate Run! Register online by clicking the Sign Up tab at runtheeast. com or download the form from bhsp5k.com.

First Saturday Program Historic Bath

Sound Rivers Annual Oyster Roast Washington Civic Center lawn

Nov. 11

56 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

Nov. 12

Noon. Price includes one complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary, two-hour river cruise and brunch buffet. Beverages will be available at the bar for purchase with cash and all major credit/debit cards.

252-947-2530 or john@washingtonbelle.com.

Nov. 16

Beaufort County Traditional Music Variety Show Turnage Theatre 7 p.m. Features area traditional musicians. The event is free; donations are appreciated. www. bctma.org

Nov. 18

Seventh Annual Goose Creek Trail Race Goose Creek State Park 7:30 a.m. This exciting event features a 10mile trail race and a 5-mile option that is 60/40 trail and road. Proceeds from this community race will help fund the Friends of Goose Creek and will enhance education and recreation opportunities within the park. Races begin at 8:30 a.m. and will take runners on a tour of one of the state’s most scenic parks. www. goosecreektrailrace.com.

Nov. 19

A Classical Afternoon Turnage Theatre 3 p.m. “A Christmas Carol,” a classic dessert and classical music make up A Classical Afternoon. A classic dessert will be offered at intermission at 4:30 p.m. followed by a concert of classical music performed by music teachers from across the eastern North Carolina. Beaufort County Community College student tickets are $5 with ID. School students of performing teachers come for free. Call 252-946-2504 or visit www. artsofthepamlico.org.

Nov. 21

Rock the Pamlico Turnage Theatre 6:30 p.m. Join area musicians in this great new Tuesday night jam set to some of the best rock music! Free.

“Light Up the City” Downtown Washington 5:30 p.m. City holiday lights are lit in the community-wide celebration. 252-946-2504.

Nov. 25

Breakfast or lunch with Santa at the farm Raised in a Barn Farm 9 a.m. or noon. Choice of early breakfast or lunch meal. A cozy country farm buffet-style breakfast will be served, along with Christmas music, decorations and photos available with Santa. The warmth of the wood stove will complement our fresh local foods home-cooked for you and your family’s delight. Only 50 seats available for each meal. A special keepsake will be given to each child with his/her meal.

Storytime & Hayrides with Santa Raised in a Barn Farm 6 p.m. Come join us for a hayride, making of a special keepsake ornament, cookies, hot cocoa and storytime with Santa. Photo sessions are

available along with our special Christmas decor.

We will also have live Christmas trees available for purchase while at the farm. Call 252-945-6153 or visit www.raisedinabarnfarm.com.

Nov. 25-26

Thanksgiving Fun Shoot Hunters’ Pointe Sporting Clays

Holiday Tour of Homes Arts of the Pamlico 10 a.m. A self-guided tour of some of the area’s most notable homes, all decorated for the holidays.

Call 252-946-2504 for more information.

First Saturday Program Historic Bath

Call 252-975-2529 or go to www.hunterspointenc. com/events.html for more information.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Children are invited to the site for an arts and craft activity. Call 252-923-3971.

Dec. 1-2

Community Messiah Turnage Theatre

Kris Kringle Craft Show Washington Civic Center Friday, 12 – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Approximately 30 vendors, delicious food, raffles and door prizes throughout the weekend.

This is a wonderful, fun, family friendly event, and admission is free! Call 252-946-6208 for more information.

Dec. 1

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Turnage Theatre 3 p.m. The Griswold family’s plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster. Call 252-946-2504.

Dec. 1-3

Second Annual Festival of Trees Belhaven Dec. 1: 4 – 8 p.m.; Dec. 2: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Dec. 3, noon to 5 p.m. A winter wonderland featuring local crafts, food, entertainment and an amazing display of decorated Christmas trees at the J. A. Wilkinson Center. For more information, call Kaye Lee at 801-259-7446.

Dec. 2

Washington Christmas Parade Downtown Washington Call 252-974-2114 or 252-945-7253 for more information.

Noon. Sing along to Handel’s "Messiah" with the Beaufort County Choral Society. For more information, visit 252-946-2504.

“A Walk Through Christmas Past” Historic Bath Time to be announced. This is a new candlelight tour program that will highlight the difference between Colonial Christmas at the Palmer Marsh House and Victorian Christmas at the Bonner House. This will be a ticketed, nighttime event to benefit the site. Call 252-923-3971 for more information.

Dec. 3

Bath Christmas Parade Historic Bath 2 p.m. Bath launches its Christmas season with this parade down Carteret and South Main streets.

“Holiday Inn” Turnage Theatre 2 p.m. Broadway on the Big Screen Series.

Watch Broadway live on the screen at Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre at 252-946-2504.

Dec. 5

Rock the Pamlico Turnage Theatre 6:30 p.m. Join area musicians in this great new Tuesday night jam set to some of the best rock music! Free.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 57

CALENDAR

OUT AND ABOUT

Dec. 6 – 8

Dec. 13

North Carolina Estuarium Mistletoe River Roving

Natural Wreath Making NC Estuarium

10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day. Join in the hunt for natural mistletoe along the shores of the Tar-Pamlico River! Our guide explores the holiday lore and science of this holiday sprig, and we’ll pull some down for decorating at home. It’s a great and fun way to get in the spirit of the season.

Children must be at least 6 years old to ride. No charge for trips, although donations are accepted.

Call 252-948-0000 to reserve your seat.

10 a.m. $10 program. ’Tis the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly, sprigs of cedar, magnolia bundles and more. We provide the local greens and forms, and our educator facilitates the making of your own natural wreath. Participants should bring gloves, garden shears and any extra decoration needed to bring their vision to life. For reservations, call 252-948-0000.

Hollywood Trunk Show Turnage Theatre

Dec. 7

Candlelight Tour of Homes Belhaven 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce located at 274 Main Street, Belhaven.

The tour route can be picked up at the Chamber after 4:30 p.m., the day of the event.

Dec. 8

Beaufort County Choral Society Christmas Concert Turnage Theatre

6 p.m. Glorious, glamorous, glitzy fashions for women from off the runway to vintage and debonaire, distinguished and distinct designs for men featured in this first-of-its-kind trunk show by Jeffery Phipps. Fashions for the holiday season and the Arts of the Pamlico’s Hollywood Red Carpet Gala to be held in January at the Turnage Theatre.

Funds raised with help support the Turnage Players.

Wine and beer for sale during this event. 252946-2504.

Dec. 15

“Gone With the Wind” Turnage Theatre

7 p.m. 252-946-2504.

Dec. 9

“Polar Express” Turnage Theatre 3 p.m. Come celebrate the Christmas season with Arts of the Pamlico. $5. 252-946-2504.

Christmas Open House Historic Bath 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the site’s historic homes decorated in Colonial Revival style. Enjoy music and refreshments. Free. Call 252-923-3971 for more information.

6 p.m. 252-946-2504.

Dec. 16

Gingerbread Houses and Habitats NC Estuarium 10:30 a.m. $5 program (children and adults 6 and older). Build your own holiday tradition. Bird nests and beaver lodges good enough to eat and an occasional Christmas cookie thrown in for good measure. For reservations, call 252-948-0000.

Natural Kid Crafts and Gifts for the Family NC Estuarium

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1:30 p.m. $5 program (children and adults 8 and older). Remember the gifts from the heart, and bring your young ones out to craft their own gifts this holiday season. Build fun, natural and historic crafts for family and friends this Christmas season.

For reservations, call 252-948-0000.

Children’s Holiday Shop Turnage Theatre 11 a.m. 252-946-2504.

“Elf” Turnage Theatre 1 p.m. After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. $5 admission.

252-946-2504.

Dec. 19

Rock the Pamlico Turnage Theatre 6:30 p.m. Join area musicians in this great new Tuesday night jam set to some of the best rock music! Free.

Dec. 21 – 23

Hayrides from the Turnage Turnage Theatre Take a hayride around downtown Washington from Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre.

Hayrides provided by Raised in a Barn Farm. Call 252-946-2504 for more information.

Dec. 22

The Embers Christmas Concert Turnage Theatre 7 p.m. Concessions, wine and beer for sale before and during intermission. Tickets are $22 in person or $25 by credit card or PayPal. Visit www.artsofthepamlico.org for more information, or call 252-946-2504.

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f you are reading this article, it’s probably safe to assume either you or someone you know, or both, like wine. What’s more, given the title of the article and time of year, it’s probably also safe to assume you may be looking for gift ideas for wine aficionados. Which, by the way, it’s a great thought because it will make the present personal, making the recipient feel extra special that you put particular thought into the selection process. Simply buying a bottle of his or her favorite vino would be an easy (read lazy) option; choosing a new selection of a favorite varietal could be risky. But choosing a wine-related item that will enhance the recipient’s enjoyment of wine would hit it out of the ballpark. Read below for some of the latest and greatest out on the market this year.

Virginia Finnerty is the owner of Pamlico House Bed & Breakfast and its in-house wine shop. ( Wine Enthusiast Label Saver $13 (set of 10)

These label savers are the best to cleanly and quickly remove labels from your wine bottles.

The Beach Glass Acrylic Glass $10 This ingenious glass can go into any soft surface, sand or grass, allowing you two free hands to take a selfie or have a snack! You don’t have to ever worry again about juggling food and drink while outdoors.

Bamboo Wine Table $22 Great picnic table for your outdoor enjoyment; it gives you a resting place for your plate, drink or phone. It sticks right into the ground.

Wine Enthusiast Bonded Leather Wine Tasting Journal $35 Remember the good and the bad of every wine you taste with this handy notebook full of the proper questions for tasting notes.

Indoor Entertaining Sommelier 7-Ounce Aerating Wine Glass $55 (set of 2) This really cool glass oxygenates your wine right as you pour it for your immediate enjoyment.

Bella Vita’s PortoVino Red Wine Purse $75 You don’t have to worry about breaking a bottle of wine again with this amazing wine purse. Not

60 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

only can it hold two bottles of wine, but you also get enough space to carry other essentials like your phone, keys and wallet.

#RuzaRightNow Party Pack $115 Packing for the beach just got easy! The geniuses at Winc put everything you need in one bag with the Ruza Party Pack. It comes with 12 cans of rosé (aka, four bottles of wine) and the pack doubles as both a cooler and a speaker.

Coravin Model 1 Wine System $200 As I said before, if you’re reading this it means you are a wine lover. But sometimes one or two glasses is all you need, leaving the distressing sight of a half-finished bottle that might spoil before you get a chance to have another sip. Thankfully, that will never again be a problem thanks to the Coravin, which lets you pour a great glass of wine without actually opening the bottle. It’s magical!

NewAir 21-Bottle Dual-Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler $263 This wine cooler has it all. It holds 21 bottles and has two independently operated chilling zones, which means you can have every bottle perfectly chilled to whatever temperature it needs to be.

Riedel Tyrol Decanter $586 For anyone looking to make a statement at his next dinner party, this might be your best bet. Gorgeous design, great purpose and a top that allows for an extremely easy pour.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE • 61

DINING GUIDE

DINING GUIDE

SHARE YOUR RESTAURANT WITH WASHINGTON

Why I love Washington

Y’ALL COME BACK

Washington has Faith, Family and Friends WRITTEN BY NANCY JOHNSTON BOWEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY

W

elcome to Washington, where you can find faith, family and friends.

What better possessions to surround yourself with?

Being born and bred in Beaufort County, I call Washington home.

Faith — as my sister and I used to sing — is the evidence of things unseen, the substance of things hoped for. Churches are all around the town. With more than 50 churches in Washington and many more throughout Beaufort County, you can find your place of worship. There are several “Firsts” and “Seconds,” as well as steeples that grace the skyline. The bells toll out the hours with beautiful sounds, if you will just stop and listen to them. During Sunday school, while Zacchaeus was climbing the tree, I got to know the other people who I still have contact with today. Vacation Bible Schools dot the landscape during the summer months. Wonderful times of learning about the Bible, making crafts out of all kind of items (many recycled) and snack time (Little Debbie cakes come to mind). Christmas plays and hand-bell concerts get you in the holiday spirit. My church is made up of a great preacher with a wonderful family. I’ve only had two preachers my whole life. They, along with other members, are always there for me.

Family — husband, mom and dad, sister and brother, grandparents and the list goes on. Whether going to the Turnage Theatre to see “The Apple Dumpling Gang” with my grandparents

or going to Camp Leach in the summer where my other grandparents lived, Washington is part of my family. Meals remembered at the Rendezvous and Pizza Inn, school outings to the Dr Pepper and Coca-Cola plants and post office had a family member around. Whether Mom was taking us children to see Dr. Dave Tayloe and Mrs. Geneva Morgan at the doctor’s office or Dad had us in the work truck at Moss Planning Mill, we headed “to town” or “up the street.” The civic center is full of history and it continued for my family with my brother’s wedding reception. Washington is where I met my husband, Jeff, and later married on the waterfront before it was called Festival Park in a sunrise service.

Friends — the family you give yourself.

There are five of us from school who get together often. How many people keep in touch with friends from elementary

66 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

school? “Cruising the mall,” walking around the cemetery or the waterfront was done with friends around. These special people are on your Christmas card list and your contacts in your cellphone. When I started working at Home Savings and Loan on Carolina Avenue over 25 years ago, I never knew that so many friends would come through the main office’s doors. Friends include the neighbors who display purple bows on their mailboxes for Relay for Life and light luminaries at Christmas. My neighbors became my friends when they showed up at my front door to offer me to use their lawn mower when mine wasn’t working.

Faith, family and friends in and around Washington have made a difference in my life. I’m blessed by these. A swing or rocking chair is waiting for you to come and relax while you discover all Washington has to offer. (

ADVERTISER INDEX

Welcome home.

Serving you from 3 convenient locations: 1311 Carolina Avenue • Washington (252) 946-4178 300 N. Market Street • Washington (252) 940-4945 2999 US Highway 17 S • Chocowinity (252) 940-4970 firstsouthnc.com Member FDIC

A-1 Awards & Promotions, 31 Acre Station Meat Farm, 63 Arendell Parrott Academy, 31 Arts of the Pamlico, 49 AssureVest Insurance Group-Ryan Whitford, 12 Aurora Fossil Museum Gift Shop, 12 Beaufort County Community College, 9 BERTIE County Peanuts, 31 Big Bargain Furniture, 5, 25 Bloom Women's Apparel, 25 Chateau 107, 31 Church of the Good Shepherd, 55 Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty, 3 Daughtridge Patio & Hearth Shop, 49 Dellinger's Pawn, 25 Edward Jones/Rod and Jordan Cantrell, 21 El Charrito, 62 El Gallito BB, 51 Executive Personnel Group, 12 Farm Bureau Insurance, 13 Feyer Ford, 20 First South Bank, 67 Gail Kenefick/Coldwell Banker, 21 Gerri McKinley/Coldwell Banker, 12 GW Walker, 25 Kimberly Lee PLLC, 49 King Tiger, 59 Lone Leaf Gallery, 59 Market Street Pub, 59 Mauri Evans State Farm Insurance, 47 Moss Landing, 13 Nan McLendon, 21 Nationwide Alton, 21 On The Waterfront, 65 Petals and Produce, 64 Professional Staffing Solutions, 48 Quality Home Staffing, 51 Rachel Ks Page, 64 Rich Company, 54 Robinson Jewelers, 47 Scott Campbell Century 21, 54 Servpro, 49 Sloan Insurance, 25 Sneet, 49 Spoon River, 47 Springshire, 41 Stewart's Jewelry Store, 5 Tayloe's Hospital Pharmacy, 47 Teriyaki Hibachi Buffet, 62 The Blind Center, 55 The Meeting Place Cafe, 62 The Southern Nest Antiques, 25 The Wine Crate, 64 Vidant Hospital, 4, 68 Vinnys Pizza and Subs , 63 Washington Seafood & Crab Co. , 63 WHDA, 2

Because you deserve exceptional health care Right here, close to you Being a true system of care means more than simply providing health care services. It means bringing better health and wellness directly to you, close to home. At Vidant Beaufort Hospital, we’re delivering access to specialty services like gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics, outpatient rehabilitation and urology where you live. Because our goal isn’t just to treat disease, but to prevent it in the first place. And that improves the lives of everyone in eastern North Carolina.

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Or, call 855-MYVIDANT (855-698-4326) for an appointment with a doctor near you.

68 • WASHINGTON THE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017