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pastriesgardens

& LittLe houses

march/april 2013 • vol. 4, no. 2

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Edible art

Little House Growing health

The treats at O'doodleDoo's Donuts on Bridge Road can be almost any flavor, any design and any shape — even three-dimensional! Where else can your breakfast look like dinner?

The Appletons have created a miniature world inside their home.

It's not just a garden — it's also healthy food and biology lessons for local residents.

20

mar.-apr. | 2013

contents

EDITORIALR.E. Spears IIIEditor

Tracy AgnewNews Editor

Matthew A. WardStaff Writer

Beth Beck LandStaff Writer

news@suffolklivingmag.com

ADVERTISINGSue BarnesMarketing Consultant

Earl JonesMarketing Consultant

Michaela ChessonMarketing Consultant

Hope DennisMarketing Consultant

Melissa HamlinMarketing Consultant

sales@suffolklivingmag.com

PRODUCTIONTroy CooperDesigner

Suffolk Living is publishedsix times per year by Suffolk Publications, LLC. P.O. Box 1220,Suffolk, VA 23439www.suffolklivingmag.com(757) 539-3437

Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $18 annually in-state; $22 annually out-of-state; $30 for international subscriptions.Please make checks payable to Suffolk Publications, LLC• P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439

suffolk livingmag.com

march/april 2013 • vol. 4, no. 2

Photograph by R.E. Spears III

on the cover:

3326

WHERE AM I? | Guess the location correctly and you could win a $25 gift certificate.

THROUGH THE LENS | Phillip Long

24

32

A U T O M O T I V E

6 suffolk living

what to do3/16-3/23 — SUffOLk RESTAURANT WEEkLocation: Downtown Suffolk restaurantsSuffolk Tourism will hold its fifth annual Restaurant Week, featuring the best restaurants citywide offering fixed-price, three-course meals. There are no passes to buy, coupons to carry or cards to punch. Food lovers may simply dine at as many participating restaurants as they like during Suffolk Restaurant Week. Take this opportunity to explore new dining opportunities or enjoy old favorites. For more information, call 514-4130 or visit www.Suffolk-Fun.com/dining.

3/20 — ART ANd WINE WORkSHOp! kAdINSky & CAbERNETLocation: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave.The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts challenges you to mix bright colors and full flavors during its Art and Wine Workshops, held from 6 to 9 p.m. Creative adults ages 21 and older are invited to stretch their creativity while enjoying a dose of art history and instruction. The cost is $45. Canvas, paints, brushes, munchies and wine will be provided. No experience necessary. For more information, call 923-2900 or visit www.SuffolkCenter.org.

3/21 — A yEAR IN THE GARdEN: SpRINGLocation: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave.A member of the Suffolk Master Gardeners Association will share knowledge and expertise in a talk focusing on garden and lawn care during the spring months. The event is free and begins at 6 p.m.

For more information, call 514-7284.

3/23 — HIddEN TREASURES ANTIqUES AppRAISAL SHOWLocation: Suffolk National Guard Armory, 2761 Godwin Blvd.The 15th annual Hidden Treasures Antiques Appraisal Show will raise money for Riddick’s Folly House Museum and offer participants a chance to get their heirlooms appraised. The event will be held

from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $7 per item. There is no limit on the number of items. For more information, call 934-0822 or email rfcurator@verizon.net.

3/23 — fORkIdS CHILdREN’S ART AUCTION ANd CASINO NIGHTLocation: Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main St., NorfolkThe 12th annual ForKids Children’s Art Auction and Casino Night will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. at Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main St. in Norfolk. Tickets to the auction will cost $75 in advance or $90 at the door. To buy tickets, visit their website at www.homesforkids.org.

suffolk living 7

Send us your newsTo submit your calendar

or news item, simply email it to:news@suffolklivingmag.com

SUffOLk RESTAURANT WEEk

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what to do3/23 — HUCk ANd TOM ANd THE MIGHTy MISSISSIppILocation: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave.“Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi” will introduce the audience to the characters, setting, humor and humanity of Mark Twain’s most famous novels. The event will be held at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth. For more information, call 923-2900 or visit www.SuffolkCenter.org.

4/7 — pORk ’N pINOT fEASTLocation: Vintage Tavern Restaurant, 1900 Governor’s Pointe DriveBring your palette and party shoes to Vintage Tavern Restaurant and enjoy a night of deliciously prepared food, perfectly chosen wines and live music. Food selections will include roasted pig, barbecue, oysters, wild game and other seasonally southern cuisines. For more information, visit www.porkandpinot.com

4/8 — SUffOLk ART LEAGUE’S bRIdGE LUNCHEONLocation: Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave.The Suffolk Art League will host an evening of lunch and cards from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The theme will be “Bridge, Games and Fashions.” Reservations are required. Call 925-0448 for details.

4/10 — THE pIRATES Of pENzANCE WITH THE VIRGINIA OpERALocation: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W.

Finney Ave. A cast of three tells the story of young Frederick’s struggles to free himself from servitude to the infamous Pirate King and marry the lovely Mabel. Don’t miss this zany operetta! The show will be held at 2 p.m., and tickets are $5. For more information, call 923-2900.

4/20 — TOUR dE CURELocation: King’s Fork High School, 351 King’s Fork RoadSuffolk will host for the second year in a row the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Diabetes Association’s popular fundraising bicycling event, which features rides ranging from 10 to 100 miles. Participants must pay a $25 registration fee and raise at least $175 to ride. There will be something for

everyone, with well-stocked rest stops, route support and vendors and entertainment at the KFHS start- and end-point. For more information, visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour.

4/20 — fIREfALLLocation: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave.Firefall, a rock group especially popular during the 1970s, will perform at 8 p.m. The band’s layered harmonies, backed by driving rhythms, helped it cross genres from rock to country and brought the band platinum and gold success with such hits as "You Are The Woman," "Just Remember I Love You" and "Livin' Ain't Livin." Tickets are $35 and $45. Call 923-2900 for more information.

5/4-5/5 — VIRGINIA REGIONALfESTIVAL Of fLIGHTLocation: Suffolk Executive AirportCome see hundreds of homebuilt, antique, classic, military, ultralight, and powered parachute aircraft at the Suffolk Executive Airport during the largest aircraft "Fly-In" in the Mid-Atlantic. Examine all the airplanes up close and talk with pilots and builders. Visit the youth tent for hands-on activities. Kids and parents can fly control-line models with an instructor. Since there is no aerobatic air show, aircraft are free to arrive and depart all day, keeping the air buzzing. A Sunday air show will feature performances by Jane Wicker and Kirk Wicker, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children and $14 for adults, with children 13 and under admitted free. Visit www.VirginiaFlyin.org.

SUffOLk ART LEAGUE’S bRIdGE LUNCHEON

suffolk living 9

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suffolk snow

suffolk scene special

Suffolk had two snowstorms this year, and while neither was enough to turn the city into what most folks might consider a winter wonderland, it’s clear from our readers’ photos that folks in Suffolk can have fun in even a little snow. Clockwise from top: Titus Mohler snapped a peaceful view of West Washington Street; Madi Kincaid is all smiles; and Abby, Katherine and Emma Conrod take a break under a tree.

suffolk scene specialsuffolk living 11

Clockwise from above: Victor and Kayla Whitehead turn their beach toys into snow toys; Ashanti Matthews made the best of just a little snow; 3-year-old Olivia Ferguson makes a snow angel; Lori Harcum snapped a shot with a splash of red; Russell Dawley found snow monkeys in the Suffolk wilds; and 3-year-old Brayden Johnson plays in his Driver Pointe back yard.

Submitted PhotoS

The Village at Woods Edge

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There are a lot of great things about living at The Village. One thing that stands out for most of the people who live here is the maintenance-free lifestyle we offer. It means they have more time to have fun, without any of the chores of home maintenance. We also offer lots of options for fun things to do, with lively groups and clubs, exciting activities and events and planned trips to a variety of destinations. So roll our way and find out what kind of fun you might be missing.

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suffolk living 13

suffolk sceneNAACp fREEdOM fUNd bANqUETThe Suffolk-Nansemond branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its annual Freedom Fund banquet Feb. 16 at Temple Beth El. Clockwise from right, a dancer performs with the Sunset Drummers; Vanessa Savage, Ruby Walden, Charlene Christian-Andrews and Rachel Presha accept their Life, Leadership and Legacy Awards (Christian-Andrews accepted the posthumous award to her father, Charles Christian); Jen and Richard Pond wait for the banquet to begin; NAACP Youth Council members TaQuan Harris, Gary Bush Jr., Tyron Riddick and Abreika Boone; Isaac Baker performs with the Sunset Drummers.

PhotoS bY tracY agnew

14 suffolk living

suffolk living 15

suffolk scene

LAW ENfORCEMENT bALLLaw enforcement officers from Suffolk gathered Feb. 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn Harbour View to raise money for Project Lifesaver. Clockwise from left, Steven and Amanda Morean, Heather Alexander and Ryan Linville enjoy their night; the Suffolk Law Enforcement Ball planning committee was, from left, Nick Shockley, Rob Fahrman, Jennifer Weatherly, Tommy Cain, Jesse Epperson and Paul Helvestine; Jeanette and Mason Copeland represented Project Lifesaver, which serves residents who are prone to wander; Alex and Janelle Johnson pause for a photo; Cheryl Blair and Ray Abrigo enjoy the night.

PhotoS bY tracY agnew

16 suffolk living

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suffolk sceneLEARNING fAIRA learning fair at King’s Fork Middle School on Feb. 8 showcased many positive aspects of the city’s public schools. Clockwise from below: Nansemond River High School senior Zachary Crabby demonstrates a robotics competition entry with Nathan Rountree, a technology teacher at Forest Glen Middle School; Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School’s FIRST Lego League team, the Amazing Marlins, shows its stuff; Priscilla Benn, Dana Bilby and Christine Lafferty all enjoyed the fair; and Pruden Center teacher Shane Vaughan watches as juniors Walter Scott and Michael Bryant operate an excavator simulator.

PhotoS bY matthew a. ward

18 suffolk living

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suffolk scene

COLLEGE fAIRParents and students learned about getting ready for college and a career at the Career and College Readiness Fair at King’s Fork Middle School on Jan. 2. The event was well attended and included various workshops and information booths. Clockwise from below: Norah Johnson and her son Bryan Johnson, of Nansemond River High School; Eric Adams attended the event with his son, King’s Fork Middle School student Asa Adams; Angelique Satchell with her son Devin Taylor, a King’s Fork High School student; Kendric Washington of Nansemond River High School with mom Rochelle Washington; five members of the Baltodano family — Casey, Taelynn, 2, Kat, Aiden, 3, and David — stock up on useful information.

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20 suffolk living

suffolk living 21

The roosters aren’t even awake yet when Reeva Luecke goes to work on her art.

She starts designing long before the first “cock-a-doodle-doo” and long before most of her customers are even thinking about getting out of bed.

Her inspiration often comes on the spot, drawn from such vari-ant sources as ice cream flavors, cartoon characters, animals, kids’ books, holidays and her customers themselves.

“I like art,” she said. “I like the creative process.”

But Luecke’s art doesn’t hang in a traditional gallery. Rather, her completed works are lined up by the dozens in a glass case each day, soon

Donutsas artDonutsas artSuffolk woman sells creativityby the dozenstory by Tracy Agnewphotography byR.E. Spears III & submitted

See DONUTS page 22

22 suffolk living

to be eaten by hungry buyers.Luecke owns O’doodleDoo’s Donuts on

Bridge Road. For five years she craved the life of owning a donut shop, back when she was work-ing at a hotel.

“I hope it keeps like this,” she said of her new business, watching a steady stream of customers choosing flavors from the case recently. “Be-cause I don’t want to get a real job. If you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work.”

In the wee hours of every morning, Luecke and her employees begin the creative process in regimented fashion — they measure out exact amounts of flour, baking soda, eggs, milk, water and flavorings. The batter is then mixed and fed into a hopper, which automatically measures and cuts the donuts and drops them into the oil. A conveyor carries them along, and they are eventually flipped and fried again.

Once the donuts are done cooking, the creative process really begins. Almost noth-ing is off limits to Luecke and her crew — Dr. Seuss characters, hedgehogs, beaches and even imitating other food, such as cheeseburgers and TV dinners.

It was the beach scene, using pretzel sticks and colored coconut to form palm trees, that recently got the O’doodleDoo’s creation listed in January as one of the “most outrageous dough-nuts in America” by Fox News’ “M” magazine.

"This list would be sorely remiss without mentioning O'DoodleDoo's in Suffolk, Virgin-ia,” writer Michael Bartiromo stated in his fea-

Reeva Luecke shows off a specially-designed Suffolk donut that features railroad tracks and a native arrow to represent the city's first inhabitants. Below, and at right are a sampling of the whimsical designs Luecke and her employees have produced, photographed by Alyson Miles.

DONUTS continued from page 21

See DONUTS page 23

suffolk living 23

Roosters outside O'doodleDoo's Donuts on Bridge Road symbolize the early-morning nature of the business. Luecke and her employees are at work as some people are still sound asleep in their beds.

ture “Six of the Most Outrageous Doughnuts in America.” “With over 300 hand-decorated doughnuts (visit their Facebook page to see which varieties are available today), there's something for everyone on the menu.”

The pretzel-and-coconut trees that featured at the edge of that creation’s donut beach recently made a new appearance as Truffula trees from “The Lorax” on Dr. Seuss’ birthday in March.

“Any of the 3-D doughnuts are fun,” Lu-ecke said. “You have to have the same sense of humor I do.”

The shop makes two flavors every day — sour cream old-fashioned and red velvet cream cheese. The other spots in the case rotate daily, going by a general outline. For example, every day features something choc-olate and something vanilla, donuts topped with fruit and powdered sugar and nuts and sprinkles, sweets flavored with maple and cinnamon and caramel.

Luecke advertises each day’s flavors on Facebook, complete with tantalizing photos.

“People get excited about the flavors,” Luecke said. “They watch for their favorite

flavor to come back around.”Luecke’s current personal favorite is the

hippie dip, which features colored dough that appears tie-dyed after it’s fried. But any-thing that her customers like is OK by her.

The best part about the business is that it’s local, Luecke said. Most people assume it’s part of a chain or beg them to expand to other cities, but Luecke won’t hear of it. Folks ask her if there’s a website where they can submit compliments.

“You don’t have to go home and send an email,” she said. “Just ask one of us.” ←

DONUTS continued from page 22

24 suffolk living

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 certificate to any one of our partner advertisers.

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

Go out and enjoy Suffolk!

where am I?

july/august 2012 • vol. 3, no. 4

suffolk livingmag.com

suffolksummer

markets, mutts and

remote control

planes

september/october 2012vol. 3, no. 5

suffolk livingmag.com

powwowTracTors, a Tribeand a canoe ride

suffolk livingmag.com

november/december 2012 • vol. 3, no. 6

suffolk livingmag.com

basketsgood dogs, maps& longabergers

january/february 2013 • vol. 4, no. 1

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26 suffolk living26 suffolk living

Little house

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: Fred Appleton is no sissy.

Sure, he’s spent a lot of time with his wife through the years, messing about with dollhouses.

Even so, it would be hard to justify calling a man a sissy who had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross flying seaplanes

Couple spentyears outfittingtheir dollhouse

See DOLLhOUSE page 26

story & photography by R.E. Spears III

suffolk living 27

from a U.S. Navy cruiser in the Pacific during World War II.

So what if he enjoyed making miniatures like the dollhouse and shadowboxes that adorn the small den of the Lake Prince Woods room inside the home he shares with his wife Bobbie.

“Does that make me a sissy?” he asks a visi-tor.

No, sir!The Appletons’ Suffolk home has some of

the mementoes one might expect from a man who served in the military during both World

War II and the Korean War, finally leaving the service as a lieutenant colonel. It’s easy to find models of the airplanes he flew, for instance. But those models are simple compared to the complex and engaging work it took to build and furnish the dollhouse that sits on a table with a rotating top in the corner of the den.

From the cedar-shake roof to the tiled patio out front, the eight-room, Georgian-style struc-ture is a study in fine detail and finer patience. Each room is wired for electricity, the planks that make up the exterior façade are individu-

ally applied, and the wallpaper in each room took both sets of Appleton hands to hang.

“This was a team effort,” says the loquacious Fred Appleton, who is quick to point out how much the little house and its furnishings owe to his wife of 62 years.

Bobbie Appleton made the tiny wicker furni-ture that sits in front of the house. She made many of the decorations that adorn the interior walls. And she made the bedding, rugs and wee pillows that are scattered about the various rooms and much of the furniture and fixtures

Bobbie and Fred Appleton have spent a significant part of their retirement working on the miniatures that decorate the den of their Lake Prince Woods home. After Fred built the eight-room dollhouse that dominates the room, he and Bobbie set out to fill it with dolls and handmade furniture and decorations, right. Bobbie also made the dolls at left and the hats they are wearing.

See DOLLhOUSE page 27

DOLLhOUSE continued from page 25

28 suffolk living

that give those rooms their character."You wouldn't believe how hard it is to glue tiny drawer

handles," Bobbie Appleton says. "They kept sticking to my fingers. A lot of the little things, like the handles on drawers and all, I had to hold onto with tweezers.”

The project was originally intended as something to keep Fred Appleton busy in retirement. As her husband prepared to retire from New York Telephone 30 years ago, Bobbie Appleton wanted him to have something to do with his spare time. In 1983, just before he retired, the couple visited a dollhouse factory near where they lived in New Jersey and bought a kit to make a basic dollhouse.

The house took almost two years to build, Fred Appleton says, and he and his wife worked on the interior “for a long time.”

The care they put into the project is readily apparent.The kitchen is outfitted with tiny pots and pans, a wall calendar

and a dog sleeping on a rug. Through a door, there’s a dining room whose table is set with handmade silverware just three-sixteenths of an inch in length and whose chairs have matching upholstery.

“The only thing I didn’t do was plumb the house,” Fred Appleton chuckles.And the devotion to tiny things did not end with the completion of that dollhouse. A

wall in the Appletons’ den displays several shadowbox-type vignettes with similar details.A general store, a child’s bedroom, a hat shop and a living room decorated for Christmas

all exhibit the same talent, patience and attention to detail that characterize the dollhouse.“I never sat without doing something,” Bobbie recalls.And nobody ever called her husband a sissy. ←Susan Stone contributed to this story.

The Appletons hand-built most of the furniture that sits within their dollhouse, and they even went so far as to hand-craft the silverware that is set on the dining-room table. Each piece of cutlery measures just three-sixteenths of an inch in length. Each room of the house, below, is wired for electricity, with working lights and fixtures made by the Appletons, and the both the exterior planking and cedar-shake roof were individually applied by hand.

DOLLhOUSE continued from page 26

suffolk living 29

in the news

Nearly 20 months after its last appearance in Suffolk, Mutt Strut finally returns to Sleepy Hole Park on May 5, and organizers are working to put together the pieces to what they hope will be the best version yet

of the Suffolk Humane Society fundraiser.“Because we receive no funding from any agency, it’s our primary fundrais-

ing event,” said Kay Hurley, Suffolk Humane’s director of community outreach. Plus, she said, “It’s a great day for the whole family.”

The core event at Mutt Strut is the pledge walk. Participants can join the walk — with or without a dog to accompany them — for the cost of a $15 registration fee and at least $50 in pledges. Leashed dogs are encouraged to join the parade, but many walkers choose to do so on their own, in memory of deceased pets or just in support of the humane society’s mission of ending euthanasia as a means of controlling pet overpopulation in Suffolk.

A variety of other activities are also on the program for Mutt Strut, Hurley said.

There will be a return appearance by the Flying Jacks, a team of Frisbee-catching Jack Russell terriers that stole the show during the last Mutt Strut in September 2011. Also, police K-9 units will demonstrate their skills.

There will be contests for dogs and their humans; a Vet Corner, where own-See DOGS page 30

story by R.E. Spears IIIfile photography

prepare to strutyour mutt

30 suffolk living

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ers can ask questions and get free advice from veteri-narians; the popular Mutt Strut Spa, where Fifi can get her nails done while her person gets a chair massage; and lots of vendors selling pet-related merchandise. Also, Suffolk Humane will have plenty of adoptable dogs and cats to meet the public.

This year, the Suffolk News-Herald is partnering with Suffolk Humane to sponsor a Priceless Pets Photo Contest in advance of the event, with winners an-nounced at Mutt Strut. Look for details on Page 31. ←

DOGS continued from page 29

Above, pooches and their people start off on the pledge walk at Sleepy Hole Park. Far right, a doggie takes a dip in a watering hole at Mutt Strut 2010.

NameAddressPhone

Categories

Pet’s name & age

Total paymentCredit Card #

Expiration dateSecurity code

Priceless PetsDoes your mutt have the snazziestoutfit on the block? Do your puppies make the cutest couple? Prove it in our Priceless Pets Photo Contest!

CategoriesnTop Dog (overall winner)nBest Dressed nBest Hair

nSenior (10 and over)nCutest Couple (two pets)

nA Face Only My Person Can Love

DeaDline: March 21entry fee: Enter the Top Dog contest for $15.

Enter additional categories for $10 each.

Planning to walk in the Mutt strut? Register for the walk and the contest and the fee

is only $25 for both!

Mail or DroP off entries: 130 S. Saratoga St.Suffolk, VA 23434

eMail entries: pricelesspets@suffolknewsherald.com

for more information, callSuffolk Humane Society: 538-3030Suffolk News-Herald: 539-3437

winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at Mutt Strut 2013, May 5 at Sleepy Hole Park.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Suffolk Humane Society.

PhotograPhy Contest

entry forM:

suffolk living 31

through the lens: phillip long32 suffolk living

Phillip Long has been taking photos for about 10 years. He started with a series of balanced

stone sculptures that he creates and then photographs. Recently he has been experimenting with the use of filters and long-exposure photography. He lives in Suffolk with his wife, Kris. He also works in Suffolk, and he has a web-site, www.VineyardRocks.com, where he offers many of his photographs for sale.

Through the Lens is a monthly Suffolk Living magazine feature that highlights a single photographer’s views of Suffolk. To have your work evalu-ated for this feature, email Res Spears at news@suffolklivingmag.com.

suffolk living 33

A growing trend

The students in Mrs. Brenda Snashall’s class at Booker T. Washington Elementary School look on with pride at their work.

Right now, it looks pretty much the same as it did before — a raised bed full of dirt. But in a few months, they hope it will be full of the pea plants they just planted.

“Now we need to water them,” one girl says quietly. Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community director Robbie Laughton, who hasn’t heard the girl’s suggestion, asks the kids what should happen next.

“We need four things for our plants to grow,” he says. “We have air, we have sunlight, we have soil; what do we need to do now?”

“Water them!” the class replies in unison.Mrs. Snashall produces a watering can and sprinkles it over the invisible

pea plants. Laughton then says the plants should be visible in five months.

Community gardens sprout all over Suffolkstory by Tracy Agnewphotography by Tracy Agnew, submitted and file photos

See GARDEN page 34

34 suffolk living

The children are incredulous. “Five months?!”“Oh, is it not going to take that long?” Laughton

teases before telling them they’re right — the plants should be sprouting in about two weeks.

Booker T. Washington hosts one of seven learn-ing gardens located at schools around the city. Stu-dents get to tend to the gardens and eat the fruits of their labor at the end of the season, learning about plant biology, healthy eating and a host of other topics in the process.

The partnership also operates six community gardens at other locations, where adults can learn how to grow food and, the partnership hopes, get inspired to start their own gardens at home. The produce from those gardens often goes to church or community projects to feed the hungry or directly to needy families.

In a city that particularly struggles with obesity and related issues, including Type 2 diabetes, such a project is vitally important, Laughton said.

“The outcome is to grow healthy fruits and veg-etables so we can grow healthy children and adults in Suffolk,” he said.

The first community garden was planted four years ago, the culmination of several years of planning. The Holland garden at Holland Baptist Church was the first one to till soil and remains one

Above, volunteer Ed Kapinus shows off collards grown in a community garden at East Suffolk Recreation Center. They went to a local church to help with its meals program. Below, Boy Scouts construct a walkway to the Whaleyville Community Garden.

GARDEN continued from page 33

See GARDEN page 35

suffolk living 35

of the most productive, gardens coordinator Kay Cherry said.“They grow tremendous amounts of vegetables,” she said.

“They still have a garden that is big and very labor-intensive.”The labor at all of the community gardens is provided

entirely by volunteers, Cherry said.“The volunteers are what make this happen,” she said.

“What the volunteers have accomplished has been incredible. The community gardens are serving more than just growing food; we are truly growing small little communities of people who are working together.”

At the schools’ learning gardens, one staff member is des-ignated as garden coordinator. Different classes come to it as they move through their Standards-of-Learning-based gar-den curriculum, developed for the partnership by a graduate student. Depending on the time of the season it is, classes might plant, water, pull weeds or bring in the harvest.

“They get the concept of good food and how over a lifespan it can make a difference in how we live,” Cherry said of the kids.

The gardens are funded by the Obici Healthcare Founda-tion, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, the Com-munity Action Coalition of Virginia and the Clean Com-munity Commission. In addition, several organizations such as Ruritan clubs helped get the projects off the ground, and groups like the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardeners and the YMCA have partnered to help with the gardens.

“We’re using the healthy food to help expose people to new skills and how to grow food themselves,” Cherry said. “The thing we recognize is, food is more than just sustenance.” ←

“We’re using the healthy food to help expose people to new skills and how to grow food themselves. The thing we

recognize is, food is more than just

sustenance.”Kay Cherry — Gardens Coordinator

Above, Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community Executive Director Robbie Laughton holds a trash bag for students at Booker T. Washington Elementary School clearing weeds from the learning garden at the school in 2013. Below, Saleena Lynch and other students at Kilby Shores Elementary School work in the learning garden in 2011.

GARDEN continued from page 34

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index ofadvertisersAutumn care.....................30Blair Brothers...................36Bronco FcU......................16chorey & Associates.........40cornerstone Private Practice..18the cove..........................36Davis Lakes.....................37D.B. Bowles Jewelers.......18Denison's...................….6Drs. Jett, sellers and Larusso..16Duke Automotive..............6east coast homes............14east end Baptist church….14ellen Drames.....................2Franklin Business Incubator...18harbour veterinary office...14hilton Garden Inn...............4 home Instead senior care...9Isle of Wight Academy........9Ivor Furniture company….16

Mega ‘Dors and Windows..18Mike Duman Auto sales...14nancy's calico Patch.........9nansemond-suffolk Academy...36Producer's Peanuts............8rawlings Mechanical........18r.L. howell........................7sentara............................3suffolk Pest control............9suffolk Public schools.......18triple t sports..................37velveteen rabbit..............14the village at Woods edge..12virginia Fire extinguishers...37YMcA.........................36

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Last edition’sWhere Am I?It turns out that there are lots of lions’ paws around Suffolk, and our readers must have guessed nearly every one in an effort to identify the one shown in the January/February edition of Suffolk Living magazine’s Where Am I contest. Shannon O’Brien of Wilroy Road submitted the first of just two correct answers and then won the coin toss to win the contest and the $25 gift certificate from the advertiser of her choice. The pictured paw is part of the base of a lamppost in front of the offices of Pretlow and Pretlow, located in the old U.S. Post Office on North Main Street in downtown Suffolk. For this edition’s challenge, turn to Page 24.

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 certificate to any one of our partner advertisers.

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

Go out and enjoy Suffolk!

where am I?

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BUttERflIES: Elementary students dressed as butterflies give a performancefor the May Day Queen and her court at Holland High School in 1939.

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