By Nancy Brewer We planned a very brief time away on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk for some rest, relaxation, fishing, and to see “A Beautiful Noise”, the Neil Diamond musical at the Chrysler Theatre. I don’t recall if it was our children or whether we named our long weekend getaways “Mini Moons”, but we were about to experience another Mini Moon. After waiting for months, the play date … [Read more...]

By James Dickerson We had a great trip last week!  On August 14 we left Wanchese Harbor on the “Doghouse” just before 3 PM as the storms moved in.  The rain hit before we left the sound and headed to the bar.  This trip provided 13-year-old Hawkins Groseclose his first trip inshore ocean fishing.  Rob and Shannon Harrison (Hawkin's stepfather and mother joined … [Read more...]

By Angelin Brewer Ham 1. Press gas 2. Watch trailer start to turn 3. Turn wheel 4. Watch trailer start to line up parallel with your truck! WTH! 5. Drive back to original position at top of ramp. 6. Press gas. 7. Watch trailer start to turn toward the other side. 8. Correct wheel. 9. Watch the freaking trailer start to creep toward the top of the ramp! 10. Yell out a few choice words. 11. Try to … [Read more...]

By Hunter Campbell/DWR One of the great songs of the past was Gene Kelly as he was dancing and “Singing in the Rain”. Hunter Campbell with the Division of Wildlife Resources is singing “Fishing in the Rain”, and it works. Some of my great fishing days have come when it’s raining, but why? Here’s what Mr. Campbell has to say. Fishing in the rain may not sound ideal to most people, but many … [Read more...]

Lots of stuff comes rolling down the Internet Pike – lots of it rubbish, but this piece caught my attention. As a cook, I am forever burning myself, usually due to chronic clumsiness, so this person’s home remedy for burns was appealing. Here’s what the writer said. “My experience with burns is this: Once I was cooking some corn and stuck my fork in the boiling water to see if  the corn … [Read more...]

It’s hard enough to drive at night, much less at night when it’s pouring rain – no matter what age you are. This piece below came from the Internet and it’s well worth repeating. Everyone knows about the speed control in raining weather, but I wanted to let you know about sunglasses.   We are not sure why it is so effective; just try this method when it rains … [Read more...]

Dr. Peter Brookes New River: Located in Southwest Virginia, the New River is considered North America’s oldest river, and one of the world’s oldest rivers, second only to Egypt’s Nile. Also notable, the New flows northward, rather than southward, on its journey from its headwaters in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains into Virginia and then on into West Virginia; most East … [Read more...]

  By Emily Strother     There’s a tick in Virginia that can make you allergic to red meat, and it found me while I was hunting spring gobblers. It’s a fact that ticks and hunters are drawn to the same places—where there’s abundant wildlife, vast spaces to roam, and the raw scent of nature when the wind blows in the springtime. Speaking from experience, it’s almost … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett (Intro by Jim Brewer: Raising chickens is becoming more and more popular, even in urban areas and subdivisions. The spiraling price of eggs has only increased interest and demand. Plus, chickens are fun to have around. Here are some notes from my old friend, the late Sherman Shifflett, about his experiences raising chickens.) Except when I was in college and in the Army … [Read more...]

By: William Horton William Richard (Dick) Bennett was a “salt of the earth” kind of guy.  He was hard working, thrifty, honest, and moral. He loved his family and was a respected member of the West Asheville community and treated all those who he encountered with respect and dignity no matter their station in life.  As a Freemason, he believed in meeting with others “on the … [Read more...]