Recently, we went to an exhibit at the Biltmore Art Gallery featuring Claude Monet and his contemporaries. The art was magnificent, but the story behind what we now view as an important part of art history was just as interesting to me. Until the time of Monet, Manet, Lautrec, Renoir, Morisot, and Cezanne Degas, painters were… Read more »

Fond memories and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. For those in our region, summer often involves family.  Family trips and vacations. Family time. And family who had ventured away for jobs, coming back to the place they longed to be (the real world had other plans). Many of you, like me, recall… Read more »

Our region has become a destination for folks from around the country. Good climate. Close, but not too close, to big cities. Water (don’t laugh – a real asset). Lots of things to do, such as outdoor activities, arts and festivals. And pretty nice locals. So, it was not surprising when I got a phone… Read more »

They were beaming. Smiling ear to ear. As I went for my early morning walk at the beach, I approached a group of young Mennonite teenagers (boys and girls) in their standard attire.  They were heading to the beach, I suspect some for the first time, and they were absolutely happy – grinning like the… Read more »

Once upon a time, the UVA Wise Student Government Association (SGA) would sponsor concerts at the college. During my time, I saw the groups Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Raspberries (showing my age). Prior to my time at the school, the SGA lined up Rick(y) Nelson to play. Some of you may recall Rick Nelson… Read more »

Have you ever had someone ask you how far is it from here to there? Normally you can respond based on experience with a reasonable estimation. When we moved to Tidewater, peopled asked me that question, and I had no idea. I was out of my element. New to a world that was exciting yet uncomfortable.… Read more »

My mom was a little older when she had the youngest of my two sisters.  As a six-year-old at the time, my memory can be a bit cloudy now. However, I do remember those cold January days when my aunts and aunts-in-law came by to help my mom and help with me and my other… Read more »

Those who spend much time around me know of (and tolerate) my “peculiarities” regarding words and their use or misuse for communication. Examples abound. Signs saying “End Trash Pickup” or “End Road Work” along the highways we travel – Who are these people who want to end trash pickup or road work? And would it… Read more »

The weather said snow. And that is what it did. It snowed on April 9th.  As we have lived many places and often traveled and interacted with folks, the “locals” often talk about the weather. “If you don’t like the weather, wait 30 minutes.” I saw that in Tidewater where it would be dark and… Read more »

It was one of those picture-perfect late August mountain days in 1994. The day was hot, the humidity was low, and the cool of the evening was approaching. Mae and I were sitting on the deck as my wife, Tammie, and our kid’s godfather, Hans, were cleaning up from dinner. My conversation with Mae shortly… Read more »