'The 19th Hole' pays tribute to life in surprising Suffolk

There's no doubt that visitors to Les Ore Construction's entry in Fall Homearama will go nuts.

The Craftsman-style house, at 4,900 square feet and with five-bedrooms and five baths, is both stunning and spacious.

But it's also a tribute to Suffolk, the city with roots in the peanut industry, according the Director of Economic Development Kevin Hughes. "We are proud of our heritage."

With 32 percent growth in the last decade, Suffolk is the fastest-growing city in Hampton Roads, he said, and is hosting the showcase of custom homes at The Riverfront at Harbour View.

Many of the companies who call Suffolk home will be involved with Ore's house, themed "The 19th Hole: A Tribute to Suffolk."

"We tried to incorporate the business community to give that sense of Suffolk," Hughes said. And, of course, that includes Planters' Mr. Peanut and Lipton Tea.

Hughes said Lipton, based in Suffolk for more than 50 years, produces about 6 billion tea bags a year. Furnishings from Schewels and Ark Group will also add to the hometown flavor.

Les Ore Construction's marketing director, Catrina Wolfe, said the Virginia Beach-based builder was pleased to salute Suffolk.

"It's an opportunity to get involved with the city and promote the area, its growth and the people in it," she said.

According to Wolfe, the house was built for entertainment with an upstairs game-theater room featuring a wet bar and pool table. An audio system runs throughout, even on the front porch, back deck and in the three-car garage.

And in honor of the championship golf course located within The Riverfront, a backyard putting green will entice visitors to take a swing.

Skydive Suffolk will make a jump near the home's backyard at about 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, which is also Suffolk Public Schools Day. School employees with badges receive a $3 Homearama admission discount. School representatives and mascot "Super Star" will meet and greet visitors, while Nansemond River High's marching band and chorus will perform. The school's catering students will cook up creations in the kitchen.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 The Broken Egg Bistro will prepare bread pudding topped with Bailey's cream sauce as part of Homearama's friendly food competition between chefs.

Items and photos from schools, art galleries and the city's visitor center will help celebrate the history of Homearama's host city.

"It will look like someone from Suffolk lives in this house," Wolfe said.

The house, marketed by East West Realty, is priced at $679,900.

Cindy Butler Focke,

butler496@aol.com