First Haiti trip no coincidence?

At 4:07 p.m. on Jan. 12, Phyllis Bass sent her children a text message: “We are in Haiti. Pass the word.”  Less than an hour later, the largest earthquake to strike the island in 200 years erupted a mere mile and a half away. Though her church Gateway Baptist had been sending missionaries to Haiti three or four times a year for a decade, this was Phyllis’ first time joining the six-person group. It was her husband Howard’s third trip. Phyllis recently shared their story at a women’s luncheon at Centenary United Methodist Church. Several occurrences were seen as more than mere coincidences: the stalled truck battery that kept them away from the quake’s epicenter; all of their luggage – with needed medicine, food and supplies – arrived with them; a nurse was in their group who could lend assistance immediately after the quake. The list goes on. The ministry has since sent 39,000 pounds of rice, food and medicine to the overwhelmed island and plans two more trips this summer and winter. “I can’t wait,” Phyllis said.

Ruth Saar and the congregation of St. Andrew Lutheran Church thanks Your Corner readers who supported last week’s chili fundraiser. As mentioned in a previous edition, the church held a chili dinner to raise funds for a local family in need. Boy Scouts and National Honor Society students rolled up their sleeves to help at the event. In all, the group raised $2,000 and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans gave $1,000 in matching funds. “It was amazing. You could feel the Holy Spirit in the place,” Ruth said.

Tickets are now on sale for the nation’s oldest amateur basketball tournament. The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament is recognized by NBA and European scouts as the premier showcase for potential professional prospects. The 12-game contest is April 7-10 in the Churchland High School gymnasium at 4301 Cedar Lane. Tickets are $10 a night (for two games) or fans can buy a tournament ticket book for $30 to see all 12 games. Get tickets through the Willett Hall box office at 3701 Willett Drive or call Ticketmaster. Call 393-5460 for ticket information or group discounts. Tickets will also be sold at the gate prior to the start of each game. Visit www.portsmouthinvitational.com or e-mail pit@portsmouthva.gov for more information.

Dozens of dads, uncles and grandfathers attended the launch of the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program hosted by the P.T.A. of Churchland Elementary School. The national program seeks to underscore the importance of fathers and male father figures in a child’s life and demonstrate how the educational system can benefit from this partnership.  Walt Koch, whose fourth-grader Kieran and first-grader Kinley attend Churchland Elementary, will be coordinating Watch D.O.G. activities. The “all day one day” plan will have dads assisting at recess, greeting visitors, helping with tutoring and of course,  helping out in their child’s classroom. “They’ll mainly be involved in safety and support,” he said. PTA president Vicki Sanchez Tiller is excited about the program. Visit  www.fathers.com/watchdogs to learn more.

Contact me at 717-0628 or pamelawrites@hotmail.com with your Churchland news.

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Grove Baptist's heritage well celebrated

For more than 20 years, Grove Baptist Church has had an annual Heritage Celebration. Because the church is multi-racial, the name “Heritage Celebration” acknowledges the many ethnicities within the congregation. Organizer Erma Curtis-Evans, who directs Grove’s education department, tells me this year’s event, on Feb. 27, included the entire congregation, from the youngest to the oldest. The day included health educators and screenings from neighboring medical facilities, a fashion show and youth mime, dance and step performances. It was one of the largest gatherings the church has had. Author Nathan McCall, a Portsmouth native and Manor High School graduate, came out to discuss his newest book, “Them.” Grove’s book club recently read the book, and Nathan’s brother John is a member of the church. Grove Baptist is on West Norfolk Road.

Merrifields resident Karen Culbertson is helping plan a 30th reunion for Manor High’s Class of 1980. She was also part of the planning committee for the 10-year reunion. She says one of the reasons their reunions are so well-attended is that many from that class are still in touch and have children who attend the same activities they did. Several former classmates are, like Karen, entrepreneurs. Karen owns a hair salon, co-organizer Terry Raynor Fritts owns a medical billing company and fellow classmate Stephanie Whitehead Jones owns a catering service. The reunion will be June 25-27. Your Corner residents who graduated from Manor in 1980 may contact Karen at 630-5408 or Terry at 560-0202 for more information.

To say Mary Full enjoys scrapbooking is an understatement. She and her scrapbooking friends get together monthly at the Churchland branch library. In between discussing and cropping pictures of husbands, children and favorite places, last month the group talked about their  Weekend Scrapbook Spring Retreat scheduled for April 30-May 2 in Williamsburg. And there are still a few spaces available for Your Corner scrapbooking enthusiasts . If you want to meet the group first, join them at the library March 20 for their next scrapping day. Contact Mary at 287-4774 or mertful@cox.net or visit her Web site at www.virginiascrapbookretreats.com.

Churchland Primary and Intermediate School closed out Black History Month with a showcase of student artwork and projects celebrating well-known African-Americans. The kindergarten through sixth-graders displayed and discussed their creations with parents, staff and fellow students. Nine-year-olds Nyla Davis and Alex Carter both presented Michael Jackson, with Alex dressed up like the King of Pop, down to his famous glove. Third-grader Garrett Davis enjoys airplanes and featured a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, complete with a collectible borrowed from his dad. “He told me to be careful with it,” Garrett said. Sixth-grader Imani Justice showcased Justice Clarence Thomas. “I’m going to sit on the Supreme Court one day,” she said.

Contact me at 717-0628 or pamelawrites@hotmail.com with Churchland news .

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New reading group coming to library

Have you always meant to read the classics, but never got around to it? Are you behind on your bestsellers? Dying to discuss the latest mystery? The Churchland library will soon offer a new adult reading group, led by Mary Hodges, who formerly worked at the branch and now manages the Cradock branch. She directs a writer’s group that meets alternating Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at Churchland. Encouraged to read by her parents when she was young,  Mary says she’s finding that her reading tastes have changed from science-fiction to more travel books and memoirs.  Contact Mary at 393-8759 for more information on the reading group.

The Churchland YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program combines fellowship and fitness for Your Corner’s senior residents. Through a partnership with Humana Health Care, wellness director Anne Shoaf guides participants through functional fitness that focuses on muscle strength and range of movement. She uses chairs, body weight, tubing and balls to meet that goal. At a recent class, I watched as a ball was used to stimulate a back massage and then used along with a chair to exercise hamstrings. The class uses Yoga Stretch, a chair-based yoga instruction. The class is not age specific – the oldest member is 91 – and those with wheelchairs and walking devices are especially welcome.  Anne laughs and jokes through the class as oldies play in the background.  “It’s a good workout, good music and good times,” said Western Branch resident Lessie Wilson. The Silver Sneakers meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Churchland YMCA, 4900 High Street West. Call 483-9622 for more info .

Census forms are on the way. Patricia Knight has worked diligently to make the process as smooth as possible. A partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Department, the Long Point resident connects with community centers, media, civic leagues, etc., to educate residents in 21 Hampton Roads cities and counties. She has even met with Portsmouth principals to discuss the importance of children being counted. Forms will be mailed the middle of March with April 1 the designated return day.  Patricia says census workers are aware of public concerns regarding  undocumented residents, refugees and those wanted by law enforcement. She assures that the information gathered is confidential and is not shared with other agencies . Patricia urges the public to participate now. “We can’t afford to wait until 2020 to fix a mistake that could cost us $4 trillion,” she said.

The Portsmouth and Churchland Rotary clubs have room for six more houses for 14th annual “Paint Your Heart Out” neighborhood beautification project. Home selection chairman Bob Ossman tells me numerous businesses and  nearly 300 people are ready to roll up their sleeves for the April 14 workday. Any eligible elderly or handicapped person  could receive  exterior house painting and minor repairs . Call 638-1160 to nominate homes .

Contact me with your Churchland news at 717-0628 or pamelawrites@hotmail.com.

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Scoutmaster deserves a salute

Castle Heights resident David Vass wasn’t involved with scouting as a youth, but that hasn’t stopped him from training other Scouts. For three years, he has been scoutmaster for Troop 246, where he directs the activities of two groups: Cub Scouts from first through fifth grades, and Boy Scouts who have completed fifth grade but are under age 18. Both groups meet at St. Mark United Methodist Church on Twin Pines Road. They have their own campsite, and enjoy fishing, sports, astronomy, geology and wildlife. The older group recently performed color-guard duties at a recent scout banquet. I visited a meeting where David and the group practiced their routine to perfection. Troop 246 has a few upcoming projects, including making tables for the church’s nursery and Sunday school room and earning merit badges by attending a City Council meeting at Portsmouth City Hall. If you have a young man interesting in joining Scouts, contact David at 673-5182.

Congratulations to Julie Humphrey of the Merrifields neighborhood who made the dean’s list for the winter semester at Tidewater Community College. Julie is a 2008 graduate of Churchland High School, where she participated in varsity volleyball and soccer. She’s liberal arts major at TCC and plans to attend North Carolina’s High Point University, where she will study international relations.  Her goal is to move to Portugal and work at the U.S. embassy there. Proud mom Kathy tells me Julie has always been fascinated with the country. She is accustomed to travel, having visited Spain on a school trip and participating in six missions trips with Centenary United Methodist on Cedar Lane. Later this year, she’ll again join her church’s mission team on a trip to the Eastern Shore. 

Looking for a perfect girl’s-day out-idea or an early Mother’s Day gathering? Join Sterling Point resident Mary Wilborn for an afternoon tea in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The event will include tea, finger foods and a luminaria bag that will be lit the night of the event in honor or memory of someone that has battled cancer or is still fighting the disease. There will also be a silent auction of beautiful teapots and other ceramics, all of which were made and donated by the Beazley Senior Center. I attended a previous tea party and was overwhelmed by the positive, heartfelt tributes to loved ones. There’s a $20 donation per person. Additional luminaria bags are $10. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and are tax deductible. RSVP by March 3 with Mary at 483-0739 or airmare@verizon.net.

The day before Valentine’s Day, members of the Royal Neighbors of America hand-delivered more than 100 teddy bears with residents’ name to the Autumn Care nursing home on Winchester Drive in the midcity section of Portsmouth. River Shore resident Sheila Campbell is president of the newly formed Portsmouth chapter of the Royal Neighbors, which was founded 100 years ago with the philosophy of “neighbors helping neighbors.”  The group empowers women to gain financial success, health and wellness and welcomes their neighbors to join them at their meetings, the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Churchland library. Sheila can be reached at 483-9160.

Contact me at 717-0628 or pamelawrites@hotmail.com with Churchland news you’d like to see on this page.

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Don Comer is Portsmouth's First Citizen

Congratulations to Your Corner resident Don Comer on his selection as Portsmouth’s First Citizen. Don has served Portsmouth and her citizens for years. He is active in the Churchland Rotary Club, the Lefcoe Leadership Board and Fund and the Portsmouth Partnership. He has served on the boards of the Bon Secours Health System and the Portsmouth Community Foundation. He also plays a mean guitar with local band favorite More Cowbell, which volunteers for area charity events. “He’s an exceptional individual. The band would be less Cowbell without him,” bandmate Jeff Karr said. Don will be honored at a banquet April 30 at the Renaissance Hotel. Tickets are $75 and proceeds benefit the Edmarc Children’s Hospice and a charity of Don’s choice. Come out and support our neighbor and friend. Go to portsmouthserviceleague.org or call 775-0514 for more information.

Churchland High School DECA students walked away with several awards at a competition last month. Along with coming in first place overall, the group took home four first-place awards and five second-place honors.  Churchland beat out eight other high schools in District 21:  Woodrow Wilson and I.C. Norcom of Portsmouth; Kings Fork, Nansemond River and Lakeland of Suffolk;  Windsor, Smithfield and Franklin. Kameron Anderson, Tione Britt, Elizabeth Keene, Marvina Trotter and Khairi Shareiff advanced to compete at the state level next month. DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)  is an association of marketing students that trains future leaders in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Congratulations to marketing instructor Gloria Govan and her hard-working, talented students.

Journey into downtown Portsmouth this Saturday for the annual Parade of Horses featuring the Buffalo Riders of Hampton Roads. Your Corner resident Ken Wright will be there riding Major, his Black Tennessee Walker. Ken founded the group in 1997 to honor the memory of the original Buffalo Soldiers during Black History month. Gidwood  Sutton will also be there. Gidwood is the last of the original Buffalo Soldiers, having served in the 9th Calvary from 1941 to 1945. This year, the group will be joined by Miss Elegant Virginia 2010 Jonelle Jones, an avid equestrian. The Buffalo Riders of Hampton Roads recently participated in a Toys for Tots program to gather toys for needy children and a trail run in Charles City that raised funds for battered women. The 8-mile parade begins at 10 a.m. at I.C. Norcom High School, 1801 London Blvd.

A Your Corner reader sent me a link to a YouTube video of the old Woodrow Wilson High School building. The 10-minute video showcases the school from its 1888 beginning as Portsmouth High in downtown Portsmouth, to its 1919 renaming as Wilson High at the site now occupied by I.C. Norcom High, to last summer’s demolition of the Willett Drive location, which had opened in 1955. Dorothy Hartman Collins, who graduated from Wilson High  in 1960 and is coordinating an upcoming reunion, reviewed the video with her planning committee. The group didn’t see any faces they recognized. “We’re 67 years old. We’re lucky to remember each other at meetings,” she said. The River Shore resident said there was always a friendly rivalry between the Truckers and the Presidents during the years when Churchland High was on High Street near Kroger. She explained they were all friends who attended the same parties and dances, but friendships were set aside during basketball and football games. I viewed the video and recognized Olivia Hinton, who led Wilson’s science department and eventually became principal at my alma mater, Manor High . Manor, which opened in 1972 on Elmhurst Lane, became the new location of Wilson High in 1993 as part of a three-school consolidation of Manor, Cradock and Wilson. Take a trip down memory lane. Head over to YouTube, and type in the search box for “Willett Drive Big Box - Closing Chapter.” If you see anyone you recognize, drop me a line.

The African American Historical Society of Portsmouth has a lot to be excited about. First, the Portsmouth Community Library was listed on the Virginia Landmarks of Historic Places in December. The group has high hopes the building, originally on South Street near Effingham, will also be recognized at the national level. Built in 1945 in accordance with the separate but equal doctrine, it was the only library open to blacks. The city of Portsmouth paid $10,000 to have the structure built while community members, led by the rector of St. James Episcopal church, raised the $2,000 needed to buy the land. The AAHS is overseeing the renovation of the building and has plans to turn it into a museum. Phase 1 has been completed by the city. It involved moving the structure to Elm Avenue and upgrading and repairing the exterior. The society has started the “High Five for History” campaign to raise funds for interior upgrades. The community is asking the public to donate $5 to keep a part of history alive. AAHS president Mae Breckenridge-Haywood says the response has been great and that they have received donations from as far away as California. Mae recently spoke at the Churchland branch library as part of the Second Tuesday forum series. Learn more about the Portsmouth Community Library and make a donation at www.blackhistoryportsmouth.org

The Churchland Elementary PTA recently awarded continuing-education scholarships to two of the school’s instructors. Fourth-grade teachers Jonathan Nonnemacher and Ilwani Wilson each received $500 from the group. PTA president Vicki Sanchez-Tiller, a fifth-grade special education paraprofessional at the school, hopes to also implement the Watchdogs program, a 10-year-old national initiative that has the dads of great students becoming more involved within the school. Churchland and Carrollton elementary are the only schools in Hampton Roads with the program.

Contact me at pamelawrites@ hotmail.com or 717-0628 with your Churchland news.

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'Trucker' seeks classmates from 1977

Churchland High School alumni can now keep in touch thanks to Debbie Darley-Runyon. The class of 1977 graduate started a Facebook group to stay connected to former Truckers. Debbie was involved in several school activities, including cheerleading, drama, chorus and track. She says chemistry teacher Mrs. Perlick and English instructors Mr. Holbrook and Mr. Paige were her favorites. “Mr. Holbrook would write a grammatically-correct sentence from one end of the board to the other for us to diagram,” she remembers. Debbie now lives in South Carolina. After attending ODU and Virginia Tech, she married VMI graduate John Runyon (Churchland class of ’76),  finally settling in his last Navy duty station. Two classmates she has had trouble locating are Tommy Gryder and Ross Spencer. Drop Debbie a line on Facebook  to reconnect with former classmates; the page is open. Search “Churchland High School Alumni,” then click on  “Student Groups.”

Churches and individuals all over Your Corner are helping with the Haiti relief efforts. John Knight and Chandler Turner met while members of Churchland Rotary Club, which has collected and shipped 30 to 40 tractor-trailer loads of medical supplies all over the world. John has supported Physicians for Peace and traveled with them and other relief agencies on their missions of mercy. He said the earthquake in Haiti will result in 250,000 amputees, the same number officials give as the estimated death count. One Saturday morning, John e-mailed his friend Chandler to report that Physicians for Peace was set up at ODU to collect prosthetic devices, crutches, wheelchairs and walkers to send to Haiti. Chandler then e-mailed a few church groups and they quickly got together donated supplies and headed over to ODU. When Chandler pulled into the school’s parking lot, there were six vehicles in front of him and before he would leave, another four joined them. “This time it was a nice surprise to be in a line of people,” he says. Chandler has no idea how much Physicians for Peace collected, but several people seemed to be surprised at the amount of medical equipment being delivered.  

Contact me at pamelawrites@ hotmail.com or 717-0628 with your Churchland news.

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Don't forget the 'Honor and Remember Flag'

The Honor and Remember Flag is one step closer to official recognition by Virginia. The flag is a symbol of gratitude and respect to military members lost in the line of duty. The House of Delegates just approved the bill, allowing it to advance to the state Senate. I’ve mentioned in a previous edition that Long Point residents Donovan and Darlene Kelly have been involved in the flag initiative. The couple lost their son, Shawn Dunkin, in 2007 during his second tour of Iraq. Darlene is president of the Hampton Roads chapter of the Gold Star Moms, who provide support to mothers who’ve lost a son or daughter in service to our country. Though Virginia is well on the way to adopting the flag, there is still a petition before Congress to designate the flag as a national emblem for fallen soldiers. Visit www.honorandremember.org to sign the online petition or buy a flag.

Portsmouth author Jeffery Sheler was the guest speaker at the Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library quarterly meeting last month. The award-winning freelance journalist, formerly a senior writer for U.S. News and World Report, is the author of  “Believers: A Journey into Evangelical America” and “Is the Bible True?” which  was named one of the top 10 religion books of 2000 by Christianity Today magazine. Sheler stopped by to discuss his newest work, “Prophet of Purpose,” an inside story of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and the man many have deemed the next Billy Graham.

Though the Churchland Swim Club is closed for the season, many of its participants swim year-round with the Portsmouth YMCA Aquatic Club and the Virginia YMCA Aquatic Club. The coach for both teams is Mike Salpeter.  He tells me that the Portsmouth club is geared toward recreational swimmers and those at the beginning stages of competitive swimming while members of the Virginia club compete at the national level. The Virginia club has won the South Hampton Roads YMCA League championship for the past 10 years. In December, it competed at a top level meet in North Carolina and finished sixth among clubs that outnumbered them by 100 kids. Salpeter, also coach at Western Branch High, credits Virginia club assistant coaches Ryan Smith, Margueritte Duval-Dalton and Mark Keating for much of the team’s success His wife, Emily, is a coach at Churchland Swim Club.

Contact me at pamelawrites@hotmail.com or 717-0628 with Churchland news you’d like to see on this page.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Help our neighborhood officer take the Plunge

Churchland’s neighborhood impact officer, Howard Harrison, will be participating in the Polar Plunge, the  Special Olympics fundraiser  at the  Oceanfront Feb. 6. Howard has been dashing into the icy Atlantic since 2001. He tells me that he, his family and friends run out into waist-deep waters then dunk under. The police department’s SWAT dive team dons wet suits to make sure no one goes out too far. Howard’s wife, Cathy, daughter, Heather, 18, and son, Christopher, 14, incorporate the event into their mini-vacation, also Heather’s birthday, and will be spending the weekend at the beach . “Going back to a warm shower at the hotel is the best part,” he said. Several Churchland civic leagues are sponsoring Howard .  You can join the cause  at his Polar Plunge Web site, www.firstgiving.com/howardharrison4.

The Churchland branch library is assisting the AARP in providing tax preparation assistance to the public. From Feb. 1  until April 15, the tax aide program will offer free tax preparation for seniors and low-to-moderate income individuals  to help with filing the 1040 form and standard schedules . The service will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library’s technical training lab.  Please call AARP directly at 1-888-227-7669 with any questions.

Portsmouth is the new home of the award-winning Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra. Started in 1998 by composer and conductor Robert Ian Winstin,  the musical troupe includes students from across Hampton Roads. The group has performed in London, Paris, Athens and Vienna and has produced two CDs.  Robert is the music director of Virginia’s Millennium Symphony, the recording conductor for the Prague Radio Symphony and the principal guest conductor of the Kiev Philharmonic. The orchestra is now headquartered in the old Colony Theater at 430 High St ., across from the Commodore. The building, built in 1901, was  deteriorating when the city approached Winstin about moving in. “I fell through the floor on the walkthrough,” he said. Still, he knew they’d found their new home. He renamed it the New Colony Theater , and along with his wife Susan, symphony members and community volunteers, got to work remodeling.  Rehearsals are Sunday from 2-5 p.m. and are open to the public.  Learn more  at www.vyso.us.

I love hearing from  you. Contact me at pamelawrites@ hotmail.com or 717-0628 .

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Churchland woman to get Congressional Gold Medal

Last summer, President Obama singed into law a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew noncombat military missions during World War II. Long Point resident Jean McCreery will be a recipient. She joined the pilots group at the age of 19. “It was a wonderful opportunity,” she said. These were the first women to fly American military aircraft and their missions across the country freed their male counterparts for combat. From 1942 to 1944, more than 1,000 women joined the organization; they were awarded veteran status in 1977. After the war, Jean married, raised 10 children and eventually began a career in engineering. At 85, she’s the youngest of the remaining members of the group. She spends four days a week at the YMCA, where she participates in aerobics, tai chi and yoga. Jean said she and her peers will actually bring home a bronze award; the gold one will be showcased in the Smithsonian Institute. The date for the award ceremony has not been set.

When the General Assembly convened last week, Churchland resident and newly-elected 80th district Del. Matthew James was among them. Keep abreast of the session from the comfort and convenience of your home with the assembly’s Web site. You can track bills, review a summary of proposed budgets, see special events (for example, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is meeting today) and take a virtual tour that includes the newly renovated Capitol Building. You can have a voice in this session. Visit http://legis.state.va.us/

It’s not to soon to begin thinking about Paint Your Heart Out, the Churchland and Portsmouth Rotary clubs’ neighborhood beautification project. This year, the  event will be April 17. Nominations are being accepted.. Elderly or handicapped homeowners who make less than $20,000 qualify to have their home’s exterior painted and yard cleaned. Last year, more than 300 business, military, church and civic volunteers joined to spruce up 11 homes. To nominate someone, call Bob Ossman at 483-4422.

Enjoy the beauty of nature at your own pace. The Hoffler Wildlife Preserve offers free, self-guided tours of its 142 acres from 10-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Golf carts are available for those unable to walk the trails. If you eat at California Pizza Kitchen at MacArthur Center on Jan. 25, 20 percent of your check will benefit the preserve. Free valet parking if your meal exceeds $10. Print the flyer at the Web site (www.hofflercreek.org) to present to your server.

Contact me at pamelawrites@ hotmail.com or 717-0628.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Olde Towne Scottish Walk was a hit parade

They came out by the hundreds, some dressed in woolens and plaid, all bundled against the cold, for  the annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk on New Year’s Eve.  The event honors local merchants and offers blessings for a prosperous new year. The  walk began on Washington Street, curled through Olde Towne and ended at High Street Landing. Churchland High School magnet instructor Susan Cocke coordinated the event and felt the festival’s sentiment was especially pertinent given the current economy. Spectators and participants enjoyed pipe music, caroling and mini-concerts at Olde Towne restaurants and pubs.  The MacDonald clan, whose members own Portsmouth’s Glencoe Inn, were lauded for their support of the walk and their contribution to local business. The evening ended with a splendid lighted boat parade.

The Wonderful Wizards of Needle and Thread know that many hands make light work. The sewing group of the Church of the Resurrection on Cedar Lane began meeting in 1970, before the church was formed. Back then, five or so members met in each other’s homes and fashioned altar linen and vestments . Today, the ladies get together for  fellowship and work. Their annual quilt raffles  raise  funds for upgrades and local missions. One of their biggest endeavors is a prayer blanket –  flannel-backed  with a pocket that holds a prayer book to encourage those recovering from illness. In three years, the group has made 200. It all began when Betty Osborne got one from her sister-in-law in Kentucky when she was recuperating from surgery. Betty  said the blanket was fashioned after one made by a church in Texas. The blankets are free, with different designs for women, expectant moms, children and men. The Wonderful Wizards of Needle and Thread meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the first, third and fourth Tuesdays at the church. You don’t have to be a member of the church to join, and sewing ability isn’t necessary. They also have crafters and knitters in the group. Call Betty at 484-0589 for more information.

The new Beazley School of Nursing at the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College is so advanced that EVMS wants to partner to use the technology. Armistead Forest resident Rose Ware isn’t surprised. She was in the school’s first nursing class and remembers  being pioneers even back then. Rose started in September 1969 and graduated in May 1972. Until that time, Maryview Hospital had the only local nursing program. When it closed, TCC’s began and was the only community college with a nursing course. Rose was the oldest student in her class, having waited until the last of her eight children began school before she started her nursing training. After graduating, she worked a year in the surgery department. Back then, she says, patients were kept overnight and prepped for surgery the next day. “They were often anxious and fearful and because surgeries were scheduled at shift changes, we couldn’t be very supportive,” she said. Rose found a better fit in psychiatric nursing, where she remained for 22 years, eventually becoming the director of after-care services and a liaison with Eastern State Hospital.

Churchland High  alumni can now keep in touch thanks to Debbie Darley-Runyon. The  1977 graduate started a Facebook group to stay connected to former Truckers. Debbie, who was involved in  cheerleading, drama, chorus and track, says chemistry teacher Mrs. Perlick and English instructors Mr. Holbrook and Mr. Paige were her favorites. “Mr. Holbrook would write a grammatically correct sentence from one end of the board to the other for us to diagram,” she remembers. Debbie now lives in South Carolina. After attending ODU and Virginia Tech, she married VMI graduate John Runyon (Churchland class of 1976), and they followed his naval career, finally settling in his last duty station. Two classmates she’s had trouble locating are Tommy Gryder and Ross Spencer. Drop Debbie a line on the open Facebook  page. Search “Churchland High School Alumni,” then click on  “Student Groups.”

Thanks for sharing your Churchland news with our Your Corner neighbors. Contact me at 717-0628 or pamelawrites@hotmail.com.

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