When Harriet King - or Ms. Harriet as she is known to most of her McDonald’s customers - sees her regulars pull into the College Drive parking lot, she immediately sets about preparing their orders.

By James Thomas Jr. Correspondent Holiday spirits are again a lot brighter in downtown Suffolk thanks to the efforts of some "gifted and talented" young artists from the public school system.

The city largely prospered in the past 10 years – earning a spot on CNN Money’s list of the 100 best small cities and attracting more residents with four-year degrees – but plenty of challenges lie ahead, an Old Dominion University economics professor said recently.

COURTLAND

After seven terms in office, Southampton County Sheriff Vernie Francis decided not to run for re-election this year.

Francis’ decision left the field wide open for a new sheriff after nearly 30 years under the same leadership.

The race has attracted three veteran law enforcement officers: David Holland, who runs Southside Community Corrections and Pretrial Services;

James Thomas Jr.

Correspondent

Driver Days this year brought the usual large crowds, more attractions and prospects for a bright future for the small Suffolk community.

By James Thomas Jr. Correspondent There are more than 100,000 reasons for the Fall 2011 Homearama at The Riverfront at Harbour View in Suffolk.

That’s how many people are expected to make the pilgrimage to the custom-home show through Oct. 30, and buying a new home is just one of the reasons.

SUFFOLK

Ashley Alston knew exactly how to impress the half-dozen algebra teachers who showed up one afternoon to learn new ways of teaching math. She brought upgraded graphing calculators for them to try out.

“Oh my God. It simplifies fractions,” Kelly Greening said mid-lesson. “Ha-lle-lu-jah!”

By James Thomas Jr.

Correspondent

Theories abound about the special relationship between humans and their pets and, moreover, which end of the leash is better served.

There’s little doubt that special bond exists, however, and some of the best evidence is at the annual Blessing of the Animals at Historic St. Luke’s Church in Smithfield.

SOUTHAMPTON

For 55 years, Gail Camp was married to a man full of surprises. S.V. Camp died in March, but for his wife, his spirit lives on. She’s still getting pleasantly surprised by her husband.

“It was fun being married to him,” she said. “I wish he was still here.”

By James Thomas Jr. Organizers of the 2011 Isle of Wight County Fair knew it would be tough to beat last year’s 30,000-plus attendance record. That’s nearly as many people at the fair over the four-day weekend as live in the county.

Still, they went about planning the improbable.