Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 9, 1993 TAG: 9302090126
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHLEEN WILSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
TEA PARTY FITS THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The Friday afternoon tea given at Fair Acres, the historic estate that serves as headquarters for the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, was a quintessential Southern gathering. Every time the front door opened, someone called out, "Hello, neighbor!" The hostesses personally escorted their guests over to the finger sandwiches and cookies.One woman told me that the silver tea service is used so often by this group that it never needs polishing.
When I asked a question about the history of the Avenham Avenue neighborhood, Diane Hancock replied, "I'm not a Roanoker."
Just how long had Diane lived in Roanoke? "Only 32 years," she explained apologetically.
"We didn't invite any outsiders," explained Betsy Varner, president of the club. "Only neighbors."
"This is a great neighborhood, but don't tell everyone. Then they all might move here," whispered one woman, who told me her age (84), but was quite insistant that I not use her name.
"I don't go to church anymore, and if my name shows up in the paper, then someone will notice I haven't been in church, and then they'll be expecting me to go all kinds of places," she elaborated.
Adam Cohen of Floyd was in for a treat when he attended the opening reception of the "Art by Architects" show at the Victor Huggins Gallery on Campbell Avenue.
He met Janet Turner of Blacksburg, who bought two of his graceful marble sculptures at Blacksburg's Miller Off Main and had her eye on another.
"I don't buy his work because I'm a collector or it's an investment," Janet explained. "I buy them because when I see them, I want to touch them and have them for me." She said she'd sooner go without clothes or jewelry for one of Adam's sculptures.
Adam, who has been sculpting since he was 9 years old, enjoys his art, but he works as an architect to pay the bills. His portfolio also includes some massive metal sculptures.
The gallery is owned by Virginia Tech art professor Victor Huggins. "Art by Architects" runs through March 6 and also includes the works of Carlton Abbott, Dennis Kippler, David Walters and Jim Yeatts.
With 120 pounds of camping equipment strapped to his back and two buddies in front of him, Randy Woolwine lumbered through the Jefferson National Forest like Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox through the Big Woods.
They could have walked it blindfolded. Every year for the past 14 years they've hiked that trail. They call it the He-Man Woman-Haters Getaway Weekend.
Named for the club founded by Spanky and Alfalfa on the old "Our Gang" series, this is definitely one of those guy things. Like watching the Three Stooges and not asking for directions. ("If I find any Shalimar in your back pack, you're outta here," Randy warned me.)
Each year the weekend before the Super Bowl - yes, they do this in January and prefer really miserable weather - these guys head out to Cove Branch Hollow to commune with nature, each other, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels.
As many as 14 He-Man Woman-Haters have gathered for this winter enclave. And attendance seems to have something to do with the good graces of the He-Man Woman-Haters' wives or significant others.
The appeal is simple. It's a weekend where the men can be themselves and do the things they're not allowed to do at home. Like cussing and belching and smoking cigars. (They call them "see-gars.")
Amid the smoke and sweat of two hours setting up camp and building a fire, a discussion of Roe v. Wade on National Public Radio filled the air.
"Now I'm a Republican," declared Randy, a contractor. "But I sure wouldn't want anyone telling me what to do with my body."
"Lord, quick change the subject," Dave Bartee moaned theatrically. "Quick! Talk about anything but politics!"
(Seems the He-Man Woman-Haters are a bipartisan group.)
Once camp was set and the sun went down, they settled down to the real business of the trip: drinking, chomping on cigars, eating fine food, commenting endlessly on what a great fire it was, and telling a tall tale or two.
It's not an action-packed weekend. About the most exciting thing that happened the night I was there - and I assume they were on their very best behavior - was when Jack Holland, a cameraman for WDBJ (Channel 7), set his shoes on fire trying to dry them out after he crossed the stream.
Wayne Toller arrived in the middle of the eight-hour long cocktail hour. Dave ate salted cashews. Jack munched on cheese popcorn. And Randy made canapes of Triscuits, pepperoni and saga blue cheese.
Dave, who works in customer service for USAir, provided much of the entertainment. Just imagine Buckwheat (or Eddie Murphy) singing the Beatles:
" Some-ting in the way she be ," he crowed, " attractin' like no ubber lubber . . . "
"See? It's not really a male-bonding thing," explained Jack, dismissing any thought of Iron John. "Primal screaming would exert too much energy."
THE PARTY LINE: If you'd like to invite Mingling columnist Kathleen Wilson to a party or social gathering, call her at 981-3434; when asked for the mailbox, dial MING (6464) and press the # key. Then leave a message as directed. Or write her in care of the Features Department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.