THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506210157
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Ida Kay's Portsmouth
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
A reporter in Portsmouth, N.H., called to ask me what was good about Portsmouth in Virginia.
My first response was ``charming, small-town atmosphere.'' It's easy-going, quiet and pleasant, a friendly oasis in the very middle of a major metropolitan area.
It's a wonderful place to live - out of the hubbub of the city but within a few minutes of a great variety of activity, including very good live opera, symphony and theater and many other regional attractions.
I pass along the waterfront or through Olde Towne during the few minutes it takes me to get to work. People wave or yell hello at every turn.
Is that what the reporter expected to hear about the Portsmouth that is considerably larger in population than any of the four other Portsmouths in the United States? Probably not, but it's certainly true.
Every time I stop to reflect on my surroundings, I have to conclude that Portsmouth has more natural charm than most places could hope to create in a million years.
Sunday we took the ferry over to the other side for a brief foray into the festival. After pushing and shoving through crowds in steaming weather, it was a pleasure to board the ferry boat and head back to Portside, where a breeze cooled those sitting outside enjoying life on the river.
Whether you walk along the Seawall or simply relax under the tent at Portside, there's a never-ending panorama of a harbor that combines work and pleasure. Even on a Sunday, you can watch a barge being pushed by the trusty tugs. You can glimpse almost any kind or size of pleasure boat.
At Amory's Wharf and The Max you can eat inside or outdoors and still enjoy the action on the water. Or, when you have had enough of the river, you can meander up High Street for a drink, a meal or a super cup of coffee in one of eight or so restaurants that feature a variety of food. Or you can go to the movies at the Commodore and eat too.
Several restaurants are into weekend brunches, a little yuppie but laid back in a way that only Portsmouth could produce.
I guess that's the secret to the city's charm. Whatever else might be going on, the city still seems laid back.
The reason, of course, is that it still maintains the buildings and configuration of another time.
It's human-sized. You walk down the street and you don't feel overwhelmed by big or tall buildings. You feel comfortable. You can take your time.
Of course, we could use a lot more people on the street to keep the existing businesses solvent.
The art galleries, both private and public, add to the attractions.
Certainly the Children's Museum is a magnet. However, exterior construction in the Middle Street Mall seems to be taking an inordinate amount of time. When the area was torn up a few days before the museum volunteers planned to have their annual fund-raiser there, the excuse was that the city wanted to get the work done by Memorial Day weekend. Well, here it is, almost July 4, and the outdoor area still isn't finished.
The construction undoubtedly has inhibited some families, parked in the garage behind the museum, from walking over to High Street to restaurants and other businesses. I sometimes wonder about the logic in the minds at City Hall. Why not do this major construction work at a time when the kids are in school and not apt to be coming over with families, who would spend money on High Street? Why wait to do it at the time of the year when we have increased numbers of tourists and area residents coming to the museum?
Speaking of Middle Street Mall and charm. Since we destroyed the trees on the museum side of the street, why don't we make more of a park oasis on the other side? The space could be made more inviting by adding some benches and some blooming things. Certainly, we could take that awful gray paint off of the sculpture and give it back its original grace.
But despite these little glitches, Portsmouth still has plenty of things to make it more attractive than most places.
Not only does it have lots of waterfront.
It has history - fascinating history. It has wonderful, friendly people - people who speak to each other on the street even if they aren't acquainted.
We must capitalize on all the positives, not emphasize the negatives.
Call me an eternal optimist, but before you put me down as a Pollyanna, go out and see for yourself what I'm talking about. by CNB