THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508220118
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Every time a hurricane - a la Felix - starts brewing out in the Atlantic, Doug Wilkins gets a twinge of fear.
Wilkins, owner of the Baja Restaurant, lives and works in Sandbridge, that beachfront area considered among the city's most vulnerable spots for storm damage and destruction. He and neighboring residents and business owners are never quite sure how long Mother Nature's going to leave them their little piece of paradise.
Living through a storm - or even the threat of a storm - is ``quite an experience,'' says Wilkins, adding that he talked to at least 10 different news media that flocked to Sandbridge last week to survey the situation during the confusing advance of hurricane Felix.
But like all staunch Sandbridge lovers, Wilkins, who came there for a visit and ended up staying, defends his turf. ``The lifestyle absolutely makes up for everything else.''
Full name: Kenneth Douglas Wilkins.
Hometown: Mount Olive, N.C.
What brought you to the Beach? '71 XKE roadster - to visit Norbie and Candy Wilson.
Birthdate: Sept. 7, 1949.
Occupation: Owner, Baja Restaurant.
Nickname: Doug.
Marital status: Happily married to Geri, a Virginia Beach native.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Hook up with family, friends, sandchair, cooler and a hot clean beach.
Last smart thing you did: I got the right combination of people cooking and managing my restaurant.
Last dumb thing you did: Tried to reason with my beautiful 2-year-old niece Taylor.
Favorite meal: A Carolina-style pot roast with little potatoes, carrots, peas, squash, okra - all fresh from the garden - topped off with sweetened iced tea.
Favorite movies: ``One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,'' ``The Last of the Mohicans,'' ``Forrest Gump.''
Favorite song: ``Under the Boardwalk,'' ``My Girl.''
Last book read: ``D-Day'' by Duncan Anderson.
Hobbies: Travel, fishing, metal detecting and relaxing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would like to be more patient and less demanding.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? She gets up too early in the morning.
Secret vice: Sleeping late!
Favorite restaurant: The Baja, of course, and the five-star Greycliff in Nassau.
Your favorite night on the town: Movies, dinner then (sorry, Geri) try and hook up with the First Colonial gang wherever they might have dropped anchor for a great mental enema.
Favorite TV shows: Discovery Channel, National Geographic, C-Span, ``Cops'' (they always get the bad guy).
Favorite sport: ACC basketball, NFL football.
Last vacation: Beaufort, N.C.
Pets: Sir Albert Campbell Wilkins (Al, the golden retriever).
Worst job: Loading tractor trailer rigs in the hot, hot summertime.
Of what achievements are you most proud? I am extremely proud to have been able to grow and expand this business for 20 years with the support of my family, my staff and many friends. It is important to know that this pride as well as gratitude extends much deeper than these words can express.
What would you like as your epitaph? He came, he saw, he loved it all. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB