THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407150218
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Several friends and family members stand around a kitchen table overflowing with tasty, fattening foods: fried chicken, ham, sandwiches, pies, cakes.
Looking at the feast, one family member laughingly jokes about having made his reservation for a heart bypass.
``This is a hardening-of-the-arteries party,'' he says, biting into a warm, crunchy drumstick.
``Yep,'' replies a friend smugly. ``Entertainment is provided by the Artery Cloggers performing the Achy-Breaky Heart.''
- Allison T. Williams 6 p.m. - A home near downtown Suffolk.
A large, blond dog - part husky and freshly groomed by the vet - sits in the rear of the hatchback, amidst the luggage, waiting for the couple to start their 17-hour trip straight through to St. Louis.
The Honda CRX's front seat hardly looks big enough for the man's 6-foot-1 frame. It will be a long trip in a small car with a big dog, his mother thinks.
``What could be worse?'' she silently muses, glad they are young.
Suddenly, the dog answers her unspoken question as he springs from the vehicle and sprints across the yard, relishing his temporary freedom. He heads straight for the water at the lawn's edge and immerses himself in the lake.
``Oh, no,'' the mother groans.
It's going to be a long trip in a small car with a big, wet dog.
- Susie Stoughton TUESDAY, JULY 5 2 p.m. - A home on Constance Road, Suffolk
To celebrate the Fourth of July, an owner had decorated his home and yard in a patriotic theme. Red, white and blue banners hung from porch banisters, streamers were draped about the posts, and tiny, square-shaped American flags form a continuous line around the porch.
Like marching soldiers, more flags lined the flower beds and walkway. The front door sported a red, white and blue wreath.
A hitching post beside the driveway featured a horse's head with a red, white and blue ribbon tied around his neck, and more streamers.
``Think you've got enough flags there?'' asked an acquaintance of the property owner.
``No,'' he replied with a grin. ``In fact, I'm thinking of buying some more for next year.''
- Shirley Brinkley WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 2:00 p.m. - Farm Fresh parking lot, Main Street, Suffolk.
It was hot but the two women standing on the passenger side of a new blue Ford are showing noticeable restraint.
The driver of the car, locked inside in air-conditioned comfort, is lowering and raising each power window, one at a time.
``That's great,'' one of the women outside says. ``This is a great car. Can I get in?''
The driver suddenly looks embarrassed.
``I'm not trying to show you the windows, I'm trying to let you in,'' she says.
Then she finds the button for the power locks.
- Robert Little SATURDAY, JULY 9 Noon - Bennetts Creek Little League complex, Driver.
The sun is shining brightly on the District 6 Little League All Star Tournament as the teams meet at the Driver fields to determine the district softball and baseball champions.
The Bennetts Creek Little League, the tournament host, obviously has been hard at work to make this a major league event. Red, white and blue bunting decorate the infield fences and brightly striped refreshment tents augment the concession stands, dispensing cool drinks and ballpark popcorn to hundreds of spectators.
As the temperature soars and the sun bakes the bleachers, just one thing is missing, as noted by an all-star parent arriving with his lawn chair and umbrella.
``Which way to my air-conditioned sky box?'' he asks.
- Phyllis Speidell SUNDAY, JULY 10 11:30 a.m. - 7-Eleven, Chuckatuck.
It's pushing 100 degrees in front of the 7-Eleven in Chuckatuck.
A man leans against his gray pickup truck, smoking a cigarette.
The back is loaded with several layers of watermelons.
There are a few more on the ground, and a wedge of one set on a post; rich and red looking, fine bait.
``How's it going?'' a visitor asks.
``Not so good,'' the farmer says. ``I usually get 500 from three acres. This is all I got this year,'' he says, waving at a mostly empty truck bed.
``How come?''
``Drought. Too dry,'' he says dejectedly. ``This is it. Not enough to pay for the fertilizer.''
``That must be why they're so high in the store,'' the visitor says.
``I still get $1, $2, $3,'' the farmer answers. ``Any more than that, and people won't pay it.''
An afternoon thunderstorm comes, and the farmer takes his wet melons home.
- Carole O'Keeffe ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Flags decorate the walkway, flower beds and porch of this home on
Constance Road.
by CNB