THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160222
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
The one thing that stands out in Mickey Lamb's mind from her childhood in the mountains of Galax, Va., is the excitement surrounding the town's annual fiddlers' convention.
``That thing has been going on since I was a little bitty girl. They still have it in the same place up there, and it's like an invasion of the troops the week they have it,'' she said.
And that's exactly the atmosphere Lamb hopes to promote next weekend at Sleepy Hole Park during National Hunting and Fishing Days.
``I'm hoping and praying that we're going to have 20,000 to attend,'' said Lamb, who volunteered to organize this year's festival. Last year's event drew about 5,000, she said.
``What I tried to do in setting this up was to create an atmosphere of an oldtime country fair . . . without the carnival rides, of course.''
Celebrating its 23rd year in Portsmouth, National Hunting and Fishing Days was established during the presidency of John F. Kennedy to salute American sportsmen and their contributions to the community.
``When you thank someone for something, if you don't give them a gift, you give them a party. That's in line with what we're doing. We're giving them a celebration and thanking them for what they do for the community,'' Lamb said.
Scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, the event will feature native American dancers and storytellers, a re-enactment of the fur trade era and the Civil War, cloggers, folk dancing and a variety of music - from gospel to country and even a little rock 'n' roll.
Children will be entertained with pony rides, a petting zoo, clowns, face painting, balloon animals, games, prizes, helium balloons and visits with Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, Bubba Bass and SPSA Roo.
``It is geared toward the family,'' Lamb said. ``The admission is free, the parking is free, the entertainment is free. So a family can go out there, spend the weekend, bring a picnic lunch and actually not spend a penny and have a really good time.''
Lamb got involved with National Hunting and Fishing Days about eight years ago while a member of the Chesapeake Bay Fur Co., a group that re-enacts the country's fur trade era. When she volunteered to organize this year's event, Lamb didn't realize she'd be spending as many as 10 to 12 hours a day on it.
``I have done probably 98 percent of everything that's been done this year,'' she said. ``There are so many details, so much correspondence. ''
Will Lamb volunteer for the job again next year?
``No,'' she said, followed by a quick explanation.
``We're leaving the area, so this is sort of my swan song to the city of Portsmouth. We want to move down in the country, probably the Windsor area. That's where we're looking now.''
Despite the hard work, Lamb said she has enjoyed her stint as organizer.
``I met a lot of really nice people, really nice people. Hopefully this is one way we can advertise the City of Portsmouth, put it out there for people to look at. And they'll see what we've got going on. It lets them know that Portsmouth is a good place to live, that these are their neighbors.
Name: Phyllis Edwards Lamb
Nickname: Mickey
Neighborhood: Churchland
Number of years in Portsmouth: 11 years
Birthplace: Galax, Va.
Birthdate: July 16, 1950
Occupation: Domestic goddess
What other job than your own would you like? Criminal lawyer
Marital status: Married
Children: Catherine, 24, and Mark, 19
Fondest childhood memory: There are so many; the best was any time with my Papa and rides on ``Ruby'' at plowing time
First concert: Woodlawn High School, 1963
What song or book title best describes your life? ``For the Good Times'' and ``Absolutely Fabulous''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A farm - I'd raise Clydesdale horses
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Jennifer Saunders - comic actress, writer, producer. She seems to have as much fun as I do
Biggest accomplishment: My children
Most embarrassing moment: Oh, no!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My weight
Perfect way to spend the day: A day of just doing nothing.
I can't resist: Chocolate (anyway, anytime, anywhere)
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Dragon Town Chinese Restaurant
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: I don't hang out anymore (age, you know?)
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: The lack of taxable property
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Money
Racetrack
A riverboat cruise line would be nice
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Dear friends ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB