THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410040102
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Need a gondola for your pool? Maybe a mermaid?
Bill Dougherty is the man to see. This designer, florist and illustrator is a creative guy. And he really did make a full-sized gondola. It floated in the hosts' pool during ``An Evening in Venice,'' one of this year's summertime parties to benefit the Center for the Arts. The mermaid, a spectacular creation with sparkling scales and a wild headdress, lives in his floral and design shop.
Dougherty, who used to create needlepoint designs in New York, calls himself a jack of all trades. He's happy with the turn his life has taken in Virginia Beach. Doing needlepoint designs was a lonely job - working by himself at a drawing table all alone all day. ``I needed to be with people,'' said the busy florist.
Now he is.
Full name: Charles W. ``Bill'' Dougherty.
Hometown: I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but I consider myself to be a Southerner at heart.
What brought you to the Beach? I had grown tired of the New York City rat race and loved the warmth of the climate and the people of Virginia.
Birthdate: Dec. 13, 1949.
Occupation: Designer and proprietor of Eclectic Design Florist and Gifts and freelance illustrator and logo designer.
Nickname: Never had one.
Marital status: Single and content.
Children: None.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Fishing off Ocracoke Island.
Last smart thing you did: Moved Eclectic Design along with my managers - Kim Rego and Linda Consar to our new location on Laskin Road next to Pasta and Pani restaurant.
Last dumb thing you did: Got a credit card.
Favorite meal: Almost anything shared with a friend.
Favorite movies: ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' ``Blade Runner'' and ``Steel Magnolias.''
Favorite song: ``Amazing Grace,'' ``Summertime'' and ``Close to You.''
Last book read: ``Gifts From the Sea'' by Anne Morrow Lindberg.
Hobbies: Gardening and landscape design.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would either like to do what is necessary to change my weight or just stop worrying myself about it - preferably whichever allows me to eat the most.
Secret vice: Fresh strawberries and Godiva chocolates.
Favorite restaurant: Was Lista's. Is now Lista's in Baltimore and Five 01 City Grill in Virginia Beach.
Your favorite night on the town: I much prefer staying in and enjoying the quietness of my new home.
Favorite TV shows: I watch CNN, PBS, TLC and the Discovery Channel.
Favorite sport: Fishing.
Last vacation: Fishing at Ocracoke Island.
Pets: B.C. Boy (my black cat) and The Wife (B.C's female companion).
Worst job: Working in a pet shop.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Putting my business together and watching it grow for the last five years.
What would you like on your epitaph? Please, could we do it one more time? ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB