THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504080084
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines
Monday, March 27
6:10 p.m. - Newtown Road.
A woman driving a white car has a strategy for getting what she wants. She spreads her advice to other motorists via her license plate, which reads: WINE 4IT.
- Holly Wester
9:25 p.m. - Independence Boulevard off ramp.
Stuck to the toll booth basket is a message. A red, gold and green sticker reads: Racism is a disease. Only the ignorant catch it.
- Holly Wester
Friday, March 31
8:30 a.m. - Independence Boulevard.
In one of the northbound lanes of Independence Boulevard there appears to be a big, furry silver animal lying in the road as cars fly by.
Upon closer inspection, the ``animal'' turns out to be a fur coat.
And, as the traffic continues to drive over the garment, pieces of fur fly into the air.
- Lori A. Denney
Saturday, April 1
8:30 p.m. - Radisson Hotel.
In the hotel bar, some women in their mid-40s are chatting.
After several minutes one of them wipes her forehead and asks ``Is it hot in here, or is it just me? I'm at that age; I never can tell whether it's really hot or I'm . . . ''
One of the other women breaks in, nodding knowingly and saying, ``Where I work, we call them power surges.''
- Melinda Forbes
Monday, April 3
11 a.m. - Kmart, Pembroke area.
``Wow, purple shoes for $3,'' a woman snatches up a pair of grape colored flats.
Another shopper says, ``If you have something they go with.''
``They're $3,'' the first shopper repeats still looking at the shoes.
``Well, sure. If they're the right size,'' the other answers putting a pair of plain white sneakers into her basket.
``I said, they are $3.'' She tosses them into her cart along with a carton of malted milk balls and a rubber bath mat, and rolls out of the shoe department.
- Marlene Ford
Tuesday, April 4
4:30 p.m. - A house in Glenwood.
A fake wreath hangs on Eva Festa's front door, a circular wooden frame about three inches deep covered with silk leaves.
Suddenly a sparrow flies out from the wreath and sits on the roof. On closer inspection, a comfortable-looking nest can be seen sitting smack dab in the middle of the lower rung of the wreath. The nest houses four tiny speckled eggs, about the size of peanut M&M's.
White-haired Festa says she never knew of the nest's presence until two weeks ago, when she opened the door for a delivery person.
``I noticed trash on the porch and then my eye went to the nest,'' says Festa. ``I think the bird picked my wreath because if you look around, the only trees are tall pines and they're not budded.''
It doesn't bother Festa to have a winged creature take up residence on her front door. This is the first time anything like this has happened to her, she says, and is pretty excited about it.
``I have no idea when the eggs will hatch,'' she says, her blue eyes sparkling. ``Maybe for Easter - wouldn't that be nice?''
- Pam Starr
10 p.m. - Boardwalk.
``Gimme me a dollar to see me jump over my friend? What's it worth,'' a young teen clutches his skateboard and barks to late night strollers.
People gather to hear what he's saying, to make sure the friend lying stock still across the Boardwalk is OK. After seeing it's a kind of impromptu carny act, most just shake their heads and move on.
But there are a few takers. The skateboard artist lets a collection of dollar bills stick out of his cap as he revs up for another jump.
- Marlene Ford
Wednesday, April 5
9:10 a.m. - Villas of Glenwood.
Amy Rae Nelligar-King, 24, her long brown hair spilling over her shoulders, is being dragged down the sidewalk by Wendell, a spirited beagle/dachshund mix. Her tan face is pained as she holds onto the leash and tries to keep up with the dog. But she still manages a smile for a neighbor.
``I'm in labor!'' she yells, as mom Judy Nelligar runs up behind her with a bag. ``We're going to the hospital!
``And it's my due date!''
Amy Rae gingerly hoists herself and Wendell into the van and settles back in the passenger seat. Judy, looking more nervous than her daughter, races to the other side and gets behind the wheel. They wave as the van lurches into gear.
- Pam Starr
5:05 p.m. - Sentara Leigh Hospital.
Amy Rae is in a room on the labor and delivery floor and has been in labor for more than eight hours. She's at four centimeters and just asked for an epidural. Amy Rae hadn't expected to get an epidural, but that was before the labor pains began.
``She was having a really rough time but she's smiling now,'' says Judy on the phone. ``She was a human pin cushion - it took four people and seven holes to find a vein.
Judy laughs.
Their friends and family, including Amy Rae's husband, David, ``have just about taken over the hospital,'' she adds. ``I think the hospital is ready to call out the National Guard.''
- Pam Starr
11:40 p.m. - Sentara Leigh Hospital.
Braeden Parker Nelligar-King enters the world weighing 6 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces, with a fair complexion and light hair. He looks just like his daddy, says Judy, and is 20 1/2 inches long.
He's healthy and just perfect, says the new grandmother. Fourteen family members and friends were on hand to greet the new arrival.
``Let me tell you, it was easier the first time I gave birth,'' says Judy the next morning. ``My stomach muscles are so sore - I pushed with Amy for two solid hours.''
- Pam Starr ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by Charlie Meads
Sunday, April 2
3:30 p.m. - Shore Drive.
Many crosses have been placed on the roadside along Shore Drive
to commemorate fatal accidents. Most are decorated off and on with
flowers or seasonal rememberances.
This weekend, however, each memorial has a new adornment.
Someone has stopped at every site along the road and carefully
placed a straw angel wrapped in golden stars atop or beside each
group of crosses.
by CNB