THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508220133
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
DELORES CAHOON'S NEW challenge is to help bring Isle of Wight County closer to the rest of greater Hampton Roads.
That's how she sees her overall priority as president of the Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce. She was recently installed in the post, filling the seat vacated by Smithfield businessman Alan Monette. Her husband, Aubrey, is also a past president.
Cahoon says serving as vice president of the chamber last year helped prepare her for the presidency and to see the direction the chamber needs to take.
``I would like to see this area become more recognized as part of the Hampton Roads region,'' she said in a recent interview.
To help do that, the chamber has joined the Regional Business Alliance, becoming the fifth member. The other chambers are Franklin/Southampton County, Hampton Roads, Virginia Peninsula and Williamsburg area.
``It gives us a stronger voice in attracting new businesses to the region,'' Cahoon said. ``We really want to be a part of what's happening. And to do that, we need to come together in a unified front.''
Cahoon said businesses and homeowners are attracted to the area because the county belongs to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District and because county education has improved and expanded telephone service is on the way.
``The growing phone system will connect people to the Peninsula, Suffolk, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and parts of Chesapeake,'' she said.
In her spare time, Cahoon loves to travel - during which she finds herself evaluating industrial parks and housing for other chambers of commerce.
``Some chambers really don't present themselves very well. But then, not everyone is as proud of their chamber as we are.''
Name: Delores Cahoon
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? My father told me that a stork left me in a potato patch.
Birthdate/hometown: Morgart's Beach/Smithfield.
What's your fondest childhood memory? The sweet smell and softness of my grandmother.
Marital status and children: Married to Aubrey; four children: Mary Lynn, Gloria, Laughton and Bruce.
Pets: A cat named Lucille.
What was your first job/worst job? Bett's Department Store/none - I've learned something from each one.
Occupation: Home health manager at Simpson's Pharmacy.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? None. I like what I'm doing because I enjoy helping people.
Favorite food/drink: Veal parmesan/Prince Michel Barrel Select chardonay.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Any vacation. I like the sea, the mountains - any place away from the telephones.
I can't resist: Chocolate.
Few people know that . . . I am an adventurer. I rode a mule nine hours into the Grand Canyon, and I love roller coasters.
Most embarrassing moment: While on a stage at Old Dominion University, I was about to introduce a speaker when my heel caught a wire and pulled the microphone off the podium.
If you won the lottery . . . I'd share with my family and travel.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Be everything you can be, a friend.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I like people.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I wouldn't want to take on anyone else's problems because they might be harder to deal with than my own.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My children and my contribution to the success of our business.
Something you wish to say but haven't: Be true to yourself, and everything else will fall into place. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB