THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220257
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
Wednesday, Sept. 13
5:45 p.m. - Weight Watchers at Hilltop.
During a weekly meeting of members, Theresa, the perky team leader, addresses the ``three strikes'' against those who want to lose weight - overeating, inactivity and genetics.
Somehow, as she always does, she uses a funny story to illustrate a point. ``One time,'' she says, giggling, ``I was in line at the grocery store, and the lady in front of me had a few remote controls hanging out of her purse.
``The cashier asked why she had them, and the lady answered, `To get back at my husband.' ''
- Holly Wester
Thursday, Sept. 14
11:55 a.m. - Virginia Wesleyan College.
A blue Probe cruising around campus wears a license tag that pumps anxious skiers up for the upcoming winter season. It says: 2DSLOPZ.
- Holly Wester
1:35 p.m. - Holland Road.
The black and white sticker on the rear bumper of a brown Dodge Shadow boasts a strange take on the whole meat question. It reads: ``EAT PEOPLE NOT ANIMALS.''
- Holly Wester
Monday, Sept. 18
1 p.m. - Beacon Building on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
A woman enters an office and asks if anyone can help her get a car unlocked. She has locked the keys in the ignition at a neighboring fast-food place.
An employee offers assistance and goes to find a coat hanger. He finds a piece of wire. Outside the building, a man stands holding onto a child's hand. The man looks sheepish.
``Actually, my husband locked them in,'' she says. ``But he didn't want to come ask.''
Finally, after a few minutes, the lock is popped up and the door opens.
The woman thanks the man who opened the car. She looks relieved, but not as much as her husband.
- Gary Edwards
Tuesday, Sept. 19
8 a.m. - Cavalier Beach Club on the Oceanfront.
Pat Williams, general manager of the Orlando Magic professional basketball team, has just stepped up to the microphone to address the crowd of several hundred people gathered for the Neptune Festival Prayer Breakfast.
He is the featured speaker for the morning and has just listened to the special musical guest belt out an upbeat number. The raspy sound system in the cavernous dining hall was unable to carry the singer's voice clearly to the packed house.
Williams can't help but note the fact.
``You know,'' he says, ``recently, I have had to speak before more dead mikes than an Irish undertaker!''
Laughter erupts in the audience. He seizes both the opportunity and their attention and continues with his sermon.
- Kevin Armstrong
Wednesday, Sept. 20
12:50 p.m. - Beacon Building on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
A woman is walking out the door when she spots a male co-worker finishing his lunch at the picnic table. A container of Yoplait custard style yogurt sits empty, along with a small bag of potato chips. He rubs a green apple on his shirt and takes a bite.
``Wow, I'm impressed,'' she says. ``Eating so healthy. Are you on a diet or something?''
He looks surprised.
``No, I always eat like this,'' the co-worker replies. ``I like yogurt. I hardly eat red meat anymore.''
``Really?'' she asks. ``I can't believe you're eating yogurt. Most guys won't touch the stuff - especially that kind. It's like that saying - real men don't eat quiche.''
The man laughs.
``Hey, I just ate quiche yesterday!'' he says.
Then the woman spots a lit cigarette dangling precariously on the end of the table and clucks disapprovingly. He rolls his eyes heavenward, waiting for the inevitable.
``You eat like that yet you still smoke,'' she scolds. ``I guess that's supposed to counteract the healthy benefits, huh?''
He smiles without remorse.
``You got it.''
- Pam Starr ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Voluminous veggie
The hot, dry summer meant a tough year for growing vegetables, but
you probably couldn't convince Bill Thomas of that. Here the
Virginia Beach resident proudly shows off a 16-pound squash grown on
his farm outside of Charlottesville.
Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
A king and a prayer are magic
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf sits sandwiched between royalty and magic at
the recent Neptune Festival prayer breakfast. Tom Barton, left, is a
former King Neptune and guest speaker Pat Williams is the general
manager of the Orlando Magic basketball team. The breakfast, an
annual event, was sponsored by Beach Ford.
by CNB