THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270253
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
AS A PLASTIC surgeon, Dr. Richard Mladick probably never would have gotten the chance to milk a cow or chase pigs around a corral.
But, as King Neptune XXII, Mladick has done just that.
In fact, one of his proudest accomplishments came Sept. 16 when he won the John Deere tractor race at the Neptune Festival's Country Fair Day.
``Being king is a hoot!'' said Mladick, 61. ``It's fun and it's a chance to really get out and meet with the community.''
Like all kings before him, Mladick was chosen to be King Neptune XXII by a secret committee of his peers.
As king, his obligations, most of which include social appearances, began in June with the Pungo Strawberry Festival and will last until spring, when a new king is named.
With the title comes all the pomp and circumstance - the Grand Ball, charitable functions, golf, and most importantly, the ride down Atlantic Avenue as the focal point of the festival's grand parade Oct. 1.
``It's an attractive spectacle - whoever may be king,'' said Mladick. ``They say you hate to give it (the title) up.''
Mladick, an Illinois native, spent several years on the staffs at Norfolk General Hospital and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters as a reconstructive plastic surgeon.
During his stint with Norfolk General, Mladick was instrumental in helping to begin the hospital's burn unit.
Mladick opened his Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery off First Colonial Road in Virginia Beach in 1974 after deciding to specialize in aesthetic plastic surgery. His center is fully accredited and is actually a mini-hospital in which patients are treated, operated on, and cared for overnight at the center.
Mladick has been married to his wife, Elly, almost 30 years and together the couple, who live in Bay Colony, have two grown children.
Almost 10 years ago, Mladick was named a triton in the Neptune Festival.
``The king is pretend but it's not pretentious,'' said Mladick, who operates five days a week and oversees a staff of 20. ``It's fantasy and fun but it's important that he's out there because he's sort of the public relations headlight of the festival. It's really an attractive spectacle what with the crown and robe and all.''
But alas, the crown, robe and scepter must be returned.
``I will still have the greatest thing though - I will have the nicest memories and the honor of having been chosen,'' Mladick said. ILLUSTRATION: King Nepturn XXII
Dr. Richard Mladick
KEYWORDS: NEPTUNE FESTIVAL XX11 by CNB