THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511250054
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mr. Roberts' Neighborhood
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
It was plush, lush and loaded with dials, buttons and switches.
The kids turned, pushed, clicked. The radio played, the television set went on, the sun roof opened.
It was, to quote fourth-grader Brandon Dusanic, ``cool - real cool.''
Three boys and three girls were in the back of the black limousine, riding in a style to which they would love to become accustomed. Who wouldn't?
They were heading from Nansemond Parkway Elementary School in Suffolk to Pizza Hut, near Chesapeake Square.
The limo drove with a purr. Inside, it was more like a roar - but no fault of the vehicle.
Don't get me wrong, though. The children were well-behaved, just excited.
The ride and the food were rewards for the youngsters who, individually, raised the most money in a recent PTA fund drive.
All of the school's kindergartners through fifth-graders sold the usual - Christmas wrapping paper, candies, cookies - collectively raising a healthy $12,000.
The top sales kids from each grade made the limo trip and were treated to Bigfoot pizza.
The top seller in each class got a chance to play ball with lottery type balls bouncing around in an air machine. Two of the children each won $50.
Nice, but certainly not as memorable as a limo ride to Pizza Hut.
``This is bigger than our car,'' said kindergartener Michael Mealhouse. ``All I got is two windows on our car.''
In his car, a 1994 Lincoln Town Car, owner Larry D. Vogel keeps a couple jars of Grey Poupon mustard on hand. He can say yes when someone asks, ``Have you any Grey Poupon?''
Invariably, someone in a group holds it out the window for a picture, mimicking a familiar TV commercial.
Chaperone Mary South did the honors this go-`round.
``I keep it there for just such purposes,'' Vogel said.
The food of the moment, though, was pizza - devoured by a very happy group of children.
The smallest child, but raiser of the most money, was kindergartener Michael, who brought in $239.
He gives some credit to his parents and his dad's Smithfield Packing co-workers.
The other smiling Nansemond Parkway winners were first-grader Amber Lindsey, who raised $235; second-grader Sarah Edwards, $165; third-grader Jeffrey Cooper, $203; fourth-grader Brandon Dusanic, $199; and fifth-grader Amber Taylor, $219.
``The people at church bought some of my stuff,'' said Amber Taylor, referring to Ebenezer Baptist in Portsmouth.
On this outing, the kids were ready to spend some money on themselves.
``Let's go to the mall,'' Jeffrey said. ``We can have a five-minute shopping spree.''
Brandon, who was hoping Vogel would ``take the long way home'' really enjoyed the limo luxury.
``Maybe,'' he said, ``we'll be on `Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'.'' by CNB