THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601230101
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Pasta and hockey players came together for a purpose at the Spaghetti Warehouse when a number of the Hampton Roads Admirals joined forces with the Tidewater Literacy Council to combat illiteracy.
Admirals fans from throughout Hampton Roads, many in team jerseys, flocked to the restaurant on Monticello Avenue in Norfolk for the third annual ``Admirals Night for Literacy,'' a fund-raising event benefiting the Tidewater Literacy Council. Although scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., many in the exuberant crowd arrived early.
Players who attended were Mark Bernard, Rich Bronilla, Aaron Downey, Rick Kowalsky, Jason McIntyre, Dominic Maltais, Steve Richards, Corwin Saurdiff, Rob Striar, David St. Pierre and Rod Taylor.
Spaghetti Warehouse manager Bob Duzey explained how it all began.
``The Literacy Council contacted us first,'' he said. ``It's turned into a community event. We've been able to raise a lot of money for them. It's become their biggest single fund-raiser. We enjoy doing it; everybody has a good time. The Literacy Council is the Admirals' charity of choice.''
In addition to dinner, attendees could talk with players who mingled freely throughout the evening, even assisting the wait staff. Announcements, made over the din of the crowd, informed anyone who was unaware that T-shirts were available for $10, photos taken with the players for $3 and raffle tickets for $1 each.
Approximately 20 volunteers from the Tidewater Literacy Council also mingled with diners, selling shirts and tickets. Several were good-naturedly rebuffed by patrons who wished to purchase theirs from the players.
``We'll buy tickets when they send Kowalsky over to our table,'' Carol Kelly of Chesapeake said, laughing. ``Sarah (Kelly's 11 year-old daughter) is his No. 1 fan!''
Purchased items, as well as team paraphernalia brought by the diners, were autographed by the players as they passed through the different dining areas. Autographed items included several jerseys still on the backs of their young wearers.
Susan Hunt of Portsmouth had brought her nephew, Douglas Hunt, 5, of Chesapeake, who was autographed.
``He's having a great time,'' she said. ``He's having a ball tonight.''
``There's nothing like hockey,'' Rod Taylor of the Admirals said.
``There's nothing,'' added Joyce Colontuono of Chesapeake, ``like an Admirals game.''
One of Colontuono's two companions, Dara Hartsell, also of Chesapeake, noted, ``Before they came to Norfolk, there was nothing. With hockey, there's always a game. We're season ticket holders.''
So are John and Susan Thomas of Chesapeake.
``We've only lived here two years,'' John explained, ``but we've had season tickets both years.''
As Susan held up the T-shirt and raffle tickets they had purchased, and a multiply autographed jersey they had brought with them, he added, ``Hopefully, we'll get all 10 to sign it tonight.''
According to the Tidewater Literacy Council, one in five adults in Hampton Roads, as elsewhere in the country, cannot read at a fifth-grade level. Such functional illiteracy exacts an economic toll on the individual, his or her employer and the nation. Funds raised by the event support tutoring efforts providing free one-on-one assistance to those who wish to learn to read.
``It's exciting to see all the fun,'' said Christine Antonucci, executive director of the Tidewater Literacy Council. ``The real pull is the Admirals. It gives us a chance to introduce ourselves to the community. If 10 percent walk out with a little more knowledge, we've made some strides. We look forward to it. Each year it seems to get better. It's definitely a success.''
Early in the evening, Myra Waranch of the Tidewater Literacy Council explained how previous ``Admirals Nights'' had raised $1,200 to $1,500 each.
By 10 p.m., an hour after the event's scheduled end, Tidewater Literacy Council administrative assistant Merriam Scott was able to report, based on preliminary figures, that the previous record had been surpassed by about $100, making for a total of almost $1,600.
The Tidewater Literacy Council, based in Portsmouth, was founded in 1969 and serves Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. MEMO: For more information, or to make a donation, contact the Tidewater
Literacy Council at 804-393-6459.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
The Admirals' Rick Kowalsky signs an autograph for Douglas Hunt, 5.
by CNB