THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610220089
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
LENGTH: 65 lines
Virginia Beach has its own witch. But she was falsely accused, you are sure to find out on the Superstitions Tour at Adam Thoroughgood House Friday and Saturday. Her name then was Grace Sherwood, dubbed ``The Witch of Pungo.'' She's played these days by Irene Halle, a retired third-grade teacher at Alanton Elementary.
Halle is a history buff and volunteer at Thoroughgood House and the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Her research suggests that Sherwood, a widowed Pungo farm wife, was accused of witchcraft by women jealous of her beauty. She survived her punishment, a ducking in the Lynnhaven River, then went to jail before being pardoned.
Halle doesn't dress like a broom-riding witch but as a simple farm wife. She says the Sherwood story is ``a piece of history of Princess Anne County. It's important for people to know the kind of prejudice that women faced in those days.'' (For Superstitions Tour reservations, call 664-6283.)
Halle's answers are in regular type; her alter ego answered in italics.
Full name: Irene Halle/Grace Sherwood.
Hometown: Virginia Beach/Pungo.
What brought you to the Beach? The stork/ Not a broom.
Birthdate: March 28, 1930/Probably 1680.
Occupation: Retired teacher/Farm wife.
Nickname: Renie/Witch of Pungo.
Marital status: Married to Charlie for 11 years/Widow.
Children: Three of mine, six of his/Three sons.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Touring historic houses/Picnicking by Currituck Sound.
Last smart thing you did: Joined the Institute for Learning in Retirement/Learned to swim.
Last dumb thing you did: Over-scheduled/ Laughed at the wrong time.
Favorite meal: Crab cakes/Eye of newt, wing of bat, wart of toad.
Favorite movies: Any film with Anthony Hopkins/``The Witches of Eastwick.''
Favorite song: ``Summer Wind''/``Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.''
Last book read: ``Beach Music''/``Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.''
Hobbies: Gardening, crafts, dancing classes, classes at ILR/Unearthing upside-down witches' bottles.
Secret vice: Salty, crunchy snacks/I'll keep that to myself, thank you.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Give up sleeping so there'd be more time for fun stuff/They say I already do that.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Convince him to eat less, exercise more/NA.
Favorite restaurant: Kings Arms Tavern/Don't go to restaurants.
Your favorite night on the town: Going to plays, symphony/Dancing in the moonlight.
Favorite TV shows: History Channel shows, ``Frazier''/``Weird Happenings.''
Favorite sport: Playing with the twins next door/Swimming in the Lynnhaven River.
Last vacation: Elder Hostel in Los Angeles/ Sailed to England in an eggshell
Pets: Three cats: Shirley, Pink Floyd, Sumo Cat/Three black cats.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Still healthy and learning/Pioneering the women's movement.
What would you like as your epitaph? I haven't finished yet./Here lies a woman falsely accused. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY by CNB