THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240146
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: 76 lines
Arthur Flemming, 84, grew up knowing a lot about Deep Creek and its residents, like what some folks stored in their pantries.
From the time he was 6 to 18, Flemming worked in his dad's grocery store. Among his duties was delivering groceries by horse and buggy to customers who lived far away.
``Everybody had something to do,'' he said. ``We had to work, there was no money.''
His father sold groceries on credit.
``He had to (give credit) because the farmers could only make money during the summertime,'' Flemming said. ``During the depression he got stuck many times.''
Most folks in the area were truck farmers who grew and shipped beets, snap beans, potatoes, corn, cantaloupes and tomatoes.
In 1931, Flemming was one of 13 graduates from the two-story county school.
The house he grew up in is still in the family and is about 100 yards down the road from the family-owned building that houses his 18-year-old framing business, the Great Dismal Swamp Gallery.
Working ``60-something'' years without losing ``any time to speak of'' says a lot about his work ethic.
For 23 years, he was employed with the Division of Motor Vehicles. His final paycheck reflected a full year's salary in sick leave and vacation days.
Flemming regrets that some of the old buildings in Deep Creek were torn down to make way for development.
``There used to be a big brick jail here,'' he said. ``A justice of the peace provided at trials.''
The James/Adams floating theater came through twice a year to put on live Vaudeville-type stage performances. As he recalls, the cost for a show was 35 cents.
Full name: Arthur Lee Flemming Jr.
Hometown: ``Norfolk county. My daddy was born and raised here, too.''
Most fond childhood memory: ``Early Sunday mornings in the summertime, grandfather would take my brother and me to Ocean View. We'd ride a streetcar to the only amusement park around. He gave both us three 50-cent pieces. He'd say, `When you spend that out, I'll be sitting on the bench.' At lunchtime he'd take us to get fried spot. Everyone went swimming. We'd rent our bathing suits and put our (street) clothes in a locker (while we swam). We had to leave the park at about 4 p.m. so that we could get home by dark.''
Children: Betty Boyce, Charles W. Flemming, Carol Paulk and John P. Flemming.
Occupation: ``I'm a framer and craftsman and owner of the Great Dismal Swamp Gallery.''
Hobbies: ``Craftsman, gardening and doing the yard work on my 1 1/2-acre lot.''
What's your favorite game? Football
What irritates you the most? Some people
Favorite type of music: Symphonies on WNOR
Can't resist: ``I can resist anything. Nothing bothers me.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I really don't know. Sometimes the lady at the bank will say `Have a nice day' and I say `I have a nice day every day.' ''
Of what achievements are you most proud? ``Raising four children. All have a good education. None of them ever been in trouble. All have good jobs.''
Favorite TV program: News
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Buffets where you can wait on yourself
Worst job: ``I hated my first job. Right after high school I went to work for the old Norfolk and Portsmouth ferry, which went from High Street in Portsmouth to Commercial Place in Norfolk. Rain, shine, snow or blow, I had to stand out in the weather selling tickets to (the drivers of) passenger cars for ferry rides. But I had to work, so I kept going. (He later worked in the ferry office and stayed with the company for 22 years).
Last vacation: ``I used to work during my vacations.''
What would you like as your epitaph? ``My oldest grandson is a funeral director. He writes obituaries every day. He'll write mine.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN