Beauty in The Virginia Hamptons (RE: NCPA “Beautiful World” Anthology 2023) A. K. Buckroth

“Virginia is for Lovers.” As a recent resident to Virginia, I have seen this popular statement in one form or another throughout numerous retail areas here. Bumper stickers, refrigerator magnets, jigsaw puzzles, baseball caps, etc., are colorful and quick attention getters, money makers and conversation pieces. Such items are inexpensive for a tourist’s memory and/or collection. 

Totally different from the affluent Long Island New York Hamptons, the Virginia Hamptons are shared with working class, numerous military citizens and their families. The area has been known as the United States’ epicenter of military ventures. Diversity of the human race is abundant and apparent. I have never seen such an explosive mixture of ethnicities in one place.  

When first hearing the “lovers” phrase as a pre-teen in 1969, I lived in Massachusetts and my imagination ran away with naughty visualizations of naked people running around on “nude” beaches up and down the east coast. I never saw any of this. The slogan, however, came about in 1969 with the recognition of “baby boomers” along with that generation’s hullabaloo to get listened to by “the establishment”, also known as government entities for one reason or another. For one, I think the end of the Vietnam War remained fresh in many minds and contributed to free thinking with ideas of ‘free love’. “All you need is love” became a national mantra through vocalist John Lennon. The ‘hippie movement’ further enhanced such aspirations.

The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to use the “lovers” slogan as a retail business marketing tool. Evidently it continues to work by attracting curiosity seekers – especially the ever- present working-class and business entrepreneurs – to this state’s numerous waterways and its soft sanded limitless ocean fronts. I have seen walkers, joggers and runners on these shores – oftentimes with a dog or two – enjoying such activities. Not me. I enjoy sitting at the water’s edge listening to the ocean’s sounds. The scent of the salty ocean breeze is calming and  peaceful to me.   

The Virginia Hamptons are no longer limited to former thoughts of their being a bastion of societal elitism if they ever were. Recalling a childhood memory, my adult female family members (mother, aunts, and their lady friends) occasionally spoke of dreams abo visiting the New York Hamptons. Overhearing a conversation as the adults lay in chaise loungers on a covered back patio in a humble, Cape Cod rental cottage, the subject of New York came up with an expressed desire of taking a trip to the New York Hamptons. It ended up being an idea, nothing more.

The front path to this particular Cape Cod rental cottage had been decorated with colorful seashells having pretty hues of faded pink and light green. Along with the shells, different sized pieces of sun-bleached driftwood also adorned the pathway to the main door. I found it all to be absolutely charming.

However, the purported escapade to any one of the two New York Hamptons ─ Southampton and East Hampton of Long island, New York ─ remained a dream. They spoke of seeing a movie star if they were to go there, maybe a financier or a ‘fat cat.’

So, I wondered. My young imagination thought a ‘Hampton’ to be a place, a tangible piece of land with prodigious iconic homes having lots of gleaming windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with large manicured lawns, and swimming pools; perhaps indoor pools, as well; and a gardener, a maid-or two, and of course, a cook. 

I didn’t blame the ladies for their dream. Eight children aged four to 17 with four adults in a two bedroom cottage with one full bathroom helped mental imagery to wander. The cottage rental price, split four ways, helped this particular excursion to be affordable in the summer of 1970. Overcrowded, sure, but cozy, happy, and their togetherness made it warm-spirited.

I liked the sunny summers on Cape Cod. I became familiar with walking to the beach with my siblings and cousins. We continued our adventures by locating a simple local general store that offered modest, yet necessary items such as toothbrushes and two types of tooth pastes, toilet paper, one brand of canned coffee grounds, sodas, bread, and plenty of different candy choices on display at the front counter. I could not fathom the adults wanting their summer dreams to change. However, my concerns were not addressed or even asked for.

The women in this fanciful group, aged 35 to 45, spoke of the wardrobes required to strut about a New York Hampton town ─ beach wear during the day affording cool comfort, showing skin in all the right places with open-toe sandals displaying painted toenails. Large framed, brightly colored sunglasses with a matching scarf, perhaps, or a floppy rattan hat, completed their attires. Sexy. Sexy to them. Comical to me. They laughed at each other and made fun.

However, I think they forgot they were on Cape Cod, and not New York.

Their evening dress on Cape Cod included a spaghetti-strap mid-length or full length dresses showing off their newly tanned (often sunburned) legs, feet, shoulders, bare necks and collar bones. They wanted to be there, to go “out”, to socialize wherever “there” lead them out the door. The shoes, purses and hair accessories matched their “evening costumes” with perfection. We children were left at the cottage in front of the television.

These single older women, including my mother, her sister and two of their friends, giggled and shared dreams while getting ready. It was fun to listen to until we youngsters were told to “go outside!”

However, we could still hear their chatter on the other side of the cottage walls. So, we chuckled and laughed aloud at them until we found another adventure to keep us occupied.

Glamorous beauty is in the mind, I mean the eye, of the beholder.

The particular Hamptons of the Commonwealth of Virginia consist of seven cities: Hampton Roads, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Hampton. These women were unaware of the Virginia Hamptons.

Hampton Roads is the specific name of the land and water masses that exist within each separate city. If I were asked “Where do you live in Virginia,” I could answer “Hampton Roads, specifically the city of Chesapeake.” Therefore, I have become aware that Hampton Roads is an inclusion of each city surrounded by rivers, an embodiment of coastal Virginia. Each city is known as a “Hampton Roads region.” Unfamiliar with such an ideal, I am familiar with its worldwide economic impact which is tremendous. Bridges and more bridges with connective railroad tracks in-between each city encompass a visitor’s journey; and don’t forget a map.     

Newport News, another metropolis of Hampton Roads, is trodden with a naval history dating back to the 17^th century. I have found this city to be a visual mixture of antiquity and modernism. Confusing, perhaps misunderstood. The Mariner’s Museum sparks my interest and could perhaps entice me to visit Newport News.    

Unbeknownst to me until living here, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) became headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2021. After more than 50 years of being a European entity, it has found a home in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia Beach is basically an independent resort city boasting an expansive shoreline with beach-front properties. Full of hotels, restaurants, boardwalks and boutiques, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge attracts much attention. I found it to be quite amazing. For one, it is over four miles long. There are no exits, of course. It is ominous and amazing, similar to an amusement park ride.  The fee for me to cross it when I did was $4.00. I have also spent time walking under the bridge when visiting Virginia Beach’s beach. It is very impressive.

Portsmouth, to me, is a dense, diversified city ─ an overcrowded place. Through my brief visits there, I found it encumbered by concrete structures ─ mostly tall apartment buildings. Unimpressed at first, I found the Norfolk Naval Shipyard ─ located in Portsmouth ─ to be just the opposite. There is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility located in Portsmouth with a small park demonstrating in-ground memorial placards explaining certain ships and the activities of U. S. Navy sailors involved in various battles. Presently, the admirable behemoth Battleship Wisconsin is docked there, offering self-guided tours for under $20.00. 

There are approximately 20 miles of land between each city. These land masses are intersected by rivers, creeks, streams and estuaries leading to the Atlantic Ocean. In order to cross from one side to another, bridges are a necessary accessibility. In fact, there are 90 bridges in Chesapeake alone, six of them are drawbridges. I know because I live in Chesapeake and have been amazed while driving from point A to point B, having to cross a couple of them.

I remain terribly confused with the highway system and avoid it as much as possible. The enmeshed routes from one Hampton city to another and the closest to me are as follows: I-64 with the “Hampton Roads Bridge and Tunnel (HRBT)”; I-664; route 17; I-264; route 58; route 164; route 13; route 168 and more. The routing system is endless. Each routing number has a letter behind it: either an N, S, E, or W depending on where you or I want to go. U-turns are ever-popular.

Due to the continual infrastructure updates of each of these highways, and others, my opinion and experience of driving through orange traffic pylons, orange-and-white-striped-traffic-control-barrels, white painted lane changes and merges is horrific. I prefer to drive ten miles out of my way to get to where I need to be. In that way, my blood pressure can maintain its normalcy as I enjoy the views of grassy or forested Virginia suburbia.

The nearby blue Gilmerton Bridge is a huge drawbridge, spreading one mile east to west over the Elizabeth River; a solid steel/metal conglomeration of riveted beams and concrete, with four lanes for automotive vehicles, and a vertical height restriction of 16’.

I have been awestruck seeing that necessary metal monster move up and down allowing sailboats, tugboats, fishing vessels, barges, etc., to pass unencumbered. The smooth flowing Elizabeth River gives way with a sense of ease and calm while waiting the 20 minutes for the bridge to reopen to traffic. Such visible strength is one price to pay for commerce. It amazes me.

Multiple times a day that bridge is overcrowded with vehicles, big and small, wanting to get to the other side. This road, Military Highway North, leads me home and further into Chesapeake. If chosen, drivers may continue on to Portsmouth, Norfolk, and/or Virginia Beach.

I have also frequented the Deep Creek Drawbridge which is the name of my immediate neighborhood. When people ask “Where do you live.” I say “Deep Creek,” and they know exactly what I am referring to. This drawbridge crosses the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. It consists of a narrow two-lane passage, north to south, and is much smaller than the Gilmerton span.

Great Bridge has a fantastic historical venue as regards the American Revolution and Virginia’s resident Patriots of 1775. In short, within an hour of battle, the Patriots overtook 100 British red-coated troops occupying this area to be free of British rule. I learned all this through a free tour of the outer grounds at the “Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum” where this battle took place. I stood in the exact place where shots were fired.

In this area of the East coast of America’s world, not only do the bridges support transportation and commerce, but railroads are vastly commonplace. For instance, under the Gilmerton Bridge are daily operable railroad tracks traversing north to south with an uncountable amount of boxcars stacked two high. The trains lug their multiple containers from Norfolk, through Chesapeake, into North Carolina and beyond. So, after waiting for the bridge to come down, the first road to get me home has me (and others) halted at a railroad crossing. Feeling greatly agitated, there is nothing to be done but sit and wait – again.

Geez o peet! It’s a good thing I have crackers in the car with a water-filled thermos at all times; two items I will not leave home without!

“Virginia’s vast system of scenic rivers, salty tidal bays, quiet inlets and streams provide opportunities for canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts to leave the world behind, have an adventure of their own and explore nature on its terms.”

Personally, a simple walk on the beach is fine for me.

In addition, the rich and lengthy history of these Hamptons is centuries old and worth learning about this part of a beautiful world.  

Although a newcomer to this state, confusion continues to abound my mind. Yet all the Hampton regional cities and their numerous activities offered in, on and at the Atlantic Ocean is, simply, why Virginia is for Lovers.       

It’s that time of year again.  Wetness from day-after-day of rain, colder termperatures, an ugly and constant muddiness, a consistent and persistent cloudy sky.  In sixteen days of this past mont, I saw the sun twice.

 Becasue I work at home, my two dogs have become my salvation to get ouside.  Otherwise, I would not go out at all.  Well, besides them and having to go to the grocery store.

Yep, I have a case of log-cabin fever with a touch of the doldrums.

Are you feeling that way?

Not to be inappreciable with nature, I know some geographic areas are lots worse than mine – weather-wise.  For instance, I have lived many many years on the East Coast of the continental U. S. A. and do not miss that weather!  Although I do miss watching snow-falls and ice skating, I do not miss the cold temperatures (the lowest I have personally experienced was negative 23 degrees below Fahrenheit!).  Nor do I miss the areas’ summer humidity.  Having lived a few months in the south-eastern U. S., the humidity was so heavy that I contracted a fungal discoloration and disorder in my skin!  I was medically told to treat that condition with Head & Shoulders shampoo, of all things.  Are you familiar with that?  I had to “smurf up” every day until it disappeared.  

I need a physical ‘re-birthing’ with some sunshine.  Spring allows me that grace.  Summer is another story in this area of northern California where I reside.  Having witnessed day-upon-day of temperatures above 105 degrees fahrenheit (the highest I lived through was 118 degrees), I think and remember the winter cold.  Autumn is a welcome reprieve and my favorite time of year.

On and on we go. 

How are you and your area’s weather?

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The SS Andrea Doria
Career
Name:	Andrea Doria
Owner:	Italian Line
Port of registry:	Italy
Builder:	Ansaldo Shipyards of Genoa, Italy
Launched:	16 June 1951
Maiden voyage:	14 January 1953
Identification:	Code Letters and radio callsign ICEH
Fate:	Capsized and sank on 25 July 1956 after colliding with the MS Stockholm
General characteristics
Class and type:	Andrea Doria class ocean liner
Tonnage:	29,083 GRT
Length:	213.80 m (701 ft 5 in)
Beam:	27.50 m (90 ft 3 in)
Installed power:	Steam turbines
Propulsion:	Twin propellers
Speed:	23 kn (42.60 km/h)
Capacity:	1,221 passengers
Wreck Location
Discovered:	Yes
Discovered by:	Peter Gimbel and Joseph Fox
Discovered when:	27 July 1956
Wreck depth:	190-260 FSW
Position:	40°29′30″N 69°51′0″W / 40.49167°N 69.85°W / 40.49167; -69.85

SS Andrea Doria was an ocean liner for the Italian Line (Società di navigazione Italia) home ported in Genoa, Italy, most famous for its sinking in 1956. Named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, the Andrea Doria had a gross register tonnage of 29,100 and a capacity of about 1,200 passengers and 500 crew. For a country attempting to rebuild its economy and reputation after World War II, Andrea Doria was an icon of Italian national pride. Of all Italy’s ships at the time, Andrea Doria was the largest, fastest and supposedly safest. Launched on 16 June 1951, the ship undertook its maiden voyage on 14 January 1953.

On 25 July 1956, approaching the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts bound for New York City, Andrea Doria collided with the eastward-bound MS Stockholm of the Swedish American Line in what became one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. Struck in the side, the top-heavy Andrea Doria immediately started to list severely to starboard, which left half of her lifeboats unusable. The consequent shortage of lifeboats might have resulted in significant loss of life, but improvements in communications and rapid responses by other ships averted a disaster similar in scale to the Titanic disaster of 1912. 1660 passengers and crew were rescued and survived, while 46 people died as a consequence of the collision.^[1] The evacuated luxury liner capsized and sank the following morning.

The incident and its aftermath were heavily covered by the news media. While the rescue efforts were both successful and commendable, the cause of the collision and the loss of Andrea Doria afterward generated much interest in the media and many lawsuits. Largely because of an out-of-court settlement agreement between the two shipping companies during hearings immediately after the disaster, no determination of the cause(s) was ever formally published. Although greater blame appeared initially to fall on the Italian liner, more recent discoveries have indicated that a misreading of radar on the Swedish ship may have initiated the collision course, leading to some errors on both ships and resulting in disaster. However, the news that the crew had abandoned the passengers to their own fate dealt a marketing blow to the Italian Line it found hard to recover from.[citation needed]

Andrea Doria was the last major transatlantic passenger vessel to sink before aircraft became the preferred method of travel.

“Good Morning and Happy New Year once again!  My name is A. K. Buckroth, author of “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography.”  Thank you for inviting me here this morning.  IHOP (International House of Pancakes) sure is a different place to host a speaker.  You all go ahead and eat your breakfasts while I talk at you.  My topic, as some of you many know, is diabetes….”

I use a a version of that line when promoting my book during a Book Speak/Book Signing.  As an Independent Author, marketing this item is not only constant but quite difficult with little tangible reward.  I do it alone.  I do not have a team of people routing for me and selling the item nor collecting payments.  I do that.  As a sole-proprietor, I do it all, down to cleaning the toilet.  That is just the way it is.  I am cost-effective and efficient, personable and candid; a realist and an idealist; humorous and sarcastic.  

An upcoming speaking engagement needs your review.  I am to present myself and the book in front of 20 – 30 other published or unpublished authors.  The setting is literally in a local IHOP restaurant.  It’s  a writers club.  This certain club has been in existence for over 90 years, having obtained elite and highly respected credentials.  I am honored to have been invited.

I am not naive to public speaking engagements.  I have participated in many over a course of seventeen years.  However, this particular scope of concern is not the topic of my purpose – diabetes – but presenting the subject matter to people while they are eating some of the most highly carbed and saturated fats available to mankind.  Visualize this: while the 20 – 30 people in the audience conference room literally eat breakfast, I’ll be standing at the head of the table discussing the whats, wheres, whys, whos, hows, how tos, and how muches that is involved with this disease.

I’m nervous.  The date for this event is two days away.  After a self-introduction, I’ll begin with a biref definition of diabetes: “In the plainest and  simplest of difinitions, diabetes means a person cannot digest food.  I am not a medical professional in any way, means, shape or form.  I am a diabetic.  I am proud to report that I have successfully lived with this disease for over fifty years.  I need to stress to you that diabetes does not have to be a death sentence.  It is up to you – non-diabetics and diabetics alike – to learn about the intricasies of your bodies.  This book is a blueprint for not only your health, but for everyone around you.  It is full of knowledge, references, and hints for your well-being.” 

Sound good?  I don’t know. 

The demographics of the audience are middle-aged and older.

1. INTRODUCTION:

     “The Nobel Prize has existed for 117 years. In that time, a total of 916 prizes have been awarded to individuals and organizations, with some receiving the Nobel Prize more than once.

     “In this article I  examine the national, ethnic and gender  composition of the laureates. I examine TRENDS over time,  and I show how the allocation of  Nobel awards  reflects the history and the evolution of the world over the past 117 years.