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The only locally-owned magazine dedicated to Peninsula arts, entertainment, culture, cuisine and local retail. November/December 2020 Tick-Tacks and Talks Page 3 New Restauranteurs Page 8 Seventy Two Years of Modern Women Page 10 VAPeninsulaMedia.com Photo: Mekos

November/December 2020 Editor’s Note Virginia Peninsula Media, LLC Even living on the beautiful Peninsula Media was conceived is the only local media outlet Virginia Peninsula, it has been a prior to the pandemic and dedicated to promoting area rough several months. Without officially became a business in performing arts, music, events, our usual outdoor concerts that January 2020. museums, festivals, food finds and normally go from Wednesday Give these new restaurants a retail in Hampton, Newport News, until Sunday, it seemed like a try. Each has their own unique York County and Poquoson. non-spring and summer. cuisine ranging from Nepalese- The target audience is anyone who I really missed not taking American fusion to the American enjoys Virginia Peninsula fun. my chair and cooler with my hot dog. I have enjoyed two of Susan Smigielski Acker husband, Scott, to Port Warwick them and I am looking forward to Publisher and Editor on Wednesday evenings to see Scott Acker a great local band. We enjoyed Photo: PFAC Chief Operating Officer running into people we know Julia Verden-Hillebrand from church and our daughters’ Finally, to keep up with weekly DesignHaus Creative Services schools. I missed dancing at events on the Peninsula, sign Layout and Graphic Design Yorktown Riverwalk and going to up for the e-newsletter that Madison M. Williams a restaurant after hearing a band is emailed every Wednesday Copy Editor play at the Downtown Hampton evening. Visit Julia Frances Acker Block Party. www.VAPeninsulaMedia.com Artist However, there is a Peninsula to sign up. Virginia Peninsula Magazine is staple that is coming back, published bi-monthly by Virginia with some changes, which is Photo: 185 Restaurant Peninsula Media, LLC. Cozzy’s Comedy Club. After seven To submit article ideas, email months of being closed, Owner trying the other two restaurants. [email protected] and Founder Lorain Cosgrave is They carry this magazine in their VA Peninsula Media, LLC opening her doors for weekend establishments. 134 Parker Ave. shows. See her story on page 4 Newport News, VA 23606 and help celebrate Cozzy’s soon- Finally, please visit the back page Advertise Proud members of to-be 30th anniversary. as VA Peninsula Media sadly says with Something new and brave on the good-bye to the Peninsula Fine Peninsula is four locally-owned Arts Center which will close after VA Peninsula Media restaurants that opened around 58 years. the pandemic. Read about their As we move toward the end of Go to struggles and perseverance on the year, let’s hope and pray our page 8. I feel a certain kinship new normal changes back to the VAPeninsulaMedia.com to these businesses because VA normal we once knew. Astrid is VA Peninsula Media’s resident cat. She loves to have her belly rubbed, explore her back yard and dig up moles. When she is not doing that, Astrid hides in the pages of VA Peninsula Magazine. Tell us where you found Astrid in this issue by Did you find Astrid? clicking on the Did You Find Astrid? link at VAPeninsulaMedia.com. All entries will 2 receive an Astrid sticker.

Peninsula On The Move Tick-Tacks and Talks has never skateboarded before, but we were greeted with open By Susan Smigielski Acker arms. After visiting the park my son was completely hooked,” she At Mekos Skateboard Park, wrote in an email. there is more going on than The park also has its share of just performing backsides and volunteers. Brandon Eastep took kickflips, there is connecting with it upon himself to rebuild a ramp youth. that was overdue for repairs Founded by Pastor Rita Staul and when the pandemic closed the her son, Brent, also a pastor, the park’s doors for a few months. Hampton indoor park is a non- During summer camp, Aaron profit organization with youth Rubin brought in his reptile development programs. collection and taught campers Executive Director Melissa See about respecting nature. See said a major program is Skate said there are a lot of young Talk, which aims to prevent youth teenagers that look up to him violence. and come to him for advice. “I love this program. The goal is During the camp, skaters ages to get kids talking. They are on 15 to 17 served as instructors to their phones so much, but many younger kids. times those relationships are superficial,” she said. Understanding she was not “That worked out well because the right person to conduct the kids listen to kids. And it program, See tapped the talents gave the older kids a sense of Courtland Stocker. of responsibility. That is a life lesson,” See said. “I am an older white lady, so those kids were not going to Every Sunday evening is “And they are always encouraging In addition to the programs, listen to me. Courtland is a devotions prior to skating. each other, it is amazing,” See the park has skate and learn 32-year-old black man who added. programs Monday – Friday. The turned his life around,” she said. When skating does happen, park is also available for private See said there is camaraderie See came to the park via her use on Sundays from They meet every Wednesday amongst skaters of all ages. son who took an interest in 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for up to 10 evening to talk, eat and skate. skateboarding. people for $199. For more The first evening they met for “You’ll see a skater who is five or information visit 15 minutes. Since then, the talks six years old try to do something “My son watched a skateboard www.mekosskate.com have extended to 45 minutes. and a 19-year-old skater will video one day and decided he or call 757-896-1281. Participants have become walk over to him and say ‘dude wanted to learn. We found Mekos confidants. Currently there are 52 let me show you how to do that’, “ and I am so grateful that we did. Photo: Mekos participants and about 70 to 80 she said. Walking into the park was a bit percent come regularly. overwhelming for someone who 3

Peninsula On Stage Comedians Bring Laughter Back to Cozzy’s By Susan Smigielski Acker Cozzy’s Comedy Club has been springing up big. So, I approached Comedians performing Cozzy’s hopeful comedians performing. keeping the Peninsula laughing the general manager about weekend shows have all In the future, Cosgrave hopes for going on three decades. The having comedians come in. It was appeared on HBO, Showtime and to start up the amateur comedy pandemic halted operations for winter so he was happy to book Comedy Central, she said. open mic nights on Thursdays several months for the oldest the room,” she said. They have hosted notable and the Sunday Funnies comedy comedy club in Virginia, but now At the time the area had only one comedians such as Michael shows, both of which are free to the doors are opening for patrons comedy club in Williamsburg. Winslow from the movie Police the public. to enjoy a chuckle again. Over the years, Cozzy’s has Academy and Darrell Hammond Friday and Saturday normally The club will re-open the gained a reputation both with from Saturday Night Live. The have two shows each night with weekend of Nov. 7 and 8. the comedians’ circuit and area lineup has included Dave Coulier professional comedians who Lorain Cosgrave, founder and residents. “We’ve never had from TV’s sitcom Full House travel the circuit. owner, originally started the trouble getting a good audience,” and host of America’s Funniest “I try to route them as they are People, Tommy Davidson from coming down or going up the club in the former Holiday Inn in Cosgrave bragged. Photos: Cozzy’s In Living Color and Comedy East Coast,” she said. Hampton after managing sales There are regulars and VIP club Central, Marc Price (Skippy) from Cosgrave set aside Tuesday at the former Tidewater Dinner members, who Cosgrave said are TV sitcom Family Ties, Gallagher and Wednesday for charitable Theatre in Norfolk. like family. - world famous watermelon organizations to have fund “The Tidewater Dinner Theatre “We show them appreciation,” she smashing comedian, and Sherri raisers. She covers the cost of went bankrupt so a friend offered said. Shepherd former host on The the comedian with the audience me to put on a dinner theatre Newcomers are greeted warmly, View. paying $10 for admission. The at the Holiday Inn in Hampton. Cosgrave added. There have been several famous money goes to the charity. We put on two shows. In the comedians who have appeared “We are always ready and willing meantime, (stand-up) comedy was including old timers such as to help nonprofits and clubs raise Soupy Sales, Nipsy Russell, Jimmy money for charity on Tuesdays 4 “J.J.” Walker and Tommy Chong of and Wednesdays,” she added. Cheech and Chong. When selecting the comedians, Early in her career, Wanda Skyes she first watches their acts also performed at Cozzy’s. online. She sets certain standards, “There are all their pictures on the main one being that they are the wall,” she said. not vulgar. The club normally operates “There is a difference between seven days a week. Sunday was adult humor and being vulgar. designated Sunday Funnies I know it can’t be clean all the with five to six hand-picked time but it is so much harder to comedians who previously be clean. It takes a real pro to be performed at the open mic clean,” she said. nights. Cosgrave said open-mic nights can have as many as 25 Continue on page 5

NEW PHYSICIAN ANNOUNCEMENT The plan to open in November is to operate at 50 percent capacity. SONIA E. HEPBURN, MD There will only be one show at 8 p.m. each night so tables and Medical Oncologist/Hematologist chairs can be properly cleaned. Dr. Hepburn is accepting new patients in our The first weekend of Nov. 6-7 Newport News & Williamsburg offices. will feature Brent Blakeney with headliner Sonya White. Blakeney 757-873-9400 was named Carolina’s Funniest Comedian 2019 and appeared on Fellowship in Oncology & Hematology Stand Up Nashville. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Residency in Internal Medicine White has been on Comedy Comedian Sonya White LAC+USC Medical Center – Los Angeles Medical School Central, HBO, Last Comic salads, house-made soups and Keck School of Medicine Standing, MTV, and CBS. She dinners. We have 10 draft of the University of Southern California is on the national tour with beers and ciders on tap, a large Dr. Hepburn is fluent in both Spanish and English. the Southern Fried Chics selection of bottled beers and a Comedy Show on Country Music full ABC bar,” she noted. VirginiaCancer.com Television. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health. For more information and to © 2020 McKesson Specialty Health. All rights reserved. Andy Forrester, who just had his purchase tickets, $15 with a $2 own Dry Bar Comedy Special, will discount for military. appear Nov. 13-14. Visit Cozzys.com or Phil Hogan will be the act on Nov call 757-595-2800. 20-21. He is a regular on Carnival Cruise Lines, Atlantis resorts and Las Vegas comedy clubs. The World’s Tallest Comedian, Eric Grady, seen on Last Comic Standing, will perform on Nov 27-28. Food will be served with a limited menu that will consist of shareable appetizers, handheld foods and smoked meats. Cosgrave also owns Hilton Tavern, which has a smoke shed. “From our smoke shed we slow Photos: Cozzy’s cook beef brisket, pulled pork 5 barbeque, mild Italian sausage and chicken. We slow cook for five hours our corned beef for our Reubens. We will have a good selection of other sandwiches,

Peninsula Visual Arts / Local Retail Discover Treasures at Museum Gift Shops By Susan Smigielski Acker The museum gift shop features Yorktown branded items, pirate A great way to support local crew items for young and old, museums during the holidays, seaside-themed ladies’ earrings plus give unique gifts, is to and necklaces, hand-crafted shop at museum gift stores. glass, wood, and metal items. The Virginia Peninsula has It also has Bubba Bay clothing several with gifts that reflect the items. This is a play on uniqueness of the area. Chesapeake Bay watermen always calling each other Bubba . Hampton History Museum Gift Shop Operated by the Hampton While shopping the gift shop, Ormsby invites visitors to History Museum Association to spend time to go through the raise funds, the Hampton History Museum gift shop is the place to Museum to learn about Virginia Photo: PFAC Indians, Colonial Settlers, the find exclusive City of Hampton the street from the museum. Gift visitors, and shoppers for your Revolutionary War, and over 400 logo merchandise and apparel to Shop: 757-727-6824, Front Desk: wonderful support over the last years of watermen harvesting the fit friends and family of all sizes. 757-727-1102. 58 years,” said Courtney Gardner, bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. To shop from home, order online director. through the museum store at www.hamptonhistorymuseum. Peninsula Fine Arts Center The Peninsula Fine Arts Center The museum and gift shop are is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 org. Where can you find truly unique a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For holiday gifts, shop local, and p.m. It is located at 101 Museum more information visit The store also offers a wide support Hampton Roads artists? Dr., Newport News. For more www.watermens.org or selection of holiday décor, The Peninsula Fine Arts Center information call 757-596-8175, 757-887-2641. jewelry, housewares, toys, games, Annual Artful Giving pop-up or visit online at and accessories for home and shop. garden. www.pfac-va.org. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center The Hampton History Museum will kick off its annual Artful The Watermen’s Museum gift shop has a nice selection of Giving pop-up shop with a Black books about local and regional Friday sale. All items will be 10 The Watermen’s Museum in history, as well as historical percent off, with an additional Yorktown, along the Riverwalk, fiction, for readers of all ages. 10 percent off for members. features a great little gift shop which focuses on items All proceeds from the gift shop Shoppers can enjoy this discount portraying the historic, maritime, benefit museum programming. until Dec. 20 when PFAC closes and seaside lifestyle of the area. Gift shop hours: Monday, Tuesday, to the public. Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artful Giving features original Museum President Steve Ormsby Wednesday and Sunday, 1p.m.- paintings, drawings, pottery, said, “If you’re seeking out unique 4 p.m. 120 Old Hampton Lane, jewelry, glassware, scarves, gifts with a nautical twist, this is Downtown Hampton. There is holiday décor and more. definitely the place to visit.” free parking in the garage across “We want to thank our members, Photo: Hampton History Museum 6

Newport News Public Schools earned six 2020 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Performance School Awards for innovative practices, high student achievement and continuous improvement. Innovative STEM Practices Highest Achievement Award Continuous Improvement Award Newport News Public Schools is the SMART place to learn. Visit us online or follow us on social media. www.nnschools.org nnschools 7

Peninsula Food Finds New Restauranteurs Take the Challenge Photos: VedEat By Susan Smigielski Acker Starting a restaurant is hard. variety of toppings ranging It takes time to build a loyal from sauerkraut to chili. He clientele. Doing it around a emphasized their mild and spicy pandemic, when the governor chili is homemade, cooking for orders restaurants to close five hours. indoor dining areas and go to Other menu items include strictly take out, makes thriving the pork barbeque sandwich, in the food industry even harder. macaroni and cheese, nachos, VA Peninsula Magazine talked chili and soup. Desserts include with four local restaurant owners, sundaes, shakes, cookies and ice who started their business cream floats. months prior to the pandemic, The restaurant has indoor and about what they did to cope. outdoor seating as well as carry- Vedeat out and curbside service. 694 Town Center Dr., City Center, Griswold began working on Newport News opening last autumn and signed the lease for the building in February right before the pandemic. He officially opened May 22. “We hosted two events and husband has two small children, While working to open his right after our second event added, “we are still hanging on restaurant, Griswold had trouble COVID hit and we had to shut since we love what we do and getting permits because the our restaurant down. That was the feedback we are getting city did not grant them for six around mid-March. We remained from our customers. Since we are weeks. He could not get a health closed until June when we fairly new, people are reluctant inspector to come out. Finally, he opened back up. We had to adjust to try new places because of was able to arrange a Facetime Owner Praju Sapkota serves a to the new normal so we cut back the environment we are in so it health inspection. fusion of Nepalese and American our capacity to half,” she said. affects us deeply.” “I literally walked around with my food. They opened in July 2019 phone showing him everything,” serving breakfast and lunch. Sapkota said they have received https://www.facebook.com/ he said. Menu items range from lamb grants from the city of Newport Vedeat1/ and rice to gypsy toast plates to News. Si Senor Nepalese style chili. The weekends are getting busy, Sam’s Hot Dog Stand 10608 Warwick Blvd., Newport but not quite the way they were 880 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., News They expanded their hours in before COVID. Newport News Jose and Esteranza Luis serve the beginning of 2020 to have Sapkota, who along with her dinner, including happy hour with Grant Griswold, owner and Continue on page 9 live music. franchisee, serves all beef hot dogs and vegan dogs with a 8

traditional Mexican food Jose said being able to sell liquor cocktails and beer are served. seats outside in a gorgeous including fresh guacamole to go helped a lot. Customers She opened the restaurant on French-style alley way and it is as prepared right at your table. also quickly adapted to their Feb. 26. When the pandemic cute as it can be,” she said. make-shift outdoor dining that lockdown happened a couple Homemade pork tamales are was set up in the parking lot weeks later, Garland said she Inside, the restaurant can seat 25 cooked in their husk and the when that was allowed. closed for a week to regroup and people. Normally, capacity is up house specialties range from research how she could handle to 50 people. chilies en hogada to cazuelada to Jose said business is getting carry-out orders. “My business carnitas. There is a nice variety of better but would like to see it went down by 60 percent when it seafood Mexican dishes. pick up more. first hit,” she said. Photo: 185 Restaurant The restaurant is large, with 185 Restaurant Garland applied tables and high-back booths, 185 Little Florida Rd., Poquoson for grants for help so there is plenty of seating for Owner and Chef Lenora Garland to pay for carry- diners to space out. serves breakfast including a out equipment They opened their restaurant on variety of omelets, biscuit-wiches and outdoor Feb. 10 after months of extensive and “smash-browns.” seating. renovations to turn what was Lunch items include beer batter The outdoor once an Italian restaurant into fish, smoked brisket and chopped seating has one with Mexican décor. chicken salad with grapes, proven to be a When the pandemic hit, they cranberry and pecans. There are good move. quickly turned to take out and also weekly specials. Breakfast “There are 14 SUNSHINE Soak up the sun and explore the sights in coastal Virginia's own backyard in beautiful Hampton! Catch some rays and dip your toes in the sand at Buckroe Beach, walk in historic footsteps at Fort Monroe, or one of our four magnificent museums, gaze up at the stars at the Virginia Air & Space Center, and climb aboard the Miss Hampton to tour the Chesapeake Bay. Discover all there is to see and do at visithampton.com 9

Peninsula People Seventy Two Years of Modern Women By Susan Smigielski Acker The Peninsula SPCA also benefits with the women collecting supplies. They care for the environment by collecting plastic bags and giving them to an organization that uses the bags to create benches. Shoes are collected by club members, for Soles4Souls, providing new and gently used shoes to people around the world. Not only does it provide shoes, but it keeps gently worn shoes out of landfills. Based in Nashville, Soles4Souls also helps people launch and sustain a small business selling donated shoes and clothes. Like many charitable The Yorktown club was Prior to the pandemic, they held The club members are currently organizations on the Peninsula, established in 1948 and is a their first fashion show to raise working on projects to fill the pandemic hit the GFWC part of the General Federation money. Currently, they hold many Christmas stockings to be Yorktown Woman’s Club hard, of Women’s Clubs. A national online auctions. Most are private, distributed by the Salvation but these ladies are still finding organization established in with items created by members Army, and to provide meals for ways to meet and raise money for 1890, it is a non-denominational, to sell to other members. volunteers at the Lackey Clinic. those in need. non-political club designed to Raising money is not all they In addition to their community create civic improvement in the do. They are currently writing work, the members listen to Lynda Burton, president of the environment, education, arts and cheerful cards for nursing home lectures. Recently, in honor of the club, said the diverse group outreach. residents, Burton said. 100th Anniversary of women’s of 62 members has become They also clip coupons for right to vote, a lecture was accustomed to Zoom meetings One of Yorktown Woman’s Club’s military families overseas. presented via Zoom. Burton said and online fundraisers. key projects was raising $10,600 “We’ve clipped thousands of this is fitting because the GFWC in scholarship money that was dollars in coupons,” she added. was involved in the movement. “We’ve all adapted to using divided among three York County Send requests for more Zoom,” she said laughing. high school students who information or to get involved to: graduated in June 2020. PO Box 404 Yorktown, VA 23690 Photo: GFWC 10



Peninsula Arts and Cultural Peninsula Fine Arts Center By Susan Smigielski Acker The Peninsula Fine Arts Center My family built many memories will close its doors permanently at “PFAC” since my daughters on Dec. 20 after 58 years of were toddlers. They are now serving the community with art, in high school and college. I art education and entertainment. frequently took them to Paint Days on Tuesday or Thursdays. The center has regularly provided Over the years, we would see Losing this Virginia Peninsula changing art exhibits, high school the latest exhibit and talk about treasure is a tragedy. Please visit juried art shows, art classes for what we were viewing, then the final exhibit, visit the gift all ages, evening entertainment, venture into the Hands On For shop to support local artists and a veteran healing arts program, Kids room to create our own starting on Black Friday, visit a kids’ art room and a gift shop artwork. their holiday shop. where local artists sell their We shopped the art store to Thank you for the memories works, plus more. They also were buy unique hand-made gifts. My PFAC. instrumental in the Port Warwick husband and I enjoyed a night The Acker Family Art and Sculpture Festival each out during members’ preview fall. receptions and Art After Dark parties. Photos: PFAC On Route 17 COME CHECK OUT near Walmart - close and convenient The Tabb to Running Man! POST OFFICE Fast, Efficient, Friendly Service Packing & Mailing Services & Supplies Open 9-5 Weekdays 9-1 Saturday Need to stay in your car because of children or mobility issues? Rick Gausmann, Owner We will come to you! Drive-up service available 2711 George Washington Memorial Hwy (757)898-1008 | BoxesPlusFlags.com