THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406030262
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Eric Feber
DATELINE: 940605 LENGTH: Medium
Some still lurk in the most unlikely places, even in Chesapeake's rural areas.
{REST} Drive down Mount Pleasant Road, west of Centerville Turnpike, and you'll notice a hayrick, that's haystack or hayroll to you, sporting a painted smiley face.
What's next? Bell bottoms on grazing cows, lava lights in chicken coops or disco music emanating from the local Moose Lodge?
But, have a nice day and . . . smile. What the hay.
For whom the Belles toll\ Amelia Hitchings is looking for lost Belles - former members of a World War II women's volunteer group known as the Virginia Belles.
Hitchings believes members are spread all over Hampton Roads and feels several may be living right here in Chesapeake.
If you were a Virginia Belle, Hitchings wants to invite you to a 50th anniversary reunion taking place July 17 at the Little Creek Amphibious base in Norfolk.
There will be World War II-era music performed by an Atlantic Fleet Band pianist, an address by former U.S. Rep. G. William Whitehurst, a short review of the group's history, a jitterbug dance, tap dancing by David Kennedy, decorations and a buffet lunch. Cameron Gregory, of the Norfolk Historical Society, will act as master of ceremonies.
The Virginia Belles were formed in the summer of 1942 by Ruby Etheridge to serve as chaperoned dance partners and hostesses at parties and dances given for service men stationed in Norfolk during the war.
The activities of this group were even mentioned in the book, ``Conscripted City: Norfolk in World War II,'' by Marvin Schlegel, even though the author referred to them as the Victory Belles.
One member, Patsy Barnes, remembers the night an entire group of Belles became instant wallflowers.
It was at a dance at the Little Creek station during a blackout (when all lights had to be turned off to cloak the city in complete darkness, so as to make it more difficult for enemy bombers). The Little Creek dance hall, of course, was immersed in complete darkness. All Belles and service personnel were then required to sit on benches along the dance hall's walls, turning the ever popular Belles into temporary wallflowers.
Another time there was a dance at the Shrine Temple in Norfolk, recalled former Belle, Martha Siviter Norman.
Before the dance, Etheridge reminded the officers in charge that no alcohol could be served at any party attended by the Belles. After issuing that warning, Etheridge and Norman noticed men unloading barrel after barrel of beer from a nearby truck into the hall.
Etheridge promptly trooped her Belles out of the dance hall, back into the bus and away they went.
If you are a Virginia Belle now living in Chesapeake and want to hear more of these reminiscences or add a few of your own, contact Martha Siviter Norman at 588-3923 or Hitchings at 423-1880.
by CNB