THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505270140
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Fred Hazelwood lives in the middle of the woods, far from the noise of neighbors and traffic, yet his home is near some of the busiest thoroughfares in bustling Virginia Beach.
Hazelwood and his family live deep inside Seashore State Park, where he is the park manager.
``You wake up surrounded by your work,'' says Hazelwood, a veteran of several Virginia state parks. ``It's not a job, it's a lifestyle.''
It's a unique lifestyle and not for everyone. Hazelwood remembers one busy Fourth of July weekend when he and his wife were living in a mobile home at the Holiday Lake State Park near Appomattox. Somebody walked right in their home, thinking it was a public restroom.
``You never know what's going to happen next,'' Hazelwood says.
Full name: Fred Hazelwood IV.
Hometown: Vienna, Va., but call Virginia Beach home now.
What brought you to the Beach? The opportunity to manage Virginia's most visited state park and the chance for Pat and me to have one child born outside of Richmond.
Birthdate: July 2, 1952.
Occupation: Park manager.
Marital status: Married to my best friend, Pat. No one else would have endured the challenging and unique living arrangements parks provide.
Children: Four fun-loving and super children: Karin, 20, Erik, 19, Scott, 17, Kristin, 14.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A 70-degree day, blue sky and a soft breeze with no meetings, no agendas, no phone calls and an open road.
Last book read: ``The Park and the People: A History of Central Park.''
Last smart thing you did: Established an adopt-a-trail program. Volunteer groups have agreed to maintain all the park's trails.
Last dumb thing you did: Thought Pat would share my enthusiasm for a five-day, 2,200-mile drive for 1 1/2 days of salmon fishing. Maybe next time.
Favorite meal: Anything but ham, rice and macaroni and cheese.
Favorite movies: ``Gettysburg,'' Chevy Chase's ``Vacation'' series.
Favorite song: ``Born to be Wild,'' Steppenwolf; Handel's ``Messiah;'' the national anthem (For anyone who is curious, just wait until next year in Atlanta.).
Hobbies: Walking, picture taking (it's nowhere near sophisticated enough to be called photography), reading.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My metabolism. I used to be able to eat everything I liked.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? With age and hopefully wisdom, comes an understanding of consequences. Pat's perfect.
Favorite restaurant: Wherever the park's volunteers hold their pot luck dinners: unbelievable variety, camaraderie and very healthy portions.
Your favorite night on the town: A walk along the beach with Pat under a full moon and a blanket of stars.
Secret vice: Homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Favorite TV shows: ``Star Trek,'' ``Home Improvement,'' selected PBS specials. My youngest daughter has never forgotten the program on sea turtles.
Favorite sport: Walking, football, racquetball - the latter two at the pace of the first.
Last vacation: Postponed a trip to Pacific Northwest, and the last dumb thing I did was not a suitable substitute, so see favorite movies for the vicarious version.
Pets: One dog: Shannon, a chow/golden retriever mix with pink and blue spotted tongue.
Worst job: Some of the people I've worked with have been trying.
Of what achievements are you most proud? A rock solid marriage, four healthy, happy children and the combined accomplishments of the team of people I now work with.
What would you like as your epitaph? Nature bats last. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
by CNB