THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507140203
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
Monday, July 3
11:30 a.m. - North Main Street, Suffolk
Children and teachers from Main Street Day Care and Preschool have formed a parade in honor of Independence Day.
One teacher is a modified Uncle Sam, complete with red and white-striped shorts and matching paper top hat. Even some little ones have hats to match. Others are carrying flags and holding onto a rope for safety.
Several fire trucks pass by, sirens wailing. The parade stops momentarily for teachers and children to wave at the firefighters and then picks up the pace again as they proceed up Bank Street.
- Shirley Brinkley Tuesday, July 4
8:15 p.m. - A home near downtown Suffolk
Grilled hamburgers have been eaten, and it's decision time: Cut the red, white and blue cake now or drive to Crittenden for fireworks first.
If they wait too long, they could miss the show, though the evening's entertainment could fizzle because of rain.
The daughter proposes a sure bet: Cut the cake while checking the clouds, then have seconds after the fireworks, if they're held.
They bring the dessert - topped with Cool Whip, strawberries and blueberries - onto the screened porch as raindrops begin to gently pelt the leaves and grass.
They finish their servings as the rain becomes a downpour. They opt for a board game on the porch, where they can watch the sky for nature's fireworks.
- Susie Stoughton Wednesday, July 5
4 p.m. - A downtown office, Suffolk
The entire office is sympathetic to the plight of a scrawny, gray kitten that has loitered outside all day. Somehow, the kitten ends up going home with a self-professed dog lover who worries how her spoiled lap mutt will cope with the sibling rivalry that the cute, little newcomer is sure to create.
When she pulls into her driveway, she finds the perfect answer - four youngsters playing in the yard next door. With their mother's permission, they now have a new pet.
The dog lover is happy, the kids are happy and no doubt, the kitty is happy.
- Allison Williams Tuesday, July 11
4:45 p.m. - Bennetts Creek area of northern Suffolk
A small grass fire is burning in the marsh just south of Bennetts Creek Marina.
Driver firefighters can't get to it with their heavy trucks.
The Coast Guard can't maneuver its 42-foot cutter through the shallow waters, mostly mud, at low tide.
Finally, members of the Bennetts Creek Rescue Squad load up their small skiff and manage to float close enough to extinquish the blaze.
There are more than two ways to reach a fire.
- Susie Stoughton Tuesday, July 11
4 p.m. - Nansemond Drug Co., Main Street, Suffolk
He is telling the clerk about his problems. She listens sympathetically.
He had this bad accident, it messed him up, put him out of work for awhile. He recounts the accompanying aches and pains.
``I hope you're feeling better,'' she says.
``Oh, I'm fine. It happened five years ago.''
- Frank Roberts Tuesday, July 11
8:55 p.m. - Portsmouth Boulevard, Suffolk
The man is pumping gas. He yawns once, pumps a little more gas, and yawns again.
``That's about right for this time of night,'' says a man pumping fuel opposite him.
``It's been a long day,'' the yawner explains.
``Yep,'' says the other, ``and I still have a deer to clean.''
Even if he is tired, that news jolts the yawner. ``Huh? Isn't this a strange time of year to be hunting deer?''
Not, explains the man, if the deer are busy eating and messing up your farm crops. He's got a state permit to kill five of the pests, and his tone makes it clear that he intents to bag his quota.
But a deer to clean after a long day at work? Oh dear!
- John Pruitt ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
One way to beat the summer heat, as this visitor to Sleepy Hole Park
surely can verify, is to take a stroll along a shady path in the
woods.
by CNB