BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO — Farmer, writer and artist Rick Friday, whose cartoons appear in The Independent News, made national news last year after a cartoon criticizing salaries of Big Ag executives angered an advertiser of Farm News, which canned him.… Continue Reading
BY JANE BLOODWORTH ROWE RED MILL — Executive chef Charles Thain considers sweet potato biscuits to be one of his signature recipes. So how did a Virginia Beach native come to be identified with a dish that most people associate with… Continue Reading
Ed. note — This column ran in print shortly before the 34th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival. BY DAVID TRIMMER VIRGINIA BEACH — It is a great time of year as we approach Memorial Day. Our daylight grows by the day, the agriculture… Continue Reading
SUSHI ROBOT PREPARES THE WAY According to the students at my university, among the features of the new cafeteria that opened in fall is a Sushi Robot— which I thought would be an updated version of Rosie the Robot Maid… Continue Reading
Ed. Note – The following is adapted from remarks during the Thursday, May 11, press conference announcing this year’s dignitaries and the theme for the 34th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, Friday, May 26, through Sunday, May 28, in “downtown” Pungo. … Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS PUNGO – The second episode of PAINCast, an occasional podcast of The Independent News, features Toni Guagenti, author of a 100 Things to Do in Virginia Beach Before You Die. Guagenti serves as media manager for Mayor… Continue Reading
Ed. note — This story originally ran in the June 10, 2016, print edition of The Independent News. BY VENI FIELDS PUNGO — Brad Keithly’s hands were trembling slightly as he walked up a set of metal stairs and leaned into the… Continue Reading
BY VENI FIELDS SANDBRIDGE — It was a fun little miracle in Sandbridge. It came with a pair of 52-year-old tap shoes. Tina Ciccone had been searching for a while for just the right dance class to have a little fun… Continue Reading
Ed. note — This story was updated to reflect the difference in funding sources between the aquarium and historic houses within the overall departmental budget and correct an erroneous percentage in a description of funding changes. BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH — Virginia… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS OCEANFRONT — Collectors of all ages from around the region attended the spring coin show presented by the Tidewater Coin Club on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The group has about 150… Continue Reading