Early tomorrow, continuing Thursday and possibly Friday, the 5 railroad cars donated to the Cape Charles Historical Society by ANTDC and Canonie Atlantic will be moved from the Cape Charles railroad yard eastward to a point beyond the hump adjacent to the Museum. The railroad tracks in the yard are ‘excepted’ meaning that they do not meet even minimum safety standards, so the cars will be moved slowly, starting with the blue 2000 locomotive, and compensating for track problems as they go. The work will be performed by Coastal Railroad Construction, Inc of Portsmouth and paid for by the Cape Charles Historical Society.
Archives for January 2019
Rosenwald School gets a new Lease on Life
This Tuesday, the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative (CCRSRI) closed on the purchase of the old Cape Charles Rosenwald School.
Chairman of CCRSRI Tevya Griffin told the Mirror that the process began in 2009, and the initiative has been negotiating some way to purchase the historic building. With the help and gumption of some local investors, including Developer Eyre Baldwin, the financial capital plan came together.
The building had been used as a seafood processing plant in the past, working mainly with bay eels. This posed a problem for the purchase, as most of the refrigeration equipment was left behind, and there was some worry that toxic chemicals may have leeched into the structure. A thorough inspection in December found no sign of trace elements, so the purchase was green lighted for January.
Tevya Griffin told the Mirror that they are in the process of discussing future uses for the building. In a previous conversation, Baldwin told the Mirror that hope was to return the building to a functioning educational facility for everything from hospitality training to possibly high-tech.
The board is already rolling up its sleeves and getting to work. Several grants are in the process of being completed. Once funding is secured, architectural and design work on the structure will begin, Ms. Griffin told the Mirror.
Below is the official press release:
The Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative (CCRSRI), a 501(c)3 non-profit, purchased the Cape Charles Rosenwald School on Old Cape Charles Road on January 22. Nine years ago a group of alums and friends of the Cape Charles Elementary School formed CCRSRI with a goal to acquire and restore this wonderful historic structure that was a focal point and a center of social life for the African American Community in Cape Charles between 1928 and 1968. If you have ever driven into Cape Charles on Old Cape Charles Road or traveled between Bay Creek and the town proper, you would have seen the abandoned building a few hundred yards south of the overpass (“the Hump”).
Beginning in 1912, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University), Booker T. Washington, and Julius Rosenwald, a top executive at Sears Roebuck & Company, formed a collaborative to improve the quality of public education for African Americans in the South during the period of legal segregation. By the time the program ended in 1932, it had built nearly 5,000 schools. Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Fund had contributed more than $4.3 million and the African American communities raised more than $4.7 million.
At the time, new ideas about lighting, ventilation, heating, sanitation, instructional needs and aesthetics were bringing about changes in school design. The Rosenwald school program applied these new ideas to the rural South and created buildings that served as models for all rural schools.
Many of the Rosenwald schools constructed between 1917 and 1932 remained in operation into the 1960s and 1970s when the 1954 Supreme Court ruling against racial segregation was implemented. Afterward, many fell into disuse or changed function as rural populations declined. The vast majority of the schools were clapboard construction and, although many are now gone, there is a growing interest in the history and preservation of existing structures. Several years ago, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Rosenwald Schools as one of the 10 most endangered historic entities.
The Cape Charles Rosenwald School is very unique in that it is of brick construction. Although it was sold in 1968 to the Robberecht family to be used as a seafood processing plant and used for that purpose into the 70’s, it was not heavily modified and is in restorable condition.
CCRSRI is now in the process of seeking a number of grants as well as additional contributions to continue with the planning phase of the restoration. If you would like additional information or to learn how to become involved, email capecharlesrosenwaldschool@gmail.com or call Tevya Griffin at 804-318-0607.
New Garden Center Coming to Northampton County
Gardening season is just around the corner, which brings good news for us fellow gardeners. A new garden center will be opening in March.
What used to be My Backyard located in the old Meatland parking lot will be moving out to Rt 13 where the old Sunnyside Nursery used to be.
The new name will be Browder Hite Garden Market. The soft opening will be March 22 for friends, family
The vibe of the store will be more of a lifestyle garden market rather than purely plants and mulch for sale. They will be featuring ESVA artists on the walls, local honey
There will be a nice selection of seasonal plants as well as planting supplies (bulk and bagged mulch, garden soils, mushroom compost, a modest selection of chemicals and fertilizers,
Back in the day, there were four retail nurseries in Northampton County– Sunnyside, Appleseed, Old Thyme and Maplewood Gardens.
Finally, we have one just for us.
December completed a busy year for CCPD
With the year-end statistics in, the number
Last year, the police dealt with 640 calls for service just in town, while responding to 143 out in the county. Total calls came in at 783.
There
On the street, they issued 98 summons and 206 parking tickets (along with 140 warnings.
They also logged 411 foot patrol hours in town, and 324 in Bay Creek.
Building checks came in at 332.
Code Enforcement: Town continues to rock and roll
The year-end numbers provided by code enforcement staff builds a narrative that shows the continued growth for Cape Charles.
Last year, there were 207 total building permits issued.
Total construction for the year totaled $3,796,661. There was
$527,650 in construction just in December.
Permit fees this year: $82,245.52
Connection & Facility Feesfor this year: $37,050
Cape Charles will waive late fees for furloughed workers
The Town of Cape Charles will waive late fees on utility (water/sewer/trash) accounts for those affected by the federal government furlough as long as it should last and for 10 days after a regular payroll cycle has resumed.
Flexible payment plans may also be utilized to catch up on past
Affected account holders may call the utility clerk, Kathy, at 757-331-3259 ext. 14, and make arrangements to provide a furlough letter and be placed on the list.
Should Cape Charles build a Basketball Court?
This letter was submitted to
This narrative is presented to you for your consideration of using the tennis courts as a multi-use tennis and basketball court. I realize in doing some local research there were some incidents on the former basketball court that spurred negative thinking.
However, I believe if this is done right it will be positive for the total community. I propose that the Common Council form a committee to explore the possibilities of this venture and to fund this project.
The collaboration with Park and Recreation, the Clergy, Police and Fire Departments and Businesses would be beneficial to further promote community relationships.
Roberta Kellam talk on year-round birding on the Shore
At the Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles and The Friends of Kiptopeke State Park welcome Roberta Kellam of the Eastern Shore Bird Marketing Group.
Kellam will give a talk entitled “Birding Throughout the Year on the Eastern Shore”.
Roberta Kellam is a recognized expert on Eastern Shore
The talk is scheduled for 5:30 on
Local Coast Guard Members may still need help
The government shutdown has a reprieve (possibly) for three weeks, which means our local Coast Guard families will soon
In the interim, we can support them by donating food items.
We can drop off food donations at any of the Stations. Easy to prepare meals or canned goods – for example, pasta and canned marinara or meat sauces, boxed macaroni & cheese, canned meats and/or seafood, canned stews, canned soups are the best options due to limited
If you want to donate gift cards (for example, Food Lion, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, etc.), food, cash, etc., you can contact Sophie at (203) 550-8110– she has a network of USCG families she can contact.
Riverside releases 2018 Cancer Report
Detailed Report Spotlights Regional Statistics and Breadth of Riverside’s Comprehensive Treatment Capabilities and Innovations
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. January 24, 2019 – Riverside Health System has published its 2018 Cancer Care Annual Report, covering regional cancer statistics along with updates on the advances and treatment innovations the system recently implemented to benefit patients receiving treatment throughout Southeastern Virginia.
Providing statistical data from 2017*, the report revealed that a total of 2,579 patients were diagnosed or received initial cancer care in a Riverside facility that year. Broken down by category, breast cancer continued to represent the highest number of primary site diagnoses, with 571 new cases reported in 2017. Similarly, cancers of the digestive system continued to tally the second highest number of new cases reported at 399.
“This report details the many significant investments that Riverside continues to make in both our Cancer Care Teams and our tools, such as our acclaimed stereotactic radiosurgery center which is treating patients at a rate that exceeds most other centers across the United States,” said Dr. Biral S. Amin, Oncology Service Line Chief, Riverside Health System. “With that dedicated center, a highly skilled team of experts and superb technology, Riverside Health System is providing patients and their families the truly highest quality cancer care available anywhere, right here at home.”
Among numerous innovations showcased in the report include Riverside’s 2018 deployment of a new Varian Edge radiosurgery unit, a highly advanced, non-invasive cancer treatment system that enables doctors to target tumors more accurately in a shorter treatment
Another type of radiosurgery device, the Gamma Knife Perfexion, is continually being used by Riverside to effectively treat brain cancer. Riverside has treated more than 1,600 patients with the Gamma Knife since it was deployed as one of only three in Virginia, with the next closest being at the University of Virginia.
While delivering cancer treatment with the latest technology is vitally important, the team delivering the care rates just as critical, the report highlighted. Riverside patients benefit from radiosurgery pioneer Dr. C. Ronald Kersh – an internationally recognized visionary with a passion not only for treating patients, but also for teaching medical residents. One such resident under Kersh’s mentorship constructed the largest single-center patient database for spinal stereotactic radiosurgery, according to the report.
The full breadth of Riverside’s ability to provide high-quality cancer care in all regions of Southeastern Virginia – including the Virginia Peninsula, the greater Williamsburg area, the Eastern Shore, Middle Peninsula and Tappahannock and Northern Neck – was highlighted, including advancements in treating lung cancer, today’s leading fatal cancer in adults.
Riverside continued to see growth in its low-dose CT lung screening program for the early detection of lung cancer, offering more options for treatment and cure. The number of scans performed from 2014 to 2017 doubled, while the number of positive findings increased by 37 percent.
In 2018, Riverside formed a lung nodule clinic, implemented a lung registry to closely monitor and follow patients with suspicious findings, and further extended its electronic medical record care pathway to facilitate education and screenings aimed at diagnosing lung cancer even earlier.
Such capabilities are especially critical at the Riverside Shore Cancer Center, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which has the second highest incidence of lung cancer in the state, and the highest lung cancer mortality, according to the report.
Research remains an important aspect of the cancer care offerings at Riverside, and over the last five years the health system has more than doubled the number of oncology patients enrolled in research trials, according to the report.
“Riverside is very active in the field of medical research, and for our cancer patients this means getting direct access to the very same clinical trials available to those in the largest metropolitan areas,” said Linda McKee, Cancer Service Line Administrator, Riverside Health System.
The system’s access to clinical research trials offer patients access to cutting-edge treatments still in development – simultaneously elevating patient care and assisting in the advancement of medical knowledge.
“Moving into 2019, we look forward to further advancing our genetics and research programs, constantly refining our processes to focus on the unique needs of patients with specific cancers, while continuing to advance service and safety for all of our patients,” McKee said.
Community outreach and awareness continued to be a major focus of Riverside’s cancer care offerings. The report noted that in 2018, some 1,700 people attended Riverside’s cancer-focused educational and awareness events and thousands more were reached via social media.
Riverside provides cancer screenings to the public as part of its commitment to the wellness of its communities. Such community screenings – offered at no cost to those in need – routinely result in the lifesaving diagnosis of cancers that may otherwise remain undetected. In 2018, Riverside conducted more than 1,400 screenings for women’s health, lung, prostate and skin cancers.
In closing, the report touted the positive impact that community support has on Riverside’s cancer care offerings for patients, especially those programs and services that are not covered by insurance. It thanked hundreds of local citizens, businesses and other organizations that have donated to the Riverside Foundation and encouraged readers to visit riversideonline.com/stronger for details on how they can contribute.
To read the full 2018 Cancer Care Annual Report, please visit riversideonline.com/cancer.
*Data from 2017 is presented in the 2019 Cancer Care Annual Report, having undergone industry-standard abstraction and processing to meet certain reporting requirements.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 8
- Next Page »