Albemarle Tradewinds July 2017 Web Final

Pirate Re-enactors Visit Historic Edenton and “Raid” Downtown Businesses
by Laura Bush Jenkins
Did you know Historic Edenton is merging this year’s Colonial
History Days with a live pirate encampment downtown?
The public event October 13-15th includes live cannon fire,
a children’s archaeological ‘dig,’ and a special visit from the
Elizabeth II. This ship, ordinarily housed at Roanoke Island
Festival Park, represents one of seven original English
vessels that came to Roanoke settlement in 1585 before the
Jamestown colony.
“Edenton has a rich and valuable colonial history, and we
are expecting our annual Colonial History Program directed
at school and homeschool groups to grow,” states Bob Hopkins,
Edenton State Historic site manager.
“We make learning history exciting and fun through increased
first-person interpretation, hands-on learning, and
involving students personally with lifetime learning experiences.”
Part of this interaction includes the opportunity to meet the
“Devilmen of Cape Fear,” a non-profit group of pirate re-enactors
who perform with unique attention to historical detail.
“We’re not talking about a Johnny Depp, Hollywood scene,”
says Captain William Hall, a 30-year veteran of pirate re-enactment,
from Surf City, NC. “Our group is hardcore.”
The group operates with none of the creature comforts of
the 21st century. These “honest seaman trying to make a
living” keep a low profile since, according to Hall, “admitting
to being a pirate was a death sentence” at that time.
Pirates were clean-shaven men in their early to mid-twenties
wearing dirty brown apparel reflective of sea life. When
you see them over the weekend at Edenton Bay Trading
Company, Waterman’s Grill, and Bistro 309, be sure to say
hello to patrons and offer them a drink before they get back
on the water.
“People enjoyed interacting with pirates in full costume and
character,” said Debbie and Malcolm King, co-owners of
Edenton Bay Trading Company. “It was lots of fun and we
are looking forward to having them back.”
To learn more about this and other special events in downtown
Edenton, visit www.visitedenton.com or call 252 482
2637.
Laura Bush Jenkins, author of Undercover Patriot, is the
mother of two young boys and is married to a US Army
veteran.
Pirate Re-enactors at Edenton Bay Trading Company,
Downtown Edenton. Photo Credit: Bob Hopkins
A Compassionate, Credible Solution by Matt Morrison
Deuteronomy chapter 15 verse 11 begins “for the poor
will never cease to be in the land.” Growing up, we all
have probably heard some version of this or its New
Testament analog (“The poor you will always have with
you”). In some parts of our region this is more evident
than others, but now we have a unique opportunity to do
something tangible about this chronic issue affecting our
communities.
You may not be aware, but the region’s largest supportive
housing resource for homeless single adults
is right in your backyard. Virginia Supportive Housing
was founded in 1988 as a nonprofit providing an evidence-based,
permanent solution to chronic homelessness
in the Commonwealth. This is not a group home,
rehab facility, shelter, or transitional housing, but rather
we empower formerly homeless folks in the region
with both the supportive case management they need
and the responsibilities of being a paying tenant with a
lease. Some residents may stay a year, some twenty
five, but almost all will never go another day without
shelter. Since most Hampton Roads clients reside in
buildings made specifically for the chronically homeless,
VSH is able to provide interaction with volunteers, offer
case management through a dedicated social worker at
each building, and provide a consistent, comfortable living
experience. By providing a supportive and enriching
environment off the streets, over 95% of our residents
have remained stably housed in recent years.
Virginia Supportive Housing came to Hampton Roads
in 2006 with Gosnold Apartments in Norfolk. Currently
there are five VSH apartment communities in the region,
with a sixth to be completed by the end of this year.
This will bring the total number of individuals served by
VSH to roughly 500 throughout South Hampton Roads.
A unique circumstance of our presence in the area is
the amount of regional collaboration that takes place at
our complexes, with the cities of Portsmouth, Norfolk,
Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk all contributing
to make permanent homes possible for some of their
most vulnerable citizens.
One community that received support from all five of
these localities was Heron’s Landing in Chesapeake.
Located at 2133 S Military Highway, it opened in 2013
and serves 60 adults from the region. Look for more
information on Heron’s Landing, including resident
testimonials, in upcoming issues of the Albemarle
Tradewinds! If you are interested in donating to our
mission or learning more, visit www.virginiasupportivehousing.org
or contact Ms. Arden Reed at areed@
virginiasupportivehousing.org, 757-355-0508.
…and, in case you’re curious, Deuteronomy 15:11 ends
with “You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to
your needy and poor in your land.” At Virginia Supportive
Housing, we strive to live this every day!
MICHAEL COOPER
252-799-7840
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