Anthony's on the Hill - Church Hill Richmond Va. Lost in the archives

I dug this out of a file. I never published it. Enjoy!

  

I am a pizza guy. I love pizza. I have had a deep rooted love affair with pizza since I was a small (but round) child. Cypress Hills was the Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up and there were 6 pizza parlors. At Jack's Pizza on Fulton Street off Pine Street, you could get 2 slices and a small coke for 80 cents. That left 20 cents for an Italian ice or some zeppole. This made for an awesome lunch for a Catholic school kid in the 1970’s. Pizza is a comfort food for me. At Ernesto’s on Hemlock Street and Ridgewood Ave the Sicilian slice was doughy and moist. If you wanted a crispy crust you ordered a corner slice. If you wanted that thick doughy goodness you asked for a middle slice. I believe Ernesto's son was Masimo. 

That is where it all began, my love affair with pizza. At one point in eighth grade my mother Rita gave me $4.00 for a haircut. I took the money and did my own “taste test” of three of six Pizzerias. It was the search for the perfect Sicilian slice. I took my buddy Gaspar and we had a Sicilian and a small coke at three places and Ernesto’s won. Gaspar and I went back to his folks place and he cut my hair with sewing shears in an attempt to conceal the conspiracy. When I arrived back home at dark-thirty Rita did her usual inspection of my choppy haircut. Ragged and uneven it did not pass muster. I told mom that Leo the Barber was having a bad day. I said "Ma I think he was drinking." That did not fly, and Rita was not happy.

Fast forward to current day and thousands of pies and slices later I consider myself a good judge of good pizza. One weekday night (in 2016] we took a ride to Richmond to check out Anthony’s on the Hill. Anthony’s on the Hill is a fantastic neighborhood place in the Church Hill section of Richmond. Chris and Kathleen have become fast friends of Richmond since Chris has been attending VCU. Kathleen’s friend works at Anthony’s on the Hill for lunch. The family had been there before without me and I wanted to experience the place myself. There was a horrible accident of I-95 and we were stuck in traffic for an hour. Anthony’s was closing but they stayed open late for us. And I am glad they did.

I could talk about the ambiance, the charm, or the cool location on a neighborhood block in Church Hill surrounded by great historic multi-family homes. But this is about the pizza.

We ordered three large pies and HSBCP ordered a large Greek Salad, which was huge, appealing and enough for everyone to have a taste.

• “Three Meat” – Sausage, Pepperoni & razor thin slices of Prosciutto. The Prosciutto curled up from the extreme heat of the oven and became crisp and awesomely delicious. The oils from the sausage and pepperoni added that meaty goodness to the cheese and dough as it cooked.

• “The Greek” – Kalamata Olives- Feta-Pepperoncini - Red Onion and Mozzarella. Awesome combination! I love Feta and this pie had plenty of it. The olives added a salty earthy flavor while the red onion in contrast provided some sweetness. The pepperoncini offered a great finish flavor with a little spice.

• “Anthonys’ Special” – Fresh Tomato-Black Olives-Capers and Fresh Basil. Truly a Special Pie! A classic Margherita with a twist. The addition of black olives and capers offered a mouth feel that was savory and salty in relation to the sweet sauce. A chiffonade of fresh Basil closed the deal.

The sauce is house made and you can tell the love and experience that goes into making it. Sweet and flavorful, the component of the marinara brought this pizza to the next level.

The super star of this place however is the dough. Freshly prepared daily, the dough is obviously a labor of love for Michael the owner. I watched as he hand tossed the dough and created these memorable pies and checked their doneness throughout the cooking process. He rotated and checked the bottom of each pie and moved them around in the oven to verify the crust was just right. As I observed I realized Michael was a true “Pie Whisperer”. His intense scrutiny made me believe that Michael made each pie a personal statement whether it was the first pie of the day, or in our case the last pie of the night. Our pizza came to the table baked to perfection with random caramelized bubbles of dough and cheese formed from the hot spots in the oven. The yeasty flavor and crispness reminded me of New Haven Style pizza but with a heartier slightly thicker crust. Michael and I spoke briefly and he mentioned his family was from New York. I thought to myself “aren’t all great pie men from New York?”

It was a great night! And I got to watch a true passionate professional at work.

When in Richmond take some time and make your way the Anthony’s on the Hill. You will be happy you did!

Unfortunatley this place has closed. He has whipered off into a well deserved retirement.

Happy Mothers Day 2024

Quite appropriate for the first new post in more than 10 years is published on and about Mother’s Day. I have written several good notes about MD over the years. This past year we found out that our good friend and former neighbor Marilyn had passed in California. When we moved to Virginia, we met Marilyn and Jim Whalen. We became fast friends and kind of adopted each other. Jim sponsored me in the Lions Club, and Marilyn we she was awesome! Jim passed; Marilyn moved away. She went to live near her daughter in California. Specifically, Pasadena. Yup at that point Marilyn became a little old lady from Pasadena- We did visit once, and she was living in a sweet little cottage across from her family. She had a chubby orange cat and dozens of plants and flowers. –Marilyn Happy Mother’s Day!

Today I was thinking a lot about my Mom. It happens every year of course. It has been 36 years now since she moved on. I commented to my kids today that she would have loved them so much. Rita Elizabeth Smith (mommy)- 5 children and seven grandkids. We lost mommy too early. So much life was still available after her time had passed. Rita did not have an easy life. Strewn with tragedy and loss, I know that she finally found her peace. I know she did. Mommy – Happy Mother’s Day! We miss you! We love you!

My Mother-in Law Vicky. I call her mom. Strong, self-sufficient, and smart. In her younger days mom drove a bus. She also worked at Southbury Training School for many years. Tough job! But a good job! Handling and working with developmentally and sometime physically challenged adults. Boy, does she have some stories. Victoria – 4 children 11 Grands Happy Mother’s Day Mom! My baby sister Dorothy. (SIL) Fun, Funky Cool as Heck! A nurse and caretaker for the majority of the elderly and infirm in Southbury CT. We were fortunate to have Dot join us on many of our trips. Not a great deal of people know this but Dorothy has an awesome travel survival plan. When she goes away she is always brings enough Feta Cheese for everyone. You can never have too much cheese! Dot and Donny packed off their youngest, David to the USMC a couple of years ago. My Godson, the youngest looks after the farm.(Dylan) I don’t think Dot gets all of the thanks and praise she deserves. Today I say to you.I Love you my baby sister. You are doing a great job! Thank you for all you do! Dorothy – 2 Children Happy Mother’s Day Dorothy!

My daughter-in-law Mellisa. The person responsible for 2 of my favorite people in the world! Clare Dakota and Liam Walter. Hard working, tough, smart and a great mom! I see Melissa so often in Clare, when she does or says some things. A mannerism, a roll of the eyes, walking away shaking her finger in the air like she is scolding the world. And I say “OMG you get that from your Mom! I am so very proud of Mellissa. She will do well in all she sets her mind to. She is an outstanding mom, and my favorite DIL! Melissa- if you read this …. Listen carefully and hear the whisper. That is Virginia calling to you! We love you! Melissa – 2 Children Happy Mother’s Day

My wife, Victoria (BCP). The reason I am still on this earth. Funny, caring, truly a faithful person in all senses of the word. My wife is deeply passionate about her kids and grandkids. She loves family and family stuff. But Victoria has also dedicated her non-family life to kids. OPK- Other Peoples Kids. In Special Education and now Special Education Administration. That must be the mother in her. She is my hero and my heart and soul. I am truly blessed for you to be mother to my children. Vicky – 3 Children 2 Grandkids A Very Happy Mother’s Day *Note- The CCOTC (The Children of the Corn) Went shopping after church and picked up some large chunks of bovine and small crustaceans and created a delicious Surf and Turf for their Momma. see above

Happy Mothers Day to all of the awesome loving Moms out there.

                 

Hello! And Peace!

 My sincerest apologies for the ridiculous sabbatical. I would love to communicate a valid reason to have lost track of what is important due to some other stuff that may be considered more important. You know - something romantic like Federal Prison. Perhaps receiving a government grant to study the husbandry of an endangered Tibetan Yak Species. I could be like - “Hey! Sorry I haven’t written; I have been living in a yurt with a dude named Namgyal”. Nothing like that. Just working, loving my family, cooking for the people, traveling, eating well and trying to be grateful for everything we have. There is much to tell. 

To the followers- Thanks and please share my blog with those whom you think may enjoy it. There is never a better time to share then the present. If I strike a chord and you wanna say something, please add a comment. Today was an awesome day and I felt the need to post this PSA before the sun came up. Oh and eat a little crow.

Cause the larger ones are pretty tough. So please stay tuned.  

0402 Dave

Mother's Day - A Great Day with my Honey and A Wonderful Memory of a Mother's Day Past

SBCP and I spent a great day together today for Mother’s Day. She has been working really hard studying for her classes and getting ready for her Graduation and the VA. State Exam. Which she is taking next week. SBCP spent the day taking and re-taking practice tests on-line. I made her the Mother of the Bloody Marys’ in a 27 ounce mixing glass garnished with 2 U-16 Shrimp, celery and speared olives. Over 20 years of tending bar I have made a few Bloody Mary’s in my day. Sunday afternoon at the Blackwater Inn I would burn through 2- 3 gallons of BM Mix. It was homemade of course. And it was not for the timid palette. My man Big Tom was responsible for consumption of at least a gallon every Sunday. He would “troll” the Boulevard and was usually successful. But that’s a whole other Blog Post. I may explain someday. It the interim –I offer Blackwater Inns’ Sunday Bloody Mary Mix- circa 1992. Makes enough mix for 10 – 10 ounce Bloody Marys’ or enough to get Big Tom to noon- thirty (maybe)

• 2 46 oz. cans Sacramento Tomato Juice
• 8 Tbsp. prepared horse radish
• 4 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 30 hits of Worcestershire sauce
• 30 hits of Franks Hot Sauce- Tabasco or your choice of hot sauce
• Celery salt – to taste
• S & P - to taste
• Make mix up to 24 hours prior
• 3-4 ounces of good vodka per 4-6 ounces of mix.
• Mix well- shaken or stirred.
• Serve with marinated olives, a celery stalk and a couple of shrimp- perched
• Garnish glass with lemon and lime slices

The Mother of all Bloody Marys'  -

Now todays Mothers ‘Day was awesome....

I made Shrimp Cocktail – my honey’s favorite. 2 beautiful Rib eye steaks with sautéed mushroom and onions.

 


  However I think back to a previous MD posting. SBCP was not home most likely scooping up the grand babies.



It was Mother’s Day 2010. Our neighbor Marilyn and I were both going to be alone so we planned to spend the day together. Church- Lunch-and conversation. I offer you all a flash-back to MD posting May 10 2010. A truly memorable day. Good food- great conversation – unforgettable stories and unconditional love and respect from what would normally two strangers brought together by chance and circumstance.

Reposted - FROM MAY 10 2010-

I spoke through proxy to the infamous UD yesterday and he was eagerly waiting and salivating for the next TFN entry. I explained I had no real fodder for the blog. No great meals, no blockbuster recipes, no great restaurant reviews( another mental block mis- spelling spell, Imagine a guy in the food service industry for 17 plus years that can't spell restaurant ) . UD says Blog about Marilyn's cookbook. (Which will come in a later issue. So then I sit down and begin to ponder the crux of the meal itself. Not the content, not the venue, not the cost, or the dessert but the concept of the meal itself. The conversation, the camaraderie (which I can spell), the ritual of breaking bread. The ability to be at rest with those you care about and take in nourishment. A life sustaining effort, both on a physical and emotional plane. I mention this because I had a wonderful meal with my 70+ year old neighbor, Marilyn yesterday. It was Mother's Day, and we were both home alone. My Mom has been gone for a great while and Marilyn's daughter is far away. So it was a healing and bonding surrogate experience for both of us. I was originally scheduled to take her to dinner after we went to church together on Saturday night. But a surprise visit from my man LUMPY for volunteer car repair ran into the evening hours and I had to cancel. So I get up Sunday morning and call her… she says “I have some really nice hamburger meat, how about we just eat here" Now let me explain Marilyn. She was born the oldest of 14, in Colby Wisconsin. A farm girl who could drive the tractor, or birth a calf, or bake a wonderful loaf of bread from scratch. She has described a great visual of her Dad hanging onto the side of the tractor loaded with too much hay to offset the load from spilling over her dad hangs onto one side saying " Go Blondie Go… whatever happens don' t stop." Marilyn is also a smart business woman and a true spiritual soul. We feel blessed to count Marilyn as part of our family. We realized last year that fate and divine intervention had put us across from Marilyn and Jim to nurture both families. I would be remiss to mention that Jim is no longer with us and plants a huge void in our hearts every day. However during lunch the front door closed by itself as it grew a little colder which I attributed to Jim watching over us. So Marilyn and I have a great Mother's Day Bruncheon (my word). Fresh cooked hand formed burgers on the grill - 93/7 ground beef, some potato salad, beans, and a great salad with blueberries. Now the highlight of the meal was the conversation. Marilyn told some stories about business, camping, traveling and family that took us in all different directions. I countered with comparable anecdotes. We recognized some very similar tales that made me realize we experienced some shared circumstances. Useless purchases of unused trailers and campers that although well intentioned were bad decisions.

Marilyn had a great memory of renting a camper and driving to Wisconsin to see her family. (Because Jim always had to make an entrance) They rent the RV from a guy in Gainesville, they pick it up in a field behind a house where there are other campers. They pay the guy a couple thousand dollars cash, and he says drop it off here when you are done, and I will check it out and get back to you if there are any issues. They have Marilyn's daughter, her husband and two grand kids with them. They drive the camper without incident to Wisconsin. Jim makes his entrance and they head back home. On the way back the RV develops an equipment issue. They stop at an RV dealer in Minneapolis to get the part installed and make their way home. They make it back to Virginia in one piece and launch the grandkids home. The RV gets dropped off and they recommend this RV rental guy to a friend a few months later. They get a call from the Virginia State Police and are informed the Winnebago they drove to Wisconsin was stolen. The catch is the unit was stolen from the same dealer in Minnesota that they stopped at to get the part fixed. The whole family could have landed in a Minnesota jail if the dealer ran the VIN number. A great story on all levels. Shared over an impromptu meal shared by two souls brought together by fate or luck or serendipity. (Look it up). So no major recipes or big food revelations. But just an opportunity to speak to the human nature, spirituality and bonding of the MEAL . A MEAL…. the breaking of bread, the staff of life which keeps us grounded to the importance of the little things. I spoke to Marilyn about the publishing of this blog, and asked if she was ok with it. I thanked her for the company, and the meal. Marilyn says “spending time with you was like being with the son that I never had". I tell Marilyn “you are like the Mom that I no longer have “ The MEAL ….. Sometimes - it's not about the food. I thank you all for your support. My heart is with all of you.

Thanks for the attention- please don’t lose interest. I will keep you well fed.

Marilyn has since moved to be closer to her daughter in Pasadena Ca. We miss her every day. However a great young family has moved into her home, I love to hear the kid’s laughter echoing throughout the neighborhood.

I would like to pay tribute to all of the Mothers out there. It’s a full time – underpaid – under – appreciated job. You all shape the future – please keep it up!


For Rita – I love you Mom~TFN

Osteria Nino - Staffords Loss Shirlingtons Gain

 

First I must apologize for a much too extended sabbatical from the TFN blog. Sometimes life gets in the way of life and you lose track of what you enjoy and what is truly important to you. So I will try to post at least every few weeks and keep you all abreast of my adventures and my tastings.

In spite of a lack of timely postings the blog still has more than 6000 views.

 

SBCP and I recently had the opportunity to drive to Alexandria on a Sunday. Aside from I95 it was a pleasant trip and did not take 6 hours. (Which is possible in Northern Virginia on a weekend.) We were checking the travel time and route for a state test for which she was registered. We wanted to be sure the path was familiar. I had in the back of my mind to have dinner at Osteria Da Nino Cucina Italiana & Bar. Nino’s was located in Shirlington and the work home of some good friends and wonderful people. Niño Pino was the former host and part owner of Zibibbo73 in Stafford. A location I was fortunate to have worked at for a couple of years when they first opened. In the restaurant business you say “ I helped open so and so with whosit back in the day” Which means you worked at a place when they first opened. The first few months in the restaurant business are the roughest. So that statement is like a rite of passage. Working out the kinks in a restaurant is like being reborn daily. You never know what will happen on any given day.

When Nino left Zibibbo73 he took some good friends and servers from Stafford and opened Osteria Nino. The space is modern and beautiful and the tables are spaced so generously that you experience an unmistakable intimacy in a huge space.

Nino is the consummate host. He has a way with the clientele that makes you feel welcome and at home. He greeted us with warm hugs and gratitude. He was truly happy to see us! We spent many minutes talking and checking out the layout of the property. Our good friend and favorite server Christin had not arrived for work yet and Nino sat us at the best table in the house. A four-top at the window corner. Our server was smiley and well-spoken and described the specials to a tee. While we ate a regular customer called and asked for his special table (our table) and Nino apologetically explained that there were guests already seated at that table. 


We opted for the mussels’ appetizer in white wine.  Nino approached and recommended some salumi e fromaggi. A small plate of cured sausage and cheeses. That anti pasta was delivered immediately. A wonderful mix of soppressatta, pistachio cheese, olives and fig jam. The mussels were fresh and sweet and tender. Huge thin slices of garlic were reminiscent of the final minutes of the prison scene from the movie Goodfellas. Where Pauli would slice the garlic thin with a razor so it melted in the pan with just a little oil. I offer a link to that memorable scene. -  

Garlic with a razor    

SBCP ordered the Salmone e Puntarelli - Wild harvested salmon, gigandes beans, salmoriglio, kale, & tomato comfit.

My wife stated that the salmon was perfect. The skin removed and cooked perfectly. The beans were I thought butter beans, plump and delicious. And of course the kale was kale so she was happy.  

I enjoyed the Filletto di Branzino - Fregola, orange, fennel, asparagus, castelvetrano olives, & Sicilian salmoriglio, The filet was a whole fish, which was awesome. The Fregola was a pearl pasta reminiscent of Israeli Cous Cous. Plump and buttery and with a wonderful mouth feel.  

The entrees -

         

  

The entrées were spectacular. The service was attentive but not overwhelming. Christen arrived and more hugs and warm feelings were abundant. Nino and his staff were phenomenal.

We arrived early and were thankful for that. As we finished the restaurant began to fill up with their regular Sunday business.   

We felt blessed to have an awesome meal hosted by familiar friends and to have the ability to make new friends.

 

Osteria Da Nino Cucina Italiana & Bar a true gem tucked away in Shirlington VA. Great hosting, warm hospitality and wonderful food.

A link to their website - Osteriadaninova.

    

Thank you Nino for a great evening!

 

Nino and I -

 

 

TFN  

Virginia Diner

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I just spoke about how we took a ride to Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Norfolk, I am not that familiar so they get kind of all mixed up for me. It was Southern Virginia near the shore, where a lot of rivers meet the ocean. We went so my honey could fly in the air. Which she accomplished, she left the earth, flew in the sky more than once and then landed back on the earth.  There is only 1 sky. Just so you know….

 We stayed at the Hilton on the river in Suffolk Va. The hotel is on the banks of the Namemethecockofcoxfoxintheboxwithmysoxonyourhotboxhotknocks  river. (maybe better to look it up!) A beautiful property on the water, adjacent to a great  marina. The restaurant was run of the mill for a Hilton Garden Inn. Two dudes cooking on a line visible to the dining room. Dinner the night of arrival  was late and fair ….  and only fair. The boys behind the line spent more time  shooting the bull than concentrating on putting out good food. Sea Salt French Fries on the menu…. the only thing missing was the Sea Salt. I told the waitress I could have went to Wendy's. The crab cake was Ok.  

Breakfast the following day….  sad omelets, frozen potatoes, and no commitment from the wait staff for refills, creamer, butter, or anything else you may anticipate from a full service establishment. As a youngster, I would do back flips to make an extra dollar tip. These kids here …. not so much.    

Saturday morning after breakfast at the airport. SBCP ( Sweet Banana Cream Pie)  kissed the heavens and got her first official flying lesson and we were considering what  to do next. What the heck could top that ??? I tell you what. Ham Biscuits at a diner doing the right thing for the right reasons for more than 80 years. The night before we watched a special on TV about Virginia Diner …. Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Macaroni & Cheese, oh and Biscuits….  Southern Style, the same way for more than 8 decades. It was about 45 minutes away and worth the drive. We considered flying but the parking lot was full and there was no room to land. The joint was packed. It was 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon.  It was Virginia Diner.  

We registered with the hostess. This place was kind of Cracker Barrel -esque. They jam you into the gift shop  when you sign in … so you can browse and buy. Boiled peanuts and Virginian Tech shirts. They tell you it's going to be 20 to 25 minutes… so go forward and spend ! The dining room sat about 90 or so. It was about 10 minutes until we were seated. On this Saturday afternoon after 11:00 the buffet was $11.95. The buffet displayed all of the Southern Specialties plus some really pretty desserts. The Mac & Cheese on the buffet turned out to be much better that the ala-carte  portion. We were seated and watched the folks coming back from the buffet with dangling trails of strings of cheese from the Mac & Cheese. This place was legit !

This joint had it all !! Little kids… fat ladies …. grumpy bastards… tourists…. local mutants….. 400 pound people….. and 80 pound people …. dudes with sandals and black socks… Chicks with cutoff shorts so short that the pockets stuck out of the bottom … Three dudes who while waiting for a table just kept saying … " Is there a Burger King around here ? " Chicks and dudes with bad teeth… brown teeth…. missing teeth …. and summer teeth…. ( Some were there  …. some were not) There were  fast and furious waitresses and sweaty  bus boys…. They had it all !  The cheese string trails  continued to made small inroads all over the linoleum floor. It was fantastic! They cleaned and turned over the tables like it was nobody's business…. but you know what ? It was their business !

I loved it  !  

SBCP ordered the house specialty - Ham Biscuits- Collard Greens-Waldorf  Salad- and a wrap up of Peanut Pie. I ordered a Club Sandwich. We ordered two sides of Mac &  Cheese.  I was jonesing for the Fried Chicken but I knew it would have been too much. However I could taste the Fried Chicken as I visually licked the grease from the faces of the previously mentioned mutantos dejour.  

 

 

I just wanted a club sandwich… the club had the Famous Ham as one of the components so I was good !

Overall the meal was excellent. The atmosphere and hum of the restaurant was outstanding. Just good honest, wholesome food.   I fell into a small carbohydrate coma on the way back to the river. HSBCP got us back and forth…. on the earth of course . Another visit to a famous food destination !!!!  

Virginia Diner >>>>>>>>>>>> As far as I am concerned you folks are good for another 80 plus years.  

The Peace You Build in Your Soul is the Peace That Becomes Your Rock !!!

Luvya- The FoodNomad>>>> Stay Tuned for the big announcement.

   

  

Up-Up and Away !



I Will Fly Away !

A few weeks ago my wife says to me >>>> “I believe I can fly! I believe I can touch the sky.”

She was not singing Karaoke. So I figured she must be delusional, or high. I said OK and I sent her for a Reasonable Cause Drug Test. Unfortunately or fortunately she passed …. Or not really.

Vicky began to talk about learning to fly, and obtaining her pilots license. She said “I would love to fly a plane.” Vicky had been up in a bi-plane a few months previous with Lumpy’s buddy Chuck (that may be the first time those three words were ever written in that order). We were at the Bealeton Flying Circus for the launch of some hot air balloons and the timing was right. She loved that and wanted to go again.

I then found an article in the paper about an organization called Women Can Fly. This organization sponsors free flights in small planes for women to raise the awareness regarding women pilots. Only 6% of all pilots are women. Vicky registered and Friday night we drove south to Hampton Roads Virginia. We stayed in a beautiful Hilton on the banks of the Nansemond River in Suffolk Va. The airport was the Hampton Roads Executive Airport. The terminal was in a beautiful modern steel building constructed with enough glass to take in the sites on the runways. We were among the first few there and Vicky was registered for her flight. As the morning progressed dozens of women and girls arrived. There were many mothers and daughters. One woman was 71 and it was her birthday. Present also were members of the Armed Forces, the Civil Air Patrol, volunteer pilots and representatives for Women Can Fly. There were publications about how to go about getting a sport pilots license, they had a few raffles going and a drawing for some door prizes. At about 0930 the organizers took the first group into a room for a presentation and about a half hour later Vicky was climbing into Piper Archer and took off into the wild blue yonder. The terminal was filling up with more people and the pipeline of women and girls being briefed and getting on line to fly seemed to be flowing pretty well.

Vicky’s flight was short and uneventful. She was back on the ground in about 15 minutes. She did however love it, and we started to look around at some displays and vendors that were set up outside near the terminal exit. There were a few planes on display and they had a trailer from the Virginia Department of Aviation. I figured we were done here and maybe we would drive to Virginia Beach. I asked one of the organizers when they would be holding the drawings for the raffles and the door prizes. She had the container with the blue tickets in her hand and was making her way out onto the tarmac where the guys with the PA system were and she said “ Right Now ! “. She calls the number 7294329. It was Vicky’s ticket and it had won. The first drawing of the day!

The lady was very nice and we asked what did she win? The lady said come on in I will let you choose. Among the prizes was a free lunch from the onsite café, some IPod accessories, a helicopter ride for three people and other assorted stuff. There was a gift certificate from Chesapeake Aviation for an introductory flight lesson. That was the deal!
We went over to the hangar where Chesapeake Aviation was housed and met Bob and Dot the owners, and Tom a flight instructor. They were all very nice people. Bob said “Let Tom finish his Smack and he would take Vicky up.” I said was it wise to let Tom shoot up heroin and then go into a plane? “Snack” said Bob “Snack!” Oh snack!.... Ok that’s fine then.

Tom was a gentleman and quite thorough with his pre-trip and safety lesson for the plane. The plane was a Cessna. A C-152 to be exact. Vicky was back up in the air in about 20 minutes. The flight lasted about 40 minutes. Vicky took the stick and took off and landed twice. We purchased a flight log from Chesapeake and Bob logged her hours. She logged .6 hours and is now officially on the way to getting her pilots license. She was on cloud 9 (sorry I had to).

Tom explains the safety check

It’s all over Facebook and people cannot believe Vicky did it! I can however …. This is the same woman who brought home dozens of duck and chicken eggs in an incubator to hatch, raised Monarch butterflies in my dining room and cooled them off in an envelope in the refrigerator to slow them down so she could put one on Clare’s nose and take a picture. She stood in the swamp in Maryland to take part in “Bridging the Watershed” (Ask her and she will tell you about it). She brings her kids into DC to meet with park rangers and test the water in the reflection pool on the national mall. She had the “bat lady” come to her school to talk to the kids about the different flavors of guano. Vicky was recently the recipient of a Prince William County Award for excellence in Science. It all some pretty cool stuff!

Today we woke up at the Hilton and I said “Hey I don’t know if you remember or not … but yesterday you flew a plane in the sky!”

Vicky says “Yeah I did…. I told you I could fly…. I told you I could touch the sky!”

I should have went for the Drug Test !

Vicky and Tom

There is a whole other story about our trip revolving around food of course. That’s for another session.

I am back and have some great news to share… stay posted and keep following.

Respectfully yours in flight TFN

"The air is the only place free from prejudices."

— Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman to become an airplane pilot, 1921.