Faces of Culpeper......Brrrrrrrrrr !

Here I am with my granddaughter Audrey all bundled and ready to go out in the cold weather.  You know it is not always easy to think of a subject that I want to cover photographically here in the Pepper.  When I think of something that grabs my fancy I get excited about it and automatically think about how it is going to work out.  It has been cold here lately......This December was the coldest one on record.  January is predicted to progress the same way.  So I thought it would be fun to go out and take pictures of the people all bundled up against the cold.   My image was big overcoats, hooded parkas and other heavy winter wear.  So I first headed to the Target parking lot sure that I would find women and men in winter gear rushing to their cars.  It was after all, 32 degrees.  I did not have to wait long for the first woman to exit the store.  She was wearing......nothing in the way of a coat or jacket!!  She stood there for three or four minutes with no visible sign that it was cold and then strolled to her car.  What??!!! In time I was not disappointed with the people who were well dress for cold weather, but what was surprising was the number of thin sweaters, light hooded sweat shirts,  jackets  (and just wait until you see what one guy was wearing!) and other light articles of clothing.  Those under dressed people  were all shivering and the ones I ask said they hated the cold, but they were doing nothing to fend off the low temperature.  I was astounded!  The second day it was 30 degrees when I ventured forth and the wind was blowing making it feel much colder.  Almost everyone was dressed for the cold. That made me feel somewhat better about the sanity of my fellow citizens.  Let's see who I found.

This is Tyrone Richards who like me, is a retired guy.  He said he hates the cold and has considered moving to Arizona, but then asked me if I had seen the weather they have been having there.  I have seen that weather and think that he and I both will be content to stay put in the Pepper for a while.

This lovely lady who is perfectly dressed for cold weather or any other occasion is Delores Smead.  Delores grew up in the Culpeper area and then moved to California for most of her adult life.  Recently she has moved back to help her mom.

You know, guys are interesting.  It was almost 30 degrees with snow predicted for the next day and Craig Newsom decided it was a perfect time to wash his vehicle.  There may be some ladies out there that are shaking their heads, but most of us guys understand and think it is perfectly reasonable.  Even if it only looks great for a few hours.......it is worth it.  Not only that, but Craig had the good fortune to have his good friend supervising from the warmth of his own truck nearby. 

This is the previously mentioned "friend" who offered suggestions, barbs and observations while Craig labored.  His name is Josh Brooks.

I had just pulled into a parking lot when I saw this attractive family heading my way.  I grabbed my camera and stepped out of my car.  This lady, Noreen Shorey,  proceeded to make my day by saying, "I know who you are!  You are Rich Crowley."  She told me that her BFF had told her a few months ago that "people are actually following this guy" and that her mom who lives in Richmod follows this blog. (Let me give a shout out here to the BFF's mom in Richmond)  That promted Noreen to start following the feature, "Rich Crowley's Snapshots of Culpeper" which appears weekly in the Culpeper Times.  Just this week she had seen the picture of the woman and her daughter with the Christmas trees and wondered if she would ever cross paths with me.   She did and the rest is history except to note that the handsome gentlemen accompanying their mom are Miles on the left, and Jonathon on the  right.

NOW FOR THE UNBELIEVEABLE PART OF THIS BLOG

TA DAH!!!!!!!!

I was entering the parking lot of Kohls when I spotted this guy with no shirt getting something out of the bed of his truck.  I had to have this picture cause man, it was freezing.  James Keck was at the back of his truck because he had decided it was time to put something on and so he was getting a sleeveless tshirt.  He assured me that he kept the cab of the truck really warm.  As I told some people I was photographing about James, a couple reported that they had seen him driving around without his shirt.   James !!!!!!!!!!

After James.....whew!.....my attention was drawn accross the street to where several cars had stopped.  I saw the sign and headed on over to see what was happening.  Butch, L.J. and Chris had a pen of pit bull pups for sale and boy were they getting a lot of traffic.  That is Bryan who is a potential customer holding the puppy.

Lincoln Catron and Megan Payne had stopped to look at the dogs and I grabbed their picture.  Even the wind could not alter what a nice looking couple they are.

Saturday we had snow......for about two hours and then it melted.  I was lucky enough to take this picture of Clarence Carte in the snow.  Now.....he fits the mold I had envisioned with the big parka and the stocking cap.  I know he was warm. 

It was absolutely freezing and ice was on the ground when I found Dawn Pollard.  She is a cake decorator at Walmart.

AND NOW FOR THE BIG FINISH!!!  THANKS TO PTI.

These ladies were loading their car at Marty's (as we call Martins) when I happened upon them.  They were so nice to let me take their pictue and to stop and talk for a few minutes while they froze.  This is a mother/daugher team.  Delores Lucas is on the right in the fashionable hat.  She is a high school teacher at Battlefield High School.  Delores commented that she always looks for my "Rich Crowley's Snapshot of Culpeper"  in the Culpeper Times.  Well she and her daughter will be in it before long.  On the left is Jackie Lucas the daughter who is an attorney.  They are great people and an excellent way to end my blog.

 If  you have comments, questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at:

facesofculpeper@gmail.com

That's it for now.

It's Christmas Time in the City

"Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city.  Hear them ring, ting-a-ling....soon it will be Christmas day."

To begin please click the link below.  My talented daughter in law created a short video to express the real meaning of Christmas.  That's me on the vocal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op1MhgKwpYU

Like so many others, Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  We no longer have children at home to wake up on Christmas morning hoping that Santa has been by, but we have thoroughly enjoyed watching our own children's excitement as they prepare Christmas for their children who are, of course, our grandchildren.  As a family we never lose sight of the fact that we celebrate the birth of the Saviour on this day. 

I have attempted in this blog to present a flavor of Christmas in our town of Culpeper.  It is a fun place to be during this season and the people I have encountered were happy.    

Let's jump in:

Christmas in Culpeper is about decorating houses and businesses.  It is about house lights......

And decorated mailboxes.....

And more house lights........

And wreaths in the windows of businesses.....

And about shop owners who provide products to enhance our enjoyment of Christmas.  This is Shirley Kinneman the owner of "Designers Choice."  This store may be the most fun of any in the Pepper during the Christmas season.  Shirley has owned it for sixteen years.  It is on Davis Street.  It is the part of town where Christmas comes alive.

 

Christmas is about helping others........

The Salvation Army has been about its business of helping others since 1865!  I respect these men who do their part in the cold.  They are Stuart Clatterbaugh and Jonathon Brooks.

Toys for Tots is a program that is run nationally by the Marine Corps reserve and provides gifts for needy children.  Bet you didn't know that!  It has been in existence since 1947!  Below is Connie Carpenter who accepted my donation. 

Christmas in the Pepper is about toys for good girls and boys

There are stacks of American Flyer riding toys at Clarke's Hardware.  They are my favorite since they were around when I was boy.  We bought a great American Flyer rocking horse there.  It has provided hours of fun for the grandkids.

And there are rows of toys at the department stores.

And everywhere are parents with their kids checking out the toys.  Here are Michelle Ragland,  son Shay Rayland and daughter Sayvonn Linsay with the almost endless variety of dolls.

Here are Beth and Mary Stephens looking at Elmo and other fun toys.

Christmas is about finding just the right present. 

Here great grandmother Lucy Creel and grandmother Gloria Phillips making sure that they will make a grandchild smile. Isn't that just sooo cool!!

Jackie Smith wants the kids  in her house to get just the right snow sled from Santa.  Christmas is just fun!!

Christmas in the Pepper is about Christmas trees and wrapping paper. 

Marie Thompson and her daughter pass through the display of Christmas trees at Target.  I have sadly noticed that there are few Christmas tree lots this year.  That is too bad.  That said, I am thoroughly enjoying my artificial Christmas tree.

Heidi Welch gives her daughter an early start on learning how to pick gift wrapping paper.

And Christmas is about "waitin on a woman."

If you have never heard the Brad Paisley song, "Waitin on a Woman" then you have really missed out.  Next time you go shopping take notice of the men hanging out at the doors or sitting in the chairs provided for, you guessed it, men who are waitin on a woman.  They don't provide those chairs for the female folks, you know.  Even during Christmas shopping I found a man patiently doing that kind of waiting.  His name is Jack Clatterduck and in this case he was waiting for his granddaughter.  He is a good sport.

Christmas is about wreaths on the gates of historic houses, street decorations, rows of poinsettias and a Christmas tree made out of purses in the window of Pepperberries.

Christmas has become a time to shop for electronics.

Billy Samuels is getting some excellent  assistance from Staples store manager Karen Douglas as he looks for a photo printer.

One of the truly great things about living in Culpeper is the early December "Parade of Historic Homes."   So in the Pepper, Christmas is about touring historic homes!

Bill Reighard portrays a confederate soldier in the front yard of one of the homes.

Katrina Negley is a Southern Belle

John Ruf is the owner and provides historical information on the house and what life was like when it was first built.

As  we left there was a group gathering for the next tour.

Let's not forget that Christmas is also about Santa Claus.

I went to Belk on Saturday  because I knew that Santa Claus was going to be there.  Unfortunately all of the young children had come and gone by the time I got there and I needed to have someone on Santa's lap.  This sweet lady readily agreed and she sat on Santa's lap and whispered in his ear.  He never told me a thing, but from the way these two look.......I think she was a naughty girl this year.

Then this young girl also agreed to be with Santa for a photo.  You can just tell that she was nothing but good all year long.

Christmas is about giving and being happy to do so.

Just like in the song, "Silver Bells," Designer Amy Schilling is "rushing home with her treasures."

So here in Culpeper, Christmas is a lot of things and it is a great season.

BUT MOST OF ALL...... CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF THE BABY JESUS WHO BROUGHT THE MESSAGE OF PEACE, HOPE, AND LOVE TO THE WORLD.  LET'S BE SURE TO NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THAT MIRACLE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE

Feel free to comment.  If you would like to contact me, please do at:

facesofculpeper@gmail.com

Voting and Pizza

VOTING AND PIZZA

This edition I decided to combine two very diverse topics and talk about my voting experience and also about pizza here in the Pepper.   Sounds like an odd match I know, but hang with me and let's work it out.  First things first.

VOTING

I am sure that everyone knows that November 2nd was the day to vote in the United States.  However, not nearly everyone exercised that right and opportunity.  It is what makes us what we are as a country and allows peaceful transitions of power, but lots of people just ignore it.  Too bad.   However, I decided to go to the high school to cast my ballot fairly early in the day. I landed there about 9 am to find a nearly bare parking lot and only one candidate representative greeting people and doing some last minute campaigning.  He was wearing a number of "Cantor" stickers and so I thought that he would be perfect to exemplify the kind of person who dedicates their time to a particular candidate.  However, he was camera shy which disappointed me, but I trudged in and here is what I found.

I am always impressed by people who exercise civic duty and/or opportunity.  Almost everyone working at this poll was a volunteer and many had done it for several years.  The first two here were working their fourth straight year at this voting site.  They are Mary and Mac McPhillips.

The next thing I knew several people were standing in line waiting for the opportunity to cast their ballot.  Here is George Golden, a voter and Carolyn Davis who is the Chief Officer of the poll.  She has been doing this since 2003.

I know Duane Konold and when I saw him standing in line wounded I had to ask him about it and kid him a little.  So I asked about the crutches and foot boot.   He told me that he had hurt his foot teaching his son to jump rope.  I immediately suggested that he find a more macho explanation for his injury.  I proposed that he was injured teaching his son to sky dive or bungee jump.  He thought he would stick with the truth....good choice!

These two ladies have been providing their services to voters for a long time.  Freda Katochvil on the right has helped for twenty years and Shirley Price for ten years.  Thanks ladies!

 


As I prepared to leave I saw that the number of people who had come to vote had grown considerably.  That was good to see.

PIZZA IN THE PEPPER

One day as I was driving down 29 I noticed three pizza places within the space of about 1/3 of a mile.   It made me think about all of the pizza outlets that exist in Culpeper.  There are quite a few.  It made me wonder why anyone would open one after the first few were in business.  It has to be the most, or certainly one of the most, competitive businesses around.  In addition to the places that actually specialize in pizza, there are lunch counters and fast food restaurants that have pizza on their menu.  Everyone agrees that there is lots of competition.   Interestingly in addition to a small number of national outlets, there are several that locally owned.  I asked each of them why a person would choose their product over the others.  Some mentioned that their pizzas were "homemade" while others mentioned the ingredients, service, delivery and prices.  Before I started this blog I had already eaten pizza from all the the places but one.  I quickly and happily corrected that.   Honestly, I thought this would be interesting....it turned out to be a lot more interesting than I originally thought.  I will note that those who had the owner on the premises or a long time manager had an advantage in describing the business.  Let's see what we've got.

MAMAMAI'S

Ah, I have to start at Mamamai's (that is a lot of "m's" and "a's")  first.  When we first moved to the Pepper my son, whom I have noted many times lives here, suggested that we get a pizza from Mamamai's.  It was good advice although I had to work harder for this picture than all of the others combined.  It was hard for me to get to the restaurant when the owner was present.  Of course I expected a somewhat portly, sixtyish Italian woman.  What a surprise to meet thirty one year old Ayman Hanson who is the owner and who opened this establishment in 2003.  He is in the process of opening or expanding another restaurant in town.  Ayman is almost a life long resident and is the tall guy in the back.  The rest of his crew who were there that day are, Michelle Eaton, Mo the manager on the left and Issa who is the cook on the right. 

DOMINO'S

When I stopped at Domino's I found Heather Bauer, who is a CCHS grad, and Robert Bickers.  They were sure that the flavor of the pizza's and the quick delivery were what kept people coming back.

MAMA'S

I stopped next at Mama's....it was very close.   It has been in business for ten years.  These guys were fun and chatted with me for a while.  They believe that the ingredients are what make their pizza's special.  We have Oscar Montesinos on the right who is the cook and who has been with Mama's for all ten years, and Roger Thompson who has worked there for five years.

PAPA JOHN'S 

Things got interesting at Papa John's.  If public relations is important in the pizza business.....and it is...then Papa John's has a leg up because of Dustin Jacobs who is the general manager. Dustin is all personality.  He is a guy who was born and raised in Culpeper and he knows the pizza business and its history here in the Pepper.  He demonstrated tossing a pizza which no doubt is a skill and explained that at his place nothing is frozen.  Working with him is a former Navy man Ed Rabideau on the right.  Dustin saw to it that I had a free pizza under my arm when I left.  Thanks again.

PIZZA HUT

Just in case anyone notices that I left Pizza Hut out of this blog.....

it is because they have a corporate policy that does not allow pictures inside their restaurant.  

POP'S PIZZA

This is probably the newest of the pizza places in Culpeper.  It received publicity in the local newspaper when it opened because of the heartwarming story behind it.  This restaurant is dedicated to memory of Jeff Brown's father.  What a special tribute.  Jeff, of course is the owner.  I had a chance to chat with him just the other day.  Before he opened "Pop's," he was the manager of "Ruby Tuesdays" for four years.  He knew he was opening in a tough economic time, but says it has been worth the risk.  Nice guy.

PETE'S PIZZA

Pete's has to be the oldest privately owned pizza restaurant in the Pepper.  Several people told me that I really needed to talk to Pete.  It was kind of saving the best character until the end.  What a cool guy.  His parents are Greek and immigrated to the United States in 1965.  He was drafted into the Greek army for two years just as he was preparing to come to the states.  He came in 1967.  He has been in this very restaurant for the last 35 years.  To say that he is a Culpeper legend is no exaggeration.  He introduced subs to the Culpeper area.  No one had them before he came.  He and his wife are delightful. He demonstrated his prowess at throwing a pizza.....amazing....cooked it up and sent it home with me.  It was HUGE!!!!!  Pete's last name is Katrakilis and his charming wife is Eleni.

All of this makes me hungry.  That's if for now.  If you would like a copy of one of the pictures  just let me know.  Also please send any suggests, comments or corrections to me at:

facesofculpeper@gmail.com

Be sure to watch for my feature, "Rich Crowley's Snapshot of Culpeper"  weekly in the Culpeper Times.

Happy Holidays!!!