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One Woman's Opinion
Welcome to “One Woman’s Opinion,” a long term feature of the Southside Sentinel, written by Urbanna resident Mary Wakefield Buxton. Traditionally a humorist, Mary has written a column on all subjects and sometimes in very serious vein. Along with writing a column for the Sentinel since 1984, she is also author of 15 books about life and love in Tidewater, Virginia. Click here for available books.
Urbanna’s ‘big brass’ boundary brouhaha: Part 5
Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4
Part 5
The prayers of writers are sometimes answered even though they don’t necessarily attend church services. And so the very next day a terrible storm hit Nimcock County tearing across the land, uprooting trees and taking off roofs of many houses. And most conveniently helping Merrypen find a way out of the “big brass” boundary...
Urbanna’s ‘big brass’ boundary brouhaha: Part 4
Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3
Part 4
By now everyone in the charming town of Nimcock had taken sides. Who could not take a side? Everyone was talking...
Urbanna’s ‘big brass’ boundary brouhaha: Part 3
Part 1 • Part 2
Part 3
The lawyers had been selected, the distinguished Ronald E. Widget (who some in the county felt was totally unscrupulous) and the candy Enos F....
The ‘big brass’ boundary brouhaha continues
Part 1
Part 2
A week or two passed by with not much more interchange between the Army and the Navy much to Nimcock’s relief. No one liked blow-ups between neighbors...
The ‘big brass’ boundary brouhaha
(Editor’s note: Before passing away this month, “One Woman’s Opinion” columnist Mary Wakefield Buxton completed a special five-part series, “The Nimcock Chronicles.” The following column is the first in...
One Woman's Opinion
Surviving summer’s sizzling heat is a challenging activity
Whew! One of the hottest summers I remember, particularly for the month of June, has grabbed our attention. I am looking forward to fall and hoping for cool down soon. Cooler weather can’t come fast enough, at least for me.
I complain a lot about...
‘It’s wise with politics to keep a sense of humor’
No one was happier than yours truly when the last presidential election was over. I publicly recommended the candidate that in my opinion, Donald J. Trump, was the best prepared to solve this nation’s growing problems, ($36 trillion national debt and growing, open border,...
Hanover Tavern offers stunning theater as well as a lesson in history
Those who love theater in Middlesex County are fortunate we have opportunities nearby to enjoy live theater productions. Both Lancaster Players in White Stone and Courthouse Players in Gloucester offer plays and are an easy drive from here.
Not so nearby but offering top notch...
‘Norfolk Waterside provides easy access for quick vacation getaway’
Why not replace stressful and exhausting distant vacation plans for a nearby weekend getaway? The latter plan could be just as refreshing for those who need a break in the routine as the traditional one- or two-week vacation to far away locations.
Traveling long distances...
Newport News Mariners Museum features ‘Battle of the Ironclads’
On a recent March Sunday while that cloudy, cold wind coming off the Rappahannock River was casting a chill over the town of Urbanna, we decided it was a perfect day to visit a museum. We had not been to the Mariners Museum in...
Memories of ‘Dandy’ — the sweetest dog of all
One thing that every dog owner knows and carries in his brain every day of his life-like stone is the knowledge that one day his precious dog will die.
But somehow we are willing to take on that burden just for the temporary pleasure of...
Cruising columnist ponders the what, where, how and why of one’s existence
Another important question while on vacation: Are we having any fun? Good question. Our cruise continued. We had ended our five-island itinerary and begun the long steam back to Miami.
I was ready to go home. Meanwhile I found a book in the library titled...
Cabin fever at sea leaves one thinking of going home
By now we were on our second week of our cruise. I recommend just one week of a cruise.
We were tired. Eating too much rich food, drinking too much wine, exposure to too much tropical sunshine, and finally, the daily Dramamine one swallows to...
‘Classical music played by string quartet at sea best of cruise’
When we weren’t in port exploring the islands there were many shipside activities to enjoy besides lolling at the pool. I attended watercolor classes and Chip signed up for computer and iPhone lessons.
We also spent time every day in the fitness center trying our...
Steaming south to St. Barthelemy Island in the West Indies
Our Caribbean cruise to the West Indies was our first experience on the Oceania Cruise line and its new ship “Vista.” The ship was big, shimmering white and built to provide a luxury cruise with top notch cuisine, entertainment and service for its 1,200...
‘Day of rest needed before cruise, after Dulles-Miami flight’
Miami Airport was as big and difficult to traverse for two octogenarians as Dulles. But after the long hike to baggage to retrieve luggage we were delighted to see a man holding up a sign for “Vista Cruise Line.” He was to take us...
‘Travels with Mary, how much must we suffer on vacation?’
I hate to travel. General Sherman said, “War is hell,” but I say, “Travel is hell.”
The problem in my 62-year marriage to a wonderful husband is simply that he loves to travel. Why this fundamental difference did not come out during our pre-marriage conversations,...
More News
Golf carts may roll in Deltaville
Deltaville representative Randy Crittenden informed supervisors that residents on Lovers Lane and adjoining streets...
Fireball consumes truck on Route 17
A truck pulling a large camper was destroyed by fire this week near Church...
Marine industrial park eyed for Deltaville
The Middlesex County Economic Development Authority (EDA) will apply for a “GO Virginia” planning...
Cadillac strikes man on Route 17
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle on U.S. Route 17 on Monday was airlifted...
