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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
Non-partisan application to classified info is desirable
URBANNA — What a mess. The polarization of this nation is tragic and the frustration is real with about half the nation in its perception that federal agencies are helping to elect Democrats to the White House. This perception, whether true or not, is...
“One homebuyer’s tale of a dream come true”
URBANNA — I know of a sweet lady who “just bought a house.” By this I mean she wrote the contract in April 2022 and it closed this month.
Buying one’s own home and throwing away rental keys for good is the American dream come...
Art provides needed escape
URBANNA — The historic town of Urbanna has a lot going for it. We’re beginning to receive One Woman’s Opinion national recognition too. An example: a recent issue of “Southern Living” ranked Urbanna in the top 20 favorite small town riverside retirement locations in...
Columnist shares thoughts on Durham Report
URBANNA — Well now. It turned out after all these years, the media’s linking Trump and “Russian Collusion” was false. It is interesting to note of all the media, only Fox News reporters had it right.
Yes, all the wild hype and political attacks against...
“A jibe or two along the way” (conclusion)
Part 1
URBANNA — How do I explain the emptiness? The deep void that Father’s death had bequeathed me. Perhaps this will help explain it…
“But look, the morn in russet mantle clad, walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill!” How many times did...
Columnist recalls one or two jibes along the way (Part 1)
Part 2
URBANNA — Death is the big one. No wonder that most religions promise future life. Mankind must have hope.
I was 59 when Father died in 2001. He was more than a father, he was a soulmate, the light of my life.
After the funeral,...
It’s good to stay on the run from the ‘Dreadful Ds’ in life
URBANNA — Bet you don’t know what life’s dreadful Ds are. I do because 60 years ago I said “I do” to a lawyer. Since then, I have been hearing all about the Ds and how a “prudent (a lawyer’s favorite word) client” plans...
Columnist’s grandson’s first job triggers myriad memories
URBANNA — The special thing about grandchildren is their activities trigger many memories from our past. It’s fun to compare life years ago when we lived it to what our grandchildren are experiencing today.
Nothing may be more important to the development of children than...
‘Congressman Wittman delivers grim warning’
URBANNA — My readers know that I’m not crazy about politicians. But when husband, Chip, asked me to go with him to hear U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st Dist. last month at a dinner sponsored by the Middlesex County Republican Committee, I agreed. Wittman...
“Nero fiddled while Rome burned”
URBANNA — Having our president touring Ireland while the U.S., Taiwanese and Chinese Navy were all in the Formosa Straits seemingly on the brink of war reminded me of an old saw from the history of Rome. Nero, the sanity challenged Roman Emperor, was...
On the swing with youngest grandchild enjoyable experience
URBANNA — When I was 78 years old I was blessed with a new grandchild. I had thought that grandbabies would no longer be born in our family, we already had four grandchildren, and even if I was taken completely by surprise, I could...
Love — according to an estate planning lawyer
URBANNA — Do you know what a “death file” is? Chances are you don’t, let alone actually have one.
I do. That’s because I live with a lawyer who keeps a file on everything. I have lived with a lawyer for 60 years. That’s a...
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...
