A DAY FOR GRATITUDE
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CITY BEACH
CITY BEACH
There is something magical about growing up along the coastline during the 1950s, perhaps because 1957 holds a special place in my heart. Hearing African-Americans in the Hampton Roads area speak on the subject; the mind automatically flashes to Virginia Beach. Still, long before the boardwalk ushered us to into their haven, there was City Beach.
City Beach is a public beach located along the shores of East Beach, an award-winning tony beach community on the Chesapeake Bay. On June 16, 1935, the beach officially opened as a public beach and was annexed to Norfolk in 1959. City Beach was unique to African Americans because it was 11-acres of land on the Chesapeake Bay dedicated to us for family gatherings, crabbing, BBQs, and basking in the sun. I recall spending the Fourth of July at City Beach with friends at the dance hall or walking the boardwalk during the 1970s.
Today, City Beach is officially called East Beach and remains a public beach surrounded by million-dollar homes. When in Norfolk, I reside in East Beach, and recently during a daily walk, I noticed the City of Norfolk placed a historical marker on June 7, 2018, at one of the public walkways leading into the dunes toward the beach.
Learn more about City Beach and East Beach by clicking on the names. Thanks for reading!
5 Top Edible Vineyard Spots for 2021
As summer metamorphoses into fall, memories of summer 2021 on my beloved Vineyard are still fresh in my mind. There is little about the Vineyard that I do not love, so when a friend inquired about my five top spots for this year, it was hard. But, as the great Maya Angelou said: “Love is many things, it is varied, but one thing it can never be is unsure,” so here is what I know for sure:
The Black Sheep 17 Airport Road, Edgartown (508)338-7770. Scrumptious bites and takeaways … everything we took away, including the citrus shrimp, quinoa with veggies, and chicken, and salmon was mouthwatering. “Your Table … Our Food;” dinner is a wrap!
The Fish House 17 Airport Road, Edgartown (508)693-0055. The fresh fish here is the stuff every top chef desires to smell and taste. The two huge slabs of salmon we grilled for dinner were divine. I have not tasted salmon that good in years! Dad always said: If the fish smells, let him be! And, if fresh fish is not your thing, order take-out food. The clam chowder and clam plate are spectacular too!
Stella Salumeria, 6 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs (508)338-7457. The sweet spot for Italian beach and picnic sandwiches plus French baked goods. The gang loved the Italian-inspired sandwiches with chips in the beach cooler. Those sandwiches soothed the soul in our sweet spot at the cliffs.
Mad Martha’s Ice Cream (OB, ED, VH). My favorite iconic ice cream spot for Pistachio and Blueberry ice cream treats, now when one mentions ice cream, my whole family heads straight there while on the island. Vineyard habits are passing down!
Biscuits 28 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs (508)693-2033. It must be my New Orleans roots or just a love for shrimp and grits, whatever the reason, Biscuits delivered on a whim.
The Sweet Life Cafe belongs on this list too, but as the dedicated babysitter for date night, I could not partake but heard all the raves about my superb recommendation.
Bon Appetit!!!
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FACE MASK
| TIME FOR A NEW MASK |
Say the word face mask today, and the mind automatically visualizes one that covers for protection. Well, pull off one face mask and put on another.
MIX INGREDIENTS
1 TSP Fresh Lemon Juice;
1/4 Cup Fresh Blueberries;
1 TSP Brown Sugar; and
1/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt.
Whip the ingredients in a blender to form a paste. No blender, no problem, just mash them good in a bowl. You can substitute raw honey for brown sugar. Apply the paste to your face and neck with clean hands or a clean makeup or paintbrush and let it sit for 15-minutes. Wash off with cold water to close pores. Repeat twice a week for brighter radiant skin. Dispose of any unused mask.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Today we celebrate motherhood and mother’s coast-to-coast.
Honor your Queen with love and appreciation; she sacrificed so much for the seed, you.
“A gracious woman gets honor” (Proverbs 11:16 KJV).
GAME-CHANGER
Walking the beach daily and surrendering your thoughts to the ocean so they can return abundantly is a game-changer. During times of stress, take a beach walk!
It’z a Shore Thang-Pavi Elle
The Shores of East Beach
It’z a Shore Thang!
– Pavi Elle
HAPPY EASTER
As a little girl growing up on the Chesapeake Bay shores, hunting for eggs on Easter Sunday was a favorite activity. When I became a mother, this activity was shared with my son and now his sons.
Easter 2021 is special because now, the youngest grandson is 17-months. So, we will paint eggs to hide for him and his cousin to enjoy the same ritual. As I write this posting, my heart is a little heavy because so many kids coast-to-coast no longer have an opportunity to partake in this beautiful Easter ritual because their journeys were cut short due to this world’s woes. Little Lyric Chanel lost her battle with brain cancer last month, and my thoughts are with her family this Easter.
Hug your kids and grandkids, and cherish the moments spent with them this Easter Sunday because somewhere somebody in this world only has that memory etched on their heart.
Rest-in-Peace Lyric Chanel, we will hide some baby blue eggs just for YOU!
It’s a shore thang!
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY
