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Flunking, then passing, the required boating testby Douglas M. NabhanThe Department of Gameand Inland Fisheries has a newrequirement that all boaters takea test in a year when they are“phased-in” according to ageand boat category, and carry ontheir boat proof that they passedthe test. I mistakenly thoughtthe requirement was for thisyear and yesterday spent threehours taking the course, flunking the course, reviewing mymistakes and, ultimately, passing the test. You will need a littlebackground first.I have three college degreesand hated every minute of college, especially the “testing”part of it. I still have nightmaresabout the Bar exam I took over20 years ago, so the notion oftaking an exam is not pleasantto me. The thought of flunkingthe exam and not being able touse my boat is really frightening.As anyone knows who hasread my columns over the years,you understand that I make noclaim that boating or fishingcomes naturally to me. Goddid not give me a gift. I havelearned every single boatingand fishing skill the hard way,and most would say I still havea ways to go. To this day thereare several captains who onlyreluctantly will take me outfishing—and that bet is probably off in light of the price ofgasoline these days.Let me make a small prediction. The summer of 2016 (thefinal “phas-in” year) will resultin enormous sums of moneyflowing into The Departmentof Game and Inland Fisheries as most of the people thatI have seen on boats will either(1) have no idea of this newrequirement; (2) not complywith this new requirement; or(3) will simply be incapable ofpassing the test. Just rememberthat the guy at my gas docksays that every weekend he seessomeone put the gas nozzle inthe rod holders!Moving on to the actualrequirement—the first thing youhave to do is take the course. Itis divided up into chapters. Thefirst chapter is about PFDs. Ithought PFD meant “PleaseFloat (so I don’t) Drown,”but, apparently, it means Personal Flotation Device, whichis a very sophisticated way ofsaying “life jacket.”To make matters worse, theyhave specified PFD I, PFD II,PFD III and PFD IV. The PFDI is a small piece of wood orone of those pool noodles (justkidding.) The first one is oneof those really cheap life jackets you buy and cram into yourboat to get the Coast Guard offyour back. If you actually hadto count on one of these to saveyour life, you would realizethat you probably should havespent a few more dollars and48 Rivah May 2008 bought something that had alittle more meat to it.The rest of the PFDs makeno sense. A PFD IV is one ofthose things that lookslike a donut. PFD V is asmall boat, I think. I haveno idea what the othersare—all I know is thatall you need isonelifevest foreve r y o n eand onedonutthingy.Thenextchapter is about “VisualDistress Signals.” My favorite is flapping my arms up anddown yelling “Help!” My nextfavorite is asking someone totow me to the marina.Apparently, it is illegal todisplay a visual distress signalunless you really need assistance. I have seen a lot of things,but never have I seensomeone shooting offflares to find out thatthey were actually justkidding.Chapter Threeisaboutsafetyequipment.Myfavoriteon the listis a “bucket.” Abucket really comes in handywhen you have a hole in yourhull and hundreds of gallons ofwater are flowing into the boat.They should add “teaspoon” tothe list.There are also guidelines forwaste and what you can throwoverboard. It is illegal to discharge sewage in state waters,but totally lawful just to peedirectly over the side of yourboat if you are a guy.“Reckless and NegligentOperation” rules are a bittricky. The first rule applies topower boaters. People on sailboats will yell at you no matterwhat you are doing. Apparently,in order to purchase a sailboatyou must pass a test that provesyou are totally intolerant toanything that goes faster thanone mile an hour.Most of the other rules aredesigned to fall into three categories: (1) do not run overswimmers; (2) do not fall intothe water; and (3) generally,drive your boat like 50

FOR SALENorris Bridge to be exhibit subject in UrbannaThe new Middlesex ArtGuild Center in Urbanna willhost an exhibit on the Robert O.Norris Memorial Bridge May 1through June 1. Ray Rodgersalso will exhibit five of hisworking model boats similar tothe real boats that used to ferrypassengers. The center is open11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays andSaturdays, and 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays.83 - AcreDuck MarshPiscataway CreekEssex County, Virginia‘ Ball Point House ’ 180,0002 AcresGreat Rappahannock ViewsPollard & Bagby, Inc.Fireplaceowner/agentL3 BedroomsScreen Porch(804) 643-9011 595,000WE DORiver Bank &Rip Rap Repair!Harvey’s CreekWide Chesapeake Bay viewVaulted Ceiling Living Room {26 x 17}2OAD 3AND s 3CREENED 4OPSOIL'RAVEL s -ULCH s ,IME s RIVEWAYS,OT #LEARING s 'RADING s EMOLITION2IP 2AP s 'ENERAL (AULING%XCAVATIONWilliam H. Wright, President804.758.2190 'REY S 0OINT 2D 4OPPING 6A ‘ Lawrence Cove House ’5’ MLW DockoffFireplace 599,0009 Rooms TotalChesapeake Bay41/2 AcresFireplace L 27’ Parlor L 3 Bedrooms 945,000IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate, Ltd.www.HorsleyRealEstate.comCall anytime: Nelson Horsley, Jr. 804-435-07735RBANNA s 7HITE 3TONE s ELTAVILLE s -ATHEWS s ,IVELY May 2008 Rivah 49

48 a lunatic. My favorite is that it is against the lawto “steer toward another objector person and swerve at the lastminute in an attempt to spraythat person with water.” Godknows what would happen ifyou got someone wet!Most people know thatthey cannot operate a boatif they are drunk, but mostpeople believe that you canget pretty darn close and notviolate any laws. Interestingly, it’s still legal to actually boat and drink as long asyou are not drunk and do notthe remaining summer(s) enjoy the pleasures of boatget caught. The best advice boat unless it has sunk.I hope that this summary where the Commonwealth ing on the Chesapeake BayI can give is to limit eachperson to one case of beer so of the course and boating of Virginia virtually allows without the benefit of anythat there is a natural limit rules will allow you to enjoy any idiot with a few bucks to boating license.placed on them.This brief summary of theboating rules will give youan idea of what taking thecourse and test is like. Theyhave tons of stuff on thoserules about the “stand on”See our great selection of shrubs, trees, perennials,and “give way” vessel stuff,which is impossible to underannuals & more seasonal items. Garden pond plants & supplies.stand. The rule ought to be,“If it looks like you are goingOld Castle Products,to crash into another boat,use your steering wheel.”Stepping Stones, Retaining WallThen they have all the ruleson channel markers. Again,Blocks, Edgers & Natural Flagstonethe rule that I follow is, “If you/PEN -ONDAY THRU 3ATURDAY s AM TO PMrun aground, then you were onthe wrong side of the marker.”Finally, they have the ruleson what to do if you get in trouble on the water. The key in thatThe Middlesex County situation is that you are actuallyPublic Library and their under- not supposed to abandon yourwriter, Citizens and Farmers Bank, will present DeanShostak in concert featuringhis glass instruments on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at St.Clare Walker School on Route33 at Locust Hill in MiddlesexCounty.Handbell choirs from LowerUnited Methodist Church inHartfield and Bellamy UnitedMethodist Church in Gloucesterwill accompany Shostak withtraditional brass handbells.Shostak is the owner and performer on one of the two glassviolins in the world. Otherglass instruments featured inhis Crystal Concerts includethe Cristal Baschet and glasshandbells. He also plays thehurdy-gurdy, a French instrument similar to the violin.Tickets for the concert are 10 for adults and 5 for children. They may be purchased ateither branch of the MiddlesexCounty Public Library, Cyndy’s Bynn (Urbanna), NautiNell’s (Deltaville), The Medicine Shoppe and Coffman’son the Coast (Hartfield), and(804) 435-1695White Stone, Va.Twice Told Tales (Gloucester1-800-883-7599and Kilmarnock).www.lamberthbldg.comFor more information, callSherry Inabinet at 758-5717.Boxcroft, Inc. Nursery & LandscapingFree Tour of 1855 Jett HouseShostak toperform May 3in MiddlesexNow with two locations to serve you!Reedville, 8 &LEETON 2OAD s "URGESS .ORTHUMBERLAND (WY s Call us!We always haveTruckload Pricing!MasterCardVISALAMBERTHBUILDING MATERIALS, INC.50 Rivah May 2008

“Discover The Smart Building Solution”The Choice Is YoursPlayers to stage ‘The Mousetrap’The Lancaster Players willFor ticket information, callstage “The Mousetrap” April The Playhouse box office at24, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and 435-3776.April 27 at 2 p.m. at The Play“The Mousetrap,” penned byhouse in White Stone.British playwright and author,Agatha Christie, is a classicmurder mystery. It boasts thelongest-running production ofany play in the history of theater.Crying Shame.EW 3TYLES.EW ,OOKS.EW ESIGNSFlip Flops & Spring AccessoriesMonogrammedJewelryMariposa & Other ServewareThe Home Crafters“Since 1987” /LD 4IPERS 2OAD s (EATHSVILLE 6IRGINIA Ron Herring 804-580-4046Class “A”Custom Picture Framing, Art, Home Decor, & Gifts!""# %&' ()* ,"* -.//*0 103 Church Lane, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560 804-443-0070www.cryingshameframeshop.com cryingshame@vabb.com!"# %&# ' (' )* ,-' ./' (0/' 1#22,-3' ! ' 4,56' 7#5-89:32, 3' ! ' 7#22,-' )",5&%&1(' ;5%&2,&5& ,4% ,&3,8' (' &3#-,8)5""' G*,:' 6*-' :*#HIJJ' ,32% 52,F!""# %&' (!1&#&2 Allison’sAwnings & -,53,' ,&,-1:' ,66% %,& :2 -*#1 ' 3 58%&1?!88' ,@2,-%*-' 3 5 ,A' 52' "%22", *32A' B%2 'B%2 ' C, *32A'C,5#2%6#"'5#2%6#"' 5&8 *"*-6#"' 9#&C-,""5' 65C-% 3?D-*2, 2%*&' 6-* ' 2 ,' ,", ,&23*&' :*#-' 8, E' *-' 52%*!88' ,",15& ,' 5&8' 8,6%&%2%*&' 2*' :*#-' * ,F9#&C-,""5'%3'5'-,1%32,-,8'2-58, 5-E'*6'7",&'I5W,&A' & ?!""# %&' (!)*( ,-./,-0“Good Ol’ Fashioned Service Since 1971”!"## %&'(%)* ,-#./ %0/12-3/%)#1%&2/1%45%6/*1 7KLML' N*-2 # C,-"5&8' O%1 B5:4*223C#-1A' P%-1%&%5QLRS.TUSV.VQ' ' *-' ' QLLSR.VSV.VQBBB?5""%3*&35 , 5-8B5-,? * www.allisonsacehardware.com May 2008 Rivah 51

Size: 261 square miles Shoreline: 317 miles Population: 9,989Welcome to Essex CountyLibrary Essex Public LibraryTappahannock 443-4945.Trash and Recycling Collection sites are at Bray’s Forkon Rt. 17, just south of theRt. 360 and Rt. 17 intersection, open daily 7 a.m.–6p.m.; Champlain on Rt. 17,open Mon., Wed., Fri., andSat. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; andCenter Cross on Rt. 684, opendaily except Tues., 7 a.m.–6p.m. 443-4331.Veterinary Services Tappahannock Veterinary Hospital,Drs. Lauriel Turner and LewisWilkins Jr., 525 Airport Rd.,Call 443-2878 for doctor’shours.RecreationBall Fields Essex Little League.443-9344.The croaker are biting! Tony Quanden (above) of Washington, D.C., drives down eachEssexCounty Parks and Recspring to fish on public beach at the end of Wares Wharf Road in Essex County. ThereationDepartment runs aend of the road used to be a thriving steamboat dock and landing. Today, the land isnumberofsports activities forpublic property and fishermen from across the region come there to fish.HistoryEssex County’s history inwritten form dates fromCaptain John Smith’s visitduring the winter of 1607-08,when he wrote of the “excellent, pleasant, fertile, andnavigable”RappahannockValley.In 1645 Bartholomew Hoskins patented the Tappahannocksite, which became known atvarious times as Hobbs HisHole, Hobb’s Hole, the shortlived New Plymouth, and theIndian name Tappahannock.The port town was to becomea center of commerce duringthe 17th and 18th centuries,establishing a crossroads.The county came intobeing in 1692 when OldRappahannock County, whichonceencomencompassed at least50 moderncounties inVirginiaruiseCyreand Westn Win hannockV i rg i n i a ,an Tapp g tourw a swalkin fromdividedveroylFalongthentropriverwithairthe north sideRichbecoming Richmond County andMiss.t’noD52 Rivah May 2008 the south becoming Essex.During Bacon’s Rebellion in1676, armed men gatherednear Piscataway Creek anddefeated Governor Berkeley’scavalrymen. Later they prevailed in the Dragon Swamp,but eventually English warships and troops suppressedthe uprising. Frontier patrols,however, were maintainedagainst hostile northern Indians into the early 1700’s.The British Stamp Actof 1765 led directly to theAmerican Revolution, andit was in Tappahannock thatone of the first confrontationsoccurred.Leading merchant Archibald Ritchie, who supportedthe Stamp Act, was labeledas “the greatest enemy ofhis country.” On February 27,1766, gentlemen from ninecounties gathered at Leedstown to draft the “Resolutions” that led Virginians todisobey Parliament. They alsomade plans to publicly humiliate Ritchie and the Scotsmerchant Archibald McCall.These events occurred sevenyears before the Boston TeaParty.The Essex Courthouse contains the oldest records inyouth and adults. Ball fields atVirginia. James B. Slaughter’sEssex High School are used.history of the area, “Settlers,443-2470.Southerners, Americans: The Riverside Fitness Center,History of Essex County, Vir1025 Hobbs Hole Dr.,ginia 1608–1984,” recounts inTappahannock.Aerobics,detail the county’s 350-yearcardiovascular and strengthold story. The book is availableequipment, free weights,at the county administrator’sindoor track, Jacuzzi nnis Courts at Essex HighEssex County Administrator School on Airport Rd. are openR. Gary Allen, P. O. Box 1079, to the public from 5 p.m. until205 Cross St., Courthouse dark and when school is not inSquare, Tappahannock, 22560. session. 443-2470.443-4331, www.essex@virginia.org. Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. To change or update EssexTappahannock Town Man- information, contact lchownager G.G. Belfield Jr., 915 ing@ssentinel.com.Church Lane, Tappahannock.443-3336. Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30p.m.Chamber of CommerceTappahannock-Essex Chamber of Commerce, 205 CrossSt., Courthouse Square. LLumpkin@crosslink.net. Hours, 8:30a.m.–4:30 p.m. 443-5241.ServicesABC Store RappahannockShopping Center. 443-3441.Churches Essex County Ministerial Association will referaccording to denomination.443-6887.EssexCounty

Take a tour of area’s earliest surviving 18th century homesThe Essex County Historical Societyand Museum welcomes the public to takea trip back in history on Saturday, May 3,at 11 a.m. at “Green Falls.”Green Falls is considered by mosthistorians to be the earliest surviving18th-century home in Caroline County.However, because nearly all of CarolineCounty’s colonial records were destroyedin the Civil War, this claim cannot besubstantiated with documentation.Tickets are 15 and include the hometour and a box lunch, which can be eatenon the back lawn. Tickets may be pur-chased directly at the museum, or youmay mail a check to the museum (P.O.Box 404, Tappahannock, VA 22560) andyour tickets will be mailed to you.The museum is located at 218 WaterLane and is open free of charge daily(except for Wednesday) from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 3 p.m. Thedeadline for ticket purchases is April 30.Directions to the property are printed onthe back of the tickets.For additional information, call AmyGriffin at 443-3893 or visit www.ecmhs.org.Experience TappahannockEssex County Museum&Historical SocietyHistorical Books,Fine & Fun Gifts forAll Ages218 S. Water LaneMon., Thurs., Fri., & Sat.10-3Sun. 10-3Fine Giftware and Home AccessoriesHandbags, Yankee Candles, NauticalAccessories, Monogram Jewelry and Furniture1251 Tappahannock Blvd.4APPAHANNOCK 6! s TheRivah HairStudiowww.t-towntack.comTappahannock 804-443-4614Roma’sRestoranté Italiano 0RINCE 3TREET s 4APPAHANNOCK 6! &ULL 3ERVICE 3ALON -ATRIX 3CRUPLES /0)!CCEPTING 6ISA -ASTER#ARD'IFT #ERTIlCATES !VAILABLEEssex SquareAntiques MallVoted #1Best Italian Restaurant & Best Pizzain the Northern Neck and Middle Penninsula1322 Tappahannock AmericanAmerican CuisineUniquely PreparedUniquelyPreparedNOW OPENLunch 804-443-4451served Tuesday thru SaturdayDinner Menu Changes WeeklyWednesdaySaturdayTues. 11-5Dinner– Wed.- Sat.thru11-11– Sun. 11-5Sunday Brunch1267 Hobbs Hole Drive, TappahannockHoursTuesday 11-5Rivah’ Romance RevivalWednesday - Saturday 11-11Sunday 11-5Reservations AvailableFZW7eeWj; BED &BREAKFAST804-443-44511267 Hobbs Hole DriveTappahannock Grand Accomodations Walk to Dining, Shops & River Gourmet Breakfasts, Suites Fireplaces, Cable TV, DSL, WIFI(804) 443-9900 www.EssexInnVA.comVoted #1 in theNorthern Neck & MiddlePeninsula . . . for the BestPublic Golf Course, 2008.HOBBSHOLEGolf CourseBring in this ad for3 pay & 4 play"«i Ê Ê Ê- Ì Ê äÊ Ê ÊÈÊ« ÊUÊ-Õ ÞÊ Ê Ê ÊxÊ« 443-03351629 Tappahannock Blvd., Tappahannock, VANot valid with other specialsor coupon.Exp. May 30, 20084APPAHANNOCK s 6IRGINIA s 0RO 3HOP May 2008 Rivah 53

Saving Menokinby Reid Pierce Armstrong54 Rivah May 2008

For the past five years, bluegrass fans and history buffs,young and old, have gathered on the lawn beneath thisauspicious monument to hear some of the best pickin’ around .At the end of a long dusty drive in Warsaw,beneath the shadow of an 18th century ruin,one of Virginia’s most up and coming bluegrassvenues is taking hold.Bands including Bill Kelso, Seldom Scene, thegrammy-winning Dr. Ralph Stanley and the ClinchMountain Boys, the grammy-nominated Blue Highway,and this year’s headliner, Tony Rice, have graced thisstage with world-class twang.The place is Menokin, the ancestral home of FrancisLightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A Virginia Historic Landmark, Menokin was builtby Col. John Tayloe of Mount Airy in 1778 as a weddingpresent for his daughter, Rebecca, when she married Lee.The festival raises money for the Menokin Foundation,which is dedicated to the preservation of the home as wellas education in the fields of architecture, archaeology,history, conservation and ecology. 56 May 2008 Rivah 55

“Trying to save Menokin - that’s what the bluegrass festival is all about.”heads of architectural firms orarcheologists, and they havea lot of money and expertiseto donate,” the young Emerysaid. “The one thing I know ismusic, and I know how to puton a good event.”That was four years ago. Theevent has since become thefoundation’s primary fundraiser, according to the foundation staff.It took some time to convince the board that the eventwas worth the effort. For thefirst few years, Emery put theevent on himself with the helphis mother, aunt, cousin, sister,wife and assorted other relatives who all stood out in thecorn fields helping to park cars,take tickets and orchestratebands.In the years since the festivalbegan, the Foundation has hiredtwo full-time staff membersplus one part-time employee.This year the Foundation staffwill be running the show, andit will be their family members55 “Trying to saveMenokin - that’s what the blue- out their in the fields directinggrass festival is all about,” said traff

Welcome to Richmond County Richmond County Size: 203 square miles Shoreline: 263 miles Population: 8,800 44 Rivah May 2008 History K