Thank you for taking the time to read the Fall Issue of the Patriots Press.  This quarterly newspaper is written and published by the residents of Patriots Colony to inform and entertain current and future residents. 

We invite you to visit Patriots Colony in person and live all the excitement, camaraderie and fun that happens on our property everyday.  Call 757-585-7006 to schedule your visit today!
An Interview with Mike Rowe
 
On a busy Friday morning in July, I had the good fortune of interviewing Mike Rowe for an hour. He is a man comfortable in his own skin; dedicated to his profession; and looking at the
road far ahead, not just the immediate daily obstacles impeding progress. I believe his answers to my questions reveal how fortunate we are to have him as our new executive director.
Click here to continue reading...
New Faces  
(Click on their names below to read story)

Crepe Myrtles

The crepe myrtle trees at Patriots Colony were spectacular this year, weren't they? I hope you saw the two trees, proudly displaying their flowers, near the woods on the north side of the Five Story. They were spectacular! What you probably do not know is that those two trees are part of a love story.   Continuing Reading 
 
How a 48-Star Flag moved from Washington D.C. to Texas & How a West Texas Horned Toad moved from Texas to Washington D.C.
Part Two of Three 
 
In 1958, my grandfather was a state officer in the National Association of Retired Civil Employees. He and my grandmother planned a month-long trip to and from the NARCE National Convention beginning in late May and asked me to join them. I was thrilled! When I told my classmates the exciting news, they said that I MUST visit O.C. Fisher to thank him for sending the flag. We decided that I should take him a gift, and the best gift would be a Texas horned toad, or "horny toad" as we all called them back then. The day before my trip, the boys caught one for me and put it in a shoe box with holes in the lid. The only remaining problem was food. Horny toads eat ants, but of course, I could not take ants on the ten-day trip to Washington. Finally, I found a solution. I fed my little, three-inch, horny toad fish food, and, believe it or not, that food kept my little guy alive on its big trip to Washington!  Click here to continuing reading
 
A Ride Across The River  
 
There were a number of useful skills that weren't taught in school or at home because 
they weren't considered socially uplifting or involved activities that were illegal. An older friend, Harry Crabtree, whose mother owned the drug store where I worked, provided tutoring in three of these. In addition to introducing me to motorcycles, he also taught me about the ways of pool halls and some of the finer points of 8-Ball and Rotation.  Keep Reading... 
"How We Met"
(Click on their name below to read the story)

A Treasure at Our Door Step
The Virginia Capital Trail 
 
The Virginia Capitol trail is a bicycle and pedestrian trail that sort of links 
Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond, the three capitols that our state has known. Actually it doesn't go all the way to Jamestown, it really doesn't go to or through Williamsburg, and only recently does it reach to the outskirts of Richmond. But what is there is indeed a treasure if you like to ride a bike or walk or jog for exercise. When it is fully completed it will be 54 miles in length largely parallel to Route 5.  Click here to continuing reading... 
 
Good Neighbors
 
 
 
During the past few months, I've made a couple of new friends. We met on
the roadway outside my villa while they escorted their masters on their periodic walks. We don't see each other very often as our schedules don't very often coincide. But, when we meet, it's always a pleasure to witness their spirited demeanor. I should remember to have some treats in my pockets to reward their friendly behavior. Let me now introduce you to SUZI and MR. BISCUIT.  Continuing Reading... 
Mystery Trip  
 
"Take a Chance: Join us for a Mystery Trip" was the heading of the article in the Colony Crier. "A pre-planned trip for an undisclosed activity or to an unnamed destination", it said. Other tantalizing statements were also included, such as, "you might need a jacket and perhaps some binoculars and a camera." With such an intriguing invitation, it wasn't long before the sign-up sheet for this adventure was full, with overflow people on a waiting list. Bad weather caused a false start in early June, but on June 30th the skies were sunny and bright, with temperatures in the high 80's. What a great way to start out on a journey to our mystery destination!  Click here to read more... 
One of the Roads to the Colony
 
Back in 1980, when I had completed a nine year service in the Pentagon for the Air Force and OSD, it seemed to Barbara and me that it was time to "hang it up" for military service and do something else. We lived in Annandale, VA, Barbara had become a specialist in income taxation, I had finished 25 years in Finance for the Air Force, and the kids were all of school age.  Continuing Reading... 
Another Adventure Experienced
 
 Yoo-Hoo!! I'm locked in! Someone let me out PLEEZE! Yoo-Hoo!

While waiting at the Richmond airport to board my flight, I got up to visit the lady's room. My daughter, Sara, suggested that I wait until I boarded the plane. Since I was the first to enter the plane and my seat was close to the rear of the plane, I hurried to the lavatory. Exiting the "potty" is usually a simple act of sliding the small barrel bolt that locks the door. But NO!!! It wouldn't budge!! My plea began -- "Yoohoo-I'm locked in! Someone please let me out!!" After a few 
scary minutes, I could hear voices. At last I heard a voice saying "someone is 
 
Activities "R" Us
 
Ladies Billiards 
 
The Corn Hole Tournament 
 
It was a super Saturday in May that Patriots Colony seniors all over the campus were participating in various activities-- tennis, putting contests, and ladies and men's billiards. It was in the Billiard Room where a contest of wills and skills between two ladies took place.  Continuing Reading... 

Editorial Policy & Staff

 

Patriots Press is a quarterly newspaper published by and for the residents of Patriots Colony to inform and entertain residents and other interested persons. The editors welcome contributions such as original writing, art, reports of committees, clubs, and social activities of residents as well as articles of general interest. The newspaper staff reserves the right to edit contributions. The newspaper will not accept letters to the editor.

  

Editorial Board:

        

 

Mary Bieber
Dan O'Connor
Susie Floyd
Dave Lester

  

Editor:
Pat Farnsworth

 

Associate Editor (Layout):

Lee Hirsh

Photographers:
Fred Lokay
Tom Wishart


 

 

 

Contributors:

 

Ted Cummings  

 

Joann Dettmann  

 

Margie Findley   

Tom Flanary  

Susie Floyd   

 

Julie Hathaway  

 

Lee Hirsh  

 

Dave Lester   

 

Sue Lester   

Roy Lounsbury   

 

George Loving

 Phil Smead