The Col. John D. Thorowgood Historical Marker sits near the site of the Revolutionary War leader's…read more840 acre plantation on Little Creek. The waterways have shifted over time due in major part to an early hurricane that changed the flow of the Lynnhaven River. The marker sits on Shell Road at its intersection with Northampton Boulevard. The Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area is now the waterway where it stands. Thorowgood was elected to the 1776 Virginia Convention which adopted the Virginia Declaration of Rights & the Colony's first Constitution. He was the Princess Ann County House of Delegates member in the inaugural session, serving for 6 terms. He commanded the county militia and was a prisoner of war by 1781. Col. John D. Thorowgood was a great grandson of Adam Thoroughgood, who received a land grant of 5,350 acres along the Lynnhaven River in 1635. The plantation site would have been his inheritance. I've passed the marker so many times over the years on busy Northampton Boulevard and wished there was a safe way to stop. It would also be difficult & dangerous to see from Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area because it sits so very close to Highway 13, which leads to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel then up the Eastern Shore to the North East. The perfect route was found by exiting a small shopping center on Diamond Springs Road onto the short segment of Shell Road that intersects with Northampton Boulevard exactly where the marker is placed. Thank you for your service Col, Thorowgood. You played an important part in the formation of our country by your service in the Revolutionary War. Your name should be as familiar to residents as your more well known ancestor.

There are two Social Security offices on the Peninsula--one in Newport News and one in Hampton…read more Over the years, things have changed a lot with what you can and can't do as a walk-in, so it's best to double-check before you go. Just a heads-up: when you come in, you'll go through security. They will frisk you and let you know what items aren't allowed inside. Keep that in mind so you're not caught off guard.

John Wareing was a decorated Navy veteran, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air…read moreMedal. He served as a gunner on a B-24 during World War II and was also in the Korean War. He was also a champion Navy boxer and strongman who was once dubbed the "Strongest Man in the Navy". He opened up a gym in Virginia Beach after retiring from the Navy. A few years later he decided to join the Virginia Beach Police, earning the distinction of being the oldest graduate of the Virginia Beach Police Academy, at the age of 62. Wareing passed away of complications from throat cancer in 2000. After his death, a group of his close friends, who would eventually form the John Wareing Foundation, proposed erecting a statue of John at the oceanfront to the city. It would be close to where Wareing operated his iconic gym. In 2004, after a $100,000 contribution by e John Wareing Foundation, a bronze statue was erected on the boardwalk, on the side nearest the street. It is located near 17th street and is on the backside of a nice outdoor stage area, 17th street park, in the shadow of Dairy Queen. The bronze statue is the work of Robert Bricker and depicts an older image of Wareing with his hands on his hips and muscles bulging. He is shirtless and is only wearing pants. The statue sits on a granite base that bears his name and a brief dedication. There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots and garages within walking distance that you can park at to visit here. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price depending on what is going on and the season. This sculpture is a nice dedication to a local legend. Don't we wish we all had friends like that. This sculpture is located near a few other nice sculptures including the Norwegian Lady and the Navy Aviation Memorial. It would probably be best to couple a visit to some or all of them to best maximize your time. Or if you visiting the Dairy Queen of have an event at 17th Street Park, I would definitely make it a point to visit here as well.

Of all the nearby bases - I've visited JEB Little Creek the least in my 17 years as a contractor…read morewith the Navy. We all know it's where all the cool shit goes down but unless you have reason to venture on - it's not a place I frequent. It's easy to find your way around compared to NOB bc it's nowhere near as large. And their pass-ID office is one of the best bc you can easily get in and out as a walk-in last minute.

This is a little hidden gem for beach lovers that have access to military bases. The parking here…read moreis excellent and very close to the beach. You can virtually park right in the sand if you'd like, and walk directly ahead to your spot. The beach is small and quaint and it's also great for families with small children seeing that the beach is very small. During the pandemic the beach was stringed off into sections for families and it was wonderful that it was done so everyone was within a safe distance from each other. The actual beach itself is not very full of waves, and always tends to have a very large sandbar, and a very slow drop off. You can normally walk very far into the ocean and it only be waist deep which I personally really like. The only downside to this beach is that not everyone has access to it. You must have a military issued ID card that the front gate will scan prior to entrance.

Getting an E-ZPass is always somewhat annoying but this location is one what you can quality for…read moretoll relief. If you make less than 65k, apply for half off your downtown-midtown tunnel fares by taking your last 2 months of pay stubs or your w-2 as proof of income and you'll be able to qualify for the year.

Before I start I would like to say that this review is based solely upon my personal experiences…read moreand my personal experiences alone, so without further ado let's begin!. I came here to renew a contract I have with them to drive my vehicle through their tunnels. This contract has to be renewed every 12 months. I took care of it, now I'm under contract under next year around this time. If you live in certain within certain city limits, and meet other personal requirements, you may be eligible for a discount rate every time you pass through there tunnels. Check out their website for more details!.

The only thing that could be done better is the difference between the time date on the invitation…read moreand the security. The security guard says come back in fourteen minutes...but arrived 29 minutes before the appointment...letter says no more than 30. Otherwise the whole process took less than half an hour and treated very professionally and courteously by the staff. Bravo!

Everyone was very friendly and helpful…read more By the time you get in the premises, you 'll be welcomed with warm smile. I come 10 minutes earlier prior to my appointment and they directly approach me of what I needed. Fast and efficient service. Good luck and more power.

Enjoyed working with Jennifer and her staff this past Saturday. Ghent Antiques recreated a mock…read moreAntique Road Show! 30 plus items to look at. So much fun! STAFF was great to work with and great help! Hope to do again soon! Dan Hunt Ghent Antiques.

This is a public library in downtown norfolk near Colley avenue. It's small and we usually go for…read morebaby/toddler story time. It does appear to draw a lot of homeless people who will hang out in the library, use the computers, and bathe in the single stall bathrooms. I don't recommend using the bathrooms.

Having seen the memorial to Confederate soldiers at the former Princess Anne County Courthouse,…read moreseeing this memorial puts things in a bit more perspective. Hampton Roads was an important military site during the Civil War (or the "War of Northern Aggression" if you prefer) and its capture was critical to the success of the North. The marker reads: Near here Major-General John E. Wool, on May 10, 1862, Landed with 6000 Union troops. President Lincoln, Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, and Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, watched the movement from a ship in Hampton Roads. As the Confederate troops had withdrawn, Wool marched to Norfolk, which was surrendered to him by Mayor W.W. Lamb that afternoon. Much more detail on the operation, including the unprecedented inclusion of Lincoln in the attack, is detailed here: http://articles.dailypress.com/2012-05-05/features/dp-nws-surrender-of-norfolk-20120505_1_gosport-navy-yard-lincoln-fort-monroe