Newport News

Posted by Robin on May 9, 2014 in Americana, Featured | Comments Off on Newport News Shipbuilding

I grew up in Newport News, and many of my friends’ parents worked at the Shipyard. After high school, many of those friends also had...

Posted by Robin on Apr 27, 2011 in Americana | Comments Off on Americana: Soda Fountains

Okay, those of you under 30 bear with me for a few moments. Long, long ago, before a Walgreens or CVS occupied every corner, communities...

Posted by Robin on Apr 17, 2010 in Americana | Comments Off on Americana: Big Boy Restaurants

No matter where you live in the U.S., you probably had a franchise of Big Boy near you. Where I grew up it was Shoney’s Big Boy, lots...

Posted by Robin on Feb 8, 2010 in Americana | Comments Off on Americana: Boy Scouts of America

I was a Cub Scout back in my hometown of Newport News, Va., and Mrs. Ranny Leake was my den mother. My memories of scouting are sketchy; we...

Posted by Robin on Oct 10, 2009 in Singer | Comments Off on Singer: Ella Fitzgerald

What would you call the most popular female jazz singer over a period of 50 years? Who won 13 Grammys and sold more than 40 million albums?...