Amy McCluskey
Williamsburg
As seen in:
Inside Business,
The Virginian-Pilot,
Daily Press (Newport News, VA),
The Health Journal
Covers:
science, aerospace, health care, higher education, local news, theater, business
Proud mom, writer and community theater lover who follows HS soccer and all things basset hound, space and Buffy the Vampire Slayer-related
Articles by Amy McCluskey
No more ‘suck it up’: James City County police take new steps to work on mental and physical wellness Original
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... When James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison began his law enforcement career in 1997 in Lynchburg, mental health and wellness was hardly mainstream. “It was just a different society back them,” Jamison said. “It was a male-dominated profession, and we weren’t supposed to have feelings or worry about anything. There was no focus on mental health.
James City County man loses sight, only to find new purpose
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Torbet Lovelace was an active kid. A 2007 graduate of Jamestown High School, Lovelace played sports, was an Eagle Scout and dreamed of being a firefighter. Like many others with common vision problems, he grew up wearing glasses and contacts. As he got older, Lovelace found he sometimes had trouble seeing at night. Then, he noticed changes in his peripheral vision. He never suspected what was around the corner.
Next on tap: New Kent Winery’s brewery expands reach with craft beer
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... NEW KENT — Ever since Jo Anna and Joe Dombroski purchased the New Kent Winery in 2014, they’ve worked hard to grow the business, adding a wedding venue and wine club and expanding the winery’s event offerings. They didn’t even let the pandemic get in the way. As many small businesses suffered in 2020, they decided to add a farm brewery.
A call to service: James City County police chaplain retires after 25 years Original
For the Rev. Randy Garner, life has always been about the journey. One chapter in that journey recently came to a close as Garner, James City County’s inaugural volunteer police chaplain, retired after 25 years. Garner and his wife Cindy moved from North Carolina to Williamsburg in 1996. “I don’t know how many people will understand this, but we felt the Lord had laid a burden on us to come to Williamsburg and start a church,” Garner said. So, that’s what they did.
Williamsburg area nonprofit works to fight homelessness Original
A nonprofit that employs a Housing First approach to homelessness in the Williamsburg, James City County and York County communities has received grants that will further its initiatives. Established as a nonprofit in 2014, 3e Restoration Inc. was a grassroots effort born out of the work of Williamsburg Christian Church, a nondenominational church in James City County that has a long history of helping homeless people and the socially displaced. The Rev.
Hearing loss support chapter opens on Peninsula
Bobby Graves grappled with hearing loss for years before he finally went to a doctor. At his wife’s urging, Graves saw an audiologist through Veterans Affairs and was given hearing aids. A couple years later, the hearing in his right ear got worse. “I was in denial at first,” Graves said. “I didn’t want to admit that my hearing was bad.” While the hearing aids made sounds louder, they didn’t help with clarity.
Want to discover your roots? A Williamsburg genealogy group can help
Want to discover your roots? A Williamsburg genealogy group can help There are a number of tools and resources to help you ‘find your people’
Want to discover your roots? A Williamsburg genealogy group can help
Even as a kid, Joe Segar was fascinated about his family history. “My father was in the Navy, and we lived all over the U.S., so we’d travel from station to station,” Segar said. “When we’d stop at a restaurant, everyone would go in to eat, but the first thing I’d do was jump into the phonebooths and look at the White Pages to see if there were any people in there with my name.” It wasn’t until Segar was an adult and had moved to Connecticut that he found his name — and it wasn’t in a phone book.
Memory care center opens in the Northern Neck Original
KILMARNOK — A memory care center for adults with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia recently opened in Kilmarnock. It’s the only one of its kind in the Northern Neck. Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 5 for its new secure 25-resident Rappahannock Memory Care Unit. For Renee Foulke of West Point, the opening of the memory care unit couldn’t have happened at a better time.
A lifelong musician, and then an overnight success online Original
Caroline Scruggs remembers her mom – an avid music appreciator – handing her a violin when she was just five years old. That small gesture would set Scruggs on a lifelong course of musicianship, singing and songwriting. Though she wasn’t “super in to” the violin, Scruggs stuck with it for five years. When she told her mom she didn’t want to play the violin anymore, her mother acquiesced, but on one condition.
Meet Caroline Scruggs: A lifelong musician, then an overnight success online
Caroline Scruggs remembers her mom handing her a violin when she was just 5 years old. That small gesture would set Scruggs on a lifelong course of musicianship, singing and songwriting — and playing a little known instrument that caught TikTok’s attention. Though she wasn’t “super into” the violin, Scruggs stuck with it for five years. When she told her mom — an avid music appreciator — she didn’t want to play the violin anymore, her mother acquiesced, but on one condition.
A lifelong musician, and then an overnight success online
Caroline Scruggs remembers her mom handing her a violin when she was just 5 years old. That small gesture would set Scruggs on a lifelong course of musicianship, singing and songwriting — and playing a little known instrument that caught TikTok’s attention. Though she wasn’t “super into” the violin, Scruggs stuck with it for five years. When she told her mom — an avid music appreciator — she didn’t want to play the violin anymore, her mother acquiesced, but on one condition.
Riding the festival wave: Filmmaker’s road to success leads back home for Richmond competition
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Riding the festival wave: Filmmaker’s road to success leads back home for Richmond festival
Filmmaker and Williamsburg native Rebecca Wahls recently returned to her home state to attend the Richmond International Film Festival, where her movie “Him” debuted on opening night, kicking off one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest competitive film festivals. Wahls, a 2011 graduate of Lafayette High School who now lives in Durham, North Carolina, co-wrote and co-produced “Him” with her friend Tess Higgins, a William & Mary alumna who also stars in the film.
Through grief, a legacy: Infant loss leads to nonprofit that helps grieving parents
The loss of a baby led to a couple starting a nonprofit to help other grieving parents. Today, Kennedy's Angel Gowns has provided countless gowns as well as other services such as free doulas and funeral grants. The nonprofit also has donated cooling cradles to hospitals, including recently to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Originally Published: September 12, 2024 at 11:58 a.m.
Second Little Free Pantry to open in New Kent at end of month Original
NEW KENT — A global movement to provide free food, personal items and paper products to communities in need is growing roots locally thanks to a dedicated group of individuals in New Kent County. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, New Kent resident Joyce Peterson and some friends were discussing how precarious people’s financial situations were and wanted to explore ways they could help their community.
New Kent technical high school sees success from partnership with retirement community Original
A partnership between high school students and a James City County senior living community is impacting the future of health care education. Bridging Communities, a regional career technical high school in New Kent County, is realizing great success in its practical nursing program. Over this past school year, 20 high school seniors enrolled in the program received real-world, hands-on training through a partnership with WindsorMeade, a continuing care retirement community.
Mobile health service for uninsured expands to New Kent, Charles City
NEW KENT — A Christian-based mobile medical care service is expanding its presence in New Kent and Charles City counties, bringing free primary care to the low-income and uninsured. Founded in 2022, Purpose Medical Outreach partners with New Kent Christian Center to provide free basic medical services as well as care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension and some acute care needs.
Sean Stevenson | Health Care Heroes
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare recently recognized Sean Stevenson for a series of actions that likely saved a man’s life.(Courtesy photo) Security officer Sean Stevenson protects and serves. It’s in his blood. A decorated veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Stevenson transitioned from a military career to public safety, serving as a police officer for many years before joining Chesapeake Regional Healthcare in 2015.
Cindy Robertson Bullock | Health Care Heroes
Cindy Robertson Bullock is the epitome of persistence. As the lead registered diagnostic medical sonographer at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Bullock has many responsibilities, but of utmost importance to her is providing exceptional care to her patients and advocating for their safety. One example is a recent case in which Bullock wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.
Carri Folwaczny | Health Care Heroes
Carri Folwaczny, with Chesapeake Regional, serves as chairwoman of the Professional Nursing Council.(Courtesy photo) While patient care is at the forefront of Carri Folwaczny’s mind, she also holds a special place in her heart for her fellow nurses. Folwaczny is the nurse manager of the mother and baby unit at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. While she’s worked in several different units over her nursing career, she excels in leadership roles.
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s Transitional Care Clinic | Health Care Heroes
In 2015, Dr. Jeffrey Forman of Bayview Physicians Group grew increasingly concerned about the number of patients who had nowhere to go for care after being discharged from Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Such patients — many of them uninsured, homeless or unable to afford medications — often have a number of medical issues, but no primary care physician. “Some of them would take weeks, if not months or never, to go to a patient follow-up visit,” Forman said.
Christy Coleman, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation executive director | Firstperson
Christy S. Coleman (Courtesy photo) Christy Coleman will be the first to tell you that her professional career has taken a few detours — and she’s thankful for all the side roads. In January, Coleman took the helm of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as the organization’s first woman and first African American executive director. Her predecessor, Philip G. Emerson, retired Dec. 31 after 29 years. “My goal moving into this position is to build on what has been left for me,” she said.
Ateba Gaines, founder of Unreasonable Kids | Firstperson
Unreasonable Kids may seem like an unlikely name for a nonprofit, but Ateba Gaines, who came up with the moniker, sees it as the perfect fit. “The philosophy behind using the word unreasonable, is that it has to do with being disruptive and innovative and thinking about things in a way you haven’t thought about them before,” she explained. Founded by Gaines, Unreasonable Kids offers classes and camps in Newport News for budding entrepreneurs ages 7-17.
Dave Baum, owner of Billsburg Brewery | Firstperson
Fourteen years ago, information technology guru Dave Baum went looking for a hobby. With a full-time job in web development and computer programming, a wife and three daughters, he was a busy man. Yet, he was looking forward to learning something new on the side. A beer enthusiast, Baum decided to try homebrewing — and quickly fell in love with it. “I geeked out over the fact that it was nothing more than 11th grade chemistry,” Baum said. Then there was the beer side of things.
Adrianna Dimperio, Draper Aden Associates utilities team leader | Firstperson
Though well-known in the water and wastewater utility industry, Adrianna Dimperio believes there might be something her current and former colleagues don’t know about her. “I used to be a chemistry teacher and taught at the high school and community college level,” Dimperio said.
Hard times couldn’t stop Hampton Navy veteran turned entrepreneur
NaKisha King launched a Ladies Wellness First website and wrote “The Relationship Handbook,” which evolved into a radio show of the same name. She didn't let hardships keep her down. NaKisha King will be the first to tell you entrepreneurship is in her blood. At 7 years old, she had big plans of creating her own greeting card company called KishaMark. She spent afternoons and weekends in her South Carolina home designing her own cards and dreaming up ways to promote her company and make money.
Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group | No. 1, Top Workplaces, large companies
Atlantic Bay Mortgage employees partnered with Roc Solid by preparing Ready Bags (for hospital stays). Their goal is to prepare 16,000 bags for all the kids diagnosed with cancer each year. courtesy Atlantic Bay Mortgage User Upload Caption: vp-ib-atlanticbay-0916 Some business leaders talk the talk but they don’t walk the walk. But not Brian Holland, CEO and founder of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group.
Chartway Federal Credit Union | No. 5, Top Workplaces, large companies
Chartway Federal Credit Union At Chartway Federal Credit Union’s headquarters office in Virginia Beach, employees overwhelming agree their company’s culture is second to none and that’s music to President and CEO Brian Schools’ ears. “One key aspect of our vibrant workplace is our belief that everyone adds something special and that we’re all in this together,” Schools said.
Booz Allen Hamilton | No. 3, Top Workplaces, large companies
Booz Allen Hamilton Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton has helped military, government and business leaders solve some of their most complex problems for more than 100 years. Internally, the company is just as passionate about its employees as it is its clients. With expertise in analytics, digital, engineering and cyber platforms, Booz Allen has a global presence with nearly 26,000 employees worldwide. Its Norfolk-based office employs almost 900.
The Air Out There: Understanding Air Pollution
Most of us don’t think twice about breathing. In fact, the average adult takes around 20,000 breaths per day. It’s a natural process of moving air into and out of the lungs — breathing in oxygen and flushing out carbon dioxide. But what do we do when that simple act of breathing becomes harmful? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution accounts for an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths per year due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
Aging Alone: Elder Orphans
When there’s no one left to take care of you Every morning Charlotte Kline and her neighbor email each other after they wake up. Kline, a vibrant, independent 83-year-old from Williamsburg, Va., lost her husband a few years ago. Her neighbor is also a widow. “This way we know if each other is up and about,” says Kline. “If I don’t hear from her by 10 a.m., then I will call her.” Like Kline and her neighbor, a growing number of the senior population lives alone.
No Booze for a Month
Dry January has even spawned additional monikers such as Sober September and No Alcohol November. It was with wonder that I perused all the holiday event offerings in my community during the month of December. Within the same week, I could have attended a Santa beer crawl, a wine and paint night, a charity event at a brewery and a work party with a prominently featured “open bar.” During the holidays, it’s nearly impossible to be social and not have a cocktail.
Where We Live: A Christmas home
Every December the home of Nick and Kimi Vlahakis in Governor’s Land transforms into a beautifully-decorated holiday masterpiece worthy of a magazine cover photo. Each room in the 6,700 square-foot European-villa style home offers a unique landscape of festive decorations ranging from a two-story Christmas tree to 5-foot tall Royal Guards complete with candy cane staffs to hand-painted wooden gingerbread men.
Where We Live: Historic landmark home in Charles City
For decades, a brick house at the very end of Eagles Nest Road in Charles City County sat vacant and dilapidated. With no visible neighbors, the structure was easily forgotten about and was slowly being taken over by weeds and damaged by squatters. In the 1970s, it was close to being bulldozed when preservationists defended its historical importance.
The Calendar Made for and by Breast Cancer Survivors
The Here for the Girls annual calendar serves not only as an educational tool and fundraiser, but it also gives breast cancer survivors a voice. A few years ago, Vanessa Larkin would never — not in a million years — have considered shaving her head, let alone be comfortable enough to model bald and brazen in front of a photographer and dozens of others. But being diagnosed with breast cancer a little more than a year ago changed her outlook on a lot of things — not just her hair.
Breaking the Stigma of Gender Dysphoria
Jan-Renee Carlson spent decades constantly stressed out. She would anger easily and admits that she was pretty hard to be around most of the time. She knew something was off, but back in the 1960s, there wasn’t the Internet to turn to for information. Carlson was born male, and that’s how she was raised. She grew up in Vermont and New Hampshire with four siblings, a nurturing family and a stable home life, but all of that didn’t destine her to behave like a typical boy.
Where We Live: A Carlton Abbott-designed home near William & Mary
Lee Kostel always liked acclaimed Williamsburg-based artist and architect Carlton Abbott’s work, so much so that she hired him to design her contemporary home some 20 years ago. For those who may not know, Abbott’s renowned career has spanned decades and produced more than 100 award-winning pieces of art. He was recently recognized by the Virginia Arts Commission as a recipient of the “50 for 50 Arts Inspiration” award.
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