It's WINDSday | September 13, 2023

Celebrating the Power of Wind, Clean Energy and a Green Environment

Crofton family members. (l-r) Kenny Crofton (President & Owner), Camille Crofton Cherry (Marketing Director), Erica Crofton (Asst. Project Manager), Kevin Crofton (Asst. Project Manager), Sara Albin (Accounts Receivable Manager), and Shawn Albin (VP of Construction). 

Juan Crofton, a resourceful kid from Newport News, learned mechanics from his father but really found his calling at the Shipyard during WWII. 

So it says in a classic profile of this American maritime icon in a 2021 edition of Chesapeakeville magazine (CLICK HERE to read). You will learn how Juan and a buddy started Crofton and Morris Diving in 1949, pioneering a new field and growing it into one of the top commercial diving, marine construction, crane and rigging firms in the nation, now called Crofton Industries.

The operation is a bit off the beaten path, occupying a set of buildings and wharfs in Portsmouth near the old marine terminal, part of which is being converted into a hub for offshore wind on the east coast.

Vessels serving that new industry will join those of ship repair and other companies up and down the Elizabeth and James who call on Crofton Industries (www.crofton.com) when they need solutions above or below the waterline.

Juan is long gone, but eight descendants, along with about 170 skilled pros, work today at Crofton, which turns 75 next year. “We love getting together, whether it’s at work or social gatherings,” says marketing director Camille Crofton Cherry, the namesake of Juan (and wife Bunny’s) first child, and the woman who (bless you Camille) coordinated the family photo.

At WINDSdays, we love craftsmen and women but especially young people like Camille (MBA from W&M, treasurer of the VA Maritime Association and VP of the Propeller Club) and her parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins who stayed in Hampton Roads to keep their patriarch’s dream alive.  

Lots of First Colonial High kids surf, but 2000 grad Trey Highton took his love of the oceans to another level. It was in Bali that he saw the impacts of plastic pollution and vowed to become a “coastal conservationist.”

"I moved to California and worked for Save the Waves, hosting film festivals around the world where we showed environmentally themed films about protecting surfing ecosystems and inspiring locals to protect coastlines locally,” says Highton, who returned home after marriage and two kids. “It’s really great to be back at the Beach, around old friends and family.”

His profession today? He’s advising commercial clients for Bankers Insurance. “I’m still out there advocating for clean seas though, attending Green Drinks and other environmental networking events and getting my hands dirty helping Lynnhaven River Now keep our local Chesapeake Bay watershed healthy.” That makes him a WINDSday fan in our book.  

Which came first, the King Neptune Statue or the Neptune Festival?

Well the answer is B. The sculpture, made of 80 tons of clay, 25 of plaster and 1 of glue, has been behind Neptune Park on the boardwalk at 31^st Street since September 30, 2005. At 26 feet in height, the bronzed Son of Saturn, Lord of the Sea, must be among America’s most photographed pieces of public art.

As for the festival, it returns for its 49^th year September 29-October 1 with arts, crafts, a parade, music, Dock Dogs, and 32 sand sculptures that will attract 35,000 viewers.

Half the festival attendees will be from VB, the rest from elsewhere in the region and beyond. Organizers expect they will create 26,500 “hotel nights” and add $23.5 million to the city’s economy.

There are pre-events including a wine festival this weekend at the aforementioned Neptune Park. For tickets and all you need to know, visit www.neptunefestival.com.

And if this is the 49^th, then you know the 50^th in 2024 will be a real blowout. “We are already talking about how to make it extra special and set the tone for the next half century,” says President/CEO (and former NAS Oceana Commander) Kit Chope. “But we are fully focused now on making this summer’s our best ever.” The King will be watching. 

Emma Applebach, Bo Wilkinson, Jake States, Kip Chote, Theresa Rudacille, Beverly Taylor, Melanie Gazzolo

It was two brothers, Hercules and George (Yorgo in Greek) who founded the famous bageldashery in Norfolk in 1997.

Nine years later, Greg Peterman, a native Californian and Navy brat who moved to Norfolk (a “mini-San Diego” he calls it) to attend ODU. “We never left,” says the husband of a yoga instructor and father of two who was GM at nearby No-Frill Grill for six years before buying Yorgo’s in 2006. “We love having the ocean and mountains close by. It’s home now.”

For a couple generations of Ghent-ites, Yorgo’s has been their home for made from scratch bagels, spreads, desserts, soups (“we prepare practically everything in house but the whitefish and liverwurst”) and weekend brunches.

“We serve some 2,500 guests every Saturday and Sunday,” some who no doubt order “The Peterman,” a tofu scrambler. “Whatever your dietary needs, we try to meet them.”

Speaking of meeting, Greg has added collaboration space for that upstairs along with a spacious dining area and an outdoor patio. The most popular order at Yorgo’s? “A plain bagel and cream cheese,” laughs our new WINDSday friend. Hey people, there are ten other varieties, all vegan. Go crazy!

Before you schedule your next public event, consult THE REGIONAL CALENDAR.

It’s the one just launched by our friends at the Hampton Roads Chamber. It includes programs from across the community. You can post yours on it, but just be sure it’s “regional” in nature. CLICK HERE to access The Regional Calendar.

We were pleased to attend CoVaBiz Magazine’s lively reception at Waterside’s Harbor Club. They showed off their newest edition and honored a host of Next-Gen leaders. The editors there (Leona and Beth, talking to you) include It’s WINDSday in their COVA Biz Break each Thursday, which we appreciate. CLICK HERE to sign up. 

And last Saturday at Mt. Trashmore, which celebrates its 50^th birthday this month, 60 Lynnhaven River Now volunteers cleaned up Lake Windsor, collecting over 700 pounds of trash including 378 plastic grocery bags.

On that topic, please CLICK HERE to vote in LRN’s survey on whether VB should join other VA localities, including Fairfax County, in imposing a nickel fee on plastic bags, the revenue to provide legally dedicated funding for local litter clean up and the distribution of reusable bags to residents in need. 

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