Story and Photos by Jim Ritch –
American Legion Northampton Post 56 celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday with oysters, prime rib, and a packed house of guests. More than 100 people attended the event, which filled the main meeting room and spilled into a seating area near the bar. The featured speaker of the evening was Past National Commander Brett Reistad, who served during the centennial year for the entire American Legion.
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- Bob Church, leaves with his wife, JoAnn, both of Eastville.
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- Charlie DeMarino, of Oyster, center, hugs two friends, Michele Diblasi, of Ashland, Va., left, and Susan Miller, of Cheriton, right.
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- Bill Lewis, second vice commander, pauses from a busy night directing the event to display a cake appropriately decorated as an American flag.
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- Cooking oysters behind the post are, from left, Keith Miller, of Cheriton; Sean Dixon, of Kiptopeke; Aaron Hofmeister, of Oyster; and Brian Kelehar, of Drake’s Branch, Va. Kelehar, who catered the dinner, steeply discounted his price to help the Legion.
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- Cheriton Mayor Jackie Davis, smiles with her husband, Michael.
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- In keeping with the historical theme of the night, the post honored Elsie Tatem, seated center, who for 20 years operated Cheriton Supermarket in what is now the post’s building. With her, seated in front, are, left, Joyce Seccia, of Exmore; Tatem; and Carolyn Lewis, of Cape Charles. Standing, from left, are Dawn Nevill, of Cape Charles; Cindy Tatum, of Eastville; Ben Mears, of Eastville; and Roger Seccia, of Exmore.
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- Helping to prepare the meal were, from left, Sue Lewis, of Townsend; Joanna Ewell, of Cape Charles; Kristi Worley, of Cape Charles; and Mark and Christine Snook, of Cape Charles.
