Open Channel

Amy Ferebee epitomizes the term"Legend" in local music circles. For fifty years, she's been a mainstay in Southeastern Virginia- performing at local venues, festivals, and opening for national touring acts. When not performing, she shares her talent as a teacher, helping to further fuel the region as a major hub for local acoustic musicians. She shares her journey on this episode.

Roy Muth is a veteran, musician, and educator. He performed with the US Navy Band and, after settling in Hampton Roads, became a sought after local artist, performing in countless local bands, as well as working with National Touring Acts that stopped in the region. He’s shared stages with Motown Royalty like Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and the Temptations. He’s toured with The Lynard Skynard Band and has worked with traveling Broadway productions. Today, he also works as an instructor at the Governor’s School for the Arts. In this episode of our “Legends of the Fall” series, we hear from Roy about his career, changes in the music industry, and the importance of arts education.

Hampton Roads has been a fertile ground for outstanding musicians. Many were pioneers in their genre. Gary US Bonds, Gene Vincent, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bill Deal, all hailed from the region. And there were others too- The Phelps Brothers, Pearl Bailey, Bob Zentz, Bruce Hornsby, Tommy Newsome, and Ruth Brown all called Tidewater “home.” However, in addition to these well-known figures, there exists an almost underground like group of composers, singer-songwriters, and talented artists from the area. These are the artists who have so enriched the area and cemented it as a place where great music is made. Woody Norvell is a part of that distinguished group. He’s a local composer who has worked with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, as well as leading the Coast Guard Band. A Norfolk native, he’s written numerous symphonies and musical pieces including a tribute to the beaches of Normandie, - and also, after living in Phoenix for a number of years, and missing the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, a symphony which was a homage to his home back in Virginia. He was a former personal assistant to the great humorist Victor Borge and today lives within sight of the Chesapeake Bay, back in his hometown.

This edition of Open Channel celebrates the first in a series of “Legends of The Fall” local artisans with Woody Norvell.

Jan Trombly came to Old Dominion to play basketball for the famed Lady Monarchs when they were the premier women's basketball program in the nation. ODU won back to back national championships in 1979 and 1980. The best players in the game flocked to ODU, creating a legacy that today, over forty years later, is still talked about. How did a small commuter college in southeastern Virginia become the dominant women's basketball program in the nation? ODU was among the first to offer female athletic scholarships under the auspices of legislation known as Title IX. The mandate, passed in 1972, requires educational institutions which receive federal funding, to prohibit sex-based discrimination. After Title IX, High Schools and Colleges had to reverse historical practices of ignoring female athletics and create new programs and practices to ensure equity. Former High School Girls Tennis Coach Carol Chory recalls the inequities she faced when Girl's Tennis was added as a sport. And two current students reflect on what playing sports has meant for them.Open Channel looks at how the landmark legislation Title IX quite literally changed the game for women's athletics.

This episode of Open Channel was produced with the assistance of WHRO student intern Nya Muir

Jan Trombly came to Old Dominion to play basketball for the famed Lady Monarchs when they were the premier women's basketball program in the nation. ODU won back to back national championships in 1979 and 1980. The best players in the game flocked to ODU, creating a legacy that today, over forty years later, is still talked about. How did a small commuter college in southeastern Virginia become the dominant women's basketball program in the nation? ODU was among the first to offer female athletic scholarships under the auspices of legislation known as Title IX. The mandate, passed in 1972, requires educational institutions which receive federal funding, to prohibit sex-based discrimination. After Title IX, High Schools and Colleges had to reverse historical practices of ignoring female athletics and create new programs and practices to ensure equity. Former High School Girls Tennis Coach Carol Chory recalls the inequities she faced when Girl's Tennis was added as a sport. And two current students reflect on what playing sports has meant for them.Open Channel looks at how the landmark legislation Title IX quite literally changed the game for women's athletics.

Jan Trombly came to Old Dominion to play basketball for the famed Lady Monarchs when they were the premier women’s basketball program in the nation. ODU won back to back national championships in 1979 and 1980. The best players in the game flocked to ODU, creating a legacy that today, over forty years later, is still talked about. How did a small commuter college in southeastern Virginia become the dominant women’s basketball program in the nation? ODU was among the first to offer female athletic scholarships under the auspices of legislation known as Title IX. The mandate, passed in 1972, requires educational institutions which receive federal funding, to prohibit sex-based discrimination.

After Title IX, High Schools and Colleges had to reverse historical practices of ignoring female athletics and create new programs and practices to ensure equity. Former High School Girls Tennis Coach Carol Chory recalls the inequities she faced when Girl's Tennis was added as a sport. And two current students reflect on what playing sports has meant for them.

Open Channel looks at how the landmark legislation Title IX quite literally changed the game for women’s athletics.

In 1972, legendary former Norfolk Mayor Fred Duckworth was found murdered just feet from one of the city's busiest corridors. Police spent years trying to solve the crime. They never did. Fifty years later, WHRO's Barry Graham remembers the case.

By the mid 1970s, White Flight was ravaging Norfolk. The LBGTQ community took notice. Ghent became a safe haven and was often referred to as a "Gay Ghetto." Several businesses catering to gay clientele opened in downtown. However, as the gay community became more visible, it also came under fire. In 1977, Anita Bryant brought her infamously anti gay " save the children crusade to Scope. The gay community saw huge gains in public support and approval and as the 80s ticked by, public opinion began to shift. Many who launched the gay rights movement in the 70s said they never dreamed they would see the degree of support that exists today.

June is Pride Month, complete with festivals, parades, government proclamations, and seemingly, rainbow flags everywhere. Corporate support for gay rights is now standard. Representatives from major corporations march in Pride Parades while others, like Starbucks and its “Pride Cup” offer specific items emblazoned with rainbow colors. Elected officials openly court the gay vote and are seen at LGBTQ events. Public opinion also finds widespread acceptance of gay rights. A recent poll found that 80% of Americans support legislation to protect LBGTQ from discrimination.

In Hampton Roads, the road to acceptance for the gay community had many obstacles. Many gay veterans upon leaving the military, decided to stay in the region. Following the Stonewall Riots in 1969, the gay community of Hampton Roads began to slowly jell and emerge. The Unitarian Church became an early ally. A group organized a gay caucus within the church which began hosting conferences, workshops, and support groups. Eventually, a newsletter began circulating to keep people informed about the church’s activities. The newsletter would morph into “Our Own” Newspaper which according to founding member Fred Osgood was” the crown jewel” of the gay caucus. It was so widely read and circulated that it was practically the gay newspaper for the entire state.

Three gay vets shared their story for Open Channel. Bill (he asked that we not use his last name due to discussions he makes about his previous workplace) said that being a gay man in the 1950s and 60s was perilous as a military member and worker in civil service. Joe Amos stayed in the region after leaving the US Army in the early 70s. Fred Osgood left the Air Force and remained here after attending Old Dominion University. All three were influential in helping the local gay community to organize and push gay rights into the public consciousness.

In this first, of a two part series, local gay rights history beginning in the 1950s, is remembered.

According to The Blue Dot Project, depression and anxiety impact 1-in-5 pregnant and postpartum people. That’s 20%.

The first week of May is Maternal Mental Health week. In the month where we honor the maternal figures in our life, it’s important to remember that not only does it take a village to support our kids – it also takes a village to support our parents.

In this episode of Open Channel, we hear from Mandolin Restivo, the Executive Director of Postpartum Support Virginia, and Kelly Sokol, a locally-based author whose novels highlight the vast experiences within motherhood.