It's WINDSday| July 13, 2022

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

First came the ice cream cone, which Syrian immigrant Abe Doumar conceived and demonstrated at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Then came Doumar’s ice cream stands from Coney Island to Jacksonville, including one at Ocean View Amusement Park in Norfolk in 1925. (During the 1907 Jamestown Exhibition here, Abe once sold 23,000 cones in a day).

Alas the great storm of 1933 wiped out the Park and sent Abe packing, fortunately for us, only to Monticello Avenue where his iconic diner has stood for 88 years, serving practically the same menu of sandwiches, sundaes, shakes, limeades and, of course, ice cream cones. They’re still baked out front on the original waffle machine. (Come by around 9 or 11am to watch).

Brother George ran Doumar’s for awhile, then son Albert came aboard after WWII. Albert had three kids. One of them, Thad, is the “Doumar” at the helm today, keeping the minced barbecue and cheeseburgers (cheese on both sides) pumping out of the kitchen (visited by the likes of Guy Fieri), and assuring that the “curb girls” don’t miss a single car in the lot.

Assisting Thad (pictured left) is his brother-in-law, Randy Windley, but fear not. There is a fourth generation already in place. Randy and Kathy Doumar Windley’s 26-year-old son Hunter, grad of Norfolk Academy and Hampden-Sydney (business degree), caught the bug. “I love working with my dad and uncle,” says Hunter. “Doumar’s is such a cool legacy.” Is he up to the task? “Hunter’s smart as a whip,” says his proud pop. (Randy and Hunter pictured below).

So Doumar’s, which survived the pandemic and seems as busy as ever, is going nowhere. Unless an even bigger wind blows again. 

We are pleased to partner with the Port Warwick Foundation and their Summer Concert Series, featuring free outdoor shows each WINDSday, 6-9pm, from May through August at Styron Square in Newport News. Click here for a complete listing. 

Tonight’s band is Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos (funk, rock & roll). Our WINDSday Warriors will be there. Bring your own lawn chair/blankets, food and drink. Beer and wine are allowed (BYOB). There will be food trucks, or you can have dinner while enjoying the music on one of Port Warwick’s restaurant patios.

So far, we have three official WINDSday bands. Here’s where you can see them this month.

Brasswind

(show band)

• July 17 @ 6pm, 31^st Street Stage in Virginia Beach
• July 21 @ 6:30pm, Sunset Thursday, High St. Landing in Portsmouth
• July 25 @ 7pm, 17^th Street Stage in Virginia Beach
• July 29 @ 7pm, 7^th Street Stage in Virginia Beach
• July 30 @ 8pm, Marker 20 in Hampton
• More at www.thebrasswind.com

RNR

(country rock band)

• July 15 @ 6pm Ballyhoos in Virginia Beach
• July 16 @ 7pm, Ocean's 14 in Virginia Beach
• July 22 @ 9:30pm, Grain at the Main, Norfolk
• July 29 @ 6pm, Calypso Bar & Grill in Virginia Beach
• More at www.facebook.com/RnR-Duo

Tidewater Winds

(concert band)

• July 13 @ 7pm – Frank Sings Frank, Chesapeake City Park
• July 20 @ 7pm - Chesapeake City Park (WINDSday Warriors Night!)
• July 17 - 20 Shows each night @ 7pm, different locations
• July 24 - 27 Shows each night @ 7pm, different locations
• More at www.tidewaterwinds.org

Each Sunday morning, WINDSday friend Hunter Hughes plays at least one “Wind” song during Hunter at Sunrise, 7-11am on WHRV 89.5 HD2 or at hunteratsunrise.com.

Have a favorite wind song? Email me at hwhughesjr@gmail.com and listen up each Sunday. I might just air it.