All posts by Emerson

Adrian Brandt Obituary

Adrian Brandt
Adrian Brandt

Adrian Brandt went home to be with his son and His Heavenly Father on Tuesday September 1, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Adrian was a local music icon for over 30 years; leading many bands including Adrian’s Sinsations, Newport News, Kenny and the Klovers, The Diamonds, and One Way Street Band. Adrian entertained thousands doing what he loved and anyone who heard him play the keyboards always left dazzled. Adrian’s life-long love of music continued while playing Christmas carols for his new favorite band, his adoring grandchildren, every Christmas Eve. After retiring from the music business he immersed himself in his second great love, cars, working in the automotive business until his retirement in 2012.

He was preceded in death by his father Adrian E. Brandt, Sr.; son Gregory A. Brandt; sisters, Carol Mulligan and Betty Parker; his nephew Gary Herring; and brother-in-law Jack Clark. He is survived by his mother Gladys Brandt; wife Sallie; children, Kenny, Ricky and Lisa; grandchildren, Timothy, Lauren, Emily, Kenneth, Kayla, Caroline, Mallory, Abigail, Haley and Eric; three great grandchildren, Lachlan, Emma and Kinley; his brothers, Donald T. Brandt and William E. Brandt (Teresa); and his sisters, Helen Clark and Cathy Herring, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Yorktown. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Father Jack Lynch officiating. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Adrian would ask that you donate to www.familiesforhope.org in honor of Kinley Hedden.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.

In the News: Jessica McCarty (Betty’s granddaughter)

Jessica McCarty's Classroom
Jessica McCarty’s Classroom

New teacher overcomes jitters on her first day

By Cassandra Brown, Staff Journalist

First in a series of stories.

With a deep breath to calm her nerves, the Newport News native prepared to launch her career as a new teacher in Fauquier County.

Jessica McCarty joined 94 other new instructors for the first day of classes Monday.

An eighth-grade agriscience and technology teacher, Ms. McCarty splits time between Marshall and Taylor Middle Schools.

Jessica McCarty
Jessica McCarty
Jessica McCarty
Jessica McCarty

Click here to see the entire article.

Save the date: Sept 20

Nora, Robert Carol, Nelson
Nora, Robert Carol, Nelson enjoying last year’s reunion on 09.21.2014!

Emerson Family Reunion

Come celebrate the annual tradition of fun and fellowship by attending our 2015 family gathering on Sunday, September 20th.

Amy Moore will  be hosting our reunion at her home.

Please add this special event to your calendar and watch for more details!

The Lion’s Den by Joseph Todd Emerson

The Lion's Den book coverJoseph’s latest novel, The Lion’s Den, has been released.

From Amazon: “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the “moral arc of justice” has finally bent towards marriage equality. Undeterred and still bitter over the Court’s decision, Governor Richard Baine imposes a reactionary social and economic agenda in order to formulate a bid for his party’s nomination for the White House. When the ripples of his austerity program begin to have negative consequences, Donald Ross and his family begin mobilizing the progressive faith community in a passionate witness to civil action. Meanwhile, Daniel Shelby, the openly gay son of the state’s most prominent socially conservative minister, launches his own campaign to live his own life with dignity and pride. Throughout this sequel to “Donald’s Cross,” new characters will be introduced, questions will be answered, and greater insight into Donnie’s psyche will emerge.”

The Lion’s Den can be purchased online from these websites:

Amazon.com – Click here to view The Lion’s Den on Amazon.

Barnes & Noble.com – Click here to view The Lion’s Den at Barnes & Noble.

iTunes.apple.com – Click here to view The Lion’s Den at itunes.

Scoot’s BBQ attracting crowds after opening

New Gloucester restaurant caters to BBQ lovers

(By Tara Bozick in the May 11, 2015 Daily Press)

Scoot's BBQ
Scoot’s BBQ

Scoot’s BBQ in Gloucester Point didn’t have to plan a big grand opening or anything. The word is out — and the orders keep on coming.

The 70-seat restaurant opened quietly in the former Sweet Madeleine’s building at Route 17 and Tidemill Road on April 14 and put a sign up the next Saturday,” said owner Karen Ward. Ward, along with husband Gary, also own Olivia’s in the Village.

“It has been overwhelming,” Karen Ward said, adding Scoot’s had nearly 600 orders this past Saturday, both eat-in and takeout.

The No. 1 seller so far is the Scoot’s famous pit-cooked pulled pork sandwich combo, but customers can also buy pulled chicken, beef brisket, St. Louis ribs, chicken wings and burgers, Ward said. All the meats are smoked with hickory and oak in a Southern pride smoker from Louisiana, she said.

Additionally, Scoot’s concocted its own barbecue sauce in addition to others like Carolina sauce and sweet and spicy chipotle. Customers can order meat by the pound and can choose from a dozen sides, including thin homemade onion rings, fried okra, smoked baked beans, sweet potato or regular fries, cucumber or beet salad and macaroni and cheese. Dessert includes Chef Todd’s creamy peanut butter pie, pecan pie and key lime pie.

Additionally, some of Olivia’s menu items, like its seafood chowder, crabcakes, shrimp and oysters, can be ordered at Scoot’s, Ward said. Prices range from 5 bucks to $16.99 for the seafood platter, she said.

Scoot....the man behind the name. The kindest and most honest man I've ever known, and one I'm proud to call Grandfather.
Scoot….the man behind the name. The kindest and most honest man I’ve ever known, and one I’m proud to call Grandfather.

Eventually, the Scoot’s website will include online ordering and the restaurant is marketing heavy on social media with help from 18-year-old daughter Olivia, a senior at Mathews High School. While the Courthouse area restaurant is named after Olivia, the barbecue joint’s name is the nickname of Karen’s grandfather, R.L. Emerson, she said. His picture is hanging up inside.

Husband Gary believed a barbecue concept was just needed in Gloucester, and Google shows no competition in the area. Ward said Scoot’s has about 20 employees.

“Of all the restaurants we have opened, this has been the most popular,” Ward said, adding Scoot’s has nearly 1,700 likes on Facebook already with more than 70 reviews.

Hours at Scoot’s at 2091 George Washing Memorial Highway are: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/scootsbbq or http://scootsbbq.com.