The News-Herald's annual Peanut Fest special edition is in production this week. The 36-page tabloid section will be published in the Sunday, Oct. 2, News-Herald and the Thursday, Oct. 6, Tidewater Shopper.

Once again this year, freelance writer Patrick Evans-Hylton has provided much of the content for the special publication. In addition, the Peanut Festival publicity committee, Shari Underwood, Pam Hurdle and Sharon Byrd have been working hard, making sure that the paper has received a steady stream of Fest information to publish.

It should be a good section and we hope you enjoy it.

I had to miss the Business After Hours event last Thursday at the Hilton because of a previous commitment, but it looked like a great event.

I stopped by as it was getting underway at 5:30 to try to snap a photo but there was little going on.

Manager Keith Alexander had one of the huge conference rooms elegantly set up with various food tables and bars, so I'm sure the Chamber of Commerce was pleased.

Apparently one of the biggest events in Suffolk, unbeknownst to me before Saturday, is the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry.

Saturday about 5 p.m., after finishing up work on Sunday's paper, I was driving home on King's Highway when I got stopped for four or five minutes in a Chuckatuck traffic jam n the first time in two and a half years traveling that road that it has happened.

There cars everywhere parked in the grass around the VFD and Suffolk police officers had to direct traffic on King's Highway to handle the volume. What a great event for the fire fighters. They deserve, and I'm sure they appreciate, the community's support.