Mike Provost, a Navy vet who recently started Virginia Maritime Solutions, has made it a personal mission to remove an abandoned vessel right off the shoreline on Broad Bay at First Landing State Park, ever since he noticed it when out with his kids a few months ago. But he's learned about the web of jurisdictions, lack of funding and long-term solutions that make this a larger issue. Virginia offers no easy disposal, so owners leave their boats to rot, becoming an environmental and navigational hazard.

Read more in the Sunday Main News section

The loss of Something in the Water and the later conversation at Pharrell Williams’ Elephant in the Room event should make one thing clear for our region’s leaders: It is time to listen to what our young and creative people have to say.

When Williams announced his plans to hold a music festival, many were opposed to his idea; some wrote to this very newspaper. They were skeptical that such an event was needed or could be beneficial to the region. Young people, like myself, took note of the naysayers’ comments and worried that Williams’ vision would never come to fruition.

When Something in the Water became a reality, many of us felt an immense sense of pride in our region. After setbacks like the failure to expand The Tide or establish a pro sports team, there was at last something that put us on the map. For a few days in April 2019, Hampton Roads was the coolest place to be, anywhere.

Read Grayson Orsini's guest column in Sunday's Opinion section

One of Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill’s basic rules of a good latke — OK, strong preference — is to not use those leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving to make the traditional potato pancake.

Another is to not even consider baking or air frying them. Frying the potato pancakes for Hanukkah, which begins Sunday, Nov. 28, connects with the story of the holiday. The story goes back to the Maccabean Revolt and reclaiming the holy temple for the Jewish community. When the victors lit a menorah to rededicate the synagogue but realized they only had enough oil for one night. But the oil burned for eight days, hence the eight days of Hannukkah.

Read more in the Sunday Break section

Cashe’ Clark liked cooking with her grandmother as a child but she wasn’t the most coordinated helper. When her grandmother, Joyce Lane, asked her to bring her eggs — in the kitchen or grocery store — Clark would often trip and send the eggs tumbling to the ground.

Still, Clark learned how to make brownies, yellow cake with chocolate icing, and other treats including bread pudding — her grandmother’s favorite. Clark, now 23, has tweaked the recipe and includes buttery brioche bread and cinnamon bread.

The Virginia Beach baker has become such a standout that she has earned a spot on Food Network’s new series, “Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown.” The episode airs at 9 p.m. Nov. 22.

Read more in the Sunday Break section

An expanding cake business is fulfilling a family’s franchise dream and bringing relatives closer together in Hampton Roads.

Robert and Sherry Whitaker became Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisees in 2015 with the aim of leaving a legacy to their sons and grandchildren, daughter-in-law Dana Whitaker said. And the opportunity to run a business is bringing the kids on board.

The family’s third location, owned by Sean and Dana Whitaker, opened Oct. 27 in Virginia Beach’s Haygood Shopping Center. The parents had opened the first location in Newport News Tech Center and a second in Virginia Beach’s Hilltop area, which are now owned and operated by their son Brandon.

Read more in Sunday's Work & Money section

Your Happy Holiday Guide

Parade Picks - Holidays at the White House

What America Eats - Your New Favorite Holiday Cocktail