A century ago, nestled alongside Scott’s Creek was a turn-of-the-century, tight-knit community started by Black families who moved to the area for the railroad industry.

The neighborhood is known as Sugar Hill, part of the Pinners Point community in Portsmouth. It once boasted a handful of stores, churches and a school along with duplexes, or “shotgun houses,” for dozens of families. The nearby creek served as a natural barrier for peace away from city life, a central gathering place and, for some, the best place to get baptized.

Now, highway and interstate markers perched above the small community signal the neighborhood’s decadeslong undoing. Only a few modest homes sit atop the six-block neighborhood marked by mostly empty lots in an area the city has deemed historically vulnerable to flooding.

Read more in the Sunday Main News section

It didn’t feel like we were going almost 200 mph. So smooth, so quiet. None of the clackety-clack you expect on a train.

This, of course, wasn’t just any train. It was one of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains, and if you’re looking for a relaxing, scenic way to cover a lot of ground in a hurry, look no further. Throw in heated toilet seats and $3 beers and you might be a little sad to reach your destination.

Japan is “open” once again, having dropped some of Southeast Asia’s toughest pandemic-related travel restrictions in October. In 2019, the year before COVID-19, tourism pumped more than $350 billion into the economy; from March 2020 until September 2022, it virtually dried up.

Read more in the Sunday Break section

By the time most people reach their mid-70s, they’re slowing down. Bernadette Peters, not so much. Between her concerts, musicals and TV appearances, the iconic singer and actor — who turned 75 in February — is as busy now as she’s ever been.

“No, I don’t envision retiring,” Peters said in a phone interview. “Let me put it this way. My singing teacher is 96.”

While weight training keeps Peters in shape, it’s her passion for performing that keeps her spirit thriving.

“I love singing,” she said. “I feel like it’s a privilege. Performing is like traveling to a different country, and I don’t know what’s going to happen when I get there.”

Peters’ next destination is Ferguson Center for the Arts, for “An Evening with Bernadette Peters” Saturday, April 8.

Read more in the Sunday Break section

Recruiting, training and retaining skilled workers, especially women, in construction is vital for the future of the industry and affordable housing, a national economist told Hampton Roads builders.

“If we can diversify the workforce and make the argument that this is a place of skill and ultimately small-business ownership, our moment is coming here in a couple of years,” said Robert Dietz, National Association of Home Builders’ chief economist and senior vice president for economics and housing policy.

Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association, the region’s construction trade association representing South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula, hosted Dietz and James Tobin III, National Association of Home Builders’ executive vice president for government affairs and chief lobbyist, for its economic forecast on March 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Norfolk Airport.

Read more in the Sunday Work & Money section

Note To Readers:  A reminder that Parade magazine is now only found along with your e-edition of either The Virginian-Pilot or Daily Press each Sunday morning.  Print copies of Parade magazine ceased after the November 13th issue.