Features editor
Denise M. Watson
Denise Watson is features editor of The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. She's a Norfolk native and has written for her hometown paper for more than 30 years. As editor, she welcomes story ideas that are oddball, fun, anything dealing with local arts, history, personalities and places that make Hampton Roads Hampton Roads.
All Stories
![Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press accepting submissions for 2024 fall and winter arts guide Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press accepting submissions for 2024 fall and winter arts guide](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vilor-1.jpeg)
Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press accepting submissions for 2024 fall and winter arts guide
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press are accepting submissions for the 2024 fall and winter arts guide. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 9 and is scheduled to be published in the...
![Something has changed in the weeks since President Biden announced he wouldn't seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Something has changed in the weeks since President Biden announced he wouldn't seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TVP-L-NW-HARRIS-SUPPORT-WS-006.jpg?w=132)
Kamala Harris supporters in Hampton Roads energized by historic presidential run: ‘We’re not going back’
Something has changed in the weeks since President Biden announced he wouldn't seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
![A 1912 Craftsman needed a ton of work. The buyer wasn't about to sit back while her contractor did all the work. Now Teresa Robinson and Brandon Parker are friends who'll have a national audience. A 1912 Craftsman needed a ton of work. The buyer wasn't about to sit back while her contractor did all the work. Now Teresa Robinson and Brandon Parker are friends who'll have a national audience.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EUDV403_Portrait_0010r.jpg?w=132)
Norfolk, Virginia Beach residents team up to compete on HGTV’s ‘Battle on the Beach’
A 1912 Craftsman needed a ton of work. The buyer wasn't about to sit back while her contractor did all the work. Now Teresa Robinson and Brandon Parker are friends...
![Photo shows Clay Barr in a room of the Chrysler Museum of Art with yads from her collection. Photo shows Clay Barr in a room of the Chrysler Museum of Art with yads from her collection.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/04/15/PNDJAHQPC5FOVEZSJYPR7ZNIYQ.jpg?w=135)
Norfolk philanthropist gives UVA its first major gift of Judaica: A collection of more than 150 Torah pointers
Clay Barr of Norfolk is giving her collection of more than 150 yads, or Torah pointers, to the Fralin Museum of Art at UVA. It is the first major donation...
![Our 2024 Virginian-Pilot/Daily Press Peep show is out of this world. Literally. Our 2024 Virginian-Pilot/Daily Press Peep show is out of this world. Literally.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TVP-L-DB-PEEPS-0331a.jpg?w=118)
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2024 annual Peeps show: Space, ‘Barbie’ and more
Our 2024 Virginian-Pilot/Daily Press Peep show is out of this world. Literally.
![Local churches and community service groups are arranging advanced screenings of the movie musical "The Color Purple" to celebrate its themes of resilience and community. Local churches and community service groups are arranging advanced screenings of the movie musical "The Color Purple" to celebrate its themes of resilience and community.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TVP-L-COLORPURPLE-1203.jpeg.jpg?w=140)
‘The Color Purple’ opens on Christmas. Hampton Roads groups are getting early screenings.
Local churches and community service groups are arranging advanced screenings of the movie musical "The Color Purple" to celebrate its themes of resilience and community.
![The documentary, "Something to Behold," will debut at Norfolk State University on Tuesday and it chronicles the university's theatrical legacy, which is almost as old as the school itself. The documentary, "Something to Behold," will debut at Norfolk State University on Tuesday and it chronicles the university's theatrical legacy, which is almost as old as the school itself.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TVP-L-NSU-DOC-0918.jpg?w=130)
NSU celebrates theater legacy with screening of new documentary, ‘Something to Behold’
The documentary, "Something to Behold," will debut at Norfolk State University on Tuesday and it chronicles the university's theatrical legacy, which is almost as old as the school itself.
![This year’s Sept. 10 concert happens to come after another hate crime: On Saturday, a white racist shot and killed three Black people in a Florida store. This year’s Sept. 10 concert happens to come after another hate crime: On Saturday, a white racist shot and killed three Black people in a Florida store.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TVP-L-COMMUNITY-CONCERT-0903-VA0131591794.jpg?w=132)
Norfolk and Virginia Symphony Orchestra are back with annual CommUNITY concert
This year’s Sept. 10 concert happens to come after another hate crime: On Saturday, a white racist shot and killed three Black people in a Florida store.
![On Tuesday, July 18, Nando’s restaurants - including the Virginia Beach location - celebrate Mandela Day. The South African restaurant gives customers free flame-grilled chicken in exchange for donated school supplies. On Tuesday, July 18, Nando’s restaurants - including the Virginia Beach location - celebrate Mandela Day. The South African restaurant gives customers free flame-grilled chicken in exchange for donated school supplies.](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/TVP-L-NANDOSFOOD-0718-VA0130967456.jpg?w=106)
Nando’s in Virginia Beach giving away chicken Tuesday in exchange for school supplies
Tuesday, Nelson Mandela Day, Nando's in Virginia Beach will give away chicken in exchange for donated school supplies.
![It's time for the annual Peeps contest from The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press It's time for the annual Peeps contest from The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/02/27/7523WJ2MEVFP5HVVLK4WJAQ4VM.jpg?w=135)
It’s time for the annual Peeps contest from The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press
Prepare for the invasion of the Peeps! The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press' annual Peeps contest is open. We're asking readers to submit imaginative dioramas featuring marshmallow Peeps treats. The theme...