Chincoteague Island 2-25-2010

From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 2/25/2010 1:37:01 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT


Good wintry afternoon,

Where’s the snow? I hear the wind howling but I see blue skies out the window. You know what they say…if March comes in like a lion—roaring & blustery, it will go out like a lamb—mild and gentle. I’m ready for that! Spring can’t be far away, can it? I seem to hear it calling…….

Hang on a while longer. We have lots to do indoors while we wait. Enjoy!





OUT & ABOUT



February 26: North Accomack Little League Dinner & Auction Fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. in the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Banquet Hall. Dinner prepared by Ladies Auxiliary and dessert compliments of Island Creamery. Artwork, decoys and lots of other nice items to be auctioned by Chester Jackson at 7:00 p.m. Contact Todd Tarr at 757-336-2901 or Donnie Hollaway at 757-336-5510 for tickets.



March 2: Caregiver Connection from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hospice Resource Center at 6309 Church St.



March 3: “Celebrate Volunteerism” social at Delmarva Discovery Center at 4 p.m. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at the DDC. RSVP by March 1 by calling 410-957-9933 or emailing jroynon@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org.



March 4: “Bright Star” sponsored by Chincoteague Island Films at the Island Roxy Theater at 8:00 p.m. This will kick off the spring film series.



March 6: Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with the Chincoteague Island Library at 3:30 p.m. Children 4-8 years of age are invited with their parents to come hear stories, make crafts and more. No charge.



March 6-7: Special local resident rates weekend at the Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke City MD. Show driver’s license to receive discount.



March 15 & 16: Beginner & Intermediate Watercolor Art Series at Delmarva Discovery Center. Register early. Classes limited to 6-12 persons each. Call 410-957-9933 or email events@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org.



NASA Visitor’s Center: Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February.

Open Thursday-Monday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March-June.

Free and Fun!



2010 CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDES ARE HERE!!!

STOP BY SOON TO PICK UP A CASE OR A FEW FOR YOUR BUSINESS





WE ALSO HAVE EASTER DECOY SHOW FLYERS





OYSTER FESTIVAL SHIRTS---$17

(IN PINK & BLUE—GREAT FOR EASTER GIFTS)

OYSTER FESTIVAL HATS---$15

OYSTER FESTIVAL POSTERS---$12







Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Chincoteague Island Coast Guard Event for Mariners

News Release

Coast Guard hosts joint agency law enforcement open house
for mariners
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. – The Coast Guard base on Chincoteague Island is scheduled to host an event for mariners to come and meet locally based federal and state law enforcement officers March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
The event will provide an opportunity for mariners to meet some of their local enforcement officers, ask questions and learn about new and existing regulations.
Regardless of whether mariners operate a commercial, charter, or recreational vessel; subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions about recreational and commercial fishing, or questions about laws pertaining to safety gear.
Boaters without specific questions are invited to come and listen to the discussion or pick up information on Boating Safety, Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety, and Fishing Regulations or to come and schedule a Courtesy Marine Examination.
The following are participating agencies and agency departments:
• U.S. Coast Guard Station Chincoteague
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. Park Service (NWR)
• Virginia Marine Resources Commission
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Instructors and Courtesy Marine Examiners
• U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Commercial Fishing Safety Examiners
The session will be held at Tarr Hall, in the Galley Facility, located on the base.
###
Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Chincoteague Events - February

Greetings from Chincoteague Island, Virginia!


Good Afternoon All,
A weekend without snow or rain??? Do we dare hope? It looks promising. Have a wonderful time “out and about” before the next weather system rolls through. I hate it when the Groundhog is right!!

OUT & ABOUT

February 20: The Virginia Symphony will perform at Nandua High School in Onley at 8:00 p.m. Call 757-302-0366 for ticket information.

February 22: “Tooth Fairy” at Island Roxy at 7:00 p.m. Portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Chincoteague Island Family YMCA. A fun, family movie for all ages.

February 23: Hospice Grief Support from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hospice Resource Center at 6309 Church St.

February 24: Entrepreneur Express Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (lunch included) at the Workforce Development Center Great Hall on the Campus of Eastern Shore Community College. Local entrepreneurs Honey Moore, Jonathan Bess and Pam Barefoot will share their practical experience; a rep from Shore Bank will show how to apply for a small business loan; and George Bryan with Eastern Shore Small Business Development Center will offer help on writing a business plan. It’s all FREE but call in advance to register since enrollment is limited. Contact Laura Fosque at 757-789-7979 or lfosque@es.vccs.edu.

February 26: North Accomack Little League Dinner & Auction Fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. in the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Banquet Hall. Dinner prepared by Ladies Auxiliary and dessert compliments of Island Creamery. Artwork, decoys and lots of other nice items to be auctioned by Chester Jackson at 7:00 p.m. Contact Todd Tarr at 757-336-2901 or Donnie Hollaway at 757-336-5510 for tickets.

NASA Visitor’s Center: Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February.


2010 CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDES ARE HERE!!!
STOP BY SOON TO PICK UP A CASE OR A FEW FOR YOUR BUSINESS


WE ALSO HAVE EASTER DECOY SHOW FLYERS




OYSTER FESTIVAL SHIRTS---$17
(IN PINK & BLUE—GREAT FOR EASTER GIFTS)
OYSTER FESTIVAL HATS---$15
OYSTER FESTIVAL POSTERS---$12


Evelyn
Evelyn Shotwell
Office Manager
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
757-336-6161

Chincoteague Island and the Rites of Spring

Chincoteague Island and the Rites of Spring

If spring on Chincoteague Island has a lullaby, it’s the croaking of frogs and toads newly awakened from their winter’s hibernation and eager to find mates.

If spring on Chincoteague Island has a ritual dance, it’s performed by the piping plovers. These threatened birds arrive at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to nest, but first perform some astoundingly intricate courtship displays before choosing their mates and raising their families over the course of the summer.

If the spring air on Chincoteague Island has a proprietary perfume, it’s the scent of wisteria blooms mingled with the fragrance of salt air. The soft blue cascades of wisteria make a perfect backdrop for the dazzling yellows of the daffodils at the Chincoteague’s Center annual Daffodil Festival in early April, when dozens of Eastern Shore crafters and artists display their finest creations and the face painting is almost (but not quite) as artistic! All of this plus an array of local and regional businesses displaying their goods and services, plus flowers and more flowers!

Easter weekend means it’s time for another celebration of artistry at Chincoteague’s Easter Decoy and Art Festival, where decoys hand carved by some of the best carvers in the US draw crowds of wildlife enthusiasts. Some of the decoys are meant to be used, and some simply to be admired like the many wildlife paintings also being exhibited, but all of them are one-of-a-kind!

Spring on Chincoteague means it’s time to fill up on soft shell crab sandwiches, crab cakes, clam chowder, sweet potato pie, and music from one of the Eastern Shore’ hottest bands at the annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival. Both black and red drum arrive along with the first annual run of flounder if you’d rather catch dinner aboard an inshore charter. The local charter captains are storehouses of information about where the fish are biting and what bait they’re biting on!

Attention turns from the water to the sky with Chincoteague's annual International Migratory Bird Celebration, held at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. During the spring thousands of shorebirds arrive at the Wildlife Refuge to rest on their journey along the Atlantic Flyway as they migrate to their nesting grounds further south. The Celebration features lectures, workshops, and bird-viewing hikes with avian experts.

Assateague Bus Tour Service resumes on weekends at the Bateman Visitor Center weekends in March and April, and is expanded to include Fridays during May. This two-hour tour (fortunately, this is Assateague, and not Gilligan’s Island) makes a loop of the Wildlife Refuge, and you may catch a few glimpses of the Chincoteague pony herd. A large number of foals are born to the herd in early spring.

The Assateague Lighthouse is open for climbing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with the last climb beginning at 2:30. The Lighthouse is not only an important piece of Chincoteague and Assateague history; it’s the tallest structure around and a great place to get a view of the islands and surrounding waters.

The final event of Chincoteague’s spring, and a sure sign that Memorial Day and the summer busy season are looming, is the Blessing of the Fleet and Water Parade. Both commercial and private vessels can participate at Robert Reed Park. After being blessed the boats then travel to Curtis Merritt harbor on the opposite side of the Island.

If spring on Chincoteague Island has reputation, it’s for being just as much fun as summer, without the crowds and mosquitoes!

Chincoteague Island Post-Blizzard

Chincoteague Insider Greetings from a snow weary Chincoteague Island, Virginia!

O.K. like the rest of the Mid-Alantic, Chincoteague has been pummeled with a major snow storm again. Having said that, there is still plenty of goings on in Chincoteague and Evelyn Shotwell of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce can prove it. Here's Evelyn...




Hi All,

Well, we made it through another blizzard! What will this weekend bring? Hopefully we will be able to get out and enjoy all the “fun stuff” going on in the area. Cure that cabin fever with some of the happenings listed below.





OUT & ABOUT



February 12: New Member Orientation—Call the chamber at 757-336-6161 (or email chincochamber@verizon.net) to set up a time to stop by and let us show you what the chamber does for you. We will discuss the chamber website, marketing, demographics and statistics, avenues for free advertising and coop advertising, brochure distribution, referrals and much more. If this day does not work for you, we would be happy to see you anytime. Suzanne and I are here Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come by to say hello.



February 13: Sundial Books hosts folk musician Diana Wagner at 3:00 p.m. She will be playing traditional love songs in honor of Valentine’s Day. Contact Sundial at 757-336-5825 for more info.



February 13: 4th Annual Death By Chocolate—come join us in our sweet celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pick up a playing card from any merchant displaying the Death By Chocolate poster, complete your card while enjoying treats and shopping, and enter your completed card at Waterside Inn for a chance to win fun prizes donated by local merchants—drawing at 6:15 p.m. Call the Waterside Inn at 757-336-3434 for more information.



February 13-14: Great savings at Delmarva Discovery Center—50% off all admissions, one child FREE with paid adult, total admission for a family of four=$10—show driver’s license to receive discounts if you live in Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Sussex, or Accomack Counties. Experience Delmarva:

Virginia Space Flight Academy—Saturday & Sunday Noon-2:00 p.m.-Principles of aerodynamics.

Delmarva Nature Talk—Saturday 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Learn interesting biofacts about diverse animals that live on the peninsula and meet reptiles Cornelius and Gary.

Decoy Carving Demonstration with world champion carver Ernie Muehlmatt. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Sunday Noon-2:00 p.m.

Oyster Shell Art with local Chincoteague artist Jenny Somers all weekend.



February 14: VALENTINE’S DAY—Tell someone you love them and think they are special!!



February 20: The Virginia Symphony will perform at Nandua High School in Onley at 8:00 p.m. Call 757-302-0366 for ticket information.



NASA Visitor’s Center: Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February.



2010 CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDES ARE HERE!!!

STOP BY SOON TO PICK UP A CASE OR A FEW FOR YOUR BUSINESS



WE ALSO HAVE EASTER DECOY SHOW FLYERS



OYSTER FESTIVAL SHIRTS---$17

(IN PINK & BLUE—GREAT FOR EASTER GIFTS…or for that special Valentine in your life!!)

OYSTER FESTIVAL HATS---$15

OYSTER FESTIVAL POSTERS---$12





Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Chincoteague after the Blizzard

Greetings from a snow weary Chincoteague Island!

Today's Blog Entry will be accomplished with the able assistance of Evelyn Shotwell of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Yeah, there's been lotsa snow but there's still many evnets and activities on Chincoteague Island and the surrounding area in the coming week or so. Enjoy!




Hi All,

Well, we made it through another blizzard! What will this weekend bring? Hopefully we will be able to get out and enjoy all the “fun stuff” going on in the area. Cure that cabin fever with some of the happenings listed below.





OUT & ABOUT



February 12: New Member Orientation—Call the chamber at 757-336-6161 (or email chincochamber@verizon.net) to set up a time to stop by and let us show you what the chamber does for you. We will discuss the chamber website, marketing, demographics and statistics, avenues for free advertising and coop advertising, brochure distribution, referrals and much more. If this day does not work for you, we would be happy to see you anytime. Suzanne and I are here Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come by to say hello.



February 13: Sundial Books hosts folk musician Diana Wagner at 3:00 p.m. She will be playing traditional love songs in honor of Valentine’s Day. Contact Sundial at 757-336-5825 for more info.



February 13: 4th Annual Death By Chocolate—come join us in our sweet celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pick up a playing card from any merchant displaying the Death By Chocolate poster, complete your card while enjoying treats and shopping, and enter your completed card at Waterside Inn for a chance to win fun prizes donated by local merchants—drawing at 6:15 p.m. Call the Waterside Inn at 757-336-3434 for more information.



February 13-14: Great savings at Delmarva Discovery Center—50% off all admissions, one child FREE with paid adult, total admission for a family of four=$10—show driver’s license to receive discounts if you live in Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Sussex, or Accomack Counties. Experience Delmarva:

Virginia Space Flight Academy—Saturday & Sunday Noon-2:00 p.m.-Principles of aerodynamics.

Delmarva Nature Talk—Saturday 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Learn interesting biofacts about diverse animals that live on the peninsula and meet reptiles Cornelius and Gary.

Decoy Carving Demonstration with world champion carver Ernie Muehlmatt. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Sunday Noon-2:00 p.m.

Oyster Shell Art with local Chincoteague artist Jenny Somers all weekend.



February 14: VALENTINE’S DAY—Tell someone you love them and think they are special!!



February 20: The Virginia Symphony will perform at Nandua High School in Onley at 8:00 p.m. Call 757-302-0366 for ticket information.



NASA Visitor’s Center: Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February.



2010 CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDES ARE HERE!!!

STOP BY SOON TO PICK UP A CASE OR A FEW FOR YOUR BUSINESS



WE ALSO HAVE EASTER DECOY SHOW FLYERS



OYSTER FESTIVAL SHIRTS---$17

(IN PINK & BLUE—GREAT FOR EASTER GIFTS…or for that special Valentine in your life!!)

OYSTER FESTIVAL HATS---$15

OYSTER FESTIVAL POSTERS---$12





Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

The Chincoteague Ponies famous throughout the world by Sam Serio Morning Light Jewelry

The Chincoteague Ponies famous throughout the world by Sam Serio Morning Light Jewelry

Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow

Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow

I have been sitting and staring out of my window with a nice hot cup of tea. The tea that I drink is of my own concoction and consists of both Black and Green teas. The music in the background is a Brahms Piano Trio and it is serving as the perfect obbligato to my astonished state as I witness yet another blizzard here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

This is truly a remarkable and totally unprecedented series of weather events and of course they carry inevitable repercussions. Like for instance, my son has had only two half-days of school in the past week and a half. Soccer games and practices have been cancelled for the same period and even his piano lesson is in jeopardy today. This particular storm seems angrier with its ferocious winds and blinding blankets of fluffy snow. It’s good to be inside.

My son and I have done a lot of bonding during this period, since my work is primarily done at home by phone and computer. My current main project is the Chincoteague Daffodil Festival on April 10th & 11th at the Chincoteague Community Center. This is the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s only Flower, Home, Garden and Spring Craft Event. If you want to learn more and check out the video my friend Larry Warwick shot of last years event, please visit http://www.ChincoteagueDaffodilFestival.com.

Now, I keep pretty busy with that work but with my son and I snowed-in all these days we have done a lot of reading together in the same room, watched numerous episodes of his favorite cartoon Phineas and Ferb and he plays his piano or Nintendo DSI while I obsess on the various political opinion shows that are a part of my TV diet. We also suit up and take long treks through our private woods with the dogs and pick up and drag branches and tree limbs to the burn pile. I know we will both cherish these memories as the years go by. The snow will get deeper and blow even more ferociously in our minds eye, but the thoughts will grow all the more precious as well.

Speaking of treasured memories, I have often remarked that every family should witness the Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim at least once in their lives. The Pony Swim will forge an unforgettable memory and a lasting bond between everyone who shares in that experience.

Well. Now I would like to add another Chincoteague Pony experience to that list. Everyone should see the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow at least once as well. The marshes take on a very mysterious, even eerie patina in a snow storm and the Chincoteague ponies exude a nobility and stoic elegance that is achingly beautiful. Scharlene Leonard of the Island Butterfly has captured such a scene in one of her photographs. I am sure that she will be very happy to show it to you when you visit her eclectic shop on Main St. She and her daughter Carla are must see Main St. Merchants.

This weekend would be a great time to visit the Island Butterfly or any of the Main St. Merchants during the Death by Chocolate Event. Don’t miss it !
Now, back to my tea and daydreams,
Until the next time from the Chincoteague Insider,
Enjoy the moment…

Daffodils at the Dinner Table

Daffodils at the Dinner Table

Anual Chincoteague Daffodil Festival - April 10th & 11th, 2010 at the beautiful Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Dr. Chincoteague Island, Virginia. The Eastern Shore of Virginia's only Flower, Home Garden and Spring Craft Event. http://www.ChincoteagueDaffodilFestival.com

How to Prepare your Garden for Spring - Helpful Tips to get it Done Right by Sam Serio Morning Light Jewelry

How to Prepare your Garden for Spring - Helpful Tips to get it Done Right by Sam Serio Morning Light Jewelry

Chincoteague Bridges, Blizzards...again, and Bon Bons

Chincoteague Bridges, Blizzards…again, and Bon Bons

Greetings from Chincoteague Island!

O.K. the bad news first! The opening of the new Chincoteague Bridge has been delayed until April 1, 2010. Just in time for the Easter Decoy Festival and the Annual Chincoteague Daffodil Festival, but not soon enough for the long-suffering commuters who have had to endure the delays and one-lane status of the Causeway for what seems to be forever. The reason is, of course, the weather, which everyone knows has been wet,wet, and more wet for many months.

Amazingly, the Chincoteague Bridge Project is on budget. Let’s hope this revised opening date holds true.

Is this really Happening? Are we really about to have another major snow event. As usual, we will receive only a smattering of the snowfall that is predicted for the rest of the Mid-Atlantic, but it only takes a few inches to grind the Eastern Shore of Virginia to a halt.

Like everybody else, or so it seems, I went to the grocery store early today before I worked out at the YMCA. Both were jammed beyond belief. The grocery store could have used a traffic cop in the parking lot. It was totally mad and kind of fun at the same time. I noticed that despite the chaos people were still taking the time to chat with people they know. I did it myself! I love that about the Eastern Shore. I admit that I have enjoyed these snow storms, so far, but enough is enough.

So, having said that, this snow stuff really needs to give us a break. Next weekend, February 13th is the 4th Annual Death by Chocolate Event on Chincoteague from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Just look for the poster on the door of all participating merchants. The event ends at the beautiful Waterside Inn at 6:00pm where the final drawing is held. For more information, please call 757-336-3434 and tell the fine folks at the Waterside that the Chincoteague Insider sent you.

Until the next time…

Chincoteague Island- Blizzards, Captain Barry and Blueberry Blues

Chincoteague Island – Blizzards, Captain Barry and the Blueberry Blues

Greetings from the snowed – in Chincoteague Island, Virginia!

Though it does occasionally snow here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, it’s darn rare that we get a bona fide, sockeroo of twelve inches or better type blizzard like we experienced this weekend. Generally, a few inches of snow will close the schools and drain the local food stores of toilet paper, milk, bread and canned soups, but snow accumulation of this amount simply shut down the entire peninsula.

Chincoteague Island is particularly beautiful when it snows. The salt marshes take on an eerie serenity when covered with snow. Scharlene Leonard resident designer and co-owner of the Island Butterfly on Main St. has a fantastic photo that she took of a Chincoteague Pony in the snow some years back. I highly recommend that you visit and take a look at this beautiful photograph. Trust me, you will want a copy for yourself.

I am long overdue in sending a shout out and big time kudos to Captain Barry of Captain Barry’s Back Bay Cruises. So, finally here it goes, Captain Barry please accept a Chincoteague Insider major salute. Captain Barry offers arguably one of Chincoteague Island’s finest guided boat tours. He is also a great humanitarian! While everybody else was watching the news of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, Captain Barry packed his bags and headed for that devastated island to offer help. This is not the first time Captain Barry Frishman has done this sort of thing, he went to Sri Lanka in the wake of the tsunami in 2004 and has been to Haiti to assist the needy prior to this trip. If you would like to assist with Captain Barry’s efforts, please call 757-336-6508.

On a somewhat lighter note, my own household ran out of our store of succulent, delicious blueberries that we purchased at this years Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival.
Now, you would think that 50 lbs. of blueberries in the freezer would be enough to get you through the winter at very least, but no! Obviously, I will have to Preorder more blueberries next year. You can do the same by visiting http://www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com. The Chincoteague Blueberry Festival will be held July 23rd, 24th,&25th, 2010 at the Chincoteague Center. Mark your calendar and be sure not to miss this fabulous annual event.

Until the next time…Enjoy the beauty of Chincoteague Island in the Snow.