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.

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Fun on a Budget

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Fun on a Budget

The Insider is still reeling from a Blueberry Hangover induced by over-consumption of nature’s tasty blue morsels in various forms at the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival. Homemade blueberry ice cream supplied by the Island Creamery, The Ultimate Blueberry Pie from Sugarbaker’s Bakery, fresh blueberries from Dick’s Kitchen and amazing old fashioned Blueberry Shortcake from Diana James. The Insider had more than a taste of all of the above and if you weren’t there, you really missed something.

Bottom Line, the food was fantastic and when you needed to “come down” from your antioxidant and sugar high, there was Pepper Jack Grille to the rescue with substantial cuisine that included protein. The Insider’s personal favorite was the Fish Taco, but I hear the Quesadillas were awesome as well!

All in all, the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival was a huge hit with record attendance, an amazing assemblage of Artists and Crafters, fun stuff for kid’s, music to suit any taste and the rains held off mercifully until one hour after the festival ended.

The Insider highly recommends that you place the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival on your vacation ‘to do’ list for 2010. Your family will love it, but may have to endure a blueberry hangover like mine.

Keep in touch by visiting www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com


O.K. the Insider is continuing a series of Chincoteague Island Vacation budget tips.

Today, we are going to talk about crabbing as a wonderful, low-cost, family friendly activity that can entertain for hours.

Even if you don’t have a way to cook them, catching crabs is a classic Chincoteague Island vacation pastime. The equipment is simple enough: a line to which you’ve attached a chicken neck, a net to scoop up any crabs which take your bait, and a container to store the crabs if you aren’t releasing them.

One great crabbing spot is at the Memorial Park waterfront on Chincoteague Channel. While you’re matching wits with the crabs, the kids can enjoy the park’s playground or skate park, or the basketball and tennis courts. Just remember to pack the right athletic gear!

And then there’s clamming…

Blue crabs may be legendary Chincoteague seafood, but they have nothing on the legendary Lil Nik clams. Set aside a few hours when the tide will be out, and head for Toms Cove on Assateague for your own clam-raking adventure. Both kid and adult-sized clamming rakes are available at the Chincoteague hardware stores.

And don’t forget shopping.

Remember that shopping itself is free. In downtown Chincoteague and on Maddox Boulevard you’ll find art galleries, clothing boutiques, decoy and wildlife carving shops, and even benches where tired husbands can sit! Shopping will give you a great opportunity to mix with the locals and get tips on other free, or almost-free, ways to spend your Chincoteague Island vacation.

Anyway you slice it, Chincoteague is a filled to the brim, non-stop, economical fun machine. So, get out there and enjoy yourself!

Until the next time….

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Do More, Spend Less

Chincoteague Island Vacations - Do More, Spend Less

Are you looking for ways to maximize your Chincoteague Island vacation fun while minimizing your expenses? Here are a few suggestions on how to stretch those vacation dollars as far as you can.

1) Go fly a kite. The Atlantic wind currents of the shores of Assateague Island were made to be mastered, and if you have the skill, master them you will with a double-or-more stringed sport kite from Chincoteague’s Kite Koop on Maddox Boulevard.

If you’re not up to handling an aircraft which can reach speeds of 60mph, the Kite Koop also has plenty of single line kites, including box and butterfly models in dazzling styles and colors.

No wind? The beach is still the beach, and swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing will fill the time until the breezes return.

2) Bring your bikes and hiking shoes. The flat landscapes of Chincoteague and Assateague are made for hiking and biking, and there’s no admission fee for accessing the Assateague National Seashore by either foot or bike. You can also rent bikes (helmets are complementary) from several shops on Maddox Boulevard.

Within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague you’ll find four hiking/biking trails ranging from 1 to 3.2 miles. Exploring them will provide opportunities to spot some of the Island’s more than 300 bird species.

If the kids are along, stop in at the Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center before hitting the trails, and ask about the Jr. Birder Booklets. Kids who complete the booklets during their visit are awarded Jr. Birder patches.

3) By planning your Chincoteague Island vacation far enough in advance, you can take advantage of one of the fee-free summer weekends during which there is no fee for bringing your vehicle to the Assateague National Seashore.

Also check before planning your trip to see if any Ranger-guided kids programs are available during your stay. These daily programs offer visiting kids a variety of close-up encounters with the natural world of Assateague. Some programs require advance reservations, but only one of them, “Kayak in the Cove,” requires a $10 fee.

As tourist destinations go, Chincoteague is and always has been a bargain. With a little effort and creativity, you can find many activities for little money. For example, the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival still has one full day left to go. Kids under 12 are admitted for just $1.00. Pick up a coupon in the Chincoteague Beacon, the island’s free newspaper and adults pay only $4.00 for an incredible amount of entertainment.

Discovering Chincoteague Island on a budget can be fun and won’t break the family budget. Enjoy!

.

Live from the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival

Live from 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival

Greetings from Chincoteague Island !The Chincoteague Insider has stolen away from the Fine Madness of the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival to give you a live report of this wonderful event. It’s amazing what you can do with a laptop and a wireless card these days.

The crowd came early and has remained through most of the afternoon. Just about everybody was enjoying some form of blueberry confection from Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream to Old-Fashioned Blueberry Shortcake, Blueberry Pie, even Blueberry fried dough, and of course Fresh Blueberries. I never cease to be amazed at the versatility of nature’s healthiest and most tasty of fruits.

As for the main food offerings from Pepper Jack Grille; well let’s just say, forget your preconception of “festival food”, these folks prepared a range of breakfast and lunch plates that pleased the eye and made the mouth water…simply delicious!

The music never stopped. From the Irish and Celtic influenced music of the Celtic Islanders to the amazing Piped Piper, a one man band extraordinaire along with the Gospel tinged bluegrass of Mountain Faith and capped off with the youthful enthusiasm of the acoustic duo Tyler Ringer, visitors to the festival danced, clapped and applauded with great vigor.

And let’s not forget the fantastic assortment of Fine Artists and Crafters who converged on the beautiful Chincoteague Center from 13 states. The Chincoteague Blueberry Festival remains the largest Fine Arts and Crafts Show on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and is truly a Shoppers dream come true.

There is plenty of fun stuff for kids as well from Pony Rides to Bungee Jumping.

The Blueberry Festival runs through Sunday July 26th from 9:00am – 4:30 pm and is a great way for the family to enjoy an event that has something for everybody.

For more information you can always visit the website at www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com

I hope to see you at the festival.
Until later,
Insider – out!

Chincoteague Kicks Off the Big Week

Greetings from the Chincoteague Insider!

The Insider has been busy the past two days setting up the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival and I can tell you it's going to be a Great One!

Once again, I'm going to enlist the support of the "always-on-top-of the-situation" Evelyn Shotwell of the Chincoteague Chamber to brief my readers on this weeks happenings. As it happens that the Insider is smack in the middle of one of those fantastic "happenings" on the beautiful Chincoteague Island and a little bit overwhelmed. So, take it away Evelyn!


From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 7/23/2009 4:06:43 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT


Good Afternoon all,

It’s here!!!! 84th Annual Pony Penning is upon us! I hope the list of events and activities below and attached will help you steer your guests and customers to all the fun stuff we have to offer during the next week while out & about. There is something to do at every turn. Stay calm, be nice, and enjoy our visitors as they experience the wonder of the Pony Swim and Auction.



OUT & ABOUT



July 24 & 25: CARNIVAL—7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Food, rides, games, raffles…….

July 27-August 1: CARNIVAL



July 23: CCA Summer Cinema Series—“Step Into Liquid” --9 pm at the Robert Reed Waterfront Park. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a fun evening with family, friends and visitors.



July 24-26: 22nd Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival at the Chincoteague Center. Call 757-824-3868 for more information. Go to www.chincoteagueblueberryfestival.com for coupons.



July 24: Story by the Sea—1 pm—Meet at Toms Cove Visitor Center on front deck for a story and craft about an animal that calls Assateague home.



July 25: Experience the Lost Village of Assateague Island with Matt Heim—Visit the Assateague Lighthouse from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, then meet at the Herbert H. Bateman Center auditorium for the presentation at 7:00 pm. Refreshments provided by the Oyster & Maritime Museum.



July 25 & 28: Farmer’s Market behind Don’s Seafood Restaurant



July 26: Dinner & A Cruise—Delmarva Discovery Center—Enjoy a true summertime crab feast aboard the Bay Queen cruising along the Pocomoke River. Call 410-957-9933 or email events@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org for more information or to purchase tickets.



July 28: Local musician Bill Troxler in concert at Sundial Books—6 pm-8 pm--Free concert of standard, contemporary and original tunes on hammered dulcimer.



July 28:Hospice Grief Support Program—Hospice Resource Center 6309 Church St.—1:30 pm to 3:00 pm



July 29: ANNUAL PONY SWIM—ESTIMATED TIME FROM THE FIRE COMPANY---AROUND 9:00 AM Carnival opens immediately after swim.



July 29: Chincoteague Island Library hosts Chico the mind-Reading Monkey and Princess the Magic Bunny at 7 pm. Join the free show at the Robert Reed Waterfront Park.



July 30: ANNUAL PONY AUCTION—8 am at Carnival Grounds

Carnival Opens immediately after auction.



July 31: PONIES SWIM BACK TO ASSATEAGUE—Time to be announced Wednesday or Thursday at the carnival grounds



August 1: Chincoteague Island Family Benefit Sunset Cruise aboard Tortuga—Call 757-894-3616 or 757-336-1884 for more info.





*SPECIAL PONY PENNING WEEK DOINGS: SEE THE BEACON FOR MORE

Pony Penning Art by Jan Eichfield, Mark Z, and Joyce Umphlett Reed at Threadgoodes 4211 Main St.

Meet the authors of local books at Sundial Books 4071-4073 Main St.

Book signings at Oyster Museum at 7125 Maddox Blvd. Call 757-336-6117 for times.

Artist Chris Holmes will be at Island Butterfly at 4107 Main St. to sign his latest releases

July 28-31. Call 757-336-6990 for times.

Book Signings and live music at Kite Koop Book Store Pony Penning Week

Equine Extremist Tommie Turvey, professional stuntman and horse trainer, to appear

at Beebe Ranch (3062 Ridge Rd.) on July 28-30.



*ASSATEAGUE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Thursday-Monday --9am to 3pm



*ISLAND HISTORY TROLLEY TOURS: Every Tuesday & Thursday at 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Ticket sales and tour departures are at the Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Drive off Deep Hole



*STORY/CRAFT HOUR AT THE ISLAND LIBRARY: Every Thursday thru August 15 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for 4-8 year olds (except July 30, it will be held 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm).



*NASA VISITOR CENTER ACTIVITIES:

Saturdays & Sundays—“Puppets in Space”--11:00 a.m.

Sundays—“Humans in Space” – 30 minute program looks at living and working in space.

Wednesdays—“Virginia Space Flight Academy Rocket Launch”—2:30 p.m. Cancelled if raining or winds exceed 18 mph. Rain date: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.



*PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE: Follow the links below for activities including bird and nature walks, kayaking, surf rescue demonstrations, beach campfires and night hikes. Find schedules on http://www.nps.gov/asis/upload/July%2019-25.pdf.



*CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ACTIVITIES—check at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center for a list of summer events.



*REFUGE WILDLIFE BUS TOURS: Thursday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Call 757-336-3696 or visit www.piping-plover.org.



*“RIDE THE PONY EXPRESS”. We have schedules in the chamber office and you will find it on www.chincoteaguechamber.com.







Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
757-336-6161

Ducks Among Us

Ducks Among Us

Today the Insider was delivering some Program Guides for the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival to one of the family operated Cabin Rental businesses here on Chincoteague when all of a sudden the owner said, "look out, I have to herd these geese." Well, sure enough right down the middle of his entranceway drive came a couple of hundred large geese. He jumped right in front of them and lead them to the pond at the other end of his property. These geese had to cross a very busy street before they got to his property. I shouted to the owner,"are these your's?" He said, ""no they belong to all of us"! I thought, wow, that is so Chincoteague! We live with the natural world more than any place I have ever lived. Before it was chic, before Government mandates... we do it by nature.



The ducks and other waterfowl of Chincoteague are honored with their own annual celebration in late November, during National Waterfowl Week. The celebration actually continues for 9 days, beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ending on the Sunday following it.

Top billing for National Waterfowl Week belongs to the thousands of snow geese who stop in to rest on their journey to their winter feeding grounds along the Gulf of Mexico. The Wildlife Refuge, in fact, was established in 1943 primarily to provide the snow geese with a pit stop. It was originally paid for, however, by proceeds from the sale of Duck Stamps!

The snow geese are joined in their migrations by many species of ducks, including Goldeneyes, Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teals, and Ring-Necks. The prime waterfowl-viewing real estate in the Wildlife Refuge is along the lagoon-encircling half-mile Wildlife Loop. Bring along your camera, and time your visit to include sunset for some once-in-a.-lifetime photographic opportunities!

Chincoteague has its ducks even during the winter. The distinctive “Ow, ow, owal-ow” call of male long-tailed ducks often sounds in the shoals off Chincoteague’s coast, as large flocks of these very social birds spend hours happily diving for fish, clams, and crabs.

If you were a wild duck, the fresh seafood alone would make it worth your while to visit Chincoteague Island each year!

And Remember, on Chincoteague we stop for Ducks!

Sail on Sailor

Sail on Sailor

Before you decide to tackle sailing the waters of Chincoteague Island on your own, however, you might benefit from the knowledge of the island's charter cruise captains, or from booking a kayaking eco-tour. Either one will allow you to relax and take in the sights during your sail, as you become familiar with the shoreline and the best places to return and view local waterfowl and wildlife.

Short of becoming a Chincoteague waterman, you'll never learn as much about sailing the waters of Chincoteague Island like the watermen do than by experiencing the Coastal Encounter offered by Back Bay Cruises. This is a half-day sail during which you'll be expected to get wet and muddy at the same time you are receiving an education in Chincoteague's water-loving animals and plants.

You'll actually disembark from your boat to explore the island's marshes and mudflats, do some beach combing, learn about clam and oyster aquaculture and harvesting, and perhaps harvest some crabs, mussels, or oysters of your own! You'll also get an earful of Chincoteague's history, including chilling tales of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. The man has yet to be born who sailed the waters of Chincoteague Island any better than he.

Sailing is a way of life on Chincoteague, and you can't say you've really seen this magical place until you've seen it from the water!


Blueberry Festival Alert!

On more of a Landlubber Note, just want ro remind you to preorder your fresh blueberries from the Chincoteageague Blueberry Festival by calling Captain Dick at
703-496-3553. Don't be disappointed and preorder your fresh blueberries, as they always sell out.

To order your to-die-for Ultimate Blueberry Pies please call 757-336-3712.

For more information about the Blueberry Festival, please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com

And with all due respect to the recently departed Walter Cronkite,

"and that's the way it is."

Eat Blueberries for Optimum Health

To start off, let me remind you that we are continuing our week(or so) of Blueberry Obsession due to the impending arrival of the not-to-miss event known as the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival. Held at the beauriful Chincoteague Center at 6155 Community Drive on Chincoteague Island, Va. Show date are July 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2009. For more information please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com



Eat Blueberries For Optimal Health

It is universally acknowledged fact that blueberries can improve an individual’s health if consumed on a regular basis over a period of time. It is one of the very few foods that have excellent properties that everyone can take advantage of without having major drawbacks. Eating blueberries can improve your health for a number of reasons and can thus help you to develop a variety of inner and outer bodily functions and elements. For example, simply enjoying the delights of the blueberry can enhance your immune system, memory and tissue regeneration functionality. That is by no means an exhaustive list. If achieving optimal health is a major goal for you, then read on for information on what the fruit can actually do for you!

Antioxidants in the blueberry are the main sources of all of its major health benefits. They can transcend the blood/brain barrier to stimulate cell regeneration and thus improve memory. They can also encourage the regeneration of other tissue as well as actively erecting a barrier to help prevent future cell damage in the first place. These antioxidants serve to strengthen the circulatory system, which in turn will boost everything else in the body. However, antioxidants are not the only substances within the blueberry that can improve your health.

Many people in society make a good workout a part of their daily routine and that happens to be another area that blueberries can help to ensure optimal health. The natural sugars contained in blueberries provide the body with a steady supply of carbohydrates in order to give an individual more energy whilst working out. The natural sugars account for most of the 81 calories in a 140g portion of blueberries but, when combined with a good workout, those calories are just enough to give you a boost without creating an unnatural high.

Despite the fact that a blueberry’s natural sugars account for most of the calorie content, it is one of the perfect foods for diabetics. Blueberries have an extremely low glycemic load and thus will not aggravate existing problems. If you couple this information with the fact that the blueberry is loaded with vitamins C, E and K as well as various antioxidants then it offers diabetics a viable solution to any enduring problems that diabetes may cause them. It actively boosts the immune system, meaning that it offers protection against cataracts, pressure sores and other complications that may occur as a result of an inability or impeded ability for the body’s tissue to regenerate.

Of course, too much of anything can have a negative effect and in the case of the blueberry it is the high fibre content that may cause some discomfort. Eating too many blueberries can result in constipation. Blueberries also contain oxalates, the substance that is largely found in gallstones and so anyone that has kidney or gallbladder problems should only indulge in the lure of the blueberry once a week or so. However, as long as you consume blueberries in moderation, there will never be any problems or side effects.

Blueberries definitely belong to the elite list of foods that combine healthy goodness with taste. Blueberries are absolutely delicious and so their healthy qualities simply provide a welcome extra something for the people that consume them.

The message therefore is simple – eat blueberries.

A Little Help From a Friend

Greetings from Chincoteague Island!

Once again, Evelyn Shotwell of the Chincoteague Chamber has assembled the Ultimate Chincoteague Island Weekend 'to do' list. It's so "spot on" I have decided to enlist her help for the Chincoteague Insider Post When you visit Chincoteague, please be sure to stop by the Chincoteague Chamber and say Hello!





From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 7/16/2009 3:35:10 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT




Happy Middle of July Weekend to all,

We’re gearing up now for the big week!!! Lots of phone calls and emails from folks who are making last minute preparations for the 84th Annual Pony Swim & Auction. The carnival has been a lot of fun….I hope you have taken time to enjoy it. Thank you to all the volunteer workers for providing such a wonderful source of entertainment and great food. The weather continues to be ideal and thankfully the mosquitoes are behaving themselves…at least we are not getting complaints in the chamber office. What more could you ask for in July!!!





OUT & ABOUT



July 17 & 18: CARNIVAL—7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Food, rides, games, raffles…….

July 24 & 25: CARNIVAL



July 16: LIGHTHOUSE RE-OPENS FOR TOURS—Thursday-Monday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.



July 18 & 19: FEE FREE WEEKEND to Assateague Island National Seashore. Entrance fees will be waived.



July 18 & 22: Farmer’s Market behind Don’s Seafood Restaurant.



July 20-24: Children in the Woods Day Camp. Call Michael Dixon at 757-336-6122 ext 336 to register your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader.



July 22: Dante Bucci Concert at the Senior Center on Church St. at 8:00 p.m. Dante Bucci was born in The Netherlands and trained in voice, guitar piano but found his real love in percussion. Call 757-336-5825 or 757-336-3399 for ticket information.



July 23: CCA Summer Cinema Series continues at the Robert Reed Park with “Step Into Liquid” at 9:00 p.m. Called the best surfing documentary ever made.



July 24-26: 22nd Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival at the Chincoteague Center. Call 757-824-3868 for more information. Go to www.chincoteagueblueberryfestival.com for coupons.



*ISLAND HISTORY TROLLEY TOURS: Every Tuesday & Thursday at 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Ticket sales and tour departures are at the Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Drive off Deep Hole



*STORY/CRAFT HOUR AT THE ISLAND LIBRARY: Every Thursday thru August 15 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for 4-8 year olds (except July 30, it will be held 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm).



*NASA Visitor Center Events

Saturdays & Sundays—“Puppets in Space”--11:00 a.m.

Sundays—“Humans in Space” – 30 minute program looks at living and working in space.

Wednesdays—“Virginia Space Flight Academy Rocket Launch”—2:30 p.m. Cancelled if raining or winds exceed 18 mph. Rain date: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.



*Program Schedule for Assateague National Seashore: Follow the links below for activities including bird and nature walks, kayaking, surf rescue demonstrations, beach campfires and night hikes. Find schedules on http://www.nps.gov/asis/upload/July%2012-18.pdf .



*Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Activities—check at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center for a list of summer events.



*Refuge Wildlife Bus Tours: Thursday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Call 757-336-3696 or

visit www.piping-plover.org.



*“RIDE THE PONY EXPRESS”. We have schedules in the chamber office and you will find it on www.chincoteaguechamber.com.





Evelyn

Evelyn Shotwell

Office Manager

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Eat Blueberries For Breakfast

Eat Blueberries For Breakfast

If you are one of the many people out there who vow to start a diet every Monday morning but find yourself slipping after just a few hours, you need to revolutionize your diet! Diets are incredibly hard to stick to if you do not find the right combination of food to tantalize your taste buds because it is easy to get bored. However, I would like to offer you a solution – the blueberry!

The blueberry is high on the list of the healthiest foods you could eat and has been for centuries. The amount of goodness that is packed into the blueberry is unique in the fruit world and could actively enhance your health and well being in so many ways. The blueberry is high in fibre, packed with antioxidants to fight free radicals within your body, low in calories and, best of all, is completely fat free! One serving of blueberries, about 140g in weight, can therefore provide the same health benefits as three of four apples.

This information may come as a shock to most people because restaurants and cafes have become adept at using blueberries in more unhealthy snacks in the last fifty years or so. This undoubtedly overshadows the blueberry’s healthy properties. For example, if asked to think of blueberry foods, most individuals would automatically think of muffins, pies, cobbler and the few blueberries that come with a chocolate-filled pancake at the local diner! However, if you can see past that, you will undoubtedly be able to stick to any healthy diet of your choosing!

Eating blueberries on a regular basis can revitalize your system, especially if you eat them for breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it serves to get your metabolism going, thus enabling your body to burn more calories and fat over the course of the day. Obviously this will not work if you then eat fried foods all day long, but as part of a balanced diet, blueberries can really kick start your system.

There are literally hundreds of ideas and recipes out there for breakfast time with blueberries so there is bound to be at least a handful you like. There are, of course, the obvious ones such as fruit salad, blueberries sprinkled on your cereal and natural yoghurt sweetened with blueberries and a touch of honey. Of course, all of these choices are healthy and taste great, but you should view breakfast as an opportunity to let your imagination, and your taste buds, run wild!
Use breakfast as an opportunity to try out new recipes. For example, you could try low-fat and low sugar blueberry pancakes with a fruity blueberry sauce over the top. You don’t need to worry about leaving the sugar out because the blueberries will sweeten the mixture as well as adding a bit of zest! Simply make your usual pancake mix but leave half of the usual amount of sugar out and add 200g of blueberries instead. To compliment that, you could put a handful of blueberries in the blender along with chopped apple, raspberries, a tablespoon of honey and a cup of natural yoghurt. Blend it until the mixture is smooth and then you have your own breakfast smoothie!

The recipes above are all quick and very tasty. However, you have license to experiment. Try making some of your own breakfast concoctions and, before long, I guarantee that you will find one you like! It isn’t hard to eat a healthy breakfast if you enjoy it so board the blueberry train.

The Chincoteague Blueberry Festival starts July 24th and runsthrough the 26th in 2009
For more information visit http://www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com

Chilly Blueberry Soup

Chilly Blueberry Soup

Welcome to the Blueberry overload! The blueberry overload is of course in preparation for The 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival which occurs a scant 9 days from today. Held at the beautiful Chincoteague Center at 6155 Community Drive from 9Am to 4:30PM on July 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com.


The following recipe is delicious in taste and prefect for those hot, humid summer evenings. The Chilly Blueberry Soup is a wonderfully fresh dish that works well in between barbecue meat courses. Also, the fact that the antioxidants are kept at their health promoting best in this dish makes it all the more attractive.

Chilly Blueberry Soup



Makes three servings.
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed with juice
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground coriander
Dash ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
1 Tbsp dry red wine
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup sour cream
Mint sprigs and additional sour cream for garnish
Puree the blueberries and water in a blender and pour into a small saucepan. Add the lemon juice, sugar, and spices; and while stirring, heat to a boil. Reduce the heat, covering and simmering for five minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat; pour it into a medium bowl, and refrigerate it until cool. Add the wine and stir; repeat with yogurt and sour cream. Cover and chill thoroughly before serving; after ladling into serving bowls garnish each with a dollop of sour cream and sprigs of fresh spearmint.

The Ultimate Blueberry Muffin

The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipe

With the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry festival only 10 days away, we continue our program of blueberry obsession with a great blueberry muffin recipe.

Are you a blueberry muffin addict?

Do you remember when midsummer meant that every available surface in the kitchen was given over to fresh blueberries in cartons, ready to be put into pies, and muffins, and pancakes, and casseroles, or waiting to be frozen, canned, or turned into jam?

Blueberries and cinnamon and nutmeg, in a buttery, flaky pie-crust; blue-violet blueberries stuffing baked yellow-orange acorn squash; home-made vanilla ice cream with fresh warm blueberry topping; blueberry custard with honey and fresh spearmint from the herb garden. And, of course, blueberry muffins Was there ever another fruit as adaptable as the humble blueberry?

Have you carried the memory of those home-baked blueberry muffins of your youth through the years, searching for their equal like a swallow searches for the shores of Capistrano?

Have you sampled “fresh” blueberry muffins from bakeries and restaurants wherever you were? Have you, in desperation, eaten blueberry muffins out of packages and even something called “Blueberry Bites”, with the color, taste and texture of sawdust?

And, in recent months, having been enlightened as to the amazingly powerful nutritional punch of the same little blue fruits which gathered in the kitchen of your youthful summers, have you begun to making blueberry muffins of your own? Are you reaching the age where you need all the nutritional help you can get, or are you looking at your kids reaching for junk food, and feeling desperate to provide them with them a nutritious, mouth-watering alternative?

How about a healthy home-baked blueberry muffin, made from the Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Muffin recipe, which will still your cravings for those warm, golden, fragrant, blueberry muffins from long ago?

Cooks.com offers a healthy blueberry muffin recipe which doesn’t require you to buy exotic ingredients like artificial sweeteners, but allows you to vary its taste to you liking.

Try it with canola oil, or applesauce–for those who want to cut their fat content to the minimum. A one-half whole-wheat flour/one-half pastry flour blend works well for those who are not completely disciplined. Substituting vanilla-flavored soymilk for dairy milk really does increase the muffins’ moistness. If you use frozen blueberries, place them between paper towels to absorb excessive moisture as they thaw.

SCRUMPTIOUS AND HEALTHY BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. honey
1/4 c. oil
1/3 c. milk
1 lg. egg or egg substitute
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 c. frozen blueberries
(Pastry flour adds a lighter texture).
(Soy milk can be substituted and vanilla. Soy milk adds a very delicate flavor and moist texture.

1. Sift together the (4) dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center.
2. Beat together the remaining ingredients (except the berries). Pour this into the well, and stir gently until just blended, gradually adding the berries.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Cool in pans 5-10 minutes before removing.

Enjoy!

Sam Serio is a true blue devotee of the blueberry and a life long student of health and nutrition. Sam Serio is also the producer of the Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival which is held the third weekend of July on the beautiful island of Chincoteague in Virginia.

This midsummer celebration of nature’s tastiest and most healthy gift - the Blueberry is combined with a “Christmas in July” Craft Shopping Extravaganza the premier Fine Art and Craft event on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

For more information, please visit http://www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com
and pick up your free e-book entitled “A Healthy Taste for Blueberries”. This free special report reveals everything you ever wanted to know about blueberries, but were afraid to ask. Also includes recipes, beauty secrets, health benefits and much more. Get yours now at http://www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com.

Chincoteague Watersports - Wet Fun for Everyone Pt.1

Chincoteague Watersports-Wet Fun for Everyone Pt.1

When you visit Chincoteague Island off Virginia's Eastern Shore, you'll be getting double the fun for your vacation dollar. Chincoteague Island, made famous in 1947 with the publication of Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague, has been attracting vacationers to its annual Pony Swim and Penning since 1925.

But there'd be no Pony Swim and Penning, and no ponies either, were it not for Chincoteague's much larger neighbor to the east, Assateague Island. The thirty-seven mile length of Assateague, is divided by the Virginia/Maryland State Line, and has been preserved as the Assateague National Seashore, and is the year-around home of the Chincoteague ponies.

Both the Atlantic and Chincoteague Bay sides of Assateague offer the sort of beautiful beaches which have earned Assateague a place among Condé Nast's Top Twenty US Beaches in 2006. The possibilities for fun in, on, along, and even over the water in such a place, as you might imagine, are nearly limitless!

Vacationing in Chincoteague during the summer means that the beach at Tom's Cove, just across the bridge on the western side of Assateague, will be watched by lifeguards so that you and your little ones can relax and let your surroundings work their magic. With miles of white sand backed by unspoiled sand dunes, you'll have your choice of Chincoteague watersports.

The Chincoteague Insider will dive into specific Chincoteague Island water sports in the next post. In the meantime, if you are visiting Chincoteague, don’t try to stat dry…get wet!


Just a reminder to get your pre orders in for fresh blueberries and the Ultimate Blueberry Pies. The Chincoteague Blueberry Festival is just two short weeks away. These mouth-watering delicacies always sell out, so pre-order and be guaranteed these culinary treasures. For more information, please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com

Have a berry nice evening !

Insider…out!

Chincoteague and Blueberry Health Secrets

Chincoteague and Blueberry Health Secrets

With the 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival just a couple of weeks away, it’s time to start singing the praises of the blueberry. The Blueberry Festival here on Chincoteague celebrates nature’s tastiest and most healthy of fruits, the blueberry. So, let’s get on with it!

Did you know that the blueberry is one of the most underrated fruits commonly available to us today? It has a long and illustrious history in America but yet the majority of us do not count it amongst our favorite foods. When you look at the health benefits we really should. There’s nothing like a good portion of tasty, juicy blueberries to treat our taste buds and help our bodies to stay as healthy as possible.

In this day and age, there is always going to be press reports about how certain foods are bad for your health, even if it was previously considered to be good for you. Blueberries, on the other hand, you can feel completely safe with. As one of nature’s little gems, it can provide many health benefits that manufactured foods cannot.

The antioxidants found in blueberries actively fight free radicals, the substances that are produced within the body in increasing amounts as we get older and cause irrevocable cell damage as well as affecting our DNA. Both of these side effects of the free radicals may enable diseases such as cancer to occur and spread more easily. However, as the blueberries’ antioxidants neutralize the free radicals within the body, they actually promote health and may go some way to helping our immune system to prevent and fight off such threats.

The antioxidants that blueberries contain have a wide range of other benefits, such as prevention of urinary tract infections and overall memory improvement, but they are not limited to the health properties that the antioxidants promote. 140 grams of blueberries actually only contains 1 gram of fat, and all of it is healthy fat that is used by the body to maintain healthy tissue rather than the saturated fat that the body cannot use.

The blueberry is completely healthy as far as nutritional content is concerned. They contain no salt (listed as sodium on nutritional content tables) or cholesterol, both of which have well documented adverse affects on the collective health of the nation these days and can put our individual health in jeopardy. The 140-gram portion of blueberries also contains 2% of our recommended daily iron intake as well as 15% of the Vitamin C daily recommendation.

The overall health benefits of the blueberry make it one of the most invaluable tools in our personal arsenal in the war against disease. In fact, in terms of long term benefits, blueberries are by far the best fruit, and even food in general, to consume and make an integral part of your diet. After all, can we really afford not to make the most of one of nature’s tastiest and most healthy gifts?

The 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival begins on July 24th and runs through the 26th, 2009.

The Chincoteague Blueberry Festival celebrates this amazing fruit by featuring fresh blueberries, blueberry ice cream, blueberry pies, blueberry shortcake, and much more. Combined with great music, fine arts and crafts, hot breakfast and lunch and fun for the entire family, this festival is fast becoming one of the island’s summer favorites. To learn more, please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com

Look for some great blueberry recipes in upcoming posts in the Chincoteague Insider this month as we continue to obsess about blueberries in anticipation of the 22nd Annual Blueberry Festival.

Chincoteague Blueberry Festival Press Release

Chincoteague Blueberry Festival Press Release
July 24, 25 & 26, 2009
Preorder Blueberry Pies and Fresh Blueberries Now!

The 22nd Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival will be held at the beautiful Chincoteague Community Center a t 6155 Community Drive on Chincoteague Island, Virginia on July 24, 25 and 26, 2009. The Blueberry Festival will be held from 9:00 to 4:30 pm rain or shine.

The Blueberry Festival remains the largest Fine Arts and Crafts event on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with exhibitors from 10 states including many excellent local artists. This large Fine Arts and Crafts exhibit brings a unique Christmas in July shopping atmosphere to Chincoteague. The Arts and Crafts exhibits are located both inside the Chincoteague Center building and outside on the green space and parking lot.

The fresh gourmet blueberries will once again be provided by Dick’s Kitchen. These succulent delicacies are a huge favorite of Festival visitor’s and sell out every year. To guarantee yours you should Preorder your fresh blueberries. For fresh blueberry preorders please call Dick Jones at 703- 496-3553 or 540-273-2963.

The Blueberry Festivals’ net profits from the fresh blueberry sales will be donated to the Chincoteague Police Departments ” Ride for Kids” Program to benefit local children.
Buying fresh blueberries at the festival provides not only a tasty and nutritious treat for the family, but helps the kid’s in need as well! Blueberries freeze extremely well and many of the festivals blueberry devotees stock up for the entire year

The Ultimate Blueberry Pies will once again be made and sold by Sugarbakers Bakery. These delicious offerings also sold out last year and should be preordered. To Preorder pies, please call 757-336-3712.

The blueberry confections continue with Blueberry Ice Cream from the Island Creamery, old fashioned blueberry shortcake from Diane James and much more!

Breakfast and Lunch will be served by Pepper Jack Grille. Come hungry! For a complete menu, please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com.

The musical offerings are expanding for the 2009 Chincoteague Blueberry Festival to include the Celtic Islanders, the Piped Piper, Mountain Faith, Tyler Ringer and Ron Cole and Wayne Young. Musical performances will continue for the entire event. For a complete musical schedule, please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com.

Some other new attractions for kids include bungee jumping and pony rides from Against the Wind Farms.

To receive a free copy of the Chincoteague Blueberry Festivals publication “ A Healthy Taste for Blueberries” please visit http://www.chincoteagueblueberryfestival.com


For Discount Coupons and additional information please visit www.ChincoteagueBlueberryFestival.com or email samserio@esva.net
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Chincoteague Summer Rules Part.2

Chincoteague Summer Rules Part 2



The Big Event of the Chincoteague Island summer, the yearly Chincoteague Pony Swim and Pony Auction, is held on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. Crowds in excess of 40,000 people come to the Island, outnumbering the locals by a ratio of 10:1! Finding a good shoreline spot from which to view the ponies swimming the channel has become more difficult each year. On hazy days, seeing them may be impossible from the shore.

Why not do the smart thing and reserve a seat on one of the Pony Swim Charters (you’ll have to book one well in advance) for a guaranteed close-up of the ponies? You’ll also have guaranteed access to a restroom while you wait for the action to begin?

The second most famous residents of Chincoteague and Assateague are the blue crabs, and Chincoteague Island summers are peak crabbing season! Head for the Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park Waterfront with some chicken necks secured to fishing lines and a net to secure your catch. Simply drag your lines across the channel floor and wait for some bites.

One of the most magical experiences you can have during a Chincoteague Island summers is the after-dark Assateague Island ranger-led campfire and marshmallow roast. As the Atlantic surf pounds in the darkness, your ranger will tell of the exploits of Blackbeard. The legendary pirate said to have hidden in the waters off Chincoteague, and with flaming ropes entwined in his beard, leapt with his crew onto passing ships and seized them.

Assateague Island is constantly being reshaped by the sea, and the Assateague Lighthouse which once stood on the shore, with its beacon warning approaching ships of the offshore reefs, is now in the middle of a field. Nothing stays forever on these enchanting islands, except the fun and adventure!

Chincoteague Summer Rules

Chincoteague Summer Rules

Firemen, fireworks, and Assateague campfires are all at the heart of a Chincoteague Island summer. Although the first influx of summer tourists usually begins right after Memorial Day, the pace of summer activities continues to heat up right along with the temperature.

Peter Stone’s Model Horse Show arrives at the Chincoteague Center about a month before the Chincoteague ponies make the trip from Assateague Island during Pony Penning Days at the end of July. While the Stone model horses may not be alive, they are certainly striking and much lower maintenance than a Chincoteague pony foal!

Chincoteague, along with the rest of the former colony of Virginia, celebrates Independence Day with a 10:00 PM Fireworks Festival at the Chincoteague Carnival grounds. The Fireworks Festival spells the end of the first weekend Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival, held every weekend throughout July and culminating with a five-day run, including the Pony Auction, at the end of the month,

The Fireman's Carnival features all the amusement park rides, food, games, and live music you'd expect from a summertime fair. During the third weekend in July, it coincides with the annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival at the Chincoteague Center.

The Blueberry Festival is a tribute one of summer’s most beloved (and good-for-you) symbols in all its delicious forms. It’s also a gathering of talented artists and crafters from all over the Delmarva Peninsula, who come to participate in the Christmas in July Shopping Extravaganza. There’s no better place to find unique hand-crafted jewelry, carvings, candles, or artwork souvenirs of your Chincoteague summer!

Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Well it sure is and Chincoteague celebrates nature's tastiest and most nutritious fruit with the Chincoteague Blueberry Festival held July 24th, 25th & 26th, 2009. To learn more about the Blueberry Festival please visit www.chincoteagueblueberryfestival.com.

Later...


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