Chincoteague Daffodil Festival, art strolls & more

From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 4/8/2010 3:43:50 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT





Good Afternoon,
I hope you have enjoyed the glorious weather this week. It’s very difficult to focus on indoor tasks when it’s so nice outside. Winter may finally be over!
With the increase in visitors, we are in need of your brochures in the chamber office. Please check with us to make sure we have plenty on hand. We’re happy to see folks shopping and dining around town. We have received positive comments on how friendly everyone is and how nice business owners are. Keep up the good work!
Have fun…..out & about!
OUT & ABOUT


April 9: US Rep. Glenn Nye will be guest speaker at the annual Eastern Shore Christian Businessman’s Prayer Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. at the Elks Lodge in Chincoteague. Open to the public but reservations are required by calling Michelle Haynie at 757-787-1335 ext. 207 or emailing mhaynie@shorebank.com.

April 9: Eastern Shore Madrigal Singers will hold benefit concert “Broadway, Novelty, Barbershop, etc.” at Christ United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Donations benefit Oyster & Maritime Museum.

April 9: Chincoteague Elementary School PTA sponsors Bingo at 5:30 p.m. at the school. Smith Island Cake auction too. Great family fun. Refreshments on sale. All to help the PTA. Come out and enjoy!

April 10: Second Saturday Art Stroll—First of the season!! Threadgoodes, Island Arts, Guinivere’s, Island Cottage Collection, Psychotronic Music & Beads, Sundial Books, Ron Hugo Photography, Flying Fish Gallery, Island Butterfly, Wine Cheese & More, Kite Koop, Egret Moon Artworks, & aNoPheles Blues have special treats and exhibitions planned. Get out and stroll!

April 10 & 11: Chincoteague Daffodil Festival at The Chincoteague Center. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit www.chincoteaguedaffodilfestival.com for more info. Or call 757-709-1914

April 16-18: Spring Roundup of Chincoteague ponies for shots and vet checks. Friday—south herd beginning at 5 p.m. and Saturday—north herd. All shots given on Saturday.

April 17: Island Library Dedication Ceremony from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Rain Date May 1.

April 17: Saturday at the Refuge with Terry Howard speaking on “Chincoteague: Then & Now” at the Herbert H. Bateman Visitor Center on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

April 17: Bluegrass Festival at the Chincoteague Center. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Vendors, workshops, jamming sessions, concessions including chili dogs, pork BBQ, snacks and drinks. Roadside Café performs at 7:30 p.m. Call 757-336-0614 or 757-336-3030 for information. (Island Bluegrass Alliance)

April 17: Chincoteague Cultural Alliance presents bluesman Ben Prestage in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Church Street.

NASA Visitor’s Center: Open Thursday-Monday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March-June. Free and Fun!

Lighthouse Tours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Assateague Island Bus Tours: Saturday 1:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. Call 757-336-3696 or visit www.piping-plover.org

WHAT’S UP WITH YOU???
MERCHANTS: SEND US NEWS….General info only…no coupons or discounts please. Format: Name of Business….short phrase or sentence. Limit all to one line of text. Send to chincochamber@verizon.net by noon Wednesday for inclusion in current Out & About.



SEAFOOD FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE AT THE CHAMBER, WATERSIDE INN, PNC BANK AND SHORE BANK.




Evelyn
Evelyn Shotwell
Office Manager
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

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 Main Street Merchants Association

Chincoteague Main Street Merchants Association

Well, 2010 is well under way and along with the many changes that will be coming to Main St. on Chincoteague Island, so come a fresh new crop of leaders to the Chincoteague Main Street Association.

The following officers have been elected to serve for the next two years: the newly elected president is Karen Murphy from the Blue Crab Boutique, for vice-president we have Ruth Ann Mason from the Waterside Inn; Ann Warnick from Ann’s Hairport is the new secretary, and Mercer Domino form the Sea Star Café Gourmet Carry Out is the new treasurer. The Chincoteague Insider would like to congratulate them all. They face many challenges in the upcoming years. The change in traffic patterns created by the new entry point of the Chincoteague Bridge will be a big one, but the charm of the Historic Section and it’s planned revitalization and visual upgrades will keep this area of Chincoteague a “must see.” and “must shop” location.

The Historic Main Street Merchants Association is open to all businesses on Main Street, Chincoteague Island. Be on the look out for their ever-popular “Death by Chocolate” event coming on February 13. Also, coming is the Search for the Shamrock on March 20, 2010. The Farmers Market reopens in April and runs through September and with a little luck better weather will grace the wonderful Chili Chowder Cook-Off on Oct. 16. this year.

One thing is for certain, no Chincoteague Island Vacation is complete without a thorough exploration of Chincoteague’s Historic Main St. For more information about The Chincoteague Historic Main Street Merchants and their special events please contact Cathy at 757-336-2610 or visit their web site at http://www.ChincoteagueMerchants.org

See you on Main St. in beautiful Downtown Chincoteague Island, Va.

Chincoteague Pre-Holiday Potpouri

Chincoteague Pre-Holiday Potpouri

Greetings from the totally water-logged Chincoteague Island! Remember, the beach will rise again in time for next summer. Never fear!

Well, despite being pummeled by rain many times in recent months, the Chincoteague Bridge is on track for a mid to end of January Opening. That’s nothing short of amazing! The years of inconvenience (that’s an understatement) will soon end and the flow of traffic to and from Chincoteague will be easy. Hallelujia!

On a culinary note, you should check out the new Capt.Zack’s mobile seafood restaurant in Oak Hall, just south of T's Corner on Rt.13. It’s quick and good! Call Crystal or Tammy at 757-894-7097.

And now, here’s Evelyn Shotwells’ ‘to do’ list for Chincoteague Island this weekend.

For more information, please call the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce at 757-336-6161.





December 12: Breakfast With Santa sponsored by Chincoteague Elementary School PTA from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased in the school office or at H&H Pharmacy. Breakfast will include scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and hot chocolate. Santa is making a special trip from the North Pole to meet with the children and listen to their Christmas wishes. Pictures with Santa will be available for $1.

December 12: Christmas in Onancock Homes Tour & Concert. Visit Ker Place, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, North Street Playhouse, and Cokesbury Church. Enjoy seasonal music performed by the Orchestra of the Eastern shore at each home. Ticket sales benefit the Food Bank of the Eastern Shore. Please call 757-302-0330 or 757-787-7600 or visit www.onancock.org for details.

December 15: Suborbital Rocket Mesquito scheduled for launch from Wallops Flight Facility between 7 am and 9 am. December 16-18 are back up days.
*Visit http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/ or call 757-824-2050 for rocket launch info from Wallops
*NASA VISITOR CENTER: Call 757-824-2298 for winter schedule and hours.

December 18-20: To Bethlehem & Beyond—live drive-through Nativity featuring 14 scenes and live animals will be held at the Union Baptist Church grounds on Church Street from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Chincoteague Chamber Has A FEW 2009 OYSTER FESTIVAL SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS IN LIGHT BLUE AND PINK FOR SALE IN THE CHAMBER OFFICE ($17.00 EACH). WE ALSO HAVE A FEW HATS AND POSTERS. GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! STOP BY TODAY. WE ACCEPT MC & VISA. 757-336-6161

Chincoteague Bridges: Goodbye to the Old- Hello to the New

Chincoteague Bridges - Good-Bye to the Old, Hello to the New

Since 1940, the only way for anyone to reach the Virginia island of Chincoteague was by boat, or over the Causeway Bridge which crossed both Black Narrows and the Chincoteague Channel before reaching the Town of Chincoteague. This bridge was built to replace the original Causeway Bridge which opened in 1922, thanks to the tireless work of John B. Whealton, who was awarded $144,000 to complete the job!

When the first Causeway Bridge was opened to much fanfare on November 15th, 1922, more than four thousand people showed up with their automobiles to enjoy the festivities. Before the afternoon ended, rain had begun to fall. The newly opened Causeway unfortunately proved unable to handle both the rain and heavy automobile traffic, and 96 vehicles remained trapped on it.

With typical Chincoteague enterprise, the town's residents used their own boats to ferry the stranded visitors to the safety of local hotels. When the hotels were booked up, they took the strangers into their own homes! The automobiles, over the next few days, were placed on barges and carried to either Franklin City or Wisharts Point for their owners to collect.

John Whealton’s building company spent the next month reinforcing the soil on which the Causeway had been constructed with tons of oyster shells, and the bridge reopened before Christmas. The failure of the bridge was an embarrassment, but the hospitality of the Islanders set a standard which has continued to this day!

Because of that hospitality, however, increasing traffic on the bridge required its replacement in 1940. The 1940 bridge now brings more than 1 million annual visitors to Chincoteague, making the island one of the most popular vacation spots on the entire Atlantic seaboard.

During the 1940s, the bridge was a popular crab-catching spot for the island youngsters, and also served as a diving board into Chincoteague Channel for the bravest among them! In the days before automation, the bridge was manned by a bridge tender around the clock, and the bridge houses which served as dining and bedrooms for the bridge tenders remain to this day.

The bridge tenders had the responsibilities not only for opening the bridge to boat traffic, but have actually maintaining the bridge by giving it regular coats of paint to protect it from the weather and grease to keep it open and closing smoothly. Even during the unforgettable Ash Wednesday storm of 1962, which had Chincoteague Island underwater for days, the bridge tenders manned their posts around the clock!

Time, however, has taken its toll on the Causeway Bridge and in 2008, the Richmond office of the American Bridge Company was given a $68.7 million contract instructed to replacement bridges scheduled for completion in November 2009. The shorter of these bridges, the Marsh Island Connector, will access Marsh Island at the same place as the present Black Narrows Bridge.

The longer bridge will extend from the west side of Black Narrows at VA-175 and continue north and east to the intersection of Main Street and Maddox Boulevard. It's been planned to relieve the enormous traffic congestion which builds up around the Chincoteague Fire Department. Although it’s a two-lane bridge, the lanes are wider than those of the Chincoteague Channel and Black Narrow Bridges, which no longer meet safety standards.

Both the older bridges, after nearly seven decades, will be taken down when the new bridge is opened. For many of the residents of Chincoteague, losing those bridges will be like losing old friends with whom they spent some of the happiest hours of their lives!