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…

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.