Chincoteague Island Gets "10 Best" Nomination

(WESR/Shore Daily News)
View article:
https://shoredailynews.com/headlines/chincoteague-island-nominated-best-coastal-small-town-in-usa-todays-10best/

Oyster Festival 2012- Chincoteague Island, Virginia

Chincoteague Island Police Department "Ride For Kids"

~Starts at Stingray's north of Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and ends at Don's Seafood on Chincoteague with auction and block party featuring the band Bigger Dreams~

87th Chincoteague Island Pony Penning ~ 2012

The first foal to step ashore during the 2012 Chincogeague Island Pony Penning was crowned King Neptune.  He wore the number 53 on the tag around his neck.  I couldn't find him in penned area on the Chincoteague grounds.  But that little guy raised over $5,800 for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

Not only could I not find him the firemen and Saltwater Cowboys  couldn't seem to get him to appear on stage at the carnival grounds. But lucky KaylaJo McDanolds didn't seem to care when Denise called the winning number.  So, unless KaylaJo  decides to give King Neptune back to the fire department this little foal will travel to Bangor, Pennsylvania to live.

Chincoteague Pony Penning began 87 years ago (1925) as a way to raise money for new firefighting equipment.  It is part of the tradition to hold the auction of the ponies the following day of their arrival to the carnival grounds.


Pony Penning auction for 2012 raised over $90,000 for the Chincoteague Vol. Fire Company.  Of the sixtyseven ponies bought Thursday morning at the auction eight were "buy-back" ponies.  These ponies are re-released to live with the herd on Assateague.

Finally, today, following tradition, the Saltwater Cowboys will round up the remaining ponies from the carnival grounds and herd them down the streets to Assateague Channel where they make their swim back to their home. 

I've lived on the Eastern Shore all my life and have never witnessed a Pony Penning but I have been to their return.  I'm sure there's less hoopla and fanfare on returning day  but nonetheless exciting to see.  Whether you want to see the actual swim back or just The Saltwater Cowboys herd them down Main Street and around the corner to the channel it's still awesome.  In fact, you can sit right across the street from the carnival grounds and watch them leave. 

The pony return will be today around 10:00 a.m. - depending on slack tide.

Even though the ponies are gone from the carnival grounds until next year there is still another tradition in full swing on Chincoteague Island!  The carnival!

There's still a few more days left!!

Early Pony Swim...

According to Suzanne Taylor of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, the ponies are expected to make their swim Wednesday morning between 8:30 and 9:30 am. The Chincoteague Fire Company's salt water cowboys allow the ponies to rest and make sure the tide has stopped running completely before herding them across the channel.

As is customary the ponies will then be herded to the carnival grounds where they will rest and receive medical treatment before Thursday morning's auction. WESR will have live reports from the swim on Wednesday and Thursday's auction.

Parking will be very limited at the event and those who are headed to watch the annual event are encouraged to park at the High School and ride a bus to Tom's Cove. The Chincoteague Trolley will also be operating throughout the island.

The Chincotegue Volunteer Fireman's Carnival will be open during the day of the swim and the auction and will open evenings through Saturday night this week and will open for their final weekend Augut 2, 3 and 4.

Source:

25th Annual Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival

Chincoteague Island Easter Decoy & Art

33^rd Annual Easter Decoy

 & Art Festival

April 6 & 7, 2012
Friday, April 6   Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 7     9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 7  Auction  7:30 p.m.
Chincoteague Combined School
4586 Main St.
Chincoteague Island, VA  23336
Local and national carvers and artists of all kinds exhibit and sell their works.  Awards are given in various categories.  Wooden Easter Eggs decorated by the exhibitors are offered in a silent auction.  A live auction of donated works at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening caps off the weekend. 
Admission to the show is $3.00 per day.
(children under 12 are free--no admission to auction)

757-336-6161
Fax: 757-336-1242
Email: mailto:+chincochamber@verizon.net
http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/

Meet the Exhibitors
    (updated as applications come in)

 2012 CARVERS

Michael & karla adcocK
vic & ellen berg

Roy BOHN

bob booth

jimmy bowden

KATHY BOYLE

DALE BUFFINGTON

MATT BURTON
lisa byrd

jay & lilly cherrix

bill cowen

billy crockett

JENNIFER DAISEY

harry danforth

rocky detwiler

shannon dimmig
lou doughty

RUSSELL FISH

robert gray

bill hickson

james johnson

ed kuhn

matt mason sr.

cork mcgee

ron rosciszewski

ronnie stevens

bill veasey

michael veasey

ARNOLD O. WEBER

RAY WHETZEL

Ryan wooster

2012 artists


denise bennett

grover cantwell jr.

SHIRL' EKLUND

pat ellison

sarah grangier

janet hong
mary jager

C. jean ketner-loeffert

JAMES KINNETT

carl "spike" knuth

ellen lawler

tina mccloud

NANCY MITCHELL

jenny somers

rose tayloR

donnie thornton

richard toft

mary LOU
TROUTMAN

ARNOLD O. WEBER

nancy richards wesT

susan wheeler

2012 PHOTOGRAPHERS, JEWELERS,
BASKET WEAVERS,
STAINED GLASS ARTISANS
         & OTHERS
DEBBIE AGATE-PHOTOGRAPHY, NOTECARDS, "SANDY THE SEAHORSE SAVES THE DAY" BOOK

PAMELA ALTON-NECKLACES, BRACELETS, EARRINGS, PENDANTS MADE WITH SHELLS/BEADS

MOHAMMED ATTIAH--AFRICAN HANDMADE BASKETS

DENISE BENNETT--NOTE CARDS, UPCYCLED WINE BOTTLES, JEWELRY, ETC.
KATHY BOYLE-BRONZE, SILVER & SEA GLASS JEWELRY, ORNAMENTS & PINS

SCOTT BUSH--NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOPRINTS

KEN CONGER--PHOTOGRAPHY
HARRY DANFORTH-NATURE PHOTOS

JOAN DEVANEY--HANDMADE GLASS ORNAMENTS & PENDANTS, MANY WITH NAUTICAL DESIGNS

LOU DOUGHTY-MODEL BOATS

LAURA ELLISON--RESIN JEWELRY

KEVIN FLEMING--WILDLIFE/LANDSCAPE/NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS

DIAMOND FRANDSEN/DEBRA SIMPSON-HANDWOVEN OAK BASKETS, FELT & WOOL ITEMS

IRIS & JOHN GASSER-CLOTHING, YARN, RUGS, PLACEMATS MADE FROM ALPACA & LLAMA WOOL

CAROLINE HERSHEY-CARODAN FARM WOOL SHOP

RON HUGO-DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, LIMITED EDITION PRINTS & FRAMED PRINTS

JOHN INTO & NANCY PRICE--MODEL BOATS

RUTH ANN LUDLAM-NECKLACES, BRACELETS, EARRINGS USING SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
TINA MCCLOUD-PHOTOGRAPHY, JEWELRY, SCARVES

MILLY'S ORGANICS-HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSINGS

NANCY MITCHELL-GREETING CARDS, PHOTOS

STEPHEN MOORE-PHOTOGRAPHY

CARSON & BONNIE RILEY-SEA GLASS JEWELRY, CRAFTS & BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY

BARBARA RITTER-CARVING SUPPLIES & BOOKS

MARIE "MINT" SCHLIEF--STERLING & GOLD FILLED WIRE WRAPPED SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE JEWELRY

ROSE TAYLOR-PHOTOGRAPHY

JOHN & CINDA WALLS-CARVING SUPPLIES

JIM WARREN-METAL & STONE JEWELRY
MARIANNE WARREN--HERBAL SOAPS & LOTIONS

 DIANNE WEBER--PHOTOGRAPHER

Chincoteague Legion Post To Hold Memorial Day Service

On Monday, May 30, a Memorial Day service will be held at Chincoteague Post 159 beginning at 10 a.m.

Guest speaker is Chincoteague Council-man and former director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, John Nelson Jester Jr.

Music will be provided by the Chincoteague High School Band.

All veterans, relatives and friends of living and deceased veterans and the local community are invited to attend.

Chincoteague Seafood Festival

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011 NOON TO 4:00 P.M.

CHINCOTEAGUE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Sponsored by

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

TOM’S COVE PARK, CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, VA

Tickets available at the chamber office at 6733 Maddox Blvd., online @ www.chincoteaguechamber.com  , or at these outlets:
Shore Bank Branches in Cape Charles, Exmore, Parksley, Onley, Chincoteague,  
Pocomoke & South Salisbury
PNC Bank Branches in Onley, Oak Hall, Chincoteague, & Belle Haven
Tom's Cove Park

All sales final. No refunds.

Student Participation Wanted In Designing Duck Stamp

ASSATEAGUE -- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge invites students K-12 attending public, private, or home schools to participate in the 2010 Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest.

"The competition is an art-based educational program that allows students to participate in a nationwide waterfowl arts competition. The process also exposes students to the nation's wealth of migratory waterfowl and motivates students to take active roles in conserving these species," said Virginia Junior Duck Stamp Program coordinator, Aubrey Hall.

Hall also emphasized that "the program is meant to be a fun journey into the world of waterfowl. The artistic skill level of the students is not the focus of the contest. Not only do we want artwork from all children, we enjoy seeing the variety of pictures that the students produce."

All students entering the state contest will receive a certificate of participation. Entries may also receive prizes or honorable mention ribbons. The State Best of Show will represent Virginia in the national competition. National awards include a complimentary trip to the First Day of Duck Stamp Sales Ceremony in Washing-ton, D.C. and a monetary award.

Participants select a bird from a list of native North American waterfowl. Other design guidelines include, but are not limited to: a size of 9"x12"; horizontal orientation; and the absence of lettering, words, or signatures on the front of the design. For more information, contact refuge staff or explore the Federal Duck Stamp website www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

Entries must be mailed to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 62, Chincoteague, Va. 23336 and postmarked by midnight, March 15. Judging will occur Friday, March 19.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. It is both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals commitment to public service. For more information on its work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

www.easternshorenews.com

Hundreds Say Their Goodbyes To Firefighter "Hal" Clark

CHINCOTEAGUE -- At 1:58 p.m. Friday, the final alarm was sounded for volunteer firefighter Hal Clark, 54, who died in the line of duty Sept. 24.

Upward of 450 people, including scores of firefighters and rescue workers from Virginia, Maryland and Delaware and some three dozen American Legion Riders, gathered Friday at Union Baptist Church on Chincoteague for funeral services for Clark, who died at Peninsula Regional Medical Center after taking ill while fighting a raging brush and woods fire near New Church.

His death was the first line of duty death on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in a decade.

Clark was president of Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company and was a lifetime member of both Atlantic and Chincoteague volunteer fire companies.

Clark was remembered as one of "a very special breed of people" -- firefighters -- who "charge in where angels fear to tread" in a eulogy given by the Rev. Bob Reese, who officiated along with the Rev. Maurice Enright.

"Hal died liked he lived -- loving, helping others," Reese said.

Enright said Clark will be remembered as "the mechanic, the carpenter, the 'Mr. Fix-it,' the cook -- there was so much he could do and so much he would do" for those in the community, such as the time when he and fellow firefighters built a wheelchair ramp at the house of an Atlantic man who needed one.

Among the many charitable deeds Clark was known for were cooking at the annual Chincoteague Volunteer Firemen's Carnival and transporting drinking water to the Chincoteague ponies when they needed it during the hot summers, Enright said.

Despite his own grief after tragically losing his son, Todd, in an accident 11 years ago, Clark continued to give to the community, both as a firefighter and in many other ways, the minister said.

After the 45-minute service concluded, Clark's flag-draped casket was carried atop Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Engine 4-5, preceded by a single motorcycle rider, in a funeral procession that wound its way 12 miles across the Chincoteague causeway from the church to the John W. Taylor Cemetery in Temperanceville.

The procession -- which included dozens of firetrucks and ambulances draped in black bunting along with police cars, government agency vehicles and private cars -- left Chincoteague Island under an arch created by the crossed ladders of two fire trucks parked at the foot of the drawbridge, one from Chincoteague and one from Salisbury, with a large American flag hanging from the apex.

Fire and rescue departments represented in the procession came from as far away as Greensboro, Md., Ocean City and Dagsboro to the north and Virginia Beach and Hampton to the south.

A crowd including many families with small children and people standing respectfully at attention gathered at the intersection of Chincoteague and Atlantic roads to watch the procession pass by, a process that took some 20 minutes.

Clark was laid to rest at the cemetery with full firefighter honors.

www.delmarvanow.com

Summer Cinema Series Continues On Chincoteague

The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance

Invites you to its second annual Summer Cinema Series of free movies shown outdoors and on the big screen in the downtown waterfront Robert Reed Park.

The series continues this Thursday night - August 5 - with a showing of "The Sting" at 9 o'clock.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for an entertaining evening with family and friends. Old-time refreshments at old-fashioned prices will be available with proceeds going to its school scholarship fund.

PONY PENNING: Pony Auction

I'll just bet there were lots of happy, smiling faces yesterday after the 85th Pony Penning Auction. And some droopy sad faces too coming from those not lucky enough with their bidding. Bidding has to be hard work when you want a Chincoteague pony to take home for your very own.
Today families will back their trailers up to the tiny stables that the ponies have been tenderly tucked into over night and load their "next best friend" to take them to a new home.

The remaining ponies will be returned to Assateague Island today. The return trip is just the reverse for them. Some of them have made the trek to the main land before so going home should be rather easy. It's on the quiet island of Assateague that the ponies will be able to roam and graze and occasionally look at the people going by.

I'm wondering if the pony going to a new home has any thoughts.

PONY PENNING: Pony Auction Go here for some wonderful photos

85th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim - July 28, 2010

The 85th Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning is set to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, July 28th. The Ponies will hit the water after 10:00 AM at dead low tide.

This year, the town is providing a free shuttle service for people wishing to attend the swim. The departures will being at 5:00 AM at Chincoteague High School on July 28th. There are various shuttle stops for all who are staying on the island already in hotels and campgrounds. The shuttles will be wheelchair accessible and will run continuously until the pony swim ends.

According to lore, the Assateague Ponies swam to shore when the Spanish Galleon carrying them was shipwrecked. However, after research was completed it is more likely they were simply turned free by settlers. The Penning was originally for livestock owners to claim, brand, break and harness their loose herds. By the 1700's it had become an annual event, complete with festivities for entire community, according to the Chincoteague Pony Penning Website. The first known documentation of the Pony Penning was a pamphlet printed in 1835.

Following the swim will be the Pony Auction. The auctioneer for the even will be Tim Jennings. At last year's Pony Auction, 65 horses were sold, or folds as they are referred, raising $94,100 for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. 5 ponies were "bought back" in last year's auction. "Buy backs" are ponies which are purchased at auction and then returned to the heard on Assateague Island. Several "buy back" groups exist such as Feathered Friends and the Buy Back Babes. Traditionally, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival has ended the Saturday after the Pony Swim. However, this year Chincoteague's Carnival will run until Saturday, August 7th.

More Information History of the Pony Penning
http://www.shoredailynews.com/

Assateague Lighthouse Undergoing Renovations

CHINCOTEAGUE -- The historic Assateague Lighthouse is undergoing renovations after serving as a beacon for more than 100 years.

After ownership of the building passed from the U.S. Coast Guard to the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2004, a $1.5 million, multi-phase restoration project began. The lower gallery deck has already been replaced, allowing visitors to walk on the deck -- approximately 130 feet in the air -- for the first time.

The second phase in the restoration project involved removing and replacing the glass windows at the top of the lighthouse to seal water leaks.

Funded largely by grants and entrance fees visitors pay to climb the lighthouse, these two projects together cost almost $400,000.

Now, fundraising for the remaining phases of the lighthouse restoration is under way. These include replacing the rest of the lighthouse windows, recentering the stairwell, renovating the upper gallery deck and eventually giving the lighthouse a new coat of paint.

"We don't want to change the fabric of the building, but we want to make sure it can withstand visitors going up," said Refuge Manager Lou Hinds.

Because the lighthouse is a registered historical structure, restoration efforts are being overseen by a Virginia historical official "to ensure the work is correct," Hinds said.

International Chimney Corporation is now working to replace the windows, which are bowing out due to pressure exerted by the wrought iron frames that are expanding as they rust.

"If we don't take steps fairly quickly, additional windows will break, and that is a loss because some of those are original windows," said Hinds.

The Chincoteague Natural History Association is working on a capital campaign to raise funds for the continued restoration of the lighthouse. The association "wanted to be involved in the restoration of the lighthouse, so they began saving money many years ago. That's what's given us such a great start on the restoration," Hinds said.

The CNHA leads tours of the lighthouse, and this summer, five interns from as far away as California have been employed to help.

"Our interns this summer are ... relaying the cultural importance of the lighthouse," said Park Ranger Melissa Perez. "They'll be ... explaining why we're doing what we're doing with the restoration."


She hopes the tours will gives visitors a deeper appreciation for what the lighthouse symbolizes, rather than a single-minded goal of climbing the 198 steps to the top -- although the view of the island from 142 feet is breathtaking.

Perez said education is an important step in gaining public support for the CNHA's capital campaign, and Hinds agreed that "it's the community's lighthouse ... so having community support is important."

The CNHA is currently working with the Curtis Group, a Virginia Beach-based organization that aids in nonprofit fundraising, to survey the public about attitudes regarding the lighthouse and restoration "to find out what fundraising approaches will work best," said CNHA Executive Director Beth Hanback. The CNHA aims to raise $1.5 million for the restoration project and to establish an endowment fund for the future maintenance of the lighthouse.

In addition to the study, which Hanback hopes will be completed in three to five weeks, the CNHA is working to plan events including National Lighthouse Appreciation Day on Aug. 7 and a lighthouse benefit concert on Oct. 2.

The timeframe for the remainder of the restoration project depends on funds received. The final step of the process will be stripping the lighthouse of its old, lead-based paint and applying a new coat.

"Literally the icing on the cake is going to be when the lighthouse is repainted," Hanback said.

The lighthouse was completed in 1867 and had six keepers until the lens was converted to electric operation in 1933. The Coast Guard still operates the lens.

Visitors can go inside the lighthouse Thursday through Monday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. -- but those wishing to climb to the top should arrive by 2:30 p.m. Adults pay $4 to climb, and children under 12 pay $2. All entrance fees contribute to restoration efforts.

Anyone wishing to donate to the restoration project can send checks to the Assateague Lighthouse Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 917, Chincoteague, Va. 23336. Call the CNHA at 757-336-3696 for more information.

"In the end, it takes the public and donations from the public ... to help us achieve our goal of complete restoration," Hinds said.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/

Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival Opens For Its 85th Year

The Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival opened this evening with opening ceremonies held at 7 p.m. on the carnival grounds.


The carnival will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. Saturday night there will be fireworks in celebration of our nation's birthday. Since July the Fourth falls on a Sunday, the fireworks will go off at 10 p.m. in front of the carnival grounds.

There will be no parking at the carnival grounds on July 3, Saturday. The island's Pony Express will be available for free starting at 5 p.m. The Pony Express will shuttle visitors to the carnival grounds from Chincoteague High School and from stops on Main Street, south of Church Street.

The shuttle service from the high school will start at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The shuttles will be available after the fireworks to get visitos back to the high school and stops along Main Street.

The carnival will be open the first three days from 7 to 11 p.m.

Open dates for this year's carnival are July 1-3, July 9-10, July 16-17, July 23-24 and July 26-31. The carnival will also be open Aug. 6-7,

This year's world famous Pony Swim will take place July 28 and the Pony Auction will be held July 29.

This is the 85th annual Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival and everyone is invited to enjoy the food, fun, rides and games.

www.easternshorenews.com

Fee Increases To Get On Beach

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the daily entrance fee to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will increase from $5 to $8 on July 1. The price of the weekly, refuge annual, interagency annual and senior passes will not change. All passes are accepted at both ends of Assateague Island.

The additional revenue will be used to offset the maintenance costs of beach parking facilities and safety services on the Virginia end of Assateague Island National Seashore, as well as additional costs of visitor service projects.

Eighty percent of all money collected from the passes with the exception of the Federal Duck Stamp remains at the refuge to be used for visitor services and facility improvements. In 2009, the refuge utilized recreation fee dollars for repairs on the historic Assateague Lighthouse, annual maintenance of roads, trails, beach parking lots, visitor safety services (lifeguards), fee collection, and law enforcement support. These are some of the many projects that your fee dollars have provided.

www.dailynews.com

Second Saturday Art Stroll On Chincoteague

CHINCOTEAGUE — Take advantage of the warm June evening and come out for the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll, sponsored by the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, on Saturday, June 12 from 6-10 p.m. The participating shops and galleries have an array of special events in store this month. Most take place throughout the evening, unless specifically noted

Start the stroll at Threadgoodes on Main Street where Chincoteague’s own WCTG will be broadcasting live from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate Threadgoode’s second anniversary.

Next door, at Bayside Arts, watch a carving demonstration by Mark Pleasanton.

Bayside Arts also has an exhibit of Chincoteague scenes painted on elementary school bricks by Gary Taylor.

Then head over to Maddox Boulevard to continue the stroll. Island Cottage Collection features “By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea” paintings by ICC Gallery Artists, sea glass by Suzie Hazel, handmade jewelry by Laughing Dog Studio, homegrown herbal soaps and lotions by Marianne Warren, wind chime making by Sue Eyet and live music with Bill Troxler playing hammered dulcimer. Next door at Island Arts, Donnie Thornton demonstrates painting on feathers.

From there, stroll over to Church Street where the Linda Nerine Gallery features hand carved cedar, crocheted beaded jewelry, vintage fabric jackets and scarves and a baby boutique.

Back on Main Street, stop in at Island Butterfly and have a portrait sketched by local artist Tracey Taylor Arvidson. Stop next door at Wine, Cheese & More, which offers a tasting with wines from South Africa from 6-9 p.m. There is no charge but a donation to the CCA scholarship fund is appreciated. Then cross the street to visit Psychotronic Music and Beads, where Mia Weldon demonstrates glass bead making and DJ Michael stirs up the sounds of formative years. A few steps away, visit Flying Fish gallery and check out the hand blown glass fish in the octopus garden.
Go back across Main Street and visit the newest 2nd Saturday participating shop: Island Style. Then walk down to Sundial Books where local author Jim Carpenter will sign copies of “From Tears to Memories I and II,” his book about local gravesites, 6-8 p.m. Then head over to Cleveland Street. and visit Egret Moon Artworks for a demonstration of the art of Batik. Stop by and watch how hot wax, colorful dyes and a piece of material can change a life, 6-8 p.m. Back down on Main Street, the Kite Koop and Book Store features live and lively music and treats.

End the evening with the ever-popular 2ndS Soirée at aNopheles Blues. This month the Soirée celebrates the birthday of Weegee, king of the N.Y. 9 to 5(am) news photogs and the noir nobility. Dance to the Beat of Billie (Holiday). It’s proper to schmooze at aNoPheles Blues.

Keep in mind that while the shops and galleries listed above have special events scheduled this month, other members feature art, books, antiques and specialty foods in their shops and many provide special treats during the art stroll. These include the Bookhounds, Guinevere’s & Vintage Rose, the Osprey Nest Gallery and Ron Hugo Photography.

The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed to enhance community life by fostering and promoting the growth and vitality of arts and culture on Chincoteague Island and Delmarva’s Eastern Shore. Program support is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Town of Chincoteague. For more information, visit http://www.chincoteagueculturalalliance.org/ or call 757-336-5636.

www.easternshorenews.com

Your Thoughts Will Be Appreciated............

Please keep the family and many friends of Travis Birch in your hearts as they venture through the day bearing the difficult task of burying their loved one.

According to so many this was one wonderful young man who will be greatly missed on Chincoteague for a very long time...................

"Travis Birch Memorial Scholarship Fund"

CAR WASH

Saturday May 29, 2010

9 am until ?????

Hampton Inn and Suites

Main Street Chincoteague, VA.

If you would like to help contact Debra Holston

or Teena Baily

All monies raised will go towards the "Travis Birch Memorial Scholarship Fund"

"Blessing Of The Fleet" On Chincoteague

CHINCOTEAGUE -- The Chincoteague Island Charterboat Association is planning for the 14th annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, May 30, in Robert Reed Downtown Park. The event starts at 4 p.m.
This year's ceremony will feature an introduction of the colors by the U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard. The Rev. Kevin Eley of the Union Baptist Church will lead the group with prayers for those lost at sea and the Blessing of the Fleet.

A. J. Bowden will provide spiritual songs and lead the group in singing "God Bless America."

This year's ceremony will be a joint effort of the Charterboat Association and the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance.At 3 p.m., before the blessing, the alliance will present a concert, "Music At The Dock," featuring Bob Zentz. Zentz is a former member of the U.S. Coast Guard and sings from experience. He has performed on radio, television and concerts all over the United States.

After the Blessing of the Fleet, the participating boats will form a parade down the Chincoteague Channel led by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, ending up in Curtis Merritt Harbor. All boaters, recreational, commercial and others are welcome to bring their boat to the blessing and participate in the parade.

www.easternshorenews.com