Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Special Event

Greetings from Chincoteague Island! The following Press Release concerns a vitally important issue to all who know and love Chincoteague Island.

News Release
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 62
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: March 22, 2010
Contact: Lou Hinds, Refuge Manager Phone: 757-336-6122


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Unveils Results of Yearlong Alternative Transportation Study
Public Invited to Attend Meeting on April 6

Refuge Manager Lou Hinds invites everyone to join him on April 6 at 6:00 PM in the Chincoteague Community Center for a presentation on the results of the Alternative Transportation Study conducted by the Volpe Center.

For the past year, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and its partners have been working with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center to complete this study. The purpose of the study was to objectively analyze different ways to address transportation problems -- including beach access, traffic, and parking.

The study results being presented on April 6th will include ideas and comments gathered from previous public meetings, as well as analysis of data and information about traffic, transportation, and other factors.

“We want those in attendance to learn more about the unbiased, well-rounded, and well thought out set of alternatives that were developed by the Volpe Center,” Lou Hinds exclaimed. “However, no decisions will be made that night to choose one alternative over another. We will only be presenting the findings of the study.”

The studies alternatives will provide suggestions for improving traffic flow from pedestrians, private cars, bicycles, and commercial buses. Based upon public input as well as experience and expertise, the study’s alternatives will drive the Refuge’s future decisions as it works through the development of its Comprehensive Conservation Plan.

For more information visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco or contact Lou Hinds, at 757-336-6122.



-End-

Chincoteague Spring Checklist

Are you Prepared for Chincoteague Spring? Review this Checklist to Find Out

Are you prepared for springtime in Chincoteague? It can often roll right in if you aren’t paying attention. Then you may find you have too much work to do for you to fully enjoy it. You don’t want to take that route though because there is plenty of fun to be experienced in the spring time as well. Find that balance so you can make the most of this wonderful time of year.

There are other things on a personal level that can happen in the spring as well. For example if you want to go to the beach over the summer this is a perfect time for you to start a good eating plan and exercising more. Then you will be ready when summer is there instead of in a panic about it.

Cleaning very thoroughly is a huge part of the spring regiment for many households. Come up with a good way to get this done. If it seems like too much then make a plan to tackle one element at a time. Getting started is often the hardest part of it all. Once you find that motivation it will move along quickly. Focus on the end result instead of what you are doing and it will be less tiresome.

What does your yard look like as spring approaches? Hopefully it is offering you some spectacular looking flowers that you planted the previous year. If so, enjoy them to the fullest and bring some of them in the house to display as well. There are plenty of great ones you can plant in the spring too so think about doing that. It doesn’t take very much to get a garden area in place.

The sunlight feels good, especially after so many days of cold weather over the winter. Yet you have to make sure you don’t spend too much time outdoors in the spring though without drinking enough water. You need to stay well hydrated so don’t overlook that need. You also need to wear sunscreen to protect yourself. Wear long sleeves and a hat if you will be outdoors for extended periods of time in the summer.

Not everyone looks forward to the spring time though due to the onset of their allergies. The reminders of the suffering that has occurred in the past is something they aren’t looking forward to. Instead of waiting for allergies to attack though hit them head on. Explore the different treatment options out there so that you can find something worth taking. Some of them do have side effects that you will want to avoid. It can take some time to find the right product but don’t give up.

If you are well prepared for these aspects of spring then it will be a great time of year for you. There may be other things you want to add to your checklist as well that will work for you and your family.

One final item you will certainly want to add to your Chincoteague Spring Checklist is to attend two really great Festivals on Chincoteague Island. The Chincoteague Easter Decoy & Art Festival is held April 2 & 3, 2010. This fabulous event now in it’s 31st year is held at the Chincoteague Combined School. For more info. www.ChincoteagueDecoyShow.com

The second fantastic “must attend” event is the Chincoteague Daffodil Festival on April 10th & 11th at the Chincoteague Center. The Daffodil Festival is the Shore’s only annual Flower, Home, Garden and Spring Art & Craft Marketplace. To learn more and to pick up some discount coupons please visit www.ChincoteagueDaffodilFestival.com

A visit to Chincoteague on the weekend of April 10th & 11th brings the added benefit of the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll…too much fun!

Chincoteague - Last Day of Winter

HAPPY LAST DAY OF WINTER!!!
We welcome spring in tomorrow at 1:32 p.m. Yeah!! Put away the snow shovels and wool sweaters. We hope……
Get out and enjoy your first spring weekend of 2010. Lots to do…from reptiles to shamrocks to talks on cemeteries…we have it all. Please also find attached a flyer from National Park Service about a program on Saturday.

OUT & ABOUT

March 19: Basket & Handbag Bingo---PASSS will sponsor Longaberger/Vera Bradley bingo at CHS at 7:00 p.m. Doors open 6:00 p.m. Raffles, special games, food!! Help a good cause. 757-336-6285.
March 20: “In Search of Shamrocks”, an Irish themed scavenger hunt, with the Historic Main Street Merchants beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pick up a playing card at participating merchants displaying the shamrock. Visit www.chincoteaguemerchants.org for complete details.

March 20: Saturday at the Refuge from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.—Speaker will be Gary Turnquist on the “Cemeteries on Assateague & Chincoteague Islands”. Sponsored by Chincoteague Natural History Association and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Free to Public. Tea & Cookies follow.

March 20: Reptile Festival at the Delmarva Discovery Center: delmarvadiscoverycenter.org
Native Reptile Exhibit 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Reptiles Alive,LLC shows at 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m.
Birthday Party Raffle and Oyster Shell Art Demo with Jenny Somers from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 21: Native Herptile Lecture at the Delmarva Discovery Center at 10:00 a.m.

March 20: Guitarist Stephen Bennett to perform at historic Cokesbury Methodist Church in Onancock at 8:00 p.m. Visit www.acesva.org for ticket information.

March 20: Woodcock Wander at 7:00 p.m. at entrance to Wildlife Loop. Bring flashlight and dress warmly. Cancelled if rains.

March 22: Supervisor Wanda Thornton and Mayor Jack Tarr will hold quarterly meeting to include updates on beach parking, budget, and other topics at 7:00 p.m. in Chincoteague Council Chambers. Public invited to come with questions.

March 23: Hospice Grief Support Program from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. 6309 Church St.

March 26 & 27: The Best of Bobby Swain…a Retrospective of his Art at Onancock School. Email info@onancockschool.org for ticket information. Proceeds to benefit “Friends of Onancock School”

March 27: Breakfast Buffet with the Easter Bunny from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue, 10071 Atlantic Rd. Call 757-824-0505 for ticket info. Food, pictures, egg hunt.

March 27: Celtic band Poisoned Dwarf from Williamsburg will perform traditional Irish music with acoustic instruments only at the Chincoteague Senior Center at 7:s0 p.m.

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

MERCHANTS: SEND US YOUR NEWS…. In an effort to let folks know “What’s Up With You”, we will be including a segment in Out & About on what’s new in the business world of Chincoteague Island. General info only…no coupons or discounts please. Format: Name of Business….short phrase or sentence. Limit all to one line of text.
Example: ABC Business….just received a new line of product. Check it out! Send to chincochamber@verizon.net. News must reach me by noon Wednesday to be included in the current week’s Out & About.

PLEASE POST EASTER DECOY & ART FESTIVAL (APRIL 2 & 3) ON OUTDOOR SIGNS, WEBSITES, BULLETIN BOARDS OR ANYWHERE ELSE VISIBLE. LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED FLYERS IN YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE SHOW AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO DELIVER IF YOU CANNOT GET BY THE CHAMBER. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF CHAMBER EVENTS!!

Seafood Festival Tickets on sale now at the Chincoteague Chamber, Waterside Inn, Shore Bank and PNC Bank.



Evelyn
Evelyn Shotwell
Office Manager
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

The Chincoteague Fog

From: Evelyn Shotwell
Date: 3/12/2010 1:10:12 PM
To: Evelyn Shotwell
Subject: OUT & ABOUT





Hi All,
I don’t think the fog could get much thicker! Nice day to cuddle by the fire with a book and cup of hot chocolate. There is hope, however, for brighter, warmer days ahead.....a flock of robins were enjoying worms on the chamber lawn just recently. They were big and plump and chirping very loudly proclaiming spring to be close at hand! I hope they are right!!

OUT & ABOUT

March 14: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS at 2:00 a.m. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead (spring forward) one hour before going to bed on Saturday night!

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

March 20: FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

March 20: “In Search of Shamrocks”, an Irish themed scavenger hunt, with the Historic Main Street Merchants beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pick up a playing card at participating merchants displaying the shamrock and enjoy your hunt for the pot of gold. Visit www.chincoteaguemerchants.org for complete details.

March 20: Saturday at the Refuge from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.—Speaker will be Gary Turnquist on the “Cemeteries on Assateague & Chincoteague Islands”. Sponsored by Chincoteague Natural History Association and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Free to Public. Tea & Cookies follow.

March 20: Reptiles Alive! At the Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke City MD—Presentations at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Visit www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org for more fun events.

March 20: Guitarist Stephen Bennett to perform at historic Cokesbury Methodist Church in Onancock at 8:00 p.m. Visit www.acesva.org for ticket information.

March 20: Cabaret Series Eastern Shore’s Own Art Center—Stump Hole Water—show starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.esoartscenter.org for more details.

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



Seafood Festival Tickets on sale now at the Chincoteague Chamber, Waterside Inn, Shore Bank and PNC Bank.


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




Evelyn
Evelyn Shotwell
Office Manager
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce

Chincoteague Island- more, more, more!

Chincoteague Island – more, more more!

Greetings from a gradually warming Chincoteague Island, Virginia!

Much to do this weekend and here is Evelyn Shotwell’s ‘to do’ list from her vantage point at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. It's all yours Evelyn!
The Chincoteague Insider






Hi all,
Finally, I send you greetings without a snow forecast in the picture! We will experience a virtual heat wave by Sunday if all the weathermen are correct in their predictions. Sunshine today just makes you feel better all over! March roared in with an exciting list of “happenings” in Chincoteague and throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Take advantage of all that you can….


OUT & ABOUT

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

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

March 6-7: Special local resident rates weekend at the Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke City MD. Show driver’s license to receive discount. Come experience Delmarva……
Watershed Game: Saturday 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Plankton Craft Activity: Saturday at 12 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Bird Carving Demonstration: Ernie Muehlmatt—Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

March 8: Watch Chincoteague on the TODAY SHOW. Eastern Shore of VA Tourism Commission announces the Today Show is scheduled to present a travel segment on family friendly vacations that will spotlight Chincoteague & Assateague Islands. The coverage is estimated to reach 5 million people and has an advertising value of approximately $225,000 according to Virginia Tourism Corporation data. To read more about tourism on the Eastern Shore of Virginia visit www.esvatourism.org to view their eNewsletter. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on “Eastern Shore Tourism Industry Partners”…Click on General Info tab….click on Tourist ENews.

March 10: US Coast Guard Open House to provide opportunity for mariners to meet the locally based federal and state law enforcement officers, ask questions, and learn about new and exciting regulations. Held in Tarr Hall on the Chincoteague Coast Guard Base, South Main Street at 6:30 p.m.

March 11: Anticipated launch of a suborbital rocket from Wallops Flight Facility. The window is 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and backup days are March 12 & 13. For updates on launch status, call 757-824-2050, or visit www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops or http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast.

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

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

Seafood Festival Tickets on sale now at the Chincoteague Chamber, Waterside Inn, Shore Bank and PNC Bank.

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

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

Is your Chincoteague Island Ready for Spring?

Is your Chincoteague Island Garden Ready for Spring – Give it a Facelift

With the Annual Chincoteague Daffodil Festival just over a month away, the Chincoteague Insider is getting itchy for Springtime, warmer weather and gardening.
The Chincoteague Daffodil Festival will be held April 10th & 11th, 2010 at the beautiful Chincoteague Center. The Daffodil Festival is the Eastern Shore of Virginia's only Flower, Home, Garden and Spring Art & Craft Marketplace. To learn more about this amazing event please visit http://www.ChincoteagueDaffodilFestival.com.

Now, let's talk about your Chincoteague Island Garden.

Your garden is likely one of the things you cherish about your home. It is a great place to relax, to feel like you have accomplished something after you work in it, and to be able to see the lovely flowers bloom when it is time. Getting your garden ready for spring can be time consuming, but also worth all the time you spend on it.

After a while you may discover that your garden area could really use a facelift. It is important to pay attention to this though. Otherwise you may risk your flowers not growing like they should. Perhaps you wish that your garden was in another area of the yard or that it was bigger. Instead of just thinking about it you should make a plan of action so that it can be accomplished.

You may have seen some new types of flowers that you would like to plant for the spring. Perhaps you are tried of the colors that are coming up so you want to replace them with something new. The great thing about having your own garden is that you do have the flexibility to change when you want to. It is your unique area for you to be creative with. You do need to have an idea of the direction you are going with it though in order to complete a springtime facelift.

Having a garden can also be a learning process. Instead of focusing on what didn’t work for you last year, focus on how you can make it better this year. If you have been using pesticides or herbicides then now is the time to make a pledge to use only organic materials in it. This is better for the environment and you will still get very nice flowers to grow from such methods.

The job of giving your garden a facelift in the spring time may initially seem very difficult. However, when you start to work on it you will find that you are enjoying it. Being outside in the spring is a great way to rejuvenate both the body and the mind. Working in the garden can help you to reduce stress as well.

The choices you make with your garden are going to influence the beauty of your landscaping. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas to see how they work for you. If they do then that is great. If they don’t then you can make additional changes down the road. Have fun with your garden instead of seeing it as work and you will find that you are motivated to work in it during the spring.

Chincoteague Island- Springtime tips for homeowners

Chincoteague Island - Springtime tips for homeowners

Owning your home is a huge accomplishment and one that most people are very proud of. Due to the busy schedules we all have though there may be things inside of your home as well as around the yard that don’t get the attention they need. Spring is the perfect time of year to spend taking care of all of them.

Making a list of what needs to be accomplished is the best place to start. Then you can start to tackle different things on the list until they are all done. You should reflect on what you have accomplished so that you will stay motivated to finish. Not all of the jobs we have to do in the spring time are fun but they can be rewarding.

For example when you sit down on your porch swing you will love being able to see how lovely your yard looks. You won’t be seeing the fence that is broken or needs painting anymore as it has now been taken care of. When the home is well cleaned and the yard is in shape then you will be able to view home as your safe haven. It will be your palace where you can relax.

Your home and your yard should also be places to have fun. They don’t need to be kept like a museum. Encourage your children to express their talents in the home such as by displaying various crafts for the springtime. They should also have lots of room to run and play in the yard.

Making improvements to your home may be on your list, but you have been putting them off due to the cost. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to cost very much to make positive changes. Adding a coat of paint to the walls or brightening up a room by purchasing new curtains is very easy and cost effective.

Shop for used items too online or locally at second hand stores. You may find great items that you can display in your home or in your yard. Art for the walls is a nice way to bring in spring. A statue or other décor for the yard can also be a great way to enhance it too.

You can cut back on electricity too by allowing the sun to shine in the home and leaving the lights off. That natural sunlight can also make you feel better by improving your mood. While you can’t always to outside you can open the windows and also let the cool air come in. This is a great way to benefit from spring and to treat your mind and body as well.

For more tips on how to prepare you home or vacation rental for the coming season, be sure to attend the Annual Chincoteague Daffodil Festival at the Chincoteague Center on April 10th & 11th, 2010. The Daffodil Festival is the Eastern Shore of Virginia's only Flower, Home, Garden and Spring Art & Craft Marketplace. For more information and discount coupons, please visit http://www.Chincoteaguedaffodilfestival.com