OUT & ABOUT: Your weekly guide to what is happening on and around Chincoteague Island.
February is American Heart Month


Plan Your 2017 Chincoteague Island Getaway with the
Chincoteague Visitor's Guide & Membership Directory

Now available online at chincoteaguechamber.com or request a paper copy here  or  call  757-336-6161 .
49th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
 
Promote your business at the 2017 Chincoteague Seafood Festival on May 6th as a
"Friends of the Festival" Sponsor, Hospitality Vendor, or Arts & Crafts Vendor
Click here for application.  Deadline is March 24th.
Have You Seen...
...the two new landing pages just created at chincoteaguechamber.com?

No?  Then take a few minutes to view our new Tour Operators landing page with valuable information for tour groups and our  "I Do" page, when planning your most special day on beautiful Chincoteague Island.
Upcoming Activities

Feb 17-20 - 20th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Come observe & record species of birds and their numbers in the backyard bird garden of the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center. Learn more at  fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague

Feb 17
Steamed Shrimp & Clams Dinner. 5pm - 7pm. Chincoteague American Legion Post #159, 4023 Main Street. Carry out available after 6:30pm supplies permitting. Learn more.

Feb 17 - Winter Lecture Series -  Bayside vs. Seaside: Different Playing Fields. 6pm - 7pm. Presented by ESVA Historical Society & held at Onancock Baptist Church. Local award-winning writer CL Marshall will look at two local areas which are filled with fowl, but have diverse terrain. Free admission to members. $5 to not-yet members. Purchase tickets at 757-787-8012 or

Feb 17-18 - 11th Annual Death By Chocolate. Feb 17 4pm - 8pm. Feb 18 10am - 4pm. Prize Drawing on Feb 18 @ 4:30pm at Island Theatre. Playing cards can be picked up at any of the 28 participating businesses. Enjoy a chocolate delight and get your playing card validated.  Finish at the Waterside Inn for door prize registration. Contact Ruthann or Donna at 757-336-3434 for participating businesses & info. Sponsored by Historic Main Street Merchants. chincoteaguemerchants.com

Feb 18Pop Up Dinner.  6pm-9pm. Christ United Methodist Church, 6253 Church Street. Four course meal prepared by Pico Taqueria. 50 tickets available. Purchase tickets at Refuge Inn. All funds benefit Habitat for Humanity's Downing Project. For more information, visit facebook.com/picotaqueria

Feb 22 - Representative Scott Taylor Public Town Meeting. 6:30pm. Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa.

Feb 22Workshop: An Introduction to Essential Oils.  6pm. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. Learn about the history, abilities and place in everyday living of essential oils. Introduction style workshop with Lara Hubbard of Well Healthy Living. Make items to use & enjoy at home. $20 Fee. Register at www.shorehistory.org/ticketsales or call 757-787-8012.

Feb 23 - 2017 Missless Pageant presented by Chincoteague High School After Prom. Island Theatre. 7pm. Tickets $7/person. Refreshments for sale. Proceeds benefit After Prom 2017.

Feb 25The Future of Health Care Arrives.  7am. Grand Opening of the NEW Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital at 20480 Market Street, Onley, VA. Learn more at riversideonline.com/shore
 
Feb 25Cemetery Clean-Up.  9am-12pm. The Museum of Chincoteague Island is partnering with the Town Cemetery Committee to clean up the Christ Union Baptist Cemetery in honor of Black History Month. Bring hedge cutters, clippers, hand saws, rakes & protective clothing. Meet at cemetery on Willow St behind Carnival Grounds. Volunteers of all ages & abilities welcome! No RSVP necessary. Learn more by contacting, Maria Grenchik, Executive Director, Museum of Chincoteague Island at 757-336-6117 or museumofci@gmail.com.
 
Feb 25WaggaPalooza - Tump Dawgs United for a Dog Park.  1pm. A community fun event to bring awareness and raise funds to promote planning for a future dog park on Chincoteague Island. Events scheduled throughout the day include: Ugly Cake Contest, Island's Best Macaroni & Cheese Bake Off, Community Dog Show (2pm), McGruff the Crime Dog, Pet Photo Portraits, Kissing Booth, My Best Friend Dog Photo Contest Exhibit, Cupcakes for Pupsakes Sale, Silent Auction, In the Dog House Donations, Chow Down By The Pound To Go Service ($5/lb), Coffee & Cold Beverages & Vendors. Live music by The Salt Marsh Ramblers. Tickets $5/person. Limited seating, so ticket pre-purchase is recommended at Chincoteague Island Family YMCA, 6395 Maddox Blvd., Pause for Paws, 6378 Church Street, or Refuge Inn, 7058 Maddox Blvd. Held at The Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Drive. For more info, visit WaggaPalooza on Facebook or contact Donna at 757-990-1022.
 
Feb 25North Accomack Little League and Youth Football & Cheerleading Dinner and Auction.
Doors open at 5pm. Dinner at 6pm. Auction at 7pm. Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Firehouse, Main Street. Tickets are $25.  Tickets are available at H&H Pharmacy or thru Matthew Reed, Todd Tarr, Kevin Bell, Phil Hickman, & Craig McComb. 

For a complete list of upcoming events and details visit chincoteaguechamber.com/events
Save The Date

Apr 5 - Accomack-Northampton Regional Job Fair. 9am - 1pm. Eastern Shore Community College, Workforce Development Center, Melfa. Co-sponsored by Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Northampton County Chamber of Commerce & Virginia Employment Commission. Exhibitor applications available. Space limited. Advanced reservations required. Contact Sandra Johnson at 757-787-2460 info@esvachamber.org.


April 14-15  - 38th Annual Easter Decoy & Art Festival . Sponsored by Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Apr 14 - Noon-6pm. Apr 15 - 9am-4pm. Chincoteague Combined School. 4586 Main Street. Silent auctions; one of hand-painted and carved wooden Easter eggs and a Pre-Loved
Treasures, which will benefit the  Chincoteague Pony Drill Team. Vendor applications are still being accepted . View our  newly redesigned website.

Now accepting donations for Pre-Loved Treasures Auction.  It's never too early to start your Spring Cleaning!  Donations can be dropped off to the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Blvd., Mon-Sat 9am-4:30pm. Please include your name, mailing address and brief description of items.

May 6 - 49th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival. Learn more. "Friends of the Festival" sponsorship, hospitality and vendor applications are now being accepted. Click here for application.

Jun 23 - Opening Night of 92nd Annual Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival. Learn more.

Jul 26 & 27 - 92nd Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim & Auction. Learn more.

Oct 7 - 45th Annual Chincoteague Oyster Festival. Learn more.
Ongoing Activities
 
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility 
nasa.gov/centers/wallops/  Launch Info: 757-824-2050
Next Launch Window:  Apr 13-27.   Time: TBD.  Mission: Technology Development
Vehicle: Terrier-Improved Malemute   Type: Sub-orbital

NASA Visitor Center -  Open Tues-Sat 10am - 4pm   Free Admission 757-824-1344 
Gift Shop closed until March.
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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/   757-336-6122   Now thru March  Open 6am - 6pm
South OSV Zone is open to 4x4's w/ permit, pedestrians, and horseback. North OSV closed until March 15.
Herbert H. Bateman Center    Open 9am - 4pm
Bald Eagles Nest Updates - 3 eggs on the nest with expected hatch dates of Mar 7, 10 & 13. Visit the Herbert H. Bateman Center to view the new eagle cam! 
Chincoteague Natural History  Association      piping-plover.org      757-336-3696
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Assateague Island National Seashore  
nps.gov/asis/index.htm   757-336-6577 
Toms Cove Visitor Center   Open 9am - 4pm
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Chincoteague Bay Field Station
cbfieldstation.org      34001 Mill Dam Road, Wallops Island     757-824-5636 
Register for Spring Break & Summer Camps  is now open at: cbfieldstation.org/youth-camps
Register for summer internships and summer and travel courses happening now.
Register for summer college education classes. 
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Chincoteague Cultural Alliance Community Center for the Arts
chincoteagueculturalalliance.org   6309 Church Street   757-336-6117
Vendors - Now registering for 2nd Saturday Artful Flea, Chincoteague Island Farmers & Artisans Market. Holly Day Market and Wildlife Art Gallery sites. Call 717-495-7155 for more info.
Market Bags - Click here for info. Click here for order form.
Free Kids Art Classes - first Saturday of every month. 1pm
Feb 18-19 - Chincoteague Island Theatre Company - The Curious Savage. 7pm. Doors open 6:30pm. Tickets $10. Available at H&H Pharmacy, Sundial Books &  chincoteagueculturalalliance.org
Feb 24Chincoteague Story Telling Guild -  Refreshments at 6:30pm & Story Telling at 7pm. Free admission. In partnership with Chincoteague Island Library, Museum of Chincoteague Island, and Chincoteague Cultural Alliance.
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Chincoteague Island Library
chincoteagueislandlibrary.org      4077 Main Street     757-336-3460
Open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10am - 5pm. Thurs 1pm - 7pm.
Tales 4 Tots Winter Season - Thursdays now thru May 25. 10 am. Ages 2-5 with adult
Nancy's Book Club2nd Thursday. 11 am. Guests and new members invited
Island Readers' Book Club - 3rd Tuesday. 7 pm  Guests and new members invited
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Island Theatre
islandtheatres.com   4074 Main Street   757-336-6109
Winter Film Series presented by Chincoteague Island Arts Organization ciarts.org
Fridays from Jan 13 - May 19. Tickets $5. 7pm. 
Feb 17 - The Birds (1963) sponsored by Hollyhocks
Feb 24 - Forrest Gump (1994) sponsored by Margaret Nichols & Jenny Hanyo
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Museum of Chincoteague Island
chincoteaguemuseum.com   7125 Maddox Blvd.   757-336-6117
In Search of Exhibit Material. Learn more.
Reopens Mar 24 for Heritage Days.
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Town of Chincoteague
chincoteague-va.gov   6150 Community Drive   757-336-6519 

Water Park Update - The Planning Commission has forwarded their recommendations to Mayor and Town Council, who will hold a public hearing and if satisfied will render their decision at that time. The Town is still accepting comments from citizens regarding the water park and will do so until the public hearing is held. If you have any questions, please contact  Ron  Marney, Pl anning Director,  Town of Chincoteague, Inc. at rmarney@chincoteague-va.gov.

Watch Town meetings  live. Just click on the "Watch Town Meetings Live" button at the top right corner of their website or click here.

The Town's informational television station has moved from Channel 9 to Channel 190.

A new Emergency Operations Center Facebook page will be active during a storm or emergency, serving the safety of citizens and visitors of Chincoteague Island. Click here for link.
Member News

American Legion Post #159      4023 Main Street     757-336-9749
Chincoteague Hometown Heroes Banners honoring active duty members who live on the island or whose immediate families live on the island. Stop by the legion or Town of Chincoteague Office to pick up application. No cost to the honoree or applicant/sponsor for 1st year, $30 fee for 2nd or 3rd year applicants. Deadline Apr 25.

Christ United Methodist Church      6253 Church Street
Mondays -  Manna Cafe Chincoteague Island  serves free hot lunch for those living in the Chincoteague Island community. Christ United Methodist Church Social Hall. 11am - 1pm. Contact Fran at 908-812-4857 or  fran@brandchamps.com

Comfort Suites      4195 Main Street      757-336-3700      chincoteaguecomfortsuites.com 
Offering a "Shore Deal" for Delmarva Residents.  $75 rate from now until Mar 31.

Eastern Shore Community College     29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa     757-789-1789
Click here for employment opportunities.

Fairfield Inn and Suites Chincoteague     757-336-0043     website
Feb 17-19 - Stay & Play Package - includes tickets to Chincoteague Island Theatre Company performance of The Curious Savage.
Feb 17-19 - Romance Package - includes breakfast, chocolates, bottle of champagne, $60 gift card to Bill's Restaurant and late 2pm check out. 

Peninsula Regional Medical Center      peninsula.org
The Women's Heart Program at PRMC's Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute is a free heart disease risk assessment that includes: cholesterol & HDL testing; ankle/brachial index; resting 12-lead EKG; blood pressure & pulse oximetry testing; a Coronary Risk Profile & more. A follow-up care plan & exercise/nutrition recommendations included.  Free appointments offered every Tues & Thurs morning throughout February. Call 410-543-7026 for an appointment. Lab work is included & is also free.

Pirate Ship Adventures     757-894-5714     littlepirateadventures.com
Looking for a fun-filled summer job? Pirate Ship Adventures is now hiring Pirate Management and Staff for the 2017 season. Hourly plus tips. Great weekend Hours. Starting EASTER weekend. All employees will be drug tested and background checks are required. Contact us on Facebook or call (757) 894-5714.

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital     757-414-8000     riversideonline.com
Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital at 9507 Hospital Ave in Nassawadox will close at  7 A.M. ON SATURDAY, FEB. 25. If you need medical attention after that date and time, please go to the new RSMH at 20480 Market Street in Onley. We look forward to providing care for you and
your family at our new location.

SPRING CONTENT NEEDED! 
Add your spring events, festivals, and packages to Virginia.org to be featured in the numerous blogs and articles we will be highlighting. Don't forget about St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break, outdoor activities, etc.  Log into the Admin Tool to get started. 
For more info email Robin at  rmamunes@virginia.org.
Attention Members
Information for inclusion must be submitted to joanne@chincoteaguechamber.com  by Wednesday each week.

Is your mini-webpage on chincoteaguechamber.com current? 
Email leaann@chincoteaguechamber.com with any changes.

Become a Member
Visit chincoteaguechamber.com or call 757-336-6161 to learn more. 
Let us help you grow your business.

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Information described herein is not sponsored or endorsed by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, unless otherwise noted. Dates & events may be subject to change. For current information, please contact the event sponsor.
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center
6733 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  
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