March 5, 2015
'Out & About'  Weekly Newsletter

          

VOTE Chincoteague

Island 'Best

Coastal Small Town' 

 

Chincoteague Island has been nominated in USA TODAY's

10Best Readers' Choice

travel award contest in the

Best Coastal Small Town category!

 Please vote once a day now and until March 16th at 11:59 am at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-coastal-small-town/
 

  

          

Thank you to all who voted for Chincoteague Island in Budget Travel's 'America's Coolest Small Town 2015' contest. 

We finished 2nd in the contest and are very thankful for all the support received by the media, businesses, locals, guests,

and those that hold Chincoteague Island close at heart.

   

          

New Email Addresses at Chamber  


Due to upgrades in internet service, new email addresses have been established for Chamber staff.  Please check your contacts and make changes accordingly.

 

 Evelyn Shotwell, Executive Director

eshotwell@chincoteaguechamber.com 

(no change)

 

Lea Ann Smullin, Office Manager

leaann@chincoteaguechamber.com

(delete chincochamber@verizon.net)

 

Joanne Moore, Marketing & Event Coordinator

joanne@chincoteaguechamber.com

(delete chincochamber3@verizon.net)

 

Travel Guide requests and tourism inquiries should be sent to info@chincoteaguechamber.com

  

 

Attention All Chamber Members!

  

Improvements to our website Business Directory are ongoing to better serve our members and guests. As a member, you have a mini webpage on our website with up to 200 words highlighting your business/organization plus one photo (accommodations are allowed two photos - one inside picture & one outside picture)
 
Please send verbiage in a Word document and picture(s) in a JPG format to Lea Ann at leaann@chincoteaguechamber.com so your mini webpage can be updated as soon as possible.
 
Submitted pictures may also be used in future Chamber marketing.
 
If you have any questions, please email Lea Ann or call 757-336-6161.

   

   VISIT OUR NEW WEDDING LANDING

Planning a wedding or know someone that is? Visit  chincoteaguechamber.com and click on our new Wedding tab to find everything you need to plan the perfect wedding day. Information on licenses, churches, accommodations, venues, catering, florists, jewelers, photography, equipment rental, and more all at the click of a finger.
  

  

A Shout Out to Our Newest Members!

  
Seaside Properties, LLC

To learn more about membership benefits or to become a member,
visit chincoteaguechamber.com and click on the Chamber tab.
  
   

Mar 6 - Bingo Night presented by Chincoteague High School After Prom. Chincoteague High School. Doors open 6 PM. Games start 6:30 PM. Admission $5, includes ticket for door prize (decoy donated by Arthur Leonard). Bingo cards $1/game for cash prizes & $0.50/game for non-cash prizes. Food & drink available for purchase. Grand prize $500 Blackout!

 

Mar 8 - Daylight Savings Time - SPRING AHEAD!

 

Mar 10 - Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Annual General Membership Meeting (Rescheduled from Feb 26th). 10 AM at Island Theatre, 4074 Main Street. Guest speakers Kevin Sloan, Project Leader at Chincoteague & Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Sally Bowden, Lead Park Ranger, CNWR; and Michael Dixon, Supervisory Visitor Services Manager,  CNWR. Election of new Board Members. Refreshments prepared by Mr. Paul's Kitchen & sponsored by Shore Bank.
 

Mar 11 - Accomack-Northampton Regional Job Fair at Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Center. 9 AM - 1 PM. 35+ employers present. For more info contact Kimberlee Ormsby at

757-789-5927 or kormsby@es.vccs.edu.

 

Mar 11 - 5th Annual Free Senior Luncheon courtesy of Chincoteague Police Department. Don's Seafood Restaurant. 11:30 AM - 1 PM. An event to show appreciation to the most valued & respected segment of our community. All Chincoteague senior citizens are urged to contact their senior friends/acquaintances & bring them along to share in good food & friendly conversation. If you need a ride or assistance getting to luncheon, please call the Department at 757-336-3155 on March 10th.  


Mar 14 - In Search of the Shamrocks s ponsored by Historic Main Street Merchants. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day & Spring with a day of fun & prizes. Don't forget to wear your green!  For more info, contact Laurie Walton at 484-995-6001.
 
Mar 14 - "Eastern Shore Got Talent". Reveal your special talent. A fun-filled evening of unique entertainment, food, drink & prizes. Sign up to compete by Mar 6. Admission $5. Chincoteague Center. 6155 Community Drive. For info call 757-336-0614.

Mar 17St. Patrick's Day buffet featuring corned beef & cabbage; with ham, potatoes, green beans, home-made mac 'n cheese, home-made rolls & butter, beverage & dessert. Mr. Paul's Kitchen. 5030 Chicken City Road. 5 PM - 7 PM. Adults, $14.96, children under 12, $6.94. Sign up in advance by calling 757-336-6848, or stop in during business hours.

 
Mar 19 to May 21 - Tales for Tots. Chincoteague Island Library. 10 AM Stories, finger plays, songs, and crafts for children "almost" 3-5 years old. 4077 Main Street. For more information visit chincoteagueislandlibrary.org.
 
Mar 21 - Indoor Yard Sale at Chincoteague Center. Shop! Sell! Lunch!
8 AM - 2 PM. Admission $3. Tables $15 & 10' booths (3 tables) $40. 6155 Community Dr. To book or for more info contact 757-336-0614 or email center@chincoteaguecenter.com
 
Mar 21 - Heritage Weekend 2015 - CCA Island Coffeehouse, 6309 Church Street. 6:30 PM. Two musical acts, plus Game-Show-Style Chincoteague WWII Trivia.  $5 per person.
 
Mar 26 - 29 - Heritage Weekend 2015 - Chincoteague Island Library, 4077 Main Street. WWII Book Display. Free to public.
 
Mar 26 - Heritage Weekend 2015 - Ultra: Codebreaking in WWII - CCA Class. 6309 Church Street. 7 PM - 9 PM. $10, ages 18 and up.
 
Mar 27 - 29 - Heritage Weekend 2015 - Captain Timothy Hill House, 5122 Main Street. Friday & Sunday 1 PM - 3 PM. Saturday 11 AM - 1 PM. Free admission.
 
Mar 28 & 29 - Heritage Weekend 2015 - WWII and Chincoteague, Commemorating 70 Years. Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Blvd. Free admission. 11 AM - 5 PM.  Sat. Mar 28 Symposium: 1 PM WWII Memories Panel and 2 PM Family Heirlooms Panel. Children's activities all day. For more information click here.
 
Mar 28 - Musical performance by Delmarvelous Dolls and staged reading of local Chincoteague WWII letters by CITC actors (sponsored by CCA).
Island Theatre, 4074 Main Street. 7 PM. $15 per person.
 
Mar 29 - Spring Fest & Family Easter Egg Hunt. Chincoteague Church of God, 5252 Woodland Drive. 11 AM For more info contact 757-336-5161. 
 
Apr 1 - Lunch & Learn in the Chincoteague Office of Morrison Dental Group. 12 PM - 1:30 PM. Learn more about MDG's Dental Benefit Plan. No Dental Insurance? MDG has you covered! The MDG Benefit Plan is perfect for Individuals & families, Retirees, Small Businesses and Self Employed. See how you and your family could be covered for as little as $27 per person, per month! 4009 Main Street. RSVP by Mar 27 at

Apr 3 & 4 - 36th ANNUAL EASTER DECOY & ART FESTIVAL sponsored by Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce at Chincoteague Combined School. Admission $4 each day, children under 12 free. Friday Noon - 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM. 4586 Main Street. For more info visit chincoteaguechamber.com/events/easter-decoy-a-art-festival or call 757-336-6161.
 
Apr 3 & 6 - Spring Break Day Camp. Chincoteague Bay Field Station offers an opportunity for you to entertain AND educate your children during this spring break! Camp runs from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, lunch & snacks are provided. To register call 757-824-5636 or visit cbfieldstation.org
 
Apr 4 - Bay to Bay 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk sponsored by Chincoteague Island Family YMCA. 8 AM Start. Check-in begins at 6:30 AM. Register day of event. Robert Reed Park (Downtown Main Street). For more info call 757-336-6266 or visit ymcachesapeake.org/chincoteague/

Apr 7 - "The Sky's The Limit" Tourism Summit 2015 sponsored by Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism. Eastern Shore Community College. Free workshop for current & future Eastern Shore of Virginia tourism business owners who want to learn more about how to meet the demands of today's savvy traveler. 10:30 AM - 5 PM.

April 7 - Beginners writing workshop. Temperanceville Church of Christ. For more info email rwaynem42@yahoo.com.

Apr 10 & 11 - Spring Roundup by Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
 
Apr 11 - C ombining the best from farm, field & bay- Chincoteague Island Farmers Market plus Second Saturday Artful Flea - a curated community yard sale featuring arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry, food and fun. 9 AM - 3 PM. Vendors: prepaid registration required. For more info, visit chincoteagueculturalalliance.org.

Apr 24 & 25 - Saltwater Brew 'n' Que at Carnival Grounds, 3648 Main Street, Chincoteague. Craft Beer Festival, Professional BBQ Contest, Food, Vendors, Entertainment. Portion of proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. For more info visit, saltwaterbrewnque.com
 
Apr 25 - Eastern Shore House and Garden Tour sponsored by Garden Club of Virginia hosted by Garden Club of the Eastern Shore. Advanced tickets for full tour $40 per person. Day of event $45 with single-site tickets $15. Children 5-12 $20. For more info visit esgardentours.com.

May 2 - 47th ANNUAL CHINCOTEAGUE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL sponsored by Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. Tom's Cove Park Campground 12 PM - 4 PM. $40/ticket.  For more info or to purchase tickets visit chincoteaguechamber.com/events/chincoteague-seafood-festival or call 757-336-6161.
 
May 2Chinco de Mayo. The Museum of Chincoteague Island's annual 
5 x 5 art show & special art sale, complete with live music, food, drinks, & fun! Visit chincoteaguemuseum.com  for more information. Click here for press release.

May 2 - Le Tour de Shore sponsored by Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Four rides: 17, 30, 55, and 75 miles. For more info call 757-787-2460.

May 8 - ShoreFest Golf Tournament. The first spring golf tournament of the year now organized by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. For more info call 757-787-2460.
 

 

Updates from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility can be found at

 
NASA Visitor Center 
Normal Hours of Operation:
Open Tuesday - Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Saturday Public Programs 
11 AM & 2 PM
Admission Free 757-824-2298

Lecture Series
Wallops 70th Anniversary
Free & Open to the Public
WFF NASA Visitor Center
5 PM - 6:30 PM
  
Revisit the PAST
T.J. Meyer, Environmental Engineer
Friday, March 13, 2015

 

Discover the PRESENT

Bruce Underwood, Deputy Director

Friday, April 10, 2015

 

Explore the FUTURE

Bill Wrobel, WFF Director

Friday, May 1, 2015

  
  
* * * * *
    Museum of Chincoteague
Closed until April 2015.
For info about the "Chincoteague Island Life History Project" visit
  
 

* * * * *
Chincoteague Island Library
Hours of Operation
Mon., Tues., Wed., & Fri.
10 AM - 5 PM
Thurs.  1 PM - 8 PM
Sat. 10 AM - 5 PM
(New Saturday Extended Hours)
  
* * * * *

 

* * * * *

(maintained by Town of Chincoteague)
  
  

 

What's Up With You? 

Send Brief news no later than Wednesday of each week to:

joanne@chincoteaguechamber.com

  

* * * * *

AJ's on the Creek

Reopens March 13th

 

* * * * *

 Blue Crab Bay Company 

is celebrating 30 years in business & is giving a free bottle of its Jalapeno Infused Margarita Mixer to anyone 18 or older who comes in to shop. No purchase necessary! Limit one per customer.

29368 Atlantic Drive, Melfa.

757-787-3602

 Open Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM

& Sat 10 AM - 4 PM

 

 * * * * * 

Chincoteague Comfort Suites

Current Specials Include

Hunting Special

Romance Package

Seafood Festival Package

 For details, call 757-336-3700 or

 visit ChincoteagueComfortSuites.com  

 

* * * * *

Chincoteague Cultural Alliance

Current Newsletter click here.

Current Class Schedule 

 

Chincoteague Island Farmers Market...combining the best from farm, field & bay.

2015 Dates & Hours:

Saturdays Apr 4 - Sep 1

 9 AM - 1 PM

Wednesdays May 27 - Sep 9

8 AM - 12 PM 

Saturdays Sep 12 - Oct 31

8 AM - 12 PM

 

Second Saturday Artful Flea

 The curated community yard sale featuring arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry, food & fun.

The second Saturday of the following months:

April & October 9 AM - 3 PM

June, July, August, & September 8 AM - 2 PM

 

Musicians and entertainers!

Second Saturday Artful Flea

Wants You!

Perform for admiring crowds. Perform for experience.

Perform for fun and....

Perform for free.

Are you a musician? A magician? Someone who can entertain

G rated? Age is no barrier.

Bring your tip jar.

 

Business Owners!

Advertise & support CCA by sponsoring Market Bags for Chincoteague Island Farmers Market. Each order of 150 reusable, sturdy Market Bags is printed with your business name & logo along w/ CCA logo. Sponsor an order for $250. Market Bags are sold at Farmers Market for $2. Proceeds benefit CCA & support Farmers Market. For more info, call Alex, 757-336-1789.

   

* * * * *

  Chincoteague Island Library
20th Anniversary Photo Contest
Take photos in, around, and of the library. Photos in all seasons.
Submissions begin Fall 2015.
More information to follow.

 

* * * * * 

Delmarva Discovery Center
Mommy & Me Preschool Program
Every Tuesday & Wednesday
10:30 - 11 AM - $5 Adult + Child
Each additional Child $2
Free with Membership
 
* * * * *
Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society
Visit shorehistory.org for a list of current events.
  

 

EASTER DECOY & ART FESTIVAL

APRIL 3 & 4, 2015

 

Still accepting applications.

 

We are accepting donations for our Pre-Loved Treasures Silent Auction.

Please bring any items you wish to donate to the Chamber office with a brief description/history, so they may be offered in pre-show publicity to help generate public interest & attendance.

 

All proceeds of the Pre-Loved Treasures Silent Auction will benefit the Museum of Chincoteague Island and Chincoteague Island Library's

"The Chincoteague Island Life History Project."

 

If you have any questions, please contact Joanne at 757-336-6161 or joanne@chincoteaguechamber.com.

 

Visit chincoteaguechamber.com for an application and chincoteaguedecoyshow.com for more information.

 

 

Artisan's Center of Virginia

Virginia's Eastern Shore Artisan Trail

  

Interested in becoming a member of Virginia's Eastern Shore Artisan Trail?
Deadline for inclusion in brochure has been extended to March 14th. For more information contact Karyn Belknap at 757-243-1400 or Sarah Barban at 757-678-3706 or visit artisanscenterofvirginia.org/artisan_trail_network/detail/eastern_shore.

 

 

SEAFOOD FESTIVAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

  

Applications are now being accepted for Hospitality/Vendor Tents, Arts & Crafts Tent and Festival Sponsors for the 47th Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival on May 2nd.
Be seen at one of the biggest events on Chincoteague Island!

Application can be found at chincoteaguechamber.com under
'What's New In Town'. Submission deadline is March 27th.  

 

              

Welcome to our new 2015 members!

 

Affordable Business Systems, Inc. ~ Beebe Ranch ~ Bonnie's Bounty ~ Cavallino Design
Chincoteague Nature Encounters ~ Chincotech Corp. ~ Chocklett Press, Inc. ~ Community Alliance Chapel
Daniel Thomas Fine Art ~ Eastern Shore Bail Bonds ~ Eastern Shore Communication
Eastern Shore Landscape Management, Inc. ~ Eclectic Beachcomber ~ Floyd Propane ~ H&R Block
Hear On The Shore ~ Hubbmuscle Personal Training & Nutrition Center ~ Hudson's Home Improvements, Inc.
Island Dental ~ Kellam's Affordable Cleaning, Inc. ~ LJT & Associates, Inc. ~ Marina Club Restaurant
Marsh Mud Pottery ~ Mears Oil Co., Inc. ~ Precision Plumbing & Contracting Services, LLC
Right Up Your Alley ~ Smokey's, LLC ~ TD Digital Printers ~ Terry Brothers, Inc. ~ The Island House Restaurant
Wavehouse Grill & Beach Side Bakery ~ Windwater Architects / Laura Lintz

To learn more about membership benefits or to become a member,
visit chincoteaguechamber.com and click on the Chamber tab.
  

Assateague VA/MD voted #6
in USA Today's 10Best
U.S. Islands

Chincoteague is the 2014 Traveler's Choice #2 Island and Assateague, VA is the #23 Beach in the US

Chincoteague was voted #65 on  
MapQuest's Discover Summer  
Travel Quest Series!