OUT & ABOUT: Your weekly guide to what is happening on and around Chincoteague Island.
OUT & ABOUT
Weekly Newsletter

Published December 8, 2017

Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.

It is with much sadness that we share the passing of Michael David Schierl, who was better known locally as Pirate Mike from  Pirate Ship Adventures of Chincoteague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

The children of Chincoteague held a special place in Mike's heart, so in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Mike's name to the Chincoteague Police Department Toy Drive.
Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
'A Misty-cal Christmas'

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Town of Chincoteague, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Chincoteague Police Department, Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague, Chincoteague Island Library, Salt Marsh Ramblers, Chincoteague Combined School and the many volunteers that helped make the 38th Annual Chincoteague Old-Fashioned Christmas P arade possible.

We hope everyone had a wonderful evening and enjoyed the almost 100 entries. 
Click here f or the list of parade winners.
Welcome to Our Newest Member

What's Happening

Dec 8 "Savor the Season" Progressive Home Tour . 5:30pm - 9pm. Tour starts at The Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Blvd. F eatures 4 courses of delicious holiday delights with wine pairings. Tickets $50. Advance reservations required. Must be 21 years of age or older. For reservation times, call 757-894-0924. Learn more

Dec 9Breakfast with Santa. Seating at 9am & 11am. Breakfast buffet, photos with Santa, gingerbread decorating, face painting, hot chocolate bar, etc.  Children under 12 $9.95. Adults $17.95.  Bring a canned food donation & receive a $5 discount.  (Limit $20 total discount per party). Guests can call 757-336-0512 or email  Hannah@ropewalk.com

Dec 9CCA Annual Holiday Fundraising Cookie Sale. 11am-1pm. Delicious homemade cookies will be sold by the pound. Proceeds go to benefit the CCA Building fund. 6309 Church Street. Learn more.

Dec 10Children's Tea Party with Mrs. ClausHampton Inn & Suites, 4179 Main Street. 2pm. Mrs. Claus, who knows Santa better than anyone, will show the children a scrapbook of her life with Santa and offer sing-a-long Christmas songs, games and gifts. Hot cocoa, kid-sized sandwiches and Christmas cookies. Photo taken with Mrs. Clause. Pre-paid reservations are required at $15/person. Call 757-894-0924.  The children are encouraged to dress for a tea party. Accessories will be available for guests who do not have something.

Dec 12 - SWaM (Small, Women, and Minority Owned Firms) Certification Informational Overview. Eastern Shore Community College - Classroom 160. 29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa. 9am - Noon (Sign in and Networking at 8:30 am). Overview provided by Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. No Fee. Advanced registration required. Click here to register. Learn more.  Following overview one-on-one session available. 1pm - 5pm (45 minute sessions). No fee. Appointment required. Click here to register. Learn more.

Dec 12 -  Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Chincoteague Center. 6155 Community Drive. Benefit for the Chincoteague Food Closet Ministry. 7pm - 8:30pm. Performances, fellowship, coffee and snacks.

Dec 12Tuesday Night BingoThe Ropewalk Restaurant.  6262 Marlin Street. 8pm - 11pm.  No cost to play. Prizes awarded.

Dec 13Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Members Networking LuncheonDon's Seafood Restaurant. Noon - 1pm. Bring your business cards and make valuable connections with other Chamber members to grow your business/organization while enjoying a delicious lunch. $10/person + tip. Menu: Pasta with Alfredo, Grilled Chicken, Veggies, Salad Bar, Non-alcoholic Beverage.

Dec 16 - Santa Visits Chincoteague Police Department. 6150 Community Drive. 1pm - 3pm. For children 12 and under.
Save the Date
Ongoing Activities
 
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility 
nasa.gov/centers/wallops/   Launch Info: 757-824-2050
Future Launches: Black Brant IX Sounding Rocket  ASPIRE  Suborbital Window  Nov 12-20
Time TBD 

NASA Visitor Center -  nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter      757-824-1344
Now thru Dec 16 - Open Tues - Sat. 10am - 4pm. Free Admission.  Gift Shop open Fridays & Saturdays in December. 
Dec 17 - Jan 1 - Holiday closure.
 

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/   757-336-6122   Open  Nov - Mar 6am - 6pm.
Herbert H. Bateman Center   Open 9am - 4pm

Chincoteague Natural History  Association      piping-plover.org      757- 336-3696
Lighthouse - Closed for the Season

Assateague Island National Seashore  
nps.gov/asis/index.htm   757-336-6577 
Toms Cove Visitor Center    Open 9am - 4pm


Chincoteague Cultural Alliance Community Center for the Arts
chincoteagueculturalalliance.org   6309 Church Street   757-336-6117
Free Kids Art Classes - first Saturday of every month. 1pm (not Nov 4)
Kitchen Gallery - Sundays.  3pm - 5pm. Small Works
Community Bingo - Last Monday of the month. 1pm.
Winter Classes -  Advance registration required online or at Sundial Books (cash/check).


Chincoteague Island Library
chincoteagueislandlibrary.org      4077 Main Street     757-336-3460
Open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10am - 5pm. Thurs 1pm - 7pm. 
Tales for Tots - Ride Into Reading. Thursdays now thru Dec 14 (except Thanksgiving Day).  10am. Ages 2-5. No registration required. Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Nancy's Book Club - 2nd Thursday. 11 am. Guests and new members invited
Island Readers' Book Club - 3rd Tuesday. 7 pm  Guests and new members invited


Island Theatre
islandtheatres.com   4074 Main Street   757-336-6109     Check website for times.
Now thru Dec 14 - Coco (PG13)
Dec 14-15 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG13) 


Museum of Chincoteague Island
chincoteaguemuseum.com   7125 Maddox Blvd.   757-336-6117   Closed for the Season .
Miles Hancock Workshop has moved to its new home at the Museum of Chincoteague Island. Check out the progress in its renovation. Press Release .


Town of Chincoteague
chincoteague-va.gov   6150 Community Drive   757-336-6519 
- 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 citizens & visitors of Chincoteague Island. Click here for link.
Member News

Eastern Shore Rural Health       esrh.org
Nov 1 - Dec 15 - Health Insurance Marketplace Open. Learn more at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Learn more about free local help.

Fairfield Inn and Suites     3913 Main Street    fairfieldchincoteague.com
New Year's Eve Celebration i ncludes an overnight stay for 2, full breakfast, dinner for 2 at The Ropewalk Restaurant &  2 tickets to the Chincoteague Island Theatre Concert.  For reservations call Hotel directly o r book online.  Ring in 2018 Island Style!  Learn more

GSB Media
CHRISTMAS 101.5.  All Christmas 24/7. Supported by many island businesses. After
Christmas, this will become a new station called 101.5 The Mix, with an upbeat poppy music format from the 90s and 2000s.

Marina Bay Hotel & Suites     757-336-3500     staymarinabay.com
Now thru Jan 6 - Winter Wonderland 2017 - Christmas Lights and Santa Selfies.

Dec 20 - Blood Drive.  11am - 3pm in hospital conference room.  Make an appointment at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code SMHosp.  Donors should bring a valid photo ID.

The Chincoteague Center     757-336-0614      thechincoteaguecenter.com
Seeking Marketing and Business Development Assistant . Learn more.
VIRGINIA ECOTOUR GUIDE COURSE
Certifications to Improve Your Business or Resume

Eight-week class, offered "live" online Tuesday evenings, will provide successful students with 3 CEUs and certification credentials to lead their own Ecotours. The class will focus on the aspects of ecotourism, including, ecosystem science, customer service, business marketing, interpretation skills, culture, and natural history. A spring field trip will also be mandatory.
Guest speaker presentations will be incorporated into the course & active discussion is encouraged and required. Interpretive materials and resources for the course will be provided. In order to qualify for ecotourism certification, certification in CPR & First Aid Certification is required and can be obtained at the student's convenience.

Register now thru Dec 15.  Class runs Jan 9 - Feb 27 with Spring field trip.
Course Cost $150 discounted to $115 for re-certifications.

For more info & to register contact  Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Center at 757-789-7979.
CONTENT NEEDED - Winter, New Year's & Spring! Want to be included in a blog or an article on Virginia.org? Check out our content marketing calendar for things we are working on. You must be listed on Virginia.org for possible inclusion in any blog or article. 
Log into the  Admin Tool  to get started. Email Robin at  rmamunes@virginia.org  for assistance. For blog questions, contact Patricia at  pkeppel@virginia.org .



Reach more visitors by adding your business listing and event info to  esvatourism.org, the free comprehensive website for tourism on Virginia's Eastern Shore. For more info, email  info@esvatourism.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.
 
Share your photos with us on social media!  #chincochamber
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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 Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.