Eastern Shore of Virginia

Barrier Islands Center

NEWSLETTER
Winter 2014-2015

Snow on the Half Shell

by Diane Ginsburg

This BIC exclusive gallery-wrapped canvas comes in a

variety of sizes and ready to hang.
Look inside for more great gift ideas!

Heart of the Community, Soul of a Culture

b a rr ie r isl a n d s c ent er@ g m a il . co m/ 75 7 -6 78 - 5 5 5 0/w w w .b ar ri er i sl an d sc e nt e r. co m

I am so excited! I have a new little grandson, Hayes, born in Austin, Texas on

October 1st. My first grandson, Gabe, will turn 5 soon and has a baby sister due by
Christmas. And by mid-January, another little bundle of joy is due in Virginia Beach.
With all these grandbabies coming into my life, Im spending a lot of time wondering
what my legacy to them should be.
Growing up in rural eastern North Carolina, both sets of grandparents
delighted in imparting to me their respect and appreciation for the wisdom of those
who work the land and the water. In addition, my Grandma Lallie instilled in all of us
the value of music and art, as well as the joy of pulling out the shiny silver for guests. I
have my country doctor Granddaddy to thank for teaching me the importance of
serving and being trusted by your local community. I am super proud that the BICs My First Field Trip
program is recreating some of those same elements that my grandparents instilled in me: exposure to
culture, an understanding of local history, and using good manners as a sign of respect.
Recently, founding Board Member Ann Dearman personally experienced My First Field Trip. This
was her first visit since the BIC opened its doors in 2002. Ann was able to watch as the four-year-olds
enthusiastically absorbed the top shelf music and art lessons, learned how to use an old-fashioned pump to
draw water from the ground and, most importantly, were positively reinforced in their use of good manners.
Ann also learned how the local community continues to support the BIC. After recalling the many difficult
and critical decisions faced by the founding board members, Ann was thrilled to see that her hard work in
those early days continues to pay off.
I am inspired and grateful every day that this property provides such a perfectly yummy and inviting
setting to share with the community. All children should grow up understanding where theyre from and
what makes them who they are, and I love that the BIC helps preserve important local values and traditions,
as my grandparents did for me. Thanks to wonderful people like Ann Dearman, all our children can connect
with their history and learn what makes them special. What a wonderful legacy to leave the Eastern Shore!

Wescott

Mia

BIC Babies!

Marley

I Did It for My
Grandchildren
That was the sentiment voiced
by waterman Tim Bell, who is featured
in the latest BIC documentary film,
Watermen, by filmmaker James
Spione. Tim was incredibly generous
with his time and his stories while we
interviewed and shadowed him during
his workday. As we thanked him, Tim
shrugged his shoulders and explained in a soft voice that it was really about his grandchildren: he was

doing this so his grandkids can have a piece of their grandfather forever.
In capturing the stories of Tim Bell and others like him, the BIC is preserving core aspects of
the Eastern Shores culture and heritage, and making sure that future generations will have access to
them. Each film or book brings a rich treasure of personal stories that resonate with families
everywhere. BIC is able to take these personal stories to venues across the Commonwealth through
the BIC On the Road outreach program.
The most satisfying part of BIC On the Road is being able to connect with a wide range of ages
and groups representing different spheres of influence. This fall, the outreach effort is reaching
audiences from the Cape Charles Library, where a dozen preschoolers chuckle about Hog Island sheep
shenanigans during story hour, to the 2014 Richmond Folk Festival, where thousands of attendees
learn about decoy carvers perfecting their craft and passing it on to subsequent generations. So Tim
Bells legacy to his grandchildren also becomes his gift to the Eastern Shore and well beyond.

BIC On the Road highlights:

In partnership with the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District, the BIC screened the
film Watermen for every 6th grade public school class in Accomack County, and some private
schools thats over 400 students! The film served as the culmination to the annual Watershed
Festival, with the theme Compare the Chesapeake Bay of 1800s to Today.
Andrew Barbour, author of The Hog Island Sheep in Red, White and Ewe, read the story to
children and adults attending the Pungoteague Elementary School Family Literacy night, and
story hours at the Cape Charles Library and Northampton Free Library. All three locations
received donated books.
The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) screened the BIC film Spirit of the Bird as
part of their documentary series at the 2014 Richmond Folk Festival. The weekend-long free
annual festival attracts over 125,000 people. Eastern Shore decoy carvers Grayson Chesser and
P.G. Ross, both featured in the film, demonstrated their craft at the festival.
The latest film, Watermen, will air on Hampton Roads public television station WHRO in early
December during the stations fund drive week. Stay tuned to the BIC Facebook page and Channel 15
for more details!

Meet

The Carvers
Grayson Chesser Cigar Daisey
Arthur Leonard Ken Marshall Cork McGee
Cameron McIntyre Ian McNair Mark McNair
Pete Peterson P.G. Ross

Reception & Exhibit

Friday, November 7th
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets will be limited
$20 per person
Call 757.678.5550 to R.S.V.P.
The Barrier Islands Center is honored
to present an opportunity to meet and mingle
with renowned decoy carvers Grayson
Chesser, Cigar Daisey, Arthur Leonard, Ken
Marshall, Cork McGee, Cameron McIntyre,
Ian McNair, Mark McNair, Pete Peterson, and
P.G. Ross.
Come join us for a reception, exhibit,
and casual conversations with Virginias
finest carvers. These talented artists will have
a range of their work on display and will also
have some pieces for sale.
Virginias Eastern Shore is celebrated
for its waterfowl hunting and decoy carving
traditions. Whether you are a dedicated
collector, first-time buyer, sportsman, or just
curious about decoy carving, you will not
want to miss this evening of wine, hors
doeurvres, art, traditions, and stories.

Come shop with us - order by phone - shipping available!

757.678.5550

Museum News...
There is a magic that happens at the BIC when the right person with
the right piece of history walks in the door at the right time! This season,
that magic has centered on the memory of Harry Holcomb, a founding
member of the BIC and volunteer extraordinaire. Though Harry passed
away last year, his legacy to the BIC lives on through the careful accessions
processes he established and the Smiths Island history he so lovingly
sought to preserve.
Growing up in a New England shipping family, Harry heard tales
about one of his grandfather's ships, the Massasoit, having wrecked off the
coast of Virginia. After moving to the Eastern Shore, Harry attended a
dinner party and met Virginia Walker. As they exchanged personal
histories, Harry discovered that it was Virginias grandfather, U.S. Life
Saving Service Captain George Hitchens, who led the rescue of the
Massasoit on Smiths Island! Bolstered by this discovery, Harry devoted
much of his energy and time to preserving the story of the Massasoit and
other aspects of Barrier Islands history. The BIC could never have dreamed
of having such a knowledgeable and dedicated volunteer!

Harry Holcomb

A second set of Smiths Island (or Smith Island, as it is now commonly known) coincidences occurred
recently. As the gallery was being updated this summer, two new artifacts found their way to the BIC:
a pocket watch that belonged to Capt.
George Hitchens, loaned by the
Captains great-grandson, Donald
Hitchens
a remarkable fragment of 1700s brown
stoneware pottery discovered on Smith
Island this summer, donated by Nature
Conservancy employee Karli Rogers
These additions will add even more
context to the Smith Island gallery. Harry
would be very pleased!
Additional Collections updates:

Stoneware Pottery

The Congressional Silver Medal

presented to James Doughty for the
1892 rescue of the San Albano, donated
by his great-grandson, Sam Taylor;

Capt. Hitchens Pocket Watch

Outdoor information markers about the

buildings and history of the alms house,
donated by retired BIC historian, Jerry
Doughty;
A new display about the geography of
barrier islands in the Map Room
created by summer intern, Bess Badger;
A Native American display with
hundreds of artifacts, collected and
interpreted by Bob Bredimus; and

Congressional Silver Medal

The white cross marker and

information about the souls buried in
the Almshouse cemetery, by Miriam
Riggs.
Barrier Islands Display

Come Learn With Us!

Fish & Boat Art class
with
Bobby Bridges
(ages 7 and up)

Parent and Child

Decoy Carving
Class with
P.G. Ross
(3-session class)
Saturday, Dec. 6
Saturday, Dec. 13 AND
Sunday, Dec. 14
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 per person
(due at registration)
What could be more fun than carving a bird? How
about sharing the experience with your child or
parent? In this first class of its kind offered at the BIC,
parents (or grandparents) and their child can learn
and practice the technique of carving together under
the guidance of P.G. Ross. Each person will make a
full sized cork mallard to hunt with (choice of a drake
or hen) and finish the class with a pair of mallards,
one made by the parent and one by the child. Class is
limited to 12 people. Pre-registration is
required. Cost includes materials and use of
instructors tools. NOTE: the class is open to
individuals as well as child/parent combos.

Save the Date!

Art & Music on the Farm
Saturday, May 23, 2015
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24
1:00 - 4:oo p.m
Cost: $85 per person
(pre-registration required)
Artists and craftsmen will be supplied a solid
color, previously painted fish body or
Chesapeake Bay sailing workboat by artist
Bobby Bridges that they will turn into a
creative masterpiece by adding rusty steel or
copper patina and other detail. The power of
their imaginations will produce a work of fish
or boat art ready to swim the Eastern Shore
breezes in their own backyard or adorn that
perfect spot in their room. Class size limited
to 10 people.

Painting to Music
Abrakadoodle
Childrens Art
Class
(ages 5-10)
Wednesdays
Feb. 11thMarch 18th (6 weeks)
3:45-4:45 p.m.
Cost: $75 (pre-registration required)
Students will learn about shades and tints, free
form shapes, Cubism, printing and study several
artists including Paul Klee, Peter Max, and
Jackson Pollock. They will use tempera paint,
acrylics, watercolor paint, liquid watercolor, and
other art media to explore music through our
art.

Candle Making
Classes*
with instructor
Mary Clements

Ring in the Holidays at the

Barrier Islands Center!
December 7th
Book Reading
1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!

The Hog Island Sheep in a Twisted Christmas Tale Rolled and Dipped
Tuesday, November 11th from 1:00 -4:00 p.m.
Cost: $35
Each participant will make at least one rolled and one
pair of dipped candles. Participants will learn about
basic equipment needed for safe wax work. Students
will make a rolled candle from a preformed foundation
and create their own sheets for rolls. They will learn
pouring tips as well as how to decorate and package the
candles.
Container and Mold
Tuesday, December 2nd from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $35

Each participant will make at least one large and one

small container candle. Students will learn about the
basic equipment needed for safe wax work, wick sizes
and prepping, and types of containers suited for
candles. As a bonus, participants can learn about skin
care products made from beeswax, including recipes.
*Participants in both classes will learn about beeswax,
including how bees make it, how it is harvested and
cleaned, and other traditional uses.

Join author Andrew Barbour as he reads this holiday

favorite. Enjoy wool spinning demonstrations by
Karyn Belknap of Ten Good Sheep, as well as
music by ESOs Youth Chorale.

Cameron Waff Art Show

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Original Paintings from The Hog Island Sheep in
Red, White and Ewe by illustrator Cameron Waff.
Ever wished you could have a favorite illustration
from a book on your wall? Now is your chance!
Waffs original paintings featured in the BICs 2nd
book will be for sale.
9th Annual How Did Santa Claus Get Down
a Twisted Chimney?
(ages 4-12), 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $20
What a fun way to ring in the holidays! Students will
decorate their own yummy house complete with a
twisted chimney. The children will see an actual
twisted chimney that is located in the historic
almshouse attic. Holiday refreshments will be
served. Class size is limited to 20 participants.

UVA Ecological Reflections Melding Science and Art

Lecture and Exhibit
Thursday, February 18th at 5 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Dr. Art Schwarzchild, research faculty member in the Department of Environmental Sciences of the UVA
College of Arts and Sciences and site director at the Universitys Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center
in Oyster, will speak about the art and ecology workshop he developed to help local public school teachers
integrate environmental sciences into their classes through the melding of art and science. A three- day for
-credit class provided local and regional art teachers an opportunity to learn and practice the techniques
used in plein air painting, along with an introduction to the ecology and environmental issues impacting
salt marshes. The art exhibit will feature the teachers seaside plein-air paintings created during the class,
while artist-in residence Alice McEnerney Cooks paintings will be for sale.

Dates to Remember
Jay Ford Growing a Better
Future: Food Forests, A
New Food System
Friday, Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Jay Ford, owner of Shine and
Rise Farm, an organic farm
following permaculture
methodology in Painter, will talk
about the benefits of food
forests. A food forest is an
efficient food production and
land management system which
mimics a woodland ecosystem by substituting edible trees,
shrubs, perennials and annuals. Shine and Rise Farm is
partnering with Shorekeepers and Central Green to create
Virginias first food forest.
Ron West Gone But Not Forgotten - The History of
the Ferry Service on the Eastern Shore
Friday, Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m.

Ron Wests talk and slide show will cover the era of the
Cape Charles and Kiptopeke ferry service. Car ferries began
to operate from Cape Charles to Norfolk in the 1920s. That
ended with the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Tunnel in 1964. Come relive those restful 90-minute rides
across the Bay and learn the history of the area.
Ireland in Song and Story
Friday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Back by popular demand! Celebrate Irelands musical
heritage with Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith as they
perform traditional Irish songs and discuss the historical
and cultural factors that helped to shape the music of the
Emerald Isle. From lively slip jigs to haunting ballads, the
songs tell the story of a people who endured famine,
hardship and emigration, but retained a vibrant and
indomitable spirit. Visit Mary and Greggs website at
www.maryandgregg.com

Cost: FREE!

November 7
Meet the Carvers
***
November 11
Rolled and Dipped Candle Making

***
December 2
Container and Mold Candle Making

***
December 6, 13 and 14
Parent and Child Decoy Carving Class
with P.G. Ross
***
December 7
Book Reading
Cameron Waff Art Show
9th Annual Twisted Chimney Class
***
January 16
Growing a Better Future: Food Forests,
a New Food System
***
January 24
Fish and Boat Art Class
with Bobby Bridges
***
Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11 and 18
Painting to Music
Abrakadoodle Childrens Art Class
***
February 18
Science and Art Lecture and Exhibit
***
February 19
Gone But Not ForgottenThe History of
the Ferry Service
on the Eastern Shore
***
February 28
BICs Oyster Roast Fundraiser
***
March 20
Ireland in Song and Story

Spotlight on: Andrew Barbour and Louise Orlando

When BIC Education Director Sally Dickinson first considered the idea of a
childrens book, she turned to Andrew Barbour and Louise Orlando. The
two have been good friends of the BIC since moving to the Eastern Shore
from San Francisco in 2002. With a background in educational publishing,
the couple first met at Scholastic in New York, and both have continued to
work from home as editors and writers. Andrew has branched out to travel
writing and editing for Fodors, among others, and can entertain guests for
hours with tales of their misadventures in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
With their publishing experience and an ability to tell a fanciful story, Sally
knew she had found the perfect partners.
After the publication of the second collaborative childrens book project, The
Hog Island Sheep in Red, White and Ewe, Andrew and Louise took a short
break from editing and writing projects for clients, running The Bakery at
Riverside Farm, raising two teenagers, and tending a small flock of well-behaved sheep, some chickens,
and a few beehives on their seaside farm, to answer some questions.
BIC: What do you enjoy most about your partnership with the BIC?

A&L: The oyster roast! Actually, we treasure the BIC staff most. From our perspective as writers and
editors, they get it. For each book, they told us what they wanted to achievein terms of subject matter
and educational goalsand then stood back and let us do our thing. That was very refreshing, and it
allowed us to produce books that (we like to think) are both entertaining and informative. Indeed, the
staff's willingness to mix historical truths in these books with over-the-top ovine idiocy shows that they
understand not only the BIC's mission but its audience, too. They recognize that kids will happily
inhale history if it's topped with a little sugar.
BIC: How did you come up with the idea for the first book?

A&L: Laura and Sally actually gave us the ingredient list: the Hog Island sheep, the Almshouse,
Amanda Doughty, and the twisted chimney. Of course, the fact that this breed of sheep is named after
pigs just begged to make itself a key element. The plot (where the sheep assume Santa's role at
Christmas) came to Andrew almost immediately, and he scribbled the first draft down in a matter of
minutes. If you know Andrew, this is very unusual. Normally, he writes at a pace best described as
glacial.
BIC: What have you learned while working on these projects?

A&L: These are the first fiction books that either of us has tackledand the first time that Andrew has
written for children. We have two kids of our own, though, so we have strong ideas about the kind of
books we like to read. We much prefer books that work at two levels: one that appeals to children and
another, more sophisticated level that keeps parents from sinking into a stupor. In both books, we tried
to keep kids and adults in mind.
We also learned a great deal working with artist Cameron Waff. As you work on a book, you create
images of the scenes in your mind. So it's absolutely fascinating to see how an artist interprets your
story on his own terms. Cameron's paintings were very different from what either of us had imagined,
yet they work magnificently.
BIC: What do you hope readers of the Hog Island Sheep books will take away?

A&L: First, we hope they will laugh enough to want to read the books again and again. Second, we
would like to think that readers might gain a new appreciation for their heritage, the area's history, and
the remarkable place that we call home. Ultimately, though, we want readers to take away a vital
lesson: If they ever have the opportunity to name a breed of animal, think very carefully first.
BIC: Will there be a third sheep book?

A&L: Only if we can find a good yarn.

Our Eastern Shore:

Nathan Cobb, Jr.
One of the most revered decoy carvers from the
Eastern Shore region was Nathan F. Cobb, Jr. who
lived from 1825-1905. He and his father Nathan Cobb
Sr. and two brothers Warren and Albert, came down
from Massachusetts in the mid-1830s and settled on
Sand Shoal Island, one of Virginias Barrier Islands,
which they named Cobbs Island. Nathan Jr. was a
wildfowl market hunter, and he and his dad and
brothers formed a salvage team for shipwrecks off the
coast of the Barrier Islands. The Cobbs owned and
operated a sportsmens resort called the Cobb Island
Hotel and Hunt Club. It attracted the wealthy from the
North and other notables such as former Confederate
President Jefferson Davis.
It is possible that all the Cobb men carved their own
decoys to hunt over, but experts believe that most of
the carving was done by Nathan Jr. and his son
Elkanah, who identified their work by carving their
initials into the bottom of the bird. Nathan Cobbs
carving style was reminiscent of New England and
Barnegat Bay, reflecting the area the family had come
from and their travels along the coast.

We're excited about what we've been able

to do, and we couldn't have done it without
membership support!
Become a Member TODAY!
Membership Types
Individual........................................$25
Family..............................................$50
Ambassador.........................................$100
Sustainer........................................$300
Sponsor...............................................$500
Patron..............................................$1,000
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
E-Mail:
Amount Enclosed:
Please fill out this form and return with payment to:
The Barrier Islands Center
PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405.

The Cobbs carved their decoy bodies from the masts of

wrecked ships. Using natural materials found on the
island, Nathan carved goose and brant necks from
holly branches. The beautiful natural line of the
branch created the illusion of movement, which
helped set Nathan Jr.s decoys apart from the rest. The
subtle tilt of a bill evoked the feeling that the artist
knew and studied his subjects very well. Cobb also
used glass eyes imported from Germany, as well as
copper nails taken from wrecked ships. The storms
that ravaged the island unfortunately destroyed many
of this masters decoys, but there are still some of
these treasures around today and they bring
astronomical prices at auction.

Or you can join online at www.barrierislandscenter.com

This vignette was written by Jerry Doughty and

produced for Our Eastern Shore, a joint project of the
Barrier Islands Center and WHRO. Funded in part by
Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the 90-second
vignettes are available as archived podcasts at whro.org.

Laura Vaughan, Executive Director

Contact Information
PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405
757.678.5550
barrierislandscenter@gmail.com

Sally Dickinson, Director of Education

Kristen Dennis, Director of Operations
Monika Bridgforth, Director of Planning and
Development

Check out whats been going on around the BIC...

Cape Charles Christian School

Abrakadoodle Cooking Camp

Fierce Arrow

Dogs on the Farm

My First Field Trip

Student

My First Field Trip

Student

Norfolk Academy
Chesapeake Bay Fellows

Red, White & Ewe Book

Reading at the Cape Charles
Library
Naval Weather Service
Association
Hampton Roads Chapter

Lower-Northampton County
Mothers of Preschoolers Group

Dogs on the Farm

Barrier Islands Center PO Box 206 Machipongo, VA 23405

PRSRT STD
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit #206
Machipongo, VA
23405

Save the date...

Feast on local Eastern Shore oysters and
clams, pork barbecue, grilled chicken and
more...all in the comfort of a heated tent
$10 for Chatham Vineyards wine and a fine
selection of beer on tap, including refills
Warm up with local Eastern Shore Coastal
Roastings coffee and peanuts

BICs
Oyster Roast Fundraiser
February 28, 2015
4-8:00 p.m.
$75 per person
Advanced ticket sales to BIC members
January 6 thru 13, 2015