2014

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Heart of the Community, Soul of a Culture

!The Barrier Islands Center is proud to announce the upcoming premiere of its newest documentary: Watermen. The film explores the history and culture surrounding fishing in the waters of Virginia’s seaside and Chesapeake Bay.

Academy Award-nominated Director James Spione has once again created a beautifully textured documentary that gives voice to the people, lifestyles and traditions that make up the unique fabric of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Offering intimate glimpses into the lives of the hardworking men and women who struggle to make their living on the water, Watermen also traces generations of families and communities which have evolved around fishing. Despite hardships and an uncertain future, the film richly captures the fierce pride and enduring optimism of the Eastern Shore’s watermen.

Welcome! Many of you know how much I love to welcome a new visitor here

at the BIC. With the upcoming release of Watermen, I think back to the providential events that brought us together with James Spione, the talented director of all three films, seven years ago...Jim was spending summer vacation with his in-laws at their home in Willis Wharf and had registered his son Sam for our new Pirate Summer Camp. After dropping Sam off, Jim decided to look around the museum. We think it was the best decision he’s ever made.

Jim and I began chatting about the BIC, the Eastern Shore and the world. Gradually, I learned that Jim had created a documentary film about his family’s

dairy farm in New York. I could also tell that he had fallen in love with the rugged beauty of the Shore. Light bulbs began to pop in my head, so I quickly brought Sally Dickinson, our Education Director, out to meet him.

After Jim left that day, Sally and I googled his film, American Farm. As we suspected, it was beautiful, and we hatched our plan. Sally had been working on oral histories of Hog Island, and she had a hunch that video could be a perfect medium to capture the pride of place and precious memories of the last inhabitants of Hog Island for posterity. We pitched the idea to Jim, and within 3 months, he had completed the interviews and was editing what would become Our Island Home.

The movie surpassed our wildest imaginations. We thought that by capturing the oral history vignettes on film, we could add depth to our exhibits. But we had no idea that the film would strike a chord with so many people, including PBS TV stations and their viewers. And so, we went back to Jim for a second film, Spirit of the Bird. Since then, Jim has been nominated for an Academy Award for another documentary, but has still found time to work with us on Watermen. We hope you’ll enjoy this third documentary just as much as the earlier two.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to greet visitors here at the BIC. You just never know who will step foot in here next…

Hope to see y’all soon,

The Music:

Wayne Henderson and Helen White:

Wayne Henderson is a musical legend known worldwide for both his lightning-fast “pinch picking” guitar style and the beautiful guitars, mandolins, and banjos he crafts in his shop in tiny Rugby, Virginia. Even Eric Clapton had to wait seven years to get one of Wayne’s guitars! Wayne has performed throughout the United States and the world, holds multiple first place finishes at the Galax Fiddler’s Convention guitar competition, and is honored each year at the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition. In 1995, he received the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Award, the nation’s greatest honor for those who practice traditional arts.

Helen White is an award-winning singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Junior Appalachian Musicians program which introduces Appalachian children to their musical heritage.

Wayne and Helen have been performing together for 15 years, with Helen providing a perfect backup to Wayne’s amazing guitar abilities. As a duo or as part of string bands, the pair has played at events sponsored by the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Presidential Inaugural Folk Festival.

Art and Music on the Farm

Saturday, May 24th

from 10-4 p.m.

Cost: $5 for adults. Under 18 yrs. FREE.

Rain or shine - Please, no coolers.

Start off your summer with a glorious celebration of Virginia’s rich heritage of art and music at one of the loveliest venues on the Eastern Shore. The Art and Music on the Farm festival offers fine art and treasures from local artists and artisans as well as traditional roots music played by celebrated musicians from across Virginia, all in an inviting, family-friendly setting. Sip wine, peruse the eye-catching art, delve into the history of Virginia musical styles, enjoy funnel cakes, or plan a fun summer garden. You will find something to tickle your fancy! There’s even an art activity for the children!

Everyone will revel in the toe-tapping, hand-clapping sounds of mountain stringband, chantey singing, folk, gospel and

bluegrass from five highly acclaimed Virginia bands. And there is also an exciting opportunity to participate in intimate workshops hosted by the performers and learn even more with interpretations by music historian Gregg Kimball and state folklorist Jon Lohman. The BIC is able to bring these high caliber musicians thanks to the Virginia Commission for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Fast-Track grants.

In addition to the music, the Farm will be filled with some of the finest art in the region: over 40 artists and artisans will have their paintings and crafts for sale. There will also be flowers, plants, food and beverages (including local wine, beer, soft drinks and iced coffee) available for purchase. So mark your calendars and bring your friends and family for a fun-filled day of delights on the Farm!

Art & Music on the Farm cont...

Family of Praise:

Family of Praise is a gospel group formed in 2012 under the direction of

Ms. Cheryl Maroney-Beaver, granddaughter of Maggie Ingram. The

ensemble has performed at numerous churches, festivals and community events, including backup performances for Maggie Ingram & the Ingramettes. Nominated to participate in the Virginia Folklife Program, Family of Praise is committed to community involvement and personal development through praise and worship.

Springfield Exit:

Linda and David Lay, along with David McLaughlin,

make up Springfield Exit, one of Virginia's outstanding singer trios. The trio performs original songs in addition to their own arrangements of old standards, traditional songs and instrumentals pulled from country, blues, swing, bluegrass, and folk. They have performed to audiences from Vermont to Washington State, and on stages at the Library of Congress, the Birchmere, Floydfest, Winchester's

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the General Jackson Showboat, the Wildhorse Saloon, and the Opryland Hotel.

Northern Neck Chantey Singers:

A chantey is a song African-American fishermen used to sing as they worked along the eastern seaboard decades ago. Like many work songs, it's a tradition that went by the wayside when machines replaced manual labor. Today it’s being kept alive by a group of aging former fishermen in the northern neck of Virginia, the strip of land between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. The men, all in their 70s and 80s now, pass on that musical heritage to the delight of audiences.

Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith:

Dr. Gregg Kimball combines skills as a musician,

historian, and published author to develop compelling programs and presentations on America’s traditional musical forms, such as gospel, old-time, and blues music. He has performed at many festivals and concert venues including the Washington D.C. Blues Festival, the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and with the Richmond Symphony.

Mary Smith is a traditional singer from central Virginia,

and is co-founder of Richmond Folk Music, a monthly concert series dedicated to traditional folk music.

Both Gregg and Mary take a special interest in the history and context of roots music.

Art & Music on the Farm cont...

Festival Emcee - Jon Lohman:

Jon is Program Director of the Virginia Folklife Program, part of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, based in Charlottesville. As the state folklorist, he works to document, present, and support Virginia’s rich cultural folkways through a variety of mediums, including audio and video documentation, exhibit design, public programming, and project development. He has presented at numerous festivals, including Floydfest, the Smithsonian Folklife festival, the national Folklife Festival, Merlefest, the Blue Ridge Folklife festival, and the American Folklife Festival.

As of April 8th...

Artists and Artisans

Robert Bilicki ● Marty Burgess ● Mary Ann Clarke ● David Crane ● Diana Davis ● Buck Doughty Linda Ennis ● Gertraud Fendler ● Ann Hayden ● Susan Henderson ● Jane Kafigian ● Barbara Myers

Bill Mytnik ● Thelma Peterson ● Maurice Spector ● Ten Good Sheep ● Kylis Winborne Vesna Zidovek and

Food and Beverage

Chatham Vineyards Wines Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co. Iced Coffee

Wendell Distributing Co. Beer KitchenSync Catering by Louise Oliver Otter Creek Catering by Debby Kozak

Vendors

Appleseed Porch and Garden Rita Hilton (flowers)

Tankard Nurseries (plants donated for sale)

Thank you to our 2014 Event Sponsors Accomack Title and Settlement, Inc.

Adair Tyler - SunTrust Investments

Atlantic Animal Hospital

BoJangles - Onley

Branscome Eastern Shore

Burger Landscape & Design

Chatham Vineyards

Davis Disposal

Drs. Savage, Sabol & Visser - Orthodontics

Eastern Shore Adventures

Eastern Shore Animal Hospital

Eastern Shore Events and Rentals

Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia

Hermitage Farms Nursery

H.W. Drummond, Inc.

The Insurance Market, Inc.

Leatherbury-Broache & Co., PC

Rayfield’s Pharmacy

Sharp Energy

Shooting Point Oyster Company, LLC

State Farm Insurance - Bart Holland

Tidewater Insulators

Tommy Arnold, Inc.

Weichert Realtors, Mason-Davis

Wendell Distributing Co., Inc.

WHRO

Willie C. Randall of Edward Jones

Bay Creek

ESLAND

H.M. Terry Co., Inc.

J.C. Walker Bros., Inc.

Jones Zittrain Wealth Management Group of Merrill Lynch

Ocean Cove Seafood

Tankard Nurseries

*** Michael L. Sterling - Vandeventer Black, LLP

PNC Bank

Shore Bank

Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas

Wolcott River Gates

Sally

“Learning Here Feels a Lot Like Fun” is more than a slogan at the Barrier Islands Center.

Making education a joyful process lies at the heart of everything we do. Looking back on the winter

happenings, the BIC Coffee Hour Lecture series featured two amazing opportunities. These hour-long

programs are FREE, and I encourage you to come, learn and enjoy.

Laurie Klingle gave a presentation during the chilly days of January about

the history of the orangery, including the renovation of the one at Eyre Hall. As

we nibbled her homemade citrus cookies, it was exciting to learn how people

in years past built orangeries as a way to enjoy refreshing and healthy citrus

through the winter.

In March, musicians Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith presented a rousing

program of Irish music. They had the whole audience singing loudly and

swaying to their songs. We could have easily fit in at a pub in Dublin!

I also get inspired each time I walk out to the new 1910 Education building,

which is used most days of the week. It offers wonderful flexibility and allows

us to do more than we ever dreamed of, including art exhibits, community group gatherings, and our on-

going “My First Field Trip” Pre-K art, history, manners and music program..

A four-year-old girl coming for her first of

four classes this semester looked up and

said with wide, excited eyes:

“Did you make this building for us?”

I could honestly answer back,

“Yes, we certainly did!”

Laurie Klingle

Come Learn With Us!

Flatfooting Dance Workshop

This FREE class taught by Bill McGlothlin, with live

accompaniment by Lynn Williams on the fiddle and banjo

and Tom Wescott on the guitar, will get the whole family

ready for our May 24 Art and Music on the Farm festival!

Participants will learn flatfooting, an old time dance style

closely associated with traditional string band music in

that the dancer’s feet barely leave the floor. This dance

style is a popular and important part of Virginia’s musical

heritage, particularly on the eastern slopes of the Blue

Ridge Mountains. For a toe-tapping, swinging good time,

bring your kids and learn some new dance moves!

Tuesdays April 29, May 6, 13, 20

6-7 p.m. for children and adults

FREE!

Barrier Islands Center

Speaker Series

"Beyond Organic: What is Biodynamic

Gardening?" with Stewart Lundy of Perennial

Roots Farm. Our June lecture will introduce biodynamic

gardening and farming principles, such as planting and

tending vegetables by the moon, the farm as a living

organism, and biodynamic herbs for health and nutrition.

Created by Waldorf School of Education founder

Rudolph Steiner, biodynamic agriculture has been

enthusiastically implemented by wineries from California

to France.

Guest speaker Stewart Lundy founded a biodynamic

permaculture farm, Perennial Roots, with Natalie

McGill in 2010. Committed to long-term sustainable

practices and perennial plants, they practice a synthesis

of biodynamic rhythms and permaculture concepts,

encouraging and fostering diversity in plants, animals

and wildlife throughout the farm.

Friday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m.

FREE!

CPR Class

Class participants will learn primary and

secondary First Aid for adults/infants, ADI,

and CPR with instructor Andy Dunton.

Class size is limited to 12 people.

Tuesday, June 24th

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $40

(covers all books and materials).

Children’s Fish Art Workshop

with Bobby Bridges. Young artists

and craftsmen (ages 7 and up) will

be supplied a solid color fish body by

artist Bobby Bridges that they will turn

into a creative masterpiece by adding

fins, tails, eyes, paint detail and more.

The power of their young imaginations

will produce a work of “fish 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

students.

Tues., July 22 and

Wed., July 23 from 2-4 p.m.

Cost: $75 per student.

Five-Day

Summer Camps!

Pirates, Princes and Princesses Camp

(ages 3-5 years)

June 23 - June 27th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon

pre-registration required

Cost: $125

Calling all pirates, princes and princesses to join us as we visit mysterious lands. Off we go to days when pirates ruled the seas and royalty ruled the land. We will make castles, crowns, sea monsters, pirate maps and more. Arrrrgggg, your majesty! This Abrakadoodle camp is filled with a bounty of games, activities, music and creative art experiences for our noble princes, princesses and sea-faring pirates!

Art Rocks! Camp

(ages 5-9 years)

July 14th - July 18th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon

pre-registration required

Cost: $125

The stage is set for rock artists everywhere! Art Rocks combines fun music and energetic art for a wildly creative adventure. Campers will make musical instruments, learn about rhythm and create some music of their own! They'll design a poster promoting a concert, as well as a unique label for a new CD. These rock artists will create their own rock art, design mystifying paintings to music and try their hand at melodic action painting. So come into the spotlight for a rocking good time!

Food, Glorious Food! Camp

(ages 7-12 years)

Aug. 11th - Aug. 15th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon

pre-registration required

Cost: $125

Get your spoon, paintbrush, and chocolate syrup ready - we're going to create art! From cupcake design to mosaics with food to chocolate syrup painting - it's all about the wonderful wacky world of food art! We'll even cook! (No peanuts or peanut oils will be used.)

Call the Barrier Islands Center today

to register your child for camp!

757.678.5550

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 Sustaining...........................................$100 Business..............................................$200 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.

Or you can join online at www.barrierislandscenter.com

Contact Information

PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405

757.678.5550

barrierislandscenter@gmail.com

Laura Vaughan, Executive Director

Sally Dickinson, Director of Education

Kristen Dennis, Director of Operations

Monika Bridgforth, Director of Development

History Sleuthing

This intriguing ring is hand-carved

from a single piece of ivory! It

came from a local household and

is believed to have been worn by

someone who brought here from

Africa on the slave trading ships

centuries ago. We are asking

anyone who might have insights

into its history, to call Annie Hess

in our museum acquisitions

department. Many thanks to Mr.

Steve Graham for donating this

very unique piece of Eastern

Shore history.

Those wily Hog Island sheep are at it again!

The Barrier Islands Center will debut a second illustrated children’s

book this summer, The Hog Island Sheep in Red, White, and Ewe.

This story features the 4th of July baseball game and picnic held

annually on Hog Island in the late 1920’s. Author Andrew Barbour

once again creates a clever and entertaining tale using the Hog

Island sheep as comical protagonists while drawing on coastal

history and traditions. Children and adults alike will be captivated by

the storyline and the vibrant original paintings by artist Cameron

Waff.

These engaging books are a natural educational tool which highlight

important elements of the coastal heritage that the Barrier Islands

Center seeks to preserve. Visitors to the museum can explore the

Hog Island picnic exhibit, complete with original recipes, which

inspired this story.

The hardcover books will be available for purchase for $19.99 in late

June at the BIC.

Dogs on the Farm

“Dogs on the Farm” Dog Obedience and K9 Nose Works classes

are taught by Beth Ann Sabo,

Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Associate Nose Work Instructor.

Pre-registration is required. Please contact Beth Ann directly at

bethann@easternshoredog.com for dates and times.

Basic Obedience: Learn to communicate with your dog more effectively, resulting in a stronger bond

and more fun. You will help your dog learn the foundations of obedience: focus and attention, mouth

manners, control (sit, down), introduce safety behaviors (come, wait, stay), and manners (polite leash

walking, greetings). This is where your dog’s education starts. No prerequisites - any dog, any age.

Introduction to K9 Nose Work®: Join this fun searching activity and new dog sport that any dog (and

any person) can do. This is a foundation class to learn the game, develop your dog’s drive, and start to

learn how to read your dog. You can take this as a stand-alone class to learn a new activity for your dog,

or use it as a springboard to testing and competition. This is not an obedience class, but does not

interfere with obedience training. It’s a great way to spend time with your dog and enjoy his problem-

solving and searching abilities - and it’s fun! No prerequisites - any dog, any age.

Spotlight on: Miriam Riggs

Visitors to the Barrier Islands Center often ask about the stunning painted floorcloth in the entrance foyer. The designer, local artisan Miriam Riggs, is highly regarded for creating these “hand-painted rugs,” as well as her meticulous historical research, and her renderings of local flora and fauna in floorcloth and mural designs. In fact, she just taught a sold-out Floorcloth Painting class here at the BIC last month.

Few people know that Miriam is the creative genius responsible for many of the BIC’s inspired and unusual exhibits, including the Cobb Island Hotel exhibit, the Hog Island exhibit with its paper maché picnic and the eye-catching Oyster Shucking exhibit, among others. We also love Miriam’s ability to elevate some of the most mundane objects to high art. For instance, Miriam transformed inexpensive white window shades into custom window treatments in the new Education Building. Plans are in the works for Miriam to bring her design magic to update our Almshouse, Trapping, and Market Hunting exhibits (as funding and time permits).

The BIC is incredibly fortunate to have a talented local artist like Miriam to interpret the history of the Barrier Islands Center. It is yet another point of pride that makes us unique in the landscape of museums and cultural centers. We recently interviewed Miriam about her collaboration with us. BIC: How did you first become interested in the Barrier Islands Center? MR: I am passionate about the rich history of the Eastern Shore. I’ve spent over 35 years studying Eastern Shore architecture and methods of historic painting. This is largely through direct exploration and repair of old houses. The Barrier Islands Center provides such welcoming buildings, grounds, and comfortable atmosphere for exploring the Shore’s heritage. I felt right at home there the first time I walked in the front door. BIC: Can you tell us about your creative process and approach? MR: A big part of the story I strive to tell at the BIC is about the ingrained strength and character of Eastern Shore people who have adapted to an often harsh and unpredictable environment. This coastal culture has endured for centuries; its foundation in living close to the earth holds many truths which still apply today. I want to create exhibits which draw visitors into that rich past. BIC: What do you enjoy most about your partnership with the BIC? MR: The open-mindedness and innovative nature of the BIC staff has made it possible for me to get very creative in some of the exhibits I’ve developed. Often when I’m working on an exhibit, I’ll start out with just a glimmer of a concept and a few artifacts. Then the BIC staff members may begin engaging visitors about what the goal is, and more local treasures will be brought in by excited donors. Many times there are colorful stories that go along with those treasures. So the wealth of the past knowledge keeps building on itself through the exhibits. That’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work there.

BIC Baby!

Rowan Dell

Our Eastern Shore:

Strawberries

A fondly remembered glory

of the Eastern Shore was the

sight of farm after farm of

strawberry fields in late

spring. Strawberries were

one of the first big money

crops of the agricultural year. Unfortunately, this is no

longer the situation.

The berries used to be packaged and freighted to

markets in huge quantities. Today, you might be able to

purchase a small basket from a private garden - if you

are lucky.

Old time residents will recall long rows of plants and

stooped harvesters with quart sized baskets made of

very thin wood. The fragrance of the fruit in the early

morning dew and mild sunshine was truly delightful.

There would be awning covered stands throughout a

large field. The pickers bought their quarts to these

stands for a tally. Photographs taken in the 1950s near

Daugherty in Accomack County show volunteer ladies-

mostly farmers’ wives and neighbors managing the

tallies and the correct amount of berries in each basket.

Their heads are covered in scarves; they seem to be

enjoying themselves - evidently a social event not to be

missed.

Of course, these ladies would make their own preserves.

But best of all was strawberry shortcake. If you use

those little yellow cups and commercial topping from the

store you haven’t had strawberry shortcake. The real

thing involves actual shortbread, homemade whipped

cream and several hours of refrigeration. Ahh

springtime!

This vignette was 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 explore the history

and culture of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and are available

as archived podcasts at whro.org.

Dates to Remember

Tuesdays, April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 6 - 7:00 p.m.

Flatfooting Dance Workshop

***

Saturday, May 24th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Art & Music on the Farm

***

Friday, June 20th, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

“Beyond Organic:

What is Biodynamic Gardening?”

***

Monday-Friday, June 23rd - 27th

9:00 a.m. - Noon

Pirates, Princes and Princesses Camp

***

Tuesday, June 24th, 6 - 9:00 p.m.

CPR Class

***

Monday-Friday, July 14th - 18th

9:00 a.m. - Noon

Art Rocks! Camp

***

Tuesday, July 22nd & Wednesday, July 23rd

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Children’s Fish Art Workshop

***

Monday-Friday, August 11th - 15th

9:00 a.m. - Noon

Food, Glorious Food! Camp

PRSRT STD

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Permit #206

Machipongo, VA

23405

Barrier Islands Center ● PO Box 206 ● Machipongo, VA 23405

Saturday of Memorial Day WeekendSaturday of Memorial Day WeekendSaturday of Memorial Day Weekend

May 24thMay 24thMay 24th

10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Join us for Art & Music on the Farm!