Bay Creek Soundings - December 2023

Soundings

As President of Bay Creek, I’d like to take a moment to share some of our latest developments, along with a little glimpse into 2023. The development improvements that have taken place this year have been so rewarding, with meaningful accomplishments large and small. In a community like Bay Creek, everything matters—from the state of the flowers and foliage at the entrance gate, to the responsible creation of new homesites, to the condition of the golf courses. Even the greeting you receive when you walk into the Life Center or Coach House Tavern. To us, everything is big, even if it’s small.

Besides its spectacular location on the Chesapeake Bay and the natural, healthful lifestyle afforded to residents and guests, an important attractor at Bay Creek is its attention to detail and overall philosophy of development.

Our neighborhoods are carefully planned to satisfy multiple requirements. When the idea for a new neighborhood is first conceived, we consider it on every level. It must fit within the Bay Creek aesthetic. It must be responsibly

placed to complement the natural areas and resources we have here. Then we move down to the homesites within the neighborhood. The lifestyle here is about family and recreation and Eastern Shore living. Each homesite—each home plan—should speak to that. Whether the attractor is a spectacular water or golf course view, the walkable ‘cottage’ aesthetic, or proximity to the beach…Bay Creek homesites and neighborhoods have to satisfy the high standard we’ve set for ourselves here.

“To us, everything is big, even if it’s small.”

New Homes & Neighborhoods

In Bayside Village, infrastructure construction for nine new homesites began in December. This collection of properties, located literally across the street from the Chesapeake Bay, represent the final release of homesites in Phase One of Bayside Village. Talk about saving some of the best for last! Bayside Village is special and sought after. Those who have visited Bay Creek are familiar with it— the pedestrian-friendly streets, the village green areas…it has a storybook kind of charm. These nine homesites have been highly anticipated and we’re excited to be releasing them in the new year. As a matter of fact, one has already been spoken for! We’re also anticipating a new selection of homes from the Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods Coastal Collection, including a beautiful 2,000 square foot cottage named the Portsmouth. This plan is right sizing at its finest!

Once completed, these homesites will join a highly desirable selection of properties now available at Bay Creek. Every homesite is set near something unique, whether it’s beach proximity, a beautiful old oak tree, a golf course, woodlands, or one of those once-in-a-lifetime Chesapeake Bay water views, we work to ensure every homesite has its own unique extra.

As Phase One of Bayside Village approaches a complete sell-through, Phase Two is already in the works. Close to the Bay Creek Life Center—this ideally placed fitness and wellness enclave is steps from amenities and a quick golf cart, bike ride or walk to the beach. Fifty-eight homesites will be offered in the traditional Bayside Village style, including a selection of properties along the 9th fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature course as well as a newly created water feature. This is an aesthetic that people love and it’s an iconic part of the Bay Creek identity, so excitement is high.

Right now, we’re seeing continued momentum in Muirfield, and we expect that to continue in the coming months. The homesites here offer a great deal of variety and feature pastoral settings on a tranquil pond as well as dramatic golf course and lake views. Adjacent, the wooded homesites of spectacular Muirfield Bluffs, set along the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, are home to some of the most stunning coastal views in the Southeast and represent Bay Creek’s final release of singlefamily homesites overlooking the Bay.

Portsmouth rendering

Muirfield Bluffs Homesite View

Soundings

Experiences & Enhancements

Hand in hand with choice homesites are Bay Creek’s authentically Eastern Shore amenities. Winter gives the development team, the Club and various leadership and Member advisory boards a chance to look back and think ahead. Maintaining and enhancing amenities and offering memorymaking experiences are key.

New enhancements are slated for 2023 and in-progress projects will be brought to completion, all toward the goal of offering residents, Members and guests a world-class experience.

There’s been a lot of great work done at the Coach House in the past year. From significant landscaping to the new cart barn, we’re seeing more space and ease of use in this area. In the coming months we’ll continue work on a new Banquet Kitchen. This will give the Coach House team the facilities they need to expand current hospitality and events. We’re really excited about the opportunities this will open up.

“Related to that, we’ll be beginning work at the Pro Shop. The site of the old cart barn is being reimagined and will become the new Pro Shop.

The current Pro Shop will be redesigned to add additional dining space for the Coach House and will also serve as a venue for special Club events and private Member functions.

Welcoming Visitors and New Owners

Besides continuing with the necessary and exciting work of optimizing Bay Creek’s amenities and bringing new neighborhoods and homesites to life, the Bay Creek team also welcomed over 100 new families as owners in 2022.

The fall was a great season for visitors to our community. It always is. Believe it or not, winter is, too! We’re on the southern part of the peninsula here and the weather reflects that. There’s still plenty to do… we see people boating, walking the nature preserve, fishing. We’ve hosted a lot of Discovery guests who have now decided to relocate to Bay Creek. And really, that’s the purpose of everything we do on the development team…to ensure Bay Creek will always be a place that people want to call home.

The entire Bay Creek team joins me in wishing everyone a prosperous and peaceful 2023. Here’s to life on the Eastern Shore!”

~ Bobby Masters, President of

Bay Creek

“At the Club, the whole team has been putting together special events and activities that allow everyone to take part in the holiday spirit. From enjoying last month’s Thanksgiving-to-Go dinner, to generous donations to the Holiday Food Drive benefitting the Cape Charles Food Pantry, Members have taken part in events of every kind and our community is better for it,” says Bob.

Celebrating Life on the Eastern Shore

“Right now, during this exciting holiday-to-newyear season, we’re focusing on celebration, community, and fun.” Popular year-round events like Campfire Songs with Ranger Stan and winter Nature Walks with Naturalist Joe Fehrer are still going strong and are now joined by festive new events for the season.

CLUB HAPPENINGS

As we get closer to starting a new year, Bay Creek is full of activity and life. From special holiday events to plans and excitement for 2023, there’s so much happening and there’s so much to be thankful for. Bob Ewing, General Manager of the Bay Creek Club, fills us in on what’s been happening around the community and how the Club is preparing for an incredibly exciting new year.

“We feel strongly about celebrating the holidays and more importantly, each other. The Member Holiday Appreciation Reception was a great success, hosting more than 200 members for great food and great company.”

There have been a variety of ways to get into the holiday spirit this year: the first day of Hanukkah was celebrated with a menorah lighting ceremony to honor our Jewish friends and family. There was a Holiday Toy Drive, thanks to residents’ generous donations. Lighthearted fun was in great supply, too, like brunch and pet photos with Santa. At the Coach House Tavern, the Champagne Social had everyone feeling bubbly and jolly. The Life Center donned a festive flair, too, offering ‘Twelve Activities of Christmas’—a great and healthful way to counteract the effects of all that holiday indulgence!

Soundings

As for the new year, “we’ll finish off 2022 with a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner in the Coach House Tavern,” says Bob. “The New Year’s Eve dinner is held earlier in the evening so guests can attend, have a good time with friends, and still have plenty of time to go enjoy the annual dropping of the Crab Pot festivities in downtown Cape Charles.”

Great Golf at Bay Creek: Looking Back and Ahead

As the new year approaches, a look back at the past year is appropriate, and in the Club world, necessary to ensure future success. Bay Creek enjoyed an incredible year for golf, and next year is shaping up to perhaps be one of the best ever. Last month’s King and Bear tournament was a huge success with gorgeous mid-70’s temperatures both days. “We had 80 players/40 two-person teams competing. I’d like to offer thanks to everyone who played in the event, and a special callout to Bay Creek’s golf maintenance pros: the golf course was in great shape with our greens running over 13 on the stimpmeter.”

With Bay Creek’s beautiful courses playable all year, the golf maintenance team continues its work throughout the winter to ensure that every round delivers a great experience. The Club team is energized and dedicated to giving Bay Creek members a superb 2023.

Excitement and Energy for the New Year

There’s no question that in its first year, Bay Creek’s association with Troon has been a success on many levels.“It’s been a great year and we will be continuing that momentum through 2023,” says Bob. “The Bay Creek team, from golf to hospitality and beyond, helped us accomplish so much—more great events, excellent golf conditions, and memorable, top-notch experiences, from the beach to the greens to the Life Center and beyond.”

With a new Club Facebook page debuting soon, Bob and the team will be able to showcase even more of the amazing day-to-day happenings at Bay Creek. “If Golf Pro Zach Pfingst is doing a pop-up sale, or Mike is doing work on the course,

or if we’re setting up a nighttime glow putt event, members and guests will easily be able to follow the action and fun. We’re doing so many great things at Bay Creek… we’re looking forward to showing it, and having more interaction with our Members, friends and guests.”

“Everyone has worked extremely hard this year to give the best experience to each and every Member, resident and guest at Bay Creek. This time of year allows us to pause, reflect, and take a deep breath and enjoy what we have here,” says Bob. “As the holiday season is upon us, I wanted to express my personal appreciation for a great year and pass along wishes for a happy, healthy and beautiful holiday season.”

Here’s to a great new year!

Images from left to right: Christmas decorations at the Club; Holiday Toy Drive; festive flair at the Life Center; winter Nature Walks; King & Bear Golf Tournament; Menorah lighting.

Soundings

REAL ESTATE OFFERINGS

Another record-setting year is coming to a close as the Bay Creek team, through November, has proudly welcomed over 100 new families into this amazing community. There were certainly reasons to wonder how this year would turn out given the political climate, the rise of inflation and the interest rate increases, but in the end, families who were ready to begin living their best life made the decision to ‘seize the day’ rather than put their dreams on hold.

2023 Owner Referral Program

All of us at Bay Creek Realty continue to be humbled and thankful to our wonderful group of home and homesite owners who so generously share this special place with their friends and family. Referrals from Bay Creek owners helps to grow the community with like-minded people and allows everyone to ‘choose their neighbors’…what a concept!

We will continue to say ‘thank you’ for your referrals in 2023 through the Bay Creek Owner Referral Program, and we’re excited to announce a significant enhancement for the upcoming year.

As we look ahead to 2023, there are wonderful opportunities available for those who visit and become captivated by the Bay Creek lifestyle. Muirfield will be ready to welcome the Spring season with gorgeous golf course and lake properties and a new fountain and landscaping around its signature pond. The final release of homesites in Phase One of Bayside Village is now available for purchase, featuring large ½ acre wooded properties along the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course as well as sites across from the majestic Chesapeake Bay. And for families interested in calling the Eastern Shore ‘home’ just a bit sooner, there are 8 new homes currently available for purchase from Bay Creek’s Showcase Builders.

In 2023, there will be one reward level: every eligible family referred by a Bay Creek owner who purchases an eligible property will now earn the owner $1,000 in club credit!

There is no limit to the amount of rewards an owner can earn, so please keep spreading the good word about Bay Creek to your friends and family. For details on program eligibility and eligible properties or to submit a referral, please visit baycreeklife.com/refer.

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

Crafted by Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods, this home is nearing completion and ready for your family to start making memories on the shore! Situated on Bayside Avenue close to the Life Center, Coach House Tavern and Bay Creek’s private beaches, this home is in the center of everything!

With a welcoming covered front porch and a spacious screened porch off the living room, you’ll have many ‘favorite places’ to enjoy inside this sophisticated home plan. On the main level, an inviting kitchen and breakfast area opens to a spacious living room, where two sets of grand French doors open out to the screened rear porch. This porch is as lovely as it sounds and will surely be home to many a morning coffee, afternoon nap or get together with friends. All three bedrooms are located on the upper level, including a large Owner’s Suite with walk-in closet.

With an impressive list of features and finishes and a location just steps from the Chesapeake Bay, this home stands out as one of the best values in Bay Creek.

Covered front porch and rear screened porch provide wonderful outdoor living areas

Interior finishes include engineered hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, stone countertops, designer tile and KitchenAid® stainless appliances

Large Owner’s Suite on upper level with walk-in closet

Beautifully open living area on main level 10’ ceilings on main level, 9’ on upper level

Green Living features include low-E windows, tankless water heater and low VOC paint

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

This beautiful coastal-inspired home from Showcase Builder Bay Legacy Homes maximizes space with a large and open living area on the main level, offering high ceilings that give the home an overall grand feeling. As you enter the home through the covered front porch into the foyer, the flow opens effortlessly before you, transitioning from the dining room, to the great room, to a beautifully crafted kitchen featuring a center island with eating bar and a spacious walk-in pantry. The 16’ x 15’ great room offers large nine-foot-high sliding glass doors leading out to the rear porch, affording great views of the spacious backyard.

The main level Owner’s Suite features dual vanities, a large ‘wet room’ with tub and shower and a walk-in closet. The 3 bedrooms located on the upper level are well-sized with both ensuite and hallway bathrooms and spacious closets. Also upstairs is a large bonus room over the garage, which could be a second Owner’s Suite, media room or home office.

Located in Muirfield just across from the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and close to the Life Center and Chesapeake Bay, this is a multi-generational home that is well worth your consideration.

Spacious and Open Main Living Area

Large Owner’s Suite on Main Level with Two Closets

Kitchen with Large Center Island and Walk-In Pantry

Custom Cabinetry and Stone Countertops Throughout Home

Covered Porch

Mud Room with Built-In Storage and Powder Room

Huge Upper-Level Bonus Room

Tankless Hot Water Heater

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

Welcome to The Outlook Cottage in Bayside Village, a spacious new home offering situated beautifully across the street from Cassatt Green Park and just steps from the Life Center and private beach coves along the Chesapeake Bay.

This coastal design, crafted by Showcase Builder Terry Industries, offers a beautiful open floor plan on the main level and is ideal for families who require just a bit of extra space, with both a main level and upper-level Owner’s Suite, a home office, and a 2-car garage.

Enter from the covered front porch into the foyer, which beautifully transitions into a large family room with fireplace, featuring luxury vinyl-plank flooring. Once in the family room, you’ll see the kitchen and dining areas open before you, with a large center island and under counter barstool seating. The kitchen impresses with soft-close drawers and cabinets, upper cabinets to the ceiling, and quartz countertops. Just off the family room is a private home office with a nicely-sized walk-in closet for storage. The first Owner’s Suite bedroom is privately situated in the rear of the home next to the screened porch.

On the upper level, you’ll discover three additional bedrooms, including a second, and much larger, Owner’s Suite, with a beautiful tray ceiling and two walk-in closets. Each secondary bedroom has a walk-in closet and easy access to the upper-level laundry room.

Open Floor Plan

Private Home Office/Den On Main Level

Owner’s Suites On Both Main and Upper Levels

Quartz and Granite Countertops

2 Car Garage

Screened Porch

Anderson 400 Series Double Hung Windows

Tankless Water Heater And Water Softening System

Bayside Village is home to an exceptional new cottage plan, situated beautifully across the street from the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course and steps from the Life Center and private beach coves along the Chesapeake Bay.

Welcome to the Broadwater Cottage, a blend of farmhouse familiarity and classic seaside style, crafted by Showcase Builder K.M. Cash. This 3-bedroom 2.5-bath cottage offers inviting spaces and richly crafted details. Your first view of this home, designed by the renowned place makers at Allison Ramsey Architects, is memorable with a well-proportioned front porch that lets the bay breezes sweep through while inviting you to ‘stay awhile.’

Inside, a bright living room with fireplace opens to a spacious dining area and large kitchen beyond. Family get togethers are effortless here in these gracious spaces. A first level Owner’s Suite is ideal for those who desire main level living, featuring both a tub and shower and a nicely sized walk-in closet. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a loft space, so family and guests can also retreat to comfort after a beautiful day’s adventure on the Bay.

With covered and screened porches at front and back, and a 2-car garage to house every manner of beach and Bay equipment (kayaking, anyone?), the Broadwater Cottage makes enjoying the Bay Creek lifestyle effortless and enjoyable.

Open Floor Plan

Private Home Office/Den on Main Level

Luxurious Owner’s Suite with Tub, Shower, and Walk-In Closet

Large Walk-In Pantry

Laundry Room with Built-In Desk 2 Car Garage

Screened Porch with Access from Both Kitchen & Owner’s Suite 2 Bedrooms on Upper Level with Loft Space

LEARN MORE

CHEF’S CORNER

Christian Lofland

BAY CREEK EXECUTIVE CHEF

Christian Lofland excels at pairings— wine and food…appetizers and entrees... main courses and perfect-finish desserts. His pairings are a lot like this present moment in time: the warmth and old traditions of the holiday season paired with the ‘fresh start’ and newness of a brand-new year. In this issue, Christian gives us an update on the festive, tasty holiday season at Bay Creek, and shares a few exciting hints about what the new year will hold!

Nearing a full year as Executive Chef, Christian has enjoyed getting to know Bay Creek’s Members and working with the Troon Privé team to entertain and delight at the Coach House.

December has been especially festive this year— a hearty ‘Breakfast with Santa’ at the Life Center, a Member Champagne Social, and the very popular ongoing Friday Night Wine Tasting events at the Tavern Bar. And that was just the beginning of the fun!

“We hosted a great Member Appreciation Day on December 13th at the Coach House and golf shop,” says Christian. “We had over 200 Members attend.” Festive appetizers, a carving station and many Member favorites were prepared and served by Christian and his team, in appreciation of the Members who help make Bay Creek the dynamic, welcoming place that it is.

The beginning of Hanukkah was marked by lighting the menorah and serving up incredible house-made potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce.

“We’re preparing for the New Year’s Eve event now,” says Christian. “We’re having a really nice three-course menu with three entrée options and a vegetarian option…it’ll be very festive!”

As with any new year, the first part of 2023 will mark an exciting and busy time for Christian. In January, he’ll begin work on the new spring menu. Loyal Coach House Tavern guests need not fear— Christian is an expert at blending tried-and-true with fresh and new. Guests can expect to see many favorites remain and be tempted by some interesting new items. “We’ll be changing up some of our salads and proteins, and we’re going to add some really great sandwiches, too,” Christian explains.

“Now’s the time for winter root vegetables— carrots, potatoes, beets...we are always trying to integrate fresh produce and source local whenever possible,” adds Christian. Winter root vegetables, butternut squash and things like leeks bring freshness and variety to Bay Creek dishes.

What is Christian excited about for 2023? “I’ve been here for almost a full year now, and I’m excited to continue getting to know the area and all it has to offer,” he says. Christian is also looking forward to exploring further afield in his quest for great flavors.

As a professional chef who is passionate about his craft, Christian enjoys conceiving new dishes and incorporating new styles. In the new year, he is planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to be inspired by the area’s Lowcountry cooking—the flavors, the preparation, the history, and more. “As we discuss expanding and enhancing the Coach House menu, I’m looking at both Lowcountry and Mediterranean style,” Christian says. “It’s a great opportunity to introduce to the Bay Creek menu some of what make these genres of food distinct and special,” he explains.

Soundings

Besides enhancement of the lunch and dinner menus, 2023 will also see some expansion and streamlining at the Coach House and surrounding space. “We’re talking about event banquet space at the Coach House and having additional prep kitchen space,” Christian says.

What’s cooking in Christian’s own kitchen this time of year? Black eyed peas! They’re perfect during the holiday season and are hearty comfort food for cozy January days, too. “I usually use bacon fat, but you can also use rashers or pork belly for seasoning,” he explains. “This is also the time of year when you want to do braised meats. Pot roast with potatoes and fennel…and I like to use leeks in place of onions. They have a more subtle flavor,” Christian explains. “Just like fennel, leeks are underused and very versatile.”

Christian and his team are looking forward to welcoming friends old and new at the Coach House in the coming year and continuing to share beloved favorites and exciting, new flavors, too.

It’s all to further enhance each guest’s experience: delivering great food and impeccable service as efficiently as possible. A very Happy New Year to all, from Chef Christian Lofland and the Bay Creek team!

Congratulations to the Chef Christian Lofland for winning both People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice at the highly competitive 2022 Oyster Farm Soup Cook-Off. Drawing chefs each year from across the lower Eastern Shore, this annual event is much anticipated, and this year Christian’s irresistible she-crab soup wowed the judges and attendees. Congrats, Chef Christian for the huge win—Bay Creek is proud of you!

LEARNING

Winter slips into the Eastern Shore little by little. Golden hues of autumn become a little more subtle, and deciduous trees start letting go of their crisp brown leaves as days countdown to winter. The fresh bay breeze gets a little cooler and Bay Creek dons a quieter, subtler landscape.

Each season on the Eastern Shore is lovely in its own right: neon greens and vivid first buds in spring, lush greens and showy blooms in summer, and the flaming golds and reds of fall. Says Bay Creek naturalist, Joe Fehrer, “Winter brings a different kind of color and nature, and it often requires a different kind of looking.”

When exploring Bay Creek’s nature in spring and summer, there’s exuberance at every turn— bright blooms, canopies of deep green trees, meadows of color, butterflies, seabirds, and songbirds. According to Joe, who is both an expert nature guide and an excellent conversationalist, winter at Bay Creek may have a softer voice, but it has many meaningful things to say to those who will pause and listen.

“As winter approaches, the water temperature cools just a bit. That means the game fish have changed,” explains Joe. “We’re seeing less speckled trout and red drum. Now, the cold-water fish, like rockfish, are moving in, and if you’re an angler, that’s a good thing. In the skies, we’re seeing the last few migratory songbirds, the long-distance tropical migrant birds, and warblers come through,” Joe adds. “We’re in the winter bird season now, so we’re seeing more sparrow species in the meadows, woods edge and lake areas. The yellow-rumped warblers have shown up in big numbers in the last few weeks. The chickadees, titmice, and downy and hairy woodpeckers and many others are here, too.”

Here to Stay is ... the Bluebird?

Bluebirds are actually short distance migrants, meaning there will be many bluebirds throughout the winter at Bay Creek. “They may only go short distances south—they may come from New Jersey, for example, down here to Virginia,” says Joe.

Because of this, the bluebird boxes around the property, built and installed by a dedicated group of Stewardship Club members and residents, are in high demand as the bluebird population remains strong. “Near Base Camp, there’s an area that looks out over Plantation Creek and the Chesapeake Bay,” says Joe. “I saw no less than fifty bluebirds as I walked that area the other day. It was incredible.”

Bluebird boxes aren’t the only welcoming manmade accommodation for birds at Bay Creek. There are also wood duck boxes. “We’ll be installing more wood duck boxes on some of the ponds, soon. The existing wood duck boxes haven’t hosted any wood ducks yet, but they may be utilized by screech owls who are looking for a place out of the wind weather in the upcoming months,” says Joe.

As for birds, this time of year, Joe says, there are more waterfowl moving in on the ponds—the puddle or dabbling ducks—and then the diving ducks on the Bay and in the creek. “On the beach, I’ve recently found some feathers of Common Loons, and on a still day, when the Bay is calm, you can walk the beach and sometimes hear the calls of the loons in the Bay,” Joe says. “It’s beautiful.”

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Making Connections

From loons on the Bay to seeds in the meadow, there will be a lot to observe this winter for those who are willing to take a closer look. Joe’s ‘Field Work with a Naturalist’ walk offers a deep dive into what’s growing, and what birds and wildlife are in the community. “On the winter “Field Work” walks, we’ll talk about the birds we see, where we’re seeing them, and then make connections: ‘why do the sparrows like the meadow areas this time of year,’ for example, and ‘what are they finding to eat there?’”

“I’ve been curious my whole life as to how things work: why does a particular bird or butterfly need a specific host plant, and then seeing the relationships in nature,” explains Joe. His themed walks have this ‘curiosity’ quality, too, by design.

“This is the time of year I like to look for little details. We’ll walk through the meadows and gather different seeds and look at the shape of the seeds and how they disperse. Winter is a good time of year to look at the minutiae of detail. In the spring and summer, there’s such abundance that it can be hard to focus. This time of year, I tend to get more reflective on the nature walks. It’s a good time of year to just slow down, to look at and study a single leaf or seed.”

When observing winter leaves and foliage, Joe offers this advice for winter at Bay Creek:

“Some of the sweet gums will retain a few of their colorful fall leaves through the early winter. You might see some peeking through here and there. But really, this is the time of year when the evergreens stand out: the pines, the hollies, some of our greenbriers, all native plants. This is a great time of year to go explore for those. The Yaupon Holly is a native plant covered with bright red berries and smaller rounded leaves, and the yaupon is the only naturally caffeinated plant in North America,” he says. “It’s a very pretty plant. You can buy dried yaupon, just as you’d buy tea leaves and steep it for a caffeinated beverage.”

“You’ll also see the red berries and sharp leathery leaves of the American holly, or ‘Christmas Holly’. Besides that, you may see some late blooming golden rods here and there, nestled down in the meadows protected from the frost, if you keep your eyes open for them,” Joe says.

Yaupon Holly

History, Helping Hands, and Paying it Forward

Joe continues to do the popular Full Moon walks, beach walks, and walks focusing more on the upland areas now that the weather has cooled. In early 2023, he will be leading people to explore areas that are within the larger Preserve area— but places where most guests may not venture on their own. “There are some really beautiful areas here on the property,” says Joe. He also continues to share the area’s rich history with his fellow nature walkers.

“It’s important to me that people new to Bay Creek, who didn’t grow up on the Eastern Shore or who are not that familiar with it, understand the natural and cultural history of the Shore. Hopefully, in these nature walks, they’ll take something positive away and perhaps be inspired to give back, too.”

On the property, winter brings the need for special tasks to help natural areas thrive. In late winter we’ll be mowing the areas that were once golf fairways. It’s a difficult task but the payoff is in the variety of plants that come up and the many different animals and insects that depend on these open meadow-like habitats. We’re so well placed on the Eastern Shore peninsula … Bay Creek is in the process of becoming a stellar habitat with the restoration of these natural areas. It’s very exciting,” Joe says.

Bay Creek Stewardship Club members have already volunteered to help with these important restoration tasks. In early December, Joe, Ranger Stan, and 10 members of the Stewardship Club planted close to 100 long leaf pine trees in one of the former golf fairways.

“We planted the trees and did a tutorial about the long leaf pine, their history and importance to the ecology. A few extra trees plugs were offered to Stewardship members who helped with the planting, so they could take one to establish as a yard tree,” he said.

“Some of the planting volunteers asked, ‘will we ever see these trees get big?’ My answer was ‘yes, you’ll see them get taller, but we most likely won’t see them get big and old. But your grandkids will.’ So we’re just paying it forward,” says Joe. “I can’t say enough good things about the folks who volunteer and give freely of their time here at Bay Creek… just like the volunteers who helped plant the saplings, and who may never see them reach their full size. In a world of instant gratification, that kind of patience, and faith, is a very pleasant thing.”

Like saplings beginning their journey to become towering pines, time marches on and nature with it. “When winter eventually fades to spring,” says Joe, “we’ll lose our winter birds and welcome the spring and summer birds, and the cycle just begins again,” says Joe. “Nature and the change of seasons are like a slow-turning wheel.”

Rolling through one beautiful season to the next is part of the absolute wonder of nature here at Bay Creek. And when you’re thoroughly familiar with an area, as Joe is with Bay Creek, “You know what to expect and where to look,” says Joe. “It’s all about seeing things in a different way, and helping people learn to observe and appreciate nature in winter and every season.”

BAY CREEK TAKES PART IN A COASTAL HOLIDAY TRADITION:

Festive Fridays

IN HISTORIC CAPE CHARLES

Isn’t it nice to know that some holiday traditions are still going strong? Bay Creek was so excited to be part of the 2022 Festive Fridays celebration—one of Cape Charles’ most beloved annual events, presented by Cape Charles Main Street.

For four special Fridays from November 25th to December 16th, Cape Charles’ ‘Candy Cane Lane’ was twinkling with holiday festivity. We at Bay Creek celebrated, too. It was our privilege to be a sponsor for this year’s Festive Fridays tradition, helping this beloved event continue to thrive. This year, the Bay Creek hospitality booth was again set up in the heart of the hometown Christmas charm. We enjoyed talking with scores of merry-makers— chatting about life on the Eastern Shore, how great Cape Charles is, and what exciting things are happening at Bay Creek in the new year.

Strolling, Shopping and Savoring Cape Charles charm

Residents, visitors, and revelers enjoyed the welcoming, historic streets of Cape Charles which were decked out with twinkling holiday lights. Horse-drawn carriages offered rides through the magical holiday-scape and festive shops decorated for the holidays lined the quaint streets. Cape Charles’ many restaurants, shops, and boutiques offered holiday open houses, door prizes and seasonal treats.

As is tradition, the historic Palace Theater showed classic Christmas for free, and a few of our favorites made the list: A Christmas Story and Elf.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus were in attendance to inspire cheer and update their naughty-and-nice list. Santa set up a little Eastern Shore cottage workshop on Strawberry Street Plaza and the Bay Creek team members were on their very best behavior. We’re pretty sure he noticed.

Working Together to Make the Holidays Special

Bay Creek was pleased to be among the many local businesses, individuals and groups who came together to make sure the Festive Fridays events were magical. Bay Creek offers special thanks to the hardworking people of Cape Charles Main Street and the entire Cape Charles community who came together to put on a good, old fashioned Cape Charles holiday celebration.

Cape Charles has been called a ‘storybook’ sort of town. We at Bay Creek agree—and if our Eastern Shore lifestyle here were a storybook, Festive Fridays would certainly be one of our favorite chapters! We enjoyed seeing and talking with everyone in our lovely town.

May your 2023 be ever-festive, The Bay Creek Team

If some of Cape Charles’ most inspiring views are its sunsets, one of its most intriguing could be Moonrise in its gorgeous, newly renovated historic storefront.

It’s almost impossible to walk by Moonrise Jewelry at 325 Mason Avenue without stopping to take in the view. The sleek, navy storefront lined with fine golden accents and classic brass lanterns are a lot like a work of art. Walk through the grand wooden front door and you’ll feel as if you’re in a jewel box. It is a vision realized for artist and Eastern Shore native, Meredith Lusk.

Artisan Jewelry in Historic Cape Charles

Moonrise is a delightful blend of shimmering jewels, sophisticated designs, hospitality, and good conversation. It’s a resident and visitor favorite for bespoke jewelry with unique Shorecentric designs. At Moonrise, you’ll see things you’ve never seen before—and that’s part of the magic…new, innovative jewelry pieces that are inspired by the rich history and culture of the Eastern Shore. Meredith embraces the individualism and quirkiness of the Shore, too. You can see it in her acclaimed fish leather cuff bracelets and in her newest bracelet adorned with a historic map of the Eastern Shore.

A thriving business in Cape Charles for more than a decade, Moonrise Jewelry is now in a luxe, new storefront on Mason Avenue. It is both a work of art and a piece of Cape Charles history. The building is more than 100 years old, and housed the ‘Saks Variety Store’ from the 1920’s to 1957. It was owned by Russian immigrant, Louis Aaron Saks and his wife, Fannie Ida Kellam. They lived on Monroe Avenue and their daughter graduated from Cape Charles High School.

Meredith’s complete renovation of the space for Moonrise was a major undertaking. But the creative powerhouse who regularly travels to Iceland to source sustainable fish leather for her signature bracelets was up for the challenge.

It’s one of the latest jewels of renovation and renewal in Cape Charles, which has firmly reclaimed its glory as a dynamic, thriving town.

A Generational Connection

“My family has lived in Northampton County for at least seven generations,” Meredith explains. “I grew up hearing my grandmother tell stories of her youth and the heyday of Cape Charles back in the 1920s and 30s. It was so different from what I saw as a child growing up in the 80s and 90s.”

Wanting to see life outside her small town, Meredith left for university at Tulane. “I didn’t major in jewelry or business, or anything remotely related to what I do now,” she laughs. The Spanish and anthropology major traveled extensively through South America and returned to the Shore after graduation. She turned to jewelry as a hobby, making pieces for family and friends, and it began to grow.

Now, more than 15 years later, Meredith is part of the modern heyday of Cape Charles. “We’re excited to be part of keeping the legacy alive,” she smiles. “It’s been great to be able to bring this historic location back to life.”

Keeping It On The Shore

Meredith has structured Moonrise as a sustainable enterprise that offers opportunities for her rural, Eastern Shore community. Each piece of Moonrise Jewelry is handmade in the Mason Avenue studio by talented local women. They’re gracious, engaging, and know everything about the area. Cape Charles couldn’t have wished for a better group of ambassadors!

Meredith’s clientele is wonderfully loyal, with many guests coming back year after year to soak in the creativity and choose another a wearable piece of Eastern Shore art to take home.

Inspired Jewelry

Meredith’s use of fish leather in her pieces has garnered a lot of attention. “The fish leather is beautiful, and it resonates with people in a coastal area like this, where fishing is a part of our everyday life,” says Meredith. “It’s a luxurious leather with a range of colors and it’s eco-friendly. It’s been a signature element of Moonrise for years. People come in to see the fish leather jewelry and then discover other kinds of pieces,” she adds.

Meredith does a lot of customized work, from bridesmaid and brides’ jewelry to fish leather bow ties. She works with freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals,

sterling silver, and is expanding to offer fine jewelry, and unique estate jewelry, too. Moonrise has also recently partnered with a master jeweler to provide full jewelry and watch repair services, the only offering of its kind in Cape Charles.

“People think you can’t drive up in your golf cart and walk in a jewelry store in your flip fops and cover up. But you can here!” Meredith laughs.

“It’s an approachable, unintimidating place. We have fine custom pieces, but we also have things starting at $20, we have things for little girls. You can have things customized and tailored to your own needs and wishes, too.”

For the Love of ‘Local’

A Welcoming Store and Artist’s Studio

When you visit, prepare to be wowed. You can see the artists in-studio hand-creating Meredith’s designs, and the many racks of colorful fish leather. There’s also a large and engaging wall display of fish leather swatches, perfect for choosing the colors of your next custom creation.

“We’re trying to create an inclusive, artistic, creative space, and we have so much local support,” says Meredith. “That’s one of the things that makes the Eastern Shore a special place. There are a lot of artists and entrepreneurs here. I have this business because of the support of my local customers.”

“There’s a real sense of connection and family and community here,” she adds. “That’s not true of every place you go. When we give gifts to others, we like it to be something that’s unique to this area. It’s a way to share a little piece of the Eastern Shore.”

Plan a trip to Moonrise, meet Meredith and her team, and take home your own beautiful piece of Eastern Shore-inspired jewelry and art.

“It’s a homegrown kind of a business,” says Meredith. “This new store is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the design talent we have here on the Shore,” she adds. “We put a lot of thought into creating an environment that is beautiful and has a positive feel when you walk in the door.”

325 Mason Avenue Cape Charles, VA 23310 Call or text 757.678.0055

MoonriseJewelry.com

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