The Official Newsletter of Bay Creek, Cape Charles, Virginia
October 2021 | Issue 14
In This Issue: Putting in the Work to Make the Most of Play from Bobby Masters, Bay Creek General Manager Inaugural Event, Historic Success Bay Creek Day of Giving Real Estate Update Announcing The Commons At The Fairways
Meet Lester Cook The New Director of Resale Operations at Bay Creek Autumn, Optimism & the Delicious Joy of Oysters Local Spotlight Chatham Flower Farm
Bay Creek Soundings is published regularly by Bay Creek. Drop us a line at info@BayCreekLife.com or call toll free 844.620.2900 Or you can always see us at BayCreekLife.com
What a pleasant season it is here at Bay Creek on Virginia’s spectacular Eastern Shore. This is the time of year when memories of warm summer fun make way for the colorful excitement of autumn in Cape Charles. When it comes to fall, thoughts invariably turn to harvest, home and, here in Cape Charles, enjoying the Bayfront lifestyle. The invigorating, fresh breezes that blow off the Bay, the ideal fishing conditions, the Bay Creek Nature Preserve bursting with fall beauty…there’s so much to experience. Continued on next page...
Soundings
Work Play
PUTTING IN THE TO MAKE THE MOST OF
A bountiful harvest comes from sowing and nurturing the right seeds. Bobby Masters, General Manager of Bay Creek, shares more about some behind the scenes work, and many a fruitful return here in this beautiful community we call home
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Muirfield After months of planning and envisioning by the development team, the new neighborhood of Muirfield is in full swing. “It is really exciting to see everything coming together right now,” says Bobby. And, just this month, Bay Creek announced 50 new properties released for purchase in Muirfield. The official launch of Phase 1 of this unparalleled new enclave is now underway. Ideal for a generational family retreat or a second home on the Shore, Muirfield is enjoying a fantastic reception. “There’s a lot of variety— situated around golf, lakes, woodlands and meadows,” says Bobby. “Then there are the showstopper homesites…” A limited collection of premier properties in Muirfield that
overlook several Nicklaus Signature fairways and a large, glassy lake. From these west-facing homesites, you can see dramatic sunsets over the Chesapeake Bay. “These are see-to-believe kind of properties,” Bobby adds.
The Commons at the Fairways “We’re also excited about the upcoming release of The Commons At The Fairways. These are new low-maintenance attached single family homes in an already established section of The Fairways,” Bobby says. These new homes offer a ‘lock and go’ lifestyle, with all exterior maintenance handled by the Homeowners Association. An extra perk: the
initiation fee for the Club Sports Membership is included with purchase. “We’re planning a fully furnished model where visitors can walk through, see the interior finishes and get a feel for these homes,” says Bobby. Ranging from just over 1,900 SF to over 2,600 SF, these homes will offer well-designed spaces and floorplan options, such as large bonus rooms, a second owners suite, second story porches and more. “The home plans should be completed within the month,” Bobby says. “This is going to be an exciting new collection of finely crafted homes, set in one of Bay Creek’s great golf neighborhoods.” For more information about The Commons At The Fairways and the new custom homesites in Muirfield, call us at 844.620.2900 or email us at info@baycreek.com.
Soundings
Life is Good at the Life Center
Looking Ahead
It isn’t just the new properties and homes at Bay Creek that are taking shape. Amenity improvements and enhancements are scheduled to begin soon, starting with the expansion of the Life Center pool decks. “These expanded decks mean more space to get together by the pool and to relax under that blue Eastern Shore sky,” smiles Bobby. “We are always taking stock…evaluating the things that make Bay Creek the retreat that families dream about all year,” says Bobby. “Is the Life Center amazing? Yes. But we believe there’s always room to add to the one-of-a-kind experience here. The pool deck expansion is our next step on that.”
Expansion and enhancement aren’t limited to the Life Center. The architectural firm of Sinclair Hillie has been retained and is diligently working on The Coach House renovation plans, which include a new cart barn, an expanded and upgraded kitchen, new men’s and women’s locker rooms, and an exciting new Pro Shop. Plans are also being drawn to transform the existing Pro Shop into an area for dining and events. Amid these exciting plans for expansion, The Coach House continues to offer new experiences for residents and guests. Executive Chef Jason Van Marter and Chef de Cuisine Michael Koch recently hosted a Wine Dinner to great acclaim, with seven courses and a memorable selection of wines.
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Here, Chef Jason could grow specialty veggies, edible flowers, and herbs. “A garden like this can be small scale but have a big impact on the culinary program,” says Daron. “There’s much, much more to come on this,” says Bobby Masters of Bay Creek’s collaboration with Farmer D. And like all the other efforts and plans Preserve Communities has for Bay Creek, it seems certain to produce a lovely harvest for the folks who live here. The Coach House’s reimagined menu, courtesy of Chef Jason, is still wildly popular, too. His focus “That’s one of the things we love most about what we do at Bay Creek,” says Bobby. “Planting the on fresh, locally sourced food continues to bring seed, starting with an idea and watching this team exciting fare to the table. That commitment of individuals bring it to life for all residents and is now receiving an enormous boost: Preserve guests to enjoy.” Communities is working with Daron Joffe of Farmer D Consulting and great ideas are growing as a result! Daron Joffe is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer whose work connecting communities with gardening and farming has received great acclaim. Daron will be working with Bay Creek to integrate gardens and edible landscapes into different areas of the community. “These gardens will bring people together around food and land stewardship,” Daron explains. His group also helps with ecological restoration work that goes along with regenerative farming. “We will be working on pollinator gardens, conservation, and restoration work at Bay Creek. It’s all part of connecting the agricultural and natural areas,” Daron adds. Plans are still in the beginning stages but, initially, there is talk of enhancing the labyrinth garden outside the clubhouse by reimagining it as an edible kitchen garden for the Coach House.
These gardens will bring people together around food and land stewardship.
Soundings
Inaugural Event, Historic Success THE FIRST ANNUAL BAY CREEK DAY OF GIVING BRINGS FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN GIVING. On Thursday, October 21st, Bay Creek hosted an event like none before, the Bay Creek Day of Giving. This philanthropic effort which will now become an annual event, was, by all metrics, a huge success raising more than $65,000, every dollar of which goes to the Northampton County Education Foundation (NCEF). The event benefitting the children and teachers in the community’s public schools was a triumph—and it all began with a passion for helping others.
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A Community Effort
created the Day of Giving initiative and lent enormous time, talent, and resources toward the success of the event.
This year’s beneficiary, NCEF, has, at its core, the mission to make schools better for kids, teachers, and the community. NCEF is a nonprofit “We are so appreciative of the support of organization that ensures excellence in teaching Preserve Communities and the James Fisher and student learning at all Northampton Memorial Foundation,” says Linda of NCEF. County Public Schools. Founded by community “There are a lot of needs the schools have that volunteers in 2006, it provides student can’t be supported through the county’s taxscholarships, school grants, summer camps for based budget. It’s wonderful that Preserve Pre-K, and much more. is willing to help us, and we certainly enjoy working with them. Their energy and creativity Linda Schulz, NCEF Board Chair adds this: have really made this event incredible.” “We provide grants to teachers who want to do interesting innovative projects with the classes but Preserve Communities Values don’t have funds in the school budget. We also lead activities to support teachers.” Jennifer Buntin, Vice President of Marketing for Preserve Communities is excited about the The 2021 Day of Giving at Bay Creek will further partnership. “At Preserve Communities, we the help NCEF can provide. want to be responsible corporate partners in communities where we’re present and building,” Bay Creek has wonderful residents and team says Jennifer. “Our developer, Jack Fisher, came members who also have a passion for giving from a small town, very similar to Cape Charles. to help the greater community. It’s a perfect He believes giving back to communities is what complement to the corporate giving arm of makes us who we are.” Bay Creek’s developer, Preserve Communities: The James Fisher Memorial Foundation. The Preserve Communities identifies charitable Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the partners who fit the needs of the greater well-being of people who live in the areas where community and forges partnerships to help their Preserve Communities develops properties, work make the biggest impact.
Soundings The Bay Creek community has a heart for giving, too. “We are so grateful for how involved the Bay Creek homeowners are,” says Jennifer. “Light draws to light so, this year, we created an annual event that could have a continuing impact. It allows us to work with homeowners to support a cause that means a lot to people here.” When planning for the event began, it was slated to be a golf tournament. “It started as a golf tournament, but there was so much excitement around this cause...so we added the evening Benefit under the Tree of Life, and an online matching campaign, and it just grew!” Jennifer explains.
Far-reaching & Fruitful
flavors of the Shore courtesy of A Taste of Cape Charles, along with festive live music by DC Fusion, a silent auction, and raffle prizes. One lucky raffle participant won the grand prize of a weeklong trip to the beautiful Caribbean island of Bonaire!
The Grand Total With 150 evening attendees, over 100 golfers, 22 corporate and community sponsorships, raffle tickets, a silent auction, and an online matching campaign, of which the James Fisher Memorial Foundation matched up to $5,000, the Day of Giving raised a grand total of $65,000 for the important work of the NCEF.
Inviting participation from all residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Preserve Communities hosted an action-packed Day of Giving event on October 21st. It was as entertaining as it was charitable.
“The Day of Giving is ideal because it serves as an umbrella—allowing us to continue it year after year,” says Jennifer Buntin, “and we’re very excited about that.”
The Event kicked off with a charity Golf Tournament at noon on the Palmer Course, which saw participants playing one of the most enjoyable courses on the East Coast and, of course, vying for bragging rights. The Evening Benefit event welcomed a spirited crowd beneath a near perfect October sunset in Bay Creek’s beautiful Nature Preserve. Guests gathered by the Tree of Life and enjoyed the
Preserve Communities and Bay Creek are grateful to everyone who participated by purchasing event tickets, golfing, sponsoring the event, or simply reaching out and spreading the word. We could not have done it without the tireless residents and team at Bay Creek, our Preserve Communities family, the dedicated members of NCEF, and all of our neighbors in Cape Charles, the Eastern Shore, and beyond.
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Special thanks to the ‘Day of Giving’ Generous Event Sponsors: Bay Creek Realty Hall MileOne Autogroup Linda Schulz & Faye Wilfong Cherrystone Aqua-Farms At Altitude Gallery Eastern Shore Signs North Street Market Chuckletown Productions Sinnott & Co. Standing Construction Corporation Gateway Builders K.M. Cash Construction ESVA, Inc. Simpson Builders ESCR Coffee Cirrus Vodka Cape Charles Brewing Company Atkinson Farms, Inc. Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods L. J. Kellam Construction, LLC Robyn’s Shore to Table Dinner Parties Edward Jones
Raffle / Silent Auction Donors: Bay Creek Realty; Marsh Madness Charters; Zach Pfingst; Jason Van Marter; Joe Fehrer & Stan Osmolenski; BaySide Outfitters; Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek; Cape Charles Brewing Company; Moonrise Jewelry; Barrier Islands Center; The Northampton Hotel; Elizabeth Rhoades; Jackie Smith; Buoy 56; Gull Hummock; YMCA of South Hampton Roads; Robyn’s Shore to Table Dinner Parties; Blue Bay Crab Company; Love Letters; Cape Charles Coffee House; Northampton Lumber; Eastern Shore Custom Carts; Focus Optical Boutique; Linda Schulz & Linda Buskey; BW Jewelers; Hook @ Harvey; NCEF Board Members
MORE ABOUT THE NORTHAMPTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION: NCEF is a nonprofit organization that ensures excellence in teaching and student learning at all four Northampton County Public Schools -- Kiptopeke, Occohannock, Northampton Middle, and Northampton High. 100% of the funds raised by the Bay Creek Day of Giving go to the Northampton County Education Foundation, whose motto is fittingly, “It’s all for the children.”
ncedufoundation.com facebook.com/Nothampton CountyEducationFoundationNCEF
Soundings
Real Estate UPDATE ANNOUNCING THE COMMONS AT THE FAIRWAYS
Finely Crafted Attached Single-Family Homes, Starting In The High $400s Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods is excited to announce the upcoming release of The Commons, a brand-new enclave of easy living homes, perfectly designed for enjoying the laidback coastal lifestyle in Bay Creek.
Two distinct models will be offered in The Commons. The Vinings is a 1,925 square foot plan with 3 BR/2.5 BA on two levels, featuring the Owner’s Suite on the main level. As you enter this home through the covered front porch, you
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pass through a foyer which opens into the main living area, where the kitchen with large center island, dining area, and living room all blend together to create a wonderful sense of openness. On the upper level you’ll find a loft along with two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom, as well as an optional 382 square foot bonus area that can be converted into a second Owner’s Suite or a media/game room for the kids and grandkids. The Vickery is a larger floor plan, coming in at 2,228 square feet. The main level floorplan is similar to the Vinings, and features a larger main living area with the added benefit of a separate home office or study. On the upper level you’ll find two bedrooms and a full bathroom, as well as an optional 470 square foot bonus area that can be finished into a second Owner’s Suite with enough additional space for a true bonus room. The features go on and on with these homes, including an attached two-car garage, screened rear porch, living room fireplace, and a lifestyle maintenance plan which includes the care and maintenance of your lawn and all exterior surfaces. The first release of The Commons, scheduled for February 2022 will be offered through a Special Reservation Program beginning in December. Contact us today at info@baycreeklife.com or 844.620.2900 for more information on how to secure your slice of heaven on the Eastern Shore.
GET THE CHESAPEAKE NOW. The Chesapeake home is under construction! Purchase before the end of the year and customize your new home with your choice of interior colors and finishes.
Named for the vast, sparkling bay that defines our region, The Chesapeake perfectly embodies Bay Creek living. A large front porch and intimate screened rear porch are an extension of the home, making outdoor living a pleasure. Elegant details and finishes enhance a welcoming great room and adjacent den, perfect for a home office or library. The large galley kitchen features KitchenAid® appliances, stone counters and Timberlake 42” cabinetry, all highlighted around a large center island. Three bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, and a shared loft area upstairs provide ample spaces to share your incredible Eastern Shore lifestyle with those who matter most.
Contact us today at
info@baycreeklife.com or 844.620.2900 to make this dream home yours!
Soundings
NATURE CORNER
With Bay Creek Naturalist JOE FEHRER
TAKE AN AUTUMN WALK AND ENJOY THE WONDER OF BAY CREEK!
The beauty of fall is upon us here at Bay Creek, and naturalist Joe Fehrer has been helping people get out and enjoy it. Joe’s guided walks, which saw great popularity throughout the summer months, now continue into fall and offer an interesting look at this place we call home.
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“I’m introducing “Themed Walks” which will highlight local culture and natural history,” explains Joe. Participants will learn about the area’s interesting past, going back millions of years. “The first walk starts with the Eocene epoch, about 35 million years ago. We have an enormous meteor crater sitting right under Cape Charles. I’ll explain how it shaped the region as we know it today.” Another walk will focus on the last glacial period and the birth of the Chesapeake Bay. “We’ll talk about the geology of the area, and how the Bay came about.” The walks will also provide insight into the Native Americans who lived on the Shore and will continue to trace the cultural and natural history here through the present time. With the stories and facts that are planned, participants can expect lively conversation and a unique naturalist perspective on the Eastern Shore throughout the ages. Weather permitting, the walks will take place every other Sunday afternoon. While Joe is a knowledgeable (and entertaining) teacher of the history of the natural world, he’s also one of the very best at sharing knowledge about nature in the here and now. And what an exciting time to be observing the autumn world around us! “Lately, we’ve been seeing monarch butterflies as they’re in the midst of their migration to Mexico,” says Joe. “I’ve been telling people as we do our walks to keep their eyes open—it may be likely that some morning, you’ll wake up to see butterflies congregating, covering up your butterfly bush or other flowering shrubs.” “This fall I’ll be co-leading a series of birding walks with Bay Creek residents Steve and Kim Grimes,
identifying songbirds and other “upland birds” in the Preserve, and on the beach we’ll be looking for shore and wading birds,” says Joe. “MidOctober was peak neo-tropical migratory songbird migration, so there have been plenty of birds to observe. Around Thanksgiving, we’ll pick up our waterfowl walks which are always fun. We have great participation, and we see so many interesting native birds.” Joe will continue to lead beach and Nature Preserve walks, and the once-monthly full moon walks as the season continues. Outside of the guided walks, residents and guests at Bay Creek who want to know more about the natural world around them now have an exceptional resource in the Bay Creek app. “The new app has a list of birds: songbirds, waterfowl, owls, raptors…all the birds you’ll see in the lower Northampton County area throughout the year,” Joe explains. There is also a wonderful tree and shrub guide that highlights those native species found on the property. Both of the guide and list are works in progress, so stay tuned.” Right now at Bay Creek, the towering trees and hardy shrubs are joined by an especially showy Autumn guest: goldenrod! “The goldenrods have started to bloom, and as it continues, it’s going to be spectacular,” says Joe. “On the beachfront and in the Preserve and meadows.” With multiple varieties growing in the region, the landscape will be blanketed with this prolific bright yellow flower. Allergy folks, take heart! “Goldenrod is not the same as ragweed. Ragweed is airborne pollinated— that’s what many people are allergic to. Goldenrod is insect pollinated, so it isn’t the source of allergies,” says Joe. “So get outdoors and enjoy the beauty!” Joe welcomes everyone to take part in the incredible nature that surrounds us at Bay Creek. See the latest schedule of nature walks, birding events and more here».
Soundings FILLING A NEW ROLE AT BAY CREEK AND AN IMPORTANT NEED IN THE COMMUNITY:
Meet Lester Cook
THE NEW DIRECTOR OF RESALE OPERATIONS AT BAY CREEK, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE LITTLE FARM RESCUE AND SANCTUARY What do Bay Creek in Cape Charles and The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary animal rescue in Machipongo have in common? They are both fortunate to have Lester Cook on their team! Bay Creek is pleased to announce that Lester Cook has taken on the role of Director of Resale Operations. With years of real estate experience with Sotheby’s and a passion for working with people, Lester will enhance and expand the Bay Creek resale program. Bay Creek is fortunate to have a team of talented sales agents to help people buy property in Bay Creek. Now, there will be new, dedicated resources for those who are ready to list and sell their Bay Creek property.
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With a keen understanding of the resale world, Lester will work to optimize a Bay Creek seller’s experience. “My exclusive focus is helping people sell their homesite or home. No buyers, no developer sales, only getting people’s properties sold,” Lester explains. High service, low stress: that’s just a few of the benefits of working with Lester and the Bay Creek resale team. Other benefits include unique expertise and proprietary knowledge of Bay Creek’s amenities, the lifestyle, and the Club component. With a deep understanding of the lifestyle here and Club membership, the Resale team can provide information and access not available to an outside agent. “We’re glad to offer this service and look forward to helping owners enjoy a great listing and sales experience here at Bay Creek.” Lester is excited to dive into the role of Director of Resale Operations and the task of growing and expanding the department. He is, indeed, no stranger to accomplishing big things. When Lester and his wife, Katie, moved from their home in Ojai, California to Machipongo this year, their cross-country journey was anything but typical. As owners of The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary, a haven for neglected, abused or homeless farm animals, they moved their entire operation, and all their 80+ animals with them.
“We had a lot of reasons to come to the Shore,” says Lester. “First, my wife’s mother lives in Cape Charles, and her family is across the Bay in Virginia Beach. We were also looking for a farm for our animal operation, and this was a great area—because of the amount of space available, being close to family, the great weather…all of it.” When they talked about moving to the Shore, Lester reached out to Bay Creek to ask about the tennis scene. Lester was a professional tennis player and one of the top Americans in the world while competing for 7 years on the ATP tour. “The conversation moved from tennis to real estate. It was very organic,” says Lester. “That’s how I learned about the resale role at Bay Creek. I met the whole team and felt like it was a great fit—and an exciting opportunity.” As for their farm, “The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is a passion,” explains Lester. “We were living in a small town in California, and we found this niche. There was nowhere for abused or neglected animals to go to get rehab or have a safe place to live the rest of their lives.” What began as a small act of kindness grew. “My wife, Katie got on some radars, and we got more and more animals,” says Lester of their original California farm. “She is the driving force behind this farm. She’s amazing.”
Soundings “Katie was always meant to work with animals. I’m just the supporting cast,” laughs Lester. Katie, who is a Virginia Beach native, takes on the enormous task of caring for the farm’s evergrowing group of very special residents. A few of their more notable residents are One Eyed Willy, a 950-pound pig; Eric and Nathan, a duo of alpacas who had been rescued from wildfire; two rehomed Katahdin sheep named Moose and Fig; Mr. Smith, the goose; and many, many more.
Not only do they care for their special animals daily, helping many overcome significant medical and emotional challenges after severe abuse, they also actively work to help new animals who are brought to them for rescue. During their time in California, The Little Farm helped rescue animals from wildfires and worked with emergency services to evacuate stranded animals. Though the wildfire risk has diminished, their new farm in Machipongo still has plenty of hard work to go around. But for Katie and Lester, it’s a labor of love.
The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all donations go to the health and well-being of the animals.
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It isn’t just the farm animals who are enjoying a new lifestyle here on the Eastern Shore. “It’s really beautiful,” says Lester of their new surroundings. “It’s a nice farm for the animals—and the humans, too. We have two little children, and what a beautiful childhood…to grow up like this on the farm. And what a great town.”
One Eyed Willy
The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all donations go to the health and well-being of the animals. “Everyone’s welcome,” says Lester. “The farm is open for tours, and we love to have people visit.” Bay Creek welcomes Lester to the team, and the entire Cook family to the Eastern Shore.
Eric & Nathan
For those interested in listing their Bay Creek property, Lester encourages owners to reach out to him directly.
Lester Cook, Director of Resale Operations LCook@BayCreekLife.com | 818-642-7412
To learn more about and support the Cook’s incredible labor of love, The Little Farm Rescue and Sanctuary: Team@TheLittleFarmInOjai.com TheLittleFarmInOjai.com facebook.com/thelittlefarmrescue
Moose & Fig
Soundings
CHEF’S CORNER
Jason Van Marter BAY CREEK EXECUTIVE CHEF
Bay Creek Executive Chef Jason Van Marter recently announced the welcome addition of Chef de Cuisine Michael Koch. With the active and ever-increasing event calendar that Bay Creek is known for, Michael’s presence and expertise has been a fantastic benefit. “The idea of a chef for a location is usually thought of as a solitary leader of culinary talents,” says Jason. “With the addition of Michael to the team at Bay Creek we can offer a more diverse array of food and beverage services. We are very fortunate to have such strong culinary leadership in the community and cannot wait to see what we can imagine over the course of time. Creating this team, we will be able to take Bay Creek into the future of culinary arts within a resort community atmosphere.”
resource. I came away with a lot of wine knowledge. We did many wine dinners there...it was a lot of fun.” Bay Creek hosted its inaugural Wine Dinner in October, welcoming a full house of guests. With a team like Chef de Cuisine Michael Koch and Executive Chef Jason Van Marter, it’s no wonder it was a huge success. For those who have never had the pleasure of attending a Wine Dinner, Chef Michael shares what to expect. “A Wine Dinner is always a great time,” says Michael. “For the recent dinner, Jason and I sat down and paired out a menu that worked well with the wines we wanted to showcase.”
Michael’s culinary career is lengthy and marked by hard work, natural talent and an insatiable appetite for learning. Michael first began his foray into the world of cuisine years ago at Coastal Grill in Virginia Beach, quickly working his way to the Sous Chef position.“I loved every minute of it,” recalls “A Wine Dinner could be a four, five, six or seven Michael. “I learned so much from the chefs there.” course meal. This one was seven,” explains Michael. “You start with whites first, some sparkling, some He then attended Culinary School while working chardonnay and pair it out with each course.” at Lunasea Oceanfront Restaurant. Soon after, he earned the position of Executive Chef at Zoe’s The Bay Creek wine dinner began with a variety of Steak and Seafood in Virginia Beach. “My goal has pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres. “We made sure everyone always been to learn as much as I could, wherever had a bottle of bubbles to enjoy, too. Guests arrive, I go,” says Michael. “The sommelier at Zoe’s, Marc mingle and at 6:30pm, the first course begins and Sauter, is nationally known. He’s an incredible we’re off!” smiles Michael.
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Besides loving all things culinary and possessing a keen knowledge of wine, Michael also loves golf. “I’ve been a golfer my entire life,” Michael says. “My dad started me when I was two years old. He and I would go to a park with a bucket of golf balls. He’d tee them up and tell me, ‘keep hitting that tree,’” laughs Michael. “I have a huge love for golf. I love the golf course here and the Club itself, so when I got the call to join the Bay Creek team, I was ecstatic.” It seems that the talents of Chef Michael and Chef Jason are one of those ‘perfect pairings’ they are both so adept at creating for their guests. With the upcoming kitchen expansion slated for the Coach House and new plans for menus, events and more, the expert culinary team at Bay Creek
will be serving up all sorts of delicious and exciting experiences for Bay Creek residents and guests. For upcoming culinary events and Coach House happenings, visit:
baycreeklife.com/coach-house-tavern or call 757.331.8630
Soundings
AUTUMN, OPTIMISM & THE
Delicious Joy of Oysters
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Fall is prime oyster season, and the Eastern Shore is home to some of the best oysters in the world. The oyster is much more than just a seasonal delight. It’s a symbol of the region’s great bounty, and the long tradition of watermen who have worked the Eastern Shore. At Bay Creek, we’re fortunate to have an incredible oyster farmer right here in our neck of the woods. We spoke with local oysterman Chris Buck of Ruby Salts Oyster Company to find out more about the business and pleasure of Eastern Shore oysters.
The Recipe for Perfection When it comes to the perfect oyster, the location of Chris’s oyster beds and his farming methods are all part of the recipe. “Our oysters are farmed in Cherrystone Creek, where the Chesapeake meets the Atlantic Ocean,” says Chris. He attributes the incredible taste of his oysters to this unique mixture of creek and ocean water. It’s part of what makes the Ruby Salts mission possible: “to produce the best tasting oysters to ever come out of Virginia waters, delivered direct, with freshness second to none.” As a child, Chris grew up visiting his grandparents on the Eastern Shore. As an adult, he has made his home and his farming grounds here. He established Ruby Salts Oyster Company in 2010 and has been producing succulent, choice oysters for more than a decade. At Bay Creek, Chris is known for his oyster and people skills. A few years back, residents and guests may have seen him giving an oyster harvesting lesson to cookbook author and Southern Living contributing editor Rebecca Lang. It’s easy when you know oysters and oyster farming as well as Chris does. What does a typical week at Ruby Salts look like now amid ‘Oyster Season’? Busy and, of course, wet! “We’re always ‘boots on ground’ here,”
laughs Chris. “On Mondays and Tuesdays, we’re doing any needed farm work. We’re handling the oysters and sorting by size. We’re also maintaining and cleaning the gear to ensure water flow. That’s how the oysters feed, they need the flow of the tide through the gear,” explains Chris. “…and Wednesday is always our harvest day.” Thursday, Chris is on the road making deliveries, and Friday finds him back on the creek doing “whatever needs to be done.”
Soundings
It’s hard work but Chris says it’s worth it when he sees people enjoying his tasty Ruby Salts oysters. The joy of enjoying a good oyster is something we look forward to every year, and we have the hard work of the many watermen on the Eastern Shore to thank.
Good for You!
delicious delicacies. Chris recalls, “Once the restaurants opened again, things came on even stronger than before. Seems like people were hungrier than ever for oysters!” Oysters do have a way of bringing people together. Whether you’re eating them raw on the deck of a waterfront restaurant or savoring them steamed at a backyard roast, there’s just something magical about getting together and enjoying oysters in the chilly autumn air.
When done right, as Chris does at Ruby Salts, shellfish farming can be one of those ‘good for everyone’ type of industries. It’s sustainable, clean, and the oysters provide a vital function: filtering Looking Ahead the water of the Bay, which in turn maintains habitats for local critters like crabs, fish and shrimp. Like many beloved local services and trades, oyster farming hasn’t been spared from the ups and As for personal benefits, protein-rich oysters are downs of the last two years. “This year, we missed chock full of essential nutrients like vitamin D, some months of the prime growing season, and zinc, and B12. And there’s the social side of it, had to work with slower growing seeds from the too. Chris puts it this way: “When fall rolls around, hatchery,” he explains. But Chris has employed whatever it is in the his trademark optimism and determination to air, it makes people navigate the ever-changing waters of business. start thinking about oysters. Especially During restaurant closures, Ruby Salts pivoted and gathering with friends began offering direct sales on a limited basis, in and family and having several neighborhoods throughout the Virginia an oyster roast.” Beach and Richmond areas. “This was an easy way to get our oysters to the people who wanted them It’s true…people when places were closed,” says Chris. “We gained just enjoy a good new loyal customers and we’re doing our best to oyster. After pandemic keep that going.” closures, there was an enormous pentLike any farmer who works the land—or the creek, up demand for these in his case—Chris is always looking ahead to the
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next great harvest. “We’re optimistic for a strong finish with the fall and the holidays coming,” he says smiling. “And we plan to come out even stronger on the other side.”
Here’s to Chris Buck of Ruby Salts Oyster Company and all the oystermen who work hard to make it easy for us to enjoy those amazing Eastern Shore oysters!
Chris hints that there may be some partnerships in the works to make it even easier to enjoy Ruby Salts oysters in the near future, and we’re here for it! Stay tuned for details.
If you’re hankering for a delicious Ruby Salts oyster, grab some friends and cruise over to one of the many great restaurants who serve them up.
Where To Get Them: CAPE CHARLES: Cape Charles Distillery Oyster Farm at Kings Creek VIRGINIA BEACH: Bella Monte Rustic Spoon
RICHMOND: West Coast Provision East Coast Provision Hard Shell – Bellgrade and Downtown Locations Latitude Seafood Co. Burger Bach – Midlothian and Short Pump Perch – Brenner Pass Latitude Seafood Company – Westchester and Stony Point
Soundings
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT:
Chatham Flower Farm
BRINGS BEAUTY TO THE EASTERN SHORE Something incredible is growing in Painter, Virginia. It isn’t just the bountiful harvest of dahlias, zinnias, herbs, or oriental lilies that grow and flourish at Chatham Flower Farm. This historic, sustainable farm, just a few miles north of Bay Creek, is an incredible example of local producers embracing the simple pleasures of nature.
August 2021 | Issue 13
Ask anyone who picks up a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from Chatham Flower Farm. The effect is immediate... Joy. Calm. Happiness. Kate Meyer and John Fitzpatrick, the farmers/ artists/owners of Chatham Flower Farm, wouldn’t have it any other way. From their historic farm (circa 1690), they grow hundreds of varieties of some of the loveliest flowers around. Their farm is home to a historic barn built in 1801 that now houses their art studio and flower room, and is host to happenings throughout the year. Most recently, it welcomed friends and neighbors to the annual Meet at the Table event. Chatham Flower Farm is a thriving, working farm and it all began with a visit to the region Kate and John now call home. Kate, a Pennsylvania native and her fiancé John, from the Hudson Valley area, quickly fell in love with the Eastern Shore. “We first came to the Shore when John and his brother were baling hay here. We really loved the area and visited for several years before we ended up settling here,” says Kate. As for their decision to start a flower farm, Kate says a community-based business was always important to them. “We wanted it to work in a way that not only financially sustained the farm but that could also do something good in the community,” she explains. “Flower farming was something that not many others were doing here on the Shore.” Kate spent her first winter in Painter researching in earnest, voraciously consuming any information she could find on the practice of flower farming. For the most part, growing flowers on a large scale was new to her.
“I never really had flowers in my repertoire,” she laughs. “…except for my family having a cutting garden growing up. I did work for an older couple on Martha’s Vineyard for a time one summer. They had a huge cutting garden on their farm. I went to market with them and learned a lot,” she says. Flower farming at the scale that Kate and John now operate is labor intensive. Kate’s previous career working with show horses at the US Team level gave her plenty of experience with long hours and hands-on hard work. “Originally, I had this image in my head of the random flower stands you see there in Martha’s Vineyard—on the honor system at end of driveway,” Kate recalls. “But this farm is really hard work. If I hadn’t worked in the horse industry before, I probably would’ve quit.” Selecting the flowers to grow and the art of arranging them is something that was very natural for Kate. “I’m a painter so it kind of goes hand in hand,” she laughs. “A creative is a creative whether you’re’ a farmer or an artist, or a waterman, even.”
Soundings herbicides, chemicals, and fertilizers. Their focus on good soil health and pollinators ensures a healthy, beautiful harvest. Their flowers can be found at farmers markets right here in Cape Charles, and nearby Onancock and Chincoteague through the fall. Chatham Flower Farm also offers CSA subscriptions. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way for the community to enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of their labor. “Customers can just come to the farm and pick up their flowers when it’s convenient for them,” Kate explains.
“I enjoy the creative part of it. I also love starting seeds. It’s just remarkable when you see a seed that’s tinier than a grain of sand become a 6-foottall plant like a celosia,” Kate says. “That amazes me every year!”
So, what’s growing at Chatham Flower Farm? Lots! With herbs, wildflowers, over 30 different species of flowers—and hundreds of varieties—the growing season is absolutely full of color. They grow around 350 different varieties of dahlias, 250 varieties of oriental lilies, rows and rows of colorful zinnias, beds of ever-elegant peonies, 200 varieties of gladiolus, and more. Best, their flowers are as natural as they are lovely. As a no-till, Certified Naturally Grown® farm, they are committed to sustainable practices. Their flowers are free of synthetic
“When most people think of CSA, they think of food,” says Kate. “For flowers, it’s kind of different. Our CSA program allows us to buy new varieties each year, to invest in new dahlias, for example, or soil amendments. We have really enjoyed doing this,” says Kate of offering CSA subscriptions. “Last year was very big for CSAs. I think it gave people some joy in a time when it was greatly needed.”
August 2021 | Issue 13
Besides producing gorgeous flowers for their CSA clients, Kate and John also provide flowers for weddings and special events. If you’ve attended a Bay Creek event, you’ve likely seen their fresh, fantastic flowers on display. Chatham Flower Farm also graciously provided flowers for the recent Bay Creek Day of Giving charity event.
To learn more about their fresh flowers, event venue, or visiting the farm, contact them at (757) 442-1483.
With a heart for community, Kate and John feel fortunate to do what they do here in this special place on the Eastern Shore.
www.chathamfarm1770.com
What’s the best part of it all? “It’s the joy of it,” smiles Kate. “When we’re at a farmers market, or giving away our weekly free bouquet, or doing a bride’s wedding, and you hear someone say ‘this is so amazing, so beautiful, thank you’…that’s why we do what we do. The joy it brings is our takeaway.” Kate and John are happy to welcome guests to their farm. They offer their space for small weddings, private dinners, artists workshops and flower workshops.
CHATHAM FLOWER FARM 31094 Boggs Road, Painter, VA 23420
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