Bay Creek Soundings - Spring 2023

Spring has arrived on the Eastern Shore. The golden marsh grasses of winter are brightening with green. Trees are sprouting with vivid leaves and buds. Colorful flowers are popping up everywhere and friends and neighbors are out enjoying the warm sunshine and the promise of an incredible new season at Bay Creek.

Spring always feels a bit like a miracle when it arrives, and this year is no different. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is one of the most ecologically diverse environments in the entire country, with a stunning variety of both agriculture and aquaculture. Every season here has its own special characteristics, and spring certainly is one of the most uniquely beautiful. Just before summer bursts forth with its iconic joys, spring offers an interesting opportunity: time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore natural beauty with warm

sun and cool breezes, and to be among the first to witness the community in full bloom.

Right now, Bay Creek is enjoying hosting spring visitors and welcoming new residents who have just begun a new chapter of their lives here on the Eastern Shore. Bobby Masters, General Manager of Bay Creek, shares the latest updates about new neighborhoods and developments that continue to take shape and create interest.

The Excitement Builds

With The Next Phase Of Bayside Village

Bayside Village is one of the most recognizable and beloved neighborhoods in the community. Hugging the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay, Bayside Village offers access to Bay Creek’s two miles of private sandy beaches and is dotted with storybook cottages and elegant coastalinspired homes. With Phase I of the Village nearing a complete sell-through, we’re excited to announce the introduction of the second phase of Bayside Village, providing new opportunities to own in this sought-after area.

“This upcoming release will be a seamless continuation of Bayside Village,” says Bobby. “You’ll see the continuation of the architectural theme here, with neo-traditional touches and details throughout. The development team has begun preparing the land for homesites and designating natural and landscape areas.”

The new area also boasts unparalleled Bayside Village proximity to the Bay beaches and the Life Center. “With 58 choice new homesites, completion of this exciting Phase II area is anticipated for later this year, with the ability to close on homesites in the fall. These new properties will be offered through a special Priority Reservation Program slated to begin this summer, and we look forward to sharing those details very soon”.

The Muirfield Connection: Beach Access Coming Soon

Bay Creek’s newest enclave of Muirfield continues to attract new families to its inspiring setting. “The variety of homesites available for purchase are part of Muirfield’s appeal,” Bobby says. “And as more homes start construction along with the release of three new home packages for sale, the excitement for this enclave continues to build.” The team is planning a professional landscaping

plan for the Spring that will showcase attractive plantings to offer beauty in every season. Also nearing completion is the fountain for the unique collection of pond homesites. “But what we’re most excited about right now, is the new Muirfield beach access. The path will travel from Muirfield, crossing the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course between the green and the tee box on Hole Four.

It will then connect to a beautiful bridge highlighted by a miniature replica of a charming lighthouse before meandering down to a stretch of private beach along the Chesapeake Bay. “This is a great added convenience for Muirfield residents, and folks are really excited about it, as are we,” Bobby adds. “Muirfield residents won’t have to leave their neighborhood to find themselves at the beautiful beaches Bay Creek is known for.”

Visit and Stay Awhile

It isn’t just the summer season that draws homeowners and their guests to experience Bay Creek’s incredible Eastern Shore lifestyle. Spring is a wonderful time to visit. With the entire Eastern Shore coming into bloom with warm sunshine and refreshing Bay breezes, Bay Creek is ready to welcome your family. Whether coming for a Discovery Visit where you can sample the lifestyle and learn about our exceptional ownership opportunities or you’re already a homeowner visiting for a relaxing getaway, your experience here will be memorable and exceptional.

The entire Bay Creek team joins me in welcoming the families who have become Bay Creek owners in 2023. We look forward to seeing you around the community!”

~ Bobby Masters, President of Bay Creek

Events and Excitement

Bob and his team have been busy during the first part of 2023 preparing for the busy, exciting spring and summer seasons. “We have a full calendar for our members and guests,” says Bob. “From the Tree of Life get-togethers, the Member-Guest tournament, favorites like the Easter and Mother’s Day brunches, and the popular dog-friendly Yappy Hour at the Coach House, events and fun at Bay Creek will be in great supply.”

“We’ll also be debuting some new events that we anticipate will be quite popular!” Bob adds. The Bay Creek Club event calendar outlines events up to three months ahead of time, so our busy, active members can plan ahead and not miss any of the fun.

Making Way for ‘Wow!’

‘Better than ever’ is a phrase that Bob Ewing fully embraces. This year’s Club, events, and operations

CLUB HAPPENINGS

The Bay Creek Club has something beautiful to offer in every season, but there’s something especially exciting about spring. Bob Ewing, General Manager of Bay Creek Club, shares what is taking place now and the exciting things that are coming up in this spectacular season.

plans will help make the Bay Creek Club and the member experience just that!

With a robust event schedule and more members and guests than ever before enjoying Bay Creek, the Club is set to expand and streamline. “The Golf Shop will relocate, and its current location will become a beautiful event and dining space,” Bob explains. “This is particularly exciting to me because it will allow us to have a fine dining room and gives us the ability to host events like never before. The new Prep Kitchen, which will support events and serve as a resource for the main kitchen is well underway, too.”

Bob values excellence and innovation in his work at the Bay Creek Club. That manifests itself in major endeavors like golf course maintenance, and in meaningful new enhancements like offering food delivery to the community. “We’ll be testing delivery in March. We really believe this will be a huge addition to our food and beverage operation.”

On the Course

The Bay Creek golf courses have undergone the spring aeration process and are now prepared to offer optimal performance and play. “As always, the goal is to make sure we have a beautiful golf course for everyone to enjoy this season,” says Bob. Bay Creek is hosting two great golf events, the St. Patrick’s Day Scramble and the popular Big Hole Tournament (with 15-inch holes!), both of which take place in March. “With many more events slated for the coming months, members and guests will be able to enjoy the premier golf experience Bay Creek’s 27 holes offer.”

In the Water, on the Preserve and Beyond

The acclaimed golf courses aren’t the only area where tournaments take place. The 2023 Bay Creek Bass Tournament is a season-long event running from the first of April to December 31st. It’s a fun experience open to all members that’s ideally suited to the waterfront lifestyle of Bay Creek. Participants can enter any bass they catch (and release) in specified ponds in the Preserve area. “This is a fun way to get out and enjoy the great fishing here in the community,” says Bob. And it’s easy, too! Participants catch, measure, and snap a photo of the bass, then release it back into the water. There are awards for longest

bass overall, longest caught with a fly rod, and longest caught by members 15 and under. Get those lines ready!

“With the spring weather, we’re also welcoming back some events that have become favorites, like the Bicycle Beer Flight.”. Guests are guided on a bicycle tour of the Nature Preserve, stopping at four scenic spots along the way for a tasting. The tour culminates at the Coach House Tavern with a celebratory brew.

“At this time of year, we’re enjoying the return of warm weather and thinking ahead to summer, too.”. In a few months, the Life Center will be the hub of fun with guests floating in the crystal blue pools, children splashing in the kids’ areas and neighbors enjoying events, fitness classes and more. Right now, the Life Center is alive with other kinds of activity, with a full class schedule that includes Tai Chi, Pilates, Tabata, guided Full Body Workout and more. Besides fitness, the Life Center offers classes like creating your own Sea Glass Jewelry, and hosts just-for-fun events like a recent Escape Room challenge. There’s so much variety.

So Much More to Come!

The events and activities mentioned here are just some of the many things that will be happening this season. As Club GM, Bob truly enjoys putting events together and offering lots of variety for Club members. “That’s the beauty of the Bay Creek Club,” explains Bob. “It’s major golf tournaments and little get-togethers, it’s knowing every member and greeting them by name, it’s getting out in nature, taking a class, raising a glass, and just enjoying the very best of this Eastern Shore lifestyle.”

“There’s so much more we’ll be bringing you throughout the year, and we’re looking forward to an incredible spring here at Bay Creek!”

A HISTORIC START TO THE NEW YEAR

Bay Creek Living

Bay Creek Realty is in the midst of a historic first quarter in 2023. Coming off an exciting year in 2022 where we welcomed over 120 new families into this very special neighborhood, we have already assisted over 20 wonderful new additions to the Bay Creek family in finding their perfect spot, whether it was a new home, a golf course and lake property, or a homesite just steps from Bay Creek’s two miles of private beachfront on the Chesapeake Bay.

Heading into the Spring season, we have a fantastic selection of cottage homesites within an easy walk to the bay and the beach, as well as stunning golf and lake homesites in Muirfield. In addition, we have 8 homes available for purchase under construction in Bayside Village, Muirfield and Plantation Pointe, some of which can still be customized with your choice of interior finishes and paint colors.

As the number one real estate company inside the gates, the Bay Creek Realty team has the experience and skill to guide you through the process. Please call upon us if we can be of service to you in your journey to start your family’s next great adventure.

1 Ashley Adler

2 Linda Buskey

3 Shanna Colls

4 Bean Stringfellow

5 Geoff Wright

INTRODUCING THE BAY CREEK New Home Plan Book

Purchasing or building a new home at Bay Creek is a truly customized experience. We currently have a great selection of homes under construction that you can purchase now and move into this summer. For families who desire to design and build a new home, though, we offer a selection of some of the most stunning homesites you’ll find anywhere. From cottage homesites across from the Chesapeake Bay and our own private beach, to 80’ wide beauties with views of two fairways and a large lake, to estate properties directly overlooking the Bay, your dream spot is here. And Bay Creek’s Builders Guild members have the experience and pedigree to bring your dreams to life.

We invite you to browse our New Home Plan Book for inspiration. These are homes that have been pre-approved by the Architecture Review Committee, and many of them have been built in Bay Creek. These homes give you an “express lane” to the Bay Creek lifestyle by shaving months of time off the design process.

VIEW THE PLAN BOOK

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

78 CREEKSIDE LANE | HOMESITE 53 | BAYSIDE VILLAGE

4 BR | 3.5 BA | APPROXIMATELY 2,850 INTERIOR SQ FT

$1,138,900

Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac street, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home by Bay Creek Showcase Builder Beacon Custom Homes is as charming as it is impressive. A blend of crisp, classic lines and carefully selected coastal materials, this handsome design welcomes you with a gracious front porch that spans the full width of the home. Set on a private homesite adjacent to Bay Creek’s incredible Nature Preserve, this property will never have a home directly behind it and offers beautiful year-round protected views.

Step onto the expansive front porch as you enter the home, where a welcoming foyer and formal dining area greet you. Just beyond, a generously sized living room opens to a spectacular kitchen and window-lined breakfast area. This living area is perfectly suited for a spirited gathering of friends or a comfy evening by the fire with family. The ten-foot ceilings in the main living areas provide a wonderful feeling of openness and lend an air of elegance and scale to this timeless home design. From the living room, glass doors open to a spacious covered back porch, with an adjacent screened porch accessible from the Owner’s Suite, the perfect place to enjoy morning coffee or quiet evenings enjoying calming coastal breezes.

The Owner’s Suite on the main level is a spacious retreat with an ample walk-in closet, shower, tub, and finely crafted finishes. Guests and family will be comfortably accommodated, too – the second level of the home boasts two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and walk-in closet, plus flexible loft living space and an optional area perfect for a home office.

10’ Ceilings On Main Level

Elevated Solid Concrete Slab Foundation

Marvin Elevate, Double Hung, Low E2 Insulated Windows

Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heaters

Structured Wiring Package And Complete Security System

Merillat Classic Maple Cabinetry; Shaker Doors With Painted Finishes

Engineered Wide-Plank Wood Flooring

GE Café Appliances, Stone/Quartz

Countertops Throughout

Custom Craftsman Interior Trim Package

All Porches With Paver Walking Surface

Rear Covered Porch With Screened Area

Turn-Key Building Package; Lot and Construction Financing Included Kitchen Island for Entertaining

10’ Ceilings and 8’ Solid-Core Doors

Detached One-Car Garage

CHEF’S CORNER

CREEK EXECUTIVE CHEF Christian Lofland

BAY

This month, Bay Creek Executive Chef Christian Lofland gives us an update on what’s cooking at the Coach House, upcoming events, and delightful spring flavors on the Eastern Shore.

The duties and expertise of an executive chef in a community and private club environment like Bay Creek extend far beyond preparing delicious food. Chef Christian and his team work on large events and occasions that take place at Bay Creek. They envision and coordinate, and they prepare great food that elevates the guest event experience with its presentation and flavor. “We have already booked multiple weddings, family reunions and rehearsal dinners for this year,” Christian says. “And we have a lot of events coming up, too. The golf season is starting up with several tournaments, and we’ll be providing food for that as well.”

Bay Creek’s golf courses continue to grow in popularity for events as last year’s tournament participants enjoyed Christian’s brand of catering and hospitality. Christian enjoys exceeding expectations and leaving guests with great memories. “People are accustomed to a certain kind of food experience at a golf tournament. We wanted to offer more than the typical boxed meal people usually get. We did a lot of buffet spreads for them and really changed it up.” The substantial and unique buffet spreads

were enthusiastically received and offered a sophisticated accompaniment to Bay Creek’s great golf experience.

At Bay Creek’s restaurant, The Coach House, spring is ushering in a new menu. “The new menu will be available the first week in April and it will offer a lot of great flavors,” Christian explains. “I’m excited about some of the vegetables that will be coming on here in the spring and summer, especially tomatoes and corn.” Christian will be doing a signature marinated tomato salad that has been very popular throughout his career. “We make a marinade and boil it, pour it over the tomatoes, and let them macerate in that. The marinade is made up of champagne vinegar, vanilla, honey, salt, basil, and thyme.”

“We have soft shell crabs coming up, too, usually starting around the second week in May,” says Christian. “By July, they’re back to leather backs again. It’s a short window but I love soft shell crabs.” Christian enjoys preparing them as a sandwich or sautéing two soft shell crabs with a brandy butter sauce.

Right now, at the Coach House, Christian is doing a special of champagne and oysters. “We’ll be offering champagne and oysters on certain nights from 5-7pm. It’s a great date-night kind of thing. We are here in the oyster capital of the USA, after all,” he laughs. Christian will also be continuing prime rib night and other Coach House favorites.

Chef Christian is known for striking the perfect balance of flavors in his cuisine—and in his menus, too. He offers guests tried-and-true familiar favorites and enjoys debuting new flavors and experiences, too. “On Valentine’s Day, we did a braised short rib on polenta, using beef from New Zealand wild cows. It was an interesting taste. We smoked them for about two hours and sous vide for 60 hours. It’s almost like butter,” Christian says of the incredibly tender and flavorful beef. Christian’s innovative creations and appreciation for the adventurous means every visit to the Coach House can be a unique experience.

In the near future, look for exciting new desserts at the Coach House, as Chef Christian showcases creations from a favorite Cape Charles bakery. “We feel strongly about supporting local business within Bay Creek, and this bakery’s desserts have received great accolades.” Christian is also in the process of hiring and training new staff to accommodate more guests in the busier summer season. A temporary banquet kitchen is being built at the Coach House, too. “This will allow for more space to prepare food for large events, and just as importantly, it will keep our Coach House service at its very best for each guest.”

The coming weeks promise a myriad of new flavors and experiences at Bay Creek. Chef Christian and his team of professionals stand ready to surprise and delight each guest, whether at a special event, golf tournament or at a meal at the Coach House Tavern with its sweeping views of the golf practice range and welcoming clubhouse tavern vibe.

NATURE CORNER Joe Fehrer

BAY CREEK NATURALIST

Right now, Bay Creek and the stunning Eastern Shore area that surrounds it are alive with activity. Joe Fehrer, Bay Creek on-staff naturalist, is a keen observer of nature. From burgeoning spring blossoms to the sounds of returning birds and awakening wildlife, Joe enjoys sharing the big changes and quiet moments of nature with others. This month, he offers an on-the-ground update about the arrival of spring among the Nature Preserve, waterways and shores of Bay Creek.

The Sights and Sounds that Spring Brings

“Spring is here and things are happening fast,” says Joe. “The weather has been quite mild lately. We’re several weeks ahead of where we normally are for herbaceous plants and trees revving up for spring. We’re not fully into the big flowering-plant season quite yet, but we are starting to see a lot of little field pansies and henbit, a member of the mint family with tiny purple flowers. It’s like a carpet of purple! And there are a lot of native shrubs here that are ready to pop, too.”

“Our winter birds are beginning to head north, which typically happens in late March. Many of the wintering waterfowl have already left, Bay Creek had a lot of blue herons all winter. These and many other migratory birds stop off here, and now they’re moving north again. We’ve just come out of an interesting period between the winter birds leaving and the spring birds arriving,” explains Joe.

From its waterways and shores to the Nature Preserve, Bay Creek serves as a haven for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife. “Now, I’m seeing some of the shorebirds come back into the area— oyster catchers, yellow legs. I also have some reliable reports that the ospreys are back. That’s always a sure sign of spring because, as fish eaters, ospreys tend to show up when they expect the fish to show up, and fish show up when the water warms.”

“We also have a few great horned owls that call the property home,” says Joe. “They’re probably sitting on eggs right now.”

Joe tells us the tree swallows have also returned...a little earlier than usual. “The swallows are back and are scoping out the nesting boxes here on the property.”, He and a group of residents and Stewardship Club members went out recently to clean bluebird boxes and check the wood duck boxes to make sure they were ready to accommodate returning feathered friends.

“It’s really satisfying to me when you have a group of people who will volunteer their time as they do, to take ownership of maintaining a natural area,” says Joe. The Stewardship Club is joined by other Bay Creek residents who enjoy learning about and preserving nature.

“We’ve recently had an event where we gathered to put together blue bird boxes for the property.,” “We were also there to help residents build boxes to install on their own property. Ranger Stan and I are happy to help facilitate people putting up bluebird boxes. It’s just another way to help do the right thing by this property.”

“We have many residents who give freely of their time to do something positive that benefits not only the Bay Creek community but also Cape Charles and the entire region that is the southern peninsula,” says Joe. “I find that really gratifying.”

The Stewardship Club is an all-volunteer group that enjoys nature and lends time and talent to preserving it at Bay Creek and beyond.

Observing, Learning & Appreciating Nature, Great and Small

It’s Joe’s work and passion to conserve and observe nature and share it with others. His fieldwork keeps him in tune with what’s happening in nature, both big and small. Joe’s schedule of nature walks and talks allow him to share this with guests and residents and show them parts of nature they may have otherwise overlooked. Check out the April calendar on the following pages.

“I’m a detail-oriented person. I like the big picture, but it’s the small details that I really get excited about,” says Joe. “Recently, I was on the beach and saw a moon snail sitting atop an oyster. The moon snail dissolves the shell of the oyster so it can eat the meat inside. It’s nature in its rawest sense but it’s something that’s been going on for thousands, maybe millions, of years.”

“That’s the kind of detail we find when we take walks, whether its bird watching and learning about a specific bird, its habitat, its nature… or whether it’s picking up an oyster on the beach and talking about oyster aquaculture, which is a big thing here on the Eastern Shore. These details are all around us. It’s just how close you want to look. That’s what I try to do with my walks—to help people see these things in a way that they can appreciate those small details, too.”

Joe hosts many participants on his themed walks. Areas of focus are diverse, from a program where he goes through the history of the Lower Peninsula and then the Bay Creek property specifically, to walks that focus on specific species like waterfowl and wading birds, to ‘full moon’ walks where Joe leads guests on a night journey through the Nature Preserve to observe and learn.

“When the weather warms up, we may be adding a New Moon walk, too. This would be a dark night walk which allows different senses to take over.” Being out in nature after dark is, indeed, an interesting experience. “People who join me for the full moon walks really enjoy it. They

appreciate the fact that it gives them a reason to get out in nature at night and do something they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” smiles Joe.

And though Joe’s nature walks are planned events, you never know what you might discover. “I’ve been doing some walks outside the Preserve area, too,” says Joe. “These are protected areas that are a little less accessible. We’re not walking on trails; we’re trekking through the woods. Last time out, we found little native orchids and bird feathers. Almost every time I’m out there I see something really unique,” he adds. “This winter, we had a Eurasian widgeon on one of the ponds in the Preserve area. That bird ordinarily migrates across Eurasia—and here it is showing up on the east coast! It’s amazing.”

There are so many interesting things and meaningful moments to experience in every season when one slows down to take time to observe. “Recently, I was leading a full moon walk,” recalls Joe. “We were out there in the darkness, and we heard tundra swans that were migrating north. You can’t see them in the dark, but you can hear them overhead. It’s a bit haunting, but beautiful… it’s music that comes out of nowhere, passes by, then slowly disappears in the distance.”

In nature, there is beauty to be discovered in both the monumental and the miniscule. So, in this time of spring renewal, unfolding petals, emerging leaves, winter birds flying away north and new ones arriving from the south, Joe encourages us to stop...to observe...to simply be, as nature reveals its magnificence all around us here on the Eastern Shore.

April Walks

FIELD WORK WITH A NATURALIST

These walks will focus primarily on the Preserve uplands, although a few beach walks are scheduled, and include areas not frequently visited, both inside and outside the gate.

Bring a sense of adventure and exploration as we visit locations seldom seen but always interesting, you never know what will turn up on any given day. We’ll find ourselves off the trail in the woods and meadows, but that’s the nature of exploration.

The walks will last approximately two hours and binoculars will be helpful.We will do a bit of crosscountry bushwhacking through the old fairways, woods and meadow areas so wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately. Please check the app for weather cancellations and/or changes in meeting location.

FULL MOON WALKS

Explore the Preserve after hours with Naturalist Joe Fehrer, as we cede the night back to our nocturnal neighbors. We’ll view the setting sun as it drops from view across the lower Bay with the moon rising over our shoulder and across Plantation Creek, creating a landscape dappled in black and white.

Walking along the Preserve golf cart trail after dark helps to add a bit of mystery and can distort your perception of distance and place, providing a unique sensory experience. This is a great way to see, and hear, the Preserve in a completely different and unique way. Plan to join us for this leisurely 90-minute walk, you won’t be disappointed.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately. A flashlight is recommended as well as a hiking stick for the walk. Please check the app for weather-related cancellations and/or changes in meeting times.

HISTORY WALKS

Delve into the region’s rich history, starting in the late Eocene Epoch and the spectacular geological event that defined the region. Then, we’ll move into the geology of the Eastern Shore and the “tug” between water and land, resulting from the last glaciation.

Learn about the early peoples of the peninsula, their cultures and adaptation to the ever-changing landscape; then, the arrival of the Europeans and into the colonial period. We’ll cover the Civil War’s impact on the lower shore, and how the railroad, the great depression and two world wars shaped the region. Then we follow the development of Cape Charles, ending in modern times, here, at Bay Creek.

Please dress appropriately. Check the app for weather-related cancellations and/or changes in meeting locations.

WATERFOWL & WADING BIRDS

Join us as we visit the ponds and beach in search of waterfowl and wading birds. We’ll also see the last of the winter shore and songbirds as well as raptors, depending on our location. These walks allow residents and guests to explore the property and its living resources with Naturalist Joe Fehrer.

These are slow-paced walks, allowing ample time for observation and conversation about the living resources and other phenomena we’re observing. The walks will last about two hours.

We’ll be on the beach or the Preserve uplands so wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately (binoculars are recommended). Weather permitting, we may also hold a few marsh walks which will require waterproof footwear. An update and reminder will be posted on the app. Please check the app frequently for weather-related cancellations and/or changes in meeting locations.

DISCOVER THE HISTORIC:

Palace Theatre

HOME TO A THRIVING CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN CAPE CHARLES

There’s a certain magic about a movie theatre. One has but to settle into a seat to find themselves transported by a story that unfolds before them on the screen. In Cape Charles, the Historic Palace Theatre, which is now home to a thriving arts community, experienced a dramatic rise, untimely fall, and incredible rebirth not unlike many of the movie classics it once screened.

A Grand History

The Historic Palace Theatre, which began as an elegant Art Deco movie house, first opened its doors in 1942 and was described as one of the largest and most ornate picture theatres between Norfolk and Philadelphia. Designed by Norfolk architect Alfred M. Lubin and constructed by an enormous team of architects, it was a true showplace, boasting terrazzo floors, walnut paneling, and huge hand-painted murals. Mirrors soared from floor to ceiling and its unique architectural elements dripped with Art Deco style. It hosted bustling crowds and blockbuster films. But as times changed in Cape Charles, its gilded era declined.

“The opening of the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in 1964 dealt a blow to the theater, and by 1970, a weekend-only film schedule was implemented. The last film, “Titanic,” was shown in 1997.” — “Cape Charles’ Palace Theatre to Celebrate 75th Birthday,” Hillary T. Chesson, Delmarva Now 2/17/17

But, as with most silver-screen heroes, the story of the Palace Theatre and the town of Cape Charles was far from over. It was, in fact, about to enjoy a triumphant ‘second act.’

A Thriving Home for the Arts

Today, the Palace Theatre is where magic happens, once again. In 1998, the theatre was purchased by Arts Enter Cape Charles, a nonprofit visual and performing arts organization formed by Cape Charles resident, Clelia Sheppard, and a small group of dedicated art enthusiasts. It is now a powerhouse advocate for the arts on the Eastern Shore, through teaching, promoting, and performing. Soon after Arts Enter purchased the theatre, the enormous task of restoration began.

“The historic theatre underwent a tremendous renovation,” says Clelia. “It seats about 380

people. But it’s not just the building that is important. The building is beautiful once again, but it’s what transpires in the building that makes it so exciting.”

Now owned by Clelia and her husband, John, the theatre has become a home base for an array of artistic endeavors and is a hotspot of creative activity. Clelia, one of many driving forces who has helped art thrive in Cape Charles, shares more about how the theatre—and the arts—are alive and well in this very special town.

A native of Italy, and an Eastern Shore resident for more than 25 years, Clelia—herself a talented painter—is passionate about sharing the arts with the community. When she and her family first moved to the Eastern Shore in the 1990’s, she recognized a lack of opportunities for her children and herself in the arts. “There wasn’t

“It’s very rewarding to have an organization where so many people can enjoy the arts. That’s why we named our organization ‘Arts Enter,’ because we don’t want any doors to be closed to anyone.”

much happening. I wondered, ‘where will my daughter learn to dance? Where will my children learn to play piano?’ My lifelong mission has been to create a place where people can realize their desires to be on stage or learn a discipline in the arts,” she says.

Decades later, the art that takes place within the walls of the Palace Theatre is inspiring and plentiful—with performances by ballet companies and jazz bands, symphonies, lectures, workshops, classes in dance, drama, music, sculpting, painting, and more.

“Of course, we also do a lot of entertainment on the stage,” says Clelia.

culminates with a premiere of all the films. These artists are incredible…in only two weeks, they shoot, edit, and show their films,” she says.

“Originally, the Palace was a movie theatre…so, it has come full circle.”

“Now, we’re in the middle of preparing and rehearsing for Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical,” Clelia says. “Last year, we performed The Music Man .”

The theatre also has special showings of movies. During Cape Charles’ beloved Festive Fridays, a holiday celebration that runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the Palace shows a film every Friday night. “Everybody’s shopping, the town is decorated, and then at eight in the evening, we show an old movie, and we’re packed to the brim,” Clelia smiles. “Yes, we could see the same movie at home but there’s something wonderful about experiencing an old movie in a historic theatre.”

A true hub for the arts, there is also a place where artists can showcase their work. Sitting alongside the Palace Theatre and accessible from its entrance lobby is Lemon Tree Gallery & Studio where more than 100 artists exhibit their work for sale. Founded by Clelia, Lemon Tree is an interactive space where artists exhibit and create, and where visitors can see an impressive variety of work. “Fridays at Lemon Tree” have become a community gathering event featuring live music and a cash bar year-round. During the summer months, Lemon Tree Gallery sponsors the popular event out on Strawberry Street.

“We have brought in the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and other large events. We also do a film festival in the summer, Experimental Film Virginia, which is now in its eleventh year. It’s a two-week resident program where film makers come from all over the world to experience our small town of Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore and be inspired by it. The program

“Sometimes at intermission, people will mingle and go in the gallery,” Clelia explains. “It’s amazing how many artists we’ve been able to accommodate, and most are from the Eastern Shore. There are so many studios and artists here,” she adds. “Cape Charles really is a stone’s through from all the bustle of a city such as Norfolk or Virginia Beach. Even Washington DC and New York are only a few hours away. It’s a good spot… the artists love it. Cape Charles has flourished.

It’s an attraction for people who have artistic tendencies to come and live in the area and on the Eastern Shore,” she says. “It’s a secret that is slowly being unveiled.”

If the Palace Theatre is the home of the artistic renaissance in Cape Charles, the people in the community are certainly its heart and soul.

“In communities such as ours, what we do here at the theatre is offer an opportunity for involvement,” says Clelia. “Perhaps in your life you sang in a choir, or always wanted to learn to paint. We can offer this new chapter in people’s lives, at any age. Here we have an art community that they can absolutely dive into.”

They have participants from the age of four to 85 who come and enjoy being involved in the arts. “It’s not like a big city where you feel anonymous,” says Clelia. “You feel like you count here. You are needed. Every little bit of participation makes it a bit more vibrant.”

“In the summer, we offer a youth theatre summer camp. Many are children who have come to visit their grandparents at Bay Creek. They have a wonderful time in the camp, and they come back next summer and see the friends they have made again. So then, we have a new generation that has learned how to love this area and experience something different from where they live.”

Clelia loves the idea of having ‘the muses’ — all the art disciplines—under one roof: theatre, visual arts, dance and more. “This is a place where people can escape, whether it’s painting or sculpting or acting or enjoying a production as an audience member. Once you open the doors of the theatre, you enter a world of fantasy, where you can be someone else if you take a role,” she says.

“You lose yourself there and forget about the things out in the world. It’s a magical and wonderful sense of freedom. When you’re happy and you’re doing something you love, suddenly, there are no more boundaries.”

Learn more about the Palace Theatre, Arts Enter, upcoming events, and the robust arts scene in Cape Charles:

305 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310

www.artsentercapecharles.org

757-331-4327

We invite you to explore this natural wonderland in a place where residents connect, forge friendships and pursue their interests and passions. There is truly nothing like it on the coast of Virginia.