CAPE CHARLES MIRROR

Reflections on Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore

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Why I love Cape Charles

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Everleigh Belle Epps is an adventurous 8-year-old who loves to explore nature, as well as staying active swimming, playing soccer, and gymnastics. Everleigh and her family recently vacationed in Cape Charles, and contacted the Mirror to say just how much they loved it.

The family stayed at the Karla Cottage at Marina Villages.

“I loved where we stayed. I was close to the beach and the pool. I could swim every day! I really loved being able to ride in a golf cart, and going to the shops in town. My favorite was Moonrise….we all got little glass bottles to fill with shells, seaglass, and sand from Cape Charles.”

Everleigh at the Shanty. Photo by Virginia Beach Photographer Michelle Dowdy

This is not Everleigh’s first time to Cape Charles. She has been vacationing here for five years.

“One of my favorite things is the places to eat. The food at Kelly’s and the Shanty are wonderful. And the pizza at Deadrise is great.”

The Mirror asked her about Brown Dog.

“Brown Dog is the best! Our family ordered eleven cones! The Candy store is awesome too…and the shaved ice stand, I could mix two different flavors.”

Everleigh Belle Epps

A natural beachcomber, Everleigh spent countless hours searching for sea glass. According to her family, she has quite a collection going. They also told the Mirror that Everleigh is passionate about saving the beach snails and tiger beetles.

Coming back to Cape Charles every year is fast becoming a family tradition.

“I always look forward to coming back. Cape Charles is one of my favorite places.”

Everleigh is a rising third grader at the Academy of Discovery at Lakewood in Norfolk. She told the Mirror that she wants to be a scientist one day.

Cape Charles moves to relax “some” restrictions

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Town Council voted Thursday to rescind the ordinance banning short-term rentals in town. Owners are now free to begin booking guests.

Council agreed to keep the rest of the restrictions the status quo.

Restaurants are only allowed 50% capacity outdoors, and all other businesses are closed. There has been some confusion, mainly Social Media chatter, about whether barbershops and salons in town will be allowed to open.

The beach, park, and public restrooms remain closed.

“We have to circle back around to the beach,” Mayor Dize said. “When the Governor opens the beaches, then we can look at opening up the town.”

“They are already here. Day trippers, campgrounds are open. We need to be prepared. Focus on how we can protect citizens and visitors. Adhere to our guidelines. It’s naïve to think they are not coming,” Councilwoman Holloway said.

Councilman Benett stated that he was worried that the area is already stretched, “Food Lion is completely bought out…with the campgrounds open, it’s going to make it even worse. The same goes for medical.”

The most at-risk group for coronavirus infection are those in the 65 plus age group–that is a large percentage of the town’s population.

While it is recognized that folks are coming, the goal has been to try and slow traffic down, such as closing the beach and most businesses.

Governor Northam’s Phase 1 eases some of his business restrictions, but the Town Council decided to move cautiously, at least until phase 2 is announced.

Here is the official status:

  • Short-term rentals are authorized to resume operations in Cape Charles.  The Council formally rescinded Ordinance 20200416, that had temporarily closed short-term rental operations.  However, operators are requested to ask tenants to bring supplies with them, so as not to over task an already strained supply of local goods for Town residents.
  • Transient moorage will be accepted at the Town Harbor.  Again, boaters are asked to bring their own supplies, easing the demand on local supplies needed for Town residents.
  • Most public restrooms will remain closed.   
  • The park, playground, and tennis courts will remain closed.
  • The fishing pier will remain closed.
  • Town offices/facilities will remain closed to the public and continue to operate under the IOP Phase 2 protocols currently in place.
  • The beach will remain closed in conformance with Executive Orders 55 and 61. 

With the harbor now open to transient boaters, an effort to open the harbor restroom will more than likely have to happen. In the Mason Avenue district, a porta-potty may be placed behind the library. Public Works staff will be responsible for cleaning. Full PPE protocols will be in place for the worker.

One idea floated as a way to increase social distancing, is to close off reverse-angle parking lanes on the north side of Mason. The town is waiting for VDOT to confirm if this can be done.

Public comments were about 50/50 regarding opening the town. The following comment was sent to the Mirror via email:

As a homeowner in Northampton and a regular customer at a lot of the facilities in the town I take offense to the comment of the town manager who said in his latest virus update “Like it or not the tourist season is started”. I believe that comment is unwarranted since the town’s businesses rely on the tourist season to survive. The town should cater to tourists and not a have “Like it or not “ attitude regarding the tourist season. I for one may spend my money elsewhere.

Defiance: Time to Open Cape Charles

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“This is getting ridiculous! Give the restaurants reduced capacity, so ” social distancing” can be employed, have servers wear masks, and whatever other strictures the media will endorse…but we have to get open SOON! As an industry we do not make money selling food, we need to sell alcohol. Losing May will be crushing, losing June will put the bulk of us here on The Shore out of business! We have 4 months to make an optimum profit, the September 1 the door is closing quickly! We have been here working diligently for almost 14 years and would like to be here for a few more! If you feel uncomfortable going out in public….stay home! If you are comfortable interacting with some new separation and medical restrictions we would welcome you! We need to get back to work….as soon as prudently possible!” Gene Kelly, Owner of Kelly’s Gingernut Pub

The Town has done its due diligence, now it is time to disregard the Governor’s arbitrary and capricious orders and open businesses on a limited basis.

We know that the virus is only dangerous to those over age 60, and mainly over 80. Why is the beach closed when there is virtually no risk? Is it constitutional for the Town to dictate what property owners can do with their property without an emergency justification?

The big lie being told to ordinary people is that these measures are meant to save lives. No, these measures are really about trading lives.

We voted these leaders into office, and when this is over, we will have to judge them on what they did. Did they take good counsel? Did they balance the needs of all citizens? Were they arbitrary or equitable in deciding which activities to prevent and which to allow? Did they take advantage of our vulnerability to take just a little more power for themselves? 

The science doesn’t seem to line up with the tyranny that’s going on. Continued indiscriminate shutdowns are an abuse and don’t protect the public health.

“Most of the country is going to come through this with the realization we’re being treated like children … by people who want us to look at them as parents,” Rowe said during an interview with Glenn Beck on the Blaze.

“In an economy like this, when you take 26 million ‘nonessential’ workers out of the equation … the whole thing collapses under its own weight. I would suggest to you right now that there is no such thing as a nonessential worker when it comes to the economy” — Mike Rowe

Never in the history of America have we given up so much of our freedom. For the most part, we have done so willingly because we believed it was for our own good and for the good of the more vulnerable among us.  Basically, we did this out of fear.

“If somebody wants to stay in their house, that’s great. They can stay in their house and they should not be compelled to leave. But to say that they cannot leave their house and they will be arrested if they do — this is fascist. This is not democratic. This is not freedom. Give people back their g—d— freedom.” — Elon Musk

Time to recalibrate. These people are our representatives, not our rulers.

If the Town does not stand up to the Governor and is willing to sacrifice the well-being of the citizens, we should expect resignations. What exactly are they here for?

With an election on May 19, I would point blank each candidate whether or not they would defy Governor and open up. Their response is the only one you will need to hear.

As Thomas Jefferson wrote to Edward Carrington on January 16, 1787, “The people are the only censors of their governors.” It is we the people who ultimately bear responsibility for how our leadership handles this crisis—that is what government by the people, for the people, and of the people means. 

We must now defy the Governor’s Order and go back to work. We must fully understand the limited powers of our government officials. We must know our history well enough to understand why the Framers of the Constitution designed the government that they did.

Shrek the Musical March 13-15

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GEAR is proud to present Shrek the Musical March 13, 14 and 15 at the Palace Theatre in Cape Charles.

Times are 7:30 for Friday and Saturday, and a 3:00 pm matinee on Sunday.

Tickets Adults $18 and Students $8

It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Cape Charles Adopts Leash Law

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Dogs will have to be on leashes starting January 1st, 2020 as the Cape Charles Town Council adopted the final text for the leash law on Thursday. The ordinance is the fruit of several months of discussion, revision, and re-factoring.

Councilwoman Cela Burge correctly noted, “I just want to say that the final outcome is due to the amount of public input we received.”

The ordinance is finely crafted legislation that attempts to balance the needs of all citizens, those in favor of canines on lead, and those not. It is also a testament to Town Manager Larry DiRe’s talent for achieving a balance in perspectives. The new ordinance is below:


Sec. 50-191. – Domestic animals in public places.
(a) Domestic canines.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to permit such canine to run at large at any time. For purposes of this section, a domestic canine shall be deemed to run at large while roaming, running, or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian (Code of Virginia § 3.2-6538).
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to permit such canine to be off a leash or other physical restraint, or off an electronic collar on any public street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, or other thoroughfare.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to permit such canine to be in the following public facilities at any time: town offices, public works and utilities facilities, Civic Center, library, tennis courts, children’s playground.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to permit such canine to be on the fishing pier from May 1 through Labor Day inclusive. It shall be unlawful for such domestic canines to be on the fishing pier off a leash or other physical restraint daily between the hours of 8:00 am and 7:00 pm at all other times of the year.
(5) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to permit such canine to be on the public beach either on or off a leash or other physical restraint, or electronic collar at any time during the period from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. between May 1 and Labor Day inclusive of each year, such period hereinafter referred to [as] the “season”.
(6) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, or having custody of, any domestic canine to be in Central Park off a leash or other physical restraint, or off an electronic collar except and for times and areas under a town facility use form for specific events and\or activities.
(7) Service dogs are recognized as a regulated animal and are exempt from the requirements of this section.

The rules for dogs on the beach remains the same. Between Labor Day and May 1st, dogs are can run off-lead. From May 1 to Labor Day, that is restricted from 9 pm to 9 am.

Scott Wivell’s All You Can Eat Crab Steam Sept 7th

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Come out to the Cape Charles Harbor next Saturday for an all you can eat crab steam provided by local commercial waterman Scott Wivell.

All proceeds will be going directly towards the completion of the Watermen’s Memorial!

Saturday, September 7, 2019, from 1 PM – 6 PM

Cape Charles Town Harbor Marina-11 Marina Road, Cape Charles, Virginia 23310

Scott Wivell waterman demonstration

$20 all you can eat crabs and then some! Live music and Commercial Fishing displays. Come on out and finish off summer the right way!

Eat crabs, Drink beer, and have a good time with Scott for a good cause!

Reverse Angle Parking Claims another Fender

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While the stupidity of Reverse Angle Parking (RAP) is probably the most Cape Charles thing ever, eventually, it will go away. In the meantime, it’s still here, causing frustration, anger and accidents.

Everyone hates it.

Is backing into stalls difficult? For many, yes. The original dubious mantra by town officials looking to save face was that it is “far easier than parallel parking.” Really? Why can’t we just pull straight into the spot with our eyes facing forward instead of having to maneuver into a tight space surrounded by expensive vehicles?

Case in point:

Photo courtesy of Lemon Tree.

New Trees planted near Magothy Bay

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Friend and sometime contributor David Boyd sent this notice via email:


DCR recently acquired a 55 acre field off Latimer Siding as an addition to the Magothy Bay Preserve, as you are likely aware. Today I was part of a group of about 20 people who did a large scale planting in that field to provide increased habitat for migrating songbirds, among other things. This morning a truck loaded with 1100 wax myrtle shrubs in 3 gallon containers arrived at the site. We unloaded them onto DCR trailers and the group spent the entire day planting them. While there are still some that remain to be planted, we managed to plant approximately 700 wax myrtles, just today!!! That’s 10 rows of plants spaced on 40 foot centers for a distance of 0.6 miles. Essentially, rows of wax myrtles for nearly as far as the eye can see. As these shrubs grow and mature, and other plants are added by the bird droppings of neotropicals and other birds using these wax myrtles, this is going to be a fantastic addition to the habitat down near the southern tip of the peninsula. There are also going to be some willow, white, pin and scarlet oaks planted there as well. 

The planting area is in a 55 acre field that is bounded to the west by Route 13, to the south by Latimer Siding Road and to the east by Seaside Road. The full-length rows are about 6 tenths of a mile long and there is a wax myrtle planted every 40 feet, with an occasional oak thrown in for good measure.

About 700 of the wax myrtles were planted this past Tuesday and there are another 400 still to plant for a total of 1100 wax myrtles. Not nearly as many oaks, maybe a hundred or two will be planted, but they will be substantially bigger.


Along with members of DCR, the Eastern Shore Master Naturalists provided much of the labor for the planting.

Line of wax myrtles (DCR Photo)

Shanty proposes to purchase current land it is now leasing

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The Hungry Crab, LLC, the corporation behind the Shanty restaurant has submitted an unsolicited offer to purchase lot 10 (the Shanty pad) at 33 Marina Drive, the current location of the establishment for $262,000.

The waterfront lot is 17.03 acres. The portion for sale is only .40 acres.

The Shanty is currently operating under a lease of the land from the town.

A public hearing on the sale is scheduled for Thursday March 14 at 6:30 in the Civic Center. 

The town received some additional documentation that needs to be vetted by a professional appraiser relative to an additional proposal. Rather than hold separate hearings and votes on two halves, the town will be moving forward on one comprehensive proposal. 

Elf the Musical Opens at the Palace December 8th

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This season, GEAR and the Palace Theatre will present the modern holiday classic, Elf the Musical. Jr.

Showtimes are December 8th @7:30, December 9th @3:00, and December 15th @7:30.

The Palace Theatre is located at 305 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310.

Based on the film of the same name, Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

“This is really a fun, enjoyable work of musical theater,” co-director Amy Watkins told the Mirror. “For all of our actors, especially those in the dance and theater programs, we try and prepare them to be a triple threat—dance, act and sing. In Elf, they have really been pushed to polish all three aspects of the performing arts.”

The GEAR dance program is an integral part of the program. Ms. Watkins choreographed all the original dance numbers.

“I have really been proud of everyone in this show,” said co-Director Wayne Creed. “The actors, singers and dancers have really put in the work—it has been a joy to be around such a remarkable group of performers who are dedicated and willing to give up a big portion of their lives to make this show great. Amy Watkins has also done a great job once again bringing the show to life visually and spatially, and Katherine Reid, our costume mistress has been wonderful making our transitions from the North Pole to New York believable and aesthetically beautiful.”

Elf JR. features songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

“I have to admit, being a fan of the Will Ferrell film, I was a little skeptical about a musical version,” Creed said. “but the numbers are wonderful—you can’t stop singing them.”