The commentary and opinion is special to the Mirror by Emma Jackson. Ms. is a writer from the Shore, currently working on a series of books about and based in Northampton.
The Eastern Shore of Virgina. “Come-heres” come because they love the life and the culture they find; a culture based all the way back to Thomas Savage n 1621. It is a culture that is friendly (did you ever notice how the “from-heres” wave when they drive past, even if they don’t know you)? It is a culture that is generous (often you find, when you get home from church, that someone has left a paper sack of produce on your porch). It is a culture that is gracious (children are still taught to say “sir” and “ma’am,” and gentlemen still doff their hats as they open a lady’s door). It is a throwback to a more genteel time.
On the Shore, there’s less traffic on the highways. There are no skyscrapers cluttering the deep blue sky. With just a little practice as you drive up the highway, you can identify the crops growing in the fields – corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and the ubiquitous soybeans. Even though you were born and raised in Trenton it makes you feel as though you are “of the land.”
The “come-heres” find this culture so refreshing that they decide they must return to their roots and move here.
After being here a while they realize the old farmhouse they bought is rather drafty in the winter and the closets are awfully small. That well water tastes strange, too.
Then there’s the people. They are nice enough but don’t expect to have a meaningful discussion of the existential aspects of Nietzsche with them.
And the winter! Why there’s nothing to do but sit around and listen to the wind blow. That and keep bundled up from the drafts.
Sure there’s some up-class stuff to do in Norfolk, but that’s an hour drive away. Not to mention the toll on the CBBT!
It’s at this point that the “come-heres” decide it’s their responsibility to change things. Not a lot, mind you. Just enough to let the “from-heres” see what they’ve been missing all this time. And too often the changes are aided and abetted by local officials who are afraid the “come-heres” will accuse them of being provincial and insular.
The upshot of all this? If we are not careful it will lead to homogenization. Meaning what? Meaning The Eastern Shore will lose its distinctive and it will no longer be “come-heres” and “from-heres,” it will just be a generic sign saying, YOU ARE HERE.
About the Author
From the perspective of a 22 year “Come Here” I offer anecdotal evidence that might assuage the anxiety of “From Heres”.
I live in a community just outside CC. There are about 25 homes in the development and every single home is occupied by “Come Heres”.
I’ve known these folks for a while now and I can tell you without doubt every one of them wants the Shore to keep it’s unique character.
And
There’s nothing wrong with change
It doesn’t have to be extensive
There are certain necessities that are needed like a decent internet infrastructure so medical and banking facilities can be more productive which will help getting physicians and medical personnel to COME HERE! A better grocery store that has healthier selections like Aldi, nothing wrong with competition. This doesn’t mean you have to open up the flood gates but do not be afraid of controlled expansion .
All I can say is thank you for a meaningful article. The character of Cape Charles has changed dramatically over the last ten years. Yes, change is inevitable, but let’s slow it down!
Thank you, Joy.
Why not fix your homes, so that you would not have to leave in the first place? For those that want to claim ‘home is where you hang your hat’ or ‘where the heart is’ probably left their home and are trying to occupy someone else’s real home.
I came from Long Island. Trust me, there was no fixing what went wrong up there.
When Mr. Levitt decided to expand onto an ISLAND after WWII that was the beginning of the end.
No one tried. Modern humans follow the paths of least resistance, much like water and electricity.
I have a bit of difficulty when I see articles like this where a finger is pointed at “come heres” when there is a change that is unpleasant or unwelcome to some.
I bet it would be difficult to find valid opposition to this statement. The biggest change to affect the increased volume of traffic on Lankford Highway was the construction of the CBBT. That project was not created by support from “come heres”.
I believe that opened the floodgates. No ?
The only thing that has kept it all from even faster change was the cost of the toll.
With the increased highway volume came the demand for business change on the highway to support the speed and safety of the through traffic. Voila ! Royal Farms after Royal Farms. Local highway frontage sold by locals and approved by local towns. Had nothing to do with “come heres”.
The locally flavored little stores and gas stations squeezed out by this “improvement”, what happened to those, and their owners ? All approved by locals.
You want homogenization ? Hello Wally World. The ultimate homogenization of America on The Eastern Shore. Property owned by and sold by locals. All construction permits signed by locals. Towns squabbling over which town should get Wal Mart for the improvement of The Shore. Which location would be the best for all off The Shore.
Enter Wal Mart. Now that it’s here, if any difficulties arise, or if the homogenization harms the flavor or personality of The Shore, simply point a finger at “come heres”, and say they did it.
Local sport ?
I’m just saying……..
It’s been raining a lot lately. I think it’s all the fault of……well, you know where to point .
Those that do not like it can leave…
RT 13 will take you away just like Calgon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjGPgs0_S0
I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t have been a “come here” if it wasn’t for the school. I come from a rural area in Pennsylvania where people wave to everyone and houses are drafty in the winter as well. We did listen to the wind howl and drive windchills below zero but still went outside with our pets or check on neighbors. We do the same here during the winters on the Shore. I will say that some of the kids that have “been here” can’t wait to leave for the same reasons you say bring people here. I tell them if that’s what you want go for it but this place is amazing. Although I miss the mountains, nothing beats going to the beach and watching the sun set on the Bay.
Living in upstate NY we have been captive to bad ideas coming out of NYC my whole life. This article shares a common theme with the sentiments I have heard from Texans, Virginians and Floridians I know. “These people leave Ny & California because of high taxes and poor quality of life, but want to bring those same ideas and bad politics with them!” What’s the definition of insanity? My wife and I will be retiring at the Eastern shore. Our goal is to join the community, not change it. We made this decision after vacationing in Va for about 15 yrs . It’s Just different here and we feel welcome.It’s the people. If you travel here and don’t see it, you aren’t looking. On one of our trips South, we went to a store and chatted with some folks. When we left, our family talked about how nice everyone was. After driving about 10 minutes and my son said,” hey, have you ever noticed , no one ever says Northern Hospitality?”
Thank you for a lovely post!