Adopt-A-Spot begins: Cookie Atkinson puts the finishing touches on the garden area next to the tea house in the waterfront park at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, as Susan Powell looks on. The pair are members of the “Wild Bunch,” who have adopted this small garden area under the nature park’s new “Adopt-a Spot” program. Interested gardeners should call the park office and leave a message for organizer, Volunteer Coordinator Marion Lancaster. “Adopted by” signage is part of the program. (Photo by Bill Powell)
Just in time for the growing season, Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park are rolling out their new Adopt-A-Spot program to involve our community at large in the care and feeding of our wonderful nature trails and gardens. Similar to the successful Virginia Department of Highway’s (VDOT) Adopt-a-Highway program, the museum’s program gives a local group, business, club or neighbors a way of being a part of the nature park, to their own abilities and be recognized for their efforts.
A club, business, community group or individual can contact Volunteer Coordinator Marion Lancaster and arrange to come out, walk the grounds and pick out their spot. The spot can be as small as one plant, and the commitment would be to come out on their own schedule at least four times a year for two years. At least one member of the group should be a museum member.
It’s time for the 14th annual Easter egg hunt at the Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) and Holly Point Nature Park. Put on your favorite Easter bonnet, grab your Easter basket or bag, and bring the whole family out to DMM this Saturday, April 16, from 1-3 p.m. for all the hunt activities. The actual hunt itself starts promptly at 2 p.m., so be sure to get there early to take advantage of all the activities and enjoy the park. Did I mention to bring a basket?
The festivities and attractions begin at 1 p.m. The hunt is divided into three age groups. Ages 3 and younger will scour the children’s garden, ages 4-6 will hunt in the tea house/waterfront park area and ages 7-10 will look in the nature trails area. The cut-off age for egg hunting is 10.
Volunteers are still welcome and will need to sign in at the front table. Student volunteers are asked to include their school name and grade…
The Easter Bunny is the star celebrity at a pre-pandemic Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) egg hunt. After a two-year hiatus, he will return for the big 2022 DMM Easter egg hunt set for April 16. (Contributed)
by Bill Powell –
We at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park are pleased to announce that with the advent of the “New Normal” we are planning a full events schedule for this, our 20th anniversary year.
We are bringing back our annual Easter Egg hunt, our opening weekend Friday dinner and dance and all seven fourth Saturday of the month Holly Point market events and Groovin’ in the Park concerts. Check out our website for information and events as we add them.
First, on Saturday, April 16, from 1-3 p.m., the Easter Bunny and his elusive, colorful eggs are king at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park. We will offer our hay rides, our very own Easter Bunny and lots and lots of those sweet-filled, many colored eggs hidden in the park for kids to find.
There is plenty to see and do for the whole family. Don’t forget your Easter basket or bags. The hunt starts promptly at 2 p.m., so don’t be late. Please register before the hunt.
The cut-off age for egg seekers is 10 years old.
Hot dogs, chips and water will be available at the tea house kitchen from 1-3 p.m.
If you would like to help hide the eggs, or with set-up, etcetera, just come on the morning of April 16. If you have questions, call the museum staff at the office at 804-776-7200. This is a “feel good” event. Come out and enjoy the day.
Thanks to all our Easter volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you.
More than 20 grabbed their rakes and gloves and came out to Deltaville Maritime Museum to ready it for its 20th anniversary season beginning with an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 16. This group is working in the waterfront park area where the popular “Groovin’ in the Park” concert series is conducted. Other volunteers worked the Children’s Garden and museum area. Volunteer Coordinator Marion Lancaster provided lunch and water for the hungry workers. The museum’s season officially opens the weekend of May 6 and 7. (Contributed)
by Bill Powell –
Organizing the first “call for volunteers” for this last Saturday, March 19, Marion Lancaster, Deltaville Maritime Museum board member and volunteer coordinator, worked along with more than 20 volunteers to begin getting things ready for its season opener May 6 and 7.
Bringing their own rakes and gloves and, working primarily in the waterfront park and garden areas, the volunteers made short work of the cleanup project. Thanks to all who came out and helped.
Marion is from Martinsville and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business in Information Systems. She lived in Richmond for many years working for the Virginia Department of General Services as the technical manager for the state purchasing system. She retired several years ago and lives in Deltaville with her husband, Linny, and her “labradoodle,” Bingo. She enjoys reading, movies, gardening, cooking, kayaking, listening to live music and volunteering.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer at the park in any capacity should call the museum office and leave a message for Marion. Volunteers can help with office work, maintenance, boat building, food service, gardening and the list goes on. You can help on your own schedule.
To find out more about the museum, its offerings, open hours, events schedule and tickets, becoming a member, donating or volunteering, visit www.deltavillemuseum.com or call 804-776-7200.
(Bill Powell is events director of the Deltaville Maritime Museum.)
Crowds pack Deltaville Maritime Museum’s (DMM) waterfront park during a 2019 performance by Hartfield’s Tom Euler and his band. Euler is set to open DMM’s 2022 “Groovin’ in the Park” concert series. (Contributed)
by Bill Powell –
Hi everybody, it’s that time of year again! The warm weather and music will be here before you know it, so it’s time to grab your ticket savings early for the 2022 Groovin’ season. The year 2022 marks DMM’s 20th anniversary.
Groovin’ in the Park 2022 will feature five regular performances and two very special performances!
We are very pleased to announce that our opening artist this year is the award winning Hartfield blues guitarist Tom Euler and his trio. Tom will play on May 7 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Here is the full Groovin’ schedule:
Saturday, May 7 — 5:30-6 p.m. Tom Euler, “Unplugged!” acoustic originals; 6-8 p.m. Tom Euler Trio, blues to the max.
Saturday, May 28 — 5-6 p.m. fabulous Ray Pittman, beach, blues and soul; 6-8 p.m. No. 1 blues billboard artist Bobby Messano, Blues Hall of Fame.
Saturday, June 25 — 5-6 p.m. Sincerely Iris, songs from the road; 6-8 p.m. The Taters, four-part harmonies and all your “faves.”
Saturday, July 23 — 4-6 p.m 20th anniversary celebration with Clayton Neal; 6-8 p.m. special performance, Steve Bassett Band, Mr. Rhythm and Blues himself in the sweet Virginia breeze.
Saturday, Aug. 27 — 5-6 p.m. StonesThrow, the arrangements make the difference; 6-8 p.m. Stuck on a Name reggae band, none better, no worries.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — 5-6 p.m. Labor Day weekend bonus Groovin’, Toby Gillie and the Unpredictables; 6-8 p.m. Josh Walker Quartet with Carla Jackson, standards.
Saturday, Sept. 24 — 6-8 p.m. Rappahannock Crossing, bluegrass to the max.
Due to increased expenses, the two special performance concerts (May 7 and July 23) will be $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. As you all know, Groovin’ is one of the Maritime Park’s major fundraisers. The other five regular concerts will have the regular Groovin’ pricing, $10 in advance and $15/gate. Remember, there is always the possibility of a sellout this year, so please get your tickets early. Tickets are available now at the DMM office, online and soon at Nauti-Nell’s store in Deltaville. Watch our website and the print edition of the Southside Sentinel for updates.
(Bill Powell is events director of the Deltaville Maritime Museum.)
Despite a very cold morning and biting wind this past Saturday, Nov. 27, intrepid and well-bundled members of the Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM)’s “Bistrobunch” volunteer food service ensemble flip the local eggs, bake the handmade biscuits and sizzle the bacon and country ham for the annual “BistroBloodyMaryBrunch” offered this year, due to the COVID-19, in the waterfront park. Ann Ward, background right center, blue jacket, holds down the cashier position and the foreground cooking line, from right to left includes Robin Wells on eggs, John McDaniel on bacon and country ham and a multi-tasking Bill Powell on hash browns. Sallie Wells (plate loading), Bev and Gail Butler, Emily Davies (bar), Linda Moss Brent, Bonnie Vest, Judy Pease (serving line) were not in this picture. Lyn and Don Burnett were hard at work baking the biscuits in the main kitchen ovens. (Photo by Mike Moore)
Luna on the rise:The Luna Project, Colonial Seaport Foundation (CSF) of Deltaville’s recreation of an early 18th century coastal trading sloop rises up near completion under cover at Crown Marine in Deltaville as CSF volunteers prepare her to launch and have her masts and rigging installed. CSF President Jock Collamore holds one end of the new Museums of Middlesex LLC (MOM) banner to display wherever the Luna goes. He is joined by Bill Powell, representing the Deltaville Maritime Museum, another member of MOM. The other two MOM members are the Middlesex Museum and Historical Society and the Urbanna Museum. CSF volunteer John Collamore works on a cargo lifting block system on the foredeck. MOM was formed in 2015 to outreach the Middlesex history message to visitors from outside the county. (Photo by CSF)
The Show Goes On: From 2019, local blues guitarist Tom Euler and his band from the Memphis Blues Challenge semifinals perform on the “Groovin’ in the Park’s” Waterfront Stage at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park. (Photo by Bill Powell)
The Tom Euler Band takes the waterfront stage on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) and Holly Point Nature Park’s last Groovin’ in the Park of 2021. Tom Euler is an award-winning singer/songwriter and accomplished guitarist, whose powerful and thoughtful playing style has quickly led to him becoming known as “the young guy with the old soul.” The blues/rock musician from Hartfield is making a name for himself as lead guitarist for the Bobby Blackhat Band, as well as front man of the Tom Euler Trio and Tom Euler Band. Tom, and his trio, Wes Mallory on bass and Max Parker on drums, will perform at. 5:30 p.m.
Due to the current COVID-19 numbers in Middlesex County, the DMM board has returned to our 2020 spacing and masking regimen for this last outdoor concert of 2021. We will have hand washing and sanitizing stations in the waterfront park and require you to show a mask to enter but ask that you consider others personal space in itsuse. We may also return to the use of food and drink tickets for the bar and food service at the Tea House. Check the website as we get closer for details.
The Holly Point Market will be open that morning from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. but, practicing COVID-19 safety, we will space the vendors and ask folks to be considerate as to masking…
Labor Day weekend’s coming up and it’s time for our annual bonus “Groovin’ in the Park” on the waterfront stage at Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM), Saturday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.This is our annual visit as the Josh Walker Trio becomes a quartet with songstress Sharon Rae North bringing their smooth as silk renditions of our favorite old standards and popular jazz tunes. If you haven’t heard Sharon Rae channeling Billie Holiday onstage you do not know what you are missing!
Gates open at 4 p.m. and all Groovin’ 2021 tickets will be honored at this event.
The Groovin’ 2021 season is sponsored by Primis Bank.
Josh Walker is an internationally known musician with strong Middlesex County ties, performing on the waterfront stage at this special bonus Groovin’ in the Park. Josh Walker has performed internationally as far away as Japan.
The concert will be presented on Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park’s waterfront stage area Saturday, Sept. 4. Toby Gillie and his aptly named “Unpredictables” will open from 5-6 p.m.
This is a “bring your own lawn chair and cooler” concert.
Josh is a multiple-award jazz guitarist who has played at both the Montreal and Toronto jazz festivals! He composes, plays in multiple groups and he has recently become a professor of Jazz Guitar at Shepherd University in West Virginia. Josh will have his original CD, “Inertia,” available at the concert. For all things Josh, check out www.joshuawalker.net.
The Trio, taking the stage from 6-8 p.m., is the seamless guitarist Josh Walker, standout, stand-up bassist Karine Chapdelaine, jazz drummer extraordinaire Kevin Gaines and the vocal artistry of Sharon Rae North. This is a “don’t miss” for easy listening andjazz enthusiasts. Whether you are a fan of old standards, classic or popular jazz , Groovin’ in the Park, Saturday, early evening, is the music event for you.
As to Sharon Rae, check out her website at www.sharonraenorth.com. As Jay Edwards, host of Jazz Tones, WCLK, Atlantasays, “Line up all of the female jazz vocalists you can think of and Sharon Rae North can sing them all under the table.”
Speaking of tables, the “Bistrobunch” working out of the DMM Tea House, will be serving their killer all-beefhot dogs along with bottled water, snacks and a full service bar. Plenty of rum by gum! Marty and his tasty swineskins and kettle corn will also be right next door.
The unusual, wacky,and fun combination of Toby Gillie and his “Unpredictables” will open for Josh and Sharon Rae, 5-6 p.m. Toby’s been known to break out both his tuba and guitar when performing. “Who’d a’ thunk it!”
Showing my age here but when Toby takes the stage reminds me so much of a 50s band I loved, “Spike Jones and the City Slickers.” Spike had a TV show in the late 50s. While Spike worked his magic mainly in percussion, used odd vocals and off-the-wall soundmakers, Toby uses mainly wind instruments to bring a sense of fun, variety and the unexpected to the stage. Everyone has a great time!
Groovin’ in the Park 2021 is Deltaville Maritime Museum’s casual, “bring your own lawn chair and picnic” outdoor music series. What could be a better fit into your enjoyment of this last long weekend of summer with friends and family than to, when you’vefinished with your daytime activities, grab your lawn chairs, and come on out to the waterfront park for the bonus Groovin’ concert on our waterfront Saturday evening, Sept. 4. Some chairs are available if you can’t bring yours.
Advance tickets are $10 per person and are available at the DMM office, during open hours and at Nauti Nell’s store in Deltaville. Tickets at the door are $15 per person. Children younger than 12 are admitted free to Groovin’. Groovin’ will happen, rain or shine.
Due to COVID-19 concerns we will limit tickets to all shows this year. This may cause sellouts. Check the website. Tickets may only be purchased online or at the locations above. Unless there is a sellout you will be able to get tickets at the door from the gatekeepers. You may still purchase online using your Smartphone and showing your virtual receipt at the gate. You will be required to have a ticket to enter. We are asking anyone who has not been vaccinated to please consider others and mask.
There is plenty of parking in our spacious lots and concert goers are encouraged to drive through and drop off their passengers and gear before parking.
Please watch the Southside Sentinel or our website for any changes. We will follow all Virginia COVID-19 regulation changes as they occur.
Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park is located in Deltaville at 287 Jackson Creek Road, and by water on Mill Creek. To get to the DMM and its park, follow General Puller Highway (Route 33) east through Deltaville and turn right across from Chris Mart (the Citgo convenience store).
Boat and maritime equipment donations are welcome.
To find out more about DMM, its offerings, open hours, events schedule, event tickets, become a member, donate or volunteer, visit the website at www.deltavillemuseum.com, or Google “Deltaville Maritime Museum.” You may also email the DMM office at office@deltavillemuseum.com or, write to P.O. Box 466, Deltaville, VA 23043 or call the office at 804-776-7200.
(Bill Powell is the DMM events coordinator and lives in Deltaville.)
Franco Produce’s Enrique Franco, left, helps customer Vicky McCauley of Hardyville with her melon purchase at the July 10 “Urbanna May Daze” event in Taber Park. The vendor is also scheduled to be at Holly Point Market in Deltaville this Saturday, July 24. (Photo by Don Richeson)
Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) Holly Point Nature Park enters the heart of its 2021 events season this Saturday, July 24, as more and more vendors fill the park. The big band sound of “Good Shot Judy!” takes us for a “Groovin’ in the Park” tour through the roarin’ days of the fox trot, the Charleston and the “Shimmy” — all with that Las Vegas feel. There will also be live music by David Moran during the 9 a.m.-1 p.m. market and free workboat tours and cruises with “Cap’n Pete” at 10 a.m. at the museum’s Mill Creek “Pierwalk” on the deadrise “Jennie May.” Don’t forget all the outside exhibits.
Yes, this Saturday, July 24, is Holly Point Market time 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and “Groovin’ in the Park” time 5-8 p.m. The market features 30-plus vendors. The museum opens an hour early….
Despite a very cold morning and biting wind this past Saturday, Nov. 27, intrepid and well-bundled members of the Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM)’s “Bistrobunch” volunteer food service ensemble flip the local eggs, bake the handmade biscuits and sizzle the bacon and country ham for the annual “BistroBloodyMaryBrunch” offered this year, due to the COVID-19, in the waterfront park. Ann Ward, background right center, blue jacket, holds down the cashier position and the foreground cooking line, from right to left includes Robin Wells on eggs, John McDaniel on bacon and country ham and a multi-tasking Bill Powell on hash browns. Sallie Wells (plate loading), Bev and Gail Butler, Emily Davies (bar), Linda Moss Brent, Bonnie Vest, Judy Pease (serving line) were not in this picture. Lyn and Don Burnett were hard at work baking the biscuits in the main kitchen ovens. (Photo by Mike Moore)
Luna on the rise: 
