Feb 15, 2022 | Island News
Say hello to St. Croix’s newest art gallery! Christa’s Art Gallery in downtown Christiansted features artwork and products from local artist Christa-Ann Davis Molloy that distinctly captures the rich cross-cultural experience of the USVI and beyond. A daughter of the Caribbean, Christa-Ann was born in Trinidad but has lived on St. Croix for almost 30 years. She became interested in art and design from age 11, sketching in pencil. Far from your conventional artist, her pieces are designed to take individuals on a journey rich in history and culture. The gallery acts as a carefully commissioned space where her cultural artwork can be on display for Virgin Islanders and visitors to appreciate and ultimately purchase the pieces that speaks the most to them. “Every piece I paint should tell a story to someone,” said Christa-Ann. “I want my art to create words.”
At Christa’s Art Gallery, you are sure to be spellbound by paintings and sketches highlighting mocko jumbies, quadrille dancers, carnival masqueraders, steelpan drummers, historical buildings, local and Caribbean scenes, and notable events. “I’ve aimed to be a photo-realist painter with main interests in visual art, watercolor, oil, acrylic, and ink in black and white and color.” At Christa’s Art Gallery, one will also find her artwork depicted on items such as mugs, canteens, shower curtains, coasters, umbrellas, throw pillows and bags.
The gallery hosts regular sip and paint events where attendees can create their own artwork. Art kits are also available for purchase to craft one-of-a-kind creations in the comfort of your own home. If nothing in the gallery sparks your interest, customized and commissioned works are available upon request.
Christa’s Art Gallery is located at 57 Company Street in Christiansted. For more information, visit the website at www.christaart.com or call 340.713.9959.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Photo of painting from www.christaart.com
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #usvi #art #culture #community #development #visual #gallery #artwork
Feb 15, 2022 | Island News
On February 1st, 2022, Midre Cummings Park & Playground in Frederiksted officially opened to the public. The soft opening welcomed members of the St. Croix community to experience the renovated outdoor space. Named for former Major League Baseball player Midre Cummings, this native son played for several major league baseball teams during the 1990s, ultimately winning the 2001 World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an outfielder and pinch hitter against the New York Yankees.
Children First St. Croix is the organization that spearheaded the project. Created under the non-profit organization, St. Croix Educational Initiative, the committee members consist of community leaders who were dedicated to designing, fundraising and building a state of- the-art community playground. The park was built by Play by Design, a New York based manufacturer of community playground equipment. They regularly partner with community volunteers across the United States to produce custom-designed play structures for toddlers, preschool and school-aged children.
A huge undertaking, the park was 100% funded by donations and built 100% by volunteers from local organizations, businesses and private citizens, including a few Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty agents. Even the park’s namesake, Midre Cummings himself, volunteered his time to get the park ready for inspection without anyone initially knowing he was present. Midre Cummings Park & Playground is open daily from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. The official grand opening is scheduled to take place in late February; official date and time to be announced. For up-to-date information about the project, please visit the Children First Project Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChildrenFirstStCroix.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #usvi #playground #community #development #baseball #coldwellbanker #volunteer
Feb 15, 2022 | Island News
Flip-flops meet fine dining at Goat, Soup and Whiskey on St. Croix! Opened December 10th, 2019, GOAT STX became the newest addition to the Goat, Soup & Whiskey restaurant family spearheaded by owner Scotty Jackson. Each year, Jackson would vacation on St. Croix with his family once their Keystone, Colorado location slowed down and before the Put-in-Bay, Ohio location reopened in the summer. After enough visits to the island, Jackson realized he had discovered the perfect location for the third Goat, Soup & Whiskey restaurant. Between St. Croix’s tranquility and beauty coupled with the warm, welcoming local culture, the only thing left to do was to find the right spot for the restaurant. After a lengthy search, Jackson settled on the restaurant space right above the pool located in Coakley Bay Condominiums.
With a made-to-order menu and friendly service, it’s no wonder this seasonal restaurant has become a beloved favorite for visitors and locals. Open from December to April, the restaurant’s open air seating restaurant boasts breathtaking views of Buck Island and the illuminating waters surrounding St. Croix’s East End. Enjoy daily lunch and dinner specials, hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, a variety of salads and sandwiches for lunch plus three house made soups to choose from. The Goat Curry Soup and the Oxtail Stew are two crowd pleasing favorites that never last too long when on the menu. The drink menu features handcrafted cocktails from their Ohio location along with new ones made with locally sourced ingredients. For example, the ever-popular Banana Bliss blender cocktail is made with fresh local organic bananas from Ridge to Reef Farm.
The GOAT STX is open for lunch, dinner and takeout every day except Wednesday. Sunday Brunch takes place from 10am to 2pm with lunch and dinner following. Daily happy hour from 3- 5pm offers $2 off all cocktails, $2.50 beers and $4 well drinks. Reservations are highly recommended for this popular East End eatery located in Coakley Bay Condominiums. Call 340.773.3333 and visit their Facebook page for daily specials at www.facebook.com/TheGoatSTX.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #usvi #foodie #flavor #local #caribbean #restaurant #brunch
Jan 25, 2022 | Island News
Armstrong Ice Cream is a family owned and operated business on St. Croix that has been around for 122 years and counting. The earliest record of Armstrong Ice Cream dates back to 1900 when the family matriarch, Minerva Petersen, would push a wooden cart down King Street in Frederiksted selling cool, creamy treats. Using an old homemade Danish recipe, it’s no surprise when Danish visitors to the island get an instant rush of nostalgia. With just one taste, they are immediately reminded of their childhood days in Denmark. This third-generation ice cream purveyor is currently operated by Cedric Armstrong who took over the business from his father, Ivan, in 1991. “I’m proud to carry on the family tradition,” said Cedric. “Ice cream is what we’re known for.”
What started in a wooden cart transferred to a bicycle until the early 1960s when Ivan bought his first car. A 1955 Chevrolet is where he sold ice cream from the trunk at events of all sizes. After meeting his wife Irenia at a dance, the Armstrong family bought a house in 1963 where they set up a makeshift shop selling their old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream from their home. In 1970, Ivan purchased an electric powered batch freezer to aid in producing more ice cream in less time to meet demand. They also purchased a truck and sold their ice cream every Saturday under the large mahogany tree at the curve in Queen Mary Highway where Sunny Isles Shopping Center is today. You can still find the truck in the same spot most Saturdays selling their famous ice cream flavors. In May 1996, they opened their storefront in Estate Whim and added a deli component that serves burgers, grilled sandwiches, wraps and breakfast items like pancakes, eggs, French toast, bacon and more.
Many wonder what makes Armstrong’s Ice Cream unique. “The special homemade custard base is what makes our ice cream creamy and flavorful,” said Cedric. Additionally, their natural flavors are made with ingredients found on St. Croix. If it grows on the island, you will most likely find it in ice cream form at Armstrong’s. While some flavors can be found almost anywhere else in the world, their seasonal flavors are what sets them apart from ice cream shops around the world. Gooseberry, their best-selling flavor, is made with a small tart fruit typically made into a sweet, decadent stew. Mango, guava, soursop, pumpkin, passion fruit and guavaberry are their seasonal flavors that customers patiently wait for each year. Other popular flavors such as almond, banana, peanut, ginger nut and coconut are more readily available year-round. Visit Armstrong Ice Cream at 78-B Whim in Frederiksted on Centerline Road. They are open from 7am to 7pm Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 7pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. On Saturdays, you can find them in the Sunny Isles Shopping Center from 1pm to 5pm, or until supplies last.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Photo from Armstrong Ice Cream
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #usvi #icecream #foodie #dessert #flavor #gooseberry #guavaberry #homemade #artisanal
Jan 25, 2022 | Island News
No visit to St. Croix is complete without spending a weekend day on the island’s west end at Sandy Point Beach. The official name of the beach is Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and has the longest continuous beach in the USVI. Breathtakingly stunning, this two-mile long stretch of sandy white beach is one of the longest in the Caribbean with crystal clear blue waters and some of the best water views on island.
Established in 1984, Sandy Point NWR covers 383 acres that provides a critical nesting habitat for three species of federally threatened and endangered sea turtles: the leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtle. The initial land purchase was specific to protecting nesting habitats of endangered leatherback sea turtles, the largest sea turtle species in the world.
The Refuge objectives are to:
- Conserve, enhance, restore and protect native wildlife populations and habitat.
- Conserve and protect cultural resources.
- Provide environmental education and interpretive opportunities.
- Support the National Park Service’s commitment to implement and carry out seaturtle recovery plans.
In 2021, Sandy Point saw 81,668 green turtle hatchlings, 665 adorable leatherback hatchlings and 22,138 baby hawksbills. These numbers are recorded thanks to the non-profit organization St. Croix Sea Turtle Project that works in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). They focus on sea turtle research and conservation and supporting students interested in marine biology.
As the largest leatherback nesting population within U.S. jurisdiction, Sandy Point NWR is a federally protected site. Visitors must take great care when visiting the Refuge to ensure its longevity. It closes seasonally from April 1st to September 1st to protect the nests and hatchlings of the endangered leatherback sea turtle. It is open the remainder of the year on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
#stcroix #stcroixusvi #usvi #nature #turtles #conservation #sea #endangeredspecies #wildlife #wildlifepreservation
Jan 25, 2022 | Island News
Sail to Buck Island with one of St. Croix’s sailing legends aboard Llewellyn’s Charter. Considered a Crucian icon by many, skilled sailor and former Calypso King Llewellyn Westerman has welcomed passengers aboard his trimaran vessel since 1979, taking the idyllic journey between Teague Bay and Buck Island Reef National Monument for a one-of-a-kind experience. What makes Llewellyn’s Charter standout from other Buck Island charters is his six-passenger 37-foot performance trimaran, Charis+. With no motor, Lew (what most call him) and his crew set out on the waters for a fast and exciting voyage. Seeing them in action as they operate a true sailboat complete with raising the sails and gliding through the smooth, sleek Caribbean waters adds an enhanced level of delight to the outing.
A third-generation sailor, Westerman prides himself on his fine tuned navigation skills on the water. “I’ve been on the water since I could remember myself,” said Lew. As a young boy growing up in Nevis, he would organize boat races in the water drain after heavy rains. “We would make makeshift boats made of leaves, sticks and whatever else we could use and race our boats.” He revealed his first sail on the water was on a 12-foot boat. He graduated from that smaller vessel and added a few feet onto his current boat. “For years, I handled Charis+ by myself with no help.” After losing his right leg three years ago due to poor circulation, Westerman didn’t let this stop him from doing what he loves the most – singing and strumming his guitar and sailing.
A lover of poetry from youth, Westerman fell in love with the calypso music he would hear on the radio. “Calypso is poetry with music,” he said. When he arrived on St. Croix in 1960, he befriended a local calypso artist who convinced Westerman to write his own material. Once he started writing his own music, Westerman won his first calypso competition in 1983. He went on to record several albums – many still found at local music stores like Riddims in downtown Christiansted. Guests of Llewellyn’s Charter are often treated to the sweet sounds of his guitar accompanied by his smooth melodic voice. “I love singing for my guests and sharing all the stories of St. Croix. I’ve been here a long time and I could write a volume of books!”
Reserve your spot on this custom-built trimaran sailboat for an unforgettable day of sailing, snorkeling and swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Call 340.773.9027.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
#stcroixusvi #stcroix #caribbean #boating #islandliving #sailing #charter
