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
Jan 14, 2022 | Island News
On December 26th, a community event aimed to educate, engage and empower the local community on Kwaanza was held at Grove Place inside D. Hamilton Jackson Park. Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African heritage, unity, and culture from December 26 to January 1. With performances, storytelling, community award ceremonies, the event kicked off the seven-day holiday. Senator Genevieve Whitaker spoke at the event and gave praise for the event and reiterated the importance of Virgin Islands history being taught in our schools. The event included performances from Kemit Sweeney, 340 Steppaz/ GP for Life Dancers, and many more. The event closed with an awards ceremony that recognized organizations and individuals in the community who do service. The event wa put together by the UCU and Kwaanza Everyday. The full article is on St. Croix Source, read here.
Photo by Darshania Domingo, featuring Kemit Sweeney
Jan 14, 2022 | Island News
Friends of the V.I. National Park kicked off the first installment of Sea Turtle Talks series earlier this month, and more will be offered on the second Sunday of each month for the next six months. This Friends and Ocean Surfari partnership offers an on-the-sea classroom experience for the audience to learn how to safely interact with and protect local marine life while swimming alongside them in the cool blue Caribbean water.
In the first talk, Willow Melamet, V.I. National Park’s Sea Turtle Program Coordinator spoke to a small group of participants about everything from local turtle habitats to nesting patterns as the Sunfari catamaran nestled into Maho Bay on St. John. Read the full article on St Croix Source here. For more information about the talks, email vinpturtles@friendsvinp.org.
Photo from Friends of the V.I. National Park
Dec 22, 2021 | Island News
The holidays on St. Croix aren’t complete without an ice-cold glass of coquito! Smooth & creamy, this coconut based alcoholic beverage is the perfect combination of ingredients that include coconut, milk, spices like nutmeg and cinnamon and of course, rum – more specifically Cruzan Rum. It is often described as Puerto Rican eggnog since it originated in the neighboring island. The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have had a longstanding connection since 1917, the year when many Puerto Rican descendants migrated to the territory. As the largest number of migrants in the USVI, we have a one-of-a-kind cultural link between the islands that have produced several shared traditions like drinking copious amounts of coquito during the festive holiday season.
The fervent love of coquito by the Crucian people came to the forefront in 2007 when St. Croix held its first ever Coquito Festival. Hosted by La Reine Chicken Shack, the finest coquito makers would compete for a grand prize and bragging rights for best coquito on island. This is where attendees would see coquito of all flavors ranging from original to pistachio, chocolate and strawberry. Due to the ongoing strains of the global pandemic, the festival has been on pause since 2020 but that doesn’t stop the coquito from flowing! Across the island, you will find coquito for sale at local supermarkets, roadside vendors and at popup sales hosted by well-known coquito connoisseurs.
Not able to make it to St. Croix for the holidays to get a taste of coquito? Not to worry! Here we’ve shared a tried-and-true coquito recipe you can try at home. Feel free to omit the alcohol for a delicious nonalcoholic option. Enjoy!
Coquito Recipe
(Makes 8-12 servings)
INGREDIENTS
1-12oz can evaporated milk
1-15oz can sweetened cream of coconut (Coco
Lopez is what we use in St. Croix)
1-14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1-15oz can coconut milk
1.5-2 cups of Cruzan Light Rum (or any other rum
available)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Directions: Combine all the milks in a large blender
and blend until completely combined. Add the rum,
vanilla and ground cinnamon to the mixture and blend
together. Pour into glass bottles with sealed lids and
cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before
serving.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
#stcroixusvi #stcroix #caribbean #drinks #foodie #islandliving #localflavors
