The USVI is home to many creative writers and artists and we are amazed by their inspiring work. The Caribbean Writer (TCW) is a literary journal with a Caribbean focus, founded in 1986 and published annually by the University of the Virgin Islands. They publish quality writing that reflects the culture of the Caribbean as well as promotes and foster a strong literary tradition. For their upcoming Volume 36, they are calling for submissions under the 2021 theme: Disruption, Disguise and Illuminations. According to the TCW website, contributors may submit works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays or one act plays which explore the ideas resonating within the region and its diaspora. The Caribbean should be central to the work, or the work should reflect a Caribbean heritage, experience or perspective.
The TCW is also calling for artwork submissions for the cover and interior sections of Volume 36. Artists are invited to explore and depict this theme by submitting their artwork to be considered for use by TCW.
Submissions accepted until Dec. 31. All literary submissions are eligible for annual prizes, see details on the TCW website.
Read for about the theme, specifications for the writing and art submissions on the TCW website and see a related article on St Croix Source.
Our clear skies are perfect for stargazing on St. Croix. We don’t get tired of sitting out on the patio and taking in the natural beauty above us in the night sky. We feel so lucky to live on St. Croix. In the past the St. Croix Environmental Association, the St. Croix East End Marine Park and other groups have organized star gazing events. Getting together under the stars to learn about the constellations and how to identify the stars and planets visible from our location at 17 degrees north of the Equator is really fun. When the St. Croix This Week magazine comes out on island, we look for the St Croix Sky Watch information for the upcoming moon phases and the interesting descriptions of constellations that will be visible. Catching the new moon phases is something we look forward to. When we take clients out to look at properties, we point out the lack of light pollution and the view they’d have of the magnificent night sky.
Are you ready for some star watching on St. Croix? We hope you have a chance to enjoy it like we do! Read the St Croix Sky Watch article on page 64 of the August/September issue of St. Croix This Week magazine.
Start your morning off on the right foot with mouthwatering West Indian fare from one of St. Croix’s most cherished locales. Martha’s Deli is that hidden gem that local people and those in the know only tell you about if they believe you’ll appreciate it. For almost 40 years, this well-known eatery has been serving up some of the best dishes on island ranging from hearty soups and savory rotis to the traditional Crucian breakfast complete with saltfish, smoked herring, cucumber salad, spinach chop-up, Johnny cakes and more.
Like many local restaurants on island, Martha’s Deli is grab-and-go style where you place your order over the phone (highly recommended) or in person at the counter. This family run business has operated in this manner since 1983 when Martha and her husband started the business at its original location in Estate Richmond near downtown Christiansted. Originally from Dominica, Martha took her love for cooking and strived to always “keep it simple.” This tried-and-true method is what has allowed Martha’s Deli to build a loyal customer base that returns time and time again.
While most people know exactly what they want at Martha’s, the warm and friendly staff is always willing to explain the menu items to help customers make the most delicious decision. Some of their best-selling items include the following: various soups such as chicken, fish, lentil and conch (when in season), chicken roti, turkey/ham/cheese sandwiches and their infamous Martha’s Big Breakfast. The Big Breakfast includes saltfish and/or smoked herring, cucumber salad, spinach chop-up, two (2) Johnny cakes, a banana fritter and a boiled egg. This traditional Crucian/Creole breakfast is a staple on the island that is often enjoyed on the weekends or for special occasions. Thankfully, Martha’s offers it year round to be enjoyed any time the mood strikes.
Martha’s Deli is located at 298 Peter’s Rest, Suite #1 in the Watapana Mall shopping center across from Plaza Extra East Supermarket. It’s tucked away in the southeast corner of the bright pink shopping center. Open Tuesday through Saturdays from 7:30am to 12 noon, it is highly recommended to call ahead to place your order. Their telephone number is 340.773.6054.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Tucked away in the lush grounds of Estate St. George in Frederiksted is a hidden attraction that many visitors to St. Croix miss out on. St. George Village Botanical Gardens (SGVBG) is a former 19th-century sugar cane plantation that spans 16 acres among building and ruins. Established in 1972, the garden’s botanical collection has over 1,000 native and exotic species and varieties, including a medicinal herb garden, an orchid house, a rainforest trail, a fruit orchard, a cactus garden, a fern garden, a seashell museum and so much more.
A non-profit organization, SGVBG is dedicated to conservation and preservation of both the historical and living collections on its grounds. Their overall mission is to conserve the native plant species of St. Croix and the threatened species of other Caribbean islands suited to local environmental conditions.
Guests can take a self-guided tour of the grounds, which also overlaps an Amerindian settlement which dates back to 100 A.D. Stroll along shaded pathways and take in the mesmerizing sights of the grounds that include large kapok, mahogany and turpentine trees, tropical fruit trees, a myriad of colorful flowers and lush ferns. The restored buildings and preserved ruins on the grounds transport you back in time to the 18th and 19th century. Explore the sugar and rum factory ruins, the overseer’s house, the blacksmith shop and the worker’s family quarters. Each of these spaces have been reimagined to highlight various parts of the garden. For example, the Manager’s House is home to their Herbarium collection of over 5,000 dried and pressed plant specimens. These represent approximately 80% of the plant species known to be growing in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are critical for research and historical purposes. The property is listed in the National Registry of Historic Sites twice – for the Amerindian archaeological site and the Danish colonial sugarcane plantation village.
St. George Village Botanical Gardens is located at 127 Estate St. George in Frederiksted and open seven days a week from 9am to 3pm. Entry is $8 per adults ages 13-59, $1 for children under the age of 12 and $6 for seniors (60+) and USVI residents (photo ID required for proof). For more information, visit their website at https://sgvbg.org.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Our mild year-round temperatures, beautiful vistas, crystal-clear water, and beautiful beaches make St. Croix a wonderful place to visit and to make a home. We‘re seeing record numbers of visitors to the island this summer and the closed sales data from the St Croix MLS shows the increased real estate market demand on island.
There are great properties on the market ranging from single and multi-family homes and condos to commercial buildings and land. We’d love to work with you and show you properties that meet your needs and answer any questions you have about St. Croix’s real estate market. Contact us here!
Question: “What are some local trends in St Croix?“
Christie’s Answer:
Lately, as I’ve been driving around, I’ve noticed the color aqua appearing frequently as the color of homes, an accent color, and even the roof color. This pop of aqua seems to be an island trend! The sellers of our recently sold listing at 76 A Seven Hills used calming and beach-inspired aqua paint on the exterior and on some interior walls. They then decorated with splashes of aqua.
Another local trend is the use of Turkish towels instead of beach towels. Turkish cotton has extra long fibers making it very lightweight and quick to dry. Because of this unique material, the towels become even softer, fluffier, and more absorbent with successive washings.
