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What do you do for entertainment?
We make our own fun. Boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking, biking, bird watching---this is a spectacular place for bird watching as we  are on the Atlantic fly-way. Swim in the bay, drive to Assateague for a gorgeous ocean beach, or take your boat out to the barrier islands for the day and have a pristine beach to yourself. Really. This is a picture of how crowded the beach on Hog Island was on a July 4th weekend.
Golf? There are currently three courses on the shore. One is at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club----18 holes, a swimming pool and a great restaurant. Bay Creek in Cape Charles has an Arnold Palmer course and is building a Jack Nicklaus course. Golfers from everywhere are raving.
 Fishing is much loved activity on the shore, and it's how many make their living. Wachepreague is the Blue Marlin Capital of the world, and there are is an active charter boad industry here, including a major marlin festival.
Nightlife? Not a lot. There’s music here from local bands to the local symphony plus bluegrass, jazz, classical trios, and great gospel groups. The world famous Amadeus Quartet performed in Onancock last year. And all the big name folks come to Norfolk. A group of us rented a driver and went to the Nora Jones concert recently. Norfolk has a good symphony too. We have two movie theatres here on the shore but nothing remotely like a multiplex.
And this place seems to be a magnet for actors. There are two very active theatre groups who play to sold out crowds.
Also lots of places to learn. The Arts Center in Belle Haven has classes for kids and grownups too. Painting, pottery, filmmaking, sculpture, Spanish, fencing, furniture making, yoga, martial arts, ballet, creative writing, glass-blowing, etc.
Recently Onancock has its own monthly International Film Festival that is attracting lots of folks out to enjoy the dinner specials before the movie and an informal discussion and nightcap afterwards at Bizotto's.
The Machipongo Crab Shack in Machipongo  has open mike night every first Wednesday of the month and attracts a loyal following and a wide variety of talent.
The shore has attracted a large population of very accomplished folks who are willing to share. The fencing teacher was an Olympic champion, the ballet teacher danced with the Joffrey, the creative writing teacher is the author of ten books….you get the idea.
Almost every weekend has a special event---from the Wachepreague Carnival to the Cape Charles Bluecrab Music Festival to The Seafood Festival. Winter Oyster Roasts are one of my favorite things to do. All the oysters you can eat and all the beer you can drink for $20 bucks.
There’s antiquing here, great auctions, art galleries and lots of artists who welcome you into their studios. As to galleries two partenrs and me opened Gallery Onancock at 8 North Street in Onancock. Here's a link to the gallery website. www.galleryonancock.com We are located directly across the street form the Charlotte Hotel in downtown Onancock.
But I guess most of all if you live here you quickly get accepted into the vibrant social life of the place. Potluck still lives here on the shore and gathering friends is easy, fun and constant.
Recently, in honor of the vernal equinox we all brought raw eggs  to Bizotto's and stood them up along the bar. Don't ask me why it works but it does. An hour before---nada. But within a half hour of the equinoux---well, you can see for yourself. Party animals aren't we?
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