St. Croix This Week / Featured Articles
Once the Virgin Island Sun sets and the sky grows dark, high overhead you will find three bright stars are dominating the sky. Since these three form a large triangle which is visible during the Summer months, up North, they are called the Summer Triangle. Each bright star marks a different, star group or constellation. Brightest and highest in the sky is Vega, in Lyra the Harp. In mythology this is the harp invented by Hermes, which Mercury gave to Orpheus, the musician who joined Jason and the Argonauts. On another occasion Orpheus took his into the infernal regions and charmed Pluto, king of Hades, with the music of his harp to win back his lost bride Eurydice.
Continue reading "Skywatch" »
Julie San Martin -- ReMax St. Croix
The US Virgin Islands real estate market is unlike the US real estate market in one important respect - limited inventory. Consequently, real estate ownership in the USVI an effective tool for wealth preservation.
2010 is one of these windows of opportunity. Inventories have begun to level off and the number of closed sales is increasing. Buyers will get their best deals on St. Croix real estate - homes, condos, and land - during the next 12 months. It's counterintuitive to buy when few others are, but a wise investment!
Continue reading "Real Estate: Window of Opportunity" »
 The history of our island is mirrored in its old church structures, many of which have recently been restored. The Moravian brethren, arriving here in the 1730s from Saxony in today's Germany, founded their mission to bring Christianity to the enslaved part of the population. Their handsome yellow buildings at the entrance to Christiansted and red-roofed white wooden church midisland, along with a contemporary church in Frederiksted, attest to their continued importance. The historic Anglican (Episcopalian) churches built in Gothic style include St. John's in Christiansted, and in Frederiksted the beautifully restored St. Paul's church, which had been damaged by a fire in 1996. These and other Anglican churches bear witness to the large English population which settled here (and also brought us our custom of left lane driving.
Continue reading "Island Worship" »
For centuries, labyrinths have held great spiritual significance. Now everyone, from medical professionals to religious leaders, is touting the healing effects of these intricate walkways.
The labyrinth's coiled patterns have been found on pottery and clay tablets dating back 4000 years. The oldest existing labyrinth of medieval design is in Chartres, France, built around 1200 in the floor of Chartres Cathedral.
Labyrinths were a form of pilgrimage for some; people walked the path, ascending toward enlightenment. Many could not afford to travel to holy sites so labyrinths and prayer substituted for such travel. Later, the religious significance of labyrinths faded though recently their spiritual aspect has seen a resurgence.
Continue reading "Mt. Washington Labyrinth" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewison, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
In 1773 Europe was in another of its states of tension over quarrels between various combinations of nations. The price of sugar fell, the coffee market crashed in Germany and a general slump culminated in England's trying to enforce the Tea Tax in the colonies. That was the year of the Boston Tea Party, which in any preceding year might just as well have been a molasses or rum party. It led to the outbreak of actual fighting in 1775.
England promptly switched from French brandy to West Indian rum for its navy, and the French began their unofficial aid to the northern colonies. In the West Indies the smuggling went right on.
Continue reading "Rum and Revolution, Part 2" »
First of all, please know that Lionfish are NOT harmful to you - just the environment! They do have venomous spines, however, so you don't want to touch them or any other fish for that matter. That being said, we could use your help with the USVI Lionfish Removal Effort!
 The Indo-Pacific Lionfish is a beautiful, dramatically colored, striped fish, with a bit of an attitude. It is often stationary, resting against rocks or under coral ledges allowing you to get a close view of it. Unfortunately the Indo-Pacific Lionfish is invasive and harmful to the environment. The Lionfish have been documented eating an average of 85% of the juvenile fish on a reef in a 5-week period. They are also prolific breeders - Lionfish have been observed breeding every month of the year; a single adult female can release over 30,000 eggs as often as every 4 days!
Continue reading "Lionfish be Gone!" »
 Toni writes, "I have been a permanent resident on St Croix for 30 years, painting and looking after birds. Originally growing up in Laguna Beach, California, I had a tremendous love of birds and photography from an early age. I was fortunate enough to be given a scholarship for college in that area from the Laguna Festival of Arts. For two years, at Humboldt State, I studied Photography and Wildlife Management. I was good at drawing and painting and the photography equipment was expensive, so I spent the next two years at Long Beach State studying Biomedical Illustration. That is really where I had my training for the detail and rendering. There I was being trained to paint human subjects and worked often with cadavers, but my passion was entirely birds and animal subjects.
Continue reading "Cover Artist Toni Lance: For the Love of Birds" »
By Toni Lance
When the water is clear, the fish can see you and on a rough day, you can't see them. There are times when you see no fish at all. There are the storms, when you either stay tucked on the ground or soar with the high breeze that might take you far from home. And then there are those days, when the wind is perfect and you and your friends are drafting each other low over the water and you spot the ideal fishing ground. The day is spent flying high, circling, diving, crashing, splashing, stuffing yourself with fresh fish, sunning, preening, and relaxing. Oh to be a pelican.
The Brown pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelicans. With a wingspan of 6-8 feet, it is the only pelican that dives for fish from the air. The most distinguishing feature of the pelican is its long beak with a hooked tip and a huge gular or pouch. The Brown pelican weighs 6-12lbs and needs to consume about 4lbs of fish a day. With acute eyesight, the pelican dives for medium-sized bait fish, locally in the Virgin Islands called sprat or fry. The birds acrobatically dive from as high as 60 feet above the water to scoop up fish and as much as 30 gallons of water into their gular. As they lift their heads out of the water, the flexible pouch drains and they throw their head back to swallow the catch.
Continue reading "Oh, To Be a Pelican!" »
Be sure to catch the Crab Races, a popular local event featured several evenings per week at waterfront restaurants (check the Events Calendar for times and locations). Fun for adults and children alike, it's a great opportunity to get out and mingle, enjoy Happy Hour, and win some terrific prizes. Participating is simple: Examine the basket of hermit crabs ( there are all shapes and sizes), choose one that looks fast, and decide on a good "racing name" for your entrant. At the sound of the horn (or in this case a kazoo) the crabs are off and running to the cheers of the crowd! With several heats and lots of winners, it's good island-style fun!
By Claudia Lombard
Sea turtles are among the largest living reptiles. They spend almost their entire lives at sea, have scales and a bony shell (except leatherbacks), are cold blooded, breathe air, and lay their eggs on land. The earliest known sea turtle fossil dates back to 150 million years ago! St. Croix is home to four species of sea turtle. The leatherback, hawksbill, green and loggerhead sea turtle are found nesting on the beaches and swimming in the waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest sea turtle; females nesting on St. Croix average 6-800 lbs and the largest male ever recorded was more than 2000 lbs! After nesting in the tropics, leatherbacks migrate to the North Atlantic; a satellite transmitter was attached to a St. Croix nester and she was documented traveling all the way to Nova Scotia! Scientists have estimated that leatherbacks could be extinct within 10 to 15 years based on current levels of population decline.
Continue reading "Sea Turtles" »
Saturdays, 9-11am (beginning Jan. 2)
St. Croix Map #11
Organic sweet local tomatoes, salads, herbs, veggies, and a new farm have sprouted on the South Shore. All new farmstand, art gallery, gardens, rain catchment ponds, and livestock and sculpture gardens! During construction, farmer/artist Luca Gasperi plans to continue supplying customers with the highest quality fresh produce. www.ARTfarmLLC.com
Continue reading "Eat Fresh, Buy Local - A Farmer's Directory" »
While visiting the Virgin Islands you will be able to see five planets. When the western sky is just turning dark after sunset, the first star-like object to appear will be the very bright, white planet Venus. Sunlight reflects off of Venus' clouds and since the planet is so relatively close to Earth, it is very bright. In fact, Venus is the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. Since it is so bright, as its light passes through the atmosphere around the Earth the air breaks the white light up and Venus can be seen to seem to change color from white, to re, to blue. With this effect, and being so bright, Venus is the celestial object most often reported as a UFO.
Once the sky grows dark, look high in the west for a bright red star-like object. Not as bright as Venus, but definitely red. This is the planet Mars. Nearby Mars you will find a bright red-orange star, not as bright as Mars. This is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, the Lion. Regulus is the period at the base of a backwards question mark. The top of the question marks forms the lion's head. A little higher in the sky a triangle made of fainter stars forms the lion's hind quarters and tail.
Continue reading "Skywatch" »
A historical perspective of the development of St. Croix after 1917 shows a pattern of an island that gets discovered, goes through a period of growth, and then seems to go to sleep only to be rediscovered again. This pattern dates back to the late 1930's and 40's with the migration of people from Vieques and Puerto Rico. The island then went quiet until the late 1950's when the Grapetree Bay Hotel was built and the tourism market was born. Thru the 1960's hotels and condos were being built from East to West like Grapetree Beach, St. Croix by the Sea, Queens Quarter, Mill Harbor, Sugar Beach, The Reef, Gentle Winds, Sunset Beach and Granada Del Mar. By the early 1970's, St. Croix started suffering from growing pains and, with the US economy on a downturn, the island seemed forgotten by the travel industry. Fortunately, during the 1960's, the Harvey Aluminum Plant and the Hess Oil Refinery were built adding to the existing Cruzan Rum Plant giving the island some diversity in its economy.
Continue reading "Real Estate" »
The history of our island is mirrored in its old church structures, many of which have recently been restored. The Moravian brethren, arriving here in the 1730s from Saxony in today's Germany, founded their mission to bring Christianity to the enslaved part of the population. Their handsome yellow buildings at the entrance to Christiansted and red-roofed white wooden church midisland, along with a contemporary church in Frederiksted, attest to their continued importance. The historic Anglican (Episcopalian) churches built in Gothic style include St. John's in Christiansted, and in Frederiksted the beautifully restored St. Paul's church, which had been damaged by a fire in 1996. These and other Anglican churches bear witmess to the large English population which settled here (and also brought us our custom of left lane driving.
The large number of Irish settlers, along with Englishmen and Hispanics, have contributed to the presece of the Catholic church; Holy Cross in Christiansted is the oldest in the Virgin Islands; also significant and historic are St. Ann's (with an interesting shrine) mid-island, and St. Patrick's in Frederiksted.
Continue reading "Island Worship" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society
THE relationship between West India rum and the American Revolution is one often ignored by the history books, perhaps because its story is not the most savory. It is a complicated tale of smuggling, slave trading and evasion of the British Acts of Trade - all of which were respectable New England occupations at the time.
The British Molasses Act of 1733, the New Molasses Act of 1765 and the 1765 Stamp Act set up an economic chain of events leading directly to the Revolution. In effect the New Molasses Act prevented the North Americans from trading with the French, Dutch and Danish islands for molasses by imposing a stiff duty, and as a consequence would have forced the New Englanders to abandon their rum stills and buy rum from the British West Indies. The effect on the rum distillers (63 in Massachusetts alone) was incalculable, as it was tied directly to the whole economic structure of the area, based on the rum and slave trade.
Continue reading "Rum and Revolution, Part 1" »
 Danes take great pride in their national flag, and display it not only on flagpoles in their gardens, but as little paper flags used to decorate everything from canapeALs to envelopes. The flag business is a thriving one in Denmark, not least around the celebration known as Valdemars Day, June 15, when legend has it that the Dannebrog, as the flag is called, made its dramatic first appearance in the year 1219, making it the world's oldest flag still in use.
That event was a battle between the Danish army, led by King Valdemar, and the forces from the Russian steppes, taking place in Estonia on the Baltic Sea. Legend describes the battle as going badly for the Danes, when a prayer was offered to God by Bishop Absalon, who was with the army, to provide a token of support for them. Soon, a red cloth sectioned by a white cross fell from the heavens, giving the Danes the moral courage to prevail in the battle.
Continue reading "Story About a Flag" »
Twenty years ago, Anchor Dive Center opened its doors at Salt River Marina. "I remember cleaning, painting, and building cabinets," recounts Laurie Dunton, owner. Prior to us, many companies occupied the tiny space, surrounded by all of its natural beauty, but none were as successful as Anchor Dive Center and, at that time, no one ever imagined just how significant Salt River would become!
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve was created in 1992 as part of the National Park System. This 1,015-acre park is home to some of the largest remaining mangrove forests in the VI, as well as a coral reef and submarine canyon and is studied by researchers year-round.
Continue reading "Salt River" »
St. Croix-born artist, Danica M. David creates what she likes to call contemporary folk art by brilliantly depicting her colorful Caribbean and religious culture.
She began studying art during her Junior year at St. Croix Central High School and was motivated to paint when she returned home from college trying to fill the blank wall space in her apartment. After several years of painting part time, she opened Danica Art Gallery in 2001. First on King Street, she now resides in historic Apothecary Hall on Company Street.
Danica is always searching for exciting local art to display in her gallery and each month manages to pull together a wonderful assortment of sculptures, prints, pottery, locally-made jewelry including her own West Indian line, hand-painted furniture, cards, and art clocks. Staples in the gallery are Sarah Lee Hayes pottery and Nancy Byrnes pastels. From June 17 through July 1, Danica Art Gallery will showcase student artwork from St. Croix Educational Complex and St. Coix Central High School.
Continue reading "Danica David" »
Looking for a watering hole in downtown Christiansted? It's come a long way from its beginning as part of the Danish King's stables complete with a watering trough in the courtyard. Today there's a lovely fountain, in its place, surrounded by flowering plants, a new brick patio and shaded tables. Home to various restaurants and clubs over the years, the space was recently exquisitely renovated and is now home to a fantastic coffee and sandwich shop.
Beautiful Namaste Cafe in downtown Christiansted opened in July 2008 with all brand new equipment and machinery. The friendly coffee artisans welcome hungry and thirsty folks from 7am daily, serving all kinds of sandwiches and yummy pastries baked on site. The coffee shop is especially well known for Clayton's delicious quiches, the recipe for which he perfected at his previous coffee shop on St. Thomas. And what's that incredible aroma coming out of the oven so early in the morning? His special banana bread - wow, does that smell good!
Continue reading "Namaste Cafe" »
By Marilyn Chakroff
Summertime in St. Croix is mango season, and the abundance of the season will be celebrated at the 14th Annual Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival at the St. George Village Botanical Garden on Sunday, June 27, from 12 noon until 6:30 pm.
Often described as "the Queen of Tropical Fruit," the mango reigns over the summer season in St. Croix. Nearly everyone can recall the first time they bit into a juicy, delicious mango. No other fruit evokes the warmth, flavors, and fragrant beauty of the tropics so well as the mango. The great interest and enthusiasm for this fruit is apparent in the exciting variety of activities at Mango Melee.
"Mango Melee" is the brainchild of staff from the St. George Village Botanical Garden, the VI Department of Agriculture, and the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station. Fourteen years ago, these three entities came together to find ways to promote the use of the mangoes that saturate the islands yearly. Since then, Mango Melee has become St. Croix's most popular summer festival.
Continue reading "Mango Melee" »
Having never attained a population greater than 5,600, Christiansted has always been small in size, but makes up for it in picturesqueness. Since its 1735 birth at the beginning of the Danish era in St. Croix, from 1733 to 1917, it moved from a humble beginning of wooden huts with thatched roofs to the grandeur of a building like the central part of Government House within less than 15 years. This confirms the rapid development of the economy that had been practically non-existent here during the years the island was owned by France. The former French village of Bassin where Christiansted is now had practically disappeared, and the island was abandoned.
 The Danish West Indian and Guinea Company purchased St. Croix from France and made rapid progress in developing a sugar cane economy throughout the island, supported by slave labor. The chief merchant Johan Wilhelm Schopen built Government House center section as a residence for himself and his family; in 1771, 16 years after the Danish Crown had taken over the ownership of the island, it became the seat of the Danish West Indian government, and Christiansted was now the capital of the Danish West Indies, a title it held until 1871, when, after a long period of decline, St. Croix ceded the role to Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
Continue reading "Christiansted Celebrates" »
Come for the food and entertainment; leave with a better understanding of St. Croix's unique Culture and Heritage. This Cultural Kalaloo of Crucian Cuisine features a West Indian-style buffet -- a collection of wonderful local dishes, accompanied by the sounds of sweet steel pan,by LC & Company. Learn how to dance Quadrille with the Ay-Ay Cultural Dancers and watch in awe as the Guardians of Culture Mocko Jumbies, present...MOKOLUTION: The Evolution of the Mocko Jumbie! A Divi Resort exclusive! Barbeque Buffet starts poolside at 6:00 pm, followed by entertainment starting at 7:30 pm. Join us for a night of unforgettable food, fun, and entertainment!
Adults $27 / Children $20 / Seniors $22 Reservations are strongly encouraged as seating is limited For reservations and more information, call 773-9700 ext 712
 Christiansted, St. Croix, March 28th 2010-- The St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association is rolling out two "Sweet Deal" packages to entice potential travelers to choose St. Croix as their vacation destination.
"SPRING INTO ONE SWEET DEAL"- Visitors who reserve a minimum four night stay from March 29-August 15, 2010 with travel from April 15-August 31, 2010 with Carambola Beach Resort, Caravelle Hotel, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Company House Hotel, King Christian Hotel, Sand Castle on the Beach or The Palms at Pelican Cove will receive a 4th night free, $50.00 resort credit, a coupon booklet valued at $1000.00, 5 flavor sampler of Cruzan Rum and a $5.00 Casino Match Play from Divi Carina Bay Casino.
Continue reading "St. Croix Hotel Association: Two New Packages For Spring and Fall" »
 Is it our History, our Culture, our Size, our Environmental Diversity? Probably all of these and more. When visitors come to our island of St. Croix, they ask what differentiates us from other Caribbean islands?
For some visitors and certainly for our residents, our rich historical legacy stands out. Starting in the 17th century, interesting stories of European settlers (principally English, Irish, Danish,) enslaved African revolt and independence, mass migrations from other islands, are commemorated and celebrated in holidays and ceremonies, books, research and museums. Our history is evident in our every day life and architecture and contributes to our cultural uniqueness.
Continue reading "Real Estate: What Makes St. Croix Different?" »
By Abby Kidder
 It's year four for the World Ocean School's historic ship Roseway to be back in St. Croix providing education programs at sea for the island's three public junior high schools. Over 2000 students have studied aboard Roseway in the last four years and 2010 will add another 700. This year the focus is on developing a tighter connection to what these kids are already studying in math, science, history, and language arts. This translates into activities on board such as navigation, theory of sail, oceanography, team building, poetry of the sea, speed/distance tests, reef ecology, nautical terminology, and maritime careers. After a week on board, the students really feel they're part of the crew. And this year, Stevenson Formel Freight Services, operators of the M/V Norma H II, sponsored Roseway crew shirts for each and every student so they could look like crew too.
The World Ocean School is a non profit organization that creates and provides a method of experiential education at sea that affords teenage students a practical application for their studies as well as cultivating teamwork, community service, environmental responsibility, and cross-cultural friendships so that they gain insight into becoming empowered, motivated, and engaged citizens. To learn more or sail with them visit www.worldoceanschool.org or call 340-626-7877.
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
A LITTLE RUM-INATION. Every planter had his own opinion about making rum and the variations were endless. While the best rum came from cane juice alone, it was also the most expensive process, and today there are only two or three brands in all the West Indies made this way.
The early planters were known to use such flavor pickups as Seville oranges, lemons, tamarinds or any acid fruit. The St. Kitts distillers added sea water and swore by it. Others used nitre, tartar, common salt, vegetable or mineral acids.
Continue reading "Molasses to Rum: Part 2" »
Among the over seven thousand Danish visitors to our islands every year, quite a few come here with a special mission: to locate information about a family member who many years ago, when the island belonged to Denmark, lived and worked here.  A substantial number came here as government workers, others as soldiers or gendarmes ( a hybrid soldier/police officer stationed here after 1909 ) or as employees or managers at the many sugar factories. Family lore in Denmark often contains tales of an adventurous relative who traveled to the distant colony and in some cases mysteriously disappeared.
Fortunately, St. Croix is well equipped to help these visitors (and visitors from many other areas who may have had family connections here) thanks to the unique resources we have available now. At the St. Croix Landmarks Society's Whim Plantation Museum Research Library you are sure to find many local citizens researching their family history, and Danish visitors to that library have often been able to garner valuable details about their ancestor here; they are also often ably assisted in their research at the Florence Williams Public Library in Christiansted.
Continue reading "Ancestor Discovery" »
St. Croix Water Sports owners Yener and Michelle invite you to join them for guided jet ski and snorkel tours on top-of-the line cruisers or by boat. They also have the islands only Professional Windsurfing School. Fun for the entire family, all located at Hotel on the Cay! Yener Korkut has been offering water sports at Hotel on the Cay, in Christiansted Harbor, for more than 25 years. An award-winning guitarist, he had a seven-piece band in Europe before moving to St. Croix. He also had a band and ran the windsurfing programs at Club Med locations in Djerba la Deuce, Tunisia, Agadir, Morocco, Kusadasi Turkey, Switzerland, and Guadeloupe.
Yener qualified for the Olympics in windsurfing, and is a Master Instructor having given many seminars in Europe and throughout the United States for the Boardsailing Instructors Group. He's also had articles published in windsurfing magazines (including his own system of teaching the sport) and is known internationally for his music receiving countless awards (see www.yenerkorkut.com). Yener's accomplishments also include a U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License, a black belt Sensei in Karate, and an Aikido philosophy.
Continue reading "St. Croix Watersports Center" »
 
You must be special if you're born on Christmas Eve! That was the case with Arisa Derricks 17 years ago, the winner of our April and May Covers Contest at the Ed Complex. A senior student in the Advanced Art II class, headed up by our February/March cover artist John Jones, Arisa won both months' covers, over her six classmates, with her sensitive, bright, and animated interpretations of two important events. "I've always been drawing - anything - since as far back as I can remember. I think my first attempt must have been with a crayon, but now I love dry pastels. I would love to learn more about watercolor and acrylic and to improve my hand drawing. My Mom has been very supportive and has been pushing me to develop my drawing for years."
Continue reading "Island Art: Arisa Derricks" »
Fresh, flavorful, and fantastically creative is what you'll find at Savant -- a hip, hot eatery located on Hospital Street in Christiansted.
 The menu is a mix of Thai, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines and more. Try authentic Thai Currys, Fajitas, Cassava Crusted Fish or our signature Grilled Calamari. We buy fresh fish daily--Wahoo, Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) or Yellowfin Tuna-- depending on what's running right from the local fishermen. We also incorporate local produce from island farmers--spicey mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, edible flowers, and herbs all combine to create healthy, fresh and delectable dishes.
Covering all the bases, there are plenty of scrumptious meat dishes, too. Filet Mignon stuffed with Goat Cheese and Portobello Mushrooms, Molasses Baked New Zealand Rack of Lamb, and Maple Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin are among some of the favorites. Owner, Tom Miller, gives his chefs free reign to be as creative as they want and, because of that, Chef Eric Nielson and his team crank out zesty creative cuisine.
Continue reading "Savant: A Hip, Hot Christiansted Eatery" »
The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience - named one of the Ten Best International Food and Wine Festivals by Forbes Travel - is brewing a showcase of diverse cuisine and wine available on St. Croix for its well-anticipated, breathtaking 10-year anniversary! Local chefs, celebrity and top wine makers from the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, and abroad have signed up to support this prestigious event set for April 13-17 here on St. Croix.
The St. Croix Food and Wine Experience is a 5-day event that includes gourmet dinners, wine seminars, wine auctions, and the annual culinary competition, "Taste of St. Croix." The event was started in 2001 by restaurant owners Katherine Pugliese, original owner of Bacchus and now the owner of eat @ Cane Bay, and Kelly Odom of Tutto Bene, and is recognized as the pre-eminent food and wine event in the Caribbean.
Continue reading ""A Taste of St. Croix" Celebrates 10th Anniversary" »
 Since 1988 St. Croix has hosted one of the world's great endurance events, the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The big island has welcomed most of the legends of the professional triathlete ranks and has become a race that, along with the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, has become an essential line in any successful resume. In 2008 alone, four time St. Croix winner Craig Alexander, won on Hawaii, and three time St. Croix winner Joanna Zeiger won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, FL.
The race, which is held annually on the first Sunday in May, starts with one of the most iconic swims in the sport. Leaving from the beach in front of Hotel on the Cay, the swimmers can see thousands of spectators awaiting their arrival at the swim exit ramp located near the Fort in Christiansted. First though, the athletes must conquer the sometimes choppy water of the harbor, on their way through the 1.2 mile segment.
Continue reading "St. Croix Hosts 22nd Ironman 70.3 Triathlon" »
 St. Croix is surrounded by some of the most beautiful water in the world! How can you not get in it, get under it, or on top of it? Year-round warm temperatures make it so inviting for all kinds of activities.
 Hop aboard a catamaran or trimaran and head with the pros to Buck Island off St. Croix's North Shore and 7 miles from Christiansted. Leave from town or Green Cay Marina. Visit Buck Island Reef National Monument--the first US Underwater National Park! Imagine a snorkel-guided tour through crystal clear water for an experience you'll never forget!
 Caribbean sunsets are amazing especially when reflected in our beautiful waters. You can enjoy this romantic activity any day of the week with boats leaving from town and Gallows Bay.
Continue reading "Watersports & Activities" »
St. Croix is unique - an unspoiled American territory with the most affordable real estate in the entire Caribbean. One of the largest of the small Caribbean islands with a low developed to open space ratio, the "sleeping virgin" offers the best of the small town lifestyle.
Whether you are interested in a home, condominium, or vacant land, St. Croix is a bargain. With an area of more than 3 times St. Thomas and the same population, St. Croix has more choices with a wider price range. Because we are less densely populated, we have a more laid back life style and move at a slower pace - that's our charm!
Building lots are typically 1/2 acre or larger, with prices starting in the $40,000 range. Beachfront condominiums are plentiful in the $100,000 to $200,000 price range. The average home sale price is in the high $300,000's, with a nice selection of waterfront homes listed for under $1,000,000.
St. Croix is all about lifestyle - a tropical island paradise, affordable, comfortable, and personal. With prices at a 5 year low, now is the time to acquire your piece of the rock!
Julie San Martin, ReMax St. Croix, www.teamsanmartin.com
This year the 39th Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair opens at the Fair Grounds on Centerline Road on Saturday, February 13, for three days. The Agfair draws participants and visitors from as far south as Guyana to Puerto Rico to the mainland. Our sister islands of St. Thomas and St. John and the BVI also come over.
The Opening Ceremony, on the first day, recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the fair in the past and have the Farmer's Market, Food Pavilion, and Livestock Pavilion named after them. The ceremony culminates with the presentation of the Crop and Livestock Farmer of the Year awards before the cutting of the ribbon at the entrance to the Farmers' Market.
Continue reading "39th Annual AgFair" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society. R U M has gone by many names" Rhum, Rumm, Rumbooze, Rhumb and Rumbullion - and even the Indians ha a word for it - Ahcoobee.
As almost every West Indian knows, no two rums taste quite the same, varying greatly from island to island. In the early days on St. Croix, the quality of rum even varied from estate to estate. Each planter had his favorite methods and his secrets of flavor for creating what he felt was the superior product. The making of sugar and the making of rum were inseparable. Each plantation had its own still house, usually next to the sugar factory, where the molasses was used for rum-making. On St. Croix, the rum-making was on a fairly simple scale, but on the huge plantation of some of the British islands rum was also made on a grand scale with elaborate equipment.
Continue reading "How Molasses was Made" »
This time of year brings a large number of visitors to our island, including many Danes, in part because of our prevailing pleasant climate at a time when winter storms make life miserable in northern regions. By coincidence, it is also a time when some of the year's most enjoyable public activities take place, such as can be seen in our events calendar, brimming over with a great variety of activities, from agricultural fair to art show or regatta, to just name a few.
But the month of March has special meaning to anyone with a Danish connection. That is the time when Denmark-Virgin Islands Friendship month is celebrated. In recognition hereof, you will see all month the Danish flag, the Dannebrog, flying alongside the Stars and Stripes and the Virgin Islands flag at our handsome old Government House in Christiansted. This is a unique compliment to a former colonial power, as is the fact that even in the Virgin Islands Official Seal you will find a small Dannebrog flag depicted.
Continue reading "Friendship Month" »
The St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta kicks off regatta season with lots of great racing, February 19-21, 2010. "In addition to being a great warm-up for boats and their crews, we are sailing for a worthwhile cause, supporting hospice services for all who need it on St. Croix," says Julie San Martin, regatta director.
The winning CSA Spinnaker-1 skipper will get his/her weight in Cruzan Rum and an invitation to the Hospice Regattas National Championship, held in Rochester, NY, next June which includes up to thirty other Hospice Regatta winners from the U.S. and Canada.
The regatta invites all local and visiting live-aboards, cruising boats and multihulls to race in the Buck Island Channel, and promises at least one day of point-to-point racing, including the challenging Christiansted town race. One-design IC-24's and Rhodes 19's are invited to race in the protected waters of Teague Bay, with lunch ashore at the yacht club.
Continue reading "St. Croix Regatta" »
Nestled among the yachts of Green Cay Marina lies the Galleon Restaurant, one of the oldest on St. Croix and a local favorite for fine dining for over twenty-five years. The history starts with Dick Pelton who purchased land in 1979 in order to moor his boat and decided to build his own marina! It took five years for the dredging and to set the building for the restaurant on pilings. Frank Blaydon was then brought in as the architect of the restaurant. The original restaurant name was to be The Keyhole under first owners Bernard and Gail Lougot, serving classic French cuisine. Since the ceiling of the restaurant was designed to be a replica of the hull of a galleon ship they decided to change the name to The Galleon.
In 1984, the marina was opened and people started mooring their boats. The restaurant was opened as well in 1984 making it one of the oldest on St. Croix with only two different owners since then. Lesley Morrison, the current proprietor, moved to St. Croix twelve years ago. "Having been in the restaurant business since I was 17, and restaurant management since I was 20, and having worked the business through both Europe and Hawaii, I never thought I would have the opportunity to purchase my own until The Galleon came along," she says. Lesley has taken the fare from classic French to a more eclectic style with a slight Asian flare, as well as island inspired and classic dishes.
Continue reading "The Galleon" »
Isabelle Picard has been a St. Croix resident for the past ten years. Growing up on a sailboat in the south of France, Isabelle spent most of her formative years in Hyeres, a beautiful seaside town on the French Riviera, before venturing off to the far corners of the world. She has traveled extensively, spending much of her time in the French West Indies, New Caledonia and Mexico. She is fluent in four languages.
A mural artist by profession, her work can be seen in private homes and public buildings throughout South Florida, the Virgin Islands and the south of France. Her paintings on canvas have also been collected worldwide. Her style is whimsical, colorful, happy, and has been called modern Caribbean Folk Art. Having studied graphic design in Florida, some of her work reflects a more graphic style. Post baccalaureate, Isabelle worked for several years as the head designer for a high volume custom paintings and mural company in South Florida, before starting her own company.
Continue reading "Island Art - Featured Artist Isabelle Picard" »
By Nina McLain Cook
The 24th Whim Antique Auction, along with an Antique and Collectibles Fair, will be held March 7th at the Whim Museum, Frederiksted. The event celebrates the internationally known, exquisite craftsmanship of the Caribbean in furniture, art, tools, and accessories. The event is a major fundraiser for the St. Croix Landmarks Society, which, for over 60 years, has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the unique historical and cultural legacy of St. Croix through preservation, research, and education.
Buyers and sellers will unite to raise money for SCLS and for themselves in vigorous auction bidding and sales of the coveted handcrafted antiques and collector's items, proudly exchanging guardianship of the artistic and historical testament the pieces carry with them. Twentieth and twenty-first century handcrafted furniture and accessories, such as freeform tables, stump or root tables, wooden bowls, candlesticks, and treasure boxes are among items recognized as the antiques of tomorrow. They bring style and verve to the event and to the homes and offices that display them. Specially chosen "decorator pieces" that are contemporary or modern will be sold as well. Furniture, lamps, picture frames, large pots, rugs, porcelain, and art are snatched up by people who enjoy interesting items reflecting the unique styles of the Caribbean.
Continue reading "Whim Antiques Auction & Fair Returns with Gusto" »
 Bringing the Arts to St. Croix, Caribbean Community Theater (CCT) has been celebrating theater, music, and dance in venues across the island of St. Croix, for the past 25 years. From the Airport Inn, to the Strand Street Theater, to the Buccaneer Hotel, to the Sydney Lee Theater, to it present home at #18 Estate Orange Grove, CCT has garnered a reputation for showcasing the best in local talent.
From its first (1985-86) season, the founders of CCT explained in their inaugural program that the organization was intended to be a COMMUNITY theater. In November of 2009, CCT embarked on its Silver season with the world premiere of Sundays at Eleven by St. Croix resident Tom Ziegler, whose play Grace & Glorie, produced by CCT in 2008, has been performed to acclaim worldwide. The month of February 2010 is enlivened by the comic rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.
CCT will hold its 25th Anniversary Cabaret FUNdraiser on March 19 & 20 at 8 PM. The show will be directed by Michael Armendariz. No stranger to the stage himself, Armendariz collaborated and co-directed several previous cabaret shows with CCT's founder and original artistic director, David Richards. The show will feature songs and skits from various performances from the past 25 years, and highlights one of the islands strengths: musical theater talent.
Continue reading "Caribbean Community Theatre Celebrates its 25th Season!" »
St. Croix has two FREE attractions that are available 7 days a week -- the webcams on GoToStCroix.com. The Christiansted Harbor Cam broadcasts a live view of Christiansted's picturesque boardwalk, located at the Rum Runners Restaurant. The Frederiksted Pier Cam offers a view of the Frederiksted waterfront as seen from the downtown cafe Polly's at the Pier. Stop by for a delicious cold beverage or snack at either location, and call your family and friends so they can see you - live - from St. Croix. Wave hello to your loved ones all over the world. Borrow one of the fun signs available to hold up while you have your fifteen minutes of fame. They will only wish they were here, too. When not on St. Croix, you can log on to GoToStCroix.com/live to stay tuned to the St. Croix scene from your home, office, and smart phone!
Saturdays, 9-11am (beginning Jan. 2)
St. Croix Map #11
Organically grown fresh, sweet local tomatoes, salads, herbs, veggies and a new farm are sprouting in 2010 at ARTfarm. After eight years at Southgate, Luca is closing the location in November 2009 and moving the farm over the hills to the south shore! A new farm stand is being built from old greenhouses, old sheds recycled for art gallery space, and operations expanding to eventually include livestock and sculpture gardens. During construction we'll have less food to sell. But farmer/artist Luca Gasperi plans to continue supplying customers with the highest quality fresh produce, and to give volunteers a beautiful place to get their hands in the soil.
Continue reading "A Farmer's Directory" »
Metal sculptor and former St. Croix resident Trudi Gilliam will be the featured artist at Designworks for the January 21 edition of Art Thursday. The show, titled "Mermaid's Tears," is Trudi's latest collection of work incorporating sea glass, copper, brass, driftwood, and paint.
"Mermaid's tears is a term used in folklore for sea glass," says Gilliam. "My passion for beachcombing has given me a trove of sea glass from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as well as the Caribbean Sea. When I heard the term mermaid's tears, I liked the image. It provided me with an unusual focus for using the glass along with my metal work. I enjoy collaborating with the forces of nature-sand, sea, and time-to create a one-of-a-kind piece of sculpture. The colors and texture of the glass are so appealing. One cannot help but wonder, 'What is its history, its use, how did it come to wash up on the shore of a particular beach?' My ability to give the sea glass pieces new life is also part of the motivation for incorporating it into my work."
Continue reading "Mermaid's Tears - Trudi Gilliam" »
"Thanks for the lovely meal. The best on St. Croix. We are from Denmark and there we don't have this kind of "healthy food" restaurant." - Arne & Dorte
Dating back to 1768, Jacob Linberg House, on King Street, Christiansted, was acquired by its present owners Dr. Cheryl Wade and her husband Jonathan Lowis in 2000. With the vision of creating a sacred space to demonstrate the radical concept of self-healing on all levels through holistic living, they transformed the property to accommodate this ideal over the next seven years.
Stage One was facilitated by the feminine energy of the Hindu deity Kali. Kali represents and embodies the triple feminine energies of maiden, mother, and wise old woman. In her wise woman aspect she helped to clear away the old energies including fear, and apprehension of tomorrow, to illuminate the truth and validity of the vision. Stage Two was facilitated by Lalita, Kali's maiden aspect, who focused on the creation of joy, tranquility and beauty.
Continue reading "Lalita Restaurant In-Town Oasis" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
The cut cane was carted in from the fields to the mill; cut short and bundled for the grinders.The cane was put through the mill's grinding machinery; the juices ran into the big vessel called the Receiver. The juice ran out of the Receiver into a leaded trough, downhill to the Factory into a large vessel called:
The Clarifier, which there were as many as three holding 300 to 400 gallons each. Fire was lighted under the clarifier, a temper added, such as Bristol lime powder (or a vegetable alkali or ashes of certain woods).
Scum rose to the top as the juice was brought almost to a boil. Damper applied and fire extinguished. The juice remained there an hour while impurities collected on top. Each Clarifier had a siphon or cock for drawing off juice, which then went by gutter to:
Continue reading "How Sugar was Made" »
By Nina York
Holidays are important in just about any culture, and reflect a great deal about the cultural entity that enjoys them. In our Western civilization, where Christianity plays a major role, the celebration of Christmas is the major religious observance of the year, although recent times have brought considerable commercialism into the picture.
Despite almost 100 years of American rule, our islands still carry an imprint of the Danish culture of former times, and the religious celebrations are no exception. There is an irony in that the religious fervor that was part of the Lutheran mission here in former times no longer appears to be part of the Danish culture today. Nonetheless, Danish visitors to the islands today find inspiration and joy in participating in the church services here, with their music and warmth, whether at Lutheran churches related to their own Danish State Church denomination or at more gospel-oriented congregations here. Many Danish visitors state that if Danish churches presented the kind of services offered here, they would be filled to capacity.
Continue reading "Danes Bring Light to the Holiday Season" »
Crucian Heritage And Nature Tourism, CHANT, is a volunteer, non-profit organization originally formed in 2003 and dedicated to the advancement of Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development of the St. Croix community.
Recognizing Heritage and Nature Tourism as the missing "heart" of the current St. Croix tourism product and one of the fastest growing tourism programs internationally, CHANT set as its top priority the development and implementation of a world class Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism product.
Their goal is to establish heritage and nature as both the lead tourism product, or "brand", for St. Croix and the vehicle for sustainable community development. Objectives include acting as sustainable tourism catalysts by seeking to build support for Heritage and Nature Tourism among the Department of Tourism and all other tourism interest on St. Croix and focusing on development from within by seeking to bring together CHANT and other industry people to forge a dynamic and uniquely Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism product.
Continue reading "Back to Nature Crucian Style" »
By Nina York
Ask anyone on St. Croix about a local family with links to Denmark, and the name Lawaetz comes up. This dynasty had its start about 120 years ago, when the Lutheran Church in Denmark dispatched a pastor to serve the congregation in Christiansted. His name was Herman Lawaetz.
Herman served the Lord God of Sabaoth congregation with dedication, but kept in touch with his Danish relatives. He encouraged his young farmer cousin Carl on to come to St. Croix to seek his fortune. In 1890, Carl arrived and was hired as assistant overseer at Sion Farm plantation; later, he landed a well-paid job as manager of cattle-raising Estates Granard and Cane Garden. But when Carl learned about Estates Little La Grange and Jolly Hill, totaling 450 acres north of Frederiksted, being for sale at a bargain price, he acquired his home and workplace for the remainder of his life.
Continue reading "The Lawaetz Family" »
DAILY STRIFE is an exhibition commemorating VI-PR Friendship, to be presented at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in October. This exhibition explores individual and collective struggles encountered as one deals with the current political, social and economic situation in the Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands communities. Hope, oblivion and chaos are three emotional states that are intertwined with the daily quest for survival and inspiration as we face the same challenges of migration, hurricanes, traffic, decay, consumerism, apathy, environmental threats and economic crisis. In this exhibition, artists from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will present photographs, digital images and installations that address the struggle for our "daily bread" and the way we view our daily lives; some with hope and humor others with irony. Over 50 images ranging in size from 10 x 10" to 4' x 3' will be on exhibit for 2 months from Oct. 16 through Dec. Three artists will travel from San Juan, PR to help install the work and participate in the artists' talk that will be held at CMCA, Saturday, Oct. 17th.
Continue reading "Daily Strife" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St.Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society
The island's picturesque old windmills and animal mills which dot its landscape were mostly built early in the period of 1750 to 1800. A few estates had two windmills, and in addition man had auxiliary ox or mule mills. For when the cane was ready it must be cut, and when it was cut it must be ground quickly to avoid fermentation. During "crop" speed was essential; the mills ground incessantly, day and night, with the men working in shifts.
 THE ANIMAL MILL. This consisted of the central grinding machinery under a shed surrounded by an earthenwork or stonework elevated rim, with the appearance of a circular crater. Along the top of the rim the oxen, mules or horses walked on a path. A long pole ran from the animals' harness to the center shaft of the machinery, thus turning it and providing the power for the grinding.
Continue reading "St. Croix's Sugar Mills" »
 Bonnie Luria has been a painter, a textile designer, an illustrator, a jewelry designer, a city girl and a full time resident of St. Croix for the past 9 years.
A native New Yorker, moving to St. Croix fulfilled her "lagoon fixation" that taunted her for most of her life. "I always saw myself living in a tropical location but, like most of us, thought it was a fantasy reserved for a weekly vacation until a chance encounter with a charming, convincing, and uniquely alluring man who had moved here eight years before I did."
Knowing that if you don't take a chance, chance takes you, she packed up her city tent and pitched it here, marrying her lure and revitalizing her painting career.
Continue reading "St. Croix Artist: Bonnie Luria" »
 Salt River holds both historical and ecological importance. Prehistoric and colonial-era archeological sites and ruins are found in a dynamic, tropical ecosystem that supports threatened and endangered species.
This is where Christopher Columbus anchored his fleet in 1493, an encounter between Columbus' men and the Carib Indians at Cape of the Arrows occurred, and an unearthed Taino Ceremonial Ball Court is featured.
Salt River Bay includes an estuary, where fresh and salt waters mix. The shore is fringed by all four mangrove forest species - Red, Black, White, and Buttonwood - sheltering sea turtle hatchlings, crustaceans, and shrimp.
Continue reading "Salt River Bay" »
 The Captain and crew of World Ocean School's historic schooner Roseway return to St. Croix early November for their fourth season of educational programming and public day sails.
World Ocean School will once again offer activities that help raise funds for the winter programs, including sunset sails for locals and visitors. Roseway will also be available for holiday parties and events with part of the cost a tax-deductible donation to the World Ocean School.
Roseway will again be hosting 700 7th grade students and will also host an overnight sail program for current 8th graders who came through the 7th grade program last year. Private school and youth organization programs will be accommodated as well.
World Ocean School creates and provides a method of experiential education at sea that cultivates teamwork, community service, environmental responsibility, and cross-cultural friendships so that teenage students worldwide gain insight into becoming empowered, motivated, and engaged citizens. For more information on programs and schedules, visit them online at www.worldoceanschool.org or call 340-626-7877.
By Nate Olive, M.A. VISFI Program Director, University of Georgia Research Assistant
Did you know that an estimated 99.5% of the food bought and served on St. Croix is imported from outside the USVI? This figure is astounding since the island has long been known as the "Breadbasket of the Caribbean." Tragically, many factors during recent generations have put farmers on a virtual endangered species list. We at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute (VISFI) believe that St. Croix deserves a stable, sustainable, fresh, and delicious food supply. If you agree, then here is some good news. St. Croix is reinventing the Breadbasket.
 The past has taught that it takes an entire community effort to keep farms alive. Long before the sugar cane era, native Tainos grew mass amounts of food for hundreds of years in village planting mounds they called conucos2. Later, community gardens existed in estates where, after a day's labor in the cane fields, many slaves continued their pre-colonial African heritage by growing their own food3. Following generations mentored with growing skills created a viable agricultural industry that fed not only St. Croix but also other nearby islands. Then a downturn occurred when farmers had to compete with distant mega-farms and cheaper shipping. Despite the loss of food quality, the alien food was cheaper and easier. Local markets closed. Farmers dropped like mangoes. Getting food went from the farm stand to the checkout line. However, in this new era of transportation and technology, pioneering farming and marketing practices are helping revive St. Croix's locally grown food heritage. But to truly succeed, it will take new ways of thinking about food from both farmers and consumers.
Continue reading "Reinventing the Breadbasket with Locally Grown" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Levisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
The actual physical requirements for running a sugar plantation were somewhat staggering. In St. Croix, the initial investment was low in comparison to the other islands in which sugar was well established. The Danes wanted quick colonization and quick returns for their West India and Guinea Company and surveyed the island in 1735.
The island was divided into rectangles of 150 Danish acres each, known as Matriculens. The price was $500 for one of these plantations good enough for sugar cane. There was also a seven year tax exemption for newcomers who took up the "patents" on new plantations.
There were newcomers at these bargain prices, and no wonder that most of them were nearby British islands where land prices were high. Bryan Edwards, who was a British planter in Jamaica and one of the best known early economic historians of the Caribbean says that it required no less investment than 30,000 pounds sterling minimum just to get a 900 acre plantation set up. (This amount equaled some $120,000 in U. S. dollars at the 1800 exchange rate).
Continue reading "A Rich Man's Fortune or Folly" »
By Anna Holley
 It might surprise you to know that the waters surrounding St. Croix are brimming with hungry Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Marlin, and other species of game fish. Other Caribbean locales get more publicity, but St. Croix has much to offer anglers seeking the thrill of reeling in the catch of a lifetime.
Captain Carl Holley stakes his livelihood on providing an excellent day on the water. His passion is fishing, and he loves to show his clients just how exciting a sport fishing charter can be. One of the biggest misconceptions about fishing St. Croix is that you must go far offshore to catch big fish. "Not true," says Captain Carl. "The ocean floor drops to more than a thousand feet just a mile outside of the Christiansted Harbor." Because worthy opponents like Mahi, Wahoo, and Marlin thrive in deep water, anglers enjoy more time fishing and less time traveling to hot spots.
Continue reading "The Reel Story: Sportfishing in St. Croix" »
 A visit to St. Croix almost certainly includes time spent at the shoreline, usually on a sandy beach. The soothing shush of waves, crystal clear water, and welcome shade of coastal trees make a beach visit nearly idyllic. Look a little closer and you will find that you are sharing the beach with a wide variety of other life.
Ghost Crabs are common residents of sandy beaches, scuttling into their burrows as you walk along the shore. You may also see Soldier Crabs, so named because of their annual mass migration from inland forests to the sea, clumping along in the shells of other creatures. Sometimes they will use human litter like small jars, PVC pipe, and similar items for their homes!
Sandy beaches provide nest sites for Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green sea turtles. Look for their tractor-like tracks running from the waters edge to the deep depression where their eggs are laid. Both Leatherback and Green sea turtles use open beach for nesting while the Hawksbill is more likely to nest beneath beach trees such as Sea Grape. To learn more about sea turtles go to www.wimarcs.org.
Continue reading "Where The Island Meets The Sea" »
St. Croix is an island of churches, and that does not connote empty old buildings as relics of former days, but active congregations filling houses of worship and carrying their faith into the community through neighborhood initiatives to help the less fortunate. The Lutherans are one such group, and on this island you will find no less than four of their churches, thanks in great part to the fact that the Danes brought their state church with them immediately upon purchasing the island from France in 1733.
The Steeple Building, part of Christiansted National Historic Site, was the island's first Lutheran church. A gravestone inside Christiansted's Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church on King Street tells (in Danish) the story of Pastor Johannes Jacob Stoud, who in 1749 volunteered to serve the church as its first pastor in this distant location from his Norwegian homeland, an indication that it took courage and sacrifice to come to this dangerous, remote area. In fact, his ministry took place at nearby Fort Christiansvaern, as the Steeple Building was not completed until 1753.
Continue reading "The Lutheran Legacy from Danish Days" »
By Kemut-Amon Lewis, VINE Educator
Welcome to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands--and to our scenic views, our historic hot spots, our rich Crucian culture, and, of course, our inviting waters. Whether you're on a journey through time as you walk through town, or searching for complete serenity in the botanical garden, St. Croix is the perfect place for a little exploration or lots of relaxation. If you're like most visitors, lounging on a beach, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving is on the top of your "to do" list. Why not? St. Croix is one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean with many popular dive sites accessible from shore. And, even if you prefer the company of a good book, while lying under a coconut tree, there are a few things you should know about the beaches and beyond.
Continue reading "Leave Paradise In It's Place" »
By Toni Lance
At 6 am the blue pigeons coo, a pelican's shadow glides across the house, a great egret peers in the window, a kestrel squeals and a handful of parrots begin their morning song. Every day of the year, I get up at this time to care for an ever-changing assortment of avian creatures. There is always fish to thaw and meat to be divided and plenty of corn and seed products to distribute. Some of the birds are just hungry and others are in an intensive care situation ready for fluid, antibiotics or changing of a bandage. This is the routine I look forward to daily. I suppose it is a bit like having children. I certainly am devoted to the birds as if they were.
Continue reading "Avian Sanctuary" »
By Linda McCullough
 Celebrating our one-year anniversary this month, Tropics Hydroponics Farm, run and owned by Brian and Linda McCullough, has already found it necessary to expand. We specialize in growing high quality Bib lettuce as well as beefsteak and cluster vine ripened tomatoes. As our name suggests, we grow using hydroponics, which means we use no soil. Our plants receive all of their nutrition through water from our own wells, which has been purified through reverse osmosis, ph balanced and enriched with a special blend of nutrients and micro-nutrients.
Some of the benefits of growing with a hydroponics system include superior taste, quality, appearance, uniformity, and extended shelf life of the product. In addition, growing with hydroponics requires about 1/10th the space and 1/10th the water as compared to traditional farming requirements, so our carbon footprint is actually much smaller than with traditional dirt farming. In addition, we never have to deal with weeds and our crops have very limited exposure to insects.
Continue reading "Tropics Hydroponics Farm" »
By Nina York
Coincidentally, two major holidays in the Virgin Island calendar come back to back - Emancipation Day, marking the date in 1848 when the enslaved population of the then Danish West Indies gained their freedom, and the American July 4 Independence Day, celebrating the birth of the United States as a nation in 1776. While both holidays celebrate freedom, Emancipation here became more symbolic than actual, as the large number of enslaved field workers gained little by now being responsible for their own sustenance on very low wages, in part because of failing sugar cane harvests and lower prices for cane sugar, which now competed with beet sugar.
Continue reading "Emancipation Day" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
"St. Croix, slow to start, became the richest sugar island in the Caribbean for a time. Under the ownership of Denmark, it reached its peak of wealth and opulence about 1796 when it had 114 windmills and 144 animal or ox mills grinding out the golden juice - which by some West Indian magic turned quickly to gold.
Plantation life is usually thought of in the rosy, romanticized terms of the rich sugar planter lolling at his ease in a luxurious mansion, while myriads of Negros toiled his fields and ground his cane in contented bondage. This picture is almost a myth as history proves - but not quite - for in the heyday of sugar and rum, it did look like this from the surface.
Continue reading "The Age of Opulence" »
Award-winning Owner Celebrates 26 years and A Slot in the Women Divers' Hall of Fame!
 Michelle Pugh learned to dive in LA in 1970. Her interest in marine life began with a high school class in tide pool biology. Swimming lessons and her first open water dive class at the North Hollywood YMCA followed.
Michelle dived most weekends and holidays and later worked part time with Fish and Wildlife in the summers while attending school in San Diego. In the fall of 1977, she had a chance to go to St. Croix to teach diving for three months at VI Divers Ltd., falling in love with the island and its diving and staying on to start her own business!
One of the most incredible dives she ever made was in 1979 when asked to go to Canada to photograph killer whales for a book, A Whale called Killer, by Erich Hoyt. This experience would serve her well down the road.
Continue reading "Dive Experience - First PADI 5-Star IDC Center on St. Croix" »
By Pam Kerschner
 "The novelty of Caribbean island living inspires my "cartoon" illustrations and oil paintings a lot. When I first came to St. Croix, I was compelled to pursue my art and enjoyed the support and friendship of many wonderful island artists. After twenty years on St. Croix, I am currently living in Colorado to help my 90-year-old aunt and my father during their challenging years. I paint Caribbean life while living "out west," and plan to retire soon, still painting, in the Virgin Islands.
Continue reading "Caribbean Living With a Sense of Humor" »
Pictured right, (l to r) Seth Wilcoxon, namesake Polly, and Steven Schawl. "As coffee lovers, we wanted to offer a world-class product, outstanding service, our own micro-brewed beer (Polly's Pale Ale), and convenient computer access for locals and visitors. We've created a clean, sophisticated "Caribbean Funky" environment where everyone is welcome. Grab a coffee or latte on your way to work, enjoy Armstrong's Ice Cream on a Sunday afternoon, or sip a draft beer at sunset. We believe in the growth of Frederiksted and encourage other entrepreneurs to join us out West!"
By David Hamada
 Summertime in St. Croix is mango season, and its abundance will be celebrated at the 13th Annual Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival at the St. George Village Botanical Garden on Sunday, July 5 from noon to 6:30 pm.
Often described as "the Queen of Tropical Fruit," the mango reigns over our summer season. With a supremely distinctive shape, smell, color and taste, no other fruit evokes the warmth, flavors, fragrances and exotic beauty of the Tropics.
A joint effort by the V.I. Department of Tourism, the V.I. Department of Agriculture, UVI Cooperative Extension Service, UVI Agricultural Experiment Station, and the St. George Village Botanical Garden has produced St. Croix's most popular summer festival and teaches us about the agricultural and horticultural potential for this very popular fruit.
Continue reading "Mango Melee" »
The wedding is one of life's unchanged rites of passage. Nearly all of the customs we observe today are merely echoes of the past.
Up to and during the Middle Ages, weddings were considered family/community affairs. The only thing needed to create a marriage was for both partners to state their consent to take one another as spouses. No witnesses, no clergy.
During the Medieval period, the wedding ceremony moved from the bride's house to the church for vows and Mass followed by a musical feast.
During the "marriage by capture" era, close friends of the groom-to-be assisted him when he kidnapped the bride from her family. Bridesmaids and maids of honor became more common when weddings were planned assisting the bride with the flowers, and decorating for the wedding feast.
Bridesmaids and ushers dressed similarly to the bride and groom so if evil spirits or jealous suitors attempted to harm the newlyweds, they would be confused as to which two people were the bride and groom.
Continue reading "Wedding Traditions" »
 Sunday, June 7, at 4:45 pm marks the 25TH Anniversary of the Women's Coalition Women Race where women and girls will run and walk in this downtown Christiansted event.
This fundraiser, which draws over 500 participants, reflects the community's support of their commitment to end violence against women and also reflects women's support for each other. Hundreds of sons, fathers, brothers and friends line the streets to cheer them on.
Continue reading "The Women Race 2009: 25 Years of Running for Peace and Justice" »
Our high quality sugar cane molasses is received from Caribbean Sugar Plantations.
The molasses is diluted with tropical rain water, pumped from our St. Croix aquifers.
Our proprietary yeast cultures are added to the molasses and fermentation begins. The fermentation temperature is controlled to ensure optimum quality and flavor as the sugars are converted to alcohol by the yeast.
Our Master Distiller supervises the distillation in Cruzan's modern five-column stainless steel and copper still, producing a fine, clear rum distillate.
The handcrafted American oak barrels are filled with the rum distillate.
The rum barrels are laid down in our barrel warehouses to age for a minimum of two years - some for twelve years or more. As much as half the rum can be lost to evaporation. The precious spirit remaining is now Cruzan Rum!
After barrel aging, the rum is charcoal filtered and diluted to 80 proof with a little more St. Croix rain water.
Cruzan rum is bottled on our modern stainless steel bottling lines.
After years in the making, you can find Cruzan Rum, "the World's Finest Rum," at your local store, bar, or restaurant.
By Carol Bareuther, R.D.
 The surrounding seas are one of the main attractions for visitors to St. Croix. Now, sightseers can enjoy this wondrous water world in an eco-friendly way aboard Big Beard's Adventure Tours new 'green' power catamaran.
"We've been a sailboat company," says Captain John 'Big Beard' Macy, an Oregon native who transplanted to the island nearly thirty years ago. "However, we wanted to offer our customers the option of a catamaran that moved more quickly. In these times of environmental concern and rising fuel prices, we felt a power catamaran that was a hybrid vessel was the best way to go."
Continue reading "Big Beard's Adventure Tours" »
By Abby Kidder
While Roseway was built in MA in 1925 and still spends half of her year plying the waters of Boston and New England, her transom boasts "St. Croix USVI" as her official homeport and she's now into her third year on the island. This 260-ton, 137-foot national historic landmark schooner may be 84 years old but she's more active than ever!
Roseway's purpose in being here is serving St. Croix's youth and is the main educational platform for the World Ocean School, a non profit organization (501(c)(3) based in Boston and St. Croix. 7th grade students, from all public junior high schools, participate in a program launched last year by Governor DeJongh and the World Ocean School. The program serves 25 students per session for 5 consecutive school days. Students are able to apply math, science, history, and language arts to activities on board such as navigation, theory of sail, oceanography, teambuilding, poetry of the sea, speed/ distance tests, Caribbean history, reef ecology, nautical terminology, and maritime careers exposing them to a broadened perspective of themselves and their island. After the 7th grade program , 8th grade students can then participate in an overnight Roseway expedition to St. John. Finally, at high school level, they are eligible for our Summer Ambassador Program in Boston.
Continue reading "St. Croix's Tall Ship Roseway" »
By Nina York
 At the beginning of the 20th century, today's U.S.Virgin Islands were known as the Danish West Indies until the 1917 sale and transfer to the U.S. At that time, this was a quiet backwater, with its population primarily descendants of the enslaved people brought here from Africa generations before. This colony, once prosperous for the Danish government and sugar cane plantation owners, had lost much of its importance, and a debate raged in Denmark about selling the islands. Some opposed to the sale facilitated the visit by a young Danish artist to come here and portray the beauty of this place and the people living here.
Hugo Larsen, a 29-year old graduate of the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen, arrived here in 1904 and was dazzled by the light and spirit of the tropics. He felt at ease with the local population and set about portraying them and the tropical environment in oil paintings and drawings in a sympathetic and intimate manner. His previous realistic style now often took on an impressionistic flavor. We know little of his daily life here as he wrote no diary, but he produced about fifty paintings of the St. Thomas and St. Croix scene before heading back to Denmark with his works three years later. The exhibition of his works there proved a big disappointment. No longer were people interested in the islands, and they saw Larsen's style as outmoded.
Continue reading "St. Croix Artistically Rediscovered One Hundred Years Ago" »
Excerpts from "Divers Information on The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewisohn, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.
"During all these centuries and changes of ownership; during years of flux and change, of economic ups and downs in a variable world, one thing remained constant on St. Croix: the importance of sugar cane.
Some English families are thought to have brought in the first cuttings of sugar cane. The French put it into extensive cultivation here in the early 1650's, along with indigo and tobacco.
Today we see the relics of this affluent era in the shells of old windmills which appear everywhere, plus the picturesque ruins of sugar factories, rum distilleries and Greathouses which dot the island.
Continue reading "The Sugar Cane Plant" »
By Tom Gutherie
 Since 1988 St. Croix has hosted one of the world's great endurance events, the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The big island has welcomed most of the legends of the professional triathlete ranks and has become a race that, along with the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, has become an essential line in any successful resume. In 2008 alone, four time St. Croix winner Craig Alexander, won on Hawaii, and three time St. Croix winner Joanna Zeiger won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, FL.
The race, which is held annually on the first Sunday in May, starts with one of the most iconic swims in the sport. Leaving from the beach in front of Hotel on the Cay, the swimmers can see thousands of spectators awaiting their arrival at the swim exit ramp located near the Fort in Christiansted. First though, the athletes must conquer the sometimes choppy water of the harbor, on their way through the 1.2 mile segment.
Continue reading "St. Croix Tiathlon" »
By Carol M. Bareuther, RD
Sample the best of local and global cuisine prepared by island and international chefs while tasting an eclectic mix of wines at the same time. This is what the nearly weeklong St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is all about.
Katherine Pugliese and Kelly Odom, long time culinary professionals in the community, initiated the event's signature one-day 'Taste of St. Croix' back in 2001 - the event that started it all.
Continue reading "Food and Wine" »
Jane Akin finds her subjects in historic buildings and the plants and animals all around her. You can almost hear the trees swaying and the creatures moving through the bush!
Jane's home/studio is in Estate Boetzberg where she produces four shows a year, as well as commissions, and teaches watercolor and drawing. She is also the Artist in Residence at the Buccaneer Hotel offering watercolor classes twice a week.
Jane has been an interior designer and architecture is still a haunting subject making many of her commissions house portraits. But tropical flowers are her very favorite subjects and, like Georgia O'Keefe, paints them larger than life. This is where her mastery of watercolor really shows its spontaneity--mingling colors, "glazing" one over another, creating luminosity, allowing the pigment to "bloom," and creating texture with salt or dry brush.
Continue reading "Jane Akin" »
The 15th Annual Flower and Fine Arts Festival will be held Saturday evening, March 28, from 7-9pm and Sunday, March 29, from 10-4pm at the St. George Village Botanical Garden.
The show is made up of three different local flower groups namely The St. Croix Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society, the St. Croix Orchid Society, and the Bonsai Society as well as a major display of local artwork on sale to the public.
Continue reading "Come to the Garden for Flowers and Fine Art!" »
By Carol M. Bareuther, RD
 Bushels of locally grown crops, authentic West Indian-style foods, farm animals to pet and native-made arts and crafts. These are just a few of the items you'll find at Agrifest 2009, St. Croix's annual Agriculture and Food Fair. Set for February 14 to 16, the fair will be held at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Complex in Estate Lower Love.
Continue reading "Find a Garden of Good Eating and More at Agrifest 2009" »
 Wondering where you can buy old fashioned fresh, sweet local tomatoes? How about organically grown salad greens, herbs, veggies and... art?
At Estate Southgate Farms, one finds seasonal treats to feast on. In addition to great green bunches of herbs and lettuces, purple eggplants, bright red and yellow tomatoes and peppers, stripy cucumbers and a rainbow of local fruits and cut flowers - the farmstand walls are adorned with artworks for sale by local artists, including those of Luca Gasperi, who also happens to be the farmer in charge of it all.
Continue reading "Southgate: the ART Farm" »
By Nina York
 Why should real art have to be serious? Why can't a painting that makes you smile be as valid as a somber one? At Christiansted's Yellow House Gallery, owned and run by long-time resident artist Judith King, originator of the charming cover art of this issue, you are guaranteed a few chuckles as you view her paintings of the St. Croix scene.
Located in a charming old wooden townhouse on Queen Cross Street between Company and King Streets, this gallery is Chicago native King's favorite venue among the sites she has occupied. She arrived here in 1967 with her parents after having obtained a BA in art from Knox College in Illinois.
Continue reading "Meet the Artist That Makes You Smile" »
Photography by Stephanie Schoyer
Perched atop a 400 foot knoll, on the East End of St Croix, overlooking Teague Bay is the tastefully and sturdily built property "Meggie Hill". The name "Meggie" comes from a word for a Danish goat. The one acre knoll where the house sits was once home to herds of goats.
Continue reading "Above It All at Meggie Hill" »
 'Meet me at the Comanche' was one of the most popular catchphrases on St. Croix. Movie stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara heeded the call, and now you can too. This quaint, landmark hotel, located in the historic heart of downtown Christiansted, re-opened its doors November 11 for a renovated, refurbished and re-enlivened celebration of its 60th anniversary.
"Throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, Club Comanche was the social and business center of St. Croix," explains Jack Pickle, manager of Alameda Virgin Islands Company, LLC, who purchased the hotel in September 2007 and then initiated plans to rejuvenate the entire property.
Continue reading "Meet me at the Comanche" »
Rum is the beverage of choice in the islands - mellow, smooth and easy-going like the Caribbean itself. This is the birthplace of rum, linked in our colonial past with the raising of sugar cane. The dark molasses syrup that separates from crystallized sugar is vital in the production of rum, and after being fermented with yeast and water in huge steel vats, it is distilled and stored in oak barrels for aging.
Continue reading "Island Spirits" »
 Crucian Heritage And Nature Tourism, Inc. (CHANT) is a non-political, broad-community-based coalition committed to the advancement of Crucian heritage and nature tourism. By supporting our efforts, you will not only have a fun and educational vacation, but you will also be supporting local businesses and contributing to the sustainable development of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands as well.
Of all three historic towns in the Virgin Islands, the history of Frederiksted is arguably the most remarkable, with everything from slave rebellion to tsunami to warrior queens to conflagration. CHANT offers a walking tour that shares the history of the town while showcasing the magnificent waterfront, historic Fort Frederik, Victorian townhouses and historic churches.
Continue reading "Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism, Inc." »
 Visitors to St. Croix can't help but notice dozens of huge "sewing thimbles" that dot our island's hills. We call them "sugar mills," because they were built, most in the 18th century, to grind up sugar cane once grown on island plantations.
If they look like windmills from Holland, it is because they are indeed a Dutch type of mill with a dome at the top, and four canvas sails (later movable wooden shutters or louvers) on wooden arms facing into the wind. Dutch settlers, in fact, introduced sugar cane and the process for making it to the lower West Indies in the early 1600's.
Continue reading "St. Croix's Sugar Mills" »
 More vacationers every year fulfill dreams of moving to "America’s Paradise." And why not? Under the flag of the United States, we have a stable government and no state taxes. Our pleasant climate and near-constant trade winds make it possible to live in shorts and sandals all year. Sandy beaches and aquamarine waters encourage an outdoor sporty lifestyle and nightlife jumps at spots like the only casino in the Virgin Islands.
Beyond early impressions newcomers learn that the island has fascinating historical
and cultural depth. It is the home of dozens of community organizations with volunteer opportunities and annual events to attend—making it easy to get involved quickly and form new friendships.
Continue reading "Moving to St. Croix" »
Cheeseburgers in America's Paradise has become an East End tradition - at least in my family. Nobody leaves island without a visit to Cheeseburgers. In fact, it is usually the first stop after the airport.
The atmosphere at this open air restaurant feels like you are at a friend's back yard barbeque. People sitting next to you feel like old friends. This comfortable environment invites friends and family to engage in laughter and a good time is had by all.
Continue reading "Cheeseburgers in America's Paradise" »
 This sprawling six acre estate is the home to seven luxurious villas for rent. What makes this verdant property different from the rest on St. Croix? It's promotion of Ecotourism.
Ecotourism is the idea of teaching responsible travel and focuses on learning new ways to live on the planet. An integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of water conservation, energy efficiency and recycling. Ginger Brown Vaneerveer, Director of Northside Valley, is committed to offering a vacation that minimizes the impact of human habitation on the surrounding environment.
Continue reading "Northside Valley Ecotourism" »
By Carol M. Bareauther, RD
 "Fast Food" feeds millions, but it is "Slow Food" that nourishes the body and soul. This nurturing earth-friendly cuisine, mixed with a heaping helping of eco-sustainability and cultural preservation, is what the Slow Down dinners at St. Croix's Creque Dam Farm are all about.
"The idea for our Creque Slow Down Dinner Experience, or CSDDE for short, was born out of the Slow Food philosophy," says Keith Weitzman, chef for the farm, which is also the headquarters for the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute (VISFI).
Carlo Petrini, an Italian visionary, founded the Slow Food Movement in 1986 as a resistance effort to combat fast food. The central theme of this now globally-recognized effort is to preserve the cultural cuisine and the associated food plants, domestic animals, and farming within an eco-region. This year, the Creque Dam Farm will represent the U.S. Virgin Islands as one of over 5,000 producers of good, clean, fair food at the Slow Food Movement's Terra Madre conference in Turin, Italy.
Continue reading "Slow Down and Taste the Dinners at the Creque Dam Farm" »
Tavia Babb was destined to succeed. Born and raised on St. Croix, Tavia graduated from Country Day School and went on to study International Relations and Foreign Policy at Tufts University. After graduating in 1997 she went on to a career in advertising which led her to New York City and eventually San Francisco.
Feeling frustrated with no creative outlet she decided to quit her job and travel to Europe. Her travels included Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey and France. Upon returning to California she enrolled at the California School of Culinary Arts, a Cordon Bleu program, and completed the program at the top of her class. After working at Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco she decided to move back to St. Croix to be closer to family and with the hopes of opening her own restaurant someday.
Continue reading "Salud Bistro - Escape to the Mediterranean" »
For decades Stephen Larsen has been shooting images around the world. His travels have taken him to the ends of the earth including such places as Antarctica, Australia, Africa, Central America, Himalayas, India and Laos.
Continue reading "Stephen Larsen's Photographic Artwork" »
By Carol M. Bareuther, RD
Anyone who dreams of living exquisitely on an exotic Caribbean island can see such a reality come to life at The Greathouse at Catherine’s Hope. This magnificent property, perched atop a hill 600-foot-above-sea level on St. Croix’s northeast shore, offers sweeping vistas that span from sunrise to sunset. And, that’s just for starters.
 The core of this now 8800-square-foot residence with 1500-square-foot guesthouse was originally built in the 1970s, and according to rumor, as a British Secret Service safe house. Over a decade later, the wealthy inventor of the scratch-and-sniff technology purchased the house and its 13 surrounding secluded landscaped acres and set upon a grand expansion project that even included a helipad.
Continue reading "The Greathouse at Catherine's Hope" »
|
Featured Articles Directory: • Skywatch
• Real Estate: Window of Opportunity
• Island Worship
• Mt. Washington Labyrinth
• Rum and Revolution, Part 2
• Lionfish be Gone!
• Kendrick's
• Cover Artist Toni Lance: For the Love of Birds
• Oh, To Be a Pelican!
• Run Crab, Run!
• Sea Turtles
• Eat Fresh, Buy Local - A Farmer's Directory
• Skywatch
• Real Estate
• Island Worship
• Rum and Revolution, Part 1
• Story About a Flag
• Salt River
• Danica David
• Namaste Cafe
• Mango Melee
• Christiansted Celebrates
• Divi Carina Bay Resort
• St. Croix Hotel Association: Two New Packages For Spring and Fall
• Real Estate: What Makes St. Croix Different?
• World Ocean School's Roseway
• Molasses to Rum: Part 2
• Ancestor Discovery
• St. Croix Watersports Center
• Island Art: Arisa Derricks
• Savant: A Hip, Hot Christiansted Eatery
• "A Taste of St. Croix" Celebrates 10th Anniversary
• St. Croix Hosts 22nd Ironman 70.3 Triathlon
• Watersports & Activities
• A Dream Come True
• 39th Annual AgFair
• How Molasses was Made
• Friendship Month
• St. Croix Regatta
• The Galleon
• Island Art - Featured Artist Isabelle Picard
• Whim Antiques Auction & Fair Returns with Gusto
• Caribbean Community Theatre Celebrates its 25th Season!
• Go to St. Croix Webcam
• A Farmer's Directory
• Mermaid's Tears - Trudi Gilliam
• Lalita Restaurant In-Town Oasis
• How Sugar was Made
• Danes Bring Light to the Holiday Season
• Back to Nature Crucian Style
|
|
