Bay Creek Soundings August

The Official Newsletter of Bay Creek, Cape Charles, Virginia

In This Issue: Bay Creek Update

from Bobby Masters, Bay Creek General Manager

August 2021 | Issue 13

Enjoying the Moment

Bay Creek is an Everyday Adventure

Bay Creek Realty July Real Estate Update The Latest from Chef Jason Van Marter | Coach House Tavern, Bay Creek

Nature Corner

with Bay Creek Naturalist Joe Fehrer

Rising to the Occasion

The Bakery on Mason

Bay Creek Dream Homes Come to Life Beacon Custom Homes

Bay Creek Soundings is published regularly by Bay Creek.

Drop us a line at info@BayCreekLife.com or call toll free 844.620.2900 Or you can always see us at BayCreekLife.com

Late summer is a great time to pause and appreciate the Eastern Shore paradise that is Bay Creek. On several recent warm, golden afternoons in the community, we’ve seen sandy-toed families in golf carts returning from an afternoon at the beach, couples walking with their four-legged friends along Bay Creek’s lovely streets, and bicyclers setting out for a pre-sunset excursion through the shady trees and trails of the Nature Preserve.

Continued on next page...

Soundings This is that glorious part of summer where people have settled into the rhythm of recreation.

Morning walks on the beach, swimming a few laps in the pool at the Life Center, cruising down to Mason Avenue for an afternoon scoop of ice cream at Brown Dog… it’s all in a day’s work and play.

Bobby Masters, General Manager of Bay Creek, gives us a glimpse into the activities that have been taking place and updates us on what’s happening in the community.

“We have had so many great opportunities to engage owners and guests this summer,” says Bobby. “Bay Creek is known for its beaches and

“Bay Creek owners and guests feel invested in the nature-focused lifestyle here. And the programming we offer deepens that connection.”

amenities and golf, but what many people new to the community hadn’t realized were the kinds of enriching activities and programming we offer here.”

This summer saw a full offering of recreation, education and fitness programming that spanned the shores, Nature Preserve and beyond. “This summer’s programs have been robust,” Bobby says. “With Bay Creek’s onsite naturalist, Joe Fehrer, we have groups that are enjoying nature in a way they hadn’t ever done before. He’s leading walks that entertain and inform,” Bobby explains. “Bay Creek owners and guests feel invested in the naturefocused lifestyle here. And the programming we offer deepens that connection.”

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This dovetails perfectly with Preserve Communities’ ‘Layers of the Forest,’ A morning hike revealing commitment to preserving Bay Creek’s spectacular how each part of the forest is used by plants and shores, waterways and forests. “One thing that’s animals alike. a vital part of this community is the multigenerational appeal,” says Bobby. “It’s just as ‘Preserve Owl Prowl,’ A one-mile nighttime owlimportant for us to engage that young family with spotting nature walk. small children via a scavenger hunt on the beach as it is to support the couple who wants to relax in Other kid-oriented events like ‘Sandcastle Rascals’ nature or learn about the flora and fauna here.” and ‘Pirate Treasure Hunt’ add to the something-foreveryone fun of Bay Creek.

Here are just a few of the diverse programs going on at Bay Creek this summer: Naturalist Joe Fehrer leads a great variety of nature walks and experiences for the serious nature lover ‘Netting on the Beach,’ Collect natural specimens and nature-curious adventurers. See more about from the beach and learn to identify them. these experiences on page 12.

Soundings The Life Center is home to all sorts of activities large and small throughout the week. For kids, simple pleasures like shell painting, corn hole, tiedying bandanas and finger painting are scheduled throughout the week.

“The Life Center is a great resource for so many kinds of activities,” says Bobby.

This summer the Life Center presented ‘Taco Tuesdays’ and welcomed Gordo’s Taco Truck to the lawn, featuring fresh Mexican fare and a bar set up poolside. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere where people just come and have fun,” says Bobby. “It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon.”

“It’s great to be using the Life Center for these kinds of recreational get togethers,” Bobby says. “… and it’s also a very sophisticated wellness facility for the individual who is interested in optimizing their nutrition or taking fitness classes. It’s an incredible amenity to have here.” Preserve Communities has continued renovation and refurbishment of the Life Center, too, completing beautiful new landscaping and adding new furnishings.

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Over at the beach, this summer’s food and beverage services have been enjoyed by all. “This was part of our effort to make something great even greater,” says Bobby. “This along with the convenience of restroom facilities has been a fantastic enhancement.”

The new neighborhood of Muirfield continues to take shape at Bay Creek. The first homesites recently released offer sunset views across the Jack Nicklaus Signature course and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. Close to the Bay Creek Life Center, the homes of Muirfield will be ideal for family retreats by the Bay. “We have said that these views are some of the most amazing in the Southeast,” Bobby says. “And everyone who has seen this part of Muirfield agrees. It’s truly jaw-dropping.”

As one might imagine, the award-winning golf at Bay Creek has hosted many guests, small groups and tournaments alike during the summer. The yearround improvements by Bay Creek’s expert team of professionals have readied the fairways for just such a moment. The golf staff’s continued maintenance is greatly appreciated, too, in keeping Bay Creek golf second to none.

The exuberant recreational waterfront lifestyle of Bay Creek is only part of what makes this community a lifelong destination. It is also thoughtfully designed neighborhoods and stunning coastal homes that are the stuff dreams are made of.

The remaining homesites in Phase 1 of Muirfield are on track for a fall 2021 completion date.

Creating a home on the Eastern Shore where generations of family can recreate, reconnect and make memories is one of Bay Creek’s most alluring qualities. For more information about the homes and homesites of Muirfield, speak with a member of the Bay Creek team.

Now in these fabulous days of late August, the Bay Creek family holds onto the warmth, wonder, and exuberance of summer. And as August floats gently into Labor Day and beyond, we invite guests and owners alike to enjoy every moment here in this very special place we call home.

Perhaps Bobby Masters puts it best:

“The joy folks get from being at Bay Creek knows no season. It really is timeless.”

View from Muirfield Bluffs Homesite 28

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Bay Creek Realty JULY REAL ESTATE UPDATE July was a busy and successful month for us at the Real Estate Discovery Center, as 20 new families enjoyed a personalized Discovery Visit and joined the ever-growing Bay Creek family as new property owners. In all, 16 homesites were purchased in Bay Creek along with 4 homes, including a preconstruction Bayside Village home from Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods and a home on the Arnold Palmer Signature Course recently started by Showcase Builder Beacon Homes.

MUIRFIELD

We celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Muirfield enclave in style on July 17th, with our Bluffs reservation holders enjoying special events throughout the weekend. Three families chose to take advantage of special pre-development incentives and became Founding Members in The Bluffs section of this incredible new enclave. Several other families who couldn’t attend the festivities are presently considering a Bluffs purchase, and there are still opportunities remaining to select one of the final bayfront homesites to be offered at Bay Creek. With golf and Chesapeake Bay views unrivaled anywhere on the Eastern Shore, these properties are certain to be prized possessions. Call or E-Mail us at the Discovery Center for more details.

More exciting news from Muirfield—the remaining Phase 1 properties are currently in the final stages of development, with active construction on roads and utilities to each homesite. We anticipate releasing these properties for sale in September, 2021, and there are views and settings that heretofore have never been available at Bay Creek. Call or E-Mail us today for more information, as there will be special incentives available for a limited time on some truly spectacular opportunities.

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NEW HOMES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE:

The Oyster Bay Cottage, crafted by Showcase Builder Terry Industries, is a fantastic new home offering in Bayside Village, located just steps from the Bay Creek Life Center and the private beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. Designed by Allison Ramsey Architects, one of the Southeast’s most renowned coastal home designers, the Oyster Bay Cottage is a 2,001 square foot, 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom plan with two additional outdoor living areas totaling over 400 square feet. Interior features include 10’ ceilings on the main level, soft close cabinets, granite countertops, stainless appliance package and spa-inspired Owner’s Suite Bathroom.

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TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

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Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

Welcome to the Cobb House Retreat, an exciting new home offering in the highly desirable Bayside Village enclave. Designed

by Allison Ramsey Architects, one of the Southeast’s most renowned coastal home designers, this historic-inspired 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom cottage offers a wonderfully spacious layout with a distinct seaside charm.

The large great room and dining spaces flow effortlessly into the well-proportioned kitchen, offering open and comfortable areas for gathering. There are two bedrooms downstairs, including the master suite, and a second master bedroom upstairs that could also serve as large home office.

LEARN MORE

August 2021 | Issue 13

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

The Mason, by Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods, is a quintessential Southern coastal home, with upstairs and downstairs front covered porches that extend the indoor living areas outside, where the sights and sounds of the nearby Chesapeake Bay await.

Inside, enjoy gathering with family and friends in the open living and dining area.

The inviting breakfast room, adjoining a sleek gourmet kitchen, is the perfect place to grab a light breakfast before heading out for a morning walk through the nearby Nature Preserve. Upstairs, three bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, and a shared loft area make this plan an ideal ‘home base’ to enjoy all life has to offer on the Eastern Shore.

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THE LATEST FROM

Chef Jason Van Marter COACH HOUSE TAVERN, BAY CREEK

Bay Creek Executive Chef, Jason Van Marter, has had an amazing and active summer. With residents, owners and guests enjoying a true Eastern Shore summer in and around Bay Creek, there have been many opportunities for Jason and his team to serve, surprise and delight.

While Jason is known for fresh, locally sourced dishes and his tried and true favorites, the last few months have allowed him to tap into another great talent: organizing and planning.

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“We’re excited to now have a Chef de Cuisine,” says Jason, of the recent addition of Michael Koch to the Bay Creek team. Adding this role allows Jason more time to direct and organize events that are part of the character, hospitality and ‘great memory making’ of Bay Creek.

And it’s been a great summer! “We’ve been able to do bar service and food for gatherings at the Life Center and Fitness Center here at Bay Creek,” explains Jason, “along with several other unique events.”

Jason and his capable team have been busy making special events even more special. For the recent ‘Cheeseburgers in Paradise’ Golf Tournament, Jason created a menu with nine different kinds of cheeseburgers for the 60 participating golfers!

Jason believes in making every meal a special experience whether it’s a big event, a small gathering or just an afternoon bite to eat with a friend.

“We want everyone who joins us to truly enjoy their time here,” he says. “We’ve expanded our bar hours during the week, and we’re now open on Monday nights for pasta nights,” he explains.

“This has been a great success and it’s now going on four weeks,” Jason adds. He’s also keeping the menu fresh, introducing a new, decadent Lobster Benedict in place of the Crab Benedict for a fun summer switch-up. “..and it’s been very popular!” he smiles.

“We’re also continuing to add staff to our team to ensure great service,” Jason says. “We’ve been able to accomplish so many great things this season and we’re looking for more people to join our very special team.”

For fall and winter, Jason’s wheels are already turning. “We’re excited about opportunities to continue to be creative and find new ways to engage our residents and guests with great food and unique experiences,” Jason adds.

“I’m really excited about our next “Tree of Life” event that’s coming up in early September,” Jason says. “Over the last months, we’ve had so many people asking about sushi and we’re very excited to be rolling that out for this event,” Jason adds.

(Think local blue crabs and oyster, along with Pacific king salmon and big eye tuna—yum!) If you’ve just begun to follow the inspiring career of Jason Van Marter, our renowned world-traveled chef has extensive experience creating artisan sushi. This is a culinary treat not to be missed!

Going into the fall, Jason will be bringing new items to the menus, keeping a focus on sourcing locally as much as possible. And speaking of local, “we’re very much working on the community agriculture focus, so in the next year, we’re anticipating having some fresh herbs and flowers grown right here onsite that we can utilize within our dishes,” he explains. “It’s really exciting.”

Jason encourages you to stop by and enjoy the relaxed vibe, scenic view, and superb food at the Coach House Tavern. Visit and get a taste of what life is like at Bay Creek!

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NATURE CORNER

With Bay Creek Naturalist JOE FEHRER

EMBRACING THE NATURE-CENTRIC BAY CREEK EXPERIENCE It’s been an incredible summer at Bay Creek and resident naturalist, Joe Fehrer, has enjoyed helping people experience the ‘natural wonder’ of it all. Joe has been leading nature walks, usually two to three a week this summer and shares what he—and his eager guests—are seeing out there.

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“We’re getting a good group of people for these walks,” says Joe. “People are enjoying not only seeing the nature around them but learning about it, too. The people joining us span the ages...from young families with children to working couples, to retirees,” says Joe. “I enjoy tailoring each walk to the guests who are walking with me. For younger kids, I can share fun facts that surprise and entertain them, and for adults, there’s a great deal of science and history to reveal.”

“I’m also planning a nature walk where we’ll learn about the colonial history of the area. I’ll be talking about history and providing information about Bay Creek and the larger Plantation Creek area,” says Joe. These themed walks will continue into the fall and winter months with other subjects being added.

Nature at Bay Creek changes with every season and even with every tide, as Joe explains. “When you’re out on a walk, you never know what you’re going to see—things on the beach can change with each tide. It can be quite dramatic,” smiles Joe. “We’re doing evening walks on the beach every other Thursday during the summer season,” he says. “It has been fun to add a theme for these walks, too,” says Joe. For example, recently, Joe talked about the impact from the meteor that hit the Shore 35 million years ago. He also teaches about the geology of the Lower Peninsula here on the Eastern Shore. “Several folks on the walk knew a little about these subjects but I was able to provide more information,” he says. “They come away knowing more and enjoying the journey.”

Another fantastic effort this summer has been the bird boxes installed around and in Bay Creek’s Nature Preserve. “What a wildly successful project that’s been!” smiles Joe. “We’ve had eight bluebird boxes installed. Many have been used by bluebirds multiple times, and by tree swallows for their yearly brood. I would never have dreamt we’d be so successful.”

Joe says that in one of the boxes, the same pair of bluebirds is nesting for its fourth time. “Bluebirds start nesting in early April. It’s not uncommon for them to have at least two broods per year but four has been very exciting! We fledged seven tree swallows (four in one nest, three in another), and we’ve likely added 19 or 20 bluebird fledglings,” adds Joe.

Another walk will focus on the Native Americans on the Eastern Shore as a whole, the Lower Peninsula specifically, and all the way up to the Iroquois nation in New York and Canada.

All of this activity is just in the eight birdboxes installed on the Nature Preserve. “Some of the Stewardship Club members and homeowners have installed their own bluebird boxes and they’re also seeing nesting activity—it’s really phenomenal.

It has exceeded my expectations.” Joe and the Bay Creek community are gratified to watch the Nature

Soundings Preserve and reclaimed areas now teeming with nature. “The wildlife that is returning to the Nature Preserve area that was once part of a golf course is nothing short of amazing,” says Joe. “I’ve worked on restoration projects with the Nature Conservancy but I never had the opportunity to work on something like this, the restoration of a golf course.

This area has responded amazingly. It’s astonishing the variety of plants and animals that are moving into that space,” he explains. “I was out there the other day, and I found a small wetland area in an existing meadow and seeing these wonderful plants that are emerging is wonderful. It’s been great to watch that.”

“We’re starting a small restoration project close to the Basecamp area to help along the natural process a bit, too. It’ll be a little more than a half an acre,” Joe shares. “We’ll be using warm season grasses and pollinator plantings, all from native and regional seed mixes. Several of our Stewardship Club members have experience in fostering native meadows and I’m looking forward to their help.

I’m also hoping we can establish a small ephemeral pond in one corner of the larger site. That’s a habitat that we don’t currently have out there,” says Joe. That project is tentatively planned for late summer/early fall.

The dedication of owners and residents has been an enormous part of the ‘natural’ successes here in the community. “Besides the work with the birdboxes and many other efforts, the Bay Creek Stewardship Club continues to assist with trail maintenance, too,” says Joe. “They’re such a wonderfully dedicated group of people. I enjoy their company and appreciate their hard work and passion.”

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I enjoy tailoring each walk to the guests who are walking with me.

For younger kids, I can share fun facts that surprise and entertain them, and for adults, there’s a great deal of science and history to reveal.

It’s still summer, of course, but as we begin the warm journey into fall on the Eastern Shore, Joe shares some the things he enjoys about late August and early September: “The fishing’s only going to continue to get better and better as we head into fall. Red drum, speckled trout—they’re two signature species that will only improve—and flounder fishing should continue. As we get into late September, we’ll be looking for the fall bird migration. Millions of songbirds and shorebirds will start heading south. Shorebirds are already starting to show up now, in small numbers,” says Joe. Then, he says, there’s also the monarch butterfly migration, and a million other amazing things to discover.

Joe and the staff at Bay Creek hope to offer fall kayak trips to explore the Bay shoreline and the community’s creeks and waterways. With access areas in the Nature Preserve and along the beaches, Joe and his fellow travelers will have easy access to all manner of aquatic wildlife, landscape, and learning.

Joe Fehrer and the Bay Creek team extend a warm invitation to guests, residents and friends to discover the beauty, the stories, the history and the future of this spectacular natural Eastern Shore environment we call home.

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Bay CreekDream Homes Come to Life WITH BEACON CUSTOM HOMES Creating your dream home at Bay Creek is an exciting endeavor. Esteemed Bay Creek Builder Guild member, Beacon Custom Homes, can make it fun and easy, too. As builders of Bay Creek’s wildly popular Palmer Lake Villas, and exceptional custom homes throughout Hampton Roads and beyond, Beacon Custom Homes has built a stellar reputation of experience and quality.

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We spoke with one of Beacon Custom Homes’ principals, Reese Smith, about the business and pleasure of designing, building, and delivering a dream home here on the Eastern Shore.

Beacon Custom Homes, currently building two gorgeous Coastal Craftsman ranch-style homes in The Signature at Bay Creek, is especially adept at tailoring homes to their clients’ needs, whether it’s a custom build or from an existing plan.

“We’re really excited to be in the process of constructing homes in The Signature as well as the other projects we are now working on in the Bay Creek community,” says Reese. “The Palmer Lake Villas were an enormous success. We have happy owners who have now moved into their completed villas, and many more who are excited to move in soon,” he says. Their two new available under-construction homes, set on lovely homesites in The Signature, are garnering a great deal of interest, too.

Reese Smith, along with his partners Rick Savino and Rob Wadsworth, have a lifelong passion for helping people create the home of their dreams.

When it comes to building a home the right way, it’s a multi-faceted, precise business, says Reese.

It’s no wonder, then, that with his multiple areas of expertise, Reese has helped elevate the process to an art form. A second-generation builder with roots in real estate land development and home building, Reese has served as President of the Tidewater Builders Association, the Coastal Virginia Builders Association, and he was also on the Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay Preservation Board for nine years. With an undergraduate degree in finance and a Masters degree in Business Administration, Reese knows his business.

It’s an ideal skill combination to which his many clients can attest: proven success in the business of home building, expertise in efficient construction, and a true passion for seeing his clients’ visions come to life.

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“I really enjoy working with our clients to build something special,” says Reese. “We value the trust our clients place in us. It’s also very important for us to strike the appropriate balance for them between features and cost.”

“I love being the main point of contact for our custom home customers,” says Reese. “Many of our clients are living out of town. They may be moving to Bay Creek or building a second home here. I walk them through the home building process, from design to move-in and beyond. Our clients are busy people, and we want to make building a home comfortable for them.”

Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind custom home or a design based on an existing plan, “we’re looking at the entire picture throughout the process for our clients,” says Reese. On any given week, you’ll find Reese himself onsite at Beacon’s in-progress homes. That’s not necessarily typical for the owner of a home building company, but for Reese, it’s a must. “Being there is all part of a success build,” he says. “I and the Beacon team make sure our job sites are organized and always ready for work to occur. A tidy, safe, and happy job site means our homes are built with care, and the craftsmen who are onsite get it right the first time.”

Beacon believes in high service and accessibility for their clients—for example, discussing early decisions like square footage or finishing touches like a special tile for the backsplash. “Clients and I meet directly with our designers and suppliers to make selections. Tile, cabinets, fixtures…we guide them through the process in person,” Reese says.

The joy of personalizing a Beacon home isn’t limited to their fully custom homes. The two new available Coastal Craftsman homes they’re building in Bay Creek’s Signature, for example,

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have opportunities for personalization, too. “These homes are in the early stages of construction,” explains Reese. “So if one wants something special for the interior of one of these homes, like a handheld faucet in their shower, or a patio in the rear yard, for example, we can add those types of things at this point.” A broad collection of hardwood and tile choices are showcased at the Bay Creek Sales Center, making the selection process fun and effortless, too.

These Signature homes also offer a major convenience factor. “Since they’re already under construction, it gives clients a significant head start on the entire process,” says Reese. “This saves months on home building. And you can still choose your interior colors and finishes too.”

To those who are dreaming of a home by the Bay, Reese says this: “We share the excitement about the construction of your new Bay Creek home. We truly do. We’re proud of every home we build. We know that every client is unique, and pledge to work with you to build the home that satisfies your lifestyle and fulfills your vision.”

For more information about creating your custom dream home at Bay Creek with Beacon Custom Homes, contact Reese at 757-390-4241 or email Contact@BeaconCustomHomes.com.

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BEACON CUSTOM HOMES

Featured Homes

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

304 ARNIE’S LOOP IN THE SIGNATURE 5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 2,997 Square Feet

This exceptional new residence, crafted by Showcase Builder Beacon Custom Homes, is ideally designed for gracious Eastern Shore living. Located on a wooded homesite adjacent to the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, this 2,997 square foot home is graced with five bedrooms (including two on the main level), four bathrooms and lots of thoughtful touches throughout.

The home’s stately yet inviting façade is set with a handsomely crafted attached two-car garage and unique Coastal Craftsman details. Step onto the lovely front porch and enter the heart of the home: a spacious breakfast room and kitchen that open to a perfectly sized great room. Just beyond, a screened back porch invites you to sit awhile and take in the peaceful wooded view.

The Owner’s Suite is an ideal retreat, offering two walk-in closets and a well-appointed bathroom. With three additional bedrooms plus a finished room above the garage that could also serve as a home office or game room, space for family and guests is in great supply.

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For more information about Homesite 32, and ‘The Laurel Park’ on Homesite 46 in The Signature, Contact Bay Creek Realty at (844) 620-2900 / info@BayCreekLife.com

Artist’s conceptual illustration. Subject to change.

204 ARNIE’S LOOP IN THE SIGNATURE 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 3,446 Square Feet

This fantastic multi-generational home near the Bay is now under construction on a private, wooded homesite along the Arnold Palmer Signature course. The Laurel Park plan, created

by Beacon Homes in the Coastal Craftsman vernacular, offers space, style, and luxury. The Laurel Park is a 3,446 square foot, 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence with wonderful spaces for personal reflection, entertaining, or gathering with family after a day on the water.

Welcome inside as you enter through the covered front porch and into a foyer that opens to large dining and family room spaces. Your eyes will immediately be drawn to the 10’ ceilings, 6-inch wide-plank hardwood flooring, and a craftsman wood trim package. The large kitchen and keeping room, with quartz countertops, custom cabinetry and stainless GE Profile appliances, opens to a private screened porch, perfect for taking in the fresh Eastern Shore air.

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Rising to the Occasion DISCOVER FRESH ARTISANAL BREADS, PASTRIES AND DELIGHTS AT THE BAKERY ON MASON There’s something magical in the Bay breeze along the 200 block of Mason Avenue in beautiful Cape Charles. Besides the quintessential sounds of gulls, friendly hellos from passersby, and the laughter of kids riding bicycles, there’s an incredible aroma of freshly baked bread. It’s utterly irresistible. And it’s coming from The Bakery on Mason, a truly artisanal bakery that lovingly crafts all manner of breads, pastries, sandwiches and desserts.

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Proprietors Louise Orlando and Andrew Barbour have traveled a long road to create this unique and delicious experience here in our little waterfront town. When the couple moved here from San Francisco almost 20 years ago, they quickly fell in love with the lifestyle of Cape Charles, a then undiscovered gem on the Eastern Shore.

“We moved here to be closer to family,” says Louise and “we wanted our kids to know where their food came from,”. Their home on the Eastern Shore has allowed them to realize this and much more.

people who are coming into our shop. Everyone has a story,” says Louise. “Our first summer, we had a lot of customers coming in by boat. There was a French family that had sailed from Europe,” she says. “And the people who live here, they’re all so interesting and enjoyable. We love it.”

Their customers appreciate that they’re making everything fresh onsite. The bakery itself is designed so customers can see everything that goes into the bread-making process. Still, there are certain unseen touches of magic that make

Not long after settling in Cape Charles, Louise’s longing for the “good bread” they had enjoyed in San Francisco converged with her passion for baking, and soon, she was making and selling her own bread. Her home bread baking business sold (and sold out) at local farmers’ markets and restaurants all over the region. Louise and Andrew knew they were ready to expand. Now, they have grown into one of the most popular culinary destinations in town with a charming storefront at 236 Mason Avenue.

They make everything, start to finish, from scratch.

“All of our croissants, the pastry, the danish…we’re mixing and rolling out the dough,” says Louise.

“We’re doing everything ourselves, and I think our customers can tell.”

They have their tried-and-true favorites (Louise’s sourdough is, indeed, legendary), and they always offer a little something new and different, too.

Seeded whole grain bread, French baguettes, focaccia, cinnamon swirl loaves, scones, and muffins are just the beginning.

As their customers enjoy the ‘homegrown’ story behind Louise’s artisanal breads, so, too, she and Andrew love getting to know the people who frequent their bakery. “We have loved meeting the

their breads worth lining up around the block for—as folks often do. Louise’s sourdough breads, for example, are all made from an Eastern Shore starter of wild yeast that she has nurtured for more than a decade. It’s that special touch you can’t get anywhere except The Bakery on Mason.

Soundings If you’re headed to The Bakery on Mason, be prepared to be amazed at the variety. With so many incredible treats to choose from, it’s hard to settle on a favorite, especially for Louise. What is she loving right now? “I love the sourdough bread and the baguettes…the sourdough started everything,” she laughs. “For pastry, the cruffin is my favorite right now,” she adds.

What’s a cruffin? Well, besides divine, it’s the pastry dough they use for their croissants and pain au chocolat, shaped into a muffin tin and baked. “It bakes up tall,” says Louise. “…and I’ve been filling them with passion fruit or raspberry or lemon.”

“We’ve been playing around with different shortbread flavors, too: peanut butter chocolate striped shortbread, lemon, vanilla and coffee shortbreads,” she adds. When sweet isn’t your current mood, you’ll want to try one of the bakery’s savory sandwiches. “We make all our baguette sandwiches fresh from scratch when you order them. All meats are sliced in house and our tomatoes and basil are from our farm,” Louise It’s no wonder the bakery is teeming with patrons.

“Mornings, we usually have a line,” says Louise. A recent morning saw a steady stream of customers for two hours. Louise and Andrew appreciate their customers’ loyalty. “People are discovering that ‘we’re the real deal’ as one customer put it,” says Louise. “And I appreciate that. It makes me feel good that people enjoy what we do.”

Assisting Louise and Andrew during the busy Cape Charles summer is an energetic team of creative and capable high school and college students. It’s an incredible immersive learning opportunity for the students, and a much-needed help for the bustling bakery. Soon, their summer staff will return to school and the bakery will go back to their fall Saturday and Sunday hours.

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explains. “Andrew has come up with all the ingredients and flavors for the sandwiches.”

The ‘Cape Charles,’ sandwich, for example, is shaved Edward’s country ham on a crusty baguette, with parmesan and asiago cheese, arugula, and the bakery’s spicy house dressing. And, yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds.

You never know what you might find at The Bakery on Mason, and that’s part of the fun. “We’ve recently added Basque cheesecake. It’s a rich,

creamy, crustless cheesecake and it’s one of my favorite things,” smiles Louise. “We put it out and, immediately, it’s gone!”

And speaking of ‘gone,’ here’s a pro-tip: If you’re coming into town or have a special occasion, Louise recommends pre-ordering from their website to ensure they have what you want when you arrive. It’s all part of their passion for sharing great baking with everyone who visits them.

Bon Appetit!

Pre-order at www.bakeryonmason.com Click on ‘Shop.’

236 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310

Something for Everyone on Virginia’ s Cape

2 miles of private beach. 27 holes of golf.

And 1,720 acres to isolate in nature.

Perched along the sparkling Chesapeake Bay, Bay Creek is a prime place to experience a perspective-changing, waterfront vacation. At the southernmost tip of Virginia’s Cape, the waters around Bay Creek and Cape Charles are some of the most bountiful and scenic waterways on the East Coast. Fishing, kayaking, crabbing, boating or simply ‘floating along’ are part of daily life here. Add two glorious miles of private beaches along the Bay and you’ve

A Preserve Community

found absolute perfection. Whatever your passion, the waters of Bay Creek and the Eastern Shore invite you to embrace it.

Homesites from the $80s New Homes from the $400s

Visit BayCreekResort.com to inquire about our Vacation Packages Toll Free

844.620.2900

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Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or values, if any, of the property. This is not intended to be and does not constitute an offer in any state or jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices and square footages are provided for reference only but are subject to change and not guaranteed. Sales by Bay Creek Realty/Broker. ©2021 Bay Creek. All rights reserved.