ST. CROIX THIS WEEK 52 YEARS
DEC 2023
COCONUT FESTIVAL | LA VAUGHN BELL @ CMCA | LIMPRICHT PARK TREE LIGHTING LIGHTED BOAT PARADE | COQUITO FESTIVAL | CRUCIAN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL BEGINS
COVER ARTIST
JOYCE HICKOK
FIND IT Attractions Tours/Events Shopping Eat & Drink Local Art Watersports Beaches/Golf Getting Around Road Maps Staying Here Buying/Living Here Be Well Sky Watch
A m e r i c a n Ya c h t H a r b o r 6100 Red Hook Quarter #2 Suite C2-6 St Thomas, USVI 00802 340-775-0077
T H E O R I G I N A L S T. C R O I X H O O K | s o n y a l t d s t o r e . c o m 2 1 0 1 C o m p a n y S t . S T E 1 C h r i s t i a n s t e d , V I ( 3 4 0 ) 7 7 3 . 8 9 2 4 | ( 8 7 7 ) 7 6 6 . 9 2 8 4
N o w Av a i l a b l e a t
J E W E L R Y : S O N YA L T D P H O T O G R A P H Y: T. B A N K S
CONTENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 7 10 22 24 34 35 36 39 40 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 60 62 64
EVENTS CALENDAR ATTRACTIONS & TOURS SHOP DUTY FREE EASY SHOPPING GUIDE 36 EAT & DRINK EASY DINING GUIDE FARM STANDS 39 LOCAL ART OUR DANISH CONNECTION 41 WATERSPORTS BEACHES 47 GOLF & TENNIS HELPFUL INFO GOOD TO KNOW 59 EASY HOTEL GUIDE STAYING HERE GETTING AROUND 60 Rental Cars/Taxis/Ferry ROAD MAPS 62 BE WELL BUYING/LIVING HERE SKYWATCH
47
The Bricklayer.
Susan Wall
DECEMBER 23 / JANUARY 24
FEATURES DEC Cover Artist, Joyce Hickok & JAN Cover Artist, Josie Widjaja Kosloff A Bitter Sweet Story About a Danish Soldier Artist by Nina York Buck Island Charters with Teroro II and Dragonfly A Nod to The Building Trades & 20th Annual Dolphins Sea Swim RAISING OUR SPIRITS, Holiday Traditions, Old & New by Nina York Beeston Hill Health & Fitness, “Fitter Futures” for Seniors Armrey Industries, Inc. & The Power of Community
39
COVERS
Christiansted Wharf (detail). Henric Beenfeldt
ST. CROIX THIS WEEK MANAGING EDITOR MEDIA CONSULTANT Susan S. Wall 340-773-0715 / 340-277-9642 stcroixthisweek@gmail.com e-edition – stcroixthisweek.com
LATEST ISSUES
Metro Caribbean, LLC St. Croix This Week St. Thomas / St. John This Week St. Thomas In A Day PUBLISHER GRAPHIC DESIGNER DISTRIBUTOR
DECEMBER JOYCE HICKOK “Parade Maskuerader” Mixed Media
IN THE USA
Charlotte Atkins Chelsea Sunshine Debbie Bradley
2 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Dear Visitor, Welcome to St. Croix, a land of spectacular beauty, rich cultural diversity and intriguing history. The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with 84 square miles of rolling hillsides, pristine beaches and a tropical rainforest, St. Croix offers endless opportunities to pursue your heart’s desire and create a unique vacation experience. Adventurers and nature lovers can spend time hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, sailing or golfing at one of our championship golf courses. Scuba diving enthusiasts can experience five different dives in one day. For a more relaxed approach, swim in the crystalline waters of Buck Island, the only naturally occurring underwater National Monument in the U.S. History buffs can experience St. Croix’s vibrant history through its architecture, historic landmarks, food, music and traditions. Explore the Christiansted National Historic Site, Forts Christiansvaern and Frederik or tour the Botanical Garden of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. Early risers can catch a picturesque sunrise at Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States. Christiansted and Frederiksted, our main seaside towns, are a shopper’s nirvana with charming boutiques offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and apparel to colorful local art. Visitors enjoy a generous $1,600 duty-free shopping allowance. Our chic hotels, resorts and cozy bed-and-breakfast inns will pamper you with warm hospitality, while our world-class restaurants tempt your taste buds with local and international menus. St. Croix’s wide array of the entertainment choices, including fairs, festivals, live concerts and gaming venues ensure that the fun never ends. On behalf of the Department of Tourism, I hope you have an amazing vacation experience in St. Croix. Thank you for choosing the U.S. Virgin Islands.
JANUARY JOSIE WIDJAJA KOSLOFF “This Love is Simple” Watercolor ©2023. No part may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
Sincerely,
Joseph Boschulte Commissioner USVI Department of Tourism
VOTED BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY ON ST. CROIX
The Virgin Islands Of The United States OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GOVERNMENT HOUSE
1105 King Street Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820
2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2021 • 2022
Our Award-Winning REALTORS® are at your service!
Tel: (340) 773-1404 Fax: (340) 713-9806 Welcome to our beautiful Virgin Islands of the United States. Our islands are unique in what they each offer and our communities are filled with people who are proud of our storied history. While visiting, I encourage you to immerse yourself in our culture and to explore the unique offerings of all four Islands that make up our paradise. St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits to the south of our small island chain and is renowned for its pastoral landscapes, Danish architecture and historical landmarks. With its offshore wrecks and unbelievably beautiful underwater reefs, St. Croix is also a popular destination for diving enthusiasts. Be sure to visit the historic towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted and indulge in St. Croix’s renowned art and delicious culinary scenes. St. John is one of the smaller U.S. Virgin Islands and conservation center of the territory. It is best known for its pristine beaches and the attractions within the Virgin Islands National Park, which occupies more than half the island. The lands in the Virgin Islands National Park shelter migrant birds and the mangroves support corals and anemones. As with all the Virgin islands, you will find that St. John provides a rich mix of our culture and history. St. Thomas is our business and shopping center and the seat of government. Charlotte Amalie is the capital town of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean. St. Thomas is among the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for sailing and yachting enthusiasts. Water Island is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands and rests just off the coast of St. Thomas. It is mostly residential but offers fun attractions like Honeymoon Beach and quaint accommodations. The island can be reached by ferry from the Crown Bay Marina or by other vessels. As the Lieutenant Governor and Governor, both Treganza Roach and I wish you a warm, fun-filled stay and please accept our invitation to return often to our paradise. Albert Bryan, Jr. Governor
Ava Gail Bourdon Broker-Owner
CeCe Reyes
Kelly Pugh
Dianne CanegataO’Reilly
Sam and Mio Mootoo
Christopher Jones
Jason Walker
Jennell Bryan
Joe and Juliet San Martin
Yvonne Toussaint
Andre Toussaint
Timothy Patrick Providence
(340) 773.1048 info@remax-stcroix.com www.remax-stcroix.com
RE/MAX St. Croix
#5 Company Street, Christiansted, VI 00820 Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 3
Events Calendar DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024
DECEMBER 2023
Cruise Arrivals* Frederiksted Pier
ST. CROIX CRUCIAN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL “Diversity, Artistry & Culture Galore, Crucian Christmas Festival 2023-2024” Dec 15- Jan 6 See complete schedule online, www.visitusvi.com
Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility Virgin Islands Port Authority—
DECEMBER 2023 WED, DEC 6 WED, DEC 6 MON, DEC 11 WED, DEC 13
8AM-10PM 8AM-6PM 7AM-4PM 8AM-6PM
DEC 8. Limpricht Park Tree Lighting.
JANUARY 2024 WED, JAN 3 WED, JAN 10 THURS, JAN 11 SUN, JAN 21 WED, JAN 24 MON, JAN 29 WED, JAN 31
1 EVERY DAY, DAY OR NIGHT “Lights of Cultural Joy Tour” Thru Jan 6 Teddy’s Party & Rental, Orange Grove Cultural Window Reveal. 340-277-6704
VALIANT LADY VISION/ SEAS MARELLA DISCOVERY ADVENTURE/SEAS
8AM-10PM 8AM-6PM 1130AM-6PM 8AM-5PM 8AM-6PM 7AM-4PM 8AM-6PM
VALIANT LADY ADVENTURE/SEAS VISION/SEAS CARNIVAL SUNSHINE ADVENTURE/SEAS MARELLA DISCOVERY VISION/SEAS
*Cruise ship schedule was at press time. Check www.viport.com to confirm latest schedule. DECEMBER 15 is the deadline for event considerations for the FEB/MAR 2024 issue. Email event info, in the format you see here, to Dorothy Flash-Nelson at calendareventstx@gmail.com. NOTE: Event info was at press time and subject to change. Call or check facebook/websites prior to heading out.
ONGOING TUESDAY-SATURDAY, 11AM-6PM Jewelry Making Clinics, Workshops beadonawirestx.com, 340-718-2323 TUESDAYS, 6-8PM
Chalana Brown
THURSDAYS, 5:30-10PM Seafood Boil Night—BREW STX
NO PROBLEMO Live. 340-719-6339
340-690-9322. sionfarmdisillery.com
FRIDAYS, 9-10:30AM EveryBody Yoga with Deni @ CMCA everybodyyogadeni@gmail.com
FRIDAYS, 5-8PM Live Music & Crab Races w/Tito & Sue Leatherback Brewing, 340-772-2337
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, 5-8PM Live music at Sea Terrace Restaurant
Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas, 340-249-0700
SATURDAYS, 9-12:30PM Recycling CLEAR #1 Plastic & Aluminum Cans. The Market STX. 813-704-3335
THIRD SATURDAY, 10AM-NOON Orchids in the Courtyard
CMCA, 340-772-2622, cmcarts.com
TUESDAYS, 6-9PM
FIRST SATURDAYS, 11AM-4PM RePlasticReCycle @ Leatherback Brewing
Live Music w/ Jahnee Redlocks
Brew STX, 340-719-6339, brewstx.com
THIRD TUESDAYS, 6PM Book Club, Undercover Books
10% off current book, 340-719-1567
WEDNESDAYS, 10AM-12:30PM Friends in the Courtyard, CMCArts
Members Free or $10. 340-772-2622
WEDNESDAYS, 5-7PM Crab Races with Tito and Sue BREW STX, 340-719-6339.
WEDNESDAYS, 6PM Live Music at East End Bar, Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas, 340-249-0700
THURSDAYS, 10-11AM Garden Zen Yoga with Shera
Botanical Garden, $10. 340-692-2874 4 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
1
THURSDAYS, 6PM Karaoke—Sion Farm Distillery
Tuesday Trivia—Sion Farm Distillery Reserve teams, 340-690-9322
1- FRI 4-9PM, SAT & SUN, 11AM-6PM 3 7th Annual 3-Day Crucian Coconut Festival Estate Bethlehem Sugar Factory Site Fri, Art Exhibit, Sat/Sun, Main Festival, Sat, Music/Fashion Show, 7-10pm. St. Croix Farmers in Action. Tickets on Eventbrite.
www.replasticrecycle.com, 340-208-0952
SATURDAYS, 11:30AM Children’s Book Reading @ Undercover
Books & Gifts, Gallows Bay, 340-719-1567
FIRST SAURDAYS, 6:45PM Outside Movie Night – Family Friendly Leatherback Brewing, 340-772-2337
SUNDAYS, 10-3PM Live Brunch Music, Sea Terrace Restaurant
Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas, 340-249-0700.
SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER, 10AM-2PM Holiday Shopping Hours, Undercover Books & Gifts, 340-719-1567
FIRST SUNDAYS, 5:30PM Jazz Vespers—St. Croix Reformed Church
Inter-faith; live local jazz! stcroixreformed.org
FRIDAY, 5PM-8PM “Wine & Wishes” Joyia Inspirational Jewelry, Queen Cross Street New designs, raffle, delicious cookies! www.joyiajewelry.com/pages/wine-wishes 340-713-4369
2 SATURDAY, 11AM-2PM Christmas on Company Street Jump Up Deli & Dem ‘Tings St. Croix Animal Welfare Center with Santa PAWS for holiday photos of kids & pets. Annual holiday bake sale. 2 SATURDAY, 3:30PM Sip & Paint at Christa’s Art Gallery Company Street, Christiansted 340-713-9959 Text 340-513-8581 2 SATURDAY, 4-8PM “Being of Myth and Memory” Exhibit Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Multidisciplinary Artist, La Vaughn Belle expands on biomythography where myth & fiction frame past, present, & future selves. “For Those of Us Who Live At The Shoreline” collage series. Thru Jan 13. cmcarts.org 2
SATURDAY, 5:30-11PM “Crucian Christmas Past & Present” Gala St. George Village Botanical Garden Fabulous dinner, cocktails, silent auction, holiday entertainment. Artist Christmas Trees up for auction. Tickets, thegardenstcroix.org
1 SATURDAY, 6-9:30PM Dine For a Cause at Beeston Hill Beeston Hill Health & Wellness Enjoy an intimate 7-course tasting dinner by MICHELIN Star Chef Troy R. Corbitt, a fundraiser for Fitter Futures by Beeston Hill for just 12 people. Email info@fitrerfutures.org to reserve, donate, or for more info. 3 SUNDAY, 7AM REGISTER, 8AM START Junior Tri VI Splash ‘n Dash Bungalows on the Bay Resort Swim/run event open to athletes of all abilities, ages 5-15. Distances increase with each age group. VI Triathlon Federation, 340-513-2707 2 SATURDAY EVENING “Light the Torches…its Ah Crucian
Events Calendar SAVE THE DATE!
Holiday Jubilee” Lantern Parade Basin Tringle to Downtown Christiansted. Crucian Cultural Group, 340-643-9888 8 FRIDAY, EVENING “Ah Glo in Deh Park - Ah Glittering Jubilee of Trees for the World to See” Limpricht Park King Street, Christiansted 5th Annual Tree Lighting, Crucian Cultural Group, 340-643-9888 8 FRIDAY, 6-9PM Wine in the Warehouse Bohlke International Aviation A benefit for St. Croix Foundation. Tickets online. www.stxfoorandwine.com 9 SATURDAY MORNING Hike Sprat Hall to Mt. Victory/Oxford St. Croix Hiking Association Guide, McClean Augustus. Details on website 1 week prior. Stcroixhiking.org, 340-772-2073 9 SATURDAY, 3:30PM Sip & Paint at Christa’s Art Gallery Company Street, Christiansted 340-713-9959 Text 340-513-8581 9 SATURDAY, 5:30-9PM St. Croix Boat Parade Aboard Denis Sullivan Gallows Bay Dock Watch the parade & fireworks aboard this replica Great Lakes schooner. Food & drinks provided. World Ocean School fundraiser. $250 pp. Tickets online, worldoceanschool.org. 9 SATURDAY, 7PM 23rd Christmas Boat Parade & Fireworks Christiansted Waterfront Decorated boats parade the harbor. Music, food, Moko Jumbies. 340-690-7145 stcroixchristmasboatparade.com 9 SATURDAY, 9PM-2AM Boat Parade Party with DJ Cypha Shupe’s on the Boardwalk 340-773-3400, shupesontheboardwalk com 10 SUNDAY, ALL DAY & NIGHT THRU JAN 6 “Ah Crucian Vintage Christmas at Deh Ruins” Contentment Road & the Bypass intersection Crucian Cultural Group, 340-643-9888 10 SUNDAY, ALL DAY & NIGHT THRU JAN 6 “Ah Legendary Crucian Cultural Christmas” Downtown Cultural Window Reveal Purple Papaya, Strand Street, Christiansted Crucian Cultural Group, 340-643-0888 10 SUNDAY, 7AM Reindeer Run Half Marathon & 5K Cane Bay Beach Start & Finish Get your jingle on with a distance run on North Shore Road. 13.1-mile & 5K. Holiday treats for all runners. Call to register or volunteer, 340-513-2707. VI Trathlon Federation 10 SUNDAY, 11AM-5PM Christmas Spoken Here St. George Village Botanical Garden Crafts, music, and delicious Crucian food from Local vendors. www.thegardenstcroix.org
13 WEDNESDAY 10AM-12:30PM Jewelry Workshop w/ Diana Warren Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Learn to fashion stunning wire-wrapped rings with or without gemstones. Materials supplied.. $35 for members, $45 for non. 340-772-2622 13 WEDNESDAY, 4-7PM Gallows Bay Holiday Festival Undercover Books & Nearby Businesses Great shopping, local food, drinks, music, dancers, & Santa! 340-719-1567 13 WEDNESDAY, 7PM-9PM Astronomy by the Sea East End Marine Park, Great Pond Join us under the new moon for stargazing! Bring a blanket/wear long sleeves. Call or email to register. 340-718-3367, kelcie.troutman@dpnr.vi.gov 14 THURSDAY, 4-8PM OPENING “Masks, Costumes, & Music” Cane Roots Art Gallery, Company Street Featuring Joyce Hickok, Silvia Kahn and others. Thru Jan 12. 340-718-4929, www.canerootsartgallery.com 14 THURSDAY, 5-8PM “Art Thursday” – Art Walk Downtown Christiansted
Visit dozens of galleries, jewelry studios & shops open late. Artthursdaystcroix.com 14 THURSDAY, 6-9PM Dr. Simone L. Palmer Concert Series Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Guitarist Marsvyn David performs. 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org 15 FRIDAY, 9PM-2AM Live Music w/ DF A-Train Shupe’s on the Boardwalk 340-773-3400, shupesontheboardwalk.com 16 SATURDAY, 8AM-NOON Day of Giving Health & Wellness Beeston Hill Health & Wellness Free classes, massages, BMI assessments, spinal nerve scans. First 10 people to join pay NO INITIATION FEE! Accepting donations for My Brother’s Table, The Village & Susannah’s Place all December. 340-778-8888 16 SATURDAY, 10AM-4PM Christmas in the Courtyard Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Frederiksted, 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org 16 SATURDAY, 11AM Elizabeth Robb Studio Christmas Concert
DECEMBER 2023 through FEBRUARY 2024 Santa Claus Might Not Be Coming to Town and other Holiday Mischief
by Don Zolidis, Janea Dahl & Andy Pavey Performed by Students of CCTs
Calico Cat Company A Show by Kids and for Kids One Show Only: Dec. 10, 2023 at 4 PM
THE MEETING
A Play by Jeff Stetson
Directed by Lionel Downer
January 12-13-14, 2024 One Weekend Only
ANNUAL MUSICAL
February 9-10, 16-17-18, 23-24, 2024 Three Weekends • ONE Matinee
ALL DATES & SHOWS SUBJECT TO CHANGE Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM • Sunday Matinees 4 PM Box office & bar open 45 minutes before showtime # 18 Est. Orange Grove
Christiansted, St. Croix
Southwest of Golden Rock Shopping Center
For info & updates, go to www.cct.vi eileencct@gmail.com • 340-778-1983 December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 5
Events Calendar TAKE TIME FOR THESE!
13 SATURDAY, 3:30PM
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Frederiksted, 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org
Sip & Paint at Christa’s Art Gallery Company Street, Christiansted 340-713-9959. Test 340-513-8581
16 SATURDAY, NOON 14th Annual Coquito Festival La Reine Chicken Shack Taste dozens of varieties of the this holiday drink and bring home your favorite! Live music all day plus Santa. 340-778-5717
13 SATURDAY, 4PM-8PM
22 FRIDAY, 9PM-2AM Christmas Party with DJ Chizzle Shupe’s on the Boardwalk 340-773-3400, shupesontheboardwalk.com
14 SUNDAY, 6AM
24 SUNDAY, 4PM-6PM Christmas Eve Sail aboard Denis Sullivan Gallows Bay Dock Sail out of Christiansted Harbor on a Great Lakes Schooner replica. Join the crew set the sails or relax & enjoy the view. Cash bar opens 30 minutes after departure. $55 Adults, Seniors, $45. Book online, worldoceanschool.org 26 TUESDAY, EVENING Crucian Christmas Festival Village Carnival Pageantry Frederiksted, King Street Coney Island rides & Vendor Booths. Duchess, Prince, Princess, Junior Miss Pageants. 26 TUESDAY, 9PM-2AM Full Moon Party with DJ Karl Shupe’s on the Boardwalk 340-773-3400, shupesontheboardwalk.com 29 FRIDAY, 9PM-2AM Live Music with Les Problemos Shupe’s on the Boardwalk Join St. Croix’s No Problemo & Les Green from The Swayzees. 340-773-3400 31 SUNDAY 4PM-6PM New Year’s Eve Sail on Schooner Denis Sullivan, Gallows Bay Dock Two-hour sail out of Christiansted Harbor. Cash bar 30 minutes after departure. Adults, $55, Seniors, $45. Book online. worldoceanschool.org
“Being of Myth & Memory” Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts La Vaughn Belle Exhibit Closing Event 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org St. Croix Scenic 50 Ultra Run Cane Bay, Northshore Three-leg relay, each 9-12 miles stcroix50@yahoo.com, 571-330-7605
JAN 5 & 6. Crucian Christmas Festival Parades. Susan Wall Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Welcome in 2024 with CMCArts Artist-in-Residence. Free. All ages welcome. RSVP. Cmcarts.org/classes
1- MONDAY, 4-8PM OPENING
27 “Gods and Men” Exhibit Seven Flags Museum, Company Street Lucien Downes mixed-media exhibit. Enter a world of spiritual & worldly elements created with resin, acrylic, fibers, inks, & dyes. $7 Opening cover. Wine & Lite Fare. Thru Jan 27, Tues-Sat, 12-4pm. 404-437-4759
5 FRIDAY, TIME TBA
Crucian Christmas Festival Children’s Parade, King Street, Frederiksted Dancers, baton twirlers, marching bands, Prince & Princess royalty, steel pan, proud parents!
6 SATURDAY, 11-12-ISH
Crucian Christmas Festival Adult Parade King Street, Frederiksted Parade troupes, steel pan, masqueraders, moko jumbies, rhythm and royalty!
6 SATURDAY, TIME TBA
Annual Members BBQ/Parade Viewing Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts 340-772-2622 www.cmcarts.com
31 SUNDAY, 6PM-AFTER MIDNITE “Slow Down” Ridge2Reef Dinner/Concert Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Pianist Charu Suri & guitarist Jim Komo West. 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org
7 SUNDAY, 11AM START
31 SUNDAY, 9PM-2AM New Year’s Eve Party with DJ Pouria Shupe’s on the Boardwalk, 340-773-3400
9- TUESDAYS, 10AM-NOON
JANUARY 2024 1
MONDAY, 1PM-3PM & 4PM-6PM New Year’s Day Sails on Schooner Denis Sullivan, Gallows Bay Dock Two- hour sails out of Christiansted Harbor. Cash bar 30 minutes after departure. Book online, worldoceanschool.org
1 MONDAY, 2-3:30PM Community Dance with Michelle Gibson 6 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
20th Annual St. Croix Dolphins Sea Swim Frederiksted Pier to Rainbow Beach Info feature, see Pg 47.
30 Clay Play in the Morning Series Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts With potter pro, Sara Lee Hayes. Register online. cmcarts.org/classes
9- TUESDAYS, 6PM-8PM
30 Clay Play in the Evening Series With potter pro, Sara Lee Hayes. Register online. cmcarts.org/classes
11 THURSDAY, 7-10PM
Dr. Simone L. Palmer Concert Series Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Baz & Dem w/ Glen Alan performing. 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org
14, SUNDAY, TBA
21, Intermediate Stained Glass w/ Patti Tullis 28 Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts 6-week course. Register: cmcarts.org/classes
18 THURSDAY, 4-8PM OPENING
“Legacy” Tien Jameson Exhibit Cane Roots Art Gallery, Company Street Marcia Jameson’s daughter for those of you who remember. Thru Feb 15. 340-718-4929, canerootsartgallery.com
18 THURSDAY, 5-8PM
“Art Thursday” – Art Walk Downtown Christiansted Visit dozens of galleries, jewelry studios & shops open late. www.artthursdaystcroix.com
20 SATURDAY, 8AM-NOON
“New Year, New You” Free Health Day Beeston Hill Health & Wellness Free fitness classes, massages, BMI assessments, spinal nerve scans. First 20 people to join get ONE MONTH FREE! 340-778-8888x2
20 SATURDAY, 9AM-11AM
Seagrass Seine East End Marine Park, Great Pond Learn to seine, collect & identify small fishes & invertebrate. All ages/experience levels welcome! Call or email to register. 340-718-336 Kelcie.Troutman@dpnr.vi.gov
20 SATURDAY, 3-7PM OPENING
THE ART SHOW 2024 Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Annual Artists’ Guild of St. Croix exhibit. Music, cash bar, apps. Thru Feb 10. 340-643-6412. ArtistsGuildofstcroix.com
27 SATURDAY, 4-10PM
Sandals, Sunglasses, Sunset Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Popular DJs, food, drinks, fun. Support YAG Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. 340-772-2622, cmcarts.org
28 SUNDAY, 7AM START
West End Aquathon Rainbow Beach, Frederiksted A traditional sprint-distance aquathlon w/800meter swim & 5k run. Plus mini aquathlon. Registration 6:15am. VI Triathlon Federation, 340-513-2707.
Attractions & Tours SOAK UP SOME CULTURE!
ATTRACTIONS
apartment, courtyard gardens, second-story ballroom. King Street, Christiansted.
Arthur Abel Complex — 340-772-1000 A 1799 Danish school, now the Frederiksted Office of the Governor. Redesigned by architect William Taylor and dedicated to Arthur Abel, a St. Croix joiner and builder. Prince Street.
Lawaetz Family Museum — 340-473-1557 18th c. Danish homestead on National Historic Register. Managed by Ridge2Reef Farm. Wed & Sat, 11am-3pm. Mahogany Road, Frederiksted.
Caravelle Hotel Casino — 340-773-0687 Slot machines, video poker, spin wheel. In-town transportation. Queen Cross St, Christiansted. Sun-Thurs, 2pm-Midnight, Fri-Sat, 2pm-1am.
Lord God of Sabaoth Church — 340-773-1320 Sold to the Lutherans in 1831, originally a Dutch Reformed Church built in 1740s. King Street, Christiansted.
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts — 340-772-2622 18th Century Danish townhouse, Artist-in-Residence program. Gift Shop, Strand Street, Frederiksted. Tues-Sat, 9am-4 pm.
Pt. Udall Millennium Monument Easternmost point in the US. A giant sundial marks the azimuth of the first sunrise of 2000.
Divi Carina Bay Casino —340-773-7529 21+. Slots & table games, restaurant, bar. Divi Carina Bay Resort. Open 7 days, 11am – 1am. Ft. Frederik Museum —340-772-2021 1750s Historic Landmark . Permanent collections, exhibits. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. King St, Frederiksted. Government House – 340-773-1404 1848 Historic Landmark, Offices, Governor’s
Schooner Denis Sullivan – 340-626-7877 Set sail on a Great Lakes Tall Ship! Sunset Sails mid-Dec-Mar. www.worldoceanschool.org The Seven Flags Museum – 340-277-2870 Call to reserve private party functions. Whim Museum Research Library – 340-772-0598 Open Wed & Sat, 10am-3pm. Centerline Road, Frederiksted. Call for appointment.
St. Croix’s National Parks — 340-773-1460 1. Buck Island Reef National Monument Proclaimed a National Monument by President Kennedy in 1961. Spectacular beach, hiking/ snorkeling trails. 7 miles from Christiansted. Accessible by NPS Authorized Concessioners. www. nps.gov/buis 2. Christiansted National Historic Site Established in 1952, includes Ft. Christiansvaern, Old Customs House, Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse & Slave Market, and Old Scale House. Steeple Building is closed for renovations. Fort open 8:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri, closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day. See Officers’ Day Room, Arsenal, Dungeon, and Cannons. Site parking. www.nps.gov/chri 3. Salt River Historical Park & Ecological Preserve Founded in 1992 in cooperation with the VI Government, the Park documents the human & natural Caribbean world of early indigenous settlements here 4000 years ago through the 1500s. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1493. Nature preserve. New Visitor’s Center opening soon. Northshore Road. www.nps. gov/sari
An Unforgettable Family Adventure
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 7
Attractions & Tours
DISCOVER LOCAL LIFE ON ONE OF OUR TOURS! TOURS
St. George Village Botanical Garden – 340-692-2874 16 acres, 1500 native/exotic species. Restored buildings/ruins of 19th century Danish sugar cane plantation. Site & Gift Shop open daily, 9am-3pm, Nursery, 1st Sat, 9am-Noon. Selfguided tours Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm; w/Dir. of Horticulture, Isador Ruderfer, last Thurs of month, 10am. Free for members, fee for others. thegardenstcroix.org
Alexander Hamilton Walking Tours – 340-277-4834. Downtown Christiansted. Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30am. www.chantvi.org Carambola Zip Line—340-244-1464 Zip thru the rain-forest & across the Carambola Valley! 2 tours a day; call or book online. www.carambolazipline.com Cruzan Cowgirls - 340-690-RIDE Ride with us thru the Rain Forest, down the beach, and into the sea! Non-profit rescues horses, gives them 2nd chance, educates on their care. www.cruzancowgirls.com East End Marine Park, 340-718-3367 Wraps 17 miles around the East End. Protects 60 acres of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, beaches, shorelines, salt ponds, mangroves. Tours, events, Visitors Center, 9:30am-4pm, Thurs, Fri, & first Sat. www.friendsstxeemp.org Frederiksted Walking Tours – 340-277-4834 Discover town history! Wednesdays, 9-11am. www.chantvi.org
Schooner Denis Sullivan. Set sail on a sunset tour! World Ocean School
Sweeny’s St. Croix Safari Tours – 340-773-6700, Evenings, 340-773-9561 Open-air Safari bus to major attractions. Narrated. Mon–Fri, 10am-3:45pm, departs Christiansted Taxi Stand, King Street, opposite Gov’t House.
Lush Picnics, LLC – 787-455-5868 Call to book one of our unique staged settings for a 2-hr celebration! Your food or ours & take away. Think birthdays, milestones, sunsets! Facebook
The Nature Conservancy – 340-718-5575 Tour the Coral Innovation Hub, one of 3 in the Caribbean, Tues, 2pm. Estate Little Princess.
Ridge to Reef Farm – 340-473-1557 Grab a map for a Selfie Tour of this Certified Organic farm, Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat, 10am-4pm. Group & students rates. Volunteer programs, farm stays, Bush Skills. www.ridge2reef.org
Artisan Craft Distillery – 340-725-6701 Corn whiskey fermented, distilled, & bottled on St. Croix. Free tours & tastings. Mon-Fri, 3-6pm, Sat-Sun, 10am-5pm. Hospital Street, just East of Christiansted.
DISTILLERIES
Mon-Fri, 10am – 3:45pm • Departs Christiansted Taxi Stand, King Street, opposite Gov’t House
Full Restaurant + Bar Air Conditioning Distillery View Free Tours Monday-Friday 11:30am-7:30pm Saturday Brunch 10am-2pm
NARRATED TOUR Botanical Gardens Lunch in Frederiksted Beer-Drinking Pigs North Shore Scenic Drive Columbus Landing
GARDEN AND GIFT SHOP OPEN DAILY! 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. PHOTO: SUSAN WALL
340-773-6700, Evenings, Evenings, 340-773-9561 CallCall 340-773-6700, 340-773-9561 sjtouss@gmail.com • Ask •about Custom Tours sweenyjtoussaintjr@gmail.com Ask about Custom Tours
Relax & celebrate with a luxury picnic!
Tuesday Trivia Night 6pm Free Tours Every hour on the half hour 340.690.9322 4000 Sion Farm
Our unique setting | Your creative food & drinks Two-hour set-up / take away | Optional lite fare add-ons
Call to Book! 787-455-5868
8 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
127 Estate St George, Frederiksted (340) 692-2874 www.thegardenstcroix.org
TRY LOCAL BREWS! Captain Morgan Distillery & Experience Center – 340-713-5654 Call for a Rum Tour & Tasting! Gift Shop open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. www.captainmorganvisitorcenter.com Cruzan Rum Distillery – 340-692-2280 Tour our historic distillery & experience Cruzan quality in every sip! Visit cruzanrum.com to reserve a tour. Leatherback Brewing Company VI — 340-772-BEER Craft Beer Brewery &Tasting Room. Limited Releases 4 times a year. Casual food, Island Life store, self-tours, indoor/outdoor bar. Roebuck Industrial Park, just West of the airport. Open 7 days, 11:30am- 8pm. leatherbackbrewingcom Sion Farm Distillery & Restaurant, MUTINY Island Vodka - 340-690-9322 Caribbean’s first Island Vodka hand-crafted from breadfruit, distilled & bottled on St. Croix. Craft cocktails, flights, micro-batch releases, free tours. Open 11:30am-7:30pm, Happy Hour 4-5:55pm, Mon-Fri. Saturday Brunch, 10am-2pm. Island Dairies building, Sion Farm. www.sionfarmdistillery.com,
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 9
Shop Duty-Free! LOCAL MARKETPLACE!
$1600.00
DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE! For US citizens, this is
DOUBLE the $800.00 limit from other islands! Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will allow visitors to the USVI to enter the US with up to $1600.00 per person of duty-free purchases. ib designs. Be inspired.
Nicole Canegata
JOINT DECLARATION
This is a Customs Declaration that can be made by family members who live in the same household and return to the United States together. These travelers can combine their purchases to take advantage of a combined flat duty rate, no matter which family member owns a given item. The combined value of merchandise subject to a Flat Duty Rate for a family of four traveling together would be $4,000. Purchase totals must be rounded to the nearest dollar amount.
ALCOHOL
If you are at least 21 years old, you may also take up to five liters of alcohol duty-free as part of your $1,600 exemption, as long as at least four liters were purchased in the USVI, and at least one of them is a product of the USVI, like Cruzan Rum. Liquor boxes are free to check aboard your return flight.
TOBACCO
Returning resident travelers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveler qualifies. See below for up-to-date specifics on Customs Duty information concerning Rates, Duty-Free Shop articles, and Mailing and Shipping Goods.
LEARN MORE
US Customs & Border Protection www.cbp.gov • (877) 287-8667 10 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Shop Duty-Free! TRY IT, LOVE IT, BUY IT! CHRISTIANSTED BOARDWALK SUBLIME STX Sun-Protective Clothing Text 941-527-2249
Made on St. Croix, our clothing images of animals, fish, coral, birds, turtles, waves, and more are digitized from licensed original paintings! Lightweight and perfect for swimming, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, diving in UPF50+ moisture-wicking fabric Love your skin! Everything is Sublimation Dyed, so images never fade or wear off. We have a great selection of long and short sleeve shirts in men, women, youth and toddler styles plus dresses, sarongs, and buffs. Also come for Pura Veda reef-friendly organic sun block and after sun products, sunglasses. Locally-crafted jewelry, and sandals. Located in the Boardwalk Market next to The Mill, we’re open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm and Sun, 11am-5pm. Come on by! Sublimestx.com, facebook. Asha World Designs. Indian spinning rings.
Subline STX. Artful sun protection x 2.
UPF 50 + protective clothing blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays. Licensed original artwork, made on St. Croix! Protect your skin & look good doing it!
10% OFF Mention this Ad
All sizes for Men, Women & Kids Located at the “Boardwalk Market” next to The Mill www.sublimeSTX.com text 941.527.2249 Photo: Susan Wall
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 11
Shop Duty-Free!
LOCAL, HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY A MUST! COMPANY STREET
Asha World Designs – 340-690-6512
Climb the steps by Common Cents Pub and you will find The Asha Shop. British owner Sarajane sells Eclectic World Adornments and Attire gleaned from her extensive travels. Her signature clothing line is designed locally and hand made with pride in India, Thailand and Bali using hand-printed, natural fabrics with globally sourced fabulous prints. Complimenting the ASHA collection you’ll discover a treasure trove of unique jewelry designs, accessories and capsule clothing lines from international independent designers. Across the street, under the pink and gold sign, you’ll come upon Asha Bazaar, A House of Global Finds. Our newest shop carries a selection of exquisite jewelry, bags, objects, candles, gifts, art, robes and home goods. We’ll look forward to welcoming you through our doors! www.ashaworlddesigns.com
Cultured Naturals Body Care & Home Scents – 340-626-8232 Sonya’s Fine Island Jewelry. Sparkle this holiday season with The Original Crucian hook. Add diamonds to our pieces by emailing sonyaltd@gmail.com | Follow us @sonya.ltd and visit us on Company Street.
EBBE’S STORE EBBE’S STORE ~Est. 1969~ ~Est. 1969~
~Est. 1969~
“A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That” Diego Conde
4 King Cross Street Christiansted - 340-773-3020 EbbesStoreInfo@gmail.com
On the Corner Where King Cross Meets Company
#55 COMPANY STREET CHRISTIANSTED (UPSTAIRS)
FANTASEAJEWELRY.COM 12 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
EBBE’S STORE – 340-773-3020
Approaching their 53rd Anniversary, opened by her parents in 1969, Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd swings open the shutters of EBBE’S STORE five days a week to welcome you in. The early-style, open-air storefront still remains today and inside you will find “a little bit of this, a little bit of that, a little bit of this and that.” Madras fabric in dozens of patterns, school plaids and solids, clear and printed plastictable coverings, craft and notion supplies, infant and children’s clothing, men’s and women’s accessories, local books, towels, fans, beautiful ribbon and lace, and gifts, just to name a few! Located on the corner of King Cross and Company Street, open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat, 11:30am – 5:30pm. Closed Wed and Sun. Facebook.
FantaSea Jewelry Studio & Gallery 340-244-3110
Studio & Gallery ( 3 4 0 ) 2 4 4 - 3 1 1 0 Handmade Gemstone & Island-Inspired Jewelry | Caribbean Larimar | Local Fine Art
We’re a Green Beauty & Wellness Company based in Christiansted, St. Croix. Marrying Nature with Science, owner and nurse Ramone Reid creates clean, care products for Face, Body, Hair, & Home all boasting tropical and aromatherapeutic benefits. All their raw ingredients are sourced from small farmers or by wild-harvesting amazing ingredients such as Ylang Ylang, Lemongrass, Soursop, and Noni. At our Company Street store, we offer Candle Making classes for groups, couples, or special occasions. Open Mon – Fri, 10am – 4 pm . Selection of our products can be found at Jackies Beauty Supply, Sunny Isle Shopping Center. www.culturednaturalsbodycare.com
Cultured_Naturals_BC Cultured Naturals Body Care
www.culturednaturalsbodycare.com 55 Company Street, C’std • 340-626-8232
Locally made gemstone and island inspired jewelry, created on site by designer, Nicole Gariepy. Nicole has been making jewelry on St. Croix for over 20 years. Specializing in unique gemstones, Caribbean larimar, and precious metals, FantaSea designs reflect the movement of the ocean and energy of island life. The FantaSea Jewelry Studio has a new home on Company
Shop Duty-Free! ALL IN A DAY’S FUN!
rings, earrings, and pendants. Our loyal customers continue to vote our jewelry #1 in the Virgin Islands. Visit us at www.sonyaltd.com. Toll-free: 877-766-9284.
UNIQUE by Maria Banwaree – 340-473-1104
This a boutique that offers fashion and beauty products, like women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and perfume, with particular quality characteristics, from name brands, local designers and artists, and our own creations. In the Art Studio, we bring that sense of authenticity to each piece we make, and to each child we teach, because we believe that everyone is unique on their own and that we can all create something amazing out of anything. As part of our after-school program, we offer Art & Craft classes and homework space and help. For adults, there’s Sip and Paint classes. Private Parties are available for adults and kids as well as Spanish classes! We invite you to visit us and join a class. Open Mon-Fri, 10-6, Sat, 10-7. Company Street. IG, Facebook Unique by Maria Banwaree. Top-of-the line art & gift ideas. Susan Wall
Fanta Sea Jewelry. Natural Gemstone Stack Rings in Mixed Metals.
Street! Now located upstairs, next to Cultured Naturals and From the Gecko boutique. Our art gallery space showcases local art, featuring the paintings and prints of Maria Henle, the photographs of St. Croix’s premier photographer Fritz Henle, and the photography of Tina Henle. Visit fantaseajewelry.com for more and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
ib designs – 773-4322 (say “eye-bee”)
An island favorite in historic Christiansted, this gallery is home to the distinctive designs of local artist/metalsmith, Whealan Massicott. Whealan has been crafting for over 25 years and is fortunate to have a fabulous team of artisans join him in creating magical jewelry. Being a musician at heart allows life’s movements, patterns, and rhythms to play out in his raw, organic designs. Ib designs Feel Good Jewelry is a salute to the simplicity of life and to the inspiration of creativity. Truly artful, truly unique, truly Caribbean! Feel Good Jewelry for Feel Good People. Stop in to say hi to Whealan, Kris, and the rest of the ib family. Find us on Facebook. www.islandboydesigns.com.
SONYA’S Fine Island Jewelry – 340-778-8605
Hook up with the Original—Sonya’s St. Croix Hook. Located at #1 Company Street since 1964, an introduction to the hand-wrought jewelry at Sonya’s begins with the pleasantly inexpensive hook bracelet which is often imitated, never duplicated. Our designs include: hurricanes, hearts, flowers, sea life, breast cancer awareness, and so much more. All creations are crafted in sterling silver, 14 & 18 karat gold—bracelets,
by Maria Banwaree ART STUDIO & BOUTIQUE Mon - Fri 10-6 • Sat 10 -7 6 Company Street | 340-473-1104
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 13
Shop Duty-Free! BUY LOCAL!
KINGS ALLEY
Chaney Chicks & Island Gifts – 423-943-5430
We’re he friendliest gift shop on the island with the life-size Mocko Jumbie out front! We specialize in gifts from the US Virgin Islands, primarily hand-made on St Croix like Pirate Mike’s Local Hot Sauce, jams, soaps, local books, Waldemar Broadhurst Wire Art and more! We wire wrap found sea glass and Chaney into beautiful jewelry. Found your own while on island? Bring in your sea glass and Chaney treasures to have custom pendants made for $20. We offer one-of-a-kind locally made pendants, earrings, and bracelets of sea glass and Chaney. Established in 2015 and featured on HGTV. Kings Alley, off the Christiansted Boardwalk. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm.
Oceanique Creations – 321-438-3012
Oceanique Creations. Perfectly tumbled square sea glass pendant.
Wear the ocean! Oceanique Creations specializes in local hand-made gifts and island jewelry featuring sea glass and Chaney. Check out Oceanique Creations for that perfect keepsake and take home a part of St. Croix. If you find your own sea glass
MON - SAT, 10AM - 6PM QUEEN CROSS & STRAND ST, CHRISTIANSTED 340-773-5040 - 340-332-4449 bacidutyfree.com
KNG Men’s Clothing & Accessories. Good looks, great accessories, fine colognes.
or Chaney treasure, we can also design a special piece just for you! We also carry locally-made jewelry, hot sauce, art, soaps, candles, glassware and so much more—perfect options at an affordable price! Come in as guests and leave as friends! Located in King’s Alley just off Strand Street in Christiansted. Open Monday - Saturday 10 5pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
KING STREET
Belle Sorelle Beauty Bar – 340-713-4455
Shop imported designer fragrances and cosmetics from Bvlgari, Guerlain, Boucheron, Dolce & Gabanna, Caroline Herrera, Paco Rabanne, Jean Paul Gautier, Issey Miyake, Narciso Rodriguez, Nina Ricci, Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Taylor, Juicy Couture, Azzaro, Mugler, Mont Blanc, Jimmy Choo, Coach and Versace. Also look for designer handbags, totes, jewelry and accessories. Located at the entrance to Kings Alley on King Street, across from Government House. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm. Facebook.
KNG Men’s Clothing and Accessories largest selection of cigars in the vI! STATE-OF-THE-ART WALK-IN CEDAR HUMIDOR.
14 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Downtown Christiansted now has it’s only highend Men’s clothing boutique. KNG offers a “wow” factor when you enter the store, clean, cool, modern with contemporary clothing, accessories, and urban attire—the array you need to meet your fashion needs. Our motto is to make every man that walks through our door look and feel like a “KING.” We can special order items to fit your style and provide tailoring services for the best fit.
Shop Duty-Free! WHAT’S IN STORES!
Our store also sells watches, cigars, colognes, and men accessories. Stop by the store on King Street and visit us on Facebook and Instagram. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 am-5:00pm.
QUEEN CROSS STREET Baci Duty Free – 340-773-5040
Chaney Chicks & Island Gifts. Find your piece of Chaney for something personal!
On the corner of Queen Cross and Strand Street, Baci has been here to serve you for the past 26 years! See our large assortment of local hand-made island hook bracelets in silver, gold and black/gold/ silver Titanium. Try on St. Croix’s most-wanted designer USA hand-made stacking bracelet by Vahan in silver and gold with diamonds and other gem stones. Chaney, Larimar, Lafonn, St. Croix beads for Pandora, Atocha ship wreck and Greek, Roman coin jewelry. South Sea Pearl necklaces. Designer sunglasses from Gucci, Kate Spade, and many more. Polarized sport sunglasses from Costa, Oakley, Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, and Salt Life. Swiss watches from Alpina, Frederick Constant, Luminox, Mido, Swiss Army, and Tissot. Japanese-made from Bering, Casio, Citizen, Guess, Invicta, and Seiko. The largest walk-in cigar humidor in the VI with top-selling brands from Arturo Fuente,
Belle Sorelle Beauty Bar. The Ritual of Advent 3D 24 Magical Moments.
One-of-a Kind & Locally-Made Sea Glass & Chaney Jewelry Friendliest gift shop on St. Croix
Featured on
!
Pendants • Earrings Bracelets Pirate Mike’s Local Hot Sauce Jams • Soaps Local Books Waldemar Brodhurst Wire Art Bring in your found Sea Glass & Chaney treasures to have your pendants made for $20.
Kings Alley, off the Christiansted Boardwalk Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm • (423) 943-5430
Men’s & Women’s Designer FRAGRANCES COSMETICS SKINCARE HANDBAGS TOTES JEWELRY ACCESSORIES
Azzaro - Bvlgari - Boucheron Caroline Herrera - Coach Dolce & Gabana Elizabeth Arden - Guerlain Jean Paul Gautier Jimmy Choo - Juicy Couture Miyake - Mont Blanc Mugler - Narciso Rodriguez Nina Ricci Paco Rabanne - Versace
“Be impossible to forget. ” King’s Alley Entrance, King Street | 340-713-4455 | Tues-Sat 10am-6pm Mailing List In-Store Signup December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 15
Shop Duty-Free! FOUND ON ST. CROIX!
QUEEN CROSS STREET cont... Padron, My Father, Monte Cristo, Macanudo and Cohiba. Largest selection of rums from around the world like Ron Zacapa. www.bacidutyfree.com
Caledonia Wellness, LLC – 340-332-1900
Joyia Inspirational Jewelry. Happy holidays from our family to yours!
We strive to care for the whole person. We are a boutique wellness retail store with CBD and D9 including gummies, smokables and edibles, homeopathy, tinctures, Rescue Remedy, handmade semi-precious stone jewelry, aromatherapy, essential oils, herbal and caffeinated teas, healthy drinks, art, bath and body, and gifts including leather journals, stickers, candles, and crystal trees! We have products for pain, stress relief, intimacy, sleep assistance, pet anxiety and pain, and menopause. Located in the beautiful Apothecary Courtyard at Queen and Queen Cross Streets, one block east of the Christiansted Post Office. Hours: Monday-Wednesday via phone call, ThursdayFriday 11a-6p, Saturday 11a-4p. Just call if a note is on the door! Someone will be there quickly. Instagram: @caledoniawellness | Facebook: Caledonia Wellness LLC
CONTEMPORARY MEN’S CLOTHING SPECIAL ORDERS TAILORING SERVICES WATCHES - CIGARS COLOGNES MEN’S ACCESSORIES
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm King Street, Christiansted
16 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
and craft center
One of the largest manufacturers of fine jewelry in the USVI
340.719.0672
www.islandbracelets.com
On the corner of Queen Cross and Strand Streets, Christiansted. December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 17
Shop Duty-Free! SHOP TIME, TAKE TIME!
QUEEN CROSS STREET cont... Hotheads – 340-773-7888
This trendy shop has swimwear for all shapes and sizes including hard-to-find separates, cup sizes, long torso, and attractive styles for full-figured women. We also carry colorful sarongs, cover-ups, bags, great accessories, casual and dressy clothing, and sandals. And…the reason for the name – hats, hats, and more hats! Visit our store on Queen Cross Street near Strand. Open Monday – Saturday, 10am-6pm. Check new arrivals on Facebook.
JOYIA-Inspirational Jewelry – 340-713-4JOY (4569)
Tropical Bracelet Factory. Larimar—an ocean- blue gemstone in a Sterling wrap-around.
Susan Wall
Tropical Bracelet Factory Outlet – 340-719-0672
Finest Gift Shop in the Virgin Islands
CALEDONIA WELLNESS, LLC Whole-Person Wellness 340-332-1900 Queen Cross St, Christiansted
For all your vacation needs! Men • Women • Children T-shirts • Hawaiian shirts Sun dresses • Swim suits Embroidered clothing Sandals • Sun Lotion Towels • Souvenirs Sweatshirts
Artist and jeweler, Joyia Jones, invites you to visit her familyoperated studio where we create handcrafted jewelry using silver, gold, and precious stones. Set your intention with our free engraving that allows you to customize your Joyia jewelry with an inspirational word, name or date. Check out our collection of one-of-a-kind antique spoon pendants, cuffs, and rings. Jump on the trend of mixing metals with our stackable rings and bangles and don’t forget to take a look at our unique square jewelry – we have square rings, bangles, and necklaces! Be inspired. Be creative. Be intentional. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram! Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Queen Cross Street www.joyiajewelry.com
We are not only a store but an attraction not to be missed specializing in magnificent jewelry made on the premises. See how your special piece is designed, created, and finished through our studio’s glass windows. View our extensive collection of stainless steel, copper, platinum, gold, and silver earrings, pendants, and rings. We have the largest selection of island bracelets, chaney, Larimar, conch, diamonds of all colors and sizes, certified ancient coins, natural pearls including the most unique of them all— “The Queen Conch Pearl.” Free rum samples from our extensive liquor collection available daily. Stop in for a rare cigar to commemorate your vacation. Known for our locally made crafts and collectables, take home a real souvenir made right here on St. Croix. Open Monday – Saturday, 10-6pm.
STRAND STREET
Crucian Gold- 340-244-2996 FEEL THE LOVE and discover how Crucian Gold’s original designs are inspired by St. Croix’s natural beauty and culture. Visit our Christiansted store where Nathan Bishop and our family of jewelers create the Island Bracelets, Chaney Collection, and a wide array of stunning original silver and gold artisan jewelry and gifts. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, FB & IG, www.cruciangold.com
Purple Papaya – 340-713-9412 Pan Am Pavilion, Strand Street Christiansted • (340) 713-9412 18 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Nested in St. Croix’s historic Christiansted, and embedded in the hearts and minds of everyone who has entered through its doors, is the Purple Papaya
Shop Duty-Free! FRESH TAKES!
sets by Plan & Brio. Special items include sterling silver feeding spoons, ceramic piggy banks, adorable stuffed animals, dolls & doll furniture, children’s tables & chairs, baby & children’s accessories, plus year-round holiday & event costumes. Layaway & Baby Shower Registry available. Located just steps from the Government Parking lot at 1110 Strand Street.
Trends! - 340-719-5633
This boutique has had three transformations—first Fashion Cove in 1983, then Avant Garde, and now Trends! owned by Lisa Bhola. Here you’ll find everything a woman could want, head to toe, for any occasion. Peruse through brands like Tribal Sportswear, Charlie B from Canada, Habitat Zen Knits, Bali Batik and Pineapple, and John Michael Richardson handmade jewelry. Great linen selection! If you’re looking for that special accessory, they’ve got the sandals, leather and vegan bags, hats, and sarongs to fit the bill. Strand Street near King Cross, open Mon – Thurs, 10am – 5pm, Sat, 10am – 5:30. FB, trendsboutiquevi, IG, trends.boutique_stx
FREDERIKSTED
CMCA Gift Shop – 340-772-2622 RJS Handmade Designs. Lovely on you or popped into a stocking!
Local Art & Crafts at your fingertips—Annual “Island
Document1
RJS Handmade Designs – 340-642-3291
1104 Strand St. Christiansted
(340) 642-3291
www.rjshandmadedesigns.com
Just Steps from the Gov’t Parking Lot!
Tropical print Sundresses & Shirts Swimsuits and Sunglasses Sunhats St. Croix Tee Shirts Sun Hats, Swimsuits & Dresses Wooden Toys 4 Company St., Christiansted 1110 Strand Street, Christiansted
340-773-5551
Women’s Work, Play, Dinner to Wedding Fashions! Lots of Linen! Jewelry ~ Sandals Bags ~Totes Hats ~ Sarongs M-TH 10am-5pm F-SAT 10am-5:30pm Strand Street, Christiansted 340 719-5633
Small Wonder – 340-773-5551
A delightful children’s store filled with a large selection of swimsuits, sunhats, sunglasses, St. Croix tee shirts, sundresses & shirts in tropical prints—cool, 100% cotton & linen clothing for boys & girls in sizes from Newborn to Pre-teen. Also find sturdy wooden educational toys, doll houses, rocking horses & train
10:18 AM
Hotheads. Crisp, cool, comfortable styles.
Souvenir and Gift Shop. The store is loaded with a full line of souvenirs, cold drinks and snacks, the largest selection of embroidered tee shirts and sweatshirts, Hawaiian shirts and dresses, sun tan lotions, sunglasses, towels, hats & caps, batteries, and quality beach/swimwear for the entire family. So, if you are looking for excellent customer service, and quality merchandise, come on in. It’s the island’s number one spot for all your Duty Free shopping, and vacation needs. It’s where you always get more for Le$$!
Expect the best from Jeweler, Rosa Asencio! For over 18 years, her unique, handmade gold and silver jewelry has received the highest level of customer satisfaction. In addition to forging, hammering, texturizing and soldering, Rosa uses the solids, clear and printed plastic table coverings, craft and notion supplies, infant and children’s Lost Wax Casting Method – an ancient process dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Although demanding, it rewards the artisan with an object of great individuality. Visit the store to see the complete collections, inspired by the islands beauty and culture. “something is bound to catch your eye!” Strand Street in Christiansted. www.rjshandmadedesigns.com; FB, IG
1/26/07
Small Wonder. Clothes and toys for boys and girls from around the world. December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 19
Page
Shop Duty-Free! BUY LOCAL!
FREDERIKSTED cont...
Art & Soul” Calendars (buy online), Books, Cloth and Carved Bowls, Greeting Cards, Home Accessories, Jewelry, Dolls, Glass, Beaded, and Shell Ornaments, Paintings, Pottery, Prints, Tee Shirts, Tiles, Wall Hangings, and Wire Sculptures. Inventory changes regularly so check us out often! Visit the new Gift Shop at Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, housed in an 18th-century Danish townhouse on the Waterfront, Strand Street, Frederiksted. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm and “Cruise Ship Days.” www.cmcarts.org. Like us on Facebook!
GALLOWS BAY
Enso Indigo Home – 340-513-3195
Trends! Ideas for a colorful holiday!
Back in the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s, islanders and visitors devoured Java Wraps sarongs, clothes, and take-out decor. Even if this is not a fond memory for you, you’re in for a treat as Twila Wilson and Kobie Nichols reincarnate this popular vibe into an all-encompassing home store. They’ve found a way to bring back those incredible textiles, create new designs, and mix it all with new-found objects. The name Enso says it all for them as a sacred Zen Buddha symbol representing strength and elegance
Undercover Books & Gifts. Books and gifts for all ages.
and the manifestation of the artist at the moment of creation. This store will, no doubt, evolve into something very special for St. Croix. Located in Gallows Bay, in the orange Arawak building, with front and back entrances. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, 10am-4:30pm.
Undercover Books – 340-719-1567
Fresh Produce. Bakery. Gourmet Cheeses. Full Service Butcher. Deli. Salad & Soup Bar. Hot Prepared Foods. Extensive Selection of Wine, Beer & Liquor
20 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
If you are looking for an independent bookstore in St. Croix, Undercover Books & Gifts in Gallows Bay is it. The Bistro is located right next door, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee after browsing the shelves. Undercover has everything you need in a bookstore. You will find the latest in fiction, and non-fiction as well as a fantastic children’s section. Don’t be surprised if you run into one or two local writers while you’re there; they have a great local interest selection and provide a comprehensive representation of the local talent. Open Mon – Fri, 9 am – 5 pm, Sat, 10 am – 4:30 pm. www.undercoverbooksstcroix.com
AROUND THE ISLAND The Hunt – 340-277-1846
This consignment store on St. Croix overflowing with a refreshing and always-changing mix of all styles of furniture, lamps, wall art, and decorative pieces. Come on out, search the floor, shelves, baskets, and crates — you may discover a unique rarity or something you weren’t even looking for! You can’t resist this stuff, it’s all fascinating collectibles that you never knew you wanted! At the corner of Northshore and Midland Roads, pull into the parking lot at the orange buildings, two of them, chock full for you. Text Pamela for more info.
Shop Duty-Free! TIMELESS HANDCRAFTED DESIGNS!
Plaza Extra East – 340-778-6240
Great Price. Right Value. With great low prices, Plaza Extra East features thousands of your favorite grocery store brands as well as foreign specialty foods, bulk packaged items, a full service bakery, deli, and prime meat counter. Plaza offers a large produce section featuring fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, including locally grown items. In addition to a wide selection of wine and spirits, Plaza Extra East is also home to Doctors Choice Pharmacy. Conveniently located in Peter’s Rest, Plaza Extra East is your one stop, shopping destination for all your grocery, home, and personal care needs. www.plazaextraeast. com
The St. George Village Botanical Garden Museum Store – 340-692-2874
Remember your trip to the St. George Village Botanical Garden and St. Croix with a Caribbean-themed gift from the Garden’s Museum Store! We carry a unique collection of handmade and locally-sourced items, carefully curated by Store Manager, Nicole Chin, and her talented staff. The Shop features books by local authors, salves and botanicals made with island-grown ingredients, and botanically-themed jewelry. Sample a taste of the island with Peachey’s delicious pastries and rum cake, and locally-brewed and bottled Bush Tea. Or, just drop by and enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee and a pastry in our NEW Picnic Pavilion! The Garden and Museum Store are open EVERY DAY, 9 am to 3 pm. www.thegardenstcroix.org
Crucian Gold. Handcrafted artisan bracelets.
Sweet Lime Furnishings – 340-719-6360
Want that WOW factor in your home or condo? Sweet Lime Furnishings, on Constitution Hill, can help you get it, with indoor furniture made from teak, mahogany and other durable hardwoods; outdoor furniture in elegant unfinished teak, manmade wicker over aluminum frames or durable plastic lumber with a 20-year warranty; comfy sofas and chairs in washable or Sunbrella fabrics; exotic, one-of-a-kind pieces and the work of some of St. Croix’s best-known artists. Our inventory is huge, and we’re adding to it all the time! We’re also happy to special order. Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. www.sweetlimefurnishings.com, Facebook
GALLOWS BAY 340 513-3195
Undercover Books & Gifts
INDOOR & OUTDOOR
Gallows Bay, St. Croix Enso Indigo Home. Make this your gift box!
Phone: 340-719-1567 Phone: 719-1567
FURNITURE, ART, ACCESSORIES 6F Constitution Hill, St. Croix, USVI 340-719-6360 sweetlimefurnishings.com
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 21
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Eat & Drink CHRISTIANSTED
Coconut Chocolate flavors. Look for NEW flavors every month like Black Current, and Sorrel coming up! Stop by for a free Tasting Monday-Friday, 3-6pm and Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. Located on Hospital Street (Rt. 75) just East of Christiansted before the By-Pass—look for the large Copper Still! Gift Shop towels, tees, shot glasses, flasks and more!
BREW STX – 340-719-6339
Shupe’s on the Boardwalk. The best burgers & beer on the boardwalk.
Artisan Craft Distilling Co – 340-725-6701 We take great pride in fermenting, distilling, and bottling right on the premises using locally-sourced corn for our signature White Lightning Moonshine, and local fruits in small batch special fermentations like Pomegranate, Coffee, Apple Pie, and
340-773-3400
BREWSTX is St. Croix’s only restaurant and microbrewery located on the beautiful Christiansted boardwalk. The two-level waterfront venue provides spectacular views perfect for dining in or for private parties. The menu features local seafood entrees, steak dinners, delicious appetizers, and a variety of handhelds. Enjoy any meal with one of our house-crafted brews on tap! (Full bar available). Open Monday - Saturday, 11am – 10pm, Sunday, 11am – 9pm. www.brewstx.com, FB
Chupacabra Tacos – 340-713-TACOS (8226) Chupacabra Tacos is a hole in the wall taqueria
Artisan Craft Distillery Corn Whiskey Fermented, Distilled, & Bottled on St. Croix
Free Tastings! the best late night spot on the boardwalk! kitchen Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm sunday 11am-9pm
Mon-Fri 3-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm or by appointment
(340) 725-6701 Hospital Street East of Christiansted
@shupesstx
340-719-6339
kitchen hours:
Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm sunday 11am-9pm weekly events & Catering available @brewstx
24 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
serving a variety of tacos that are plated on soft, handcrafted corn tortillas. We are committed to cooking from scratch, with only the freshest ingredients. Seafood is our specialty and Frozen Drinks are our passion. Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite to eat and a frozen Margarita or a filling meal, we’ve got you covered! Come stop by! We’re in Pan Am Pavilion between Strand Street & the Boardwalk. Tues-Sat, 11am-7pm. www.chupacabratacosVI.com, Facebook.
The Courtyard - 340-773-7728 Right across the street from Government House on King Street, you’ll find the hidden oasis called The Courtyard. Known for its locallysourced, organic cold press juices, and fresh fruit smoothies, they now offer soups, salads, sandwiches and quiche along with Vegan and glutenfree options! Sip a cup of coffee, relax, and take a peek at our latest ‘artist-of-the-month’ works on display. Most weekends, we offer Art, Yoga, or Wine and Food Workshops; schedule on our Facebook page. Open Monday - Saturday, 8 am - 6 pm; give us a call for drive-thru or pick-up service! We’re available for private parties up to 50 people. www.thecoutyardstx.com, Facebook.
Cruzian Bayou Bistro – 813-495-3244
juices & fitness center
Yoga - Barre - Smoothies Juice - Breakfast - Lunch MICROBREWERY & RESTAURANT
The Courtyard Juices. Custom Smoothie Bowl.
Monday - Saturday, 8 am - 6 pm
340-773-7728 www.thecourtyardstx.com
Kalima Center, King Street, across from Government House
Welcome Cruzian Bayou Bistro, A taste of New Orleans with an Island Flair, into their new Kings Alley location but expect the same care and attention to guest satisfaction & hospitality! We’re excited to feature the 2023 Iron Bartender, 1st place “Mango Melee” Beverages, 2nd place “Taste Of St. Croix,” and 2nd place Cruzan Rum National Bartender Mixologist Jibril Williams, serving cold refreshing drinks, spirits and invigorating mocktails, with a warm smile, alongside Chef Christy Brown, 2023 “Taste of St Croix“ 2nd place Best Vegetarian. Cruzian Bayou Bistro,
Eat & Drink CHRISTIANSTED
at last food NOT fast food. Located just off the boardwalk. Open Wed-Sun. Brunch, 10am-3pm, Dinner, 6-10, LateNite, 11pm2am, Fri & Sat. IG, TicTok
Luncheria — 340-773-4247 This restaurant is an institution on St. Croix - a taste of Mexico in Christiansted for 39 years! All the locals know owner, Lenny, and Louie, bartender on Thursday and Friday evenings, making the best Margaritas - your way! Enter through the big pillars and follow the Danish brick wall up to the bar for ordering. Enjoy all your favorites, at casual tables in a terraced, outdoor courtyard - Nachos, Salads, Quesadillas, Burritos, Enchiladas, Tacos and Tostadas. Enjoy “Two’fer Tuesday” with 2 Tacos for $5, and 2 Beers for $5. End then there’s “Thursday Night Tacos,” 2 Tacos for $3, dine in only. Located on Company Street in Apothecary Hall and open Monday - Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm, Thursday 11 am 10 pm, closed Sundays.
Nate’s Boathouse – 340-692-6283 Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch on our boardwalk patio or in our breezy, open-air restaurant overlooking beautiful Christiansted Harbor. Watch the local fishing boats deliver their daily catch of Wahoo, Tuna, or Mahi-Mahi—we specialize in the fresh seafood brought to our dock every day. Creative dinner options incorporate an eclectic blend of world cuisines along with a unique, affordable wine list. Drink specials from the most complete bar on the island. Open 7 days, 8am – 9pm, ½ -Price Happy Hour, 4–6pm. FB, IG. www.stxboathouse.com
“hookahs” on island paired with great cocktails. We also sell cigars and offer a variety of vape flavors. Check out our famous Karaoke night every Thursday and our guest DJ’s every weekend. Tuesday 8pm-2am, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8-2 am. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Our world class formula is: Hookah+Cigars+Cocktails =good vibes!
Z Café - 340-713-2233 Truly a hidden gem in the heart of Christiansted. The cobble stone dining patio is the most charming on St. Croix. Located in the courtyard of the Pentheny building; dating back over 200 years. Take your time, enjoy a glass of Prosecco, can of local beer or bush tea. Appreciate the history of a rich and diverse setting while enjoying Gyros, an artisan salad or a hot pressed short rib panini. Chef Jamey Hughson’s culinary diversity and technique are unmatched on St. Croix. The meals are freshly prepared with love and care, the ambiance is relaxed and tranquil, and there’s new friends and memories to be made. Offering
Brew STX. Cajun Pasta.
a quick grab-n-go breakfast and/or a relaxed elegant lunch, hearty and meaty meals, vegan and vegetarian options plus plenty of sweets for your tooth. You won’t be disappointed dining with us or carrying away. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-2:30
NEW! Mexican Street Tacos
Meat, Seafood, Veggie with Handmade Tortillas House Chips – Salsa Tamales - Salads Pan Am Pavilion Between Strand St & the Boardwalk Tues - Sat 11am - 7pm
SHUPE’S on the Boardwalk – 340-773-3400 Looking for something affordable and quick? Look no further! Shupe’s on the Boardwalk offers casual waterfront dining, featuring fresh, handground burgers, hand-cut fries, chicken wings, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, soft-serve ice cream, and more. All meals served in an easy-travel paper bag. Of course, a full bar at your disposal as well! The best spot on the Boardwalk for burgers and beer! Open Monday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm; Sunday, 11am – 9pm. FB, IG.
CHUPACABRA TACOS 340-713-TACOS (8226) www.ChupacabraTacosVI.com
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Wednesday – Saturday Brunch 10am-3pm • Dinner 6-10pm LateNite 11pm-2am (Friday-Saturday) 813-495-3244 King’s Alley, Downtown Christiansted
Velvet Haze Lounge - 340-474-4328 Located in the Pam Am Pavilion in historic downtown Christiansted, Velvet Haze is a unique upscale “Hookah” lounge with world class customer service and ambiance. This lounge has a “smooth” flair with inviting décor and comfort. Our lounge provides you with an upscale feel and local hospitality. We are known for the best December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 25
Eat & Drink CHRISTIANSTED
cuisine—something for everyone—meat lovers to vegan. Burritos and Tacos, made-to-order, are served as fast as you can say “Andale!” Specialvalue Kids Menu. Margaritas, Sangria, Micheladas, and Maria’s Signature Drinks made fresh daily. There are 14 TVs for our Sport Fans. Eat in AC or in the courtyard. Kitchen open Tuesday-Friday, 11am-9pm and Saturdays, Noon-9pm. Check facebook for menus and daily specials.
Seaside Market & Deli – 340-719-9393
Maria’s Cantina. Supreme Salad Bowl.
GALLOWS BAY
Maria’s Cantina & Sports Bar – 340-713-0222 This Mexican Restaurant & Sports Bar (little Mexico in Gallows Bay) is owned by Chef Maria Fonrouge—actually from Mexico! They will transport you there with authentic Mexican
Seaside Market & Deli is St. Croix’s only gourmet market! With a full-service bakery and deli, Seaside offers made-to-order sandwiches, fresh breads, deli meats, and a variety of sweet treats. Shop Seaside for a huge selection of wines, gourmet cheeses, specialty food items, and the freshest meat and seafood on island. We feature a variety of convenient, readymade foods including a fresh soup and salad bar, and a buffet featuring hot entrees and sides plus a large selection of fresh produce, including local selections, and a coffee & juice bar featuring your favorite coffee drinks, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies. Seaside Market & Deli – Eat Fresh. Live Smart. Facebook
Z Café. Tuna Poke Salad.
EAST END
The Buccaneer Restaurants – 340-712-2100 Minutes east of Christiansted, The Buccaneer celebrates its 75th year; family-owned and operated for three generations. Lunch is served beachfront daily at The Mermaid and seasonally at
Fresh Local Lobster Fish, Crab, Steaks, Vegan
8am-9pm, 7 days a week 1/2 Price Happy Hour 4-6pm Daily
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
On the Boardwalk, Christiansted
www.stxboathouse.com 340-692-6283
T U E S - S AT 8 PM - 2 A M
Pan Am Pavilion 340.474.4328
26 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Eat & Drink GALLOWS BAY / EAST END
Beauregard’s on the Beach. On Monday nights, The Mermaid hosts its Grill Night with music, beach games, and fire dancers; Tuesdays offer a Marketplace with local shopping, steel band and moko jumbies. The Terrace restaurant and The Martel Lounge offer additional options for dinner Wednesday-Sunday, as well as seasonal entertainment. Brunch is served on Sundays. Menus offer fresh and wild-caught fish and shrimp, prime meats, locally-sourced salads, pastas, and vegetarian dishes. There’s an extensive wine list and each restaurant features a children’s menu. Reservations are required for dinner. www.thebuccaneer.com
Duggan’s Reef — 340-773-9800 It’s easy to see why this beachfront restaurant, an informal, open-to-the-breeze spot overlooking Buck Island, has been a local favorite for more than 40 years—voted Best Seafood on St. Croix by readers of the Daily News! Start off with drinks or your choice from the wine list. We specialize in local lobster and fresh fish. Also enjoy pasta, filet mignon, and our choice of freshly prepared desserts. Reservations wel-
comed! Dinner served 6 nights a week; closed Sundays and closed annually Sept 26-Oct 18.
Goat, Soup and Whiskey – 340-773-3333 Welcome to the Goat! Lunch service begins at 11:30am with appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches. Enjoy your lunch with a glass of wine, beer, or a fresh-squeezed Caribbean cocktail. Dinner service begins at 5pm with Steaks, Chops, Seafood, and Pastas combining with the delicious lunch offerings. Pair your dinner with a selection from the wine list or from the extensive craft cocktail menu. Choose fresh coffee, espresso or cappuccino to compliment in-house desserts. At Sunday Brunch, from 10am – 2pm, take in views of Buck Island with a glass of Champagne, a Mimosa, or build-yourown Bloody Mary. Our alfresco dining room is located at Coakley Bay Condominiums on East End Road. Dinner reservations recommended, Thurs-Tues, 11:30am – 9pm. Closed Wednesdays.
Goat Soup & Whiskey. Grilled tuna served over brussel sprout fried rice.
Sea Terrace Restaurant & East End Bar 340-249-0700 Our Sea Terrace restaurant, on the ocean level, in an open, airy, covered gallery, is open for lunch, Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm and Sun, 10am-3pm for All-You-Can-Eat Brunch. Our kitchen chefs
BREAKFAST | LUNCH Mon-Fri, 9am-2:30pm Penthany Courtyard
46 King Street 340-713-2233
Best Margaritas & Signature Drinks! Tuesday - Friday, 11am-9pm Saturday, Noon - 9pm
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 27
Eat & Drink EAST END / FREDERIKSTED sandwiches and salads while listening to live music. Our newest fine dining spot is The Far East Restaurant, Japanese-inspired steakhouse and sushi, open Thurs-Sat, 5-9pm. We can host your private event, birthday or wedding with our catering menus. Take a dip in the pool, with a daily pool pass for purchase. Call or use Open Table for reservations. www.grapetreebayhotel.com
The Sausage Shack - 340-713-4804 Eastend’s newest hangout! We offer a casual atmosphere for the whole family to chillax with fresh delicious gourmet comfort food and desserts, ice cold beverages including specialty frozen island cocktails, great music and games. Follow us on Facebook (The Sausage Shack STX) for our menus and daily specials like 2 for Tuesdays, Frozen Fridays & Spectacular Saturday Brunch. The best Italian sausage, hotdog and specialty sandwiches (like NY Strip Teriyaki Cheesesteak and Chop & Cheese) on island. We want to provide our customers with a relaxing experience, great service, fresh food and cold beverages at
The Terrace @ The Buccaneer. Fine Dining with a view.
EAST END cont...
create daily specials with locally-sourced ingredients along with seafood, American and international cuisine. The East End Bar offers casual dining under the stars from 3-9pm daily. Enjoy house-made pizzas, fresh
Sea Terrace Restaurant. Crispy Mahi Tacos poolside.
reasonable prices so that you come back for more. We have something for everyone. Come find out why everyone is hanging out at The Shack!
FREDERIKSTED
Beach Side Cafe – 340-772-1266
$10 Pool Passes • Happy Hour 3 - 5pm every day 340.249.0700 • www.grapetreebayhotel.com LUNCH BRUNCH DINNER BEACHSIDE POOLSIDE
Open 11am - 3pm MON-SAT SUNDAY Brunch Buffet 10am - 3pm
The FAR EAST RESTAURANT Open THURS - SAT 5:00pm - 9:00pm On our Sea Terrace Level
Pizzas, sandwiches, and salads Open 3pm - 9pm 7 nights a week! Live music weekly
28 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
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Eat & Drink FREDERIKSTED
Stop & Shop Supermarket – 340-692-2771 Fresh, Full-Service Deli! Fresh Produce! Meats! Wine & Spirits! We also have all your favorite ice creams! See us for your extended stays on your boat, at your hotel, BNB or just picnics. New brands, organic foods, premium products. Weekly Specials and Fresh-Daily Take-Out Menus on facebook. Located on Centerline Road in Hannah’s Rest, near Sandy Point and Frederiksted beaches. Open 6am – 9pm EVERY DAY! Shop More For Less
Tap Deck Bar & Billiards - 340-773-5227 Tap Deck. Come on up and take it all in!
The Beach Side Café at Sand Castle on the Beach Hotel in Frederiksted offers fresh catch seafood specials, American and local dishes with tropically-inspired cocktails and mocktails hand-crafted from local juices, along with our house-made desserts on the island’s best beach for fun-in-the-sun and spectacular sunsets. Open for lunch Monday through Friday 11am - 3pm, brunch 10am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday, and dinner daily from 4:30 - 8:30pm. Visit Sand Castle on the Beach and the Beach Side Cafe for everything you’ll need to enjoy a true St. Croix experience.
Located on the waterfront in front of the Frederiksted Pier, enjoy an upscale pub fare, daily chef specials, draft beer, great wine, and extensive cocktails. We offer inside air-con¬ ditioned seating, and outdoor balcony seating with a view of the Pier and amazing West End sunsets. Come for poke, flatbreads, salads, sliders, or our famous Spinach-Artichoke Dip, and stay for the inviting atmosphere and pro¬f essional, fun bartenders. Daily events include Monday Trivia, Tues Karaoke,, Wednesday
Cibone Restaurant. Refreshing local iced tea.
Sushi/Poke Bowl Night, Thursday Bingo, Friday, Award-Winning Stir-Friday, Sat Mexican Night and NFL and other sports on Sundays! Entrance on the 2nd floor, through the Six-Nine courtyard in front of the Pier! Open Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat-Sun 3pm-12am.
Ciboné Fine Seafood – 340-719-2663 An exciting, intimate dining experience in Frederiksted’s historic Limetree Court, King Street. Their menu of “eclectic, French, Mediterranean, Crucian Fusion” includes wildcaught seafood and the use of local, farm-fresh ingredients. Entrée Award Winner, Taste of St. Croix. Open for dinner, Mon–Sat, 6-10pm. Nightly entertainment, 7-9pm. Daily Specials on facebook.
Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch
and Spectacular Sunsets Reservations at 340-772-1266
SANDWICHES - FULL BAR BRUNCH - LUNCH - DINNER Current Hours for Kitchen & Bar + Menus and Specials on our Facebook page!
Upscale Pub Fare Waterfront Outdoor & indoor Seating
Strand Street, across from the pier above molly’s, thru alley, up steps
Open Daily Mon-FRI, 11am-12am Sat-Sun, 3PM-12am 340-773-5227 | TapDeckSTX.com
“Get Stuffed!”
Corner, 7 Flags & East End Road
Daily Specials Draft Beer Great Wine Craft Cocktails
340 713-4804
fine seafood 340-719-2663 December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 29
Eat & Drink MID-ISLAND
our chowder, a taste of New England in the heart of Christiansted, there’s an electric blend of world cuisines. Of course, we do catering for all occasions, pour local drinks, and more. Located inside Thomas Bakery near Sunny Isle. Open Mon-Fri, 6:30am-10:30am for breakfast, and 11am4pm for lunch. Menu on FB, Chef Ozzie Catering.
El Flamboyant – 340-779-3285
El Flamboyant. Breaded Shrimp & Bread Fruit Testones.
MID-ISLAND
Chef Ozzie’s Kitchen – 340-422-6382
Looking for something affordable and quick? Look no further! Chef Ozzie Kitchen offers casual breakfast sandwiches, featuring local produce from our farmers market on island, and lunch — a Caribbean Continental Cuisine that would make your taste buds sing. Along with
“People like coming here,” says owner Yvonne Villegas. “I learned to cook from my mother who had a restaurant in Puerto Rico for many years and now its my turn to cook and serve these coveted family recipes!” This colorful, family restaurant offers up a Caribbean, Latin, and Seafood menu that has been pleasing patrons for over 20 years. If you like fresh fish, lobster, conch, and shrimp, or chicken, steaks, and pork chops, you must try the way they do it at here! Happy Hour tradition on Thursday and Friday nights is to stop for a drink then take shish-kabobs home from the driveup booth! Located between Centerline Road and the Highway on Route #663 and open Tuesday – Saturday, 11:30am. Kitchen closes at 6pm.
Leatherback Brewing Company – 340-772-2337 Leatherback Brewing Company proudly pro-
Ozzie’s Kitchen. Tasty veggie take-out.
duces authentic Virgin Islands craft beer with uniquely Caribbean grown ingredients and influences alongside traditional beer styles. We aim to build the community and culture around well-crafted beer and to celebrate and steward our Caribbean life! Leatherback’s flagship location, the St. Croix Brewery and Tasting Room, is located in the Roebuck Industrial Park just up the highway from the airport. Leatherback brews and cans four styles year-round and releases a rotating series of Limited Releases. Many of the styles feature local ingredients. The Tasting Room serves a selection of pizzas, wraps, salads and appetizers and features an indoor and outdoor bar with a family-friendly atmosphere. Our second location is on St. Thomas and you can also find our beers in cans and on draft in local stores and restaurants. www.leatherbackbrewing. com, FB
The Market STX – 340-719-1870
The biggest, full-service supermarket on St. Croix features organic fresh local produce, imported cheeses, organic eggs, and juices. They have the finest cuts of meat prepared by their Master
13th year! 25th Year!
Restaurant - Bar
Caribbean • Latin • Seafood
Open Mon & Tues, 11:30 - 6pm Open Tues - Sat, 11:30am Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 11:30 - 9pm Kitchen closes 6pm Sun, 10:30 - 8pm Happy Hour! Thurs & Fri, 4:30 pm – 7 pm
Mid-Island, Rt. 663 30 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
340-779-3285
Eat & Drink MID-ISLAND
La Reine Chicken Shack – 340-718-5717
Leatherback Brewing Company. What’s better than wings & beer?
Butcher —USDA meats, Certified Angus meats, poultry and seafood. Pair all your favorites with wines from the largest liquor selection on island. Catering is available from the full-service Deli and Bakery. Try the delicious Stone House Subs, pastries and desserts. Artisan breads, platters, and hot foods served daily. Now order online with curbside pickup at www.themarketvi.com. Simply Fresh!
Serving the Community for 20 years! Are you ready to savor one of St. Croix’s best- kept secrets? Taste La Reine Chicken Shack’s mouth-watering BBQ chickens, slowly-cooked on wood-chip coal over an open pit! Get in line! Other menu favorites include Roast Pork, Ribs, Steak, Local Seafood, daily specials and many other island delicacies. Come mingle with our friendly staff and local patrons in our recently renovated outdoor seating area. Enjoy one of our most popular drinks “Cruzan Confusion” at our full bar. Located mid-island on Route #75, off Centerline Road, we’re open Mon, Tues, Wed, 10:30am-6pm Thurs, Fri, Sat, 10am-8pm. Eat in or Take Out! Daily menu on facebook.
Sion Farm Distillery - 340-690-9322 Located in the iconic Island Dairies Building in Sion Farm, halfway between downtown Chris tiansted and the airport, you will find our renovated, air-conditioned, bright blue Sion Farm Distillery. Come enjoy the Caribbean’s first and finest Island Vodka®, MUTINY Island Vodka®, hand crafted from breadfruit. MUTINY Island Vodka®
Sion Farm Distillery. Stuffed tacos with a MUTINY beverage.
is the only spirit distilled, bottled, and distributed on St Croix. Better Cocktails. Better Planet. Our family-friendly, Distillery offers complimentary tours, flight tastings, a chef created menu, full service, distillery view bar, merchandise, micro batch releases, and more! Open 11:30am-7:30pm with Happy Hour from 4-5:55pm, Monday – Friday. Saturday brunch from 10am-2pm. Tours
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 31
Eat & Drink MID-ISLAND / NORTHSHORE of the distillery are also available, please call to learn more. Find complete menu on Facebook or our website. Come experience island vibes, island character, island flavor, and island rhythm. www. sionfarmdistillery.com
Virgin Islands Food Tours – 866-498-3684
NORTHSHORE
Flamboyant Bar & Grill @ Carambola Beach Resort – 340-778-3800 With waves lapping at the shore and views as far as the eye can see, one can always find a delicious meal to complement the ambiance at the Flamboyant Grill located at Carambola Beach Resort. Local favorite cocktails to choose from along with tasty “Bola” burgers, pizzas, tacos, wings, and nightly specials. Make sure to try a shot of the locally crafted Carambola Moonshine made from the Carambola Starfruit! Open for lunch and dinner 11am to 10pm. www.marriott.com/stxbr
The Landing Beach Bar @ Cane Bay – 340-718-0362 With a focus on promoting exceptional local beer while embracing and celebrating the community, the restaurant boasts a rotating selection of fresh Leatherback Brewing beers on tap and in cans along with classic island cocktails. The food menu
Ch ef
Virgin Islands Food Tours. Take our logo cup and join us sampling local dishes & drinks.
Virgin Islands Food Tours transforms visitors into locals! The Taste of Twin City Food Tour is a guided food tasting & cultural walking tour in downtown Christiansted that allows guests to enjoy six exclusive tastings of authentic local cuisine. Learn about the island’s seven-flag colonial history, its Danish architectural influence and taste the flavors that make St. Croix a unique place. Our knowledgeable guides will show you how to navigate Christiansted with ease as we captivate your hearts and bellies with authentic Crucian cuisine. The newest tour –Christiansted Sip & Savor Mixology Class – is a 90-minute experience where guests are led by a local drink expert on how to shake, stir and sip like a pro! Enjoy 3
handcrafted cocktails, light bites, and much more on this fun-filled tour.
d James wal Os
Ca r
Serving the Community for 20 years!
Mouth-W g Mouth-Waterin atering
Open-Pit BBQ Chicken Roast Pork Ribs • Steak Local Seafood
Catering for All Occasions!
Newly Renovated with Full Bar
Try our “Cruzan Confusion!”
Open OpenMonday-Saturday 7 Days a Week! Breakfast Dinner Breakfast •• Lunch Lunch • Dinner Rt. 75 off Centerline Road
Eat EatInIn ororTake Take Out Out •• 340-778-5717 340-778-5717 32 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
lC ui s ine
MID-ISLAND cont...
a ibb ean C tinent on
Breakfast & Lunch Local drinks! Take-Out Only Mon-Fri 6:30am – 4pm Menu on Facebook, Chef Ozzie Catering Inside Thomas Bakery, Sunny Isle 340-422-6382 Catering for all occasions! Try our mouth-watering salmon chowder!
Eat & Drink NORTHSHORE
features many favorites along with local specials made with quality ingredients sourced from farmers, bakers, and fishermen located right here on the island. Happy Hour runs from 4pm-6pm daily, and brunch, which starts at 10am every Sunday, is a must. Reservations and large parties are welcome. Cane Bay is a day-trip destination where you can bring the whole family. Pull up a seat, grab a drink, and take in the natural beauty of the island. www.thelandingbeachbar.com
Saman Restaurant @ Carambola Beach Resort – 340-778-3800 Fine dining with breathtaking views at Carambola Beach Resort. Enjoy regional favorites as well as a modern flair on classical dishes. By using locally sourced St. Croix, and the property’s own ingredients, one can always count on the freshest of dining options. Breakfast, 7-10:30am daily, Dinner, Friday – Sunday, 5:30-9:30pm. Opentable. com for reservations. Flamboyant Bar & Grill @ Carambola Beach Resort. Delicious meals with pool and ocean views.
Saman Restaurant @ Carambola Beach Resort. Fine oceanfront dining.
ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING MADE EASY! Our convenient online ordering & curbside pickup will help you simplify your shopping experience.
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 33
Eat & Drink TELL ME WHERE TO EAT!
Easy Dining Guide Local area code is (340)
Cuisine
Meals
Credit Cards
Res.
Location
Beach Side Café @ Sand Castle on the Beach
772-1266
American / Local / Seafood / Waterfront
L, D, BR
AE, MC, V
Yes
Frederiksted
BREW STX
719-6339
Sandwiches / Smoked Wings / BYO Salads
L, D
MC, V, D
No
Christiansted
Chef Ozzie’s Kitchen
422-6382
Sandwiches/Caribbean/Continental
B,L
D, MC, V
No
Mid-Island
Chupacabra Tacos
713-TACOS (8226)
Seafood Tacos / Frozen Drinks
L, D
All Cards
No
Christiansted
719-2663
Farm / Sea-to-Table
D, BR
MC, V
Yes
Frederiksted
Cruzan Bayou Bistro
813-495-3244
Southern Cajun Creole/Carib Vegetarian
B, L, D
All Cards
No
Christiansted
Duggan’s Reef
773-9800
Seafood / Steakhouse
D, BR
MC, V
Yes
East End
East End Bar @ Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas
249-0700
Pizza/Salads/Sandwiches
D
AE, D, MC, V
No
East End
El Flamboyant
779-3285
Latin / Seafood / Caribbean
L, D, BR
None
No
Mid Island
Far East Restaurant @ Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas
249-0700
Japanese Inspired Steak House
D
AE, D, MC, V
Yes
East End
Flamboyant Bar & Grill @ Carambola Beach Resort
340-778-3800
American/Local/Grill/Cocktails
L, D
All Cards
No
Northshore
Goat Soup & Whiskey
773-3333
Casual/Fine/Continental
L, D, BR
MC, V
Yes
East End
La Reine Chicken Shack
778-5717
Open Pit BBQ / Seafood
B, L, D
ATM
No
Mid Island
Leatherback Brewing Company
772-BEER (2337)
Pizza/Wraps/Salads
L, D
D, MC, V
No
Mid-Island
Maria’s Cantina & Sports Bar
713-0222
Authentic Mexican
L, D
AE, MC, V
No
Gallows Bay
Nates Boathouse Restaurant
692-6283
Seafood / World Cuisine
B, L, D, BR
D, MC, V
Yes
Christiansted
OpenTable.com
Fine Dining/Seafood/Steaks/Wine
D, BR
All Cards
Yes
Northshore
Seaside Market & Deli
719-9393
Gourmet /Salad Bar/ Prime Meats
B, L, D
AE, D, MC, V
No
Gallows Bay
Sea Terrace @ Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas
249-0700
Sandwiches/Salads/World Cuisine/Cocktails
L, BR
AE, D, MC, V
No
East End
Shupe’s on the Boardwalk
773-3400
Burgers / Wings / Ice Cream
L, D
MC, V, D
No
Christiansted
Sion Farm Distillery/MUTINY Island Vodka
690-9322
Craft Cocktails and Eats
L, D
AE, D, MC, V
No
Mid-Island
Tap Deck Bar & Billiards
773-5227
Great Pub Fare / Draft Beer / Wine-Cocktails
L, D
D, MC, V
No
Frederiksted
The Courtyard Juices & Fitness Center
773-7728
Juices / Smoothies / Healthy Food
B, L
D, MC, V
No
Christiansted
The Landing Beach Bar @ Cane Bay
718-0369
Grill / Seafood / Caribbean / Waterfront
B, L, D
MC, V, D
No
Northshore
The Market VI
719-1870
Full-Service Supermarket / Catering
B, L, D
AE, MC, V
No
Mid-Island
The Mermaid @ The Buccanneer
712-2100
Burgers/Salads/Fish
L, D
AE, D, MC, V
Yes
East End
The Mill Boardwalk Bar Brick Oven Pizza
643-6455
Brick oven pizza / Waterfront
L, D
AE, D, MC, V, Debit
No
Christiansted
Sandwiches/Full Bar/Casual
BR, L, D
All Cards
No
East End
D
AE, D, MC, V
Yes
East End
All Cards
No
Christiansted
MC, V
Yes
Christiansted
Restaurant
Ciboné
Saman Restaurant @ Carambola Beach Resort
The Sausage Shack The Terrace @ The Buccaneer
712-2100
Seafood/Steak/Continental
Velvet Haze Lounge
474-4328
Hookah / Cigars / Cocktails
Z Café
713-2233
Fresh / Flavorful/ Friendly
34 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
B,L
Eat & Drink
NORTHSHORE / AROUND THE ISLAND
LOCAL FARM STANDS
Sejah Farm VI – 340-277-6046 or 277-9392 Mon – Fri, 10 am – 5 pm, Sat, 7 am – 5 pm Dale and Yvette Browne offer livestock, eggs, & organically grown vegetables. www.sejahfarm.com. Accepts credit cards.
CALL AHEAD OR CHECK ONLINE FOR CHANGES IN SCHEDULES. ARTfarm, LLC – 340-514-4873 Sign up on our website for email announcements about our Pop-Up stands. www.artfarmllc.com
Southgate Corner Farmer’s Market – 404-310-8278 Sat, 9am – Noon Fresh & preserved fruit, local honey, unrefrigerated eggs, goat cheese, plants, handmade soaps. FB
Crescent Farm, VI - 340-277-0707 Sat-Sun, 11am – 3pm or by appointment. Solar-powered, organic farm. Seasonal fruits & vegetables. Facebook
Tropics Hydroponics Farm, LLC – 340-227-5546 Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-Noon. Brian McCulough specializes in Bibb lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, & other vegetables. Farm locations, Pg 54-55.
La Reine Farmers Market – 340-778-0998 Sat, 6:30 am – 11 am New Location. VI Dept of Agriculture Ag Station, East Building, on Rt. 669. Vegetables, fruits, plants, and trees. Ridge2Reef – 340-473-1557 Fresh, wholesome, USDA certified organic fruits, veggies, meats. Two markets: Inside Lawaetz Museum, Wed & Sat, 11am-3pm; Leatherback Brewing, Sat, 12-3pm. Facebook.
Tropics Hydroponics Farm. Bibb lettuce.
Delightful Dining,
Rediscovered.
Culinary delights paired with breathtaking views, located at Carambola Beach Resort. Saman Restaurant
Perched above sparkling ocean waters and steps from the beach, fine dining, warm ambience, and innovative fare capture the spirit of the island.
Make a Reservation
Flamboyant Bar And Grill
Enjoy the vibrant, tropical flavors of the Caribbean with specialty cocktails and dishes from our casual, open-air Flamboyant Restaurant and bar.
Estate Davis Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, 00850
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 35
Local Art COVER ARTISTS
DEC 23
JAN 24
Joyce Hickok
Josie Widjaja Kosloff
A
“
“
t the age of eight, my Midwest parents moved to Los Angeles. I grew up with surfers, hippies and people from many cultures. Struck with wanderlust early on, at 13, I started saving to go around the world. I got to Europe during college, but I was certainly not done. While my college held its graduation ceremony, I was already serving in the Peace Corps as a teacher in The Gambia, West Africa. The people of The Gambia create wonderful fabrics — tie-dye, batik, hand woven and bold printed patterned fabrics. I feel fabric is utilitarian art, which is reflected in my masks. I discovered my love of masks in The Gambia and collected the first of many there.
Jumbies
After returning to the U.S., I earned a master’s degree in Beware Mask child development and became a director of a Head Start program. In the meantime, I continued to collect masks and take photos as I traveled to countries all over the world (60 so far). I express my appreciation of cultures through sharing my photos. Following my passion for travel and appreciation for other cultures, I rejoined the Peace Corps for a second two-year stint, this time in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There I worked with Cansave, training teachers for the Caribbean islands and fell in love with the area. I began to suspect that the Caribbean was where I should live. Upon returning to the U.S. again, I became a certified public accountant. After again working for Head Start, this time in accounting, I yearned for more travel and took a job in Guam. After three years there, I confirmed that I belonged in the Caribbean. Yemaya Mask
So, I was off to Saint Croix in 1993 - my beloved home of choice at last. Thirty years later, I remain delighted every day by some thing about Saint Croix. I exhibited in the Artist Guild of Saint Croix mask show a few years ago and discovered my new creative Feel the Burn Mask medium. When I create a mask, I’m inspired by the fabric or the natural materials that I use and I feel like I’m creating a new personality that enters the world. I try to create a pleasing aesthetic, and bring some joy or meaning into each personality. I take photos of my masks before I offer them to others and I have them hanging in my home like a gallery of family photos, I feel like I will miss them after someone else has them. My mask on the cover is“Parade Maskuerader.” It is made with the new VI madras fabric. Old time Masqueraders cut, or tore long strips of fabric and wore them all over their hats and clothes so they were no longer recognizable. “Parade Maskuerader” can be viewed in the current“Masks, Costumes, & Music“ show at Cane Roots Art Gallery in Christiansted. I share my masks and my photos on my website www.joyceusvi.com. The CMCArts museum store carries my masks and I will be exhibiting in THE ART SHOW at CMCArts Museum, Frederiksted, January 20 February 10, 2024. Joyce Hickok Joyceusvi@gmail.com 36 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
I
grew up in Indonesia before immigrating to the United States at the age of 16. As a child, I enjoyed drawing but did not pursue art further. After moving to California, I became focused in a career in healthcare and completed a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies – naturally after being raised by two physician parents. I have lived on and off in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands for the past ten years and am currently a PA at ProHealth Urgent Care. Around 2019 I began to dabble in art as a form of therapy and selfcare and found my true passion in watercolor. I am a self-taught watercolor artist and most of my work is inspired by nature. I try to take my audience to that specific moment in time, to capture the essence of beauty and fun the world has to offer. Freedom City Not Forgotten The creative process of making art has taught me to focus on the present moment and to enjoy the journey of each piece. Every art piece I’ve made, good or bad, has something for me to learn. Each original piece is signed Yosi W – my name in Indonesian as a way to pay tribute to my heritage.
I have participated in a few exhibits, hosted by the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted, since 2022, and have found the art community here very welcoming, supportive, and encouraging to a newcomer like me. To exhibit my pieces next to theirs has been such The Space For Ease a great honor, and I am very excited to continue to evolve in my artistic journey in this community. I am also a recent member of the Artists Guild of St. Croix and I will be participating in my first of their annual shows—THE ART SHOW at CMCA, January 20-February 10. My January issue cover image is titled “This Love is Simple.” It is one of the pieces of my new Floral Series of St. Croix and illustrates the beauty and simplicity of the piece itself. My artwork can be found on my Facebook page, as well as Instagram under @yosi_w_art. We Safe in West - A Love Story
Local Art
ISLAND LIFE THROUGH ART & CRAFTS! Bead On a Wire - 340-718-BEAD (2323) Learn how to make jewelry with Artisan/Instructor Vanessa Harvey Hinds. Day, Evening, and Private 2-hour classes are available in Wire Work, Chain Maille, Pearl Knotting, Stringing, Seed Beading, and more. Visit her bright yellow and white Bead Store in the new Richmond Courtyard on Soboetker Lane, between Rt. 755 and the seaplane ramp. Find tools, beads, semi-precious gemstones, precious metal wire, stringing supplies, Swarovski crystals, and much more. Let her help you plan your special event, jewelry party or Craft & Sip. Open Tues-Sat, 11am6pm. Full schedule at www.beadonawirestx.com. FB
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. For Those Of Us Who Live At The Shore.
La Vaughn Belle
Learn how to make jewelry! Vanessa Harvey Hinds - Artisan / Instructor
Photos, Susan Wall
Cane Roots Art Gallery – 340-718-4929 “I began collecting art in 1981 and still am collecting and it’s manifested itself into Cane Roots Art Gallery, the blue building at 24 Company Street,” says owner Sonia Deane. “There is a renaissance of the artist community here and I am excited to be a part of it. Masks, Costumes, and Music, with Joyce Hickok, Silvia Kahn and others, opens Dec 14-Jan 12. Legacy solo exhibit by Tien Jameson opens Jan 18-Feb 15. We hope to serve as an assemblage of artists and a convergence of ideas. I look forward to
(340) 718-BEAD (2323) Stringing Tools
•
www.beadonawirestx.com
DAY - EVENING - PRIVATE CLASSES
Seed Beading
• Pearl Knotting • Wire Work • Chain Maille • Viking Knit
FULLY-STOCKED BEAD STORE
• Beads • Gemstones • Crystals • Pearls • Wire • Stringing Supplies
CLINICS - WORKSHOPS - GROUPS - TEEN NIGHT - CRAFT SIPS Tuesday – Saturday
• 11 am – 6 pm
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 37
Local Art
CULTURE ENCOUNTERS! sharing it with you, bringing art into to your home, and experiencing the transformation.” Open Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, 12-4pm or by appointment. www.canerootsartgallery.com
Henle Fine Art – 340-332-1628 Now at the new home of FantaSea Jewelry Studio and Gallery, this historic loft on Company Street in Christiansted continues to showcase the paintings and prints of Maria Henle, the photographs of St. Croix’s premier photographer Fritz Henle and the photography of Tina Henle. HenleGallery.com
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts – 340-772-2622 Our mission is to preserve, promote and exhibit the arts of St. Croix and the Caribbean community, to provide an interactive environment that encourages children, youth and adults to learn positive forms of expression, and to offer creative learning experiences which foster an understanding of the rich cultural and artistic traditions of the Caribbean, and their source. Housed in an 18th-century Danish townhouse. Artist-in-Residence program. Come visit and join us! www.cmcarts.org, Facebook.
Mitchell-Larsen Studio. Everybody loves a turtle plate!
Christa’s Art Gallery – 340-713-9959 Christa-Ann Davis Molloy was a St. Croix This Week cover artist in February and March of 2017 and since then, opened a gallery in La Grande Princesse and now on Company Street in Christiansted. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, she began an interest in art and design by the age of 11, encouraged by her Mom, her sister, her sons, and friends. She loves to paint portraits, old buildings,
quadrille dancers, mocko jumbies, Caribbean scenes, and events. Lots of these images are incorporated into products at her gallery. Come see her umbrellas, shower curtains, coasters, rugs, cushions, mugs, tee shirts, face masks, and cultural coloring books. Sign up for art classes and Sip and Paint events. Open Mon – Fri, 11am – 5:30pm; Sat, 10:30am – 4pm. Company Street. www. christaart.com. FB, IG
Mitchell-Larsen Studio – 340-719-1000 This is home to the artistry in glass of Jan Mitchell and the evocative photographic artworks of Steffen Larsen. Watch glass work in progress and shop for gifts in a restored historic building on Company Street, the heart of Christiansted’s SOHO (South of Hospital Street) district where the arts are alive! www.mitchelllarsenstudio.com Ted Davis Galeria - 310-860-6001 (toll free!) After almost a decade in Christiansted, D&D Studio is now online! Visit us at https://ddstu- dio. smugmug.com/Travel/StCroixPhotos to purchase beautiful and collectable photographs by Ted Davis. These stunning images are unique St. Croix artworks, and are great additions to your home or office decor. You can have a piece of St. Croix delivered right to your door! Call or email for more details. info@ddstudio.us
be INSPIRED! Experience the Art & Culture of the Caribbean
Tues - Fri 12 - 5pm • Sat 12 - 4pm Or By Appointment 24 Company Street / Christiansted canerootsartgallery.com canerootsartgallery@gmail.com
340 -718 -4929
Celebrating Art & Culture TUES - SAT 9am-4pm 10 Strand St. Frederiksted
cmcarts.org
Paintings - Prints - Tees - Totes - Rugs - Coasters - Mugs Umbrellas - Pillows - Shower Curtains - Great Gifts
‘Sip & Paint’ Events - Art Classes 57 Company Street 340-713-9959 340-513-8581 www.christaart.com
HENLE FINE ART HENLE FINE ART Beautiful St. Croix photographs delivered right to your home! At At FantaSea FantaSea FantaSea JewelryAt Studio and Gallery Jewelry Studio and Gallery Jewelry Studio and Gallery 55 Company Street
55 Company Street 55 Company Street 340-332-1628 HenleGallery.com 340-332-1628 HenleGallery.com 340-332-1628 HenleGallery.com 38 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Visit www.ddstudio.smugmug.com/Travel/StCroix or call us at 310.861.6001 for more details!
Our Danish Connection The Scandinavian country of Denmark was among the European contenders for ownership of Caribbean islands and acquired St. Thomas in 1660, St. John in 1718, and St. Croix, purchased from France in 1733. (See page 48 for historical details.) Denmark left its mark here in many ways that have contributed to a close relationship between Danes and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the 1917 Transfer, bringing thousands of Danish visitors. Examples of this closeness are: • The handsome, still functioning 18th and 19th century architecture – official, commercial and private, built of Danish brick brought as ship ballast. • Ruins of many plantation structures that once produced sugar and rum, particularly former windmills that ground sugar cane. • The presence of four churches of the Danish Lutheran denomination, with special sections for Danish gravesites in two old cemeteries. • Many African heritage and mixed blood families carrying Danish last names, even the use of historic Danish first names for Crucian children. • A Friends of Denmark organization that enjoys exchange-visit festivals with its sister society in Denmark, the Danish West Indian Society.
A BITTERSWEET STORY ABOUT A DANISH SOLDIER ARTIST by Nina York
O
ver the years that this island was part of the Danish West Indies, there were very few real artists portraying the culture. A superb exception was the founder of impressionism Camille Pissarro who spent his early years in St. Thomas but did a few images from St. Croix. A Danish artist Hugo Larsen spent 3 years here and St. Thomas in the early 1900’s, portraying the beautiful scenery and the daily life of the native population with sympathy and talent.
But depictions of daily life in earlier years are almost non-existent, with one rare exception of a few charming, albeit amateurish portrayals of the downtown wharf area of Christiansted with details of individuals including soldiers, and one scene of a dinner party at a nearby private residence. This very limited artistic output originates from a young Danish lieutenant Henric Godtfred Beenfeldt who was stationed at Christiansted’s Fort Christiansvaern from 1788. He had received artillery training in Denmark after his father passed when Henric was only 15. Once here, he trained free Black soldiers in the operation and maintenance of cannon and had great success. But the menace of yellow fever that raged and caused so many deaths soon weakened Beenfeldt and added to reasons (that included a missing receipt for dispensed
• Access on the internet to over 5 million documents in the Danish archives relevant to the Danish West Indies, as our islands were called. • A friendly Crucian population that welcomes and looks out for visiting Danes. If you happen to be a visiting Dane, we bid you Velkommen!
70
illustrated articles from the pages of this magazine, 2009-2019, documenting in English and Danish the legacy of Denmark’s imprint on our culture. Undercover Books and Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, $20.
gunpowder) for his return to Denmark and discharge. His widowed mother was always in need of money and the military had deducted a lot from his pay. Once in Denmark he was discharged from the military after marrying and soon had two children and wife to support on a modest pension. His economic situation was desperate; he even had to pawn his uniform to survive. In desperation, nurturing a latent talent, in 1815 he submitted to Danish headquarters some watercolors he had created from memory of his time in St. Croix. He had
previously made a map of the West End for the military authorities in St. Croix. We know nothing about whether these charming works with lots of detail ever made it back to St. Croix, but we know that they have a place of honor in the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, along with the West End map. Despite the inaccuracy of details like the size and perspective of the buildings, most of which remain today, the numerous well-drawn details of people and things provide valuable information about the 1790’s society. We see free Blacks, elegantly attired, scholarly looking gentlemen, some on horseback or in a phaeton, young Black boys playfully tugging at horsetails, a misplaced guardhouse, rum barrels and a troop of soldiers exercising. It is likely that many of the persons portrayed were people Beenfeldt knew. The watercolor of the dinner party at the Christiansted home of a Danish official is equally informative. It includes all the names and titles of the guests and was painted before Beenfeldt’s return to Denmark. Again, there is so much detail to observe. The matronly hostess with a voluminous hairdo at one end, attended by the mulatto housekeeper in European dress, while the host at the other end has engaged an enslaved barefoot boy to wave away the flies with a palm frond. Public records corroborate the names of all guests portrayed and show the residence of the host Controller Claus Schønning in detail. Again, a valuable cultural resource. Henric Beenfeldt died in 1829 at the age of 67. We could have wished that he had received recognition during his lifetime. We are grateful for his gift to us today. Nina York, born in Denmark but a St. Croix resident since 1976, has been a contributor to this publication since 2009 and was its editor from 1990 -2003. She offers guidance to visitors from Denmark and the mainland, does translations, and sells her books, historic maps and print reproductions. ninayork@gmail.com December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 39
Watersports
BUCK ISLAND EXCURSIONS, SUNSET SAILS & PRIVATE CHARTERS BUCK ISLAND, SUNSET SAILS & PRIVATE CHARTERS Big Beard’s Adventure Tours – 340-773-4482
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Come with us to Buck Island Reef National Monument and enjoy one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean! Choose a relaxing full-day excursion aboard the sailing catamaran Renegade, with famous beach BBQ, or enjoy the beach and snorkeling on a fun half-day trip aboard our power catamaran Adventure. Experience one of our Sunset Sails; a beautiful time to be out on the water! For the ultimate St. Croix experience, all our boats are available for private charters for weddings or large groups. Gift Certificates available. Give someone the gift of an experience they will always remember. Located on the Christiansted boardwalk; retail store. Authorized National Park Service Concessioner. www.bigbeards.com, Find us on Facebook and Instagram
Lyric Sails. Frederiksted Sunset Sails and a whole lot more!
Down South Charters – 340-474-7093
Buck Island Charters
Teroro II & Dragonfly
with Captain Carl or Captain Heinz
SAIL • SNORKEL • HIKE
Sail aboard Teroro II (42’) or Dragonfly (38’) Trimarans and experience a personalized tour of Buck Island Reef National Monument. The National Underwater Trail is a snorkel sight second to none!
Authorized Concessioner
● Snorkle Snorkel equipment equipmentincluded included ● Dragonfly Dragonflyexclusive exclusiveto to10 sixguests guests ● Departs from Green Cay Marina “H” Dock
Recommended in Frommer’s Tour Guide
www.gotostcroix.com/heinz
(340) 718-3161 • teroro@msn.com 40 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Get ready to make some unforgettable memories!! Whether your ideal day includes fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, crossing over to St. Thomas/ St. John, or a relaxing sunset cruise, we do it all! Join us aboard our beautifully appointed 36’ yellowfin “Love Alone”. She is certified and licensed to carry 12 guests aboard, so we have plenty of room for your whole crew. All necessary gear is supplied so just bring your smiling faces. We offer 4, 6, 8, and 10 hour private charters to fit your needs. Availability and online booking @ www.downsouthstx.com Give us a call with any questions. See you on the water!
Llewellyn’s Charter – 340-773-9027
Take a fast and exciting sail with local sailing legend and calypso recording artist Llewellyn Westerman aboard his 37-foot locally-designed and built, six-passenger performance trimaran Charis+. He’s been sailing to Buck Island National Monument since 1960 and assures a comfortable arrival to the beach or the first designated underwater National Park. Snorkel gear is provided. Departs from the St. Croix Yacht Club at Teague Bay 9 to 1:00 am, 1:30 to 5:30 pm, and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Personalized sails available. Call for more information and reservations
Lyric Sails – 340-201-5227
Experience the magic of Frederiksted sailing onboard the custom-built 63ft historic racing catamaran, Jolly Mon! On our signature live
Watersports
STEAL SOME TIME AND GET IN THE WATER!
Buck Island Charters—Two Can Get You There
B
uck Island Charters, with Captain Heinz and his son Carl, is one of the oldest charter boat companies sailing to Buck Island Reef National Monument. Captain Heinz, born in Austria, a beautiful country of mountains and lakes but no ocean, decided to see more of the world and learned to sail while working in Bermuda racing sailboats during his free time. In 1964 Heinz saw his dreamboat sail into Bermuda – a trimaran design that sailed three times faster than the mono-hulls he had been racing. He met the owner/designer Arthur Piver and arranged to have one built in England, a 30-footer, and named her Teroro (Polynesian for Sun God). In 1966, he and his good friend Peter sailed her from England to Barbados in 21 days although, at that time, trimarans and catamarans were considered experimental boats and not widely accepted by the sailing world as safe ocean crossing vessels because of how much faster they went than mono-hulls.
Captain Heinz & Captain Carl!
Navigation was accomplished via dead reckoning (no GPS or other technology like we have today). During their crossing, Heinz observed so much floating trash that it caused him to be concerned environmentally and has always relied on wind power to sail his boats since then. He was already thinking green in those days!
After sailing from island to island he found the beautiful port of Christiansted in 1968 and raised his three children—Sarah, Melanie, and Carl – with his wife Mary. In 1985 Teroro was replaced by 42’ Teroro II, the first commercially built boat by Gold Coast Yachts at Salt River Carl followed his father’s passion after sailing and competing in his youth and after helping to captain Teroro II to Buck Island for 16 years and now has his own boat, Dragonfly, a 38’ trimaran. Carl loves nature, sailing, windsurfing, surfing, and kite boarding and is ready for any water sport when weather conditions permit. He and his father love to share their local knowledge with the guests aboard and give them a very personalized snorkeling tour of Buck Island Reef. The boats are located at Green Cay Marina. Buck Island Charters | 340-718-3161 www.gotostcroix.com/heinz
Sail to Buck Island Reef National Monument on Departing Teague Bay 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Authorized Concessioner
100% sail powered 6 passenger custom built 37’ trimaran
Llewellyn’s Charter 340-773-9027
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 41
Watersports
TAKE THE PLUNGE—MAKE SOME MEMORIES! away from the crowds? Book a private day sail! Sail, snorkel, swim and relax in the always calm waters of the West while being taken care of by our professional crew! Private evening sails are also available by request. Sunset Sails sail Wed-Sun, private day sails are available daily. See our music schedule and book online, lyricsails.com
Teroro II and Dragonfly – 340-718-3161
Big Beard’s Adventure Tours. Pre-snorkeling excitement!
BUCK ISLAND, SUNSET SAILS & PRIVATE CHARTERS, cont.
340-773-DIVE (3483)
music sunset sail, be serenaded by local and visiting musicians as you sip on complimentary rum punch, spot turtle tracks at Sandy Point, and watch a beautiful West End sunset. Want to explore the West End by day and stay
Buck Island Charters, with Captain Heinz and his son Carl, is one of the oldest charter boat companies sailing to Buck Island Reef National Monument. Teroro II, a 42’ trimaran, is the first commercially built boat by Gold Coast Yachts at Salt River and chartered by Captain Heinz. Carl followed his father’s passion, after sailing and competing in his youth and after helping to captain Teroro II to Buck Island for 16 years, and now has is own boat Dragonfly, a 38’ trimaran. He and his father love to share their local knowledge with the guests aboard and give them a very personalized snorkeling tour of Buck Island Reef. We are recommended by Fromer’s Tour Guide and sail from Green Cay Marina.
Sweet Bottom Dive Center.
SCUBA DIVING ST. CROIX, USVI
DIVE A WRECK, WALL, PIER & REEF ALL IN ONE DAY! Diving here is easy & accessible with an array of experiences. All dive boats are inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard & captains are USCG certified. Sea life is abundant & changes with the time of day & time of year. More than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral & hundreds of invertebrates inhabit the water. BUCK ISLAND REEF NATIONAL MONUMENT – is 6,000 feet long, a .-mile wide & includes the 176-acre island & 18,839 acres of submerged land & coral reef system. FREDERIKSTED PIER – Macro life abounds; depths reach 50’ at the end of the pier; pilings are at 25’. BUTLER BAY WRECKS – 5 wrecks together on St. Croix’s Northwest tip; the deepest is at 110’ & the shallowest is at 20’. SALT RIVER CANYON – This Northshore site has two walls facing each other across a quarter mile of blue water. CANE BAY WALL – Rated one of the top dives in all the Caribbean. Not to miss! -The Scuba Diving Resource
2 Breathtaking Locations • Cane Bay Beach • Davis Bay Beach
Carambola Beach Resort
Classes, Shore, Boat, Wall, Pier & Night Diving Available
sweetbottomdive.com 42 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Nep2une Scuba Diving.
JOIN THE EXPERTS! DIVING
Dive Experience – 340-773-3307
Get to know St. Croix’s underwater wildlife— Turtles, Eels, Sting Rays, Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Dolphins, and even Humpback Whales with St. Croix’s Original PADI 5-Star IDC Center! Michelle Pugh, a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, opened Dive Experience in 1983 and has the most experienced dive staff on the island. Diver safety, combined with fun and preservation of the marine environment are our primary concerns. Daily boat dives, Lionfish hunting dives—take your fillets home with you (yum!), and “No Moon” String-of-Pearl night dives! We offer diver training from the Discover Scuba program to dive instructor and complete dive and snorkel rental gear plus air and nitrox fills. New, expanded location on the Chritiansted boardwalk at Kings Alley. We love to dive and it shows! www.divexp.com
Nep2une Scuba Diving – 340-227-1915
Nep2une Scuba Diving specializes in small groups and personal service diving! We are located directly across from the Frederiksted Pier and offer 6-diver max boat dives daily with over 30 different dive sites to choose from on the calm waters of St. Croix’s west end. And we offer guided day and night dives at the famous Frederiksted Pier, as well as Private Charters. Here at Nep2une, we want you to have the best diving experience possible! Whether you have been diving for years or this is your first dive, your safety and enjoyment are our #1 priority! Be sure to stop by and check out our retail store for all your snorkeling, diving, beach wear and souvenir needs.
DIVE EXPERIENCE — Diving St. Croix for 40 Years Michelle Pugh, a 45-year resident of St Croix, learned to dive in Los Angeles while in high school and hasn’t stopped since! In 1992, along with Jacques Cousteau, she was inducted into the Platinum Pro 5000 through SSI. In 2004, she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame for being the first woman to dive with killer whales in the wilds of Canada, the first American woman to teach diving in Moscow, Russia and for establishing the mooring system on St Croix to protect the coral reefs. Michelle was also given the SBDC and Congressional Award for Entrepreneurial Success for Dive Experience. Sam Halvorson, Captain, Instructor, Dive Master, and Videographer, has been on board for 29 years. He knows the reefs like the back of his hand. His videos are a favorite souvenir! Michelle, who’s made over 10,000 dives on St. Croix, is the only dive center owner that actually dives most everyday—guiding lots of customers by request. While developing
the dive mooring sites, she has explored most St Croix reefs and walls. Michelle has also traveled the world just to dive—like the East coast of the US from Florida to Rhode Island, the West coast from Canada to Mexico, The Red Sea, Australia, Solomon Islands, Borneo, Philippines, the Antarctic, and most of the Caribbean Islands and the Galapagos Islands! Dive Experience is St. Croix’s first dive operator and the first PADI 5-star IDC center. They teach diving from novice to professional instructors. Located at Kings Alley on the boardwalk, their USCG-licensed dive boat is steps away on the boardwalk. The full-service center features basic snorkel equipment to recreational and professional dive gear from Aqualung (US Divers) plus hats, towels, tees, Trudi Gilliam fish art and the largest Reef sandal selection on island. “With years in the business and my experience over time, I can say that Dive Experience is simply the best!” Advertisement
DIVE EXPERIENCE Celebrating Celebrating Years! 3940Years!
“The Name Says it All”
2020 2023
Sweet Bottom Dive Center – 340-773-DIVE (3483)
Find us in 2 breathtaking locations. At Cane Bay Beach, in our NEW 2,200 square foot facility and at the Carambola Beach Resort at Davis Bay. We offer daily shore diving to the famous ‘Wall’ only a short distance off each of the beaches. Dive our beautiful, healthy corals to see tropical fish, turtles, rays and reef sharks or schedule a boat or pier dive. Whether you’re interested in a Discover Scuba Diving experience or are working towards a certification, such as; Open Water, Advanced Open Water, a Specialty Course, Professional Instructor Ratings or Technical Diving, we can accommodate you. Air, Nitrox or Trimix tank fills available along with top-notch scuba and snorkeling equipment to rent. Discover why diving with Sweet Bottom Dive Center is a sweet experience! www.SweetBottomDive. com, FaceBook and Instagram.
Open: Monday-Saturday, 8 am-5 pm Sunday, 8 am-4 pm
St. Croix’s First PADI 5 Star Center Owned by Michelle Pugh,Women Diver’s Hall of Fame
Diver Training — Beginner to Instructor Dive Equipment Retail & Rentals Daily Boat DivesLion Fish Hunts Snorkel Trips
Christiansted Boardwalk at Kings Alley
Local: 340-773-3307 Toll Free: 800-235-9047 www.divexp.com
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 43
Watersports
LIVE THE BIO BAY EXPERIENCE! Ski free ride zone is large and uncrowded for safe and fun riding. More action can be found on a Jet Ski tour to Sandy Point and Hams Bluff Lighthouse. Call or book online on our website. Spend a relaxing day on Rainbow Beach and enjoy good island food and drinks from Rhythms at the same time! www.wewatersports.com, Facebook
KAYAK TOURS
Sea Thru Kayaks VI – 340-244-8696
video your entire tour. By touring with us, you are helping to keep the reef healthy for future tours and generations to come. Part of all proceeds benefit reef charities on St. Croix. Open every day, 9am-6pm. www.mermaidadventures.net, Facebook, IG
Your paddle sport Go-To on St. Croix! Located inside of Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, providing a waterfront experience into the heart of nature and history. Experience the incredible natural phenomenon of our bioluminescent bay in our completely transparent kayaks. Your entire boat will become immersed in millions of light-emitting micro-organisms with limitless visibility of the glowing wonders around you, creating a bucket list experience unlike any other. Soak up some Vitamin D and enjoy one of our daytime tours in the Caribbean sun, creating a fun and family-friendly experience in one of our glass-bottom kayak eco or beach tours. For the more adventurous, view our rentals, from glass bottom and ocean kayaks, to soft top and transparent SUPs. Facebook, www.seathrukayaksvi.com
West End Water Sports – 340-277-8295
Virgin Kayak Tours – 340-514-0062
Virgin Kayak Tours. Happy kayaking, happy life!
JET SKI & SEA SCOOTERS
Mermaid Adventures SeaScooter Snorkel Tours - 310-742-5015
Get ready to be propelled through the beautiful Caribbean waters on a SeaScooter snorkel tour tailored just for you. As it pulls you through the water, you conserve your swimming energy and get the most coverage of our enchanting blue waters during your snorkeling time. We are a mobile company that goes out to all the hottest snorkel locations like the Frederiksted Pier, Sandcastle, Cane Bay, and Green Cay across from Tamarind Reef. We provide high-end snorkel equipment and train you on its use before your tour time starts. We also photograph and
Located in Frederiksted at the popular Rainbow Beach next to Rhythms Restaurant and Bar, we offer lounge chairs, umbrellas, Jet Ski rentals or tours by appointment, and now Yamaha Sea Scooters—the perfect way to explore the world underwater! The West End has some of the calmest and clearest waters on the island. Our beautiful swimming and snorkeling area is in front of the beach and, beyond that, the Jet
SURF & SUP LESSONS Kids & adults multi-lesson packages Kids and Adults Group/Private Lessons
Snorkel with ease on underwater propulsion scooters!
SURF BOARD RENTALS Proceeds benefit reef charities on St. Croix
www.mermaidadventures.com
44 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Call or Book Online! 340.473.8150
www.stcroixsurfandsup.com
Voted ‘Best Kayak Tour’ on St. Croix for the past eight years by the readers of the VI Daily News! Family owned and operated for 20 years, Virgin Kayak Tours offers nighttime Bioluminescent Tours, Salt River Historical Park & Ecological Preserve tours, and Custom Tours — half day, full day, or week long. They use the award-winning Hobie Mirage Pedal Kayaks, so your tour is effortless, even in
Watersports
KAYAK INTO THE HEART OF NATURE & HISTORY windy conditions, and focus on St. Croix ecology, Pre-Columbian history, and the cultural landscape. “You’ll definitely see our passion shine through on every St. Croix kayak tour!” Located off Route #80 at Salt River Marina. www.virginkayaktours.com, Facebook, IG
SURFING
St. Croix Surf & SUP – 340-473-8150
Surfing is one of the most unique and exhilarating water sports St. Croix has to offer. There is nothing more fun than riding your first wave. Now St. Croix has its own Surf School with local surfer Bryce Scott excited to share his 30 years of experience riding waves! St. Croix Surf & SUP is owned and operated by Bryce and his wife Amanda and offers 2-hour private and group lessons as well as surfboard rentals. They use the best soft-top surfboards on the market to keep you safe and have you standing up and riding in no time. Come get stoked and ride your first wave! Call or email to book at www.stcroixsurfandsup.com. Facebook, IG
West End Water Sports. Elevate your experience on a Jet Ski!
SeaThru Kayaks VI. Discover Salt River!
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 45
Beaches Public
MAKE A BIG SPLASH! All beaches in the USVI are open to the public although access through private property and hotels may have restrictions. Buck Island Reef National Monument
The National Park Service has operated Buck Island Reef as a National Park since 1961. Underwater trail, two beaches, two picnic areas, snorkeling, shade, hiking trail, limited facilities. Seven miles East of Christiansted; use authorized National Park Service concessionaires. www.nps.gov/BUIS
Buck Island. Ted Davis
Cane Bay Beach
On St. Croix’s Northshore, this is a long, sandy beach with shade and great snorkeling; relatively shallow and nice for swimming. Diving’s famous “Wall” is located here. Sweet Bottom Dive Center and The Landing Beach Bar to serve you!
Columbus Landing
Christopher Columbus landed here in 1493 at the site of Salt River Bay. Take the road to the left of Salt River Marina. Minimal facilities. Managed by the Territorial State Historic Preservation Office (DPNR), and is within the boundaries of the National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. www.nps.gov/SARI
Cane Bay Beach.
Ted Davis
Cramer Park
Before Pt. Udall, on the East End, is a beautiful long, deep beach with bathrooms, changing rooms, and picnic tables.
Dorsch Beach
On the right, just before Sandcastle on the Beach Hotel and Beach Side Café, is a wonderfully convenient beach with parking and some shade.
Frederiksted Beach.
Ted Davis
Frederiksted Beach
Right next to Ft. Frederik, it is a favorite of cruise ship passengers. Convenient parking and changing facilities.
Rainbow Beach
North of Frederiksted, this is a lively beach with bar and restaurant. West End Watersports offers Jet Ski, Sea Scooter, Kayak, and Paddle Board rentals. Live music on Sunday afternoons. A local favorite!
Reef Beach
Right next to Duggan’s Reef Restaurant on the East End is a nice slip-of-a-beach. With a very gradual decline, the beach is perfect for windsurfing or for swimming with small children. The Reef Golf Course is across the street.
Sandy Point.
Susan Wall
Sandy Point
Located on St. Croix’s West End, this spectacular beach is part of Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and is one the longest in the Caribbean! Leatherback Turtle nesting is underway now and the beach is closed to the public until the first week in September. Follow on Facebook.
Shoy Beach
Deep and lush, this beach is located inside the entrance to The Buccaneer Hotel; the guard gate attendant to the right will let you through. Park at the end of the road. No facilities; some shade trees. A 46 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Shoys Beach.
Al Dorsa
Golf & Tennis
COMMUNITY NEWS
PLAY TIME!
A NOD TO THE BUILDING TRADES
GOLF
Tee-off at one of St. Croix’s exceptional golf courses! Carambola Golf Club & Country Club – 340-778-5638
20TH ANNUAL SEA SWIM
Frederiksted Pier to Rainbow Beach
At the blow of the Conch, hundreds of agegroup swimmers leap off the Pier showing their skills and speed in the water as they rush to the finish line one mile away. Or they may choose to put on fins and make it a leisurely Sunday swim. Whether you’re at the Start or Finish, this event is fun to watch! 11AM Start. Call or email for more info. Register at Eventbrite. Swim fee includes performance tee and goodie bag. $30 if registered by Dec 6 or $45 after. 340-719-7946, stcroixdolphins@gmail.com, www.stcroixdolphins.org
www.golfcarambola.com
In April 2022, we introduced you to Peter Zielke, of Z Property, who has undertaken the formidable task of transforming a major part of Christiansted’s Hospital Street from ruins to habitable, handsome residential and commercial properties where he honored St. Croix culture by installing three giant Moko Jumbies. He has now installed a new statue, honoring The Bricklayer over the many years of his contribution, outside his brick-clad former Outrigger restaurant with a plaque, in three languages stating the gratitude for this important service. Behind this property he plans a hotel and yacht club on the bay. Stay tuned…
Steve Simonsen
Susan Wall
Open 7 days a week beginning at 7:30am. An East End, 18-hole course that takes the player over rolling hills to the water’s edge with incredible views! Call for rates and tee times. Pro Shop. www.thebuccaneer.com
The Buccaneer Hotel courts.
The Bricklayer.
The Buccaneer Hotel – 340-712-2144
Kelly Greer
Open 6 days a week, 7:30 am – 4 pm. Closed Mondays. Commissioned by Laurence Rockefeller, as the centerpiece of a luxury Caribbean resort complex, and designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a beautiful, challenging par-72, 18-hole course that stretches over 7,000 yards with water hazards coming into play on 7 holes. Carambola opened in 1966 to rave reviews and was considered by the master designer himself to be
one of his finest courses. A great golfing treasure, it is the finest course in the Virgin Islands. This course is a Caribbean gem and a “must play” for any true lover of the game. Pro Shop. Clubs and cart rentals. Call for rates, specials, and tee times. 72 Estate River. www.golfcarambola.com
The Reef Golf Course – 340-773-8844
Open 7 days a week, 7am – 5pm A 9-hole course, Par 35, with a driving range. Carts and rental clubs, golf lessons, Golf Shop. Also on site, an 18-hole Disc Golf course. Rental discs available. Pickle Ball, Tennis. Membership Rates, Greens Fees, Events, and Twilight pricing at www.reefcondosusvi.com, Facebook
TENNIS
Open to the public. Stay tournament-ready! The Buccaneer Hotel – 340-712-2143
Open Mon – Fri, 8 - 11am and 3 - 6pm; Sat, 8 - 11am. Pro Shop open same hours as the courts. Eight East End courts; lighted courts by appointment. Pro Shop and Game Match Service. Tennis Pro available for lessons. Call to reserve court time. www.thebuccaneer.com December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 47
Destination St. Croix HISTORIC & HELPFUL INFORMATION
7 FLAG HISTORY
HISTORY is what this island has an abundance of, going back several thousand years. Back then, the Amerindian population that had migrated here from South America called it Ay Ay. A tribe known as Caribs lent their name to the region and was encountered at Salt River in 1493 by the first Europeans, the 17ship fleet of Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world. He claimed the island for Spain and called it Santa Cruz, the Spanish version of its present name. Over the following centuries, many European nations started exploiting the Caribbean archipelago, with the British, Dutch, and French joining Spain in taking possession of the rich resources found in some of the islands, battling pirates that posed a dramatic challenge to the treasures derived from mineral resources. But agriculture, in the form of sugar cane cultivation, turned out to be a winning formula, as sugar, and its by-product rum, were incredibly valuable crops. Under changing ownership by the Dutch, British and French, including a brief ownership by the Knights of Malta, this island did not prosper, and it was sparsely colonized. The French, that owned it from the mid-1600’s and gave it its present name, actually abandoned it around 1700 having failed at developing a viable plantation economy. For over 30 years St. Croix returned to its natural state, when a business enterprise of the little Scandinavian nation of Denmark, that since 1666 had taken possession of St. Thomas and later St. John to the north of St. Croix, in 1733 made the decision to expand and purchase this island from the French. 48 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Known as the Danish West India and Guinea Company, it excelled in sugar cultivation and export made possible by slave trade from West Africa, a necessity for developing a large-scale operation of sugar cane harvests, for which this island was ideally suited thanks to its terrain and rainfall. In no time, the island was transformed, with forests giving way to planted sugar cane fields by thousands of enslaved persons who, after being brought here under horrific conditions, toiled in the fields under the hot sun. The island’s cane fields and accompanying estate structures were owned by an assortment of nationalities, with the English, Scots and Irish dominating, but the military and administration was run by Danes, after the island ownership was conferred to the Danish king in 1771. Soon, a lot of money was made here, but at a high cost of human life. The island posed health risks from tropical diseases and poor hygienic standards and opposition to the cruel treatment of the enslaved eventually brought about emancipation in 1848, several years after the British-owned islands had initiated it. But the fact that cane sugar was not so valuable since beet sugar now competed with it made conditions worse, and a revolt in 1878 led to further decline. So the islands of the Danish West Indies, as the three were called, were a sad sight and, in the early 20th century when WW1 was underway, the United States took interest in us for our strategic location, particularly as the Panama Canal had just been completed, and Germany was threatening to take possession of us. At a price of $25 million in gold, the transfer of the islands, to be known as the United States Virgin Islands, took place on March 31, 1917. And, the rest is History, of a different kind.
DRIVE LEFT Whether renting a car or crossing the street, it is vital to remember that traffic in the USVI flows from the left side of the road. St. Croix has two towns—Christiansted at the center on the North Shore and Frederiksted at the West End. The Caribbean Sea, which surrounds the island, is always there to guide you along the roads that wind around the coast. Car rental agencies have a variety of vehicles available from sporty jeeps to roomy air-conditioned sedans, vans, and SUVs. The average price usually includes unlimited mileage but you fill the tank upon return! Both US and other driver’s licenses are recognized. The driver and front seat passenger are required by law to use seat belts and cell phone talking or texting is not allowed. Parking in Christiansted is limited. There is daytime parking in the National Park Service lot near Ft. Christiansvaern, until 4:30 pm, and a public lot with fees on Strand and King Cross Street. Running from mid-island west to within 1 mile of Frederiksted is the 4-lane, divided Melvin H. Evans Highway. The speed limit is 55. In other areas, the 35 mph limit applies; in town, 20 mph unless otherwise posted.
WORSHIP St. Croix’s history is mirrored in its old church structures. 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. The historic Anglican (Episcopalian) churches built in Gothic style include St. John’s in Christiansted and, in Frederiksted, St. Paul’s church. The large number of Irish settlers, along with Englishmen and Hispanics, have contributed to the presence of the Catholic church; Holy Cross in Christiansted is the oldest in the Virgin Islands. The Danish rule of the island from 1733 to 1917 brought the Lutheran church, which still plays a large role here. Lord God of Sabaoth in Christiansted occupies the former Dutch Reformed Church; Holy Trinity in Frederiksted was built shortly after the town was founded. The Dutch Reformed church (Presbyterian) now has a new mid-island home. There are 150 churches on St. Croix, from SeventhDay Adventist to Methodist, Baptist, Church of God, and many more. Church attendance and activities are important to a large part of our population; visitors are always welcome at services, often a high point in their island experience. Many other faiths offer places of worship—a Jewish synagogue, a Hindu temple, and a Muslim mosque, to name a few. A church listing can be found in the yellow pages of our local phone book beginning on Page 35.
Destination St. Croix GOOD TO KNOW!
Atlantic Ocean Puerto Rico
US
Tortola BVI
St. Thomas
UK
St. John
Culebra Vieques
Christiansted
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Caribbean Sea
Frederiksted ●
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St. Croix
CLIMATE. Year-round temps are in the 80s during the day, 70s at night, with summer somewhat warmer. Easterly trade winds keep the humidity down. Most showers are over in minutes. Residents collect rainwater from their roof into household cisterns; saltwater distillation plants help the supply. With water scarce, it is used sparingly.
9am-1pm. Bank of St. Croix, Gallows Bay and Peter’s Rest open Mon-Th, 9am-3pm, Fri, 9am3:30pm. Oriental Bank, Sunny Isle, open MonWed, 8:30am-4:30pm, Th & Fri, 8:15am-5:30pm, Sat, 9am-1pm. See maps for locations, Pg 54-58. GETTING HERE. Airlines flying to St. Croix are American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Airlines, Sea Flight, Silver/Seaborne, and Spirit Airlines. Check www.viport.com for current schedules. No passports needed for US citizens! HOLIDAYS. We celebrate Federal and Local holidays; the government closes for both, banks close for most, shops close on major holidays. LOCATION/SIZE. St. Croix coordinates are 17.7246° N, 64.8348° W. We are part of the US Virgin Islands, located 90 miles East of Puerto Rico, and part of the Antilles chain from the Bahamas down to Trinidad. St. Croix is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, is 82.8 square miles, 28 miles long x 7 miles wide.
COMMUNICATIONS. We have several radio stations and three television stations. Cable and Dish TV carry the national news. There are 2 daily newspapers, The St. Croix Avis and VI Daily News (also online), and St. Croix Source for online local news. CURRENCY & BANKING. We use the US dollar and credit cards are accepted everywhere. First Bank (all branches) open Mon-Th, 8:30am-4pm, Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Sunny Isle & Frederiksted branches, Sat, 9am-1pm. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR) Orange Grove open Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm, Sunny Isle, Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm, Sat,
TELEPHONE/CELL PHONE. Local area code is 340 does not need to be dialed for local numbers on island. We have an AT&T Store at Sunny Isle Shopping Center, 340-778-6400 and Sprint/T Mobile Store in Peter’s Rest, 340-7130055. TIME. We are on Atlantic Standard Time (AST), one hour earlier than EST but the same as EST during Daylight Savings. VIRGIN ISLANDERS. Virgin Islanders are a reserved but friendly people. “Good Morning,”“Good Afternoon,” and “Good Night” are welcome Crucian greetings. Everyone speaks English or a lilting version of it. VISITORS BUREAU. The Dept. of Tourism Office is upstairs in the Frederiksted Mall, Strand Street, Frederiksted. Open Mon-Fri and cruise ship days, 340-772-0357. A new Christiansted location opening soon. WEDDINGS. For a romantic island getaway, tie the knot here and simplify your destination wedding! Request more info at www.visitusvi. com. Fill out and submit your Wedding Request for Proposal online. EMERGENCY NUMBERS. Police, Fire, Ambulance from landline— 911 Police, Fire, Ambulance from cell phone— 340-772-9111 St. Croix Hospital— 340-778-6311 Diver’s Alert Network (DAN)— 919-684-9111 Emergency Alerts, Hurricane Tracking, Maps & Prep Info, www.vitema.vi.gov 340-773-2244
Sugarmill.
Ted Davis
MARINE LIFE. All native plants, animals, fish (unless harvested for food), coral and shells are protected under the Indigenous Species Act. You will not be permitted to leave the territory with any plants or marine life in your possession. POST OFFICES. As part of the US postal system, we have six post offices located in Gallows Bay, Christiansted, Richmond, Sunny Isle Shopping Center, Kingshill, and Frederiksted. See Maps, Pg 54-58. St. Patrick’s Church, Frederiksted.
Ted Davis
TAXES. No sales tax but a 12.5% government tax is applied to hotel rooms.
Jacks Bay.
Ted Davis December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 49
Staying Here
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Cottages By The Sea
340-772-0495
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Discovery Grove
208-340-1246
Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino
340-773-9700
Feather Leaf Inn
344-474-1358
Frederiksted Hotel
340-643-4939
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Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas
340-249-0700
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Holger Danske Hotel
340-773-3600
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Hotel on the Cay
340-773-2035
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King Christian Hotel
340-773-6330
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Mt. Victory Camp Eco Lodge
340-201-7983
Northside Valley
340-772-0558
Sand Castle on the Beach
340-772-1205
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Tamarind Reet Resort & Marina
340-718-4455
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The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort
340-712-2100
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The Fred
1-844-789-8784
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The Palms at Pelican Cove
340-718-8920
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The Sugar Apple Bed & Breaktast
754-300-6983
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The Waves Cane Bay
340-718-1815
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Victoria House
340-692-8888
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Watersports
340-773-1377
Tennis
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Company House Hotel
Spa
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Pool
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340-773-0210
Pets Allowed
340-227-9853
Non-Smoking
Caribbean Breeze Apartments & Vacation Homes Club Comanche / Hotel St. Croix
Hiking Trails
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Internet
340-773-0687
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Caravelle Hotel & Casino
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The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, family-owned since 1945 near Christiansted. Choose from 138 guestrooms, with private balconies or patios & 4 restaurants. Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, practice your swing on the golf or tennis courts, or take a dip in one of 2 pools. www.thebuccaneer.com
Whirlpool
Wetbar / Microwave
Full Kitchen and Patio / Deck
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340-778-3800
Fitness Center
340-772 1684
Carambola Beach Resort
Casino
Arawak Bay: The Inn at Salt River
Beach
PHONE
Air Conditioned
Easy Hotel Guide
Children facilities / daycare
BE OUR GUEST!
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ncrowded and upspoiled. Escape to St. Croix, the largest of the US Virgin Islands, and stay awhile!
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A Historic Caribbean Retreat on the Christiansted Boardwalk
Carambola Beach Resort at secluded Estate Davis Bay, is a get-away like no other. Lush surroundings, cozy, private villas, breathtaking ocean views. A storied property, once owned by Laurence Rockefeller. Beautiful pool, private beach, dining & drinks in 2 restaurants. Dive shop. Mariott.com/stxbr Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, an allinclusive, adult-only (18+) experience on the East End. Redesigned rooms & hillside suites, 2 fresh water pools, tennis, fitness center, restaurants, nonmotorized watersports. www.diviresorts.com Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas, a newly-renovated & restored beachfront “1960s” boutique hotel. Charming & family-friendly. 2 restaurants, 2 bars, pool, hiking trails, snorkeling. 18 large, ocean-front rooms. Art murals by Barbara Gelardi. www.grapetreebayhotel.com Caribbean Breeze Apartments & Vacation Rentals, a gated, historic Frederiksted property within walking distance to beaches/pier/shopping/ dining. 6 units, studios or 1-bedrooms. Charming 1/2-acre garden, BBQ/kitchen, pool. Wifi, AC in bedrooms; Owners on property. www.airbnb.com/ rooms/2989620. Club Comanche, Hotel St. Croix, a landmark Hotel within the Christiansted National Historic Site, celebrates 75 years in 2023! 20 rooms with West Indian charm; Main House & Bridgehouse connect by a Strand Street bridge. www.clubcomanche.com Holger Danske Hotel, on the Christiansted Harbor Boardwalk, boasts a fresh water pool & a ferry ride to the beach on Protestant Cay. 42 rooms. Large balconies, Wi-fi, restaurant, large pool deck. Charming & convenient! www.holger-hotel.com E X P E R I E N C E T H E C H A R M O F F R E DE R I K S T E D
Historic Danish parsonage • Gated courtyard & pool Walking distance to beach & attractions ALL NEW STUDIOS & 1 BEDROOMS
1200 King Cross Street Christiansted Boardwalk
holgerdan@aol.com www.holgerhotel.com Nates Boathouse Restaurant
1-(877)- HOLGERD • (340) 773 - 3600 50 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
340-773-0210 www.clubcomanche.com
Prince Street, Frederiksted (340) 227-9853 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2989620
DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE ISLAND GETAWAY A retreat for all ages, Carambola Beach Resort offers a restorative escape and endless possibilities for discovery above and below the waves. FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 340.778.3800
Scan QR code to BOOK your Caribbean Escape
Getting TAXI SERVICES
Epidel Taxi & Tours.......................... 340-643-0205 Believe It Taxi Service....................... 340-690-3774 St. Croix Taxi Association, Airport:. 340-778-1088
Sample Taxi Rates
1 2 or More, FROM AIRPORT TO: Person each pay Buccaneer Hotel...................................$30......($15) Cane Bay................................................$30......($15) Carambola Beach Resort...................$30......($15) Christiansted.........................................$25.....($15) Club St. Croix........................................$25.....($15) Colony Cove.........................................$25......($15) Coakley Bay Condos..........................$40......($20) Divi Carina Bay Resort......................$50......($25) Frederiksted..........................................$20......($10) Grapetree Bay Hotel............................$50......($25) Green Cay Marina..............................$40......($20) Hospital..................................................$20.....($10) La Grande Princesse...........................$25......($15) La Vallee................................................$30......($15) Lorraine Village...................................$20......($10) Morning Star .......................................$25......($15) Queens Quarter...................................$25......($15) Sand Castle on the Beach..................$20......($10) Sunny Isle area.....................................$20......($10)
OLYMPIC—ACE Rent A Car
EPIDEL Taxi Service & Tours
48 on St. St.Croix! Croix! 47Years Years on Experience Olympic’s Friendliness! www.olympicstcroix.com
• CARS: Wranglers, 4WD, Soft Top, w/AC, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Versa, Focus, Toyota Yaris, Minivans, SUV’s •Unlimited Mileage - Low Rates • Most Credit Cards Honored • FREE pickup & return to most locations. We meet all flights at anytime.
340-718-3000 • 1103 Richmond Conveniently located 1 minute away from the seaplane at the entrance to Christiansted.
Amador Delerme • 340-643-0205 amadordelerme2015@gmail.com stxepidelvi@gmail.com
QE4
ISLAND FERRY
Icy AC
rent@olympicstcroix.com Call us direct: 888-USVI-CAR (888-878-4227) or fax: (340) 718-9000 No other discounts apply.
Restrictions may apply.
10% DISCOUNT
with this coupon presented at the time of rental on direct reservations only. Valid April 15 - December 1. 52 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
ST. CROIX | ST. THOMAS EVERY DAY EXCEPT TUESDAY Departs STX for STT 8am Departs STT for STX 3pm BOOK ONLINE QE4FERRY.COM
Around TAXI INFORMATION
■ Christiansted Taxi Stands are on King Street near Government House and in Frederiksted near Ft. Frederik.
CONFIRM THE RATE BEFORE GETTING IN A TAXI AS TAXIS ARE NOT METERED ON ST. CROIX. RATES MUST BE POSTED IN THE TAXI.
■ These taxi rates to and from the Airport and
Towns were obtained from the Taxi Commission and have been approved by the VI Legislature. Look for only licensed taxis which carry a dome light and the letters TP on their license plate.
■ Luggage—A flat rate of $2. Per bag is added for
each passenger. The rate for items larger than 30” x 29” will not exceed $4.
■ Questions or Complaints—Call the VI Taxi
Cab Commission at 340-773-1561, M-F, 8am-noon, 1-5pm. www.tcc@vi.gov
LOWEST Rates Cars, Jeeps, SUVs, Vans! Seasonal Specials!
Low Rates Friendly Service JEEPS CARS SUVs VANS Free Vehicle Delivery to many Hotels!
Car Rental Car Rental Car Rental Car Rental Car Rental
Consistently Voted Best Car Rental
Reservations budgetstcroix.com or Call 340.713.9289 • Toll Free 888.264.8894 • Airport 340.778.9636 • Christiansted by Seaplane 340.713.9289 • Cruise Ship Passengers call for reservations 340.713.9289
Renter must be 25 or older (ages 23-24 an underage driver fee applies), have valid driver's license & major credit card. An independent Budget Systems Licensee.
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 53
On-the-Go Destinations! FIND IT HERE—TRAVERSE 84 SQUARE MILES
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54 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Columbus Landing
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Condos 1. Club St. Croix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 2. Coakley Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M-1 3. Colony Cove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 4. Mill Harbour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 5. The Reef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1 6. St. C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1 7. Schooner Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-2 8. Sugar Beach St. Croix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 Local Farmstands 1. ARTfarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-4 2. La Reine Farmers’ Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3 3. Ridge to Reef (VISFI). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2 4. Sejah Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3 5. Southgate Corner Farmer’s Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 6. Tropics Hydroponics Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2 Eat & Drink 1. Beach Side Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4 2. Chef Ozzie’s Kitchen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 3. Duggan’s Reef. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1 4. East End Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-2 5. El Flamboyant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 6. Flamboyant Grill @ Carambola Beach Resort. . . . . . . . D-1 7. Goat Soup & Whiskey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-2 8. La Reine Chicken Shack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2
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Buying/Living Here 1. Armery Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 2. Cruzan Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-2
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Beaches Buck Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M-0 Cane Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1 Colombus Landing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 Cramer Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-1 Dorsch Beach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 Rainbow Beach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 Reef Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1 Sandy Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5 Shoy Beach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 St. Croix East End Marine Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M-1
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Airlines 1. Cape Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4 2. Fly The Whale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4
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Vincent F. Mason, Sr. Coral Resort
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Leatherback Brewing Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 Saman Restaurant @ Carambola Beach Resort . . . . . . D-1 Sion Farm Distillery (MUTINY Island Vodka). . . . . . . . . . H-3 Sea Terrace Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-2 The Far East Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-2 The Landing Beach Bar at Cane Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 Stop & Shop Supermarket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 The Market STX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4 The Mermaid at The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort .K-2 The Sausage Shack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-1 The Terrace at The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort . K-2
Getting Around 1. Budget Car Rental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 2. Centerline Car Rentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 3. Olympic - Ace Rent-A-Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 Hotels 1. Arawak Bay: The Inn at Salt River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 2. Carambola Beach Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 3. Chenay Bay Beach Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-1 4. Cottages By the Sea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4 5. Discovery Grove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1 6. Divi Carina Beach Resort and Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-2 7. Grapetree Bay Hotel & Villas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-2 8. Hotel on the Cay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-2 9. Mt. Victory Camp Eco Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2
St. Croix Road Map FIND IT HERE—SCENIC ROUTES
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St. Croix Dive Sites
A series of dive site descriptions. 7. Salt River East Wall – Two moorings; inner mooring starts at 40
feet and goes to over 1000 feet. Going North, you will see large sponges, black coral, yellow-headed Jaw Fish and Schoolmasters.
8. Salt River West Wall – The wall starts at 20 feet and is more of a verticle drop to 120 feet. This area has many canyons and swimthroughs. Look for black coral and schools of horse-eyed Jacks.
© Cartographers, LTD. 2023
St. Croix Yacht Club
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BUCK ISLAND REEF NATIONAL MONUMENT
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No Take Zone – Protects near shore environments including mangroves, sea grass beds, lagoonal patch reefs, and linear reefs. OPERATING A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT IS PROHIBITED. ALL FISHING AND EXTRACTION IS PROHIBITED. Recreational Zone – Allows snorkeling, diving, boating, and recreational shoreline fishing. Catch-and-release guide fishing, and cast-net bait fishing are allowed with a Marine Park Permit. ALL OTHER TRADITIONAL FISHING IS PROHIBITED (including but not limited to: fish traps; spear fishing; collection of lobster, conch whelk). Wildlife Preserve Zone – Protects nesting female sea turtles using beaches in East End, Issac, Jack and Boiler Bays to lay eggs.
Brought to you by Dive Experience, Christiansted boardwalk.
Northside Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 Sand Castle On the Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4 Tamarind Reef Resort & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 The Palms at Pelican Cove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1 The Waves Cane Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
Other Interests 1. Captain Morgan Distillery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 2. Caribbean Community Theater (CCT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 3. Cruzan Rum Distillery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4 4. East End Marine Park Visitor Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-3 5. Estate Whim Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4 6. Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center. . . . . . . . . H-2 7. Island Center for the Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2 8. Hams Bluff Lighthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 9. Men’s Coalition of the VI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3 10. Point Udall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P-1 11. Randall “Doc” James Racetrack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4 12. Salt River National Historic Park & Ecological Preserve. G-0 13. St. Croix Animal Welfare Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 14. St. Croix Seashell Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4 15. St. Croix Yacht Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1 16. Sunny Isle Shopping Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3 17. St. George Village Botanical Garden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4 18. University of the Virgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3 19. VI Waste Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3
Shop Duty Free 1. Plaza Extra East. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3 2. Sweet Lime Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-3 3. The Hunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 Sports 1. Buccaneer Golf / Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 2. Buck Island Charters, Teroro II & Dragonfly. . . . . . . . . . K-1 3. Carambola Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2 4. Carambola Zip Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2 5. Down South Charters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 6. Llewellyn’s Charter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1 7. Mermaid Adventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4, G-1 8. Sea Thru Kayaks VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 9. St Croix Surf and SUP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-4 10. Sweet Bottom Dive Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 11. The Reef Golf Course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1 12. Virgin Kayak Tours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-0 13. West End Water Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 Be Well! 1. Beaston Hill Health & Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2 2. Mt Welcome Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-2
PETER’S REST CONVENIENCE CENTER Drop off Residential Household Waste, Green Waste, Bulk Waste, Scrap Metal, White Goods, and Household Hazardous Waste. Open Mon – Sat, 6am – 7pm, Sun, 6am – 2pm. Holidays, check website. Located on Rt. #62 between Rt. #68 and Rt. #70. Blue #18 on map. Operated by the Virgin Islands Waste Management Association. www.viwma.org | 340-712-4962.
December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 55
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Get Around Like a Local! FIND IT HERE! EXPLORE HISTORIC CHRISTIANSTED. 5
Protestant Cay
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© Cartographers, LTD. 2023
Banks & Post Offices 1. Bank of St. Croix ATM 2. First Bank ATM 3. Post Office, Company Street 4. Post Office, Gallows Bay
10. The Courtyard Juices & Fitness Center 11. Velvet Haze Lounge 12. VI Food Tours 13. Z Cafe
Buying/Living Here 1. RE/MAX St. Croix 2. Sea Glass Properties
Getting Around 1. Budget St. Croix Car Rentals 2. Centerline Car Rentals 3. Seaborne Seaplane Ramp 4. Sweeny’s Safari Tours
Eat & Drink 1. Artisan Craft Distillery Co. 2. BREWSTX 3. Chupacabra Tacos 4. Cruzian Bayou Bistro 5. Luncheria 6. Maria’s Cantina 7. Nates Boathouse 8. Seaside Market & Deli 9. Shupe’s on the Boardwalk
Local Art 1. Bead on a Wire 2. Cane Roots Art Gallery 3. Christa’s Art Gallery 4. Henle Fine Art 5. Maufe Gallery 6. Mitchell-Larsen Studio 7. The Seven Flags Museum
56 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
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Other Interests 1. Alanon Meetings 2. Anglican Church 3. Catholic Church 4. Christian “Shan” Hendricks Farmer’s Market 5. Florence Williams Public Library 6. Lutheran Church 7. Moravian Church 8. National Park Service (NPS Headquarters) 9. Public Restrooms Shop Duty Free 1. Asha World Designs 2. Baci Duty Free 3. Belle Sorelle Beauty Bar 4. Caledonia Wellness 5. Chaney Chicks & Island Gifts 6. Crucian Gold
P - Parking Christiansted National Historic Site Christiansted National Historic District 7. Cultured Naturals Body Care & Home Scents 8. Ebbe’s Store 9. Enso Indigo Home 10. FantaSea Jewelry at Henle Fine Art 11. Hotheads 12. ib designs 13. Joyia Inspirational Jewelry 14. KNG Clothing & Accessories 15. Oceanique Creations 16. Purple Papaya 17. RJS Handmade Designs 18. Small Wonder 19. SONYA’S Fine Island Jewelry 20. Sublime STX 21. Trends! 22. Tropical Bracelet Factory 23. Undercover Books & Gifts 24. UNIQUE by Maria Banwaree
Christiansted Map
FIND IT HERE! CONNECT WITH OUR CULTURE & HISTORY.
CHRISTIANSTED WALKING TOUR Let’s start a leisurely walking tour of Christiansted at the site of the Old Scale House 1 on the harborfront, known as the Wharf. This is one of a complex of five buildings comprising the Christiansted National Historic Site, established in 1952, administered by the National Park Service.
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Fort Christiansvaern 3 was the first public building to be started by the Danes after the island was purchased from France in 1733. It is built of Danish yellow brick and was completed in 1749 and later expanded. Its present appearance reflects the 1830’s period.
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Nearby, The Old Customs House 2 with its sweeping staircase, on the grassy area next to the Fort, was completed in 1830. It now holds National Park Service offices.
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It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm which coincides with the hours of the adjacent Fort Parking Lot whose hours are strictly enforced. Brochures available at the Visitor Center. The Steeple Building 4 across Hospital Street, formerly the Lutheran Church, dates from 1753. This site, on the Walking Tour, is currently closed for renovation. Across Company Street lies the onetime Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse, 5 built in 1749 as a storage facility for hundreds of barrels of sugar and rum. In its courtyard, slave auctions were formerly held. Originally, Government House 6 on King Street, was built as a home for a Danish merchant. That section dates from 1749; another section, the previous town house of a wealthy Danish plantation owner, was joined to it in 1826, together becoming the seat of the Danish West Indies government. The grand staircase and portico were added in 1830, as was the impressive ballroom/reception hall on the second floor by Governor General Peter von Scholten, who had his office and official residence here. Due to COVID-19 restrictions tours of the site have temporarily been suspended. The Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church 7 across Queen Cross Street on King Street was originally the Dutch Reformed Church, built in the 1740’s and transferred to the Lutherans in 1831, who brought the furnishings here from the Steeple Building. Later, the steeple was added. Across on Company Street is the historic Lutheran Parish Hall, and in the courtyard the former Pastor’s residence. Walking up Queen Cross Street to Company Street takes you to Apothecary Hall 8 on the left corner. Opened in 1828 by Danish pharmacist Peder Eggers Bentzon, the town’s first pharmacy remained here until 1970. Nearby on Company Street is the Old Market 9 , laid out in the original town plan from 1735 and still being used. The well dates from 1863. On this square you will also find the downtown Post Office.
Hotels 1. Carvelle Hotel & Casino 2. Club Comanche / Hotel St. Croix 3. Company House Hotel 4. Holger Danske Hotel 5. Hotel on the Cay 6. King Christian Hotel Be Well! 2. Mt Welcome Pharmacy 3. Pampered VI Watersports 1. Big Beard’s Adventure Tours 2. Dive Experience
Christiansted National Historic Site Established in 1952, Christiansted National Historic Site was the first unit of the National Park Saystem in the US Virgin Islands. The park’s historic buidings and grounds commemorate the Danish heritage (1733-1917) of the town of Christiansted, St. Croix, which was named in honor of the reigning King of Denmark and Norway, Christian VI. In the 1700s, Christiansted was part of a mercantile system that linked Europe,West Africa, and the Caribbean in the infamous “Triangular Trade.” Christiansted was the first town in the Lesser Antilles to be built on the grid system and to have a building code. Its distinctive colonial architecture reflects the town’s status as capital of the Danish West Indies (1755-1871); the great wealth generated by the export of cane sugar, molasses, and rum; and the influence of government building inspectors. December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 57 June / July 2014 • Page
Frederiksted Map
FIND IT HERE! DISCOVER THE WEST END.
Your tour of Frederiksted begins at Fort Frederik 1 by the cruise ship pier and waterfront park. Construction on the Fort began in 1752 and was completed in 1760. Featuring a museum with several permanent exhibits, and an art gallery, it is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Admission $5., children under 12 free. A public beach with showers and bathrooms is next to Fort Frederik. Governor General Peter von Scholten proclaimed the emancipation of the enslaved population in the Danish West Indies on July 3, 1848, from adjacent Buddhoe Park 2 named for the renowned slave rebellion leader, a bust of whom is displayed there. The Oscar E. Henry Customs House 3 was built in the 1800s. The Freedom Fountain 4, facing the pier, was installed for the Emancipation’s 150th Anniversary Celebration. After severe damage during a labor insurrection in 1878, parts of the town were rebuilt in Victorian style. Victoria House 5 , on Strand Street, pre63 the Frederiksted architecture of that time. serves The Visitor’s Bureau 6 is located upstairs on Strand Street above the Frederiksted Mall and next door to the historic light blue building housing the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts 7 . Free admission to exhibits and gift shop. Frederiksted is home to several historic churches, including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church ,8Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 9, Friedensberg Moravian Church 10, and St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church 11. The handsomely restored Arthur Abel Complex 12 , formerly The Danish School (1799), is now the office of the Lieutenant Governor in Frederiksted at Hospital and Market Street. At Strand and Queen Cross Streets is the Athalie McFarlane Petersen Public Library 13 , built in 1803. Just behind it lies the Dorsch Theater 14, an open-air stage and event site. The Market Place 15 , is still in use today, as it was in 1751 at the founding of Frederiksted.
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Tour an early Danish homestead, the Lawaetz Family Museum 1 at Estate Little 63Plantation ruins offer visitors a tranquil backdrop for La Grange on Mahogany Road. peace and contemplation at the Mt. Washington Labyrinth 2 , 2 miles north of Frederiksted. Open every day, year-round. The entrance gate is to the left when you reach the property and parking lot. The Whim Museum 3 , on Centerline Road, is the site of a former sugar cane plantation and temporarily closed. The Botanical Garden of the Virgin Islands 4 also on Centerline, showcases on 16 acres of ruins of a former sugar plantation 1500 native & exotic species. Award-winning Ridge2Reef Farm 5 , on Creque Dam Road, is a USDA Certified Organic Farm with produce, tours, and workshops. The Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge 6 is .5 mile beyond the west end of the Melvin H. Evans highway. See St. Croix Map, Pg 54 for location.
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Frederiksted Dive Sites
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Butler Bay Armageddon Rainbow Reef Frederiksted Pier Swirling Reef of Death
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Go to www.divexp.com for all island dive sites!
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Locations East of Frederiksted on Queen Mary Highway (Route 70)
Estate Whim Museum • St. George Village Botanical Garden 3
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Eat & Drink 1. Beach Side Café 2. Cibone Fine Seafood 3. Tap Deck Bar & Billiards Other Interests 1. Albert Edwards Fish Market 2. American Legion Hall 3. Dorsch Theater 4. Emile Henderson, Sr. Fire Station 5. Ft. Frederik Beach Bathhouse 6. Frederiksted Community Boating & Sailing Assoc. 7. Frederiksted Health Care 8. Hams Bluff Lighthouse (north of Frederiksted) 9. Legislature of the Virgin Islands 10. Our Town Frederiksted 11. Paul E. Joseph Stadium
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12. Police Bike Patrol Unit 13. Public Restrooms 14. St. Croix Country Club Shop Duty Free 1. Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts Sports 1. Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism 2. Cruzan Cowgirls 3. Lyric Sails 4. Mermaid Adventures 5. Nep2une Scuba Diving 6. West End Water Sports Hotels 1. Caribbean Breeze Apartments & Vacation Homes 2. Cottages By the Sea 3. Frederiksted Hotel 4. Mt. Victory Camp Eco Lodge 5. Sand Castle on the Beach 6. The Fred Hotel
RAISING OUR SPIRITS
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS, OLD & NEW by Nina York
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Christiansted Boat Parade Susan Wall
n former days of slavery here, the Christmas vacation, from the harsh duties in the sugar cane fields, offered the only respite to thousands of workers. They were allowed to visit other plantations and enjoy music and dance, dressing in colorful costumes; some went to church services. The brief moments of freedom were anticipated well ahead of time. Such was the custom until the 1848 Emancipation in the Danish West Indies, as we were called then. We have indeed evolved in our celebration since then!
This is a season for having a grand time, and Crucians are experts at that. The holiday spirit is in the air when lighted decorations are strung along Christiansted and Frederiksted main streets by The Gentlemen of Jones, as they have done for over 50 years. A more recent tradition, a 3-day event at Estate Bethlehem, the Crucian Coconut Festival, starts December 1, sponsored by the Farmers in Action. Vendors offer a great selection of gifts, coconut treats to eat or drink or made into crafts items. A Christiansted December 2 event, Christmas on Company Street, has photos with Santa at Jump Deli and Dem‘Tings, a family event with the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center. An applaudable community initiative, the Crucian Cultural Group, in its 5th year, sponsors the Limpricht Park Tree Lighting on Christiansted’s King Street, for all to enjoy, and sponsors window displays at Teddy’s Party Rentals and Purple Papaya, lights at the Bypass ruins, and a Mobile Lantern Parade. In town, on December 9, the ever-popular Lighted Boat Parade at the Christiansted waterfront draws thousands, now in its 23rd year. The following day has a double feature—the annual “Christmas Spoken Here,” spectacular Holiday Fair at the Botanical Garden, with dozens of vendors of gifts and offerings of delicious fare for the season, including sorrel beverage, guavaberry rum and edibles like sweetbread and ham, fish and fungi, popular pates and johnnycakes, and desserts of pastries, Vienna and fruit cakes, to name a few. Concurrently, December 10 marks the start of the official Crucian Christmas Festival, with headquarters in the town of Frederiksted, for its wide streets and site of the Festival Village with vendors and amusement park rides. On December 27, there will be contests for Carnival Prince and Princess, Miss St. Croix Princess, Calypso Monarch, and Cultural nights of Latin and Reggae music, and the hugely popular J’ouvert early morning tramp.
Everyone here knows that exact scheduling is not part of local culture; in fact, our scheduling is known as “Crucian Time,” yet it always works out at the end! Two dates of the Festival mark its conclusion—the January 5 Children’s Parade and Adult Parade the following day. Starting time may be 10, 11, or 12, but viewers along King Street come early and never seem to mind the wait. The costumes are spellbinding, and include traditional masquerader attire. The rhythm of the dancers is unbelievable! Steel Pan orchestras and Moko Jumbies are popular favorites.
Children’s Parad e visitusvi.com
Christiansted, meanwhile, will have a Food Fair at the Company Street Market, and serenaders visiting neighborhoods with caroling and local Quelbe music, a lovely old tradition of a mix of Calypso and polka, and accompanied by dancing the quadrille, similar to square dance. Christiansted’s neighboring Gallows Bay continues its tradition of a Holiday Festival with Santa Claus, on December 14, from 4 to 7 pm. A highly popular event adjoining a treasured eatery, the La Reine Chicken Shack, is the Coquito Festival, celebrating this Hispanic import of a rum-infused coconut eggnog that has become a staple for Christmas. On December 16, sample the assortment from dozens of brewers and take home your favorite.
Parade Trouper Susan Wall
Moko Jumbie Susan Wall
orks New Year's Firew
Masquerader Susan Wall Steel Pan music Ted Davis
As is obvious, this season holds traditions old and new, and there is joy in the air. Everyone is friendly, and you will easily find company to share the spirit of the Crucian welcome. Check the Events Calendar, Pages 4-6 for more details. December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 59
Be Well! BOOK SOME SELF-CARE!
knee pain as well as follow up and wellness services. The Fitness Center features weight floor, cardio studio, outdoor boxing area, CrossFit area, battle ropes, 25-meter pool, steam room, and stretching areas, plus group fitness classes to help you reach your body goals. Aesthetic beauty and nonsurgical body slimming treatments including massage, eyelash extensions, facials, laser hair removal, laser lipo, cellulite treatments, personal training, and weight loss coaching is also available by appointment. Let your transformation begin! beestonhealth.com
Pampered VI. Countless well-being services.
Beeston Hill Health & Wellness – 340-778-8888 Beeston Hill is a comprehensive athletic and medical facility, with chiropractic care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services as well as a Café, a fully equipped gym, pool, and fitness complex under one roof! We offer a full-service chiropractic care clinic and physical therapy center to treat back, shoulder, neck, and
Mt. Welcome Pharmacy – 340-719-7283 Co-founded by Pharmacist Steve Eckstein in 2007, on East End Road, there’s now a 2nd location on Northside Road at the Princesse Health Center, to better serve the community. Pharmacists Amber Harhen, Joe Cherkis and Marlee Risen are also on board to serve you. They specialize in Medication Therapy, Health & Beauty, Personal Care, Diabetic & LongTerm Care Supplies, & Medical Equipment. Prescriptions from other pharmacies can be filled here. Download the Mobile App & refill them online. East End Road open Mon-Fri, 8:30am-6pm, Sat, 9am-4pm, Sun, 9am-2pm.
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The Courtyard Juices & Fitness. Grab a refreshing drink before or after class! 60 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
Beeston Hill Health & Wellness Adds “Fitter Futures” for Seniors
B
eeston Hill Health & Wellness boasts a comprehensive chiropractic and physical therapy rehabilitation clinic as well as a Café, pool, gym and fitness center. A team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and trainers work together to treat not just the symptom, but the whole patient, to rebuild health, strength and mobility. The 25,000 square foot facility offers group fitness classes, water classes, personal training, aesthetic and wellness services.
It is also home to “Fitter Futures” by Beeston Hill, an exciting non-profit dedicated to providing fitness and wellness services for Seniors 65 and over. There are currently 17 classes per week offered at no cost to senior members through the Fitter Futures program. These include Water Aerobics, Restorative Yoga, Cycling, dancebased classes, and even Kickboxing! Non-members are also welcome to drop into any of these classes, for a fee, as well as other classes like Boxing, Bootcamp, Jiu-Jitsu and more. Since its creation, “Fitter Futures” has given free fitness classes and instruction to over 200 individuals from 65 to 92 years old, and now gives over 300 free class spots per month. Their mission is improving the health, strength, mobility, and happiness of those in their golden years proving you can stay fit at any age!. Beeston Hill also offers 30 additional adult, youth, and children’s classes weekly, and hosts swimming classes from infants to adults. Beeston Hill and “Fitter Futures” share a mission to improve the health and the lives of the St. Croix community, regardless of age or ability level. Beeston Hill is open 7 days a week.
Beeston Hill Health & Fitness 340-778-8888 gym@beestonhealth.com
Be Well!
FIND THE HELP YOU NEED!
Northside Road open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, Sat, 8am-1pm. mtwelcomerx@gmail.com, www. mtwelcomepharmacy.com. Pampered VI – 340-773-7728 Tucked in Christiansted on King St at the Kalmia Center, we’re a boutique spa offering exceptional personal services & aim to create an unforgettable client experience! Let us show you what sets us apart! Luscious lashes, flawless skin, relaxing massage—we’ve got you covered! Arrive early to enjoy our beautiful showers & infrared sauna. Next door is The Courtyard Juices & Fitness Center for healthy, locally-sourced drinks, smoothies, and veggie fare. Pamper yourself or have a Pamper Party with us! Mobile Services & Group packages. Book online for a full list of offerings. www. pamperedvi.com, FB.
Scan for 12-Step Meeting Schedule
Beeston Hill Health & Wellness. All the classes, equipment, trainers, medical and therapy solutions to stay fit at any age!
2 Locations East End Road, Gallows Bay (340) 719-7283 Mon -Fri 8:30am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm • Sun 9am-2pm
Princesse Health Center, Northshore Rd
(340) 719-7979 Mon -Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-1pm ✔ Medication Therapy ✔ Health & Beauty ✔ Personal Care ✔ Diabetic Supplies ✔ Long-Term Care
Supplies
✔ Medical Equipment
Fast & friendly prescription service Stateside transfers/ Most major insurance plans Download Mobile App to Refill Prescriptions on our website!
www.mtwelcomerx.com December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 61
Buying/Living Here SET THE STAGE FOR ISLAND LIFE!
Carrying on Jack Bishop’s
Legacy of Love Armrey Industries, Inc. & the Power of Community
I RE/MAX St. Croix. Estate Rust-Op-Twist. Listed on the US National Registry of Historic Places, dates to late 1700s. Main house, 3500 sq. ft. w/5 oceanfront acres and 2-bedroom cottage. MLS 23-1203
Armrey Industries, Inc. – 340-718-8314 Based on St. Croix, Armrey has been the Virgin Islands’ #1 supplier of Cabinets and Countertops since 1961. Armrey specializes in custom hardwood and PVC cabinets; laminate, quartz, and granite countertops; and more for your kitchen, bathroom, office and other spaces. Armrey’s custom work can be seen in countless residential homes and commercial spaces to include: both territory airports, multiple government agencies including the Legislature, hundreds of housing community units, the UVI Medical Simulation Center, JFL Hospital, Diageo, schools, and more! To learn more, visit our website. To schedule a design consultation and site measurement, call us or stop by our showroom in Estate Richmond, across from WTJX, between Charles Harwood and the
VOTED BEST
ON ST. CROIX #5 Company St. Christiansted (340) 773.1048
Ava Gail Bourdon Broker-Owner
Meet our Agents on page 2 62 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
n the heart of St. Croix, a family-owned business has been transforming kitchens, baths, and other residential and commercial spaces into works of art since 1961. However, their story goes beyond providing top-quality custom cabinets, countertops, and more; it is a tale of resilience, love, and a lasting legacy that continues to inspire. Armrey’s rise in the Virgin Islands began with its late founder of 37 years, Jack Bishop. Jack’s dedication not only drove the company’s expansion and success but also left an indelible mark on our local community. Even while fighting a year-long battle with aggressive stage-four cancer, Jack remained Armrey’s leader until his tragic passing in June 2022. Jack’s love and commitment to his community was truly unwavering up to the very end. Jack’s wife, Jean, his son, Julian, and their dedicated team at Armrey have been determined to honor Jack’s memory and continue his work. Jean and Julian (Armrey’s Owner and President, respectively) have spearheaded several initiatives in Jack’s honor, such as the “Jack Sprat Giveback” initiative, which offers discounted and donated services to nonprofit and community-based groups. Through this giveback program, Armrey has become a driving force behind the positive transformation of the Virgin Islands -- giving their love and support to the community that gave Jack everything. “United in Pride and Hope,” Armrey stands as a testament to our community’s enduring legacy of love. Beyond their world-class craftsmanship, Armrey represents the spirit of the Virgin Islands, a community that rises above adversity and cherishes the values of compassion and unity. While the grief of Jack’s loss may persist, the Armrey family continues to build his legacy of hope and goodwill, one cabinet at a time. Armrey Industries Inc. | Estate Richmond 340-718-8314 | Armrey.com Julien@ArreyIndustries.com Jean@Armrey Industries.com
Buying/Living Here CHANGE COURSE, MAKE YOUR MOVE! We have the reputation for putting you, the client, first and placing your needs and goals at the top the list. Thinking Real Estate?... Think RE/MAX St. Croix. View a list of our real estate professionals on Page 2 and connect with us today. info@ livingonscroix.com, www.livingonstcroix.com Sea Glass Properties – 340-715-7772 We are the fastest-growing real estate company in the Virgin Islands wirth Sanni Craft, Managing Broker- (340) 626-0737! At Sea Glass Properties we strive to provide you with the best service possible! We will assist you from the start of your search, for the perfect property, to the end. If you are new to St. Croix, our agents will navigate and get you familiar with the island. Whether buying or selling, we are committed and dedicated to serving you. Please contact us for any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you. www.seaglassproperties.com
Cruzan Gardens. Flower up for the Holidays at St. Croix’s oldest nursery!
Sea Glass Properties. Cotton Valley, 6-bed/4 bath on two levels, Buck Island view! $1,149. MLS 23-1143
Post Office. www.ARMREY.com, 3016 Richmond Ste 1, Christiansted, VI 00820. Cruzan Gardens – 340-778-0700 Plant lovers delight! Serving St. Croix for over 60 years, this tropical nursery has the largest selection of plants and plant supplies on island. Whether it’s one plant or landscaping an entire estate, our professional staff can provide solutions, answer your questions and build out your project successfully. We stock an assortment of growing supplies, beautiful planters, organic fertilizers, organic pesticides and organic seeds. Looking for large palms? Check out our palm field! Need specific plants or planters, we can special order for you. Check out all our services at www.cruzangardens.com and make Cruzan Gardens your first stop for anything plants! We are located on Midland Road (Hwy 72) in Estate Calquohoun. Nursery and air-conditioned store open TuesdayFriday 9am-5pm and Saturdays, 9am-1pm.
Sea Glass Properties. 4 Prosperity, stunning lot, North Shore view at gated Hibiscus Point. MLS #221892. $64,000
RE/MAX St. Croix – 340-773-1048 RE/MAX, a name you can trust Globally and Locally for over four decades. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, your success hinges upon the expert advice and services provided by your real estate agent. RE/MAX St. Croix, is a full-service real estate brokerage. Our real estate professionals are committed to providing our clients with personal service based on experience, knowledge and skills. We are always excited to show off our island’s real estate market, customs, and culture. December 2023 / Januar y 2024 • 63
STARS SHOPPING
ST. CROIX Sky Watch
DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024 NORTH
Our clear skies are perfect for star gazing! VIEW THE MAP SO THAT THE NORTH INDICATOR IS FACING NORTH
Constellation names are in upper case. Star and planet names in lower case. The sun, moon, planets and stars all rise in the east and set in the west.
January Moon Phases
Last Quarter...........................5 New Moon.......................... 12 First Quarter....................... 19 Full Moon............................ 27
Full Moon...............................3 Last Quarter........................ 11 New Moon.......................... 17 First Quarter....................... 25
WEST
December Moon Phases
EAST
By: Tom Lesser, formerly Senior Lecturer at the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium and frequent island visitor.
Sunrise & Sunset December Sunrise........................................................... 6:44 am December Sunset............................................................5:46 pm January Sunrise............................................................... 6:54 am January Sunset................................................................6:04 pm
SOUTH
Sunrise and sunset times are based on the 15th of each month.
CONSTELLATIONS: UPPER CASE • Stars: Lower Case
DECEMBER The bright planet Jupiter will dominate the eastern sky in the early night, along with the Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus, the Bull, and the seven bright stars of Orion the Hunter. Saturn, while not as bright as Jupiter is easily found high in the western sky. A bit later in the night the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, will rise in the southeast. In the hours before sunrise, Venus will dominate the eastern sky, rising around 3:00 a.m. As it orbits the Sun an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon leaves behind some debris. When the Earth passes through this cloud of pebble-sized rocks they burn up racing through the air some 50 miles above the Earth. We call this the Geminid Meteor Shower and it produces some 120 meteors or shooting stars at its peak. The best time to look is between midnight and dawn on the night of December 13th – 14th from a location with a good dark sky. The Ursid Meteor Shower peaks on December 21st – 22nd, but it usually produces only about 10 meteors per hour. December 22nd is the solstice, when the north pole of the Earth will be most pointed away for the entire year. This causes winter in the northern hemisphere. Since the north pole is pointed away from the Sun, the south pole is pointed toward the Sun and it is the beginning of Summer in the southern hemisphere. Every year at this time people ask astronomers if they know what was the star of stars, the star which led the Wise Men to Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus? Long ago people thought of everything that they saw in the night sky as a “star”. Thus, the planets, the “fixed” stars, meteors, comets, etc. all were “stars”. So 64 • December 2023 / Januar y 2024
what might have been “The Star”? Meteors or shooting stars happen so quickly that if you see one, by the time you tell your friends to look, the flash will be gone. Certainly a meteor did not send the Wise Men to Bethlehem. Comets were well known, but were considered omens of bad tidings and thus a comet would not send the Wise Men in search of a great king. The fixed stars do not change from year to year, so they would not account for the search. From time to time a star may “explode” as a nova or supernova, and for a short time may even become visible in the daytime. But, our records show no “guest star” at the time of Christ’s birth. The Wise Men followed the motions of the planets as these “wandering stars” moved against the background of fixed stars, for they believed that the motions of these wandering stars could foretell the future. With their knowledge of the motions of the heavens they could calculate that Jupiter and Saturn would pass each other three times and then be joined by Mars. But, what of Herod and his advisors, why did they not see this “star”? Most of the event would not be visible because it would happen during the day. But, the Wise Men knew that it was happening. They knew that this event would take place in Pisces, the Fish, a star group which for them was symbolic of the Hebrews. Thus some great event would take place in the land of the Hebrews and the Wise Men were off on their search. Was this meeting of the planets really “The Star”? Astronomers do not know; the final decision is yours. JANUARY As soon as the sky begins to grow dark, the bright planet Jupiter will appear high overhead.
As the Sun sinks farther below the horizon and the sky grows darker, the stars will appear. The bright stars of the northern winter dominate the sky to the east of Jupiter. Almost overhead is Aldebaran, a bright red star which marks the right eye of Taurus, the Bull. East of Aldebaran are the seven bright stars of Orion, the Hunter. Two stars form his shoulders (bright red Betelgeuse and Bellatrix), two more his knees (Saiph and the very bright Rigel) and three his belt. Orion is not alone in his celestial hunt. Nearby are his two hunting dogs. Canis Major the Big Dog is easy to find. Look to the southeast for the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, and you have found the Big Dog. North of Sirius and east of Orion is a somewhat fainter star, this is Procyon and Canis Minor, the Little Dog. Above Procyon in the Little Dog and Betelgeuse in Orion, look for two bright stars near each other and of about the same brightness. They almost look like twin stars, and in fact these two stars, Castor and Pollux, mark the heads of the Gemini Twins. As dawn approaches Venus will rise in the east. Venus is the third brightest natural object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon, so you will have no difficulty spotting it. The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a circle, but an ellipse. Thus, on January 2nd the Earth is about 3.1 million miles closer to the Sun than it is in early July: 91,404,095 miles vs. 94,510,539 miles. The night of January 3rd – 4th is the maximum of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower which can produce some 40 meteors per hour. The bright moonlight will overpower the fainter shooting stars, but the brighter ones will still be visible.
While St. Croix is the must-see island for the history buff, we are not only about the days of old. We are also known for our gorgeous beaches, world-class activities, fine dining, resorts, casinos and golf courses. Plus, our unique take on arts, crafts, music, festivals and cultural events lets you discover exactly why St. Croix is a vibe like no other.
VISITUSVI.COM
feel good jewelry created with love on st croix ibdesignsvi.com 2108 Company St Christiansted 340.773.4322 Photo: Nicole Canegata