Sharing the Mic

Curtis Badger grew up on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, majored in English at Salisbury State University, and spent four years in the US Air Force as a photojournalist. When his enlistment was completed, he returned to the Eastern Shore and began a career photographing and writing about his native coast. His books include Salt Tide - Cycles and Currents of Life Along the Coast, Bellevue Farm: Exploring Virginia’s Coastal Countryside, A Natural History of Quite Waters, The Wild Coast, and Exploring Delmarva. One of his most recent books is A Culinary History of Delmarva. He has won numerous awards for his writing and photography.

Curtis Badger grew up on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, majored in English at Salisbury State University, and spent four years in the US Air Force as a photojournalist. When his enlistment was completed, he returned to the Eastern Shore and began a career photographing and writing about his native coast. His books include Salt Tide - Cycles and Currents of Life Along the Coast, Bellevue Farm: Exploring Virginia’s Coastal Countryside, A Natural History of Quite Waters, The Wild Coast, and Exploring Delmarva. One of his most recent books is A Culinary History of Delmarva. He has won numerous awards for his writing and photography.

Visitors to the Barrier Islands Center will feel Miriam’s presence throughout the campus, as she has contributed to the visitor experience in many ways. There are her murals, floorcloths, papier-mâché food in one of the exhibits, and the exhibits themselves, which are thoroughly researched to give the viewer that “I’m in the moment” experience. 

Dr. McCoy is a part-time Cape Charles resident and a building construction professor at Virginia Tech's College of Architecture and Urban Studies. His specialty is in research into affordable housing and new building technology. We discuss, among other things, printed house construction.

Thelma Peterson is an accomplished watercolorist whose works are in galleries, restaurants, and public places up and down the Shore. She is also a composer, singer, and songwriter who, along with her daughter, Erica, provide entertainment for Shore folks on a fairly regular basis. Thelma and David will discuss her integral part in founding and building the Barrier Islands Center and her new music CD, Of Salt and Sound.

For the past 12 years, Jim Spione has worked with the Barrier Islands Center to produce revealing and enlightening documentaries about the Barrier Islands of Virginia and life on the Eastern Shore.  Jim and David discuss how these films came to be and the evolution of the messages each one has.

A. Thomas (Tom) Young grew up in Wachapreague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and went on to head the Goddard Space Flight Center and Martin Marietta Electronics and Missiles Group. He speaks about his life and his hopes. To better appreciate his contributions, we offer a playlist of videos (link below) about the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAo78A_9-7SYgTvbNIBZmbRzUtrtDW3SY 

George McMath,  a native and life-long resident of the Eastern Shore, has had a distinguished career as a newspaper owner and publisher, delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates, author of several books, and a top fundraiser for many charitable organizations.  We will discuss life on the Shore in days gone by and some highlights of his life.

Dr. Lloyd Newberry, a frequent visitor to the Shore and author of the book Wings of Wonder: The Remarkable Story of the Cobb Family and the Priceless Decoys They Created on Their Island Paradise. For four decades, Dr. Newberry has been writing hunting and fishing stories chronicling his many adventures in 67 countries and provinces.  Dr. Newberry discusses the Cobb family and the fascinating history of Cobb Island.