By Tiffany Amber Stockton
With each passing week, I find myself returning to the culture, resilience and strength I find in a tiny little island with a big history, and one where my own family history is so richly intertwined. As I'm still buried in this current book where I hope to showcase that charm, let's take a little walk together through the sands of time.
The Resilient Community of Chincoteague Island
From its early days as a fishing and oystering community to its modern role as a beloved tourist destination, the island has faced its share of challenges. Fierce hurricanes, devastating fires, and economic shifts have tested the mettle of its people.
One of the most defining moments in Chincoteague's history was the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 (the same storm where Misty gave birth to her foal, Stormy, and another author penned a book about him). This brutal nor'easter ravaged the island, flooding homes and businesses, and leaving residents with an overwhelming task of rebuilding.
It was called the "Storm of the Century" for this area, but neighbors helped neighbors, families opened their doors to the displaced, and the town came together to restore what had been lost. In doing so, they preserved more than just buildings—they safeguarded a way of life rooted in community.
This unyielding spirit, passed down through generations, remains the foundation of life on the island. Here, history is found in the hands of fishermen mending their nets, in the voices of storytellers sharing tales of storms and survival, and in the quiet strength of a town that refuses to be defined by its hardships.
Visitors may come for the island's beauty and folklore, but they leave with something more—a deep appreciation for a place shaped not just by time, but by the indomitable spirit of its people.
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:
* What is a storm (literal or figurative) you've weathered? Did you do it alone or with support?
* Do you live in a small town? What do you love the most, and what's one of the biggest challenges you face?
* What is a storm (literal or figurative) you've weathered? Did you do it alone or with support?
* Do you live in a small town? What do you love the most, and what's one of the biggest challenges you face?
* If you don't live in a small town, would you ever? Why or why not?
Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below.
Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below.
** This note is for our email readers. Please do not reply via email with any comments. View the blog online and scroll down to the comments section.
Come back on the 9th of each month for my next foray into historical tidbits to share.
BIO
Tiffany Amber Stockton has embellished stories since childhood, thanks to a very active imagination and notations of talking entirely too much. Honing those skills led her to careers as an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker, while also working as a professional copywriter/copyeditor. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help improve their lives in a variety of ways, but especially from the inside out.
Thank you for posting. I love hearing about Chincoteague. I did grow up in a small town. I liked how I knew most of my neighbors but over time that also became a small burden, because you were often remembered for what you were back then, and how people remembered you. Going back to the town now after being away many years, everything has changed and knowing some of the most loved aspects and people are gone forever because time moves along. I still live in a small town and wouldn't want to live in a city.
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