About Northumberland County, VA

It's time for the annual Reedville Fishing Derby. The derby is held at Buzzard Point Marina in Reedville, VA.

This year, the tournament will be offering anglers an opportunity to win prizes of over $25,000 for 3 species of fish, Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Croaker. The Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula are well known fishing areas with numerous creeks, rivers, and quick Bay access.

The all volunteer organization of Smith Point Sea Rescue organizes the derby as a fund raiser. The Smith Point Sea Rescue organization has been serving boaters in distress in the mid-Chesapeake Bay area from the lower Potomac River to the Rappahannock River for 30 years.

The Captain's Registration is Thursday, June 9 from 11am to 8pm at Buzzard Point Marina. The tournament fishing begins on Fri., June 10. Friday night activities include a Country Western DJ from 8pm to 11pm. Saturday night's entertainment will be a live band, Casper from 8pm to 12MN. Of course, merchandise vendors, food, and beverages will be available. The fishing awards are generally given out on Saturday night. For more information on Smith Point Sea Rescue, the Fishing Derby, and weekend events; check out The Sea Rescue's website.

Even if you don't fish in the Derby, there is a good time to be had by all. It's always fun to see who wins the prize for the largest fish.

Yvonne Hurt, CRS, GRI, ABR, ePRO

"Your Northern Neck Real Estate Specialist"

Visit my Website

Following decades of tradition, fishing villages gather together to bless the fishing vessels at the start of the fishing season. This annual blessing is for a safe and prosperous fishing season.

The Northern Neck of VA Blessing of the Fleet ceremony is a much anticipated event. This year's blessing will be on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The day gets started at 3:30 pm with The Parade of Boats. Large boats, small boats, all types of boats from commercial fishing to speed boats are invited to join the parade.

The blessing can be enjoyed from land or from boat. In years past, my husband and I have gathered friends together on our small boat along with heavy snacks and drinks, and enjoyed an entire afternoon of fellowship and fun. A wonderful video of the 2008 Blessing of the Fleet can be viewed here.

One highlight of this event is hearing the Northern Neck Chantey Singers. The fishing nets are very heavy when full of fish. The men used to pull the nets in by hand but it required all the men pulling at the same time. The workers would sing and on the chorus, they would all pull together. Today, most of the nets are pulled in using a power block wench. Occasionally, as the nets get close to the purse boats, the workers may still help pull them in by hand. Come and visit our fishing village of Reedville, VA, and enjoy the day on Sun., May 1, 2011. More information can be found on the Reedville Fishermen's Museum website.

Yvonne Hurt, CRS, GRI, ABR, ePRO Long & Foster REALTORS, 434 Rappahannock Drive, White Stone, VA Call on, Yvonne Hurt, "Your Northern Neck Real Estate Specialist" at 804-456-2144 or visit my website

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum and Bethany United Methodist Church hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt and arrival of the Easter Bunny this morning. The skies were a bit overcast and a light drizzle of rain was falling intermittently. But, the fellowship and excitement of the day was not dampened by the weather.

The morning started off with volunteers hiding the 2,188 candy filled eggs for the BIG HUNT. The children began to gather together behind the museum on the banks of Cockrell's Creek to await the arrival of the Easter Bunny by boat.

Easter Bunny arrived on the Elva C. The Elva C is a 55' pound netting boat built in 1922. It has been restored and is permanently docked at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum.

The children are lining up in preparation of the "countdown" to start the egg hunt.

After all the eggs were found, a reception was held next door inside Bethany United Methodist Church. The children were treated to juice, doughnuts, coloring papers, beautiful crosses, and of course....lots of LOVE from Easter Bunny.

It was another great morning in Reedville, VA. Happy Easter to All!

If you are on a "hunt" for real estate in Reedville, VA or anywhere in the Northern Neck; please Call on "Your Northern Neck Real Estate Specialist", Yvonne Hurt @ 804-456-2144.

Yvonne Hurt, CRS, GRI, ABR, ePRO, Long & Foster REALTORS, White Stone, VA.

Visit my web site: NorthernNeckVA.com email me: yvonne@NorthernNeckVA.com

By now most Americans have heard about the devastated oyster beds in the Chesapeake Bay. Since the beginning of the 20th century, oyster beds throughout the Bay steadily declined thanks to advances in canning techniques and harvesting technologies. But one organization is fighting back with a vengeance...the Chesapeake Bay Foundation(CBF)...restoring oyster beds throughout the Chesapeake.

Restoring an oyster bed begins about a year before the oysters are actually dropped in the water. Used oyster shells are collected(PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't throw out your used oyster shells...they CAN be recycled), washed and placed in bins that are constantly flushed with bay water. Free-swimming oyster larvae(Spat) are collected and deposited on the recycled shells. Baby oysters are grown under piers by volunteers who watch over the youngsters.

While those young oysters are growing, the new reef is created using concrete chunks from old highways, cinderblocks, etc...anything that can create a hard base that keeps the oysters from being covered by silt.

After a year, the oysters are then dropped overboard by volunteer boats into the new reefs. Year old oysters have thicker shells that are able to withstand predators such as the venerable blue crab.

Oyster beds created and guarded by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have great growth and survival rates. And the numbers keep growing...in 2009 Maryland alone has generated over 750 Million Spat for oyster reefs. This growth is amazing considering just a decade ago that number was less than 10 Million for all Chesapeake States combined.

The oyster population in the Bay is not where it needs to be at all...but with the efforts of the CBF....the population has a chance...a fighting chance.

Donate to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

This Potomac River Waterfront Community is Truly Unique

Tucked away behind the cornfields of the rural Northern Neck farmlands in Northumberland County, Va is a Potomac River waterfront community like no other. Bay Quarter Shores is located right at the mouth of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay- giving many waterfront residents endless views of both the Bay and the River. The community is situated between Cod Creek, Presley Creek and the Potomac. This gives the neighborhood a unique variety of waterfront and water access homes and lots that span a wide price spectrum. Currently there are homes from $59,000 to $524,900 available for sale.

But price availability is only one ways this community is unique. This is a true sportsman's neighborhood with ample access to fishing and crabbing...but the community also maintains private hunting grounds available only to owners. And as you drive slowly through the neighborhood- you'll see why this is important as you'll be greeted by swarms of deer and wild turkey.

Other amenities includes a golf driving range, a basketball court, tennis courts, nature trails, a community pool and clubhouse(with free WiFi), playgrounds, a private boat ramp, two boat piers(one specifically for Jet-Skis), a beach with swimming area and tons more. Just make sure you bring along your golf cart- BQS is a legal golf cart community.

Now is the time to search for your own little slice of Heaven. If you're considering the Northern Neck for your waterfront home...I encourage you to consider Bay Quarter Shores. Click here for the current listings available in BQS or click here to search all homes in Virginia's Northern Neck.