Reedville -Virginia's Working Fishing Village.

Following the parade of beautiful boats headed to the ceremony

If you were out on the water on Sunday may 6th you were part of a truly magical moment here in Reedville VA. Sunday marked the official start of the fishing season here with the Blessing Of The Fleet. Personally it was our first such event of the many that have taken place over the years. What struck me was how once again, this community gathers together when asked. The event starts out with a parade of boats that all gather at the stack. It was a church service on the water, with the Stack as a steeple so to speak. It was the first year that the saving of the stack has been truly complete thanks to your donations.

To see watermen all out there in their boats was a moving thing to see. A real reminder that we live in a real place with real people living life off the water the way its been done for hundreds of years. This was no tourist deal, or re-enactment of time gone past. It was a somber and fun moment that exemplifies why we call Reedville, Virginia's Working Fishing Village.

YOU SAVED THE STACK! Congratulations.

What an amazing are we all live in. In the middle of the worst economic downturn in many of our life times. You  did it. You saved the stack. The stack that for years, decades centuries, will show the world that Reedville and the Northern Neck have a strong bond and respect for it's rich history. One month shy of  2 years , 2 Woodstack events,  2500 stack dogs eaten, 2 Winterstacks, Osprey raffle, heart/hands/wallets WE HAVE MADE IT  !!!    Fund Raising is Complete.  We have raised over $300,000

  Thank you to everyone who donated their time and money.  From kids to corporations we could not have done it without you. On behalf of the GRA and the Save the Stack Committee Thank You !!

Only 70 Tickets Left To Winterstack2

If you are thinking that a fun night of rock and roll is in the cards for you, you best get going to Lillian Lumber Home Center in Burgess or Nobletts in Kilmarnock today for what left of the tickets of a nearly sold out show in Reedville to help save the stack. What are you reading this for? Go on.. There are only 70 tickets..wait, 68, 64.... Go.. The stack is calling you..

We have another very different kind of concert coming up, also worth attending!

We're gearing up for another Winterstack, with the loud and crazy and very terrific atmosphere created by "Throwin' Wake" and "Sweet Justice." I know it'll be another great time and hope see all of you there! We have another very different kind of concert coming up, also worth attending! It is Janie Meneely and husband Paul DiBlasi (aka "Calico Jack") who do maritime songs, mostly of her own creation. You may recognize her name as the person who championed our Save the Stack efforts by writing a wonderful song for us. Called "Heading Back to Reedville," the song captures the history, sentiment and significance of the Stack to the people of Reedville, and our well-founded pride in its recent renovation. Janie especially wanted Reedville to be the site for releasing their latest CD, Living ! by the River, Songs of the Chesapeake Bay, on which our "Stack song" is featured (and so are songs about oystering and pound-netting, and Peale is actually on the cover!) She is a great fan of the life-style that exists here. We are delighted to comply! This post-dinner, coffeehouse style concert will be at Festival Halle, Saturday, Feb. 11th, 7-9:00 PM. Admission is just $8/pp ($15 per couple) and includes a door prize ticket plus complimentary coffee and snacks all evening. Beer, wine and sodas will be available for sale for our usual nominal charge. Again, it is a way different kind of evening from Winterstack , but I know you will like this, too! Janie has a wonderful grasp of life in and around the region, (sings a funny song about "freezing your butts off on the Chesapeake Bay") and she and Paul share a witty repartee as they perform. Their songs are sometimes saucy , sometimes silly, sometimes sentimental ... in any case, they present a most delightful way to relax and unwind. Please join us in support and in thanks!

Sweet Justice To Play Winterstack 2 February 25th

Get out you fake fur and Ugs, it's Winterstack 2 time. That's right. And just around the corner. February 25th -Starting out the evening at 7 pm will be Thrown' Wake who will start the rock'n, and then Sweet Justice will finish off the house bring it crashing down at Festival Hall in Reedville. OK.. Wait a second, I can't say that...we are talk'n Reedville here. A load radio in an old Cutless would rock the house down..  So. Imagine the fun time real live music, beer and food will bring on.. Here is all the info you need to know.. 

Date: Saturday Feb 25th Time: 7 p.m. to Midnight 

Location: Festival Halle in Reedville, VA Ticket Prices: $20 

(admission only) Must be 21 years or older 

Food: Stack Dogs !! Beer/Wine Gates open at 7 p.m. 

Opening Act: Throwin’ Wake
Headline Act:  Sweet Justice 

(Fantastic 70s cover band, classic rock; from Bon Jovi to the Eagles 

Tickets available at: Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, Lilian Lumber Home Center in Burgess., Nobletts Appliance in Kilmarnock

We Wish You All Joy For The Holiday Season

We would like to pause for a second between fun raising to say thanks.. So.. pause.. Thanks.. Now back to fund raising..

Woodstack 2 Another Massive Hit. Take That Irene..

Joey, Blaine and Bill Take a moment to smile for the camera.. then poof back to work..

Thanks to Irene this years Woodstack event was a massive hit. The weather was PERFECT, The Music, PERFECT.. Steve Bassett and gang were on fire! And since it was a nice 70 degrees, they didn't ignite into a ball of flames.. There are times when you are just were you want to be in the world doing just what you want to do.. Sitting there on the water, listening to fantastic music, surrounded by friends, and new friends in a fantastic community, while smelling cheese steaks.. mmmm.. It just doesn't get any better.. And from the looks of things, others felt the same.. The crowd stayed til 9:30.. This event is not only great for raising funds for the stack, but as a fun end of the summer event for the community. Everyone chipped in to make this one amazing event.. for the second time.. Will there be a third? Stay tuned..

Steve Bassett singing something cool.. What an event..

The "Staxi" was a huge hit for both young and .. well 50 is the new 30 you know.. just say'n

The "Bunker Boys" stole the show with a fantastic name for there volleyball team..

More of the team..

This says it all.. Volunteers.. Enjoying a perfect day!

Monty Deihl on the left.. This guy should a stack award.. Maybe we build a life size replica in his front yard.. Come on.. lets do it.. Monty has been a major part of getting this all done.. Who wouldn't want a 4 story tall stack in there front yard.. It says.. well, not sure what it says other than .. Hey aren't you that guy with the huge stack in your front yard..

The drawing for the osprey.

"someone" did not want to let it go to it's new home.. The winner is a local artist.. PERFECT!

The night rocked on til 9:30.. Wait. it's past his bed time.. Oh the life of a musician..

Kathryn Humphreys enjoying the "Throne" Thanks Kathryn for all these great photos!

Woodstack 2 - Tune In, Tune Out, Turn Up!

We are getting close to Woodstack2 time! Do you all have your t-shirts ready? Peanut Butter sandwiches? How bout the old VW bus? Still rusted out behind the garage.. Thats all OK man.. We got t-shirts, Food, and ... OK no VW bus, but we will have cool boat rides out to the stack.. And what looks like will be a perfect mid October day... with perfect music and a great crowd taking it all in.. Tickets are on sale at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, or pay a tad more and buy them at the gate..

The Gods Have Spoken - WoodStack Will Rock!

This weekend with the 50 degree weather out there, I thought is it to late for a rock concert? And then I looked out the window.. The above image says it all.. Looking down the creek towards Buzzards Point.. The sky opened up before me, and BAM! There it was.. A rainbow? No... a sign.. The lord above used the colors of all hippies to show me the path to musicness..and hot dogs... with may just one plastic cup of a sud.. He also led me out to the water and I saw many folks enjoying what is the best time of year here on the Northern Neck.. The waters are flat, the sky is magnificent, no humidity, and on October 15th.. music will be in the air.. So.. don't take it from me.. look above, and you my brothers and sisters will see the rainbow and it will lead you to Woodstack 2.. This time with less Hurricane!

Woodstack Postponed Do To Uninvited Guest! OCTOBER 15th NEW DATE

Not sure if anyone noticed.. Tye Dye Shirts look an awful alot like....below

Gulp... Hurricanes!

OK who invited Irene? The last time one of her family showed up they trashed the place. So in true Virginia fashion, instead of confronting her, we have just moved the event to October 15th 2011, and don't tell her for god's sake!  All the bands are happy about this will be there in October .. OK Steve Bassett was looking forward to the mud, and all that comes with that.. Something about a lady making peanut butter sandwiches...  All the same things, and this time the official drawing for the Osprey will be done live. Right there at whats left of Buzzards Point. By then all the boats should have been removed from the roof of the shed. SO. Stay tuned in, and tune out for this weekend. If you feel the need to talk to a human about this, the good folks at the Fishermen's Museum are set up to answer any questions..All tickets and Volley Ball Team sign ups will be accepted like nothing happened.

Not one crack! Earthquakes, Huricanes.. The New Stack Stands Tall!

After years and years of abuse from mother nature, our beloved stack is still standing thanks to all the support from the community.  It's scary to think what this 5.8 earthquake would have done to the stack in her previous condition. Now with this weekends potential Hurricane.. We can all celebrate the fact that our stack stands tall and will for years to come.. It appears that the Hurricane will hit if it does on Sunday.. So bring on the music.. Its WoodStack time. Rain or shine!!!

Woodstack2- August 27th Get Out Your Tie Dyed Checkbooks!

Don't cut your hair, or shower.. It's Woodstack time. This time... well .. this time is going to be just as fun as the first one. It was that fun. Fantastic music, Steve Bassett is bring all his goodies.. Nightshift is coming back, The Velvet Marias, and Thowin' Wake... It's one day of fun and more fun. Get your tickets early and save more than the stack. save 5 smackaroos.. Look for the posters around town, and this green one for were you can buy tickets.. Or one of the places on the poster.. Cool. groooooovey, peace out!

Look for the green sign for ticket sales.

Some More Great Shots Of The Stack! Get Ready For Woodstack2!

WOW! The stack lights up the sky at night and also creates a great backdrop for other photos.

Jimmy Scott in his beautiful restored Chris Craft 

 Stay tuned for news on Woodstack2.. August 27th.. Tickets go on sale soon..

Lights, Camera, Woodstack!

If you have not been out in Reedville at night lately you have missed the new lit up stack.. Its wonderful to see. It's the final touch that converts the stack from being a stack to an iconic symbol of our rich history on the Chesapeake Bay. But.. it aint done yet.. Fund raising is still underway.. Look out at various locations for the Raffle of one amazing Osprey Carving, it's a jaw dropper for sure. And this August... Drum role please.. Woodstock 2 ...Old on to your tie dye shirts.. Its party time at Buzzards Point marina.... Here are some more nice shots of the stack.. 

The Raffle "Osprey on a Brick" Tour Go's Live! Un plugged!

You can see the amazing carving now in real life. Imagine it in your den.. And all you need to do is drop 5 small ones on a ticket. Here is the schedule for those that want to visit it, see it in real life.

“Osprey on a Brick” On Tour Schedule

4/25 – 5/2 Union First Market Bank /Reedville branch

5/2 – 5/16 Union First Market Bank /Burgess

5/16 – 5/30 Union First Market Bank /Kilmarnock

5/30 – 6/13 Crazy Crab/Reedville

6/13 – 6/27 Crazy Crab

6/27 – 7/11 Reedville Fishermen’s Mus

7/11 – 7/25 Bank of Lancaster/Heathsville

7/25-8/8 Bank of Lancaster/Callao

8/8 – 8/22 Bank of Lancaster/Kilmarnock (main office Bank of L)

8/22 – 8/26 Bank of Essex/Burgess

Herb Lewis Spends All Winter Saving The Stack With His Carving Tools!

Herb Lewis and the life size Osprey. It could be all yours for just $5. Photo courtesy of -Starke Jett - the Rappahannock Record

Award winning bird and waterfowl carver Herb Lewis of Fleeton Virginia has donated a hand carved osprey sitting on an actual 100 year old brick from the old Stack.  This majestic bird returns to the Bay in mid March every year to nest and follow it’s favorite prey, the menhaden.  Herb’s carvings typically sell for thousands.  Herb spent the majority of the winter carving this out of a piece of tupelo wood.  It is hand painted and mounted on a beautiful piece of old cypress wood that was reclaimed from pieces of an old fish factory in Reedville.
Here is how you can win The Osprey.
Rules of the Contest? Winner does not have to be present to win on August 27th; winner must ensure that contact information on the ticket stub is accurate.  We will give the announced
 winner 2 weeks to respond and claim the prize; if we do not hear back from the winner after two weeks, we will draw another winner.  A maximum of 2,500 tickets will be sold (no minimum).
Tickets are just $5 and if you are feeling real lucky.  5 for $20

Stay tuned for updates. If you are not web savvy or don't have internet. For more Info Call the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum at 804-453-6529...wait. if you are not web savvy, or have the internet, what are you doing here? Maybe you are web savvy after all, maybe you are a dot com guru and just don't know it yet... If so, toss us some of that Venture Capitol money would ya..

Winterstack Concert A Huge Success!

Festival Hall in Reedville VA hosted a sold out event of 300 people enjoy a winter concert to benefit the Save the Stack effort. The event was opened by Reedville’s newest group of musicians called “Throwin Wake” (Justin Fulcher on lead vocals, Whitney Jett on bass guitar, Michael Painter on lead guitar and Joe Jones on drums.

They were followed by the headline band called Nightshift (Kevin Pittman on rhythm guitar, lead vocals, keyboard and harmonica, Eric Deihl on lead guitar and vocals, Kenneth Hurst on bass guitar and Kim Haynie on drums and vocals. which is comprised of a group of guys who grew up in Reedville in the 1970s and formed the band Nightshift before they could drive cars.

They were the featured act at fire house parties, street dances and graduation parties. They have only reunited 3 times in 30 years. Jan 29th was the 3rd reunion and they rocked the house. Their second set event included a special guest appearance of Will Pittman (Kevin’s 12 year old son) on guitar for the famed Johnny Cash song “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and teenager Seth Deihl (Eric’s son) on several songs where he played the keyboard and harmonica.

You can see a ton of fun images here on the save the stack Facebook page.

Winterstack! Reunites Nightshift.

You thought Woodstack was a one time event! Think again.. Get out your tied dyed fur coats.. It's Winterstack.. Great food, great times, great music all to benefit the stack !! The ONLY place to get tickets is through the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum.

The Stack May Be Saved, But We Still Need Funds.

The scaffolding is down and all the new bricks are blended in perfectly.. Lightning rods up and structural banding all in place.. It''s a magnificent thing to see .. It now stands tall again doing more than welcoming folks to Reedville. It stands tall as a symbol to the people of the Northern Neck.. Who, during one of the worst economic down turns in history, raised the money. We are so close. The work had to move forward after the past two storms as reported. But funds are still needed.. We will be announcing some new efforts soon, so stay tuned.. The work is not over...But the Stack sure looks great...

Heidi Wilkins and the Jetts Hardware Team Know How to Support the Stack !!

If you ask Heidi Wilkins if she wants to see our stack stay around for another 100 years and there is not a pause in her voice when she responds with “you better believe I do !!”. Heidi not only talks the talk, she walks the talk too. Throughout the summer Heidi has featured comments about saving the stack on her roadside marquee in front of Jetts Hardware Store which she owns. She also quickly volunteered to sell Woodstack tickets. She also readily agreed to let us put a business donation display in the front of her store. Heidi did not stop there. For the months of July and August Heidi donated a percentage of her tackle sales to Save the Stack. A few weeks ago Heidi showed up with a check for $2500 !!! All we can say is Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Heidi. You are making a difference in our cause !! This is Heidi Wilkins and this is her Stack Story.