Every year for the last decade and a half, the Northampton County VA Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a wonderful holiday event– the Holiday Progressive Dinner in Cape Charles, VA (although the 2010 Dinner was held in Eastville, VA ). This delightful event features a “soup-to-nuts” meal progressively served at about 10 historic Victorian homes and sites throughout the town. The Chamber outdid itself this year by including even more entertainment — seven theatrical vignettes recreating a visit in 1886 to Cape Charles by US President Grover Cleveland were added to the normal fare of excellent food and musical entertainment. Eldest Daughter, Middle Daughter, a friend and I had tickets for the earliest group, the “Santa Group”, with a kick-off time of 3:30 at Art’s Enter’s Palace Theater. There we received our red badges, programs and started off with the evening’s first appetizer, a chili-glazed beef kabob with Virginia peanut dipping sauce. Then, a quick and easy walk to Site # 2, the Bay Creek Railway Car, a fully restored vintage car originally used between 1915 and 1940’s, where Vignette # 1 began, a cordial conversation between Alexander Cassatt ( brother to the famous painter, Mary Cassatt) and Wm. Scott, founder of Cape Charles, as they prepared to board for a railroad trip from Cape Charles to New York. Then, boarding the railway car ourselves, we sampled our second appetizer, a rich Scottish smoked salmon with tomato aioli and creme fraiche, served on dill focaccia, prepared by Aqua Restaurant. Although I am not a huge fan of smoked salmon, this was moist and melt-in-the-mouth luscious, a 4 star.
Next, a walk to the fully restored vintage 1950’s ranch home on Monroe Avenue owned by Tom and Kathy Bonadeo for the pasta course. a pasta primevera in alfredo sauce, prepared by Little Italy Restaurant. The pasta was accompanied by sparkling cider or nice local wines from Holly Grove Vineyards in Franktown,VA and the very pleasant musical entertainment by Sarah Scott, flautist.
From there we were off to another home on Monroe Avenue, the well-known Kellogg House, a Flemish bond brick Colonial Revival, definitely one of the finest homes ever built in Cape Charles. Vignette # 2, starring Blue Heron’s own David Kabler, told the story of the exciting news of President Cleveland’s impending visit. Afterwards, a broth-based vegetable crab soup prepared by Machipongo Clam Shack was served, piping hot and very tasty, quite welcome after our little jaunts around town.
Off next to the newly opened Fig Street Inn, located at the corner of Tazewell Avenue and Fig Street. Originally built by one of Cape Charles’ prominent families, the Wilson family, owners of the town’s first department store, this home is located on land purchased from the estate of Cape Charles founder, Wm. Scott. The house needed substantial renovation when purchased by the current owners and they have done a marvelous job, it looks just resplendent dressed in its holiday finery. 
The Vignette here starred Trina Veber ( AKA Mrs. Santa from the Grand Illumination presentation) and Linda Spence, society ladies getting ready to meet their husbands and hear more news about President Cleveland’s Cape Charles visit. Afterwards, a salad course of mixed greens with almonds, feta and cranberries was served, tossed with a tangy apple cider dressing, everything crisp and tasty, prepared by the Exmore Diner, an Eastern Shore landmark.
From the Inn, a quick walk up Tazewell Avenue to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dougherty, built on land purchased directly from Wm. Scott in 1883. This lovely home still retains one of the original hitching posts remaining in Cape Charles and lo and behold, a real live horse, a miniature, was hitched there, quietly nibbling at the grass and in general ignoring all the fuss around it. 
Wines from Chatham Vineyards, a fine local winery, were served with a trio of cheeses and apple slices in a pretty presentation from Gull Hummock Gourmet Market, located in in downtown Cape Charles, after the Vignette which featured Thomas Dixon and Wm. Fitzhugh, both prominent in Cape Charles society, planning a hunting trip out to our Barrier Islands which would likely include President Cleveland.
And a zip-zip across the street brought us to the beautiful Tazewell Avenue 1920’s home of Mr. and Mrs. John Schulz. Mr. Schulz , a former Navy pilot, employee of Voice of America and foreign correspondent has many unique art pieces from around the world which he was kind enough to expound upon for our group. After a tour of the home we were treated to music of the season played by the dynamic duo of Malcolm, on violin, and Carol Russ, on accordion. It’s always a treat to be nearby when Malcolm and Carol play. ( In fact, they added greatly to the ambiance of Blue Heron’s period- attire party aboard the tall ship Kalmar Nychol this past June. ) The entree’ was served here, a succulent presentation of braised duck in a port wine reduction accompanied by goat cheese mashers and asparagus spears, expertly prepared by Kelly’s Pub located on Mason Avenue in historic downtown Cape Charles.
And last but not least, dessert at Heyward Hall, individual apple rum cakes, expertly prepared by Amy B. Catering, served with aromatic coffee brewed by the Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co., both enjoyed while being entertained by the mellow harmony of Eastern Shore’s own Acclaim Barbershop Quartet. And then who should stride out on the stage to deliver a strong “thank-you for your hospitality” speech ?? 
You guessed it, the final Vignette of the evening featured President Grover Cleveland congratulating the gathered Cape Charles citizens on their vision and foresight in developing the railroad and planning for the new steamer which would carry passengers and rail cars across the Chesapeake Bay. With that speech, the 2011 Progressive Dinner Tour concluded for the “Santa Group” although about 10 or so later groups, presumably named after his reindeer, were wending their way through. It was a lovely night, the food was great, as was the entertainment– and we managed to work off at least a few calories as we strolled from site to site on a beautiful December’s evening.
(Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA)
