The other evening we were invited to Annaly Mill for one of St. Croix’s food and wine experiences. This was the Cork & Fork, an intimate dining experience with a celebrity chef and winemaker. The featured chef was renowned Iron Chef winner Kevin Rathbun, the featured winemakers were Kathy and Kent Rosenblum of the celebrated Rosenblum Cellars.
We drove out into the rainforest and arrived at Annaly Mill around sunset. The renovated sugarcane mill was bigger than I expected, about 4 stories high with very thick walls. There were glimmering tiki torches, lush plants and flowers, stone walls and a moist tropical breeze to top off this special night’s ambiance. The feeling was of another time and place… old world, working mill, charming, tropical.
We were greeted by the hosts and introduced to Kevin, Kathy and Kent right away. This was going to be a fun evening! With a glass of Kathy’s Cuvee Viogner in hand we wandered around the mill, the home and the manicured grounds of Annaly Mill. Right in the center of the mill the main dining room was charmingly decorated with white linens, Danish china, candles, and sparkling silver. The long table was set for sixteen. Before dinner was served we climbed the winding stairs to the tip top of the mill where one could see for miles, past mountains and valleys right out to the ocean.
A toast was made in honor of this charitable event and dinner was served. We enjoyed an incredible five courses with different wines chosen for each course. Kevin Rathbun and his team served one delicious course after another while Kent Rosenblum explained why each wine was chosen to compliment each particular dish. Kent also had interesting stories and entertaining history about wine making. We had lots of laughs, interesting guests, and heard many “oohs and ahhs” about the amazing foods and wines.
For more information visit these links… Annaly Mill, Rosenblum Cellars, Kevin Rathbun, St. Croix Food and Wine Experience, all photos by Marjo Aho
I recently went fishing off the west end of St. Croix. I love fishing, but this trip was especially fun. My friend picked me up at the Frederiksted Pier in his 20′ Apex boat, I hopped in and away we went motoring up the coast. Our destination was somewhere off Hamm’s Bluff, the steep north-western corner of St. Croix. Sorry, exact coordinates top secret.
Cindy Male’s Art and Yoga Studios and Gallery serve the community by offering drawing sessions, yoga classes, private and group art classes, a place to display art, and a place to purchase unusual, made on St. Croix, crafted gifts. The art work of Harlem artist Ademola Olugebefola just left the gallery, and Leslie Cramer’s stimulating driftwood and bamboo work hangs along with Male’s fine and applied pictures, cards, light reflectors, and jewelry. It is open most days as the artist is working in either the fiber studio or the painting studio. You can call ahead at 277-8651.
Cindy’s philosophy in teaching art coincides with her yoga training. She works with her students to reach into their ‘inner selves’ and draw on personal likes, dislikes, philosophy, and images. Students learn to be more creative and synthesize material for meaning. Says Male, “Techniques evolve from need rather than learning techniques and not having anything to say with them. It takes years before a person’s technical skills and content combine to deliver a compelling image. My printmaking teacher in Florence, Italy once said that it takes twenty years before an artist truly creates with his/her medium.” More information on her art work can be found at 
A new association has recently formed for those of us who love the North Shore. Appropriately named the “North Shore St. Croix Association”, their mission is to preserve and enhance the beauty of the North Shore. St. Croix has many beautiful areas but the North side is certainly stunning, and has mostly gone undiscovered by the general public who visit the Virgin Islands. This new association plans to capture some of that beauty on their website and highlight the beaches, businesses and attractions that dot the countryside.
Love woodworking? Here’s your opportunity to own a local shop with a great history, top reputation and a solid income. Its founder, Jack Dunigan, is an enthusiast of the Arts & Crafts decorative arts movement of the early 20th century. His shop designs and builds fine custom and unique furnishings, often in the manner of these artisans. After many years Jack has decided to retire and is offering his business for sale. The asking price is $295,000 (update: price reduced further) including tools, inventory, current jobs, client lists, etc. Owner financing with only 25% down is an option. Balance can be in payments or a balloon payment or combination thereof. Will also consider trade for home/condo stateside. All offers will be considered.
NEWS: Feb. 17th, St. Croix, USVI – Sir Allen Stanford, a prominent businessman on St. Croix, has just had several of his companies shut down by the federal government. The billionaire’s corporate offices in Texas were raided and three of his companies’ assets were frozen. Allegations are that he perpetrated an $8 billion dollar investment fraud.
