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Monday, August 15, 2016

Changing Chesapeake: Smith Island Unites to Save Itself

A fiercely independent group of people is uniting for the first time to save its way of life. By inviting outsiders in, Smith Islanders say they’re ready to change to stay the same.

As he hauled bushel after bushel of soft-shell crabs out of his boat on a 100-degree day, Mark Kitching made no bones about it: Smith Islanders don’t want to hear from outsiders about what to do with their island.

As he sorted through soft-shell crabs caught just that morning, Kitching, who can trace his family's history on the island back 12 generations, said they're just trying to protect their way of life. "I can't say we want our way and that's it, but we're out here working on the water, trying to make a living, trying to feed our families."

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't look for the government to bail you out. Too stupid to see the obvious.

Anonymous said...

They aren't stupid....just stubborn....they don't want see their way of life lost....they don't realize it's already gone.....in ten years there won't be 50 people left....as the population goes down there is less $$$ to support who is left....it's sad to see but it's life...

Anonymous said...

Hire China to rebuild Smith Island.

Anonymous said...

Oh Trust Me!! They are stupid and I agree with 6:11.

Anonymous said...

Yes they are stupid??? They have managed to live on a tiny island for several hundred years wit little help or impact from the rest of the world....a few have gone on to college....have joined LE....I have worked with several state troopers who have ties to the island....they are college educated and hardly stupid....maybe 11:28 you should do a little research before you post....seems you are the stupid one....

Anonymous said...

High school students take boats to Crisfield to go to school. Working on the water and living remotely makes for a tough life few today would want to live. Except when you've had it with living in the fast lane and all the evil in the rest of the world. Not a convenient place to live, so I hand it to those who choose to stay. And the island women are great cooks! Best food anywhere around.