BEEN HERE STAY HERE: James “Ooker Eskridge, Cameron Evans, and Jacob Parks: Stories of Faith, Community, Resilience on Tangier Island Amid Environmental Change

Step onto the weathered docks of Tangier Island, a small Chesapeake Bay community where the tides shape daily life, generations preserve tradition, and faith binds a people to their home. Been Here Stay Here tells the compelling story of residents James "Ooker" Eskridge, Cameron Evans, and Jacob Parks - a multigenerational portrait of resilience, community, and unwavering connection to place.Through vivid storytelling, this book takes you beyond the documentary to explore the island's history, culture, and the challenges of environmental change threatening its shores. Readers will witness the daily rhythms of fishing life, intimate family moments, and the spiritual practices that have shaped Tangier for centuries. From Ooker's wisdom and leadership to Cameron's thoughtful navigation of tradition and change, to Jacob's youthful promise, these stories offer profound insight into what it means to belong, endure, and adapt.Whether you are drawn to stories of human resilience, fascinated by cultural preservation, or passionate about environmental stewardship, this book provides an immersive, heartful experience. Discover how a small community facing rising seas teaches lessons that resonate far beyond the Chesapeake Bay.Don't just read about Tangier Island - experience it. Turn the pages and join Ooker, Cameron, and Jacob as they show what it truly means to have been here... and to stay here.