Monday, December 09, 2013

The Community Square

This photo of the Community Store was taken in December, 2010. Islanders and visitors were disappointed when the store closed shortly thereafter.













This season we have reason to celebrate.

On November 10 "the Ocracoke Foundation announced the acquisition of the Community Square, a 0.5-acre waterfront property in the heart of the Ocracoke Island historic district. The Foundation was able to purchase the property with generous financial support from Foundation partners and The Conservation Fund’s Land Conservation Loan Program. 
 
"Located along the shores of Silver Lake, the Community Square has served as a hub for commerce and social activity for decades. Many early island photographs depict daily life centered around the Square’s iconic Community Store, the Will Willis Fish House, the Ice Plant and the island’s first generator plant...."(read more)

You can help make the Foundation's goals a reality. This recent email from Executive Director, Robin Payne, includes information about how you can support their projects:

Thank you to everyone who worked alongside us during the past four years.  All of the hard work has preserved an island treasure and we look forward to announcing exciting new plans in 2014.   

Help us continue to carry out other meaningful projects by becoming a Foundation supporter.  Our community projects and goals cannot be met without your support.   

Please consider making an end of year donation. 

Donations can be made at www.ocracokefoundation.org    
by phone(252)921-0365 or by mail. 
     
Best wishes for the New Year,
Robin P. Payne
Executive Director, Ocracoke Foundation
(252)921-0365 

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Looking for holiday gifts? Village Craftsmen's on-line catalog is filled with quality American made hand crafts. Click on the photo below to visit our page of beautiful utilitarian pieces by Blanket Creek Pottery.

http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/blanketcreek.htm















We suggest you place your orders as early as possible. Unfortunately, because of the closing of the Herbert C. Bonner bridge we are unable to offer expedited shipping this season.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a 1921 letter written by a former slave, Harrison Williams, to Ocracoke native, Martha Ann Howard Wahab. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112113.htm.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous1:23 AM

    This is fantastic news! NC Mainlander has wonderful memories of going to the store. Years ago, before the era of cell phones, my late husband and I would call family from the enclosed pay phone! On a pretty fall day, I was blessed to find you and another Ocracoke local sitting on the front porch at the store. You were both very nice and invited me to join the conversation. I cherish that simple but most pleasant memory. The Community Store is an important part of the island history.

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