A Windy Night

I awoke this morning to trees dancing outside my bedroom window. My house, even though it's about 140 years old, is solid and strong, so I didn't feel any shaking or rattling. But I could tell by the scene outside that the wind was blowing about 25 - 35 miles per hour. Gusts were likely around 40 mph. It definitely was no day to be out in a small boat.

Right now it is cool (about 50 degrees) and breezy, with winds about 10 miles per hour. I decided to forego my daily walk on the beach this afternoon. I believe I'll just go back home and curl up in front of the fire with my latest book, _John Adams_.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks,"
published January 23, 2006. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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Oyster Fritters

We didn't quite eat all of the oysters last night, but David was a perfect gentleman and shucked the remainder. We had just about a pint and a half left over, so I invited David & Amy & Lachlan to my house tonight for oyster fritters.

I used Chris & Mabel Gaskill's recipe in the "Ocracoke Cookbook." For any of you folks out there who are lucky enough to come into possession of freshly harvested oysters (preferably from right here in Pamlico Sound) I share the recipe with you:

1 pint oysters (Chris & Mabel specify unchopped, but I put them in the blender)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1 c. pancake flour
2 tbsp. finely chopped onion
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix all together. Heat cooking oil in frying pan. Drop batter into the hot oil by spoonfuls. Brown on each side.

We ate oyster fritters (sometimes O'cockers call them flitters) until we could eat no more. As we say here on the island, they were "good some!" Amy sauteed green beans with garlic to go with them. Everyone should be so fortunate as to eat this well.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

Work

Readers of this journal may get the impression that we don't work here on the island. Not true. Of course we work more in the summertime. But even in the off-season we work; it's just that our work schedule is more flexible. I intended to do some office work this afternoon, but almost immediately was called on to fix a plumbing problem in my rental house. So I spent most of the afternoon crouched under a kitchen sink.

I never did get back to the office. By the time I was finished with the plumbing I knew I needed to get ready for the pot luck dinner at my house. By the way, the freshly caught oysters were delicious. We grilled them outside since it was T-shirt weather today. As usual, the pot luck was a big success. Merle asked Gary to bring his essay (follow the link below for more information), so he read it aloud for all of us gathered there.

After dinner several of us biked over to Tom's house for our Sunday evening movie (we wathched "My Cousin Vinny"). I guess I'll do the office work in the morning.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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Devil's Shoal

This morning about 10 o'clock Rob called and wanted to know if I'd like to join him and Al and Jason for an afternoon of oystering. Of course, I agreed on the spot. We left in Al's boat just after 1 o'clock. The tide was low but we hit bottom only a couple of times. Just off of Devil's Shoal in Pamlico Sound (not very far north of the NPS campground) we met up with three other boats anchored in the shallow water.

After probing the bottom here and there we quickly settled on our spot. The oysters were thick and we soon had a pile of muddy shells lying in the bottom of the boat. For our readers unfamiliar with oystering I offer a brief explanation. We use tongs. The wooden handles are about 10 feet long. On the business end there are metal forks and a "cage" to hold the oysters. The metal ends are about two feet wide with about 8 tines on each side. It can be back-breaking work, leaning over the gunwales, working the tongs into the oyster beds, and hauling them back up into the boat. Then the oysters must be culled. Small oysters less than legal size and empty shells are tossed overboard. Keepers are thrown into a 5 gallon bucket.

Legal limit is one bushel per person or two bushels per boat. In an hour's time we had our catch and were ready to motor back to the dock. (I took my camera for some photos, but, alas, my batteries were dead. Sorry folks.)

Once back home I was greeted by several folks who oohed and aahed over the bucketful of oysters and then told me how great it was because I could steam them for the pot luck tomorrow (at my house, I was informed, at 5 o'clock!). Well, at least I won't have to make deviled eggs this time.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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Pot-Luck Essay to Air

For all of our friends in eastern North Carolina who enjoyed reading Gary's "I Believe in Pot-Lucks" essay (see link below) I thought you might like to hear Gary read it on the air. I understand that it will be broadcast on Public Radio East, at 91.5 (and maybe at 88.5, 90.3, & 88.1).

According to Public Radio East's web site their "series of essays comes to a close with Gary Mitchell and his belief in Potlucks. You can hear the essays Fridays at 6:35 am and Mondays at 8:35 am during Morning Edition and on Public Radio East's local news magazine The Down East Journal Fridays at noon. "

(I don't usually post two entries in one day, so be sure to look at the photo of the winter rose on our previous journal entry.)

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here:http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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Winter Rose

Two evenings ago I walked across Howard Street to visit my cousin Blanche. After a pleasant evening chat I stepped out onto her pizer (that's the Ocracoke name for front porch) and spied a pink rose blooming. We commented on how remarkable it was that roses are blooming in January.

Blanche insisted that I take the rose home, so I opened my pocket knife and cut the stem. It sits on my windowsill reminding me that spring is not so far away.



Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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Deviled Eggs

After our post yesterday about Ocracoke pot-luck dinners a reader made this comment: "Post some recipes.....this kind of writing makes everyone hungry and curious. What makes the deviled eggs special or the lima beans? Help us out here."

Well, since I usually bring the deviled eggs here is my recipe:

6 hard-boiled eggs
1/4 tsp. salt (or maybe a bit more)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard (sometimes I put in regular mustard)
1 tbsp vinegar (sometimes a dollop more)
2 tbsp mayonaise
paprika

Cut the eggs in halves. Slip out the yolks. Mash yolks with a fork. Mix in the rest of the ingredients (except the paprika). Refill whites with mixture (heap up lightly). Sprinkle with paprika.

You may notice that there is nothing exceptional about this recipe, although I think the vinegar gives the eggs a nice tangy flavor. But it was the recipe my mom & dad always used when they brought deviled eggs to pot-lucks, and that makes it special, particularly for all the folks who remember them.

As Gary Mitchell points out in his essay, "The food doesn't have to be anything special, except that it comes from the hands and heart of somebody you know and love, and somehow it just tastes twice as good 'cause of that."

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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I Believe in Pot-Lucks

Regular readers of this journal know that pot-luck dinners play an important role in the life of many folks who call Ocracoke home. Our local National Public Radio station has been airing essays written by North Carolinians on the theme "This I Believe." Gary Mitchell, long-time island resident and guitarist for our "Molasses Creek" band, submitted his essay, "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," and it was chosen to be read on the air.

Gary was kind enough to give me permission to reproduce his essay on our monthly "Ocracoke Newsletter." You can read it here. I hope you enjoy it.

A Talented Son-in-Law

The weather has turned spring-like again with temperatures in the mid-60s. David came by on his bike with Lachlan, in helmet, perched on his new bike seat. One of David's Christmas presents was a subscription to "Fine Woodworking" magazine. On the cover of his first issue was just the project he was looking for, a traditional pie safe.

Lucky for me that David & Amy don't have room for a pie safe! David wanted me to look at the plans and make any revisions. He wants to make it for my dining room. Even better, he's planning to build it out of driftwood (pieces of mahogany that freighters use as shims and then toss overboard when they're out to sea -- it sometimes washes up on our beach during storms).

So I'll look over the plans, measure my space, make suggestions, and tell him one more time, "Be careful around those power saws. It's difficult to play the fiddle without all of your fingers!"

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Breakfast

Every now and then a bunch of us guys get together for breakfast. This morning at 9 o'clock we gathered at my house. Everyone brought different ingredients and in no time we had the frying pans sizzling on the stove. Our "farmer's breakfast" of eggs, potatoes, onions, & bacon (with various spices) was complemented with cheese grits, fruit salad, coffee, orange juice, and biscuits (topped with butter & blueberry jam).

It was the perfect day for a late breakfast. The sky is gray, the temperature cool, and a light rain is falling. We told stories about boats, building projects, & pranks (my favorite was the time, a number of years ago, that four young O'cockers climbed the water tower and jumped into the tank for a swim!).

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Beach Weather

Weather forecasters are calling for rain showers later this afternoon and into tomorrow. But right now it is sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s -- a perfect day to play on the beach with Lachlan. David, Lachlan, & I (his momma had another committment) walked across the beach at 10:00 this morning and stayed until 11:30. Friends came by with their two-year-old (as well as other children and five dogs!) and we all had a grand time climbing on and jumping off of a 24 foot long, 3 foot diameter log (it looks more like a whale bone) that washed up on the beach months ago (maybe it was during hurricane Ophelia).

Amy, David, Lachlan, & I are planning a cookout later this afternoon (if the rain holds off long enough). So I guess I'll sign off & bike down to the Community Store for potato salad ingredients.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Impromptu Potluck

Captain Rob Temple & his wife, Sundae Horn, hosted a last-minute potluck dinner last night in part to introduce some visiting friends to their island home. After a wonderful repast of black bean casserole, potato salad, deviled eggs, quiche, & beans, Rob & his nephew Charles brought in the freshly steamed oysters! We spread old newspapers out on the dining room table and in no time at all we had a pile of empty shells spilling over onto the floor.

Then it was time to break out the desserts -- brownies, pineapple & cheese casserole, cookies, & key lime pie. But that was only the beginning. After supper all of the musicians (and there were almost a dozen) pulled their chairs into a circle and opened up their instrument cases. There were a couple of guitars, a bass, four fiddles, a dobro, a mandolin, several harmonicas, and a penny whistle. What a house concert we had. I'd say there's never (or at least seldom) a dull moment on Ocracoke Island.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Off-Island

Every now and then they let me off the island. On Tuesday I drove "up the beach," as we say, to Manteo. I had heard that the Outer Banks History Center had original copies of some of my great-grandfather's shipwreck reports from 1893 until he retired from the US Life Saving Service in 1902. I have his reports from 1883 (when the Cedar Hammock Station on the north end of Ocracoke was established) until 1894.

The History Center is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the history of the Outer Banks. Sure enough, they had the reports I was looking for so we traded information (both scanned and photocopied reports).

I stayed overnight at a friend's home, but was concerned because all weather reports were calling for high winds and rough surf on Wednesday. I was expecting soundside flooding with overwash on NC Highway 12. Luckily I was coming back home near low tide, so all went well.

Unfortunately windly conditions along the East Coast & the Outer Banks contributed to a couple of maritime disasters. A tugboat sank in rough seas (two sailors drowned and one is missing), and I understand a crabber in eastern NC drowned in rough seas several days ago. Islanders always listen to such news with especially heavy hearts even when the victims are strangers.

The weather has cleared today, with bright sunny skies, warm temperatures, and calm conditions.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Casablanca

Last night several of us met at Tom Pahl's house for "Closed Today Theater" redux. It has been several years since a bunch of us gathered every Sunday night at Jude & Frank's to watch videos. After the movie, one of us would take the catalog home, choose a title, and place the order for the next week. We watched classics, foreign films, documentaries, art films, and popular movies. Sometimes we chose low budget films, or locally produced movies, or just titles that sounded interesting. Sometimes the movies were great; sometimes they were just plain bad. But we enjoyed them just the same.

If the film lent itself to a theme we'd have a potluck dinner too. So now we've revived another of our more recent island traditions.

Oh, by the way, we watched Casablanca last night. A true classic.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Winter is Back

Old Man Winter blew in from the north during the night with winds of 25 - 35 miles per hour. Bright sunshine is keeping the day cheery even while trees are swaying in the steady winds and windows are rattling in the frequent gusts. The warmth of last week has been replaced by temperatures in the mid 30s.

Not too much is going on today. Most folks are just staying indoors. At midday I will take a stroll along the surf, but then I'll come back home and work on a crossword puzzle or pick up my latest book. It's the perfect day for quiet relaxation.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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A Saturday in the Off-Season

One of the best things about being self-employed on Ocracoke is flexibility, especially in the off-season. Although I am just as likely to work on weekends as any other day (in fact, I've been in my office this morning organizing files and getting things ready for filing taxes) I can also take time off any other time . And I seldom work all day without breaks. My son-in-law, Fiddler Dave, is coming by in a few minutes so we can take an afternoon walk on the beach (it's sunny but quite windy today).

I'll mess around in my office again some this afternoon. But I've been invited to a friend's house at 5:30 for a blue moon martini (whatever that is), and then later to my rental house to watch a DVD. No, I am not renting the house this week, and I am not hosting the get-together; but friends are using my house because it has a DVD player.

We are very flexible about property here on the island also. Like Dagwood and Herb we loan & borrow tools and automobiles and clam rakes all the time. Some years ago I came home in the late afternoon to discover a neighbor lying on my bed reading a magazine. "Oh, hi K____," I said. "What's up?"

"I'm just relaxing here for a few minutes, waiting for D_____," she said. "He's using your bathtub."

If I'm lucky a neighbor will even leave soup or ham or pie on my dining room table while I'm out.

Well, I've got to go. David is here waiting for me.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Treasures from the Sea

Just thought our readers would like to see some of the shells I found on the beach in the last few days. Only two of the scotch bonnets were "perfect" but all of these shells were worth picking up.



Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Black Feathers & Coal

Walking along the surf is always a pleasant way to spend an hour or an afternoon. Yesterday I noticed a prodigious number of black feathers along one stretch of beach. At first I wondered what catastrophe had contributed to this flotsam. And then I remembered the great number of cormorants that regularly float offshore this time of year. I guess if each bird lost only one feather that would account for the thousands washed up at the high tide line.

Farther along I came across a footbal size chunk of black coal. I suppose it washed ashore from some steamer that met its fate on our beach many years ago.

I also found a small but nearly perfect scotch bonnet. It's always a treat to spy one of our offical state shells.

Maybe I'll find another treasure this afternoon. But really, just walking along the surf with the sun on my face and salt in the air is treasure enough.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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A Good Busy

Last night five of us "bachelors" (our girlfriends and/or wives are off the island) met at Howard's Pub for dinner and camaraderie. Among other things we decided to resurrect "Closed Today Theater." For several years we had gathered at Jude & Frank Brown's home on Sunday evenings to watch movies (classic, vintage, foreign, or off-the-wall). For a number of reasons (including storm damage to the Browns' house some time ago) we stopped. Now it is time to revive a valuable island tradition. We will meet at Tom Pahl's home at 7 pm on Sunday.

Tonight I'll join my son-in-law, David Tweedie, for bean soup and then bike over to the Community Center for our monthly Civic & Business Association meeting. In the meantime, of course, I'll stroll along the beach and maybe pick up a few shells.

So life can be busy and full on Ocracoke, even in the winter months. But it's a "good busy," time for nature, community, friends, and relaxation.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Sunny, Warm, & Cold

As predicted, the days this week have been in the 60s with lots of sunshine. Nevertheless I took two jackets with me to the beach this afternoon. And I was glad I did. It was not bitter cold, but the water does keep it cool out there.

The surf was calmer today so I looked for dolphins. But not a one was to be seen -- until I was almost ready to walk back across the dunes. Then there they were. Only a small pod, but moving methodically north just beyond the breakers.

Farther out was a black "carpet" of cormorants. Thousands of them had been flying in from the northwest. They settled out several hundred yards beyond the breakers. I'm not exactly sure what they do out there, but it's interesting to watch them fly in, skim just above the surface, circle around, and then land all together in a group.

Oh yes, I found two lettered olives and a large conch. They weren't perfect. They all had at least one small hole, but they were worth picking up.

Maybe you don't have sixteen miles of beach where you live, but I hope you get out in the woods, or in a park, or maybe just in your back yard regularly. There is so much to enjoy. And right now the moon is waxing. It really is a grand sight. Maybe you'll want to go take a look.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Warm Days, Cool Nights

What a gorgeous day we had today. By mid morning it had warmed up into the mid-60s. It was a great day to be outdoors. Although strong winds were whipping sand across my path and the surf was rough, my afternoon walk on the beach was a wonderful change from sitting at my desk.

I treated myself to another walk this evening through the village. There was hardly a car to be seen and not a soul was out and about. You have to like quiet to spend winters on Ocracoke. And we do.

It has cooled off some since the sun has set. I'll work some more at my desk this evening (I'd rather work after dark, and be outside a bit during daylight hours) and then walk back home to read a while. We're looking forward to a week of great weather.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Sailing

Last night at the Meekers' get-together Captain Rob Temple (of the schooner "Windfall") mentioned that he was taking his vessel up to a boat yard for his annual Coast Guard inspection. And he wondered if I would like to join him & another friend, Dave Frum.

We left the Community Store dock this morning at 8 am and had a delightful sail out in Pamlico Sound. It was cold in the morning, but the sun warmed us up by noon. There was hardly another boat on the water all day, and the wind was nearly perfect. We sailed along at about 7 knots and arrived at the yard in mid-afternoon.

The Windfall is a traditional two-masted schooner with red sails. All the work is done by hand, and the helm is on the open deck. This was definitely not a Carnival Cruise, but this is the kind of "adventure" that suits me just fine. We feasted on Rob's ham biscuits, my hard boiled eggs, chocolate peanut clusters, and beer. We even spied a few dolphins along the way.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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A Cold Winter's Night

This evening, from 4 pm to 6 pm, Leonard & Beverly Meeker and their daughter, Eliza, hosted a small gathering at their home for Telfth Night. Of course, tonight is actually "Thirteenth Night" but the Meekers thought that Saturday was a better evening for a get-together. Their table was piled high with tasty foods and delicious beverages (the homemade egg nog was my favorite).

Lachlan & I watched the sunset from their large screened-in porch. The bright orange-red orb slipped out from behind the clouds just at the horizon, and sank majestically into Pamlico Sound. It was stunning.

Oh yes, one more observation --I think it's wonderful that party hosts on the island always feel comfortable greeting guests in their bare feet, even in the middle of winter.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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More Music

Last night David's parents invited a number of friends by their home (they own a rental house on the island and are here doing some maintenance). Food and beverages were savory & abundant. Michael Stanwood brought his autoharp, his didgeridoo, and his guitar again. Gary Mitchell was there with his guitar. And, of course, David had his fiddle. So once more we non-musicians were treated to an hour of unexpected entertainment.

Such a pleasant way to spend a dark and cold island evening. (It's much warmer again today -- sunny & bright.)

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Music in the Parlor

Michael Stanwood is a frequent visitor to Ocracoke. He is a musician and plays the autoharp and the didgeridoo (a musical instrument indiginous to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia that is made of a long hollow bamboo stalk or stick, and that makes deep tones when blown into). Michael joined Fiddler Dave's parents and me at Dave, Amy, and Lachlan's home last night for dinner.

After dinner Michael and David got out their instruments (autoharp & fiddle) and played a number of tunes in the living room while the rest of us chatted, played with Lachlan, and enjoyed our very own house concert. The evening reminded me that one of the things that makes Ocracoke so special is the frequency of such get-togethers. Sometimes they are planned, and at other times, like last night, they are spontaneous. Life on the island is nearly always interesting and enjoyable.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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It Feels Like Spring

I awoke last night to loud, booming thunder and bright, flashing lightning. I seldom awake during the night, but I sat up with a start. Rain was running down my window panes.

This morning, however, all was quiet. The storm played itself out during the night. Actually, today is overcast but quite warm. It feels like a spring day. I've got lots of work to catch up on, so I'll be at my desk for a while. One nice thing about Ocracoke, however, especially in the winter, is that I might sneak out to the beach for an hour, and then come back here to work later on. I'll let you know if I see any dolphins.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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Back on the Island

Ocracoke's own Molasses Creek band was playing for the city of Raleigh's First Night celebration on New Year's Eve. Lou Ann & I joined my daughter Amy and Fiddler Dave's parents to help Molasses Creek and the other performers ring in 2006.

There were musicians, comedians, fire eaters, jugglers, exotic animals, street vendors, and dancers. At the stroke of midnight we counted down as a giant acorn was lowered into the midst of the crowd. Fireworks lit up the sky and we all joined in singing "Old Lang Syne."

Along the way to the celebration Lou Ann & I stopped in Beaufort to visit the Mariner's Museum and to admire the historic homes downtown. In New Bern we toured historic Tryon Palace, the early 18th century governor's mansion.

I'm home tonight. Lou Ann is back in Indiana. We had a wonderful time. I only wish Lou Ann had been here with me to enjoy my afternoon walk on the beach today. The sky was gray and overcast; the ocean turbulent. But the rain held off. So I walked for miles remembering the good times of 2005, and looking forward to another terrific year.

All of us at Village Craftsmen wish you the very happiest of New Years. And we look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the island. Please stop by and say hello.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke's Street Names, Part II, published December 19, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news121805.htm.

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