Catching Up

Over the past several weeks readers have posted a number of comments and questions, some of which I have not had time to answer (hard as it is to believe, we who live here on Ocracoke sometimes have busy lives -- it's a good busy, but busy nonetheless).

So here goes:

• "Some pictures of your son and family would be appreciated!" wrote one reader.
  

Many of you may have noticed that I don't take many photos. However, I will do my best to get a picture of my "mountain family" in July when they are all here on the island.

• Another reader wrote, "Please tell me that the fire dept will be selling those cool t-shirts through the summer. We won't get there til Labor Day, and I usually buy them for every one I know."
  

I don't know for sure, but I think the t-shirts are available at the Island Ragpicker. If not, they will surely know where to get them.

• Another question: "Philip, any word on how the Watermen's Association did in making their June 1st fund drive?"
  

According to the June issue of the Ocracoke Observer, "....Hyde County's Revolving Loan Fund committee stepped in and on May 7 the Hyde county commissioners voted to use its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to issue a short-term loan to the Ocracoke Fish House so that the Fish House would not be forced to shut down....while awaiting appropriation of funds from the General assembly this session, which would be available in the fall." For more information please visit the official web site of the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association: http://www.ocracokewatermen.org/index.html. From their home page you can click on "Donate" or "Help Us Save Ocracoke's Last Fish House" to learn how you can help. The fishermen are also working on a new web site with information about retail sales. The site is still under construction, but you might want to bookmark it for future reference: http://www.ocracokeseafood.com/

• A personal note to reader, Marty Tennant the hammock man (some years ago he "worked" under the tree in front of the Slushy Stand selling and "demonstrating" hammocks):
  

Greetings from Ocracoke. Didn't know you were reading the journal. Stop by and say hello next time you are on the island.

• Most recently I had this comment and question: "I would love to see the Community Store reopened. Danny Garrish was my father-in-law's cousin, and we have many fond memories of him. Where could I inquire about future plans for the store?"
  

I don't have any new information at this time, but I understand that efforts are still ongoing to reopen the Community Store. As soon as I have any new information I will post it here.

Thanks to all of our readers for you questions and comments. We're happy to be one of your "links" to our favorite island.

Take a journey back in time with our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. You can capture some of the thrill of riding on the old mailboat Aleta by clicking here.