More Answers

My last several postings generated a few more questions & comments. It is always interesting to know what folks are curious about, and I'll respond as best I can. Here goes:

• Interesting to hear about the Preservation Society interviews. What's the scope of the project (i.e., is it a focused, ongoing effort or something more casual, lots of people slated to be interviewed, etc.) and will the results be available for the public to view and enjoy? You often mention your friend Muzel. Might she be a subject of a future session?

• Very interested in the Preservation Society interviews...this sounds like a very important work, and one that's missing in so many other communities (and, even in families!). Would be wonderful to know how they plan to be used or published?

The interviewing project is the idea of Clayton Gaskill (island videographer) and Ann Ehringhaus (island photographer). I interviewed Earl O'Neal and Blanche & Bertha, but Ann will be conducting some of the future interviews. They have compiled a list of folks they want to capture on tape/DVD, including Muzel. (By the way, island native, Kathy Ballance, and long-time island resident, Tommy Hutcherson, will be married this weekend. Muzel, who is 103 years old, will be Kathy's maid of honor!) I understand that the interviews will be archived at the Preservation Museum and will be available for research.

• I read your journal all the time I am also wiccan please everyone is not evil there is dark and white good and bad in all walks of life there are some misbelifs when its comes to us I hope that you take the time to read the following to gain a better understanding of Samhain and please also let it be known we do visit your peaceful island every year many of us we harm nobody we are really very peaceful people.

Thank you for your comment. The full text of your comment can be found here. I am a strong defender of the first amendment, which reads in part, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."

• You didn't mention egging...

Oh yes, egging -- how did this slip my mind??? Egging is a long-time island Halloween tradition. For years island teenagers have gathered in groups on Halloween night armed with cases of eggs which they toss about after dark. The mid 70s may have been the apogee of egg throwing here. Not only did the teenagers store eggs in the woods for weeks (maybe months), but they were indiscriminate about who or what they threw them at. Moving targets were especially tempting. By morning, road signs, commercial signs, cars, businesses, houses, boats, and virtually anything else might be plastered with eggs. In addition, skiffs, loose pilings, signs, and other large but movable objects would often end up across the roadways, in yards, or otherwise disturbed. Over the years parents, deputies, and teachers have been successful in toning down the mischief. Nowadays, it's mostly just egg throwing, and even that is usually confined to groups of kids battling it out amongst themselves. Businesses, neighbors, and automobiles are generally spared, and to my knowledge, the internecine youth rivalries are good-natured and short-lived.

Our latest Newsletter is an article about Blackbeard the pirate and new research that suggests he may have been born in eastern North Carolina. You can read it here.