Word was spread around the village (somehow I missed the information) that all of the packages would be distributed at the docks. It must have been quite the sight -- neighbors and friends gathering to receive their boxes. People chatted and exchanged news about how they fared with hurricane Irene...and neighbors and family picked up packages and delivered them to those who were not at the docks.
From all reports it sounded much like the 1940s & 1950s when villagers met at the mailboat dock in the late afternoon to share news of the day, see who was arriving on the island, and to pick up their mail.
(Click on photo [courtesy Dave Frum] to view a larger image.)
Not everything about a hurricane is distressing!
Philip, pure excitement is what I'm feeling as I'm reading your post this early morning. Although, I'll never know how the unofficial mayor of Ocracoke Island didn't receive word about the mail/UPS packages arrival!
ReplyDeleteSo, I've grabbed my OCRACOKE ALBUM autographed book by Jack Dudley (yes, VC has this fantastic book fellow bloggers...good time to purchase it with the free shipping...just a side note, you know...and I am looking at the vintage photo of the mail boat Aleta on page #48).
Philip, here's the part which made my heart soar and allows me to imagine what the scene must have been like yesterday when O.I. villagers received their mail for the first time in five days, as you reported...."...the Aleta breezes along as though she scents the nearness of home. When she arrives, virtually the entire village....are on hand to welcome her, for the Aleta is the island's most solid link with the outside world."
Sometimes the more things change the more it remains the same! I'd say snail mail was more welcomed yesterday than it has been on O.I. in a mighty long time!
Keep on making lemonade out of those lemons, Philip! So proud of that can-do spirit demonstrated by the O.I. residents.
ReplyDeleteThre's a great photo of Ocracoke boys on teh dock carrying sacks of mail from the mail boat, circa the early '50's (?) by a Ms Roberts, I'm sure you know it.
ReplyDeleteAre all branches etc pretty much cleaned up by now? Were all the boats secure? Be safe and please say hi to Blanche for us.
There are still branches and trees that need to be cleaned up, roofs being repaired, etc....but all in all Ocracoke village looks good.
ReplyDeleteGREAT photo!
ReplyDeleteGood morning-just wondered if you're open for business & if your skiff is up for a scud. Mornings are SO much brighter when they start with a post from OI (or is it O.I.)
ReplyDeleteEven the dog was excited.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful and exciting.
ReplyDeleteSmacks of the tune from "The Music Man" about the Wells-Fargo wagon a'comin' down the street:
ReplyDelete"It could be thumpthin' for thomeone who ith no relathion, or it could be...thumpin' thspecthial...juthst for me!"
Hats off to your UPS man!
That's quite a crowd! if some guy named Harold Hill shows up with a bunch of trombones, head for the ferry!
ReplyDelete