Faking Box

The US Life Saving Service employed an elaborate system of ropes, pulleys, and life ring to rescue sailors stranded on wrecked vessels. The keeper and six (later, eight) surfmen pulled the beach apparatus cart to the wreck. There they buried the sand anchor, positioned the brass Lyle gun, shot a line to the ship, then rigged the breeches buoy and conveyed the victims to shore.

One of the more obscure pieces of life saving equipment was the faking box. Inside the box was a frame with three to four dozen 10" - 12" long wooden pins arranged on the periphery. The shot line (which was tied to a projectile that was fired to the wreck) was wound around the pins in an overlaid zig-zag pattern. At the scene of the wreck the frame (with the rope wound on the pins) was turned upside down, and the rope was carefully pushed off the pins. This arrangement allowed the shot line to travel without becoming tangled.

The photo below, courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center, shows the faking frame resting on the beach after the shot line has been removed.

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Fake is a nautical term meaning to coil (a rope). It is of obscure origin.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a brief history of Ocracoke and the Lost Colony. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Cormorants

Yesterday we awoke to another beautiful and warm November day. There was rain looming offshore, so to take advantage of the good weather I decided to take a walk on the beach in the morning with a friend. When we walked over the dunes we looked down the beach and were met with a sight I'd never seen on Ocracoke before. A blanket of cormorants were standing at the waterline. They were about 30 deep and extending down the beach for a quarter of a mile or more. There were thousands of them. Usually we see cormorants flying in seemingly endless lines across the pink sky around dawn or dusk, but it's rare to see this many congregated on Ocracoke's beach in the middle of the morning. Of course I didn't have my camera with me, but there were so many, a photo wouldn't have done it justice anyway.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is about the role Ocracoke played in the earliest English voyages of exploration and colonization in the New World. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Shell Stand

Over 30 years ago, I ran a shell stand inherited from my older brother.

Now it's time to pass it down to the next generation. Inspired by the quantity of shells found on the beach after Hurricane Irene, Lachlan opened shop this week to test out the idea. We talked about the importance of helping local organizations, so 10% of his profits will go to the local library since books have always been such an important part of his world. He'll be ready and waiting to greet you when you visit next spring. Who knows, he may even tell you a story just like his Grandfather does!

 

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is about the role Ocracoke played in the earliest English voyages of exploration and colonization in the New World. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Christmas is Coming

The Ocracoke Preservation Society has scheduled its traditional early December Wassail Party for Wednesday, December 7, 5:00 to 6:30, at the museum. Those of you with excellent memories may recall that these parties are usually held on Tuesdays, but, as it happens, the first home basketball game in the new school gym is scheduled for Dec. 6 and the OPS Executive Committee wanted to be there! So let this post serve as a reminder of two upcoming events.

Bonfire

Our son, Geoff, and four year old granddaughter, Sydney, were recently visiting us here on Ocracoke.
On one beautiful and warm November evening, we went to the beach, watched the sunset and built a bonfire. We were practically the only people visible up or down the beach and were soon joined by Carol and Tom Pahl and Emmett Temple (a local 11th grader). We warmed hot dogs over the fire and as it burned down to embers, we made s'mores.
Geoff shined his flashlight outside the ring of firelight and we discovered we were being watched by lots of crabs. Sydney got a real kick out of that (from a distance.)
When we got ready to pack up, Emmett, who was barefoot, waded out and brought up buckets of water to cool the embers. We covered them with a bit of sand. We had built our fire below the high tide line, so during the night, the ocean erased all signs of our being there.
Making more memories on Ocracoke.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is about the role Ocracoke played in the earliest English voyages of exploration and colonization in the New World. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Gratitude

   The day of feasting is over.  We hope that everyone enjoyed the day with family and friends and that smiles,laughter,full bellies and immense gratitude filled your day.  It certainly did at our house.

Thanksgiving

We will be taking the day off tomorrow. So today we take the opportunity to wish all of our readers a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

My maternal grandfather was born in Hungary. He learned the butcher's trade when he was just eleven years old. When he was a young adult he moved to the United States, where he worked as a butcher until he retired. At almost every meal that I shared with him he would look at his full plate of food and exclaim, "We eat good in America!"  How true.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Concert

Don't forget the Ocrafolk Festival fund-raising concert this Friday evening. Door opens at 7 PM, and the show starts at 7:30 PM. It's always a wonderful evening of lively music, great stories and good people. Come on out and enjoy our generous and talented local artists!

 

                                           

In our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, I share information about the role Ocracoke played in the earliest English voyages of exploration and colonizations to the New World. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Ocracoke and the Lost Colony

We have just published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. This month I share information about the role Ocracoke played in the earliest English voyages of exploration and colonizations to the New World. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.

Living With Ferries

One thing that residents of Ocracoke and visitors alike learn to deal with is our dependency on the ferries. Those of us who live here depend on them to take us to dentists and doctors and movies and super markets, not to mention Interstate highways and airports and our families who live "off". And of course visitors depend on them to get here.
We wake up each day trusting that they will be there are us, and most days they are. But a strong wind, say 40 miles an hour and above, will stop them. Dense fog will stop them. There are days when the mail doesn't get on or off the island and neither do we.
One day this past week, I noticed how little traffic there was on the street. Eventually the word got around that a sailboat had run aground in the Hattaras Inlet. The ferry service shut down for a large part of the day until the Coast Guard could clear the way.
Just an example of living with ferries.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by Marvin Howard in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

We Eat Good on Ocracoke

The Ocracoke Preservation Society recently held its annual Fall Membership Pot Luck Dinner and Membership Meeting. Folks were invited to bring "favorite Ocracoke dishes" to share at the pot luck table. It was (no surprise) an extremely tasty supper after which folks were invited to share memories and stories associated with "their favorite island food".
What followed was an amazing time of warm and evocative storytelling. People recalled some of their favorite island cooks, including Clinton Gaskill and his corn "flitters".
There were stories of Ocracoke's famous "old Drum" meal which involves boiling drum (the fish, not the percussion instrument) with potatoes, hard boiled eggs and crackling. It's a dish that is frequently followed by some good sleeping.
And we not only heard about but got to taste some island favorite desserts including blackberry dumpling and fig cake.
The stories were still going on the next day. At the bank I heard Judy Garrish remembering her father riding his bike to the Sound every Saturday, raking up clams, bringing them home in his bike basket and fixing Clam Chowder for his family.
No matter where we grew up, we all grew up eating; memories of family dishes and meals sure have the power to take us back.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by Marvin Howard in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Duck Weather

      Wednesday night brought some wild wet weather.  Thunder,lightening and pouring rain ( 2 1/2 inches per Dale ) raked the island during the overnight hours. Upon waking ( not that I got much sleep with all that racket! ) I saw that the yard, driveway etc. was flooded ankle deep.  "Duck Weather" I grumbled.

Going to the kitchen to make coffee I glanced out at the screened porch.  Blinking a few times in disbelief, I walked slowly to the door only to realize I wasn't "seeing things".  There was indeed a Mallard drake on the screened porch eating cat food out of my cats' bowl.  I thought I must have left one of the porch doors unlocked and it had blown open but no they were both securely locked.  The only entrance available was the "cat door".  I had to laugh picturing that feat.  Apparently the weather was even too much for a duck!

East Howard Street

About a week ago I published a vintage photograph of Howard Street. At least that's what most folks today call Ocracoke's last, historic, one lane unpaved street.  Many years ago Howard Street was just one section of the "Main Road" that ran through the village, from the "bald beach" all the way to the sound (near where the National Park Service Visitors Center is today).

In the 1950s the state of North Carolina paved a new road around the harbor (including the section in front of the Community Store), and out to the "beach" (where NC Highway 12 is today). In the process they paved what was then the western section of the Main Road. Shortly thereafter Stacy Howard (cousin Blanche's father) nailed a sign onto a tree near his house. It read "East Howard Street." Stacy thought that was appropriate because 8 or 9 Howard families lived along this eastern portion of the road, and their family cemeteries lined the lane as well.

Today, of course, one end of "Howard Street" stops at the School Road, and the other end joins Highway 12 as it wraps around Silver Lake. Few people remember that more than sixty years ago it was part of a once longer road. Nowadays mostly only old-timers and their children and grandchildren still call the road by it's "full and proper" name, East Howard Street.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Ocracoke Methodist Episcopal Church, South

From 1883 until 1937 Ocracoke was served by two Methodist Churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church (Ocracokers refer to this body as the "Northern Methodist Church") met on the Back Road (where Zillie's is located today). The Methodist Episcopal Church, South (the "Southern Methodist Church") met on East Howard Street.

It is sometimes difficult to imagine a beautiful wood frame church with stained glass windows on Howard Street (the church sat where "Dicie's Cottage" is today). This photo might help:

You can read a complete history of the two churches here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102603.htm

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Restrooms

Several days ago I mentioned Saltwater Connections, a regional initiative aimed at sustaining livelihoods, cultural heritage, and natural resources along North Carolina’s central coast.

One of our hardworking local organizations, Ocracoke Foundation, under the direction of Robin Payne, has partnered with Saltwater Connections to explore the possibility of providing public restrooms in Ocracoke village. Because Ocracoke was not originally a popular tourist destination there was no long term plan to provide services for visitors. Public restrooms have been a concern for a number of years. Several factors have thwarted efforts to provide them -- lack of an appropriate central location, cost of acquiring land, and health and safety regulations to name a few.

We are hoping a solution to this issue can be found. Follow the link below for more information:

http://saltwaterconnections.org/2011/10/22/news-from-the-ocracoke-foundation/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article by my Uncle Marvin written in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Rowladen Recipe

Here is my dad's Rowladen* recipe (from the Pennsylvania Dutch -- be careful, they might smell the aroma, break in, and try to cut off your beard!):

Ingredients:
round steak cut real thin or a small "eye of round" sliced thin
bacon slices
onion slices
prepared mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Spread meat slices with a little mustard, add bacon, onion and seasoning. Roll up and fasten with a toothpick. Brown in fat in a frypan and then add some water and simmer, covered, about 2 hours until tender (tender enough to cut with a fork). If desired, add quartered potatoes for the last hour.

My dad had never cooked before my mother died. I was afraid he would waste away, eating TV dinners and canned soup. But he made a point of learning to cook, often trying new recipes and experimenting. He did great!

*normally spelled rouladen, from the French word "rouler" meaning "to roll."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Ocracoke Foundation

Two days ago I mentioned the Ocracoke Foundation. Under the competent and creative direction of Robin Payne OF has accomplished some outstanding projects in recent years. Among them are the establishment of the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association, saving our island fish house, WOVV 90.1 (our local radio station), and the Working Watermen's Exhibit on the docks.

Current projects include Oyster Restoration, Assessing Harbor Water Quality, and the Revitalization of the Community Square.

Please visit their web site for more information about exciting initiatives from the Ocracoke Foundation:

http://www.ocracokefoundation.org/
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article by my Uncle Marvin written in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Kenny Ballance

Many visitors to Ocracoke know Kenny Ballance, our District Park Ranger. Kenny was born and raised on Ocracoke, and is a life-long resident of the island. He attended Ocracoke School from kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1977 he graduated from East Carolina University. Kenny has worked for the NPS since 1978, and has served as the Outer Banks Group District Ranger on Ocracoke since 2003.

Earlier this month Kenny was honored with the 2011 Southeast Region Harry Yount Park Ranger Award. According to a recent NPS press release:

Superintendent Mike Murray announced on November 8 that long-time Outer Banks Group employee Kenneth C. Ballance has received the 2011 NPS Southeast Region Harry Yount Park Ranger Award. The peer-nominated honor, named after the first known national park ranger, recognizes excellence in the field of "rangering."

Every year each of the seven NPS regions selects a Regional Harry Yount Award recipient whose "overall impact, record of accomplishments, and excellence in traditional ranger duties have created an appreciation for the park ranger profession on the part of the public and other members of the profession. The intent of the Harry Yount Award is to honor rangers who have consistently gone out every day and performed the traditional, generalist ranger duties of protecting the resources and serving the visitor and who have done it well in the eyes of their peers over time.

"Kenny is an outstanding ranger and very deserving of this recognition. We are very proud of his many accomplishments and fortunate to have him as an employee. As a dedicated National Park Service employee, he has assisted an untold number of park visitors in his 35 years of service. Park management and his coworkers would like to personally thank him and congratulate him on receiving this significant award" said Superintendent Mike Murray.

Kenny's leadership and involvement in his community is well known and widespread.

Kenny was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the NC Governor's Office in 1996. One of his favorite park endeavors, spanning three decades, has been the protection of the Ocracoke Pony herd.

___________________________________________________

Congratulations, Kenny! Kenny is an outstanding Park Ranger, a dedicated member of our community, a fine neighbor...and one of the funniest people I have ever known. He should be given an award for Quick Wit and Ability to Say Anything to Anyone...and Get Away With It!

____________________________________________________

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Saltwater Connections

Saltwater Connections is a regional initiative aimed at sustaining livelihoods, cultural heritage, and natural resources along North Carolina’s central coast, from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke and Down East Carteret County. I thought our readers might be interested in taking a look at their web site: http://saltwaterconnections.org/

Saltwater Connections has planned several events of interest to Ocracoke residents and visitors. The Resource Team will be on the island for a Pot Luck Dinner on November 14 [earlier I had mistakenly written November 13], 2011 at 6:00 PM at the Ocracoke Community Center. Come out to meet the team. Meetings to discuss topics that are important for the sustainability of our island community will be held all day November 14 & 15, including evenings. There is more information here:
http://saltwaterconnections.org/resource-teams/ocracoke-visit/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm

Sandy Lanes

Old timers and long-time visitors to Ocracoke will often refer to Howard Street as a "sandy lane." More recent islanders and visitors sometimes call it an "unpaved road" or an "oyster shell" road. For the past 40-50 years residents along Howard Street have been putting shells, stones, concrete pieces and asphalt shingles in the road to harden it. For the most part we have been successful in keeping Howard Street navigable. Cars no longer get stuck in the deep sand. But we pay for it with mud, pot holes and puddles.

Below are two vintage photos (taken prior to 1960) -- one of the British Cemetery Road (near the old George Howard cemetery), and the other of Howard Street. As you can see, both roads are deep, soft sand.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Coast Guard Stations

Yesterday I shared the story of the wreck of the Cibao (the banana boat). This vessel wrecked at Hatteras Inlet in 1927, and the sailors were rescued by the crews of the Hatteras Inlet Station (on the north end of Ocracoke), and the crews of the Durants Station, Cape Hatteras Station, Creeds Hill Station (all three from Hatteras Island), and the Ocracoke Station (located in Ocracoke village).

I thought our readers would enjoy seeing the following photo. The station on the left is the most recent Coast Guard building (constructed during WWII and now used by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers [NCCAT]). The building on the right is the original 1904 Ocracoke Station. It was used as an auxiliary building during the war, and demolished soon afterwards.



Click on the photo to view a larger image.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Cibao

The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department cookbook, Hoi Toiders' Recipes and Remembrances, contains quite a few historical gems. On page 60, under the recipe for Frozen Fruit Salad, we find this paragraph:

"When a banana boat went aground near Hatteras Inlet, the high tide line was nothing but bananas. Every kid on Ocracoke had a belly ache according to Elsie Ballance who was the town nurse."

The year was 1927, the date December 4, and the vessel was the Norwegian steamer Cibao. My dad was sixteen years old. He often told me about all the bananas they had -- bunches and bunches hanging from pegs...too many to eat before they went bad.

The wreck...and the rescue...were quite dramatic. Newspapers from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Miami, and elsewhere, ran the story. The storm was so intense, and the water was so turbulent, that the US Coast Guard was unable to maneuver their power lifeboat close enough to the wreck. Even with their self-bailing surfboat, they were thwarted in rowing close enough to the stranded vessel. Finally the life savers succeeded in instructing each of the sailors to tie a line around his waist and jump into the raging breakers, one at a time. Each sailor, cold, wet, and exhausted, was pulled aboard the surfboat. It took three trips from the station to the wreck and back to the station to bring all twenty-four members of the crew safely to shore.

After the storm abated on December 6 the cargo, 17,000 bunches of bananas from Jamaica, were jettisoned, and the ship was eventually refloated and towed to New York City.

The officers of the US Coast Guard were promoted because of their bravery and courage.

Click here to read the report from the Miami Daily News, December 5, 1927.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Duck Blinds

A reader recently inquired about the "box-like structures" on pilings that are visible in Pamlico Sound. These are duck blinds...hiding places for hunters. Generally very simple structures, open at the top, and about four or five feet square, they are framed with two by fours and covered with plywood. Raised above the water on pilings, they have a "door" cut out of the plywood which is hinged on one side. A turn button keeps the door closed when not in use. There is usually a wooden bench inside, though upturned five-gallon buckets might suffice. Slits or holes are arranged in the sides to provide a view of the surrounding water & sky, and to allow enough room for the muzzle of the shotgun to project outside the blind.

Decoys are arranged in the water near the blind to entice ducks and geese. In use the blind is often covered with reeds and other natural materials for camouflage. 

Our OcraFolk School Sampler Class kayaked out to David Tolson's duck blind last month. I didn't take my camera with me, but I did find a photo on the web of an Ocracoke duck blind: http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissareeseetheridge/4427876375/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

A Most Interesting Beach!

I was just alerted to an article touting the "10 Most Interesting Beaches in the World." To qualify, the beach "had to have the kind of story you would want to share with your friends, but it also had to be the kind of place where you would want to lay your towel."

We were not surprised to find Ocracoke on the list. Ocracoke's eighteenth century history as an important commercial port for trading vessels traveling to and from the mainland, and the place of Blackbeard's final battle in 1718, provided the "story." And our beautiful, unspoiled beach is the perfect place "to lay your towel."

You can read the article here: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2011/11/04/10-most-interesting-beaches-in-world/#ixzz1cks7UpjJ
 
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Wind & OcraFolk School Photos

Friday afternoon the wind started blowing...25, 30, 35 mph, and it continued throughout the night, with gusts up to 45 - 50 mph. First the state suspended the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferry runs...then the Hatteras runs. It is another one of those times when living 20+ miles from the mainland and being unable to leave the island reminds us of how little control we have over nature. It can be exhilarating.

On to another subject: Even though I don't take many pictures, family and friends often do. Below are three photos from this year's OcraFolk School.

First is Cat Farley fixing something scrumptious in the cooking class. Because David was the teaching assistant, Lachlan showed up one day. He is examining the goods:

(Photo by Theresa Adams, a student in the photography class.)

Ann Ehringhaus, the Photography Class teacher, took the next two photos. The first is the Sampler Class relaxing on the porch of the Roy Robinson House at Portsmouth Island. First inhabited by the Coast Guard Captain Roy Robinson, this house originally stood near the Life Saving Station, and was moved to its present location with log rollers and a horse. Ann has leased the house for several years.

This next photo is the entire School standing on the porch and in front of the Soundfront Inn.

You can click on any photo to view a larger image.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here:

http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Blackbeard's Cannon

As many of our readers know, in 1996 a research company located a submerged shipwreck in Beaufort Inlet (formerly known as Topsail Inlet) that was believed to be Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. At this date nearly everyone is convinced that this is, in fact, the ship which the infamous pirate deliberately ran aground in June of 1718, cracking the mainmast and many of her timbers.

Blackbeard then convinced Stede Bonnet (the "Gentleman Pirate" who was an involuntary guest on his vessel) to take Bonnet's own ship and crew, and sail to the West Indies to accept the recently offered pardon from King George. In the confusion Blackbeard marooned more than two dozen of his own pirates, then slipped away from the rest aboard a small sloop, the Adventure. With a much smaller crew Blackbeard sailed to Bath to seek the king's pardon from his friend, North Carolina Governor Charles Eden.

Just five months later Blackbeard was killed at Ocracoke Inlet.

Since 1997 researchers and archaeologists have been diving on the Queen Anne's Revenge, bringing up artifacts and pieces of the wreck for the state of North Carolina. Recently an eight foot long, 2000 pound cannon was salvaged from the QAR. You can read more here:
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/10299600/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Stiff Competition

Well, the scores are in. Charles had some mighty stiff competition!

I watched Jeopardy last night with a bunch of other folks, including Al. We play poker on Friday nights with Charles. Last spring, after Charles won $100,000 in the Teachers Tournament he missed the next night of poker...,but he surreptitiously left a bottle of expensive scotch on our table.

Last night Al had only one comment: "I guess we're back to drinking cheap beer."

We love you anyway, Charles.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Grammar

One evening during the Folk School one of the students was wearing a sweatshirt with this message: "I am the grammarian about whom your grandmother warned you!"

We stopped to chat about grammar...and began identifying standard forms that are often "misused": "between you and me [not "I"]," "I lay [not "laid"] down in the hammock," "may [not "can"] I borrow your book," "there are fewer [not "less"] people here than I expected," etc. In the course of the conversation I mentioned that Ocracoke has a unique grammar. Below are a few examples.

Several days ago on this blog I quoted something my father had written on the back of a photograph: "This was taken the night before Garland run us out." This was not a typographical error. Ocracokers routinely use the present tense to indicate the past. For example an O'cocker might say "I eat my dinner at 5:30 last night."

Ocracokers also often use "weren't" in place of "wasn't." So you might hear someone say "He weren't no better at that than a small child."

Sometimes Ocracokers put an "s" on a third person singular verb. For example, "His children follows him everywhere" is a common construction.

These expressions are not "wrong" although they are non-standard. They simply follow a different set of (unwritten) grammar rules. Walt Wolfram, professor of linguistics, writes that islanders' dialect "reflects agreement patterns that used to be standard in earlier forms of English but [that] are no longer considered acceptable."

This variety is one more thing that makes living on the island so interesting. I will share more about Ocracoke grammar in the future.

PS: Speaking of grammar, don't forget to tune in to Jeopardy tonight to watch Charles, our high school English teacher, compete in the Tournament of Champions!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.

Jeopardy Tomorrow!

Be sure to tune in to the game show Jeopardy tomorrow evening! Charles Temple, Ocracoke's high school English teacher, will be competing once again, this time for a quarter of a million dollars. Charles is one of fifteen top players who will be vying for the grand prize in the Tournament of Champions.

Many of our readers will remember that Charles won the Tournament of Teachers competition last spring. This new tournament will air from November 2 through November 15. I understand that Charles will be competing tomorrow, November 2. If he wins, he will be back sometime the following week. We'll let you know the schedule.

In the meanwhile, check out this link (Charles is the man in the front row with the beard):

http://www.jeopardy.com/news/tournamentofchamps28.php

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.