Blanche Howard Jolliff: A reader recently inquired about Cousin Blanche. Blanche is a resident at Spring Arbor of the Outer Banks (803 Bermuda Bay Blvd, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948). Amy, Lachlan, and I visited her just last week. We had a delightful chat. Amy shared photos of this year's July 4th parade, and I showed her pictures of the 1953 event. Although Blanche has some mobility issues (she is 96 years old), she exhibited almost no cognitive disabilities. We shared stories, and laughed about one thing and another.
When we left the facility several residents stopped us to explain that Blanche must be one of the most loved people in the world since she has so many visitors. She loves to receive cards and letters, as well as visitors, and enjoys reading articles about her island home.
Makers Market: I wrote about this new island venture several days ago. This continues to be a work in progress, and the organizers are working to figure out the best day and hours for the event. As a result, the Market is now scheduled for Wednesdays from 10 am - 5 pm. Click here for more information.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article about one of the early
July 4th Parades written by Alice Rondthaler in 1953. It is accompanied
by vintage photos.You can read the Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062116.htm.
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I'm so very glad to hear that she is doing OK and that many people are visiting her. I know we all wish that we could greet her on Ocracoke and sit on the pizer and chat, though. It's good to hear she's getting lots of visitors. Send her our love.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear about Blanche. Glad she is doing well. I bet she really enjoyed the visit from you, Amy & Lachlin and to hear all about the 4th of July. We will be sending her cards.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to chat with Blanche on one of my trips to the island. Do you think she will be able to return to her house?
ReplyDeleteI did not hear Blanche mention coming home to Ocracoke. She seemed content. Spring Arbor is a very pleasant facility.
DeleteOur State mag has an article about Ocracoke figs and lists several varieties, one of which is called "Blanche Howard." Is this "your" Blanche and if so can you share how a fig variety got to be named after her? As usual - thanks!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I can't find the Our State article, and I have never heard of a "Blanche Howard" fig. Can you provide a URL for the Our State article?
DeleteI receive the hard copy of the magazine and couldn't find a copy of the article on line yet. The title is "Our Fleeting Figs" by Andrea Weigl, page 164 of Aug 2016 issue. Mentions 14 varieties grow on the island including B H, Portsmouth Island, Springer Point, Pound Fig. Mentions August bake off, Chester Lynn, etc.
DeleteHere is what I've learned from Chester Lynn: old-time islanders recognized 4 basic fig varieties -- brown turkey, sugar, pound, and white. He tells me there are several "unusual" varieties of those figs which he calls the Portsmouth Island fig, the Springer's Point fig, and the Blanche Howard fig (this one was rooted some years ago by Wayne Teeter from one of Blanche's more unusual trees). So there you have it, the unusual fig varieties mentioned in the article were named by Chester.
DeleteI couldn't find it either, but I came across this which answers the question...
Deletehttp://www.ncfolk.org/?s=Ocracoke
Lord have Mercy. If some Horticultural Society needs to OK these coloquial terms then so be it . Make it so. Just do it. Got figs?
ReplyDeleteNice to hear your update on Cousin Blanche, Philip. My family vacationed on Ocracoke last week, and I wondered about her; thought of dropping a line here and inquiring, so your update is timely. I sent her a note per your original request some months ago and will happily do so again. Had I known she was welcoming visitors we may have stopped to say hello on our way back north. My wife is a nurse practitioner who specializes in geriatrics, and the best part of her job is spending time chatting with lively folks who appreciate her company and compassionate care. I'm sure she and Cousin Blanche would've had a fine visit. Thanks, as always.
ReplyDelete