Figments of Ocracoke

Just a few months ago the Humanities Extension/Publications Division of the North Carolina State University published a short book by Ocracoke native, Chester Lynn. Many visitors to the island know Chester as the Proprietor of Annabelle's Florest and Antique Shop on the Back Road. Chester is also the island's resident expert on figs and fig trees. His book is titled, Figments of Ocracoke, An O'cocker Says a Word.

Figments has chapters on Ocracoake Island history & stories, types of fig trees, tending fig trees, and cooking with figs. As collaborator on the text, Walt Wolfram, the William C. Friday Distinguished University Professor and Director of the NC State Language and Life Project, writes in the Preface, "to know Chester to recognize that he can 'say a word' -- and can recount history, lore, and wisdom on everything from figs to the Lost Colony."

Wolfram explains that, "in this collection, Chester tells his story -- from his childhood obsession with figs to his assortment of antiques that includes treasures from Blackbeard found at Springerr's Point to plates from South America dug up in his backyard."

On your next stroll down Back Road stop in at Annabelle's Florest and chat with Chester...and purchase one of his books. You'll be glad you did!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lachlan Howard's essay about the Fresnel Lens and its use in theater, solar ovens, cameras, and industry, as well as lighthouse illumination. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/the-fresnel-lens/.