New Ferry

According to news sources, the state of North Carolina has signed a contract for a new ferry to serve the Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Swan Quarter routes. The new vessel will be 220 feet long, by 50 feet wide, and will be able to carry up to 50 cars and 300 passengers. Work may begin as early as later this month, and is expected to be completed by May, 2011.

You can read more about this contract here:

http://www.havenews.com/news/ferry-6165-new-ocracoke.html

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Tony Trischka

This Saturday, October 10 Tony Trischka, one of the world's top five-string banjo players, will be holding a workshop on Ocracoke Island. Designed for intermediate to advanced players, this day long event will culminate with a 7:30 pm concert at Deepwater Theater.

More information is available here:

http://www.acousticbox.com/WorkshopGuide.htm

You can read more about Tony Trischka here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Trischka

If you will be on the island this coming weekend be sure to attend the concert. This will be a treat for anyone who enjoys traditional bluegrass music.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Sampler

The third annual OcraFolk School is almost upon us. The dates are October 25 - 30, the last week of the month. There are still a couple of spaces available in the Ocracoke Sampler class...an opportunity to immerse yourself in a bit of island history, sail aboard the schooner Windfall (and participate in old-time seafaring traditions), kayak on Pamlico Sound (and maybe even gather enough clams for a meal), and walk across the island from ocean to sound, leaning about the unique ecology of this very special barrier island.

You can read more about the class here:

http://www.ocrafolkschool.org/classes09/ocrafolksampler09.htm

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

100 Years

Happy Birthday Ann Scarborough! Ann is 100 years old today, and just as sharp as ever. She lives with her son Al, and his wife Linda. She can tell you all about Ocracoke before paved roads and ferries...and she'll also let you know what she thinks about current events.

Al & Linda are hosting an open house today, so stop by and wish Ann a very happy birthday.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

OPS

Earlier this year the Ocracoke Preservation Society received a generous bequest for Historic Preservation from the Geraldine Beveridge Estate. OPS issued a press release in August. You can read the document here:

http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/opspressrelease.doc

Members of the Society, as well as residents and friends of Ocracoke were delighted with the bequest. The Society is actively working to put the money to good use to save and protect significant island structures. We will be sharing more information as it becomes available.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Bikes & Waves

What spectacular weather we've been having lately! We've been outside as much as possible. Yesterday Amy and I took Lachlan and his bicycle down to the NPS campground. It's the perfect place for a new rider. The campground is only about a quarter full, and most of the campers were on the beach. So the pavement was wide open for Lachlan to cruise around the circles...again, and again. and again. He's even perfecting his dismount (he likes inspecting the skid marks!), but he has trouble getting started without a little help.

Before we headed back home we walked across to the beach. Some of the waves were of medium height, but they all were gentle. No crashing, angry tumblers...just mildly rolling undulations. And the water was so clear you could see seashells on the bottom. Lachlan and I had a wonderful time, but after a while we reluctantly got out of the water and trudged off with mama, hand in hand, back to the car.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Videos

Last night, after our last Opry of this season, Wes Lassiter told us that he'd discovered a You Tube posting of portions of the September 16 Opry performance.

I have located the posts. If you are a regular guest at our Wednesday night shows, or curious to see what talented musicians we have on Ocracoke Island, I believe you will enjoy these videos (and, by the way, that's me with the "dancing man"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh7ZqZREE4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO-EdGRkkM4

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Cool

Fall is definitely in the air. It's just 66 degrees with sunny skies and a light breeze. It's a great day to bike around the village, do some yard work, or teach a grandchild to ride a two-wheeled bike (Lachlan's pretty good at balancing, but still needs to work on stopping gracefully!).

The island gets a tad quieter each day, and a few shops and businesses are cutting their schedules and activities. Village Craftsmen is now open 10 am - 5 pm. Tonight is the last Opry show of the season; tomorrow is the last regularly scheduled Molasses Creek performance. I believe we'll all head to the Pub after tonight's show for an informal end-of-the-season party.

If you see us there, wave!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Off-Island

I was off island yesterday. Went with Amy to Nags Head (she had a dental appointment), then stopped to run a few errands. We left at 7:30 am and returned home at 8:00 pm. Even Nags Head is so different from Ocracoke. While Amy had her teeth cleaned I took a stroll down nearby streets. NC 158 was abuzz with cars & trucks, and the parking lots at Staples, McDonald's, and Harris Teeter were full of vehicles, even at this time of the year. The side streets led to water treatment plants, more parking areas, an empty soccer field, and a generic storage facility.

Of course, I wasn't walking along the beach, or in Nags Head Woods (one of the best kept secrets on the Outer Banks), but even on the beach (just a stone's through from rows of rental houses) it would have felt much different from Ocracoke.

Needless to say, even as the wind raced between the few cars on the ferry, and as the boat rocked back and forth in the inlet, Amy and I were both happy to be heading home.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Hummingbird

Yesterday morning, as I opened my front door, I noticed a buzzing, darting, flying creature moving about from flower to flower in my yard. At first I thought it was a dragonfly, but soon realized that it was a hummingbird. I seldom see hummingbirds on the island, but when I do I find them totally fascinating. Unfortunately, as soon as I stepped onto the porch the tiny bird flitted away. I have no idea which species of hummingbird it was, but I do know that several kinds migrate south in the fall of the year. Maybe this one was on his/her way to Mexico or Central America.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

The Ocean in September

The weather yesterday wasn't the best for beach goers (it was cloudy and rainy most of the day), but earlier in the week it was just perfect...with warm summer temperatures and long stretches of empty space. The Atlantic was just right...deep rolling waves, but no rip currents or undertow, and cool enough to feel refreshing, but warm enough to want to dive in without a moment's hesitation.

September is so wonderful here that I try to get to the beach at least once a day, for soon enough the north winds will blow across our island, and I don't want to be huddling around the gas log stove regretting so many missed opportunities for enjoying the best beach in America.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Ocracoke Light

The light in the Ocracoke lighthouse will be extinguished beginning September 28, and will remain out for several months while repairs and renovations are made to the historic structure. You can read more about this project here:

http://eastcarolinaradio.blogspot.com/2009/09/bodie-island-and-ocracoke-lighthouses.html

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

OcraFolk School

The OcraFolk School has just distributed a press release for their 2009 offerings:

"Ocrafolk School" entering 3rd year Oct. 25-30

Ocrafolk School is accepting registrations for its third year of week-long workshops and activities for adults at Ocracoke Island, NC. Classes with space still available are "Making Ships in Bottles" and "The Ocrafolk Sampler".

Instructor Jim Goodwin has been making ships in bottles for almost 10 years, and has since been preserving this rare and amazing maritime craft by giving demonstrations at museums and selling his work at regional coastal festivals, as well as at the Village Craftsmen on Ocracoke Island. Jim was a guest craftsman on PBS's Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill, and his work will be seen this December in the Dreamworks film, "The Lovely Bones."

"The Ocrafolk Sampler", led by local historian Philip Howard, naturalist David Senseney and Capt. Rob Temple, is an exploration of island history and culture through porch talks, walkabouts, sailing aboard the schooner Windfall, and more.

This year's other offerings, "Island Cooking" with Debbie Wells, "Pottery" with Wes Lassiter and Rhonda Bates, "Songwriting" with Marcy Brenner of Molasses Creek, and "Island Photography" with Ann Ehringhaus, are currently taking registrations on a waiting-list-only basis. All classes are limited to 6-8 students, and the registration deadline is Oct. 5.

In addition to the workshops, students may participate in group meals, music and other activities throughout the course of the week. The Ocrafolk School is sponsored by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. For more information, email (gary@ocrafolkschool.org) , call 252-928-4280, or visit www.ocrafolkschool.org
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Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Final Entries from the 1950s Brochure

Sales & Service:

• "Jake's" surf fishing & taxi service, channel bass specialist
• I.S. Garrish Watchmaker -- If your watch gets into salt water, put & keep in fresh water; and bring to me.
• Ocracoke Appliance Co. -- PD Williams, Mgr.: Radios, Refrigerators, Bottled Gas, Sales & Service, Stoves.
• Robinson's Repair Shop -- Auto & Marine Repairs, Gas and Diesel, Welding & Brazing (Elec & Acty); Wharfage.

That's all folks!

The times they sure have changed. Back in the 1950s no one would have guessed that shops on Ocracoke would be selling pottery, blown glass, and metal sculptures. Or that we'd have hundreds of rental cottages, gourmet restaurants, regular ferry service, and paved roads!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

Equinox + Yet More from the 1950s Brochure

Today, at 5:18 pm (EDT) the sun will be directly, vertically overhead a point on the equator. Thus, the lengths of the day and the night are equal (equinox means "equal night"). This marks the beginning of autumn.

Some friends gathered last night on Ocracoke to celebrate the autumnal equinox (unfortunately tonight was not convenient for many folks). It was a pot luck dinner with food, fun, and stimulating conversation.

If you haven't planned an equinox party for this evening, consider at least having family or friends over to toast the beginning of fall, 2009. Or just walk out in your back yard, gaze up at the stars, and contemplate the vastness and the beauty of the cosmos.

---------------------------------------------

From the 1950s brochure re. tourist homes:

• Mrs. T.W. Howard -- on Silver Lake (Ocracoke harbor; homelike; rates depend on number in room & distribution; daily: $1 to $3 per person; weekly: $15 for one, $20 for two; breakfast $1, lunch $1, dinner $1.50. [this house was located where the Silver Lake Motel is today; it has been moved to Cedar Rd, directly behind the bank]
  
• Mimosa Inn -- Mrs. Maude Fulcher, Prop. -- 3-minute walk from Silver Lake (harbor) and docks; daily: single $2.75, double $4; weekly: single $16, double $23; Meals: breakfast $1, dinner $1.50. [this is a private residence located on British Cemetery Road, near the intersection with the Back Road.]
  
• Mrs. Walter O'Neal -- on Silver Lake (harbor) near docks; rooms; meals available at nearby restaurant; fishing & hunting guide service. Taxi service to beach or elsewhere. [this house was also located where Silver Lake Motel sits today; it was moved to Hwy 12, and is now operated as the Beach House Bed & Breakfast.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of an article Philip wrote about sailing aboard the historic two-masted schooner, Mary E. It was originally published in the Washington Post in 1976. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm

September Newsletter

This month, for our Ocracoke Newsletter, I reprinted an article I wrote 33 years ago (!) about sailing aboard the schooner Mary E. I thought it was worth trying to get published, so I was going to send it to one of our local Outer Banks newspapers. But then I thought, what the heck, and I submitted it to the Washington Post. Imagine my surprise when I received a tear sheet (with my byline) and a check for $50.00.

I hope you enjoy it. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092109.htm.

Bald Beach

I received the following comment on yesterday's blog: "Philip, I'm really interested in how Blackbeard's Lodge could have been on the beach. Did the beach come from the ocean or sound side? Has the land been filled in?:

In the 1940s and 1950s the area from the edge of the village (about where the Variety Store is today*) all the way to where the National Park Service campground is now located was primarily a large tidal flat. There were a few natural dunes with beach grasses and sea oats, but most of that stretch (and all the way to the South Point) was nothing more than sand & scattered shells. During exceptionally high tides and storms the Atlantic ocean would wash over that area.

After the state paved the road (NC Hwy 12) in 1957, and the NPS built the continuous row of artificial dunes between the road and the Atlantic Ocean (and planted sea grasses) the "Plains," as it was (and still is) called, gradually changed. The grasses held the sand in place, and the salt water seldom washed over, allowing bushes and shrubs, and later cedars and other trees, to take root and thrive. Today it has little resemblance to the Plains of 50-60 years ago.

When the Wahab Village Hotel (now Blackbeard's Lodge) was built the "bald beach" (sandy flats devoid of vegetation) extended from the Atlantic Ocean close to the front of the hotel. Private planes would land on the beach and taxi to within easy walking distance of the building.

On you next visit to the island take note of several street names -- Ocean View Road, and Old Beach Road, e.g. They are so named because years ago you could actually view the ocean or drive a jeep right to the beach from those roads. Today, many people are confused by the names because they seem so far from the ocean.

If you look at some vintage photos of the island (see, especially, Ocracoke Album, pp. 176-177) you will see what I mean. There is a telling photo (which I can't locate right now) of the WWII radar tower on "Loop Shack Hill" (just beyond Howard's Pub -- the concrete base of the tower [and remnants of other buildings] are still there, now covered by trees, but be careful walking there because of the prickly pear cacti). It clearly shows the wide expanse of bare beach stretching all the way to the ocean.

*My dad often told me that villagers thought Thurston Gaskill was crazy because in the 1930s he was building his new house (now the Thurston House B&B) right on the edge of the bald beach. Today, of course, this is in the heart of the village!

I hope this helps.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Still More from the 1950s Brochure

Hotels:

WAHAB VILLAGE HOTEL -- on beach [this is now Blackbeard's Lodge...in the 1950s the "bald beach" extended to the front of the hotel]; 60 persons; daily rates: single $2.75, double $4; weekly rate: single $15, double $21.50. Meals: B. 75 cents, Dr. $1.50. (lunch not served), weekly: $13.50. Write C F Boyette, Mgr.

SILVER LAKE INN [now the Island Inn] -- harbor shore; daily: single $2.50, double $4; weekly single $15, double $21.50; meals in Coffee Shoppe; furnished suites w kitchenette, gas, el. refrig; daily $6 up, wky $30 up; Myra E Wahab, Secy.

SOUND FRONT INN (THE OLD GARY BRAGG PLACE) on the Sound; 20 people; rms w private bath; dining rm & screened porches; fishing & hunting guides; fishing pier; beach parties; children's wading beach. Write for rates.

BEACHCOMBER'S CLUB -- 10 miles fr hotels, directly on Pamlico Sound, 5 minutes walk fr Atlantic Ocean; quiet; hunting, fishing; club house, guest houses, sleep 15; w meals $6 per day; guides $25; Write Myra E Wahab Secy.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

More from the 1950s Brochure

Stores:

• I.S. Garrish -- General Merchandise: Drinks, Notions, Souvenirs. "The Store on the Dock." [this is the store many old-timers knew as Will Willis' store, or, later, Jack's store; it is now being renovated as a fishing "museum" for the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association. It is located where the Austin's leave for trips to Portsmouth Island.]
  
• Garrish & O'Neal -- Dry goods, Notions, Groceries, Drinks, Frozen Foods, Marine Hardware. [this is the Community Store]
  
• Albert Styron -- Groceries, Meats, Drugs, Fishing Supplies, "A Friendly Place to Trade." [this was the largest general store "Down Point."]
  
• Jake's Quonset Hut -- Soft drinks & Beach snacks. [this small establishment was located where Sunflower Studio is today. They catered mostly to teenagers and beach goers staying at the Wahab Village Hotel (now Blackbeard's Lodge).]

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

From the 1950s Brochure

Transportation [four options for getting to Ocracoke are listed]:

• Boat Dolphin: Mail, passengers, light freight, daily & Sundays. Leaves Atlantic, NC 1 pm, stops at Portsmouth, NC, arrives Ocracoke, NC 4:30 pm; return: Lvs Ocracoke 7 am. Arr Atlantic 10:30 am. Most used approach.
• Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry & Truck: Mail & passengers, daily except Sundays. Leaves Ocracoke 6 am & 11 am; Leaves Hatteras 12:30 pm & 5:30 pm. Trip tips: 2 hrs. Passengers $1.50, children 5-12 years, 75 cents. [note: this was a private, 3 car ferry, and there was no paved road from Hatteras Inlet to Ocracoke Village!]
  
• Boat Bessie Virginia: Freight, once a week from Washington, NC; can carry cars by arrangement. Write Capt. Van Henry O'Neal, Ocracoke NC for particulars.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

1950s

I recently came across an old advertising brochure for Ocracoke. It must have been published in the late 1950s. It lists four fishing & hunting guides, three boats that offer transportation to the island, four general stores, a taxi service, a watchmaker, an appliance store, a repair shop, four hotels, and three tourist homes.

I think it's noteworthy that no gift shops or rental cottages are listed (there weren't any). Nor are there any restaurants, though the hotels and tourist homes offered meals.

Look for more details (in a future blog) about what Ocracoke had to offer a half century ago.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Interesting Visitors

In the last two days I've had some fascinating and wonderful people stop by the house. On Sunday afternoon I saw Camilla Herlevich as I was riding my bike to the store. Camilla is the Executive Director of the NC Coastal Land Trust, and the driving personality behind the acquisition and creation of the Springer's Point Nature Preserve. I invited her to join me and a few other folks at my house for a glass of wine at 5 o'clock. Everyone raised their glasses high and toasted Camilla for her work in saving this ecological treasure. You can read about the Coastal Land Trust here: http://www.coastallandtrust.org/index.jsp.

Also present were Victor Allen and his wife who are renting the house across the lane. Victor is the great-great nephew of Floyd Allen, principal character in the 1912 "Hillsville Massacre" in Carroll County, Virginia. It has been described as "one of the most sensational and bizarre incidents in the criminal and legal history of Virginia." Everyone sat on the edge of their chairs and listened as Victor recounted the story. You can read more about it here: http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Allen_Floyd_1856-1913.

Yesterday a reporter and a photographer for the German magazine Brigitte (http://www.brigitte.de/) stopped by. Brigette will be publishing a story about Ocracoke sometime next spring. Imka and Beatrice were so energetic and friendly that Amy, David, and I invited them to come back for dinner. Purely by coincidence I had made kipferln, crescent shaped walnut filled Austrian cookies (originally created to celebrate the lifting of the siege of Vienna in 1683!), for dessert. We laughed our way through dinner telling stories about life in Ocracoke, Germany, and elsewhere.

Don't ever think that life on an island is boring!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Get Ready

This coming Saturday, September 19, is Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Arrgh, mateys, that's right. Avast me hearties, hoist the yardarm, and shiver me timbers! Start practicing now. Maybe you'll even want to host a party to remember Captain Teach and all of his brethren of the coast. You can find much valuable information on the official web site: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html.

Let us know what you and your shipmates might be planning. Just don't get thrown in the brig!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

An Afternoon...

...with Lachlan.

We rode our bikes (Lachlan has a "trailer bike" attached to my bike) down to Springer's Point yesterday after lunch. We had no sooner parked our bikes when he got out his camera, and pointed out what a beautiful fall day it was. "Not too hot, and not too cold," he said, as he snapped his first picture.

The water was a bit chilly, so we just used the time to explore the nature preserve. We were hoping to see a Carolina Water Snake, but no luck. We talked about the trees (live oaks, wax myrtles, yaupons, and cedars), looked under rotten logs for bugs, and climbed on dead trees and low, drooping branches of the sturdy live oaks.

Lachlan also had his binoculars. We looked at birds perched in the trees, and were able to make out the church steeple on Portsmouth Island, across the inlet.

After almost two hours of exploring we rode back to the Slushie Stand for a treat -- a yummy vanilla milk shake.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Bootylicious...

...that's the title of a review in the September 7, 2009 issue of the New Yorker. The subtitle is "What do the pirates of yore tell us about their modern counterparts?" The author, Caleb Crain, takes five pages to discuss "The Invisible Hook," (what he calls "a brisk, clever new book") that discusses pirates' "espousal of liberty, equality, and fraternity derived not from idealism but from a desire for profit."

Blackbeard, of course, is mentioned, along with a host of other pirates, both ancient and modern.

The excellent article is accompanied by an engaging drawing of an 18th century pirate (tied around the waist with hemp rope, his right hand lifted in a smirking salute, with frowning crew mates gathered in the background). The caption reads, "Pirates had strict but unconventional codes of behavior, and some historians claim them as early progressives--with democracy, economic fairness, racial tolerance, and even health care."

Look for the article in your local library, or in your latest issue of the New Yorker.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Clams & Dolphins

This morning I had two questions re. recent posts. My answers follow.

• Clamming--Generally speaking, is one place as good as the next out in the sound waters, or is deeper better (or farther out, or closer in, or just the right spot)?

Raking for clams is typically done in relatively shallow water (about calf deep). It is harder to walk and push a rake in deeper water, but I suppose there are clams there too. So most clams are gathered fairly close to shore, or on a reef or sandbar.

• In your adventures in and about the waters of Ocracoke, have you ever had an up-close encounter with a dolphin, or dolphins, and if so, what was their behavior like toward you?

I have not, and after I wrote that comment on a recent blog (about dolphins seeming close enough to swim to) I realized that I wouldn't have done it anyway. They are wild animals, after all. I've heard surfers say that dolphins can sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior, in spite of popular images of them as smiling, playful creatures. Perhaps other readers have comments about encounters with wild dolphins (not ones trained and/or acclimated to humans).

Thanks for the questions.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Beach Visit

I'm guessing all of the visitors are heading to the beach this morning. Finally, the sun is peeking out and the rainstorms are over. My brother and his girlfriend are on their way to the island. He just bought a new pickup truck (on which he's installed new wheels and dual exhausts -- "What is this," I asked him, "the 1950s?"). I'm hoping they'll want to spend some time at the beach. Warner just called. He's on the island without a vehicle, and he's hoping I'll carry him out there for a swim later today.

Islanders love this time of year. The village is quieter, the ocean is still warm, and we don't need heat or A/C (the temperature is 70 degrees right now). Wave if you see us jumping in the waves.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Deluge

I don't know how much rain we got last night, but the standing water on Lawton Lane and around the Village Craftsmen makes it look like the aftermath of a tropical storm. I had to roll up my pants and wade to get over here this morning. All night long the rain came down, sometimes accompanied by thunder and lightning. I knew I had left a window open in my office, but didn't want to venture out in a thunderstorm, so I just hoped for the best. Fortunately there wasn't much wind, and only a few papers got wet.

It's still gray and overcast, and pearls of water are dripping from the tree branches (there's a strange beauty in the muted greens and grays this morning), but I think most of the rain is behind us. Maybe we'll see the sun and some blue sky by this afternoon.


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Happy Labor Day!

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 in New York City. By 1894 it had become a national holiday. Today Labor Day marks the end of summer as well as the annual recognition of the many contributions workers make to our nation and our economy. During difficult economic times we are especially appreciative of those who labor to provide goods and services we all need and enjoy.

Ocracoke Island was busy this weekend as locals and visitors enjoyed the spectacular weather...blue skies and mild temperatures. It clouded up yesterday, and rained during the night, but the temperature is still in the low 70s, with overcast skies and a 90% chance of more rain.

Saturday evening we enjoyed fried and barbecued fish at the Fish House. Actually we carried it home and ate outside on the picnic table in Amy and David's yard. There weren't even any mosquitoes. It was difficult to stay indoors for more than a few minutes. Yesterday evening I went to the beach with friends. The western sky was ablaze with color as the sun sank behind the dunes. It was truly spectacular.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Dolphins

Friday afternoon, while swimming in the sound, Lachlan and I were surprised to see a pod of dolphins passing by. They seemed close enough to swim out to, although they were moving at a good clip, which meant they would have been well past by the time I got to where they were (and of course I wouldn't have left Lachlan alone). We always have a fun time in the quiet waters along the sound shore. I like to pick Lachlan up and toss him in the water. He always comes up smiling and laughing. When he's had enough he says "uncle" and I quit.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Figs

While visitors to Ocracoke are enjoying the surf and the sun during August many local folks are picking the ripening figs from their trees (before the birds devour them), and making fig preserves. Preserves make a tasty spread on biscuits or toast, and they're especially good poured over vanilla ice cream. But one of the island's most famous recipes is for Ocracoke Island Fig Cake. It's a dark, moist cake that has earned a place in almost every local cookbook. Here is the most popular form of the recipe:

Ingredients: 1 cup salad oil; 1 1/2 cup sugar; 3 eggs; 1 tsp. soda, dissolved in a little hot water; 2 cups flour; 1 tsp. nutmeg; 1 tsp. allspice; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 1 tsp. salt; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1 tsp. vanilla; 1 cup preserved & chopped figs (or dates, if you can't locate figs); 1 cup chopped nuts.

Beat 3 eggs; add sugar, oil, & soda. After sifting dry ingredients, add to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla and fold in figs and nuts. Pour into greased oblong pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or in a well greased tube pan at 350 degrees just a little longer.

If you don't live on Ocracoke you will probably have trouble obtaining fig preserves. However there's no need to fret this time of year. Village Craftsmen has just received a number of cases of local fig preserves. They generally sell quickly in the fall, but you can order them directly from our on-line catalog: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/figpreserves.htm.

Yummy!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Clamming

Even with a northerly wind, which rippled the sound, and a fairly high tide, we had a wonderful time raking for clams yesterday morning. We gathered about 160 clams, mostly of medium size. There are many things that make clamming such a satisfying experience. As we walked slowly & quietly, pushing our rakes, there was nothing to disturb the peace, or interrupt the natural beauty of salt water, marsh grass, and cedars (save for the top of the Ocracoke lighthouse watching over our endeavors). Clamming provides time to think and reflect...while gathering the day's supper.

I kept three dozen clams. The rest went with the others I was with. As usual I opened them that afternoon and broiled them topped with bacon and Parmesan cheese. Amy and David came over, and we relaxed on the back porch while savoring the clams. With crackers and a glass of white wine we counted that our supper. I think we all just wanted to slide off of our chairs, but we rallied and walked to Deepwater Theater for our Wednesday night Opry performances.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Low 70s

It's finally beginning to feel like fall, or least that fall is "around the corner." I've turned my A/C off and opened windows and doors. The temperature has been in the low 70s yesterday and today, with a northerly breeze. What a relief from the hot humid days of August. Of course we know it probably won't last. It never does. But we are all enjoying the beginning of a new season. Besides, the village is quieter now since schools have mostly re-opened. I suppose we'll have a crowd here this weekend. And then we'll settle down to a more relaxed few months.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

OF & OWWA

This morning I received an email with news from the Ocracoke Foundation, a non-profit organization working to promote & protect the traditional fishing industry on the island. I share that news with you:

Friday September 4th, Fish Fry & Exhibit:

4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Fish House -- BBQ Mullet and fried catch of the day.

Also, the winner of the Watermen's Quilt raffle will be drawn at 6:00 PM. Handmade by Ocracoke's Needle and Thread Club, each square depicts something unique about the island's fishing heritage.

6:30 - 8:30 PM After the fish fry, walk over to the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Exhibit on the waterfront at the Community Square. Check out the progress and have dessert!


October 2-4, 2009, Cooking with the Chefs in Morehead City:

Ocracoke Watermen (OWWA) will be preparing fish cakes for the "Cooking with the Chefs" event at the 23rd Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival on the Morehead City Waterfront October 2-4, 2009. This is the second Chef's Event at the Festival and it is designed to promote the benefits of eating and buying local seafood.

On Saturday October 3rd, the Chef's Tent will feature one hour cooking presentations where each chef tells the audience a little about themselves. Last year Rudy Austin, James Barrie Gaskill, Gene Ballance and Jett Carr talked about fishing on Ocracoke, old times, and the present day effort to save the island's last fish house and why it was so important. They served over 100 fish cakes and handed out nearly as many recipe cards.

OWWA will also have an educational booth - their fourth appearance at the festival. NC Sea Grant, who helped Ocracoke Watermen develop the local seafood brand name campaign "Ocracoke Fresh," believe that connecting the consumer with the fisherman is the best way to promote eating local seafood. Tradition, location, non-profit ownership and environmentally responsible fishing methods are great Ocracoke assets that consumers should know about.

Visit OWWA at the Chef's Tent both Saturday and Sunday. Fish Cakes presentation is set for Saturday the 3rd at 6:00PM. www.ncseafoodfestival.org [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102687419444&s=177&e=001-XjDzZYTKuvyL1Da2BJ3pPs33Bxy939I0nakRg5AGA9uug0FZ1JrMZvbEc2U6_rD8lXIeoWKR1S3xSHYpVlCZT44zDaa


Oyster Restoration:

Ocracoke is surrounded by historic shallow water oyster reefs, but the excellent qualities of the oysters led to over-harvesting in the last century. Free swimming oyster larvae need to attach themselves to a substrate or "cultch" material, such as clean oyster shells, to grow and develop. Thus, a usual method of reef restoration is to "plant" oyster shells or small pieces of marl rock, to jump start the process.

The Ocracoke Foundation (OFI) is looking forward to getting their long awaited restoration project in gear with a new shallow draft barge. Unlike standard barges, this particular type will be able to access the shallow areas where the historic oyster beds are located. As part of the Fish House Project Grant, OFI received $30,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation to institute an oyster restoration project. The funds will allow for the purchase of a 12' X 30' barge, motor, trailer, and some oyster cultch materials in addition to the yearly allotment provided to the Ocracoke area by the State of North Carolina. Barge construction is to begin soon, with the first shell plantings taking place next summer.


Island Non-Profit Workshops:

The Ocracoke Foundation has begun planning a series of workshops for island non-profit groups. At least two will be planned for the winter season. Topics that are being requested are:

• Telling your non-profits story - Utilizing current on-line marketing tools and how to construct a compelling message
  

• Basic Need to Know Legal Information for non-profits - responsibilities, changes in non-profit laws
  

• Development Workshops - How to facilitate group discussions focused on identifying ways to address organizational and program needs as well as goal achievement
  

Preliminary information will be gathered from island groups to better focus on specific questions. This program was funded as part of an organizational grant OF received from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Morning on the Sound

Jagged streaks of lightning pierced the darkening sky as we reeled in our fishing lines this morning. Al turned the key and put the boat in gear. Al, Gary, and I were out in the sound, near Shell Castle Island, along with a few other boats. We had barely gotten under way when I looked back to see the others following behind us. Luckily, the storm wasn't moving particularly fast, and we easily made it back before the thunder rumbled uncomfortably close.

I've never been much of a fisherman (strange isn't it, living here in a fisherman's paradise), but I'm hoping to make it more a part of my "retired" life (after all, a life-time coastal fishing license for anyone over 65 is only $15.00!).

Oh yeah, I hooked a small flounder, but he wiggled free just as I pulled him to the boat.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Martin & Friends

Deepwater Theater was packed last night as Martin Garrish, Clifton Garrish, Aaron Caswell, and Lou Castro entertained islanders and visitors with a musical tribute to Roy Parsons.

Roy...native islander, guitar player, model boat builder, rhymer, jokester, & yodeler...died in September of 2007. He was definitely one of a kind. I can still see his impish smile, his sparkling blue eyes, and his frail frame as, in my mind, he pedals his bicycle past the Community Store, strums his guitar at the Wednesday night Opry, or puts the finishing touches on one of his model sailing ships.

You can read Gary Mitchell's eulogy to Roy here:http://www.islandfreepress.org/Archives/2007.09.17-RememberingOcracokesRoyParsons.html

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Oh, Danny Boy

Tropical Storm Danny is now a Tropical Depression, having been mostly absorbed by a low pressure system over North Carolina. We got a little rain last night (along with some thunder and lightning), but the system is now moving rapidly to the northeast. We are looking forward to clearing skies and a pleasant weekend.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Ocrafolk School

Ocracoke Island's third annual OcraFolk School is only two months away (October 25-30). Scheduled classes include Island Photography, Exploring Songwriting, Island Cooking, Ocracoke Sampler, Visions in Clay (pottery making), and Building Ships in Bottles. To learn more, please go to http://www.ocrafolkschool.org/. There are still a few openings in selected classes.

A brand new class is being offered this year, Building Ships in Bottles, taught by Jim Goodwin, who makes ships in bottles for Village Craftsmen. Click on the photo below to see more of his creations.



Jim has also just completed a 28" model of the three masted schooner, Crissie Wright, that ran aground near Cape Lookout in January of 1886 during a terrible storm. Unable to reach the stranded vessel, helpless Outer Bankers watched from shore as temperatures dipped below freezing and huge waves swept the captain and several other crewmen overboard. When rescuers finally boarded the Crissie Wright the next morning they discovered four men in the rigging, wrapped in sail cloth. Three were frozen to death. Only the cook survived. To this day residents of Beaufort and nearby villages can still be heard to say, "it's as cold as the night the Crissie Wright came ashore."

Enjoy these photos Jim sent me of his newest model, the Crissie Wright (click on any photo to view a larger image):






Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a small photo album with historic pictures, including the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, the 1921 Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, the 1935 wreck of the Nomis, the Island Inn, the Methodist Church, and the Wahab Village Hotel. I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. You can see the pictures by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

Photo Album

Yesterday I uploaded another monthly Ocracoke Newsletter. It is a small assortment of old photographs that were in my cousin Blanche's collection. There are photos of the aftermath of the 1944 hurricane, an old post card showing the wreck of the Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks, a snapshot of the schooner Nomis hard aground offshore in 1935, a view of the center section of the Island Inn shortly after WWII, a photo of the Methodist Church soon after it was built, and two photos of the Wahab Village Hotel (now Blackbeard's Lodge).

I've added a short paragraph under each photo to help put them in historical perspective. I hope you enjoy the pictures. You can see them by clicking here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082609.htm.

The Lovely Bones

Jim Goodwin, who makes our wonderful "ships in bottles" (see http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/goodwin1.htm), will have his creations featured in the upcoming motion picture, "The Lovely Bones," based on the novel by Alice Sebold.

Recently he sent me this link to the trailer for the movie: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thelovelybones/hd/ The main web site is www.lovelybones.com

You can see Jim's ships as well as one of his big models behind Mark Walberg. Jim says, "Look for the 'Mercury' with the Ocracoke Lighthouse."

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Video

Dale and Jaren uploaded a short video to YouTube last night. It shows the ocean breaking through the dunes and washing over the road at the north end of Ocracoke Island as Hurricane Bill was hundreds of miles off shore. It is a complement to the photos I published earlier this morning. Click here to watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OUZqYDl0w

Bill, Again

How wrong I was. On Saturday I reported that there was some overwash on Highway 12, but that it had virtually no effect on Ocracoke. Just yesterday I learned that the overwash was significant (though the road crew quickly repaired the damage to the dunes and re-opened the road). Dale was down at the north end on Saturday at high tide and took these photos. I think they speak for themselves. They are in no particular order, and you can click on them to view a larger image. Thank you Dale!































This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Wahab

Visitors to Ocracoke occasionally remark on the surname Wahab, an early island family name. James Wahab appears to be the first of this family to live in coastal North Carolina. He received two land grants on Hatteras Banks in 1755. In 1825 Eliza Bradley Howard (1808- 1870) married Job Wahab (1802-1860). Together they had fifteen children. Many of them and their descendants are buried in the large George Howard cemetery (sometimes referred to as the Howard-Wahab cemetery) on British Cemetery Road.

Back in the mid 1970s I met Jim Zogby who was visiting the island with his family. Jim, the son of Lebanese immigrants, founded the Arab American Institute in 1985, and was fascinated by stories that the first Wahab on the Outer Banks was a shipwrecked Arab sailor. He made it a point to visit Myra Wahab (widow of prominent islander Stanley Wahab, and herself a seventh generation Ocracoker with Wahab ancestors).

During the conversation Myra mentioned that several academics (from Duke University, I believe) had visited her and tried to explain that Wahab is actually a Scotch-Irish name (sometimes spelled Wauchope, Wauchop, or Waughop). Myra, Jim says, would have none of this, and saw the professors to the door. She explained to Jim that the Ocracoke Wahabs were "Ay-rab and proud of it." Jim laughs as he tells me this was the first and only time he's ever heard the pronunciation "Ay-rab" and the phrase "proud of it" in the same sentence.

Sadly, although a number of islanders are direct descendants of the Wahabs, the name is dying out on Ocracoke. Not a single Wahab is listed in our local telephone directory.

You can read more about the Ocracoke Wahabs by following these two links:

The Wahab family Bible: http://www.ncgenweb.us/hyde/bible/wahabjob.htm

An interview with Myra Wahab: http://circanceast.beaufortccc.edu/BCCC/articles/Spring%201984/PDF/Story3.pdf

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

More About Bill

Hurricane Bill (now a category 2 storm) is still several hundred miles east of the Outer Banks, but is producing extremely high tides and rough surf. This morning around high tide the lifeguard walk-over ramp was crowded with locals and visitors checking out conditions at the beach. The tide had advanced to the base of the dunes with calf-deep water from there to the berm about where normal high tide reaches. I've heard unofficial reports of overwash on NC Highway 12, and just a few minutes ago a friend called to tell me that a long line of foam has been pushed through the inlet and into the sound.

Other than that, Bill has had virtually no effect on Ocracoke. Skies are generally clear or partly cloudy with only the slightest breeze.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Bill

We all breathed a sigh of relief when it became apparent that Hurricane Bill would track well east of the Outer Banks. Lately we've learned (to no one's surprise) that Bill will nevertheless be causing unusually high tides and, perhaps, ocean overwash, mainly north of Cape Hatteras. If so, water on the road is most likely Saturday mid-morning and about 9:30 pm, the times of normal high tide. If you are planning to drive down the Banks tomorrow please listen for the latest reports re. NC Highway 12.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Small Town America

I bought a porch chair recently, one that needed to be assembled, and I decided to put it together this morning. One small carriage bolt was either manufactured incorrectly, or, more likely I got it cross-threaded. I biked out to the hardware store, but they didn't have the size bolt I needed. While there a neighbor was shopping for potting soil, but he couldn't find the exact product he was looking for either. He chose something similar and jokingly commented about not having a "big box" store close by. Of course, he quickly added that there were many reasons he was happy about that.

I thought he might have a tap & die set (so I could re-thread the bolt), but no, he didn't. Just then another islander walked in and the first neighbor immediately asked him about re-threading the bolt. Yes, he had the right equipment, but he was on another errand. Would it be OK if he took the bolt, re-threaded it later today, and brought it back to me when he was finished? Of course, I said.

We may not have the advantages of big box stores on Ocracoke, but that slight inconvenience is made up by the neighborliness, good will, and community spirit of our neighbors.

And besides, we're only a couple of minutes from one of the best beaches in the country!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Stories

Yesterday afternoon, as I was sitting on my front porch after lunch, two long-time friends, Jim & Eileen Zogby, stopped by to visit. In the course of the conversation Jim remembered a visit several years ago with me and my verbal sparring partner, Al Scarborough. Apparently Al & I entertained the Zogby family with non-stop humorous and outlandish stories about island people and events (from the distant past up to the present day). Afterwords, Jim said, his children commented that they wished their family had such wonderful stories.

After some thought, Jim explained to his children that every family has colorful characters and equally wonderful stories. But the stories need to be passed down (you need to know the stories)...and it helps to have a family member who can tell the stories with flair. In our mobile society sometimes the stories get left behind (Jim's family emigrated to the US from Lebanon). And sometimes the people who know the stories don't know how to share them.

Be sure to tell your own stories to your children...frequently. And make it a priority to ask your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other relatives for their stories. Ask them to describe their childhood home, yard, school, or town. Find out what their parents and grandparents did for a living, when they got their first car, or who their best friend was. Their stories will flow. Almost everyone wants to tell you about himself. You might be surprised what you discover!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Flowers

I took a few days to take Lou Ann back to the Midwest to help her get her classroom ready for school (she could never have done it alone and on time with her broken arm). I always hate to see her leave in August (we have such a great time together), but at least the trip gave us a little more time to spend together.

I got back home yesterday afternoon, and immediately Lachlan and David asked me to accompany them to the sound for some swimming (the water is quite a bit warmer in NC than in IN!). In Indiana I had a chance to swim in one of the many lakes in Lou Ann's area. In both places I had a great time swimming and cooling off.

Today I'm confronted with wild, unruly grass and weeds in my front yard, laundry to wash, emails to answer, and bills to pay. But I was happy to see that Lou Ann's gardening has reaped some rewards. She planted, watered, and fertilized this summer. The sandy soil in my yard leaves a lot to be desired, but my roses, crepe myrtles, daisies, and snapdragons are beginning to bloom.

Oh yes, the sunflowers too!



This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Back Home Again in Indiana

Dear Friends,

I first came to Ocracoke seven years ago on an invitation by Donald Davis. He thought I would enjoy his storytelling workshop as well as the Island. I decided to take him up on his offer and signed up for the workshop.

The first thing I had to do was to find Ocracoke on the map. Most of us mid-westerners travel and vacation to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota...other cold places! One of my friends suggested I look on a map of Australia. Australia?

The time came to pack up and drive out with a friend of mine. I brought items that I never did unpack: mascara, sweatshirts, a hairbrush, arm weights (what was I thinking on that one?)

When we began our journey down the Outer Banks, I had to open the car windows and let the salt and sea spray cover me. I loved seeing the Cape Hatteras lighthouse from a distance! I found the ferry ride great fun and was greatly tempted to throw the rest of my lunch to the
seagulls.

I am a traveler and a wanderer by nature, but I was not prepared for this pristine beauty of Ocracoke. For three weeks I explored every cove, went to every show by Molasses Creek and let my heart fill with story under Donald's direction.

When I returned home to Indiana I carried music and stories of ships and ghosts and lighthouse keepers in my heart. I did not know if I would ever return so I decided to take part of Ocracoke with me back to the heartland.

These things I learned!

Have pot lucks with your own family, community as often as possible.

Go barefoot.

Have parties to celebrate everything: Robert Burns, the Solstice.

Listen to nature while you fall asleep.

Spend time with the older folks in your own community.

And more.

This too I learned:

Visit Ocracoke as often as you can, but remember,

there is beauty wherever you live, take the time to find it.

So, meeting Philip is a whole other story, I'll just save that one for later. I love spending my summers on the Island. I feel honored to be part of the community, to tell stories at the lighthouse, spend early mornings on the beach on turtle patrol, and look for haints and ghosts during the evening ghost walks. For now, though, school and storytelling bring me back to the Midwest with farm stands of fresh corn and tomatoes and the early hint of Autumn in the cool night air. You can be well-assured though that my Indiana community is enriched by the Ocracoke community.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and get well notes for the broken arm.

Until next summer,

Lou Ann

TGIF

I was off the island recently and someone I met used the common expression, Thank God it's Friday. Jim is a long-distance truck driver for FedEx, and he was understandably happy that his work week was coming to an end. I was reminded that only a few Ocracokers have what would be considered a normal work week. Of course there are island school teachers and a few others who have Monday - Friday, 40 hour a week schedules. But there are plenty of fishermen (commercial and charter boat), store keepers, musicians, artists, motel workers, waiters, carpenters, and others who work when they must (including weekends and evenings), with little regard for the day of the week.


For all of those folks it will be TGIF (Thank God it's Fall), or TGIW (Thank God it's Winter), or maybe just TGITEOTS (Thank God it's the End of the Season) several months from now. But for now we're all still in the midst of another work season that at least includes opportunities for swimming, fishing, clamming, and time with family & friends.

I say TGIO (Thank God it's Ocracoke!).


This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Report from the Ferry

It rained a lot yesterday...torrents of heavy rain, then sprinkles...accompanied by thunder and lightning. But I heard from a neighbor who left early in the morning on the Swan Quarter ferry, before the storms arrived, and when skies were clear. She described the sound in typical island fashion as "slick cam." It must have been a beautiful sight. And then it was made dramatic as scores of dolphins emerged from under water and frolicked around the boat. Apparently a number of pods converged producing a grand display for all of the lucky travelers.

On your next trip across Pamlico Sound keep your eyes open. It's not uncommon to see at least a few dolphins.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Fishing Village

Ocracoke is often described as a small fishing village. One tongue-in-cheek local t-shirt calls Ocracoke "a small drinking village with a fishing problem." In fact, Ocracoke has traditionally been a seafaring village. The earliest settlers were pilots who guided larger vessels through Ocracoke Inlet and across Pamlico Sound, to ports in eastern North Carolina. Later, in the nineteenth century, the majority of men made their living as deckhands, captains, and owners of schooners that transported lumber, rum, molasses, and other goods along the eastern seaboard. Fishing was a marginal business. Without ice or motorized boats, fishermen mostly sold their catch locally, or smoked their fish and took them across the sound when conditions allowed.

When electricity was introduced to the island in 1938 an ice plant was included. By then many of the island sail skiffs had been converted to gas powered boats. Fishing then became a viable local industry. Today, with the rehabilitation of the island's last fish house and a vibrant Working Watermen's Association, Ocracoke once again is home to a growing number of commercial fishermen. (The OWWA web site is under development, but it does have a great photo you might enjoy: http://www.ocracokewatermen.org/.)Lately I've even noticed several larger eastern North Carolina trawlers docked at the fish house.

Be sure to stop by the fish house and purchase some fresh seafood!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Meteor Shower

A few days ago a friend stopped by and commented on the number of shooting stars he saw late at night from the beach. According to him there were 4 - 5 every minute. Ocracoke beach has always been a perfect viewing site for shooting stars. A few years ago several of Amy's friends from Berlin went out to the beach with us. They were amazed at the sparkling display of stars (as you can imagine, not many stars are visible in the night sky in Berlin), and it was the first time they had ever seen a shooting star.

Talk of shooting stars reminded me that the Perseid Meteor Shower is almost upon us. On August 12 take a stroll outside after dark and look up into the sky. Before dawn should be good (though the waning moon rises around midnight). I think evening of the 12th would be an even better time to see shooting stars.

Enjoy!

More information is available on line at http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Doasted

Speaking once again about the Ocracoke Island dialect, our visiting linguist, Paula, mentioned a word last weekend that may be unique to Ocracoke. Once, while collecting samples of the island brogue, she heard someone comment that he was "doasted right." This is not a phrase you'll likely hear anywhere else, and you won't find it in any dictionary.

On Ocracoke a bad cold or the flu is commonly referred to a a "dose" (one dictionary definition of dose, of course, is "an amount, especially of something unpleasant, to which one is subjected"). From this, the word on Ocracoke morphed into a verb, so now you hear of people being doasted, meaning they've come down with a bad cold. Paula was fascinated with the word.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Termagant

Termagant is an interesting island word. The word originated in the Middle Ages when it designated a fictitious deity popularly believed to be worshiped by Muslims. The Termagant was a character frequently portrayed in medieval morality plays as a violent, overbearing character in long robes.

Eventually the word came to mean a violent, overbearing, quarrelsome, or shrewish woman. On Ocracoke the word's meaning shifted once again. It designated a mischievous child. It is a word seldom heard on the island today. Maybe some of our local readers will be able to find occasion to reintroduce the word to our community!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

Visiting Linguist

Last weekend Paula Dickerson visited Ocracoke once again. Paula works with Walt Wolfram, linguist from NC State who has been studying the Ocracoke brogue for more than fifteen years. Walt and his staff are hoping to put together another CD of stories told by native islanders. They are looking for more female voices so I put them in touch with Blanche.

Paula spent nearly two hours recording Blanche, and she was so happy to meet her and preserve a number of her stories. Paula was amazed at the clarity of the stories, and the wealth of local information (about hunting, gardens, hurricanes, shipwrecks, and other lore) that Blanche shared. Toward the end of the interview Paula asked Blanche about words peculiar to Ocracoke. Among others Blanche offered "termagant." This was a new word for Paula.

Look for more about termagant tomorrow.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

New Newsletter

We've published another Village Craftsmen Monthly Newsletter. This month Lou Ann shares her experience this summer accompanying one of the National Park Rangers on turtle patrol. She also took photos. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.

A Different Kind of Pot Luck

The following conversation happened yesterday, at about 5 pm. (It has been paraphrased, but you'll get the picture.)

Lou Ann (greeting Kati at Books to be Red): "Hi, Kati. See you soon at the pot luck dinner."

Kati: "What pot luck dinner?"

L.A.: "The one for the August birthday celebration."

Katie: "When is that?"

L.A.: "Tonight, at 6 o'clock."

Katie: "Where?"

L.A.: "At your house!"

Weeks ago Kati and Lou Ann planned this pot luck dinner. Then Lou Ann told Kati she would have to leave the island early, so Kati thought no more about it. Then Lou Ann discovered she would still be here. Kati thought the pot luck had been canceled. Lou Ann still thought it was a go, and told a few people about the dinner. If the two women hadn't run into each other an hour before the scheduled time a dozen or so people would have showed up at John & Kati's (who were planning to enjoy an evening dinner at one of the local restaurants).

As it was, a dozen or so people did show up at John & Kati's. John & Kati graciously stayed home to host. It was a small gathering, but the food was wonderful. Many thanks to John & Kati for not stressing out!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the second half of my father's short journal. I call it Remembering Growing up on Ocracoke. You can read it here.