Catching Up

It was a whirlwind week! Lou Ann's family had a wonderful vacation on Ocracoke. Her three sons, their wives, and their four children didn't miss much. They went clamming and fishing (I know we have photos....I'll post them later in the week), took my boat to Portsmouth Island (they only had to get out and pull the boat over one shoal), spent several afternoons body surfing and playing in the ocean, hosted dinners of fried fish and clam chowder, went to Amy's & my Monday evening show, joined us on a Ghost & History Walk, enjoyed music & storytelling at the Wednesday evening Ocracoke Opry, played ball in their yard, visited Village Craftsmen and several other shops, and generally had a super family vacation.

There is more news from Ocracoke, of course. Our new island Little League team, the Raptors, won the championship. I'll post more about that soon. Our local radio station hosted their third annual women's arm wrestling championship, and Ocracoke Preservation Society has been busy with several projects.

Internet access has been spotty the last several days...that's the reason for no post yesterday, and one of the reasons this post is later than usual. I think I'll publish this one right now while I have Internet access. Look for more news and updates this coming week.

The Civil War in Coastal North Carolina

Hatteras was the site of many significant Civil War events.

The "Civil War on the Outer Banks Committee" of the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum has planned an extravaganza of exhibits and events in August to commemorate these historic battles. If you plan to be on the Outer Banks in August be sure to take advantage of these offerings:

• Major exhibits – Aug. 22-28 – Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
• Blue-Gray Descendants Reunion – Aug. 22-24 – Hatteras Village Civic Center
• Flags over Hatteras Conference – Aug. 25-27 – Hatteras Village Civic Center
• Exhibits and demonstrations – Aug. 27-28 – Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Space is limited, and registration is required for some of the events. For more information about the events, registration, and costs, please go to http://www.flagsoverhatteras.com/.

Following are highlights of the battles at Hatteras which began in August 1861 when two Federal expeditions were sent to Hatteras Inlet. The Union attack signified many firsts in the war: the first combined Army and Navy operation, the first amphibious assault, and the first African American gun crew to fire on Confederates.

“This first victory was extremely important for the Union,” National Park Service Chief Historian, Ed Bearss, said. “It stopped privateering and blockade runners from gaining access to the sea. It gave the Union direct access to the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, allowing the Union to penetrate deep into North Carolina.”

“The capture of Confederate forts Hatteras and Clark opened a back door to the Confederacy for Federal troops,” said Flags Over Hatteras Committee Chairman Drew Pullen. “Since it was the first Union victory of the war it was a tremendous morale booster in the North. Until these captures every engagement between Union and Confederate forces produced a victory for the South.”

During the event, Aug. 22 – 28, the Flags Over Hatteras committee plans to unveil a large black granite monument in honor of the first safe haven for runaway slaves in the state, and also in honor of some of the first African Americans to fire against Confederate forces.

“News that Hatteras was controlled by Federal forces prompted many slaves to escape from the mainland and seek safe haven on Hatteras Island," said Committee Chairman Drew Pullen. "Federal forces arranged for construction of 'Hotel De Afrique' to shelter the runaway slaves.”

Mark your calendars for this once-in-a-lifetime event!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Tom Benn and Black Beard the Pirate

The North Carolina Marionette Theater will be performing "Tom Benn and Black Beard the Pirate" every Tuesday this summer, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon at Deepwater Theater. David, Amy, Lachlan, Lou Ann, Lou Ann's granddaughter Holly, and I attended the premier performance this week. "Tom Benn" is a puppet adaptation of a 1954 children's book about Ocracoke -- "Tom Benn and Blackbeard the Pirate" by Le Grand Henderson.

The puppet show was delightful, with elaborate sets, finely crafted marionettes, an engaging story, and talented puppeteers. For more information click on the link above. You can also see a promotional video here: YouTube Video.

I am frequently amazed by the talent and creative energies that Ocracoke attracts! Be sure to bring your families to this wonderful show if you are on the island this summer.

Lou Ann took the following photos of the outdoor performance at Deepwater Theater (you can click on any photo to view a larger image):









Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news0522111.htm.

Native Americans

People frequently ask me if there was ever a Native American village on Ocracoke Island. I explain that we occasionally find artifacts (pipe bowls and arrowheads) along the ocean or soundside shoreline, but no evidence of a permanent settlement has ever been discovered. On the other hand, a number of Indian villages have been identified on Hatteras Island. I have always anticipated the discovery of a pre-European settlement on Ocracoke.

Yesterday, for the first time, I began reading a transcript of the account of the 1584 voyage of Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe to "Virginia" [North Carolina] that was compiled by Richard Hakluyt, Elizabethan historian, in 1589. It records the first voyage to find a place for the English to settle a colony on American soil.

I was fascinated by the following paragraph (from "Grenville & The Lost Colony of Roanoke" by Andrew Thomas Powell, copyright 2011, p. 45):

"Towards the sunset, some days journey, is situated a town called Sequotan, which is the westernmost town of Wingandacoa, near unto which, five and twenty years past, there was ship cast away, whereof some of the people were saved, and those were white people [most likely Spanish mariners] whom the country preserved. And after ten days, remaining in an out island unhabited, called Wocacan [Ocracoke], they with help of some of the dwellers of Sequotan, fastened two boats of the country together, and made mats unto them, and sails of their shirts, and having taken into them such victuals as the country yielded, they departed after they had remained in this out island three weeks but shortly after, it seemed they were cast away, for the boats were found upon the coast, cast aland in another island adjoining [most likely Portsmouth Island]."

So, there you have it...if Hakluyt is to be trusted, Ocracoke had no permanent Native American settlements.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Civil War Sesquicentennial

Most people are unaware of the important roles played by Union and Confederate soldiers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 1861. Hatteras was the site of many significant Civil War events, beginning with battles on August 27.

The following illustration, courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center, depicts the Federal bombardment of Confederate forts at Hatteras Inlet.



(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

"Stay tuned" for more information about Civil War Sesquicentennial events planned for Hatteras Island this coming August.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

A Day in the Sound

I couldn't imagine how three Indiana boys who grew up surrounded by corn and soy beans would do raking clams in Pamlico Sound. Read below, and click on the photos, to find out!

Lou Ann's sons, Aaron, Adam, & Abe, with me leaving the dock in my newly launched skiff:



In an hour and a half we had gathered 187 clams (our legal limit was 200!). They did great. Here we are back at my house opening their dinner (Jonah & Matthew are watching):



Abe opened the clams and laid them on the table:



Adam & Aaron loosened the meat, and put it in a bowl, and piled the empty shells in a bucket:



Adam carried the clam meat and juice into the house to fix clam chowder:



Congratulations to Aaron, Adam, & Abe. As we say on Ocracoke, "You done good!" I think they're having a great vacation.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Three Boys & the Ocean

Lou Ann arrived late Friday night, with her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. Saturday morning we made our first excursion to the beach (the boys had been to the Gulf of Mexico, but had never seen the Atlantic Ocean). Lachlan, of course, went along. The three boys frolicked in the surf, riding their minature boogie boards over and over again. After we adults had had enough the boys busied themselves at the tide line constructing sand castles and moats. Their eyes lit up whenever they discovered tiny crabs or coquinas.

On Saturday the other two sons and their families arrived just in time to explore the NOAA research vessel tied up at the Park Service docks. The captain and crew graciously hosted an "open house" from 5 pm - 7 pm. After touring the boat and learning about the shipwrecks they were documenting, we enjoyed an outdoor showing of the Disney movie "Oceans."

Yesterday I took Lou Ann's three sons out into Pamlico Sound to gather clams (more about that in a future post) while the women and children spent a morning at the beach.

It feels like I'm on vacation on Ocracoke Island!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Wreck Report

In April of 1895 the 31 year old schooner, Addie Henry, carrying lumber from New Bern to Ocracoke, wrecked on Howard's Reef during "flud" tide and rough seas. I thought our readers would enjoy seeing my great grandfather's official wreck report. It is a glimpse into history, when coastal schooners were a regular and important part of Ocracoke island life.

Click on any photo to see a larger image.









Following is a transcription of Keeper Howard's explanation of the wreck:

"April 14 Lookout cited sch Look like that she was anchord Pamlico sound But taking Rainge found that she did not move No signal Hoisted near ocracoke island on inside No 1 tuck crew spply Boat started to the scene to assertain the trubble Reaching the scene about one 30 Pm found sch sunk full of water with laden with Lumber and crew Had left sch in there Boat went ashore at Ocracoke vilage all right could not Do eney thing for her Not untill sch could get Lighter so Returned to station 4 Pm the wind Blew Hard Before the capt of sch could get Lighter the sch went all to Peaces sch totle Lost cargo part saved But Bad order N[o] assistance Renderd"

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Ocracoke sailor, Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Change

A reader made this comment recently: "The Our State article quoted someone regarding change-- words to the effect don't come to OI and change things.... Why would someone say don't change this or that. Did OI have any resistance to change from whale oil lamps to electricity?"

The issue of change and Ocracoke surfaces regularly. This morning I re-publish comments I made about change almost four years ago.



Friday, September 28, 2007
Comments from Philip

Heraclitus declared that we can’t step into the same river twice. Others have noted that the only constant in life is change.

Time and time again I have heard visitors to Ocracoke express the same sentiment we read in the comments to a recent post: “Don’t let Ocracoke change!” I have often remarked that most people who voice this thought are actually advocating for an Ocracoke like the one they first encountered (30 years ago? 20 years ago? 5 years ago?). Everyone, it seems, wants to close the gate behind them. And yet no one I’ve spoken with wants to return to an Ocracoke before their own time.

Although I fully agree that we must work to preserve the best qualities of our unique, beautiful, and often threatened island and community (more on that below), it is naïve to believe that Ocracoke can ever persist in some artificial time warp. Furthermore, whose “first encounter” will we use as the benchmark?

When confronted by good-intentioned folks who yearn for the idyllic Ocracoke that never changes, I sometimes point out to them what it might be like if things had not changed in the last fifty – sixty years.

When I was a young boy,

· Ocracoke had no ferries. What few visitors came to the island arrived by mailboat. Later on, we had a three-car private ferry (with no railings, no ramp, and no dock). Although this was a wonderful period of island history, be honest with yourself: most of our readers would never have even heard of Ocracoke; and most of the rest would never have considered traveling to this remote outpost.
· We had only one paved road (a short section of one-lane concrete used by the Navy). What few vehicles were on the island were frequently stuck in the soft sand; and virtually no one had any reason to venture as far as Hatteras Inlet.
· A day at the beach (an infrequent outing) meant a long, hot walk across the sand flats -- unless someone had access to a surplus Army jeep.
· Water (rainwater caught in wooden cisterns) was rationed carefully, especially in hot, dry summer months. Baths were infrequent, and drinking water was strained through cheesecloth to filter out (most of) the wigglers (mosquito larvae).
· Fires were extinguished (or not) by neighbors manning a bucket brigade.
· Medical emergencies were handled by family, friends, and maybe a resident nurse. There were no ambulances, helicopters, or clinics.
· Electricity was basic, minimal, and often unreliable.
· Telephone service was spotty and irregular.
· Indoor bathrooms were almost unheard of.
· Air conditioning was non-existent.
· Most homes were heated by kerosene space heaters.
· Cable TV, the Internet, and mobile phones were un-dreamed of.

It is not that I sing the praises of all modern “conveniences.” I do not have a television, and I was even one of the few islanders who voted against the installation of a municipal water system in the 1970s. I knew it would spur growth; and it has. I loved the Ocracoke of my youth – a magical place unlike any other.

However my home and business have air conditioning and central heat. I am connected to the Internet, and use a mobile phone. I even enjoy the convenience of the water that flows through my tap from our sophisticated reverse-osmosis water system.

At the same time, I am committed to preserving the best of what Ocracoke has to offer. Instead of longing for an island that will never change, I hope for an island that can somehow manage to balance a rich, colorful, and vibrant history with the demands of a modern society.

There are many things that are beyond our direct control. Federal, state, and county regulations determine property values, taxes, highway decisions, school particulars, Park Service decisions, and many other issues. Property is bought and sold; and again, federal, state, and county laws intervene, often to protect property owners’ individual rights.

As I’ve said so many times, Ocracoke is no artificial attraction, like Disney World. This is a year around community of about 750 people, and we all have a voice in Ocracoke’s present and future. And we don’t always agree. Compromise is necessary.

Every person who moves to Ocracoke brings a slightly different voice. Every baby born here is a unique individual. Every adult from the island sees the world through a slightly different lens.

Those of us who want to preserve what we see as the best of island life can do so in a number of ways. Elected office is one way. Voting is another. But there are others. Some in our community serve tirelessly as volunteers in the school, the churches, the fire department, the civic & business association, on various boards and committees, and in many other ways.

Many islanders have spent countless hours preserving stories, history, and genealogies; as well as trees, plants, open spaces, buildings, and traditional culture.

One of the reasons I personally collect island stories, and share them whenever the opportunity arises, or call a traditional Ocracoke square dance, or host a wintertime pot luck dinner, or restore a typical island home, or even brew an occasional batch of meal wine, is not only to hold on to a bit of the sense of shared history and culture that binds us together as a community, but also to encourage others to do the same.

To call for our island to never change is to call for our island to die. We have no better example of that than Portsmouth, the ghost town across Ocracoke Inlet. So instead I challenge us all to accept with good graces the inevitable changes, the new neighbors who move onto our island, the new technologies that can enhance our lives, and the innovations & creative activities that bring excitement and joy into our lives.

At the same time, I challenge us all to do a few simple things to help preserve our precious island home. Turn off your TV and walk to a neighbor’s home for a visit. Invite friends over to play cards, quilt, play music, or just to talk. Plant a garden. Take your family or friends out fishing. Let it be known that your neighbors can borrow your tools, or ask for your help with a project. Walk more, or bike. Stop along the way just to chat.

Of course, more needs to be done. There are real challenges and threats to a simpler, more relaxed way of life. We need to support our elected officials who work to preserve our unique and wonderful island community with far-sighted legislation that celebrates our heritage and prevents the destruction and degradation of our community.

We also need a practical and realistic view of our island that can balance all that is good and rich and beautiful from the past with whatever good we can extract from the outside. Change is inevitable. Without being passive, I hope we can glean from the changes what we choose, and combine it with the best of the past and present to create a living community that residents and visitors can all embrace.

PS: To all those good folks who have called for Ocracoke never to change (both in this journal, and in person), I do understand your sentiments. I no more want Ocracoke to end up like so many other coastal resort communities than you do. We must work to prevent those changes that threaten our very special community and way of life. I thank you for your heartfelt concern.

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

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm.

More Photos

These last several days have been busy, busy, busy...and it's been a great busy -- OcraFolk Festival, "You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet" (Amy's & my Monday evening storytelling show), Ghost & History Walks, the OcraFolk Opry, and much more (including...after many hours repairing carburetors...getting my outboard motor running). I haven't found time to write much for the blog, so again I am posting some of Amy's photos of the wonderful Sunday evening musical jam session at my house. I hope you can see from the pictures how much fun it was!

Click on any photo to view a larger image.





















Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Music in My Parlor

I don't have much time to write a blog today, but thought our readers would enjoy seeing one photo of some of the Festival musicians jamming at my house Sunday evening. What a great evening we had! I'll post more pictures soon.



(Click on the photo to view a larger image.)

Thank You to Rep. Tim Spear

According to a recent report in the Raleigh News and Observer, the Hatteras Inlet ferries will remain toll free. This is what the paper said:

"...[North Carolina legislator, Tim] Spear, who lives in Washington County,...[was] able to assure...an exemption from tolls for the Hatteras-Ocracoke and Currituck-Knotts Island ferries."

You can read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/06/05/1249324/democrats-break-away-on-budget.html#ixzz1OQNnuzSy.

Many thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm

Rescues

Among the most compelling and dramatic stories from the Outer Banks of North Carolina are accounts of shipwrecks...and the rescues performed by the men of the US Life Saving Service.

Tales of bravery and courage include stories of the "Mighty Midgettes" of Hatteras Island, the accounts of the wrecks of the George W. Wells and the Ariosto on Ocracoke, the rescue of more than 400 people from the Vera Cruz at Portsmouth, and the awarding of gold life saving medals to the surfmen at Cape Lookout for the rescue of the six crewmen from the Sarah D. J. Rawson.

The history of the US Life Saving Service has for too long been neglected. For more information visit your local library, or search the Internet for any of the stories above. You might want to begin your search here: The Chicamacomico Life Saving Station on Hatteras Island -- http://www.chicamacomico.net/ Be sure to check out the photo gallery of pictures and videos.

A list of books about the USLSS is available here: http://www.lifesavingservice.org/books.html. If you have a local independent book store in your area, ask them to order one or more of these books for you. Books to be Red, on Ocracoke (252-928-3936), and Manteo Booksellers on Roanoke Island (http://www.manteobooksellers.com/) can also help you. I especially recommend "U.S. Life Saving Service: Heroes, Rescues, and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard" & "Fire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers."

Philip standing beside the Surf Boat at Portsmouth:



The Interior of the 26' long Rowing Surf Boat:



(Click on either photo, by Jim Fineman, to view a larger image.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Schoolhouse

The National Park Service at Cape Lookout has done a marvelous job presenting the history of Portsmouth Island. Among their recent projects has been furnishing the one-room schoolhouse with student desks, a teacher's desk, blackboard, period maps, and reproductions of textbooks from the 37 year period when Miss Mary Dixon taught all of the island's children.

A View of the Interior of the Schoolhouse:



(Click on the photo, by Jim Fineman, to view a larger image.)

A visit to Portsmouth will carry you back in time to the 1950s for a glimpse into Outer Banks life before paved roads, ferries, bridges, electricity, municipal water, and the Internet. Highly recommended!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Photo of Blanche

One of our faithful readers, island resident Leonard Conover, has been following our recent posts about Blanche, and the requests for me to post a photo. Blanche, as I mentioned, is not especially fond of having her picture taken, although she does consent now and then.

Leonard made the following picture at the 2007 OcraFolk Festival, and emailed it to me. I carried my laptop over to Blanche's yesterday morning to show it to her, and pleaded with her to agree to have it published. She is so sweet; it didn't take long to convince her...especially after I told her about all of her fans, and calls for her to be mayor of Ocracoke (she doesn't want that job, and I'm sure I couldn't change her mind!).

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

OcraFolk Festival & Firemen's Ball Update

Ocracoke is gearing up for the 12th annual OcraFolk Festival which begins this evening at 6 o'clock with a pot luck dinner on the grounds at Deepwater Pottery on School Road. The live auction follows dinner, with music afterwards.

Saturday will be filled with music, storytelling, and kid's programs on the Live Oak Stage, the Howard Street Stage, and Deepwater Theater. Artists and Crafters will have their wares for sale on Howard Street and School Road. Food will also be available.

More music is scheduled Saturday night at the Community Square...along with the traditional Ocracoke Island square dance.

Sunday will bring us a morning Gospel Sing, followed later in the day with yet more music...and an all-star jam session at the Live Oak Stage.

If you are on the island, be sure to take advantage of this fun-filled, exciting, and creative weekend.

In other news, the recent Firemen's Ball silent auction brought in $3,285.00. The live auction netted $19,380.00, for a total of $22,665.00 (last year's total was $22,174). The final figure for the event is not yet available, but is estimated at over $60,000. Many thanks to all who participated, contributed, and attended this great fundraiser!

If you could not attend the Firemen's Ball, and would like to contribute, donations can be mailed to OFPA (Ocracoke Fire Protection Association), P. O. Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm.

Blanche

I hope I am as spry as Blanche when I am 91 years old. I stopped to see her a few days ago...and found her out in the yard, raking leaves. "Would you believe it?" she asked me, "I've gathered up 54 bags of leaves so far."

I tried to convince her that she didn't need to rake and bag leaves in this hot weather, but she insisted that once she got something in her mind she was determined to see it through! "It's what keeps me going," she said. I just shook my head, and thought, maybe she's right; maybe that's why she's made it into her 92nd year.

The next day I found her re-potting plants. But that time she was willing to stop for a few minutes to sit on her pizer and chat. She's doing great...sharp as a tack, stubborn as a mule, sweet as honey, and as active as a 40 year old.

If you see her messing about in the graveyard this summer, introduce yourself and stop to chat for a few minutes.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Latest Word from NC Coastal Land Trust

The Vote for the Land Contest is getting down to the wire! We're in a tight race with the Piedmont Land Conservancy, so every vote counts!

Vote for the Coastal Land Trust on Facebook.

The contest ends June 2nd at 11pm, so if you haven't cast your vote, go to facebook - and get all your facebook friends - to vote for the NC Coastal Land Trust. Your vote will help us secure a $500 grant to support work at Springer's Point!

Homer Howard

As a child I remember my father telling me that he had lived on Portsmouth Island when he was a young boy. My grandfather, Homer Howard, was a surfman in the US Life Saving Service/Coast Guard at Portsmouth from 1913 to 1917.

During the recent installation of new displays in public buildings in Portsmouth village, registers listing all of the men who served in the USLSS were put on display.

Below are photos of the pages documenting the years 1913-1917. Click on a photo to view a larger image and you will be able to read my grandfather's name.





(Photos courtesy of Jim Fineman.)

Although we are not descended from any of the historic Porstmouth Island families (Dixon, Roberts, Gilgo, etc.) this connection with Portsmouth still feels good.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Dolphins

I was out in Pamlico Sound Sunday on the Windfall II. We had been clamming and just enjoying the beautiful day and the warm water. On the way back to the harbor we spotted a small pod of dolphins just outside the "ditch" (the narrow channel that connects Silver Lake Harbor with Pamlico Sound). There were probably 5 - 6 dolphins, maybe a few more. They surfaced...then disappeared for a while. Suddenly one, then several, reappeared just off our port side.

It is not unusual to see dolphins off shore from the beach all winter long. And they frequent Pamlico Sound periodically. Every once in a while they even wander into Silver Lake Harbor. It is always a treat to see these playful and inspiring mammals.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Blackbeard's Anchor & Friday's Post

Just a couple of days ago I learned that marine archeologists have raised one of the large anchors from the ship believed to be Blackbeard's flagship, the Queeen Anne's Revenge. The QAR was a French slave ship called the Concorde which Blackbeard captured and renamed. It sank in Beaufort Inlet in 1718, just a few months before Blackbeard was killed at Ocracoke while in command of a smaller vessel, the Adventure.

You can read more of this story here: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2011-05-27-blackbeard-pirate-north-carolina_n.htm

Two more comments...about Friday's post --

The number of people who have endorsed the petition calling for no tolls on the Hatteras Inlet ferries has nearly doubled since I signed the petition and mentioned it in this blog. I like to think that our readers have contributed many of these signatures. If you have not already made your voice heard, and you agree, please support the petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/185/support-the-spear-amendment---help-the-citizens-friends-ocracoke/

When I posted the request to vote for Springer's Point and the NC Coastal Land Trust, Springer's Point was in 2nd place, trailing the leader by 63 votes. When I last checked the Land Trust was behind by only 26 votes. Again, I like to think that our readers have made much of this difference. If you have not already voted, please do so here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&id=10150173006097132

Many thanks to all of our faithful readers and lovers of Ocracoke Island! We appreciate all of your concern for Ocracoke.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Penny

Some months ago Penny Akahloun contacted me because of the following information she discovered on the Village Craftsmen web site:

"One memorable wreck on Portsmouth Island in 1903, the Vera Cruz, carried 22 crew members and 399 passengers. In this case, although a fresh northeaster and a strong ebb tide had forced the Vera Cruz into the breakers, the life saving crew was able to use their open surfboat. It took them 41 trips to bring everyone on shore. The people of Portsmouth village used four and a half barrels of flour to bake bread for the survivors, most of whom were smuggled Portuguese immigrants who spoke no English."

Penny's grandfather was one of the Portugese passengers from the Cape Verde Islands, bound for New Bedford, Massachusettes. Penny was so impressed with the hospitality of the Portsmouth Islanders (who fed and sheltered the survivors) that she made the trip to Ocracoke for the spring meeting of Friends of Portsmouth Island, where she spoke about her research and emotional connection with Portsmouth. She wanted to visit the village whose people, in 1903, went out of their way to care for her grandfather and other shipwreck victims from a foreign country.

Penny & Philip on the path into the village:



(Click on photo, by Jim Fineman, to view a larger image.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Ferries Again, & NC Coastal Land Trust

Today, we ask you to consider two simple actions -- first, please sign the following petition to keep the Hatteras Inlet ferries free (without more citizen protest the NC state legislature is likely to impose a toll):

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/185/support-the-spear-amendment---help-the-citizens-friends-ocracoke/

I also recently received the following information from the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, the stellar organization that saved Ocracoke's Springer's Point from development. This is a great opportunity to help the Land Trust secure needed grant money.

Please read below, and cast your vote today. It just takes a click of your mouse.



Great Outdoor Provision Company's VOTE FOR THE LAND Contest is live!



GOPC is running the Vote for the Land Contest through facebook this year, so now's the time to get all your facebook friends to vote for the NC Coastal Land Trust and help us pull off the sweep - winning for a fourth consecutive year! The winner receives a grant from GOPC and it's suppliers, so make your vote count!

Springer's Point Nature Preserve:



This year, we have brought out the heavyweight - putting our Springer's Point Preserve up against other projects across the state.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE! and make sure to tell all your facebook friends!

Many thanks!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Inevitable

I suppose it had to happen! Village Craftsmen is now on Facebook. Simply click on the link on the right to go directly to our new page. As an inaugural gesture we are offering a 10% discount on the latest OcraFolk Sampler CD, from now until June 6.

Look for more promotions and breaking island news in the days ahead.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Coming Events

This coming Saturday, May 28, marks the date of the sixth annual Ocracoke Firemen's Ball. The evening kicks off with a pig pickin', followed by a live and silent auction at 7 p.m. After the auction the Ocracoke Rockers, The Aaron Caswell Band, and the Dune Dogs will provide live music for your listening and dancing pleasure. For more information, click on the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department's web page: http://www.ocracokevfd.org/Firemansball.html.

Earlier on Saturday (3:00 - 4:30 pm), Books to be Red on School Road will be hosting a book signing by Jimmy Creech, former Ocracoke Methodist Church pastor, and author of "Adam's Gift." More information is available here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156372017763043

Coming up the following week, June 3, 4, & 5, is the 12th annual OcraFolk Festival, a full weekend of music and storytelling on Howard Street & School Road. The full schedule of events, information about musicians and storytellers, and other details is posted here:
http://www.ocrafolkfestival.org/.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Comments & Henry Piggot's House

First, a practical matter: I was unable to access the "comment" section of my blog Monday evening and most of the day yesterday. I knew there were a number of questions but I couldn't post replies. I took care of that last night...so if you posted a question, take a look back and you will see my answers.

For today I share a few Portsmouth Island photos taken Saturday by my friend Jim. Click on any photo to view a larger image. Enjoy!

Henry Pigott's Side Porch & House:



Front View of Henry's House:



View from Henry's House:



Another View from Henry's House:



Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frant Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Opening Clams

Just a few photos of me opening clams Sunday afternoon...and Amy cutting the bacon to make clams casino. (I'm probably not smiling because I'm concentrating so I don't cut myself...I didn't!)

(Photos by Jim Fineman. Click to enlarge.)

It doesn't get much better -- out in the sound for an hour or so, quiet and peaceful, raking clams...back home sitting in the yard opening clams and listening to the mockingbirds...then savoring the rewards of a fine day's work with family & friends.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

A Few Answers

I've been busy for the last several days -- Judgment Day party, Friday night poker, trip to Portsmouth, visiting with family & friends, clamming, cooking, playing with Lachlan -- and I haven't had time to reply to readers' questions these last few days. So I'll address them this morning:

Q: Is there an on going Oral History project ala Foxfire conducted by the high school journalism students? or a grant funded project by the Smithsonian documenting these events of the fabric of the island?

A: There is no large scale, or comprehensive ongoing project at the moment, although Doreen & I are planning to interview several older residents in the next few weeks & months with support from the Ocracoke Foundation. Similar projects have, over the years, been carried out by school students, the Preservation Society, local individuals, and off-island organizations. During the next month Courtney, a Duke graduate student, will be interviewing 70 islanders. I spoke with her for more than an hour yesterday afternoon...and she has scheduled time with Blanche early this week.

Q: Does OI have a recycling problem ---do people recycle ?

A: Yes. Ocracoke islanders and visitors are encouraged to recycle glass, paper, cardboard, and cans. Simply carry your recyclables to the "convenience center" (the "dump") and deposit them in the proper containers.

Q: How did the rowers [the US Life Savers] train ? Did they row together everyday? One would have to be very strong to row a boat with 14 people. Did any member of the friends of [Portsmouth Island] document the restoration project and if so have they posted digital images on the web page?

A: The life savers followed a regimented training schedule. Every day of the week was devoted to a particular aspect of life saving. They were well trained and fit when they were called to a rescue. The US life savers responded to more than 28,000 shipwrecks in the 44 years of their service, and saved the lives of more than 177,000 people (a success rate of more than 99%). I don't know if the restoration project was documented. Maybe one of our readers knows.

Q: "Cute as a bug's ear".....like it! Is this an Ocracoke saying?

A: I picked this up from Sammy Fortesque years ago. Sammy was a one-eyed Ocracoke carpenter who wore a black eye patch. He lost his eye as a youngster and was fitted with a glass eye. One Saturday night at a dance he had too much to drink and lost the glass eye. He never had it replaced. Sammy was one of many colorful characters who lived on the island in the 1970s. Sammy was smart, funny, and a talented carpenter (when sober). He died several years ago.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Portsmouth

Yesterday was a beautiful day to visit Portsmouth Island -- warm, sunny weather...hardly a mosquito (although there were a very few deer flies)...and an opportunity to step inside Henry Piggot's house. The organization, Friends of Portsmouth Island, has taken Henry's house as its current restoration project. The house is diminutive, with small rooms, tiny windows, low ceilings, almost-doll-sized front porch, and steep stair steps with incredibly narrow treads. And it is as cute as a bug's ear.

At the US Life Saving Station I had my first opportunity to see the new replica of a surf boat. At 26 feet long, designed to be rowed by eight surfmen, and capable of carrying fourteen people, it was an impressive example of the equipment used by the brave and courageous life savers who rescued so many victims of shipwrecks on our shores.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

Judgment Day!

According to religious leader, Harold Camping, and his followers, today is Judgment Day. A number of believers have sold or given away all of their worldly possessions in anticipation of this impending cosmic event. In case this day passes normally (as I expect it will), and we are still around tomorrow, I thought our readers would enjoy the following Ocracoke story:

Late in the night of New Year's Eve, 1929, Capt. Bill Gaskill's daughter, Nellie, and a friend walked out on the dock of Capt. Bill's Pamlico Inn to pump gasoline for a yacht tied up there. Someone was smoking a cigarette, and accidentally started a fire. The fire quickly escalated, spread down the dock and engulfed the tanks.

Before long a large gasoline tank exploded, sending tongues of fire and plumes of smoke billowing high into the early morning sky. Everyone nearby ran for cover as pieces of metal, hammers, wrenches, and other tools rained down around them. Even folks on the other side of the village were awakened by the explosion and conflagration.

Capt. Bill's sister-in-law, Sarah Ellen Gaskill, woke up and saw the sky aglow from the raging fire. She shook her husband awake. "Ben," she implored, "wake up. I think it's Judgment Day!"

"Sarah Ellen, go back to sleep," Ben reassured her. "It can't be Judgment Day. It's the middle of the night."

So...if today is not Judgment Day, and tomorrow dawns like any other day, at least all of the hype prompted me to share one more humorous story from Ocracoke Island. I hope you enjoyed it.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the autobiography of island native, Frank Treat Fulcher. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

May Newsletter

We've just published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. This month I reprint the short autobiography of Frank Treat Fulcher (1878-1971), Ocracoke island native, sailor, and preacher. It is a fascinating story of life at sea, shipwrecks, near mutiny, and a new life ashore...by an interesting island character. It was written in 1965. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052111.htm.

You can read a bit more about Frank Treat on a previous Ocracoke Newsletter:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news120603.htm.

Village Thrift

My daughter, Amy, always stops at thrift stores when she is off the island. She buys most of her clothes there, as well as books for Lachlan, and the occassional toy or gift.

Amy also patronizes Ocracoke's very own Village Thrift Store which is located in the back of the Ocracoke Coffee Company. Village Thrift has been a major funding source for the Ocracoke Youth Center, and has provided activities and services for island youth and families since 1995.

Although the Youth Center is in hiatus because of a federally funded youth program at the school, the Board is still active and anticipates that it will resurrect the Youth Center when grant money runs out. In addition, summer programming is almost non-existent under the grant so there is discussion about reinstating some summer activities under the Youth Center umbrella.

Meanwhile, Village Thrift continues to help finance the Youth Center in anticipation of future needs. This year, the shop has grown into the space formerly occupied by The Blue Door Antiques so there is almost twice as much room to explore. Village Thrift is a great example of recycling. Almost everything finds a new home, saves the purchaser a lot of money, and sends that money back into our community. Please stop by to browse. And volunteer if you can -- all of the staff are volunteers. Also, grab a coffee or a smoothie from Village Thrift's very generous Ocracoke Coffee Company landlord.

Thrift Store hours are Tues-Fri 10-5 and Sat 11-5. Stop in, make a purchase, and help provide wholesome activities for Ocracoke's youth!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm.

Friends of Portsmouth Island

Just across Ocracoke Inlet lies Portsmouth Island, a magical place with wide, undeveloped beaches and a village stranded in the last century. It has been almost 40 years since the last permanent residents moved away from Portsmouth. Today the island is administered by the Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Portsmouth Island US Life Saving Station:

Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Still standing in Portsmouth Village, on the north end of the island, are the Methodist church, the schoolhouse, the post office, the US Life Saving Station, and a handful of once private dwellings.

Portsmouth Island Schoolhouse:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

In cooperation with the National Park Service, Friends of Portsmouth Island, a non-governmental non-profit organization, is dedicated to keeping the memory and legacy of Portsmouth islanders alive.

FPI’s spring meeting will be held Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. on Ocracoke at the NCCAT building (the former US Coast Guard Station). Events will include the following:

*Pat Kenney, Cape Lookout National Seashore's new Superintendent, will be introduced.

*There will be a report on the restoration of Henry Pigott's House, and memories of Henry from Rudy & Donald Austin.

Henry Pigott's House:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

*Penny Akahloun will talk about her recent discovery that her grandfather was a survivor of the sailing vessel “Vera Cruz” which wrecked at Portsmouth nearly a century ago.

*Jack Saylor, Beaufort artist, will share his plans for a series of Portsmouth paintings.

*FPI will be serving lunch on the porch to all who attend.

*After lunch there will be a boat trip to Portsmouth Island (there is a fee for this activity).

*Tours of the Ocracoke Working Waterman's Exhibit will be arranged.

Come out to the meeting to support the work of the Friends of Portsmouth Island, and to learn about the exciting projects being undertaken to protect and preserve this unique Outer Banks village.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Ocracoke Alive!

Calling all artists, musicians, actors, and assorted creative islanders! An old organization with a new name (formerly the Ocracoke Players...now Ocracoke Alive) has been revived. Originally conceived as a theater group (their productions included, "Oklahoma," "The Sound of Music," several melodramas, and our very own "A Tale of Blackbeard"), Ocracoke Alive will now take under its wing the OcraFolk Festival and the OcraFolk School, two highly successful endeavors.

As a newly reorganized venture Ocracoke Alive looks forward to wider community outreach...and the participation of more local artists, musicians, and other folks involved with the arts. Future projects may include art exhibits, workshops, community performances, plays, musicals, and festivals.

Ocracoke Alive's inaugural meeting is scheduled for 7:30 tonight at the Community Center. Come on out to learn more, to share your hopes and dreams for a more vibrant artistic presence on Ocracoke, and to get involved. Everyone is heartily invited. Snacks will be provided...along with videos and slide shows celebrating some early productions of the Ocracoke Players.

This is also your opportunity to learn about the Ocracoke Alive Logo Contest. The winner will receive an award of $250. Members & Non-members, islanders & mainlanders are all invited to submit designs. More information will be available soon at Ocracoke Alive's new web site: http://www.ocracokealive.org.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm.

Ferries Again

Many of our readers know about the continuing battle re. proposed ferry tolls at Hatteras Inlet. If not, here is my post from March of this year:

http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2011/03/ferries.html

Below is a blog briefly explaining the latest developments:

http://www.bluenc.com/ocracoke-ferry-toll-monster-brought-back-life%3F

And following is a link to a Facebook site dedicated to maintaining free access to Ocracoke Island for residents and visitors alike:

http://www.facebook.com/NOTOLL

For a more detailed discussion of this issue, click on this link:

http://saynotoocracoketolls.blogspot.com/

There is still work to be done. Please make your voice heard.

Island Connections

Peter Vankevich, Ocracoke Island home owner and one-time year-around resident, sent me the following link. I thought our readers would enjoy reading about this visit to Ocracoke Island by a school teacher from North Haven, Maine, one of fourteen unbridged islands in Penobscot Bay.

http://www.workingwaterfront.com/articles/Island-Connections/14320/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Satisfaction

Yesterday morning Rob & I departed from the dock in his boat just after 10 o'clock. We didn't go very far...just out into Pamlico Sound a ways...before we anchored and jumped overboard with our clam rakes. In an hour we had collected about 150 clams.

Back home I opened a dozen and a half larger quahogs. In the afternoon I made deviled clams, using an old island recipe. Friends came over at 6 with fried fish, rice, and beans. We opened a bottle of red wine. Dinner, as usual, was informal...we didn't even bother to get out dishes as we savored the clams. Of course, we needed dishes for the fish, rice, and beans.

After we had "run ashore" we repaired to the pizer. There we relaxed on rockers, steps, and the porch swing as we shared stories, news of the day, and thoughts about life. Lachlan, Gretchen, and Nicholas ran around & played in the yard and under the house until it got dark.

It was a simple day of gathering food, cooking, and visiting with family & friends...all in all a very satisfying way to spend a springtime Saturday on Ocracoke Island.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

100,000 Dollars!

Just in case you haven't heard -- Charles Temple walked away from the Jeopardy Teachers Tournament last night as the $100,000 winner. The crowd at Gaffer's pub erupted in wild celebration. It just so happened that the Ocracoke School prom was also last night. Everyone was bussed over to the pub from the prom to watch the contest. The principal even crowned the prom king and queen during a Jeopardy commercial break. What an exciting two weeks this has been. Congratulations, Charles!

Charles being congratulated by yours truly:

Click on photo to view a larger image.

Blogger

Blogger was shut down for a while for maintenance...thus no post this morning. And somehow yesterday's post and comments have disappeared. I don't know what happened.

Just a quick note this afternoon -- The annual British Cemetery Ceremony at 11 a.m. was impressive, as usual, and the ocean has been spectacular lately...gently rolling waves, a few dolphins, and water the color of the Caribbean. It is simply wonderful to be alive and to experience this magnificent world.

Tune in the Jeopardy tonight! We are all impressed with Charles' performance no matter what the final outcome.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111,htm.

Update & Story

Congratulations are in order for Charles. His performance last night was stellar!

I heard an interesting story about last night's show. You may have noticed that Charles let out a significant sigh immediately after he clinched the contest with his answer to Final Jeopardy. It seems the producers cut 20 minutes from the tape while the judges debated Charles' answer. He wrote "What is Dr. Zivago?" The correct spelling is "Zhivago." Charles' relief with the judges' decision was deserved. For the lack of an "h" he might have lost last night's competition.

Keep watching! Charles will be competing tonight and tomorrow night. Third place is guaranteed $25,000; second place, $50,000; and first place, $100,000. Charles and Jeopardy, as you might imagine, are the talk of the village!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm.

Charles

As most of our readers know, Charles Temple, our high school English teacher (that's right...he is our one and only high school English teacher) is a semi-finalist on Jeopardy's very first Tournament of Teachers.

Last week Charles bested his competition, scoring more than $20,000 (these are actually points, not dollars...my understanding is that tournament contestants' winnings are computed differently). Tonight he battles two of the other high scorers for a chance at the grand prize.

Tune in this evening and follow Charles' progress along with the rest of Ocracoke village. We are all cheering him on.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

OPS Spring Membership Meeting

Tonight at 6 o'clock members and friends of Ocracoke Preservation Society will gather at the Community Center for our Spring Membership Meeting and Potluck Dinner. After dinner and a brief business meeting several islanders will share stories. James Barrie Gaskill and Rex O'Neal will tell the hilarious story about when they carried fresh Ocracoke oysters on the plane to Las Vegas. I will tell about the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall, the sailing vessel that was carrying a circus and menagerie of wild animals.

If you are on the island be sure to come on out, fill your plate with delicious home cooked dishes, enjoy the stories, and support OPS. You'll be glad you did.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

A Tangled Web

A few days ago Joyce Spencer and her two daughters, Joy & Roberta, stopped by the house for a visit. You may remember Joyce from my February 11 post (http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2011/02/tilmon-elizabeth-oneal.html) about the new grave marker for our great-grandparents.

In the course of our conversation Joyce mentioned "Aunt Dark," a relative she had heard about, but whom she couldn't remember.

Here is what I discovered: "Aunt Dark" was Dorcas Williams Spencer Gaskins (b. 1858), Joyce's husband's great aunt. But she was also Joyce's second cousin, twice removed. There was another "Dark," (Dorcas Scarborough Williams, 1833-1921), who was Joyce's first cousin, three times removed. To further complicate matters, there was another Dorcas ("Dart"), 1893-1915 , Joyce's fifth cousin, twice removed. And that doesn't count Dorcas Williams Spencer (1805-1877), Joyce's great, great, great aunt, and her husband's great-great grandmother. There were other Dorcases on Ocracoke...but my head is spinning.

In the course of making elaborate genealogical charts on multiple sheets of paper taped together I was struck again by how entangled the old Ocracoke families are. Joyce is my secound cousin (through our O'Neal grandmothers)...but she is also my fourth cousin (through our Williams great grandfathers). Her children are my second cousins, once removed...but also my fourth cousins, twice removed through our common Howard ancestor.

I was reminded that my direct Ocracoke ancestors were also intermarried. I am my own sixth cousin through the Williams line...and my own sixth cousin, once removed, through the Howard line!

Thank goodness for the US Coast Guard (which, during WWII, brought off-island men to the island who married local girls), and work for island men in Philadelphia (where, in the early twentieth century, they married women of immigrant descent)!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Mainland Fire

Smoke hangs over Ocracoke village this evening as an uncontrolled forest fire rages in mainland Dare County. You can read more here: http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/nc-fire-scorches-7000-acres-alligator-river-refuge.

A 10 mile section of route 264 on the mainland is closed because of smoke and fire. Travelers are advised to be prepared for smoke and detours.

Clam Chowder

I haven't been clamming yet this season (though I have heard about folks gathering a mess recently). But I did cook a big pot of clam chowder yesterday afternoon. I had two ziplock bags of frozen clams in the freezer. I opened the clams, chopped them up, added a half dozen potatoes, a very large onion, and fried salt pork...and cooked them for a couple of hours.

Amy, David, & Lachlan came over for supper. After dessert Amy & David talked about their day around the kitchen table. Lachlan and I sat on the pizer watching the day slip into night. We told stories, shared jokes (what kind of a dog does a scientist like best?...A lab), laughed, and watched our new neighbors move into the rental house across the lane.

Such a nice way to spend the early evening on a lovely springtime day in May.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Sand Dollars

My latest New Yorker magazine has an advertisement on the inside back cover from an "asset management" company. The photo shows a casually dressed, obviously affluent woman of indeterminate (but retirement) age, walking on the beach with her dog.

On the right hand side of the page are four dashes arranged in a column. Beside the lowest one are the words "earn dollars." Above that are "save dollars." Next come "invest dollars." Finally, at the top, we see "sand dollars."

Presumably, if we follow the advice of the asset management company, we can work hard, invest wisely, and retire "comfortably." Then we can stroll beaches looking for sand dollars.

When I saw the ad I immediately thought of the many excursions I took with Mr. Walter O'Neal in his jeep looking for sand dollars in the 1960s and 1970s. I was in my twenties. I decided then to enjoy life, even while earning a living and raising a family. I may not have as much retirement income as the woman in the advertisement (oh, I know she is just a paid model), but I have had a full and rewarding life living in this tight-knit community, surrounded by ocean, sound and sand dollars. And I didn't have to wait forty years to walk along the beach whenever I wanted to.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Soft Shells

Wednesday afternoon I was riding my bike around the village, and stopped to visit my old friend Wayne. He has an elaborate soft shell crab operation in his large outbuilding. It is quite impressive...with a dozen huge trays filled with recirculating and aerated seawater. Several hundred crabs were swimming about in the various trays as Wayne reached his gloved hand in to inspect them.

As soon as the "peelers" begin to shed he separates them to prevent the others from attacking and killing them. It is fascinating to watch the "busters" as they slowly emerge from their old hard shell. Finally, Wayne has what he is looking for...a soft shell crab. These he sells to local restaurants and residents.

As we chatted by the trays Wayne explained the life cycle of the blue crab...it's three year life span, mating, spawning, and travels from Ocracoke Inlet into the ocean, and back again. I wondered aloud how he had learned so much. Without missing a beat, Wayne shot back, "I played hooky a lot."

Consider ordering a soft shell crab sandwich on your next visit to a local restaurant. With the claws and paddles sticking out from between the bun, they look bizarre, but as O'cockers say, they're good some!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Tonight's the Night!

At the risk of overdoing these Jeopardy announcements, I just wanted to remind our readers one more time that Ocracoke's high school English teacher, Charles Temple, will be competing tonight in the TV game show's very first tournament of teachers.

To watch a short video of Charles on Jeopardy's web site click the following link, then click "Play Video" under Charles' photo: http://www.jeopardy.com/minisites/teachers-tournament/contestantvideos/

Go, Charles!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Decisions can be so difficult when you live on Ocracoke. This past Sunday afternoon I had planned to mess about with my skiff. It's not in the water yet, but I was looking forward to repairing the bow, painting the floor boards, and varnishing the spoked wheel my dad made many years ago.

That's when Rob called to ask me if I'd like to go with him to take his new teaching sailboat out into Pamlico Sound.

I figured my boat repairs could wait.

For more than two hours we sailed lazily down the ferry channel...then back home to Silver Lake. As you might be able to determine by looking at the photos below (click on either one to view a larger image), it was a totally relaxing afternoon.





Thanks to Ruth and Ken who just happened to be going by in their motorboat for the pictures.

You can learn more about Capt. Rob's new sailing school here: http://schoonerwindfall.blogspot.com/2011/03/come-to-ocracoke-and-learn-to-sail.html.

Out latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

Girl Scouts Walk for MS

On Saturday two Ocracoke Girl Scout troops traveled to Greenville, NC to participate in Walk MS, sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. At least three Ocracoke residents, including one 18 year old girl, have been diagnosed with MS. The walk helped raise funds for research leading to better medicines, and, we hope, someday a cure.

To date the Ocracoke Girl Scouts have raised more than $3,000.00. Donations in the name of island girl scouts are being accepted until June 1. To donate click on the link below, then click on an individual girl's name...then click on the "donate" button:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=16163&team_id=247243.

You can also donate by clicking on the following link:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/nct/donate/index.aspx.

Many thanks to our local girl scout troops for their superb fundraising efforts!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news42111.htm.

Jeopardy

Just a reminder: Today begins a two week battle of teachers' brains on the popular TV game show, Jeopardy. Ocracokers have a special interest in this contest because Charles Temple, our high school English teacher will be competing.

Even though Charles is not scheduled to appear on the show until Thursday, I thought our readers might want to follow the program all week (and perhaps next week as well).

You can read more about this tournament here: http://www.jeopardy.com/news/teacherstournament.php.

Charles has been tight-lipped about the outcome (the tournament was taped weeks ago, and he was sworn to secrecy by the producers), but we are all impressed with his wide range of sometimes useless knowledge, so we think he did OK!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.

The Distemper

In February islander Kathy Ballance came down with a severe wintertime bug that had been circulating throughout the village. Fever, sore throat, coughing, and fatigue laid folks low for weeks at a time…and lingered for months.

Kathy called the Health Clinic and described her condition using an old-time island expression. “Jamie,” she told the receptionist, “I need to make an appointment. I’ve got the Distemper.”

Jamie is from the mainland of Hyde County and had never heard anyone refer to a bad cold as “the Distemper.” Curious, Jamie did some research to see if humans could really get distemper. When Kathy heard about Jamie searching the Internet re. the Distemper she thought it was hilarious. Kathy found it doubly funny that the doctor prescribed the same antibiotics that her son's dog was getting!

Just one more example of Ocracoke Islanders’ unique and quirky vocabulary!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042111.htm.