A Morning in the Sound

I don't know where the time goes. I guess it just flies by when you live on Ocracoke Island and there is so much to do. This morning Al called and asked if we wanted to go clamming. On the way to my pickup truck (I couldn't manage the clam rakes, clam basket, and other supplies on my bike) I passed by David and Lachlan on their porch. A quick call to Al confirmed that his extended family (including Gavin and Max, who is Lachlan's playmate) would also be going, and, of course, there was room for two more in the boat.

The morning was perfect; clear blue sky and warm water. We found a good spot where the water was shallow, and the bottom sandy. Overboard we went, pushing our rakes in front of us. We were surprised to find live cockles (large bivalves that are uncommon in the Sound, but whose individual shells are frequently found on the ocean beach) and live sand dollars (gray-green and covered with "hairs," not the dead, bleached white ones sometimes seen washed up along the ocean's edge). We could have probably harvested hundreds of the sand dollars, but we left them where we found them.

Once we had gathered as many clams as we wanted (actually fewer than the allowed limit) we met back at the boat and played in the water. Max's parents had brought along three hand-pumped water cannons. In no time at all we were engaged in all-out battle, with squeals, laughter, and drama. I think it fair to say that the adults enjoyed themselves at least as much as the three year olds.

We did see one very unusual thing on our outing, but you'll have to stop me when you see me if you want to know what it was. I'm not going to put it on the journal, so don't even ask!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

A Pluvial Week

OK, I just learned a new word -- pluvial. For our most literary readers I won't need to offer a definition, but for the rest of us...it means having to do with rain. And this week has been pluvial. Not torrential downpours. Just overcast days with sprinkles, or occasional heavier rainfall. We got more than an inch of rain during the night a couple of days ago, though. And the forecast is calling for a chance of thunderstorms through Saturday, and maybe beyond.

It means lots of people strolling through the village, since these haven't been the best beach days lately. (And it means plenty of clear ground water from my newly installed hand pump...but no need to pump water since our plants have been getting more than enough rain.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

Emma

A heartfelt "Welcome Home!" to islander, Emma Lovejoy. Emma spent the last year as an exchange student in Denmark, and returned home on Thursday, just in time for the July 4th celebrations. We are all excited to hear about her host family, travels, and adventures in Europe.



Amy & David invite everyone to their yard this coming Saturday at 5 pm for a pot luck supper to welcome Emma home.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

Sand Sculptures, Cookouts...

...Parade, Friends, & Fireworks.

July 4 on Ocracoke was so much fun. My brother was here, as was our friend Jim from Manteo. We sat on the pizer and told stories, and laughed and shared good food. We also walked on the beach and frolicked in the waves. We were so busy having fun on the 4th (witnessing the flag raising ceremony, admiring classic cars, holding our breath as the sky divers made harder than average landings only yards from where we were standing, chatting with Dale & Chester at the lighthouse, and patting the ponies) that we never even made it to the sand sculpture contest. By noon we realized we only had time to get a quick bite to eat, and then put the final touches on our parade float.

We had created a spoof on Grant Wood's American Gothic, with clam rake instead of pitchfork, and it was a hoot to stare straight ahead with deadpan looks, and then to give stiff, formal waves to the crowds lining the parade route. And we won 3rd place for floats! Here's a photo:



Of course, the day would not have been complete without fireworks. We joined other friends on the schooner Windfall as rockets and flares lit up the sky behind the old Coast Guard station. Afterwards we joined in one voice to sing the Star Spangled Banner, then enjoyed sheet cake baked like a flag (with white icing, blueberries, & strawberries).

Back home we closed out the day with more stories and laughter on the pizer.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

July 4

Happy Independence Day from all of us at Village Craftsmen!

Celebration

For those of our readers who will be on the island Friday I post Ocracoke's 4th of July Celebration schedule:

9 am -- Flag Raising (at School Circle)
9:30 - Noon -- 32nd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest (at Life Guard Beach)
10 am - 2 pm -- Classic Cars on Display (at Pony Island Motel)
10 am - 2 pm -- Ocracoke Lighthouse Open
10 am - 10:30 am -- The Herd Sky Diving Team (Pony Island Motel Lawn)
3 pm -- Old Time Ocracoke Parade (Judging at the Island Inn Balcony)
9 pm -- Fireworks (at NCCAT campus...visible from many areas of the village)

All events are sponsored by the Ocracoke Preservation Society and the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

What's New

For the last several months Jaren Mutro has been working on the Village Craftsmen web site. She has been doing a fantastic job editing text, updating existing pages, taking quality photos, and adding new craft items. Just in the last three months she has made more than three dozen new entries on our "What's New" page.

Please take a moment and click on this link (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/whatsnew.htm) to see the many new items that Jaren has added to our web site. And remember, we ship Monday through Friday anywhere in the U.S.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.

New Pitcher Pump Newsletter

Lou Ann has written a delightful description of my latest project -- the installation of an old fashioned pitcher pump in our back yard. We have published it as our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. You can read it by clicking on the photo below:

Tiger

Charles Temple jokes with me, remarking that if he hears two locals deep in animated conversation on the Community Store porch the talk might be some exciting gossip about something that happened the day before, or it might be about a fist fight or other scandal that occurred a hundred years ago.

Today I share with you an event that transpired at Ocracoke four hundred and twenty-three years ago. On this date, in 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh's flagship, the Tiger, ran aground in Ocracoke Inlet. It was the first of nearly 1800 vessels that have wrecked along the Outer Banks.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Quotidian Tasks

Even for folks fortunate enough to live on an island, everyday chores beckon. Today was a day to catch up on those tasks. Vacuuming, cleaning, scrubbing and other household jobs gave way to watering outdoor plants and shrubs (with ground water from our new pump!) That, in turn, segued into answering emails, paying bills, and organizing office space. Finally, late afternoon found us baking a fig cake and bread, as well as making deviled eggs to carry to a friend's open house later this evening. Oh yes, I also found time to lie in the hammock, read several articles in Newsweek, and take a short nap (be sure to read the article in the latest Newsweek about the benefits of naps).

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Pitcher Pump

Sorry for the last couple of days' gap in journal postings. But I have a good excuse. I spent all day yesterday putting an old fashioned pitcher pump in my back yard. I started work right after breakfast, about 6:30, building the platform...all from scrap lumber I had lying about. By late morning I was ready to put the well point and the 5 foot long, 1 1/4" galvanized pipe together. It was no easy task since the parts were used (cousin Ed donated them), and the ends needed to be re-threaded. I used the outdoor vise at the school and had that part of the job finished by 12:30.

After a quick lunch I was back at work preparing to sink the well point. Instead of pounding the point into the ground with an old truck axle for weight and heft (that's the old-time way), I used a water hose and minimal force to aid penetration down into the lens of fresh water a few feet below the surface. I still had to pound the last five inches into the ground with a sledge hammer, and then screw on the cast iron pump.

Finally I laid the boards to make a work bench, screwed down the pump base, primed the pump, and voila! Just like in my grandparents' day, we pumped up water and carried it to the plants in galvanized buckets.

It was 6 o'clock, time to shower and go over to Zillie's for Thursday evening wine tasting!

If you're not real familiar with the Outer Banks, you may wonder how we got water from a pipe that is only a few feet in the ground, and, without pictures, the description above may not make much sense. So I asked Lou Ann to document the whole process with photos. She will be writing a monthly newsletter in the next few days, and we'll explain the whole thing with pictures. Look for that soon!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Ali's Ocracoke Odyssey, Part III

Hi! This is Philip, introducing Ali's latest observations. Sorry I haven't posted for several days -- I was just enjoying the beach, friends, & family too much...plus a whole day trip to the dentist yesterday (another crown!). Anyway, here is Ali:

I am quickly approaching the half way point of my summer adventure, and it seems to have flown by. Things have certainly picked up pace in the shops as the season gets going. This last week has flown by for me, as I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my family for their summer getaway on Sunday. I'm excited to show them around the island and impress them with my knowledge. More than that, I managed to get the entire week off so I got a vacation too.

So far my beach days have been limited to Sunday afternoons and Mondays. I'll be able to spend the entire week there and see what keeps bringing people back to Ocracoke year after year. I'm also looking forward to building sand castles with my little brother, whom I miss incredibly. With most people, "grown-ups" if you will, you can keep in contact over the phone or emailing or whatever, but with kids it's the time you spend with them. After being gone for my first year of college and now into the summer, I can't wait to get some time with him this coming week.

Speaking of the beach, I enjoyed my Monday afternoon at the campground beach. The ocean was rough so I spent most of my time lying out in the sun. The campground beach is a less frolic-in-the-ocean and collect-awesome-seashells (which happens—it just isn't a part of this story) beach-going experience. I sat up at one point to grab my book, when I realized my arms looked slightly lobster-esque. Uh-oh, time to go. I grabbed my stuff and headed back to the wagon, and OUCH my face and arms were bright red. I have to take responsibility for this since I wasn't wearing any sunscreen. Yes, stupid I know, but my family was coming to visit and I hardly had a tan after living five minutes from the beach for almost six weeks! To be completely honest, I'm quite proud of myself, that I made it that long without getting burned. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Let's just hope I can evade it this whole week.

Other than beach adventures, my life had taken a more social turn with the arrival of Kristin, the other summer employee at the Village Craftsmen. It's nice to have another person around my age, and since we have just about the same hours, it's easy to hang out. Having another person also makes meeting other people much easier, since it eliminates some of that one-person-who-doesn't-know-anyone awkward factor. I've also been hanging out with some of the girls whom I work with at the Hemp Shop, which gets me out of my wagon even more! We walked out to Springer's Point last night and saw the glowing bacteria or algae that are out there, which was really cool.

I can't wait to spend this week with my family—I'm off to be a tourist or vacationer or whatever!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

June at the Beach

Every once in a while the ocean is so clear you can stand in the surf up to your neck and see your toes. That's the way it was yesterday. Usually the waves stir up quite a bit of sand and swirl it around, giving the water a darker hue. But Thursday the waves were gentle and the Atlantic took on the appearance of the Caribbean with water the color of coke-bottle green. Even so, there were waves, but not the wild and crashing type. They just welled up and rolled over us as we bobbed gently in the warm, summer sea. Ahhh!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Opry

Tonight is the second Ocracoke Opry performance of the season. Last week's show was especially fun, with high energy and good cheer all around. Several veteran members of the audience said it was the best Opry they'd ever been to. If you are on the island be sure to stop by for another great show. The Ocracoke Jazz Society will be performing, along with other regulars, including Aaron Caswell, Marcie & Lou, Rob & Sundae, Molasses Creek, Donald Davis, and Lou Ann & me. Maybe some other folks as well.

On Thursday evenings you can take in the Molasses Creek show. Fridays are Coyote and Noah Paley. There's also a daytime Rumgagger show. Just check out the signboard on School Road for times and dates of all of the performances at Deepwater Theater.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Rain

Finally, we got a bit of rain this afternoon. Not really enough to make much of a dent in the dry season we've been having, but welcome nonetheless. The sand gets so powdery when we have gone without precipitation for so long. Years ago, when all of the roads were sandy lanes, it really was difficult to keep cars from getting stuck. Today even Howard Street is negotiable because of the oyster shells.

The greatest worry back then, of course, revolved around drinking water. When all potable water was collected in wooden cisterns from runoff from the roof dry spells were a constant concern. I remember carefully rationing water as the level in the cistern continued to fall, with no rain in sight. Even our Saturday night baths (in an old round galvanized tub) were canceled.

Nowadays the "hardship" from dry weather is mostly just more of a struggle to negotiate the last hundred yards walking from the lifeguard stand to the walkover ramp.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

No Smoke...

...in Ocracoke. Thanks to prevailing winds, Ocracoke Island has had little impact from the smoky wild fire that has burned 42,000 acres on the eastern North Carolina mainland. Last Thursday we had a bit of smoky haze, but other than that we have been spared. Today, in fact, is bright and sunny. Temperatures dropped yesterday, so I'd say the weather is just about perfect. We even turned off the A/C at home.

I believe I'll take care of a few details (like paying bills, answering emails, and making a dental appointment), and then Lou Ann and I will head for the beach for an hour or so. The water has been almost bathtub warm, with gentle, rolling waves and no rip currents. Not so great for body surfing, but just right for relaxing.

So come on down to the island. The air is clear and clean, and the water is a sparkling turquoise hue. It doesn't get much better than this.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Happy Father's Day

David is off the island performing, and Amy was working, so Lachlan joined Lou Ann and me at 9 o'clock for a delicious breakfast at the Flying Melon Cafe. Lachlan had eggs and toast. Lou Ann and I shared sweet potato pancakes and a vegetarian omelet. On the paper tablecloth we jotted down our plans for the morning:

• Order breakfast
• eat
• surprise
• visit the pony pen
• pick blackberries.
  

The surprise was a camera Lou Ann had bought for Lachlan. It is an inexpensive film camera, and Lachlan didn't quite understand why he couldn't view the pictures immediately, but he enjoyed taking pictures anyway.

Before going to the pony pen we stopped back home and brought out three bottles of bubble stuff. We spent a half of an hour blowing rainbow colored bubbles and chasing them around the yard and watching them drift down the sandy lane or float up to the clouds before we were on our way again.

At the pony pen we looked for the young stallion named after my dad, then took pictures (mainly of railings, poison ivy, and the trash can).

Our next stop was a path lined with blackberries. Before long we had a full bucket of plump juicy berries. Lachlan will be joining us again tomorrow morning for cereal and milk, topped with fresh berries!

It's been a great Father's Day.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Fundraiser

Yesterday's fundraiser for Ocracoke's future radio station (90.1 on your FM dial) was lots of fun. A stage was set up near the water in the Community Store parking lot, and from 1 pm to after 7 pm a steady lineup of local talent entertained those assembled. I didn't hear everyone, but the Jazz Society kicked off the afternoon, and Baby Dee and Free Mustache (classic honky-tonk) wound things up. In between local singer-songwriters as well as Ocracoke's up and coming teen band kept everyone tapping feet and clapping enthusiastically. The pig pickin' started at 4, so folks were enjoying their meals in the ever-lengthening shadows of the surrounding buildings. Good cheer prevailed as local residents and visitors chatted, shared stories, and laughed together.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Radio Station

Tomorrow from 1 pm to 9 pm the Community Store will host music and a pig pickin' in their parking lot. The event is a fund raiser for our new Ocracoke Island radio station! I understand that everything is moving forward and before too long we will be able to listen (from the Pony Pen to the South Point) to island news, weather, music, sports, and special programs. Already there is talk of creative shows folks are interested in producing. I've heard people express interest in an island gossip program, but maybe that's not such a good idea!

Oh yes, we're hoping to have an Ocracoke square dance in the parking lot tomorrow sometime around 5 pm. Hope to see you there (Lou Ann has already said that she is planning to spend the entire afternoon down at the Community Store.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Ali's Ocracoke Odyssey, Part II

It's been a little over three weeks since I arrived on Ocracoke, and boy it seems to have flown by. I've been settling into my new situation: living on my own, my work schedule and island life. As far as living on my own, I'm trying to learn to cook for myself a bit, but I haven't gotten much past sandwiches, ramen, rice and (this is the most exciting) tortellini. I figure it's better to practice on myself than on my roommates next year. They would be less than impressed if the only cooking skills I brought to the table (literally!) were ones with the microwave. Then again, I haven't had to put my skills to the test much, since Philip, Jude and her husband Frank have been really wonderful in welcoming me to the island by inviting me over (or out) for dinner. More often than not, during those dinners I get to meet some of their friends from on and off the island, and I'm starting to recognize people around the island.

Working down here is actually a lot of fun. I've been warned that it will only get busier, but so far it's been steady and I've been able to ease into things comfortably. I am enjoying being able to meet people from all over, many of which come back year after year—as a result many know more about the island than I do, and I'm always learning something new. It's the island life that seems to draw people back; I've only gotten a taste of it and you can't beat it. I love hopping on my bike at the end of the day and riding down to the Community Store and picking up what I need, or maybe just going for a ride. I go the beach on my days off, and I'm hoping to check out the ghost crabs at nighttime one of these nights.

The other day Philip showed me how to open clams, and invited me over for the "clams casino" he talked about earlier. Jude is recovering from several nights of nursing kittens only days old that were brought to her the other day. Her dedication to taking care of the "Ocracats" is one of those faith-restoring gestures. It is refreshing to see that people down here care "because nice matters," as the new sign reads above the counter at the Village Craftsmen. The laid back atmosphere, the fresh clams and the caring nature of people on Ocracoke...it's only the beginning but it looks like I've tapped into something pretty great.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Festival Weekend

What a fantastic weekend this was! Artists and craftspeople lined up on Howard Street and the School Road to display their wares. Potters, painters, woodworkers, jewelers, and others set up colorful booths to attract festival goers. The weather was nearly perfect. Even though it was hot and sunny, a mild breeze (and pasteboard fans) kept the worst of the heat at bay. Except for the performers, whose shirts and brows were saturated, most folks fared well under the shade of live oaks and cedars.

The lineup of performers was stellar -- there were banjos & cellos, autoharps & fiddles, drums & clarinets, mouth harps & mandolins, and even a digireedoo, and a hurdy-gurdy! Oh yes, there were guitars, too. I'm afraid I'll forget to name all of the performers, so I'll just share that there was jazz, folk, blues, country, and much more -- almost all from Ocracoke and eastern North Carolina.

And then there was storytelling. I shared reminiscences of early trips to the island on the mailboat and Fraxier Peele's very first ferry across Hatteras Inlet in 1950. Then I joined Lou Ann in performing one of her popular "Ocracoke Radio Shows." Other storytellers were there also, including Rodney Kemp, and, of course, our very own Donald Davis.

Our house was the Green Room so performers were coming and going all weekend.

The Friday night auction raised thousands of dollars, an Ocracoke quilt raffle brought in $1500, sponsors contributed thousands more, and donation boxes filled up as festival goers enjoyed the free shows.

Oh yes, there were jam sessions, a children's stage, Jef the Mime, Clyde Jones doing his chainsaw scuptures, and square dancing and contra dancing.

I'm sure I've forgotten somethings, but just wanted all of our readers to know what a talented group of musicians and artists we had this past weekend, and what an exciting weekend it was -- and why I haven't written anything for several days!

Mark your calendars for next year. This really is an outstanding event.

In other news, I got this information from The East Carolina Radio Station blog: "The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is suspending the noon run from Cedar Island and the 3:30 PM run out of Ocracoke through Thursday. The Motor Vessel Pamlico has encountered mechanical difficulties and is being taken to the shipyard in Manns Harbor for repairs."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Cootie Catcher

Last evening a (mostly) family group converged on my house for dinner. Luckily I didn't have to cook! More folks just happened to stop by as they were riding bikes down Lawton Lane. Lachlan was there, of course, greeting everyone as they arrived. After dinner I made him a cootie catcher. He had a grand time finding "bugs" in everyone's hair.

Village Craftsmen's newest (and youngest) employee, Ali, was there. She was delighted to discover why the folded paper device she had made as a schoolgirl (and which she and her friends employed to "tell fortunes") was called a cootie catcher. I was surprised to learn that cootie catchers seem not to be used to find cooties any longer.

So I googled "cootie catcher" and frankly had a difficult time finding an on-line explanation for why it is called a cootie catcher. But finally I discovered this from Wikipedia: Made of folded paper, the "cootie catcher" is one name for a popular hand held toy among school children. One surface is blank, the other drawn with dots. The joke is to show the blank side, then run the toy through someone's hair, revealing the dotted surface. It is made so each surface looks the same apart from the "cooties". The toy is also also called a "fortune teller" and used in play to tell fortunes.

Here is a link with instructions for making your very own cootie catcher (though even these instructions show it as a "fortune teller"): http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cootie-Catcher. Have fun!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Storytelling Workshop

Our neighbor and storyteller, Donald Davis, along with his wife, Merle, is hosting another Storytelling Workshop this week. One benefit for the rest of us is that participants share their stories with us. Tomorrow and Thursday the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum will host storytelling at 10:30 a.m. On Thursday evening, at 8 o'clock, workshop participants will offer an evening of storytelling at Deepwater Theater. These performances are always a treat, so be sure to stop by if you are on the island this week.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

A Day of Clamming

Yesterday was the first day I've been clamming this season. We left the dock right after noon and were out in the Sound in short order. Four of us got our limit (200 clams per boat) in about an hour. There is nothing quite like wading out in Pamlico Sound on a bright spring day, pushing a clam rake along the sandy bottom. It is just plain relaxing and thoroughly satisfying. You simply walk along, taking in the beauty of the sky, water, and surrounding islands, watching pelicans diving and crabs scurrying nearby, happy to be alive. The dull clunk of the metal tines against a clam shell brings you back to practical concerns, and before you know it your wire basket is so full it is sinking below the surface.

Back home you open your clams, top them with bacon & Parmesan cheese, and arrange them on a cookie sheet. Invite some friends over and slide the clams under the broiler. Fifteen or twenty minutes later scoop them out of their shells and lay them on saltines. Your "clams casino" couldn't be any fresher, or tastier. Savor them with your favorite drink while sitting on the pizer, chatting about the day as the sun sinks lower in the western sky.

It's hard to find a more rewarding way to spend a spring day.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Wednesday

I had a dental appointment yesterday. When I asked Amy which ferry she thought I should take to get to the dentist at 10:30 David piped in with "the tooth ferry!"

After the dentist (it was a routine appointment, though I need to go back next week for a crown) I had lunch in Manteo with a friend, then visited Manteo Booksellers (a must stop if you are a book lover and will be visiting Manteo) and, later, the Christmas Shop (last year this iconic Outer Banks business had ongoing sales, liquidated all of their merchandise, displays, and office equipment, and "closed forever." Now they've re-opened again!). Other errands took me "up the beach" for gardening & office supplies, then to a cafe for supper. I left Nags Head at 6:30 and arrived in Hatteras village about 8:00, where I joined friends in a rental cottage for a few hours of low stakes poker. Caught the midnight boat back to Ocracoke, and collapsed in bed at 1 am. It was a long day.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Ali's Ocracoke Odyssey

I arrived here on Ocracoke two weeks ago, and even those two weeks seem to have flown by. I've been finding my bearings in that time, learning where things are, figuring out work schedules and other more complicated things like how to feed myself or change my sleep habits so I wake up more than fifteen minutes before I have to be at work. I thought it might be a good idea to let you all know exactly how I came to be on Ocracoke, since it seems like everyone has a good story about how they ended up here, whether its for a vacation, a summer or lifetime. My name is Ali, I'm 18 and from Vermont, but I go to Bishop's University in Quebec, and I have just finished my first year there. As second semester was winding down and I was considering my options for summer employment, I was less than enthusiastic about my prospects. Most of the summer jobs available were low paying and boring, and not at all how I had envisioned my summer. Going to school in Canada also let me on a slightly different mindset, where a lot people aren't home at all in the summertime, instead escaping away to cottages or traveling or getting jobs tree planting in the middle of nowhere.

I decided to look for an adventure of my own. I was home for a weekend, and I had remembered seeing some summer jobs on the Outer Banks. My mother and Jude go way back, from when my mom used to sell for my grandfather's company, Montgomery School House Wooden Toys, which they carried once upon a time at the Village Craftsmen. After getting the idea from Jude, we had vacationed down to Ocracoke a couple times about ten years ago. I asked my mom if she still had Jude's number (or rather, her friend down on Ocracoke's number since at the time I didn't know her name or what a big part she was going to play in my summer.) I called up Jude that evening, and explained who I was, and asked if she knew of anyone who was looking for work or any place to stay. A week or so went by, and Jude called back saying she had a place for me to stay and place for me to work too. After talking to my mom, I called her the next day and accepted. The semester ended, I gathered up my things and set off driving down to Ocracoke. That's how my story begins.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Self-Guided History Tours

At the end of last season Lou Ann & I developed two self-guided history tours that we recorded and uploaded to MP3 players. Over the winter we had some issues with the technology, but I believe that has now been solved, and the players are available for rent (just $7.50 each).

If you are interested in renting one of our players (we have two distinct tours) on your next visit to the island, please check out our web page with Frequently Asked Questions. As an extra bonus, on that web page you'll find a picture of me at 4 or 5 years old, with my mama and grandmama, on the porch of the house I now live in.

These tours are NOT duplicates of our Ghost & History Walks. The MP3 tours have different stories and information, and can be enjoyed at your convenience, either on foot, or by bike.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Happy Memorial Day!

I heard one of the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter ferry personnel telling a chagrined motorist this morning, "we're booked solid all day long." I guess he and his family will be "driving around" by way of Hatteras, or spending the night on Ocracoke.

It has been a sunny, low-humidity, almost bug-free weekend. Could hardly be any better. And I just got final figures on the Firemen's Ball, which was held on Saturday. The live auction brought in $11,230.00 (almost a thousand dollars more than last year), the silent auction netted over $2000.00. The total revenues for the all-day affair amounted to right around $57,000.00.

Thanks to everyone who helped with this fundraiser...and an especially hearty thank you to all of our firefighters and others who keep the organization solvent and healthy!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the brave and courageous members of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

May Newsletter

We have just published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, an account of the bravery & courage of the men of the US Life Saving Service. You can read it here.

Fireman's Ball

The annual fundraiser for the Ocracoke Fire Department was held today. What a great turnout. The organizers started cooking the pig at 5 am. The actual pig pickin' started 12 hours later outside the Community Center. Folks lined up under a tent for barbecue, Cole slaw, potatoes, and soft drinks and/or beer. A silent auction drew people into the building, and by 7 o'clock the building was full of islanders and visitors ready to bid on donated items at the live auction. The auction was a huge success. A quilt went for $1200.00, and an antique church pew brought nearly a thousand dollars. Four decoys sold for a total of almost $500.00. I'll have a full accounting of proceeds in a day or so. When the auction concluded the chairs were stacked in the back and Martin & Friends took to the microphones. The Dune Dogs from Raleigh followed with more danceable rock and roll. It's been a rousing day of good cheer, tasty food, camaraderie, and music to keep folks happy.

Congratulations to all of the organizers, the volunteers, and especially to our dedicated fire firefighters!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Good Neighbors

In this age when folks move around so frequently (and hardly know their neighbors) I want to share a story about the value of staying put.

A few days ago I was helping a fairly new resident of Ocracoke install a gas range. Actually his electric range had gone kaput and I mentioned that I had a small gas range he could use. I couldn't find my hand truck (I think I loaned it to someone and haven't gotten it back!), but Frank let us use his (we returned it promptly, by the way).

We found a gas bottle, and I went to the hardware store for the copper tubing. Of course they didn't have enough of the size I wanted, and I really didn't want to wait a week or more, so I took two coils of two different sizes (no need to actually pay for it, or even make a note -- Tommy just told me to take the tubing, measure whatever I used and let him know so he could charge it to me later).

Well, then I needed the fittings to join the two sizes together. I didn't have what I needed, and the hardware store didn't have them either, so I biked around the island looking for a neighbor who might have the right fittings. I found cousin Ed sitting on the Community Store porch (he has everything). Back at his garage we dumped out buckets and cans full of brass, copper, and stainless steel parts. After several minutes we had concocted just the right conglomeration.

I still needed a regulator. After only one phone call David instructed me to go to one of his outbuildings and locate the gas bottle out back, and remove the regulator (he wasn't using gas there any longer). The nuts turned easily, and in a few minutes I was back at my neighbor's with everything I needed. In hardly any time at all (well I did crawl under the house and drill a few holes so we could snake the tubing where it needed to go) we had the gas stove installed and working.

I like knowing that I have neighbors who are always willing to help, and living in one place (Ocracoke in particular) for years creates connections that help make possible what might be next to impossible in many communities.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

A Modest Proposal

This afternoon we received this comment on our journal re. wireless Internet service on Ocracoke:

"My husband's Cingular/ATT blackberry didn't work last summer. He hopes it will this summer, I do not :)"

I sympathize with the writer, and suggest a modest proposal -- consider leaving your laptop, blackberry, etc. home when you come to Ocracoke. Maybe you can actually survive a week or two without a connection to the Internet. Just a thought. Here are a few suggestions for alternatives to ease the pain:

• Take a moonlight bike ride around the village
• Walk on the beach after dark and look for shooting stars
• Sit on the Community Store porch and chat with natives and visitors
• Buy a good book or two at Books to be Red
  
• Go fishing or clamming
• Explore the island cemeteries (there are more than 80 of them)
• Enjoy our island music (at various restaurants and Deepwater Theater)
• Go on a Ghost & History Walk
• Try parasailing
• Learn to surf
• Visit the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum
• Check out the National Park Service Visitors Center (there might be some programs scheduled that you'd enjoy)
• Join in the square dancing at the Community Store (more information on this later)
• Take a trip to Portsmouth
• Learn to ride a horse
• Attend a Porch Talk at the Museum
• Rent a kayak
• Check out the bulletin board at the Post Office to see what special events are going on
• Take a nap
• Take a cruise on the Schooner Windfall
  

Maybe some of our readers would like to suggest more activities. Let's hear from you.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Wireless & Deviled Eggs

Alltel phones work great on Ocracoke. Don't know about Internet. We have Sprint wireless here at Village Craftsmen. Maybe someone else has more information about wireless internet access on Ocracoke.

Deviled eggs -- the recipe is not all that unique. I just like to include vinegar. Here is the recipe:

6 hard boiled eggs
1/4+ tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp mustard (dry or regular -- depends on what I have)
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp mayo (or enough to make it the right consistency)
Sprinkle with paprika

Like I said, nothing unique, but folks seem to like them. Last night they were all gone before I even got in line. By the way, it was a fun evening. Lots of kids. It seemed like the whole school was there. And the young people provided some great entertainment -- on keyboard, guitar, bass, flute, violin, and drums. Oh yes, voice too. Way to go!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Three Potlucks in Four Days

That's right. Three potluck dinners in four days. It must be Ocracoke!

Tonight at 5 pm a bunch of folks will gather at the Community Center to bid farewell to Russ. Russ has worked here on the island for several years (and I still don't know his last name...but no matter, everyone knows who I mean when I say Russ). He sometimes can be found bartending at the Back Porch Restaurant, but mostly he works at the Youth Center with the young folks. I know he will be missed. I heard he is headed to Arizona. See ya soon, Russ.

Tomorrow night there is NO potluck (that I know of), but Tuesday evening is the annual Ocracoke Preservation Society Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner. The speaker will be Kevin Dufuss, who will be sharing information from his latest book The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate. Can't wait! I'll share more about that in a few days.

Then on Wednesday I have been invited to a pot luck dinner at a friend's house. Just think, three of four days, and I don't have to even think about cooking supper (except I will make my signature deviled eggs).

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Saturday, Early Afternoon

It has been so difficult to get any inside work done lately. It must be close to 70 degrees, with bright, sunny skies right now. Neighbors are strolling down the lane with their dogs, or stopping to sit on the steps and chat. Lachlan is running around tossing water balloons. Molly is taking a fiddle lesson from David, and the music is wafting across the yard.

It is just too nice to sit here at the computer and type a blog, so I'll bid you adieu, and go back outside to enjoy the day.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Who'da Guessed?

Jude here. Last evening when Frank and I were getting in the truck in front of the Hemp Shop which is next door to Village Craftsmen, Woody Billings and his friend Terry ( hope that's the correct spelling) and her beautiful dog with a french name I can't remember stopped us. Woody said , "Jude how come there wasn't a blog today?" Well you could have knocked me over. As I sputtered an excuse I realized that quite a few folks must read our blog, even here on the island. That is neater than you know what... It feels so great having a connection with people who love the island. I'm a very down to earth person, much more so than Philip I believe. I have animals, I garden, I have a scotch every evening when I get home and I weep at sad things. Philip is much more sophisticated but we both have stories to tell. Right now I'd like to tell you that Jaren has been working sooooo hard on our website and is doing a great job. We have a lot of wonderful new things that I have found for the shop and she is getting them on the website as fast as she can. So have a look at the site and be sure and come in when you're here. Life is good, life is exciting. Have a great weekend!

Anniversary and other things......

Today, May 14th marks the umpteenth anniversary of my moving to Ocracoke many years ago. I came on my own but soon our sons Matty and Travis and finally Frank, my husband, followed. I told them, guys, I have found HOME! And indeed it has been a good one with great neighbors , save one or two. Living on Ocracoke is not easy and not for everyone but for the few of us it's close to heaven. It's hard to believe the years have gone so quickly...whew what a reality check. Later today our first summer employee arrives from Vermont. Her name is Ally or Allie ( not sure ) and her Mom and I have been friends for years. She'll live in the famous Gypsy Wagon out back of the shop and so her "Ocracoke Odyssey" will begin. Philip and Jaren and I spent some time yesterday making the wagon "homey" and welcoming. Today I'll pick a bouquet of roses and jasmine to put on her table and maybe take her out to dinner after her long journey. It'll be good to have her here.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Fall in May

The temperature has dropped twenty degrees...and it's windy. It sure feels like fall. But we all know it's just temporary. Unfortunately, one of my jobs for today is to power wash the outside shower behind the Village Craftsmen. I'm not looking forward to it, but we have a new summer employee coming tomorrow, and I want to clean things up around here.

We apologize for not posting these last several days. As Jude mentioned last week, we've been very busy. Among the many things going on was the annual Memorial in honor of all of the men and women who were killed protecting our shores in WWII, and especially the crew of the HMT Bedfordshire that was sunk offshore on May 11, 1942. As many of our readers know, four of these sailors are buried on Ocracoke in the British Cemetery. The Memorial is always a moving experience.


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

A Quick Thank You

Philip and I have been very busy today with projects we just can't put off any longer. I'm sure you all have some of those too. They're the kind that , when finally done, make you feel so darn good. We'd like to thank those who take the time to comment on our blog. We don't always have time to answer but we do read them. As far as the election results, we respect everyone's opinion and therefore will express none of our own. As far as ANY of the candidates
being Ocracoke kind of people? Not so much. Storm comin', gotta run.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Election Results

Just thought many of our readers would be interested in knowing how the Ocracoke Democratic Primary turned out:

Hillary Clinton won with 143 votes. Barack Obama had 133.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Elizabeth II

I was sitting on the porch of the Community Store yesterday evening, chatting with Fowler & Chloe, when Amy stopped by with Lachlan. Other neighbors and friends came by also. About 6:30 Peggy stepped onto the porch with the news that the Elizabeth II was on its way to Silver Lake, and would be arriving in about 15 minutes.

According to their official website, http://www.roanokeisland.com/index.php?name=eii, the "Elizabeth II is a composite design of a 16th-century ship and is named after one of the seven vessels that sailed the ocean when Sir Walter Raleigh first brought colonists to Roanoke Island in 1587."

Although the Elizabeth II was not under sail, she was still an impressive sight. I didn't have my camera, but I rode my bike down to the dock this morning and got a picture.

You can click the image to see a larger version.




Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Too Funny...

...to keep to myself:

This evening at a backyard cookout one of my neighbors offered what he called "perhaps the most notable tourist comment" that he'd ever heard. It seems that someone was visiting the Preservation Society Museum several days ago and walked up to the clerk with this question: Do you folks have complete gynecological records for all of the historic families on the island?

Please don't ask what the clerk's reply was. I don't know what it was, but I am certain it was not as noteworthy as the question.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Bits & Pieces

Another beautiful day is dawning! Temperatures are predicted to be in the mid 70s today, with bright sunshine. It has been lovely like this for several days.

For those of our readers who are not on the island, the annual Ocracoke fishing tournament is winding down. The island is overflowing with anglers and their families. I learned last night that one team caught a 48"blue fish, possibly a world record (?). It was recorded for the tournament, but I understand it was released before it could be properly documented for any other honors. At least a number of others saw the fish and can vouch for its size. Maybe one of our readers has more details (or even a photo).

Look for upcoming news about the annual British Cemetery celebration next week, the Memorial Day Firefighter's Ball, and the June Ocrafolk Festival. It's not too early to plan a trip to the island to take advantage of these events.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Grand Re-opening

At 6 o'clock this morning Leonard was on the porch of the Community Store plucking on his banjo. As the day progressed there was a steady stream of folks (old-timers, new-timers, frequent visitors, first-timers) walking through the doors, complimenting the new storekeepers, James & Susan Paul -- and making purchases.

James & Susan have injected new life not only into the store but also into "downtown" Ocracoke. What a delight to see so many smiling faces as people purchased eggs, milk, fresh produce, canned goods, cereal, ice cream, beer, and wine.

And, as in the past, natives and visitors alike stopped to sit in the rockers or on the bench on the porch. Before long I expect to see old men chatting and carving birds again.

Stop in and support the re-vitalized Community Store. It truly is a community store!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Blanche O'Neal Styron

The Ocracoke Methodist Church was packed yesterday afternoon for the funeral of Blanche O'Neal Styron. (For regular readers of this journal, please note that this is NOT my cousin Blanche who lives across the lane on Howard Street.)

Blanche Styron was born in 1922. She and her husband David moved north after they were married, but returned to their island home in the early 1960s. For many years Blanche was the driving force behind the Methodist Church and the Ocracoke School. She was outspoken and forthright, but I never knew a person who was offended by her frankness. She always told it like she saw it, but was never judgmental. It was OK if you disagreed with her. She'd let you know exactly where she stood, but she never shunned you or disowned you if you didn't agree with her. As so many people said during the funeral, she was a delight to be around, because she always tempered her 0pinions with good humor. After the funeral Ernest Cutler, former school principal, remarked that he often heard this from Blanche when she was president of the PTA: "I'll need three volunteers...you, you, and you!" We all agreed that a building at the school or the church should be named after Blanche. So much that was accomplished here on the island in the '60s, '70s, & '80s we owe to Blanche.

As so often happens here on the island, Blanche died at home with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren by her side.

The last time I visited with her she kept me entertained for more than an hour with stories and tales from long ago. I treasure every moment I spent with her. If only we all could be so forthright!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Good News

According to island chatter (and a notice on the chalkboard, I'm told) the Community Store is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 1. Island native, James Paul, and his wife, Susan, are leasing the building and will be running the business. The outside of the building has been repaired, restored, and repainted. It really looks good. I have not been inside yet, but those who have, report that it looks terrific. I'll be there Thursday morning, of course, and will give a report myself (maybe even with a few photos). If you don't live on the island, be sure to stop by on your next visit. The freshly painted pizer (porch) is there, inviting you to sit down and enjoy a relaxed few minutes (or more) chatting with folks.

In case you missed it earlier, I have published a history of Ocracoke's general stores (with a focus on the Community Store) in our September, 2006 Ocracoke Newsletter.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Molasses Creek & Garison Keillor

Fiddler Dave and Gary Mitchell left this afternoon, headed to Greenville, NC. They will be opening for Garrison Keillor's show, "Lake Webegone Days" tomorrow evening at the Wright Auditorium on the East Carolina University Campus. This is part of the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m and I understand it may only be available to SRAPAS subscribers. This may not be accurate information, so if you are interested in attending please check the following web site, East Carolina SPARAS Website or call 328-4788 for more details. Tickets are $20 to $45.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

A Rose is a Rose...

This morning I was greeted by this beautiful rose in my yard. Just thought I'd share it with all of our island friends. Enjoy.



Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Morning Adventure

I missed most of the rain. I was off-island for much of the last several weeks, but Amy (and just about everyone else on the island) told me how wet it's been. I did get back home last Friday and was able to get to the Portsmouth Island Homecoming (see the link at the bottom of this post) on Saturday. Luckily, the weather on Saturday bordered on perfect. But then it rained again the next several days, sometimes in torrents. Everything is still wet outside, but it's slowly drying out.

Right now it is bright and sunny with temperatures in the low 70s. It was the perfect day to take a little adventure with Lachlan. We wandered down sandy paths, stopped to look at a turtle (I didn't recognize the species), played in the sand, found our way to the water's edge, & discovered a hermit crab. Lachlan decided to explore the woods on his own and I let him go. Barefooted, he climbed over branches, logs, and thickets, then disappeared down a narrow path. I thought he'd be right back, but he wasn't, so I set out after him. He was nowhere in sight. I called out, only to hear a quiet lament: "I've lost my way."

So we scrambled back to a convenient spot and ate a banana.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming. You can read it here.

Portsmouth Homecoming

We have published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, an account of the 2008 Portsmouth Island Homecoming, Honoring the Life Savers. To read the newsletter, see many photos, and follow links to Friends of Portsmouth Island, just click on the photo below:

Oh, No!

Saturday morning Amy, David, Lachlan, and I, along with other family, friends, and many others lined up on the floating dock at the National Park Service Visitors Center waiting for a ride to Portsmouth. Lachlan was looking forward to his very first visit to the island. Many times we had looked at distant Portsmouth from the shore of Springer's Point. This would be an exciting adventure!

Several boats were running back and forth, ferrying hundreds of folks to the island for homecoming. As one boat would load and head for Portsmouth, another would soon be pulling up to the dock to take another group.

Three-year-old Lachlan, of course, was unaware of the grand plan. We inched our way to the head of the line, but the couple in front of us were the last to board the boat lying along the dock. The captain shoved off and slowly backed away, leaving us standing there with no other boat in view.

It was then that we all heard Lachlan's half-whispered, plaintive moan: "Oh, no!"

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Honoring the Life Savers

Organizers of yesterday's Portsmouth Island Homecoming estimated that more than 400 people graced the once vibrant village with their presence. The theme of the day was "Honoring the Life Savers." Among the restored Portsmouth Island buildings is the imposing Life Saving Station, one of only a very few of the nation's historic USLSS structures still standing and in pristine condition.

The Station was open to allow visitors access to all of the rooms, including the sleeping quarters (with beds and trunks). But everyone's preferred destination was the tower. Up two steep flights of steps (really permanently installed ladders), the lookout tower afforded a grand view of the village, surrounding marsh and creeks, Pamlico Sound and beyond, and Ocracoke across the inlet.

Outside on the wrap-around porch I felt a special connection to this place as I read my grandfather's name on the list of brave and dedicated surfmen who had served at this station.

Friends of Portsmouth Island put together a program that included a hymn sing at the Methodist Church, brief speeches by representatives of the National Park Service and the US Coast Guard, local music, and a reading of Portsmouth Island history. The highlight of the afternoon was a demonstration of the historic "beach apparatus" and an authentic life saving drill, complete with Lyle gun and breeches buoy.

We'll be posting photos sometime in the near future.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Portsmouth Homecoming

This Saturday, April 19th is the Portsmouth Island Homecoming. If you've never been it's about time you went. The day always has a magic to it. You can wander the island and easily imagine the way things used to be there and on all of the coastal Carolina islands not so long ago. You'll hear great stories, meet folks you are guaranteed never to forget and the food....non better. Bring your camera, a sense of humor and your appetite ( something to share also). Philip will be going so for those who can't go I'm sure he'll have a tale or two to tell next week. For ferry reservations (private) from Ocracoke to Portsmouth phone Capt. Rudy Austin at 252-928-4361.


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Monday Blues (maybe green)

The Village Craftsmen is not open on Mondays this time of year so I took the opportunity yesterday to do a little cleaning and painting. The VC's building has been here for give or take thirty years and I believe that's the last time the front door was painted. A colony of spiders had taken up residence on the front porch and was making for great Ghost Walk ambience. So I dragged out my ladder, bucket, two brooms, paint, hammer, drop cloth, rags, paint brushes, screw driver, stirrrrers, water bottle, grapes and some peanut butter pretzels. I was ready. I brushed and banged, swooshed and swished , sipped and nibbled. Now there are five columns holding up VC's porch roof but only was ever painted. Don't ask...I haven't a clue. So, I repainted it too. It looks swell. The old paint was kind of a yellowy pea green and the new a lovely deep rich green. It looks great on the column and the door, my pants, shirt, hands, left ankle and ahhh yes....my hair. It'll all need a second coat. That will be next Monday's job. I had Frank drive the wrong way down Howard St. on the way home to show him the paint job. Blanche (Howard ) Jolliff was out by the graveyard raking leaves. It was just starting to sprinkle as we stopped to chat a minute. "What are you doing out here working in the rain"? I chided Blanche. She gave me her slow, sweet smile. "Well, you know Jude, as a friend of
mine used to say, there's always something to do around the plantation". I guess that about sums it up.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Ocracoke Information

Lately I've been receiving a lot of inquiries regarding happenings on the island. The Ghost Walks, the ceremony at the British Cemetary, the Ocrafolk Music Festival , music on the island, who's open when etc.. While we're more than happy to answer your questions, I encourage you to go to the links on our website
www.villagecraftsmen.com
for the Ocracoke Civic and Business Assoc. ,Ocracoke Preservation Society, Molasses Creek and others to get first hand information. We do make the reservations for the Ghost and History Walks here at Village Craftsmen. You can email us at info@villagecraftsmen.com or call us at 252-928-6300 Tues - Sun 10AM-5PM. Tours are scheduled Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7:30 and reservations are recommended. They are great fun. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy talking or emailing folks but sometimes I just don't have the information you need right at hand. We look forward to seeing you whenever you come during the season. PS The sun is shining today!


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

"Right Spiffy"

I believe "Spring Spiffing" is in human DNA. I believe it's totally out of our control, like some horrible addiction. But it's not horrible at all, it's fun. Dallie has been painting in the shop and sewing lovely thingys for tables and showcases. Next Monday I'll scrub Village Craftsmens front porch and paint the front door. I bought flowers for the front and wonderful new merchandise for the shop. Jaren is busy putting the new items on our website. Kimberly is working both here and at the Hemp Shop with Frank "spiffing" there. The azaleas, camelias and wisteria in the Hemp Shop yard are breathtaking again this year and if the sun ever comes out again I'm sure they'll be even prettier! The island is humming with sawing and hammering - or is that the rain? And so the work continues, until we can truly say, " My, my don't things look right spiffy".





Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Black Squall

Black Squall You can read the story here.Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

April Showers

Philip called from Indiana a few minutes ago to tell me how lovely the weather is there today. He is sitting in Lou Ann's back yard reading, in the sunshine. It's been raining here for a week and a half and we're not expecting a break until Thursday. For a person who hangs their laundry outside to dry that is a very serious state of affairs. Frank and I are wearing outfits we haven't worn in years....and for good reason. Actually, with the drought we had last year, the rain is most welcome, even if we do have to roll up our pantlegs, take off our shoes and wade in the driveway to the kitchen steps. It reminds me of when our boys were small and I taught them to wade in puddles. Does that make me a bad mother? Anyhoo...the flowers will be blooming soon enough and the sun shining on the cedars wet with ra
indrops sparkling like diamonds.



Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Where'd he go now?

The sorrowful moaning of the foghorns woke us this morning early. It was cool yesterday but overnight a front came in, a warm one and with it the sea fog. I thought I heard the Cedar Island ferry leaving early but then thought better of it considering the conditions. I came to work as usual and normally by ten or so Philip and I touch base. He asks whether I have bank or mail to go and we just talk for awhile. About 11:30 I realized , with Jaren's help, that I hadn't heard from him so I called his cell phone and left a message. About an hour later I got a call from him " somewhere" about to get off at an exit on his way to see Lou Ann in Indiana. "I woke up at 5" he said, and thought, "I could leave this morning!" And so he did. I gave him the devil, of course, for not leaving me a note or something but I'm really thrilled that he can just take off when he wants and not worry about Village Craftsmen. He's earned it. And after all, Frank and I did have a wonderful month in Aruba........



Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Doxsee Clam Factory

We meet the most interesting people here on Howard Street. Yesterday I was called over to the Village Craftsmen and introduced to John & Margie Doxsee. John's great-grandfather was James Harvey Doxsee from Islip, NY. In the early years of the twentieth century (ca. 1900 - 1920) he moved his prosperous clam factory from New York to Ocracoke. Many islanders (all of whom have since died) worked at Doxsee's, which was located across the "ditch" from the old Coast Guard Station (now the NCCAT campus). The factory, which processed and canned clams and clam juice for a national market, moved to Marco Island, Florida after the operation became unprofitable on Ocracoke.

John's cousin, Bob Doxsee, publishes a web site about the family and their clamming businesses. You can read more here. Unfortunately, although he has photos of the clam factories, he does not have Ocracoke photos. However, the Ocracoke Island facility is clearly visible in the 1917 village panorama. You can see that picture in the Village Craftsmen on your next visit.

Maybe I'll do more research and publish a monthly newsletter about Doxsee's sometime soon.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

Camping & ORV Lawsuit

Hello again to all of our readers. This is Philip. I've been off-island for almost two weeks and Jude has been keeping you up to date on island events. I had a last-minute invitation to join Captain Rob sailing on the Schooner Windfall in Florida Bay. We sailed for several days with Rob's son Emmet, and mutual friend, Bill Monticone. Bill & Emmet are still traveling back to Ocracoke on the boat, and I drove Rob's car home. It was a fun mini-vacation. I stopped in central Florida to camp and canoe, and then spent several days on Edisto Island in South Carolina.

On my last camping day I noticed that the "campers" next to me were settled into the largest bus-type RV imaginable. It had four pull-out rooms (two on each side), and two satellite dishes on the roof (with blue lights). They were pulling a vehicle larger than the car I was driving. Meanwhile I was setting up my temporary home, the smallest backpacking tent in the campground. I had neglected to bring a pad or air mattress, so I made do with a flattened cardboard box. I also didn't have a pillow, but I found some bubble wrap that I covered with an old shirt. I could only imagine my neighbors relaxing in their jacuzzi while I walked on the beach or read my latest book, Last Child in the Woods, by candlelight.

Several readers have asked about the recent lawsuit calling for restrictions on ORV use on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Many others have followed this issue more closely than I have, and a Google search should lead to many articles about it. Irene Nolan, who publishes the Island Free Press, an on-line Outer Banks "newspaper," has written a helpful article. You can read it here: www.islandfreepress.org. The hearing is set for Friday.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a reprint of the eulogy given at the funeral service for island native Muzel Bryant who died in February at the age of 103. You can read it here.

A Return to Quiet

The past two weeks the island was like summer, folks everywhere. But today it has returned to it's lazy day feel. There are just a few folks around and the weather can't make up it's mind what it wants to do. The sun peeps out for a minute and the next it's pouring buckets. Call me crazy but I think that's spring! An old friend I haven't seen in a year or so stopped by and we had time to sit a spell and catch up on news of our friends and families. I hear there's no Bridge ( the card game) tonight so instead of soup and sandwich there'll be time for shrimp. Not a bad trade off.

Crime and Punishment

Excitment on Ocracoke was at a fever pitch yesterday as three shoplifters were apprehended. Kimberly, who works regularly at the Hemp Shop, and is temporarily on loan to VC, recognized them from their misdeeds last summer. Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you steal from a little place like Ocracoke and come back not eight months later and do the same thing that you might just get caught. Just a thought, it might just be me. Most of the business owners on the island were at the Sheriff's Office last evening identifying the vast amount of merchandise these three had made off with right under our noses. My they were good, or bad as the case may be! I believe most all have agreed to press charges and that is as it should be. So kudos to Kimberly, Ocracoke's SUPER SLEUTH and to the Hyde Co
unty Sheriff's Dept. for the great follow through and Ocracoke merchants with the courage to prosecute. It's so easy to say you don't have the time, but then you are letting down you neighbors. BEWARE BAD GUYS! Ocracoke is not the place to ply your evil trades!

Warmth

Today, finally, it is warm and sunny. I've seen so many smiles on the faces of customers. Folks are strolling slowly down Howard Street enjoying this beautiful spring day. The Camillias are in bloom and the Azaleas are just starting to peek out. Maybe I'll check out my garden when I get home this evening to see what's happening there, or maybe a walk on the beach after work would be a better idea, or a cocktail on the back deck. Choices, choices...

Better Late

"Better late than never" as the old saying goes. I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. It was cold some on Ocracoke this Easter. I'm not sure it made it out of the 40's but the sun was bright and warm. The island has been very busy this week. Lots of folks decided to stay for the entire week it seems. It's been quiet for so long it'll take us a bit to adjust to an "almost summer" mode. Jaren is working hard on our website and we'll be adding a lot of new things over the next few months so be sure to check it out.

Beach

Sand castles, fishermen, surfers, frisbee throwers, horse tracks....it's not the quiet winter beach any longer. Not that the beach is crowded. But there are a few more folks out there now that schools are on spring break. There were even youngsters cavorting in the surf yesterday and today. They had to be cold! And I didn't actually see any horses, just the tracks. It really hasn't been beach weather. It's chilly and blustery. But I guess if you're from Canada or some of our northern states it just feels warmer than it really is. As the first line of my college German text put it, "Alles ist relativ." (Everything is relative.)

You can read the eulogy delivered at Muzel Bryant's funeral on our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. Just click here.

Euology

As many of our readers know, Ocraocke's oldest resident, Muzel Bryant, died last month at the age of 103. She had lived with family friend, Kenny Ballance, for a number of years. At Muze's funeral Kenny's brother, Alton, delivered the eulogy. I have reproduced the eulogy as our latest monthly newsletter. It is a moving tribute to a kind and gracious lady. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news031508.htm

Sign of the Times

That's what Leonard labeled this photo he took yesterday. That's me with Kimberly, our new Village Craftsmen employee, replacing our worn, weathered, and faded sign at the intersection of Howard Street and NC Highway 12.

John Ferara made these crisp and clean new signs just in time for spring break. So look for them on your next visit and follow them down Howard Street. There you can check out our new offerings for 2008 or pick up something from an artisan you discovered last year.




Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Old Quawk's Day

March 16 is Old Quawk's Day. I know I'm a few days late, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to share some local history. Old Quawk was an irascible island fisherman who lived in a makeshift hut many years ago. Against all advice he ventured out in his skiff on March 16 as a storm was approaching, and he never returned. For years Ocracoke mariners refused to leave port on March 16. You can read more about Old Quawk here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news040300.htm.

And just so you know...the sound was very rough on Sunday when I traveled to Cedar Island. Robust waves were rolling the ferry from side to side and spray was washing over the bow. I was glad I wasn't in a flat bottom skiff!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

StoryCorps

This weekend I took the ferry to Cedar Island, then drove to Beaufort where I met Karen Willis Amspacher. Karen had invited me to Beaufort to participate in StoryCorps. Many of our readers will know about StoryCorps from National Public Radio. For those who are unfamiliar with this project I quote from their web site, http://www.storycorps.net/:

"StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening.

"By recording the stories of our lives with the people we care about, we experience our history, hopes, and humanity. Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to our award-winning broadcasts on public radio and the Internet. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, creating a growing portrait of who we really are as Americans."

It was an honor to be part of this project. Kimba & Jenna, both from New York City, had brought the mobile recording studio to the waterfront at Beaufort, and Karen had scheduled several sessions for friends in eastern NC. I made two 40 minute recordings, sharing family and island stories and history.

If a mobile unit visits your area, please consider joining the thousands of other Americans who have given voice to their unique and personal stories.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Dinner with the Abells

Last night I invited Kitty and Katy and Timmy & Susana Abell over to my house for dinner. The Abells will be performing tonight at Deepwater Theater. I did not know the Abells, but had plenty of food planned. It just seemed like the right thing to do to share my meal with them.

I had been watching Lachlan for several hours and I let him play upstairs while I prepared the meal (pasta salad, broccoli soup, and bread). He joined us at 7 o'clock. The six of us sat around the big Lazy Susan table (one that I purchased years ago from the Sam Jones estate). We chatted about the arts, the island, and Asheville (where the Abells hail from).

It's beginning to feel more and more like the season is upon us.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

More Culture

Last night's improv performance was so much fun. Contrary to what I posted yesterday, this was not an all female group. Actually, there were five or six guys and two gals, all students at Yale. They were full of energy and excitement. And they were clever, too. The audience loved them.

But that's not all. Deepwater Theater is hosting another performance tomorrow night. Susana & Timmy Abell, musicians from Asheville, NC, will be offering Storytelling, Poetry, Puppetry, and Music at 7:30. This is a family concert featuring a variety of musical instruments (many of which you may have seen at Village Craftsmen). Be sure to stop by if you are on the island. This performance is sponsored by the Beaufort County Arts Council, and is free.

Hope to see you there!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Improv

Tonight at 8 pm a women's theater group from Yale University will be offering a free improvisation performance at Deepwater Theater. So if you are on the island, be sure to stop by for what should be an exciting and fun evening.

Today is just gorgeous. Bright sun and a mildly cool breeze. We opened for the season today at 10 o'clock, but it's still quiet on Howard Street. I did hear that the island is already booked for this weekend, though. If you are planning a trip to the island anytime soon be sure to have motel reservations!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Opening Soon

Jude is back from a month long vacation in Aruba. And Dallie is busy rearranging the gallery and creating attractive new displays. I've been working on a new rack card, new road signs, and various other projects. It looks like we'll be ready to reopen the doors on Wednesday. Already I've noticed a few new faces in the village. I understand that East Carolina University has spring break this week. I'm sure other schools will not be far behind. And the weather, at least for now, is super. Clear skies, warm temperatures, and gentle breezes. All that on beautiful Ocracoke Island. What more could we want?

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

OPS Exhibit

Several dozen islanders braved wind gusts of more than 40 mph this afternoon to attend the opening of a Preservation Society exhibit in honor of Muzel Bryant, island native who died recently at 103 years old.

In a small community like Ocracoke it's difficult to take in an exhibit like this. Every time I stepped into the room with the photos and other articles I found myself chatting and visiting with friends and neighbors. I never did take it all in. So I suppose I'll just stop by the museum some day all by myself and take the time to look more carefully.

If you weren't able to be there this afternoon please go to the museum at your next opportunity and check out the exhibit. It's downstairs in the sitting room.

By the way, several off-islanders are stranded here overnight since the ferries are tied up at the docks because of the wind.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

What Happened?

I must be losing it. I knew I had not posted anything yesterday, but I guess it's been two whole days! It's hard to believe, but I've been busy -- pot luck dinners (of course), babysitting, Internet orders, visiting, family get-togethers, & painting, among other things.

This morning I'll be attending a Scenic Byways meeting, then getting David's Uncle & Aunt started on one of our new MP3 tours (more about them in another post). Another meeting this afternoon, more babysitting, and then my weekly poker game. Amy & David will be enjoying a progressive gourmet dinner this evening, a benefit for the Ocracoke Youth Center (that's why I am babysitting).

One more thing -- Just to clarify for a reader who left a recent comment (and for any others), there is no bridge to Ocracoke Island. The bridges (plural) that I have mentioned recently are replacements for the ones that have spanned the small island creeks for many years. You will still need to take a ferry to get to Ocracoke (I'm happy to say). Sorry for any confusion.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Tune In

If you live in North Carolina and can get public television (UNCTV) look for a special program this Sunday featuring the Outer Banks, from Ocracoke south. Rudy Austin and I were both interviewed for this program which I believe did a wonderful job portraying the beauty and special character of the land and people in southeastern coastal North Carolina. The latest press release below gives more details:

“Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks” to air March 9 on UNCTV

(Raleigh) – March 3, 2008 Break out the deck shoes, slather on the sunscreen then sit back and enjoy as “Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks” cruises on to UNCTV for an encore presentation at 6:00 p.m. this Sunday, March 9.

“Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks” is an in depth exploration of the Lower Banks region from Ocracoke to Bogue Inlet. Among the highlights of the program are the story of Ocracoke’s mounted Boy Scout Troop; the haunting tale of the ghost village of Portsmouth Island; a visit to Oriental, the sailing capitol of North Carolina; a nostalgic look at Cape Lookout National Seashore; a visit with a group charged with protecting the wild horses of Shackleford Banks and a look at the traditional craft of wooden decoy carving on Harkers Island.

Produced by BlueWater Media and hosted by renowned cruising guide author Claiborne Young, the EMMY nominated Cruising Carolina is a series of special programs for public television celebrating the inland coastal waters of North Carolina and the communities that dot their shores. Told from a boating and sailing perspective, the series of programs makes the Intracoastal Waterway a “highway” for a boating road trip covering the North Carolina coast from South Carolina to Virginia. Cruising Carolina is designed to spotlight the incredible natural beauty of the area as well as the hidden gem communities of the coastal region, raising the profile of these historic communities and inviting visitors to get off the boat or out of the car and stay awhile.

“Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks” is produced by BlueWater Media, a full service television and video production company with offices in Raleigh and Danbury, North Carolina. Founded in 1998 to produce lifestyle television programming and corporate video, the company has produced almost forty hours of original television programming for both regional and national cable television networks and public television including the “Maximum Marine”, “American Boater” and “Rev It Up” television series.

The Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority, River Dunes, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Grand Villas at Indian Beach, Morehead Marine and Emerald Isle Realty have provided support for “Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks”.

You can find out more about “Cruising Carolina: The Lower Banks” on the web at www.cruisingcarolina.com, or by contacting Theresa Dalton at 919-782-0618.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Fire Update

On Sunday afternoon the Ocracoke Preservation Society executive committee members met on the front porch to hear an assessment of the damages from last Tuesday's fire. I'll give a brief overview.

Almost certainly the fire was caused by a lightning strike to the flashing around one of the chimneys. Apparently it smoldered for several hours before breaking out through the roof. Luckily the wooden roof was thoroughly saturated by rain water and the fire spread slowly.

The fire department responded immediately after the flames were sighted and 911 was called. Deeana, who was in the building unaware of the situation, was alerted of the danger and fled the building.

Ocracoke's firefighters quickly contained the fire in spite of a steady wind, but the museum sustained some water damage. Although the damage was far less than it could have been, it was not negligible.

Deeana has nothing but praise for the volunteer firemen. For every firefighter working to extinguish the blaze, she says, there were two helping to move the historic artifacts so they wouldn't be damaged by the water. As a result, virtually all of the photographs, documents, papers, quilts, etc. were saved. However there is significant damage.

There is, of course, a hole in the roof that must be repaired, including roof rafters that are charred and even burned all the way through. Wet insulation must be removed from the ceiling, and walls and floors need to be dried out. Some of the telephones and computers are not working, and may be damaged beyond repair. A significant portion of the gift shop merchandise, especially books, was damaged, and paint has begun to peel from walls and ceilings. Preservationists have been contacted for advice about minimizing future damage from mold and mildew.

In addition, virtually every room is in disarray, with books, papers, photographs, and furniture pulled away from walls and piled wherever it was driest.

In spite of all this, officers, volunteers, and employees have been working tirelessly to restore the museum, and reopen the doors. A display honoring Muzel Bryant is even planned for this Saturday, although some of the rooms may be roped off.

OPS has fire insurance, but there is, of course, a sizable deductible. If you would like to contribute to the repair and restoration of the museum you may send checks to:

Ocracoke Preservation Society, P.O. Box 1240, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

Other ways of contacting OPS can be viewed here: http://www.ocracokepreservation.org/id3.html

To become a member click here: http://www.ocracokepreservation.org/id2.html

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

It's the Island Way

What better way to celebrate the reopening of NC Highway 12 (and our brand new bridges) than to have a community pot luck dinner! The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association is hosting the event, which will be held at the Community Center at 6 o'clock pm on Wednesday, March 5. The main course and drinks will be provided by OCBA. Everyone is invited.

Of course, the highway will open officially at 5 pm on Wednesday. I am thinking that so many Ocracokers will drive over the bridges between 5 pm & 6 pm that they'll need to be resurfaced on Thursday!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Sprucing Up

The days are getting longer, and flowers are bursting forth (see yesterday's post). A new season is quickly approaching. Another sure sign of the coming change is islanders busily putting their homes and businesses in order. As I biked around the village yesterday I noticed local men readying their boats for spring, business owners painting porches and making new signs, and others just messing around in yards and gardens.

Easter is early this year, and spring breaks are spread out over several weeks. And the bridges are scheduled to reopen in a matter of days. It won't be long and Ocracoke Island's months of winter quiet will again meld into a continuing cycle of new activity.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.

Changing Seasons

I've noticed tulips popping out of the ground these last several days (a few daffodils were already blooming). This morning I saw my first tulip bursting forth with color. So spring must be on its way. Just thought our readers would enjoy seeing some early signs of growth and new life.




Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a fun island crossword puzzle. You can view it here.