Deer Tracks

For many years Ocracoke was home to very few mammals. The most noticeable, of course, were human beings. We did have wild horses, quite a few feral cats, nutria, rats & mice, some minks, eventually squirrels, now raccoons, and an occasional bear that would swim over from the mainland.

About 15 or so years ago islanders began reporting deer on the island. I occasionally noticed deer tracks in the National Park, and on one early morning drive to the Hatteras ferry a doe and her fawn bounded across the road in front of my car.

I hadn't noticed evidence of deer, or heard about any sightings, for quite a while. I thought they had vanished. So, on a recent walk in the Park I was intrigued to see numerous deer tracks "down below" (this is anywhere from the edge of the village to Hatteras Inlet). I was not too far from the Pony Pen when I spotted the tracks.

Deer Track

Let me know if any of you have seen deer on the island recently.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Christmas Market

Mark your calendars for this Saturday December 1st. The Ocracoke United Methodist Women will be holding a Christmas Market at the Methodist Church Rec Hall. Silent auction and craft sale start at 10 a.m.

A special treat this year will be a delicious lunch of shrimp burgers and clam chowder starting at 11 a.m. Hot dogs & baked goods will also be offered.  

10% of the Market's proceeds will be donated to UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

You can stop by the Church Rec Hall Friday evening between 4 and 6 p.m. to preview auction items. A list of auction items can be found here: http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/50049.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Olives

The winter beach is more likely to yield seashells than the summer beach. Late summer and fall hurricanes and storms stir up the sea floor, and fewer people are walking on the beach, especially on cold and blustery days.

Not long ago I stumbled upon two nice olive shells while walking along the beach. I wasn't even looking for them...just out taking a brisk walk. But of course I stopped to pick them up.

Lettered Olive Shells

If you are on the island this time of year, keep your eyes open for treasures from the sea.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Ocracoke Cutie

I've located another vintage Ocracoke video. I was chatting with Melissa Garrish Sharber at the post office a few days ago and she alerted me to a YouTube video of the 1990 July 4th entertainment at the Ocracoke Preservation Museum. The "sailors" from the local musical "A Tale of Blackbeard" were performing one of their favorite numbers, "Ocracoke Cutie."

Danny Garrish, Melissa's daddy, and one of the funniest and most delightful people I've ever known, has the lead (he played the ship's cook). My son Stefen played the lead romantic role and sings the duet with Danny.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_OJKwfUGK8.

If you remember "A Tale of Blackbeard," Danny, Stefen, or any of the other actors, leave a comment with your recollections. I hope you enjoy the video.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Winter Roses

A few days before Thanksgiving I noticed these lovely winter roses blooming in my front yard. Maybe they are a sign that winter won't be too severe.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Gift Giving

I was volunteering at the Community Square Market two days ago..."Black Friday." My grandson, Eakin, was visiting from his home in the mountains of North Carolina. About an hour after we opened the market we had five people quietly looking at merchandise. Eakin leaned over and whispered to me, "It's the Black Friday rush!"

Business picked up as the day progressed, and we at Village Craftsmen had a burst of business in spite of recent problems with NC Highway 12. Of course, everything will slow down again now that the Thanksgiving holidays are over.

But don't forget that Village Craftsmen has a large selection of hand made American crafts that are just perfect for holiday gift giving. Visit our on-line catalog (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/catalog.htm) to see a selection of our pottery, glassware, jewelry, musical instruments, and much more.

Our quality American handcrafts are bound to please almost anyone on your Christmas gift list.

Concert

I was wrong. I thought there would be a smaller crowd for this year's Festival Fundraising Concert. After all, the road on Hatteras Island is still closed periodically, even for four-wheel-drive vehicles. And yesterday morning, because of fog, none of the ferries were running.

But last night the Community Center was packed with enthusiastic Ocracoke residents and visitors. And no one was disappointed. As usual, talented island musicians entertained the crowd with rousing jazz numbers, thoughtful original tunes, and traditional local ballads. There were even two popular sing-alongs -- "Avast" from the musical A Tale of Blackbeard, and "You Are My Sunshine." In addition, Captain Rob Temple told a new Thanksgiving poem he wrote recently, Donald Davis shared a new story, and I told the story of the 1889 wreck of the steamboat Pioneer.

As they say, a fun night was had by all!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Tell A Story, Listen to A Story

As I mentioned two days ago, today is "National Day of Listening."

This is a great opportunity to sit down with a family member or friend and listen to their stories. This year StoryCorps, promoter of this recognition, is encouraging us to listen to stories of veterans, active duty military, and their families. You can read more here: (http://nationaldayoflistening.org/):

"The National Day of Listening is a day to honor a loved one through listening. It's the least expensive but most meaningful gift you can give this holiday season. You can choose to record a story with anyone you know.  Learn more here."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all of you a wonderful day of offering thanks for our many blessings.

And a special, hearty "Thank You" to all of our faithful readers. We hope you enjoy the fruits of this bounteous land, share a portion with others, and celebrate this day with family and friends. 

National Day of Listening

Friday, November 23, 2012 (the day after Thanksgiving) has been designated this year's "National Day of Listening" by StoryCorps. This is how they put it on their web site (http://nationaldayoflistening.org/):

"The National Day of Listening is a day to honor a loved one through listening. It's the least expensive but most meaningful gift you can give this holiday season. You can choose to record a story with anyone you know. This year, StoryCorps has chosen to feature the stories of veterans, active duty military, and their families. Learn more."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Charles Lindbergh

We have just published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter, the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke Island. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.

Travel on NC 12

For the latest official information about the NC Highway 12 recovery effort, please visit the NCDOT website: http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/nc12recovery/.

Click here for the latest information about extra runs from Swan Quarter during the Thanksgiving period: https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=7361

Tourism

Yesterday, in response to the 1965 home movie of a trip to Ocracoke, a reader asked, "Is there one key moment that catapulted OI into a mecca for tourists...?"

Perhaps we should begin with this statement about Ocracoke Island: "[T]his healthy spot is in autumn the resort of many of the inhabitants of the main[land]." This "Description of Occacock Inlet," accompanied Jonathan Price's map of 1795!

Next we should mention the old Ponzer Hotel which was built in 1885, and was located where the US Coast Guard Station/NCCAT campus is today. The hotel, which catered to wealthy North Carolinians who traveled to the island by steamship, burned down in 1900. The following photo, taken in 1898 speaks for itself.

Ponzer Hotel

Of course, modern-era tourism received a major boost in the late 1950s from the building of roads and the beginning of ferry service to Ocracoke Island. To be sure, various islanders (Stanley Wahab comes to mind) and others saw the continued economic potential of Ocracoke as a tourist destination. The rest, as they say, is history.

Another question was, "is there a higher percentage of rental income properties owned by non residents vs local resident population landlords?" I don't have any official figures but I am certain the answer is yes.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

1965

A few days ago Leroy O'Neal's daughter Kathi sent me a link to a six minute Ocracoke video that her cousin recently uploaded to YouTube. Leroy made the video in 1965 while on a fishing trip to the island (although born on Ocracoke, Leroy moved away when he was a young boy).

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukxHq2MnpoA.

Several minutes of the video are simply Leroy's friends fishing and carrying on with a shark they caught, but there are a few noteworthy segments. Pay attention to scenes of Silver Lake harbor and note all of the traditional wooden skiffs tied to stakes (not at docks). Also notice just a few vehicle tracks on the beach, and no other trucks in sight! Native islander, Murray Spencer (father of William Nathan who works at the "dump"), is the man with gray hair, sunglasses, and a small mustache. You will also see the Pony Island Restaurant and Motel...and enjoy the music of two O'cockers, Jule Garrish & Martin Garrish.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Wallace Spencer

Wallace Spencer (1912-2001) was a wonderful old-time Ocracoke character. One Sunday morning I heard him say, "I've got a mind to go to church today."

Then on reflection he added, "but I've two minds to go fishin'."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Maritime Salvage

Yesterday a reader asked, "would you venture to put into words an Ocracoke perspective on the matter [of maritime salvage]?"

 In 1750 colonial Governor Johnson described Outer Bankers as "a set of indigent desperate outlaws and vagabonds." It has been said that an Ocracoker would drop a corpse on the way to the graveyard if someone yelled "Ship Ashore!"

That about sums it up.

 Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Beach Finds

Recently a reader asked this question: "To the point of beachcombing, metal detectors are not permitted anywhere on the ocean beaches of Ocracoke, are they?"

The answer is no. Metal detectors are prohibited in all US National Parks.

A related question was: "Separately, aside from the stories of salvaged cargo from wrecks over the years, any anecdotes you have to share (yours or from others) re. particularly noteworthy beach finds?"

I have heard or seen evidence of the following being found on the beach within the last 100 or so years: hundreds of bunches of bananas, top hats, gold coins, Indian arrowheads, dozens of shoes (originally destined for Jim Jones' People's Temple in Guyana), fruits and vegetables (apples, onions, and oranges), and thousands of bags of Doritos in 2006 (http://hamptonroads.com/node/189201).

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Mail

Re. the mailboat Aleta: a reader recently asked, "Before and after the period you mention for the Aleta,1940s - early 1950s, how did mail and people get to the island? What kind of boat and from what port?"

A full answer to this question will require more than a few sentences, so I will just give several brief comments today. I will write a lengthier history of the US Postal Service on Ocracoke for an upcoming monthly Ocracoke Newsletter. Look for that article in the next few months.

The Ocracoke Post Office was established in 1840. Prior to that time letters were carried to and from the island by family and friends, or by entrusting them to ship captains.The first "mail boats" were probably "bugeyes" (two masted sailboats) that also carried passengers and freight.

By the early 1900s mail was carried back and forth across Pamlico Sound (from Beaufort, and later from Atlantic, North Carolina) on motor powered mail boats. These included the Meteor, the Hero, the Viola, the Lillian, The Kitty Watts and the Ripple. The Aleta carried mail and passengers from 1938 to 1952. The Dolphin was Ocracoke's last mail boat. It operated until 1964, although mail also came by way of Hatteras soon after Frazier Peele established a private ferry service across Hatteras Inlet in 1950. Charles McWilliams (Charlie Mac) drove the mail truck (a WWII era Dodge Power Wagon) to the north end of Ocracoke (either on the hard beach at low tide, or on a deeply rutted sand road farther back) for a number of years.

Today mail is still delivered to Ocracoke across Hatteras Inlet.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Visible Shipwrecks

On October 22, 1878, the schooner Altoona wrecked at Cape Hatteras.All seven crew members were rescued along with some of her cargo. In 1962 or 1963 the hull of the Altoona was uncovered and became a tourist attraction.

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce web site, http://www.outerbankschamber.com/main/directions-to-visible-shipwrecks-obx/, provides directions to locate the remains of the Altoona plus six other visible wrecks on the Outer Banks, including one on Ocracoke.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.

Treasure Island Day

Since tomorrow is Robert Lewis Stevenson's birthday and the day in 1750 that treasure stolen from ships anchored at Ocracoke was buried in the Carribean, John Amrhein, author of Treasure Island: The Untold Story has declared November 13th to be Treasure Island Day.

"A new history has come to light about [Robert Lewis Stevenson's] Treasure Island. It was real. On November 13, 1750, fifty chests of treasure that had been stolen from a Spanish galleon at Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, were buried on a deserted island in the Caribbean. And because of Stevenson’s family ties to the Caribbean, he had to have known about it." (from John Amrhein's website: http://www.treasure-island-day.com/)

When you read the original Treasure Island by Robert Lewis Stevenson, keep an eye out for the name Israel Hands. Stevenson got the name from a member of Blackbeard's crew:

"[Blackbeard's] air of intimidation extended to his own crew. Just before he was killed at Ocracoke, Blackbeard had sat down to some drinking with some of his crew. He secretly pulled out two pistols under the table, blew out the candle, crossed the pistols and fired, hitting his master, Israel Hands, in the knee and maimed him for life. When asked why he did it his response was to say that if he did not now and then kill one of them, they would forget who he was. That wound may have been responsible for Hands being ashore at Bath when Blackbeard was killed. He was later pardoned. Had he been hanged or killed with Blackbeard, Robert Louis Stevenson would probably not have borrowed his character for Treasure Island. He was killed by Jim Hawkins at Treasure Island." (from John Amrhein's website: http://www.treasureislandtheuntoldstory.com/blackbeard.htm)


Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the War of 1812. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm.