FREE! DECEMBER / JANUARY 2019
your life on the Crystal Coast
merry christmas AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
LOOK INSIDE ON PAGE 8 FOR FUN & FREE
THINGS TO DO MID–DECEMBER THROUGH MID–JANUARY
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8106 EMERALD DRIVE
EMERALD ISLE • 252.354.5722
A casual island eatery with a touch of class.
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MID-DEC E M B E R TO M ID-JA N UA RY 2 0 1 9
Inside This Issue your life on the Crystal Coast
16
PENGUIN PLUNGE: Start 2019 Off with a Dip!
12 Local Author + Photographer Join Forces for Book on Coast Local author Rebecca Jones and photographer Kandice Antwine have joined forces to publish Changing Tides, inspired by the natural beauty of the Crystal Coast. It’s available on Amazon.
14 Ask The Aquarium: What Is the Shrimp Count? What is does that number mean? What does 16/20 or 26/30 actually mean? Find out in detail, and a little more about the species of shrimp that swim in the waters off the Crystal Coast.
15 OWLS: Ghosts In The Making The Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter makes an
impassioned plea on behalf of the rusty patched bumblebee, once a common sight and now on the endangered list, found only in small groups.
FREE!
DECEM
BER / JANUA
RY 2019
t stal Coas on the Cry your life
December / January ON THIS MONTH’S COVER
merry christmas HAPPY AND A
EAR NEW Y
E ON PAGE
THINGS
LOOK INSID
8 FOR FUN
& FREE
TO DO NUARY
GH MID–JA
ER THROU
MID–DECEMB
The Crystal Coast welcomes the holiday season! Flip ahead to the Things to Do section that begins on page 8 for fun and free things to do in your area.
16 Penguin Plunge 2019 Start 2019 off with a plunge into the icy waters of
Atlantic Beach on January 1, to benefit the Mile of Hope. For details visit penguin-plunge.org.
17 Tips from Emergency Services: How To Make It Run Smoothly This is a fascinating article by a local EMS
instructor and paramedic, who has some helpful tips that can make a visit from emergency services less stressful and safer for everyone.
22 Resolution Schmesolution Resolutions! Do you make them? Have you given
it up? Do you need a laugh? If you answered yes to any of those questions, flip ahead to page 22.
12 CHANGING TIDES Local author and photographer publish book on Crystal Coast.
15 GHOST IN THE MAKING Celebrate the humble bumble, an important pollinator.
LOCAL INTEREST
Things To Do................................................ 8 Moment of Reflection.. .................................. 18 Hooked Up Fishing...................................... 19 Diving the Coast......................................... 20 Tides. . ........................................................ 21
CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 5
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C H E V Y K AY LO R B E C O M E A C O N T R I BU TO R
Submit your letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@carolinasalt.com. The editorial deadline for the next issue is December 16. The next issue publishes January 7.
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Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, all about our life here on the Crystal Coast. Our articles are written by locals. Every month we look to our readers to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote or an interesting local photograph, send them our way. Participation is welcomed and appreciated. Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine. If you like what you see, tell people about it— especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns or more information, send e-mail to will@carolinasalt.com or call 252-723-7628. For up-to-date info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!
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WE DEPEND ON OUR READERS! Call 252-723-7628 if you’re interested in submitting an article or photo. Our local content is what keeps our magazine fresh and relevant. PUBLISHED BY CRYSTAL COAST OUTDOORS PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 572, Morehead City, NC 28557 | 252-723-7628
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THINGS TO DO
MID–DECEMBER TO MID–JANUARY
= NEW YEAR’S EVE
✪ DECEMBER 7
Atlantic Beach ‘Light Up The Night’ Christmas Parade
Join us for the 12th annual Light Up the Night Christmas parade! Parade route begins at Oceanana and moves down West Fort Macon Road to the Circle. After the parade, bring your kids to meet Santa at the Fire Department. We are currently accepting applications for floats. Lights and Christmas spirit are a must! If you are interested in participating, or for more information, call 252-726-2121.
✪ DECEMBER 7
NIGHT OF FUN + OYSTERS
at the Backstreet Pub on Middle Lane in Beaufort to benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation. No registration or cover charge, Watermen’s beer featured!
✪ DECEMBER 7
Night of Fun & Oysters at Backstreet Pub
Join us for a night of fun and oysters at NC Fest in Beaufort. The Backstreet Pub will be hosting an oyster roast to benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation. They are also donating $1 from each Watermen’s beer sold during the event. We hope to see you there so we can celebrate the coast together! There is no registration or cover charge. There will be donation buckets at the event to benefit the federation.
DECEMBER 7, 8
Elf on the Shelf Landing Party at Teacher’s Pet The Magic of Christmas begins when the scout elves fly home to Teacher’s Pet! Call the store at 252-240-2515 or stop by to reserve your spot! DECEMBER 7, 8
DECEMBER 8
PANCAKES + STORYTIME
at the Salty Air Open Market to benefit Piggies by the Sea. Enjoy a reading of “If You Give A Pig A Pancake” and help vaccinate, chip and find pigs loving homes.
‘The Show Must Go On’ at Carteret Community Theatre [ 7–9PM | 2–4PM ] A night of classic all-ages
show favorites and Christmas music to benefit rebuilding Carteret Community Theatre, featuring selections from “Sound of Music,” “Grease,” “Pippin,” “Mame,” “Hello Dolly” and more! Come celebrate the season and the theatre with your favorite performers. All shows at Joslyn Hall on the Community College campus. Tickets are all $20. At 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. For tickets and information call 252-726-1501.
✪ DECEMBER 8
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa in Newport
✪ DECEMBER 8
MOREHEAD CITY PARADE
Christmas parade begins at 11 a.m. at 1700 Arendell Street and ends at 8th and Arendell Streets. Floats, community groups, bands, and of course, Santa! Call 252-808-0440. 8
Santa Claus is coming to Newport! Don’t forget your camera for this fun and free community event. Santa will be here for pictures and complimentary cookies and cocoa will be provided. Event will take place at the Fort Benjamin Rec Center at 100 McQueen Avenue. For information call 252-222-5858. DECEMBER 8
Intro to Wooden Boat Building A two-day hands-on course, students will explore the art of boat building from start to finish. They begin with the design and lofting of boats and
CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
= CHRISTMAS
✪ = FREE
move on to the setup, steam bending and different methods of creating the back bone of small boats. In addition, they will learn how to make planking systems, both carvel and lap strake and all the appropriate fastening systems. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skill to choose a design and style of boat to build on their own and the confidence to take on the job. Cost is $135 (Friends of the Museum $121.50). Minimum age is 16. Advance registration required. Call the Program Registrar at 252-504-7758. The Watercraft Center offers more intensive, longer classes on an on-demand basis: build you own stand-up paddleboard or surfboard; stitchand-glue kayaks and skiffs; skin-on-frame boat building; building and shaping masts, spars and oars or paddles; and half-model making. For more information visit thewatercraftcenter.com, stop by the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center on Front Street in Beaufort or call 252-504-7740. DECEMBER 8
Pancakes & Storytime with Piggies at Salty Air Open Market: A Benefit for Pigs
Come enjoy storytime at the market with “If You Give a Pig a Pancake.” The Salty Air Open Market will host a fundraiser for the Piggies by the Sea foundation. The foundation fosters pigs in the area. They update each pig’s vaccinations, chip them and adopt each piggy to a loving home. The story will be read at 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, noon, 12:30, 1 and the last story at 1:30 p.m. Also, you can enjoy pancakes with the piggies. Mini pancakes and orange juice will be served. Donation is $3. While supplies last, you may also purchase the story to enjoy at home. Proceeds will go to help the piggies! Also at the market, enjoy vendors, kid’s corner, food truck and more! Located at 307 Cedar Point Boulevard in Cedar Point.
✪ DECEMBER 8
Morehead City Christmas Parade
[ 11AM ] Come join the fun! Parade begins at 1700
Arendell Street and ends at 8th and Arendell Streets. Floats, community groups, bands, entertainment and, of course, Santa and his sleigh will be featured. For more information or an entry form, go to downtownmoreheadcity.com or call 252-808-0440.
DECEMBER 8
The Gingerbread Festival at Holiday Magic
Come join the fun at the 6th annual Crystal Coast Hospice House Gingerbread Festival at the Crystal Coast Civic Center! The Gingerbread Festival has become a part of Holiday Magic as many hands come together to create a winter wonderland for the entire community to enjoy. At the heart of the festival is a gingerbread village created by local
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= CHRISTMAS
= NEW YEAR’S EVE
MID–DECEMBER TO MID–JANUARY
artists, individuals, schools and community groups, spectacular crab pot Christmas trees designed and decorated by individuals and corporate sponsors, fun activities for kids of all ages and holiday entertainment. For Christmas lovers, gingerbread enthusiasts, master sculptors, kids, amateurs, professionals and candy connoisseurs of all ages! Enter your edible masterpiece in our competition to benefit SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House and, of course, for a chance to win great prizes and revel in that gingerbread feeling. At 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. For more information call 252-808-2244.
✪ DECEMBER 8
✪ DECEMBER 8
Historic Beaufort Candlelight Homes Tour
Beaufort Holiday Art Walk Enjoy a festive day in historic downtown Beaufort and celebrate the season with art receptions and open houses at many downtown locations. A wide variety of art from regional artists will be showcased throughout many of the downtown shops, galleries and restaurants. The Art Walk will begin at the Beaufort Historic Site at 130 Turner Street. Art walk maps will be available at participating locations. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 252-728-5225, stop by the Beaufort Historical Association Visitors Center at 130 Turner Street or visit beauforthistoricsite. org.
DECEMBER 8
Island Santa Bar Crawl to Benefit Make-A-Wish
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Event sponsored by the Emerald Isle Parrot Heads to benefit Make-A-Wish® Eastern North Carolina. Participating teams will visit local watering holes and complete a photo scavenger hunt along the way. Cost is $10 ($15 day of event) includes an event koozie. Great drink specials and cash prizes. Dress for the season—Santas, elves and ugly sweaters welcome! Details and preregistration at emeraldisleparrotheads.com. Event T-shirts are available for a limited time, while supplies last. After-party hosted by the E-Club with music, drink specials and a food truck. For information call 252354-2929.
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THINGS TO DO
✪ DECEMBER 8
Pine Knoll Shores Flotilla
Exploring the Heavens Join us in the Visitor Center’s large auditorium as special guest NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Lisa Pelletier-Harman shares an overview of the first non-terrestrial telescope, NASA’s Hubble. Learn how it has changed our understanding of the universe around us, some of the mission’s highlights and an introduction to the next step in observing’s evolution, the James Webb Telescope. At Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach. For more information, call 252-726-3775.
DECEMBER 8
The tour showcases Beaufort’s holiday hospitality and provides a rare glimpse into private historic homes, several inns, bed and breakfasts as well as churches, all elegantly decorated for the season. Tickets and maps of the tour and information on the homes are available at the BHA Visitors Center at 130 Turner Street and online at beauforthistoricsite.org. Christmas Candlelight Tour tickets are $16 per person. Guests will have the opportunity to stroll through candlelit streets or join the carolers aboard the BHA’s 1967 English double-decker bus for a free ride to their destinations. For information and tickets, call 252728-5225.
DECEMBER 8, 13–15, 20–22
The flotilla begins at Brock Basin and ends at McNeil Park. For information call 252-247-4353. DECEMBER 8
Kids Crafts & Fun
[ 10AM–1PM | 1:30–4:30PM ] Need some time to
get some holiday errands taken care of without the kids? Or maybe you just want to give them the chance to spread their wings and have some crafty fun outside the house (meaning: we take care of the cleanup!) Whatever the reason, if you have kids aged K-5th join us for crafting and cookie decorating at Swansboro Recreation Center. Spaces are limited so make sure to register ahead for this three-hour block! For more information call 910-326-2600 or come by the Swansboro Recreation Center. You can also register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.
✪ DECEMBER 9
Down East Christmas Parade This year’s Down East Christmas parade will be in Atlantic on Core Sound Loop. For more information call 252-656-4035.
✪ DECEMBER 10
Bird Hike at Fort Macon
Meet at the Fort Macon Visitor Center and take a leisurely hike to identify birds native to the area. At 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.
✪ DECEMBER 12, 19
Christmas at The Barnyard [ 5–8PM ] Come visit The Barnyard with a
Christmas twist! See all the petting zoo animals underneath hundreds of Christmas lights. Sit by the fire and drink some hot chocolate while the kiddos visit with Santa in his big red sleigh! Cost is $7 per person. Must be at least 2 years old to enter. Under 2 admitted free. Hot chocolate and live wreaths will be available for sale. Take as many pictures with Santa on your own as you’d like! We are able to accept cash only, no credit or debit cards. Pets are not allowed at any Barnyard events. The Barnyard is located at 844 Roberts Road, Newport. For information call 252-223-2950.
Musket Firing Demonstration
[ 10–11AM ] Meet in Fort Macon to learn about a
Civil War Era musket’s history, loading procedures and firing. At 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.
DECEMBER 14
Santa and a Movie in Emerald Isle
[ 6PM ] Children of all ages join Santa for a
Christmas story after enjoying milk and cookies and watching a short Christmas movie classic! Santa’s helper, Joy the Elf, will be joining us this year for some clown-like fun! Kids are encouraged
Stir a little love into everything you do. coffee • local baked goods • gluten-free choices
december Special 16-oz.
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latte $ .50 3
open every day from 7am–3pm •252.354. 2643• Emerald Plantation •8700 Emerald Drive
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CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 9
THINGS TO DO
MID–DECEMBER TO MID–JANUARY
= NEW YEAR’S EVE
to wear their most comfortable Christmas pajamas! Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on during the movie! Children must be supervised by a parent as supervision is not provided! Event takes place at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation, 203 Leisure Lane, Emerald Isle. Admission fee is one unwrapped gift per child. You MUST pre-register by Thursday, December 13, to attend. Only 75 children’s spaces are available. Call 252-354-6350 or email slowe@emeraldisle-nc.org to register.
✪ DECEMBER 15 ✪ DECEMBER 15
SANTAFEST IN SWANSBORO
Celebrate the joys of the season at Swansboro Rec Center which has been made over by elves into a Santa Certified wonderland for a full day of holiday festivities.
Pine Knoll Shores Christmas Parade
[ 10AM ] The parade will take place at Garner Park
on Oakleaf Drive in Pine Knoll Shores. For more information call 252-247-4353.
✪ DECEMBER 15
Saturday with Santa at the Gazebo in Morehead City
[ NOON–3PM ] Come see Mr. and Mrs. Claus and
enjoy some cocoa, cookies, Christmas carols and enjoy some special surprises from Santa himself ! Ho, ho, ho! See you there! At 1001 Arendell Street, Morehead City. For more information call 252-808-0440.
DECEMBER 15
‘Claus Crawl’ Through Beaufort’s Best Pubs
[ 2–6PM ] Only 250 tickets are available for this
DECEMBER 22
SANTA PAWS PHOTO WITH SANTA Jaded Paws Rescue offers your pet a photo with Santa for only $5 to benefit its rescue and food pantry operations! For more information call 252-354-3410.
popular event, so don’t delay and secure your spot today! Tickets are $15. Any tickets still available the day of the event will be $20. Tickets may be purchased online and will provide access to restaurant specials, an official Claus Crawl mug and other giveaways. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. Be sure to visit all participating locations before the afterparty which will include live music, raffles and the infamous costume contest. Don’t be left out in the cold, join us for the best Christmas party in Carteret County! Please note, to purchase tickets online, you need to have a separate email address for each attendee, even if one person is paying for all of the tickets. These tickets sell out quickly and the event is expected to sell out online before the event. For more information call 252-259-6562.
✪ DECEMBER 15
SantaFest in Swansboro
[ 9AM–NOON ] SantaFest is coming to town! Come
JANUARY 1 PENGUIN PLUNGE
Ring in the New Year by taking the Penguin Plunge to help raise money for local charity. This event takes place at the Circle in Atlantic Beach.
celebrate the holidays and the joys of the season with Swansboro Parks and Recreation and Santa. The Swansboro Recreation Center will be visited by elves and made over into a Santa Certified wonderland. We will have tons of activities for children, adults and families. A full day of holiday festivities: pictures with Santa, holiday crafts in Santa’s Workshop, children’s candy cane hunt, gingerbread house building and tons more. Stay tuned for more information and event details. Contact us 910-326-2600 or visit swansboro. recedesk.com.
10 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
= CHRISTMAS
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✪ DECEMBER 15
Olde Fashioned Holiday Market in Beaufort
[ 4:30–8:30PM ] The Olde Beaufort Farmers’
Market is pleased to host our 4th annual Olde Fashioned Holiday Market outdoors under the huge old oaks on the courthouse square. Festively decorated tents will be filled with 65 friendly vendors offering vegetables, seafood, meats and eggs and delicious homemade breads and baked goods. Local artists and craftspeople will offer handcrafted treasures for your gift shopping list. There will be live music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, free gift wrapping and food trucks serving a hot delicious supper. You don’t want to miss this holiday event that fills kids and adults alike with the mesmerizing beauty, joy and happiness of the holidays. Strung Together will be playing from 6:30–8 p.m. At 300 Court House Square, Beaufort. For more information call 252-564-8822. DECEMBER 15
Toast to the Coast Oyster Roast
[ 11AM–2PM ] Join Outer Banks Distillery and
the North Carolina Coastal Federation for rum, oysters and more! Tickets can be purchased at the door—a $20 ticket covers unlimited oysters from local growers until supplies run out (so arrive early) and samples of the distillery’s rum lineup. Beer by Lost Colony Brewery and Outer Banks Brewing Station, wine by Sanctuary Vineyards and sides by Green Tails Seafood and Two Roads Tavern will also be available for purchase. Ticket proceeds will benefit the federation in support of their work restoring coastal habitats and water quality. Oysters from local farms include Devil’s Shoal Oysters, Cape Hatteras Salts and Slash Creek Oysters. Contact Leslie Vegas, coastal specialist, at lesliev@nccoast.org (252-473-1607) or Scott Smith with Outer Banks Distilling at scott@ outerbanksdistilling.com (252-207-3970) with any questions.
✪ DECEMBER 15
Candlelight Christmas Sip and Shop
[ 5–8PM ] Enjoy a festive evening at the market
shopping. The beer and wine garden, The Salty Bee, will be open. Music and more details will be announced. At 307 Cedar Point Boulevard, Cedar Point.
✪ DECEMBER 17
Blood Drive
[ 1–6PM ] Swansboro Parks and Recreation will
be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive. In order to make this event happen, we need donors to go online and sign up for a time slot. Please visit redcross.org/give-blood and find the drive scheduled for December 17 at 830 Main Street Extension and help save a life. For more information please visit swansboro.recdesk.com,
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= NEW YEAR’S EVE
MID–DECEMBER TO MID–JANUARY
www.redcross.org/give-blood or call 910-3262600.
Santa Paws. At 8101 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle. For more information call 252-354-3410.
✪ DECEMBER 18
✪ DECEMBER 30
[ 5:30–7PM ] Join the “Talk About Light”
Enjoy live music by Robert McDuffy and a roaring bonfire on the beach at the Circle! The event is free! Plan to bring your own chair or blanket to sit and enjoy the fire. Questions? Call Morgan Kerns at 252-726-4456.
Free Light Therapy Session: Pain Relief Without Pills conversation to learn how people are incorporating this health enhancing self-care tool into their lives, whether they’re looking for relief from chronic pain, an injury or a new approach to wellness. InLight’s gentle, pulsing LED light wavelengths increase circulation to relieve pain and rejuvenate the entire body—pain relief without pills. You will have the opportunity to experience a free Polychromatic Light Therapy session and join in a brief presentation on what light therapy can do for you and your loved ones. For more information on light therapy check out rockingthelights.com. You can sign up ahead by making a call to 910-326-2600 or coming by the Swansboro Recreation Center. You can register online at swansboro.recdesk.com.
✪ DECEMBER 20
Natural Side of Fort Macon
[ 10–11AM] Meet in the Visitor Center lobby for a
leisurely hike exploring the natural side of Fort Macon. Hike will cover both trail and beach. At 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. For information call 252-726-3775.
DECEMBER 22
Santa Paws Is Coming To Town!
[ 9AM–NOON ] The Jaded Paws Rescue presents
its 4th annual Santa Paws event! We invite your pups to get their photos with our very own Santa Paws! Photos with Santa Paws are only $5, which includes both photo rights and a digital copy. All proceeds benefit the Jaded Paws rescue and its pet food pantry. Additional donations are welcome and are greatly appreciated! Please remember that all dogs must be on a leash. No dogs in heat. We recommend no cats for this event, unless they are properly leash trained—we don’t want to overstress a kitty or have a kitty run off. Dogs must be okay with handling by strangers. Children are more than welcome to join in the fun! And remember— you don’t have to have a dog to come visit with
Bonfire on the Beach at the Circle on Atlantic Beach
✪ DECEMBER 31
Downtown Countdown
[ 5PM ] Downtown Countdown will bring family
fun to the waterfront on New Year’s Eve. Join in the fun beginning at 5 p.m. for activities for all ages. Enjoy watching the fire department drop the kid’s crab pot and children’s activities from 5–6 p.m. at Big Rock Landing. Local businesses and restaurants will provide activities and bands throughout the evening, please check individual websites for schedules. End the night at midnight with the big crab pot drop downtown and a fireworks show for all downtown to enjoy shot from Sugarloaf Island. For more information, visit downtownmoreheadcity.com.
DECEMBER 31
Beaufort Inn & Suites New Year’s Eve Party Masquerade
Beaufort Inn & Suites is proud to present its 3rd annual New Year’s Eve bash! Ring in the 2019 New Year with us! This year will be masquerade themed, so be creative and bring in your masks! There will be live music featuring local artists Now or Never! Food, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), karaoke, photo booth, raffles and a champagne toast at midnight! All Inn guests are free admission. Stay two nights and get your third night half off. Non-guests may purchase tickets for $40 each through December 21. Call 252-7282600 now to book your stay! At 101 Ann Street, Beaufort.
✪ DECEMBER 31
New Year’s Eve Cannon Blast [ 6PM ] Celebrate the end of 2018 and the
beginning of 2019 with a blast. Fort Macon will once again be firing off its big guns in
THINGS TO DO
celebration of the new year. This year there will be live entertainment starting at 6 p.m. and the cannons will go off at 7 to coincide with midnight Greenwich Mean Time. Feel free to bring a folding chair and picnic meal. At Fort Macon State Park, East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach.
JANUARY 1
2019 Resolution Runs: 1-Mile and 5K
[ 9AM ] Get your 2019 resolutions in gear first
thing on the first! Join our 1-mile or 5k run and get ahead of the curve this new year. The race travels down Front Street in beautiful downtown Beaufort, starting at the corner of Turner and Front Streets at 9 a.m. Registration is $15 online or $20 day of the race. Meet at 411 Front Street, Beaufort.
JANUARY 1
Penguin Plunge
[ 1PM ] Ring in the New Year by taking a dip in
the ocean and help raise money for local charity. Takes place at the Circle in Atlantic Beach. For information call 252-726-2121.
✪ JANUARY 1
First Day Hike
[ 2PM ] Start the new year off right with a hike
in your favorite state park. Fort Macon will be offering two ranger-led hikes this year, both starting from the Visitor Center. One will be a short nature hike on the Yarrow’s Loop Trail and inlet beach covering about ¾ of a mile. The second hike will be along the 3.2-mile Elliot Caues Trail. At Fort Macon Park, 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. €
Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt!
Our articles are written by locals. Every month we look to our readers to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote or an interesting local photograph, send them our way! WILL@CAROLINASALT.COM 252-723-7628
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VERANDA SQUARE | EMERALD ISLE | CHURCHWELLS.COM 1-800-846-1961 | 252-354-7166
CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 11
LOCAL TALENT
REBECCA JONES
Local author & photographer join forces to document the beauty of the Crystal Coast
A
local published novelist and a nature photographer joined forces to create a book about the beauty of the Crystal Coast. Changing Tides, published by Library Partners Press at Wake Forest University, is written and compiled by Rebecca Jones, with photographs by Kandice Antwine. The natural beauty of the Crystal Coast was all the inspiration Mrs. Jones needed as she assembled quotes referencing sources from Peter Pan to the Bible and filling in with original words of wisdom written by the author herself, according to the release. Changing Tides contains quotes and corresponding photos that “encourage the reader to not give up hope and to try just one more time.” Readers are also taken on a pictorial tour of the Crystal Coast, including Beaufort, New Bern, Harkers Island, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach and other small towns in between. Changing Tides can be purchased at True Vine Christian Bookstore in Havelock, Coastal Farmhouse in Swansboro,
12 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
Photo of author Rebecca Jones, taken by Kandice Antwine in Harkers Island. Celebrating the beauty of the Crystal Coast, and intertwined with quotes from Peter Pan to the Bible, the book Changing Tides is available both locally and on Amazon.com. The Book Shop in Morehead City and The Next Chapter Book Store in New Bern as well as online at Amazon. Jones says, “I moved to Beaufort in April of this year. In less than three months this book was written and published. The whole Crystal Coast area is beautiful and inspiring, yet moving from a place I had lived for 20-plus years was hard. I thought, ‘It is going to be hard starting over and making new friends and finding my place.’ But I met Kandice and as they said, the rest is history. We had our first book signing at Sweet Lily Ru on the Beaufort waterfront on September 8. Little did we know that 5 days later a Category 4 hurricane would be heading our way. It was my first experience with a hurricane. When it was announced that it was going to be a Category 1 we decided to stay. My husband and I laid in bed and listened as the storm raged against us in the dark. When daylight came, we went out to find trees and debris everywhere in our yard. Our neighbors’ homes were damaged. We began to cut trees, hall brush and limbs to the street and rake ankle deep pine needles. We soon learned the worth of an anchor. The anchor of neighbors who came over with their rakes and chain saws. The anchor of God and the anchor of community. The community in which embraced us newcomers as one of their own. My husband and I then extended the anchor to feed the hungry, help others with their home damage, to play with a child while mom and dad took a break and to hand out FEMA buckets and food and supplies. #CarteretStrong has a deep meaning to me. Proof that this community of folks in the eastern part of this state truly cares for each other. On page 15 of Changing Tides there is a quote by Corrie ten Boom: In order to realize the worth of the anchor we need to feel the stress of the storm. We are Carteret Strong. We will not only survive, but flourish.” €
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CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 13
ASK THE AQUARIUM
NCAQUARIUMS.COM/PINE-KNOLL-SHORES
ASK the AQUARIUM
Q A
I’ve heard people talk about the “count” when buying shrimp. What does the count mean?
The count is how many shrimp it takes to make a pound: the smaller the count, the larger the shrimp. For resale purposes, the size of shrimp is often expressed in words —colossal, jumbo, large, medium. But knowing the numerical count is a more accurate way of determining size for value when pricing this popular seafood. Fresh shrimp are sold two ways:– “heads on” and “heads off.” Heads-on are a little less expensive, but a bit more work to clean. The edible part of this tasty crustacean is the tail, which makes up about 66 percent of the body. A count of 10–15 heads-on shrimp would be fairly large shrimp, perhaps labeled as jumbo; 21–25 heads-on would be a nice size, but a bit smaller and perhaps labeled as large. About two pounds of headed shrimp in the shell yield about a pound and a quarter of edible meat. If heads and shells are removed, figure about a third to a half pound per person. If shrimp are headed but not shelled, say for steaming, allow about three-fourths of a pound per person. In North Carolina, three shrimp species—brown, pink and white—account for the majority of shrimp sold. The color-coded names are somewhat misleading, as all shrimp are more or less clear or opaque. Different species are more plentiful at different times of the year. Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus), also called summer shrimp, are our most abundant species. Most are caught in summer. Spawned in the ocean, they are carried by tides and currents into estuaries in late winter and early spring. They can grow as large as 9 inches. Pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), or spotted shrimp, spawn in the ocean April through July and ride the currents into estuaries where they overwinter. They are harvested in spring and fall. Size can reach as much as 11 inches. This species accounts for about five percent of our shrimp landings. White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), or greentails, are the second most abundant species in North Carolina. Spawned in the ocean March to November, they also grow up in estuaries and are harvested primarily in fall. White shrimp can grow as large as 8 inches. They account for about 28 percent of North Carolina’s shrimp landings. As you can see, coastal sounds, estuaries, backwaters and tributaries are critical nursery areas 14 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
Commercial shrimping is a valuable and highly regulated industry in North Carolina. In 2012, 6.1 million pounds were harvested, valued at 13.2 million.
for young shrimp. Juvenile brown and white shrimp live in shallow creeks until large enough to migrate into the ocean, and young pink shrimp grow in submerged, high-salinity grass beds in the backwaters until they reach migratory size. Protecting these nursery areas from pollutants is paramount for maintaining healthy shrimp populations. €
Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Call 1-800-832-FISH for more information.
LINDA BERGMAN–ALTHOUSE
OUTER BANKS WILDLIFE SHELTER
Ghosts In The Making The bumblebee, which was once a common sight throughout the entire continental United States, is in serious trouble. Now it can only be found in small, scattered groups in 13 states.
I
t’s unusual for the staff and volunteers of the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport to be as highly concerned about a wild creature we don’t rehabilitate as we are, but this insect rules the world! That is not an exaggeration. The bumblebee (specifically the rusty patched bumblebee), which was once a common sight throughout the entire continental United States, is in serious trouble. Now it can only be found in small, scattered groups in 13 states. The bee’s population has plummeted by 87 percent since the 1990s and as of November 2018—and for the first time in history—the RP bumblebee is officially listed as an endangered species on the brink of extinction. It is a ghost in the making. Yes, it is only one listed bee species, but it is a significant start to stronger action that needs to be taken to recover our bees! Bees have now joined the grizzly bear and the Northern spotted owl as heading for extinction if we don’t do something quick! Over 300 species of bees have drastically diminished over decades due to habitat loss, use of pesticides, mechanization of agriculture, disease, parasites and climate change, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Most people don’t like bugs of any kind and see bees as a menace, so they end up swatting or possibly killing them, not realizing the devastating effects the loss creates. And how about the large number exterminated at one time when bees have taken up residence in an area or pocket deemed an inconvenience to a human, such as between the walls of a shed or under a porch and they are all sprayed dead? Bumblebees do not damage wood or other structural components. If a bumblebee nest is discovered on your property, its best and safer to just leave it alone unless there is a good chance your activities will take place near the nest. If that’s the case, calling bee experts to orchestrate a safe conservational move might be the way to go. Foraging bumblebees will almost never divert from their tasks to intentionally sting someone or their pets. A few other reasons to accommodate a bumblebee nest is of course, their huge value as pollinators, the small size of their nest and their short life span when compared to other stinging insects such as yellow jackets and hornets. Although bumblebees are capable of stinging, they are quite gentle, docile and not as aggressive or likely to sting as wasps, hornets and yellowjackets. The male bumblebee cannot sting and females only do so when they feel threatened. Also, in their defense, bumblebees make up for that unique and unappreciated behavior of stinging by being among the most important pollinators of crops such as blueberries, cranberries and clover and almost the only insect pollinators of tomatoes. They basically pollinate everything, which emphasizes what a food security issue the loss of bees presents! According to the U.S. FWS, “the economic value of pollination services provided by native insects (mostly bees) is estimated at $3 billion per year in the United States.” Bees are tiny and usually go unnoticed unless they buzz by you or in your face, but keep in mind when you deem them an annoyance that these pollinators are a huge part of the natural mechanism that sustains us and our world. Without them, food will not grow.
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy insects with short stubby wings that beat 130 times or more per second in a sweeping motion rather than up and down. They seem to defy aerodynamics when you consider their tiny wings versus their rotund bodies. How they manage to stay in the air is a mystery. Their extremely fast metabolism requires them to eat nectar or pollen constantly when they are on the move. It is said that “a bumblebee with a full stomach is only 40 minutes away from starvation.” Bumblebees are some of the most social creatures in the animal kingdom. A group of bumblebees is called a colony and colonies can contain between 50 and 500 individual bees. Bumblebees are larger than honeybees but don’t produce much honey, because their role and mission is that of a remarkable pollinator. Other animals are pollinators as well to include birds, bats and butterflies, but there’s no question that bees are the most important, significant and vital pollinators in our ecosystems around the world. Bees are dying, but there are ways for everyone to help stop their decline. Recommendations are to plant native and bee-friendly flowers, limit or avoid pesticides, foster natural landscapes, leave grass and garden plants uncut after summer to provide habitat for overwintering bees, strategically place old logs on not frequented areas of your property, plant new habitats for the bees to thrive in, provide supplemental nectar and even build nesting boxes for bees. As we enjoy the aesthetic beauty all around us; the greenery, the flowers, the trees, wildlife, please give credit where credit is due: to the bumblebee, which is also beautiful in its fuzzy, buzzy way! Our community goal should be to bring the bumblebees’ numbers back to a healthy level. If you haven’t yet, let’s get ready and start this process now. There are things we can do to prevent the decline of our precious bees and so we should. Please join us in the efforts to save these fat, fuzzy fliers. It just might be the best Christmas present we will ever give ourselves and those we love! Bee merry! €
ABOUT OWLS
TAKE A TOUR of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way in Newport. To volunteer, call 252-240-1200. If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, the OWLS non-releasable education animals jump at the chance!
CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 15
LOCAL CHARITIES
PENGUIN PLUNGE
Penguin Plunge Supports the Mile of Hope
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t’s time for the Penguin Migration to Atlantic Beach for the 16th Annual Penguin Plunge. The event is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, on the boardwalk at Atlantic Beach and participating “penguins” and spectators are invited to join in the festivities as we bring in the New Year. This year’s charity recipient is Mile of Hope—Atlantic Beach. Ed Moore founded the Mile of Hope in 1991 to provide emotional support for children being treated at the Pediatric Oncology Departments of ECU, UNC, and Duke’s medical schools. “Mile of Hope is grateful to be selected for the 2019 Penguin Plunge! The money raised at this event will provide weekend escapes from the medical procedures and hospital visits facing young cancer patients,” said Mr. Moore. He added, “Mile of Hope guests are treated to a fun-filled weekend to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast with lots of activities and tours during their visit including a sandcastle building contest, which is also open to the public.” More information about Mile of Hope can be found at mileofhope.org. Penguin Plunge co-founder, Miriam Sutton, is hoping the weather for the plunge will be improved over last year’s conditions. “The 2018 Penguin Plunge was brutal! We endured the most extreme conditions Penguin Plunge has ever faced,” Ms. Sutton said. She added, “Our hearty volunteers registered 350 Penguins who endured the 16 degree wind chill and 44 degree water temperatures.” Ms. Sutton encourages participants to pre-register for the 2019 Penguin Plunge using the online pre-registration portal that will be available through midnight of December 30 and can be accessed through the Penguin Plunge website (penguinplunge.org) and Facebook page. Participants can also register for the one-day event beginning at 10 a.m. at the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk in front of the Crab’s Claw restaurant on January 1. Penguin Plunge participants donate a minimum of $10 ($5 for children 12 and under) to participate in the event. A $20 donation includes an event T-shirt and a $35 donation includes a sweatshirt. Participating Penguins should bring donations in the form of cash or credit card and be prepared to enter the ocean at 1 p.m. Bathing suits and use of the buddy system are encouraged while taking the plunge. Organizers would like to remind participants to be in good health before participating in the Penguin Plunge. If you’re not compelled to plunge into the chilly Atlantic, “Too Chicken to Plunge” stickers are also available for those who prefer to donate and stay dry while observing the fun. “You should always acknowledge the importance of a good towel holder,” Ms. Sutton added. A towel and warm clothes are recommended for after the Plunge when prizes for the various challenges will be awarded. Challenge awards, based on the highest number of Penguins making donations to participate in the Penguin Plunge, include High School, Middle School and Elementary School divisions, as well as Corporate and Civic challenges. A costume contest will also be held, so come dressed to impress but remember to leave your wetsuit at home. For more information and the latest updates about the 2019 Penguin Plunge, visit penguin-plunge.org or the Penguin Plunge Facebook page. Penguin Plunge mascot, Gilbert, will also be posting last-minute updates on his Penguin Plunge Twitter and Instagram feeds. €
16 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
EMS INSTRUCTOR THOMAS J. LAVEY
Tips from EMS: Making It Easier
G
reetings fellow Eastern North Carolinians. There are times that one gets into situations that require Emergency Medical Services (EMS). We hope you never need such services in your time here, but if you do, here is some helpful advice to consider that can smooth the path when EMS has been called.
SHOULD YOU CALL? The first thing to consider is the proper use of 911, EMS and the emergency room. A trip to the hospital via ambulance doesn’t guarantee rapid assessment by hospital staff and a quick bed in the ER. Some people believe that if they call 911—no matter the issue—they will somehow zip past all the other patients in the waiting room (the hospital staff calls it triage). If an injury or illness is just not that severe, you will be end up in triage (like everyone else) while the hospital deals with patients who are coping with real emergencies. So you may end up in the waiting room and still get a whopping ambulance bill. So if your injury or illness is something your regular doctor can handle and there is someone to drive you in, you might want to consider that. If you call 911 for EMS we will gladly take you to the hospital, but do not be surprised if you still end up in triage, waiting. And these types of calls take an emergency vehicle away from a possible true emergency like a heart attack, stroke, seizure or motor vehicle crash.
DON’T WAIT IN AN EMERGENCY! Call immediately for true emergencies. Don’t wait too long if you or someone else has a real emergency, such as severe pain or suffers an acute (sudden onset) medical condition like paralysis to one side of the body or chest pain. Don’t see if you can walk it off or wait it out. Call us immediately, as this is the first step in the chain of survival. TRUE EMERGENCY=CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If you have serious pain in a location like the lower right abdomen and it is 3 p.m. and it remains constant, don’t wait until 3 a.m. to get it looked at. When it happens, no matter what time, call us as soon as possible. Possible permanent disability or death could be avoided.
HAVE YOUR INFO READY Patient information data sheets are very helpful to EMS personnel and help patients to be a little ahead of the game and extra safe.
A data sheet can be a Word document containing the patient’s full name; date of birth; points of contact with phone numbers; insurance information; family physicians or specialists with phone numbers; any diagnosed conditions and surgeries they have had; any allergies they suffer from; and an up-to-date list of their medication with doses, time taken and why they take it. This makes it much easier for EMS, especially if patients aren’t able to answer for themselves. Plus, during this stressful time, family members may not be up to giving accurate information under pressure. The data sheet is also preferable to handing EMS a “Bag O’ Meds” or unlabeled containers full of “mystery tablets” or bottles of medications that are years old. These easy mistakes can lead to misinformation and confusion in a medical emergency. Some agencies can give you a “File of Life,” a magnetic, plastic red pocket with a patient data sheet inside that attaches to the refrigerator door and stands out for rescuers. Keep a small version in a wallet or purse just in case you are out and about.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! There are times when we get called to a very ill family member with a condition that keeps the patient bedridden—in the furthest, smallest room down the narrowest hallway on the highest level of the home. We understand that you cannot control the location of every bedroom in a home, but distant, difficult to access locations pose tremendous problems for rescuers. If you are taking care of a family member who is chronically ill, think about alternatives. If possible, you might need to reassign rooms. In the event of an emergency, forethoughtful planning will help EMS transport your loved one in a timely manner.
SECURE YOUR PETS Prepare for our arrival by securing any pets (especially dogs) in the room farthest from the patient. That means shutting the door with your pets behind it. This will be safest for everyone. In an emergency, the dog’s owner and family members are all stressed. This stress is always passed down to the animal (again, especially dogs) and they often act differently. Fluffy, who is normally a good dog, might be overwhelmed by the lights and sirens of the emergency vehicles. All the strangers carrying
HELPFUL HINTS
in strange equipment, and who have their hands on the owner, might start to feel like a threat. Fluffy may feel the need to be overly protective. If EMS personnel are bitten by a pet, it adds another patient into the mix, plus an incident report has to be filed. It is also distracting to EMS providers when family members (or the patient) are yelling at the dog to be quiet because he is barking up a storm! This causes all kinds of delays in assessment and treatment, not to mention possible miscommunication because it’s hard to hear over a barking dog. We are pet lovers under normal circumstances, but a medical emergency is not normal circumstances.
END OF LIFE ISSUES For people dealing with a family member who has come to terms with a condition or who would like to dictate the terms of their own passing, there are a few things that need to be considered. In order for EMS personnel to follow the wishes of the patient, there are a few forms that are important to obtain: a Living Will, a Do Not Resuscitate (also known as a DNR form) and the Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (also known as a MOST form). In a medical event such as respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest, if a patient wishes not to be resuscitated or not to have extreme measures taken to revive them, an official North Carolina DNR or MOST form must be obtained. Without the form, EMS personnel must start resuscitative measures. A family member cannot just claim that the family member has one. The form must be on site and it must be the original. When a DNR is in place and the patient is under hospice home care, the family usually does not call 911 during an expected passing, but instead calls their point of contact at hospice. That person then calls the appropriate people, including the funeral home; the deceased’s physician, who will sign the death certificate; and any other points of contact. If EMS is called, we are only authorized to take the deceased to the hospital morgue— we cannot transport them to a funeral home. When we are called we will always be sensitive and caring with the family—however we must follow the regulations, laws and protocols.
SMOOTHING THE WAY With these helpful hints, you will help us smooth out the process of your emergency and make you or your family member’s medical emergency a little less stressful. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Stay safe! €
ABOUT THE AUTHOR THOMAS J. LAVEY is a paramedic, firefighter and EMS instructor. He is currently stationed with Western Carteret Fire and EMS.
CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 17
A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
PAUL ORTIZ
PEACE WITHIN AN ISLAND CHURCH PERSPECTIVE
T
he truth is for there to be real peace in our hearts, we must deal with truth. Apart from a holy God who is filled with righteousness, there can be no peace in our hearts. The result of no peace in our hearts is a discontentment pushing us to war from within as we look for peace through gain of status, material and right. For some, this approach can seem peaceful externally, but within the heart there is toiling for more and a sorrow unseen. For others, the lack of peace in the heart is seen outwardly in handling of others as harsh and terse words are spoken and bad behavior is demonstrated. The bottom line, there can be no in peace in any person’s heart apart from communion with the creator of the universe. Not a real or lasting peace. Without Him, we are left to seek the temporary joys and fleeting contentment of this world. In Matthew 5, Jesus gave us the beatitudes: And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and when He was seated, His disciples came unto Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.” Plainly and to the point, Jesus enlightens those who would listen or read this text of the secret of real joy. In fact, the world “blessed” can be replaced with the word “happy” for a clearer revelation of this scripture. The context of happy in this passage relates more to the character trait “joy” moreover a feeling. True joy is found when our attitude is more in line with that of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says it best: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Matthew 5 is significant because of the clarity of peace and joy which is found when we simply take on a new perspective… a Christ perspective in a world that is devoid of holiness and righteousness. To bring the attributes of Christ into one’s life is to be changed from within and have a righteousness imputed from a holy God who desires to bring peace into our lives through communion with Him and Him alone. So, there is no peace in this world without God… without righteousness, without holiness! There may be a temporary peace, but it is not lasting for there cannot be peace in our hearts without the knowledge of God revealed through relational communion. Therefore, if there is no true peace in our hearts, there can be no peace in the world. We must deal with truth first, so there may be peace. And the truth is… there must be holiness and righteousness for there to be peace in our hearts. We need Christ! The rejection of holiness and righteousness causes strive and discontentment within us. I encourage you, if you are struggling within yourself to have peace, it is my hope you would call out to the One who gives peace to the heart of any person who would call upon His Name. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. JOHN 14:27
€
18 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
THE ISLAND CHURCH PASTOR PAUL ORTIZ
Paul Ortiz is a follower of Jesus Christ, not religion. A husband and father, he is pastor of The Island Church in Emerald Isle. Reach him at paul@TheIslandChurchEI.org
CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK
HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT
FISHING FORECAST
A H O O K E D U P L O O K AT W H AT ’ S B I T I N G I N D E C E M B E R
D
ecember is bringing to a close another great fishing season along the Crystal Coast. Fortunately for those of us who are true fishing addicts, there are several species that winter over in our area and can be pursued with success if fishermen take the time and effort needed to both locate and entice them to bite. With a little luck, anglers heading out to fish this December along the coast can expect a chance to hook up with both speckled trout and redfish. Other species that can be targeted near shore include bluefish, albacore, sea bass, grey trout and even a few flounder. Aboard Fish’n4life we’ll be targeting speckled trout and redfish along the surf, around inlets and inlet structure and up local rivers and creeks. The tributaries off the Newport River, White Oak River and New River will hold fish. These fish will be willing to bite the right baits during the right weather. It’s important for anglers to concentrate their efforts on mild weather days. Small scented baits, like Berkley’s 3–4" assortment of Gulp baits will no doubt be some of the best baits onboard during the winter months. Another excellent soft bait is Bett’s Halo Shrimp and Halo Shad. While scaling down your bait it’s also important use a lighter jighead. A good rule to follow in slow currents would be to use a ₁⁄₁₆-oz. in less than 5 feet of water, an ₁⁄₈-oz. in 5 to 10 feet of water and ₃⁄₁₆ or better in depths over 10 feet. Areas of strong current will call for slightly heavier jigheads.
Aidan Tew from Wake Forest caught this upper slot redfish on a Berkley Gulp Shrimp while fishing with Capt. Jeff Cronk of Swansboro this November.
SPOTLIGHT: SPECKLED TROUT If you’re targeting trout in stagnant bays and canals, some of the best baits will be suspending baits such as Mirrolure’s MR 17 and Tsunami’s Corky. These baits sink about 1 to 2 feet per second, allowing for a long suspend time between twitches. Regardless of which bait you choose, it’s important to work your baits slowly with slight twitches and long 2 to 5-second pauses to get that hang time which drives trout crazy.
SPOTLIGHT: REDFISH
FISH’N 4 LIFE CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK
leads fishing and nature charters on the Crystal Coast. To get out on the water with him, call 910-325-8194. You can also visit him online at nccharterfishing.com. youtube.com/user/carolinafishingtv
Mild weather days with light winds will offer up the chance to sight cast to redfish in both the shallow mud flats of the backwaters and the sand flats and shoals around the inlets. When attempting to locate these fish in the backwaters there are a few tips to remember. First, dark, muddy bottoms absorb the sun’s radiation much faster than sandy or lightcolored bottoms. This type of bottom can usually be found up creeks and farther up rivers. There’s also a better chance of fish in one of these areas if deeper water is nearby. This provides a place for the fish to retreat to in extreme cold weather. Another factor is protection from the cold winds. You will often find redfish utilizing bays and creeks that are blocked from northerly winds. A cold wind can quickly bring down the water temperature in the shallows, which can shock or kill the fish. Finally, the presence of bait is always important. If you can locate an area that is holding mullet, shad or mud minnows during the winter months, there will often be fish present. If the water is deep you may not see the bait but, the presence of birds will be a sure bet the bait is there. €
your life on the Crystal Coast WE DEPEND ON OUR READERS! CALL 252-723-7628 IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE OR PHOTO.
CarolinaSalt.com » December 2018 / January 2019 CAROLINA SALT 19
DISCOVERY DIVING
LEE MOORE
DIVING OUR COAST W H AT ’ S U N D E RWAT E R I N D E C E M B E R
D
ecember is when the water is in the lower 60s offshore. Whales were seen off of the Crystal Coast and should continue to be seen in the winter months. Charters will still be running, but holiday activities and the chill in the air will keep most divers out of the water. Some divers will be wearing drysuits, but it is still warm enough for divers to wear 7mm wetsuits. Most boats have heat on them, so divers getting out the water can find comfort in a warm cabin. This year, the number of open water divers who continued their education by taking Advanced, Rescue or Specialty classes increased from previous years. As a diver experiences new challenges under the supervision of an instructor, they are shown the proper techniques and equipment needed to remain safe. When divers leave their dive boat to enjoy the underwater environment, they want to return to their boat.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT: WRECK REEL One way a diver can venture away from a wreck or rock outcropping and remain in contact is by using a wreck reel. A wreck reel has nylon line on a spool that can let out as the diver swims away from the wreck or rock outcropping and is wound back up as the diver returns to the anchor line. The amount of line on a wreck reel can range from 100 feet up to 650 feet. Most of the time, a wreck reel with 150 feet to 200 feet of line will be sufficient. The wreck reel can also be used to send up a safety sausage while the diver is beginning their ascent away from the anchor line, allowing the boat crew to see their location before they drift away from the boat.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT: SAFETY SAUSAGE Sometimes, divers surface away from the boat and they need to get the attention of the crew. The safety sausage has been the standard piece of equipment that divers use to get the attention of the crew if they surface away from the dive boat. They come in orange, yellow or orange and yellow. The safety sausage remains rolled up until it is needed. The diver inflates the safety sausage and then keeps tension on it so it sticks up out of the water. This works well, but the further the diver is from the boat, the harder it is to see. In the case of safety sausages, the bigger the better.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT: STROBE LIGHT A strobe light can be used to mark the location of the anchor line during a night dive. The flashing light can be seen over a great distance in the darkness. A diver will have a primary and a back-up dive light on night dives. The back-up light can be powerful yet small enough to fit in a buoyancy compensator pocket. If the diver always has a small light in their BC pocket, it can be used during day dives to help bring out the true colors underwater or to look under overhangs to see what interesting creature is hidden in the shadows. If a diver surface away from the boat during a night dive, they can shine their dive light on their inflated safety sausage to create a beacon to get the boat crew’s attention.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT: BLADES Entanglement in fishing line is the most common problem that divers have underwater. There are a variety of ways a diver can cut the fishing line. The first way is the tried and true method: a knife. Knives come in a variety of sizes and lengths. Most modern dive knives have a notch on the blade specifically designed to cut line. Some divers aren’t comfortable using a knife, so other options are available. Sea Snips have been around for many years. Unlike scissors, the ends are rounded and the blades are at an angle. Another cutting device is the EEZYCUT Trilobite. It has two blades, one on each side that has an outer shield to protect the hand from accidentally being cut. There is an opening on each side near the handle that allows the line to enter to be cut. The blades are replaceable. New gear always makes a great Christmas gift. Safety gear lets the diver receiving the gift know that you care about them. If you know a diver and don’t know what to get them, Discovery Diving can help you by making suggestions. If you still can’t decide, a gift certificate will let them decide what they want for themselves. If you would like to increase your amount of dive gear, contact Discovery Diving at dive@ discoverydiving.com, 252-728-2265 or like us on Facebook to see what events are coming up in the near future. €
20 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
JOIN DISCOVERY CONTACT
Discovery Diving at 252-728-2265 or visit them on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up. You can also visit them online at discoverydiving.com.
JOIN ECARA ECARA
works to continue sinking ships to create artificial reefs here in North Carolina, but their resources are limited. To get involved, visit carolinareef.org.
DECEMBER 7 TO JANUARY 7
CAPE HATTERAS TIDE CHART
200
NORTH CAROLINA
WET & DRY SLIPS
WILDLIFE SERVICE AGENT
BOAT SERVICE OFFICIAL CITATION WEIGH STATION
The most complete bait & tackle marina on the East Coast. Extensive boat storage and a friendly staff make Dudley’s a one-stop shop for all your boating needs.
ETHANOLFREE GAS AT THE DOCKS
HIGHWAY 24 EAST • SWANSBORO • 252-393-2204 • DUDLEYSMARINANC.COM
LOL!
KIM MURDOCH
NEW YEAR’S 2019
Resolution Schmesolution 2019 NEW YEAR’S
RES-NO-LUTIONS
① Eat what I want … especially if it contains white flour, sugar, carbs, fat, aspartame, corn syrup, anything that ends with –ate or Red Dye No. 5. ② Drink nothing that comes from the ground or a spring. Have you SEEN the ground? And things LIVE in springs. Ewww. ③ Watch more television, read less. Reading is for suckers. I watched Les Miserables in, like, an hour and a half. Took me two weeks to read it. Life is short. ④ Bungee jump….off of anything.
⑤ Cross country road trip…with my mother driving. ⑥ Laundry challenge: See how many loads of clothes I can stack onto Mt. Laundrymanjaro before a “landslide” occurs and forces the laundry room door shut or we’re all forced to become nudists because there are no clean clothes in the house. ⑦ Kitchen challenge: See how many plastic storage containers I can shove into my upper cabinet. Turn it into a contest. Whoever opens the door and gets hit with an avalanche loses. ⑧ Church attendance will now only consist of “the big days” (you know, Easter, Christmas) and/or whenever there’s food (you know, Homecoming, funerals). ⑨ Spend less quality time consumed with those pesky human beings I birthed. Ugh. They’re just so … so … so … needy. ⑩ Don’t even BUY floss.
22 CAROLINA SALT December 2018 / January 2019 » CarolinaSalt.com
R
emember that episode from Seinfeld? You know, the one where George figures that every decision in his life has been WRONG so he decides from that from now on he is going to make the OPPOSITE decisions and see how things work out? Well, in that vein, I’ve been rethinking the whole New Year’s Resolution deal. You see, for me it’s never really worked out. Ever. Oh sure, I’ve lost a few pounds in January only to gain them back by February 15. (Nothing says weight gain like post-Valentine’s Day half-priced Whitman’s Samplers—especially when you’re eating them ANGRILY—because your husband gave you a CARD for Valentine’s Day. Seriously? A CARD?! It’s the ONLY holiday where you can express your love for me, pound for pound, with dark chocolate truffles and you give me a CARD?! Whatever. Oh, hey! There’s a caramel one!) I quit smoking once, which probably would’ve been a way bigger accomplishment had I actually been a smoker to begin with. I’ve promised to drink more water, eat healthier, swear less, exercise more organize … de-clutter … floss. So far, none of these things have panned out for more than a week or so. Except for flossing, which I do on occasion either (a) right after I eat ribs or (b) right before a dentist appointment. Seeing as I’ve usually busted through most of these promisesto-self before New Year’s Day is done (a little hair o’ the dog to help fend off the headache from the night before, traditional New Year’s Day black-eyed peas with salt pork is HARDLY health food, does putting away Christmas decorations count as exercise? and I defy you to NOT swear while you’re squeezing them back into your already-filled-to-capacity-and-where-in-the-WORLD-did-all-thiskid-crap-come-from attic), I’m officially deciding to make resolutions that are the OPPOSITE of what I want to accomplish in the coming year. That being said, I put together a list of my Top 10 New Year’s Res‑NO‑lutions List, 2015 Edition, at right. All right, folks. That’s it! I can hardly wait to see how this goes. If it does work out, I’ll let you know how well. If not, well … I’m sure you’ll hear about that, too. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a delightful New Year. Go ahead! Get to working on those res‑NO-lutions. Can’t work out any worse than last year’s. Right? €
NEW STYLES & ACCESSORIES AT MADRAS & KHAKI’S
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T H E M A D R A S & K H A K I ’ S B O U T I Q U E of E M E R A L D I S L E
in the k+v plaza next to flipperz ✿ 311 mangrove drive ✿ emerald isle ✿ 252.354.7775
Z E N Z I I | EMMA’S CLOSET | mudpie | SCOUT | coco + carmen | MARY SQUARE
FISH
Sustainable local seafood utilizing modern cooking techniques. From local boats to our table– prepared with a Southern flair.
PRIME
Prime certified AngusÂŽ beef. Aged up to 36 days in-house for maximum flavor, and simply prepared, showcasing the best of American ranchers.
RAW
Special techniques in preparing seafood and beef ensure food safety and maximum flavor and texture.
A ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE
Best Sunset on the Island
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8920 crew drive // emerald isle // 252.424.8400
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