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your life on the Crystal Coast
OUR HISTORY
North Carolina’s Surfing Legacy SUMMER EATS
Shark: The Other White Meat
LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN & FREE
THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–JUNE THROUGH MID–JULY page 8
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M I D - J U N E TO M I D - J U LY 2 0 1 6
Inside This Issue T H E C RYS TA L C OAS T L I F E S T Y L E
F E AT U R E S 13 Big Owl Babies!
Find out some fascinating facts about the owls of Carteret County, and meet the two Great Horned Owl babies keeping everyone busy!
15 Our Century Farm
13
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JUNE / JULY
your life on the Crystal Coast
OUR HISTORY
North Carolina’s Surfing Legacy SUMMER EATS
Shark: The Other White Meat
LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN & FREE
THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–JUNE THROUGH MID–JULY page 8
OUTER BANKS WILDLIFE
Check Out Big Owl Babies!
ON THIS MONTH’S COVER The Maritime Museum in Beaufort has a new exhibit about surfing in North Carolina. The exhibit is now open, just in time for the summer surfing season! We’re looking forward to catching some waves on our amazing beaches!
For 148 years, J.W. Merrell Farm has been active in Carteret County. Although their emphasis has changed over the years, they’re still selling local.
17 NC’s Surfing Legacy
Check out the new exhibit at the Maritime Museum in Beaufort and take a drop into our rich surfing past.
18 Shark: The Other White Meat
Shark may not be the first fish that comes to mind when thinking “fish,” but it should be. Enjoy the amazing recipe!
19 Beaufort Old Homes Tour
The weekend of June 24–26 provides you with an opportunity to see some inside of our area’s stateliest homes and most beautiful gardens.
LOCAL INTEREST 15 148-YEAR-OLD FARM is still owned by the same family, and still selling locally.
you think of when talking fish, but this recipe will change that!
19 OLD HOMES TOUR kicks
00 ARTICLE NAME Some
off in Beaufort the weekend of June 24–26.
18 SHARK isn’t the first thing
Things To Do....................................... 8 Hooked Up Fishing............................23 Diving Our Coast................................24 Tides.................................................25
descriptive copy about the article here.
J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 5
PUBLISHER: Will
Ashby
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Chevy
Kaylor
CONTRIBU TING WRITERS Georgeanne Blackerby, Elizabeth Deming, Linda Bergman-Althouse, Sidney Hunter, Fran Pigot Harding, Capt. Jeff Cronk, Lee Moore and Caroline Lamb. E D I T O R IA L S & A D V E RT I S I N G Please contact the publisher at will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com or 252-723-7628 for ad rates and editorial ideas. Ad and editorial deadline for the Mid-July to Mid-August issue is June 16, 2016. Email letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com. Next issue will publish July 7, 2016.
From the Publisher Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, published to depict your life here on the Crystal Coast. All articles are written by locals. We cover a wide range of topics including local history, outdoor sports, wildlife, special events and more. Every month we look to you, our readers, to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote, an interesting local photograph or just some good times stories to share, send them our way. Participation is welcomed and appreciated. Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine. We want to be a local resource for you, our readers. If you like what you see, tell people about it—especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns and more information about Carolina Salt, send e-mail to will@carolinasalt.com or call 252-723-7628. For up-todate info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!
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
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M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY
JULY 19–21, JULY 26–28
ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores.
BHA Summer Camp Sign-Up
JUNE 9, 28 | JULY 12, 16 | AUGUST 9
[ 9 AM–NOON ] The Beaufort Historical Association’s summer camp gives students the opportunity to tour and learn about each of the buildings and the gardens on the Beaufort Historic Site. Campers will participate in colonial activities to learn about life in early America. The threeday Summer History Day Camp is for children ages 8-11. There are two sessions for students to choose from. To register call 252-728-5225 or visit beauforthistoricsite.org.
THROUGH JULY 9
✪ Capturing Nature’s Color and Light THR O U G H JU N E 1 0
LIONFISHING TOURNAMENT This tournament helps to raise awareness of the invasive lionfish problem and to encourage the sale of locally caught seafood. Call 252-728-2265.
Carolina Artist Gallery is presenting a plein air show judged by Jill Eberle, BFA. She has been an instructor at East Carolina University and Penland. There are 13 categories for artists to enter, with cash awards for each. Reception and awards are on June 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is free. Carolina Artist Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and opens daily beginning June 1 through Labor Day. The gallery is located at 800 Evans Street in Morehead City. For more information visit carolinaartistgallery.com.
THROUGH JUNE 10
If You Can’t Beat ’em, Eat ’em Annual Spearfishing Tournament The If you Can’t Beat ‘em, Eat ‘em Spearfishing Tournament is an annual tournament to raise public awareness of the lionfish invasive species problem in the Atlantic, to develop a possible management strategy by creating the means for a sustainable commercial fishery and to encourage the sale of locally caught seafood. For more information visit discoverydiving.com or call 252-728-2265.
JUNE 8 JU N E 1 0
✪ FRIDAY FREE FLICK at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center, 7500 Emerald Drive, at 7 p.m. Free. Bring chairs and blankets, but no outside snacks or beverages.
World Oceans Day at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Dive into oceans of inspiration on World Oceans Day, an international observance to promote ocean conservation. Answer the annual call to celebrate ocean conservation with themed crafts and activities. For details call 252-247-4003 or visit
Parks & Recreation Beach Run Series Dust off those running shoes and join in one of the most popular Parks and Recreation events of the season. Open to all ages and experience levels. Try the 1 Mile, 5k or 10K. For more information call 252-808-3301.
JUNE 9, 11
Living History Workshops The popular Living History series will again be offered by the Beaufort Historic Site this summer. These hands-on workshops and demonstrations illustrate the traditional arts, crafts and skills of early Beaufort residents. Programs are held in the Beaufort Historical Association’s Welcome Center, located at 130 Turner Street. There is a wide range of workshops available to both students and adults, highlighting a variety of crafts and techniques. For more information call 252-728-5225. June 9.................................. Pine Needle Baskets June 11................................. Herb Demonstration
JUNE 10–18
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament At Big Rock Landing, 710 Evans Street, Morehead City. One of the country’s largest and oldest sport fishing tournaments with daily weigh-ins on the Morehead City Waterfront. For more information visit thebigrock.com.
JUNE 10, JULY 8
✪ Friday Free Flicks [ 7 PM ] At the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center, 7500 Emerald Drive. Free! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drink for $1. Please bring chairs and or blankets, but no outside beverages or snacks. June 10...................................The Good Dinosaur July 8.........................................Kung Fu Panda 3
JUNE 11, AUGUST 13
Kayak and Yoga at Jones Island Join April Clark, owner of Second Wind Eco Tours, for this popular adventure. We’ll paddle from the
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M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY
Cedar Point Wildlife Landing to Jones Island, which is located in the White Oak River. Depending on wind and tide, it’s usually a 20 to 30-minute paddle to the island suitable for beginning adult paddlers. You’ll learn about the conservation and restoration projects there and be able to relax under the shade of giant oak trees during a gentle yoga session. Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a swim from the beach.The trip departs from and returns to the Cedar Point Wildlife Landing in the Croatan National Forest off Highway 58 in Cedar Point. Price with kayak rental is $35 for NCCF members ($45 for non-members). With your own kayak, price is $20 for NCCF members ($30 for non-members). To register, sign up by clicking on the event at secondwindecotours.com/#!events/ cl3g. For more information call 910-325-3600.
JUNE 11, 18, 25 | JULY 2
JUNE 11
[ 6:30 PM ] The 2016 SwanFest Concert Series at the Pavilion at Olde Town Square in Swansboro is in swing! Free outdoor concerts will be held each Sunday evening throughout the summer. Bring your blanket or chair and come on out and enjoy some great music with us!
‘Turn The Page’ 5K Road Race Join us in kicking off our summer reading program fundraiser for the Carteret County Public Library! Registration can be done prior to the race or the day of the event. For more information on the race please visit runsignup.com/Race/NC/Beaufort/ TurnthePage5K.
JUNE 11
✪ Free Youth Fishing Derby This is a free event open to kids ages 5–12. Preregistration is required and will run through June 9 or until all spots are filled. Bring your own rod. Bait will be provided (while supplies last) or bring your own. To register, stop by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center or call 252-3546350. At Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, Bogue Inlet Drive, Emerald Isle.
JUNE 11
✪ Arts By the Sea This event is held annually on the second Saturday in June each year, featuring arts, crafts, kids arts zone and live entertainment. Spend an early summer day walking the waterfront streets of Historic Downtown Swansboro. For more information visit swansborofestivals.com or call 910-326-7370.
THINGS TO DO
MHC Summer Concert Series [ 7–8:30 PM ] The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a summer concert series from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend on the beautiful Morehead City Waterfront at Jaycee Park, 807 Shepard Street. These performances are free and open to the public. For more information on the concert series, contact Kirk Peterson at the Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department, 252-726-5083. June 11........ The BackBeat (Beatles, British Rock) June 18.......... Liquid Pickle (Variety, Classic Rock) June 25......... Built for Comfort Band (Blues, R&B) July 2.........The Central Park Band (Beach, Top 40)
JUNE 12, 19, 26 | JULY 3, 10
SwanFest Concert Series
J U N E 11, AU G U ST 13
KAYAK AND YOGA at Jones Island with April Clark. Enjoy gentle yoga and a swim from the beach. For information on prices and to register, see details in the listing at left.
June 12............................ Dana & Susan Robinson (Old Time Music) June 19..................................... Phantom Playboys (Swinging Rockabilly Deluxe) June 26..............................Tim & Myles Thompson (American/Fusion) July 3.......................................................Liverpool (Beatles Tribute Band) July 10 .............................................Spare Change
JUNE 14
✪ Jones Island Shoreline Cleanup [ 9:45 AM ]Together with Hammocks Beach State Park, the North Carolina Coastal Federation invites volunteers to clean up Jones Island, a small island in the White Oak River. In addition to picking up trash, volunteers will also record data for Carteret Big Sweep on the types and quantities of debris collected. This will help to identify the sources of debris and focus educational efforts. Volunteers will meet at the Hammocks Beach State Park maintenance area (first left upon entering the park) by 9:45 a.m. Park boats will transport volunteers to
JUNE 9
LIVING HISTORY SERIES at the Beaufort Historic Site includes a class on making pine needle baskets on June 9. For more information or to register, call 252-728-5225.
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MONDAYS ...............................$2 domestics, $3 imports 6/17 ................. DJ Robbie 7pm • Eli Craig Band 10pm TUESDAYS ............................ $2 domestics, $3 Fireballs 6/18 ............................................. The Limits 8:30pm WEDNESDAYS ............................................... DJ KDash 6/24 ............................................DJ Dance Party 9pm $ 3 Coronas, $3 Jager Bombs 6/25 .......... Trevor and Birds 7pm • Mike Mickxer 10pm THURSDAYS ....................................................Karaoke 7/1 ................... Barefoot Wade 7pm • DJ Robbie 10pm $ 1 Natty Lights, $4 Fireballs $ FRIDAYS .................................. 2.25 24-oz. PBR Cans 7/2 .......... Pure T Mommick 7pm • Spare Change 10pm SUNDAYS................... Sunday Funday • Bloody Marys & 7/3 ......................................... 3 Degrees East 9:30pm Frozen Drinks $5, $2 domestics 7/4 ...................................................DJ Robbie 10pm ..............................Big Drink 7pm • Bak@ya 10pm 6/10 ................... Big Drink 8pm • Spare Change 10pmJ U N7/8 E / J U LY 2 0 1 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 9 6/11 .............Reggae Camp with Selah Dubb and others 7/9 ..............................................Freeway Band 10pm
THINGS TO DO
✪ =FREE
M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY
the island. Please wear weather appropriate clothing that may get wet and dirty and bring work gloves and a towel. Closedtoe shoes are required. Trash collection supplies, peanut butter sandwich fixings, water, sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. This event is limited to 20 people and is weather dependent. Please register at nccoast.org to reserve your spot.
JUNE 15
✪ Oyster Reef Construction
J U N E A N D JU LY
✪ EMERALDFEST concert series kicks off with pure t mommicked on June 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Western Ocean Regional Access on Emerald Isle. Free! Bring blankets and chairs.
Come help us repair the coast one bag at a time! The North Carolina Coastal Federation, in partnership with Sound to Sea at Trinity Center, invites volunteers to help build an oyster reef that will protect the shoreline from erosion and will create habitat for hundreds of marine creatures including oysters, which help filter and clean the water. With the help of the federation staff, volunteers will use several hundred bags of recycled oyster shells to build the new reef. Volunteers will meet at Trinity Center and park by the Point of Arrival before going to the shoreline. Please wear weather appropriate clothing that will get wet and dirty. Closed toe shoes are required. Participants should also bring work gloves and a towel. Sandwich fixings, snacks, water, sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Registration is required. Visit nccoast.org/events to sign up or call 252-393-8185 for more information.
JUNE 16, 23, 30 | JULY 7
✪ EmeraldFest Concerts The 2016 EmeraldFest Concert Series kicks off on Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 pm at the Western Ocean Regional Access! Free outdoor concerts will be held each Thursday evening throughout the summer! Bring your blanket or chair and come on out and enjoy some great music with us!
JU N E 1 7
✪ FORT MACON SUMMER Concert Series kicks off with the Unknown Tongues on June 17 from 7–8 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information call 252-354-5259.
June 16................................... Pure T Mommicked (Rock/Alternative) June 23....................................... Justin Castellano (Eclectic) June 30..............................................Now & Then (Classic Country/Bluegrass) July 7............................. Outer Banks Philharmonic (Rock/Alternative)
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JUNE 17 | JULY 1, 15
✪ Alive at Five Outdoor Concerts [ 5–8 PM ] Sponsored by Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association. Concerts take place at the Jaycee Park on the Morehead City Waterfront. Free to the public. For information visit downtownmoreheadcity.com. June 17..................................Soul Psychedelique July 1......................................................... Punch July 15............................................ Spare Change
JUNE 17
✪ James Wesley at Big Rock [ 6 PM ] Big Rock and Calcutta have teamed up to bring James Wesley back to the Crystal Coast! The Castaways will open a free concert at Big Rock Landing. James Wesley will immediately follow and his video “Hooked-Up,” filmed at the Crystal Coast last year, will be played during his concert. At 814 Shepard Street in Morehead City. For more information call 252-247-3575.
JUNE 17, 24
✪ Fort Macon Summer Concerts [ 7–8 PM ] The free summer concert series offered by the Friends of Fort Macon is back. Fridays Fort Macon’s sally port doors will open early. Participants are reminded that alcohol and pets are not permitted inside the fort. Fort Macon State Park is at the end of East Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach. For more information on the park, call 252726-3775 or for more on the concerts, call 252354-5259. June 17....................................Unknown Tongues June 24.....................................Scearce & Ketner
JUNE 18
✪ Cape Lookout National Seashore Salutes 50 Years It is an exciting year for Cape Lookout National Seashore, which is also celebrating the National Park Service (NPS) Centennial. The seashore will recognize 100 years of the NPS, along with its 50th Anniversary as a national park unit with kids’ activities, a formal ceremony featuring the winners of an area-youth art contest and ranger-led opportunities taking place over that weekend. For
✪ =FREE
M I D – J U N E T O M I D – J U LY
more information call 252-728-2250
swansborofestivals.com or call 910-326-7370.
JUNE 24–25
JULY 4
56th Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour
Underwater Bike Race
[ 10 AM–5 PM ] This annual walking tour of private historic homes, gardens, churches and historic places includes Beaufort Historic Site buildings, the Old Burying Ground, narrated bus tours of the historic district, music concerts and an antique car show. At 100 Turner Street, Beaufort. For more information call 252-728-5225.
JUNE 24–26
✪ Antique Show & Sale Held in conjunction with the Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City, this event features more than 40 booths of antiques and collectibles, as well as a gourmet Tea Room. At 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. For more information call 252-7285225.
JULY 2–3
✪ Carteret County Arts & Crafts Coalition Summer Show Juried sale of arts and crafts of coastal artisans held three weekends a year. Held at the Beaufort Historic Site on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day and at another venue for a three-week show between Thanksgiving and Christmas. At 100 Turner Street, Beaufort. For more information call 252-728-5225.
JULY 3
✪ Independence Day Fireworks on Atlantic Beach [ 9 PM ] Join us at the Circle on Atlantic Beach for our annual fireworks display.
JULY 4
✪ Swansboro 4th of July Festival Join in Historical Downtown Swansboro for our 4th of July celebration. Streets will be closed at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Local businesses will be extending their shopping hours and The Tams will be providing live entertainment at the Pavilion in Olde Town Square. For more information visit
This year, we are excited to announce that Hungry Town Bike Tours in Beaufort will be sponsoring our Bike Decorating Bonanza that takes place prior to departure and fun prizes will be awarded for the best dressed bike and rider. Our Underwater Bike Race benefits the Children’s Mile of Hope in support of cancer research. If you want to participate in the decorating contest, plan on arriving at the dive shop by 1:30 p.m. We will have some supplies available but you are welcome to get creative and bring your own. While we encourage you to bring your own bike, we will have a limited number of bikes available—you will have about an hour to decorate. For those just wanting to participate in the Underwater Bike Race, plan on arriving around 2:30 p.m. to get gear and load up. From 2:30–2:45, Hungry Town Bike Tours will select and award prizes to the winner of the contest. We will leave the dock at approximately 3:30 p.m. We offer transportation to and from the Indra aboard the Outrageous V for $70 per diver, but private vessels are welcome to participate (contact the Outrageous V via marine radio on Race Day to confirm the exact starting time). The race occurs on the starboard side of the Indra and will begin between 4:30 and 5 p.m. You may swim, pedal, push or drag, but only human power is allowed—no motors—and only one biker is permitted per bike. A suggested donation of $5 per bike entry. Meet us afterwards at the dive shop for post-race festivities and please bring a covered dish for the potluck.
THINGS TO DO
J U LY 4
✪ PARADES AND FIREWORKS are scheduled for July 4 in many of our Crystal Coast communities. Please check the listings by date at left to find out what’s happening near you.
JULY 4
✪ Beaufort July 4th Parade [ 11 AM ] A favorite old-fashioned Beaufort tradition is the Fourth of July Parade taking place along the waterfront. The parade begins on the corner of Gordon and Front Streets. It gets better every year and includes kids, pets, wagons, flags and music. You may also bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the courthouse lawn. Contact Martha Barnes at 252728-3917 or martha@cousinsbedandbreakfast.com for more information.
J U N E 24–25
BEAUFORT OLD HOMES and Gardens Tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24–25. For more information, call 252-728-5225.
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JULY 4
✪ Beaufort July 4th Fireworks [ 6 PM ] On the grounds at Gallant’s Channel. Open at 6 p.m. Live music. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Hot dogs and drinks for sale to benefit the Beaufort Fire Department. Bring your blankets and chairs. Parking available on a first come, first serve basis. The last trolley will leave from downtown to Front Street Village at 6:15 p.m. Trolleys will leave from Front Street Village (North Parking Lot) at 7 p.m. Gallants Channel, an extension of the North Carolina Maritime Museum, is located at 172 West Beaufort Road.
JULY 4
✪ 4th of July Fireworks Emerald Isle [ 9 PM ] The town presents fireworks. Parking will be available at Bogue Inlet Pier as well as along NC 58. The fireworks will also be visible from Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway.
JULY 11–13
Coastal Discovery Summer Camp [ 9 AM–3 PM ] Hammocks Beach State Park Children entering 3rd–5th grade will unlock their imaginations and explore the habitats and wildlife of Hammocks Beach State Park. Activities include taking a ferry ride to Jones and Bear Islands. Students will get their feet wet while learning about these unique ecosystems. Campers will also work to complete an environmental stewardship project and earn their Junior Ranger certification. The cost is $120 per child. Scholarships are available through the Croatan Group. Participants should bring their own lunch and wear or bring clothes that will get wet, closed toed shoes (required), a towel, a hat and sunscreen. Snacks and water will be provided. Registration is required. Maximum of 15 participants. Please contact Rachel Bisesi at 252-393-8185 or rachelb@nccoast.org if you would like more information or to apply for a scholarship. S
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ABOUT O.W.L.S. Take a tour of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way, Newport. To volunteer, call 252-240-1200. If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, the O.W.L.S. non-releasable education animals jump at the chance!
BIG OWL BABIES!
S
ome of the biggest babies wildlife rehabilitators at the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport are raising this season are Great Horned Owls. We have admitted four to date and unfortunately, we have been unable to return any to their mommas as successful re-nests. Like many bird babies, Great Horned Owls try to do some things before they are ready and find themselves on the ground instead of high up in their nests, away from danger and predators. Great Horned Owls are one of the earliest spring nesting birds. Eggs may be laid in January or February through April. They use the abandoned stick nests of hawks, herons or crows, but also nest in rock alcoves, hollows of trees, abandoned buildings or sometimes on the ground. Mated pairs are monogamous and defend their territories with vigorous hooting, barking, chuckling, growling, hissing, screeching, screaming or beak clacking. Generally 2 to 3 white eggs are laid. Both the male and female incubate the eggs for 30 to 35 days. The young are fed by both parents who fiercely defend their nest against intruders. If a young owl falls out of the nest prematurely, the adults will feed the bird on the ground. However, if a human finds an owl youngster in a precarious situation, they usually choose to transport the young one to the shelter for safety reasons. Such was the
case when an infant Great Horned Owl was found on the ground at the Port City harbor in Morehead City. He may have fallen from a nesting area untypically constructed on the top of a crane. Although the fluffy one had pressed himself against one of the huge bulk shipping containers, it was apparent that his parents and he would be dodging quite a few pieces of heavy equipment and vehicular traffic! The good Samaritans monitoring his plight could not take that risk and brought him to the shelter. Another baby Great Horned was found nesting aboard a boat taken out of storage that was well underway. Infant GHOs arrive as huge balls of fluffy feathers with big, round, yellow eyes and exceptionally large feet with sharp-taloned toes that they eventually grow into. They have such strong talons that when clenched, it takes up to 30 pounds of force to open them. That is a deadly grip. Great Horned Owls are fierce and powerful predators who usually hunt at night by listening for sounds that betray their prey’s presence. They hunt using their incredible hearing and a “perch and pounce” method. Great Horned Owls eat a wide variety of prey, both small and large. Cottontails seem to be a primary food, but they will take squirrels, shrews, jackrabbits, muskrats, mice, weasels, skunks, gophers, snakes, domestic cats, bats, beetles, scorpions, frogs, grasshoppers and a wide variety of birds, from small juncos and sparrows to crows, wild ducks, geese, pheasants and even other owls. If you ever hear an agitated group of cawing American Crows, they may be mobbing a Great Horned Owl. Crows will gather to harass a Great Horned Owl for hours. The crows have good reason, because the Great Horned Owl is their most dangerous predator. It seems that the world is one big buffet to a Great Horned Owl. After an owl has eaten, its stomach forms CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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O L D B E AU F O RT FA R M E R S ’ M A R K E T
ABOUT THE FARMERS’ MARKET The Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday 8:30 to 1 on the grounds of the Carteret County Courthouse in Beaufort from April to November under the live oak trees. For more information about the market visit beaufortfarmersmarket.com.
corn, has increased about 500 percent in the past 10 years. In addition, the cost of fertilizer has doubled.
How are you coping? I believe diversifying our operation will be the future. Each farm has to find its niche market. I think more variety but smaller, more frequent plantings will give a small farm diversity, while ensuring quality.
What’s a day like on the farm?
OUR CENTURY FARM J.W. Merrell Farm is the only active century farm in Carteret County. It’s been quite a journey over the past 148 years. Recently we talked with Joe Merrell, whose family have managed the Merrell farm on Route 101 in Beaufort for 148 years. Visit the farm online at facebook.com/jwmerrellfarm
148 years! How did it all start? Our family moved to Carteret County in 1734, when King George II issued four land grants to the Quaker elders from Somerset County, Maryland. My family has been farming, fishing and logging in Carteret County ever since. My great-great-grandmother started the farm in 1868 and it has passed down through the family. In early days it was called Merrell Farm and raised hogs as well as soybeans, corn and tobacco, mostly for themselves and friends, family and neighbors. After high school, my father, Johnny, began farming full time in 1961. He changed the focus of the farm and added his initials to the name. Now it’s called J.W. Merrell Farm and we sell directly to the public and concentrate on raising vegetables only.
What are some of your challenges? Each crop brings new challenges and learning experiences. I have found that no two days are alike, no two seasons are alike, and the work never ends. Our days start at 6 a.m. At the end of the day we head home and plan for tomorrow. Our biggest challenge lately is the weather. The old famers’ saying, “A dry year will scare you to death, but a wet year will kill you,” is so true. I tell people I can pump more water into the field than I can pump out. Government rules, changing markets and lower profits due to higher costs are also major concerns. There are more and more government rules farmers have to follow and it’s especially difficult for smaller farmers without the resources of larger farms. In addition, our wholesale market is changing.Our local grocery stores are, for the most part, owned by large corporations which local stores to purchase from farms that are GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) inspected and certified. Most small farms do not have the resources to comply. The cost of some of our seed, such as
We’re a very hands-on operation. There are four Merrell family members involved at this point and we hire approximately 2-3 part-time employees to help during certain crops. Vegetable farming is a year-round job! We start in our greenhouse in January preparing for our spring planting with broccoli, lettuce and cabbage. We harvest different crops throughout the year. These include Swiss chard, lettuce, sugar snap peas, bok choy, spinach, strawberries, cantaloupe, spring onions, leeks, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, turnip roots and field and sweet corn. In late summer and fall, it’s new potatoes, cabbage, sharp cabbage, beets, broccoli followed by squash, cucumbers and okra. We finish the year with collards, kale and mustard greens during the cooler months from November to January.
Who are your customers? Starting in 1961, my father sold mostly wholesale to the local grocery stores. In 1996, we sold to 18 stores in four counties. Today, most of those small markets are out of business. Others are purchasing from larger, GAP-certified farms. We continue, however, to sell to a number of local grocery stores. We’ve also added restaurants to the customer list. Most of our income however comes from our direct sales to the public at The Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market and at our produce stands on Highway 101 and Beaufort Square Shopping Center. In addition, we just started selling at the Morehead City Curb Market.
Sounds like this is a labor of love. Labor of love. Passion. Touched in the head. Stupid. All these things could describe a small farm owner. Sometimes I wonder why we put up with all the hassle, then I walk into a field and see the vegetables growing and I know why. Or when an appreciative customer stops by to say thanks…that’s also sharpens my “why.” Farming is what I know and the Merrell family enjoys working with the land and seeing fruits of our labor growing mature and going to the tables of our many customers. S J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 1 5
A group of young surfers in Kure Beach, Hanover County, NC, on July 25, 1965. Photo from The News & Observer.
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— NEW EXHIBIT REVEALS —
North Carolina’s Surfing Legacy BY GEORGEANNE BL ACKERBY
An Adventurous Spirit Lives on at the Maritime Museum
A
new secret has been uncovered from the depths at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. And no, it’s not the infamous Queen Ann’s Revenge. It is a new exhibit that lets visitors take the drop into North Carolina’s rich surfing past and ride the wave through its incredible historical journey to becoming a cultural and economic staple of the coastal community. The exhibit is open now, just in time for the summer surfing season. When people picture crashing waves, patterned boards and colorful swim gear, they often imagine tropical getaways like Hawaii or the Caribbean or far-off coastal locations in Florida and New Jersey. However, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast has nurtured a nautical secret—a surfing tradition over a century old. There exist records of surfing on North Carolina’s coast dating back to the first decade of the twentieth century, the same time as a surfing revival in Hawaii. Then, surfboards were plain, long swaths of wood, often used for practical transportation and, on occasion, recreation. With influence from Hawaiian surfers and the growing popularity of surf culture in television and film, many of North Carolina’s coastal towns grew into burgeoning surfing communites that are alive and well today. The treacherous tides and sneaky sandbars of North Carolina’s coast have drawn wave junkies and fans to places like Rodanthe, Cape Hatteras, Atlantic Beach, Wrightsvillle Beach and more for decades. After nearly a century of sport, it is clear that surfing in the Crystal Coast is more than just a passing fad. The craft is surely here to stay, with North Carolina ranking as one of the most popular states for surfing.
“It’s unbelievable that North Carolina has such a massive surf following that has gone majorly unexamined,” said David Cartier, public relations coordinator for the North Carolina Maritime Museums. “Up until last month, people could sit in the sand or take to the waters themselves to observe it. Now, they can come to the museum, too. Our new exhibit offers a dynamic look at how surfing shaped the North Carolina coast and its culture that will fascinate parents and kids alike,” Cartier said. Surfing, surf shops and the tourism that they created have encouraged economic growth on both local and state levels for decades with no signs of stopping. The exhibit features photos, videos and artifacts that document surfing history in eastern North Carolina. Visitors can observe the evolution of surfboards from plain, wooden slabs to the sleek, colorful boards that ride today’s waves. They can watch video of North Carolina’s greats shredding just off the beach, see pictures of historic surfing landmarks and look at various surfing getup from days past. Cowabunga!
About the Maritime Museum The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort reflects coastal life and interprets lighthouses and lifesaving stations, the seafood industry, motorboats and more. Studies in marine life, science and ecology are available for all ages. The Beaufort museum is the repository for artifacts from Blackbeard’s wrecked flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, among them cannons, grenades, belt buckles and beads. The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center teaches boatbuilding. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is open to the public with free admission. Donations are always appreciated. The North Carolina Maritime Museum system is comprised of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort and the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. All three museums are part of the Division of State History Museums in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About NCDNCR The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism and promoting economic development. NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first statesupported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call 919-807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov. S
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Shark with Lemon-Garlic Pepper and Tomato-Dried Cherry Couscous Salad
Shark: The Other White Meat
E
BY ELIZABETH DEMING
very year at this time, I get more and more excited as spring slowly makes way to summer. I love summer in the South: playing in the ocean, long walks on the beach searching for seashells and the most important part, friends and family standing around the grill drinking ice-cold beverages. You can just feel the stress melting off when you and a group of friends are together, laughing and grilling after a long day at the beach. Living on the coast gives us such an abundance of seafood such as Mahi Mahi, Flounder, Red Snapper, Red Drum to name just a few. Every year I want to try something different, something to scratch off my bucket list. I asked Ernie, the fishmonger at the local Lowes Foods, what did he thought would be a great way to start the season off right. Without hesitation, he replied, “Shark.” Shark?! At first I thought he was joking, but he came around the counter with a beautiful firm steak, dark pink and opaque in its coloring with a very mild aroma. Not only had I never thought of shark, but I also never knew shark was edible. As I did my research, I found out that shark is indeed good for you, being low in calories but high in protein. A shark fillet has only a small amount of fat and is very high in protein (around 27 grams per fillet), not to mention Vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. So I now know that shark is edible and good for you … but what about taste? I decided to fiddle around with my spices and the produce section to come up with the freshest, most flavorful ingredients I could find. Once I started I couldn’t stop. It was so much fun to create a recipe for an ingredient that I had never tried before. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I decided to use a lemon-pepper and garlic seasoning for the shark. Classic seafood ingredients, and boy did it work. This dish turned out great. The flavor of the shark was very mild and the texture was similar to that of tuna but it really absorbed the flavors. I also added a Tomato &
FOR THE SHARK:
2 2 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ ½
shark steaks tbl. extra-virgin olive oil, divided lemon, zested and juiced tsp. fresh chopped garlic tsp. good Dijon mustard tsp. celery salt tsp. paprika tsp. freshly cracked pepper tsp. fresh parsley
IN A BOWL, combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with the remaining ingredients. Whisk until everything is incorporated. Pour mixture over the shark steaks and turn to make sure that both sides are coated in the mixture. IN A NON-STICK PAN over medium high heat, drizzle the remaining olive oil and add the shark steak. Cook for approximately 3 minutes on one side, turn and cook for the remaining 3 minutes. Take off the heat and enjoy.
FOR THE COUSCOUS SALAD: 1 box of plain couscous ¼ c. dried cherries ½ c. diced English cucumber ½ c. cherry tomatoes, halved ¼ c. balsamic vinegar dressing pine nuts for crunch (optional)
IN A LARGE BOWL, combine the couscous and dried cherries. Add the amount of boiling water that the package recommends. Cover with plastic wrap and wait for 5 minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients, stir and serve. Dried Cherry Couscous to accompany my newfound friend and paired it with a pinot noir for its fruity flavors. I hope you try this dish and love it as much as I and my family did. Happy summer. S ELIZABETH DEMING is a successful entrepreneur, businesswoman and author from eastern North Carolina. She has created a successful line of business products and spice blends. She is the founder of Spice Shack: A Gourmet Specialty Store and also Spice Shack: Gourmet Specialty Products.
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Historic Beaufort Celebrates Annual Old Homes Tour
B
eaufort’s quaint historic district, boasting more than 200 homes in the National Registered Historic District that are over a century old and several private residences that are more than 200 years old, has brought the town welldeserved attention as a tourist destination. Every year visitors and locals alike come to breathe in the salty air, stroll leisurely down the tree-lined streets and discover an array of historic homes and buildings as part of the Old Homes & Antiques Show Weekend June 24–26. Fifty-six years ago the Beaufort Historical Association decided to sponsor a “station wagon antique show” to coincide with the Old Homes Tour sponsored by the Beaufort Women’s Club. The town welcomed the event from the beginning, though some may have been skeptical. In a club scrapbook from the time it’s noted, “Pay money to go inside my neighbor’s house? It’s nothing to see. Why it’s at least 150 years old—who wants to see that?” Plenty of people did. A success from the beginning, the tour has now morphed into an entire weekend event and a major attraction drawing visitors from all over the United States. This year the Old Homes & Gardens Tour will feature 13 private homes from the historic to the newly constructed, 9 gardens and 7 artist’s studios. The restored buildings on the Beaufort Historic Site will be open both days with docents in period dress. Since the weekend has grown to encompass all sorts of events, be sure to check out the Antique Car Show on June 25, an opening concert by the Purvis Chapel Choir on June 23 and narrated tours of the Beaufort Historic District aboard a vintage English double-decker bus. Visitors on the tour will be treated to a wide variety of decor from Victorian antiques to Scandinavian modern in homes ranging in age from 246 years to new construction. Complementing the homes are the beautiful gardens of the Front Street Inn, Ron Hux, The Inn on Turner, Steve & Gail Bishop, Tom & Peg Midyette, The Pecan Tree Inn, Lynn & Faye Eury, The Ann Street Inn and David & Sydney Atkinson. Kicking off this year’s tour will be the Beaufort Cooks Party held on the grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site on Saturday, June 4. Held in conjunction with featured artist Bunny Matthew’s art show opening reception, guests will be treated to great local food as well as Bunny’s gorgeous oil paintings. This party also serves as a big thank you to the owners who work so hard to get their properties ready for the wonderful tour that showcases the best of Beaufort. The tour weekend will commence with a concert by the Purvis Chapel Choir on Thursday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at Purvis Chapel AME Zion Church at 215 Craven Street in Beaufort. The historic church is in the National Heritage Registry and believed to be the oldest in the
county that’s still in use. This event will honor this year’s honorary chair, Mamré Wilson, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who help make the busy weekend so successful. The concert is free with a reception following in the Parish Hall. From its humble beginnings in the back of station wagons, the Antiques Show & Sale has grown to encompass more than 40 dealers from throughout the Southeast displaying furniture, silver, crystal, jewelry, linens, dolls and much more. Held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City from June 24–26, the show offers three days of great antiquing to fit any budget. With such a wide range of dealers offering treasures and collectibles of all types, from fine china to vintage jewelry to refurbished one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, there is truly something for everyone. A Gourmet Tea Room will be open offering specialty sandwiches provided by Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant, Beaufort Grocery Company and Spouter Inn, as well as beverages and a variety of homemade desserts. Since 1960, this annual weekend has not only been the largest fundraiser for the Beaufort Historical Association but has also been a time of community involvement and pride where Beaufort residents open the doors of their splendid homes to help and support the BHA’s preservation efforts and educational programs. This annual event gives visitors the chance to find out more about the wonderful history of Beaufort with most wanting to return for more. Tickets for the Old Homes & Gardens Tour are $18 in advance and $20 at the door and the Antiques Show and Sale tickets are $8 and good for all three days. Combination tickets are available. Tickets for the Beaufort Cooks Kickoff Party are $30 and combination tickets for all three events are $45. For more information on any of these events, please contact the Beaufort Historical Association at 252-7285225, stop by the Beaufort Historical Association Visitor’s Center at 130 Turner Street or visit beauforthistoricsite.org. S
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C A P TA I N J E F F C R O N K
HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT
INSHORE & NEARSHORE 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 J U N E
NEARSHORE FISHING! The nearshore water temperatures are holding steady between 74-76º and everything is biting! May was incredibly productive on Cobia with many fish over 60 pounds weighed (and one over 100 pounds)! Anglers have still been finding a few Cobia in the 30 to 60-pound range the past few weeks and the season is now open through September in state waters. But there have been changes in minimum size, creel limit and allowable days to fish, so be sure to check the new regulations on the NC Marine Fisheries website. The summer Flounder bite has been excellent too! Capt. Mike Taylor and myself, Capt. Jeff Cronk, have been landing deckloads of big summer Flounder. When targeting these flatfish, anglers should focus their efforts around artificial reefs as well as the natural live/hard bottoms within 5 miles of the beach. The absolute best method and bait for this fishery is jigging a 2-oz. bucktail tipped with a Berkley Gulp 4" Shrimp. My favorite bucktail is Bett’s 2-oz. Flounder Fanatic Bucktail, which is designed with a right angle hook for fewer hangups with structure and more hookups with flounder. A short 1' pop of the bait off the bottom, allowing the bait to descend until it bumps bottom again will produce some intense flounder strikes with plenty of nice seabass as a welcomed bycatch. If you desire something with a little more fight and drag screaming action then focus on those large 3 to 7-pound Spanish that have begun to make their showing on all the hard bottoms and artificial reefs within a few miles of the beach. I prefer a light rod/reel combo to get the most excitement out of each hookup. My new Penn® Battalion 7' rods are outfitted with the new Battle II and Clash reels and spooled up with SpiderWire’s 15# Ultra Cast Invisibraid line. These combos have been tested and proven strong! We land hundreds of 3 to 7-pound Spanish along with dozens of big Kings each year and have no issues with the performance of these reels. This nearshore action will continue through the summer and anglers can also expect to see good numbers of large Sea Bass along with plenty of Grouper, Amberjack, Mahi, Barracuda, King Mackerel and even a chance at a Sailfish! Be sure to check out the current bite through our online reports at www.nccharterfishing.com.
INSHORE FISHING!
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.
Inshore water temperatures are hovering between 75 and 80º with cooler water in the deep channels and the hot water on the shallow flats and bays. Anglers will find plenty of bait along the ICW and mainland creeks. These creeks are full of newly hatched mullet minnows, shrimp and peanut pogies that will eventually make their way toward the open waters. All of this bait will gain the interest of a variety of popular sport fish including flounder, redfish, bluefish, trout, black drum, sheepshead and more! Redfishing will be great this month. To quickly cover ground, it’s best to work topwater baits along marsh shores during the higher part of a tide. A jighead tipped with a Gulp bait can be fished in almost any situation. But if you’re fishing around oyster beds I would suggest switching to a spinner bait to avoid hangups. Another deadly method will be to rig a popping cork with a live shrimp or mullet minnow on a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook. This is my favorite way to fish when I have young children onboard as the cork and bait do all the work! Inshore Flounder fishing has been good so far this spring and should only get better through summer. I really like fishing a Berkley Gulp shrimp or Pogie on a ¼ to ½-oz. bucktail around deep water structure like bridge and dock pylons for big flounder. If you find yourself getting a lot of “bite offs” on your scented baits, switch over to a live finger mullet or mud minnow fished on a Carolina rig to avoid losing costly lures. During the higher tide target sections of docks closer to the shore as fish will often ambush bait along the flooded embankments. During the falling tide fish will often stage up near the end of the piers just down current of the pylons. Other species that offer plenty of fun this month are black drum and sheephead. These two species really prefer shrimp and crabs. I like to use a 1/0 owner short shank, wide gap hook for the sheepshead and a number 1 circle hook for the black drum. Both species can be found around structure including bridge and dock pylons, oyster beds, rock jetties and rock walls.S J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 3
DISCOVERY DIVING
LEE MOORE
DIVING OUR COAST
IN JUNE
T
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 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 with ECARA, visit carolinareef.org to check out their current project list.
he Crystal Coast is known around the world as a wreck diving destination. A majority of the wrecks are a result of action during World War II and bad weather. The loss of these ships was a tragedy at the time, but now they are considered a benefit to the local economy, the fishermen and scuba divers. These wrecks have turned a barren, sandy bottom into a thriving marine ecosystem. Within hours of a ship coming to rest on the bottom, marine life begins to take up residence on their new home. In order to bring more wrecks to the Crystal Coast, the Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA) was formed in 2006. ECARA works with the N.C. Department of Marine Fisheries to locate, clean and sink wrecks. ECARA worked with James Francesconi, to sink ships as artificial reefs. Francesconi worked with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries since 1987 and became the Reef Program coordinator in 2000. During his tenure as coordinator, Francesconi deposited a lot of concrete on the existing artificial reef sites. Concrete is easily obtained and deployed. There is little paperwork involved and the only requirements are a barge and a Bobcat to push the concrete into the ocean. The sandy bottom off of the Crystal Coast allows heavy objects to sink. When ships are sunk, they can settle ten feet into the sand. Concrete does the same thing. Over time, concrete culverts sink into the sand or they can roll away. In one instance of concrete deployment, the Bobcat itself went off of the barge and became an artificial reef. There are more fish on the Bobcat than on the concrete around it. This is evidence that fish are attracted more to wrecks than to concrete. Ships were sunk, but they were prepared by other organizations and were overseen by Marine Fisheries during the actual sinking. In numerous instances, the sinking plans were developed by the organizations and approved by Marine Fisheries. Francesconi was the Reef Program coordinator until July 18, 2014 when he passed away from leukemia. To recognize his many years of service, Tim Mullane of American Marine Group went to the interim Reef Program Coordinator Gregg Bodnar in January of 2015 with the offer to create a memorial reef for Francesconi. If the proposal was accepted, Mullane would provide a ship at cost with the caveat that it would be renamed the James J Francesconi. The offer was accepted by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The date of July 18, 2015, the one-year anniversary of Francesconi’s death, was chosen for the sinking. A menhaden fishing boat was the original choice for the memorial reef, but the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries was unable to make the arrangements in time and the ship was sold to a northern artificial reef program. The search for a ship continued. After months of searching, the Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy tugboat was found. The Sgt. William W. Seay, also known as LT-1937 is a 107-foot-long tug. It was built at the Avondale Ship Yard and delivered to the U.S. Navy in December 1952. It remained in service until 2001. After the tugboat was cleaned for sinking, it was renamed the James J Francesconi. Steel letters were welded onto the pilothouse of the tugboat. In addition to the James J Francesconi, a second tugboat was procured. The Tramp is a retired 65-foot New York harbor tugboat. They were sunk on May 7, 2016, at AR-330, about 50 feet apart. Money for the project was raised by ECARA, local dive shops, the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, a Go Fund Me account, N.C Scuba License Plates, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Conservation Fund and many individual donations. If you would like to dive on the James J Francesconi, The Tramp or any of the other wrecks off of the Crystal Coast, contact Discovery Diving at dive@discoverydiving.com, 252-728-2265 or like us on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up in the near future. S
2 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6
T I D E C HA RT CAPE HATTERAS TIDES JUNE 7 TO JULY 7
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HIGHWAY 24 EAST • SWANSBORO • 252-393-2204
Great Horned Owl, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 its meal into a pellet of fur, feathers, exoskeletons and bones that they cannot digest. The owl then “upchucks” this pellet. Our shelter keeps these pellets on hand for the teachers in our area who request them for their science classes. Students can dissect them and identify what the owl has been eating. At the shelter, the little-big babies’ diet will consist of rats and mice until release. Fortunately, Artemis, our non-releasable, adult Great Horned Owl resident, doesn’t mind fostering the owlets and teaching them what they need to know to be the best owls they can be! As adults, Great Horned Owls are large birds weighing 3-4 pounds, standing 18-25" tall with a wingspan of 36-60". Males and females are similar in appearance, except the female is the larger of the two. The plumage of the Great Horned Owl varies regionally, from pale to dark. In general, they have brown body plumage covered with darker brown spots and white throat feathers that contrast with the dark cross-barred under parts. The white feathers stand out like a collar against the darker underside feathers. Contrary to popular belief, owls cannot turn their heads completely around, but they can rotate their heads 270 degrees, thanks to extra vertebrae in their necks. Their eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they can’t move their eyes up, down or side to side. Owls have to move their whole head to compensate for the fixed eyes. Their ear tufts are large and set far apart on the head. Just like a dog, Great Horned Owls incorporate these ear tufts or “horns” into their body language, indicating their mood. When they are irritated the tufts lie flat and when they are inquisitive the tufts stand upright. So, those “horns” or “ears” are not really ears at all! These feather tufts are also part of the owl’s camouflage. They can make the owl look like part of a tree. The owl’s real ears are slits on either side of its head, just behind the facial disks. For identification, four good field marks for the Great Horned Owl are size, eye color, ear tufts and white collar. Their call is a series of deep hoots, from 3 to 8 notes long and sounds like “who’s awake, me too,” with the “me too” part descending in tone. Like a coyote howl, the call of the Great Horned Owl is a classic sound of the wild and can be heard from far away. When nesting pairs of Great Horned Owls call, the female has the higher pitched voice. Great Horned Owls can be found all over the United States and most of Canada and southward to Central and South America to the Straits of Magellan. They are one of the most widespread species of owls. They mostly reside year-round in their territories, but owls from far north move southward in fall or winter. There is so much to know and learn about Great Horned Owls and it’s all amazing! They are gorgeous, incredible and magnificent raptors, but as magical and Harry Potter-like as they are, remember the Great Horned Owl’s prowess as a predator and if they are present in your area, please keep your puppies and kitties inside! S
8307 EMERALD DRIVE • EMERALD ISLE
252.354.9024
*At participating locations. Limit 1 per person. Only 1 is flipped in the drive-thru & on multiple orders. Must be claimed at time of purchase.
Stir a little love into everything you do. fair trade coffee • local baked goods • gluten-free choices
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TOFFEE CRUNCH LATTE
1 6 - O Z . F O R O N LY $ 3 . 5 0 ! OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 7AM-4PM | Emerald Plantation 8700 Emerald Drive | 252.354.2643
2 6 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6
Join Us for Breakfast! Friday-Saturday 8-11am Sunday 8am-12pm! Live Entertainment! June 10 Naked Knees June 17 Scearce & Ketner June 24 Naked Knees July 1 Chris Bellamy July 8 Naked Knees
SEAFOOD♥STEAKS♥SANDWICHES
311 Mangrove Drive Across from CVS in Emerald Isle
252.354.7775 • flipperz.net • facebook.com/flipperzemeraldisle Lunch & Dinner Hours Sunday–Thursday 11am–8pm • Friday–Saturday 11am–9pm
EMERALD ISLE // NORTH CAROLINA
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Coastal Cuisine FISH // PRIME // RAW
Patrick Hogan EXECUTIVE CHEF
Weddings & Events THE FINEST CATERING ON THE CRYSTAL COAST A ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE