North Beach Sun Spring 2015

THERE’S A

NEW STUD IN TOWN PAGE 12

JUST WHO IS

MAMA KWAN? PAGE 30

Behind the scenes with the locals who created and starred in the critically acclaimed short film The Moped Diaries

GOING VIRAL RI

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NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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Homemade ice cream in a wide variety of flavors

Spring into the season with the best homemade chocolate and ice cream flavors on the beach!

Want chocolate chip cookie dough? Big Buck's Ice Cream Shop has it! Mint chocolate chip? We've got that, too. With dozens of homemade ice cream flavors made daily, we can satisfy every sweet tooth in your family!

Whether it’s a mouth-watering treat in the Easter basket, a sweet surprise for Mom or your favorite graduate, a jaw-dropping chocolate station for parties or weddings, an ice cream cake for the birthday boy or girl, or a homemade and hand-dipped ice cream cone, Big Buck’s Ice Cream Shop has all of your sweet treat needs covered!

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

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994 ince 12015 NORTH BEACH SUN sSPRING

Ice cream cakes for birthday parties Chocolate makes the perfect gift for Easter, Mother's Day and Graduation!

Accepting chocolate station bookings for 2015 weddings.

Customize your own station, or let us create one for you.

Waterfront Buccaneer’s Timbuck II Shops, Manteo Walk KH, MP4.5 Corolla 252-423-3118 252-715-0779 252-453-3188 bigbucksicecream.com • distinctdelights.com Like us on Facebook for updates, store hours, specials,@northbeachsun and more.

Roanoke Island Running Company

Running shoes, apparel, nutrition and hydration products, post run pampering products and more!

Magnolia Lane 252-305-8343

Charlotte’s

Full Service Ladies Boutique specializing in fashions that are traditional with a contemporary flair.

103A Fernando Street

252-473-3078 • shopcharlottes.com

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Downtown Books

An original book-tique featuring an abundant selection of titles, Melissa & Doug toys, greeting cards, chakra candles, local goods & more.

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105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street & A LK IN A R DW A M AR O B

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The Island Shop

A downtown destination featuring an eclectic mix of art, gifts, and accessories. See the latest shirts

by Tia Design and Sea Salt.

101 Budleigh Street 252-473-6656 • gallery101manteo.com

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252-473-1056 • duckscottage.com

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Avenue Waterfront Grille

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Local seafood, all natural proteins, specialty burgers & gourmet pizzas. Craft beers, hand selected wines, OBX inspired cocktails.

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THE LOST COLONY

A R R

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

T H S IG LE

252-473-4800 • avenuegrilleobx.com

nest

Irresistable luxuries for you and your home.

Linens by Bella Notte, clothing by CP Shades, and more!

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ELIZABETHAN GARDENS I S L A N D FA R M

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F E S T I VA L PA R K

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Magnolia Lane 252-473-5141

Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream

57 varieties of ice cream, frozen yogurt, Belgian chocolates, fresh fudge, espresso & smoothies.

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-423-3118 • bigbucksicecream.com

Sisters Boutique & Gifts

Generational goods for women of every age and shape.

ROANOKE ISLAND

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-305-8582 • sistersboutiqueofmanteo.com

The Coffeehouse

on Roanoke Island Offering gourmet coffees, teas, ice cream, smoothies & so much more!

FIRST FRIDAYS

UPCOMING EVENTS

First Friday of every month, 6-8pm Stroll the streets of Manteo enjoying food, drink, live music, local art and more. Starts April 3.

OUTER BANKS BOOK LAUNCH

First Friday, April 3 Downtown Books hosts author Michelle Young-Stone and the release of her new novel Above Us Only Sky. Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

FARMER’S MARKET

Saturdays 8am - 12pm Local vendors can be found at Creef Davis Park on the waterfront. Starts May 9.

NORTHBEACHSUN

TUESDAYS IN MANTEO

Every Tuesday Hang out on the waterfront and enjoy the hospitality of downtown Manteo. Kid activities, live music, Crafter’s Fair, 2 mile Fun Run, and more!

SHALLOWBAG SHAG BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Memorial Day, May 25 Head to Festival Park and shag to the tunes of The Tams, The Embers, Band of Oz, and Jim Quick & Coastline.

BOOK SIGNING

First Friday, May 1 UNC Professor Marianne Gingher will be at Downtown Books signing copies of her new book, Amazing Place: What North Carolina Means to Writers.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Sunday, April 4 Elizabethan Gardens’ annual Easter Egg hunt includes contests, musical acts, dancers, and a special visit from Sir Walter “Peter” Wabbit.

CUPCAKE 5K

Sunday, May 24, 5pm This running event returns for 2015 and raises money for locals fighting cancer. It sold out in 2013.

HOME & GARDEN TOUR

Saturday, May 9 Tour delightful homes and gardens that exemplify the creative and original style of their owners. Each home will also showcase artists and their work.

106A Sir Walter Raleigh Street 252-475-1295

Sleeping In, Ltd.

The boutique with “a little touch of a lot of things.” Chic Apparel, Jack Rogers Shoes, Sleepwear and Fine Linens.

101B Fernando Street

252-475-1971 • sleepinginobx.com

Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop

Waterfront dining, live music, Boar’s Head meats, salads, and daily specials.

303 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-473-3333 • poorrichardsmanteo.com

1587

Fresh local seafood, prime meats, fowl, game and vegetarian dishes.

405 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-473-1587 • 1587.com NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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B U Y 2 T A COS GE T A FREE 12 0Z. SMOOTHIE

BASIC OIL CHANGE

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED!

KILL DEVIL HILLS 1800 S. Croatan Hwy. (252) 715-1800 (At 9.5 Mile Post, Next to T-Tops)

HOURS Mon-Fri Saturday

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BRAKE PADS & SHOES

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PLUS TAX

• Oil and Filter* • 23-Point Inspection • Tire Pressure Check

SAVE NOW ON BRAKE PARTS!

*Oil change includes up to 5 quarts of 5W30 conventional motor oil and standard oil filter. Additional disposal and shop supply fees may apply. Special oils and filters are available at an additional cost. Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon at time of estimate. Offer valid on most cars and light trucks. Valid at participating locations only.

Limited time offer. See center manager for complete details. EXPIRES MAY 31, 2015.

Additional parts and service may be needed at extra cost. Valid on pads and/or shoes only when installed at Meineke. Discount applies to regular retail pricing. Not valid with special order parts. Not valid with other offers or warranty work. Present at time of estimate. Offer valid on most cars and light trucks. Valid at participating locations only.

Limited time offer. See center manager for complete details. EXPIRES MAY 31, 2015.

ENGINE LIGHT ON?

A/C CHECK

7:30am-6:00pm 8:00am-4:00pm

WE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN ESTIMATE! Walk-Ins Welcome! - Backed by a Nationwide Warranty

Check Engine • ABS Brake • TPMS Free scan includes scan tool hook-up and code reading. Additional diagnostic service at additional expense is likely. Valid at participating locations only. See manager for complete details. EXPIRES MAY 31, 2015.

• • • •

Visual Inspection of the A/C Components Check Belts Check A/C Temperature & Operation Monitor Air Flow from Vents

Inspection does not include opening the refrigerant portion of the system. Costs will apply for parts and services needed to repair the system. Valid at participating locations only. See manager for complete details. EXPIRES MAY 31, 2015.

Chefs on Call

Limited time only. ©2015 TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE

Tropical Smoothie Café 2236 S Croatan Hwy. ~ MP 10 Nags Head, NC 27959 Ph: (252) 441-3500

Open for Lunch & Dinner

5385 N Virginia Dare Trail (Across from Home Depot) Southern Shores, NC 27949 Ph: (252) 441-9996 7100 S Croatan Hwy. ~ MP 16 Tanger Outlets Nags Head, NC 27959 Ph: (252) 255-1516

Expires 5/1/15. Valid at participating locations.

Limit one coupon per customer per visit.

Our talented chefs can deliver a fine dining experience in the comfort of your home! Call us about creating a gourmet breakfast, lunch, or dinner for groups small and large.

1197 Duck Road, Duck 252-261-8646 redskycafe.com

The

WATERFRONT SHOPS

Barr-ee Station • Barr-ee Station 3 Candy & Corks • Carolina Keiki • Coastal Cantina • Dazzles Donna Designs • Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books • Duck's General Store Gray's Family Department Store • Islands By Amity • The Kid's Store Life's A Beach, A Lily Pulitzer® Signature Store • SeaDragon Gallery Sunset Ice Cream & Cappucino • The Blue Point Restaurant Untucked Resort Apparel for Men

The shopping begins where the board walk ends... in Duck 4

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

@northbeachsun

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SPRING 2015 7

BUT FIRST...

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SPRING EVENTS CALENDAR

arts & entertainment

COMMUNITY

22 real life fish tales

Fishin Frenzy’s Wild Ride

10 this town’s got heart

Ruthie’s Kitchen

24 going viral

Behind the scenes of The Moped Diaries

12 corolla’s newest stallion

High hopes for Gus

26 curiosity & culture

Bringing the creative process to light

14 resurrecting dowdy’s

Exciting plans for the former amusement park

28 making a splash with little readers

Surfin’ Spoon owners pen children’s book

outdoor

lifestyle

16 board banter

Seeing the future with Quentin Turko

29 b.s. in parenting

Early onset tween fever

18 fish like a local

Three angles of Outer Banks fishing

R1 REAL ESTATE

folks

19 Miss pat

High school mom to many 20 distance dreams

Brett Owens takes the long route to Ironman Photos above (clockwise from top left) courtesy of Greg Mayer, Tyler Nilson, and Jon Carter Photography.

K.Wilkins Photography, NORTHBEACHSUN

food & beverage

30 who’s mama kwan and what the heck’s a bonzer

Unusual business names of the Outer Banks 32 amanda’s kitchen

On top of spaghetti

everything else under the sun

34 springing forward obx style

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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Check Out the Brand Spankin’ New

northbeachsun.com!

Publishers Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR Cathy Baldwin Photography K. Wilkins Photography Jon Carter Photography Art Director Dave Rollins Graphic Design Adam Baldwin

Writers Cathy Baldwin Dawn Church Mattie Dalia Lindsey Beasley Dianna Jesse Fernandez Laura Martier Amanda McDanel Kip Tabb Michelle Wagner COPY EDITORS Glen Baldwin Michelle Wagner

NORTH BEACH SUN 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 phone 252.715.1303 fax

Sales Manager Michelle Fernandez Account Executives Matt Byrne Helen Furr Sue Goodrich Tori Peters Distribution Bob & Glen Baldwin

ADVERTIS ING DEADLINE THE SUMM FOR ER ISSUE

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PRIL The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun and/or its contributors. Opinions, responses, and inquiries are always welcome. You can email us directly at editor@northbeachsun.com or sound off at NORTHBEACHSUN.COM.

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We’re excited to roll out our new, responsive and better-than-ever website. Now you can stay up-to-date on community news and events even on the go with all of your mobile devices. Stay connected with the Sun at northbeachsun.com!

Choose from one of over 600 Vacation Rentals from Corolla to Nags Head

the Outer er B Bankss Ex Expertt 6

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

Vacation Rentals • Sales • Property Management 1.800.334.1000 | SouthernShores.com @northbeachsun

BUT

FIRST...

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From the Publisher There isn’t a day that goes by that my seven-year-old doesn’t play soccer. I watch him in freezing temperatures, runny nose and all, kicking the ball by himself in the backyard—or what passes for a “yard” since he’s worn the grass down to dirt. He wants to play pro soccer one day, he tells me, like his heroes Lionel Messi and Clint Dempsey.

I don’t remember having dreams like that when I was a kid, but if I did I’m certain I didn’t have his focus. I love his determination and his innocence.

What he doesn’t know now, and he’ll learn in time, is that in order for dreams to come true you have to WORK. We’re talking a lot of work. As in, more work than anyone else is willing to do and then some. It also requires a fair amount of skill, a healthy dose of good luck, and the unwavering belief that you can actually make it happen.

It’s all in the details Can you identify these Outer Banks landmarks?

If you need to cheat, the answers are below.

This spring issue is all about the dreamers who believed, worked hard, and made something amazing happen.

We’ve talked to Tyler Nilson, one of the creative minds behind The Moped Diaries short film. (If you haven’t seen it yet, Google it. Seriously.) Poignantly written and tenderly acted, I was most impressed by how it seemed like a real, legit film was made right here on the Outer Banks. Well done, Tyler and crew.

We also sat down with Greg Mayer of Fishin’ Frenzy and his first mate Nick Gowitzka. You might know them as the guys who came in first on the National Geographic show Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.

They’re two fishermen who dared to audition for the show, put their lives and jobs out there for the public to peek in on, cheer, and occasionally criticize, and they ended up winning big on Season 1. The crew from Nat Geo is currently here filming Season 2, but only time— and number of fish caught—will tell if Fishin’ Frenzy will make it on the show when it premieres in the fall.

Whitney and Jesse Hines are prime examples of living the Outer Banks dream. She’s an artist, he’s a professional surfer, and together they’ve created a hip little fro-yo shop on the beach road. That by itself might be enough to satisfy even a big dreamer’s dream, but they’ve taken things a step further by publishing a children’s book based on Jesse’s life. It features surfing, life lessons, and awesome illustrations of the Outer Banks—pretty much the perfect book for your baby grom.

I hope this issue inspires you to believe, work hard and chase with a passion your own fantastic pursuits. Happy spring, my friends!

Keep on living the dream.

-Cathy Baldwin NORTHBEACHSUN

ANSWERS: 1 The Bonzer Shack 2 Scarborough Faire 3 Avalon Pier 4 Sooey’s BBQ 5 John’s Drive-in 6 Rundown Cafe 7 Hayman Street gazebo 8 Front Porch Cafe, KDH 9 Ocean Bay beach access 10 Jolly Roger 11 Goombay’s Grille & Raw Bar

With three jobs (chef at Bonzer Shack, MMAxOut gym owner, and distance coach for the middle school), a family and a love of surfing, Brett Owens is a typical Outer Banker. As if his life weren’t busy enough already, Brett decided at age 38 to START running races.

Today, 10 years later and dozens of races and medals under his belt, he’s perfecting his Ironman time. Wanna know his dream? To make it to the world champion level of Ironman races in Hawaii. He’s well on his way.

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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Get more info on events at the new

northbeachsun.com

spring 2015

Events calendar

Relay for Life May 2-3

OBX Earth Fair IV April 18

Stop by Jennette’s Pier between 1-4pm for conservation exhibits, free rain barrels (limited supply), crafts, and a tie-dye t-shirt station.

252-255-1501 x 212 Outer Banks Bike Week April 18 – 26

Haunted History March 22 – April 30

Take an interactive, historical ghost tour through the grounds of the Waterside Theatre and the Fort Raleigh National Park with guides from “Astral Plane Investigations.” thelostcolony.org

First Friday Starts April 3

Downtown Manteo comes alive on the first Friday of each month from 6–8 PM. On April 3, author Michelle Young-Stone will be on hand at Downtown Books to sign copies of her novel, Above Us Only Sky. On May 1, UNC Professor Marianne Gingher will be signing copies of her book, Amazing Place: What North Carolina Means to Writers.

Tuesdays in Manteo Every Tuesday

Stroll the Manteo waterfront every Tuesday and enjoy live music, kids’ activities, a 2-mile fun run and more.

Dare County High Schools’ Annual Art Show

Easter Eggstravaganza April 4

Join Sir Walter “Peter” Wabbit for an Easter egg hunt, hat contest, musical acts and more at the Elizabethan Gardens. elizabethangardens.org

March 30 – April 30

Artwork from students attending First Flight, Manteo and Cape Hatteras High Schools will be on display in the events room at Festival Park in Manteo. roanokeisland.com Daffodilly Fest: Big Bugs and Blooms

2nd Annual Duck Merchants’ Association Easter Egg Hunt April 4

Go on a hunt through town to find eggs filled with candies and coupons hidden in and around various stores throughout Duck. doducknc.com

March 14 – June 13

This 4-month long celebration includes a Daffodilly Parade, a Dandy Daffodilly Dog costume contest, a Daffodilly Princess Tea Luncheon, musicians, dancers and over 40,000 daffodils in bloom at the Elizabethan Gardens. elizabethangardens.org Easter Eggstravaganza April 3

Join the Easter Bunny for an Easter egg hunt in Currituck Heritage Park at Whalehead, as well as face painting, balloon art, jellybean counting contests and more. Sponsored by Brindley Beach. visitwhalehead.com Fly into Spring & Easter Eggstravaganza April 3 – 4

Spring Fun Fly April 7

Learn how to fly kites for free on the lawn of the Whalehead Club with Flying Smiles Kites. visitwhalehead.com Kill Devil Hills Historic Landmarks Open House April 17

Tour historic homes while learning about the history, architecture and culture of the Outer Banks.

(252) 449-5318 Flying Pirate Half Marathon & First Flight 5K April 17 – 19

Watch high flying kites and enjoy an Easter egg hunt at the Kitty Hawk Kites location across from Jockey’s Ridge. kittyhawk.com 8

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

This half marathon takes runners though the first half of the Outer Banks Marathon course and finishes with a Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head. flyingpiratehalfmarathon.com

Rev up your engines for a week of poker runs, bike shows, bikini and tattoo contests, live music, guided tours and more. outerbankshd.com The Virginia Symphony April 23

The Virginia Symphony will perform at First Flight High School as part of the Performing Arts Series presented by Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts. outerbanksforum.org Special Olympics Dare County Spring Games April 25

Dare County Special Olympics hosts the 4th annual Spring Games at First Flight High School. sonc.net/dare/ Duck & Wine Festival April 25

This chef cook-off challenge uses duck as the main dish. Proceeds benefit the Currituck-Dare Community Foundation. duckandwine.com 2015 ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships April 30 – May 3

This 4-day surfing event presented by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau takes place at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. surfesa.org Hatteras Storytelling Festival May 1 – 2

Enjoy two days of “yarn-tellin, foot tappin’—Hatteras style” through this annual storytelling festival in Hatteras Village. hatterasyarns.org Outer Banks Duathlon May 2

This run-bike-run event takes participants through South Nags Head and south to Bodie Island Light and Oregon Inlet. Visit the website for additional features and course map details. runcations.com

Locals walk together to raise awareness and money to fight cancer at Festival Park. relayforlife.org/darecountync Advocare Make-A-Wish Classic May 4

Tee up in this 4-person scramble golf tournament at The Currituck Club hosted by Advocare to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

252-207-4598 Soundside Live May 7

Kick off the summer at the Outer Banks Events Site with music by Greensky Bluegrass and Roadkill Ghost Choir. soundsidelive.com Kidsfest May 8

Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County sponsors this free, family friendly event at the Roanoke Festival Park that includes climbing a U.S. Coast Guard boat and fire truck, face-painting, story time, photo booths and more for children ages five and under. darekids.org Manteo Farmer’s Market Starts May 9

Buy fresh, local fruits and veggies at this farmer’s market every Saturday in downtown Manteo.

Elizabethan Gardens Home and Garden Tour: Spring for the Arts May 9

Find decorating inspiration in this tour of delightful gardens and charming homes on Roanoke Island. elizabethangardens.org Couture by the Shore Presented by TowneBank May 9

Enjoy lunch, a silent auction and a fashion show put on by local boutiques at Kelly’s to raise money for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. outerbanksrelieffoundation.com 31st Annual Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K Run May 9

Wind your way through the beautiful Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve for the Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K and the Village Realty Fun Run. nagsheadwoods5krun.org

43rd Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular May 15 – 18

This is the longest running hang gliding competition in the world.

Watch professional hang gliders compete in this free and fun event at Jockey’s Ridge. kittyhawk.com Sand Soccer Tournament May 16 – 17

GOAL! This two-day beach soccer tournament will be held by Jennette’s Pier. soccerinthesand.com 4th Annual Mustang Spring Jam May 17

Jam on with New Madrid, Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project, The Fireside Collective and more at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Corolla. Proceeds benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. mustangmusicfestival.com Run-a-Muck in Currituck May 23

Join runners at Sanctuary Vineyards for a day of obstacles, mud and wine! This run is presented by the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #89. raceit.com Cupcake 5K May 24

This Manteo running event raises money for locals fighting cancer. obxcupcake5k.com Outer Banks Beach Music Festival May 24

Shake a leg on the lawn of the Whalehead Club to the music of Pairadocs, The Embers and more. visitwhalehead.com Shallowbag Shag Beach Music Festival May 25

Spend your Memorial Day at the Shallowbag Shag at Roanoke Island Festival Park dancing to today’s top beach music artists, including Jim Quick and Coastline, The Embers, The Tams and Band of Oz. obxshag.com OBX Brewfest May 31

This inaugural beer festival at the Outer Banks Event Site will feature over 80 craft brews, an adult game zone, home brew demonstrations and more. obxbeerfests.com @northbeachsun

Reclaimed Boatwood, finished by time and nature.

A Southern Spring Tradition

t

Available a Scarborough Faire • DUCK 252.261.0422 • theislandattic.com The Island Attic #islandattic

RUN-A-MUCK IN CURRITUC K The Original Cotton Gin, Jarvisburg Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head

MUD RUN 5K SATURDAY MAY 23

AND SPRING WINE FESTIVAL

cottongin.com • 252-491-2387

SANCTUARY VINEYARDS 7005 CARATOKE HWY ADULTS • KIDS • TEAMS

MORE INFO AT RACEIT.COM

Unique Women’s Clothing & Jewelry, Featuring Local Artisans

WELCOME, SPRING! WELCOME, YOU! to our Brand-New Double-Wide Shop

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UPCOMING EVENTS

AreaStorage.com 252-491-8585

FLY INTO SPRING/EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA | APRIL 3-4 HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR | MAY 15-18 ROGALLO KITE FESTIVAL | JUNE 5-7

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2 Locations in Point Harbor NORTHBEACHSUN

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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community

this town’s got heart

e i h t u R h t i w n e h c In the Kit Photo by K. Wilkins Photography Story by Lindsey Beasley Dianna

Thanks to the generosity of one local woman and a group of dedicated volunteers, residents in need of a warm meal and fellowship can find it every Tuesday at His Dream Center in Nags Head.

Named after longtime community activist Ruthie Rigor who left money to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church when she died, Ruthie’s Kitchen has been feeding empty stomachs since 2009.

The community kitchen is a joint effort among local churches and is held at His Dream Center because of its nondenominational nature and location. From its first night back in 2009 when it served 25, it has grown to provide a warm meal to an average of 50 residents every week.

“The emphasis has always been to provide hot, nutritious meals, and it certainly is heartwarming to see the fellowship.

They really look forward to seeing each other and visiting,” says Gail Leonard, coordinator for Ruthie’s Kitchen.

On a typical Tuesday, doors open at 4pm and the volunteers arrive with meals they have prepared. There is much to be done.

Volunteers scurry to heat the food, set tables, prepare beverages, and portion out any donated food into bags for attendants to take home. When it’s time to eat, everyone gathers in Guests leave with a circle holding hands to say whatever food donations a blessing, and then lines up Ruthie’s Kitchen has to be served dinner. If there is accumulated that week, a enough food, volunteers are full belly and the comfort encouraged to grab a plate that sharing time with and visit with guests. familiar faces can bring.

There are card games and children’s games for entertainment, and occasionally a children’s group will come to perform song and dance numbers—something Gail wishes would happen more often. Everyone helps themselves to dessert, one at one time. Guests leave with whatever food donations Ruthie’s Kitchen has accumulated that week, a full belly and the comfort that sharing time with familiar faces can bring.

make a suggestion, you own it!”

Gail, John Phelan, LaMont Warren, and Niki Taylor take turns being present to answer volunteers’ questions and oversee operations. It has become a true community effort. Local churches and civic groups alternate evenings serving the dinners, and several local businesses including Surfin’ Spoon, Pizza Hut, Outback, the Nags Head Food Lion and Fresh Market

have all donated sizable contributions for meals served as well as food that can be taken home when leaving Ruthie’s Kitchen.

When asked how our readers can help, Gail says she’d love for more people to take part in providing meals on Tuesday nights and she wants to encourage those who need and would like a meal to come. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page, their website www.ruthiescommunitykitchen.com, or contact Gail at (252) 441-7476.

2015 Relay For Life of Dare County

May 2 & 3, 12pm-8am • Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo Live Entertainment • Food • Games • Family Activities Walk through the Park • Survivors & Caregivers Lap • Luminaria Ceremony Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eiiminated.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Jessica Sands is one volunteer whose family joined a community Giving Circle as a way to help teach her kids the importance of philanthropy in the community. “This was our first time hosting an evening at Ruthie’s Kitchen,” says Jessica. “Watching all the kids take over the serving line was quite special. I know we’re looking forward to planning another wonderful meal soon.

Maybe we’ll even get the kids to cook next time!”

Gail came from Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she was active in her church’s soup kitchen. When asked how she initially became involved, she laughs and says, “Sometimes when you 10

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

relayforlife.org/darecountync

Relay-For-Life-of-Dare-County-NC @northbeachsun

FUN FOR EVERYONE Healthy living doesn’t have to be boring! Join one of our Zumba classes or play racquetball. There is something for everyone.

Stop in today and take part in Aqua Zumba, KettleWorX, Pilates, Yoga, Kids Yoga, Zumba Kids, and more. Pilates and Yoga personal training is available, as well as one-on-one time with a trainer in the Wellness Center.

may 17 1pm - 10pm mike dianna's grill room • corolla

annual

4th

Visitors welcome.

Find out more at www.ymcashr.org/outerbanks OUTER BANKS FAMILY YMCA

3000 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC 27959 P 252 449 8897 W ymcashr.org

Fresh Local Seafood, Chicken & Steak Prepared with a unique Caribbean Flair.

featuring

New Madrid Josh Daniel/ Mark Schimick Project The Fireside Collective + More!

mustangmusicfestival.com proceeds benefit the corolla wild horse fund and the mustang outreach program

All Natural Meats USDA Prime Beef The Freshest Seafood Award Winning Wine List Great Kids Menu Live Music & Karaoke

Fun Kids Menu • Family Friendly • Cruise On By! • Lunch & Dinner Daily • Dinner Served Til 10PM Late Night Steamed & Raw Bar Items Til 2AM • Happy Hour App Menu at the Bar from 3-6pm Daily Milepost 7 on the Beach Road • Kill Devil Hills

252-441-6001 • goombays.com NORTHBEACHSUN

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION Every Sunday - 50% off any bottle of wine

Timbuck II Shopping Village in Corolla Grillroomobx.com • 252-453-4336 NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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community

High Hopes for

Corolla’s Newest Stallion

By Lindsey Beasley Dianna

Look out Corolla, there’s a new stud in town—he’s got big brown eyes, a muscular build, stellar breeding, and is approaching his prime! Gus, the Colonial

Spanish Mustang stallion from Cedar Island, has at long last been introduced to the herd native to our northern Outer Banks. And the future of Corolla’s wild horses is riding on him. How’s that for a little pressure, Gus? To Karen McCalpin, Director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (CWHF), this is a really big deal. Getting Gus here has been years in the making, and not simple by any means.

balancing. “With those genetics and that size, that makes them very susceptible to being wiped out by any one catastrophic event,” warns Karen.

Karen pleaded with the board to take scientific research into account and revise their management plan to model that of Shackleford Banks, the southernmost isle of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Their herd maintained three (to our one) maternal lines, and was managed at a size of 120 to 130, with never less than 110, on 3,000 acres of land. “That’s a fourth of the acreage we have here with twice the size of this herd—and see, that island isn’t sinking!” says Karen.

Getting the Government Involved

In 2007, Karen and her team pulled DNA samples from Corolla’s herd and sent them to Texas A&M for analysis by Dr. Gus Cothran in order to get a genetic baseline. The results were alarming; the herd of (then) 90 was not only highly inbred and possessing one of the lowest genetic diversities anywhere, but it was down to only one maternal line. Foals were being born with fatal birth defects, and the future of this historic breed that has become a trademark of the northern Outer Banks was looking grim. How did we arrive at these dire straits?

Denial of her request led to the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act. Introduced by Walter Jones, the legislation mandates a herd size of 120 to 130 with a minimum of 110 and crucially allows the introduction of horses from Shackleford Banks.

“Because these horses are a rare and ancient breed on the critically endangered list, we can’t introduce outside lines,” she explains. “They MUST be Colonial Spanish Mustangs, and Shackleford and CWHF are the only registered wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs on the East Coast with very, very few left in the west.”

The Currituck Outer Banks Wild Horse Advisory Board was assembled in 1997, comprised of CWHF, US Fish and Wildlife, North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve (NCNERR), Currituck County and two citizen appointees. They gathered to create a formalized management plan when the horses were moved to the northern beaches, before which they could be found roaming freely on the land and streets of Corolla.

Legislation passed the House unanimously in 2011 and again in 2012, but languished in the Senate. It was reintroduced on January 5, 2015 to the US House of Representatives, and is now waiting for its fate in the Senate. “I’m hoping the adage ‘the third time’s a charm’ will be true in this case.

Like sand in the hourglass, their time is running out,” she says with palpable emotion.

At that time, the herd size was supposed to be a maximum of 60, and even at 90 those numbers were proven too small to maintain proper genetic 12

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

Karen began talks with Dr. Sue Stuska, a wildlife biologist at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Caroline Mason (then president of the foundation for Shackleford horses) in 2008 about bringing

some of their horses up to Corolla. By 2014, they set their sights on recruiting some of the Shackleford horses’ offspring, who had been moved to Cedar Island to comply with population control regulations. They contacted Nena and Woody Hancock, who oversee two separate “overflow” herds on two private islands near Beaufort, and explained the situation. In the meantime, Congressman Jones had been in federal talks with US Fish and Wildlife and managed to get written permission from USFW to add horses to enhance genetic diversity. “As soon as the letter was handed to me I was on the phone!” beams Karen.

Picking the Right Stallion The first step was to assess the legitimacy of Cedar Island’s horses’ bloodline; the Hancocks were ready to release only two, wanting to be very careful to ensure it was a good solution

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Left: Gus, the newest member of the Corolla herd. Below: Preparing to take a DNA sample via dart gun on Cedar Island. Photos courtesy of Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

While integrating Gus is an exciting and historic step, it’s no quick fix, and fortifying the herd is going to take time.

for their horses. The Hancocks had either gelded stallions or removed them from the islands to find them homes in order to control population. “We offered a third option: to remain wild and free, AND a stallion.”

In July of 2014, DNA samples were obtained by dart gun and sent for analysis. Both were true Colonial Spanish Mustangs, but one horse was found to have a major genetic predisposition to blindness. Fouryear-old Gus, known then as “Kenny”, was healthy.

Introducing Gus to the Herd Karen and new herd manager Christina Reynolds brought him to his new home up north, selecting an area where there would be the least amount of pressure from the herd’s other 50 stallions, with a ready and available water source and place for him to graze.

Now, Karen says, the biggest thing is for Gus to fit in to the herd in general. “His body condition is excellent. He’s finding food and finding water. He just needs to find a mare! We’ve seen him on the outskirts of groups of mares. He’s been in a few fights and driven off by stallions protecting their harems.

He has a challenge ahead of him; he’s going to have to ‘steal’ a mare or mares from an existing harem, and then we hope he gets a mare that wasn’t contracepted this year to have healthy foals.”

While integrating Gus is an exciting and historic step, it’s no quick fix, and fortifying the herd is going to take time.

The Hancocks wanted to wait to move Ideally, Karen says they want to bring mares here because him in cooler weather when stressors of Cedar Island’s aren’t contracepted and would naturally breed heat and insects would be less likely to with a stallion on the Outer Banks.

“This breed is so adaptable or they wouldn’t still be here. negatively impact his transition.

And I had every confidence when I brought him up that he Gus was held for testing of infecwouldn’t have any difficulty adapting to his new environment, tious diseases, which sounds much simand that’s certainly proved to be the case.” pler than it is. Dr. Stuska, the Hancocks, a licensed She hopes the Hancocks will be open to bringing one or vet and volunteers boated to Cedar Island, tracked down Gus, and administered anesthesia by dart gun. two mares here in the spring and has high hopes of healthy They carried the sleeping stallion onto a boat and off new foals being born in milder weather. The Hancocks and again to a horse trailer in an isolated location where Karen have kept in touch and exchange information and piche could stay as everyone anxiously awaited test re- tures of Gus (or Kenny). “They care very much about these sults. Gus passed with flying colors, and his world horses and also about their ability to survive for generations to come,” says Karen. “And that’s why Gus is here.” was about to be forever changed.

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13

community

Resurrecting Dowdy’s

By Michelle Wagner

There was a time when a ride on the tornado at Dowdy’s Amusement Park was as much a part of the Outer Banks experience as was climbing Jockey’s Ridge, riding the waves or going to the North Carolina Aquarium.

“If you listen carefully, you can still hear the laughing and screaming of kids who came for the rollercoaster, bumper cars, arcades and go-carts,” one commenter writes about Dowdy’s on a website dedicated to abandoned amusement parks.

Although the delighted voices of children at the park fell silent when it closed in 2005, those familiar sounds will likely return as a plan for another version of family fun unfolds at the site.

Construction of a municipal park on the five acres of land could begin as early as the first of next year and will have a laundry list of amenities. Meanwhile, town officials are anticipating a state grant that would help fund the first stages of the park.

Located on the corner of U.S. 158 and Bonnett Street, the old amusement park provided a much-loved source of entertainment for more than four decades but has remained vacant and delapitated since it closed. The Town of Nags Head scooped up the property in 2013 for $1.5 million and has been contemplating what to do with it ever since.

In much the same spirit, the future recreation area is expected to have interactive art panels so visitors to the park have a place to express their creativity.

After presenting three concepts during a January meeting, the park’s steering committee in February drafted a final recommendation for town commissioners.

Public opinion has been crucial in Nags Head’s quest to determine the best use of the old Dowdy’s site. The town received more than 700 responses to a survey soliciting ideas for use of the land.

“It’s been a good, long process,” says David Elder, Nags Head resident and member of the steering committee. “One of the best things about this opportunity has been that no one had a plan when we started, and what happened

Nags Head Deputy Town Manager Andy Garman said commissioners agreed to move forward with the plan, and both Garman and Elder said the plan should be viewed as malleable.

Demolition of the existing building and parking lot at the site is expected to begin in the coming months.

The town expects to hear about a state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant in May. If awarded, the town would receive $300,000 for the first phase of the project. “This grant would fund the backbone of the improvements to the park,” says Garman.

The town also plans to apply for a $150,000 grant from the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau, with a town match of $150,000.

The planning chief says the initial phase of the project would likely include the events plaza and pavilion, fitness stations and walking trails. Landscaping and irrigation would also be done at that time.

“Dowdy Park will be a park for all ages in perpetuity and will be a tremendous asset to our community for generations to come,” says Walters.

Bonnett Street

Gateway

Parking (40) Drainage

Water Fountain

“It is a very exciting project for our community,” says Mayor Pro Tem Susie Walters and chair of the Dowdy Park Steering Committee that formed in March of 2014.

“We’ve had lots of great input.”

Multi-use Playing Field

Dunes

5-12 yrs

Dunes

Bocce/ Lawn Sports

Public Art Panels Benches

Multiuse Court Bounce Wall

2-5 yrs

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

Pavilion

Multi-use Turf Area Informal Trail Park With Play Equipment

North

Game Tables

Garden and Landscape Areas Trellis

Event Plaza Restroom

Public opinion has been crucial in Nags Head’s quest to determine the best use of

14

Municipal leaders even went to the community’s littlest residents when they partnered with the Nags Head Elementary School Pumpkin Fair and invited local children to decorate the existing building with their creative ideas of what a community park might look like.

because of that is we have had a really good level of interaction with the people we hope will be the end users. We’ve had to build consensus, while realizing we are all different and there was going to be some dissension.”

Gateway

Town Commissioners approved a final plan for the recreation area that includes an events plaza, gardens, a multi use area, playing fields, and a sports court.

The concept plan for Dowdy Park that was approved by the Nags Head Board of Commissioners on March 4.

the old Dowdy’s site. The town received more than 700 responses to a survey soliciting ideas for use of the land. In addition, officials have held several public input sessions. “All have been invaluable to the process of developing a community vision for the park,” Walters said.

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15

outdoors

BOARD BANTER

Quentin Turko is a 17-year-old Dare County resident dreaming of life as a professional surfer. If he stays the course he’s on now, he just might be living that dream.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Quentin’s spent the last 10 years on the Outer Banks honing his athletic abilities and competitive strategies. A frequent finalist in local surf competitions, this upcoming season will see him branching out to the pro-junior circuit that runs up and down the entire East Coast. With recent age requirement changes, Quentin will have one full year of eligibility in the under 18 division, and he’s hoping to use the experience to eventually qualify for the international World Surf League.

To be honest, I’ve heard this prelude to professionalism story quite a few times in my years and most of these dreamers fall short of their aspirations before they barely get on the path. Yes, there have been a handful of surfers from this area who have gained national and international acclaim. But truthfully, the Outer Banks is known more for its quality surf and the talent that travels here to ride it than for the talent we send out into the world.

In sitting down for a little Q&A with Quentin, I noticed a difference in demeanor and confidence that just might be enough to set him apart from the pack. To sum it up in a word, it would be determined. Here is a young man who understands there are no shortcuts. No free passes as an athlete. You train hard. You work on your board designs, your competitive edge and your free surfing game.

At his stage of development, there is a lot of learning still to be done but also plenty of time to do it. He told me that sometimes his competitive surfing suffers

from second guessing himself about what waves to catch, but good results aren’t a problem when he finds the right waves. “If I get off to a good start and win my first heat, I can gain confidence to reach the final,” says Quentin.

While the rigors of a full time touring pro have not been tested on him, his travels have included Hawaii, California, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Not a bad trip resume for someone still in high school. He was, in fact, leaving for another 20-day trip to Nicaragua on the night we spoke.

When I asked about his philosophy on surfing in general, his answer was straight forward: “It’s about focus, fitness, training, and preparation for whatever comes your way.”

Local photographer Jon Carter often shoots pictures of Quentin doing what he does best. “I believe Quentin will be the next big thing for surfing on the Outer Banks,” says Jon. Driven by a true love of surfing, Quentin has solid backing from his parents, Lost Surfboards and the good folks at Secret Spot Surf Shop. While staring down a big year in the Pro Junior events, it’s nice to know that the people behind him are supporting him through the year and into the future.

Seeing the Future w/ Quentin Turko Photo by Jon Carter Photography / Story by Jesse Fernandez

Jesse Fernandez is a surfboard shaper for WRV and six-time East Coast Surfing Champion.

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outdoors

fish like a local

Three Angles of Outer Banks Fishing

Fisherpeople are interesting folks, each cut from different cloth.

They come from all walks of life, fish in distinct manners and have unique backgrounds that add to their fishing ability and their character. But I have found that most people who fish share a similar passion for the sport, for the conservation of nature and the water species, and just a good outlook on life. Here are three distinct fisherpersons and their thoughts on fishing on the Outer Banks.

Dave Lusk

Amy Strader

Tony Chirico

Captain Dave stays on the water; he probably has saltwater running through his veins. And he gets on the fish. If you don’t believe me, try out a day fishing on his boat, Salt Minded Fishing Charters.

You can find Amy most days on Nags Head Pier, fishing with her boys, managing the pier or slinging beverages at Capt. Andy’s. Unless she is working out. Or hunting. Or fishing somewhere else.

Tony thinks, eats, and sleeps fishing. He loves it and has been doing it a long time on the Outer Banks. If you try to bring up another topic, he’ll change it back to fishing, guaranteed.

What’s your age/current job/typical spot to find you fishing?

27, fishing guide, Atlantic Ocean!

33, pier manager at Nags Head Pier, anywhere the fish are biting.

57, recently retired, either on my boat trolling for Spanish, looking for cobia, drifting for flounder, or on Jennette’s Pier plugging for bluefish while I dangle a live bait in anticipation of something much larger.

How long have you been fishing on the Outer Banks?

10 years.

Since I was eight-years-old.

20 years.

What kind of fishing do you do?

Light tackle inshore.

Everything: pier, inshore, offshore, sound and surf.

I surf fish, pier fish, and boat fish—inshore, nearshore, and offshore.

What is your favorite type of fishing?

Sight fishing.

I would have to say there is a tie between cobia and marlin fishing.

I like the thrill of the hunt. Cobia fishing is my favorite.

What was your best day of fishing on the Outer Banks?

That is a tough one. I’ll have to go with a big red drum blitz in late October 2014.

My brother and I caught a bunch of nice fish from our kayaks.

Watching both of my boys catch cobia from the pier on the same day.

Catching six bull drum from Jennette’s Pier in late October 2014. It felt good to have the fish wear me out.

What’s the funniest thing you have ever seen while fishing?

Me fly fishing is usually pretty comical.

Well, one time there was a kayak, a big hook, a wahoo head and a Wimpy (those who fish Nags Head Pier know “a Wimpy”).

Two drunks cruising in from the deep in a 14ft. aluminum modified v-hull boat with a 20-hp tiller motor. No telling where they came from, but the marine patrol helped them off the water.

What has changed over the years with Outer Banks fishing?

The fishery on the Outer Banks does nothing but change. Every year is different, some species will run better than others, surprise catches, new records, etc. You never know what to expect.

Over-fishing certain species of fish and the decline of certain fish caught.

The fish harvest has tapered off some. Back in 20012002 we had memorable catches of king mackerel and cobia. There were more fish caught in one day than we catch in a week.

Do you get to fish enough?

Why not?

There is no such thing as “enough” fishing! Actually, I probably do too much fishing.

Even as the manager of a fishing pier, one never gets to fish enough.

I’m not sure there’s ever “enough” time to fish. A lot depends on your bride, your job, your patience, and the idiots you fish with.

Give us a secret (bait, technique, location).

Don’t fish the full moon.

Fishing on credit is never a good thing.

The secret bait is beef when drifting for flounder. Keep it fresh (not frozen), the bloodier the better, and cut it in long skinny strips. I think it resembles a blood worm.

Now, give us a truthful secret.

The bigger the bait, the bigger the fish!

Pro-Cure is amazing!

Seriously, use the beef. I’ve made believers out of many (including the author).

Double uni or no-name knot?

Double uni.

I prefer the old fisherman’s knot. Simple and gets the job done.

I’m a double uni man, but I do stray a bit to the double surgeon / no-name combo.

What’s worse: a hole in your waders or a wind knot during a trout run?

A hole in your waders is standard. Wind knots are a nightmare.

Definitely a wind knot.

Hahaha! I’ve had both, at the same time! Stay away from braided line and you won’t have to worry so much about the wind knot. As for the waders, I usually rinse mine and let them hang.

What is your favorite lure color?

Natural.

Purple haze.

I like the green on green or gold on gold for Spanish macks.

Have you ever had bunker for breakfast?

I prefer mullet.

Not intentionally.

I’ve never had bunker for any meal. Can’t imagine what that would taste like. Yuck!

By Mattie Dalia

Mattie Dalia has fished the coastal waters his entire life and made a lifelong dream come true by moving to the Outer Banks in 2006. You can usually find him in the evenings on Nags Head Fishing Pier, pursuing his favorite fish, el Spanish mackerel. Feel free to contact him at mattdalia@me.com.

18

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

@northbeachsun

folks

Miss Pat High School Mom to Many Photo by K. Wilkins Photography Story by Kip Tabb

Pat Taylor is a maestro... a master at orchestrating the madness of a high school day into a semblance of sanity. She is the receptionist,

or perhaps the conductor, at First Flight High School and to watch her work is to witness a virtuoso performance.

Here is the first thing to know about Miss Pat—as she is called by every student who has passed through the doors of First Flight—she knows every student’s first name. “I try to personalize it,” she says. “People like to be called by their name.”

The first year for the students is a little confusing, but then it all falls into place. “It takes me a while to learn all my freshmen, “ she says.

Miss Pat been a part of Dare County Schools for 13 years— her first two years were in Manteo, where then Vice Principal Arty Tillett, who is now the principal of First Flight, recruited her.

She had been volunteering in a number of school activities. “I started doing many, many hours of volunteer work once my kids started in school,”she says. “That’s what I was doing in Manteo when Arty approached me and said, ‘You have a child going to college next year, don’t you?’”

Both her kids have graduated from college, and she is still with the school system.

She was in the attendance office for two years in Manteo; and when First Flight opened in 2004, she moved to the new school as the receptionist—or at least that’s what the job title is. As for a job description, “I don’t think they could describe it. Not the way it has evolved. I’m the nurse if the nurse is not here. I’m a mentor if they need a mentor at that point in time. I’m a mom. I do every kind of paperwork you can imagine.”

There is a serious side to her job, one that students may not always see. “We unfortunately have . . . students that are in some really bad situations,” she says.

It is usually Miss Pat who greets the parent or adult coming to pick up a child, and if there is no record of the student being allowed to leave the school with that person, the student is not going. “The safety of the students is first,” she explains. “We are very conscious of that responsibility. I’m not releasing that student if I’m not sure that’s where they’re supposed to go.”

“

I’m the type o person who d f oes a job and finish and then mov es it es the next one. on to This never finished is .

It underscores a point about record keeping that she comes back to a number of times—when phone numbers change, addresses or emails change, the information must be updated. A student cannot leave campus unless accompanied by an adult. If there is no record of that person in the system, the student is not going. “That’s one reason why it’s so important to keep their information updated,” she says.

“If they call me on the phone and if it’s not a parent’s voice I recognize, and I recognize a lot of parent voices, then I have to verify that with the information on the computer,” she adds.

She is a very organized person “to the point of being obsessively organized,” she says. “It’s the way my mind works.” A typical day, though, tends to be a hectic mishmash of student conversations, parent phone calls, paperwork, staff needs and the unexpected—all of it on a continuum of unfinished business. And the daily mayhem of a school day seems at odds with Miss Pat’s personality.

NORTHBEACHSUN

“I’m the type of person who does a job and finishes it and then moves on to the next one. This is never finished,” she says. “If anyone had ever told me I could do this successfully, I would have just laughed. You’re bouncing, your thoughts are just threads all day long. There are times when you’ve got people piled up in front of you, the phone is ringing off the hook, people are ringing the doorbell trying to get in the building, my radio is going off with somebody needing me, and somebody is standing behind me wanting me.”

She gets it done handling one situation at a time—quickly, efficiently and with a clear sense of priority. The kids come first. “They should be in class. We need to take care of whatever their needs are and get them back to class,” she says. And then it’s the 100 plus staff members or the people coming in the front door.

She admits it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but then it comes back to why she is there. “The kids can be so much fun,” she says. “I treat them like they’re mine. I approach it from a Mom viewpoint. Like, ‘Excuse me, you did what?’”

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

19

folks

Brett Owens (in hat) leads the First Flight Middle School distance team on a training run.

distance dreams Brett Owens Takes the Long Route to Ironman Photo by K. Wilkins Photography / Story by Cathy Baldwin

brett owens’ age is a surprise.

He’s just a few years from 50, but he could easily pass for a man 15 or 20 years younger.

With long, surfer-style hair and a trim physique, Brett’s a father to three teenagers, and wears many hats—co-owner of MMAxout Fitness with his wife Amber, head chef at Bonzer Shack, popular spin class instructor, and distance coach at First Flight Middle School. By any stretch he’s a busy guy, but it’s what he does BETWEEN his jobs that’s truly over-the-top.

You see, Brett’s an athlete. But he’s not the kind of athlete who trains for events and then takes a break. He never likes to say he’s “training” for anything, because to Brett daily exercise is a way of life. In order to sneak in miles on days when he works doubles, he’ll bike, run or both to his jobs. Ponder that for a minute. Here’s a guy who works the morning at a gym, teaching a rigorous hour-long spin class, then he laces up his running shoes and hoofs it to job #2. Now that’s dedication.

His dedication has paid off; he’s placed first in his age group in the Outer Banks Triathlon in four out of the last five half Ironmans that he’s run. He’s also been “first local” in the half Ironman for the past five times he’s competed.

I sat down with Brett—at the gym, of course—to catch up with him and see life through the eyes of a real Ironman.

20

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

What’s a typical day like for you?

I’ll start out in MMAxout from 6:30am to 9:30am where I teach my spin class.

Then I’ll ride my bike and get in a 20 mile ride or run 6 miles. If I have a window between jobs, I’ll run or bike to Bonzer Shack.

Which would you rather be doing—running or cooking?

I like both so much. I give cooking classes at the gym sometimes! I like to take what I know and make it healthy.

Tell me how you got into Ironmans.

When did you run your first race?

I was 38. It was the Sandman in Virginia Beach. It was a sprint—that’s the shortest and most doable of the triathlons with an 800-meter swim, 14-mile bike ride and a 5k run. I started doing a lot of marathons after that. It was a long progression. I did my first Ironman two years ago.

What’s your favorite part of the tri?

Running, swimming or biking?

I’m definitely a runner. It’s funny, I started out as a swimmer and biker. I was surfing at 11, and I was a lifeguard and a competitive swimmer. I didn’t start competitively running until 38. Now I’ve done

10 marathons, who knows how many 5ks—maybe 20 or 30? And I think I’ve done eight half marathons and six half Ironmans. Running is very spiritual for me; I actually run to relax.

Now that you’ve been in so many Ironmans, what’s your next fitness goal?

I want to make it to the Kona race in Hawaii. It’s the world champion Ironman race. I’ve qualified for it time-wise, but I haven’t run in a qualifying race. I ran in the Wilmington Ironman and came in fifth in my age group (45-49).

What sort of training do you do?

I do a lot of cross-training. I teach classes—mostly spin classes, which are one hour of high intensity. I take some strength classes with weights. A lot of what we do here (at MMAxout) is tailored around me running the Ironman. I do a lot less mileage outside than most who train for Ironmans. But I don’t like to say I’m “training” for anything. It’s a lifestyle— you should always be training. I’d like to say that if someone asked me I could run in an Ironman tomorrow.

What do you bring with you to an Ironman race?

You need a lot of equipment. There’s

five bags, plus my bike, wetsuit, nutrition. You have a bag at each of the different stations.

What sort of “nutrition” do you have to consume?

There’s a lot you have to eat. I’m supposed to consume around 1,100 calories an hour. I have special protein-carb shakes that I make for my endurance races.

How long does it take to run an Ironman?

It’s right around 6 hours on the bike.

My last swim was 47 minutes, but that was a really fast one. It can be an hour.

3:50 is a decent run, but my best is 3:16.

What advice would you give a budding triathlete?

Start off with sprint triathlons. We have a nice community here of triathletes. There’s Outer Banks Triathlon club that meets on the Outer Banks.

Where do you see yourself fitness-wise in ten years?

I haven’t done it yet, but I’d like to get into longer runs. And I’d like to keep doing Ironman; I really enjoy those races.

Plus, the older you get, the easier the age groups are!

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21

arts & entertainment

Real Life Fish Tales Fishin’ Frenzy’s Wild Ride

By Lindsey Beasley Dianna

How big would you say that tuna was that you caught? About this big—no, this

big? Last year, National Geographic’s television crews came our way to put several of our local fishermen on the spot and in the homes of anyone who’s ever wanted to see the making of a real life “big fish story.”

Fishing enthusiasts have been watching National Geographic’s original hit series Wicked Tuna for years. To change it up, Nat Geo brought several of the top fishermen from Gloucester, Massachusetts, down to the Outer Banks to pit the North against the South—and in turn stir up an age-old rivalry.

Nat Geo advertised for tuna fishermen on Craigslist, and flyers went into the fishermen’s boxes at the local marina.

There was a good turnout for casting calls, held in November of 2013. “We weren’t a shoo-in by any means,” says Captain Greg Mayer of Fishin’ Frenzy.

When the spin-off series Wicked Tuna: North vs. South premiered, proud Outer Bankers along with people across the country tuned in to watch the northern cast battle it out with our southern boys in a race to catch the most Bluefin tuna before hitting the quota for the commercial season. We talked with Captain Greg Mayer and First Mate Nick Gowitzka of Fishin’ Frenzy, winners of the first season, to discuss charter and commercial fishing and their year in the limelight as they gear up for Season 2.

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A Difficult Job In past years, they would arrive at the boat before dawn and head out through the tenuous and ever-changing conditions of Oregon Inlet. Some nights they’d catch their quota and be able to get home for bed; other nights they’d stay until the wee hours of the morning to catch more fish. Now, “It’s as hard as it’s ever been,” says Nick. “With the Inlet being so unsafe, we have to come and go with tides. When the bridge was in better shape we could leave at 4am, go ten knots and save fuel and money. Now we have to wait for sun up, pulling outriggers and antennae down because we’re going through places boats were not intended to go.”

Apart from the weather and conditions of Oregon Inlet, other key factors differentiate fishing in the north, where the original Wicked Tuna series was filmed, and the Outer Banks.

“Up north the fish are present all year. Not so here. Every day they go fishing, they have a chance to catch something. The fish are there, but they’re just waiting for the season to open.

Our season is open, but we’re waiting on the fish,” explains Greg. The southern boats have a much shorter season and a fraction of the northern fisheries’ quota, he says.

Cast and Crew Nick met the northern crew during filming for the first time last year. Greg, originally from New Jersey before moving to the Outer Banks decades ago, had done a lot of tuna fishing in the north and had gotten to know several of the

cast members. When the original Wicked Tuna was on, they would watch with a critical eye, and Greg used to field their questions about the reality of our local fishing conditions.

He was fishing in New Jersey when he got the call letting him know the Fishin’ Frenzy had made the cut for the show. “Now here I am on it, and they can see for themselves what’s going on,” he says. “It’s kind of fun for them to really see what it’s like down here!”

Both Greg and Nick have known the other southern boat crews chosen for Season 1 for years. Britton Shackelford (“Shack”, Captain of the Doghouse) has fished with both of them on many occasions; he and Greg are both on the North Carolina Watermen United board together. Shack is the President of NCWU which represents fishermen and provides a voice for fair regulations.

“We don’t get to see all of the guys all the time, but we do all get along,” Greg says when asked about the other southern boat captains.

That might come as a surprise to some viewers who forget that smooth sailing and copasetic relationships don’t make for sensational television. Cracking up at the memory, Greg tells of a trip to the Morehead Seafood Festival after the show had aired with Shack and Reed Meredith, a third generation fisherman born and raised on the Outer Banks and Captain of the Wahoo. A boy who’d been eyeing them up finally came up to Greg and asked him why he and Reed fought so much. Greg answered, “You know, Reed and I have

@northbeachsun

Life after the Show

Season 2

Aside from occasional public scrutiny, the two say they haven’t felt much of a sense of recognition beyond the marina and some old acquaintances coming out of the woodwork. A good friend of Greg’s, a tackle rep, told him, “You’re going to find out that the farther away you get from home, the more popular you are.”

For their return season, they’re looking forward to catching a whole lot of fish. The quota was doubled this year to 46 tons, and they are expecting to nearly double their time out fishing.

Winning Season 1 had its perks; Greg got the chance to venture away from home, flying to New York to guest on Fox and Friends with co-star Paul Hebert. He was also flown out to Los Angeles for the Television Critics Association’s season premieres, where he stayed at the Beverly Hills Hilton and got the chance to meet cast members from Life Below Zero, another Nat Geo show he followed.

Business certainly has not suffered from the publicity.

Merchandise sales, especially straight off the boat, are excellent. Folks love to show off their shirts and get on the recognizable red boat. Exposure has also helped to bolster their off season charters. “With the prices going up, anything that helps you stand out is good,” says Greg.

Left: Captain Greg Mayer (photo by K. Wilkins Photography). Above: The signature red hull of the Fishin’ Frenzy and another successful catch on board. (Photos courtesy of Greg Mayer).

been fishing together for 15 years. We’re pretty close, but every once in a while we’ll get into a fight. Don’t you ever fight with your brothers?”

Adjusting to life in the public eye was challenging, especially when the show first came out. “There are always haters, and it’s hard to bite your tongue. That’s the hardest part about it. But as long as they’re hating it, they’re watching the show, and as long as they’re watching the show, that’s good!” says Greg.

Nick wasn’t prepared for the backlash on Facebook either; one quick Google search and you’ll find the now infamous clip of Nick messing around and shooting at a bird buoy trailing behind the “enemy” Pin Wheel; viewers either loved this moment or hated it with a passion. “Nat Geo told us that not everybody’s gonna love us, and we shouldn’t take it personally, but I was totally unprepared for the hate mail,” says Nick. “I’m nicer than I appear on TV, I think. I’ve worked with lots of people for years and I pride myself in that people enjoy fishing with me.”

Nick’s family helps him keep perspective. Balancing home and work life with the demands of his job and the show aren’t easy. Before his season picks up speed, he tries to spend as much time as possible with Gwyn, his six-year-old daughter, driving her to and from school and making the most of their time together. At the show’s local premiere at Pirate’s Cove, he fell asleep curled up with Gwyn before 9pm.

NORTHBEACHSUN

Makers of tackle, sunglasses and related fishing gear have been calling, but both men agree that they are in this for the love of fishing, not the free stuff. They are happy the show is helping to boost the charter fishing business, and they are more concerned with being able to do right by the people they represent than they are getting established on the public stage. “We’re still a one-hit wonder at this point,” says Greg.

For people expecting it to be easy to land a big fish in the summertime, they’re a little late to the party, says Greg. The big fish aren’t around after April. What viewers don’t see are the 12-plus hour days and sometimes weeklong stretches when boats are out looking for fish without catching a single one. Few realize the magnitude of the costs involved between required fishing gear and fuel. Not everyone who books a charter fishing trip comes with high expectations; their favorite charters are the people who haven’t been before and just want the experience of being on the boat.

For Greg, the most challenging part of experience was trying to open up for the camera. Greg recalls, “The first day, I turned around and there was a camera right up in my face. He said, ‘I’m going to be doing this every day, so you might as well get used to it.’”

Nick says, “Everything looks cool in slow motion! But trying to find the fish and catch what you need done on film? Tunas definitely don’t read their script! They do what they do, and to make it look good on film is challenging.”

Catching fish, they both agree, is the biggest reward of all. “A lot people don’t understand what goes into it. It’s what I do for fun, I do it for a job, and to actually be recognized for it was nice,” says Greg.

Nick says he never thought of fishing as a competition before, “but winning was nice, and we’d like to do it again!

The northern guys have been out there before; to out-fish world class fishermen makes you feel good!”

But in this line of work, there’s no time to bask in the glory of coming in first place; the day after filming wrapped, each fisherman returned to work for a fully booked charter season on the Mayer’s Fishin’ Frenzy and the Trophy Hunter, where Nick is a full time first mate during charter season.

Nick did take one vacation—a honeymoon, after marrying his bride Chrissy in October.

Neither can say what’s in store for the upcoming year.

Last year, they filmed seven weeks without a fish in sight, and there was panic on the set. “If the fish don’t show up, there is no show,” says Greg. After multiple extensions, the tuna finally arrived. Now here we are again; waiting with baited breath for the fish to show up in time for our Southern boys to best the North once again.

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23

arts & entertainment

GOING VIRAL

Behind the scenes with the locals who created and starred in the acclaimed short film The Moped Diaries.

Photos courtesy of Tyler Nilson / Story by Michelle Wagner

Before he even finished writing the script, filmmaker Tyler Nilson knew Colington Island would be the perfect place to shoot The Moped Diaries, a short film that has been part of more than 20 film festivals worldwide and went completely viral last year.

“The Outer Banks just speaks to me,” says Nilson, who grew up swimming and playing on Colington Island, a place he describes as magical and beautiful, but can also leave one feeling handcuffed and lonely – where people leave and things can fall apart.

That’s the theme of the 10-minute film, about a boy named Levi who discovers love, loss and heartbreak, but eventually finds the courage to cross that big scary bridge to the world beyond.

“There’s a big world over the bridge, and I think that was the inspiration for the film,” says Nilson, who graduated from Manteo High School in 2000 and now lives and works in Los Angeles where he is an actor and filmmaker.

Depending entirely on a local cast of volunteers, Nilson and co-directors Nick Vitale and Mike Schwartz shot the film for 15 days during the summer of 2012. From the docks of Colington to the fish yards of Wanchese, the film about Levi comes to life. And while Nilson says he brought a vision and tone to the film, the actors are the ones who brought it to life.

“It took the community of the Outer Banks to really make this film,” says Nilson. “The Outer Banks raised me to feel and be who I am. We let everyone here raise this film in a way.”

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NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

The Outer Banks is a beautiful place with a strong community of good people, Nilson says. “But it can also feel isolating, sad and grey at times. It gives off a weird vibe. Even the trees are small, like something is holding them back.”

The film resonated not only among Outer Bankers, but also with people around the world who wrote to Nilson to share with him how the film impacted them. It especially impacted fans who were going through difficulty in their lives.

The story is universal to the human experience, says Nilson. One commenter said he wished it could be a series, “a warm, funny and beautiful series about Levi filling his diary.”

The diary pages The Moped Diaries opens with grown-up Levi (played by Nilson) talking about the consequences a bridge can have: “There’s an old country song that says love can build a bridge. How beautiful is that?

But let me tell you there’s a flip side to that because a bridge built at the wrong place and the wrong time can tear love apart.”

Levi shares one of the most important lessons with his audience fairly early on in the film: “Sometimes people leave and sometimes unexpectedly,” he says. “Take a deep breath, mourn the loss and start living again.”

The story follows young Levi growing up on Colington as he eventually loses everyone in his family, is illegally adopted by the colorful Wanchese fisherman Winki Silver, and then experiences his greatest loss – his childhood sweetheart, Rose.

Nilson also weaves the toughness of island natives into his story, saying that people on Colington don’t go down without a fight. “You fished, lived and died on Colington,” he tells the audience.

@northbeachsun

Above: Two stills from The Moped Diaries. Below: Outtakes from the film shot on location on the Outer Banks.

By the end of the film, after Winki delivers a “wake up” blow to his head with a shovel, Levi straps on his helmet, jumps on his moped and heads over that big scary bridge.

the opportunity to be a part of it. “As an Outer Banker, I’m just proud to call this beautiful and ‘goodliest land under the cope of Heaven’ home.”

“You have to step out into the unknown and just pray the road will rise to meet you,” he tells viewers at the end as he rides over the bridge. “And it will. It has to. There’s no option for failure. When the time is right, you make your moment. What will come or unfold isn’t anything to fear. It is what will become the stories of your life. It’s a big world out there. Go get it.”

To see that home showcased so brilliantly, she says, was breathtaking. “Hopefully more directors will see the beauty of this area and decide to make more trips out and film.”

Casting locally One of the most rewarding parts of filming The Moped Diaries on the Outer Banks was working with the cast, Nilson says. Once the casting was posted on Facebook, responses came pouring in.

Stars included Whitney Waddington of Kill Devil Hills and her two sons Joseph and Bert, Acey Davis, Joey Harris, Drew Vaughn, Winki and Duncan Silver and Anastasia Furr.

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This film, Nilson said, was the result of a whole community coming together, from moms and children, to tattoo artists and Wanchese fishermen.

Waddington recalls that the opportunity to be in the film basically fell into her family’s lap through a mutual friend of hers and Nilson’s. “I knew it was a chance of a lifetime, especially for the kids to be part of a Hollywood vision with the luxury of essentially being in our own backyard,” she says.

With two boys who look every bit the part of what an Outer Banks child embodies, they fit into their roles perfectly. Waddington says she was moved by the film, as well as having

NORTHBEACHSUN

Joseph was four at the time of the filming and Bert was six. “I remember them not complaining one bit about being gone several hours a day to work on the film. They loved the attention that Tyler and Nick gave them because they would not only instruct them, but would literally get down on their level and play with them.”

Chasing guinea hens and eating sweet potato biscuits at the Silver’s Wanchese home was an added bonus for the boys, she jokes. In fact, the two boys had so much fun doing the film that they named their two cats, both brothers, after their characters Levi and J.R.

Furr, who played the grown-up Rose, echoes Waddington’s enthusiasm. “It was a great experience to be part of the film,” says Furr, who graduated from First Flight High School in 2007. “The movie turned out to be so beautiful and was inspiring. It was really fun to work with Tyler and Nick.”

Nilson added that he had more fun working on the Outer Banks than he does in Los Angeles. “There was a great vibe and it was a real treat for the locals. It was great to have that energy. It wouldn’t have happened without them.”

The Moped Diaries, he concludes, isn’t his film. “It’s our film.”

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

25

arts & entertainment

curiosity & culture

Bringing the Creative Process to Light

By Laura Martier

With spring emerging and renewal and rebirth on my mind, I’m wondering what the other professional musicians in our community have been doing during this time where gigs are few and far between and many of the venues are closed. I’m also curious about what our local musicians are manifesting for a busy upcoming season.

As I write this, I am gazing out of my kitchen window watching a frenzied dance take place with the scrubby pines and overgrown rosemary bushes in my front yard. They have been set in motion by a fierce northeast wind, and the driving rain urges them on even more. The temperature has been hovering in the thirties and with nothing compelling me into any overt

activity, I sit. This is part of my creative process—making space to allow ideas, songs, and melodies to come forward, to be born.

For many local musicians this is also true. “The wintertime is the time to fill the well back up and make repairs,” states Soul House Revival drummer Myles Wood, “so that I can give back what is necessary to play music. The off season is the time I feel most responsible to myself.”

Woods’ band just added an additional member to the sought-after group. He says, “That was a process meant for this

time, not only to welcome another into the family, but to also break down and reconstruct all our songs with the additional influence without the pressure of multiple shows.”

Solo artist Hannah Buckley echoes that sentiment.

“For me, a winter on the Outer Banks cultivates a space of quietude that is most conducive to self reflection and development. After a busy and hurried summer season, this newly emerged space allows me to slow down and spend time really thinking about music actively and engaging with my creative process in a more thoughtful way than I am able to do in the summer.”

For Scott Franson, musician and owner of The Ranch Recording Studio, preparing for the season means keeping his studio up to date and running, writing new music, practicing classical guitar and taking time to rest.

Resting is important. Many local musicians work two, sometimes three gigs a day in season in order to have time off to create in the off season. Jeremy Russell puts it this way, “The off season for me is a time of resting, traveling, and being creative. I love seeing new places and getting inspired, and my voice was definitely ready for a rest after this past season! Leading up to the summer season, I’m always trying to figure out how to make this year better than last—making things easier, mastering new material, continuing

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to improve and hone my craft, and overall just being a better musician.”

Becoming a better musician is a priority. Shelli Gates, from the band Tempest Rose, juggles both a nursing and music career. Instead of resting, she sees an increase in her writing, recording and learning; calling them her “winter pastimes.”

Graham Outten, a young solo artist relatively new to the scene, is also not one to sit still during the winter months. He spends his time participating in jam sessions,

Of course there are always those who march to the beat of their own drum. Lee Sharrat, leader of The Hot Signals, has quite a different approach. Like his band, he is full of action and energy and is not swayed by seasons.

“I don’t think about the seasons or ponder nature at all.”

He adds, “I’d get nothing done if I did that.”

is in store? A busy summer with Soul House and finding time to play with good friends... also finding time to be a fan of music is important. The line between appreciation and personal taste becomes blurred when you listen to music in order to learn from it.” Wood speaks of a creative process based in communication and listening.

Like a rolling stone that gathers no moss, Mojo Collins is no exception. During the off season he is constantly writing new music and touring out of the state, spreading his homespun style of North Carolina Blues from Raleigh to Reno.

Sharrat sums it up, “I just love the creative process.

That’s why I do it I guess. I’m excited about the coming spring and summer because I’m hoping to bring more songs to light and hopefully grow my audience with The Hot Signals.”

With the variety of approaches to the creative process and the ever-evolving family of local talent, residents and visitors have a lot to look forward to now that spring is here.

Those of us lucky enough to live and visit here are fortunate to have so much talent on one small stretch of sand. We are also fortunate to have a variety of venues and owners who value live music and pay us to bring our music forward to the public. Birddog, a collaborative project I perform in with my husband and drummer Dan Martier, will be releasing a CD this summer with music we wrote together. We are grateful to have the opportunity to play as much as we want this summer, which will give us plenty of time to hone our tunes for a possible fall/ winter tour.

“The off season for me is a time of resting, traveling, and being creative. I love seeing new places and getting inspired, and my voice was definitely ready for a rest after this past season!”

-Jeremy Russell learning new leads, increasing his repertoire, writing and “trying not to freeze.” He also uses this time to collaborate with other musicians.

Collaboration is vital for musicians on the Outer Banks, and Rick Ostland has been doing just that with a variety of local musicians since the mid-1980s. With the huge boom in the wedding business, his band The Crowd, a six-piece ensemble comprised of working musicians who all play in other bands like Ally and the Cats and The Other Brothers, performs all year long.

Mojo Collins will be releasing a follow-up CD, titled Mojo Collins and Triple Vision after his acclaimed two releases from last year, That Old Carolina Tradition and Joyful Ride.

Jeremy Russell plans to play more parties and weddings while working on original music for a post-season recording, all while playing six to seven gigs a week and sometimes more.

When talking about his plans for the season, Graham Outten laughs saying, “It’s gonna be crazy!” Like a lot of musicians, he will take full advantage of the abundance of summer, working seven to eight gigs a week.

Hannah Buckley agrees. “The community here really supports its musicians, and this becomes so evident in the winter months. Being a musician on the Outer Banks has made me incredibly grateful for out tight-knit community.”

But there are other bands who take a more philosophical approach. Myles Wood puts it like this, “What

Laura Martier is a professional musician, freelance writer and community organizer who currently resides in Southern Shores with her husband Dan and their cat Weenie.

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Whitney, Jesse, and David Bear Hines sit down to read Sebi Goes Surfing.

The book includes landmarks such as the Avalon Pier and Wright Brother’s National Memorial, and Weiland has creatively thrown in some illustrations of the Surfin’ Spoon building. Children are sure to giggle when spotting an airplane flying over the ocean advertising the popular frozen yogurt spot or the familiar feeling of wiping out on a wave as Sebi does during a big hurricane swell.

The story begins with the early part of Jesse’s childhood when he lived in Richmond and was “completely obsessed with skateboarding.” When visiting the Outer Banks with his family, Jesse always dreamed of becoming a surfer and recalls trying to stand on his body board to catch a wave.

When he finally moved to the barrier islands, finding new friends wasn’t so easy until he met Chicken and Pepe, two gnarly surfers who showed him the ropes. The two friends are based on real people who are still Jesse’s friends today.

In fact, there’s a point in the book where the boys meet up for frozen yogurt before surfing and “bro’d down,” which in surfing lingo means “hung out with friends.”

Much in the spirit of their laidback surfing hangout/yogurt bar where they have handy guides of surfing terms at each table, a glossary in the back of the book lets readers know what words such as bottom turn, duck dive, gnarly and shred sled mean.

The Hines have printed more than 1,000 copies of the popular book and have it available in local surf shops, toy stores and book stores. It is also available on Amazon. As they continue to learn the tools of the trade in the children’s book industry, they hope this first success is one of many.

Making a splash with little readers

Jesse says he hopes the Sebi series will tackle some of the challenges young people face as they grow, such as injuries, fears, and social dilemmas.

“We’ve had moms come into the shop and tell us how their children have been struggling in school to meet friends and that the book has given them hope,” says Whitney, who also creates pottery in her studio called “the mud room.”

Photo by K. Wilkins Photography / Story by Michelle Wagner

The couple dedicated the book to their two-year-old son David Bear, who they say already loves the book and shows promise of being a little surfer himself one day.

When Jesse and Whitney Hines opened the doors to their epic Surfin’ Spoon frozen yogurt bar at milepost 10.5, they had no idea a children’s book would eventually emerge from their business venture.

Jesse says the benefits of kids learning to surf can be profound. “When you are in the ocean, it is so big and you can’t really control what is going on. But when you get on that wave, you feel in control just a little bit and feel part of all that energy,” Jesse says. “There’s no other feeling like it.

It’s a feeling that can’t be explained or matched, and it is so addicting that it never gets old.”

Just two years after their grand opening in 2012, the couple was totally stoked to bring their shop’s mascot, Sebi the Surfin’ Spoon, to life. And children everywhere were amped to read of the adventures of this radical dude in Whitney and Jesse’s debut book, Sebi Goes Surfing.

“It’s really a book about friendship and patience,” says Whitney, an artist by trade who named Sebi after her former dog, Sebastian. “Our goal is to share our love of surfing, but wanting to surf is not a prerequisite to reading the book. It’s more about the ups and downs of life than surfing.”

Sebi’s story is really Jesse’s, who as a young child moved to the Outer Banks, went through the trials of making new friends with some of the hottest shredders and eventually learned to surf.

The couple plans on launching a second book this spring in what they hope will eventually become a series that will continue to tell Jesse’s journey of becoming a professional surfer. It’s a tale that took him around the world to places as far away as New Zealand. Now a father and local business owner, Hines has his sights on enjoying the local breaks, spending time at home, and writing the next book.

Along with starting a business together, the Hines family had always wanted to create stories that chronicled Jesse’s professional surf career. A children’s book ended up being the perfect way to share his story.

While Sebi Goes Surfing may be a bedtime favorite of budding surfers, the book is no doubt about a lot more than just bottom turns and duck diving.

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Readers both young and old who are familiar with the Outer Banks will delight in seeing well-known local scenes in the whimsical illustrations of Sebi Goes Surfing, done by Jesse’s longtime friend and artist Ben Weiland of Carlsbad, California.

Whitney and Jesse say that the social bond among surfers is significant and can also be empowering for young people. “You are out there together and can watch each other and support one another.”

For the Hines, the book and yogurt bar are a place where they can share their love for the Outer Banks and surfing.

“We want the store and the book to always be happy, joyful places where people can come with their families to make memories,” Whitney said, adding that she loves the connection children can make while reading the book with their parents.

“We just love this community and love sharing it with the tourists and locals who come into the shop and read the book,” she adds. “That is what life is about. It’s not about making money, it’s about making a difference.”

And Sebi the Spoon is sure to make a difference in future “shredders” everywhere.

@northbeachsun

lifestyle

early onset

B.S. in parenting

tween fever

By Lindsey Beasley Dianna

Whether looking for a way to reconnect with nature by strolling along the Duck Boardwalk, a place to play on the sound or in the park, or a thriving, walkable business district with stores, galleries, eateries, and places to help you stay and play, Duck is your destination.

Summer programs for all ages begin in June.

Learn more at townofduck.com.

Despite my best efforts and the chronological ages of my children, Tween Fever has hit my household.

The children’s symptoms include mood swings, social drama and insatiable curiosity about their bodies and mature subject matter. My second hand symptoms include headaches, general discomfort and sweating bullets as I find myself in an endless series of conversations reminiscent of after-school TV specials gone wrong. Clearly, it’s a viral illness; my nine, six, and two-year-old children have been afflicted for some time. Like it or not, it’s time to face the music and buckle up early for the awkward and angst-ridden road ahead.

I try to monitor my children’s media consumption, I really do, but before parenthood I had grown immune to at least half the innuendos found in pop culture. I didn’t realize that nursery rhymes were morbid, fairy tales were sinister, and even Walt Disney was twisted. And I certainly didn’t anticipate having to explain song lyrics to a ruthless inquisition panel. I think it’s safe to say that now I know how my parents felt watching my friends and I lip sync “Like a Virgin” at slumber parties when we were the same age. I would feel like I owed them an apology for those years if not for the curse they put on me some 30 years ago: “I hope one day you have children just like you!” Well played, parents. I’ve already had to explain to a child who hasn’t yet lost her first tooth why it’s too soon to buy her a bra, so I’m definitely getting what’s been coming to me.

Town of Duck

DuckOBX

Events & Information: 252.255.1286

For a shopping guide and information on special events held by Duck Village Merchants, visit doducknc.com.

NORTHBEACHSUN

My first grader has wanted to be a musical performer since day one. Being an avid music lover I’ve taken care to introduce her to the classics and the original rock stars, and she has great taste. But there’s no escaping the terrifying landscape of the modern pop scene. Wanting to keep party anthems, Miley and the twerking crap at bay a little longer, I settled on inviting Taylor Swift into our lives as the lesser of many evils. It’s downright adorable watching her dance like nobody’s watching with her little sister to “Shake It Off,” but when they start reciting lyrics to some of her other songs there’s just something wrong about hearing her sing about her “long lists of ex-lovers.”

When I learned of her plans to sing and dance to “All About That Bass” in the elementary school talent show, I shut it down with a clumsy explanation and an attempt to translate the song’s meaning into age-appropriate terms, despite desperate pleas and

inventive reasoning: “Look Mama, I can tell you’re going to say it’s inappropriate but you SO don’t understand!! It’s all about bass—it’s MUSIC symbols, hello?!?”

I started out with good intentions but unraveled in a blaze of glory: “She means a different kind of bass, honey. Bass means butt. It’s awesome to love your body, whatever it looks like. And yes some boys—wait—men, like OLD men just have a thing for women with big booties. What? No, not big like mine—even bigger. My point is, you can be all about your own bass, but you’re not singing about it on a stage.” I involuntarily answered way too many questions guaranteeing many more uncomfortable moments in my future. There is already entirely too much butt talk around here as it is.

It’s not just music that’s doing us in; it’s books and movies as well. With a grave tone and disturbing facial expression, my two-year-old approached me with: “Mama, I’m pwegnant.” I know which movie it comes from—I’m sure it’s rated G, but that doesn’t matter since I don’t get to choose which parts they repeat. My kids have a gift for leeching any age-inappropriate content out of absolutely everything, but I’m not going to pretend like I don’t know where they get it from. After a thousand readings, I still can’t make it through the page in The Runaway Bunny that reads: “‘If you become the wind and blow me,’ said the little bunny…” without snickering and snorting like a juvenile hyena.

I know I can’t shelter them forever, and doing so wouldn’t help prepare for the many changes yet to come. I’ve been so focused on getting the last one out of diapers that I didn’t realize this stage had already snuck up on me; it’s fascinating, awkward, and terrifying—just like tweenhood itself. If I don’t answer their questions, they’ll be relying on word of mouth on the playground—the very same place I learned that one could get pregnant by sitting on a toilet seat—and that just isn’t going to cut it. Reality aside, I still fantasize about finding a cure; until then we will keep a one-way trip to a deserted island as our back-up treatment plan for the dreaded Tween Fever.

Lindsey Beasley Dianna is a fulltime mom to three who currently resides in Kitty Hawk. She’d like to be a writer when she grows up.

NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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food & beverage

By Cathy Baldwin

Who’s Mama Kwan and what the heck’s a Bonzer?

Unusual Business Names of the Outer Banks Explained Barr-ee Station Beloved for its brand name clothing at discounted prices, Barr-ee Station has been a fixture on the Outer Banks for 27 years. But what is a Barree Station? Owner Maggie Cox, originally from Australia explains, “Barr-ee is an aboriginal word for mountain in Australia. My mother’s accountant’s family lived on a sheep station called Barr-ee Station. That’s where I learned to ride horses.” Maggie named her first dog Barr-ee after the sheep station (otherwise known as a ranch in America). She recalls, “When I was looking for a name 27 years ago, I called it Barr-ee. The name has served me well!

Bonzer Shack John Kirchmeier, owner of Bonzer Shack in KDH, is well-known for choosing unusual names for his businesses. Quagmires, Goombays, and now Bonzer Shack have all been part of his restaurant family. One step inside the Shack, and you’ll get a clue from the décor about what a Bonzer is. “It’s a multi-fin surfboard,” explains John.

“It’s also Australian slang for ‘cool’ or ‘bitchin’, as in a pretty girl is a ‘bonzer’ babe.”

Goombays GRILLE & RAW BAR If you examine the menu at Goombays Grille & Raw Bar, you’ll find plenty of Caribbean influence. The restaurant’s name also has island roots, explains owner Charlie Hennigan. A Goombay is both a form of Bahamian music similar to calypso and the drum used to create it. The goombay drum is a membranophone made with goat skin. The drum is held between the legs and played with the hands or sticks.

Mama Kwan’s No, there is no one who actually goes by the name Mama Kwan.

Owner Kevin Cherry recalls his bartending days at Quagmires living with his buddy (and now restaurant partner) Kwan Gray. “One of the perks of living with Kwan was his mom used to bring him food every week. It was the best Korean food ever, and with it she would make this Korean red bean sauce. This sauce was one of the best sauces I had ever had in my life, and being the redneck that I am called it ‘Mama Kwan Sauce.’ The name stuck in my mind, and when we put together the business plan, Mama Kwan’s was the name we used.”

Originally the name was a little racier. Says Kevin, “The name started out as Mama Kwan’s Hoochie Hut—what in the living hell was I thinking! Kwan wasn’t sold and neither was the bank. We flipped it to Mama Kwan’s Grill & Tiki Bar.”

Lucky 12 Tavern The fact that Lucky 12 Tavern is at milepost 12 on Route 12, is certainly significant to the name, but why lucky? “Mikey Dianna and I started Lucky 12 together,” recalls owner Mark Ballog. “We played a lot of cards in the winter, that’s where the red and black came from.

We’ve also been to Vegas a lot, so ‘lucky’ tied a lot of things together.” Look closely at the sign and you’ll notice that both the U and the R are in red; read between the lines and the sign says, “U R Lucky.”

The restaurant’s location was crucial to the name, but a Pennsylvanian sports rivalry also played a role. “Being from Pittsburgh, I was a fan of Terry Bradshaw (whose number was 12), and Mikey was from Philly and a fan of Randall Cunningham, also number 12,” says Mark.

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We’ve said the names for so long now that they’re just part of our daily vernacular—“Let’s grab a drink at Goombays” or “I bought this pretty dress at Barr-ee”—but what do those names really mean? Wonder no more— we sat down with local business owners to hear the real stories.

Farmdog Surf School Owner Robert Farmer has been riding waves for more than two decades and teaching surfing since 1999. When it came time to brand his surf school, he didn’t have to look far. “When I was in high school and college people started calling me Farmdog,” says Robert. “I emailed my friend Matt Bailey from Perth, Western Australia, about doing a logo, and that’s how it happened.” Now he’s morphed his business from surf lessons to a brick and mortar store on the beach road that facilitates lessons, rentals, sells apparel, and has a smoothie and espresso bar.

He laughs that from time to time, “Someone will tell a story, usually from the upper midwest, about having a dog named farmdog!”

That’s good for business, of course, as they tend to buy shirts with the Farmdog logo.

Big Buck’s Ice Cream Everyone knows that the ice cream and chocolates at Big Buck’s are to die for, but who is Buck? Turns out, he was owner Belinda and Juraj Pleva’s dog. Explains Belinda, “The logo we have is of our pet dog we had at the time. He was a fox terrier, which evolved into a Jack Russell character to make him more kid and people-friendly. I love dogs, ice cream, espresso and chocolate, so why not?” They opened their first ice cream shop in TimBuck II, so it was also a play on words.

“It all kind of worked together,” says Belinda.

The Blue Point Unless you lived in or visited Duck in 1989, you may have never known that The Blue Point was once an oyster bar—for less than a month. “There is a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time, because the Blue Point was BUSY, BUSY from night one,” recalls owner John Power. “It quickly became apparent that we could not keep up with the shucking and steaming in the small space we had, and it was Sam’s food that was really what was happening for us. So, we served our last oyster only about four weeks after our first night. The Blue Point Oyster Bar & Grill became the Blue Point Bar & Grill.”

The name “Blue Point” came from an oyster out of the Long Island Sound off the New York town of Blue Point. Says John, “Don’t know if the town still exists, but the oyster does and has been one of the best known east coast oysters for 200 years.”

Paper Canoe Tommy Karole was ready to open his waterfront restaurant in Duck, but finding the right name had him stumped. “I couldn’t find a name and it was killing me,” recalls Tommy. “ I ’m a Grateful Dead fan and in ‘Cosmic Charlie’ they sing about a paper canoe: ‘I bought you a paddle for your paper canoe.’ So I googled it, and at 4am in the morning on the fourth page of Google where you don’t even look anymore, I found a guy by the name of Nathaniel Bishop. In the 1870s he made it from upstate Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico in a paper canoe!”

Tommy kept reading and found to his amazement that Bishop had actually rowed through the sound behind his restaurant. “The guy came right in back of the restaurant!” says Tommy. “It’s bizarre.”

@northbeachsun

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food & beverage

amanda’s kitchen

Hearty Vegetarian Meatballs with Marinara The key is to use finely shaved parmesan—not the grated powder stuff. Shredded is an acceptable substitute but you can easily find fresh pre-shaved in the deli section of the grocery store.

1 small eggplant (about 12 ounces) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup cooked white beans (Great Northern or Cannellini) rinsed and smashed with a fork 1-2 large cloves garlic, very finely chopped 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves or flat-leaf parsley 1/2 cup finely shaved parmesan cheese, plus extra for sprinkling 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

On Top of Spaghetti

2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) Pasta for serving (optional)

the battle of the elf versus the bikini

By Amanda McDanel

Two years ago we lost our Elf on the Shelf. After Christmas my husband and I “hid it” somewhere we would easily remember to find it come Thanksgiving the next year. It took until December 19th for us to locate Aldo, who was tucked into the top locker shelf behind a stack of boxes in our office.

If you’ve been the parent of a young child, you know the power the elf has over children’s behavior during this critical time of year. He reminds little ones to follow all the important rules of the house like putting away their toys, listening, not whining, clearing the dishes, going to bed on time, not whining, feeding the dog and most importantly NOT WHINING. We cheated ourselves out of a full four weeks of pristine behavior with the loss of that elf. We vowed “never again!” and have made naughty little Aldo a home in the back of my bathing suit drawer.

With dreams of warm weather from April to late fall, the thought was that I would have a weekly reminder of elf’s location so that come the following holiday it would be a cinch to whip out the little booger and wave a magic wand of behavioral compliance. I’m pleased to say it has worked, but it has had a very unfortunate side effect. As spring arrives, so does the thought of opening up that bathing suit drawer and the inevitable realization that Aldo has taken in the seams of my bathing suits again! There is only so much fabric on those things, so I must be prepared for that first warm day that comes all too soon.

With that, my first line of defense is in the kitchen, but it is still cold out. Dreams of stews and comfort foods are still near because in the past, March has come in and left as a double-headed lion with no lamb in sight. Yet just recently, I found a solution to this healthy comfort food dilemma, and I’m happy to say that I’m OBSESSED with a new recipe for meatballs made with…wait for it…eggplant and white beans. In fact, since making them three days ago, I’ve commented just how freaking good those things were during every single meal we have made since then. My husband has tired of hearing it: “Did you follow the recipe exactly?” and “Did you put extra cheese in?” and “Where did you find the angel’s tears to keep them so moist?” Because let me assure you, those babies are amazeBALLS. I served them over whole wheat pasta with marina sauce the first time. I imagine they would be delicious as a comforting appetizer in a crockpot with a red sauce alongside toothpicks. My next plan is to place them into butter lettuce leaves topped with chopped carrots, sprouts and a drizzle of Italian dressing for a lettuce wrap.

So while I’m battling this last dose of Jack Frost, I’m keeping my soul well-fed with friends, family, figure-friendly food and knowing that when that first warm beach day arrives, I can look at Aldo, smile and then move him ever so sneakily to my husband’s bathing suit drawer.

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place the eggplant on top.

Use a fork to prick the eggplant 4 times, then place the eggplant in the oven and roast it until it has completely collapsed and a paring knife easily slips into the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool the eggplant 20 minutes. Leave the oven on.

Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh (discard the skin). Place the roasted eggplant in a medium bowl and stir in the egg and beans. Add the garlic, basil, parmesan, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and stir to combine. Then mix in the breadcrumbs.

Again, line the rimmed baking sheet with a clean sheet of foil and lightly mist it with spray. Shape the eggplant mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball (2 tablespoons per ball; you should get about 16). Place them on the prepared baking sheet and lightly mist the top of the balls with spray. Bake the eggplant balls until they are golden brown and firm, about 20 minutes.

While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan. Remove the meatballs from the oven, sprinkle with a little extra parmesan and serve with the marinara sauce.

Adapted from Melissa d’Arabian via foodnetwork. com.

Amanda McDanel has mostly lived on the Outer Banks for 15 years, is married, has a beautiful daughter and a dog that walks backwards. A collector of the unique and different, she has an MS in Child and Family Development, has taught cooking classes and loves to create new recipes.

@northbeachsun

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EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER THE

Fly a kite.

Sun

By Dawn Church

Springing Forward

OBX Style!

It’s no secret that Outer Bankers tend to do things a tad differently than other folks; it has something to do with living on the edge. We have our own take on holidays and traditions, and the way we welcome spring is no exception. Sure, we have Easter egg hunts and Spring Flings like everywhere else, but we also have some options that are a bit, well, intriguing. Here are a few of the more interesting ways you can celebrate this most welcome spring on the OBX.

Saddle up!

Get on your bad motor scooter and ride! Outer Banks Bike Week (April 18 - 26) has turned the growl of motors into a herald of spring. Bikers roll in from all over the country and on every kind of bike to attend nine days of events ranging from food, rides, concerts, tattoo contests and more at locations up and down the OBX. Not to miss? The Bikini Coleslaw Wrestling contest at Pigman’s Bar-B-Que. We mean it.

There’s nothing quite like hiking up Jockey’s Ridge. The 360° water view is worth the trek every time. Now throw in some massive 30 to 100 foot kites flying high and we are talking about a breathtaking scene! April 3rd and 4th head over to Kitty Hawk Kite’s Fly Into Spring and Easter EGGstravaganza for some fresh air and fun for the whole family. When you’ve seen enough of the kites, the kiddos will love the Easter egg hunts happening across the street at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing. Don’t forget your camera.

Hear a tall tale.

Hatteras Island has a history of hardy pioneering-type folks, pirates and watermen. Their stories are well told by talented local yarn weavers, and when paired with good food and some bluegrass music, well, the Hatteras Storytelling Festival on May 1st and 2nd will have you tappin’ your feet and spinning some yarns of your own. Well worth the drive down to Hatteras Village.

Get spooked!

The last couple of Octobers The Lost Colony upped their game by turning the Waterside Theatre site into a haunted walking tour called PsychoPath. This spring they are offering Haunted History, an interactive adventure about the OBX’s greatest mystery. You’ll be guided around the site in search of answers to what happened to the Lost Colony and experience history through “ghost encounters.”

‘Cause nothing says spring like getting the bejonkers scared out of you! Haunted History lasts from March 31st thru April 12th, starts at 8 pm and runs about an hour.

Find grace.

The Outer Banks has no shortage of houses of worship, so of course there are loads of traditional Easter services to choose from and many denominations.

But why not try worshiping outside the box? Still Waters Independent Baptist church offers a lovely Easter Sunrise Service on the beach in Kitty Hawk at milepost 4, across from Black Pelican. You’ll need to get up and at ‘em early—sunrise is at 6:45am!

Hit the beach running.

The Outer Banks is no stranger to races and runs these days, so you can check out this spring’s Flying Pirate Half Marathon, Cupcake 5k, Outer Banks Duathlon, Run-A-Muck mud run and the Shore Break 5K. All are scenic and lovely, and all will leave you breathless at the end.

Jam on!

Some of the year’s best concerts happen in the spring, and offer different kinds of music. There’s the Mustang Spring Jam, Soundside Live, Buck’s Beach Blast-Outer Banks Music Festival and the Shallowbag Shag Beach Music Festival, for starters.

Wear your dancing shoes, or no shoes at all—we guarantee you won’t to be sitting down for any of this good stuff.

Take a tour.

Historic homes are a huge part of the charm of this strip of sand and Kill Devil Hills certainly has its fair share. For those of us who enjoy a little trip back in time, there’s a great Historic Landmarks Open House on April 17th from 2pm to 5pm. Start with a reception at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall at 1pm, pick up your map of the properties and then head out on your own FREE self-guided tour. There are currently 26 Historic Landmarks in the inventory (though not all are open), so you’d better get a move on!

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NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

Sip some brew.

This year is the first ever OBX Brewfest at the Outer Banks Event Site, and with over 80 styles of craft beers to sample, a game zone for grown folks, loads of live music, home brew demos and more, it’s sure to be a big hit. The event is May 31st, and you’d better get your tickets early!

Hidden Outer Banks is the lovechild of longtime local Dawn Church.

She reminds locals and visitors alike to explore the rich history and local color that exists beyond the bright lights of the Bypass. Find HOBX at hiddenouterbanks.com and facebook.com/hiddenouterbanks.

@northbeachsun

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NORTH BEACH SUN SPRING 2015

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