North Beach Sun Real Estate 2019

SPRING 2019

REAL ESTATE

The story behind the creation (and restoration) of the most unique building on the beach NORTH BEACH SUN

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REAL ESTATE 6

FROM THE DESK

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BUT FIRST...

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SPRING EVENTS CALENDAR

10 TOWN REPORT What's happening all over the beach 11 BUSINESS BRIEFS 12 THE GREAT FIRE The 1939 inferno that devastated Manteo 14 TO NEW HEIGHTS The Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center gets a facelift

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20 BLAZING A NEW TRAIL The North Carolina Oyster Trail 22 HOME SPOTLIGHT A different frame of mind 26 D.I.WHY NOT? Closet confidential 28 MOOD BOARD Coastal color 30 SUN SALUTATIONS 34 FIVE FACTS Things you didn't know about The Carolinian Hotel

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SPRING 2019

ABOUT THE COVER: Original illustration of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center by Dave Rollins.

THIS PAGE: Photos courtesy of Elzabeth Neal, Ryan Moser, and the Outer Banks History Center (top to bottom).

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FROM THE DESK

STAFF PUBLISHERS

Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR

Amelia Boldaji ART DIRECTOR

Dave Rollins GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

It takes a village to create a magazine.

On February 9, the replacement for the Herbert C. Bonner Bbridge was open to pedestrians and cyclists for one chilly afternoon.

Locals and visitors alike took this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take in the new 2.5 mile span up close. Photo by Wes Snyder.

Adam Baldwin Dylan Bush WRITERS

Cathy Baldwin Amelia Boldaji Dawn Church Steve Hanf Catherine Kozak Katrina Mae Leuzinger Amanda McDanel PHOTOGRAPHERS

RED PENS, LONG HOURS AND LATE NIGHTS

– these are the hallmarks of the last weekend before we send an issue of the North Beach Sun to the press. In addition to some (justified) feelings of sleep deprivation, nearly every inch of our office is physically covered in oversized proof pages littered with editorial notations, handwritten captions and an assortment of empty take-out containers.

We’re definitely a small, tightknit work family year-round, but these are the times when that’s most evident. There’s a certain comradery that comes with the territory of deadline weekends, after all. Take this spring issue, for example, when we all came up with several ridiculous nicknames for each other for no apparent reason – just ask our art director, Dave “The Dreamweaver” Rollins (he loves that one!). We can get a little slaphappy spending those long hours together, and creating our own inside jokes is a necessary byproduct of spending Sunday mornings fretting over the proper usage of em dashes and oxford commas.

But while there’s just a handful of us hunkered down in the office during these weekends, there’s a huge behind-the-scenes to this behind-the-scenes,

and it truly takes a village. Putting together a year’s worth of issues requires a massive amount of people with a wide variety of skills, from dozens of freelance writers and photographers to the people included in the stories themselves, who often share an extraordinary amount of their time, talents and experience.

The truth is that by the time the magazine you’re reading is in your hands, every word has been read, re-read and edited (sometimes dozens of times!), every photo is the result of careful selection (often after a lengthy staged photo shoot), and every page as a whole has been pored over by several sets of eyes.

Putting together a magazine is a monumental task that consumes us for months, and sometimes even longer, at a time – but at the end of the day, our job is to make the final result look effortless.

Because that’s what you as a reader trust us to do. To take you on a journey that allows you to see the places and the people on the Outer Banks with fresh eyes – and ultimately, to give you a magazine so interesting that you won’t want to put it down.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue!

Ryan Moser Elizabeth Neal Outer Banks History Center Wes Snyder SALES MANAGER

Helen Furr ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Sue Goodrich Tori Peters

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.

N O RTH BEA CH S U N 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 editor@northbeachsun.com

Publisher

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SPRING 2019

Editor

BUT FIRST...

WHILE FINISHING UP HIS MASTER’S IN EDUCATION IN 2012 , Casey Robertson

was assigned four sections of Photoshop classes as part of his student teaching load – and the then-28-year-old was almost immediately hooked. Learning on the fly (and with the help of some tutorials), he also happened upon an online job listing for a business and computer teacher at the Ocracoke School that same year, and promptly moved to Ocracoke Island full time.

In addition to teaching grades seventh through twelfth, his second job creating locally inspired composite images under the name Actively Awkward has taken off in the past several years. “You know they’re fake, but in an interesting way,” Casey says about recent compositions that include everything from back-to-school self-portraits to surreal depictions of Bodie Island Lighthouse (pictured above). “I’ll get an idea in my head, and then I have to figure out how to make it happen,” he adds. “The biggest crossover between teaching and design is the ability to get really, really good at problem solving.”

CONTINUED EDUCATION / CONTINUED GROWTH

Did you know?

The first consolidated school on the Outer Banks officially opened its doors in the fall of 1926 on West Kitty Hawk Road.

Replacing what had until then been known as the two distinct area community schools – which were respectively located in the “up road” Baptist community and the “down road” Methodist community – the new unified Kitty Hawk School also hosted students from Duck, Caffey’s Inlet (now Sanderling) and Paul Gamiel Hill (now non-existent!).

With an eight-month school year, classes ran through the tenth grade, and the last class graduated in May of 1956. The building later became the Judy Rand apartment complex, and still stands today as a youth hostel and campground. (Pictured above, top to bottom: Students playing ball in front of the old school in 1928. Photo courtesy of the Edna Baum Harris and Bill Harris Collection. A shot of the building in 2001 after it became a hostel and campground. Photo courtesy of Bill Harris, whose book about the history of Kitty Hawk Village is forthcoming.)

What started out as a fun way to beat the winter blues in 2010 is now a highly anticipated annual tradition on the Outer Banks.

After Dark continuing education classes are held for about a month every year in late January and February at All Saints Episcopal Church in Southern Shores on everything from cooking to the creative arts – and this dynamic program isn’t only open to the community at large, but it also boasts some pretty big numbers from its nearly decade-long run.

2010

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DAYS

32

CLASSES

348

CLASS REGISTRATIONS

23 81 940 2018

CLASSES

DAYS

CLASS REGISTRATIONS

MORE THAN

$115,000 IN NET PROCEEDS DONATED TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITY FROM 2010-2018 NORTH BEACH SUN

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Spring

Events

OBX CHOWDER COOK-OFF

2019

March 25 – 27

MANTEO FARMERS’ MARKET

FIRST FRIDAY

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

Downtown Manteo comes alive on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. townofmanteo.com

April 5, May 3

RUNNING OF THE LEPRECHAUNS 5K & 10K

30TH ANNUAL KELLY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Kick off St. Patrick’s Day festivities with this race in Nags Head, an Irish-themed after-party and a “Get Lucky” costume contest. obxse.com

Grab your green to cheer on the longest running St. Patrick’s Day parade in North Carolina as it marches down Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head. kellysrestaurant.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND 1-MILE BEER RUN March 16

This leprechaun-themed beer mile begins and ends at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. theobxrunningcompany.com

Immerse yourself in history with Clay Jenkinson as he performs first-person historical interpretations of Meriwether Lewis, Sir Walter Raleigh and Shakespeare. bryanculturalseries.org

March 17

MARY POPPINS March 21 – 23

Enjoy a musical student production of Mary Poppins at First Flight High School. ffh.daretolearn.org

BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL April 1 – 30

This month-long butterfly festival at The Elizabethan Gardens includes educational booths, demonstrations, children’s crafts, gardening tips and up-close experiences with butterflies. elizabethangardens.org DARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW April 1 – May 1

BLACKBEARD’S REVENGE 100 March 30

Ultra runners will love the challenge of this 100mile, 100-kilometer and 100-mile relay race from Corolla to Hatteras. triviumracing.com

The ECSU Jazz Ensemble returns to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks for an evening of jazz and a special lecture by the ensemble’s director. uucob.org FLYING PIRATE HALF MARATHON & FIRST FLIGHT 5K

BIKE WEEK ®

APRIL 20 th-28 th, 2019

Guided Tours Live Music Vendor Sites Contests and more! events@outerbankshd.com

April 19 – 20

Welcome spring with a kite festival and an Easter egg hunt at Jockey’s Ridge. Bring your camera to get photos of the Easter Bunny himself! kittyhawk.com 6TH ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT

6TH ANNUAL HOPPIN’ 5K, 10K & FUN RUN

April 13

17 TH ANNUAL OUTER BANKS

FLY INTO SPRING KITE FESTIVAL & EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

THE OUTER BANKS FORUM FOR THE LIVELY ARTS PRESENTS CORDIS

THE ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

SPRING 2019

Savor four days of this foodie festival that includes activities such as wine tastings, cooking classes, tapas crawls, cook-offs and more. obxtasteofthebeach.com

April 20

This contemporary chamber music quartet fuses custom-made and traditional ethnic instruments to create what has been hailed as "one of the most fascinating sound palettes in the world." outerbanksforum.org

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March 28 – 31

This free art show at Roanoke Island Festival Park features art created by Dare County high school students ranging from ceramics, painting, photography and more. roanokeisland.com

April 6

8739 Caratoke Hwy Harbinger, NC 252.338.8866 outerbanksbikeweek.com

OUTER BANKS TASTE OF THE BEACH

APRIL

MARCH March 16

Sample all-you-can-eat chowders at Southern Shores Crossing as more than a dozen local restaurants vie for the title of Best Seafood Chowder on the beach. coastalprovisionsmarket.com CLAY JENKINSON: THREE EVENTS

ONGOING Starts May 12

March 23

Spend the day hunting for eggs in this familyfriendly event sponsored by the Duck Merchants Association. doducknc.com April 20

Run through beautiful downtown Manteo in this springtime race. theobxrunningcompany.com EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA April 20

Hunt for thousands of eggs on the Great Lawn of The Elizabethan Gardens during this fun, familyfriendly Easter tradition complete with live music, egg races and bonnet contests. elizabethangardens.org OUTER BANKS BIKE WEEK April 20 – 28

Rev up your engines for a week of guided tours, contests, live music, vendor sites and more. outerbankshd.com

April 13 – 14

SOUTHERN SHORES HISTORIC FLAT TOP COTTAGE TOUR

GHOSTS OF THE LOST COLONY

Take a self-guided tour through a number of the historic flat top cottages that once dominated the architectural landscape in Southern Shores. facebook.com/ southernshoreshistoricflattopcottages

Run 13.1 miles through the Outer Banks on this fun, pirate-themed half marathon that culminates in a Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head. obxse.com April 15 – 27

A cast of ghosts and ghost hunters lead nightly tours through the Fort Raleigh Historic Site to discover paranormal hot spots. thelostcolony.org ISLAND ART SHOW April 19

More than 20 local artisans showcase their work along with live musical entertainment at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center on Hatteras Island. Admission is free and the shows continue once monthly through October.

(443) 243-5870

April 27

EARTH FAIR OBX VII April 27

This free, public event at Dowdy Park in Nags Head will feature community groups with a passion for protecting the planet, and family-friendly activities will include live music, a litter cleanup and tree plantings. nccoast.org/events 11TH ANNUAL DUCK & WINE FESTIVAL April 27

This chef cook-off challenge uses duck as the main dish. Proceeds benefit the Currituck-Dare Community Foundation. duckandwine.com

OUTER BANKS DUATHLON April 28

This annual run-bike-run event takes participants on a journey through northern Corolla. theobxrunningcompany.com

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

3RD ANNUAL OUTER BANKS TACO COOK-OFF April 28

Bring your appetite to Ortega’z for this taco cookoff that raises money for Camp Lilly scholarships for local, under-served youth to attend summer camps at Jennette’s Pier. ncaquariums.com

SPRING SPECIALS

AVAILABLE THROUGH MID-APRIL

MAY 12TH ANNUAL KIDSFEST

BLUEGRASS ISLAND FESTIVAL

Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County sponsor this free, family-friendly event at Roanoke Island Festival Park that includes face-painting, bubbles, arts and crafts, music and more for children ages five and under. darekids.org

Big names in bluegrass grace the outdoor stage at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Seldom Scene and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage are among the headliners this year. bluegrassisland.com

May 3

ESA MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

May 15 – 18

47TH ANNUAL HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR May 16 – 20

Watch surfers compete at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head in this Eastern Surfing Association regional contest. surfesa.org

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

RELAY FOR LIFE DARE COUNTY

WOOFSTOCK

Locals walk together to raise awareness and money to fight cancer at First Flight High School. relayforlife.org/darecountync

Celebrate your four-legged friends at The Elizabethan Gardens with pet health and happiness-related exhibits, concessions for dogs and humans, music and more. elizabethangardens.org

May 3 – 5

May 4

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY May 4

Dress in derby style for this fundraising extravaganza that benefits three local nonprofits: The Elizabethan Gardens, Beach Food Pantry and Dare Education Foundation. elizabethangardens.org OUTER BANKS FORUM PRESENTS THE VIRGINIA SYMPHONY May 9

Spend an evening enjoying the sounds of The Virginia Symphony, led by a nationally acclaimed conductor. outerbanksforum.org 36TH ANNUAL NAGS HEAD WOODS 5K RUN May 11

Wind your way through the beautiful Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve for the Nags Head Woods 5K and the Fun Run 1-Miler hosted by the North Banks Rotary Club. nagsheadwoods5krun.org DARE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL’S 30TH ANNUAL ARTRAGEOUS May 11

This free community event with live music, activities and art vendors at Dowdy Park in Nags Head encourages children of all ages to explore their creative sides. darearts.org COUTURE BY THE SHORE May 11

Fashion and fundraising unite at this annual musical fashion show and silent auction at Duck Woods Country Club. Spring's newest and brightest fashions from 11 local boutiques will be highlighted on the runway. All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. outerbanksrelieffoundation.com

May 18

RE STAURANT MONDAY STEAK OUT FOR CHARITY 8 OZ. FLAT IRON STEAK $14 WEDNESDAY WINE DOWN HALF PRICE ON ALL BOTTLES $100 OR LESS THURSDAY OYSTER NIGHT FRIED OYSTER DINNER $18 SUNDAY SURF & TURF 8OZ. RIBEYE PLUS A FREE SEAFOOD ADD-ON

SPA MANICURE MONDAY BASIC MANICURE $29 TABLE THAI TUESDAY FULL BODY MASSAGE/STRETCH $65 WELLNESS WEDNESDAY SWEDISH MASSAGE $65 TOES THURSDAY SPA PEDICURE $49 FACIAL FRIDAY SIGNATURE FACIAL $75

Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily Indoor & Outdoor Dining Live Music Sunsets

Open Daily Massage • Facials • Nails Bridal Parties

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DARE 2 CARE OBX SHRED FEST

! t i g n i W

May 18

Enjoy live music, demos by professional skateboarders and BMX bikers, a silent auction and much more at The Soundside event site. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser go to programs for veterans and special needs individuals. dare2careobx.com

APRIL 1-31, 2019

17TH ANNUAL COASTAL GARDENING FESTIVAL May 18

Garden art, handcrafted goods, plants and refreshments are available from more than 70 vendors at the Thomas A. Baum Senior Center, along with other children’s activities, educational displays and gardening information from the Dare County Master Gardener Volunteers. dare.ces.ncsu.edu MUSTANG SPRING JAM 8 May 18 – 19

Jam on at this two-day music festival at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Corolla. Proceeds benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the Mustang Outreach Program. mustangmusicfestival.com 2019 SEASON OF THE LOST COLONY May 31 – August 23

This fascinating drama – the longest running outdoor historical drama in the United States – brings to life the mysterious disappearance of the first English colonists that happened right here on the Outer Banks. thelostcolony.org

THE ELIZABETHAN GARDENS Join us for a month-long celebration fluttering with activities. Our brand new John White Butterfly Center opens in April and will host butterflies throughout the Spring season!

OPEN DAILY Manteo, NC elizabethangardens.org 252.473.3234 Festival Support:

MFA

NORTH BEACH SUN

Mollie A. Fearing & Associates, Inc.

9

REAL ESTATE

town report COM PI LED BY CATH ERI N E KOZ AK

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR TOWN? HERE’S A REPORT FROM ALL OVER THE OUTER BANKS.

Kitty Hawk One year after a portion of Kitty Hawk’s beaches was widened with about two million cubic yards of sand, a June 2018 survey showed that the town has lost about 587,000 cubic yards of sand. At a February meeting of the town council, Ken Willson, an engineer with consultant APTIM Coastal Planning and Engineering of North Carolina, said that the data may have been skewed by certain features of the beach that potentially exaggerated the sand loss. But a survey with closer data points that could address the anomalies would be twice as costly, he said, and advised the town to instead conduct a survey parallel to the beach. Willson also recommended additional monitoring to look for longer-term trends in erosion of the nourished beach, in addition to planning for a renourishment project in 2022.

Kill Devil Hills Currituck County With the county selected to host the 2019 Tarheel Softball State Tournament, hundreds of players, coaches and members of their families will be visiting Currituck’s mainland this summer, with some no doubt straying to the water park or an Outer Banks beach to cool off. Youngsters from 32 youth softball teams, representing the winning teams from seven softball league districts in North Carolina, will be participating in games held July 18-21 at the Parks and Recreation complex at the Currituck Community Park in Barco. Currituck County will be represented by teams entered in the eight-and-under and 10-and-under divisions. Other age divisions in the tournament include 12-and-under and 15-and-under.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday July 18, and the public is welcome to all the games.

Duck Phase II of the town’s ongoing pedestrian plan moved into public view in February when RPC Contracting began pouring concrete for a new sidewalk starting at the north end of Duck by Resort Realty. The project also includes construction of concrete driveways at Wee Winks Square, the south entrance to the Duck United Methodist Church, a portion of Nags Head Hammocks and the Dare County water tower. The second part of the Phase II work includes building sidewalks along the west side of Duck Road from the Aqua Restaurant & Spa crosswalk to Resort Realty. Additional improvements in the plan, which is expected to be completed in May, include a dedicated bike lane, new lighted crosswalks and a landscaped strip. Planning work on the town’s Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan, a series of safety and aesthetic improvements and educational enhancements in the village, began as a multi-phase project in 2016. With construction work done during the off-season, Phase I was completed in May 2018.

Southern Shores Beach nourishment of the entire length of Southern Shore’s shoreline could cost anywhere from $9 million to $13.5 million, according to a recent report by APTIM Coastal Planning and Engineering of North Carolina. According to the Vulnerability Assessment and Beach Management Plan, the work on about four miles of shoreline will have to be done when neighboring towns are doing their renourishment projects in 2022 in order to keep costs on the lower end. In 2017, Southern Shores coordinated with Kitty Hawk to widen about 1,500 feet of beach. The assessment considered the rate of beach erosion and sea level rise, past and future, as well as potential storm impacts, based partly on damages from prior powerful storms, including Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Three scenarios, ranked by cost, ranged from about 492,000 cubic yards to about 803,000 cubic yards. The report recommends that the town update its beach profile by this summer, which would align it with project partners Kitty Hawk, Duck and Kill Devil Hills.

10

SPRING 2019

This past January, Fire Chief Troy Tilley asked the town of Kill Devil Hills for seven more firefighters, a need that could result in as much as a three-cent tax increase to cover an estimated annual cost of more than $500,000 for salaries and benefits. Tilley said that the additional firefighters would be part of a two-person rapid response crew and would act as backup to first responders. The chief said the town had its highest number of calls on record last year, a reflection of its growth. In addition, Tilley said the town needs another ocean rescue group leader to help patrol the beach and staff five lifeguard stands. Town officials said the requests would be considered in budget discussions held before their spending plan is finalized in late June.

Nags Head For the first time, waterfront restaurants in Nags Head have been permitted to construct docks where their boating customers can tie up while enjoying a meal or a drink. Requests from Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant and the Tale of the Whale Restaurant to allow up to four boat slips were approved in February by the Nags Head Board of Commissioners as part of a zoning code change. After addressing concerns about environmental impacts and safety, a text amendment was developed that established a recreational overlay district that limits the dock option to restaurants located along the Roanoke Sound between milepost 15.5 on the bypass south to Pond Island off the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway. Within the district, the no-wake zone is limited to 600 feet. Restaurant owners are required to submit a site plan before a conditional use permit is issued.

Manteo After 30 years serving as Manteo’s town manager, Kermit Skinner officially retired on December 31. He had intended to leave in June, but he agreed to stay until year’s end while a search for his replacement was conducted. The town’s new manager, James Ayers, who most recently served as Asheville’s general services director, took the reins on February 11. He was selected from a pool of 40 applicants, which had been narrowed down to seven candidates, including Assistant Town Manager Shannon Twiddy. Twiddy served as the town’s acting manager immediately following Skinner’s departure.

Dare County The architectural firm that designed the much-lauded new animal shelter in Currituck County has been chosen to design the proposed $2 million Dare County animal shelter to replace the existing facility on Roanoke Island. In approving the contract at its January meeting, the Dare County Board of Commissioners agreed to pay a maximum fee of $265,040 to Virginia Beach-based Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects for the project’s design, engineering and survey work. The project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2020.

business briefs COM PI LED BY CATH ERI N E KOZ AK

Photo courtesy of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Tourism Chief Named to State Economic Panel Chamber to Launch Inaugural Tiny Home Event The Outer Banks’ first Tiny Home Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 8 and June 9 at The Soundside event site in Nags Head. The featured housing – typically ranging from 100 square feet to 400 square feet in size – has taken off nationwide as an answer to high housing costs, housing shortages, or just the desire for simpler living. More than a dozen tiny houses will be displayed at the festival, each with a different purpose or style, including a farmhouse, a Victorian house, a chapel, an off-the-grid van and a beach cottage. Sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, OBX Made North Carolina and the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden and food trucks offering local specialties. Tickets are $10 for one day or $15 for two days.

New Rules in Nags Head for Beach Equipment Companies Businesses that rent tents, umbrellas and other equipment to beach goers in Nags Head will now be required to obtain a permit from the town and register their businesses. According to new regulations passed in December, the vendors must set up rented equipment no earlier than 7 a.m. and remove it no later than 6 p.m. each day.

The items cannot restrict the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, or access for ocean rescue personnel, and equipment placement is prohibited within 50 feet of lifeguard stands and public accesses. The town’s action follows last summer’s ordinance that put limits on the size of tents and canopies placed on the beach and required their removal by 8 p.m.

Oregon Inlet Marina Under New Management After operating for 45 years under the original management group known as Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, as of December 31 the lease for the marina business will now be managed by Russell King and operated as Oregon Inlet Marina. The popular marina, with slips often filled to capacity with charter fishing boats, is situated off the west side of N.C. 12 on the north end of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. Among the more than two dozen original stockholders were many of the most renowned

REAL ESTATE

Lee Nettles (above), the executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, has been appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to serve on the board of directors of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The 17-member board, which includes industry and business leaders from across the state, governs the public-private partnership.

The EDPNC focuses on business support and recruitment, connection of exporters to customers, small business assistance and attracting international visitors. The nonprofit operates under contract with the N.C. Department of Commerce, with additional financial support provided by the private sector.

watermen and boat builders in Dare County, including Omie Tillett, Buddy Canady, Warren O’Neal, Lee Perry and Buddy Davis. The 7.4-acre site, which is owned by the National Park Service, includes a 60-slip marina, seven buildings, numerous fuel pumps and a parking lot with more than 200 spaces.

Tourism Taken to a New Level Cutting-edge mapping technology is now available to allow anyone to get a bird’s eye view of numerous cultural and natural attractions in North Carolina, including the Outer Banks region.

Announced by Governor Roy Cooper in February, NC360 is billed as “an online immersive experience” that gives people anywhere in the world the ability to explore state attractions remotely on a computer. The technology, developed by the N.C. Department of Information Technology, used Google Street View Trekker’s 360-degree camera system to map sites across the state.

Viewers can currently see state attractions such as Bodie Island Lighthouse, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Great Dismal Swamp, Pettigrew State Park, Somerset Place and Roanoke River Lighthouse. According to a state press release, additional attractions will continue to be added over time.

market snapshot

The real estate industry on the Outer Banks is showing healthy signs of ongoing recovery, with inventory rising six percent over last year and median land prices continuing to climb, according to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors 2018 End of Year MLS Director Report. At the same time, the report revealed largely flat sales numbers and prices, and a decline in the number of listings. Land sales also declined 42 percent, from 38 sales in 2017 to 22 in 2018, while under contract listings declined nine percent.

But there were some encouraging indicators for 2019 in the MLS report for January 2019. Although residential sales were down three percent for the month over 2018, the listings under contract went up six percent, inventory rose nine percent, and median sales prices were up 20 percent.

Proposed Home Insurance Hike Concerns Realtors Homeowners’ insurance premiums on the Outer Banks could spike as much as 30 percent if proposed rate increases are approved, according to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors. A North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) filing submitted in late December reflects a 25 percent proposed increase in insurance rates for inland areas of Currituck, Dare, Hyde and Pamlico counties, and a 30 percent increase for barrier island portions of Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties. The filing is scheduled to take effect on October 1, but N.C. Department of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has the option to deny it and call for a hearing, or negotiate a settlement with the NCRB, according to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors.

NORTH BEACH SUN

11

REAL ESTATE

Downtown Manteo owes a lot of what it is today to a tragic accident that nearly destroyed the town altogether.

By Steve Hanf

Firefighters battle the blaze as it engulfs the Manteo Post Office in 1939. Photo courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center.

GENERATIONS BEFORE THE EVENTS OF 9/11, September 11th served as another Everyone in town immediately pitched in to help. Firefighters, residents and members sobering anniversary on the Outer Banks. of the government Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) took whatever they could save out It was the day Manteo burned. of stores and homes and covered people’s yards with their belongings. To prevent more The infamous fire of 1939 decimated the downtown waterfront, consuming 21 stores – dangerous explosions, men grabbed rifles from the hardware store and shot holes into the about two-thirds of the business district – plus the post office and several private homes. kerosene tanks to drain them.

But as shocking as it was at the time, the event also helped shape the evolution of a Manteo Nearly 100 young men stationed at the CCC’s Camp Virginia Dare near Mother Vineyard waterfront that today plays host to throngs of revelers for First Fridays, annual Dare Days showed up in trucks and saved untold numbers of documents. First, they carried mail from and simple strolls to soak up Roanoke Island history. the post office to safety, then they rescued government documents from a second-floor From its charter in 1899 to the time of the fire, Manteo enjoyed steady growth as a office, and lastly, they hit the courthouse and transported those records to the outskirts county seat. Over the years, people flocked to the downtown courthouse that was built in of town.

1904. Controversy swirled around a play called The Lost Colony prior to its debut in 1937.

Manteo’s lone fire engine was pulled to the creek so it could draw water. Crews from More and more visitors found the Outer Banks. Still, published reports about Manteo’s Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills quickly lent their support, and later in the day firemen from history called the town “part country mouse, part city mouse” well into the 1930s, as a mix as far away as Elizabeth City and Norfolk arrived on the scene. The men from Elizabeth of quiet tree-lined dirt roads stood in contrast to a more bustling downtown district.

City were credited with saving the Dare County Courthouse, a recently remodeled brick

By September 11, 1939, Manteo’s waterfront was lined structure that caught fire three times but was extinguished with decades-old wooden structures that housed everyevery time – and, in fact, still stands today as home to the thing from a pool hall and a bowling alley to furniture and Dare County Arts Council.

“My god, I saw these flames and carpet stores to barber shops and groceries. Upstairs In the aftermath of the fire, the Manteo Board of barrels of gasoline shooting up into boarding houses dotted the landscape, as did enterprises Commissioners made sure new buildings would withstand the air, exploding.” such as fish houses, an ice plant – and, more ominously – flames as well as the courthouse did. Strict regulations service stations and three industrial oil facilities used to decreed that no repairs could be made to wooden roofs, and -Former Manteo town council member David Farrow ship petroleum products to other parts of Dare County. all the new commercial buildings had to be constructed with in a 2002 interview At 5:50 a.m., a fire began in the M.L. Daniels’ gasoline non-combustible materials such as steel, brick or concrete. storage warehouse, and it quickly spread on that windy Residents, meanwhile, resumed day-to-day life as soon Monday morning from Dough’s Creek to a block of buildas possible. Newspaper headlines trumpeted that “Barbers ings on County Street (now known as Sir Walter Raleigh). Published reports credit Judge give shave[s] before shop ashes cool,” recounting how Marvin Rogers and A.H. Davenport Washington F. Baum as being the first person on scene to attempt to put out the fire, while moved their two barber chairs and a wall mirror into a Hotel Fort Raleigh bedroom to give Punk Tillett raced to the alarm box. After that first call for help, though, no alarms were Carson Creef a trim by two o’clock that same afternoon. Mail that had been saved from the needed as gasoline drums blew apart, letting everyone in town know something momen- fire was almost immediately distributed at the old Wigwam Tea Room. tous was unfolding.

Fortunately, no one died in the blaze. Property owners received a total award of $41,105 In an oral history on file at the Outer Banks History Center, former Manteo town council from the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey about a year later, but less than 10 percent of member David Farrow recalled what he described as “a terrible tragedy.” He was 10 years an estimated $200,000 in losses was covered by insurance. Other fires have since darkened old at the time of the fire, just another boy getting ready for school in his house three blocks Manteo’s history as well, such as the Hotel Roanoke fire in 1952 and the destruction of the from the waterfront. iconic Fearing’s drugstore in 1981, but the great fire of 1939 stands as one of the worst What David saw when he looked out his bedroom window would never leave him. moments in the town’s history.

“My god, I saw these flames and barrels of gasoline shooting up into the air, exploding,” Luckily, from the ashes, a beautiful downtown enjoyed by thousands of residents and David said in a 2002 interview, 14 years before the lifelong Manteo resident passed away at visitors alike was born. And except for some accounts in the history books, no one watching the age of 87. “I had never seen anything like it before. It just scared me. The whole town was the sound water lap against the shoreline on a lovely spring afternoon would know about on fire.”

Manteo’s charred past.

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REAL ESTATE

Originally built as part of a nationwide program to help people enjoy our national parks, the visitor center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial is perhaps the most iconic building on the Outer Banks. Now a thorough restoration has ensured it will continue its mission for years to come.

To

Photos by Ryan Moser / Story by Steve Hanf

C

ypress paneling. Tall windows. A flat roof. Lots of concrete. And all that bright orange paint.

Sure, the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center is plenty interesting. But historic and visionary?

You bet, and all the more so after a two-year renovation project that just updated the building’s mechanical systems – a comprehensive undertaking that also corrected some misguided modifications from the building’s original plans that date back to its opening in 1960.

The visitor center might not be as historically significant as, say, the first flight that it celebrates, but it does serve as one of the first and best examples of the National Park Service’s renowned Mission 66 program, which was a nationwide

14

SPRING 2019

campaign by the Park Service to shift from a rustic to a modern architectural style in a 1950s building boom launched ahead of its golden 50th anniversary in 1966.

“Mission 66 was designed to improve the infrastructure of the Park Service to meet the increased post-war demands of tourism. There were so many more people visiting the parks, and we just didn’t have the facilities to accommodate everybody,” explains Jami Lanier, the Outer Banks’ Park Service’s cultural resource manager who works out of their Fort Raleigh offices. “The Park Service pioneered the idea of the visitor center. That term had not been used before then.”

In the process of building about a hundred visitor centers across the country during the Mission 66 period, the Park Service focused on helping people enjoy the site they had entered without having the visitor center overwhelm the park itself.

New Heights

Consider the Wright Brothers Visitor Center in particular: The Park Service used inexpensive building materials such as concrete, steel and glass. The flat roof keeps a low profile that mimics the surrounding sand flats, while the dome above the flight room and arched overhang symbolize flight. For those inside the visitor center, the tall windows offer expansive views of the flight path and the monument atop Kill Devil Hill – both of which are defining features of the visitor experience.

And while the building, which was designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola, boasts plenty of sturdy concrete, the cypress paneling offers a steady contrast. And yes, Jami says with a smile, everybody always asks about the striking orange paint.

“The orange was chosen by a Park Service designer who felt it would highlight the windows and the dome,” Jami explains. “It certainly does make them stand out; you can’t argue with that.”

Some changes were implemented over the years, though. During the 1970s, for example, the cypress panels were covered with aluminum siding that was painted white, then dark brown. Unlike the originals, the replacement windows were tinted, which reduced the natural light level and wound up blocking some of the building’s majestic view.

“It totally changed the character of the building,” Jami says.

The center’s recent restoration has brought it fully back to its former Mission 66 glory, however. The original cypress paneling is now evident again on three

continued>

NORTH BEACH SUN

15

Clockwise from far left: Details of the bright orange trim and the concrete ceiling in the Flight Room; The original cypress paneling on the outside of the building; The visitor center's front lobby and help desk; A full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer is the crown jewel of the Flight Room — complete with views of the Wright brothers monument.

sides of the building, although most visitors won’t see all of them unless they’re visiting the outdoor bathrooms, which can be reached from the entry terrace that beckons guests from their cars directly into the visitor center – and, perhaps seemingly counterintuitively, not the monument itself.

“The idea behind the visitor center was that this would be a place of orientation for the site,” Jami explains. “You can gather information here, view the exhibits, and then make your way out to experience the park.”

The interior of the visitor center is also distinctively designed. From the lobby, guests can easily transition into the main display area, which is full of interactive exhibits that both tell the story of the Wright brothers and the progression of aviation as a whole. With its wood paneling and lower ceiling, this part of the visitor center was intended to be a “contemplative space conducive to study,” according to the initial plans.

The building then opens into the airy flight room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the flight line and the monument, a new back wall with a huge video screen, and of course the main event – a full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer sitting beneath a domed roof.

16

SPRING 2019

After spending time in the flight room, visitors are finally ready to experience the rest of the park. From there, they can exit onto the ceremonial terrace where there are clearly marked paths to both the flight line and the monument.

Due to its place in Mission 66 history, the unique Wright Brothers Visitor Center was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Sarah Allaback, author of Mission 66 Visitor Centers: The History of a Building Type, even wrote about the Wright Brothers Visitor Center in these glowing terms: “Few buildings speak so eloquently about the goals of the Mission 66 program – the effort to bring the public into the action without damaging park resources, the importance of a modern architectural style representative of new technology, and the need for a functional visitor facility suitable for the next generation.”

Or, as Lead Ranger Ashley Dickerson puts it, the visitor center provides an experience.

“Especially when you’re walking through the exhibits, the goal is to encourage visitors to think about their own lives and dreams, and where they see themselves in the Wright story,” she says. “The big theme here is about making the impossible, possible.”

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SPRING 2019

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REAL ESTATE

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trail

BY CATHERINE KOZAK

O

ther regions have their wine trails, their craft beer trails and their artisan trails. And, if all goes as planned, the Outer Banks will soon have its own oyster trail.

With the success of the Virginia Oyster Trail proving that the multi-faceted appeal of local oysters extends far beyond more traditional winter oyster roasts, North Carolina is ready to blaze a salty trail as part of the state’s quest to become what renowned oyster guru and author Rowan Jacobson once described as “the Napa Valley of oysters.”

At a December 7 meeting in Manteo, about 30 people from the restaurant, fishing and tourism industries gathered to discuss oysters and mariculture – and there was obvious interest in creating a network that could highlight eco-tourism, fresh seafood and Outer Banks history, according to Jane Harrison, a coastal economics specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant. Considering other information gleaned from prior community conversations up and down the coast, she says that the time seems right to move forward in developing an oyster trail in particular.

“We decided to focus our initial efforts on the north coast, because Dare County is already so well established in the tourism industry,” Jane adds. “It’s really a natural fit.”

Currently, there’s a total of six oyster farm operations on the Outer Banks from Wanchese to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, along with plenty of other necessary tourism partners such as restaurants and hotels.

Sea Grant has played a large part in a growing movement to both promote and support the state shellfish industry, and these goals were increasingly furthered when the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that resulted in the creation of the N.C. Strategic Plan for Shellfish Mariculture in 2018. This comprehensive report outlines a 20

SPRING 2019

Plans are in place for the Outer Banks to kick off a North Carolina Oyster Trail vision for bolstering the state shellfish industry through 2030 – and one of its 19 major recommendations is to establish a North Carolina oyster trail.

“The role I see it playing is to raise consumer awareness about oysters broadly,” Jane says.

Oysters have tremendous ecological importance. They can clean an enormous volume of water by filtering out harmful nutrients, and their reefs provide habitat to finfish and other marine organisms. Their reefs are also effective in living shorelines that buffer coastlines and act as breakers that absorb wave action. In addition, the sales from both wild harvests and farmed oysters are important sources of income to fishermen and a valuable commodity to the state economy. And as a food source? Oysters are tasty, sustainable and high protein.

WITH SEA GRANT FACILITATING THE INVOLVEMENT between oyster growers, tourism groups, restaurants, environmental organizations and the community, Jane feels as though it will likely take about a year to structure a reasonable plan. And if it goes well in the northeast, the trail can then expand to the southern coast and even the central part of the state.

“It will evolve,” she says.

Part of the North Carolina oyster trail recommendation outlines a variety of site types to cater to a diverse group of trail-goer interests. Participating sites, such as museums, aquariums, restaurants and natural attractions, will offer something for everyone – from upscale foodies to outdoorsy adventurers and history or science lovers.

“We want to offer different experiences,” Jane says. “We’re not going to have people just go to restaurants and eat oysters, for example. That would only be one of the elements.”

Luckily, our northern neighbor provides an admirable playbook for inspiration. “We see Virginia as the industry leader,� says Sherri Smith, director of the Virginia Oyster Trail, who recently gave a presentation in Dare County on the success of oyster-based tourism in Virginia. A North Carolina trail is viewed as a benefit to Virginia, she adds. “Our whole stand is that if it’s good for the oyster industry, it’s good for us.�

The Virginia Oyster Trail connects self-directed visitors, who are provided with a map and site details, to a series of Virginia oyster-related locations, such as restaurants, oyster farms, eco-tour operations and aqua-artisan and craft shops, as well as breweries, wineries and distilleries that offer oyster and beverage pairings.

Like North Carolina – which harvested 158,000 bushels of oysters in 2017, compared with its peak of 800,000 bushels in 1902 – Virginia’s once-thriving wild oyster fisheries suffered severe decline from factors such as overharvesting during the 20th century. But thanks to an intensive state The trail allows effort, Virginia has had a signif- tourists to icant head start in restoring oyster reefs in the Chesa- experience peake Bay, as well creating oysters beyond a robust system of farmed their distinctive oyster production over the food qualities by past 20 years.

Sherri says that the trail being able to visit allows tourists to experience oysters beyond their distinctive locations where food qualities by being able to oysters are grown visit locations where oysters and harvested. are grown and harvested in order to learn about their value to the environment and to the economy. Overall, this increases awareness of the importance of maritime industries to the culture and history of the region. “The Virginia Oyster Trail has a multi-platform marketing importance,� explains Sherri. “Its mission emphasizes community development, environmental stewardship, entrepreneurial growth and cultural heritage.�

The Virginia Oyster Trail was the first in the nation when it was launched in 2015, and it dovetailed with the state’s existing agritourism effort. By capturing the relationship between merroir and terroir – tastes derived from the surrounding water and land – it became a hit with visitors by pairing oysters with regional wine, beer or spirits.

Even before the trail began, scientific analysis determined that there are eight distinct flavors of Virginia oysters, depending on their waters of origin. Combining those flavors with regional beverages and other culinary ingredients, doors open to telling the stories. “It allows you to ask ‘Why does this taste good?’� Sherri says. “It’s a wonderful thing.�

Although they don’t have a complete breakdown of visitation statistics, the trail has been credited with attracting a wide variety of people with different interests in oysters, and the state is an enthusiastic promoter of the trail and all things oyster related. November is designated Virginia oyster month, and oysters have even piggybacked on the state’s famous tourism slogan with “Virginia is for Oyster Lovers.�

ON THE OUTER BANKS, SOME PRECURSORS TO AN OYSTER TRAIL have already begun taking shape. Taste of the Beach, the four-day food festival hosted by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association every spring, offered its first oyster eco-tour in 2017 with special guest, Rowan Jacobsen. For 2019, Taste of the Beach is hosting several sessions of an oyster tour that include a visit to the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s new facility in Wanchese (which features a demonstration oyster lease), a tour of Savage Inlet Oyster Farm, and a self-paced tasting at three local oyster bars. “The first two sessions sold out so quickly, so we added two more,� says Dan Lewis, president of the Outer Banks Restaurant Association and owner of Coastal Provisions Oyster Bar in Southern Shores, which is included on the tour. “It’s exciting to see the response.�

Since about 75 percent of the Taste of the Beach attendees typically come from outside the county, the event provides a built-in consumer test of potential interest in a North Carolina oyster trail.

As a restaurateur, Dan sees an oyster trail as a logical way to appeal to the equally growing locavore movement that favors food and drink choices which originate in the region where they’re consumed. “We recognize the enthusiasm in the resurgence of oysters,� he says. “And like wine, it’s something people are willing to travel for.�

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21

HOME SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH NEAL STORY BY KATRINA MAE LEUZINGER

A DIFFERENT OF MIND BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO ONE OF THE QUIRKIEST VINTAGE HOME DESIGNS ON THE OUTER BANKS

T

he Gallant family was told, in no uncertain terms, not to buy this house. The funny little canal front A-frame with the flat top that they fell in love with was built back in 1970. That makes it one of the very first houses built in Colington Harbour, a residential community that began development in 1968. Back then, lots only cost $1,995, and the house served as a model of what the community could become.

But when Jo Anne and Raymond Gallant purchased it in December of 2016, it looked less like the model of an ideal home, and more like a testament to the ravages of time and Outer Banks weather.

“We had a home inspector who literally told us, ‘Run. Run from this house,’” says Jo Anne.

It needed new windows, doors, paint and flooring. There was termite damage and dry rot. The roof needed to be replaced, structural support had to be added, the deck and dock needed to be rebuilt, and there were major issues with the plumbing. There was also no insulation under the house, which meant that the electric bills to heat or cool the home were sky high.

And yet, there something about the quirky little house the Gallants just couldn’t walk away from.

“From the beginning, we felt as though the house had a good vibe to it, even when it was in tough condition,” explains Jo Anne.

With the home inspector declaring the place in teardown condition, the Gallants offered to purchase it at lot value.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

22

SPRING 2019

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The former owners initially didn’t want to sell it at that price, but the scales tipped when Hurricane Matthew uprooted a giant pine tree in the yard. The Gallants were suddenly the proud owners of a new vacation home – though it was one they’d have to spend all their free time for the next four and a half months restoring before they could do anything like take a vacation in it.

One of their first orders of business was to fix the plumbing issues, and that meant shutting off the water to the house. Between that and the winter cold at the time, they couldn’t stay there overnight, so every day spent renovating meant a three hour round trip from their home in Chesapeake.

“Driving back and forth was exhausting, because we always hoped to get at least one project completed,” Jo Anne says good-naturedly. “But every time we came down, we’d get half of one done, a quarter of another, and then we’d find a new problem.”

Jo Anne recalls spending most of those days covered in paint that she couldn’t wash off without running water.

“I was constantly wearing these yoga pants that were covered in paint,” she says. “I'd go to Lowe's and Home Depot and use their bathrooms or out to a restaurant for lunch. Somebody actually asked me at one point if I was homeless!”

To complicate matters, once the original deck, windows and doors were taken out, just getting into the house became a monumental task.

After all, the front entrance no longer had stairs leading to it, and it was several feet off the ground to boot.

“One day we were working and the doors and the windows were delayed so we had plywood over them,” Jo Anne says. “In order to get in the house, we had to unscrew the plywood, jump up through the door, reseal the plywood, and turn the heat on to work in there for a few hours.”

“That was probably the one day that I thought we were in over our heads,” adds Raymond with a laugh.

But all that driving back and forth, jumping through doorways while juggling cans of paint, and negotiating sheets of plywood around corners finally paid off. Looking at the house now, it’s hard to imagine it was ever deemed to be in teardown condition. Instead, it’s a two bedroom, 1,200-square-foot place that manages to feel cozy rather than cramped.

Much of that’s due to the painstakingly selected furnishings, chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal, but also for their effective use of space in the odd shaped house, like the boat-shaped bed in the guestroom with an extra trundle bed neatly tucked away in a drawer.

Taken as a whole, the décor plays homage to both a beach theme and the home’s 1970s origins without ever overwhelming the eye.

“That's probably what I'm proudest of,” says Jo Anne.

“People come in and say, ‘This is gorgeous. You designed this?’

And I say, ‘Yes. I spent a lot of time on Pinterest!’”

Now that the home is finished, or as close to finished as it will ever be, the Gallants have started making new family vacation memories and traditions there, like star gazing on the boat dock. And because it’s also listed as a vacation rental, they’ve been happy to see lots of other families making memories there, too. It was a monster restoration project, but the end result was well worth the effort.

“Getting it restored and doing so much of the interior work ourselves was definitely a labor of love,” says Jo Anne. “The second we walked in I felt as though it was ours.”

The signature sloping walls add a dynamic look to every room of the Gallant's A-frame home, whether it's in the cozy galley kitchen (top left), the bright bedrooms (middle left), or in the family room (bottom left). A-frame homes like the Gallant's were used to promote Colington Harbour to potential homeowners in the early 1970s (inset).

24

SPRING 2019

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D.I.WHY NOT?

PLAY SPACES If you have a stairwell in your house and aren’t already using the access space below it for storage, do not pass go, do not collect $200, but do buy some storage tubs and have at it. Unless you are in the McDanel household, where I turned this space into a Hobbit Hole for my children to use as a play space.

That’s true love, people.

If you don’t have room under the stairs, see if you have a coat closet that’s a little deeper or narrower in the back. Instead of wasting that area, add a small secret door so your children can have a bit of space that is totally their own. Add a few pillows and a battery powered light and you have created The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe magic.

BIFOLD DOOR CLOSETS Depending on its size, you can also turn a closet with bifolding doors into a whole functioning room.

On many occasions while vacationing, I’ve been able to fit a pack-n-play into a large closet and had a separate quiet area for my babies to nap. I’ve even seen folding changing tables that can be mounted to the wall inside a closet for minimizing a footprint.

For extra pizzazz, you can tackle refreshing the doors by switching out the knobs and adding a coat of chalkboard paint or a decorative color to the door panels.

Alternately, you can remove the doors completely and push a desk into the closet. Add lighting, mounted shelves and storage cubes, and you have a functional office space for homework, home office work, sewing or crafting. Mount a storage basket (made for holding plastic wrap or aluminum foil) to the wall and stand rolls of wrapping paper in there.

The desk now functions as a gift-wrap station as well.

MUDROOMS

Closet Confidential

By Amanda McDanel

WHENEVER I VISIT MY FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN LARGER CITIES, there are a lot of things I marvel at: the traffic, the access to unlimited varieties of cuisine, the ease of grocery delivery services and the abundance of larger cultural events. But hands down there is one thing that leaves me mouth-open gaping every time. Their closets.

My husband had a beach box when I moved in with him years ago – the kind on stilts that you see all over residential communities on the Outer Banks. It had two bedrooms, each with a “walk-in” closet that consisted of enough space to take two to four steps before being forced to turn around. As grateful as I was for those closets, that was it. No hall closet. No linen closet. No storage closet. No garage.

26

SPRING 2019

We eventually enclosed the bottom of the house and added an office, a bedroom with a pathetic double bifold door closet, a bathroom, a living room and a teeny tiny hall closet. Even with the builder’s plans, the closet was stuck in an awkward corner that wraps around a piling so it’s not a true full closet.

Why is it so hard for men to understand the importance of closets? I know we basically live in swimsuits during the summer that don’t take up much room, but for the love of rainboots and winter blankets, can we get a decent closet on this island?

In that spirit, here are several ideas to rework your home to maximize the precious commodity that is closet space:

Just as a larger bifold closet can serve as another room, so can a tiny hall closet by your front door if you’re lucky enough to have one of them. To get started, remove the door totally and transform that space into a make-shift mudroom with a miniature bench for sitting down and removing shoes. Be sure to place storage cubes or baskets underneath the bench to corral shoes, sports equipment, reusable grocery bags and umbrellas. Mount hooks on the wall to hold coats, backpacks and hats, and tack on an additional small shelf for holding keys, mail and extra change.

SPARE ROOMS But maybe it’s time to think even bigger. I mean, if you can turn a closet into a functional room, why not turn a non-functional room into a closet? If you have a spare room or one that’s just filled with junk, consider giving it a facelift in a major sense. Growing up in an old home, my mom turned what was once a maid’s quarters into her whole walk-in closet. She installed a free-standing fixture in the middle of the room with numerous rails for hanging clothes, shelves for holding folded sweaters, and racks below for shoes. It was always a magical place for me to explore when I was a child.

If it’s holding all that stuff anyway, why not embrace it? It’s your home after all, so you get to create your own rules.

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MOOD BOARD

Coastal

2

Color

S

1 3

Compiled by Amelia Boldaji

pringtime is often all about the outdoors on the Outer Banks, but area designers such as Amy Crisler of Urban Cottage know the importance of having a living space that’s as playful and relaxing as the coastal locale it’s inspired by.

Amy started with a warm, neutral palette of white-washed floors (1) and tongue-andgroove walls and ceilings (2). In contrast to that backdrop, she then selected a bold area rug (3) along with similarly striking drapery fabric (4) to both anchor the room and tell a cohesive visual story of color and pattern.

Next up was seating, with an off-white, slipcovered sofa (5) featuring bright throw pillows (6) that complement the hues of the drapes. To the sides, she added a pair of strawberry-colored linen chairs with exposed wooden legs (7) and a custom-painted arm chair with a green apple finish and Greek key fabric (8) as statement pieces.

The comparably textured, raffia-wrapped navy-blue cocktail table (9) and the neutral console table (10) both add another element to the room’s design, while oversized blueand-white lamps (11) and a hanging polished nickel lantern (12) provide a balanced dimension of color and style to the overall setting.

For the finishing touch, Amy chose a strawberry-red framed mirror (13) that both pulls together the tone of the chairs and gives the space some extra depth. Depending on where it’s placed, it can also reflect the colors of the ocean back into the room – and serve as a constant reminder of the beauty of coastal living.

SPRING 2019

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12 9

4 12

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“For the past several years, the trend has been soft, serene colors with driftwoodinspired accents,” Amy says. “As much as I love this look, I thought it would be exciting to embrace color, pattern and texture to create a fun, casual atmosphere for families to get together and play board games or put puzzles together at their beach house.”

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REAL ESTATE

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty VanderMyde Group is Top Producer of the Year for Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Salutations Beach Realty & Construction Beach Realty & Construction 2018 Agent of the Year

Joanne Kepler was named the 2018 Beach Realty & Construction Kitty Hawk Rentals Agent of the Year. Joanne was licensed in 1995 and began her real estate career with Beach Realty in 2005. Sales Manager Beth Urch says, “Joanne Kepler is a diligent and knowledgeable broker who goes the extra mile for her clients. Her dedication and loyalty to her clients is evidenced through her repeat business and numerous referrals.” Joanne works at Beach Realty’s Corolla office and can be reached at joanne@beachrealtync.com or (252) 207-8420.

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Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce that Heather VanderMyde, along with team members Will Gregg, Kasey Rabar and Kiirsten Farr, are the Top Producing Team for the firm. This award is based on closed sales volume for 2018. The team earned the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award, which is presented to the top 10% of all Coldwell Banker teams worldwide. Heather can be reached at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Brad Beacham Group as Kitty Hawk Team of the Year

The Brad Beacham Group, led by Brad Beacham and Cameron Mast Griggs, is the firm’s 2018 Top Producing Team for their Kitty Hawk location. The group led the way in both sales volume and listings taken for the year. Beacham also earned the Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite Award, presented to the top 5% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Brad can be reached at (252) 202-6920 or brad@bradbeacham.com.

Heather Sakers is Top Producing Agent for Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Kitty Hawk Location

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce that Heather Sakers is the Top Producing Agent in the Kitty Hawk office for 2018. In addition, Heather earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite award, presented to the top 5% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Heather can be reached at (252) 599-6814 or heather@cbseaside.com.

Beth Garcia Earns Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty congratulates Beth Garcia on earning the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award, presented to the top 10% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Beth, along with husband Zak Garcia and Debby Garcia, are consistent top five producers for the firm. Beth can be reached at (252) 207-4484 or beth@cbseaside.com.

John Leatherwood Earns Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty congratulates John Leatherwood on earning the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award. John Leatherwood (“The Sandman”) is a consistent top producer for the firm and leads the successful Sandman Team OBX, which also includes Lisa Strydom and Sales Coordinator Debbie Knieper. John can be reached by email at john@sandmanteamobx.com.

Ann Taylor Lusk Joins Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to welcome new sales agent Ann Taylor Lusk to the Kitty Hawk location. A graduate of James Madison University and a former high school teacher, Ann will be joining the Heather Sakers Real Estate Team. “I am thrilled to be part of this knowledgeable and experienced team,” says Ann. She can be reached at (252) 489-9267 or anntaylorlusk@cbseaside.com.

Kim Conner Joins Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to welcome new sales agent Kim Conner to their Kitty Hawk location. A North Carolina native, Kim relocated from the Charlotte area four years ago and resides in Manteo. “With a background in design, staging and new construction home sales, working with clients in the Outer Banks real estate market is a natural transition for me,” says Kim. She can be reached at (252) 473-7503 or kimconner@cbseaside.com.

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Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Welcomes Holly Ashberry

Holly Ashberry has joined the Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty sales team at their Kill Devil Hills location. Holly relocated from the Chesapeake area and is licensed in both Virginia and North Carolina.

“With more than 14 years of experience, I have the privilege of making dreams become reality for my clients,” says Holly. She can be reached at (757) 513-4293 or holly@cbseaside.com.

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Salutations Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

In February, Howard Hanna’s Southeast Division gathered together at the Norfolk Hilton to celebrate the successes of their agents.

Siers Real Estate Group Named Outer Banks Agents of the Year for Howard Hanna Congratulations to Mike and Stacy Siers and the Siers Real Estate Group for being recognized as Agents of the Year. Mike and Stacy also received the coveted National Sales Excellence Award.

The Jones Group Named Outer Banks Listing Agents of the Year for Howard Hanna

Congratulations to Randy Jones and Lynn Sherman for being named Listing Agents of the Year for the Outer Banks and receiving the prestigious National Sales Excellence Award.

New Agents Join Howard Hanna

Howard Hanna is excited to announce the following agents have joined the Outer Banks team: Rachel Neal, Kelly Doshier, Grace Anlauf and Lynn Bulman.

Joe Lamb Realty

Joe Lamb Realty’s founders, Joe and Ann Lamb, were honored to receive the Good Neighbor award at the Outer Banks Realtor Association’s general membership meeting in November. The award, presented by Jimmy Anderson, was for all of their contributions to the Outer Banks community over the years. Additionally, at the same meeting, members of the Joe Lamb Realty team received their Realtor pens and became members of this national organization.

Look deeper.

Resort Realty Resort Realty Announces 2018 Agents of the Year

Congratulations to Cooper Hawk of the Kitty Hawk for being the Listing Agent of the Year and the Overall Agent of the Year based on volume sold. Cooper’s approach is to be a proactive and trusted real estate advisor, which is apparent in all his real estate dealings and his satisfied clients. He can be reached directly at (252) 202-4019 or at cooper.hawk@resortrealty.com.

Congratulations to Michelle Gardner of the Nags Head office for being the Agent of the Year based on number of transactions closed.

Michelle came to the Resort Realty sales team with more than 20 years of experience in real estate and new homes sales. Originally from New Jersey, she grew up in a real estate family, and both of her parents were residential brokers. Her years of experience in real estate from new construction to existing homes are a huge asset to her clients. She can be reached directly at (252) 715-1911 or at mgardner94@gmail.com.

SAGA Realty and Construction

SAGA Realty and Construction welcomes Holly Britt to the sales team. Holly has more than 25 years of experience in the Outer Banks real estate market. Her professionalism and superior level of service is second to none. Whether selling an existing property, finding the dream home, or searching for the perfect investment property, Holly can get the job done. She can be reached at (252) 207-9236 or HBritt@icrsaga.com.

Southern Shores Realty Southern Shores Realty Names Janet Owen 2018 Agent of the Year

Janet Owen has been named 2018 Agent of the Year for Southern Shores Realty. Janet enjoys the challenge of finding the perfect property to meet and exceed her buyers’ expectations, and works diligently to price and market properties to maximize the return on her sellers’ investments. Her relaxed style and high integrity help her forge long-term relationships with her clients. According to Sales Manager David Watson, “Janet is a smart, intuitive agent with an exceptional ability to problem solve. She is attentive to every detail, always going above and beyond to provide outstanding service throughout the sales process. We are delighted that she has again earned the Agent of the Year Award for Southern Shores Realty.”

Sun Realty Sun Realty Announces Agents of the Month and 2018 Agent of the Year

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The Willey Real Estate Group once again earned top agents for October 2018 and were also named Agent of the Year for 2018.

Working out of the Kill Devil Hills office, Hugh “Scooter” Willey has been building and investing in real estate since 1985. His wife, Gerri, began her real estate career in 2006. Together, they are a top-producing team, empowering clients through education, stress-free transactions and excellent service. Reach the Willey Real Estate Group at (252) 489-8491.

Michael Davenport was named Agent of the Month for November 2018. Michael has 32 years of experience in Outer Banks real estate.

He currently serves on realtor associations at the state and local level: on the North Carolina Association of Realtors’ (NCAR) board of directors, as a trustee for the political action committee, and on the legislative committee and finance/budget committee. He was recently recognized by Outer Banks Association of Realtors with their Career Achievement Award and was presented the Ben Ball Community Service Award by NCAR. Michael can be reached at (252) 202-6113.

Jackie Ricks Sample earned Agent of the Month for December 2018 and January 2019. She was also chosen by her fellow Sun agents as the Agents Choice Award recipient for 2018. Jackie has more than 40 years of real estate experience on the Outer Banks. She earned the Sun Realty 2017 Agent of the Year and was awarded the Career Achievement Award in 2017 from the Outer Banks Association of Realtors. Contact Jackie Ricks Sample at (252) 441-8011.

THE ING WORK SHIFT NIGHT E ON W TAK TING A NE AS FOREC SURF

HOLIDAY 2018

REAL ESTATE FROM THE The Stately

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HOW THE SIDEKICKS PROGRAMLOCAL G IS GIVIN DOGS SHELTER UP A LEG TION ON ADOP

PERMIT NO. 15 MONROE, GA

PAID

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PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE

2018 HOLIDAY

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FIVE FACTS

The

Carolinian Hotel

BY DAWN CHURCH A photo taken by Aycock Brown of The Carolinian in 1956 (above). One of the lovely local models during a poolside swimwear show, circa 1958 (right). Photos courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center.

SHE IS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, that grand old Nags

Head hotel, The Carolinian. She filled all 64 rooms the first night she opened in 1947, and she continued to host folks and families for more than 50 years before being demolished in 2001. Standing three stories tall, she looked like something out of old Miami with a stucco exterior that dominated the oceanfront at milepost 10.5 between Driftwood Street and Gallery Row. Over the years that magnificent hotel with its enormous oceanfront deck was many things to many people, some mundane and a few surprising. Here are just a few things that made The Carolinian stand out.

1

Ello, guv’nor!

2

Something for everyone

The Carolinian was a favorite spot among locals as well as visitors. This success was probably due to the many special events hosted in its spacious and lovingly decorated Dogwood and Driftwood rooms. Banquets, annual meetings and fashion shows brought people into the hotel during every time of year. The fashion shows featuring local ladies modeling outfits from Outer Banks shops were always a hit, especially swimwear shows, though these were typically staged by the pool (of course!). Art classes were another favorite in the late ‘50s, and students of local artist James Price wrapped up their course with a Summer Art Show.

3

Murder mystery

On June 27 and 28 of 1957, North Carolina governor Luther H. Hodges invited governors of both political parties from across the United States to visit the Outer Banks.

The Carolinian graciously hosted their visit, providing oceanfront accommodations to state executives from 11 other states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and South Carolina. The group toured Fort Raleigh, The Elizabethan Gardens and the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and they were treated to a special viewing of The Lost Colony. A yaupon tea party (a Carolinian specialty) was had, and both inshore and offshore fishing trips were arranged. The offshore party was even taken to Hatteras Island via Army helicopters since there was no bridge spanning Oregon Inlet until 1962!

One morning in August of 1993 a worker found a woman’s body on the beach near the stairs of The Carolinian’s deck. Police had few clues even before Hurricane Emily rolled in just days later and scattered any leads, and after several years the case grew cold. In a surprising twist, the crime was solved by a DNA “cold hit” in 1997, four years later. Thomas Berry’s DNA had been taken when he was jailed for a probation violation (which was a relatively new procedure at the time), and it turned out to be a match from the old crime scene. In the fresh investigation that followed this discovery, Berry was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. The mystery had finally been solved, and was eventually televised on Forensic Files in 2007.

4

Fun in the sun

Family activities ruled at The Carolinian during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The hotel had regularly lifeguarded beaches and offered a variety of children’s activities. In the afternoons the hotel served fresh watermelon on the beach, and late summer brought a two-week Festival of Fun, featuring beach parties and barbecues, square dancing and treasure hunts for moms, dads and the kiddos, all topped off with fireworks!

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Anchors away

The Anchor Club was The Carolinian’s huge “basement” lounge that held between 400 to 500 people, and, in its heyday, boasted bands like the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Drifters, the Tams, and Bill Deal and the Rhondells. In the mid-‘80s, that cavernous space became the Comedy Club and showcased a number of comedians, from industry starters to well-seasoned pros.

Part of a larger East Coast circuit that attracted quality acts, the club treated visitors to the talents of Brett Butler, Sinbad and Brett Leake. The Comedy Club happily still exists on the Outer Banks, and these days you’ll find them laughing at the Comfort Inn in Kill Devil Hills.

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. You can find HOBX at hiddenouterbanks.com, on Instagram and Twitter as @hiddenobx,and at facebook.com/hiddenouterbanks.

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SPRING 2019

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SPRING 2019