North Beach Sun Real Estate Spring 2020

SPRING 2020

BIG on STYLE IN SOUTHERN SHORES

A STANDING TRIBUTE TO THE GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC TAKE THE PLUNGE WITH OUR INTRO TO POOLS

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SPRING 2020

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REAL ESTATE

18 22 6

FROM THE DESK

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BUT FIRST...

10 SPRING EVENTS CALENDAR 12 TOWN REPORT

What's happening all over the beach

22 AT HOME BEHIND THE LENS

Architectural photography with Elizabeth Neal 24 JUST ADD WATER

A starter guide to backyard pools

14 BUSINESS BRIEFS

26 FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE

Prescribed burns keep our

habitats healthy

16 MUSEUM OF THE SEA

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

28 MOOD BOARD

Home sweet home

18 HOME SPOTLIGHT

Big on style in Southern Shores

30 SUN SALUTATIONS 34 FIVE FACTS

The Whalehead Club

ABOUT THE COVER: The Aquadisiac home in Southern Shores makes a bold statement in the main living room (photo by Elizabeth Neal).

THIS PAGE: Photos courtesy of Casey Robertson (top), CurrentTV (lower right) and Elizabeth Neal (lower left).

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F R O M T H E DE S K

staff PUBLISHERS Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR Amelia Boldaji

The Whalehead Club, featured on page 34.

Photo courtesy of Currituck Travel & Tourism.

Moving from vision to reality.

IT’S BEEN 33 YEARS AND 131 ISSUES SINCE THE VERY FIRST EDITION OF THE

Back then, it was a proper newspaper covering the northern beaches, and we still have stacks of loosely folded copies from the ‘80s and ‘90s upstairs in our office with headlines such as “Whalehead Club Goes Public” and “Duck Property Owner Seeks Presidential Bid.” While they can be hugely fun to flip through from a nostalgic point of view, when Cathy and Adam bought the Sun in 2012, they had a clear vision of turning it into a full-blown magazine for the entire Outer Banks from the start – a publication exactly like what you’re holding in your hands right now, in fact. But, as we all know, change takes time, and knowing where you want to end up doesn’t necessarily shorten your journey.

We’ve made a few tweaks here and there over the years, of course. And every time we sit down to put together a new issue, we bring a list of questions to the table. What’s working or resonating with our readers? What can we improve on? And is there something worth trying that we’ve never done before – even if we can’t be fully sure about the outcome?

Because that’s the other thing about change: It can be scary. At minimum, it makes us reflect on past differences, and at its most extreme, it can force us to evaluate ourselves and confront our level of willingness to embrace an unknowable future.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Moving from vision to reality is a process, after all, and – as the saying goes – you can’t get there without taking that first step. And then working up the courage to take the next.

Thank you to all the readers who have been with us through all the changes, both large and small – and a special thanks to those who are just joining us. As always, we hope you enjoy this issue…and all the ones yet to come!

NORTH BEACH SUN.

ART DIRECTOR Dave Rollins GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Adam Baldwin Dylan Bush WRITERS Cathy Baldwin Amelia Boldaji Lexi Holian Catherine Kozak Katrina Mae Leuzinger Arabella Saunders Chloe E. Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Elizabeth Neal Casey Robertson SALES MANAGER Helen Furr ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Faith Turek DISTRIBUTOR Aaron Caswell INTERN Emmy Trivette

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.

NORTH BEACH SUN

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Editor

115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 editor@northbeachsun.com

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R E A L E STAT E

town report What’s happening in your town?

Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.

Currituck County A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 30 for the new Currituck Public Safety Center, which will house the county offices for emergency management services, the sheriff’s department and 911 communications.

The center will also include space for the College of The Albemarle’s public safety program and offices for the N.C. State Highway Patrol and the N.C. Forestry Services. The $18 million project will be located at the Currituck Community Park, east of the Currituck Regional Airport. A separate 13,800-square-foot metal building will also be installed at the site to provide storage and training space. The center, which will also serve as the county’s emergency operations center when necessary, is slated to be completed by late 2020.

Duck A $147,906 grant from the Dare County Tourism Board’s Tourism Impact Grants fund was approved in December for the town of Duck’s Phase 4 bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The project will include construction of a five-footwide walkway on the west side of N.C. 12 between Resort Realty and Sunset Raw Bar and Grille, as well as some shoreline protection improvements. The third phase of the project, which includes the path on the east side of Duck Road from Duck Deli to the Ships Watch neighborhood, has been scheduled for completion by early this spring.

12 | S PR I N G 2020

COMPILED BY C ATH ERI N E KOZ AK

Southern Shores In January, the Southern Shores Town Council agreed to look into potential funding sources for a possible beach nourishment project that could widen the full length of the town’s beach.

Southern Shores had 1,500 feet of beach east of Pelican Watch widened in 2017 as an extension of Kitty Hawk’s nourishment project, and estimates provided to the town last year by an engineering consultant to widen the entire shoreline were as high as $16 million. Dare County has about $7.5 million in its shoreline management fund, but it has not committed to where the funds will be distributed.

In another matter, the town’s ad hoc committee to investigate sites for a new library recommended a former law office located at 6 Juniper Trail. Owner TowneBank told the committee it would be willing to lease the 2,000-squarefoot building for $1 a year for 10 years. The council voted to approve a resolution in support of the site, and authorized the committee to make a presentation about the proposed project to the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk’s beaches lost about 840,000 cubic yards of sand between December 2017 and May 2019, according to the town’s beach nourishment consultant Ken Willson with APTIM Coastal Planning and Engineering. In a presentation during the January Board of Commissioners meeting, Willson also voiced concerns about an area near the Kitty Hawk bathhouse that has eroded, but otherwise, he said that sand fencing on the beach has been effective. At the same meeting, the town agreed to contract APTIM in order to conduct a post-Hurricane Dorian survey of the beach.

Kill Devil Hills At a joint meeting of the Kill Devil Hills Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners on January 22, town officials agreed to seek numerous changes to zoning rules that were rejected by previous boards. Some earlier proposed amendments that will be reviewed include parking lot setbacks, incentivizing fire suppression systems, decreasing the width of oceanfront lots for cottage courts, limiting the number of vehicles in stacked parking at event houses, and requiring additional vegetative buffering between large homes.

Nags Head After concerns were voiced at the Nags Head Board of Commissioners meeting in January about access issues for a proposed new westside subdivision along U.S. 158 south of Soundside Road, the board voted to table the matter until March. Preliminary plans for the subdivision were approved by the planning board at its December meeting. The proposed 17-lot project, known as Coastal Villas, includes plans to create a new street connecting with Sea Breeze Court.

Construction of a multi-use path along the west side of the bypass in Nags Head also began in late January. The 10-foot-wide path from Soundside Road to West Danube Street is the latest extension of the U.S. 158 pathway going south. The project is moving forward in conjunction with a six-foot-wide sidewalk from Dune Street to Deering Street.

Manteo The town of Manteo was notified in January that it had been selected to participate in the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Downtown Associate Community program as part of a revitalization initiative. According to a press release, the program is run by the state Main Street and Rural Planning Center to help communities improve their business prospects and attract investments to create sustainable growth. Manteo was one of six communities selected for the three-year program. Applicants are required to be municipalities with a traditional downtown business district and a population under 50,000. The other North Carolina communities selected this year were Graham, Mebane, Murphy, Pilot Mountain and Zebulon.

Dare County As the county kicked off the 150th year anniversary of its founding on February 3, 1870, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard touted projects that are planned for 2020 during his State of the County presentation in January. The plans include a new $14 million building for the Roanoke Island campus of the College of The Albemarle and a $5 million renovation of the county Department of Health and Human Services building in Manteo.

The Dare County Arts Council is also planning to construct a courtyard behind the old Dare County courthouse in Manteo by the year’s end to use for classes and special events.

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R E A L E STAT E

business briefs Public vs. private? In February, a North Carolina Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Duck Village Outfitters owner, Bob Hovey, in a dispute with the Sand Dollar Shores homeowners’ association in Duck. The ruling stated that the beach access located in Sand Dollar Shores is “dedicated to the general public,” though the HOA had previously maintained that the access was private property.

Construction Begins on New Reef

Property Tax Values Revaluated

A retired tugboat was sunk about eight miles off Oregon Inlet in late January, officially kicking off construction of a new 162-acre artificial fishing reef. The structure, which will be the fifth artificial reef off the Outer Banks, is designed to create an attractive habitat for a wide range of fish, as well as expand inshore recreational fishing and diving opportunities. The project has been in the works for four years, and in 2018 the Outer Banks Anglers Club was awarded a state grant for $887,000 from recreational fishing license funds to go toward the project’s completion. Before the reef is finished this summer, two more retired tugboats and 7,250 tons of concrete will also have been sunk under about 70 feet of water at the site.

In February, Dare County sent out notices to 43,500 real property owners as part of the 2019 revaluation process. According to County Tax Accessor Greta Skeen, the tax base totaled $12.5 billion during the 2019 fiscal year.

The last revaluation, which includes residential homes, commercial properties and land, was conducted in 2013 when the housing market was still suffering from recession losses. By law, properties must be reassessed at least every eight years in order to adjust values to match the current market. The new property values will be reflected in the tax rate set by the county and each municipality in their 2020-2021 fiscal year operating budgets.

Real Estate

market snapshot Real estate sales on the Outer Banks continued a steady climb that began in 2008, with 2019 showing an eight percent overall growth, according to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ year-end MLS Statistical Report. Residential sales were up five percent for the year, with 175 closings compared with 166 in 2018. Median sale prices in 2019 also ticked up eight percent to $370,000 from $341,000 the previous year.

Land sales in 2019 recovered after a 37 percent plummet in 2018, bouncing back this year with 41 sales, which came close to the 38 total sales in 2017. Commercial sales were also up 57 percent, although overall inventory for residential property declined by five percent, commercial declined seven percent and lots/land inventory were only up one percent.

14 | S PR I N G 2020

Mapping New Flood Zones Significant changes in flood risk ratings have been made to Dare County’s new floodplain maps, according to Dare County Planning Director Donna Creef.

The maps are used to determine the degree of exposure properties have to flooding, and whether or not a property is required to carry federal flood insurance.

In a presentation to the county board of commissioners in January, Creef said that the updated maps have 41 percent fewer properties in flood zones than current maps. Even properties that have experienced repeat flooding, including oceanfront properties, are no longer considered high risk on the new maps.

Some houses have even been removed entirely from flood zones, despite recent flooding.

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One possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the North Carolina Emergency Management flood mapping department was required to work off approved Federal Emergency Management Agency maps, which may have been outdated. Because of this, Creef said the county plans to adopt zoning amendments that put stricter base flood elevation standards in place, and the county will also encourage property owners to maintain flood insurance. Following required public hearings, the maps are scheduled to become effective on June 19.

Checking in on Local Businesses A new survey was launched in January by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce to get a snapshot of the current business community and its needs and challenges. Information collected through the 2020 Business Retention & Expansion Survey is intended to help existing businesses grow and network, while retaining the base of jobs on the Outer Banks. As a longer-term goal, the survey data will be used to identify trends in the business community and highlight available resources to assist in their success. The survey will be available on the chamber’s website through April 30.

Music to the Ears of a Nonprofit Program For the first time since its founding eight years ago, the Mustang Outreach Program opened its own ADA-compliant space at Seagate North Shopping Center this past February. According to a press release, the grassroots organization had to do extensive renovations of the studio to meet regulations, but fundraising efforts in the local community were successful in meeting the costs.

The Mustang program was co-founded in 2012 by local music producer/promoter Mike Dianna and local blues musician Ruth Wyand. The program offers music instruction and scholarships to Outer Banks youth, and its student bands offer free performances throughout the year at local events. The new space will be used to hold regular music lessons and student practice sessions.

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R E A L E STAT E

SEA M U S EU M O F T H E

THE GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC MUSEUM HAS PLENTY TO SHOW, INSIDE AND OUT

W

hen Wilmington-based architect John Parker recalls the idyllic summer days he spent vacationing on Hatteras Island as a child, he thinks of shipwrecks. Washed-up boats stuck on the shore, lying on their sides with exposed, rib-like wooden frames jutting out of the sand.

To an eight-year-old, those wrecks were a make-believe paradise – his very own seaside jungle gym.

Decades later, nearly 15 years into his career as an architect, John would call on these memories while designing the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village – which not only tells the stories of the thousands of shipwrecks off the coast of the Outer Banks, but resembles a massive capsized ship itself.

Cruising past the ferry docks and straight down Museum Drive, it’s hard not to take your eyes off the road to gape at the museum. The 18,768-square-foot structure is raised safely above sea level, and, despite its picture-perfect view of a beach access to the east, is only dotted with a few small windows.

It almost looks daunting, this massive museum – especially after driving past the rickety old wood-paneled houses in Mirlo Beach and the mega-mansion summer rentals scattered along Highway 12.

But there’s a lighthearted feel to the structure as well. The roof has a subtle arch to it, and the front of the museum is dotted with 14 curved beams that mimic the frame of a ship, just like the wooden ribs of the beached boats John often climbed as a child.

“I was probably eight or nine when my family would pack up our station wagon and drive out to the lighthouse, where there was always a ship or two lying in the sand on the beach,” John says. “So that imagery was very clear to me.”

16 | S PR I N G 2020

Talks of building the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum began in the mid-‘80s in response to the need for space that could house North Carolina’s historical maritime artifacts – specifically the recently recovered U.S.S. Monitor, the United States Navy’s first ironclad ship that sank in a storm off of Cape Hatteras in 1862.

“It was a community effort at the time, like a grassroots movement,” explains Josh Nonnenmocher, the museum’s administrative coordinator. “The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News initially got the Monitor artifacts, and that’s when the community decided it was time to start a local museum so that those things had a place to go in the future.”

Over the next 15 years, organizers secured federal, state and local funding, and plans for the museum began to unfold. At first, many pictured a sprawling Victorianstyle structure similar to the Pea Island Lifesaving Station as the ideal place to house the collected artifacts.

But after meeting with the museum board while touring old Outer Banks’ duck hunting clubs for a separate architectural project, John had a different idea. Luckily, the board was responsive. Construction of John’s shipwreck-inspired building began

P H OTO S BY C A S E Y RO B E RT S O N S TO RY BY A R A B E L L A S AU N D E R S

The curved wooden beams gracing the front of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum were designed to mimic the frame of a ship (above). Located near the end of the road on Hatteras Island, the museum resembles a massive capsized ship – but was built to withstand even the most volatile weather (left).

in December 1999, and the museum opened its doors to visitors a little over two years later.

While John’s suggestion for an out-of-the-box design was met with open arms, one of the board’s requirements was non-negotiable, however: The museum needed to be hurricane-proof…or as close to it as possible.

With two-foot thick, double reinforced concrete walls, structural support beams dug 11 feet in the ground, a two-foot-thick aluminum metal roof, and long-lasting wood-alternative siding, the museum can withstand sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and gusts of up to 250 miles per hour, according to its official engineering letter.

In addition, the museum has a backup generator with a 6,000-gallon fuel tank that can power the entire building, including its full kitchen.

“If a zombie apocalypse ever happens, I’ll be glad to have this building,” Josh says with a laugh.

For John, the purpose of the museum’s design is two-fold. It’s both a playful callback to his childhood memories as well as a smart structural design that can brave the volatile weather Hatteras Village is all too familiar with.

But if you ask Josh about the museum’s design, he’ll tell you that it also evokes something much more than childhood nostalgia and weather-conscious construction.

“I think that it speaks to the value of shipwrecks,” Josh says of the building and the invaluable collection it contains. “People are starting to focus more on underwater archeology in general and the landscape of a shipwreck – what led up to it, what sort of technology was involved, what went wrong.

“There’s a tremendous amount of information that can be taken away from these things,” he adds. “They’re simply like moments frozen in time.”

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 17

HOME SPOTLIGHT

18 | S PR I N G 2020

BIG ON STYLE photos by elizabeth neal / story by amelia boldaji

This new oceanfront home in Southern Shores is packed with personality.

NOT FAR FROM THE WRIGHT

MEMORIAL BRIDGE on the corner of Chicahauk Trail and Ocean Boulevard lies one of Southern Shores’ newest oceanfront constructions: The aptly named Aquadisiac.

With its flat-top-styled design and its clean exterior lines, Aquadisiac looks approachably modern at first glance – but it’s really the interior spaces that distinguish it from other beach boxes.

Built by SAGA Realty & Construction with interior design by Keely Owens of N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 19

Kitty Hawk-based Indehouse, the three-floor Aquadisiac boasts a number of impressive features, such as a large, open-concept kitchen, a home theatre, a pool with a swim-up bar and more than 3,000 feet of outdoor living space.

Dramatic lighting fixtures, oversized prints, brass accent details and eye-catching pops of colorfully patterned walls and various fabrics only add to the retro-modern vibe – and unique touches from local artists such as photography

by Katie Slater and a custom fireplace and surround crafted by Opus Artisan Concrete give Aquadisiac that perfect touch of Outer Banks flair. Because it may have a seemingly Mad Men-inspired edge, but it’s still firmly rooted in this area’s casual, beachy lifestyle.

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R E A L E STAT E

AT HOME BEHIND THE LENS FINDING THE PERFECT SHOT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER ELIZABETH NEAL

BY L EX I H O L I A N

“I TRY TO MAKE IT FEEL REAL,” says local photographer Elizabeth Neal. “I don’t know if many people think about houses that way – but when someone sees my photos, I want them to be able to picture themselves inside of it.”

The creative mind behind Milepost Living, Elizabeth has given life to spaces across the Outer Banks with her architectural photography. She’s captured images of everything from grand oceanfront homes to classic Outer Banks beach boxes, and she often works with a diverse clientele that includes realtors, builders and interior designers.

Sitting in Ashley’s Espresso Parlour in Kill Devil Hills, she demonstrates her process by sizing up the room at hand. “I might get down low, and have this plant here,” she says, moving a bit of greenery into her imaginary frame. “Or get really close to a chair so it feels as though you’re sitting here.”

Elizabeth studied graphic design in college, but her photography experience mainly comes from life outside the classroom. She recalls formative moments from her childhood by way of example, such as the time she was captivated by light spilling into a western-facing bathroom at her mother’s house. (A lackluster plastic yellow shower curtain didn’t even deter her from taking a perfect shot of that light.)

Years later, when she met her husband Nathan, owner of the Cozy Kitchens Group in Kitty Hawk, he asked her to photograph a kitchen for him. The builder of the home later saw the photos and wanted them, too – which inspired the start of her niche career in architectural photography.

“The perfectionist in me likes details Elizabeth has and a certain composition,” she says. been known to “And with houses, I can make things as show up to bigger perfect as I need to.” houses along the Elizabeth’s meticulous approach is beach road as almost certainly what makes her photographs stand out. When she shoots the early as four a.m. exterior of a house, she makes sure the to open them up in light is hitting it just right – which often preparation for means coming back to it at different that magic light. periods throughout a day. At other times, the best shots can be had right before sunrise or just after sunset, so she’ll arrive well ahead of schedule to open the blinds and set up the shot.

“That’s when the house is glowing, but there’s still enough ambient light that the exterior background still has some color, too,” she says of her twilight images. These shots are so popular that Elizabeth has been known to show up to bigger houses along the beach road as early as four a.m. to open them up in preparation for that magic light.

“If I’m going to get up early, I might as well get up really early and stand there for 20 minutes to make sure I’ve got the right time,” she

2 2 | S PR I N G 2020

The Aquadisiac home (left) provided plenty of great material for Elizabeth (above, on site). Photos by Elizabeth Neal (obviously).

explains. “It’s a very small window, and you can literally miss it by minutes.”

When Elizabeth first started shooting houses, she used to go inside and turn all the lights on for interior shots. But her look has changed over time as well. Now she aims to use the least amount of light possible and let her camera do the work.

“You can take a photo in near darkness,” she says, “but if the shutter’s open long enough, it’s going to look bright. And I always want to get it right in camera. I’ll usually still have some editing to do afterwards, but I’d rather shoot it as close to the final result as I can beforehand.”

Sometimes she prefers the perfect symmetry of homes – using a drone to get those precise, vertical lines that come with shooting a three-bedroom house exterior from the right height – but other times it’s better to shoot things slightly askew.

Each project is different depending on the space and the client.

A 15-bedroom home can be an all-day event, or longer, if she returns for a twilight shot. If the photos are for an interior designer, she focuses on the aesthetic of the room and highlights smaller details.

For a builder, she might show the grain of the wood or the curve of a handrail.

And shooting a house is different than shooting people. Elizabeth knows this well, because in addition to Milepost Living, she has a beach photography business called Milepost Portraits.

“With people, especially beach portraits, you’re trying to capture the emotion,” she says. “It’s kind of fast and loose. But a house can have emotion, too, and it feeds that side of me that wants to go slow and take my time. I like the quiet, and the chance to take a really good look at a scene – because seeing a finished product that you can be proud of is truly the best part.”

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R E A L E STAT E

Begin at the Beginning There are a few basics to take into account before you get to work, and one of the first things to consider is whether you want your pool to be above or below ground.

It might help to bear in mind that costs can vary greatly between the two – especially when you add in the expense of a patio or a deck!

With an inground pool, you also need to be aware of where your septic system lies so that you can plan around the pipes. Other restrictions such as the size of your lot and property setbacks can affect logistics, so there are few one-size-fits-all generalizations when it comes to installing a pool – and it’s always a good idea to contact your town’s planning department as early as possible in the process.

Whatever you decide, please don’t forget to be aware of building codes that regulate pool safety measures such as signage and fencing – and consider adding other layers of protection such as anti-entrapment drain covers and an underwater pool alarm, particularly if you have small children or animals.

Materials Matter

JUST ADD WATER Backyard pools can be a great investment, but you need to know where to start.

By Chloe E. Williams

As

the earth starts to thaw and our gardens bloom again, many of us begin to feel the effects of spring fever – and one of the best things about springing forward is that we have more opportunities than ever to enjoy the outdoors. But while the ocean and the sound are great for watersport enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like soaking up the sun in the comfort of your own backyard.

Private pools might not be feasible for everyone, but if you’ve been dreaming about creating your own small oasis, you’re not alone…and there are plenty of options that can fit different budgets and circumstances. Just remember to look before you leap – and keep a few things in mind as you begin to navigate these new waters.

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Once you’ve settled on the above/below debate, construction can begin!

While certainly more cost effective, aboveground pools are often limited to two styles: round or oval. There also isn’t a lot of variance on heights (they’re typically between 48” and 54”), but there are several choices when it comes to materials for the supporting structure – the most common being steel, aluminum or resin. Steel is the cheapest material, and aluminum is the lightest and most flexible, but both tend to be susceptible to oxidization. Resin has the advantage of being the most durable material when it comes to braving the elements, but it’s also the most expensive option. For that reason, many pool structures utilize resin as a coating along with other plastics – and proper UV coating is essential to prevent against cracking.

Inground pools tend to have a more finished or permanent feel to them in contrast with aboveground pools, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Customization options are key here, and while you can always opt for classics such as rectangular or L-shaped designs, you can even shape your pool like a guitar if you wish!

As far as materials go, inground pools are typically made out of fiberglass, vinyl liner or concrete – and deciding which route to go may depend on making an honest assessment of your budget, initial time constraints and other longer-term considerations when it comes to maintenance.

Fiberglass pools, for instance, have the quickest installation time and the lowest long-term maintenance costs, but because they’re factory molded, their size and shape are somewhat limited. By comparison, vinyl liners can be cut into a number of shapes and sizes and they incur the lowest up-front costs, but they often need to be replaced every five to nine years – which can add up over time.

The most popular choice is concrete – although it is the most expensive option with the slowest turn-around time in terms of initial construction. That said, concrete pools are considered the strongest type of pool with virtually no restrictions when it comes to customization. In other words, the sky’s the limit!

The Finishing Touches Once the practicalities have been taken care of, there are still plenty of bonus features you can incorporate to dress up your backyard oasis.

For a little bit of glitz, think about adding custom underwater lighting, a waterfall or a swim-up bar – and consider doing a bit of landscaping with native plants that can accentuate your at-home haven year-round.

Other finishing touches can even include nautically themed statues from local art galleries or personalized beach towels in specific color schemes to match your outdoor furniture.

The only thing left to do after that? Grab a cold beverage, kick off your flip flops…and make yourself at home!

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R E A L E STAT E

FIGHTING

Fire Fire

A controlled burn conducted in Nags Head Woods. Photo courtesy of CurrentTV.

WITH

For generations, healthy habitats and safe communities have had one thing in common: prescribed burning.

B Y CAT HER I N E KO Z A K

AS FIRES RAGED ACROSS CALIFORNIA LAST

and more recently engulfed wide swaths of Australia, the time-honored art of using fire to prevent fire has suddenly gained more attention.

And it turns out that there actually is a right way to start a fire in the woods – but only when there’s a right reason for it.

Prescribed burns, also called controlled burns, have been set for centuries in northeastern North Carolina as a way to clear overgrown understory and dead plants and trees. That forest debris serves as great kindling, or as firefighters call it, “fuel.” By eliminating that fuel with fire, new trees and vegetation can grow freely and the risk of uncontrolled wildfires is greatly reduced.

“Burning keeps a lot knocked back,” explains John Cook, a district forester with the North Carolina Forest Services. “Indigenous people did that, too.”

Native Americans traditionally used controlled fires to clear out undesirable plants and insects. Some forests have even become fire dependent, which means that their healthy growth has evolved around a natural fire cycle.

But with increased development, wildfires often have to be contained in order to protect houses and other infrastructure. That means, however, that too much fuel can build up in certain areas – making carefully controlled burns a necessary and proactive fire control measure.

John, who oversees District 13, which encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres in Washington, Hyde,

SUMMER,

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be set at a precise angle or just upwind of a firebreak, Tyrrell and Dare counties, including the Dare County which is an area with no flammable material, such as Bombing Range, says he’s lit his share of “good” fires cleared land, a road or a river. over the course of his long career.

“I’m literally playing with fire,” John says. “You can “It has two values,” he says of a prescribed burn. “It get burned if you’re not careful.” reduces a fire risk, and it also returns an area to a natural But for all that, there’s always the possibility that fire occurrence with native plants.” something unexpected can happen, such as a wind shift Always ready for action, John carries a drip torch in – which makes having a contingency plan vital. the back of his truck in case he needs to set a small fire “I just can’t assume everything is going to go in front of a wildfire to deprive it of fuel. perfectly,” he adds.

A metal canister with a handle that typically holds a According to John, the next prescribed burn is mix of diesel and gasoline, the drip torch has a wick at set for this spring on 5,000 acres at the Dare County the end of a long, looped spout. After lighting the wick, Bombing Range near East Lake. a forester will typically start on the There are also prescribed burns down-wind side of a site. The torch planned in Nags Head Woods and off is then swept back and forth along Bowsertown Road in Manteo. separate rows of ignition lines. The In addition, the U.S. Forest Service farther apart the lines, the larger and provides funds for mitigation projects more intense the fire can be, and small Routine prescribed burns that include creating firebreaks in fires also can be placed in unconnected spots to decrease the speed in Hyde and Tyrrell counties, as well as are typically scheduled which the fire spreads and builds. more locally in Wanchese, Buxton and with predictable factors “It depends on how much fuel you on Jockey’s Ridge. want to take out,” says John, who’s Even with its large number of in mind that give the best also a fire behavior analysist. “You water bodies and swamps, this area might not necessarily want it to be so has had its share of unpredictable odds for a good outcome. intense.” wildfires, most recently in 2016 in Routine prescribed burns are Nags Head Woods. The 2011 Pains typically scheduled with predictable factors in mind – Bay fire near Stumpy Point, likely started by lightning, such as seasons, wind direction and time of day – that was an especially smoky peat fire that lasted nearly four give the best odds for a good outcome. Spring or fall months. are generally the best times of year since they tend to Besides lightning, John says fires in this humid be milder temperature-wise and have more consistent region are most commonly started from sparks off a winds. If it’s too wet, dry, hot or windy, a fire may not boat trailer bumping the road or a tire blowout – which burn well, or it may simply be too difficult to control. makes sense when you consider the fact that North “It goes back to what you want to happen,” John Carolina has some of the highest density of wildland-urban interface in the country. says. “The key word is a controlled burn.”

“Marsh grass can pick up flames really quickly,” Before a fire is set, much also goes into determining John explains. “And human activity always brings some the conditions and the right approach to manipulating a risk.” fire. Depending on a number of factors, it may need to

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M O O D B OA R D

Home Sweet Home COMPILED BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

FOR MANY, SPRING IS THE START

OF ROAD TRIPS, weekend getaways and long, adventurous afternoons that last well into twilight.

But what if you don’t want to get away from it all?

Interior designer and fine artist Tanya Dulyaba often hears that from various clients who know just how lucky they are to call the Outer Banks home – and she couldn’t agree more. That’s why she focuses on creating living spaces that feel just as restful as any resort, and encourages her clients to think beyond the basics when it comes to mixing colors and patterns.

Original sketch and artwork created by Tanya Dulyaba.

She suggests starting neutrally, with medium-toned wooden wall planks (1) and slightly lighter vinyl flooring (2). This will set the stage for a variety of pieces made with natural fibers, such as the abaca-wrapped side tables (3) and the rattan-woven geometric chandelier (4) with matching accent chairs (5).

3

9

A glass-topped driftwood coffee table (6) complements this aesthetic, and blends well with more striking items such as the cozy grey sectional (7) and the deep seaweed-and-sage patterned area rug (8). It also won’t interfere with smaller pops of color found in the glass coral-hued table lamps (9) and the avocado and sky-blue pillow sets (10).

For the finishing touches, Tanya also recommends adding a particularly personal touch. A large, waxy plant such as a fiddle-leaf fig (11) demands attention while pairing nicely with more modern designs, and you can never go wrong with selecting an original composition by a local artist (12) – especially one that depicts your idea of the perfect beach scene. With its soothingly soft pastel tones, it can serve as a daily reminder that your next staycation is only steps away from your front door.

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N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 2 9

R E A L E STAT E

sun salutations Beach Realty & Construction Beach Realty & Construction Names Joanne Kepler 2019 Agent of the Year For the second year in a row, Joanne Kepler was named the 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.

Over the past 15 years, Joanne has worked hard to establish herself as an industry leader and real estate expert. She also volunteers for the Special Olympics, is an active member of her church and is vice-president of the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers. Joanne can be reached in the Corolla office of Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals or at (252) 207-8420.

Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales Brindley Beach Announces Record High Sales for 2019 Brindley Beach ranked seventh overall in sales for 2019 on the Outer Banks and are proud to have two of the top 20 Outer Banks agents on the team, Melanie Day and Edith Rowe. MLS data reports Brindley Beach with $70,357,201 in sales for 2019 which is 51.3 percent above 2018.* This is a 15 year record high for the company.

Other top performing brokers at Brindley Beach include Ron Barrett, Anna Hunt and Catherine Strachan. *Based on information from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® MLS for the period Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty The VanderMyde Group Named Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Top Producers of 2019 Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce the VanderMyde Group as its Top Producing Team for 2019 in sales volume, units sold and new listings for the firm. Heather VanderMyde, along with team members Kiirsten Farr, Will Gregg and Kasey Rabar, have also earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award, presented to the top 10 percent of all teams of four worldwide. Contact Heather at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Brad Beacham Group the 2019 Top Producing Team of its Kitty Hawk Location Brad Beacham, along with team members Cameron Griggs and Brook Sparks, earned the firm’s Top Producing Team Award for the Kitty Hawk location. In 3 0 | S PR I N G 2020

addition, the team has earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society award, presented to the top five percent of all teams of three worldwide.

Team leader Brad Beacham can be reached at (252) 202-6920 or brad@bradbeacham.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces John Leatherwood as the 2019 Agent of the Month Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce John Leatherwood as the top producer for the firm.

This award is based on closed sales volume for 2019.

John was also awarded the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award, presented to the top five percent of all agents worldwide. John can be reached at (252) 202-3834 or john@sandmanteamobx.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces Trish Berruet as the Top Producing Agent of the Kill Devil Hills Location Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty congratulates Trish Berruet on earning the Agent of the Year for the Kill Devil Hills office. This award is based on closed sales volume for 2019. Trish can be reached at (252) 256-2761 or trish@cbseaside.com.

Sun Realty Sun Realty Announces 2019 Award Winners The team of Michael and Madonna VanCuren earned Agent of the Year with the highest sales volume at Sun Realty for the year. Madonna also celebrated her 31st anniversary with the firm this year.

Sun Realty’s sales agents nominated Richard Hess for the 2019 Agent’s Choice Award. The Agent’s Choice Award is given to the agent who has offered the most support and guidance to his fellow agents that year.

Michael and Madonna VanCuren and Geri and Hugh Willey were presented with Platinum Awards for having more than $10 million in sales volume. Carol Perry, Michael Davenport, Jackie Ricks Sample, Joe Staten and Richard Hess earned the Gold Award for selling between $9,999,999 and $5 million. Lauren Cooper, Paul Sabadash and Karen Etheridge earned the Silver Award for selling between $4,999,999 and $2.5 million, while Al Friedman and Susie Sullivan earned the Bronze Award for having their sales volume between $2,499,999 and $1 million.

Grace Anlauf was named Rookie of the Year for achieving the highest sales volume of agents who joined the firm in 2019, and an Online Lead Conversion Award went to Al Friedman for achieving the highest volume of sales to new clients from Sun Realty’s internet source.

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F I V E FACT S

Photo courtesy of Currituck County Travel & Tourism.

Whalehead CLUB

BY K ATRI N A M AE LEUZI N GER

A CENTURY AGO, Corolla was little more than a 200-person village with a one-room school,

a church, a lighthouse and a post office. But all that began to change after a visit by Edward Collings Knight, Jr., who was heir to a vast family fortune in Philadelphia. By 1925, Edward had dredged a man-made island around his plot of land and established a grand residence unlike anything else ever seen before on the Outer Banks. Though it later fell into disrepair, the lodge now known as the Whalehead Club was expertly restored by Currituck County in the late ‘90s – and to this day, it still offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into life during the Jazz Age.

1

FOR THE LOVE OF THE HUNT

The five-story, 21,000-square-foot lodge introduced a number of firsts to the Outer Banks – including electricity and a swimming pool. But for Edward and his new Canadian bride, Marie Louise, the extravagance had a practical side. Along with her spectacularly fiery temper and an impressive independent streak, Marie Louise was also an avid huntress at a time when hunt clubs barred women. Determined to make her happy, Edward built their mansion in the middle of prime waterfowl hunting territory – and extended hunting trip invitations only to friends who didn’t object to shooting alongside a member of the opposite sex.

2

WON’T YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR?

Whether or not it was their intention, the Knights caused quite a stir on the northern beaches – and not every story that circulated in the village painted the couple in the most favorable light. Perhaps the most enduring local belief was that the flashy lodge was constructed to one-up the hunt clubs that had shunned Marie Louise…even going as far as to build a fifth false chimney in order to outnumber the four chimneys of the nearby Currituck Shooting Club. Still, the Knights didn’t keep themselves entirely removed from local life, and every December they held a lavish Christmas party complete with meals and wrapped gifts for all the villagers.

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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Despite examples of their generosity, fans of shows such as Downton Abbey shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that there were still some distinct differences between the Knights’ living quarters and the spaces the servants occupied. Step through a maid’s entrance from one of the opulent bedrooms and you might notice a beautiful Art Nouveau door handle on one side… and nothing more than a plain old metal knob on the other.

In the narrow corridors connecting the servants’ rooms, pastel-colored wall paint also changes to generic white, carpets vanish, and in some places even the hallways and stairwells shrink down to passing room only.

CHANGING HANDS

After the Knights passed away within months of each other in 1936, the heirs to their estate were Edward’s two adult granddaughters.

But even with the lodge’s rare counterweight elevator, a fully stocked wine cellar and all the hand-signed Tiffany lighting, the women decided it was much too modest for their tastes. Opting instead for married life abroad in Europe, the lodge sold to a businessman named Ray Adams in 1940 for $25,000 – approximately $358,000 less than it took to build just 15 years earlier. Sensing an opportunity to convert it into an elite sportsman getaway, Ray reportedly re-christened it the Whalehead Club after finding a stray whale bone on the edge of the property.

5

FUELING THE FUTURE

Ray Adams never saw his ambitions for turning Whalehead into a year-round tourist destination come to fruition, however. Although it was rented for a time as a private hunting ground for $50 a day, Whalehead also served a number of other purposes over the years, including being a receiving station for the United States Coast Guard during World War II and later hosting a boarding school for young men. But its most controversial use was when the Atlantic Research Corporation took it over in the 1960s as a secret testing site for rocket fuel. Luckily, the U.S. won the space race in 1969, eliminating the need to eventually transform Whalehead into a large-scale – and potentially toxic – rocket manufacturing plant.

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