North Beach Sun Real Estate Winter 2022

FROM

Hikers make the trek up Jockey’s Ridge. Photo by Rachel Moser.

On roads both taken and untaken.

WRITING THIS LETTER IS SOMETHING WE OFTEN WAIT TO DO UNTIL THE PROVERBIAL DUST HAS SETTLED A LITTLE on all the various projects that constitute a specific issue, and we finally have some extra space to sit back and survey things as a whole. While we wouldn’t exactly chalk that up to saving the best piece for last, we definitely don’t treat it as an afterthought either.

Here’s the thing: Looking back on the entirety of anything can be a tricky prospect. On one hand –and perhaps chiefly – there’s a tendency to interpret that as an opportunity to gain a wiser perspective. What can get lost in this assessment, however, is that looking back also commonly implies a certain measure of wistfulness – an emotion that’s rarely associated with creating sage final analyses.

Which isn’t to say that a level of rational awareness can’t be achieved through hindsight, of course – just that gaining greater clarity isn’t always the reliable outcome we might like it to be.

This notion is exactly the part of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” that’s least remembered. While nearly everyone can recite the poem’s penultimate line about the road “less traveled,” the thing that almost always gets lost in translation is the fact that the narrator is simply explaining how he antic ipates remembering that fork in the road. In the future I will look back at this moment, he says in effect, and this is the story I will tell myself about why I made the decision to go one way rather than the other. This isn’t simply a subjective interpretation: Frost quite clearly describes the paths as looking nearly identical in the previous stanza – the only real variable is the memory he chooses to stick with.

But there’s no moral judgment attached to this – in Frost’s poem or in life generally. We’re products of our own stories in many ways, after all, and ascribing meaning to our actions is, well, just as human as misremembering the context of an oft-quoted verse of poetry.

Because we’re almost constantly arriving at similar metaphorical forks in the road if we’re really being honest – and that’s probably particularly true this time of year. Well ahead of spring’s seasonal rebirth, winter marks an annual transition that’s hugely celebrated with a calendar shift from old to new as daylight ebbs and flows, and we start thinking in terms of resolutions – those decisions, both large and small, that we often use for guidance going forward.

The truth is that there’s no single road (either taken or untaken) that fully defines us. Just a series of steps and stories that we share and shore up over time – and that is what makes all the difference in the end.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue!

PUBLISHERS

Adam & Cathy Baldwin

EDITOR

Amelia Boldaji

ART DIRECTOR

Dave Rollins

CONTRIBUTORS

Cathy Baldwin

Amelia Boldaji

Cory Godwin

Steve Hanf

Catherine Kozak

Katrina Mae Leuzinger

Outer Banks History Center

Maggie McNinch Rachel Moser Ryan Moser Arabella Saunders Katie Slater

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dylan Bush

SALES MANAGER

Helen Furr ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Faith Turek

DISTRIBUTOR

Donna Roark

The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun

The views expressed in the articles contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or Access Media Group. The published material, advertisements, editorials and all other content is published in good faith. Access Media Group and North Beach Sun cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by errors, omissions or the accuracy of claims made by advertisers.

NORTH BEACH SUN

but first...

deck the (community) hall

WHAT IF CHRISTMAS DIDN’T COME BUT ONCE

A YEAR? For Hatteras Island residents in the tri-village areas of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, that’s simply a tradition known as Old Christmas, which has island locals decking their halls a second time during the first week of January. According to some, the custom started after England abandoned the less-accurate Julian calendar in favor of the current globally standard Gregorian one in 1753 – an accounting shift that effectively moved Christmas from January 7th to the 25th of December.

News of the edict didn’t reach the isolated islanders for some time, however, and was largely ignored even after it did. To this day, Old Christmas festivities are typically held at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center with plenty of food, music and dancing – plus the annual appearance of a legendary bull known as Old Buck. Played by costumed locals, his riotous arrival is the customary signal that it’s time to crank up the volume and get the party started. (Old Buck antics abound in 1973; photo courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center.)

O’ CHRISTMAS TREE

EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE ONLY SOLD ONCE A YEAR, live Christmas trees generate more than a billion dollars annually in the United States – and behind Oregon, North Carolina consistently ranks second in the nation for harvesting the largest number of these holiday icons.

Approximately 1,300-plus NC Christmas tree farmers harvest five to six million trees annually, which adds up to more than 20% of all the Christmas trees sold nationwide – with regionally native Frasier firs making up a whopping estimated 98% of those state sales. And unlike their artificial counterparts, these trees are also considered a fully renewable resource: More than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs exist throughout the U.S., including many grassroots efforts that use them to stabilize sand dunes as buffers against coastal erosion.

The top three states of Oregon, North Carolina and Michigan harvest approximately 72% of all Christmas trees nationwide.

YEARS

Approximately five to six million Christmas trees are harvested in North Carolina annually, which accounts for more than 20% of the Christmas trees available in the U.S., and generates an estimated retail value of more than $250 million.

It takes an average of seven years for a Christmas tree to grow to a typical harvest height of six to seven feet tall.

More than a dozen species of Christmas trees are grown in NC (including a number of firs, spruces and pines), but nearly 98% of the trees harvested here are NC’s native Frasier fir – which is also the most popular Christmas tree species in North America.

Christmas trees are grown on approximately 40,000-plus acres statewide.

For every live Christmas tree harvested, approximately one to three seedlings are planted the following spring.

winter events

The Outer Banks is always full of fun things to do!

Some of the following events were still being modified or added as of press time, so please don’t forget to check individual websites for the most current information.

TIPSY TURKEY 1-MILE BEER RUN

November 23

Kick off your holiday break with this Thanksgiving-themed, adults-only beer mile that starts and ends at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. theobxrunningcompany.com

THANKSGIVING DAY 5K/1-MILE

November 24

Begin Thanksgiving Day with a 5K or one-mile run at Historic Whalehead in the shadow of the Currituck Lighthouse. theobxrunningcompany.com

HANGIN’ WITH SANTA & KITES WITH LIGHTS

November 25 – 26

Take the kids by Kitty Hawk Kites across from Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head on Friday or Saturday for pictures with Saint Nick. While you’re there, watch the night sky light up on Saturday as enormous kites with festive lights soar above Jockey’s Ridge. kittyhawk.com

7TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT VILLAGE

November 25

Kick off the holiday season at this craft market in beautiful Historic Corolla Park. Santa will be in attendance, too, so bring the littles for a photo op! visitcurrituck.com

WHALEHEAD’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS

November 25 – December 17

Step back in time to the 1920s during this tour of the lushly decorated Whalehead mansion. Enjoy Christmas carols around the Steinway piano and a holiday treat at the conclusion of the tour. visitcurrituck.com

WINTERLIGHTS

PRESENTED BY SOUTHERN BANK

November 25 – December 30 (selected dates) Stroll through an illuminated winter wonderland at The Elizabethan Gardens this holiday season. Check the website for dates and times. elizabethangardens.org

CURRISHUCK OYSTER FESTIVAL

November 26

Enjoy all-you-can eat steamed oysters, steamed crabs, local beer and wine, and live music from 12-5 p.m. at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. sanctuaryvineyards.com

CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN MANTEO

December 2 – 3

On Friday evening, watch the Grand Illumination in front of the historic Manteo courthouse, and then enjoy the Christmas parade through downtown Manteo on Saturday. townofmanteo.com

DUCK’S YULETIDE CELEBRATION

December 3

The town of Duck invites everyone to “keep the cheer here” by shopping and celebrating in Duck this holiday season. Visit their website for current details regarding the annual Yuletide Celebration. townofduck.com

FIRST FLIGHT HOLIDAY MARKETS

December 6, 17, 20

Stop by Aviation Park to shop for holiday treats with more than 65 local vendors, food trucks and live music. kdhnc.com

WINGS OVER WATER WILDLIFE FESTIVAL

December 9 – 11

This encore session of the Wings Over Water Festival focuses primarily on migratory birds and waterfowl. wingsoverwater.org

WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY

December 17

This aeronautical milestone will be celebrated at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the same place that first flight history was made. firstflight.org

MIDNIGHT MAGIC IN MANTEO

December 31

Ring in the New Year in downtown Manteo from 6 p.m. until midnight. townofmanteo.com

COUNTRY REWIND

January 21

Nashville recording artists A.J. Swearingen and Jayne Kelli cover country classics in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

7TH ANNUAL LOVE ON THE RUN 5K RUN/ WALK

February 11

Celebrate your sweetheart with a run through beautiful Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. Enjoy wine, cheese and chocolate back at the winery after the race. theobxrunningcompany.com

BETTMAN & HALPIN’S TIMELESS

February 18

Acoustic duo Bettman & Halpin perform songs from their critically acclaimed album Timeless in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

2023 WEDDING WEEKEND & EXPO March 4 – 5

Meet local wedding professionals, take a tour of venues and restaurants, and register to win wedding giveaways at this two-day expo. obxwa.com

RUNNING OF THE LEPRECHAUNS

March 18

Lace up your shoes for this annual Irishthemed race. obxse.com

BARRON RYAN PIANO CONCERT

March 18

Pianist Barron Ryan performs his signature program of groovy classical, jazz renditions, pop tune arrangements and original works in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

OBX TASTE OF THE BEACH

March 24 – 26

This culinary event sponsored by the Dare County Restaurant Association traditionally features tapas crawls, wine tastings, cookoffs, brewery tours and much more. obxtasteofthebeach.com

town report

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

2000, first listed it in 2021 for $7.5 million after the medical facility closed in 2017.

Currituck County

Work on comprehensive upgrades to the county’s water system has launched, according to the Currituck County website. Plans for the project – which is expected to take place over the next several years – include an expansion of water treatment plants in Maple and Corolla, the development of more wells to increase the supply of raw water, and the installation of main water pipes running north and south on the Currituck mainland.

In another project, the county recently repaired the damaged horse containment fence on the northern edge of Corolla that helps keep the wild horses within Carova’s four-wheel-drive area and prevents them from wandering into Corolla, where they can be subjected to dangers from traffic and public interactions. In addition to replacing the cable rows and the pilings that extend into the ocean, repairs were also made to the land-side wooden fencing that marks the four-wheel-drive boundary.

Duck

The contentious issue of public beach access in Duck – where all beach accesses are currently in private hands – has been reignited as town officials attempt to locate an acceptable beach access for maintenance staff, equipment and vehicles working on a beach nourishment project.

At an October town council meeting, members of the public overwhelmingly objected to proposals to provide an access for the nourishment project, citing concerns over beach and infrastructure destruction and noise issues. Officials said that the town worked for two years to determine an appropriate site, but of five potential areas, only two were viewed favorably.

Officials also added that the options seemed limited to accessing Duck from Southern Shores since none of the private Duck communities had volunteered to allow heavy equipment access.

After much discussion, the council agreed to move forward with a CAMA permit application that would allow vehicular access at Duck’s Barrier Island Station Resort – though nearby property owners will have the opportunity to appeal if the town’s application is approved.

Southern Shores

In response to a traffic study that found a higher-than-usual crash rate on NC Highway 12, the Southern Shores Town Council voted in August to lower the speed limit year-round on the town’s main stretch between Kitty Hawk and Corolla. Although the town previously lowered the speed limit in that area from 45 mph to 35 mph between May and September when the two-lane road is typically subjected to the most backups, council members noted that traffic congestion has continued to increase during the winter months as well.

Agreeing that slower travel is ultimately safer for pedestrians and for residents backing out of their driveways onto NC 12, the council unanimously voted to make the 35-mph limit permanent.

Kitty Hawk

After a number of back-and-forth negotiations with Pasquotank County, the town of Kitty Hawk purchased the former Sentara Healthcare site near the Aycock Brown Welcome Center for $4.1 million this past September. Pasquotank County, owner of the property since

The town plans to convert the six-acre parcel and the site’s existing 32,000-square-foot building into a public safety facility – which will include a new police station – at a cost of about $1.3 million. The town had previously considered building a new police station at a different location, but that venture’s estimated cost of $14 million was considered unaffordable.

which is located south of the Village at Nags Head and north of The Soundside event site.

In other news, Perry Hale was named Nags Head’s new police chief this past September, succeeding former chief Phil Webster, who resigned in August after serving three years at the post. Hale has been a member of the police department since 2010, including most recently as Nags Head’s interim police chief.

Kill Devil Hills

The Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners and the town’s planning board have combined forces in efforts to identify solutions to the town’s critical long-term housing shortage. During a workshop this past October, discussions covered a number of proposals, including allowing changes to short-term rental restrictions within certain zoning districts, removing income requirements related to workforce housing, providing tax credits for homeowners who convert from short-term to long-term housing, and adding incentives for long-term housing in mixed-use development. The planning department has since been directed to continue studying these types of options.

Nags Head

The Inn at Whalebone, a proposed four-story hotel submitted by House Engineering of Kitty Hawk, was approved in October by the Nags Head Board of Commissioners. The site plan for the 90-room hotel – which was recommended for approval by the town’s planning board in August – is situated within the Village at Nags Head hotel district and includes 93 parking spaces, an onsite wastewater system and an outdoor pool. Going forward, construction is planned on the west side of U.S. Route 158 by Lakeside Street,

Manteo

Discussions held since August involving a special-use permit application for a proposed subdivision off Russell Twiford Road near the Manteo Midway intersection are still ongoing with the Manteo Board of Commissioners. Known as the Salt Meadow Landing proposal, the four-acre project includes plans for 22 multi-family housing units and 37,000 square feet of commercial space in seven three-story buildings, though some residents from the tract’s neighboring Peninsula subdivision have retained counsel to oppose the development.

Dare County

Work to replace a troublesome water line running between the villages of Avon and Buxton on Hatteras Island is set to begin, according to a Dare County news brief, which added that the old line ruptured 10 times between November 2018 and September 2022. After the county water department began recording the water pressure, it was determined that spikes of high pressure had exceeded the capacity of the line.

About 1.5 miles of the existing water line is scheduled for replacement with stronger C900 PVC piping. Joint constraints and an additional fire hydrant will also be added, and the project is expected to be complete by April of 2023.

What’s happening in your town? Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.

Formerly known as Serendipity, the Inn at Rodanthe has seen a number of changes over the course of its 30-plus years on the Outer Banks – and ever since it took center stage on Hollywood’s big screens, it’s never looked better (photo courtesy of Surf or Sound Realty).

Rodanthe THE ROAD TO

Life imitates art at an icon on Hatteras Island

BY ARABELLA SAUNDERS

The Outer Banks prides itself on being off the beaten path, but every now and then Hollywood comes knocking. Back in the day, The Andy Griffith Show gave America a peek into small-town life with a setting strikingly reminiscent of Manteo. And more recently, Netflix’s drama-filled series Outer Banks has given resident teens ample opportunity to go viral on TikTok for making videos with titles like, “A Day in the Life of a REAL Outer Banks Local.”

But there’s perhaps no better physical reminder of the Outer Banks’ star-studded past than the house that was featured in the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe

Although the movie – which was based on a best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel – was headlined by A-list celebrities Richard Gere and Diane Lane, the house was so prominent that it took on a star-like quality of its own. Contrary to what one might expect, however, the story behind the most nationally recognizable house on Hatteras Island didn’t really begin until after the cameras stopped rolling.

There was also little in the house’s origins to suggest that it was destined for fame. Originally named “Serendipity,” the house was built in 1988 by Roger Meekins of Manteo. It was the first house Meekins built in the oceanfront community known as Mirlo Beach on the northernmost edge of Rodanthe, a site which once sat back at least 400 feet from the Atlantic. At the time, the six-bedroom rental was one of the largest on Hatteras Island, and it was sturdily constructed with 14-foot-deep concrete pilings to protect it from the area’s periodic bouts with ferocious weather.

The house was well-crafted and beautiful, but like many other similar Outer Banks homes, it was also unassuming.

All that changed when Nights in Rodanthe hit theaters 20 years later.

While critics were lukewarm, the movie was an immediate box office hit. Out-of-area fans flocked to Rodanthe to see the house in person – but as it turned out, they were in for a surprise. In the warm glow of the big screen, the house was outfitted with eye-catching cobalt blue shutters, spacious wraparound decks and an oceanfront setting that appeared romantically idyllic.

In reality? The decks and the cobalt shutters were installed by the production crew and removed immediately after they finished filming. Storms had also taken a toll on the structure since it had been thrust into the spotlight, and encroaching tides often pushed large amounts of sand underneath the home in a way that made it largely inaccessible to most vehicles.

The house was still charming in its own salt-caked, sandblasted Outer Banks kind of way, but it certainly didn’t look like it did in the movie.

“It wasn’t a house on the ocean, it was a house in the ocean,” mega-Nights in Rodanthe fan Ben Huss told reporters after his first visit to Serendipity in 2009.

Due to the effects of extreme erosion, it was also deemed a public nuisance and condemned by county officials.

Since being rescued from almost certain destruction in 2010, the Inn at Rodanthe has undergone several large-scale renovations to make it look more like it appeared in the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe – including revamping its cozy firstlevel living room and redecorating its kitchen with plenty of cinema-inspired details (far left, from top to bottom; photos courtesy of Surf or Sound Realty). Saving Hatteras Island’s most nationally recognizable home also involved physically relocating it – a feat which was accomplished by Virginia Beach-based Expert House Movers in January 2010 amid much local fanfare (photo courtesy of Don Bowers).

There was even a very real possibility that Serendipity could be washed away entirely – which was where Ben and his wife Debbie Huss came in. The Newton, NC, couple had been so touched by Nights in Rodanthe that they decided to save the house, which they bought for $275,000 (nearly $250,000 below the asking price) in January 2010.

The next step was perhaps the biggest hurdle, however: The whole house needed to be physically relocated.

On the morning of January 18, 2010, Expert House Movers – the same company that famously moved the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1999 – hauled Serendipity a half-mile south down NC Highway 12 while a crowd of onlookers took photographs. The move took about 30 minutes.

Once the house was in a more secure location, the Husses got to work with renovations, and this time the goal was to make it look more like the movie’s version both inside and out. They changed the house’s name from Serendipity to the “Inn at Rodanthe” (as it was called in the film), installed its signature blue shutters and entirely remodeled the kitchen to replicate its on-screen appearance. Since the movie’s interiors were filmed on a soundstage, the Husses also restyled one of the bedrooms to look like the fictional blue room Richard Gere’s character stayed in – complete with some furnishing details that were actually used as props on set.

Before the start of the 2010 summer rental season, the Inn at Rodanthe was solidly booked through Thanksgiving, and for months a near-constant stream of fans and sightseers flocked to the house’s new location to take photos that finally looked a lot more like they envisioned.

But that wasn’t the end of the house’s story.

In 2018, the house stirred up another flurry of media attention when it was put on the market for $1.25 million. Amid plenty of interested buyers, it was ultimately purchased by Nathan and Sharon McGowen of Augusta, Georgia. Slowly but surely, the couple has spent the past four years since then making even more Nights-inspired renovations to other rooms in the house for future visitors to enjoy.

“The first property we bought [in Rodanthe] was within a stone’s throw of the Inn, and we always thought it was a beautiful old house,” Nathan says. “It’s just such a cool icon.”

For the McGowens, striking a balance between paying homage to the movie, while also honoring traditional Hatteras Island décor and craftsmanship, is the most important part of their contributions to the Inn at Rodanthe.

“I think everyone should be able to experience the magic of this place,” Nathan adds. “I still have yet to visit anywhere on the East Coast that has that same kind of feeling.”

business briefs

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

Outer Banks Community Foundation Turns 40

The Outer Banks Community Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary at a bash in Kill Devil Hills on October 15. Created by Outer Banks historian David Stick, restaurateur George Crocker, business owner Edward Greene and television star Andy Griffith, the platform for charitable giving was established to address unmet needs locally. Over the years, more than 200 perpetual endowment funds have provided assistance through the organization’s five pillars of service: scholarships, grants, disaster relief, nonprofit support and fund stewardship, according to a foundation press release. Since the first board of directors’ meeting on November 16, 1982, the foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants and $2 million in scholarships.

At the event, the foundation also announced a new partnership with Charitocracy OBX, a local online giving circle that pools its contributions and allows donors to nominate and vote for monthly nonprofit grant recipients.

Public/Private Partnership Dredge to Help Maintain Inlets

A new hopper dredge, named the Miss Katie, was christened in October at a ceremony in Wanchese. Hailed as an innovative way to alleviate shoaling in Oregon and Hatteras inlets, the dredge will be operated by the Oregon Inlet Task Force, which is chaired by Dare County Commissioner Jim Tobin. With U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges in high demand along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the 156-foot Miss Katie is expected to perform necessary maintenance and emergency dredging in Dare waterways in a timely manner. The $15 million vessel is owned by EJE Dredging Service in Greenville and has been financed by the state with a forgivable loan.

Roanoke Island Announces Integrated Healthcare Center

A new medical practice offering “whole-person” care for a range of patients’ needs and financial means is now in the planning process, according to a September presentation by Manteo’s Healthcare Task Force. Joseph Rockenstein, CEO of the Ocracoke and Engelhard medical centers, said that a new federally qualified health center – which is a facility that can apply for funding through federal grants – will be built in a yet-tobe-decided location on Roanoke Island.

With a focus on quality, not quantity, Rockenstein explained that the center’s mission will be to service underserved populations and bridge gaps in healthcare. The plan calls for up to three medical providers and about six clinical personnel with additional

administrative staff. A closed pharmacy will also provide medications solely for patients, according to Rockenstein, with future goals that include adding mental and dental services. The Manteo task force will continue meeting in order to discuss the best ways to implement these plans.

Third-Generation Custom Cabinet Shop Sold

Island Woodcrafts, which opened locally in 1972 out of Gus and Evelyn Granitski’s garage in Wanchese, has been purchased by J Coast Properties, LLC and Craftsmen Woodworks, LTD. According to a recent announcement of the sale, the business was the first custom cabinet shop on the Outer Banks, and the Granitskis sold the shop to three of their children in 1986. Jason Hadrava, manager of the new ownership team, has a background in construction as well as cabinet design, construction and installation. In addition to Island Woodcraft’s Wanchese location on Old Wharf Road, the business also includes a showroom off U.S. 158 in Kill Devil Hills.

Nags Head Takes Top VeganFriendly Honors

In a twist for an Outer Banks town known for its fresh seafood, the town of Nags Head landed on PETA’s Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Beach Towns in the U.S. for 2022. In a website announcement, the Norfolk-based animal rights group, famed for its sometimes-shocking ads, gushed

Real Estate

market snapshot

Though the market’s highs from the past two years may have decreased, Outer Banks real estate still has plenty of sweet spots. According to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ September 2022 MLS Statistical Report, the median sale price for residential listings climbed 20%, with a 16% median increase for the sale price of land/lots.

Although inventory has declined 6% from 2021 – with land inventory down by 15% –residential inventory saw an uptick of 5%, while overall inventory has stabilized over the past four months, the report said. Property sales also edged up slightly in August, while overall sales declined in September –and the average (year-to-date) days on the market for residential listings dropped from 54 in 2021 to 34 in 2022.

over the avocado toast offered at Waveriders Coffee, Deli & Pub and the array of flavorful vegan pancakes at Freshfit Café. Village Pizza, PokeBox and South Beach Takeout, Catering & Delivery were also recognized as “standout vegan-friendly eateries.” Other locales that made PETA’s national list were Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Galveston, TX; Grand Haven, MI; Long Beach, NY; Newport, RI; Santa Cruz and San Diego, CA; and West Palm Beach, FL.

OBCF founders Andy Griffith, David Stick, Edward Greene, and George Crocker (left to right). Photo courtesy of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

Jingle All

The social media announcement was similar to so many others from restaurant owners entering the bleak winter months in 2019: It had been a rough summer. Employees were scarce. Housing was an issue. And because everyone needed a break…Lucky 12 Tavern’s last day was going to be November 26.

You can almost see the mischievous glint in owner Mark Ballog’s eyes as he clicked “post” before leaving the house to run some errands. By the time he got online again, some 600 frantic comments had flooded his page. It was time to set the record straight.

“I was like, ‘We’ll be closing on November 26th…but reopening on December 2nd as the Jingle 12,’” Mark recalls with a chuckle.

BY STEVE HANF

At the time it caused a bit of confusion (and a lot of relief that the Nags Head tavern wasn’t closing permanently), but four years later, the pop-up holiday version of Lucky 12 – which Mark’s dubbed the “Jingle 12” – has become a staple of unique winter dining experiences on the Outer Banks. Equal parts magic and marketing, Lucky 12’s annual transformation into a winter wonderland from

the Way

early December through the New Year is just over the top enough to turn some heads, and so nicely nostalgic that it could warm the heart of any grinch.

But Mark is more than happy to share credit for the idea since it was a 2018 Christmas Eve visit to Miracle’s holiday-themed pop-up cocktail bar in Nashville, Tennessee, that first got his gears turning.

“We waited in line for 20 minutes, and when we finally walked through the doors, there were all these mirrors and lights,” Mark recalls. “I immediately looked at my girlfriend, Monica, and said, ‘This is cool, but just wait until you see what I do next year!’ Right after, I started really looking for vintage Christmas décor.”

Because if he was going to do it, he was going to do it right – and some basic National Lampoon-style light display simply wasn’t going to cut it. So, besides amassing a collection of all things Christmas that would put the North Pole to shame, Mark decided to shut down the tavern’s operations entirely for several days in order to replace all of its regular roadside décor with things that were a bit more…shiny.

Both then and now, Jingle 12’s customers are treated to a pretty spectacular show: Hundreds of vintage blow-mold Santas. A small forest of light-up ceramic Christmas trees. Snow globe table toppers, ‘60s-style melted plastic popcorn wall hangings, and – of course – enough lights to make Clark Griswold proud.

But it’s not just about Christmas eye candy. While lots of the tavern’s regular menu options stay the same, in order to ensure that Jingle 12’s offerings fully reflect the spirit of the season, extras abound – including a full array of Christmas cocktails (complete with kid-friendly options) and appropriately kitschy holiday appetizers like sausage balls.

“It can be pretty dead here between Thanksgiving and Christmas…so I wanted to make it busier in order to pay my staff, get them more hours and have fun,” Mark explains. “We doubled our December sales [that first year], but it’s also something enjoyable for the whole community.”

Locals noticed. Out-of-area visitors noticed. People who’d never eaten at Lucky 12 before noticed. The place was so packed that first Christmas season that Mark decided to expand the festivities into the tavern’s backyard. Now

Jingle 12 proprietor Mark Ballog with just a few of his prized holiday possessions (left, photo by Ryan Moser). Decorations greet customers as soon as they enter the tavern (above, photo courtesy of Mark Ballog).

From top to bottom: Owner Mark Ballog (pictured on the far right) celebrates the season along with several patrons at Jingle 12; Outdoor décor has grown over the past couple years to include igloo-style enclosures for diners as well as a festive Lucky 12 Ski Lodge; Every corner of the tavern is filled with an impressive array of holiday memorabilia from the beginning of December through the New Year; Mark poses with a roomful of cheerful Santas – which represents just a fraction of his impressive collection. (Bottom photo by Ryan Moser, all others courtesy of Mark Ballog.)

decorations surround the building, with special igloo-styled areas for diners as well as other holiday highlights, which include an ice-fishing shed, a mock ski lodge and a vintage “Camp Claus” camper.

Much of the atmosphere can be chalked up to Mark’s own fond memories of Christmas celebrations with family in Pittsburgh, which has guided his hunt for delightful decorations at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores all over the map. From finds he’s picked up in Nashville and Denver to small towns in Alabama and Mississippi, and even some items friends have passed along, Mark’s always on the lookout for anything and everything that can’t be bought in a big box store.

Visitors soak it all up and shower him with nostalgic compliments each and every night.

Visitors soak it all up and shower him with nostalgic compliments each and every night.

“I go home smelling like Chanel No. 5 because I get lots of old lady hugs and kisses,” he says with a smile.

Who else noticed all the Christmas cheer? Other restaurant owners.

Mark has worked in bars and restaurants on the Outer Banks for nearly 30 years since getting his start at the old oceanfront hotspot Quagmire’s for John Kirchmier, who now owns Kill Devil Hill’s Bonzer Shack. Charlie Hennigan, who owns Goombays Grille & Raw Bar with his wife, Karen, also worked for Kirchmier once, as did Mama Kwan’s owner Kevin Cherry.

“The rest of us were looking at Lucky 12 in December going, ‘Hey, how do I do that?’” Kevin says. “Out of respect for somebody you’ve known for a long time, you don’t want to step on their toes, though.”

Turns out there’s plenty of Christmas cheer to go around. Mark met up to brainstorm with his fellow industry friends last fall, and all four restaurants are getting in on the pop-up act this year. Alongside Jingle 12, Bonzer Shack is being reimagined as a festive villains’ lair called “The Broken Candy Cane,” Goombays will become Goombrrrs to celebrate a chilly Caribbean Christmas, and Mama Kwan’s will turn into Mama Klaus’s new favorite holiday tiki hut.

“Mark is still going to be the big dog on the Christmas landscape,” Kevin says with a chuckle. “It takes a lot of effort to do what he’s done. The creativity stood out to me, and I really appreciate that.”

Not only do the holiday themes bring in a little more business, they also give staff members something fresh to do rather than “just open, close, open, close,” Kevin adds. Like Mark, he hopes the idea catches on to give visitors and locals alike a few more fun things to do during the slower winter months.

Because there’s no need for a blue Christmas on the Outer Banks.

“In a perfect world, I’d like to make this a Christmas town –decorate the whole thing in lights,” Mark says cheerfully. “The more the merrier.”

Maxing Out

BY MAGGIE MCNINCH

THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF MINIMALISM IS MAXIMALISM , which embodies a “go big or go home” aesthetic–think vivid hues, luxurious statement pieces and a delightful surplus of accessories and patterns. But bear in mind the fact that maximalist design goes way beyond just filling a room with lots of stuff; instead, it’s all about taking over-the-top to the next level, and sparking a bonfire of joy in whatever way suits your personality best.

All the colors of the rainbow

While minimalist rooms suggest neutral colors, under stated essentials and functional furniture, maximalist rooms imply more varied color schemes, exuberant patterns and bold furnishings. Despite this, many designers believe that the two can actually complement one another when used together. Take a smaller “bonus room,” for example – the reigning advice has long been to make those spaces feel larger by incorporating subtle décor, but maximalist enthusiasts would urge you to deck them out in a whole other direction. In order to balance out a modest space, you can always opt for something in-between, however – such as starting with a base of simple furniture items, and then adding finishing touches like a strikingly oversized piece of driftwood or a dangling bouquet of neon-painted buoys.

Let it grow, let it grow

Green thumb or not, adding a living element into any space can transform the entire vibe of the room – and there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that are perfectly suited for that purpose. Hanging plants in particular can be especially effective if you’re limited on space, including using hardy specimens such as ivy to line a room’s walls or placing drought-friendly trailing succulents in wall-mounted planters. And you don’t have to worry that a plant-filled room might be mistaken for something more bohemian-styled, because the key difference is in the design application. While boho schemes embrace greenery in a calming manner, maximalist spaces opt for a wild jungle-like feel by selecting more lusciously eye-catching plants such as staghorn ferns or bromeliads.

Something old, something new

Just as maximalism and minimalism can go handin-hand, so can a mix of vintage staples with modern remodeling – but you shouldn’t feel as though you have to fill your home with pricy new furniture to stay up with the latest trends. Instead, keep your existing classic patterns, like pinstripes and chevrons, but combine them with dazzling colors like fuchsia or sunflower yellow for a newer look. Even on a budget, this is relatively easy to do by pairing bold animal-print pillow covers with an otherwise plain sectional or using a thick, funky gold frame to hang a classic art print. Maximalism is all about contrasts, but adding to the décor you already own means that you don’t have to go overboard too quickly – unless you want to, of course.

Florals for the flourish

Clean lines and sparse staples can be overrated. To create a more dramatic illusion of infinite space, blur your boundaries by picking multiple floral patterns to adorn both the walls and the floor of a room. You can start small by selecting wallpaper or curtains that feature dainty florals in pale tones like beige or soft pinks, and then contrast that with an area rug that boasts a darker, jewel-tone floral pattern. For an added bonus, a deeply saturated floral throw blanket in luxe cashmere will help liven up the texture of a room, and if you’re really daring, you might even consider mixing your florals with contrasting prints like stripes – because no one ever said a bedroom had to be boring.

Bar None

FOR BICOASTAL INTERIOR DESIGNER ERIN HANDRON OF SURFSIDE HOME CO., working simultaneously on projects in both San Diego and the Outer Banks is simply part of her normal routine. But while both locations – and her individual designs – tend to have their own unique sets of challenges, there’s one constant: Erin’s inspirations always start with her clients. For this remodel, her clients were a young couple who had just relocated to Kill Devil Hills with the Coast Guard – giving Erin the chance to transform a small, underutilized area of their home into a comfortable bar-side gathering space that’s equally fun and functional.

A Combo of Coastal Finishes

Literally starting on the ground floor with a virtually empty room meant that the sky was the limit from a design standpoint – but a custom wet bar seemed like the perfect focal place for entertaining. The next step involved giving things a touch of coastal class without going overboard, which Erin primarily achieved by sticking to a tried-and-true color combination of white and navy alongside a balanced amount of elegantly understated solid brass hardware.

Vertical Shiplap Backsplash

While tile is a typical go-to in high-traffic kitchens, it didn’t seem particularly necessary for a wet bar area, so Erin opted instead for a minimal quartz backsplash (extending from the bar’s matching countertop) paired with white shiplap that reaches all the way up to the ceiling. With its distinctive lines that create a touch of tradition, shiplap is a staple of Outer Banks’ architecture – and it adds a purposeful quality to the bar’s overall sense of nautical nuance.

Ceiling-High Cabinets

Taking the cabinets to the top was another intentional design feature. Since wet bars are frequently built into structural recesses, Erin chose a bracket-like placement for the wall-hanging cabinets in order to make the new addition feel grounded in a different sort of arrangement. Other features include the cabinets’ upper glass-paneled sections that frame the couple’s more decorative accoutrements – while still offering plenty of concealed storage space below.

The Space In Between

In addition to installing brass light fixtures with exposed industrial-style bulbs to complement the bar’s other hardware, Erin always intended to include a rustic wooden shelf in the otherwise sparsely decorated area between the cabinets –the trick was finding the exact thing she had in mind. By chance, she came across the perfect piece during a visit to OBX Top Shop’s Point Harbor storefront, where some naturally weathered scrap planks of wood caught her eye. “It’s not something you could buy ready-made,” she says happily about the custom-crafted result. “Sometimes you have a vision, and you just have to hope things work out that way.”

Compiled by Amelia Boldaji • Photo courtesy of Katie Slater

sun salutations

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Beach Realty & Construction

Beach Realty & Construction Welcomes New Sales Associates

Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals is pleased to announce that Oksana Holovanenko has joined the sales team in the Corolla office. Oksana is originally from Ukraine and has studied economics, business administration and economic theory. She came to the Outer Banks in 2014. “I always knew I wanted to help others and also utilize my formal education. The real estate industry combines my passion and skills,” says Oksana. She can be reached at oksana@ beachrealtync.com.

Also joining the Beach Realty sales team is Lindsay Cobb. Lindsay was born and raised in Ahoskie, NC, and vacationed on the Outer Banks for years before moving here with her family in 2020. With a background in property management and customer service, Lindsay transitioned easily to real estate sales. “My goal is to build strong client relationships and achieve the best possible outcome in every transaction,” Lindsay says. She can be reached at lindsay@beachrealtync.com.

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales

Edith Rowe has earned the Top Sales Agent Award for the last five years. This award is based on closed sales volume. Edith holds a broker’s license and has been in sales on the Outer Banks since 2000. She brings to the table a degree of local sales acumen and familiarity with the area found in few agents. Contact Edith at (252) 202-6165 or edithroweobx@gmail.com.

A resident of the Outer Banks since 1988, Catherine Strachan has worked as a fulltime broker and realtor for the past 16 years. She is passionate about her job, working diligently to see that all of her clients are satisfied, whether buying or selling. Contact Catherine at (252) 489-9540 or obxproperty@gmail. com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names VanderMyde Group the Third Quarter Top Producing Team

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce that the VanderMyde Group is the firm’s Top Producing Team for the third quarter of 2022. This award is based on closed sales volume for July 1 through September 30. Team leader Heather VanderMyde, along with members Kiirsten Farr, Will Gregg, Kasey Rabar and Trish Berruet, also rank number one in sales volume, units and listings for the year-to-date through September. “Heather and her team provided a top-notch experience as we navigated the sale of our home,” said a recent five-star review. Team leader Heather VanderMyde can be reached at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Sunny Berle the Third Quarter Top Performing Agent

for the Firm

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty recognizes Sunny Berle as the Top Performing Agent for the third quarter of 2022. Based on closed sales volume, this award covers the period of July 1 through September 30. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with such fabulous clients this year and always,” Sunny says. She can be reached at (813) 480-0445 or sunny.berle@gmail.com.

Melissa Morgan Earns Top Agent of the Third Quarter for Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty’s Kill Devil Hills Location

Melissa Morgan has earned the Top Agent award for the third quarter at the Kill Devil Hills office. This award is based on closed sales volume for the quarter. “Melissa made the experience of selling a house a joy!” said a recent five-star review. Melissa can be reached at (252) 202-5636 or melissa@cbseaside.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces the Heather Sakers Team as Third Quarter Top Producing Team for the Kitty Hawk Location

Heather Sakers, along with team members Charles Gill and Ann Taylor Lusk, ranked as the top producing team at the Kitty Hawk office for the third quarter. The Sakers Team also leads the office year-to-date through the end of September. “We highly recommend Heather and cannot give her enough praise! Her unique combination of expert knowledge, instinct, transparency and grace is unmatched in our area,” wrote a recent five-star review. Team leader Heather Sakers can be reached at (252) 599-6814 or heather@cbseaside.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Welcomes New Agent Brandis Manning

Brandis Manning has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in the Kill Devil Hills location. Brandis and her family moved here a few years ago from Charleston, SC, where she had an impressive career as a logistics specialist for the U.S. Department of Defense. She owns and manages several investment properties on the Outer Banks and would love to help you with your Outer Banks real estate needs. Brandis can be reached at (843) 814-2004 or brandis@cbseaside.com.

Names Edith Rowe and Catherine Strachan the Top Sales Agents for 2022

Sun Realty

Sun Realty Names Agents of the Month for July, August and September

Jackie Ricks-Sample took top honors in July. Making dreams a reality on the Outer Banks for more than 40 years, Jackie Ricks-Sample strives to provide the highest level of service for her clients. Jackie works out of the Sun Realty Kill Devil Hills office and can be reached at (252) 441-8011 or JackieSample@SunRealtyNC.com.

Hugh and Gerri Willey of The Willey Real Estate Group topped the list for August. The Willey Real Estate Group is consistently top producing, and they have vast experience in Outer Banks real estate, from new construction and acreage to rental, resort and second-home vacation rental properties. Stop by the Kill Devil Hills Sun Realty office or reach Hugh or Gerri at (252) 489-8491 or HughWilley@SunRealtyNC.com.

The M&M Team of Madonna and Michael VanCuren were Agents of the Month for September. Madonna and Michael attribute their success to old-fashioned hard work and dedication to their profession, with a focus on service to their clients. Madonna and Michael work out of the Kill Devil Hills office. They can be reached at (252) 441-8011 or MadonnaVanCuren@SunRealtyNC.com.

Twiddy Premier Sales

Twiddy

Celebrates Ashley Ladd’s Success

Congratulations to Ashley Ladd on more than $3 million in sales in 2022. With a family steeped in real estate, Ashley is an excellent advocate for her clients and enjoys helping others realize their goals. Reach Ashley at aladd@twiddy.com or (919) 592-7346.

Twiddy Honors Rob Ladd for Years of Service

Twiddy Premier Sales celebrates Rob Ladd’s 24th anniversary and more than $8 million in sales this year. Whether you’re buying or selling, you can count on Rob’s experience, integrity and passion for real estate. Contact Rob today at rladd@twiddy.com or (252) 202-8311.

Twiddy Celebrates the OBX Homes Sales Team for Outstanding Sales

Twiddy & Company congratulates the OBX Homes team on more than $36 million in sales in 2022. The trio –consisting of Heather McLay, Crystal Swain and Mandi Jones – consistently ranks among the top-performing agents on the Outer Banks. Call Heather at (252) 202-3409 or Crystal at (252) 573-1646.

Twiddy Welcomes New Sales Agent Briann Mehfoud

Twiddy & Company is thrilled to welcome Briann Mehfoud to the Ray Meiggs Team OBX. An Outer Banks native, Briann utilizes her passion for real estate, education and marketing to best serve her clients. Twiddy & Company looks forward to the future successes of Ray and Briann. Learn more by emailing bmehfoud@twiddy.com or calling (252) 202-1122.

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing

PHOTO BY CORY GODWIN STORY BY KATRINA MAE LEUZINGER

THREATS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT,

Jockey’s Ridge State Park was established in 1975 to protect the largest living sand dune system on the East Coast, and it can be difficult to imagine what that unspoiled stretch of Nags Head would look like if history had taken a different turn. But for all the park’s grandeur, another interesting plot of land lies directly across the street from it with a history that’s just as compelling – if also quite a bit busier – in the shifting sands of time on the Outer Banks.

Now known as the Jockey’s Ridge Crossing shopping center, the retailers in this can’t-miss complex are only the park’s most recent neighbors – and, in comparison with some of their predecessors, they’re also almost certainly the area’s quietest.

1a room with a view

According to local historian Sarah Downing, a wooden two-story building was first constructed across from the ridge in the early 1930s to house the stonemasons responsible for the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Afterwards, it became known as “Camp Kitty Hawk” when it was taken over for boarding transient laborers with the federal Work Progress Administration (WPA). Part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal to provide employment during the Great Depression, WPA men primarily worked alongside Civilian Conservation Corps members on the Outer Banks to stabilize this area’s coastal sand dunes –although, unlike other units stationed in locations such as Hatteras and Roanoke Island, the Kitty Hawk WPA workers traded in their shovels at the end of a long, hard day for a view of…even larger sand dunes.

2the biggest show in town

In 1937, Camp Kitty Hawk was purchased by Manteo-born entrepreneur George Thomas “Ras” Wescott Jr., who turned it into the Nags Head Casino – which went on to become the nightlife spot on the Outer Banks for roughly the next 35 years. The place comfortably held about 1,000 people, but regularly drew upwards of 1,500 customers most Saturday nights, forcing some to

stand on tables. It offered everything from bowling to pinball, but its main draw was a dance floor that boasted performances from musicians such as Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Though Wescott’s inclusion of a downstairs Bingo parlor was somewhat contentious, he later tried to appease local church groups by changing the game’s name to “Quizo” and replacing cash winnings with other prizes.

3Round One…Fight!

Folks didn’t have to look far for something else to gamble on, however. By the early ‘50s the Casino hosted weekly boxing matches in a ring erected right in the center of the dance floor. Between local boys and soldiers on leave from nearby ports like Norfolk, there was no shortage of young men willing to step into the ring for a chance at winning the $5 prize (the equivalent of about $60 today). But fights had a tendency to happen outside the ring, too, so Nags Head Police Chief Donnie Twyne was a frequent fixture at the Casino on match nights. A former boxer himself, Twyne could easily hold his own, and rowdy customers frequently jumped out of the Casino’s windows to avoid facing him.

4bringing down the house

March 7th, 1962, was a day the Outer Banks won’t soon forget. Dubbed the “Ash Wednesday Storm,” the unprecedently fierce nor’easter arrived

without warning and devastated the area, destroying nearly 1,800 buildings and damaging thousands more. No lives were lost, however, a feat that historian David Stick attributed to the efforts of county officials and dozens of others who, “[put] their own lives at risk in order to rescue friends and neighbors.” Sadly, the storm likely marked the beginning of the end of Casino. After suffering significant damage in the ‘62 storm, another winter squall in the ‘70s caused the roof to collapse – and the structure subsequently sat empty until 1985, when the Nags Head Fire Department set it ablaze as part of a practice exercise.

5the highest point

The site is now home to Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, a bastion for everything from sweet treats to apparel and activities – while also being home to Kitty Hawk Kites’ flagship storefront, a business which owner John Harris grew into the largest hanggliding school in the country from humble beginnings out of the Casino’s old garage during the early ‘70s. Fittingly, the pinnacle of the colorful shopping center is its 45-foot-tall Rogallo Tower. With a viewing platform overlooking the ridge, the tower is named after Francis Rogallo, the aeronautical engineer – and longtime Southern Shores resident – who invented a flexible wing in the 1950s that revolutionized nonpowered flight, paving the way for recreational sports like kiteboarding, and leading many to consider him the father of modern hang gliding.

AMID

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