OUTER BANKS MILEPOST: ISSUE 9.2 by Matt Walker

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Issue 9.2

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Put on your f*%kin helmet. Photo: Garnette Coleman

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Disasters? Hold our beers while we ride out a hurricane with nothing more than a case of Pabst. (Better make that two.) Supply shortages? Some local bachelors are known to survive whole winters on a single square of TP. Financial insecurity? Well, let’s just say we were claiming unemployment way before it was cool.

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But this is different. Slow winters and busy tropical seasons always end, no matter how painful. Moreover, you know exactly what to do before they even begin — prepare your house, hunker down, then clean up and get back to work the moment the clouds finally clear. Worst case scenario, you can always bail someplace safer.

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This COVID thing? It’s like a “storm of the century” that won’t come ashore. It just keeps brushing the coast — nay, the planet — then spinning away…only to swing close again. Daring us to get back to business as usual, so it can wallop us the second we start to relax. And every day the catastrophe doesn’t make landfall, the cone of uncertainty just gets bigger.

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As you read this issue, please keep in mind we don’t know what the hell is gonna happen. In fact, we held up this page till the final seconds in hopes that some freshly announced “Phase” might bring about a sense of normalcy. Some firm view of the future we could confidently crow about. No luck. And it’s very weird to be cementing articles in print when almost every sentence requires a parenthetical caveat:

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Will bars and gyms be back to full steam this season — or even this year? Will the cases rise with the influx of fresh faces? Or will saltwater and sunshine rinse everyone clean?

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Did we suffer all this self-quarantining and social distancing — and the corresponding cash flow shortages — just to see a second wave shut us back down for longer? We won’t be able to tell for long after this issue is out.

It’s like a “storm of the century” that won’t come ashore.

“Our case load remains low.” (So far.) “Restaurants are open at half capacity.” (At press time.) “At least we can hit the beach!” (For now.)

And yet, we refuse to be held prisoner by our own negative thoughts. In fact, we choose to remain positive, because we still remain positive of two undeniable truths:

The only slam dunks we can count on are all bad news. The cancelled shows (fireworks and festivals). The shelved events (Lost Colony, Surfing for Autism). Plus the crystal-clear realization that normal ain’t gonna be normal for the foreseeable future.

One: in these troubled times, there is no place we’d rather be than right here, where open spaces and close neighbors stand ready to provide comfort and refuge.

So, yeah, the whole rag feels a little raw and unsettled for our tastes. But then so does a trip to the Food Kitty. So does…life. And yet, every day still rolls on loose and wobbly — like a bunk shopping cart. And that’s left us rattled. Which is strange, because we Outer Bankers like to think we’re pretty solid in times of crisis.

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And two: nobody else knows what the hell’s gonna happen either. That’s our reality now: we’re all babes in the woods. Best we can do is lock arms, put our heads down, and blaze a trail into the unknown. Whatever happens, survive or fail, we’ll do it together. Of that much, we’re certain. — Matt Walker

Thank you for reading Outer Banks Milepost. We hope you enjoy it. If not — before chucking this issue in the nearest dumpster — please consider one of the following equally satisfying ways of expressing your disgust: remove the staples, then arrange the pages into a six-foot perimeter around your driveway beach chair; cut each page into paper masks for 14 of your closest friends. Or simply add it to that six-month stack of newspapers you’ve yet to recycle. (Trust us, you’ll feel better.) Then, send any and all feedback — positive, negative or just plain confused — to: editor@outerbanksmilepost.com. We promise to find some way to re-purpose them.

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“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” — Hunter S. Thompson “Quizás, quizás, quizás…” — Osvaldo Farrés Issue 9.2 Summer 2020 Cover: Shadowbox Photo: Rob Nelson

Reader You Brushes & Ink Carnell Boyle, John Butler, George Cheeseman, Marcia Cline, Carolina Coto, Cloey Davis, Michael J. Davis, Fay Davis Edwards, Mary Edwards, Laine Edwards, Marc Felton, Travis Fowler, Adriana Gomez-Nichols, Amelia Kasten, Chris Kemp, Nathan Lawrenson, Dave Lekens, Alex Lex, Tim Lusk, Ben Miller, Dawn Moraga, Ben Morris, Holly Nettles, Rick Nilson, Holly Overton, Stuart Parks II, Charlotte Quinn, Meg Rubino, Shirley Ruff, Noah Snyder, Janet Stapelman, Kenneth Templeton, Stephen Templeton, George Tsonev, Bri Vuyovich, Christina Weisner, John Wilson, Mark Wiseman, Mike Zafra Lensfolk Nate Appel, Matt Artz, Chris Bickford, Russell Blackwood, Don Bower, Aycock Brown, Mark Buckler, Jon Carter, Garnette Coleman, Rich Coleman, Kim Cowen, Chris Creighton, Jason Denson, Amy Dixon, Susan Dotterer Dixon, Lori Douglas, Julie Dreelin, Tom Dugan/ESM, Roy Edlund, Bryan Elkus, Ben Gallop, Cory Godwin, Chris Hannant, Bryan Harvey, David Alan Harvey, Ginger Harvey, Bob Hovey, Biff Jennings, Jenni Koontz, Mike Leech, Anthony Leone, Jeff Lewis, Jared Lloyd, Matt Lusk, Ray Matthews, Brooke Mayo, Mickey McCarthy, Nic McLean, Roger Meekins, D. Victor Meekins, Richard L. Miller, Dick Meseroll/ESM, David Molnar, Rachel Moser, Ryan Moser, Elizabeth Neal, Rob Nelson, Candace Owens, Crystal Polston, Daniel Pullen, Ryan Rhodes, Terry Rowell, Cyndi Goetcheus Sarfan, Katie Slater, Tom Sloate, Wes Snyder, Aimee Thibodeau, Ed Tupper, Eve Turek, Chris Updegrave, Dan Waters, Kati Wilkins, Cyrus Welch, Jay Wickens Penfolk Ashley Bahen, Madeline Bailey, Sarah Downing, Laura Gomez-Nichols, Jim Gould, Steve Hanf, Dave Holton, Sarah Hyde, Catherine Kozak, Katrina Leuzinger, Dan Lewis, Terri Mackleberry, Fran Marler, Matt Pruett, Mary Ellen Riddle, Arabella Saunders, Corinne Saunders, Sandy Semans, Shannon Sutton, Kip Tabb, Hannah West, Clumpy White, Sharon Whitehurst, Natalie Wolfe, Michele Young-Stone Pointing/Clicking Jesse Davis Sales Force Laurin Walker Big Mouth In Chief Matt Walker Blame It All On Suite P Inc. PO Box 7100 • KDH, NC 27948 Office: 252-441-6203 • Sales: 949-275-5115

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Outer Banks Milepost is published quarterly (sorterly) by Suite P Inc. All contents are the property of Suite P Inc. and do not reflect the opinion of advertisers or distributors. Nor do their contents reflect that of the creative types (who would never, ever sell out). Comments, letters and submissions are usually welcome. Please include SASE for return delivery of all snail mail, however, Milepost and Suite P Inc. still aren’t responsible for any unsolicited materials. And don’t expect much else to move much faster than IST (Island Standard Time). Oh yeah: if you reprint a lick of this content you’re ripping us off. (Shame on you.) To discuss editorial ideas, find out about advertising or tell us we blew it – or just find out what the waves are doing – call 252-441-6203 or email: editor@outerbanksmilepost.com; sales@outerbanksmilepost.com. www.outerbanksmilepost.com

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03 StartingPoint Set phases to stun. 06 UpFront Hard surfaces, new hobbies, and Canadian Hole. 19 GetActive Be the community, not the spread. 20 QuestionAuthority What’s in your wallet? 25 S ave Your Self Like having your own lifeguard — without the mouth-to-mouth.

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32 GraphicContent Gridlock game time. 35 S till Free There’s no better time to embrace the Outer Banks’ cutloose nature. 49 GoSolar Pint-sized power station. 51 GoDetox The needle and the damage undone. 52 FoodDrink Jam on it.

Fresh Local Love... with Great Food & Vibes!

54 ArtisticLicense Canned pineapples = live laughs. 57 OutThere Party of two. 58 EndNotes Our boldest events page yet. “Calm in the Chaos” By Liza Yowell “I’m not a formal artist. Really, I’m more of a writer. When I started taking art journaling classes from Donna Hollowell, I learned to process things through art rather than words. Each one takes a couple of hours, so it’s meditative and therapeutic. And it really gets into your subconscious, so you’re never sure what a piece will reveal. This one is actually from a while ago, but journals are great for crazy times like these, because you can just get lost in the work. Then after you’re done, it’s like ‘Whoa! There’s something behind this!’ And now, years later, when I flip back through the book, I see more new meanings that weren’t there before.” — Liza Yowell

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upfront soundcheck THE NEW NORMAL?

In a time of unknowns, here are some things you can count on.

getactive What does “WTF” even mean anymore? “Wear that facecover?” “Where to flee?” “Wait there, folks!?” Add that to the list of lingering questions in our post-COVID world. But it’s not startingpoint all guesswork. In a time of perennial “Wait to Find-out,” here are a few things we can count on. Open-Air Dining

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Got a thing for food trucks? Just like eating outdoors? You’ll get more of both this year. In May, at the urging of the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, the county and most towns issued temporary rules to allow outdoor seating at restaurants — even expanding into parking lots — with limits on capacity for safety reasons. The orders also allow food service trucks to operate under certain conditions.

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And what if it rains? Then you better plan to wait a little bit. Since Phase II of reopening started on May 22, restaurants have been allowed to serve in dining rooms at 50 percent capacity and to allow up to ten people — from the same household — to sit together inside at a table, as long as tables are at least six feet apart and sanitation requirements are met. Restrictions could loosen at the end of June — or not. Or, if there’s a spike in coronavirus infections, they could get tighter.

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No matter what happens, eateries will still be able to serve food and drinks off their (probably scaled-down) menu for curbside pickup, inside pickup, or delivery.

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And once all these changes are here, count on them staying for a while.

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“Regardless of the timeline,” wrote OBRA president Daniel Lewis, in a letter to elected officials, “our industry expects that outdoor dining, take out, and curbside delivery options will continue to play a much larger role in our business model for a much longer time.”

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Less Crowded Shopping At press time, restrictions remained on the number of customers in a store at one time, depending on the size of the retailer. And shop owners seemed eager to limit numbers for their own personal safety. Expect many to encourage — possibly require — masks and maintain social distances of six feet. (Some facilities have markings on the floor to show where to wait.) Even if restrictions disappear, don’t be surprised if the opinions remain firm. COVID Tans Is safety sexy? We’ll find out soon enough, as health officials still recommend face coverings when you can’t social distance — that includes crowded beaches. So throw a mask in the bag just in case that one clueless family sits just a little too close. And while we’re on the subject of face coverings — an unpleasant smell is the least of your worries when it comes to beach access bathrooms this season. Take care of all necessary business before you leave the house. And keep a supply of sanitizer and bleach wipes handy in case the port-opotty’s your last resort. A Different Angle Will fishermen stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a post-COVID world? Or will they max-out their reel estate? The situation at privately-owned piers will likely vary. However, as part of the NC Museum system, Jennette’s Pier will strictly follow all state guidelines, including plans to limit capacity, in both the pier

house and on the pier. Furthermore, at press time, the facility was only open from 7am to 9pm (reduced from 6am to midnight). Also, because of the capacity restrictions, Jennette’s will only issue one-day passes. (The price remains $14 for adults; it’s still $2 to walk on the pier and kids’ fees are half-price.) And while the beach’s bathhouse was, at press time, closed until further notice, other amenities remained wide open for all users. “There still will be showers and foot rinsing available outside,” says Pier Manager Mike Remige. “And the [handicap accessible] beach mat is still going to be in place from the bathhouse deck to the beach.” More Time in the Car

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When you’re surrounded by water, getting there from here isn’t always easy. And it’s going to be even harder moving forward. NC’s Department of Transportation was already cash-strapped before COVID-19 starved the budget of gas taxes and DMV fees. Now, it’s had to take numerous cost-saving measures — including cutting the quicker, easier Hatteras-Ocracoke passenger ferry service. (So far, regular car ferry service between the islands has not been affected.) Headed to Corolla? Don’t expect to avoid that Duck/Route 12 intersection anytime soon. Despite getting previous approval from NC DOT, budget woes have put the long-proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge back on the shelf.

Fasten your seatbelts as we head into fall.

Less Help The impact on summer workers from COVID-19 is an evolving situation with lots of questions. What is known is that no matter the need, there will be less help available — especially from foreign students. Last year, nearly 1,800 students participated in the Summer Work and Travel Program — which is part of the J-1 visa exchange program. As Memorial Day weekend came and went, the status of the program remained unclear, as many embassies restricted travel. (Although some students had arrived or had their visa issued prior to the virus shutdowns.) Once foreign embassies start relaxing restrictions, more students are expected to start trickling in. Since students pay for the program, it’s unclear whether they’ll come for a shorter season. However, Jamie Bond, chairperson for the Outer Banks International Student Outreach Program, says it’s not a matter of seeing no foreign workers at all: “They’re just not going to be coming in the same numbers.”

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At the same time, local bizzes will take a hit to another source of labor — young people — as public schools and some colleges are starting classes earlier than ever. In Dare County, the new school calendar was amended to make Aug. 17 the first day of school. And the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University announced that the fall semester will start on Aug. 10 — about ten days earlier than usual. Students will start moving in on Aug. 3. Every kid that goes back to school means one more “Help Wanted” goes up on the marquis. Unpredictable Weather If you thought a 10-day forecast was iffy before, just wait, as the steep plunge in air travel means fewer planes are feeding live weather data into computerized models. In fact, according to NPR, by the end of March, meteorological data provided by U.S. aircraft had dropped by half. And while NOAA promises that satellites and other technology will be able to compensate, the World Meteorological Organization says it’s concerned about the “quantity and quality of weather observations and forecasts.” Ready for more turbulence? NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is also predicting an abovenormal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season: 13 to 19 named storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes. Fasten your seatbelts as we head into fall. Economic Fuel Even the experts at AAA — for the first time in 20 years — couldn’t issue their Memorial Day forecast for summer travel. But they do know one thing: we’ll have plenty of cheap gas. In fact, according to AAA Carolinas spokesperson Tiffany Wright, we don’t just have plenty, “We have an overabundance.” That means dropping prices. The average cost of gas statewide declined 66 cents per gallon between February and late May. As travelers hit the road, the gas prices will start creeping up. But the cost of filling the tank is expected to be cheaper this summer than it has been for many years. Furthermore, AAA predicts “vacationers will have a preference for U.S. destinations, mostly local and regional locations.” At press time, local realtors were already reporting record numbers. Restaurants were still slammed at half capacity. Will we be able to handle what comes next? Who the f&*k knows. — Catherine Kozak

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Ragtag regatta. Photo: Drew C. Wilson. Courtesy of The Virginian-Pilot/Outer Banks History Center

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The Outer Banks has always attracted outsiders. Sir Walter Raleigh’s colonists sailed from England to establish a foothold in the “New World.” Following the 1862 Battle of Roanoke Island, runaway slaves flocked here, seeking protection with the Union Army. The Wright brothers came to test their gliders in the windy, secluded dunes of Kitty Hawk. Roughly 75 years later, another group of northerners came for the Outer Banks’ gusty weather. But they weren’t would-be aviators from Ohio — they were boardsports pioneers from Ottowa — and one particular Hatteras location drew these enthusiasts en masse. “There was a little pull-off where (Highway 12) was rerouted,” recalls Hatteras Island hotelier John Hooper, who started windsurfing with legendary local Ted James. “All the Canadians went there to windsurf. Our group named it ‘The Canadian’s Hole.” An abbreviated version stuck almost immediately and lasted for decades — Canadian Hole.

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Looking back on when Canadian Hole was awash in windsurfers.

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Of course, Canadians have always loved the Outer Banks — April weather here feels like summer to those from the Great White North. But this particular spot held a special appeal. Located just south of Avon — and just off of NC 12 — Canadian Hole was the perfect combo of shallow sound water and easy access, facing the right direction to capture rising southwest winds. And that suited Hooper and company just fine. In true local fashion, they had their own secret spot to pursue this new thrill all by themselves. “We practiced wind surfing at the manmade pond at Cape Point,” Hooper explains. “The Canadians couldn’t get there because they didn’t have four-wheel-drive.” As windsurfing grew more and more popular — it debuted as an Olympic sport in 1984 — the Outer Banks mecca grew more and more crowded. By 1988, the National Park Service

noticed the increase in visitors to the soundside hang-out, and Oceanside Variety in Buxton was already cashing in on the trend, advertising “original Canadian Hole T-shirts.” Of course, some locals found it a nuisance, and not just because of the parking gridlock. Natives took offense that the new moniker was erasing the narrow strip of sand’s historical name: The Haulover. Kitty Hawker Ozzie Gray, whose family roots can be traced to the 1700s, explained the origin in a 1989 letter to the editor printed in the Coastland Times.

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“For many years, large sailing ships were built on the Pamlico Sound side of the island around Avon (then Kinnakeet) and Buxton (then the Cape). These ships, when complete, were taken to the spot where the distance across the island was less than anywhere else. The ships were then ‘hauled over’ the island to the Atlantic Ocean and launched into the ocean to begin the duties for which they were designed.”

It was the perfect combo of shallow water and easy access.

Four years later, David Stick penned an additional letter defending the Haulover’s positive impact on coastal processes. When the North Carolina Department of Transportation was plagued with ocean overwash on Highway 12 at the Haulover, the fastidious author and historian noted that those slender stretches of sand “served as natural spillways where stormdriven waters could pass over the barrier islands.” He also pointed out that these narrow strips are usually at the site of former inlets, including one cut in 1962 by the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm. In fact, Stick suggested that

repairing that inlet gave birth to the windsurfing haven, explaining, “sand was pumped from the sound to close it, in the process creating what is now known as The Canadian Hole.” Today, a large sign brandishes the traditional place name, The Haulover. The public sound access offers visitors a paved parking area, and seasonal restrooms and showers for wind riders, paddlers, waders, sunbathers, and picnickers. On windy days, a mosaic of color flutters over the water. Now, there are more kiteboarders — the latest evolution of wind addicts — and the occasional, cutting-edge foilboard. Likewise, Hooper, who owns and operates the Lighthouse View Accommodations in Buxton, which his family started in 1952, believes that Canadian numbers have dropped, too. “It used to be five or eight percent,” he says. “I bet we don’t have one or two now.” But windsurfers from all over still flock to Hatteras Island every year. In fact, Ocean Air Watersports hosts a windsurfing competition and festival called OBX-Wind — usually in April — drawing as many as 300 racers. This year’s event was pushed to late October as COVID shut-down the island, but springtime migration’s not going anywhere. “Canadian Hole is still there,” says Ocean Air’s Brian Klauser. “Many are still from Canada and the northeast. Lots of locals, too. And on any given day in April and May, if the wind is up, you can find the parking lot full of windsurfers.” — Sarah Downing Sources include: “Area Waters Attract Wind Surfers,” Coastland Times, May 12, 1988; “Historian Stick Recounts Oversight of The Haulover,” Coastland Times, October 14, 1993; Hooper, John, Interview, March 8, 2020; “Kinnakeeter Wants ‘The Haulover’ Remembered for its History,” Coastland Times, August 13, 1989; Stone, Steve, “Ride With the Winds,” The Carolina Coast, October 26, 1997.

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upfront soundcheck getactive startingpoint roadmap A cheering, jeering gokite look at recent events and their potential milepost impacts.

PHOTO FINISH We’re not big on popularity contests. Or bragging. But we do think our staff is the best in the biz. So, for the first time ever, we participated in the 2019 NC Press Awards and got some pretty reaffirming results, particularly in the image department: for “Illustrations,” Stephen Templeton and Stuart Parks II took first and third place, respectively; Chris Bickford won first place for “Feature Photography”; Dare Co. publishing legend Victor Meekins got second for a posthumous “Photo Essay”; Leo Gibson’s words took second for “Entertainment Reporting”; plus, Jesse Davis point-and-clicked his way into third for “Appearance & Design.” And every damn shooter on our masthead: say cheese! ’Cause we nailed “Best Use of Photographs”. Congrats to everyone. And thanks to every contributor for making us look good.

CLEAN-UP ON AISLE EVERYWHERE It was bound to happen. You don’t get a title like “last K-Mart in the state” and live forever. And while we dreaded each and every second we stood in line for a single tube of sunscreen, sheet of school project poster board — or whatever other lastminute necessity took a lifetime to purchase — seeing the KDH fixture clear out and close up this April left us feeling a little bit empty. BEACH ACCESS RULES! Remember the good ol’ days? Back when our biggest headache was a couple selfentitled Duck homeowners who had a local fixture arrested for trying to reach the beach? This spring, a superior court judge ruled in favor of Bob Hovey, stating that the Sea Breeze beach access belongs to the public. Of course, the HOA appealed. But while the legalities remain in limbo, the court of public opinion feels firmly vindicated.

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HELLO, DALI! As you say farewell to your quarantine clutter, give any wall-hangers a good, second gander. In March, KDH’s Hotline Too received a colorful piece that turned out to be a woodcut by Salvador Dali. Luckily, a savvy volunteer had it appraised, and within weeks the piece sold, yielding a surreal $1500 to fight domestic violence. SNUCK HERE ON PURPOSE? What was the funnest self-quarantine game? Watching NRPOs try and slip through the checkpoints, then pick fights with the locals sheltering in place! Just kidding. That was no fun at all, as enflamed outrage on both sides led to a lot of unnecessary bad juju. (Plus a couple of lawsuits.) Residents: remember, many NRPOs see this place as a beloved second home. NRPOs: if you want to be recognized as “real locals” moving forward, just make the Outer Banks your primary residence. (And don’t act like you’re doing us a favor by being here.)

NOT SO SLICK Don’t know why we love to joke about the Old Dominion so much. (Maybe because 97 percent of “locals” are also VA expats?) But they’re actually great neighbors. And let us be the first to thank them for helping protect our coastal hood. This spring, legislators banned seismic testing and offshore drilling in state waters — along with any associated infrastructure. That makes federal plans to drill off Hatteras even harder. Because while NC may have the petrol — Norfolk’s got the port. SHOW STOPPER Not even our nation’s longest-running, outdoor symphonic drama could survive the spring scourge. With no end to quarantine in sight — and no way to schedule rehearsals — the Lost Colony cancelled the season for the first time since WWII. Rest assured, after 83 years, the show will go on in 2021. (Either that or they’ll have carved some cryptic graffiti onto a tree and snuck down to Buxton.)

LOOK WHAT THE CATS DRAGGED IN Get those arms ready to pull some pontoons. Hot off 2019’s successful finish, organizers for the Worrell 1000 announced they’ll set sail again in 2021. In the 70s and 80s, this legendary, 1000-mile catamaran regatta raced from Florida to VB, making 13 overnight check-ins along the way. Last year’s threeteam resurgence proved so successful, they’ve got 15 spots lined up for next May — with overnight stops in KDH and Hatteras as they push toward the finish line. TELL US SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW Just in time for summer, separate researchers in Finland and Vegas revealed that owners of expensive cars are some of our poorest drivers, citing an “arrogance” that makes them less likely to stop for red lights and pedestrians. In other “no duh” news, English scientists proved that seagulls actively go after food they see people handle, “suggesting they use human actions when deciding what to eat.” So, this season, let’s show those

eggheads who the real geniuses are by losing the Audi-tude — and not dropping people food. SILVER LINING Nobody’s escaping economic hardship this year — not even the taxman. By June, Dare County’s proposed budget was down by more than a million. Fresh off a revaluation that saw home values rise by 25 percent in some cases, cash-strapped residents were worried their taxes might increase as well. But the county employed sharp pencils — and some slush funds — to remain “revenue neutral” and leave a few extra dimes in everyone’s pockets.

For detailed reports on these stories and breaking local news on a daily basis — plus plenty of local discussion — visit www. outerbanksvoice.com, www.islandfreepress. org, www.obxtoday.com and www. thecoastlandtimes.com.

SMART-ASS COMMENT OF THE MONTH “Who here has seen the movie ‘Jaws’? [Go kill] a giant man-eating shark that’s terrorizing our coast or the symbolic equivalent. NRPO or not, that is how you’ll gain respect from this island. Show us what you got, Chief Brody.” — Steve Harris, “How many non-permanent residents are here?”, Apr. 9, 2019, Outer Banks Voice.com

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WHADDYA RECKON? soundcheck

We got questions — you got answers.

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Jeffrey Trull, 53 Produce Associate Kill Devil Hills “I’ve worked through the whole lockdown. But I did get more organized at home. And I lost ten pounds — I walked 101 miles this month alone.”

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Mike Reynolds, 36 Spa Manager Kill Devil Hills “I redid the flooring in my house — which saved me about $10k. I also managed to transform my garage into a mudroom for my three kids and cleared out a wooded section of my lot for an addition.”

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April McPherson, 32 Stay-at-home Mom Kill Devil Hills “As a mother of two, I did lots of homeschooling. We didn’t eat carryout or dine out at all, so we cooked a lot. And snuggled a lot. I also got pretty good at tracking packages and hiding them from my husband.”

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Barry Wells, 36 Singer/songwriter Rodanthe “At first I just took time to work on unfinished music projects. Then the whole no income aspect hit. So I started turning wrenches at my dad’s garage. Now I find myself being a part-time mechanic since music gigs are still uncertain. Oh — relearning 4th grade math fractions was a lot of fun, too!”

“What new skills did you learn during lockdown?”

COROLLA TO OCRACOKE

Brandon Forbes, 27 Subcontractor Grandy “I actually had a lot more time to work on myself — and what better way to do that than some good ole fishing?”

PURE OUTER BANKS Jamie McClelland, 37 Professional Mat Rider Kill Devil Hills “I had a lot more time to reflect on what it means to be a father to my four-year-old son. Time to talk and to listen, to observe him and understand him. I also taught him to skateboard.”

Wade Weigel, 52 Lifeline Food Pantry Salvo “I tried to inspire others to develop projects leading to more self-sustaining practices. And I discovered an even greater appreciation of options for communication and community care.”

Stephanie O’Neal, 42 Line Cook Kill Devil Hills “Ironically — going to the beach! I got into sunsets and stargazing. I guess I picked up a little habit of self-love. I even scribbled, “When this is over, I promise to have more sunset dinners.” Interviews and images by Tony Leone

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MADE YOU LOOK Correctly ID this head busting image — rearview win an adventure from Kitty Hawk Kites.

This issue’s head scratcher is especially hard. It’s a blast to make, a grind to use. It’s built for speed, with no hard-fast rules — but requires a proper name to win the prize. Ready to roll on this radio flyer? Pump up some courage and submit a guess to editor@outerbanksmilepost.com by Sept 1. We’ll put all correct answers in a brain bucket, then randomly pull one winner, who’ll receive a free hang-gliding or kayaking adventure from Kitty Hawk Kites — a $150 value. (PS: congrats to Steve Gibbons, who correctly ID’d last issue’s sandy swash zone, shot by Tony Leone.) milepost 15

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LEAD BY EXAMPLE graphiccontent Be the community — not the spread.

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Beaches are bustling. Restaurants are busier. The bypass is bulging. After a pretty terrifying spring, it almost feels like maybe the worst is over. But despite what people might see on the roads, hear in some media, and hope in their hearts, the situation is no better. In fact, it may be worse, because the increase in activity means we’re coming in contact with more people when, as Dare County Health Director Sheila Davies notes, “The COVID-19 virus is no less contagious now than when it first emerged.”

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That means returning to normal is a greater threat than before, especially for those of us who live and work here on the Outer Banks. Every week, thousands of potentially infected people will come and go. We’ll stay behind to deal with the impacts. But that also makes us the first line of defense to protect ourselves — and each other.

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“The greatest tools we have to combat the spread of COVID-19 are the 3 Ws: Wear, Wait and Wash,” Davies says. “Wear a cloth face covering when you will be with others outside of your immediate family. Wait at least six feet from other people. And wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. If people practice these measures, we can keep the spread of COVID-19…to a minimum. However, if people choose not to be compliant with these recommendations, we are likely to see significant community-wide spread.”

Luckily, Outer Bankers have practice in protecting each other. During the seven weeks when access was limited to residents and workers, we did a very good job of wearing face masks in public, of being aware of social distancing, and in restricting how much we went out. As a result, we saw precious few cases during that time.

“

On May 22, we finally opened back up. And while there was no immediate spike in the number of cases — there was a marked change in attitude.

“All we can do is keep the transmission rate low.”

In response, the county is promoting a range of education efforts. Local businesses are taking a Tourism Pledge to encourage safety among employees and clients. Radio spots are broadcasting reminders. And while they may be targeting non-residents, if we want these efforts — and the messaging — to truly work, we need to do our part. That means wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing when in public, and spreading awareness one person at a time. That doesn’t mean confronting random strangers or insulting friends. But it can involve making sure the people you love understand that the issue remains serious.

The number of people gathering in packs grew. The — Ben Sproul number of face coverings shriveled. Maybe folks feel the disease is not as dangerous as the evidence seems to indicate. Maybe it’s “brains on vacation.” Perhaps they’re just tired of wearing a face mask and social distancing. But the implications are scary, since the more people don’t comply, the more others might let down their guard — setting up a vicious cycle of contagious behavior.

“As individuals, all you can do is influence your close circle of friends,” says KDH mayor, Ben Sproul. “We can’t really snuff this thing out...So that’s off the table. All we can do is keep the transmission rate low enough till we get to some sort of vaccine.”

“It can be frustrating when you see folks aren’t following the steps,” says Outer Banks Visitor Bureau Executive Director, Lee Nettles. “It’s simple stuff, but it’s hard to do, especially when not everybody’s doing it right.”

“It’s going take some discipline to keep doing all this stuff for months,” says Nettles. “And it’s especially hard if not everybody’s doing it right. But we’ve got to lead by example.” — Kip Tabb

And that may be the crux of the problem. It’s easy to follow protocols for a few weeks. But it’s much harder when there’s no end date in sight. And with experts saying 2021 is the earliest we’ll see a clear scientific solution, we’re going to have to rely on each other to keep the Outer Banks safe.

For the latest on the COVID Response in Dare County — including updates by Health & Human Services, options for testing, and guidance on how to protect yourself and neighbors — go to www.darenc.com. milepost 19

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PLASTIC MAN

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gokite Cash-strapped? Credit card whiz Alex Cohill discusses what products and practices are in your best interest. milepost

What’s in your wallet? If you didn’t know before, chances are are you do now. With the economy in a slide, more folks are tapping into petroleum-based revenue streams — aka credit cards. Assuming you can get a lender to flow you some dough.

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“I know all about being turned down by lenders,” laughs 33-year-old Alex Cohill. “The first time I went to buy a new vehicle, they were like, ‘We can’t give you financing! Your credit score is too low!’”

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That was eight years ago. The former financial recruiter had just moved to Nags Head after losing his Pittsburgh gig during the last recession. Strapped with student debt and bad credit, he started researching ways to improve his chances to access more money. He figured out the most direct way was to…go assume even more debt?

gohunt “Not really,” says Cohill. “You have to pay the bill off every month. But using credit cards was the easiest way I saw — for me anyway — to take advantage of money I was already spending and increase my own personal credit score, which can unlock more ways to save money overall.”

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Groceries, gas, a good meal out? It all goes on the right card to gather the greatest benefits. Today, he’s not just chock full of good credit, he’s jam-packed with great info on what cards deliver the best rewards, and how to manipulate them so you can make money on everyday purchases — and save dough on future borrowing. We asked Cohill to run down his top picks for plastic that pays off both in the short-term and for the long haul. milepost

MILEPOST: How’d you become such a credit card nerd? ALEX COHILL: I graduated from college with student loans. You have a grace period before you have to start paying them back, and when that time came for me, I was like, “I’m just gonna ignore this for a while.” I got into some trouble with that, obviously. [Laughs] I realized that was dumb on my part, and I knew I couldn’t miss any more payments. But I also knew I had to counterbalance that somehow. And the way I did that, was giving myself opportunity to pay positive payments. And that’s where the credit card came in. So what’d you do? Well, if you have outstanding debts with missed payments on them, you’re going to have a problem getting a credit card with good rewards. Or a person who has no credit, they have no debt, so a lender would consider them risky because they don’t have a previous record to go off of. But certain companies offer credit cards with lower limits — like $300 or $500 — that can give you an opportunity to prove yourself. I went to Capital One, because they have a reputation for being a lender that will give lines of credit to people who have no credit or less-than-perfect credit. Or you can get a secured credit product. It depends on what you personally are trying to accomplish, and where you stand. Define a “secured credit product.” That’s where you get a credit card with, say, a $400 limit — but you put down a $400 deposit, and the company holds that in escrow. After a year, if you make all your payments on time, they give you the $400 back and you get to keep the line of credit. And they might even increase it to $1000. It’s like the training wheels approach. Exactly. Banks usually offer secure products to customers. Or, Discover has a really good secured credit product, because it allows you to earn rewards. You get 1 percent flat cash back on all purchases. So that’s one percent of money you won’t make otherwise. So, let’s say you pay $400 a month on groceries — you do that on the Discover card, get your one percent, pay the card off, the total balance resets to zero. Do it again the next month.

And over the course of the year, you put down $4,800. And you got $48 at the end of the year for spending like you normally would. Exactly right. Or more, if you pay it off more regularly. And once you establish yourself with lenders as a less risky customer, you unlock a lot better products for yourself. I have credit cards I use specifically for groceries, cards I use for any travel-related expenses, and then credit cards I use for overall expenses, and then one I use just for restaurants — because I get the highest return in specific rewards that those credit cards offer. Usually, it’s percentages or travel points or what have you. But if I spend $200 to $300 on a restaurant per month, and get $80 to $100 back a year, why not? But I have good credit. And I have all my monthly expenses mapped out. So I know where I’m spending my money and I know the credit cards that will give me the greatest return on those expenses.

“

“Get your one percent, pay the card off… Do it again the next month.”

So, assuming you have good credit, what kind of products should people get? Depends on the person. That’s why when friends ask me, “Which credit card should I get?” I say it depends on how they spend their money right now. That’s the first step: what are you spending money on all the time? What aligns with your personal monthly expenses? Is it safe to say that some of the bigger rewards cards also have a hefty interest rate? Yeah, that’s a concern. Your goal is to pay them off every month, so that doesn’t come into play. But a lot of the top-tier rewards cards also come with an annual fee. So that’s where a little bit of math comes in. So, to give you a scenario, I had a friend who wanted a card just for restaurants and entertaining. He goes out to eat a lot. He

has excellent credit. So Capital One has two cards — the Savor Card and Savor One. Savor One is no annual fee and you get three percent back at restaurants. The Savor card has a $95 annual fee and you get four percent back. So, if you’re going to spend more than $9,500 a year at restaurants, the Savor card is worth it. Because you’ll get more than one percent back in rewards. That means spending $800 a month at restaurants alone. Well, the Savor card also has rewards for concert and theater tickets — they’re geared toward people who spend a lot of time going out and doing fun things. Probably people that don’t have kids. [Laughs] I do. So I spend a lot on groceries. And American Express, for example, has a “cash back” family of cards. So, with the Preferred Cash card, you get six percent on groceries — and that’s the best across any card. And that comes with a $95-a-year fee. And they have the American Express Cash, which is three percent. So then you ask: “Is that $95 going to be made up by getting three percent more back over the course of a year, or not?” “Is three percent on gas going to be better than two percent?” So you really have to know your own budget. You have to know your fixed expenses, and you have to know your variable expenses. And then you have to dedicate those cards to those expenses. Otherwise it doesn’t work. So you’ve got a “training wheels card” — that’s the Discover. You’ve got a couple of options for people with good credit and enjoy dining out — the Savor cards — and options for a more domestic lifestyle — American Express. What about travel? American Express and Chase have a lot of products that are geared toward people who travel. And some are affiliate cards — American Express has a relationship with Delta, Chase is United, and American Airlines is Citi. Norfolk flies a lot of Delta, too, so people here may think of that product, too. And a lot of the more lucrative rewards cards have sign-up bonuses attached to them, which is something else to consider. So, if you’re thinking just travel, the Capital One Venture card is $95 a year. But you

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get twice the “travel points” per dollar spent. I spend probably $500 a month on that card specifically, so I get about 1,000 points a month. So over the year, I get $120, which is like a night in a hotel. So that balances out the $95 fee for me. But what’s more worth it is they recoup your TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry fees, which is something like $85. So that’s a pretty significant benefit. But then it also comes with a 50,000-point bonus for travel. That’s $500 for a ticket, or a couple nights in a hotel.

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So we talked gas. Restaurants. Groceries. Travel. Are there other obvious categories, or are those the big ones? Right now, if a person is getting a credit card tomorrow, and they feel like their credit is in a position where they can get a card with a low introductory rate and a decent signup bonus, then straight cash back rewards is a good way to do it. Citi has a card called Double Cash, which is good, because you get one percent rewards as you spend it, and another percent back as you pay. So that’s two percent cash back on everything. And right now, people are shopping online a lot. Chase has an Amazon and an Amazon Prime card. If you have an Amazon Prime card, you get five percent back on all your purchases on Amazon. So that’s probably a decent card to have in your wallet right now.

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Have it plugged into your Amazon account and leave it there. Yeah. And other cards have rotating categories. Like Discover-it and the Chase Freedom card. They’ll offer five percent each quarter on something different — groceries, or Amazon and Walmart.com, or gas and going out. They try to do it seasonally. So, holidays is online shopping. And in summer it’s gas and restaurants, because people travel and eat out. I got that Discover card for the sign-up bonus — the first year, they doubled the cash back on everything. For that first year, I was pumping every single dollar onto that card. And at the end of the year, I earned $938 because they literally doubled everything. But the thing is, I didn’t lose any money because I didn’t pay any interest. I would buy things, and then I would pay it off. Every month.

gohunt

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That’s the key: it only works if you pay the thing off. And I guess if you have a zero percent APR, it’s, “Pay it off before that kicks in.” Because 18 percent to 22 percent adds up quick. Absolutely. But there are credit cards that are for balance transfers if you’re looking to unload some high-end interest debt to a different card. There will be a fee, but some offer really long introductory deals. So, instead of having a really strong rewards

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have self control. I’m not going to screw up. I’m gonna get these rewards, and I’m gonna pay nothing.” So “pay the damn thing off” is what it comes down to. Right. Or, “Don’t overspend outside your means.” And that’s why making a budget is important. And it can be daunting. But just knowing your fixed expenses every month can be very eye-opening and help you manage your expenses — more so on the variable end. But it will help you not incur unnecessary debt.

With the right card — and habits — an empty gas tank can fill your bank account. Photo: Daniel Pullen

“

structure, the benefit is having a really long introductory balance transfer rate.

“Unless you’re very fortunate, you’re going to need a loan at some point.”

Stands to reason, if you’re not responsible with money, adding a credit card to the mix likely won’t help? One-hundred percent. You don’t go put that new iPhone on your credit card for $8 in rewards. It makes no sense. You want to make money back on the expenses that are already happening. Not make new ones.

And the company is betting on you to do the opposite. They want to sucker you in, hook you with a low rate and big rewards, and at some point, they’re betting shit happens and you’re not as diligent as you thought you’d be, and then they got you. Totally. They want people who are going to screw up and carry a balance from monthto-month. So, basically it’s you versus them. You have to have the attitude of, “I’m gonna

T-SHIRTS & SWEATSHIRTS

It’s safe to say this is all about making debt an asset, right? Because everyone’s gonna have debt. So there are ways to make debt work for you. You just have to be careful. Yes. And we talk about missing payments having a negative effect on your credit score, but if you can prove that you’ve been making payments on time for about a year, having those missed payments in the past will be less significant of a factor. And that’s the thing with credit cards. If someone’s just getting into it, yes, you’re getting rewards, but more importantly, you’re setting yourself up for — down the road — being able to get the best financing on a car, or the best mortgage rate. Because unless you’re very fortunate to have inherited wealth or earned wealth, then you’re going to need a loan at some point to buy a car or a house or to handle an emergency — whatever it is. So, it all goes back to “why credit cards?” And for me, it’s the one thing I could personally tackle sitting in my living room, the easiest first step to positively affect my overall credit rating and my appeal to lenders to want to be in business with me — to give me money at a rate I’m happy with. Because the short-term rewards might be a sign-up bonus and three percent on gas or whatever, but the benefit is getting tier-one lending. Because that can save you thousands when you go to get a car or house. — Matt Walker

This interview was edited for length, flow and clarity. For a full transcription — including the hazards of applying for too many cards at once and why you should never use Visa with Venmo — check out www.outerbanksmilepost.com.

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SAVE YOUR self This year, ocean safety is everyone’s job.

nyone can recognize a red flag. Or a rough sea. But the beach can turn tragic — even deadly — in seconds. Often on the most idyllic, sunny day. In years past, we’ve mostly frolicked without concern, confident that lifeguards will warn everyone of hazardous conditions and spring into action when things go wrong. This year, as we creep our way back to “normal” while spreading out more than ever, we can’t rely on ocean rescue to be our only line of defense — not when just coming in contact with new faces is a potential health risk for both parties. That means making first responders a last resort. And that means assuming more responsibility for ourselves. “Lifeguards are always going to be on hand to provide preventive services and rescue assistance when needed,” says David Elder, Ocean Rescue Supervisor for Kill Devil Hills. “But the ocean is inherently an unsafe environment. So, this season especially, people need to inform themselves as best they can and equip themselves to be as safe as possible.” That goes double if you’re visiting isolated stretches where rescue professionals are few and far between.

A trip to the chalkboard beats a ride to the hospital. Photo: Chris Bickford

The good news? With the right info, you can see danger coming before it ever starts. We asked Elder and other experts to discuss a range of surprise hazards, hidden threats, and how to stay safe under sunny skies and every condition, whether lying in the shade of an occupied lifeguard stand or posted up on some deserted patch of Pea Island. milepost 25

Local weather patterns are strikingly deceptive. Photo: Jon Carter

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Lightning storms strike quick. You need to move quicker.

obody saw it coming. A flash. A boom. And a body fell backward. In a blink, a 23-year-old college student with a bright future went from playing frisbee in the ocean to being in a medically induced coma. Within two weeks, he was NC’s first documented lighting fatality of 2019. And it happened on a clear August afternoon. Bright blue skies. Not a cloud in sight. And that’s no anomaly — that’s the norm. “On the Outer Banks, we can get thunderstorms that form on a sea breeze,” says Erik Heden, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Morehead City office. “It’s like a big broom sweeps all the storm clouds away from the coast. And that’s almost more dangerous because lightning can strike up to 15 miles away.”

OF A

LEAR BLUE SKY

How much of a risk? Well, enough for lightning to be among the NWS’s “Big Three” weather hazards. (Rip currents and storm surge are the other two). And now through September is when the danger increases, as warmer weather heats up the atmosphere and puts more folks outdoors — and in harm’s way. Nationally, 70 percent of lightning deaths happen between June and August, with fishing, boating, and beachgoing among the highestrisk activities. No wonder North Carolina remains in the top five states for lightning fatalities, with an average of four per year.

factors for getting struck,” says Heden. “Any substantial building or hard top vehicle is better off than being outside. As scary as it may sound, even with lightning bolts all around, you need to get to shelter.” That means no pool time or outdoor showers once you get home, either. And after the storm passes, don’t be in a rush to get back on the beach. Wait for the skies to be totally quiet; bolts can just as easily strike on the back side of a system. And what if you’re stuck outdoors — say walking the beach or out on the golf course? Boating offshore or kayaking the sound? Those are situations when “you need to be more cognizant of what the forecast is doing,” says Heden. “If there’s no threat for thunderstorms that day, you’re good to go. If there is any threat, that’s where you start paying attention — ‘Hey, it’s getting dark’ or, ‘Hey, I hear thunder’ — and be prepared to act sooner.”

“70% of lightning deaths happen between June and August.”

“Two hundred deaths since 1959 may not sound like a lot,” says Heden. “But most people, thankfully, aren’t killed by lightning. And there are other issues to consider, including lifelong health issues and close calls.”

You might even choose a different day to head south or hop in the boat. At the very least, make those activities morning adventures. And if you do a day trip, stay closer to your car or shore. “If you’re never more than a short walk from shelter,” says Heden, “you have much more of a window for taking action.” In every case, the key is to limit your exposure. And if some unlucky soul gets struck? Immediately call 911. And don’t be scared to move them to safety or start life-saving efforts.

So how do you avoid getting lit up? Don’t believe your eyes — use your ears instead.

“That’s one of the myths we hear,” says Heden. “People think someone becomes electrified when they’re struck. They’re not. You can perform CPR immediately without concern.”

“In the case of an approaching storm, if you leave the beach at the first sound of thunder you should have time to get to where you need to be,” says Heden. “That’s why the NOAA campaign for lightning safety is ‘When thunder roars, go indoors.’”

But in an age of hourly forecasts, weather apps and text alerts, close calls and strikes should be the real anomaly. The norm should be watching the horizon — and taking action — before the first thunder cloud forms.

Immediately. Don’t try to check the radar from under your umbrella or run under a crossover — and definitely don’t huddle under a lifeguard stand. Grab your gear and haul butt straight home, if it’s close. If it’s not, run to a restaurant or get in your car.

“Just pay attention to the forecast,” says Heden. “It’s unrealistic to say, ‘Don’t go to the beach every day there’s thunderstorms.’ Because most of our summer forecasts say, ‘sunny with afternoon storms.’ But if you know what’s coming, and you know the surroundings, and you’re prepared, you can avoid a lot of the ‘what ifs’ down the road.”

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— Roy Cleveland Sullivan

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“N

ever turn your back on the ocean.” Legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku first popularized this beach safety missive in the early 1900s. A century later, it’s still gold-medal advice. Not only in the huge surf of the North Shore, but on the sandy barrier islands of the Outer Banks, where even small waves can pack a big wallop. Thanks to a continental shelf that’s closer to shore than anywhere else on the East Coast, the same waist-high wave that massages your midriff in VB feels like a gut punch when it hits shore in Kitty Hawk. But it’s those frothy conditions that make our beaches so much fun to frolic in — until they’re not. “Anyone who lives here or has spent any time in the water here, has had a near-miss or more with shorebreak,” says David Elder, Ocean Rescue Supervisor for Kill Devil Hills. “So we’re all aware of it. But it’s quite surprising for anyone who’s not prepared.” It’s also surprisingly dangerous. Last year, the Dare County EMS, counted more than 100 shorebreak

related injuries — everything from abrasions to lacerations to leg injuries. A few years ago, Elder documented 60 shorebreak related calls in KDH alone — including cervical spinal breaks. He recalls toddlers and grandparents getting pitched onto dry sand. Teenage risk-takers flipping headfirst onto shallow sandbars. Fit, fiftysomething fathers who tried to break their fall — and ended up breaking something else. Every case was unique, but they shared common traits. “Not only were they all caught by surprise,” says Elder, “almost all were situations where, if they had a little info, they may have responded better. How many times have you seen someone take on a horrific pile of shorebreak — and be fine because they know what to do?” So what do you do when a hunk of nasty shorepound rears its ugly head? Duck. “If you try going over the wave, leverage is against you,” says Elder. “You will get pitched and dropped. But if you go under, and make yourself small, the wave energy will wash over you and you aren’t going to be as exposed to injuries.”

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When shorebreak goes high, you go low. Photo: Mike Leech

Of course, that means seeing the wave coming. So always keep one eye on the sea when you’re exiting, even if it means walking backwards. And if you still get knocked down? Pull in your arms and legs and make yourself as dense as possible. “That will prevent sprains and fractures,” says Elder. “And if you do get pounded, take a second to make sure you’re not hurt. Don’t just hop up and try to shake it off. And if you see stars or feel numb — any shot to the neck or head — you’ll want to move as little as possible. And get a lifeguard immediately.”

“Don’t assume the ocean is the same ocean you went into last year,” says Elder. ”Surprise is the common element for all of this.” While there are no beach nourishment projects planned for this summer, in states like New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, where projects happen more regularly, lifeguards have noticed an increase in injuries following nourishments. The University of Delaware went so far as to study the phenomenon back in 2013. They found no direct link between fresh sand and more slams, but they did find one telling piece of evidence. According to Scientific American, “Those hurt were often bathers — not surfers — standing in less than knee-deep water with their backs to the ocean when they were suddenly knocked down by a wave and slammed into the sand.”

FALL KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 19 - 20

Last year EMS counted more than 100 injuries.

Of course, these rules work on outside sandbars, too. And even on flat days, you’ll want to be careful of how deep the water is. Local logbooks are full of eager athletes who dove headfirst for a football and woke up in a neckbrace. (Or worse.) And never think the seafloor is as you remember it — especially as more local towns are doing beach nourishment.

Which is why the Duke’s lasting piece of wisdom should always be your first rule. — Matt Walker

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emember Hurricane Lorenzo? The second Cat-5 of 2019 and strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded over the Eastern Atlantic? No? Well, then surely you remember his associated impacts — on Sept. 30, a 58-year-old swimmer drowned off Duck; on Oct. 2, a Maryland man perished off Nags Head. Put them together, you’ve got the deadliest Outer Banks’ hurricane in modern memory. And he never came close to touching the coast. “Lorenzo was an important swell for surfers and meteorologists,” says Kurt Korte, lead forecaster for Surfline.com. “But I don’t know how much reporting there was by the major news agencies, because this storm was never going to make landfall. Its closest approach was 1700 miles away from us — that’s out past Bermuda. Out of sight, out of mind.” The Atlantic’s day-to-day wave energy is almost always more deadly than the tropical season’s landfalling impacts. For example, Hurricanes Florence and Dorian killed a total of fifteen North

Carolinians — standard rip currents killed nineteen swimmers between 2018 and 2019. And it doesn’t have to be a named storm spinning offshore either. It could be a regular localized wind swell forming off a Bermuda high. Or a mysterious system far down in the southern hemisphere. One that sets up perfectly to send pulsing chest-high sets every few minutes. Either can lull beachgoers into a false sense of security, which explains why local lifeguards made more than 500 rescues last season alone. “It doesn’t take a meteorologist to look at rough conditions and say, ‘I don’t think I’m going to swim today,” says Korte. “But there are little waist-high days here that have serious rips. And on a summer day with nice weather, light offshore winds, that’s not readily apparent to the visitor who’s not attuned to the ocean.” Fact is, even experts can make a wrong call. (Lorenzo’s Duck fatality was also one of NOAA’s top scientists.) The one element that’s totally predictable? Humans. You know they’re gonna

TANT THREATS The most remote weather systems can have dangerous ripple effects.

The longer the push, the stronger the pull. Photo: Daniel Pullen

pack the beach in summer — particularly weekends and holidays. That explains why the red flags can go up on days that don’t always look dangerous. But, ironically, it’s the days after when lifeguards get extra busy, as the surf may be calmer but the crowds go bonkers. “I’m no social scientist,” says Korte, “but if you’re only here for a week and can’t get in the water for three of those days, there’s going to be a lot more people in the water the other four. And lots of times, there’s still a lot of energy leftover.”

more dangerous, as the wave energy pulls back out to sea — and can carry swimmers along with it.

Rip currents killed 19 NC swimmers in 2018 and 2019.

So how do you stay out of a rip? Stick to the whitewater. It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you see waves breaking from the sandbar to the beach, all that energy’s being dispersed and moving toward shore. It’s the deeper spots on either side that are

Another good tip? Follow the tides. Rips form more often around shallow sandbars. And less water can lure swimmers farther off the beach. “Low tide, you have people out on the sandbar kind of chilling, then the incoming tide makes it a little deeper…and a little deeper,” says Korte. “You combine that with a set that maybe knocks them down, and all that water has to get back out somehow. One second, they’re swimming, the next they can’t touch bottom. That’s when people panic.”

The key to surviving if a rip catches you off guard? Stay calm and go with the flow. Float on your back and conserve energy — or maybe swim parallel to shore. Once the rip lets you go, you can swim back in. And if

you see someone getting sucked out, don’t go after them without a flotation device. Grab a surfboard, boogie board, or even a raft. Or ask an experienced waterman or woman to spring into action. “Every surfer has a story of pulling someone in,” says Korte. “That’s how common these events are.” But you can’t count on a crowd or even a forecast to keep you safe. That’s why it’s important to swim at a guarded beach if you’re not comfortable — even if you’re staying out of the pack. Check the stand for the latest updates on tides and conditions. Watch for the yellow flags marking rips. Never swim when the red flags are up. And always listen to the advice of ocean rescue personnel. “The lifeguards here are the real authority,” says Korte. “They’ve seen and done it all. And you may think you’re a good swimmer, but they have a crazy level of expertise.” The last thing you want to do is see them spring into action. — CJ Parker

MODERN LIFE BUOYS Five tech-savvy ways to keep your head above water. LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com Dare County’s official beach safety website is jam-packed with video tutorials by local experts on how to avoid the biggest hazards — plus a few lesser-known nuisances you may not have considered. Want to be kept up to date on “current” events? Just text “JOIN OBX BEACH CONDITIONS” to 30890 to receive alerts on risky conditions whenever they arise. Mobile.weather.gov Type in your zip code, and this official National Weather Service product ties you directly to the office that monitors your region, offering current temps, winds — even tropical updates. Even better, go to www.weather.gov/wrn/mobile-phone to add the page to your home screen so it works like an app. Weather.gov/beach/mhx The NWS’ new beach forecast page may say “experimental,” but the info is fully reliable as it uses cutting-edge tech — and Morehead City’s ace meteorologists — to predict upcoming conditions for Outer Banks beaches, covering everything from potential rip currents and thunderstorms, to sunburns and water spouts. Facebook Zuckerberg’s monster ain’t always the best source for real news. But in this case, it’s often ground zero for the various towns and ocean rescue services’ official statuses regarding current conditions. Surfline.com For those who like to watch, this surfing website’s twentysix web cams, spread between Duck and Frisco, provide you with current surf conditions before you even start packing — plus forecast info through the following day. milepost 31

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GRIDLOCK

GAMETIME! Summertime traffic ain’t no joke. But that don’t mean it can’t be fun! Whether you’re snail-racing to Corolla or bumperto-bumpering down the Bypass, these two carride bingo cards will lighten your mood and help kill a few minutes. (The other six hours are up to you.)

Drive Until the Road Ends and the Great Wide Open Begins

Head North to Corolla Open. That is what many of us long to be. In our minds, in our hearts and in our business. It is comforting to know that miles of windswept remote beaches, legendary wild horses and iconic historical sites await you where Highway 12 ends, only a short drive away, in Corolla on the Currituck Outer Banks.

Call 877.287.7488 for more information, driving directions or a free visitor’s guide milepost

Corolla • Carova • The Mainland

Visit us online at VisitCurrituck.com

Like trying new things? Good. ’Cause the Outer Banks ain’t seen a season like this since…well, ever. Not only can we not say what happened — we can’t say what’s coming next. But, even in the masked face of an unknown future, there’s a few things we can count on, no matter what. And they’re the same familiar features that have made the place special since day one: natural beauty, rock-solid people, and a perpetual willingness to throw caution to the wind. What follows is a list of liberating local experiences worth lining up for. (At a safe distance, of course.) Because, now more than ever, we all need to cut loose a little.

Photo: Jon Carter

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You have no idea just how good we got it. In VB, beachgoers pour out Solo cups at first sight of an ATV. In NJ, just having a six-pack can get you punched out by the po-po. Here, the only limit is your legal limit. That means no-underage drinking. No impaired driving. And no dumb shit — like having glass. (Broken bottles and bare feet don’t mix well.) Luckily, all our local breweries have a nice set of cans to slake your thirst. Snag a few cylinders of Lost Colony Brewing’s Kitty Hawk Blonde, Outer Banks Brewing Station’s Lemongrass Wheat, or Northern Outer Banks Brewing’s Penny’s Hill India Pale Ale. And if you work up a super-sized thirst, stop by Buffalo City Jug Shop on the way home, and get a “big gulp” growler to go.

DRINK A BEER ON THE BEACH

UNG LLAN

Like to go explore? It’s crazy how fast the “back side of the island” becomes the “back side of beyond.” Just a mile-and-a-half west of the neon-and-grease glow of KDH’S “French Fry Alley,” lies Nags Head Woods. This 1000+ acres of maritime forest, features five miles of hiking trails that run all the way to Albemarle Sound — and educational displays that travel back to the 19th century and one of the beach’s earliest communities. Wanna push further west? Pick up a paddle to unlock some of the area’s treasured secrets, where narrow channels, birds and turtles hide among natural grasses. Head to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, you might see a black bear, a gator, even a bald eagle — sometimes in a single loop. “A lot of the Outer Banks most protected lands are only accessible by kayak and canoe,” says Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School’s Herman Hall. “It’s amazing how quickly you can get off the beach — which can get a little hectic and busy — and be basking in the majesty of the natural world.” Sorry, yacht rockers. Sailing ain’t the only canvas that sets folks free — tents can be equally miraculous escapes. (Even though they’re likely to be nylon nowadays.) Nevertheless, the two pursuits are nearly identical: tight groups, open skies, intentional unplugging, and — most importantly — immersing yourself in nature’s embrace. The only difference? No water. Luckily, the best local campsites are right next to the sea or sound — including all four of the National Park’s options. Some have hook-ups, some are more primitive. All are guaranteed to take you away.

POP A TENT

Sick of slacking? Puh-lease. We ain’t even begun. Fact is, beach driving’s the Outer Banks’ original sinful pleasure, even in summer when there’s only two stretches of sand where you can legally go offroad: north of Corolla and selected ramps along Camp Hatteras Seashore. All you need is the proper permit — both Currituck and the National Park Service sell annual and 10-day options — and, of course, a four-wheel-drive. Forgot your 4-Runner at home? No worries. A range of rental operators have everything to get you rolling, from quality rides to quality info. “Day-to-day we have printouts of what ramps are open down south,” says Island Cruiser’s Valerie Stump. “We also include a tide chart and weather forecast so we can tell folks which direction to go in case storms are coming.” Still an ORV-virgin? No worries. They’ll also walk you through the basics of not getting stuck — and not being stupid. “We personally make sure drivers are fully instructed,” Stump continues. “But you’re not supposed to be doing donuts away. It’s a way to get out on the beach with gear and family, and to — hopefully — get people back to Hatteras Island’s roots.”

GO OFFROAD Photo: Rob Nelson

Safe to say, America’s music scene ain’t suffered a blow this crushing since Buddy Holly hit the tarmac. In some corners, there’s talk of a concert-free universe into 2021. But as bigtime promoters grapple with how to fit 30,000 screaming fans into a face-masked world, there’s some hope for intimate concerts right here on the coast, thanks to a bunch of restaurants with open-air stages, and a pent-up demand on both sides of the microphone. “I’ve got a lot of clients eager to do music in their backyards as soon as possible,” says Bearded Face Productions’ Mike Dianna. “And a lot of local players can’t wait to perform. We’re putting it on pause until we’re sure it’s safe. But if there’s music this summer, it will be outside.” Some bands are already doing driveway shows for neighbors and fans. Just keep your ears, eyes and mind open, you’ll find plenty of summer jams — without the “packed.”

LET THE MUSIC SET YOU FREE

Photo: Broughton Isnatalefti milepost 37

safe sun practice

& social

FIND A SHIPWRECK

distance 2000 South Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills | 441-5338 1171 Duck Road, Duck Scarborough Lane Shoppes 261-7297

Photo: Jon Carter

801 Ocean Trail, Corolla (next to Food Lion) Monteray Plaza | 453-4862 Birthday-Suits.com

Step aside Dennis Hopper. The beach cruiser is the original freedom machine, which makes it the perfect release for all us quarantine-agers. “Just about all of the major bike brands were sold out this spring,” says Duck Village Outfitters’ Bob Hovey. “We barely got our rental order in time.” Good thing, because over the past decade, the Outer Banks has added miles of multi-use pavement. To the north, you can pedal from Corolla to Kitty Hawk Pier. Down South, you could literally tricycle the Tri-villages from top to bottom. But the best kept secret on two wheels just might be right in the middle of KDH. “Bay Drive has probably the coolest bike path on the beach,” says Hovey. “It’s got sound views, killer sunsets — and it’s one of the few options that’s protected from the wind.” Which makes it a great place to ride like it.

EASY RIDERS

We know, winter’s the skate season — at least around here. Ocean’s freezing. The streets are emptier. And so are the pools. But there’s no reason to sneak around NRPO’s backyards, when the Outer Banks is already home to miles of legal coping. “We’ve got ten solid skate parks within about an hour of the store,” says Mom’s Sweet Shop’s Derik Wineland. That’s what happens when you’re home to one of the top concrete pourers on the planet — Artisan skateparks — who’ve installed tricky transitions from Currituck to Nags Head, Rodanthe to Buxton. All that fertile ground’s produced a crop of freestyling freaks. “There’s so many good kids right now,” says Wineland. “And they’re all ripping year round, and around the clock.” Sometimes even well after dark. And with lights at the parks in KDH and Manteo, spending hot summer nights blazing trails has never been cooler. milepost

EM THE SUM GR

Two years ago, Shelly Island was summer’s favorite desert isle — until it disappeared like a mirage. Luckily, this year’s top tourist trap is stuck deep for the foreseeable future — a 72-foot scallop boat named Ocean Pursuit. In March, she washed up north of Oregon Inlet; by May, the first bona fide shipwreck in recent memory was the #1 selfie backdrop of 2020. But she’s far from the only piece of photogenic flotsam, as long as you’ve got a solid 4WD — and maybe a good set of fins. “I think as far as shipwrecks you can dive on, there are 90 or 100 off the Outer Banks,” says diver and shipwreck expert Marc Corbett. “That doesn’t count the wrecks that are buried up and down the beach and sort of come and go as storms wash away sand. In fact, there’s one right near the ramp in Corolla.” Want more options and better directions? Kevin Duffus’ book, Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks, comes with coordinates. Or go bigger — and deeper — by hiring a dive charter to take you to one of the WWII behemoths that beckon offshore. (Land lubbers need not apply.) Books may be the ultimate act of rebellion — from Common Sense to The Joy of Sex. But revolutions only happen when the message reaches the masses. Luckily, the Outer Banks is home to fiercely independent booksellers, determined to make sure every rousing word finds an audience. “We’ll do curbside, delivery, whatever it takes,” says Buxton Village Books’ Gee Gee Roselle. “I’ve been FaceTiming people and walking them through their favorite sections so they can browse titles.” Even Dare County Library’s going the distance, as resident or property owners can apply for cards online to access a virtual collection of mags and e-books. So, while the revolution may not be televised, it will be digitized.

START A MANIFESTO

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OUTER BANKS VACATION RENTALS & REAL ESTATE SALES

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Whether you are listing a home for sale, looking for an investment property or seeking the perfect Outer Banks beach house to call home, we offer unprecedented service in making your experience the best it can be.

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CONCOCT YOUR OWN COCKTAIL

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BLOW SOMETHING UP

“We’re mad! Mad I tell ya!” Mad for a stiff drink, that is. (Especially these days.) As long as the produce stands are brimming with fruit — and your brain’s swimming with ideas — why not embrace your inner Edison by inventing an electrifying alcoholic elixir. The key, says Outer Banks Distilling’s Beverage Director, Matt Joyner, is not to get overwhelmed. “Start with a spirit, then play around with different fruits you like. The gold standard for flavor balance is two ounces of spirit, threequarter ounces of sour — that’s any citrus, like lemon, lime, or grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed — and one ounce of sweet. I suggest making your own 1-to-1 simple syrup by mixing one cup of sugar to one cup of water.” From there, let the mind run wild. Sub in pomegranate or muddle some strawberries. Add a twisted garnish for scented appeal. For more inspiration, Google ideas — or head to their Manteo distillery for a tour and a drink at the bar — then go home and add a splash of your own personality. “That’s the point,” says Joyner. “Use your experiences, your worldly travels, to create something totally you.“

Rafts. They may be the most maligned of maritime vessels. Impossible to stand on. Gone with the wind. It’s easy to see why they’re not the beach toy of choice — especially when you’ve got a fleet of surfboards and boogie boards and skimboards all standing by. But nothing turns a tranquil pool into a technicolor party like a piece of festive flotation — the more massive, colorful and kooky, the better. “The unicorn is always our number one seller,” says Super Wings’ Manny Golasa. “But we have oversized pizzas, pineapples, butterflies, watermelons. Some families will buy one of each.” After all, in Corolla, every house has a concrete pond. But this behavior’s not just about inflating backyard fun — it’s about blowing up the internet . “They do it for social media,” say Golasa. “They can’t wait to post all their donuts and unicorns on Instagram and hashtag ‘Outer Banks.’” Why are crabs the catch-all for coastal culinary hedonism? Big taste. Major mess. And no hang-ups. Just pour a pile of bright red bugs on a pile of newspapers, and get to hammering. And yammering. Cracking claws while cracking wise. Slurping and grunting until the last spindly leg’s picked clean. Jimmies and Sooks not your jam? Or just sounds like too much work? Peel n’ eat shrimp can just as easily feed your inner caveman. You don’t even need to cook the critters. Ask a local seafood outlet to steam your bottom-feeders to go. Just make sure you have plenty of Old Bay and butter. But for the love of God — no tartar sauce! (Hey, we’re not total savages.)

EAT WITH YOUR HANDS

GO FLY A KITE

Whoever made this phrase an insult must’ve been high — or not high enough. ’Cause the truth is, there’s few things as liberating as tying a simple piece of fabric to a string, then setting it free to ride the wind. Unless it’s a not-so-simple design. “Delta kites — the traditional “Charlie Brown style” kite — are just the beginning,” says Kitty Hawk Kites’ Ben Saltzman. “There are inflatable kites, dual line stunt kites, trick kites, or sport kites — where you can do midair stalls and flips. There’s the big, powerful foil kites for kiteboarding. And if people want to fly a really big kite — one that they’re strapped to — we’ll be offering hang gliding this summer, too.” Weekly lessons will take all styles of would-be wind-aviators from total novice to test-pilot in no time.

Photo: Chris Bickford

The shoreline is full of riches — and not always gold. For lovers of beach glass it can be blue, green or red. (The rarest is orange.) For shell fiends, it’s creamy whelks, bonewhite sanddollars, or whatever crazy cool critter skin ain’t busted. Animal lovers might see a tidal pool seahorse as the ultimate score. That’s the fun of coastal treasure hunting — you never know what’s washing ashore. Except for one thing. “Sadly, year in, year out, we find more plastic than anything else,” says Leslie Vegas, founder of OBX 5-Minute Beach Clean-Up. Mostly it’s cigarette butts, fishing line — plus plenty of straws and utensils. So this year, stop singleuse plastics at their source. “If you don’t need the straws, utensils and condiments, don’t ask for them,” says Vegas. “Even better, make a point to say don’t include them at all.” And next time you’re looking for an 18th century anchor, snag every piece of shiny petroleum that stands in your path. Because a super clean beach is the ultimate treasure.

TREASURE HUNT Photo: Daniel Pullen

in Duck

SOU UCK RIT CUR 12

WATERFRONT SHOPS

WAT E R TOWER

WEE WINKS SQUARE

DUCK ROAD

EACH YEAR, WE LOOK FORWARD to sharing our summer with Free Family Events at the Duck Town Park. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed spending time with our residents and visitors with fitness classes, magic shows, live music, and outdoor movies. 2020 has thrown some challenges our way but hasn’t affected the spirit of Duck! Please check our website and social media pages for updates about events in Town, including virtual ways to connect with us and learn more about Duck.

CROSSWALK

BOARDWALK

SIDEWALK

SHOPPING AREA

PLAY

DINE

STAY

DUCK COMMONS

DUCK TOWN PARK

LOBLOLLY PINES

OSPREY LANDING DUCK POST OFFICE SOUNDSIDE SHOPPES SCARBOROUGH FAIRE

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

townofduck.com 252.255.1234

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Photo: Aimée Thibodeau

VILLAGE SQUARE

Welcome to Duck. We’re so happy you are here!

SHOP

SUMMIT A MOUNTAIN

SHOP PLAY DINE STAY

SCARBOROUGH LANE SHOPPES

Man versus mahi. Woman versus wahoo. Tykes versus tunas. The number of ways you embrace your inner Hemingway on the Outer Banks are nearly endless. Drop a line in the tranquil sound. Stand in the swash and heave a sinker. Stick a gaff in a fighting billfish. Best of all? The art of angling’s inherently designed for modern concerns, as social distancing is basically required — or at least considered proper etiquette. “Everybody should be trained for this,” says Drumbeat charter captain, John Berquist. “It’s always bad form to fish on top of each other.” When in doubt, commandeer a vessel. Not only are they perfectly sized for a handful of close humans, it might be the best opportunity yet for battling marine life, mano-a-mano. “The fishing this year has been incredible,” says Berquist. “The big boats have seen the best tuna season in years. We’ve had great trout fishing in the sound and the drum fishing’s been fantastic. And the mates aren’t grabbing the rods as much, which is great for people who like to actively fish.”

PLAY PAPA

It ain’t Mt. Everest — hell, it ain’t even Grandfather Mountain — but Jockey’s Ridge is still the East Coast’s largest sand dune. And while sixty-something feet might sound less than impressive, it’s not the height of the hill that matters — it’s the shape, as 400-plus acres leaves plenty of room for you to move around. And the soft, shifting surface is perfect for some risky behavior. Sign up for a soaring lesson. Strip the trucks off an old skate-deck and give sandboarding a try. Or pretend you’re Sir Edmund Hilary in reverse by rolling as fast as you can from top to bottom. (Last one down’s a sandy Sherpa.) The beach ain’t only for daytime heat. It’s also a way to burn off a few night hours, rekindle some summer romance — or just stoke out the crew. “We do an end-of-the season bonfire for the shop’s family and friends every year,” says Secret Spot Surf Shop’s Leanne Robinson. “And growing up in Hatteras, we’d drive out on the beach, sit on our tailgates, make a big circle, and hang out for hours.” Even now, she suggests the same approach. (“Trucks make it easier to haul all the coolers and firewood.”) That leaves you one choice in summer: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, fires are allowed ’til 10pm on specific beaches under certain conditions. But Nags Head’s still a good option if you’re willing to do all the heavylifting — and be done by 9pm. Of course, there are necessary rules and permits — Google for details — but no charge. So, if the mood sparks, it’s a sure-fire way to brand your summer with classic memories.

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!

ROLL YOUR OWN

Photo: Abby Berquist

Don’t let the Marlboro Man lie to you. Real cowboys twist their own cancer sticks one at a time. And while we’d prefer every smoker extinguished their habit, if you’re gonna court death, you might as well put it off as long as possible. And rolling your own offers the healthiest possible burn from spark to finish. “You can buy pure tobacco, bleach-free papers, and natural filters,” says Cigarette City’s Carol Cishek. “It’s about as organic as smoking gets.” Plus, every trip to flavor country is cheaper — roughly $20 off per carton — and you’ll smoke less to boot, as every minute you spend filling a paper, is one you can’t waste polluting your lungs. milepost 43

RIDE (TO) A WILD MUSTANG M ak e M e m ories !

Discover the Other Side of the Outer Banks! Sail the Albemarle Sound

aboard the 41 foot Movin’On for afternoon and sunset cruises. Couples, families, groups. Photo: Cory Godwin

So you’ve done the SUP thing. The surf thing. The kite thing. The foil thing. But have you done “the wingy thingy”? The latest in wind sports takes the best of kiteboard technology and makes it more accessible than ever. “The wing is basically a small, inflated foil,” says Real Watersports’ Trip Forman. “It’s like a hand-held kite.” Already, adrenaline junkies using the tech to fly down mountains and roll down streets. Locally, it’s the latest craze for riding waves when it’s firing, or cruising the sound when it’s flat. And while it ain’t necessarily easy, all you need is the right equipment — and maybe a lesson — to get up to speed. “You see clips online of top athletes doing it on smaller foil boards,” says Forman. “But you can start on a big longboard or a SUP, and work your way down to a larger foil board, and then to something super low volume.” And should you catch the bug, a wing is about a third of the price of a normal kite. No wonder it’s taking off.

CATCH THE WIND

Reservations by calling: 1-877-359-8447 Visit our website: sailingouterbanks.com • obxsail.com milepost

Whoa, there! You didn’t think you’d actually get to straddle one of these unbridled steeds? You’re not even allowed to touch ’em. And you sure as hell can’t feed ’em. (People food’s lethal.) In fact, the law says you have stay 50 feet away at all times. And the horses? “We like to say the horses have been practicing social distancing since they’ve been up here,” laughs Corolla Outback Adventures’ Jay Bender. “So this year won’t be much different.” If anything, it might be better, as they’ll be cutting the safari truck’s passenger count in half, which means better viewing and more one-on-one with the guides. Got a large crew? Don’t worry — they’ll still make room for families and full houses to ride together. The one hurdle? Car seats. “Those normally go in the cab, and we can’t have that this year,” says Bender. “But other operators will have that capacity for kids under four.” That means every horse fan can get their kicks. (Figuratively speaking, of course.) Can’t wait to feel the sun on your face? Your whole face? Be careful once you start stripping clothing; you might not wanna stop. But should you get the urge to show off that birthday suit, there’s only one place: Pea Island. If the local rumor mill’s to be believed, the 13-mile stretch of peak dunes is already refuge for the topless sunbathing set. Some dare say they’ve even seen the full monte. If you decide to go commando at least be considerate — find a beach trail without a single parked car, then walk even farther, so nobody checking the surf gets a surprise peek. And if you’re not willing to dangle your naughty bits on the wrong side of the law, there’s hope: Change.org is gathering signatures for a petition titled “Include Nude Beach in Outer Banks Coronavirus Economic Response Plans.” That’s one way to stimulate the economy.

REBEL STREAK

Enough with the jokes. Ocracoke needs you. Months before COVID flooded the world and tanked the economy, Blackbeard’s adopted home was already underwater thanks to Hurricane Dorian. Now, with state finances in shambles, the highly popular express ferry’s been canceled for summer, reducing Photo: Real pedestrian traffic for the season. Some businesses can barely stay afloat. Make this the summer you see why this island paradise is Outer Bankers’ favorite escape. Post up at the dock and swill pints. Explore Portsmouth Island’s population-free village. Or just go for a “scud” in a golf cart. Guaranteed you’ll find some easy laughs — and leave behind some real joy.

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Wanna become a better surfer? Start by cutting the cord. “I hate wearing leashes,” says stylish local longboarder, Mary Schmader. “They make you sloppy because there’s no repercussions for falling. And without a leash, I surf with more control — and more finesse.” Now, we’re not suggesting you put yourself or others in harm’s way or break any local ordinances. If you’re surfing “in town” and riding a fiberglass board — or if the conditions are remotely big or crowded — stay strapped at all times. But, if the waves are small, why not wax up the 10-footer and head south to Hatteras Island, where the beach rules are looser and sandbars are emptier? Or, if you’re in town, grab a foam board of any size. Practice your cross-stepping. Work on your spinners. You’ll soon find that fetching your stick provides an extra bit of fun and exercise — but not for long. “I rarely have to swim in anymore,” says Schmader. “You’d be surprised how quick you stop losing your board — once you have to chase after it.”

What can you make with a shovel and PAIL? A couple of shells, and a few pieces of beach fencing? A castle in the Sahara? A space-base on Tatooine? A lighthouse on the Atlantic…scratch that, too obvious. After all, the whole point of playing in the sand is to stretch your imagination — or just stay busy at the beach. “I can’t sit under an umbrella — I have to be doing something,” says local waterman Brandon Jenkins. Growing up in Florida, Jenkins would spend hours making alligators and turtles, then leave them for weeks. Today he shares the same tradition with his three daughters. When they’re not chasing waves, casting lines, or diving the wrecks, they make their own marine world right there on land as a way to kill time — and stay active. “It’s a pretty good workout,” says Jenkin. “You’re moving buckets of water and sand, stretching your body in different ways.” If that sounds like too much work, just scratch the surface with your toes like a life-size zen garden — or make a few drip castles and let your mind wander.

Who don’t love a good booze cruise? From the looks of our soundside’s tequila sunsets, just about everyone. But any hour’s a happy time to drop anchor, as more dock-side bars let you tie up to tie one on, provided you can keep your sea legs — and have a sober driver. And who wants to be that? Luckily, charters like Island Water Shuttle will tote you and your boatless buddies around the Albermarle for roughly $50 a pop. Or, for more sophisticated palates, hop aboard the Vineyard Voyage, which ferries adventurous oenophiles from Duck to Jarvisburg’s Sanctuary Vineyards’ private farm, maneuvering passengers among marsh islands and old hunting lodges. Upon arrival, the “in the field experience” continues with a safari-truck tour of the grounds, followed by a big-glass tasting in an open-air setting, where everyone enjoys a selection of award-wining wines — before sharing one more perfect finish. “People really love the ride across the sound,” says Sanctuary’s John Wright. “They get to see a totally different side of the Outer Banks.”

SIPS AHOY!

GRILL ’EM ALL!

Photo: Katie Slater

It’s the hottest culinary question of the season: what to grill out. Seafood? Veggies? Meat? Chicken? Why choose? Throw ’em all on the Weber and let the hungry mob sort it out. Actually: you better sort things out first. “Here, we start the fire small and slowly build to keep the heat constant,” says Meghann Justine of Mike Dianna’s Grill Room. “The meat and chicken goes on the high heat, but we keep the vegetables to the side so they get the smoky flavor but don’t burn.” With a deft touch — and a big grill — you can even grill watermelon, cherries, and apples. (“We do that for salads.”) Got a small grill? Stretch out the timing. “Do the veggies first and pull them off, because they can sit,” says Justine. “And do the fish last; because it always cooks quickest.” (And almost always goes the fastest.)

SURF WITHOUT A LEASH

Pop. Fizzle. Splat. In one week this spring, the Outer Banks went from having five professional-grade pyrotechnic displays to two: Corolla on July 3; and Kill Devil Hills on September 5. But that don’t mean the summer’s a dud. In fact, if history — and human nature — are any indication, that will only drive the number of unofficial patriotic displays through the stratosphere. Yes, fireworks are still basically illegal — at least all the good ones. (Some towns allow for sparklers, snakes and other non-eye-popping options.) But that’s never stopped folks from voicing their independence in the past. So, find yourself a four-story porch this July 4 and scan the horizon — and most other clear nights for that matter. Guaranteed you’ll see some bombbursting blazes of old glory.

BACKYARD BOOMERS

Photo: Katie Slater

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STORE

Sunset Ice Cream

CK DU ’S

GENERAL STORE

gosolar Sunny day real estate. Photo: Daniel Pullen

building — AC be damned! At least during the day. Come nightfall, the whole operation must go back on the grid. “That’s the problem with renewables,” says McEwan. “Figuring out storage for when the sun’s not out.” Already, companies like Tesla make batteries that could do the job, but a national solar craze has them back-ordered. Luckily, the Cape Hatteras Electric Co-Op is seeking alternative solutions like a pilot battery program for 2020.

LEADING THE CHARGE

Briggs McEwan has a vision for renewable power Down South. It’s summer’s hottest race. Man versus sunshine. Mouth versus ice cream. Visit any frozen treat patio at high noon, you’ll find humans licking scoops at lightning speed, dashing to devour all that deliciousness before it can dribble away — Melting! Meellltttiiing!! — like some lime-faced witch of the west. But fret not, lovers of summertime sweets! At one tiny shop Down South, the very same rays that are frying your sherbet are keeping someone else’s fudge ripple freezing cold. You see, Salvo’s Village Conery is more than just a flavor dispensary, it’s a power generator on pilings. In fact, it’s Cape Hatteras Electric Co-Op’s first “commercial generation facility,” putting out a whopping 3.2 kilowatts per day. So, what’s that mean? “It’s not enough for the shop to be fully energy independent,” says owner/operator Briggs McEwan. “But when two or three freezers are running, and all the lights are on, it won’t pull any power from the grid. And I notice that in the summer, at like eleven o’clock, the meter spins backwards — until I put the air conditioning on. The AC screws it all up.” [Laughs] Still, a kilowatt saved is a kilowatt earned. And that’s good for a small biz that keeps 250 gallons of ice cream per week at subzero temps — and has 500 people per day walk in and out. (Along with a ton of AC.)

As a result, the summer power bill can hit $550 a month — for a tiny, 380 square-foot building. But that combo of small area and high expense creates the perfect opportunity for a pint-sized experiment. So, when Dan Runyan started talking to Briggs about test-driving solar in 2019, he was fully amped.

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“Dan was an electrical engineer in Indiana for years before he moved here,” says McEwan. “He was a real genius. He basically wrote the solar code for Dare County a few years back. He said, ‘Tell me how big the roof is, and we’ll set it up.’” Last August, they put up nine solar panels. Less than a year later, that mini array’s produced more than a million watts and fueled a range of never-considered ripple effects.

This mini array’s produced more than a million watts.

“I looked across the street the other day and my neighbor had put one up,” McEwan laughs. “But it makes perfect sense; we’re totally out in the sun, the panels last for 30 years — and they pay for themselves in five. And who doesn’t want to save energy?” In fact, McEwan’s next move is to add a covered porch. With just a few more panels, he could actually power the whole

“We’re still in the early phases of how to approach it,” says CHEC’s Director of Public Relations, Laura Ertle. “We’ll do some residential batteries on homes without solar and homes coupled with solar to learn about the technology. But we already do have a clean energy mix in our supply, and we’re always looking to improve on that.” While McEwan is their only commercial account, Ertle says they’ve got a handful of residences collectively producing 157 kilowatts from solar. She notes that’s far from the national trend — coastal homeowners worry about hurricanes, corrosion, perforated roofs — but she’s seen more interest the past few years. And they’re finding ways to make it easier. “We also installed a fifty kilowatt community solar garden in Hatteras Village,” she says. “Members can purchase the energy rights to panels and they get that credit back monthly. It’s a great way for someone to get into solar without making a significant investment.” Meanwhile, McEwan keeps leading the charge. Not only did he join the Co-op’s Board of Directors last year, he’s already ordered 32 more panels for his other business, Lisa’s Pizzeria. Rodanthe’s thriving, 35-year-old watering hole boasts even more traffic, and a lot more energy consumption. The plan was to get them installed before this summer — when tragedy struck this winter. “Dan [Runyan] just passed away in February,” says McEwan. “It’s really tough to think about right now, because he was such a great guy. I’m sure I’ll look into finding someone else by next year. But when we do, it’ll be big — nearly four times larger than this one.” That’s enough to at least keep the hood’s fans working, and the lights on out front. In case of a hurricane, it might be the difference between shutting down and staying open during the daytime. It’s not quite like owning a nuclear reactor, but it’s certainly a faint glow of what’s to come. “I kind of feel like I bought a Macintosh 1984,” he laughs. “It’s gonna change the world…eventually. But even right now, the same sunlight that’s spilling ice cream all over your hand is actively freezing your next one. And that’s pretty cool.” — Ben DeSoleil milepost 49

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godetox only absorbs between 30 and 40 percent of that intake. An IV delivers 100 percent of the hydration and nutrients. That means folks rebound faster. The immediate results led to a booming business last summer, when the company averaged 12-15 customers per week. Luckily, the trio found a way to handle the demand while still working full-time.

Healthy glow. Photo: Cory Godwin

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“We were able to hire a great team of nurses that were able to meet the needs of the calendar,” Montiel says. “We had room to grow. We certainly could do more than that.” So far, the bulk of the business remains clients from out of town. Mostly from cities and places where IV therapy is already part of clients’ wellness routines. In fact, one celebrity recently got two IVs over a three-week period.

SUMMER’S SOLUTION

Too much sun, booze or exercise? IV treatments are the new insta-cure. Long days. Late nights. For vacationers, a week at the beach can lead to a hell of a bender. For locals, the long hours can mean endless exhaustion — and one more reason to really cut loose. But there’s no reason to let a single rager ruin your weekend. Or even the next morning. Just hire a nurse to pump you with fluids, and you’re ready to go another day. “Everyone wants immediate satisfaction, immediate results,” says Gunther Heyder, a local dentist who had his first IV treatment during a friend’s bachelor weekend. “After a fun evening, being able to quickly rehydrate your cells and tissues really makes you able to instantly feel better.” So good, in fact, Hyder thought the idea would work well in the sun- and alcohol-soaked Outer Banks. He talked with two local medical professionals — former Community Clinic of Dare executive director and nurse, Tami Montiel, and current medical director, Dr. John Sanchez — and in 2019, they launched OBX Renew IV to You. Book online, and a nurse comes to your house and administers an IV drip that hydrates and revitalizes you almost instantly. Within hours, clients feel like their old selves. All without the hassle — or expense — of a hospital visit. “If you only have a few days on the Outer Banks, you don’t want to spend it hungover,” says Heyder. “We brought it

here to allow for the brides and grooms to enjoy the best day of their lives.” It’s not just for party people. The right drip counters the draining effects of jetlag, colds or a marathon workout. In some cities — where the treatment’s been popular for years— people use IV therapy to combat stress. Sounds extreme, but it’s safe. All the cocktails use a specialized mix of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, with a saline solution base to allow quick absorption into the bloodstream. “Wright Flight Jetlag + Fatigue” helps travelers recover. “Flying Pirate Peak Performance” gives athletes an edge. “OBX Sandbar Saviour” is the quintessential hangover cure, combining vitamins and electrolytes to make nausea, headache and dizziness disappear. “Fountain of Youth and Vitality” includes the antioxidant glutathione, which fights damage from free radicals and stress to slow signs of aging. As a bonus, glutathione adds pink color to nervous bride’s pale cheeks. One guaranteed commonality? “Everything we put into the IVs is naturally occurring in your body,” says Montiel. But more than the ingredients, it’s the delivery method that counts. When you drink water or take a vitamin, the body

One celebrity got two IVs over a threeweek period.

“She said where she comes from, they do them weekly,” Montiel notes. But the year-round client base is starting to catch on. KDH resident Alison Carras ordered the “Beach Beauty Glow” IV for general wellness for her and her mother over the winter. Carras says the whole process left them both feeling relaxed, comfortable and “really good” overall. “This nurse was so gentle,” Carras says. “It’s great because you’re in the comfort of your own home. It was like she was one of our friends coming over.” This spring, Montiel says the coronavirus spiked interest among people seeking something else the business offers: shots for “a good immune boost.” And she predicts continued increased demand this summer for the company’s B-12-MIC formula as clients aim to get swimsuit-ready in record time. B-12 is a vitamin that provides an energy and immune boost that many people crave, and the MIC portion—methionine, inositol and choline—helps break down fats and lower cholesterol. Put them together and it’s the perfect follow-up to months spent self-sequestering, binge-watching, and comfort-eating. Add some long days on the beach — and later nights on the deck — and both the IV and shot schedules will only get more hectic as the summer heats up. But, even if the wedding season’s slower than normal, Heyder says they’re ready for anything, from hard-partying college kids to fitness enthusiasts preparing for fall’s big races. “We are not just a hangover cure,” he notes. “The Outer Banks is full of people who run marathons and triathlons, so we have a cocktail for that. Muscles need immediate replenishment — this does it.” — Corinne Saunders milepost 51

fooddrink endnotes SAVING SUMMER questionauthority FOR LATER upfront

Sweet memories of summer, served anytime. Photo: Cory Godwin

soundcheck getactive Got a home garden going already? Here’s your next DIY jam.

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What a year for gardening. Pent up on partial lockdown, fearing a food crisis, it seems the whole Outer Banks is growing their own edibles. In summers past, passing along extra veggies was as easy as asking the nearest neighbor. But what do you do when everybody has a surplus? Find new ways to save ’em for later.

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“I actually started [making jam] because we had a peach tree in our front yard,” says Blue Water Grill’s Cara Godwin. “We had all these peaches. I was like, ‘What am I going to do with all of this?’”

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After baking a bunch of cobblers, the Kitty Hawk mom decided to learn how to preserve the rest. She boils the jars to sterilize them, then uses a makeshift water bath out of a large spaghetti pot to seal the goods. After the water bath, she and her husband, Cory, put the filled jars on the counter to seal.

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“We’ll be doing something, hear the pop of the jars — ‘Woo, we did it right!’” Godwin says. Now she applies the same skills to canning blueberry and strawberry jams.

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“It’s not really hard,” she continues, “just time consuming.” It’s also healthier, cheaper, and — apparently — more popular than ever.

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Dee Furlough — the Family & Consumer Sciences agent for both Dare and Tyrrell’s cooperative extension offices — says interest in food preservation has gone up in recent years, especially among 20- and 30-somethings.

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“They’re sort of going back to their roots, having their gardens,” says Furlough, who has worked in Dare and Tyrrell counties since 1991. “They just really enjoy knowing what goes into their food, sharing things they’ve actually made, and knowing it’s healthy.” milepost

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Furlough offers about a dozen classes a year. Each lasts about two hours. She prefers ten or fewer people per class so she can closely monitor everyone. For $10, participants leave class with knowledge and their own preserved food. She usually teaches a strawberry jam class in May, a blueberry-lemon jam class in June, a green bean canning class in July, and a scuppernong grape jam class in September. She’s also taught bread making and yogurt making classes. Topics depend on local produce availability.

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“If it’s something I can get my hands on locally, I do try to use those; if not, I will go to the grocery store,” Furlough says. Hot water bath canning — such as Godwin’s jam making method — is the most accessible, according to Furlough. It’s fine for high-acid foods like fruit-based jellies, jams, preserves, and salsas. They reach boiling point and that’s as hot as they need to get. As a result, jams and jellies are always easiest.

Jams and jellies are always easiest.

“More people would likely have something they can use as a hot water bath as opposed to a pressure canner,” she notes.

Pressure canning is necessary for low-acid foods like green beans, soups, and meats. “Soups or spaghetti sauce with meats might be a little more difficult, and things you would use with your pressure canner,” she says. “They get up to temperature, but it also has the pressure that’s in there, so it gets hotter. That’s the only safe way to can low-acid type things.”

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Food safety is obviously a priority, which is why she encourages all canners to find and use the right recipes. Furlough says she’s available by email and phone to provide clients with approved ideas. And she notes even family favorites or online recipes may not be the best options, “because of things we have learned through the years about food safety. Food canned improperly could make you sick.” But if you’re just getting started, or working with kids, there’s one clear favorite: grape jelly. “You don’t have a lot of preparation work,” she says. “It’s almost foolproof: juice and sugar and some pectin.” The kids learn more than just how to make jelly, though. “Measuring, pouring, following directions…they’re picking up these other skills that go along with it as well.” Skills that can turn into a whole new trade. After an illness eight years ago, Edenton’s Kelly Carey started canning her own food and making cheese as healthier alternatives to processed foods. The hobby turned into a standalone business — Sweet Reasons Farms. She sells pickles, pickled eggs and other preserved treats at farmers’ markets such as Dowdy Park. But she still cans at home. With in-season fruits, she makes jams, jellies and apple pie filling. She preserves corn, peaches, spaghetti, and pizza sauce. All of it for personal use and, best of all, personal enjoyment. “There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling it out in the winter,” she says. “It’s like tasting summer.” — Corinne Saunders

For updates on classes, visit dare.ces.ncsu.edu, email Furlough at dee_furlough@ ncsu.edu, call the Dare office at 252-473-4290, or find NC Cooperative Extension, Dare County on Facebook. To view the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “What’s in Season?” chart, click to ncfarmfresh.com/availability.asp.

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episodes built on recognizable themes. Shark Week. Sci Fi. Christmas in July. Country Western.

Harrison & Wentz Presents… invents, then re-invents, the musical variety show.

“That was the best because we had a shootout,” says Harrison. “And then we did the Sci Fi theme the next week and had another shoot-out.”

MAD PROPS

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“With space guns!,” laughs Wentz. “But we also came up with a pretty good formula of segments we could mix and match — the debate, ‘Spotlight on America,’ the ‘F@#k You of the Week.’ Then we learned new songs with as much free time as we had and just sort of made it work.”

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And with that, a would-be classy affair became a psychedelic blend of “Price is Right” and “Prairie Home Companion.”

upfront soundcheck getactive startingpoint Games of chance and mock debates. Starspangled bowties and space age gunfights. Canned fruit and spontaneous laughs. Roll some bikini-clad B-roll across a big screen — pluck a few drunks from the crowd to perform tricks onstage — and what do you have? Harrison & Wentz Presents a Night of Musical Tropicalia, the Outer Banks’ only summertime variety show.

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At least it was. (This year’s incarnation remains TBD.) But the DNA remains the same — a totally live, music-and-sketch freefor-all with one driving purpose: max out the entertainment value by any means necessary. Partially for the audience, but mostly for the performers.

Are you not entertained?! Photo: Ed Tupper

and Billy Clams. “And we’d started feeling tremendous shame because we felt like we weren’t being as creative and interesting as we could be.” To truly understand, you have to recognize the harsh realities of the Outer Banks’ summertime music scene. Or — rather — what the music scene was like before COVID-19. For years, local artists would grind through as many paid gigs as possible, filling each week with three-hour sets from brunches to sunsets to last call, sometimes in the same day. Come August, they’d be running on fumes. (And probably a few other things.)

Last summer, Harrison and Zack Mexico’s graphiccontent

“If you’re not having fun, you’re kind of ripping the audience off,” explains Harry Harrison, singer and guitarist for local favorites the Hound Dogs, Yacht Dogs,

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lead guitarist, Matthew Wentz, decided they’d keep Tuesday nights at the Brew Pub for themselves. They called in all their long-time local collaborators and started

dreaming up ways to let off steam — maybe even blow a few minds. “Harry and I are both really interested in the history of entertainment as far back as Vaudeville,” says Wentz. “But I think we were mostly interested in seeing how far we could push the boundaries of what’s acceptable — and still get paid.” [Laughs] Their first idea? A hifalutin blend of black ties, fancy dresses, and Polynesian themes, where folks would politely clap over flittering candles and 15-dollar cocktails. (“Then we remembered we lived on the Outer Banks.”) So, they ditched the fancy, kept the tiki, then leaned heavy into skills learned from a decade playing together — mainly how to rock a stage, and how to keep each other in stitches between shows. They turned inside jokes into outrageous skits. Stockpiled zany props and dreamt up whole

Your host? Local percussionist Josh Martier — aka Marty Martin Denny — a madcap emcee who hammered the bongos, spewed salubrious non-sequiturs, and perpetually pitched “Hawaiian Canned Pineapples” instead of Powdermilk biscuits. When not dueling guitar solos, “Doctors” Harrison and Wentz debated current events via penclenched teeth and adopted accents ala William F. Buckley. The Cabana Club Magic Boys — aka drummer Joey La Fountaine and bassist Ed Tupper — drove the rhythm (and dropped the nightly fishing report). Meanwhile, Taylor “Eye in the Sky” Saturley projected endless trippy visuals and messaging over everyone’s heads. “l honestly think half the people came just to see what Taylor put on the screen,” says Wentz. “And the whole ‘Spin the Wheel’ thing gave us a random vehicle for things to be even more entertaining.” Ah yes! Who can forget “Spin the Wheel”? Each night they’d ask someone to hop on stage and twirl a whirling prop, rotating weird challenges from trust falls to chugoffs. (“Call your Dad” quickly became a fan favorite, where random folks phoned confused fathers at midnight.) Before long, the room filled with raucous cheers of “Spin! The! Wheel!” The one constant? Solid musicianship, as each week they’d invite different local acts to share the stage, stitching skits together

presents with some of the most mind-blowing jams you can muster. And they did it every single Tuesday for 12 weeks straight. “It took more work,” says Harrison. “And more inspiration. But the cool thing is the whole community started getting involved with all sorts of ideas. People said, ‘I want to paint on stage!’ Or they’d give a motivational speech or cut people’s hair.”

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There were conga lines and stripper poles. Fire dancers and stand-up comics. By summer’s end, nobody knew what would happen each week — not even the creators. They all just knew it was the one live show they didn’t want to miss.

“If you’re not having fun, you’re kind of ripping the audience off.”

“See!” gloats Harrison. “Because, when we start doing fun stuff, then the audience starts having fun, and then everyone gets what they came for.”

“And doing something different creatively kept us fresh all week,” adds Wentz. “It made our whole summer.” It was gonna make this summer, too. Then COVID struck. So, instead, it made their quarantine. Locked in separate homes — armed with a formula of proven bits, a green screen, and some professional gear — they reinvented themselves once more to create “A Quarantine Vlog of Musical Tropicalia.” Over ten weeks, they recorded a “COVID Relief Package” of five 50-minute episodes. And, unlike the deluge of Facebook Live performances that seemed to shrink in appeal when they hit the small screen, the new format expanded the whole H & W universe. In addition to asking local minds to submit music and skits, they tapped imaginations from Seattle to France. Instead of merely plugging canned pineapples, they produced

full-on advertisements. Debates turned simultaneously more dramatic — and sillier. Marty’s gameshow host persona grew increasingly bonkers — and more tragically three-dimensional. Meanwhile, Saturley’s visuals went from decorative eye-candy to connective tissue, binding and illustrating every idea into something TV-quality. “I don’t know about ‘quality,’” laughs Wentz. “A lot of our stuff is intentionally sloppy because we think it’s funny. But we’ve created a pretty solid mythology behind all the characters and concepts that we want to continue to explore over more episodes. And hopefully it keeps entertaining people.” It’s gonna have to — at least for the immediate future. While the H & W crew still plans to perform music in their various combos ASAP, the variety show likely won’t happen any time soon — at least not in its original form. You can’t have crowd participation without a crowd. And even a half-packed house just won’t do. (Can trust falls and conga lines exist in a post-COVID world?) But Harrison & Wentz remain staunchly committed to doing good work. That means building fresher, non-pandemic-related YouTube episodes. Releasing new, tangible media. (Look for A Bewitching Album of Musical Tropicalia to drop this summer.) And perhaps — if we’re lucky — inventing some sort of strange and wonderful hybrid that reconnects everyone.

Photo by Matika Wilbur

JOY HARJO US Poet Laureate

Thursday, September 10 Virtual Reading

“Now that we’re all home, we’ve talked about trying to livestream an episode with a smaller crowd of people,” Wentz says with just a hint of maniacal laughter. “It won’t be exactly like last summer, but that’s okay, too.” More than just okay — it’s essential. Because as every mad genius knows, the thrill of creation isn’t polishing the chrome on some finished product — it’s cracking the code on a brand-new idea. It’s plugging in all the elements. Flipping the switch. Then flying blind, from one electrifying moment to the next, until the pieces magically come together, and —Eureka! — something completely one-of-a-kind springs to life. — Leo Gibson

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Think of It as One More Way to Save Lives at the Beach. If you love the Outer Banks, do your part to protect the people that are here. Coronavirus doesn’t take a vacation. The good news? All we have to do to stop the spread is wear a mask when you’re out and about, wash your hands more frequently, and wait further back in line. Pretty simple stuff really. Hey, and you get the added benefit of helping to keep the OBX open, because nothing will close it down faster than a big outbreak. Be Safe. Be Smart. Have Fun (and think about reupping on the sunscreen, you’re getting a little pink). More info at outerbanks.org and DareNC.com/covid19

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We used to laugh at those square couples. Hanging in their driveways all summer long. Leaned back in folding chairs, faces to the sun. Or tummies-down, towels on concrete, and backsides to the sky. Lying on the hard pavement, like dogs, when the softer, warmer sand — cool water and cooler people — waited just steps away. Then we became them. Forced into semi-isolation, we moved outdoors. Pulled out two beach chairs and set them up, front-and-center. Inching closer to the street each day. Praying some random neighbor might walk by and stop six feet away. They did. Always willing to yell conversation over a plugged-in Bluetooth. With time, we invited them to come over — still outside of course — two at a time ’til our numbers grew. There were six chairs. Then ten. All still far enough apart, but with enough energy to get us to stand up and mill around. Once we started standing, we turned to moving. And once we started moving, we began to boogie. Tunes blasted. Cups spilled. A borderline nightclub beneath the house. But something was still missing. Then someone shouted. “Know what this place needs?! A dance-floor!” “Dance-floor?” “Yeah, dance-floor. You know, like Deney Terrio.” “Danny who?” “No, Deney. Terrio! Dance Fever!” “You mean Saturday Night Fever!” “No, that’s Tony Manero!” “Huh?” Didn’t matter. Soon we all had the fever. The cure? That proved elusive, but everyone brought ideas. We turned the security bulbs red-and-blue. Strung up some Christmas lights. And when someone found the sidewalk chalk, we dropped to our knees and began to color. By midnight, we’d carpeted the whole carport in neon. Wall to wall. Corner to corner. Edge to edge. Then we hopped up and danced into the dawn. Just us. And a bunch of squares. In the driveway. — C. White

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Behold! The mighty Corona Asterisk! It casts its shadow upon all our EndNotes — nay, our very lives! As you read through the following events, recognize that every detail publicized may change, much like the virus itself. So before making any plans, consult your smart phone — if need be, call organizers directly — and make sure what we sent to press on June 5 rings true on Oct. 1. • Even the mighty National Park Service is no match for the Corona Asterisk. While many areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are open to enjoy, a return to full operations will “continue to be phased.” Visit the respective parks’ websites at www.nps.gov to find out the statuses of indoor facilities and services like in-person interpretive programming. • Hop online, you won’t just find the Town Of Duck’s updated calendar, you can participate in a series of digital events through Sept. 9, including a Facebook Live Virtual Yoga Class (Tues., 7:30am) and Facebook Live Dynamic Flow Class (Wed., 7:30 am). Hopefully, these and other weekly exercises will return to real-life starting July 5. Find active updates at www.townofduck.com. • Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear stickers! If you see a “Chamber Hero” decal on a local biz, that means they’ve donated $50 or more to be part of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce’s new program to help local entrepreneurs stay connected to necessary resources during these uncertain times. Want to join this noble non-profit’s metaphorical fortress of solidarity? Sign up at www.outerbankschamber/hero. (PS: Members also get an invite to Oct. 1’s special OBX HERO Celebration at Nags Head’s Haven on the Banks.) • Don’t live here? You can still be a can crusader. Just drop any unopened groceries with Kitty Hawk’s Beach Food Pantry. (Call 252-261-2756 or 202-352-2107 to coordinate a drop-off time for perishable items.) And if you’re hungry — and local — go to www.beachfoodpantry. org and fill out an application. They’ll set up a time for you to come fill your bags — and your bellies. For the latest updates on what food’s in stock, and what’s requested, stick to the Facebook page — and look for a Summer Food for Kids program to start (maybe) in July/ Aug. • Did your summer camps get cancelled? Kids driving you nuts? Turn all that noise into quality tunes! Not only is Ascension Music Academy continuing lessons and classes through the coming months, summer provides extra hours for students to practice (with the door shut, of course). Available instruments, hours and more at www.ncmusicteachers.com. • Or blow down to Real Watersports to turn free time into natural expression as they continue to offer ocean sports lessons in every style, from classical (surfing) to modern (kiteboarding) to edgy (foil) to WTF (that wingy thingy). Get details at www.realwatersports. com. • Rather blow off steam in Nags Head Woods? No worries. While the weekly guided hikes are cancelled through summer — and offices may stay closed to protect public health — the trails are wide open. They only ask people follow all regulations, stay safe, and enjoy themselves at the proper distance. And if you experience an emergency while in the preserve, call 911. For more, follow their Facebook page or click over to nature.org/nhw. • Likewise, Alligator River and Pea Island Wildlife Refuges’ interpretive programs were on hold at press time. However, outdoor recreation will remain open to the public during daylight hours whenever possible. Get updates at www.fws.gov. • The Island Farm still plans to continue traveling back in time via vintage programming. This year’s lessons include Banker Ponies, Blacksmithing and Windmills — plus a special nod to the 1918 Flu and two Fermentation Workshops on June 27 and July 18. Stay tuned to Facebook and www. obcinc.org in case of unforeseen hiccups. • You can always count on nature to dazzle at Elizabethan Gardens — especially this year — as they host a Wings n’ Wishes Butterfly Release from July 1-Aug. 26. Watch the little buggers get airborne at 10am — then hear tips on how to attract them to your garden. ($14; register online seven days in advance.) Miss your spot? Don’t worry: from July 6-Aug. 27, a free program focuses on some different critter four days a week: Backyard Birds (Mon.); Fun with Frogs (Tues.); Butterflies! (Wed.); and Helpful Bugs (Thurs.). All start at 11am; all max out at 20 people, and all assume the Corona Asterisk don’t strike. Watch www.elizabethangardens.org for the most

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presents current word. • Corolla kicks off the summer footrace season with Whalehead’s Lighthouse 5k series, which runs every Wed. from now through Sept. 9. Nags Head’s Village 5k picks up the pace every Thurs. through Aug 13. And Avon’s Run Hatteras Summer 5k goes the distance down south each Mon. ’til Aug 10. Just be sure to circle ’round to Kill Devil Hills for July 5’s Freedom 5k, then back up to Corolla for July 15’s Xmas in July 5k. All races start at 8am; details and registration at www.theobxrunningcompany.com. • At press-time, Currituck Beach Lighthouse was still closed, but neighboring Whalehead Club was still planning to be a beacon for outdoor summer gathering — with safety protocols in place, of course. That means Corolla’s Cork & Craft will host ticketed wine and beer tastings — plus a weekly Cornhole Tournament — every Wed. through Sept. 9. (4-8pm; go to www. visitcurrituck.com for pricing and updates.) Just don’t oversample, ‘cause every Thurs. at 7:30am, there’s free Yoga in the Park sessions through Sept. 3. Obviously, monitor the website for changes. One thing they’re committed to? Independence Day Fireworks on July 3. You may have to watch from a porch, deck, boat, or parked car, but you will see some semblance of bombs bursting in air. • Sadly, all the July 4 fireworks shows south of Corolla were cancelled — along with Nags Head’s annual Killer Dunes’ footrace. But you can still run all over Jockey’s Ridge State Park in an unorganized fashion. And officials are looking forward to offering outdoor ranger talks on the back deck, sunset hikes, and ranger guided walks on the sound-side nature trail ASAP, as well as the annual Dune Day celebration sometime in Aug. Get the most current info at ncparks.gov, www.friendsofjockeysridge.org, or on the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Facebook page. • Got a hankering for healthy homemade food? Nags Head plans to fire up the Dowdy Park Farmer’s Market every Thurs., July 9-Aug. 27, 9am-1pm. Get any changes and all new events on Nags Head’s Facebook page. • Or head to Wanchese any Sat., 8am-12pm, as the Secotan Market serves up fresh produce, organic meats, homegrown mushrooms, and more. Plus, Sept. & Oct., look for a Secotan Mini-Market to post up in front of Waverider’s Coffee, Deli & Pub every Wed. from 11am-1pm. For the latest, just follow their Facebook and Instagram pages, where you can also find links to join their email list. • At press time, Manteo was still waiting for the state’s crowd gathering restrictions to subside so they can resume Sat.’s Downtown Market. ’Til then, support all the vendors by visiting www.ManteoLife.org, where there are ways to purchase fresh goods directly. • Likewise, the town’s First Fridays events remained on-hold, but the Dare County Arts Council still plans to keep serving the freshest creative talents, including the return of the 23rd Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show — and a solo exhibit by mixed-media master Sue Freeman — from July 3-31. Learn more at Sweeten your weekend with a trip to Wanchese’s Secotan Market, every Sat., 8am-12pm. Photo: Cory Godwin

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Events under development For Latest Details Visit: www.bryanculturalseries.org

Joy Harjo US Poet Laureate Thursday, September 10 Virtual Reading All Scheduled Events Subject to Change For Latest Details Visit:

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endnotes were still TBD, so flip over to www.skimusa.org to see how the heat www.darearts.org. • Collection meet plate. Local artist Gwen Rick Tupper reflects on a 50-year art sheet is shaping up. • Sadly, the annual Outer Banks Surfrider Taylor recently donated 54 thought-provoking works — journey at DCAC, Aug. 7-29. Paddle Race has decided to take a pause — but you can still join including mixed-media, metal and batik pieces — to Kitty Hawk’s the cause. Sign up to be a member at www.surfrider.org and help Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks. protect clean coastlines here and abroad, and follow their Stay tuned to the church’s website, www.uucob.org, or their Facebook page for future meetings and a TBD family-friendly Facebook page for a future fund-raising auction. • Watch the event. • In the meantime, take a DIY approach to de-littering our sky change colors — while your kids radiate energy — when shores by participating in OBX 5-Minute Beach Cleanups, where Nags Head’s Kitty Hawk Kites hosts Sunset Festivals, every a mix of virtual and real events encourage individuals to devote a Mon.-Fri. Each day features a new distraction, from mermaids to little bit of time to make a big difference. Find their Facebook and kites to making crystals. Meanwhile, in Rodanthe, the Waves Instagram pages for updates. • Dare County Arts Council stays Village Waterfront Festivals, Mon.-Fri., include everything pretty on the inside, Aug. 7-29, as Carol Willett reveals a world of from bingo to cornhole to SUPs. (Both start at 7pm and last imaginative sculptures, while Rick Tupper reflects on a 50-year through Aug. 21). And come July 11-12, fly over to Wright Bros. journey with brush-and-paint. And — if the Corona Asterisk Memorial for the 42nd Annual Wright Kite Festival. don’t show its ugly face — the 39th Annual New World Festival Admission to the park is $10 for ages 16+, but the kite-making of the Arts draws a gorgeous panel of painters, photogs, sculptors, stations, stunt lessons, and soaring 30- to 100-foot kites are and more to Downtown Manteo, Aug. 12-13. More at www. totally free. And Rodanthe’s Light up the Night on July 22 glows darearts.org. • Enjoy a slower pace — and tasty treats — when the wild with NOCQUA water gear and a free outdoor flick. Go to 2020 Ocracoke Fig Festival floods our favorite little island with www.kittyhawk.com for a schedule and updates. • Mom and dad family fun, Aug. 7-8. Start with Fri. night’s traditional Ocracoke can sip wine while watching the sun drop — and musicians jam Square Dance and Fig Preserves Tasting Contest, followed by a — at Jarvisburg’s Sanctuary Vineyards’ Acoustic Sunsets, battle for ultimate bragging rights in Sat.’s Fig Cake Bake-Off. every Thurs. through Sept. 5-8pm. And Truckin’ events mix Finish things off with an evening dance featuring the Ocracoke Rockers. Get all the delicious mobile eating machines with a rotating cast of players every Sat. through Aug., from 11amdeets at www.visitocracokenc.com. • Kitty Hawk Kites’ sweet summer traditions continue 4pm. Get the latest news and lineups at www.sanctuaryvineyards.com or follow their with two local faves: on Aug. 6, post up within seed-spitting distance of Jockey’s Ridge for Facebook page. • Last we checked, the Outer Banks Skim Jam still plans to fill local shorebreak with break-neck action by top amateurs and pros, July 18-19. Location and deets the 14th Annual Watermelon Festival’s mix of games and challenges to support the

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Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition. And come back Aug. 12-13 for the OBX Pirate Festival, where Scalawag School teaches your buccan’ little ones to act, walk and talk like an 18th century sailor. A treasure of deets awaits at www.kittyhawk.com. • We’re crushed to report that Aug.’s favorite feelgood weekend — Surfing for Autism — decided to take this year off for obvious reasons. Make a clear difference by heading to www. surfingforautism.com to support their virtual efforts. • At press time it was still full speed ahead for the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament Week. The 31st Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament opens things up Aug. 8-9, followed by the 37th Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament, Aug. 10-14. Plus the Sheep Dog Veterans Challenge returns Aug. 15, where a full day of angling launches into an evening dinner in honor of active and retired duty military, plus all first responders. Basically, the whole week is full of after parties and sign-up events, so count on something huge to hit the dock every afternoon and evening. Get the freshest info at www.pcbgt.com. • Ready to hit the books? Good. ’Cause Dare County Schools starts a week early this year. Make sure all your free thinkers are firmly in their seats when the bell rings on Aug. 17. (And pray their desks are somewhere outside the house.) More at www.daretolearn.org. • Come Aug. 18, give the wee ones a dose of local history — and show them the value of a dollar — by celebrating Virginia Dare’s 433rd Birthday at Elizabethan Gardens. From 9am-2pm, admission is $2 off, plants are 25% cheaper, and ice cream and birthday cake is free at 1pm. Full scoops at www.elizabethangardens.org. • The World Surf League tour may be on hold, but don’t give up hope! Wave Riding Vehicles and Pacifico are working to “push go” on some sort of Outer Banks Pro this fall. Stay tuned to www.obxpro.com for an update ASAP. • Mother Nature is sure to blow minds at the Dare County Arts Council, Sept. 4-26, as Eve Turek’s stunning photography fills “The

Vault” and an Outer Banks Surf Exhibit curated by Bri Young floods the upstairs. Explore www.darearts.org for more. • On Sept. 5, Churchill Downs gets a redo — and so does the Elizabethan Gardens and Dare Education Foundation’s Kentucky Derby Party. From 4-9pm, this fundraiser stuffs the Great Lawn with big hats, fancy duds, southern drawls — and the occasional mint julep — while thoroughbreds do laps on the big screen. (Assuming polite society can still mix safely.) Same goes for all regular programming — such as Sept. 12’s Fall Container Gardening Workshop and Sept. 19’s Plant a Tree or Two. Giddy up to www.elizabethangardens.org for the latest. • Forget playing the fillies. Take a ferry ride south to Sept. 5’s Ocracoke Seafood Festival, where tasty fish and live tunes are always a sure bet — and your hard-earned cash helps keep Ocracoke Health Center running strong. 3-10 pm. More at www.visitocracokenc.com. • Labor Day Weekend’s doing the work of two holidays this year. At press time, we learned that KDH pushed their scheduled July 4 fireworks show to Sept 5. (With a rain date of Sept 6.) It’ll still light up over Avalon Pier — provided the Corona Asterisk don’t extinguish the fun. More at www.kdhnc.com. • Summer’s over! Wash away all that high season funk by working up a sweat, when Labor Day Dash 5k runs around Kill Devil Hills, Sept. 7. Starts at 8am. Learn more and register at www.theobxrunningcompany. com. • Then let the power of words wash over you, Sept. 8, when US Poet Laurate Joy Harjo blends storytelling, music, movement, and language at First Flight High as part of the Bryan Cultural Series. $15. 7pm. More at www.bryanculturalseries.org. • Hilton Garden Inn freshens up the interior, Sept. 9-10, when the OBX Arts & Crafts Festival delivers 25 artists’ worth of paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and more — and peels off some extra green for local charities, Friends of Youth and the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. Find the full line-up of do-good decorators on Facebook. • Ready to wave that

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endnotes music, food — and the world’s only V-8 Top Fuel Suzuki. The goal? To reach $50k in rainbow flag? OBX Pridefest still plans to celebrate Sept. 11-13. What that looks like in terms of booze cruises, drag shows, and parades remains to be seen, but they should have funding to rev-up underprivileged children’s holiday season and fuel local scholarships. Find their plans, uh, straight by early July. Get the latest at www.obxpridefest.com. • Look for a full a full sched. on the DCMJTR Facebook page. • Have a shot at hooking prizes and cash firstspectrum of colors to fly over Jockeys Ridge, thanks to Kitty Hawk Kites’ Outer Banks hand, when the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge returns Sept. 25-27. Categories Kite Festival, Sept. 12-13, followed shortly after by Sept. 25-27’s Annual Hang Glider and rules at www.fishermanspost.com. • Take a break from cleaning fish to help sweep the Spectacular. Both events bring the top professional aviators in each dazzling discipline. And sand, when the NC Beach Buggy Association hosts another Operation Beach Respect/ keep your rod, paddle and camera within easy reach, because KHK’s Kayak Fishing Adopt-A-Highway event at all the Hatteras Island and Ocracoke ramps, Sept. 26, 8amTournament will be returning with a photo catch-and-release format that focuses on red 12pm. More at www.ncbba.org. • Or watch local surfers stoke out the community at Sept. drum, speckled trout, and flounder. Reel over to www.kittyhawk.com for rules and prizes. • 26’s 12th Annual Throwdown Surf Classic, where the competition runs from foam-board Got a bike, a swim cap, and a good pair of shoes? Good. Now add a micro-chip to your gym push-ins to former pros — and thousands of dollars in proceeds flow to Outer Banks bag for this year’s Outer Community Foundation. Banks Triathlon, Sept. 12Find their Facebook page 13, as they’re working on a for registration and hybrid of live and virtual updates. • Take a break racing events. (With the from frothing groms to requisite accommodations surround yourself with for everyone’s health and steaming crabs, jamming wellbeing, of course.) music and flowing wine They’ll communicate more when the Crabdaddy info as it’s confirmed; keep Seafood & Wine Festival tabs at www.obxse.com. • claws its way back to On Sept. 13, give your Jarvisburg’s Sanctuary arms, mouth and ears a Vineyards, Sept. 26. Buy tix workout when the Outer and stay tuned at www. Banks Food Truck sanctuaryvineyards.com. • Showdown rolls into Nags Scurry into Dare County Head’s The Soundside Arts Council, Oct. 2-31, to event site. From 11am-4pm, see hard-shelled ceramics a fleet of mobile chefs flex by Hilda Bayliss and Beth their culinary muscles while Burns. (Assuming the live bands do the musical Corona Asterisk don’t heavy lifting, all so you can scuttle things, of course.) work on expanding your Find the 411 at www. gut. Follow the Bearded darearts.org. • If polished Face Productions chrome and cool paintjobs Facebook page for tasty A giant, glowing, double-asterisk hangs over both Corolla’s July 3 Independence are your idea of art, then be details up to the last Day Celebration and Kill Devil Hills’ Labor Day Weekend fireworks on Sept. 5. So ready to see some second. • Or if goldentriple-check the details before launching plans. Photo: Jon Carter motorized masterpieces, delicious yard-bird is your when the OBX Rod & number-one jam, just park Custom Festival parks at The Soundside event site in Nags Head, Oct. 9-10 — with it at Rundown Cafe’s Fried Chicken Night every Mon. in the offseason. Times and pricing cruising opportunities at bizzes like Shipwreck’s Taphouse, Hilton Garden Inn, Carquest, at www.rundowncafe.com. • Burn excess calories — and battle substance abuse — by signing and more. For a full list of pit stops and parties, race to www.obxrodandcustomfestival.com. up for Sept. 19’s 11th Annual Run/Walk Against Addiction 5k at First Flight High • Honk if you’re horny for live jams! The annual Duck Jazz Festival is still planning to blow School. Race starts at 9am. Get more details at www.theobxrunningcompany.com. • Surfthe roof off of its amphitheater sometime in Oct. — provided they can practice safe sax, of junkies of every stripe descend upon Jennette’s Pier, Sept. 20-26, when the 2020 ESA course. Who’s playing when? Who knows? Who cares! It’s always a guaranteed blast. So just Eastern Surfing Championship draws the region’s best rippers, from bodyboard to longboard — ages 8-80 — for a week of stacked heats and good times. Of course, organizers keep diddling www.duckjazz.com for updates. • Details behind the Third Annual Mustang will follow all CDC guidelines to make sure it’s safe for competitors and spectators. ( Just pray Rock & Roast remained equally fuzzy at press time. But here’s what we do know: it’s Corolla’s coolest festival, drawing the top national acts and talented local chefs for 2 full days the waves are sick.) Plug into www.surfesa.org for updates and live feeds. • Slack the tires. of live jams and AUCE food. We also know it’s scheduled to run Oct. 17-18 at Mike Drop the top. And hit the gas, ’cause the OBX Jeep Jam is speeding into town, Sept. 25-27. Dianna’s Grill Room, with BBQ on Sat. and oysters on Sun. If that don’t do it for ya’s, then The deets are still loose but last year featured a Fri. night kick-off party, a Sat. Vendor go pork yourself. ( Just kidding.) Watch www.mustangmusicfestival.com for participants, Village at The Soundside event site, a Sun. drive to Carova — and roughly 2,500 4WD fans — all to help raise funds for non-profits like GoFar. Roll over to www.obxjeepjam.com pricing and updates as soon as they’re clear. • Inhale? Exhale? Don’t matter as long as it for the latest. • Or hop on your Harley and head to Vertigo Tattoo, Sept. 25-26, for the blows for Ocean Air’s OBX-Wind. The Corona Asterisk tried to stop Avon’s favorite Dare County Motorcycle-Jeep Toy Run’s 2020 Outer Banks Bike Rally. This year’s event windsurfing comp back in April, but organizers moved the event to Oct. 24-31. Tack over to honors toy run OGs Brian & Heidi Mervin with two days of revved-up fun, including raffles, www.oceanairsports.com for an updated forecast.

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