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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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As featured in Diners, Drive-ins & Dives

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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 questionauthority 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 upfront 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 soundcheck 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 getactive 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 startingpoint 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. roadmap 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 gokite 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 milepost 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 graphiccontent 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 gosurf 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. outthere 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 gohunt 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 rearview