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NOVEMBER 5, 2021
GOODBYE,
OCEANPURSUIT Recent shipwreck near Oregon Inlet, a draw for tourists, is being removed
COASTOBX.COM
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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3 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
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5151 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC • 252-449-2387
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
We could all use a little
beach time.
OUTER BANKS VACATION RENTALS & REAL ESTATE SALES
Whether you are looking for the perfect place to vacation or seeking to invest in your own Outer Banks beach house, we offer unprecedented service in making your experience the best it can be. Kick off your shoes and stay a while!
JENNETTE’S PIER/COURTESY
Tourney win! joelambjr.com • joelambrealty.com • 800-552-6257
Gene Meacham of Kill Devil Hills recently hooked and landed a 42-inch red drum, something a little unusual for an annual fishing tournament at Jennette’s Pier. Page 22
Lighthouse renovations underway The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the nation’s tallest light tower, is getting a complete overhaul. Page 10
ng Closi r Pa ty 8 11/2 ic u M s Live m 5-8p
PRIM 5pm E RIB Fri Nigh day ts!
Celebrating Over 35 Years! LUNCH & DINNER • ALL ABC PERMITS RAW BAR • OCEAN VIEW LOUNGE
Dolphins head south for winter The dolphins of the Outer Banks are heading for warmer waters this time of year, meaning a slower season for those who study them. Page 16
ABOUT COAST COAST covers the people, places and characteristics that make the Outer Banks a beach destination for families, surfers and anglers from around the world. For more than 30 years, this publication has featured individuals making a difference in the community, highlighted the latest happenings and shared events that shouldn’t be missed – from live music to theatrics, food festivities, art shows, fishing, surfing, and more. All local. All the time. This is COAST.
252.441.5955 • awfularthursobx.com
MP6 Beach Road, 2016 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC
EDITOR Kari Pugh karipugh@icloud.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Fairbank, John Harper, Maddie Lutz, Kari Pugh, Jessica Taylor COVER PHOTO Wes Snyder Photography ADVERTISE WITH US Find out how you can engage more readers with an integrated marketing program. John“Ski”Miller, media sales manager, ski.miller@ virginiamedia.com; Elizabeth Catoe, senior account executive, elizabeth.catoe@ virginiamedia.com
THINGS TO KNOW During the summer season (May-August), when Coast is a weekly publication, information must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of an event. During the shoulder season (September-October), when Coast is a monthly publication — with the exception of November-December and January-February, when two months are combined —information must be submitted at least 14 days in advance of an event. WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information, visit coastobx.com; facebook.com/CoastOBX
Half Day Inlet, Sound Fishing, & Cruises
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Karen Didion Originals Hollywood Nutcrackers Disney Ornaments LED Lights
Visit Our General Store Candy, Fudge, Coffee & Delights Galore • Remember your visit to the Outer Banks with a personalized ornament • Browse among our Thousands of Ornaments Table Top - Home Decor • Jewelry - Engraved Gifts Halloween Haunted House On the way to the NC Aquarium, Festival Park & Lost Colony. Hwy 64 in Manteo on Roanoke Island
252.473.2838 • OuterBanksChristmas.com OPEN DAILY AT 9:30 A.M.
5 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
Welco me Aboard!
OUTER BANKS ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SHOP...SINCE 1967
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Look what Jolly’s doing this season!
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Daily Breakfast Specials 7 am - 2 pm
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CALL FOR GREAT SPECIALS NIGHTLY
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Pub Menu Specials Daily 4:00 - 6:30 (Dine In Bar Only)! 25¢ Shrimp • 99¢ Ribs • 79¢ Wings Sunday Industry Night 9pm - Close with specials & prizes Football Headquarters Watch all games here! FREE PRIZES, TRIPS AND GIVEAWAYS Starting Sept. 12
Free Chili and $1 Hot Dogs in the Bar
For Lounge Patrons from 1pm-4pm
1/2 PRICE BLOODY MARY’S AND MIMOSAS Great Drink Specials All Day!
Watch NASCAR with US Great Drink Specials NTN Poker Tournament 5 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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AND
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Free Dinner Coupons in the Visitors Guide and Restaurant Guide Football Night! NTN Trivia Wars with prizes in the afternoon
Wii Bowling Tournament 6 pm
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ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT TILL CLOSING!
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Saturday
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Reservations COME SPEND HOLIDAY’S JOLLY ROGER JOIN JOLLY’S ONTHE THE DECK TO WATCHAT FIREWORKS ON SUNDAY,Recommended JULY 4TH! Serving Breakfast 7:00 - 11:30 Then enjoy our “All You Can Eat”
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ROASTED TURKEY HONEY GLAZED HAM Mashed Potatoes, Giblet Gravy, Traditional Dressing Cranberry Sauce & Fresh Homemade Rolls Marshmallow Candied Yams, Collard Greens, Shoepeg Corn, Green Beans, Baby Carrots DESSERTS Seasonal Pies and Apple Dumplings “LEFTOVERS-TO-GO” $7.99/lb. & UP Bar Open All Day
Christmas Morning Breakfast Come in your Pajamas Free Eggnog
2 Christmas Day Specials! Both served from 11:30am thru dinner
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Italian Stuffed Pork Rouladé
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Plus we will be serving our full regular menu! Breakfast 7am-2pm • Lunch 11:30am-4pm
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New Years Eve BAR OPEN till 2 am. Dinner served until 12 midnight. And we’ll also be serving our Full Regular Menu! (Seafood, Italian, Steaks, Prime Rib)
Free Champagne & Party Favors at Midnight Karaoke - No Cover No Minimum - Dancing After Midnight enjoy FREE Kielbasa, Black Eyed Peas and Sauerkraut served for Good Luck in the New Year! AND OF COURSE, WE’LL BE OFFERING OUR WONDERFUL HOMEMADE DESSERTS!
Dec. 1, at dozens of theatres, including R/C Movies 10 in Kill Devil Hills. Adapted from Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” the film is set in 1950s New York City, with a plot that centers on lovers Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), who belong to rival teenage gangs — the Sharks and the Jets. It’s a cultural clash that hasn’t aged. Some theater titans were involved with making the high-energy movie, including composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Stephen Sondheim, playwright Arthur Laurents and choreographer Jerome Robbins. Among the musical’s best-known songs are “Somewhere,” “Maria” and “I Feel Pretty.” When: 3 p.m. Nov. 28 and 7 p.m. Dec. 1 Cost: $12.50 Where: R/C Movies 10, 1803 N. Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills. Info: 252-441-5630, rectheatres. com
By John Harper
Correspondent
African American Musicians of North Carolina
Nov. 5 to Dec. 30 The traveling exhibit, on display through Dec. 30, at the Ticket Sales Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, should be an eye-and-ear opening experience for those not familiar with the rich history of Black musicians from the Tar Heel State. Among the notable names are Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Petey Pablo, Maceo Parker and Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. It’s an introductory lesson, for sure, with brief histories of various genres — hip-hop, string bands, gospel, Piedmont Blues, jazz, folk, funk and soul/rhythm-and-blues — displayed on large poster boards. There’s also an interactive touch screen that allows visitors to discover innovative, influential musicians from the state who cared little about fame, carving out a singular niche by going their own sweet way. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Cost: Free Where: Ticket Sales Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park, 1 Festival Park, across from the Manteo waterfront Info: 252-423-5200. roanoke island.com
Tommy V Trio
Nov. 26, Dec. 4 and Dec. 17 The trio, which includes Tom Vinick on guitar and vocals, Dana Silvercloud on bass and vocals and Lloyd Bohlinger on drums and vocals, sounds like they’re working on the ultimate Baby Boomer Spotify playlist. The band plays three no-cover gigs in November and December at Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop in Manteo. Among the tunes the trio remakes are “Lay Down Sally,” “My Girl,” “Use Me,” “Groovin’,” “Running on Empty,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “How Sweet It Is” and “Into the Mystic.” But they’re not straight-off-the-record recreations. “We do everything with sort of a rhythm-and-blues flair,” says Vinick, who lives in Moyock (Silvercloud and Bohlinger live in Hampton Roads). “And we all sing, so the harmonies are there.”
Tom Vinick and the Tommy V Trio will play three no-cover gigs in Manteo this month and next. COURTESY PHOTO
All three musicians sing lead, with Vinick handling the lion’s share. The trio also reinvents songs by Curtis Mayfield (“It’s Alright”), and Stevie Ray Vaughn (“Pride and Joy”), as well as knocking off a nifty medley of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going on” and Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.” Vinick (also known as “Dr. Tom”) is one of the businest musicians working on the Outer Banks. He plays solo and in various bands. Vinick estimates he’s done about 2,000 gigs since arriving on the scene in 2005. And what keeps the chiropractor-by-day, musician-by-night motivated? “There’s nothing like seeing the audience react,” he says. “Tapping a foot, or singing along. It’s like a drug.” When: 7 to 10 p.m. Cost: No cover Where: Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop, 305 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo waterfront Info: 252-473-3333
‘West Side Story’
Nov. 28, Dec. 1 The musical opened on Broadway in 1957 and was well-received. But it really soared when it was turned into a movie in 1961, winning 10 Academy Awards, including “Best Picture.” To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the film’s release, “West Side Story” will be screened Nov. 28 and
Theatre of Dare: ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Nov. 5-7, 12-14 For its first production of the season, the local troupe stages the campy musical that’s based on director Roger Corman’s 1960 B-movie of the same name. All performances will be at Manteo High School in Manteo. With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by the late Alan Menken, the pair responsible for the Disney movie soundtracks “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” among others, the play is set in a plant store. A meek attendant named Seymour is the central character. He’s secretly in love with co-worker Audrey, who unfortunately is engaged to a sadistic dentist. To impress his crush, he develops a man-eating plant, which goes rogue and threatens the world. “What I like about the play is it’s dark but very funny,” says Daniel Ziegler, 31, who’s directing his sixth Theatre of Dare production. “There are some really over-the-top characters. And the music is upbeat, kind of classic Motown-sounding with multiple harmonies.” Among the standout songs are “Skid Row,” “Suddenly Seymour” and “The Meek Shall Inherit.” And not to give anything away, but Ziegler says the play’s ending differs from the movie’s. When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2 p.m. Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 Cost: $15 Where: Manteo High School, 829 Wingina Ave., Manteo Info: theatreofdareobx.com
TOP 10 EVENTS NOVEMBER-DECEMBER By Dave Fairbank | Correspondent OBX Half-Marathon, 5K and Fun Run | Nov. 6-7 Annual races,various distances,Nov.5 — pick up packets,late registration,Nags Head Outlet Mall (south end,unit 28); Nov. 6 — pick up packets,late registration,expo,Nags Head Outlet Mall (south end,unit 28),5Krace starts 8 a.m.; Nov.7 — Half-marathon starts at 7:15 a.m.at Nags Head Soundside Events site,post-race party.Registration required — Kids Fun Run $20; 5K$45 afterNov. 1,$50 at expo; Half-marathon $75 afterNov.1,$80 at expo. www.obxse.com/outer-banks-marathon Currituck Bulls and BBQ | Nov. 6 BBQ competition,exhibitions,rodeo,mechanical bull riding,music, crafts,cornhole tournament; Noon-6 p.m.,tickets $15 advance, $20 day ofevent; age 6-12 $10 advance,$15 day ofevent,Currituck County Rural Center,184 Milburn SawyerRoad,Powells Point www.visitcurrituck.com/events/bulls-and-bbq, 252-435-2947 Veterans Day Concert with Trick Fly | Nov. 11 Free concert, 6 p.m.-until, Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, 800 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills www.jackbrownsjoint.com, 252-715-3328 Flora and Fauna | Nov. 5-27 Manteo event and floral designer Nancy Harvey exhibit at Dare County Arts Center, Vault Gallery, admission free, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo www.darearts.org, 252-473-5558 Winter Lights at Elizabethan Gardens | Nov.-Dec.-Jan. Acres of Christmas season lights, displays, shopping on grounds, bonfires and movies on Fridays-Saturdays; 6 p.m.-9 p.m., weather permitting, check days of availability, tickets adults $12, ages 6-17 $10, ages 2-5 $7, infants free, dogs $3; Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Drive, Manteo www.elizabethangardens.org/winterlights, 252-473-3234 Arts and Crafts Fair | Nov. 13 Crafts for sale by local vendors, sponsored by Outer Banks Woman’s Club, Free admission, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dare County Youth Center, 602 Mustian St., Kill Devil Hills www.gfwc-obwc.com, 252-284-4040 Whalehead’s Candlelight Christmas | Nov.-Dec. Christmas celebration at historic Whalehead Club; 1920s era decorations, greenery, Christmas trees, music, food, candy; Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18; tickets $20, reservations required, tours begin at 5 p.m.; Whalehead Club, 1100 Club Drive, Corolla www.visitcurrituck.com/events/whaleheads-candlelightchristmas, 252-453-9040 Manteo Christmas Celebration | Dec. 3-4 Tree lighting, activities, Christmas songs, food, parade; free admission; Dec. 3 — tree lighting downtown 6 p.m.; Dec. 4 — Christmas parade from Manteo HS to new College of Albemarle Campus 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. www.manteonc.gov Wright Brothers First Flight Celebration | Dec. 17 118th anniversary commemoration of Wright Brothers’ first flight with speeches, activities, flyover; free admission, ceremony 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m., activities until 5 p.m. Wright Brothers National Memorial site, Kill Devil Hills www.nps.gov/wrbr, www.firstflight.org, 252-473-2111 Pickin’ at the Pioneer | Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve concert with Breaking Grass, 9 p.m., Pioneer Theater, 113 Budleigh St., Manteo, tickets $20 available at Bluegrass Island box office, 107 Budleigh St., Manteo www.bluegrassboxoffice.com, 252-423-3039
7 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
ON THE TOWN
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Cape Dredging Inc. of Buxton, North Carolina, begins digging out the remains of the Ocean Pursuit, which ran aground in March 2020 and has since become a tourist attraction. KARI PUGH/FREELANCE
LEAVING THE GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC
Project underway to remove Outer Banks shipwreck from the beach
By Kari Pugh | Correspondent
The Outer Banks’ most recent shipwreck won’t be joining itxs counterparts buried in the sand and surf of the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” In late October, Cape Hatteras National Seashore began a $295,000 removal of the
Ocean Pursuit, a 72-foot scallop trawler that ran aground in early 2020 on the beach near Oregon Inlet, her crew rescued by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. The rusting remains have since been a lure for tourists and locals alike, drawn by the Outer Banks’ reputation as the watery grave to as many as 3,000 ships dating back
to the 1600s. In the months following last year’s wreck, the 41-year-old steel-hull vessel sank deeper and deeper into the sand while the National Park Service tried to work with the boat’s owner, who lives in Texas, to get the remains removed. “Cape Hatteras National Seashore
repeatedly requested the responsible party develop a plan to remove the abandoned vessel. The responsible party has not responded to these requests,” National Park Service spokesman Michael Barber said at the time. Turn to Page 9
9 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
The Ocean Pursuit wrecked off Oregon Inlet on a March morning, with the U.S. Coast Guard rescuing her crew by helicopter. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PHOTO from Page 8
Sitting in the middle of the beach just a half mile south of an off-road beach access, the hulking ship began to draw visitors and soon became a favorite location of local photographers. Local shooter Wesley Snyder of Wes Snyder Photography photographed the Ocean Pursuit in all seasons, times of day and weather conditions in her 18 months on the beach, documenting the ever-changing nature of the Outer Banks’ chain of barrier islands. “I really enjoyed using the shipwreck to capture absolutely everything I could ... sunrises/sunsets, Milky Way, moonrise, thunderstorms, and to capture it over time to show how much the beach changes and swallowed up the ship,” Snyder said. “Every trip out to shoot the shipwreck was completely different and I loved how much it changed each time I visited.” Snyder wasn’t alone in his love for the boat’s remains. The Ocean Pursuit drew so many sightseers in April 2020, the National Park Service issued a warning to beachgoers to stay off the vessel for their own safety. Park officials said they have continued
trying to recover costs from the registered owner, but determined it was necessary to use a combination of funding sources to remove the vessel now before it potentially becomes more expensive to remove later and to minimize impacts to the natural environment. On Oct. 27, Cape Dredging, Inc. of Buxton began digging out the accumulated sand around the trawler and will cut up the remains into smaller, “more manageable” pieces, which will be placed on a tractor-trailer and hauled away for appropriate disposal. Once that’s complete, Cape Dredging will restore the natural shape and slope to match the surrounding beach. As his crew bulldozed sand around the buried ship on Oct. 28, Darren Burrus of Cape Dredging said his company has handled a few derelict and disabled vessels, but nothing quite like the Ocean Pursuit. “I’ve never cut up a boat on the beach before,” he said. If the weather doesn’t interfere, the project is expected to be finished in about a month, Burrus said. During the removal, the National Park Service has marked the area as a construction zone and asks that beachgoers steer clear.
Cape Dredging Inc. of Buxton, North Carolina, begins digging out the remains of the Ocean Pursuit, which ran aground in March 2020 and has since become a tourist attraction. KARI PUGH/FREELANCE
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Top to bottom makeover in the works for nation’s tallest lighthouse
By Kari Pugh
Correspondent
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is undergoing a complete makeover for the first time in its 151-year history. During in-person and virtual presentations this fall, the park service outlined potential plans and timelines for a renovation that will include everything from an exterior paint job to landscaping the grounds. “We’re re-doing everything you see, and a lot you don’t see,” said David Hallac, superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. Park officials asked for the public’s feedback this fall to help identify “issues and opportunities” for the lighthouse and grounds on Hatteras Island. An environmental assessment follows later this year, with a public review of suggested work expected in early 2022 and construction starting by spring. Preliminary work is already underway. The 198-foot structure’s interior was stripped of paint this spring and summer, keeping the lighthouse closed to climbing during Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s busiest tourist season since 2002. The interior work uncovered a few problems from the past, including a mystery substance under the paint, bricks missing mortar and an extensive crack from a lightning strike in the 1890s, park officials said. “Our historic architects are starting to both literally and figuratively dig into these problems, and help us understand what we should do next,” Hallac said. The park service has also started testing paint removal for the structure’s iconic black and white swirls. Last fall, Newport News-based HydroPrep tested dry-ice blasting to remove paint on a few feet of the lighthouse in Buxton. The method uses dry ice pellets that turn to carbon dioxide gas, stripping the paint without damaging the brick. Park officials are also focusing on restoring some of the historic, character-defining features of the lighthouse, including the first-order Fresnel lens that supplied the beacon’s beam from 1870 to 1936. The Turn to Page 14
The 198-foot Cape Hatteras Lighthouse’s interior was stripped of paint this spring and summer as part of the first makeover for the structure in it’s 151-year history. KARI PUGH/ FREELANCE
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
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12 Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
Hatteras Island
15 + varieties of New York Bagels Homemade soups and lunch specialties
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Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pastries, and more Cozy coffee shop Custom cakes and pies Build your own breakfast sandwich
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Salt Water Taffy ~ Truffles Fudge ~ Chocolates THANKSGIVING WEEK OPEN DAILY 10 am - 5 pm (Closed Turkey Day). Come check out our Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Sales! Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Hwy 12 in Buxton right before the turnoff to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 252-995-7171 • 46928 NC 12 Buxton NC
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
The perfect place to start or end your day!
13
12 Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
Hatteras Island
15 + varieties of New York Bagels Homemade soups and lunch specialties
Pirates ~ Puzzles ~ Games ~ John Deere
Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pastries, and more Cozy coffee shop Custom cakes and pies Build your own breakfast sandwich
A Hatteras Island Tradition Avon, North Carolina Dine-in Seating (Including Larger Patio) or Carryout!
ALL MADE FRESH DAILY
Pre-order holiday pies and macarons.
We are open THANKSGIVING DAY until noon.
We offer a great family friendly dining experience, lively pub and unforgettable food from our scratch-made kitchen. Our patio is dog friendly! Our private dining rooms are perfect for large parties, holiday parties, special events and wedding receptions!
We will be open Thanksgiving Day with a special Turkey Day menu.
252-995-5550 • www.froggydog.com Open Year Round - Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Call (252) 986-5109 | Open 6 AM - 4 PM
Salt Water Taffy ~ Truffles Fudge ~ Chocolates THANKSGIVING WEEK OPEN DAILY 10 am - 5 pm (Closed Turkey Day). Come check out our Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Sales! Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Hwy 12 in Buxton right before the turnoff to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 252-995-7171 • 46928 NC 12 Buxton NC
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
The perfect place to start or end your day!
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
14 from Page 10
lens now greets visitors to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum nearby. The grounds will be a large part of the renovation, with the park service planning to restore some of the landscape and native grasses that were around the lighthouse before it was moved from the beach
to its current location in 1999. Park officials are also weighing proposals for comprehensive grounds changes like sculpting berms to restore the natural landscape and building multiple paths and a shade pavilion. The National Park Service has received some funding for the massive renovation, including $1.4 million for an interior paint job, but
final costs won’t be certain until projects and unexpected problems are identified, Hallac said. The full restoration is expected to take one to three years to complete. The renovation addresses items identified in both a federal 2014 Comprehensive Condition Assessment Report and a 2016 Historic Structure Report. The findings included deteriorated masonry and
metal components, missing pediments over the windows and missing internal doors. The lighthouse, designed and constructed in between 1868 and 1870, is the tallest light tower in the United States. About 500,000 people visit the beacon each year and about 1,500 people climb the lighthouse daily between April and October.
Dry-ice blasting is under consideration for safely removing the black, white and red paint on the exterior of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, N.C. Last fall, a worker with HydroPrep in Newport News tested the method on a small patch of the historic brick structure. KARI PUGH/FREELANCE
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Year after year, visitors have enjoyed our walkable village, top-notch restaurants and remarkable shops. Discover community events, walking trails, a kayak launch, and the boardwalk at the Town Park in the heart of Duck. While you’re visiting Duck find all the ways to Shop, Play, Dine, and Stay at doducknc.com.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 Gather at the Duck Town Park for holiday music, tasty treats, the lighting of the Crab Pot Tree, and Santa! townofduck.com 252.255.1234
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
HOME OF THE OUTER BANKS FINEST CHARTER FISHING FLEET
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Fatlip, with her distinctive dorsal fin pattern, is a female dolphin researchers frequently see in the Roanoke Sound during the fall. OUTER BANKS CENTER FOR DOLPHIN RESEARCH/COURTESY
NATUREWISE
Outer Banks dolphins are heading south for the winter By Jessica Taylor
Correspondent
As the days become cooler and shorter, the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research slows down our survey effort in Roanoke Sound. In the fall, we definitely wear more layers out on our boat-based research surveys and a cool “breeze” has a different meaning than it has in summer. Our effort and boat time is dictated by the dolphins; we just don’t see them as much as we do in the summer. Why? Read on to learn about why dolphins enjoy a change of scenery, too! Temperature: As marine mammals, bottlenose dolphins regulate their own body temperature. Unlike sea turtles whose body temperature will drop to match the temperature of the surrounding water, bottlenose dolphins like to maintain a cozy 96.8-98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to humans. However, when the water temperature drops, it is harder for dolphins to maintain a stable internal body temperature even with the insulating benefits of blubber below their skin. In response, dolphins will migrate to warmer water. Even moving out to the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean
will provide warmer water temperatures than the shallow sound, and this is likely where our Roanoke Sound dolphins spend some of their time during the winter. In areas of Florida where dolphins are known to live as year-round residents, dolphins grow thicker blubber layers during the winter to keep themselves warm. Food: Bottlenose dolphins may be opportunistic foragers, but they love fish that can make some noise. Sound-producing, or soniferous, fish frequent the sound during the summer, yet many species move to coastal waters in the fall. When their food leaves the sound, dolphins simply follow their food. Wouldn’t you follow your food, too? In the future, the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research hopes to learn more about how the movements of dolphins and fish in the sound are related. These relationships will become especially important as environmental conditions, such as sea surface temperature and salinity, change over time. Habitat: There are likely more factors influencing dolphin seasonal movement patterns, such as habitat. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research uses photo-identification aboard our research surveys to study dolphins in Roanoke
Sound. By photographing the distinctive markings of each dolphin’s dorsal fin and cataloging these images, we are able to track individuals over time, including who they like to hang out with and where they go. Dolphins in Roanoke Sound like specific habitats for doing certain things. For example, dolphins are known to feed in areas where the bottom has a steeper slope, such as the edge of the channel. These areas are good for concentrating fish and offer the dolphins more meal opportunities. Perhaps seasonal movements are related to habitat preferences. The site of the northernmost year-round dolphin community on the east coast is Beaufort, approximately 100 miles south of Roanoke Sound and marks the southern range of the population we frequently see in the Outer Banks. The temperature and food are likely not too different in Beaufort than here. Yet many of our seasonal residents that we know during the summer, such as Onion, Fatlip, and Skylar, are commonly seen in Beaufort coastal waters during the winter. Perhaps the winter coastal habitat near Beaufort offers something they cannot find in the Outer Banks. Or maybe these movements are a tradition that calves learn from
their mothers and continue as they grow older. Future research and collaborations with scientists along the East Coast will teach us more over time about why dolphins go where they do. Until then, we’ll layer up in our sweatshirts, windbreakers and winter gear hoping to catch a glimpse of dolphins this fall before they leave for their winter coastal water vacations. If you do happen to see dolphins in the Outer Banks during the winter, please remember these important tips: Refrain from feeding wild dolphins. Dolphins are federally protected and very good at finding their own food. Dispose of your trash in designated area. Littering can be harmful to wildlife, especially at the beach. Report all dolphin and other marine mammal strandings to the local stranding response team. Even reports of dead animals are useful to learn more about the species. If you are in Currituck, Dare, or Hyde County, report to the OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 252-4559654. If you are on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, report to CAHA Stranding Response at 252-216-6892.
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Locally Sourced Seafood Steamer Dinners Salads, Sides, and Dips Steamed Shrimp & Crabs (252) 441-8808 | 101 Grey Eagle St. | Nags Head whaleboneseafood.com
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Check out our Pier Shop for your holiday needs!
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Local yellowfin tuna seared and wrapped in a banana leaf with shrimp, jasmine rice and vegetables at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar. COURTESY PHOTO
Southern Pecan Pie is one of the desserts available to top off your meal at the Blue Point overlooking the Currituck Sound in Duck. COURTESY PHOTO
By Maddie Lutz | Correspondent
Colington Cafe
unbeatable combo, by the way).
The Outer Banks isn’t all fried oysters and domestic beers. Many world-renowned chefs live right here on the islands and work hard day in and day out to come up with innovative and delectable dishes. While there are many incredible restaurants on the Outer Banks, a few stand out as perfect date night locations as they offer intimacy, attention to detail and innovation. Whether you’re looking to celebrate an anniversary with your significant other or a birthday with a friend, this list is for you.
1029 Colington Rd, Kill Devil Hills One of the Outer Banks’ best-kept local secrets, the Colington Cafe offers posh cuisine inside a renovated, tree-shaded Victorian house with a garden. This boutique-style cafe offers fresh fish, homegrown herbs and a jaw-dropping dessert tray. With plenty of wines to pair with your dish, a gorgeous location and sauces that will impress even the pickiest of patrons, the Colington Cafe brings the romantic atmosphere.
Josephine’s Sicilian Kitchen
Top 6 spots for date night Urban Kitchen 603B Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla If you’re a foodie that’s bored of basic flavors and looking to impress your date, the Urban Kitchen is your place. Simple, seasonal fare comprises the tiny menu, with each of the dishes offering big flavors. For appetizers, you may find crispy catfish, served atop napa cabbage, cucumber, peanuts, nuoc cham and comeback sauce. For an entree, expect elaborate proteins such as the pork chop with peach, chili verde and a cheddar grit cake.
Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar
4700 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk White linen tablecloths, wine selections spanning from Oregon to South Africa, house-made desserts and an artistic menu are what you’ll find at Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk. Be sure to try the award-winning rosy cheeks martini, seven-lettuce salad and chef’s fish selection, usually a local fish and always served atop a steamy vegetable risotto with saffron and bay scallops.
TRiO Restaurant and Market
3708 N. Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk TRiO Restaurant and Market is best known for its extensive wine list and charcuterie boards. Wines from all over the world compose the majority of the restaurant’s menu, where you’ll also find wine cocktails, wine flights, beer cocktails, small plates and entrees and even a weekend brunch menu (the brioche French toast with the Tahitian peach mimosa is an
3701 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk Josephine’s Sicilian Kitchen is the Outer Banks’ only authentic Italian restaurant and offers pasta and meatballs with rotating and new specials daily. Their menu changes weekly, offering everything from rigatoni to tiramisu. The food makes you forget you’re in North Carolina and not the Sicilian sun.
The Blue Point
1240 Duck Road, Duck The Blue Point offers a magnificent view of the sunset over the Currituck Sound along with straightforward dishes grounded in Southern cooking. Meals start with house-baked bread and end with house-churned ice creams and sorbets. Get to the Blue Point early to get your name on the list — it’s worth the wait.
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
WE DELIVER ON THE PROMISE
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READY TO START, GROW OR RELOCATE A BUSINESS IN CURRITUCK COUNTY? YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF
CALL LARRY Economic Development Director Larry Lombardi is always just a phone call away and ready to answer your questions, offer advice or connect you to new opportunities.
(252) 232-6015 www.ThinkCurrituck.com Larry@ThinkCurrituck.com
21 Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, November 5, 2021
Whalehead’s Christmas Craft Village
Support local artisans and shop for that perfect gift. Crafts and fine art will be available for purchase and food vendors will be on site, with free carriage rides and photos with Santa and Mrs. Clause offered from noon to 3pm.
November 26th • 11am to 4pm
Candlelight Christmas Tours
Reserve your tour of the beautifully decorated Whalehead mansion featuring live performances on Whalehead’s original Steinway piano. These immensely popular holiday tours are limited and available by advanced reservation only. After your tour, don’t forget to make your way to Historic Corolla Village, decorated for the season with holiday lights, floral delights, and other festive sights.
Fridays & Saturdays, November 26 - December 18 Tours begin at 5pm, $20 in advance (non-refundable). For information or questions about the Christmas Craft Village or to reserve your Candlelight Tour, please call: 252.453.9040 • WhaleheadChristmas.com
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JENNETTE’S PIER
Friday, November 5, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
Kill Devil Hills man lands giant drum to win tourney By Jennette’s Pier Staff The Nags Head Surf Fishing Club’s 69th Annual Invitational Tournament returned to its roots this year by returning to Jennette’s Pier as the headquarters for the three-day event for the first time since the early 1950s. The weather and fishing were both decent for the early-October tournament, which features 480 anglers on 80, six-person teams. The evening socials were toned down by club leaders because of COVID concerns, but the two days of fishing in the sun made up for it all. Anglers are encouraged to release their catches. The tournament heated up big time for Gene Meacham of Kill Devil Hills and the Hot Liners of Nags Head when he hooked and landed a 42-inch red drum, something a little unusual for the event. Red drum are the official state fish of North Carolina and are protected from overfishing by a management plan that only allows “slot” sized drum from 18 to 27 inches to be kept. All others must be released alive. Meacham’s red drum catch and release was enough for his team to win overall first place. Meacham also cleaned up with three more firsts: largest fish, most points and session winner. He was thrilled with the prizes including a rod and reel, tackle bag, silver plate and big trophy, all awarded during Friday night’s Award Dinner in Oceanview Hall at Jennette’s Pier. The other day, he sat down in his garage and told the epic tale of how he worked the hard-fighting fish from the sea to the beach at Forrest Street in Nags Head. It all happened Thursday morning, Oct. 7, early in the first session of four that make up the event. “It was around eight o’clock,” Meacham said. “I had my 11-foot Diawa Interline with a Penn Fierce five thousand, which is a small reel with twenty-pound Power Pro line and a 30-pound shock leader.” He was using a hand-tied “double drop loop rig with two, four-aught hooks,” he said. When Meacham later went to remove the hook from the drum’s mouth, he noticed half the rig was missing. “He was hooked right in the corner of the mouth, he couldn’t have gotten away,” Meacham said. But big fish do get away at
Gene Meacham holds up his big-time red drum, a 42-inch beauty that was measured, photographed and released back into the sea. JENNETTE’S PIER PHOTO
times and the fact that the rig was broken in half and the five-ounce pyramid sinker was missing proves it can happen. So, when the bite did come, first his line went slack. “The fish went south through a vacant area (the beach ramp area),” Meacham explained. “The line went slack … I cranked the reel.” And then it came to him. “I’ve got something with some substance … I realized I had something with some weight.” Meacham said his mind raced to two likely candidates — a large skate or ray but he was soon
pleasantly surprised. “Then he started the head-shaking and moving fast taking drag, taking drag, taking drag,” he said. “I’d gain a little bit, he’d take a little bit, a little bit, a little bit.” The fish continued south into two more adjacent team stations. At one point, it found its way into an open area, Meacham said. “It turned and I saw a big tail,” he said while putting his hands together in the shape of a large fish tail. Then, he said to himself: “‘Oh I’ve got a fish!’ ” That’s when his mind went into overdrive.
“‘Don’t break (the line), don’t fall’ … and I told myself … ‘don’t get too excited,’ ” Meacham recalled. “[Teammate] Tom Burke coached me and said, “‘I can’t help you; I can’t help you; I can’t help you.’ ” Meacham said he knew the tournament rules prevented anyone from helping him land the big fish, but other rules worked in his favor such as the one that allows an angler to cross into another team’s area while hooked up. “We went into another station, and they were good, they know what’s going on,” he said. So,
with the big fish on the line and perhaps a first-place finish in the balance, Meacham kept it tight. “‘Just keep pressure on him,’’’ he remembers thinking. “He wasn’t going anywhere, he’s rolling around, rolling around and I kept pressure on him.” Next came the tricky business of getting the big red drum onto the beach. An avid angler, Meacham knew what to do. With each breaking wave he got the fish closer and closer to shore. “One wave closer, second wave closer and the third wave, I surfed him right in!” Meacham said. “He was rolling around side to side, it was textbook!” Six or eight people were following the action down the beach. They weren’t fishing themselves; just bystanders and beachgoers, Meacham said. For whatever reason the judges for his station were on foot and not driving so it took them a while to get there, he said. Their official measuring stick wasn’t long enough so Meacham had to go back to his Suburban and grab the inexpensive blue tape measure all tournament anglers were given. He also grabbed his needle nose pliers and hurried back down the strand. Quite a feat for a 70-yearold who had just caught what ended up being the biggest fish in the event featuring 480 anglers. The fish measured 43 inches and had a girth of 23 inches. After a quick photo by the judge, Meacham took the big red back into the swash. “‘I did it!’ ” he remembers saying. After three tries to resuscitate the big animal, the happy fish story ended when the fish swam off. Between the fight and the jog up to the beach and back, he was jacked up. “The adrenaline was pumping,” Meacham said. “We were just going, “‘We won, we won!’ ” His team quickly figured out the red drum was worth 76 points. With one fish, they were poised to win the tournament. “Then we were like, ‘Naw, one fish won’t win it,’ ” Meacham said. “Well, it was!” he said. “It was my first big red!” They had a beer to celebrate the achievement, his first bull red drum in 65 years of fishing. “It was a textbook landing of a fish,” Meacham said. “It just went smooth as silk!”
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