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Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Locally Sourced Seafood Steamer Dinners Salads, Sides, and Dips Steamed Shrimp & Crabs (252) 441-8808 | 101 Grey Eagle St. | Nags Head whaleboneseafood.com
We could all use a little
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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!
Main Street through Buffalo City. OUTER BANKS HISTORY CENTER/COURTESY
Vanquished and Vanished! OB-Ex Towns Unearthing the islands’ ghost towns. PAGE 8
Celebrating farmers market season Where to find local crafts, farm-fresh vegetables, baked treats and more throughout the Outer Banks. PAGE 14
Lending a hand in patients’ health How one woman introduced healing touch therapy to the Outer Banks Hospital. PAGE 18
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.
joelambjr.com • joelambrealty.com • 800-552-6257
EDITOR Hannah Lee Leidy hlleidy252@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS James Charlet, Dave Fairbank, John Harper, Maddie Lutz, Maggie Miles, Jessica Taylor 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
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
OUTER BANKS ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SHOP...SINCE 1967
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ON THE TOWN
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
Sublime w/ Rome, The Dirty Heads and Hirie triple bill Roanoke Island Festival Park By John Harper
Correspondent
Monday, July 19 High and Mighty Tour Let the music play. The first major concert on the Outer Banks in 2021 takes place Monday, July 19, at Roanoke Island Festival Park. And it promises to be a rager, with a triple bill of Sublime with Rome, The Dirty Heads and Hirie. The story of Sublime reads like a script from “Behind the Music,” the old MTV series set to be revived this summer by Paramount+. The Long Beach, California-based band formed in 1988 and recorded a string of reggae-meets-ska-meets-punk-meetsrock-meets-hip-hop-meets-funk party jams. If you ever set foot in a club or a fraternity house in the early-to-mid-’90s, you probably grooved to tunes such as “What I Got,” “Santeria,” “Doin’ Time” and “Wrong Way.” But just as the group was hitting its stride, which included heavy radio airplay, lead singer Bradley Nowell died in 1996.
Sublime with Rome. ROMAN RAMIREZ/COURTESY
Sublime disbanded but was later reinvented when singer-guitarist Roman Ramirez, along with original bassist Eric Wilson, started performing the band’s classic hits. “I like to think I am the vessel that was chosen to deliver it (the music and spirit) to the world via live shows,” Ramirez, 33, said in an email interview. “It’s an incredibly humbling experience.”
A legal agreement brought on by Nowell’s family requires the band be billed as “Sublime with Rome,” which includes drummer Carlos Verdugo. But the songs remain the same, and the spirit and artistry of the original band lives on. “The band just has a cool and timeless vibe to it,” Ramirez continued. The current trio also has released several fine tunes, which include “Wicked Heart,”
“Light On” and “Wherever You Go.” “Our sound is definitely a fusion of what inspires the boys and what inspires me,” Ramirez said. And what’s a Sublime with Rome show like these days? “Loud music, heavy bass and the sun shining,” the singer-songwriter said. Huntington Beach, California-based Dirty Heads also make music that merges reggae, ska, hip-hop and rock. “Lay Me Down” is the group’s signature song, which, incidentally, features Ramirez on vocals. Other hits include “My Sweet Summer,” “Dance All Night” and “Vacation.” Hirie is a silky-voiced singer who traffics in original music that taps reggae and rhythm-and-blues. Time: 6 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m. Cost: $45 in advance, $55 at the door Where: Roanoke Island Festival Park, 1 Festival Park, Manteo Tickets: etix.com Info: Vusic Fest on Facebook It’s lawn seating, so bring a blanket or low-back chair. Outside food and beverages are not allowed. You also may want to bring bug spray.
TOP 10 EVENTS JULY 16-22 By Dave Fairbank Correspondent
Music: Steve Hauser | July 16 Avenue Waterfront Grille, 207 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo, 6-9 p.m. Avenuegrilleobx.com Music: Yacht Dogs | July 16 Roadside Bar and Grill, 1193 Duck Road, Duck, 7-10 p.m. duckroadside.com Shop: Manteo Downtown Market | July 17 George Washington Creef Park, 104 Fernando St., Manteo, 8 a.m.-noon manteonc.gov/downtownmarket Surf Tournament: OBX Skim Jam | July 17-18 Jennette’s Pier, 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. unitedskimtour.org Surf Tournament: Hands Across The Boarder Surf Competition | July 17-18 Old Lighthouse Site, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Buxton, 7:30 a.m. start time. Va.surfesa.org Art: Joe Johnson Exhibit | July 18 Art exhibit and opening reception, Unitarian
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks hosts an art exhibit from Kitty Hawk artist Joe Johnson. There will be an opening reception on Sunday morning. SHERRI LEMNIOS/COURTESY
Universalist Congregation, 831 Herbert Perry Road, Kitty Hawk, 11:45 a.m. Info: Gwen Taylor 804-307-9737
The Manteo Farmers Market happens Saturdays at the downtown waterfront. MADDIE LUTZ/ COURTESY
Music: Bryan Campbell | July 18 Rundown Cafe, 5218 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, 6-9 p.m. rundowncafe.com
sports each hour, ages 7-13 preferable but exceptions made. obxsoccer.com
Camps: All Sports Camp | July 19-22 Dare County Rec Center, 602 Mustian St., Kill Devil Hills, 9 a.m-noon each day, different
Races: Lighthouse 5K Series | July 21 Whalehead Club, 1100 Club Road, Corolla, registration and fee required, 7-10 a.m.
theobxrunningcompany.com Family Friendly: Light Up The Night | July 21 Waves Village Watersports Resort, 24798 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe, family-friendly including dogs, 8:30 p.m. start time. wavesvillage.com
Our best-selling book for 2021 is John Railey's highly anticipated investigation into the long-hidden truth behind this legendary Outer Banks tragedy.
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
This Week at Downtown Books...
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Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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A view of the Wash Woods Environmental Education Center from the water. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION/COURTESY
By James D. Charlet
North Carolina’s coast played home to its first settlements. These colonies, communities, villages and towns were also the among first to disappear, making them Outer Banks ex-towns! It’s tempting to call them ghost towns, but the fact is there are no towns left for the ghosts to inhabit — save for Portsmouth. … But that one is far too beautiful, pristine, inviting and frequently visited to harbor ghosts. The rise and fall of these towns spans from 1585 to 1917, and their geography covers around 300 miles of Outer Banks coastline. They will be covered chronologically.
Roanoke Colony (1585-1587) Many readers are familiar with Sir Walter’s failed attempts at establishing the first English colonies in the New World. However, there are two basic facts that are commonly misunderstood: the 1585 “village” was actually a fort-base, a colony of 100 British soldiers whose strictly military plans went astray and ruined relations with the natives forever. The English abandoned it after eleven months. The 1587 expedition was intended to be an actual settlement-town of men, women and children. It disappeared by 1590 when Governor John White returned. Vast substantial evidence today points to most of those colonists escaping to Croatoan, an island south of Hatteras, and inland to the swamps around Bertie County. This site only became known as “The Lost Colony” in 1937 when Paul Greene’s fictitious play debuted.
Little Kinnakeet Village (1711)
The earliest record of a land grant in the area was in 1711 in what is now the village of Avon. It took its name from Algonquin phrase meaning “that which is mixed.” It became well-known for shipping its vast forests of oak and cedar to northern shipyards and for building their own small schooners. Little Kinnakeet also had a thriving seaweed industry. Known locally as “sea oar,” great rafts of eelgrass were collected from the Pamlico Sound, dried, baled and sold to furniture companies as stuffing for sofas, chairs and mattresses. Their most famous product, however, was the yaupon bush leaves from which tea was brewed. The residents were teased for years by neighboring Hatteras Island villages as, “Kinnakeeters, yaupon eaters.”
A United States Life-Saving Service Station was the last of seven built there in 1874 and served as the village’s primary function until it was decommissioned in 1954. Meanwhile, with the clearcutting of the forests and the disappearance of the seaweed and yaupon, the village life disappeared. The beautiful 1874 Life-Saving Station remains and is one of few left in the country! Visitors can visit the site’s grounds, but the buildings themselves are closed to the public.
Diamond City (1723)
As with most early coastal settlements, Diamond City developed slowly on the shores of Cape Lookout, just south of Ocracoke Island. It was named for the diamond pattern on the nearby Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Eventually, the local settlers formed a whaling industry. New England whalers came south in the early spring and turned Diamond City into a bustling port. The whalers nearly decimated the species, giving rise to the Legend of Porpoise Sal. It tells the story of a beautiful woman who washed ashore inside a barrel and spoke against the whalers’ practices. It’s said that after a year of the villagers ignoring her admonishments, the 1899 hurricane San Ciriaco struck and destroyed Diamond City. It was the worst and biggest monster to ever strike North Carolina, devastating most of the coast. Diamond City residents, like many others that year, deserted the area to start over. Only sand remains, accessible only by boat.
Portsmouth Island (1750s, approximately) Portsmouth is one of the loveliest, pristine, most beautifully restored and maintained, and — dare I
say it? — romantic colonial villages anywhere. It was the first planned town on the Outer Banks, and in its heyday, the population hovered around 500 residents. Portsmouth was the main shipping inlet for Cape Hatteras from the 1750s until 1846, when a hurricane created today’s Oregon Inlet. Trade slowly declined, and the last residents abandoned the village in 1971. The complete town remains: 21 standing, restored buildings — the classic Methodist Church and the 1894 United States Life-Saving Service Station are the most striking. There is a one-room school house, a post office combined with a general store, the Theodore & Anne Salter House, which serves as the Visitor Center, and several houses built between 1840 to 1905, plus various outbuildings. Beyond the village, enjoying the beach with minimal disruptions or signs of human life is reason enough to check it out. The island is only accessible by boat, and visitors are given a number of serious preparations and advisories. Visit the National Park Service website first!
Buffalo City (1880)
In the 1850s, Buffalo, New York, began to develop a substantial lumber trade business. By the 1880s, businessmen Frank and Charles Goodyear of the Buffalo Timber Company developed a brilliant plan: Buy large tracts of far-away, isolated forests that were near water transportation, build their own sawmills and connect them to shipping centers by waterways and railroads. The 100,000 acres of timberlands they bought in the Dare County mainland on the other side of the Alligator River remains extremely isolated. To build the city, the company brought its own labor force which included immiTurn to Page 10
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
VANQUISHED AND OB-EX-Towns VANISHED
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Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Even though this is an aerial photograph, it still does not include the entire restored Portsmouth Village. Church is most prominent, front left center. Pamlico Sound upper. Life-Saving Station and Ocracoke Inlet off photo to the right. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/COURTESY
from Page 9
grants from Africa and Russia. Very quickly, they built an entire town or “city” in the middle of the wilderness, just 20 miles west of Roanoke Island. This thrived for years until the trees ran out. Members of the large workforce knew that making illegal whiskey was one of the quickest ways to supplement income. Stills were easy to craft and operate. Best of all, the area’s extreme isolation and physical separation by river and swampland created a perfect environment for illegal operations. Therefore, highly profitable, large-scale bootleg operations were able to flourish there. The bonus was that the previous lumber trade had already established shipping routes, methods and markets. The trade, and consequently, town lasted until Prohibition ended.
Wash Woods (1895)
Storms battered this community on the narrow sandbank just north of the present North Carolina-Virginia state line. The wind and waves that washed sand and saltwater over fertile fields earned it the name Wash Woods, originally named Deal’s Island. Little is recorded about the small, strangely placed village. Records indicate a shipwreck, the British steamship Newborough, beached there in 1895, and the survivors became the first settlers. 300 people once lived here, earning their living as watermen, farmers, hunting guides and lifeboatmen. In those days, crops thrived in rich soil at Wash Woods. The sea offered a bounty of fish and crabs, and waterfowl were extremely numerous. Visitors sought out the area’s ample hunting
Main Street through Buffalo City. OUTER BANKS HISTORY CENTER/COURTESY
and fishing opportunities, relying on the village’s young men as their guides. Years of destructive storms and depleted resources eventually led to Wash Woods’ dwindling population, and like so many of the OB ex-towns, the community eventually faded away. Its best success was through the United States Life-Saving Service Station No. 6 in 1878. It was originally the Deal’s Island station before its name
changed to Wash Woods. In 1933, it became U.S. Coast Guard Station No. 166. Today, it has been beautifully restored as the Corova Beach office for Twiddy & Company Real Estate. Interestingly enough, three of these six towns all shared the establishment of a United States Life-Saving Station. The towns may be long gone, but the stations still stand, in some form or another.
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NATUREWISE
By Jessica Taylor
Correspondent
As any visitor to the Outer Banks can tell, it’s all about the environment. Surfing, fishing, hiking up Jockey’s Ridge to see the sunset, these treasured activities and many others wouldn’t be possible without healthy and thriving ecosystems. Sometimes it’s not always possible to see when there are problems in the environment. Environmental issues can be cryptic and hidden, such as microscopic plastics concealed in clear blue water or chemicals seeped into the ground. Luckily, we have sentinel species in the environment that give indications of poor environmental health. Bottlenose dolphins are such a species, and the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBXCDR) has been watching, observing and monitoring bottlenose dolphins in the Roanoke Sound for the past 14 years. On the Outer Banks, we depend heavily on the sounds for our economy, recreation and enjoyment, and OBXCDR’s monitoring research clues us in to the health of underwater ecosystems. Bottlenose dolphins are great indicators of environmental health due to their long life spans, tendency to store environmental contaminants in their bodies and our ability to monitor their populations over time. Since 2008, the OBXCDR has used a research technique known as photo-identification to monitor dolphins in Roanoke Sound. We photograph the distinctive markings on the dolphin dorsal fins, catalog these photos and use these markings to track individuals over time. Long-term photo-identification studies have taught us that dolphins have long life spans, with males typically living into their 40s and females living into their 50s. On the Outer Banks, for example, the oldest known dolphin is Onion, a male estimated to be in his early 40s. His age is based upon a sighting history of more than 30 years by photo-identification researchers in the Nags Head and Cape Lookout areas. Dolphins also bioaccumulate chemicals in their blubber. Any microscopic pollutants in the water move up the food chain. As top predators, dolphins store these pollutants in their bodies over time. Just as with people, a heavy contaminant load may be visible to us by the dolphins becoming sick. In an even sadder situation, female dolphins may metabolize these chemicals in their blubber and the chemicals may enter the milk that goes to the calves. In fact, in some areas with critically poor water quality, the first born calf of a female has a low chance of survival due to these chemicals. The presence of chemicals in the marine environment may also cause skin lesions on the dolphins. As they come up
Skin lesions on dolphins help distinguish them in photos. JESSICA TAYLOR/OUTER BANKS CENTER FOR DOLPHIN RESEARCH PHOTOS
Dolphins play in the Roanoke Sound.
to the surface to breathe, not only their dorsal fins are visible but any lesions or diseases on their skin are visible as well. Six different types of lesions have been seen on dolphins in the Outer Banks, but some may just be reactions to low water
temperature or freshwater. Some lesions indicate disease, but in certain cases point to the presence of environmental contaminants. Perhaps most tellingly, dolphins’ presence or absence from an area tell us
about the habitat’s environmental health. Absence in an area where they’re usually seen could indicate problems lower down the food chain. Another type of pollution in the marine environment is noise pollution. It is invisible to us but may have a large impact on dolphins, fish, and other organisms that depend upon sound. Loud sounds underwater are known to disrupt dolphins and fish, making some habitats unsuitable. If these organisms leave the area, it changes the ecosystem and, potentially, its economic value as well. OBXCDR’s monitoring data of the dolphins in Roanoke Sound suggests that the population has been relatively stable, which is a good sign for the health of the sound and our local environment. Each year, we add new dolphins to our catalog, observe known females with new calves and reacquaint ourselves with the seasonal resident dolphins who return year after year. Even though the Outer Banks has changed over the years since we began our research study, the passion and concern for our environment that locals and visitors share has remained the same. And with the dedication to keep our local environment healthy, along with a little help from the dolphins, the treasured activities that we enjoy on the Outer Banks can continue for generations.
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
Healthy environment? Ask a dolphin!
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12 Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
The perfect place to start or end your day!
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Marla Wales shows off her artwork at the Makers Market in Duck. MADDIE LUTZ
To market, to market Guide to Outer Banks farmers markets: community and creativity
By Maddie Lutz Correspondent
For the Outer Banks, community is everything. The local farmers markets are one of the best ways that community is celebrated on the islands. From Duck to Roanoke Island, the Makers Market, Dowdy Park Farmers Market, Secotan Market and Manteo Downtown Market host a variety of local talent every week. Incredible ceramicists, locally famous bakers, unbelievable metalsmiths and skilled woodworkers showcase the skill sets that flourish throughout the commu-
nity. All four of the mentioned markets foster a wonderful sense of warmth and inclusivity, but the goods and activities that they offer differ. Consider this your guide to when, where and what to expect from each.
Makers Market
Where: 1314 Duck Road, Duck When: Wednesdays through August 25, 2021; 3-6 p.m.. First impression: Beautiful location, smiling vendors and clients; charming. Incredible location: In addition to a
beautiful view of the Currituck Sound, Makers Market is conveniently located under The Village Table & Tavern, a casually upscale waterfront restaurant. Shoppers can come over after parasailing next door at Nor’Banks Sailing and Watersports and grab a bite to eat to finish off the evening. Unique vendors: Organizer Jennifer Minnich makes it clear that this isn’t the typical farmers market dedicated to fresh produce — vendors’ wares range from jewelry, pottery, wall art and foods, including honey, breads, freeze-dried treats and more. The convenient northern location
attracts vendors from the Currituck mainland and Corolla since it’s closer to the bridge than other markets on the island. Additionally, new vendors are more likely to snag a spot since this is a smaller, newer market, which started in March 2021. Around 20 total vendors rotate through the market, so you’ll see different faces from week to week. What people say: Vendor Marla Wales, owner of Beads By the Beach, describes Makers Market as, “inclusive and inviting.” It was fairly easy to get involved, too, Turn to Markets, Page 16
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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.
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
Welco me Aboard!
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Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Markets from Page 14
according to Wales, thanks to Minnich’s kind and welcoming attitude.
Dowdy Park Farmers Market Where: Dowdy Park 3005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head When: Thursdays through September 9, 2021; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. First impression: Busy and big with lots of happy dogs and children Variety: Upwards of 60 local vendors bring forth a wide range of goods spanning from original artwork to homemade spice rubs. Thoughtful organization: This market exists through community investment. When Dowdy Park was built a few years back, Nags Head residents received a survey about what they wanted out of the park. When the results were in, a farmers market was at the top of the list. Since then, the market planners have met weekly to create a series of efficiently operated events with a diverse assortment of vendors. Paige Griffin, the Town of Nags Head’s event coordinator, corresponds frequently with organizers of other farmers markets in the area to ensure that any vendors who didn’t get a spot at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market have one elsewhere. This incredible behind-the-scenes collaboration is what makes this series so outstanding for visitors and vendors alike. Education: Young entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported by the Town of Nags Head’s event coordinator, Paige Griffin, who describes education as a cause “near and dear to [her] heart.” Throughout the summer, expect to see middle and high school students showing off their creativity at the park. Goods including innovative skateboard rings, crocheted works, bathing suits and original artwork from local kids will be up for grabs periodically. Volunteer opportunities: There are always volunteer opportunities at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market. Contact Paige Griffin at 252-489-8551 for more information. What people say: When asked what this market means to her, Paige Griffin speaks for Nags Head, saying,”[This market] means community. It means supporting each other and encouraging each other through education and opportunity. It creates a partnership and provides an opportunity to see each other collaborate and work together on projects. Additionally, we get to shop local and support neighbors and friends as well as get to know others.”
Manteo Farmers Market
Location: 106 Fernando Street, Manteo When: Saturdays through September 18;
The Secotan Market in Wanchese. MADDIE LUTZ
8 a.m.-noon First impression: Vibrant, social, lots of variety, great location. Fresh produce: NC Agriculture offers abundant local produce including fruits, vegetables, nuts and mouth-watering lemonade. Additionally, market organizer Tim Teeple is in the process of adding some fresh seafood from local fishermen into the mix. Range of talent: Woodworkers, leatherworkers, glassmakers and candlemakers aren’t found at the other farmers markets on the beach. The spread of this market is incredible. Fantastic location: Right smack in the middle of Manteo’s historic town and overlooking the sparkling water, it truly doesn’t get more beautiful than this. Before or after your time at the market, be sure to check out the wonderful shops and small businesses around the waterfront. What people say: Teeple is beyond ecstatic to be celebrating the market’s 15th year of operation after having to close up shop last year due to COVID-19. He suggests visitors come before their rental check-in - it’s a great opportunity to stock
up on local goods and produce before hitting the beach or unpacking.
Secotan Market
Where: 2868 N.C. Highway 345, Wanchese When: Saturdays May to September: 8 a.m.-noon (check out secotanmarket.com/ schedule for the holiday and off-season schedule, too) First impression: Lots of food, gorgeous pottery, farmstead chic. Food: This market is all about food. You can get everything from local blueberries to Harrison Microgreens, grown in Nags Head and distributed throughout the Outer Banks. Everything is locally sourced and organic. With the right planning, you could knock out your weekly grocery shopping here. Soul: The heart and effort that went into this market show. It is diligently organized, 100-percent locally sourced and has plenty of delicious options. Originality: In addition to the exceptional selection of produce, you will also find several talented vendors selling
jewelry, artistic loose-leaf journals, medicinal plants, kombucha, sourdough and more. Quality: Eric Soderholm, who organizes the market with Ladd Bayliss, says, “Each producer that seeks to join Secotan Market undergoes careful review by the Secotan Market Advisory Board. We take time to verify the origin of our vendors’ products, ensuring that they have been intimately involved in growing or creating them. That way, our customers can be assured that they are not being misled or buying resale products. Hard work, honesty and transparency are the pillars of this endeavor.” What people say: “To us, Secotan Market means the opportunity to channel the same spirit of shared passion and teamwork from the Wanchese Produce days to create a place that can help feed our community,” Soderholm says. “[...] in our small community, we must be propelled by the things that bring us together and unite us. Secotan Market represents a small but vital effort here in northeastern North Carolina to rekindle an era where neighbors rely on each other, and we can focus on the lost art of listening to and respecting one another.”
Lots of
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252.473.3906 | 1.800.367.4728 2000 Sailfish Dr, Manteo, NC 27954 fishpiratescove.com
FAMILY FISHING PROGRAM Weekdays at 9 a.m.
Jennette’s Pier Your Happy Place!
252-255-1501 jennettespier.net HOURS: 6 A.M. TO 10 P.M.
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
C v ve MarinA Buxton Village Books Pirate’s HOME OF THE OUTER BANKS FINEST CHARTER FISHING FLEET
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INNER BANKS
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
Healing touch
Outer Banks hospital brings holistic complementary therapy to cancer unit By Maggie Miles
Correspondent
Donna Cahill, a nurse from San Diego, California, practiced healing touch therapy — a relaxing, nurturing, heart-centered energy therapy that uses gentle, intentional touch to assist in balancing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing — with patients at her hospital for about 20 years before retiring to the Outer Banks in September of 2018. Classified as a biofield therapy and nursing intervention by the National Institute of Health, healing touch therapy had a huge community in San Diego. Nonprofit organization Healing Beyond Borders taught people in program and maintained lots of active members and mentors. When Cahill left San Diego for North Carolina, she thought, “OK — I need to find my tribe!” It wasn’t easy to find. There were a few practitioners in Virginia and western North Carolina but no trace of this specialized therapy across the Outer Banks. Cahill joined the Outer Banks Women’s Club in January of 2019. Dr. Christina Bowen, Dare County’s only integrative medicine doctor and medical director of The Outer Banks Hospital Center for Healthy Living, happened to be giving that month’s presentation. Cahill raised her hand and asked Bowen if she had anybody that practiced healing touch therapy. According to Cahill, Bowen got excited, and said, “No, but you do?” This interaction led to the creation of the Healing Touch Volunteer Program at the Outer Banks Hospital for their cancer services department. Cahill led the initiative, joined by three volunteers who had overheard the interaction at the Outer Banks Women’s Club. She and the hospital staff aimed to make the service available to patients who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and those undergoing chemo treatments could also receive healing touch therapy. Today the program has three active members, including Cahill, and they hold training sessions periodically for those interested in volunteering. “Healing touch is really a heart-centered therapy. It’s about creating a bond with the client that is really all about unconditional love and compassion and helping them with their individual healing. Because all healing is self healing,” Cahill says. If a patient expresses interest in participating in healing touch therapy, a volunteer will talk with them to learn about any side
effects from their chemo treatments and determine the most effective therapy plan for that individual. According to Cahill, as with reiki, energy balancing needs to occur with healing touch therapy. The volunteers talk with the patient and demonstrate what the healing touch feels like to make sure they are comfortable with it. Practitioners explain that they will be working on patients’ bodies as well as in the space around it, in their energy field and chakras. Ultimately, this will make them more relaxed. “We don’t know how it works, but we know it does. There are so many benefits that happen when you can get someone into that relaxation phase,” Cahill says. In fact, there is much research showing the benefits. According to the Healing Beyond Borders website, it is beneficial for calming anxiety and reducing symptoms of depression, decreasing pain, strengthening the immune system, enhancing recovery from surgery, complementing care for neck and spine problems, deepening spiritual connection, supporting cancer care, creating a sense of wellbeing and easing acute and chronic conditions Cahill has seen some patient’s pain vanish during a session. Many patients come back telling her how much better they feel in general. This therapy works alongside standard medical care; it doesn’t replace it. According to the research, healing touch also supports resilience in healthcare providers. Cahill agrees that healing touch is about the self-care of the practitioner as well as the patient. It’s about setting intentions and using the hands to guide you to bring balance to the heart’s center. The Healing Touch Volunteer Program at the Outer Banks Hospital is growing slowly, however, the practice’s benefits to nurses, physicians, hospital staff, patients and families are causing a ripple effect. If you are interested in becoming a Healing Touch volunteer, Cahill and the Outer Banks Hospital give training classes in the modality. There is a cost to get the training, but according to Cahill, the rewards of working with the clients is priceless. “Holding hands, putting hands on someone is such a human connection that it really is a comforting feeling. For a nurse, this is really what holistic nursing is all about,” says Cahill. “That’s why in retirement I just feel strongly about giving back in a way that is as compassionate as possible.” If you would like to get more information about becoming a volunteer or client, email Cahill at donna.holisticcare@gmail.com.
Donna Cahill leads the Healing Touch Volunteer Program at Outer Banks Hospital. DONNA CAHILL/COURTESY
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• Full Hookup • Cable TV • Water Views • Playground 126 Marshy Ridge Rd, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
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Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
• Local Seafood fresh off the boat • Shellfish, Fresh Fish and Daily Catch • Groceries • Crabbing Supplies • Great Selection of Beer and Wine
• Bathhouse with Shower
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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CURRITUCK COUNTY Small Business Spotlight
Artist Captures Wild Beauty in Currituck Clay
Michael Middleton Ceramics specializes in uniquely local OBX creations What are the biggest challenges?
Michael Middleton is the owner of Michael Middleton Ceramics in Moyock, NC Can you describe the business? I create unique and beautiful creations showcasing my signature approach and my unique interpretation and diversity of the natural world. Each piece is designed and created from locally sourced materials, as well as hand-dug and processed wild clays found near my home in Moyock where we have built a wood-fired kiln giving me the ability to fire large pieces and 100’s of pieces at the same time. There hasn’t been a wood-fired kiln in Currituck County since the 1800’s. Talk about the decision to start your own business. In 2019, my art took a turn when I came up with the idea of combining Corolla Wild Mustang hair into the local Currituck clay. Each of these wild horsehair creations is exquisitely unique and displayed in a collection of the Corolla Wild Mustang Museum. Preserving the legend of these majestic animals is very important to me
“I came up with the idea of combining Corolla Wild Mustang hair into the local Currituck clay... preserving the legend of these majestic animals is very important to me...” and the local OBX community. Why do you do what you do? Since the early 2000’s I’ve had a love affair with ceramic art. Mostly I’m self-taught but have been lucky enough to have had wonderful opportunities learning from some incredible artists in the Seagrove, NC area, and learning from the industry giants in the ceramic world. Why did you choose Currituck? I live in Moyock and teach Ceramics at Hickory High School in Chesapeake where I’ve been instrumental in delivering one of the largest ceramic programs in the state of Virginia.
I’m blessed to have the support of fantastic people around me. My family, friends, and colleagues help me with many aspects of my business. Covid has been a big challenge, not being able to attend events and taking my business into a more online format to create awareness of what I do. But we’ve seen some massive growth in the past year, a new website and online store, social media activity, and some great opportunities such as the ‘Captain’ wild mustang piece I created for the International Museum of the Horse (a Smithsonian affiliate) in Lexington, Kentucky. Moving forward the biggest challenge will be growing out of my location and finding suitable premises nearby.
Any advice for someone starting a business in Currituck County? Have a plan, make sure you have a great support network, and try to enjoy it. Don’t forget why you started the business in the first place.
Michael Middleton Ceramics 166 Oxford Road, Moyock, NC
michaelmiddletonceramics.com
What are the biggest rewards? We get so many comments and followers who love what we do here, on a local and national level. Being recognized is a huge reward, giving back to the community is something close to my heart and very rewarding too. What sets you apart? Authenticity! We hand-dig and process a lot of our clay ourselves, which is truly local, authentic, and historical. The wild mustang hair pottery is a memorialized piece of our past, no two are the same, connecting the natural environments together. These horses will not be around forever, some of the pots I make are from legendary horses who are no longer with us, I hope these pieces will become collector’s items in the future. You truly are buying a piece of local history when you purchase anything from Michael Middleton Ceramics.
CALL LARRY Larry Lombardi Currituck County Economic Development Director
(252) 232-6015 Larry@ThinkCurrituck.com www.ThinkCurrituck.com
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COROLLA CORK &CRAFT Weekly Wine, Beer & Craft Mixer
WEDNESDAYS, ALL SUMMER LONG In Historic Corolla Park
LOCAL WINE & BEER, CRAFT ARTISANS, FOOD TRUCK & LIVE MUSIC: June 16 June 23 June 30 July 7 July 14 July 21 July 28 August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25 September 1 September 8
Mercy Creek Phil Watson Steve Hauser Doc Perkins Troy Breslow & the Company Band Mercy Creek Bobby Plough Doc Perkins Mercy Creek Scott Sechman Phil Watson Bobby Plough Steve Hauser
3 – 7 pm. Every Wednesday, June 16th through Sept. 8th • $1500 to Enter • For More Info. Visit CorollaEvents.com
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
Join Us at Whalehead for
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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Seasonal educator and surf instructor Mark Stancill and camper Dahlia Garrett, 8, of Colington strike out down the beach in search of the right wave to ride. JENNETTE’S PIER/COURTESY PHOTOS
FROM JEANETTE’S PIER
Summer campers shred the surf By Daryl Law Correspondent
Nothing tops summer fun like the weeklong surf camps Jennette’s Pier offers in Nags Head. Catch a wave, get wet and sandy, laugh out loud and do it all again. Campers eat it up. Just ask Dahlia Garrett, 8, of Colington. She loves these camps, and she had a great surf session recently. “It was super fun!” she said. “I love the water!” Small waves breaking on sandbars make the Outer Banks an ideal place to try surfing, and there’s certainly no shortage of outfits teaching the activity.At Jennette’s Pier, several weeklong surf camps are offered every year by instructors who also enjoy the sport. These slots fill quickly, and all spots for this summer are full. Registration will open again in spring 2022. At these 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. camps,
campers are first taught wave riding on soft-top bodyboards before moving up to soft-top beginner surfboards. Along with wave riding instruction, campers learn how to stay safe in the water. This past week, our team of instructors, led by Christin Brown, education curator, took off to a nearby beach for a morning of surfing and bodyboarding. Most of the beginners tried their luck with Boogie Boards. They were first created by Tom Morey back in 1971 and used for body boarding. Now, the learning boards for surfing also feature the same type of soft tops. While Brown watched her campers bodyboard over white-water breakers and onto the beach, seasonal educators Mark Stancill and Danny Cullum took on individual campers to teach them how to pop up and use the proper athletic stance for riding waves. Wave riders often
feel as if they’re on top of the world when successfully surfing down the line. The campers’ laughter and wide smiles demonstrated fun throughout the group. “It was so fun to stand on it. ... And it was fun when I flipped off!” Garrett said. After sessions, surfers usually feel exhilarated — the surfer’s high known as “stoke.” And after riding a few waves, Kennedy Creef, 9, of Manns Harbor, was definitely stoked. “It felt good ... riding the waves, I was excited!” she said. Her younger sister, Hayven, agreed. “It was refreshing!” That afternoon, everyone loaded up and went kayaking. The campers also learn to paddleboard. For more information about Jennette’s Pier and its weeklong summer camps, call 252-255-1501, ext. 212 or go towww. jennettespier.net.
Devon Simmons of Manteo catches a bodyboard ride at surf camp in Nags Head.
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Historic WOODEN
BOATS of the CURRITUCK OBX
HEAR the STORIES of Boats and Life on the Water In Historic Corolla Park • CurrituckMaritimeMuseum.com
Coast | The Virginian-Pilot | Friday, July 16, 2021
NOW OPEN
Friday, July 16, 2021 | The Virginian-Pilot | Coast
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NAGS HEAD 6803 S. Croatan Hwy. Milepost 16 Highway 158 252.441.3977
HATTERAS 58848 Marina Way Ferry Docks in Hatteras Landing
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