My Outer Banks Home - Fall 2019

The Peanut Butter Falcon A Love Story to the Outer Banks page 4

World-Class Kiteboarding

Mariel Grossman, Flying High!

page 14

Remembering Omie Tillett a local legend

Guardians Of The Sound nature

Top Local Burgers recipes

Grandy Solar Project energy

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Contents feature 4

The Peanut Butter Falcon

PUBLISHER

It’s the movie that has taken both the Outer Banks and the country by storm. Hear the story from the man who wrote it.

Mary Ann Williams, Gene Williams

EDITOR

Greg Smrdel

ART DIRECTOR Sue Colao

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Groat

SOCIAL MEDIA Savanna Williams

CONTRIBUTORS

James D. Charlet, Jane Elfring, Dave Fairbank, Steve Hanf, Lexi Holian, Katrina Mae Leuzinger, Rebecca Orr, Greg Smrdel, Tara Turner

PHOTOGRAPHY / ILLUSTRATIONS

healthcare

active life 14

10

Community Care Clinic of Dare The Community Care Clinic of Dare stands poised ready to help all who may need them.

World Class Kiting Look up in the sky! Is it a bird?

Is it a plane? No! It’s Marial Grossman!

Lauren Buckner, Black Pelican, Community Care Clinic of Dare, Francesco Petrarch, Freshfit Cafe, Jane Elfring, Mariel Grossman, JKs Restaurant, Mulligans Grille, Tyler Nilson, notchabovetours.com, Roadside Attractions, Roanoke Island Inn, Ron Sistare, Sam & Omie’s Restaurant, Shutterstock, Gene Williams, Savanna Williams

DISTRIBUTION Nick Leinweber

PUBLISHED BY

Three Dog Ink Media, LLC 111 East Baltic Street • Nags Head, NC 27959 252.261.6490 • 252.261.5476 Fax E-MAIL info@threedogink.com

OUR WEBSITE

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home 22

Space-Saving Home Trends Space. It’s the final frontier. Find out how you can make the most of it in your house, condo, or cottage.

myouterbankshome.com

Three Dog Ink welcomes comments and suggestions about errors that warrant correction. E-mail your corrections to editor@threedogink.com.

Three Dog Ink, LLC cannot and does not guarantee the correctness of all information furnished them, nor the complete absence of errors or omissions, hence, no responsibility for the same can be nor is assumed. Three Dog Ink, LLC cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by the advertisers in this publication.

Reproduction of any material from this publication is strictly forbidden without permission from the publisher.

Contents

find your

obx community

perfect

34

Omie Tillett, friend to all that knew him, is fondly remembered.

spot on the

beach obxbeachaccess.com

Remembering Omie Tillett

37

Locally Made Find out which of your favorite products are made right here on the Outer Banks, and by whom.

40

Supernaturals of the Outer Banks What would a fall issue be without a few spooky stories about the Outer Banks?

34

43

In this edition, as the kids head back to school, we celebrate National Knock Knock Joke Day.

nature 20

I’m Just Sayin’

Guardians of the Sound They’ve been here for years before us, weathering storms. They’ll likely be here years after us – the mighty Cypress.

40 tech 18

Grandy Solar Farm A “power”ful new kind of farm shines in Lower Currituck.

recipes

20 a look back

28

A Look Back to 1994 It doesn’t feel like it, but 1994 was a quarter century ago. Take a look back 25 years to what the Outer Banks was like.

30

Fresh Off the Grill: Burgers!

Fall is a great time for grilling burgers.

Four local restaurants give you their recipes to make your backyard party a success.

30

STORY BY:

Rebecca Orr ✦

PHOTOS COURTESY:

Tyler Nilson & Roadside Attractions SHUTTERSTOCK

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

peanut butter falcon

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FEATURE

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Peanut Butter Falcon opened across the country in mid-August to glowing reviews. Movie makers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz even participated in some Q&A following the playing of the movie here on the Outer Banks. We, at My Outer Banks Home, are very pleased and proud to present to you the interview that Rebecca Orr conducted prior to their premiere.

T

here is palpable power in the movie The Peanut Butter Falcon. The power of self-actualization, determination, and heart. Passion is energy, and it gives you the power to move your world forward by sheer will, determination, and belief, as a force of human nature.

I have a little sign on my desk that resonates within me: “ Follow your passion, follow your dreams, but most of all, follow your heart.” The Peanut Butter Falcon, a new movie released in August, has that heart factor all over it.

Both in its story and in the story of its creation. It is a tale of the self-actualization of believing in, and following your dreams. Pushing on, even though everything tells you “no!” Then going past that, and even further, because you know it rings true for you. The love, support, and help from friends and family of your choosing, not just the hand of people you were dealt in life, make a dream’s journey worth your greatest effort to achieve. So it is for Zak (Zack Gottsagen), the main character of this tale, as well as for its co-writers/directors, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. In both cases, their passions are the energy which creates the film’s power.

Set in the Southeast and partially filmed locally on the Outer Banks, The Peanut Butter Falcon is the tale of Zak, a 22 year old with Down Syndrome, whose family has abandoned him to a nursing home of old folks. Zak’s dream, his passion, is to become a professional wrestler and study with his idol, “The Salt Water Redneck.” However, Zak’s care giver, Eleanor, has labeled him a flight risk following his two failed escape attempts from the home. Undaunted, and with the help of his cantankerous roommate, Carl, Zak and Carl instigate an elaborate escape plan to launch Zak’s journey to his wrestling dream. Zak ventures forth on his quest wearing only his underwear, but his heart and his purpose are geared to battle the world. Eleanor, sets off to find Zak and to bring him back, turning him into a hunted man.

Meanwhile, Tyler, a hard luck tidewater fisherman, has been in a downward spiral since the death of his older brother. After destroying some fishing equipment of local crabber Duncan, Tyler goes on the lam with Duncan out for blood and on his trail. By chance, the intrepid pair of Zak and Tyler meet and decide to flee together. The inevitability of a bond begins to form between the two, and the outlaw Tyler promises to get Zak to his destination, to realize his dream, no matter what. A rafting trip worthy of Huck Finn ensues. It’s a buddy movie as if Mark Twain had written Rainman.

We don’t usually realize, until we get there, that the act of moving toward our dreams is, ultimately, the destination of our journey. That journey is the purpose of our effort. It is true for Zak and Tyler on their quest, as it was for the creators of The Peanut Butter Falcon, co-writers/directors, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. The movie had its world premiere at South by Southwest

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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FEATURE

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peanut butter falcon

Above and Below: Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz behind the scenes on the set. on March 9th of this year, and received the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award.

A checkmark in the dream column!

Tyler Nilson is a born and bred Outer Banker. Raised in Colington, and a 2000 graduate of Manteo High School, he describes this film as many things, but most of all, “it’s a love story to my hometown.” He adds, “That community...was influential in my growing up, and I am grateful to have written a story that honors that.” Nilson grew up loving old surf films and dreaming of one day telling his own stories and making films of his own. It was in his early 20s that Nilson moved to California to seek a film career, after a stint as an adventurer in the South Pacific.

Michael Schwartz is a producer and filmmaker from Northern California.

In 2014, Schwartz and Nilson co-founded their production company that they named Lucky Treehouse. Together they make both films and commercials. Their initial independent film was a 2014 short entitled, The Moped Diaries. That film was also filmed in Nilson’s beloved Outer Banks, on a very small budget, and with the major help of family, friends, and Wanchese locals. “Our community gave help to one of their own with warm, open generosity, yet asking nothing in return,” Nilson said. Nilson takes great pride in his heritage and the plain fact: “that’s who we are on the Outer Banks.”

The challenge of The Peanut Butter Falcon for Nilson and Schwartz has been a five year effort of love and persistence, surmounting great odds by will, determination, and hard work to move their film to fruition. Nilson considers this film his “PhD in movies.” Initially, the filmmaking duo met Zack Gottsagen while volunteering at a camp for disabled artists. It was Gottsagen’s dream to become an actor, so Nilson and Schwartz decided to craft their story around him.

Lucky Treehouse Productions produced a charming and intriguing 5 minute trailer for The Peanut Butter Falcon as “proof of concept.” In essence, an enticing advertisement for the film so compelling that you would want to see more. On the strength of that notion, Nilson and Schwartz were able to obtain financing, which turned out to be no easy feat according to Nilson. Everything was challenging about it. “Convincing somebody to give us millions of dollars to make ‘art’...They’d be banking on guys who hadn’t yet made anything (no major film), were movie nobodies, and had a Down Syndrome lead actor...Nothing was guaranteed.” Fortunately, Armory Films led by Christopher Lemole, came on board as producers,

“That community... was influential in my growing up, and I am grateful to have written a story that honors that.”

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

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peanut butter falcon

SAVANNA WILLIAMS

FEATURE

Above: Actor Shia LaBeouf. Below: On set with Zack Gottsagen. Above Right: Q&A after the movie premier at the Pioneer Theater, Manteo.

and the burgeoning film was enhanced by the line-up of their notable cast, which includes: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, former WWE stars Mick Foley and Jake Roberts, and rapper Yelawolf.

Another Outer Banks native is also involved in The Peanut Butter Falcon.

Melissa Walker, best friend and Manteo High School classmate of Tyler Nilson (and daughter of Marie Walker, who worked many years for our parent publishing company, Three Dog Ink), serves as the costume designer for the film. An alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill, Walker also studied costume history for a year in the art mecca of Florence, Italy. Her task for this movie was to create costumes that were “real and natural” for all the characters. This entailed “color palettes, mood boards, light packages, and patina tones.” Walker also said, “The film itself created a family atmosphere.” The most challenging facet of the film, she thought, was the water work…”Coordinating boats, the heat, racing daylight, and bugs”. But “the challenges were met by such kind, good people...who watched out for each other.”

Tyler Nilson was effusive in his thanks and appreciation to the Wanchese locals who assisted in their film. Winki and Nancy Silver: They built the raft in Winki’s junkyard, and Nancy sewed the sheets for its sail, among numerous other things. Neil and Sharon Carrigan, for the loan of a truck for a couple of months. Nilson also thanked Bree Voyavich, the kids of Baumtown Road, and many others. Folks who “just wanted to be a part of it and help.”

Wanchese and Baumtown Road were the main locations for the part of the film that was shot in North Carolina. The balance was filmed in Savannah, Georgia, because North Carolina’s film incentives had been canceled.

Making films is a business, not only an expression of art. As such, it is a business that can bring local communities financial boons for their economic growth. Producers of films look for states that participate in tax incentive programs to assist in funding their processes. That is why the production moved to Georgia. It wasn’t until 2018 that North Carolina had reinstated their incentive program for filmmaking.

Follow your heart to the movie theater, folks. Believe the dream! I can guarantee your heart will be lighter and a smile will be on your face after you see The Peanut Butter Falcon. ³ Rebecca Orr is a transplant to the Outer Banks from the Midwest. She is here following her heart, passion, and dream to become a writer. And, of course, to find buried pirate treasure. Comments, questions, and treasure maps can be emailed to: rkorr1@yahoo.com.

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

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STORY BY:

James D. Charlet

Community Care Clinic of Dare : People Helping People

T

hree of the words in their name (not counting “of”) are spot on, but one might be misleading. Let me explain.

This organization is extremely community oriented and sensitive to the community; it oozes genuine care from all around; and they dare to go above and beyond the call of duty for their county! The word “Clinic” will possibly conjure up a very incorrect image. Think of it more like a modern, bright, pleasant, state-of-the-art “facility.” It is an amazing building full of amazing people, is larger than it first appears, and is located in a pastoral natural setting. It is also semi-secluded, being at the very end of a quiet Nags Head street, the terminus of a peaceful, quiet neighborhood.

This clinic provides a myriad of free medical services for those who qualify.

They manage and treat chronic disease conditions, provide acute care, medication assistance, and health and wellness education.

The Community Care Clinic of Dare WILL provide: •

Basic (non-emergency) medical care.

•

Specialty care referrals when possible.

•

Prescription drug access (excluding pain medication) through voucher and Prescription Assistance Programs.

•

Health education.

•

Inter-agency referrals.

•

Immediate referrals for our mental health population.

The Executive Director, Tami Montiel, adds, “We do provide preventative education and offer a Prevent Type 2 Diabetes class, we provide annual flu shots, and allow patients a one-time visit from their emergency room discharge if they need a follow up visit.” She makes it clear what their primary objective is: “We offer access to primary care to those who have no insurance because

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

Community Care Clinic of Dare Executive Director, Tami Montiel

community care clinic

we want to keep our folks out of the Emergency Room for their primary care.”

Montiel is always looking for ways to improve. So, continue to monitor their website for news.

The Community Care Clinic of Dare IS UNABLE to provide: •

Emergency or urgent care services.

•

Access to narcotics or other controlled medications, including those for pain management.

•

Obstetrical and gynecological (OB-GYN) care.

The modern economy of the Outer Banks is defined almost completely by the fact that it is a major U.S. resort area. As a result, there is a large labor force who mostly only “make hay while the sun shines.” Here is where the Clinic comes in; from their mission statement: “The Community Care Clinic of Dare provides basic healthcare, medication assistance, and wellness education for financially challenged, uninsured persons living or working in Dare County.”

To be eligible to receive services from the Community Care Clinic of Dare, the patient must: • • •

Be between 18 and 64 years old.

Live or work in Dare County.

Have no health insurance: Medicare; Medicaid; Private Insurance; Obamacare.

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HEALTHY LIVING

The Nags Head facility operates Monday through Thursday during the hours of 9am to 2pm. There is access at any of these times for Patient Registration and Information. Then they have free medical clinic and medication dispensing on Monday and Wednesday from 9am until 2pm. Additionally, there are two evening clinics a month; one in Frisco and one in Nags Head There is a satellite office for Hatteras Island located in the County Health & Human Services at the Frisco Campus. Patient registration and information and free medical clinic and medication dispensing is only currently available on Tuesday from 6pm. to 9pm.

Montiel, as Executive Director, is a super energetic, personable, enthusiastic, highly motivated individual bubbling with optimism. Talk with her for more than five minutes and you will see that she is the E.D., a nurse, a fundraiser, a visionary and a psychologist.

She calls the facility “the Yes Building” because they never say no to anyone.

“Many of these people hear ‘no’ all the time. If it is something we cannot do, we will refer them to those places that can help,” says Montiel.

The clinic was the extraordinary vision of the Albemarle Health Foundation, The Outer Banks Hospital, and Chesapeake Hospital. It was formed in 2005 after County Health Assessment identified over 20% of the population was uninsured. While 20% may not sound like a lot, in Dare County that translates to over 7,000 people affected.

The Community Care Clinic of Dare (CCCD) relies heavily on partnerships, volunteers, and generosity. They have a lot of all of those. The building itself has been made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the Town of Nags Head.

The Clinic has served over 6,000 people since it began and currently has 600 new patients.

CCCD has an impressive volunteer Board of Directors, and an amazing array of local doctors and nurses, who donate their expert services and many

Most of their patients comprise a large part of the basic work force that keeps Dare County tourism alive and well.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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HEALTHY LIVING

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community care clinic

hours. The list of memberships and partnerships the Clinic has is stunning. Montiel explains, “We collaborate with the Dare County Health Department, The Outer Banks Hospital, Project Access, NC Prevent Blindness, Chesapeake Imaging, Ryan White HIV group, Port Mental Health, NC Med-Assist. All of these partners provide incredible ancillary services, at reduced and often no cost to our patients. Our volunteer physicians, nurses, and administration logged in over 600 hours of volunteer time.”

Montiel is the only full-time salaried employee. She directs seven parttimers and 20 volunteers. “I have some volunteers that have been here since it began in 2005!” That says a lot about the nature of this organization. But she readily admits, “My biggest challenge is that people do not know about us.” She says the two biggest parts of her job are trying to increase their public awareness profile and constantly raising funds to operate this free 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “I am always out there.” She points out that, “Our largest fund-raising event is on October 18, 2019; please consider sponsorship or donating an item for our amazing silent auction. And we invite everyone to attend this wonderful event.” The event that Montiel is referring to is: “An Evening of Jazz” with John “Dr Jazz” Sanchez & His Chez Says Band. The event takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk from 6 until 9 pm that evening.

CCCD had been able to secure a $150,000 grant from the office of Rural Health for three years, but the cycle just ended. “This has been a very challenging year with this deficit; however, we are laser focused on our mission of providing high-quality primary care. We are leaning on our tremendous volunteers, community partnerships, and local donations and support until we can reapply for this funding next fiscal year.”

In the one-hour informative interview, Montiel frequently used the word “community.” The organization is well named in that it is all about the community and caring. Montiel continues, “Our objective is to keep the community healthy and well.” She points out the positive ripple effect their services have on their patients. Most of their patients comprise a large part of the basic work force that keeps Dare County tourism alive and well. “That benefits us all,” Montiel assures us. Instead of spending their income on expensive medical insurance, prescriptions and doctor’s fees, they can provide more for their families. This enhances their self-worth and dignity. It inspires confidence and creates positive and productive attitudes. It also removes the enormous stress of not being able to keep themselves or their families healthy.

Since arriving as Executive Director, Montiel has made significant progress and improvements. She solved one of the most basic hurdles facing potential patients by simplifying the registration process. “We are always available to help our patients with the process. We want to be accessible to all that may need our help!!!” She continues, “We also increased the eligibility requirements, being sensitive to the high cost of living in Dare County, and a household of four with an income of $73,800 may qualify for our services. Please call so that we may assist the process for you.”

If you or someone you know decided not to bother registering based on the old information, please see Good News on the CCCD website: dareclinic.org.

Montiel then pointed out something that makes a great deal of sense.

She advises potential patients not to wait until they are sick but to register before then so everything is expedited when they do need services. As an analogy, everyone living in Dare County knows not to wait for a hurricane before stocking emergency supplies. So, don’t wait to register!³

i

More extremely useful information can be found on their website, dareclinic.org.

Or call them at 252.261.3041.

James D. Charlet is a speaker on & keeper of Outer Banks history & culture.

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

AZZ J JOHN “DR JAZZ” SANCHEZ & his Chez Says Band

Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk

OCTOBER 18, 2019 6-9PM Appetizers & Cash Bar

Don’t miss our popular This really is the good life.

SILENT AUCTION! Beautiful beaches and blue skies. The Outer Banks has it all. And great healthcare is just one more reason for living the good life here.

The Outer Banks Hospital is a full-service hospital that’s open all day, every day, all year round. It has a warm and caring environment designed especially to meet the health needs of our coastal community.

Benefitting:

Sponsored by:

And because our hospital is a partnership between University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina and Chesapeake Health, you get the resources and expertise of two major health systems.

So go ahead. Enjoy the good life at the beach.

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World_Class T

hanks to consistent winds, shallow waters, and easily accessible waves on the surf and sound sides, the Outer Banks is a world class premier destination for kiteboarding. Right here in our own backyard we have one of the best places for beginners to learn and experts to come play. And yet, when Mariel Grossman competes in the annual Wind Voyager Triple-S Invitational kiteboarding competition at REAL Watersports in Waves, she’s usually one of the few locals out there.

Raised in Manteo, Grossman got her first invite to compete in the Triple-S last year, where she took 9th place. She was 8th this year. We caught up with Grossman right after she returned from competing in the Hood Jam Invitational in Oregon and asked her about competitions, teaching newbies for a living, and what it’s like to fly through the air strapped to a 20-foot kiteboard.

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STORY BY

Katrina Mae Leuzinger PHOTOS PROVIDED BY

Mariel Grossman

Kiting

mariel grossman

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SPORTS

That must be good for when you’re teaching kiteboarding over at REAL Watersports.

Oh yeah. The sound is like a kiddie pool for boarding. The rate at which it takes to learn here is so much faster than everywhere else. Because you’re not dealing with deep water, you’re not dealing with currents. We get to follow you for miles downwind as you’re bombing, and we get to correct you from a jet ski.

Most other places the instructors have to be onshore and so there’s no real clear communication.

One of my favorite things about teaching it is I get a lot of women and girls in. There’s just not that many other women out there competing. I’m glad to see more women learning. Kiteboarding is empowering. I love teaching middle school age kids because I think, especially for girls, it builds confidence and that’s so important.

When did you get started kiteboarding?

The summer after third grade my Mom signed my twin brother up to go surfing and he liked it a lot. Because we’re twins, of course, one can’t do anything without the other wanting to. But on the Outer Banks, there’s so many days where it’s just too windy, blown out, and crazy to surf. I would see kiters going by and having the best time. I thought, “I should learn how to do that so I can get more sessions.” And slowly but surely it took over my life. But it’s great, and this place is perfect for it.

What makes the Outer Banks so perfect?

Oh, this is like in the Mecca of kiteboarding. Cape Hatteras sticks so far out in the ocean that we have consistent winds. You can find wind in any direction. So if you don’t mind driving a little bit, you can find the session that you’re looking for. Then we also have the sound, which is almost flat water— shallow, easy.

Has kiteboarding improved your confidence?

I think surfing and kiting improved my confidence. It’s nice knowing that I can handle myself in any situation out there on the water. Anytime that you’re independent and self sufficient, it makes you more confident. More aware too.

I love it. It’s challenging some days, but it’s very rewarding as well. The thing about kiteboarding is that you can manipulate it to any sport you want, based on your background. So there’s snow kiting, there’s surf kiting, there’s land kiting, there’s flat waters. Then there’s sliders, which is like an obstacle you ride on and do different tricks. And ramps where it sends you off into the air, and you do tricks there as well.

It can be dangerous, right?

The sport itself is very safe, if you learn how to make it safe. You definitely want to get a good instructor, take a lesson, and get that guidance because you can get hurt. I’ve never gotten hurt seriously, but I don’t push the envelope too much. I play within my realm, and I slowly expand my comfort zones.

One time I was kiting in Paris.

I was in the ocean side and I lost my board. The current was taking it away and I saw some sharks.

That was terrifying. I just started singing; I sing to myself when I’m scared. I pushed through and I finally got my board back, but it took a lot.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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SPORTS

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mariel grossman

What do you sing?

The Dory song. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.” In competitions I sing Beyonce.

Tell me about the Triple-S.

Triple-S is huge and it’s so much fun. It’s the biggest competition in North America. Competitors come from all over the world. The winners this year got $12,000, and they’ve raised over $113,000 for the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund. It’s called the Triple-S because it has slips, surf, and sliders.

I’m consistently second-to-last in every single competition out there. It’s a pretty big gap between someone like me and the pros. The pros, that’s their job. They’re sponsored and when they come here to compete, they’re here to win. They train 9am to 4pm on the water every day, dialing in tricks, and I’m like, “Oh, you guys look like you’re having fun, but I’m teaching today. That’s what I’m doing.” I do this as a hobby and somehow got into these competitions. But I have a great time doing it.

You must at least be close to the same level as the pros if you’re getting invited to these competitions.

You do have to be a certain level. There’s a couple of ways to be invited into the Triple-S. There’s a competition to get in, the Open. They take two women and two men. That’s how I got in. You can also be invited by the company. Or you can make a video of yourself riding and send it in.

How did Hood Jam out in Oregon compare to Triple-S?

Oh, Hood River’s crazy. I’m used to here— where we have these perfect conditions, REAL has these amazing sliders that they put so much money in, and it’s all pristine flat water. Then I go to Hood River and it’s like the Wild West. The wind was gusty and it was on and off. It was cold water. It would be, “Oh the wind’s now four miles per hour and my kite’s falling out of the air.” And then, “Oh look, today I’m overpowered and it’s 35 miles an hour out here.” It definitely kept me on my toes. It was crazy and it was great. I was laughing the whole time.

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

So what do you do when you’re not competing and teaching?

I teach at REAL from March to November, and I take the rest of the time off and travel the world. This year my boyfriend and I did America and Africa. I went to NASCAR for the first time in Texas, did a cable park tour in Georgia, camped in Hawaii for a month and a half, kiting and surfing there. And then I went snowboarding in Colorado with some girlfriends. In Africa we kited and surfed in Morocco and Cape Town. We watched the Red Bull King of the Air competition there. I think Cape Town is my favorite spot to kite.

What’s your favorite thing about competitive kiteboarding?

Honestly, I think my favorite stories are from coaching.

My favorite moments are when people are getting frustrated. You can see that frustration building, and building, and building. And then for some reason or another we just work through it and they get it. They stand up for their first time. Or they do a long run. I just let them go forever and they’re so excited. It just feels so good for everybody involved. It’s a great feeling. ³ Katrina lives with her husband and their fearsome toddler. When she’s not writing, she prepares elaborate meals, cheats at video games, and plays the guitar (badly).

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Proceeds benefitting Coastal Humane Society, Feline Hope, Friends of Felines-Cape Hatteras Island, Outer Banks SPCA, and Friends of Pooh Cancer Fund

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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GRANDY

STORY & PHOTOS BY

Solar Farm NEARS COMPLETION

Jane Elfring

hen Currituck County’s third solar farm goes on-line this fall, it will generate 18 megawatts of electricity on the 118-acre parcel in Grandy, and will bring a four-year permitting process to an end. The new facility joins current farms located in Shawboro and Ranchland.

The 55,000 dark blue fixed-position solar panels are expected to produce enough power for 2900 homes, according to John Morrison, Ecoplexus Senior Vice-President of US Operations. Ecoplexus doesn’t sell the electricity directly to customers but is selling it to Dominion Electric for sale to customers on its grid. There is no estimate as to how much of the electricity will go to local customers, or how it may affect local electric costs.

“The grid acts like a giant pond and the power flows to where it’s needed,” Morrison said.

Ecoplexus, which describes itself as “a leader in the development, design, engineering, construction, financing, operations, and ownership of renewable energy systems for the commercial, government and utility markets,” currently has projects in five countries. The Grandy project is its first in Currituck, but is one of 3 projects in development in North Carolina.

The solar farm covers 58 acres of the total parcel with the remaining area serving as a buffer between it, and local business and residential areas. During permit hearings, Ecoplexus pledged to leave as many trees on the property as possible to hide the panels and to plant new shrubbery as needed. In fact, after removing some trees, the company planted 5,500 trees.

In addition, the company said it would remove 2,200 sq. feet of cart paths from the former Goose Creek Golf Course to improve drainage. Morrison said the company is working to retain storm water at the site to reduce impact outside of the property.

W

Currituck Sunshine Farm, Ecoplexus, and Fresh Air Energy began the permitting process in 2015 with requests for rezoning of frontage along Caratoke Highway as well as rezoning of the former golf course for use as a solar farm.

Currituck Commissioners rejected those requests in 2016 after residents raised concerns about drainage problems at the site, construction noise, the unsightly appearance of solar farms, and worries about the effects of hurricanes on the panels. The three companies appealed that decision to the Currituck Superior Court which upheld the county’s ruling.

A 2017 appeal to the NC Court of Appeals resulted in a unanimous ruling that “the Board’s denial of the application was not based on competent, material, and substantial evidence to rebut Petitioners’ prima facie showing.” The court granted approval to the county to impose conditions on the project as it moved forward.

The board set the following conditions during a June 2018 meeting, many previously discussed during commission meetings about the rezoning request: Panels had to be rated to withstand 150 mph winds and the racking system would be engineered to withstand a minimum of 120 mph three second wind gusts.

Setbacks were established at 300 feet from residential and 100 feet from commercial property lines.

Maximum height of the fixtures could not exceed 15 feet.

Unwanted vegetation could not exceed 24 inches in height.

Groundwater monitoring wells would be required.

A decommissioning plan would be provided which would guarantee a 115% salvage value at the end of the 30 year life-expectancy of the project.

Pile driving activity would be limited to 7 am till 8 pm Monday through Friday.

No chemicals can be used to control vegetation throughout the life of the project.

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grandy solar farm

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ENERGY

When bad things happen to good houses...

Above: John Hunt directs workers.

Ecoplexus began the construction in early 2019 after receiving the necessary permits. Morrison estimates that approximately 150 workers have been involved with the project. All of the current workers on the site are from the local area, according to John Hunt, Senior Construction Manager for Ecoplexus.

Tracy Sample, Currituck Tax Administrator, won’t determine the new tax rate for the property until it’s completion but, based on tax figures for the Shawboro site, the county will probably receive over $19,000 annually in taxes, compared to the $2,500 paid for the property in 2019.

North Carolina ranks second in the nation for solar projects. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, solar projects in North Carolina power 660,101 homes.

Maggie Clark, Southeast State Affairs Senior Manager with SEIA, says that several large retailers in North Carolina have begun using solar at their plants.

Notable ones are Apple, IKEA and SAS. Overall, she says the industry has created nearly 7,000 jobs in North Carolina and, with the cost of solar panels dropping by 34% over the past five years, the industry is expected to continue to grow.

“Solar is generally accepted in North Carolina, but we are seeing fewer solar projects because the projects are getting bigger,” Clark said. “Solar started in Northeast North Carolina because of the flat land there. Now that that area has been developed, the industry is expanding into areas in the central and western parts of the state, especially Charlotte, Asheboro and Greensboro.”

Clark said solar has continued to grow around the globe since it “has a downward pressure on rates because it has no fuel costs, whereas natural gas and coal prices are unpredictable. Once it’s installed, it’s generating very cheap, clean energy.”

“We have been cognizant of local feedback on solar projects and have been working with developers to ensure that they are doing business with the local communities to make sure there is buy-in up front,” she said noting that solar companies try to be “good neighbors” in the communities they work in.

One sign of this willingness is the addition of native pollinator friendly vegetation around the Grandy site. “This is what we do at all of our sites,” Morrison explained. “It costs a little bit more but there are good seed suppliers in North Carolina. We are engaged with the Nature Conservancy to see how solar farms can improve pollinators at our sites.”

Morrison said the average lifespan of a solar farm is 30 years because the 40x78 inch modules degrade over time and produce less power. Whether the company replaces those modules will be an economic decision.

According to the company website, Ecoplexus has completed or has facilities to generate over 370 megawatts in the US. The lifetime energy generated by these projects is expected to be nearly 900,000 MWH. To date, the company says the power generated by its projects is enough to power over 200,000 homes and is equivalent to planting 800 acres of trees.³

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Jane Elfring is a freelance writer who works in Northeast North Carolina.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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As the morning mist rolls in, you spot one rising from the waters of the Albemarle Sound: furrowed bark, needles that are starting to turn coppery red and gold with the season, and those characteristic knees at the base of the trunk.

Alone but for its reflection, the bald cypress tree looks ancient in this moment. And as it turns out, it could be, with new research suggesting the southeast giants are among the world’s oldest trees living hundreds or even thousands of years.

arge and tough, the deciduous trees thrive both in and out of water in diverse environments throughout the South. They regularly grow to heights between 35 and 120 feet and often have widely buttressed, knobby trunks known as cypress knees. A certain majesty and mystery surrounds them – one that is only heightened by the knowledge that these trees have been watching over the changing tides of eastern North Carolina for centuries.

Discovery of an Ancient Forest A few hours south of the Outer Banks along the Black River, a bald cypress forest grows within the depths of Three Sisters Swamp. The primeval trees are accessible only by boat through a labyrinth of winding channels, so it wasn’t until recently that scientists recognized just how old these cypresses are.

David W. Stahle, a dendrochronologist from the University of Arkansas, began studying bald cypresses on the Black River in 1985 and had already discovered trees more than 1,000 years old by the time he visited Three Sisters Swamp.

He and his team took 110 core samples from the forest (without harming the trees) and found that one of the cypresses was 2,624 years old, which makes it older than the Roman Empire.

Living trees over 2,000 years old are extremely rare across the world. In fact, only eight species have been proven to live that long, and Stahle’s discovery makes the bald cypress the longest living known wetland tree species on earth.

The records contained in ancient tree rings can give us information on climate history going back thousands of years. And because bald cypresses are affected by dry and wet environmental conditions, the core samples show evidence of both during pre-colonial times – including a multiyear drought from 1587 to 1589, the time the Lost Colony lived on Roanoke Island.

STORY BY:

Lexi Holian

GUARDIANS

of the

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SHUTTERSTOCK

SOUND

Cypresses of the Outer Banks On the Outer Banks, bald cypresses flourish in our shallow sound side waters and maritime swamp forests. While it’s unlikely that any of them are as old as the Black River trees, one just over 100 years old would have been here when the Wright Brothers made their first flight in Kitty Hawk

NATURE

GENE WILLIAMS

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GENE WILLIAMS

bald cypress trees

Left: Most bald cypress trees do not produce seeds until they are about 30 years old. Right: Cypress “knees.” in 1903, when the iconic Whalehead mansion was constructed as a private hunting club in the 1920s, and when Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established in 1953 as the first national seashore in the United States.

The history and legends that shaped our barrier island all fall within the lifespan of a bald cypress, even a young one by the species’ standards.

To see the trees for yourself while on the Outer Banks, head to Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve along Kitty Hawk Bay and the Albemarle Sound.

Set away from the bustle of Croatan Highway, the reserve is home to swathes of maritime deciduous forest, maritime swamp forest, and marsh and creek habitats. It is a peaceful place to hike, fish, bird-watch, stand-up paddleboard, or kayak through the waterways.

Walk deep into the woods, and you will come across dune ridges standing as tall as 30 feet, known as high points, and swales, which are the valleys between them. The swales are often filled with water, and it is there that you can find sweet gum trees, red maples, and a tremendous number of bald cypresses in the eastern and central parts of the forest.

Cypresses can also be found further south along Cape Hatteras National Seashore (planted by the Civilian Conservation Core in the early to mid-1900s) and just inland surrounding bodies of water like Lake Mattamuskeet and Phelps Lake.

The knees were once thought to provide oxygen to the tree’s roots when submerged, but no evidence supports this theory. It is also possible that the knees offer structural support, and given the number of hurricanes that have come ashore over the years, this would be yet another example of the trees adapting.

Most bald cypress trees do not produce seeds until they are about 30 years old. Naturally, cones containing seeds are dispersed by water until deposited on a shore or carried by wildlife like squirrels.

Although bald cypresses can grow in temperate and subtropical locales, they do require hot summers for good growth and to produce seed cones, making the South the ideal home for the unique tree. ³ Along with contributing to island publications like My Outer Banks Home and The Outer Banks Wedding Guide, Lexi Holian has covered everything from Miami food festivals to St Barth sailing, for travel and hospitality brands around the world.

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Growing Bald Cypress Trees Because bald cypresses have the ability to adapt to survive, they will grow in a variety of conditions. The hardy tree flourishes in full sunlight or semi-shade and soils ranging from sandy to loamy to clay. It tolerates dry soil but thrives in wet and can grow in shallow water.

The bark is generally grayish or reddish brown in any environment with interwoven patterns of ridges and furrows, and the light, feathery needles are sage green in spring and red in autumn. But the presence of the distinctive knees may depend on proximity to water.

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For schedule details, visit duckjazz.com

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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2019

Home Trends

Built in bunks save space in a small room.

Space.

The Final Frontier.

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

Star Trek, the popular television show of the 1960s, proclaimed space as the final frontier. In 2019, space is also top of mind for home and vacation cottage owners. With the long, hot, summer season now over, fall is the perfect time to look at our spaces to find new ways to reconfigure what is likely your largest asset. In this feature we will show you, with help from our collaborators, all sorts of help when it comes to space saving and de-cluttering ideas for the upcoming year.

space saving trends

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

URBAN COTTAGE

Both permanent and vacation houses on the Outer Banks have bunk beds in spare bedrooms. But have you thought how you can make them more space saving? Think about the whole space in the room. Built-ins, lighting, and art work will help make the most use of your space.

Maximize storage with these concealed step/ drawers.

Lighting, bedding, and artwork set the tone of the room.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

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space saving trands

COZY KITCHENS

Space saving and de-cluttering comes in all forms throughout your home, including the laundry areas.

Lift washing machines and dryers off the floor for extra storage, install built-ins for towels, and provide convenient access to necessary items when it is laundry day.

Place dog bowels in a shallow cabinet at the end of the island or along the perimeter.

Raise the washer and dryer for a back saving laundry day plus create convenient laundry basket storage.

Convenient access to items like towels in the laundry room make it easy for guests and for those on laundry duty.

Organize kitchen utensils using custom drawer dividers keeps everything in its place. Lighting turns on when the drawer is open making small items easy to find.

Make the most of your counter space with this easy access paper towel storage space next to your sink above a bank of drawers.

Photography: Elizabeth Neal, Milepost “Living�

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space saving trends

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

CAROLINA CASUAL

We are all on the Outer Banks because of the beauty of the area, so when it comes to space maximization, don’t just think inside the box (of the house). Think outside too! Pool decks, gardens, patios, and yards – they are all important for making use of your property.

In the garden, on a patio, or by the pool, this Rail-Hugger bar table is so versatile it will look good in any setting. Makes your outdoor space come alive with an aura of luxury, elegance, and function. This sleek, simple design is a great way to add festive seating without cluttering up your outdoor living space.

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Showroom one minute north of Wright Memorial Bridge in Point Harbor, NC Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

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space saving trends

DANIELS’ HOMEPORT

To make the use of clean, de-cluttered space, think pieces of furniture that are both beautiful and functional. Tuck away towels and waste in stylishKeep outdoor receptacles. your patio and pool area neat and clean with the Telescope patio storage box and trash/towel receptacle.

Hide and store cushions, towels and toys. No more wet towels left Inside, use your table to stow away necessary items like games, books, and puzzles. outside and laying around. The towel receptacle makes clean up a breeze.

Carry the theme into where you sleep with bed frames and built-in drawers.

The Escape Bar Cabinet is not only beautiful but is filled with storage space. Interior shelving, a pull-out drawer, wine storage, removable serving tray and a convenient tabletop extender will take your party to the next level.

This classic design, with a crisp color of white linen is perfect for any Outer Banks cottage. For those that need more storage space the three solid bed drawers accommodates an abundance items.color of white linen This classic design, with aofcrisp

is perfect for any Outer Banks cottage. For those that need more storage space the three solid bed drawers accommodates an abundance of items.

Keep your patio and pool area neat and clean with the Telescope patio storage box and trash/towel receptacle.

Hide and store cushions,towels and toys. No more wet cushions left outside and laying around. These items from Telescope makes clean up a breeze.

Now you see it now you don’t. The lift top cocktail table is not only beautiful but functional.

games, puzzle pieces , dog of sight but within reach. Plus, a hidden The Escape Put Bar Cabinet is toys notwhatever onlyoutbeautiful storage compartment underneath the top that keeps track of all your remotes. but is filled with storage space. Interior shelving, a pull-out drawer, wine storage, removable serving tray and a convenient tabletop extender will take your party to the next level.

Now you see it, now you don’t. The lift top cocktail table is not only beautiful but functional. Put games, puzzle pieces, dog toys, or whatever out of sight but within reach. Plus, a hidden storage compartment underneath the top that keeps track of all your remotes.

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space saving trends

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DESIGN FOR LIVING

NAGS HEAD HAMMOCKS

Sometimes you can help the environment and make the most of your space, all at the same time.

Recycled-material outdoor furniture can be made as large, or as small as you need it for your space. It can also be maintenance free, stylish and easy to clean all at the same time.

Sit back and relax. Our Classic Durawood Deep Seating Collection will make any outdoor space your favorite place at home. The modular design gives you the ability to expand your seating to any length.

Handcrafted in North Carolina, our Durawood collection is constructed of recycled plastic milk jugs with mortise and tenon joinery using 316 marine grade stainless steel hardware. Durawood is virtually maintenance free, unmatched in durability, and easy to clean with a lifetime warranty against cracking, splintering, and peeling.

• Maintenance Free • Unmatched Durability • Easy to Clean • Lifetime Warranty Against Cracking, Splinter, and Peeling

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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The Outer Banks STORY BY:

Dave Fairbank

A Quarter Century Ago NOTCHABOVETOURS.COM

T

wenty-five years ago, Americans voted a Republican wave into Congress, were transfixed by a low-speed chase along a California highway and murder investigation involving a once-revered athlete, and gathered around their TVs on Thursday nights to watch a show about nothing.

While Newt Gingrich and Co., O.J. Simpson, and Seinfeld resonated nationally, events and agreements on the Outer Banks in 1994 went a long way toward improving the lives and enhancing the experience of both residents and visitors.

“A lot of influential decisions were made back then that put us on the map today and gives us the relevance that we have,” said Dare County Commissioner Danny Couch, a lifelong Hatteras Island resident and businessman.

“There was some good government being done back then.”

Gov. Jim Hunt called 1994 “The Year of the Coast” amid a statewide celebration in early fall, and at least on the Outer Banks events bore that out. The year began with Manteo native Marc Basnight presiding over the NC senate as President Pro Tempore, the start of a record nine terms in the position, and the dedication of a three-acre municipal park in Nags Head. It concluded with an agreement that would bring the Internet to Dare County, which had approximately 24,000 full-time residents. The population has swelled to more than 37,000 today.

Connectivity, land, and water usage were among the area’s notable accomplishments throughout 1994. Construction of the second span of the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge was well underway – it would open in 1995 – that would help relieve a chokepoint on and off the island. Completion of the Melvin Daniels Bridge and road expansion in the Whalebone Junction area of Nags Head meant that residents and visitors had four or five lanes on Route 158 from the Route 64/Manteo intersection all the way to the Wright Brothers bridge.

More important were agreements that allowed people to connect personally and digitally. Well into the 1990s telephone calls within Dare County to and from Hatteras Island were toll calls. But in ’94 residents voted to enter into an Extended Area Service (EAS) contract that made all intra-county calls local.

In December ’94, the county partnered with an early digital provider for its first online connections. The agreement came only a couple months after a local, 15-member Technology Advisory Committee gave a demonstration to residents, businesses, and civic groups of the potential uses of the Internet, what was then referred to as the Information Superhighway. Interpath, the service provider, required that at least 50 entities sign on for connection in order to make it worth their while to come to the Outer Banks. Well over 50 customers signed on, and information highway rooms were set up and equipped at Manteo High School and Cape Hatteras School, the county’s only high schools at the time. Students and the community could access the Internet and connect with not only each other, but those similarly connected anywhere.

“Kids here in Hatteras,” Couch said, “people thought, hey, maybe we aren’t so isolated after all.”

Residents often had to travel to the mainland for medical attention in 1994, as the Outer Banks Hospital was still eight years from completion. Builders and homeowners got most of their supplies from local, family-owned and run

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hardware stores and lumber yards, as Home Depot and Lowe’s were still years away from opening stores on the Outer Banks. Grocery shopping was limited, as well, with only Food Lion and Seamark on the beach, and Food-O-Rama in Manteo, or small stores such as Wink’s and Cahoon’s. Now, there are more Food Lions, as well as Harris Teeter, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, and Fresh Market.

Water is a vital component of coastal communities, and local municipalities in ’94 addressed needs with long-term solutions. In March, Dare County bought the water system for Colington from Kill Devil Hills for $1.12 million, a move that lowered costs for residents of the unincorporated area, provided them with a voice in water management, and improved both water pressure and reliability.

Three months later, the county sold $9.69 million in utilities system revenue bonds for three water projects, the largest of which was for a $6.6-million water treatment plant for the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. That plant greatly improved water quality all over Hatteras Island and sparked growth in development and tourism, Couch said.

Manteo operated a new, $5-million wastewater plant in ’94, which was in part made possible by the town’s annexation of Pirate’s Cove. Today, Pirate’s Cove provides approximately 60 percent of Manteo’s tax base, said Mayor Bobby Owens, who was chairman of the county Board of Commissioners in ’94. Nags Head paid more than $600,000 for improvements to its water system and entered into a long-term, three-way agreement with the county and Kill Devil Hills.

“You’ve got to be able to secure your water in order to sustain what you presently have and in order to have any growth at all,” Nags Head town manager Cliff Ogburn said. “A lot of hard work between the town, the county and Kill Devil Hills to come to an agreement, I think that has solidified our future

Not Yet A Thing on The Outer Banks in 1994 • The Coastal Institute in Manteo was still 18 years away from opening (2012) • The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village was 8 years away from opening their doors to the public (2002) • First Flight High School was still a decade away from educating students on the Northern Dare Beaches (2004)

Been Around Awhile in 1994 • Well, The Outer Banks Itself. 1994 marked it’s 407th birthday (1587) • The Outer Banks Community Foundation had been around 14 years by then. Founded by David Stick, Jack Adams, George Crocker, Edward Greene, Andy Griffith, Martin Kellogg, and Ray White. (1982) • The Christmas Shop in Manteo, a place where everyone stopped while on vacation, had been established by Eddie Greene for 27 years by now (1967) • The Lost Colony had been in production for 57 years by 1994 (1937)

obx 25 years ago

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LOOKING BACK

for years. We kind of control our destiny now. It used to be a concern that we didn’t have enough water and everybody was scrambling to get water rights, but that ’94 agreement put us in great position.”

In February ‘94, the state Department of Transportation held a hearing to discuss plans to replace the Bonner Bridge across Oregon Inlet, which was at the end of its projected 30-year lifespan. The pricetag for a new bridge was $55-60 million at the time. Lawsuits, delays and countless hearings later, the county finally got a new, state-of-the-art bridge 25 years later. The new Basnight Bridge opened in early 2019, at a considerably higher cost than those early projections – $246 million.

A three-way agreement between Dare County, Kill Devil Hills, and the Nature Conservancy addressed educational and environmental concerns.

The town sold 21 acres to the county in the First Flight school complex area, a site on which First Flight High School was later built. The Nature Conservancy obtained 47 acres near Nags Head Woods that helped preserve the Run Hill Dune, a regional landmark.

“There were a whole lot of partnerships that seemed to be productive,” said KDH commissioner Terry Gray, who was town mayor in ‘94. “The thing that got me more than anything, it seemed that we were able to create a little bit more sense of community, especially with Kill Devil Hills, than maybe we experienced in the past. Improvements like adding the site for the high school, understanding that was going to be realized, even made us more of a community.”

Southern Shores celebrated the 15th anniversary of the town’s incorporation and established the county’s first curbside recycling program. It also launched Project Blue Sky, a partnership with federal and state agencies to improve home and commercial construction to better withstand conditions and storms in ocean areas.

Kitty Hawk completed a deal that preserved 461 acres in the heart of its maritime forest, Kitty Hawk Woods, and began to loosen public parking restrictions for residents and tourists wanting to take advantage of its beaches.

Dare County commissioners narrowly approved Phase 1 of the development of Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck, a plan that also included a center turning lane in anticipation of increased traffic.

Nags Head devoted a great deal of money and discussion to enhanced recreational facilities throughout 1994. In addition to the park that opened in January near Nags Head Woods, the town also approved a bike/hike path in South Nags Head the length of Old Oregon Inlet Road that would be completed in ’95, in partnership with the state Department of Transportation. Ogburn said that the park was the catalyst for other recreational areas in town, such as Satterfield Landing and Whalebone and Dowdy parks. The bike/hike path spurred paths and sidewalks later built in the northern end of town along both the Beach Road and the Route 158 Bypass, improving safety by getting residents and visitors off the roads.

The 1994 storm season was less severe than ’93, when Hurricane Emily did major damage. But Hurricane Gordon brushed the coast in November, and a Christmas-time low pressure system shut down parts of Route 12 south of Oregon Inlet and forced workers to shore up breached areas around Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. NCDOT moved approximately 200,000 cubic yards of sand from the Pamlico Sound to the ocean beaches between Avon and Buxton. An inter-agency task force that consisted of reps from the U.S. Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, and the state Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources was formed to address the challenges of keeping Route 12 open.

“It seems pretty easy now, but everything that Dare County has gotten, it had to fight for,” Owens said. “Now, we had Marc Basnight and we had some other people that were out there making it happen for us, there’s no doubt about that, but we’ve always been together and fighting as a team, and that’s what really has made it happen. It wasn’t one person, it was everybody working together for one common goal, and that was the betterment of Dare County. I know it sounds a little corny, but it’s true.” ³ Dave Fairbank lives in Kill Devil Hills. Prior to transplanting here, he was a sportswriter for 30 years at the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

29

Fresh Off the Grill Local Burgers STORY BY:

Lexi Holian

Above: JK’s Restaurant lines up rows of delicious burgers on the flame grill. Photo provided by JK’s Restaurant

F

all is the perfect time to fire up the grill, and here on the Outer Banks there is no shortage of inspiration for mouthwatering burgers.

From prime cuts of beef to succulent seafood to vegetarian options. The burgers at our local restaurants keep us coming back again and again. Here are four of our favorite recipes from JK’s, Sam & Omie’s, Mulligan’s, and Freshfit Cafe that you can make in your own kitchen for a taste of the Outer Banks at home!

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local burgers

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RECIPES

JK’s Restaurant Beef Burger INGREDIENTS: • 10 oz. ribeye steak • 2 10 oz. sirloin steaks • 4 Kaiser rolls or buns of your choice • 4 slices of Tillamook cheddar • 8 strips of bacon, cooked • 4 large romaine leaves • 4 slices of tomato • onions sliced to desired thickness OTHER: • hardwood lump charcoal

JKS RESTAURANT

STEP 1: Attach a 3/8” plate to your meat grinder. Run the ribeye and sirloins through once, then switch to the 1/4” plate and run the meat through again. (Note: You can also incorporate extra fat purchased from your local grocery store butcher if the meat does not have enough fat, as lean meat will not stick together well.)

STEP 2: Hand patty the ground meat into 4 patties (7 to 8 oz. each).

STEP 3: Cook burgers on the grill over hardwood lump charcoal, making sure to flip a few more times than you would when cooking on a gas grill.

STEP 4: Place burgers on Kaiser rolls with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onions.

Pair with hand-cut French fries if desired. Serves 4.

Sam & Omie’s Restaurant Shrimp Burger

SAM & OMIES

INGREDIENTS: • 8 to 10 medium-sized fresh shrimp (from 41 to 50 count lb.), tail off and peeled • slice of sharp cheddar cheese • hamburger bun • coleslaw • House of Autry seafood breading • Your choice of cocktail or tartar sauce STEP 1: Dredge shrimp in House of Autry seafood breading and fry to a light golden brown.

STEP 2: Lightly steam hamburger bun and melt cheddar cheese on the top lid.

STEP 3: Place shrimp on the bottom half of the bun, and top the melted cheese with coleslaw. Serve open-faced with cocktail or tartar sauce. Serves 1.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

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local burgers

MULLIGANS

RECIPES

Mulligan’s Grille The Mulligan’s Burger INGREDIENTS: • 2 lbs. 80/20 ground chuck • salt and pepper • 4 brioche buns • Duke’s mayo • 4 large romaine leaves • 4 thick slices of vine-ripened tomato • Vidalia or sweet yellow onions sliced to desired thickness SHUTTERSTOCK • 8 oz. blue crab meat, preferably claw • 8 strips of bacon, cooked • 4 slices of American cheese or your cheese of choice STEP 1: Hand patty the ground chuck into 4 patties (8 oz. each), and salt and pepper liberally. Once your grill or pan is hot, place burgers and gently push your thumb print into the center of each to keep them from puffing up for an even cook.

STEP 2: While the burgers are cooking, spread Duke’s mayonnaise on the brioche buns, and place the buns face down on a grill or hot pan to toast. Watch closely and pull off the pan when toasted nicely.

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

STEP 3: On the bottom half of the bun, place your romaine leaves, sliced tomato, and onion.

STEP 4: Heat the crab meat in a hot pan. (Note: The claw meat needs nothing extra added to make it delicious.)

STEP 5: After 6 minutes on one side, or longer if you like them cooked medium well or more, flip your burgers. Hit them with salt and pepper again, and grill for about 4 minutes for medium rare. Once you have them at your desired cook, top with bacon, crab meat, and cheese and let rest until the cheese is melted. You can cover with a bowl or larger pan to expedite the cheese melting process.

Serves 4.

local burgers

|

RECIPES

Freshfit Cafe Veggie Burger INGREDIENTS: • portabella mushroom cap • olive oil • quarter of a medium-sized onion, sliced • half of a medium-sized green pepper, sliced • pinch of salt • pinch of black pepper • teaspoon of paprika • teaspoon of cumin • multi-grain thin-sliced burger bun • 10 large leaves of spinach • slice of tomato • half of an avocado, sliced

STEP 1:

Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan. Salt and pepper the portabella mushroom cap and add to pan.

Cook 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat until you see moisture coming from the middle of the mushroom.

STEP 2:

Add green peppers and onions to the same pan. Reduce heat and put a lid on the pan to cook mushroom all the way through, about 6 to 8 minutes. When the green peppers and onions look soft, add paprika and cumin.

STEP 3:

Serve veggie burger open-faced with mushroom cap, green peppers, and onions on the bottom half of the bun and spinach, tomatoes, and avocado on the top half.

Serves 1.

FRESHFIT CAFE

Lexi Holian has covered everything from Miami food festivals to St. Barth sailing for travel and hospitality brands around the world. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the Outer Banks restaurant scene.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

33

R E M E M B E R I N G ...

STORY BY:

Steve Hanf ✦

PHOTOS COURTESY:

Legendary Outer Banks fisherman and boat building pioneer

W

hen news of Omie Tillett’s death emerged on July 5, tributes poured in from big city daily newspapers to local media outlets to tiny fishing and boating blogs.

Everyone had a story to share about the Outer Banks legend. And yet…

“Words don’t describe him. There’s not good enough words that can accurately describe him,” explains Dicki Harris.

After all, how do you describe someone who pioneered the local charter fishing industry? Someone whose mark on the boat building industry remains today? A man who spent his life with such humility and grace for his fellow man?

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

Lauren Buckner

omie tillett

|

OBX COMMUNITY

“When I met Omie Tillett, I was very, very young,” Paul Mann recalls.

“My father and mother used to hang out with Omie and (his wife) Patsy, and I remember really paying attention to what he was saying when I was 8, 9 years old: ‘Man, this guy knows what he’s talking about.’ He was a great influence as a human being, an adult figure, someone you could definitely model yourself after.”

The 90-year-old’s story began in south Nags Head, where his father “Sambo” had a small restaurant on the beach that was a gathering spot for his fellow commercial fishermen. (Today, Sam & Omie’s tells the Tillett family story on its menu placards for tourists and locals alike who still flock to the popular spot.) Omie left school after eighth grade to work as a mate on his father’s boat and had his own boat a few years later.

Sambo and his brother Toby, along with Omie and Tony Tillett – 12 years Omie’s junior – would build the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center into the charter fishing giant it is today.

“He fished offshore 65 years,” Tony says. “He was the leader. He taught us all. We all tried to keep up with him fishing and we couldn’t. He gave us something to work for.”

Omie’s skill, determination and generosity became the stuff of legend as the decades passed. To many, he was known simply as “Sportsman” – the name of his 53-foot boat. When it came to work ethic, Tony recalls some of the best advice he ever received from his older brother: “Do the best you can, and make sure it’s the damn best you can do,” Tony says. “That always stuck with me.”

Dicki Harris served as a mate for three years under Omie, asking for the job because he wanted to be inspired by the best there was. Omie didn’t just teach, Harris explains, but “made me learn,” with the idea that his apprentice would remember the job a whole lot better by taking the lead and running with it.

Harris would indeed run his own boat for years, and when Omie retired, he asked Harris if he’d buy the Sportsman.

“It’s hard to follow a legend, so I changed the name,” Harris says with a laugh. Today, he still takes out charters on the Fintastic. “It wasn’t fitting. That name belonged to him. They can name their boat that, but they’d never be ‘the Sportsman.’ ” In addition to the work ethic, Harris also recalls a toughness that kept Omie going.

“One time he fell and caught himself on the dock with both hands.

After two weeks he went to the doctor and finally found out he had broken both wrists,” Harris marvels. “At that point there was nothing to do but tough it out. Can you imagine having to steer the boat with both wrists broken?”

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

35

OBX COMMUNITY

|

omie tillett

Mann, who now crafts custom boats out of his shop in Manns Harbor, says Omie’s mechanical skills often get overlooked when people talk about his fishing and boat building skills. As an occasional mate for Omie, he had a front-row seat to the man’s ability to tear down and rebuild his own motors and fix any problem being experienced by any member of the Oregon Inlet fleet.

“He had a mechanical mind that was always going. He never graduated high school or went to college, but his common sense was far beyond a normal person’s,” Mann says. “Nothing was ever broken. It just wasn’t fixed yet.

He was like a MacGyver.”

Omie was fond of telling people, “If you have fuel and you have fire, something’s gonna start,” Mann remembers. And one of the most famous cases of that coming true involved not boats but lawnmowers, of all things.

When a hurricane hit Nags Head one year, people put flooded lawnmowers out with the trash. Omie collected them and Mann “watched him do his magic,” including using a drill to get the motors cranking rather than pulling them by hand. He got every one of them running and then gave them away to folks.

“He’d work on everybody’s stuff but his own,” Mann says. “He made sure everybody else had what they needed.”

Mann also calls Omie an icon of the boat building industry. Harris says Omie crafted his boats by taking the best ideas around at the time and making them better, and Omie is credited with creating the modern look of today’s Carolina Flare. Omie would fish in summer and build boats in winter before he had to stop because of an allergic reaction to the epoxy used in the industry.

“I’ve got boats in Oregon Inlet and Pirates Cove,” Mann says. “I’ve been building 31 years, and when I look at my first boats, Omie was a large influence in the looks and designs.”

More than anything, though, what people remember most about Omie was how great a guy he was. His obituary mentioned his “signature” greeting of “Wooooooo!” as well as his proclivity for handing out “holy ghost hugs.”

Tony marvels how he and his brother worked together side by side for more than 50 years and they “never had a cross word our whole life. That’s one of my best memories.”

And most important, Omie’s memory lives on in the traditional morning prayer – the blessing of the Oregon Inlet fleet.

Harris recalls the tradition beginning when he was mating for Omie, but can’t recall what sparked it. Tony says as the sun came up on each fishing day, Omie would exclaim, “ ‘Boys, let’s lay the foundation for another day.’ To say a prayer and give thanks for everything, that was like when you start a house, to build a foundation.”

At one point in his career, Omie elected to stop fishing on Sundays, further

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

testament to his religious beliefs.

“He was always preaching the word of God,” Mann recalls. “When he got saved, from then on he was an absolute believer and a winner of souls.”

Not every member of the charter fleet felt the same religious fervor, but everyone could get behind a prayer of thanksgiving for the sun and surf, as well as prayers of safety for all those heading out. Remarkably, the tradition of a morning prayer for the fleet spread from Oregon Inlet to Virginia Beach, Hatteras and Morehead City. It’s a mainstay at major tournaments on the coast as well.

“Once Omie retired, it got to where other people were giving the prayers besides him,” Harris says. “I think that’s what he wanted and it just carried on.

I think that’s his legacy.”

After a pause, Harris continued: “He was just such a gentleman. So religious. There’s no doubt he left to sit up there with God. Probably giving the morning prayer up there.”

Or, as Harris’ wife chimes in with a laugh, “No, he’s probably rebuilding the ark.”

Omie’s obituary credited his “exceptional accomplishments and exemplary service as a citizen in his community” as the driving force behind his receipt in 2009 of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in North Carolina. Other accolades include being a member of the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame and being named the 2010 Dare County Living Legend.

Tony says he never really understood people calling a funeral a “celebration of life” – until attending Omie’s service. “It was a celebration,” he recalls.

“They were right. He’s better off where he is now.”

Mann was honored to be one of Omie’s pallbearers. He marveled that so many people gathered in one spot, from fishermen to boat builders, old folks to kids, wanting to share how Omie had touched their lives.

“He had a little something for everybody,” Mann says. “We could still be down there right now with people walking up. It was a never-ending flow of people testifying to how Omie had made a difference.”

Those fond remembrances and the prayers that still crackle over the airwaves every morning in tribute to Omie have buoyed his family’s spirits in the weeks following his death.

“I miss him, but he’s not forgotten, every day,” Tony says. “He was a legend.” ³ Steve Hanf worked as a sportswriter for 13 years in North Carolina before finding a second career in the classroom. He currently advises the newspaper and the yearbook programs at First Flight High School and loves his life on the Outer Banks.

Locally Made STORY BY:

Outer Banks-made goods get a boost

Steve Hanf

Carolina Casual

Castles in the shifting sand. Shell collections from the edge of the surf. Holes-in-one at the mini golf course. Creative culinary combinations at the ice cream shop. Plenty of fantastic memories get made every day on the Outer Banks.

And a growing number of businesses are trumpeting the “OBXMADE” branding initiative started by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce to highlight products made from Currituck to Ocracoke and everywhere in between.

T

here are household names such as Front Porch Cafe, Kelly’s Catering, and Sanctuary Vineyards. Locally made treats from OBX Popcorn Shoppe and Kill Devil Rum Balls. Businesses that provide unique services such as Earth Resources and even Three Dog Ink – publisher of this magaSHUTTERSTOCK zine. No matter the differences in what they produce, there’s a common desire to proudly claim OBXMADE status.

“With our little business model, it’s like OBXMADE was designed around what we do here,” says David Osborne, who owns Kill Devil Rum Balls. “It’s perfect what the Chamber is doing and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

Osborne explains that OBXMADE appeals to those “Outer Banks fanatics” from all over the country who want to take a piece of the beach home with them.

Why grab a souvenir with a “Made in China” sticker on it when there are plenty of local options?

“These people love the allure of the Outer Banks,” Osborne says. “The OBXMADE sticker on every single box is a huge boost for us given our specific

market. It’s similar to the ‘Outer Banks Catch’ that the restaurants enjoy: People know this is seafood from right here. Our market, the people who will buy these appreciate that.”

The program began in 2017 when the Chamber began looking at ways to improve economic sustainability for local businesses at the same time Dare County officials were looking to launch a creative branding initiative for the community. OBXMADE was the perfect solution, explains Chamber president and CEO Karen Brown.

OBXMADE is now a trademarked logo that area businesses can display.

For a $50 fee, Chamber members can apply for the OBXMADE designation, which gives the businesses the right to use the logo, a special display in the Chamber offices and at local events, and publicity in Chamber publications.

Efforts are being made as well to include a portal page of OBXMADE members on the Chamber website to assist with online sales.

“We wanted to celebrate those things that are locally made,” Brown says.

“Hopefully in the end it creates more business, creates more jobs, creates more

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

37

OBX COMMUNITY

|

obxmade

OBX Popcorn Shoppe

Sanctuary Vineyard

Muse Originals

Duck Donuts

Paul Mann Custom Boats

38

myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

economic impact for the community. That’s a lot of why people come here, what makes this place so unique: There’s so much of that homegrown, homemade product here that people can wrap their arms around and get excited about.”

Ami Hill sees that excitement when customers walk into Muse Originals OBX, a haven of locally produced art.

“That’s the thing that keeps me going, the people coming in and their surprise and excitement when they see all these unique things made by local people. It makes it super rewarding,” Hill says. “My whole mission with this store is to support local artists and build the momentum for the ‘shop local’ movement.

When I saw the Chamber help out with something like that, I thought it was the perfect fit for us.”

Hill has seen a shift in younger generations seeking out unique pieces rather than something that says “OBX” on one side and “Made in China” on the other. Those same millennials would be perfect for Brown’s idea for an OBXMADE portal on the Chamber website.

Brown envisions that kind of online listing allowing someone to put together an Outer Banks gift pack for Christmas or to announce the coming year’s vacation spot: maybe some Front Porch Coffee, Kill Devil Rum Balls, soap from Classic Suds in Manns Harbor and a beachy souvenir from Muse Originals.

Or a visitor could place an order to bring a piece of the OBX home to their porch with furniture made by Carolina Casual in Jarvisburg. After all, there’s plenty of beach-themed furniture to be had on the OBX. But the only beachthemed furniture that’s OBXMADE comes from Mike McClanahan’s Carolina Casual.

“For my retail store, it’s imperative,” he says of the Chamber’s branding initiative. “People need to know we’re manufacturing our product, and every other store up and down the beach has products made from Canada to the Midwest to New England … to Wilmington. We’re the only ones who do it here with that kind of quality. This gives us the local recognition that we haven’t had.”

Other businesses already in the program include Paul Mann Custom Boats, Coastal Impressions and Duck Donuts. Some use the OBXMADE tag more than others, Brown says. The first business to join the initiative was Earth Resources

obxmade

of Kitty Hawk, which can’t exactly put stickers on its mulch.

Still, it was a perfect fit for owner Tim Beacham.

“We’ve been in business 26 years and we’ve always sold mulch, but other people made it until a year and a half ago,” Beacham explains. “We started to bring in debris from landscaping and make it into a wood product. They were kicking their program off and we were kicking off our product at the same time.”

Now, Earth Resources turns local landscaping debris from commercial operations into nice mulch in three colors: OBX Black, OBX Red, and OBX Cherry Brown. It’s all OBXMADE. Osborne, who makes Kill Devil Rum Balls with partner Julie Tafelski and three friends in their home in Colington (in an FDA-approved facility, in case you were wondering), uses the logo on all of his packaging. Now nine years into the business – yes, the rum balls pre-date the opening of Kill Devil Rum, but it’s now a natural partnership for both parties – Osborne estimates sales of 50,000 rum balls last summer as demand grows and grows for the OBX treat.

This despite Osborne’s pirate-themed business cards, which proclaim him to be a “scurvy hornswaggler – that’s a dishonest business person with whom you do not wish to engage,” he explains with a hearty laugh,” and Julie’s moniker of “pirate wench.”

“We’re offering a little piece of the Outer Banks, and it’s working,” Osborne says. “It’s the perfect thing in the perfect place for the perfect market.”

Which is why it’s such a perfect fit for OBXMADE. Currently, just 13 businesses have joined the initiative, but Brown envisions a number of others applying for the label as word spreads and time slows a bit in the fall. She would love to see at least 10 more businesses seek out OBXMADE status and then feature all of them at a special event down the road.

“I think they love the idea. It’s just taking the time to fill out the application,” Brown says. “It’s not that long, but (in summer) you don’t bother anybody for any of that stuff. Their hair’s on fire during the summer months. I think once we can really build the brand it will be easier to get people to want to apply for it and be part of it.”

An advisory board reviews applications on a quarterly basis. For his part, Beacham hopes to see other business owners see the value in this branding initiative.

“There’s so many companies that make things here on the Outer Banks and people don’t realize the Chamber has come up with a good tool to pull all those people together,” he says. “I hope everybody who makes something here on the Outer Banks will join.” ³ Steve Hanf worked as a sportswriter for 13 years in North Carolina before finding a second career in the classroom. He currently advises the newspaper and the yearbook programs at First Flight High School and loves his life on the Outer Banks.

|

OBX COMMUNITY

Three Dog Ink

Kill Devil Rum Balls

SHOP LOCAL

@MuseOBX

Come Experience Muse Originals Local Art * Handmade Jewelry & Gifts Hand-blown Glass MP 2.5 Beach Road (Next to Art’s Place) 4622 N. VA Dare Trail Kitty Hawk, NC

252-564-2038 * museoriginals.com

Live Glass Studio On Site!

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

39

of the

Outer Banks W

STORY BY:

Tara Turner

e all recognize the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a place of sunny skies, sandy beaches, and pristine beauty. But with a piece of land that encompasses so much history, also comes some rather spooky tales of a few haunted locations. Whether you are a believer or not, the Outer Banks has been said to possibly be one of the most haunted places in the United States. And with such a historical past including pirates and shipwrecks, how could it not be? So whether you are a believer or not, check out a few of these eerie spots and decide for yourself if they hold any paranormal activity…...or if they are just simply folklores being passed down from age to age!

The Terror at Teach’s Hole - Ocracoke Ocracoke Island is very much a part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and is located at the southernmost tip of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

At this tip, there is a very small channel that has been named Teach’s Hole. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Ocracoke Inlet, and then it all ties together into the much larger waters of the Pamlico Sound. Right in this very area is where Edward Teach (if that name doesn’t ring a bell, then maybe the notorious name ‘Blackbeard’ will!) was killed by Lt. Robert Maynard of the British Navy in 1718. Once Blackbeard’s supremacy of terror had come to an end, he was treated in the very same way that most pirates around that time were treated - he was beheaded. His head was then hung from Lt Maynard’s ship’s bowsprit, and his body was unceremoniously tossed overboard. Witnesses of Blackbeard’s death said that his head continued to scream even after the beheading, and claim that his body swam around the ship before finally disappearing beneath the dark waters. Since the days of his death, there have been many reports from both tourists and Outer Banks locals, that have seen Blackbeard’s headless body swimming around in Teach’s Hole. There have also been reports of a headless man seen wandering around the beaches of Ocracoke, possibly searching for its lost head?

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

supernaturals

|

LOCAL LORE

The Haunting at Hatteras

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

When you hear the word ‘lighthouse’, if you are anything like an OBX local, then your mind may go straight to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The thought and vision of this lighthouse is iconic and one of the most cherished landmarks on the entire east coast. When driving by this beautiful monument, you may never suspect that it could have such a dark and gloomy side, but the many haunted spirits and spooky stories would tell you just the opposite. Those who have sailed close to the lighthouse at night have reported spotting the ghost of Theodosia Burr, a woman who was killed as a result of a shipwreck in 1812. She is seen strolling along the sandy beach, haunting the Cape Hatteras lighthouse still to this very day. Another chilling tale at this very same location, is the story of the Carroll A. Deering ship. It is now famously known as the ‘Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks.’ It washed ashore back in 1921 without a single passenger on board.

Upon years of further investigations by the FBI, there has never been a single trace of the crew, or the ship’s logs.

SHUTTERSTOCK

SHUTTERSTOCK

SHUTTERSTOCK

The Recurrent at Roanoke Inn

Manteo

RON SISTARE

In the tiny coastal town of Manteo located on Roanoke Island, visitors will find the charming Roanoke Island Inn. The Inn has been around, almost 160 years, being built in 1860. It may sound like a perfect and quiet little weekend trip, but according to some, looks can be deceiving. Former employees at the Inn have reported that a prior owner, Roscoe Jones, is a spirit that still avidly haunts the Inn. The legend says that Jones was fired from a United States Post Office and was so distraught and embarrassed, that he secluded himself in a room at the inn until the very day that he died. It is said that a man in a postal uniform can frequently be seen coming and going at the Inn.

ROANOKE ISLAND INN

The Bone Chilling Black Pelican Restaurant

Kitty Hawk

BLACK PELICAN

The now popular Black Pelican restaurant just so happens to be located inside of a building that once served as the sixth (of seven) Lifesaving Stations. All seven stations were responsible for rescuing ships that faced trouble on the open sea. Back in 1884, the Keeper of Station Number 6 was Captain James Hobbs. Hobbs was well respected by his lifesaving crew, and when orders were given, he expected conformity. In July of that year, an argument arose between Hobbs and a member of his crew. A fellow named T.L. Daniels. Now Daniels didn’t enjoy taking orders all that much, and made it a point to show his disapproval for Hobbs. After the Captain had reached his breaking point and decided to no longer tolerate Daniels’ harassment, he shot him square in the head. Daniels was then allegedly buried at sea without any witnesses or officials present, making it so the Captain was never accused or found guilty of the murder. Visitors of The Black Pelican restaurant report that they still to this day sense the spirit of T.L. Daniels roaming around the very area where he was once murdered.

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

41

LOCAL LORE

|

supernaturals

The Wandering White Deer of The Lost Colony

Roanoke Island

Back in 1587, there were over 100 men and women that traveled from England to Roanoke Island to discover and establish the first English settlement in the new world. As we all know, Virginia Dare was the first English child born in that new colony. A short time after her birth, the colony’s governor, John White, who also happened to be Virginia’s grandfather, sailed back to England to conduct business and retrieve supplies for the settlers. After approximately three years, he returned to find both the settlement and his home had vanished. Even to this very day, the mystery still exists as to what exactly happened to those early settlers. From there this is where the chilling legend was born. The story is often told that Virginia Dare left the colony to live with the Croatoan Indians. One day she got into a heated dispute with a native witch doctor, who put her under a spell, and she was transformed into a white doe. It is said that the ghost of Virginia Dare still roams Roanoke Island in the eerie form of that white deer, and has been reported to be seen frequently on the island.

FRANCESCO PETRARCH

Award-Winning

Outer Banks Builder/Remodeler

Parade Of Homes REPEAT WINNER

Fine Custom Homes & Renovations Commercial & Residential

acs-obxbuilder.com 252.599.2999

ACS-OBX LLC License #80229

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

The Graveyard Of The Atlantic - Outer Banks

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is often times better known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

And for good reason. There have been more shipwrecks, and lives lost on these barrier islands, per square mile, than anywhere else in the world. These wrecks are all due to shoals, storms, and even war. People have reported seeing ‘ghost ships’ from our shores sailing along the waters of the Atlantic and it’s adjoining sounds. From those ships, screams and cries for help can even be heard. In the present day, many choose the barrier islands of Outer Banks as their destination vacation. But there is much more to this area than just sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets. The OBX, or often better known, the Graveyard of the Atlantic, is the final resting place for many unfortunate ships and crews.

Do you have goosebumps yet? If you have anymore spooky stories having to do with the Outer Banks, email them to us at editor@threedogink.com ³ Tara Turner is a freelance writer, stay-at-home mom, and OBX enthusiast.

Knock Knock who’s there?

N

ORANGE

Orange who?

OraI nmgebaycoku ignlasdchool? '

ational Knock Knock Day shares its day with with Halloween, long thought to be a children’s holiday. Taking these two ideas and combining them, we asked you to tell us your favorite kids knock knock joke. Here are some of your answers.

Taylor Ostlund

Jonathan Dietz Kitty Hawk

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Lettuce.

Lettuce who?

Lettuce in it’s freezing outside.

Kill Devil Hills KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Owls Owls who?

Yes they do

Alicia Adams Sutherland Nags Head

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Nobody Nobody who? ........

Fall 2019 | myouterbankshome.com

43

I’M JUST SAYIN’

|

knock knock

Savanna Williams Kill Devil Hills

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Robin.

Robin who?

Robin you, now hand over the cash.

Jody O’Donnell Nags Head

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Bless Bless who?

Why’d you say that? I didn’t even sneeze.

Terry Spittler

Beamon Hines

Corolla

Manteo

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Nun Nun who?

Nun ya Business

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Dozen.

Dozen who?

Dozen anyone wanna let me in?

John T Harper Jr. Manteo

Tammie Milliman

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Spell Spell Who? Ok. W - H - O

Kill Devil Hills

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Boo Boo Who? It’s just a joke I didn’t mean to make you cry

Kate Brindle Lansing, MI

KnocK KnocK. Who’s there?

Broken pencil.

Broken pencil who?

Never mind; it’s pointless.³

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myouterbankshome.com | Fall 2019

Greg Smrdel is a standup comedian who has no Knock Knock jokes in his act. Though he might now....

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Duck Oceanside $749,000 - MLS #102919 6 BR/5.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Corolla Oceanfront $2,100,000 - MLS #103615 7 BR/6.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Duck Oceanside $999,000 - MLS #93814 8 BR/6.2 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Corolla Oceanfront $1,975,000 - MLS #105762 7 BR/7.1 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

Harbinger Soundfront $599,000 - MLS #103776 4 BR/3 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Duck Oceanside $790,000 - MLS #93112 6 BR/5.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Southern Shores Westside $349,000 - MLS #105778 4 BR/3.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

Kill Devil Hills B/W Hwys $699,900 - MLS #106071 6 BR/5.2 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Powells Point Pondfront $44,900 - MLS #101536 LOT Call Fran at 252-202-8467

Southern Shores Semi-OF $1,200,000 - MLS #106129 4 BR/4.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Barry Breit 252-202-1043

Fran Kapinos 252-202-8467

Stacey Baittinger 252-202-5588

Gray Berryman 252-573-9503