Before they
Arrive
The Silent Backdrop of Tourism
Off the Beaten Path
Hidden OBX Monuments
Drilling
for Answers
The Offshore Drilling Debate
frozen drink recipes âœˇ children at play museum âœˇ purple martins
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what’s inside CONTENTS
HOME MY OUTER BANKS
enjoying the coastal lifestyle
PUBLISHER Mary Ann Williams, Gene Williams EDITOR Susan Selig Classen ART DIRECTOR Sue Colao GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lanie Whitaker SALES ASSOCIATES Ann Kaplan, Marie Walker
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feature 4
Before They Arrive A behind-the-scenes look at industries and workers who make yours, the perfect vacation week.
education 36
food
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12
Granitas!
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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2015
Icy. Fruity. And oh-so-fun!
Learning is Child’s Play
The Outer Banks Children @ Play Museum.
CONTRIBUTORS Susan Selig Classen, Meaghan Beasley, Jane Elfring, Rosie Hawthorne, Lexi Holian, Lacy Laird, Michelle Wagner PHOTOGRAPHY Children @ Play Museum, Eva Beach, Susan Selig Classen, Rosie Hawthorne, Lexi Holian, LA Times, Erica Mason, NotTheAnswerNC.org, purplemartin.org, purplemartinroost.com, shutterstock.com, soundadventures.com, theOBXBeachBum, thestate.com, Meaghan Beasley, Marie Walker DISTRIBUTION Jason Adams 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
myouterbankshome.com
36 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.
what’s inside CONTENTS
30
40
22
Farmhouse Revival
A 200 year-old farmhouse is authentically restored on the Currituck mainland.
22
community 30
home
Drilling for Answers
Residents and homeowners on the Outer Banks respond to offshore drilling efforts.
Off the Beaten Path We travel off the beaten path to discover more markers and memorials than you knew existed.
40
safety 16
Digging for Trouble How seemingly innocent pastimes can have disastrous consequences.
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Beach & Sound Safety Tips No matter which waterfront you choose, keep these tips in mind.
20
Carmageddon! Local police give advice to drivers, bikers, and pedestrians.
must-see 26
Home Sweet Bridge
The annual influx of purple martins means 100,000 winged visitors.
local buzz 34
OBX Milestones Recognizing local individuals and businesses as they reach important milestones.
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A Return to Safe Harbor A peripatetic military family finds their safe harbor on the Outer Banks.
26 Spring 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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“… the better these people were at their jobs, the more invisible they became.” – Jeanne Marie Laskas, Hidden America
before they arrive - the silent backdrop of tourism
You will undoubtedly see and speak with the waitress who brings your food, but you rarely see how your clean sheets and towels arrived hours before your family arrived. And you may chat at length with a shop owner or a boat captain, but it’s only when a garbage collection doesn’t happen that you notice what that worker does during your vacation. Here we take a behind-the-scenes look at a few key industries that are devoted to making your time here the perfect vacation. *Names of people and properties have been changed where noted.
Kerry* - Pools and Hot Tubs them for their contribution to her duties. I’m not in Kerry’s work van for long before I notice the strong smell of chlo“I love the cats because they keep away the snakes,” Kerry says. rine. Over time, the corrosive effect of pool chemicals has taken its toll on her While this pool may not be on her list to clean today, she stops by anyway radio and other automobile amenities. She stopped repairing them long ago. to keep a watchful eye on algae before it blooms and to keep the skimmer It’s a weekday morning in October and we’re traveling a circuitous route empty; both tasks will make her weekly cleaning sessions less to houses that seem to be within shouting distance as the problematic. crow flies. I’m shadowing Kerry who is getting pools ready STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY Each house location has its challenges. Soundfront pool for the seasonal closing or what may be the last rental week Susan Selig Classen maintenance means keeping bugs, decaying leaves and of the season. Pool companies can earn their stripes (and snakes at bay; oceanfront pool care is challenged by sand their summer approval ratings) on the work they do in fall. A and a northeast wind that will take away each precious degree of heat. problem-free opening leads to happy homeowners and renters in spring… and Kerry may start her first pools as early as 6 a.m. to beat some of the peak both of those successes have their beginnings long before vacationers arrive. Saturday traffic. “I love being out and seeing nature,” she says. “There are over 29,000 pools between here and Hatteras,” says Kerry, a She’s particularly fond of seeing the joy on people’s faces as they get out 50-something beach lover who is now in her 11th year as a pool cleaner in the of their cars and will painfully describe those who make a last trek over the northern beaches of the Outer Banks. She will say that a small pool service dunes to glimpse the ocean before traveling home. “That’s the kind of person company like the one that employs her with 100 pool cleaning accounts can I know I would get along with,” Kerry smiles. make a living if they add installations and repairs to their list of services, but Pet peeves? Early arrivals. “People who show up asking if they can ‘just “if you’re just cleaning 20 pools a week, it’s not enough to make a living.” She put some stuff down here’ means I’m stepping over Junior who’s cranky and explains that a lot of teachers and waiters who have flexibility in the summer will crying while I’m trying to get their chemicals balanced.” An unattended child use pool cleaning as a supplement to their other income. near a pool during check-in day is a dangerous setup. “Where are my cats?” she asks as we let ourselves into the soundfront She hauls out a hammer and taps in a few errant deck nails and then Shangri-la of one of her pools. (With such familiarity, it’s hard not to feel like sprays Round-Up on weeds that are threatening a hot tub pump. an interloper on someone else’s life.) She has pet treats at the ready to reward
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
FEATURE
behind the scenes “No one realizes how many trades I end up doing by the end of the day. I’m not just a pool cleaner; I end up doing a little landscaping, housekeeping and carpentry work too; and sometimes I end up being a detective. If a real estate company tells me the house is empty one week and I go by there and see signs of the house being used, I have to find out if the owner is using it unannounced …or something worse.” The biggest surprise? “People can be slobs! It’s not uncommon to see dirty diapers, decaying food and dog poop on the deck. The grossest thing I found was a cucumber with a condom on it. And some folks will use the pool as a foot wash after their beach walk instead of the outdoor showers or hoses.” She adds, “and those are the same folks who are upset when they realize our mid-week service is for a chemical balance and safety-check. It’s not for a pool cleaning!” The perks are pretty good, though, the single mom explains, “I’ll work four mornings a week - five hours each day; that [schedule] allows me to see my daughter more. If I worked a traditional 9 to 5, I’d never see her.” She supplements her income with other odd jobs including light construction detail work during the winter months. “Everyone on the Outer Banks has to do what they can to make it work, she says.”
Carol* and Barbara* - Real Estate Reservations It’s a cold Friday in February and local schools have been closed for three days because of single digit temperatures and icy roads. Surprisingly, it is weather conditions like these that mean today is ground zero for you and your hot and humid vacation plans. If you didn’t sign up for ‘your week’ at a favorite cottage before you left the beach last year, chances are, in order to make your summer plans possible, you will end up speaking to someone on the Outer Banks in the wintertime. To get a sense of what reservationists hear, I’m listening in on the 800-reservation lines at a real estate company that average 125 calls per day. During their peak reservation months of January, February, and March they can receive up to 250 calls. Carol,* the director of reservation sales and guest services explains that the conversations can range from what you would consult a therapist for: “We think my son’s wife has been cheating on him…” (and the caller is hoping for a magical vacation week to heal family wounds) to questions you would ask a marine biologist: “Are the jellyfish going to be bad during my week?” (“That’s up to the ocean,” is Carol’s reply.) I get the sense that Barbara, who is fielding calls on the day that I am listening, can handle any questions, all with a smile. One of todays’ callers is asking about a heated pool and travel insurance while planning a stay at Palladium,* a luxury soundfront home. The Corolla home rents for over $7,000 per week in the summer. When the customer’s request involves more research with the property owner, Barbara’s quick to suggest that she will call the owner and give the prospective renter a sense of when he will get answers. There are almost 600 houses from Hatteras to Corolla represented by this one call center and only 11 reservationists to field calls. Barbara acknowledges that the internet has changed their jobs. “[Customers] can book at 3 a.m. online if they want. Sure, it’s convenient. But for those who aren’t internet savvy, we can do that extra hand-holding,” she explains. Sixty percent of this company’s rental weeks are booked online while the reservationists will fill the remaining vacancies. When comparing her company’s contracts to online transactions between renter and owner, Carol says, “they may be cheaper, but we can offer more confidence [with the transaction] than when an owner lives out of state” and who may not be responsive to repair needs or possible double-booking incidents.
She recalls one incident, “Our renters picked up their keys and paperwork and when they pulled into the driveway, there was already a car sitting in the driveway.” The folks in the driveway had printed emails showing they had booked and paid for the same house through Craig’s List but had no way of getting a house key. Their agreement paperwork was a scam and it was the real estate company’s guests who remained at the house for the week. Just as the call volume decreases from the winter booking season, the influx of owners and renters in the spring creates a new demand on this same call center. “Weekends are mandatory in this business,” says Carol. Seventy-five percent of their homes change over on Saturday. The remainder change occupants on Friday or Sunday. “We try to get homeowners to change [away from Saturday],” says Carol, “because the more desirable, large, oceanfront homes will rent regardless of check-in day.”
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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FEATURE
behind the scenes
Her reply: “Boards leading down to the ocean tend to get drifts of sand on them will not be swept clean by the company.” “The trampoline is not bouncy.” (It was a fabric pool cover, not a trampoline). While renters may never meet the voice on the other end of the reservation line, 95% of renters at this company state that they would rent again from them on the check-out questionnaire. Carol’s last piece of advice for any caller who will listen? “You will always need more beach towels than you think.”
Mike and Lynn – Public Works, Solid Waste Management
But she understands that the Saturday turnover day is more attractive to vacationers limiting their time away from work to five weekdays. Meanwhile, Carol advises renters, “avoid the three-mile bridge and take I-64 instead, especially if your destination is anywhere south [of Duck].” When it comes to complaints that get called in during season, “I’ve heard it all” Carol says. Common complaints concern air conditioning, clogged toilets, and lost keys, but some complaints, they can’t do anything about: “Someone needs to come and get rid of (fill in the blank).” Her reply: “Yes, there are mosquitos (or foxes or flies) on the Outer Banks and no, our company is not responsible for removing them.” “Someone needs to come clear the sand off of our walkway.”
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
It’s early morning and I’m following a zig-zag path on side streets between the highways in Kill Devil Hills to capture photographs of what trash collectors see on a typical morning. All the signs are there of a fun vacation week: garbage lids that won’t close, broken beach chairs, deflated pool floats, and recycling containers that are overfilled with bottles and cans. Joseph “Mike” Wilson, a 15-year employee with Kill Devil Hills’ Solid Waste Department says, the first thing you hear when there’s an overflow of trash is, “It’s not my trash; it’s the people before.” As vacationers slip into vacation mode and lose track of days of the week, it’s not unusual to miss the designated days for trash pick-up. Complaints start coming in as soon as new renters arrive to find garbage cans that are already full. Wilson’s driving route begins at 5 a.m. during summer and he’s been known to work a full 12 hours in order to finish the route. The town hires only one extra driver during the summer. Wilson says, “Some people think my job is easy, but I have a lot to watch out for: kids, cars, even what I dump out… ashes can be a mess.” Lynn Lindsey who has been with the department for 29 years and is currently serving as crew leader reports that during peak season, Kill Devil Hills alone will produce 70-80 tons of trash per week. (That figure is cut in half in February.) When non-recycled, solid waste leaves the Outer Banks, it travels 30 miles to the Stumpy Point transfer station and is then hauled another 100 miles to the Bertie County landfill. Lindsey estimates that only 50-60% of the homes in their routes utilize the voluntary recycling program. When asked about other challenges to the job, Lindsey says that he wished people stored their cans off of the street “because then we’re wasting time dumping empty cans.” Wilson added “a lot of people put [the can] out backwards,” so I have to get out of the truck and turn it around before pick up. When photos were taken for this article, one homeowner rushed out to say “there was no better driver than Mike. You couldn’t pick a nicer guy [to interview].” Not one to brag, Wilson had a hard time explaining the endorsement. (cont’d on page 8.)
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FEATURE
behind the scenes When prodded, he answers, “Well, if trash falls out, I get out and pick it up; I also help some elderly folks on my route if they need it.” Answers come quickly when asked about the benefits of the job. “Meeting people,” says Wilson, “I love the kids; they go crazy over the truck!” Certainly there are thanks like tips and gifts at Christmas time, which are appreciated, but he also receives plenty of cards that simply say they’re glad for the service he provides. One resident wrote, “The town is lucky to have an employee like you.” Wilson says, “It means a lot … to just get a ‘thank you.’”
Allison* - Linen service Anyone who has ever rented a vacation week at a beach home knows the drill for the last night in “their cottage.” Meal planning revolves around using what is left in the refrigerator and pantry. The car is loaded with a few suitcases. Everything else is staged and ready to be checked out of the house to comply with the rental agreement - typically 10 a.m. While these departures seem to happen too early, renters will often discover the army-like precision of pre-dawn linen deliveries on their doorstep for the next wave of guests to arrive. Just like the magic of an unseen Santa, large duffels or plastic bins appear with cryptic details of someone else’s stay on tags that reveal towel counts, bedding arrangements, and how many linen bags were part of the delivery. Allison* is the office manager for a major linen company that employs over 200 employees during the summer. In ad-
dition to restaurant and medical linen service, her company also provides clean linens to rental properties from as far north as the four-wheel drive properties in Corolla and as far south as Ocracoke. “The first thing you’ll notice is how fresh and clean it smells and how sterilized our floors are,” says Allison. Those are not the first adjectives that come to mind when envisioning a receiving area for dirty linens and towels. She credits the production and general managers for being “neat freaks” to make that possible. Also, the company recently earned their medical accreditation which is the highest sterilization standard for linen service. What that means to renters is that their rental towels and linens undergo the same sterilization process that surgical linens receive. It’s a tough accreditation and requires a separate stream of treatment for all three types of laundry. When asked about the specific challenges of the job, she speaks of the fire hazards of lint and the high temperatures required to kill bed bugs, but one aspect is relevant to beach lovers everywhere, “As soon as the warmer weather hits, you start seeing the suntan lotion.” Zinc-based products will wash out, but oil-based sunscreens require a specific surfactant to break down oils and prevent a permanent stain. Allison says that before this detergent was developed, the stains were so permanent, “you could see the shape of a hand where someone had wiped their hand off on the bed.” It takes a special kind of person to work any of the summer shifts. She says that like most commercial laundry facilities, “there’s no air-conditioning here…so when it’s 96ºF outside, it’s not a comfortable environment inside.” It is a challege to find enough local workers to staff druing peak summer months. Many of the summer employees are in this country on temporary H-2B work visas. The massive warehouse buildings are used 24/7 in peak season, although Allison admits, “We have to drop back to 20-hour days during some parts of summer to let the machines cool down.”
Nancy* and Addie* – Housekeeping It’s a month before the Memorial Day rush and I’m observing a training session for housekeepers at a large real estate company’s warehouse on the mainland. On a typical summer Saturday alone, these housekeepers will make it possible for more than 400 groups of vacationers to move into sparkling clean cottages. I’m surrounded by a variety of folks: moms and teachers trying to make extra money during the summer months, teenagers who in a few weeks will graduate from high school in their hometown one hour away from the beach, and a few husband-wife teams ready to work together on summer weekends to increase their family income. The high school senior I interview held this same job last summer and is able to clean four or five houses each Saturday. She explains why she likes the job, “I like cleaning… and it’s better than a fast food job.” Today’s trainer is Nancy who has spent many summers cleaning rental cottages. “Your job is to make us look good,” pointing to the handful of customer service and company representatives who are standing in the back of the room today. That seems a lofty goal where the tasks include unclogging shower drains, changing lightbulbs, cleaning grills, emptying charcoal, and picking up pet waste along with all the other conventional tasks associated with a clean house. Cleaners are paid between $30 and $500 per residence with the lower figure representing (cont’d on page 10.)
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
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FEATURE
behind the scenes
a one-bedroom condo and the higher figure a 16-bedroom home. Nancy adds, “Your job is more important than just cleaning toilets. Everything starts with housekeeping. Pay attention to your first impression when you pull up into the driveway; if you see a plastic bottle that has blown into the front yard, the guest will see that too and will start picking apart [the cleanliness] of the whole house.” The first of many surprises discovered during the training session is that while cleaning chemicals are provided to housekeepers (which helps the company comply with OSHA laws), none of the other tools of the trade are. Cleaners must provide their own vacuums, mops, brooms, grill scrubbers, squeegees, rags, paper towels, you-name-it – even toilet brushes. Personal appearance on the job is covered during the training but not just from the safety standpoint, such as wearing closed-toe shoes, but also for possibly making a favorable impression on the homeowners and renters they may never meet. In fact, cleaners are reminded that it’s best not to chat with or give too
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
many details to owners and renters who happen to arrive while they are cleaning. No one wants to hear that their prized real estate investment or the house where they will be sleeping was filthy a few hours ago. “It’s best to just say, we’re getting it ready for you; it’ll be nice and clean when we leave,” says Nancy. One woman I speak with, Addie, is responsible for a single house each and every Saturday, and she works alone. She prefers it that way. Addie’s house is an oceanfront resort in Nags Head often rented by large families for special events. This will be her fourth season with the company, and she has earned a reputation for the exacting demands she places on her own performance. Addie remains above the fray when it comes to “callbacks” (when cleaners get called back to a home that was not cleaned sufficiently) or “trashed houses.” An entire page in the training manual is devoted to the latter. Nancy describes trashed houses as “looking like they ate breakfast and left…it’s like they just woke up at 9:55 and threw the kids in the car.” The manual further describes it as having “extensive damage and excessive filth,” and shows a photograph of a room that looks like a frat party was held there. (For just that reason, most local real estate companies avoid signing rental agreements for graduation celebrations and college spring breaks and will only rent to groups of family members.) Before tackling a trashed house, cleaners must document it with photos and report to the company. The housekeeping department, not the cleaner, will determine if the house is indeed ‘trashed,’ resulting in extra pay for the cleaners. Sometimes, it is necessary to send a second team to the same house where they all rush to meet the check-in deadline for the next guests. If the company passes the expense onto the previous renters, the surcharge is based on the number of extra hours and repairs it takes to prepare the house for the next guests. Many of the cleaners I speak with say that getting the trashed house designation (and extra pay) are too rare. Nancy explains that the company is conservative with the designation because, “We’re not going to pay you less if a renter left it really clean, so why should we pay extra for a filthy one?” Addie does not worry about her single resort home ever becoming a trashed house. Her secret? “I greet guests [when they arrive] and give them a tour. I tell them, “Now if you don’t like it, if you don’t think it’s clean, tell me what’s wrong with it so I can fix it before I leave.” (She lives an hour’s drive away.) She starts naming the repeat guests she is looking forward to seeing this summer. “I’ve been invited to cookouts and for breakfast the next Saturday,” One person told her, “The best part of this vacation was meeting you!” Her eye contact commands my attention in a warehouse where fifty other people are milling around us. She uses our interview to demonstrate how she is not the invisible worker behind someone’s vacation. “You have to engage them and make them feel important … like YOU are the most important person in my life.” She pauses but holds her gaze, “Look. My goodness! We just connected, you and I, just by talking to one another. See how that happens?” ■ Susan Selig Classen is currently the editor of five publications for Three Dog Ink Media including My Outer Banks Home magazine. Since her first summer job on the Outer Banks in the early 80s, she has held many jobs in several states and remains fascinated by how people decide what they want to be when they grow up.
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. m a e r c S u o Y . m a I Scre . . . r o F m a e r c S l l a We
! s a t i n a r G STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Rosie Hawthorne
Peach Granita (recipe page 13)
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
It’s summertime and the livin’ is hot. What better way to cool down and re-energize than by consuming that wonderfully refreshing Sicilian thirst-quencher – the intensely flavored ice known as granita. Back in the Middle Ages, the Sicilian colonizers – Romans, Greeks, Spanish, and Arabs – used to harvest the snow of Mount Etna and pack it into stone grottoes along the slopes. The nevaroli, or snow-gatherers, would retrieve their chilly treasures from the slopes during the sizzling summer months and haul the blocks of snow to the city to concoct their half-frozen crystalline mixtures of water and sugar, flavored with rose petals or jasmine, cocoa or coffee, wine or sweetened fruit essences, including their wonderful Sicilian lemons...
granitas RECIPES
A granita is typically a dessert item or a mid-course palate cleanser (although it can certainly be enjoyed on its own) made with sugar syrup and fresh fruit juice. The liquid is frozen in a shallow pan and raked with the tines of a fork every half-hour or so to break up the forming crystals, resulting in a fluff of tiny prickles of flavored ice. The texture of a granita can vary, as it does throughout Sicily itself. It’s not an ice cream or a smoothie, which are smooth-textured and creamy; and it’s not a sorbet, which goes into an ice cream machine, and becomes a more compact and smoothly textured product and melts pleasingly on the tongue. The texture of a granita is somewhere between that of a sorbet and a sno-cone. It’s flaky and that makes it unique. The ice has the fleeting, and slightly alarming feel, of little shards landing on one’s tongue and then spreading into refreshment. While a classic Italian granita needs to be made by hand to achieve those flakes of ice, no special equipment is needed. All you need is a fork to go from granular to flaky consistency. Every granita starts out with a simple syrup, which is a mixture of water and sugar in differing proportions, usually around one part sugar to two parts water. The sugar and water mixture is brought to a boil and then simmered until the sugar dissolves. Fruit purée and/or fruit juices are added to the simple syrup and the mixture is poured into a shallow pan and placed in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for several hours, the mixture is raked with a fork, the outside scraped towards the center. The sugar content of fruits varies, so the simple syrup ratio is adjusted, depending on what fruit you’re using. The size of the crystals in a granita depends on the amount of sugar in the mix. The less sugar, the larger the ice crystals. Too much sugar and you get
Peach Granita Serves 4-6 (sampler sizes) 3 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and coarse-chopped 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 tsp cinnamon Pinch sea salt or kosher salt Blueberries Make your simple syrup by combining water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool. In a blender, purée peaches with simple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish. Freeze for about 3-4 hours, raking with a fork every 30 minutes or so, scraping the icy outside pieces into the middle. Serve with a garnish of blueberries.
slush. You can make a large batch of simple syrup and store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to a month. Now, you’re able to make different fruity ices throughout the coming weeks. The plus here is your simple syrup will already be cold so your granita will freeze a lot quicker. Once you’ve learned the basic technique, you’re open to a world of icy fruit and flavor combinations.
Granitas are best enjoyed at their peak of perfection - after three to four hours with intermittent raking. The following serving sizes are for small palate cleansers to be sampled in between courses. If you have any leftover the next day, which rarely happens, set the dish out, let it thaw a bit, and rake again with a fork. Recipes continue on page 14
Strawberry, Kiwi, & Basil Granita Serves 4-6 (sampler sizes) 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar 1 heaping cup hulled strawberries, sliced 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced Small handful of fresh basil leaves Juice of 1 lemon 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar Freshly cracked black pepper Pinch of sea salt or kosher salt Next comes a strawberry, kiwi, and basil granita with a twist. The addition of basil adds an unexpected savory note to this granita and peppered balsamic vinegar, lightly drizzled over top, offers a well-rounded tangy component. Prepare the simple syrup and let cool. In a processor, combine strawberries, kiwi, basil, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Process until thoroughly combined. Pour into 8 x 8 inch baking pan and place in freezer for 2-3 hours. Every 30 minutes or so, fork the icy edges into the middle to incorporate. Spread the mixture evenly and place back in the freezer. For the balsamic vinegar: In a small bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar with a liberal amount of freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. Stir to combine. Give the granita a scant drizzle over top and garnish with a small sprig of basil and kiwi and strawberry slices.
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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granitas RECIPES
Pineapple Granita Serves 6-8 (sampler sizes) 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar Juice of 1 lime Zest of 1 lime Prepare the simple syrup and let cool. In a blender, combine pineapple, simple syrup, and lime juice. Process until smooth. Pour into a 9 x 11-inch pan. Set in freezer and rake with a fork every 30-40 minutes for 3-4 hours. Spoon granita into a dish, garnish with strawberry slices, and sprinkle lime zest over top.
Sunset Orange Granita Serves 4-6 (sampler sizes) Juice of 6 oranges 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar Juice of 1 lime Maraschino cherries and juice Make a simple syrup with water and sugar and let cool. Thoroughly mix orange juice, simple syrup, and lime juice. Pour into an eight-inch square baking dish. Set in freezer. Rake with fork every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours. For a pretty presentation, I serve these in an orange cup. Top with a few maraschino cherries and drizzle a little cherry juice over top.
As wonderfully refreshing as these ices are, I thought I’d kick my granitas up a notch by adding alcohol. I must say, I had a wonderfully fun and happy time writing this article. Now, let’s bring on the booze... Rosie’s Margranita
Pinita Colada Serves 12-14 (Unless you’re heavy boozers, then 3-4) 1 pineapple, peeled, eyed, cored, and chopped 1 tsp coconut extract 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1 can (13.66 oz.) coconut milk 1 ½ cups rum Toasted coconut, for sprinkling Maraschino cherries and juice Process all ingredients except for toasted coconut, maraschino cherries, and cherry juice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan and place in freezer. Check on it in an hour or so. When ice crystals start forming on the outside, rake it with a fork every hour. Again, you have more latitude with boozy granitas because of the alcohol. Serve with toasted coconut and maraschino cherries on top with a drizzle of cherry juice. 14
myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
Serves 8-10 (Unless you’re a lush, then 2-3)
2 cups water 1 cup sugar 1 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice Zest of 1 lime 1/3 cup Triple Sec 3/4 cup Hornitos tequila Prepare the simple syrup and let cool. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 9 x 13-inch pan. Place in freezer and when the ice crystals start forming, rake the granita with a fork every thirty minutes or so. To serve, rim your glass with lime juice and kosher salt and top with more lime zest.
granitas RECIPES
Coffee Kahluanita Serves 6-8 (sampler sizes) 2 cups strong coffee 1/3 cup sugar 1 tsp orange zest 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 cup Kahlua Dissolve sugar in hot coffee. Stir in orange zest, cinnamon, and Kahlua. Let cool. Pour into an 8x8-inch dish. Set in freezer. After about an hour, check on the mixture. When the outside starts forming ice, rake it back to the center. Continue raking every 30 minutes for several hours, until you get the desired flaky texture. This can be left overnight in the freezer. Because of the alcohol, it’s not going to freeze solid. Serve with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.
Make Your Own Granita Flavors
Once you have the basics down, there’s no limit to the concoctions you can create. Start out with a simple syrup, then think mango, pineapple, cranberry juice, watermelon, pomegranate juice, cherries, raspberries, grapes, kiwi, pear, grapefruit. Use whatever is fresh. Any of the alcohol-based drinks can be made without the alcohol, but you would need to check on the granitas sooner and rake every thirty minutes, since they will freeze quicker. As for suggested alcoholic combinations, make your favorite cocktail into its granita cousin. Here are a few examples: • Mint julep with a mint-infused simple syrup and whiskey • Cosmopolitan with vodka, triple sec, lime juice, & cranberry juice • Tequila Sunrise with orange juice, tequila, & grenadine • Mojito with rum, club soda, lime juice, & mint • Manhattan with bourbon, vermouth, cherry juice, & Angostura bitters • Daiquiris with rum & lime juice or strawberry purée • Sangrias with everything but the kitchen sink • Mimosa with orange juice & champagne • Mai Tai with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, & grenadine syrup • Screwdriver with vodka & orange juice • Tom Collins with gin, lemon juice, club soda, maraschino cherries, & orange slices I think you get the idea. Enjoy granitas and beat the heat this summer. ■ Rosie Hawthorne is a blogger, gardener, wanderluster, and mother of three. She learned to cook by watching Julia Child every Saturday afternoon on her 11-inch black and white TV with legal pad and pen in hand. For the Hawthornes, every meal is a celebration of life.
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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’ n i g g i D for e l b u o r t
The seemingly innocent pastime of digging in the sand can have disastrous consequences for humans, wildlife, and motor vehicles.
STORY BY
Lexi Holian
Last summer, David Frasier and his family were vacationing at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore when Frasier decided to partake in a common beach activity: digging in the sand. He was attempting to tunnel between two holes about six feet deep when the sand collapsed, burying him. By the time rescue personnel arrived, family and bystanders were pulling Frasier from the sand. He had been buried for about 10 to 15 minutes and was unresponsive. A nearby registered nurse attempted to revive him, but he died at the scene. When people are at the beach, their biggest concern is the ocean. They’ve heard of rip currents and deep water, sharks and jellyfish, but most of them have never heard of the dangers of digging in the sand. The most obvious concern is that people and animals can fall into holes. This often happens to nighttime beachgoers who are stargazing or searching for ghost crabs with flashlights. Deep holes can remain in the sand long after beachgoers have gone home, especially if they are above the high tide line with no way for nature to fill them in. Another group largely affected by holes on the beach are the lifeguards. Any vehicle on the beach is in danger of getting stuck in a hole, but the ocean rescue guards are on the beach every day and sometimes at night making sure that everyone is safe. Their four-wheeler and truck wheels can get wedged into holes, sometimes damaging the vehicles and equipment to the point where the lifeguard can no longer respond to a call. Nags Head Ocean Rescue Director Chad Motz says that lifeguards have also been injured after crashing into these hidden obstacles. “Holes can swallow up ATVs or pickup trucks,” Motz said. “When they’ve been there for a while the contours aren’t as noticeable. They blend into the beach a lot of the time.” Lastly, the wildlife does not appreciate holes. The wild Spanish Mustangs in Corolla are in danger of tripping in holes and injuring themselves, while loggerhead sea turtles could face death. According to South Walton Turtle Watch, turtles coming onto the beach to lay eggs sometimes fall into holes and cannot return to the ocean or lay their eggs in a safe place. These turtles are only able to move forward, so they end up digging themselves further into the sand. The greater danger of digging is that the sand will collapse on someone. Unlike dirt and clay, sand is unstable and is known for collapsing without warning. It also tends to replace itself as soon as it is scooped away. When a hole collapses on someone, it usually leaves no trace of the buried victim, which can make rescue efforts difficult because rescuers do not always know where to dig and cannot use any heavy equipment.
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HEALTH MATTERS
beach smart Director of Duck Ocean Rescue Mirek Dabrowski worries about children in particular, because even a small hole can swallow up a child. He said, “Our biggest concern is cave-ins, especially with kids. Adults sometimes dig a hole for them, and then the kids are playing in it and it is over their heads.” In a study conducted by Bradley A. Maron, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School, there were 52 documented cases in the United States over a 10-year period of people being submerged while digging holes in the sand. These incidents most commonly happened on the beach. Of the 52 cases, 31 resulted in death. Not included in the study was the death of David Frasier. Luckily, accidents like this can be avoided by following some simple rules: Never dig a hole deeper than the knees of the smallest person in the group. No tunneling whatsoever. Always fill in holes when you leave the beach; lifeguards do it all the time.
Several towns on the Outer Banks have passed ordinances against digging holes on the beach, stating that only small holes are permitted. They cannot be left unattended for more than an hour during the day or for any length of time at night. In addition, they may not pose any hazard to people, animals, or vehicles. While considering the setup of your beach space, notice where marked ocean rescue vehicles are driving and try to leave a clear path for them. Kites, volleyball nets, and other beach gear should be taken into account in addition to holes. David Elder, Director of Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue, asks, “Your hole, your sporting equipment, your stuff on the beach… is it creating an obstacle for people who are there to assist you?” Those who were really set on sinking their hands into the sand to dig might consider building a sand castle or creating sand art rather than a deep hole. If you ever have a question about whether or not your possessions or activities are potentially hazardous to others, ask a lifeguard what he or she thinks. Elder said, “Every town has different resources, but the goal of all of us in emergency services or municipal services is the care and wellbeing of our patrons.” Article continues on page 18...
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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HEALTH MATTERS
beach smart Beach Safety
Sound Safety
In such a weather-driven community, it is no surprise that many of our experts’ tips focus on high winds and the strength of the sun. Following are a few tips to keep you and your family safe no matter which of our waterfronts you visit:
The sound’s generally calm waters sometimes make it seem as though nothing could go wrong. But similar to the ocean, the wind can be much stronger on the water and can blow you away from the sound beach. Although there is a shoreline on the other side of this body of water, you can get stuck out in the middle. All but experienced watermen should remain in sight of shore in case the conditions change quickly.
Know your location. It is easy to walk endlessly on our beautiful beaches, but do you know how to make it back to where you started? The dune-top decks and boardwalks can all start to look the same after a few hours in the sun, so make sure everybody in your party knows the address of where you are staying and the point at which you came onto the beach. The public accesses are usually named after the corresponding street. Swimming at night, or anytime when there are not other people nearby on the beach, is something local lifeguards strongly advise against. It is very difficult to know what the conditions are in the dark even if you are an experienced ocean swimmer. Similarly, it is helpful to know the ability of the people you are swimming with because it may not be the same as your own. Rafts, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and other flotation devices can be blown offshore by the wind. Swimmers tend to venture away from shore, not realizing that the conditions on the water could be much different from those on the beach. Before you enter the water, ask a lifeguard about the wind’s direction and see what he or she thinks about going into deeper waters. We have all experienced hot sand, but did you know sand can actually burn the bottoms of your feet and even cause blisters? It’s not as unusual as you would think. Visitors are often surprised by the heat of the sand, and children are especially at risk because their feet are not as conditioned as those of adults. Make sure to pack a pair of flip flops for the beach, even if you don’t think you are going to wear them. The risk of sunburn includes your eyes. The sensitive tissues of your eyes are very susceptible to damage by the sun when not properly protected. Look for sunglasses that have UV protection.
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Partaking in a watersport is the reason many visit the sound on their Outer Banks vacation. While some watercraft like kayaks and stand up paddleboards can be difficult to injure yourself on, motorized vehicles including boats and jetskis, can be very dangerous when not handled properly. They can move at the speed of cars without the luxury of brakes. Pay attention to the guidelines given by the watersports operator, and remember the power of the vehicle you command while you are having fun. And no matter where you are: Respect the wildlife. Chances are if an animal has left the water, it has done so for a reason, and this goes for both ocean and sound. It is best not to touch wild animals or try to put them back into the water because it may not always be clear what they are doing. If you think an animal may need help, ask a lifeguard what the best course of action is. Lexi Holian is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of the Outer Banks. When not writing, she can be found at the beach with a book in hand. Photography by Shutterstock.
See our traffic safety article “Carmageddon”on pages 20 & 21 for more helpful information about the Outer Banks...
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19
! N O D D E G A M CAR
EVA BEACH
STORY BY
Lexi Holian
While cruising the highway to your favorite beach, or biking to our famous landmarks, or strolling in the sunshine this summer, keep in mind that safety matters on vacation too. We’ve put together tips from local law enforcement officials and Outer Banks residents to give you a better understanding of the seasonal traffic-related concerns on the Outer Banks.
A
rguably the worst place to be on a Saturday or Sunday in the summer is the US 158/NC 12 intersection in Kitty Hawk where drivers turn toward Duck and Corolla. Not only is the traffic verging on dead stop, but drivers making a northbound turn onto NC 12 tend to get stuck in the middle of the intersection. Detective Sergeant Chris Montgomery of the Nags Head police says, “Once you get gridlocked, no one can go anywhere.” The police force has tried different strategies for keeping the intersection clear, including posting large signs and sitting at the intersection with lights flashing. Although these tactics may have alleviated the situation to some extent, a more permanent solution such as added travel lanes or an alternate bridge is still needed. To avoid peak Saturday congestion, keep in mind that roughly 85% of cottage rentals change occupants on that day. Or consider coming down a day before your weekend check-in if that option is available. When setting out on a daytrip or even a drive to the local lunch spot, know where you are going before you start the car. Other drivers – and your kids in the backseat – will appreciate you not slamming on the brakes as you spot your destination. Note that there is a difference between N. Croatan Highway and S. Croatan Highway, N. Virginia Dare Trail and S. Virginia Dare Trail. And always give the car in front of you plenty of breathing room. US 158 in particular can be home to chain reaction, multiple car accidents because vehicles are so close
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together. Detective Sergeant Montgomery said, “The majority of calls are rear ends just because of the congestion. The two things you can do is give more space than you think you need to the car in front of you, and just slow down.” Something for visitors to be aware of on the entire length of US 158 is the center turning lane. Despite it being illegal to use the space as an acceleration lane, locals and vacationers alike can often be seen getting up to speed before merging out leaving the turn lane. Keep an eye on this center lane as you are driving, and be especially cautious entering and exiting the lane while making turns. It is always best to seek out a traffic light when turning in a busy area. Detective Sergeant Montgomery said, “Our best advice is if you have to make a left and it’s heavy traffic in the summertime, you’re better off making a right and making an exaggerated U-turn.” Finally while driving, be sure to yield to pedestrians. Over the last few years, athletic events like 5Ks and marathons have become a regular addition to weekly event schedules. Often roads are closed for these runners and walkers, but sometimes they take to the side of an open street too. Police vehicles will usually be present to help athletes through intersections along the way, but drivers should remain alert when turning in particular. In addition, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the road at a crosswalk. Beachgoers are often staggered as they lug beach gear to and from the access, so keep an eye out for pedestrians that are a few paces behind the
EVA BEACH
LEXI HOLIAN
group. Captain Mark Evans of the Kill Devil Hills police says getting pedestrians across NC 12 is the town’s biggest issue in traffic safety. For the cyclists in the family, the towns of the Outer Banks have come together to connect multi-use paths all over the beach, but there are still some areas where they don’t exist. If you are biking on the road, you must follow traffic laws that are similar to driving a car. This includes stopping at stop signs and traffic lights. Make sure your bicycle is equipped with a reflector and a headlamp if you are cycling at night. It is not mandated by the state, but it is always valuable to have a light on the back as well as the front of the bicycle such as an LED or strobe light. Also, watch out for other cyclists no matter which way you are getting around. In the summer the Outer Banks plays host to many international students that have come to work for the season, and the majority of them use bicycles to get around. Detective Sergeant Montgomery said, “Expect the unexpected. Keep tabs on people on bicycles. We have a lot of exchange students that are getting educated on what our rules are. Give them a wide berth and
keep an eye out for them.” Those who prefer to travel by foot should take heed crossing the highways as described above. Know that although you have the right-of-way at crosswalks, drivers may not always see you emerging from the dune line so use caution when stepping out into the street. Keep in mind drivers may see a few folks crossing in the walk, but not be aware of the stragglers dashing into the road to catch up with the group. At night, it is important not to wear all black because many areas are not well lit. At the end of the day, it all comes down to being aware of your surroundings and opting not to rush. Captain Evans said, “It’s having patience – a lot of patience. If you make an extra effort to look twice, it could change your life. Take a deep breath and get to your destination safely.” We find that time has little meaning anyway when the breeze is carrying scents of the ocean and the sun is shining. n Lexi Holian is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of the Outer Banks. When not writing, she can be found at the beach with a book in hand.
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FARMHOUSE
Revival
The McHorney Farmhouse as it stands today.
The Rebuilding of a 200 Year-Old House
I
n rural areas, it’s not unusual to drive past abandoned housMartin O’Steen from Kill Devil Hills because “the county couldn’t STORY BY es and barns, some barely standing. apply a (building) code to a house built when there wasn’t a code.” Jane elfring Or, a modern-day equivalent is a virtual drive-by of O’Steen oversaw the beginning of the work and completed the necAbandoned, Old & Interesting Places – North Carolina on essary evaluation for the county. the same-named Facebook page. That site reveals haunting photos of buildBased on the notched beam and peg construction methods used in the ings and landmarks whose time has come and gone. house, Mason now knows that the house was probably built in the late 1700s In Barco, drivers have been treated to a different sight on Route 158 where or early 1800s, but the house didn’t make its first appearance in county deed a 19th century farmhouse built on the only hill in the area has been authentibooks until May 20, 1861 when Edmund McHorney, Sr. purchased the property cally restored. from Benjamin T. Simmons. The former home of Edmund McHorney, Jr. probably would have been torn Fenton Construction has worked extensively on the project. According to down as Currituck County worked to clear away old abandoned buildings, if Mason, Tim Fenton is the “brains behind the job.” At the height of activity on the Reeves Manning hadn’t put it on the North Carolina Preservation list after he site, there were six full-time employees. One worker is a boat builder because bought it from the McHorney family. That saved it from destruction but made it the techniques used to build the house are similar to those still used to build less attractive to prospective buyers who would be forced to restore it. boats. This did not deter Erica Mason who bought the old house in June, 2013 For the original construction, the workmen used whatever type of lumber because she intended to restore it and make it available to the public so people was available in the area. Cypress was used for the beams, juniper for the could learn about the simple lifestyle of its long-time owner. In the months since siding, and heart pine for the framing. Those are the same types of wood that the purchase, she has had a group of skilled craftsmen lovingly restoring the Mason’s builders used. home to its original state reflective of the time period when McHorney lived Mason and her workers located three different sawmills in the Albemarle there. Among other things, this attention to time period means the house will region to supply the wood. They found the right type of nails at Hertford Hardnot have electricity or running water. ware, and Mason says, “We bought everything they had.” After that, she found Before she could begin any work on the structure, Mason had to have a company in Pennsylvania that made the hand forged nails which she purthe building certified as structurally sound for insurance purposes. She hired chased in 50-pound boxes.
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
PHoTo coUrTesY mcHorneY FamiLY Jane eLFrinG
Edmond McHorney (far left) in an undated family photo
Skilled craftsmen have authentically restored the farmhouse.
Jane eLFrinG
erica mason
McHorney lived in the house from his birth in 1878 to shortly before his death in 1964. He and his parents are buried in a small plot behind the house. A bachelor all his life, McHorney was a man of routines and was a bit “eccentric,” according to his grandnephew Travis Morris, 86, whose real estate business is a short drive from the house. The list of McHorney’s eccentricities include: he owned only spoons, no knives or forks; he slept with a pistol under his pillow; and he took a daily drive in his ‘31 Pontiac to the post office where he would purchase one stamp, then to the store to buy groceries for the day. What he did with the postage stamps remains a mystery. McHorney was also a simple man who didn’t mind living in the house without water or electricity. He farmed the nearly two acres that the house sits on, raising watermelons, corn for his mule, and sweet potatoes. In many ways, his was a farm very much like others in Currituck County in this time period. Oyster boats often came down to Currituck from the Chesapeake Bay and carried produce back to canneries in Baltimore. Morris remembers that his uncle sometimes rode those boats to Baltimore, a fact borne out by the discovery of bottles and pottery made in Baltimore and oyster shells that originated in the Chesapeake Bay. McHorney often ate lunch with Morris and his grandmother, McHorney’s older sister Carrie, who also prepared dinner for him. When McHorney was no longer able to live by himself, he moved in with his sister and remained with her until his death. Mason has become an amateur historian in the process as she researches the origins of the house and unearths its history and secrets. She carries around a thick binder with documentation and pictures showing the results of her sleuthing into the house’s history, including the McHorney genealogies. One of the many discoveries Mason and her workers found while working on the house is that it is really two houses put together. Sometime before 1860, a house located nearby burned. What survived the fire was rolled over to this property and butted up against the rear of the house. No nails were ever used to secure the two houses, something which later led
erica mason
Erica Mason, curator.
McHorney family gravesite
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
23
JANE ELFRING
erica mason
Before restoration began in 2013 (left); The McHorney Farmhouse as it stands today. (right) to water damage in the rear part of the house. Visitors can see the original siding where the two houses butt up against each other. The front part consists of two main rooms on the first floor joined by a smaller room and two bedrooms on the second floor separated by a small room between. The section where the two houses meet is now a breezeway with porches on either side. At the time the houses were joined, Mason said there would have been screen doors there to allow air to flow freely. Behind this area on the first floor is the kitchen. Upstairs are two bedrooms, one of which was used as slave quarters for a few years before the end of the Civil War. Not surprisingly, most of the damage found in the house is in the relocated house portion in the back. While Mason says none of the damage was unexpected, a great deal of additional time was required to shore up the rear of the house which had settled one foot. Mason estimates that about 90% of the rear of the house had to be replaced, including beams, wall studs, headers, floors, and JANE ELFRING some window framing. The most significant While repairing the chimney, a brick etched ‘1812’ was discovered. (above); water damage is believed Horsehair plaster ceilings were preserved. (below) to have been caused by 1954’s Hurricane Hazel. After Hazel came the termites, but the damage was confined to the rear of the house and apparently was of little concern to the house’s occupant. Repairing and restoring an old house always brings surprises and challenges. In the front of the house, the six-foot ceilings and walls were covered with horsehair JANE ELFRING
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
plaster. In order to authentically complete the repairs, Mason went to a nearby farm to collect horsehair which was then mixed with limestone and sand to prepare the plaster for the walls. She has left one small area open so that visitors can see the original horsehair plaster pieces. New window frames are being handcrafted for the original glass. Also, the original screens will be authentically replaced with brass screening and copper tacks. While working to repair one of the chimneys, a brick with “1812” suddenly appeared in the rubble. It doesn’t have a manufacturer’s name on it so Mason doesn’t know if it was part of the house or brought from another site. Mason hopes that school groups will be able to visit the site as a “living history” museum. Still to be completed are construction of a modern “privy,” or outhouse, behind the building using original materials salvaged from the old siding. As word of the project has spread, many people from the area have donated period pieces and furnishings. The house will be furnished with items from the period of McHorney’s life, but there will also be interpretive displays of artifacts found on the grounds, including a Civil War bayonet. The latter supports Mason’s research that the house was used by the Union as a convalescent home for soldiers and an intelligencegathering location. The breezeway area will be furnished with medical items from the Civil War to showcase this part of the house’s history. Mason’s labor of love has been funded from her private funds. She won’t say how much the restoration has cost, just that it was “a lot.” Visitors will be asked to make a donation to help with the upkeep of the property, but Mason has already declared, “I will take care of it until I die.” The unveiling of the McHorney house restoration was held May, 2015. For information about upcoming events or to schedule a tour contact Erica Mason, Curator at: 252.619.4906 or mchorneys. com. The house is located at 4429 Caratoke Highway in Barco, NC just north of Currituck BBQ. n Jane Elfring is originally from Washington, DC and is a freelance writer and photographer living in Northeast North Carolina. She has also lived in New Jersey, Alaska, and Virginia.
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“The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.” –Terry Tempest Williams
Come late June, the skies at sunset around the William B. Umstead bridge begin to transform into a moving landscape dotted with about 100,000 of North America’s largest swallows.
T
Sunset flight, though, is the time when purple martins really he birds stake out their place along this one-mile STORY BY put on their show. The sky coverage is so significant that the span of bridge on the north end of Roanoke Island, Michelle Wagner event can be picked up by Doppler radar. calling it home for just a short time. And while they In perfect synchronicity with the sinking sun, the birds return gather the strength for the 2,600-mile journey to their to their roost under the bridge, creating a sight that lures onlookers from far and South American wintering grounds, their winged presence draws hundreds of wide. Their aerial acrobatics challenges even the best fireworks. visitors eager to get a glimpse of this purple martin pit stop. But when it’s time to go – and the birds are the only ones who know when “Seeing them arrive to their nest boxes not only is a sure sign that spring is that time comes – they’re gone. They go as quickly as they came. here, but their loyalty to a nesting site and a mate, and their reliance on people, “They stay until they are strong enough to journey to South America in late bring an overwhelmingly reassuring quality to the whole phenomenon,” says summer,” Gery said. “They seem to sense, some years, an approaching rough Michael Gery, chair of the Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society (CCPMS). weather system and time their departure accordingly.” “Experiencing purple martins reminds us that nature is not only beautiful While they are here, though, they are ours to enjoy and protect. and uplifting, but also is mysterious and progresses by its own rules and evoluVisitors can experience the wonders of the purple martin by participating tion. No one who sees it ever forgets the sight and sound of 100,000 martins in a free bird-watching session or taking a sunset cruise on the Crystal Dawn, swirling and playing during sunset, then settling in at our roost for the night.” which provides an eco-tour departing from Pirate’s Cove in Manteo. Hosted by For a few months out of every year for the past four decades, with peak the CCPMS, the cruise runs four nights a week during the height of the season. numbers in mid-July through mid-August, these birds hunker down on the Outer The society also offers sunset talks on the “Bebop” multi-purpose pier, and Banks. While here, one of the bridges that connects the mainland to Roanoke during the winter it arranges a workshop for landlords and prospective landIsland is their shelter at night. But come sunrise, they descend on the abundant lords on how to manage a martin colony in the region. (The Bebop multi-use marshlands to feast on mosquitoes and other favorite purple martin treats.
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purple martins WILD THINGS
PUrPLemarTin.orG
THesTaTe.com
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pier is at the west entrance to the William B. Umstead bridge.) According to the society, there were an average of about 1,650 viewers at sunset in one night during the 2011 season. In addition, approximately 220 people visit the site by boat on each trip chartered by the CCPMS.
When to Go
“The roost is active from late June through mid-September, but peak time is mid-July through mid-August,” said Gery. “Families of martins from a 30-mile radius come to this roost. We have counted about 100,000 birds at the height of the roosting period.” The best time to see the purple martins is 30 minutes before official sunset and the best viewing spot is on the northwest side of the road. It is advisable to park on the state Department of Transportation right-of-way and stand near the foot of the bridge. Visitors should keep in mind that high winds could prolong the purple martins’ roosting activity as it interferes with their ability to land on the perching structures under the bridge. Medium to strong winds provide the perfect backdrop to a fantastic martin show, while calm skies and low wind will result in the birds roosting much more quickly. Depending on weather conditions, the birds may roost far from land (so bring your binoculars) or right near the shore and appear to be flying all around you. Experts suggest looking to the west along the shoreline, as purple martins follow the waterways to reach the bridge. When darkness falls, the martins fly lower with the latecomers using the water as a guide. “Each and every night will be different, but every night is going to be beautiful when you are visiting the birds,” the website reads.
A Society to Protect The Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society was formed in 2006 to advocate for the protection of the purple martins at this popular roost between Roanoke Island and Manns Harbor. It is believed that thousands of martins have been killed at the roost every year, but thanks to a collaboration of private and public forces, signs and flashing lights have been added to warn motorists to use
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caution along the bridge. The society worked with local and state officials in 2007 to have warning lights, an enforced 25 mph speed limit, and signs active during the roosting period, at dawn and dusk, when the birds leave and return to the bridge. What makes the bridge and region so attractive for the martins are the abundant insects available to them due to nearby agricultural fields, national wildlife refuges, and the coastal plain’s wetlands. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, just a short distance from the bridge, hosts moist soil and flooded fields, the perfect breeding ground for the martin’s favorite food – flying insects.
Where to Go The William B. Umstead bridge is the selected roost for these amazing flyers. Its plentiful support structures, I-beam girders, and cables give them plenty of options to roost; not to mention, they prefer to roost over water where
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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purple martins WILD THINGS
they will encounter far fewer predators than roosting over land. Martin “landlords” throughout the coastal plain of North Carolina provide nesting quarters for the birds in everything from hallowed out gourds to elaborate martin condos. The martins return to these houses every year for nesting season and once the young have fledged, the martins meet at the Umstead Bridge, also widely known locally as the Old Manns Harbor Bridge. The more heavily used Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge to the south has diverted much of the vehicular traffic from the old bridge, which has reduced the number of martin deaths during their roosting season. Gery encourages the public to visit the roost in the summer and learn how to start and manage a colony. n Michelle Wagner has been living and writing on the Outer Banks for 15 years.
Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Purple Martins East of the Rocky Mountains, purple martins depend entirely on humans for their nesting sites. It is believed that no bird in the United States relies on man as much as the purple martin. Following are a few tips for encouraging them to set up house in your own backyard year after year: • According to the Purple Martin Conservation Association, the idea that purple martins eat huge quantities of mosquitos is a myth used by purple martin house manufacturers to sell their product. Purple martins do eat flying insects, but that includes everything from beetles and flies to midges, mosquitoes, mayflies, and butterflies.
maire WaLKer
soUnDsiDeaDVenTUres.com
PUrPLemarTinroosT.com
More to Know... •
Purple martins get their name from the male’s iridescent purple sheen over its black coat.
•
The swallows are impressive aerial acrobats, making them fun to watch in flight.
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Purple martins are very social birds, nesting in colonies and chattering among themselves both day and night.
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Purple martins are geographically loyal and return to the same nesting site year after year.
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Nestlings depend on their parents for 26 to 32 days until ready to fly. When the young are strong enough, the local adults accompany their offspring to the roost at the Manns Harbor Bridge.
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• Martins are picky about their housing. Place houses in the middle of the most open spot available, preferably about 30 to 120 feet away from human housing. There should be no trees taller than the martin housing within at least 40 feet. The farther away from trees the birdhouse is, the better. • Martin houses should be painted white, but trim can be any color. The white reflects the sun’s heat and keeps nestlings cooler. • Prospective martin landlords should not open their housing any earlier than four weeks after the first martins are scheduled to return to their area. However, if a neighbor within a mile has established colonies, you can open your house as soon as your neighbors’ first birds return.
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As this publication was going to press, news of the May 19 oil spill off the California coast was reaching Associated Press sources. Refugio State Beach shoreline (near Santa Barbara) was hit with 21,000 gallons of oil creating a nine-mile slick in the Pacific Ocean. The affected area is described as 21 miles of “scenic coastline dotted with state-run beaches that are popular with campers.” A spokesperson in Santa Barbara said that such a spill was inevitable with coastal oil development despite assurances from the pipeline company that such a spill was “extremely unlikely.” Local news is reporting that most beaches are now open; however, designated clean-up areas marked with yellow tape still remain where public and press are not allowed. The spill occurred just days before the popular tourist season opened on Memorial Day weekend. – ed.
Closer to Home
L.A. TIMES
From town officials to high school students, business owners to young children, residents of the Outer Banks crammed into the ballroom of the Comfort Inn in Kill Devil Hills to hear the speakers at the March 16 press conference. Many of them wore blue in support of the ocean. Executive Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Lee Nettles took the podium, saying, “It’s pretty warm in here.” He then pointed to a photograph of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf in April, 2010. “It’s nothing compared to the oil rig fire over there.” The press conference and neighboring public scoping meeting at the Ramada Inn, held by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), came in wake of the Obama administration’s January 17 proposal for oil exploration and offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. Under the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, the U.S. Department of the Interior has begun the process to allow lease sales 50 miles off the coast in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These offshore areas are estimated to contain significant quantities of oil and gas.
Aerial view of oil spill off Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County.
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Why Here? North Carolina has more than 64 million acres of federal Outer Continental Shelf, more than any state on the East Coast. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory sup-
STORY BY
Lexi Holian
Over 400 OBX lovers rallied against offshore oil drilling during the Hands Across the Sand event on March 16. Photo courtesy theOBXBeachBum.
ports offshore drilling in our state under the condition of revenue sharing, which stipulates that some profits of the operation would remain in North Carolina. He believes offshore drilling will create thousands of jobs and lead to greater independence and economic prosperity in both the state and the country. The East Coast has never been home to offshore drilling. A federal moratorium was enacted following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989 and reenacted following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf Coast in 2010. In his April 15 testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Governor McCrory stated that there was widespread support across North Carolina for offshore oil and gas exploration and development. “We share a passion for our clean water, fishing industry, and the recreational use of our coastal resources. We would not be advocating for offshore energy development if we felt we were compromising these invaluable treasures,” said McCrory Contradicting those statements, however, Governor McCrory has urged government officials to decrease the 50-mile buffer to 30 miles from shore. He believes the existing wider buffer would make 40 percent of the state’s potential oil and gas resources unobtainable. Connie Gillette, Media Relations at BOEM, says it is not possible to decrease the buffer without restarting the entire public and environmental review process. This would likely set back the leasing plan by several years.
Local Involvement It is the task of BOEM to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to examine the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of oil and gas activities in the Atlantic. As a part of this process, BOEM is required by the National Environmental Policy Act to hold meetings in states that are being considered for offshore drilling. The meetings are public and provide an opportunity to learn more about the process and to submit comments. Hosting a BOEM meeting on the Outer Banks was not originally planned, but after receiving more than 40 letters from concerned residents and home-
owners requesting an opportunity to be included, BOEM scheduled the March 16 meeting in Kill Devil Hills. Gillette said, “That was the largest public meeting that BOEM has held. We were thrilled because we love it when people come out.” According to Gillette, a total of 670 people submitted comments at the meeting. That is 500-plus more than the public meeting in Norfolk and 250-plus more than Wilmington. In terms of general comments on the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, BOEM had received more than 472,000 as of March 25.
Where We Stand The overwhelming response from the Outer Banks community has been against offshore drilling. At the March 16 meeting, Nettles reminded attendees that the Dare County Tourism Board has expressed its strong opposition to offshore drilling, not only now but in 2005, 2009, and 2014. Nettles stated that one in three Dare County residents is employed in a travel and tourism related job. That is 11,750 people in Dare County alone that rely on tourism every day. A 2014 study by the University of Wyoming, titled Economic and Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Development Offshore in The Delmarva, Carolinas, and Georgia, released three projections – low, medium, and high – for revenue from offshore drilling in North Carolina. Projections from the Tourism Board show that today’s revenue from tourism meets or exceeds the low or mid-level projections for oil and gas 21 years from now. “One of the things that was concerning to us looking at the oil and gas research was just how much variation there is and how wildly the projections vary from low to medium to high,” Nettles said. “It’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ and unanswered questions, but in the meantime we are threatening our livelihood and way of life.” According to Nettles, the Dare County tourism industry generated an economic impact of $953 million in 2013. There is widespread concern in Dare
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drilling debate COMMUNITY
DID YOU KNOW? While major disasters such as the BP Gulf Coast spill are covered in round-the-clock cycles of international media, there are daily spills that do not make the 6 o’clock news. According to Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network, the Coast Guard’s National Response Center receives approximately 1,500 oil spill notifications from Louisiana alone each year, with an average volume of 330,000 gallons spilled per year. One well that is 11 miles off of Louisiana’s coast has been leaking since 2004 creating a constant rainbow slick that stretches across the water for at least 10 to 15 miles. Nothing that the industry or government has attempted over the last 10 years has been successful in stemming the flow. NOT THE ANSWER NC.ORG
County that the revenue generated from offshore drilling will not come back to North Carolina. Nettles said, “It remains to be seen what the federal revenue sharing would look like. At this point, there is no agreement on revenue sharing.” Other speakers at the meeting included mayors from three towns, business owners, high school students, and the co-chairs of the Surfrider Foundation, Outer Banks chapter. The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit environmental group dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. The local chapter was founded in 1993 and has focused its efforts on issues of water quality and offshore energy. Surfrider unequivocally opposes any offshore oil or gas drilling along North Carolina’s coast. They believe it would be more beneficial and responsible to pursue renewable energy through solar, wind, and biomass energy production projects from organizations such as NC GreenPower. In addition, Surfrider says an oil spill would endanger our offshore fisheries, coastlines, and public health, and destroy our quality of life and status as a premiere tourist destination. Matt Walker, co-chair of the Outer Banks chapter, said of our shorelines and clean ocean, “We have a printing press when it comes to money. It literally washes up on our beaches all summer long, and that is up and down the coast. Nobody in their right mind would gamble an economy that we have in terms of our tourism.” Walker is concerned that the majority of jobs created by the oil and gas industry will go to workers from other places, not North Carolinians. He said, “Why are we gambling existing North Carolina jobs and revenue to an industry that doesn’t even have a foothold? All the people who are making the decisions don’t have to worry about this. They will still wake up in the morning and have a job and get a paycheck. Everybody on this beach, if there is an oil spill, has to worry about how they are going to make rent tomorrow.” The Surfrider website makes the point that the Outer Banks is prone to high winds, storms, and strong currents, all of which could be hazardous to oil platforms and increase the likelihood of oil spills. Also opposed to offshore drilling is Not the Answer NC. This organization sheds light on the thousands of Outer Banks residents who rely on the tourism industry to survive. Their headlines read, “Oil jobs are estimates. Our jobs
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are real.” The group has held many events at local businesses in the last few months in which locals are photographed holding up dry erase boards stating their careers on the Outer Banks. Messages such as “My watersports business relies on clean water” and “I fish 4 a living” show the large number of residents who work in the tourism industry and give a face to the Not the Answer NC campaign. Some children have been photographed with wishes for a clean ocean; one dry erase board reads, “Oceans are blue not black.”
Seismic Science Another public concern is that the seismic testing associated with oil and gas exploration could harm the marine life in our waters. Seismic surveying is an exploration method that uses pulses of sound to map the earth’s crust. At timed intervals, ships towing airguns release pulses that are analyzed as they rebound off layers of rock and sediment beneath the ocean floor. The survey produces three-dimensional maps that determine optimal places to drill for oil and gas. There is no proof that seismic surveying directly correlates with death of marine life; however, there have been many instances in which those methods aligned with a change in behavior of marine life, and in some cases, climbing mortality rates. Some believe the sounds of seismic testing, which can be between 200 and 300 decibels, harm marine life such as whales and dolphins whose survival is dependent on being able to communicate and navigate through sound. Many marine mammals use sound to locate food and mates and to keep track of their young. There are also worries that fish will change their migration patterns, resulting in changes not only to our fishing economy but to those of other states on the East Coast. One easy comparison that opponents will suggest are the admonishments from aquarium personnel asking visitors not to tap on the walls of fish tanks. As for the human ear, seismic testing should not be audible from our coast, claim the serveyors. Another group that has formed as a result of the offshore drilling proposal is Kids Against Offshore Drilling. An unnamed, local 10-year old has taken to the Internet to seek the help of children across America. Her website asks the country’s youth to research offshore drilling and write to politicians to encourage cleaner energy sources and reduced energy consumption. Her plea reads, “Our generation is going to be the one to deal with decisions that are made now. Please help, before it’s too late.”
drilling debate COMMUNITY
Alternative Solutions In terms of alternative energy production, wind power is the most commonly heard solution for the Outer Banks due to our near-constant winds. Walker is one of many voices that believe drilling for oil is a short-term solution. He said, “… put up a windmill, and we will have energy from here to eternity.” A 2015 study conducted by the ocean advocacy group, Oceana states that every state on the East Coast could meet their energy needs with existing wind, solar, and water-generated energy. The study, titled Offshore Drilling by the Numbers, An Economic Analysis of Offshore Drilling and Wind Energy in the Atlantic, found that offshore wind would produce twice the number of jobs and twice the amount of energy as offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. Nettles says the Tourism Board would ask questions about any alternative forms of energy with the potential to impact Outer Banks residents and the tourism industry. In the case of wind-generated energy, he would want to know the distance between the windmills and shore and also where the power would come ashore.
MMF
Interested Parties
• Ornaments • Pottery • Textiles and patterns • Wall art • Woodworking • Bath and body products
• Food • Gift baskets • Jewelry • Notecards • Other gifts
• Baskets • Books
As for where things stand for North Carolina’s waters, a total of eight petroleum companies have submitted requests for Geological and Geophysical permits for the Atlantic. The NC Division of Coastal Management approved two consistency submissions from Spectrum Geo, Inc. and GX Technology for seismic surveying off North Carolina’s coast. Spectrum’s certification letter states, “2D seismic survey will be conducted 24 hours per day, 7 days per week… Survey activities are planned for the second quarter of 2015.” While those statements indicate survey operations begin July 2015, Gillette says that no oil companies have received federal approval for surveying and would not until after the release of the EIS in early 2016. In the meantime, those who have opinions for or against offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic can contact their state politicians to make comments. ■ Lexi Holian is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of the Outer Banks. When not writing, she can be found at the beach with a book in hand.
BY THE NUMBERS The BP Gulf Coast Spill of 2010
The BP Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010 is recognized as the worst oil spill in U.S. history and is still adversely affecting the tourism and fishing industries. Mutations such as shrimp with missing eyes and fish with oozing sores and lesions are still a common sight for fishermen now, a full five years later. Following are a few statistics from that oil spill: • Almost 206 million gallons of oil were spilled into Gulf waters. • 11 platform workers died in the oilrig explosion and resulting fire; 17 were injured. • It took 87 days to put a cap on the gushing oil. • In total, approximately 16,000 miles of coastline were affected in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. • It is unknown exactly how many land and marine creatures were affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. However, approximately 8,000 animals were found dead within six months of the spill.
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milestones OBX BUZZ
30 YEARS 35 YEARS
40 YEARS
45 YEARS
50 YEARS
55 YEARS
Kelly’s Restaurant & Tavern - 30 Years Now in its 30th year, Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern is one of those iconic establishments on the Outer Banks where everyone has tales about special dinners and evenings they’ve spent there. Having worked in Outer Banks restaurants since 1970, owner Mike Kelly brings all 45 years of that experience to his three local restaurants with 175 employees. “As an older [restaurant], our biggest limitation is our own success,” says Kelly. He explains that once a legacy such as Kelly’s is established, there are certain dishes or cooking styles that the regulars come to expect; those expectations must be balanced with trying new trends. “We may want to jettison all that so we can grow more, but we just can’t leave all that experience behind.” Kelly describes the early 80s restaurant boom when liquor-by-the-drink laws were passed, “That’s when a lot of the major [restaurants] were built or expanded because it gave another way for owners to pay for their business.” Similarly, Kelly has seen the cyclical nature of the industry and can count at least four successful local restaurants where the owners “all used to work for me.” He pays homage to all those who came before him by quickly adding, “And I used to work for someone else.” kellysrestaurant.com Mike Kelly
25 YEARS 15 YEARS
2O YEARS
Tortugas’ Lie Shellfish Bar & Grille - 25 Years
Bob Sanders likes to describe the old days before Tortugas’ Lie became the huge hit that it is today. Opening first as Quagmire’s in 1989 and then as Tortugas’ the next year, it keeps its primary influence from the former owners’ travels in the Cayman Islands. “We were super-small which was to our advantage at first. With 25 customers, we looked Richard Welch (left) and Bob Sanders like a crowded and happening place!” laughed Sanders. Bob Sanders and Richard Welch are the co-owners of the Nags Head establishment that has been named one of “America’s Favorite Seafood Dives” in Coastal Living magazine. When Tortugas’ popularity caught on with more than 25 customers, decisions had to be made. Sanders says, “Our building set the tone for what it was going to be. As it started to grow we had to add on and take that hour wait (for a table) down… we started with enclosing the porch – that didn’t risk changing the atmosphere too much because people like a little bit of change, not too much. People can still come in straight off the beach in bathing suits or all dressed up, and they both feel just as comfortable,” said Sanders. “In the end it’s all about the seafood. Simple food, fresh ingredients.” tortugaslie.com
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20 YEARS 15 YEARS
25 YEARS
Froggy Dog Restaurant - 20 Years
From its humble beginnings as a drive-up hot dog stand in the 1970s, The Froggy Dog is now Hatteras Island’s largest restaurant celebrating 20 years with current owners Fred and Denise Sawyer. Fred, a retired accountant says of their initial decision to jump into the restaurant business, “I always enjoyed cooking for my family; I didn’t know it was going to be any different cooking for 300 people.” He laughs and confesses that it took a few years to get the swing of it but it was comments like “you can’t do that” that served as the motivation for them to succeed. During the summer season, it takes 30 people to run all aspects of the restaurant including the popular bar, gift shop and play area for youngsters. Fred says that while he and Denise love meeting new customers and seeing the same favorites each year (one brings them homemade jelly each summer), their desire to retire and spend more time with their children and grandchildren has meant that this successful Hatteras establishment is ready for the next owner to make it their own for another 20 years. froggydog.com
milestones OBX BUZZ
20 YEARS
15 YEARS 25 YEARS
15 YEARS
Beach Painting - 20 Years
20 YEARS
25 YEARS
SeaDragon Gallery - 15 Years
Q: Who does the county call when it needs a couple water tanks repainted? A: a 20-year veteran in the construction and painting industry who can figure out a way to continuously spray 500 gallons of paint on the massive structures and achieve a smooth finish. Not that all home or commercial repainting will be as challenging as Dare County’s water tanks, but it is a comfort to know the same expertise can be there for other painting and refurLiz and Matt Brauer bishment projects. Matt Brauer, president and general manager of Beach Painting found that the gratification of taking “something that didn’t look so good and turning it into a bright, freshly painted house that looks a million times better,” motivated him to purchase the already successful painting company two years ago. Today Beach Painting has 23 employees and is run by Matt and his wife, Liz, who serves as vice-president and office manager. beachpainting.com
P L AY EXPLORE SHOP RELAX S TAY
“Respect for what you’re selling,” is a key component to making a gallery successful in contemporary handcrafts and fine arts, says Paula Myatt. Myatt is the owner of SeaDragon Gallery in the Waterfront Shops in Duck. Now in its 15th season, SeaDragon has represented the work and creativity of over 600 American craftspeople through the years. New artisans are selected each year “to keep the gallery fresh because so Paula Myatt many people come back year after year,” says Myatt. In addition to loving the arts, she says that she “loves the opportunity to sell the artwork that enables the artists to continue doing what they do.” When asked about any surprises or bumps along the way, she laughs and explains, “Small business owners have to be prepared to spend a lot of time working themselves.” seadragongallery.com
OCTOBER 9-10, 2015 | WHALEHEAD at HISTORIC COROLLA PARK
townofduck.com Town of Duck DuckOBX Events & Information: 252.255.1286
For a shopping guide and information on special events held by Duck Village Merchants, visit doducknc.com.
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SAVE THE DATE
10.11.15
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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OUTE R BAN KS CH I LDR E N @ PLAY M U S E U M...
s i g n i n r a e L e r e h W
Child’s Play Carole Dawn Emerson often refers to herself as a “Director of Play” and it’s clear to see that the title suits her well as she looks right at home sitting on a child-sized chair surrounded by interactive exhibits, toys, blocks, and art supplies.
A
s director of the Outer Banks Children at Play Museum, Emerson says her job – no, her mission really - is to provide a place where children learn through play. Her rule: Please touch. Nothing within STORY BY the walls of the museum is off limits for exMichelle Wagner ploration and Emerson wouldn’t have it any
✺ other way. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY From a humble beginning in 2007 that began when Marie Walker & former museum director Alyssa Hannon would cart Children at Play Museum around cardboard boxes to places where children gathered, this children’s museum has come a long way in serving the region’s youngest residents and visitors. Emerson is clear on the message she hopes to send to every child and parent who walks through the door. “Play is the highest form of learning for children,” says Emerson, who came on board just over a year ago and has a background in education and non-profit management. “When I grew up, we got on our bicycles and rode to a place where we created our own forts. Not a lot of children in this day and age get to do that. Now kids are taught to not only get the right
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JUST CAUSES
child’s play answer, but they are so pressured to get the right answer that there is very little time to create.” Team building, problem solving, negotiating, thinking outside of the box – those are all things children learn through play, Emerson says. “It’s being taken away from this generation.” The museum aims to be a place where that will all be given back to our children. With everything from a teddy bear hospital to a grocery store mock-up, there are abundant opportunities at the museum for children from birth to 12 years to learn without even realizing that is what they are doing. There is also a replica of a Carolina skiff for children to explore the lifestyle and economy of the many Outer Bankers who make their living on the water. “We encourage parents here to put down their cell phones and iPads and get on the ground, build with the Legos, and reconnect with their children in that way. During the process of creating and building, children are building important neuro-pathways,” said Emerson. The museum was incorporated in 2009 and was originally located on the east side of the bypass. It could accommodate up to 40 people at a time. When Hurricane Sandy flooded the building, everything was lost. But out of bad things, good things can come, and so it was with Children at Play. Two and a half years ago, the museum found a new, bigger home at its current location at Buccaneer’s Walk in Kitty Hawk. Even with a capacity of 120 people, it is quickly outgrowing the space. Approximately 85 percent of its users are local residents during the off-season, but that figure flips during the busy, tourist season. Last year, a total of 11,000 people visited the museum. Emerson says a large focus of the museum is for it to be a STEAM (Science, Technology,
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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JUST CAUSES
child’s play
; .
Carole Emerson at play with museum visitors at the Outer Banks Brewing Station’s Brew & Arts Mondays.
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Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) facility. “We’ve been here long enough to find out what the community wants and needs and really to be able to meet those needs in a much better way. We don’t want to duplicate what is already being done so well in the community,” says Emerson. Children at Play’s mission and good works are not just confined to the building. It sponsors free Movies on the Sound during the summer for the whole family and routinely holds special programing within the community and schools. The museum sponsors the Windmill Art Shows at the Nags Head event site, as well as the annual Santa and the Train at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. Science Thursdays and Arts and Literacy Friday are popular events at the museum. And it has joined with the Dare County Arts Council to provide art therapy for special needs children. Some use the facility as a designated safe place for reunification between children and parents who need a secure location. Emerson says that the Children at Play museum is successful because of the support of the community and local businesses. “I have never been in a community where everyone pulls together like they do in this one.” Recently, the museum garnered a $2,500 grant from the Outer Banks Seafood Festival’s Board of Directors. Grant money will be used to create an interactive exhibit, “Fish to Plate,” devoted to the challenges and economic impact of the local seafood industry. Still, Emerson sees opportunity for growth. She envisions an outdoor children’s garden, an engineering lab, and an expansion of the square footage of the museum. “Really I believe this could be a destination, and we could use four times the space. We have a desperate need for a meeting space and a science lab with low sinks.” But regardless of space or resources, it’s clear that the Outer Banks Children at Play Museum will continue to be a place where our youngest citizens can play….and learn along the way. ■ Michelle Wagner has been living and writing on the Outer Banks for 15 years.
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myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Y AMENITIES PROGRAM
WEEKLY RATES AVAILABLE! For Individuals and Families Enjoy the outdoor water park, racquetball courts, hot tub, group exercise and more! Call 449-8897 for more information or visit www.obxymca.org. *Some restrictions apply.
OUTER BANKS FAMILY YMCA 3000 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC 27959 P 252 449 8897 W www.obxymca.org
Pirates of Penzance - Sat, Sept. 19th, 2015 MIPSO - Sat, Oct. 17th, 2015 Low & Lower - Sat, Nov. 7th, 2015 Valinor Quarter - Sat, Jan. 23th, 2016 The Music of Simon & Garfunkel Performed by Swearingen & Kelly - Sat, Feb. 20th, 2016 Tar River Swing Band - Sat, Mar. 19th, 2016 The Virginia Symphony - Sat, Apr. 23rd, 2016
We’re Getting a
NEW HOME & We Need Your
Help!
Annual subscriptions available @ $120 • Individual tickets are $28/$15 for students
Visit outerbanksforum.tix.com for individual ticket purchase. All performances are held at First Flight High School.
For season ticket information, visit
outerbanksforum.org
Donations to
We are blessed and excited to announce that with the community’s assistance, we are able to have our own permanent location for the first time in our 25-year history!
assist with the purchase and renovations of this new location can be made securely at: beachfoodpantry.org or by sending a check to: Beach Food Pantry • P.O. Box 1224 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
BEACHFOODPANTRY.ORG
252.261.2756
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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Off the Beaten Path Little-Known Monuments and Memorials of our Coast Cora Mae Basnight Bridge Any traveler to the Outer Banks knows famous landmarks such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial, but there are so many other monuments off the beaten path that even locals cannot place where they are or how they came to be.
A royal denizen of Manteo’s history and cultural heritage, Cora Mae Basnight is honored in numerous ways on Roanoke Island. A Manteo native, Basnight played the comic role of Native American Agona in The Lost Colony for twenty-five years. The Cora Mae Basnight house is found on Agona Street which is naturally named for the role she made famous. In 1979 she was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the Roanoke Island Historical Association and in 1982, her final season with The Lost Colony, Governor Jim Hunt recognized Basnight’s contributions to American theater. In 1984, on the 400th anniversary of the colonization of Roanoke Island, the bridge connecting Manteo to the Roanoke Island Festival Park was dedicated and named in her honor.
Who knew there were so many monuments and markers in our midst?
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Meaghan Beasley
Jarvisburg Colored School Opened in Powells Point in 1867, the Jarvisburg Colored School served the population of newly freed slaves. In 1894, it was moved to Jarvisburg from its original location after the gift of a half-acre of land. The school was among twelve public schools in Currituck that educated the almost six hundred students from the black community. In 1950, a single school was built to serve all students, and the Jarvisburg School was purchased by the Corinth Baptist Church and used for church and Mason activities until it fell into disrepair. In 1998, efforts began to save the school, and in 2003 the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Association began work in earnest to raise funds and preserve the building now located along Highway 158 in Currituck.
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A LOOK BACK
monuments Wright Brothers Obelisk Before erecting the famous monolith that pierces the Kill Devil Hills skyline, a different monument was dedicated to the ground-breaking aviation work of the Wright brothers. In 1921, Captain William Tate and several local residents, raised $210 to place a five-foot tall obelisk in Kitty Hawk to mark the location where the Wright brothers assembled and tested their glider. After sustaining damage from the elements, the original obelisk was refurbished and moved to the foyer of the Kitty Hawk Town Hall; a replica on Moor Shore Drive in Kitty Hawk stands today to commemorate the brothers’ site for glider construction.
Monument to a Century of Flight A hidden gem, snuggled amongst the trees and behind the Welcome Center in Kitty Hawk, is the shining and dazzling Monument to a Century of Flight. Designed by local artist Glenn Eure and built with help from two East Carolina University sculptors and professors, the magnificent monument is a multi-layered tribute to aviation. Fourteen stainless steel pylons shaped like wings and pointing to the sky stand in a 120-foot circle symbolizing the distance traveled during the Wright brothers’ first flight. On each pylon are granite panels engraved with 100 significant moments from the first 100 years of flight.
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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A LOOK BACK
monuments First Flight Wind Turbine Almost blending in with the stadium lights on First Flight Middle School’s campus is a lone wind turbine. Erected in 2011, the 55-foot Skystream was part of an initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy, known as the Wind for Schools Project. Looking to educate an up-and-coming workforce about wind potential, a curriculum was established that could incorporate wind energy data and concepts. The turbine streams data via internet into the classroom; math and science students then collect and analyze data and predict correlations between weather energy and power-generated carbon offset. A few yards away sits an almost 100-foot meteorological tower that provides wind data for the entire region and has been used by government officials, wind energy investors, and the general public. Along with FFMS, turbines were also installed at the Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies, the Edenton and Manteo campuses of the College of the Albemarle, and J.P. Knapp High School in Currituck.
FDR Plaque at Waterside Theater Almost hidden at the back of Manteo’s Waterside Theater and placed amid flowers and bushes is a granite plaque commemorating the 1937 visit of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The plaque, located where his seat was positioned during The Lost Colony performance, reveals that the President had, not only an excellent view of the performance, but of the Roanoke Sound, as well. Prior to the performance, Roosevelt gave a speech reasserting his belief of the American system of democracy which began with the early voyages of European pilgrims to North America. “But most of the people who came in the early days to America—the men, the women and the children- came hither seeking something very different, seeking an opportunity which they could not find in their homes of the old world,” said Roosevelt.
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All-Black Coast Guard Memorial On the grounds of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, off to the side on a shaded path, stands a four foot granite monument to the all-black crews of the U.S. Coast Guard lifesaving station on Pea Island. Dedicated in 1990 for the Coast Guard’s bicentennial, the monument bears a bronze plaque with an inscription honoring the crews. At the top is a bas-relief image of the three-masted schooner, E.S. Newman. In 1896, Richard Etheridge, the first African American to be in charge of the station, led his lifesaving crew to rescue the Newman, which was two miles offshore. The monument marks his resting place.
A LOOK BACK
monuments J.D. Dave Driskill Plaque Aviation pioneer J.D. “Dave” Driskill is honored with a plaque in front of the Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo. America’s first licensed helicopter pilot, Driskill flew hundreds of flights along the Outer Banks in the 1930s for the National Park Service; later in his career, he flew tours for the Roanoke Island Flying Service. Dubbed the ‘Re-Discoverer of the Outer Banks,’ it is said that the Wright brothers brought aviation to the world, but Dave Driskill brought aviation to the Outer Banks. He was killed in 1949 when a helicopter he was test piloting suffered a catastrophic failure.
Civil Air Patrol Memorial Also located at the Dare County Regional Airport is a marker honoring the members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) who served during World War II. Male and female civilian pilots from all over North Carolina served at CAP Base 16, located in Manteo; North Carolina’s first Civil Air Patrol base, it was funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Most pilots flew missions over the Atlantic coastal waters, from Norfolk to Ocracoke inlet, searching for any lurking German U-Boats, while some assisted on the ground with administration. Only two pilots were lost on a mission: Frank M. Cook of Concord, NC, and Julian L. Cooper of Nash, NC, in 1942. ■
Meaghan Beasley learned more about the Outer Banks while writing this article than she has in the last twelve years living here (e.g. there’s an airport in Manteo). She now realizes she needs to get out more and enjoy the rich heritage of our area.
Summer 2015 | myouterbankshome.com
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obx memories LAST PAGE
A
STORY BY
Lacey Laird
Return to
Safe Harbor “Why must we move to this small town?” and “Of all the places we could’ve moved.” These were the phrases my husband heard during our journey to North Carolina. A brand new mother and a new military wife, I wasn’t accustomed to being pulled from my comfort zone. He had been assigned to Chesapeake, Virginia and we were leaving our hometown, Brookhaven, Mississippi. Feeling a little down the afternoon we arrived at our new home, my husband said, “We should drive to the beach, I think that should cheer you up.” I am now ashamed to say that I was not even aware that our new home in Elizabeth City, NC was within driving distance of a beach. I stopped unpacking boxes and packed an overnight bag with a change of clothes and all the baby supplies we would need. Within thirty minutes we were in the car headed to “this beach.” We drove through farmland as mom and pop antique shops led the way. The OBX stickers on everyone’s cars intrigued me. “What in the world does OBX stand for?” I asked aloud. Finally we arrived. It was then that I realized it wasn’t just “some beach;” it was the Outer Banks. The stickers finally made sense and I fell in love with a location for the first time in my life. The Outer Banks was unlike any coastal region I had been to. As soon as I walked onto the beach, a truly spiritual feeling fell over me. It felt as if everything in my life was aligned and this was the exact spot that I was sup-
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The author with her daughter, Piper, while on a recent trip to the Outer Banks.
posed to be in during this moment in my life. The Outer Banks became my safe harbor. Not a month went by during our four year tour where I did not spend at least a weekend at the beach. I tried to share the joy of the Outer Banks with every family member who came to visit. My parents still speak of their favorite vacation at the “Whale N. Jennings” beach house that sat caddy-corner to the ocean. As many military families well know, there comes a time when you must pack it all up and start over in another town. When that time came for our family, I took one last weekend trip, not knowing how long it might be before I returned or if I might ever stick my toes in the sand and water on the Outer Banks again. We said our goodbyes and went home to pack a U-Haul for the next adventure. After crisscrossing the country and finally settling in Louisiana for six years, a new set of orders arrived. The orders came and then changed twice. Our final set of orders sent us to Alexandria, Virginia. We arrived at our rental house and my homesick daughter was in a state of misery. “How could we take her from the home she loved?” she asked repeatedly. I stopped unpacking the boxes and consulted with my husband. I told my children to pack an overnight bag; we were going somewhere very special. We pulled up to the first available hotel and settled in for the night after ordering a to-go seafood plate at one of the only restaurants open for the winter season. At morning’s first light, we headed to the beach. At this time of year it was much too cold to swim so we drove the mostly two lane stretch to Hatteras and visited any of the popular landmarks open in the off-season. I worried because the weather was very overcast with a drizzling rain. Late that afternoon, the sun finally peaked through the clouds while we ate ice cream at a local shop. For the first time since we moved, I saw a smile on my daughter’s face. “Can we visit here all the time?” She asked. “Sure,” I said. “Why don’t we try to visit at least one weekend every month?” ■ Lacey Laird is freelance travel writer and photographer. She is in her senior year of college pursuing a degree in Psychology. Lacey is looking forward to making new memories with her family this summer on the Outer Banks.
myouterbankshome.com | Summer 2015
Editor’s Note: Do you have a story to tell about why you love the Outer Banks? Send us an essay submission (800 words or less) describing your love for the Outer Banks lifestyle and a few photos, and we may publish it here. Send your essays to editor@ threedogink.com.
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