My Outer Banks Home - Spring 2017

Raising Bees by the Sea beekeepers on the Banks

page 18

The Ripple Effects of

Kindness

random acts that make all the difference

page 40

Outer Banks Chicken Lady

life with her “Lucys�

Nags Head Woods

our hidden gem

Young Gun on the Links

local golf phenom

OBX Bucket Lists

must-do adventures

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what’s inside CONTENTS

HOME MY OUTER BANKS

enjoying the coastal lifestyle

feature 6

She is the Egg Mom

Evelyn Rollason raises her free ranging flock of Lucys and shares its bounty with the locals.

PUBLISHER

Mary Ann Williams, Gene Williams

EDITOR

Michelle Wagner

ART DIRECTOR Sue Colao

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Groat

SALES ASSOCIATES

Katelin Kight, Marie Walker

CONTRIBUTORS

6 nature 10

Finding Beauty in the Woods Become immersed in nature at Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve.

18

Jane Fiedler

18 adventure 32

32

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ascension Photography, Avangrid, Barrier Island Aviation, Blue Moon Beach Grill, Dea Celaj, Tatum Clements, Sue Colao, Corolla Wild Horse Fund, Dare County Arts Council, Denise Deacon, Fay Davis Edwards, Jane Fiedler, fptower.com, Erin Groat, Kevin Groat, Rosie Hawthorne, Katelin Kight, Kitty Hawk Kites, the Mobley family, ncobs.org, Outer Banks Equine Adventures, Outer Banks Sports Club, Resort Realty, Shutterstock, Gayle Tiller, Tsloate, Michelle Wagner, Marie Walker, D. Werner

SOCIAL MEDIA

Raising Bees by the Sea Outer Banks residents are buzzing over the sweetness of the apiary world.

Kimberly Armstrong, Susan Selig Classen, Jane Elfring, Dave Fairbank, Rosie Hawthorne, Catherine Kozak, Katrina Mae Leuzinger, Abby R. Stewart, Michelle Wagner

DISTRIBUTION Jason Adams

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Bucket Lists of the Banks

Take a peek at what some of our favorite locals have on their OBX bucket lists.

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.

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what’s inside CONTENTS

community 22

36

38

40

sports

Harvesting the Wind

Despite turbulence, the Amazon Wind Farm U.S. East is up and running.

26

Young Gun on the Links Currituck’s Slater Mobley takes a swing at the national level.

A Sand Investment

Major beach nourishment efforts are in store for the northern Outer Banks this summer.

An Arts Evolution

From humble beginnings, an arts community now serves as a cornerstone of daily life.

A Ripple Effect

Random acts of kindness create smiles across the Outer Banks.

26 22 food 14

SERVING THE OUTER BANKS

healthcare 30

SINCE 1995

GEM Offers a Little Harmony

Local group offers a helping hand to those living with memory loss.

Homage to Spring Rosie Hawthorne celebrates the season with ingredients straight from the garden.

17

NC License # 77114

Brewing up Kombucha Get a crash course in fermenting this tasty wonder drink.

14

• Exterior & Interior Painting

30

• Power Washing

• Rot Repair • Siding Installation

• Deck Sealing

• Deck Repair & Replacement

• Drywall Repair

• Windows & Doors

• Specialty Finishes

• Residential Remodeling

BE A C HPA INT ING . C O M • 8 0 0 . 6 6 3 . 4 9 4 4 Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

5

the egg mom JANE FIEDLER

FEATURE

SHE

IS TH E

EGG MOM

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

“It’s all things chicken around here,” Rollason laughs as she explains how, just four years ago, she started with only eight hens but because of what she refers to as “chicken math,” her flock has quickly multiplied.

She now has 26 Barred Rock hens at her Columbia home nestled in the middle of the PalmettoPeartree Preserve and National Wildlife Refuge property. She’s the proud owner of another 70 or so babies at her relative’s house and is fixing to get 75 more newly hatched chicks any day now.

But the hens that gather around her on this particularly sunny day in early February are – clearly – her very favorites. “I’ve named them all Lucy,” Rollason says. “I yell it and they all come running.”

There is no doubt these chickens, which flock to her and demand her attention, rule the roost around here. And there’s definitely a pecking order among the Lucy clan.

“I think I’ve ruined them,” Rollason admits as she pets a hen and describes in detail her chickens’ favor-

TSLOATE

STORY BY

Michelle Wagner

ite snacks, funny quirks, the meanings behind their chicken song, and how they knock at her back door by pecking on the glass.

She shares stories like any proud mama would and smiles fondly as she recalls their first experience with snow.

Yes, Rollason is crazy about her hens. She feeds them only their favorite meals, which include fresh fruits, vegetables, and special treats like bread and sunflower seeds. In the late evenings, especially during the winter, Rollason will give the Lucys cracked corn to help increase their body heat before they go in to roost.

“They’ll eat just about anything and they also love watermelon,” Rollason says, adding that the hens will devour scrambled eggs. Crushed eggshells, she said, are good for them because it makes the shells of their newly hatched eggs even stronger. And oh, the Lucys are on a strict non-GMO diet.

While Rollason and her family may know these chickens the best, they aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy their hens’ bounty. Rollason spends at least one day each week traveling to the Outer Banks to deliver dozens of eggs from her “Lucys” to her faithful customers - customers who just love to see her coming through the door with an armload of recycled cartons filled with eggs that are just about as fresh as you can get.

Rollason has earned quite a reputation around the beach and fully embraces a few of the nicknames she’s earned for herself over the years.

She is known by many of her regulars as “the egg lady,” but her favorite is “the crazy chicken lady,” an affectionate label her son has given her.

As the Lucys head out of the henhouse each morning, they empty out into the wide open backyard, coming and going as they please until it is time to roost at dusk. To say they are free range would be an understatement by any definition.

Without really needing to say it, Rollason points out, “We don’t eat our chickens here. We just love having them wander around the yard.”

It’s quite obvious these feathered friends are as loved as any family pet.

Evelyn’s fiancé, Joe Brickhouse, said one of the Lucys follows him everywhere he goes, sitting on the table in the shed as he works.

“We don’t leave them out if we are not home because of the Redtailed Hawks. They can be a problem,” Brickhouse added.

Rollason’s chickens are a tightknit bunch, having been together since they were born; and they definitely “own” the place they call home.

In fact, they exude an air that just says, “No one here but us chickens.”

The hens produce beautiful eggs in various shades of brown all year round, but fall and winter are their slow times of year. When production

TSLOATE

Evelyn Rollason slips on her colorful chicken boots and heads to the henhouse with a wire basket and a container full of salad scraps tucked under her arm. Her babies, as she likes to call them, hear their mother hen coming as soon as the screen door slams.

A commotion of clucks, chicken chatter, and ruffling feathers follows.

TSLOATE

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

7

the egg mom FEATURE

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wanes, Rollason will often alternate her deliveries to customers so there is enough to go around.

She sells regular eggs and jumbo at $3 and $3.50 per dozen.

When the hens first begin to lay, the eggs are often larger and sometimes have two yolks. Eventually the eggs get smaller, but then become larger again as the hens mature. “They will lay well for about four years before they start slowing down,” Rollason says.

For now, the eggs of these feisty barred rock hens are in high demand. As for Rollason, she is enjoying every minute.

The egg lady will tell you that chickens make as many as 20 different sounds and that those sounds have different meanings. And as she stands next to the henhouse dubbed “skid row,” she can easily rattle off a dozen phrases that she calls “chicken language.” These range from “mad as wet hen,” “empty nest syndrome” and “flew the coop,” to “nest egg,” “mother hen,” and “chicken feed,” just to name a few.

Her all-time favorite chicken phrase, however, is “the rooster crows, but the hen delivers the goods.” One way or another, she jokes, chickens are a part of everyone’s life.

Rollason has about 25 regular customer stops, ranging from banks and shops to neighborhood groups and local businesses. But as far as profit, Rollason says there’s little.

“I make $1 per dozen, if that,” she says. So why does she do it? From the smile on her face when she starts talking her chicken talk, right down to her chicken boots, Rollason simply loves what she does.

The rest, you could say, is just chicken scratch. ³ Three Dog Ink Media looks forward each week to Evelyn’s delivery of fresh eggs from her Lucys.

MICHELLE WAGNER WAGNER MICHELLE

To reach Rollason or be added to her list of customers, email her at evelyndrollason@ gmail.com or find her on Facebook.

Dana Hedgepeth

Reda Gudac,CIC

Personal Lines Account Manager dana@vogedesinsurance.com

Pesonal lines Account Manager reda@vogedesinsurance.com

Vogedes Insurance Agency, Inc.

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866-760-3526

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9

nags head woods

Finding Beauty in the WOODS Just minutes from the busy beach towns of the Outer Banks lies a wilderness that is cherished among locals and revered by visitors. This is Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, where the only traffic you’ll encounter is from a bullfrog – or perhaps a yellow-bellied slider – that crosses your path.

D

rifting fog consumes the late afternoon sun that pierces the forest canopy, sending a chill through the air. An unusually warm day for a winter run in Nags Head Woods, it’s a welcome respite made even more pleasant by the complete absence of biting bugs that can, at times, plague these woods.

On this February day, scents of salt and pine lighten the aroma of wet earth carried in the wafting fog. Rainwater from the morning moistens the trails and glistens on leaves, but puddles are few. As the setting sun breaks through the haze, a pond just off the trail instantly erupts with the sounds of a remarkably loud animal.

Insect? Amphibian? Regardless, these noises are unusual for this time of year.

Mostly, the forest is quiet, interrupted only by an occasional bird call. Nobody else is around. A detour off the dirt road onto the Discovery Trail leads to a place of even more splendor. Not the pretty garden path kind; this is unadorned nature: felled tree limbs visibly consumed by the forest floor, lichen blooming in a seemingly random fashion from dead and live trees alike. Little wooden bridges lead over numerous ponds, some coated green by duckweed, some just still dark pools.

Weather beaten placards materialize out of the wilderness to inform the curious hiker about the strange-looking bark or rare flower in front of them.

No matter the time of year, from daybreak to last light, a visit to Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is a reminder of how a natural healthy environment looks, smells and feels.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

Exploring the Woods

Not far west of the bustling and busy U.S. 158 bypass, this fragile ecosystem of sand dunes, ponds, hardwood forest and wetlands is considered a North Carolina treasure. Nature trails with names like Sweetgum Swamp and Blueberry Ridge meander through the 1,200-acre preserve, now owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. These range from short and easy to more challenging, but the five miles of trails offer the mythical ‘walk in the woods’ soul renewal that comes from being immersed in nature.

Last summer, National Geographic named the preserve’s 1.5-mile Roanoke Trail as one of the nation’s 10 best “easy hikes.” The rare Southern Twayblade wildflower can be found along this trail in early summer. And the latest addition to the self-guided trails is an ADA trail to make the woods accessible to everyone.

Located a short distance from the parking lot, the .5-mile trail of concrete paths and wooden boardwalk passes by a freshwater pond, an overlook with vistas of the marshland and swamp forest. At the trailhead, a garden attracts the numerous butterfly species in the woods.

Dogs on leashes are welcome on the ADA trail, as well as the Roanoke, Discovery and Town trails.

Runners, bicyclists and occasional horseback riders enjoy the unpaved Old Nags Head Wood Road, a wider and less obstructed option that stretches about

SUE COLAO

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STORY BY

Catherine Kozak

AVERY LENNARD

NATURE

SUE COLAO

three miles between The Nature Conservancy borders in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. Motorized vehicles, limited to 15 mph, can also use the road but they’re few and far between.

Local Outer Bankers see “the woods” as our treasured refuge from the hubbub of the beach and the constant demands of everyday life. It’s the place we go when we want shelter from the sun, wind and even a light drizzle. It’s the place we go to re-group, to de-stress, to think, to meditate. It’s where we go to be alone, and where we go to share the joy of being outside with our families.

Not to be overlooked is the delight in showing off Nags Head Woods to outof-town guests who may have no idea that such a natural treasure exists just a short drive from the beach.

“Fantastic and what a surprise,” notes a visitor who left a comment in the Preserve’s logbook. “Beautiful even in the rain,” writes another. Counting those that registered, 8,788 people visited these woods in 2016, but it is estimated that many more visited but did not sign the logbook.

As much as quiet winter days have the virtues of serenity and solitude, busy summer days in the woods can offer engaging programs with interpreters, guided hikes with naturalists, and field trips for school classes and university student groups. Examples of programs on the Preserve include night hikes, full moon hikes, and birding by ear.

Nags Head Woods is open from dawn to dusk for self-guided adventure, but don’t make the mistake of lagging beyond nightfall. There are few darker or spookier places on the Outer Banks to be after sunset. Ask any local child to tell

you about the legendary Goatman, who is said to live in an abandoned hunting cabin in the woods, where he supposedly roams at night.

Forest, Fauna and Frogs

Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974, Nags Head Woods has many unique attributes that make it what conservationists call an ancient maritime forest. Interns travel from all over the country to the Preserve every year to learn as they work in the forest, and academics have often studied the rare barrier island ecosystem.

The ecological preserve is buffered from ocean winds by dune ridges Run Hill and Jockey’s Ridge – on the northern and southern borders - allowing an unusually diverse range of animal and plant life to thrive in the sheltered environment.

More than 100 species of birds, from waterfowl to songbirds, have been observed in the woods, and at least 50 bird species nest among its dunes, marshes, ponds and wetlands. It’s also home to 550 species of plants, 15 species of amphibians, 28 species of reptiles, seven species of fish, not to mention river otter, fox, deer and numerous other mammals.

But it is the trees, of course, that make the woods what they are. These are not the bent, wind-blown trees that are typical of the Outer Banks. These are tall and mighty hickory, loblolly and longleaf pine, maple, sweet gum, red bay, beech, red cedar and oak trees, some centuries-old. One huge live oak,

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

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nags head woods NATURE

A Race Like No Other: The Time-Honored Nags Head Woods 5K

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Above: A view of the administration building from one of the Center Trail’s bridges. Below: A group of children marvel at a turtle during a program at the Preserve.

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ASCENSION PHOTOGRAPHY

standing high on a ridge overlooking the Roanoke Sound was recently featured in Our State Magazine. Collectively, the trees create the canopy that shelter people from the elements while providing the vibrancy that orchestrates wind into music.

The Conservancy has started a fundraising campaign for rehabilitation of the ‘80s-era visitors’ center. The deck and walkway are scheduled to be replaced this spring. Over the years, managers at Nags Head Woods have maintained an easygoing and cooperative relationship with the nearby community, which in turn has a welcoming attitude toward visitors. Vandalism and crime, when they occur, are minor and infrequent, says Aaron McCall, The Nature Conservancy’s Northeast Regional Steward. “It’s a very small amount,” he said. “Generally, the people who come here are very respectful.”

Private homes and pieces of property are tucked discreetly within and around the Preserve. But humans have long lived in the woods, which boasts dune ridges as high as 60 feet. From the 1700s through the mid-20th century, a thriving community resided in the woods. The village included a dozen or so homesteads, churches, a school, store, farms and several businesses. Today, all that remains of the village are a few artifacts, a home’s foundation and cemeteries scattered in the woods. There are at least five old graveyards inside the Preserve, and visitors often enjoy reading the grave stones to learn more about one of the first post-colonial communities on the Outer Banks.

It doesn’t really matter what brings you to Nags Head Woods. Whether here to run, hike, explore, or just appreciate its solitude and beauty, the time spent in these woods is bound the renew the spirit as you disappear into this hidden treasure called Nags Head Woods. ³ Catherine Koazak has worked as a writer and reporter on the Outer Banks since 1995. She lives in Nags Head and enjoys running in the woods with her dog Rosie.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

For more than three decades, hundreds of runners ascend on Nags Head Woods each spring for one of the area’s most revered running races. The Nags Head Woods 5K, hosted by the North Banks Rotary Club, is arguably one of the most time-honored and popular races on the Outer Banks.

And it’s all for a good cause. Net proceeds from the race go back into the community and have supported charitable causes such as Interfaith Community Outreach, the Beach Food Pantry, Mane and Taill, The Nature Conservancy and Hatteras Meals on Wheels to name a few.

Held on Mother’s Day weekend, the race features a one-mile fun run, a 5K and an all-new double 5K. Its popular Fastest Mom on the Beach award draws many families cheering for the moms in their lives.

Race Director Tyler Booth says that there’s a maximum of 500 runners permitted to enter, but typically the event draws between 350 and 400.

In addition to a T-shirt, every race finisher receives an event medal, but runners who participate seem to run more for the communal joy of running in the woods than to prove their athletic prowess. A popular after-race party, co-sponsored by Yuengling Brewery and Coastal Beverage Company, is always a hit among runners as well.

“To be able to run through that ecological preserve is unique,” Booth says. “It’s a very different environment that attracts people who want to do it. It’s shady, it’s comfortable and it’s beautiful.”

And for many, it’s become a tradition. Not only have some run in the race every year for decades, they’re now running with their extended families as well.

“There are tons of participants who come from very far north,” Booth says. “I guess it’s almost a staple, they’ve been coming for so long. And then they tell their friends. We have people who are just itching to register as soon as we open up registration.”

For more information on the race, see nagsheadwoods5krun.org.

252.267.2287 tom@haddon-homes.com

RAHoy.com (252)261-2008 Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

13

Hom

o t e g a

spring fare RECIPES

I

love the change of seasons, but none as much as that of spring. Rebirth, renewal, regrowth, the promise of things to come, and the luxury of having fresh vegetables in my own garden – this is spring to me. Spring is the color of sunshine. Spring is the distinct, earthy scent of rain in the air. Spring is the remarkable and singular smell of green. Spring is the smell of dirt on my hands.

Spring reminds me that all is right in the world; that it, inexorably, begins anew, and I am, once again, privy to its bounty and exhausted by its hope.

I’m celebrating spring with food, of course. I’ve put together a spring meal showcasing the first vegetable offerings of the season, a lot of which come from my own garden. A spring greens and baby spinach salad with avocado, grapes, and caramelized pecans, napped with a strawberry and balsamic vinaigrette, will whet your appetite. Then we’ll move on to a bright and herby Potatoes Primavera accented with asparagus, along with a more substantial Mediterranean Mélange, featuring artichokes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and the oft-overlooked fennel. We’ll end our meal on a high note with a heavenly Pavlova Printemps.

It’s a meal to remember.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Rosie Hawthorne

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created spring.”

- Bernard Williams

Potato salads are like coleslaw and BBQ sauces. Everybody has a recipe.

Here’s a new twist on an old favorite using colorful new potatoes, fresh asparagus from my garden, and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette with fresh dill.

Candied Pecans

1 TB unsalted butter 1 TB light brown sugar ½ cup pecans Pinch of kosher salt.

Spring Strawberry Salad Supreme Mixed spring lettuce greens – romaine, red and green oak leaf, arugula, assorted lettuces Baby spinach greens Radicchio, julienned (It resembles red cabbage, but is a member of the chicory family. Totally different animal. Has a slightly bitter taste that pairs well with balsamic vinegar.)

Basil and mint leaves, torn.

Confetti mix of green, yellow, orange, and red peppers in a tiny dice Red onion, diced Candied pecans, recipe below Chèvre cheese, diced and rolled in a mix of chopped fresh parsley and freshly ground pepper Red and black grapes, halved Strawberries, thinly sliced Avocado, cubed and tossed in lime juice (for flavor and to prevent discoloration) As for the amounts of each ingredient, remember, this is a salad. It isn’t rocket science, so just mix and go.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

STEP 1: Melt butter and stir in sugar, salt, and pecans.

Potatoes Primavera

Serves more than 4

1 pound new potatoes, sliced 1 bunch asparagus, blanched 2 TB rice vinegar, divided 1 TB Dijon mustard 3 TB canola oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper ⅓ cup chopped dill, plus extra sprigs for garnish STEP 1: Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in

STEP 2: Spread out on wax paper. Let cool.

potatoes and cook until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain potatoes in colander, and transfer to a bowl. Immediately toss potatoes with 1 TB rice vinegar. That’s the trick here. Immediately!

Strawberry and Balsamic Vinaigrette

STEP 2: Prepare asparagus. Bend each spear gently

Cook over medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes.

½ cup strawberries, chopped ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tsp sugar 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 TB lemon juice Pinches of rosemary, thyme, and oregano ½ cup olive oil (I used Bertolli Extra Light Olive

Oil, which doesn’t overpower any of the other flavors.)

Pinch Kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper

STEP 1: Combine strawberries, vinegar, sugar, mustard, lemon juice, and herbs in processor and give it a few pulses.

and the asparagus will snap. Don’t worry. The asparagus knows where to break. Discard the bottom portion.

Slice the rest of the spear into 1-inch pieces. Drop asparagus into boiling, salted water. Cook 2 minutes or until just tender. Drain asparagus and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking and set that lovely spring green color.

STEP 3: For the vinaigrette, whisk remaining tablespoon of rice vinegar with Dijon until smooth. Gradually whisk in the oil, forming an emulsion. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in dill.

STEP 4: Lightly toss cooled potatoes and asparagus with dressing. Garnish with additional sprigs of dill.

STEP 2: Whisk in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

15

spring fare RECIPES

I love Mediterranean cuisine and my next dish showcases those flavors. Combine fennel, along with new potatoes, artichoke bottoms, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives, and you have what I call culinary synergism – the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual ingredients.

Mediterranean Mélange 1 lb. potatoes, sliced ½” thick 1 fennel bulb, halved lengthwise and sliced ½” thick 1 leek, halved lengthwise, and sliced ½” thick 4 artichokes, prepared (instructions below) 1 lemon, sliced ¼” thick 3 TB extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp kosher salt ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper 1 tsp dried oregano ¼ - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled ¼ - ½ cup Kalamata olives, halved 2-3 TB fresh parsley

STEP 1: Heat oven to 450°.

STEP 2: Prepare artichokes: Slice stems off so artichokes sit evenly. Tear off

bottom 2-3 rows of leaves, cut tips off remaining leaves, and slice about ½-1 inch off tops. Cut into quarters and carefully remove the choke (the fuzzy part) and the inner leaves. Add enough water in a pot to cover artichokes and squeeze the juice of one lemon into the water. Place pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook, covered, until heart is tender, 35-40 minutes.

Remove and drain artichoke quarters. Cut hearts out and reserve.

STEP 3: Use the remaining leaves to dip into melted butter and pull through teeth to get the pulp-like portion at the base of the petals.

STEP 4: Toss potatoes, fennel, leek and lemon slices with olive oil, salt, pepper,

and oregano to coat. Spread in baking pan in a single layer and bake at 450° until tender, 25-30 minutes.

STEP 5: Remove from oven. Mix in artichoke hearts and olives. Sprinkle parsley and feta over top.

For dessert, I have a sublime and ethereal Pavlova Printemps for you. Pavlova is a dessert named after famed Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova. The dessert was a metaphorical representation of the ballerina, with the colorful fruit and the light, frothy meringue epitomizing the magnificence of the dancer’s costumes and her “lighter than air” form.

Please enjoy the recipes as you welcome and embrace spring. ³

Pavlova Printemps

Meringue Whipped cream Assorted berries – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries Sliced kiwi Mint sprigs STEP 1: Beat whites at medium speed until soft peaks

spring fare RECIPES

Kombucha

Brewing Up A Wonder Drink

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Kevin Groat & Katelin Kight

Kombucha, a fermented tea that has received a lot of fanfare lately, is made in the same fashion biochemically as beer but does not require an airtight fermentation. The tea, which has an earthy, tart and vinegary taste, contains only very small traces of alcohol and is considered a probiotic.

Kombucha is touted for its many health benefits, such as aiding digestion, sleep, weight loss and detoxification. It is also believed to stimulate the immune system, improve liver function, prevent cancer and stop hair loss.

Yields 1 gallon During the fermentation process, the live culture SCOBY, or symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, converts sugar in the tea to glycolic acids that contain health beneficial enzymes, amino acids, polyphenols, various other organic acSCOBY (Purchase online or ask a fellow brewer for a spawn from their batch) ids, and even vitamin C. 12 regular tea bags (green or black tea) Sometimes referred to as mushroom tea because of the SCOBY’s appear1 gallon distilled water ance, many kombucha fans have taken to home brewing. The following is a 1 1/2 cups cane sugar (organic is preferable) crash course in brewing this wonder drink.

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (only for first batch)

Kombucha Tea

Large storage jar container Coffee filter Funnel 32 oz. Fruit juice (no artificial sweeteners. Freshly squeezed juice is best) 12-16 sterilized 12oz airtight flip-top glass bottles OR 12-16 reused and sterilized 12oz pop cap bottles (not twist open), unused bottle caps, and a bottle capper STEP 1: Bring water to a boil and then remove from heat.

STEP 2: Steep 12 tea bags per 1 gallon of water.

Meringue

STEP 3: Discard tea bags. While tea is still warm, add sugar 1/2 cup at a time.

Pour vinegar into storage container with the SCOBY, fill with the sweet tea.

Makes 8 rounds.

2 egg whites ½ cup sugar ½ tsp cream of tartar ½ tsp cornstarch pinch kosher salt 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla

STEP 4: Place one coffee filter over top opening and hold in place with a rubber band, OR if the top has a pour spout opening, place your coffee filter down first, put top on and leave it open (see picture bottom left). This is done so CO2 can escape while preventing potential foreign matter to enter.

STEP 5: Let sit in low light, 70-80 degree area for 8 to 10 days. If stored in a

cooler place, your tea may take at least 14 days. When primary fermentation is complete, tea should be a mix of vinegar and sweet flavors.

form. Gradually beat in sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until stiff peaks form.

Increase speed and beat in rest of ingredients. Continue beating until glossy and satiny.

STEP 6: Pour tea into large bowl. Mix with your choice of flavored juice. And you

STEP 2: Pipe meringue into 4-inch diameter circles onto parchment paper.

STEP 7: If you want tea with carbonation / effervescence: Pour into bottle using

have kombucha tea!

a funnel, and close it up making sure it is airtight.

STEP 3: Bake at 300°, 40-45 minutes. Cool.

For meringues, your egg whites should be at room temperature (for more volume) and uncontaminated by yolk, grease, or water, else they won’t whip up. Also, never bother to make meringues on a humid day.

Rosie Hawthorne is a food blogger, gardener, and mother. 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.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

STEP 1: Chill the bowl and beaters in freezer

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla

for about 20 minutes.

STEP 2: Beat cream until soft peaks form.

Beat in sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

STEP 3: Assembly: Layer meringues, whipped cream, and fruit. Top with mint sprigs.

STEP 8: Place kombucha-filled bottles in a box and set aside at room temperature for 2 to 5 days. The time for the tea to carbonate will depend on the amount of sugar in the juice added.

STEP 9: After 2 to 5 days, refrigerate before you enjoy!

WARNING:

Brewing kombucha requires a sterile environment and strict procedure. Use caution when handling the SCOBY culture. Though rare, if treated wrongly, SCOBY can create adverse health effects. In addition, use caution with contents under pressure...always store airtight bottles of kombucha in a closed box.

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

17

raising bees

RAISING BEES

DENISE DEACON

WILD THINGS

BY THE SEA

DENISE DEACON

Beekeepers come from all walks of life. They are coaches, teachers, artists. It doesn’t really matter what their profession is – the bees call to them, drawing them into their sweet world in the same inexplicable ways.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

SHUTTERSTOCK

Above Left: A honey bee gathers pollen in her corbicula, or pollen basket. Above Right: Denise Deacon’s hives outside her Kitty Hawk home.

pretty unusual back then in the 70s to have beehives in your backor Haley Hyatt Bartolotta, it was love at first sight.

STORY BY yard,” says Deacon, adding that she was interested in the hives but “I just fell in love with the whole idea,” she says of seeing Michelle Wagner they didn’t last. Teenagers knocked them down a few months after a hive up close back in 2012. Five years later, she has three he got them. hives: one at her home right over the bridge in Currituck, one And seven or eight years ago, it dawned on her that the reason her squash, toin Duck, and another in Southern Shores. mato and melon plants weren’t producing any fruit was likely because they weren’t “I was just amazed at the roles each bee has and what a close society exists in being pollinated. that little box. And the end result is this wonderful stuff that we all love.”

Not long after, Deacon began looking for beekeepers in the area, connecting Denise Deacon shares a similar story as she walks around the perimeter of with two of only a few who were in the area at the time. One was Bartolotta and the two hives outside her Kitty Hawk home. She picks up a few honey bees that together they reached out to the Beekeepers of the Albemarle to enroll in a class. are lying on the ground and gently places them in a small plastic container. To the Soon afterward, she ordered two nucleus hives that she picked up in early 2012. novice, these winged insects look dead. But Deacon knows better.

Deacon lost both hives that first year.

She’ll warm them either in her hands or bring the bees inside, thaw them out “It was traumatic to lose them,” says Deacon, who now moves around the near a warm lamp, and then release them back to the hive. Deacon knows that hives with complete ease, letting the honey bees land on her and soaking in the every member of the hive matters, and she is the perfect person to explain what mesmerizing movements and sounds of the bees at work. makes a community of bees tick.

“It’s a very scary thing to go into the hive during that first year. You have to “There really is a silent minority that exists here on the Outer Banks that is be very gentle and just have to get it through your head that you are going to get trying to make everyone’s lives better by keeping bees,” says Deacon of the growstung at some point.” ing number of beekeepers on the Outer Banks. Deacon, who lives on the edge Over the years, Deacon’s learned a lot about how to interact with the bees. of the Kitty Hawk Woods Preserve, heads up the ever-expanding Outer Banks “You have to be very mindful of what you are doing with your body in relation to Beekeepers Guild, which now has as many as 30 beekeepers and more than 130 their space. It’s their area, their hive, and their nest. You should be consciously members on its mailing list. aware of why you need to go in and bother them.”

While Deacon can’t quite pin down what it was that made her first gravitate Deacon continued to learn from the bees alongside her fellow beekeepers that toward apiary causes five years ago, she does remember the moment it became first year, and became increasingly attracted to the idea of natural beekeeping. She clear that she’d become a keeper of bees. plans to add two hives to her apiary this spring and prefers the natural comb that “I just all of the sudden knew it was something I had to do,” she says, and bees build to their preferred size. recalls standing in her yard envisioning exactly where a hive would go. And she has And as she continued to delve into the beekeeping world, a community of likea few memories that could explain what years later would grow into a fascination minded community members was also emerging, and in 2014, the Outer Banks and affection for these pollinators.

Beekeepers Guild was born.

One is of her father, who had a beehive when Deacon was a child. “It was

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

19

Growing Bees What began just three years ago as a handful of local beekeepers like Deacon and Bartolotta has now grown into a guild whose mission is to encourage better methods among beekeepers; promote cooperation and sharing; and study and research the apiarian art.

In the short time since its inception, the Guild has definitely become “all the buzz” in the local apiarian world.

“We have a wonderful community of beekeepers here,” says Deacon. She is quick to mention supporting members such as the Guild’s vice president, Susan Rollason, treasurer Drew Owen, program manager Julie Moye and co-secretaries Deb Lawson and Dalton Hyde, all of whom she said have been instrumental in the Guild’s success.

The group holds monthly meetings, hosts speakers and conducts removals of honey bee swarms. It also held its first local honey contest last December. This spring, the group hosted Michael Bush, a well-known speaker on the treatment-free methods of beekeeping.

Deacon and other Guild members also speak at schools and organizations, sharing with the local community the world of beekeeping and its benefits, including the honey it produces.

“Outer Banks honey is really unique because we don’t have the influence of agricultural chemicals here,” says Deacon as she starts the harvest process, first crushing the comb that bursts with sweet honey. Everything is then poured into a strainer set atop a clean receptacle, covered, and left to sit for a day or two.

After the bubbles have risen, the honey is put into clean jars.

The benefits of raw harvested honey are endless, with all the naturally occurring pollen, vitamins, minerals and amino acids preserved during the harvest.

Honey properties have many health benefits, serving as an antiseptic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory. Eating local honey also minimizes seasonal allergies.

Honey from spring flowers can be clear and light tasting while a fall harvest can produce dark and molasses-like honey. According to the Guild’s webpage, bees visit more than two million flowers and fly 55,000 miles (that’s more than twice around the equator) to make one pound of honey, and each female produces only one-twelfth of a teaspoon in her lifetime. As for local honey, the demand far exceeds the supply, Deacon said.

But as much as Deacon loves the end product – the sweet honey that drips from the crushed cone – it’s the bees that she finds so endearing. “It’s just mesmerizing to watch them coming and going and seeing the way they work together. It’s ‘all for one’ with them. A hive really is a super-organism.”

For more information on the Outer Banks Beekeepers Guild, sources of local honey, or swarm removal, visit outerbanksbeekeepers.com. ³ Michelle Wagner has been living and writing on the Outer Banks for more than 15 years and is also the editor for Three Dog Ink Media.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

it's your legacy

it’s more than just a home

“When the time came to build our dream house on the Outer Banks, we wanted a builder we could trust. Stan White was the obvious choice to deliver custom quality, strength and value. The Stan White team’s substantial experience, expertise and commitment to us was invaluable throughout the building process. We are delighted with the beautiful and durable home we will enjoy and pass on to our children and grandchildren. We’re proud to say that it was built by Stan White!” - The Roberts Family, Rockville MD

Above: Denise Deacon inspects the capped honey from one of her hives. Below: Deacon extracts honey using the crush and strain method. The wax, once licked clean by the bees, can be melted and used for other purposes. Photos by Michelle Wagner.

Help the Native Pollinators!

Plant Local

Experts agree that honey bees have been in decline since 2006, and a 2013 study by the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies estimates annual hive loss among beekeepers to be 30 percent or higher.

The destruction of habitat, the increasing use of pesticides, parasites and global temperatures, are all to blame for not only the honey bees’ plight, but all native pollinators. There are some things people can do to help and one is to plant flowers, trees and shrubs in your yard and garden that are bee-friendly.

Native bees really need a variety of flowering plants, Deacon says. She recommends planting native whenever possible and choosing high nectar and pollen source trees and shrubs in addition to perennial plants and flowers. A few examples include red maple, tulip poplar, holly, blackberry, clover, goldenrod, aster, locust, black and tupelo gum.

Flowering herbs like mint, basil, oregano, lavender and rosemary planted in containers and left to flower are also a favorite among bees. Other good container plants are catnip, catmint, Russian Sage, Pineapple Sage, thyme and chives.

Leaving dead wood piles as well as dry, bare batches of earth in your garden is also helpful for pollinators.

“And it’s really important to check that what you buy is not already treated with pesticides,” Deacon points out, adding that it’s good to look for the United States Department of Agriculture organic stamp when picking out plants at the store.

And as far as those pesky flowering dandelions, it’s best to leave them in the ground. The bees with thank you.

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21

A LOOK FORWARD

wind farms

the

AVANGRID

harvesting

WIND

The turbines on the windmills of Amazon Wind Farm U.S. East had barely started turning when controversy surfaced about whether the project should continue. After nearly eight years of planning, study and permitting, state lawmakers lodged a protest against the farm near Elizabeth City.

22

AVANGRID

N

myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

The farm is part of Amazon Web Services overall commitment to achieving orth Carolina legislators, including House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate 100 percent renewable energy usage for its worldwide operation. The local wind President Phil Berger and Senator Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, sent a letter to the farm joins similar operations in Ohio and Indiana, as well as five solar farm operaincoming Trump administration in late January requesting that the wind farm tions in the United States and United Kingdom. operations cease due to possible interference with the radar Avangrid Renewables, formerly Iberdrola USA, first began lookat the Navy’s Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. STORY BY ing for a site for a new wind farm operation in 2009. At that time, The $400 million project received Navy approval during the perJane Elfring the company had wind farms in numerous other states across the mitting process, when it was confirmed the turbines would not intercountry, but none in the Southeast. Avangrid spokesman Paul Copleman said the fere with the relocatable over-the-horizon radar, or ROTHR, activities. location was chosen because of consistent strong winds, the ability to interconRep. Bob Steinburg, who represents District 1 in the N.C. House of Reprenect with the energy grid, and compatible land use because farmers would be sentatives, arranged a meeting between some of the lawmakers and local governable to use the land. ment representatives at the end of January.

Average winds in Perquimans and Pasquotank counties range from 0 to 18 Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission Dimiles per hour, but can gust higher. The 184-foot blades on the windmills begin rector Wayne Harris said he was surprised and disappointed about the letters from turning when winds reach eight miles per hour and automatically turn away from government representatives and expressed his gratitude to Steinburg for arrangthe wind if it exceeds 50. Peak generating capacity, or the “sweet spot,” is being the meeting. tween 13 and 25 miles per hour, according to Copleman. Blades automatically “We had an opportunity to talk to them about what the wind farm meant to the turn in order to best capture the wind when wind speeds are lower. local economy,” Harris said. “I mentioned that we had inquiries from commercial Additionally, the nacelle on the top, which houses the gear box and generator, developers who read about the wind farm and decided to come down to take a calibrates itself to maximize the amount of energy each turbine produces. closer look” at the area.

Avangrid Project Developer Craig Poof said the region is part of the PJM reLocal government boards have since passed resolutions emphasizing the gional transmission grid that covers the Mid-Atlantic, from North Carolina north to economic stimulus the farm has had on the region. In a letter sent after the meetPennsylvania and west to Chicago. ing, Steinburg stated, “To date, the project has been a windfall of economic develOnce the site was chosen, Poof said the company began the extensive reguopment for Perquimans and Pasquotank counties. Agricultural communities like latory process to receive construction approval. At least 20 federal, state, and these do not often have opportunities to attract $400 million investments, and local agencies had to approve the project. One of the primary concerns was the moving forward, the sustained revenue stream is unprecedented. proximity of the Navy’s Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar, or ROTHR, system “The wind farm will become the largest taxpayer in both counties, bringing in Chesapeake, Va. more than $520,000 annually to help fund local schools, hospitals, police and fire “Whenever you site a wind farm, regardless of where that is in the country, departments,” Steinburg concluded. you have to go through a process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Harris said that equates to an income stream to the region of $1 billion over the which incorporates a range of federal agencies that go into their determination of 30-year lifespan of the project. the suitability of that location,” Copleman explained.

Sen. Cook could not be reached for comment.

Copleman said U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) researchers came to the Standing 305 feet tall, the 104 windmills are expected to generate 204 megasite to conduct a detailed review process. As a result, the size of the project was watts over the course of a year to power Amazon’s Cloud Infrastructure. That’s the reduced from 150 turbines to 104. Some of the turbine locations were changed equivalent to the amount of power used by 60,000 homes.

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

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and all parties agreed to ongoing evaluation and data sharing from the site.

“If they had a problem (with the project) that reduces their capabilities, we wouldn’t be allowed to build,” Copleman said.

Once the permitting process was complete, Amazon signed on as a partner in 2015.

The permitted footprint covers 200,000 acres in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties but the final project includes only 200 acres for the turbines and substations. The company also leased 22,000 acres of farmland from 60 farmers and landowners for the project, though each turbine only takes about a halfacre out of production. Additionally, Avangrid built 60 miles of roadways, which also allows the farmers to access parts of their property they weren’t able to get to before.

Horace Pritchard, owner of approximately 1,300 acres in the wind farm area, was the first farmer to sign on. He has nine turbines on his land and will continue to grow corn, soybeans and wheat.

“We did our homework,” Pritchard said when discussing his decision to lease his land. He cited the additional income, the long-term investment for his family, the small amount of land involved, and the new year-round roads installed by Avangrid as reasons he decided to sign on.

In his position with the Economic Development Commission, Harris has been involved from the beginning. “We researched tax rates of other counties that have much better wind than we do. I thought it was a fair deal because wind projects are different. All costs happen up front,” he said.

“From a local standpoint, there is nothing not to like about this project,” he added, noting that it places no strain on the region’s infrastructure because it brings jobs but not a large influx of people.

During construction, Harris said Avangrid went to great pains to hire as many local people as possible, even going as far as to have a job fair at the local community college. Copleman said the company spent $18 million locally in hotels and restaurants during the process and purchased as much equipment locally as possible.

Harris echoed Copleman, saying that during the construction phase, hotel occupancy was “through the roof” and sales tax revenue in the county was up. At the peak of construction, there were 500 workers on site. The company hired local contractors to pour the 15-foot concrete pads because they possessed those skills. Giant crane operators from outside the area came in to raise the towers.

Now that the wind farm is fully operational, local officials welcome the positive effects it will have on the region in the coming years.

“They will be paying $5,000 per tower in taxes for 30 years, $6,000 per tower ($620,000 per year) to the landowners and employing 10 to 15 people, who will be earning about $80,000 per year,” concludes Harris. “Taxes to Pasquotank County will be $250,000 per year.” ³ Jane Elfring is a former teacher and journalist living in northeastern North Carolina. She writes stories that promote the region.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

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25

golf sensation SPORTS

YOUNG GUN

O

on the

LINKS

STORY BY

Dave Fairbank

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY

The Mobley family

ne of the area’s most notable golfers wants you to know that he’s the second-fastest kid at his school and that he has received only one grade below an A on his report cards in the past year and a half.

He says that he’s improved greatly in math. To prove it, he pulls a pencil and paper out of a drawer and begins scrawling a multiplication problem, using mom’s smartphone to check his calculations.

Slater Mobley is like many 10 year olds – bright, active, inquisitive, and a chatterbox when the mood suits him.

Put a golf club in his hands, however, and something special occurs. The boy with a favorite toy duck and a stash of Monopoly money in his bedroom disappears, and another being emerges, one with natural gifts that defy explanation for his age and, equally remarkable, the desire and discipline to put those gifts to use.

“I’ve never seen a kid like him come through here,” says Michele Paye, who has been the general manager at the Carolina Club in Grandy for the past 20 years. “He has more discipline and focus than most adults. He’s on the range or the putting green far more than any of the adults out here.”

The Mobleys live in the Grandy golf course community where Slater’s dad, Martin, works and where Slater need only go down the street to indulge his passion. “He’s got so much talent, it’s unbelievable,” said Martin, who is also a golfer.

It hasn’t taken long for Slater to begin to carve out a reputation in the golfing world, both regionally and nationally. He has won tournaments in his age group and has been invited to events here and abroad, all without the benefit of lessons.

Martin and his wife, Kara Mobley, both competitive athletes growing up, say they understand their eldest son’s gifts and while they’ll do what’s necessary to nurture them, it’s just as important to them to keep him grounded and allow him to remain a kid.

“We’ve never pushed the game on him,” Martin said. “That’s very important.”

Seated next to his dad, Slater volunteered, “I push myself. I push myself to play. Instead of him pushing me, I push him to take me out.”

Asked why he likes golf and what about the game appeals to him, Slater responded with a youngster’s matter-of-fact certainty.

“It’s probably one of the hardest sports there is,” he said. “Everybody says it’s easy, but they don’t play the game. It’s not easy. Having to get (the ball) inside a tiny hole from 280 yards in four shots, that’s not easy at all.”

Slater’s exposure to golf began with his dad, who would take Slater to work with him at the Carolina Club. Slater trailed his dad around, whacking balls with extra clubs and occupying himself for hours.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

“ He has more discipline and focus than most adults. He’s on the range or the putting green far more than any of the adults out here.”

- Carolina Club Manager Michele Paye

“I noticed it right off the bat,” Martin recalls. “He had the swing for it. When he was a little younger, before he started playing, he would swing a little bit – just run up and hit it. I noticed everything was in sync perfectly. Once he really started picking it up during the summer of 2014, everything was just nice. He was hitting the ball square. It was going straight. He was compressing the ball well. He made great contact.”

Martin was a competitive golfer and baseball player growing up in Chesapeake, Va. He gave up golf at 17, saying he was burned out, and rediscovered the game 25 years later as a more recreational and leisurely pursuit. He is a happy 5-handicapper who is now more steward than competitor.

“I’m more concerned about his golf than mine,” Martin said.

When Slater began playing competitively in the summer of 2014, he was successful almost immediately. He won the Virginia State Golf Association’s agegroup events in Hampton Roads, at Cahoon Plantation in Chesapeake and Elizabeth Manor in Portsmouth – routinely finishing near the top of the leaderboard.

His early success earned him an invitation to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, N.C. during the summer of 2015. He tied for 61st in the eight-year-old division among an international field of 138 in the three-day, 27-hole event.

The following March, at the 2016 Jekyll Island (Ga.) Cup, a major U.S. youth tournament, he tied for 11th out of 48 golfers in the nine-year-old division. He shot a second-round, 2-under-par 70, which tied for the event’s low score among all eight, nine, 10 and 11 year olds. It remains his best competitive round to date. He also tied for third place last June in the nine-year-old division of the Penn State Invitational in State College, Pa.

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

27

golf sensation SPORTS

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Slater also excels at Drive, Chip and Putt skill competitions for youth golfers. Playing from the junior tees, he regularly shoots in the mid-30s for nine holes.

“Slater has a ton of potential,” said Dan O’Boyle, director of golf at Sea Scape Golf Links in Kitty Hawk and a neighbor of the Mobleys in Grandy. O’Boyle’s son, Flynn, is a few years older than Slater and a junior golfer of note himself. Flynn and Slater are regular playing partners.

“His swing is fundamentally very good,” O’Boyle said. “His balance is very good. He doesn’t jump at it, trying to hit it too hard.

He doesn’t try to do something he can’t do. His short game is very good. He’s got a very good work ethic for as young as he is.

“With golf, it’s a matter of whether you’re willing to put in the time practicing,” he continued. “He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger, and he’s going to be able to hit it farther. If he keeps at it, his future is bright, no doubt about it.”

The Mobleys don’t doubt their son will stick with it, describing Slater as a perfectionist who embraces challenge, be it schoolwork or golf. “If you tell him he can’t do something,” Martin said, “he’ll prove to you that he can.”

Slater watches the Golf Channel and PGA Tour events, memorizing players’ stats and absorbing what he sees on TV. At times, he even pretends he’s competing at the U.S. Open, complete with running commentary. He is content to spend hours at the course by himself, either playing or practicing.

Following a competitive break for much of the winter, Slater will resume playing this spring and summer. The Mobleys say they want his natural swing and gifts to carry him for the foreseeable future. They are careful not to burden him by overcoaching or overthinking at this stage of his game, and embrace the belief that now is the time to let his love of the sport flourish. The time for coaching will come.

“If he can handle this part of the game,” Martin says, tapping his temple with his forefinger, “the sky’s the limit. If he gets it up here, everything will go well for him because he has the talent.” ³

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Dave Fairbank is a freelance writer living in Kill Devil Hills. Dave was a sports writer for 30 years at the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press prior to relocating to the Outer Banks.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

29

gem services JUST CAUSES

GEM Offers a Little

Offers a Little STORY BY

Katrina Mae Leuzinger

“N

o one prepares you for this – being a caregiver,” says Noel Preston.

Preston’s wife, Susan, was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 and is now undergoing treatment at John Hopkins Medical Center. He says they’ve been blessed with the specialists and doctors who have been working with them. And here at home, they’ve received another blessing – an Outer Banks non-profit group that, for the past two decades, has walked alongside residents who live with memory loss every single day.

Noel and Susan participate regularly in programs offered by the GEM (Gentle Expert Memorycare) Day Services, Inc., whose mission is to take a “person-centered” approach to improving the lives of Dare County residents living with the debilitating disease. The center focuses around dementia care, education and support.

Gail Sonnesso and her husband, Angelo, founded GEM in 1997 after being awarded a grant from the state. Ever since, the center has been filling the gaps in services for families by providing direct and caring support.

“From a caregiving perspective, Gail and GEM have been every bit as helpful as the medical community,” says Noel. “Gail focuses on the caregiver. She’s helped me to understand what’s going on. She’s been an invaluable source of information.”

Dementia affects 47.5 million people worldwide, with 7.7 million new diagnoses each year. An enormous amount of time, money, and effort is spent each year trying to find a cure. While that’s certainly a worthy goal, it doesn’t help the people living with the disease right now, and their loved ones who struggle to cope as 24/7 caregivers.

That’s just where the Sonnessos and the GEM Day Services, Inc., step in.

Top: Participants during a recent Harmony Café spend time exercising. From left are Noel Preston, Susan Preston, Lisa Neill, Everett Baker and Kaye White. Right: GEM Day Services, in conjunction with the Dare County Arts Council, holds regular art therapy classes for those living with memory loss.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

MICHELLE WAGNER

Harmony

“Gail is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known,” says Luanne Hege, a member of GEM’s board of directors. “She is never ‘off-duty.’ Those of us who have wrestled with dementia in our families know that having a caring, informed person to go to with problems, with complaints, with rants, is a godsend. And that’s just what Gail is.”

GEM’s person-centered care begins with recognizing that people are usually better off receiving care from a loved one than an institution for as long as possible. But it also recognizes that no caregiver is capable of handling the task alone.

The story of the dementia caregiver challenges is one Gail is all too familiar with. She knows that many medical professionals are more inclined to hand someone a pamphlet on medication options than to really teach them how to deal with

the condition on a daily basis. Much of GEM’s focus, she said, is to bridge that gap by providing the missing resources.

That includes classes on everything from art therapy and obtaining grants for respite costs, to positive communication techniques and socialization.

“It’s something you have to learn,” says Gail of caregiving. “It takes more than love and good intentions.”

Gail, who also teaches a four-week class called Caring Effectively, approaches dementia care with an infectious optimism, and nothing exemplifies that better than GEM’s Harmony Café. The afternoon respite program, held monthly, is designed to improve the lives of both the person living with dementia as well as their caregiver. It starts with simple introductions, followed by a craft project, 45 minutes of exercise, lunch, and then live music by The Riff Tides, a band that is led by Angelo Sonnesso and often performs at GEM fundraisers.

This well-received offering provides a break for everyone: the caregiver, the person living with dementia and their friends in our community. Harmony Café is the only program of its kind in Dare County.

“Exercising, socializing, and eating right is good for everybody. We’re throwing everything in that’s going to help you function on a higher level, whether you have dementia or you’re a caretaker,” says Gail.

And it’s clear that the fun-filled program makes a huge difference.

“I am amazed how they got him involved,” says Darla McKelvey of her husband Everett, who has dementia. “At home he just sits. Here he focuses on something.”

One of Gail’s favorite success stories involves the day the group was making beaded jewelry. A man suffering from dementia was loudly protesting about being at the café and participating. Then a volunteer suggested he make a bracelet for his granddaughter. Framing the activity as being helpful, and creating something for someone else, made all the difference. The man worked diligently on his gift, and then Gail asked him what kind of music he liked.

“It’s something you have to learn,” says Gail of caregiving.“It takes more than love and good intentions.”

FAY DAVIS EDWARDS

Exercise is an important component of Harmony Café. Above from left are Susan Darling, Rev. Charles MICHELLE WAGNER Daly and Carole Kimmel. Below from left are Lisa Neill, Everett Baker and Kaye White.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON

GEM

Day Services, Inc. Call 480-3354 or visit

www.gemdayservices.org

facebook.com/TheGemCenter

Above Left, GEM Day Service, Inc., Executive Director Gail Sonnesso says a blessing. Top Right, GEM volunteer Susan Darling helps with a craft during Harmony Café. Below, Jan Sapone shows off a necklace she made during a recent GEM class. Photos by Michelle Wagner

“He said country western, so Angelo sang ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’. The man started dancing, and I danced with him. He was singing, and that…that’s the magic that we can do.”

Gail’s dream is to open a Dementia Center that addresses the myriad and diverse issues among the elderly population and their extended families.

Her hope, she says, is that the community would see the need for a licensed Adult Day Health/Social Center that would offer arts and crafts, exercise, nutritious meals and other activities.

In the short term, she says she’d like to convince more people to take advantage of the programs they do offer.

“Family members say things like, ‘Oh, I think it is a good thing and I’ll volunteer there, but it’s not for my family.’ They don’t even try it.”

Gail said she suspects such a reaction is due to a variety of factors that include denial about a family member’s condition and the stigma surrounding the disease and the need for help.

“They don’t want to admit that somebody else can do it and they can’t.

But it’s not that they can’t, it’s just that they haven’t learned the correct way of doing things,” says Angelo.

Gail hopes that by hosting Harmony Café and expanding its reach, GEM can expose more people to what it offers and continue to fight the stigma.

One thing that’s very clear is that no one can do this without help.

“This unique and unheralded organization has been offering hope and help to those who are dealing with the dementia of a loved one,” according to Hege. It’s no wonder its been called “a beacon” and “a lifeline” among those who use its services.³ Katrina lives with her husband and their fearsome toddler. When she’s not writing, she prepares elaborate meals, cheats at video games, and plays the guitar (badly).

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

31

OUTER BANKS EQUINE ADVENTURES

SHUTTERSTOCK

bucket lists OBX LIFE

SHUTTERSTOCK

Looking for Adventure?

of the

banks Whether you are a tourist who has just unpacked your bags and is ready for an epic week at the beach, or someone who grew up with sand between your toes and think you’ve seen (and done) it all, there’s always a grand adventure to be found on the Outer Banks.

STORY BY

SHUTTERSTOCK

FPTOWER.COM

Michelle Wagner

Southern Shores resident Carol Willett is a former public servant turned sculptor who works primarily in papier and cloth mache. She’s lived all over the world, but has called the Outer Banks home since 2010.

“The things I love most about the Outer Banks are the whimsical weather, the fresh air, the background symphony of the ocean and the courtesy and civility of the people. This place feels like home more than anywhere else I’ve been in the world.”

On her OBX bucket list?

“I think it would be a great adventure to go on a bi-plane ride up and down the coast. I’d like to check out the view from up there,” she said. “I’d also love to have tea with someone whose family has been here the longest and find out how all those generations managed to make their way here on this ribbon of sand.

I’m ‘rootless’ and people with ‘roots’ are fascinating.”

much loved among local kids at the department’s Kill Devil Hills facility. He’s called the Outer Banks home for the past 18 years and says he loves the area because of all of the great people and the variety of activities it has for youth. He knows he loves the Outer Banks from the ground, but wants to see it from high above. On the top of his bucket list is “to hang glide over the entire Outer Banks and see it from a different point of view.”

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COROLLA WILD HORSE FUND

myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

tion. Before opening the pub, he was a mechanical engineer for the National Park Service and part of a team that replaced the old heating and cooling system in the White House during the Clinton administration.

Even after more than 15 years of Outer Banks living, Davis has a few things he wants to mark off his bucket list. The first is to spend a week camping and boating from Portsmouth Island to Cape Lookout.

Next on his list is “to ride out a Category 3 storm at the top of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.”

If he hits the lottery, Davis says he’d like “to fly out 11 friends to Frying Pan Tower Bed and Breakfast at the southern most end of the Graveyard of the Atlantic and rent out all eight rooms for four nights.” Lastly, with a couple of metal detectors and some moonshine, he’d like to canoe and camp around the waterways at Buffalo City (if he can’t get his hands on some moonshine, Kill Devil Rum will do).

Deshawn Banks is a leisure activity specialist at Dare County Parks and Recreation and SHUTTERSTOCK

32

Aubrey Davis, an Outer Banks resident since 2001, is co-owner of Outer Banks Brewing Sta-

BARRIER ISLAND AVIATION

bucket lists

Even the seasoned – and not so seasoned – locals still have plenty to explore when it comes to these beautiful islands. A few of our favorite year-round residents have weighed in on what tops their own OBX bucket lists. From flying high above the barrier islands to camping along the coast, and sailing across the sea, they share some bucket list possibilities that are sure to get one’s adrenaline pumping and offer a whole new perspective of this amazing place many of us call home.

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

33

bucket lists

bucket lists

OBX LIFE

OBX LIFE

David Elder, Cola Vaughan, who moved to the Outer Banks permanently in 1978, is the owner of Cola Vaughan Realty. He says he wants to explore every nook and cranny of the Outer Banks by boat. “I’d like to kayak or sail a small sailboat all the way down the inner islands and the ‘reef’ on the west side of the Outer Banks from Monkey Island to Portsmouth Island. There are all kinds of interesting spots like the Penguin Islands just west of the Nags Head Golf Links and Birds Island north of Hatteras.”

As owner of First Flight Adventure Park, adventure is Abby Carey’s middle name.

An Outer Banks resident since 2010, she recently started kite boarding. “I’ve only gone out on the sound, but I’d love to gain the confidence to kite board in the ocean where you can ride actual waves. It looks like so much fun!”

She says she’d also like to jump off the end of one of the ocean piers.

Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue director and First Flight High School swim coach, has been here for 25 years. Easily bucket list material, Elder jumped from the Avalon Pier with a pair of fins and a knife in 2014 to rescue an 85-pound loggerhead turtle entangled in fishing gear. He then swam the struggling turtle into shore and was met by Network for Endangered Sea Turtle volunteers.

Today, his bucket list item is to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, and perhaps even around the world. “It’d be a great way to face my fears and live by my wits.” The only thing holding him back is his landbound pooch, Linus. Other items Elder would like to cross off his list include traveling every year, painting with watercolors, and selling everything he can and giving away the rest.

Jeff Hanson

has been an Outer Banker for the past 13 years. A retired oceanographer from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, he is now owner of WaveForce Technologies where he offers oceanographic consulting and surf forecast modeling. He’s always outside, whether boating, fishing or playing in the waves with his grandchildren. But for him, his top bucket list item is “to catch a monster cobia, preferably by kayak.”

A few other items on Hanson’s bucket list are to shed all his possessions, live on a boat and surf like he grew up surfing rather than trying to learn after 50. He’d also like to do something really meaningful for the Outer Banks community.

Nora Wilkerson, the lead reservation specialist at Outer Banks Blue, has been an Outer

Banker since she was one year old (29 years!) and loves these islands’ small town feel and being surrounded by so much nature and beauty. For her, she’d love to see that beauty by horseback.

“I really want to go horseback riding on the beach. Visitors come here for the beach and to relax.

That’s one of the best ways to be in touch with nature. I have not yet had the chance to go. It is hard to get down to Buxton in the summertime due to a busy schedule and having to fight traffic.”

Jessica Loose, co-director at Mano Al Hermano with Frimpong, moved to the Outer Banks

in 1984 and is the daughter of political refugees from Nazi Germany. She has a background in Chinese Poetry and Painting and also earned a Master of Education in English as a Second Language.

She retired from Dare County Schools last year. On the top of her local bucket is “to devote time again to my Chinese brush painting and to paint Outer Banks beachscapes using these centuriesold techniques.”

She’d also like to have edible vegetables in her organic garden 12 months out of the year and illustrate Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching.

Ama Frimpong is the co-director at Mano Al Hermano. From Ghana, West Africa, she has a background in immigration law and criminal defense. Frimpong has only been living on the Outer Banks since January, but she already has a few things to knock off her bucket list.

“Being so new on the Outer Banks, there is so much that I haven’t done,” Frimpong says. “The one thing I can immediately think of is so basic. I’d like to go out on a boat. I’d also like to see the wild horses in Corolla.”

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

So if you are looking to add something to your bucket list and then cross it off, these ideas straight from the locals just may inspire you to have an Outer Banks experience you won’t forget. Or who knows – you may even find yourself parachuting out of an airplane or exploring the Atlantic from dozens of feet below the surface. ³

Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

35

BEACH NOURISHMENT UPDATE

STORY BY

Abby R. Stewart

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major beach nourishment project that will pump about four million cubic yards of sand onto the beaches of the northern Outer Banks will get underway this spring. The project encompasses the towns of Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and a portion of Southern Shores.

Nourishment efforts are set to begin in Duck in mid- to late May, then in Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores a month later, with sand pumping in Kill Devil Hills expected to begin in mid- to late August and take between 35 to 45 days.

Dare County, as the lead contracting entity, awarded a $38.6 million contract in March of 2016 to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company for the work.

Beach nourishment involves dredging sand from offshore sources, such as a sandbar, inlet, or “borrow site” along the ocean floor, and pumping it onto the existing beach through a pipeline. While it doesn’t prevent erosion, it re-establishes a buffer between the ocean and oceanfront structures.

In 2011, the N.C. Division of Coastal Management measured long-term annual shoreline change rates and found that 62 percent of the state’s shoreline changes at a rate of 2 feet per year or less, with 20 percent experiencing erosion rates between 2.5 and 5 feet per year.

It was noted in the study that, due to the complex structure of the barrier islands, erosion rates can vary significantly not only from town to town, but from one mile to another.

The upcoming effort marks the first time these towns have embarked on a beach nourishment project. The project area in Duck incorporates 1.7 miles of town beach spanning from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research facility south to 140 Skimmer Way and includes a taper to the north.

The project will place approximately 1,180,000 cubic yards of sand from an offshore borrow source back onto Duck beaches so that existing dunes are 20 feet wide and 20 feet high with a berm of approximately 200 feet.

“The investment in this project, the cost of which represents approximately 1 percent of the value of property in the Town, will protect property and tax value, provide a more robust recreational beach area, and help preserve Duck’s and the Outer Banks’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination,” said Duck Town Manager Chris Layton.

In early March, the town of Southern Shores joined the other three municipalities, signing on to have sand pumped onto 2,500 feet of its beach, primarily in front of the Pelican Watch community.

The proposed project area for Kitty Hawk includes the town’s entire shoreline,

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

covering approximately 3.58 miles of beach, spanning from the northern border of Southern Shores south to the Kill Devil Hills town line.

Pumping in Kill Devil Hills will include almost 2.6 miles – from the town’s northern border with Kitty Hawk south to Prospect Avenue. The berm will be particularly concentrated at the northern end of town, as the dune systems are well established, sprigged and more stabilized in the southern portion of town.

Although FEMA built a berm after Hurricane Isabelle, this is also the first designed and engineered beach nourishment project in Kill Devil Hills.

“Over the past decade, the Town of Kill Devil Hills has experienced several storms that have damaged our natural sand beaches as well as structures along the oceanfront,” says Mayor Sheila Davies. “In order to maintain the aesthetic, environmental and physical value of the beach, the Board of Commissioners is committed to this beach nourishment project.”

The project, is largely funded by the Dare County beach nourishment fund, which is sourced by a 2 percent portion of the occupancy tax collected by Dare County. This tax is mandated by the legislation as a tourism development tax for beach nourishment. Individual towns will pay the rest of the tab through tax revenue generated by special municipal service districts.

Another beach nourishment project set to begin includes a $25 million effort in Buxton to pump sand onto 2.7 miles of beach from the “Haul Over” area just north of Buxton to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. A date has not been announced for the project, which is expected to widen the beach by 250 feet. The majority of the funding for that project will also be through Dare County’s Beach Nourishment Fund.

Several beach nourishment projects have already been completed on the Outer Banks. Mirlo Beach received sand in 2014 to protect a section of N.C. 12 often referred to as S-Turns. The Town of Nags Head also completed a major nourishment project in 2011 that covered 10 miles of town beaches. According to the town website, plans are underway for the next beach nourishment maintenance project and a 30-year plan for ocean shoreline management.

For up-to-date information on beach nourishment projects in Dare County, visit morebeachtolove.com, a joint effort between the county and participating towns to provide the public with the latest news regarding these projects. ³ Abby Stewart is a freelance writer who lives in Currituck County but has spent most of her summers on the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks.

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Spring 2017 | myouterbankshome.com

37

OBX COMMUNITY

STORY BY

Kimberly Armstrong

A N A RT S E VO L U T I O N

T

ucked into the Pirate’s Quay Shopping Center in Nags Head is Cloud Nine, a magical place brimming with a kaleidoscope of beads, baubles, and glass pieces tumbled smooth by the sea. It’s a make-your-own jewelry shop that beckons you to get down to the business of beading. Owner Ginny Flowers is passionate about her art and eagerly shares her talent with others.

Recently, Flowers hosted a workshop with GEM (Gentle Expert Memorycare) Day Services, Inc. – a local nonprofit group that provides support for adults with memory loss and physical and mental disabilities. Gathered around the table, the group created necklaces and bracelets.

“Seeing the joy on their faces touched my heart,” says Flowers, who also serves as president of the Dare County Arts Council (DCAC). “I believe art has the capacity to heal.”

DCAC Executive Director Chris Sawin had a similar experience while working with individuals from the Monarch Beach Club, a non-profit organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse disorders. While sharing some musical techniques, he was heartened by the positive response.

“I believe music helps unblock creativity,” Sawin says.

These experiences reflect a tenet of the DCAC – that art transforms lives and builds strong communities. The Council’s mission is to encourage the arts through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.

Mission accomplished.

Art in the park. Art after dark. Art by the shore. Art in the store. Whether you are interested in metal etching, painting, pottery or poetry, there’s likely a workshop for it somewhere on the Outer Banks – either at DCAC’s home in the 1904 courthouse in downtown Manteo or at one of the local shops or galleries.

Rescued from disrepair, the courthouse serves as the hub of the local arts community.

The first-floor gallery showcases local established and emerging artists’ works. The second floor is utilized for hosting art workshops.

Today, in this artist community we call home, enthusiasts can do everything from gaze upon an original Renoir painting and enjoy a four-hand piano recital to participate in a poetry reading and attend an international surf film festival.

But it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that there’s been such a notable proliferation of the arts on the Outer Banks over the past half century. Inspiring natural surroundings. Supportive community. Toss in a laid-back vibe and you have the perfect forTATUM CLEMENTS

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Above: Elizabeth Fennimore (left) and Cloud Nine owner Ginny Flowers during a recent Basic Jewelry Making class. Right: Guests admire submissions to the 39th annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show held at the Dare County Arts Council in downtown Manteo.

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

mula for nurturing the creative spirit.

“The arts scene on the Outer Banks has just exploded in the last several years,” Sawin said. “A lot of that growth tracks directly to our growing reputation nationally as a first-class vacation destination, but there are other factors, too.”

Sawin says that digital technology, social media and new models for arts and performance have made it easier for people to create and express themselves.

“I’m continually amazed at how many young people consider themselves artists, so I don’t expect this growth to slow down anytime soon.”

The Early Years The evolution of the arts in Dare County spans many decades. In 1968, the North Carolina Symphony held its first performance here, leading to the formation of the Dare County Chapter of the NC Symphony Society. Seven years later, in 1975, a group of residents formed an arts council that would continue to sponsor the Symphony concerts but expand its scope.

That newly formed group was the Sea and Sounds Arts Council, precursor of the DCAC. Local artist Mollie Fearing, a vital supporter and advocate of the arts until she died in 1997, initially led the group. In her honor, the annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show has been held every spring for the past 20 years.

In the early years of Sea and Sounds, the Council sponsored events such as the NC Symphony Chamber Orchestra; Graciela, a mime who studied under the famous Marcel Marceau; and a Southern Folk Heritage Festival with music, dance, and storytelling. Events were always offered free to students.

Enter Glenn Eure Around the time the art movement was taking root, an event of epic proportions also occurred on the Outer Banks. Ocean waves paused in mid break, the sun refused to set, and pelicans sang sea shanties heralding the arrival of Glenn Eure.

Pardon the hyperbole, but Eure would appreciate it, as anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him knows he has a penchant for tall tales. Besides, the description pays homage to his larger than life persona.

A retired U.S. Army major with an East Carolina University Fine Arts degree under his belt and a mind bursting with extraordinary imagination and ideas, Eure quickly established himself not only as a talented artist but also as a caring member of the community.

By 1983, Eure opened the doors to the iconic Ghost Fleet Gallery on Driftwood Street in Nags Head. There, he joined other established artists and galleries such as Jewelry by Gail, Morales Gallery, and Seaside Art Gallery.

Jesse Morales initiated the idea of zoning the area as an art district, and this little Outer Banks arts community soon became known as Gallery Row. Seaside Gallery, founded by Chester Smith in 1961, is the oldest art gallery on the Outer Banks and is the proud home of the Renoir painting.

Through the years, Ghost Fleet Gallery became a favorite neighborhood hangout. Not only does the gallery showcase Eure’s remarkable woodcuts, collagraphs and watercolors, but the space has also been generously shared to support other artists in creative camaraderie. There are artist-of-the-month exhibits and annual artist self-portrait exhibitions, literary readings, and lectures.

“My favorite event is the countywide school art show,” says Eure.

For 32 years, until this year, Eure also hosted the Frank Stick Memorial Art Show at his gallery. Stick, a nationally acclaimed wildlife artist who arrived on the Outer Banks in the 1930s, painted seascapes and lifelike watercolors of locally caught fish. The show, sponsored by the DCAC, was held at the courthouse this year and featured a “Glenn Eure Best in Show” award, which will surely become a yearly tradition.

Eure, now 85, remembers fondly a Hospice Paint-In held yearly on Gallery Row to benefit the Dare Hospice program. The whole community was invited to paint, he said. Later the artwork was auctioned with proceeds benefiting the hospice program. This event eventually evolved into the popular, youth-oriented Artrageous Art Extravaganza that will coincide with the grand opening of Dowdy Park on May 13.

Eure undertook two phenomenally challenging projects over the years. Providing the original design concept, he worked collaboratively with sculptors Hanna

and Jodi Jubran to create a memorial to the 100th anniversary of man’s first powered flight. The Monument to a Century of Flight was dedicated in 2003 in Kitty Hawk and is stunning in its beauty and eloquence.

Eure also spent four years, beginning in 2005, absorbed in carving the 14 Stations of the Cross for Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Parish. The stations, dedicated in January of 2010, depict Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion.

Eure describes that project as an emotional and spiritual endeavor and the end result was a magnificent portrayal of the sacred symbols.

“I feel like we were here during the heyday,” says Glenn’s wife, Pat, of the couple’s role in the local arts movement.

“It was extraordinary to have been in the midst of it all. The environment was ripe – all that was needed was someone to be the catalyst, to light the fire.”

Glenn Eure of Ghost Fleet Gallery is a fixture No doubt, Glenn Eure ignited and in the local arts community. fanned the flame. Others continue to keep it burning as the thriving local art scene makes this place we call home, picture-perfect. ³ GAYLE TILLER

DARE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

art evolution

Kimberly Armstrong’s artistic talents are limited to drawing conclusions. However, she can perform a rollicking rendition of “The Skater’s Waltz” on the piano.

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Spring 2017| myouterbankshome.com

39

OBX COMMUNITY

DEA CELAJ

kindness

ERIN GROAT

STORY BY

Susan Selig Classen SHUTTERSTOCK

“Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port.”

– Iris Murdoch, The Bell

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

“ “

Pay it Forward ”

Random Acts of Kindness” Recently, those phrases are familiar buzzwords. Hollywood has touted paying it forward with A-list actors Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey, and here on the Outer Banks, “Random Acts” stickers are nestled in with surf shop logos on cars. But for some, the phrases are about a lot more than just a movie or a bumper sticker. Local residents and business owners are putting these phrases into action every day.

Take Charlie the mailman, for instance.

Charlie Parker is a U.S. Postal Service worker whose delivery route includes Kevin and Erin Groat’s Kill Devil Hills home. One afternoon in late January, he learned that the Groats had a new baby, Keely.

“He told me we should read to her every night,” said Kevin, adding that Charlie then shared a heartwarming story with him. “Charlie always read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney every night to his daughter, who is now in her 40s.”

One night, years ago, while Charlie’s daughter was in college studying for exams, she called dear old dad and asked him to read the story to her over the phone.

After Charlie shared his story, he disappeared into his car reciting the words to that story he read to his daughter so many years ago.

A few days later, the Groats were surprised to see that same book show up in their mailbox with a short note from Charlie that read, “This is the book I was talking about. Best wishes, Charlie the Mailman.”

The Groats put a thank you card in the mailbox that included a photo of them reading to Keely.

A few more books have shown up in their mailbox since.

Charlie’s story is one of many that have been surfacing around the Outer Banks. A quick glance through social media posts will show that paying it forward is “in season” every month of the year.

“To the young man who just brought my husband his credit card, thank you!

He left it in the credit card machine at the pump in Duck and you spent your time and energy tracking him down to return it…. Thank you again, and another reason we love our small town!” read one summertime post on the OBX Locals page.

A Kitty Hawk grocery store reported an anonymous donor who eyed the person’s order behind her, assessed it was likely a family with food insecurity, purchased a $50 gift card, and slipped it to the cashier to go toward the customer’s grocery bill.

First Flight Students Get in on “The Acts” First Flight High School math teacher Christian Lowe has used the past two Decembers as a time to conduct his own Random Acts of Kindness Challenge with his freshman class.

It starts with any ninth graders who accept the challenge, follow a calendar printed with daily acts of kindness, and then write about them in a journal. It is up to the students to take those kindnesses to the next level and add their own flair.

His goal for the challenge is simple: “Through this challenge, if done with the

DEA CELAJ

Kevin Groat reads Llama Llama Red Pajama to his daughter, Keely.

Above L-R: A few of the First Flight High School students who have accepted Mr. Lowe’s Kindness Challenge: Meghan Radigan, Melanie Gonzalez, Christian Lowe, Chyla Huber, and Blair Smith. Left: Olivia Gena

right intentions, you will be amazed by the smiles you create and the gratefulness of others for these small random acts which we all have the capability of doing for each other every day.”

Suggestions include, “Sit with someone at lunch who you do not already know and initiate a conversation” and “Greet someone you don’t know and compliment them.”

“Who doesn’t like to smile or hear compliments,” says Lowe, who said he hopes to eventually expand the challenge to more students. “In a world full of cynicism and negative publicity, why not teach our youth what the world could be like firsthand if there were more souls willing to be respectful, courteous, and kind to everyone?”

Chyla Huber complimented someone’s sweater and wrote in her journal, “Then the coolest thing happened. We actually had a good 10-minute conversation. It really sucks to be alone and have no one to talk to.”

The effects of the challenge have traveled well beyond school walls. Relatives distanced by state lines and busy schedules received loving phone calls, random neighbors received baked goods and Christmas cards, and a homeless man was handed food and drink at a local convenience store.

Residents at Spring Arbor were visited by students dressed as elves handing out candy canes.

Huber experienced another eye-opener when she completed the assignment to text someone in the morning and extend wishes for a great day.

She texted her grandparents and then described their response, “They sent back how nice it was to hear from me. We all live quite far away so we don’t see each other too often. I know they really enjoy hearing from me, so I make it a priority now to send them more things than I used to.”

Meghan Radigan wrote, “I called my aunt who I don’t get to see a lot and I wished her a good day at work. I told her I couldn’t wait to see her. She definitely wasn’t expecting the phone call. She actually thought I was in trouble.”

Lowe says reading the journals, “stirred many emotions. They made me cry.

They made me laugh.”

The assignment had a significant impact on Olivia Gena, who says the RAK practices are something she will continue to do. “I never realized how good it feels to make other people happy. I learned that it just looks better on you when you are just 10 times nicer to everyone.”

Spring 2017| myouterbankshome.com

41

OBX COMMUNITY

kindness

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The signs are all around us. Area businesses conduct their own kindness campaigns. Upper Left: Outer Banks Sports Club; Above: Blue Water and Blue Moon Beach Grill.

Above L-R: Mandy Harlow, social media specialist with Resort Realty, and Lynsi Wilson deliver blankets and food to the Outer Banks SPCA.

RAK’ed by Local Businesses Hurricanes have a way of bringing people together on the Outer Banks, and recovering from these storms always comes in the form of extending a helping hand. Businesses are no exception.

“People Without Power Come Here to Shower” proclaimed the sign in front of the Outer Banks Sports Club this past October. The Nags Head gym offered its shower facilities at no charge for those affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Another Matthew-related kindness came in the form of a tip jar. OBX Frozen Yogurt routinely donates the contents of its tip jar each month to help various local organizations in need.

After the hurricane, its post read, “So why would we help Surfin’ Spoon… a competitor? We say why not? November’s donation will go to Surfin’ Spoon who was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew.”

But it doesn’t take a storm for Outer Bankers to spread a little kindness.

In 2014, Resort Realty started 12 Days of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness and has tallied up an impressive (and challenging) geographical area during its 36 days of good deeds.

The real estate agency has delivered home-baked cookies to fire and rescue personnel in Rodanthe, supplies to Water’s Edge Village School in Corolla, treats to the Nags Head Post

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myouterbankshome.com | Spring 2017

Office, and toiletries and gifts to elderly residents at Spring Arbor.

Not to leave out furry friends, Resort Realty staff also donated blankets and food to the Outer Banks SPCA, and most importantly, they stay long enough to walk and play with the dogs.

Marketing Manager Kristen Constantineau says that between 20 and 25 employees participate each year. “Our CEO is completely on board, so everything is on the clock. And Resort foots the bill for many gifts like flowers [for hospital patients].”

On a dreary first day of December, sister restaurants Blue Moon Beach Grill and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar placed a message on every table and both Facebook pages asking for folks to pay it forward and report the results for the entire month.

With table signs explaining the campaign and social media to promote it, the stories started trickling in. A bottle of wine mysteriously appeared when a diner overheard someone at the next table was celebrating a birthday. Buttercup, an elderly hound, was reunited with his grateful owner after he was found wandering along the bypass. And a $185 tip was given to a waitress who was pregnant with her third child and struggling to make ends meet at Christmastime.

When the Blue Moon restaurant family found itself in need, it became their most popular social media post. It was December 30 and fishing regulations meant a limited supply of local dolphin. Even suppliers were running out.

In a gesture that defied all notions of the word ‘competition,’ a competing restaurant came to the rescue.

Their Facebook post reads, “In a random act of kindness, [Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar] loaned us enough mahi until our order came in. Thank you…for being kind and helping out a friend.

We will gladly return the favor when needed. Cheers!” ³ Susan Selig Classen has been living, writing, and editing on the Outer Banks for more than 10 years. She was formerly the editor for Three Dog Ink Media.

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