Outer Banks Coastal Life - 2021 Spring OBX Magazine - Life From The Edge by Three Dog Ink

BOOM GOES HOUSING OBX COMMUNITY

SAFETY NET MEMORY BEARS HUGGABLE MEMORIES

LEARNING BY ACCIDENT PADDLE BUDDIES NOT INCLUDED KAYAKS & SUPS

STORIES FROM A

LIFELONG TREASURE HUNT

Serving the O uter Banks since 1995

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FEATURE// To Phrase A Coin

FAMILY MATTERS// Learning By Accident

Treasure found on Hatteras Island.

From tragedy to triumph.

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I’M JUST SAYIN’// Soda Versus Pop

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MONEY MATTERS// BoomGoesTheHousingMarket

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ART SCENE// Channel Your Inner Artist

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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT// Visit For The First Time Again

Which is it?

House hunting on the Outer Banks.

Pocosin Art School - Zoom classes for all!

Check in and check out The Atlantic Inn!

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42 08 PUBLISHER // Mary Ann Williams Gene Williams EDITOR // Greg Smrdel

PUBLISHED BY

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE // Dan Banks

Three Dog Ink Media, LLC 111 East Baltic Street • Nags Head, NC 27959 252.261.6490

ART DIRECTOR // Kevin Groat

E-MAIL info@threedogink.com

SOCIAL MEDIA // Caroline Atkinson

OUR WEBSITE

DISTRIBUTION // Nick Leinweber

GRAPHIC DESIGNER // Johnny Keltonic

18 CONTRIBUTORS

James D. Charlet, Steve Hanf, Lexi Holian, Nick Leinweber, Emily Moliken, Rebecca Orr, Greg Smrdel, Lillian Stevens, Tara Turner

PHOTOGRAPHY / ILLUSTRATIONS

Percy Abell, The Atlantic Inn, atticpaper.com, Carolina Designs Reality, Community Care Clinic of Dare, Corolla Wild Horse Fund, flashbak.com, flickr.com, freepik.com, Sarah Gardner, Graveyard of The Atlantic Museum, Tyler Jackson, Chris Mascio, Melody McBride, Emily Moliken, Pocosin Art School, Rosemary Rawlins, Mike Sabanic, Shutterstock, Lillian Stevens, Unsplash

outerbankscoastallife.com

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MUSIC// Flip Floppin’ The OBX

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COASTAL LIFE// 10 Beach Must-Haves

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RECIPES// Melty Madness

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A unique way to remembering your loved ones.

Percy Abell, music man.

Do you have these?

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day!

OUTDOORS// Paddle Buddies Not Included Kayaks & SUPs - Know before you go!

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FOOD// A Mongolian Feast

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OBX COMMUNITY// A Medical Safety Net

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PETS & WILDLIFE// Brumbies On The Farm

It’s not all TV cameras & glamour.

OBX COMMUNITY// Huggable Memories

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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.

FISHING// Reel Life On The Water

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A Taste of the East on the Outer Banks.

Community Care Clinic - Helping out Dare County.

Rehabbing in Grandy.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT// When A Rocket Wags Its Tail The Three Dog Ink Media “Official” mascot.

SARAH GARDNER

TYLER JACKSON

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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BACK IN THE DAY

To Phrase A Coin...

COIN COLLECTION Drachm, 35 B.C – A.D. 5

It is mind-boggling to think that a handmade coin from the Middle East which may have been a gift from the Magi to the infant Jesus winds up on the sands of Hatteras Island over 2,000 years later… but it seemingly did! Fantastic fishing, Bill Sell. Here are the amazing facts that we do know: The Drachm (pronounced “dram”) is a real coin. It existed during the reign of Azes II, King of Bactria (35 B.C. to 5 A.D) in present-day Afghanistan. He was a descendent of Alexander the Great, who first brought Greek culture to the Far East. Much of Azes’s coinage was issued before the birth of Christ, but some had to have been struck on the day of Christ’s birth, and all were in circulation when Christ lived. One school of thought has Azes II to be one of the three Magi from the east, commonly referred to today as “The Three Wise Men,” who followed The Star of Bethlehem and were inspired to travel to Jerusalem. There, they meet King Herod of Judea, and asked him, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” This same school of thought says that if Azes II himself were not actually one of the three Magi, then he certainly financed the journey.

Sticking in My Two Cents

Drachm

STORY// JAMES D. CHARLET

Here’s More Assorted Coin Tidbits: • The Sell Coin Collection at the Graveyard Museum has six Spanish Dollars [fig. 3] and reales. • Did you know that America had a twenty-cent piece? The collection has one dated 1875 [fig 4]. • Did you know the English colony minted a Virginia Halfpence starting in 1773 and remained in circulation to the end of that century? • The Collection contains coins from Columbia, France, Mexico, Ecuador, China and Great Britain. • It contains coins from the reigns of Napoleon, Maria Theresa [fig. 5], Kuang-Hsu, Ptolemy, Roman Emperors Augustus, Hadrian, Gallienus, Arcadius, Tiberius and Constantine. • Other world leaders with their own coinage in this collection include British Kings William III, George I, George II, and George III, one from Queen Victoria and one from Catherine the Great.

...from a

Lifelong

Outer Banks

Treasure Hunt

atteras Island – Huge news was made when the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum announced it intended to make a permanent display of a historic collection of rare and antique coins.

US Morgan Silver Dollar. Minted 1878 to 1904, 1921, and in 2021.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum’s William E. and Catherine F. Sell Coin Collection.

The Basic Story

It was reported by the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village, depending on state funding, plans are being made to exhibit a collection of 55 antique coins found on Hatteras Island. The coins date as far back 221 BC and originated in places as far away as Spain, Egypt, and China.

Actually, it is the Museum Collection’s two cents. The collection has a penny. It’s a bronze Penny [fig. 1] from the reign of Queen Victoria, A. D. 1853. There is also a two pence [fig. 2] from the reign of George III, “Cartwheel coinage”, A. D. 1797, copper.

The late William Sell and his wife, Catherine, of Pennsylvania, collected the coins over decades. Sell said he had been surf fishing on the Outer Banks since the 1930s. Typically, fishing is largely a waiting game, so, instead of just sitting in his beach chair staring at his fishing pole, Sell would wander and explore the beach. Even the dunes, as many beach visitors do, collecting shells. But Sell was instead collecting and finding old coins.

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Figure 1: Penny, Queen Victoria, A.D. 1853

Figure 3: Spanish Milled Dollar A.D. 1732-1826

Figure 4: US Twenty Cent piece. A.D. 1875

Figure 2: Two Pence, A.D. 1797

BACK IN THE DAY COIN COLLECTION Five Kopek, A.D. 1767 - 1796

Just Imagine… (Story concept by Linda Molloy). What follows is a plausible explanation about how one of these coins in the Sell Collection might have been found by Bill Sell on Hatteras Island. That coin is the Five Kopek coin, dated 1776, from the reign of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. In the late 1700s, a prosperous and industrious English merchant was traveling and trading all over Europe and Asia, which is how he accumulated his wealth. On one trip, he arrived in the Medieval city of Moscow. This was the “Golden Age of Russia,” and the height of Catherine the Great’s reign. At that time Russia represented everything exotic to the English, who assisted Russia in their victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768 to 1774. In his tradings, the English merchant was dealing with Russian currency. One of the coins he received in his change was the 1776 Five Kopek. It immediately fascinated him for several reasons. First, it was a massive copper coin, almost two inches in diameter and weighing as much as two of the later Morgan Silver Dollars. Second, it honored Catherine the Great. What really caught his eye, however, was the picture on the reverse. The Imperial Double Eagle. With its heads looking both left and right (East and West over a vast empire). It had a scepter in the left talon, a royal orb surmounted by a cross in the right talon, and the shield on the breast of the eagle is emblazoned with a depiction of Saint George killing the dragon – the emblem of Moscow. Saint George was the patron saint of England. His flag, the red cross, centered on a white field later became part of the Union Jack. On top of all that, the businessman’s former servant (Daniel) had moved to Massachusetts in Five Kopek the American colonies and had become a Patriot supporting the Declaration of Independence, signed the very year dated on this coin. The coin would not be spent since he regarded all the signs as good luck. He would keep it as a talisman, securely with his timepiece in his vest pocket. He smiled as he silently pledged to himself that if he were ever to meet Daniel again, he would gift him this talisman coin.

VACATION VACATION RENTALS RENTALS •• PROPERTY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT Figure 5: Thaler, Maria Theresa, A.D. 1740 - 1780

As it happened, ten years later, the businessman was on a business trip to Boston, and it was there, he met Daniel and kept his pledge. Daniel had become a successful businessman himself and regarded his new gift as a blessing to be treasured. Later, Daniel was part of a crowd (the British word was “mob”) involved in an altercation with Red Coats in the streets of Boston. In the scuffles, his watch was torn from his vest by its chain, also flipping the Kopek into the street. A young lad witnessed this while hiding, and retrieved the coin once the street was clear. At first, he just thought it was just regular money, which he could certainly use. But its exotic nature mesmerized him, so, he too, decided to keep it for luck. He lived a long, productive life. In his 80s, he willed his lucky coin to his grandson, Benjamin. But it was now 1860 and the northern states were drafting soldiers for what seemed to be an unavoidable war between the North and the South. War did come. Benjamin was part of a naval regiment that invaded the North Carolina coast. His ship was sunk off Cape Hatteras by Confederate cannon fire. Benjamin – and the kopek – were lost. The coin lay in the surf for many years. Finally, the constant Cape Hatteras surf washed the coin ashore. On regular beach patrol from the 1882 United States Life-Saving Service Station Cape Hatteras, Surfman Charles Davis James discovered the coin. He, too, regards the lucky find as a keepsake that stays with him on all remaining patrols. Ten years later, on beach patrol during a cold, dark, stormy night, Davis James was unaware that his worn trousers had a hole in the pocket. When he returned to the station and changed into dry clothes, he discovered the loss of the coin. The 1776 Five Kopek Russian coin stayed covered by the sands of Hatteras Island for who knows how many years, awaiting the final chapter in its episodic story. While the above story is totally unsubstantiated, it is a fact the Bill Sell did indeed find that magical kopek in the sands of Hatteras Island while fishing, where it is now a treasured part of the Hatteras Island Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum’s William E. and Catherine F. Sell Coin Collection. Now, about the story of one Roman coin in the Collection…. How do you imagine it got here? Keeper James lives on Hatteras Island and is a direct predecessor of today’s U. S. Coast Guard, North Carolina stations. He is a historian and presenter of true stories of the United States Life-Saving Service.

SHUTTERSTOCK

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Property Management O V E R 34 Y E A R S O F E X P E R I E N C E • L O C A L LY R O O T E D • O W N E R C E N T R I C A P P R O A C H

Debbie Harrell • Director of Business Development • (252) 305 -9011 debbie.harrell@resor trealty.com | resor trealty.com/proper ty-management Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 7

FAMILY MATTERS

LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

Learning By

Accident A Caregiver’s True Story of Fear, Family, and Hope.

The Rawlins Family

“Looking back on it, it doesn’t feel like it happened to me. It feels like it happened to the other me.” - Rosemary Rawlins

STORY// GREG SMRDEL Editor’s Note: I want to say at the onset of this article that this was a very difficult story to tell. The story of the Rawlins family is so impactful that I hope I did it justice.

“Be patient. Time will tell.”

Those were the words that my family and I lived with for a long time,” Nags Head resident Rosemary Rawlins, author of Learning by Accident, told me on a Zoom call recently.

Hugh and Rosemary Rawlins

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“It was almost 21 years ago now, the date was April 13, 2002, when I took my twins, Anna and Mary to their surprise 13th birthday party. Hugh went out for a bike ride,” Rawlins recalls, “when our whole life changed.” Hugh is Rosemary’s husband of nearly 20 years at the time. Going for bike rides was as natural for him as it is natural for you and me to go for a walk. Rosemary dropped off the twins and ran to the grocery store, when she returned home the phone was ringing. “It was the hospital,” Rawlins said. “They told me that Hugh was hit by a car, and it wasn’t good.” “It was then that all, the be patient, time will tell, started,” Rawlins remembers. Hugh had a traumatic brain injury. “Almost immediately, the medical staff were preparing me for the worst.” Initially, the medical staff didn’t even know if Hugh would survive. It was bad. All the Rawlins family could do at the moment, was be patient and time would tell what would happen. “Looking back on it, it doesn’t feel like it happened to me. It feels like it happened to the other me.” Rosemary said. Ironically the medical staff said “that cycling, the very thing that nearly killed him, is the very thing that kept him alive too. He was in great shape at the time of the crash.” Early on, it was an ICU nurse that suggested to Rosemary to keep a journal of all that was going on to help her remember things. “A lot of things just weren’t sinking in. The journal helped. In the beginning, it was just a lot of doctor things in it,” says Rawlins. “The doctors were talking to me but my mind was wandering. It was filled up with worry, fatigue, and everything else.” It was that journal that ultimately became the book Learning by Accident. Thankfully Hugh did survive, but his brain had been put on reset. “Hugh’s physical therapy involved toileting, speaking, planning, and something called sequencing.” Sequencing is, as it was explained to Rosemary, “it’s like we’re here breathing. We’re not thinking about it. We’re just doing it. Our heart is beating. We’re not thinking about that either. We swallow, we blink our eyes. None of these things do we think about. Our brain just does it. But these are hard things for the brain to do. With an injury, the brain is working so hard just to do these things that before it can anything

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FAMILY MATTERS

else it has to be woken up again. That was why Hugh was put into a coma. So the brain can sleep and can heal a little bit. So it doesn’t have to work so hard to do these things.” According to Rosemary, Hugh needed to learn to put his socks on before his shoes; his underwear before his pants. He also had to relearn to brush his teeth. He also dealt with something called pocketing. It’s a condition where he would put food in his mouth, but it would sit in his cheek, not knowing he was supposed to swallow. As it turns out, swallowing is often the first thing to go with traumatic brain injury patients. In a rare moment of levity, Rawlins remarked, that when teaching Hugh to brush his teeth, she decided they would never again have pink toothpaste in their house. Pink toothpaste coming out of a tube was how it was described when Hugh’s brain fell out of his head during the accident. “We had no idea to what level Hugh would return to his own self. Not a lot of what the medical staff told us was positive. A lot of it was, to prepare for the worst – never hope for the good – but prepare for the worst.” “With this injury, there are no timelines. There is nothing that says in 3 weeks, you’ll feel this. In 6 months, you’ll be able to do this. Every case is different.” Rosemary recalls. “Again, be patient. Time will tell.” As a writer herself, Rosemary Rawlins sought out answers in books. The first book she read was Where is the Mango Princess? “It was scary,” Rosemary recalls, “the husband in the book started doing things like kicking the dog, screaming at their daughter, and saying horrible things.” One of the things, the family was told to prepare for, was the inevitable personality change that would occur. Many patients with traumatic brain injuries will suddenly become crude and oftentimes, ornery. And definitely not themselves. Thankfully, again, the best possible outcome happened. Hugh did undergo a personality change. “In fact, we had to go to marriage counseling because of it,” Rosemary says. “It’s like being married to someone for 20 years and then

The Rawlins Family

UNSPLASH

LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

find yourself married to someone else due to the traumatic brain injury. Same person. Same body, but with a new personality. It was so confusing.” According to Rawlins, one of the changes in Hugh’s personality was that “he became much less intimidated by anything. He developed the attitude that all of this is temporary, so you might as well go for it. And don’t sweat it.” Turns out, that paid off for Hugh. One of the things that had concerned the Rawlins was whether Hugh would ever work again. Again, Rosemary recalls, “A lot of bad outcomes come as a result of angst. It’s such a long process that people lose their jobs and run out of money. We were lucky, I married a guy who squirreled away money all the time, but I did think that I was gonna lose our house, or something. It was scary.” Hugh ultimately went back to work. In fact, before the accident, his goal was to become a Chief Financial Officer. After the accident, Hugh had one false start, and then was able to go back to work full time and work on his master’s at night. He did go onto reaching his goal and became a CFO. Originally, Rosemary wrote the book as a thank you letter for all of the family’s friends and doctors that attended to Hugh. She wanted to put out a book of positivity. “Yes, be patient. Time will tell. But people need to understand that there are positive outcomes in some cases. Like ours” Rosemary turned her journal into the book for that reason. “Fear is more debilitating than any injury or illness. That was what I used as the premise of my book.” At one point, Rosemary was told by Hugh’s neuro-psychologist that she should grieve for her old life, and start a new one. “He did say that!” Rosemary says, “and he’s right. Life is different now. The old life is gone, but this one is pretty good too!” The accident is 21 years in the Rawlins family’s rearview mirror now. As time has gone on, Hugh became more and more like his old self, but has still held onto some of his new personality traits. According to Rosemary, he is much more compassionate now, and it is always family first with him. He is more light-hearted. He still has no memory of the accident. I had one last question for Rosemary before signing off our Zoom call: What color is the toothpaste in the house right now? With a hearty laugh, Rosemary shouted out, “BLUE!” Rosemary’s book, Learning by Accident can be purchased as an ebook on Amazon.com. Her latest, All My Silent Years, “about a young girl dragged across the jagged history who must learn to forgive herself for the law she broke to stay alive,” is available locally at Downtown Books in Manteo.

On the Road to the OBX There are Treasures to Behold

Find yourself here On highway 158, south of the VA/NC line, you’ll find local gems like Sanctuary Vineyards, an award-winning winery offering both tours and tastings, The Weeping Radish, NC’s first craft brewery offering unique farm-to-fork fare, H2OBX Waterpark and more. Don’t let memories you’ll treasure pass you by, on the road to the Currituck Outer Banks.

Corolla • Carova • The Mainland

Greg Smrdel is the editor of Coastal Life and hopes he did the story justice.

For more treasures you’ll find on the road to Corolla and the greater OBX, check out VisitCurrituck.com

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I’M JUST SAYIN’

SODA OR POP?

Soda Pop VERSUS

SHUTTERSTOCK

id you know that the words you use can give away where you were born and raised? It’s true. It was the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski’s brother David, who recognized the prose style when his Industrial Society and its Future was published in the Washington Post in September 1995.

Ok. Maybe it doesn’t have to be that serious. Regional Linguistics can be examined with something as simple as pop versus soda. I am originally from Ohio. Us Buckeyes say pop. My wife’s ex-husband was from Jersey, he taught her to say soda (which kinda makes me mad – it’s pop!). But it makes sense, those from the Northeastern United States, most of Florida, California and pockets in the Midwest around Milwaukee and St Louis call it soda. The correct word, pop (In My Humble Opinion), is used in most of the Midwest and in the West. Further fractioning the country, a lot of folks in the South will call it a Coke, even if it isn’t a Coca-Cola product. Taking a deep dive on the subject, it was Jason Katz, the Graphic Artist, who wrote, “Speaking American: How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys,” who stated there are even more regionalisms. There are 6% of Americans who simply call them soft drinks, especially here in North Carolina and in Louisiana. And get this. Up in Boston, there are still a decent amount of older folks that grew up saying tonic, though, they are apparently dying out now. Here’s what I found interesting while researching for this story. I conducted a highly unscientific poll by

FLICKR.COM

FLASHBAK.COM

ATTICPAPER.COM

STORY// GREG SMRDEL

going to the social media giant, Facebook. Perhaps you saw it. On a few of the Outer Banks local groups I asked this very question; pop or soda? To say I was shocked at the results is an understatement! Within 20 minutes I had close to 1,000 responses. Weeks later, I’m still getting comments. Enough for me to toss my phone out the window because of all the notifications ringing in. Apparently we all have strong opinions on this subject. In breaking down the results, it matched exactly what the information above bore out. Those in the midwest, do in fact say pop. North-easterners say soda. And when we relocate here to the Outer Banks, we hold onto our regionalism. Ohioans still say pop. New Yorkers still say soda. But those indigenous to the Outer Banks are likely to call it a Coke or a drink. So what does that mean? Like I said earlier, this was a highly unscientific study so I can only hazard a guess. And that guess is that you can take the boy out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the boy. Well, there you go. The words we use can help determine our backstories. Hey, pass me a Dr. Pepper! Greg Smrdel is the editor of Coastal Life Magazine and will go to his deathbed always calling it pop.

Soda Pop SHUTTERSTOCK

Coke Other

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A very simplified version of soda versus pop in the United States.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 13

Boom!

MONEY MATTERS

HOUSING MARKET

“We called for ‘highest and best’ on Monday at 4 o’clock. On Tuesday, I had six offers and the property went considerably over the asking price.” - Barry Breit, Carolina Designs Realty

Local realtors have seen an influx of these types of buyers since about June of 2020, Breit says, and they’ve “gobbled up” the inventory. In “normal” years over the past decade, Breit estimates there would be 60 to 70 single-family homes for sale on the west side of Highway 12 in Southern Shores. In late February, there were six. In Duck, investment buyers looking for oceanside homes might have had 45 houses from which to choose at any given time in a normal sales cycle. On this February date, Breit counted 15 listings. Corolla, always the largest market with 100 to 120 houses available, had 32.

Goes The Housing Market STORY// STEVE HANF

GOO LUC D K

rriving 15 minutes early to the open house, Duke Wallin elected to circle the block and check out the neighborhood rather than wait. As he made his way back to the home, he was greeted by a parade of cars flooding the street. Worse, the tenants still occupying the house actually refused to leave, so everyone was told to come back tomorrow for the second of the scheduled open houses. Except... “That night, the house was pending, so they didn’t even have the open house the next day,” Wallin adds. “Someone must have offered them something they couldn’t pass up.” Welcome to the Outer Banks real estate market of 2020-2021. The water’s great – dive right in! – if you’re a seller. But for buyers like Wallen, the new Career and Technical Education Coordinator at First Flight High School, it’s been nothing but stormy seas. Barry Breit of Carolina Designs Realty, a top-selling broker with decades of experience on the OBX, says it’s been more than 15 years since he’s experienced a market that even compares to this one. “2003 to 2005 was close to this, but it pales in comparison,” Breit says. “It’s like this everywhere. The real estate market is hotter than I’ve ever seen it, or ever heard of it being.” The Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ year-end report showed 2020 sales up 44 percent, with 3,742 properties sold for $1.47 billion, the largest amount since 2004. Agents are clamoring for more properties to list. Sellers are basking in the glow of huge offers. And buyers are either shelling out the cash or moving to a Plan B. As with so many other aspects of our daily lives in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic takes the blame – or credit, depending on your point of view – for this red-hot housing market. “Since COVID, we’ve got a lot of folks that are moving here from the Philadelphia area, from New Jersey, from DC, who are now working remotely, and that’s not going to change,” Breit explains. “So they can work from wherever they want to live and they’re thinking, ‘Well, why are we paying the taxes in New Jersey when we can live in North Carolina at the beach, and buy something that’s a bit larger than what we have and live at the beach, raise our kids in North Carolina?’ ”

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112 Sea Breeze Drive Duck, NC. $565,000; 3 BR, 2 Full Baths. MLS #113007. Contact Barry Breit, Carolina Designs Realty

The lack of supply demands drastic action for buyers. Purchasing properties sight-unseen. Making cash offers. Writing contracts that don’t call for appraisals or home inspections. Offering amounts well over the asking price. And that sets off a chain reaction when it comes to future sales. “What is a good price? What I thought I knew was a good price doesn’t seem to be a good price because it keeps exceeding it. I feel sorry for the appraisers right now because there are no comps for them to base their appraisals on,” Breit says. “I just listed a house Thursday of last week. I had six offers by the end of the weekend. We called for ‘highest and best’ on Monday at 4 o’clock. On Tuesday, I had six offers and the property went considerably over the asking price.” Folks looking for that dream home at the beach to keep in the family for generations might be able to afford to shell out a little more than planned. But for the year-round resident needing a regular home to raise a family, the limited supply and skyrocketing prices are dashing dreams.

Spring 2020 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 17 15 Winter

MONEY MATTERS

SHUTTERSTOCK

HOUSING MARKET

Wallin started his new job at First Flight High School on Jan. 4 but began his home search a month earlier when his move from just north of Syracuse, New York, got the green light. Wallin had experience with coastal real estate after spending 13 years in two different homes in Wilmington, so he’s no green first-time homebuyer. Still, the search for this new home on the Outer Banks has proven challenging. “I got a message at 7:30 this morning from the realtor: ‘Hey, I booked us for 3 o’clock today, something just came out this morning at 7,’ ” Wallin says. “By 9 o’clock, it was already pending, so I didn’t even get to go see the house. If you ask any teacher here, two years ago, a year ago, you’d be paying anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 less than what you’re paying right now, and that’s discouraging.” Wallin has contemplated checking out properties in Manteo, or further from his school in Currituck County. He began to consider some “For Sale by Owner” listings but was worried about missing important details by not working with a realtor. Despite the difficulty, Wallin has remained upbeat. “I’ve tried to do my due diligence with telling everyone I know that I’m looking for a house, so hopefully, that makes the right connection at some point, and someone says, ‘Hey, I know somebody that’s thinking about putting their house for sale…’ ” Wallin says. “Maybe I just hold out.” Thanks to the teacher apartments Dare County Schools is able to offer through its partnership with the Dare Education Foundation, Wallin can afford to be patient. He got one of the last available open units. He’s not sure what he would have done had the apartment not been an option, and other professionals are not as lucky. Karen Brown, the president and CEO of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, says businesses are losing workers thanks to this shortage of affordable housing. “We’ve heard that for the last few years, like COA (College of the Albemarle) had a teacher all set to come on board and they couldn’t find anything

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so they turned the job down,” Brown says. “The hospital has nurses that turn down the job, the county is having the same problem. I mean, it’s professional jobs, not just your hourly wage folks. It’s a bad situation.” Brown points out some glimmers of hope on the horizon, such as the SAGA project slated for Bermuda Bay that Kill Devil Hills approved earlier this year: That will bring more than a hundred apartments renting for less than $1,200 a month to the area. “But we need 10 of those projects to really accommodate what’s going on,” Brown adds. “It’s wonderful that real estate is selling because it means the tax base is stronger and more people are here spending their discretionary money, but on the other hand, if we don’t figure out how to prop up the workforce, it’s going to cause a problem at some point,” Brown says. “Customer service starts suffering and people start saying, ‘I’m not going to come here anymore, let’s go somewhere they’ve got it together.’ ” Breit, who doesn’t see any end in sight to this market cycle agrees that impacts on infrastructure are likely to occur. “These people that are moving in aren’t going anywhere. They’re here and they’re here to stay,” Breit says, contrasting the current bubble to some of the ebbs and flows of recent years that saw people come and go. “So I think what we’re going to see is in the next five to seven years, our infrastructure needing to increase, schools needing to increase the number of teachers, and I think that’s a good problem. Now, is it good for first-time homebuyers? That’s rough.” Or, in Wallin’s case, the fourth-time homebuyer. “There are only so many homes that come on the market within a certain price range, one a week, maybe, and so everybody’s trying for it,” he says. “That story is just all too familiar for a lot of people right now.” Steve Hanf moved to the Outer Banks with his family in 2015 and is grateful to be living in the house purchased back then in lovely Chicahauk!

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 17

ART SCENE

POCOSIN ART SCHOOL

Shutterstock

Channel Your Inner Artist At

STORY// LILLIAN STEVENS

ituated a stone’s throw from the Scuppernong River in Columbia, the Pocosin Arts School and Gallery is a must-see, whether the visit is in person or virtual. Laurel Fulton, Deputy Director, is pretty excited about the place – a place where students can turn their artistic vision into reality. Surrounded by water, wildlife and the pristine beauty of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Pocosin Arts is an ideal place to escape the daily routine and immerse yourself in art. The school welcomes students ranging from beginners who wish to learn something new, to intermediate and advanced students. Most workshops welcome all experience levels, with the most important prerequisite being a desire to create. “Even though we are not currently allowing visitors onsite, we will be reopening our doors in 2022,” Fulton says. The campus consists of three buildings in the middle of town, including a brick building that houses the ceramics and metals studios. In the front of one of the main buildings, there is a small gallery space. There’s a myriad of opportunities here for discovery, creativity, and learning in the arts. With year-round workshops in metals and jewelry, ceramics, drawing, painting, textiles, books, wood and digital fabrication, the possibilities are endless. For the time being, these workshops are virtual. The school also hosts artist residencies – that is how Fulton found her niche here.

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Marlene True, Executive Director. Photos provided by Pocosin Art School.

“I’m originally from Colorado, but I had done a residency here at Pocosin before I went back to grad school in Georgia.” When she was named deputy director, Fulton moved to Columbia from Athens, Georgia where she had just wrapped up her MFA in jewelry and metal. Like Marlene True, Pocosin’s Executive Director, Fulton is a metalsmith by profession. “When I was here as artist in residence, I was teaching adult classes, kids’ classes and community classes,” she says. “I also had an opportunity to teach a bigger workshop. But we have had to shift in response to the pandemic. Currently, the artists in residence are leading the community classes and kids’ classes online, then working in the studios. So, it’s a little bit different for them than it would be usually.” The teaching studio and gallery has enjoyed a special place in the community since the mid-1990s when Pennsylvania native Feather Phillips enlisted the help of a few others to create what was then known as the Pocosin Arts Folk School. The school was, and remains a private, non-profit, educational center with a mission to connect culture to the environment through the arts. “Marlene True, our current director, took over after Feather retired,” Fulton says. “She came on at a pretty critical time, right after Hurricane Irene pretty much destroyed the ceramics and metal studio and all of the equipment. “The potter’s wheels and the jeweler’s benches were pretty much under water. Marlene was able to coordinate FEMA funding which provided for critical repairs, including raised flooring in the main building (which was purchased later).” Today, the school tends to attract students from Raleigh, the Outer Banks and even Charlotte. Its vast array of programming – albeit via Zoom currently – includes workshops and classes for adults and youth alike. “It’s funny because Columbia is a kind of isolated area to begin with,” Fulton says.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 19

ART SCENE POCOSIN ART SCHOOL

“The Zoom classes have actually opened up opportunities from all over the world. We have students from as far away as Portugal, the United Kingdom and the West Coast taking classes with us who probably wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise.” Virtual classes have been quite successful, both in terms of substance and quality while acquainting remote students with the facility, hopefully encouraging them to visit in person when it’s feasible. Even before the pandemic hit, Fulton says that Director True was ahead of the curve. “Other craft schools were a little fearful of offering online programming, but Marlene had already been thinking of innovative ways to get people excited about coming here. As soon as the pandemic happened, she jumped right in and started that process.” Fulton admits that it was a little scary jumping into virtual classes. “There was a learning curve,” she says with a chuckle. “But we’ve been open to learning and improving at each step along the way.” Even though in-person programming likely won’t be in place until early 2022, there are some amazing course offerings available. “I’d encourage readers to visit our website (https://pocosinarts.org/). That way, you can browse through the workshops and see what might interest you. There you can also read about our instructors.” Depending on the class you choose, the teacher may be delivering instruction from Europe. “In metals and jewelry, we have Jennifer Wells, who lives in Tuscany. And Märta Mattsson is in Sweden. Even though we have had to shift our operations, we still enjoy a great sense of community here and I’ve enjoyed meeting people I’d never get to meet otherwise – working with artists I’ve admired for years.” The school has just added its first writing workshop featuring Jaki Shelton Green. As North Carolina’s ninth poet laureate, Green is the first African American and the third woman to serve as the state’s ambassador for poetry and the spoken word. Other popular programming includes the jewelry and metals classes which tend to sell out quickly. “New and different kinds of classes include an increase in painting, books and mixed media. Digital media class offerings have also been expanded.” For the novice, she thinks mixed media is ideal because those classes are geared toward those with limited experience. Additionally, there are classes where the instructors send out kits so the student only needs to gather a few things for the workshop. Even though classes are virtual, attendance is capped at 25-30 students. That way it has more of an “in person” feel experience-wise. Classes are also designed to be interactive, informative, and rewarding. Whether online this year or in person next, current and aspirational artists are encouraged to explore the diverse range of offerings are available.

Arts on the river at Pocosin Art School

Students of all experience levels are welcome for most workshops, although the minimum age for adult workshops is 18. Scholarships are available. Though she certainly looks forward to an inperson presence next year, Fulton is pleased at the school’s broad reach during these challenging times. For her, the takeaway is a simple one: “I’m happy we are able to provide these opportunities at a time when people can’t get outside their house as often as they’d like – to be able participate in programming that they wouldn’t have otherwise in these past months.” Lillian Stevens lives in Williamsburg, VA but calls Hatteras Island her second home. She is a recreational writer for publications based in Hampton Roads and the Northern Neck.

20 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 21

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ver a year ago on Hatteras Island, there stood a century old inn that was just begging for someone to come along and give it a fresh start. All you have to do is simply close your eyes and use your imagination to envision just what a hotel that was built in 1928 would look like..... John and Pam Buchholz were a couple who together traveled all around the world. Whether it be for their jobs, vacations, business, or pleasure, they have done and seen it all. You could say they were experienced veterans when it came to overnight accommodations. John and Pam can attest to both ends of the spectrum, from staying in a barebones dusty hotel in Bulgaria, to a lavish $1,000 per night suite in Dubai. And everything else in between. It was during these trips, that the Buchholz’s would often chat about someday having the opportunity to open their very own inn. They would daydream of ideas and details of just what it would look like and what sorts of accommodations they would offer people. Little did they know that their dream would soon, and very quickly, become a reality. As Pam likes to put it (and ironically titles one of her blog posts) “One chapter ends. An awesome new one begins.” One evening in January, Pam was browsing around at some beach real estate properties on the internet. She jokes and says “JB should never leave

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me alone with my laptop when I have time to ‘just look’, it usually leads to mischief or an adventure!” She stumbled across a property called “The Seaside Inn’’ on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Seaside Inn was a very old, historic inn, built in 1928. In fact, it was the very first hotel ever built on Hatteras Island. That January night, was the start of a new adventure. It was a brand new beginning for both John and Pam Buchholz, and The Seaside Inn. The Seaside Inn was a rather run-down hotel when John and Pam took over. There were extensive renovations and much needed repairs that took place over the next year to bring back the former beauty. Back in 1928, the inn was originally called “The Atlantic View Hotel” and it was later renovated and updated to become “The Seaside Inn.” John and Pam knew the importance of restoring not only the physical features of the inn, but also the importance of bringing back the originality of its former name, therefore transitioning and transforming it into the “The Atlantic Inn.” Worthy of praise and worth mentioning, The United States Federal Government maintains an official list of all districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. And

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outerbanks-pestcontrol.com yes, you guessed it, The Atlantic Inn is on this list! The purpose of this list is to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. As their website proudly states, “There are no corporate hotel vibes here - Our inn is family-owned and managed. Each of our suites and rooms have their own unique and individual style, decor and character, designed with your comfort in mind.” The Atlantic Inn also offers a wide array of services. The next time you are on the Outer Banks, do yourself a favor and stop by The Atlantic Inn for a visit. John and Pam have dedicated their lives to making the Atlantic Inn a unique and welcoming coastal retreat for all visitors. Maybe even just stop by to say a quick “Thank you” for giving this little piece of history a brand new beginning! The Atlantic Inn is located in Hatteras Village, off NC 12. The Buchholz’s offer many different options for keeping up with them and the Inn. Be sure to follow along!

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FISHING AN ANGLER’S LIFE

Water life on the

Mascio got his captain’s license and started doing some charter fishing when he wasn’t busy in the commercial fleet hunting for giant bluefin tuna, but after several years of mixed results – and with a growing family to care for – Mascio realized he needed a little more stability and became a teacher for Dare County Schools. “It all depends on the weather. If you don’t have good weather for a week, you can’t fish and you don’t get a paycheck. There’s no unemployment for fishermen,” Mascio says of the decision-making process at the time. “It’s just the stability aspect of it when you have a family. Summer money is easy to make here. Winter money’s tough.” Mascio continues to work charters during the summer months – and fishes every chance he gets. The freezer is stocked with his catches and of course the trades of shrimp, crabs, and oysters that every angler makes with friends. His family will eat seafood two to three times a week – “brain food,” he calls it with a laugh – with fish tacos being the primary go-to.

“I don’t have trophy fish on my wall. I have meat in the freezer,”

Mascio says. “It’s a big sense of pride to be able to provide for your family. My kids really appreciate the concept of where their food comes from. That’s a big part of it, just appreciating it and not taking anything for granted because we’re lucky to have the best fisheries in the world here.”

MIKE SABA

NIC

SHUTTERSTOCK

STORY// STEVE HANF

ramatic music. Rapid-fire cuts. Suspenseful narration. Huge paydays.The slick production values of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks have made the show a mainstay on The National Geographic Channel for seven seasons. The reality, of course, is that a reality-TV show can’t come close to documenting the hard work undertaken by countless men and women who toil in the fishing industry day in and day out with little fanfare. Commercial fishermen. Charter captains. Mates and guides. Oncall fish cleaners. Tackle experts. The list goes on and on... “There’s a lot of glamour with Wicked Tuna, and it’s funny to see how my clients react when we run past the Fishin’ Frenzy,” says charter captain of the Fly Girl, Sarah Gardner. “But what I like about that show is it does show how difficult the job is and how unglamorous it is. Over the course of your life as a guide, I mean, we call it ‘living the dream’ when your motor blows up, or you’re changing oil in your boat, or you’re driving to the DNR to renew licenses. It’s about as unglamorous as it can possibly be. You don’t have to scratch the surface to find the grit.” It can be easy to lose sight of the grittiness of the Outer Banks’ fishing heritage when taking stock of million-dollar beach homes and crowded roads and shops during the tourist season. Yet the commercial fleet still casts its nets. The charter fleet still introduces visitors to the thrill of the chase. And still, others make a living on the water in unconventional ways.

24 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

“I like to tell my friends it’s a love affair, but at some point when you get married, marriage is hard work and it’s a long-term commitment,” Gardner says. “You see a lot of people that get out of it because it’s just a lot harder than they think it is. It’s a lot. … I need to be able to make a living.” Still, even when folks embark on different career paths, they never forget that first love. Chris Mascio grew up in Manteo and was part of his step-dad’s commercial fishing operation as soon as he was old enough to cull crabs. He balanced his love of fishing with plenty of sports growing up, Mascio headed off to college, but the lure of his hometown brought him back after graduation. CHRIS MASCIO

MIKE SABANIC

Mascio has even managed to convince other family members of the value of “fresh off the boat” seafood. He recalled one vacation with his wife, Cassidy, and her family when a cousin saw Mascio cutting and cleaning a fresh catch for that night’s dinner. “She said, ‘Well, it hasn’t been inspected.’ And I was like, ‘I inspected it – I know where it came from, I know what it was eating!’ ” Mascio recalls with a grin. “It’s that naivete that people don’t understand, that it doesn’t have to be touched by 25 hands to be good. It just comes from the ocean, nothing’s wrong with it. That first year, not many people ate. Then it was, ‘When are you cooking your fish?’ because everybody started getting it and it became our tradition. That’s the best part about all of it, is to bring that knowledge to people that don’t know.” That includes sharing his love of fishing with his three daughters, who already have enjoyed some outings in which they’ve outfished the other adults Mascio has taken out with him. Countless anglers share that sentiment, including Mikey Sabadic when he’s out with “little man,” Brody. Sabadic also grew up here and has been fishing his entire life. He never imagined that his high school hobby of taking photos and making videos of friends surfing might one day morph into a career, but Sabadic estimates he’s just a year or two away from being able to call himself a full-time kayak fishing guide. The in-shore kayak fishing for trout, redfish, flounder, and striper keeps Sabadic and his customers busy much of the year. A frequent companion on those trips is his son, Brody, who at the age of 7 already has caught more fish than most adults ever will. Sabadic cherishes their time together and even included his son in the Island Life Outfitters logo – the silhouette of one kayak fisherman in the main seat and his smaller sidekick behind him with another line in the water.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 25

FISHING AN ANGLERS LIFE Aaron Kelly, who grew up in Kitty Hawk and has been in the fishing business since coming home after college, admits that it’s not an easy job to stick with. “I wouldn’t push this on anybody unless they absolutely love it. It’s a tough job, a lot of work. Most people don’t make it more than about five years,” Kelly says. “They realize there’s a financial cap and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” Kelly, though, has been doing it for more than 20 years. He got a taste of commercial fishing aboard the Miss Molly. After two years of working off a trailer, he gained a coveted spot at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. “Captain Sam Stokes of the Fight-N-Lady took me under his wing and spoke up for me and got me a slip at the fishing center and I haven’t looked back, haven’t stopped since,” Kelly says. Kelly now runs three boats – the Rock Solid, Carolina Blue, and Southern Run – with four other licensed captains. They’ll make more than 500 trips a year, booked solid from mid-April to the end of October. Kelly primarily goes out on Rock Solid, taking guests near-shore fishing for cobia and red drum, and to the in-shore wrecks for sea bass, triggerfish, and flounder. His own fishing time is cut down to a few times a week – five kids at home will keep a family busy! – but Kelly enjoys living vicariously through his charter guests as they land fish after fish. “You meet all kinds of amazing people – we’ve taken NASCAR driver (Martin) Truex Jr. fishing, we took the head of the Department of the

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Interior fishing. It’s just neat to meet all the different people, whether it’s a plumber or stay-at-home mom,” Kelly says. “And what’s really cool about doing this, you take a dad and his son out, then the son comes fishing with you when he’s grown up and he brings his kids, and it’s just neat to see the relationship you build with these clients over the years.” It’s moments like that that make it all worth it for the men and women who overcome so many obstacles to make it work. Weather. Catch limits and other government regulations. Shifting interests from the tourists. Through it all, though, they keep “living the dream” of a life on the water. They couldn’t imagine it any other way. “I’m definitely doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” Gardner says. “I’m thrilled to be able to do it. And I’m thrilled to be able to make enough money that I can do some other fun things that I enjoy doing, too, so I feel really lucky.” Sure, Wicked Tuna plays up the thrill of the chase for the 600-pound fish. But it also plays up a way of life that generations of gritty Outer Bankers have cultivated and will continue to do so. “Fishing isn’t just something to do, it’s a lifestyle,” Mascio explains. “When you’re doing it for a living or doing it for your family, it’s a lifestyle. You talk about it, you call your friends to talk about it, you live it.” Steve Hanf is a former sportswriter who now teaches the journalism classes at First Flight High School. His dad tried to get him hooked on fishing a long time ago, but more active pursuits won out. Steve still enjoys telling anglers’ stories, though!

26 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

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OBX COMMUNITY MEMORY BEARS Melody McBride

Huggable Memories STORY// GREG SMRDEL

elody McBride of Manteo is a self-professed “daddy’s girl.” And when her father died in 2013, Melody had a hard time processing it all. A friend suggested that she have a pillow or something made out of one of her father’s shirts. After doing some research online, Melody discovered someone had made a teddy bear out of some old clothing. The light bulb went off as Melody said to herself “I could make that!” And made one she did. Not only for herself but one for her brother as well. Sitting down over a beer as we chatted, Melody says, “When I look at the bear, it doesn’t look like my dad – but it does feel like the essence of my dad.” Melody’s bear that she made in remembrance of her father sits on a shelf in her office. “I can hug it. I can talk to it, and everything is ok. It’s a place for the grief to go, I guess.” Melody says as her voice trailed off. “I showed it to someone once who asked if I could make them one too. I did, and word of mouth just kind of spread from there.” You can find some of the bears that Melody has made on her Facebook page, Huggable Memories Memory Bears. Each bear, depending on the amount of detail will take anywhere from 16 to 24 hours to complete. And to this point Melody guesses that she has made “about 100.”

28 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

The first bear Melody McBride ever made. All photos provided by Melody McBride.

Full disclosure here, my wife Char had heard about Melody when her father passed from COVID in November 2020. Char commissioned Melody to do a bear from her father’s clothing, and another from her mother’s vintage, velvet, sequined wrap. “Oh, Char was very specific in what she wanted,” laughs Melody. “And I had the sparkly material from her mother’s bear in my house for weeks!” Melody can pretty much make whatever you would like in your bear. The more specific, the less interpretation has to be made by the artist. But a lot of people do meet with Melody and, “With a sniffle, hand me a bag of their loved one’s clothes and just ask me to make them something.” Which is fine too, according to Melody. “I just love handing them back the completed bear. Their expression and feeling are so much different. That makes me feel good!”

But the bears are not just for deceased loved ones. They can be for all sorts of events. “I’ve done some to commemorate a baby’s first year. People will bring me some of the baby’s onesies and I’ll make it from that.” It’s kind of like this generation’s version of bronzed baby shoes. Though she’s never done one yet, Melody, would love to commemorate a wedding anniversary by making a Huggable Memories Memory Bear using part of a wedding dress. That got me thinking. Can all types of materials be used to make a bear? “Pretty much,” Melody answers. “I can’t use leather, fur, or anything shiny or slick. But otherwise, yes. The best materials seem to be jeans and broadcloth materials like flannel shirts.” Certainly, some projects were harder than others, I thought. It turns out I was right. “I once had a nice lady bring me a bag full of her husband’s neckties. Apparently, he had a lot of them. I was able to turn that bag into 5 different bears for her. Each taking about 12 ties or so.” Another cool project that Melody has done was when she visited a lady in a rest home. “She wanted to leave each of her 3 grandkids a different bear to remember her by. Over the years, each grandchild had given her a shirt, a dress, or a skirt. She told me which item of clothing came from which grandchild, and I made that particular bear out of that clothing for that grandchild.” “I am so lucky,” Melody says. “I get the best feeling from my work. One time a lady had sent me a picture of her husband sitting in his favorite recliner in the clothes that she gave me to make his bear. The next picture was of the bear in those same clothes in that same recliner.” Friends, it doesn’t get any better than that. Back in high school in the Greensboro area, Melody McBride had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She says she still doesn’t. But for now, making special bears for special occasions for special people, well, that just makes her happy. And who doesn’t want to be happy? If you would like a bear to be commissioned, visit Melody’s Facebook group, Huggable Memories Memory Bears. Greg Smrdel is the Editor for Coastal Life. He is also the morning show host on Radio Free Outer Banks. Listen in at RadioFreeOBX.com

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 29

y c r e P A bell

’ flip-floppin theGOSMBRDEXL STORY// GRE

is students at the University of Lynchburg refer to him as the guy in the Tommy Bahama shirts and flip-flops. To the listeners of “Coastal Americana” music, they know him as the guy who had the number 1 song in the country on the Trop Rock Chart with Moon Over Manteo. He is Percy Abell. Abell spent most of his adult life working in academia at the University of Lynchburg. It was there that he was the baseball coach for 2 decades. He is still a member of the faculty and teaches classes like canoeing, backpacking, paddleboarding, and kayaking in the Health and Physical Education Department. He, his brother Todd, and son Shawn, have all been inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame for baseball. Growing up on a dairy farm, a mile down the road from his uncle’s dairy farm in Virginia, Abell says, “I was the entertainment when our families got together.” He continues, “I picked up the guitar in middle school where it was taught as an elective. They taught us the G, C, and D chords, and taught us to play John Denver songs. And that’s what I played.” It was around this same time that Abell’s love affair with the Outer Banks began. “My dad, he took one week off each year to go on vacation and my uncle would watch our farm. We would always go to the beach. My dad loved the beach. At first it was Myrtle Beach, but then my dad found the Outer Banks.” And Percy hasn’t looked back since. “I remember my first car was a Jeep CJ 7, and every chance we got, my 2 brothers and I would hop into that Jeep, top-down, and run to the Outer Banks. We loved the sand, the dunes, and the ocean.” I first became aware of Abell when our mutual friend, Boomer Blake, a Coastal Americana artist PERCY ABELL from New Jersey, told me to listen to Percy’s song Flip-Floppin the OBX. The first line of the song hooked me.

30 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

PERCY ABELL

“It’s 5 o’clock on Friday, this meeting is moving way too slow. I should be on the road right now, headed for the coast.” “Yeah, it was those faculty meetings that ran every Friday from 3 till 5, that inspired the opening to the song,” laughs Abell. Continuing, he says, “it was my brother Todd who actually suggested I come up with a song about living in flip flops on the weekends in the summer and doing the things we loved to do at the beach.” And that’s what Abell did in the song. In his lyrics, he talks of flying kites on Jockey’s Ridge, fishing for blues off the Avon pier, and driving to Corolla to see the “ponies in the sand.” That is not Abell’s only Outer Banks-themed song. He recently wrote and recorded Moon Over Manteo. The cool thing is that I had posted a picture of the full moon over the Roanoke Sound from my front deck. I tagged Percy, Boomer Blake, Jamie Trent, and Erica Sunshine Lee in it and challenged them to write a song about it. Percy commented almost immediately saying, “I got this!” Got this he did. According to Abell, “I was on a Radio A1A Cruise to Jamaica with my buddy Rick Hoefel and told him that I’m doing a cool little project and asked if he’d like to collaborate.” Hoefel, himself a songwriter from South Padre Island, Texas, and Abell put together a dream board for the song. “One of my favorite things to do at the beach,” says Abell, “is to go out at night and look up at the moon and the stars. I love thinking about pirate ships that cruised these waters, and from that, the song was born.” What’s cool, is that from a simple challenge to write a song based on a picture, Percy took the idea and ran it all the way up the charts. In early February 2021, it was the number 1 song in the country! “Yeah, it was pretty cool,” Abell admits. “I think people relate to it because it tells a story. It was my life story kind of a song. I like writing story songs.” Even still, weeks later, the song is still in the top 5 (as of this writing). His newest song, Life Looks Better With a Tan is also doing well. “That song came about,” Abell says, “when a sister of a friend of mine, was talking about clothes, and said, ‘regardless of what you wear, you always look better with a tan.’ How can you not write about that?” You can find Percy Abell’s music at places like CD Baby, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora. Percy also plays live on the Outer Banks. You can check out his schedule on his Facebook page, Percy Abell Music. Greg Smrdel is the Editor of Coastal Life Magazine, and is the morning show host on Radio Free Outer Banks, where Percy Abell is in heavy rotation.

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radiofreeobx.com Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 31

COASTAL LIFE 10 BEACH MUST HAVES

The Outer Banks is a summer vacation mecca with more and more people relocating here each and every year. And why not? It is a great place to live, no doubt about it. We have pristine beaches, lots of sun, lots of surf, and lots of history. We have plenty of fishing, family activities, and some of the finest restaurants on the East Coast. But there are some things each and every Outer Banker should have in their arsenal to enjoy each day. Outer Banks Coastal Life Magazine has compiled ten of those things.

32 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

FOOD GRILLED CHEESE RECIPES Recipe by Kevin Groat

Pear, Caramelized Onions, and Brie >> This yields more than one sandwich, so you can share this goodness that may a new realization for you.

INGREDIENTS: 3 Bartlett Pears 1 Onion Brie Arugula French bread (or something firm)

>> What’s the Dill? >> INGREDIENTS:

A good quality bread (2 slices) Your choice of cheese

Mayonnaise Dill Pickles

Looking for an Instagramworthy grilled cheese sandwich with an ooeygooey mouth-watering pull? Here is a recipe for one of the greatest comfort foods of all time.

sauté with some salt until golden brown (about 20 minutes on medium-low, stirring frequently). Set aside.

STEP 2: You have two options with the pears. You can either slice them thin and leave them as is, or you can slice them a little bit thicker (1/4”). If you slice them thicker, sauté them with a splash of water and a drizzle of honey. Cook them on each side until slightly singed. Remove from pan. STEP 3: In the same pan, melt the butter on the medium-low. Place the bread in the butter, top with brie (so it slightly melts easily), and then put on the raw or sauteed pear slices. On the pear, drizzle honey and sprinkle a small pinch of both the nutmeg and cinnamon. Add the pre-cooked onions to warm them back up. Heat as an open-face sandwich. Toast the other piece of bread separately in the pan.

Recipe by MaryAnn Williams

STEP 1: Start with a good quality artisan bread, sturdy, ready to hold up the melting cheese.

STEP 4: After a light toasting, top with arugula, then the balsamic vinaigrette. Finally, add your other slice of toasted bread to your sandwich, and crunch on that! You’re welcome!

STEP 2: Choose your favorite cheese that melts easily. Some

STEP 3: Use medium heat. Do not put butter or oil in your pan.Spread mayo on both sides of your bread and grill each side until toasty (Do not over brown). STEP 4: Place a mound of cheese in the center of the bread. Add dill pickles and add another mound of grated cheese on top of the pickles.

STEP 5: Place the other slice of bread over the cheese. Then, add approximately 1 tsp. of water in the pan with the sandwich, (careful not to splash yourself) and cover.

STEP 6: When the cheese starts to melt, flip the sandwich. Cook until the cheese has melted and the bread is crispy. If cheese overflows into the pan let it crisp up. It is just as yummy. STEP 7: The secret to a great cheese pull is in the cut. On a

diagonal, cut only the bread. Do not cut through the cheese. Turn over and cut the other side of the bread. Again, not the cheese.

STEP 8: Then slowly pull the sandwich apart for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich! Enjoy!

34 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

STEP 1: Drizzle olive oil in a pan. Add sliced onions and

April 12th is National Grilled Cheese Day. Oh man, is it on. You can’t argue with cheese. But grilled cheese specialties? Dude. Plus, there’s almost no way to screw these up. So mark your calendars! Get melty!

great cheeses include Mozzarella, Gruyere, Fontina, Mild Cheddar, or the classic American. Grate.

Balsamic vinaigrette Olive oil 1 tbs Honey 1 tbs Butter Pinch of salt, nutmeg, & cinnamon

A Grown-Up Grilled Cheese >> I love this sandwich for its simplicity and its ability to pack an optional punch and crunch.

INGREDIENTS:

Rye Bread (2 slices) Butter Pimento Cheese

1 Avocado 2 slices of bacon (optional) 1 jalapeno pepper (optional)

STEP 1: If using bacon for crunch, prepare.

Recipe by Greg Smrdel

STEP 2: Slice avocado in half, removing pit. Slice thinly.

STEP 4: Place sandwich in a non-stick pan and cover. After 4 or 5 minutes, check the underside to see if brown. Then flip and repeat.

STEP 3: Butter one side of each piece of rye bread.

STEP 5: Cut in half and enjoy!

If using the optional jalapeno, chop finely and mix with the pimento cheese.

STEP 4: Spread a hefty amount of pimento cheese on

the un-buttered side of bread. Top with avocado and optional bacon. Top with un-buttered side of other slice.

I like mine with a Kitty Hawk Blonde.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 35

s e i d d u B e d l e d d d u Pa not incl

SPORTS & OUTDOORS KAYAKS & SUPS

arms feel like jello. If using a double kayak put the heavier person in the back to avoid easily tipping. Should you tip over, remain calm. Right your kayak, throw your arms across the vessel short ways, pull your upper body onto the kayak first, then swing your legs in and sit. If you’re a beginner, don’t kayak on the Sound when you see whitecaps.

UNSPLASH

Sound Kayaks

Sound kayaks, or “touring kayaks” are closer to a canoe in looks. The rider sits within the kayak, level with the surface of the water, making sound kayaks less suitable for larger riders who may not want a snug fit. For them, an ocean kayak with a raised seat may be more comfortable. Pro-tip: when renting an ocean kayak, make sure to ask for the backrest. It’s a game-changer. Try launching your ‘yak in the Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest. It is one of the easiest and most visually interesting areas on the Banks to navigate. Other great spots include the Whalehead Club in Corolla, the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge down Buffalo City Road, and the marshes around Pea Island.

Ocean Kayaks

While the trip can be more intimidating than navigating the smooth waters of the Sound, ocean yakking can provide you with sights and

splashes exclusive to the adventure. Pro-tip: when getting your kayak out beyond the breakers, head straight into the wave with the nose of the vessel pointing toward the horizon, this will help prevent flipping and use the yak’s angular hull to cut through the waves. The rider sits atop the kayak’s seat and legs are exposed rather than within the vessel. If you’re considering renting or buying and are unsure where you’ll be using it most, go for an ocean kayak. These can be used on either body of water, but sound kayaks are not suited for the ocean.

en it on the water wh t u o t” n u ja t n leasa y timidating, to sa Ever been on a “p ? in e le b d d n a p ca r a t ea u g o r h per wate river wit on. k? Choosing pro Ever been up the ya ka the right directi in k in ya ip e sh th r t u u p yo r u ee yo st us to turns so bumpy worst, but allow s it t a s u o er g n a the least, and d

Kayaks

STORY// EMILY MOLIKEN

If you’re looking for a mostly dry activity on the water and don’t mind a little bit of an upper body workout, kayaking is the way to go. It’s great for sightseeing and covering more distance than taking out a paddleboard. Kayaks lend themselves to smooth sailing on the Sound and, at times, rigorous maritime adventures on the ocean. Kayaks are typically either single or double with each rower using one long paddle to power and steer the vessel. If you’re an inexperienced “yakker,” you have a few relatively inexpensive options for giving the pastime a whirl. Consider your location. You’re at the beach! Though the impulse to pick up a new hobby can be a strong one —especially in these times when knitting, learning Portuguese, and making sourdough are essential to staying sane— don’t go out and buy yourself a brand new kayak and all the matching accoutrement before your first trip. Chances are someone has a kayak you can borrow, or can at least point you in the right direction of one. If you’re down here on vacation, rent one. There are tons of beach equipment rental companies that rent ocean and sound kayaks by the day or week and most will deliver right to your door. Pro-

36 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

tip from a seasoned beach equipment renter: don’t rent for a full week unless you’re a dedicated kayaker. Renting by the day is cheaper and, according to our rental expert, most people don’t end up using their equipment every day because, let’s face it, you’re here to relax, not to ferry people down the River Styx. Once you’ve procured your kayak, there are a few basics rowers of every experience level must know. Never paddle alone. While the activity seemed incredibly mild when Ryan Gosling was rowing through droves of swans in The Notebook, kayaking can turn dangerous with quickly-changing weather and currents. Take somebody with you; this makes the trip safer and more fun. Always let your landlubber friends know your itinerary so they can have your happy hour order placed in time and a bottle of aloe cooling in the wet bar. You’ll likely need both after a long day of paddling. When you make it to the water, make sure you have the essentials: a PFD (personal flotation device, required by the US Coast Guard to be on the vessel but is best if worn on the body), drinking water, sunblock, and some sort of communication device (best in a waterproof case or plastic bag). Other recommended items include a shirt with sleeves for when you start to bake out there, ‘yak beers, and Ryan Gosling. A few more key pieces of advice: row into the current at the beginning of your journey. This will help tremendously on your ride back when your

UNSPLASH

Stand- Up Paddle Boards or SUPs

TYLER JACKSO

For those with good balance and no qualms about a dunk, SUPs are a great way to go. Essentially an uber-buoyant long surfboard, SUPs are made for standing or kneeling and propelling the craft with a long paddle and can be easily taken on the Sound or ocean. Like kayaking, paddling is a finesse sport, not one of brute strength. Understanding how to paddle efficiently is key to having a good time as the activity uses tons of upper body and core strength. Just as with kayaks it is easiest to begin paddling into the current for a smooth return trip. Begin getting your balance on the board by kneeling at first and gradually figuring out how to stand. SUPs can be surprisingly expensive to rent but are available hourly, daily, and weekly at the same equipment rental companies. If you know someone who has one, borrowing is always a great place to start before committing to a purchase or long-term rental.

FOOD KHAN’S

Foam Boards or Soft Tops

Unlike kayaks, SUPs do not vary depending upon where you use them. The right SUP for you will work just as easily in the ocean or on the Sound. Soft top or foam boards are best for children or people under 100 lbs. These are incredibly buoyant and will likely flip your average-sized adult before standing on the board is even within the realm of possibility. Foam boards are typically around nine feet long— the longer the board the easier it is to balance.

Hard Top SUPs

Hard top SUPs are most likely what you will need. These boards, while still incredibly buoyant, are made to hold more weight. Hardtops typically come in 10’6 or 11’4 measurements with the 11’4s best suiting people over 200lbs or 6’4 and 10’6s suiting nearly everyone else. Accompanying paddles are pretty much universal in length for adults— this is nothing like the putt putt foot-to-hip measurements you exacted with the kids. For beginner paddlers, the sound is the easiest place to get your bearings as balance is tricky when you’re being pounded by waves. Should you get straight into ocean paddling, get yourself beyond the breakers by paddling out on your stomach like a surfer rather than kneeling or standing. While those on the beach may find your misfortunes a treat, a face full of saltwater in the first minute may discourage you. This brings us to another pro-tip: have fun! This is not a competition, nor are you earning style points for cool tricks. Paddleboarding is a leisure

Brett Barley. Photo by Ryan Osmond REAL Watersports.

STORY// LEXI HOLIAN

hen it comes to dining out on the Outer Banks, it’s not hard to see why Khan’s Mongolian Grill is a standout destination. Amid an abundance of fresh, healthy ingredients, is an open kitchen concept with a sizzling flattop grill and a lively atmosphere that draws locals and visitors alike.

UNSPLASH

activity, so go out there, do some yoga, dunk your head in, get a tan and relax. If there’s anything you take away from this, let it be this: don’t take any of these activities too seriously. While your safety is of the utmost importance, a close second is having a good time. Find somewhere beautiful to poke around, borrow or rent your equipment and make some friends along the way. If you just can’t get enough, buy a kayak or a SUP of your own. One final fiscal pro-tip: the equipment rental companies usually sell their older merchandise around September for a fraction of the usual cost. The boards and boats are still in great shape and, because they were bought with the intention of lasting a long time, are usually top brands. Emily Moliken graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in Media & American Studies. She enjoys the deranged writings of Hunter S. Thompson and likes her music from the same era.

UNSPLASH

38 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

Opened in October 2019, Khan’s Mongolian Grill in Kill Devil Hills is coowned by Jack Chen and Jeremiah Miller, who you may know from Fuji Japanese Steakhouse just down the road, though this brightly colored, casual eatery on South Croatan Highway has a different feel. Mongolian cuisine is simple by nature, but the variety at Khan’s is in your choices. “We tried to have a new concept for the Outer Banks area,” says Chen. “We have all the fresh ingredients that are cooked right away. The customer can go there and pick whatever they desire – beef, shrimp, chicken, pork. It’s something new, and it’s also a healthy way of eating.” “At a typical Mongolian grill, you don’t have very many options,” says Miller. “Here you can put whatever you would like in your bowl, and it doesn’t matter how much you put in your bowl.” High-quality beef, chicken, and just-caught shrimp are options for the bowl, as well as flavorful Mongolian beef, scallops, and lamb. On the veggie side, there is an array of vibrant choices from green peppers to baby corn to bamboo shoots. Nothing is pre-made, and ingredients for the bowls are regularly replaced so the entire selection is always fresh. The atmosphere is warm and friendly – in part due to front-of-the-house manager Skyler Cook, who is normally the first face you see when you walk

through the front door. There’s also a covered outdoor patio if you prefer to eat outside. Both Chen and Miller bring a ton of Outer Banks restaurant experience to Khan’s. Chen, who has been a sushi chef since 1994, has opened more than one restaurant on the beach. Miller has more than a decade of front-ofthe-house experience, and the chefs’ joint venture, Fuji, is a mainstay along the central Outer Banks. In the wake of a fire that closed Fuji’s doors for almost a year, Chen and Miller started working on the concept for a fast-casual restaurant with a lot of flavors. They got the idea from a Virginia Beach-based restaurant and expanded on it, adding appetizers like bang bang shrimp and crab rangoon in addition to more ingredients for the bowls. When Khan’s Mongolian Grill opened its doors, the building with a small event space was brand new and the theme was healthy Mongolian cuisine for everyone. The owners made a point to try and source local ingredients when possible and always focused on choice, adding rotating drink and appetizer specials to complement the bowls. “We try to put as much out there as we can so customers have more to choose from,” says Chen. “You can get a lot of proteins and vegetables. We have white rice, brown rice, tortillas. It’s good for healthy eating.” After running top-notch restaurants on the Outer Banks for more than 20 years, Chen says the thing he likes the most about the culinary world is exploring new concepts. “You can do better and better,” he says, noting that right now he’s focused on healthy cuisine. “That’s why I’m always doing something different. We can only improve with the menus and different kinds of food and the quality.” Along with contributing to publications like Outer Banks Coastal Life, Lexi Holian has covered everything from Miami food festivals to St. Barth sailing for travel and hospitality brands in the US and Caribbean.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 39

OBX COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC

a medical Safety Net

says. “There are also two volunteer family practice physicians and a retired orthopedic surgeon who makes themselves available once each month.” Since the pandemic, telemedicine has been implemented making health care more easily accessible for patients. This has been accomplished in large part due to generous support from the NC Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. “They were instrumental in getting the doctors up and running on a TeleMed platform and they have helped with support and funding for all of the clinics. A patient without a phone can come here to the clinic or be seen in Frisco where they will have access to a laptop computer or iPad. Then, they can consult the nurse practitioner who is working remotely.” To be eligible to receive services from CCCD, a patient must be an adult over the age of

STORY// LILLIAN STEVENS

“We never want people to feel that they are receiving lesser care because it’s charitable care,” Jenkins says. “That is simply not the case.”

SHUTTERSTOCK

Community Care Clinic of Dare The Community Care Clinic of Dare (CCCD) has a credo: Basic healthcare is a necessity, not a luxury. That was true before COVID-19 brought us all to our knees, and it is still true today. Lyn Jenkins, a registered nurse by profession, has served as CCCD’s executive director since spring 2020. The enthusiasm she has for her work and for those the clinic serves is palpable. “There is nothing better than knowing that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life,” she says. “We have so many tools in our toolbox to provide comprehensive, high-quality primary care to our neighbors in need.” At its core, the organization’s mission is to provide basic healthcare, medication assistance, and health/wellness education for financially challenged, uninsured people who live or work in Dare County, from Kitty Hawk to Hatteras. Founded in 2005 by a partnership between the Albemarle Hospital Foundation, Dare County Department of Public Health and The Outer Banks Hospital, the CCCD has addressed a growing need within the community. “We are a tourist community,” Jenkins explains. “The hospitality industry is big here, employing a lot of people. Many of our citizens are working part-time in seasonal positions, sometimes without health insurance or the means to pay for basic healthcare.”

Services not provided by CCCD: Emergency or urgent care services (sick visits available for established patients) Access to narcotics or other controlled medications Obstetrical and gynecological care Located in the old medical center in the Town of Nags Head, the modern, state-of-the-art facility currently accommodates some 600 adults. In addition to two part-time paid nurse practitioners, there are seven parttime employees and ten volunteers. “We have several part-time volunteer nurses, a bilingual volunteer nurse, several Spanish interpreters, and two part-time administrative staff,” Jenkins

Here is a shortlist of services typically provided by CCCD: Basic (non-emergency) medical care, including diagnostic procedures like lab work, strep tests, urine cultures, and colorectal cancer screening Specialty care referrals when possible (more about that later in this article) Prescription drug access (excluding pain medication) through voucher and Prescription Assistance Programs Health education Limited COVID testing available LILLIAN STEVENS

40 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC OF DARE

18, live or work in Dare County and have no health insurance (this includes Medicare, Medicaid and ACA). For seniors without Medicare Part D, CCCD can access many expensive, brand-name medications at no cost. Patients are required to show documentation that proves they live or work in Dare. Each year, patients are required to recertify, showing that they continue to meet the guidelines for care. “That comes into play a lot with our specialist care program,” Jenkins says. “Let’s say the nurse practitioner sees a patient who needs to be referred to a cardiologist or other specialist. Working closely with Albemarle Project Access, nurse case managers typically coordinate that referral.” At Albemarle Project Access, where physicians have donated their services, patients who are referred and enrolled receive an ID card that looks like an insurance card. There are no copays and the claim forms track donations of the physicians’ time. “It’s a great collaboration. Through our relationships, we refer patients to the specialists they need, and we can get them the radiology services they need, including MRIs and CTs through Chesapeake Imaging Center.” Indeed, in Dare County, there are no more brick walls when it comes to the uninsured, something that Jenkins believes also speaks well to large hospital facilities and doctors’ offices who are part of medical groups where patients can apply for financial assistance. She marvels at the many partners and supporters who make it all possible. “We have incredible partners providing essential ancillary services at reduced and often no cost to our patients.” Assistance and services are made possible with funding from multiple sources, including state, county, and town grants, foundations, private donations, and business donations. Over the years partners have included Albemarle Project Access, NC Prevent Blindness, Chesapeake Imaging, Ryan White HIV group, Port Mental Health, and NC Med-Assist, to name a few.

“I am so grateful for all of our partners and people in the network who collaborate to help others. From the Beach Food Pantry to Social Services, the Health Department, the hospitals, and community outreach programs to the Town of Nags Head who gives us a break on our rent in this wonderful facility, I’m so thankful for these relationships.” Make no mistake about it though. The old adage “you get what you pay for” does not apply here. “We never want people to feel that they are receiving lesser care because it’s charitable care,” Jenkins says. “That is simply not the case.” Since health and well-being extend beyond the physical, it cannot be overstated that mental health illness is a disease like any other disease. Through CCCD, there is treatment available whether through specialists or for medication services. “We are absolutely able to help with mental health referrals and medication assistance,” Jenkins says. “In fact, medication assistance is a big part of what we do – making sure patients have access to the medicines they need at no cost. We have a grant through Trillium Health Resources that provides funding for mental health medications and three local pharmacies partner with us to provide that assistance.” In terms of wellness education, she and her colleagues were especially excited to participate in a pilot program related to nutrition called The Food Pharmacy this past year. “The goal is to combat illness through nutrition and education,” she says. “Through a collaboration with Beach Food Pantry, we were able to provide individualized weekly education sessions with patients, mostly those with uncontrolled diabetes.” At the end of the day, Jenkins takes great pride in the feedback the clinic receives from the patients themselves, many of whom have experienced the frustration of hitting that proverbial brick wall. “When they fill out a satisfaction survey, some say that they had nowhere else to turn, so they came here. They were both surprised and so happy – not just because they received the care they needed, but because they were treated with dignity.” In Dare County, there are no more barriers when it comes to the uninsured. It is a community that truly watches out for its own. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Friday appointments are available twice a month. There is also a satellite location at the Health Department located at 50347 Route 12 in Frisco. Lillian Stevens lives in Williamsburg, Virginia but calls Hatteras Island her second home. She is a recreational writer who contributes to several publications based in Hampton Roads and the Northern Neck.

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 41

WILDLIFE BRUMBIES ON A FARM

PHOTOS// CWHF STORY// REBECCA ORR

Brumby is a handy Australian term for a Wild Mustang that I’ve personally used for years. But on a farm? Certainly, a contradiction in terms! Domestic farm with wild horses? But this seeming contradiction is a proud reality in Grandy, NC, as retirements happen and illnesses occur from the remaining ancestral herd of approximately one hundred Colonial Spanish feral horses of Corolla.

Roaming free in the dunes and forests of the Currituck Banks, these wild horses are descended from those brought to this area by European explorers in the 1500s. DNA testing has confirmed their blood link to the Spanish line of horses imported by Spain’s explorers over five centuries ago. Not only does the Corolla Wild Horse Fund provide care for the viable, wild, dynamic herd, it also provides care for the individual animals as they grow ill and can’t survive the herd life, or become too old to remain with their viable herd any longer. Then those horses go to “The Farm,” located in Grandy. This is where Meg Puckett comes in. She is officially the Herd Manager for the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and as such, is responsi-

Moxie the horse. Right: Trainer Nora

42 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Spring 2021

ble for the administration of the herd and its members; in other words, she directs who goes where and why. When a wild horse can’t keep up with the herd’s approximately 10 miles per day roam and forage ranging, they often become ill or undernourished, and a decision must be made to let nature take its course or to cull the horse from the herd and take it to The Farm in Grandy. These decisions do not happen in a vacuum, nor at the spur of the moment. Much thought and deliberation occurs before removing any horse from the wild. The CWHF veterinarian is consulted, the charity’s board of directors is notified, and protocols set forth in the Wild Horse Management Agreement are adhered to and followed. The CWHF Trainer and Herd Manager have nearly 70 combined years of experience working with horses and herds. Should additional experts have needed areas of expertise, in North Carolina or other locales, the group never hesitates to contact other wildlife professionals for input and advice. Even during an intense emergency situation, these calls are made and proper procedures are followed, at all times. Removing a horse from the wild is not a decision that is taken lightly. It’s the final option and the decision is only made when it’s Captain Amadeo - Blind Stallion clear the horse is suffering from a catastrophically fatal injury or illness that prevents it from keeping up with its family group, traveling to freshwater, and/or eating. If the condition is being caused by end-oflook like a full-grown adult horse, but the training is the same as you would life complications (failing teeth, arthritis, etc.) all efforts are directed to best do with a young foal...getting it accustomed to being handled by humans. monitor the horse, but also to allow it to live out its life naturally. It is also important not to anthropomorphize wild animals. They do not One of the major things I learned while writing this article was the answer process emotions in the same way that humans do, and assuming so can to “why can’t a horse be returned to the wild once it’s removed?” Actually, it’s be very harmful. Horses, like most animals, are very good at living in the movery simple. The Corolla herd is not vaccinated. Due to the isolation of the ment as long as their basic needs are being met. A healthy, enriched, horse herd, it is naturally protected from disease spread by domestic horses. No is not standing in the field longing for its days in the wild. It is the care-givers’ domestic livestock are allowed into the wild horses’ habitat. Once a horse is responsibilities to make sure the horses’ needs are being met in captivity, put on a trailer and taken across the cattle guard, it is no longer considered and this includes not only the basics like food and water, but also physical wild; it is domestic livestock, and mental activity, companionship, and a living environment that is as close by that action. to natural as possible. Once at The Farm, the Every horse is different, and no case will ever be the same. The Corolla horse is exposed to vacciWild Horse Fund team learns from each removal, birth, death, and emernated horses. Even though gency, and then applies that knowledge to the next situation. With fewer than horses are quarantined for 100 of these horses left here in the wild, it’s critically important that each and 30 days, disease can still every one of them is given the chance to contribute their genes to the herd. spread, and it could poLengths are taken to prevent losing a valuable member of this highly threattentially pick up something ened breed when it can be removed and potentially save its life. easily treated in captivity. We strive to do everything possible to keep them wild, in the place where An upper respiratory infecthey’ve lived for the last five centuries. But when that’s not possible, we will tion, for example, would be provide them with a safe home for the rest of their lives where they will condevastating should it spread tinue to contribute to the conservation of the herd in many different ways. to the wild herd. Horses reIt’s an excellent example of the wild horses adapting their diet over the moved from the beach are five centuries they have lived here, without depending on humans. To stay vaccinated as soon as it is warm, the horses’ coats have natural oils that fend off moisture. The coat safe to do so. gets thicker as daylight shortens. Their hair stands up more in colder temBrumbies that have been peratures making the horses look fluffier as it traps air underneath. Strong removed from the wild renorth winds and cold rain cannot easily penetrate. Snow sits on its coat like quire intensive, hands-on it would on the roof of a snug house. “They are very well insulated,” Puckett treatment and receive a stated. “If you see a wild horse with snow on its back it means it’s warm.” crash course in domesticaAre you inclined to support the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in some way? tion at The Farm’s facilities. It There are many choices for support of this indigenous Outer Banks treasure begins with things as simple of our amazing ancestral wild mustangs. Go to the website corollawildhorsas petting, scratching, and es.com and read up on these four-legged marvels of equine history! brushing, feeding and watering by human hands, and Rebecca K. Orr enjoys life in the wilds of the Outer Banks, and now calls just getting the horse used to this special place home. Any comments may be directed to her at rkorrtn@ being around people. It may gmail.com Meg Puckett and Staff

Spring 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 43

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hree Dog Ink has a new employee in 2021, and we are proud to announce his arrival! This past January, we welcomed 2-monthold “Rocket” the Bernedoodle, (Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle mix), to our office. Rocket lives in Southern Shores with (Three Dog Ink owners) Gene and Mary Ann Williams and their grandson, Landon, who chose to name the pup, “Rocket”. Every morning when Gene leaves for work, Rocket hops in the car with him and they head for the office, where Rocket gets to spend time with his second family at Three Dog Ink. Our new puppy friend spends his weekdays “working” full-time alongside the rest of his co-workers at our office in Nags Head, where he gets along effortlessly with everyone. Some of his duties on the job include; being cute, taking naps, asking his co-workers to take him outside, and chewing on cardboard boxes before they are recycled. Rocket sure knows how to keep us moving. He loves to play and receives plenty of well-deserved attention. He even has his very own spot on our Facebook page! You can check in on our Three Dog Ink Facebook page, so you can get your “PUPdates” on Rocket and see how fast he is growing!

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UNDER CONTRACT

Duck Oceanside $859,000 - MLS #112983 7 BR/5 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

Southern Shores Oceanside $810,000 – MLS #112981 4 BR/3.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

UNDER CONTRACT

Duck Oceanside $799,000 - MLS #111950 6 BR/5.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Southern Shores Soundfront $1,350,000 - MLS #111846 5 BR/3 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT

Corolla Semi-oceanfront $819,000 - MLS #112008 5 BR/3.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

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

Duck Soundfront $1,999,000 - MLS #112863 6 BR/6.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

SOLD

Nags Head Oceanfront $1,775,000 - MLS #110325 8 BR/9.1 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

Corolla Oceanside $1,200,000 – MLS #111373 5 BR/5.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Nags Head Oceanfront $1,750,000 - MLS #110371 8 BR/6.1 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

Duck Oceanside $565,000 – MLS #113007 3 BR/2 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

UNDER CONTRACT

Corolla Oceanside $850,000 – MLS #113205 7 BR/4.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront $2,579,000 – MLS #111039 10 BR/10.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

SOLD

Duck Oceanside $1,200,000 – MLS #111101 6 BR/6.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Duck Oceanside $1,199,000 - MLS #112908 8 BR/8.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

UNDER CONTRACT

Barry Breit 252-202-1043

Fran Kapinos 252-202-8467

Stacey Baittinger 252-202-5588

Gray Berryman 252-573-9503

Powells Point Pondfront $44,000 - MLS #101536 LOT Call Fran at 252-202-8467

Corolla Westside $89,000 – MLS #112807 LOT Call Gray at 252-573-9503