Ocracoke's new ball field and community park came closer to becoming a reality Wednesday afternoon as boys & girls, parents, friends, neighbors, and interested citizens gathered to witness the ground breaking ceremony.














The field is still just sand, and it will have to be improved and expanded, but everything appears to be in place to have a usable playing field by next spring.

Many thanks to all of the people who had the vision, energy, time, and resources to make this a reality. Generations of island children will benefit.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to a wonderful man who did much for Ocracoke Island, Marvin Wyche Howard (1897-1969). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.

This Saturday the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department will be holding their eighth annual Firemen's Ball at the Community Center.

The day's celebration begins with a pig pickin' followed by a silent & a live auction. Music and dancing with the Ocracoke Rockers, the Aaron Caswell Band, and the Dune Dogs round out the evening.

Photo by Dick Jacoby












 Follow this link for more information: http://www.ocracokevfd.org/Firemansball.html.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to a wonderful man who did much for Ocracoke Island, Marvin Wyche Howard (1897-1969). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.

The Ocracoke Youth Center invites residents and visitors to attend a Ground Breaking Ceremony in recognition of the Ocracoke Community Park Project, this afternoon at 5:30 pm. At 7 pm there will be hot dogs and refreshments...and a baseball exhibition provided by the Ocracoke Youth baseball teams.

The ceremony will be held at the future site of the Ocracoke Community Park. The site is located at the end of Maurice Ballance Road. Parking is limited. Please walk or bike, if possible.

You can read more about the Community Park here: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2013/04/ocracoke-community-park.html.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to a wonderful man who did much for Ocracoke Island, Marvin Wyche Howard (1897-1969). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.

I suppose nearly everyone has a favorite uncle...that special person who treats you kindly, smiles easily, teaches you how to tie knots, or helps you over rough spots in childhood. Marvin Howard, my father's oldest brother, was that uncle for me.


















Uncle Marvin was more. He excelled in his profession (he was once described as the "best dredge operator in America"), loved Ocracoke, was an accomplished equestrian, gave many hours of volunteer service to his community, and organized Ocracoke's outstanding mounted Boy Scout troop.

For several years I have wanted to honor Uncle Marvin with an article about his life and accomplishments. This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to Captain Marvin Wyche Howard, and his Life Well Lived. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.

A small clump of Oxalis plants with pink flowers has been growing in my yard for several years. I did not plant them, but they are thriving. Every morning I look out to see them blooming cheerfully (or so it seems).

Oxalis













In the evening the flowers close up and the plants hang their heads to sleep. It is a delightful cycle that makes me wonder: why do some flowers "sleep" at night? Maybe some of our readers know.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Spring has arrived...in many ways. The temperature has finally reached the mid-70s, and visitors are returning. Boats are venturing out into the sound in pursuit of fish, bicyclists are exploring the village, walkers are enjoying the beauty of Howard Street, and sunbathers are lining the beach. A few braver souls are even frolicking in the ocean.

This morning the Friends of Portsmouth Island will be meeting and listening to a presentation by Dr. Stan Riggs. After lunch many of them will be taking a boat ride to Portsmouth. I may be among them. And I believe the weather will be perfect.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

My blog post of a couple of days ago (about an eye splice) has prompted me to mention the bowline today. The bowline is one of the most versatile of knots -- easy to tie, very secure...and easy to untie.

A Loosely Tied Bowline

















To tie a bowline, use the working end (the "active" end of the line) to make a loop (landlubbers can think of this as a rabbit hole). Bring the working end (let's now call that the rabbit) out of his hole, around the back of the standing end (the longer section of the line; we'll call that the tree), and back down the rabbit hole.

Capt. Rob says he can tell you are a seasoned sailor if you can tie a bowline without moving your lips!

The bowline is a great knot to know. It can be used in so many ways. Go ahead...try it.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

I have a habit of leaving my ball cap at neighbors' houses, on chairs at community meetings, in friends' cars. But the cap is distinctive, so folks usually know to bring it back to me.














If you click on the photo to see a larger image you can read the word on the cap. It says "diastematic" but the middle "e" is intentionally faded.

For our readers who may be like my spell checker, and don't know the definition of diastematic, it means "having a space between one's teeth." From the photo you can understand why this is my favorite cap. If you see it lying about somewhere, you now know to return it to me.

And, if you want one for yourself or a gap-toothed friend, you can purchase one here:  http://www.cafepress.com/+black_cap,3673797. (I have no financial interest in the sale of these caps, by the way.)

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

When I was a teenager my father taught me how to splice rope. I don't use this skill often, but every now and again it comes in handy. A few days ago I needed to replace several dock lines for my boat. One of them needed a brass hook attached to the end. I needed to put an eye splice in the line.

Eye Splice













 I haven't taught Lachlan how to splice yet, but he can tie a bowline (with a little help sometimes!).

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

I am not arachnophobic, but I'm not a big fan of spiders either. A few days ago Lachlan was sliding down my porch banister...numerous times, as he often does. Amy and I were sitting in rockers catching up on the day's news, when Lachlan said, "I think that's a black widow spider."

On his next slide down the banister he repeated, "I think that's a black widow spider."

On his third slide (and third pronouncement) I got up to take a look.

The spider was tiny, but I could clearly see the red spot on its back. The spider was busily working on a small web at the intersection of the banister and the porch railing. I captured him (or her) in a jar, and took a look through a magnifying glass. The spider is small, and the glass jar is thick and irregular, but I'm sure it's a black widow. Unfortunately I can't get a good photo, but I found this one on Wikipedia by "Trachemys":

 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Trachemys












Now I'm wondering what I might find if I haul out the old windows under my house...or even the lawn mower or power washer!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

The Spring Meeting of the Friends of Portsmouth Island will be held on Ocracoke at the NCCAT building this coming Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Guest Speaker is Dr. Stanley R. Riggs, Distinguished Professor, East Carolina University. Pat Kenney, Cape Lookout National Seashore Superintendent, will present an update on Portsmouth.

FPI will offer a round trip ($20 per person) ride to Portsmouth after the meeting – weather permitting.  Lunch will be provided, and all in attendance will be eligible for door prizes.

Henry Pigott's House, Portsmouth Island













More information about Friends of Portsmouth Island is available here:  http://friendsofportsmouthisland.org.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Visitors to my house, as well as folks walking down the lane, often ask me about the old iron mattock head that hangs near my yard gate. It is part of a gate closing mechanism. Islanders have used similar items for generations to effortlessly close their gates. Common items used were old window weights and heavy flat irons. In colonial days small cannonballs were often employed as gate closing counterweights.

Gate Closing Mechanism
Closeup of Mattock Head






























The weight hangs from a cord that runs through a small pulley screwed into a horizontal 2 X 4 attached to the top of the gate post. From there the cord extends to the far side of the gate. The gate can be easily opened, and when the gate is released the counterweight slowly pulls the gate shut. It works great!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Sam ("Uncle Sam") Tolson was born on Portsmouth Island in 1840. When he was 24 years old he traveled to Elizabeth City with a few other islanders looking for work. It was mid-April, 1865, and Sam was immediately arrested by Union soldiers who mistook him for John Wilkes Booth. The resemblance to President Lincoln's assassin (wanted posters had been distributed widely) was so remarkable that Sam Tolson's mates were unable to convince the soldiers they had apprehended the wrong man.

After he was finally released (some say prominent islanders traveled to Elizabeth City to vouch for him; others claim he was released only after John Wilkes Booth was killed), Sam Tolson returned to Portsmouth and never went back to Elizabeth City.

On Portsmouth Uncle Sam Tolson was known as one of the best dancers on the island. He always carried dancing slippers in his pocket, and it was said that he was so light on his feet that he could dance with a glass of water on his head...and never spill a drop.

Sam Tolson died in 1929 at 89 years old.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

For many generations Ocracoke Islanders relied on rain water for drinking and cooking. Water was collected in cisterns (rain barrels, wooden troughs, and later, brick, concrete block or fiberglass containers).

Old Cistern on Howard Street













You can still see many old cisterns alongside vintage houses in the village.

And, you can see photos of a number of island cisterns here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102110.htm.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Several times on this blog I have extolled the beauty of an Ocracoke Island outdoor shower. Yesterday morning the sun was shining brightly, the temperature was in the mid-60s, and birds were chirping merrily as I took my shower.

Ocracoke Shower Covered with Vines

















What a great way to start my day!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Last week as I was strolling down the beach I noticed a starfish that had just washed up. Although this creature, a Royal Starfish, probably named for its bright purple color, is often cast on the shore in great numbers after storms and hurricanes, it is not so common normally.

The scientific name of the Royal Starfish is Astropecten articulatus. It's margin is orange, giving this starfish a striking appearance.














If you find one of these count yourself lucky, but be prepared for the color to fade as it dries out. Another "treasure from the sea."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Quite a few visitors to Ocracoke, and even many residents of the island, are unaware of the role Ocracoke played in the War of 1812.  I have published two Newsletter articles about this. You can read them here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102112.htm and here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news051706.htm.

Jim Goodwin, creator of Village Craftsmen's "ships in bottles," recently completed a model of the Revenue Cutter Mercury which played a pivotal role in protecting North Carolina from invading British troops.

Revenue Cutter Mercury
Mercury Detail


























Jim's model will be displayed in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras. Be sure to stop in sometime. The museum is outstanding.

September of this year marks the 200th anniversary of the British blockade of Ocracoke Inlet, and the Mercury's role in thwarting British plans to invade New Bern. Look for a soon-to-be-erected official state highway marker commemorating the event.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

On May 11, 1942 the British armed trawler, HMT Bedfordshire, was struck by a torpedo from a German U-boat. The Bedfordshire sank quickly. All hands were lost. Several days later the bodies of four crew members washed up on the beach at Ocracoke -- Sub-Lieutenant Thomas Cunningham, Telegraphist Stanley Craig, and two others who remain unidentified. The were buried on the island on land donated by the David Williams family.

British Cemetery, 1942














Every year since then islanders, members of the US Coast Guard, and/or representatives from other services (US, British, Canadian, & German) gather to recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by the crew of the Bedfordshire and others in order to protect our shores.

This year the annual ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 10 at the British Cemetery. Everyone is invited to attend.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Last weekend we saw several egrets wading in water alongside the South Point Road. Amy took this photo of one egret flying aver the marsh. There is something beautiful and inspiring in encountering wildlife in their natural settings. Fortunately, this is a common sight on Ocracoke.














 Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

Last Sunday afternoon I took Amy, David, Lachlan, Sundae, & Mariah to the South Point. We drove out the South Point Road in my pickup truck, stopping periodically to observe the egrets and turtles that were foraging for food in the ditches on each side of the lane. Below are a couple of photos Amy took of two of the turtles. I believe they are Eastern Painted Turtles.



















Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.