Last week it looked like the 1930s on Ocracoke! A small caravan of Ford 1931 Model As was on the island. I snapped this photo as they were waiting in line for the Cedar Island ferry.














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

Calvin O'Neal, born on Ocracoke in 1925, lived directly across the lane from the Methodist Church. For most of his adult life Calvin was a pillar of the church. He sang in the choir, acted as custodian, was a lay preacher, and gave many hours in service to his church and his community.

Calvin O'Neal, Jan., 2012, Courtesy of the Ocracoke Current














Calvin never had a driver's license. For years he walked from his home, then down East Howard Street, to the electric company office (the small building at the base of the dock leading to the Ocracoke Watermen's Exhibit) where he worked.

Calvin loved to laugh, sing and act. He performed in numerous local productions, and was a founding member of the Sea Flats, an island barbershop quartet.

In recent years, because of declining health, Calvin seldom left his home. He died at home on April 17. Family and friends gathered at the Methodist Church on Saturday to celebrate his life. Another link to the Ocracoke before paved roads and ferries has been broken.

To read more about Calvin, click on this link to the Ocracoke Current: http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/21040.

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

On Thursday I mentioned that a neighbor told me there are 29 non-profit organizations on Ocracoke. A reader asked me to list them all. I am not sure who counted the 29 organizations. However, I have come up with my own list. I can't guarantee that every one of these is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, but each one has island residents who volunteer many hours to benefit this community.They are listed in no particular order.

1. Ocracoke Civic & Business Association
2. Ocracoke Preservation Society
3. Ocracoke Foundation
4. Ocracoke Alive
5. Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department
6. Ocracoke P.T.A.
7. Ocracoke Friends of the Library
8. Ocracoke Methodist Church
9. Ocracoke Assembly of God Church
10. Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association
11. WOVV (our community radio station)
12. Ocracoke Freemasons
13. Ocracoke Child Care
14. Ocracoke Health Center
15. OcraCats
16. Ocracoke Festival (this is a special committee under Ocracoke Alive)
17. Occracoke Folk School (this is a special committee under Ocracoke Alive)
18. Ocracoke Community Park (this is a new organization dedicated to creating a park; it might be a special committee under the Ocracoke Youth Center)
19. Ocracoke Youth Center
20. Wilma Lee (this is a special committee dedicated to the skipjack Wilma Lee, under Ocracoke Alive)
21. Ocracoke Needle & Thread Club (the "Quilters")
22. Ocracoke Boy Scouts
23. Ocracoke Girl Scouts

Some of the following may not qualify because their offices are not located on Ocracoke (though many islanders volunteer to work for, and support, these organizations which benefit Ocracoke), because they have never sought non-profit status (perhaps because only one or two people just see a need and fill it), because they are governmental organizations, or for some other reason.

    22. US National Park Service (islanders volunteer to open the lighthouse for visitors, help with turtle patrols, and volunteer other services)
    23. Wild Bird Rescues (not an official organization; this is the effort of a few residents)
    24. Coastal Land Trust (a NC organization; islanders provide financial and volunteer support to help protect Springer's Point)
    25. Outer Banks Foundation (this is an organization located in Dare County that benefits Ocracoke, and receives support from Ocracoke)
    26. Ocracoke Community Center (this may be a committee of the Civic & Business Association)
    27. Meals on Wheels (I'm not sure who sponsors this service)
    28. Ocracoke Sanitary District (this is the agency that provides municipal water to Ocracoke. I don't know if it qualifies as a non-profit, but I think it does)
    29. Salt Water Connections (an eastern NC organization with support from Ocracoke, but it is not located on the island)
    30. Hyde County Chamber of Commerce (has members from Ocracoke)
    31. Hyde County Hotline (operates a thrift store and referral services on Ocracoke)
    32. Hyde County Transit (I believe the drivers are from Hyde mainland, but this service includes Ocracoke)

I welcome corrections, clarifications and additions from readers.
  
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

I posted this photo on the Village Craftsmen Facebook page yesterday. In case you missed it, one of the ferry personnel alerted Lachlan and me to a pair of geese and their goslings that were foraging down by the NPS Visitors Center. They are "cute some."














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

The 2nd annual 5K race, and 10K race & Family Fun Run, were held this morning at 8 a.m. Several hundred runners participated, including many Ocracoke residents. Howard Street was part of the course. Here are a couple of photos (courtesy of Amy Howard):

Runners on Howard StreetMatt DeVan & David Tweedie


































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

Ocracoke Island is home to a year-round community of nearly a thousand creative, hard-working residents. Ocracoke is also a great place to relax...to walk on the beach, catch up on your reading, visit friends & neighbors, or take a nap.

Ocracoke also has plenty of activities if you want to get out to meet other people or get some exercise.

This evening at 7:30 Ocracoke Alive, our local cultural, artistic, educational, and environmental non-profit organization, is sponsoring another traditional Ocracoke Island square dance at the Community Center. The dance is easy to learn, and lots of fun. Everyone is invited.

Tomorrow at 8 am the second annual 5K and 1 mile Family Fun Run takes place. This year there will also be a 10K run. For more information click here:  http://www.runtheeast.com/calendardetail.php?id=175

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

The Mullet Wrapper just arrived in the mail. This is the official publication of the Ocracoke Preservation Society ("When newspapers were first delivered to Ocracoke, the islanders would recycle them to wrap the mullet they purchased. As time passed, when buying a newspaper, people would ask for a 'Mullet Wrapper.'")

I was struck by the list of people who "make it happen" on page 6. More than 50 individuals (from eight years old to eighty years old) are listed...folks who have "donated photos" or "helped move anchors" or "painted a table" or "found and ordered a new sound system" or helped out in some other way. 

Just the other day I was told there are 29 non-profit organizations working on Ocracoke to make this a vibrant and dynamic community. Many thanks to everyone in our community who donates time, money, talent or expertise to "make it happen."

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

Every year the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club donates a new, hand-made island quilt to the Ocracoke Preservation Society for a fund-raiser.

The quilt being raffled off by OPS this year is a quilt like you have never seen before…and may never see again!

 
















The center Ocracoke Lighthouse square was designed and meticulously hand-appliqued and hand-quilted by Jane Griffin. The surrounding lighthouses were designed and beautifully hand-appliqued by Cindy Hichens and Ann Borland. Cindy also pieced the corner Mariner’s Compass squares. Then, the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club gathered to add the border, binding and hand-quilt this usable art piece.

This quilt is dedicated in memory of our fellow quilter and loyal volunteer at the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, Rosemary Howe Wetherill (1927-2012). She taught us not only about quilting but also about how to enjoy what we have.

She was an inspiration to us all with her feisty spirit and her love of color and crafts. We miss her very much.

To purchase raffle tickets ($1 for one ticket, $5 for six tickets, and $10 for twelve tickets) for this outstanding quilt, contact the OPS Museum directly at admin@ocracokepreservation.org or call 252-928-7375. For more information visit http://www.ocracokepreservation.org/index.php/programs/special-events.

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

Several days ago I mentioned Wilson Tilmon Farrow, Sr. (1798-1880), Ocracoke resident and member of the state legislature. In 1835 he was working with an attorney in Boston to unravel the details of suspected criminal activity on Ocracoke (we're still trying to figure out exactly what happened...and we'll let you know if and when we do).

One of Wilson Tilmon Farrow's children was Edward Farrow (1839-1878).

Edward Farrow, 1839-1878













Edward Farrow was appointed Postmaster for Ocracoke in 1875, at age 36. He died three years later, and is buried in the yard at Berkley Manor.

Edward Farrow has one of my favorite epitaphs: "Farewell Ed."

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

The Ocracoke Post Office is an important part of community life. We do not have home delivery on the island, so everyone stops by the post office regularly to pick up their mail. Most folks visit the Post Office daily.

Our Ocracoke Newsletter for April is a history of the Post Office on Ocracoke, with photos of the earliest buildings, the mailboat Aleta, and Frazier Peele's first ferry across Hatteras Inlet.

You can read the article here.

The NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC houses a state-of-the-art exhibit of Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. The remains of this vessel were discovered in 1996, just outside Beaufort Inlet. This ship, which Blackbeard ran aground in June, 1718 in order to break up his company of 300 to 400 men (thus allowing Blackbeard's select group of pirates to divide the plunder) has lain relatively undisturbed for nearly 300 years.

In recent years the Queen Anne's Revenge has been painstakingly explored by marine archaeologists, and many artifacts have been recovered, interpreted, and preserved. The museum exhibit includes maps, tableaux, history, and numerous artifacts including cannons, gold, anchors and everyday items on board a 16th century vessel.

Anyone visiting eastern North Carolina would be amply rewarded by stopping at the Maritime Museum in Beaufort. You can read more about the QAR project here: http://www.qaronline.org/About.aspx.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

The Queen Anne's Revenge (QAR) was originally a French slave ship named the Concorde. Blackbeard captured the Concorde near the island of St. Vincent on November 28, 1717 and transformed her into his flagship.

Blackbeard, from General History of the Pyrates, 1725

















 The Concorde was a large vessel that carried 14 cannon and a crew of 75 men. Edward Teach (Blackbeard) increased the armament to 40 cannon when he renamed her the Queen Anne's Revenge. Along with smaller sloops, Blackbeard and his crew of 300 - 400 men terrorized shipping throughout the Caribbean and along the east coast of North America.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

Springtime on Ocracoke Island means fig trees coming back to life and sprouting bright green leaves.














We will have to wait until late summer before the figs ripen and we can feast on the tasty fruit. Actually, however, the fig is not a fruit. Biologist Richard Dawkins describes the fig as a "garden enclosed." For a fascinating account of the mutualistic relationship between figs and fig wasps read chapter 10 of his book, "Climbing Mount Improbable."

I am no expert on figs, but I believe most garden-variety figs in this country, including Ocracoke Island figs, are not dependent on fig wasps. I think they are parthenocarpic, and develop without pollination. New fig trees grow from cuttings, or from branches that bend to the ground and grow roots.

Look for fig trees in yards throughout the village. And later this season look for delicious Ocracoke fig preserves for sale at Village Craftsmen. They are an island delicacy.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

Yesterday morning I joined several other islanders and visitors to hear Alton Ballance's presentation, Sea, Sand, and Human Hands, the Changing Face of the Outer Banks, at the NCCAT center. Alton is an Ocracoke Island native and senior fellow at NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching).

Alton first took us up into the cupola of the Center (the former US Coast Guard Station) where we had a commanding view of Ocracoke Village, Pamlico Sound, Ocracoke Inlet, and Portsmouth Island. Then we proceeded to the conference room where Alton spoke about Outer Banks geology and shared photos from a Power Point presentation.

Alton's talk was informative and quite interesting. Among other things, I learned why Ocracoke Inlet is so stable (it is the only Outer Banks inlet that has been continuously open since Europeans have been keeping records). Ocracoke Inlet is actually an extension of the Pamlico River system.

NASA Image of the Outer Banks
Postprocessing by http://www.terraprints.com





















The Pamlico River empties into Pamlico Sound (just below center in the above image). Following a gently curving arc its flow eventually arrives at Ocracoke Inlet.

As Alton reminded us, the dynamic nature of the North Carolina coast ensures that "human hands" will be struggling with the "changing face of the Outer Banks" for quite some time.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

 Exciting news -- Plans are underway to provide a ball field for Ocracoke! The following information is from the Ocracoke Community Park Committee:

"Ocracokers have long dreamed of a green space dedicated to recreation, a patch of grass large enough for baseball, soccer, or other field sports. Over the years as the island's small amount of buildable land dwindled, the likelihood of finding and affording a large enough tract became more and more remote.

"Two years ago a group of parents and interested citizens joined together with the mission of finding a home for an island baseball field. This 'Baseball Committee' refused to accept the idea that Ocracoke didn't have room for a ball field....

"[T]he Baseball Committee joined forces with the Ocracoke Youth Center, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Youth Center was established in 1995 and provides recreational support to children and families on Ocracoke Island. Together their project mission became the purchase and development of land for a ball field and other recreational use. In December of 2012, the first step towards our 'field of dreams' was completed with the purchase of the last land within the village suitable for our purposes. Our new Ocracoke 'Community Park' will include a sports field for baseball and soccer and plans for a  2,400 square foot Activities Center."

Ocracoke Blue Claws, 2012












You can read more from the Ocracoke Current:
http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/41799.

And look for more information about this exciting project in the coming months.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

Early Monday afternoon a crowd gathered alongside NC Highway 12 to witness the groundbreaking ceremony as construction of Ocracoke's new Fire Hall got underway. It was a celebration of community spirit, a demonstration of people working together for good, a small town illustration of what is best in the human spirit, a ray of hope amidst unspeakable national tragedy and evil.

Tommy & Julia Hutcherson Breaking Ground













Land for the new building was donated to the community by Julia Hutcherson and her son Tommy. In recognition of their generous donation Tommy and Julia had the honor of turning the first shovels full of sand.

The new Fire Hall (the current one is located on the Back Road) will be built on Highway 12 next to the El Faro restaurant (the former Flying Melon restaurant, which has moved to the Back Road).

Drawings for the New Ocracoke Fire Hall












You can learn more about the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, here: http://www.ocracokevfd.org/ . These are men and women who give so much to our community, like fire fighters, police officers, and others throughout our country who respond to natural and man made tragedies. A heartfelt "Thank You" to all. 

Donations can be made on the Fire Department web site (look for the "donate" button), and are especially welcome now. As most of our readers know, Ocracoke is a small village, but we require fire equipment and personnel adequate to protect our much larger seasonal population of residents, property owners, and visitors. Every donation is welcome and much appreciated.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

Ocracoke at times seems like a world away from the rest of society. However, we islanders are shocked, saddened, and angered when horrific things happen to our fellow citizens anywhere. Our thoughts go out to the victims and families of everyone killed and injured in the senseless attack on innocent men, women and children at the Boston Marathon. At times like this we often feel helpless, but we can at least hope for justice, healing, and comfort for everyone affected, and for our country and our world. May we one day learn to live in peace, and may that day be not long in coming...for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

 This week starts with several community events of interest to both residents and visitors:  -- Monday, April 15 at 2 p.m.: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Fire Hall at the soon-to-be construction site on Hwy 12.
-- Tuesday, April 16, from 6-8 p.m.: Community Park Information Open House at the Community Center. Exciting news about plans for the new Ocracoke Community Park and ball field.   -- Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m.: Sea, Sand, and Human Hands, the Changing Face of the Outer Banks at NCCAT.
-- Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m.: Exploring the Kindergarten of the Fisheries at NCCAT Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm. 

Sea, Sand and Human Hands: The Changing Face of the Outer Banks  Ocracoke campus: Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m.

  Join NCCAT faculty and staff for a presentation and discussion about how the sea and shifting sands impact the lives of Outer Banks residents. What challenges have recent northeasters and hurricanes, such as Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012, had on the Outer Banks transportation system, economy, and environment? What lessons can we learn from past events and how residents adapted to this constantly changing region of North Carolina?
    Exploring the Kindergarten of the Fisheries  Ocracoke campus: Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m.

  Join NCCAT faculty and staff as we take a look at salt marshes on the NCCAT shoreline. We’ll consider how these marshes play a vital role in sustaining a viable fishing industry. These fragile yet productive marshes and near-shore estuarine waters are critical fish and shellfish habitat—also known as the “kindergarten of the fisheries.”

What are the key factors, human and natural, that contribute to this marine ecosystem? Learn more about our state’s marine fisheries and how they contribute to the economy, culture, environment and fun of our state!

...Shiny as gold, but if you touch it, you're certainly bold!

It is spring, and poison ivy is bursting forth around the island.

Leaves of three?...Let it be.













Don't touch it. The itch and rash are no fun.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a video of Philip Howard telling the story of the 1861 wreck of the Black Squall. You can watch it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032113.htm.