This is a special day for Lachlan and me. It is our birthday! Since Lachlan was born (six years ago) it has been easy for me to remember how old I am...I just need to add sixty to his age. We don't have anything big planned for the day, just a family lunch (my brother Bud and his wife Jamie are coming down for the day). We already had a cookout last week to celebrate Lou Ann's and our birthdays.

Unfortunately, today is Lou Ann's last day on the island this summer. Her school starts in a week and she is leaving with Bud and Jamie this afternoon (her flight is early tomorrow morning). We have had such a wonderful (though short!) summer together -- walks on the beach, rides in the boat, time with family, cruises on Windfall II, pot lucks, performances, romantic dinners, visits with neighbors,...and so much more. Sometimes we just sit on the pizer and marvel at what a magical place Ocracoke Island is -- the beach, the sunsets, the starry sky...and the fascinating community of talented, caring, diverse, and quirky people.

We will all miss Lou Ann...no one more than I. She adds so much to our island community. The good part is that we know she'll be back!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the 6-masted schooner, George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

My son Stefen and his wife Snee have three children. I wrote a little about their son Eakin yesterday. Eakin has an older sister, Zoe, and a younger sister, Eliza. They all had a wonderful two weeks on the island, and I'm sad they had to leave.

They enjoyed a ghost and history walk their first week on Ocracoke. On Friday night Zoe and her friend Pia had a great time lying in wait along spooky Howard Street for Lou Ann's ghost walk. They were dressed up in long, flowing white dresses, and they made just a brief appearance from behind the bushes. You could hear the screams from both ends of Howard Street!

Zoe & Pia also joined Lou Ann last week for belly dancing lessons. They especially enjoyed their jingly-jangly wraps festooned with silver "coins."

Nine year old Eliza is a budding artist who shared many of her drawings with us. She spent a lot of time with Lachlan in the tree house, swinging on the rope in his yard, and swimming in the ocean & at Springer's Point. She even jumped overboard from the boat and climbed on the "knee board" so her daddy could give her a thrilling ride behind the boat.

We had such a fine time...and created wonderful, lasting memories. It was just too short!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the 6-masted schooner, George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

My son Stefen and his family left this morning. They had been staying across the lane for two weeks. It was so much fun to have them back on the island. We went to the beach (of course), swam at Springer's Point, went out in the boat, played games, ate together, laughed, and told stories.

Eleven year old Eakin loves nature. He was constantly bringing us specimens he had collected, or pointing out animals he had spied. I may not remember them all, but here is a partial list of critters he discovered:

• hermit crabs
• blue crabs
• croaker fish
• coquinas
• otters (under the docks at the fish house)
• mole crabs
• toads
• garden spider
• clams
• dolphins
• mullet

I think he's destined to becoming a biologist (or maybe an engineer...he also makes great Lego creations which you can see here).

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the 6-masted schooner, George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

Yesterday afternoon I walked through the family graveyards with my four grandchildren. Within just a few hundred feet we visited the graves of their great-grandparents, all the way back to their great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. We talked about seafarers, merchants, and life savers...and wives, mothers, and children.

Just this morning I realized that it was on this very date, 251 years ago, that William Howard, Sr. purchased Ocracoke Island from Richard Sanderson, Jr. Sanderson inherited "the Island of Ockrecock" in 1733 when his father died. Several weeks ago I met a direct descendant of Richard Sanderson, Jr. I could only offer my condolences!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the 6-masted schooner, George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

Obviously this isn't Philip again. (I hope you like all the font colors I have been choosing for his blog!)

Today I wanted to tell you about an activity on Ocracoke that many of you might have missed when you were here this summer. Among the normal swimming, kayaking, beach-combing, biking, moon watching...there is (well has been) belly dancing!

I saw the homemade sign at the Community Store in the middle of June announcing free belly dancing classes at the Community Center. This seductive poster featured art caricatures of two belly dancers that looked well...that looked great! I have been wanting to get my waist back to 17 inches (OK, just kidding) so I thought it would be a great idea. I called Lida Jones and talked her into taking the class as well.

I immediately became enamored with this ancient art of belly dancing. Our teacher, Katja, a student from Asheville was gentle and encouraging as well as very talented. (How did she do that?)

Our small group grew every week, until I knew we had enough for our first dancing troupe which we named Lola's Ladies.

For the past few weeks we have rehearsed and researched (looking for our great coin wraps on-line) until we were ready for the Women's Opry.

Today was the last class and I took Philip's granddaughter and her friend with me. I bought them belly dancing wraps and we all danced together. Katja is leaving to go back to school so it was a sad farewell.

I do love the fact that we now have added one more activity to our summer schedule. So, if you are around next summer, look for the posters; then you too can have 17 inch waists (or really just have a lot of fun!)

Lou Ann

Hi Folks,This is Lou Ann again sharing my early morning walk adventure. I invited Snee (Philip's daughter-in-law) to go out with me on this photo shoot. She loves photography as much as I do, but with three children doesn't have quite that much time to spend on it!However, with children asleep the two of us had coffee out on the pizer just as the sun was coming up. We waited for the mosquitoes to quiet down from the early morning dew before picking up our cameras and sun hats.

We biked over to Springer's Point, parked the bikes and walked the trail. It was a lovely morning with shadows and quietness surrounding us with just enough of an edge to think Blackbeard could appear any moment!

We had a great time taking photos. These are just a few of mine to show you how beautiful it is here early in the morning. Sigh.

Lou Ann

Dear Folks,

Philip asked me to be a guest writer on his blog today! I always love visiting and chatting with you whether it is at the Community Store or strolling on Howard Street or sharing thoughts on the blog!

For the past week Philip's son and his family have been visiting from the mountains of North Carolina. It is so lovely where they live, but every summer (almost) they bring all their summer gear to Ocracoke to share in the fun and beauty here.

The children are active with bike riding and beach going and playing with their cousin, Lachlan, who lives here full time.

Yesterday afternoon I announced that there would be a full moon. (I guess I should have announced it to all of you as well!) We made a family plan to meet on the beach at 8:00 to just sit and stare at the deepening dusk with the sun going down on the Sound and the moon coming

up over the Atlantic. I got there early with towels and a flashlight and spent some time alone just sighing at the beauty. It wasn't long before the whole entourage came running!

The kids were happy to just walk on the shoreline as veils of darkness began to hover over us. The grown ups all sat on the towels and chairs waiting for the magical sphere to rise out of the water. (OK, I know realistically how it all works, but play with me here!)

The July moon did not fail us. It rose magnificently up over the water and we caught our breath. We did, indeed, holler down at the kids and they glanced at the moon, but continued to play in the moon shadows as they appeared on the empty beach.

Once they found out I had a flashlight, they began looking for ghost crabs. We, the grown ups, counted the shadows of the children once in a while, but knew they were fine and having a great time.

Finally it was time to leave. Of course, they did not want to go until I mentioned ice cream. Back into the village we all had ice cream, letting it drip down our chins and onto our day-old shirts.

It was a wonderful memory builder for all of us.

Lou Ann

P.S. The moon will rise again tonight...8:58 here on Ocracoke!

The Deepwater Theater was packed Saturday night, and nearly so yesterday afternoon, for the fourth annual Ocracoke Women's Opry. However, “Opry” hardly describes the show which featured a dozen and a half numbers from Broadway musicals.



(Photo by Lou Ann Homan. Click to enlarge.)

Leslie opened the show playing the ever popular “Edelweiss” on her flute. That was immediately followed by a rousing rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” which set the tone for the evening.

Half way through the first set Sundae and Molly entertained the audience (their suits and fake mustaches were a hoot) with “Brush up Your Shakespeare” from Kiss Me Kate. Cynthia and Kitty kept the energy high with “Money, Money” from Cabaret. “Lola’s Ladies,” the newly formed Ocracoke belly dancing ensemble, closed the first set to cheers and wild applause.



(Photo by Lou Ann Homan. Click to enlarge.)

Marcy and Kitty opened act two with the energetic percussion number “Stomp” executed on tubs, trash cans, cooking pots and assorted other paraphernalia. Next, the Ocracoke Troupe marched up the aisle in early twentieth century costumes, carrying signs (“Give Women the Vote!”) and singing “Sister Suffragette” from Mary Poppins. Susie Kennedy added spice with her dance routine to “Hey Big Spender.”

To comment on all of the numbers and performers would tax my time and writing ability. I apologize to the others since each one deserves special mention. Suffice it to say that the ladies of Ocracoke presented the community with a wonderful show that will be long remembered. You can click here to view the full program.

_________________________________________________

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the wreck of the George W. Wells on Ocracoke's beach in 1913. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

I know I shouldn't have laughed, but I just couldn't help it. Several days ago I had a call from a representative of a company who was hoping I could give an Ocracoke tour for a large group in late September. I gave her all of the particulars and explained that we would meet in front of the Village Craftsmen at 7:30 pm. "That will be great," she said. "We are having lunch at Howard's Pub, we'll do some sightseeing, then we're having supper at 6 o'clock at Western Sizzlin. We'll see you at 7:30."

"I'm afraid not," I said with a chuckle, but she insisted that was the way their tour was planned, that's how they'd done it before, and if I didn't want to accommodate them she'd just have to cancel my tour. I learned that she hadn't looked at a map, and was unwilling to accept the fact that Ocracoke is about three hours from the closest Western Sizzlin, which is in Kill Devil Hills.

Anyway, I hope they enjoy their trip to the Outer Banks!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

Yesterday I posted a link to a video of my dancing man. Bisse Bowman, who took the video, also sent me the link to her gallery of Ocracoke photos. I thought our readers might enjoy seeing them. Just click on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36684008@N00/sets/72157594268923343/with/3755220952/

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

For more than twenty years we sold "limberjacks" at the Village Craftsmen. These jointed wooden dolls with a dowel attached at the back can be made to dance on a thin wooden paddle. Of all the items we've ever carried, this one is most remembered by children and adults alike. Unfortunately, they sold well only when I demonstrated them...and after thousands of demos (probably more than one hundred thousand demos by my calculations) I just had to put the dancing man away. Then last year I brought my limberjack out of retirement and took him to the Wednesday evening Opry where I made him come alive during our final performance. He is now a regular feature of our show.

Wednesday night I met Bisse Bowman at the Opry and she sent me this link to a video she made last year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36684008@N00/3755220952/in/set-72157621713914027/

Many thanks to Bisse for the link. I hope you enjoy the dance...and be sure to join us if you are on the island Wednesday nights during the season.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

I just received the following email that may be of interest to folks traveling to or from Ocracoke on July 27:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 22, 2010
CONTACT: Lucy Wallace, (252) 473-3461

SEVERAL RUNS AT SWAN QUARTER, OCRACOKE AND CEDAR ISLAND ROUTES
TEMPORARILY CANCELLED FOR JULY 27
Motor Vessel Cedar Island needs minor repairs

MANNS HARBOR — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry
Division announces that several runs at the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and
Cedar Island-Ocracoke routes will be cancelled Tuesday, July 27, for
necessary repairs to the Motor Vessel Cedar Island. The Ferry division
selected that date, because it had the least number of reservations
and would inconvenience fewer passengers.

The ferry will be moved to the N.C. State Shipyard in Manns Harbor
where the repairs will take place. Once it is fixed and cleared for
operation by the U.S. Coast Guard, the ferry will return to service.

The following runs have been cancelled for July 27:

The 7 a.m. run from Cedar Island to Ocracoke;
The 9:30 a.m. run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter;
The 12:30 p.m. run from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke; and
The 3:30 p.m. run from Ocracoke to Cedar Island.


The boat will be back at the Cedar Island terminal in time to make the
6 p.m. departure to Ocracoke, as well as the 8:30 p.m. run from
Ocracoke to Cedar Island.

The rest of the regular runs at these locations will take place using
the Motor Vessels Pamlico, Silver Lake and Carteret.

Travelers with reservations for any of these cancelled runs should
call the reservations center at 1-800-BY-FERRY (800-293-3779) and
press “2” to make alternative arrangements. For further information,
call the Cedar Island terminal at (252) 225-7411or the Ocracoke
terminal at (252) 928-1665.

NCDOT also offers ferry travel information on Twitter, a free
social-networking Web site. Citizens can get brief updates, or
“tweets,” for ferry routes by signing up at
www.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry.

***NCDOT***


Lucy Wallace
Communications Officer
NCDOT - Ferry Division
252.473.3461
252.473.1490 (Fax)

If you happen to see Lou Ann as you are wandering around the village today be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday! We went to the beach early this morning to watch the sunrise (maybe Lou Ann will share a photo or two sometime soon), then stopped by the Pony Island Restaurant for breakfast.

Tonight Amy & David are planning a family cookout with hamburgers and all the fixin's...including my usual -- deviled eggs-- and root beer floats!

Happy Birthday Lou Ann!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the 1913 wreck of the George W. Wells. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

I've just published another Ocracoke Newsletter. This month I relate the story of the sinking of the six-masted schooner George W. Wells, one of the largest wooden sailing vessels ever built. The Wells wrecked on Ocracoke's beach in September of 1913 during a violent storm. You can read this fascinating story here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072110.htm.

Ocracoke may be about as far "off Broadway" as you can imagine...but this Saturday evening (at 8 o'clock) and Sunday afternoon (at 2 o'clock) the Women of the Ocracoke Opry, under the direction of Lou Ann Homan-Saylor, will be putting on their fourth annual performance. All numbers will be from Broadway musicals. I understand there will be song and dance (be ready for some exiting numbers), and performance art. From what I hear it will be great fun, so come on out!

All seats are $10.00. To reserve tickets, please call Lou Ann at 252-921-0192. Leave a message if you get her voice mail.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.

Yesterday afternoon David, Lachlan, and I motored out into the sound. Our goal was to meet the Cedar Island ferry as it approached Ocracoke. My son, Stefen, and his family were coming to the island for two weeks.

We were early so we anchored off of Springer's Point and David & Lachlan went for a swim. It was such a pleasure to see them frolicking in the water...laughing and carrying on. When they finally climbed back on board I asked Lachlan if he knew what an idyllic childhood he was having! Of course, he didn't have a clue what I was asking...but he will remember fondly these experiences for the rest of his life.

As it turned out, the Cedar Island ferry was late, and Lachlan & David had reasons to get back to shore, so we didn't see Stefen, Snee, Zoe, Eakin, & Eliza until their car pulled into the yard across the lane. Immediately the grandchildren ran over and gave me enthusiastic hugs. We walked through the house, filled buckets with water from the hand pump, and sat on the porch swing chatting. But they all wanted to get to the ocean before supper. So off we went. What fun it was to see them swimming, diving, and laughing together.

By 6:30 we were all sitting around a large outdoor table at the Jolly Roger restaurant enjoying a simple supper, watching sailboats and shrimpers in the harbor, sharing stories, and listening to David and the rest of the band entertain us with lively tunes as the sun sank below the horizon.

Yes, indeed, it's so fine to have family to share the good life with!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.

Weather is a constant part of life when you live on an island more than 20 miles from the mainland. The last two days have been windy, with gusts up to 30 mph. Sometimes it's difficult to guage wind speed from the protection of Howard Street, but on a dock in Silver Lake there is little doubt how windy it is. I took some friends clamming early Friday afternoon and, even at slow speed, spray over the bow got everyone at least a little wet. Coming back, my flat bottom skiff with so little dead rise, surfed the waves and shunted us from side to side several times.

Few people stayed for long on the beach these last few days. Blowing sand bit into bare legs and swirled around beach chairs & towels. The water was warm, but it stayed churned up by the wind.

I stayed in port yesterday (it was even windier than Friday), and only walked a mile or so on the beach, but I think the wind may lay down a bit today. Weather is part of our daily life...and part of the charm of living on Ocracoke.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.

Next week, on Tuesday, July 20 Books to be Red, on School Road, will host a Gospel Sing in their outside stage area from 6-8 pm. This event is co-sponsored by the Ocracoke United Methodist Church and the Ocracoke Assembly of God. All are invited to attend and participate.

Interested in singing or participating? Call or email Joyce or Ivey.
Ivey: ivey@riptidecomputers.com 252-921-0021
Joyce: joycereynolds44@gmail.com 252-921-0366

Also, they are looking for a sound system to use. Please let Ivey know if you can help with that.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.

Yesterday afternoon I received the following email message about ferry run cancellations. If you are travelling to or from Ocracoke this coming Monday or Tuesday please read this carefully.

From: Wallace, Lucy M
Date: Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Subject: SEVERAL RUNS AT SWAN QUARTER, OCRACOKE AND CEDAR ISLAND ROUTES TEMPORARILY CANCELLED EARLY NEXT WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 15, 2010
CONTACT: Lucy Wallace (252) 473-3461

SEVERAL RUNS AT SWAN QUARTER, OCRACOKE AND CEDAR ISLAND ROUTES
TEMPORARILY CANCELLED EARLY NEXT WEEK
Motor Vessel Pamlico needs minor repairs

MANNS HARBOR — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division announces that several runs at the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island-Ocracoke routes will be cancelled Monday, July 19, and Tuesday, July 20, for necessary repairs to the Motor Vessel Pamlico.

The ferry will be moved to the N.C. State Shipyard in Manns Harbor. Once it is fixed and cleared for operation by the U.S. Coast Guard, it will return to service.

The following departures have been cancelled for July 19:

The 12 p.m. run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter; and
The 5 p.m. run from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke.


The following runs have been cancelled for July 20:

The 7 a.m. run from Ocracoke to Cedar Island;
The 9:30 a.m. run from Cedar Island to Ocracoke;
The 12 p.m. run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter; and
The 5 p.m. run from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke.


The following runs will continue as scheduled:

The 6:30 a.m. run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter;
The 7 a.m. run from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke;
Both 9:30 a.m. runs from Swan Quarter and Ocracoke;
The 4:30 p.m. run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter;
The 7 a.m. run from Cedar Island to Ocracoke;
The 10 a.m. run from Ocracoke to Cedar Island;
Both 3:30 p.m. runs from Cedar Island and Ocracoke;
Both 6 p.m. runs from Cedar Island and Ocracoke; and
Both 8:30 p.m. runs from Cedar Island and Ocracoke.


Travelers with reservations for any of these cancelled runs should
call the reservations center at 1-800-BY-FERRY (800-293-3779) and
press “2” to make alternative arrangements. For further information,
call the Ocracoke terminal at (252) 928-1665.

NCDOT also offers ferry travel information on Twitter, a free social-networking Web site. Citizens can get brief updates, or “tweets,” for ferry routes by signing up at www.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry.

Lucy Wallace
Communications Officer
NCDOT - Ferry Division
252.473.3461
252.473.1490 (Fax)

________________________________

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.

William Charles Thomas was born March 23, 1857 in Elizabeth City. He was a sea captain, and married Ocracoke native Eliza Gaskill. Sometime in the late nineteenth century Capt. Thomas was in the harbor at St. Kitts in the Caribbean. There he noticed a stately two story home with a prominent center cross gable, saw-tooth trim boards, sturdy wooden shutters, and a full length two story front porch.

Captain Thomas made a sketch of the house and brought it to his brother-in-law, Mr. Charlie Scarborough, one of Ocracoke's most respected carpenters. Mr. Charlie had all of the lumber brought to the island from the mainland, and built this replica for Capt. Thomas and Miss Eliza for $50.00.



Just a few months earlier the "Old August Storm of 1899" had flooded many island homes, including Mr. Charlie Scarborough's. Determined to minimize the damage from future hurricanes, Mr. Charlie cut a trap door in the living room floor to allow flood waters inside to prevent the house from being washed off its foundations. During the hurricane of 1944 the two-story front porch was blown away.

Capt. Thomas died in 1930. Eliza Thomas died in 1946. They are buried nearby.

Today the house is owned by Ms. Susan Barksdale, long time lover of Ocracoke.

The older bird carver who some years ago sat outside near the Capt. Thomas home was Clinton Gaskill. He died in 1999 at the age of 93. Clinton was Miss Eliza's nephew. Clinton's grandmother (Eliza's mother) was Sarah Owens, one of Ocracoke's early school teachers. Sarah Owens was a cousin of Susan Dimmock (1847-1875), the first female surgeon in North Carolina. You can read more about the Thomas home and Susan Dimmock in my book, Digging up Uncle Evans.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to independent spirit and island character Don Wood. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062110.htm.