New and old

On Tuesday, there was an event to show off the newest building in the community: the additional (and much needed) school building. For the ribbon cutting, they used a blue ribbon covered with individual yellow dolphin shapes (the school's mascot) which had been signed by most of the students. After the ribbon was cut, the community and parents gathered were invited to tour the new building. It is a great facility, with really LARGE classroom spaces and tiny toilets in the pre-K/Kindergarten restrooms. The closet and sink areas are colorful, with primary shades on the cabinet doors rather than plain white. But the building, at this point devoid of furniture or any decoration, still doesn't look like a school. I am looking forward to seeing it again, once the vibrant colors of bulletin boards and student's work fill the walls, and the lively voices of teachers and students fill the spaces.

Today (Wednesday), the Ocracoke Preservation Society held its annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting and Wassail Party. There was musical entertainment on the museum's front porch by island musicians (including kids), and delicious treats baked by residents were available inside. Linda Scarborough was in the kitchen serving traditional wassail as usual, and she told me that the recipe is from Kenny Ballance. I bet it's an old family recipe (the Ballance family has been on the island for many years), and I love that the tradition of sharing wassail with friends continues here. A new tradition was added to this celebration as well: island kids hung wooden ornaments on the cedar tree in the museum yard. The ornaments had been made several years ago, but needed some refurbishing, so the kids worked over the last few weeks to add some sparkle to them. I loved this combining of the old and new. I also loved the handmade ornaments. There's nothing wrong with lovely store-bought tree decorations, but there is something magical about the old-fashioned homemade variety.

On Ocracoke, the community is constantly finding ways to welcome the new while cherishing and embracing our history as well. It's important to have the balance of both, a fact that unfortunately seems to have been lost in our modern society. This Christmas, I plan to take some time to reflect on family traditions and also to start a new one (no details here, it's going to be a surprise for my family, and they read the blog). Whatever your traditions, old or new, I hope you enjoy them and cherish the time with your loved ones.

To know more/interesting links:
Ocracoke Preservation Society - http://www.ocracokemuseum.org/
Ocracoke School - http://www.education-world.com/a_issues/schools/schools021.shtml
(there is also an article about the school in the Sept. 2006 issue of Our State magazine)