A variety of talent

Tonight's revival of the traditional Ocracoke Variety Show was very well received by the community. There were just under 20 acts, starting with a puppet show and ending with a funny song called "There is No Place Like Our Island" (to the tune of "There is Nothing Like a Dame"). In between, there were instrumental medleys and rounds, an interpretive story in Spanish, several uplifting songs, a blues harmonica solo, and some good ol' rock and roll.

It was a very varied evening, and I enjoyed every minute of it! Here are a few pictures so you can enjoy it vicariously if you couldn't attend (or remember it fondly if you could).


Ocracoke School Pep Band (aka Last Rebels of Rock) performing a Guns N' Roses tune. No, I'm not kidding. It was "Sweet Child of Mine" and it was excellent.


Lovely flute trio by Emma, Katie and Leslie.

Jamie Tunnell sang with and accompanied on piano several of the singers, including me. In this picture, she's performing "Lighthouse" with Roger Garrish.

There was even a gospel number by a choir, complete with robes! Left to right: Roger Garrish, Lou Castro, DeAnna Locke, Joyce Reynolds (behind DeAnna), Marcy Brenner and Gary Mitchell.

The Methodist Church Youth Band performed "Highways and the Hedges".

After the show, several members of the audience marveled to me at the amount of talent in the community. That is certainly true, and is one of the (many, varied!) things I love about living here - not only that there are so many talented people I can learn from and grow with, but also that there are opportunities to be involved with those talented folks in order to do so.

Reg Neg update and a reminder

Here's the latest on the Reg Neg meetings, although it isn't much...

The Reg Neg meetings planned for 2/26 and 2/27 ended early on 2/26. Here's part of the note I received about it:

"It is up to Mike Murray and the NPS now to arrive at a beach access plan based on all the input they have received this past year and began its implementation in 2011.

Thanks so much to all those who spoke, wrote, or provided support to David Scott and Gene during this process this past year. They are did an incredible job and hopefully the park service will keep that in mind while they are working out the plan. It was a truly difficult and time demanding job!"

So no news, really. I am not sure what the timetable is for NPS to create the beach access plan, but I bet we'll hear about it once they do. So I'll keep you posted here once I know more.


Now, on to the good (or at least better, more fun, happier, enjoyable) item. If you're on the island this weekend, don't forget about the Variety Show, planned for tomorrow night (Saturday 2/28) at 7 PM in the School Gym. Based on what I saw at rehearsal last night, it's going to be a super show!

I was right

To my friend "not so anonymous": no, I don't know if this is named after our favorite person named James. :)

New restaurant?

I've heard a rumor recently that a buffet restaurant may be added to the island. The story is that an existing building, formerly another restaurant, has been leased and will become something new, possibly including a buffet.

Now I certainly know almost nothing about this, but I noticed recently that the sign at Captain Ben's has been removed. I don't mean the somewhat temporary sandwich board type sign, I mean the actual wood signs that are permanently in the ground (the structure of the signs are still there, but the words have been removed). So my guess is that this building may be the spot for the new place. (But I could be totally wrong about this, too.) Anyway, I'll let you know once I know more.

Anticipation

I spent the last few hours reading several pages of the Norwegian cruise line website, searching for hotels near the port of Charleston, learning about (and attempting to book) shore excursions, and deciphering the fine print about what documents are required for a trip to the Bahamas.

I have long believed that anticipation is one of the best parts of any vacation, so I don't mind spending a good bit of time planning. With all the details that need to be taken care of for a cruise, it's a good thing!

Now is a great time to plan a trip to Ocracoke...there are plenty of fun events to anticipate enjoying. Here's a sampling of some of the annual ones:
- Easter Sunrise Service on the beach
- British Cemetery Memorial Service - May 8th
- Ocrafolk Festival - June 5 - 7
- Independence Day festivities - July 4, of course!

Whenever you can come to the island, enjoy the anticipation of the trip. Because life is about both the destination and the journey.

Final Reg Neg meeting

I received the following in email today and thought I would share it here. If you're not aware, the topic of the Reg Neg meetings is ORV access (i.e. beach driving). So here's the message:


David Scott asked if I could send out an email to those on my list "about the Final Reg-Neg on Thursday the 26th and Friday the 27th. This is everyone’s last chance to have any say in this process and we need as large a group from Ocracoke and the mainland that we can possibly get. It is very important that we have a strong showing to try and give Mike Murray one last bit of info on how the people of Ocracoke feel about their beaches and what they would like to see happed to them."

The final public comment is this Thursday and Friday at Reg Neg at the Wright Brothers Memorial at noon and 5 PM. This is the last time that you will have your voice and concerns heard before the park service implements a plan for Ocracoke’s beach that is permanent beginning 2011. Ocracoke Civic and Business Association supports the Plan 1 that David Scott Esham and Gene Ballance represented at Reg Neg on the February 3 maps. The maps are located at http://www.darenc.com/regneg/maps.pdf

Plan 1 on these maps request the North end of Ocracoke would have some permanent pedestrian only areas and some ORV areas. There would be a pedestrian only area below that and then a new ORV ramp with ORV access near the current small parking area above the Pony Pens. The area around the Pony Pens would remain pedestrian only. The area around ramp 67 would remain ORV accessible. The area around the campground and lifeguard beach would be pedestrian year round and ORV accessible in the off season. The area from the airport to South Point road would be ORV accessible. The area from South Point to the inlet would be ORV and pedestrian accessible with seasonal restrictions. The soundside access would also have seasonal restrictions.

There are still more details for the park to work out such as night driving, permit fees, buffer size, vehicle load, and wintering habitats. This will be your last opportunity to make a comment to the committee regarding these issues. Please take the time to have your voice heard. David Scott or Gene can get you signed in on the roster to speak if you can not come for the much of the day- just let them know.

Please forward on to others who may not be on my list. Thanks!

Melinda Sutton

Lunch and a movie

I enjoyed a full afternoon today, starting with a delicious lunch of ham, cabbage, pickled beets, boiled red potatoes, and corn bread. It was the second of three Sunday lunches planned as fundraisers for the United Methodist Church Rec Hall. This particular one didn't see to be quite as well attended as the previous one, which I'm guessing was because not everyone likes ham and cabbage. I didn't mind...it meant there was plenty left over at the end of the event, so I took some home for dinner. (Obviously I like ham and cabbage.)

This afternoon, a large group of people - mostly but not entirely ladies - met at Deep Water Theater to watch a video of the musical Quilters, which was performed on the island in 1993. It was excellent, even though the quality of the video itself was not fabulous (video recording has come a long way in 15 years). I enjoyed both the show itself (of course, I am a musical lover) and seeing several of my friends as they looked a decade and a half ago. They looked younger then, but they are all still beautiful women, whom I'm lucky to count as friends.

Many hands make light work

Tomorrow afternoon (at 12:30, to be exact), the Ocracoke United Methodist Women will serve the second Sunday Dinner to raise money for the restoration of the Rec Hall. This time it will be ham and cabbage, boiled red potatoes, and corn bread. The ham is delicious! I know because today I went to help with prep for the meal. Several ladies were there, and together we sliced ham, washed potatoes, chopped cabbage, and setup the tables. It all went pretty quickly since there were many hands to share the work. Hope you can make it to the dinner tomorrow!

Two boxes of cabbage should be enough...



...and how about 7 ten pound hams?



Start the slicing!

Role reversal

I "follow" several blogs, which means when they are updated, I get a notification of that fact when I log in to my own blog. Then I can click through to those blogs right from the dashboard where I maintain Island Daily (and All 'Bout Connor). Every now and then, I click through to a blog and don't come back to my own for many hours. That's because, after I read the author's new post, I usually read the comments, which are often left by other bloggers. So after reading their comments, I click through to their blogs, read what they've written, read the comments, and click through to someone else's blog...and the cycle continues. I'm not complaining about this. I have learned some interesting things, and "met" some amazing people in these excursions. I have added more blogs to my following list as a result of reading writing by people from whom I know I want to read more.

So I'm not complaining. I'm EXPLAINING why this blog isn't very interesting. I was a reader instead of a writer today.

Ocrafolk School 2009

Classes for this year's Ocrafolk School, scheduled for October 25 - 30, have been announced. There are some repeats, and one new topic: songwriting. No matter which class you pick, you will have a good time at this wonderful weeklong experience.

You can get more info. about the school, and specifics about each of the classes on the Ocrafolk School website.

Cookies!

If you like Girl Scout cookies (and who doesn't?), head to the Variety Store tomorrow between 3:30 and 5:00. The Girl Scout Junior Troop will be having a booth sale, offering boxes of the sweet treats. Mmmm...Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Dosidos...I love them all! And I'm looking forward to trying the new Dulce de Leche kind. Last year, we bought the sugar free mini chocolate brownies, and they are terrific, too!

Okay, I'm officially hungry now...so I'm going to raid the pantry!

Gray day

It was dreary and gray today with overcast skies the entire day. It also rained most of the day, starting about mid-morning. Then the wind picked up, and it started to seem like we were going to have a good old winter nor'easter. But the wind has settled down now, so maybe not.

Hope the weather is not depressing where you are...

Upcoming health fair

I received a press release today about a planned community health event. Here's the info. in case you're interested.

Release Date: For Immediate Release
Date: February 17, 2009
Contact: Lisa Phillips, Coordinator, Teen Tobacco Prevention Program,
(252) 475-5077 (Office), (252) 216-5674 (Cell), lisap@darenc.net
(email)

Vendors Sought for Health Festival on Ocracoke

The Ocracoke Students Against Tobacco (OSAT) and the Touch No Tobacco
(TNT) program, a program of the Hyde County Health Department, will
host a community Health Festival on Saturday, April 4 from 10 am to 2
pm. The event will be held at the Ocracoke School in the gymnasium.

Any organization wanting to be a part of the event and have a booth
that will be interactive and/or motivate the community towards better
health are welcome to participate. This is a family event and will be
open to adults and children.

"Our goal is to raise community awareness about healthy lifestyles,"
comments Gwen Austin, the health teacher at Ocracoke School and OSAT
adviser, "This also encourages teamwork and student leadership through
hands-on experience with project management."

"Your participation will help with our efforts to provide basic health
screenings as well as a variety of informational booths designed to
help the community become aware of the health-related programs,
services and providers in our area", states Wesley Smith, Hyde County
Health Director, "It also provides a unique way to identify and
connect with community resources."

All vendors are asked to arrive at Ocracoke School by 9 am to set up.
There is no cost to vendors.

"We are looking forward to a fun, interactive event and anticipate
approximately 100+ people from the community", remarks Austin.

For additional information or to reserve your spot today, contact
Lisa Phillips, the youth tobacco prevention coordinator for Hyde,
Currituck and Dare Counties, at 252-475-5077 or Gwen Austin
252-928-7170.

Wanted: artisans

The Ocrafolk Festival is now accepting applications for Artisan booths. If you are interested, visit the Festival website where you can learn more and complete an online application. If you're not an artisan, plan to attend the Festival anyway - it's great fun!

Lasagna lunch

There was a delicious lunch of lasagna, salad, and garlic bread offered after church this morning in the Methodist Church Rec Hall, to raise money for the Ocracoke School high school trip to Washington DC. The event was very well attended, and I heard only appreciation on the lips of all who enjoyed the meal.

If you missed it (sorry I didn't mention it here sooner...I didn't know about it until recently), there's another lunch planned for next Sunday. It will be held at 12:30 in the Rec Hall, and this time is a fundraiser for the project to restore that building. The main dish for this one will be ham and cabbage. I am - of course - planning to attend that one as well. Yum!

Happy Valentines Day!

Early flowers

After enjoying the 1st grade Valentine's party this morning, I went back home to more mundane activity (read: work). It was a day full of sunshine, so it was a bit sad to be inside, sitting right next to a window no less so I could see out to what I was missing.

In early afternoon, I looked out the window to see the entire first grade class, along with their teacher Mary Ellen and assistant Lou Ann, walking by my house. I knocked on the window so they would see me, then smiled and waved (I was on the phone so couldn't say anything). Mary Ellen said they were going to see the early blooming flowers at a house down the street. A few minutes later, when I had finished my phone call, I grabbed my camera, jumped on my bike, and rode down the street to meet them. I was glad I did, as I was rewarded with a view of many sunny yellow daffodils. It made me smile, and I hope it will do the same for you.

As if we needed a reason...

I went to a potluck at Philip's house last night. The two tables in the kitchen were laden with all manner of delicious dishes - there was a fantastic cheesy rice, some wonderful chicken, yummy stew and chili, a lovely pineapple upside down cake, and several other delectables.

The potluck was in honor of Darwin day, and after eating the group engaged in an interesting discussion about the theory of evolution, natural selection, and Darwin himself. We also touched on technological development, and the nature of God. I very much enjoyed listening to everyone's thoughts. Even though I didn't agree with all of them, it was still interesting and thought provoking to hear them.

My main thought was, we should have potlucks more often. They don't need to be in honor of anything. Who needs a reason to share food and fellowship with friends?

Updates and projects

My friend Sundae sent me a full list of every restaurant that has been in the building which is now Riley's, so here it is for anyone who is interested:

Howard's Pub (the original location)
Maria's
The Pamlico
Maria's (a second try)
Cockle Creek
Saucy Shrimp
Sargasso
Mango Loco


I mentioned that there was some construction going on at Creekside Cafe, and I wasn't sure at the time whether they were simply expanding the deck or building an enclosed space. Well, it's definitely going to be an enclosed space. Here's a picture of the work in progress:



There's also some kind of construction project happening at the Back Porch restaurant, as evidenced by the pile of lumber outside. I'm curious to see the end result of that, too. It looks like they are expanding the space.

CRASH!

You may have noticed the lack of blogs recently. I have been offline completely for a few days, as a result of the fact that my laptop crashed. And when I say crashed, I mean seriously crashed. It would not start up at all, and everything that was on my hard drive is most likely lost (although a friend is going to try to see if it can be salvaged... but I'm not holding out much hope).

I had not realized how much a part of my everyday life my computer really is, until I didn't have it for a few days. I felt somewhat lost without it. I couldn't find out who that familiar-looking actor was, and what I'd seen him in before. Or the blue book value of a vehicle. Or what was going to be on TV in the evening. I couldn't keep track of a list of options for a trip I'm planning, so I could decide between them. (I swear, I don't know how to think about anything anymore without the aid of a spreadsheet!) It was frustrating and annoying, and just different. I know there's a lesson for me somewhere in there, about being flexible and rolling with things that happen rather than letting them bother me, not to mention about backing up computer data more often than I had been. But I'm not quite ready to learn or wax philosophical about the experience yet. I'm still dealing with the fallout. :(

Moonlight ferry ride

I went to Morehead City today, to the Chocolate Festival. It was a fun (not to mention delicious!) few hours. After enjoying all that sugary cocoa goodness, I went shopping for more mundane things like paper towels and vitamins. Finally, I caught the 5 PM ferry from Cedar Island and headed back home. I was rewarded with a lovely view of the full moon rising above the sound. The picture hardly does it justice, but here it is anyway...

I remember that outfit...

Connor and I went to baby play group this morning. It was a small group of kids - just Connor, Charlotte, Mariah, and Uriel. Amy stopped in with Lachlan for a minute but he and a couple of the other older kids played outside on the playground instead of indoors with the younger ones.

Connor was wearing a cute outfit: a onesie with a fire truck on it, and matching red overalls. When Amy saw it, she said, "Hey, I remember that outfit!", and I realized it must have been one of Lachlan's outfits that she passed on to Connor. That reminded me of the time last week when I was at the Health Center with Connor, and the father of two young boys took one look at him and said, "Oh, I remember that jacket".

This is just one of the many ways we have been blessed by the Ocracoke community. I also love that I get to participate in being a blessing to others in this way: as Connor outgrows things, I pass them on to people with younger kids. And I just can't wait to see one of those babies somewhere and say "I remember that..."

South Point Road pictures

Today I finally remembered to take my camera with me on my morning South Point Road and beach drive, and managed to get a few good shots. So here are some of them for your enjoyment!


Sea oats along the side of the road


Flying friends


The first glimpse of the ocean


The deserted beach


This is one of my favorite sights - sunlight on water.


Sunlight on sand is pretty terrific, too.


This picture is especially for my friend, "not so anonymous". :)


The view back toward the village from South Point Road. This reminds me of a description written by Alton Ballance in his book Ocracokers: "the village between the Lighthouse and the water tower".

Lively discussion

Tonight was the second in the series of Let's Talk About It book discussions. The book this time was The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles. The group was a bit smaller than the one which gathered for the Madame Bovary discussion, but they were every bit as lively.

The scheduled speaker had taken ill, so a different person came in her stead. He presented a slide show of information about John Fowles and the novel, including pictures of the places where it is set. He did a great job pointing out the humor of the book, too. And then he gave us a question to discuss in small groups, which really got everybody thinking and talking.

And then we indulged in some delicious cheesecake and cookies. (It can't be entirely intellectual the whole time!) It was an enjoyable evening, all around.

The next book is The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, and it will be discussed on Thursday February 26th at 6:30 at the Library. All are welcome to join.

Relax...

Here's a reason to come to Ocracoke in late February: on the 25th, there will be an oh-so-relaxing event at Deep Water Theater. It's being called "Winter Wellness Wednesday", and will include mini massages, yoga, and other such relaxing things. For more information, call Amy Howard at 252-921-0182.

One reason I love winter

I went to the beach this morning, and I was the only one there.

It was raining lightly (which probably has as much to do with why I was the only one there as the season does), but I was driving instead of walking so I stayed dry. I enjoyed watching the seagulls and pipers finding (and munching) their breakfast. I smiled at the waves rolling in, and was really happy when the rain stopped long enough that I could jump out of the Jeep and go touch the ocean. (I hadn't touched salt water in two days!) I took great pleasure in the quiet, with only the sound of the Atlantic to keep me company.

But most of all, I loved the drive back to the village via South Point Road. If you've never had the pleasure of going down South Point Road (and you have a four wheel drive vehicle), I highly recommend you try it next time you have the chance. It's beautiful at all times of year. This morning, I enjoyed views of dark green marsh grasses, waving sea oats, gray-silver brush, the Lighthouse in the distance (which was on when I first saw it, because it was so overcast, but then turned off as I drove), and one startled egret who took wing as I went by him (my Jeep is old and muffler-challenged). It was a lovely, peaceful few minutes. I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

New restaurant

There's a building on the island which has been home to several restaurants. It has housed three eateries that I've experienced myself (Saucy Shrimp, Sargasso, and Mango Loco), and I think I ate there when it was whatever it was before it was Saucy Shrimp, too. (If I had a better memory, I'd be able to tell you the name it had then).

Anyway, it's about to be yet another restaurant: Riley's. I saw the new sign being put up a couple of days ago. According to the sign, it will be an Italian restaurant ("Pizza, Pasta, Pub", it says) with options for "eat in, take out, or delivery".

I like Italian food. Actually, I love Italian food. All pasta is my friend, and lasagna is my absolute favorite food ever. But we already have fantastic pasta options (and wonderful pizza) available from Jason's. And, if you feel like delivery, the Ocracoke Pizza Company will be happy to oblige. I'm sure I will enjoy Riley's, but I sure wish someone would open a restaurant we don't already have. My suggestions: barbecue (North Carolina style, of course), or authentic Mexican (not Mexi-Caribbean as Mango Loco offered).

Just my two cents.

Sick as a dog

Well, it's a good thing I got the Christmas tree handled yesterday, because I am sick again today. I'm having bad luck with weekends and being healthy..they haven't seemed to go together recently. (I think it's a side effect of having a baby in day care.)

If you're interested in the origins of words and phrases as I am, you can learn more about "sick as a dog" here.