Sorry for the lack of blogs lately. It has been getting busier on the island and the days run together into a blur until you stop and realize how much time has passed. I started working on a blog about graduation but suddenly I realized that the 4th of July is just a week away. The graduation blog will be posted soon.

Independence Day is always an adventure on Ocracoke Island. There are many events planned and it is no doubt the most crowded day of the year. Or maybe it just seems more crowded because everyone is all out doing a lot of the same things in the same place at the same time. However, we do get a lot of "day-trippers" who come down just for the 4th of July fun.

Here is the schedule for the 4th of July events on Ocracoke Island:

9 AM-FLAG RAISING CEREMONY on School Circle, School Road performed by the Ocracoke Boy Scouts

9:30 AM till Noon-ANNUAL SAND SCULPTING CONTEST at the NPS Lifeguard Beach

10 AM till Noon-OCRACOKE PONIES behind the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

10 AM till 2 PM-CLASSIC CARS on the lawn at the Pony Island Motel Pool area

10 AM till 2 PM-OCRACOKE LIGHTHOUSE open for public viewing-WALKING SUGGESTED, VERY LIMITED PARKING

3 PM-OLD TIME OCRACOKE PARADE-must register by 6 PM July 3rd. Forms may be picked up at the Post Office or th OPS Museum

PARADE ROUTE: Line up on HWY 12 beginning at Captain Ben's Restaurant, follow HWY 12 south, left onto Lighthouse Road, right onto Creek Road, right onto Silver Lake Drive, follow road around Silver Lake Harbor to the OPS Museum.

JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ISLAND INN BALCONY.

AT PARADE'S END at the OPS Museum-National Anthem, Entertainment and Awards for parade entrants.

9 PM-FIREWORKS will be located behind the NCCAT Campus. The fireworks can be viewed from many areas on the island but the most popular viewing spot is the large parking lot by the OPS Museum. The parking lot will be blocked off so WALKING IS SUGGESTED.

PLEASE REMEMBER: PYROTECHNICS OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING FIRECRACKERS, FIREWORKS AND HAND-HELD SPARKLERS, ARE ILLEGAL ON OCRACOKE ISLAND. POSSESSION AND USE OF PYROTECHNICS COMES WITH A HEAVY FINE!

Rain date for 4th of July events is July 5th.

(Sponsored by the Ocracoke Preservation Society and the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association)

I hope everyone has a safe, fun and happy Independence Day! Please remember to watch out for your own safety and the safety of others so we can all have a great time! I hope to see a lot of smiling faces and the only sirens I want to hear are the ones in the Parade!

                                                        

Above is an interesting satellite image that shows smoke from the wildfire that has been burning for over a week in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties. The fire is believed to have been started by lightning. Approximately 32,556 acres have burned so far. Most of this land is part of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Amazingly, so far, no injuries have been reported and no buildings have been destroyed. However, there is a contingency plan to evacuate about 150 homes in the towns of Newland and Cross Landing should conditions merit. There are no immediate plans to launch the evacuation. When the fire first started you could smell it here on the island for a couple of days. The smell was so strong it actually left a bad taste in your mouth. For the past few days I haven't smelled anything. I have heard reports that, depending on the wind direction, the smell has been detected as far north as Richmond, Virginia and on the Outer Banks north of Ocracoke.




And now for the real reason for today's blog. As the island fills with people the traffic gets heavier. There are more cars, bikes and pedestrians on, and next to, the road. It is incredible to me that there are no more accidents here that there are. Many, many people do not follow the rules of the road and do not take the time to consider other people. When you go on vacation it is easy to forget that there still every day things that need to be considered. I see crowds of people walking and on bikes that take up half, or more, of the road. I see cars speeding along through the village or cruising at walking speed, neither of which is safe. When you are traveling the roads please be considerate, be careful and follow the rules of the road.

  
Cars

One of the most dangerous (not to mention ILLEGAL) things I see a lot of is cars passing on the right. Recently, my daughter and I witnessed a small sports car run off the road on the right, through a busy parking lot, to speed around another car that was doing the speed limit. The sports car kicked up a cloud of dust and proceeded to speed through the village (as much as he could anyway-thank goodness for other vehicles that blocked his way) to the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter ferry dock. The driver then drove the wrong way into the loading lanes, did a U-turn, pulled up in the line and stopped to make a call on his cell phone. At first I thought he was trying to catch a ferry (which is NO EXCUSE) but there were no ferries at the dock and, luckily, no other cars in the line. I see many vehicles with impatient drivers run off the road and pass on the right. Add that to the speeding vehicles and you have an accident waiting to happen. Of course, the drivers who are doing 10 miles an hour in a 20 or 25 mile an hour zone are dangerous as well. I understand that there is a lot to see but please be considerate of others. Park the car and walk. Or rent a bike. You can get around easier and see more at your own pace without impeding the progress of others. 

The speed limit in the village is 25 MPH on the main highway and 20 MPH on the side roads. Remember...when you are here...YOU ARE SOUTH OF THE STRESS LINE! Take advantage of that. When you drive to fast you endanger yourself and others. When you drive too slow you may be delaying someone's arrival at work or a ferry. 

Bikes

When riding bikes, here or anywhere, ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as the cars. If you are riding bikes in a group please ride single file. If you are riding bikes in a group please do not split up with some on one side of the road and some on the other. This makes it difficult and dangerous for cars to pass. If you are riding bikes please stay close to the side of the road. If you have to stop for some reason other than reaching your destination be sure to remove your bike and yourself completely from the road. At night, wear light colors or, better yet, carry a light. As for helmets, they are recommended for everyone, but those age 16 or younger are required to wear them by law.

Walking/Running

Many people enjoy walking (or running or jogging) around the island and that is great! It is green! It is healthy! But there are also rules you must follow when walking. Walk close to the edge of the road, if not alongside it. Walk facing traffic. Same as with the bikes...when you are in a group and traffic is coming...walk single file and don't spread out onto both sides of the road. At night wear light colors or carry a light. 

There are very few street lights here, especially on the side roads. It can get very dark at night! The roads here are narrow and well traveled. I don't mean to post this information to remind anyone that there are rules on vacation as well as in every day life. I don't want to bring anybody down. I post this to remind everyone that even on vacation you should take safety precautions and be considerate of others. We want you to return from your vacation alive and well and rested and refreshed. The majority of the people here in the summer time are on vacation but there are also those of us who work here to make your vacation enjoyable. Be kind to your waitresses, waiters, hosts and hostesses...your cleaners and shop keepers...your vacation specialists, your maintenance persons...your AC repairmen and your fellow vacationers!

Thank you for reading!

 

If you are going to be in the area this weekend it will be hard to miss the 9th Annual Ocrafolk Festival. This year the festival dates are June 6-8. Many people come just for the festival. It is a very interesting and fun event that seems to draw more people each year. Many local and not so local musicians, artists and craftspeople participate. The festival committee has put together a very informative flyer that is available most anywhere on the island. There is information about many participants and a full schedule of events. Most of the stages and booths are located on School Road and historical Howard Street. Some events will be held at the Ocracoke Community Center on Highway 12.



This year's festival is dedicated to Mr. Roy Parsons who passed away September 1, 2007. Roy was an entertainer (musician, storyteller, friend to all). There are many performances and booths scheduled this year...too many to list here but I will list some of the highlights. 

The festival kicks off Friday, June 8, beginning at 6 PM at the Ocracoke Community Center with a "Meet The Performer" potluck (please bring your favorite dish to share). Following dinner is the Ocrafolk Festival Live Auction at 7:30. After the auction there will be a performance by a new Ocracoke group, Baby Dee and Free Moustache.

Enjoy the performances and peruse the exhibits on Saturday beginning at 9 AM. The rain location for Saturday's events will be the Ocracoke School gym for some events and Deepwater Theater for others. Info can be found at the Ocrafolk Information Booth. A Silent Auction is being held all day next to the Information Booth. Saturday evening at 8 PM the Traditional Ocracoke Squaredance will be held in the Ocracoke School gym. (Easy to learn and open to all!) There will also be performances Saturday evening at Deepwater Theater and the Ocracoke Community Center.

Sunday morning kicks off with a Gospel Sing at 9:30 AM at the Live Oak Stage on School Road. After church services there will be more performances. The rain location for Sunday will be the Ocracoke Community Center because the Ocracoke School Class of 2008 will be graduating in the school gym on Sunday evening. Congratulations, Seniors!!!!

You can learn more about the Ocrafolk Festival and the Ocrafolk School here.

I am sorry to say that I have to work pretty much all weekend and will most likely not be able to attend the festival this year. I am hoping that if any of my co-workers are able to go they will take lots of photos for me to post. The photos posted below are from past festivals and were "borrowed" from the Ocrafolk Festival website. Some were taken by Ann Ehringhaus and some were taken by Mary Haggerty (Ocracoke Photo).  I have used them without permission but hope that I will not be prosecuted as I am doing a little free advertising for the festival and 2 talented photographers.

Come on out and enjoy the 2008 Ocrafolk Festival! You will be glad you came!








  

Memorial Weekend was a very busy weekend on Ocracoke. Lots of people coming and going. Houses to clean. Maintenance issues to deal with. The local restaurants and other businesses were crowded. There was lots of traffic of all kinds moving about. People driving, biking and walking...even in the rain on Saturday morning.

The Third Annual Ocracoke Firemen's Ball was held on Saturday and from what I heard and saw it was a whopping success. The BBQ dinner was delicious and they sold out within a couple of hours. Many of the auction items sold at well above estimated value. The Community Center was packed for the dance and everyone had a great time.

The Ocracoke School PTA Spring Fling was also a success. The kids had a really good time. I have heard a lot of comments on the slide. I wish I had some pictures of either event but I had to work all day...from 9am to 9pm. Both jobs were very busy.

Our tireless housekeeping staff worked very hard this weekend cleaning houses but that wasn't enough for them. When they were done with the rental houses they decided to clean the windows in the apartment they stay in. They are very thorough...even climbing onto the roof to do the outside of the windows. Brave if you ask me.

         

                  
                   Carolina Jasmine



The front porch of the office I work in is covered with Carolina Jasmine. The arch at the beginning of the walkway is also covered with it. Most of the year it is simply a green, leafy vine that covers the arch and the porch rails and looks nice. But for about a month each year, usually in May, the Jasmine is in bloom. Not only is it beautiful but the smell is absolutely fantastic! It makes the walk into the office very pleasant. When you walk through the arch the smell envelopes you and holds you until you get in the door. It is a soothing aroma and it always makes me smile.

Carolina Jasmine does very well on Ocracoke. There are many beautiful plants and flowers that do well here. Oleander, lantana, verbena, Joe-bells, rosemary, clematis, ruellia and many more. I love to garden and am always checking out homes and businesses for new and creative ideas. When you visit Ocracoke try to enjoy the beauty of nature and ignore the crowds. The beaches aren't the only natural attraction on Ocracoke.   


Clematis


Rosemary


Oleander

                                        
                                         The Limousine



Visitors are always asking if we have a school on the island. Yes, we do. Located on School Road (ha, ha), Ocracoke School has an attendance of 127, grades Pre-K through 12. The graduating class this year consists of 5 students. That is about average for our school. Ocracoke School is unique in many ways and is repeatedly recognized as a "School of Excellence".

The classes are fairly small and that has positive and negative repercussions. Most schools have Homecoming and Prom. In most other schools the Homecoming Court is voted for and the Prom is for Juniors and Seniors only. At Ocracoke School the entire high school participates in both events. Homecoming Princess, Prince, King and Queen are voted on by the entire school. The Prom King and Queen are voted for the by the high school students. The graduating class of 2008 is made up of 3 boys and 2 girls. One of the senior girls was voted Homecoming Queen. When she was crowned she immediately broke her tiara in half and presented half to the other senior girl. The other senior girl was crowned Prom Queen and she returned the favor. These girls are very good friends and have been going to school and hanging out together for many years. I thought these were such sweet gestures that I had to mention them. Where else would that happen?

On to the Prom. The Ocracoke School Prom is not like other school proms. There isn't a big dance. There is usually a dinner at one of the local restaurants and maybe some other event planned for afterward. There just aren't enough kids for a big dance like other places. Most of the kids don't even take dates unless they are already boyfriend and girlfriend. Homecoming and Prom are major photo opportunities for the moms. These are 2 times a year that we can get our teenagers dressed up and they pretty much have to allow us to take as many pictures as we can before the event starts.

This year the high school had dinner at the Cafe Atlantic. They had the entire top floor to themselves. The teachers/chaperones sat at a table downstairs. This was a rare year where most of the high school had "paired up" so most had dates. Several students got the idea to pile most of the guys into the back of a pick up truck and ride together to pick up the girls. I cannot say how many people were in the truck when they arrived but there were a lot. I had to comment to some other mothers about how the kids were all coming in one vehicle but all the mothers drove their own vehicles to the restaurant just to take pictures. Once they made it safely to the Cafe Atlantic there was a photo taking frenzy in the parking lot to rival the paparazzi at any major movie premier. The kids all took it in stride and let us have at it. When we finally stopped clicking the party moved inside where the tables were beautifully decorated and the atmosphere was festive. We were allowed to go upstairs and take a few more photos then we had to leave. (Guess who was the last Mom out? Hello!)

Both my son (sophomore) and my daughter (junior) attended the prom and they said the dinner was nice and they had a great time. There was no school related event planned for after the dinner so the kids went to one of the senior's house and hung out. Then they went to Springer's Point for a while. So far I haven't heard any bad stories. I've only heard that they had a good time. Enjoy the photos.


       
Housekeeping Field Supervisor's daughter            Housekeeping Field Supervisor's        My beautiful daughter.
and my son.                                                     other daughter who also works at 
                                                                       Beach Outfitters.  

                   
Maintenance Supervisor's        One of our Vacation Specialist's son       My daughter's friend and a
son.                                     and Housekeeping Supervisor's            former Vacation Specialist's son.
                                           daughter.         

Recently I had a request from a blog reader asking for summer hours and contact information for Ocracoke restaurants. I have done some research and will now share what I have learned. Please note that summer hours begin Memorial weekend and are subject to change.



Jason's Restaurant, located at 1110 Highway 12, will be open Monday through Saturday 11:30 AM till 10 PM. Closed on Sundays. Menu includes pizza, pasta, subs and seafood. Dine inside or on the screened porch. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-3434



   

Mango Loco's, located at 1050 Highway 12, will be open Tuesday through Saturday 5 PM till 9 PM. Closed on Mondays. Wednesday night is "Open Mike Night". Thursday night is "Karaoke Night". There will be live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Mango Loco's features Mexican/Carribean cuisine and cocktails. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-2874



    

The Flying Melon Cafe, located at 804 Highway 12, will be open for brunch Tuesday through Sunday 9 AM till 2 PM. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5 PM till 9 PM. Flying Melon features southern regional cuisine and the owners' favorites from around the world. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-2533



   

SmacNally's, located at 180 Highway 12 across from the Anchorage Inn, will be open 11 AM till 9 PM. Willis Gupton will be playing on Fridays and Saturdays. SmacNally's menu includes burgers and seafood. Outside,waterfront dining at the bar and tables with umbrellas. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-9999



   

The Jolly Roger, located at 410 Highway 12, will be open daily 11 AM till 9 PM. The Jolly Roger menu includes burgers, seafood and Mexican food. There will be live music at least once a week, maybe more. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-3703



   

Creekside Cafe, located at 621 Highway 12, will be open daily 11 AM till 10 PM. There will be live music on Fridays and Saturdays and maybe more often. Outside dining. Menu includes burgers, salads and seafood. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-3606



   

The Ocracoke Pizza Company opening has been delayed. As soon as they are open I will post the hours and contact info. Love the new sign!



   

Thai Moon, located in Spencer's Market on the corner of Highway 12 and School Road, will be open daily from 11 AM till 9 PM. Thai Moon features authentic Thai food and is take out only.
Phone: 252-928-5100



   

The Back Porch Restaurant, located at 110 Back Road across from Blackbeard's Lodge, will be open daily from 5 PM till 9:30 PM. The menu includes seafood, steaks, chicken and duck. The Back Porch also has a wine bar and nightly specials. Dine inside with air conditioning or out on the large screened porch.
Phone: 252-928-6501



Don't forget about the Back Porch Lunchbox located on the corner of Highway 12 and Back Road in front of the Pony Island Motel. Serving sandwiches and wraps, drinks and salads. Open 7 days a week from 11 AM till 5 PM.
Phone: 252-928-3651



   

The Pony Island Restaurant, located at 51 Ocean View Road behind the Pony Island Motel, will be serving breakfast from 7 AM till 11 AM, lunch from 11 AM till 2 PM and dinner from 5 PM till 9 PM. They will be closed Monday nights. Menu includes omelettes, Pony Potatoes, burgers, sandwiches, seafood and more. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-5701



   

Fig Tree Deli and Sweet Tooth, located at 1015 Highway 12, will be open Monday through Saturday 8 AM till 9 PM and Sunday 8AM till 4 PM. Fig Tree Deli menu includes, breakfast sandwiches, salads and lunch sandwiches. Sweet Tooth has many types of specialty candies, fudge and ice cream. Outside dining or take out.
Phone: 252-928-3481



   

Captain Ben's Restaurant, located at 875 Highway 12, will be serving lunch from 11:30 AM till 4 PM and dinner 4 PM till 9 PM. Captain Ben's welcomes wedding rehearsal dinners, large groups and busses. Menu includes prime rib, seafood, sandwiches and more. Captain Ben's hopes to have occasionally live music this summer.
Phone: 252-928-4741



   

The Cafe Atlantic, located at 1129 Highway 12, will be open for dinner from 5 PM till 9 PM every day except Tuesday. Menu includes seafood, beef fillet, pasta and Ruth's famous homemade desserts. Eat in or take out.
Phone: 252-928-4261



   

Howard's Pub is located at 1175 Highway 12. Howard's Pub is open daily from 11 AM till Midnight. The menu includes burgers, pizza, seafood and much more. Howard's has an extensive beer menu and live music most weekends and some weekdays (no cover charge). Eat in or take out. You can see the event calendar, food menu and beer list on their website.
Phone: 252-928-4441
http://www.howardspub.com



    

The Ocracoke Coffee Shop and Island Smoothie, located at 226 Back Road, will be open Monday through Saturday 7 AM till 7 PM and Sunday 7 AM till 5 PM. The Coffee Shop offers inside and outside seating with games and free WiFi. Menu includes a variety of coffees, tea, espresso drinks, bagels, real fruit smoothies and other fresh baked goods and pastries. Java on site or to go.
Phone: 252-928-7473

I hope this is helpful to someone or to many. Restaurant owners, if you see any mistakes please let me know so I can make corrections. Here's to a great summer!

Here are the pictures my friend took of the Elizabeth II. I was able to retrieve them and wanted to post them because they are better than the ones I took even though the sky is stormy.
Thank you, Friend!
I will be posting a blog within the next couple of days with summer hours and contact info for Ocracoke Island Restaurants.

A friend called this morning to tell me that the Elizabeth II was docked at the Jolly Roger on Silver Lake. Since I couldn't get out of the office she offered to take a couple of pictures for me for the blog. Although this morning the weather wasn't really conducive for picture taking she came and got the camera and got the pictures. This morning was cloudy, dark and stormy but the pictures came out pretty good. The bad news is that I wasn't able to use them for this blog. Near the end of the storm this morning lightning struck somewhere near the building I work in and knocked out our phones and knocked us off the computer network. Therefore I was unable to retrieve the pictures to use.

When the rain cleared and the clouds had mostly departed I went to see if the Elizabeth II was still around so I could take some pictures myself. I almost missed it. It was on the way out of Silver Lake when I got there. I got a couple of shots but they weren't very good. Then I went around to another location so I could try to get a shot when they left the harbor. I was able to get the one above. It isn't great because I had to use the zoom lens but it is okay. I was really hoping I could catch them with the sails up but I didn't.

                                              

The Elizabeth II is a 69 foot, square-rigged sailing ship built to represent one of the ships used to transport Sir Walter Raleigh's colonists to the new world. Most of the year it is located across from the Manteo waterfront at the Roanoke Island Festival Park. During the spring and fall volunteer crews sail the ship to other ports along the Atlantic coast. The ship is open year round and admission is required for guided tours and the summer living history program. You can find out more by calling the Roanoke Island Festival Park at 252-475-1506 or 252-475-1500.

It is really cool to see an impressive vessel such as the Elizabeth II. It's like a piece of history sailing the seas (even if it is a replica). Imagine the wild, untamed land the colonists came upon at Roanoke Island when they arrived to start a new life. It must have been so beautiful and so scary and so wonderful all at the same time. My friends who grew up on Ocracoke describe a different place, in many ways, than what Ocracoke is today. I am just glad that the evolution of Ocracoke still hasn't progressed too far. There are still no fast food chains, movie theaters, mini golf, amusement parks, WalMarts...and that is just fine with me!

           

What a beautiful day on Ocracoke!! The picture above shows what the beach looks like today. The sun is shining, the temperature is in the 60's and it is just a little breezy but not windy. A great beach day!!

For the past few days beach fishermen have been catching a lot of decent sized bluefish. I saw a picture on the Tradewinds website (www.fishtradewinds.com) of a lady holding the head of a flounder. The rest of the flounder had been bitten off by a bluefish. Fresh out of the water bluefish are delicious to eat but watch out for those razor sharp teeth.

          


Today is registration day for the 25th Annual Ocracoke Island Surf Fishing Tournament. Approximately 65 teams (give or take 1 or 2) will be fishing on the beach for the next 2 days. They will be fishing for points in various categories. The team with the most points wins the tournament but there are other categories where prizes will be awarded...Top Female Team, Most Fish, Largest Fish and more. Prizes include trophies donated by different Outer Banks businesses and tackle donated by various companies supporting the tournament.

The tournament participants will be treated to a kick off gathering at Howard's Pub tonight with the Embers. Tomorrow night DJ Buster Nunemaker will be at the Pub. On Friday there will be a pig picking and awards party at the Community Center followed by an After Party with DJ Buster Nunemaker.

                            


There are only 2 days of fishing but it seems like most years bad weather knocks out at least a half or a full day. This year, if the forecast holds true, it looks like they might actually get to fish both full days. Good Luck, Anglers! Have a great time!

                                    

One more item of interest...Ocracoke now has a self-serve ice machine located on the corner of Trent Drive and O'Neal Drive. (You can't miss it!) You can get a 20 pound bag or 24 pounds bulk for $2.50. You must have your own container for the bulk ice. You just put your money in, make your selection and out comes your ice. If you have any problems there's a help number you can call. I have been assured by the owner that most problems can be fixed by phone because the machine is computerized. Plus, the owner lives on site. What will they think of next?

             

Have a great day!