A couple of weeks ago Ocracoke Island was all abuzz about North Carolina governor Beverly Perdue coming to visit. Her son, Emmett, and Sara Thomas were to be wed at the Ocracoke Methodist Church on September 26. The bride, groom and their families stayed in some of Ocracoke Island Realty's houses and I am sure other family and guests did as well.

Many people weren't sure what to expect with the governor's visit. Would there be security everywhere with roads blocked? Would she travel around the island in the middle of a large group of body guards? If she went into a store or restaurant would everyone else have to clear out? Who knew what to expect during a visit from a high ranking politician? Ocracoke has a lot of visitors during the course of a year. We do our best to treat everyone well and be gracious, accommodating hosts.  Would more be expected for the governor and her party?

Apparently not. There were 3 or 4 other weddings held on the island that week...2 or 3 were on the same day. There were many "Governor Sightings" heard about around the island. I don't think I ever saw her myself but I did speak with her briefly on the phone when she called to request some baby items. Some folks saw "Miss Governor" (as the third grade students at Ocracoke School called her) out walking her dogs. Other members of her party were seen out and about. Some friends met Emmett at Howard's Pub later in the evening after the wedding and said he was a very nice guy. He even posed for pictures with them. I hope that the Governor and the entire wedding party and guests took home some happy memories of Ocracoke Island and the people who live here.

While here the governor visited Ocracoke School and toured the facilities. I hear that it was quite interesting. She was impressed with many things about our small school...such as the students leaving their belongings in unlocked cubbies in the hall and "everyone" knowing "everyone" on the island. She toured the school gym and agreed that it is much too small for any North Carolina high school. She was surprised to learn that there was no cafeteria (or even a dedicated lunchroom) at the school. She said that she would look into the availability of economic stimulus money to help with the gym expansion project.
She met and spoke with the staff and many students while touring the school. Ocracoke School is a unique environment with unique people and opportunities.

"This wasn't just a regular school visit. I really enjoyed coming here," she said.

(To read Sundae Horn's article about Governor Perdue's visit to Ocracoke School click here)

All in all it was a pretty regular week. Lots of people enjoying all of the things that Ocracoke has to offer.

Ocracoke is a great place to be!! Come and see for yourself!!

(Above photo taken by Sundae Horn was "borrowed" from the "Island Free Press" website)

        

 Today is officially the first day of fall. I love fall. It is one of my favorite seasons! Spring and fall...guess you can tell I'm kind of "middle of the road".

Fall is a great time to be on Ocracoke for many reasons. The weather is usually pleasant...sunny, warm days and cool, breezy nights.
The beach is still beautiful and the water is still an okay temperature for swimming. Fishing is best in the fall. The stores and restaurants are still open and summer activities such as parasailing and charter boat fishing are still available. Entertainment of one sort or the other can still be found. Pretty much the same as the summer without the high temperatures and huge crowds. Fall is a much more "laid back" time of year while still being a busy time of year. 

School is back in most everywhere now. Ocracoke School has planned a camping trip for grades 6-12 to Camp Singletary next week. They will be leaving early Monday morning and returning on Friday. Several of the students will accompany a couple of chaperones on Friday to see Shakespeare's play "Midsummer Nights Dream". The students all have a great time on these camping trips. They learn a lot in a different setting. And the last time they went to see a Shakespeare play I know my son really enjoyed it. He wants to be an actor...among other things. 

September has flown by so fast. Next month is the Halloween Carnival and, of course, Halloween. Soon after it will be Thanksgiving followed closely by Christmas...before you know it, summer will be here and the vacation frenzy begins again. I didn't believe it when I was a kid and my elders would tell me to slow down and enjoy life because the older you get, the faster time goes by. I believe it now. 

Don't wait till the summer to visit Ocracoke Island. Come now...during the beautiful fall season. Enjoy the beaches, the weather, the restaurants, the shopping, the entertainment...everything Ocracoke has to offer! 

 

        

Danny passed us by and didn't stop for a visit. That's the trouble with some of these storms. You watch and you wait and you still can't predict exactly what they are going to do. Alex in 2004 certainly surprised us! Danny didn't hold any surprises and luckily no punches either.

I did wake up in the middle of the night on Thursday to the sound of thunder. Friday morning I noticed it had rained a little. However there was no overwash. The tides weren't noticeably high. The waves were a little rough and I am sure that the danger of rip currents was high. I decided to go to the beach for a little while Friday morning. I drove across the airport ramp and chose a spot. There was a small band just offshore so I took some pictures of that, the beach and the clouds. It was pretty neat to watch the band approach and pass over us. Me and my fellow beach-goers were barely affected by it other than enjoying the beauty of it. A few fine drops of rain fell and the sun was covered for a minute or two and then it passed and the beautiful beach day resumed with barely a pause.

I snapped a few pictures with my camera and then my battery died so I took some more pictures with my phone. They didn't turn out half bad so I am including them in this blog. I hope you enjoy them.

        

I am sure many of you are wondering how Ocracoke fared with Hurricane Bill. Actually...pretty well. You wouldn't even have known that a hurricane was passing the Outer Banks a mere 450 miles offshore if you hadn't tried to get to or from the north end of the island. For most of the day Highway 12 was closed to traffic due to ocean overwash. The beaches themselves have been closed to off road vehicles since Friday night and won't reopen until conditions are safe. There is, and has been, a Red Flag warning asking that people stay out of the water due to high risk of rip currents.

At least one car was washed off the road north of the Pony Pens early in the day before the road was closed. It looks like the driver tried to go through the water and waves that had already flattened the dunes washed them right off the road. Driving through any flood water can be dangerous but when the water is still rising and waves are washing through it is especially dangerous. When your vehicle is wet with salt water it can present unexpected and dangerous situations. The salt water causes metal to rust quicker. Thus causing electronic problems, brake problems, any number of things can happen. Many people learned the hard way after Hurricane Alex in August 2004. One car parked underneath a rental house even caught on fire and burned the house down. 

Anyway...I won't go off on that subject at the moment. What I would like to do is share some pictures with you taken yesterday. Most were taken during high tide. There are pictures of the flooded highway, the ruined car and the beach. There are a couple of pictures of the "foam line", created by Bill's waves, that was pushed into the Sound by the surge from the storm. Then there are some pictures of the beach just around low tide yesterday afternoon. 

You will see that conditions did not stop people from enjoying the beach yesterday. It was actually quite a lovely day overall and other than the strong currents and big waves it was a beautiful beach day.  

Today it is cloudy and rainy but the roads are open and clear. There is still a high risk for rip currents and people are still advised to stay out of the water. The weather is supposed to clear up this week to typical "end of summer" conditions. Don't let Bill's passage stop your trip to Ocracoke Island.

Now for the oodles of photos...

Thanks to Byron Miller for these photos.


Airport Ramp






This is the parking lot just north of the Pony Pens






Foam line in the Sound from Bill


More of the foam line

Thanks to Jaren Mutro for the following pics:

























































































































The following pictures are the ones I took around low tide. The first set was taken at the beach across the airport ramp.





























This next set are some that I took at the parking lot just north of the Pony Pen.


The water was coming through the dunes just to the right of the sign. You can see
a picture of the water coming through here in a picture above.






Closer view...water came through here.


Same spot from the beach side toward the parking lot.
















Huge cloud that was part of the front that helped keep Bill away.

        

Oh my...where has the time gone? It has been so busy around here...I just realized that it has been a long time since the last blog post. In one sense that is a good thing. It means that the summer has been incredibly busy. Many were worried that the economy, combined with beach closures and less ferry runs, would mean a slower summer. That hasn't been the case. Most of the rentals have been full all summer, the shops and restaurants have been busy and the beaches have definitely been being enjoyed. I don't know if people are spending money in the shops but they are certainly visiting them.

I have been trying to spend an hour or so at the beach on my day off. I need the serenity. I find a secluded spot and relax. No noise other than the wind and the waves and the occasional bird. It feels like getting away. Where else can you find a secluded spot (such as below) on an island where there are thousands of people on vacation. If you feel social and want to be around other beach goers there are places to do that as well.

School is starting soon and that means summer is almost over. Take advantage of the summer time left and get your serenity...your beach therapy! Take a week, take a weekend, take a couple of days in the middle of the week...whatever you can get...and come on down, over or up! 

If you can't make it for a summer visit then come in the fall. The fall is actually the best time to be here. It is less crowded, everything is still open and the beaches are great.  Let the sun and the sea wash away your worries...if only for a while. Rejuvenate!

Until then...enjoy these pictures of the beach...if the pictures don't make you hungry for the beach I don't know what will...
(These photos were taken in early August)





































Don't you wish you were here?

        

I have had some people ask for information about offering assistance to the families of the victims of the July 4th fireworks explosion. I have information on where to make contributions for those of you who may be interested.

Charles Kirkland, Jr, 49, was killed in the blast.

Terry Holland, 49; Mark Hill, 21 and Lisa Simmons, 41 all died later in hospitals from injuries sustained in the blast.

Martez Holland, 27, is the only survivor. He is Terry Holland's nephew. He has severe burns over 20% of his body and has already been through at least two surgeries. The doctors say that he will eventually regain the use of both arms damaged by the blast but will have to continue to return to UNC Hospitals for the rest of his life. Emotional recovery will probably take just as long. He asks to be kept in your prayers.

The Lord's Table Church, which was attended by some of the victims, has set up a fund to benefit the families of the victims. Donations can be made by calling 919-751-8188 or by mailing checks payable to The Ocracoke Fireworks Disaster Fund.
Mail checks to:

The Ocracoke Fireworks Disaster Fund
c/o The Lord's Table
P.O.Box 11049
Goldsboro, NC 27532

        

Saturday, July 4, 2009 will probably define July 4th on Ocracoke Island for years to come. I am sure many of you have heard of the tragedy that struck here that morning.

Melrose Pyrotechnics has put on the 4th of July fireworks show for the last 2 years. This would have been their third show on Ocracoke. If you have been here for the fireworks the last couple of years then you know they were great! I posted pictures on the 4th of July blog last year. Five crew members were preparing to unload the 18 wheeler truck that was filled with fireworks for this year's show. The truck was parked in a parking lot behind the NCCAT building by the Swan Quarter/Cedar Island ferry docks. When the trailer doors were opened there was an explosion...followed by more explosions. The walls, doors and roof were blown apart as several fireworks detonated inside the trailer. The crew members, 4 men and 1 woman, were all caught directly in the blasts.

Several members of the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department were already on site. They assist each year by wetting down the grounds before set up and before the show and they are on hand in case anything happens. This year they were also eyewitnesses to tragedy. Besides the fire department several ferry employees and a couple of NCCAT employees were there and saw first hand the terrible event and the results. These people will suffer this memory for a long time to come...most likely forever. There were some minor injuries among the firemen and at least one NCCAT employee. There was also damage to some vehicles, including the van or SUV that belonged to the fireworks crew.

The fire department and other witnesses at the scene immediately sprang into action...even as shocked as they must have initially been. It was too late for one crew member who was killed in the blast but the other 4 were still alive and must have been in great pain. Assistance was immediately called for from others on the island and off island. Several visitors in the medical field on the island quickly realized the seriousness of the situation and rushed to assist. EMS and fire departments from Hatteras, Frisco and Buxton arrived as fast as they could get here.

Medical helicopters from Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC and Dare MedFlight out of Dare County also responded and flew the 4 injured crew members off the island. Two of them went to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC and two went to the burn center at the UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. Sadly, within 24 hours, 3 more crew members had passed away. The sole survivor remains in the burn center in Chapel Hill with burns over 20% of his body and is listed in fair condition.

The FBI, SBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company and a representative from Melrose Pyrotechnics came out to investigate and remove any undetonated fireworks. It was determined that it was an accident.

A news story that I read today said that all of the crew members belonged to the same church and their friends and families are absolutely devastated. Each person has their own story and I have no doubt they will all be missed by many. I know they will never be forgotten here.

These people came here planning to entertain us at the end of a day full of celebration. They planned to spend the weekend fishing and enjoying life. No one knew that fate would alter those plans in such a horrific fashion. 

The community of Ocracoke is truly in mourning for the loss of these four lives. We will keep them and their families, as well as the survivor and his family, in our thoughts, prayers and hearts and we will try to assist them all in any way we can. 

We are eternally thankful for the quick response and professional actions of all of the emergency services...firemen, EMT's, medical helicopters...all who came. You are our heroes! Thank you to those who stayed back to let these people do what needed to be done! 

The community held a prayer service on Saturday afternoon and a candle light vigil Saturday night for prayer and remembrance. The Ocracoke Olde Time Parade was postponed until Sunday, July 5th. I am sure it was a hard decision whether to even have the parade at all. In a wonderful, touching gesture it was decided to have a "Silent Parade" to memorialize the victims and to honor the people in emergency services who worked so hard. At the end of the parade, instead of the usual awarding of the prizes, there were prayers and songs. A fireman's boot was passed around to collect donations for the victim's families and for the lone survivor.

Terrible things happen every day all over the world but when something like this happens "in your own backyard" it causes much reflection. There are "what if's"..."What if I had been standing just a few feet to the left?" or "What if it happened 1 minute later...or earlier?". Reflection on how one second can change or affect so many lives and you just never know when, or if, that one second will happen. We are reminded to cherish each moment we have because you just never know. We are newly driven to let friends and family know how much we love them and how much we care. Each moment of every day is a gift and we must not take that for granted. 

In honor of the deceased:

Terry Holland
Lisa Simmons
Charles Kirkland, Jr
Mark Hill

and the survivor whose name I do not know.

 

        

Hyde County officials have stated that the Hatteras Ferry is once again running on normal schedule and Highway 12 is open. 

Currently, the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter ferry service to/from Ocracoke has temporarily ceased operations.

Our prayers go out the injured and their families. 

A heartfelt "thank you" and gratitude to the fire and medical services personnel.

        

With Independence Day on the horizon I felt compelled to write a blog regarding fireworks. I have spent a good part of the day on the internet and on the phone trying to make sure my information was correct and as up to date as possible. If you are thinking about bringing any type of pyrotechnic to Ocracoke or using any type of pyrotechnic while here...forget about it! 

IT IS ILLEGAL TO POSSESS, TRANSPORT, RECEIVE, ADVERTISE, USE, MANUFACTURE, PURCHASE, SELL, DISCHARGE (OR CAUSE TO BE DISCHARGED) ANY PYROTECHNICS ON OCRACOKE ISLAND OR THE CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE.

Back in 2002, visitors staying in a rental cottage discharged a pyrotechnic on a windy day. The conditions had been dry for a while due to lack of rain. The visitors aimed the device out over the water but the wind blew it back onto the shore into a large marsh area next to the rental house sparking a fire that very nearly took out several homes (rental houses and private homes). A large area of marsh was destroyed and took quite some time to recover. If you look in the right places you can still see evidence of that disaster to this day. Luckily, our fantastic volunteer fire department, along with many, many other residents who came to assist, was able to keep the fire from jumping the road to cause more (costly) damage. This was quite a challenge because not only were they fighting the fire...they were also fighting very strong winds. If this had happened late at night it could have been absolutely devastating.

It was a very scary day and there was much relief once the fire was out. There was also a lot of anger. It only takes a little common sense to know that you don't discharge pyrotechnics into a strong wind during a dry season. Soon after this incident an ordinance was passed banning all pyrotechnics on Ocracoke Island, including sparklers.

Why do I keep using the term pyrotechnics? Because it covers the wide range of devices included in that category...fireworks, bottle rockets, sparklers and any other type of explosives which are used for exhibitions or amusement purposes.

You will see signs all over Ocracoke and on every beach entry ramp reminding you that pyrotechnics are illegal. The close proximity of most of the homes and businesses here, the high percentage of exterior wood or wood based siding, decks, porches and patios; along with the denseness and nearness of underbrush and other vegetation, the constancy of wind and the aridness of the climate make it extremely dangerous to shoot flaming objects into the air.

Please don't think that no one will report you if decide to break this law. This is a very serious issue on Ocracoke and the entire Outer Banks. The ordinance states as follows:

A. Criminal Penalty: Any person violating this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both. Each day's violation is treated as a separate offense.

B. Civil Penalty: Any person who is found in violation of this ordinance shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 as provided in G.S. 153-A-123. Each day's violation shall be treated as a separate offense.

And don't forget that all pyrotechnics are illegal everywhere on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Violations on the Seashore are federal offenses and can result in a fine of $175 and/or a possible mandatory appearance in Federal Court. 

All pyrotechnics are illegal on Hatteras Island and in Nag's Head. There have been incidences in those areas that have resulted in house, yard and marsh fires. Beaches in those areas are also a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Finally...I just want to remind everyone one more time that ALL PYROTECHNICS, INCLUDING SPARKLERS, ARE ILLEGAL ON THE ENTIRE OUTER BANKS!! Don't take the chance! A single spark can cause a lot of heartache for a lot of people!

For your enjoyment...several areas along the Outer Banks, including Ocracoke Island, will have professional firework displays on the 4th of July...so gather with the family and friends, find a spot right for viewing and enjoy the show!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

        

 

July 4th is fast approaching and it is always a celebration on Ocracoke! There are many fun and interesting things to see and do from morning till night. It is always a little crazy here on July 4th but when it falls on a turnover day (Saturday or Sunday) it is a special challenge. Visitors who are at the end of their vacation are reluctant to leave and visitors who are just arriving are anxious to get started. If you are arriving or departing on July 4th please bear with us. The houses still have to be cleaned and maintenance performed. Getting you into your vacation home as quickly as possible is always our goal but especially on July 4th because the sooner we get your house ready for you...the sooner we can go out and enjoy the day too!

If you are arriving (or already here) on July 4th there are many things you can do until your vacation home is ready for you. Stop by our office, or most any business on the island, and pick up the agenda for the day and a walking tour map and just have fun! 

Here is the schedule for this year's Fourth Of July Celebration:

 9:00 AM---FLAG RAISING CEREMONY---School Road, School Circle
                    Ocracoke Boy Scouts

9:30 AM till Noon---33rd ANNUAL SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST---NPS "Life Guard Beach"

10:00 AM till Noon---OCRACOKE PONIES---behind Ocracoke Preservation Museum
                     National Park Service

10:00 AM till 2:00 PM---CLASSIC CARS---Lawn at Pony Island Motel pool area
                     Sponsored by Jimmy Jackson

10:00 AM till 2:00 PM---OCRACOKE LIGHTHOUSE-11TH YEAR---Open for Public Viewing
                     Your Guides--Chester Lynn & Dale Mutro
                     (walking suggested, very limited parking)

10:00 AM till 10:30 AM---THE HERD SKY DIVING TEAM---Pony Island Motel lawn
                     (time may vary due to weather conditions)

3:00 PM---OLD TIME OCRACOKE PARADE---must pre-register by 6:00 PM, July 2
        Forms available at the Post Office or Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

           CALL 252-928-6622 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Parade Route---Line up on Hwy 12-beginning just past "Jimmy's Seafood Buffet", follow Hwy 12, left onto
Lighthouse Road, right onto Creek Road, right onto Silver Lake Drive, follow road around Silver Lake Harbor
to the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum.
Entertainment and awards will follow parade.

JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ISLAND INN BALCONY

AT PARADE'S END---NPS PARKING LOT---National Anthem, Entertainment, Awards for parade entrants
                      Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

9:00 PM---FIREWORKS
NCCAT CAMPUS---(OLD COAST GUARD STATION)
(WALKING IS SUGGESTED---THE LARGE NPS PARKING AREA WILL BE BLOCKED OFF)

RAIN DATE---JULY 5TH