Spring is on the Way!

Ocracoke has finally had a taste of some sweet spring weather, and not a moment too soon! The warm sunshine got island folks out in their yards and at the beach, and now that a few shops and restaurants are opening, it almost feels like the season has begun.

But before we rush into thinking it’s summer already, we still have some nice winter moments to savor.

Bathing Beauties

Some people think we’d don’t get any tourists her in the winter, but that’s because they’re only thinking about the two-legged kind. Ocracoke’s beaches are a popular winter resort area for harbor seals that come down from colder waters up north. They’re pretty shy, so you can’t get too close, but our librarian Ingeborg Frye got some great shots of this sunbathing sea critter.





Variety Show Was a Great Success



On February 27th, the Ocracoke School gym was packed as the audience eagerly awaited a special Ocracoke Variety Show sponsored by the Ocracoke United Methodist Women. Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro organized the show, Gary Mitchell ran the sound, and community members volunteered to perform, set up the lights and chairs, and provide goodies for the bake sale.

The evening began with a puppet show by Linda Garrish and her puppeteer crew including Arleen Burley and children helpers. Other performers were Martin Garriah, Aaron Caswell, Jack Willis, Melissa Garrish, Mandy Jones, Gary Mitchell, Dave Tweedie, Molly Lovejoy, Caroline Temple, Emma Lovejoy, Katie O’Neal, DeAnna Locke, Manda Collis, Lulu Perez, Sundae Horn, Jamie Tunnell, Kati Wharton, Roger Garrish, Leslie Gilbert, William Gilbert, Bob Winslow, Samantha Styron, David Styron, the Ocracoke United Methodist Youth Band and the Last Rebels of Rock.

The benefit show raised $2300 towards repairs and renovations on the Church Rec Hall. The Methodist Women are trying to raise $60,000 for the Rec Hall, and have raised nearly $40,000 so far. They hosted two Sunday dinner fundraisers at the Rec Hall this winter, which together brought in $2700.

The Methodist Women had a new roof put on the Rec Hall, and the next step is to stabilize the building with a new foundation and replace the floor. The Rec Hall building was originally part of the WWII Naval Base on Ocracoker, and was moved to the church property in the late 1940’s. It has served the community in many capacities over the years. As well as being used by the Methodist Church, the Rec Hall has also been used as a temporary classroom for the school, as a meeting place for community organizations, as a meeting place for the Catholic community, and it is rented out to the public for showers, birthday parties, and wedding receptions.


Leslie and William Gilbert


Lulu Perez


Mandy & Melissa


Ocracoke Methodist Youth Choir


Women of Ocrafolk (Sundae Horn Lead)


The Last Rebels of Rock


Roger Garrish


Samantha and David Styron


Caroline Temple, Molly Lovejoy & Fiddler Dave


Ocracoke Methodist Choir

The Ocracoke Youth Center Also Put on a Show!

On March 2, Ocracoke Youth Center presented a one-act play for children, written and directed by artist-in-residence Cynthia Mitchell and performed at the Ocracoke Community Center. "Backyard Adventure" starred 5th graders Kevin Perez, Eldon Robinson, Deana Seitz, Caroline Temple and Chris Zito, high school junior D.J. Lukefahr, and adult performer Phyllis Wall.

The players gave two performances; a matinee for the Kindergarten through 3rd grade classes, and an evening show for the community. Ruth Toth provided refreshments for a reception following the evening performance.

Ocracoke School art teacher Kitty Mitchell designed the set with the of high school students Echo Bennink, Virginia Downes, Leslie Espinoza, Cassandra Hagins, Mitchell Ibarra, Molly Lovejoy and Maddie Payne. Ocracoke shop teacher Roger Meacham and D.J. Lukefahr built the set platform and Emma Lovejoy designed the programs and posters.


DJ Lukefahr


Chris Zito, Phyllis Wall, Deanna Seitz


Kevin Perez & Caroline Temple


SHH!!

"Backyard Adventure" was made possible in part by a grant from the Beaufort Arts Council.

Ocracoke School Spirit Week and Homecoming

Homecoming week at Ocracoke School is a week of fun, culminating in the presentation of the Homecoming Court and the last high school basketball game of the season. The kids get to dress up all week – each day has a different theme – all to help get them excited about Friday night’s main event.


Superheroes


Superhairoes


Root for your favorite team!


Wait!? Are there three of them?

The festivities start at 4:30 with a hot dog sale, followed by relay races and basketball games played by the youngest Ocracoke Students. Those 3rd and 4th graders can really play some ball! The 5th – 8th grade league (two coed teams) played a close game, which was a warm-up for the 8th graders who would get another chance to play later in the evening with the high school.



Then it was time for the Homecoming Court – a chance to admire all the handsome young men and beautiful young women. Each high school girl is paired up with a boy to escort her (the teachers are the matchmakers) for the Homecoming Court presentation.



High school science teacher Jennifer Garrish introduced each couple and told a little something about them, mostly funny tidbits and inside jokes provided by the students. After the presentations, the Homecoming King and Queen, and Prince and Princess are crowned. (The entire student body gets to vote for the royal winners during school on Friday.) Everyone poses for pictures, and then it’s time to clear that floor again for the big game – Ocracoke boys v. other Ocracoke boys.

Homecoming isn’t an official conference game, but a fun community effort. High school boys who aren’t on the team suit up and play and the 8th graders get their chance to participate, too. Not to get too sappy about it or anything, but Homecoming, like the Variety Show and “Backyard Adventure,” is yet another example of Ocracoke’s smalltown spirit at its best.





What Are Your Plans For Old Quawk’s Day?

You mean you don’t know what Old Quawk’s Day is or even who Old Quawk was?

Well, time was when no O’cock waterman would go out on March 16th, in remembrance of Old Quawk. Old Quawk was an eccentric soul, who lived on Ocracoke about 200 years ago. He set out to fish his nets one day when the wind was a-gustin’ and all the other fishermen were staying safe at harbor. Quawk refused to let a little blow scare him, and, raising his fist at God in defiance, he went to sea – and never returned. March 16th was set aside as a bad luck day for fishing and sea travel, and O’cockers stayed in port even if the weather was perfect.

Here at Soundside Records, we’re not superstitious, but we’re a little bit stitious, so we think you should keep to the harbor, tell some sea stories and drink a toast to Old Quawk this Monday!
For more about this legend, check out Philip Howard’s story: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news040300.htm.

New Music From Soundside Records

Last week we promised you about John Golden’s newest CD, and here it is:



“Minstrel of the Times” by Ocrafolk Festival regular John Golden has a haunting, melancholy tone throughout. The album brings together some of John's favorite folk, Americana, and bluegrass songs. Augmented by many of John’s talented musician friends, the album brings out the best of his rich, mellow voice and folksy acoustic guitar and banjo style even if it does rather conceal his cheerful and upbeat disposition.

“Time to Learn,” written by Tim O’Brien, is a beautifully mournful song about dealing with the death of a loved one. The “high lonesome” voice of Gary Mitchell (who sings harmony throughout the CD) and exquisite fiddling of Dave Tweedie combine to make this song hard hear without having to wipe the old spectacles.

The familiar blues number “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers features the robust vocals of Katy Mitchell. John and Katy’s voices fit together well – and you’d never guess that someone so young could have a voice that sounds like thirtysome years of hard livin’. The Hugh Prestwood song “Ghost in this House,” made popular by Alison Krauss, features a hauntingly pleasing harmony by Marcy Brenner.

For a CD of sad songs, this one just about has it all from rodeos (“Saddle on the Wall”) to coal mining (“The L & N Don’t Stop Here Anymore”) to the Civil War (“Manassas in the Rain”). Pour yourself a strong one, grab a box of Kleenex and order a copy here.

Happy Holidays from us all at Soundside Records!

Everyone on Ocracoke is hanging wreaths and twinkling lights and getting into the yuletide spirit. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the village – even the lighthouse is sporting some holiday finery.

Lots of festive and fun events happen this time of year (see last week’s post for a full listing), but we’d like to give you an extra reminder about the annual Ocrafolk Christmas Concert on December 11th at 7pm at the Ocracoke Community Center. In years past, Deepwater Theater has hosted the concert and charged admission as a fundraiser for OPS. But this year it will be a free event for the whole community – and visitors, too!

If you’re on the island, come on out and enjoy seasonal entertainment provided by some of your favorite Soundside Records artists and other local talent: The MadriGals, Jamie Tunnell, Coyote, Molasses Creek, Sundae Horn, Rob Temple, Caroline Temple, Molly Lovejoy, Katie O’Neal, Ivey and Laura Belch, Baby Dee and Free Moustache, Kati Wharton, Noah Paley, April Trueblood, Cynthia Mitchell, Roger Garrish, & more!!

And in keeping with the spirit of giving, the Ocrafolk Christmas Concert organizers are offering space inside for some of our island’s non-profits to raise a little money selling refreshments.


Cindy Fiore with Christmas wreathes

Well, we promised you a review of Philip Howard’s book…

...and here it is, just in time to influence your Christmas shopping!

Since his early childhood, Philip Howard has been captivated by the stories told to him by Ocracoke friends and relatives. As a result, he has become quite an authority on the island’s history as anyone can tell you who has visited his shop, The Village Craftsmen, and chatted with him. Fifteen years ago it occurred to Philip that Ocracoke’s
trove of oral history was in danger of extinction so he began to collect stories in earnest and to write them down.

As his story-telling reputation grew, Philip became a regular feature of the Ocrafolk Opry, a summer variety show at the Deepwater Theatre where he has entertained audiences for the past several years. In 2000, he began publishing some of his tales online in his Village Craftsmen newsletter. Three years ago, he began conducting evening “ghost walks” through the village. The 90-minute walks quickly gained popularity and participants began to pressure Philip to publish the stories so they could take them home.

Last winter he began writing and the result is finally here. His book is called
Digging Up Uncle Evans: History, Ghost Tales & Stories from Ocracoke Island, and it’s available right here at Soundside Records. While the main focus of the book is ghost stories, there is a wealth of Ocracoke history and geography, as well as a scattering of interesting photographs.

The ghostly tone is set in the first chapter, “A Perplexing Dream,” which presents a mystery that subtly haunts the reader until it is resolved in the final chapter, “Digging Up Uncle Evans.”

Digging Up Uncle Evans is the perfect holiday gift for anyone who loves Ocracoke.

Speaking of perfect holiday gifts…


Ocracoke Preservation Museum is all decked out

…did we mention Soundside Records?

2008 was a great year for Soundside Records, seeing the release of three new CDs for our catalog.

The Ocrafolk Sampler IV joined the lineup this spring, and proved to be another great compilation of local and regional musicians. Perennial Ocrafolk artists Molasses Creek open the CD with “Stuff that Works” and it sets the tone for the rest of the CD – “music that works” its magic on the listener. New to the Sampler series are Katy Mitchell, Skye Zentz, Michael Stanwood, Phil Kelly, Ruth Wyand and The Barnraisers – all of whom performed in the 2008 Ocrafolk Festival.

Brothers From Another Time Fiddler Dave Tweedie and Michael Stanwood
Born of years of musical friendship, this album brings together these two musicians in a wonderful tapestry of song and tunes form the mountains of Colorado to the sandy shores of Ocracoke Island, NC. This is the album that will teach you the magic of the words “Ee Go Di Wa” and get you swaying to Fiddler Dave’s beautiful waltzes.

Live From Deepwater Theater Noah Paley, Lou Castro and Marcy Brenner
Hatteras Islander Noah Paley teamed up with the Ocracoke duo Coyote to offer a night of “Songs and the Stories Behind the Songs” and the result is this CD recorded during the 2007 Friday night shows at Deepwater Theater.

For Christmas delivery please place orders by December 15th!

With every passing year, more visitors to the Outer Banks of North Carolina take home a piece of the Ocrafolk magic through our performers’ many CDs. In our catalog you may browse performers’ recordings -- sampling as you go, or search song titles and special guest appearances on other albums. We have also identified those albums by Ocracoke residents and those produced at Gary Mitchell’s Soundside Studios. Some albums even have lyrics for those who wish to sing along!


Even the ponies are celebrating

Members of Molasses Creek play at the Harker's Island Decoy Festival

This last weekend Guitar Gary, Fiddler Dave, Lou Castro and Gerald Hampton convened in Harker's Island, NC for the annual Waterfowl Weekend. Several other performers were on hand for the celebration including Bland Simpson, the Lost Girls, Connie Mason, and a bunch of Fish House Liars (Rodney Kemp and friends). The weather was a little chilly, but still sunny enough to stand outside and eat scallop fritters and apple puppies while a group of local boatmakers created a skiff right in front of the museum. The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum is a wonderful place to visit any time of year with plenty of exhibits on hunting, carving, and Down East Culture. Find out more on their website at www.coresound.com.


Ocracoke Methodist Church

December Dining and Shopping Guide

Many Ocracoke shops and restaurants are closed for the season, but the ones that are open would sure appreciate your business! If you’re on the island, here are your dining options:

Ocracoke Pizza Company Call if you see the Open sign lit up!

Howard’s Pub Open 11am – 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. The Pub will close for the season on January 4th.

Thai Moon Carryout Open Thursday – Sunday, 11am ¬– 8pm, until December 30th. Closed Christmas Day.

Creekside Café Open through mid-December from 10am – until 7pm.

Ocracoke Station Deli (At the Texaco station) Open year round.

Jason’s Restaurant Currently closed. Will re-open December 30th serving lunch from 11:30–2:30 and dinner from 5 – 8pm.

Please note that other shops may be open – if you don’t see your favorite one on the list, please give them a call.

Deepwater Pottery and Books to Be Red Open daily 12 – 5. Open house Saturday, December 6th from 1 –4pm.

Over the Moon Hours will be posted on the door.

Village Craftsmen Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. Closed December 23rd – 25th. Open Dec. 26th until December 31st, then closed for the season.

Ocracoke Restoration Company Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Closed Sundays except for Christmas week

BW’s Surf Shop Will be open most days in December.

Tradewinds Open daily until January 4th, then closed through February.

Island Artworks Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 – 5.

The Gathering Place Open weekends in early December, and part-time hours daily from December 18th -31st. Open House Saturday, December 6th from 1pm -4pm.

Island Ragpicker Open daily at 10 am through December. Closed Christmas Day.

Zillie’s Island Pantry Open daily, Noon – 6pm, through December. Closed on December 24th and 25th. Closing at 4pm on the 31st and closed January 1st. Zillie's will be open in January and February, hours to be posted.

Secret Garden Gallery Open December 15th – 23rd (except Sunday), 10am – 6pm. Open Christmas Eve 10am – 1pm. Closed Christmas Day. Open December 26th ¬– 31st, 10am – 6pm. Closed Sundays.

Village Peddler Open most weekdays in December, and the weekend of December 20th and 21st. ¬Phone number is posted on the door – please call and they’ll open for you.

A Rather Blustery Week

As Winnie the Pooh once said, “I think today must be Wednesday, because that’s when the winds blow.”

Here on Ocracoke a strong nor’easter blew in this week. High winds were accompanied by high tides (or, as we say on Ocracoke, “hoi toides”), and by Wednesday afternoon, the ferries quit running and saltwater rose up out of the harbor and into the streets. The flooding wasn’t significant, but enough to make us wary of driving through the overwash. Traveling the Back Road proved tricky – a paddle of ducks claimed the big puddle in the middle of the road and caused a traffic jam during Ocracoke School’s lunch hour.

By Thursday afternoon, the wind had died down considerably, but Highway 12 was only open at low tide.

Rodanthe had its day in the spotlight. In an amazing coincidence, the exact spot where the ocean breeches the dunes and washes over the road in Rodanthe is the same exact spot where the movie “Nights in Rodanthe” was filmed, and at the exact moment that the film was being screened for the first time in Kill Devil Hills to an invitation-only audience, the high tide was forcing some travelers to spend an unplanned night in Rodanthe. To heap amazing coincidence upon amazing coincidence, it must be noted that a nor’easter blew in during the filming of “Nights in Rodanthe,” halting production and making the crew fear that the house they were using as set would fall into the sea. And not only that, but a pivotal scene during the movie is the storm party (complete with a Storm Party Band) that depicts the hardy folks of Hatteras Island weathering a hurricane while dancing on a pier.

Hollywood Premiere on the Outer Banks


The Knights of "Nights" (Lou Castro, Bob Zentz, Katy Mitchell, Speedy Price, Marcy Brenner, & Jule Garrish

But neither wide nor tide nor rain nor gloom of night could stop the intrepid members of the Storm Party band from attending the Outer Banks premiere of “Nights in Rodanthe” at the RC Theaters in Kill Devil Hills.

The musicians arrived in Hollywood style – by limousine, of course. They made a grande entrance into the theater (walking down the red beach towel), and were happy to see that they all got some “face time” on the big screen. According to proud dad Gary Mitchell, there was good footage of Katy singing with the band.


A Limo ride for the Stars

“The camera goes to the band several times during the scene while Richard Gere and Diane Lane are dancing. All the musicians showed up on the camera, and there was a good close-up of Jule singing. His head was twenty feet tall!” he said.

Bob Zentz came down from Norfolk to join the premier party, and he brought along the newly released “Nights in Rodanthe” soundtrack to play in the limo. They also heard the soundtrack over dinner at the Ocean Boulevard Restaurant, which kindly put it on for them.

Plans are in the works to go see “Nights in Rodanthe” again with even more folks from Ocracoke. Gary says he’ll be able to pay better attention to the plot the second time around.


Mobbed by paparazzi (Ocracoke Observer's Jamie Tunnell)

“It’s hard to judge the movie when you’re watching it for the Outer Banks scenery or to see people you know. I was really just looking for Katy.”

The “Nights in Rodanthe” soundtrack will be available by October 3rd at Village Craftsmen on Ocracoke, and all sorts of albums from theses musicians can of course be found at www.soundsiderecords.com

The Band With No Name


Fiddler Dave, Lou Castro, Marcy Brenner, Gary Mitchell

Marcy Brenner, Lou Castro, David Tweedie and Gary Mitchell have been playing all summer at the Jolly Roger and Howard’s Pub, using the rather unwieldy band name of “Marcy, Lou, David and Gary.” Kitty Mitchell calls them “MuLeDoG” but she’s not the only one to come up with a suggestion. Local writer Jamie Tunnell likes “Nuts and Honey” and I’m pulling for “Marcy and the TestosterTones.” Whatever you call them, you’ll enjoy their blend of fiddle tunes, country ballads (Marcy’s rendition of “Jolene” is not-to-be-missed) and bluegrass favorites. Come out and see them at Howard’s Pub on Friday, October 10th! Listen to Molasses Creek(Gary & Kitty Mitchel & Fiddler Dave) and Coyote (Marcy Brenner & Lou Castro) here!


Fiddler Dave and Lou jam it up (or ham?)

The Turtle with Three Names



Amy’s sculpture class completed the painting of their sea turtle sculpture and christened him with Paco Poochie Boris. Rumor has it that the next addition to the Ocracoke Youth Center sculpture garden will be a surf fisherman!

The Quilting News


The Ocracoke quilters sampler quilt for the WWA raffle

The Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club are close to completing a sampler quilt to be donated to the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association for a fundraiser. Fish, fishermen, boats, seashells, lighthouses, pelicans, ducks – even an embroidered pound net – have all found a place in the latest work of art from the quilters. When raffle tickets become available, we’ll let you know!

Amy Howard recently presented a small Ocracoke Cracker quilt to little Charlotte Castro, who’s mama, Marcy Brenner, is also a quilter. Each block was pieced by a member of the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club, and then Amy put it all together and finished the quilting and binding.


Marcy, baby Charlotte, & Amy

The Ocracoke Cracker pattern is believed to be unique to Ocracoke. It’s a variation on the traditional cracker, with a twist. Of the four strips in the block one of the middle strips must be red, and the placement of the red strip determines how the quilt is assembled. For Charlotte, the quilters started a new tradition and made the red strip pink – pink for baby girls and for breast cancer awareness.

Fall Is Heading Our Way!

Weekly happenings gathered by our roving reporter. . .
Sundae Horn

Ocracoke Featured in Our State Magazine



The October issue of Our State magazine (www.ourstate.com) has not one, but two articles about Ocracoke! Of course, all Tarheels and O’cockers love Our State magazine, and never more so than when they recognize and celebrate how wonderful our little island is.

An article about Ghost Walks all around North Carolina couldn’t have been complete without a mention of Philip Howard. Philip is a raconteur extraordinaire who collects Ocracoke stories and folklore, which he shares on stage at the Ocrafolk Opry, online in his Ocracoke newsletter, and on the streets during his Ghost and History Walking Tours of the village. Learn about Old Diver and Mad Mag Howard and poor Alice O’Neal, shipwrecks and prophetic dreams and haunted inns. Amy Howard, who inherited her father’s gift of gab, also takes a turn each week at leading the tours. If you’re planning to be on Ocracoke in September or October, please call ahead (252-928-6300) to check the off-season schedule for the Ghost Walks.

Speaking of yours truly, the other article in this month’s issue is called “Camp Creative,” written by me about the Ocrafolk School. Our State sent a photographer to the first folk school and, as is usual for Our State, the incredible photography tells the story so well that the words are superfluous. (My favorite photo? I just loved seeing Captain Rob’s baldhead shining in the glow of the campfire.)

The October issue of Our State just hit the newsstands (available on the island at The Variety Store and Books to Be Red), and will no doubt sell like hotcakes, so get your copy today!

Ocracoke Musicians and Artists Out and About in the Community

Guitar Gary doesn’t just play music and record other musicians playing music at Soundside Studios, he also serves on the volunteer board of the Ocracoke Community Center. This week the board members (Tom Pahl, Nancy Leach, Lyn Buchanan, and Gary) organized a big project day, and checked several things off their to-do list for the building.


Gary Mitchell and Tom Pahl install the new Commnity Center sign

Gary and Tom hung a new sign on the building’s exterior, which can be used to announce meetings and events. The board also fixed and painted and cleaned until the place shone, complementing the renovations that have been done over the last few months including a new entryway, new ceiling, and improvements to the stage.


Ocracoke Community Center interior

The Ocracoke Community Center is owned by Hyde County and supported by Ocracoke Occupancy Tax funds, and by the revenue it generates from rental fees. The building is open for free use to any Ocracoke non-profit group, and it’s available to rent for parties, wedding receptions, and other events by calling 252-928-3162.


Ah! A hard day's work comes to an end

The Ocrafolk Festival Fundraising concerts at Thanksgiving and Easter, and some of the Ocrafolk Festival events are held at the Community Center. So, if you’ve been to a show there before, be sure to notice the improvements next time you’re here and let Gary know how great the place looks.


Fiddler Dave Tweedie and Captain Rob Temple sing a chantey

Captain Rob Scares Some Small Fry

To celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th in his own nefarious way, Captain Rob Temple steered a course to Ocracoke Child Care and gave the little kiddies a nautical lecture on piratical practices. After they warmed up to him, the tots learned the Pirate’s Alphabet (“Aye!” and “Aargh!”) and danced to the Pirate Song. If you hear a three year-old calling for his grog, you’ll know he’s one of Captain Rob’s mateys.


Really now. . .who is the most frightening?!

Fiddler Dave Vistis Pre-K for “F” week

The Ocracoke School pre-Kindergarten class was learning all about the letter “F” this week. Dave volunteered to help the kids come up with some benign “F” words -– like Fiddle!


Fiddler Dave with son Lachlan (now in Pre-K)

Amy’s Sea Turtle Sculpture Class Adds to OYC Beach Scene


Amy Howard and students at work on the sea turtle

Amy Howard taught another sculpture class this week for the Ocracoke Youth Center, and this time the kids helped her create a sea turtle for the Beach Scene Sculpture Garden on Hwy. 12.



It all started with a surfer – Herbie Creampuff, to be precise. Then he needed a lifeguard to flirt with


What a cutie!

and some dolphins to ride waves with… and now the Youth Center’s front yard is one of Ocracoke’s most interesting roadside attractions. The sculptures hold up amazingly well in the wind and rain, and get occasional little touch-up paint jobs.



Herbie went AWOL overnight this summer, and came back as sneakily as he left. We assume he was kidnapped and taken to a wild island party, but he’ll never tell.

Amy provides the basic sculpture form, and then the kids add the plaster strips and make it sturdy. The next day they get to come back and paint and decorate their creation. It’s all good, messy fun!


Herbie Creampuff and the dolphin

Deepwater Theater & Music Hall Unveils Its New Website!
Over the last couple of months, those Molasses Creek folks have been working on a new website for their Deepwater Theater. The site features all the different activities that take place at Deepwater Theater throughout the summer season as well as the rest of the year. In addition to Molasses Creek, Ocrafolk Opry, Coyote and Noah Paley, and Rumgagger Pirate Shows, the island theater is also an art gallery for the work of Kitty Mitchell of Molasses Creek, hosts Yoga classes, the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club (Quilting), Youth Center Movies, rental options, and a variety of workshops and activites in the off season. Visit the site at www.deepwatertheater.com