A new Christmas Tree at the Ocracoke Methodist Church
Christmas has been wonderful on the Ocracoke this year. The breezy week brought a mix of rain (good for afternoons with hot tea), and sunshine (excellent for beach and village walks) and although some days have had a bit of a nip in the air, the temperatures have been mild for the most part. Half of our island friends traveled away for the holidays and the other half imported their families for Christmas. Here’s some of what happened!
On Island
Fiddler Dave, Amy, toddler Lachlan, Philip Howard and sweetheart Lou Ann, Julie Howard and Gary Coy, and Fiddler Dave’s parents Pat and Steve all gathered for the holiday, sharing many fine meals (still continuing) and game evenings of Boulderdash, Puzzling, and Werewolf.
The Mexican community on the island celebrated Las Posadas with a candlelit procession around the village bearing a cresch. The event honors Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. On Christmas Eve they also hosted a party and dance at the Ocracoke Community Center.
Ocracoke Methodist Church decked out for Christmas
Also on Christmas Eve, Fiddler Dave and Julie Howard joined the children’s Christmas program at the Ocracoke Methodist Church, an event that brought out most of the island community. A sparkling evergreen graced the front of the church while Marcy Brenner of Coyote directed the children in a entertaining Christmas pageant.
Christmas morning came bright and early as everyone gathered at Grandma Julie and Faux-Pa’s (Gary) house for stockings. Then the pilgrimage continued to Philip Howard’s for breakfast and presents. Young Lachlan Howard enjoyed his first conscious Christmas although the wrapping paper and boxes were still the major draw for the 16-month-old.
Christmas celebrations at Philip Howard's House
Gary and Kitty Mitchell returned from family travels to parents’ houses in Burlington and Pennsylvania late on Christmas Eve, and gathered with Lou and Marcy of Coyote and Cynthia Mitchell and friends for Christmas dinner out in Jackson Tract.
We have managed to squeeze in pot lucks almost every night in between Christmas and New Year’s at various locations around the village. This week offers Ocracoke residents some respite from work and guilt about not working. A few visitors have arrived the week after Christmas to come and celebrate with the Ocracoke Rockers on New Year’s Eve at the Ocracoke Community Center.
Jubal Creech came to Ocracoke for Christmas to spend time with Donald and Merle Davis and also to record his “Night Before Christmas” at Soundside Studio and practice with Molasses Creek for First Night Raleigh.
On Thursday, Molasses Creek gathered at Soundside Studio for an interview with George Olson a Public Radio East about their brand new album “Strangest Dream.” Public Radio East is helping to sponsor Molasses Creek’s performance at First Night Raleigh this year!
Friday morning, our fair Molasses crew will catch the early Cedar Island Ferry for the Triangle in preparations for Saturday’s three performances.
Off Island
Molasses Creek will be giving three performances at First Night Raleigh on Saturday night. Joining Gary, Kitty, Katy, and Fiddler Dave are Gerald Hampton on mandolin, Jubal Creech on percussion, and Michael Stanwood on autoharp, didgeradoo, and assorted instruments. There will be a 5:00 PM show as part of the children’s celebration and then back to back shows at 8:00 and 9:00 PM.
All shows are at the NC Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh. For a full schedule of events at First Night Raleigh, to by your admission button online and for directions visit http://www.artsplosure.org/firstnightraleigh/2006/. Hope to see you there!
