Flooding at Ocracoke School
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Allow us a moment to wring out our turkeys and we will spin ya a wet and wild tale of this last week’s Thanksgiving! Under normal circumstances November’s celebrations on Ocracoke bring a large following from off-island. Folks trickle in slowly at first during Thanksgiving week and then traffic builds up momentum on Wednesday as visitors pour in for Thursday and Friday.
As Friday November 17th rolled around, we began to hear rustlings from the weather advisors of a front predicted to impact the island Monday-Wednesday of the upcoming week. Some residents cancelled appointments up-the-beach for fear that the ferries might stop running and others scurried around securing items in undersheds in case of rising flood waters. Those who planned to spend Thanksgiving off the island left early Monday evening to beat the storm. A wise move as it turned out.
Late Monday night the front moved in bringing with it high winds and rising tide waters. By Tuesday, even the Hatteras Island ferry link had ceased operations as ferry workers secured the boats and hunkered down for the storm. Later that morning wader boots sprung back into fashion as the squall began to raise water levels into the village and residents moved their cars to high ground near the Island Inn and the National Park Service visitor center.
Pelicans taking a rest
No emergency weather evacuation had been called, so some visitors who arrived on the island over the weekend were able to experience the fun of an Ocracoke winter storm first hand. Most residents chose to hole up in their homes and wait out the weather, although a few ventured out on bikes or trucks.
You can usually tell a local from a visitor by the way in which they tackle the foot of water that sits in the middle of the road. A resident takes it very slowly because they know that the flood is not accumulated rainwater but salt water from the rising levels of the sound. The uninitiated take the opportunity to sport their 4-wheel-drive and plow through the current, giving their vehicle a liberal coating into every nook and cranny. In about a year they will discover their mistake.
On the Back Road of Ocracoke
The 3-day storm ground down on the sand dunes north of the Pony Pen and the ocean breached several dune spots on Hatteras Island. . .the seriousness of the flooding varying with the tides. Some visitors made it as far as Hatteras village near the Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry and were forced to sit tight waiting for the ferry to make a run. Power to the village was sporadic Tuesday through Thursday (although better supplied to Ocracoke than Hatteras because of the generator). Electricity was out most of Tuesday evening and on and off on Wednesday. Even though the storm abated on Wednesday, access to the island was limited to residents while officials assessed the damage. Ocracoke village was back on main power by Thursday morning except for a two hour morning break in the power (we rubbed a lot of sticks together to keep the turkeys warm).
By Thanksgiving, most of the sand had been cleared from Highway 12 and traffic was again flowing freely. The ferries filled up, ready to bring folks back to the island. Although there was a bit of flooding around town, the village of Ocracoke sustained no damage aside from the financial strike on one of the last big tourism weeks of the year.
Nothin' can stop the Thanksgiving oysters!
On Ocracoke Island
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Acoustic Flat Cat at Deepwater Theater
(Photos courtesy of Jamie Tunnell)
The Flat Cat Café moved to Deepwater Theater for an all-acoustic session on Friday November 17th. For those not familiar with the event, the Flat Cat Café is an Ocracoke student run (and named) open-mike anything-goes performance club. A wide variety of Ocracoke students performed, ranging in age from first grader Sam Marinace (joined by his mother Caroline playing a fantastic duet on piano) to high school guitar wizard, Aaron Caswell. The Pep Band did a rousing rendition of John Fogarty's "Down on the Corner" and 11th grader Emma Lovejoy played a flute duet with her sister Molly on violin/fiddle. Several of Miss Jeanie's piano students played their songs as well. A few of the community's adult musicians added a tune or two including Molasses Creek with Lou Castro and Abner the dog. The percussion class rounded out the night with some joyful noise.
Molasses Creek with Lou Castro
Keeping the Village Clean for Everyone
The residents of Ocracoke love island visitors for their stories as well as the financial assistance that they bring to the local economy. Villagers also recognize that a community effort is needed to keep Ocracoke a neat and tidy, trash-free environment. Twice a year the Ocracoke Preservation Society rounds up local folks for a litter pickup that scours the town for the bits of debris that gather at sides of streets and paths. Most of Ocracoke’s guests are very aware, appreciative, and protective of the natural beauty of the island. But even most honorable boyscout can have a candy wrapper whipped from their hands during a blustery blow. Last Saturday (the 18th), citizens gathered at the Ocracoke Methodist Church on School Road for a sunny day of tidying up.
In addition to the Preservation cleaning, there is also holds a beach sweep every year organized by Howard Bennink. Portions of Highway 12 are also maintained by local businesses and organizations. Traveling into town, you may notice that Deepwater Theater and The Ocrafolk Opry have just adopted a portion of highway 12 from Molasses Creek to the Ocracoke Campground.
Ocrafolk Festival Thanksgiving Fundraiser
Friday, November 24th we held our annual Ocrafolk Festival Thanksgiving Fundraiser at the Ocracoke Community Center. Performers came from on and off the island to join in the celebration. Acts included Coyote, Capt. Rob and Sundae and daughter Caroline, Kevin Hardy, Martin Garrish, Aaron Caswell, John Golden, Molasses Creek, Katy Mitchell, Cheryl Roberts, Jamie Tunnell, Roy Parsons, Catesby Jones, and Donald Davis. Jef the Mime kicked off the evening with some pre-show shenanigans and then introduced the whole crew playing the traditional square dance tune of Redwing. To accompany the fine music, some of the island’s best bakers were out in force to lend a hand. With tasty treat and fine coffee from the Ocracoke Coffee Company the evening was a rousing success, netting over $2500 for next June’s Ocrafolk Festival. Thanks to all the performers, volunteers, and contributors!
Capt. Rob and Sundae with Coyote backup
Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro
Martin Garrish with friends
Donald Davis
Roy Parsons
Lou Castro and young Aaron Caswell
Back Porch Restaurant wraps up the Season
Thanksgiving means not only wonderful food at Thanksgiving potlucks but also the last chance of the year to partake in a gorgeous meal at the Back Porch Restaurant. Owner Daphne Bennink stays open every year up to Thanksgiving weekend, and then sounds the retreat, calling all staff members to batten down the hatches until spring. Diners came out this last weekend for a last taste of crab beignets, bourbon pecan chicken, vietnamese lime fish, steak au poivre. Hmm! It can be a long winter.
Donald Davis to Give a Fundraising Benefit for the Ocracoke Waterman’s Association
If you are heading to the island for New Years Eve, make sure to arrive early enough to attend a storytelling benefit concert for the newly founded Ocracoke Waterman’s Association given by Donald Davis. The event will be on Saturday, December 30th at 7:00 PM at the Ocracoke Community Center. Tickets will be available at the door.
Here are the upcoming events
December 2 -- Ocracoke Christmas Cookie Swap, Ocracoke Library, 10 AM.
December 6 -- Ocracoke Preservation Society Christmas Tree Lighting and Wassail Party, Ocracoke Preservation Society, 5-7 PM.
December 8 -- Ocrafolk Opry Christmas Concert Fundraiser for the Ocracoke Preservation Society, 7:30 PM, Deepwater Theater, Ocracoke Island, NC.
December 30 -- Donald Davis Storytelling Benefit for the Ocracoke Waterman's Association. Ocracoke Community Center. 7 PM.
January 20, 2007 – CoastalFolk performance with John Golden in Wilmington. Details TBA.
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