Follow that Star

Ocracoke Preservation all ready for the Wassail Party

*** Find the special link in our newsletter and click on it to be entered in a drawing for a Cd of your choice from Soundside Records. When you click on the link, it will bring up an email to Soundside Records . . . simply type in your name and address in the body of the newsletter, and we will let you know at our next blog if you are the winner! Congratulations to Leonard Banjoduster of Ocracoke. Last week's winners!***

Two evenings ago we stood out at the end of the Lifeguard beach walkover. The sunset had passed a few hours earlier and a brilliant array of stars now lit up the sky. The brisk temperature caused everyone to huddle close to each other -- one adventurer even suggested that everyone cluster up together in a giant ball. All stomped about in place to keep the blood flowing, excepting the kids who stayed warm by playing king of the dunes. Dave Frum with the walkie talkie reported to the group that the everything was going to happen on schedule and we could expect to see results about 8:50. As the clock ticked down, the thirty observers scanned the skies southward and then suddenly someone spotted the larger than normal star streaming across the horizon.

The space shuttle took a little over a minute to skim out of sight to the north, and in that time you could faintly make out a tail against the night if you looked at small gem of light out of the corner of your eye. Those who managed to pin the point down with their binoculars could see the tail distinctly. The shuttle blinked in and out as clouds came in between and eventually appeared to dive into the ocean to the north. Enough blowing on hands. . . let’s run for the cars and warm up our bodies dancing to the Ocracoke Rockers at Jimmy’s Garage!

On Ocracoke Island
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The Christmas season has arrived. Many Ocracoke residents write off the month of December for any practical work. There are events at least every other day. . . all worth attending. Many businesses have closed their doors by now and that makes for more reasons to celebrate community.

On December 2, the Ocracoke Library kicked off the cookie swap by showcasing Flat Cat kids musicians on the porch.


Aaron Caswell, Emma & Molly Lovejoy

Around ten different ensembles presented Christmas tunes on guitars, piano, fiddles, & bass. Fiddler Dave joined Caroline Temple and Sundae Horn on a version of `O Come All Ye Faithful.’ Molly Lovejoy and Dave also gave a rousing rendition of a baroque tune, `The King’s March,’ and a Shetland tune `Christmas Ida Mornin’ (Christmas in the Morning). Lou Castro, Marcy Brenner, Kitty Mitchell, and Leslie Gilbert were among the other community teachers that gave performances with their students. After the music was done, the cookie tables were thrown wide open. The cookie swap rules? Bring two dozen and go home with two dozen!



On the evening of December 2, Flat Cat hosted a formal community pot luck at the Ocracoke School Gym. The performers from the cookie swap gave an encore performance after a delectable dinner. Lou Castro and Jason (of the police) and others, rounded out the evening with some rock n’ roll. At the same time, the Back Porch Restaurant held its end-of-the-year employee appreciation party. . . fine wine, Mexican food (hey! Something a little different!), and footloose dancing and shenanigans.

Sunday – we took a break!

Monday, Fiddler Dave and Julie Howard played for the Methodist Ladies Christmas Dinner which was held at the Flying Melon Restaurant. Even though the Melon was not officially open, Susie O’Neal and Michael Schramel cooked up a fine meal for the ladies while Julie and Dave played through all the seasonal favorites.

On Wednesday, the Ocracoke Preservation Society lit up their Christmas Tree during the annual Wassail Party. The Flat Catters made a final community performance on the porch of the museum, and then the doors were thrown open for cookies and wassail.

Friday, December 8th we held the third annual Ocrafolk Christmas Concert at Deepwater Theater to benefit the Ocracoke Preservation Museum. Sundae Horn and the the Madri-gals kicked off the show which continued on to feature Molly Lovejoy and Fiddler Dave, Capt. Rob Temple, Philip Howard, Coyote, Molasses Creek, Roy Parsons, Aaron Caswell and Emma Lovejoy, Cynthia Mitchell, Jamie Tunnell, & Julie Howard. The evening rounded out with some carol singing and raised over $500.


Jamie Tunnell, Marcy Brenner, Noah Paley, & Lou Castro


Flat Catters


The Mitchells (Gary & Kitty Mitchell of Molasses Creek w/Cynthia Mitchell)

Finally on December 9th Jimmy’s Garage held its annual community potluck. We always like to note that Jimmy’s Garage party is the one place where everyone in the Ocracoke community comes together to celebrate. . .for no matter who you are there is only one place to get your car fixed on the island.

Now the thought of having a cover dish supper at your local mechanic’s may raise an eyebrow, but on the second Saturday Jimmy’s garage is spotless. . . and we mean fit to eat off the floor! After all the dining is done, the tables are taken outside and the Ocracoke Rockers let loose on bay # 1. The old and the young are out shaking it all until midnight!

Ocracoke School Opens the Doors on New Addition

Ribbon Cutting w/School Board Representatives and Principal George Ortman

This last Thursday, Ocracoke School officially cut the ribbon leading to the entrance of the new school addition. The new facility replaces temporary trailers that became infested with mold after flooding from the past years. The building houses eight large classrooms on two floors, and state of the art equipment . . . even an elevator! Students and teachers will move into the new rooms for the spring semester of 2007. Congratulations!


The Whole School Turned Out!

Molasses Creek to play for Ocracoke Waterman’s Association Fundraiser
Saturday, December 30th is working up to be a big fundraising day for the Ocracoke Waterman’s Association. In addition to the evening concert with Donald Davis, Molasses Creek will be providing the music for an afternoon Oyster Steam. The fun begins at 2:00 PM at the Fish House on Silver Lake Harbor (next to the Jolly Roger) and then moves to the Ocracoke Community Center for the evening performance.