Carolina Bookshelf

The Last to Vanish

In her latest novel, available July 26, New York Times bestselling author and Charlotte resident Megan Miranda tells the story of the fictional North Carolina mountain resort town of Cutter’s Pass. As the book begins, a string of unsolved disappearances that has haunted the town is once again thrust into the spotlight when investigative journalist Landon West, who was staying at an inn managed by Abigail Lovett, disappears himself. Abby has sometimes felt like an outsider within the community, but she’s come to view Cutter’s Pass as her home. When Landon’s brother Trey shows up looking for answers, Abby can’t help but feel the town closing ranks. And she’s still on the outside. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring them closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors, and even those closest to her. Hardcover, 336 pages, $27.99; e-book, $14.99 (prices may vary by retailer). simonandschuster.com Painters and Their Paintings

Nestled in the northwestern corner of North Carolina, mountainous Ashe County boasts the kind of picturesque landscapes artists dream of. A spirit of natural artistry runs deep through the county’s culture and its towns offer murals, street art and galleries and institutions like the Florence Thomas Art School. A true art destination, Ashe County is home to hundreds of painters inspired by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the New River Valley. This book showcases the talented painters of Ashe, professionals and hobbyists alike, across generations and various paint media. Works by 103 artists are represented in 415 full color images. Artists featured include Joan Stiles Bell, Wendy Morrison, R.T. Morgan, Stephen Sharpe Shoemaker and the late Florence Thomas, of the same-named art school in West Jefferson. The book’s author, Doug Munroe, is a painter and retired nurseryman. Photography enthusiast Kim Hadley handled the book’s photos and coordinated with the artists. Large format paperback, 259 pages, $40. mcfarlandbooks.com Feeding The Soul

Before Tabitha Brown, a North Carolina native, was a vegan foodie on social media sharing recipes and wisdom with millions, she was an aspiring actress, who in 2016 began struggling with undiagnosed chronic autoimmune pain. Her puzzling condition exhausted and frightened her and several doctors she consulted were unable to find what was wrong. The draining experience made her believe she wouldn’t live to see age 40, until she started listening to what her soul and her body truly needed. In her new book, she shares insights gained from her challenging physical and emotional journey and also sprinkles in several vegan recipes, including Vegan Tuna Melt and Vegan Fried Peaches and Biscuits. Rich with personal stories and inspirational quotes, Tabitha shows readers how to make a life for themselves that is rooted in nonjudgmental kindness and love, both for themselves and for others. Hardcover, 288 pages, $22.39; e-book $14.99, audio file $20.99.

harpercollins.com Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks

More than 6,000 ships have met their doom in the waters of North Carolina’s coast, and their stories weave a rich history of tragedy, drama and heroics along these picturesque beaches. Sailors have lost their lives and fortunes, and heroes have been made where the combination of mixing currents, treacherous coastline and shifting underwater sandbars have spelled disaster for even the most seasoned sailor. “Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic” recounts the intriguing stories of daring deeds, tragic failures, enduring mysteries and buried treasure. Writer James D. Charlet brings readers right on board with his colorful anecdotes. He also explains nautical terms and relates how some shipwrecks impacted American history and its politics. Charlet is an authority on the U.S. Life-Saving Service on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and is a former site manager of Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum in Rodanthe. Hardcover, 264 pages, $35; e-book $14.49.

barnesandnoble.com

Digital Extra Find more books about and from NC at carolinacountry.com/bookshelf. Prefer to support independent bookstores? You can cross-reference books and local shops where they are sold by visiting indiebound.org. Carolina Bookshelf features select books that relate to North Carolina by setting or topic or that are by NC authors. To submit a book for a possible mention, please mail a copy of the book, along with a description of its topic, purchase information and your contact information, to Carolina Bookshelf, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616.

Struck in 99.9% Fine Silver! For the First Time EVER!

First Legal-Tender Morgans in a Century! Morgans in a Century! VERY LIMITED! Sold Out at the Mint!

O PRIVY MARK

Actual size is 38.1 mm is 38.1 mm

The U.S. Mint Just Struck Morgan Silver Dollars for the First Time in 100 Years!

It’s been more than 100 years since the last Morgan Silver Dollar was struck for circulation. Morgans were the preferred currency of cowboys, ranchers and outlaws and earned a reputation as the coin that helped build the Wild West. Struck in 90% silver from 1878 to 1904, then again in 1921, these silver dollars came to be known by the name of their designer, George T. Morgan. They are one of the most revered, most-collected, vintage U.S. Silver Dollars ever.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary with Legal-Tender Morgans

Honoring the 100th anniversary of the last year they were minted, the U.S. Mint struck fi ve different versions of the Morgan in 2021, paying tribute to each of the mints that struck the coin. The coins here honor the historic New Orleans Mint, a U.S. Mint branch from 1838–1861 and again from 1879–1909. These coins, featuring an “O” privy mark, a small differentiating mark, were struck in Philadelphia since the New Orleans Mint no longer exists. These beautiful coins are different than the originals because they’re struck in 99.9% fi ne silver instead of 90% silver/10% copper, and they were struck using modern technology, serving to enhance the details of the iconic design.

Very Limited. Sold Out at the Mint!

The U.S. Mint limited the production of these gorgeous coins to just 175,000, a ridiculously low number. Not surprisingly, they sold out almost instantly! That means you need to hurry to add these bright, shiny, new legal-tender Morgan Silver Dollars with the New Orleans privy mark, struck in 99.9% PURE Silver, to your collection. Call 1-888-395-3219 to secure yours now. PLUS, you’ll receive a BONUS American Collectors Pack, valued at $25, FREE with your order. Call Collectors Pack, valued at $25, FREE with your order. Call now. These will not last! FREE SHIPPING! Limited time only. Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases. Limited time only. To learn more, call now. First call, fi rst served!

1-888-395-3219 Offer Code NSD194-02 Please mention this code when you call. GovMint.com • 1300 Corporate Center Curve, Dept. NSD194-02, Eagan, MN 55121

An Island Frozen in Time

Portsmouth Island Village delivers scenes from yesteryear

Story and photos by Leah Chester-Davis

Step onto the lone, narrow dock at Portsmouth Island, and you are greeted by a quiet peace and a small village from yesteryear that beckons you. The island has appeal for history buffs, surf fishers, and for those who simply want to revel in miles of white sandy beaches known for their shells and incredible views of the Pamlico Sound and Atlantic Ocean.

As you head from the dock and walk along a small road through scenic marshland, you’ll have the chance to wander through the village and view about 17 structures from the late 1800s and early 1900s. On any given visit, about six are open to visitors.

Treasured town North Carolina’s colonial legislature chartered Portsmouth in 1753 as a planned town. It became a bustling seaport and one of the most important on the East Coast. By the late 1700s, Portsmouth was the largest town on the Outer Banks, and it would reach its peak of nearly 700 residents by 1860. The Civil War brought changes, though, and so did shifting sands that changed the inlet to make it less accessible for large ships. As a result, other inlets gained more importance.

With the last residents leaving Portsmouth in 1971, Portsmouth Village is now part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and under the auspices of the National Park Service. It is a treasure to both North Carolina and the Nation.

Historical sights The first stop is at the Theodore and Annie Salter House, which is now the visitor center. The park service has several interpretive displays about life on the island. The General Store, with a small post office in the corner, welcomes you into a circa 1900 store and the island’s gathering place. Visit the one-room schoolhouse and imagine one teacher for eight grades. Climb the ladder in the lifesaving station to a perch with stunning views. Picture island residents gathering at the Methodist church as church bells peal. Today, visitors ring the church bells, which are about the only sounds on the island other than the whisper of the wind and birdsong.

The village is open to visitors during the spring through fall, depending on the weather. Much of that time, two park service volunteers reside on Portsmouth, most signing up for three-week stints. In late May and early June, Kathi and Glenn Dunn, of Marshallberg, make Portsmouth their home. During their temporary stays over the past seven years, they greeted day visitors, answered questions, kept the buildings swept and cleaned, mowed, and handled emergencies.

“Portsmouth picks its people,” says Kathi. “The first time I ever set foot on the dock, there was a sense of peace. I loved it. There is something about this place that grabs people, and it grabbed me. I feel the history. I feel the presence of Portsmouth more than many other places. Come prepared to experience history that you can feel.”

Getting there Portsmouth is currently only accessible via private boat or by Portsmouth Island Tours out of Ocracoke (call 252-928-4361 or 252-928-5431 for details and reservations).

Rudy Austin, a Tideland EMC board member, and his brother Donald run the tours, along with Rudy’s son, Wade. The brothers, former ferry captains, grew up on Ocracoke and started helping their father with tours in the early 1980s. On the trip over and back they share a bit of island history and slow the tour boat for photographs whenever pods of dolphins are spotted.

If you visit the island, plan on about two hours exploring the village and two hours for beachcombing. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water, walking shoes, a bag for shells and a fully charged phone for photos.

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com) specializes in food, farm and lifestyle brands and organizations.