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Inside This Issue your life on the Crystal Coast
13 Outer Banks Wildlife: The Great Northern Diver It’s that chilly time of year when one of the world’s oldest and most primitive (and recognizably beautiful) birds passes through—the loon.
14 Carteret Local Food Network Offers Cooking Classes Learn new skills, creative meal ideas and healthy
13
WILDLIFE SHELTER: The Great Northern Diver
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February / March
H 2020
t stal Coas on the Cry your life
ON THIS MONTH’S COVER
Unique STEAM ng Traini t County
In Cartere
Don’t Be, Stupid Cupid
OWLS:
THINGS IDE ON
LOOK INS
E
FUN & FRE
TO DO
FOR PAGE 8
The Greatn Northerer Div
Talented local photographer Casey Futrell provided this month’s cover image of fun and romance. Please visit her online at caseyfutrellphotography.com!
cooking options, as well as creative ways to incorporate our local produce and meats into your menus. Classes filling up quickly!
15 Unique Steam Training in Carteret County Local non-profit the Merrow Foundation has
partnered with internationals to create a NC chapter of SCUBAnauts, offering local teens a hands-on way to learn about marine science.
16 Ask the Aquarium: Whales Want to know more about which whales you have a chance at spotting in our coastal waters? Flip ahead to page 16 and find out.
19 Don’t Be Stupid, Cupid A hilarious bit of advice for guys on Valentine’s Day. (Hint: do not shop at a gas station.)
LOCAL INTEREST
Things To Do................................................ 8 15 STEAM TRAINING A unique opportunity for our community teens.
16 ASK THE AQUARIUM Find out which of the great whales you’re likely to see here.
Rebecca’s Corner. . ....................................... 14 A Moment of Reflection. . ............................... 18 Hooked Up Fishing..................................... 23 Diving Our Coast.. ....................................... 20 Tides. . ........................................................ 21
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A Winter Visit from the Beautiful Snowbird
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THINGS TO DO
FEBRUARY 9
Seaside Sensory Fun Day at the Aquarium at PKS
FEBRUARY 15
VALENTINE’S SPAGHETTI
Dinner Youth Fundraiser at Life Point Church of Newport. Tickets available at Life Point Church or via email. Fun interactive games with your phone, plus prizes.
This will be a day of discovery designed for children and adults living with autism and their families. Explore the aquarium using your senses. Activities will include nature walks (weather permitting), live animal programs, a sensory exploration room, a “quiet” dive program, calm space for families, guest guide passports and local autism support organizations. Space is limited for our nature walk and live animal programs. Families will be able to register for the nature walks and live animal programs on the day of this event. Free with aquarium admission. The 36-foot-tall smoky mountain waterfall will be turned off during this special day! Location: 1 Roosevelt Drive, Pine Knoll Shores. Contact: 252-247-4003. FEBRUARY 9
Coastal Craft Series: A Sailor’s Valentine
Are you looking for some ideas of what to do with some of your beach findings you have been collecting over the years? Come out to Hammocks Beach State Park for this monthly series. You will get a chance to build your own craft to take home! Registration is required by calling 910-3264881. Location: 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro. FEBRUARY 9
FEBRUARY 20
AQUARIUM HOMESCHOOL
Birds of a Feather series for homeschool children grades K–2 at the aquarium, held 9:30–11 a.m. Cost is $6 per student, maximum of 20 per session.
BHA Early Valentine’s Day Membership Party
The Beaufort Historic Site is open with a variety of food and drink in every building for current and prospective members to explore and celebrate Valentine’s Day (a little early). Guests can learn more about how the BHA uses membership dollars to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Beaufort and Carteret County. All are encouraged to visit the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery during this time for Heather Sink’s art show. This event is FREE to the general public. For more information visit www. beauforthistoricsite.org, call 252-728-5225 or stop in at the Beaufort Historic Site Welcome Center, 130 Turner Street. FEBRUARY 10
Bird Hike at Fort Macon
✪ FEBRUARY 21
STARGAZING AT THE FORT
Meet at the bathhouse at 6 p.m. at Fort Macon to view space through a telescope and learn more about the Universe. For information call 252-726-2497. 8
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MID–FEBRUARY TO MID–MARCH
Meet at the Visitor Center at 9 a.m. and take a leisurely hike to identify birds native to the area. Location: Fort Macon State Park (2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach). Contact: 252-7262497. FEBRUARY 12, 19, 26
Musket Firing Demonstration at Fort Macon
Learn about a Civil War Era musket’s history, loading procedures and firing. Meet in the fort at 10 a.m. Fort Macon State Park (2303 East Fort
CAROLINA SALT February / March 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
Macon Road, Atlantic Beach). Contact: 252-7262497. FEBRUARY 13
Sea Glass Resin Art Class
Join us at the Swansboro Recreation Center for a Sea Glass Resin Art class taught by instructor Carla Paschal from The Wild Child Art Studio on Thursday, February 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Must be 13 or older. Registration fee is $60 per individual. Register at swansboro.recdesk.com or by calling 910-326-2600 or in person at the Swansboro Recreation Center. FEBRUARY 13–14
Down East Folk Arts Society: Aaron Burdette in Concert
In keeping with our mission “To Build Community Through Music,” the Down East Folk Arts Society will once again be bringing world-class singer/ songwriters to Craven County and the Crystal Coast of North Carolina this winter. We are pleased to announce our 2020 winter concert series which runs through March. Featured February artist Aaron Burdette grew up in Saluda, North Carolina. He attended the renowned Governor’s School of North Carolina for choral music. Influenced by the music of Cat Stevens, the Grateful Dead, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Norman Blake, Led Zeppelin and David Grier, he performed extensively in Boone. His life travels took him across the country where he worked as a hand on various farms and ranches. His music has grown out of those working experiences. He has released seven albums to critical acclaim. WNC Magazine has listed him as one of western NC’s most important musicians, alongside such greats as Doc Watson, the Steep Canyon Rangers and The Avett Brothers. He has won Our State Magazine’s Carolina Songs competition, the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest and has placed in the MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, among others. Location: 425 Front Street, Beaufort. Contact: 252-646-4657. FEBRUARY 14
Free Flick Friday: A Charlie Brown Valentine
Free and open to the public, children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drink for $1. Please bring chairs and or blankets, no outside beverages or snacks. Location: 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle. Contact: 252-354-6350. FEBRUARY 15
Onesie Pub Crawl and Bike Auction
Join us for the Onesie Pub Crawl and Bike Auction starting at 2 p.m. with proceeds benefitting Love on a Leash—Coastal Carolina Pet Provided Therapy. Customize a bike for the cause! We will need individuals, groups or businesses to decorate bikes with a favorite theme for our auction. Adams Beverage will provide the bike and you provide
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MID–FEBRUARY TO MID–MARCH
the creativity. We will be auctioning each bike at the pub crawl with the proceeds going to Love on a Leash. Please let us know if you would like to customize a bike! Send us a message on Facebook @ Jack’s Waterfront Bar! Location: Jack’s Waterfront Bar, 513 Evans Street, Morehead City. FEBRUARY 15
Seaside Arts Council Presents: Tim Carter Band Tim Carter, the banjo-playing half of the Carter Brothers Band, brings his unique blend of blues and bluegrass to Swansboro. The Tim Carter Band is made up of Tim and three veteran Nashville musicians. Scearce and Ketner, two early members of the Carter Brothers Band and longtime local favorites, will open. At Swansboro Town Hall. For tickets and more information visit www.seasideartscouncil.com FEBRUARY 15
Valentines Spaghetti Dinner Youth Fundraiser
Enjoy a nice romantic spaghetti and meatball dinner with salad, drink and desert. Just like the movie Lady and the Tramp, but different... a lot different! Fun interactive games (bring your smartphone) and prizes to be given. Just a great wholesome event to help fund the LifePoint Youth activities for 2020. Tickets available Sundays at LifePoint Church or by emailing lifepointchurch14@gmail.com where we can get those tix to you. No pay-at-the-door as we use the ticket sales to determine how many fru-fru plates, napkins and cups to purchase. This is a sit-down dinner with youth service staff. Make checks payable to LifePoint Church of Newport and put Youth Fundraiser in the note field. Location: Life Point Church, 5058 Hwy 70 West, Morehead City. Contact: lifepointchurch14@gmail.com FEBRUARY 16
Theatre Trip: Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance
Swansboro Parks and Recreation will be providing transportation and tickets to Wilson Center’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance in Wilmington. Registration is $70 per person. Check in will be at 12:50 p.m. at the
Recreation Center (830 Main St Ext) We will be departing at 1 p.m. for a 3 p.m. showing. No unaccompanied minors. Call 910-326-2600 for more information. FEBRUARY 17
Missoula Children’s Theatre Auditions: The Emperor’s New Clothes There is no limit to the number of children who may audition and every child at the audition has an equal chance of being cast. The audition will be conducted by the two MCT Tour Actor/ Directors (TADs) who will choose a cast of 5060 children. If more than 60 children audition, not all of the children auditioning will receive a part. Roles will be announced at the end of the audition. Location: West Carteret High School, 4700 Country Club Rd, Morehead City. Contact: 252-497-8919. FEBRUARY 17
Fellowship Night 6:30–7:30PM This program welcomes adults of all
abilities to come together for a fun evening with a rotating theme or activity scheduled every month. This program is geared towards adults with special needs and will be held once a month as an after dinner/evening group. We extend this invitation to anyone who is in their senior year of high school and above. Location: Town of Swansboro Recreation Center (830 Main St Ext) Contact: 910-326-2600 for more information. FEBRUARY 19
THINGS TO DO
FEBRUARY 20
Natural Side of Fort Macon
Meet in the Visitor Center lobby at 10 a.m. for a leisurely hike exploring the natural side of Fort Macon. Hike will cover both trail and beach. Location: Fort Macon State Park (2303 E. Fort Macon Rd.) Contact: 252-726-2497 FEBRUARY 20
Aquarium Homeschool Series: Birds of a Feather
A new monthly series for homeschool children grades K–2! A chance to learn with hands-on activities and meet other homeschool children. Held 9:30–11 a.m. and is $6 per student with a maximum of 20 students per session. The new program gives children a chance to learn in a classroom setting with hands on activities and experiments. The aquarium will use our space and the surrounding environment to foster an appreciation of our natural world through animal encounters, outdoor activities, scavenger hunts, etc. The series is based on the nature and connection concepts: Nature is valuable and needs to be protected. All animals, environment and people are connected and affected by one another. Each is also up to North Carolina academic standards. Location: NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores (1 Roosevelt Blvd. Pine Knoll Shores) FEBRUARY 21
Stargazing at the Fort
Meet at the bathhouse at 6 p.m. to view space through a telescope and learn more about our Universe. Location: Fort Macon State Park (2303 E. Fort Macon Rd.) Contact: 252-726-2497 FEBRUARY 21
Empty Bowls Fundraiser Its almost time for the 17th annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser! Empty Bowls is a great opportunity to get a handmade piece of pottery by a local artist and two delicious bowls of soup from local area restaurants. This years event will benefit Hope Mission, Martha’s Mission and Backpack Friends! Tickets are $20 and on sale now at Hope Mission Thrift Store, Webb Memorial Public Library, Beaufort Pet Provisions and The Gym at Cape Carteret. Location: 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. Contact 252-240-2359.
Reagan Rally with C.L Bryant and Catered Meal
This year’s Reagan Rally will feature C.L. Bryant as the guest Speaker. Mr. Bryant is a Senior Fellow with FreedomWorks and is considered one of the best orators of our time. You don’t want to miss this! Early bird registration is $50 (gratuity and tax included) per person if received by February 14. Choose a delicious Pork Roulade (stuffed pork tenderloin with portabella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic and green onions, Dijon cream sauce), Grilled Salmon
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THINGS TO DO
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(with orange butter glaze) or Chicken Piccata (panseared chicken breast medallions smothered in a light, fresh lemon-butter sauce with capers and parsley). All meals will include a salad, rice pilaf, green beans almondine, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee, tea and water. There will also be a cash bar available We will have a silent auction and 50/50 drawing as well. For information please contact the Crystal Coast Country Club. Location: Crystal Coast Country Club (152 Oakleaf Dr, Pine Knoll Shores) FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 21
COOK WITH YOUR KIDS: RAVIOLI
Learn to make ravioli from scratch with your child at Swansboro Recreation Center. Cost is $20 with one child ($5 for additional child). For information call 910-326-2600.
Cook with your Kids: Ravioli
Holy moly let’s make some ravioli! Spend your evening in the kitchen with your child as we prepare ravioli from scratch! You will learn how to go from dough to done and sit down and share a nice meal when it is over. This class will be suitable for children of all ages. Registration for one adult and one child is $20 ($5 for one additional child). You and your child will be working together as a team on this one. Please note that if you have a food allergy be mindful when registering we will be using dairy, wheat, eggs and possibly tree nut items. No unaccompanied minors allowed. Ending time of class is subjective. For more information, call 910-326-2600 or come by the Swansboro Recreation Center, 830 Main St. Ext. You may visit us online at swansboro.recdesk.com.
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FEBRUARY 22
Mardi Gras on Middle Lane ✪ FEBRUARY 22
MARDI GRAS ON MIDDLE LANE
Middle Lane in Beaufort hosts an exciting Mardi Gras experience full of Cajun music and jazz, with a parade of krewes in costume tossing jewelry and charms. Bring the kids!
If you’ve never been to a Mardi Gras Celebration for Fat Tuesday, the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the fasting of the Lenten season; try out an entertaining afternoon in Beaufort. Enjoy an afternoon street carnival filled with Cajun music and jazz! There will even be a parade of “krewes” in costume tossing jewelry and charms for everyone. Bring the kids along for the face painting and mask making experience under the tents. Challenge your “krewe” to a round of boules or cornhole in the gaming area. Gather your friends in a costumed “krewe” and parade Middle Lane in competition for prizes at 3 p.m. Mardi Gras on Middle Lane is a free event and is presented by Beaufort Development Association, in conjunction with Middle Lane businesses. For more information about this event contact Liz Kopf at lizkopf@gmail.com or 252-728-7108 for more details or to participate with your “krewe.” Visit the official website for Beaufort Development Association at www.beaufortnc.com. Location: Middle Lane, Beaufort. Contact: 252-728-7108 FEBRUARY 22
✪ FEBRUARY 26
CARD AND GAMES PARTY
at the Emerald Isle Garden Club. An afternoon of fun and fellowship playing card and board games at the Emerald Isle Community Center. Ticketed.
Crystal Ball at the Civic Center
This year’s Crystal Ball will be held at The Crystal Coast Civic Center. The dress code is cocktail attire and the event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. The Bounce Party Band will be playing and promises great music and dancing! Tickets are $60 per person. Contact the Chamber with any questions by calling 252-726-6350. Tickets can be purchased
10 CAROLINA SALT February / March 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
online or by calling or visiting the Chamber during regular business hours. For more information and tickets visit www.nccoastchamber.com
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FEBRUARY 22
Making Primitive Fire at Hammocks Beach State Park
Humans have been making fire for thousands of years. It is an essential survival tool used to boil water, cook food, even to make heat to keep warm! You will hear about how to gather the right type of materials to make a good fire and the actual process of making a primitive fire using a bow drill. Now doesn’t that spark your curiosity! Contact: 910-326-4881. Location: 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro. FEBRUARY 25
Emeral Isle Parrot Heads PHat Tuesday Masquerade Party
The Emerald Isle Parrot Heads present the first annual PHat Tuesday Masquerade party at 34° North. The evening will be filled with food, fun and even a costume contest for the best mask with cash and prizes. Smokin’ Joe’s will be here with a totally custom cajun menu for the evening. There will be a $5 cover charge and 100% of the proceeds will go to charity. Party with a purpose!! Open to the public! Location: 1106 Cedar Point Blvd, Cedar Point. FEBRUARY 25
Escoffier Chef Dinner Series: Chef Anthony Garnett
The popular dinner series is back! Enjoy a fourcourse meal prepared by Culinary Students and top local chefs. Get a ticket for an individual dinner or the whole series but act fast because they always sell out! Doors open at 5:30 p.m., hors d’oeuvres until 6:30 p.m. This is an annual event that occurs once a month during January, February and March. All three four-course dinners will feature the best French cuisine. This unique event supports the CCC Culinary Program. The Culinary Program is vibrantly training tomorrow’s chefs. Carteret Community College is very proud that we send 3-4 students annually to France for a month internship. During this month-long trip the students train under the best French escoffier chefs in the world! This event sells out every year! All three dinners will take place at the Crystal Coast Civic Center on the campus of Carteret Community College. Location: 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. Contact: 252-222-6262 FEBRUARY 26
Emerald Isle Garden Club’s Annual Card and Games Party 1–4PM Come for an afternoon of fun and
fellowship playing your favorite games at the Emerald Isle Garden Club’s Annual Card and Games Party fundraiser at the Emerald Isle Community Center, 7500 Emerald Drive. Participants will enjoy card games such as Bridge,
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MID–FEBRUARY TO MID–MARCH
etc. as well as other board and table games of their choice. Proceeds help to support the club’s many community beautification and service projects including Green Thumbs, their youth garden club, Bikes and Blooms and a flower show in May. Tickets are $18 per person which includes a light buffet, delicious desserts, beverages and a chance at a door prize. Tickets will also be sold at the event for raffle items and a cash drawing. Advanced ticket sales only—no tickets will be sold at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets call Theresa at 252-764-0420 or email eigardenclub@gmail.com. FEBRUARY 29
Crystal Coast Indoor Triathlon
Crystal Coast Indoor Triathlon is our inaugural indoor triathlon at The Gym Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness. This event is for fun—every participant is a winner! The Triathlon consists of a 20-minute swim in our indoor pool, followed by a 20-minute spin class and finally a 20-minute run on our Cybex Treadmills. This can be a great first multisport event for a beginner looking to step into the world of triathlons. For the established triathlete, it could make a perfect brick workout in your training. The first wave of this event will take place starting at 8 a.m. Each wave will contain 8 participants. Participants will be able to enter a wave of their choosing during registration (Adults Waves, Teen Waves, and Youth Waves). Registration closes Friday, February 21, at 3:30 p.m. Register early for the best deal! A portion of the registration proceeds go to funding The Cape Carteret Trail. Registration is $25. Participants will receive a swag bag containing a complimentary bike bottle souvenir, their bib, as well as other race and promotional materials. The Pool Area, Basketball Court and back set of Treadmills will be marked off with race tape and closed to gym members during the event. There will be volunteers at each station to direct participants, answer questions and signal the start and finish of the wave. Location: 300 Taylor Notion Rd. Cape Carteret. Contact: 252-393-1000. MARCH 7
Gold for the Gold 5K Fun Run Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day themed 5k and fun run on Croatan High School’s cross-
country course! Wear your best green and gold attire or running gear. There will be a costume contest at 8:45 a.m. The kids’ 1.5-mile fun run starts at 9 a.m. The 5K starts at 9:30. Registration: www.runsignup.com/Race/NC/ Newport/2020GofortheGold5K. Contact: goforthegoldchs@gmail.com MARCH 7–8
Crystal Coast Home and Garden Show
9AM–3PM Turn all your home and garden
dreams into reality at the Coastal Home and Garden Show. Being the area’s largest consumer show, there promises to be many unique exhibits, products and services represented. Whether you’re a full time resident, second home owner or a weekend warrior everyone will find something of interest. For the remodeling homeowner or if you’re just looking to spruce things up; professionals will be on hand to share the latest trends in color and style designs for everything from windows to doors and counter tops to floors. Redesign your bathroom, kitchen or turn your backyard into a tropical oasis. The show offers a full spectrum of exhibitors offering ideas for outdoor living, gardening and landscaping, sunrooms and yard décor, even new ways to eliminate the pests from your garden and under your house. We have something for everyone even those with an interest in home décor, beautiful new fabric samples and taking care of your swimming pool or hot tub. For homeowners looking to break a sweat, check out the latest in yard tools and equipment, hardscape and landscape ideas with custom built outdoor kitchens and grills and the newest in renovation ideas and supplies. Admission fee per person / under 12 years old – free. Location: 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. Contact: 252-247-3883 MARCH 7
PAWS Pet House Challenge
Fundraiser for PAWS during the Coastal Home and Garden Show. A competition between local high schools, voting and silent auction for best pet houses! PAWS of Carteret is building an alternative (no-kill) pet adoption center in Morehead City. The PAWS mission began in 2003 and saved over 3050 animals! For more
THINGS TO DO
information visit www.pawsofcarteret.org MARCH 7
American Music Festival Series: Caroline Stinson + Barbara McKenzie
Two dynamic artists—pianist Barbara McKenzie and Canadian cellist Caroline Stinson—both international performers of critical acclaim and no strangers to AMF audiences, have created one impressive voice to bring you an inspirational program of reflection. Ticketed event. Tickets may be reserved by calling 252-342-5034 and are available at the door on the evening of the concert. Tickets may also be obtained through Event bright at eventbrite.com/o/american-musicfestival-3124978792. At First Presbyterian (1604 Arendell Street, Morehead City) MARCH 7
Run Crystal Coast
Enjoy this beautiful area by foot! Half marathon, 10k and 5k race options. Start and finish in Jaycee Park on the water in Morehead City, NC. This flat fast course has incredible views, especially from atop the bridge from Morehead to Atlanta beach and back. Your 1 hill! Post run all participants enjoy food, music and craft beer at the awards ceremony and post run after party in downtown Morehead. This event truly has something for everyone and is our favorite way to kick off the spring season! Bring family and friends and enjoy coastal life for a weekend! For more information visit www.runcrystalcoast.com. €
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CarolinaSalt.com » February / March 2020 CAROLINA SALT 11
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t’s this chilly time of year when the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter admits more Loons than any other time. On their migratory journey south during late fall and winter, beautiful Common Loons, also called “Great Northern Divers,” one of the oldest and most primitive birds known, fly singly or in groups that have been clocked at more than 70 miles per hour, from Canada and the Northeastern United States in search of warmer waters along the Atlantic or the Gulf Coast. When one is transported to our shelter at 100 Wildlife Way in Newport, it’s usually because someone found it beached or on the ground. The staff and volunteers at the shelter know when a Loon comes in, that it’s likely a very bad—possibly lethal—situation. We pray for a fishing gear injury. We consider that a blessing in a Loon’s case. Untangling line, removing hooks and treating wounds we can do something about. It’s also not too bad if a migrating Common Loon accidentally lands, softly on a wet highway or parking lot, mistaking it for a river or lake. A loon may also get stranded on a small pond. In those situations, the Loon doesn’t have enough open water for the long take-off they need. A running start over as much as 400 yards and paddling furiously through the water is what they require to take flight. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies which are very good for swimming but does not enable them to walk on land, only awkward scooting by thrusting its chest forward a few inches and dragging both legs underneath their body. So, most people think they’ve come upon an injured bird when they see the Loon can’t stand or move about on land. The worst diagnosis and unfortunately the most common, is mercury or lead poisoning. Loons born in the Northeast are exposed to large quantities of methylmercury, the form of mercury toxic to living things. These birds are particularly vulnerable to environmental poisoning for many reasons. They are longlived, up to 30 years and spend their lives in the water and because they are carnivores will feed mostly on fish, crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects. Loons are divers that dive up to 250 feet. A typical foraging dive lasts about 40 seconds. Loons mate for life. When common loons get to their breeding area and mate, the females lay their eggs beside bodies of water or in shallow water. The nest is usually built by both parents on the ground and the female typically lays two eggs each year. The female will then sit on the eggs for 27 to 30 days before they hatch and the parents share hatchling duties. During the first week, chicks may crawl onto the back of a parent paddling along on the water’s surface. Chicks stay very close to their parents for the first three weeks and will respond immediately to calls warning
LINDA BERGMAN–ALTHOUSE
OUTER BANKS WILDLIFE SHELTER
The Great Northern Diver
of raptorial birds (or airplanes) flying overhead by scrambling under an adult’s wing. The chicks grow very rapidly and are nearly the size of the adults within 4 to 6 weeks. They also begin to demonstrate their independence by seeking their own food, diving and exercising their wing muscles. The youngsters retain their dull grey back plumage during that time, although the belly turns white. At 2 to 3 years of age the young adults will be mature enough to mate. Loons have a very distinct call and some people describe it as eerie or an unearthly tremolo cry, but for wildlife rehabilitators, we hear a beautiful song that awakens a sense of wilderness. Rather than a cry or wail, it’s more like a melancholy yodel. You always know when a loon is present at our shelter, they sing even in captivity, unlike other animals that tend to go silent in the unnatural environment of close human presence and in a building or kennel cab. Although difficult to describe, it’s impossible to forget their sound. Depending upon the reason they are being treated, their song can sound happy or sad, but that’s a subjective human assessment based on knowing their odds medically, otherwise, most people would consider a Loon’s song a soothing melody. In cases of toxic poisoning, the best we can do is make them comfortable with frequent tub baths and extra padding to lessen chest compression when kenneled, give the Loons time to build up their strength with healthy fish feedings and monitor their weight. We also flush them with fluids to try to rid the gut of
mercury buildup, which may not help much if the mercury has already metastasized to organs and body tissues. If they manage to maintain weight or even better, put on weight, we will joyfully and eagerly release them to continue their journey. If, despite ravenously feeding on their own, they rapidly lose weight, it is apparent they are starving from malabsorption caused by chemical poisoning and sadly, they will not make it. It’s a tough reality faced by all who work at the shelter, but we approach each treatment plan in an optimistic and positive manner. By providing the best care we can, crossing our fingers and prayers up, we are always hopeful that this one will make it and when that one pulls through, it’s cause for celebration! That’s when the hugging and jumping up and down of humans commences! €
ABOUT OWLS TAKE A TOUR of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way in Newport. To volunteer, call 252-240-1200. If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, our education animals jump at the chance!
CarolinaSalt.com » February / March 2020 CAROLINA SALT 13
BY REBECCA JONES AUTHOR OF ‘LOVE BRINGS YOU HOME’ & OTHER BOOKS
Carteret Local Food Network’s Cooking Classes
Carteret Local Food Network is offering cooking classes again, offering a variety of lessons emphasizing knife skills, creative meal ideas, healthy cooking options, local ingredients, and much more. These will be handson experiences in small groups, nutritional information about the foods and you even get eat what you helped create at the end of class! Gather, participate, and have lots of fun! Discover how to keep our local farmers and fishermen in business! Classes are filling up quickly! Jan. 14............................................................................Microgreens w/Ryan - 6-8 p.m. Feb. 11 ................................................................................................Chocolate - 6-8 p.m. Mar. 10..................................................................................... Herbs & Spices - 6-8 p.m. Apr. 14.......................................High School Meal Prep - 6-8 p.m. (ages 14 and up) May 12..................................Pre-Teen Healthy Snacks - 6-8 p.m. (ages 12 and up) Jun. 09................................................................. Preserves & Quick Pickle - 6-8 p.m. Jul. 14..................................................................................................Topic TBD - 6-8 p.m. Aug. 11 ...............................................................................................Topic TBD - 6-8 p.m. Sep. 08......................................................................................Sushi/Ceviche - 6-8 p.m. Oct. 13................................................................................................Topic TBD - 6-8 p.m. Nov. 10...............................................................................................Topic TBD - 6-8 p.m.
Individual classes are $25 per person. You can purchase tickets to all 11 classes at a discounted rate of $220 per person. Class size is limited so please purchase tickets in advance. Check our website frequently for updates and confirmations of locations at www. carteretlocalfoodnetwork.org. Please direct any questions to Chef Caroline Dominguez at caroline.clfn@gmail.com. Carteret Local Food Network was formed to help spread the word about locally farmed foods and help people make choices that support our local farming families. Fresh and Local are great words to remember when buying groceries for your families. Our local farming families work extremely hard to bring you nutritious, seasonal produce picked at the peak of ripeness in additional to well-cared for poultry, pork, and other meats. Support their work by choosing to shop locally. €
14 CAROLINA SALT February / March 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
The advertisements in the newspaper flyers and on the radio tells us that February is the month for love. One must get their sweetheart flowers and chocolate. The restaurants tells us to be sure to make reservations for that special meal; the television commercials tells the men “if you really love her, you will buy her a diamond tennis bracelet.” There is so much pressure to perform. You do not want to disappoint your lover do you? In 1982 Valentines Day came the next month after our first child was born. I had waited too late to get a babysitter. My husband had waited too late to make those reservations. We had both been so consumed with a newborn and work that we had not gotten to the store to buy gifts. When we finally decided to make the time to shop it began to snow. Oh well, so much for the month of love. We put the baby in her carrier and we played a card game. We shared stories and then we watched a movie on TV. When I put her to bed for the night he and I enjoyed the glow of candlelight; the taste of a pot roast with potatoes with carrots that I had put in the crockpot earlier. Homemade brownies with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Then we went to bed, holding each other and drifted off to sleep with hopes she would sleep all night. The next morning we were going to apologize and say we would make it up to each other. But we realized we had given each other gifts that cost us nothing- our undivided attention. Communication. Laughter. Enthusiasm. Thoughtfulness. Tenderness. The day of unhurried togetherness was all the sweeter because of what we thought was poor planning turned out more wonderful. The question that lingered was “could this happen more often?” What if we focused on simplicity and let the flurry of conforming to the advertisers in favor of a few quiet restful hours? If we could pull that off, it would be Valentine’s Day every week or month of the year. Think on these things. It is the month of love! Happy Valentine’s Day! €
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n January of 2019, a local non-profit named MERROW Foundation (merrowfoundation. org) and a FL non-profit named SCUBAnauts, International (scubanautsintl.org) joined forces to create a NC Chapter of SCUBAnauts— and 11 intrepid teens and their parents began a great adventure. What is SCUBAnauts, you might ask? It is an organization whose mission is to educate teens in Marine Sciences, enabling them to make a positive impact on the environment and empowering them to become tomorrow’s leaders. Participants learn science diving techniques, ultimately becoming AAUS Science Divers and apply them to real-world research questions that scientists are tackling. Their mission blends nicely with MERROW’s mission of promoting ocean recovery through the application of sound science with hands-on educational outreach and travel for scientists, citizen-scientists and nonscientists alike. Returning to the inception of the new NC SCUBAnauts chapter, 11 kids between the ages of 10 and 18 and their parents eagerly joined and began training. Through monthly dryland meetings, the students focused
YOUTH ON THE COAST
on learning all about Geological Oceanography, which was the subject of study for that year. When the weather warmed up, they would apply what they were learning to local areas in Carteret County and improve their SCUBA diving skills by refreshing the basics such as mask removal and replacement, working on their buoyancy and learning some basic rescue techniques. The students also began a coral restoration project at Radio Island Rock Jetty, which they cleaned and monitored until Hurricane Dorian, when it was destroyed, all done in conjunction with the research efforts of the scientists at MERROW Foundation. Two of our NC SCUBAnauts were able to participate in a week-long research project down in the Florida Keys during June, 2019. We worked with scientists at the Mote Marine Lab on Summerland Key, FL to identify and track instances of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, also known as SCTLD. This project created a cross-pollination between the well-established FL chapters of SCUBAnauts and this newly formed NC SCUBAnaut chapter. All research was conducted under the watchful guidance of a dive professional. We also worked with Combat Wounded Veterans to maintain the Mote Marine Lab Coral Nursery and learn more about underwater navigation while at the Naval Air Station in Key West. The cross-pollination continued as a smaller group of FL SCUBAnauts
visited NC for the first time in July. This group learned about the joys of diving at Radio Island and offshore on some of our area’s shallower wrecks, like the Indra and the Francesconi Tugs. They also participated in the cleaning and maintenance of the coral trees that our NC SCUBAnauts had been working on all summer. The FL nauts even had an opportunity to visit some of our local tourist sites like Ft. Macon and receive presentations from the aquarium on their Spot-a-Shark project! As the seasons changed and the temperatures cooled, our students focused more on dryland meetings. With 2020, we are focusing on biological oceanography as our study area. Our Nauts will be choosing an organism to study throughout the year and will be giving a presentation on their subject at the end of the year. We continue with swim tests, check out dives when its warmer and First Aid CPR/Oxygen administration training in the form of Divers Alert Network DFA Pro certifications and training. Two of our NC nauts will be traveling down to FL to participate in a photogrammetry project, one will be heading to Washington, DC to participate in CHOW, the Capital Hill’s Ocean Week and a few will be heading down to FL to work with Mote again. We also look forward to welcoming another great group of FL SCUBAnauts to NC! We are always looking to expand and we would love to talk with you about becoming a SCUBAnaut with MERROW. If you have any questions, you can email Janelle.fleming@merrowfoundation. org. Check out our FB page at facebook. com/MERROWFOUNDATION/ and facebook.com/SCUBAnautsIntl/. €
CarolinaSalt.com » February / March 2020 CAROLINA SALT 15
ASK THE AQUARIUM
NCAQUARIUMS.COM/PINE-KNOLL-SHORES
Do whales migrate along the coastline? If so, what are good months to watch for them?
A
A right whale and calf pass just offshore near Beaufort. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE JUSTICE FOR THE NC AQUARIUMS
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Yes, a variety of whales pass through North Carolina waters during migration. Of the 10 great whales—animals in the order Cetacea that reach lengths of 30 feet or more—eight have been reported in our coastal waters: Minke, sei, Bryde’s, fin, blue, humpback and northern right. One of the most predictable great whales that pass through our waters is the humpback. These behemoths tend to swim near shore during migration. December and January are prime months to spot them, as they travel southward to the warmer waters of the Caribbean to breed or give birth. They pass our shoreline again in March and April on their return trip north to cool polar waters for a summer of feeding.. Humpbacks are the most animated and acrobatic of the great whales. They can lift their 40-ton bodies almost completely out of the water in a dramatic behavior called breaching and are the most vocal of the baleen whales, producing an elaborate melody of moans, yelps and chirps that make up the most complex song in the animal kingdom. Another migratory visitor to our waters is the North Atlantic right whale. From November through mid-April these leviathans make their way down the Atlantic coast. It’s estimated there are as few as 450 of these great whales, making them one of the most endangered marine mammals. Each winter, pregnant females travel more than 1,000 miles from feeding grounds off Canada and New England to the warm coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida. These southern waters are the only known calving areas for this species. More than 20 other Cetaceans, which also include dolphins and porpoises, have been recorded in the coastal waters of the Carolinas. The most abundant Cetacean along the Atlantic Coast is the bottle-nosed dolphin; other visitors include the harbor porpoise and four species of beaked whales. Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquarium. Call 1-800-832-FISH for more information. €
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A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
PAUL ORTIZ
ABUELITA’S LEGACY AN ISLAND CHURCH PERSPECTIVE
J
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. HEBREWS 13:7
anuary 25 would have been my grandmother’s 96th birthday. She died just one week after her 80th birthday in 2004. I still remember sitting in my office going over the business of the week when the call came in. Grandma, or Abuelita as we called her, was the only grandparent I ever really knew. My Abuelita came with us when left for North Carolina from New York. She was always in my life. She either lived with us, upstairs, next door or just down the street. After moving outside of Greensboro in what to us was “the country,” my Abuelita was able to plant flowers and a garden. Going to her place, you would find her working in her flower or vegetable garden. She loved to be outside. More than working outside, she loved to take care of her family. My sisters and I were always at Abuelita’s. Abuelita loved having us over. Nothing made her happier than to serve and make over her family. She was good to us, but I like to think Abuelita had a special place in her heart for me. One year, Abuelita was going to make a trip to Puerto Rico to visit her family. She would be gone for two months. She wanted me to accompany her. I hadn’t been to Puerto Rico since I was two. My parents weren’t comfortable with me being gone for so long and I was not able to go. I was heartbroken and Abuelita was disappointed. Recalling her, she was funny in how she faithfully watched her soaps during the day and talked to the television in Spanish. Just like little old ladies with their peculiarities, she had her living room filled with little figurines everywhere. And you didn’t dare touch or move them or you would hear “NO TOQUES” (DON’T TOUCH)! The interesting thing about Abuelita, she spoke little to no English and I hate to admit this, but I spoke little to no Spanish. I would speak to her in English and she would speak to me in Spanish. No matter, we understood each other clearly. There was this one summer when Abuelita was taking care of a few of her grandchildren. My cousin was there and he didn’t want to eat something that Abuelita had prepared. I remember hearing the only English I can remember my Abuelita ever speaking with almost an Italian accent. She replied to my cousin’s “I don’t like this,” by saying, “What’s matter with you? Eat!” When my grandmother died, I had not seen her in several months. She had a stroke a few years back and lost most of her eyesight. She was no longer able to do the things she loved. In fact, she was no longer able to live on her own. Her adult children would share in taking care of her. She would stay with one for several months and then go to another. It was hard to see her not being able to enjoy this last season of her life on her own terms. I remember one time she tried to be helpful by attempting to cook, but out of fear she would hurt herself she was kept from doing so. I could see defeat in the way she carried herself as she would just sit. It broke my heart. This may sound like a sad story, but it is not. It is a beautiful story. My Abuelita had such a great influence on my life. My most fond memory of Abuelita is her devotion to our Lord. She was a strong Christ-follower! She was a disciple maker! She loved to read her Bible and know God more, but she loved to pray to God as well. I remember this little old lady getting on her knees and praying every night before bed and sometimes for very long periods of time. She would pray in Spanish for God’s glory, for her family, for me… In her faith, she ran a race in life for the Lord. When she passed away, in her example of devotion to the Lord she passed to many of us a baton of faith that we now carry as we run our race for the Lord. I have so many great memories of Abuelita and I smile in joy when I think of her because of the hope I have in Christ. That one day, I will see her again because this life is but a vapor, one day here and the next gone. The promise of everlasting life is her’s and because of Christ one day it will be mine. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ! Thank you Lord for my Abuelita and her instilling in me an example of following Christ. €
18 CAROLINA SALT February / March 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
THE ISLAND CHURCH PASTOR PAUL ORTIZ
Paul Ortiz is a follower of Jesus Christ, not religion. A husband and father, he is pastor of The Island Church in Emerald Isle. Reach him at paul@TheIslandChurchEI.org
KIM MURDOCH
LOL!
Don’t Be Stupid, Cupid!
H
appy Valentine’s Day! Or, as my husband likes to call it, “Happy Oh, Were We Supposed To Get Each Other Something?” Day. I know that one of the things that we teach our children is that it’s the thought that counts, right? Of course that’s what we teach them! They don’t have an income! They can’t drive to the store. They don’t have any CHOICE but to give us homemade gifts or half-eaten leftover Christmas candy canes for Valentine’s Day! You MEN on the other hand… One way to really set the tone for a great year with your sweetie is to get Valentine’s Day right! See, right about February when the weather is dreary, our post-Christmas letdown has set in, our New Year’s diets have gone by the wayside and the new season of Survivor hasn’t started yet, the only thing we ladies have to look forward to is Valentine’s Day; the one day when our fella can prove his love for us by taking some time out of his busy schedule to purchase a little trinket of his affection. (Unless, of course, your gal is a working gal, then you’d better up the ante. If she is, you can bet your sweet bippy that the next day is like the first day of school after Christmas vacation: “And what did YOU get, Susie?” The ratio of the greatness of someone else’s gift compared to HERS is directly related to the ratio of you receiving homecooked dinners or PB&J’s for the next month.) But, for most of us, it doesn’t cost much to make a girl happy. Times are hard. We ladies know that. But for crying out loud guys…make an effort. Women are SUCKERS for EFFORT. Let us think that there is a smidgen of planning on your part for Valentine’s Day. A little dough-re-me and quick stop into Hallmark, a flower shop, heck, even the candy aisle in Walmart (the BIG heart-shaped box of chocolates, boys … not the kiddie one) on the way home Valentine’s Eve will most assuredly put a smile on her face Valentine’s morning and avoid THIS conversation later in the day over the clatter of stomping feet and slamming cabinets: “What’s wrong, honey?” [ SLAM, BANG, CRASH!!! ] “.................... nothing.” Whatever you do ... whatEVER you do ...
do NOT do the convenience store stop-n-shop on the way home from work Valentine’s night. Really? REALLY? You’re going to be THAT guy? Pickins’ are mighty slim in there, men. You’re pretty much limited to plastic flowers and Slim Jims. And, in case you’re trying to stick with the flowers and candy theme, a $1.99 tattered, plastic gas station rose that still smells of the clerk’s cigarette does not equal a dozen red roses; and a 79¢ Milky Way in a brown paper bag does NOT equal a box of chocolates. If you’re even considering this, why don’t you just take out a five dollar bill, hand it to the clerk with the Marlboro dangling out of her mouth and ask her to punch you right SQUARE IN THE NOSE! I promise … it’ll be much less painful than what’s going to await you when you get home. If you DARE show up that night with such a paltry gift, please do make absolutely SURE that you ... take the receipt OUT of the bag before you hand it to her ... especially if you bought stuff for yourself that cost much MORE than the $2.78 that you spent on her. Let me break it down for you … remember those Mastercard commercials? Six-pack of Budweiser $7.99, five lottery tickets $10 ($10 for five lottery tickets because you’ll spring for the Power Play Powerball, of course), cheap, smoky-smelling, tattered, ragged, fake, faded red rose, $1.99, one regular sized chocolate candy bar 79¢ … the look on your wife’s face when she finds the receipt in the bottom of her Valentine Spectacular ... priceless. I’m not saying you have to go all out and blow a hundred dollars, boys…but at least take a moment to pop into Food Lion for an American Greetings card and six-pack of Hershey Bars with almonds, alright? Remember...EFFORT! It’s cold in February. Unless Chez Pooch is insulated and has a heat pump, I’m thinking the more you can do to avoid spending frozen nights snuggled up to Fido in the dog house the better. Plus... it’ll be a long time before you can rectify your Valentine FAIL. Mother’s Day isn’t until May. Gotta go. I need to find some old warm blankets for the hubs. In case he doesn’t read this before February 14th, he’s probably going to be needing them. €
CarolinaSalt.com » February / March 2020 CAROLINA SALT 19
DISCOVERY DIVING
LEE MOORE
DIVING OUR COAST W H A T ’ S U N D E R W A T E R I N F E B R U A RY
T
he weather in January seemed more like late fall with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, but there were days with temperatures in the 30s that reminded us that it was still winter. While the air temperatures fluctuated, the water temperatures were constantly in the low to mid 50s. Charters will still be running, but the chill in the air will keep most divers out of the water. Some divers will be wearing drysuits, but it is still warm enough for divers to wear 7mm wetsuits. When divers leave the dive boat to enjoy the underwater environment, they want to return to their boat. There are several pieces of equipment that can make a dive safe and enjoyable. One way a diver can venture away from a wreck or rock outcropping and remain in contact is by using a wreck reel. A wreck reel has nylon line on a spool that can let out as the diver swims away from the wreck or rock outcropping and is wound back up as the diver returns to the anchor line. The amount of line on a wreck reel can range from 100 feet up to 650 feet. Most of the time, a wreck reel with 150 feet to 200 feet of line will be sufficient. The wreck reel can also be used to send up a safety sausage while the diver is beginning their ascent away from the anchor line, allowing the boat crew to see their location before they drift away from the boat. Sometimes, divers surface away from the boat and they need to get the attention of the crew. The safety sausage has been the standard piece of equipment that divers use to get the attention of the crew if they surface away from the dive boat. They come in orange, yellow or orange and yellow. The safety sausage remains rolled up until it is needed. The diver inflates the safety sausage and then keeps tension on it so it sticks up out of the water. This works well, but the further the diver is from the boat, the harder it is to see. In the case of safety sausages, the bigger the better. A strobe light can be used to mark the location of the anchor line during a night dive. The flashing light can be seen over a great distance in the darkness. A diver will have a primary and a back-up dive light on night dives. The back-up light can be powerful yet small enough to fit in a buoyancy compensator pocket. If the diver always has a small light in their BC pocket, it can be used during day dives to help bring out the true colors underwater or to look under overhangs to see what interesting creature is hidden in the shadows. If a diver surface away from the boat during a night dive, they can shine their dive light on their inflated safety sausage to create a beacon to get the boat crew’s attention. Entanglement in fishing line is the most common problem that divers have underwater. There are a variety of ways a diver can cut the fishing line. The first way is the tried and true method by using a knife. Knives come in a variety of sizes and lengths. Most modern dive knives have a notch on the blade specifically designed to cut line. Some divers aren’t comfortable using a knife, so other options are available. Sea Snips have been around for many years. Unlike scissors, the ends are rounded and the blades are at an angle. Another cutting device is the Eezycut Trilobite. It has two blades, one on each side that has an outer shield to protect the hand from accidentally being cut. There is an opening on each side near the handle that allows the line to enter to be cut. The blades are replaceable. These five pieces of safety gear let the diver have a more enjoyable dive because the diver will be prepared in case an emergency happens. If you would like to increase your amount of dive safety gear, contact Discovery Diving at dive@discoverydiving.com, 252-728-2265 or like us on Facebook to see what events are coming up in the near future. €
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Discovery Diving at 252-728-2265 or visit them on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up. You can also visit them online at discoverydiving.com.
JOIN ECARA ECARA
works to continue sinking ships to create artificial reefs here in North Carolina, but their resources are limited. To get involved, visit carolinareef.org.
your life on the Crystal Coast WE DEPEND ON OUR READERS! CALL 252-723-7628 IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE OR PHOTO.
20 CAROLINA SALT February / March 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
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