Carolina Salt November 2016

FREE! NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

your life on the Crystal Coast

Happy Thanksgiving!

Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market

SLICE BAKERY

Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter

SNAKES GET NO RESSSSSSPECT! Local Artist Interview

JIMMY CRAIG WOMBLE Ask the Aquarium

MYSTERY CRAB HIDES HIS FACE LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN & FREE

THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–NOVEMBER THROUGH MID–DECEMBER PG. 8

HOME OF THE CRYSTAL COAST STEAM POT!

GRILL & STEAM BAR

Now Serving!

FRESH LOCAL

OYSTERS!

Good food, good friends, great times!

Wednesdays

10% OFF STEAM POTS! Thursdays

JAMAICAN ME THIRSTY

Starting at 4PM in the Boat Bar, CaribbeanStyle drink specials, Heineken & ShockTop $3

Fridays

RANDY’S FAMOUS ANGUS

PRIME RIB Sundays

JOIN US IN THE BOAT BAR FOR

FOOTBALL Starting at noon.

Games kick off at 1PM.

BEER SPECIALS 2 Miller Lite Drafts $ 2 Hoppyums $ 5 Bloody Marys

$

5 APPS FOR $5 Choose one: Potato Skins, Mozzarella Sticks, Queso Dip & Chips, Bucket of Twirls, Bacon Cheese Fries.

8 GIANT FLAT SCREENS IN THE BOAT BAR! 11/11 4EVER ALL • 11/18 HANK BARBEE • 11/25 WILL B.

Next to El’s • Look for the Big Fish!

3710 ARENDELL STREET • MOREHEAD CITY 252.240.1313 • SNAPPERZSTEAMBAR.COM

LUNCH, DINNER AND KIDS MENU ALL DAY!

OUTFITTING SALTWATER ANGLERS & BOATERS FOR OVER 15 YEARS! Our knowledgeable staff can assist you with all your fishing and boating needs.

AUTHORIZED DEALER

7802 EMERALD DRIVE • EMERALD ISLE TheReelOutdoors.com • 252-354-6692 RODS & REELS | BAIT & TACKLE | REEL REPAIR | MARINE SUPPLIES SUNGLASSES | APPAREL | SANDALS, SHOES & FLOPS

Join us for breakfast daily starting at 7am 7802 EMERALD DRIVE

EMERALD ISLE • 252.354.6592 VILLAGEMARKETOFEI.COM

CLASSIC MONOGRAMMED APPAREL, TOTES & MORE! New lines of jewelry including custom monogrammed jewelry .

FEATURING NEW LINES OF

Holiday Fashion

EMMA’S CLOSET

and more!

WE PROVIDE MONOGRAMMING ON ALL OF OUR CLASSIC APPARREL...

Plus totes, jewelry and your own personal items as well! Please ask us!

Located in the K&V Plaza Next to Flipperz ★ 311 Mangrove Drive , Emerald Isle ★ 252.354.7775

Newly remodeled and carrying several new product lines. Come check us out!

JEWELRY • MONOGRAMMING & EMBROIDERY • HOMEMADE FUDGE • CULINARY NOVELTIES HANDBAGS, TOTES & PURSES • APPAREL & ACCESSORIES • MUCH MORE!

MID -NOVEM B E R TO M I D-DE C E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Inside This Issue your life on the Crystal Coast

17 Slice Bakery at the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market

Slice Bakery, located at 4650 Arendell Street in

Morehead City, brings a fresh take on in-house made baked goods. Owner Alex Russell shares the story of how his business began, and his hopes and dreams for the future.

20

Interview with Local Artist

JIMMY CRAIG WOMBLE

November /December ON THIS MONTH’S COVER

We thank our servicemembers on Veterans Day and celebrate Thanksgiving. We hope this Thanksgiving brings health, happiness and success to all our readers.

19 Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter: Snakes Get No Ressssspect!

A dramatic snake rescue took place at OWLS

recently. Snakes are amazing creatures, but they are also among the least popular of all animals.

The stigma against them is undeserved, because they are extremely beneficial to our ecosystem.

20 Q&A with Local Artist Jimmy Craig Womble

Jimmy Craig Womble makes his home in

Morehead City, and has been a full-time artist for 12 years, showing in galleries around the state. His work is in public and private collections in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

26 Ask the Aquarium: Mystery Crab Hides His Face!

What is the story with this very odd crab? He

holds his claws in front of his face as if hiding.

They meet in the middle like two interlocking jigsaw pieces. It’s a very pretty crab, with a very distinctive behavior!

17 SLICE BAKERY at the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market.

19 SNAKES! these misunderstood reptiles are important to our ecosystems.

LOCAL INTEREST

Things To Do................................................ 8 Oyster Roast with Sam Jones. . ....................... 16 Historic Thanksgiving in Beaufort................... 16 Kindergarten Thanksgiving at BHA................ 22 Hooked Up Fishing..................................... 23 Diving Our Coast.. ....................................... 24 Tides. . ....................................................... 25

22 KINDERGARTEN Thanksgiving at the Beaufort Historic Site!

26 ASK THE AQUARIUM about this mystery crab hiding its face behind its claws.

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 5

PUBLISHER

WILL ASHBY C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R

C H E V Y K AY LO R C O N T R I BU T I N G W R I T E R S

Let us put the Leisure back into your most important day!

Fran Pigott Harding, Linda Bergman–Althouse, Sidney Hunter, Sheila Lowe, Anne Stanley, Lindsay Parker, Jimmy Craig Womble, Capt. Jeff Cronk, Lee Moore and Sherry White.

B E C O M E A C O N T R I BU TO R

Submit your letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@carolinasalt.com.

The editorial deadline for the next issue is November 16.

The next issue publishes December 7.

B E C O M E A N A DV E RT I S E R

Carolina Salt is a great way to reach out to your local customers, as well as our seasonal visitors.

252-723-7628

Call us to find out how we can help you grow your local business.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, all about our life here on the Crystal Coast.

Our articles are written by locals. Every month we look to our readers to keep our magazine fresh.

If you have a story to tell, an event to promote or an interesting local photograph, send them our way.

Participation is welcomed and appreciated.

Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine.

If you like what you see, tell people about it— especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns or more information, send e-mail to will@carolinasalt.com or call 252-723-7628.

For up-to-date info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!

—Free Local Delivery—

WE DEPEND ON OUR READERS!

252.354.8887

Call 252-723-7628 if you’re interested in submitting an article or photo. Our local content is what keeps our magazine fresh and relevant.

Visit Our Showroom!

208-A Bogue Inlet Drive | Emerald Isle www.IslandEssentials.com

PUBLISHED BY CRYSTAL COAST OUTDOORS PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 572, Morehead City, NC 28557 | 252-723-7628

THINGS TO DO

✪ = FREE

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 9

Harrika’s Live Music Series

✪

Come see what’s happening in the Biergarten at Harrika’s, 911 Cedar Point Boulevard, Highway 24, Cedar Point! Thursdays enjoy trivia and beer releases 6–10 p.m. Live music on the weekends from 7:30–10:30 p.m. For more information visit drinkcoastal.com or call 252-354-7911.

NOVEMBER 10

ASHTON APPLEWHITE

reading and book signing at the Coral Bay Club at 10:30 a.m. Applewhite is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.

Cost is $25, with lunch. Call 252-515-9887.

11/4............................................................ Pure T Mommicked 11/5........................................................ Barrel Fest Pig N’ Pint 11/18............................................................................... Blue Sky 11/19............................................................... Joe Baes Project 11/25.................................... Werewolves of Morehead City 11/26.................................................................. Barefoot Wade 12/2.............................................Leigh Glass from Asheville 12/3................................................................................. 4EverAll 12/9............................. Jessica Meuse from American Idol 12/10.............................................................. Backseat Romeo NOVEMBER 7, 22

✪

Oyster Reef Construction

The North Carolina Coastal Federation invites volunteers to help protect our shorelines, one bag of recycled oysters at a time. The reef will protect the shoreline from erosion and will create habitat for hundreds of marine creatures. With the help of federation staff, volunteers will use several hundred bags of recycled oyster shells to build the new reef.

November 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. and November 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information visit nccoast.org/event/oyster-reef-construction-3/.

NOVEMBER 7 | DECEMBER 5

Flags of Fort Macon and the Confederacy ✪

[ 10–11 AM ] Meet at the Fort Macon Visitor Center

NOVEMBER 7 | DECEMBER 5 ✪ FLAGS OF FORT MACON and the Confederacy. Learn about the wide range of flags used by the Confederacy. At Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.

to learn about the wide range of flags used by the Confederacy during the War Between the States.

At 2303 Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.

NOVEMBER 9, 16, 23, 30 | DECEMBER 7

✪

Musket Firing Demonstration

[ 10–11 AM ] Meet in Fort Macon to learn about a

19th century musket’s history, loading procedures and firing. At 2303 Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.

Merry Time for Tots: Boats that Float [ 10–11 AM ] Preschoolers and their caregivers will

learn to judge different items (cannon balls, toy boats, spoons, etc.) and decide if they will float or sink before testing their “hypothesis” with a very scientific experiment in a pool of water. Students will also learn about some of the different boats that frequent our coast before making their very own blow boats from kits supplied by the museum’s Watercraft Center. Ages 2–5. Free.

Space is limited, pre-registration required. At the NC Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort. For more information call 252-728-7317 or visit ncmaritimemuseums.com.

NOVEMBER 10

Ashton Applewhite Reading and Book Signing [ 10:30 AM ] Reading and book signing led by

Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. Event will take place at the Coral Bay Club, 1901 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. Cost of the event is $25 and includes lunch, with cash bar. Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Reservations are required by November 7.

For information or reservations call 252-515-0887.

NOVEMBER 11

Free Admission Day and Food Drive at the Aquarium ✪

Free admission for all! The Aquarium will also offer a chance to return the favor with a contribution of non-perishable food items to an on-site food drive for Martha’s Mission Cupboard.

For more details call 252-247-4003 or visit ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores.

NOVEMBER 11

Friday Free Flick: ‘The Jungle Book’ ✪

[ 7 PM ] Free and open to the public, children must

be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drink for $1. Please bring chairs and or blankets, but no outside beverages or snacks. At 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle.

LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH TORPEDO ROOFTOP LOUNGE Wednesday

Live Music & Sushi sunday & monday

Football

8920 CREW DRIVE • EMERALD ISLE • 252.424.8400 • CARIBSEARESTAURANT.COM 8

CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

✪ = FREE

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 12

NOVEMBER 12

‘Mistletoe Magic’ Gift Show

✪

[ 9 AM–4 PM ] Finding something for everyone on

Start your holiday season off with a candlelight celebration. Sip a cup of hot cider as you stroll through historic downtown Swansboro and delight in the streets lined with luminaires, shop windows decorated in whimsical scenes and storefronts adorned with beautiful ribbons. Enjoy live entertainment in the town square and dinner along the Swansboro waterfront. For more information call 910-326-1174.

your shopping list is easy at the annual Mistletoe Magic Holiday Gift Show. Over 60 vendors gather at the Crystal Coast Civic Center at 3505 Arendell Street in Morehead City, bringing a wide variety of handmade and commercial items. Entry fee is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for children under 12. For information call 252-247-3883.

NOVEMBER 12

‘Hands On Fort Macon’ Veterans Day Event ✪

[ 2–4:30 PM ] Join us for a special Veterans Day

event and get a better idea of what life might have been like at Fort Macon during different periods of history. public cannon drills: Try your hand at operating a 19th century cannon. make your own ammo: Learn how ammunition was made by making your own using candy and sugar instead of bullets and gun powder. women’s dress: Try on a Victorian-style dress and learn about women’s fashion. soldiers and uniforms: Soldiers, uniforms and weapons from the War of 1812 through WWI (starts at 3). children’s musket drill: Join a regiment and learn 19th century drill (starts about 3:30). cannon demonstration: We end the event with a cannon firing demonstration at 4. At 2303 Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach.

For more information call 252-726-3775.

NOVEMBER 12

Beaufort Wine and Food’s 3rd Annual Oyster Roast [ 2–5 PM ] Beaufort Wine and Food is pleased to

spotlight North Carolina’s coastal and culinary heritage with its third annual oyster roast at Beaufort East Village on Turner Creek. The gathering—complete with bonfire, hay wagon transport and live music—celebrates the bounty of ENC cuisine and will feature local steamed oysters, shrimp and other seafood along with North Carolina pork. Ticket sales and more information available mid-September. For more information email info@beaufortwineandfood.com or call 252-515-0708.

THINGS TO DO

Swansboro by Candlelight

NOVEMBER 12

Beaucoup Blue at Joslyn Hall at the Community College Beaucoup Blue is the Americana Philadelphiabased group of David and Adrian Mowry. Father and son have been performing their roots-based music nationally and internationally as a duo, quartet and on occasion quintet. Bridging many gaps in American music, their soulful traditional and contemporary styles mesh into an innovative and authentic sound. Although blues is a staple in their repertoire, they draw from folk, soul, R&B, jazz, country and bluegrass. General admission $16, active duty military and Down East FolkArts Society members $13, full-time students $10. To reserve tickets, please call or text 252-646-4657 or send e-mail to folkartsenc@gmail.com. Visit downeastfolkarts.org/Concerts.html for more information. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:30. At Joslyn Hall on the campus of Carteret Community College, Morehead City.

NOVEMBER 11 ✪ THE JUNGLE BOOK playing free at 7500 Emerald Drive in Emerald Isle at 7 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring chairs or blankets, but no outside food or drinks.

NOVEMBER 13

Birding Cruise [ 10 AM–NOON ] Join local birding expert Joanne

Powell for a birding cruise on the White Oak River in Swansboro. The group will cruise on a covered ferryboat through the estuaries of the White Oak River and Bogue Sound looking for resident and migratory birds. The program fee is $20 for federation members ($25 for nonmembers). All ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward adults and older children. For more information visit nccoast.org/event/birdingcruise-8/.

NOVEMBER 12

BEAUCOUP BLUE

roots-based musicians who perform nationally and internationally. Ticket prices range from $16 to $10. For reservations and tickets, call 252-646-4657. At Joslyn Hall.

Nautical Collection E X C L U S I V E LY D E S I G N E D B Y

VERANDA SQUARE | EMERALD ISLE | CHURCHWELLS.COM 1-800-846-1961 | 252-354-7166

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 9

THINGS TO DO

✪ = FREE

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 14–17

Kindergarten Thanksgiving

[ 9 AM–NOON ] Demonstrations of Beaufort family

life in the 1700s and 1800s will be featured in this Living History program designed specifically for kindergarten classes. Children learn through hands-on activities about butter churning, colonial dress up, open hearth cooking and spinning and weaving techniques demonstrated by volunteers in period dress. To reserve a spot for your classroom stop by the Beaufort Historic Site’s Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street, call 252-728-5225 or visit beauforthistoricsite.org.

NOVEMBER 14 | DECEMBER 5

Class: Using Yoga Props

Learn to incorporate different props into your practice for increased range of motion. The series registration fee is $35. You can drop in for $10 per session. For more information or to register, call 910-326-2600, stop by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension in Swansboro or visit swansboro.recdesk.com.

NOVEMBER 14

Workshop: Holiday Wreaths

Gather a circle of friends for a wreath making party at Swansboro Recreation Center. Cost of the class is $12, which includes all materials, light snacks, hot cider, holiday goodies and a great time!

Choose a fall or Christmas-themed wreath. Preregistration is required by November 9. For more information or to register, call 910-326-2600, stop by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension in Swansboro or visit swansboro. recdesk.com.

Commission. No registration is required for this free event. Check out the film at nccoast.org/ event/facing-surge-documentary/.

NOVEMBER 19

NOVEMBER 18

National Seashore Wildlife Biologist Sue Stuska, whose intimate knowledge of the horses makes for an exciting and enlightening glimpse into the relationships, behavior and survival of these wild animals, while watching from a distance. They will understand how to determine an appropriate position and distance for watching that doesn’t affect the horses’ natural behaviors. Reservations are required. The only charge is the ferry fee: $16 for adults and $9 for children 11 and under. For more information call 252-728-2250, ext. 3001.

✪

Astronomy and Stargazing

[ 6:30 PM ] Meet at the Fort Macon bathhouse

to view space through a telescope. At 2303 Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach. For more information call 252-726-3775.

NOVEMBER 18

✪

Goods and Services Auction

[ 7 PM ] The Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, at 1300

Evans Street in Morehead City, announces its annual Goods and Services Auction. Item previews begin at 6:30. The auction helps fund UCF’s community projects and worthy non-profits. The event is open to the public.

NOVEMBER 19

Lend Your Legs 5K to Benefit Ainsley’s Angels [ 8 AM ] Ainsley’s Angels is a non-profit

organization that supports the inclusion and development of children with special needs. The Lend Your Legs 5k will start at the Swansboro Recreation Center and travel through Oyster Bay. The cost is $5. Registration begins at 6 a.m. and all proceeds will go to Ainsley’s Angels. Members of Ainsley’s Angels will be attending the race and many angels will be assisted through the finish line.

This is a family fun race, so no times will be taken and no awards will be given out.

NOVEMBER 19

Living Wise and Well Event

NOVEMBER 14

✪

✪

[ 10 AM–2 PM ] Swansboro Parks and Recreation

Climate Change: ‘Facing the Surge’ Documentary Screening [ 6–8 PM ] Attend the screening of Facing the Surge,

documenting the tangible costs of sea level rise for the people of Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the country and to thousands of Americans struggling to adapt to the rising tides and an uncertain future. The town has registered 16 inches of sea level rise since 1930.

The film will be followed by talks from Dr. Stanley Riggs and Gregory Rudolph who both served on the science panel for the NC Coastal Resources

is partnering with Family Care Pharmacy for this event, which will help educate the public on how to live healthy and promote overall wellness.

Participate in educational, fitness and nutritional sessions! Interact with local wellness professionals!

Learn what services are offered in our area to help you achieve your health and wellness goals!

For more information or to register, call 910-3262600, stop by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension in Swansboro or visit swansboro.recdesk.com.

Horse Sense and Survival Tour [ 8:45 AM ] The tour is led by Cape Lookout

NOVEMBER 19

✪

Jumble Sale

[ 9 AM–4 PM ] The Beaufort Historic Site turns

into a community market with art, handmade crafts, holiday gifts, antiques, clothing, food and much more. No admission fee. Vendor information is available. 100 Turner Street, Beaufort. For more information 252-728-5225.

NOVEMBER 19 AND 20

Intro to Wooden Boat Building

[ 9 AM–4:30 PM ] In this two-day hands-on course,

students will explore the art of boat building from start to finish. They begin with the design and lofting of boats and move on to the setup, steam bending and different methods of creating the back bone of small boats. In addition, they will learn how to make planking systems, both carvel and lap strake and all the appropriate fastening systems. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skill to choose a design and style of boat to build on their own and the confidence to take on the job. Course fee is $135.

Minimum age is 16. Advance registration required.

At the NC Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort. For more information call 252-728-7317 or visit ncmaritimemuseums.com.

NOVEMBER 19

Christmas Open House with Mr. and Mrs. Claus ✪

[ 2–5 PM ] Core Sound’s Museum Store will

celebrate its annual Christmas Open House with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the return of Santa’s Workshop (for kids 4-10) and a preview of our

For the first time, our regional library system is offering eBook titles

eBooks Visit carteretcplib.org & click on OneClickDigital!

10 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

✪ = FREE Waterfowl Weekend merchandise. At 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island. For more information call 252-728-1500.

NOVEMBER 19

‘Good Enough to Eat’ Art Show Opening ✪

[ 5–7 PM ] Set the table for cool weather, upcoming

holidays and indulgence with Good Enough to Eat, an open art exhibition exploring food production, preparation, final products and consumption at Carolina Artist Gallery on the Morehead City waterfront. Imaginative small and large works in all media debut just in time for the holidays.

The show remains on display through January 6 at 800 Evans Street, Morehead City. For more information call 252-726-7550.

NOVEMBER 19

Holiday Extravaganza Show with Gaylon Pope & SweetWater [ 7 PM ] A one-night-only holiday treat for locals

and tourists alike! Gaylon Pope and SweetWater presents their 6th annual Holiday Extravaganza Show. This year will feature all your favorites from their new Christmas CD, plus down home humor from Granny No-Mo and Puddin’-Tang.

The show sold out last year. Advance ticket sales indicate that this year’s show will also be a sell-out, so get tickets early. Get your advance tickets at The Kountry Kitchen of Morehead City or by calling CenterStage Entertainment at 919-915-1422.

Showtime is 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:15. Advance tickets are $20 for adults and seniors ($23 at the door) and $12 for children 12 and under ($15 at the door). At 3500 Arendell Street, Morehead City.

NOVEMBER 20

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 25

✪

Swansboro Christmas Flotilla

The Swansboro Christmas Flotilla is a timehonored tradition and fun for the whole family!

At dusk, gather along Swansboro’s waterfront and watch the spectacular parade of lights down the White Oak River. Music will fill the air and you can enjoy treats, such as funnel cakes, cider and hot cocoa as you enjoy the lights glimmering off the river. You’ll be amazed by the lights on the boats and you might catch a glimpse of Santa!

NOVEMBER 25

✪

Santa Arrives in Beaufort

[ 1–5 PM ] Bring your family down to John Newton

Park on the Beaufort waterfront at 1 p.m. sharp to welcome Santa Claus as he arrives. In keeping with the maritime tradition of Beaufort, Santa is going to be cruising to his workshop by the Dockhouse restaurant in a 34-foot Cornish gig boat rowed by the crew of the Beaufort Oars. He’ll be escorted by his favorite elves.

NOVEMBER 26

Crystal Coast Oyster Festival

✪ STARGAZING AT FT. MACON at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the Fort Macon bathhouse to view space through a telescope.

At 2303 East Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach.

first Crystal Coast Oyster Festival presented by Pints for a Purpose. This fundraiser festival will benefit the NC Shellfish Growers Association, as well as a commercial fishing organization. The festival is a family friendly, fun event that raises awareness for Wild Caught, as well as farmed oysters. There will be live music, local vendors with arts, crafts, jewelry and more. Oyster farmers will talk about the preparation, selling and serving of oysters. The festival will take place at the Big Rock Jib Landing site in downtown Morehead City.

NOVEMBER 26

Feast, will be held on the grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site, 130 Turner Street. This unique, old fashioned gathering of friends, neighbors and visitors allows participants to enjoy a sense of community while sharing a delicious meal donated by Beaufort restaurants. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 the day of). For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 252-728-5225, stop by the Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street or visit beauforthistoricsite.org.

[ 3 PM ] The Emerald Isle Christmas Parade starts

NOVEMBER 18

[ 2–10 PM ] Come out this holiday weekend for the

Community Thanksgiving

[ 11:30 AM–1 PM ] The Community Thanksgiving

THINGS TO DO

✪

Emerald Isle Christmas Parade

at 3 p.m. on Emerald Drive. Important note to all entrants: There will be only one Santa Claus in the parade and he will be riding in a float at the end.

All other Santas will be sent back to the North Pole! Join us after the parade for the Christmas tree lighting at Merchant’s Park. Free refreshments and a holiday sing-along as Santa Claus visits with the children. To enter, contact Don Wells at donaldjwells@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 19 ✪ JUMBLE SALE at the Beaufort Historic Site. No admission fee! Art, handcrafts, gifts, antiques, clothing, food and more. At 100 Turner Street, Beaufort. Call 252-728-5225.

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 11

THINGS TO DO

✪ = FREE

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

DECEMBER 2

Atlantic Beach ‘Light Up the Night’ Christmas Parade ✪

[ 6 PM ] Join us for the 10th annual Light Up the

Night Christmas parade, beginning at Dunes Club West and moving down Fort Macon Road to the Circle. After the parade, bring your kids to meet Santa. Show your Christmas spirit by decorating your boats, floats, cars and trucks and lighting up the night. Participants should complete the entry form and submit it to Town Hall.

DECEMBER 2–4

22nd Annual John Costlow Christmas Train Show ✪

DECEMBER 2–4 ✪ CHRISTMAS TRAIN SHOW at the Old Train Depot, 2015 Pollock Street, Beaufort. A glimpse into the past with antique working model trains, and trains of all sizes, and layouts from the simple to the elaborate.

The 22nd annual John Costlow Christmas Train Show offers a glimpse into the past with antique working model trains and model trains of all sizes.

The model train layouts will include a variety of items of interest to railroad enthusiasts of all ages, ranging from simple circles, traditionally found around the Christmas tree, to more elaborate systems. Each display has been carefully designed by the owner or operator to appeal to those just beginning this hobby and others who have had a lifetime interest in model railroading. Any donations go to the Beaufort Lions Club who are assisting with this year’s show. Children ages 12 and younger will need to be accompanied by an adult. The train show takes place in the Old 1907 Train Depot, 2015 Pollock Street, Beaufort. For information call 252-728-2259.

DECEMBER 2–11

✪

CC Festival of Lights

The Crystal Coast Festival of Lights comes to The Market at Cedar Point, 1046 Cedar Point Boulevard. Live music, photo booth, Christmas tree lighting, ice skating, food and craft vendors.

All proceeds go to Gateway Western Carteret Community Alliance, a non-profit organization.

DECEMBER 17 ✪ SANTAFEST at Swansboro Municipal Park. Tons of activities for children and families: pictures with Santa, crafts, candy cane hunt and more! Call 910-326-2600 for information.

DECEMBER 3, 9

Elf in the Woods

Bring your child out for a morning of fun as we read The Elf on the Shelf. We will go for a nature walk in the woods to see what our elf has been up to, then make elf and nature crafts in Santa’s workshop while enjoying hot chocolate and treats. Program is open for ages 2–5, parent

participation required. Cost is $7 per parent and child, and $3 for each additional child. For more information or to register, call 910-326-2600, stop by the Swansboro Recreation Center at 830 Main Street Extension in Swansboro or visit swansboro. recdesk.com.

DECEMBER 3–4

Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend in Harkers Island ✪

Waterfowl Weekend is one of Core Sound’s most highly anticipated events: an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating Down East history, traditions and community spirit. Enjoy two days of wildlife artists, decoy carvers and collectors, model boatbuilders and other crafters selling their wares, boat building, oar making, and retriever demonstrations, children’s activities. Highlights include weekend-long silent auction, Core Sound quilt raffle, local music, gallery exhibitions, book signings, local seafood tent, desserts and more. To purchase tickets to the Friday night preview call the museum store at 252-728-1500. Event takes place at 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island.

DECEMBER 3–4

✪

Core Sound Decoy Festival

The 29th annual Core Sound Decoy Festival will be held at the Harkers Island Elementary School, Harkers Island. Over 90 vendors will be displaying and selling decoys, artwork and waterfowl artifacts.

A separate exhibit for waterfowl artifacts will be open. Decoy competition, children’s decoy paining and retriever demonstrations will be held both days. A decoy auction will take place on Saturday at the school. Decoy head carving contest and the world famous loon calling competition will take place on Sunday. For more event information, call 252-838-8818 or visit decoyguild.com.

DECEMBER 3

✪

Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair

[ 8 AM–5 PM ] Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation

will host our 5th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair in the gymnasium. The fair will feature all handmade or hand-authenticated items from local artisans and crafters. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Sarah Cutillo at 252354-6350 or scutillo@emeraldisle-nc.org. There is no application deadline, but space is limited.

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.

12 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

✪ = FREE

MID–NOVEMBER TO MID–DECEMBER

DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 6

‘A Christmas Story’ Tea Event

✪

literary Christmas Tea Event full of nostalgia and fun at the Infusion Cafe! Come along with us as we join Ralphie and his affectionately wacky family and friends in an irresistible piece of Americana through the famous Christmas writings of Jean Shepherd. Laughable stories set in the late 1930s, with two courses of themed teas and three courses of themed tea fare, including an appetizer, our formal two-tiered server stacked with savories and sweets, and our famous grand finale dessert, served up by our costumed staff! Merry and heart warming! Seating is limited. Reservations required.

For information or to make reservations, call the Infusion Cafe at 252-240-2800 or stop by at 1012 Arendell Street in Morehead City.

[ 6 PM ] If you’re no stranger to natural living,

[ 11AM–1 PM | 2:30–4 PM ] You’re invited to a

DECEMBER 3

Carolina Maritime Model Society Meeting ✪

The Carolina Maritime Model Society exists to promote the active participation in building ship models, a craft as old as shipbuilding itself. The group is the only such organization in the entire state and has become a major vehicle for widening public interest in North Carolina’s maritime history and culture. Free admission. Membership is open to all members of the Friends of the Maritime Museum. For more information call 252-728-7317.

DECEMBER 3

Christmas Flotilla Visits Morehead City and Beaufort ✪

[ 5:30 PM | 6:15 PM ] The Crystal Coast Christmas

Flotilla features boats, yachts, oars, kayaks and commercial vessels decorated for the season on the Morehead City waterfront at 5:30 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. on the Beaufort waterfront.

✪

Essential Oils 101: Aromatherapy

Christmas Candlelight Tour

[ 5–8 PM ] This Beaufort Historical Association

you’ve probably already read or received a recommendation or two about using aromatherapy to balance, harmonize and promote the health of your body, mind and spirit. Now experience these benefits with special aromatic holiday blends at the Swansboro Recreation Center’s essential oils seminar, Aromatherapy. Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcomed. Light refreshments served. Free samples to all attendees!

DECEMBER 9–11

Gingerbread Festival

[ 11 AM–5 PM ] Come join the fun at the 4th annual

Crystal Coast Hospice House Gingerbread Festival at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. For Christmas lovers, gingerbread enthusiasts, master sculptors, kids, amateurs, professionals and candy connoisseurs of all ages! Enter your edible masterpiece in our competition to benefit Hospice House and a chance to win great prizes. Revel in that “gingerbread feeling!” At 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City. For more information call 252-808-2244.

DECEMBER 9

brings Christmas cheer to Newport. For more information email jaferrell@embarqmail.com or call 252-223-5900.

tour showcases Beaufort’s holiday hospitality and provides a rare glimpse into private historic homes, inns and churches, all elegantly decorated for the season. These stops represent a wide variety of unique architectural styles from different periods of the town’s history. The fragrant greenery, dazzling ornaments, colorful candles, glittering tinsel and elaborate trees are sure to bring forth everyone’s holiday spirit. Guests will have the opportunity to stroll through candlelit streets or hop aboard the BHA’s 1967 English double-decker bus for a free ride to their destinations. An ongoing raffle and silent auction will also be taking place at the Visitors Center. Christmas Candlelight Tour tickets are $14.

DECEMBER 10

✪

[ 6 PM ] Children of all ages join Santa for a

Christmas story after enjoying milk and cookies and watching a short Christmas movie classic!

Kids are encouraged to wear their most comfy Christmas pajamas! Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on during the movie. Event takes place at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation, 7500 Emerald Drive. Admission fee is one unwrapped gift per child. You must pre-register to attend.

The 75 spaces available are expected to fill quickly. Contact Sarah Cutillo at 252-354-6350 or scutillo@emeraldisle-nc.org to register.

DECEMBER 10

[ 11 AM ] Come join the fun along Arendell Street

in downtown Morehead City, beginning at 1700 Arendell Street and ending at 8th and Arendell Streets.

The Beaufort Art Walk

[ 2–5 PM ] The Beaufort Art Walk celebrates its

sixth year with a festive day in historic downtown Beaufort. The Art Walk will begin at the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery located on the Beaufort Historic Site, 130 Turner Street.

DECEMBER 10

✪

Santa and a Movie Event

✪

Newport Christmas Parade

[ 3 PM ] The 42nd annual Christmas parade

DECEMBER 10

Morehead City Christmas Parade

DECEMBER 4

THINGS TO DO

Tour Beaufort Historic Site

[ 2–4 PM ] The Beaufort Historic Site and buildings

will be open for free tours to the public. To learn more about the history of the town, take a narrated tour on the double-decker bus at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the bus tour are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

DECEMBER 17

✪

SantaFest

Ho, ho, ho! SantaFest is coming to Swansboro Municipal Park! Come celebrate the holidays and the joys of the season with Swansboro Parks and Recreation and Santa. Tons of activities for children and families. The day will begin with the Riverview Reindeer Run followed by an Ugly Sweater Fun Run. Stay for a full day of holiday festivities: pictures with Santa, holiday crafts in Santa’s Workshop, children’s candy cane hunt, gingerbread house building and more. The day will conclude with a holiday movie. Call 910-3262600 for more information. €

Stir a little love into everything you do. fair trade coffee • local baked goods • gluten-free choices

CRANBERRY MOCHA FRAPPE this month’s 2 0 - O Z . F O R O N LY $ 4 . 5 0 ! special OPEN MON–THURS 7AM-6PM | FRI–SUN 6:30AM–6PM Emerald Plantation | 8700 Emerald Drive | 252.354.2643

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 13

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner All ABC Permits

8302 Emerald Drive • Emerald Isle • 252.424.8284 November 12

CHRIS BELLAMY 6:30–9:30pm

November 14

WINE DINNER

With Ami Doss of Empire Distributors —RESERVATIONS REQUIRED—

November 18

HOOPS & BREWS plus!

LULAROE POP-UP SHOP Enjoy a craft beer flight while Ann-Marie’s Yoga teaches the art of making hula hoops and some fresh new moves!

November 19

BACKYARD BASH WITH BIG DRINK MUSIC CO. 6:30–9:30pm

November 26

STEVE COMPTON Visit Us Online! TheTradingPostEI.com 14 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Oyster Roast With Celebrity Guest Chef Sam Jones

B

eaufort Wine and Food is celebrating its third annual Oyster Roast, taking place at Beaufort East Village off Lennoxville Road from 2–5 p.m. Saturday, November12.

The site will offer guests views of Davis Bay while celebrating North Carolina’s coastal and culinary heritage.

Guests can enjoy a variety of oysters and other local seafood selections provided by Mr. Big Seafood, Joe Darden Seafood, Blue Ocean Market, Fishtowne Seafood, and many more.

Guest chef and pitmaster Sam Jones, chef and owner of Sam Jones BBQ in Greenville and famed Skylight Inn in Ayden, will create from the land a menu featuring wood-fired whole hog BBQ. In the world of barbecue, Sam Jones is hog royalty. Jones has been grabbing headlines in magazines like Saveur, Garden & Gun and Time, rubbed shoulders with the likes of TV food personality Andrew Zimmern, named one of the South’s best pitmasters by Southern Living magazine, and the restaurant was listed as a top new restaurant in the South by Southern Living. At Sam Jones BBQ , Jones continues to serve wood smoked whole hog and serve pulled-pork sandwiches flecked with crisped skin just like his father and grandfather always have. Rooted in rich tradition, Sam Jones BBQ offers a model for the next generation of Southern barbecue.

“We are thrilled to have Sam headlining our event,” says Lindsay Parker, executive director for BWF. “It’s great to have a powerhouse chef preparing whole hog barbecue the same way his family has been doing it for generations. Paired with a bounty of seafood harvested by local commercial fishermen, it doesn’t get more Eastern NC than that.”

To drink will be a variety of expertly paired wines and NC craft beers and guests can even purchase the wine selections at special BWF discounts. Winery representatives and brewers will be on hand to help guide guests through the culinary adventure.

Proceeds from this year’s Oyster Roast will benefit the Beaufort Boys and Girls Club and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center. The event is sponsored by Preston Development Company.

Hayrides, bonfires, a silent auction with large-format, rare and high-end wines, art, and more plus live music by Mac N’ Juice will round out the evening. Beaufort Wine and Food is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to host premier wine and food events to benefit other non-profits that excel in community enrichment and enhance quality of life in Carteret County.

Tickets are $75 per person, and this is expected to be a sold out event. To purchase tickets to this event or for more information, please call 252-515-0708, go online to beaufortwineandfood.com or stop by the Beaufort Wine and Food office at 129 Middle Lane in Beaufort. €

16 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

Celebrate A Historic Thanksgiving In Beaufort

T

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 • 11:30 AM–1 PM • BEAUFORT HISTORIC SITE

he Community Thanksgiving Feast held on the grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site is a unique, old-fashioned gathering of friends, neighbors, and visitors who promote a sense of community while sharing an amazing meal.

The Thanksgiving Feast will be held on Sunday, November 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site at 130 Turner Street in Beaufort Prepared and donated by our fine Beaufort restaurants, the feast is a delicious traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. This year’s participating restaurants include Aqua, Beaufort Grocery Co., Blue Moon Bistro, The Cedars Inn, Clawson’s 1905, The Coffee Shop, The Dock House Restaurant, Donna’s Deli at the Pig, Finz Grill, Front Street Grill at Stillwater, The General Store, Old Salt, Ribeye’s Steakhouse, Roland’s Barbecue, Royal James Café and the Spouter Inn. These wonderful restaurants generously take time out of their hectic schedules to participate in this holiday event.

In addition to the restaurants, the National Charity League, a mother/daughter organization welcomes guests and bakes homemade pies to benefit the BHA’s ongoing preservation and educational programs.

Served from the Victorian-style Josiah Bell House, dinner will consist of roast turkey with gravy and dressing, ham, seafood gumbo, chili, clam chowder, succotash, collards, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn bread, cranberry sauce, assorted pies, ice cream, iced tea and coffee. These meals may be packed to take home or eaten on the grounds of the Historic Site under a tent—heated, if necessary. The event is held rain or shine.

Tickets for the Thanksgiving feast are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Tickets are limited to 300, and sell out quickly so be sure to purchase yours ahead of time!

For more information or to purchase your tickets, contact the BHA at 252-728-5225, stop by the Welcome Center located at 130 Turner Street in Beaufort, or visit beauforthistoricsite.org. €

OLDE BEAUFORT FARMERS’ MARKET

SLICE BAKERY

Have a ‘Slice’ of some of the best baked goods in town!

M

orehead City’s Slice Bakery is a delight to experience. Just one visit to the bakery is all it takes to understand why! Recently we talked with owner Alex Russell about how his business began and his dreams for the future. You can visit Slice Bakery on Facebook or at 4650 Arendell Street in Morehead City to keep up with their most recent creations.

Slice! It’s an appropriate name for a bakery. How did that happen?

When customers stop in to purchase a cake, pie or something similar, we entice them to slow down and sit for a minute. Coffee? A slice of something? Conversation? It’s what we offer in addition to other goodies and many of our shoppers will sit for a while. We love it.

We have tables and chairs inside the store and also plan to add them out on the patio during the fall. In addition, they usually leave with additional treats for others. We’re prepared to wrap the purchase for the ride home! Actually, the name idea came from our customers. They recommended this change and we were happy to accommodate. We agree…it is a great name!

When did you start this bakery business, and why?

Slice is the current incarnation of a business that has evolved over 30 years. I had owned and operated restaurants and a bakery prior to my return to Carteret County in 2005. At that time, however, I was running a consumer event production company and don’t even remember the moment “let’s open another bakery” was uttered. It was 2008! The economy had just tanked and my former partner and I struck out on a new venture, Alex & Brett. Fast forward to the move to our now home—Carteret Village—and the decision to scale back a little. The previous location featured the fresh bakery and a huge inventory of retail foods and food products. Flying solo, I decided I wanted change the emphasis to products that I create in house.

Tell us about some of the challenges you have encountered.

It is a lot easier to make folks happy with cake than a full restaurant menu. It is still a challenge balancing new and exciting with what people are accustomed to.

Sounds like this is a labor of love and an intensive, hands-on process.

It certainly can be a labor of love. Hands-on is the best part. I would prefer to be at the bread bench all day making and shaping dough than on the computer ordering the flour that goes in

it. Then I want to talk directly to my customers and tell them all about that bread.

How do you sell the products?

I have a storefront in Carteret Village next to Circa 81. On Saturdays, I am at the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market. Breads are also offered at The Kitchen at Beaufort Olive Oil Company.

What comments and feedback do you hear from shoppers?

I listen to what people say so I can adjust and evolve. Of course, it is terrific when I hear specific comments like “best tomato pies anywhere” or “these are cinnamon rolls to die for” or “my daughter loved her birthday cake.”

Tell us a little about you personally I have roots in Carteret County. I was born on the Morehead City waterfront. (Catch the age revelation?) Grew up between here and Maryland/D.C. and returned here via Raleigh in 2005. I have no real free time so my “made time” is spent at Carteret Community Theatre where I am an actor/director and former vice-president. Also I am active at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church where I sing in the choir, head up St Martha’s Guild and have served on the vestry. I am also involved with the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, serving on the committee that plans the annual convention.

I also gratefully served on the transition committee for our newest bishop. In addition, I have served on the board of the Olde Beaufort Farmer’s Market since its beginning and, although not active as I would like to be, I am a Master Gardener.

What do you think you would be doing, if not this business?

That’s an easy question. I would be doing something in the food or hospitality industry.

What are your plans for the future?

Plans? Setting up umbrellas on a tropical beach with my partner sounds good to me. In the meantime, I will adjust my sails and go with the wind. For today, let’s just sit for a while and have a “Slice” of what my customers’ think is the best cake in town! €

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 17

T H E 1 3 TH A N N U A L

Emerald Isle

8307 EMERALD DRIVE • EMERALD ISLE

252.354.9024

*At participating locations. Limit 1 per person. Only 1 is flipped in the drive-thru & on multiple orders. Must be claimed at time of purchase.

CHRISTMAS PARADE FREE

REFRESHMENTS VISIT WITH

SANTA

HOLIDAY

CAROLING

AND FUN SINGA-LONG

Real Estate, Inc. VACATION RENTALS | REAL ESTATE SALES | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

✴

✴

To participate in the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade, contact Don Wells at donaldjwells@gmail.com or 252-722-3282. Deadline for entries is Nov. 22.

EMERALD ISLE PARKS & REC GYMNASIUM HOSTS THE FIFTH ANNUAL …

252-354-7873 shorewoodrealestate.com

7703 Emerald Drive | Emerald Isle | 1-888-557-0172

Arts & Crafts Fair

DECEMBER 3, 2016 • 8AM-5PM

All Handmade & Hand-Authenticated Items From 30 Vendors For vendor spots, contact Sheila Lowe at 252-354-6350 or slowe@emeraldisle-nc.org. Space is limited and is expected to fill quickly.

LINDA BERGMAN–ALTHOUSE

OUTER BANKS WILDLIFE SHELTER

Snakes Get No Resssssspect!

S

nakes are amazing creatures. Unfortunately, they are also among the least popular of all animals. Some people have a natural aversion to snakes, while others simply choose to hate them for unknown reasons. But the negative stigma surrounding snakes is quite undeserved. It is believed by wildlife biologists and others who work with snakes that this cold-blooded vertebrate is deeply misunderstood, especially considering that they are extremely beneficial to our ecosystem, playing the roles of both predator and prey. There are more than 2,600 species of snakes worldwide, and most are nonvenomous. Fossil records show snakes have been around for over 130 million years.

Recently a Red-Bellied Water Snake, attacked by a human with a shovel, was admitted to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport. The 4-foot snake received her second chance after a neighbor realized what was happening and intervened—but not before the snake had suffered quite a few lacerations. The snake was not in the best shape when she arrived. A treatment plan of medication and generous applications of antibiotic ointment was urgently administered. A full examination determined that the cuts were not as deep as they could have been, and her vital organs had been spared. The slithery one was lethargic at first from the trauma and shock of her ordeal, but she is doing very well now. The pretty girl is perky, fast, loves her soaks and is putting away quite the number of small fish during a feeding.

Unlike water snakes, which prefer aquatic foods, most snakes prey heavily on insects and rodents. Rats and mice reproduce often and destroy gardens and crops, start fires by chewing electrical wires and spread harmful diseases. Snakes are very effective at hunting small rodents because they are designed to crawl into their small burrows and shelters. There are stories of areas where someone eradicated all the snakes, only to be overrun by the subsequent exploding rat population!

All snakes are described similarly: long, linear-shaped reptiles covered with a skin of supple, living scales. They are legless with staring eyes that never blink and they sport a great marvel of nature: the flickering forked tongue used to perceive scents, which is their main sensory organ. Snakes present in every color you can think of. They have fangs that will or will not deliver toxic venom, depending upon species. As defense mechanisms, even the shyest of snakes can hiss, coil, puff up or bite when threatened. These behaviors alone may scare people, but the best thing to do if you encounter a snake is leave it alone. Snakes usually prefer to retreat when confronted but can become defensive if provoked. Although most snakes are not venomous, they can still bite. Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill them.

Most snakes belong to the Colubridae family, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Colubrids are much smaller than boas and pythons, move very fast and eat once a week to once a month. Meal frequency depends upon opportunity and the snake’s metabolism (the faster the metabolism, the more often the snake needs to eat). Snakes use their highly developed senses to track and locate prey. They are highly mobile creatures, able to move over sand and rocks, burrow in the soil, squeeze through cracks and crevices in rocks, climb vertical rock walls and the thinnest tree branches and even swim with great speed.

You may have heard a gruesome saying that the only good snake is a dead snake. Well, we need to debunk that old myth! Snakes deserve respect because they help maintain a high level of biodiversity that is extremely important to all life on Earth. They are middle-order predators that help keep our natural ecosystems working. In addition, they become prey for other wildlife such as hawks, eagles and other raptors that could simply vanish if snakes were not a viable food source. Venomous snakes, a touchier subject, deserve props too! They do great work in the medical field. Snake venom is used to treat excessive bleeding, cancers, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. They save millions of lives every year.

When our Red-Bellied Water Snake is released, please watch out for her, for she is only going to do good things! She will probably bulk up a little before the end of autumn. You might see her grabbing a warm sun spot in the driveway or on the patio before dormancy, which is another term for hibernation, during the winter. When left alone, snakes present little or no danger to people, so adapting to live safely with snakes is doable, as long as you control your fear factor. Let them be!

When you get the chance, stop by our shelter to meet Blanca, our resident leucistic Rat Snake. Deprived of her natural camouflage coloring at birth, she has become a hefty, white

beauty who is a fascinating Wildlife Ambassador! Total respect! €

A Red-Bellied Water Snake like the one recently admitted to the OWLS Wildlife Shelter in Newport.

Corn Snake

Mole Snake Rat Snake

Other snakes local to our area.

All are non-venomous.

ABOUT OWLS TAKE A TOUR of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way in Newport. To volunteer, call 252-2401200. If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, the OWLS non-releasable education animals jump at the chance!

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 19

LOCAL ART SCENE

WILL ASHBY

Q&A With Artist Jimmy Craig Womble

J

immy Craig Womble is an artist living in Morehead City with his wife Gwendy and sons Ollie, 8 and Hoppy, 4. He maintains a studio in Beaufort on the corner of Ann and Live Oak Streets. He graduated cum laude from NC State’s School of Design with a degree in environmental design.

He has been a full-time artist for 12 years, showing in galleries around the state, as well as being featured in Our State magazine, the Tarheel Traveler series on WRAL-TV, the book Painting North Carolina, by Kimberly Marsigli and numerous other publications over the years. His work is in public and private collections throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

For more information, gallery representation and upcoming events go to jimmycraigwomble. com

What mediums do you generally work with?

I generally use oils as my medium of choice, but also dabble in watercolor and use acrylics for mural work.

What influences your creative process?

My creative process is always influenced by what it is I am attracted to initially when I see something I want to paint.

Whether it is the light, color, atmosphere, the landscape itself. It tells me how to proceed. This way there is no set process and it keeps each painting fresh for me, which hopefully keeps it fresh for the viewer as well.

How has your style changed over the years?

I’d say the main change throughout the years has been a gradual letting go of unessential detail in my work. Some of my early pieces had everything but the kitchen sink in them, resulting from relying too much on photo reference and not having enough

Jimmy Craig Womble is an artist living in Morehead City. He maintains a studio in Beaufort on the corner of Ann and Live Oak Streets. Check out his work online at jimmycraigwomble.com. experience outside. But with 15 years of getting outside and painting and really beginning to realize what I want to express in each picture, detail has become a tool, focusing on the area of interest and letting a lot of it go elsewhere. I’ve also really begun to enjoy just pushing thick paint around, which also affects what kind of detail is possible.

From my experience, finishing a painting is like admitting defeat. Rarely do I ever walk away from a project feeling content or completely satisfied. When painting, when do you decide to walk away from a project and decide it’s finished?

You are so right, Will. I struggle a lot on the question of finish.

When is a piece done? Have you heard the phrase about needing one artist to paint and another to tell the first when to stop? I try to tell myself when I’ve said what I want to say, it’s time to stop. But when you are in front of a picture, it’s easier said than done. I am

20 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

One of Womble’s fishing lure series of oil paintings. as guilty as anyone of killing a painting by overwork. Again, I think a firm idea of what you are trying to convey helps enormously, as well as not having a photo to look at…unless you hold it as far away as possible! Sometimes I’ll paint a small pic from a photo and then do a larger version relying mostly on the smaller one to help remind me of what’s most important to me.

As a career, being an artist can be both incredibly gratifying and difficult. What are some of the pros and cons for you?

The pros are being your own boss, flexible schedule, getting out into nature and working there, the rush from finishing a painting, the knowledge that you and only you have brought an object into existence, from start to finish.

VISIT OUR

HUGE SHOWROOM! WE SPECIALIZE IN

EVERYTHING COASTAL!

Home Décor • Bedding Bathroom & Kitchen Accessories Pictures & Flags • Gifts Paint-Your-Own Buoys

LARGEST SELECTION OF GUY HARVEY T-SHIRTS ON THE EAST COAST! —Mon–Sat 10–5 • Sun 11–5—

1075 Cedar Point Boulevard 252.393.7200 Cons are being your own boss, the buck stops with you! You have to be the painter as well as making time to do the business end as well, which is a drain! The frustration of trying to finish a painting can be maddening, because there is no clear finish, like painting a house.

Bugs, heat, a constantly changing sun, sunburn, a lot of painting duds are bummers when painting on site. You can work for months and have nothing to show for it except credit card debt. Not all paintings sell, in fact most don’t, which can wreak havoc on the psyche of an artist. Insecurity, doubt, sparse sales, a lack of creative spark, can all weigh heavily on you and make for some low times. But that comes with the territory and I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to live my dream for 12 years as a full-time artist.

What was your most gratifying experience as an artist?

I would have to say my most gratifying experience has to be doing two large paintings for Duke

Hospital in Durham. These are my largest paintings on canvas to date, each at 48" x 75", and they hang in front of the Heart Center area. I had to create them at home by stapling the canvas to my dining room wall. I didn’t know where they were until I had to go see my dad over the course of the summer of 2015, when he was there for over a month, having open heart surgery. Imagine the surprise when I walked up the first time and there they were, flanking the doorway back to his wing! Dad, however, remembers nothing of even seeing them, but I love that they are where so many people can see them and hopefully bring a little joy to an extremely stressful situation.

The nature of an artist is always evolving. What are some mediums, techniques or technologies you would like to explore?

You know Will, it’s funny, but it seems the longer I work as an artist, the smaller my material list gets! I’m down to using 6 to

8 colors at the most on a canvas and it’s usually around 5. I think as I understand more about the act of painting, my exploration is concerned with honing my vision and trying to figure out what makes the strongest statement, as well as enjoying the natural working properties of my medium.

For example, my watercolors are getting more loose and washy and my oils are getting thicker and juicier, as I am really enjoying packing on the paint. I call it using the “voice” of the medium to say what you want.

What do you currently have up your sleeve?

I’ve got a few things coming up I am really excited about. I am in the process of painting smaller pieces for the upcoming holiday season, which will be available at the studio. I have also created a series of larger fishing lure paintings which were fun to do and are full of color. I will be in an upcoming showing with my friends Mandy Johnson and Lisa Tucek during the Beaufort Candlelight Tour. We will be at the house

beside Beaufort Grocery and have an opening on the evening of December 9. We will then be there on the 10th, over the course of the day for the Candlelight Tour, selling work. Next up is a major show at Mim’s Gallery, Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount in March of 2017, where up to 40 works will be on display.

Where can folks find your work currently?

My work can be seen at my studio on the corner of Ann and Live Oak in Beaufort; Carteret Contemporary Art in Morehead City; City Art in Greenville; Adam Cave Fine Art in Raleigh; Wells Gallery on Kiawah Island, South Carolina; online at jimmycraigwomble. com, jimmycraig2 on Instagram, Jimmy Craig Womble II Art on Facebook. And soon I will have a satellite space at The Promise’ Land Market in Morehead City, where I intend to sell more prints, cards and some originals. Come on by. Thanks so much Will, for the chance to talk a little about my work! €

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 21

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Lets Kids Experience Colonial Times

Jumble Sale Brings Old-Fashioned Community Market to Beaufort

he Beaufort Historic Site will welcome children taking part in Kindergarten Thanksgiving, the Beaufort Historical Association’s autumn educational program, November 1–4, 7–10 and 14–17.

As part of this program, the students will visit four stations on the grounds of the site, each designed to teach them about a different aspect of life as a colonial Beaufort resident. Hands-on activities, such as the popular butter churning station, allow the children to participate in the entire process of making butter, from milking the almost lifelike cow to serving the final product. Other activities include colonial dress-up, open hearth cooking, colonial gardening and spinning and weaving.

The Beaufort Historical Association offers programs such as Harvest Time and the popular Kindergarten Thanksgiving to educate children about the rich history of Beaufort and Carteret County. Kindergarten Thanksgiving is just one of the many educational opportunities provided to area students by the Beaufort Historical Association.

Kindergarten Thanksgiving is open to kindergarten classes from public and private schools across the state, as well as home schooled children. To reserve space for your class contact Kathryn Johnson at 252-728-5225, officemanager@beauforthistoricsite.org or by stopping by the Visitor’s Center at 130 Turner Street in Beaufort. €

he Beaufort Historical Association offers something for everyone at its annual Jumble Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 19 on the grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site. The Site, located at 130 Turner Street in Beaufort, transforms into an old-fashioned community market filled with vendors selling a wide variety of items.

Eventgoers can expect to find antiques and collectibles, fine art, pottery, crafts, holiday items, handmade jewelry, candles, books, homemade food and more. One of the highlights every year is the Beaufort Garden Club’s booth with homemade food items and many pre-loved treasures donated by their members. Held rain or shine, it’s a great opportunity for holiday shoppers to find that one-of-a-kind gift and special bargains all in one location.

The Jumble Sale serves as a fund raiser for the restoration and education projects of the Beaufort Historical Association. This event, along with the Thanksgiving Feast, has been going on for over twenty years. These two events make for a great autumn weekend in Beaufort.

Vendor spaces are still available.

For more information or to download or submit a vendor application form, please visit beauforthistoricsite.org or contact Sidney Hunter at 252-728-5225 or pr@beauforthistoricsite.org. €

T

T

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. 22 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK

HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT

THANKS, MOTHER NATURE!

A

A H O O K E D U P L O O K A T W H A T ’ S B I T I N G I N N OV E M B E R

s November settles in we’re reminded of the importance of family and friends, giving thanks for all we have. Like all who choose to enjoy our wonderful fisheries resource, I also find myself thanking Mother Nature for her amazing abilities to survive and recoup from brutal weather. The NC coast often gets pounded with extremely cold winters as well as tropical storms and hurricanes each fall. Both of these types of weather have an impact on our local fish populations, especially our speckled trout. The last couple years we’ve experienced good numbers of small 10–15" speckled trout with very low numbers of fish over 2 pounds. But last year’s mild winter allowed all of those small trout to survive, and the result has been an amazing number of 1 to 4-pound fish. Aboard Fish’4life Charters, we’ve already caught trout up to 6 pounds this fall. Thanks to Mother Nature, many anglers along the Crystal Coast will have the opportunity to land the fish of a lifetime!

INSHORE FISHING Despite a recent tropical storm and hurricane that dumped record amounts of rainfall into our coastal rivers, inshore fishing was fantastic in October with plenty of black drum, bluefish, reds, spots and other bottom fish along the surf, inlets and ICW. Many anglers and giggers reported plenty of summer flounder in the lower rivers, sounds and near the inlets.

There have been a lot of flatties up to 4 pounds or more coming to the scales from gigging and inshore fishing the past few weeks. Many of the shallow bays and channels along the Crystal Coast were productive for redfish and speckled trout in October and we can expect a good bite to continue in November.

Some of the most productive baits that produce strike after strike for us aboard Fish’n4life Charters include Berkley’s 4" Gulp Shrimp, 5" Jerkshad, 4" Rippled Mullet, Bett’s Halo Shad and Perfect Sinker Shrimp. When fishing in the current I like to use a ¹⁄16 to ¹⁄8-oz. jighead for depths under 5' and a ¹⁄4 to 3⁄16-oz. in depths of 5–10'. When targeting areas with little to no current (mainland creeks) I prefer to go as light as possible, using ¹⁄8-oz. or less baits. This allows more suspend time of the bait, which drives trout and redfish crazy! As the weather gets colder, switching over to a live shrimp or mud minnow fished under a slip cork rig and suspended just above the bottom will entice these cold blooded, lethargic fish to feed better.

As you load up your tackle box this November, remember, Dudley’s Marina has the lowest prices, keeps the largest variety of Berkley Gulp baits in stock and can easily accommodate all of your fishing needs.

EXTREME REDFISHING Redfish will continue to work our shallow bays and creeks along our inshore waters but, anglers can also find some very good concentrations of slot-sized reds along the surf and inlets in November. Much of our bait will continue to migrate out the inlets and pile up in the surf zone during the late fall, and the majority of our redfish follow this bait. Those experienced with operating a boat in the chop and swell of the surf zone will be able to maneuver shallow enough to target these fish from the boat. I’ll be guiding clients to these ocean reds throughout the winter, often catching and releasing 20 to 50 reds during a 4-hour trip, with most fish ranging from 5 to 12 pounds. My go-to bait for this situation is a Berkley Gulp 4" Shrimp with a ½-oz. jighead. Anglers not comfortable with putting their boats in the swell of the surf zone can safely target these reds by parking on the inside of Beaufort, Bogue or Bear Inlets, hiking over to the surf and casting along the beach until a school is located.

These fish can be found roaming just outside every inlet along our coast during the winter.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT FISH’N 4 LIFE CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK

leads fishing and nature charters on the Crystal Coast. To get out on the water with him, call 910-325-8194. You can also visit him online at nccharterfishing.com.

Penn® Clash spinning reels feature everything one would expect from a legendary fishing tackle manufacturer such as Penn. Starting from the inside out, the gear train runs off DuraGear technology which offers a more durable and long-lasting gear than other reels on the market. Nine sealed bearings keep everything in line and moving freely while a full metal body eliminates twist caused by high-drag pressure. Other features include a thick aluminum bail wire, slow oscillation system for superb line management, line capacity rings and a braid ready spool. These reels are offered in sizes ranging from the 2000 to the 8000 series to accommodate every angler, whether you’re fishing the inshore, nearshore or offshore waters.

Have a great November and take the family fishing! €

CarolinaSalt.com » November/December 2016 CAROLINA SALT 23

DISCOVERY DIVING

LEE MOORE

DIVING OUR COAST W H A T ’ S U N D E R W A T E R I N N OV E M B E R

N

ovember is when the water begins to cool down offshore. Temperatures will start to slip down to the low 70s; by the end of the month they’ll be in the upper 60s. Charters will still be running, but weekend sports activities and the chill in the air keep most divers out of the water.

On October 22, Discovery Diving had their 37th annual Treasure Hunt.

There were over 150 in attendance for the end of summer and beginning of fall dive and pig pickin’. The theme for the attendees was “Pirates.” Many of the participants dressed up in full pirate regalia! After everyone had gone through the food line, the prize drawings began.

The drawing order was determined by the numbers on the oyster shells that the participants found at Radio Island earlier. At the end of the day after all of the prizes had been given out, everyone packed up to return to their homes. Some were locals, but most had come from across the state or from other states to renew old friendships or start new ones.

SEA URCHINS As divers swim around Radio Island, the wrecks or the ledges off of the Crystal Coast, most pay little attention to the sea urchins unless their hand happens to land on one. They are echinoderms, a group that also includes sand dollars, basket starfish, sea stars and brittle starfish. There are over 6,000 species of echinoderms. They got their name from the Greek words echinos, which means spiny, and derma, which means skin.

Sea urchins are easily recognized by their half-sphere shell, known as a test, which is covered with spines. These spines have multiple barbs on them that point back towards the body. Because of the direction of the barbs, the spines are hard to remove from skin. Sea urchins are found in every ocean and have been found as deep as 16,400 feet. There are over 950 species of sea urchins in a variety of colors such as white, red, blue, brown, purple and black. White sea urchins, known as collector urchins, use their spines to move shells and other objects on top of their spines to create a camouflage to hide from predators.

While sea urchins appear to be stationary creatures, they actually move around the ocean floor. If you are on a sandy bottom, you can see their tracks! They move about on their tube feet by pumping water through a series of internal body canals. The tube feet have suckers on the ends that allow them to securely attach to rocks and wrecks.

The urchin’s mouth is located in the center of its body on the underside of the shell. It contains five teeth that are manipulated by a system of muscles and plates. Positioned around the mouth are five pairs of gills. Opposite of the mouth, on the top side of the shell, is the anus. Sea urchins mainly eat algae but they also eat sponges, worms, mussels and other sea urchins. Fish, sea otters, humans and sea stars use sea urchins as a food source.

While most divers consider sea urchins a nuisance, they play an important role in the ocean by eating algae and keeping the oceans clean and healthy. Even though they are small in size, juvenile fish can find refuge in the spines. This living habitat allows juveniles a place they can begin their life and hopefully grow to adulthood.

If you would like to see where sea urchins live, contact Discovery Diving at 252-728-2265 or at dive@discoverydiving.com or like us on Facebook to see what events are coming up in the near future. €

24 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

JOIN DISCOVERY CONTACT

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.

NOVEMBER 7 TO DECEMBER 7

CAPE HATTERAS TIDE CHART

200

NORTH CAROLINA

WET & DRY SLIPS

WILDLIFE SERVICE AGENT

BOAT SERVICE OFFICIAL CITATION WEIGH STATION

The most complete bait & tackle marina on the East Coast. Extensive boat storage and a friendly staff make Dudley’s a one-stop shop for all your boating needs.

ETHANOLFREE GAS AT THE DOCKS

HIGHWAY 24 EAST • SWANSBORO • 252-393-2204 • DUDLEYSMARINA.NET

ASK THE AQUARIUM

NCAQUARIUMS.COM/PINE-KNOLL-SHORES

ASK the AQUARIUM

Q

My husband and I found a very odd crab in our net. We’d never seen one with such claws. It seemed to hold them in front of its face as if hiding. The oversized front claws met in the middle like two interlocking jigsaw pieces. It had very pretty markings. We let it go...

This close-up photo illustrates how the massive claws of the shame faced crab fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The crab uses the claws to excavate sand forward so the crab can sink downward until it is completely covered by sediment for ambush hunting or escaping predators.

A

The oversized, jigsaw configuration of the claws is a dead giveaway for a little known but fairly common crab called a shame-faced crab (Calappa granulata).

A member of the box crab variety, the common shame-faced is a shallow-water crab most often seen off southern beaches.

The shell of this attractive, yet odd-shaped crustacean is very compact and incredibly hard. The claws form a perfect jigsaw to cover the crab’s entire face, hence its coquettish name. The “face” is actually the breathing apparatus and mouth parts, and is the most vulnerable part of a crab’s body. The claws form an impenetrable barrier to this area.

There are two other parts of a crab’s body that are tasty morsels for predators – the eyes and legs. For the shame-faced crab, deep grooves in the body allow both the eyes and legs to disappear, making them completely in accessible.

If you think those claws look pretty serious, you’re right. They are incredibly powerful. If you get pinched by one you may have to resort to snapping off the entire claw. Favorite foods are mollusks, and the crab’s specially formed forceps are well adapted to picking apart snails and strong enough to crack their shells.

Being an ambush hunter, the crab is inactive most of time, burying itself in sandy bottoms with only its eyes, antennae and the upper parts of its shell showing. Its color pattern of rose or yellowish crimson is excellent camouflage, and it’s four pairs of walking legs buried under the sand are rather slim because they are seldom used.

Like most crabs, the shame-faced holds its claws out front, but the top of each claw has a large flare.

When seen closely, the left claw comes to a fine point and has sharp, serrated teeth. Once it grabs hold of something there’s no escaping. The right claw is powerful as well, but it’s not the pincher itself that’s truly amazing, but the nodules you can see on the wrist.

The big claws are also used for digging. Most crabs use their back legs to burrow backwards into the sand, but the shame-faced uses those huge claws like bulldozers, excavating the sand forward so the crab sinks downward until it’s completely covered by sediment. Now you see it – now you don’t. Very effective. € Discover more facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Call 1-800-832-FISH for more information.

26 CAROLINA SALT November/December 2016 » CarolinaSalt.com

Live Entertainment!

November 11 ( Now and Then )

A casual island eatery with a touch of class.

November 18 Scearce & Ketner November 25 Naked Knees

SEAFOOD♥STEAKS♥SANDWICHES

311 Mangrove Drive Across from CVS in Emerald Isle

252.354.7775 • flipperz.net • facebook.com/flipperzemeraldisle

Open Tue–Thu 11am–8pm • Fri-Sat 11am–9pm • Sun 11am–8pm • CLOSED MONDAYS

caribsearestaurant.com

EMERALD ISLE // NORTH CAROLINA

FISH

Sustainable local seafood utilizing modern cooking techniques.

From local boats to our table– prepared with a Southern flair.

PRIME

Prime certified Angus® beef. Aged up to 36 days in-house for maximum flavor, and simply prepared, showcasing the best of American ranchers.

RAW

Special techniques in preparing seafood and beef ensure food safety and maximum flavor and texture.

JOIN US AT THE A ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE

Best Sunset on the Island

//

Bar Menu

//

Drink Specials

//

Wednesday Night Live Entertainment

open for lunch & dinner // 8920 crew drive // emerald isle // 252.424.8400