North Beach Sun Spring 2020

fresher than fresh

SPRING 2020 • VOLUME 132

FREE!

delightfully flavorful raw seafood dishes

masterful

boat transoms locals tackle the

boston marathon

say hello to the all-new

north beach sun!

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 1

Coastal Communities

Artful and Inspiring Design

WATER OAK O N K I T T Y H AW K B AY

from the $400s

from the $500s

from the $200s

Soundfront Community - Kill Devil Hills

Soundfront - Soundview - Oceanside

Gated, Soundfront Community - Grandy

• 3 & 4 Bedroom Plans •1 & 2 Car Garages • Covered Terraces • One-Level Living • Community Pier

• 4 to 11 Bedroom Plans • Innovative Designs • Positive Cash-flow • Community Pier • Beach Access

• Single Family & Condo Residences • Resort Style Amenities • 2-4 Bedroom Plans • Attached Garages • One-Level Living

2 | S PR I N G 2020

HomesBySAGA.com • 252-441-9003

Photo Credit: Milepost Living

obxtrio.com • 252.261.0277 MP 4.5 in Kitty Hawk

All Day Dining and Drinks on the Sound in Duck Visit our website for hours, live music and event info:

252.715.1414

villagetableandtavern.com 1314 Duck Road, Duck N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 3

Bloom Boutique

Go on an

island adventure!

A fashion forward boutique offering unique, high quality women’s clothing and accessories. Pop in for a personalized enjoyable shopping experience.

4 107 Fernando Street

252-305-8638

Downtown Books

Avenue Waterfront Grille

The independent bookstore that puts the right books in the right hands. Large selection of Outer Banks titles, best-sellers, cookbooks and children’s books, greeting cards, gifts and more.

Local seafood, all-natural proteins, specialty burgers and pizzas. Craft beers, wine and Outer Banks cocktails. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan selections. Come and play Carolina Keno and N.C. Education Lottery with us!

1 105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street

252-473-1056 • duckscottage.com

5 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-473-4800 • avenuegrilleobx.com

Charlotte’s

Full-service ladies’ boutique specializing in fashions that are traditional with a contemporary flair.

Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream

2 103A Fernando Street

Dozens of homemade ice cream varieties, smoothies, shakes, sundaes, handmade Belgian chocolates, fresh fudge and an Italian espresso bar. Chocolate boxes for the holidays. Open all year.

252-473-3078 • shopcharlottes.com

Sisters Boutique & Gifts

6 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

For your wardrobe + home.

252-423-3118 • bigbucksicecream.com

3 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-305-8582 • @sistersofmanteo

Upcoming Events

FIRST FRIDAYS

First Friday of every month, 6 - 8 p.m.

Stroll the streets of Manteo enjoying food, live music, beer specials, book signings, local art and more. Starts April 3.

FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Local vendors can be found at the George Washington Creef Park on the waterfront. Starting May 12.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE LOST COLONY BREWERY & CAFE

Mondays, 7:30 p.m.

Join Trivia Master Tim Hass for an evening of arcane minutia. Compete against other teams for prizes and mad geek creds.

DOWNTOWN BOOKS SPRING BOOK SIGNINGS & EVENTS 4/3 5/1

4 | S PR I N G 2020

First Friday: rum, cake & Tess: Happy birthday, Dare County!

Wes Snyder: Journey Through the Outer Banks book release and signing

LIVE MUSIC AT AVENUE WATERFRONT GRILLE 4/3

First Friday live music with Steve Hauser 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

4/19 Fundraiser for Mano al Hermano with dinner and dancing 5/1 First Friday live music with Gorillas and the Miss 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Saturday, April 11 Hunt for thousands of eggs on the Great Lawn of The Elizabethan Gardens during this fun, family-friendly Easter tradition.

nest

nest

The Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe

Distinctive clothing by CP Shades and Wilt and many other niche brands. Sophisticated accessories, jewelry and fragrances for you and your home.

Largest growing local brewery on the Outer Banks. Award-winning craft beers and creative cuisine served for more than 20 years.

Outdoor, pet-friendly dining available. Dinner reservations accepted.

7 Magnolia Lane

252-473-5141

10 208 Queen Elizabeth Street

252-473-6666 • lostcolonybrewery.com

Sleeping In, Ltd.

Celebrating 20 years in 2020! Fashion, sleepwear, jewelry, home textiles and more! It’s a “gotta have it” kind of place.

The Wheel House Lounge

The newest craft cocktail bar located inside of Outer Banks Distilling. Distillery tours are at noon daily, afterward the lounge opens specializing in Kill Devil Rum cocktails. The distillery gift shop is open from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and the Wheel House Lounge is open from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.

8 101B Fernando Street

252-475-1971 • Like us on Facebook

Sam & Winston

11 510 Budleigh Street

A southern family-owned shop with fine art, books, gourmet kitchen goods and high-design gifts for ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs.

Come see our spacious new location!

252-423-3011 outerbanksdistilling.com

9 108 Sir Walter Raleigh Street

252-475-9764 samandwinston.com

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Friday, May 8 Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County sponsor this free, family-friendly event at Roanoke Island Festival Park that includes face-painting, bubbles, arts and crafts, music and more for children ages five and under.

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April 10-11 Please join the Sam & Winston family to celebrate their new beginning at 108 Sir Walter Raleigh Street. Featuring new lines and plenty of old favorites. Come shop, visit, and enjoy food and drinks with Sheila and Creecy.

12TH ANNUAL KIDSFEST

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SAM & WINSTON GRAND RE-OPENING

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MARSHES LIGHT

TRISH MCEVOY MAKEUP EVENT

May 1-2 Reserve your complimentary mini makeover session at Charlotte’s. Call 252-473-3078 or sign up online at shopcharlottes.com.

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 5

18 53

56 SPRING 2020

8

FROM THE DESK

11 BUT FIRST...

12 SPRING EVENTS CALENDAR LIFESTYLE

14 THE TICKING CLOCK Tracking a cold case with the hit podcast CounterClock 16 FOUR IF BY SEA Shells > sharks OUTDOORS

18 KEEPING THE PACE Locals tackle the Boston Marathon 20 SHORE SCIENCE Are you ocean literate?

22 FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE The need for controlled burns FOOD & BEVERAGE

25 FRESHER THAN FRESH Three no-cook seafood dishes REAL ESTATE

30 HOME SPOTLIGHT Big on style in Southern Shores 34 AT HOME BEHIND THE LENS Architectural photography with Elizabeth Neal 36 JUST ADD WATER A starter guide to backyard pools 38 BUSINESS BRIEFS

40 TOWN REPORT What's happening all over the beach 42 MUSEUM OF THE SEA The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum 44 MOOD BOARD Home sweet home 46 SUN SALUTATIONS 50 FIVE FACTS Things you didn't know about the Whalehead Club ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

53 ART ON THE WATER Masterful boat transoms 56 OCEAN INSPIRATION The colorful works of Harry Meraklis THE LOCAL LIFE

58 SIMONE ENDRES Owner and instructor, Infinity Dance

ABOUT THE COVER: Local rockfish is the star of this Italian-style crudo dish styled by Chef Dan Lewis (photo by Elizabeth Neal).

THIS PAGE: Photos by Ryan Moser (left and lower right) and Cory Godwin (top right).

6 | S PR I N G 2020

L L A F E E R F X B #O

M E D N A T E V I D Y SK OVER THE

!

S K N A B R OUTE

!

N W O T N I W E I V T THE BES SKYDIVEOBX.COM • 252-678-JUMP(5867)N O RT H B E ACH SU N

| 7

F R O M T H E DE S K

staff PUBLISHERS Adam & Cathy Baldwin EDITOR Amelia Boldaji ART DIRECTOR Dave Rollins

The art of Harry Meraklis, also known as HarryFish Art, featured on page 56. Photo by Ryan Moser.

Moving from vision to reality.

IT’S BEEN 33 YEARS AND 131 ISSUES SINCE THE VERY FIRST EDITION OF THE

Back then, it was a proper newspaper covering the northern beaches, and we still have stacks of loosely folded copies from the ‘80s and ‘90s upstairs in our office with headlines such as “Whalehead Club Goes Public” and “Duck Property Owner Seeks Presidential Bid.” While they can be hugely fun to flip through from a nostalgic point of view, when Cathy and Adam bought the Sun in 2012, they had a clear vision of turning it into a full-blown magazine for the entire Outer Banks from the start – a publication exactly like what you’re holding in your hands right now, in fact. But, as we all know, change takes time, and knowing where you want to end up doesn’t necessarily shorten your journey.

We’ve made a few tweaks here and there over the years, of course. And every time we sit down to put together a new issue, we bring a list of questions to the table. What’s working or resonating with our readers? What can we improve on? And is there something worth trying that we’ve never done before – even if we can’t be fully sure about the outcome?

Because that’s the other thing about change: It can be scary. At minimum, it makes us reflect on past differences, and at its most extreme, it can force us to evaluate ourselves and confront our level of willingness to embrace an unknowable future.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Moving from vision to reality is a process, after all, and – as the saying goes – you can’t get there without taking that first step. And then working up the courage to take the next.

Thank you to all the readers who have been with us through all the changes, both large and small – and a special thanks to those who are just joining us. As always, we hope you enjoy this issue…and all the ones yet to come!

NORTH BEACH SUN.

Publisher

Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Adam Baldwin Dylan Bush WRITERS Cathy Baldwin Amelia Boldaji Steve Hanf Lexi Holian Terri Kirby Hathaway Catherine Kozak Katrina Mae Leuzinger Amanda McDanel Arabella Saunders Chloe E. Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Lori Douglas Cory Godwin Ryan Moser Elizabeth Neal Casey Robertson SALES MANAGER Helen Furr ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Faith Turek DISTRIBUTOR Aaron Caswell INTERN Emmy Trivette The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun and/or its contributors. Opinions, responses, and inquiries are always welcome.

NORTH BEACH SUN 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 editor@northbeachsun.com

8 | S PR I N G 2020

Learn more about the Wild Horses of Corolla

Manteo

Waterfront Shops 252-423-3118 NEW LOCATION!

1130E Corolla Village Road, Corolla • corollawildhorses.org • 252-453-8002 Wild Horse Museum • Gift Shop • Fun & Educational Events • Open Year Round

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.

Kitty Hawk

MP 4.5 Buccaneer’s Walk 252-715-0779

Corolla

Timbuck II 252-453-3188

bigbucksicecream.com Like us on Facebook for updates, store hours, specials and more.

REACH YOUR GOALS YMCA Group Exercise Classes and Personal Training 7KH < RIIHUV ¾WQHVV FODVVHV IRU DOO DJHV DOO OHYHOV DQG DOO LQWHUHVWV )URP ORZ LPSDFW H[HUFLVH DQG FKDLU FODVVHV WR KLJK OHYHO VWUHQJWK WUDLQLQJ FODVVHV DQG LQGRRU F\FOLQJ ZDWHU H[HUFLVH DQG \RJD \RXµOO ¾QG D JURXS FODVV WKDWµV IXQ VXSSRUWLYH DQG NHHSV \RX PRYLQJ 6LJQ XS IRU SHUVRQDO WUDLQLQJ IRU D PRUH WDLORUHG ZRUNRXW WR KHOS \RX PHHW \RXU LQGLYLGXDO ¾WQHVV JRDOV

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MAIL CHECKS TO:

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View our group exercise schedule at \PFDVKU RUJ ¾WQHVV FODVV VFKHGXOH

NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE CC# EXP. DATE

ZIP

OUTER BANKS FAMILY YMCA

3000 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959 P (252) 449-8897 W ymcashr.org

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 9

LIVE HARDWOOD GRILLED STEAKS AND SEAFOOD

Fun events are coming to the Town of Duck!

7th Annual

EASTER EGG HUNT April 11, 2020

presented by the Duck Merchants Association

BREAKFAST • STEAKS • SEAFOOD

AWARD-WINNING WINE LIST • GREAT KIDS’ MENU

NE W TH IS YE AR !

BREAKFAST from 7am - 12pm Our April & May specials:

BURGER NIGHT Mondays

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION Sundays

Half price bottles of wine & awesome specials

FREE SUMMER EVENTS

music, magic, and more!

Timbuck II Shopping Village in Corolla • grillroomobx.com • 252-453-4336

a bearded face production

PLUS!

SE

GRILLED CHEE

COOK-OFF

THE NTH POWER

ROOSEVELT COLLIER BAND • NEAL FRANCIS THE COMMONHEART • BLACKFOOT GYPSIES

MARVELOUS FUNKSHUN • ERIN AND THE WILDFIRE THE PLATE SCRAPERS • HEDONISTAS • VIOLET BELL RUTH WYAND AND THE TRIBE OF ONE MUSTANG OUTREACH PROGRAM STUDENT BANDS

2 FULL DAYS

OF MUSIC!

MAY 16-17

MIKE DIANNA’S GRILL ROOM • COROLLA, NC

GET TICKETS AT MUSTANGMUSICFESTIVAL.COM Proceeds benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and Mustang Outreach Program

10 | S PR I N G 2020

townofduck.com 252.255.1234

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF SWIMWEAR ON THE BEACH! SIZES XS TO BRA SIZE H! KILL DEVIL HILLS

2000 S. Croatan Hwy. 441-5338 DUCK

1171 Duck Rd Scarborough Lane Shoppes 261-7297

COROLLA

801 Ocean Trail (next to Food Lion) 453-4862

BIRTHDAY-SUITS.COM

but first... one of these things is a lot like the other…

FEW MONUMENTS SCREAM “OUTER BANKS” MORE

– but if you’ve ever done a double take at an eerily similar lighthouse on some other shore, your eyes might not be deceiving you.

THAN OUR SEVERAL ICONIC LIGHTHOUSES

As it turns out, many of today’s lighthouses aren’t as bespoken as we typically imagine them to be. While the construction of these beacons was largely uncoordinated during the colonial period, the newly formed national government quickly recognized their vital navigational roles and assumed responsibility for them in 1789 with the creation of the United States Lighthouse Establishment.

morris island, sc

yaquina head,OR

Bodie Island, NC

It was a step in the right direction, but it didn’t quite go far enough. Due to numerous complaints about the inefficiency of the system, the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment became the U.S. Lighthouse Board in 1852, and it was composed primarily of naval and Army engineers who were increasingly responsible for tasks such as building, repairing and maintaining the country’s lighthouses.

Along with advancing technology in construction techniques over the next few decades, the U.S. Lighthouse Board effectively began to standardize certain lighthouse types during the mid-19th century – resulting in a number of far-flung lighthouses eventually sharing quite similar design plans.

One example of this came from the U.S. Lighthouse Board’s celebrated civil engineer Paul J. Pelz. A Polish immigrant, Pelz joined the board in 1867, and although he was perhaps most well-known for co-designing the Library of Congress, he also designed 11 lighthouses over the course of his career – including the identical base plans used to construct Florida’s St. Augustine Lighthouse (1871), Bodie Island Lighthouse (1872) and the lighthouse at Currituck Beach (1875).

sand island, AL

Oh, Baby!

THE LOST COLONY ISN’T ONLY THE COUNTY’S LONGEST RUNNING OUTDOOR DRAMA,

it’s also the source of a long running Outer Banks tradition – and it features some of the area’s youngest residents.

Starting with its first season in the summer of 1937, The Lost Colony has cast a number of local babies in the

pigeon point, ca

role of Virginia Dare, the first English child born to colonists in the New World more than 400 years ago.

Though they only appear in select scenes during one or two performances a year – typically on or around the anniversary of Virginia Dare’s birthday on August 18th – it’s a highly coveted role that requires annual auditions. While making the final casting decisions, producers take into account things such as the babies’

st. augustine, FL

age, size and temperament, although both boys and girls are encouraged to apply. And while the competition might be fierce, those who win the starring role(s) join a group of Lost Colony alumni who number around 6,000 (including Andy Griffith) – and go on to receive two free tickets to the show each year for the rest of their lives.

Photo courtesy of The Lost Colony.

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 11

spring events april

march RUNNING OF THE LEPRECHAUNS 5K & 10K March 14

Kick off St. Patrick’s Day festivities with this race in Nags Head, an Irish-themed afterparty and a “Get Lucky” costume contest. obxse.com ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND 1-MILE BEER RUN March 14

This leprechaun-themed beer mile begins and ends at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. theobxrunningcompany.com 31ST ANNUAL KELLY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE March 15

Grab your green to cheer on the longest running St. Patrick’s Day parade in North Carolina as it marches down Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head. kellysrestaurant.com OBX SHAVE RIDERS FOR ST. BALDRICK’S March 15

Come out to donate or shave your head in order to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s fight against childhood cancer.

This event will be held at Jack Brown’s immediately following the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. facebook.com/OBX-Shave-Riders-for-StBaldricks-Foundation

BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL April 1 – 30

CHICAGO March 19 – 21

Enjoy a musical student production of Chicago at First Flight High School. ffh.daretolearn.org 12TH ANNUAL OBX CHOWDER COOK-OFF March 21

Sample all-you-can-eat chowders at Southern Shores Crossing as more than a dozen local restaurants vie for the title of Best Seafood Chowder on the beach. coastalprovisionsmarket.com OUTER BANKS TASTE OF THE BEACH March 26 – 29

Savor four days of this foodie festival that includes activities such as wine tastings, cooking classes, tapas crawls, cook offs and more. obxtasteofthebeach.com THE JUNGLE BOOK March 27

The Jungle Book is presented by local children ages five to 13 in this one-of-a-kind adaptation in which the actors share roles. sonrisechurchofchrist.com BLACKBEARD’S REVENGE 100 March 28

Ultra runners will love the challenge of this 100-mile, 100-kilometer and 100-mile relay race from Corolla to Hatteras. triviumracing.com

This month-long butterfly festival at The Elizabethan Gardens includes educational booths, demonstrations, children’s crafts, gardening tips and up-close experiences with butterflies. elizabethangardens.org FIRST FRIDAY April 3, May 1

Downtown Manteo comes alive on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. townofmanteo.com OUTER BANKS FORUM PRESENTS FAREWELL ANGELINA April 4

You’ll be dancing in your seats during this performance featuring an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic songwriters and accomplished multi-instrumentalists. outerbanksforum.org RODANTHE ARTISAN MARKET April 10

Local artisans showcase their work along with book signings by local authors and a new pirate ship playground at the RodantheWaves-Salvo Community Center on Hatteras Island. hollowdazesurfdesigns.com FLY INTO SPRING KITE FESTIVAL & EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA April 10 – 11

Welcome spring with a kite festival and an Easter egg hunt at Jockey’s Ridge. Bring your camera to get photos of the Easter Bunny himself! kittyhawk.com 6TH ANNUAL HOPPIN’ 5K, 10K AND FUN RUN April 11

Run through beautiful downtown Manteo in this springtime race. theobxrunningcompany.com EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA April 11

Hunt for thousands of eggs on the Great Lawn of The Elizabethan Gardens during this fun, family-friendly Easter tradition complete with live music, egg races and bonnet contests. elizabethangardens.org

12 | S PR I N G 2020

2020

7TH ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT April 11

This Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Duck Merchants Association takes place in and around Duck’s fine stores. doducknc.com WOOFSTOCK April 18

Celebrate your four-legged friends at The Elizabethan Gardens with pet health and happiness-related exhibits, concessions for dogs and humans, music and more. elizabethangardens.org FLYING PIRATE HALF MARATHON & FIRST FLIGHT 5K April 18 – 19

Run 13.1 miles through the Outer Banks on this fun, pirate-themed half marathon that culminates in a Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head. obxse.com OUTER BANKS BIKE WEEK April 18 – 26

Rev up your engines for a week of guided tours, contests, live music, vendor sites and more. outerbankshd.com THE ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE April 25

The ECSU Jazz Ensemble returns to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks for an evening of jazz and a special lecture by the ensemble’s director. uucob.org ANNUAL DUCK & WINE FESTIVAL April 25

This chef cook-off challenge uses duck as the main dish. Proceeds benefit the Currituck-Dare Community Foundation. duckandwine.com OUTER BANKS DUATHLON April 25

This annual run-bike-run event takes participants on a journey through northern Corolla. theobxrunningcompany.com 4TH ANNUAL OUTER BANKS TACO COOK-OFF April 26

Bring your appetite to Ortega’z for this taco cook-off that raises money for Camp Lilly scholarships that allow local, under-served youths to attend summer camps at Jennette’s Pier. ncaquariums.com

may ESA MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP May 1 – 3

Watch surfers compete at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head in this Eastern Surfing Association regional contest. surfesa.org KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY May 2

Dress in derby style for this fundraising extravaganza that benefits three local non-profits: The Elizabethan Gardens, the Beach Food Pantry and the Dare Education Foundation. elizabethangardens.org RELAY FOR LIFE DARE COUNTY

MONDAY

bu rger nig ht

Starts May 12

Buy fresh, local fruits and veggies at this farmers’ market every Saturday in downtown Manteo.

9TH ANNUAL BLUEGRASS ISLAND FESTIVAL

48TH ANNUAL HANG GLIDING SPECTACULAR May 14 - 18

12TH ANNUAL KIDSFEST

DARE2CARE OBX SHRED FEST

The Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County sponsor this free, family-friendly event at the Roanoke Island Festival Park that includes face-painting, bubbles, arts and crafts, music and more for children ages five and under. darekids.org OUTER BANKS FORUM PRESENTS MARRIED TO BROADWAY! May 9

Ron Sharpe and Barbra Russell share their love affair with the music of Broadway with selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and more. outerbanksforum.org 37TH ANNUAL NAGS HEAD WOODS 5K RUN May 9

Wind your way through the beautiful Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve for the Nags Head Woods 5K and the Fun Run 1-Miler hosted by the North Banks Rotary Club. nagsheadwoods5krun.org COUTURE BY THE SHORE May 9

Fashion and fundraising unite during this annual fast-paced musical fashion show and silent auction at Duck Woods Country Club. Spring’s newest and brightest fashions from 11 local boutiques will be highlighted on the runway. All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. outerbanksrelieffoundation.com DARE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL’S 31ST ANNUAL ARTRAGEOUS

THURSDAY

sus hi wit h mil o

Big names in bluegrass grace the outdoor stage during this three-day event at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A free kick-off event will be held the evening before at the Bluegrass Island Trading Co. in downtown Manteo. bluegrassisland.com

This is the longest running hang gliding competition in the world. Watch professional hang gliders compete in this free and fun event at Jockey’s Ridge. kittyhawk.com

May 8

e ve r s p ringb f at e rn i e’s

WEDNESDAY

gou rm et tac o nig ht

May 13 – 16

May 4

Locals walk together to raise awareness and money to fight cancer at First Flight High School. relayforlife.org/darecountync

TUESDAY

tapas & win e nig ht

MANTEO FARMERS’ MARKET

May 16

Enjoy live music, demos by professional skateboarders and BMX bikers, a silent auction and much more at The Soundside event site in Nags Head. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser go to programs for veterans and special needs individuals. dare2careobx.com 18TH ANNUAL COASTAL GARDENING FESTIVAL May 16

Garden art, handcrafted goods, plants and refreshments are available from more than 70 vendors at the Thomas A. Baum Senior Center, along with other children’s activities, educational displays and gardening information from the Dare County Master Gardener Volunteers. dare.ces.ncsu.edu MUSTANG SPRING JAM May 16 – 17

Jam on at this two-day music festival at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Corolla. Proceeds benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the Mustang Outreach Program. mustangmusicfestival.com 2020 SEASON OF THE LOST COLONY

252-261-1008 BAREFOOTBERNIES.COM

ALL THE GAMES!

3730 N. CROATAN HWY KITTY HAWK, MILE POST 4 1/2

16 BEERS ON TAP

DRAFT BEER “TAP TAKEOVER” EVERY OTHER FRIDAY!

LIVE MUSIC SUNSET ON THE SOUND OUTDOOR DINING LUNCH / DINNER / BAR / SPA SPA SPECIALS LOCAL DISCOUNTS

May 29 – August 21

This fascinating historical drama – the longest running outdoor historical drama in the United States – brings to life the mysterious disappearance of the first English colonists, which happened right here on the Outer Banks. thelostcolony.org

May 11

This free community event with live music, activities and art vendors at Dowdy Park in Nags Head encourages children of all ages to explore their creative sides. darearts.org

AT THE SOUTH END OF THE DUCK BOARDWALK 1174 DUCK ROAD • AQUAOBX.COM • 252.261.9700

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 13

L I F E ST Y L E

CLOCK THE TICKING

Tracking a cold case with the hit podcast CounterClock

BY A R A B E L L A S AU N DERS

CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES OFTEN TOUT THAT THE END OF A STORY IS THE MOST

IMPORTANT PART. That if a reader spends minutes, hours, days or even weeks reading a story just

to come to an ending with no answers or conclusions, then it’s no good.

But what happens when a story doesn’t have an ending yet?

That’s a question journalist Delia D’Ambra – a former Outer Banks resident turned Florida-based reporter – is tackling with her true crime podcast, CounterClock.

CounterClock goes backwards in time to the period leading up to July 13, 1997 – the day 33-yearold Denise Johnson was discovered by emergency responders inside her burning Kill Devil Hills home. The crime remains unsolved, but Delia hopes her reporting will eventually help uncover the end to one of the most important stories she’s ever told in her life.

DELIA WAS FOUR YEARS OLD when her family moved to Roanoke Island in 1997 – the same year that Denise was killed.

But it wasn’t until Delia began researching unsolved murders in January 2018 that she stumbled upon the crime that took place in her seemingly idyllic hometown.

“I literally Googled unsolved crimes and the area, thinking that nothing would pop up because I figured I would already know about it – and then, bam, there it was,” Delia explains. “I went to the Kill Devil Hills police site and there was a whole page dedicated to Denise. That’s when I thought, ‘Alright, here we go.’”

At that point, Delia had moved to Fort Myers, A photo of Denise Johnson, whose unsolved Florida, for a job as a fulltime reporter with NBC, murder rocked the Outer Banks in 1997 (above).

Delia D’Ambra, host of the CounterClock podcast, so she not only had to overcome the challenge of in front of the house where Denise’s body was working remotely, but she also had to grapple with a found (right). Photos courtesy of Delia D’Ambra. case that had remained largely untouched for more than two decades.

With this stagnation came long winding searches for lost or misplaced records and days spent tracking down sources who hadn’t spoken about the case in years…or never at all.

For many key players in the case – such a police officers, family members or close friends of Denise – Delia arranged phone calls in advance, informing the sources that they would be recorded and potentially featured in the podcast.

But for a number of others – such as those who had been tied to Denise but never vocal about the case, or even those who were still potential persons of interest – Delia tried to first establish a relationship of trust. She hoped those relationships, which she started by making off-record phone calls, would help glean the most accurate and useful information.

“I wanted to touch base with people and introduce myself as a local,” she says. “It was an important part of working up to really having those conversations.”

Using this technique, Delia was able to speak to sources such as Denise’s roommate at the time, who initially appeared to disappear shortly after the murder.

In addition to establishing trust with sources she thought may be hesitant to speak on record, Delia was also strategic about the way she released new episodes. In an attempt to draw more

14 | S PR I N G 2020

people in who could potentially provide valuable information, she released podcast episodes as she went along – nearly in real-time with her reporting.

“I knew the importance of getting some of that information out there so that people could contact me about the story,” Delia says.

“Those were leads I had to follow up on, but I also needed to be consistent so that I didn’t stall out the narrative.”

SHORTLY AFTER THE PODCAST WAS FIRST PUBLISHED in August 2018, and hundreds of thousands of downloads were secured, Delia was approached by Ashley Flowers – the host of the mega-popular podcast, Crime Junkies – about partnering with her network company, Audiochuck, in order to reach a wider audience.

Over the next year, Delia worked with Ashley’s Audiochuck team to revamp and relaunch the first season of CounterClock. The second reveal also allowed Delia the opportunity to track down a number of new sources and follow up with those she had already spoken to the year prior.

On January 16, 2020, CounterClock saw the start of its new launch. Within seven days, the first episode had more than one million combined downloads and the podcast found itself at number one on the U.S. Apple charts for more than a week.

While plans for a second season of CounterClock aren’t quite on the table at the moment, Delia is looking into the possibility of working on another true crime podcast. But no matter what she tackles next, one thing’s for sure: Delia will never give up on the Denise Johnson case.

“The relationship I’ve developed with members of the Johnson family and members of the community who knew Denise, is really validating,” she explains. “And that’s what really matters because it’s not my story, it’s theirs. I’m just here to help tell it.”

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Shells > Sharks The beach can be a place to feel really close to nature – sometimes a little too close.

By Amanda McDanel

As

the weather warms, most local families tend to congregate at the same beach spots each week – and those locations are 100 percent determined by the activities available at said beach. First Street, for example, might have a great sandbar for the kids to boogie board. Lillian Street may be primed for some post-storm seaglass hunting, or the fish might be biting just north of Avalon Pier. More often than not, though, it’s a combination of these factors along with the answer to the biggest grown-up adventure question – a.k.a., where’s the surf breaking?

But a few years ago, a family adventure of another sort presented itself on our shores. Around the same time the new H2OBX Waterpark was set to open in mainland Currituck, an equally fun natural waterpark began to form across another bridge much farther south.

It started as a small island off the coast of Cape Point in Buxton and quickly vaulted into national news with the likes of Good Morning America broadcasting live from its shores. Known as Shelly Island because of the vast amount of shells it contained, it was a beach-goers dream destination.

Although it was only approximately one mile long and 500 feet wide at its grandest, locals and visitors alike couldn’t get enough of the phenomenon. And being the avid shell collector I am, I was determined to head south as soon as possible.

My family’s first venture down to Shelly Island was actually the maiden voyage of my husband Johnny’s new car. As soon as he arrived home from the dealership one spring morning, we loaded the Honda Pilot up with kids, beach chairs, fishing poles, coolers, buckets and a kayak, and headed over the Oregon Inlet As the tide continued bridge for a blissfully full beach day. to rise, I had to focus A few hours’ worth of traffic later, however, we were hangry and irritable. And to make matters all my attention on not worse, we soon realized that our extended journey getting swept away by had caused us to misjudge the tides. Lacking the the currents along with option to drive out on the beach toward Cape Point, we opted to chance cutting through on the two small girls and our west side of the dunes – where we promptly hit a prized buckets of shells. soft spot of sand and got stuck.

Now Johnny would like you to know that he is a very experienced beach driver, and the fact that we had a brand-new-to-him car was the only reason we got stuck. I will not argue this because I know better. After about 20 frantic minutes that involved a shovel, a Google search, the owner’s manual and a phone call to a friend, we eventually figured out how to engage the four-wheel-drive function and make our way to the point.

Pulling in between the 715 other trucks parked there, we rock-paper-scissored it to see who got to wade across the small channel first to explore Shelly Island and who got to sit and wait with the kids on the other side. I lost, so Johnny mapped out the lowest tide point before we all – finally! – headed over as a family.

16 | S PR I N G 2020

And it was blissful, after all. The girls delighted in scampering along the sand, discovering one perfect shell after another. Small coves provided great kiddie pools and we dashed and dove into the shallow waves. After a few hours of exploring, we headed back across the channel before the tide rose again, our arms heavy with shells.

A few months later, I offered to join some out-of-town friends who were visiting specifically to experience Shelly Island. Thinking myself a veteran at this point, I brazenly hopped into the car and drove down with my girls to the summertime hot spot.

What I failed to take into account was that I didn’t exactly have the same sort of skills as Johnny when it came to monitoring the tides. So while we made it across the channel without incident along with a good number of fellow adventurers, we somehow lost track of time as we filled our buckets with shells.

Suddenly, only a few people were still on the island, and the channel was filled with nearly chest high water. Only slightly panicked, my friend and I decided to divide and conquer by splitting up to make it back across with our respective children in tow.

As the tide continued to rise, I had to focus all my attention on not getting swept away by the currents along with two small girls and our prized buckets of shells. My friend and her son, on the other hand, sized the situation up more quickly – and promptly caught a ride back to shore with a friendly surfer who happened to be paddling by.

Luckily, I didn’t learn the full reason why the surfer was so helpful until we were safely on the other side – as my friend wasted no time telling me about the six-foot bull shark they’d seen swim right in front of them. Insert eight-year-old Amanda who’s been so traumatized by the movie Jaws that she refuses to swim in water when she can’t see the bottom, and you can probably imagine my reaction to news reports later that evening that detailed pods of sharks congregating in the shallow waters around Shelly Island.

The island disappeared about a year after it so quietly appeared, and I never made that trek out past the point again. While it’s possible that Shelly Island could re-form sometime in the future, I will forevermore prefer to wade through the mechanical waves at H2OBX and find my shells along the tideline of my nearest beach access – because adventure is one thing, and finding new meaning in the words “shark bait” is quite another.

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OU T D O O R S

KEEPING Year after year, the Boston Marathon draws the most elite runners in the world ­– and more than a few Outer Bankers.

T

Photo by Cory Godwin / Story by Steve Hanf

he national championship. The pinnacle. The ultimate. The common man’s Olympics.

There are more phrases than miles when it comes to describing the experience of running in the Boston Marathon. It’s the reason so many local runners slog through their neighborhoods on cold, rainy evenings or train endlessly on the hill at the Wright Brothers Memorial, day after day.

Because, sure, the scenery is beautiful here on the Outer Banks – but as Nags Head resident Tom Thomas tells it, those 26.2 miles through Boston are hallowed ground.

“Getting to run it was probably the biggest privilege I’ve ever had,” explains Tom, who ran a blistering 2:59 at the age of 49 in 2017 – putting him number 1,271 out of 26,400 entrants and 78th in his age group. “Most people will never know what it’s like for a pro athlete to run out of the tunnel during the Super Bowl. But that’s kind of what Boston felt like.”

Considering the small size of the Outer Banks community, there’s a remarkably large contingent of locals who have conquered Heartbreak Hill and the rest of the world’s most famed course. Some have run it once, others every time they qualify. And some have struggled race after race just to get there in April so they can bask in the glow of finally being a Boston Marathon finisher.

“It’s such a beautiful event,” says Kitty Hawk real estate agent Jessie Jennings, the local with the longest streak of consecutive appearances at Boston with six straight.

“After my first year in 2014, I kept getting back in, so I just kept going.”

Jessie doesn’t know how long she’ll try to keep this streak, which she started at the age of 30 after being inspired by Outer Banks Marathon runners along the Manteo waterfront.

“For now, I’m happy with the experiences I’ve had,” explains Jessie, who set a personal record of 3:15 in 2015. “It’s been a really awesome race to get to participate in.

No matter how many times I go, it feels like the first time.”

18 | S PR I N G 2020

For others, such as Pete Barranti, longevity was a one-time goal. After running Boston five years in a row, he was aiming to join the “Quarter Century Club” – an elite group of runners who have completed the Boston Marathon at least 25 consecutive times – before a pulmonary embolism made it hard to catch his breath during training.

But while starting a new 25-year streak probably isn’t feasible now at the age of 62, Pete definitely plans to earn another qualifying time and a return ticket north. After all, simply qualifying is what drove him to run Boston from 2015 to 2019.

“To get into Boston, I think you’re in the top four percent of all marathon runners in the world,” Pete says. “So the questions are: Am I good enough again, can I make it in? Qualifying is the real challenge.”

He knows this from experience. The first time Pete went after a qualifying time, he missed it by 29 seconds. On his next attempt, he was a minute and 22 seconds better than the qualifying time – until so many people signed up for Boston that year that the cutoff changed, and he missed it by 16 seconds.

“I ended up waiting a year and a half to find out I wasn’t going,” he says. “A year later, I beat my time by five minutes, nine seconds, so I knew I was going. After that, my goal was to beat the qualifying time by five minutes or more to guarantee getting in. I did that for five years straight.”

But just how hard is it to qualify? Times for the 2020 race range from three hours flat for men in the 18 to 34 age bracket to 3:50 for those in the 60 to 64 age group. For women, it’s 3:30 for the youngest age set, and 4:18 in the 60 to 64 category.

And Pete isn’t the only local who’s struggled to qualify. Sherry Celesia’s next marathon will be her 50th, but getting into the one that mattered most proved frustrating. The first time she really tried to qualify, she missed the time by two minutes.

After overhauling her entire training regimen, she took 10 minutes off that time, then 10 minutes off the next one. After a lot of hard work, she ran the 2009 Boston Marathon in 4:22 at the age of 53.

“When you talk to anybody about doing a marathon, they always go, ‘Have you done Boston?’ and for years I would say, ‘No, I haven’t qualified – because it’s so hard,’” Sherry explains. “I think I smiled the entire time I was in Boston, because it took me 33 marathons to get there.”

Manteo resident Shane Miles also needed a little help to make it to Boston. Prior to qualifying, the appropriately named runner had logged a dozen marathons in the 3:45 range, but he didn’t seem to be getting any faster.

“You know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result,” Shane says good-naturedly. “I had seen some of my friends qualify for Boston, and I asked if I could join them. That definitely changed my

THE

PACE

running from regular running to specificity, where every day has a purpose – and over two marathons I got my time down 21 minutes.”

But it took a dramatic move from his partner, Heather Gardiner, to make Boston happen. She ran Boston in 2015 and qualified for the 2016 race, but told Shane she wasn’t going. Instead, she would run the Emerald Isle Marathon with him to make sure that he’d qualify for 2017.

“Oh my gosh, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a man!” Shane recalls. “We trained at 18,000 feet of elevation over a 20-week period before Emerald Isle. I ended up running a 3:20, qualified for Boston, and I’ve never been more elated in my life.”

At the 2017 Boston Marathon, Shane and Heather crossed the finish line together in 3:52 – which Shane now calls one of his most spectacular memories.

On the surface, it may seem disappointing to record a slower Boston time than the one you qualified with, but “I think I smiled the entire time most runners are just happy to enjoy the experience.

I was in Boston, because it took “I didn’t cry at the end of the Boston me 33 marathons to get there.”

Marathon,” Heather says. “I cried at the end of the marathon that qualified me for Boston. When I knew I did it, I felt so -Sherry Celesia, emotional. Boston is like the icing on the 2009 Boston Marathon finisher cake.”

That’s metaphorical icing, of course, because a good diet is part of the training process as well. Most of the locals who eventually go on to run the Boston Marathon are involved with the Outer Banks Running Club, a group that enjoys getting together in order to log miles, meals and emotional support.

“There’s no magic plan, but if you don’t have a plan you’re probably going to fail,” explains Sherry’s husband, Angelo Celesia. “Everybody has to figure out what plan works for them.”

In 2008, Angelo ran Boston at the age of 59 after training with a running group in Virginia Beach. A friend with experience running Boston went with him and helped Angelo maintain a perfect pace for the first 13 miles – which is downhill and can trick inexperienced runners into going out too fast. The magical day ended with Angelo earning a personal record of 3:29, which landed him number 6,532 overall, but a lofty 577 out of 2,796 runners in his age group.

“It was the best race I ever had, which is why I only did it that one time,” Angelo

A few local Boston Marathon finishers take a jog around the First Flight High School track. Pictured left to right: Tom Thomas, Jessica Witter, Jessie Jennings, Dave Woodley, Angelo Celesia, Sherry Celesia, Pete Barranti, Heather Gardiner and Brittany Slaughter.

says. “At mile 20 I started passing people, thousands of runners – it was incredible. I crossed the finish line, looked at my watch and said, ‘This will never, ever happen again.’

I’m going to carry it with me. I’m not giving up that moment.”

To go just once or twice also makes sense economically, as locals estimate the cost of attending Boston is in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. Registration for the race itself is $200, then there are the travel fees, and hotels have three-night minimums.

But ultimately, those who run the race say that you can’t put a price tag on the experience.

From walking down Boylston Street with its freshly painted finish line to short warmup runs before the timer starts, there’s plenty to love about Boston. And during the race itself, seeing – and hearing – the hundreds of thousands of spectators along the entire course can feel magical. Sherry loved the Wellesley College girls’ iconic “scream tunnel” at the midway mark. Heather wrote her name on her arm and remembered all the calls of “Go, Heath-ah!” in distinct Boston accents.

The post-race can prove magical as well. Shane and Heather arrived back at their hotel room after crossing the finish line to discover already-personalized framed certificates congratulating them on their finishing times. For most, that means it’s time to don that $110 Boston Marathon jacket, grab their finisher medal and hit the town. “‘You ran the marathon? Drinks on me!’” Heather says they heard over and over.

“The community really embraces you. They’re happy that people are there running their race.”

Overall, Boston fosters a sense of community that can feel familiar to longtime Outer Bankers. So whether they’ve run personal records or persevered through injuries just to finish, come to distance running early in life or late, the locals who make that springtime trek north often find common ground on at least one fact: “If there’s any way possible that you have a shot at qualifying and going, you’ve got to do it, even if it’s just one time in your life,” Tom says. “When I’m old and lying on my deathbed, what I’ll always remember about Boston is taking that final left turn onto Boylston and hearing the crowd.”

“All the greatest runners of all time made that left turn,” Pete adds. “Everybody’s cheering for you. It’s so loud. And no matter how tired you are, you pick it up.”

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 19

S H O R E S C I E NC E

SPENDING A SUMMER DAY AT THE BEACH IS MANY PEOPLE’S FAVORITE PASTIME – BUT DOES THAT MEAN YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN OCEAN-LITERATE CITIZEN?

Are You

Ocean Literate?

Knowing what ties us to the oceans can be an important part of respecting and preserving our habitat.

It may seem overly official, but it isn’t as complicated as it might sound. In 2005 a consortium of scientists and educators developed a list of seven essential principles to help students of all ages understand the ways they’re personally connected to the complex ocean system.

In short, ocean literacy is all about understanding the ocean’s influence on you…and your influence on the ocean.

While we may be able to enjoy a day on the beach either way, a richer understanding of the ocean helps us communicate about it more meaningfully – and helps ensure that we can all make informed and responsible decisions regarding the health of one of our most valuable natural resources for many generations to come.

Whether you’re familiar with some of these principles or learning them for the first time, improving our ocean literacy can have a powerful impact on how we relate to the world around us. Above all, it’s important to remember that although our countries (and continents) can appear to divide us, the ocean will always be one large, contiguous body of water that ultimately connects us!

B Y T E R R I K I R B Y H AT H AWAY

1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features.

2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.

3. The ocean has a major influence on weather and climate.

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Look at a world map or globe and notice that if you put your finger anywhere in the ocean, you can draw a continuous line through all the other parts of the ocean without lifting your finger. You can’t do that with land. The ocean basins are all connected, even though the continents are not.

The ocean covers roughly 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, and holds 97 percent of all the water on Earth. Because of the amount of surface coverage by salt water, perhaps a more accurate name for our planet would have been “Water” instead of Earth.

The ocean floor isn’t a vast, flat plain as one might imagine. There are trenches, volcanoes, plateaus, fracture lines and mountains. In fact, the longest mountain range on Earth can be found on the ocean floor. The mid-ocean ridge spans nearly 40,000 miles, mostly underwater, and looks like the seam on a baseball stitching the world together.

Tectonic activity at dynamic areas such as the mid-ocean ridge, sea level changes and wave activity are major factors in shaping our surface landforms.

The links between the ocean and the atmosphere are undeniable. The ocean absorbs much of the solar radiation that reaches Earth, and then it loses that heat back into the atmosphere through evaporation. This process of heat transfer is what drives atmospheric circulation that causes weather around the globe.

In fact, most of the rain that falls on land has been evaporated from the tropical ocean. The ocean has influenced, and will continue to influence, climate change because it absorbs, stores and moves carbon, water and heat.

4. The ocean makes Earth habitable.

5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.

7. The ocean is largely unexplored.

A little refresher from past science classes – plants take in sunlight and carbon dioxide and make their own food, with oxygen as a by-product of this process of photosynthesis.

While rainforests produce almost one-third of the oxygen in our atmosphere, marine plants also contribute almost 70 percent of the oxygen that we need to breathe!

The variety of living creatures ranges from the tiniest virus to the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth, the blue whale. Because the ocean offers a three-dimensional living space, life ranges from the surface, through the water column, down to bottom of the ocean. In fact, most of the living space on Earth is located in the ocean.

Ecosystems supported by the ocean include coral reefs, hydrothermal vents and estuaries. Those important areas serve as protective nurseries for many seafood species, such as shrimp, blue crabs and flounder.

The ocean affects every living creature on Earth. It plays a role in national security, provides jobs, and transports people, as well as goods, around the world. Humans find the ocean a source of recreation, rejuvenation and inspiration.

Roughly 40 percent of the world’s population lives within 50 miles of the coast, and many cultures around the world depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.

From top to bottom, the ocean is the last and greatest unexplored ecosystem on Earth. So far, scientists have explored less than five percent of it, and we have better maps of the Moon and Mars than we do of the deep ocean – but with technology, that’s beginning to change.

These days, scientists rely on satellites, buoys, unmanned submersibles and other high-tech tools to help gather information – and there’s almost unlimited potential for future underwater research.

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OU T D O O R S

FIGHTING

Fire Fire

A controlled burn conducted in Nags Head Woods. Photo courtesy of CurrentTV.

WITH

For generations, healthy habitats and safe communities have had one thing in common: prescribed burning.

B Y CAT HER I N E KO Z A K

AS FIRES RAGED ACROSS CALIFORNIA LAST

and more recently engulfed wide swaths of Australia, the time-honored art of using fire to prevent fire has suddenly gained more attention.

And it turns out that there actually is a right way to start a fire in the woods – but only when there’s a right reason for it.

Prescribed burns, also called controlled burns, have been set for centuries in northeastern North Carolina as a way to clear overgrown understory and dead plants and trees. That forest debris serves as great kindling, or as firefighters call it, “fuel.” By eliminating that fuel with fire, new trees and vegetation can grow freely and the risk of uncontrolled wildfires is greatly reduced.

“Burning keeps a lot knocked back,” explains John Cook, a district forester with the North Carolina Forest Services. “Indigenous people did that, too.”

Native Americans traditionally used controlled fires to clear out undesirable plants and insects. Some forests have even become fire dependent, which means that their healthy growth has evolved around a natural fire cycle.

But with increased development, wildfires often have to be contained in order to protect houses and other infrastructure. That means, however, that too much fuel can build up in certain areas – making carefully controlled burns a necessary and proactive fire control measure.

John, who oversees District 13, which encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres in Washington, Hyde,

SUMMER,

2 2 | S PR I N G 2020

Tyrrell and Dare counties, including the Dare County be set at a precise angle or just upwind of a firebreak, Bombing Range, says he’s lit his share of “good” fires which is an area with no flammable material, such as over the course of his long career. cleared land, a road or a river.

“It has two values,” he says of a prescribed burn. “It “I’m literally playing with fire,” John says. “You can reduces a fire risk, and it also returns an area to a natural get burned if you’re not careful.” fire occurrence with native plants.”

But for all that, there’s always the possibility that Always ready for action, John carries a drip torch in something unexpected can happen, such as a wind shift the back of his truck in case he needs to set a small fire – which makes having a contingency plan vital. in front of a wildfire to deprive it of fuel.

“I just can’t assume everything is going to go A metal canister with a handle that typically holds a perfectly,” he adds. mix of diesel and gasoline, the drip torch has a wick at According to John, the next prescribed burn is the end of a long, looped spout. After lighting the wick, set for this spring on 5,000 acres at the Dare County a forester will typically start on the Bombing Range near East Lake. down-wind side of a site. The torch There are also prescribed burns is then swept back and forth along planned in Nags Head Woods and off separate rows of ignition lines. The Bowsertown Road in Manteo. farther apart the lines, the larger and In addition, the U.S. Forest Service more intense the fire can be, and small provides funds for mitigation projects Routine prescribed burns fires also can be placed in unconthat include creating firebreaks in nected spots to decrease the speed in Hyde and Tyrrell counties, as well as are typically scheduled which the fire spreads and builds. more locally in Wanchese, Buxton and with predictable factors “It depends on how much fuel you on Jockey’s Ridge. want to take out,” says John, who’s Even with its large number of in mind that give the best also a fire behavior analysist. “You water bodies and swamps, this area might not necessarily want it to be so has had its share of unpredictable odds for a good outcome. intense.” wildfires, most recently in 2016 in Routine prescribed burns are Nags Head Woods. The 2011 Pains typically scheduled with predictable factors in mind – Bay fire near Stumpy Point, likely started by lightning, such as seasons, wind direction and time of day – that was an especially smoky peat fire that lasted nearly four give the best odds for a good outcome. Spring or fall months. are generally the best times of year since they tend to Besides lightning, John says fires in this humid be milder temperature-wise and have more consistent region are most commonly started from sparks off a winds. If it’s too wet, dry, hot or windy, a fire may not boat trailer bumping the road or a tire blowout – which burn well, or it may simply be too difficult to control. makes sense when you consider the fact that North “It goes back to what you want to happen,” John Carolina has some of the highest density of wildsays. “The key word is a controlled burn.” land-urban interface in the country.

Before a fire is set, much also goes into determining “Marsh grass can pick up flames really quickly,” the conditions and the right approach to manipulating a John explains. “And human activity always brings some fire. Depending on a number of factors, it may need to risk.”

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FOOD & B E V E R AG E

FRESHER THAN FRESH LOOKING TO STEP UP YOUR RAW SEAFOOD GAME? THESE NO-COOK SEAFOOD DISHES ARE AS DELIGHTFUL ON THE PALATE AS THEY ARE ON THE PLATE. PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH NEAL / STYLED BY CHEF DAN LEWIS

CRUDO Crudo means “raw” in both Spanish and Italian, and rather than relying on the acid of citrus to define it, this Mediterranean-style dish utilizes another Italian pantry staple: olive oil. While there’s no standard recipe to follow, the general principle of preparation is to begin with slices of freshly caught fish and drizzle them with highquality olive oil along with optional dashes of sea salt, pepper and/or other herbs to garnish. It may also be finished with a bit of lemon or fine vinegar, but the trick is to complement the fish’s natural flavor without overwhelming it.

Pictured here: Local rockfish drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with Italian parsley, thinly sliced garlic, crushed red pepper and sea salt, alongside a shaved fennel and lemon salad.

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CEVICHE This popular dish is Peruvian in origin, though it’s spread widely throughout South and Central America – and can be found on a number of menus stateside as well. Regardless of the type of seafood you use, the meat used to prepare ceviche is typically cubed and marinated in citrus juices (usually a mixture of lemon and lime) long enough for the acids to “cook” the seafood through. This can take two to four hours for more delicate fish, but up to 24 hours for firmer types of seafood such as shrimp. After the seafood has cured, it’s traditionally seasoned with chilis and fresh cilantro – and the variety of garnishing options is virtually endless.

Pictured here: North Carolina shrimp mixed with diced avocado, red onion, jalapeno, crunchy corn kernels and cilantro, served with an array of plantain and blue corn tortilla chips.

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TIRADITO A relative newcomer on the raw food scene, tiradito was born from the influence of Japanese immigration to Peru in the late 20th century, so it should come as no surprise that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s characterized by starting with very thin sashimi-style slices of seafood. Tiradito also benefits from an acidic mixture similar to ceviche, but unlike ceviche, the seafood used in a tiradito dish is only dressed with citrus immediately before serving in order to retain the flavor without fully curing the meat. In another nod toward ceviche, tiradito dishes often incorporate chilis, herbs and a number of other fresh garnishes.

Pictured here: Scallops sliced in half and topped with red chilis, seaweed salad and sesame seeds over a ponzu dressing made from a blend of soy, citrus and rice vinegar. .

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BIG ON STYLE photos by elizabeth neal / story by amelia boldaji

This new oceanfront home in Southern Shores is packed with personality.

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MEMORIAL BRIDGE on the corner of Chicahauk Trail and Ocean Boulevard lies one of Southern Shores’ newest oceanfront constructions: The aptly named Aquadisiac.

With its flat-top-styled design and its clean exterior lines, Aquadisiac looks approachably modern at first glance – but it’s really the interior spaces that distinguish it from other beach boxes.

Built by SAGA Realty & Construction with interior design by Keely Owens of N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 31

Kitty Hawk-based Indehouse, the three-floor Aquadisiac boasts a number of impressive features, such as a large, open-concept kitchen, a home theatre, a pool with a swim-up bar and more than 3,000 feet of outdoor living space.

Dramatic lighting fixtures, oversized prints, brass accent details and eye-catching pops of colorfully patterned walls and various fabrics only add to the retro-modern vibe – and unique touches from local artists such as photography

by Katie Slater and a custom fireplace and surround crafted by Opus Artisan Concrete give Aquadisiac that perfect touch of Outer Banks flair. Because it may have a seemingly Mad Men-inspired edge, but it’s still firmly rooted in this area’s casual, beachy lifestyle.

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R E A L E STAT E

AT HOME BEHIND THE LENS FINDING THE PERFECT SHOT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER ELIZABETH NEAL

BY L EX I H O L I A N

“I TRY TO MAKE IT FEEL REAL,” says local photographer Elizabeth Neal. “I don’t know if many people think about houses that way – but when someone sees my photos, I want them to be able to picture themselves inside of it.”

The creative mind behind Milepost Living, Elizabeth has given life to spaces across the Outer Banks with her architectural photography. She’s captured images of everything from grand oceanfront homes to classic Outer Banks beach boxes, and she often works with a diverse clientele that includes realtors, builders and interior designers.

Sitting in Ashley’s Espresso Parlour in Kill Devil Hills, she demonstrates her process by sizing up the room at hand. “I might get down low, and have this plant here,” she says, moving a bit of greenery into her imaginary frame. “Or get really close to a chair so it feels as though you’re sitting here.”

Elizabeth studied graphic design in college, but her photography experience mainly comes from life outside the classroom. She recalls formative moments from her childhood by way of example, such as the time she was captivated by light spilling into a western-facing bathroom at her mother’s house. (A lackluster plastic yellow shower curtain didn’t even deter her from taking a perfect shot of that light.)

Years later, when she met her husband Nathan, owner of the Cozy Kitchens Group in Kitty Hawk, he asked her to photograph a kitchen for him. The builder of the home later saw the photos and wanted them, too – which inspired the start of her niche career in architectural photography.

“The perfectionist in me likes details Elizabeth has and a certain composition,” she says. been known to “And with houses, I can make things as show up to bigger perfect as I need to.” houses along the Elizabeth’s meticulous approach is beach road as almost certainly what makes her photographs stand out. When she shoots the early as four a.m. exterior of a house, she makes sure the to open them up in light is hitting it just right – which often preparation for means coming back to it at different that magic light. periods throughout a day. At other times, the best shots can be had right before sunrise or just after sunset, so she’ll arrive well ahead of schedule to open the blinds and set up the shot.

“That’s when the house is glowing, but there’s still enough ambient light that the exterior background still has some color, too,” she says of her twilight images. These shots are so popular that Elizabeth has been known to show up to bigger houses along the beach road as early as four a.m. to open them up in preparation for that magic light.

“If I’m going to get up early, I might as well get up really early and stand there for 20 minutes to make sure I’ve got the right time,” she

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The Aquadisiac home (left) provided plenty of great material for Elizabeth (above, on site). Photos by Elizabeth Neal (obviously).

explains. “It’s a very small window, and you can literally miss it by minutes.”

When Elizabeth first started shooting houses, she used to go inside and turn all the lights on for interior shots. But her look has changed over time as well. Now she aims to use the least amount of light possible and let her camera do the work.

“You can take a photo in near darkness,” she says, “but if the shutter’s open long enough, it’s going to look bright. And I always want to get it right in camera. I’ll usually still have some editing to do afterwards, but I’d rather shoot it as close to the final result as I can beforehand.”

Sometimes she prefers the perfect symmetry of homes – using a drone to get those precise, vertical lines that come with shooting a three-bedroom house exterior from the right height – but other times it’s better to shoot things slightly askew.

Each project is different depending on the space and the client.

A 15-bedroom home can be an all-day event, or longer, if she returns for a twilight shot. If the photos are for an interior designer, she focuses on the aesthetic of the room and highlights smaller details.

For a builder, she might show the grain of the wood or the curve of a handrail.

And shooting a house is different than shooting people. Elizabeth knows this well, because in addition to Milepost Living, she has a beach photography business called Milepost Portraits.

“With people, especially beach portraits, you’re trying to capture the emotion,” she says. “It’s kind of fast and loose. But a house can have emotion, too, and it feeds that side of me that wants to go slow and take my time. I like the quiet, and the chance to take a really good look at a scene – because seeing a finished product that you can be proud of is truly the best part.”

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R E A L E STAT E

Begin at the Beginning There are a few basics to take into account before you get to work, and one of the first things to consider is whether you want your pool to be above or below ground.

It might help to bear in mind that costs can vary greatly between the two – especially when you add in the expense of a patio or a deck!

With an inground pool, you also need to be aware of where your septic system lies so that you can plan around the pipes. Other restrictions such as the size of your lot and property setbacks can affect logistics, so there are few one-size-fits-all generalizations when it comes to installing a pool – and it’s always a good idea to contact your town’s planning department as early as possible in the process.

Whatever you decide, please don’t forget to be aware of building codes that regulate pool safety measures such as signage and fencing – and consider adding other layers of protection such as anti-entrapment drain covers and an underwater pool alarm, particularly if you have small children or animals.

Materials Matter

JUST ADD WATER Backyard pools can be a great investment, but you need to know where to start.

By Chloe E. Williams

As

the earth starts to thaw and our gardens bloom again, many of us begin to feel the effects of spring fever – and one of the best things about springing forward is that we have more opportunities than ever to enjoy the outdoors. But while the ocean and the sound are great for watersport enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like soaking up the sun in the comfort of your own backyard.

Private pools might not be feasible for everyone, but if you’ve been dreaming about creating your own small oasis, you’re not alone…and there are plenty of options that can fit different budgets and circumstances. Just remember to look before you leap – and keep a few things in mind as you begin to navigate these new waters.

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Once you’ve settled on the above/below debate, construction can begin!

While certainly more cost effective, aboveground pools are often limited to two styles: round or oval. There also isn’t a lot of variance on heights (they’re typically between 48” and 54”), but there are several choices when it comes to materials for the supporting structure – the most common being steel, aluminum or resin. Steel is the cheapest material, and aluminum is the lightest and most flexible, but both tend to be susceptible to oxidization. Resin has the advantage of being the most durable material when it comes to braving the elements, but it’s also the most expensive option. For that reason, many pool structures utilize resin as a coating along with other plastics – and proper UV coating is essential to prevent against cracking.

Inground pools tend to have a more finished or permanent feel to them in contrast with aboveground pools, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Customization options are key here, and while you can always opt for classics such as rectangular or L-shaped designs, you can even shape your pool like a guitar if you wish!

As far as materials go, inground pools are typically made out of fiberglass, vinyl liner or concrete – and deciding which route to go may depend on making an honest assessment of your budget, initial time constraints and other longer-term considerations when it comes to maintenance.

Fiberglass pools, for instance, have the quickest installation time and the lowest long-term maintenance costs, but because they’re factory molded, their size and shape are somewhat limited. By comparison, vinyl liners can be cut into a number of shapes and sizes and they incur the lowest up-front costs, but they often need to be replaced every five to nine years – which can add up over time.

The most popular choice is concrete – although it is the most expensive option with the slowest turn-around time in terms of initial construction. That said, concrete pools are considered the strongest type of pool with virtually no restrictions when it comes to customization. In other words, the sky’s the limit!

The Finishing Touches Once the practicalities have been taken care of, there are still plenty of bonus features you can incorporate to dress up your backyard oasis.

For a little bit of glitz, think about adding custom underwater lighting, a waterfall or a swim-up bar – and consider doing a bit of landscaping with native plants that can accentuate your at-home haven year-round.

Other finishing touches can even include nautically themed statues from local art galleries or personalized beach towels in specific color schemes to match your outdoor furniture.

The only thing left to do after that? Grab a cold beverage, kick off your flip flops…and make yourself at home!

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R E A L E STAT E

business briefs Public vs. private? In February, a North Carolina Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Duck Village Outfitters owner, Bob Hovey, in a dispute with the Sand Dollar Shores homeowners’ association in Duck. The ruling stated that the beach access located in Sand Dollar Shores is “dedicated to the general public,” though the HOA had previously maintained that the access was private property.

Construction Begins on New Reef

Property Tax Values Revaluated

A retired tugboat was sunk about eight miles off Oregon Inlet in late January, officially kicking off construction of a new 162-acre artificial fishing reef. The structure, which will be the fifth artificial reef off the Outer Banks, is designed to create an attractive habitat for a wide range of fish, as well as expand inshore recreational fishing and diving opportunities. The project has been in the works for four years, and in 2018 the Outer Banks Anglers Club was awarded a state grant for $887,000 from recreational fishing license funds to go toward the project’s completion. Before the reef is finished this summer, two more retired tugboats and 7,250 tons of concrete will also have been sunk under about 70 feet of water at the site.

In February, Dare County sent out notices to 43,500 real property owners as part of the 2019 revaluation process. According to County Tax Accessor Greta Skeen, the tax base totaled $12.5 billion during the 2019 fiscal year.

The last revaluation, which includes residential homes, commercial properties and land, was conducted in 2013 when the housing market was still suffering from recession losses. By law, properties must be reassessed at least every eight years in order to adjust values to match the current market. The new property values will be reflected in the tax rate set by the county and each municipality in their 2020-2021 fiscal year operating budgets.

Real Estate

market snapshot Real estate sales on the Outer Banks continued a steady climb that began in 2008, with 2019 showing an eight percent overall growth, according to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ year-end MLS Statistical Report. Residential sales were up five percent for the year, with 175 closings compared with 166 in 2018. Median sale prices in 2019 also ticked up eight percent to $370,000 from $341,000 the previous year.

Land sales in 2019 recovered after a 37 percent plummet in 2018, bouncing back this year with 41 sales, which came close to the 38 total sales in 2017. Commercial sales were also up 57 percent, although overall inventory for residential property declined by five percent, commercial declined seven percent and lots/land inventory were only up one percent.

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Mapping New Flood Zones Significant changes in flood risk ratings have been made to Dare County’s new floodplain maps, according to Dare County Planning Director Donna Creef.

The maps are used to determine the degree of exposure properties have to flooding, and whether or not a property is required to carry federal flood insurance.

In a presentation to the county board of commissioners in January, Creef said that the updated maps have 41 percent fewer properties in flood zones than current maps. Even properties that have experienced repeat flooding, including oceanfront properties, are no longer considered high risk on the new maps.

Some houses have even been removed entirely from flood zones, despite recent flooding.

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One possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the North Carolina Emergency Management flood mapping department was required to work off approved Federal Emergency Management Agency maps, which may have been outdated. Because of this, Creef said the county plans to adopt zoning amendments that put stricter base flood elevation standards in place, and the county will also encourage property owners to maintain flood insurance. Following required public hearings, the maps are scheduled to become effective on June 19.

Checking in on Local Businesses A new survey was launched in January by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce to get a snapshot of the current business community and its needs and challenges. Information collected through the 2020 Business Retention & Expansion Survey is intended to help existing businesses grow and network, while retaining the base of jobs on the Outer Banks. As a longer-term goal, the survey data will be used to identify trends in the business community and highlight available resources to assist in their success. The survey will be available on the chamber’s website through April 30.

Music to the Ears of a Nonprofit Program For the first time since its founding eight years ago, the Mustang Outreach Program opened its own ADA-compliant space at Seagate North Shopping Center this past February. According to a press release, the grassroots organization had to do extensive renovations of the studio to meet regulations, but fundraising efforts in the local community were successful in meeting the costs.

The Mustang program was co-founded in 2012 by local music producer/promoter Mike Dianna and local blues musician Ruth Wyand. The program offers music instruction and scholarships to Outer Banks youth, and its student bands offer free performances throughout the year at local events. The new space will be used to hold regular music lessons and student practice sessions.

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R E A L E STAT E

town report What’s happening in your town?

Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.

Currituck County A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 30 for the new Currituck Public Safety Center, which will house the county offices for emergency management services, the sheriff ’s department and 911 communications.

The center will also include space for the College of The Albemarle’s public safety program and offices for the N.C. State Highway Patrol and the N.C. Forestry Services. The $18 million project will be located at the Currituck Community Park, east of the Currituck Regional Airport. A separate 13,800-square-foot metal building will also be installed at the site to provide storage and training space. The center, which will also serve as the county’s emergency operations center when necessary, is slated to be completed by late 2020.

Duck A $147,906 grant from the Dare County Tourism Board’s Tourism Impact Grants fund was approved in December for the town of Duck’s Phase 4 bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The project will include construction of a five-footwide walkway on the west side of N.C. 12 between Resort Realty and Sunset Raw Bar and Grille, as well as some shoreline protection improvements. The third phase of the project, which includes the path on the east side of Duck Road from Duck Deli to the Ships Watch neighborhood, has been scheduled for completion by early this spring.

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Southern Shores In January, the Southern Shores Town Council agreed to look into potential funding sources for a possible beach nourishment project that could widen the full length of the town’s beach.

Southern Shores had 1,500 feet of beach east of Pelican Watch widened in 2017 as an extension of Kitty Hawk’s nourishment project, and estimates provided to the town last year by an engineering consultant to widen the entire shoreline were as high as $16 million. Dare County has about $7.5 million in its shoreline management fund, but it has not committed to where the funds will be distributed.

In another matter, the town’s ad hoc committee to investigate sites for a new library recommended a former law office located at 6 Juniper Trail. Owner TowneBank told the committee it would be willing to lease the 2,000-squarefoot building for $1 a year for 10 years. The council voted to approve a resolution in support of the site, and authorized the committee to make a presentation about the proposed project to the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk’s beaches lost about 840,000 cubic yards of sand between December 2017 and May 2019, according to the town’s beach nourishment consultant Ken Willson with APTIM Coastal Planning and Engineering. In a presentation during the January Board of Commissioners meeting, Willson also voiced concerns about an area near the Kitty Hawk bathhouse that has eroded, but otherwise, he said that sand fencing on the beach has been effective. At the same meeting, the town agreed to contract APTIM in order to conduct a post-Hurricane Dorian survey of the beach.

Kill Devil Hills At a joint meeting of the Kill Devil Hills Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners on January 22, town officials agreed to seek numerous changes to zoning rules that were rejected by previous boards. Some earlier proposed amendments that will be reviewed include parking lot setbacks, incentivizing fire suppression systems, decreasing the width of oceanfront lots for cottage courts, limiting the number of vehicles in stacked parking at event houses, and requiring additional vegetative buffering between large homes.

Nags Head After concerns were voiced at the Nags Head Board of Commissioners meeting in January about access issues for a proposed new westside subdivision along U.S. 158 south of Soundside Road, the board voted to table the matter until March. Preliminary plans for the subdivision were approved by the planning board at its December meeting. The proposed 17-lot project, known as Coastal Villas, includes plans to create a new street connecting with Sea Breeze Court.

Construction of a multi-use path along the west side of the bypass in Nags Head also began in late January. The 10-foot-wide path from Soundside Road to West Danube Street is the latest extension of the U.S. 158 pathway going south. The project is moving forward in conjunction with a six-foot-wide sidewalk from Dune Street to Deering Street.

Manteo The town of Manteo was notified in January that it had been selected to participate in the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Downtown Associate Community program as part of a revitalization initiative. According to a press release, the program is run by the state Main Street and Rural Planning Center to help communities improve their business prospects and attract investments to create sustainable growth. Manteo was one of six communities selected for the three-year program. Applicants are required to be municipalities with a traditional downtown business district and a population under 50,000. The other North Carolina communities selected this year were Graham, Mebane, Murphy, Pilot Mountain and Zebulon.

Dare County As the county kicked off the 150th year anniversary of its founding on February 3, 1870, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard touted projects that are planned for 2020 during his State of the County presentation in January. The plans include a new $14 million building for the Roanoke Island campus of the College of The Albemarle and a $5 million renovation of the county Department of Health and Human Services building in Manteo.

The Dare County Arts Council is also planning to construct a courtyard behind the old Dare County courthouse in Manteo by the year’s end to use for classes and special events.

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R E A L E STAT E

SEA M U S EU M O F T H E

THE GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC MUSEUM HAS PLENTY TO SHOW, INSIDE AND OUT

W

hen Wilmington-based architect John Parker recalls the idyllic summer days he spent vacationing on Hatteras Island as a child, he thinks of shipwrecks. Washed-up boats stuck on the shore, lying on their sides with exposed, rib-like wooden frames jutting out of the sand.

To an eight-year-old, those wrecks were a make-believe paradise – his very own seaside jungle gym.

Decades later, nearly 15 years into his career as an architect, John would call on these memories while designing the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village – which not only tells the stories of the thousands of shipwrecks off the coast of the Outer Banks, but resembles a massive capsized ship itself.

Cruising past the ferry docks and straight down Museum Drive, it’s hard not to take your eyes off the road to gape at the museum. The 18,768-square-foot structure is raised safely above sea level, and, despite its picture-perfect view of a beach access to the east, is only dotted with a few small windows.

It almost looks daunting, this massive museum – especially after driving past the rickety old wood-paneled houses in Mirlo Beach and the mega-mansion summer rentals scattered along Highway 12.

But there’s a lighthearted feel to the structure as well. The roof has a subtle arch to it, and the front of the museum is dotted with 14 curved beams that mimic the frame of a ship, just like the wooden ribs of the beached boats John often climbed as a child.

“I was probably eight or nine when my family would pack up our station wagon and drive out to the lighthouse, where there was always a ship or two lying in the sand on the beach,” John says. “So that imagery was very clear to me.”

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Talks of building the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum began in the mid-‘80s in response to the need for space that could house North Carolina’s historical maritime artifacts – specifically the recently recovered U.S.S. Monitor, the United States Navy’s first ironclad ship that sank in a storm off of Cape Hatteras in 1862.

“It was a community effort at the time, like a grassroots movement,” explains Josh Nonnenmocher, the museum’s administrative coordinator. “The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News initially got the Monitor artifacts, and that’s when the community decided it was time to start a local museum so that those things had a place to go in the future.”

Over the next 15 years, organizers secured federal, state and local funding, and plans for the museum began to unfold. At first, many pictured a sprawling Victorianstyle structure similar to the Pea Island Lifesaving Station as the ideal place to house the collected artifacts.

But after meeting with the museum board while touring old Outer Banks’ duck hunting clubs for a separate architectural project, John had a different idea. Luckily, the board was responsive. Construction of John’s shipwreck-inspired building began

P H OTO S BY C A S E Y RO B E RT S O N S TO RY BY A R A B E L L A S AU N D E R S

The curved wooden beams gracing the front of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum were designed to mimic the frame of a ship (above). Located near the end of the road on Hatteras Island, the museum resembles a massive capsized ship – but was built to withstand even the most volatile weather (left).

in December 1999, and the museum opened its doors to visitors a little over two years later.

While John’s suggestion for an out-of-the-box design was met with open arms, one of the board’s requirements was non-negotiable, however: The museum needed to be hurricane-proof…or as close to it as possible.

With two-foot thick, double reinforced concrete walls, structural support beams dug 11 feet in the ground, a two-foot-thick aluminum metal roof, and long-lasting wood-alternative siding, the museum can withstand sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and gusts of up to 250 miles per hour, according to its official engineering letter.

In addition, the museum has a backup generator with a 6,000-gallon fuel tank that can power the entire building, including its full kitchen.

“If a zombie apocalypse ever happens, I’ll be glad to have this building,” Josh says with a laugh.

For John, the purpose of the museum’s design is two-fold. It’s both a playful callback to his childhood memories as well as a smart structural design that can brave the volatile weather Hatteras Village is all too familiar with.

But if you ask Josh about the museum’s design, he’ll tell you that it also evokes something much more than childhood nostalgia and weather-conscious construction.

“I think that it speaks to the value of shipwrecks,” Josh says of the building and the invaluable collection it contains. “People are starting to focus more on underwater archeology in general and the landscape of a shipwreck – what led up to it, what sort of technology was involved, what went wrong.

“There’s a tremendous amount of information that can be taken away from these things,” he adds. “They’re simply like moments frozen in time.”

N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 4 3

M O O D B OA R D

Home Sweet Home COMPILED BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

FOR MANY, SPRING IS THE START

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Interior designer and fine artist Tanya Dulyaba often hears that from various clients who know just how lucky they are to call the Outer Banks home – and she couldn’t agree more. That’s why she focuses on creating living spaces that feel just as restful as any resort, and encourages her clients to think beyond the basics when it comes to mixing colors and patterns.

Original sketch and artwork created by Tanya Dulyaba.

She suggests starting neutrally, with medium-toned wooden wall planks (1) and slightly lighter vinyl flooring (2). This will set the stage for a variety of pieces made with natural fibers, such as the abaca-wrapped side tables (3) and the rattan-woven geometric chandelier (4) with matching accent chairs (5).

3

9

A glass-topped driftwood coffee table (6) complements this aesthetic, and blends well with more striking items such as the cozy grey sectional (7) and the deep seaweed-and-sage patterned area rug (8). It also won’t interfere with smaller pops of color found in the glass coral-hued table lamps (9) and the avocado and sky-blue pillow sets (10).

For the finishing touches, Tanya also recommends adding a particularly personal touch. A large, waxy plant such as a fiddle-leaf fig (11) demands attention while pairing nicely with more modern designs, and you can never go wrong with selecting an original composition by a local artist (12) – especially one that depicts your idea of the perfect beach scene. With its soothingly soft pastel tones, it can serve as a daily reminder that your next staycation is only steps away from your front door.

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R E A L E STAT E

sun salutations Beach Realty & Construction Beach Realty & Construction Names Joanne Kepler 2019 Agent of the Year For the second year in a row, Joanne Kepler was named the Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals Agent of the Year. Joanne was licensed in 1995 and began her real estate career with Beach Realty in 2005.

Over the past 15 years, Joanne has worked hard to establish herself as an industry leader and real estate expert. She also volunteers for the Special Olympics, is an active member of her church and is vice-president of the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers. Joanne can be reached in the Corolla office of Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals or at (252) 207-8420.

Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales Brindley Beach Announces Record High Sales for 2019 Brindley Beach ranked seventh overall in sales for 2019 on the Outer Banks and are proud to have two of the top 20 Outer Banks agents on the team, Melanie Day and Edith Rowe. MLS data reports Brindley Beach with $70,357,201 in sales for 2019 which is 51.3 percent above 2018.* This is a 15 year record high for the company.

Other top performing brokers at Brindley Beach include Ron Barrett, Anna Hunt and Catherine Strachan. *Based on information from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® MLS for the period Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty The VanderMyde Group Named Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Top Producers of 2019 Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce the VanderMyde Group as its Top Producing Team for 2019 in sales volume, units sold and new listings for the firm. Heather VanderMyde, along with team members Kiirsten Farr, Will Gregg and Kasey Rabar, have also earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award, presented to the top 10 percent of all teams of four worldwide. Contact Heather at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Brad Beacham Group the 2019 Top Producing Team of its Kitty Hawk Location Brad Beacham, along with team members Cameron Griggs and Brook Sparks, earned the firm’s Top Producing Team Award for the Kitty Hawk location. In 4 6 | S PR I N G 2020

addition, the team has earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society award, presented to the top five percent of all teams of three worldwide.

Team leader Brad Beacham can be reached at (252) 202-6920 or brad@bradbeacham.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces John Leatherwood as the 2019 Agent of the Month Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce John Leatherwood as the top producer for the firm.

This award is based on closed sales volume for 2019.

John was also awarded the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award, presented to the top five percent of all agents worldwide. John can be reached at (252) 202-3834 or john@sandmanteamobx.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces Trish Berruet as the Top Producing Agent of the Kill Devil Hills Location Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty congratulates Trish Berruet on earning the Agent of the Year for the Kill Devil Hills office. This award is based on closed sales volume for 2019. Trish can be reached at (252) 256-2761 or trish@cbseaside.com.

Sun Realty Sun Realty Announces 2019 Award Winners The team of Michael and Madonna VanCuren earned Agent of the Year with the highest sales volume at Sun Realty for the year. Madonna also celebrated her 31st anniversary with the firm this year.

Sun Realty’s sales agents nominated Richard Hess for the 2019 Agent’s Choice Award. The Agent’s Choice Award is given to the agent who has offered the most support and guidance to his fellow agents that year.

Michael and Madonna VanCuren and Geri and Hugh Willey were presented with Platinum Awards for having more than $10 million in sales volume. Carol Perry, Michael Davenport, Jackie Ricks Sample, Joe Staten and Richard Hess earned the Gold Award for selling between $9,999,999 and $5 million. Lauren Cooper, Paul Sabadash and Karen Etheridge earned the Silver Award for selling between $4,999,999 and $2.5 million, while Al Friedman and Susie Sullivan earned the Bronze Award for having their sales volume between $2,499,999 and $1 million.

Grace Anlauf was named Rookie of the Year for achieving the highest sales volume of agents who joined the firm in 2019, and an Online Lead Conversion Award went to Al Friedman for achieving the highest volume of sales to new clients from Sun Realty’s internet source.

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F I V E FACT S

Photo courtesy of Currituck County Travel & Tourism.

Whalehead CLUB

BY K ATRI N A M AE LEUZI N GER

A CENTURY AGO, Corolla was little more than a 200-person village with a one-room school,

a church, a lighthouse and a post office. But all that began to change after a visit by Edward Collings Knight, Jr., who was heir to a vast family fortune in Philadelphia. By 1925, Edward had dredged a man-made island around his plot of land and established a grand residence unlike anything else ever seen before on the Outer Banks. Though it later fell into disrepair, the lodge now known as the Whalehead Club was expertly restored by Currituck County in the late ‘90s – and to this day, it still offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into life during the Jazz Age.

1

FOR THE LOVE OF THE HUNT

The five-story, 21,000-square-foot lodge introduced a number of firsts to the Outer Banks – including electricity and a swimming pool. But for Edward and his new Canadian bride, Marie Louise, the extravagance had a practical side. Along with her spectacularly fiery temper and an impressive independent streak, Marie Louise was also an avid huntress at a time when hunt clubs barred women. Determined to make her happy, Edward built their mansion in the middle of prime waterfowl hunting territory – and extended hunting trip invitations only to friends who didn’t object to shooting alongside a member of the opposite sex.

2

WON’T YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR?

Whether or not it was their intention, the Knights caused quite a stir on the northern beaches – and not every story that circulated in the village painted the couple in the most favorable light. Perhaps the most enduring local belief was that the flashy lodge was constructed to one-up the hunt clubs that had shunned Marie Louise…even going as far as to build a fifth false chimney in order to outnumber the four chimneys of the nearby Currituck Shooting Club. Still, the Knights didn’t keep themselves entirely removed from local life, and every December they held a lavish Christmas party complete with meals and wrapped gifts for all the villagers.

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4

3

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Despite examples of their generosity, fans of shows such as Downton Abbey shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that there were still some distinct differences between the Knights’ living quarters and the spaces the servants occupied. Step through a maid’s entrance from one of the opulent bedrooms and you might notice a beautiful Art Nouveau door handle on one side… and nothing more than a plain old metal knob on the other.

In the narrow corridors connecting the servants’ rooms, pastel-colored wall paint also changes to generic white, carpets vanish, and in some places even the hallways and stairwells shrink down to passing room only.

CHANGING HANDS

After the Knights passed away within months of each other in 1936, the heirs to their estate were Edward’s two adult granddaughters.

But even with the lodge’s rare counterweight elevator, a fully stocked wine cellar and all the hand-signed Tiffany lighting, the women decided it was much too modest for their tastes. Opting instead for married life abroad in Europe, the lodge sold to a businessman named Ray Adams in 1940 for $25,000 – approximately $358,000 less than it took to build just 15 years earlier. Sensing an opportunity to convert it into an elite sportsman getaway, Ray reportedly re-christened it the Whalehead Club after finding a stray whale bone on the edge of the property.

5

FUELING THE FUTURE

Ray Adams never saw his ambitions for turning Whalehead into a year-round tourist destination come to fruition, however. Although it was rented for a time as a private hunting ground for $50 a day, Whalehead also served a number of other purposes over the years, including being a receiving station for the United States Coast Guard during World War II and later hosting a boarding school for young men. But its most controversial use was when the Atlantic Research Corporation took it over in the 1960s as a secret testing site for rocket fuel. Luckily, the U.S. won the space race in 1969, eliminating the need to eventually transform Whalehead into a large-scale – and potentially toxic – rocket manufacturing plant.

NN OO RTRT HHB EB ACH E ACHSU SU NN | | 51 7

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A RT S & E N T E RTA I N M E N T

Everett Nautical artist Ben Morris examines the faux teak and white-gold leaf transom of the Gallant Lady in Wanchese.

in a place steeped in boatbuilding history, josh everett doesn’t just put the finishing touches on local sport fishing boats and world-class yachts – he gives them personality.

ART on the WATER photos by ryan moser story by lexi holian

A lifelong artist, Josh found his niche in marine graphic arts on the Outer Banks. He’s painted transoms with names like Waterman, Marlin Darlin and Dream Time, and crafted faux teak finishes for renowned boat builders including Spencer Yachts and Viking. And his ocean-centered artwork and gold leaf lettering aren’t just physically imposing, they’re also inspired by coastal life and this region’s maritime heritage.

“I’m blessed to be doing what I’m doing,” says Josh, climbing off a boat in Wanchese after a typical 12-hour workday. “There’s such a rich community of boat builders here in North Carolina.”

Josh started his company in 2007 while working as a builder at Bayliss Boatworks in Wanchese, but his passion for boats came about long before that. Raised mostly in the landlocked state of Colorado, he spent a few summers with his family in Martha’s Vineyard, and he was drawn to the water and the aesthetic of boats even then.

“My father always told me, as a carpenter, that the highest level of achievement for a woodworker is to be building wood ships,” he says. “I remembered that.”

After graduating high school in the 1990s, Josh traveled to St. Thomas, where he was first exposed to marine carpentry when he took a job as a shipwright. He went on to study art and design in college, and then spent a decade in New York City as a commercial artist and tattoo shop owner. But after September 11, 2001, he was ready to get out of the grind and return to the water.

He wandered around a bit until ending up back on St. Thomas. Then an opportunity arose to work as part of a crew delivering a sailboat from St. Thomas to Annapolis – and when the True Love passed Newport News not far from the Outer Banks, he decided to hop off and catch a ride with a family friend down to the beach.

During his first year on the Outer Banks, he rebuilt a house that he now calls his home and took a job from John Bayliss at Bayliss Boatworks. It was there that he met marine artist Robert Milfield, who regularly traveled from Florida to paint names on the Bayliss boat transoms.

continued> N O RT H B E ACH SU N | 53

“I understood what he was doing because of my background as a commercial artist,” Josh says.

“But he was also just a master at his craft.”

Unfortunately, Milfield passed away several years after the two met. That left a gap in the market, and when Bayliss needed a marine artist, Josh asked if he could step up. Throughout his time as a marine carpenter both designing and building boats, he had stayed engaged in the arts – mostly painting large-format nautical landscapes – and John Bayliss knew he had real talent.

“That was the beginning of my career,” Josh explains as he recalls the first boat he painted, a 67-foot custom sportfishing yacht named Bud Man. For the next few years, Josh continued to work at Bayliss while painting on the side, but within a relatively short time he was traveling up and down the East Coast doing transoms for a variety of boat builders.

“Some Eventually, Josh decided to retire from Bayliss and boats lend commit to painting full time themselves under the name Everett to more Nautical. Today, he works traditional with a team of talented designs designers on vessels from or more the Outer Banks to the Caribbean – aiming to progressive, preserve old boat building modern techniques passed down designs. It by word of mouth while just depends utilizing new technology to on the create genuine works of art. builder.”

“When I think of old-world craftsmanship,” -josh everett says Josh, “I think about guys with a good eye who know what they’re looking at and how to read true surfaces. A computer can’t give you that real experience, but it can give you a different type of accuracy, speed and efficiency.”

The scope of work that the team does is enormous, from multimillion-dollar yachts in Miami and Puerto Rico to charter boats docked at Oregon Inlet – and to this day, Everett Nautical continues to work with local boat builders including Bayliss, Scarborough Boatworks, Mann Custom Boats and Briggs Boatworks.

A large part of the company is also devoted to simulating wood grains on the exteriors of yachts, which can involve an immense amount of work for some of the larger projects. With the declining availability of real teak wood in the industry, Everett Nautical offers a more sustainable approach in faux teak painting that is virtually maintenance free.

“It seems like the scope of our work just keeps broadening as we grow and develop as a

Josh Everett at work applying a faux teak finish to a new boat transom (top); A flourish of type on finished transoms (middle images); Everett Nautical team members Ben Miller, Ben Morris and Josh Everett onboard the newly finished Irish Rover (bottom).

5 4 | S PR I N G 2020

company,” Josh says. “But the backbone of what we do is still marine sign painting.”

Everett Nautical transoms are hand-painted using traditional pinstripe patterns, airbrushed graphics and hand-laid gold leaf. Gold leaf lettering is a technique that spans back through maritime history, and the finished product reflects sunlight beautifully off the water.

“I’ll step back after some projects are done, and just look at them,” Lead Designer Ben Miller says. “I get emotional about them – I really do.”

To take a project from ideation to completion, Everett Nautical designers also work with clients to perform typography studies, sketch studies and color studies well before any painting begins.

It’s all about getting into the mind of the client, Josh explains, and maintaining a dialogue while conceptual drawings are being created and passed back and forth.

“I like to know a little bit about the pedigree of the boat we’re working on,” Josh says. “Some boats and some boat types lend themselves to more traditional designs or more progressive, modern designs. It just depends on the builder.”

Boat builders contact Everett Nautical months or even a year in advance. While a boat is under construction, Josh likes to personally keep an eye on its progress and then start design development two to three months before the team is ready to physically be on the boat.

“I like to have it keep moving at a rapid pace,” he explains. “A lot of times your first instinct becomes your best instinct.”

After design consultations, the actual transom painting may only take three or four days in total.

The timeline is opposite for faux teak, which doesn’t take very much preliminary work, but can be extremely labor intensive when it comes time to paint. A large faux teak project can take three or four weeks to complete depending on the scale of the boat, even with several team members working together.

“It’s really fascinating to watch it unfold,” says Everett Nautical artist and charter boat captain Ben Morris. “Everybody’s doing their own little thing on top of each other’s work, and it all eventually comes together as one piece.”

The industry is constantly evolving as well, and Everett Nautical is targeting bigger vessels and projects all the time, including mega yachts.

But the team doesn’t find any less fulfilment in working on smaller vessels, especially when a job well done means so much to the boat builder.

“It’s really a privilege to be able to do this work,” Josh says while attributing the success of the company to his origins at Bayliss and his great team today. “It’s taken on its own life, and I’m happy to create opportunities for other artists who are willing to dedicate and put the time into this practice.”

“You can’t just Google this stuff, and learn how to do it,” Miller explains. “You have to be taught, and it’s intense.

“Josh is my mentor, my boss and my friend,” he adds. “It’s both a challenge and an honor to work with him.”

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Ocean Inspiration Artist Harry Meraklis brings his love of nature to the canvas Photos by Ryan Moser / Story by Katrina Mae Leuzinger

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tep into Harry Meraklis’s home studio in Kitty True to his word, Harry moved to Kitty Hawk in 2012 and Hawk and you’re immediately confronted with HarryFish Art was born. Harry was soon spending the majority a nine-foot-high octopus painted on the far wall of his time working at the co-op, making and selling his fish, and in vibrant purple. It’s the prototype for Rundown catching the real thing whenever he could.

Café’s new three-dimensional sign that now Though he started out with his namesake carved fish, graces the beach road – along with a few matching interior each one a unique piece of art, he quickly expanded to other murals – but at one point not so long ago, it was just an idea mediums as well. Spending hours in the gallery every day made swimming around Harry’s head. him want to start painting on canvas again, using brushes, pallet “Look at that,” Harry says, pointing to a photograph of the knives and sometimes sparkling broken glass to capture fish, real thing hanging on a nearby workbench. “That’s badass. It’s octopi, turtles and the occasional goat or brightly plumed bird. like a piece of art just crawling around on the ocean floor. You Regardless of his chosen animal, Harry’s paintings always can’t even make it up.” seem to draw the eye towards a detail that might otherwise An avid fisherman, Harry has always been drawn to the have been easily overlooked – a gaping mouth, a perfectly sea, and he began spending family curved tentacle, a big, bulbous eye. vacations on the Outer Banks when The subject is almost always on a he was three years old. jet-black background and painted “My dad took me fishing every in colors more heightened than minute he had,” explains Harry what occurs in real life. proudly as he gestures to one of “I’m not interested in doing several photographs of his father things that are hyper-realistic. I just that’s displayed on his studio walls. don’t have that kind of patience,” Those family vacations from jokes Harry.

Pennsylvania continued long after Inspiration also comes from his Harry had a family of his own, and own family. His uncle, Constantine it was during one such trip that his Kermes, was a famous painter, wife, Eileen, remarked on all the although he was fonder of painting carved and painted fish in the gift humans than sea life. While talking shops. That was something he could about him, Harry gives a lot of the do, she suggested. And not only credit for his uncle’s success to could he make keepsakes like that, Constantine’s wife, Bessie.

Harry at the KDH Cooperative (above). A selection of HarryFish works (left), showing different subjects and he could do it better.

“You need someone with a media types.

“I used to paint in junior high, good eye that’s not yours,” Harry high school and college all the says. “My Aunt Bessie used to do time. But then you start working, that for him.” and oftentimes you just stop,” says Harry. “I wanted to start And he speaks from experience. For Harry, that eye belongs again.” to his own wife, Eileen, who’s also a nurse at the Outer Banks A printer by trade, Harry also minored in fine art in college, Hospital and mother to their three children – one of whom now but more or less hadn’t used those skills since then. So even has a couple kids of his own. though he was a bit rusty, he used hand tools to carve, and then “She’s my creative rudder,” says Harry. “Almost everything paint, a small fish. Then he made a few more.

I paint, I show to her. When I lose my direction, she’ll say, ‘the When it came time for their next family vacation, Harry colors are wrong’ or ‘the head is great’ or ‘the eye is terrible.’ stopped into the Kill Devil Hills Cooperative and showed his fish “Sometimes she’ll say, ‘just paint over it,’” he adds with a to owner, Julie Moye. Julie, who started the gallery in order to laugh. feature and promote local artists – many of whom take turns Most of the time he listens to her, and most of the time running and organizing the gallery and teaching some classes she’s right. Which is why his distinctive art can now be found in the second-story studio space – immediately fell in love with in shops all over the Outer Banks and beyond – and once even Harry’s work. showed up on an episode of Hawaii Five-0.

There was just one problem.

“I can’t paint something I’m not excited about. I just can’t,” “We were still living in Pennsylvania,” Harry says. “So I told Harry says about his process. “And certain creatures just have Julie, ‘I don’t live here yet – but I will soon.’” to be painted – they’re too amazing not to.”

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THE LOCAL LIFE

Simone Endres

IT’S EARLY MORNING AT SIMONE ENDRES’ DANCE

in Kitty Hawk, and there are hours to go before any students will arrive – but there’s still plenty to do when it comes to managing the daily operations of a business Simone’s been dreaming about in some fashion since she was 10 years old. Looking casually comfortable in tights and a loose sweater, she stretches a few times before executing a graceful pirouette for the camera.

STUDIO

“Wait, let me do that again,” she says, pausing to laugh.

“That’s the thing about dance teachers. It’s never true when we say ‘only one more time’ – we always want to keep going until we get it just right!”

Is it true you trained as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson?

Yes! [Laughs] I was working for a public relations firm when one of the deejays at a local radio station said I needed to meet a friend of theirs who was dancing for Janet Jackson – and I was one of those girls who stayed up until three a.m. listening to “Rhythm Nation” on vinyl when it first came out. They were holding open auditions for the All for You Tour in Washington, D.C., and I got in and trained from October until February [2000] when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. It’s hard to keep those hours with a baby, but I still stay in touch with a lot of those dancers to this day.

How did you end up teaching dance?

I started dancing when I was three, and when I was 10 years old, I wrote a list of goals. One of them was to be in a video with Janet Jackson – and another was to own a dance studio. I still have that list, so I must have manifested it! The funny thing is, I used to do little classes here and there, but I never really thought I was going to be a teacher. Then, when my daughter Jalen was two, I put her in a dance class, and the studio happened to be looking for a hip-hop instructor. That was 2003, and I’ve been teaching ever since.

What styles of dance do you teach?

I teach ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip-hop, modern, Latin ballroom, musical theater, acro and Bollywood, which is a mix of Western pop and Indian folk dancing. I know it looks like a lot, but here’s the thing: I’ll never teach something I’m not trained in. And I don’t teach just the moves or the idea of dance – I want my students to understand the background, too. It’s all about being part of something larger, and you can learn so much from that.

Who are some of your inspirations?

Janet Jackson, definitely. And Tina Landon, one of Janet’s head choreographers. Also, Vera-Ellen, Debbie Reynolds, Paula Abdul and Mikhail Baryshnikov – he was the first male dancer I ever fell in love with. And my teachers.

They all expect hard workers, and they want the best. You can have natural talent, but it comes down to what you do with it, so you have to find a good balance. The most important thing is to find out what your passion is – and it might not be dance. But whatever it is, you need to be true to that.

58 | S PR I N G 2020

There’s no place like home.

That’s why I swim 8,000 miles.

I’m pulled back to the nesting grounds where I was born.

Seriously. We sea turtles follow Earth’s magnetic fields across the globe to lay our eggs.

From poaching to pollution, think of all the obstacles I face.

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S A Z IZ P D E T F A R C D H AN

EACE ” AT A TI M E. “P E N O , VE LO H IT W E AD M

CRE ATI VE FRE SH SAL ADS HOU SE SM OK ED WIN GS PRO SEC CO ON TAP GRE AT NC BEE R SEL ECT ION NOW OPEN!

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M I LE PO ST 9.5 ON TH E BY PA S S • K I LL DE VI L H I LLS • 252-4 8 0 - 0 055