North Beach Sun Winter 2022

make

but first...

deck the (community) hall

WHAT IF CHRISTMAS DIDN’T COME BUT ONCE

A YEAR? For Hatteras Island residents in the tri-village areas of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, that’s simply a tradition known as Old Christmas, which has island locals decking their halls a second time during the first week of January. According to some, the custom started after England abandoned the less-accurate Julian calendar in favor of the current globally standard Gregorian one in 1753 – an accounting shift that effectively moved Christmas from January 7th to the 25th of December.

News of the edict didn’t reach the isolated islanders for some time, however, and was largely ignored even after it did. To this day, Old Christmas festivities are typically held at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center with plenty of food, music and dancing – plus the annual appearance of a legendary bull known as Old Buck. Played by costumed locals, his riotous arrival is the customary signal that it’s time to crank up the volume and get the party started. (Old Buck antics abound in 1973; photo courtesy of the Outer Banks History Center.)

O’ CHRISTMAS TREE

EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE ONLY SOLD ONCE A YEAR, live Christmas trees generate more than a billion dollars annually in the United States – and behind Oregon, North Carolina consistently ranks second in the nation for harvesting the largest number of these holiday icons.

Approximately 1,300-plus NC Christmas tree farmers harvest five to six million trees annually, which adds up to more than 20% of all the Christmas trees sold nationwide – with regionally native Frasier firs making up a whopping estimated 98% of those state sales. And unlike their artificial counterparts, these trees are also considered a fully renewable resource: More than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs exist throughout the U.S., including many grassroots efforts that use them to stabilize sand dunes as buffers against coastal erosion.

The top three states of Oregon, North Carolina and Michigan harvest approximately 72% of all Christmas trees nationwide.

YEARS

Approximately five to six million Christmas trees are harvested in North Carolina annually, which accounts for more than 20% of the Christmas trees available in the U.S., and generates an estimated retail value of more than $250 million.

It takes an average of seven years for a Christmas tree to grow to a typical harvest height of six to seven feet tall.

More than a dozen species of Christmas trees are grown in NC (including a number of firs, spruces and pines), but nearly 98% of the trees harvested here are NC’s native Frasier fir – which is also the most popular Christmas tree species in North America.

Christmas trees are grown on approximately 40,000-plus acres statewide.

For every live Christmas tree harvested, approximately one to three seedlings are planted the following spring.

winter events

The Outer Banks is always full of fun things to do!

Some of the following events were still being modified or added as of press time, so please don’t forget to check individual websites for the most current information.

TIPSY TURKEY 1-MILE BEER RUN

November 23

Kick off your holiday break with this Thanksgiving-themed, adults-only beer mile that starts and ends at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. theobxrunningcompany.com

THANKSGIVING DAY 5K/1-MILE

November 24

Begin Thanksgiving Day with a 5K or one-mile run at Historic Whalehead in the shadow of the Currituck Lighthouse. theobxrunningcompany.com

HANGIN’ WITH SANTA & KITES WITH LIGHTS

November 25 – 26

Take the kids by Kitty Hawk Kites across from Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head on Friday or Saturday for pictures with Saint Nick. While you’re there, watch the night sky light up on Saturday as enormous kites with festive lights soar above Jockey’s Ridge. kittyhawk.com

7TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT VILLAGE

November 25

Kick off the holiday season at this craft market in beautiful Historic Corolla Park. Santa will be in attendance, too, so bring the littles for a photo op! visitcurrituck.com

WHALEHEAD’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS

November 25 – December 17

Step back in time to the 1920s during this tour of the lushly decorated Whalehead mansion. Enjoy Christmas carols around the Steinway piano and a holiday treat at the conclusion of the tour. visitcurrituck.com

WINTERLIGHTS

PRESENTED BY SOUTHERN BANK

November 25 – December 30 (selected dates) Stroll through an illuminated winter wonderland at The Elizabethan Gardens this holiday season. Check the website for dates and times. elizabethangardens.org

CURRISHUCK OYSTER FESTIVAL

November 26

Enjoy all-you-can eat steamed oysters, steamed crabs, local beer and wine, and live music from 12-5 p.m. at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. sanctuaryvineyards.com

CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN MANTEO

December 2 – 3

On Friday evening, watch the Grand Illumination in front of the historic Manteo courthouse, and then enjoy the Christmas parade through downtown Manteo on Saturday. townofmanteo.com

DUCK’S YULETIDE CELEBRATION

December 3

The town of Duck invites everyone to “keep the cheer here” by shopping and celebrating in Duck this holiday season. Visit their website for current details regarding the annual Yuletide Celebration. townofduck.com

FIRST FLIGHT HOLIDAY MARKETS

December 6, 17, 20

Stop by Aviation Park to shop for holiday treats with more than 65 local vendors, food trucks and live music. kdhnc.com

WINGS OVER WATER WILDLIFE FESTIVAL

December 9 – 11

This encore session of the Wings Over Water Festival focuses primarily on migratory birds and waterfowl. wingsoverwater.org

WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY

December 17

This aeronautical milestone will be celebrated at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the same place that first flight history was made. firstflight.org

MIDNIGHT MAGIC IN MANTEO

December 31

Ring in the New Year in downtown Manteo from 6 p.m. until midnight. townofmanteo.com

COUNTRY REWIND

January 21

Nashville recording artists A.J. Swearingen and Jayne Kelli cover country classics in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

7TH ANNUAL LOVE ON THE RUN 5K RUN/ WALK

February 11

Celebrate your sweetheart with a run through beautiful Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. Enjoy wine, cheese and chocolate back at the winery after the race. theobxrunningcompany.com

BETTMAN & HALPIN’S TIMELESS

February 18

Acoustic duo Bettman & Halpin perform songs from their critically acclaimed album Timeless in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

2023 WEDDING WEEKEND & EXPO March 4 – 5

Meet local wedding professionals, take a tour of venues and restaurants, and register to win wedding giveaways at this two-day expo. obxwa.com

RUNNING OF THE LEPRECHAUNS

March 18

Lace up your shoes for this annual Irishthemed race. obxse.com

BARRON RYAN PIANO CONCERT

March 18

Pianist Barron Ryan performs his signature program of groovy classical, jazz renditions, pop tune arrangements and original works in the auditorium at First Flight High School. outerbanksforum.org

OBX TASTE OF THE BEACH

March 24 – 26

This culinary event sponsored by the Dare County Restaurant Association traditionally features tapas crawls, wine tastings, cookoffs, brewery tours and much more. obxtasteofthebeach.com

Sweetest The Thing

operating statewide, North Carolina is the number one sweet potato-producing state in the United States, providing an estimated 50% of the nation’s annual supply.

STYLED BY CHEF DAN LEWIS / PHOTOS BY BROOKE MAYO

SWEET POTATOES ARE AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE – and just as delectably decadent in some cases. But in North Carolina, a side of sugary casserole isn’t all they’re good for. In addition to being simply packed with everything from potassium to vitamins A and C, this root vegetable is an agri cultural powerhouse: With approximately 350 commercial sweet potato farmers

Not bad for such a small spud – and that’s not its only surprise. While orangefleshed versions are grocery store go-tos, there are actually hundreds of varieties of sweet potatoes that can range in color from white to deep red, and sometimes even purple – though less-common variations are often grown in small quantities, so your best bet is to seek them out at local farmers’ markets.

Their versatility is another thing that makes sweet potatoes such a standout – whether you bake, fry, grill or mash them, they pair well with virtually any seasoning you can throw their way. To recreate the crispy torn sweet potato dish pictured here, start by roasting your potatoes at 350 degrees for approximately

‘Tis the season for sweet potatoes – a superfood with a special place in the Tar Heel State

30-45 minutes (bearing in mind that purple and white-fleshed varieties can take a little longer to fully cook through) before letting them chill – then break them into pieces slightly larger than a mouthful, and deep-fry those morsels until they’re golden brown and crispy.

Because white and purple sweet potatoes tend to be higher in starch, they absorb less water than their orange-toned counterparts, so they’ll also fry up extra crispy if that’s what you’re after. Once your spuds are browned to perfection, season them with a spice blend of your choice (anything from tandoori seasoning to simple salt and pepper will do), then plate them on a bed of sauce – in this instance, a smoked paprika aioli – before garnishing your dish with parsley or any other fresh herb you happen to have handy. Bon appétit!

Carving A LIFE TOGETHER

One local couple has spent decades shaping their love of art and nature.

PHOTOS BY CORY GODWIN STORY BY STEVE HANF

Over the past four decades, Vic and Ellen Berg have taken near-endless chunks of wood and breathed new life into them, transforming most into a facsimile of feathers. For the Bergs, it’s all part of a process best summed up by the words of William Faulkner: “The aim of every artist is to arrest motion…and hold it fixed so that 100 years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again.”

Their business cards for Outer Banks Waterfowl are emblazoned with that quote, and their home in Kitty Hawk exemplifies it. There’s a dove carved in flight soaring over their refrigerator that Vic calls his therapy after 9/11, while a menagerie of giraffes, a turtle and fish of all varieties rest on nearly every other available surface.

Yet, in a home that teems with such an array of still-life figures, it’s clear that their specialty is birds. Egrets nuzzle with necks entwined while dozens of duck decoys share space with shorebirds that Ellen calls her “little peeps,” each of which appears perfectly poised to dart in and out of the waves.

“We’re totally flummoxed by wealthy people who have multi-million-dollar homes and no art on their walls. Have you no soul?” Vic asks rhetorically. “How do you exist without art?”

Questions like these continue to fuel the couple’s creativity, but life took a few unexpected twists before they found their path.

Growing up, Vic’s father, Vern Berg, was a Navy chaplain who loved duck hunting. In 1977, Vern purchased a pristine plot of marshland at Oregon Inlet, which led to the opening of Outer Banks Waterfowl – a guided hunting and fishing operation that Vic’s either worked or been responsible for ever since.

“The carving business and the duck hunting business started at the same time,” Vic explains. “They’re intertwined because everything is focused around birds. Despite the guns and the outboard motors, the guide business is more about serenity than anything

else. Shooting is actually a small part of your day; the rest is just about sitting out there and watching the movement of birds.”

Well before the couple’s paths crossed, Ellen also grew up very differently in Chicago. Although she first left her hometown for Maryland to work as a nurse at the National Institute of Health (with Dr. Fauci, no less), she always wanted to move to the Outer Banks. After she finally took the plunge and relocated here in 1980, she discovered she could make more money in restaurants than medical offices, and that was where she eventually met Vic.

They’ve been married 37 years now.

“But that’s living and working together 24/7, so you should really double that,” Ellen adds with her characteristic humor.

DRIFTWOOD DRIVEN ASHORE BY WAVES. SCRAPS SAVED FROM BURN PILES. PIECES PITCHED INTO THEIR YARD BY FRIENDS.

One of Vic’s creations includes an owl carved out of black walnut that he rescued from a firewood pile (left). Ellen and Vic Berg at their home workshop in Kitty Hawk (above).

Artistically, Vic followed in his father’s footsteps by largely concentrating on making duck decoys, but after teaching Ellen how to carve during their early years together, she decided to venture into shorebirds because she enjoyed them more. Day after day, month after month, year after year, they’ve sat beside each other, carving, painting and selling their work until it’s time to repeat that cycle all over again.

While they both agree that it’s impossible to be definitive, Ellen estimates that she’s created tens of thousands of shorebirds over the past few decades. At her most productive point, she could carve about 30 to 35 of them a day, and only needed another 24 hours to have them painted and finished – but despite slowing down a bit since then, she can still knock out around 15 to 20 of them daily.

“Every single one of them is hand-carved, which can be done in about 13 steps – but painting them is a whole other ballgame,” Ellen explains. “Sometimes you can get away with two coats of brown, but all the white parts need at least three or four coats.”

While she cheerfully chalks this minute attention to detail part of their “pickiness,” Vic prefers to use the term “meticulous.”

“He’s really good at complicating everything,” Ellen says with a laugh.

Playful banter aside, Vic loves to get lost in his work, especially with larger pieces. He might carve three to five ducks an hour, then get “maniacal” (as Ellen calls it)

Clockwise from top: A teal duck decoy with a unique keel-shaped bottom that marks Vic’s handiwork; a mother and daughter set of giraffes that Ellen carved after her own mother passed away; and a preening anhinga that was chiseled out of cherry wood before being sanded to perfection.

while applying acrylic paint patterns. For more decorative and elaborate works, it’s virtually impossible to estimate how many hours he might dedicate to each piece –and just as challenging to put a price tag on them.

But, by his own admission, Vic has a nature that’s particularly well-suited for the long game – which is why a piece of wood might sit in the Bergs’ workshop for years before he’s inspired by the shape of a specific grain.

It’s a practice that can involve a number of other difficulties as well. Taking off just enough – but not too much – wood while carving can require an exacting type of precision. Then there’s the sometimesmind-numbing hours of hand sanding and painting – and, of course, the steps that go into selling a final product.

Recent pandemic-related restrictions on smaller craft shows combined with some popular gallery closings have been tremendously hard on artisans like the Bergs. But in many ways, these economic realities aren’t exactly new: As Ellen puts it, artists often have to wear a number of hats to make ends meet, so the couple remains grateful that they don’t have to face those financial challenges alone.

The pair even used to host what they called “starving artist” parties, which involved taking all the art off on their walls in order to make space for friends to display and sell their work. During these annual events, hundreds of people would walk through the Bergs’ doors for Ellen’s cooking and to share an incredibly unique gallery experience.

The day after those shows, their “naked” walls proved unsettling, however, so no matter how tired Ellen was from hosting, she always made time to place their artwork – both personal and purchased – back in their rightful places.

“We’ve become friends with most of the people who have bought our art,” Ellen says of the creative kinship they’ve experienced over the years.

“A little eight-year-old just came and sat in the middle of our booth during a festival once,” she adds, describing one of those priceless encounters with a stranger captivated by motion. “And he simply said, ‘You have no idea how happy I am right now with all these birds around.’”

One for the

In a place more commonly known for surfing and fishing, soccer has captured the hearts of generations of beach kids.

FROM SWARMS OF ADORABLE elementary-aged kids falling over themselves in pursuit of a ball to hard-nosed high schoolers in pursuit of state championships and college scholar ships, the Outer Banks has emerged as a soccer hotspot in recent years.

Boys and girls of all ages, skill levels, and both cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, compete on seemingly every available blade of grass up and down the beach. They hone their talents on windy winter days and in the scorching summer sun. And year after year, they grow to love the world’s most-beloved sport in increasingly larger numbers.

You might even say that soccer has taken the Outer Banks by Storm.

“Soccer’s extremely popular here,” says Steve Smalley, director of coaching for the Outer Banks’ premier soccer club, OBX Storm. “Our middle school programs are strong, and our high school programs are tremendous as evidenced by the fact that they’re vying for state titles every year.”

age in order to nurture a (hopefully lifelong) appreciation for the game.

To that end, opportunities abound for even the most pint-sized players: Parks and Rec fields teams during the fall and spring for kids starting at age five in programs from Hatteras to the northern beaches, while OBYSA also runs spring recreational leagues for pre-K to middle school-aged students.

Current OBYSA treasurer, Diane Wehner, has coached and worked in various capacities with OBYSA since 2008 – and during her tenure, she’s seen the program go from starting with third graders to including children as young as five years old. Remarkably, some of those 400 or so kids running around in OBYSA games are second and third-generation players.

“I have parent coaches who I remember [as players] when they were like 12,” Diane reports happily, adding that she even knows several grandparents who got their start in local soccer and are now proudly watching their grandchildren score goals.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WHITNEY NORKO

STORY BY STEVE HANF

Steve and OBX Storm play a huge part in soccer’s surging local popularity, with Dare County Parks and Recreation and the Outer Banks Youth Soccer Association (OBYSA) also joining in a common goal: Get kids active and involved in soccer at a young

In a similar vein, current OBYSA president, Maggie Dawson, got involved with helping hundreds of children over the past six years because her kids wanted to learn the sport. For her, the program’s strengths include the laidback nature of their games, the affordable registration fees and the fact that many

Storm center midfielder Finn Norko outruns an opponent during a high-stakes tournament game

“graduates” of OBYSA come back to work as coaches and referees starting in their teens.

“I can’t imagine not having this program for the kids,” Maggie says. “They’re here to have fun, improve their skills, enjoy soccer and develop a love of the game.”

And those who really take to the sport invariably find their way to OBX Storm, a club that’s now known well beyond the bounds of the beach for producing top-notch talent. Led by president Jeff Scott and a board of directors that includes folks like Steve, Storm fields six teams for boys and girls in the Academy program for eight to 12-year-olds and also has seven teams for older teens who compete at recreational, challenge and classic levels in tournaments across the region.

Jeff became active with Storm when his boys started playing for the club in 2009. Since then, he’s seen Storm grow into a professional organi zation with players from all over northeastern North Carolina, and he believes there’s plenty of praise to go around for these accomplishments.

“I don’t think that soccer on the Outer Banks would be where it is today without Steve Smalley… but the parent involvement is [also] huge,” Jeff says. “From my experience, when you have parents who want to see their kids succeed and go to the games and participate in fundraisers, it makes a real difference.”

The Storm program boasted more than 300 players at its apex prior to the pandemic, and member numbers have recently built back up to several hundred players on various teams. In part – and unlike many other top-tier programs across the country – these impressive numbers reflect the fact that Storm doesn’t hold tryouts. Players sign up and pay their dues, then they get a jersey.

“One of the philosophies of the club is we don’t want to exclude anybody,” Jeff explains. “No matter how skilled or how long you’ve been doing this, we want you to play.”

Before long, Steve adds, the skills come –and so do the trophies.

“I’m not going to lie: Winning has always been important to me,” Steve admits with a laugh. “But at the younger ages we emphasize development and having fun so that they just want to keep going.”

And oh, the places they go. Storm teams win tournament after tournament, with members further sharpening their skills on varsity playing fields – a development that’s helped turn First Flight and Manteo high

schools into regional powerhouses. A number of Storm alumni have even made their way onto college rosters.

Manteo High School varsity head coach, Ralph Cleaver, has seen a noticeable increase in the number of his athletes competing with Storm since he took over in 2015 – paired with a sizable increase in the talent level of the teams he fields.

“There’s certainly a direct link there,” Ralph says. “Kids are getting quality coaching and training throughout the year outside of our program…so it just benefits us going forward, for sure.”

Manteo’s boys reached the regional finals last year, while the ladies’ team made it to the fourth round. At First Flight High School, varsity coach, Juan Ramirez, has also seen his teams win two state championships in the past six years – with the boys taking the state title in 2016, and the girls winning their title match in 2018.

“I think Storm keeps kids engaged with the game and wanting to play at a higher level,” Juan observes. “That engagement really helps our program and builds up their appreciation for the game and the camaraderie.”

Juan coached a Storm team for a while as well (“We’re talking a long time ago,” he chuckles) and got into it like so many others: He coached his child’s team – a refrain that often comes up when talking to people about their initial introduc tion to Storm.

When Steve arrived on the beach about 20 years ago, in fact, Storm was a fledgling program that had been created a few years earlier by soccer enthusiasts who wanted their kids to experience soccer on a larger stage.

Also a longtime physical education instructor, Steve coached his son’s Storm team for years – and that paid off quite a bit when Graham Smalley went on to play at Appalachian State. In turn, Graham continues to give back to the local soccer community by helping his dad in his role working with Storm coaches – a group which is comprised of people who remain endlessly dedicated to their roles because they’re passionate about the game, and because they enjoy seeing kids step away from their screens.

“Kids like it because it’s exciting, and parents like it because it’s good exercise with teamwork and sportsmanship involved,” Diane adds. “It’s a family sport.”

“No matter how skilled or how long you’ve been doing this, we want you to play.”

-Jeff Scott OBX Storm

Jacob Hallac fields the ball in a Storm game (above). Armani Gunnells comes out in front to attack the goal in a First Flight Middle School match against Currituck Middle School (below).

Jingle All

The social media announcement was similar to so many others from restaurant owners entering the bleak winter months in 2019: It had been a rough summer. Employees were scarce. Housing was an issue. And because everyone needed a break…Lucky 12 Tavern’s last day was going to be November 26.

You can almost see the mischievous glint in owner Mark Ballog’s eyes as he clicked “post” before leaving the house to run some errands. By the time he got online again, some 600 frantic comments had flooded his page. It was time to set the record straight.

“I was like, ‘We’ll be closing on November 26th…but reopening on December 2nd as the Jingle 12,’” Mark recalls with a chuckle.

BY STEVE HANF

At the time it caused a bit of confusion (and a lot of relief that the Nags Head tavern wasn’t closing permanently), but four years later, the pop-up holiday version of Lucky 12 – which Mark’s dubbed the “Jingle 12” – has become a staple of unique winter dining experiences on the Outer Banks. Equal parts magic and marketing, Lucky 12’s annual transformation into a winter wonderland from

the Way

early December through the New Year is just over the top enough to turn some heads, and so nicely nostalgic that it could warm the heart of any grinch.

But Mark is more than happy to share credit for the idea since it was a 2018 Christmas Eve visit to Miracle’s holiday-themed pop-up cocktail bar in Nashville, Tennessee, that first got his gears turning.

“We waited in line for 20 minutes, and when we finally walked through the doors, there were all these mirrors and lights,” Mark recalls. “I immediately looked at my girlfriend, Monica, and said, ‘This is cool, but just wait until you see what I do next year!’ Right after, I started really looking for vintage Christmas décor.”

Because if he was going to do it, he was going to do it right – and some basic National Lampoon-style light display simply wasn’t going to cut it. So, besides amassing a collection of all things Christmas that would put the North Pole to shame, Mark decided to shut down the tavern’s operations entirely for several days in order to replace all of its regular roadside décor with things that were a bit more…shiny.

Both then and now, Jingle 12’s customers are treated to a pretty spectacular show: Hundreds of vintage blow-mold Santas. A small forest of light-up ceramic Christmas trees. Snow globe table toppers, ‘60s-style melted plastic popcorn wall hangings, and – of course – enough lights to make Clark Griswold proud.

But it’s not just about Christmas eye candy. While lots of the tavern’s regular menu options stay the same, in order to ensure that Jingle 12’s offerings fully reflect the spirit of the season, extras abound – including a full array of Christmas cocktails (complete with kid-friendly options) and appropriately kitschy holiday appetizers like sausage balls.

“It can be pretty dead here between Thanksgiving and Christmas…so I wanted to make it busier in order to pay my staff, get them more hours and have fun,” Mark explains. “We doubled our December sales [that first year], but it’s also something enjoyable for the whole community.”

Locals noticed. Out-of-area visitors noticed. People who’d never eaten at Lucky 12 before noticed. The place was so packed that first Christmas season that Mark decided to expand the festivities into the tavern’s backyard. Now

Jingle 12 proprietor Mark Ballog with just a few of his prized holiday possessions (left, photo by Ryan Moser). Decorations greet customers as soon as they enter the tavern (above, photo courtesy of Mark Ballog).

From top to bottom: Owner Mark Ballog (pictured on the far right) celebrates the season along with several patrons at Jingle 12; Outdoor décor has grown over the past couple years to include igloo-style enclosures for diners as well as a festive Lucky 12 Ski Lodge; Every corner of the tavern is filled with an impressive array of holiday memorabilia from the beginning of December through the New Year; Mark poses with a roomful of cheerful Santas – which represents just a fraction of his impressive collection. (Bottom photo by Ryan Moser, all others courtesy of Mark Ballog.)

decorations surround the building, with special igloo-styled areas for diners as well as other holiday highlights, which include an ice-fishing shed, a mock ski lodge and a vintage “Camp Claus” camper.

Much of the atmosphere can be chalked up to Mark’s own fond memories of Christmas celebrations with family in Pittsburgh, which has guided his hunt for delightful decorations at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores all over the map. From finds he’s picked up in Nashville and Denver to small towns in Alabama and Mississippi, and even some items friends have passed along, Mark’s always on the lookout for anything and everything that can’t be bought in a big box store.

Visitors soak it all up and shower him with nostalgic compliments each and every night.

Visitors soak it all up and shower him with nostalgic compliments each and every night.

“I go home smelling like Chanel No. 5 because I get lots of old lady hugs and kisses,” he says with a smile.

Who else noticed all the Christmas cheer? Other restaurant owners.

Mark has worked in bars and restaurants on the Outer Banks for nearly 30 years since getting his start at the old oceanfront hotspot Quagmire’s for John Kirchmier, who now owns Kill Devil Hill’s Bonzer Shack. Charlie Hennigan, who owns Goombays Grille & Raw Bar with his wife, Karen, also worked for Kirchmier once, as did Mama Kwan’s owner Kevin Cherry.

“The rest of us were looking at Lucky 12 in December going, ‘Hey, how do I do that?’” Kevin says. “Out of respect for somebody you’ve known for a long time, you don’t want to step on their toes, though.”

Turns out there’s plenty of Christmas cheer to go around. Mark met up to brainstorm with his fellow industry friends last fall, and all four restaurants are getting in on the pop-up act this year. Alongside Jingle 12, Bonzer Shack is being reimagined as a festive villains’ lair called “The Broken Candy Cane,” Goombays will become Goombrrrs to celebrate a chilly Caribbean Christmas, and Mama Kwan’s will turn into Mama Klaus’s new favorite holiday tiki hut.

“Mark is still going to be the big dog on the Christmas landscape,” Kevin says with a chuckle. “It takes a lot of effort to do what he’s done. The creativity stood out to me, and I really appreciate that.”

Not only do the holiday themes bring in a little more business, they also give staff members something fresh to do rather than “just open, close, open, close,” Kevin adds. Like Mark, he hopes the idea catches on to give visitors and locals alike a few more fun things to do during the slower winter months.

Because there’s no need for a blue Christmas on the Outer Banks.

“In a perfect world, I’d like to make this a Christmas town –decorate the whole thing in lights,” Mark says cheerfully. “The more the merrier.”

Go l d advent e!

The Tranquil House Inn & 1587 Lounge

Visit the 1587 Lounge & Restaurant, featuring locally sourced dishes that complement the breathtaking views of the Bay, and enjoy all that downtown Manteo has to o er.

Avenue

Grille & Goods

Sisters Boutique & Gifts

For your wardrobe + home. 207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-305-8582 @sistersofmanteo

Town of Manteo

Spend the holidays in Manteo!

405 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-473-1404 tranquilhouseinn.com

The Wheel House Lounge

The newest cra cocktail bar located inside of Outer Banks Distilling, specializing in Kill Devil Rum cocktails. The distillery gi shop and lounge is open from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

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Indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. Local seafood, specialty burgers, pizza, cra beers, wine and cocktails. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan selections. Visit our NEW eco-conscious and small business-based shop! Clothing, jewelry, crystals, metaphysical books, yoga gear, gourmet items and more!

Christmas Tree Lighting (December 2nd at 6 p.m.), Christmas Parade (December 3rd at 10:30 a.m.), Santa Ride (December 9th at 5:30 p.m.), Food and Coat Drive (December 10th at 10 a.m.), and Midnight Magic in Manteo (December 31st 6 p.m. to midnight).

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-473-4800 avenuegrilleobx.com avenuegoodsobx.com

Lighthouse Studio

nest

Join a class or book a private session at this NEW waterfront studio overlooking Marshes Light. O ering yoga classes in the morning and evening, special events and reiki. Sign up online for a class, private yoga or reiki session, or community reiki session!

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207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-473-4800 lighthouse-obx.com

407 Budleigh Street 252-473-2133 info@manteonc.gov

nest

Distinctive clothing by CP Shades, Frank & Eileen, Juliet Dunn, Wilt and other niche brands. Sophisticated accessories, jewelry and fragrances for you and your home.

Magnolia Lane 252-473-5141 nestobx.com

DISCOVER

Charlotte’s

Full-service ladies’ boutique specializing in fashions that are traditional with a contemporary flair. Seasonal makeup events with Trish McEvoy and designer trunk shows. Check website for details.

103A Fernando Street 252-473-3078 shopcharlo es.com

Laughing Lollipop

Take a walk down memory lane in this li le mom and pop sweet shop! Ice cream, throwback candies, chocolates, homemade co on candy, fun gummies, bulk candy and more!

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101 Budleigh Street 252-473-2579 laughinglollipop.com Like us on Facebook

Downtown Books

Books for all ages and genres, the best selection of Outer Banks titles and the biggest collection of greeting cards on the OBX. Open seven days a week in-season. Join us for a book signing with Betsy Ore Glass on Friday, November 25 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

103 Sir Walter Raleigh Street 252-473-1056 ducksco age.com

Natural

Selection

Apothecary

O ering our customers a place to buy high-quality products that are grown, organically sourced, or foraged locally! We take the time to provide you with the guidance, knowledge, and tools needed to find the right herbal remedies for you.

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104 Sir Walter Raleigh, Suite A 252-305-6668 naturalselectionapothecary.com

Bloom Boutique

A fashion-forward boutique o ering unique, high-quality women’s clothing and accessories. Pop in for an enjoyable, personalized shopping experience.

107 Fernando Street 252-305-8638 bloomboutiqueobx.com

Sam & Winston

A family-owned shop with fine art, books, gourmet kitchen goods and high-design gi s for ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs. On Friday, December 2, visit us from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. for a holiday pop-up show with local jewelry designer, Denise Turner.

108 Sir Walter Raleigh Street 252-475-9764

@shopsamandwinston

Sleeping In, Ltd.

Celebrating 22 years in 2022! Fashion, sleepwear, jewelry, home textiles and more! It’s a “go a have it” kind of place.

101B Fernando Street 252-475-1971 Like us on Facebook

Will You Accept This Rose?

A treatise on the cold, hard truth of modern dating

BY AMANDA MCDANEL

AS WE HEAD INTO “LOCAL SUMMER” (the time of year when you run into everyone you haven’t seen for months in the produce section of the grocery store), I recently recalled some sound advice I was given prior to my first off-season here on the Outer Banks: Arrange for a “plus one” for the dark months ahead since it curbs the likelihood that you’ll waste away from watching reality TV reruns during this frosty, lonely period.

While winter may no longer stretch ahead like the barren days of yore when restaurants closed for months alongside many other shuttered doors and limited access to social entertainment, it’s still a time of slim pickings dating-wise compared to summer’s overflow of bikinis and board shorts. Luckily for all of the Single Pringles out there, advancing technology has brought more opportunities to connect the dots – and the dates – without leaving the comfort of your couch. Stumble, bumble or swipe right to your next flavor of the week/ month/season.

However, meeting potential romantic partners was not always quite so easy, young millennials. At the risk of sounding like my grandma, we once had to go to actual physical locations – be it a mall, a bar or a social function – to meet people. While that saved you from the potential of getting catfished since you were able to see each other’s profile stats in real life, the dating highway has always been full of unexpected twists and turns.

Case in (pre-internet) point: As a first-year college student living in a cramped dorm room furnished solely with a desk, a prison-style loft bed and a small refrigerator,

I craved the familiarity of home, and in particular, a home-cooked meal. My outdated dorm was located on the oldest part of campus, right next to a 50-year-old military cafeteria. While it wasn’t the fanciest with perks like prime rib that the newer campus cafeteria provided, it was the closest to our building – and during those chilly fall and winter days, my dormmates and I just wanted the closest location possible to scoop up some food and return to the warmth of our rooms.

There was a group of four of us with similar schedules so we often ate together several times a week. We also became friends with the cafeteria gatekeeper, Mrs. Christine, a sweet motherly figure who would scan our meal cards and check in on our freshman-year antics. After a few weeks of getting to know each other, Mrs. Christine invited the group of us to come to her house on Sunday, which included offering to take us to church, make us dinner, and let us get off campus for a while. Looking back, this sounds like a bad episode of Dateline, but for four naive college girls, the temptation of some good old home cooking that didn’t come from a chafing dish was too irresistible.

Mrs. Christine and her husband picked us up on Sunday morning in a large white van that we piled in for

the 45-minute ride to their local church, where we were briefly introduced to her son, Wesley, her sister and some other extended family members as we slid into the pew for the service. When we arrived at her house afterwards, she took the four of us out to the barn where she said that Wesley would show us around while she made supper.

Having grown up on my grandparents’ farm, I settled right in when Wesley started up the tractor for a hayride. We puttered around the pond and back up to the barn where we all climbed up in the loft, and I enthusiastically launched myself with glee onto the hay bales below. The other girls followed suit a bit more tentatively since they grew up in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, but we all enjoyed the fun nonetheless.

Wesley offered to let me drive the tractor over to the main house, so after the other girls climbed in the back, I took that John Deere on a joyride before we settled in for supper. The familiar smells of brown beans and cornbread filled the air as I heaped my plate full and plopped on the floor to dig into the closest thing to a home-cooked meal I’d had in months. With satisfied bellies, the four of us settled on blankets on the living room floor, turned on a movie and immediately fell asleep for several hours before Wesley drove us back to campus – where we all promptly agreed that the weekend had been a nice change of pace.

The next afternoon, Mrs. Christine greeted us for lunch with big hugs – but, as she was scanning our lunch cards, she pulled me aside. “I would love to have you come back to the house next weekend,” she said. A bit puzzled by receiving a second invitation so soon, I muttered something about having to check on the other girls’ schedules to see if we could make it.

“We didn’t want to have all of you over again,” she whispered conspiratorially as she slowly shook her head. “Wesley liked you the best.”

With shock, I suddenly realized that my enthusiasm for the familiarity of country life and my appetite for downhome cooking had caused me to win a matchmaking role I didn’t even know I was auditioning for.

After that, I begrudgingly trekked 20 minutes across campus to eat at the fancy dining hall just to avoid Mrs. Christine for the rest of the year. Because, in my day, instead of being able to swipe left, ghosting someone literally meant putting on your coat and walking through the freezing snow a mile uphill both ways…or something like that, as grandma used to say.

So, take heart, single friends! Maybe – by comparison – today’s winter season isn’t quite as bad, or cold, after all.

I suddenly realized that my enthusiasm for the familiarity of country life and my appetite for downhome cooking had caused me to win a matchmaking role I didn’t even know I was auditioning for.

town report

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

2000, first listed it in 2021 for $7.5 million after the medical facility closed in 2017.

Currituck County

Work on comprehensive upgrades to the county’s water system has launched, according to the Currituck County website. Plans for the project – which is expected to take place over the next several years – include an expansion of water treatment plants in Maple and Corolla, the development of more wells to increase the supply of raw water, and the installation of main water pipes running north and south on the Currituck mainland.

In another project, the county recently repaired the damaged horse containment fence on the northern edge of Corolla that helps keep the wild horses within Carova’s four-wheel-drive area and prevents them from wandering into Corolla, where they can be subjected to dangers from traffic and public interactions. In addition to replacing the cable rows and the pilings that extend into the ocean, repairs were also made to the land-side wooden fencing that marks the four-wheel-drive boundary.

Duck

The contentious issue of public beach access in Duck – where all beach accesses are currently in private hands – has been reignited as town officials attempt to locate an acceptable beach access for maintenance staff, equipment and vehicles working on a beach nourishment project.

At an October town council meeting, members of the public overwhelmingly objected to proposals to provide an access for the nourishment project, citing concerns over beach and infrastructure destruction and noise issues. Officials said that the town worked for two years to determine an appropriate site, but of five potential areas, only two were viewed favorably.

Officials also added that the options seemed limited to accessing Duck from Southern Shores since none of the private Duck communities had volunteered to allow heavy equipment access.

After much discussion, the council agreed to move forward with a CAMA permit application that would allow vehicular access at Duck’s Barrier Island Station Resort – though nearby property owners will have the opportunity to appeal if the town’s application is approved.

Southern Shores

In response to a traffic study that found a higher-than-usual crash rate on NC Highway 12, the Southern Shores Town Council voted in August to lower the speed limit year-round on the town’s main stretch between Kitty Hawk and Corolla. Although the town previously lowered the speed limit in that area from 45 mph to 35 mph between May and September when the two-lane road is typically subjected to the most backups, council members noted that traffic congestion has continued to increase during the winter months as well.

Agreeing that slower travel is ultimately safer for pedestrians and for residents backing out of their driveways onto NC 12, the council unanimously voted to make the 35-mph limit permanent.

Kitty Hawk

After a number of back-and-forth negotiations with Pasquotank County, the town of Kitty Hawk purchased the former Sentara Healthcare site near the Aycock Brown Welcome Center for $4.1 million this past September. Pasquotank County, owner of the property since

The town plans to convert the six-acre parcel and the site’s existing 32,000-square-foot building into a public safety facility – which will include a new police station – at a cost of about $1.3 million. The town had previously considered building a new police station at a different location, but that venture’s estimated cost of $14 million was considered unaffordable.

which is located south of the Village at Nags Head and north of The Soundside event site.

In other news, Perry Hale was named Nags Head’s new police chief this past September, succeeding former chief Phil Webster, who resigned in August after serving three years at the post. Hale has been a member of the police department since 2010, including most recently as Nags Head’s interim police chief.

Kill Devil Hills

The Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners and the town’s planning board have combined forces in efforts to identify solutions to the town’s critical long-term housing shortage. During a workshop this past October, discussions covered a number of proposals, including allowing changes to short-term rental restrictions within certain zoning districts, removing income requirements related to workforce housing, providing tax credits for homeowners who convert from short-term to long-term housing, and adding incentives for long-term housing in mixed-use development. The planning department has since been directed to continue studying these types of options.

Nags Head

The Inn at Whalebone, a proposed four-story hotel submitted by House Engineering of Kitty Hawk, was approved in October by the Nags Head Board of Commissioners. The site plan for the 90-room hotel – which was recommended for approval by the town’s planning board in August – is situated within the Village at Nags Head hotel district and includes 93 parking spaces, an onsite wastewater system and an outdoor pool. Going forward, construction is planned on the west side of U.S. Route 158 by Lakeside Street,

Manteo

Discussions held since August involving a special-use permit application for a proposed subdivision off Russell Twiford Road near the Manteo Midway intersection are still ongoing with the Manteo Board of Commissioners. Known as the Salt Meadow Landing proposal, the four-acre project includes plans for 22 multi-family housing units and 37,000 square feet of commercial space in seven three-story buildings, though some residents from the tract’s neighboring Peninsula subdivision have retained counsel to oppose the development.

Dare County

Work to replace a troublesome water line running between the villages of Avon and Buxton on Hatteras Island is set to begin, according to a Dare County news brief, which added that the old line ruptured 10 times between November 2018 and September 2022. After the county water department began recording the water pressure, it was determined that spikes of high pressure had exceeded the capacity of the line.

About 1.5 miles of the existing water line is scheduled for replacement with stronger C900 PVC piping. Joint constraints and an additional fire hydrant will also be added, and the project is expected to be complete by April of 2023.

What’s happening in your town? Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.

business briefs

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

Outer Banks Community Foundation Turns 40

The Outer Banks Community Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary at a bash in Kill Devil Hills on October 15. Created by Outer Banks historian David Stick, restaurateur George Crocker, business owner Edward Greene and television star Andy Griffith, the platform for charitable giving was established to address unmet needs locally. Over the years, more than 200 perpetual endowment funds have provided assistance through the organization’s five pillars of service: scholarships, grants, disaster relief, nonprofit support and fund stewardship, according to a foundation press release. Since the first board of directors’ meeting on November 16, 1982, the foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants and $2 million in scholarships.

At the event, the foundation also announced a new partnership with Charitocracy OBX, a local online giving circle that pools its contributions and allows donors to nominate and vote for monthly nonprofit grant recipients.

Public/Private Partnership Dredge to Help Maintain Inlets

A new hopper dredge, named the Miss Katie, was christened in October at a ceremony in Wanchese. Hailed as an innovative way to alleviate shoaling in Oregon and Hatteras inlets, the dredge will be operated by the Oregon Inlet Task Force, which is chaired by Dare County Commissioner Jim Tobin. With U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges in high demand along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the 156-foot Miss Katie is expected to perform necessary maintenance and emergency dredging in Dare waterways in a timely manner. The $15 million vessel is owned by EJE Dredging Service in Greenville and has been financed by the state with a forgivable loan.

Roanoke Island Announces Integrated Healthcare Center

A new medical practice offering “whole-person” care for a range of patients’ needs and financial means is now in the planning process, according to a September presentation by Manteo’s Healthcare Task Force. Joseph Rockenstein, CEO of the Ocracoke and Engelhard medical centers, said that a new federally qualified health center – which is a facility that can apply for funding through federal grants – will be built in a yet-tobe-decided location on Roanoke Island.

With a focus on quality, not quantity, Rockenstein explained that the center’s mission will be to service underserved populations and bridge gaps in healthcare. The plan calls for up to three medical providers and about six clinical personnel with additional

administrative staff. A closed pharmacy will also provide medications solely for patients, according to Rockenstein, with future goals that include adding mental and dental services. The Manteo task force will continue meeting in order to discuss the best ways to implement these plans.

Third-Generation Custom Cabinet Shop Sold

Island Woodcrafts, which opened locally in 1972 out of Gus and Evelyn Granitski’s garage in Wanchese, has been purchased by J Coast Properties, LLC and Craftsmen Woodworks, LTD. According to a recent announcement of the sale, the business was the first custom cabinet shop on the Outer Banks, and the Granitskis sold the shop to three of their children in 1986. Jason Hadrava, manager of the new ownership team, has a background in construction as well as cabinet design, construction and installation. In addition to Island Woodcraft’s Wanchese location on Old Wharf Road, the business also includes a showroom off U.S. 158 in Kill Devil Hills.

Nags Head Takes Top VeganFriendly Honors

In a twist for an Outer Banks town known for its fresh seafood, the town of Nags Head landed on PETA’s Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Beach Towns in the U.S. for 2022. In a website announcement, the Norfolk-based animal rights group, famed for its sometimes-shocking ads, gushed

Real Estate

market snapshot

Though the market’s highs from the past two years may have decreased, Outer Banks real estate still has plenty of sweet spots. According to the Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ September 2022 MLS Statistical Report, the median sale price for residential listings climbed 20%, with a 16% median increase for the sale price of land/lots.

Although inventory has declined 6% from 2021 – with land inventory down by 15% –residential inventory saw an uptick of 5%, while overall inventory has stabilized over the past four months, the report said. Property sales also edged up slightly in August, while overall sales declined in September –and the average (year-to-date) days on the market for residential listings dropped from 54 in 2021 to 34 in 2022.

over the avocado toast offered at Waveriders Coffee, Deli & Pub and the array of flavorful vegan pancakes at Freshfit Café. Village Pizza, PokeBox and South Beach Takeout, Catering & Delivery were also recognized as “standout vegan-friendly eateries.” Other locales that made PETA’s national list were Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Galveston, TX; Grand Haven, MI; Long Beach, NY; Newport, RI; Santa Cruz and San Diego, CA; and West Palm Beach, FL.

OBCF founders Andy Griffith, David Stick, Edward Greene, and George Crocker (left to right). Photo courtesy of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing

PHOTO BY CORY GODWIN STORY BY KATRINA MAE LEUZINGER

THREATS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT,

Jockey’s Ridge State Park was established in 1975 to protect the largest living sand dune system on the East Coast, and it can be difficult to imagine what that unspoiled stretch of Nags Head would look like if history had taken a different turn. But for all the park’s grandeur, another interesting plot of land lies directly across the street from it with a history that’s just as compelling – if also quite a bit busier – in the shifting sands of time on the Outer Banks.

Now known as the Jockey’s Ridge Crossing shopping center, the retailers in this can’t-miss complex are only the park’s most recent neighbors – and, in comparison with some of their predecessors, they’re also almost certainly the area’s quietest.

1a room with a view

According to local historian Sarah Downing, a wooden two-story building was first constructed across from the ridge in the early 1930s to house the stonemasons responsible for the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Afterwards, it became known as “Camp Kitty Hawk” when it was taken over for boarding transient laborers with the federal Work Progress Administration (WPA). Part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal to provide employment during the Great Depression, WPA men primarily worked alongside Civilian Conservation Corps members on the Outer Banks to stabilize this area’s coastal sand dunes –although, unlike other units stationed in locations such as Hatteras and Roanoke Island, the Kitty Hawk WPA workers traded in their shovels at the end of a long, hard day for a view of…even larger sand dunes.

2the biggest show in town

In 1937, Camp Kitty Hawk was purchased by Manteo-born entrepreneur George Thomas “Ras” Wescott Jr., who turned it into the Nags Head Casino – which went on to become the nightlife spot on the Outer Banks for roughly the next 35 years. The place comfortably held about 1,000 people, but regularly drew upwards of 1,500 customers most Saturday nights, forcing some to

stand on tables. It offered everything from bowling to pinball, but its main draw was a dance floor that boasted performances from musicians such as Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Though Wescott’s inclusion of a downstairs Bingo parlor was somewhat contentious, he later tried to appease local church groups by changing the game’s name to “Quizo” and replacing cash winnings with other prizes.

3Round One…Fight!

Folks didn’t have to look far for something else to gamble on, however. By the early ‘50s the Casino hosted weekly boxing matches in a ring erected right in the center of the dance floor. Between local boys and soldiers on leave from nearby ports like Norfolk, there was no shortage of young men willing to step into the ring for a chance at winning the $5 prize (the equivalent of about $60 today). But fights had a tendency to happen outside the ring, too, so Nags Head Police Chief Donnie Twyne was a frequent fixture at the Casino on match nights. A former boxer himself, Twyne could easily hold his own, and rowdy customers frequently jumped out of the Casino’s windows to avoid facing him.

4bringing down the house

March 7th, 1962, was a day the Outer Banks won’t soon forget. Dubbed the “Ash Wednesday Storm,” the unprecedently fierce nor’easter arrived

without warning and devastated the area, destroying nearly 1,800 buildings and damaging thousands more. No lives were lost, however, a feat that historian David Stick attributed to the efforts of county officials and dozens of others who, “[put] their own lives at risk in order to rescue friends and neighbors.” Sadly, the storm likely marked the beginning of the end of Casino. After suffering significant damage in the ‘62 storm, another winter squall in the ‘70s caused the roof to collapse – and the structure subsequently sat empty until 1985, when the Nags Head Fire Department set it ablaze as part of a practice exercise.

5the highest point

The site is now home to Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, a bastion for everything from sweet treats to apparel and activities – while also being home to Kitty Hawk Kites’ flagship storefront, a business which owner John Harris grew into the largest hanggliding school in the country from humble beginnings out of the Casino’s old garage during the early ‘70s. Fittingly, the pinnacle of the colorful shopping center is its 45-foot-tall Rogallo Tower. With a viewing platform overlooking the ridge, the tower is named after Francis Rogallo, the aeronautical engineer – and longtime Southern Shores resident – who invented a flexible wing in the 1950s that revolutionized nonpowered flight, paving the way for recreational sports like kiteboarding, and leading many to consider him the father of modern hang gliding.

AMID

Formerly known as Serendipity, the Inn at Rodanthe has seen a number of changes over the course of its 30-plus years on the Outer Banks – and ever since it took center stage on Hollywood’s big screens, it’s never looked better (photo courtesy of Surf or Sound Realty).

Rodanthe THE ROAD TO

Life imitates art at an icon on Hatteras Island

BY ARABELLA SAUNDERS

The Outer Banks prides itself on being off the beaten path, but every now and then Hollywood comes knocking. Back in the day, The Andy Griffith Show gave America a peek into small-town life with a setting strikingly reminiscent of Manteo. And more recently, Netflix’s drama-filled series Outer Banks has given resident teens ample opportunity to go viral on TikTok for making videos with titles like, “A Day in the Life of a REAL Outer Banks Local.”

But there’s perhaps no better physical reminder of the Outer Banks’ star-studded past than the house that was featured in the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe

Although the movie – which was based on a best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel – was headlined by A-list celebrities Richard Gere and Diane Lane, the house was so prominent that it took on a star-like quality of its own. Contrary to what one might expect, however, the story behind the most nationally recognizable house on Hatteras Island didn’t really begin until after the cameras stopped rolling.

There was also little in the house’s origins to suggest that it was destined for fame. Originally named “Serendipity,” the house was built in 1988 by Roger Meekins of Manteo. It was the first house Meekins built in the oceanfront community known as Mirlo Beach on the northernmost edge of Rodanthe, a site which once sat back at least 400 feet from the Atlantic. At the time, the six-bedroom rental was one of the largest on Hatteras Island, and it was sturdily constructed with 14-foot-deep concrete pilings to protect it from the area’s periodic bouts with ferocious weather.

The house was well-crafted and beautiful, but like many other similar Outer Banks homes, it was also unassuming.

All that changed when Nights in Rodanthe hit theaters 20 years later.

While critics were lukewarm, the movie was an immediate box office hit. Out-of-area fans flocked to Rodanthe to see the house in person – but as it turned out, they were in for a surprise. In the warm glow of the big screen, the house was outfitted with eye-catching cobalt blue shutters, spacious wraparound decks and an oceanfront setting that appeared romantically idyllic.

In reality? The decks and the cobalt shutters were installed by the production crew and removed immediately after they finished filming. Storms had also taken a toll on the structure since it had been thrust into the spotlight, and encroaching tides often pushed large amounts of sand underneath the home in a way that made it largely inaccessible to most vehicles.

The house was still charming in its own salt-caked, sandblasted Outer Banks kind of way, but it certainly didn’t look like it did in the movie.

“It wasn’t a house on the ocean, it was a house in the ocean,” mega-Nights in Rodanthe fan Ben Huss told reporters after his first visit to Serendipity in 2009.

Due to the effects of extreme erosion, it was also deemed a public nuisance and condemned by county officials.

Since being rescued from almost certain destruction in 2010, the Inn at Rodanthe has undergone several large-scale renovations to make it look more like it appeared in the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe – including revamping its cozy firstlevel living room and redecorating its kitchen with plenty of cinema-inspired details (far left, from top to bottom; photos courtesy of Surf or Sound Realty). Saving Hatteras Island’s most nationally recognizable home also involved physically relocating it – a feat which was accomplished by Virginia Beach-based Expert House Movers in January 2010 amid much local fanfare (photo courtesy of Don Bowers).

There was even a very real possibility that Serendipity could be washed away entirely – which was where Ben and his wife Debbie Huss came in. The Newton, NC, couple had been so touched by Nights in Rodanthe that they decided to save the house, which they bought for $275,000 (nearly $250,000 below the asking price) in January 2010.

The next step was perhaps the biggest hurdle, however: The whole house needed to be physically relocated.

On the morning of January 18, 2010, Expert House Movers – the same company that famously moved the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1999 – hauled Serendipity a half-mile south down NC Highway 12 while a crowd of onlookers took photographs. The move took about 30 minutes.

Once the house was in a more secure location, the Husses got to work with renovations, and this time the goal was to make it look more like the movie’s version both inside and out. They changed the house’s name from Serendipity to the “Inn at Rodanthe” (as it was called in the film), installed its signature blue shutters and entirely remodeled the kitchen to replicate its on-screen appearance. Since the movie’s interiors were filmed on a soundstage, the Husses also restyled one of the bedrooms to look like the fictional blue room Richard Gere’s character stayed in – complete with some furnishing details that were actually used as props on set.

Before the start of the 2010 summer rental season, the Inn at Rodanthe was solidly booked through Thanksgiving, and for months a near-constant stream of fans and sightseers flocked to the house’s new location to take photos that finally looked a lot more like they envisioned.

But that wasn’t the end of the house’s story.

In 2018, the house stirred up another flurry of media attention when it was put on the market for $1.25 million. Amid plenty of interested buyers, it was ultimately purchased by Nathan and Sharon McGowen of Augusta, Georgia. Slowly but surely, the couple has spent the past four years since then making even more Nights-inspired renovations to other rooms in the house for future visitors to enjoy.

“The first property we bought [in Rodanthe] was within a stone’s throw of the Inn, and we always thought it was a beautiful old house,” Nathan says. “It’s just such a cool icon.”

For the McGowens, striking a balance between paying homage to the movie, while also honoring traditional Hatteras Island décor and craftsmanship, is the most important part of their contributions to the Inn at Rodanthe.

“I think everyone should be able to experience the magic of this place,” Nathan adds. “I still have yet to visit anywhere on the East Coast that has that same kind of feeling.”

Maxing Out

BY MAGGIE MCNINCH

THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF MINIMALISM IS MAXIMALISM , which embodies a “go big or go home” aesthetic–think vivid hues, luxurious statement pieces and a delightful surplus of accessories and patterns. But bear in mind the fact that maximalist design goes way beyond just filling a room with lots of stuff; instead, it’s all about taking over-the-top to the next level, and sparking a bonfire of joy in whatever way suits your personality best.

All the colors of the rainbow

While minimalist rooms suggest neutral colors, understated essentials and functional furniture, maximalist rooms imply more varied color schemes, exuberant patterns and bold furnishings. Despite this, many designers believe that the two can actually complement one another when used together. Take a smaller “bonus room,” for example – the reigning advice has long been to make those spaces feel larger by incorporating subtle décor, but maximalist enthusiasts would urge you to deck them out in a whole other direction. In order to balance out a modest space, you can always opt for something in-between, however – such as starting with a base of simple furniture items, and then adding finishing touches like a strikingly oversized piece of driftwood or a dangling bouquet of neon-painted buoys.

Let it grow, let it grow

Green thumb or not, adding a living element into any space can transform the entire vibe of the room – and there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that are perfectly suited for that purpose. Hanging plants in particular can be especially effective if you’re limited on space, including using hardy specimens such as ivy to line a room’s walls or placing drought-friendly trailing succulents in wall-mounted planters. And you don’t have to worry that a plant-filled room might be mistaken for something more bohemian-styled, because the key difference is in the design application. While boho schemes embrace greenery in a calming manner, maximalist spaces opt for a wild jungle-like feel by selecting more lusciously eye-catching plants such as staghorn ferns or bromeliads.

Something old, something new

Just as maximalism and minimalism can go handin-hand, so can a mix of vintage staples with modern remodeling – but you shouldn’t feel as though you have to fill your home with pricy new furniture to stay up with the latest trends. Instead, keep your existing classic patterns, like pinstripes and chevrons, but combine them with dazzling colors like fuchsia or sunflower yellow for a newer look. Even on a budget, this is relatively easy to do by pairing bold animal-print pillow covers with an otherwise plain sectional or using a thick, funky gold frame to hang a classic art print. Maximalism is all about contrasts, but adding to the décor you already own means that you don’t have to go overboard too quickly – unless you want to, of course.

Florals for the flourish

Clean lines and sparse staples can be overrated. To create a more dramatic illusion of infinite space, blur your boundaries by picking multiple floral patterns to adorn both the walls and the floor of a room. You can start small by selecting wallpaper or curtains that feature dainty florals in pale tones like beige or soft pinks, and then contrast that with an area rug that boasts a darker, jewel-tone floral pattern. For an added bonus, a deeply saturated floral throw blanket in luxe cashmere will help liven up the texture of a room, and if you’re really daring, you might even consider mixing your florals with contrasting prints like stripes – because no one ever said a bedroom had to be boring.

Bar None

FOR BICOASTAL INTERIOR DESIGNER ERIN HANDRON OF SURFSIDE HOME CO., working simultaneously on projects in both San Diego and the Outer Banks is simply part of her normal routine. But while both locations – and her individual designs – tend to have their own unique sets of challenges, there’s one constant: Erin’s inspirations always start with her clients. For this remodel, her clients were a young couple who had just relocated to Kill Devil Hills with the Coast Guard – giving Erin the chance to transform a small, underutilized area of their home into a comfortable bar-side gathering space that’s equally fun and functional.

A Combo of Coastal Finishes

Literally starting on the ground floor with a virtually empty room meant that the sky was the limit from a design standpoint – but a custom wet bar seemed like the perfect focal place for entertaining. The next step involved giving things a touch of coastal class without going overboard, which Erin primarily achieved by sticking to a tried-and-true color combination of white and navy alongside a balanced amount of elegantly understated solid brass hardware.

Vertical Shiplap Backsplash

While tile is a typical go-to in high-traffic kitchens, it didn’t seem particularly necessary for a wet bar area, so Erin opted instead for a minimal quartz backsplash (extending from the bar’s matching countertop) paired with white shiplap that reaches all the way up to the ceiling. With its distinctive lines that create a touch of tradition, shiplap is a staple of Outer Banks’ architecture – and it adds a purposeful quality to the bar’s overall sense of nautical nuance.

Ceiling-High Cabinets

Taking the cabinets to the top was another intentional design feature. Since wet bars are frequently built into structural recesses, Erin chose a bracket-like placement for the wall-hanging cabinets in order to make the new addition feel grounded in a different sort of arrangement. Other features include the cabinets’ upper glass-paneled sections that frame the couple’s more decorative accoutrements – while still offering plenty of concealed storage space below.

The Space In Between

In addition to installing brass light fixtures with exposed industrial-style bulbs to complement the bar’s other hardware, Erin always intended to include a rustic wooden shelf in the otherwise sparsely decorated area between the cabinets –the trick was finding the exact thing she had in mind. By chance, she came across the perfect piece during a visit to OBX Top Shop’s Point Harbor storefront, where some naturally weathered scrap planks of wood caught her eye. “It’s not something you could buy ready-made,” she says happily about the custom-crafted result. “Sometimes you have a vision, and you just have to hope things work out that way.”

Compiled by Amelia Boldaji • Photo courtesy of Katie Slater

sun salutations

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Beach Realty & Construction

Beach Realty & Construction Welcomes New Sales Associates

Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals is pleased to announce that Oksana Holovanenko has joined the sales team in the Corolla office. Oksana is originally from Ukraine and has studied economics, business administration and economic theory. She came to the Outer Banks in 2014. “I always knew I wanted to help others and also utilize my formal education. The real estate industry combines my passion and skills,” says Oksana. She can be reached at oksana@ beachrealtync.com.

Also joining the Beach Realty sales team is Lindsay Cobb. Lindsay was born and raised in Ahoskie, NC, and vacationed on the Outer Banks for years before moving here with her family in 2020. With a background in property management and customer service, Lindsay transitioned easily to real estate sales. “My goal is to build strong client relationships and achieve the best possible outcome in every transaction,” Lindsay says. She can be reached at lindsay@beachrealtync.com.

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales

Edith Rowe has earned the Top Sales Agent Award for the last five years. This award is based on closed sales volume. Edith holds a broker’s license and has been in sales on the Outer Banks since 2000. She brings to the table a degree of local sales acumen and familiarity with the area found in few agents. Contact Edith at (252) 202-6165 or edithroweobx@gmail.com.

A resident of the Outer Banks since 1988, Catherine Strachan has worked as a fulltime broker and realtor for the past 16 years. She is passionate about her job, working diligently to see that all of her clients are satisfied, whether buying or selling. Contact Catherine at (252) 489-9540 or obxproperty@gmail. com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names VanderMyde Group the Third Quarter Top Producing Team

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce that the VanderMyde Group is the firm’s Top Producing Team for the third quarter of 2022. This award is based on closed sales volume for July 1 through September 30. Team leader Heather VanderMyde, along with members Kiirsten Farr, Will Gregg, Kasey Rabar and Trish Berruet, also rank number one in sales volume, units and listings for the year-to-date through September. “Heather and her team provided a top-notch experience as we navigated the sale of our home,” said a recent five-star review. Team leader Heather VanderMyde can be reached at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Sunny Berle the Third Quarter Top Performing Agent

for the Firm

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty recognizes Sunny Berle as the Top Performing Agent for the third quarter of 2022. Based on closed sales volume, this award covers the period of July 1 through September 30. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with such fabulous clients this year and always,” Sunny says. She can be reached at (813) 480-0445 or sunny.berle@gmail.com.

Melissa Morgan Earns Top Agent of the Third Quarter for Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty’s Kill Devil Hills Location

Melissa Morgan has earned the Top Agent award for the third quarter at the Kill Devil Hills office. This award is based on closed sales volume for the quarter. “Melissa made the experience of selling a house a joy!” said a recent five-star review. Melissa can be reached at (252) 202-5636 or melissa@cbseaside.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Announces the Heather Sakers Team as Third Quarter Top Producing Team for the Kitty Hawk Location

Heather Sakers, along with team members Charles Gill and Ann Taylor Lusk, ranked as the top producing team at the Kitty Hawk office for the third quarter. The Sakers Team also leads the office year-to-date through the end of September. “We highly recommend Heather and cannot give her enough praise! Her unique combination of expert knowledge, instinct, transparency and grace is unmatched in our area,” wrote a recent five-star review. Team leader Heather Sakers can be reached at (252) 599-6814 or heather@cbseaside.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Welcomes New Agent Brandis Manning

Brandis Manning has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in the Kill Devil Hills location. Brandis and her family moved here a few years ago from Charleston, SC, where she had an impressive career as a logistics specialist for the U.S. Department of Defense. She owns and manages several investment properties on the Outer Banks and would love to help you with your Outer Banks real estate needs. Brandis can be reached at (843) 814-2004 or brandis@cbseaside.com.

Names Edith Rowe and Catherine Strachan the Top Sales Agents for 2022

Sun Realty

Sun Realty Names Agents of the Month for July, August and September

Jackie Ricks-Sample took top honors in July. Making dreams a reality on the Outer Banks for more than 40 years, Jackie Ricks-Sample strives to provide the highest level of service for her clients. Jackie works out of the Sun Realty Kill Devil Hills office and can be reached at (252) 441-8011 or JackieSample@SunRealtyNC.com.

Hugh and Gerri Willey of The Willey Real Estate Group topped the list for August. The Willey Real Estate Group is consistently top producing, and they have vast experience in Outer Banks real estate, from new construction and acreage to rental, resort and second-home vacation rental properties. Stop by the Kill Devil Hills Sun Realty office or reach Hugh or Gerri at (252) 489-8491 or HughWilley@SunRealtyNC.com.

The M&M Team of Madonna and Michael VanCuren were Agents of the Month for September. Madonna and Michael attribute their success to old-fashioned hard work and dedication to their profession, with a focus on service to their clients. Madonna and Michael work out of the Kill Devil Hills office. They can be reached at (252) 441-8011 or MadonnaVanCuren@SunRealtyNC.com.

Twiddy Premier Sales

Twiddy

Celebrates Ashley Ladd’s Success

Congratulations to Ashley Ladd on more than $3 million in sales in 2022. With a family steeped in real estate, Ashley is an excellent advocate for her clients and enjoys helping others realize their goals. Reach Ashley at aladd@twiddy.com or (919) 592-7346.

Twiddy Honors Rob Ladd for Years of Service

Twiddy Premier Sales celebrates Rob Ladd’s 24th anniversary and more than $8 million in sales this year. Whether you’re buying or selling, you can count on Rob’s experience, integrity and passion for real estate. Contact Rob today at rladd@twiddy.com or (252) 202-8311.

Twiddy Celebrates the OBX Homes Sales Team for Outstanding Sales

Twiddy & Company congratulates the OBX Homes team on more than $36 million in sales in 2022. The trio –consisting of Heather McLay, Crystal Swain and Mandi Jones – consistently ranks among the top-performing agents on the Outer Banks. Call Heather at (252) 202-3409 or Crystal at (252) 573-1646.

Twiddy Welcomes New Sales Agent Briann Mehfoud

Twiddy & Company is thrilled to welcome Briann Mehfoud to the Ray Meiggs Team OBX. An Outer Banks native, Briann utilizes her passion for real estate, education and marketing to best serve her clients. Twiddy & Company looks forward to the future successes of Ray and Briann. Learn more by emailing bmehfoud@twiddy.com or calling (252) 202-1122.

The Ones That Got Away

EACH ISSUE OF THE SUN IS A LABOR OF LOVE that takes a small village of talented individuals to accomplish – and holding a copy of the final result is something that never gets old. But from pen to print, a lot of pieces get set in motion along the way, and by last call, it’s often the photographs that help cement our vision most of all.

From images of people to places, monuments and artistic masterpieces, the photographers who shoot for the Sun have a knack for knowing just where to look, and they each use their expert eyes to capture the best angles of our coastal community in their own unique styles.

Ultimately, that also means that not every picture sees the light of publication – with what often amounts to a small library of images collected for each issue, we have to make some difficult choices when it’s time to decide which photos to send out into the world. But all isn’t lost – just stored safely away in our digital files – which is what inspired us to reopen those doors, and show you some of our visual golden oldies in ways you’ve never seen before.

COMPILED BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

ASK THE EXPERTS

Operating at your A-game can mean a lot of different things, but the people who bring out the best of the Outer Banks are invariably happy to share their skills –whether that means passing around a bottle, putting on a spectacular show or relentlessly training to be a top gun in service to others.

Pictured here, clockwise from top: Simon Kaufmann sips a glass of wine at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg alongside Sharon Huttemann, Dan Lewis and John Wright – who were then the Outer Banks’ only four certified sommeliers (Winter 2017, photo by Brooke Mayo). The elite group of rescue swimmers who operate out of Elizabeth City’s Coast Guard Air Station are always on call to help those who find themselves in trouble at sea (Fall 2018, photo by Cory Godwin).

Under the watchful eye of Queen Elizabeth I’s statue, staff readies The Elizabethan Gardens with a portion of the million-plus lights that make the site shine during its annual WinterLights extravaganza (Winter 2019, photo by Ryan Moser).

FRIENDLY FACES

Knowing our neighbors is an important part of living on the Outer Banks, and the sum of our parts can be a sight to behold. From business-minded trailblazers to celebrity community members, there’s never a shortage of residents who juggle a number of talents and can wear various hats on a whim – all of which adds up to some of the greatest character-driven reads around.

Pictured here, clockwise from top left: Local ladies Ariana Barnes, Katelin Kight, Sarah Fredricks and April Forbes (from left to right) celebrate their creative small-business start-ups (Fall 2017, photo by Ryan Moser). Restaurateur Mike Kelly gives his insight on closing his eponymous Nags Head eatery’s doors – and opening others (Spring 2018, photo by Cory Godwin). Archivist and actor Stuart Parks II divides his time between the Outer Banks History Center and the Theatre of Dare (Winter 2019, photo by Ryan Moser). Internationally acclaimed photographer David Alan Harvey shares his thoughts on being at home on the Outer Banks (Spring 2018, photo by Ryan Moser).

ANIMALS

GONE WILD

Whether finned, feathered or furry, the animal appeal is real here on the Outer Banks. Wildlife of all shapes and sizes can be found – and admired – in almost every corner of our barrier islands, while local caretakers tend to an array of creatures that you might not expect to see amid a coastal backdrop – and we’re not just horsing around.

Pictured here, from top to bottom: Not many people can say they’ve swum underneath the belly of a shark – unless they’ve had that experience of a lifetime at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (Winter 2014, photo by John McCord). In a wooded corner of Kitty Hawk, resident goat-whisperer Roxanne Dorman tends to her herd of peanut-loving kids at Panda’s Paradise Farm (Summer 2021, photo by Elizabeth Neal).

MAPPING IT OUT

By land or by sea, the Outer Banks positively brims with legendary locations. While some are well traveled and some lesser known, it’s true what they say: Life is a journey, not a destination –and sometimes it’s the simple things that can surprise you the most…especially if you can consider looking at them from a different point of view.

Pictured here, clockwise from top: Whether seen from above or inside, the Wright Brothers National Memorial casts a fascinating shadow on the Outer Banks landscape (Winter 2014, photo by Kati Wilkins). The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s official shipyard is an essential facility for inspecting and maintaining our state ferries –and it’s located right here in Manns Harbor. (Spring 2021, photo by Ryan Moser). In one of the most remote areas of Currituck County, majestic trees are shaped by the wind at the nearly 100-year-old Flyway Club on Knotts Island (Winter 2019, photo by Elizabeth Neal).

CRAFTED WITH CARE

Slowly but surely is a common refrain when it comes to both surviving summer traffic and making things that matter. Adding an artisanal touch to all types of projects is something that often comes naturally to many of those who have chosen to make their lives’ work here – and even though that attention to detail sets a high bar, it’s also why so many locally made products seem to spark joy well beyond the reaches of our sandbar.

Pictured here, clockwise from top left: With a fine eye for detail, local jack-of-all-trades Mike Rowe points out the more colorful aspects of his popular resin sculptures (Spring 2017, photo by Ryan Moser). Start small, but go big is just one way of describing business as usual at Harrison Boatworks’ operational headquarters in Wanchese (Summer 2017, photo by Ryan Moser). Baker extraordinaire Dean Anderson walks readers through the basics of breadmaking at Proof Bakery in Kill Devil Hills (Fall/Winter 2020, photo by Elizabeth Neal). Surfboard shaper Rascoe Hunt gives a behind-the-scenes peek at the particular craftsmanship that goes into each of his creations (Summer 2019, photo by Cory Godwin).

Donny King

Owner, Ocean Boulevard & Founder, Better Beaches OBX

PHOTO BY CORY GODWIN STORY BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

AN INTERESTING THING HAPPENED AFTER HURRICANE ISABEL TORE THROUGH THE OUTER BANKS IN 2003, blanketing much of NC Highway 12 in sand: Once repairs were complete, the sand was pushed back into a dune line and enough time had gone by, restaurateur Donny King of Ocean Boulevard noticed that the new growth on the dunes in front of his beach road establishment made a remarkable difference stabilizing the sand when wave action from Hurricane Sandy threatened his business once again in 2013. With the help of a few friends, some American sea grass transplanted from his own back yard, and an overwhelming sense of community, Donny created Better Beaches OBX – a grassroots (pun intended) organization that’s been mobilizing volunteers for nearly a decade now in efforts to plant a first line of defense along our barrier islands.

Can you talk a little about your early projects with Better Beaches?

I created Better Beaches in 2013 with input from my friend and fellow community member Sterling Webster III…[and] in 2016 we got started in south Nags Head with some help from the town because they’d already nourished the beaches there. Nourishment is important because it provides the extra sand needed to help build dunes initially, and we learned a lot by monitoring how well the plants did there. Kitty Hawk was nourished in 2017, so that fall we began picking privately funded projects with an emphasis on especially vulnerable areas like the dunes around Black Pelican…and by 2018 we had secured a budget with the town of Kitty Hawk for materials, so that’s when we really got going with a full volunteer force.

Are there certain things you have to consider when planting dune grasses?

It’s important to note that you can only use American beach grass and sea oats here – other plants can become invasive, and you can wind up with even less stabilization. You also have to plant within a time window. The season for American beach grass is November through about February, and that’s a good pioneer grass because it advances toward the ocean and begins the stabilization process with visible growth in just a few months. But sea oats are essential to the continued establishment of a dune, and like any other crop, they can be somewhat finicky. They’re great because their roots and rhizomes go deeper, but they can take three years to grow, and the only window we have for planting them here right now is May.

What are some of the issues and benefits of local sand stabilization projects overall?

In a dynamic environment like ours, you have to think about stabilization a little bit differently. Usually, you plant things where you want the ground to stay put, but along the coast we have to think about where we want the sand to build The wind blows in all directions here, and based on how much sand we’re able to trap with stable dunes, it’s very possible that we could have less of a need for frequent beach nourishment projects – which adds up financially. We call it, ‘Using the wind to fight the waves.’ Ever since part of the beach road was destroyed near the Black Pelican [during a nor’easter] in 2015, we’ve kept taking on the ocean – and so far, we’ve won.

What would you like to achieve with Better Beaches going forward?

The towns of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk – and starting this year, Southern Shores – provide us with budgets for the grass, but some areas are too large for a volunteer organization to be responsible for, so we’d like to expand on an integrated stabilization process with the towns. We’d also like to get a better understanding of sea oats and widen our window for planting them…right now, we’re still identifying projects each year, but [in terms of successes] there’s also a consistent dune line through Kitty Hawk that wasn’t there before. Our goal is to establish a 100-foot-wide dune along the length of Dare County, and in almost 10 years now we’ve grown our volunteer list to around 200 people with about 20 team leaders. We’ve worked with boy scout groups, school groups, families – anyone can do it, and it really does make a difference.