North Beach Sun Summer 2023

The Outer Banks Hospital and Medical Group is now Outer Banks Health.

Our new name reflects two decades of growth and innovation in meeting the changing health needs of everyone on the Outer Banks. As your needs evolve, we will continue to innovate, we will continue to expand our services, and we will continue to attract the best and brightest medical professionals. In fact, that work is already underway with our new state-of-the-art cancer center, an expanded hospital laboratory, and our reinvestment in programs focused on community wellness. Because with each new day, your health is our highest priority. Together, our future is bright. OuterBanksHealth.org

Reaching new horizons in health.

ABOUT THE COVER: Photographer Katie Slater captures a joyful early-morning moment on the Outer Banks in an image titled Sun Stretch

THIS PAGE: Images courtesy of Katie Slater, Elizabeth Neal, Cory Godwin, and Twiddy & Co. (clockwise from top left).

HELLO, VISITORS – YOU MADE IT!

As always, at this point in the season, we welcome you, whether you’re back as usual or arriving for the first time. It’s part of the rhythm of living here on the Outer Banks, and most of us look forward to the warmer weather and trips to the beach in exactly the same way you do.

Also, much like you, we’ve been preparing for this. Not in precisely the same way, of course, with suitcases to pack and itineraries to plan, but preparing all the same. For months now, business owners have been stocking inventory and revamping old menus, while parents have busied themselves filling out camp registration forms, teenagers have tirelessly polished up seasonal resumes, and everyone has started leaving earlier for work to account for any traffic delays.

There have also been backyard gardens to plant, decks in need of pressure washing and lawns to mow, doctors’ appointments to schedule, family visits to mark on the calendar, birthdays to shop for and grocery lists to manage – you know, the routine sort of stuff we all manage one way or another.

We tend to downplay the energy that goes into those everyday things, but they aren’t accomplished in a vacuum. Take ducks, for example: They only appear to glide seamlessly above water – in truth, that’s because they’re paddling furiously just below in order to keep up.

In all likelihood, that’s why every one of us craves some extra time to unwind and unplug – for a while at least. It’s simply an incredibly human impulse given the many ways we push ourselves to regularly juggle such a large number of daily tasks otherwise.

Which is a wonderful concept to keep in mind this season as checkout lines get a bit longer, traffic moves a little slower, and evenings out require a lot more patience schedule-wise. So that maybe – just maybe – we can remember that we’re all gathered on these beautiful barrier islands attempting to make the most of our time here. Whether that means waiting an extra 30 minutes for a table or being stuck at more red lights than usual, it can be comforting to bear in mind that the universe is decidedly not against us – and that absolutely none of us can do anything about an uncharacteristically dismal weather forecast.

Because, no matter how much we resolve to plan and prepare, life still happens – in all its messily complicated and delightful ways – and, if we really think about it, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue!

staff

PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHERS

Adam & Cathy Baldwin

Adam & Cathy Baldwin

EDITOR

EDITOR

Amelia Boldaji

Amelia Boldaji

ART DIRECTOR

ART DIRECTOR

Dave Rollins

Dave Rollins

CONTRIBUTORS

WRITERS

Editor Publisher

Cathy Baldwin

Cathy Baldwin • Emmy Benton

Emmy Benton

Amelia Boldaji • Steve Hanf

Amelia Boldaji

Catherine Kozak

Cory Godwin

Katrina Mae Leuzinger

Steve Hanf

Amanda McDanel • Corinne Saunders

Catherine Kozak

Katrina Mae Leuzinger

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Amanda McDanel

Lori Douglas • Cory Godwin

Corinne Saunders

Brooke Mayo Photographers

Katie Slater

Elizabeth Neal • Katie Slater

Wes Snyder

Wes Snyder

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dylan Bush

Dylan Bush

SALES MANAGER

SALES MANAGER

Helen Furr

Helen Furr

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Faith Turek

Faith Turek

DISTRIBUTOR

Clint Trice

The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun

The views expressed in the articles contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or Access Media Group. The published material, advertisements, editorials and all other content is published in good faith. Access Media Group and North Beach Sun cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by errors, omissions or the accuracy of claims made by advertisers.

The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun

The views expressed in the articles contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or Access Media Group. The published material, advertisements, editorials and all other content is published in good faith. Access Media Group and North Beach Sun cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by errors, omissions or the accuracy of claims made by advertisers.

NORTH BEACH SUN

115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

NORTH BEACH SUN

252.449.4444

editor@northbeachsun.com

115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

252.449.4444

editor@northbeachsun.com

We’re glad you’re here.

A wide-open stretch of the Outer Banks coastline courtesy of photographer Katie Slater.

FInD FUn FRIEnDS AGAIn THIS SUMMER.

but first...

Interstellar Invertebrates

THOUGH IT MIGHT SEEM like the stuff of science fiction, more than 60,000 mature jellyfish were floating above Earth during the early 1990s. As part of a NASA-supported experiment, scientists sent nearly 2,500 baby moon jelly polyps and ephyra into orbit aboard the space shuttle Columbia in May 1991 to study how being raised in microgravity would affect their development. While everything went swimmingly in space, the adult jellies had a difficult time adjusting to normal gravity once the mission was over – indicating that potential human space babies (who develop a sense of gravity in a similar way) could also have trouble with interplanetary travel in the future.

CONTRARY TO THEIR NAME, jellyfish aren’t fish at all – and they’re not even terribly great swimmers. Because of this, as well as the fact that jellies can be easily injured in confined spaces, the technology to keep jellyfish in aquariums simply didn’t exist until a few short decades ago. But in the 1960s a German oceanographer named Dr. Wolf Greve invented the kreisel tank – a uniquely designed system that gently rotates water to simulate jellies’ natural current-drifting behavior – which is now on display both worldwide and at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. (Photo of Pacific sea nettles courtesy of Lexie Brown/NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.)

While a swarm of jellyfish isn’t exactly a welcome sight for avid beachgoers, these fascinating creatures don’t quite deserve their bad reputation. True jellyfish (not to be confused with jellyfish-like animals such as comb jellies, which lack stingers and bellshaped bodies) are closely related to sea anemones and corals, and they can be found in oceans worldwide – from tropical locales to Arctic waters, and even some freshwater sources, where they’re a simple but vital part of marine ecosystems.

The average human body is made up of roughly 60% water, but jellies have us beat with gelatinous bodies that are only five percent solid matter and at least 95% water

95%

Many species of mature jellyfish only live for a few months, but at least one is thought to be biologically immortal: In a rare process known as transdifferentiation, a jelly known as Turritopsis dohrnii can repeatedly reverse its lifecycle from adult medusa back to immature polyp in response to environmental threats.

The smallest known jelly is just one millimeter wide (roughly the size of a mustard seed), while the considerably larger lion’s mane jellyfish can grow to nearly six feet wide with tentacles that can measure anywhere from 50-100 feet long.

Jellyfish have roamed the seas for anywhere from 500-700 million years, making them the oldest living multi-organ animals in the world – predating everything from trees to dinosaurs and even fungi.

You're so jelly

summer events 2023

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.

DOWNTOWN MARKET

Saturday mornings through the summer (except June 3), ending September 16 Buy fresh local fruits, veggies and crafts at this farmers’ market every Saturday in downtown Manteo from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. manteonc.gov

FIRST FRIDAY

June 2, July 7, August 4

Downtown Manteo comes alive on the first Friday of each month from 6–8 p.m. manteonc.gov

THE LOST COLONY

June 2 – August 26

This fascinating drama – the longest-running outdoor historical drama in the United States – brings to life the mystery of what happened during the first permanent English settlement attempt right here on the Outer Banks. thelostcolony.org

DARE DAYS

June 3 – 4

Spend the weekend celebrating Manteo’s diverse history with music, crafts and food vendors. manteonc.gov

COROLLA CORNHOLE TOURNAMENTS

June 14 – September 13 (Wednesdays)

Compete in weekly games at Whalehead in Historic Corolla for a chance to win a beach vacation donated by Brindley Beach. visitcurrituck.com

COROLLA CORK & CRAFT

June 14 – September 13 (Wednesdays)

Enjoy local beer and wine tastings, live music and curated craft artisans in the scenic setting of Historic Corolla Park. visitcurrituck.com

CONCERTS ON THE GREEN

June 15 – September 14

Enjoy a free live concert with music ranging from country to covers on the Duck Town Green. townofduck.com

FARMERS’ MARKET

June 15 – August 17 (Thursdays)

Stop by Dowdy Park in Nags Head between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. each Thursday during the summer for fresh fruits and veggies. nagsheadnc.gov

41ST ANNUAL ROGALLO KITE FESTIVAL

June 16 – 17

This free kite festival at Jockey’s Ridge honors Francis Rogallo, inventor of the flexible wing, and features stunt kites, kite displays, kite instruction, kite coloring for kids and more. kittyhawk.com

FIRST FLIGHT FARMERS MARKET

Every Tuesday June 20- August 15 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (except July 4) Shop more than 65 local vendors and food trucks as you stroll around the pond at Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills. kdhnc.com

VUSIC SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Selected dates throughout the summer Rock out on Roanoke Island with the Vusic summer concert series, featuring major national and regional performers. vusicobx.com

UNDER THE OAKS ARTS FESTIVAL

June 20 – 21

This free two-day art festival features talented artisans on the waterfront grounds of Historic Corolla Park. visitcurrituck.com

TOWN OF MANTEO’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4

Celebrate the holiday with festivities and fireworks in downtown Manteo. manteonc.gov

ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

July 4

Cheer on this festive parade in Duck followed by a celebration with live music at the Duck Town Park. townofduck.com

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

July 4

Marvel at fireworks on the lawn of Historic Corolla Park while listening to free live music and enjoying family-friendly activities. visitcurrituck.com

45TH ANNUAL WRIGHT KITE FESTIVAL

July 14 – 15

Learn to fly stunt kites for free and watch large kite displays during this kiting event at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. kittyhawk.com

OBX SKIM JAM

July 22 – 23

Watch talented skimboarders glide across the shoreline as they compete in this regional tournament at Jennette’s Pier. skim-usa.com

ONE-DESIGN REGATTA

July 29

This annual regatta in Manteo is open to Optimist, 420, Sunfish and Topaz sailboats, and features both a youth and an adult division. manteonc.gov

OUTER BANKS WATERMELON FESTIVAL

August 3

There’s plenty for the kids to do at this summery event at the Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head, including face painting, crafts, ukulele lessons, watermelon-themed competitions and more. kittyhawk.com

OUTER BANKS PIRATE FESTIVAL

August 9 – 10

Learn pirate lore, take pictures with mermaids and enroll the little ones in Scallywag School during this fun festival at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head. kittyhawk.com

KIDS FISHING TOURNAMENT

August 12

Your littles are invited to hook a big one in downtown Manteo at this kid-friendly fishing tournament. manteonc.gov

OBX ARTS AND CRAFTS

FESTIVAL

August 30 – 31

This annual show at the Hilton Garden Inn features paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, glass and more. A portion of artists’ entrance fees are donated to local charities.

facebook.com/obxartfestival

DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL

October 7 – 8

This free, all-day event features national, regional and local acts at the Duck Town Park. townofduck.com

LOVE TO REMEMBER

October 19 – 22

The OBX Dementia Friendly Coalition will take to the courts in this tennis and inaugural pickleball tournament to support the Dementia Friendly Program. Registration opens August 1. facebook.com/lovetorememberobx

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

October 21

Enjoy fresh, local seafood, cooking demos, mullet tossing, live music and more at this family-friendly event at The Soundside event site in Nags Head. outerbanksseafoodfestival.org

HOLIDAY CHEFS' CHALLENGE

November 11

Local restaurant chefs vie for top honors at this annual event that supports the Beach Food Pantry. beachfoodpantry.org

Duck’s walkable village has everything you could want or need, from a sound side boardwalk to stores, galleries, and eateries. Enjoy free live events at the Town Park and stroll along the newly completed pedestrian paths. Find it all in Duck.

FARM-TO-BOTTLE BOTTLES AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY

TOURS -BOOK ONLINETASTINGS

Behind the Music

PHOTOS BY LORI DOUGLAS

STORY BY STEVE HANF

While performers often get top billing in the music industry, hitting the right note takes much more than simply booking a big-name headliner. Well before the lights go up on an opening act, the people who make the magic possible have been busy behind the scenes dealing with everything from the singers to the instruments…and even the venue itself. With the ability to play things by ear and a willingness to pull out all the stops, these musical mavens may not appear front and center – but they have a backstage pass to beats that are all their own.

TUESDAYS ARE TWOFOLD FOR KYLE COOK. He spends all day at Western Branch Middle School teaching choir classes to hundreds of Chesapeake-area kids, rushes home to take out his dogs, then jumps back in his car for a seemingly interminable drive to Kitty Hawk.

But when he breezes into the rehearsal room at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m. and sees the smiling faces of the Outer Banks Chorus gathered in front of him, it’s all worth it – even the long ride home that makes his Wednesday morning alarm feel much too early.

“I just absolutely love Tuesday nights. It’s like my therapy,” Kyle exclaims exuberantly. “The people are what brings me back. They’re just so special. They’re a family to me.”

It’s a massive family to be sure – one that includes both teens and octogenarians from all walks of life. And yet, nine years ago, Kyle had no idea the Outer Banks Chorus even existed.

He’d made his way from Ohio and West Virginia to Currituck after getting a call from Luana Palimetakis – a former Currituck County Schools' Teacher of the Year lauded for her music work at Shawboro and Moyock elementary schools – about a chorus opening at the local middle school. Kyle, who was singing in a concert tour in Spain at the time, found Currituck on a map, decided being 30 minutes from the beach seemed all right, and made the move.

Kyle has been revered for his work with young people here ever since: He was Currituck County’s new teacher of the year, has been Western Branch’s teacher of the year and was a quarterfinalist for the 2022 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. But

Kyle Cook

one night, while working after school with Currituck students on a musical, a parent approached him to say that the Outer Banks Chorus’ director was retiring at the end of the school year. Would he ever consider leading adults?

“I had never heard of the Outer Banks Chorus,” Kyle recalls. “I said, ‘Let me come to your Christmas concert and see what this whole thing is about.’”

He remembers the group being a bit older, and small. But one thing stood out above all: “What made me apply was that they looked like they were having so much fun,” he says. “You could tell that they absolutely loved singing.”

The audition process included choosing a piece of music to perform with the chorus, so Kyle carefully picked a selection he thought the members would be able to learn quickly. He sensed that they enjoyed working with him, but didn’t expect to get the job: He was young, an unknown quantity, and he was also pitted against other contenders who were already familiar with the members.

To his surprise, they offered him the job. He picked up the baton, and brushed aside any doubts.

“When I took over, there were 35 people in the choir. I never imagined that eight years later, I would still be here with more than 100 members now,” Kyle says. “It’s amazing to see the support that the community has for it.”

After the first Christmas concert he led, about 10 people came up to ask about joining the group. Then came the pivotal 30-year anniversary of the Outer Banks Chorus, which featured special events such as a performance at First Flight High School with local student groups and a huge “Carolina Christmas” show supported by a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

Next came a wildly popular spring concert with Broadway showtunes, and suddenly Kyle had new worries: Where the heck was the Outer Banks Chorus going to practice and perform with so many new members and such a huge community following?

“When I took over, there were 35 people in the choir. I never imagined that eight years later, I would still be here with more than 100 members now.”

“It was unreal. It just exploded,” says Kyle, who adds that his recipe for success is to simply choose songs that the audience can appreciate, and that the choir is proud to sing.

“One of our performances was at Duck Woods Country Club, and 30 minutes before the concert started people had lawn chairs set up in the parking lot because there were no more seats,” he adds. “That was the moment I knew things were going in a completely different direction than I think any of the members anticipated.”

Because it’s not just Kyle who keeps coming back to practice every Tuesday night. Ultimately, it’s the people in the Outer Banks Chorus who return week after week to sing joyfully with him, and the people of the Outer Banks who return season after season to enjoy each and every performance.

“On the outside, the community sees a concert – they don’t necessarily see what this group means to the members. When someone is sick, they start a meal train. That’s just the kind of group it is,” Kyle says. “Everything I celebrate, they celebrate with me – and that’s why I’m so attached to them.”

Matt "Fleck" Fleckenstein

MATT FLECKENSTEIN ALWAYS KNEW THAT HE LOVED working with his hands. He started playing the piano as a child, and later, taught middle school music for a year. He worked as a bicycle mechanic and a boatyard electrician. He even managed a hardware store and made bread at a bakery in the wee hours of the morning.

Throughout it all, he still took pleasure in playing piano – and still possessed vivid memories of a piano technician named Carl who made regular visits to his childhood home.

“When Carl came to tune our piano, I had no idea what he was doing,” he recalls. “He had a couple of small tools, and he’d take the whole piano apart, stick a couple of things in there and mess around for about an hour – and then he’d play this awesome music.

“I was like, ‘No way!’” he adds with a laugh. “I loved it, and decided I was going to get into that field.”

Nearly 20 years after making that momentous decision, “Fleck” is now a household name on the Outer Banks. (“The only person who calls me Matt anymore is my mom,” he explains cheerfully.) Just ask anyone who to call when it comes to piano tuning or repairs, and a one-word answer flies off the tongue: Fleck.

It didn’t happen overnight, however. Fleck and his family moved from Wilmington to the Outer Banks in 2008 after his wife, Erin, took a job with the North Carolina Coastal Federation – and it turned out that starting over fresh in a new place wasn’t exactly easy. But then again, neither was starting over as a piano tuner.

When Fleck first got serious about making tuning part of his livelihood, it wasn’t long before he realized that things were way harder than Carl had made it look. “I found a book, and asked a couple of friends if I could screw around with their pianos. I think I totally destroyed them,” Fleck admits sheepishly. “I got in over my head quickly.”

Fate intervened, though, when Erin wound up in a line behind someone buying a large amount of black fabric. It turned out that the gentleman was making a piano cover because he worked as a piano technician for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. And, yes, he WAS interested in bringing on an apprentice.

That chance encounter led to a two-year period of learning how to tune, and then studying for his professional tuning and repair certifications from the Piano Technicians Guild to prove that he knew what he was doing. Mostly.

“[My mentor] was a very, very good tuner and he taught me how to tune entirely by ear – which is what I wanted,” Fleck explains. “They say it takes tuning at least 500 pianos before you can really do it well. I think that’s a small number. I think you have to do more than that.”

While he’s certainly reached that number by now, Fleck’s emergence as the Outer Banks’ go-to piano man came about even more slowly. Until his two young sons started school his availability was somewhat limited, and even now he continues to balance family time with giving music lessons and doing gigs of his own – and he still cherishes the time he spends with clients’ pianos everywhere from Morehead City and New Bern to Elizabeth City and Plymouth.

Each day on the job is different. Some pianos are lovingly cared for; others are what technicians refer to as “piano-shaped objects” that need more than just

a little TLC (he once had a live mouse fly out at him when he opened a piano lid). But one of his favorite stories involves a piano with hammers that were clearly out of whack – though it took him a minute to realize why.

“I pulled out like 20 photographs stuck inside the piano, and when I handed them to the lady she just started crying,” Fleck recalls. “She said, ‘Oh, my goodness, this is me as a kid. This is my mother. This is my grandmother.’ It was a walk down memory lane for her. That was definitely a poignant one.”

And it’s easily Fleck’s favorite part of his job. That time spent going key by key, listening note by note, chatting comfortably with a client while he works, then sitting down at the keyboard and filling their home with perfectly tuned melodies.

“That piano in someone’s living room, it has a history, it has a story – it’s been in the family, or, even if they just got it at a garage sale for their youngest kid, it’s something that they’ve invested in,” Fleck explains. “And I’m there to bring life and energy into their home, not just their instrument. So being able to talk, play, encourage and inspire, those are the parts of the job that feed me – that’s what I love the most.”

“They say it takes tuning at least 500 pianos before you can really do it well. I think that’s a small number. I think you have to do more than that.”

Shelli Gates

WHEN PEOPLE FIND OUT that Shelli Gates is a production stage manager in the music scene, they invariably assume she enjoys a jet-set lifestyle partying with rock-and-roll royalty.

If only there were time in her often 20-hour work days for such fun and frivolity.

“We’re building the stage and coordinating gear with the audio people, plus the back and front of house – that’s all day long,” Shelli explains ruefully. “You get one band on, then you’ve got to get them off for the next one, and get their gear packed up. It’s not very sexy, honestly.”

Long before out-of-area bands arrive on the Outer Banks, Shelli and her Boss Lady Productions crew get busy handling the minutiae that goes into hosting a live local performance. As soon as a band is signed, Shelli starts communicating with tour managers about the technical riders specific to each group. Some bands might be used to a larger stage than the one found at a venue like Roanoke Island Festival Park, which calls for tweaks to the setup, while some are just excited about being in an area where they can surf during their downtime. Either way, it’s all about making them feel welcomed and appreciated.

Shelli also has a hospitality manager who handles the social side of things while she focuses on the logistics. That covers everything from how to maneuver a band’s tractor trailers around tight spaces at Festival Park, to making sure the winds aren’t too extreme for shows at The Soundside event site in Nags Head, or even having an electrician on standby at Corolla’s Whalehead Club.

“On one hand, it’s mundane, and on the other hand, it’s choreographed chaos,” Shelli says, laughing. “Something always comes up that you have to fix.”

A musician in her own right, who also works fulltime as a respiratory therapist, Shelli stumbled into her backstage business while helping out friends in the community. It started with lending a hand to Kathy McCullough-Testa at the Duck Jazz Festival, and wound up being extra useful when Mike Dianna’s stage manager was a no-show one day during a Mustang Music Outreach concert.

Noticing how busy her friend looked, Shelli asked how she could help, and a frazzled Mike handed her his clipboard. The job was hers.

One memorable show at the Whalehead Club included a downdraft that destroyed a stage, forcing Shelli to work with each band individually to shuffle the schedule. Just when it seemed like everything was finally squared away, the power suddenly failed while The Revivalists were in the middle of a set.

“The coolest part is that they didn’t stop playing,” Shelli recalls. “Everybody in the audience picked up their phones and turned their lights on, and the band just never stopped. Two minutes later – which felt like two hours – the electrician got the power back on, and they played the rest of their stuff. I will never forget that experience.”

The popularity of a relatively new VusicOBX concert series at Roanoke Island Festival Park has also kept Shelli and her crew busy – from popular dates last year with the likes of Stick Figure and Sublime with Rome, to this summer’s shows with Rebelution, Dirty Heads and Travis Tritt. Starting in June, Shelli and her crew will head

to Manteo early on show days to build out the stage, unload the trucks and address whatever challenges arise…and then tear it all down at the end of the gig, too.

In bigger areas, two crews might split an early and late shift, but Shelli does it all here with about six crewmembers and four others to load and unload the trucks. Plus Piper, of course: Shelli’s dog has become a legend backstage, and often dons sunglasses sporting the Boss Lady Productions logo.

“I have a great core group of people who have been working stages with me for the last couple of years,” Shelli says. “I’ve got to hand it to them. They work their butts off!”

And all that behind-the-scenes effort pays off later, as screaming fans compete with booming basslines in that one-of-a-kind experience that defines a live concert.

Which can include some particularly magical moments as well, Shelli explains as she recounts a heartwarming moment at a Gov’t Mule concert last year. After hearing that the family of a Virginia Beach fan who had recently passed away was going to be at the show, Shelli reached out to the band’s tour manager ahead of time – prompting guitarist and singer Warren Haynes to perform their single “Soulshine” in the fan’s memory.

“Those are little things to the performers, but it was huge. People were crying. Those kinds of things are so gratifying,” Shelli says. “I really enjoy being the person who makes it happen – and then watching it all come together.”

“On one hand, it’s mundane, and on the other hand, it’s choreographed chaos.”

vibesvision &

the timeless photography of katie slater

COMPILED BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

Katie Slater was always drawn to artistic pursuits. From studying photography in Paris during college to graduating with a major in fine arts, Katie had an eye set on carving out a name for herself in the ever-evolving world of fashion branding – which led to a stint traveling through Australia that kickstarted her professional experience shooting for trending businesses in iconic coastal locales like Bondi Beach.

Since returning stateside and settling on the Outer Banks, Katie (pictured above) credits much of her continued success to her early training in the technical aspects of manual photography. Images such as BackLit (pictured right) – which has been featured in Outside magazine – have only further cemented her reputation for having a signature style that’s both fresh and fun. “Being authentic is important to me,” she says candidly. “But people would be shocked by how much of my job involves sitting at a desk!”

While Katie spends the majority of her time as a professional photographer working on visual concepts for brands, her personal prints are often at the back of her mind – which is what led to taking this black-and-white image titled NoseUp during a commercial shoot. “My photos aren’t really about the people in them,” Katie says of her typical approach. “And I’m in love with the sky.”

“This is one of my favorites,” Katie notes of the FlatTop image above. “Simple things like towels on a clothesline just scream summer – and you can almost feel the heat coming off the sky.”

DawnnDusk (pictured right) was originally taken during an early morning shoot for a swimwear brand when the lighting appeared extra magical. “Everything came together beautifully that day,” Katie says happily.

Yellowhouse Gallery

Though Katie enjoys riding waves in her downtime, it’s not necessarily her go-to sport – which may be why she describes First DipFeeling as being a surf shot that’s not really about surfing at all.

“It’s about her stillness and the energy behind her,” Katie explains of the photo’s composition.

“I like the quietness of it – and it’s a moment that’s easily relatable.”

“It’s just a beach day; there’s nothing much to it,” Katie says with a laugh about the unnamed image (pictured left) that she took from Kitty Hawk Pier. “But you can feel like you’ve been there before, too.” In a similar fashion, Katie’s black-and-white EasyFlow (pictured below) simultaneously captures two friends poised at the shore while also invoking a more universal sense of summer’s endless possibilities.

Making a Case for

Boredom

By Amanda McDanel

AS CHILDREN, most of us played some version of classic games with our elders: Old Maid, Simon Says, Go Fish, War, Marco Polo, I Spy. The rules of these games were simple, no reading or (very little) equipment was required, and they were fun for all ages. Whether you were on a long road trip, in a doctor’s waiting room or in the aisles of a grocery store, these games not only passed the time, they surpassed it. In the era before iPads, tablets, smartphones and Switches, having a well-known game in your back pocket was always a parent’s ace in the hole.

These days, car rides are equipped with charging cords, headphones, external battery packs, blue-light glasses and very little conversation. Saturday morning cartoons are now streamed on their very own channels all day long, destroying the joyful anticipation of weekend mornings spent consuming sugary cereal and ScoobyDoo. Music of any kind is immediately available with the touch of a button, doing away with the time-honored tradition of waiting patiently for a DJ to announce your favorite song while you scrambled to record it on your boombox (during which, you were also likely exposed to a whole other genre of music you may not have known otherwise).

I distinctly remember the revolution of the “rotating billboard,” which allowed you to see as many as three (yes, THREE!) different advertisements while you were sitting in traffic at a red light – a bygone innovation that pales in comparison to the fact that you can now watch a whole news broadcast while pumping a tank of gas. With multiple forms of entertainment at our fingertips 24/7, the art of being bored is dead. Deceased. Defunct. Or “ded,” as the kids say nowadays.

Yet, teaching children the art of boredom is imperative as ever because interesting people are people who are interested. They inquire, they ask, they approach the word in fresh ways and they are innovators. It’s impossible to be an innovator if you never experience

OBX I Spy Scavenger Hunt FOR OFFICIAL

USE ONLY

A sand castle that’s not made of sand

A sign or billboard with a phone number on it

A yellow sports car

A 60-foot-tall structure

a moment of boredom, and the world can always benefit from more thoughtful innovations.

Just take 30-year-old physical education instructor James Naismith, for example. Naismith is credited with inventing the game of basketball in 1891 after he attached an old peach basket to a wall and started shooting balls into it. His inspiration for this? He wanted his students to have a physical activity to keep them occupied between football and baseball seasons, because they were bored – thus, inadvertently developing one of the greatest games of all time. (The fact that I remember this tidbit from my ninth-grade PE teacher is a testament to how astounding this story is.)

An osprey

Something on the water that’s not a boat

A windmill

A fountain

A owering tree

A home that’s not a house

A moving house

A constantly ashing light

I’m not suggesting that parents should take away everything in their children’s rooms that requires batteries – just imagine the hate mail I would receive if I did!– but I do find myself encouraging people to create opportunities for seeing the world in a new light by challenging our kids’ boredom.

Kim Cowen, one of my own children’s teachers, taught me one of my favorite ways to engage this type of thinking – and not only does it align with Montessori teaching principles, it also goes back to one of those games you played with your elders years ago: I Spy.

At the start of every school break, Kim designs scavenger hunts to hand out as assignments to her students – who eagerly receive each new list determined to keep their eyes peeled during the entire break in order to complete it.

A turtle crossing the road, a person fishing with something other than a pole, a compass rose, a non-American flag, a rock with a quote written on it. By creating lists of unusual items like these, kids are forced to look at their surroundings with new perspectives – to light on the indiscernible, to look for the pattern disruptions, to dwell in the mundane. And when they’re

able to locate an object, the neurons in their brain fire on all cylinders, forming new pathways that flex their experiential muscles as their eyes light up and everything clicks.

I recently used this to my parental advantage during a family road trip to Florida for spring break. Knowing that it would be a long drive, and that I didn’t want to rely solely on electronics to keep the kids occupied, I wrote down a list of items we had a chance of seeing on that particular drive – a Texas license plate, a giant sombrero, a police vehicle with its lights on, a car pulling a boat, roadkill. After making small illustrations of each item, I used them to label the top of a pill box that was filled with various treats in each compartment.

Once the kids identified one of the things on our list (“LOOK, MOM! A GIANT PEACH!”), they were able to open the item’s corresponding compartment and claim their treat. Not only did it encourage time off screens, it kept them entertained – and fed – for hours, leaving me to listen to my murder podcast in peace.

Amanda with the mic drop.

Teaching children the art of boredom is imperative as ever because interesting people are people who are interested.

National Treasures

Understanding the official designations behind some of our nation’s top destinations isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

COMPILED BY AMELIA BOLDAJI

1958

Association as early as 1895 in order to preserve the location of the first English New World settlement. The National Park Service didn’t become involved, however, until 1941 when 355 of the now 513-acre property was transferred into government care.

Memorial

Nationally known

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has the distinction of being the nation’s first national seashore –but it was a long time in the making. President Roosevelt signed a bill authorizing the seashore’s federal creation in 1937 (just one day before he arrived at Fort Raleigh to see a performance of The Lost Colony). Issues over land acquisition meant the seashore wouldn’t be formally dedicated until 1958.

There are at least 19 naming designations within the National Park System’s network that go well beyond the proper “national park” label.

MORE THAN 16 BILLION PEOPLE have visited parts of the National Park System since the early 1900s, and it’s all uphill from there – but the way this system’s organized might be more involved than you bargained for. From its 1916 inception, the National Park System has grown to include 424 locations (officially known as “units”) as well as more than 150 related areas that cover more than 85 million acres nationwide.

While that’s no mean feat, the general tendency to refer to those 424 units as federal “parks” doesn’t quite do things justice –especially since a mere 63 of those sites are properly classified as national parks. The remaining 361 units fall under at least 19 different “national” naming designations that range from memorials and monuments to preserves and parkways – and even a rather loosely defined “other” category that includes places like Alcatraz Island and the White House. Though this might seem like splitting hairs, these designations do matter, particularly because they can make a significant difference in how certain sites are established and managed within the larger National Park Service blanket. North Carolina, for example, has 10 units that fall under National Park Service protection, but only one of those (the Great Smoky Mountains) is a true national park – the remining nine encompass a national parkway (the Blue Ridge), a scenic trail (Appalachian), a military park (Guilford Courthouse), a battlefield (Moores Creek) and a memorial (Wright Brothers), as well as two national historic sites (Flat Rock’s Carl Sandburg Home and Fort Raleigh) and two national seashores (Harkers Island’s Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras).

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC and TN)

Appalachian National Scenic Trail (part of 14 states from ME south to GA, including NC)

Blue Ridge National Parkway (NC and VA)

Guilford Courthouse

National Military Park (Greensboro, NC)

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (Flat Rock, NC)

North Carolina is also home to several National Park System related or affiliated areas, such as the Overmountain Victory and Trail of Tears national historic trails.

Moores Creek National Battlefield (Currie, NC)

The National Park System on the Outer Banks

Recreation Area

Historical Park River Lakeshore

Construction of the 60-foot-tall granite monument at the Wright Brothers National Memorial began on the 25th anniversary of flight in 1928 and would take four years to complete. The National Park Service assumed authority over the memorial a year later, which led to many site improvements, including the addition of a 9,900-square-foot visitor center in 1960.

Seashore Military Park Cemetery Scenic Trail

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s core 16 acres were purchased by the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association as early as 1895 in order to preserve the location of the first English New World settlement. The National Park Service didn’t become involved, however, until 1941 when 355 acres of the now 513-acre property was transferred into government care.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has the distinction of being the nation’s first national seashore – but it was a long time in the making. President Roosevelt signed a bill authorizing the seashore’s federal creation in 1937 (just one day before he arrived at Fort Raleigh to see a performance of The Lost Colony). Issues over land acquisition meant the seashore wasn't actually established until 1953 with a formal dedication following in 1958.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Manteo, NC)

Cape Lookout National Seashore (Harkers Island, NC)

Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devil Hills, NC)

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Nags Head south to Ocracoke Island, NC)

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.

405 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-473-1404 tranquilhouseinn.com

Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream

Dozens of homemade ice cream varieties, smoothies, shakes, sundaes, handmade Belgian chocolates, fresh fudge, ice cream cakes and delicious espresso drinks.

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-423-3118 bigbucksobx.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 lifestyle shop featuring home and garden goods, fine art, books, jewelry, and high design gi s for ladies, gentlemen, children, and pets.

108 Sir Walter Raleigh Street 252-475-9764 @shopsamandwinston

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

DISCOVER

Town of Manteo

Join in the fun this summer with these fabulous town events: Downtown Market (Saturday mornings), Dare Days (June 3-4), the July 4th Celebration (starts at 3 p.m.), and the One-Design Rega a (July 29).

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

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. Join us on First Fridays for author signings, book launches, and all sorts of literary shenanigans

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

Avenue

Grille & Goods

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!

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue

252-473-4800

avenuegrilleobx.com

avenuegoodsobx.com

Lighthouse Studio

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!

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-473-4800

lighthouse-obx.com

Vineyards on the Scuppernong

Tasting room for a local winery specializing in fruit-forward sweet and semi-sweet wines, made in NC snacks, and a curated gallery of more than 15 OBX artisans. Open daily.

101 Budleigh Street, Unit D 252-305-8737 votswine.com

Sisters

Boutique & Gifts

For your wardrobe + home. Secondhand luxury scores + more.

207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue 252-305-8582 sistersofmanteo.com @sistersofmanteo

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 is open from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and the Wheel House Lounge is open from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

510 Budleigh Street 252-423-3011 outerbanksdistilling.com

Sleeping In, Ltd.

Celebrating 23 years in 2023!

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

101B Fernando Street

252-475-1971

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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!

101 Budleigh Street 252-473-2579 laughinglollipop.com

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SKATEBOARDING. SURFING. SNOWBOARDING. BMX. They’re all hobbies that gradually shifted from niche to mainstream, pursuits that once rankled some who dismissed early up-and-comers in those fields for spending countless hours honing new techniques.

They’re also all Olympic sports now.

So, is it really that unusual for Randy Owens to muse about the future of flowboarding and wonder just how far the sport can go?

“I want to be the old coach who maybe sees it in the Olympics,” Randy says with a laugh. “To me, it doesn’t seem that impossible.”

The machine that started it all is known as a FlowRider, and it has a solid 30-year history. Originally invented by a surfer who wanted to recreate waves on his terms, the appeal of having a system that could produce a long stationary wave quickly spread internationally – piquing the interest of board enthusiasts from a number of other sports along the way. Locally, though, the FlowRider was mostly an unknown commodity until the H2OBX Waterpark opened in 2017.

In the summer days since then, countless people of all ages and skill levels tried their luck in the FlowRider’s rushing water, and it wasn’t long before some of those curious early riders were hooked. From there, a local team called the Outer Banks Flowgang was born. Led by Randy and a core group of regulars like Jackson Meyers, James and Luke Boice, and Triston and Rhett Powell, the group has since expanded to include nearly every sun-splashed

GOING THE FLOW

How an artificial wave brought together a crew of very real competitors.

Story by Steve Hanf

GOING WITH FLOW //

Outer Banks Flowgang founder Randy Owens takes a turn riding the FlowRider’s rushing waters. Photo courtesy of Brooke Mayo Photographers.

kid who’s hung out at the waterpark and taken a turn on the FlowRider.

“There’s hundreds of us now. We have so many friends from all over,” Randy explains. “The motto is that if you’ve ever rode with us, you’re an official member of the gang. We just try to make everyone feel like they’re a part of something.”

It started with some social media posts to showcase what they were doing. Then came the chance to attend their first flowboarding competition in New Jersey in 2018 – an adventure Randy calls “the carrot in front of us to chase.” Every year since, the Flowgang has attended as many events as possible on the annual Flowboarding League of the World Tour, and the team made serious waves during the 2022 FlowaPalooza at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Texas.

James Boice won first in Junior Flowboard and second in Junior Bodyboard. Luke Boice was first in Youth Bodyboard and third in Youth Flowboard. Rhett Powell was second in Youth Bodyboard and Youth Flowboard. Triston Powell took second in Junior Flowboard and third in Junior Bodyboard. Jackson Meyers, who turned pro after starring in the junior ranks, was fifth in Pro Bodyboard, and Randy showed his stuff with a second-place finish in Masters Bodyboard and fifth in Masters Flowboard.

Suddenly, everybody was talking about the Outer Banks Flowgang and the riders’ unique style inspired by their experience with the barrier island’s coastal waters. But as cool as it was to bring home all that hardware, the opportunity to meet fellow flowboarders from across the world turned out to be the most magical part.

“We’re competitive, but it’s [still] such a small, niche sport,” Randy says. “Whenever we can get together with other riders from across the nation or the world, it just really feels like a family reunion.”

Loading up in vans or flying to these unique venues and encountering some of the standout flowboarders they’ve studied on YouTube videos can be intimidating at first, but Jackson is quick to confirm the scene’s feel-good vibe.

“At first you see some of these people and you think they’re going to be mean, but everyone is very nice, very talkative,” he adds. “If you need to learn any trick you can go pretty much to anyone – even the pros – and they’ll teach you anything.”

That’s perhaps the secret to success on a FlowRider: listening and being coachable. Lots of folks see the machine in action and think they’ll immediately be able to conquer it – but those 35 to 40 second runs aren’t exactly like surfing. It takes muscle memory, keeping your weight in the right place at the right time, and plenty of practice to work on stalls and skateboard-style tricks like kickflips.

That’s why members of the Flowgang can be found in line at the H2OBX FlowRider from open to close most days during the summer. When they’re not riding, they’re coaching others who are waiting for a turn, offering encouragement after quick wipeouts and cheering on successful sessions.

“You spend all summer with the endorphins, the adrenaline, the love, the excitement, and then at the end of the year when they flip the switch, you start doing other stuff with your time,” Randy adds. “It’s a big mental thing to get through the winter and then turn it on again every year.”

The beauty of the Outer Banks Flowgang, though, is that the members do reunite to ride again each season, with bigger goals on the horizon every time. This year, for instance, Randy dreams of having a few team members make it to Chile for the World Flow Barrel Championships in April 2024. “I’m already telling the groms to get their passports,” he says with excitement, “and I’ll be leaning heavily on our community’s help to pull it off.”

That would be quite a feat for this group, this family…this “gang.” Sometimes, Randy regrets that original moniker and the negative connotation it can bring. But then he sees so many nervous newcomers become FlowRider fans, and there’s nothing to do but add them to the flock.

“I don’t want people to take it the wrong way. It means different things to some of the younger kids, giving them that feeling of warmth and being inviting,” Randy explains. “I feel like I’m impacting these kids, and it’s such a rewarding thing. I see it every time I walk in there…and it’s changed my life.”

“The motto is that if you’ve ever rode with us, you’re an official member of the gang. We just try to make everyone feel like they’re a part of something.”

-Randy Owens

Pro rider Jackson Meyers kicks things into gear with a gravitydefying flip. Photo courtesy of Brooke Mayo Photographers.

Waterside Theatre

THE SUN SINKING INTO THE ROANOKE SOUND. Stars just beginning to shine overhead. Eager audience members adorned with visors and sandy flip flops in a location intimately connected to the story that’s about to be enacted right before their eyes…a show at the Waterside Theatre is an experience unlike any other. Often referred to as the “grandfather” of modern outdoor theater, Waterside has been home to summertime performances of The Lost Colony for an astounding 86 years now, making the play the longest-running symphonic drama in national history – and making the site one of the most enduringly beloved landmarks on the Outer Banks.

1New Deal Drama

At the height of the Great Depression in 1933 more than 12 million Americans were unemployed – prompting a series of ambitious “New Deal” programs under the recently elected Roosevelt administration. With the goal of getting the economy moving, a number of public works projects were undertaken, including creating infrastructure such as schools, bridges and one Waterside Theatre. Completed in 1937 through the combined efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, the amphitheater was only meant to host NC-native Paul Green’s The Lost Colony for a single season as part of local festivities surrounding the 350th anniversary of Virginia Dare’s birth – but the drama proved so popular that it’s still an annual tradition to this day.

2

The Show Must Go On

In 1947 a fire broke out backstage right before a show was about to start. Though no people were harmed, the blaze destroyed nearly everything, including the set’s left wing, two dressing rooms, the scenery docks and the main stage. Only the costumes were untouched after the show’s quick-thinking costumer Irene Rains tossed them in the Roanoke Sound. Everyone assumed that the play would have to be canceled for the season, but the theater’s original architect, Albert Quentin “Skipper” Bell, wasn’t having it. Instead, he told lead actor Bob Armstrong to go be his John Borden character and round up some volunteers – resulting in hundreds of extra hands banding together to rebuild the set in a record six days.

3

Bringing Down the House

That wasn’t the only time the theater had a brush with disaster. The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 hit the structure with 125-mile-per-hour winds, forcing the crew to rebuild during lengthy WWII blackouts that closed the curtains on the show entirely from 1942-1947. Then, in 1960, Hurricane Donna raced through the Outer Banks, bringing an eight-foot storm surge with her. Though that misfortune came about after the summer season had ended, Bell spent the next two years rebuilding the whole theater – finishing enough of it to reopen in time for the 1961 season, and finally completing it only a few years before his death in 1964. The only other event that caused a full theater closure since WWII was the Covid pandemic in 2020.

4Tough Acts to Follow

Paul Green wasn’t exactly a newcomer when he agreed to produce The Lost Colony for $1,500 in 1937 – in fact, he had already earned a Pulitzer Prize 10 years earlier for his Broadway debut of In Abraham’s Bosom. But he isn’t the only notable name associated with the Waterside stage: President Roosevelt himself attended a performance of The Lost Colony during its first season, and actor Andy Griffith got his professional start in the limelight by undertaking a variety of roles in the production. Other alumni include Chris Elliott of Schitt’s Creek (who worked one summer as a theater tech), original Cats Broadway cast member Terrence Mann, and Tony Award-winning actor Steve Kazee who once performed in The Lost Colony choir.

5

Spectral Showstoppers

Although Waterside Theatre is primarily reserved for The Lost Colony, it’s presented many other shows and concerts over the years – including a few events that have reveled in the site’s slightly spooky side. Rumors of ghostly apparitions have long haunted cast and crewmembers, but one particularly steadfast story revolves around a family of four who arrived one night for a performance. Unfortunately, they were turned away at the door due to rain, and on their way home they were involved in a tragic car accident. The very next evening as the show concluded, however, four shadowy figures were spotted toward the back of the audience – leading some to believe that the family had a chance to see the play after all.

PHOTO BY WES SNYDER / STORY BY KATRINA MAE LEUZINGER

business briefs

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

A Number of Changes for Favorite Eateries

In the lead up to the summer season, several Outer Banks restaurants have undergone big changes. In March, the original owners of the 22-year-old Outer Banks Brewing Station –Eric Reece, Tina Mackenzie, and Aubrey and Karen Davis – announced that the restaurant had sold. The new owners, Keith and Heather Acree from Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Dee and Steve Cordea from Warsaw, Virginia, have said they will keep the staff and operation much the same.

Revival of the Pioneer Theatre

The Pioneer, the Outer Banks’ oldest movie theater, was purchased in February for $500,000 by the Basnight and Hatchell families after the Creef family, the longtime owners, announced late last year that they could no longer continue the operation. After doing a complete renovation, the new owners plan to reopen the century-old building on Budleigh Street in Manteo in May. The families say that the entertainment will include live music and community events, in addition to popular movie fare.

Outer Banks Hosts First NC Wawa

The groundbreaking for NC’s first Wawa convenience store was held in May at the corner of U.S. 158 and west Fourth Street in Kill Devil Hills across from the new Target store. Town commissioners approved the site plan last year for a 6,000-square-foot convenience store, eight gas pumps and 52 parking spaces. Wawa operates more than 850 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C., according to the company’s website. The project’s completion date had not been released as of press time.

Local Walmart Gets a Facelift

With new competition from the recently opened Marshalls in Southern Shores and Target in Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk’s Walmart held a ribbon-cutting in mid-April to show off its newly remodeled store. The community-centered event featured the unveiling of a new mural depicting Outer Banks scenes such as the Corolla wild horses and the Bodie Island and Roanoke Marshes lighthouses. The event also included a recognition of community partnerships and the presentation of some local grants.

Real Estate

market snapshot

Home sales on the Outer Banks remain on the low end, dropping 40% compared with last year, although another unexpected trend has been developing. According to the March 2023 Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS Statistical Report, monthly sales since January have been increasing. “This is probably a seasonal trend,” the report states, “but we will need to watch this closely to see what happens over the next couple of months.”

Residential median sale prices are down 4% compared to last year, from $577,250 to $553,500. Lot/land sales, meanwhile, declined 41% compared with March 2022, although the median lot/land price was up 7% over last year.

Inventory, which has been low, has continued to decline, the report adds – but the number of available residential units are up a healthy 34% in March 2023 from March 2022.

Around the same time, the Shields family sold Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo to local restaurant veterans B.J. and Jessica Austin. Jessica previously worked for 18 years at Sam and Omie’s, and B.J. was a manager at Lucky 12 Tavern for 16 years. Scott, Melissa, Will and Karen Shields have since shifted their focus to the opening of a much larger Blue Moon Beach Grill at milepost 13 in Nags Head, which has replaced their original location at Surfside Plaza. Also in March, Charlie and Karen Hennigan announced that they sold their interest in Goombays Grille & Raw Bar in Kill Devil Hills to their longtime employee, Tony Sipe, and his business partner Chris Miller, who has worked in Outer Banks restaurants since the 1990s.

Luxury Brokerage Opens

Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury residential real estate brokerage firm, has recently opened an office in Duck, according to a company press release. The affiliate office is led by CEO Daniel Malechuk and founder and principal broker Nick Phillips, who operated several offices in coastal North Carolina that specialize in luxury and waterfront real estate, the release said. “The coastal areas of North Carolina continue to see increased interest, and the Outer Banks are no exception,” said Philip White, president and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Hotel Makeover in Kitty Hawk

Virginia Beach-based Coastal Hospitality Associates announced in a press release that the former Baymont by Wyndham hotel in Kitty Hawk has been renovated and converted into the Holiday Inn Express Kitty Hawk - Outer Banks. Some of the features of the upgrade include an open, pod-style front desk area, community tables in the lobby with built-in wired and wireless charging, and a new dining deck with a pergola.

Waterfront Investment Rankings

Rental management company Vacasa has named Hatteras Island one of the best waterfront destinations to buy a beach house in 2023, second only behind Lake Anna in Virginia. According to Vacasa, which bases its rankings on yearly returns on investment, its data shows that Hatteras Island currently has a median home sale price of $412,500 and a median annual gross rental revenue of $58,556.

town report

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

COMPILED BY CATHERINE KOZAK

Currituck County

Improvements to the intersection of U.S. 158 and Edgewater Road are being proposed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to address a history of frequent vehicle crashes at the location between Harbinger and Point Harbor. According to a NCDOT document, a 2022 crash analysis found that 58 crashes – causing 40 injuries and one fatality – occurred on that section of road in the 10 years between 2012 and 2022. The proposed $5.5 million project would redesign the road to make left-turning vehicles on Edgewater Road turn right before making a U-turn, with U-turn signs and a raised median to direct those movements. The project is slated to begin in fall 2024.

Duck

A 40-day beach nourishment project that was delayed in November resumed on April 11, according to a Duck town announcement. Contractor Weeks Marine told the town last year that “equipment issues, minor weatherrelated delays, and a commitment to another time-sensitive job,” caused the company to fall behind the original schedule. Similar projects were completed last year between July and November in Kill Devil Hills, Avon, Buxton, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores.

Southern Shores

A historic 1953 flat top house that was once owned by renowned nature artist and Southern Shores founder, Frank Stick, has been purchased by the town for $400,000 according to a joint statement by Southern Shores and the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF). The house, located on 13 Skyline Road just two lots north of the Southern Shores municipal building, was vacated by the OBCF, which relocated its office to Roanoke Island after occupying the flat top for 15 years. Southern Shores' Historic Landmark Commission has been focused on preserving the architecturally unique flat tops since 2016, but no decision had been made on how the town will use this particular house as of press time.

Kitty Hawk

The town of Kitty Hawk has been accepted as one of 15 coastal communities to participate in phase one and two of the 2023 NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), the town announced in April. The RCCP is a state and local partnership designed to help overcome barriers in coastal adaptation planning, with a focus on a community-driven process for setting goals and identifying needs and priorities that enhance resilience to coastal hazards. Funding is provided through the NC state legislature and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Kill Devil Hills

The town’s fire department has received a number one score on the NC Response Rating System, according to NC Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal Mike Causey. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the fire marshal’s office, is used to determine underwriting risk and to establish insurance rates in communities. An ISO rating is a score from one (highest rating) to 10, which indicates how well-protected the community is by their local fire department. Inspections for the rating look at staffing levels, equipment and communications systems, among other things. With more than 1,200 fire departments statewide, the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department is now one of only 28 departments with an ISO rating of one, Causey told the town.

Nags Head

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April for Nags Head’s new Public Services complex, which will be located on Lark Avenue at the end of Eighth Street. The $14.5 million project involves the construction of 35,000 square feet of indoor space to include a combined fleet, sanitation and facilities maintenance building; a water distribution shop; an administrative building; storage areas for vehicles and equipment; fueling and vehicle cleaning areas; and a redesigned waste, brush and recycling drop-off site for the public, according to a town press release. The public has been advised to expect significant construction traffic near the site for about 18 months going forward.

Manteo

In April, the Manteo Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted an ordinance creating a downtown social district that permits people to stroll around outside with cups of beer or

wine. Under the new rules, adults ages 21 and over will be allowed to consume malt beverages or unfortified wine in non-glass cups that are no larger than 16 ounces. The beverages must be purchased from a business that has a permit from the ABC Commission, and the cups must be marked with the permittee’s name. The drinks must also be consumed between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. within the marked designated social district, which encompasses much of the Manteo waterfront business area, including Queen Elizabeth, Essex and Croatan avenues, as well as Budleigh, Ananias Dare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Agona and Fernando streets.

Dare County

Preparation has begun to replace the ageing Dare County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facilities in Southern Shores, Kill Devil Hills and Roanoke Island, as phase one of the county’s modernization project for its eight EMS stations.

Groundbreaking for EMS Station 4 in Southern Shores was held in April at the corner of east Dogwood Trail and Duck Road. Demolition of the old 1980s building began in March to make way for the new 8,800-square-foot facility that’s expected to be completed by late spring or early summer 2024, according to the Dare County website.

In Kill Devil Hills, the former Mako Mike’s restaurant was torn down in March to clear the site for the construction of a new 31,000-square-foot Dare County EMS Station/Kill Devil Hills Fire Station. The new facility is expected to be completed by the spring of 2024.

Construction of a new 14,320-square-foot hangar for the Dare MedFlight helicopter is planned within a gated area of the Dare County Regional Airport on Roanoke Island. The facility will include onsite sleeping quarters for MedFlight crew members and on-duty EMS personnel. The timeframe for the hangar project has yet to be determined, according to information on the Dare County website.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

BY EMMY BENTON

FOOD. TRANSPORTATION. DAILY ESSENTIALS. For most vacationers, a list like this is easy to check off – but renting a beach house located beyond the nearest paved road can make things perhaps a little more complicated.

Just north of Corolla lies Carova, a relatively remote destination that has the distinction of only being accessible by four-wheel drive. Free of any shopping centers or restaurants, the houses in Carova are mainly nestled between sand dunes, and wild horses roam where they please – even if that means holding up traffic by meandering across the area’s windswept driving lanes.

Carova’s seclusion is a big part of its appeal, however, and it’s long been favored by everyone from big-name celebrities to wedding planners – so it’s not uncommon to see rental listings that boast multi-digit bedrooms and a host of on-site amenities.

But even so, one property in particular looms large: The Chesapeake. With 24 bedrooms and 26 baths, this mega-house includes two guest wings in addition to

a third-floor private suite, a central courtyard with a pool and a spacious covered pavilion, a media room and a sprawling dining space that can sit 50-plus people –all of which are situated on an impressive three and a half oceanfront acres.

Built in 2016, The Chesapeake was designed to sleep upwards of 60 people but it can hold more than 200, making it an attractive place for special events. But booking something this expansive isn’t exactly for the faint of heart – and taking the road less traveled can involve a bit more planning than you might think.

While The Chesapeake is located only 1.8 miles north of Corolla’s paved road – making it easier to access than some farther flung houses – having a vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive is a necessity. For those without, renting is always an option, and a taxi system also operates in the Carova area – but wait times for those conveniences can vary dramatically depending on the season.

Concerns over getting there aren’t just a factor for guests, either – they can also impact nearly every other logistical aspect of holding an event on that

The Chesapeake – as seen above and within – is one of the largest properties in the 4x4 area of Carova. Photos courtesy of Twiddy & Co.

With ample space to hold more than 200 guests during special events, The Chesapeake sits on about three and a half acres overlooking the Atlantic – and includes features such as a bar that can seat upwards of 20 people at a time. Photos courtesy of Twiddy & Co.

more isolated stretch of waterfront real estate. From florals to equipment rentals, entertainers and photographers, finding vendors who operate in Carova can take some research and will often invoke extra travel fees.

And even though navigating high tides probably isn’t part of your normal grocery store shopping routine, that’s yet another organizational reality of staying so far off the beaten path. For convenience, some guests find it easiest to hire a private chef, but the availability of specialized services like that can be limited locally – with highly popular businesses booking up well in advance.

Like any house neighboring the Atlantic, there’s also a lot that goes into simply maintaining The Chesapeake itself. The Massachusetts couple who own the house enlist a number of local workers to make updates when necessary, which often involves things such as replacing loose deck boards and power washing the exterior on a regular basis.

Unlike smaller properties, it can also take considerably more time (and helping hands) to complete basic tasks like weekly housekeeping – on guest turnover days, for example, a dedicated team of between five to eight people spend at least six solid hours cleaning The Chesapeake from top to bottom.

For many visitors, the memories they create there far outweigh the challenges, though. And some local organizations have benefited from their proximity to the house as well – just this past February, in fact, the owners opened up The Chesapeake to the Corolla Fire & Rescue team for their annual volunteer dinner.

“It brings [together] a lot of different groups of people,” says Twiddy & Company’s field service assistant manager, Amanda Sigfrinius. “It’s just phenomenal.”

sun salutations

Beach Realty &

Construction

Beach Realty Recognizes Top Agents

Beach Realty & Construction is pleased to announce the top producing agents for the first quarter of 2023. Congratulations to Ilona Matteson, Nancy Bailey and Samantha Lauric. Sales Manager Beth Urch says, “These three agents share a few common traits: They are experienced agents, they study market conditions and trends, and they are extremely focused on providing the best customer service possible.”

Beach Realty & Construction is a fullservice real estate company offering real estate sales, vacation rentals and new construction and remodeling.  For more information contact salesteam@beachrealtync.com.

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales

Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales Welcomes Chrissy Brady and April Contestable to the Sales Team

Originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Chrissy Brady, along with her husband and three sons, moved to Southern Shores 21 years ago. She is a Master Gardener, and her love of home, garden and design led to her career as a licensed real estate broker. Contact Chrissy at (252) 455-5284 or at chrissy@brindleybeach.com.

Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, April Contestable moved to the beach “just for the summer” in 1989, and then met her future husband at a bonfire in Rodanthe. Fast forward a few decades, and April’s real estate career has blossomed. She even starred on an episode of HGTV’s Beachfront Bargain Hunt featuring Hatteras Island properties in February 2017. Contact April at (252) 996-0131 or at aprilcontestable@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names the Sandman Team the Top Producing Team of the Kitty Hawk Location

John Leatherwood, along with team members Lisa Walters and Debbie Knieper, has earned the firm’s Top Producing Team Award for the Kitty Hawk location. This award is based on closed sales volume in the first quarter of 2023. The Sandman Team was recently honored for earning the 2022 Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award, presented to the top 14% of all teams (1-3) worldwide. Team leader John Leatherwood can be reached at (252) 202-3834 or john@sandmanteamobx.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Names Emily Bray the Top Producing Agent of the Quarter

Emily Bray has earned the Top Producing Agent of the Quarter Award for the firm. This award is based on closed sales volume from January 1 through March 31, 2023. Emily also represented a buyer on the firm’s highest residential sale in history, a $6 million dollar oceanfront home in Southern Shores. Emily earned the prestigious 2022 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite Award, presented to the top 5% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Emily can be reached at (252) 412-5991 or emily@cbseaside.com.

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

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is pleased to announce the VanderMyde Group as the firm’s Top Producing Team. This award is based on closed sales volume for the first quarter of 2023. Heather VanderMyde, along with team members Kiirsten Farr, Will Gregg, Kasey Rabar and Trish Berruet, ranked number one in listings, sales volume and units for the quarter. Team leader Heather can be reached at (252) 202-2375 or hvandermyde@gmail.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Welcomes Nicholas Antonis to the Kitty Hawk Location

Nicholas Antonis has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in the Kitty Hawk location. “I’ve grown up here in Kitty Hawk and love the relaxing and tight-knit community,” Nicholas says. Nicholas is from a real estate family and has been selling on the Outer Banks for the past few years. He can be reached at (252) 207-2979 or nick@cbseaside.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Welcomes Lynn Case to the Kitty Hawk Location

Lynn Case has joined Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in the Kitty Hawk location. “Real estate has always been my passion, from personal property management, to investments and owning a property services company with my husband,” Lynn says. Lynn can be reached at (401) 575-0510 or lynncase@cbseaside.com.

Joe

Lamb, Jr. and Associates

Joe Lamb, Jr. and Associates Acknowledges Agents Shelley O’Grady and Bobby Williams

Shelley O’Grady, an Outer Banks native, has more than a decade of experience in real estate. With a strong focus on exceptional service and effective communication, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve their buying or selling goals. Contact Shelley at shelley@joelambjr.com or call (252) 261-7721.

With more than 40 years of experience on the Outer Banks, Bobby is your go-to expert for buying or selling property in the area. His deep knowledge, transparency and strong negotiation skills ensure a seamless real estate experience. Contact Bobby at bwilliams@joelambjr.com or call (252)261-7721.

Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty

Sotheby’s Welcomes New Agents to the Duck Office

Ashley Massey joins Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty. With 23 years of real estate sales experience on the Outer Banks, Ashley is both well-qualified and extremely knowledgeable of the local market. “I enjoy forming long-term relationships with my clients and being their go-to person on the Outer Banks,” Ashley says. “Now that I’m aligned with such an amazing brand with unparalleled marketing, I look forward to having much more to offer my clients.” Ashley can be reached at (252) 202-4874 or AshleyOBX@gmail.com.

Connie Mason joins Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty. “I am honored and very excited to be a part of Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty. The marketing and global brand is going to provide so many opportunities for me and my clients,” Connie says. Connie has been working in the real estate industry for 23 years, and she is a persistent real estate agent with a passion for helping people in search of their Outer Banks dream home. She also has a deep understanding of the market when working with sellers who decide to sell their home. Connie can be reached at (252) 216-8257 or connie.mason@landmarksothebysrealty.com.

Stacey and Ken Baittinger are grateful to have joined the Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty sales force in Duck. Together they offer their clients over-the-top service and more than 30 years of combined experience. They will put their expertise and global marketing and networking power to work for you.  You can reach Stacey at (252) 202-5588 and stacey@ landmarksir.com or Ken at (252) 305-5255 and ken@landmarksir.com.

Sun Realty

Sun Realty Announces Agents of the Month for January, February and March 2023

In January, Michael Davenport took top sales honors. Michael has been in Outer Banks real estate for more than 35 years. With a consistently high sales volume at Sun Realty year after year, Michael upholds the highest standard of service and professionalism as designated by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics by the National Association of Realtors. Michael can be reached at the Sun Realty Kill Devil Hills office or at (252) 202-6113.

Representing Hatteras Island, the Sun Realty February Agent of the Month was John Lettieri. John moved to the Outer Banks more than 30 years ago, and has developed quite a network of contacts. He knows Hatteras Island, the contractors, builders and the local community. You can reach John at (252) 995-5821 to find your perfect piece of Hatteras Island.

Carol Perry was named the March Agent of the Month. After many years of beach vacations, Carol made the Outer Banks her permanent home in 1995. Carol has more than 13 years of experience as a real estate broker and specializes in waterfront properties. Her knowledge of the area and her strong sales background makes her a natural choice for buyers and sellers. Carol can be reached at the Sun Realty Duck office or by calling (252) 261-4183.

Twiddy & Company Premier Sales

Twiddy & Company Acknowledges the RMR Team OBX and Agents John Myers, Matt Preston, Kim Endre and Steven Gross

Consisting of Ray Meiggs and Briann Mehfoud, the RMR Team OBX continues to combine passion, invaluable experience, a depth of regional knowledge, and a “make it happen” work ethic. Being Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists with more than $70 million in combined total volume sales since 2019, the RMR Team OBX works diligently to exceed all of their clients’ expectations. The RMR Team OBX can be reached at (252) 333-5310 or rmrteamobx@gmail.com.

With nearly four decades of sales experience, including 25 years with Twiddy & Company, you can count on John Myers’ integrity, knowledge and experience with everything involving real estate. John can be reached at (252) 256-2066 or jmyers@twiddy.com.

With more than $22 million in total sales volume in 2022, Matt Preston continues to showcase his real estate expertise and knowledge of the Outer Banks. With more than $8 million in sales so far in 2023, Matt is currently one of the top producing agents at Twiddy & Company. From multi-million dollar homes to boat slips, Matt sells it all. Matt can be reached at (252) 207-6143 or mpreston@twiddy.com.

Kim Endre is dedicated to real estate and has a continued quest for knowledge. With more than $8 million in total sales volume in 2022, Twiddy Premier Sales congratulates Kim on her tireless efforts and dedication to the industry on the local, state and national level. You can contact Kim at (252) 202-3696 or kendre@twiddy.com.

With a background in property management prior to transitioning to the world of real estate sales in 2017, Steven Gross’ experience makes him an ideal candidate for those interested in purchasing property for investment or a second home. Steven provides excellent service and outstanding results to both buyers and sellers. You can contact Steven at (252) 864-9035 or sgross@twiddy.com.

POWERING UP POWERING UP

what they deemed unfair restrictions regarding solar developers, noting that unlike housing subdivisions, solar farms don’t strain county schools, facilities or other essential services.

sunlight reaching the photovoltaic (PV) panels, but they also eliminate the need for using intrusive mowers quite as frequently.

BY CORINNE SAUNDERS

AS THE BAR HAS BEEN SET INCREASINGLY HIGH for the development of more sustainable energy sources worldwide, solar power has been on the rise for a while now. And perhaps surprisingly, North Carolina has distinguished itself in that sector – recently ranking an impressive fourth place in the nation for solar power generation.

Solar farms in the Tar Heel state produce approximately 8,179 megawatts of solar energy as of last count, which is enough to power nearly 950,000 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. In its 2022 report, the association also added that the solar industry provides nearly 7,000 jobs in NC alone.

Much of the momentum for this can be chalked up to a 2017 law authorizing solar leasing in NC and to House Bill 951, which the NC General Assembly adopted in 2022. In a virtually unprecedented move, House Bill 951 has tasked the NC Utilities Commission with achieving a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 from the state’s 2005 levels, along with the added goal of reaching statewide carbon neutrality by 2050.

While solar is poised to help meet those lofty markers – in tandem with other renewable energy sources such as wind and hydroelectric power – a lot of that work has yet to be done. And at a local level both on and near the Outer Banks, the future of solar isn’t always entirely clear cut.

Although Currituck has approved five solar farm projects since 2014, the county’s board of commissioners banned all new solar farms from 2017 to 2019 in order to revise their regulations. At the time, nearly a dozen Currituck farmers spoke publicly against

Jerry Wright, who’s spent the past 50 years farming lower Currituck, says he hasn’t personally been affected by solar farms since those developments have mainly concentrated in the northern part of the county, but he understands why farmers tend to support leasing options – and it largely comes down to finances.

Referencing a nearby acquaintance who was offered a substantial sum to lease a portion of his land for solar usage, Wright points out that rising prices associated with farming operations –including things such as fertilizer, seeds and equipment – have become increasingly costly in recent years.

“The solar farm is kind of keeping his farm going, even in these tough times,” Wright explains.

But NC’s 703 solar systems – which generate at least a megawatt each – only use roughly 0.28% of the state’s agricultural land altogether, according to a 2022 report by the NC Sustainable Energy Association. A growing trend among solar farms could very well make farmers and other agricultural interests warm up more fully to the prospect of expanding state solar operations, however: The use of sheep.

To date, SunEnergy1 has established 40 solar projects in the desirable flat land of northeastern NC, according to Jannise, who estimates that the company has about 700 sheep – of which, about 300 reside in Currituck.

SunEnergy1 received its first permit for a 2,034-acre project in Moyock in 2015, which was Currituck’s second approved solar farm, according to senior county planner Tammy Glave – and this past March, SunEnergy1 was approved for a new, 1,075-acre project in the community of Shawboro, just west of NC Highway 168 on the Currituck mainland.

In a virtually unprecedented move, House Bill 951 has tasked the NC Utilities Commission with achieving a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 from the state’s 2005 levels, along with the added goal of reaching statewide carbon neutrality by 2050.

Shawboro was also the site of the very first solar farm approved in Currituck back in 2014. Developed by San Francisco-based Ecoplexus, that approximately 225-acre farm was sold to Duke Energy Renewables in 2015, and the county subsequently issued Ecoplexus another use permit for a 100-acre solar farm in Grandy.

Other local solar plans include a Leeward Energy project that Currituck County approved in late 2020, which is still under construction on 1,159 acres in Moyock, and is expected to be operational by mid-2023 with a 100-megawatt generational capacity.

“We have a director of livestock on staff,” says Cody Jannise, the field operations manager for SunEnergy1, a Mooresville-based solar company with two existing projects in Currituck.

The company raises sheep, which work the land by continually grazing on grass and other vegetation around the solar panels. They not only keep grasses from growing to heights that might interfere with

On SunEnergy1’s part, Jannise also expects that their latest Shawboro project will be fully up and running by 2024 or 2025, with 475 acres of PV panels. The rest of their approved land will be fenced in to include an onsite buffer area, maintenance roads for easy access to the site, and space for equipment staging.

But perhaps most importantly, there will also be sheep.

Farmlands in Northeastern North Carolina share some common ground with an increase in solar power.

Blue OUT OF THE

PHOTOS BY CORY GODWIN STORY BY CATHERINE KOZAK

SCOTT SHIELDS STILL REMEMBERS THE DAY his parents, Will and Karen Shields, called 14 years ago to say that Cobia Jim’s restaurant in Nags Head was for sale – and that they had negotiated the asking price down from $71,000 to $17,000.

Though Scott and his wife Melissa were living in Virginia at the time, the couple had met years earlier on the Outer Banks, so they readily agreed to partner with Scott’s parents in a new venture called Blue Moon Beach Grill – but the family was still taking a huge leap of faith that enough visitors would fill the eight tables and 13 bar seats they had tucked in a corner of Surfside Plaza.

Melissa and three staff members worked the front of the house, with Scott and another chef cooking behind the scenes. There wasn’t even a dishwashing machine. At times, Melissa remembers, it was overwhelming – particularly with the couple’s then-oneyear-old son at home.

But they soldiered on. Within months, customers were lining up to get inside…and they just kept coming. After expanding several times into adjacent units, Blue Moon eventually outgrew the plaza. By 2020, they had an unprecedented 75 people on payroll in a space that could seat 77 inside and about 25 outside.

“I looked at every single restaurant that came on the market,” Scott says of that transitional time period. “Argyles to Pamlico Jack’s, and everything in between.”

But the Shields couldn’t escape the feeling that they were taking over someone else’s dream if they continued down that route. Then the owners of nearby Haven on the Banks, Tara and Gerry Wilkinson, approached Scott to say they wanted to see Blue Moon next door to their event venue.

That got the Shields’ wheels turning. Even if they found the perfect existing commercial location, it would take plenty of time and money to renovate it. Instead, they took yet another chance by purchasing five lots on the eastside of U.S. 158 totaling about

With a number of locally made surfboards soaring above, and rows of wine racks below, the two-story Blue Moon Beach Grill officially opened its doors this past spring in a brand-new location.

1.5 acres – and sat down with Nags Head mayor and architect Ben Cahoon of Cahoon and Kasten Architects.

“I told him I wanted it to be our take on a modernized traditional Outer Banks building,” Scott says of the vision they had from day one.

Wading through the red tape required for constructing a brand-new commercial space proved complicated, however – and post-Covid labor shortages and supply-chain issues didn’t help matters. Wastewater, civil and environmental engineers had to be hired, and the town building codes felt exasperating at times.

But there’s no denying that the end result was worth it.

Situated just south of the original Blue Moon at milepost 13, the new two-story, 8,676-square-foot Blue Moon Beach Grill has the capacity for about 150, including 100 dining seats. While the old Moon was noisily congenial and compact, the new Moon is wildly spacious yet similarly welcoming, with soaring ceilings and a multitude of windows. In keeping with the family’s initial wishes, the final design also boasts all the classic features of old Nags Head-style coastal architecture, with cedar-like shakes, a pitched roof and a wide wraparound porch perfect for mingling.

It may be the largest, boldest new restaurant built on the Outer Banks in years. But the new Blue Moon goes well beyond a simple upgrade. It’s a modern interpretation of Outer Banks’ history and culture, and a celebration of coastal dynamism.

In part, at least, that can be chalked up to the building’s interior details just as much as its exterior structural qualities. For Scott, a self-proclaimed “history dork,” the opportunity to combine preservation with innovative design was too tempting to resist,

so he enlisted friends at Down East Preservation in Edenton to fill in some of the finishing details.

With Down East’s eye for artful repurposing, the restaurant is now filled with creative surprises. Utilizing locally sourced materials and products as much as possible, the wall sconces are fashioned with driftwood, while hand-blown glass Japanese fishing floats hang near windows, and salvaged copper from a demolished roof adorns the stairs and dormers.

The charm and personality of the old restaurant is also carried over in the new locale through beloved artifacts that will likely feel familiar to longtime diners – including locally made surfboards, quirky fish art and the dozens of buoys Will’s collected over the years from behind his house on Roanoke Sound.

“We knew it was going to be a bigger restaurant,” Melissa says of the overall effect. “But we [still] wanted it to be intimate.”

Other new touches are plentiful as well – and often personal. The restaurant’s large gas fireplace is covered with hundreds of oyster shells, all gathered from Pea Island by Melissa and her mother. The bathroom doors are marked with colorful tiles depicting a pirate and a mermaid, respectively, which were styled by an artist friend of Scott’s. And even the blue epoxy bar top looks uncannily like the ocean shore – complete with a 1629 Spanish piece of eight coin embedded in its resin.

With a fenced-in backyard, the restaurant is also meant to be a gathering place for children, dogs and neighbors from the wider community – a goal that makes sense given that at least three generations of the Shields family are now fully invested in giving visitors the “once in a blue moon dining experience” they first promised in 2009.

“I wanted to build a legacy,” Scott explains, “for my kids’ kids.”

Dazzling details fill the new Blue Moon with coastal elements such as repurposed buoys (above) and original artwork crafted with colorful tiles (top right). Some of the new location’s first guests spread out in the spacious bar area (middle right), while co-owner Scott Shields makes sure that everything continues to run smoothly (bottom right).

Get your day started right when in Corolla

Breakfast and Lunch

Tuesday-Sunday 8am-2pm

Dinner Nightly at 5pm

Reservations at Grillroomobx.com

Spoonful OF COOL

A

STYLED BY CHEF DAN LEWIS PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH NEAL

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, you might want to get in the kitchen – because saving soup for the winter is so last season. With literally hundreds of iterations worldwide, soup is considered one of the oldest forms of cuisine, and cultures in nearly every type of climate have long embraced recipes that practically beg to be put on ice. From sweet to savory, the range of chillingly refreshing flavor combinations is likely far more flexible than you ever imagined –and a little bit of cold comfort isn’t always a bad thing.

WHILE GAZPACHO WAS POPULARIZED IN SPAIN, its roots are believed to go back as far as the early Roman Empire when soldiers used to travel with basic ingredients such as stale bread, garlic, olive oil and vinegar to make their evening meals. Though most modern versions forgo bread in favor of tomatoes, that phenomena didn’t come about until tomatoes were brought from the Americas to Europe in the 16th century. This variation celebrates those multiple origins by combining a familiar trio of tomatoes, cucumbers and garlic – and then kicking the flavor up a notch with a puree of grilled onions, summer squash and peppers. A bit of chipotle chili and cilantro gives the dish an added bite, along with a garnish of diced cucumbers for a touch of color contrast.

Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho

Cucumber & Mint Soup

YOGURT-BASED SOUPS AND SAUCES ARE PRIMARILY POPULAR in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, where these perfectly cold concoctions are known for their versatility. A traditional cucumber soup known as tarator originated in Bulgaria as an appetizer, but in countries like Turkey a similar recipe is more typically served as a dip to accompany seafood. The version pictured here is a finely blended combination of cucumbers, mint and yogurt, garnished with a dollop of taziki, a sprinkle of tart sumac and a sprig of mint. Depending on your tastes, extra yogurt can be added to make the consistency thicker (or vice-versa) – and if you prefer to drink your veggies, a splash of rum can turn this dish into a cocktail that’ll give your standard mojito a run for its money.

Treasure in Corolla.

This summer, head north up Hwy. 12 to Corolla, best known for its awe-inspiring remote beaches. The legendary Corolla Wild Horses, iconic historical sites and fun weekly events in the Historic Corolla Park are also here for you to treasure on the Corolla Outer Banks.

Find your way with the Corolla OBX Mobile App, available on the App Store and Google Play.

Ready To Explore Corolla, NC

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse

A beacon helping guide travelers for well over a century, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers over the Outer Banks landscape. For a small fee, visitors can climb the winding staircase for a wide-open view of the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

Whalehead in Historic Corolla

In the heart of Historic Corolla, you’ll find the Whalehead Museum. This restored 1920s era Art Nouveau architectural masterpiece is an Outer Banks icon with an intriguing past that is steeped in the roaring ‘20s lifestyle of its original owners. Events are often held on the property, and tours are offered throughout the week.

The Currituck Maritime Museum

Located just across the park from Whalehead, the new Currituck Maritime Museum tells the integral story of the history of wooden boats on the northern Outer Banks and their craftsmen through interactive exhibits and artifacts.

OBX Center for Wildlife Education

The Center for Wildlife Education houses exhibits on both natural and wildlife history and offers free educational programs.

Sweet Potato Vichyssoise

EASY TO EAT, BUT SOMEWHAT HARDER TO PRONOUNCE, vichyssoise is a quintessentially French dish that most commonly features potatoes, leeks, chicken stock and cream. A particularly colorful (yet false) story chalks its creation up to King Louis XV, who reportedly had so many servants taste-test his favorite soup for poison that it was always thoroughly cold once it reached him. In truth, it was introduced by French Chef Louis Diat at New York’s Ritz-Carlton in the early 1900s, where diners clamored for it from day one. In a Southern twist on that classic recipe, NC-sourced sweet potatoes were substituted for their white counterparts – while a dash of buttermilk and a garnish of thinly sliced leeks and pickled red onions provide a pleasing hint of acid to balance out the bold flavors..

Ray Meiggs Briann Mehfoud Hunter Davis

Matt Preston Bill Hogan Ashley Ladd

Kim Endre Jason Summerton

Rob Ladd Steven Gross Mitzi Thompson

KelleyShinn

Author, The Wounds That Bind Us

TWENTY YEARS AGO, KELLEY SHINN HAD JUST RETURNED TO THE STATES after attempting to drive around the globe in a Land Rover while visiting landmine survivors in former war zones – complete with her then-three-year-old daughter in tow. A double amputee since the age of 16 after contracting a rare bacterial pathogen, Kelley began writing about her life and travels in a way only she could until a fellowship program brought her to Ocracoke in 2013.

What was only supposed to be a yearlong stay at the time, turned into a 10-year love affair with the remote island she now calls home as she finally unveils her long-awaited debut memoir, The Wounds That Bind Us – a story that’s told with unshakable grace, good-humor and the heart of a poet who’s no stranger to finding strength in adversity.

How does it feel to have finished this book after working on it for almost two decades?

It feels like serendipity. It’s been a long haul. I’m pretty sure people quit believing that I was ever going to produce a book, but I’ve always known it would happen at the right time. Within a year of moving to Ocracoke, my longtime partner and the father of my son passed away suddenly, and since then I’ve lost both of my parents, had our home flooded, slowly rebuilt it, and now recently, I’ve empty-nested. It’s been a ride. On Ocracoke, we live according to the weather more than standard time, and that’s how it’s been with my writing – I’ve had to keep at it in the rare, quiet moments, including the ones found within the eye of the storms.

Are you concerned relevance-wise about how much time has passed since the adventures in your book took place?

That’s the serendipitous part. The memoir is about so many things that are part of the current broad cultural conversation right now – disability, motherhood, bridging divides and extending mercy, but a good portion of the book takes place in post-genocide Bosnia-Herzegovina. The aftermath I witnessed there, and the stories I gathered, are being retold in the Ukraine right now. The only way to have hope that such cyclical atrocity will end is to keep telling those stories, to not let people forget. The strength of vulnerability is a timeless theme.

Ocracoke has long been a haven for artists because of its seclusion – is that why you’ve chosen

to live there for a decade now?

Well, the quietude certainly drew me there to write initially, but it isn’t what kept me. All the time you hear visitors say, “This is my happy place. It’s my dream to move here.” But living year-round on the Outer Banks – especially water-locked Ocracoke – is far from easy; it takes tenacity and grit, particularly when the storms hit. I’ve heard Ocracoke described as an island of feral cats and women, and I wouldn’t disagree with that assessment, though I might add that there are plenty of roosters here, too. [Laughs] The scenery might have brought me here, but the village is why I’ve stayed. I love these people. They don’t sweat the small stuff and their spirit is indomitable.

What are you working on now?

I’m almost finished with a second memoir that’s centered around Hurricane Dorian and its devastation and aftermath on Ocracoke. But it’s a much broader contemplation on loss, trauma, and what makes us resilient. It’s about finding home in the midst of death, disease and disaster – you know, just another beach read. [Laughs]

Photo courtesy of Gayle Tiller.