Nora’s wish has come true

from Outlook 2022: Hands, Land & Sea

Community theater now has a stage of its own

Although her nursery may have the largest selection in eastern North Carolina, not everyone comes to buy plants.

“Most people come here for serenity,” says Foreman. “It’s amazing how many people will hunt me out, and tell me how good they feel when they come here. And they tell me they love to come here because there’s such a peacefulness here. I even had one woman, bald-headed from chemo, who said she had a bad report, so she had to come here to feel better.”

Foreman says that in itself has been a treasure to her, knowing that people feel that way here.

Another reason to visit is the bougainvillea, a tropical plant that is probably 40 years old.

“We named it Barbara,” says Foreman, “because the woman that gave it to us was named Barbara.”

With 2,700 followers on Facebook and customers from Raleigh to Virginia along with people from South Carolina stopping in, Foreman says even with lots of tourists it’s the locals that are the backbone of her business.

“I think everybody here is important,” says Foreman. “One thing I hear often is that I have a great crew, or I have the best crew. And they all get along. We know it’s a-ways to drive, but our motto is we’re worth the drive.” 

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Nora’s wish has come true

by Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy

The idea for a gift shop in Rodanthe started in 1960s.

Nora Elizabeth (Midgett) Herbert wanted one and convinced her husband John Edgar Herbert to build a small shop for her venture.

The building with ship timbers for a foundation was finished in May 1969. Merchandize was ordered. After Sunday services on May 4, 1969, the couple was on the way to visit a sick friend in Salvo. John was driving and Nora was riding in the passenger seat. A vehicle coming onto NC 12 hit the car with John and Nora. John survived. Nora passed away.

The little building, built on the present day site of North Beach Campground store, was moved across the highway and remodeled as a small rental cottage and became a single unit residence. That use ended in 2011 with Hurricane Irene.

In 2012, Nora’s Wish opened and the dream was fulfilled.

It’s a fascinating shop. Filled with history, original family art, handmade items, it’s a place to spend an afternoon.

Look for Salt Air soap by Trisha Dempsey, specially prepared swordfish bills by Izzy Nunos, seashell bags from Stephanie O’Neal, Bertie K. Midgett’s starched, clever crocheted fish, microwave koozies, hand-carved decoys by Nick DeSimone, boats

Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy photo

Cooking up batches of clam chowder is a family tradition for Jonna Midgette, Jazania O’Neal and Robert Midgette, who are standing in the boutique gift/history shop called Nora’s Wish. In 1969, Nora Elizabeth (Midgett) Herbert was about to open her gift shop where her husband John Edgar Herbert would carve his decoys and serve his Hatteras Island clam chowder.

and wooden toys by Talmadge Willis. And then, look at historic photos about the Rodanthe/Chicamacomico families.

On the Rodanthe interpretation panel, Jazania H. O’Neal is credited with the family’s clam chowder recipe. Son-in-law Robert Midgette asked her to make the chowder so he could capture the traditional recipe.

Jazania O’Neal is the granddaughter of John Allen Midgett Jr., chief warrant officer at the time of the famed 1918 Mirlo Rescue by the crew at Chicamacomico Life-saving Station.

Most recently, Mrs. O’Neal served as sponsor of John Allen Midgett Jr. U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter. At the ship’s christening ceremony Dec. 9, 2017, she broke a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow.

“Midgett’s legacy and love of the Coast Guard run deep in his family: more than 200 members of the family have served in the Coast Guard and its predecessor branches since 1874. Seven members of the Midgett family have been awarded Gold Lifesaving Medals, and three members have been awarded Silver Lifesaving Medals,” states a U.S. Coast Guard media release.

Nora’s Wish is open Tuesday through Friday. 

A Taste of Rodanthe - Rodanthe Clam Chowder

10 large potatoes 1 large onion 7 cups water 4 to 5 slices of bacon 1 dozen fresh clams or three 6 1/2 oz. cans Snow’s Bumble Bee minced clams Salt and pepper to taste

Peel and cut potatoes into small squares. Peel and cut onion into small pieces. Put in pot, add water, bacon, clams and salt and pepper. Cover pot. Turn burner on high until it comes of a boil, then turn on medium and boil for 25 minutes. Now enjoy!