Ocracoke Island had another eventful year in 2018–a major fall hurricane, Blackbeard vs. Lt. Robert Maynard and a new superintendent for Hyde County schools. Below are highlights of the year in photos.
Fear the Pod. Led by senior Liam Caswell, Ocracoke School’s most successful varsity boys’ Dolphins basketball team in the school’s history won the Atlantic 6 conference championship and made it to the second round of the state 1A East playoff. Photo by Casey RobertsonHurricane Florence in September, though headed straight for the island, turned south at the last minute on Sept. 13. That spared Ocracoke Village from a direct hit, but the ocean breached about two miles of N.C. 12 at the north end of the island, cutting off access to Hatteras from Sept. 13 to 28. Photo by N.C. Division of AviationOcracoke Island deployed its own Hurricane Florence aid effort a few days after the storm when local boats laden with goods motored to Cedar Island, which took a major hit resulting in flooding and electricity loss. Photo: C. LeinbachA young Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator), rare for this part of the United States, sojourned along South Point Road for two months earlier this year. Photo: P. VankevichHyde County Schools hired a new superintendent Oct. 27 as Stephen Basnight of Manteo took the reins from Dr. Randolph Latimore, who retired after 10 years in the position. Here, Basnight talks with Ocracoke School Principal Leslie Cole, left, and PTA Chair Laura McClain during a meet-and-greet in October. Photo: C. LeinbachAfter purchasing the Island Inn property in May, the Ocracoke Preservation Society took the first step in renovating the historic building by demolishing the two wings. Photo: C. LeinbachBlackbeard and his nemesis Lt. Robert Maynard were the stars of 2018 as Ocracoke Island celebrated the 300th anniversary of Maynard’s vanquishing of the pirate off Springer’s Point Nov. 22, 1718. Ocracoke Alive summer production of ‘A Tale of Blackbeard,’ with Peyton Piquard, as Blackbeard, was one of several events on the island, including Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree Oct. 25 to 28 and the Battle of Ocracoke, Nov. 22, honoring the British side. Photo: C. LeinbachThe Ocracoke Decoy Carvers Guild produced a new, successful festival celebrating Ocracoke’s rich decoy-carving heritage. Dave O’Neal, left, who owns Down Point Decoy Shop and was the featured carver at the inaugural Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival April 21, talks with Scotty Robinson. Photo by Trudy AustinAlthough the much-anticipated passenger ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke Village has been delayed until May 2019, the Ocracoke Village tram debuted in September. Ocracoke School fifth-graders are the first passengers with Joseph Ramunni in the driver’s seat. Photo: C. LeinbachDozens of islanders and visitors showed up at the Lifeguard Beach in April to witness the release of 12 rehabilitated sea turtles. Photo: P. Vankevich
