OVFD volunteers during a Saturday training session last fall. Center in shades and red jersey is Bryan Lilley, trainer and captain in the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS Services.

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By Peter Vankevich

The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department’s 14th Annual Memorial Day Firemen’s Ball this Saturday has a new venue, the Berkley Barn, located on the Berkley Manor estate off of Silver Lake Harbor, 58 Water Plant Rd, near the harbor.

The event includes a roast pig barbecue, a silent and live auction, followed by a musical extravaganza featuring The Dune Dogs and local favorites The Ocracoke Rockers.

There will be a variety of nice items to bid on in both auctions, said Stephanie Ihle, who with her husband, Larry, organizes the event. 

“Offshore fishing trips, four tickets (great seats) to any Atlanta Braves game and a week  in a condo in Vail, Colorado,” she said.  “We all appreciate so much the items that are given for the auctions. Donors spend time picking out just the right item they think will do well, putting packages together, and sometimes making things by hand for the auction: Ruth Toth’s cakes come to mind, quilts, signs, etc.”

Funds raised will help towards the purchase of a new pumper/tanker truck, recurring training and updating the station equipment.

If you can’t attend, you can send a donation to the Ocracoke Fire Protection Association (OFPA) and mail it to OFPA, P.O. Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

The schedule is as follows:
4 to 6:30 p.m. Silent auction
5 to 6:30 p.m. Pig Pickin’ (or until food runs out); plates are $15 and include a drink. Ocracoke Oyster Co. is making killer coleslaw again. Inside, donations accepted for cold beer generously donated by City Beverage Co. (Budweiser) and 1718 Brewing Ocracoke.
7 p.m. Live auction
8:30 p.m. Live music

In addition to the financial donors, the organizers thank the many who have donated items, time and services to the silent and live auctions.

Not all donations are available at press time, but here are some of them:
Ride the Wind, Zillie’s (gift certificates, one worth $500), JH Miller, Mike Toler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Morehead City, fishing trips from the Drumstick, Fish Tale, The Gecko and The Laura Linn; items from Milk Street Soap, the Village Craftsmen, Sandy Paws Dog Boarding, Books to Be Red, Over the Moon, Pirates Chest, Stillwater Spa; cakes by Ruth Toth, artwork from Mary Bassell, Barbara Adams and Susan Dodd; carvings from Dave O’Neal, Eddie O’Neal, Vince O’Neal, Jason Daniels and William Nathan Spencer; stays at Oscars House B&B, The Castle, Thurston House and the Ocracoke Harbor Inn; and gift certificates from restaurants Jason’s, Flying Melon, Thai Moon, Plum Pointe and Eduardo’s.

The 14th Annual Ocracoke Volunteer Firemen’s Ball financial sponsors:
Diamond
Ocracoke Variety Store
Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals
Atcom
Coastal Gas Service
Tom Bell
Platinum
Budweiser/City Beverage Company
Drumstick Sport Fishing
Celebrate A Century: Ocracoke’s Community Square 1918-2018
J.H. Miller, Jr. Land Surveying
Gold
Pungo Engineering Services. P.L.L.C.
Edward & Susan Norvell
Chalk & Gibbs, Inc.
Richard and Janey Jacoby
The Captain’s Landing
3D Communications
The Nicholas B. & Lucy Mayo Boddie Foundation
Pam’s Pelican Bed & Breakfast
The Hough-Brubaker Family, Flying Fish Ink, Susan Dodd
Silver
Lukes R N2 Oinc
US Foods
Sysco
Mike Toler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Morehead City
Custom Building Co./North State Steel
Dickerson Hearth Products
Ocracoke Harbor Inn
In Memory of Marion Dilday
Finley Austin
Pony Island Motel & Cottages
Harborside Motel & Gift Shop
Ocracoke Island Realty
1718 Brewing
Jolly Roger Pub & Marina
Blue Heron Realty
Partner
Lighthouse Service Center
Karen & Barry Burgan
Access Design & Prin
Robert D. Kornegay, Jr., P.L.L.C
Quible & Associates
Kellogg Supply Company, Inc.
Steve Harris
The Fudge & Ice Cream Shop
Charles & Bettina Meekins
Bob & Ruth Toth
Samick Enterprises
A.Todd Electrical
Katherine Parker-Lowe Attorney
Island Woodcrafts, Ltd.
Twice The Ice
First National Bank
Pony Island Restaurant
Gaffer’s Sports Pub
Smith & Gardner, Inc.
Robin & Bobby Turner
Keith & Gail Mackey
Barney Bielecki
Carolyn Stutts & Nicholas Stark
NC Farm Bureau Insurance Tina Eakes
Anticipation
Tideland EMC
Howard’s Pub
Russ and Michele Reynolds
Dare To Hyde Adventures, LLC,
Blackbeard’s Lodge
Jr Perez Construction
Phil & Tammy Perdue
Hardy Moving & Storage
In Loving Memory of Wilbur & Macky Bell

Point of disclosure: Peter Vankevich serves as an OVFD firefighter. 

The annual firemen’s ball raises critical funds to keep OVFD equipment up to date. Photo: P. Vankevich
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