“April is the cruelest month,” T.S. Eliot famously wrote in his epic poem “The Waste Land.” But not everyone would agree.
For many, April marks a welcome departure from winter and a hopeful shift into spring.
On Ocracoke Island, April is undeniably significant.
Like Eliot’s lilacs emerging from the cold earth, the island comes alive after its winter slumber. Businesses use this transitional month to gear up for the tourist season.
April on Ocracoke is also a bit like baseball’s spring training.
Local businesses hustle to assemble their all-star staff—an increasingly difficult task in recent years due to the critical shortage of temporary housing.
Many young people from off-island would eagerly join the lineup if only they could find a place to stay.
With the promise of spring comes cautious optimism.
Businesses hope for a successful season, free from major disruptions caused by severe weather, ferry delays or road closures.
Before turning the page to spring, it’s worth reflecting on how the island weathered the winter.
The winter felt colder than normal compared to the last several years, prompting many residents to stay indoors.
A rare snowstorm dumped 8 ½ inches of snow on the island and because it stayed cold, the snow didn’t melt right away.
Hyde County officials continued to work on improving access to the island, especially by trying to be proactive in obtaining dredging permits in the Hatteras Inlet and at Big Foot Slough in the Pamlico Sound for maintenance dredging before emergencies happen. See pages 4 and 5 for stories.
At the urging of Corky Pentz, who is chair of the Ocracoke Advisory Planning Board, Ocracoke Civic & Business Association held an open discussion of islanders’ concerns about the future of the island. There were many. See story, page 16.
But it was also quiet and tranquil, with fewer visitors venturing to the island than in the past. Early-in-week forecasts for stormy weekend weather might have had an impact.
Ocracoke Dolphins basketball games drew large crowds, and they were rewarded with thrilling games by the varsity girls and boys, who were undefeated in their conference. They went on to the state playoffs, making it to the second round.
Outside of Dolphins basketball games, winter social activities were limited—until a new experiment changed that.
Dave Tweedie, executive director of Ocracoke Alive, was inspired by a visit to the Bellamy area of Washington where he witnessed a variety of winter cultural activities. It sparked an idea: “Maybe we could do something like that here,” he thought.
Tweedie rallied the community, inviting locals to lead a diverse range of events and activities—from educational workshops to culinary classes, music lessons, movies and nature walks. See story, page 17.
The response was remarkable, and a robust schedule in February and March quickly took shape.
The following are some highlights:
- Culinary workshops such as making Basque cheesecake and bagels and cooking vegetarian mainstay tofu.
- Ukulele classes led by Lou Castro, which struck a chord with participants.
- Ballroom dancing taught by paramedic Andy Anderson, drawing an enthusiastic crowd.
- A Spanish/English coffee klatch at the library, fostering language exchange.
- Memoir writing with Sarah Shellow, encouraging residents to share their stories.
- Former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps members sharing humorous and heartfelt tales of their service.
- Local filmmaker Ben Knight showcasing four of his films, revealing Ocracoke’s new hidden cinematic talent.
This first-time initiative was a resounding success, with more than 300 community members participating in one or more events.
Beyond being fun and educational, the activities brought people together, forging new friendships and strengthening community bonds.
“We definitely plan to do it again next winter,” Tweedie said.
For years, visitors and newcomers have asked, “What do you do here in the winter?”
Now, thanks to this vibrant winter programming, Ocracoke residents have a far more exciting and detailed answer.
