The speed limit in Ocracoke village is 20 mph. Photo: C. Leinbach
The Hyde County Sheriff department on Ocracoke has had mostly an uneventful winter except for a high-speed chase Dec. 28.
While the local person was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest, DWI, careless and reckless driving, this case is still being adjudicated. Captain Jason Daniels could not talk about specifics, though he did talk about the dangers of eluding arrest.
It’s rare when one hears a siren of any kind on Ocracoke, but folks all over the island heard the chirp of a siren that day.
Daniels said the person who was stopped then decided to take off and ended up going well above the speed limit down Lighthouse and Loop Roads before he was apprehended.
Daniels could not emphasize enough the dangers of high-speed driving in Ocracoke village where the village-wide speed limit is 20 mph, 15 mph around Ocracoke School on Back Road.
Deputies have to decide when to back off during chases and when to use their sirens, which are primarily to alert others, he said.
“I’m so thankful nobody got hurt,” Daniels said about the incident. “He put everybody at risk.”
Daniels could not give infraction numbers from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 because the reports are in the process of being computerized, but the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department reported the following for that period: Two medevacs and 18 medical responders.
The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department will hold a BBQ dinner fundraiser at 1 p.m. Sunday,March 6 to benefit the Carteret County families who lost members in the private plane crash Feb. 13. $12 per plate. See flyer below.
The Ocracoke Preservation Society will hold its spring membership meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Community Center.
Beaufort County Community College has scheduled two free business classes on Ocracoke in March.
Martin Brossman will teach “Mastering Google business resources for greater business success” at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, and “Increasing art sales through strategic marketing” from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 25.
To learn more about the classes and to register, click below.
Here are the titles of the workshops and links to register/learn about the subject and presenter:
Hyde County Schools today moved to a mask-optional policy on all school campuses and on school transportation, buses and vans.
Before this decision, a policy enacted several months earlier had allowed optional mask wearing only for fully vaccinated students and staff, according to Hyde County Schools Public Information Officer Julio Morales.
The Hyde Schools announcement came on the same day (March 2) that Gov. Roy Cooper announced that, based on improving trends with COVID-19, masks will become optional in most state agencies and facilities beginning on March 7.
“COVID-19 levels are declining rapidly, and we have vaccinations, boosters, and effective treatments that are making this step possible,” Gov. Roy Cooper said. “This virus is still causing serious illness and death mostly in unvaccinated people and the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted.”
Under Executive Order No. 253 issued March 1, the Office of State Human Resources has updated policies for face coverings for state government agencies that are part of the Governor’s cabinet. Agency heads may require face coverings in settings that they determine to be high-risk including long term care facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and health care facilities, and federal regulations continue to require masks in certain facilities.
Requirements remain in place that employees who are not vaccinated must be tested for COVID-19 at least once a week. Beginning March 7, employees may use at-home rapid antigen tests to meet the testing requirements in addition to PCR tests.
Chef Ricky Moore, owner of Saltbox Seafood, will be the guest chef at the 2022 Ocracoke Fig Festival Aug. 4 to 6.
The Ocracoke community will celebrate the summer’s fig bounty at the Fig Festival Aug. 4 to 6 with special guest Chef Ricky Moore.
Moore, the self-professed evangelist of North Carolina seafood, is the owner of the popular Saltbox Seafood Joint® restaurants in Durham, North Carolina – praised by Saveur magazine as “a tiny but mighty seafood shack.”
The Ninth Annual Fig Festival will take place at the Berkley Barn and on the grounds of the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, who produces the festival.
The festival features live music and storytelling, traditional Ocracoke square dancing, children’s crafts, talks by local fig experts, and vendor booths offering fig preserves, fig cakes, fig trees, local cookbooks, and other “fig-tastic” items. The weekend’s finale will be a dance with the Ocracoke Rockers.
Moore will be the Fig Festival’s special guest at the Savory Side of Figs Dinner on Thursday evening. This popular event features savory fig dishes from local chefs. This year’s focus will be pairing figs with fresh local seafood, cooked on site by Chef Ricky. Tickets for this dinner will go on sale on July 1.
Other events with Chef Ricky include a book-signing on Friday afternoon and a public Q & A on Saturday.
Chef Ricky will also serve as a guest judge at the Fig Cake Bake-Off, the showpiece of the Fig Festival on Saturday at noon.
All are welcome to submit a cake in one or all categories: Traditional, Innovative, Youth (15 and younger), or the special category for 2022: Fishy Figs – any dish that combines figs with local seafood.
The “Traditional” category is limited to the old-fashioned recipe, available in local cookbooks. Even using the same recipe, there are subtle differences: the type of fig preserves used, the delicate balance of spices, or the cook’s magic touch. Innovative entries must be desserts; anything goes in the Youth category as long as there are figs in it.
Taking inspiration from the famous wet markets in Singapore, Moore focuses purely on the food inspired by his native Carolina coast, and its traditional roadside fish shacks and camps.
Moore opened the original Saltbox Seafood Joint® in Durham in 2012 and a second location, also in Durham, in 2017.
Accolades in Garden & Gun, Our State and Travel & Leisure followed, and in 2019, Moore debuted the Saltbox Seafood Joint® Cookbook with 60 recipes celebrating his coastal culinary heritage.
In 2020, as one of the region’s most admired chefs, Moore received a nomination from the James Beard Foundation for “Best Chef” in the Southeast and Discover credit card awarded Saltbox Seafood Joint $25,000 as part of its #EatItForward campaign for black-owned restaurants.
Moore was born and raised in New Bern, where catching and eating fresh fish and shellfish is a way of life. He draws inspiration from his Eastern North Carolina culinary background, as well as from culinary experiences across the globe.
Moore was introduced to German cooking at a young age as a “military brat,” growing up in Germany, and from his German mother-in-law, and he served as a cook in the U.S. Army for a decade before attending and graduating from the esteemed Culinary Institute of America.
During the week of the Fig Festival, island restaurants will offer fig-infused menu items both savory and sweet.
Local shops will stock this year’s selection of fig preserves.
For more information, contact Sundae Horn, 252-921-0283, or ocracokefigfestival@gmail.com, or visit www.ocracokepreservation.org.
The N.C. Ferry Division will add runs to Ocracoke’s three ferry routes starting March 1.
The Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Swan Quarter routes will increase daily departures from two to three from each side and the Hatteras-Ocracoke route will go from 14 to 18 departures from each side per day.
The schedules, effective Tuesday (March 1), will be as follows:
Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Monday, February 28 Ocracoke School varsity Baseball team has their season home opener against Cape Hatteras, 3:30 pm, Community Field.
Tuesday, March 1 A representative from the Board of Elections will be at the Ocracoke Community Center to assist any Ocracoke voters that wish to file as a candidate. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mardi Gras Pancake Supper to benefit Ocracoke United Methodist Church. 5 to 7 p.m. in the rec hall.
Wednesday, March 2 ICYMI: the North Carolina Ferry Division will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hatteras Civic Center, 56658 N.C. Highway 12. The division will adhere to COVID safety protocols such as requiring social distancing and face coverings during the job fair.
Thursday, March 3 Ocracoke Decoy Carvers Guild meets in the Ocracoke Community Center, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 6 Barbeque Dinner fundraiser at the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department1 p.m.to benefit the Carteret County families who lost members in the private plane crash Feb. 13. $12 per plate.
Alyssa Bryan takes the ball down court Feb. 24 during the second-ground state playoff game against Chatham Central High School. Photo by Richard Taylor
By Richard Taylor
Ocracoke’s Cinderella hoops season came to an end Feb. 24 as the ninth-seeded Chatham Central Bears overcame the long trip from Bear Creek to the island, to beat the eighth-seeded Lady Dolphins 44-34 in the second round of the East 1A playoffs.
Earlier in the month, the varsity Lady Dolphins took the regular-season conference title before hosting two state playoff games on home court.
Despite leading the Atlantic 5 Conference, 8-0, the Dolphins lost their first-round conference tournament match to the Cape Hatteras Hurricanes, 48-38, at home on Feb.16. It was the third straight game that week for first-year coach Kadi Richardson’s girls, and they were tired and exhausted.
Ocracoke had already whipped their archrival Hatteras twice this year — 51-37, in the annual Battle for the Paddle Jan. 28 in Buxton and 61-40 at home Feb. 12.
The Dolphins then took down Triangle Math and Science Academy of Cary, 41-29, in the first round of the East 1A bracket Feb. 22 at home. Richardson was awarded Atlantic 5 Coach of the Year laurels before a cheering crowd after that game.
Sophomore guards Alyssa Bryan and Maren Donlon collected first-team All-Conference honors, as chosen by coaches and athletic directors. Senior guard Savannah Hodson earned a spot on the All Conference second team.
Donlon led the eight-seeded Dolphins in scoring and rebounds this season, averaging 17.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Bryan led the team in steals, blocks and assists.
The fight for the rebound after Savannah Hodson’s foul shot Feb. 24. Photo by Richard Taylor
Richardson said Chatham Central were well prepared. “They definitely did their homework and shut down Maren and Alyssa both,” she said.
Noting that the Lady Bears run the same offense every game, “I had developed a zone defense to cover that, but our girls didn’t have enough time for it to solidify,” she said. “I wish I had pulled them out of zone and put them in man (to man), but I didn’t do it soon enough.”
Richardson said that recent injuries hampered the team at this point in the season as Gisselle Perez was sidelined with an ankle injury received during the game with Triangle Math and Science Academy. Catherine Todd also was recovering from an earlier ankle injury.
The ever-positive coach lauded Hodson’s second half defense saying, “It was a good way to end her high school career.”
With talented freshmen and sophomores returning and several promising girls coming up from middle school, Richardson said, “The future is bright.”
“Chatham Central is a well-coached team with good defense,” said veteran WOVV broadcaster Peter Vankevich. “All our players were missing shots because they were double-teamed throughout most of the game.”
The Bears were very quick on their feet getting rebounds, he continued.
“The rebound ratio was hugely in their favor, both offensively and defensively,” he said. “For our team to come within 10 points of that team was actually pretty good.”
WOVV co-caller Chad Macek said Chatham Central’s experience was the main difference in the game.
“They had a lot of juniors and seniors, and you can tell they’ve been playing together for a while,” Macek said. “They just flip-flopped their point guards in and out and never lost a beat when it came to somebody running the point. Another big thing, they double teamed Maren. She went scoreless until three minutes to go and wound up with seven, including two technical foul shots. That was 10 points below her season average.”
Macek said the Lady Dolphins should be super proud for getting to the second round of the state tournament.
“Even though they lost, it was a fantastic way to end an amazing season,” he said. “They should be another force to be recorded with next season. We’re a young team. In a couple of years, Ocracoke’s going to be what we watched tonight with Chatham.”
Sophomore guard Alyssa Bryan led Dolphin scoring with 14. In her final game, senior Savannah Hodson netted six, followed by juniors Maggie Evans with five and Lillian Perez with two.
The Ocracoke Lady Dolphins after their final game Feb. 24. Photo: C. Leinbach
“It’s been a really good season,” Vankevich added. “The boys’ varsity played their last and best game of the season here Feb. 15, beating the Columbia Wildcats 53-32. They’re going to be super along with the Lady Dolphins next year. The middle schoolers and JVs are up-and-coming. Everything really looks bright for a school that couldn’t even play home games here after Dorian.”
On the school’s Facebook page, Principal Leslie Cole wrote, “It wasn’t the result we wanted but what a season, Lady Dolphins! We are proud of you and we loved watching you grow as a team.”
Cole also expressed support for junior guard Sonya Voitenko, a Ukrainian exchange student.
Two days after Chatham Central dashed the Dolphins dream of dancing one more time in the state playoffs, the Bears themselves fell 58-38 to the Bertie Falcons, the Easts top-seeded 1A team, in third-round play Saturday in Windsor.
The 2022 conference champion Lady Dolphins show solidarity with Sonya Voitenko, a Ukrainian exchange student, front row right, after their final game Feb. 24. Photo: C. Leinbach
Brenda Ballance Seymour, 76, died Feb. 23 after a short illness at Elizabeth City Health & Rehabilitation.
Brenda graduated from Ocracoke High School and later attended Kee’s Business College in Norfolk, Virginia. Brenda moved to the Richmond area where she started employment at Long’s Trucking Company.
Brenda was a daughter of the late Henry Scarborough Ballance and Doris Sabra Ballance. She is survived by three stepchildren, Tammy Seymour Dunnington (Mark) of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Doug Seymour of Aylett, Virginia, and David Seymour of Richmond, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her late husband William Albert Seymour and stepson Bobby Seymour.
Also, surviving are two aunts, Mary O’Neal of Elizabeth City, and Maude Ballance of Ocracoke. Brenda had many cousins and one special companion, Charles McClain of the home in Elizabeth City.
She was a member of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, with a private burial in the Ballance Cemetery in Ocracoke following the service.
Memorial Donations can be sent to Ocracoke United Methodist Church in memory of Brenda Ballance Seymour.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
Kay Hornung caring for some of Ocracoke’s community cats. Photo courtesy of the family.
Kathleen (Kay) Hornung, 85, of Ocracoke, died Feb. 22 at home.
She was the wife of Robert (Bob) Hornung.
Born Feb. 15, 1937, in Nyack, New York, she was a daughter of Mason Luther and Myrtle Dunn.
Kay Hornung’s high school graduation photo.
Kay met Robert in 1955 and they married Nov. 2, 1958. Kay worked as a telephone operator in Rockland County, New York before moving to Monroe, New York, to raise her family.
Kay and Bob discovered Ocracoke Island in the summer of 1972 and purchased land there shortly after.
After building their home, the couple moved to Ocracoke permanently in 1983.
Kay worked as a house cleaner for many years and was an active member of Ocracats Inc., which cares for the island community cats.
She is preceded in death by her brother Mason Luther.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by children Nora Blythe (Wilmington, Del.), Robert Hornung (Hubert, N.C.) and Daniel Hornung (Creedmoor, N.C.); also, a brother Luke and a sister Audrey, and nine grandchildren.
To honor Kay’s love of cats, donations may be sent to Ocracats, P.O. Box 993, Ocracoke, NC 27960. Donations may also be sent in Kay’s memory to the Ocracoke Life Saving Church, P.O. Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at http://www.TwifordFH.com.
Candidate filing for the 2022 statewide primary and rescheduled municipal elections resumed at 8 a.m. Feb. 24, and will end at noon on March 4.
On Dec. 8, the N.C. Supreme Court suspended the filing period, which had begun Dec. 6, and moved the date of the statewide primary, and rescheduled municipal elections to Tuesday, May 17. The general election is on Nov. 8.
Candidates who filed before the suspension of the filing period do not need to re-file if they still wish to run for the same office. However, those candidates may withdraw their candidacy during the new filing period and instead may file for any other office for which they are eligible. The deadline to withdraw is the close of business on March 1.
Anyone wishing to file as a candidate can do so at the Hyde County Board of Elections office, 1223 Main Street in Swan Quarter. The Board of Elections office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
A representative from the Board of Elections will be at the Ocracoke Community Center office 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Tuesday, March 1, to assist any Ocracoke voters that wish to file as a candidate.
