Ocrafolk Festival begins Friday to Sunday

June 2, 2016

This year’s Ocrafolk Festival logo was created by artist Kim Mosher, who will have a booth at the festival.

The Ocrafolk Festival begins Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with concerts on the Live Oak Stage on the Books To Be Red grounds.

Hosted by island contemporary folk band Molasses Creek, the festival continues Saturday along School Road, with a Workshop stage, and Howard Street with the Howard Street Stage, and a Kids Activities area outside the Deepwater Theater.

Artisans and food vendors will also be on hand on Saturday.

On Sunday, the festival continues at the Live Oak Stage only.

The music on Friday starts at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon with Michael Stanwood, followed by Beleeza at 2 p.m. Oak Grove String Band performs at 3 p.m.

Then the action moves to the Berkley Manor on Water Plant Road, for “A Taste of Ocracoke” food court from 5 to 7 p.m.

Followed by the Ocrafolk Festival Art Auction also at the Berkley. Preview for both the silent and live auctions begins at 4:30 to 6:30. The live auction starts at 7 p.m.

All proceeds from the auctions, button sales, merchandise and more go to cover the costs of the festival, which is a program of Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit arts organization that does community arts programming.

The 2015 Ocrafolk Festival finale. Photo by C. Leinbach

The weekend schedule is as follows:

(RAIN OR SHINE, We are on! Subject to change)
Friday, June 3, 2016
12:00 PM ~ Ocrafolk Festival Info/Merch Booth Open for business on the grounds of Books to be Red on School Road
Live Oak Stage (at Books to be Red)
1:00-1:45 PM — Michael Stanwood
2:00-2:45 PM — Beleza
3:00-4:00 PM — Oak Grove String Band

Ocracoke Preservation Society/Berkley Manor
4:30-6:30 PM — Ocrafolk Festival Fundraising Silent Art Auction & Live Auction Preview (Berkley Manor)
5:00-7:00 PM — A Taste of Ocracoke ~ (Ocracoke Preservation Society/Berkley Manor) Stop by the Ocracoke Preservation Society to check in and purchase your “Ocrabucks” to use on some small plate delicacies across the street at the Berkley Manor, and at participating restaurants around the village. Some of the finest and freshest seafood anywhere!
5:00-6:00 PM — Mahalo Jazz 2 (Berkley Manor) Listen to incredible jazz by Alison Weiner & Robbie Link while you peruse the auction
6:00-7:00 PM — Craicdown & Friends (Berkley Manor) Fantastic world music!
7:00 PM — Ocrafolk Festival 50/50 Art Auction ~ (Berkley Manor) A much-anticipated event, this year’s 50/50 Art Auction has some real treasures from local artists—Ocracoke and the OBX. Complimentary desserts will be offered to guests and a cash wine/beer bar will be available during the preview, 4:30-6:30. The auction will start promptly at 7:00 PM. Artwork offered is previewed on website and pre-bids accepted online up until the start of the auction.

Friday Evening
8:30-10:00 PM — Menage ‘a Trio ~ Madame Presidents/The Yes Team ~ (Live Oak Stage at Books to be Red)
10:15-Midnight — Raygun Ruby ~ (Community Center) April Trueblood, Lou Castro, and Jubal Creech. Dance to hopping tunes! Cash bar.

Saturday, June 4
(Festival grounds on School Road and Howard Street)
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Music, Stories, Artisans, & Food from Coastal Carolina and beyond!

Live Oak Stage (Hosted by John Golden)
10:00-10:45 AM — Bucket Brothers
11:00-11:45 AM — Beleza
12:00-12:45 PM — Green Grass Cloggers (w/ Rodney Kemp)
1:00-1:45 PM — Martin Garrish & friends
2:00-2:45 PM — Cassie & Maggie MacDonald
3:00-3:45 PM — Blue Eyed Bettys
4:00-4:45 PM — Donald Davis
5:00-6:00 PM — Molasses Creek

Howard Street Stage (Hosted by Louis Allen)
9:30-10:00 AM — Mahalo Jazz 2
10:00-10:45 AM — Donald Davis
11:00-11:45 AM — Cassie & Maggie MacDonald
12:00-12:45 PM — Lipbone Redding
1:00-1:45 PM — Oak Grove String Band
2:00-2:45 PM — Yes Team
3:00-3:45 PM — De Tierra Caliente
4:00-4:45 PM — Bucket Brothers

Deepwater Theater Kids’ Area
10:00-10:45 AM — Clyde’s Critters Painting
10:00 AM -12:00 PM — Fish Print Ts ($10 suggested donation)
11:00-11:45 AM — Alberti’s Flea Circus
12:00-12:45 PM — Juggling Workshop with Jef the Mime
12:00-2:00 PM — Tie Dyeing
1:00-1:45 PM — Alberti’s Flea Circus
2:00-2:45 PM — Green Grass Clogging Workshop
2:40 PM — Paperhand Puppets parade (meet at school circle)
3:00-3:45 PM — Alberti’s Flea Circus

Workshop Stage ~ United Methodist Church Grounds (Host Bob Zentz)
Visit Bob Zentz’s Homemade Hootenanny Tent celebrating 50 years of of story and song as told in the Folk Legacy Records “Ramblin Conrad Story”

9:00-10:00 AM — The Legend of Ramblin Conrad w/Bob Zentz & Jeanne McDougall
10:00-10:45 AM — “Digeradoos and Don’ts” (and other odd instruments) w/Michael Stanwood, Lipbone Redding and Bob Zentz”
11:00-11:45 AM — Meet Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba
12:00-12:45 PM — “Menage ‘a Trio” The Yes Team, The Blue Eyed Bettys and The Madam Presidents
1:00-1:45 PM — “Nova Scotian Traditions” w/Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
2:00-2:45 PM — “Ocracoke’s Music History” w/Martin Garrish, John Golden and Lou Castro
3:00-3:45 PM — “Jazz Jam” w/Alison Weiner, Robbie Link, Lou Castro and The Bucket Brothers
4:00-4:45 PM — “Sexy South American Sounds” w/Beleza and De Tierra Caliente

Saturday night
6:00-7:30 PM — Admiralty Party aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee. This is a $75 ticketed event to support the Ocrafolk Festival. Participants enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres dockside and then set sail with Captain Rob Temple at the helm. Music provided by the MacDonald Sisters and Bob Zentz and Jeanne MacDougall. Space is extremely limited. If you are interested, see if space is available at the Ocrafolk Festival Info/Merch Booth (Community Square Docks).
7:30 PM — Paperhand Puppet Kid’s Parade (Community Square)
8:00 PM — Ocracoke Squaredance with Philip Howard (Community Square)
8:00 – 9:15 PM — Donald Davis (Community Center)
9:00-10:00 PM — Kaira Ba (Community Square)
9:15-10:00 PM — Celtic Roots with Cassie & Maggie MacDonald & Friends(Live Oak Stage)
10:15 PM — Beleza (Community Center)
10:15 PM — Oak Grove Bluegrass Jam (Community Store)
10:15 PM — Michael Stanwood (Deepwater Theater)
11:00-Midnight — Lipbone Redding (Deepwater Theater)
11:00-Midnight — De Tierra Caliente (Community Center)

Sunday, June 5
7:30 AM Tai chi/qi gong with Terrilynn Grace West at Lifeguard Beach (rain location Deepwater Theater)

Live Oak Stage
9:15 AM – Gospel Sing with hosts Gary Mitchell & Louis Allen
11:00 AM – Services at the Ocracoke Churches
12:00 PM – Kaira Ba
1:00 PM – Ocrachicks
2:15 PM – Oak Grove String Band
3:15 PM – All Star Jam (Hosted by Rob Sharer)

Deepwater Theater
1:00 PM – “Our Favorite Songs” w/Michael Stanwood, Louis Allen, and Friends
2:00 PM – “Growing up on Ocracoke” w/Rodney Kemp and friends

Visit the festival website at http://ocracokealive.org for details about all the performers, merchandise and weekend activities.

For Ocracoke news, click here.

Math teacher opening for Ocracoke School

June 1, 2016

0

Ocracoke School enrollment this year (Pre-K-12th grade) is 180 students. There will be 11 graduates in June, ten going on to higher education, including two to UNC-Chapel Hill. One is enlisting in the Navy.

Ocracoke School is looking for a high school math teacher.

There’s only one of everything at the school. So the teacher would have to cover all levels from 9th to 12th. Charles Temple, the high school English teacher notes, “It’s the best school in the world to work at, but life on a sandbar isn’t for everyone.”

High School Math Teacher for Ocracoke School:

Send Resume and cover letter: wpadgett@hyde.k12.nc.us

Principal Walter Padgett: (276) 870-0396 or (252) 926-3281 Ext. 3401. State salary schedule applies; the position is open until it is filled

For Hyde County Education opportunities, click here

For Ocracoke news, click here.

Artist reception for Doug Hoover tomorrow in Down Creek Gallery

May 31, 2016

0

'A perfect morning,' oil painting by Douglas Hoover, on view in Down Creek Gallery. — ‘A perfect morning,’ oil painting by Douglas Hoover, on view in Down Creek Gallery.

Down Creek Gallery begins its eleventh year of the “Expose Yourself to Art” series of artists’ receptions with new works by North Carolina painter Douglas Hoover tomorrow night (Wednesday) from 5 to 8.

Hoover describes his new body of paintings as a continuation of what he loves to do, which is telling the story of “momentary impressions of the scenes around me that seem interesting–people I meet or see, skylines, shorelines, or whatever it is I’m experiencing at the moment.”

Hoover’s art can be described as representational with a slight impressionistic quality. Using oil paint, he creates images of urban cityscapes and coastal lifestyles. Having shown artistic talent at an early age, Hoover has received several awards for his work.

He is a full-time fine artist and will have a booth at the Ocrafolk Festival on Saturday (June 4) along School Road and Howard Street.

Glass lizards: shy island denizens

May 31, 2016

0

A glass lizard may look like a snake, but it is not. This one has lost part of its tail, though it eventually will grow back. Photo by P. Vankevich

By D. Creeksong

Repeat visitors to the island are amazed upon discovery of this simple fact: until you truly park your vehicle, and walk or bike everywhere you possibly can you have never really been to Ocracoke. The magic, the healing nature of this exquisite island, comes from meeting ALL the inhabitants, especially those invisible to us until we slow ourselves down to a natural pace.

At first glance, you’ll think it’s a very shiny, very intelligent-looking snake–and the glass lizard has fooled many a person that way.

But this harmless, legless lizard–on closer view–reveals characteristics that identify its more “lizardly” nature: moveable eyelids, distinct head shape, visible ear slit, and a lateral fold along its mid-section. Not as obvious is the attached jawbone (unlike snakes whose detachable jawbones can encompass and swallow prey larger than their heads.)

On Ocracoke Island, you might find a glass lizard sunbathing on the road, or perhaps sleeping or foraging underneath fallen bark or tree limbs. You may even be lucky enough to find one on the beach, resting beneath debris lines left by high tide.

Although little is known about their reproductive behavior, one amazing feature regarding egg-laying females has been witnessed.

Unlike most female lizards that lay their eggs, bury them, and move along, glass lizards actually coil protectively around their clutch of eggs (typically 4 to 17 in number) and go without food for the number of weeks it takes until they hatch.

Oddly, they show no interest in their young once emerged.

In the lizard family, only the five-lined skink displays similar tendencies regarding a nest.

The bellies of glass lizards range from beige through ivory to pumpkin-yellow with few if any markings, but their upper body and tail may be checkered, dashed, and/or horizontally striped with black on a background of light brown, which often becomes more green as they age.

Glass lizards have been known to live up to 15 years in captivity, but because of their extremely shy nature, a shorter lifespan in the wild can only be assumed. And, although their mature length is 18 to 43 inches, 2/3rds of this is actually their tail.

Like many lizards, they will drop part of their tail when pursued by a predator, leaving it thrashing about behind them in hopes that the enticing tail will be eaten while the actual lizard either freezes or makes its escape.

In fact, the name “glass lizard” comes not from their almost mirror-like sheen, but rather from this lizard’s propensity to drop its entire tail which then “breaks like glass”

into a number of wriggling pieces instead of just one.

No other lizard does this, and this is where human tenderness enters: unless you are experienced with handling reptiles, please observe only.

Re-growing a tail can take months to years, requiring much caloric effort from its host. Some sources claim the glass lizard is holding a stable population, but Virginia has declared them to be on a significant declining trend,” and North Carolina prohibits the keeping of glass lizards as pets, commercially or in homes.

It is also true that while glass lizards can be quite friendly, they do not thrive well in captivity.

But with any luck, one might just say “hello” to you from their home here on Ocracoke Island. Loss of habitat is the single largest cause of death for most wildlife, including glass lizards.

For information about retaining habitat, and to learn about certification by the National Wildlife Federation in their Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, google: NWF Backyard Habitat.

D. Creeksong has been fascinated with the natural environment her entire life and recently moved to Ocracoke.

General Assembly contemplating ferry replacement funding

May 30, 2016

0

By Connie Leinbach

By the end of June, islanders should know whether or not they will have to continue fighting the push for a toll on the Hatteras Ferry.

In May, Rep. Paul Tine (U-Kitty Hawk) introduced a bill to fund new ferry vessels from the general transportation budget and eliminate all ferry tolls.

His bill (House Bill 1002), co-sponsored by representatives John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Phil Shepard (R-Onslow), asked for $13.85 million to be appropriated from the Highway Fund in 2016 to 2017 the ferry division to do both rehab on ferries and also purchase new ones.

It also allows for the Ferry Division of NCDOT to seek revenues from concession sales, sponsorships, and opens the door for privatization with the clause: “authorized to acquire, own, lease, charter, or otherwise control all necessary vessels, boats, terminals, or other facilities required for the proper operation of the ferries or to enter into contracts with persons, firms, or corporations for the operation thereof and to pay the reasonable sums that in the opinion of the Department represent the fair value of the public service rendered.”

Tine’s bill also called for eliminating all tolls on ferries.

The General Assemble convened in April for its short session (between its mandated long sessions) to work on tweaking the budget.

Henri McClees, a lobbyist from Oriental hired by Hyde County to fight ferry tolling, said in an interview that Tine’s bill was rolled into the House’s version of the budget and it passed.

That budget bill, HB 1030, was sent to the Senate, which, at press time, was working on it.

Soon after Tine introduced his bill, Sen. Bill Cook (R-Beaufort) introduced a similar bill, only Cook’s bill asks for the $23 million the Ferry Division is seeking in order to fund all of their 10-year capital improvement projects.

Torbett, a co-chair of the House Transportation Committee, has said he wants to get this matter of ferry replacement funding settled so that this question does not come up every year.

The two houses will now negotiate about how to divvy up the $240 million surplus in the budget, McClees said.

Both houses are poised to give North Carolina teachers a raise from this surplus, McClees said, but the House wants to spread the raises over several years while the Senate wants to give it to them quicker.

The section of HB1030 dealing with ferries starts on page 113, McClees said. It can be viewed at http://ncleg.net.

Henry’s bread pudding: an accidental discovery

May 29, 2016

0

Henry Schliff prepares to serve his bread pudding to diners at The Castle B&B on Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach

By Henry Schliff and Grace West

If you’re looking for a way to use leftover bread while creating a sweet treat for breakfast or dessert, bread pudding may be the answer.

Way back in the 11th century, the English were the first to create a bread pudding that served this purpose well.

When Henry Schliff owned and operated the Orange Blossom Bakery in Buxton a few years back, he was surprised how popular his bread pudding became after using leftover homemade bread from lunch the day before.

Now, Henry is an Ocracoke resident and continues his bread pudding tradition cooking at the Castle Bed and Breakfast.

There is a twist to the recipe he uses now, though. As is often the case, accidents lead to unexpected treasures. One morning at the Castle, a guest tried his bread pudding and said, “I thought bread pudding was sweet.”

Henry blanched realizing he had forgotten to include the sugar.

Being innovative, he whipped up a sweet sauce and poured it over the pudding and saved the morning treat.

Happily, everyone, including Henry, liked this “mistake bread pudding” even better. So, here is the “new” bread pudding recipe where all the sugar is in the sauce.

Bread Pudding

One loaf of French or Italian bread

Note: Bread that has little fat, no additives, and has an airy interior works best. When making bread pudding on Ocracoke, sourdough bread from the Graceful Bakery is highly recommended.

½ cup raisins
½ stick butter (4 Tbs.)
2 cups milk
1 cup half-and-half
1 Tbs. vanilla
3 eggs, beaten

Using a serrated knife cut the bread into four cups of medium-sized cubes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 X 8-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the bread cubes in the dish. Sprinkle the raisins evenly over the bread cubes. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan melt the butter over moderate heat. Pour in the milk and half-and-half and continue heating until the liquid is lukewarm. Whisk in the beaten eggs and vanilla. Carefully pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Using the back of a table fork, press the bread cubes gently into the liquid. Set aside for one hour, pressing the cubes down from time to time. Place the pudding into the oven.

While the pudding is baking, make the sauce:

Brown sugar sauce

4 Tbs. butter
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup applesauce
1½ tsp. molasses
1 egg yolk
1 to 2 Tbs. dark rum (optional)

Melt the butter over moderate heat in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk in the sugar, applesauce, and molasses. Continue whisking until the sugar is dissolved. When the mixture becomes warm, but is well below the boiling point, whisk in the egg yolk.

Continue whisking for about one minute and then remove the sauce from the heat. Set the sauce aside. Continue baking the pudding until it becomes firm, lightly browned, and puffy and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean (45 minutes to one hour).

Place the pudding on a heat resistant surface. Reheat the reserved sauce briefly. Pour the sauce evenly over the pudding. Cut around the outside edges of the pudding using a sharp knife.

Cut the pudding into serving portions and press into the edges of the portions with the side of the knife to let some of the sauce run underneath. Serve with whipped cream.

Henry Schliff has been the chef of a French, Italian, and Mexican restaurant and most recently the owner of the Orange Blossom Bakery in Buxton. He is the author of two cookbooks.

Terrilynn Grace West lives, gardens and works on Ocracoke, providing warm water massage therapy.

Ocracoke Beach is No. 4 in nation, new boardwalk ramp opens

May 28, 2016

0

The newly renovated boardwalk to the Lifeguard Beach, which also received the No. 4 honor in Dr. Beach's annual "Top 10 Beaches in the United States." — The newly renovated boardwalk to the Lifeguard Beach allows wheelchair access. The beach also received the No. 4 honor in Dr. Beach’s annual “Top 10 Beaches in the United States.”

The Ocracoke Day Use Beach here, also known as the Lifeguard Beach, has been named the No. 4 beach in the 26th annual Top 10 Beach List, produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, professor at Florida International University.

This is the second time Ocracoke has made “Dr. Beach’s” top 10 beaches in the United States. It received the No. 1 honor in 2007.

The No. 1 beach this year is Hanauma Bay Beach Park is located on the eastern end of Oahu, Hawaii.

Starting this year, extra credit is being awarded to beaches that prohibit smoking, and the list of best beaches is beginning anew. So all beaches have a chance again of making the list.

As “Dr.Beach,” Leatherman has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991.

Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety and management.

More emphasis is being placed on environmental management and beach safety.

Bonus points are awarded for prohibition of smoking on beaches. Oahu is leading the way as smoking at all beaches on this Hawaiian island is now banned.

Leatherman’s annual ranking of beaches uses “50 Criteria” to provide a useful scorecard for anyone deciding on a beach destination.

One of Leatherman’s criteria is “trash and litter (paper, plastics, nets, ropes, planks)” found on the beach during the vacation season. Other obvious and potential detractors include floating waste, oil and tar balls, glass and rubble.

“Cigarette butts are the number one form of litter on beaches,” he said in a story about last year’s winners in the Tallahassee Democrat. “Plastics–in terms of volume, but in terms of numbers it’s cigarette butts. So I’m giving extra credit for no smoking.”

In addition, the newly renovated ramp for the Lifeguard Beach opened this weekend.

The new boardwalk provides accessibility to a new viewing platform as well as direct, American Barriers Act-compliant wheelchair access to the beach.

The new boardwalk to the Lifeguard Beach is accessible for wheelchairs.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for early June to celebrate the opening of this new viewing platform and boardwalk, as well as the new off road vehicle route Ramp 63 which is nearing completion.

Leatherman is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety.

For Dr. Beach’s website about the top 10 beaches, click here.

To read the Observer’s story last year about Ocracoke’s beaches, click here.

Dr. Beach’s 2016 top 10 beaches:

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu, Hawaii
Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida
Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Grayton Beach State Park Florida panhandle
Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Observer staff photos
Posted May 28, 2016; 11:15 a.m.

Firemen’s Ball, Spring performing arts showcase tomorrow

May 27, 2016

0

Grill Zilla is getting fired up for this year's Firemen's Ball Saturday from 5 p.m.. to midnight. All are invited to this fundraiser for the OVFD — Grill-Zilla is getting fired up for this year’s Firemen’s Ball Saturday from 5 p.m.. to midnight. All are invited to this fundraiser for the OVFD.

This year, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department celebrates 50 years of serving the community.

In 1966, Sam Jones provided Ocracoke’s first fire engine, and with the help of Stanley Wahab, the original two-story firehouse on Back Road was built.

Apart from a $17,000 allocation from the Hyde County Government, the OVFD, has no guaranteed source of income (such as a fire tax). Its main source of funding for operating expenses such as mortgage, insurance, equipment and utilities, etc., is from fundraising efforts and some support from Occupancy Tax.

The annual Firemen’s Ball in the Community Center is the largest event of the year for this need.

Last year it raised $63,000. The Firemen’s Ball started years ago when a couple of talented musicians who love Ocracoke gathered to play music on Memorial Day weekend and raise some money for a good cause. Since then, the original group (The Dune Dogs) out of Raleigh, with the help of local band The Ocracoke Rockers, have come together every year to make this fundraiser a huge success.

The event this year on Saturday, May 28, begins with a pig pickin’ dinner at 5 p.m., followed by a silent and live auction.

Musical entertainment by The Ocracoke Rockers, The Dune Dogs and The Aaron Caswell Band will conclude the night.

The live auction at the annual Firemen's Ball features all kinds of goodies on which to bid--all to benefit the OVFD. — The live auction at the annual Firemen’s Ball features all kinds of goodies on which to bid–all to benefit the OVFD.

Cash and in-kind sponsors are always welcome.

For sponsor information, contact Larry or Stephanie Ihle (252) 928-8074/928-7001.

All donations are tax deductible.

Please write all sponsorship checks to the OFPA (with memo as 2016 Fireman’s Ball), P.O. Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

www.ocracokevfd.org

www.ocracokefiremensball.com

Schedule of events:

5 p.m. pig pickin’ barbeque

5 to 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction

7 p.m.—Live Auction

Music and dancing until midnight, featuring The Ocracoke Rockers, The Dune Dogs and The Aaron Caswell Band

The Ocracoke School of Performing Arts Spring Showcase

will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a festival-style, “All the Island’s a Stage” recital showcase of what the students have been working on since March.

Tentative Schedule (In the event of rain, this will to the school gym):
10 a.m.: Gather at 120 Howard Street
*Food and activities here 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: games, face-painting, bubbles, snacks
10:30 a.m.: Singing at The Coyote Den in Community Square
11 a.m.: “Peggy the Pintsized Pirate” aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee
11:45 a.m.: Singing at 120 Howard Street
12:15 p.m.: Singing and dance at Books To Be Red’s Live Oak Stage
12:50 p.m.: Raffle winner announcement and finale
PARKING: Ocracoke United Methodist Church onSchool Rd.

Rodanthe Bridge receives federal approval to move forward

May 27, 2016

1

Public meetings will be held this summer

Raleigh – North Carolina has received approval from the federal government to move forward with planning of the Rodanthe Bridge.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the revised Environmental Assessment for the Rodanthe Bridge, a key step toward constructing a new permanent bridge for N.C. 12 in northern Rodanthe. N.C. 12 is a vital link for this region. The bridge on a new location includes a 2.4-mile-long bridge known as a “jug handle,” extending from the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge over the Pamlico Sound into Rodanthe.

The project is one of two projects south of the Oregon Inlet that make up Phase II of the Bonner Bridge Replacement Project. The N.C. 12 Rodanthe Bridge project is considered Phase IIb.

The new bridge will be a long-term solution to keep N.C. 12 open through an area that in the past has dealt with severe storm damage. In 2014, a project was completed that used 1.6 million cubic yards of dredged sand to protect the highway until a new bridge can be built.

Following public meetings in January 2014, NCDOT changed its preferred option for a long-term solution in the Rodanthe area from the Bridge Within Existing N.C. 12 Easement Alternative to the Bridge on New Location Alternative.

NCDOT prefers this design over a bridge along the existing route of N.C. 12 because it minimizes impacts to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, the ocean shoreline and the community of Rodanthe, while maintaining safe and reliable access for area residents and visitors to southern Hatteras Island. This alternative has been redesigned since the 2014 public meetings in order to minimize impacts within Pamlico Sound and to the Rodanthe community.

Next Steps

The NCDOT will begin soliciting public comments on the revised Environmental Assessment, and hold a set of local public meetings this summer to publicize the preferred alternative. The Department will partner with the FHWA to consider those public comments and identify the final selected alternative as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. A Record of Decision can then be issued concerning the route choice, which allows the NCDOT to award the project as early as this fall.

The bridge is estimated to cost between $179.3 million and $198.3 million. The project will be built using the design-build method, which allows the Department to contract a team that consists of both designers and a contractor to simultaneously design and construct the project. Projects can be let sooner and completed faster using this approach.

Tony Sylvester: conjuring art from concrete

May 26, 2016

0

Tony Sylvester with his collaborative concrete and wood monument for Ocracoke Community Park

Text and photos by Connie Leinbach

Kind of like an alchemist of old, Tony Sylvester conjures artistically functional forms from concrete in his island studio.

Sinks, counter tops, tables, fire pits, fountains, even lounge chairs–all made from his special mixture of Portland cement and sand–can be seen in his studio at 16 Back Road.

It’s a process Sylvester has been perfecting since 2009 when he began working with this new medium, a change from the home building and woodworking he had done since arriving here in 1971 searching for good surfing waves.

While Sylvester’s woodworking handiwork is evident in the more than 30 homes he has built on the island, concrete ignites his creativity.

“It’s so different from wood,” he says about this specialized art form. “There’s no limit as to what can be done. It’s not construction; it’s functional art.”

For each of his creations, Sylvester first has to build a hollow template into which to pour the concrete. After it hardens and dries, there’s filling in some of the voids, polishing,grinding and finishing.

“It’s a long process,” he said. Each piece takes three to four weeks. “But it gets more and more interesting.”

One of Tony Sylvester's concrete chaise lounge in Down Creek Gallery. It was recently sold and shipped to New Orleans — One of Tony Sylvester’s concrete chaise lounge in Down Creek Gallery. It was recently sold and will be shipped to New Orleans.

Sylvester includes whatever customers want: shells, metal filings, copper pieces.

“I’ve included fish hooks, coral, earrings, even things made out of metal imbedded into the concrete,” he said.

Local couple Leslie and Bill Monticone commissioned Sylvester for their bathroom redo.

“I’m excited about my new sink with the glow-in-the-dark stones,” Leslie said.

He’s proud of remaking a broken 1895 headstone for one of Gael Hawkins’ properties.

“It feels so good when people are excited about what you’re doing,” he said.

Customers might look at his table with a concrete top and wooden frame and question the

weight. Sylvester happily informs them otherwise. These are not solid concrete; they are concrete forms. “This glass fiber-reinforced concrete is super strong but very light,” he said.

Sylvester’s pieces can be neutral or bursting with color, such as the yellow concrete sink on view in his studio. Of particular interest to Sylvester is combining concrete with other materials, such as wood or steel for custom benches.

One such combination is the recently completed entrance sign to the new Community Park ball field at the end of Maurice Ballance Road.

It has the look of a heavy monument, but the base and frame is one of Sylvester’s concrete forms. Jason Daniels, captain of the Hyde County Sheriff’s department on Ocracoke, fashioned the logo from wood. While Sylvester has some pre-made pieces in the showroom, these are only examples since he likes to collaborate with his customers.

“With these, you’re not buying stock items,” he said. “It’s a collaboration of your design and mine. The trippier it is, the more I like it.”

Tony’s chaises can be seen in the Back Porch garden, in Down Creek Gallery, and a number of his pieces are included in the Lillian August gallery in Manhattan.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

The Ocracoke School of Performing Arts Spring Showcase

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: