Rodanthe Bridge receives federal approval to move forward

May 27, 2016

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

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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.

The Tony Sylvester sink with glow-in-the-dark-stones commissioned by Leslie and Bill Monticone. Photo courtesy of Leslie Monticone — The Tony Sylvester sink commissioned by Leslie and Bill Monticone. Photo courtesy of Leslie Monticone

Special primary election June 7 for U.S. House of Representatives and NC Supreme Court

May 25, 2016

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A special primary election will be held June 7 in North Carolina.

In February, the General Assembly enacted S.L. 2016-01 and S.L. 2016-02, which redrew districts for the U.S. House of Representatives and established a primary for U.S. House of Representatives on June 7. Those district lines are under review by a federal court and are not final.

Early or one-stop voting will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 2.

The official election day will be Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..

Both voting opportunities will be at the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, 822 Irvin Garrish Hwy.

On Ocracoke, voters will choose nominees for the U.S. House of Representatives District 3 .

This district is currently held by Walter Jones. Vying with him for the Republican nomination are Taylor Griffin and Phil Law.

Registered Democrats will choose between David Allen Hurst and Ernest T. Reeves.

Registered independent voters may vote for the Supreme Court Associate Justice candidates.

Voters will vote for one of the four NC Supreme Court Associate Justice candidates. The two with most votes will appear on the November general election ballot.

Below are the Supreme Court Associate Justice candidates. Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds is the incumbent.

Michael R. (Mike) Morgan

Daniel Robertson

Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds

Sabra Jean Faires

External Links

Hyde County Elections Office , Click here

Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics, Click here

League of Women Voters of North Carolina, Click here

State Board of Elections, Click here and here

NCVoter.org, Click here

Recital to take over the village

May 25, 2016

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Students in the Ocracoke Performing Arts School will present a recital in several spots in the village from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Intermediate dance students are, from left, Shayna Brooks, Maren Donlon and Maggie Evans. Not pictured, Melanie Perez. Photo: Desiree Christa Ricker

The Ocracoke performing arts students will perform their yearly recital in a set of progressive performances from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

The performers are part of Ocracoke School of Performing Arts classes in music, dance and theater.

Kids activities and refreshments will be held the entire time of the recital in director Desiree Christa Ricker’s yard at 120 Howard St.

The first performance will then be held in Coyote Den in Community Square.

Following that, acting students will perform “Peggy the Pint-Sized Pirate” on the skipjack Wilma Lee, down the dock from the Coyote Den.

After that, the performers will go back to Ricker’s yard for a few songs, and the activities will conclude on the stage at Books To Be Red for the dance recital and raffle drawing.

In case of rain, the event will be held in the Ocracoke School gym

The following is the schedule:

**Schedule and Locations**

10am: Gather at 120 Howard Street

(Food and activities here 10am-1pm)

10:30am: Singing at The Coyote Den in Community Square

Maren – “Maybe”

Starr – Taylor the Latté Boy

Shayna – The Girl I Mean to Be

11am: “Peggy the Pintsized Pirate” aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee

11:45am: Singing at 120 Howard Street

Essie – “When You Wish Upon a Star”

Shayna – “I’ll Fly Away”

Maren – “I’ve Got the Sun in The Morning”

12:15pm: Singing & Dance at Books To Be Red’s Live Oak Stage

Essie – “Everybody Wants to be a Cat”

Kid’s Movement – “Yankee Doodle Dandy”

Starr – “Reflection”

Dance I – “Uptown Funk”

Mariah – “Simple Joys of Maidenhood”

Intermediate Dance – “A Tourist’s Ode to Ocracoke”

12:50pm: Raffle winner announcement

All Students – Final Dance

Artist reception tomorrow in Down Creek Gallery

May 24, 2016

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Crystal Canterbury's new photography will be on view during Down Creek Gallery's open house Wednesday, May 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. — Crystal Canterbury’s new photography will be on view during Down Creek Gallery’s open house Wednesday, May 25, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Down Creek Gallery will host an Open House “Kick off to Summer” from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, May 25).

New photographic work by islander Crystal Canterbury will be on view, with musical guests April Trueblood and Kim France.

All are welcome to attend to view Canterbury’s work, enjoy live music, light refreshments and adult beverages.

The gallery is open 10 to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The next reception for painter Douglas Hoover will begin the summer “Expose Yourself to Art” Wednesday evening receptions for featured local and regional artists. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. June 1.

‘Stuff’ offers hand-made, fair trade goods

May 23, 2016

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Manda Holden and Alison Stephens in their new Stuff store in Community Square, selling hand-made, fair trade textiles and other goods.

By Connie Leinbach; Photos by Peter Vanekvich

A new store in Community Square called “Stuff” is selling more than just stuff.

The merchandise is either hand-made or fair-trade items mostly made from textiles or recycled materials. It’s a new endeavor by Alison Stephens and Manda Holden, who both hail from England, and, more recently, the Raleigh area.

The two business partners made an about face from urban careers to follow what they love to do—working with textiles.

“It’s an immediate-gratification thing,” said Stephens while showing a visitor the shop’s wares. “With textiles, you can see the thing grow.”

While a painting or pottery can take days, months or longer, weaving strands of old sheets into floor mats, such as those in the shop, can yield a finished piece in short order.

The shop stocks items from around the globe: hammocks from Ecuador, sarongs from Bali, satchels from Guatemala, or members of the “String Doll Gang” from Thailand.

These “doll” keychains come in a myriad of shapes: mermaids, lobsters, fishermen, sailors, turtles, surfers and more.

“They’re very affordable,” Stephens said about these keychains popular with kids. Adorning the porch and inside walls are “bunting to go.”

These are material triangles strung together on ribbon that she and Holden make. “Bunting is very popular in England,” Stephens said. “

They’re bright; they’re colorful and can switch up a deck without taking everything out.” Stuff is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will stay open longer until 8 p.m. when the summer season kicks in.

For Ocracoke news, click here.

Hands Across the Sand

May 22, 2016

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Hands across the sand, Ocracoke, May 21, 2016. Photo by P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

In spite of dire forecasts and threatening weather, folks headed to the Airport Beach yesterday to participate in the annual Hands Across the Sand demonstration. Although the Obama administration has placed a five-year moratorium on off-shore drilling, the possibility of seismic testing is still looming. For the time being, seismic survey planning work covering an enormous area off the southern half of the Atlantic coast has also been put on hold while federal fisheries managers review new information about potential harm to sea turtles and marine mammals.

Additionally, according to an article by National Geographic, air-gun surveys used in the testing could also scare fish away from commercially important fishing grounds along the coast.

For Ocracoke news, click here.

Mark Justice: On call for emergencies

May 22, 2016

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Mark Justice PS DSCN5628 — Mark Justice outside his Fudge & Ice Cream Shop in Community Square. Photo by C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

At any time of the day or night, Mark Justice, an Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department medical responder, can be called out on an emergency.

Justice knows it’s a weighty responsibility.

“When you take the firemen’s Call of Duty pledge, you have to be responsible,” he said about his avocation as a volunteer fire fighter for the last 20 years and as first assistant fire chief for the last four years. Volunteers like Justice are essential on an island without an emergency medical facility and where medical emergency calls occur far more often than fire calls.

There were 15 medical-responder calls in the last month alone and only one fire call, which turned out to be a false alarm.

These volunteers have been a crucial safety net on the island since 1966 when the OVFD was founded. Along with Justice, Micah Bassell also is an OVFD medical responder. When the two Hyde County paramedics, Dana Long and Mike Damba, are off their paid duty, they also respond, as does Sandy Yeatts, an EMT.

This year, the OVFD is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It’s big annual fundraiser, the Firemen’s Ball in the Community Center on May 28, nets $50,000 to $80,000 to keep the company and its volunteers watching over Ocracoke.

Justice is usually the first to arrive at any emergency since his livelihood as proprietor of the Fudge and Ice Cream Shop in Community Square allows him the flexibility to do so. Albert O’Neal, the fire chief for 19 of the company’s 50 years, or Ernie Doshier, the second assistant chief, also respond when their schedules allow.

“Between the three of us, there’s always someone here,” Justice said while taking a break one sunny afternoon serving customers. O’Neal has been a member of the company for 31 years and Justice 20 years, having moved up the ranks to his position today.

“I can call in an LZ (an emergency helicopter to the landing zone at the airport),” he said. “And I can jump from medical to fire.”

All island emergency responses, he said, are a team effort between the fire company and the EMTs hired by Hyde County to be on the island.

“Paramedics can’t do a whole lot by themselves alone, and we can’t do what a paramedic can do,” Justice said. He recalled one of the most amazing efforts he helped with—when the team brought a man back to life.

Several years ago, a call came in about a man in his late 80s staying at a house in Oyster Creek.

“He wasn’t feeling well, and (the EMTs) loaded him into the ambulance to take him to the OBX hospital,” Justice said.

As Justice was returning to his home, he suddenly heard one of the EMTs calling for help and raced to the sheriff’s office where the ambulance had pulled over.

The patient’s heart had stopped. Justice began doing chest compressions while the EMTs gave him air.

“They had to defibrillate him, and then he woke up and looked right at me,” Justice said. “He asked me where we were, and I told him we were across from Howard’s Pub.”

“‘Can we get some shrimp?’ the man asked.”

“‘No, but maybe later,’ I said,” Justice recalled, smiling.

The man continued to the hospital and later received a pacemaker, Justice said.

“That was worth every hour of training I put in—to get that man awake,” he said.

He is humble about his position. “It’s just a drive to help my community,” he said about his dedication. “The island people know me and feel relief when I come (to the scene). That’s what drives me.”

When he’s not making fudge, sundaes or cupcakes at his shop, Justice, also a carpenter and woodworker, makes wood carvings. His current project is a red-tailed hawk.

This story won second place in feature writing for the 2016 North Carolina Press Association contest.

Irvin Garrish: Renowned island son

May 21, 2016

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By Connie Leinbach

Irvin Garrish would have been amazed to see his name pop up on GPS for the major thoroughfare through Ocracoke named after him, said his daughter during a recent celebration.

The gathering April 16, at the home of Bob and Cathy Phillips, 43 Howard Street, was in Garrish’s family home and in honor of what would have been Irvin’s 100th birthday on April 20.

Ironically, April 16 was Garrish’s mother’s birthday, and hostess Cathy’s birthday was April 17.

Built in 1888, the Simon and Sarah Garrish home is on the National Register of Historic Places. Irvin Garrish Highway, the name for NC 12 in the village, was so designated in honor of Garrish’s many accomplishments before he died at age 81 in 1997. One distinction was that he was the first commissioner for Ocracoke Township, Phillips said.

“We all thought he was crazy to do that, but he liked it,” said his daughter Martha O’Neal. “He didn’t mind going over to Swan Quarter for the meetings.”

Nowadays, owing to a special sanction from the N.C. Legislature, Ocracoke residents can attend Hyde County commissioner meetings via teleconferencing equipment in the Ocracoke School Commons room. After the meetings, Garrish would drive around and return home via the Hatteras Ferry, Martha said.

Her father’s career in local politics began after he retired from working in the 1960s as a ferry captain.

Martha Garrish, a daughter of the late Irvin Garrish, talks about her father during the April 16 event at her former family home on Howard Street.

Garrish was the ferry captain for Hyde County’s first long-haul route, which was between Ocracoke and Atlantic in Carteret County. (The NC Ferry Division created the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes in the 1970s.)

As such, he was able to indulge his penchant for sharing the story of Ocracoke. “He’d tell stories and point out different things about the Sound over the loudspeaker for the passengers,” Martha said.

He loved being a ferry captain, said his other daughter, Agnes Garrish. “We called him Captain Courageous because the wind didn’t bother him a bit,” Agnes said. “He just enjoyed it. He liked talking to people on the ferry and would sometimes let kids see the wheelhouse.”

After he retired from the Ferry Division, Garrish continued telling the story of Ocracoke as the driver for the now-defunct Ocracoke Trolley. And when that was discontinued, he got a van and drove it around as a tour shuttle for visitors, Martha said.

“He also did a cassette for people to do their own tours,” she said. “His mind was always going.”

An avid reader, Garrish was versed in many subjects, she said. “He would have loved computers,” she said. He especially loved astronomy. “He could navigate by the stars,” Martha said. “(Ferry captains) had to learn that back then.” The hall inside the Masonic Lodge on Back Road also was named for her father, Martha said.

A 33rd-degree Mason, Garrish tutored men on the island and was a certified masonic lecturer.

As for the family home on Howard Street, as Agnes looked around during the open house, she noted that it looked much the same when she lived there.

Irvin Garrish Highway is what N.C. Route 12 is called in Ocracoke village.

“My great-grandmother (and father) built it,” she said. “Irvin’s mother died when he was 3. So he lived in the house.”

Tom Pahl’s company Landmark Building and Design finished renovations on the house in 2012 after the Phillips’ bought it in 2011. “We’re the caretakers of their family history,” said Cathy Phillips about the house. “They let us know all the threads of how it got handed down.”

A fundraiser for the Ocracoke Preservation Society, the event raised about $650.

For Ocracoke news, click here.

Vehicle registration late fee goes into effect July 1

May 20, 2016

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Raleigh – Beginning July 1, North Carolina vehicle owners must pay their annual vehicle registration renewals by the expiration date or face a late fee.

The new fees were passed by the General Assembly last September and require one of three graduated late fees to be assessed on late registration renewals starting in July.

The late fees will be added beginning the first day of the month following the expiration date. Though citizens can still operate their vehicle up to 15 days after their registration has expired without being ticketed, they will be fined beginning the first day of the month after the registration expires.

If the registration has been expired for less than one month, a late fee of $15 will be charged. If the registration has been expired for one month or greater, but less than two months, a late fee of $20 will be charged.

A late fee of $25 will be charged for registrations that have been expired for two months or greater.

Vehicle registration renewals may be paid in person at any license plate agency, by mail, or online at www.ncdot.gov/dmv/online.

If paying by mail, the registration fee is considered to be made on the date shown on the postmark stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

If the mailed fee is not postmarked to show the date of mailing, the payment is considered to be made on the date the Division receives the payment.

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