Heard on Ocracoke: Don & Jenn, following where the music takes them

December 25, 2015

Don & Jenn PS — Don Sinclair and Jennifer Grossi.

By Peter Vankevich

To Listen to their song, Hello, click the link at bottom.

Vermonters Don Sinclair and Jennifer Grossi have been visiting Ocracoke so often in the last decade that it feels like their second home.

Known as Don & Jenn, the duo met 12 years ago and bonded through their love of music, leading to their musical collaboration and eventual life partnership.

“I wouldn’t be doing any of this without Don,” Jenn said. “He’s the one who got me singing in public again after many years, and encouraged me to share what I was learning about my voice with other people, which is what led to us making our living through music full-time now.”

In 2010, they launched their company D&J Music, which offers lessons, classes and camps for all ages. Their special focus is on helping people of diverse ability levels and backgrounds to expand their creative horizons in music and performance.

For the last two years, Don & Jenn have worked with Ocracoke students as part of the Ocracoke Alive Arts Partnership Program, which begins in January and continues to May.

“The chance to come here and work with the kids is so cool because our creative sustenance is so tied to this island, and we get to give it back,” said Don.

They will instruct in the Arts Partnership in April.

While on the island, they have been guests performing live at the WOVV radio studio, and have joined Tuesday evening informal jam sessions with some of the island musicians including Lou Castro and Marcy Brenner, the island duo known as Coyote.

“Jenn and Don are enthusiastic, talented artists, performers and educators,” Marcy noted.

They perform regularly with many musicians and bands in Vermont and New Hampshire. Their latest endeavor is called Another Fine Mess, which is a rock-roots-jazz group formed with drummer Mark Hunter, Don’s band mate in the long-established Vermont blues-rock band Cobalt Blue, and fronted by Jacquilene Rose, a former D&J music student.

Don is particularly excited about this project.

“It’s one of the most inspiring bands I’ve ever been involved with in 40-plus years as a musician,” he said.

“We’ve written some killer originals for it, and even the covers we do sound like a brand new thing.”

They also host the Summer Street Music Series, a non-profit house-concert venue and live music network in their town of Bradford, Vermont.

“Through the series, we’ve been able to export some of what we find in Ocracoke to our own community,” Jenn said.

Don & Jenn WOVV PS 2015-11-13 13.47.05 — Don & Jenn visit WOVV. Photo: P. Vankevich

“There’s a pervasive and deep appreciation of live music and collaborative partnerships between musicians and community organizations and businesses that enrich the cultural feel of the whole place.”

To see some pictures and videos and from their 2012 extended EP, “The Living Room,” click here.

Their first full-length album, due out in 2017, will feature many of their musical collaborators, and reflect their current interest in exploring more elaborate soundscapes together.

“The music ends up having a life of its own when we work as a team,” Don said. “So our job as musicians and as partners is just to follow wherever the music takes us.”

Listen to “Hello” by Don & Jenn and their friend Jennifer Oh Lord, recorded in Paris, France, in March:

Ocracoke Judo students demonstrate their skills to advance

December 24, 2015

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Judo Jetta Brown flips Casey Robertson during the judo demonstration and ceremony. Patricia Lopez and Gustavo Sanchez judge from the stage. Photo by C. Leinbach — Jetta Brown flips Casey Robertson during the judo demonstration and ceremony. Patricia Lopez and Gustavo Sanchez judge from the stage. Photo by C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

Jetta Brown has always liked a challenge.

That’s why she joined Gustavo Sanchez’s judo class in July along with her son Gabriel, 10, and both passed the first level of training (white belt) and moved up to yellow belt Saturday in the Ocracoke Community Center.

Brown was among 22 students, ranging in ages from elementary school to adult, who were promoted during a ceremony in which they first showed Sanchez and his wife, Patricia Lopez (who is a brown belt), that they had mastered the first level of moves.

Zoe Modlin demonstrates her skills with Jamileth Martinez. Photo by C. Leinbach

Both boys and girls faced off against each other in the demonstration, and Brown had to show her skills against Casey Robertson, a teacher at the Ocracoke School.

“I’ve always been into sports,” Brown said, adding that having to flip and pin Robertson—a man taller and larger than her—was not intimidating. “I gotta stand up for these girls.”

Judo is a way of life, Sanchez explained to the students and audience of about 40 parents and family members. He has a 4th-degree black belt and for years ran his own studio, Gerifalte Judo, in Bakersfield, Calif before moving to the island in May . For an earlier article on judo on Ocracoke, click here.

“I don’t like to call it fighting,” he continued. “We’re not fighting. Fighting involves hard feelings.”

There are 300 techniques for attacking and escaping, he said, and 24 different ways to choke the opponent.

Dr. Erin Baker watched her daughter, Zoe Modlin, 6, demonstrate the moves with Jamileth Martinez, and noted that the sport allows boys and girls to participate on a level playing field.

Raul Ibarra flips Casey Robertson. Photo by C. Leinbach

“That’s because you use your body as a fulcrum,” she said. “A lot of it is following directions. It’s strength training, keeping your gee clean, learning respect because you bow to your partner and your sensei. They say thank you.”

Later that evening, the group reconvened for an awards dinner in the Ocracoke Oyster Company.

Sanchez said the following students receive awards: Brown, for “braveness”—because of her having to work with Robertson and the other man in the class, Raul Ibarra.

Gisselle Perez received recognition for “judo spirit,” which Sanchez said includes eagerness to learn, willingness to help, being the first to class; Alissa Bryan for “great technique”; Jonah Daniels for “hardest training”; and Jamileth Martinez for “good advance,” which Sanchez said is for understanding of judo and good attitude.

The class convenes three times a week in Angie’s Gym on Sand Dollar Road.

For more information, check out Ocracoke Judo on Facebook.

The judo graduates. Photo courtesy of Gustavo Sanchez

Nags Head driver license office to close for equipment installation

December 23, 2015

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Raleigh–The Nags Head NCDOT driver license office, located at 2808 Croatan Highway, will be temporarily closed for new equipment installation on Monday, Dec. 28. It is scheduled to re-open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Other offices located in the region will provide service during the closure:

Edenton – 705 N. Broad St., (252) 482-8941
Elizabeth City – 1164 U.S. Highway 17 South, (252) 331-4776
Williamston – 305 E. Main St., Room 116, (252) 789-4395

Equipment installations are being phased in at driver license offices around the state. NC Deptartment of Motor Vehicles is installing new cameras, printers, flatbed scanners and customer-facing monitors at each driver license examiner’s desk to support new programming for Next Generation driver license and ID card applications.

The new equipment also includes the installation of credit and debit card machines at each desk.

Customers are reminded to call the office at (252) 480-6465 to confirm appointments and operating hours.

Events on the island Dec. 24 to Jan. 23

December 23, 2015

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The live nativity at the Ocracoke Methodist Church will be Dec. 24. — The live nativity at the Ocracoke Methodist Church will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

Thursday, Dec. 24:

Live Nativity at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve service and Children’s Pageant, Ocracoke United Methodist Church 7 p.m.

Ocracoke Station open 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Variety Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 25

Ocracoke Station open 4 to 8:30 a.m.

Variety Store closed.

Sunday, Dec. 27:

Gaffer’s Sports Pub: Aaron Caswell Band, 9 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28:

Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Aaron Caswell and Jackie Willis, 6 to 9 p.m.

Gaffer’s Sports Pub: Matty Beggs Band, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29:

Gaffer’s Sports Pub: HI Poker League (free poker) 7 p.m.; Matty Beggs Band, 8 p.m.

Coyote Music Den, Community Square. Free music jams from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. hosted by Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro. All are welcome to play, sing or listen. Continues Tuesday nights through January.

Wednesday, Dec. 30:

10th Annual Oyster Roast, including steamed shrimp, fish stew and crab bisque provided by the non-profit Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association. From 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fish House. Dessert and hot cider will follow starting at 3 p.m. in the Working Watermen’s Exhibit at the Community Square. Islanders and visitors are welcome to bring desserts to share.

Gaffer’s Sports Pub: Psylo Joe. 9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 31:

Christmas Bird Count. Spend time on the island identifying and counting the many species on the island this time of the year. Click here for more details.

Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Los Primos Latin music 7:30 to 9:50 p.m.

Gaffer’s Pub: New Year’s Eve party. Psylo Joe Masquerade Ball with champagne toast, balloon drop, raffles, door prizes and menu specials.

Tuesday, Jan. 5:

Ocracoke School basketball. The Dolphins take on the Plymouth Vikings. 4 p.m. Ocracoke School gym.

Gaffer’s Sports Pub: HI Poker League (free poker) 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 8:

Ocracoke School basketball. The Manteo Redskins visit. 4 p.m. Ocracoke School gym.

Friday, Jan. 22:

Ocracoke School basketball. Dolphins vs. the Perquimans Pirates. JV game starts at 4 p.m. varsity games follow.

Jan. 23:

Ocracoke School basketball. Dolphins vs. the Gates County Red Barons. Games start at 12:30 p.m.

Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Third Annual “Ocracoke Through Your Eyes” art auction, featuring small works by local artists. Wine-and-cheese reception 5 to 7 p.m.

Annual oyster roast set for Dec. 30

December 23, 2015

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The Tenth Annual Oyster Roast will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Ocracoke Seafood Company. Photo by C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

Those who attend the Tenth Annual Oyster Roast at the Ocracoke Seafood Company from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, are likely to run into a tiny crab in some of the freshly steamed oysters.

These little critters—called pea crabs–are considered rare delicacies by oyster aficionados.

Pea crabs (Pinnotheres ostreum) or oyster crabs (Zaops ostreus) are small soft-bodied crabs that live in bivalves such as oysters and mussels. Once they enter an oyster, they live inside the oyster’s gills and feed on the food that filters in.

Oyster Roast-goers might find these bonus pea crabs in their steamed oysters. — Oyster Roast-goers might find these bonuses in their steamed oysters.

And patrons love to find these little bonuses in the oysters as well as an occasional shell showing the bump of a budding pearl.

This all-you-can-eat event attracts locals and visitors alike to dig into more than 30 bushels of oysters, 300 pounds of shrimp, homemade fish stew, and, new this year, shrimp-crab bisque. The price for all this, including crackers, water or soda and live music is $25 and $30 for “heavy hitters,” i.e. those who consume several pecks of oysters.

“We do this in appreciation of everyone who supports the Fish House all year,” said Patty Plyler, who manages the retail store and helps organize the event. While not technically a fundraiser, proceeds will help fund e (OWWA) education and outreach activities.

OWWA operates “The Fish House,” as it is called, that supports the activities of about 30 commercial fishermen. “This is to get everyone to know how important the seafood industry is to North Carolina,” said Vince O’Neal last year, who owns Pony Island Restaurant and who made the fish stew. “Visitors come to Ocracoke to enjoy the seafood and all of the bounty of the sea and nature.”

The Ocracoke Seafood Company is site of the oyster roast.

For this annual oyster fest, the group sets up two rows of plywood tables on top of saw horses.

Then they dump piles of steamed oysters on the tables while patrons, who are asked to bring their own oyster shuckers, stand and shuck away.

Dessert and hot cider follows starting at 3 p.m. in the Working Watermen’s Exhibit in Community Square. Islanders and visitors alike are asked to bring a dessert to share.

Availability of food is first-come, first-served and there are no advance ticket sales for this rain-or-shine event.

The fish house closes for the winter after Thanksgiving weekend and opens again in the spring when the waters are warmer and the fish return usually in March.

OPS donates land to Coastal Land Trust

December 22, 2015

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The Ocracoke Preservation Society recently transferred this tract east of the Community Park ball field to the Coastal Land Trust. Photo by C. Leinbach

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust announced yesterday (Dec. 21) that it recently acquired 24 acres of hammock and marshes on the east side of Ocracoke Village adjacent to the Ocracoke Community Ball Field.

The property was donated to the CLT by the Ocracoke Preservation Society, a community-based organization dedicated to the island’s historical and cultural heritage, said Camilla M. Herlevich, executive director.

“We are delighted to be able to partner with the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust in preserving this tract of undeveloped land, both because of its environmental importance, and because of its potential to provide islanders and visitors with an appreciation for the beauty and significance of a pristine Outer Banks marsh,” said Philip Howard, outgoing president of Ocracoke Preservation Society.

The property was originally donated to Ocracoke Preservation Society by Ross Lampe and family of Smithfield, Johnston County.

With this new tract, the CLT becomes the largest non-government land owner on Ocracoke Island as it also owns and manages the island’s largest nature preserve, Springer’s Point Nature Preserve, located on the west side of Ocracoke Village off Loop Road.

The Coastal Land Trust hopes to construct a nature walkway and interpretive signage on this land to enhance its enjoyment by the community. An additional goal will be to eradicate or control an invasive plant species, Phragmites, along one boundary of the property.

The trust said preservation of this tract is a critical conservation addition to the island. Conservation of the property protects habitat for bird species such as Seaside Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Black Rail, Yellow Rail, and Painted Buntings, and also protects the scenic view from N. C. Highway No. 12.

Lee Leidy, Northeast Director of the trust, said this tract will be a great asset to the community since it adjoins the new Community Park Ball Field.

“Ocracoke Island is such a special place,” she said. “We are delighted to be involved in preserving one of the largest remaining tracts of undeveloped land in the village.”

The trust received two grants that helped defray acquisition expenses–one from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and one from the Conservation Trust of North Carolina. Additional funds of $5,000 are being sought for the stewardship endowment, which helps cover costs associated with the lands. Those interested in donating to the stewardship endowment can send tax deductible donations to the CLT at 131 Racine Drive, Suite 202, Wilmington NC 28403

A membership organization, the CLT works to save coastal lands for the benefit of all North Carolinians, and has helped save 65,000 acres of land in 22 coastal counties since 1992. The trust has offices in Elizabeth City, Wilmington and New Bern.

For more information, visit their website here.

Coastal Land Trust acquisition — The area in red above shows the land the OPS conveyed to the Coastal Land Trust.

Senior Nutrition Program back up and running

December 22, 2015

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From left, Elizabeth Dyer, Hyde County public health nurse, confers with Ashley Harrell, owner of Gaffer's Sports Pub, and Audrey Holland, volunteer coordinator with the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Program. Photo by C. Leinbach — From left, Elizabeth Dyer, Hyde County public health nurse, confers with Ashley Harrell, owner of Gaffer’s Sports Pub, and Audrey Holland, volunteer coordinator with the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Program. Photo by C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

Just in time for the holidays, the Senior Nutrition Program has been revived on Ocracoke.

The program, which is conducted by the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging in Hertford, Perquimans County, began delivering hot, home-cooked meals to eight clients on the island.

Audrey Holland, volunteer administrator for the program, was at Gaffer’s Sports Pub on Dec. 14 to train about eight islanders to do the deliveries at lunchtime Monday through Friday.

Gaffer’s, open year-round, is providing the meals, and Jason’s Restaurant is interested in preparing some, too, when they open back up in the spring. Gaffer’s staffers delivered the meals the day after the orientation.

“We’re a home nutrition program and our menus are submitted to a registered dietitian for approval,” Holland said about the program.

Volunteers have to be trained in handling the meals and the protocol of delivering them. One volunteer per day delivers the meals to the clients, and volunteers sign up for whatever they can, she said. There also are some back-up volunteers.

To be eligible to receive meals, persons have to be 60 years of age or older, no longer capable of driving or incapable mentally, medically or physically of preparing their meals.

“We’re open to more clients,” said Elizabeth Dyer, the part-time Hyde County public health nurse, who got the program running again.

While she is the contact person on Ocracoke for both volunteers and clients, her work with the program is voluntary.

Even though volunteer orientation has already been conducted, anyone who wants to volunteer can learn how to do it by accompanying another trained volunteer, Holland said.

The Albemarle Commission funds the program through a variety of sources, Holland said.

While they ask clients to make a donation for each meal, if possible, the agency welcomes donations to help fund the program.

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to the Albemarle Commission Senior Nutrition Program at 512 S. Church St., Hertford, NC 27944. Checks should be notated with “Hyde County” or “Ocracoke” if donors want their donation to go directly to the Ocracoke program. Otherwise, donations go toward the overall Senior Nutrition Program, Holland said.

“Every little bit helps,” Dyer said about donations. “It’s direct help to people on Ocracoke.”

Interested persons should contact Dyer at 252-928-3951 if they want to receive meals or volunteer.

The Area Agency on Aging is the organization mandated under the provisions of the Older American’s Act of 1965 to work on behalf of older adults and their caregivers in 10 northeastern North Carolina’s counties and municipalities. Its mission is to empower senior adults to enhance their quality of life through training, education, mediation, advocacy and coordination of services.

Gaffer’s staff picks up trash along South Point Road

December 21, 2015

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Gaffer's Sports Pub staffers pick up five large bags of trash recently along South Point Road. Photo by Megan Spencer — From left, Gaffers staffers Thomas Powell, Kathryn Waldrop, Melissa Landsburg, James Stewart, Ashley Harrell and Chris McDonald participated in a beach clean-up on South Point road on Dec. 16. In just a couple hours, the group picked up five industrial- sized trash bags of refuse. Photo by Megan Spencer

By Connie Leinbach

For a change of activity one day recently, the Gaffer’s Sports Pub staff set to work picking up trash along South Point Road.

Ashley Harrell, Gaffer’s owner, said she organized the activity while the pub was closed for roof repairs and the weather was warm.

“There was a lot of debris on the road from the storms,” she said about the impetus for the activity.

In just a couple hours, the group picked up five industrial-sized trash bags of refuse.

The day before, the staffers helped deliver meals to several home-bound islanders in the revived Senior Nutrition Program by the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging.

Gaffer’s is one of the island restaurants contracted with the commission to provide fresh-cooked meals, said Audrey Holland, the volunteer administrator of the program.

Megan Spencer contributed to this story.

Gaffers picks up trash — College student Melissa Landsburg spends holiday vacations on the island to pick up shifts and volunteer wherever she can. She is a student at Old Dominion University, majoring in therapeutic recreation. Photo by Megan Spencer

NPS releases report to Congress on ORV legislation

December 21, 2015

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Pelicans enjoy the winter sunshine on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore at the north end of Ocracoke. Photo by C. Leinbach

The National Park Service has delivered its report on completing tasks assigned in certain public land legislation including one in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as required by legislation passed in December 2014.

The legislation–Public Law 113-291, the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) –contained a package of public lands bills.
Section 3057 of the NDAA, passed by Congress on Dec. 19, 2014, directed the Secretary of the Interior to take the following actions at Cape Hatteras National Seashore:
1) review and modify wildlife buffers and designate pedestrian and vehicle corridors;
2) undertake a public process to consider modifications to the 2012 Final Rule pertaining to off-road vehicle use;
3) expedite construction of new vehicle access points;
4) report to Congress within one year of the enactment of the NDAA.
“The secretary has completed or made substantial progress towards completing these tasks,” according to the brief, five-page report to Congress, released to the public Dec. 16.

“In close coordination with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, a review and modification of wildlife buffers was finalized on June 16, within 180 days as required by the NDAA,” the report says.
The report says a public process is underway to consider modifications to the Off-Road Vehicle Final Rule. Public scoping meetings were held in August and the Seashore has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment, scheduled for public release and review in January.
Finally, the report says that seashore officials expedited the construction of all off-road vehicle access projects that were previously planned for implementation.
The full report is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/management/upload/151215_NDAA_Implementation_CAHA.pdf and provides information on measures taken to date to implement section 3057 of the NDAA.

Ocracoke Preservation Society shows off renovated historic homes

December 20, 2015

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Inside the O'Neal house. — Inside the historic Simon and Emma O’Neal house on Lighthouse Road.

By Connie Leinbach

Judith Garrish was thrilled to see her childhood home restored to new glory during the Ocracoke Preservation Society’s historic home open house Dec. 5.

“I love it,” said the island Yadkin Bank branch manager. “They did a good job.”

Emma and Simon O'Neal house — The entry to the Emma and Simon O’Neal house on Lighthouse Road.

Garrish, who was born in 1952, lived in the Emma and Simon (1881-1937) O’Neal house, 458 Lighthouse Rd., until 1974 when she married (Martin) and moved out.

“My grandfather Simon built it for my grandmother Emma,” she said.

According to the OPS information, the house was built around 1900.

In a state of near collapse, OPS purchased the house and resold it to Will Purvis and Jamie McGaskill of Wilmington with the understanding that it would be historically restored.

Along with a total inside and outside makeover, the house was raised off the ground several feet. The work included adding a screened in porch off the new kitchen. Another add-on was a third bedroom above the kitchen and a full bath.

Garrish has fond memories of growing up there, even scary times, such as when the waters from Hurricane Gloria (1985) covered the entire ground floor. While the family had weathered the storm in Greenville, a neighbor told them about the flooding, Garrish said.

One Christmas remains especially vivid—when she and her sister, Linda Gaskill, got bicycles.

“I have a fond memory of coming down the stairwell and seeing those bicycles,” she said.

The restored Simon and Emma O'Neal house on Lighthouse Road. — The restored Simon and Emma O’Neal house on Lighthouse Road.

This house went on the rental market this summer with Blue Heron.

Simon and Emma O'Neal house before the recent renovation. — Simon and Emma O’Neal house before the recent renovation.

The other house on the tour was the Fleig House, 107 Live Oak Rd., which is the first right turn off Lighthouse Road past the Lighthouse.

It is owned by Trudy and Wayne Clark, who received the OPS award in November for historic home renovation.

The mid-20th century retro decor inside the Fleig House, owned by Trudy and Wayne Clark.

Built in the 1950s, this house is representative of island homes built shortly before the significant changes ushered in by the introduction of state-operated ferries in 1957 and the paving of NC Highway 12.

The Clarks hired Tom Pahl and his Landmark Building and Design crew to implement their vision of the restoration which has a retro look inside with furniture and décor with a mid-20^th century look.

Trudy said she had a great time looking for retro items.

“We had a fantastic turnout, said Ann Borland, assistant administrator, about the tour. “With the beautiful weather we were able to leave the door open on the O’Neal house which brought more people in.”

This house also is available for rent through VRBO.

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