The Hyde County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 4, in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, Swan Quarter, and the Ocracoke Community Center. The public is welcome to attend in person and the meeting will also be live streamed via the County’s Facebook Live account.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss budgetary and legal matters with the Hyde County Board of Education.
Food truck moratorium hearing
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the Ocracoke Development Ordinance at its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, and the Ocracoke Community Center.
The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on a proposed ordinance to establish a moratorium on issuing new food truck permits within Ocracoke township until February. The moratorium would give the Ocracoke Planning Board time to review and establish regulations.
Pre-submitted comments are welcome. Comments may be mailed to Public Comment ODO Hearing at P.O. Box 188, Swan Quarter, NC 27885, emailed to publiccomment@hydecountync.gov or by leaving a voicemail at (252) 926-5288.
Public comment will also be taken in person at the hearing.
Capt. Joe Smith of the Hyde County Sheriff’s Department urges all to obey the village-wide speed limit of 20 mph. Photo: C. Leinbach
By Connie Leinbach
As more people are on Ocracoke Island, the Hyde County sheriff deputies are busier.
Capt. Joe Smith reported on a vehicle crash in the early morning hours of June 12 in which a driver crashed into the fence between the Jolly Roger and Captain’s Landing on Irvin Garrish Highway.
The front end of a truck had damaged the post and the back end was in the road, Smith said, adding that he had the truck towed to Hatteras.
Although the driver had left the scene, he nevertheless was charged.
“He got quite a few tickets,” Smith said.
In the period from May 16 to June 15, Smith said the deputies had two water rescues. One was a kayak that had flipped over in Silver Lake and the other one was a sailboat that had capsized near Big Foot Slough. There were no injuries.
In both events, the Coast Guard also responded because for anything on the water, the Coast Guard shows up, he said.
That’s because the sheriff’s department on Ocracoke does not have a boat.
“We keep applying for a boat, but we never get one,” he said, explaining that each year the Hyde County Sheriff applies to the federal government for funds but has not been successful.
He said they need a 25-foot motorboat with a center console because that would be big enough to get to the mainland.
Among the five assists to the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, one almost turned into a fully involved house fire.
It was on a recent weekend morning that a couple walking noticed a planter on a rental house deck in flames. Someone had thrown a cigarette butt into the planter before they left the house and it smoldered into a blaze, Smith said.
“The couple grabbed a hose and put it out or that house would’ve been gone,” he said. “That was a very close call.”
There was one airport accident in which a plane that was landing got a flat tire. They were able to land and there were no injuries.
In addition to 30 traffic stops in that period, Smith also reported the following complaints or infractions:
Three trespassing; three animal complaints regarding dogs; four damage to property; one drunk disturbance; two noise disturbances; one larceny; and one fireworks complaint. Ocracoke has a no-tolerance-for-fireworks policy since some fireworks set off several years ago by visitors came close to creating a major out-of-control fire.
A Pamlico Sound ferry seen through the rigging of the Windfall II. Photo: C. Leinbach
OCRACOKE – The N.C. Ferry System’s Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry routes will resume full summer service on Friday after completion of critical dredging in Bigfoot Slough, just outside the Ocracoke-Silver Lake Terminal.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Dredge Merritt performed the dredging over the past two weeks.
Dredging was needed to alleviate shoaling that had made the ferry channel too shallow to safely operate the Ferry System’s largest vessels:
As of July 1, the full summer schedule will be as follows:
Cedar Island-Ocracoke: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke-Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Swan Quarter-Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke-Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Reservations are highly recommended during the busy summer season. Travelers can make reservations online at www.ncferry.org, or on the phone at 1-800-BY-FERRY.
Real-time updates on weather or mechanical delays on the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes can be found on the Twitter feed @NCFerryPamSound.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry System is holding a summertime photo contest to celebrate its 75th Anniversary.
The contest will run through Thursday, Sept. 22. Submissions will be judged by representatives from the Ferry Division and the NCDOT Communications Office. Winners will be selected in the following categories:
Ferry Memories – Have a photo from an N.C. ferry trip in the past? Send it in and tell us the story behind it.
Families on the Ferry – Get a pic of the kids, or the grandparents, or the whole family taking a ferry ride.
Scenic Splendor – Sunrises, sunsets, beautiful shots of eastern North Carolina scenery from (or of) a ferry.
Enjoying The Ride – Snap a selfie or take a fun picture of your friends and/or family enjoying a summertime ferry ride.
Four-Legged Friends – Taking Fido or Fluffy along? Give us a shot of your seafaring pets.
Contestants can submit their entries via the form found on the Ferry System’s 75th Anniversary webpage. By submitting the photo, contestants are allowing NCDOT to use the entry on social media and other promotions and confirming that all those shown in the picture give their consent to be photographed.
As a reminder, the Ferry System is also collecting “Ferry Tales,” an archive of memorable moments connected to a ride on a North Carolina ferry.
Those stories can also be submitted via the 75th Anniversary webpage.
Monday, June 27 The Hyde County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. to close out the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year, adopt the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget and tax rate, and renew expiring contracts. According to the minutes of the budget workshop meetings, Hyde County Manager Kris Noble has proposed a $.10 property tax increase, raising the property tax rate to $.895 per $100 assessed valuation and a $.05 sales tax increase to fund a balanced 2022-2023 budget of $15,559,987.48. The meeting will be in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, Swan Quarter, and the Ocracoke Community Center.
Thursday, June 30 Ocracoke Preservation Society: Ann Borland – Ocracoke Quilts, 1 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Mike Norris, 7 pm
Friday, July 1 Ocracoke Coffee Company/Mini Bar: Live music, 6-8 pm.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Kate McNally, 7 pm
The Breeze: The Daniel Jordan Band, 9:30 pm
Saturday, July 2 Pre-fireworks gathering at the NPS dock with DJ Tommy Hutcherson, 6 pm
Fireworks will be launched from the National Park Service parking, 9:15 pm. The NPS parking lot will be closed all day July 2 while the company sets up the pyrotechnics.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ocracoke Rockers, 7 pm
The Breeze: The Daniel Jordan Band, 9:30 pm
Sunday, July 3 11 am to 2 pm: Island-wide scavenger hunt. Starts at Spencer’s Market porch. No early signups.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Old fashioned Ocracoke square dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Mike Norris, 7 pm
The Breeze: 70 West, 9:30 pm
Monday, July 4 9:30 am: Meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island. NPS talk at the pony pens.
9:30 am–Noon: Sand Sculpture Contest for all ages at the NPS Lifeguard Beach.
10 am to 2 pm: Ocracoke Lighthouse open. The lighthouse is open for viewing the inside. Islander Chester Lynn will talk between 10 and noon.
4 pm: Old Time Independence Day Parade. Theme: Famous Duos (can be anything: people, cartoon characters, food, ideas…). Cash prizes. Entry forms available at post office or at sign up, starting at 3 pm at Wheelie Fun; Cash prizes for walk & roll, wheels, float and best theme.
5:30 pm: Singing of national anthem & awards presentation for parade & sculpture contest winners; Books to be Red stage. BYO seating.
5:45 to 6:30 pm: Storytelling with Donald Davis at Books to be Red. BYO seating.
7 to 10 pm:Community Beach Fire under the stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO chairs. You are welcome to bring marshmallows to roast. Lifeguards on duty until 8 pm.
The Breeze: 70 West, 9:30 pm
Fireworks on Ocracoke, Jul 3, 2019. Photo: P. Vankevich
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, June 27, in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, Swan Quarter, and the Ocracoke Community Center. The public is welcome to attend in person and the meeting will also be live streamed via the County’s Facebook Live account.
The purpose of the meeting is to close out the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year, adopt the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget and tax rate, and renew expiring contracts.
According to the minutes of the budget workshop meetings, Hyde County Manager Kris Noble has proposed a $.10 property tax increase, raising the property tax rate to $.895 per $100 assessed valuation and a $.05 sales tax increase to fund a balanced 2022-2023 budget of $15,559,987.48.
In addition, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the Ocracoke Development Ordinance at its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, or as soon thereafter as possible in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, and the Ocracoke Community Center.
The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on a proposed ordinance to establish a moratorium on issuing new food truck permits within the Ocracoke township until February 2023. The moratorium would give the Ocracoke Planning Board time to review and establish regulations.
Presubmitted comments are welcome until the next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on July 6. Comments may be mailed to Public Comment ODO Hearing at P.O. Box 188, Swan Quarter, NC 27885, emailed to publiccomment@hydecountync.gov or by leaving a voicemail at (252) 926-5288. Public comment will also be taken in person at the hearing.
Teresa Marie Coffey O’Neal, 60, of Ocracoke died June 23, with her husband Albert by her side.
Born on April 5, 1962, in Hollywood, California, Teresa was a daughter of James Lawrence “Larry” and Mary Angie Rohde Coffey.
Teresa grew up in Southern California and graduated high school in Bend, Oregon.
She returned to Malibu, California, to attend UCLA, and after graduating, she began a teaching career at Malibu Methodist School, where she taught for more than 18 years.
In the summer of 1999, Teresa came to Ocracoke for a vacation to see some long-time friends. She quickly fell in love with Ocracoke and one of its local boys, Albert O’Neal.
The next summer she returned and made Ocracoke her home, marrying Albert in 2002. In 2003, Teresa and Albert purchased The Island Ragpicker and ran a successful business until the time of her death.
Teresa was an active member of the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, and served as their treasurer for 17 years, until illness would no longer allow her to do so.
Many people referred to Teresa as the “Bingo Queen.” For many years, locals and visitors alike looked forward to the weekly Bingo game that was held in the Old Ocracoke Fire Department along Back Road where Teresa and Albert ran the show.
This fundraiser and that of the annual Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Ball were instrumental in financing the construction and completion of the new fire department building along Irvin Garrish Highway.
Teresa, being a small business owner, served on the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association Board for two years. During that time, she revived the nighttime Boat Parade, which typically is held the day after Thanksgiving.
She was also a leader for the Ocracoke Girl Scout Troop for six years and touched the lives of many of the island’s youth.
Teresa also served on the board of directors for the Ocracoke Child Care Center for five years. Coming from a teaching background, these positions were near and dear to Teresa’s heart.
The 2022 senior class of Ocracoke School at graduation on June 12 honored Teresa and Albert with their Community Service award.
In addition to her husband, Teresa is survived by her mother, Mary Coffey; sister Sheila Northgrave and husband Dennis; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Stella O’Neal; brothers-in-laws, Eddie O’Neal and wife Pam; Andy O’Neal and partner Cathy; sister-in-law, Stephanie O’Neal; nieces and nephews, Candice Northgrave; Ryan Northgrave and wife Ashley; Meghan Causey and husband Clay Causey; Chad O’Neal and wife, Erin and Nicole O’Neal.
Also, great nieces and nephews, Jackson Causey; Case Northgrave; Sullivan Causey; Tucker Northgrave; Carter O’Neal; Kyler Luna and Amaya Luna.
Also, Teresa’s lifelong friends, Linda Schicker and husband, Maurice Oehlsen and Janet “JuJu” Baker.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Lawrence “Larry” Coffey.
A celebration of life will be held later in the fall at a time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960 or Ocracats, PO Box 993, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
Beautiful hydrangeas like these at the Village Craftsmen are in bloom all over Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach
Monday, June 20 Equity Advisory Council inaugural meeting. A community advisory council aimed at promoting equity and enhancing services to the county. Open to the public. 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Ocracoke Community Center
Tuesday, June 21 Ocracoke Preservation Society Porch Talk: Ocracoke History by Al Scarborough, 1 pm Ocracoke Oyster Company: Barefoot Wade, 7 pm
Wednesday, June 22 Ocracoke Community Library in Deepwater Theater: Baby/toddler/pre-school story time, 10 am Ocracoke Preservation Society: Kids Kraft – Ocracoke Coloring Book, 10:30 am Ocracoke Oyster Company: Barefoot Wade, 7 pm
Thursday, June 23 Ocracoke Preservation Society: Donald Davis story telling group, 10:30 am Ocracoke Coffee Co./Mini Bar: Techno DJ Caro, 6-8 pm DAJIO: Kate McNally, 7 to 10 om The Breeze: Barefoot Wade, 9 pm
Friday, June 24 Ocracoke Community Library in Deepwater Theater: Stories & more for rising K and up. 1 pm Books to Be Red: Donald Davis story telling group, 3 pm (correction from a prior post) Ocracoke Coffee Co./Mini Bar: Brooke & Nick, 6-8 pm The Breeze: Gary Dudley and The Maxtones, 9:30 pm
Saturday, June 25 DAJIO: Brooke & Nick, 7 to 10 pm The Breeze: Gary Dudley and The Maxtones, 9:30 pm
NPS weekly programs
Bird Walk Tuesday, June 21. Meet outside at the beach access parking lot adjacent to the NPS Ocracoke Campground, 8:30 am.
Ocracoke Lighthouse base open daily: Monday to Thursday. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Twenty-minute talks are at 11 a.m.
Shaping these Barrier Islands Monday to Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. outside the Ocracoke Discovery Center at Pilot Town Road by the south end ferry docks.
Banker Ponies Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the pony pen. Meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.
The patterns on these volute shells show the years when they were stressed. Photo by Ann Ehringhaus
By Ann Ehringhaus
The young girl showed me the shell she’d found out here at Cape Lookout.
“I love this smooth part,” she said, showing me how she could rub inside the whelk
shell.“It helps me when I’m stressed,” she said.
She was in fourth grade and needed comfort dealing with stress. She longed for smoothness.
I nodded and began to share how shells show they’ve had a hard year: They forget how to make their pattern by skipping spots in their pattern, zigzagging, or leaving it blank altogether.
This pattern disruption can show that the hard year involved lack of regular food, changing water temperature in habitat, or too many predators. As these things improve, the shell resumes its pattern.
All living things periodically have hard years of physical habitat change or big emotional losses.
And what about human beings? How do we smooth our stressed parts? How do we calm our nervous systems so we can return to dealing with whatever life offers us? Hurricane Dorian happened in 2019 and is still mentioned constantly around Ocracoke.
Many of us are still working with the trauma that stunned us so thoroughly. We are rubbing the rough places that still need to be smoothed, seen, felt, and heard.
We may continue to do this for years to come.
Surely, we cannot be resilient or strong ALL the time; some days we just need some quiet support to rest and rebuild our lives and community.
I remember moving to Ocracoke in 1971 and folks were still talking about the 1944 storm. It takes a long time to get over trauma. Our bodies need to feel safe and supported again. And we need kindness and tenderness from others, including visitors who weren’t here for the storm or recovery, but also love this island.
Let’s honor our own and others’ experiences by finding the support we need, respecting the quiet our neighbors might still need for extra rest, and seeking treatments from various healing practitioners on Ocracoke and Hatteras.
All of it will help…and many of us still know we need it.
Ann Ehringhaus
Ann Ehringhaus moved to Ocracoke in 1971 to be a schoolteacher. In 1984 she opened Oscar’s House B&B, which she owned and operated for 33 years and wrote Ten Thousand Breakfasts that chronicled her experiences. She has retired and now works here and there for state or national parks as a volunteer or photo artist in residence. She has worked all over Portsmouth Island (north and south Core Banks). She wrote this article while recently working at Cape Lookout lighthouse during a five-day nor’easter.
The Dredge Merritt is working in Big Foot Slough off Ocracoke to alleviate shoaling. Photo: C. Leinbach
From our news services
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ side caster Dredge Merritt today (June 17) began work to clear critical shoaling in Bigfoot Slough, just outside the N.C. Ferry Division’s Ocracoke-Silver Lake Terminal.
The shoaling prompted recent schedule reductions on the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island-Ocracoke routes.
The dredging operation is expected to take between seven and 10 days, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Upon successful completion, the dredging efforts will result in a deeper, wider channel that will lead to the return of larger sound class ferries to the N.C. Ferry System’s two longest routes. Once the channel is deemed safe, the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes will resume their full summer schedules.
The temporary reduced schedule for the Pamlico Sound ferries, as well as the Hatteras-Ocracoke route, is here. Real-time updates on weather or mechanical delays on the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes can be found on the Twitter feed @NCFerryPamSound.
