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From the archives: A look at Ocracoke’s first 4th of July celebration

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Visitors and islanders enjoy the Ocracoke beach on July 4, 2020. Photo: C. Leinbach

Since 4th of July events on Ocracoke were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,  we thought it  would be interesting to take a look back in time to see how this important holiday has been been celebrated.

The article below appeared in the Wilmington Morning Star July 6, 1914. This was a time when the Great War, or now called World War I, was on the verge of breaking out. The United States entered that war on April 6, 1917, when it declared war on Germany.

We can’t vouch for all of the facts in this article, but we have no doubt there were not any delinquent children among the school population. We’ll be reprinting, on occasion, old news stories of historical interest.

OCRACOKE BREAKS INTO THE LIMELIGHT ON THE 4TH

Little Banks Village Celebrates Independence Day First Time (Special Star Correspondence.) Kinston, N.C., July 5–
Ocracoke broke into the limelight yesterday.

The little banks town held its first celebration of Independence Day.

There were no fireworks, nor was there a brass band to ply patriotic airs. Ocracoke celebrated the occasion distinctly after Ocracoke’s own fashion.

The population at Ocracoke has a right to celebrate the Fourth, for it excels nearly every other place of like population in the country in historic interest.

A couple of the real big stunts in America were pulled off there, for the first white men who stepped foot on the North American continent mounted its sand dunes and gazed out over Pamlico Sound, and William Teach, the notorious Blackbeard, was beheaded within gunshot of Ocracoke light by (Lt. Robert) Maynard, a gallant English naval officer.

The population is practically of the same breed as the first settlers, for few settlers ever squatted upon Ocracoke beach, with its tiny loam patch, village, lighthouse and dilapidated wind mill. And the unmixed inhabitants are the finest set of men in North Carolina, with mates in keeping.

Nearly every adult male has been to sea. The most important event of the day was a motor boat race.

The winners are unknown, for here is no telegraphic communication and it will be many hours before a slow sailor crosses the sound with the list of prize winners, and by that time the victories will have no news value.

The entries, though, were mostly fishing craft-–of all sizes, horsepower of engines, and with but one handicap. The craft under 30 feet long were given an advantage over those longer than 30 feet.

The next number on the program was the penning of ponies. The little banker horses are herded up once in a while to brand the colts. Today the newcomers in the wild equine tribe were branded, and vaqueros of the beach–sailormen in white dungarees and little tarpaulin hats–gave an exhibition of the roundup that would have surprised many a cowboy on the plains. Of course, it is risky and only a small boy who pulled a small pony’s tail, discovered it, but usually luck attends the herders, and it is safe to say that nothing untowardmarked today’s events. An auction sale followed the penning.

Ocracoke has a school, and a good one, and there are no delinquent children among the school population. So, appropriately enough, the program was ended with an “educational rally.”

New law addresses abandoned boats

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This boat in Scranton Creek, in the western part of Hyde County, has been abandoned for a long time. Photo: C. Leinbach

Reprinted courtesy of Coastal Review Online
July 2, 2020
by Jennifer Allen

A new law gives the state Wildlife Resources Commission authority and funding to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from public waters and state lands.

House bill 308, which Gov. Roy Cooper signed Wednesday, designates $1 million for the commission “to inspect, investigate, and remove abandoned and derelict vessels.” The measure also allows the commission to use other funding to address the problem. Environmental groups and the Division of Coastal Management had sought such a measure for several years.

“This funding and authority granted to the Wildlife Resource Commission will benefit coastal habitats that the Division of Coastal Management works to protect by providing the legal authority needed to remove abandoned vessels located in sensitive areas,” said Division Director Braxton Davis. “In many cases, removal of vessels will help these important habitats recover naturally.”

The measure defines an abandoned and derelict vessel as one that has been left or stored for more than 30 days in a wrecked, junked or substantially damaged or dismantled condition, or left in a harbor or anchored in state public waters without permission of the agency having jurisdiction.

Vessels docked, grounded or beached on another’s property without the owner’s permission are also subject to the law, which also lays out the process for removal.

Under that process, the commission will first need to send a written notice to the last known owner, if one can be found, to learn the vessel’s status and post a notice on the vessel advising that it’s abandoned. If the commission doesn’t receive a response to either notice within 30 days, then it can remove and dispose of the vessel.

The commission can remove and dispose of abandoned and derelict vessels on private property after receiving written permission from the property owner and following other steps prescribed under the new law.
“This new law gives the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission a step-by-step process that it can now follow to remove abandoned and derelict vessels that litter our coast,” said North Carolina Coastal Federation Executive Director Todd Miller. “With these clearly defined procedures in place, the commission will be working with the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management and the North Carolina Coastal Federation to remove many dozens of vessels over the next few months. It resolves legal uncertainties that in the past have made it difficult to remove these boats.” 

Reminder: ALL fireworks are prohibited on Ocracoke

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As July 4 approaches, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department urges Ocracoke citizens and visitors to remember that all fireworks are prohibited on the island.

Typically, the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association produces a number of July Fourth events on the island but due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, all of these events, including the professional fireworks display, were canceled.

Nevertheless, that does not mean folks can have their own fireworks displays since any kind of fireworks—from sparklers to bottle rockets—have been banned since 2003 on Ocracoke after some fireworks brought by visitors accidentally caught the marsh on fire near Jackson Dunes.

Dick Jacoby, president of the Ocracoke Fire Protection Association, which is the nonprofit auxiliary of the fire department, said that had the volunteers not contained it, the entire village could have caught fire.

Fireworks pose a danger because of the ever-constant island wind that in the summer blows predominantly southwest, or from the ocean inward. Wind blew embers from those personal fireworks in 2003 into the marsh grasses.

In 2007, fireworks debris from a professional display held on the beach blew onto the grass near the airport also causing a fire.

Information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says that even small, legal fireworks such as sparklers, fountains, glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers and other Class C fireworks can be hazardous.

For example, sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Glow worms burn directly on the ground near ignition sources.

Wildfires caused by fireworks can be prosecuted under the forest protection laws of North Carolina, and individuals may be subject to reimbursing the costs for fire suppression.

County Commissioner James Topping: 1952 to 2020

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James ‘Little Brother’ Topping

James Roger Topping, the Hyde County Commissioner representing Swan Quarter, died June 29.

He was the husband of Goldie Rickard Topping.

Details as to filling his remaining commissioner term will be announced later.

Known as “Little Brother,” James was born Feb. 20, 1952, and was a son of the late James Delama and Marjorie Sadler Topping.

He was a member of the St. Mary Disciple Church of Christ in Swan Quarter and was a graduate of Mattamuskeet High School.

While still in high school, James began his working career as the first African American guide for Mattamuskeet Lake.

He was employed in the maintenance department for Hyde County Schools for 17 years. He worked part time for the Winterville Police Department in Winterville.

He worked alongside his parents in the family business, Topping’s Lakeside Restaurant and Motel, in the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. He continued the business started by his father, James Topping and Sons General Contractor, until his health declined.

He ended his working career at Hyde County Corrections in Swan Quarter when he retired in 2015.

In 1987, James was appointed to the Hyde County Board of Commissioners as the first African American to hold that position, which he held for 18 months.

In 2018, he was elected to the Swan Quarter commissioner seat.

It was in his nature to help people, and serving on the Board of Commissioners is where he hoped he could help the people of Hyde County the most.

He was an active member of the Hyde County Transit Board, and the Hyde County JCPC Board. He was a member of New Branch Masonic Lodge #785 Swan Quarter, NC. He was a member of the Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, Rofelt Pasha Temple No. 175, a member of Holy Royal Arch Masons, and Bright Star of East Chapter No. 74.

“Little Brother,” as he was so well known, loved people. He brought joy to his family and many friends who loved him. He loved to hunt, fish, play cards, talk, joke and laugh with people he had just met. He met no strangers.

In addition to his wife, James is survived by two sons, James Antonio “Boo-Boo” Topping (Rhonda) of Swan Quarter and Gyno R. Topping (Marlene) of Greenville; a daughter, Victoria Mackey Davis (Donavan) of Charlotte.

Three sisters, Mary Topping Gibbs (Wallace), Brenda Topping Murray and Dorene Topping Holloway (Floyd), all of Swan Quarter.

Two aunts: Emma Sadler Blount (Jerome) of Newport News Va., and Florence “Bobbie” Topping of Washington, Beaufort County.

Two uncles: Samuel Sadler of Dallas, Texas, and Clifford Topping (Marie) of Swan Quarter; three nephews: James B. Murray, Wallace “BumBee” Gibbs Jr., both of Greenville, and Phillip “Andy” Holloway (Alishia) of Swan Quarter; a niece, Marjorie Gibbs Bond (Roy) of Elizabeth City; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Four incredibly special friends, Richard Spencer of Engelhard; Cecil “CJ” Hardee of Greenville; Maxwell Selby, Jr. of Fairfield and Mark Carawan of Swan Quarter.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 4, in the Ponzer Community Building.

Friends may visit with the family Friday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.

Peaceful marches are possible

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A Black Lives Matter march on Ocracoke on June 28 had about 150 participants who walked down Irvin Garrish Highway from Howard’s Pub to Community Square where they heard some speakers and music. Photo: C. Leinbach

Captain Jason Daniels wants everyone to know that the Hyde County Sheriff deputies on Ocracoke are peacekeepers first.

And the Black Lives Matter march at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, turned out to be everything he had hoped it would be—citizens exercising their right to peaceably assemble and exercise their right to give their opinions.

Organized by several young people on the island, about 100 people, many of them visitors, walked in silence from the north end of the village to Community Square where they heard a few speakers and some music to show solidarity with protesters around the nation urging inclusion for people of color.  Despite some advances in recent decades, people of color still face egregious discrimination nationwide.

Hyde County Sheriff Guire Cahoon, Daniels, and with his deputies watched the rally from across the street.

Before the march began, Melanie Turner, one of the organizers, said the marchers would not chant unless counter protesters began something.

At Community Square, one man began yelling, “All lives matter,” after which, the marchers responded, “Black lives matter!”

Then the instigator and another man got in each other’s faces for a few seconds until someone calmed the situation down before anything escalated.

Daniels said that yelling is normal at any protest.

He did talk to the instigator and the man related that he had just wanted his voice to be heard, which is his right.

“He did not do anything to break the law,” Daniels said about the incident. “If anything got physical, that’s why we were there.”

The deputies preceded and followed the marchers in their cars.

“It’s our job to let them have their walk,” Daniels said, noting that any such march requires a permit. And next week, if a group with an opposing view wants to walk, that’s their right.

He stressed that he wants to keep peace among all on Ocracoke—visitors and residents no matter their color or persuasion.

The island is a small community and many, if not most, know the island’s law enforcement officers. As a result, they are able to diffuse situations that have the potential of getting out  of control.

“It’s our last resort to use force here,” he said. “We have very little use of force here.”

Daniels is part of the community and is a talented artist, having been an industrial arts teacher before he became a sheriff deputy. His carvings grace many homes and businesses and he has a thriving sign-making business.

He and his family have lived here for 18 years, and the other deputies live and play here, too.

As police everywhere are under scrutiny, Daniels does not want the island force painted with a brutal brush.

We would love to see everyone take all the nasty talk, particularly on social media, down a notch, or several notches.

George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks[PV1] , Breonna Taylor and others were by no means the only victims.

In 1991, Rodney King was brutally beaten by police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department after fleeing a high-speed chase. The incident was captured on film gaining world-wide attention and four officers were indicted. When the officers were acquitted the following year, a six-day riot in South Los Angeles ensued.

Calling for calm, halfway through, King said, “People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?”

Violent responses only add to the fire. Peaceful protests accomplish a lot more towards reconciliation.

Gary Mitchell with Molasses Creek, hit the right tone at the rally performing his song “Can we all agree on love?”

Ocracoke-Hatteras passenger ferry service to begin safely Friday

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To catch up on Ocracoke news and much more, click here

By Peter Vankevich 

Ocracoke will get a 4th of July gift as the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry service will begin on Friday (July 3) and will run through Sept. 10.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed off on Senate Bill 570 that approved $1.146 million to lease the M/V Martha’s Vineyard ferry from Seastreak Marine out of New Jersey. This is the same boat used last summer.

The departure times will follow last year’s schedule:
From Hatteras: 9:30 a. m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
From Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Terminal: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $5 one way; $10 per round trip, and $1 per bicycle for each trip.
Children 3 and under are free.

Reservations can be now made by calling 1-800-293-3779, or online at www.ncferry.org and clicking on “Online Reservations.”  Walk-up reservations are also accepted as long as space is available.

The Ferry Division said in a press release that it will take the necessary measures and precautions in order to protect our passengers and crew from the spread of COVID-19. At press time, the number of passengers permitted to board was not known. Last year, the Express accommodated 150 passengers.

In line with Cooper’s Executive Order 147, all passengers must wear face coverings while on board both inside the seating area and on the deck.   Space in the waiting areas will be marked to ensure proper social distancing and hand sanitizer will be at the ticket windows and on board the vessels.

Ferry Division personnel will implement a vessel and facility cleaning regiment with crew sign off sheets.

Governor approves passenger ferry service for Ocracoke

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The passenger ferry is at the Hatteras dock. Photo by Janille Turner

 

Updated July 2, 2020, with tram service information.

By Peter Vankevich

Gov. Roy Cooper today signed a bill authorizing passenger ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke starting in July until Sept. 10.  The measure was among 12 bills Cooper signed.

The North Carolina legislature on June 25 approved $1,146,179 to lease, pending completion of a successful route verification, a passenger ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke. Senate Bill 750, introduced by First District Sen. Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan), passed unanimously, and was sent to Gov. Roy Cooper for signature, which Cooper did today. A launch date is pending. 

The bill also includes $6 million for a new heating and air conditioning system and chiller at Elizabeth City State University.

Sixth District Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck) had introduced the ferry funding amendment in a House subcommittee.

The approval was a bit of a surprise because NCDOT announced on April 28 that it would not be funded this year “due to the impacts of COVID-19.”

The M/V Martha’s Vineyard Express, which served as Ocracoke’s passenger ferry last year, was seen in Coinjock, Currituck County, on Sunday. Photo by Sam Walker

Since the ferry is a go, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, NCDOT will need to determine how many passengers it can safely allow on the boat at a time and encourage people to wear masks and remain six feet from people they aren’t traveling with. Last year, this same boat accommodated up to 150 passengers.

In a joint statement, Hanig and Steinburg said, “We are pleased by the passage of the $1.2 million for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. Under the best of circumstances, we know that the ferry has been successfully operational. We know that the ferry is critical to Ocracoke as the island has taken a multitude of gut punches, starting with Hurricane Dorian last September. We are hopeful that the operation of the ferry will be a good start to helping Ocracoke heal.”

The free village tram service that ran last summer in conjunction with the passenger ferry will again support the passenger ferry,  said Joseph Ramunni, who manages the trams.  They will run starting Friday, July 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., he said, adding that zccording to current law, face masks will be required.

The Hyde County commissioners at their April 6 meeting approved the purchase of new trams.  Last year, the NCDOT had purchased the trams and leased them to Hyde County for $1, said county attorney Franz Holscher. Now, the county will purchase the trams, thanks to a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation, but the county and NCDOT will pay equally for the yearly operating costs.

The passenger ferry was introduced in 2019 as a transportation alternative for people traveling between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands with the ferry going directly into Ocracoke village.

Last year, the Ferry Division leased the M/V Martha’s Vineyard ferry from Seastreak Marine out of New Jersey from late May to Labor Day. Reports confirm the same boat as last year will again serve Ocracoke.

More than 28,600 people used it last summer.

With passenger-only ferry in service, the waiting times for the vehicle ferry between the islands were significantly decreased according to Ferry Division statistics, especially by visitors traveling to Ocracoke for day trips.

 

Hyde County budget proposes no tax increase

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Hyde County Government Center, 30 Oyster Creek Rd., Swan Quarter.

By Connie Leinbach

Despite back-to-back economic disasters, Hyde County’s 2020-2021 budget maintains about the same revenue and spending level as last year with no new taxes.

Proposed revenues and expenditures of $16.77 million are slightly higher than last year’s budget of $16.71 million.

The Hyde County commissioners will vote on the budget at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, in a meeting televised via Facebook.

While municipalities around the country also are grappling with loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyde County sustained an economic hit following Hurricane Dorian’s devastation Sept. 6.

The recommended budget maintains the same tax rate of $0.77 per each $100 of assessed property valuation, said Hyde County Manager Kris Noble in her budget address.

The estimated total taxable value is $886,461,530, which includes personal property, such as vehicles.  

However, the estimated total real property valuation for FY 2020-2021 is down approximately $13,532,252 from FY 2019-2020, with most of that on Ocracoke, Noble said.

“What has changed is that total assessed value,” Noble said during the June 17 OCBA meeting. “We lost about $30 million off of that, and that gave us less money to budget with this year.”

The economic impacts of the COVID -19 crisis are still unknown, she said, and the recommended budget expenditures are cut below prior year levels to balance with the projected decreased revenue estimates.

Her message and budget documents are available on the Hyde County website: hydecountync.gov. 

“Although our normal indicators for sales and use tax are not yet published, Hyde County estimates a reduction of 30%, which would result in a budget shortfall of approximately $458,925,” Noble said.

According to her budget message, the proposed budget uses $1,567,542.43 of the fund balance, which is the contingency fund.

Funding for the Hyde County school system will remain at last year’s levels.

The recommended budget allocates funding to continue critical services to citizens of Hyde County at the same level as in the previous year. No services or jobs are cut in this proposed budget.

Hyde County to hold hearing today before adopting budget on Wednesday

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Hyde County confirms two new COVID-19 cases

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Public urged to practice the “Three Ws.”

Hyde County Health Department on Sunday reported two more laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19
in Hyde County.
That boosted Hyde’s total number of COVID-19 cases as of Sunday to 10, though not all are active. 
Though the county has been very fortunate to have only had one hospitalization so far and no deaths, people should remain vigilant in prevention of spread and control measures, according to a press release Sunday afternoon. 
Businesses should practice proper protocols for keeping their staff and patrons safe.
The general public, when out and about, should practice the 3 Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet, and Wash your hands. Individuals who are noted as contacts to positive cases should adhere to the quarantine directives provided by the Health Department to prevent spread.
“Covid-19 is with us to stay,” said Health Director Luana Gibbs in the release. “The best thing we can do as a society is put aside our political views and be neighborly to one another by doing our share to protect one another. It may save a life, or keep someone from hospitalization.”
For updated information of total cases, active cases, recoveries, etc., follow Hyde County on Facebook where an update is posted daily at 3 p.m.

The health department stresses that people should get information from reliable sources, such as:

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