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Outer Banks Community Foundation accepting scholarship applications

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First Flight High School senior Zane Fish accepts the Charles H. & Dorothy S. Luedemann Art Scholarship award from Nancy Sugg, Outer Banks Community Foundation Scholarships Co-Chair. Photo by Aaron Jennings, Shooters at the Beach.

From our news sources

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is accepting scholarship applications on its website: www.obcf.org. The application deadline is 11:59 pm, Sunday, March 22.

The Community Foundation manages 55 different scholarship programs and expects to award about $173,000 to local students this year. Graduating high school seniors from Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke are eligible to apply online. Non-traditional students also are eligible to apply for several scholarships. Scholarships range from one-time awards of $1,000, to four-year awards totaling $24,000.

“We have scholarships for a huge diversity of students,” said Lorelei Costa, executive director. “Art majors, nurses, firefighters, journalism students, tennis players, math majors, law enforcement majors, community college students, vocational students and more — all are encouraged to apply.”

Applicants begin the process at www.obcf.org by completing a short questionnaire, which quickly and easily directs them to the scholarships for which they’re eligible. 

“The Community Foundation uses a common application,” said Costa, “which means that the student only has to complete the form once. Then all of his or her information, including letters of recommendation, carries forward to all subsequent applications.”

Though many of the Community Foundation’s scholarships are merit-based, the majority of awards consider financial need. For the need-based awards, students are required to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and upload the resulting Student Aid Report into their application. Students whose citizenship status prevents their completion of a FAFSA (e.g., DACA students) may still be considered for need-based awards and should talk to their guidance counselors for instruction.

 Costa urged students to apply early because the foundation has a strict deadline.

“Please don’t wait until March 22 to begin your application,” she said. “If you start too late, you might not get your recommendation letters and student aid report in time.”

This year the Community Foundation is launching three new scholarship programs:

The Billy G. Roughton Memorial Scholarship for Medical Professions awards learners from Dare or Currituck County with a strong academic record to pursue studies related to medical professions; the Billy G. Roughton Memorial Scholarship for Tourism and Hospitality helps students from Dare or Currituck counties with a strong academic record to pursue studies related to the tourism and/or hospitality industries. Both scholarships are administered in partnership with College of the Albemarle.

The Karen Phillips Memorial Scholarship, administered in partnership with Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Manteo, will support local students who plan to pursue a career in a medical field.

The Community Foundation also partners with College of the Albemarle (COA) to offer many other, diverse vocational and continuing education scholarships, including the First Flight Society Scholarship, which supports students in the field of aviation systems technology, the Joe Riddick Scholarship, which supports students in the construction field, and the Tom and Peggy O’Brien Scholarships, which help students from Currituck County in the building trades. Interested students should contact COA to apply for these college-specific awards.

Scholarship funds have been generously donated from individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies to help local students pursue higher education. Any community member can establish a scholarship fund with the Community Foundation by calling Costa at 252-261-8839.

All scholarship recipients will be announced at their schools’ Senior Awards Nights or graduations in May and June.

Based in a historic flat top cottage in Southern Shores, the Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. 

 

Hyde County Schools to receive $4.9 million to repair damage from Hurricane Dorian

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The front of the Ocracoke School. Photo: C. Leinbach

This story has been updated, Feb  26

From our news sources

Hyde County Schools will receive $4.9 million in additional funds to help clean up and repair damages from Hurricane Dorian.

The funds will be divided between Ocracoke School and Mattamuskeet, with the majority being used to cover the costs of the Ocracoke rebuild. 

Mark Johnson, superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, made the announcement today after having visited Ocracoke earlier this month to see the damage done by Hurricane Dorian Sept. 6.

The storm severely damaged Ocracoke school buildings and the main commons building will have to be completely replaced.  While repairs continue, Ocracoke students are having classes in three locations.

“The community of Ocracoke has been strong in the face of unparalleled challenges, but they still have a long road to recovery,” Johnson said in a press release. “This money will help them repair, rebuild, and reopen faster so that students and educators can have the learning environment they need and deserve.”  

Hyde County Schools Superintendent Stephen Basnight praised the help.

“On behalf of the students, staff, and families of Hyde County Schools and most especially Ocracoke Island, please let me say how incredibly humbled and grateful we are for the ongoing support we have received from the staff at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction since Hurricane Dorian,” Basnight said. “This level of support reaffirms our desire and commitment to improve the educational opportunities for all students in our district because educating our children matters.”  

The funds were made available through a 2018 appropriation from the General Assembly to provide hurricane disaster relief.

The General Assembly appropriated $91.5 million in state funds to the DPI to allocate to local school districts that suffered damage from recent hurricanes.

These funds were in addition to insurance payments and federal relief funds. If school districts receive insurance payments or federal relief funds that cover previous costs, they send the state funds back to DPI to be redistributed to other affected districts as necessary. 

 

State house District 6 Republicans primary candidates give statements

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Editor’s note: To help island voters decide in the March 3 primary, the Observer will run statements by local candidates as we get them. The following is from the two Republican candidates for N.C. House District 6, which includes Ocracoke.

Incumbent Bobby Hanig of Powells Point has a challenger in Rob Rollason of Kill Devil Hills. The winner will run against Democrat Tommy Fulcher of Southern Shores in the Nov. 2 general election. Fulcher was the only Democrat to file for this seat. 

Hanig defeated incumbent Beverly Boswell in the  2016 Republican primary and went on to defeat Democrat Tess Judge in the November election, who had entered that race at the last minute following the unexpected death of her husband, Warren, shortly before the election.  Hanig is owner of The Pool Guy Aquatic Services and was chair of the Currituck County Board of  Commissioners from 2017 to 2019. He served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1988.

Rollason presented a Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution at  the January Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting. He has committed to support for term limits on Congress by signing the Term Limits Convention pledge. He is a former Calvary Scout in the U.S. Army (1989-1993).

Statement by Bobby Hanig:

Photo courtesy of Bobby Hanig.

“Two years ago during my campaign I promised the people of my district what I was going to bring to Raleigh. Over the last two years I have driven thousands of miles up and down the district meeting with our community and working with them on their issues.

“Making a difference in peoples lives and having a positive impact on my district and the state has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done professionally.

“Countless citizens have gone out of their way to thank me and let me know that I had exceeded their expectations. I will continue to fight for our shared values,beliefs and our heritage. I have already begun drafting several bills for the 2021 session and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Statement by Rob Rollason:

Photo by Susan Rollason.

“I am currently seeking the Republican nomination for N.C. House District 6.  Special interest groups like Audubon and the Coastal Conservation Association as well as the wind and solar lobby have much influence on folks in Raleigh. 

“We need someone who will stand up to these groups as the cost to our area in terms of lost wages, missed opportunities and higher consumer prices is unacceptable. 

“I believe I can do a better job promoting conservative values than our current representative.  Furthermore, we must stand fast against the socialist agenda promoted by our current governor.”

 

 

Ocracoke events Feb. 25 to 29

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The convenience site has a new entrance–the access point closest to the post office. Site manager Dave Johnson is trying out a new traffic flow. Photo: C. Leinbach

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Last day for the Ocracoke Strong Kitchen with homemade tuna salad sandwiches for lunch for fulltime residents. The following is from a Facebook post by Jason Wells, who spearheaded the kitchen a few days after Dorian:  “Once I figure out how much money is left over (from donations), a portion of that will go to the Bread of Life Food Pantry, and the rest will be put in a fund at the Life Saving Church and will be on standby when the next emergency or disaster situation arises.  It’s been an honor and a privilege to work alongside some awesome men and women and help provide some hot free meals to the people of Ocracoke.  Time for me to put my full attention on our house and restaurant. I love you all.”

Post-Dorian support group: 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke Lightship Realty

Ocracoke Advisory Planning Board meeting: 6:30 p.m. Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department. The board would like community input about a proposed ordinance amendment about travel trailers.  See story here.here.

Small Business Resources Workshop, 6:30 pm. Ocracoke Community Center

Wednesday, Feb. 26
Small Business Resources Workshop, 9 a.m. Ocracoke Community Center.

Thursday, Feb. 27
David Hallac, superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, will present an overview of the 2019 season , 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center.

Saturday, Feb. 29
Warm hangout at the United Methodist Church rec hall, noon to 5 p.m.

Community input on temporary travel trailers sought

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This lot has one temporary travel trailer, but would islanders be OK with two or three on such lots? This question will be discussed at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ocracoke Advisory Planning board meeting in the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department. Photo: C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

Stevie Wilson wants islanders to carefully consider amending the Ocracoke Development Ordinance to temporarily allow multiple travel trailers on properties.

Ocracoke County Commissioner Tom Pahl has proposed amending the development ordinance, known as the ODO, in response to the need for temporary housing while the island rebuilds from flooding devastation by Hurricane Dorian.

He distributed his draft amendment at the Feb. 11 meeting of the Ocracoke Advisory Planning Board, of which Wilson is chair.

The group will further consider this issue at the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 25) in the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Company. All are welcome to attend and weigh in.

Pahl is suggesting the ordinance allow up to three travel trailers as part of the disaster plan for a limited amount of time, but Wilson is skeptical since the issue of travel trailers on Ocracoke has always been a hot button issue.

Last fall, Hyde County bought 35 travel trailers for use on Ocracoke. The idea is to place these on properties being rebuilt whose owners can stay in them while repairs are being made, but they are also needed for fulltime renters. So the question of where to place them looms.

“It’s not fair to renters to only make them available to people who own property,” Pahl said during the meeting.  “At some point we’re going to want to put two on a lot.”

This amendment would increase density, and the density issue needs more consideration, Wilson said.

“It needs more public input,” Wilson said in a subsequent interview. “If people in the community want this, they need to come to the meeting.  This is a discussion the community has to have and come to a consensus on. I would like to hear from the community on this not just a proposal from the county.”

He said if people are for or against it, they need to come out and speak.

“We can continue this conversation indefinitely until the community comes to some kind of consensus,” he said.

Travel trailers were a hot issue on Ocracoke about six years ago when the ODO limited their number on lots to one per 5,000-square foot lot.  Some islanders disagreed, saying they should be able to put more on their lots. 

John Fletcher, who was elected Ocracoke’s county commissioner in 2013, ran on a platform to get rid of this restriction and in 2014, the travel trailer section of the ODO was removed with the group citing that FEMA regulations for proper hookups already pose an impediment to too many trailers on any given lot.

Pahl’s amendment also recommends raising the minimum building elevation level (known as “free boarding”) to eight feet.  The level now (which is where your living quarters start) is at seven feet, Pahl said, which is one foot above mean high tide of six feet.

Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6 brought a storm surge of 7.4 feet, the highest ever recorded. Further complicating a decision is that the proposed new freeboard level for Ocracoke would be different from the FEMA flood maps that the county commissioners have not yet adopted. These maps would lower the flood level for the island, making flood insurance less expensive.

They actually have several different levels island-wide, Pahl said. So, one freeboard level would make things uniform island wide.

The commissioners will vote on the new flood maps at their June 1 meeting, Pahl said.

Another question the group will consider is to have this travel trailer amendment “sunset” down the road, possibly 25 months after adoptions.

If the planning board adopts any or all of the amendment proposal, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners must approve it.

In the meantime, the group approved adding church steeples to the list of accessory structures on buildings (antennae; weather vanes) so that the United Methodist Church does not violate the ODO when the church building is raised six feet. Dorian flooded the church, which, too is being rebuilt.

The group also approved extending the rebuild time to 365 days for nonconforming village structures from the time of removal or demolition.  Currently, the ordinance says six months from removal, but Wilson argued that it should be extended in light of the slow pace of rebuilding happening on the island.

Ocracoke stars at Outer Banks Community Foundation annual meeting

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Ocracoke’s Hyde County Commissioner Tom Pahl is the keynote speaker Feb. 20 at the Outer Banks Community Foundation annual meeting. Photo: P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

Ocracoke was front and center at the Outer Banks Community Foundation’s (OBCF) annual meeting and luncheon on Feb 20.

It was fitting that this celebratory event took place at Nags Head’s Jennette’s Pier, a true survivor. Battered by storms, especially Hurricane Isabel in 2003, it has been rebuilt many times throughout its 70-year life. These days it looks as good as ever with a nice facility for meals and meetings, an aquarium and a great place to fish.

After the foundation’s president, Scott Brown, welcomed everyone and provided highlights of the past year and how Hurricane Dorian dominated its activities, Ocracoke was handed the ball when Pastor Ivey Belch of the Life Saving Church on Lighthouse Road provided the blessing.

OBCF exists to give out money to those who need it. One of the most important gifts are scholarships, and $167,820 provided by about 40 organization and memorials were awarded this past year, said Nancy Sugg, the scholarship chair.

Jane Webster outlined another distribution of funds which are grants to nonprofits. More than a quarter of a million dollars were dispersed.

By way of introduction to the keynote speaker, Ocracoke’s county commissioner Tom Pahl, Executive Director Lorelei Costa provided the drama of Hurricane Dorian’s approach and how quickly the OBCF began receiving a record amount of money from all over the region and country to help those who suffered damage on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.

So far, more than $1.4 million has been raised and of that, $1.2 million was designated for the Ocracoke Disaster Relief Fund by about 6,000 donors, according to Brown.

Pahl began with humble and grateful thanks to OBCF and the many donors. He then outlined the toll that Dorian, the most damaging storm ever, had on Ocracoke, even worse than the Hurricane of ’44. The list was long and disheartening. More than one third of the buildings on Ocracoke were severely damaged; 88 of 105 businesses sustained significant damage; hundreds of cars and trucks totaled; the electric and water systems were severely damaged and temporarily out of commission as were the EMS and health center and three miles of road at the north end destroyed and took several weeks to repair.

“On the day following that storm, another storm blew in,” Pahl said. “And like the hurricane, it was unlike anything we’d ever experienced.  It was a storm of generosity. And that storm just seems to keep coming and coming. We are grateful.
“In those first weeks, not a day went by that we weren’t moved to tears by the kindness of friends and strangers. People giving in ways so generous and selfless that you had to collect yourself just to say thank you.”

He noted how people immediately began brainstorming, coming up with good ideas on how to get out of this, no doubt, long-term crisis.

“We set up in the firehouse, with the gracious agreement of the OVFD, and began to build a group of people,” he said. “We assigned tasks. I’ve described it as if you had found yourself out in the middle of the ocean, treading water with nothing around you but a bunch of boards floating nearby. And you decide to build a boat. That’s what we did and every day that boat gets a little higher in the water and a little more watertight.”

Out of the chaos and initial stunned feeling has come many positive accomplishments–the formation of the Ocracoke Interfaith Relief Recovery Team, the “Firehouse Committee” that is dispersing the OBCF funds to those in need and the support of the Hyde County manager, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners, the Hyde County Emergency Management, Gov. Cooper and his offices, the island’s state Rep. Bobby Hanig and the many faith-based organizations that have been so helpful in getting people’s lives and homes back.

“We’re vulnerable, but we’re resilient,” Pahl said. “We go back to work. We bend; we don’t break. We’re Ocracoke Strong! We’re like those beautiful cedar trees you see along our shores–the ones that are bent by the wind but thrive and grow and protect. That’s who we are.”

Ocracoke news wasn’t over. Islander Ruth Toth was unanimously elected to the foundation’s board of directors for a three-year term. Toth is a former Ocracoke School teacher, owner of the former Cafe Atlantic and ex-president of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. She will join another islander, Greg Honeycutt, who agreed to serve on the board for another year.  Pat Regan, a retired food industry executive from Martin’s Point, will also join the Board. 

The foundation also gave out two special Dorian-related Champion Awards. TowneBank, for its lead gift of $150,000 for Dorian relief efforts, which the Bank committed just 24 hours after the storm. Taylor Sugg, President of TowneBank Currituck accepted the award. 

The other Champion Award went to Bob Mueller for his tireless volunteerism for the foundation and heroic efforts in fundraising for Dorian.

Costa concluded the meeting by announcing an anonymous donation of $105,000 called Vision 2020. This will be a competitive, one-year grant for one or two nonprofits serving the Outer Banks to receive $50,000 to $100,000 awards to address an urgent community need or opportunity.

“The catch to this gift is there’s no catch,” she said, saying the foundation has free discretion on how and who to award this money. They will issue a press release soon on how to apply.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation, formed in 1982, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization to help meet local needs in Dare County and all Outer Banks communities, from Corolla to Ocracoke Island. It accomplishes its mission by increasing charitable giving in the area, by managing charitable funds for individuals and agencies and by targeting grants toward the community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities.

The Community Foundation manages more than $20 million across 190 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards grants to local nonprofits, administers 55 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors leave a legacy and pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception the Community Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.

Ocracoke remains in hurricane recovery mode and is still accepting donations for that. To donate Ocracoke or one of the many the funds managed by the foundation, click here.

Applications available for high school girls to explore STEM careers in state government

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For Ocracoke news and much more, click here

From our news sources 

RALEIGH – The NC Department of Administration’s Council for Women & Youth Involvement (CFWYI) is accepting applications for the annual Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program. The mentorship program is a five-week summer enrichment opportunity for high school girls in North Carolina who are interested in exploring careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) within state government.

“The Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program nurtures the academic interests in STEM of high school girls, giving them a platform to explore careers that are often dominated by men,” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders. “Lending such opportunities to our young women not only prepares them for the jobs of today and tomorrow but can potentially help reduce occupational segregation among men and women in the workforce and close the current gender wage gap.”

According to data released from the 2018 Status of Women in NC: Employment & Earnings Report, women in North Carolina earn a median income of $36,400, and an average of $8,600 less than men. Offering paid internships, training, apprenticeships and recruiting women to more high-growth and earning occupations, like engineering and information technology, can help improve the present employment and earnings disparity among women and men across our state and nation.

Established last year, the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program offers high school girls hands-on work experience in STEM-related fields, cultivating their career goals while encouraging continuing education. The mentorship program runs June 15 to July 17. Selected students are assigned to state agencies based on field of interest. Each student will earn a stipend and work a total of 40 hours per week.

Students interested in applying for the 2020 summer mentorship program have until March 13. To be eligible, students must submit a completed application along with a resume, cover letter and transcript to NC CFWYI’s Internship & Youth Council Coordinator, Candace Dudley at candace.dudley@doa.nc.gov or NC Department of Administration’s Policy Development Analyst, Emily Roach at emily.roach@doa.nc.gov.

For more information on the program and to download an application, please visit the NC Council for Women & Youth Involvement website.

OCBA to host small business resource sessions next week

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The Ocracoke Civic and Business Association and Hyde County will host a small business resource meeting next week. 

Resource providers from the Small Business and Technology Development Center, the NC Rural Center and the College of Albemarle Small Business Center will be on hand to conduct two free sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 25) and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Ocracoke Community Center.

These resource groups will assist you with any questions you may have about your business during this time of recovery.

For more information, contact Sara Teaster, OCBA event coordinator, at steaster@visitocracokenc.com.

Winter storm to bring colder temps, gusty wind

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A winter storm heading for eastern North Carolina today (Thursday) will impact the mainland but snow along the warmer Ocracoke coast is unlikely according to the National Weather Service out of Newport/Morehead City.

Rainfall will transition to a wintry mix, and then to all snow for much of eastern North Carolina this evening through Friday morning as low pressure strengthens off the coast.

Since the Outer Banks are generally warmer than the mainland, Ocracoke might not see any snow, but it will be in the cross hairs of gusty winds, which could be as high as 46 mph on the Outer Banks.

Rough seas are forecast and coastal flooding possible as well in Carteret County.

The greatest snowfall accumulations are generally expected along and north of the Neuse River, where sub-freezing temps will arrive earlier in the night. The heaviest snow will fall through the overnight hours, with potential banding leading to locally higher amounts.

Snow will gradually taper off from west to east early Friday morning as the low moves further off the coast.

NCDOT to place sandbags on N.C. 12 at north end

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This area, one of four areas rebuilt after Hurricane Dorian and reopened in early December, will be fortified with sand and sandbags. Photo by Richard Taylor

From NCDOT

The N.C. Department of Transportation today (Feb. 19) will begin placing additional sand and sandbags along portions of N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island.

The project is designed to protect four segments of the roadway damaged by Hurricane Dorian Sept. 6 and a subsequent storm in November.

The project will involve placing more than 2,500 sandbags along 4,200 feet of roadway at the north end of the island. While no major traffic delays are anticipated, NCDOT will have traffic control in place to maintain a safe environment.

Contractors hope to have the project complete in three months, but the process is weather-dependent.

If completion is not possible by mid-May, work will stop until after Labor Day to facilitate summertime traffic.

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