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Ocracoke breaks from Dorian for Halloween

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Hurricane Dorian didn’t stop Trudy Austin from setting up a Halloween display in her front yard. Photo by Richard Taylor

Editor’s note This story was corrected regarding a family connection and updated with costume winners.

By Richard Taylor

Islanders took a much needed break from the stress of Hurricane Dorian clean up to celebrate Halloween Ocracoke-style last week.

Jerniman’s Campground opened its doors Saturday, Oct. 26, at the former Ocracoke Station for a children’s party and later an adult social. A ghostly skeleton animated by the wind beside bales of hay beckoned guests.

Jerrniman’s Camground kicked off the Halloween island festivities Oct. 26. Photo: P. Vankevich

By mid-week, some yards had begun to show sparse but welcome lights and decorations.

Decked-out kids, parents and islanders gathered Wednesday afternoon for “Trunk or Treat,” a cakewalk and a costume contest at Community Park, sponsored by the Ocracoke School PTA.

For the cake walk, dozens of random numbers circled the grass around the pitcher’s mound. DJ Tommy Hutcherson played Halloween tunes as participants slowly circled the course.  When the music stopped, the participants jumped on a number and Hutcherson called out winning numbers selected at random from a hand-spun cage.

Ocracoke School PTA Halloween celebration at Community Park. Photo by Richard Taylor

“Go right over there to the dugout and pick up your cake,” Hutcherson announced for participants to choose one of several donated cakes in this Ocracoke tradition.

The family of Ashley, Red and Malli Harrell and the National Park Service rangers were recognized for their “Trunk or Treat” tailgate displays along Maurice Ballance Road, leading to the ball field.

The following students were costume winners: Camryn Lewis, cutest; Gael Perez, most original; Juliette Jordan, scariest; Natalia Trejo, most traditional.

Ocracoke School Principal Leslie Cole and Martha Taylor, third grade teacher. Photo by Claudia Lewis

On Thursday, students in grades 2 to 5 rotated through various games, STEM activities and Halloween treats provided by teachers in the four second-floor classrooms unaffected by the storm.

Attired in a black cape and witch’s hat, Principal Leslie Cole visited each room. Third grade teacher Martha Taylor became a woodland sprite, complete with luminous wings, pointed elf-like ears and ballet shoes.

Before dusk Thursday evening, candy-seeking kids were seen patrolling Lighthouse Road, Irvin Garrish Highway and Sand Dollar Road hoping for handouts.

A skeleton sign reading “Trick or Treat. We have candy!!” announced booty next to Grace Gaskill’s house on Irvin Garrish Highway.

Gaskill, 84, and sister Chloe O’Neal, 83, were waiting on the porch with a large candy-filled pan.

Gaskill said she opened her house to candy collectors to celebrate being home for the first day since being flooded by Dorian on Sept. 6.

“It feels good to be home again,” Grace said after living in a motel for the last two months. “But there aren’t as many kids out tonight as last year.”

Chloe’s son Bobby had reason to celebrate Oct. 31 as well. O’Neal retired from Tideland Electric Membership Corp. that day, after working on electric lines here for 46 years. Bobby was all smiles as he hauled kids around in his golf cart. Bobby’s father Conk was the first employee of the Electric Co-op

Down Sand Dollar Road, Jason Wells took a break from rebuilding his popular restaurant and feeding islanders at the Ocracoke Strong Kitchen in the Community Center.

Wells became the Freddy Krueger character from Nightmare on Elm Street complete with a macabre mask and long menacing fingers. Louise Salerno donned a Chewbacca (from Star Wars) costume and Max Elicker dressed like a swamp creature to complete the trio of characters greeting revelers through Well’s Halloween maze.

“I really enjoy Halloween,” Wells growled from under his mask. “I’ve been doing this for four years.”

Chloe O’Neal and Grace Gaskill await trick-or-treaters on Irvin Garrish Highway. Photo by Richard Taylor

The night ended with a festive party and adult costume contest at Ocracoke 1718 Brewery. The establishment was decked out with ghostly figures and lots of faux spider webs around the bar.

Hutcherson again deejayed, playing a combination of Halloween and rock ‘n’ roll tunes to the dancing, fun-loving crowd. Tommy’s flashing strobe and stage lights added to the festive atmosphere.

Jovial Hyde County Manager Kris Noble wandered incognito through the crowd in a sleeveless black dress and wig, much in contrast to the laid-back way she led a community meeting the previous evening at the Community Center.

Ocracoke’s County commissioner Tom Pahl worked the crowd with a very believable knife cut across his right cheek, complete with a blood-drenched white T-shirt.

Noble announced the following winners:

First place: The Community Center Chicken and Beautiful Alien Accomplice, played by Red and Ashley Harrell
Second Place – Gonzo & the Chicken, played by Sundae Horn and Rob Temple.

Third place: Elle Driver and Budd (Kill Bill’s Assassin Squad members), played by Denny Widener and Becky Worley.
Fourth place: Death Princess, played by Claire
Honorable Mention to Amy Howard & David Tweedie as Sandy and Danny from “Grease.”

For a brief few days last week, Ocracoke celebrated witches, goblins, gremlins and ghouls and, of course, the joys of candy, comrades and carousing. 

Jason Wells at his haunted maze doing a mean impression of Freddy Kreuger with Louise Salerno as Chewbacca and Max Elicker standing as the swamp creature. Photo by Richard Taylor
Daleyza Espinosa Resendiz stops for candy. Following is her mother, Megan. Photo by Trudy Austin
Trick-or-treating begins Oct. 31 on Lighthouse Road. Photo: C. Leinbach
Halloween along Irvin Garrish Highway. Photo by Richard Taylor
Islanders who don’t live on Lighthouse Road join in the fun. From left, Martha Faulkner, Celeste Brooks and Judith Wheeler. Photo: C. Leinbach
John Conner, founder of Conner’s Market in Buxton, is a one-man cleanup crew along Lighthouse Road.  ‘It should look good for the trick-or-treaters,’ he said. Photo: C. Leinbach
Halloween night at 1718 Brewing Ocracoke. Photo by Richard Taylor

 

DJ Tommy Hutcherson and Kris Noble. Photo by Richard Taylor

Whither (not wither) Ocracoke?

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A full rainbow over Ocracoke on Sept. 13, a week after Hurricane Dorian let go its wrath, captured by Trisha Davis

The seven-foot storm surge that accompanied Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6 impacted all facets of Ocracoke. Just after its strike, for variable times, the island had no electric power, no open grocery store, bank, operating health center; the school shut down and tap water needed to be boiled before consumption.

To pile on, an alcohol ban and curfew were imposed. Approaching almost two months out, the island remains closed to visitors and the late fall/early winter popular events have been canceled.

Thanks to the efforts and generosity of many from both on and off island, Ocracoke has started the long, slow process of getting back on its feet.

We can’t thank enough those many individuals, organizations and government agencies that have made much-needed donations of food, supplies, money and skills to help the islanders. It gives one hope that catastrophic events can bring out the best in people.

This is a new Ocracoke.

Many folks cannot return to their homes and businesses cannot reopen until major repairs are made. Others have lost all. Already some homes have been bulldozed and more will follow. Additionally, many houses will need to be raised.

It’s not only structure damage. Many have lost sentimental and treasured personal items such as photos, letters and books.

One life-long islander in his 70s remarked that you can combine all of the damage from the previous storms in his lifetime and that would not equal that which Dorian wrought.

The old, well-worn playbook on how to get the island back on its feet and welcome visitors after a major storm had to be tossed onto the heap with the other stuff piled along the roads to be carried off the island.

In its place, both short and long-term disaster recovery plans are under way. Input for these plans should include those most affected.

Each day we have learned to expect the unexpected. This editorial is different from one we wrote a month ago and, no doubt, would be different in two months.

Here are some examples.

In the first few weeks, some business owners who said they would not reopen due to the severe building damage are now doing major repairs and are striving to reopen by spring. Others with homes who initially believed the damage was not that bad have, sadly, learned otherwise.

Ferry service, the island’s lifeline, has changed its schedules several times to accommodate the needs of both people and large vehicles and equipment.

Historically, when N.C. 12 on Ocracoke was impassable, the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry runs would cease until the road reopened.

For the first time, and with a few caveats, these river class ferries are running from Hatteras all the way to Silver Lake harbor and back, permitting islanders to make their medical appointments and to head up the Outer Banks for other reasons. The drawback is that these boats were not built for traversing the Pamlico Sound and it takes twice as long, a little more than two hours.

N.C. 12 on Ocracoke was expected to be closed until around Thanksgiving, but on Oct.3, NCDOT announced there would be a limited reopening for four-wheel drive vehicles only.

Some businesses that are able to be open are seeking to get the island opened now, but others are saying it’s too soon to let visitors back. A number of businesses are promoting themselves and doing business online.

Many were understandably disappointed when FEMA denied the Individual Assistance request from Gov. Roy Cooper.

But the Public Assistance request approved on Oct. 4 is substantial. It reimburses the costly expenses of cleaning up the massive hurricane-related debris, repairing the road and more.

Public Assistance under FEMA is a cost-sharing program that reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs with the remaining 25 percent is covered by the state.

Additionally, soon after the federal Individual Assistance was denied, the governor signed a state disaster declaration for counties that suffered damages from Hurricane Dorian, making additional assistance available to residents through SBA loans and, possibly, state grants.

Justin Gibbs, Hyde County Emergency Services Director, said at the OCBA meeting Oct. 30 that state help should arrive faster than federal help.

Many islanders lost their jobs two months earlier than when the island businesses typically close for the season causing major financial hardship. Some have found temporary work with the cleanup crews.

To get the island back up, housing is critical not only for permanent residents but also for the many seasonal workers that will start arriving next spring. Without adequate lodging, businesses that hire seasonal help could face insurmountable hardships.

The sounds of the large cleanup trucks still permeate the village air as tons of materials are picked up to be hauled off the island. Most of the many disaster recovery volunteers have left after doing a super job of helping the many in need.

Some, such as the United Methodists Committee On Relief (UMCOR) will remain, not only to repair the UMC church and parsonage, but also to help rebuild the community.

We could go on.

The number of challenges facing the island is daunting.

“Should I Stay or Should I Go,” the title of the 1982 hit song by the Clash (a fitting band name for our circumstances), is on the minds of many, and some have already gone.

As the above plays out, one thing is certain. Ocracoke islanders are resourceful and look out for each other.

Many have been helping their neighbors in need and will continue to do so.

 

Ocracoke rebuilds after Dorian devastation

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Rachel O’Neal gets lunches from the Ocracoke Strong Kitchen in the Community Center. Photo: C. Leinbach

United Methodists Committee on Relief has brought a do-it-yourself laundry trailer for Ocracoke Islanders. See below.

By Connie Leinbach

Since Hurricane Dorian flooded her Lighthouse Road home, like other islanders some of Rachel O’Neal’s days are good and others are bad.

On the bad days, she’s had panic attacks contemplating the future, she explained on Tuesday while picking up a free lunch of grilled chicken prepared by the Hope Mennonite Church of Pantego.

“I’ve had days where I’ve just cried all day,” she said. “It’s like, where’s the money gonna come from?”

Rachel O’Neal’s home is in the midst of a rebuild. Photo: C. Leinbach

Her ready smile belied any hint of panic, however, as she recounted her ordeal.

A single mother, she doesn’t have flood insurance since she has a private mortgage on her 1950-built house.

“It never had water,” she said, but the Hurricane Dorian storm surge changed all that when it pushed 18 to 24 inches inside.

She shows videos on her smart phone of her son, Austin, and dog inside her house in the water on Sept. 6, the day Dorian hit. She had to restrain her son from frolicking in the flood water.

“He asked me, ‘Mom, can I do a cannonball off the front porch?’”

Although she nixed that idea, she herself swam into the shoulder-high water into the middle of Lighthouse Road to retrieve her kayak—in case she needed it.

“Then my dog swam out to get me,” she said.

The threesome has temporary shelter in a room above a friend’s garage. There she has a mini fridge and a microwave and is making do, having relied on the three daily meals supplied by the recently departed Baptists on Mission.

“When I saw that, I said, ‘Don’t go. We need you,’” she said. 

She and other islanders in the same situation–especially those who still don’t have electricity because their meters were pulled–are relying on the continued “Ocracoke Strong” free meal kitchen in the Community Center.

“As long as Austin is fed, I’m OK,” O’Neal said.

Her temporary quarters don’t have a laundry. Since the Baptists on Mission, who set up portable laundry and showers behind Jerniman’s Campground, left Oct 13, O’Neal asks friends or her parents for help in washing clothes. 

But, as of today (Thursday, Oct. 31), she and other islanders who don’t have laundry facilities will have a free, do-it-yourself laundry trailer at the United Methodists Committee On Relief (UMCOR) camp at the United Methodist Church grounds on School Road. (Bring your own detergent.)

The UMCOR do-it-yourself laundry truck will be open Oct. 31 and will be open 24/7 for islanders. Photo: C. Leinbach

It will be open 24/7, said Twig Rollins, the UMCOR coordinator on the island.

O’Neal has seen progress to her home. It has been mucked out, the floors and walls cut out and it is being rebuilt by a local contractor.

“We’ll be back in by December,” she said.

All over Ocracoke Island, people relate variations on this scenario.

Now, since most of the muck-out and mold remediation was done in the days right after the storm, rebuilding has begun.

Some of that work is by private contractors but much of it will be done by volunteers with UMCOR or other interfaith groups who want to help and who are being organized by Darlene Styron, the Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disasters coordinator.

“I’m trying every avenue I can for people to get help,” Styron said while also waiting in line for the chicken lunch.

The home of Bill and Alda Vann Gaskill was one of the first to be tackled by UMCOR volunteers.

UMCOR volunteers install flooring in the home of Bill and Alda Vann Gaskill. Photo: C. Leinbach

Their home, on Irvin Garrish Highway, was also one of those that had “never gotten water,” Bill said.

The flood moved things that shouldn’t have moved and didn’t move things that should have moved.

“I had a five-gallon gas can outside that the water didn’t move,” he said, “but a 150-pound steel door washed up onto my porch.”

While dozens of islanders were rescued by locals in boats, Bill and his wife stayed in their house as the water came in.

When he saw it going down shortly thereafter, he knew he’d be OK.

Tim Fields stood outside the Middle Road home he shares with Cindy Fiore. The home and Fiore’s massage studio were about 20 feet in the air.

That’s not the final height, but that height allows room for the eight-foot pilings to be installed. Then the house will be lowered, electric and plumbing reconnected. Its final resting height will be about eight feet off the ground.

A few other buildings are flying high in the air awaiting permanent pilings on which they can rest, and more buildings will be raised in the coming months.

A problem is getting enough workers for all the buildings that need to be rebuilt, said Justin LeBlanc, whose wife, Joelle, owns Ocracoke Coffee.

Getting materials and construction crews to the island is a big challenge.

“I’m using friends and family,” he said.

Bella Fiore, a shop on Back Road, should be ready to open this week, said owner Sarah Fiore (daughter of Cindy Fiore). She and her husband Brad Yeatman had prepped for Matthew-height water, but the shop still got three to five inches inside.

Since the shop floor was just sub floor, they hosed it off and replaced about three feet of drywall all around the inside.

In addition to a few restaurants open with limited hours, Fiore and Books to be Red owner Leslie Lanier are among a group of island businesses conducting business online while Ocracoke Island is still closed to visitors.

Lanier salvaged her inventory into two storage trailers in her School Road yard. She has been fulfilling special orders for both on- and off-islanders, she said.

Leslie Lanier, owner of Books to be Red, sends merchandise to online patrons. Matt Tolson, postal service clerk, is at right.. Photo: C. Leinbach

“I’ve been finding particular things and putting them on Facebook,” she said as she looked through the bins inside one of the trailers.

On Wednesday mornings, she reads books to the under Pre-K crowd of about five or six children at the Life Saving Church.

“It’s gotten these kids together and their moms,” she said, noting that one generous Facebook friend sent her money to buy a set of books for the reading group.

Since her shop, a historic house, does not have insulation, her hurricane repairs don’t involve new floors, she said, but she has gotten new electrical wiring.

While her building may or may not reopen by the end of this year, she’s not averse to selling merchandise on tables outside, should the mandatory evacuation be lifted soon.

This is a hallmark of creative islanders doing whatever they can to get back in business as soon as they can. However, that reopen date is still unknown, according to county officials at the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association (OCBA) meeting, attended by about 90 people, Wednesday night in the Community Center.

The commissioners will discuss it at their monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 4, but one of the benchmarks to opening is for N.C. 12 at the north end of the island to be repaired, which isn’t expected to be completed until around Nov. 22. Another OCBA meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Community Center.

In the meantime, many local businesses are getting back to work via online sales. Below are several links, courtesy of visitocracokenc.com to the variety of innkeepers, shop owners, restaurateurs, charter fishing boat captains and more from whom Ocracoke friends can purchase items or gift certificates as a way to aid in the island’s recovery.

Bella Fiore
www.facebook.com/Bellafioreocracoke/

Books to be Red
www.facebook.com/BooksToBeRedOcracoke
www.ocracokebookstore.com

Down Creek Gallery
www.facebook.com/downcreekgallery.ocracoke

Eduardo’s of Ocracoke
https://eduardosocracoke.com

Edwards of Ocracoke
www.edwardsofocracoke.com
Contact info@edwardsofocracoke.com to purchase gift certificates for cottage rentals.

Island Artworks
www.facebook.com/Island-Artworks-186791464711360/
www.islandartworks.com

Karen Rhodes – Trixies Fineries
http://www.reelfishart.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/billfishart
https://www.facebook.com/trixiesfineries

Over the Moon
https://www.facebook.com/overthemoonocracoke/

SmacNally’s
www.facebook.com/SmacNallys-Waterfront-Bar-and-Grill-113717175309491/
obxsmax.myshopify.com/

Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit
https://www.teachshole.com/shop/

The Sunglass Shop on Ocracoke
https://www.facebook.com/SGSOcracoke

Tradewinds Tackle
www.facebook.com/tradewindstackle/
www.Tradewindstackle.com
www.ebay.com/str/tradewindstackle

The Sunglass Shop on Ocracoke
www.facebook.com/SGSOcracoke

Zillie’s Island Pantry
https://www.zillies.com/online-store/
https://www.facebook.com/ZilliesOcracoke/

UMCOR volunteers work on Chester Lynn’s house on Back Road. Photo: C. Leinbach
The home of Tim Fields and Cindy Fiore on Middle Road is one of many on Ocracoke that are or will be raised following Hurricane Dorian damage. Photo: C. Leinbach
Although Books to be Red is closed for repairs owner Leslie Lanier is keeping her business going via online sales. Photo: C. Leinbach
UP IN THE AIR. The Ocracoke Harbor Inn office is getting raised. Photo: C. Leinbach

This story was corrected from an earlier published version in which Bill and Alda Gaskill were misidentified as Garrish.

Hyde County lifts curfew; Recovery center stay extended

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Islanders who would like to benefit from any disaster assistance programs, are asked to go to the Joint Recovery Center and register. It will be on the island until Nov. 7. Photo: C. Leinbach

As of today, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners lifted the Ocracoke curfew that has been in place since Hurricane Dorian hit on Sept. 6.

Re-entry restrictions are still in place and access to Ocracoke will remain limited to residents, property owners, and approved vendors and contractors, according to a press release issued today (Oct. 30).

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has received approval to extend operations in the Ocracoke Joint Recovery Center (JRC) until 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7.

Hyde County urges any and all business owners and residents that have had any impact, physical or economic, to visit the Joint Recovery Center and meet with a customer service representative for one-on-one assistance.

The SBA loan application is the portal to all other disaster assistance programs. If you do not apply for SBA loan assistance, you will not be eligible for any other programs. The purpose of the loan application is to determine if your existing resources qualify you for a loan, grant, housing assistance, volunteer services or other types of disaster assistance.

Please remember that there is no obligation to take a loan. If you are not comfortable or do not wish to proceed, you always have that option. However, it is important that you apply, as other assistance that might become available often requires that registration with the SBA has been previously completed.

Disaster assistance programs will continue to be available after the Joint Recovery Center leaves Ocracoke, but access will be through the SBA website and will be much more complicated than if you simply go into the Joint Recovery Center and work with the representatives there.

The deadline for filing with the SBA for physical damage to your property is Dec. 16.

Ocracoke Strong kitchen continues to fill a need; outside groups welcome

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Members of the Hope Mennonite Church of Pantego serve lunch for islanders on Tuesdays in the Ocracoke Community Center. Photo: C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

Almost two months after Hurricane Dorian inundated the island, a lot of Ocracoke islanders still rely on the free meals provided by many friends at the Ocracoke Strong kitchen in the Community Center.

In addition to those provided by the Salvation Army and the Baptists on Mission, cooked meals began spontaneously a few days after Dorian toasted the island on Sept. 6.

In those initial days, Jason Wells rallied some local helpers, Eduardo Chavez, Charles O’Neal and Chrissy Waller, to grill some chicken left by Fat Fellas of Newport, or food donated by U.S. Foods.

After the Salvation Army and Baptists on Mission left on Oct. 13, Wells continued the free lunches in the Community Center.

Co-owner of Jason’s Restaurant, Wells has received donations of all kinds to help feed Ocracoke: $1,000 from the Variety Store plus unlimited credit, donations from U.S. Foods, from whom he purchases food for his own restaurant now under repair, and donations at the door and through the mail.

A few off-island groups are and have been on the schedule to provide meals.

Tuesdays is the Hope Mennonite Church, Pantego.

Wednesdays are the “Ocracoke Latino Ladies.”

“That’s what I call them,” Wells said. “They tell me what they want to do and I order it.”

The Carolina Boys, who are the caterers each May for the Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament, provided lunch and dinner to Ocracoke on Saturday, Oct. 26. Photo: C. Leinbach

Fridays are Chrislyn and Little Washington community, who send over prepared meals.

Jason and his core group fill in on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Although outside groups who want to come in any of those days are welcome to do so, Wells would especially love outside groups to help on Saturdays since that’s the day he coaches middle school girls’ and boys’ basketball.

Any groups wishing to help are asked to contact Alicia Peel, Wells’ organizer, at ocracokedisasterrelief@gmail.com.

Peel posts the week’s menu on the Ocracoke Disaster Relief Facebook page.

“Thank you so much to everyone,” she said. “We are constantly in awe of the love and support we receive.”

Wells stresses that the free meals cannot accommodate the off-island workers and are basically for island residents. The kitchen prepares food for 400 to 500 people because this midday meal is also for the Ocracoke School middle and high school students, who are fed at 11:15.

The rest of the community arrives at 11:30 to 1 p.m.

While his core group of helpers are Celeste Brooks, Sandy O’Neal, Ronnie Ciccone, Cidra DeLau and Chad Macek, Wells said he’s looking for volunteers to help from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Anyone who wants to help should talk to Wells or Brooks.

Jason Wells, right, talks with Amy Howard outside the Ocracoke Strong Kitchen at the Community Center. Photo: C. Leinbach

Wells wants to continue the food service even after the island is open for tourists because so many islanders are without incomes.

Wells gets satisfaction helping with the disaster recovery this way.

“I suck at carpentry,” he said. “I can’t help people with that, but this is something I can do. It makes people happy, which makes me happy.”

The following is the schedule for the rest of this week.

Thursday, Oct. 31: Ocracoke Strong Kitchen: Menu TBA

Friday, Nov. 1: Chrislyn and the Little Washington community with Ocracoke Strong Kitchen: Beefy Baked Ziti, Broccoli Salad, and Italian Bread

Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. Brunch by Ocracoke Strong Kitchen: Pancakes, Bacon, Breakfast Casserole, and Orange Juice

There is currently no food service scheduled Sunday. 

For weekly updates, visit the Ocracoke Disaster Relief Facebook page.

Georgeann Smith greets islanders at the Tiny Tornado food truck, who served lunch on Oct. 19. Photo: C. Leinbach

First round of debris removal on Ocracoke to end Friday

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The Ocracoke debris mound as of Oct. 25. Photo: C. Leinbach

Hyde County’s debris removal contractor will complete the first pass of Hurricane Dorian-related debris removal on Ocracoke on Friday (Nov. 1).  The second pass will begin on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Ocracoke residents may take only household trash to the convenience site and are encouraged to continue to place disaster debris on the right-of-way according to the attached diagram.

Mainland debris removal operations will begin on Saturday, Nov. 2, and will conduct one pass of disaster debris removal consistent with FEMA guidance.

Mainland Citizens may transport vegetative storm debris to the designated mainland convenience sites, or they can place it on the shoulder of the NCDOT right-of-way as outlined in the diagram provided. The Swan Quarter and Engelhard convenience sites will accept vegetative storm debris.

The debris contractor will not collect storm debris on private property.

Please maintain awareness and monitor our social media outlets at twitter.com/HydeNC or facebook.com/HydeCountyNC for further updates from Hyde County Public Information.

A tale for Halloween: The Horned Shoes and The Hundred Year Curse

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Portrait of the Rev. George Whitefield, by John Russell, 1771. Courtesy of Wikipedia

By James Mullis

He mounted his horse-drawn wagon, removed his leather shoes, lifted them high above his head, and with righteous indignation he proclaimed a hundred-year curse upon the small port community…

The fiery, pious, cross-eyed, Calvinist clergyman was George Whitefield. The small port community was Bath, North Carolina. While charming, Bath also had a wild side. It was a place where people chose to live life on their own terms; it was a complacent little town.

Nestled along the Pamlico Sound, Bath is North Carolina’s oldest town. Incorporated in 1705, it was North Carolina’s first port of entry and from 1705 until 1722, Bath served as the state’s first nominal capital.

Being a grand port and trade town, Bath was frequented by pirates — including the infamous Blackbeard, who had called the area home a mere 40 years before George Whitefield’s journey south. The pirate became a prominent figure and settled briefly in the town. This notorious association contributed to the reputation of Bath as a “swashbuckling” town.

The traveling evangelist George Whitefield heard of Bath’s reputation and decided to pay a visit. The zealous itinerant severely reprimanded the dancing, cursing and drinking. He rebuked the predominantly Anglican audience, emphatically declaring that this brand of malevolent behavior was not welcome.

Whitefield was said to have traveled with a coffin to demonstrate that he wasn’t scared of the afterlife. Allegedly, he used the coffin as a bed to sleep in each night. He was known for his stern sermons describing hellfire and damnation. His sermons were part of the “Great Awakening” that spread through the colonies before the Revolutionary War.

When greeted in Bath by locals who told him he would “put that coffin to use” if he stayed, he left the town, perturbed by their actions. Feeling rather unappreciated, he said, “If a place won’t listen to The Word, you shake the dust of the town off your feet…” Later in his journal Whitefield lamented: “In North Carolina there is scarce so much as the form of Religion. Two churches were begun for some time, but neither finished. There are several dancing-masters but scarce one regularly settled Minister.”

The Calvinist minister visited the town of Bath four times between 1747 and 1762. Upon each visit he found that a “loose” lifestyle of dancing, drinking, and entertainments perpetuated religious indifference throughout the area.

In 1762, Whitefield, while recuperating in “the ungospelized wilds” around Bath, wrote in a letter: “I wanted to let North Carolina have as much time as I could.” The aging grand itinerant was seeing little success in the state of North Carolina. Whitefield returned to Bath once more and according to legend, he was again run off.

Whitefield, citing the New Testament, took off his shoes, waved them in the air, shook the dust off his feet and cursed the town of Bath for a hundred years: “I say to the village of Bath, village you shall remain, now and forever, forgotten by men…until such time as it pleases God to turn the light of His countenance again upon you.”

Whitefield, and his coffin, left the town of Bath. The residents moved on with their lives and everything seemed commonplace…that is, until a nearby town emerged seemingly overnight and quickly became a more popular port than Bath. Wealth began steering away from the port town.

Situated on the Pamlico River, nearby Washington was established in the 1770s and quickly rose to prominence as the most popular trading port. Washington offered easier accessibility, and with that, Bath lost prosperity and quickly became a sleepy town on the “backwater.” Bath’s prominence and prestige continued to dwindle away well into the 19th century.

Whitefield, taking full credit, bragged and proudly spread the story of how he had singlehandedly cursed Bath. He used it as an illustration and as a warning in his sermons.

Did he really place a curse on Bath?

Regardless of what one might believe about the “Whitefield Curse,” after his grand proclamation and departure, the economy of Bath dwindled as ships began porting in other North Carolina coastal cities — especially the more accessible Washington.

One hundred years later, Bath had become the quiet little hamlet that remains today.

While I am not a firm believer in the “Whitefield curse,” if I ever, by chance, meet a fiery, pious, cross-eyed minister who takes off his shoes…well, it might just change my mind!

 

George Whitefield, who was from Gloucester, England, was an Anglican cleric and evangelist, and was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement. He made seven voyages from England, between 1740 to 1770, to evangelize America.

“Horned” shoes were Elizabethan era-style shoes often worn by ministers.

James Mullis lives in Rockwell, Rowan County, has his doctorate in theology, and is an avid lover of history, especially religious history. He serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina Society of Historians. He enjoys investigating, researching and writing about the myths, curses, folklore and legends of North Carolina’s religious history.

The town of Bath, Beaufort County, is largely known today as the home of Blackbeard. Photo: C. Leinbach

 

Ocracoke’s long-term recovery group begins work

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Ocracoke uprooted. Photo: P. Vankevich

The Ocracoke Interfaith Relief & Recovery Team has begun its work helping to continue the relief and recovery efforts from the devastating flooding by Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6. Ocracoke Interfaith Relief & Recovery Team, known as (OIRRT), is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working within the community to assist individuals and families as they recover from a disaster.

Other communities have long-term recovery groups in place for disaster relief and have proven this type of group is beneficial to the rebuild and recovery of a community through long term efforts. To better understand OIRRT here is our mission statement: 
We strive to meet the needs for ongoing coordination among communities and entities providing volunteer, rebuild, financial, spiritual, physical and/or psychological support for people whose lives have been affected by disasters on Ocracoke Island.

To provide collaborative leadership in the discernment of long-term needs for recovery and rehabilitation that can be most effectively met or assisted by the Community.

To provide advocacy for people most vulnerable to having their needs overlooked in public recovery planning processes.

To advocate for ongoing preparedness within the community in cooperation with governmental and voluntary agencies active in disaster recovery. Setting up disaster long-term recovery plans to be utilized now and when/if the next storm happens in the future.

 The following make up the OIRRT board members:

Ivey Belch, board president; Misty Gibbs, vice chair; Darlene Styron, treasurer; Connie Leinbach, secretary/PIO; Jennifer Mongan, receiving and distribution; Twig Rollins, construction; Susie Fitch-Slater, unmet needs; Helena Stevens, OCBA; Margarita Gonzalez, Hispanic liaison; Stephen Basnight, Ocracoke School; and Ernie Doshier, Jeff Dippold and Charles Temple for the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department.

This group will advocate for the people living on Ocracoke and to make sure no one is overlooked.

The other organizations that OIRRT is working with to meet the needs of the people of Ocracoke are listed below with a description of their organization and the relief they offer our community.

Joint Recovery Center: Every islander, regardless of their level of need, is urged to go to the Joint Recovery Center (JRC) in the Variety Store parking lot to fill out the application of need.

This one-stop application will avoid duplication of paperwork should there be a need for this information to be shared with governmental and other nonprofits agencies.

The OIRRT will then use the information on this form to work with multiple agencies to fulfill islanders’ needs.

Casework: Caseworkers will be assigned to all applicants by OIRRT to help facilitate information be passed to our partner groups for assistance.

If you have not been contacted by a caseworker please be patient during this process, OIRRT is adding more caseworkers to help complete this mission in conjunction with UMCOR and other entities.

If you have concerns or immediate emergency needs please email unmet@oirrt.org or admin@oirrt.org or call  833-543-3248 and a case worker will be instructed to contact you.

U.S. Small Business Association: As of Oct. 21, islanders may now also apply in the for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Association. If people get turned down for an SBA loan, they can then immediately apply for a state grant, but all who want to be considered for a state grant MUST put in an SBA application. All this process can be done in the Joint Resource Center by the Variety Store until Oct. 30.

Outer Banks Community Foundation: The distribution of the funds collected by The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) are being facilitated in Ocracoke via the Ocracoke Fire Protection Association, Inc’s (OFPA)– Ocracoke Recovery Fund.  A separate release detailing their activities can be found here. The OIRRT is not involved in making decisions about the distribution of any donated funds. If you have questions regarding these funds, we encourage you to contact OBCF or OFPA.

Churches: The two island churches are considered partners to fulfill needs. Generally, the churches help people pay utility bills, rent, medical bills & food needs but all needs are considered.

Ocracoke Adopt a Family Program:
The Adopt a Family program launched through the Life Saving Church. This program anonymously matches donors on and off the island with families with specific basic and long-term needs. The hours for families to register will be updated weekly via the church Facebook page, church post, and they have started house-to-house canvasing to access needs.  People interested in adopting families may stop into the church at those times or email adopt@lifesaving.church.

Temporary housing: This resource is available on Ocracoke currently only through the generous donations of rental houses. Other entities along with OIRRT are working on addressing this problem.

VOADs (national Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster): These groups will be assisting in the rebuild process. UMCOR is just one of the groups we will be working with. Each house to be rebuilt will have to receive a grant from the United Methodists Committee on Relief (UMCOR), a VOAD partner. 

Business needs: Some of the questions on the JRC form address business needs. There are some opportunities out there to help local businesses. Making sure your business info is in the JRC database gives OIRRT the ability to talk with our partners and figure out the best way to help everyone. 

If you have any questions regarding the Ocracoke Interfaith Relief and Recovery Team, please feel free to contact Ivey Belch at admin@oirrt.org. We look forward to working together with the other community agencies to collectively collaborate to best meet the needs of the residents of Ocracoke Island.

 

Ocracoke events Oct. 28 to Nov. 4

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One of several large drift woods on South Point beach. Photo: C. Leinbach

Updated Oct. 30. The Joint Recovery Center in the Variety Store parking lot has been extended to Nov. 14.

Monday, Oct. 28: The Ocracoke Tourism Development Authority will meet at 9 a.m. in the Lightship Realty office on Lighthouse Road.

The agenda is as follows:
Call to order
-Discuss and vote on July 25 meeting minutes
-Discuss current situation post-Dorian and how to manage the crisis financially including what our revenue is vs. what we had projected for
-Begin a discussion of the future of OCBA/TDA relationship
-Set meeting dates for the coming year
-New business
Adjourn

Wednesday, Oct. 30: Ocracoke School PTA Halloween Party, Community Ball Park 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Ocracoke School PTA, this year’s Halloween Party will be held at the Community Ball Park with a DJ, dancing and hot dogs starting at 4:30 p.m. Costume Contest and Parade at 5 pm, and Cake Walk starting at 5:30. Cakes accepted from 3:30 until 5:15 p.m.

There will be a space for “Trunk or Treat.”  So, decorate your car or golf cart for Halloween and be ready to pass out treats to our little ones. Candy is available for you to give out. Prizes awarded for best decorations. If you need candy to pass out, please contact PTA President Laura McClain.

The OCBA Civic Affairs meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ocracoke Community Center. 

The following topics will be covered:
Hyde County update: Kris Noble
NC Ferry Division update: Jed Dixon
County Commissioner Update: Tom Pahl
Joint Recovery Center information: Teresa Adams
Ocracoke Interfaith Relief & Recovery Team update: Ivey Belch

Thursday, Oct. 31:
Trick or treating on Lighthouse and Sand Dollar Roads
1718 Brewing Beers & Fears Halloween Costume Party with DJ Tommy.

Monday, Nov. 4:
Hyde County Commissioners, 6 p.m., Ocracoke Community Center

Dorian vignettes

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By Peter Vankevich

For years, people will have stories to recount on how Hurricane Dorian impacted Ocracoke–the bad, the good and the wry. A little humor can get one through difficult times. Here are some impressionistic observations from the days right after the hurricane battered the island. 

Noise solution
Soon after Hurricane Dorian passed, the sound of the howling winds was replaced by the distant hum of generators. When power was restored a few days later, the whiny sound of chainsaws cutting down trees and blowers drying out buildings took over. Then came the back-up beeps and loud thumps of removing the large amount of debris along the roads.

Voting
Dorian struck four days before the Sept. 10 special election to choose Ocracoke’s House member of the U.S. Congress.

But the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, the usual polling place, was the disaster recovery center and filled with donated food, cleaning supplies and much more. Emergency meetings were constantly taking place as everyone mobilized to stabilize the community that went for three days without power and drinkable water.

Changing the location on voting day was out of the question. The solution? A tent was set up alongside the building. The voting equipment and the island’s trained election staff were ready.

In front of the tent that morning was a table and people congregating.

Assuming it was a checkpoint to verify voting, I approached the table and was asked if I wanted a tetanus shot.

No, I said. I was here to vote.

“Just head into the tent, then,” she said. “We’re giving out free tetanus shots and this was where they placed us. Do you want a shot?”

I thought for a moment and said I wasn’t sure when I last had one, but it had been a few years. If it’s been that long, it wouldn’t hurt to get another, she said. So, I got a tetanus shot and proceeded into the tent to do my civic duty of voting.

Only on Ocracoke did one have the option of getting a tetanus shot before voting.

A follow-up: Greg Murphy (R-Pitt County) won the election and visited the island a few days after being sworn in.

If this happens
The Ocracoke Preservation Society’s museum next to the big NPS parking lot had never been flooded. “If that building ever gets flooded, this island will be in big trouble,” someone once remarked. The museum suffered flood damage with eight inches of water inside.

Biblical proportions
The two weeks following Dorian, the fire trucks were relocated across the street and the OVFD bays were filled with tables of food and supplies and were quickly replenished as people took items. On one table one morning were four loaves of bread.  In the afternoon, after more food supplies arrived, the loaves increased to more than 100.

Pirates vs. Hurricanes
The first Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree was scheduled for 2011. Hurricane Irene caused its cancellation.  Hurricane Sandy put the kibosh on the next attempt in 2012.

After two missed years, the Jamboree debuted in 2013 and ran successfully for the next two years (2014, 2015).  Then Matthew (2016) caused another cancellation.  Two more jamborees took place. Last year was particularly significant with the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise off Springer’s Point in 1718. Hurricane Dorian shut down the island forcing another cancellation.

So, as it stands, the Pirates lead the Hurricanes 5 to 4.

A thank-you to all
At the town hall meeting Sept. 29, Ocracoke’s County Commissioner Tom Pahl, who along with Hyde County Manager Kris Noble, several other Hyde County officials and numerous volunteers, talked about the flood aftermath and of generosity since Sept. 6.

How do you say thank you for the more than 21,000 volunteer hours, plus all the neighbors helping neighbors? That’s gotta be double, plus all the things we’ve received—the commodities, generators. It’s overwhelming to be on the receiving end of that generosity.

The size of the thank you is just beyond words.

The day after the storm, we set up roadblocks and a blockade out in the water and we put a ban on airplanes flying into the airport to control who comes to the island during that particularly vulnerable period.

We had friends of ours from across the water who violated our blockade in order to bring donated supplies. We started calling them the pirate donors and the spirit of Blackbeard.

And I don’t know who was responsible for the Rice Krispies Treats, but they have been my primary source of nutrition for the past week.

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