Friday, April 3, 2026
Home Blog Page 303

Ocracoke youth baseball season is underway

1
Ocracoke youth baseball teams at opening day on Hatteras Island. Photo by Sue O’Neal
Editor’s note: We will provide regular updates on Ocracoke’s youth baseball season. Home games on Saturday (April 21) at Ocracoke Community Park will start at 1 p.m. for the Marlins and 3 p.m .for the Orioles.  
By Jim McClain and Vince O’Neal
Ocracoke boys and girls kicked off their youth baseball season on April 14 with opening day ceremonies in Buxton.  

All eight teams playing in the Hatteras Ocracoke youth baseball league lined the first and third baselines for the presentation of our colors by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

After the national anthem, Cape Hatteras High School Coach Keith Durham threw the ceremonial first pitch.

Ocracoke has two teams playing in the league this year consisting of the 7-to 9-year-old group named the Marlins and the 10- to 12-year-old group named the Orioles.
The Marlins started the season with two great away games in Buxton.  The enthusiasm and big smiles on everyone’s faces are so much more telling than the final scoreboard.
The coaches typically award a game ball to a player in each game who achieved a milestone in their personal performance.  Griffin Wells received the game ball in the first game for his efforts both in the field and at the plate.  The game ball for the second game went to Ammy Ortiz for solid hitting during both her plate appearances and for being a consistent leader of the team’s focus on having fun.  The coaches are so proud of how much this group is learning and having such a great time playing baseball.
Kai King at bat. Photo by Callie Davisson
The Orioles started their season with a strong pitching performance by starter Jacob Daniels who shut out the opposing Braves team.  Finn Kattenberg was brought out of the bullpen for the closer and also pitched well, allowing only one run.  The Orioles bats came alive in the third inning and Nicholas Cole was awarded the game ball for his in-the-park home run.
 
The second game pitted the O’s against the Angels and the first inning was scoreless for both teams.  Finn Kattenberg was the starter for the Orioles and was strong through three innings.  Gavin Elicker came out of the bullpen and closed the game out for the Orioles showing a promising arm.  The O’s bats came alive in the second inning, and Noah O’Neal was awarded the game ball for his three run in the park home run.
 
Both teams are in action on Saturday with home games starting at 1 p.m. for the Marlins and 3 p.m. for the Orioles at Ocracoke Community Park.  Come out  and support our kids, enjoy the concessions and root for the home team.
Here is the season schedule:

May primary election choices will be thin

0

By Peter Vankevich

Ocracoke voters will not have a lot of choices in the upcoming primary election May 8, but they are important ones.

Only offices with more than one candidate will be on the primary ballots for registered Democrat and Republicans. All offices, including those with unaffiliated candidates, will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

In North Carolina, unaffiliated voters may cast their vote in any one of the recognized party’s primary but registered party members can only vote their party’s ballot.

On Ocracoke, voting on election day will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.in the Volunteer Fire Department, 822 Irvin Garrish Highway,

Early “One-Stop” voting will be at the same location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 and 28. Early voting at the Hyde County Elections Office in Swan Quarter will be today (April 19) to May 5, with various hours.

On the Republican ballot, there will be three offices for voters to decide.

For the U.S. House of Representative, District 3, incumbent Walter B. Jones will run against Phil Law and Scott Dacey.

In the General Assembly, State Senate District 1, Bob Steinburg, Edenton, and current House Member representing District 1 will run against Clark Twiddy, Kitty Hawk, who has a real estate business, Twiddy & Company. Incumbent Bill Cook decided last August not to seek reelection when Beaufort, his home county, was moved out of District 6 and placed into District 3.

For the N.C. House of Representatives District 6, incumbent Beverly Boswell, a former Dare County commissioner, will run against Bobby Hanig, Powells Point. Hanig is chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners. The winner in the primary will run against Tess Judge who is sole candidate for the Democrats. 

For the Democrats,  N.C. State Senate District 1, Richard S. (Steve) James, Winton, has been found ineligible by a special panel of election board members from across the eleven county district.  So only D. Cole Phelps, Creswell, an attorney and Washington County Commissioner is running as a Democrat.  Because ballots for the May 8 primary have been printed, including some that have already been sent to those casting absentee votes, James’ name will still be on the ballot.

For the Hyde County Board of Commissioners, Swan Quarter Township, James (Little Brother) Topping will run against Joseph (Joey) Williams. Current Swan Quarter commissioner Dick Tunnell decided not seek reelection.

The voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day, which was April 13. Absentee voting must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before May 8.

For more information regarding any voting procedures and updating your voting information, contact the Hyde County Elections Office, 252-926-4194, or by email vwilliams@hydecountync.gov.

For more information on North Carolina elections, go to www.ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina.

Ocracoke School announces honor roll achievers for third session

1

Sixty Ocracoke School students in grades three to 12 achieved honor roll for the third nine weeks of the 2017 to 2018 academic year.  Of those, 31 students made all As.

Primary grades

The students and their grades are listed below. Those with all A’s are marked with an asterisk.

3rd Grade:

Angel Garcia, Imanol Guerrero Perez, Jamileht Martinez, Yael Mendez-Amado, *Zoe Modlin, *Daisy O’Neal, *Essie O’Neal, Dulce Juarez Resendiz, Eli Schweninger

 4th Grade:
Eliana Contreras, Sawyer Devan, Aidan Mason

 5th Grade:
Shayna Brooks, *Gabriel Brown, *Nicholas Cole, Jacob Daniels, *Gavin Elicker, Landon Fuller, *Auggie Giagu, *Uriel Guerrero Perez, *Sally Jordan, Finn Kattenburg, *Carter O’Neal, *Noah O’Neal, *Danny Palacios-Badillo, *Melanie Perez, Caroline Stocks, Catherine Todd

Honor roll middle and high school

6th Grade:
*Ronald Contreras Garcia, Maren Donlon, Daymon Esham, Christian Stevens, *Mariah Temple

7th Grade:
Max Elicker, Maggie Evans, *Katie Kinnion, *Iris McClain

8th Grade:
Julian Bennink, Edwin Perez-Benitez, Jackson Strange, *Jayden West

9th Grade:
*Hannah Belch, *Becky Boos, *Dylan Esham, *Mason Fuller, Cole Gilbert, *Mackenzie Novak

10th Grade:
*Abel Dalgleish, *Karen Jordan, Paul Jordan, *Mila Ortiz

11th Grade:
*Alston Belch, John Brodisch, *Ingrid Contreras Garcia, Taylor Fuller, *Mackenzie O’Neal, Jeyson Resendiz, *Kalai Samick

12th Grade:
Mac Kalna, *Lupita Martinez

 

New re-entry passes to be issued in May

0

All re-entry passes for Ocracoke residents will expire this year, and Hyde County Public Information Officer Donnie Shumate has set up a schedule to renew these passes in May.

These tags that hang on the rear view mirror are issued to residents, businesses and seasonal workers for use in staged returns to the island following mandatory evacuations.  New tags will be valid from 2018 to 2023.

Shumate has set up a schedule for islanders to renew their passes the week of May 14 in the Hyde County office inside the Ocracoke Community Center, 999 Irvin Garrish Hwy.

To expedite the process, those who have permits only need bring their existing hang tag. Those who don’t have their tags will be required to complete the full application and supply all necessary documents showing residency. A form is provided below. 

Those applying for the first time will need to complete the full application and supply all necessary documents.

The schedule below will be the only time Shumate is in the Community Center office, but those who miss these hours may renew their passes via the U.S. mail, Shumate said.

The schedule for Ocracoke will be from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the following days:
Monday, May 14, for last names beginning with A-E;
Tuesday, May 15, for last names beginning with F-J;
Wednesday, May 16, with last names beginning with K-O;
Thursday, May 17, with last names beginning with P-T;
Friday, May 18, with last names beginning with U-Z.

Hyde County staff will issue permits in the Hyde County Government Center, Swan Quarter, on Wednesday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday, May 10, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

 

 

 

NPS honors Ruth Fordon for volunteer work

0
Ruth Fordon in her official turtle-patrol vest. Photo by Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is honoring Ocracoke’s Ruth Fordon for her commitment to its sea turtle nesting program during National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21.

Fordon, a full-time Ocracoke resident since 1988, assists with turtle strandings, nest sitting, early morning turtle patrols and raking out vehicle tracks so that newly hatched turtles don’t become trapped there on their first trek to the ocean.

Fordon first volunteered with the Seashore for turtle patrol in 2003, according to a press release.

“I love the early morning solitude of the ocean side and treasure those daybreaks when sea turtle tracks are found moving onto the sandy beach,” she said.  “Locating the nest, digging to ascertain that indeed eggs were deposited, and then all the labor to properly outline the turtle nest area for protection from intruding feet and vehicles brings a feeling of deep satisfaction to me. I have also had the privilege of nest sitting and witnessing a boil (turtle hatching event), that amazing moment when the hatchlings depart the nest in masses and head to the ocean.”

Fordon assists with the turtle patrol alongside Seashore biologists.

“Ruth’s devotion to the sea turtles has been invaluable to both the community and the Seashore,” said Lead Biological Science Technician Jocelyn Wright. “Ruth even helped to train me at my first sea turtle nest 10 years ago. It has been a pleasure to work with her all these years and I’m glad to have this opportunity to recognize her amazing contribution.”

In addition to volunteering, Fordon has several jobs on the island. She is an agent with Ocracoke Lightship Realty, she works for the Ocracoke Observer and runs her own photography business.

In August and September, the Seashore offers park visitors opportunities to observe excavations of recently hatched sea turtle nests. During an excavation, biologists will dig up the hatched nest, count empty eggshells, and collect unhatched eggs for research. 

Cape Hatteras National Seashore welcomes volunteers. To view a list of current volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteer.gov, or call 252-475-9042 for more information.

Sea turtle eggs. Photo: Ruth Fordon

Portsmouth Homecoming on Saturday to reflect simpler times

1
An aerial view of Portsmouth Village, N.C. Photo: C. Leinbach
An aerial view of Portsmouth Village. Photo: C. Leinbach

The simpler times of days gone by will be the theme of this year’s Portsmouth Island Homecoming Saturday, April 21.

Sponsored by the Friends of Portsmouth and hosted by Cape Lookout National Seashore, the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event will focus on the simple times and activities that were common to the people of Portsmouth in “A Step Back in Time.”

The free event includes a potluck midday meal.

In case of inclement weather, Homecoming will be held in the Ocracoke Assembly of God Church on Lighthouse Road.  Please check www.friendsofportsmouthisland.org and Friends of Portsmouth Island Facebook page for any news or updates to this schedule.

For transport to Portsmouth, call 252-928-4361.

Schedule for the day is as follows:

9 a.m.  Buildings open.
10 a.m.   Hymn singing in church led by Connie Mason.
11:15 a.m.  Church bell rings to begin the Homecoming Celebration.
11:30 a.m.  Homecoming Program will feature David Quinn, grandson of Dot Salter Willis, who will offer the Island’s history, along with presentations from other island family members.
12:30 p.m. Potluck dinner on the grounds. (Ice, paper products and tea will be provided.  Everyone is asked to bring food to share.)
1:30 p.m.   Time to tour all the open buildings throughout the village.
2 p.m.     Boats begin returning to Ocracoke (will run as long as needed).

 

Portsmouth belles from yesteryear, Elma Dixon and Marian Babb. Photo courtesy of Friends of Portsmouth Island

 

OPS to launch reprint of Ocracoke history book on Friday

1

Two Outer Banks classics about Ocracoke, almost impossible to find, by the late Ellen Fulcher Cloud, will be published as one new book, “Ocracoke Lighthouse and the Old Salts,” and will be available for purchase from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the Ocracoke Preservation Society.

Published by Ray McAllister’s Beach Glass Books, the book recounts the definitive story of both the Ocracoke Lighthouse and the island’s seafaring men.

The new book, published in an enhanced edition, is a companion volume to Cloud’s “Portsmouth: The Way It Was,” republished last year in a similar edition. Ocracoke and the deserted Portsmouth once were sister villages on either side of Ocracoke Inlet.

Cloud’s unparalleled research, little-known stories and own family traditions make “Ocracoke Lighthouse and the Old Salts” a must- read for any lover of the Outer Banks.

First published 25 years ago as “Ocracoke Lighthouse,” Part One shares the history of the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest on the East Coast.

Cloud also includes her personal story and that of a few public-spirited friends who engaged in

the rollicking “Great Window Heist” to keep the historic lighthouse from being irreparably damaged by government officials.

Part Two, first published as the award-winning “Old Salt,” introduces Ocracoke’s “men of the sea,” pilots, fishermen and shrimpers, men of war, shipbuilders, surf men of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and even her own father.

The new book includes a new foreword by award-winning coastal author McAllister and two short pieces Cloud wrote after the books’

publications, plus more pages and enhanced photographs.

This hard-cover book sells for $21. Although concurrently going on sale throughout the Outer Banks, sales at other booksellers and online begin May 24.

Ellen Marie (Fulcher) Cloud. Photo courtesy of Friends of Portsmouth Island.

Kindergarten STEAM project installation to open Thursday in Ocracoke Library

0
Ocracoke Community Library on Back Road.

The Ocracoke Community Library will host a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday (April 19) for “Ocracoke’s Community Helpers,” an installation of the recent STEAM fair project by Ocracoke School’s kindergarten class.

Students will be on hand to talk about their models of Ocracoke places and people.  The STEAM Fair in late March showcased projects by students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. 

Refreshments will be served at the reception and the installation will be on view in the library’s main room until mid-June.

To read about the the STEAM Fair, click here.

 

Ocracoke events Monday to Sunday, April 16 to 22

7

Updated 9:40 a.m. April 16, 2018

Monday, April 16
Community Center:  NPS presentation about wildfire prevention; includes info on clearing brush from properties, 2 to 3 p.m.; Ocracoke Waterways Commission, 5:30 p.m.;
Oceanographer Dr. Reid Corbett of UNC Coastal Studies Institute, Wanchese, talks about sea level rise, 7 p.m. (For info about the talk, click

Dr. Reide Corbett. Photo courtesy of
Institute for Coastal Science and Policy (ICSP), East Carolina university

here.) This talk will broadcast on WOVV, 90.1 FM, http://www.wovv.rocks/

Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Kate McNally, 7 pm

Tuesday, April 17
Coyote Music Den: Music Jam, all ages & levels, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. No charge; donations appreciated.
Gaffer’s: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, 7 pm

Wednesday, April 18
Coyote Music Den: Word Play, 7 to 8:30 pm. No charge; donations appreciated.
Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Kim France, 7 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Team Trivia fundraiser for Stevie Wilson, 7 pm

Thursday, April 19
Ocracoke Community Library: Reception for “Ocracoke’s Community Helpers,” an installation of the recent STEAM fair project by Ocracoke School’s kindergarten class. Refreshments. 6 to 7 pm

Berkley Manor: Zillie’s and 1718 Brewing present a five-course Beer Dinner; limited number of seats available. 6 pm. Call Zillie’s: 252 928-9036.
Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Kate McNally, 7 pm
Gaffer’s: Island Time Steel Drum Band 7:30 pm

Friday, April 20
Ocracoke Preservation Society: Book signing by Ray McAllister of reprint of “Ocracoke Lighthouses and the Old Salts,” by the late Ellen Fulcher Cloud, 5 to 7 pm
Coyote Music Den: Martin Garrish & Friends “Playing Your Ocracoke Memories” with special guests. 8 pm (doors at 7:30)
Gaffer’s: Don Cox, 7:30 p.m.

Portsmouth Methodist Church. Photo by P. Vankevich

Saturday, April 21
Portsmouth Island Homecoming, 9 am to 2 pm. For transport to Portsmouth, call 252-928-4361.
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, Ocracoke School Gym, 9 am to 6 pm. (Click here for story about the festival.)
Ocracoke Oyster Co.: Martin Garrish, 6 pm
Gaffer’s: Don Cox, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 22
Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Kim France, 7 pm

 

Gaynelle Spencer Tillett: 1936 to 2018

0

Gaynelle Spencer Tillett, 81, died Friday (April 13) in her Ocracoke home.

A native of Ocracoke, Gaynelle was the daughter of the late Herman B. and Flora Burrus Spencer. She retired from the NCDOT Ferry Division and was a member of the Ocracoke Assembly of God.

Gaynelle is survived by a son, Ricky D. Tillett and his wife, Cindy; a sister, Louelle S. Midgett; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, six nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (April 17) in Ocracoke Assembly of God with Pastor Ivey Belch officiating. Burial will be private at Ocracoke Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ocracoke Assembly of God, P.O. Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.TwifordFH.com.

 

 

1...302303304...506Page 303 of 506
© Ocracoke Observer 2026 All rights reserved.