The NCDOTs new dredge “Manteo” will begin dredging Hatteras Inlet on Monday. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct. 27, 2016. 3:31 p.m.
Manns Harbor – The N.C. Transportation Ferry Division on Monday, Oct. 31, will begin dredging a portion of the channel used for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route that was affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Because of the work and the tides, passengers using that route may experience sporadic service interruptions over the next two weeks.
As conditions in the channel continually change, the route schedule could be affected on a day-to-day basis.
Passengers are strongly urged to stay updated on the schedule prior to traveling by checking the Ferry Division twitter feed or by calling the Hatteras terminal at (252) 986-2353, or the Ocracoke terminal at (252) 928-1665.
More information on the ferry service, including the regular schedule for each route, is available on the Department of Transportation’s Ferry website.
‘Soundside’ will be among Melinda Fodrie Sutton’s new photographs on view tonight in Down Creek Gallery.
Oct. 26, 2016
New works by island photographer Melinda Fodrie Sutton will highlight the final Expose Yourself to Art series of artists’ receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight in Down Creek Gallery.
All are welcome to attend. Music by Raygun Ruby will complement the light hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages.
While Sutton is noted for her vibrant island scenes, the gallery will show some of her recent work focusing on structures and buildings.
Sutton, who with her husband Alan who own Tradewinds Tackle here, began exploring her passion for photography several years ago.
Since then, she has been featured at Down Creek Gallery, several Ocracoke business and restaurants, and in Charleston, S.C, and Chicago, Ill.
For the last three years, Sutton’s camera has focused on the ever-changing island landscape.
“I love walking and taking pictures,” she said. “I see the world differently.”
So began her therapeutic “walk-about” period–10,000 steps a day with her iPhone camera in her pocket. Photo sharing on Facebook led to enthusiastic feedback from friends liking this new direction.
Encouraged to pursue photography more seriously, she enrolled in a four-week class in landscape photography at the University of South Carolina, Charleston.
“There are many things I want to do creatively, and I want to travel and see other countries and cultures,” she said.
This year, Sutton embarked on new subject matter in structural images. She will feature both framed and unframed pieces, many of which are black-and-white.
This photo of staples at a construction site in Chapel Hill is among the new works by Melinda Fodrie Sutton.
Volleyball: The Ocracoke Lady Dolphins play the Gates County Red Barons, 3 p.m. School gym
Soccer: The Ocracoke Dolphins soccer take on Gates County, 4 p.m. Community Park
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Down Creek Gallery. Reception for Melinda Fodrie Sutton showing new photography. 5 to 8 p.m. Refreshments; music.
Thursday, Oct. 27
Ocracoke Oyster Co.: Martin and Lou, 3 to 6 p.m.
Ocracoke Bar & Grille: Live music TBA, 7 p.m.
Deepwater Theater: “Molasses Creek Concert” 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28:
Freakin’ Firkin Keg Tapping (old-fashioned beer barrel) at 3 p.m. at Zillie’s Island Pantry.
Ocracoke School Carnival in the gym starting at 3:30 p.m. with a costume parade for kids followed by carnival games, bouncy houses, food, “cake walk,” a movie in the school Commons Room for kids; “Quiz-O” for adults. Lasts until about 9 p.m.
A “spook walk” in the front yard of the Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar, School Road.
The Motley Tones, 7 to 10 p.m. in the Ocracoke Bar & Grille
Coyote Den: Martin Garrish & Friends “Ocracoke Memories.” 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29:
Some local artist vendors on the Books to Be Red lawn
The drawing the raffle winner for a custom-designed golf cart (for the benefit of Ocracoke Youth Center) will be held at 3 p.m. at SmacNally’s.
Several activities in Community Square from 4 to 6 p.m.:
Trick-or-treating at the shops in the Square
Rum Gagger: stories and songs with Fiddler Dave and Capt. Robb on the dock of the Wilma Lee.
Chicken dinner and bake sale by the Ocracoke School fourth and fifth-grade classes to raise money for their school trip; ghost stories by Amy Howard, 5 p.m.
Gaffer’s Sports Pub will host their annual Halloween party with live music and a costume contest with a “Famous Horror Movie Monster” theme, and 80s cover band Raygun Ruby will play at the Howard’s Pub for their costume party. Both Halloween celebrations are on Saturday night where revelers walk back and forth to check out each other’s costumes at each venue. Pirates and wenches are welcome.
Saturday, Oct. 29 Ocracoke Oyster Co.: Martin Garrish, 6:30 p.m.
Ocracoke Bar & Grille: The Motley Tones, (pirate minstrels), 7 to 10 p.m.
Howard’s Pub: 26th Annual Halloween Party with Raygun Ruby, 8 p.m.
Gaffer’s: Halloween Party with Jackie and the All-stars, 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 30, and Monday, Oct. 31. “All Alone and Lonely: An Evening of Haunting Appalachian Folklore,” Written and performed by Jennifer Starr Coyote Den, Community Square. 8 to 9:15 p.m. $10/kids $5 (may be too scary for children under 10)
This single act, musical play features stories of love lost, love found, restless spirits, deception, murder, and one incredibly roguish “werefox.”
The Nov. 8 general election is fast approaching, and the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association’s Candidate’s Night is at 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) in the Ocracoke Community Center.
During it, local candidates will share their views for the upcoming election. The forum was originally scheduled for Oct. 12, but it was postponed due to the evacuation for Hurricane Matthew. While a few state candidates had agreed to attend on the original date, because of the rescheduled date, they will not be able to attend.
Two candidates are vying for the Lake Landing commissioner seat.
Incumbent Earl D. Pugh, Jr., a Republican and retired farmer, currently serves as the board’s chair. His opponent is Democrat Thomas Midgette of Engelhard.
A retired educator after 30 years in the public schools, he was most recently the Mattamuskeet Elementary School principal for the 2014 to 15 school year.
Benjamin Simmons III, a long-time resident of Hyde County, is the incumbent commissioner for Fairfield Township. He is unopposed.
After winning the March primary for the Ocracoke commissioner seat, Democrat Tom Pahl is unopposed to represent the island, and, barring a last-minute write-in campaign, will become the county’s newest commissioner.
Pahl has lived on Ocracoke for the last 12 years and owns Landmark Building and Design, a construction and historic restoration business.
The Ocracoke Sanitary District was created by authority of the North Carolina Commission for Public Health. District Supervisors are responsible for providing safe drinking water to the village. Water is pumped from a 620-foot aquifer beneath the island and treated for distribution to the district’s customers.
Two positions are on the ballot with two candidates, Regina Boor and Scott Bradley.
On Ocracoke, early voting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 and 3 in the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, 822 Irvin Garrish Highway.
This is the same location for the general election from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. Below is the ballot for this election.
Articles we posted on the 2016 elections can be foundhere. We will be posting more articles up to the election and beyond.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew’s visit to Ocracoke which brought the worst flooding on the island in recent memory, the organizers of the Blackbeard Pirate Jamboree scheduled for the weekend of October decided to cancel the event.
The decision to cancel this years jamboree was a very difficult one, said Daphne Bennink, committee chair.
“The boards unanimous decision was based on several factors,” she said. “Hurricane Matthew cost the board a critical period of planning time which could not be recovered. Concerns regarding the flooding river basins in our surrounding area and those potential impacts on our visitor demographics factored in.
“There is an important cost involved in hosting this event. We did not feel it was in the best interest of the event to move forward with so many handicaps involved. We have dealt with similar adversity before and have come back strong. Our focus now is on a stronger event for October 2017.”
This decision was made when islanders were in the process of assessing the damage, which was substantial and visible in the amount of debris, both household goods and vegetation that can be seen on the sides of the roads throughout the village.
Yet, the resilience of the community has kicked in and islanders are encouraging visitors to venture to Ocracoke in October and November, which typically are two mild fall months.
Laurie and Sean Death, owners of the Ocracoke Bar & Grille, have hired the popular Motley Tones pirate singing group Friday and Saturday nights.
Since this is the weekend of Halloween–a popular holiday on Ocracoke–several other events will go on.
Friday, Oct. 28:
Freakin’ Firkin Keg Tapping (old-fashioned beer barrel) at 3 p.m. at Zillie’s Island Pantry.
Ocracoke School Carnival in the gym starting at 3:30 p.m. with a costume parade for kids followed by carnival games, bouncy houses, food, “cake walk,” a movie in the school Commons Room for kids; “Quiz-O” for adults. Lasts until about 9 p.m.
A “spook walk” in the front yard of the Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar, School Road.
The Motley Tones, 7 to 10 p.m. in the Ocracoke Bar & Grille
Saturday, Oct. 29:
Some local artist vendors on the Books to Be Red lawn
The drawing the raffle winner for a custom-designed golf cart (for the benefit of Ocracoke Youth Center) will be held at 3 p.m. at SmacNally’s.
Several activities in Community Square from 4 to 6 p.m.:
Trick-or-treating at the shops in the Square Rum Gagger: stories and songs with Fiddler Dave and Capt. Robb on the dock of the Wilma Lee. Chicken dinner and bake sale by the Ocracoke School fourth and fifth-grade classes to raise money for their school trip
The Motley Tones, 7 to 10 p.m. in the Ocracoke Bar & Grille
Gaffer’s Sports Pub will host their annual Halloween party with live music and a costume contest with a “Famous Horror Movie Monster” theme, and 80s cover band Raygun Ruby will play at the Howard’s Pub for their costume party. Both Halloween celebrations are on Saturday night where revelers walk back and forth to check out each other’s costumes at each venue. Pirates and wenches are welcome.
October is one of the most pleasant months of the year on the island. Ten days out, no bad weather is forecast. Most of the restaurants and stores will be open for business.
Patty Plyer, manager of the Ocracoke Fish House, said there is plenty of fresh local fish available, thanks in part to a decision by Superior Court Judge John Jolly Jr., who issued an order preventing the Division of Marine Fisheries from instituting the Oct. 16 closure for southern flounder.
The Pirate Jamboree has had its challenges and wags are scoring it as a tied event: Hurricanes 3, Pirates 3. The first two attempts were canceled due to the arrivals of hurricanes Irene (2011) and Sandy (2012).
After three successful events (2013, 2014 and 2015), the one in 2014 did have a nasty Saturday night with winds up to 50 mph but occurred after the activities, it seemed the event gained audience each year.
This year, Hurricane Matthew began brewing in the Caribbean in late September and grew stronger.
Then the commercial fishermen didn’t like the looks of a tropical storm forming in the southern Caribbean and pulled their pound nets. Their ominous concerns proved to be correct well before it developed into a devastating and, at one time, a Category 5 hurricane.
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is an annual event, held the last weekend in October.
Next year’s Jamboree will be Oct. 27 to 29. The 2018 event Oct. 26 to 28 will commemorate the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise.
Hyde County Solid Waste Superintendent James Blount supervises debris removal, begun Wednesday on Ocracoke. Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said the operation on Ocracoke will take about three weeks. Photo: C. Leinbach
Hyde County disaster survivors have a number of local/state/federal assistance programs and services available to help them recover in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. In the coming days, Hyde County Public Information will release recovery bulletins to assist citizens.
Hyde County officials are scheduled to meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives today (Saturday) at 10 a.m., to coordinate FEMA’s efforts to assist survivors in Hyde County.
As of Friday, 69 Hyde County residents have applied for assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program and $4,185.13 has been awarded by the FEMA Individual and Household Program (IHP).
The following recovery programs and services are available to Hyde County residents:
Debris Removal
Ocracoke debris removal operations began on Oct. 19, and will continue until volumes have diminished to a locally manageable level.
The initial pass to collect Hyde County Mainland storm debris has been rescheduled and is now expected to begin on Thursday, Oct. 27, or Friday, Oct. 28. Hyde County officials are urging all mainland residents to place their storm debris on the roadside by no later than Tuesday, Oct. 25. The debris contractor will not collect storm debris on mainland private property or private roads.
Citizens may transport vegetative storm debris to the designated mainland convenience sites or you 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 your vegetative storm debris. Please do not transport your storm debris to the temporary debris storage sites (TDSS) on Ocracoke Island or the mainland. Below is a graphic showing how debris should be separated and placed within the NCDOT right-of-way to be retrieved.
FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) Program
On Oct. 10, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina triggering the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from Hurricane Matthew that began on Oct. 4, and continuing. Hyde County has received a FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) Declaration which allows homeowners, renters, and businesses to apply for vital short-term and long-term recovery assistance. Assistance can include grants for:
* Temporary housing
* Essential home repairs
* Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
* Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance
Applicants will be asked for the following information: * Social security number
* Address of the damaged primary residence
* Description of the damage
* Information about insurance coverage
* A current contact telephone number
* An address where they can receive mail
* Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Residents can apply at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, 800-621-3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and multilingual operators are available. Disaster Recovery Centers also will be opening in flood-impacted communities during the next several weeks for those who would like to talk with someone in person.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
Hyde County residents may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Available disaster loan types include:
* Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
* Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
* Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
Through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is able to quickly offer short-term food assistance benefits to families suffering in the wake of a disaster.
Eligible households receive one month of benefits, equivalent to the maximum amount of benefits normally issued to a SNAP household of their size. Benefits are issued via an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at most grocery stores.
Through D-SNAP, affected households use a simplified application. D-SNAP benefits are issued to eligible applicants within 72 hours, speeding assistance to disaster victims and reducing the administrative burden on state agencies operating in post-disaster conditions.
Households not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP as a result of their disaster related expenses, such as loss of income, damage to property, relocation expenses, and, in some cases, loss of food due to power outages.
When states operate a D-SNAP, ongoing SNAP clients can also receive disaster food assistance. Households with disaster losses whose SNAP benefits are less than the monthly maximum can request a supplement. The supplement brings their benefits up to the maximum for the household size. This provides equity between D-SNAP households and SNAP households receiving disaster assistance.
FNS approves D-SNAP operations in an affected area under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act when the area has received a Presidential disaster declaration of Individual Assistance (IA) from FEMA.
State agencies request FNS approval to operate a D-SNAP within the disaster area. FNS approves program operations for a limited period of time during which the state agency may accept D-SNAP applications.
The Hyde County Department of Social Services (DSS) will begin registering Ocracoke residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Ocracoke Community Center, 999 Irvin Garrish Hwy. D-SNAP registration in Hyde County will cease at the close of business on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program provides temporary weekly monetary assistance to individuals in specified areas whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster.
To be eligible for any week of DUA, an individual must meet one or more of the following conditions as a direct result of a major disaster as declared by the President of the United States:
1) No longer have a job.
2) Unable to reach the place of employment.
3) Scheduled to start work and do not have a job or unable to reach the job.
4) Become the bread-winner of major support of family because of disaster-related death of the head of household.
5) Cannot work because of injury directly caused by the declared disaster.
If you are eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, you must first exhaust those benefits before you are eligible for DUA.
To apply for assistance you should call DES toll free at 1-866-795-8877. Be prepared by having the following information:
1) Your social security number; your Alien Registration number if you are a non-citizen.
2) Any check stubs or other proof of earnings for employment you have had within the last 18 months.
3) If self-employed, your most recent federal income tax returns and/or your profit-and-loss statement.
Individuals who are affected by the disaster and are unable to continue working must file an application for benefits by Nov. 14.
Local public health services/environmental health services
If floodwater breached your well, you must chlorinate your well prior to use. For information on use of a well or septic tank after flooding, for food and lodging environmental health inspections, or for any other environmental health information, contact Environmental Health Specialist Roni Collier at 252-926-4380, or via email at rcollier@hydehealth.com.
Tetanus shots encouraged
Tetanus shots are encouraged for citizens and volunteers in contact with debris from Hurricane Matthew. If you have not received a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, or do not remember the date of your last vaccination, contact the Hyde County Health Department at 252-926-4399 to make an appointment to receive this vaccination.
Health and Safety Information
Health and safety information in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew is available at kiosks at all U.S. Postal Service Offices in the county services center, 30 Oyster Creek Rd., Department of Social Services and at the senior center. This information is also available online at http://hydehealth.comunder the Public Health Preparedness and Response tab. For more information, contact Preparedness Coordinator Misty Gibbs at 252-542-0358 or via email atmgibbs@hydehealth.com.
Primary Care Available
If you are feeling unwell after the storm, you can now see a provider five days a week at the Hyde County Health Department. Primary care is available for men, women and children. Services include: yearly physicals, chronic disease management, sick visits, laboratory services, well child visits and immunizations. Accepted forms of payment include private insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare. The Hyde County Health Department also provides services to those without insurance. A reduced rate may be available according to a sliding scale based on family size and income. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mental Health Services
Hyde County disaster survivors requiring mental health services in the wake of Hurricane Matthew may visit the Trillium Health Resources kiosk located in the Hyde County Government Center.; Swan Quarter, NC 27885, or citizens can call Trillium Health Resources Access to Care at 1-877-685-2415.
Please maintain awareness and monitor for further updates from Hyde County Public Information, as new recovery programs and services are being announced frequently.
The Ocracoke Civic and Business Association “Meet the Candidates Night,” originally scheduled for Oct. 12, will take place 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in the Community Center.
What may be to many the longest and most cantankerous election year in recent memory is heading to the home stretch, and early voting in North Carolina began today.
On Ocracoke, the polls for early voting are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 and 3 in the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, 822 Irvin Garrish Highway.
This is the same location for the general election from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Registered voters anywhere in Hyde County may vote in the elections office in the county services building in Swan Quarter during their open hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 ; Oct. 23, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 24 to 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The requirement to show a photo ID for voting and other associated laws has been struck down by a federal court. However, anyone who wants to register the same day they vote will be required to show photo ID (to prove they are who they say they are) or some other document showing they are a resident of Hyde County, such as a utility bill.
According to the North Carolina Board of Electionswebsite: Unless there is a different outcome on appeal, already registered voters will not be required to show photo ID on the general election day Nov. 8.
For detailed voter information, visit the Common Cause voter’s guide here.On this website,Candidate profiles are now onlinefor statewide, congressional and legislative races, along with local contests in 30 counties across North Carolina.
For those voting on Ocracoke, below is the ballot:
Melinda Sutton learns her fortune with ‘Zelda the Gypsy,’ who will read palms this Saturday (Oct. 22) at Roxy’s Antiques in Spencer’s Market. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct. 20, 2016
“Zelda the Gypsy” will once again travel to Ocracoke from her native home in Romania to do a palm reading fundraiser at Roxy’s Antiques in Spencer’s Market from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 22) to benefit Ocracats.
Zelda, whose full name is “Zelda Mina Vladamire,” was born in Romania in 1954, and at the age of five Zelda’s father taught her how to read palms.
Last year, wearing her special cat mask, Zelda read more than 40 palms, raising $650 donated entirely to Ocracats, a nonprofit group that takes care of the feral cat colonies on the island.
Children and adults alike turned out for the fundraiser and by and large were amazed at Zelda’s talents in reading palms.
One of those who attended last year’s fundraiser was Payce Howarth, a third-grader at Ocracoke School, who, along with her mother Merrian, had her palm read.
“It was really cool and it was my first palm read in my whole entire life,” Pace said. “She said I was good at art, that I was sweet and that I was good at heart!”
The event will feature wine, cheese, music and free cat ears to the first 20 visitors.
Cats may be in the trees during the Zelda the Gypsy palm reading event Saturday to benefit Ocracats.
The Ocracoke United Methodist Church on School Road.
By Connie Leinbach
Ocracoke islanders who lost food, furniture, clothes and other items from Hurricane Matthew have a resource here in the United Methodist Church.
The church, on School Road, has set up a hurricane relief center for islanders in need to get items and food vouchers as well as donate money and goods to help.
People needing help need not be members of the church, said Mary Bryant, wife of Pastor Richard Bryant.
The church’s finance committee decided to set up accounts for food vouchers at the Variety Store.
“They can only use it for food and household things,” she said. “We’re trying to get a handle on the number of people who lost their things.”
As cash donations come in, the committee also will decide how to distribute those dollars for help with replacing furnishings, paying utility bills or other necessities.
In addition, the church has offered help for people navigating the FEMA website, insurance claims or paperwork related to the flood.
This help is available today (Tuesday) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church or tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 19) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Ocracoke Community Library on Back Road.
“We will have some wonderful volunteers available to help,” she said.
Also, starting tomorrow, the church will have donated items available in the second-floor classroom. These items include bedding, paper supplies cleaning supplies and more.
This initial batch of items was donated by the good people of Thomasville, N.C., Mary said on a Facebook page set up for this purpose. Richard’s parents live there and put out the call for items, and these will be delivered today.
The Facebook page is “Ocracoke Recovery from Hurricane Matthew.”
The church is accepting donations of cash, services or other goods. Checks can be made out to the Ocracoke United Methodist Church with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line and sent to P.O. Box 278, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
For more information, Bryant said people are free to stop into the church or call the parsonage at 252-928-4211 and leave a message. This is a landline that is working intermittently since the storm, but she checks voice mail a few times a day.
The church office number is 252-928-6219.
Pastor Bryant’s email is: richardLbryant@gmail.com, and Mary’s is thebryantbunch5@gmail.com.
Ivey Belch, pastor of the Ocracoke Assembly of God Church on Lighthouse Road said they also are available to help anyone in need. People may stop by the church or call the church number at 252-928-9001, or email Belch at pastorb@ocracokeislandag.org, or ocracokeislandag@gmail.com.
A quiet spot at the north end of Ocracoke Island. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct. 18, 2016
Updated: the Ocracoke Fish House will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., tentatively, Monday through Saturday. Native Seafood is open daily, noon to 6 p.m. Any more updates, contact the Ocrcoke Observer: info@ocracokeobserver.com or 252-928-1811.
The following are season closing dates for island restaurants in 2016:
Open year-round (although some may close for a bit during January, February and March):
Island Vibe (home-made Greek yogurt, granola, wine, beer and more), British Cemetery Road
Ocracoke Oyster Co., 875 Irvin Garrish Hwy. (full menu of entrees, beer, wine, mixed drinks)
Eduardo’s Taco Stand, Irvin Garrish Hwy beside the Variety Store (authentic Mexican cuisine)
Ocracoke Bar & Grille, 621 Irvin Garrish Hwy (full menu of entrees, beer, wine, mixed drinks)
Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar, School Road.
Gaffer’s Sports Pub, 1050 Irvin Garrish Hwy (full menu of entrees, beer, wine, mixed drinks): open all winter
Zillie’s Island Pantry fall hours: Monday to Thursday, 1 to 7:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday: 1 to 8 p.m. Reservations required for wine tastings Thursday and Friday evenings: 252-928-9036. Freakin’ Firkin Keg Tapping, 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Two old-fashioned barrels of Heavy Seas beer.
SEASONAL CLOSINGS:
The Back Porch: Nov. 5
DAJIO: Lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week until the last day Sunday, Oct. 30. Pizza will remain the same, Tuesday to Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.
Howard’s Pub: Sunday, Oct. 30.
Jolly Roger: closed for season
Pony Island Restaurant closing sometime in November
Sweet Tooth & Fig Tree Bakery: closed for season
Ocracoke Coffee Co.: Nov. 27
Jason’s Restaurant: closing after Nov. 12, but open Dec 20 to 31. Then closed again until mid-March.
Thai Moon: open until the end of December
School Road Deli: open until the end of December
SmacNally’s: Open until after Thanksgiving; as long as the weather is good
Sorella’s Pasta & Pizza (formerly Ocracoke Pizza Co.): as long as possible into December
