Ocracoke Navigator: an island docent on your phone

June 14, 2015

By Peter Vankevich

Getting around Ocracoke village and learning about the island’s fascinating history will be easy for people with smart phones and computer tablets now that Stefen Howard has developed Ocracoke Navigator.

Ocracoke Navigator is a free, interactive web application. Simply go to a search engine and type in Ocracoke Navigator.

“It’s like having an Ocracoke native in your pocket!” the promo states, and that’s not far from the truth.

Howard, a son of Philip Howard, is a ninth-generation Ocracoke native and a descendant of William Howard, the last colonial owner of Ocracoke Island. Stefen (pronounced as “Steven”) grew up on Ocracoke and graduated from the school in 1985. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Guilford College, Guilford County, and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Stefen Howard DSC_2161 — Stefen Howard. Photo by P. Vankevich

A professor of computer science at Mars Hill University, near Asheville, Howard came up with the Navigator idea a few years ago when he noticed visitors carrying around computer tablets.

“I thought it would be great if there was something that would allow folks with smart phones and tablets to learn about island history,” he said. “It could also give them directions to all the important locations as well as shops and other businesses.”

So he went to work.

Ocracoke Navigator provides more than 200 interactive maps, extensive historical information, vintage and contemporary photographs and other information about the island.

Among the historical yarns are the site of the first automobile accident; when Charles Lindbergh (with no fanfare) landed on Ocracoke; the history of the Coast Guard Station; historic homes and buildings, and even information on Old Quawk, the hermit that one of the island creeks is named after.

“All my life on Ocracoke, I worked in the tourism industry including The Slushy Stand, Village Craftsmen and Over the Moon,” Howard said. “One of the most common questions locals get asked is, ‘How do I get to …’”

It may be a small island, but people still need to find their way, he noted.

“I also thought it would be a great way for visitors to access historical photographs, especially if they could find their way to a particular location and look at old photos and compare the old pictures to what it looks like now,” he said.

Development of this website was very much a family affair, with many of the stories narrated by Philip, Lou Ann Homan, and others in the Howard cohort.

Ocracoke Navigator includes two audio walking/biking/golf cart tours, “Around Creek” and “Down Point,” plus a kayak tour.

Ocracoke gets new public health nurse

June 13, 2015

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Elizabeth Dyer. Photo by P.Vankevich — Elizabeth Dyer. Photo by P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

Elizabeth Dyer, Ocracoke’s the new, in-home care nurse with the Hyde County Health Department, is happy to join a tradition of state-sponsored nursing care on Ocracoke.

“There is a long tradition of nurses and midwives on Ocracoke and their stories are in many accounts of life on the island,” Dyer said. “At the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum there is some gear used by island nurses and a photo of one nurse who was also a midwife. In that picture she sits surrounded by children she helped into the world.”

Dyer, who began her duties in May, will provide skilled nursing care for people on the island needing help with wound care, help with medication and patient teaching. It also includes whatever they can’t do while recovering at home, such as household chores.

All of her home health patients are referred to Hyde County by healthcare providers or hospitals.

“There are many programs that are part of public health and I will have a chance to participate in other areas as I get trained,” she explained.

Hailing from Hillsborough, and a graduate of Duke University School of Nursing, Dyer most recently worked with the UNC-Chapel Hill student health services.

Prior to working in Chapel Hill, she worked in several other places.

“When we lived in New Zealand for six years I had a chance to work at the Whangarei Hospital,” she said. “That was a lot of fun.”

Dyer decided on her profession in high school, when she worked as an aide at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

“The nurses there were so capable and helped so many people get well that I was inspired to go to nursing school,” she said.

She said she and her husband, Art Mines, a retired audiologist, have wanted to live full time on Ocracoke for a long time and she was happy to get a part-time position with Hyde County. Dyer also works part-time at Ocracoke Child Care.

“We are settling in to our wonderful little house and doing lots of projects around our shed and in the yard,” she said.

Those interested in services are asked to contact Hydeland Home Health at 252-926-4386, or Hyde Public Health at 252-926-4399.

Ways for summer day trippers to avoid waiting in line

June 12, 2015

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Since the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry System switched to its full summer schedule of 36 daily round-trip departures between Hatteras and Ocracoke, it is calling on summer day trippers to strongly consider going as early in the day as possible to avoid wait times in the peak season.

“We’ve always suggested visitors try to avoid the peak times of the day when traveling between Hatteras and Ocracoke,” said Ferry Division Communications Officer Tim Hass. “This year, we’re coming right out and saying it: The best way to get out of ferry lines is to travel early, travel late, or travel between Friday and Monday. We have years of data to back that up.”

That data shows that, in general, there are no waits at Hatteras before 9 a.m., with lines starting to form around 10 a.m. Peak travel time is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lines generally dissipating by 4 p.m.

On the Ocracoke side, there is usually no waiting before 2 p.m. Cars begin to stack up by 3 p.m. and lines are the longest between 6 to 7 p.m. By 9 p.m., those lines are usually gone.

“By adjusting their schedule just a little, travelers can spend less time in a ferry line and more time on Ocracoke, and that’s what vacation should be about,” said Ferry Division Director Ed Goodwin about traveling to Ocracoke.

The Ferry System has created a web page here with more information, and will be encouraging off-peak travel all summer via advertising and social media.

Ocracoke School graduation set for Sunday

June 12, 2015

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Honor student, Lucy O'Neal, wasn't surprised at the school's rating. "We are a great school. We're a great community. Photo by P. Vankevich — Graduating honor student and Lady Dolphins basketball star Lucy O’Neal, . Photo by P. Vankevich

Six seniors will graduate on Sunday (June 14).

The ceremony, at 5 p.m. in the school gym, is open to the public and will include former school principal George Ortman as the featured speaker. Scholarships and other honors will be announced.

Graduates this year are Hunter Raleigh Belch, Wilton Hunter Collins, Abigail Grace Morris, Kathryn Grace O’Neal, Lucy Louise O’Neal and Samantha Leigh Styron.

The graduates will be honored tonight at 5 p.m. a party at the Berkley Manor. All are invited.

Women’s Arm Wrestling Tournament to benefit radio station WOVV

June 12, 2015

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Women's Arm Wrestling Tournament 2014 at the Beachcomber Campground. — Women’s Arm Wrestling Tournament 2014 at the Beachcomber Campground.

The Seventh Annual Women’s Arm Wrestling Tournament, one of Ocracoke’s most unusual and fun fundraisers, is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 18 at the Beachcomber Campground behind the gas station.

Ocracoke’s nonprofit community radio station WOVV 90.1 FM organizes it and is the beneficiary of proceeds. Prizes totaling more than $1,000 in value will be awarded to the top two wrestlers and the top three costumes.

Prize donations have been generously provided by:

Native Son Parasail and Seafood, The Back Porch, The Flying Melon, Thai Moon, Eduardo’s, Jason’s, Zillie’s Pantry, Ocracoke Coffee, Ocracoke Island Golf Carts, Ocracoke Bar and Grill, Ocracoke Texaco, Milk Street Soap, Graffitti Rose, Flavia Burton, Annie Lou Gaskins, Ann Ehringhaus and more.

Contestants are encouraged to have creative names and costumes, and are ballyhooed much like a World Wrestling Event.

Island women and visitors contestants with monikers such as ARM-erican Psycho, Hanna-Belle Lector, Wench Press, Rotator Cuff Reaper, Bobby Knocks Your Socks Off and Nurse Rachet, competed for the top prize, the WOVV Belt, as well as a host of other gifts from island businesses.

Last year, more than 25 wrestlers competed with “Bluebeard” (aka Emily Shaw of Columbia, Conn.) emerging victorious.

Contestants should register before the event at the radio station at Irvin Garrish Highway and British Cemetery Road between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday. Visit the website at wovv.org, email: info@wovv.org, or call 252-928-968.

A Tale of Blackbeard returns to the boards

June 12, 2015

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May 17 025 — Amelia Jordan, left, and Caroline Temple, rehearse “A Tale of Blackbeard” with Julie Howard, center, musical director and creator of the play.

By Connie Leinbach

The Ocracoke original play “A Tale of Blackbeard” will have some new twists when the production resumes at 8 p.m. June 29.

The musical, loosely based on the days prior to Blackbeard’s demise on the island in 1718, was written in the 1970s by Julie Howard. After a more than 20 year hiatus, this popular piece about island life was revived last year.

This year, it will be performed Mondays through Aug. 10 in the Ocracoke School gym where it will accommodate a bigger audience than last year when it was in the Ocracoke Community Center.

At least two thirds of the local actors are returning to the show this year though not all in the same roles, Howard said during a lull in a recent rehearsal.

Trish Davis and David Tweedie rehearse the Farthingham roles.

“There are more sailors, a different Blackbeard and a different energy,” Howard, who is the musical director, said.

This summer’s show is in partnership with the Ocracoke PTA, which will provide food concessions and receive a portion of the proceeds with remaining funds designated for Ocracoke Alive community programming.

Courtney Conner is the director with Desiree Ricker as choreographer/co-director.

Howard has revised the show a bit, in particular, adding another song for the sailors.

“It just popped into my head three years ago,” she explained, but since the show was only revived last year, it wasn’t added until this year. “I only finished refining it last month.”

Waylon Underwood, who was Richard, the young male lead last year and who is playing the part again this year, said the show is very different this year, although the way he plays his role is not so different.

A new Euphemia, proprietor of the boarding house, will be Megan Spencer.

“I’ve never been in a play before,” Spencer said about the new venture. “I fell in love with the play last year and wasn’t expecting such a big role.”

For cast and ticket information, visit the website here.

“A Tale of Blackbeard” logo.

La Familia Pérez recibe honores en carreras

June 11, 2015

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Karen, Kevin & Mom Lulu Perez 2015-04-25 09.48.33 — Karen, Kevin & Lulu Perez. Photo por Peter Vankevich

Por Peter Vankevich
Traducido por Alfredo (Freddy) Contreras

In English

La estudiante de segundo grado de preparatoria, Karen Pérez lidero al grupo de carreras de campo y pista en las competiciones regionales el pasado Mayo en el campamento Legeune.

Karen Perez. Photo by Lulu Perez — Karen Perez. Photo por Lulu Perez

Ella termino en primer lugar en los 600m y segundo lugar en los 800m. Sus mejores tiempos la llevaron a calificar y competir en High School Athletic Associacion Women’s State 1-A Campo y Pista de Carolina del Norte en Greensboro, también en Mayo, donde ella termino los 1600m en octava posición (5:50) y décima en los 800m (2:41)

Karen fue parte del primer equipo de Ocracoke en competir por primera vez una competición de campo y pista este año, y los entrenadores Denny Widener y Scott Macnally quedaron satisfechos con los resultados de esta temporada.

Justo después de tres competiciones, el equipo viajo a Manteo para el encuentro de conferencia. Cada miembro del equipo califico para regionales. En adición a Karen, otros miembros del equipo incluyendo Jordi Perez, Kyle Tillett, Kevin Perez, Evin Caswell y Dalton Kalna.

Una estudiante de honores de segundo grado de preparatoria, Perez corrió su primera carrera competitiva (la carrera de 5k de Ocracoke) cuando cursaba el quinto grado de primaria.

Lulu Perez 2015-04-25 08.19.45 — Lulu Perez. Photo por P. Vankevich

El correr es un talento de Familia. Su madre, Lulú, termino en primer lugar en la carrera femenil de 5k/10k llevada a cabo en Ocracoke este año (y termino quinta a nivel general). El hermano de Karen, Kevin, quién será en el último año de la escuela secundaria, termino primero a nivel varonil en los 5k y Karen segunda a nivel femenil en la misma.

Karen ha sido parte del equipo de basquetbol femenil Los Delfines, aunque

por el momento está tratando de decidir jugar los dos deportes o concentrarse en las carreras el próximo año.

Winner Kevin Perez . Photo by P. Vankevich — Kevin Perez . Photo por P. Vankevich

Perez family take running honors

June 11, 2015

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By Peter Vankevich

En español

Ocracoke sophomore Karen Perez led Ocracoke’s track-and-field team at the regional competition in May at Camp Lejeune.

She had a first-place finishing the 1600m (one mile) and a second-place finish in the 800m. Her strong finishes qualified her to compete in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Women’s State 1-A Track and Field Championships in Greensboro, also in May, where she placed eighth in the 1600m (5:50) and tenth in the 800m (2:41).

Karen was part of Ocracoke School’s first ever track and field team this year, and coaches Denny Widener and Scott MacNally were pleased with how well the season went. After just three competitions, the team went to Manteo for the conference track meet. Every member of the team qualified for the regionals.

In addition to Karen, team members include Jordi Perez, Kyle Tillett, Kevin Perez, Evin Caswell and Dalton Kalna.

A sophomore honor student, Perez ran her first competitive race (the Ocracoke 5K) when she was in the fifth grade.

Running is a family talent. Her mother, Lulu, took first place this year in the Ocracoke 5K/10K in the women’s 10K (and was fifth overall). Karen’s brother Kevin, who will be a senior in September, won the 5K and Karen placed second in the women’s 5K.

Karen has played on the Lady Dolphins basketball team, though she is deciding whether to play both sports or concentrate on running next year.

Ocracoke: where things get blown off course

June 11, 2015

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Beached boat near Southpoint. Photo by P. Vankevich.

By Peter Vankevich

Islanders are used to having the strange and unusual appear on Ocracoke.

Rare seashells, birds, fish and even a black bear on occasion have made appearances. During the bad weather turbulence in early May, a skiff appeared on the beach between the South Point and the airport. It had no identifiable marking and the washed out color was yellow. Speculation arose. Was it a boat possibly carrying refugees? Did the color indicate a particular country of origin?

The boat remained on the beach for only a few days. The National Park Service removed it due to safety concerns, according to Head Ranger Ed Fuller.

It was there long enough, however, for someone to mark it with a large pirate flag and a much smaller American flag.

Islander John Ivey Wells was one of those who did see it, and, based on the rigging in the interior, he suspected that it was a working boat for a larger entity. He pointed out how the stern was cut down to pull things over it easily, and there was a block and tackle chain and a heavy rope on board. He suspected that it was probably used for construction and or possibly for hauling crab or fish pots.

One thing we do know is that it came from the south. Attached to it were lots of gooseneck barnacles (Olepas anatifera).

Gooseneck barnacles. Photo by P. Vankevich — Goose neck barnacles. Photo by P. Vankevich

These filter-feeding crustaceans live in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide and can be found, attached by their flexible stalks to floating timber, the hulls of ships, piers, pilings, seaweed and various sorts of flotsam. They can be found in areas well beyond their normal distribution range, on marine debris carried by the Gulf Stream.

John Ivey has seen them on Ocracoke many times in the past on objects that have come up from the Caribbean. When Sargasso seaweed comes to shore, gooseneck barnacles are on them as well, he said.

In the days before it was realized that birds migrate, it was thought that Barnacle Geese, Branta leucopsis, developed from this crustacean, since these geese were never seen to nest.

This connection was prompted by the similarities in color and shape. Because they were often found on driftwood, it was assumed that the barnacles were latched onto branches before they fell in the water.

The Welsh monk Giraldus Cambrensis made this claim in his “Topographia Hiberniae,” an account on Ireland and it people written around 1188. Since barnacle geese were believed to be “neither flesh, nor born of flesh,” they were allowed to be eaten on days when eating meat was forbidden by religion.

This boat was reconfigured for some kind of work. Photo by P. Vankevich

Students honored for academic achievement

June 10, 2015

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By Peter Vankevich

Ocracoke School honored 37 students for their achievements May 28 at the annual Academic Excellence Banquet in the Ocracoke Community Center.

All of the students, from grades three through 12, made the honor roll for each academic period. Seven of them made all A’s.

Bill Jones, a retired minister and volunteer for the last three years at the school, was the guest speaker.

School volunteer Bill Jones. Photo by P. Vankevich

He recounted his experiences at his boarding school, Indian Springs School, located south of Birmingham, Ala., in the late 1950s, with some of the eccentric, yet caring teachers he still fondly remembers.

He compared Ocracoke School favorably with his experiences, noting that at both schools,” the teachers didn’t just teach math, English or science. They, most importantly, taught students.”

All A’s Honor Roll

Alyssa Morgan Bryan
Dylan Scott Esham
Maren Grace Donlon
Justin Cole Gilbert
Christian Stanley Stevens
Deana Joy Seitz
Julian Howard Bennink

All A’s and B’s Honor Roll

Ronald Kevin Contreras-Garcia
Daymon Scott Esham
Yuletzy Hernandez Ibarra
Elsie London Kattenburg
Dibanhi Rodriguez-Santiago
Alexis Villanueva Tellez
Max Owen Elicker
Frances Margaret Burruss Evans
Wyatt Luca Giagu
Katie Grace Kinnion
Chandler Russell O’Neal
Gisselle Perez
Lachlan Wesley Tweedie Howard
Edwin Perez-Benitez
Jackson Sydney Strange
Jayden Bradley West
Hannah Laura Grey Belch
Mason Daniel Fuller
Mackenzie Paige Novak
Milagro Raquel Ortiz
Colby Todd Austin
Julia Taylor Fuller
Mackenzie Lee O’Neal
Cody Lee Pinter
Kalai Jay Samick
Samantha Nicole Sutton
Liam O’Neal Caswell
Carson Farrow O’Neal
Jordi Perez
Karen Corona Perez
Arianna Trejo Contreras
Josie Anne Winstead
Hunter Raleigh Belch
Abigail Grace Morris
Kathryn Grace O’Neal
Lucy Louise O’Neal
Samantha Leigh Styron

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