Outer Banks Tree Lighting & Holiday Piano Concert

Posted on December 12, 2008

Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at the Whalehead Club (Corolla)

See the giant cedar tree in Currituck Heritage Park and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse simultaneously illuminated.

Festivities include:

· Free hot chocolate

· Carols sung by the Currituck County High School Choral Ensemble

· Following the lighting ceremony, the Whalehead Club will offer complimentary docent-led holiday tours to show off the decorations inspired by the 1920′s etchings of Edward Collings Knight, Jr.

· Romantic horse-drawn carriage ride snuggled under a fluffy blanket through historic Corolla Village

Saturday, December 13, 2008 – 7 pm to 9 pm - Holiday Piano Concert

Enjoy a Holiday Piano Concert in the library of the Whalehead Club featuring the fabulous voices of the Currituck County High School Choral Ensemble singing holiday favorites.

The second half of the concert will feature the amazing talents of local pianist, Sally Copeland Wright. Listen to Mrs. Knight’s custom-made Steinway Grand Piano positively come alive as Sally’s classically-trained fingers dance across the 105 year-old ivory keys.

Tickets for the concert are $35 per person or $100 for 4 tickets and include a dessert reception during intermission. Tickets available online through the Whalehead Club Museum Shop.

Outer Banks “Taste of the Beach”

Posted on December 12, 2008

Taste of the Beach

On March 5 – 8, 2009, the Outer Banks Restaurant Association will host the Outer Banks “Taste of The Beach” weekend event. The “Taste of the Beach” has enjoyed great success and was even named in the top ten Seafood and Wine Festivals in the nation by Coastal Living Magazine.

The weekend will be full of great food and drinks and fun activities; all taking place in the gorgeous OBX setting.

Some of the activities that will be offered for this event include:

· Wine tastings,

· Cooking classes,

· Special menu presentations,

· Guest chef appearances,

· brewery tours, and more.

The event will conclude with a “Taste of The Beach” expo on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk.

You can find additional information at www.OBXTasteoftheBeach.com.

Make your travel plans early. Many great vacation homes still available.

Waves Shaping Up for Outer Banks Surfers

Posted on December 11, 2008

rodanthe-102708-007 Some great Outer Banks swell has gone unsurfed this fall. A lot of elements have to line up to create a great surf day. Swells need to provide the waves, the wind needs to be just right, and the beach needs to create a break.

This fall the Outer Banks has seen swell and wind cooperating, but the sandbars that help create the breaks have been less than ideal. For example there were a couple of north swells that were affected by the lack of sandbars on Hatteras Island. The good news is that a recent nor’easter hit Hatteras and helped form a few solid sandbars!

Breaks from Avon to Buxton are starting to shape up. It has also been reported that the first jetty at the lighthouse is looking just about perfect for the winter season. These following months might be the perfect time to pick up a board, throw on a wetsuit and have a paddle. One piece of advice for the surfer who may not know where to go surfing, just head south.

For more information on the surf conditions and the new sandbars take a look at a recent article and slide show in the Island Free Press.

Post written by Brennan Jones

Pirates Have Returned to the Outer Banks

Posted on December 11, 2008

pirate-skull-crossbones November 22, 2008 was the 290^th anniversary of the Battle of Ocracoke, which took the life of the fabled Blackbeard the Pirate.

This anniversary was commemorated for the first time with a ceremony organized by Blackbeard’s Crew, a living history troupe based in Hampton, VA, and Blackbeard historian, Kevin Duffus.

Fifty eight people dressed in pirate costumes marched through Ocracoke to the sound of a monotonous drum beat that that helped build the solemn mood of a funeral march. Followed by an interested crowd of residents and visitors, the marching concluded at Teach’s Hole, named after Edward Teach, Blackbeard’s believed name. Today this historic spot is a thriving fishing hole, but on November 22, 1718, this was the site of a bloody battle that cost 23 men their lives.

Known as The Battle of Ocracoke, it is believed that Blackbeard, 11 of his crew, and 11 sailors of the British Navy were killed. This ceremony was held to honor the memory of the fallen men and to educate people about the fascinating history of pirates on the Outer Banks.

For more information on the event and a great slide show, take a look at Sundae Horn’s recent article in the Island Free Press.

Outer Banks: Elizabethan Gardens’ Educational Outreach

Posted on December 10, 2008

Elizabethan Gardens (www.ElizabethanGardens.org), located at Roanoke Festival Park in Manteo, is teaming up with North Carolina State University for new community outreach and educational programs and continued improvements to the Gardens.

The program will be headed up by a full time educator and two graduate students of horticultural science. This program has been designed to educate interested members of the community about the importance of the gardens to the Outer Banks.

The program will include:

· Educational research,

· Sustainable horticulture,

· Development of exhibits and interpretive signs,

· New garden design,

· Greenhouse and nursery management,

· Master planning and publications, and

· Staff development.

You can find further information here.

Outer Banks: Outer Beach Exploration

Posted on December 4, 2008

Conducted by the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

When: Tuesday, December 9

Where: Avalon Fishing Pier, Mile Post 6

Escape to Gulf Stream beaches to see the variety of coastal beach life.

Learn why the Outer Banks beaches look different and become familiar with the array of animals that call these beaches home. You may even find that rare-colored sea glass to add to your collection.

The class is free, but please call ahead for reservations. For reservations, book online or call 252.453.0221 ex. 3.

History of Outer Banks Wild Horses

Posted on December 4, 2008

Currituck Heritage Park began their annual Winter Education Series in late November. The educational series stretches over four months and kicked off with the “ History of Hooves.”

The inaugural lecture was delivered by the Wild Horse Fund Director, Karen McCalpin, in the Old Corolla Schoolhouse, where the Wild Horse Fund houses its main offices, educational material, and store.

McCalpin described the history of wild horses on the Outer Banks’ northern beaches, stretching back in time for centuries. It is believed that during the 16^th century Spanish explorers brought horses from Europe which eventually led to a surplus of horses on the East Coast in the 17^th century. Unfortunately, those wild horses are becoming scarce today, and the Wild Horse Fund was developed to help protect the horses and champion their causes. The Wild Horse fund views education as one of its main tools towards the protection of the species.

A full description of the event can be found at the Daily Advance.

Message In a Bottle Found on the Outer Banks

Posted on December 3, 2008

A recent article in the Daily Advance (which was also picked up by national media outlets) highlights a remarkable find on the Outer Banks.

During a recent family trip to OBX, a vacationer found a bottle with a message in it that had traveled 400 miles from New Jersey and had braved the sea since 1969!

Another treasure found on the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks: “Christmas By the Sea” in Manteo

Posted on December 3, 2008

Christmas by the Sea

Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7

· Manteo is a short drive from the Outer Banks across the bridge in Nags Head

· All events are free to the public

Grand Marshall: William Ivey Long II – Tony Award winning Broadway and Lost Colony costume designer.

Schedule of Events

Friday, December 5

5:45 pm: Manteo Christmas Show Illuminations

6:30 pm: Santa at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum

Saturday, December 6

10:00 am: Parade warm up with Show Stoppers

11:00 am: Manteo Town Christmas Parade

Bake Sale

Post-parade: Santa at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum

Sunday, December 7

2:00 pm: William Ivey Long II at Manteo Town Hall (limited seating, first come first serve)

Ice Skating & Sledding on the Outer Banks

Posted on December 3, 2008

Thoughts of the Outer Banks usually conjure ideas of warm weather and time on the beach, but OBX offers great attractions year round…even in the winter!

A short drive off the barrier islands will bring you to the first ice skating rink in Northeast North Carolina. Ice Haus is in its second year, and this year they have even added a sledding hill! In addition to the local natural, cultural, and historic attractions of the Outer Banks, you can now enjoy winter fun on the ice.

Ice Haus is located at the Weeping Radish Brewery in Currituck. The rink opened on November 26^th for the winter. The price of admission is $7 for kids under 12, and $8 for adults; the fee includes 2 hours off skating. The rink is open from noon until 9 p.m. The 140′ rink is available for private parties, ice skating lessons and ice hockey.