Outer Banks Link Love: 1.6.12 – Welcome to the Love

Posted on January 6, 2012

Outer Banks Link Love

I have a small confession to make. My name is Adam, and I’m addicted to blogging.

Oh, this isn’t Bloggers Anonymous? My bad.

Anywho, I love everything about blogs; writing, reading, learning, feeling connected to the authors. It is amazing how much information is shared outside of the mainstream media these days, and it is due in large part to the efforts of bloggers all over the world. Very empowering.

Blogs are such a great platform for communication online, and there’s a blog out there for almost any special interest these days. If you can’t find one for something you love, my recommendation is start one; it’s super easy with platforms like WordPresss.com.

If you can’t tell, the focus of this particular blog is the Outer Banks. Focused, but still a bit general. I want to keep it loose so we can discuss anything that is groovy about the OBX.

I post multiple times per day, and my posts have become one of my favorite parts of the day. The blog gives me motivation to get out and experience the OBX everyday – make videos, take pictures, dig around for all the secrets.

There’s a lot more OBX greatness to come in 2012, but even with a loose focus and daily posts, it is still very difficult for me to share all of the news from the Outer Banks. So, I’m going to start a new weekly blog series where I can collect all of the great news I haven’t discussed already (in the form of links to stories) and share them all in one spot.

I’m going use the ever-so-clever title of ”Outer Banks Link Love,” so keep an eye out for my weekly OBX link love on Fridays.

Here’s the first edition of some love I want to share with you. Enjoy…

Is there a better way to ring in the New Year than with a teeny tiny baby?! I didn’t think so. Zackary Lamb is the first baby born on the Outer Banks in 2012. Congrats Zack…and Mom & Dad.
Any frugal people in the audience? Come on raise your hand…you know who you are. Count me in – hey, it’s not cheap, it’s frugal! Frugalers, you’ll love this; the Outer Banks makes Richmond.com’s list of top Frugal Travel Destinations. Nice work OBX!
Here’s a shout out to the Outer Banks Voice for providing great local news on the OBX. Without the great coverage from the Voice, a lot of meaningful local OBX news would be lost. As a barometer for the biggest Outer Banks news of 2011, the Voice says that Hurricane Irene and the record-setting 805 pound tuna caught out of Oregon Inlet drove the most traffic to their site. Keep up the great work in 2012 Voicers.
Do you have a favorite OBX local business? Long-time visitors to the Outer Banks have most likely noticed a lot of businesses come and go, but there are a core group that have weathered the metaphorical storms to hang around over the years. Here’s a great story about Birthday Suits, a great OBX swimsuit store that has been around for almost 30 years!
Any theater buffs out there? The Lost Colony is holding local auditions – it could be your big chance at stardom!
An Outer Banks iconic landmark was recently highlighted on VisitSouth.com. No, not the Wright Brother’s Monument. No, not the Hatteras lighthouse. No, not Jockey’s Ridge. The Brew Thru of course! How great is the Brew Thru? Such a great idea. Have you been? Do you have a Brew Thru t-shirt?…ya gotta get ya one…absolute sweetness!
Have you heard that a local OBX restaurant is being sued by a restaurant in Philly?! Over their name no less. That is sooo not the OBX attitude. Crabby Fries, a great little spot on the Beach Road, is being sued over their name by Chickie’s and Pete’s in Philly. Here’s a good story about Facebook fans fighting back.
Last, but certainly not least, here are two stories about the possibility of surfers losing access to one of the Outer Banks’ best surf spots; S Turns. The road repairs after Hurricane Irene are threatening to take away any possible parking in the S Turns area. This would be a big loss to the OBX surfing community. In the articles below, you can find links to a petition trying to find a solution for the parking. If you have strong feelings about it, please take action.
ESPN: Road Issues in Rodanthe
Outer Banks Voice: Surfer fear loss of access to acclaimed break

I hope you dig the link love. Thanks for tuning in, and as always, please leave a comment to let us know what’s on your mind.

Have fun!

First Movie in North Carolina Shot on the Outer Banks Tells the Story of the Lost Colony

Posted on March 25, 2011

Old School Lost Colony Movie

The staged performance of “The Lost Colony” will soon open (May 27th) for its 74th year on the Outer Banks – started in 1937! But before the curtain rises for opening night, a new tale is being discovered.

The News & Observer recently reported on another tale of The Lost Colony that is unfolding as a lost film of the famous drama is discovered. The film was found in “The Lost Colony” administrative offices and is thought to be the only surviving copy in good condition.

The film was actually the first movie ever shot in North Carolina, and it told the story of the Lost Colony using local OBX actors and Outer Banks sets.

When the movie was released in 1921, Outer Banks residents mobbed local theaters and its popularity forced the show to be played over and over again. It marked a time in history when the Outer Banks, cut off from the rest of the state, began to share the story of its early English colonists.

North Carolina’s state government spent $3,000 filming the story – whose idea came from Mabel Evans Jones, superintendent of Dare County Schools at the time. The movie’s original title was interesting to say the least: “The Earliest English Expeditions and Attempted Settlements in the Territory of What is Now the United States, 1584-1591.” A mouthful…kind of like the title of this blog post.

Produced with a single cameraman, there was a cast of about 300 people for the movie – pretty much the entire Manteo population. The film was quickly eclipsed by the popular staged, outdoor drama “The Lost Colony.”

A five-minute segment of the film, now digitized, will be shown during a lecture at East Carolina University. Backers hope to revive the entire 46-minute movie.

New Secrets of the Outer Banks Lost Colony Discovered?

Posted on March 1, 2011

Outer Banks Lost Colony Archeology

The Lost Colony is one America’s oldest unsolved mysteries. Archeology sleuths have long been hot on the trail of the aptly named lost colony. Historians have been puzzled for centuries about just what happened to the group of about 117 English men, women and children of the Lost Colony, considered America’s oldest unsolved mystery. There have been many theories speculating that the colonists were killed by Indians, or that they traveled north in an attempt to reach their original destination near the Chesapeake Bay.

Are we any closer today to solving the mystery? According to some, the mystery has been solved, and according to others we’re not there yet…but getting close.

The Virginia Pilot recently wrote an article about Scott Dawson, an Outer Banks native and local historian, who has been researching the Lost Colony along with archeologists for several years. Dawson, whose lineage traces back to the Croatoan Indians, believes that the Lost Colony traveled from Roanoke Island to Hatteras Island sometime after their leader, Gov. John White, sailed back to England for help in 1587. Hoping to prove this theory and learn more about the Croatoan, Dawson spent several years working with archaeologists at the University of Bristol in England.

In November, Dawson’s work finally paid off when the university sent a team to explore an area in Buxton that he believed had once been the site of an Indian village. The team found a mix of Native American and English artifacts dating back as far as the 17th century.

“We didn’t get Virginia Dare’s pinky ring, but I’m not disappointed,” Dawson said.

The history behind Dawson’s theory – parts of which are shared by other historians – is based on the fact that there were two rival tribes in the area. Relations with the Secotan were hostile, largely because of the actions of another Englishman who ordered a Secotan town burned in 1585.

The Croatoan’s however, had welcomed white people since the first English expedition landed on the Outer Banks in 1584. Abandoned by their leader and surrounded by enemies, the colony may have sought refuge with the Croatoan on Hatteras Island, Dawson theorizes.

Research will continue in late March and early April in the Buxton and Frisco areas.

Dawson recently spoke for the first time about last year’s dig, and his presentation included a slideshow of pictures from the dig, along with several artifacts.

To learn more about the Lost Colony make sure to visit the 74^th season of the symphonic drama opening May 28^th at Manteo’s Waterside Theater.

2011 Summer Events on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 9, 2011

Outer Banks - Duck Jazz Fest

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer…especially considering the OBX is going to get hit with snow tonight!

The town of Duck, NC puts together an awesome schedule of free, fun, and family-friendly events every summer, and 2011 is no exception. Music, magic, story-telling…there’s something for everyone and it’s all freelicious!

Here’s the 2011 highlights:

ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY DAY PARADE – JULY 4, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.

Duck’s seventh annual Fourth of July Parade will be held on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., with an after-event following at the Duck Town Park featuring music by Ruth Wyand & Friends, refreshments, and the awarding of parade trophies. The one-mile parade route is the same annually and begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane going eastward, continues down Ocean Way, and then turns onto Christopher Drive. No part of the parade is on Duck Road (SR 12). Please plan to come early to get the best parade viewing spot. For more information or to register an entry for the parade, visit www.townofduck.com/4thofjuly.htm.

SPECIAL SATURDAY CONCERT WITH THE LANGLEY WINDS

The United States Air Force Heritage of America’s Langley Winds Woodwind Quintet will be in Duck for a special free performance on Saturday, June 11, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Amphitheater. This is the band’s second appearance in Duck and we are thrilled to have them back on our stage. For over 10 years, The Langley Winds have been inspiring audiences with a musical repertoire which includes a wide variety of popular, patriotic, and chamber music selections. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this very special concert.

“DUCK UNPLUGGED” SINGER/SONGWRITER SERIES – TUESDAY EVENINGS

New to the schedule for 2011 is “Duck Unplugged”, our four-week long singer/songwriter series. The concerts will be on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through July 26, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m., and will be held in the Town Amphitheater. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):

- Tuesday, July 5 – Kim Kalman
- Tuesday, July 12 – Laura Martier & Lucy Martier
- Tuesday, July 19 – Ruth Wyand
- Tuesday, July 26 – Coyote: Marcy Brenner & Lou Castro

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES – THURSDAY EVENINGS

This popular evening concert series returns for its fifth season. For eight weeks, local musical groups will take the stage at the Duck Town Park Gazebo. The concerts begin at 6:00 p.m., and are on Thursday evenings from June 23, 2011 through August 11, 2011. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):

- Thursday, June 23 – The Rajun Cajuns (New Orleans Style Dance/Rock)
- Thursday, June 30 – Aquarium (Jam Rock & Blues)
- Thursday, July 7 – The Fuzz Band (Jazz, Funk, Blues, Hip Hop)
- Thursday, July 14 – Greg Shelton Band (Classic & Dance Rock)
- Thursday, July 21 – Connected (Jazz)
- Thursday, July 28 – Laura Martier (Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues)
- Thursday, August 4 – The Crowd (Rock & Pop)
- Thursday, August 11 – The Little Kings (Dance Rock & Soul)

MORNING THEATER AND MUSIC SERIES – TUESDAY MORNINGS

The cast from The Lost Colony Musical Theater will be in Duck on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through August 9, 2011 presenting a musical song and dance preview of The Lost Colony production. All shows are at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the Duck Amphitheater. Each week will be a little different so plan to join us for one, or all, of the shows!

FAMILY MAGIC SHOW – WEDNESDAY MORNINGS

Witness incredible illusions, mind-bending magic, comedy, and audience participation the entire family will love — live on stage! OBXtreme Magic features some of the most incredible magic and illusions performed by world-renowned illusionists Clive Allen & Tracy.

This six-week long series of shows will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Town Amphitheater on Wednesdays from July 6, 2011 through August 10, 2011, and is underwritten by Kellogg’s Supply and The Cottage Shop.

Although this event is free, tickets will be required for entry as the event is fully underwritten and seating in the amphitheater is limited. All attendees (of any age) must possess a ticket to gain entry to the performance.

Tickets will be available beginning the Monday the week of the show at Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop, 1201 Duck Road (directly across from the Town Park). There is a six ticket maximum for this event. Tickets will NOT be available at the Town Office or at the Town Park.

Please remember, that ticket holders will be granted entrance to the amphitheater first; and then non-ticket holders will be granted entrance, if space allows, on a first-come, first serve basis. Non-ticket holders are NOT guaranteed entry to this event so please take the time and visit Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop to pick up your tickets early in the week of the show that you want to attend as these tickets are in high demand.

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME – THURSDAY MORNINGS

Bring the children for story time sponsored by Duck’s two book stores: Duck’s Cottage and Island Book Store. Story time will be held in the Duck Amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays beginning July 7, 2011 and continuing through Thursday, August 11, 2011. Story time is geared to children between the ages of 3 and 7.

5TH ANNUAL DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Fifth Annual Duck Jazz Festival will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the Duck Town Green. Artists for the 2011 show will be announced soon. Plan to join us for this popular event! For more information, please visit duckjazz.com.

All of the events, except for the parade, will take place at the Duck Town Park, 1200 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina. Please remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair for events being held on the Town Green. Beach umbrellas or tents are NOT permitted within the Town Park. All events will be held outside. In the case of inclement weather or site or performer unavailability, an activity may be cancelled or rescheduled.

For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit townofduck.com, call the Town’s Events hotline at (252) 255-1286, become a fan of the “Town of Duck” on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at “DuckPR.” Updates, changes, and cancellations will be posted on the Town’s website and at the park.

Outer Banks Lands on Yahoo Travel’s List of Top 10 Places to Take the Kids Before They Grow Up

Posted on October 13, 2010

Roanoke Island & The Lost Colony

Working from suggestions in the book 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, Yahoo Travel just released their list of Top 10 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, and the Outer Banks made the list…Roanoke Island to be specific.

Here’s what they had to say about the land of the mysterious Lost Colony…

Roanoke Island

In 1587, on Roanoke Island, between the Outer Banks and the North Carolina mainland, 120 men, women, and children landed to settle England’s first permanent New World colony. Virginia Dare — granddaughter of their governor, John White — was born that year, the first child of English parents born in America. When White sailed back to England, he intended to return within the year.

But a war with Spain kept White away from Roanoke for three years; what he found on his return in 1590 was a mystery. The rudimentary houses that he had helped build were dismantled, the entire area enclosed by a high fortlike palisade. No trace of the “Lost Colony” was ever found.

The visitor center at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site tells the colony’s baffling story in exhibits and film; outdoors, all that’s left of the fort is a silent mound of dirt, preserving the site’s sense of mystery. You’ll also want to flesh out the story by visiting the more commercial Roanoke Island Festival Park, mid-island in Manteo. A 69-foot-long three-masted bark, the Elizabeth II, lies moored across from the waterfront — a composite 16th-century ship built for the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s first exploratory voyage to Roanoke in 1584.

Haunted House on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 17, 2010

I know, it’s hard to believe we’re already talking about Halloween, but we’re getting pretty close to the costume and candy fest, and this OBX haunted house looks pretty cool…and it’s for a good cause.

Haunted House on the Outer Banks

For advance tickets or information call 252-473-2127 x223 or visit http://thelostcolony.org/index.htm .

EMERGENCY UPDATE – EMERGENCY UPDATE – EMERGENCY UPDATE

Uh oh, here’s an Emergency Update about the haunted house…well, not really, but it does build the suspense.

QUARANTINE OF FISHING VILLAGE TO BE TEMPORARILY LIFTED

(Roanoke Island, NC, September, 2010) – A team of super-scientists, mathematicians, and adventurers is now being assembled to investigate the unusual rumors surrounding “Quarantine Island”.

The U.S. Government and the Department of Unexplained Phenomena have lifted the ban on Quarantine Island for groups of adventurers for three nights—and three nights only—Thursday-Saturday, October 28-30 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Groups will leave under military escort from a staging area that has been set up in Fort Raleigh’s Waterside Theatre in Manteo, NC. If you believe you have what it takes to unlock the mysteries of Quarantine Island, visit www.thelostcolony.org and sign up today.

Exactly why this small island off the coast of North Carolina was cut off from civilization a year ago is still the cause of much debate but there seem to be a few facts:

1) The island’s once overflowing cemeteries are suddenly empty. But why?

2) The local population appears to have vanished…or at least they haven’t called for help in a long, long time.

What really happened on Quarantine Island? Help us answer these questions. Join our daring expedition today! And as they say, what’s a little fun without a little risk?

CONFIDENTIAL FILES – U.S. DEPARTMENT OF UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA

CODENAME: QUARANTINE ISLAND

News reports will be posted at the website below and will provide participants in the October 28-30 Reconnaissance Mission with an overview of the final days of Quarantine Island.

Read at your own risk.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Quarantine-Island/101311379930706?ref=ts

Wall St. Journal Focuses on the Outer Banks

Posted on August 19, 2010

Outer Banks Sunset

In the Life & Style section of the Wall St. Journal, reporter Bob Davis recently highlighted Duck, NC on the Outer Banks…. “where the sea is mild and the breeze is stiff.” Davis covers what to do, where to stay, and where to eat along the OBX.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the article:

What to do:

Lounge on the remarkably uncrowded Atlantic Ocean beaches of the Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands. The sand is fine and the water temperature is mild.
Currituck Sound, on the other side of Duck, is the place to jet-ski or kayak.
History abounds:
- Kitty Hawk, 10 miles away, is where the Wright brothers made their storied first controlled, powered flight in 1903. Wright National Memorial has a full-size model of the biplane they flew.
- Another historic attraction is the Roanoke colony, where British colonists first landed in 1585 and endured a few scant years. Their remains weren’t found, giving rise to tales of a “lost” colony. The national park on the site of the colonists’ Fort Raleigh is a lovely forested area.
- The consistent winds are ideal Kite flying on the beach; Duck is filled with stores that sell all manner of kites.
- Nearby, on Highway 158, is Jockey’s Ridge State Park, whose 100-foot-tall sand dunes give a better sense of what attracted Orville and Wilbur to the area: It’s a place where glider experiments could end in a soft landing. Instructors offer $99-an-hour hang-gliding lessons.
- It will cost you nothing to stroll along Duck’s boardwalk, which juts over the sound.
- Take a drive along the roads of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles from Duck, a marshland where black bears lurk and cross the road at sunset.

Where to Stay: Prices for one-week rentals of three-bedroom homes start at about $1,500 in Duck and nearby Southern Shore, both of which have thick tree cover. Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills lack much shade, but rentals there are cheaper.

Beautiful vacation rental homes available.

Where to eat: There are lots of restaurants with great views of the water.

To eat well, try The Blue Point Bar & Grill. It offers a gorgeous view of the sound. Try the flavorful celery soup for $7. Catfish fried in cornmeal with zucchini slaw on the side will set you back $25.
The Roadside Raw Bar & Grill, near Duck’s town square, lacks the view but has fine fare and live music most nights.
The Sanderling Inn’s Lifesaving Station restaurant, in a restored 1899 sea-rescue building, is more casual and less costly than the inn’s other restaurants. A terrific chowder followed by shrimp, andouille sausage and grits go for $31, roughly 40% less than the fare at the Sanderling’s elegant Left Bank restaurant.

Archeology Digs on the Outer Banks

Posted on May 21, 2010

Archeology on the Outer Banks

How cool?…archeology digs on the Outer Banks!

A couple of new acheological digs are beginning on the OBX during the months of May and June. This month, a team of acheaologists will perform and underwater excavation that will last several days. The goal of the dig will be to uncover evidence of the first English settlement site along a site called “Barrel Beach” that is located near The Lost Colony complex. This dig is the result of a new partnership with the Field School of Maritime History and Underwater Research and East Carolina University.

Along with these partners The National Park Service, Submerged Culteral Resource Unit, the UNC-Coastal Studies Institute, the NC State Underwater Archeology Unit and NOAA will also partner on a project in June to examine shipwrecks from the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Documentation of the wrecks will be kept by the team throughout the dig.

For more information, contact park headquarters at 252-473-2111.

Outer Banks Lost Colony Mystery Solved?!

Posted on March 31, 2010

Lost Colony on the Outer Banks

The Lost Colony on the Outer Banks is one of the longest running unsolved mysteries; until now…at least according to some experts. Archeological findings and much research have lead experts to the conclusion that Lost Colony settlers survived with Native Americans along the Chowan River.

As the story goes, Capt John Smith left the Colony of Roanoke Island to return to England for supplies. Starving and desperate, many of the settlers trekked 50 miles westward along the Albermarle Sound. James Horn, Vice President of research and historical interpretation and director of the John D Rockefeller Jr library in Colonial Williamsburg VA, is given credit for these findings.

Horn recently made some presentations at the Chowan County courthouse to speak about his conclusions. According to a recent article in the Daily Advance, “(Horn’s) presentation had some startling revelations,” said Jerry Climer, Historical Commission chairman. “It had always been suggested that the Lost Colony either died of starvation or from Indian attacks.”

The Chowan River was considered a favorable route because of its fresh water and its food supply. And the Chowanoc Indians were regarded as friendly. There was hope the integration could be mutually beneficial. “Dr. Horn had quite a bit of detail that the Chowanoc Indians took the people in,” Climer said.

During the colonization of Jamestown 20 years later, Capt. John Smith and a search party looked for Roanoke Island survivors. They too learned of European settlers on the move. Subsequent explorers found evidence that the settlers had survived and migrated. Years later, Hatteras Indians informed John Lawson of a people who “could read from a book and waited for a ship to rescue them,” Horn said.

Is the mystery solved? You can learn more about Horn’s theory in his book available at the Barker House Bookshop

The Outer Banks is So Much More Than A Day at the Beach

Posted on March 31, 2010

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The Outer Banks is best known for pristine beaches, hot summer days, and delicious seafood, but the OBX is so much more than meets the eye.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently ran a story highlighting many of the aspects that make the Outer Banks so unique…history, nature, entertainment, and the list goes on. Here are some great suggestions from the article:

Historic Lighthouses:
The Outer Banks is home to some of the most magnificent lighthouses on the East Coast. These lighthouses have served as a means of navigation and a beacon of hope for hundreds of years. Some of the famous lighthosues in the area are Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Pea Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. All of these Lighthouses are free admission and will hope this week for the Easter Holiday

Wild Horses:
Colonial Spanish Mustangs have lived wild in the northern beaches of the Outer Banks since the arrival of colonists hundreds of years ago. The herd has since been relocated to prptect the herd from dangers. Since 1989, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund has raised money to protect these animals from harm. Something important to remember when seeing the horses is the fact that it is illegal to come within 50 feet of them.

The Lost Colony at Waterside Theater:
During the late 16^th century, English settlers arrived on the Outer Banks with the goal of settleing the brave new world. After the colony was established unknown circumstances arose and the colony dissapeared. To honor the memory of the Lost Colony, an outdoor play is held at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, where the original settlement is located. The play has taken place since the 1930s. For more information call 252-473-3414 or visit www.thelostcolony.org

Wright Brothers National Memorial
The Outer Banks have witnessed many firsts, but this one made it onto the license plate: “First in Flight.” The dune in Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk where the famous flight took off in 1903 is still there, but it has shifted a few hundred feet since then due to constant winds. Vegetation was planted to keep the dune stable, and it’s now capped by a monument. There’s a museum filled with displays that tell the whole story — and then some — concerning the importance of what happened at this site. 252-441-7430, www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm