Life in the Outer Banks

Remains of a long-ago victim of the Graveyard of the Atlantic have been discovered on the beach off Corolla after this week’s rough surf. The wreck is near the Albacore Street off-road vehicle ramp and has stayed mainly buried under the duneline, but longtime residents say it’s the most they have seen of the wreck exposed in years.

It gives onlookers one of the best sights of the buried wreck since it was first found in 1997, but the ocean has routinely exposed the wreckage to varying degrees since. Locals also believe it to be part of the 19th century ship called the Metropolis. “It is definitely more exposed than it has been in the past,” said Dr. Nathan Richard, head of UNC’s Coastal Studies Institute’s Maritime Heritage program. “It’s a big ship and is easily identifiable because there is so much of it still intact. It’s sitting on its keel, and there is a good view of the portside.”

The wreck has been identified as the “O’Keefe” wreck by the state’s Underwater Archaeology branch, named after Charles O’Keefe, who first reported it back in the late 1990s. While the exposed portion has long been believed to be part of the Metropolis shipwreck, Richards said the remains have never been compared against historical records, so it cannot be said for certain what wreck it belongs to.

Courtesy: OuterBanksVoice.com

In response to requests from local leaders, federal officials have agreed to a public meeting on the Outer Banks to hear opinions on the sale of offshore oil and natural gas leases. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management added the hearing at the urging of U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, the Dare County Board of Commissioners, the Town of Nags Head, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and others. They said the Outer Banks has a heavy stake in offshore energy development and that hearings in Hampton Roads and the Wilmington, N.C., area were too far away. Over the years, local governments have been strong in their opposition to offshore energy development, saying the risks to tourism and the environment far outweigh the benefits. The meeting is expected to be in mid-March, but the exact time and location have not been determined, a statement from Jones’ office said. At the end of January, BOEM released its draft proposed program for offshore oil and gas exploration for 2017-2022. It includes a 60-day public comment period at hearings or by mail.

Courtesy: OuterBanksVoice.com

Duck has hired an engineering firm to start designing pedestrian improvements in the town’s village-commercial area. Tensions can run high between strollers and bicyclists during the busy summer season.

The Town Council approved the two-year $269,000 contract with VHB Engineering of NC Jan. 5 to move forward with the municipality’s Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan that has been a long time in the making but finally was adopted late last year.

While the plan addresses the entire town, the bulk of improvements are slated for the downtown village area. Three new crosswalks will also be incorporated into the new traffic pattern, along with the connection of the proposed sidewalks to eight crosswalks that are already in place.

“We have a ton of people there, and whenever you have that many people, you are going to have conflicts,” said Town Manager Christopher Layton. During the busy tourist season, an existing shoulder is often packed tight with pedestrians and bicyclists who use it to access the many shops, restaurants and other businesses on N.C. 12. While heavily used by pedestrians, it was really never designed to be a sidewalk, Layton said.

A key component of the design work will revolve around the construction of sidewalks on both sides of the roadway from Aqua Restaurant to Cook Drive, and a sidewalk on the east side of the roadway from Cook Drive to Sunset Grille. Existing shoulders will be converted exclusively to bike lanes and be extended on the east side of N.C. 12 south to the crosswalk at Sunset Grille and north to the existing crosswalk at Aqua Restaurant.

Courtesy: OuterBanksVoice.com

This is a rain or shine outdoor pavilion event. The 2^nd Annual Shallowbag Bay Shag Beach Music Festival will begin on May 25^th at the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. All festival attendee parking will be located at the Manteo High School Parking Lot. Parking at RIFP is reserved for handicap, VIP's, band members and vendors only. Shuttle service will be provided all day and will run every 10 minutes to each location. Shuttles will begin at 10 A.M. Performers include Jim Quick and Coastline, The Embers, The Tams & Band of Oz. Bring chairs or blankets. Vendors will be selling beer, wine, sodas & an assortment of food all day long. Tickets may be purchased online. When purchasing tickets online remember to bring your printed ticket to the gate to be scanned in so you can receive your festival armband.

For more information call: (252) 475-1500 or visit: www.obxshag.com

Courtesy: OuterBanksVoice.com

Starting March 14^th at 9:00 A.M, The Elizabethan Gardens is having a four month celebration of spring. The daffodil was called "daffodilly" in Elizabethan times. This festival celebrated the flower, signals the dawn of springtime beauty. Daffodilly Fest is a month-long celebration with inspirational garden displays and educational opportunities that encourage an appreciation of the art of gardening.

Over 40,000 daffodils will be planted for the festival. Cheerful fun spring events will take place throughout the event with family activities outdoors. Events planned include a Daffodilly Parade through the gardens featuring cancer survivors as grand marshals, Daffodilly Princess Tea Luncheon, a Dandy Daffodilly Dog Costume Contest, a serenade to spring with local music and dance artists participants along with tens of thousands of Daffodils on display throughout the gardens.

For more information call (252)-473-3234 or visit www.elizabethangardens.org

Courtesy: OuterBanksThisWeek.com

Tickets to the Duck and Wine Festival go on sale on February 1^st. The event will be held on April 25^th at 12:00 P.M. at the Waterfront Shops in Duck. Enjoy music and tastings along the boardwalks. There will be plenty of delicious food and wine. Last year’s festival brought together 16 local restaurants showcasing their creative talents using Duck donated once again by Maple Leaf Farms, local charitable organizations and their teams of helpers, lots of friends and visitors, and wines provided by Coastal Cantina at the Waterfront Shops in Duck.

 Scott Foster and Dan Lewis, chef/owners of Coastal Provisions, Coastal Cantina and Cravings once again hosted this annual festival. The Currituck-Dare Community Foundation was grateful for the opportunities this festival provides to grow our charitable work, to our charitable partners, the North Carolina Community Foundation and to our community. Nearly $15,000 was raised for charitable purposes.

Best Dish Award winner, Blue Point and People’s Choice Award winner, Crafty Cow, both selected Food For Thought to receive their charitable prize donation of $500 each. Our 3 nonprofit partners received donations of $1700 each to help them grow their long term capacity of providing services. Don't miss out on getting tickets to the Duck and Wine Festival!

Courtesy: OuterBanks.org

Experience offering tastings, workshops, guest speaker panels, live entertainment, art and more! It will begin on May 31^st at the Outer Banks Event Site in Nags Head.

The fest will feature everything from home brew demos and craft beer workshops hosted by industry professionals, to an adult game zone chock full of life-sized Jenga, keg bowling, human foosball and more!

This event is presented by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and benefits the Dare County Arts Council. Visit www.obxbeerfests.com for more information about the Outer Banks Brewfest.

Author and local historian Drew Pullen presents the fascinating history at The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras about the Civil War on Hatteras Island!

He leaves a colorful insight into the island’s memorable history. Tune in to the fascinating stories of the Civil War’s past in Hatteras. This popular talk is presented twice a day on Wednesdays.

It is free May 13, 20 & 27, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 252-986-2995.

A fun filled Pirate themed Half Marathon and The First Flight 5K is happening on the Outer Banks on April 18^th and 19^th. The First Flight 5K Course starts April 18th at 7:30 A.M.

The Flying Pirate Half Marathon starts on April 19^th at 7 A.M. at 5300 The Woods Road in Kitty Hawk. This is the 6^th year for the Flying Pirate Half Marathon.

It begins in Kitty Hawk and follows the course into Nags Head, along the Albemarle Sound, around the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and through the Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest. Finish with a Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head! Run the half marathon 13.1 miles and cover some spectacular ground!

For more information about these marathons visit: flyingpiratehalfmarathon.com

The 2015 ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships is a 4-day surf competition starting on Thursday April 30th and concluding early afternoon on May 3rd with competition starting each day at 7 A.M. The competition will be held at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head. The Mid-Atlantic Regional is presented by The Outer Banks Tourism Bureau.