Back to School

August 26, 2010

Schools in Dare County (Outer Banks) started back yesterday. It was during a conversation at Knuckle-Up that, for the first time,  I couldn’t join in on, as my youngest son graduated from First Flight High last June and started school at College of the Albemarle, the community college here on Monday. I’ve had boys in Dare County schools since 1986 and, well, that’s 24 years! Where did the time go? What happened to my youth?

College of the Albemarle is a great school with great vision. And, even better, they are not looking to me for lunch money or permission slips,  nor do they need me to volunteer or make cupcakes.  No after school care or athletics to arrange, no guidance counselors to meet. No controversies to attend to, like the time when the youngest was in second grade, riding home on the bus, exhausted. Some little punk sat behind him kicking the seat, bump, bump, bumping my youngest in the back of his aching head. He did ask once to stop, which only encouraged the little devil behind him to kick even more. My youngest finally had had enough, and turned around and told the beast that he was going to get his BB gun and shoot him dead if he didn’t stop. Well, the little beast did stop and as soon as he got off the bus, told his mother about it, who called the school’s principal, who called me in for a meeting.

In spite of similar shenanigans (after all I am the mother of three boys), I’m happy to report that my experience with Dare County Schools has been very positive. With dedicated teachers and staff, parents who are involved,  a variety of programs, the welfare of the children is most important.  Dare County Schools earned high recognition in state testing, and Dare’s on-time graduation rate is best in state (second year in a row). For more news and information, check out their website at www.darecountyschoolsonline.com.

Educate Every Child

Categories: Arts, Things to do, Uncategorized.

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Don’t just sit there, head on down to the Outer Banks this September!

August 21, 2010

September 3
First Friday, Downtown Manteo Waterfront on Roanoke Island, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented street festival. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, period-dressed actors, a rock climbing wall, etc… firstfriday-roanokeisland.com.  Join us at the Marshes Light Model Home at 326 Fernando Street for a special Labor Day weekend First Friday kick-off party 4:30 until 6:30. www.marsheslight.com.

September 1 – 5
The Comedy Club, The Ramada Plaza Hotel, Kill Devil Hills (MP 9.5 on the Beach Road). Mondays – Fridays 9:00 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. Please visit us online at comedyclubobx.com or call our info line at 252-207-9950.

September 1 and 8
Kid’s Day, Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags Head & Rodanthe. FREE Kid’s Day events from 10am – 2pm in Nags Head (MP 12.5) and from 4pm – 7pm in Rodanthe (MP 40). Email events@kittyhawk.com or visit www.kittyhawk.com.

September 3 – 29
Ben2, Dare County Arts Council Gallery, downtown Manteo, Recent Paintings by local artists Ben Morris and Ben Miller. darearts.org.

September 4
Demo Daze & Party Nights, REAL Flagship Store, Waves. Kiteboards and more with food from Mojos Sunset Café. (866)REAL-548, (252)987-6000 or REALwatersports.com

September 4, 11, 18 & 25
Manteo Farmers Market, downtown waterfront near Maritime Museum, 8 am until 12 noon.

September 5 – 27
Of Nature, Of Corsa, Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday – Friday) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday). Watercolor collages by E.M. Corsa. Free. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

September 7 – 10
Motorcycle Cannonball.  See antique motorcycles from 1916 or earlier start their 16 day race in Kitty Hawk, NC with the ultimate destination of Santa Monica, CA. Host hotel: Hilton Garden Inn/Outer Banks.  Visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com for the event schedule and latest details on the race.

September 16 – 19
Outer Banks Pirate Festival, Authentic Pirates will be here pillaging local restaurants (Kellys, Pamlico Jacks, Mako Mikes, Big Al’s, Jolly Roger, Outer Banks Brewing Station, and more) as well as Kitty Hawk Kites stores! For more information email events@kittyhawk.com or visit kittyhawk.com

September 18
Day at the Docks – A Celebration of Hatteras Island Watermen. Hatteras Village. 10 am to 5 pm. The commercial and charter fishing fleets will display their boats, skills, products and gear. Maritime-inspired games for children and fresh, local seafood will be featured in a chowder cook-off and cooking demos. Traditional wooden boats will be on site. Music.  Blessing of the Fleet begins at 5:30 p.m. dayatthedocks.org.

September 18 – 19
Outer Banks Triathlon, Roanoke Island. The OBX Triathlon features three events- Half Distance, Olympic Distance and Sprint Distance-over two days. obxmarathon.com/Top_Nav/outerbankstriathlon.htm.

September 19 – September 25
2010 The Easterns® — Grand Finals Surf Contest. Hatteras. Contest Headquarters: Natural Art Surf Shop, Buxton. surfesa.org/content/category/6/30/37/
September 25
Richmond Ballet. Presented by the Outer Banks Forum at First Flight High School. 7 p.m. Performance repertoire includes works of enduring value – the classic ballets of the past, significant works of our time, and new works that reflect a variety of modern influences. Critics hail it “a jewel among U.S. dance companies… highly recommended.”

September 26
Lyric Brass Quintet, Roanoke Island Festival Park Indoor Theater, 4 p.m. Admission is included in the general admission ticket to the Park. (252) 475-1500. roanokeisland.com.

Categories: Arts, Things to do, Uncategorized.

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Featuring Artist Heidi Martin Kuster

August 14, 2010

In Manteo, you meet all sorts of interesting people. Its seaside setting attracts people who love the water; its cultural setting appeals to people who love theater and music; its historic setting brings people who appreciate heritage and architecture. All of these elements together attract the artist.

This week we had the pleasure of meeting artist Heidi Martin Kuster and her family. She and her husband, Jeff, were in town enjoying the New World Festival of the Arts, while their sons, Sam and William, participated in the Roanoke Island Sailing School.

Heidi finds her inspiration in the land, in the geological passage of time, in rocks, in rivers. She said, “Each rock I pick up holds evidence of our constantly transitioning planet. The idea that I can access traces of life from millions of years ago, buy simply examining a pebble is thrilling and humbling. These ancient marks are the foundation of my compositions.”

Heidi shared a work in progress, three pieces on hand-made paper using a wash process of the ripples of water on a lake. Organic. Colorful. Soothing.


Heidi and family live in Paris for part of the year. Her work is displayed in galleries in Chicago, Barcelona and Paris. They spent their summer on the Outer Banks.  Visit www.heidimartinkuster.com.

Categories: Arts, People of Interest, Roanoke Island, Uncategorized.

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New Home Under Construction Sparks Interest/Sale in Marshes Light

August 8, 2010

On the corner of Up & Fer, this charming 1,800 square foot bungalow is taking shape in the heart of Manteo’s historic neighborhood.

This home is located on lot #1 in Marshes Light, and is owned by Bob & Norma of  Lorton, Virginia. The street’s been abuzz with interest and lot #3 recently went under contract.

The Marshes Light Marina Ship’s Store is in the works with construction to start in the next few days.

Construction on both projects is provided by local builder, Steve Daniels and Renaissance Construction.

Categories: Historic Architecture, Home & Garden, Uncategorized.

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Nags Head Pier

August 1, 2010

photo courtesy OuterBanksFreePress.com

A great place to spend a beautiful afternoon on the Outer Banks. The Pier House Restaurant sits right on the Atlantic ocean. Fresh seafood can’t get any fresher than when you catch it and it’s cooked it right here. “You Hook “Em – We Cook ‘Em!”

Categories: Things to do, Uncategorized.

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