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

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.

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.

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.

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!”

August 3, 5: Town of Duck Summer Music Series, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
The Little Kings (Dance Rock-n-Roll); The Rajun Cajuns (New Orleans Style Dance/Rock). Bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic dinner and enjoy an early evening concert. Free. (252) 255-1286 or townofduck.com.

August 2 – 6: Cape Hatteras Culture Camp
Fessenden Center, Buxton. Multi-arts camps for kids (ages 8-12) and adults (high school and up). Includes group instruction in Suzuki violin, watercolor painting/crafts, music and motion and musical theater/drama. (618) 536-8742 or commusic@siu.edu.

August 2 – 31: The Man Show – Men Behind the Lens Photography
Dare County Arts Council Gallery, Manteo. darearts.org.

August 3, 5, 10, 12:  The Tale of the Frog Prince. 9:30 a.m.
August 5, 12:  Simon’s Pirate Adventure Camp; The Queen’s Fairy Quest. 3-5 p.m.
August 6-7: The Wizard of Oz (the musical). 8 p.m.
August 15: Disney’s High School Musical 2, 7:30 p.m.
Waterside Theater, Roanoke Island.  Allow approximately two hours – actual run-times may vary. (252) 473-3414 or thelostcolony.org.

August 4 – 5: Hatteras Island Arts and Craft Guild Summer Show
Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Free admission, food and a scholarship raffle. Local artists. (252) 441-1850.

August 6: First Friday – Downtown Manteo Street Fair.
Every Saturday in August: Manteo Farmer’s Market featuring fresh produce, backed goods, crafts & more. On the grounds near the Maritime Museum.

August 8: 9th Annual “OBX BANK” Sandbar 5K, 8 a.m.
MP 4.5 Beach Access. Set on the beach at the “Old Station” bath house in Kitty Hawk. This 5K beach run/walk charity race benefits the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Entry fee is $30. Online registration available at active.com before August 6th. 400 Person cap on registration.

August 9 – 13: Camp Smolkin Summer Camp
Roanoke Island Festival Park.  Ages 10 and up. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travel through time with our favorite mercenary soldier, Smolkin’.  (252) 475-1500 Ext 232 or email tracy.haerther@ncdcr.gov or visit roanokeisland.com.

August 8: Pirates Cove Alice Kelly Fishing Tournament

August 9 – 13, 2010: Pirates Cove 27th Annual Billfish Tournament
Pirates Cove Marina, Nags Head. Offshore Fleet – 30-50 miles in the Gulf Stream for tuna, dolphin, wahoo, and marlin. http://www.pcbgt.com.

August 10 – 12: Children’s Performance Series Wild West Show, 10:30 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park.  Admission is included in the general admission ticket to the Park. (252) 475-1500 or visit roanokeisland.com.

August 11 – 12: New World Festival of the Arts
A juried exhibition featuring 80 selected artists from Vermont to Florida exhibiting and selling their works on the Manteo Waterfront. This two-day outdoor art show has been held since 1981. For more information visit townofmanteo.com.

August 12: Watermelon Festival
Kitty Hawk Kites & Kitty Hawk Sports at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head from 10am – 4pm. For more information call (877) FLY-THIS, (252) 441-4124 or visit kittyhawkkites.com

August 14: Rescue Men: The Story of the Pea Island Life Savers
2 p.m. Indoor Theatre, Roanoke Island Festival Park. The event is free and open to the public. (252) 475-1500. roanokeisland.com.

August 14: Heritage and Art
Roanoke Island Festival Park. Visitors can see a free showing of the new documentary “Rescue Men: The Story of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station.” 7 p.m. Artwork during the day will feature Michael Halminski, Ray Matthews, Eve Turek. For more information, visit ncculture.com.

August 14: Been Heres, Come Heres and Wash Ups: Outer Banks Families, Communities, Folklore
Understanding the communities of Hatteras Island and the folklore associated with how they came to reside on the island. For more information, visit ncculture.com.

August 18: Virginia Dare Faire
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Roanoke Island. Celebrate Virginia Dare’s 422nd birthday. Attend a full day of free activities for the family that include make and take crafts, games, entertainment, activities, free cake and ice cream. (252) 473-3414 or thelostcolony.org.

August 18: The Lost Colony Virginia Dare Anniversary Performance, 8 p.m.
Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Special performance of The Lost Colony that features infant actors in the role of baby Virginia. This traditional anniversary performance is held on the birthday of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. (252) 473-3414 or thelostcolony.org.

August 18: Beach Retro Art Show & Sale, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Southern Shores Crossing Shopping Center (directly behind Southern Shores Real Estate Office)

August 21: Brew Thru’s Bluez’N Brewz Festival, 5 – 10 p.m.
The Promenade, Kitty Hawk. 80 different beers with unlimited 4 oz. pours and 3 great Blues bands. Located at the foot of the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge. For more information call (252) 384-3494 or visit bluezandbrewz.com.

August 22: The Ravel Trio, 4 p.m.
Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Admission is included in the general admission ticket to the Park. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

August 28: Ocean Games, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Beachside at the Ramada Plaza, Kill Devil Hills, Kayak and paddleboard races all day long. For more information email events@kittyhawk.com or visit kittyhawk.com.

Marshes Light Model Home open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon – 5 p.m. 326 Fernando Street, Manteo, NC.

Since we are experiencing record high temperatures, I’ll share some of the information we received from the hospital on dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing. This is especially true with water in the body. We lose water routinely when we:

• breathe and humidified air leaves the body
• sweat to cool the body
• urinate or have a bowel movement to rid the body of waste products

Excessive loss of fluids can occur by

• vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, excessive urine output, or excessive loss of fluid from the lungs.
• Inadequate fluid replacement occurs when nausea causes decreased eating and drinking, with decreased intake due to other illness

Symptoms (from mild to severe) include: thirst, dry lips, dry mouth membranes, sunken eyes, skin does not bounce back quickly when lightly pinched and released; rapid, weak pulse (more than 100 at rest), cold hands and feet, loss of ability to sweat in spite of heat and temperature, rapid breathing, blue lips, confusion, lethargy, difficult to arouse.

Prevention:  The body depends on a proper balance of fluid and electrolytes (salts, such as sodium and potassium) for normal function. Adequate fluid intake in the presence of illness or other stresses (such as extreme heat or exercise) is important.

So take it easy out there and stay hydrated!

photo by Wilton Wescott

“The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity  of its homes.”  Confucious. 

“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” Pat Riley.

Local craftsmanship and solid construction using the best materials for the beach environment are the foundation of the homes at Marshes Light in historic downtown Manteo. When you compare waterfront communities, make sure you’re comparing quality and substance as well as price and location.

We are proud to be partnered with local builder, Steve Daniels, of Renaissance Construction. He has been building on the Outer Banks for well over 20 years, and his Smart Choice Design Center offers a convenient one-stop source for all your home and building needs. http://www.renconstruct.com

This 1,800 square foot bungalow is going up on the corner of  Uppowoc & Fernando in Marshes Light. Built by Renaissance, the home will feature main floor living, wood floors, three full bedrooms, den and semi-detached screened porch. Other floor plans for Marshes Light are available that promote the historical architectural details found in the Manteo Way of Building.

http://www.marsheslight.com/.