Visions of Sugar Plums

December 19, 2011

Being an active member of the Steel Magnolias at Outer Banks Bootcamps, I had to give up something during the term of this camp. For me, it’s been ongoing, sweets. I had a voracious sweet tooth as a child and have the cavities to prove it.  It’s been a relatively easy give during the summer and fall boot camps. This time of year, however, it’s been a real test of will power. I’ve taken to posting photos of the forbidden foodstuff on Facebook and I’d like to share them with you too.

Categories: Dining, Food & Wine, Holiday Happenings, Home & Garden, Things to do, Uncategorized.

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December Happenings on the Outer Banks

December 13, 2011

Dates are subject to change. Telephone area code is (252) unless otherwise specified.

Free Admission at the Aquarium on Roanoke Island with donation to “Santa Paws” program for our four-legged friends. Santa Paws needs donations of 7 lbs. of dog, puppy, cat or kitten food, rawhides, pillow cases, bleach, dog shampoo, blankets, paper towels and clumping kitty litter. All of these items will be placed under our Santa Paws Christmas Tree for delivery on December 23rd to the Outer Banks SPCA Animal Shelter in Manteo. The Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information call 252-473-3494 or visit ncaquariums.com.
Bears that Care
December 1 – December 19
Outer Banks Bear Factory, MP 12.5, Across from Jockey’s Ridge. Bears that Care is a program that the Outer Banks Bear Factory has started to assist Hotline in their effort to help the children of Dare County have a good memory at Christmas. For every 16″ animal purchased the Outer Banks Bear Factory will donate an 8″ animal to Hotline for their Christmas Toy Drive. Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  (252) 255-5222 or obxbear@charter.net.

 

50% off Storewide Sale – The Christmas Shop, Manteo
December 3 – 31. 50% off Storewide Holiday Sale! The best sale of the year! Plus 25% off all books at Manteo Booksellers. outerbankschristmas.com.

Art and Spirit: Sacred Works by Sixty Artists
December 3 – 22. Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

WinterLights
December 13-30. Elizabethan Gardens. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Holiday lights and music transforming The Elizabethan Gardens into an illuminated winter wonderland complete with peacocks, butterflies, deer and other garden creatures created with flowers, seeds, natural elements, as well as traditional holiday decorations. Festive trees grace the Gatehouse, Reception Hall and great Lawn. Garden plant sales will feature winter annuals; ornamental vegetables; forced bulbs; rosemary Christmas Trees; and conifers with bows. Tickets for Friends’ and Non-members: $9 for Adults; $7 for youth (ages 6-17); $4 for children (5 and under). elizabethangardens.org.

Dinner with Santa
December 16. Elizabethan Gardens. 6 – 9 pm prices are reduced. Celebrate the holidays with your child by dining with Santa in the magically decorated Embellished Hall at The Elizabethan Gardens. Bring your camera or purchase photos by professional photographer. Your ticket includes dinner, Santa and WinterLights. Dinner seating is at 6 pm, 7 pm, or 8 pm. Friends’ tickets: Was $35 now $25 for Adults; Was $20 now $12 for youth (ages 6-17); $6 for children (5 and younger).  Non-members tickets: Was $40 now $27 for Adults; Was $22 now $14 for youth (ages 6-17); $8 for children (5 and younger). elizabethangardens.org.

Kids Craft Day
December 17 & 21. Elizabethan Gardens. 10 a.m. – Noon. Arts and crafts activity, healthy snacks, lunch, story time and a special stroll through The Gardens. Kids will enjoy seasonal and will delight in seeing floral creations of peacocks, butterflies and deer! Make sure they bring their coats! Space limited to 30 children. Friends’ $15; Non-members $20.elizabethangardens.org.

Annual Centerpiece Sale

December 15. Front Porch, Nags Head & Manteo. 7 – 10 a.m. The Dare County Master Gardeners Club will be hosting their annual Centerpiece Sale Stop by and purchase some festive, handmade, holiday greenery for your home or office.

 

108th Annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First Flight
December 17. Wright Brothers National Memorial. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong anniversary tribute will be held at the site of Wright’s first flight. Visitors to the site experience a replica of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 encampment and majestic, 60-foot tall granite monument perched atop a 90-foot hill that serves a striking and lasting reminder of the important historical achievement that happened on this site a century ago. outerbanks.org.

UNC Greensboro Amahl and the Night Visitors
December 18. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The tender, heartwarming story of Amahl and the Night Visitors is one of the most popular of American operas. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for those 12 and under. roanokeisland.com.

Let’s Eat!
December 21. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For ages 8-12. Spend a day learning what it takes to feed our sharks, sting rays, otters, and other residents. Campers will get to observe mealtime in action for some of the animals as they feast. Cost: $25 per camp. Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch required each day.

“Snakes, Gators, & Frogs, Oh My!”
December 29 NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For ages 8-12. The Aquarium has so much more to see than just fish. See how many reptiles and amphibians live at the Aquarium and learn about their care and interesting behaviors. Cost: $25 per camp. Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch required each day.

Categories: Arts, Dining, Holiday Happenings, Home & Garden, outer banks, People of Interest, Pets, Roanoke Island, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

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Outer Banks Photos of the Season

December 20, 2010

Categories: Holiday Happenings, Home & Garden, Roanoke Island, Uncategorized.

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The Other Manteo

December 17, 2010

I use a couple of search engines and apps to find information to share with you in this blog including WhosTalking.com and several Google alerts (Outer_Banks, Roanoke_Island, Manteo) that send posts with those names mentioned to my In Box.

Which led me to an article in BClocalnews.com. Written by Jennifer Schell for the Kelowna Capital News, the article lists her “Favourite Things to Share this Holiday Season,” and in which I discovered the other Manteo, a resort in Canada. Kelowna is located in the middle of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and lays approximately midway between Vancouver and Calgary. Pretty far from Outer Bank’s Manteo.

Let’s see what Kelownan’s want under their Christmas tree:

  • Homemade crackers at Discover Wines or Okanagan Grocery
  • A gift certificate to Wine Plus+ Wine School
  • A Thermomix. Just rated the No. 1 foodie gift on the Food Network
  • Sea to Sky Seasoning, mini flavoured salts, tins of luscious Fanny Bay Smoked Oysters, smoked salmon, Maldon Sea Salt from Codfather’s Seafood Market
  • Monika’s coveted Christmas cookie boxes at Okanagan Grocery
  • Moni’s Nuttier Than A Fruitcakes
  • Wine
  • Cheese, Carmelis Goat Cheese and Gort’s Gouda
  • Jars of grilled artichokes, olives and other Italian delights.
  • Simply the freshest, best olive oil (and red wine vinegar) from the Olive Oil Merchant—online store offers fast, free delivery in Kelowna (free delivery for olive oil? Wow!)
  • Beautiful chocolates and chocolate bars from Sandrine Pastry & Chocolate and great Christmas breakfast Ideas and quiche
  • Chef Rod Butters of Raudz Regional Table now has his personal line of preserves for sale. Drunken Cherries, homemade pickles and more
  • Chef Bernard’s, Wild Apple Restaurant at Manteo, Blackberry Basil Jam or Star Anise Marinade for your gift basket
  • Summerhill has the perfect bubbles (including the Cipes Gabriel that won Best International Sparkling wine recently) and decadent Icewine chocolates
  • Broken Barrel Furniture Company has beautiful wine racks or cheese boards (a place to store all that wine)
  • BBQ master, chef Martin Laprise’s line of sauces and rubs, including Taboo BBQ with cute, saucy labels
  • Wrap your wine gifts this Christmas in one of these gorgeous, cozy wine bags made from recycled wool
  • Gift Certificates to The Rotten Grape for your wine loving pals.

It’s all about food and wine! Here’s a link to the full article: http://www.bclocalnews.com/lifestyles/112039504.html.

Categories: Arts, Holiday Happenings, outer banks, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

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Holiay Happenings from Corolla to Manteo

December 4, 2008
December 3
It’s a boy! Baby Ike VanderMyde, weighing in at 6 pounds 14 ounces! Congratulations Heather & John!

December 4 – 6
20th Annual Hotlines Festival of Trees. Noon – 9 p.m. Outer Banks Brew Station. Fundraiser of donated Christmas Trees, holiday items, seasonal musical performances, a Santa visit, and bazaar, including an auction to benefit crisis intervention programs of the Outer Banks. (252) 473-5121 or obhotline.org

December 5
First Friday. Downtown Manteo Waterfront. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Lighting of the Christmas Tree. First Friday is a fun-filled, family oriented street festival held the first Friday of each month. Join us for live music, magic, artisans, actors in period dress, a rockclimbing wall and more. For more information visit firstfriday-roanokeisland.com.

December 5
Oakwood Waits & Santa Claus. 6 to 9 pm. Museum Store and Mall. Santa will be on hand to visit with the children, following the tree lighting in Downtown Manteo. The event is in partnership with the Town of Manteo. (252) 475-1500.

December 5
First Friday Pet Parties. 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Costume contests, games, treats and fun for pets and their people. Call (252) 473-2094 or visit puparazzi.tripod.com for party theme.

December 5 – 6
Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo. Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A fishing tournament sponsored by the Manteo Rotary. For additional information call (252) 473-6644 or rockfishrodeo.com.

December 5 – 7
Christmas By The Sea – Town of Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade. Christmas Tree lighting will take place on December 5. The Christmas Parade will be at 11 a.m. in Downtown Manteo on December 6. Town of Manteo at (252) 473-2133. Click here for more detailed information.

December 6
Oakwood Waits Christmas Concert. 8-10 pm. Film Theatre. The Oakwood Waits are a versatile group who have mastered many styles, and have a wide appeal for audiences as they present a variety of music ranging from traditional, classical, shape note, jazz, Appalachian, and children’s favorites. The cost of admission is $10.00. (252) 475-1500.

December 6
Howl-O-Days. Join the Red Wolf Coalition and staff from Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge for free Howl-O-Days. Visit redwolves.com or call (252) 796-5600. Click Here for a brochure.
December 8 – 29
Billy Brown: Local Color. Billy Brown is a long time Outer Banks waterman and artist who has a passion for NC history. The show can be viewed Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (252) 475-1500.

December 13
Pet Photos with Santa. Noon – 3 p.m. Held at Puparazzi and benefits the Outer Banks SPCA. Have your pets photo taken with our Santa. For more information please call (252) 473-2094 or visit puparazzi.tripod.com

December 13
Whalehead Club 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration. 5 p.m. on the north lawn of Currituck Heritage Park. For more information please visit whaleheadclub.org or call (252) 453-9040.

December 13
Whalehead Club Holiday Piano Concert. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the library of the Whalehead Club. For more information please visit whaleheadclub.org or call (252) 453-9040.

December 17
105th Annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First FlightWright Brothers National Memorial. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Gather at the exact site at the exact time as the historic first flight to remember, reflect and celebrate this milestone. www.outerbanks.org

December 20
OPEN HOUSE – Mattie Midgette’s Store. 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Don’t miss this chance to see the legendary Nellie Myrtle Beachcomber Collection. Mile Post 13 on the Beach Road. It is in the heart of Nags Head’s Historic Cottage Row District, just south of Jockey’s Ridge. oldnagshead.org

December 27
Elizabethan Christmas. Noon – 5 p.m. Don’t let the holiday spirit fade! Roanoke Island Festival Park celebrates the third day of Christmas. For more information call (252) 475-1500.

December 28
Oakwood Waits Elizabethan Christmas Concert. 4 pm. Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The Raleigh group will return to perform Elizabethan Christmas Music. The price of admission is included in the general admission ticket to the Park. For more information call (252) 475-1500.

December 29
Whalehead Club Winter Piano Concert. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the library of the Whalehead Club. For more information please visit whaleheadclub.org or call (252) 453-9040.

Categories: Uncategorized.

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