The Cove Bed & Breakfast (Ocracoke Island)

On 11 May, 1942, the antisubmarine trawler HMT Bedfordshire was torpedoed and sunk with all hands off Ocracoke. Four bodies of the crew were subsequently found and interred on the Island. The site, the “British Cemetery” later ceded to the British government, is tended with care by U.S. Coast Guard personnel.

Each May, this year the 10th at 1100 hrs, there is a memorial ceremony with representatives of the navies of the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Germany participating. The public is encouraged to attend and thoughtfully recall this tumultuous period in our history.

Regarded as one of the top island festivals in the world, the 14 Annual Ocrafolk Festival will be celebrated this year June 7-9. Presented by OcracokeAlive, this delightful gathering brings together musicians, artisans and enthusiasts from near, far and wide. Original art work, jewelry and other desirables abound, and the entertainment is fabulous.

Join us for a unique weekend. For more info, visit their website.

One of our favorite Rites of Spring is the annual (this year is the 30th) Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament- May 1, 2, and 3. For as far as you can see the beach is lined with amazingly rigged and equipped vehicles and enthusiastic fishermen, all experienced and good at it as well. Our own Chad is among the invited.

The comraderie fills the village, the legends get longer, and there is fun for all. Oh, yes, there’s still room for the non-anglers on the beach.

Erin relaxing after 5k.

On Saturday, 27th April 2013 at 0800 hrs., the starting gun will launch these popular 10k/5k runs, with prizes and T-shirts and a post-run party at no charge to registrants at Gaffer’s at 1130 hrs. The one mile family fun run will immediately follow the 10k/5k event.

Proceeds will benefit Ocracoke Community Radio WOVV 90.1  and the Ocracoke School Athletic Boosters Club.

For details and registration see the Ocracoke Current Calendar for 27 April. It will be fun

Epilog- 27 April, 1100 hrs.:  Our very own Erin took third place in the 5k rum, finishing strong. Well done!

As Spring looms larger, the daffys (not people) and azaleas bloom and the village buzzes, we take a new approach to notices of events. While we shall single out our favorites from time to time,  there are many others that may interest you, our readers.

Go to www.ocracokecurrent.com and click on the Calendar at the upper left. There, week by week, is a living and growing listing of lots of fun things to do, see, listen to or eat. Scroll thru and fit this into your Ocracoke vacation planning. Let us know if we can help.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Here’s a Holiday treat unique to Ocracoke- the Annual OWWA Oyster Roast and Shrimp Steam. 2-6 PM, 29 December at the Fish House, featuring van O’Neal’s fish stew. Round it off with dessert and hot cider at the Watermen’s Exhibit from 3-5 PM. Memorable!

Those familiar with Ocracoke are at least passingly aware of its heritage, culture and people. Everywhere one turns are seen reflections of this- in fact, in publications and in conversation. Here’s an opportunity for those seeking more, and a lot of fun, to wade in:  the 6th Annual Ocrafolk School 2012, 14-19 October. Popular and well organized with knowledgeable faculty drawn from the community,  the hands-on classes this year include Island Cooking, Wood Carving, Wellness Week, Exploring Ocracoke Music and Ocracoke Sampler.

Registration deadline is 24 September. For more information: www.ocrafolkschool.org

In several weeks Labor Day will be upon us, by conventional wisdom marking the end of the summer vacation season. As the day (by law the 1st Monday in September) approaches we will note a subtle shift in the Ocracoke scene. Our own children will be back in school, busily coming and going in clusters- most go home for lunch. School activities command community attention, with basketball (really good basketball), PTA, our new volleyball program and welcoming our new Principal, Laura Kelly. Visiting families with schoolage children will become fewer, and gone until next year will be the bike learners on training wheels, the joyful squeals on the beach and the high chairs in restaurants.

But back to Labor Day. Most of us have lived around it all our lives, but what do we know of its origins? The first such celebration seems to have taken place in New York in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union.  Gaining widespread support surprisingly swiftly, the occason was designated by the Congress a national holiday in 1894, Forefronting the American workers and their contributions to American progress. The original meaning may be a bit blurred, but it’s a welcome milestone nonetheless.

It’s been a grand summer, and we anticipate a more leisurely but still delightful autumn. Birds and turtles will become less influential, the beaches will still be soothing and we’ll  be here enjoying our happy little island.

Now that we’re well past a grand July 4th and into a delightful Summer, we are moved to remark on the expanding invasion of …no, not the triffids, but the Golf Carts and their variants. They’re widely available, are everywhere,  and do serve to keep traffic speeds down, are fun, quiet and easy to park. But- the careless and thoughtless pay a price. We’ve had our share of traffic citations and, sadly, some injuries to those who horse around recklessly. Please- drive with care, observe the rules and the 20 mph (or less) village speed limits.