Changes from Hurricane Florence Down East still visible | Coastal Review
by Jennifer Allen
This article is the first of a series of articles about the impacts felt in our Down East communities from hurricanes and other storms.
Nothing’s been the same since Hurricane Florence for the 13 unincorporated Down East communities in Carteret County.
Editor’s Note: Coastal Review asked Karen Willis Amspacher, executive director of Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island, to share how the tight-knit Down East Carteret County communities are coping with the deadly plane crash Sunday. Of the eight lives lost on the private plane that was returning from a duck hunting trip in Hyde County, six were Carteret County residents and two were from Pitt County.
A few days ago, no one could have ever imagined what the people of Down East would be facing. Life was slowly moving closer to “normal” as the pandemic (at least) seemed to be fading, winter was giving way to a few hints of spring and the fishermen were working on their nets, pots and boats. All was calm Sunday morning.
And then it happened, the unimaginable.
Phones and social media went wild with calls for prayer, questions of who was on the plane and what happened, where and when, all laced with a painful mixture of fear, dread, and disbelief. As the names emerged, the story unfolded and one of the most horrific moments in Down East history began to emerge.
We are now going into our fourth day of this nightmare and the reality is worse than anyone could grasp in the beginning. Each day has brought deeper heartaches as the facts have become known. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters, families and neighborhoods have waited hour by hour for news from the offshore search.
For Down East, the world stopped …
hrimper and East Carteret High School teacher Zack Davis, of Marshallberg, says it is “instinctive” for Down East people to “carry its loved ones” through times like these. He tells how we come from a long line of tragedies, from shipwrecks to hurricanes, lost loved ones and difficult times, and he is right. Since Sunday we have relived the Storm of ’33, boats sinking, men and women lost to lasting tragedies that remain etched in our collective minds and hearts. This is not our first disaster and the people Down East don’t forget.
We cannot forget. Down East people are so intertwined with one another there is no way to move too far beyond the people we have loved. We are all “kin” in ways that we cannot explain and we don’t even understand, and we don’t even try to figure it out, we just know. Our mothers and fathers were connected, and their mothers and fathers ahead of them. Generations of overlap and shared bonds define who we are, the way we hold onto each other and this place that binds us, Core Sound and the people we love.
For the communities of Atlantic, Sea Level and Cedar Island, these are their children, the boys they taught in Sunday School and took shrimping in the summer. Their families, generations deep, are grounded in their harbors, just like each community is with their own — this way of life, this place that has shaped us through the traditions that we share across the creeks and marshes of eastern Carteret County.
For Down East, one community’s burden is every community’s shared heartache. These children, and their families, are part of us too. From generation to generation we have worked together, played ball together, fished together, shrimped together, marched in the band together, raised our children together, and for many of us, we have grown old together.
It’s been said that Down East is “at its best when things are at their worst” and that is true, but this burden, this tragedy has been of such magnitude we could not have ever faced it alone. This cruel agony runs too deep in all of us.
We are amazed, overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring from the entire county and beyond. Ribbons and school colors, pop-up fundraisers, everyone trying to do “something” to help ease the burden, show their love, and meet the needs such a tragedy creates. This has been at the scale Down East has never seen before. This too was unimaginable before Sunday.
From across the state and country, people have heard of this disaster and are offering their prayers and reminders that people really do care. In these dark days for Down East, they want to be part of the extended community that will see these families and their friends through these unknown places, and we welcome their hearts into ours. We know that we will hold strong together with the help of all who share the burden of this tremendous loss for our community.
A Down East mother who lost her child to another tragic moment once told me, “the healing is in the giving” as she and her family faced a new world beyond the pain of losing their son, their shining star and all their dreams. I have thought of those words often over the years and especially during the past four days. It IS how we heal, how we move on, how we face the future without the people we love, and in this case, these young men, who like the others we have lost too soon.
Down East has had more than its share of losses. Maybe it feels this way because we know each other too well, we are too connected, we are too engrained in each other’s lives. Maybe that’s the price we pay for being who – and whose – we are, with deep roots that have connected us, even before we were born. Maybe …
And if so, that is our strength and our blessing as we stand together, safe in that inheritance of love and reassurance.
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The Core Sound Museum, with the approval of all the Down East families involved with Sunday’s plane crash, has established a Core Sound Family Fund for the victims of this tragic accident.
This financial support will go to help meet expenses and other family needs associated with this disaster. Funds received will be held in a special agency account and disbursed as needed to each family.
Contributors will receive an authorized receipt for their nondeductible donations. Immediate family members will receive a full accounting of monies received and disbursements made.
The museum will continue to respectfully help the people of Down East Carteret County in the weeks and months ahead. We are thankful for the outpouring of support locally and from across the region.
Contributions can be made online or by mail to CSWM, Family Fund, P.O. Box 556, Harkers Island, NC 28531.
The old Williston Clam House remains as an icon building that has stood in Williston for many years. It once had a service station on that location and also sold gas. Much history can be told about that building and the people that were involved. Elmer Willis, the clam king, is the most remembered and iconic person associated with the clam house.
Today the clam house is owned by Susan and Robert Hill. Susan grew up in Williston and has now returned with her husband to turn the clam house into a growing business – Down East Mariculture Supply Co. The business’ goal is to “bring economic development, job opportunities and some maritime fun to the area.” The business is actually an oyster nursery that provides seed to those farmers throughout the eastern seaboard that farm oysters. There are several businesses Down East that have oyster farms.
Susan and Robert wanted to somehow keep the history of the clam house alive. So their project asked individuals or family of those that were associated with the clam house to donate old plates to be used in a mosaic that would represent the history of the clam house. Clams in the mosaic that are shown spilling from the burlap bags are reclaimed from the property. The project is now virtually complete and is absolutely beautiful and certainly is an example of what the clam house produced.
The idea of the mosaic was taken from a photograph provided by the daughter of Elmer Willis, Nancy Willis Lewis. Women were an important part of many “seafood” houses that opened clams and scallops. They were a vital part of the business and worked tirelessly every day. The three ladies depicted in the mosaic are L-R, Lula Willis Fulcher, Rena Wade Piner and Lela Lawrence Thomas.
The mosaic was created by LeNelle Davis. Many tributes to her as the final product is a great example of the seafood industry of Down East.
A few years ago, several of the locals on Harkers Island starting reminiscing about how Christmas decorations on the Island used to be. Every house used to be lit up and everyone decorated. While yearning for the way things used to be, they created the group “Bring Back The Lights.” Their first project was to create a decoration that could be shared across the Island. From those beginnings grew the “anchor” that you will see throughout the year hanging in many yards and homes across the Island. They are not only lit during the Christmas season but they are shining bright throughout the entire year! During and after the last two hurricanes, that anchor has also brought comfort and strength knowing that the “anchor holds” whatever the storm brings.
Now the group plans to expand their vision to help bring “light” to others that have suffered greatly from the last hurricane in September - Dorian.
So they are "Sharing the Lights" across the sound.
They are asking for your help to "Bring Back the Lights" to Ocracoke.
Hatteras High School's DECA Club will be bringing the trees and decorations and WE ARE MAKING SURE THERE ARE PLENTY OF LIGHTS.
Lights of all kinds! Lights, lights and more lights!
Drop off locations are: Core Sound Store - 806 Arendell St, MHC and Core Sound Museum Office Trailer - Harkers Island. Other locations will be posted soon.
If you live out of Carteret County and would like to ship your donation of lights to be part of this project, please ship to Core Sound, Ocracoke Lights, 806 Arendell St, Morehead City NC 28557
Deadline for gathering the lights, is Saturday, November 30. They will be delivering the lights to Ocracoke December 1.
Any style, color, size, design lights are welcome. Must be new lights in the box (for safety.)
They offer a huge THANK YOU for being part of Ocracoke's Christmas. This year will be a tough one (as many Down East folks know) but they are determined to make sure there are plenty of lights on that Island. #islandstrong
They will also be using the donations from the Community Sing, which they will host in September, to help rebulid/refurnish as many elderly homes as possible.
BE PART OF HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE SOUND!
Unfortunate and devastating news is spreading quickly throughout our communities that Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay will be closing it’s doors on December 21, 2019. So many will be impacted by this, most directly the residents, their families, and the employees. The reason for the closing has yet to be announced.
Sailor’s Snug Harbor originally opened it’s doors in 1833 to become America’s first retirement home for retired seamen. In 1965 the Snug Harbor site on Staten Island was declared a National Historic Landmark. The home for retired sailors moved to Sea Level, North Carolina in 1976. Eventually, Snug Harbor was transformed to Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay to provide a retirement community for individuals other than merchant mariners.
For some time now, Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay has provided not only a retirement community to many, but also provides services for assisted living, medical assisted living, and rehabilitation therapy.
An added impact for Down East and the county with the closing of Snug Harbor, will be the loss of services of Pruitt Health, which is also located in Sea Level. Pruitt Health will apparently be relocating east of Beaufort.
UPDATE FROM SNUG HARBOR ON NELSON BAY
It is with deep regret that the owners and management of Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay announce that the facility will be closing. It has been a pleasure serving the Down East communities for forty three years which made the decision to close a very difficult one. Significant damage to the facility by Hurricane Florence in 2018 and again by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 resulted in a huge financial strain on the facility. The delay in insurance reimbursement for damage repair also made it impossible for the facility to comply with the State of North Carolina’s Division of Health & Human Service, Life Safety Division regulations for operating a skilled health care facility. In addition, the overall costs to operate the facility, to employ and retain qualified staff, along with the current change to the healthcare reimbursement made the facility financially unsustainable. This was a difficult decision by both the ownership and management and closing was the only option.
Resource meetings are being planned to help inform residents and family members of their options for placement at other facilities in our area. We will also have resources available to help Snug Harbor staff find future employment. Announcements about these resources will be announced on the Snug Harbor Facebook page.
We want to say thank you for your support of Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay. It has been a great honor to serve the needs of the Down East Community and Carteret County for so many years!
The 2019 Core Sound Christmas Ball Ornament is here!
Ther commemorative Core Sound Christmas Ball Ornament was first created last year, and with the issuance of this year’s edition, it is sure to become a highly sought-after collectible and beloved holiday tradition. Signed and numbered by this year’s artist, Walter “Brother” Gaskill, only 240 have been produced. Be sure to get yours soon; last year’s ornament sold out, and many folks have reserved their same-numbered ornament this year.
Stop by and get yours at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Store today!
806 Arendell Street - Morehead City
Open 10am - 5:30
Carteret County Domestic Violence Program Afternoon Tea, Fashion Show, Shopping
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Morehead City Civic Center, Morehead City 28584
Tickets $40. For more information, please contact Jade Morton at office.ccdvp@gmail.com or
call the office at 252-726-2336
Can also purchase tickets online at https://www.carteretdomesticviolence.com/event/30th-annual-luncheon/
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Carteret County Domestic Violence Program Mad Hatter Casino Night
Saturday, November 23rd 2019
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Morehead City Civic Center, Morehead City
$75 per person | $125 for 2 people
For more information, please contact Jade Morton at office.ccdvp@gmail.com or
call the office at 252-726-2336
Can also purchase tickets online at https://www.carteretdomesticviolence.com/event/mad-hatter-casino-night/
The Friends of the Down East Library is sponsoring a conversation about recycling with Lisa Rider, Executive Director of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, the umbrella organization for Crystal Coast Waterkeeper. Lisa will address questions about recycling. Is what we do effective? What can we recycle? What happens when our recycling leaves Carteret county? What’s the story with China?
What We Talk About When We Talk About Recycling will be held Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Down East Library in Otway. Bring your questions and leave with more information about why we should and how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Lisa is a board member of the National Recycling Coalition. During her career she has received the NC Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award as the Conservation Communicator of the Year, North Carolina Environmental Educator of the Year, and the Carolina Recycling Association Recycler of the Year. Lisa initiated the NC Marine Debris Symposium, serves on the Mid-Atlantic NOAA Marine Debris Program Consortium and leads the regional consumer debris prevention and removal planning team. She is also an advisor for the Plastic Ocean Project. As a part of the eXXpedition Amazon crew in 2015 she sailed from Recife, Brazil to Bartika, Guyana studying ocean plastic.
Much to talk about. Much to learn. For more information call the Down East Public Library at 252-728-1333.
The Blessing of the Fleet is a tremendously moving event that recognizes and memorializes the many commercial fishermen that bring local seafood to our households.
Make your plans now to attend this event Sunday, October 6 at 10 a.m. at the NC State Port.
See ya there!
If you ever wanted to know the heart and soul of Down East, this article precisely describes it. “What is Down East” was written a year ago by an extremely thoughtful young man who was born and bred Down East - Michael Martin. Although he now lives in Kinston, he is a truly and remains a Down East boy!
What is Down East?
It is the people who come and pick my dad up off the floor when he falls and my mom can’t help him up and refuse to take anything in return for their kindness.
It is the kid who spends his afternoon fishing to catch a mess of fish for the old folks around the island because it’s just the right thing to do.
It is the friend you haven’t seen in months that drops everything to take your family on a day trip to Ocracoke because he would not have it any other way.
It is the teacher that meets you at school to unlock the building when you forgot your math book because she believes in you.
It is the fella that picks you up on a hot day and gives you a ride to where you are going because he walked in that heat before you.
It is the children playing barefoot without a care in the world because that is what children should do.
It is the blood that flows through your veins.
It is a language that is not an accent or a brogue. It is a language spoken with a wink, a look and a smile.
Down East is love and it isn’t the love you will read about in a novel, it isn’t a love that you will learn about in a poem, it is a love that is born within the heart of the men, women and children that cannot be duplicated it can only be shared.
Tomorrow the sun will rise and it rises in the EAST.
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If you ever wanted to know the heart and soul of Down East, this article precisely describes it. “What is Down East” was written a year ago by an extremely thoughtful young man who was born and bred Down East - Michael Martin. Although he now lives in Kinston, he is a truly a Down East boy!
Summer version of “Taste of Core Sound” will be held Friday, August 23 at 6:00 pm. Thankfully, the event will be held at the museum even though repairs are not fully completed. But that’s ok! It’s getting there!
The special guest that evening will be Chef Bill Smith of Chapel Hill’s Crook’s Corner. Included in the evening will be a silent auction as well as a live auction.
And now for the menu!
5 course family-style meal featuring fresh local seafood with trimmings from the garden!
Oysters on the Half Shell - Shrimp & Grits - Hot Fresh Fish & Cold Fried Chicken - Stewed Hard Crabs - Collards - Succotash - Atlantic Beach vs Harkers Island Lemon Pie
Tickets are on sale for $65/single (members) and $75/single (non-members)
To make reservations, call 252.728.1500. Remember seating is limited so call now!
Plan now to attend this event “at the end of the road!”
“Coming home to a place we’ve never lived….”
August 17 is the date for Diamond City Homecoming. It is a day celebrations and a day of remembering the ancestors of so many that are descendants of those that lived and died on Shackleford Banks. This year’s celebration will be bringing together the descendants of Shackleford Banks who migrated to Salter Path, Promise Land and Harkers Island to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the Storm of 1899 that drove their Shackleford Banks ancestors to higher ground.
The schedule of the day’s events are below:
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wade's Shore Cemetery (Meet at NPS Docks at 9 am. Reservations Needed)
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Lunch - Food Trucks -- Surf Shack and Sub-Tropics
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Homecoming Service
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Stories Around the Lighthouse / Lighthouse Climb / Sunset Cruise (Meet at NPS Docks at 7 am. Reservations Needed.
For more information, please go to Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center or call 252.728.1500.
