Atlantic Fifth Grade Learn Boat Building from Mr. Heber

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“To be ready for tomorrow, remember today and yesterday.”  ~Stevie Wonder

Fifth graders from Atlantic Elementary School make field trip to Little Skiff Boat Boatworks in Marshallberg.

One part of the class assembled parts of a Core Sound workboat as others shaped and formed a traditional oar used on workboats.  Heber Guthrie, veteran boat builder from Gloucester, had pre-cut the boat parts for the students to assemble.  He provided hands-on instruction for the two-hour session.  Guthrie, a member of the NC Coastal Heritage Association, will be conducting a series of summer camps for both young and old to learn boat building skills presented within a framework of lessons on coastal heritage.

Editorially speaking, having been involved in photojournalism since 1967, a half century of experience, like Farmers Insurance, I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two. 

Over the last 50 years, I have either photographed events like today or actually been the person facilitating such an event.  I have never seen better behaved 5th graders in my entire career, no noise, no rambling around, and this workshop provided more opportunity for rambling than one could imagine.  Students remained together in a group and stayed focused on the instruction offered about the task at hand.  Questions were sensible, no wisecracks.

I have conducted this, in part, to be the consequence of Heber’s charisma, knowledge about the subject matter, and wisdom in his use of effective ways to communicate with the students, not just on the object parts of the field trip, but also on the subjective references to heritage and Down East history.  Credit has to also be given to the teacher and parents of these children. 

Why I plead for support for the NC Coastal Heritage Association. ...
I hope you will see a personal benefit in joining this organization and supporting its projects. Visit nccoastalheritage.org. You'll be glad you did

This article and accompanying photos were contributed by Benjamin Casey of Arapahoe, NC

 
 
 

 

 

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center Launches Port Light

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Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center Launches Port Light

A project about the Saltwater Highways of the Outer and Inner Banks

"My grandmother said the most lonesome thing she ever heard was a rooster crowing on a freight boat early in the morning." — Al Schmitt, Great-Grandson of a Freight Boat Captain

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center announces the launch of Port Light, an engaging and interactive multimedia online exhibition that explores the life of historic boats on North Carolina’s Outer and Inner Banks. The project captures the rich history of the trade, civic, and kin connections that extended across the sounds of North Carolina from the Outer Banks to mainland ports. From the first tenuous Colonial settlements to the viable fishing villages of the early to mid-twentieth century, boats were the primary mode of transportation and key to the development of early America. Port Light brings to life the forgotten stories of 12 individual boats through written historical summary, oral history audio, and archival photography. The digital exhibition features an interactive map that details the routes of the boats.

Port Light is suitable for all audiences, especially those with local connections or visitors seeking historical perspectives, but was also specifically designed as an educational resource for classroom use. Curriculum guides tailored towards the NC Standard course of study — written specific for the 8th grade social studies curriculum — can be used can be used comprehensively as a unit or abbreviated by selecting preferred components.

"Core Sound’s commitment to collecting and sharing the voices of our coastal communities with visitors, long-time residents, natives and even folks who have never experienced this part of the world, is at the heart of this collective effort, " Karen Amspacher, Director of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center. "We are especially determined to make sure the next generation learns to appreciate these wonderful accounts of a different way of life along this coast and that is why the curriculum component of this project is so important. We sincerely hope that teachers across the state will incorporate these primary sources in their classroom."

8th grade Manteo Middle School teacher, Mary Ann Hodges, observed that her students "had fun finding out lesser known history about this area" while using the Port Light resources and lesson plans in her classroom. "Several students were inspired to go beyond the assigned project and created community stories that reflected their own family histories. The link between home and school is becoming stronger, and that's always a good thing."

Port Light was funded by the National Park Service Maritime Heritage Program. Principal researchers were Susan West, a fisheries specialist and journalist from Buxton, North Carolina, Barbara Garrity-Blake, a cultural anthropologist from Gloucester, North Carolina, and Karen Amspacher, Director of the Core Sound Museum. Project partners include the Bit & Grain creative project team that designed the digital exhibit and Dare County, North Carolina, School Media Specialist Mollee Holloman, who developed the Port Light curricula for North Carolina 8th graders.

Down East Council February Meeting Announced

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The next Down East Council meeting will be Tuesday, February 7 at the Williston UMC at 7 pm.  This meeting will include guests from our local county government - Tommy Burns and Stephen Rea. 

Tommy Burns is our new County Manager and Stephen Rea is the new Emergency Services Director. Both are interested in learning about the issues Down East, and will share any projects/plans on the horizon that affect us.

Please share this email with your family and friends!  The meeting is open to all Down East residents. 

Cape Lookout Lifesaving Service Gold Medal Award Event

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Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center has scheduled a day of celebration with Congressman Walter B. Jones honoring the 1905 Cape Lookout Lifesaving Station Gold Medal recipients, recognizing by the US Congress for the valiant rescue  of the crew of the Sarah DJ Rawson shipwreck.

This event will feature the families of Surfmen William H. Gaskill, James W. Fulcher, Kilby Guthrie, John A. Guthrie, Calupt T. Jarvis, John E. Kirkman, Joseph L. Lewis, Tyre Moore and Walter M. Yeomans. Lunch is provided.

Free event. RSVP at 252-728-1500 x21

Advisors Reject Shrimp Trawl Petition in Advance of Upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission Deliberations

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Citizen advisors to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission met in New Bern January 17 to discuss a petition to restrict trawling filed by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. The petition requests numerous restrictions, which would prove devastating to the industry.

Based on public testimony and DMF’s evaluation of the petition, all five advisory committees voted to recommend denial of the petition. However, the Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on the petition at their February meeting, and are not required to follow the guidance of advisory committees.

Two Marine Fisheries Commission members at the New Bern meeting who elected to vote as chair of advisory committees supported the petition: Mark Gorges and Mike Wicker.

Mike Street, former habitat biologist for the DMF, pointed out that the data presented in the petition was flawed or non-existent.

Pam Morris, long-time chair of the Southern Advisory Committee, stated that the petition failed to take into account the unique nature of North Carolina’s shrimp fishery, made up of three species with different behaviors.   

Advisor Brent Fulcher reminded the petitioners that new restrictions were recently put into place as part of the shrimp fisheries management plan, and a bycatch reduction study was underway.

Staffer Trish Murphy presented the Division of Marine Fisheries’ review of the petition. She pointed out that about 45% of the estuarine waters is currently closed to trawling.  The proposed changes would affect other fisheries, including crab trawling, clam kicking, and ocean finfish trawling. Her presentation made it clear that the petition ran contrary to data-driven management practices.

Public comment had to be cut off with more than sixty people still waiting to speak. Those who spoke were overwhelmingly opposed to the petition, including fishermen, county government officials, and seafood consumers.  Trawlers stood sentry in the waters off New Bern, adding to an impressive display of industry solidarity.

-Barbara Garrity-Blake

 

 

 

 

Down East Council Meeting

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The next council meeting will be Tuesday, JANUARY 10 and will be held at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum.  This meeting is to celebrate the completion of our major project:  Welcome to Down East signs.  The meeting will begin with a homemade chili supper, cornbread and dessert which begins at 6:00 pm.

In addition, Joel Hancock will be our guest speaker.  He will share with us some of his stories about Down East

Please share this with your family and friends!  The meeting is open to all Down East residents!

Natural Knee

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September 2, 2016, a tornado came from Cape Lookout and headed toward Harkers Island.  It actually skipped the Island and then landed in Straits.  The tornado skipped many homes in the vicinity of Straits, but it did do significant damage to a boat storage owned by Down East Kayaks - Christopher Miller.  Once the sun rose the next morning and the full impact of the tornado could be realized, it wasn't just the boat storage that was damaged.  Pecan trees were ripped apart and a couple cedar trees were twisted at their base totally destroying them.  But out of the devastation, Heber Guthrie was able to teach a great lesson about natural knees as well as honing the wood from that cedar tree into a beautiful "natural knee."  Below is the story Heber wrote about the wood rescued from the cedar.   

1526 Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon’s ship wrecked along what is now the southern coast of North Carolina. His men went ashore and found an abundance of Live Oaks, Cedars, and Pines. It was common to use timbers with the shape you needed. A tree limb with these characteristics are referred to by boat builders as a natural knee. What makes this a natural phenomenal is the wood grain continues around the curve of the knee. A couple days after the tornado touched down in Straits, I went there for a look at the cedars that had fallen.  Lillie Chadwick Miller said she had planted that cedar about 30 years ago.  A few feet just above the bottom of the cedar, there was the knee I was looking for.  The sequence of pictures shows working the wood down to the heart.  What was surprising, it actually fit in the bow of my old skiff. 

Captain Ayllon built two ships.  Did they use natural knees on those ships?  We just don’t know.  We do know it’s the first recorded instance of ship building near the mouth of the Cape Fear River.  It’s amazing that the very trees we use are also our architects.   

 

 

 
 

2017 CSWM&HC Winter Photography Competition

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This year's competition is limited to photographs featuring unique images depicting waterfowl hunting in Core Sound. This competition is part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. The geographical area is limited to Core Sound, Back Sound, all creeks and bays adjacent to Core Sound, The Straits, all impoundments located in Down East Carteret County. There is no time period specified.

The registration period is January 6-9, 2017. Prize list: First place $300, second place $200, third place $100 and a People's Choice Award.

Contest information and registration form can be downloaded here. 
Email pamdmorris@coresound.com for more information

(Photo by Michael Starks "Set Out" the 2011 CSWM&HC membership print image)

Christmas on Portsmouth ~ The Mailboat 1991

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Christmas on Portsmouth - Dot Salter Willis

The Mailboat Christmas (1991)

I remember our Christmases at my grandparents’ home when I was a small child. It was always a very Merry Christmas that all our family looked forward to.

Some of the boys would cut down the prettiest cedar tree they could find.  It would be a big tree.  Cedars grew plentiful on the island at that time.  Some of the boys would cut down the prettiest cedar tree they could find. It would be a big tree. Cedars grew plentiful on the Island at that time.

We would also get yaupon bushes that were very green with beautiful red berries and decorate the house, especially the front room.  We made chains out of colored paper, glued together and placed all over the tree.  We also made popcorn chains, lit candle and hung big red paper bells around the house.

My Aunt Pearl and Uncle Jerome Fulcher who lived in New Bern would always come home for Christmas.  They had a small daughter at that time named Geraldine.  They always brought some decorations for the tree as well as gifts for the children.  I remember they brought a long chain that smelled out “M-e-r-r-y C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s” which was put on the wall for everyone to see as they came into the room.

We always had fruit and candy in our stocking that we hung up for Santa Claus.  We also got some small toys such as dolls, boats, books and cut-out paper dolls.  Sometimes we got clothes too.  I remember one Christmas I got a china doll.  She was real pretty, with a china head, arms and legs, and a cloth body.  One day my Mama took my sister and walked down the banks to the store.  This store was owned by my great-Uncle Theodore and Aunt Annie Salter.  They also had the post office inside the store.  While they were gone, my Dad and I laid down to take a nap.  Of course, I had my doll with me.  My dad fell asleep and I (being a child) decided to get up all by myself.  I had to step across my Dad.  I fell off the bed with the doll in my arms.  I did not get hurt, but my beautiful doll got her head all broken.  We later had a funeral for her and she is still buried somewhere on the island.

We were always told this was Jesus’ birthday that we were celebrating, and I can remember the story being told, over and over.  Families always got together on Christmas, if there was any way possible.

Christmas was a happy time and enjoyed by everyone in our family.  We always had plenty of company coming in to say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

We did not have all the things children have today, but we did not miss them because everyone on Portsmouth Island had about the same things.  I remember we did have a “Victrola” that played the round cylinders.  I wonder sometimes what happened to that old Victrola. 

All the children seemed to be happy, especially at Christmas.  We visited all the children to wee what Santa brought to each one.  It was always busy – but happy – on Christmas Day. 

Portsmouth Island holds many memories for me – some sad, but mostly good, but Christmas at Portsmouth was always special. 

 

WELCOME TO DOWN EAST!!

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If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve arrived Down East – well – wonder no more!!!  Down East Council’s project of installing two welcome signs, one at each of the entrances, is now complete!  The project took approximately two years to complete, with massive time spent on design, permits from the county and CAMA, fund raising, and coordinating installation!! 

Read more about the project, donors, as well as Down East Council on our webpage here.

This is just the beginning of what Down East Council can do to help our thirteen communities.  We have been striving to have two representatives from each of our communities at our monthly meetings.  We have yet to meet that goal; however, we want to encourage residents in all communities to join us as we move forward with more projects and opportunities to help Down East!

Comments are welcome!

Core Sound Decoy Festival

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The 29th Decoy Festival is now in the history books!  From all accounts it was a tremendous success - - again!   If you were unable to attend this year's festival, we have the opportunity to share some of the photographs of the festival by Gordon Allen.  Mr. Allen is a landscape-wildlife photographer and he did a fantastic job documenting the carvers as well as their outstanding work.  Here we are displaying a small sampling of his photographs of the festival! 

 

Waterfowl Weekend

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Waterfowl Weekend at the Core Sound Museum was a huge success!!  Even the rain on Sunday couldn't damped the spirits and excitement of those that attended.  It was truly a great time.  One of our folks, Dan Williams, captured some of the fun Friday night.  Here are a few of his pics!!  Hope you enjoy.  And if you didn't attend this year, get it on your calendar for next year!!

 

Santa To Visit Sea Level & Atlantic

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Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is coming to the communities of Sea Level and Atlantic!! 🎅🏽

Sunday, December 18th starting at 5 o'clock, Santa will depart from Station 2 in Sea Level and make his way through the communities (Sea Level & Atlantic) then will make a stop to Station 1 in Atlantic for a meet & greet.

Santa will stop on the road to your house, as normal, but if you want extra time with Santa, please stop by Station 1.

Please share to get the word out!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

DOWN EAST COUNCIL

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Down East Council will hold their monthly meeting Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be held at Williston United Methodist Church.

Down East Council is a representative group of all thirteen communities in the area with the goal of serving as a unifying voice to promote our livelihood in a growing economy, celebrate and honor the heritage of the people as well as protect our fragile coastal environment.  Down East is also unique in that our communities do not have the benefits afforded by being structured like towns or municipalities, and therefore has lacked a means to voice its needs, concerns, and desires for the future.  The framework of the council is to have two representatives from each community.  Meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.