Beachside Banter

Midgett Realty Office Halloween Party Slideshow

2009-11-09T15:07:00.004-05:00

Ocracoke Day Trip

2009-10-15T12:51:00.000-04:00

There is no better escape than a day trip to Ocracoke Island. My family loves to go there. I know we live on an island but there is just something special about Ocracoke. It makes even a day trip feel like a real vacation. We always try to hit the Ferry line early. My family's most recent trip was to celebrate my daughter's birthday. It was her choice for a fun day of family. My mother in law was also in town and it was a great activity to do with her.

The Ferry ride marks the beginning of the "mini vacation". As always, it is crowded in the summer but a little patience results in a fun ride over the water. I like to ride the ferry while standing along the rail. Mostly because I get sea sick if I stay in the car but also because I have seen some amazing things swimming or floating past the boat. This was no exception as we saw hundreds of little fish swimming along side of the ferry.

After unloading in Ocracoke, the first stop is always Ocracoke Village and our favorite restaurant, The Jolly Roger. For many reading this blog you will have your own favorite, but for us, The Jolly Roger is tops. We love the outdoor atmosphere, the friendly wait staff, the view of the harbor and the food! After filling ourselves to capacity, we headed out for a browsing of the shops. My daughter's favorite store anywhere is a bookstore so we stopped in to Books to be Red. What a great book store and more. They have beautiful pottery and a fun kids room in the back with all kinds of kids books and craft ideas. No trip to Ocracoke is complete without ice cream. So after a little walking, we headed off to find some ice cream. With dessert and shopping complete, it was time for the beach.

On Ocracoke, there are only two ways to get to the beach: drive out or park and walk. We decided to park and walk over. The least crowded spot was the access ramp across from the Ocracoke wild pony pasture. Being horse owners ourselves, we always like to see how the Ocracoke ponies are doing. It is great to see them looking healthy and happy. The parking lot there has a nice wooden walkway that is also handicapped accessible. Time for the sunscreen and bathing suits. We hit the surf, which was surprisingly cold for July and did some boogie boarding and body surfing. The beaches in Ocracoke are similar to Hatteras in that they are not too crowded and are usually clean. This beach was no exception. My mother in law, who can not swim well, was pleased to find the water was not too deep and even she could enjoy the waves with the family.

All too soon it was time to head home. After drying off and reloading the car, it was a short drive back to the ferry line. We like to guess how many ferry's will come and go before we make it on. While we waited, we played games and some took naps. All in all, it was a very successful trip to Ocracoke and one we will make many times again.

Blog entry by Suzie Scholten, Associate Broker, Midgett Realty.

Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Fun Run

2009-09-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation will have its sixth annual Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10:00 a.m. in Hatteras village. The rain date is October 11, 2009.

Registration will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum near the ferry docks for the event, which is a 5k run – about 3.1 miles.

Participants can walk, run, or just join in for the fun and festivities in support of an organization that provides financial assistance to Hatteras Island cancer patients.

The festivities will include music, a climbing wall From Kitty Hawk Kites, a barbecue show-off with barbecue available by the container or sandwich, clam chowder by Coastal Blue restaurant, a hot dog stand and lemonade stand, a bake sale, raffles, prizes, face painting, and much more from local businesses and organizations.

The entry fee for the Fun Run is $25 for adults and $15 for children 18 and under. The entry fee includes a Fun Run T-shirt and water. Please fill out and return a form along with your entry fee to P.O. Box 421, Hatteras, NC 27943: Attn: Fun Run.

Entry Forms can be picked up at Island Convenience in Rodanthe, Spa Koru in Avon, Buxton Village Books in Buxton or The East Carolina Bank In Hatteras.

You can also enter the day of the race.

Day At The Docks in Hatteras Village

2009-09-22T10:54:00.000-04:00

September 19th, 2009 was the 5th annual Day At The Docks in Hatteras Village. Always fun this event celebrates the working watermen of Hatteras Island. This year Day At The Docks was held along the waterfront from Oden's Dock to Village Marina. Along the walk, there were many things to see, do and eat! Working watermen were there to demonstrate their craft. You could see net tying, a pound net, the last working skip jack in North Carolina waters, the Ada Mae, along with commercial fishing boats, the charter fishermen, and the Coast Guard.

My family has been going to this event since the beginning, and every year brings something new. Our favorite event is the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation chowder cook-off. Each year, local restaurants and individuals compete for the best chowder on the island. There are as many ways to make chowder, as there are people to eat it. This year was no exception. There were varieties of the traditional Hatteras Style clam chowder, seafood bisque and fish/crab chowder combos. Unfortunately, we never seem to get there early enough to sample all the chowders as some contestants run out early. After sampling, you get to vote for your favorite. Ours was hands down the Breakwater Restaurant. They made a creamy Tile fish, jalapeno and crab chowder. It was excellent. Second place went to Island Perks from Buxton with a traditional Hatteras (clear base) clam chowder. Third went to the Marlin Club with a Brie and crab chowder. Unfortunately for my family, that was one we were too late for. After that, if you were still hungry, the Methodist Women staff a booth with hot dogs, fish sandwiches and shrimp on a skewer.

After eating our way through the cook-off, there were plenty of activities for our son to do. Sam has participated in the Mullet toss, the blue crab races, the concrete marlin contest, jumping in the creek, fish print tee shirts, the leaky coast guard boat, and the kids fishing tournament. Obviously not places to wear your Sunday best, as the kids always come home smelling like fish. His favorite is the kids fishing tournament. This year, he and a few buddies forgot poles and decided to hand line. Sam caught many little Pin fish but the prize was for longest and heaviest, neither of which they had. After walking and playing around the docks, you can sit and listen to an array of musicians playing in the main area. The day wraps up with a Blessing of the Fleet in the harbor. It was a beautiful day, and as always everyone had lots of fun in Hatteras Village.

Blog entry by Suzie Scholten, Associate Broker, Midgett Realty.

Sea Glass

2009-09-08T10:31:00.001-04:00

One of our favorite activities on Hatteras Island is beachcombing. After a big storm, you just never know what you may find out on the beach. When we moved here 8 years ago, we were big into collecting shells, all kinds and sizes, broken or whole. Then after hauling too many broken shells home, we decided that they had to be unique or whole to be worthy of a space in our "shell garden".

That rule still applies, but we now focus most of our attention on the hunt for sea glass. Sea glass comes in all colors and sizes. Green, brown and white are the most common colors to be found on the beaches here. For us to consider saving the piece, it has to be fully "cooked" which means, no sharp edges and a full smoky glaze, no shine, no clear glass. Red, yellow, orange and purple are some of the hardest and most rare to find. Blue is more common but is still a rush when found. All of these colors come in varying shades of the hue. In our family, we turn it into a contest to see who can find the most on any one-beach trip. And, when you find a piece you have to do the now famous "Sea Glass Dance". This involves holding the glass in the air, wiggling your rear end and chanting, "you ain't got no sea glass" to the other people on the beach. And yes, improper grammar applies or it does not count!

There are several books about sea glass that can help give you an idea of where a particular piece of glass may have come from. Glass with air bubbles typically are from very old bottles or windows. They could be hundreds of years old and have come from shipwrecks. The density of the color determines the age of the sea glass. For example, the deeper dark green of a piece, would indicate that it is older than a lighter green colored piece. Sometimes you can still read some of the raised logo from a Budweiser or the numbers on the bottom of a brown beer bottle. With plastics becoming more popular, sea glass collecting is becoming harder and we do not always find a piece while we are at the beach. Although we have jars full, the photo is of our box of special pieces. Each was collected for its color or shape. The yellow piece is our newest prize and was found while horseback riding in the cove on Mother's Day.

So next time you are out at the beach, especially at low tide, keep an eye to the ground for a flash of green or white and pick up some sea glass of your own!

Blog entry by Suzie Scholten, Associate Broker, Midgett Realty

Hatteras Island Prepares to Host 5th Annual Day at the Docks Celebration in September

2009-09-02T12:33:00.000-04:00

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (July 19, 2009) - The 5th Annual “Day at the Docks: A Celebration of Hatteras Island Watermen” will take place Saturday, September 19, 2009, on the Hatteras village waterfront.

“The celebration this year promises to be the best ever,” said Lynne Foster, chairperson of the Day at the Docks planning committee.

The day brings local fishing families and island visitors together on the waterfront where commercial fishing boats, charter boats, and fishing gear are displayed.

Competitions, such as the concrete marlin, net hanging, and mullet toss contests, and the survival suit race, will run throughout the day.

“The contests always draw lots of competitors and many more spectators,” Foster said.

The fish identification game, children’s fishing contest, blue crab races, and other activities designed especially for children will return this year.

“We’re bringing back the very popular chowder cook-off as well as seafood cooking demonstrations, and we invite island cooks and chefs to contact us if they are interested in participating,” Foster said.

Day at the Docks gets underway at 10 am and runs until 5 pm. Guests are invited to observe workboats parade into the harbor for the Blessing of the Fleet at 6 pm.

There is no admission charge for the event.

For more information, visit www.dayatthedocks.org

Hurricane Bill

2009-08-24T15:15:00.000-04:00

The first major hurricane of the 2009 season was a near miss for Hatteras Island, and no one is disappointed. The National Weather Service very accurately forecast the track of Hurricane Bill. Yet even with that, there are those of us who still prepare for the just-in-case scenario.

Experience has taught us that hurricanes don’t always “behave” as predicted; the storm track may change and/or the intensity of the wind may increase dramatically. Anyone who has lived here for a period of time and for those who have witnessed a hurricane here will most likely agree, that Mother Nature is unpredictable and ultimately in control. We know that even with this improving accuracy of weather forecasting, (especially during hurricane season) the weather here changes in an instant and without notice. So we must always be prepared for the unexpected.

Even though the storm was to remain well off our coast, by Friday the surf was building and warnings of dangerous rip currents resulted in the closure of the National Seashore beaches to ORV traffic, and the rescue squad asking people to use extreme caution and not enter the water during the storm conditions.

Fortunately the predicted track of the storm did not change and the hurricane passed us by on Saturday, August 22nd, just a few hundred miles off the coast of Cape Point. By Sunday morning the storm had moved well north on a track for Nova Scotia. Surfers waited patiently at their favorite break watching for the right wave, and beach goers were once again returning to the beaches for a day of fun and relaxation.

We are thankful that this storm has gone, and now will watch the Weather Channel’s tropical updates faithfully each day so we can monitor the next tropical wave as it approaches, and be prepared for our next storm. In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy this beautiful island we call home.

Blog entry by Katherine White, Administration Support, Hatteras Office.

Musical Surprise

2009-07-13T10:53:00.000-04:00

My husband, Speedy and I moved to Frisco about 7 years ago from Northern Virginia. The only thing we were unsure about was his music and whether or not he would still be able to play in the area. With great surprise in less than a month we learned about the outstanding musical talent on the islands that ranges from Rodanthe to Ocracoke.

After discovering the rich musical heritage that exists on the Outer Banks, it did not take long to create a show that is called “Frisco Jubilee” and is performed once a week and is open to all…. locals and vacationers. The show is multi-faceted with music ranging from standards and blues, to bluegrass and gospel. Also included are original poetry readings by Johnny Baum. It’s great to see the same people come back year after year to the show, and nice to know we have become an add-on for their vacation’s “must do” list.

Speedy has been able to produce CD’s, (most of the money he makes goes to local charities) and he keeps writing his music. He was also in the movie “Nights in Rodanthe”. Just look for the fiddler!

Our soundman Bob Boyer (also from the DC, Maryland area) worked for NBC and now has Boyer Videos. Bob now does most of the local commercials you see on TV, and does the taping for Dare County meetings and school dance classes, just to name a few. Any music needs you may have for weddings or parties just call Bob for information at 252-995-3540.

I was able to start working two weeks after we moved here at the best company on the Island, Midgett Realty. I work in the Sales department in the Hatteras Village Office and enjoy the people I work with and the support received from the homeowners.

So when you are in town please stop in the Little Grove Church in Frisco for the best shown in town, and Midgett Realty to find that dream vacation spot. Or just stop in to say hello!

Hope to see you soon!
Kathy

Blog entry by Kathy Price, Sales Administrator, Midgett Realty - Hatteras Office.

The “Frisco Jubilee” is held at the Little Grove Church in Frisco, at 7:30pm each Saturday. Tickets are $10.00. (Half of the funds from each show are donated to the Little Grove Church.)

On Hatteras Island…even the squirrels occasionally swim!

2009-08-10T16:31:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, when you are dealing with animals and the great outdoors, the most unexpected things happen! That is what this story is all about.

One early evening my husband, Jeff and I headed over to the barn to perform our usual routine of feeding, mucking and filling the water buckets. When we arrived, we noticed our horse Willem "playing" in the water bucket. This is not unusual because he loves to "make waves" with his face in the bucket…. but this play was different. It was almost like he was bobbing for something but not getting close enough to pick it up.

Since we were also waiting for the equine dentist to arrive, we didn't pay much attention to Willem and he came up to eat as normal. While we waited, I decided to empty and clean the water buckets. As I walked down toward the first bucket I called to Jeff and anyone else to come quick to see what I had found. There was a juvenile squirrel in the bucket, swimming for its life!

Now, we know that squirrels come to the water buckets to drink because we have seen them many times hanging onto the top rim with their feet, reaching down for a drink. This spring we watched a family of baby squirrels emerge from their nest near our hay box so this very likely was a squirrel from that family. Although there have been occasions of tree frogs using the water daily, this was the first furry creature we’ve found swimming! Even though we have worried about the possibility of them falling in we had not yet put a rescue plan in place.

Jeff quickly reached in and lifted the squirrel out of the bucket. It was in shock and continued to "swim" in the air and gasp for breath. Justin ran to his car and found a towel to wrap him in. He was so cold and soaked through, and his tail had been the object of Willem's attention as the end was stripped of fur. We took turns holding him close to us while he was wrapped in the towel. Soon the gasping and reflexive swimming stopped, and we were relieved to see that he was still breathing and appeared to be asleep, exhausted.

By the time the dentist had finished, the squirrel was awake and burrowing into the towel but staying fairly quiet. Thinking he needed a night of quiet, we decided to take him home with us for the night while he recuperated. The squirrel rode quietly in my arms all the way home.

We took him inside and decided to place him in an old birdcage until morning. Jeff was just setting up the cage when I lifted the towel covering the squirrel’s head and he bolted out of my arms and through the lower level of the house. Before we knew it, he was climbing the walls, bicycles, tools, washer and dryer; anywhere he could find to get away. Justin joined Jeff and I trying to corner him. (It is amazing how fast a squirrel can move!) After several attempts to grab the squirrel we managed to corner him again when he decided his best bet was to hunker down and put his tail over his head. It was the old; “If I can’t see you…then you can't see me” game! Jeff picked him up in a towel and put him in the cage. After that, we all agreed he was fit enough to return to his home right then.

Amazingly through the entire ordeal, he never tried to bite, only get away. We have seen him several times now since his water torture and he seems fully recovered. We recognize him by his hairless tail tip and he always scurries away with unusual speed. I can only imagine what he must think about the whole adventure.

Blog entry by Suzie Sholten, Associate Broker, Midgett Realty – Suzie and her husband, Jeff also own Hatteras Island Horseback Riding.

Steamed Crab

2009-07-27T10:25:00.000-04:00

For each dozen crabs use:
2 ½ tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
3 tablespoon salt
water and vinegar

Use a large pot, such as a canner, or steamer pot with a raised rack in the bottom (at least 2 inches above bottom of the pot) works well. Fill pot with equal quantities of vinegar and water to just below the level of the rack. Add crabs to pot in layers, sprinkling each layer of live crabs with the mixture of Old Bay Seasoning and salt. Cover and steam until crabs are red, about 20 to 30 minutes. Serve crabs immediately. Because seafood spoils quickly, keep crabs warm in steamer or promptly refrigerate.

Serve steamed crab on a table covered with paper for easy cleanup and with plenty of ice cold beer, lemonade or soft drink. Melted butter seasoned with a little Old Bay Seasoning is often served on the side. Have plenty of paper towels handy.

**When adding crabs to pot, make sure the crab is alive. Crabs spoil quickly and any dead crabs should be discarded.

This recipe is from http://www.old-bay-seasoning.com/ the Cooking with Old Bay Seasoning recipe collection.

Steamed Crab Feast Tips – A steamed crab feast is definitely not fast food. And can be considered a tad messy, as it is most certainly a “hands on event” since you will be eating the crab right off the table and using your fingers to pick the meat from the crab shell. So plan to spend a leisurely afternoon or evening with good company, and enjoy this fresh local cuisine.

Picking crab can be a bit slow to start so be patient. If you have a veteran picker in the group it is always good to have them demonstrate the picking process. Don’t worry you’ll get the hang of it and have a few laughs in the process.

Tools you will need: wooden mallets (to break open the claws), paring knives, and several rolls of paper towels.

To simplify any messy clean up the best place to eat steamed crab is outside on a picnic table. (However, if you have to eat inside be sure to protect the table and floors and do the clean up right away.) To protect the surface cover the table with a plastic tablecloth to prevent any juices from leaking through, and then place several layers of newspaper or layers of large brown paper bags cut and spread open. Have a trashcan available nearby.

When the meal is done, simply roll the layers of newspaper or brown paper up toward the center of the table containing all the discarded shells and toss in the trashcan.

If you have any left over crab, pick the crabmeat and store in a zip lock bag and refrigerate right away. Refrigerated crabmeat will last a couple of days. Or freeze the crabmeat for up to 2 months.

Hot Crab Dip

2009-07-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

1 cup Mayonnaise
1½ cups grated Cheddar Cheese (divide into 2 individual ¾ cup portions)
1½ tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp. Dry Mustard

1 pound fresh lump crabmeat (gently pick through the crab to remove any shell bits or membranes, being careful not to break up the lumps)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium sized bowl combine mayonnaise, ¾ cup cheese, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; fold in the picked crabmeat. Spoon mixture into 1-qt. Casserole dish and top with remaining ¾ cup cheese. Sprinkle with a dash of Old bay seasoning. Bake 15 minutes or until mixture begins to bubble around edges. Serve with assorted crackers and/or pita crisps. Serves 8-10.

Crab Newburg

2009-07-27T10:35:00.000-04:00

1 pound backfin crab meat
Pinch cayenne pepper
¼ cup butter
2 cups skim milk
¼ cup diced green pepper
¼ cup white wine
1 cup canned mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt Fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon dry mustard

Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add green pepper and mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt, mustard, and pepper. Blend into melted butter. Add milk and wine and stir constantly until mixture thickens. Add crabmeat and pour mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika, grated Parmesan and parsley. Bake for about 8-10 minutes in preheated 350 degree F. oven. Yield: 6 servings.

This recipe is from the North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Marketing Division’s NC Seafood Cookbook. For more great North Carolina seafood information and their recipes go to: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/seafood/index.htm

North Carolina Seafood

2009-07-24T11:59:00.000-04:00

Here on Hatteras Island summer is in full swing and there is no better time to enjoy eating fresh North Carolina seafood. Check any of Hatteras Island’s local seafood markets where you will find a great selection of fresh fish and shellfish. Seafood harvested in North Carolina is considered some of the best seafood in the world!

This time of year the blue claw crabs are a popular choice by many locals and visitors! You can purchase the blue claws fresh and cook them yourself, or buy the backfin and lump crabmeat that has already been cooked, and the meat removed from the shells ready to use in your favorite recipe!

After searching through my cookbooks, and the web (for some new ideas) it came as no surprise that there are many recipes for crab. In the new “Favorite Recipe” category I’ve included a simple recipe for steaming crabs, which may appeal to anyone who wants to enjoy the fresh, pure succulent taste of the blue claw. For those who would like to use the fresh prepared crabmeat in other ways there are 2 additional crab recipes you may want to try.

Click on “Favorite Recipes” to view all recipes. Check back often as more of our favorites are added! Enjoy!

Katherine

Happy Independence Day!

2009-07-03T14:46:00.000-04:00

Salty Reflections

Happy Independence Day! The weather forecast for this 4th of July is predicting a mostly sunny day with temps in the mid 80’s. Perfect Hatteras Island weather for just about any activity you and your family may have planned. So kick back, relax, have fun and be safe this holiday weekend!

Midgett Realty Staff

Salty Reflections

2009-06-26T19:25:00.000-04:00

I invite you to browse this new category for our Beachside Banter Blog! Salty Reflections is another means of sharing life here on Hatteras Island through the lens of a camera. Almost everyday here brings yet another opportunity to capture a moment in time with a photograph of this wonderful place I now call home.

I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and really fell in love with Hatteras Island the very first time vacationing here over 20 years ago. The weather, wind, water, sunsets, the caring people I became acquainted with, and the island lifestyle kept me coming back here time and again, year after year. Now it seems hard to believe that 11+ years has passed since moving and settling here permanently.

As an amateur photographer over the years I have always enjoyed the challenge of searching out a path less traveled in hope of finding a unique photo opportunity. And yet even here (a small place geographically), Hatteras Island has many such paths. I continue to be amazed by the ever-changing landscape, the resilience of our natural vegetation and variety of wildlife that are able to endure even the harshest weather conditions that sometimes occur here. Collectively all that is here continues to inspire me and can provide so many great moments that my camera is (almost always) nearby and ready!

So from time-to-time I will post a photograph from my modest assortment that I have kept stashed away. There may be a caption or short story that goes along with it, or there may just be the photo itself, which may stir a fond memory or brief reflection of your own Hatteras Island visit!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, it is true that island time really does exist! It was an easy transition for me to find my island time comfort zone. If you let it, island time has a way of eliminating the clutter in life, and helps simplify things. I like that.

Katherine

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

2009-06-22T12:23:00.000-04:00

Lots of people have hobbies, but few people invest the kind of time and energy into their extracurricular activities that Hatteras residents Ted Midgett and Bill Ballance have dedicated to their favorite pastime of dirt-track racing.Every Friday afternoon, from mid-April until the end of August, Midgett and Ballance load up their car and make the nearly three-hour trek to Elizabeth City, where they compete against other enthusiasts on the Dixieland Speedway’s three-eighths- mile dirt track, not returning home until around 2:30 the next morning. And that’s just race day. They spend several hours each week painstakingly detailing their car—taking it down to the frame, cleaning it, replacing any banged up pieces of metal, repainting dings and scuffs, and hand-checking each nut and bolt on the vehicle. That’s right. Every nut. Every bolt. Every week. “You’ve got to love it,” says Ballance. “It’s stress relief for me. When I’m doing this, I’m in another world.”For Midgett, who has been at it for nearly 25 years, the love affair started early. “I always liked [racing],”he said, “even as a kid.”His dad, Stockton Midgett, used to race beach buggies, and even when he was just riding a bike, Midgett would put a racing number on it. So when the Dixieland Speedway opened in the early 1980s, Midgett couldn’t just sit in the stands. “Four of us from down here went up to watch the race, and we said, ‘Hey, we can do that.’”They came back and built two cars. “We thought it looked easy,” he said. “We found out it wasn’t.”After years of racing, it just got to be too much for Midgett, and he, along with most of the other Hatteras boys, decided to give it up. Then, about 10 years ago, Ballance, owner of Ballance Oil in Hatteras, found himself with a sponsored car, midway through the dirt-track season, and no one to drive it. So he contacted Midgett, who agreed to finish out the season. They’ve been partners ever since, and it seems they make a pretty good team. Over the years, they’ve won seven championships, and almost every year, they take home the title of best looking car. So far this year, the duo is in second place, trailing the leader by 12 points, and leading the third place contender by more than 35. Not bad for a couple of pentagenarians. Of course, Midgett and Balance get a lot of help from behind the scenes. “If you really want to know what goes on, talk to [our wives] Chris and Beth,” Ballance said. “If we didn’t have their support, neither one of us could do this.” In the off-season, Bill and Ted completely rebuild the car. “We take it right down to the frame,” says Ballance. “Ted and I can pick it up and carry it.”Then they start from scratch, cutting the sheet metal for the body, ordering new parts, carving treads into new tires and putting everything together, so that's when the season rolls around, the legendary red and black No. 1 car is ready to roll.

Reprinted from the Island Free Press www.islandfreepress.org

Island Time?

2009-06-18T10:56:00.000-04:00

I moved to Hatteras Island in 1994, completely sight unseen. Why? Because the U.S. Coast Guard said so!

We were stationed in Charleston, South Carolina when we received our orders and I thought the idea of living on an island would be “quaint” and “charming”. Since I had grown up a Navy brat I knew I could handle just about any duty station for 3 years, it would be a cinch, no problem, I could do it standing on my head.

There was just one little problem I hadn’t anticipated….island time. A relaxed attitude about schedules, the gray area of 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after the appointed time. Now, keep in mind, I was raised in the military and then married into the military. If 0900 was the scheduled time for an appointment then I was there at 0900, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Shock number one came when I went to enroll my older son in school. “What time does school begin?” I asked. The answer - “8ish”. I’m an adult, I’ve been able to tell time since I was about 5 years old, I do not recall seeing 8ish on any clock - ever. Certainly this must be just for the littlest of the children, it was only kindergarten after all, just a little extra time as a young child begins to learn the routine. Nope. School starts at 8ish. Alrighty then, moving right along.

Several years later, I knew I had been converted to island time when I was on the phone with my brother who lives in Boston. While we were chatting he pulled into a gas station to enquire about a state inspection. The conversation went something like this:

Baby Brother: How long for an inspection?
Station Attendant: 30 minute wait
Baby Brother: I’ll be back

That was it, the full conversation. Information exchanged, appointment made, on to the next item on the “to-do” list. I began laughing and my brother asked what the joke was. I explained to him that his less than 30 second interaction would have taken at least 15 minutes here because there would be inquiries after the entire family’s health, a promise to get together soon and an appointment set for a vague time in the future.

It isn’t that islanders are slow, it’s not that we’re inconsiderate to the schedule of others, it’s that we take the time to care about people around us. I live on island time now and like to think that I’m a better person for it.

Cindy

Sandy toes and baby blues

2009-06-12T15:05:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day weekend brought good fishing, great cook outs, and a baby girl’s first trip to the beach. Taylor (my daughter) at the ripe old age of 6 months had her first experience of what it was like to have sand between her toes!

Her dad and I loaded her in the truck with all her favorite toys, sunscreen, umbrella, bottles, water, and the list goes on….we are lucky that, as parents on Hatteras Island, we have the luxury of driving onto the beach in our 4 wheel drive making bringing a baby’s necessities much easier. I can’t imagine having to haul all of these items to the beach by crossing a parking lot, then climbing a dune over a sand path to the water. Needless to say as new parents we did not want to forget anything and wanted to make it the most enjoyable experience possible. Upon arrival at the beach, Taylor’s bright blue eyes were following the seagulls and she was smiling from ear-to-ear. Her dad spotted the perfect location for Taylor’s first beach exploration and backed in.

Believe it or not, the weatherman was right on! The sun was shining, a nice cool breeze was blowing, and there was no rain in sight. What more could one ask, for Taylor’s first beach trip? At this point we (well Stephen, my husband) unloaded the truck, anchored the umbrella, and I applied two, maybe three or even four layers of sun block to Taylor. We were so scared she would get sunburn. I stand Taylor up and she holds on and starts walking towards the ocean. She does her normal “squall” of happiness, and is now almost in a dead run (remember she is 6 months, and I am holding her hands and following behind)! I think the water is cold, but not her! She heads as far out into the wash as we will let her….giggling all the way.

Now we get to the good part. While sitting on a towel playing with a toy, Taylor tipped completely over with her head going right into the sand! You would think she would get upset, but no, not her! Like a true Hatteras beach baby, she just sat up and enjoyed eating the sand. How do you keep sand out of a 6 months mouth? You can’t! By mid afternoon she was getting a little tired and our day was nearing an end. We load the truck, strap Taylor in her car seat and slowly head for the access ramp. By the time we hit ramp 49 , (maybe 3 minutes) she is fast asleep. All in all we had a great day and a great first trip to the beach.

Carinne

Wow! Finally! Our first entry!

2009-06-05T10:10:00.000-04:00

We have spent a lot of time and given a lot of thought as to the theme of our blog. We have decided that we want ours to be a bit different than the typical "business" blog, we want it to be about our Midgett Realty family, those with the last name Midgett and those that have a different last name but are just as much members of our family, our fellow employees. We all agree that we want it to be reflective of every day life on Hatteras Island.

By far, the most asked question that we get is "what is it like to live there"? This blog will strive to answer that question as we take time to share our island lives with you. You will learn that many aspects of our daily lives are just like yours, whether you live in Pennsylvania or Ohio, California or Canada or points in between or afar. We have children to get to school, commutes to drive to get to work, and never ending list of "things to do" for our homes. (Albeit all of these mundane chores of life take place in an environment that we think is paradise on earth!)

However, you will also learn that our family of staff here at Midgett Realty is a pretty eclectic group of people with wildly varied talents, interests, and backgrounds. To be expected, we count as staff members (and their families) boaters, fishermen, photographers, windsurfers, kiteboarders, birdwatchers, kayakers, surfers, hunters and gardening enthusiasts. But did you know that we also have computer geeks, a gemologist, a devout fan of Dale Jr., gourmet cooks, community activists and volunteers, 3 amateur meteorologists, Pirates, Buckeyes, and Tarheels (sports fans all!), 5 knitters, 2 spinners (yeah, folks who spin wool or other fibers into yarn), several members of local government boards, skateboarders, conservationists, softball players (we sponsor both a Men's team "Midgett Bros." and a Women's Team "Midgett Sistas") and even one racecar driver! (Late Model Dirt Track)

In the weeks and months ahead we will share our lives with you, through the seasons with all our island has to offer. Enjoy!

Summer Sundays are for clamming, friends, and Nascar racing!

2009-06-09T15:23:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday dawned a bit cloudy with a fairly stiff northeast breeze, undeterred and hoping that the forecast for clearing by mid-day was correct, we (myself, my husband Ted, and Kim and Chris who are friends from Elizabeth City) loaded up the boat with all the essentials needed for a great clamming trip.

Necessities include, the boat bag containing snacks, sunscreen, hats, long sleeved shirts (in case we get too much sun), towels, books, and knitting (these last two items go with us in case one or several of us decide to take more of a “supervisory” role in regards to the effort needed to clam J). Also essential for the trip are the clam buckets, clam rakes, the cooler iced down with beverages, and on a Sunday in the summer, the portable radio (with an extra set of batteries just in case) so we can listen to the Nascar race. As an aside here, for those that are hooked on seeing the race on TV, the radio broadcast by MRN (motor racing network) is a fantastic way to get your “fix” with very colorful commentary and announcing. It’s a really good compromise when trying to get those diehard race fans out of the house and into the sun….besides, if something really wild happens you can always catch the recap on the speed channel or ESPN later that night. Everyone give a great big HOO-RAH! to Tony Stewart for winning the Pocono race this past week! We will speak not of Dale Jr’s finish…

Lo and behold, just as the forecast said, about noon the skies cleared up and the wind settled into a nice gentle breeze. Trust me, the weather thing tends to be against us when we have a day off and friends visiting. We launched from Teaches Lair Marina in Hatteras Village ( there is a great live webcam here http://www.teachslair.com/webcam.htm if you’ve never seen it). Unfortunately, we have to launch each time we use the boat! This is a long standing argument (excuse me, “discussion”) between my husband and myself….I want to leave the boat in the water for the summer so we can use it whenever the mood strikes (like at the end of a difficult day for a sunset cruise) while he wants it back on the trailer, so it stays cleaner? This is somewhat akin to an argument we had when we first started dating, we always hand washed the dishes, but he had a dishwasher….when I asked why he didn’t use the dishwasher the answer was because it was new???! Needless to say, I prevailed on that issue and am still holding out hope on keeping the boat in the water. But I digress.

Because of the northeast breeze the water was super clear and gorgeous. It looked tropical. We went to our current clamming “hot spot” in hopes that not too many people had found it since last week. Please don’t waste your breath asking a Hatterasman about where the go clamming, I found out very early on “out in the sound” was going to be the best answer I would get. Now Ted is a clamming machine….he can find them when they aren’t even there which is a trait I have on good authority he got from his grandfather….it makes for a good marriage in-so-far as he doesn’t like to eat them but I love them any way they are fixed! Clam chowder (Hatteras style), clams casino, clam fritters or my favorite steamed in the grill. Mmmmmm good!

When Ted jumped off the boat in about 2 feet of water in order to set the anchor, he stepped on a clam, which proved to be a very good indication that the clams were still right where we left them! We use the long aluminum rakes, which make all the difference in the world as far as how you “feel” the clam strike the tines when you are raking. It was the first time Chris had clammed and in no time at all, he had the hang of it. Limits on clams are up to 200 per boat with at least 2 people and they must measure at least 1 inch at the hinge to be legal. If you care to go on a clamming trip and don’t have your own boat, many of the local marinas have inshore charters that would be happy to oblige, just check. We reached our limit within an hour or so and then spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and wading around the sandbars on the Ocracoke side of the inlet across from the ferry docks looking for shells and hermit crabs and generally having a great time. Kim and Chris were able to head north back to the “real world” with a bucket to share with their friends and family. Next time, I promise to remember to bring my camera!

Have a great week! Beth