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June 18, 2013


Buxton girl wins prestigious award at Salem Academy

Elizabeth Tawes of Buxton was named one of two winners of a prestigious Higginbotham Award by Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C. Tawes, who attended Cape Hatteras Secondary School, is the daughter of James and Angela Tawes of Buxton.

Named for beloved former academy teacher Martha McBrayer Higginbotham, the award is given to finalists for the Sisters Merit Scholarship, the school’s full-merit scholarship. Only a select number of exceptional students are chosen to receive the Sisters and Higginbotham awards each year.

Founded in 1772, Salem Academy is a college preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. For more information about Salem Academy, call (336) 721-2600 or visit www.salemacademy.com.







May 31, 2013

Billfish Bar and Grill open in Hatteras village

Billfish Bar and Grill opened in Hatteras village at Teach’s Lair Marina in April. The new manager is Martin Gutierrez.

The restaurant features a selection of steamed seafood, steaks, pastas, and salads. The full lunch menu includes soups and salads.

Billfish has the largest beer selection in Hatteras and claims to serve the coldest beer in town. It also serves cocktails and its famous Orange Crush and sangria and has great waterfront views, especially of sunsets.

The new chef is Richard Hentzell, who offers daily lunch and dinner specials.

To get more information on the menus and hours of operation, go to http://www.teachslair.com/restaurant.



Slough boutique is one of Avon’s newest shops

Jessica Pickett has opened the Slough Boutique in Avon, across from the Avon Pier on Highway 12.

“The Slough offers an atmosphere of fashion and design with trendy clothes, high quality denim, and best costume jewelry on the island,” Pickett says.  “The newest trends are always available and we love to give styling tips.”

Pickett says a “slough,” pronounced slew or slu, is an inlet on a river or body of water, a tidallat, or a cut through the water makes on the land. She adds that growing up on the docks in Avon, it’s a word she heard often.

“Not only is fashion a must at the slough but also a style, a sense of the ultimate salty life,” says Pickett, noting that the shop also sells fresh-cut flowers.

The work of other local artists is also available at the Slough.

You can learn more about the Slough on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Island-Free-Press/202448533127085?sk=wall#!/TheSlough?fref=ts




Teach’s Island restaurant at new Hatteras location

Teach's Island Bar & Grill is now Teach’s Island restaurant with a new location in the historic Channel Bass restaurant building on Slash Creek in Hatteras village.

The restaurant dropped the "bar & grill" name because it is now a complete restaurant with steaks and prime rib cooked on the same state of the art equipment used in the country’s very best steakhouses. The eatery also offers the favorite lunch and dinner items that were popular in its former location.

Teach’s Island is open daily from noon until 9 p.m. A private dining room is available for large groups. Call for reservations. Families with children are welcome and there is a value-priced kids’ menu.  A takeout menu is available.



April 4, 2013

Studio 12 celebrating its 10th year in business

Despite two major hurricanes and a five-year recession, Studio 12 located on Hatteras Island in the town of Avon is beginning its 10th year of business with a series of celebrations.

Studio 12, the working studio of artists Gary and Carolyn Schena and a gallery representing over 25 North Carolina artists, kicked off the celebration with a party on March 29.   

In 2004, the Schenas relocated to Hatteras Island. They gathered family and friends at Ramp 34 North of Avon and tied the knot. Ten days later, they opened Studio 12.  The beginnings of their business were simple, a paint-your-own pottery shop that offered bisque (once-fired clay pieces) in a variety of forms and shapes for people to paint.

But, it was more that just making souvenirs that the Schenas were offering.

“We asked ourselves, if we could contribute one thing to the world what would it be, and the answer was peace -- peace starting at the individual level,” the couple said in a news release.  “We know that when we are at peace with ourselves everything around us changes, our relationship with our children, our spouse, our co-workers and even strangers. When we are not caught up in the stress of life and have a moment to take a breath and relax, the world just seems like a better place. Painting pottery is a fun way to experience some of that peace.”

The Studio turned out to be a great marriage of the Schenas’ individual skills. Gary had worked as an accountant on Wall Street for nearly 15 years, while Carolyn had spent years teaching children and adults as an interpretive ranger utilizing her degrees in art and environmental education. 

As the Schenas’ artistic abilities and interests grew so did the Studio. Soon mosaics were added and then glass fusion.  All the while, the Schenas were developing their own artistic talents. Gary began throwing pottery on the wheel, while Carolyn was happy to pull out paint brushes and start recording the beauty of Hatteras Island on canvas. Together they have developed a line of high-relief tiles, as well as silver and clay jewelry and functional glasswares.

In their years of business, the Schenas have had challenges and triumphs along the way.  Hurricane Irene found them with almost 2 feet of water in their retail shop, but within that same year they expanded their studio to add an additional 800 feet of gallery space and an office for Gary to set up his tax and accounting practice. The Schenas were also chosen to represent North Carolina at the National Christmas Tree Lightning Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“While we always planned on being in business for at least 10 years,” says Carolyn, “I could not have imagined all of the incredible things we have experienced; the most positive of those being our customers who have become like family. Single couples that visited us when we first opened have come back with their babies to put footprints on plates and now those babies are painting pottery of their own.”

Studio 12 will have a series of events throughout 2013 to celebrate their 10th year including meet the artists and special workshops and classes.  Details on all of the events for the 2013 season can be found at www.studio12hatteras.com


Red Drum Pottery has new location

Red Drum Pottery has relocated to a renovated island home in Frisco, just across from the Native American Museum and Natural History Center.

 Relocating along with the pottery are the Banjo Island concerts in a new venue. A grand opening party is planned for Wednesday, May 15, where the new Bob Bates Theater will be unveiled with the first performance of Banjo Island in the new theater. Thereafter every week at 7:30 p.m. through the fall, there will be bluegrass music each Wednesday. Tickets are $10 and $1 of every ticket sale will be donated to Hatteras Island Meals program.

The New Red Drum Pottery will be a collection of the works of Rhonda Bates and Wes Lassiter, including locally made pottery, tiles, ornaments, jewelry, paintings and works from Eastern North Carolina's potters along with wood fired pieces from Red Drum Potteries wood kiln "Archie".

In addition, starting Memorial Day, Red Drum Pottery will be offering an evening coffee house, serving coffee, espresso drinks and lattes. The coffee house will be open to those who need a place to stretch out, catch up on their e-mail, or socialize with friends and family.

The pottery will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. until Memorial Day. During the summer season, gallery hours will be from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and the coffee shop will be open from 4 until 10 p.m.

On May 18, Banjo Island will host Tony Trischka in concert. Trischka is the foremost banjo player in the world and has a Grammy to his credit, IBMA banjo player of the year, Bluegrass Album of the Year, and has produced Steve Martin's work for the last few years. He will be hosting a banjo workshop that day for intermediate for advanced students.

For more information, go to http://www.reddrumpottery.com.




School ball field dedicated to Grady Austin

The Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies baseball field was dedicated to the late Grady S. Austin, a graduate of the school who was also a teacher, coach, and administrator there, before the ballgame on Thursday, March 28.  Among the speakers was Dare County Commissioner Allen Burrus. Students, athletes, co-workers, family members, and friends of Austin were present at the ceremony.






March 12, 2013


NCBBA adds Ocracoke School to its scholarship program

The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association is a highly visible Dare County, non-profit 501(c)3 charitable group founded in 1964. In 2014, the association will be 50 years old and is planning a celebration and gathering of old and new friends in Dare County on Oct. 4, 2014.  More details will be released soon. Newsletters from 1964 (nostalgic) to 2013 are posted at www.ncbba.org.

There are many exciting activities planned leading up to the 50th anniversary, and one of the first is the expansion of the NCBBA educational scholarship program.

The program was approved by the NCBBA Board of Directors in 1998 and provides a four-year ($2,000) renewable scholarship for higher education to one graduating student from both Cape Hatteras and Manteo high schools.

In January 2005, First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills was added to the list of Dare County high schools and became a part of the scholarship program

In January 2010, the program was extended to NCBBA members for retraining or members’ children for higher education in the wake of many lost jobs and a reeling national economy.

On March 2, the NCBBA Board of Directors voted to extend the scholarship program to the Ocracoke School in Hyde County and will present one graduating student with a four-year scholarship.

The 2013-2014 school years represents NCBBA’s 15th consecutive year awarding $2,000 renewable scholarships for higher education. More than $50,000 has been awarded by the association since the inception of the program. Currently, 11 students are recipients of the scholarship and four more will be added at the NCBBA Annual Meeting and Pig Pick on May 25 at 1 p.m. at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Building.

Applications for NCBBA scholarships are available from guidance counselors in the Dare and Hyde county high schools or by contacting Director Mike Metzgar at Mike.Metzgar@NCBBA.org.

More information about NCBBA is available at contactus@ncbba.org



February 28, 2013


Hatteras Girl Scouts Host Collection Drive for Outer Banks SPCA

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 4030 and Brownie Troop 4175 have been working together throughout the month of February to host a collection drive for the Outer Banks SPCA. In early February, the two troops met to decorate donation boxes and a poster advertising the collection drive that they later placed the lobby at Cape Hatteras Elementary School. The troops also learned about the mission of the SPCA.

In addition to seeking donations at their school, the Girl Scouts also went out into the community to ask their friends, family, and neighbors to contribute to the collection drive. They put flyers up in local businesses and set up a donation box at Ace Hardware in Avon for community members to participate. Some girls even used some of their own money to purchase items to donate.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, the SPCA brought their van to Cape Hatteras Elementary and the Girl Scouts helped load the van with all of the donations. The SPCA was very appreciative of all of the items collected and donated by the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, a United Way Agency, serves more than 16,000 girls in grades K through 12 and over 6,000 adult volunteers in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, visit gsccc.org or call 1-800-77SCOUT.





Counseling services now available on Hatteras

Nellene Groetsch, MSEd., is a North Carolina licensed professional counselor and a national board certified counselor who has begun offering counseling services at In Touch Massage and Wellness Center in Frisco.

Groetsch, a Frisco resident, has worked for the past 18 years with women, men, and young adults with issues such as depression/anxiety, grief/loss, relationship issues, addiction/co-dependency.  She is certified in Gestalt therapy and holistic stress management. 

She will be offering counseling services by appointment five days a week and some evenings as well.  She accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance and will offer a sliding fee scale.

If you have any questions for Groetsch or want to make an appointment, you can reach her at  Hateras Island Counseling, 252-561-5315, or by e-mail at hatterasislandcounseling@gmail.com.




February 11, 2013

Community Garden donates produce to Buxton food pantry


Coastal Harvesters Inc. (CHI) and Dare County Master Gardeners harvested and donated fresh, locally grown vegetables to the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men’s Food Pantry in Buxton in late January. Collards, kale, and colorful mixed salad greens were picked at CHI’s Hatteras Island Community Garden.

The vegetable crop was planted with the goal of benefiting the local communities.

“This is the second year we have cultivated organically grown produce to be distributed through food pantries. Last year much of the produce was given to the Salvo pantry after the tri-village area was severely impacted by Hurricane Irene,” said Carol Bauer, CHI’s garden co-manager.

The Buxton church pantry has served the community since its establishment in 1990. According to Walt Fulcher, one of the founding fathers, the pantry served 3,079 individuals last year. The need is greatest in the winter months when unemployment rises. The group provides food to those referred by Dare County Social Services or a minister.

And did people enjoy having fresh produce provided by the community garden?

“It was very well received”, stated an enthusiastic Ray Schaaf, who helps distribute food at the pantry each week.

CHI and Master Gardener volunteers as well as other community volunteers care for the garden located behind Fox Watersports in Buxton. If interested in helping with the ongoing project, please contact Rick Anzolut at 804-720-7682.

CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to making healthy foods available to Outer Banks communities. The group also manages the Hatteras Island Farmer's Market, held weekly during the summer months in Avon.

Coastal Harvesters Photo

From left to right, gardeners Clair Mechtly, Carol Bauer, and Carol Seaman delivering locally grown, organic produce to Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men's Food Pantry.




Shore Details donates to Hatteras Island Food Pantry

In early February, Pam Stoffel of Shore Details Cottage Care, presented a check for $425 to Walt Fulcher of the Hatteras Island Food Pantry, which is located at the Buxton United Methodist Church.

The money was raised through the sale of the company’s Shore Discount Card, which offers discounts at local shops and from local service providers. Each year, owners Pam and Rene Stoffel, donate a percentage of the card sales to a local non-profit, which is chosen through voting on the Shore Details Facebook page.

“The Shore Discount Card is a wonderful way for guests, homeowners, and local businesses to share together in ‘Project Giving Back,’” Pam Stoffel says. “This project was our dream, and it became a reality through the Shore Discount Card.”

The card is available for individuals to purchase and for homeowners to purchase for their guests.  More information and a list of participating businesses ae available on the Shore Details website, www.shoredetails.com.



January 14, 2013

Tobacco-free ordinance in effect for Dare County facilities and vehicles

A tobacco-free ordinance went into effect on Jan. 1, prohibiting tobacco use in Dare County facilities and vehicles.
 
The new ordinance prohibits smoking, except in designated areas, and the use of tobacco on the grounds of any Dare County government building, grounds of Parks and Recreation facilities, Dare County Public Libraries, the Manteo Airport and the grounds of any facilities owned, leased, occupied, or operated by Dare County.  Tobacco use is also prohibited in county vehicles.

Dare County is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and environment in all facilities and grounds for its employees, citizens and the visiting public, and to reducing the economic costs of tobacco use to Dare County and its citizens. Dare County recognizes the public health risks of tobacco use and secondhand smoke for non-smokers and the need to minimize the harmful effects of tobacco use among staff and eliminate secondhand smoke.

“Dare County is dedicated to provide a healthy and safe environment for all our employees and citizens. Prohibiting smoking on our buildings, grounds and in county vehicles allows everyone to enjoy clean air and will hopefully encourage and act as motivation for smokers who want to quit,” said Dare County manger, Robert Outten.

Individuals may file a complaint with his/her supervisor or facility manager against anyone who does not comply with the ordinance. Dare County employees who violate the ordinance will be subject to sanctions consistent with human resources policies.

Violations by members of the public may result in a $50 fine. For more information on the ordinance, visit www.darenc.com. For information on quitting or for help quitting tobacco, please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.



2012 News and Business Briefs
2011 News and Business Briefs