Fessenden Center Gymnasium renamed in honor of Daniel C. “Danny” Couch

At the November 4 Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, Chairman Bob Woodard announced that the gymnasium located within the Fessenden Center in Buxton has been named the Daniel C. “Danny” Couch Gymnasium in the longtime Commissioner’s honor.

A lifelong Hatteras Island resident, Danny has been involved in the public service arena for roughly 30 years, and has spent the past eight years as Hatteras Island’s representative on the seven-member Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC).

Couch also served two terms on the Dare County School Board, is a member of the Dare County Waterways Commission, and has tackled numerous public service roles before and during his time on the Board of Commissioners. (Couch is retiring from the BOC in 2024.)

“I’m floored,” said Couch about the new Danny Couch Gymnasium. “Apparently, this was in the works by the Dare Board and the Fessenden staff for some time and I’m just stunned that it had been kept secret. I had no clue whatsoever. It’s a tremendous honor for me personally because some of my earliest memories as a kid were bottle and artifact hunting over there so many years ago with friends, [and] quite a few have passed on.

“The future of the Fessenden Center is bright, thanks to the efforts in the past, and of course, the present, [because] of the dedicated and capable staff there. I couldn’t be prouder of our community.”

Chairman Woodard also presented Certificates of Appreciations to the three outgoing commissioners whose terms will expire in December 2024. Vice Chairman Wally Overman, Commissioner Danny Couch and Commissioner Bea Basnight were each recognized for their dedication and service to the Dare County community during the current board’s final November meeting before these three commissioners’ respective terms conclude next month.

During the presentation, Woodard expressed his deep gratitude on behalf of the board and the entire Dare County community, acknowledging the significant contributions of Couch, Overman, and Basnight throughout their years of public service.

The conference room located within the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services Building in Manteo has also been named the Walter L. “Wally” Overman Conference Room in honor of Vice Chairman Overman.