Richard & Clara Lupton

Clara and Richard Lupton

     I grew up attending Warden’s Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Lowland.  I remember Earl Sadler Jr., Henry Rice, Sandy Popp, Roxanne Watts, and so many others including myself, singing in the youth choir, participating in the annual Christmas programs, and other church activities..  One of the things I fondly remember as a child when I went to church was getting a piece of chewing gum after Sunday school from Mr. Richard Lupton.  At the conclusion of Sunday School, Mr. Richard would be at the rear of the church and each one of us children would be offered a piece of chewing gum on our way out of the sanctuary.  I always remember it being Wrigley’s Double Mint or Juicy Fruit. 

     Mr. Richard and Ms. Clara Lupton owned the small grocery store next to their house in Lowland.  They were both faithful members to the church and also to the community.  I remember many times we would go to the store for ice cream or a candy bar and then go into their side yard and swing on their swing.  The store and their home are long gone, succumbed to the perils of the recent hurricanes. However, when we reflect back to our youth, folks like Richard and Clara Lupton are distant reminders that the people of Goose Creek Island were good people. 

Family Preserves...A Legacy

Three months ago today, on April 27, 2012, my grandmother Audrey Potter Lewis left her earthly home.  It was sudden and yet, it was a peaceful exit.  In lieu of my weekly, Islander of the Week, I share with you the remarks that I made at her graveside service in Lowland on April 30, 2012.  

Audrey Potter Lewis, July 20, 1933 - April 27, 2012

You know Aunt Alberta asked me yesterday was I gonna say something today.  I told her I didn't think I could, but during my drive back to Harkers Island last night I got to thinking.  You see Granny was a preserver and we are like jars of preserves that she carefully put together.  She has influenced all of us here.  She has served as a nurturing mentor in our lives.  She served not only as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, or sister, she was also farmer, fisherman, cook, seamstress and ......a preserver.

I have always embraced and readily absorbed all the stories and traditions that she has told.  I've always wanted to know who we are and who we came from.  She shared her stories and her directives.  See, she was leading us by her example and I will explain. 

She told me about the time Aunt Glendine called...she needed her and Granddaddy right away in Norfolk.  Granddaddy secured the boat, a couple of phone calls were made, and off to Norfolk they went.  

Hubert called when Aunt Joy Mae had her life-altering event.  He needed her to come to Florida. The bags were packed and off to Florida they went.  You see, she didn't ask “why”or "for how long"....it didn't matter…nothing became more important at that moment but the needs of her family.  When she told me these stories, what she was doing was instilling in me by example that nothing is more important than taking care of your family.

It was this nurturing nature she had that has shown how we are supposed to treat family.  I have never witnessed a closeness like her, Hubert, Joyce, Muff and Judy.  Even the cousins are close as well.  This crowd is one close bunch of family!  And there is nothing that each of them wouldn't do for each other.  And she lead by this example, and I will tell you...if Granny didn't like what was going on or she disagreed with you, she'd tell you.  You might not want to hear it, but one thing was for certain it was the truth....we experienced a taste of that last night didn't we Bill?

So with that said, Alison said last night that we've all got some jobs to do now.  Some body is gonna have to cook the collards when we all get together again. Somebody is gonna have to learn to cook her rutabagas and coconut cake.  Somebody is gonna have to pick up ALL of the pecans this fall and open them...boy those pecans were good Christmas presents weren't they? 

All of us are gonna have to take care of our family by her example.  Granny, Granddaddy, and Hubert would want it this way,  You see, our family has been seasoned with salt….we are a product of her teachings and we need to preserve those traditions of "who we are".  Lets recognize what is important in our family and continue to preserve those humble roots from which we came.  And lets value the willingness to share and care for one another as Granny did all of us.

The Fire House That Fried Chicken Built

Goose Creek Island Fire House dedication, July 10, 1982 

     L-R, Earl Sadler, Sr., Blaine Rowe, Sr., Charlie Jones, Jeff Potter

     30 years ago, on Saturday, July 10th, 1982, the Goose Creek Island Volunteer Fire Department opened the doors to their new fire house.  With a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house, over 60 people participated in the celebration.
      The Goose Creek Island VFD was created in 1969, however it was re-organized in 1979 with 15 charter members.  Those members actively began to pursue building a fire house and procure equipment that was needed to provide emergency services to the citizens of Goose Creek Island.  A ladies auxiliary group also formed to assist in the fund-raising efforts for the reorganized department.
     Earl Sadler, Sr., seeing the need for a fire house, graciaously donated the land for the building.  The Goose Creek Island Ruritan Club actively went to work to help the VFD with fund-raising efforts.  For approximately 2 years, the Ruritan Club sponsored fund-raising fried chicken dinners on the 4th Saturday of each month.  Over $10,000 had been raised in those 2 years by the many fried chicken dinners the Ruritan Club served.  Even after the building opened, the Ruritan Club continued their monthly dinners to help support the efforts of the VFD.  The ladies auxiliary group also raised money by sponsoring a Spring Festival, participating in the Annual Homecoming activities, and a Haunted House.

      With the building complete and equipment purchased, the fire house was dedicated on July 10, 1982.  Participating in the ceremony was Blaine Rowe, Charlie Jones, Earl Sadler, Sr., and Jeff Potter.  Blaine Rowe, President of the Board of Directors, summed up the consensus of the occasion by stating, " We're new, but we're strong.  And if anybody needs assistance anywhere, we're capable and ready to go.  It has taken a lot of foot work and hard work and thank the Lord, our efforts have paid off."
     So many people were involved in the establishment of the VFD over 30 years ago.  Many of those folks are no longer with us, yet there are so many who have stepped up and carried forth the need for emergency services on the island.  As Audrey Popperwill, 1982 President of the ladies auxillairy group stated at the dedication ceremony 30 years ago, "We are proud to be a part of this organization and have a fire department.  Like all the members, it's a privilege to work for the betterment of our community."
     To all the former members and current members, thank you for a job well done and thank you for continuing to keep Goose Creek Island a wonderful place to live.

Chief, Jeff Potter and Audrey Popperwill, President of Ladies Auxiliary cut the dedication cake.

Folks enjoying the refreshments served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

In Memory of Ruth Jones Potter of Hobucken

It is with regrets that Ruth Jones Potter, 84, of Hobucken died Sunday, July 22, 2012. 

Ruth was the wife of the late James "Flunky" Potter.


She is survived by one son, Daniel E. Potter of New Bern; three daughters, Jean Henries and Betty Chancey, both of Aurora and Donna Jones of Mesic; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday night, at Bryant Funeral Home.

Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Crematory, Alliance.

In Memory of T.B. Tompkins, Jr. of Hobucken

     Theodore Benjamin Tompkins Jr., 82, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.
He was a member of Hobucken United Methodist Church. He served two years in the U.S. Army and retired from the U.S. Navy after serving twenty-two years. He was a member of the V.F.W. and The American Legion.
     He is survived by his wife, Diane Sadler Tompkins; three daughters, Julie Tompkins Potter, Sara Tompkins Woolard, and Rebecca Tompkins Atkins, all of Reelsboro; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
     His funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Roach officiating. Interment will follow in Barnett Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Crematory, Alliance.

Islander of the Week is June Hathaway Lane

June Hathaway Lane is our Islander of the Week.  June is the daughter of the late Ray Hathaway and Lillian Louise Lupton Hathaway and grew up in Hobucken. She is now retired and resides in Orange Springs, Florida with her husband Arthur Lane.

In recent correspondence with June, she has vividly recalled growing up on the island in the 1940's. Participating in the 4-H Club was something new and exciting at that time.  She worked on several projects with the 4-H Club and her workbooks from that era are on display in Raleigh.

June also worked at the Hobucken Fire Tower from 1972 to about 1977.  Before June left Hobucken, she was one of the many volunteers that helped keep Hobucken Post Office open when it was slated to be closed.  

GCIJ:  You were involved in the Goose Creek Island 4-H Club during your youth.  Do you remember how many were in the club?
JHL:    There were about 20 in the club.  I remember Mrs. Joella Sadler invited us to her home for dinner one time.  About 5 of us went. All I can remember is we had mashed potatoes in bell peppers.

GCIJ:  You were employed to man the Hobucken Fire Tower.  What was your job?
JHL:    I worked up in the Hobucken Fire Tower starting in 1972 and worked there for about 5 years.  It was interesting work. Predicting sea breezes was part of my job and I had to keep logs.  When sea breezes occurred, I had to call in and let the Forestry Service know so they could close a fire in or surround the fire with fighters. At night during high fire seasons, we had to go back up the tower at night.  One time I spotted a fire that burnt many acres between Aurora and Grantsboro.

GCIJ:  Did you ever spot any marsh fires on the island?
JHL:   When a marsh is on fire, it burns as a black fire.  Other woodsy areas burn other colors. I did spot a fire behind the home of Mrs. Rena Sadler.  It didn't take long for the Forestry Service to put it out.

GCIJ:  What is your favorite traditional Goose Creek Island meal?
JHL:    Going to Clarence Potter's house for a good ole island oyster roast.  We'd carry our own oyster knives and a plate of fried or baked cornbread.  These oyster roasts were spur of the moment things, but lots of people showed up.  Mr. Clarence and Ms. Margie were good hosts.

GCIJ:  Are you planning to come home for Homecoming in October?
JHL:   Unfortunately, I we won't be able to make Homecoming this year.  Me and Arthur took part in many of the island Homecoming plays when we lived there.  I have them on video tape and miss not being able to attend them now days.

GCIJ:  Your memories of growing up in the 1940's in Hobucken has to include when you first learned how to ride a bike.  Would you like to share that memory?
JHL:  In the 1940's, the Hobucken Rd. was getting ready to be paved for the very first time.  The construction crew had put lots of sand on the existing dirt road.  Odell Spain taught me to ride my bike when the construction had started.  The sand was so thick that the wheels of the bike sunk deep. I could sit on the bike and never fall. 

Capt. Roland "Rookie" Leary and North Carolina Shrimp

 

click play button in center of video to play

Signs, radio spots, billboards and television commercials are all elements of grocery store advertising.  So when BI-LO Grocery stores wanted to do a television commercial to promote their seafood sales, they didn't hire a professional actor, they scouted the North Carolina coast until they found a real shrimper.  Capt. Roland "Rookie" Leary of Hobucken fit the bill.  Pitching fresh North Carolina wild caught shrimp was a perfect fit for the Goose Creek Island waterman.  And to make the commercial even more salty, Capt. Michael "Jimbo" Ireland's trawlers serve as the backdrop in the promotion. 

Just Add Water

Cathy Lewis Lupton and others swimming at Foot of the Road, Lowland, 1977.

         As a kid growing up on Goose Creek Island, a garden sprinkler was our version of an above ground pool.  The creek was our in ground pool.  All of us from the Island had our favorite swimming holes.  At the end of every road, we were sure to find plenty of cool water to have a blissful day in the summertime.
     Recent postings to the Goose Creek Island Album have generated a number of comments about swimming in the surrounding waters of the Island.  Many have commented about swimming at the Hobucken Bridge, on the shore near R.E. Mayo's fish house.  I can remember Alisa Lee (daughter of Nelson and Dorothy Lee) and myself, jumping off into "the canal" from her daddy's trawler that was tied up there.  We would swim back to the boat or the dock, use a rope to pull ourselves up and do it again.  Of course, when the Texasgulf barge was coming or other boats, we promptly got out until they passed.
      Although the island didn't have any wide, sandy beaches, we had our fair share of swimming holes to accommodate.  Several "hot spots" to take a dip on the Island have been identified as Doll's Creek, Foot-of-the-Road, the Ponderosa Campground, at the Bridge, The Hole or taking the boat out to Boar Creek. While I am quite sure there are many other places, we islanders weren't never really picky about where we went swimming. I don't think we really gave it much thought about how clean the water was, we just found a spot and jumped in.
     Many of us learned our first strokes of swimming at our own little swimming holes. Encounters with the ever abundant jellyfish or mishappenings with water moccasins occured frequently.  Some of the older folks have even remarked about going swimming after long, hot days working in tobacco. The younger generation have commented on riding their bikes down the many boat ramps or riding off the docks and pulling them back up, all to do again and again.

      As you can imagine, a trip to the creek was like a day trip with a splash.  Sitting on the docks, getting a tan, drinking RC Colas, and watching the world go by with your friends have peppered our memories.  As our minds travel back those dreamy summer afternoons being covered head to toe with the cool waters of the creek, the summertime and swimming holes offered us unfettered freedom from the day to day routine.   
     Lifelong friendships were created at the creek.  Those days at the creek floating on an inner tube, resting on your back, viewing the world from the bottom up are etched into each of hearts. If you get the chance, take drive down to the creek and take in the vast views of the river, creek, and sound. Share your memories with your children.  At the creek, you could "do a lot" or you could "do nothing"....but you could do it all at the creek.
  

Islander of the Week is Violet Mayo Britt

Violet Mayo Britt is our Islander of the Week.  Violet is the daughter of Shirley Mayo Ireland and granddaughter of Shirley Williamson Mayo Ireland.

A rising junior at Pamlico County High School, Violet is a cheerleader and excels academically in all her subjects.  When not in school, she can be seen helping her mom at the family restaurant in Aurora and soon in Bayboro.  She is an active youth member at Hobucken United Methodist Church and also participates annually in the Goose Creek Island Homecoming Play.

GCIJ:  What’s your favorite activity outside of school (besides cheerleading)?
VMB:  Riding the four wheeler around the island!

GCIJ:  If you could be a cartoon character, who would it be?
VMB:  Scooby Doo- he seems to have the most fun.

GCIJ:   What’s your favorite subject in school?
VMB:   That's easy, Biology. No doubt.

GCIJ:   Do you have a summer job, and if so, where?
VMB:  Yes, at my mamas restaurant Lyle and Shirley's. And soon at Mayo's in Bayboro!

GCIJ:   What’s your favorite traditional Goose Creek Island food?
VMB:   Fried shrimp! Pan fried. Yummy

GCIJ:   What’s your favorite song?
VMB:   Something Like That by Tim McGraw. Has been that since I was 8!

GCIJ:   Who’s your favorite celebrity crush?
VMB:   Tim McGraw. Future husband right there. Heheee.

GCIJ:   If you couldn't live on Goose Creek Island, where would you live?
VMB:  Hhhmmmm.... Most likely somewhere still in Pamlico County. I sure do love it here! Second choice, NYC living it up!  

GCIJ:  How do you feel about your mom and grandmother who both have the same names?
VMB:  Lord have mercy! I'm so glad mama didn't name me Shirley. Now that would be a trip! Thank God    someone came up with calling Granny "Big Shirley" and Mama "Lil' Shirley"! (laughing) It's much easier now, but people who don't really know us that come into the restaurant seem to get it mixed up pretty bad and half way into the conversation your like "who are we talking about here?"

A History of Pate Boatyard

      This accurate summary is a quote from Shawn Walsh, current owner of Pate Boatyard who wrote the following short history on his webpage October 2, 2006. http://pateboatyard.com/blog.html/2
                      Thank you Shawn for allowing me to share your photos and story.

      "When white settlers first sought refuge here some 300 years ago they did so primarily for the abundance of seafood that was readily available as well as the numerous well protected creeks and bays”.
      Generation after generation of Goose Creek islanders grew up knowing that the bounty of blue crabs, oysters and the many species of native fish would sustain them and their families, just as they had the native populations for thousands of years before. Located where the Neuse and Pamlico rivers empty into the Pamlico Sound, this area today not only continues to support various commercial fishing enterprises, but also an increasing number of recreational fishermen.
     Integral to fishing these waters have always been the various types of watercraft used to get out to the fish, oysters and crabs. From the humble dugout canoe to wooden skiffs, to modern steel-hulled trawlers and fiberglass yachts, this island has seen virtually every type of vessel known to man ply its waters and brave the elements in the pursuit of seafood.
      It was as part of this tradition that Herman Pate opened Pate Boatyard, first in the 1920s along the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway, then moving to its present location in the 1950s. From all indications, Mr. Herman always built a "pretty" boat, long and lean with plenty of shear, and was also something of a pioneer, experimenting early on with various types of hydrofoils.

Herman Pate

     After he passed on, Pate Boatyard was purchased by a local fisherman named Charles Spain, who after a long career of shrimping along the Gulf coast, returned to Hobucken to "semi-retire," maintaining a 50' trawler that he used for "fun". Charles made many improvements to the property before he too passed on, leaving the boatyard to his widow Mary.
     Mary in turn leased the boatyard to a local seafood company, and for a number of years an incredible amount of crabs and shrimp passed over the docks of the boatyard.
     In 2004, the boatyard was again sold, this time to an "outsider" who saw past the piles of rotting rope and rusting crab pots to realize that he had at last found a place for which he had been searching for over 20 years.
      In the weeks and months and perhaps even years to come, this space will be used to pass along some of the rich heritage that this lucky fellow stumbled across when he purchased Pate Boatyard.

Come Sit A Spell

It was not uncommon growing up on Goose Creek Island that the art of visiting friends, neighbors or relatives always occurred on the porch.  When we were young and would ride our bicycles around the island, I can recall the folks who always would give a wave from their front porch….Gerald & Ruth Harris, Wilbur & Valeria Watson, Aunt Rosa Howerin, and many others.

I can vividly remember the porch at Granddaddy Joshua’s and Grandma Elma’s in Lowland.  This is where we ate watermelon, swatted at flies and listened to all of the adult conversations.  Those conversations usually consisted of the weather, what the boys were catching out in the sound, family who lived “off” island, and any passerby’s that weren’t easily recognized.  There was always a cool breeze on that porch.  Their neighbors, Daphne, Doris or Vernell, would eventually walk over as well as others who would show up, especially Mamie and Ralph. 

Rocking chairs and swings on the porch has played an integral part of our lives growing up on Goose Creek Island. Where else could we sit and watch the passersby or have a cool slice of watermelon or afternoon drink?  Was there a better place to entertain our friends or neighbors than “sitting a spell” on the porch?  Without porches, how would people know that it was okay to drop in? Entire life-changing philosophies have been created on our porches…loves are sparked, business transpired, and relationships forged.

Perhaps the art of porch sitting is making a comeback or maybe I am getting older, but I see porch sitting as way to connect with people in our communities.  And on that note, I reflect to those days on Joshua’s porch, where the conversation was easy and eventually as the sun started to dip in the west, the skeeters would start showing up and everybody would disperse …all to sit on the porch again another day.

Islander of the Week is William Odell Spain

Courtesy of New Bern Sun Journal

 What a fitting tribute for William Odell Spain to be our very first Islander of the Week.  I had the pleasure of visiting with Cap'n Dell on July 4th and very much enjoyed listening to his stories.  A gifted storyteller, Odell has researched and recorded the many places, people, and events about Goose Creek Island.  He has prodded around old cemeteries and homeplaces on the island to gather needed information for his recounts and recollections of our island history.

Born in 1931 to Charles and Annie Spain of Hobucken, Odell left Goose Creek Island to serve in the US Coast Guard. After his military tenure, he returned home to be an oysterman and commercial fisherman until his retirement years ago.  At the helm of retired life, Odell set about the task to record our island history.  From 1994 to 2000, he wrote a weekly column for the Pamlico News about the island.  Shortly after in 2002, he compiled those stories and histories into the book Cap'n Dell's Stories and The Spain's of Eastern North Carolina.

Odell is an accomplished musician and has participated in many of the island produced homecoming plays. However, it his desire to capture and preserve the oral histories of Goose Creek Island for future generations.  David Cecelski, coastal author and historian had the opportunity to interview Odell for project with the Southern Oral History Program at the University of North Carolina back in 1998.  In an newspaper interview with the Havelock News, Cecelski summed up his experience interviewing Odell Spain:

"He lived in a once healthy and blossoming fishing community. His whole fishing world is gone now. There’s no oysters. We drove around an entire day, and he showed me the foundations of homes no longer there. It’s a ghost town. Yet he remembers everything. He’s the only one that remembers. And, because he’s willing to share that with me, it will be remembered, somehow." Cecelski says Odell Spain, and the hundreds of other living links to the past are his inspiration for continuing his studies as well as teaching." (The Havelock News, November 13, 2002)


So when Odell learned about the Goose Creek Island Journal and the Goose Creek Island Album on Facebook, he eagerly started sharing his memories of living on Goose Creek Island.

GCIJ:  You have a gift of telling stories from our island past.  What encouraged you to start recording your stories?
WOS:  In Hobucken, there were five stores from where the pavement ends all the way to the Hobucken Marina, not counting the marina.  The Marina wasn't there when I was growing up.  When you visited a store, there was always sure to be somebody in there telling about something that had happened or what not.  Also, when we were out in the sound working, there were things that happened or other fishermen telling stories.  I just happened to remember them and felt they needed to be told. Without retelling or recording our history, our younger folks won't be able to understand what a great place Goose Creek Island is.
 
GCIJ:  Do you have a special place on the island that you love to visit?
WOS: I don't have any particular place that I have to visit.  I just love it when I cross over the bridge and can say I am home.  All of Goose Creek Island is special.


GCIJ:  What is your favorite traditional Goose Creek Island food?
WOS: I'd have to say seafood.  All of it.  Donna is going to cook some shrimp today.  Yesterday I had fish.

GCIJ:  How did you learn to play the guitar?
WOS:  I taught myself.  Miss Beatrice Bateman who lived "through the swamp" could play the guitar.  Linwood Ireland was inspired by Miss Beatrice and wanted to play.  She taught him and of course we all wanted to play then.  I was 10 years old and told Moma that I wanted a guitar.  So for $4.49, she ordered me one from the Sears Roebuck catalog.  Once I got that guitar, I would go to Linwood's house and I would sit on the porch with him and follow what he was doing.  I learned by listening and trying, but I never received any formal teaching.  It just evolved from the desire to want to play.

GCIJ:  You sang a song a few years back that has become your signature song. Would you like to tell us the name?
WOS:  The song is called Wore Out.  The last time I sang it at the homecoming play, I received a huge standing ovation and applause.  On that note, my professional musical career began in 1950, when me and Linwood played for the Hobucken High School graduation square dance.  That was the first "gig" I had playing the guitar.

GCIJ:  I want to make sure that I get a copy of your book, Capn Dell's Stories. Can I buy one from you today?
WOS:  I have a couple of copies left.  They sell for $19.95, but if you give me $20, I'll throw in an autograph for you! (laughing)

And with a $20 bill, I got a autographed copy of Cap'n Dell's Stories. It says 07-04-2012, William O. Spain, To Tina, Smooth Sailing to my Island folks.    

Feels Like Home to Me

     Americans love their Fourth of July and Goose Creek Islanders are no different.  I love the Fourth of July.  It has always been a day when good friends, family and neighbors get together and celebrate the summer and the spirit of our American forefathers.  Instead of going to Cape Lookout in the boat this year or heading to Morehead City to watch the fireworks, I am going to the county this evening.  I am going to spend the night at Granny's house in Alliance.  It's going to be a little different this year. Her presence is going to be missed. I am going to miss sitting up late talking with her or sitting around the kitchen table early in the morning having coffee. 
     My Fourth of July is going to be a bit different this year.  You see, I am going to get up early on July 4th and go home.  Home is at Goose Creek Island.  No matter where you are in this world, when a Goose Creek Islander says they are going home....home is the island.  As someone told me, "You can take the girl out of Goose Creek Island, but you can't take the island out of the girl."
    I'll cross the bridge and take in the view of Jones Bay.  I'll ride down to the end of Hobucken Rd. and see how our island folks are completing their storm repairs.  I'll make the turn and go around the school house road. No trip to Hobucken can be complete without riding by the old school house, even though its no longer there.  I will visualize the baseball games that was played there or the many times I have walked in the school to get a BBQ or chicken plate from the Ruritan Club men.
    I want to go down and see what the boys have done to Hubert's house.  I'll probably stop in to see Uncle James for a few moments, see how he has been doing.  I'll drive to the end of Fulford's Point Rd. and look out over Goose Creek and see the fishermen pulling their crab pots.  I'll drive around the Horne Rd., check out the old home place and make my way up to Oyster Creek.  I'll pull up to Granddaddy's old dock space and think about those days when his boat was tied up there.  I'll look over at Zool's and remember those times Mr. Alex Mason would crack open a hot, steaming crab claw for me. Then I'll head "Up the Prong" and stop at the cemetery to record some vital information for a project I am working on.
      To complete my visit, I will stop out to Lowland Cemetery and place a flag on Granddaddy and Granny's grave.  They were two of the most patriotic people I've ever known.  I don't remember many times that Granddaddy wasn't flying the American flag.  It wasn't just flown on July 4th...he flew it everyday.
     It is our island ancestors like them and the many others, who worked through strife and fears to establish what our country is today.  We as Americans are inheritors of our ancestors efforts to create this great country.  During your holiday celebration, express thanks to not only our forefathers who prevailed to establish this great country, but also express thanks to our Goose Creek Island ancestors who valued and maintained the integrity of our island roots.....a place we can still call home.
      God bless each of you this Fourth of July and lets believe that America can be great again. Let freedom ring!

The Last Days of Blackbeard

      What really happened those last few days that Blackbeard was alive? Who was Edward Teach? Was his treasure really "treasure" or was it precious commodities that was needed in colonial North Carolina at the time? Can you visualize Blackbeard sailing by our little island and possibly stepping foot on our shores?  I recently read the book The Last Days of Blackbeard the Pirate by Kevin Duffus. Reading this book transported one back to the days of schooners and sharpies, plying the waters of Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound.
      Duffus thoroughly researched numerous archives, haunts, and locations for the basis of his book.  The book takes the reader to trodden grounds, the actual places that Edward Teach roamed, such as Bristol England, Bath, Ocracoke, Philadelphia.  The author gives a historical narrative to those things we deem as legend, but with a grain of some truths.
      In the book, Brant Island Shoals is mentioned many times as treacherous passage between Bath and Ocracoke.  Duffus painted a poignant picture, that navigating Pamlico Sound and Pamlico River without the use of modern navigation aids, may have hampered and helped the pirate.  With the help of local genealogists in Bath and other areas, I learned of his relationship with Tobias Knight and where Knight's plantation stood along the shores of Bath Creek - on property presently owned by PCS Phosphate.  Also, the book recounts a vivid encounter with a young man from Swan Quarter who happens upon the pirate in the vicinity of present day Pamlico Point.
      I am an avid reader of history and this book explores the mysteries of government conspiracies, coverups, possessions, and clues that reveal a true Edward Teach, not the Edward Teach that legends have been built upon.  I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and I am sure will become intrigued about the new discoveries of his actual life.  You will be surprised when your mind is transported to the golden age of piracy near the shores of Goose Creek Island.