Hyde County’sCountry MagazinePublished QuarterlyWinter Issue 2012-2013

SWANQuarterly

‘this Oyster SeasonFa la la la la la . . .recipe in this issue

Cover Photo by Ingrid Lemme www.SwanQuarterly.net

Swan Quarter Castle For Sale!Minutes from the Ocracoke Ferry and just an hour from the Outer Banks, this Victorian home is a must see in order to fully appreciate the word “restored to mint condition”. The detailed work and added features illustrate the planning that went into

restoring this home inside and outside. This unique Victorian home features 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths. Hardwood oak floors showcase the entrance way, living room, dining room and downstairs bedroom. New appliances have been installed in the kitchen,

along with new cabinets, granite countertops and tile flooring. To incorporate the original motif of the home, exposed beams over a new ceiling were used as part of the interior design in the dining

area, as well as beaded board in the bedrooms.

In proximity to this location are: the Pamlico Sound, Intercoastal Waterway,

several National Wildlife Refuges, and only a ten minute walk to the Swan Quarter - Ocracoke Ferry. In addition, the Outer Banks is only a little more than an hour away. Excellent

workmanship, beautiful views of the Swan Quarter Bay and sunsets, make this Victorian Home a unique find.

LAKE LANDING REALTY

is the Listing Broker

Listing Agent Linda Jones, Broker/Realtorlinda@lakelandingrealty.com www.LakeLandingRealty.com

$179,000

MLS#76879

NEWLISTING

PRICED TO SELL

A MUST

SEE

‘CHRISTMAS IN HYDE’ CONCERT

On Friday evening, December 14, 2012, beginning at 7:00 pm, the Friends of Hyde County’s 1854 Courthouse will present ‘Christmas in Hyde’ with David Roach at the piano at the Swan Quarter Baptist Church, 336 Main Street in Swan Quarter. The baby grand piano and festive holiday decorations at this location are sure to set the scene for an evening of beautiful music, friends, and fellowship.

Roach is from Rutherfordton, NC and this will be his fifth concert in Hyde County. In 2008 he presented “Time,” his original works that were composed in honor of God’s direction in his life and the gift of music given to him by God. He performed classical music and Southern Gospel as well as his original compositions during his 2009 local concert. For the past three years he has featured many holiday favorites during his ‘Christmas in Hyde’ program. Copies of his CDs will be available for purchase following the event. For more information about pianist David Roach visit www.davidhroach.com .

The Friends group is organized as a nonprofit organization with a

mission of developing and implementing a sound economic strategy for preserving, utilizing, and sustaining Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse in order to promote community, cultural, educational, ecological, and economic development. Recently they opened the new MATTIE (Mattamuskeet Artists – Teaching, Training, Instructing

and Educating) Arts Center on the first floor of this Hyde County landmark that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Proceeds from the concert will be used to fulfill their mission.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from any Friends Board Member or on-line at www.hyde1854courthouse.org via PayPal or at the door the evening of the concert.

Hyde Away Cafe“A Great Place to Eat if You Can Find It” is the tagline for the recently opened Hyde Away Café at 81 NC 45 in Swan Quarter. Kent and Karen Jarvis are the owners and Glen Knott and Karen are the chefs. “The Crabcake will melt in your mouth!”

nnn

Village Consignment, Crafts, Custom Mats & Framing Shop

Once again at a loss for that perfect gift and don’t want to break the bank? Visit Ms. Emily at Swan Quarter’s Village Consignment, Crafts, Custom Mats & Framing Shop Wednesdays through Saturdays

from 8:30am to 4pm or call her 252-926-5121 (evenings). For directions click!

I don't know how to break the news to you, but that stunning Victorian house listing here in this issue is in fact, my house. The good news is that I will still be able to visit my beloved Hyde County often to call on friends, take photos and find new stories. See, my life has changed since my husband passed away and I really want to get closer to my son

Dominic and daughter-in-law Neli, who live in Tyrrell County. Please help to spread the message. - Oysters! Hyde County’s are the

best in the world! Trust me I travel frequently. By the time you are reading this, I will have been on the way to South Africa, not for Oysters,

though. But, I‘ll be home for Christmas. xox Love Ingrid

z Quote of the Quarter z“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. 

In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” ~ Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

DEAR READER

P U B L I S H E R I N G R I D L E M M E - E D I T O R I A L S U P P O R T M A R G I E B R O O K S

SWAN Quarterly

W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3the

Kid of the Quarter

Nathan Williams goes to the Pungo Christian Academy

Winter 2012/2013 Photo by Ingrid Lemme www.SwanQuarterly.net

...On the Board Walk...Boat of the

Quarter The ‘Lady Samaira‘ on the cover

Lady of the Quarter

Ms. Gwen Jarvis Newman, a wonderful friend and a great lady

Man of the Quarter

Kenny Cahoon, the General Manager at Gibbs Store in Engelhard

Couple of the Quarter

Newlyweds Ashley N Brett Mason got married June 2nd 2012

Family of the Quarter

The Masons of Swan Quarter Kid of the

Quarter Nathan Williams, who goes to the Pungo Christian Academy

Business of the Quarter

Gibbs Heating & Air Conditioning

Organization of the Quarter

Hyde County Hotline www.hydecountyhotline.org

IMPORTANT EVENTS

DEC 8Open House Mattamuskeet

Wildlife Refugee Center

DEC 14Concert

Christmas in Hyde with David Roach on Piano

JAN 2Hyde

Waterfowl Banquet

JAN 19 & 20Hyde

Waterfowl Festival

OPEN HOUSE  

On Saturday, December 8, Hyde County’s Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge will hold an Open House to introduce the public to their new Visitors Center.

Long renowned for waterfowl, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge is also widely recognized as one of the best birding sites in North Carolina. Especially popular in the fall and winter when hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including a wide variety of ducks, geese and swans that have migrated to Lake Mattamuskeet, the refuge is a naturalist’s Mecca. Visitors ranging from enthusiastic birders to casual observers that come to view waterfowl in this magnificent setting.  In addition

to waterfowl, bald eagles also winter at Lake Mattamuskeet and are frequently seen perched in trees along the lakeshore .  Everything from otters and

muskrats to warblers and wading birds are on the wildlife-watcher's menu.

The recently completed Visitor’s Center has natural resource exhibits and dioramas  that explain the history of Lake Mattamuskeet and showcase many of the plants and animals that live on the refuge.  There’s even a Virtual Airboat Tour of

Lake Mattamuskeet as well as interactive learning displays for kids of all ages. There are also walking and driving trails throughout the Refuge.

The Visitors Center will be open from 8AM to 4PM during the Open House. For more information about Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, visit http://www.fws.gov/mattamuskeet or call 252-926-4021.

OPEN HOUSE

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

THE FRONT PORCH

JEWELRY & GIFTS

Are you looking for a special Christmas gift and don’t want it to say “made in China?” The Front Porch Jewelry & Gifts will soon be open at 136 NC 45 in Swan Quarter. Owner Pam Sawyer has converted the front porch of her home into a unique shop featuring jewelry and other items made by local craftspeople. While her grand-opening won’t be until the Spring of 2013, she will be open from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between now and

Christmas to give folks a sneak-peek!

If you’d like to consign your handcrafted items to her shop, call Pam at 252-542- 0195 or email her at frontporchgifts@centurylink.net

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

HYDE SUPPLY A HOMEGROWN THRIFTSTORE

The purpose of Hyde County Hotline, Inc. is to work to eliminate domestic abuse and sexual victimization in Hyde County, North Carolina through the collaborative efforts of a compassionate community. The not-for-profit organization promotes dignity, respect and safety at home resulting in safer communities. They operate two thrift stores in

Hyde County. The Swan Quarter location is in the same building with our advocacy office (USPS Post Office is also in this building). The 2nd store, Hyde Supply, is located in Engelhard at 34818 US 264. (Engelhard store phone: 252-925-1031.)

Inner Banks Hotline also operates a weaving studio in Spencer's Market on Ocracoke

named "Tapestry." www.hydecountyhotline.org

HYDE COUNTY HOTLINE

SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

HOW YOU CAN HELP...

• Donate to the Thrift Stores. Call for pick-up of large items. • Make a monetary donation. • Volunteer to work in the Thrift Stores and in the office. • Donations and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. • Ask about presentations for your civic groups. • Ask

how they can help you. • Tell others about Inner Banks Hotline. • Email HCH and subscribe to their monthly newsletters. • Participate in the events.

HOW THEY CAN HELP...

•Crisis Intervention • Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy • Survivor Services

• Advocacy • Safe Shelter • Safety Planning • Support Groups (Call for additional information) • Referrals • Program Presentations

• www.hydecountyhotline.org

• Photo above shows one of the ladies of Hyde County who are helping Hyde County Hotline

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

DESPITE THREATENING

WEATHER, MATTIE

ARTS CENTER OPENING A SUCCESS

More than 300 people crossed the threshold of the new MATTIE arts center - the arts initiative project of the Friends of Hyde County’s Historic Courthouse - located on the first floor of Hyde County’s Historic Courthouse in Swan Quarter on Saturday, Oct. 27th. The art center is the brainchild of the Friends, a private non-profit organization formed 2 years ago to the purpose of preserving and sustaining the grand old building. For the first time since the county government was forced to evacuate the building due to flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the doors were opened by the Friends to the general public for the first public viewing of their new arts center, MATTIE. The name is an acronym for Mattamuskeet

Artisans, Teaching, Training, Instructing and Educating.

Though the center is located in Swan Quarter, the name was chosen by the Friends to the purpose of county wide connectivity. It is a tribute to the county’s renown

Mattamuskeet NWR and its signature lake. Wintering habitat for more than a hundred thousand migratory waterfowl, the refuge is an artists’ Mecca.

Activity inside the center was abuzz: sales in the art gallery, which showcased work by Hyde County artisans, exceeded expectations but the real action and entertainment was in the center’s spacious multi-media room where 3 local award winning artists and one from

Belhaven were actually wielding their craft. Folks were fascinated with native Ed Clarke of Middletown (near Engelhard) as he, in a delightfully animated manner, built the frame work for one of his sought after canvass stretch swan decoys; they were awed by the detailed wood burning of the feathers onto a new duck carving by Hyde native Gregory Berry of Engelhard; and four time named “artist of the year” by Ducks Unlimited, Mike Helsabeck, a new resident of Swan Quarter who conducted the first painting class during the feasibility study, inspired the painters. Patricia Bertke, a recent arrival to

Belhaven from the foothills where she had taught at the Yadkin Area Arts Center was at the loom with her wild weft weaving and happily answering a gazillion questions from on-

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

lookers; while Bill Rubel, another new arrival to Swan Quarter from Chapel Hill by way of India, the Bahamas and other past foreign residences, explained to the perplexed how he managed to create his unique ornamental concrete designs. Getting Bill, Mike and Pat to participate into the artists in motion notion was not too difficult-each having been in the Friends arts initiative core group during the feasibility study phase, and having spearheaded the idea. With Gregory and Ed, it took a bit of persuasion but they both expressed that they genuinely enjoyed themselves when it was all over, plus it put them closer to preparing their inventory for the upcoming decoy shows. Scheduled, but disappointed to bow out due to the weather (he was to be set up outdoors), was blacksmith craftsman Joe Pugh of Gull Rock. Joe says that he loves to work in public, as generally a lot of elderly men gather to enjoy talking about their old days of forging and take turns cranking the bellows for him!

Displays and art for sale also represented the works of many other local artisans:

Wood worker Johnny Berry of Engelhard (Blackbeard’s chest replicas);

Multi talented Cathy Clayton of Ponzer (gourd art and paintings);

Millie Credle, Hyde native and now Pinehurst resident (paintings),

Mary Jean Gibbs of Fairfield (gourd art)

Elizabeth Gurganus of Swan Quarter (photography);

Laura Hayes of Engelhard (stain painted glass and oil paintings);

Ursula Hayes of Engelhard (afghans)

Bill Lenhard of Ponzer (interpretive paintings);

Linda McKinney of Fairfield (oyster shell decorative art);

Meredith Nicholson of Fairfield (stained glass);

Joan Sears (decoy carvings and paintings);

Judy Swindell of Fairfield (paintings); and

Hugh Watson of New Holland (taxidermist and decoy carver)

The Friends fundraiser raffle sales with a grand prize of

$500.00, shotgun, and more continued to generate more sales (drawing is Dec. 4) and the newly published book by Alva Harris, Buzzard’s Myth, native of the Ponzer community, moved quickly.

To round off the success of the opening, several people signed up for upcoming art class announcements at MATTIE with multi-media award winner Joan Sears of Gull Rock (painting ocean waves), retired CEO of Child Savers in Richmond, Mark Hierholzer who maintains a second home in Swan Quarter (impressionist landscape painting en plein air), and visiting award winning photographer, Sol Levine of Wake Forest (seminar and photoshoot at Mattamuskeet NWR). Folks also signed up to be included on the Friends cyberspace data base for future art class notifications. Announcements will soon be out for classes in woodburning with Cathy Clayton of Ponzer; spinning and weaving with Pat Bertke; afghan weaving with

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Ursula Hayes of Engelhard; sewing classes with Friends board member and spear header of the Down East Arts and Crafts Show, Elizabeth Gurganus of Swan Quarter; clay throwing and hand building with visiting artist Carolyn Sleeper of Washington; small metals and jewelry with Sladesville native, Staci Sawyer, a BFA metalsmith currently residing in Raleigh; children’s classes in gourd art, Gyotoku (Japanese fish printing) for children, puppetry and more.

Two comments by the visitors to the center were heard repeatedly: ‘I’ve never seen the place look so good’ and I just didn’t know there was so much talent right here in Hyde County’.

As to the former, the Friends have already been surprised by the generosity of people, even from outside the county, in the form of monetary and in-kind donations. Early on the BCAC wrote a FY 2012/13 line item in for the Friends art project; local contributions have included donations and vouchers for furnishings and signage. With only 25 days to get ready (the lease was not available until Oct. 2) , board members and artists chipped in to get the center ready to complement the Down East Arts and Crafts Show. The long neglected outside of the building was cleaned up, patch work painted, floor tiles repaired, curtains and blinds hung, furnishings and

supplies moved in, sidewalks cleaned off, art work hung- all this working around 2 art classes already in progress. At the last minute, B&B Landscaping owner Clay Cahoon jumped in and landscaped the curtilage- a project the Friends had written off as impossible to accomplish by the 27th.

As to the latter, during the feasibility study phase of the project (Jan- Aug.), the Friends found about 40 local artists interested in the project. Since then, more and more talented artists are being found and more will hopefully come forward and decide to tie in with the arts initiative movement and utilize the center to get their work out in the public eye, many for the first time.

As to the future, the Friends are hopeful to network with Ocracoke artisans across the sound, established regional centers such as Pocosin Arts, Penland and Seagove, the new IBX art center and long established Riverwalk Arts in Washington, Mattamuskeet and Ocracoke Schools, etc. Ultimately the plan is to create an art community that will expand, attracting artists to come live, visit, work and teach.

Once they catch their breaths from the rush of this opening, the Friends will get to the business of establishing regular business hours for their sales gallery and learning center,

where they will also offer tourist information and public restroom facilities.

Interested readers are encouraged to visit the Friends web site at www.hyde1854courthouse.org and networking links such as www.swanquarterly.com, and www.swanquarterarts.com.

Donations are gratefully appreciated, tax deductible, and can be facilitated by pay pal on the Friends web site as well as purchases of raffle tickets.

Back in March while I was organizing the art forum portion of the feasibility study, an artist told me that getting artists organized was going to be like herding cats. So, though I am technically co-chair of the Arts Initiative Project, I suppose you can just refer to me as the “chief cat herder”, and I must say, I have never had more fun and enjoyed meeting so many people ever before in my life. It has been a true labor of joy and I feel truly privileged to know each one of them. I love cats.

By Judy McLawhorn, Secretary, Friends of Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse info@hyde1854courthouse.org.

(252) 943-8991

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

GIFT IDEAS: HYDE COUNTY BOOK & BONUS FREE PRINT

Adventurers, nature lovers, ecologists, historians, comedians, and readers of great novels!

If you know someone who fits one or more of these categories, the following gift package will be hard to beat for a winner.

This winter season, Alva Harris, author and Hyde County native, offers a special gift to his

hometown and all who may visit, not just through his lyrical words of his memoir/historical novel, but also through one

mesmerizing picture of one of Hyde County’s coastal wonders.

A stunning 5x7 print of Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina’s largest natural lake, will accompany sales of his book Buzzard’s Myth: Adventures of a Free Spirit from Egg to Infinity through January 2013.

The entrancing imagery in this photograph was captured by Ingrid Lemme, publisher of The Swan Quarterly magazine (www.swanquarterly.net), and is available exclusively for this special offer.

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Business of the Quarter

Gibbs Heating & Air Conditioning

Marcus GibbsOwner

“We do it right the first time!”

Maintenance, Sales & Service252-943-7582

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

GET YOUR “DO” DONE HERE

 Ladies and Gentlemen (and little kids too)! Isn’t it great that Swan Quarter again has a shop where you can go and get beautiful? Or maybe that should be handsome? And you don’t have to drive miles and miles to get your child’s bangs cut now either! Or maybe you just want to put some tan on your winter body? Or are you

looking for a gift for that special person in your life?

At Linda K’s Hair & Tanning Salon you can do all of that and more with just one stop. Linda Gibbs Cahoon has recently returned to Hyde County and even more recently moved her shop from Rose Bay to 51 Main Street in Swan Quarter. She has a complete line of hair care products and specializes in hair color. The next time your ‘do’ needs a little attention, call her at

252-945-0747. Walk-ins are also welcome. Hours are 10 am until 6 pm, Tuesday through Friday.

The shop also has gift ideas, including Mattamuskeet Laker items. Save your gas and shop here first! If you have items that you’d like to consign, she is also looking for different lines to fill out the shop.

WALK-INS WELCOME

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF DESPAIR

BY DARLA SAWYER 

October 5, 2012 was a bright and warm day, a perfect fall day in Swan Quarter. It is also the day I got acquainted with one of the hardest working residents around, Mr. Grey Hopkins. A veteran hailing from Hobucken, NC, Mr. Grey founded Swan Quarter Equipment, a local machine shop, in 1964 - less than a mile from the

Swan Quarter Ferry Dock. He also offers repair services on various pieces of equipment and machinery.

Entering his store that warm afternoon, I knew that Mr. Grey had weathered his fair share of storms, namely hurricanes. Isabel in 2003 and the more recent Irene in 2011 left his original building in a state of disrepair.

“Isabel was bad,” he told me, “but Hurricane Irene is what really took the cake on collateral

damage to many parts of Hyde County.”

Unfortunately, the building that housed his shop for some forty years, suffered immense roof damage that was beyond repair. He was at a loss of what to do and where to go from there. But this is the incredible story of how he has managed to build himself (and his business) up stronger than before, and in the process a community came together to help make it happen.

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Relocating was his first and biggest step in rebuilding after such a tragedy. Fortunately, Swan Quarter is home to some of the best and hardest working people to be found.  After the hurricane passed, a well-known and respected member of our small community, Ray Stotesberry, soon approached him. Ray proposed to Mr. Hopkins a great idea - there was an unused piece of property once referred to as 'The Game Room', and it was available for lease! Hearing his idea, Mr. Gray saw hope, but also wondered how he would ever get all of his supplies and merchandise moved across town.

Just a few phones calls later and Ray had already found a team ready to support Mr. Gray in any way they could. It didn't take the team long to determine what needed to be moved and how to go about it. The biggest trial was figuring out a way to move his sturdy, custom made stand-alone shelves. They simply would not fit through the door - so down came

the walls to get them out. Jennifer Equals saw to organizing all the small bits that tend to build up over time into neat and organized spaces. Benny Doug built shelves on the walls and mounted a large pegboard for general use. Amazingly, within one and a half days of loading, unloading, and organizing, the team of eight to ten men had Mr. Gray’s shop

ready to reopen.

I mentioned what an opportunity he had found with Mr. Stotesberry and his generosity. He only smiled warmly and said with a shrug, “He's just Ray.” Astounded with the commitment of these men, I had to comment on what an amazing job they did, and how heartwarming it is when

good friends are there to help during tough times. 

Mr. Grey nodded and smiled, “That is the reason I'm here.” Sitting across from him, I looked around his new location and I couldn't help but notice the packed yet well organized shelves loaded with all kinds of goods - odds and ends needed for everyday workers. After hearing

his inspirational story and thinking about all of the hard work that had gone into this move, I could only smile back. Not even a hurricane is a match for the determination and perseverance of the people of Swan Quarter.

The parking lot of his new shop, located at 82 NC 45, is now frequently filled with trucks of fellow residents, many of whom came to his aid in his time of need. With the help of the Swan Quarter community, Mr. Grey has overcome many obstacles and tests to rebuild his establishment and is open for business!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF BELL

ISLAND BY

COLEMAN DAVIS

The Pamlico Sound shoreline is full of life! As a volunteer at Mattamuskeet and Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuges, I get to see that firsthand. For the past two years, I’ve been examining the fish and invertebrates that live near the shore on Swanquarter Refuge. My study site is located near the Bell Island pier, about three miles west of the village of Swan Quarter. Twice a month, I visit the site

and use a seine to net fish and invertebrates that inhabit the water between the shore and the bulkhead. So far, I've netted approximately 8000 individual fish and invertebrates!  Of the eleven species of fish I have caught, the most abundant are: the bay anchovy, the Atlantic silverside, and the silver perch. I have also caught spotted seatrout, feather blenny, Atlantic spadefish and others. I have identified 8 invertebrate species with the most abundant being the comb jelly, the grass shrimp, and the moon jelly. I have also observed the blue crab, brown shrimp, sea nettle, and the

Eastern oyster. What really interests me is that some of the animals such as the blue crab and grass shrimp are present year-round while others such as the blenny and spadefish are migratory. Another interesting finding is that most of the animals I observe are juveniles. My study strongly underlines the fact that Bell Island provides a habitat and a nursery for many kinds of fish and invertebrates.

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Coleman Davis

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

PROJECT EXPANDS NEW SWANQUARTER OYSTER REEFS ARE

DOING WELLThis summer, Albemarle Climate Change Adaptation Project Director Brian Boutin got to experience what is just about as close to instant gratification as you can get in his world with the creation of a new oyster reef off of Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge.

“We put this reef in a little more than a month ago,” he explained during a July visit to the site. “You can see the shore that’s forming behind the reef.”

It was a fairly windy day, but the two 300-foot segments of marl reef on either side of the Bell Island Fishing Pier were doing their job: Incoming waves from Rose Bay were breaking gently across the oyster reef. Further along the shoreline, where there was no new reef offshore, the waves were clearly cutting into the shoreline.

Pilot project expands

This reef represents a new part of the climate change adaptation project. What began

three years ago as a pilot project on the nearby Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is now expanding to other refuges. The Nature Conservancy has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create 400,000 acres of wildlife refuges in the area. Almost 40 percent of all national wildlife refuges on the eastern seaboard are located in the area, so solutions found here can be replicated on vast swaths of public coastal lands. 

There has been a concerted effort to build oyster reefs along North Carolina’s shore. Jim Hardin, compliance manager with Grady-White Boats, understands firsthand the importance of building new reefs. Hardin, who chairs the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina, has been involved in creating new oyster reef since 2003.

“I just turned my logs in,” he said this summer, referring to the log volunteers use to keep track of the number of oyster shells bagged. “I’m just shy of bagging three tons of oyster shells for new reefs.”

New reef construction can take several forms. While the Swanquarter reefs are

constructed from marl, which is a sedimentary rock made up of limestone and other minerals, other reefs use bags of recycled oyster shells.

“The whole thing is that people are saying, ‘Hey, we can make a difference,’” Hardin explains. “We can start by getting oyster reefs back into the water to benefit everyone.” Continuing on to explain the importance of oysters, he says, “An adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day, so creating sanctuaries benefits the water quality. It benefits the fish and other animals that need the habitat. And, it reduces erosion from waves.”

That’s why Hardin was eager to participate in building the new reefs at Swanquarter. The Smith Family Foundation, which was created by Grady-White Boats’ founder Eddie Smith, was the lead contributor on the project. Boutin, who has been tireless in his efforts to raise money for the adaptation project, leveraged that with additional funding from a partnership between the FishAmerica Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Restoration Center. 

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Oysters as part of North Carolina’s history and economy

Huge middens, mounds of old oyster shells uncovered by archaeologists, attest to the sheer number of the mollusks in earlier times. So do the words of earlier explorers. Scientist Thomas Harriot visited Roanoke Island in 1586. His report back to Sir Walter Raleigh described the resources: “There is one shallow sound along the coast….where for the space of many miles together in length and two to three miles breadth, the ground is nothing else.”

The oysters were an economic driver in North Carolina’s colonial economy. Coastal North Carolinians bartered them for other goods. In the latter part of the 18th century, a whole economy sprang up around the oyster, with oyster houses and canneries built to supply folks in the northeast with the shellfish. That led to overfishing, which depleted the stocks. The problems were magnified by onshore development, timbering and agriculture that degraded habitat. The late 20th century brought the arrival of Dermo, a parasitic disease that is

devastating to oysters. It is estimated that today’s oyster population is less than 10 percent of its historical range.

Restoration ties nicely to locals

The Nature Conservancy, led by Northeast Steward Aaron McCall, has been in the reef restoration business since 2002, when McCall helped to organize an oyster shell recycling program on the Outer Banks.

Hardin, of Grady-White Boats, is an avid fisherman and says that building new reef fits nicely with his company’s work.

“This is a personal thing with Eddie Smith. He was raised in the outdoors and has always been an outdoorsman. Most people involved with hunting and fishing understand that the original conservationists were the hunters and fishermen. This is a long term solution to helping keep our waters in pristine condition.”

Kelly Davis and her family have a personal stake in that outcome. She and her family live on a farm just down the road. Her 12-year-old son Coleman was recruited by Boutin to monitor water quality at the site. Davis, who moved to

the area as a biologist at Mattasmuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, is homeschooling her children with an emphasis on the area’s natural resources.

Coleman, Kelly, her 14-year-old daughter A.B. and Coleman’s friend Camin Randall made a visit to the site in July. Coleman and Camin busied themselves with a seine net while Kelly chatted and A.B. documented the visit with photographs. “The whole family participates,” Kelly explained. “It is a good learning experience.”

She added with a laugh. “This is a rural area. There is no swim team for the kids. People live far apart, so there aren’t a lot of organized activities for kids. That’s part of living in Hyde County; you’ve got to squeeze the juice out of what’s here.”

The work gets the ultimate thumbs up review from the young scientist. “This is pretty cool,” Coleman explained as he identified the critters he had netted. Boutin agreed. “It is pretty cool.” - Story from the Nature Conservancy website.

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Recipe for theseBaked Oysters by Dominic Lemme

Ingredients: 3 dozen freshly shucked Oysters,preferably from Hyde County (leave Juice).1/2 lb. Swiss Cheese, cut into Squares.1 tub Philadelphia Italian Herb & Cheese Cooking Cream,Garlic Salt, fresh Parsley, grated Parmesan.

Shuck Oysters on the Half Shell and leave the Juice, if possible. Arrange on Cooking Sheet. Sprinkle each Oyster with Garlic Salt to taste. Add 1 teaspoon of Cooking Cream per Oyster. Cover with Swiss Cheese. Bake at 325 degrees until Cheese is bubbling, then broil until slightly brown. Remove from Oven and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and Parsley.

HYDE COUNTY OYSTERS MAKE FINE CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

ANNUAL HYDE COUNTY WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION BANQUET is January 2nd, 2013

For more informationcall (252) 944-5636 or visit their website at www.hydewaterfowl.com

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Man of the Quarter Kenny Cahoon

 Kenny began employment with Gibbs Store in 2005 as General Manager.  His duties include supervising four employees, preparing work schedules; purchasing, inventory control and overall sales of the store.  Kenny maintains a work environment that is professional and customer friendly.  Kenny is a trusted and valued employee of Gibbs Store and the customers like him. www.gibbsstore.com 

Click here and watch Gibbs Store in Engelhard on UNC-TV!!!!

Winter 2012/2013 Photo by Ingrid Lemme www.SwanQuarterly.net

Friends of Hyde County�’s Historic 1854 Courthouse

FALL FUNDRAISER Prize Tickets $1 each

Drawing: December 4, 2012

~ GRAND PRIZE: $500.00 CASH ~

~ Remington 870 Express ~ 12 Gauge Shotgun

~ Popular Ridge Hunt Club ~ �—2 Day Duck Hunt

~ Thomasina�’s B&B~ �—2 Night Stay

~ David Towns ~ Framed, Matted & Signed

Pen & Ink Drawing of Mattamuskeet Lodge

Lady of the QuarterGwen Jarvis Newman

An earth angel.

Photo Ingrid Lemme Location: The bluffs at Montauk Lighthouse, NY

MONTAUK SERENITY HOUSEVacation House Rental by Owner

in Montauk, Long Island, New York!www.vrbo.com

VRBO #401473

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.netwww.hyde1854courthouse.org

HOUSE FOR SALE BY OWNER

This house on Hwy 45 in Swan Quarter is being listed for $63,900.00

-The lot next door is being listed for $12,000.00

-Great property for the right "Couple" or "Hunting/Fishing Camp

Basic details are:

2 bedroom, 1 bath

Central Air and Heat/Heat Pump

400 sq foot High door shed.

Easily could store a 25 foot boat or two smaller 18' foots inside. City Water and SewerRuns about $125/mo for bills.

Insurances and Property are around $1,300/yr.

2 minutes from SQ Wildlife ramp.

Only a 45 minute run to Ocracoke and another 45 minutes and you are on the Rock Pile fishing Blue Water.

SQ has a marina for on water storage if someone wanted to leave a big boat in the water, 1 minute form the house.

5 National Wildlife refuges within 2 to 30 minutes of Swanquarter.

Owner: Bryan K. Jones 419-552-6450 (mbl) bones89@centurylink.net

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

Click here to see what renowned artist Mark Hierholzer sees!

a ADVERTISING VIDEO

www.SwanQuarterly.net

Swan Quarter Castle For Sale!

Please contact the brokers at Lake Landing Realty for more

information at (252) 925-8200 or Toll FREE: (866) 380-5253

www.lakelandingrealty.com/lakelandingrealtylistings.htm

linda@lakelandingrealty.com

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

SWAN quarterlyW I N T E R 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3

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SWAN quarterly137 NC Highway 45Swan Quarter, NC 27885www.SwanQuartely.comemail: IngridHLemme@gmail.com

Winter 2012/2013 www.SwanQuarterly.net

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