Outer Banks Articles & Shorts - Issue 22: Summer 2020

Publisher's Letter

If adversity makes us stronger, as the saying goes, then, damn y’all, we must be Olympic strong.  It’s been a long, strange trip with the crazy COVID, and it’s not over yet. Thousands of visitors are back, and if we could look at the Outer Banks from a bird’s view, one might think that it was life as normal down here on these islands. But, of course, from a sea level view, things are far from normal. At the time of this note, restaurants and shops are still at 50% capacity. Most National Park Service visitor centers are closed, as are the lighthouses for climbing. Accommodations are open, yet many are unable to be at full capacity. Our international students, who historically have filled close to 3,500 jobs in the summer, were not allowed to come this year, meaning that most businesses are understaffed.

Why write this? Because, now, during this time in our world where so much has changed, I think it feels better to tell the story as it actually is. We need to admit to each other that we’ve been scared (maybe still are), that many have had to restructure their businesses, that we look for but can’t necessarily find an end to this time in our lives. And we need to support each other in this admitting, restructuring and looking.

But there’s another story that gets to be told here too, and it’s just as true and important. The past three months, I’ve witnessed acts of kindness that made me cry. We’ve all been given the opportunity to have our consciousness opened up about how so many people live on the edge and the fact that that needs to change. We’ve donated and volunteered – or we’ve been the grateful recipients of that work and kindness.

Every single business represented in this magazine has had to adapt in big ways to our ever-changing world. Every single owner of every single business has had to increase their faith and trust muscles. Every single business is working harder than they were this time last year to take care of our visitors and of us locals.

I’m proud of all of us. We’re Outer Banks Strong. And we ALL win the gold medal.

VIEW A DIGITAL VERSION OF THIS ISSUE

 

First Stop: Atlantic Coast Cafe

By Molly Harrison
For countless Hatteras Island vacationers, the first stop on the island is always Atlantic Coast Cafe in Waves. It’s such a solid tradition that by the time they’re driving the bridge over Oregon Inlet, their mouths are already watering at the thought of baskets of piping hot fried shrimp, fresh fish tacos, ACC’s... Read More

More than Just a Fishing Trip

By Beth P. Storie
Pigfish. Puppy drum. Pufferfish. Pin. No, this is not a chant! It’s just a few of the 20 or so species of fish you might catch on a fishing trip on the Miss Oregon Inlet headboat. Add to that triggerfish, flounder, sea bass, spot, lizardfish (watch out for those teeth!), sea robin, gray trout, ribbonfish, sea mullet... Read More

High-Flying Adventure in Corolla

By Lexi Holian
There’s a gentle breeze coming off the waters of the Currituck Sound as you are strapped into a harness, the boat rising and falling beneath your feet. You can hear the waves lapping against the boat’s hull and the wind catch in the colorful parasail above you. With a thumbs-up and a smile, the captain releases the... Read More

Taking Care of Business with Care

By Molly Harrison
Customer service is a talking point for a lot of businesses, but what does it really mean?  At Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates it means personal, individualized attention for each of their vacation rental homeowners and renters. This small, family-run company earned success by paying close attention to its customers,... Read More

A Better Way to Buffet at Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet

By Katrina Mae Leuzinger
Everybody loves an all-you-can-eat buffet. But even the most passionate fans will admit the dining model sometimes has a way of emphasizing quantity over quality. The best buffets offer a tremendous variety of food and let you eat as much of each as you desire. The secret that makes this model possible for many... Read More