The Comfortable and the New

By Molly Harrison | Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Manteo Farmers Market is back, starting Saturday.

I like change, I like new and different, but isn't it comforting to know that some things stay the same year after year? * For instance, we all know that John's Drive In is closed on Wednesday. We've come to accept that. We know that The Lost Colony starts the last week in May and ends around August 20. We know that ospreys will return in the spring to the same nests they left in the fall. There's comfort in that, reassurance that all is well. * Maybe that's why people like annual events so much. There's comfort in the fact that they're coming up, that you know what to expect, and that you can do it all again next year...

One of my favorite annual events is the Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K Run. For me, this event defines early May. It is the start of warm-weather running and, typically, the last time I run in Nags Head Woods until September (thanks to summertime flies and mosquitoes). It was the first 5K race I ever ran 15 years ago, and I've ran it nearly every year since. This year's event is the 28th annual run, and I know a lot of locals (and visitors) who feel a nostalgic tug about this run. It's a quick jaunt through the woods with lots of local friends, and May on the Outer Banks just wouldn't feel right without it. * The 5K race is at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and the Fun Run is at 9 a.m. A beach party follows at 12:30 p.m. To register, go to www.active.com...

Another event we've come to expect in May is the Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show - this year is the 14th annual show. * The show, which features numerous local artists and DCAC member artists, is on display all month at Roanoke Island Festival Park's art gallery. I love seeing what all the local artists have been creating this winter and spring. The show will hang through May 31. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m....

In Manteo, by May we expect First Friday to be in full swing, and, indeed, it is. First Friday is like a little party downtown on the first Friday of the month. From 4 to 8 p.m. you can find specials in the local shops, browse galleries, dine in the local restaurants, listen to music on the streets (and the in restaurants afterwards), take a Historic Inn Tour or climb on the rock-climbing wall. It's fun. * And, as expected, Dare County Arts Council always opens its monthly art show during First Friday with artist receptions in its gallery. This month, the two featured artists are painter Katy Caroline and jewelry designer Georgia Griffiths. Both shows will hang from May 6 to 31 the opening reception for both shows will be on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m....

The beloved and much anticipated Manteo Farmers Market returns on Saturday in downtown Manteo on the Waterfront. From 8 a.m. to noon, you'll find vendors selling homemade breads, crafts, vegetables, prepared foods, cheeses, sweets and much more! I know there will be new vendors there this year, but I hope, for comfort's sake, that my three favorite vendors - Chris Carroll and her chocolates, Susannah Burke and her oatmeal pies, and Brynn & Amie and their Evil Nuts - will be there! * To set up your own booth, call (252) 473-2133. Otherwise, bring a wad of small bills and prepare to spend it all...

Here's another annual event that, if you've attended anytime over the past six years, you're probably looking forward to: The 6th Annual Outer Banks Wine and Beer Jam, aka the Wingo De Mayo Festival. Held at Native Vine in Point Harbor on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., this event features live music, great food and tastings of 50 wines and beers from around the world. There's even a Wing Cook-Off from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets cost $30 at the door, or $25 in advance at Native Vine, Chilli Peppers or Children at Play. This event benefits the Children at Play Museum...

OK, so there's your comfortable and expected. Now here's something new and exciting: Couture by the Shore, A Fashion Show and Outer Banks Relief Foundation Charity Event. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kelly's, ten boutiques (Amity, Birthday Suits, Charlotte's, The French Door, Jewelry by Gail, Lady Victorian, Plum Crazy, SunShack, Whalebone Surf Shop and Gray's) will be working the runway at this luncheon and fashion show. There's also a silent auction, raffle and door prizes. Cost is $30. Get tickets at any of the above retailers or at www.outerbanksrelieffoundation.com, but hurry before it sells out...

And there's a lot more you can do this week. Read on:

On Thursday, the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Economic Forecast Breakfast at 8 a.m. Dr. James Kleckley of ECU will review economic indicators and make predictions for the Outer Banks and N.C. economies. Let's hope for good news. Call (252) 441-8144...

On Saturday, Dare County Arts Council is hosting a Photography Workshop with Shirley Whitenack on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Called "Beyond Program Mode," it's a class that introduces all the various features of your camera and gives you lots of time to practice. Call (252) 473-5558. * The March of Dimes is hosting a Walk for Babies through Manteo on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (757) 361-0000 ext. 4 for info. * Avon's Really Really Free Market is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. People bring useful things or skills to give away or trade, and everything is free. It's held at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department. * Also on Saturday, Spa Koru in Avon will host a Mother's Day Restorative Yoga Class and Brunch. Call (252) 995-3125...

You do know that Sunday is Mother's Day, right? Don't wait until the last minute. Start planning now for ways to allow the mother in your life to sleep late in peace and quiet. You might also want to go ahead and book those brunch reservations. And get that Standup Paddleboard she's been wanting (don't forget the paddle)... * Mom might like to go to the Sun Fun Fly Festival at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla on Sunday. Flying Smiles Kites will be flying kites and offering events for the kids. It's free. * Mom might also like the Zumbathon at the Bonnett Street Beach Access in Nags Head. It's a charity event for Relay for Life and costs $15. Mom can get her zumba on from noon to 4 p.m. Just show up at the Bonnett Street Access around milepost 11...

Looking ahead to next week, Outer Banks Hospital is offering a Look Good, Feel Better seminar for female cancer patients on Monday at 10 a.m. in the Cancer Resource Center. Call (252) 449-7350 to register for this free event. * Make plans to attend DCAC's Membership Event at The Brine and Bottle in Nags Head next Tuesday. The Brine & Bottle is offering small plate samplers for $10/$15, wine, and music by Andy Rice on the soundside deck. DCAC is hosting in an effort to reach out to new members. Call (252) 473-5558...

That's all I've got for now. In the meantime, keep this in mind: The National Park Service has closed all the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches to off-road vehicles during the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in order to protect nesting turtles....

Did I miss anything? If I did, be sure to let me know on the Comments section below...

About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.