A person could be forgiven for thinking that all we Outer Bankers do is just run, run and run. It seems you can't drop a bacon cheeseburger anywhere on the Outer Banks these days without it rolling into the middle of a footrace of one kind or another! And this weekend comes the Daddy of All Footraces, Sunday's Outer Banks Marathon, accompanied by the only slightly less intimidating Outer Banks Half Marathon. The Outer Banks Marathon winds its way through the natural beauty of North Carolina's Outer Banks, from Kitty Hawk to Roanoke Island, offering runners a spectacular and uniquely scenic course. No, I don't understand it, either. But serious runners swear they really enjoy the scenery as they trudge...um...stride serenely along the course toward the finish line in Downtown Manteo. The Half Marathon is comprised of the second half of the full marathon course, beginning in Nags Head near Jockey's Ridge State Park and finishing in Downtown Manteo on Roanoke Island. For specific information on the races, the courses, participating, registering or spectating, please visit the very detailed official Outer Banks Marathon website. See you at the Finish Line! (Disclaimer: My apartment is located at the Finish Line.) You'll recognize me as the slightly zombie-fied, definitely-not-a-morning-person guy with the coffee cup, cheese biscuit and slippers. Run quietly, people. Run quietly.
'Tis the season? Already?
So it appears in light of the upcoming 5th Annual Manns Harbor Holiday Craft Show to be held Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department. Local crafters will display beautiful holiday items including wreathes, home decor, sea glass, soaps and scrubs, candles, homemade canned goods, crochet items, jewelry hangers and much more. There will be a bake sale, of course! And the Manns Harbor Woman's Club will be on hand selling lunches. Get your holiday shopping started with a little excursion to the Dare mainland!
Santa must be chomping at the bit this year! On Thursday, November 14 Santa will make an early appearance at the Kitty Hawk Fire Department! Beginning at 6:30 p.m. children can visit with Santa and receive a gift. Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome to this free event (held rain or shine).
Get Creative!
Super talented local artist Katy Caroline supplies all the materials you'll need to create your own piece of art at her Tuesday or Thursday night Sip 'n' Dip events at Katy Caroline's Studio in the Southern Shores Crossing Shopping Center. All YOU need to bring is yourself, your creative desire and your choice of wine/beverage and snacks. For a mere $50, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. you'll enjoy an evening of art instruction along with a little wine, a little nosh, a little social interaction and, at the end, you'll leave with your own artistic creation! Perfect for prospective artists aged 12 and older. Non-alcoholic beverages are available, and pre-registration is required. The next Sip 'n' Dip classes are set for Thursday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 12. For more information call (252) 489-5230.
Here's a modern and creative spin on those bronzed baby shoes so many of us of a certain age remember seeing on mantels and shelves during our youth. Impress your baby's footprints on a ceramic piece and create a memory to last forever. Drop in at Avon's Studio 12 any Tuesday and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and try your hand at this project that makes a great gift for the grandparents! The next classes will be held Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13. The ceramics you make will be fired and ready for pick up on Friday. For more information call (252) 995-7899.
Local Theater
As I previewed last week, beginning Thursday, November 7, Theatre of Dare, our local community theater group, will begin a two-week run of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Manteo. I have it on good authority that rehearsals have been impressive and that in downtown Manteo on Saturday, November 9 from 8 to 11 p.m. Laura and Dan Martier at my own little neighborhood pub! Be there or...be the one who wasn't there! It's sure to be a good show.
Bingo junkies (you know who you are) will be happy to learn that the Colington Volunteer Fire Department hosts Bingo Night each Wednesday evening at 108 Schoolhouse Road in Kill Devil Hills. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and games run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Bingo players aged 12 and older are welcome.
After your mid-week bingo fest you may want to show back up at the Colington Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser! Eat in or carry out a complete spaghetti dinner of pasta, homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs, salad and fresh baked bread! All proceeds will benefit the Colington Volunteer Fire Department.
The family that fishes together...well...likely makes up fish stories together! But that's as it should be, right? Take your family out to Jennette's Pier from 9 to 11 a.m. on either Thursday or Friday to take part in the Family Fishing program where each family member will gain the basic skills to catch fish while learning which fish frequent the pier's waters and how to identify fish, how to cast into the surf, tie your own rigs and get the ins-and-outs of catch and release techniques. The price is $15/adult and youth; $8/children age 5 and younger. Pre-registration is required.
Parents raising girls will be interested in the free "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice" parenting enrichment program offered by Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County Tuesday, November 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Outer Banks YMCA in Nags Head. Presenter Kathy Burrus will share insights into how raising girls is different from raising boys and how childrearing practices can be altered to most positively affect daughters' self-esteem and self-worth. Intended for parents aged 18 and older, pre-registration is required. Complimentary child care will be available.
Looking Ahead
We celebrate the nation's military veterans Monday, November 11. As part of that recognition, on Friday, November 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. the Dare County Arts Council and the Don and Catherine Bryan Cultural Arts Series, in partnership with the newly established Dare County Veterans Advisory Council, will sponsor the Carolina Veterans Concert featuring local performing artists Molasses Creek and Jonny Waters & Company. The event will be held at Roanoke Island Festival Park's indoor theater and will include a public reading by North Carolina Poet Laureate Dr. Joseph Bathanti and several Outer Banks writers in honor of the sacrifice our veterans have made for our nation. Tickets are $12/advance via BrownPaperTickets.com and $18/door ($15/veterans). For more information visit the DCAC website or call (252) 473-5558.
This week you have a chance to win a $35 gift certificate to Kinnakeet Clay & a $35 gift certificate to Gidget's Pizza & Pasta!
For more information about Kinnakeet Clay, check out their website.
For more information about Gidget's Pizza & Pasta check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to KaeLi Schurr!!!
You won a $35 gift certificate to Agave Roja & a $35 gift certificate to Island Revolution!
For more information about Agave Roja, check out their website.
For more information about Island Revolution check out their website.
About the Author Michael Lay
Michael Lay is a local graphic designer, artist, photographer and writer. He lives in picturesque downtown Manteo, NC, and is the manservant of two beautiful and willful feline princesses, Sophie and Sassy. You can contact Michael at mike.lay@oneboat.com.
