Priceless Pieces And A Bit of History

By Michael Lay | Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Priceless Pieces Quilt Show

I come from a long line of quilters and for much of my childhood I took it for granted that everyone snuggled in their beds just as I did under warm and colorful quilts made by the nimble fingers of grandmothers and great aunts. As the years have passed many members of those quilt-making generations have passed, and so too has much of the communal knowledge of this traditional American utilitarian artform. And that's why I always look forward to the Annual Priceless Pieces Quilt Show, sponsored by the local Teacup Quilters and now in its sixteenth year. The exhibition opens Friday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. with a reception at the Roanoke Island Festival Park Gallery. Drawn from quilt makers and owners in the Eastern North Carolina region, the collection features full-sized and mini-quilts showcasing deft design, sophisticated color choices, quilting techniques, embroidery and appliqué skills. The exhibition will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through March 23.

Despite the Great Depression, the 1930s were times of great change in Dare County. The building of roads and bridges, improvements to national historic sites and the resourcefulness of the people created unparalleled opportunities for economic growth and a future of national prominence. The Outer Banks History Center tells this story in Dare County in the 1930s: Decade of Determination, a new exhibit debuting Friday, March 1, 2013 with an opening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the History Center Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The event, hosted by the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will run through October 14, 2013. The History Center Gallery is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outer Bankers always support a good cause and the 15th Annual Penguin Plunge fundraising event is scheduled for Saturday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Outer Banks YMCA in Nags Head. Prizes will be awarded for Oldest Plunger, Youngest Plunger, Wackiest Costume and Highest Fundraising Total. With seasonal water temps averaging a teeth-chattering 50 degrees...Brrrr! Proceeds support the We Build People campaign which provides assistance to those unable to afford the YMCA's membership or programs for individuals or families. Registration is $25/person, $10 for children 12 or younger. Participants are encouraged to raise an additional $25 in sponsorship's. Registration includes lunch from Outback Steakhouse, a commemorative t-shirt and a frigid dive into the icy Atlantic with others crazy for the cause! For more information, call (252) 449-8897.

Beginning this Friday evening you have three more chances to see Theatre of Dare's latest play, the highly entertaining comedy Dearly Departed. If you've never attended a Theatre of Dare production, come out and try something new. I laughed my way through Sunday's matinee, so I can personally vouch for Dearly Departed. It's a winner! Performances will be at College of the Albemarle's Manteo Auditorium, Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3 with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets available at Gray's Department Store in Kitty Hawk and at the door prior to each performance. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students.

March is Women's History Month and, appropriately enough, there are several women's events taking place in the coming week. On Thursday, Feb. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the 2nd Annual Women's Heart Health Luncheon will take place at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head. As part of the Heart Truth speaking tour, Eliz Greene, the 2010 American Heart Association Hero, will discuss the health effects of women's hectic lives - juggling family, work, volunteering and more - and the importance of taking the time to take better care of yourself. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Call (800) 472-8500 to register. The event is free.

On Friday, March 1 come to Duck's Cottage Downtown Books in downtown Manteo between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and shop a great selection of books and toys while supporting Outer Banks Mommy & Me at the same time! Certainly no downside there! Downtown Books will donate 20% of profits from the day's sales to Outer Banks Mommy & Me as part of its Shop 'N Share promotion, a great way to give back, pay it forward, keep it coming or just show a great organization that you care.

The League of Women Voters celebrates Women's History Month beginning Friday, March 1 with a wine and cheese reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm., followed on Saturday, March 2nd, with a full day of activities centered around the history of women and voting and an impressive series of guest speakers. All events will be held at the Hilton Garden Pier House in Kitty Hawk. The $50 fee includes a buffet lunch and admission to all events. Contact Geri Sullivan at {encode="zbeach2@embarqmail.com" title="zbeach2@embarqmail.com"} or {encode="lwvdare@gmail.com" title="lwvdare@gmail.com"}, or call (252) 261-8874.

The inaugural OBX Women's Winter Expo, a free family-friendly event sponsored by Outer Banks Entrepreneurs, will be held Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza in Kill Devil Hills. The Expo will feature 53 vendors, including women artists, crafters, direct sales vendors, service providers and more. Nationally-known guest speaker, Camille Allen, will speak on the topic "Coastal Climate Change - It's All About Attitude." Raffle prizes will be drawn every ten minutes. For more information visit http://www.outerbanksentrepreneurs.com, contact Kim Twiddy at {encode="KIM182@aol.com" title="KIM182@aol.com"}, or Lindsey Truesdel, at {encode="LindseyMarieTruesdel@gmail.com" title="LindseyMarieTruesdel@gmail.com"}.

As part of the Whalehead Club's 2013 Piano Concert Series, Dr. Rachel Gragson will provide "The Feminine Touch," performing selections from three centuries of music composed by women beginning with an afternoon performance Sunday, March 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by an evening performance from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each performance includes an intermission. Refreshments will be available. Reservations are required. Seating is limited. Call (252) 453-9040 ext. 223 for tickets. Tickets are $20/person for the afternoon show; $25/person for the evening show.

Looking ahead, ladies, mark your calendars for Friday, March 8 and a woman-only art opening and dinner event hosted by the Dare County Arts Council and Full Moon Café in Manteo in recognition of International Women's Day. Tickets are $25/person and there are only 60 seats available. For more information contact Teuta Towler at {encode="towlerobx@gmail.com" title="towlerobx@gmail.com"}. More details to come next week.

Finally, here's something to help shake off the winter chill. Aqua Restaurant in Duck has partnered with Kinston, North Carolina's Mother Earth Brewing Company to bring you the Mother Earth Beer Dinner, an evening of fine food paired with great brews Wednesday, March 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m.! Menu items include fried cornmeal-dusted oysters, Gran Marsala-crusted Wild Irish Salmon, Dark Cloud-braised Beef Short Ribs, and more. At $49/person (not including tax and gratuity) it's a casual and affordable off-season evening of delicious food and drink! Begin your evening at the outside bar and then continue inside with a great dinner. I do believe I'm available that night. Just sayin'...

Outer Banks This Week Giveaway



This week you have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Ocean Annie's Craft Gallery and a $35 gift certificate to Full Moon Cafe & Brewery!

For more information about Ocean Annie's Craft Gallery, check out their website.

For more information about Full Moon Cafe & Brewery, check out their website.


Last Week's Winner

Congratulations to Deb Price!!!

You won a $50 gift certificate to Duck's Cottage Downtown Bookstore and a $35 gift certificate to Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar!

Outer Banks This Week Giveaway Winner













For more information about Duck's Cottage Downtown, check out their website.

For more information about Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar, 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.