Wright Brothers’ First Flight 108th Anniversary Event, December 17th

Photo Credits: NPS

National Park Service News Release
Release Date: December 8, 2011
Contact: Wright Brothers National Memorial, 252-441-7430

Wright Brothers’ First Flight Achievement Celebrated on December 17 108th Anniversary Event Scheduled at Wright Brothers National Memorial

On Saturday, December 17, 2011 the First Flight Society and the National Park Service will continue the tradition of honoring the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright at the 108th anniversary celebration of the first heavier-than-air powered flight. The theme of this year’s celebration is 100 years of Naval Aviation. The event will take place at Wright Brothers National Memorial; park entrance fees will be waived for the day.

The observance will launch at 8:30 a.m. with a patriotic musical prelude by the Northeastern High School Band from Elizabeth City, NC. The formal program begins at 9 a.m. in the First Flight Pavilion, with opening marks from the President of the First Flight Society Geneva Perry, followed by the Presentation of Color by the U.S. Coast Guard Cape Hatteras Group.

Nags Head Elementary School students participating in the Wright Flight academic achievement program will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Zene Fearing, 1st Vice President of the First Flight Society, will introduce this year’s guest speaker, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, U.S. Navy, Director of the Joint Staff, The Pentagon. Peter Jakab, Associate Director, Division of Aeronautics, Smithsonian Institute will pay tribute to David Sinton Ingalls this year’s inductee into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine. David Ingalls was the first and only Navy flyer in World War I. Flying Sopwith Camel planes, Ingalls scored six air victories to become the Navy’s first ace.

A Naval Aviation Flyover will pay tribute to the Wright brothers and the Centennial of Naval Aviation starting at 10:35 a.m. - the documented time of the Wrights’ first flight.

At 11:00 a.m. there will be a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the Wright Brothers and the witnesses of the first flight at the location where the flight occurred in 1903. This program segment will start at the Wright Brothers Visitor Center.

At 11:15 a.m. a General Aviation Flyover will pay tribute to the Wright brothers and their achievements.

The park’s museum exhibits and activities throughout the day will provide an atmosphere of enjoyable learning about one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. The visitor center will open at 8 a.m. Flight Room Talk programs will take place at the visitor center at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Children are invited to participate in the park’s Junior Ranger program.

For more information, call the National Park Service at (252) 441-7430.

-NPS-

Holiday Craft Show, 11/25-11/26, Buxton, NC

Do your holiday shopping at the Hatteras Island Arts & Crafts Show!

The 2011 show is being held Friday, 11/25 and Saturday, 11/26 from 10am-4pm at the Cape Hatteras Secondary School located on Hwy 12 in Buxton.

Admission is free! Shop 50+ local artists to find all kinds of goodies to stuff in stockings or put under the tree! Don't forget to get yourself something while there, too!! :)

See you there!

www.cheerforhatteras.org

I recently received an email from one of our advertising contacts about a fundraising effort to help needy families on Hatteras during the holidays. His blog is http://www.blog.openvacationweeks.com/ which offers more details and a link to the site, which is http://www.cheerforhatteras.org/ .

His kids put it together to try to help Hatteras Island families hit hard by Hurricane Irene. I think it's a great cause and a great way to spread cheer to so family downtrodden families this Christmas season.

I thought it was great information and very worth sharing...

A Salute to Our Veterans and Armed Forces, November 12, 2011

Join us for this awesome event to celebrate and honor our Veterans and Armed Forces.  It's a chance for us to support them and show just how much they mean to us!  My parents, Billy and Marsha, have worked tirelessly to make this happen.  My dad is a Vietnam Veteran and one of the most, if not the most, patriotic man I know.  He definitely is my hero. :)

So come celebrate with us!  We'll be there!!

Writer Does Article on Serendipity

We were recently contacted by a writer who was in the area post Hurricane Irene.  We were so pleased to have some interest in our area with the potential for positive reporting!

She was inquiring about the infamous Serendipity and how she weathered the storm.  She was intrigued like so many others about the home and prepared the following article:

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-692329

Thank you, Penelope!!

NPS Announces Fall Visitor Center/Lighthouse Hours and Program Schedule

National Park Service News Release

Release Date: August 22, 2011
Contact: Outer Banks Group
Phone: (252) 473-2111

National Park Service Announces Fall Visitor Center/Lighthouse Hours and Program Schedule

The parks of the National Park Service Outer Banks Group (Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Cape Hatteras National Seashore) will soon begin a fall schedule of interpretive programs and hours of operation for the parks’ visitor centers and the Cape Hatteras National Lighthouse.

Starting September 6th, visitor centers at all park sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be open for climbing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; tickets are sold from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children must be at least 42” tall to climb the lighthouse. The last day to climb the lighthouse is October 10th.

During the fall season, the Outer Banks Group parks will offer a variety of ranger-led programs. All programs are free.

From August 21st to October 30th, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site will be offering a program at the Earthen Fort on the History of Roanoke Island every day at 1 p.m. This program will be offered as staff is available and weather permitting. By completing a booklet and attending a program, kids can become a Junior Roanoke Ranger. Booklets are free and available at the visitor center.

From August 21st to October 30th at the Wright Brothers National Memorial learn about the Wright brothers, their flight experimentation, and their success by attending a Flight Room Talk at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m. daily. By completing a booklet and attending one program, kids can become a Junior Flight Ranger. Booklets are free and available at the visitor center.

Programs are offered on all three island areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

From August 21st to October 10th, there are three programs offered at the Bodie Island Visitor Center. The Bodie Island Marsh Discovery Walk (1 hour) is offered Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., the Graveyard of the Atlantic talk is offered on Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m., and the Sentinel of the Shore (30 minutes) is offered on Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. and Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 11 am.

The summer program schedule will be in effect on Hatteras Island through September 5th—check the park website for program information, www.nps.gov/caha. From September 6th to October 10th there will be three 30-minute programs offered daily at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pavilion; Outer Banks History at 11:30 a.m., Barrier Island Nature at 2:30 p.m., and Sentinel of the Shore at 3:30 p.m. Beach Walk is offered at 10 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (1 hour), meet at the Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site. Morning Bird Walk is offered on Tuesday at 8 a.m. (1 hour), meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44.

From August 21st to October 10th, there are four 30-minute programs offered at the Ocracoke Island Visitor Center; Barrier Island Nature is offered Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m., Ocracoke History is offered Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m. The 1 hour Morning Bird Walk is offered Thursday at 9 a.m., meet at the parking lot across from the Hatteras ferry dock The 30-minute Banker Ponies program is offered Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m., meet at the Pony Pens.

By attending programs and completing a workbook, kids can become a Seashore Ranger. Booklets are free and available at any seashore visitor center.

-NPS-

National Park Service Founders Day - Thursday, August 25, 2011

Photo Credit - NPS

National Park Service News Release

FOR RELEASE: August 18, 2011
CONTACT: Cyndy Holda, Public Affairs Specialist, 252-473-2111 ext. 148

Visit Your National Parks! National Park Service Founders Day is Thursday, August 25

Thursday, August 25, 2011 is National Park Service Founders Day and National Park Service Outer Banks Group Superintendent Mike Murray invites the public to experience their national parks across the country and those here on the Outer Banks; Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial. Special Founders Day programs will be offered at each site.

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, creating the National Park Service. The purpose of the Service, as identified in the Act is "... to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Founders Day is celebrated each year on August 25 in all of America's national parks to honor the creation of the National Park Service.

“I invite you to explore our Outer Banks Group parks” stated Murray.  “Whether you seek active recreation, quiet reflection, or opportunities to learn more about our natural and cultural resources, our parks offer exceptional experiences.”

On Founders Day, you can attend programs and learn of how our world was changed by two brothers at Wright Brothers National Memorial. Take time to enjoy Cape Hatteras National Seashore ocean and soundside beaches – take in their natural beauty and sounds. You can hike trails at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, not only for exercise, but as an exploration through the same woodlands traveled by our country’s first English visitors.

Special Founder Day programs being offered include:

Meanings of the National Park Service - Join us for an interactive program on the history of the National Park Service and the significance of the National Park Service Arrowhead - 11 a.m. at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island Visitor Centers, and 2 p.m. at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Hatteras Island Visitor Center, Wright Brothers National Memorial Pavilion, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Visitor Center.

First National Seashore Beach Walk - Join a park ranger for a special beach walk that celebrates the founding of the National Park Service while enjoying the beaches of our nation’s first national seashore! - 3 p.m. at Bodie Island-Coquina Beach adjacent to Ramp #2, Hatteras Island-Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Old Lighthouse Site, and Ocracoke Island-beach parking lot across from the Pony Pens.

Kids are invited to participate in each park’s Junior Ranger program and earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing a workbook and attending programs.  “Becoming a Junior Ranger is a fun way for children to explore and learn more about our national parks and how they can help protect these important sites,” stated Murray.

Along the Outer Banks, children can actually become three different kinds of junior rangers: a Seashore Ranger at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a Flight Ranger at Wright Brothers National Memorial, and a Roanoke Ranger at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Just go to the visitor centers located at these national park sites, and pick up a Junior Ranger booklet to get started.

Children can also become a Fort Raleigh Web Ranger and earn a Junior Ranger badge through the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/fora. Children just need to print out the worksheets, fill them in with the answers and mail the worksheets to the park.

Children who cannot visit a national park site in person are invited to take part in the national “WebRangers” activities at www.nps.gov/webrangers. On WebRangers, kids can explore more than 40 activities, view park webcams, and share their park stories and pictures.

For a fun and free way for everyone to learn more about the National Park Service on Founders Day, you can take a free on-line course titled Introduction to the National Park Service: Its History and Mission. This 30-40 minute course is designed for anyone who has an interest in the National Park Service. Completion of this course can provide teachers with 0.12 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits.

The national park system has been described as “the best idea America ever had.” National parks preserve majestic natural wonders. They keep watch over valued sites and artifacts of our American culture. National park sites offer recreation and discovery in some of the most unique areas of our country’s landscape.

For more information, call 252-473-2111 or visit the park websites at www.nps.gov/caha, www.nps.gov/wrbr, and www.nps.gov/fora.

-NPS-