When Gov. Josh Stein inducted the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Director and nine others June 25 into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state, Amspacher didn’t tell a soul.
culture and history
Hatteras Village, long sparsely inhabited, retains quiet charm
Historic Hatteras Village is a popular destination for tourists and North Carolinians alike, yet its residents and the National Park Service help to maintain its adaptive, peaceful character.
Our Coast: Remembering Betty Town
Historian David Cecelski has “devoted a fair bit” of historical research to the people of Betty Town, how their land was taken, and how the community’s people were driven out of their homes to make room for the new town of Aurora, but there is much he doesn’t know.
How coastal Carolina shaped 20th-century poet AR Ammons
A.R. Ammons, the heralded, mid-20th century poet was known as “Archie” during his formative years working the family farm in Columbus County.
Indigenous advocate Gray Parsons to speak in Morehead City
Indigenous advocate and author Gray Michael Parsons of Frisco is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at Promise Land Market about the “Balance, Resilience, and Indigenous Wisdom.”
Shrimp fry to honor local, western NC first responders
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island is giving special recognition during its annual Fourth of July shrimp fry Saturday to the Crystal Coast Water Rescue Team that helped during Helene response in late 2024 and the Black Mountain Fire Department.
Groups dedicate marker for historically Black fairgrounds
A William G. Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage marker recognizing the Atlantic District Fairgrounds, founded by people of color in 1920, was dedicated last month as part of a Juneteenth celebration in Ahoskie.
Rik Freeman’s art examines America’s segregated beaches
An exhibit opening this weekend in Jacksonville features paintings by artist Rik Freeman of Washington, D.C., that depict stories of African American beach communities during the Jim Crow era.
Core Sound shrimp fry set for July 5 on Harkers Island
This year’s annual shrimp fry and bake sale hosted by the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island is set for July 5 and will honor military service members, veterans, and frontline personnel.
Fort Fisher Historic Site to resume summer artillery program
The program June 21 at the site in Kure Beach will feature 19th-century artillery demonstrations, living history and displays.
‘Tater Day’ June 18, part of Island Farm historic food series
“Tater Day” is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 at Island Farm, a living history site in Manteo that gives glimpse into life in the 1850s on Roanoke Island.
Opera’s Selby to perform during Juneteenth event in Manteo
The Pea Island Preservation Society is commemorating Juneteenth with a performance in Manteo by professional opera singer Tshombe Selby at 6 p.m. June 19.
Highway marker to feature NC’s first farm life school
Craven County Farm Life School in Vanceboro, the first farm life school in the state, is being commemorated with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.
Longtime Outer Banks fish house opens doors to new facility
Jeffrey’s Seafood has a new facility in Hatteras Village that houses equipment to process fresh seafood, a retail store and plans are underway for a small restaurant that will feature local catch.
Ocean City’s culinary traditions a beacon in turbulent past
Ocean City’s two community cookbooks are filled with recipes from families that spent their summers in the beach neighborhood on Topsail Island where Black residents could own property in the 1950s.
Coastal Cohorts cast off for 40th season with Carson tribute
Don Dixon, Jim Wann and Bland Simpson, collectively known as the Coastal Cohorts, are bringing “King Mackerel and the Blues Are Running” back for its 40th year and debuting their musical homage to Rachel Carson.

















