HATTERAS ISLAND — Try painting, food tasting, or hearing about “the good ol’ days” on Hatteras Island at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in July. The Meekins Chandlery Gift Shop and Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum are sponsors.
Award winning writer Ray McAllister, Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist, will reflect on his family’s annual visits to the island more than 25 years ago and relate entries from his new book, “Hatteras Island: Keeper of the Outer Banks” on July 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Although fast food restaurants, strip malls and beach-dominating duplexes have sprung up, much about the island has remained the same. Storm buffeted Hatteras has kept its soul. McAllister will tell stories of charter fishing, Billy Mitchell, U-Boats, the paving of Route 12 and the building of Oregon Inlet Bridge. He will relate how weather and the rugged people of the island have influenced the community.
Cast your vote at the Hatteras Island Methodist Cookbook Challenge on July 16, 12 noon-2 p.m. Two new cookbooks, “Kinnakeet Kitchens,” by St. John’s United Church Women in Avon, and “Keeping the Faith Recipes & Stories of the Windows,” by the Hatteras United Methodist Church family and friends, will offer favorite recipes and tasty samples. It’s a rare opportunity to meet local authors and try real Hatteras cuisine.
North Carolina watercolorist Jim Wordsworth will teach a Beginner’s Watercolor Painting Class on July 23, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The $25 registration fee includes a painting kit and lunch. There will be an overview of watercolor painting with a focus on good composition and tips to get a painting underway. Wordsworth will present a one-man show from 2:30-4 p.m. Participates must bring a small landscape picture, be aged 12 or older, and register with the museum at (252) 986-2995.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located next to Ferry’s Dock in Hatteras, presents the maritime heritage and history of shipwrecks of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is part of the Division of State History Museums within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. Now podcasting 24/7 with information about the Department of Cultural Resources, all available at www.ncculture.com.