Happy Birthday Nags Head

Much belated, due to the fact that grad school courses at 52 years old are much harder than grad school classes at 23 years old. I apologize for the dearth of posts...

So, on June 13th, the day before Nags Head official 48th birthday as a duly organized municipality under North Carolina law, Nags Head celebrated their birthday. On the second floor of the Nags Head Town Complex, a small celebration took place on the outside deck.

Each year, the Citizens Advisory Committee, of which I am Vice-Chairman, chooses three award recipients. The first is the "Lightkeeper Award", which recognizes an individual who has contributed to the betterment of the Town of Nags Head. The second is the Old Nags Head Style Architectural Award", which recognizes new homes and remodeled homes that reflect the old "Nags Head Style" residential architecture...the type you see in our Historic District on the ocean front area. The final award is the "Community Appearance Award", a more broadly defined category that incorporates not only architecture, but landscape, signage, and the manner in which the building blends into its surroundings and is awarded to commercial structures.

After opening remarks by Mayor Renee Cahoon, celebrated local artist Glenn Eure of the Ghost Fleet Gallery introduced and announced the winner of the Lightkeeper award. Glen is one of my dearest friends, a longtime Rotarian, he and I took to one another immediately, and I love him and his wife, Pat as I would any family member. Mushiness aside, Glenn introduced the winner of this year's Lightkeeper Award, John Harris, founder and owner of Kitty Hawk Kites.



Harris has put Nags Head, in particular, Jockey's Ridge on the map with his dedication to all things natural...Hang Gliding, Kiteboarding, Kiting, Parasailing and other wind-borne activities. Harris is the latest in a long line of recipients, which include our first mayor, Carl Nunnemaker, a later mayor, Don Byran, and restauranteur Mike Kelley.

Harris accepted the award with grace, but impressed me by the fact he used the opportunithy to make a pitch for a focus on restoring and saving our beaches. As all local's know, beach nourishment is an emotional issue and one many people are afraid to broach in public. Kudo's to John Harris for his courage and resolve.

Next up was John Ratzenberger, another close friend and Chairman of the Nags Head Citizens Advisory Commission. He awarded the "Old Style Nags Head Architecture Award" to the Rascoe family, for their oceanfront home at 3801 South Virginia Dare Trail.

The award was all the more interesting since their son, Peter, pictured in the middle of this picture, was a member of the Nags Head Citizen's Advisory Committee and led the charge for this award. In addition, he was active in the origins and maintenance of the Edenton Historical District.

The Community Appearance Award went to the Oasis Suites on the "causeway" at 7721 S Virginia Dare Trail.

Random photos..here is Interim Town Manager Cliff Ogburn and Deputy Town Clerk Michelle Gray enjoying the festivities. Both of these folks are among the best public servants you will find anywhere in any town.

From left to right, Mike & Willo Kelley, J.P. Rascoe, Peter Rascoe, "Budgie" Sadler, and Mrs. J.P. Rascoe...

Next, John Ratzenberger, CAC Chairman, Glenn Eure (past Lightkeeper Award winner), Mrs. Don Byran and Mayor Don Bryan (another past Lightkeeper Award winner) and former Mayor Bob Muller trying out his new digitial video recorder, the results of which can be seen here.


And finally, two of my favorite people...former Mayor Bob Muller and current Mayor Renee Cahoon, who between the two of them have...er.... a lot of public service as elected officials!