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August 16, 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning author visits local bookstore and signs book Paul Harding, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, was vacationing on Hatteras Island last week. He stopped at Buxton Village Books and signed copies of his prize-winning book, "Tinkers." Signed copies are available, along with a photo of Harding signing the books. Call the store at 252-995-4240 or order from the website at www.buxtonvillagebooks.com. The prize winning novel, according to the description from the publisher, revolves around an old man who lies dying. “Propped up in his living room and surrounded by his children and grandchildren, George Washington Crosby drifts in and out of consciousness, back to the wonder and pain of his impoverished childhood in Maine. As the clock repairer’s time winds down, his memories intertwine with those of his father, an epileptic, itinerant peddler and his grandfather, a Methodist preacher beset by madness. At once heartbreaking and life affirming, “Tinkers” is an elegiac meditation on love, loss, illness, faith, and the fierce beauty of nature. June 30, 2011 State sales and use tax rate decreases on July 1 Effective July 1, 2011, the general state tax rate applicable to sales and purchases of tangible personal property, certain digital property, and certain services is 4.75 percent – a decrease of 1 percent. As a result, the general state and local tax rate will be 6.75 percent in eighty-two counties, including Dare and Hyde; 7 percent in Alexander, Catawba, Cumberland, Duplin, Haywood, Hertford, Lee, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Surry and Wilkes Counties, and 7.25 percent in Mecklenburg County. Effective July 1, the gross receipts derived from providing telecommunications service, ancillary service, and video programming in North Carolina and sales of spirituous liquor other than mixed beverages are subject to the "combined general rate" of 7 percent for all transactions sourced to North Carolina. The combined general rate is the state’s general rate plus the sum of the rates of local taxes authorized for every county in the state. Taxpayers who file Form E-500, Sales and Use Tax Return, should report taxable purchases for use and taxable receipts at the 4.75% general state rate on the existing returns. The department will not create and provide new returns for July, August, and September 2011. Taxpayers who file electronically should not encounter problems because of the decrease. Taxpayers who file Form E-500E, Utility and Liquor Sales and Use Tax Return, should report the tax liability on the existing returns. Prior to Aug. 1, 2011, a worksheet will be created and posted by the department on its website for use by taxpayers in completing Form E-500E returns for July, August, and September, 2011. The department will not create and provide new returns for these months. Questions about this notice should be directed to the Taxpayer Assistance and Collection Center at telephone number 1-877-252-3052 (toll-free). Plastic bag ban resumes on July 1 The ban on plastic bags at grocery stores and other businesses will resume Friday, July 1. The ban had been suspended after a tornado destroyed a Food Lion distribution center in Dunn that was a supplier for the chain's paper bags. The ban was enacted in 2009 for businesses on the Outer Banks of Currituck, Hyde and Dare counties. Its goal was to rid the scenic area of trash and help preserve marine animals in danger of choking on the bags. http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/sessionlaws/pdf/2011-2012/sl2011-47.pdf May 23, 2011  New sailing school and nautical
shop now
operating on OcracokeCapt. Rob Temple, who is well known to Ocracokers and regular visitors to the island, has opened the Windfall Sailing School. Temple sailed the Windfall on charters at Ocracoke for many years, and now does charters on his new boat, the Windfall II. He has been sailing for half a century and is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and a certified American Sailing School instructor. He often was asked about sailing lessons, so this year he started the Windfall Sailing School. He teaches on his 24-foot Rainbow sloop. The Rainbow was designed for the Annapolis Sailing School and is used by the U.S. Naval Academy for training cadets. Simplicity, safety, and comfort are the key features that have made this perhaps the most popular teaching boat in its size range worldwide. A basic beginner’s course is $150 per person and includes an hour of classroom instruction and four to five hours on the water and is usually conducted on two consecutive mornings. If you would rather be sailed around the waters of Ocracoke, Temple is still doing charters the Windfall II, a 32-foot Lazy Jack Schooner that can carry up to six passengers. Departing from the Community Store Dock in historic Ocracoke village, the boat sails out onto Pamlico Sound and visits Teach's Hole where the infamous pirate Blackbeard was beheaded in 1718. Daily sunset trips last an hour and a half and cost $40 per person. Windfall II is also available for private parties of up to six people. For all times other than sunset, the boat can be chartered for an hour for $25 per person, with a minimum rate of $100. A private hour and a half sunset cruise costs $240. The base of operations for the charters and the sailing school is the Black Schooner nautical shop located on the water at the Community Square in the heart of Ocracoke village and operated by Temple’s wife, Sundae Horn. This old island home houses a treasure trove of nautical gifts and décor, including artwork, ropework, scrimshaw, jewelry, reclaimed sail bags, and handcrafted items from the nautical tradition, as well as pottery, glassware, T-shirts, and much more. You can sign up for trips on the Windfall II and get information about the sailing school at the shop. For more information, call 252-928-SAIL (7245) or stop by the Black Schooner on the Community Square docks. May 16, 2011  Hurricane Shields has new rep on Hatteras
and OcracokeHurricane Shields, based in Beaufort, N.C., has a new representative on Hatteras Island. He is Charlie Barnett of Charlie Barnett Construction. The company custom builds and installs Hatteras hurricane panels, which is a strong interlocking panel system that protects doors and windows from the impact of flying debris. The company’s products also include other storm protection panels and traditional and Bahama shutters. For more information, call Barnett at 252-986-2542 or 252-305-1558 or e-mail him at cbconst@embarqmail.com. For more information on Hurricane Shields Systems, go to www.hurricaneshieldssystems.com.  Outer Banks Hospital has new presidentThe Outer Banks Hospital Board Chairman Bobby Owens announced that Ronnie Sloan has accepted the position of president of The Outer Banks Hospital. Sloan, currently the administrator of a critical access hospital as well as a vice-president within a regional healthcare system in western North Carolina, plans to be on board in mid-June. “I am very excited about Ronnie joining our organization,” said Owens. “He brings with him mature leadership and a dedication to excellence in patient care that will serve our hospital well.” Sloan, who holds a B.S. in health sciences from Medical University of South Carolina and an M.S. in health administration from Kennedy Western University, is the administrator in charge of the 25-bed Swain County Critical Access Hospital and Swain Medical Center. In addition, Sloan is the vice-president of support services for the MedWest Health System, a three-hospital system with campuses in four counties with 2,100 employee and 304 beds. “Clearly, Sloan is capable of managing multiple projects,” said Owens. “However, we were most impressed with the high scores he achieved in employee satisfaction – the highest in the Carolinas Healthcare System. These scores are indication that Sloan is a leader who inspires others.” “I am honored to join the staff, physicians and volunteers at The Outer Banks Hospital,” said Sloan, “and my family and I look forward to putting down roots here.” Sloan, and his wife, Jody, a respiratory therapist, have a 3-year-old son. The Outer Banks Hospital is a 21-bed, acute-care facility. It is a non-profit critical access hospital, the hospital is a partnership between University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The mission of The Outer Banks Hospital is to enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Dare County and the surrounding region by promoting wellness and providing the highest quality healthcare services. February 23, 2011 The Outer Banks SCORE Chapter seeks volunteers to serve as business mentors The Outer Banks SCORE chapter plans a business mentor recruitment luncheon on Friday, March 18, at noon at the Western Sizzlin restaurant in Kill Devil Hills. It is sponsored by Wachovia Bank. The program will present a quick overview of SCORE. Folks are invited to stop by for lunch and to meet the current counselors to see if being a SCORE volunteer would be a good match for them. SCORE, mentors to America's small business, is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and sponsored locally by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. SCORE seeks volunteers with any of the following:
February 16, 2011 Shore Details is participating in Cleaning For A Reason Shore Details has announced its partnership with Cleaning For A Reason. This nationwide organization provides professional cleaning services for cancer patients. Shore Details is the only partner in the Outer Banks area. “This is just another way Shore Details is committed to our community and helping others,” said co-owner Pam Stoffel. For more information about this worthwhile organization or to make a donation, please visit CleaningForAReason.org. Shore Details introduces new discount card program As a small business and members of the OBX Chamber of Commerce the owners of Shore Details, Inc., Pam and Rene Stoffel, have always seen the need to partner with other business owners in the Hatteras Island community. Both Pam and her husband Rene are very active in the community, so when they began the planning of the Shore Discount Card three years ago, it seemed like a perfect fit! The goal of the new program is to help promote island businesses and provide customers and guests with exceptional service, products, and savings and find a way that together businesses can give back to our the community. So after three years of planning and preparation, the Shore Discount Card and Project Giving Back are finally here! What is it? The Shore Discount Card is a card that visitors and guests will purchase locally and through the website to be used at participating businesses on Hatteras Island. Project Giving Back? At the end of each year half of all proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to one local non-profit. Business owners who participate in the program will be able to vote on the Shore Details Facebook page and decide which charity will receive the donation each year. Owners of vacation rental homes are helping too, with several providing cards to their guests as a way to say thank you! Visit www.shoredetails.com to see all participating businesses and purchase your own card. If you are a business owner who wants to be part of this new island effort to attract more customers and give back to the community, then call or click today. You will have your start-up packet right away. There is no charge for businesses to participate. The business will receive a free listing on the website, will be highlighted regularly on the Shore Details Facebook page, and receive its own free card to use at other participating businesses. All the business has to do is agree to provide a value savings or discount to each customer who presents the card. For more information, go online or call Shore Details at 252-995-0055. Hatteras Realty employees attend housekeeping seminar  Hatteras
Realty staff
members last month attended the largest VRHP (Vacation Rental
Housekeeping Professionals) educational seminar to learn latest trends
in vacation housekeeping. Hatteras Realty is an 11-year member of the
VRHP. “We believe that the cleanliness of our homes is of utmost importance when trying to deliver our rental guests with the greatest Hatteras Island vacation experience,” said marketing coordinator Abby Hooper. “With over 560 homes in our rental program, this can be a daunting task, but with organizations such as the VRHP, we stay educated on the most efficient tools and techniques to accomplish this over the course of our very long rental season.” Attending were vice-president Amy Helle; Wanda King, exec. housekeeper and 2007 Executive Housekeeper of the Year; Jeanie Midgette, Assistant Housekeeping Manager; George O’Neal, Property Manager; Mariana Palacios Ibarra , and eight-year laundry employee; Jennifer Herina, a 10-year housekeeping veteran, and Alan McNutt, a six-year housekeeping veteran. Hatteras Realty recognizes Kellie Mugford  In 2010, Hatteras Realty started a program to recognize staff members who stood out for their exceptional customer service. Staff members are nominated and voted on by the management team. The staff member who is selected receives a certificate and has his or her name added to a plaque, as well as a half day off with pay. The selection for December was Kellie Mugford, a member of the reservations team. In recognizing Mugford, the company said: “She was recognized because she learns quickly and has taken on wedding team responsibilities well. She is always willing to help anyone in need and steps in to get the job done whether it is her task or just something to help others. She has a great personality and is always seen around the office with a smile on her face. She is a key greeter in the office at the front desk, which really helps set a great tone for anyone who walks in the front door. We want to thank Kellie for her outstanding positive attitude and hard work.” Chamber seeks volunteers for Hatteras/Ocracoke Council The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce’s Hatteras/Ocracoke Island Council is dedicated to organizing island businesses in order to further develop and promote economic, environmental, and cultural treasures. As an extension of the Outer Banks chamber, the Hatteras/Ocracoke Island, the council offers the business community the resources to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. The Hatteras/Ocracoke Island Council is looking for volunteers to assist with programs and projects of the following committees: Hatteras/Ocracoke Island Council Chair: Daphne Bennink, owner, Back Porch Restaurant, Ocracoke Village Community Affairs: Chair, Grace Souter. Cultivate a social community on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands through special events and programs. Recreation outreach for Hatteras/Ocracoke Island youth Economic Affairs: Chair, Joe Thompson Legislative Affairs: Chair, Barrett Bodiford. Identifying legislative concerns that affect businesses; recommending actions or positions to the chamber Board of Directors Organizational Affairs: Chair, Rose Vinci. To create awareness of the presence of the Hatteras/Ocracoke Island Council and identify issues of importance to the business community and address these issues with the Council. Ensure the creation of the appropriate programs and relationships to help businesses effectively use the community and council to increase visibility and grow their business. New member services, retention of current members, liaison between businesses and the Council, networking, ribbon cutting ceremonies and serve as a referral source. Develop an Ambassador program – a team of future council members. Promotional Affairs: Chair, Rhonda Roughton. Maintain listings of Hatteras and Ocracoke island events for posting on the chamber’s website Calendar of Events; produce an annual print calendar of local events. If you are interested in further information on these committees or wish to volunteer, please contact Sue Carroll at the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce at: src@outer-banks.com. Your name and e-mail address will be forwarded to the appropriate chairperson for follow-up. 
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