Category: News

We are happy to report two successful work days at Portsmouth and a well-attended spring meeting as well.  It has been a busy time for the FPI board of directors, members, and volunteers.

On Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15, a hardy group of volunteers descended on Portsmouth Village to begin some fun work!  Our projects were a deep cleaning of the interior of the church, painting of the Visitor’s Center porch and trim, and the repair and painting of the Babb Cemetery fence. We were also able to accomplish cleaning windows at the lifesaving station and some painting of the McWilliams/Dixon house fence and porch railings.  Special thanks go to Ernie Penley, Kathy McNeilly, Gregory Gilgo, Ann Shipstedt, Suzanne McWilliams, Jim Mink, Evelyn Mink, Phelps Forrest, Sharon Forrest, Keith Webber, Jean Webber, and Nancy White for all their time and efforts.  We appreciate Captain Rudy Austin getting us over and back two days in a row, and VIP’s Ed and Rene Burgess who helped us organize, served us lunch on Friday and made sure we didn’t run amuck…

On April 28 and 29, work projects, repairs and “spring cleaning” were accomplished at the Henry Pigott house by Richard Meissner, Marjorie Spruill, Dallas Spruill, Pat Austin, and Rudy Austin.   We can’t help but think that Henry and Lizzie Pigott would be very pleased.  Thanks to these folks and to Ed and Rene Burgess as well.  Henry’s House continues to be an ongoing project dear to the hearts of all of us.

Our spring meeting at Ocracoke on May 16 was attended by 50 people and a good time was had by all, despite a delay due to a malfunctioning oven.  A highlight of the meeting was a special presentation to Kenneth E. Burke, Jr., who has done important historical research on Portsmouth, including his 1958  “THE HISTORY OF PORTSMOUTH, NORTH CAROLINA, FROM ITS FOUNDING IN 1753 TO ITS EVACUATION IN THE FACE OF FEDERAL FORCES IN 1861.”   We were honored to have the Burke family in attendance as we presented a special plaque to Mr. Burke and we enjoyed his remarks very much.   In addition, Glenn and Brenda White, Portsmouth volunteers, shared their Portsmouth photos and experiences at Portsmouth.  We thank them for their time and efforts!  Steve Neshkoff, VIP Coordinator for Cape Lookout National Seashore, represented the Park in his remarks and update on Portsmouth.  We had a lot of first-time attendees and added some new members.  Special thanks to so many people who helped us in many ways – Nancy White, Sharon Forrest, Phelps Forrest, Evelyn Mink, Marjorie Spruill, Leonard and Johanna Huber, Ann Shipstedt,  Suzanne McWilliams, and those who helped prepare food for the brunch.  Everyone’s love for Portsmouth has been very evident the past few days, and we feel good about things to come as we continue partnering with the NPS to preserve this special place.

 

We are looking forward to a great time at Ocracoke and Portsmouth next week.  Several hardy FPI volunteers will be working at Portsmouth May 14 and 15 on several projects – the Babb Cemetery, the Visitor’s Center, and the cleaning of the inside of the church.  We are grateful to the NPS for having the church stabilized and straightened, and we are going in to get her cleaned up inside so she may greet her summer visitors!   Several of our members have already been over to open up Henry Pigott’s house for the season, making necessary repairs and “spring cleaning.”  The fun continues with FPI’s spring meeting at Ocracoke on May 16 at the Community Center.  Scroll down for further information on the meeting or click on our Events link.  We hope to see lots of you there at the meeting!  It is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Members should be receiving their Spring 2015 Doctor’s Creek Journal now.  Featured in this issue are your board of directors, work day plans for Henry’s House, preliminary Homecoming information, and information on the spring meeting to be held at Ocracoke on May 16.  We encourage you to become a member if you truly want to help us preserve this wonderful place and if you want to receive the DCJ.

FPI’s spring meeting will be held at the Ocracoke Community Center on Saturday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m.  Shuttle service will be available for those walking off and back on the Cedar Island/Swan Quarter ferries.  We will be serving a brunch before the meeting starts, so come hungry!  Special speakers for the meeting will be Glenn and Brenda White, Portsmouth volunteers who will share with us their stories and experiences while helping take care of the village.  The meeting is open to the public and we hope anyone visiting Ocracoke that weekend will join us!

Happy first birthday to FPI’s Facebook page!  Please click on the Facebook button to your right and help us celebrate by scrolling through and checking out our FB posts throughout the past year – full of Portsmouth photos and memories.  Happy birthday to us!

 

The FPI Board of Directors will be meeting on January 24 to begin planning for the next two years.  We would really appreciate your input as we work on membership meetings, Homecoming, projects, etc.  If you would like to get more involved in FPI, please contact Rosanne Penley at Rosanne.Penley@gmail.com or at 828-439-5424 (cell after 7:00 PM) or at 828-433-4458 (home after 7:00 PM), by mail at 3474 Crestwood Drive, Morganton, NC 28655 – or you may contact anyone on our board.  We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions to help us in our mission of preserving the history and heritage of Portsmouth.

Be sure to click on the tab at the right to check out our Facebook page for some wonderful pictures and information about Portsmouth and FPI.  And don’t forget to check out our photo gallery for some great pictures of Homecoming, meetings, etc.

Membership renewal forms were sent in the last issue of the Doctor’s Creek Journal.  Please remember to keep your membership up to date.  This helps us with postage so we don’t have to send reminder letters, and it also ensures that you receive the Doctor’s Creek Journal and don’t miss any issues.  Thank you!

Merry Christmas to all from the Friends of Portsmouth Island!  We appreciate your support and look forward to a great 2015.

 

Members should be receiving their Doctor’s Creek Journal this week. This goes only to members, so join today to be sure not to miss an issue!  Click on the “About” tab above for a printable membership form.

 

 

Waterfowl Weekend, held December 6-7 at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, was represented by FPI members who staffed our booth in the “Down East Communities” section of the museum.  Rain on Saturday and strong winds on Sunday did not keep visitors away.  A highlight of our display was the Portsmouth Christmas Tree complete with popcorn, candy canes, real candles and reproduction ornaments from Portsmouth.  Special thanks to Marjorie and Dallas Spruill, Rudy and Pat Austin, Hazel Arthur, and Richard Meissner who represented us.

If you plan to be Down East the first weekend in December, be sure to stop in to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum at Harkers Island and visit the FPI booth!  We will be located upstairs both days, December 6th and 7th.  Come by and meet our folks, learn more about FPI and Portsmouth, or just say hello!  Hope to see you there!