News

Thanks to all who attended our May 20 meeting at NCCAT! It was a great day and we counted 50 in attendance. Special guests were Dr. Erin Seekamp of NC State University, Acting Superintendent of CALO, Jeff West, and author Ray McAllister, the new editor of the Doctor’s Creek Journal. We surprised Dave Frum, NPS, with a special plaque thanking him for his 28 years of service working at Portsmouth Village. The late Ellen Cloud’s book, Portsmouth – The Way It Was, has been republished and was presented at the meeting. Ellen’s daughters, Simona and Deidra, were on hand to sign the books along with Ray McAllister, the publisher. After door prizes, lunch was served on the outside deck.

FPI’s next meeting will be September 16 at the Sanitary Restaurant at Morehead City. The meeting starts at 10:00 with a Dutch treat lunch after the meeting. Hope to see you there!

Make plans to join us on Saturday, May 20, for our spring meeting at Ocracoke. We will meet at the NCCAT facility down by the ferry dock at 10:00 am. Dr. Erin Seekamp of NC State University will present the survey results regarding member input for Portsmouth Village and Cape Lookout Village. Also attending will be Jeff West, Interim Superintendent of CALO, who will update us on Portsmouth and CALO. Also meet author Ray McAllister, the new editor of the Doctor’s Creek Journal. You do not have to be a member to attend – all are welcome!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Members can start looking for their Doctor’s Creek Journal in the next week or so. In the meantime, we wish you a safe and happy holiday with all God’s blessings.

Wishing all our readers and members a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We are truly blessed!

Portsmouth Village reopened today! We are indeed grateful there was no major damage. The beach north to the village is open also, so good news all around!

Portsmouth Village remains closed until Park officials can get up there to do their assessment. We are, of course, praying there has been no serious damage and will post as soon as we hear something.

We had a great fall meeting this past Saturday at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum with 46 people signed in. We enjoyed presentations by Pat Kenney, Superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Kenneth Burke, a true Portsmouth historian. All in attendance received a printed copy of Mr. Burke’s thesis, considered to be one of the most important documents chronicling the history of Portsmouth. Special thanks to our members who pitched in to prepare and serve the food, sell t-shirts and books, man the registration and membership tables, and tear down tables and chairs while cleaning up. Elections were held during this meeting and we are pleased to report that the current board members will remain the same for the 2017-2018 term. Marjorie Spruill was presented with a special Lifetime Membership during the meeting. Several door prizes were awarded and after the meeting adjourned we enjoyed a delicious lunch of sandwiches, clam chowder and homemade desserts. Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Ocracoke. Plan to join us!

Plan to join us Saturday, September 17, for our fall membership meeting. It will be held at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum at Harkers Island beginning at 10:00 a.m. We will hold our elections for the next two-year term, and Kenneth Burke of
Washington, DC will be speaking to us on “Knotty Problems and Loose Ends” of Portsmouth history. Pat Kenney, Superintendent of CLNS, will update us on Portsmouth and what’s happening in the Park. You do not have to be a member to attend and all are welcome!

Have a safe and happy 4th as we celebrate our nation’s independence! Stay tuned for details of our fall meeting on September 17 which will be posted soon.

The Friends of Portsmouth Island would like to wish all a Happy Memorial Day! May we always remember the sacrifices and service of our military and law enforcement who have kept us safe, especially those who have lost their lives defending our freedom. You are never forgotten!