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Last weekend was very special indeed. We counted at least 430 people who attended Homecoming, and those are only the ones we could match up with the register and our own memories of who we saw. But it’s not about the numbers, it’s about the sweet spirit of Portsmouth families coming together to remember home and family. And they are gracious enough to share this with those who aren’t “family,” but who want to help preserve this precious place.

The day started early with the first boats leaving Ocracoke at 7:00 a.m. Thanks to Rudy, Pat, Donald and Wade Austin for coordination of the transportation and procuring the golf carts for use that day. Our loaders at the dock stayed very busy! Everyone toured the Descendant Tent, the post office and the t-shirt table before heading down to the church and the school. Thanks to Nancy White and Cindy Austin for manning the t-shirt table and to Deanie and Myron Jones for helping with the notecards and postcards. Gaye McKeithan and Jean Webber were two descendants with wonderful displays to share and helped man the tent. Marjorie Spruill and Richard Meissner were there to welcome new FPI members and hand out membership packets, and to sell raffle tickets for door prizes. Jeanne Robertson of Oriental was on hand to greet visitors at the Visitor Center. On down the path Leonard and Johanna Huber and Glenn and Brenda White helped register folks and hand out the now-famous homecoming pin. It wasn’t long before our folks were delivering coolers of food to the food tent, and Doris Stein, Sharon Forrest, Margaret Jennette , Jeanne Robertson, Johanna Huber, Jason Jennette, Evelyn Mink and Rachel Pierson stayed busy unloading coolers and setting the food out! We thank these folks for what is probably the hardest job during homecoming. The line was long but it moved quickly due to the great set up by these folks!

For those arriving in time, the christening service in the church was a very special event. Reverend Ivey Belch of the Ocracoke Assembly of God and Revered Richard Bryant each christened a child using holy water from the Jordan River furnished by Chester Lynn. Chester also decorated the church and provided the flowers for the special event.

Afterward Connie Mason led the hymn singing in the church and there were not many dry eyes in the house. The accapella singing was beautiful and just added to the glorious day.

Jim White, author and Portsmouth descendant, emceed the program under the tent. Rosanne Penley, President, welcomed the group and called for the number of first time visitors and the number of FPI members. The families of Portsmouth were recognized by Jim White during the roll call of families, as each family member stood up when the names were called. Reverend Ivey Belch presented the Reflection. Pat Kenney, Superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore, spoke to the group and received a plaque from FPI in honor of CALO’s 50th anniversary and the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. Connie Mason’s traditional singing of Marian’s Song was very special to a lot of people.

Charles Boardley, a descendant of the Pigott family, was the happy winner of the special quilt made especially for Homecoming by the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club! James Barrie Gaskill was the winner of the beautiful canvas painting donated by Connie Mason.

It was fun to see the kids at Homecoming and watch some of them playing croquet, provided by the CALO staff. We were pleased to see former CALO Superintendet Bob Vogel (now Superintendent over the National Mall in
Washington DC) and his wife Janice, and Rebecca Harriet (current Superintendent of Harpers Ferry National Park) and family in attendance, as well as many Park employees, current and past, who were there to help out.

Suzanne McWilliams and Robert McWilliams were available at the lifesaving station to welcome visitors, Wouter Ketel was at the Washington Roberts House, and Elaine Clark greeted visitors at Henry Pigott’s house. We appreciate them doing this.

We can’t thank enough those who drove the gators and golf carts to haul food and people thoughout the village all day, and those who loaded and unloaded the seemingly endless coolers of food. These folks are Wouter Ketel, Keith Webber, George Stein, Lee McKeithan, Bobby Hill, Julius Coronel, Jason Jennette, Phelps Forrest, and Gregory Gilgo.

Delores Gaskins helped in many areas, including conducting interviews with visitors. Hazel Arthur handed out programs for us and Ann Ehringhaus took the famous group photo of all who gathered around the church. Frances Eubanks took pictures for us which we hope will be uploaded to our Photo Gallery very soon.

Many of the people mentioned above also worked at Portsmouth the 2 days before Homecoming to ready the village and to begin work on the Carl Dixon house in preparation of a future painting date. Thanks to Phelps Forrest, Jim White, Leonard Huber and Julius Coronel for the prep work they did on the house, and all those who helped set up tents, swept out and cleaned houses, cleaned the church, prepared lunch for two days, and got everything in order for the special day.

Our very special thanks to the Homecoming Committee, chaired by FPI Vice President Kathy McNeilly, and Ed & Rene Burgess and Jim & Nancy White. They have worked on this for over a year and their time and efforts are much appreciated. We thank BG Horvat of CALO for his involvement with the committee on behalf of the Park, as well as Pat Kenney and all the staff at CALO. We appreciate the help of the Ocracoke Preservation Society and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum for their support and efforts in several areas.

It was a wonderful day! If you were there we are glad you were, and if not, we hope you will come to the next Homecoming in 2018. The date has not been set yet but we will announce it once it is finalized.