Tuesday, October 18, 2005

From 14 Months to 96 Years

Like so many gatherings on Ocracoke, Saturday's pot luck dinner at the Senseney's was intergenerational. Lachlan was toddling around flirting with just about everyone, of course. He just celebrated his first birthday in August. And nonagenarian Ann Scarborough was there, too, enjoying food and fellowship.

About 35 folks brought casseroles, beans, coleslaw, grilled fresh fish, deviled eggs, fruit, pies, & cakes. Every decade was represented and the house and porches were teeming with activity and conversation.

Not only are Ocracoke get-togethers so often intergenerational, they are also class neutral. In fact the island has virtually no class consciousness. It's one of the things that makes this such a fun place to live. Fishermen, doctors, carpenters, waitresses, clergy, shopkeepers, cleaners....we might be natives or short-term residents, live in a 6-bedroom house or in a converted shed, have a Ph.D. or be largely self-educated (you won't be able to tell by someone's job!). We all interact daily, sharing stories, discussing politics, borrowing tools, helping each other out. This is what island life is all about.

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the Old August Storm of 1899, published September 15, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news091505.htm.

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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous6:22 AM

    Hi, Philip, I just can't seem to read one of your postings and not leave a comment or two.
    If only we were all so fortunate to have the sense of community that is so prevalent on Ocracoke. I think that is why so many love to come to the island. It brings back memories for some of us, and brings up wishes for those not lucky enough to have had that in the past. Makes me remember times with many family members now gone who all sat on the porch and made music together....
    I look forward to my yearly visit. I can't wait to get to know all of you a little better, and enjoy the island once more...Judy

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