One Community. Three Parks.
A Lifetime of Memories.
|
|
One of my favorite things about working with your OBX national parks is hearing stories of friends and families who've made a lifetime of memories in these parks.
Recently, Jeff Swartzenberg - owner of OBX Frozen Yogurt - shared with me the story of his family's first Kite Festival at Wright Brothers National Memorial:
"Despite a little rain, the event crew and visitors worked their magic to get a few kites in the sky before the rough weather set in.
When the kites came down and we huddled for cover under a tent with some of the Kitty Hawk Kites crew,
our daughter Kaitlyn (pictured here) decided it was time to showcase her singing prowess and love for Mary Poppins
.
She started singing “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” as loud as she could!
She didn’t stop with just one rendition, she kept singing her song over and over to serenade the crowd that gathered around her. It was such a special moment for us!
As OBX residents, we know how special our parks are - not every community can claim to be located close to a national park, let alone be blessed with three such treasures in our own backyard.
Our parks provide us with a sense of responsibility to enjoy, support and preserve these national treasures
. We can’t imagine our community without them.”
Stories like these are why we started Outer Banks Forever this year - to ensure your OBX national parks continue to inspire and are protected.
Today, you can follow in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers and help your OBX national parks take flight with
a gift to Outer Banks Forever
.
Your gift today
will fund projects that protect these natural and cultural resources, enhance your park experience, and engage the next generation in their national parks.
Let's make an impact together for your OBX national parks!
Sincerely,
|
|
First Flight Anniversary Event Celebrates End of the Berlin Airlift
|
|
Next week we are excited to once again celebrate a historic day alongside your OBX national parks and the First Flight Society!
On December 17, 1903, two brothers from Ohio made history right here in the Outer Banks.
After multiple trials, adjustments and repairs, the Wright Brothers finally took flight in Kitty Hawk. On his first run, Orville flew 120 feet, and by the end of the day, Wilbur had flown
852 feet in less than a minute
.
They had done the impossible.
Your OBX national parks celebrate the anniversary of Orville and Wilbur’s flight with the First Flight Society each year on December 17th.
The event will include a performance by the First Flight High School Marching Band, a military flyover celebrating the end of the Berlin Airlift, and the induction of Colonel Gail “Hal” Halverson (Ret. USAF), into the First Flight Society’s Paul E. Garber Shrine.
Click here
to learn more about the event and Colonel Halverson who is known as the "Candy Bomber" for his heart warming efforts to deliver candy to the children of Berlin during World War II.
If you can't make it to the event in person, be sure to follow us on
Facebook where we will live stream it just for you!
|
|
Celebrate National Day of the Horse with Your Ocracoke Ponies!
|
|
December 13th is
National Day of the Horse
– and what better way to celebrate than to introduce you to another Ocracoke Pony family: Meet Jitterbug, Jobelle, Rayo and Captain!
This modern family makes up more than 1/4 of the herd managed by your park staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Rayo and Captain are the herds only stallions and often need a little nudge from the ladies of the herd to keep in line.
Click here
t
o learn more.
Holiday tip: Ou
r
Adopt A Pony
p
hotos make great gifts ;) Be sure to adopt your pony by December 18th to ensure delivery by Christmas Day!
|
|
Why I Give: Greg Honeycutt, Ocean Atlantic Rentals
|
Greg Honeycutt, owner of Ocean Atlantic Rentals, shares his story of why he chose to support his OBX national parks through a Forever Founder business sponsorship. To find out how your business can support the parks and get in front of park visitors in 2020,
contact Jess Green
today.
I first began visiting Ocracoke Island in the 1970s. I was a few years out of college and in the summer of 1978 I came to the Outer Banks to work for a friend who owned a recreational boating rental business. Little did I know that I would soon call the Outer Banks home.
That next summer, I moved to the Outer Banks and opened my own vacation rental company,
Ocean Atlantic Rentals
, in Nags Head. I also met my future wife, Eden. We loved camping in Ocracoke -
we'd hang out on the beach and take in those beautiful sunrises Ocracoke is known for.
Fast forward to 1992 - we were very active in our business and
going to Ocracoke was our stress reliever. We finally said, “We love it so much, maybe we need a house down here.” So, we ended up making it our home in 1997.
Can you imagine if Cape Hatteras National Seashore hadn’t been established when it was?
What kinds of development would be happening on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands?
The National Park Service, to me, is one of the most important elements of our community.
We are a tourist economy and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are our biggest attractions.
For forty years, Ocean Atlantic Rentals has been involved in the life of the
Outer Banks community
. One thing we’ve done as a company for a good long time is to stress the importance of giving back.
I decided to partner with Outer Banks Forever because I care about the people, the history, and the land of the Outer Banks.
Having been involved with nonprofits for many years, I think it's important to get started on good, solid ground. By becoming a
Forever Founder
, we have the privilege of helping to make that happen.
It’s a bright spot to have a nonprofit friend of the National Park Service.
Forever Founders
are people and businesses just like you who want to invest in protecting and enhancing your OBX national parks. You can become a Forever Founder and receive special lifetime benefits by giving a monthly gift of $85/month for the next year or a one-time gift of $1,000.
Click here
to learn more.
|
|
|
Photo Credits: National Park Service, First Flight Society
|
|
Outer Banks Forever is an official partner of the National Park Service and the three national parks of the Outer Banks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
