Island Celebration
Teresa O'Neal organizes the judging each year on behalf of Ocracoke Civic and Business Association. On Wednesday, she found three teachers who are visiting for an NCCAT seminar and talked them into volunteering. They were assigned the difficult task of choosing favorites from among the island's Christmas decorations. Amber Carpenter and Kelly Barger both teach at the same middle school in Shelby, NC, and were joined in the fun by their principal, Dustin Bridges. The job involves riding around with Teresa and her husband, Albert, who drives the volunteer judges up and down every dirt road and sandy lane in the village. They listen to Christmas music to help set the holiday mood. Kelly took pictures of the lights to send to her kids at home – they thought it was pretty cool that their mom got to judge!
Teresa reported that the judges had lots of questions about Ocracoke and island life. Luckily, Albert was there with his wealth of local knowledge!
The struggled to choose winners because there were so many well-decorated houses.
"They didn't want anyone to feel like they lost," Teresa said. "So they were suggesting we come up with more categories. As teachers they don't like to leave anyone out."
Everyone gets an A for effort!
Teresa thanked the judges with a goodie bag from her shop, Island Ragpicker. Each received a sand dollar ornament, an Ocracoke lighthouse bookmark, and Holiday Specs that make looking at Christmas lights even more festive by creating trippy little images in the lights. (Run, don't walk to get yours from the Ragpicker; everyone should have a pair or three.)
And the winners are..... drumroll, please....
Most Traditional: Jason Elicker and Cathy Scarborough in Oyster Creek Best Theme: Virginia, Clyde, and Trudy Austin on Lighthouse Road Most Original: Carol and Warren Ritchie on Irvin Garrish Hwy Best In Show: David and Kari Styron on Lighthouse Road Best In Show Business: Captain's Landing
Winners earn bragging rights and celebratory yard signs. Thanks to everyone who decorated – the village is a winter wonderland!
Note: I'll add photos of Warren and Carol's house when I get some! When I drove by Thursday night, the house was dark.
