January 2026 OBX Park News: Looking Ahead
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Have you heard of Downtown Roots? Visit Edenton, NC [Albemarle Sound, NC]
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Downtown Roots If you haven’t heard of this place, you probably should, because for two years it has been turning heads and filling stomachs with unique, innovative food in downtown Edenton.
The creation of chef/owner Kristopher Bateman, an Edenton native, Downtown Roots is entering its third year of operation, so we sat down with him to discuss restaurants, his culinary history, and what it is like to own a business in Edenton.
Every year, thousands of people come to Edenton. Between visiting historical sites like the Penelope Barker house, learning about important figures like Harriet Jacobs, and seeing what Edenton has to offer, they have to find someplace to eat.
More and more of them are coming to Downtown Roots.
The story of this restaurant is one of the reasons why it is so fulfilling to share this incredible place with so many people every year.
Read this story. It’s not only a feel-good story, but it is also a story of small-town success.
Visit our website!
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Weekend Winter Storm Update – SCDNR
Weather Alert – January 21, 2026
Weekend Winter Storm Update
Key Points:
- A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for much of northern South Carolina, including the Upstate, Catawba Region and Chesterfield County.
A map showing the counties under a Winter Storm Watch, highlighted in blue
- Confidence continues to increase that at least a part of South Carolina will be affected by a major, long-duration winter storm this weekend.
- However, the storm’s forecast track has shifted northward, lessening potential impacts for areas along and south of I-20. Timing has changed as well, with the storm starting in the afternoon or evening on Saturday and lasting into early Monday.
- The storm’s details, such as precipitation type, remain uncertain. Shifting computer model output will likely lead to more forecast changes.
- Most likely scenario, not heavily favored due to uncertainty:
- Snow, if any, and sleet in the Upstate starting on Saturday, will eventually turn to freezing rain. There may be a sleet accumulation into Saturday night, and a damaging ice buildup is possible on Sunday. Travel will be hazardous through at least Monday morning. Should there be a significant sleet accumulation, it would be slow to melt behind the storm as it remains cold.
- Across the CSRA, the Midlands, and northern Pee Dee, freezing rain may dominate north of I-20, with a chance of damaging ice accumulation and slippery travel Saturday night into Sunday. Areas along and south of I-20 see freezing rain for a time, then rain as temperatures warm above freezing on Sunday.
- Areas further south and east may see freezing rain for a time Saturday night, then rain Sunday. Elevated road surfaces could become icy for a time.
- The Lowcountry and Grand Strand primarily see rain, though a period of freezing rain is possible at the onset, especially inland. Some models show it warming up enough on Sunday for thunderstorms.
- Worst-case scenarios include:
- A severe ice storm is possible where freezing rain is dominant; the best chance appears to be in the Upstate, the Catawba Region, and the northern CSRA and Midlands.
- Continued northward shifts in the storm track would shift the potential for sleet accumulations out of South Carolina, but a damaging ice storm would still occur in the Upstate. Less of the state would be at risk for a damaging ice buildup.
- A more southerly track of the storm would bring heavy snow and sleet back into South Carolina, with a damaging ice storm further south, as previously thought. This idea is looking increasingly unlikely. However, the warmer, further north computer models may not be handling this weekend’s cold-air damming, and temperatures may remain below freezing near I-20 longer than the models indicate, resulting in a significant ice buildup in that area.
Good afternoon. A northward shift in the computer model guidance on the track of a winter storm for much of the nation changes the potential impacts here in South Carolina.
The forecast for now through Friday night remains unchanged:
- We remain dry through most of tonight.
- The next cold front will move in on Thursday, bringing light rain to the Upstate, possibly starting by daybreak in some areas.
- Light rain is possible over much of the state Thursday night into Friday evening as this cold front slowly sinks southward.
- Arctic air will filter into South Carolina behind this front starting Friday evening.
Our next storm, currently approaching California, will reach us on Saturday. It has become unlikely that any significant snow will fall in the state (a little at the onset maybe), but sleet and freezing rain are likely to affect much of the state. The computer models continue to show a range of possibilities, but the trend has been our friend, showing less of the state experiencing significant impacts.
It would be best to start your preparations soon if you’re in an area that still may be hit by a damaging ice storm and slippery travel. How do you deal with it? SCEMD’s SC Winter Weather Guide is a good starting point, and you can get more tips on winter storm preparedness at ready.gov. Pay close attention to the generator safety and kerosene and propane heater safety tips; carbon monoxide is quite the villain.
The picture should get increasingly clearer over the next couple of days as we get closer to the event. Another update is coming on Thursday!
Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate Office
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172Stay Connected with SCDNR: 
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Potential Winter Storm Sunday – SCDNR
Weather Alert – January 15, 2026
Potential Winter Storm Sunday
Key Points:
- Fresh cold air will trickle into South Carolina Saturday night, then a storm system will arrive early Sunday to bring precipitation. There’s a chance it’s cold enough for snow, at least at the end of the precipitation or on the northwestern part of the area that sees precipitation.
- The latest computer model trends as of late Thursday evening are toward a mostly rain event, but it’s a close call and we’re not out of the woods yet. Models sometimes flip-flop, even within a couple of days of an event.
I said y’all would probably be hearing from me again sooner rather than later, and here we go (now that Verizon has its act together and I can use 2-factor authentication to access the system that composes these … been trying to send y’all of these since Wednesday morning). I wanted to get something out now that I finally can, so enjoy this waiting for you when you wake up or something to read during the downtime of your graveyard shift.
We’re at risk of seeing a winter storm on Sunday, though nothing is set in stone yet due to uncertainties.
First, let me set the table for the potential Sunday snow dinner:
- Winds are diminishing tonight, but aside from a bitterly cold morning, Friday won’t be as harsh as Thursday was.
- Another cold front will move through late Friday night into Saturday morning, causing a period of light rain in the Upstate. It may be cold enough for snow north of Highway 11, but you’d have to be on a high spot for a chance at an accumulation.
- Reinforcing cold moves in behind the front for Sunday, and the front will turn stationary along our coast late Saturday night.
This Weather Prediction Center weather map for Saturday evening shows a cold front moving through South Carolina and precipitation breaking out along the Gulf Coast.
Here are the uncertainties for Sunday’s storm:
- We know a storm will track along the front, moving along the Gulf Coast and then along our coast late Saturday night through Sunday. However, the storm could track farther inland or farther offshore, which will affect where the heaviest precipitation falls.
- The storm’s intensity is uncertain; a stronger storm would lead to more widespread and heavier precipitation.
- We’re not sure how well the cold air will penetrate South Carolina; it may not be cold enough for snow in areas where significant precipitation falls.
- Even if it snows, the storm will mostly occur during the daytime, which makes it harder for the snow to stick.
To illustrate the point, here’s output from one of the computer models, the GEFS (Global Ensemble Forecast System). It’s an ensemble model based on our GFS model. The GFS is one of the ensemble members, and the other members are the same model run with 30 slightly altered inputs, for a total of 31 variations. That simulates potential input errors. It also allows us to see the range of possibilities with an upcoming weather event and to gauge how well the model is performing.
Total snowfall to forecast hour ending at 7 a.m. Monday from the GEFS using weather observations from 7 p.m. Thursday as the model’s starting point.
Image Source: WeatherBELL
The late-breaking information is that the overnight model runs available as of 11:30 p.m. Thursday (my bedtime!) show more moisture available but less cold air, resulting in not much snow in the Palmetto State on Sunday. We’re not out of the woods yet, but this trend favors snow haters. We’ll have the rest of the overnight models available when we wake up Friday morning, and the next round of models will start trickling in by late morning.
You can see that there is a wide range of possibilities, ranging from little or no snow in the state to a part of the state receiving a significant snowstorm. Also, this is just one model. There are also models from Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and others to consider, plus a few newfangled artificial intelligence-based models. Meteorologists spend a ton of time looking at computer model output!
As we get closer to the event, we’ll be able to start nailing down more details. The picture usually steadily improves once we’re within 72 hours of the event, as we are now.
But we can say that the risk is there. Also, chilly days behind the storm, should it come to pass, could mean it takes a couple of days for the snow to melt. So, you’ll want to think about getting ready. That does not imply a stampede toward the bread and milk aisles of your favorite grocery store (though if you need bread or milk, buy it; even if it doesn’t snow, it seems milk sandwiches are haute cuisine according to YouTube). Start by reviewing SCEMD’s SC Winter Weather Guide, see which preps fit your situation best, and go from there.
Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate OfficeSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172Stay Connected with SCDNR: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
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Eating Through Edenton vol. 1. Visit Edenton, NC [Albemarle Sound, NC]
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Maryland has crab, and Chicago has deep-dish; what does Edenton have?
More than you’d expect.
Edenton is a place where world-class chefs have called home, award-winning restaurants have started, and really good food is served every day.
The food scene in Edenton is having a moment. We’re talking:
- Fresh-dough pizza from a NYC finance pro turned baker.
- Authentic Oaxacan sopes
- Hand-dipped ice cream in a beautifully restored historic building
- Internationally award-winning Barbecue
If you are visiting Edenton, you will need to eat. But the places here are as unique as they are exciting. Learn a little about them.
This week, we published a deep dive into restaurants in Edenton.
Whether you are planning a day or a week-long visit, you’ll want to take a look at this, but don’t do it on an empty stomach…
Eating Through Edenton Visit our website!
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Washington NC January Events, Pamlico River
Keep your calendar clear: Every season in Washington, NC brings something new and exciting. Enjoy local festivals, area concerts, or waterfront adventure.
Click here for the complete calendar: https://visitwashingtonnc.com/events/#/
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Thunderstorms Saturday, Then Colder – SCDNR
Weather Alert – January 9, 2026
Thunderstorms Saturday, Then Colder
For a change, there is a little weather excitement to outline today. A cold front now over the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys is moving our way, bringing rain and thunderstorms, mainly to the Upstate. The front will usher in colder air starting Sunday into Monday.
An area of rain and thunderstorms will reach the Upstate this afternoon, primarily affecting the I-85 Corridor and points to the northwest. The rain could become heavy enough to cause isolated flooding in the far northwest, despite the ongoing drought in the area.
The risk for isolated flooding continues through most of Saturday before the rain and thunderstorms shift southeastward.
Thanks to the unseasonably warm air mass in place ahead of the front, we’ll also have a low-end, level 1 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms in the Upstate and vicinity.
The stronger storms moving through Saturday might cause locally damaging winds, and there is a risk of an isolated tornado or two.
In addition, it looks like winds will pick up early Saturday and remain gusty through the day, especially over the northern half of the state, with peak gusts around 35 mph. Motorists and pickleballers beware! Look for a wind shift late Saturday behind the front, and it remains breezy through Sunday.
While the severe storm threat drops to near zero as the front reaches the I-20 Corridor during the evening, that area and points south will see a scattering of showers as the front moves through Saturday night.
Colder air will move in behind the front Saturday night into Sunday. We will return to the reality of midwinter by Monday as temperatures running around 20° above average through Saturday shift to 4-8° below average on Monday.
High pressure keeps us tranquil and seasonable for Tuesday, then another cold front moves in on Wednesday. It is at this point that our forecast becomes complicated. We’ll enter a weather pattern that permits a winter storm to occur in South Carolina late next week. It will be the ol’ western North America upper ridge, eastern North America upper trough; the negative NAO, positive PNA combo that geeky snow lovers rave about.
One model (the GFS, the one whose output you take with the biggest grain of salt) has suddenly jumped on the idea that a storm blows up on our coast Thursday as fresh cold air blasts in, and the model throws down snow over nearly the whole state. Sus, as the young folks say these days. Other models show not much happening other than a solid blast of cold arriving Wednesday night and maybe a few showers.
However, the cold could still be entrenched when the next storm in line arrives around next Sunday. No promises, snow lovers, but I think our odds are better next weekend than later next week.
New Year, New (Old?) Weather Alert
I need to pass along a quick programming note. A couple of years ago, we decided to shift from issuing this regularly on Fridays only during hurricane season to year-round. The side effects of doing this made it more like a blog and less like an alert product, and it also forced us to ‘alert’ for several Fridays in a row when nothing truly alert-worthy was happening. So, we’ve decided to revert to the original schedule, where I only create these alerts each week during hurricane season and then send them on an as-needed basis during the rest of the year. So, today’s issuance will be the last regular Friday report until May 29, the Friday before hurricane season begins.
That said, there’s a good chance you’ll hear from me next week, since it looks like we’ll have at least one winter storm opportunity in the middle of the month. It may be warm now, but winter’s not over!
Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate OfficeSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172Stay Connected with SCDNR: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
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Washington NC January Events, Pamlico River
Keep your calendar clear: Every season in Washington, NC brings something new and exciting. Enjoy local festivals, area concerts, or waterfront adventure.
Click here for the complete calendar: https://visitwashingtonnc.com/events/#/
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Looking Forward to an Extraordinary 2026, Edenton, NC [Albemarle Sound, NC]
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Looking Forward to an Extraordinary 2026
It’s 2026!
And we are excited for a bigger and better year of tourism than ever before. Year after year, things keep growing, and 2026 looks to be another year of continued excitement. Every year, festivals, concerts, sporting events, and more draw people from farther and farther away, as they are looking for a place to slow down, enjoy life, and get a sweet taste of the past.
As I look at our community calendar for the coming year, I’m filled with a profound sense of pride. For a long time, we’ve shared a wink and a nod about Edenton being “one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets.”
Well, the secret is officially out.
From all over the country, people are discovering what we’ve known all along: there is nowhere else quite like our Pre-Revolutionary capital.
Whether it’s our award-winning bed and breakfasts, our diverse and exciting dining scene, or our unique brand of interactive history, Edenton has become a premier destination for those seeking authenticity and charm.
In 2026, that theme continues. And, I want to invite you to join in the festivities.
The Return of Our Signature Favorites
As we look toward the warmer months, the rhythm of Edenton begins to pick up. We are thrilled to welcome back some of the things that define our community spirit:
- Edenton Steamers Baseball: There is nothing like a summer night at Historic Hicks Field. The crack of the bat, the cheers from the stands, and the smell of hot dogs and popcorn are the heartbeat of our summer. And, Sam and Pam the Clam are always around to take photos with kids (and adults!)
- The Summer Concert Series: Our waterfront will once again transform into a musical stage, where the breeze off the Chowan River meets the sounds of local and regional talent.
- Boogie on Broad: Get your dancing shoes ready! This street festival continues to grow every year, bringing neighbors and visitors together for a night of music, food, and pure joy right in the center of town.
- Christmas Candlelight Tour: It may seem far off, but our flagship winter event remains the “gold standard” for holiday magic. The 2026 tour promises to be our most enchanting yet, inviting you inside the historic private homes that make Edenton so visually stunning.
A Historic Milestone: America 250
This year, things take on a special meaning as the United States turns 250 years old.
And, this will be one of the defining themes of this year.
In 1774, 51 brave women signed the Edenton Tea Party Resolution, America’s first organized political action by women. And, as our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we’re going to be celebrating here, where history was made.
Almost every month of the year, there is a special event dedicated to these events, from a special celebration of Constitution Day (September 17) to an award-winning Fourth of July celebration to a very special Heritage Festival in June. There is a host of things throughout the year.
2026 is Your Year to Visit
Edenton isn’t just a place to look at old buildings; it’s a place to live history. Our hotels and B&Bs have been recognized nationally, and our restaurants feature some of the best locally sourced cuisine you’ll find anywhere.
When you visit us this year, you aren’t just a tourist—you are part of the family. You’ll feel it when you walk down Broad Street, and you’ll see it in the way the sun sets over the bay.
I want to personally invite you to plan a trip to Edenton this year. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, I promise you’ll see exactly why everyone is talking about us. We’ve saved a seat for you on the porch!
See you in Edenton!
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Needed Rain Tonight And Saturday – SCDNR
Weather Alert – January 2, 2026
Needed Rain Tonight And Saturday
Good morning and welcome to 2026. I hope y’all had a grand New Year’s celebration with your friends and family. I know some of y’all did because driving home from my girlfriend’s house during the first minutes of the year, it sounded like Colonel Sumter’s men were driving the British out of Columbia’s Rosewood neighborhood.
This morning, a storm centered over the southern Plains is moving our way, bringing us some needed rain over the next 36 hours. The rain will reach the northwest later this evening and spread over the state through Saturday morning. While the entire state will see some rain, the southern part will get more than the northern part.
Here’s the National Weather Service’s forecast for rainfall across South Carolina
through early Sunday. Most of the state will see a half-inch to an inch of rain.
Locally heavier rain will fall over the southern part of the state,
where amounts can exceed one inch in spots.Image Source: WeatherBELL
Meanwhile, a cold front to our north and west will shift southward and send chilly air into the northern part of the state. That will keep the Upstate, Catawba region, and upper Pee Dee in the upper 40s and low 50s, while the Lowcountry sees highs in the 60s.
The warm air over the southern part of the state will be conducive to thunderstorms rumbling through during the afternoon and early evening. A part of the Lowcountry will be at risk for seeing an isolated severe storm.
The level 1 of 5 (marginal) risk area on the Storm Prediction Center’s outlook for Saturday is the area of concern for severe storms; the concern is for isolated damaging wind and an isolated tornado.
This storm system will move out Saturday evening, with dry and seasonably cool air pushing in behind it. Sunday may start with lingering low clouds and fog, but it’s likely to be sunny across the state by the afternoon with highs in the mid to upper 50s from north to south.
Monday also looks dry, with high pressure centered over New York controlling our weather. Highs will range from the mid-50s north to the lower 60s south.
That area of high pressure will slide eastward on Tuesday, and southerly to southwesterly winds around the departing high will give us a warmup. Temperatures will run well above normal again on Tuesday through at least Thursday. We’ll see highs in the 60s on Tuesday, upper 60s and lower 70s on Wednesday, then most of the state will reach the 70s on Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday should feature plenty of sun, but clouds will stream in on Thursday ahead of our next cold front.
Computer models show varying ideas about the front coming our way late next week. It could move in on Friday and become stationary through next weekend, or it could stall to our northwest and not move through until Sunday. So, there is a lot of uncertainty about what the weather will be like during that time. Once that front finally pushes through, we’re likely to see a period of colder-than-average weather.
This week’s Drought Monitor indicates an expansion of drought conditions since last week.
Rain coming through Saturday will help, but won’t get rid of the drought entirely. Another dry spell Sunday through at least Thursday will not help matters. The setup for next Friday and next weekend has a chance to bring us substantial rainfall, but don’t get your hopes up because most computer models do not show us seeing a soaking.
Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate OfficeSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172Stay Connected with SCDNR: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
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Elizabeth City: Lights of the Albemarle Lighted Lantern Parade – TONIGHT
Elizabeth City sits at the southern terminus of the Dismal Swamp Canal and has the well-earned reputation of being a transient-friendly town with free dockage for 72 hours.
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Dry For A While, A Warm Christmas – SCDNR
Weather Alert – December 19, 2025
Dry For A While, A Warm Christmas
Our weather is looking mainly tranquil through Christmas and beyond. It could be ten days before we see another good chance for rain, which is unfortunate because much of South Carolina remains in a drought despite the soaking that parts of the state saw last night.
For the rest of today, we remain sunny with winds lessening as high pressure builds in. Aside from the gusty winds, it will be a lovely afternoon with temperatures slightly warmer than average. Tonight looks clear and seasonably chilly with light winds.
High pressure overhead Saturday gives us a pleasant December day with sunshine; a chilly start, but highs will be in the mid to upper 50s north and lower 60s south. A clear and seasonably chilly night will follow.
A moisture-starved cold front will move through the state on Sunday, so moisture-starved that we’ll only see a few clouds. We’ll have a mainly sunny sky with highs in the lower 60s north and middle 60s south, a pretty day. Sunday night looks seasonably chilly again with a mostly clear sky.
Monday will bring us below-average temperatures as Canadian air pays us a brief visit. We’ll see a few clouds as Sunday’s front stalls nearby to the south, but a good deal of sun, too. Highs will range from near 50 in the north to the upper 50s south.
The front will retreat northward on Tuesday; it will pick up some moisture while sitting to our south, but not much. So, clouds will limit the sun, and there might be a stray shower or two around the Upstate. If the stray showers or lack thereof are a problem for you, it will be the perfect time to air your grievances!
That front will again become stationary to our north through Christmas Eve before retreating further northward. Meanwhile, an upper-level ridge will set up shop for a while over the southeastern states. This will put us in a warm and dry regime for Christmas and beyond. We’re likely to see sunshine with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s on Christmas Eve, then mainly lower 70s for Christmas Day. It’s not likely to be the warmest Christmas on record, as record highs for the date are in the upper 70s and lower 80s, but it should be in the top ten warmest (out of over 100 Christmases for many places in the state, our records go back as far as the 1880s).
These NDFD plots show the National Weather Service’s forecast highs for
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.Image Source: WeatherBELL
The computer models generally agree that we’ll remain warm and dry, with highs in the 70s, until around the 29th (give or take a day), when another cold front finally arrives.
Sorry, snow lovers, the weather pattern looks hostile to snow for the rest of the month and likely the first part of January.
Over the last week, drought has worsened over the Upstate and Catawba region but has improved somewhat in the south.
The rain we saw over much of the state Thursday and Thursday night helped, but it was not a factor in this week’s Drought Monitor, which is compiled on Tuesdays. However, the mostly dry, warm weather over the next week or so will worsen the drought again.
Frank Strait
Severe Weather Liaison
S.C. State Climate OfficeSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources
260 D. Epting Lane
West Columbia, SC, 29172Stay Connected with SCDNR: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
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What is a Joy Tree? Visit Edenton, NC [Albemarle Sound, NC]
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Christmas lights are everywhere this time of year. They’re on houses, buildings, and even the trees that adorn so many of our homes.
But here in Edenton, we’ve recently adopted a slightly different tradition.
And every year, more and more of them sprout up in people’s yards.
Today, no matter what neighborhood you are in in Edenton, you are a stone’s throw away from one of these crazy, unruly, unique, and joyful trees.
What is a joy tree, exactly?
They are a bit crazy, very beautiful, and unbelievably JOYous.
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Seasons Greetings from Albemarle Plantation
An on-the-water retirement home or vacation home for those who love the rich cultural ports-of-call cruising waters of North Carolina, Albemarle Plantation Marina, a port on the Albemarle Loop and a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located just off the AICW on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
Here’s to a Great Year! It’s been another beautiful year here at Albemarle Plantation. We’re grateful for our neighbors, friends and clients who make this community we love so very special. Wishing you a lovely holiday full of the joys of the season—and—an exciting new year here on the Albemarle Sound. From all of us at AP Realty,
A merry, merry holiday!
128 Lakeside Drive, Hertford, NC 27944 • (800) 523-5958 • (252) 426-4653 The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and may change at any time without notice. AP Realty Company, LLC/Broker If you would like to unsubscribe and stop receiving these emails click here . Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Albemarle Plantation Marina
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December OBX Park News: Riding the Winds of Inspiration – Outer Banks National Parks
Your December e-news preview: 
December has a way of slowing us down just enough to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a pivotal moment in Outer Banks history and the spirit of possibility that inspires our work every day. On December 17, 1903, on the windy, wide sands of Kill Devil Hills, Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved what many believed impossible: the first sustained, powered flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft. Four short flights that morning changed the course of human history, and they happened right here!
My favorite part of visiting Wright Brothers National Memorial is simple — walking the Flight Line, which traces the path of the Wrights’ first four powered flights. Each time I step onto that long, straight path I slow my pace and imagine the scene as it must have been more than a century ago.
It looked much different than it does today. But how it feels is the same. The cold wind coming off the Atlantic. The wind-blown sand stinging your eyes. The mixture of doubt and determination. No certainty of success. Just two brothers, a handful of locals, a “flying machine,” and a belief that progress was possible if they were willing to try, fail, adjust, and try again.
A quiet walk along the Flight Line always reminds me why Outer Banks Forever exists.
Our mission is rooted in protecting the places where history was made and in ensuring those places continue to inspire future generations. The stories held within the landscapes, structures, and shorelines of the Outer Banks are not relics of the past but are reminders of human ingenuity, resilience, and stewardship. They show us who we are and invite us to imagine who we might become. Our Outer Banks national parks allow us to experience history in tangible, meaningful ways.
This year, because of supporters like you, we have continued vital work across our Outer Banks national parks. From safeguarding and restoring historic structures to enhancing visitor experiences and protecting fragile coastal resources, your generosity has translated into real impact. Every project we support carries forward the same spirit that carried the Wright brothers into the air — a belief that progress happens when people come together around a shared vision.
None of this work happens by accident. Just as the first flight required preparation, persistence, and partnership, preserving these extraordinary places requires commitment from people who care deeply about the Outer Banks and its legacy. Your support allows us not only to address urgent park needs today, but also to plan for tomorrow so that stories of innovation, courage, and conservation remain accessible to all.
As we look ahead to the new year, I am filled with optimism. We have important projects on the horizon and ambitious goals that will strengthen our parks and enrich the experiences of millions of park visitors. Like the Wright brothers, we are guided by a clear sense of purpose and by the understanding that the future is built one thoughtful step at a time.
When you consider your year-end giving, I hope you’ll think of that long Flight Line stretching across the sandy soil. What began there as an experiment sparked a global transformation. In much the same way, your support has the power to create lasting impact for the places that are integral to the Outer Banks.
Thank you for believing in our work, investing in preservation and possibility, and walking alongside us as we carry these incredible stories forward. Together, we ensure that the winds of inspiration continue to lift generations to come.
And as they say in one of my favorite movies of all time: “Let’s kick the tires and light the fires!” (Top Gun, 1986)
Gratefully, 
Bryan Burhans
Director
Outer Banks ForeverSupport Our Parks 
In the ninth installment of the Wright Flight Academy video series, graduated students, returning students, and new students come together to work on the detailed (and tedious!), but critical, elements of aircraft building, with the goal of completing their airplane by December 17!
Very soon, these students from Dare County Schools will unveil their very own, two-person “flying machine” on the grounds where brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved their world-changing first flight!
We’re proud to support this program by sponsoring this video series created by Rayolight Productions. As videos are made available, we’ll be adding them to our YouTube channel, sharing them on Facebook, and including them in our monthly e-newsletters.
Learn More This content is brought to you by our National Park Service partners.
Wright Brothers National Memorial is recognized as the site of the first successful human attempt at heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight carried out by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903. There is little doubt that what the brothers achieved on the windswept dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, from 1900 to 1903 changed our world forever.
However, the steps taken to commemorate the brothers’ achievements are in many ways as remarkable as the achievements themselves. The commemoration of their success at Kitty Hawk not only provides a place for visitors to reflect on and be inspired by the dream of flight; it ironically forever helped to alter the Outer Banks’ relative isolation, isolation that the brothers strongly desired for their flying experiments. Learn More 
We’ll be joining our National Park Service partners and our friends at the First Flight Society to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the First Flight at Wright Brothers National Memorial on Wednesday, December 17! This year’s celebration is extra special, as the Wright Flight Academy students from First Flight High School’s Aviation Program will be unveiling their student-built airplane (only the second airplane ever constructed on the site of the first flight!)!
Entry to the park is FREE on December 17. Festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will feature remarks from representatives from the National Park Service and the First Flight Society, a wreath-laying ceremony by the descendants of the witnesses of the first flight, ranger-led educational programs, and more. For more details, click the button below.
Learn More 
Looking for a special gift for your loved ones this holiday season? Consider symbolically adopting one of the beautiful Ocracoke ponies (like Jobelle, pictured at right) or supporting the herd as that special gift!
When you adopt a pony or support the herd in honor of a loved one, we’ll send them a photo of their pony or of the herd and an official adoption certificate.
If you would like a digital photo and certificate to arrive in your or your honoree’s inbox before Christmas, please make your digital adoption no later than Friday, December 19. Please note: At this time, we cannot guarantee mailed certificates (USPS) will arrive by December 25. If you would like your photo and certificate before then, we encourage you to choose our digital option!
Adopt A Pony 
Our team set a goal to raise $25,000 for our Parks Forever Fund by the end of the year. And we’ve been blown away by your generosity! We celebrated Giving Tuesday on December 2, and thanks to people like you and our generous business partners at REAL Watersports and Carolina Brewery, we raised $18,153 that day! We’ve now raised $22,175 for our Parks Forever Fund. When you give to our Parks Forever Fund, you make projects like these possible: - Restoring the historic Bodie Island Double Keepers’ Quarters: In January, the interior of the historic Bodie Island Double Keepers’ Quarters (DKQ) was damaged by an electrical fire. We’re raising funds to restore the interior of the DKQ and install new and improved educational exhibits so everyone who visits this iconic site can understand the vital role of the Bodie Island Light Station throughout history.
- Removing invasive plant species from our national parks so native plants can flourish.
- Creating a fully accessible pathway along the famous Flight Line at Wright Brothers National Memorial, ensuring visitors of all abilities can follow Orville and Wilbur Wright’s progress in their quest for the skies!
There’s still time to give and help us reach our goal by December 31! To make a secure online gift, click the button below. You can also mail a check to: Outer Banks Forever, P.O. Box 1635, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Gifts by check received after December 31 can be credited to the 2025 tax year as long as the postmark is on or before December 31. Make Your Gift Today Connect With Us!
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