The Landing: Where Our Crowd Gathers

This week, Staci sits down with Jackie O'Donnell, her former middle school band director. She shares the challenges she faced at school and in her early career, as well as the love she found when she moved Down East and began teaching there. The bond she had with her students is truly special, so enjoy today's episode filled with stories and memories of her time as a band director. If you or someo...

Della Brooks joins us this week for a heartfelt conversation. She tells us stories filled with love and laughter for Harkers Island and the people that make Down East home. Listen in and enjoy as we hear Della share her story. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out!

This week’s episode is full of history told through an interview with Elmo Gaskill, given by Connie Mason in 2010. Elmo highlights the importance of education in the community, his ties to the Primitive Baptist Church, and details many locations throughout core banks in this conversation. Listen in to hear Elmo Gaskill share his knowledge on Down East.  If you or someone you know is interested in...

This week we are highlighting an interview with Norma Clark, given by Connie Mason on March 17, 2011. Norma Clark was the first Administrative Officer for the park at Cape Lookout. Enjoy this episode as Norma takes us through her life and career, and the important work she did at Cape Lookout. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this fo...

Wayne Davis is back to tell us a few stories of the worst he’s ever been hurt. Some of these memories end in little more than a scrape, while other moments were more serious, but the way he tells his story with a humorous perspective shows just how he finds joy even through challenges. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and w...

We are back this month with a conversation with Kyle Willis. Kyle and Staci sit down to talk his “free range” childhood growing up Down East  and the importance of generational stories, both listening and telling. Enjoy this conversation full of heart and laughter between two old friends. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form an...

This week’s oral history spotlights Don Hoss, a retired NOAA scientist. This interview given by Barbara Garrity-Blake in 2015 highlights soccer in Down East, a sport that wasn’t in the area at that time. With his time spent in Scotland where the sport was prominent, Don and the other scientists he worked with introduced this sport to the community. If you or someone you know is interested in joini...

This week we are highlighting another oral history, this one from an interview with Lisa Pelletier Harmon, given by Barbara Garrity-Blake. In this interview, Lisa shares memories growing up around surfing, the way it brings family and community together, and the important work of the Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation, which Lisa founded and is president of.  If you or someone you know is interest...

This Interview with Polly Davis given by Amy Davis on February 4, 1997 highlights the importance of the church communities on Harkers Island. Polly was a member of the Methodist church and was heavily involved as a member since she was 15. Enjoy this interview filled with memories, insight, and history.  If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill...

This week, we are putting a spotlight on one of the museum’s oral histories. In this 2017 interview conducted by Bonnie Hunter, we hear from John C. Bunting, District Commissioner for District 2, Eastern NC Babe Ruth Girls Softball League. He discusses the history of the league, how he became District Commissioner, and the importance the league has played in the Down East community over the years....

In Part 2 of our conversation with Teresa Willis Freeman, she shares more about her childhood Down East. From the food she ate to the shenanigans her and her siblings got up to, her fond memories fill this episode with joy and love for the place she calls home. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out!

Teresa Willis Freeman joins us this week to share memories from her youth. All heartfelt, her stories are full of joy, laughter, and love for Harkers Island and a time where things moved a little slower. Listen in and enjoy the first part of our conversation with this special lady. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we wi...

Hear the rest of our conversation with Rodney Rose in this week’s episode. He talks his favorite type of fishing, challenges facing the fishing industry, his restaurant, and the importance of hard work.  If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out!

This week, you will hear the first part of a two part conversation with Rodney Rose. He shares stories of his life Down East, including memories of his childhood and his years fishing. Enjoy this week’s episode and these important stories. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out!

Closing out July, we are shining a spotlight on this interview with Nathan Everett, given by Susan West. While he grew up in Pinetown in a tobacco farming family, he began working on a crab boat as a teenager and continued working in the fishing industry. Enjoy as he shares his stories and experiences. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill ou...

For our 100th episode, Karen Willis Amspacher joins us for a conversation about her love for Down East. From working on the Harkers Island Cookbook, creating the Mailboat for locals to share their stories, now to directing the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, Karen is a core member of the community, working to preserve Down East traditions and heritage. Enjoy this insightful, fun...

In this special episode, Staci shares her own story, reminiscing on her childhood and the family and friends who made her who she is today. She takes us through her early memories, her time in school, and the things she loves about Down East, so enjoy as she shares her roots. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will rea...

Darrell Basden joins us this week to share his Down East story. While he grew up in Duplin County, he now considers Down East his home. He shares his memories of meeting Staci, differences in their culture and dialect, and how he came to love Harkers Island. Sit back and enjoy this conversation with Darrell Basden. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, p...

This week we are virtually joined by Skip Prange via a phone interview. During this conversation, Skip discusses moving to Harkers Island and becoming a park ranger. Some of his stories are full of comedy, while other memories are heartwarming, but with every moment shared, he makes it clear that the island is his home.  If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Land...

This series of recordings and interviews with Rany Jennette detail his memories of growing up to the lighthouse, where he was born, with his father as the lighthouse keeper. He recalls the layout of his former home, his childhood, and the storms, which ultimately led to their move away from the lighthouse. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fil...

In this interview given by Pam Morris, Grace Littleton of Beaufort, NC recalls her experiences from Hurricane Hazel of 1954. She shares memories of the storm and aftermath, including getting on a small skiff floating in the yard and the community’s efforts to recover.   If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out...

In this interview, Bonnie Hunter speaks with Margaret Daniels, a retired nurse from Down East, about her experiences with hurricanes. She recalls storms from her childhood, from her years working as a nurse, and the storms after she retired. Listen close as we hear from one of Down East’s best storytellers. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fi...

During the month of June, we will be focusing on oral histories and readings that reflect Down East stories and heritage. This week, we are putting a spotlight on an interview with Kenny Brite, an EMT who played a huge role in helping people in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will...

This week we sit down with Melba Willis to talk about her beautiful life. Through family and faith, she reflects on growing up and life now through her love for her children and grandchildren and stories from growing up and beyond. Enjoy the memories and wisdom Melba has to share in this week’s episode. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill o...

Today, we are joined by Stephen Willis, a Harkers Island native who cares deeply about his home, family, and faith. He shares memories of his time growing up, going to school, and his journey to becoming a pastor. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this form and we will reach out!