The Landing: Where Our Crowd Gathers

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!

Billy Joe Willis joins us this week to share his Down East story. He tells us about growing up to Harkers Island, his family, and his faith. Enjoy his stories full of love for where he grew up, the people who make Down East special to him, and the faith that drives him every day. 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...

Today, Kerry Willis joins us virtually to share his childhood growing up Down East and his journey to becoming a preacher. As he speaks with us, it will become clear that his love for where he grew up and for the church run deep.    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, Dr. Johnna Brooks joins us to tell us about growing up Down East and the opportunities she has had to pursue her passions right in her backyard. Whether it’s studying to complete her PhD in biomath and working to NOAA or painting on her father’s old nautical maps, Down East runs through everything she does. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing...

Sara Yeomans Willis takes a break out of her day to join us to The Landing where she shares memories of working shucking scallops, cooking and baking, and growing up to Harkers Island. Throughout this episode, you can hear Sara’s love for her Down East heritage and the traditions she carries on. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to The Landing, please fill out this...

Closing out our Coast Guard Series, Farmer Styron shares his story, from when he joined the Coast Guard after being drafted into the Army to the time he spent to the Cape, running programs, renovating, and working on projects to further the careers of others stationed with him. Listen in to his stories of learning and service. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us as a guest to Th...

James Lewis speaks with us this week about his time in the Coast Guard. James grew up Down East, and soon after graduating, joined the Coast Guard. He tells stories of his time serving with humor and candor, so enjoy as we hear from him this week to The Landing. 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!

The next part in our Coast Guard series features Wayne Davis, a member of the Down East community who we have spoken to before. This topic, however, is one he hasn’t shared much about on previous episodes. Enjoy as we listen to Wayne’s Coast Guard story, the ups and the downs, from the beginning when he decided to join the Coast Guard to support his family, to the end when he came back home to Har...

Continuing our Coast Guard series, Pete Guthrie shares stories from his years serving. Joined by Wayne Davis, who he served alongside for many of his years in the Coast Guard, enjoy as these two reminisce. 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!

Join us for the next episode in our series about members of the Coast Guard who served to Cape Lookout through the years. This week, Guyon Willis talks with us, sharing his many memories from his time serving. You’ll hear stories of fun and laughter, as well as stories that remind us how dangerous this job can be. But throughout this conversation, you will always be reminded of how important home...

This week to the landing, we have a conversation with Joseph Beasley about his time in the coast guard. After growing up a farmer and realizing it wasn’t for him, he decided to join the Coast Guard. Today, he has many stories from his years in service, the places he went, and the people he met, including his now wife, Hannah. Enjoy this first part of a multi-part series on those who were in servic...

Randall Russell Lewis joins us this week to talk about growing up to Harkers Island, his days in school and playing with his best friends, and his work to Cherry Point and the drawbridge. Enjoy his memories and stories, and the many interests he has had throughout his life. 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...

Lillie Chadwick Miller joins us this week to share her love for Straits, the place she grew up. With family originating from Straits, as well as many family members who continued to live there for generations, Lillie tells us about her childhood surrounded by loved ones. From school to family to teaching, Lillie's love for Straits shines through in this episode full of joy and laughter. If you or...

As we close out the last few chapters of Joel Hancock’s recent book, The Education of an Island Boy, he recounts stories from and memories of special people from his youth. He shares how influential they were, not just in his own life, but to the very fabric of Harkers Island. Listen closely to his words, because they contain wisdom, humor, and admiration for these people that played such an impor...

For our last readings this January, we hear pieces written by Staci herself through the years. She recalls Harkers Island’s history, fond family memories, and how the place she calls home is different now. Shining through each of these pieces, however, is the childhood she cherishes through change and hardship, something that reminds is just how special Down East is.  If you or someone you know is...

With January’s readings soon coming to an end, we share 3 selections today about what it means for Down Easters to carry their heritage - through history, loss, and change. Three different pieces, all with one through line connecting them all. 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 episode, we share two pieces that reflect some of the core livelihoods that have made up Down East culture and heritage for generations, from hanging nets to boat-building to fishing. Through the years, these skills and crafts have changed, and will never be the same as they once were. But they will continue to live on through the stories that are told about them and the people who practic...

Today, we share an excerpt of a piece written by Joel Hancock in 1990, and published in the Winter 1991 edition of The Mailboat, titled “What Happened to the Skiffs?” This written history shows change through skiffs, a boat that was versatile and important to the families and crowds Down East, but is now rarely used. Through this, we see the ways in which change works - for better or worse - but a...