The

Newsletter of the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Civic Association

Pathway News
A paved, off-the-highway pathway for walking, biking and skateboarding is coming to Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon. The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway has received a $1.95 million discretionary grant from the National Scenic Byway program. With $400,000 from Dare Countys Tourism Board and $90,001 contributions from Hatteras Island businesses, organizations and individuals, the almost $2.5 million project is about to start. The civic association is contributing $1,000. The project will build eight miles of five-foot wide concrete pathway on the soundside of N.C. 12 in the four villages. The pathway will be in NCDOT right-of-way and separated from the road pavement by at least five feet. In Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, the pathway will start at the Community Building and wind its way into the National Park Services Salvo Day Use Area. The states board of transportation accepted the grant in July. The committee is awaiting a contract from NCDOT. Dares Board of Commissioners will approve the contract and county staff will handle finances. The scenic byway committee for Dare County will follow a standard process to hire an engineering firm to survey, plan, permit and oversee construction of the pathway. Look for the first onthe-ground action, a surveying crew, in the fall. To continue assisting the scenic byway committee in this major project, the civic association has reformed a pathway committee with members John Contestable, Mark Dingman, George Mead, Reba Faison and Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy.

Village Reporter

August 2011

To Our Readership
To those of you who have returned your 2011-2012 dues, our heartfelt thanks. Your tax-deductible contributions help support an array of projects that act to bring the people of these villages together: our scholarship program, the community enhancement events we sponsor each year, and special projects such as our contributions to the Chicamacomico Water Rescue team as well as funds to match grants for the pathway project and possible improvements to the Rodanthe harbor. As a civic association, we aim to foster community spirit by organizing events and sponsoring programs that benefit our communities. Our efforts are funded entirely by your membership dues. Our annual membership runs around 200: while some prior members move on or drop out each year, we have been so fortunate as to have enlisted about the same number of new families to maintain a fairly constant membership. Thus far this year, 155 individuals and/or families have returned to the fold and we are pleased to welcome 19 new families. To those of you who have yet to renew, we earnestly hope you will do so soon. A return envelope and dues form are included for your convenience.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 17 Chili Cook-Off at KOA Kampground, Waves. This event raises funds for the Chicamacomico Water Rescue Team. Sept. 24 National Public Lands Day. The Civic Association and Outer Banks Scenic Byway kick off a weeklong effort to sweep NC 12, the ocean beaches and soundside. For an assignment, contact Joanne Mason, (252) 987-2249, for highway cleanup, and Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy, (252) 987-1303, for beach and sound clean-up or e-mail administrator@rwscivic.org. Oct. 8 Hatteras Island Cancer Foundations Fun Run starts at Village Conery in Salvo at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 9:15 a.m. Enjoy walking, running, jogging around Hatteras Colony and then lots of activities at the Village Conery. Oct. 29 RWS Civics 8th annual Halloween parade and party. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at the North Beach Campground. Children parade to the RodantheWaves-Salvo Community Building for a great party.

Saltwater Connections
In May, a resource team sponsored by Saltwater Connections visited Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon. Saltwater Connections is a regional economic development initiative. The resource team met community members, business owners, artists, and volunteer firefighters. Saltwater Connections has announced a preliminary report from the Resource Team will be delivered Aug. 24 in Avon from 1 to 3 p.m. The report is expected to include short- and long-term action items for the villages. A comprehensive report will be available once all Hatteras Island villages are visited by a Resource Team. Meanwhile, a Hatteras Island asset map is under construction. The map shows village assets and has descriptions and comments. The map is interactive. Go to www.opengreenmap.org/ greenmap/hatteras-island to add your favorite village asset.

The Village Reporter

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

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August 2011
FERRYBOAT TOLLS

This June, four seniors from the northern villages graduated from Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies. The association honored these young people at a May dinner and offers each a $600 scholarship for post-secondary education. Congratulations to our seniors in the Class of 2011: first year scholarships have been awarded to Eric Beierlein, Paul Hancock, and Crystal Waters. These students will pursue post-secondary education this fall and, for those who do not make an immediate decision, the associations policy is to reserve scholarship funds for their use for two years after graduation. Once again, the association expects to award a $300 second-year scholarships to prior graduates. This year the sole recipient is Ted Fort. These scholarships are funded by your donations and returns from donation jars placed in village businesses. Please consider making a donation when you return your membership dues.

With a sigh of relief, Hatteras Island residents were pleased to learn that the North Carolina Ferry system will continue to offer free passage, at least for the next two years, between Hatteras and Ocracoke. A proposal in the NC Legislature to initiate tolls throughout the North Carolina Ferry system was narrowly averted during the 2011 session.

Salvo Day Use Area

On May 12, the civic association sponsored a threehour community conversation about the Salvo Day Use Area. Some 36 folks signed and submitted 59 handwritten comments. Ten folks came with prepared written comments or e-mailed comments. Written comments and conversation concentrated on beach use at the north end and the conflict between kiteboarding and family use at the traditional beach area. Comments were also solicited about the areas south end and the community cemetery. All handwritten and written comments were forwarded to the National Park Service. The agency is now considering this gathered information and is drafting a response. Erosion of the soundside shoreline in the Salvo Day Use Area that has threatened the Salvo Community Cemetery has been checked. The Civic Association continues to work with staffers from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore to address the situation. The Salvo Community Cemetery is the only in-holding in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Park Service has repaired the fence surrounding the cemetery and installed coir logs in the eroded region. The logs, made out of coconut fibers, are expected to nurture plant growth and help prevent a recurrence of the erosion. The Civic Association has donated $1,000 to cover a portion of the cost.
www.RWSCivic.org

Board Members and Officers

Our newsletters always list the associations officers and board members. We hope you will contact these folks if you have questions or suggestions. In June, association members elected three new members to the board. One is delaying service. Tonya Midgett grew up on Hatteras Island, graduated from Cape Hatteras Secondary and attended Appalachian State University. She is now in the U.S. Coast Guard. At the time of her election, Tonya was stationed in the Virginia Beach, Va., area. In early August, she was assigned to Guam for two years. Please keep Tonya in your thoughts. The associations new secretary is Steve Ryan, who lives and gardens in Salvo. Steve is a retired National Park Service law enforcement officer. Don Babin lives in Mirlo Beach. Long-time members of the Civic Association, Don and Paula moved to Rodanthe from New Hampshire, where Don served for 23 years on several of the towns governing boards.
RWS Civic Association PO Box 323 Rodanthe, NC 27968 President M.H. Goodloe-Murphy Vice President John Contestable Secretary Steve Ryan Treasurer George Mead The Board meets at the RWS Community Building on the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. 987-1303 987-2130 987-2265 564-2667

Officers Directors Serving one year: Lisa Phillips Meredith Doyle Lovie Heilig Bertie K. Midgett Directors Serving two years: Joanne Mason Tonya Midgett Elsie Hooper Don Babbin Food Pantry Coordinator Pat Roberts 987-2810 987-2479 987-2044 987-1572 978-2249 489-8979 987-2386 489-1415 987-2910