🌱 How does Ocracoke keep its charm in a changing world?

Cheers Ocracoke! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How does Ocracoke keep its charm in a changing world?
• How did this rare sea turtle end up off Ocracoke?
• How Blackbeard’s last stand at Ocracoke led to sunken treasure

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 48 and low of 42 degrees.
• Friday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 51, low: 49.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 54 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• The North Carolina Village Known For Its Ancient Charm And Local Pride (takingthekids.com) — Life in Ocracoke takes center stage here, from its ferry-only access and historic lighthouse to the tight-knit community that still checks tide charts before making plans. The piece highlights the island’s preserved cottages, unique “Hoi Toide” dialect, maritime heritage, and fiercely local businesses, all set amid wild beaches and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It’s essentially a love letter to the village’s enduring character and pride.
   

• Rare sea turtle seen off Outer Banks made 5,400-mile journey, tracker shows (pilotonline.com) — Researchers report that a rare leatherback sea turtle named Riptide recently passed off Ocracoke after swimming more than 5,400 miles from Panama, even reaching Nova Scotia before heading south. Tracking data show she’s spending time off the Outer Banks, where leatherbacks are endangered and only rarely nest. The story underscores how special – and uncommon – such a sighting is near Ocracoke’s waters.
   

• In 1996, Divers Discovered Sunken Treasure in 20 Feet of Water Off the Carolina Coast. 15 Years Later, They Learned Who it Actually Belonged to (people.com) — Ocracoke Island plays a key role in this retelling of how Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was run aground there before the pirate was killed nearby in 1718. The story follows divers who found cannons and artifacts off Beaufort in 1996, and explains how years of research confirmed the wreck’s identity and moved its treasures to the North Carolina Maritime Museum.
   

📸 Around Ocracoke

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 12

• Totally Turtles Children’s Program
  Hatteras Island Visitor Center , 46375 Lighthouse Rd , Buxton
  12:00 pm
• Holidays at the Museum
  Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum , 59200 Museum Dr , Hatteras
  12:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Holidays on Hatteras
  Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum , 59200 Museum Dr , Hatteras
  12:00 pm
• Hatteras Island Christmas Parade
  Hatteras Community Center , 57689 North Carolina Hwy 12 , Hatteras
  2:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• WARRIOR Revolution
  Fessenden Center Annex , 47013 Buxton Back Rd , Buxton
  1:00 pm

Friday December 19

• The Book Drop - Hatteras Library Book Club Meeting
  Hatteras Library , 57709 North Carolina Hwy 12 , Hatteras
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• ALL LEVELS VINYASA — Dare to Yoga Studio & Wellness
  Dare to Yoga Studio & Wellness , 56910 North Carolina Hwy 12 , Hatteras
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🗞 Nearby News

Hatteras

• Dare Ed Board names Hatteras Secondary Auditorium after iconic teacher Braxton Hall (outerbanksvoice.com)
• Hatteras Village Christmas Parade returns this Saturday; entries still being accepted (islandfreepress.org)
• Coins for Cancer at Cape Hatteras Elementary brings in more than $2,400 in donations (islandfreepress.org)

Rodanthe

• Dare County's Christmas 2025 Closures and Trash Collection Schedule Changes (outerbanksvoice.com)

Belhaven

Ok Ocracoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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