Stories by Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice

OBX photographer Ray Matthews ‘loved where he lived’

Nags Head gallery showing a retrospective of his work
By Mary Ellen Riddle |  Outer Banks Voice

Life flows from the photographs in the West Wing of Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head. A giant pelican soars, sunlight beams through crashing waves, and one can almost taste salt in the air. The gallery is currently showing a retrospective of the late Ray Matthews’ photography that features Outer Banks nature, iconic architecture and an evocative black and white self portrait of the man many came to honor. Full story

Sep 14


The crucial task of the Dare County Special Needs Medical Registry

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
September is the midway point for hurricane season, leaving three months left for big storms to potentially hit Dare County. Along with doing the usual pre-storm prep, county residents with personal care and medical care needs can prepare in advance by becoming part of the Special Medical Needs Registry that is administered by the Dare County Division of Social Services (DSS). Full story

Sep 3


Kim Martin, the creative spirit behind KM Creations  

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
Kim Martin opened her Avon bakery, KM Creations, in November and already has made hundreds of cakes, plus fresh bread, cookies, pies and a wide variety of pastries. “If people ask for something, I make it because you don’t get any experience if you don’t make something,” says the 55-year-old Frisco resident. Full story

Aug 13


‘I love to remember the simpler Outer Banks’ 

Outer Banks Vintage Scrapbook brings old memories to life
By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice

Outer Banks Vintage Scrapbook is a keeper of memories. The Facebook page with more than 55,000 members is dedicated to sharing historic posts about the Outer Banks dating no later than the year 2000. Posts from folks with links to the Outer Banks include vintage images, reminiscences, history of the area—and a whole lot of love for the Outer Banks and yesteryear. Full story

Aug 5


Steven Fowler—creator, collector and entrepreneur

The Colington resident turns a ‘hobby job’ into a career
By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
Sun pours through the windows at Steven Fowler’s Colington home. Antique bottles lined up like soldiers shimmer in the light. Dangling jellyfish crafted from old crab pot floats and vintage fishing rope add a liveliness. A handsome photograph he took of the Coliseum in Rome graces the wall of an inner room. This artist, photographer and collector of old things is powered by a love of history, creativity and entrepreneurship. Full story

Jul 3


Jeff Hampton’s new book offers a herd’s-eye view of Corolla’s wild horses

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
After writing more than 100 articles about the historic herd during his quarter-century career at the Virginian Pilot, journalist Jeff Hampton relied on that knowledge in writing his first book, “Corolla’s Wild Horses—A History.” Full story

Jul 22


Dare libraries’ ‘All Together Now’ program makes reading part of summer fun

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
It’s vacation time for school kids and instead of closing books at the end of the year, local libraries are inviting youth to keep them open all summer long. Full story

Jun 21


‘The more you look, the more you see’ 

32nd International Miniature Art Show at Nags Head Seaside Gallery By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice Imagine a work of art that can fit in the palm of your hand. That’s one way of describing what’s traditionally called miniature art. Full story

May 7


Dawn Van Ness uses her art to protect nature

By Mary Ellen Riddle   | Outer Banks Voice
Dawn Van Ness is often wonderstruck while walking the wooded paths on the north end of Roanoke Island. The drifting fragrance of honeysuckle and ligustrum, red-winged black birds flying overhead and butterflies swirling around the trees enthrall the 48-year-old Roanoke Island resident during daily treks. The twice-a-day jaunts with her rescue dog Harris feed Van Ness’ passion for art, animals and advocacy. Full story

May 27


‘It’s very rewarding to be able to see people excited about what they can create’

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice A welcoming sign announcing Catherine Hamill’s studio and home gallery hangs outside her Manteo home. Paintings flank the front door and fill the inside walls of her abode. Full story

Feb 24


‘We want it to be told’  

Pea Island Preservation Society celebrates Black history on the Outer Banks By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice Joan Collins is firmly anchored to the Black history of the Outer Banks. “My family history here can definitely be connected to the roles Blacks played in the US Life-Saving Service,” the US Coast Guard and the Freedman’s Colony,” she said. Full story

Feb 3


Raffaele Paglia’s art takes wing at Seaside Art Gallery

By Mary Ellen Riddle | Outer Banks Voice
Raffaele Paglia spends his time feeding his creativity and feasting on nature. Witnessing a return of Jersey tiger moths at Petaloudes Valley on the Island of Rhodes, Greece inspired his latest creative endeavor that is enlivening galleries in North Carolina and Virginia. Full story

Dec 27