Schools

Roanoke Island ... (Manteo, north end Roanoke Island, is an incorporated municipality with its own tax rate).   The Island is connected by a Bridge to the Beaches on the south end, and a bridge to the mainland at Manns Harbor on the north end.   We now have a "New Bridge" for the mid-way connection to the mainland which will bypass downtown Manteo - which had gotten rather congested with traffic from folks coming into the area via Route 64/264.  The Island boasts a wonderful Waterfront area in Downtown Manteo, home to our Dare County Courthouse, Shops, Restaurants, and a replica of the Elizabeth II, an English sailing vessel.   You can visit the Ship & be greeted by sailors who will interact with you in their native speak - tell you about the Ship and life in their day.   A few years ago we saw completion of a major development of Ice Plant Island (which is across from the Manteo Waterfront) to include our new "Roanoke Island Festival Park" ... an Outdoor Amphitheater which has lawn seating for a large number of families.   In season you will find many free activities, concerts, etc. - the 4th of July celebrations have included wonderful celebrations which have included some well known singers and bands.    At the south end of the Island you will find "Wanchese" (phonetically pronounced: "Wan-cheeze") which is home to a majority of our area's commercial fishing fleets.   This is where a major amount of the wonderful seafood we eat in our local restaurants is brought. Although Wanchese too has seen development, it is probably as close as you will come to what the Outer Banks used to look like.

Roanoke Island is perhaps most famous for the longest running Outdoor Drama in the United States... "The Lost Colony"... each summer a new cast is brought together to give nightly performances (check for black nights) reenacting the "First English Settlement" of the New World ... which happened right here on "Roanoke."   I have seen this play five times over the years, and still enjoy it (be sure to take something to keep the mosquitoes at bay!)   Andy Griffith played the part of Sir Walter Raleigh in this play at the beginning of his acting career, about the time he was still doing stand-up comedy (some 40 years ago).   Andy and Cindy, his wife, spend much time here at their Soundfront Estate on

In 1989, Andy brought his entire Matlock Crew to the Island to film his two hour Season Opener movie ... all on location.   I was fortunate enough to land a part as an extra (Deputy Sheriff).   The scene I was in was shot in the first two days of filming.   I was struck by the complexities, and the incredible amount of organization required to shoot these scenes.   While I and the others with me practiced what we were supposed to do, I wondered where Andy was.... and why he wasn't there with us.   It came to me right quick when we shot the scene ... Andy does not need to rehearse!   He is a sure professional. While I did get to meet "Michelle", R.G. Armstrong, and others, I never did get the chance to meet Andy Griffith.   I did however get to take some great photos.    I have one of Andy ... with his long time friend "R.G. Armstrong" -also a famous actor ... known for his gravelly voice. R.G. has played the "Sheriff' a thousand times in different westerns over the last 40 years. R.G. had played opposite Andy as John Borden in the Lost Colony play.   R.G. had not been back to the Outer Banks since that time ... until he was invited by Andy to do this movie. Recently, this movie was on television ... a friend (and client too!) called me to tell me that I was about to be on TV again!   It has been many years, but my 15 minutes of fame lives on!