Closing out October, we have a conversation with the hardworking folks from Bring Back the Lights, an organization dedicated to building community and fellowship through the holidays on Harkers Island. They share how they first started in 2016, the efforts that have gone into lighting up the Island, and the ways that they have brought the people on the Island - and Down East - together. As we move forward into the holiday season, keep an eye out for their decorations that light up the Winter nights.

This week we are putting a spotlight on a 2010 interview done by Barbara Garrity-Blake with Bill Edwards. He discusses a range of topics, including working as a shore engineer for Standard Products, the conversion of WWII Navy boats into menhaden boats, the strike of 1951, spotter planes and pilots, and more. 

On this week's episode of the landing, Chad Dickenson shares his memories growing up Down East. From playing baseball to fishing, he reflects on how things used to be.

Mila Guthrie joined us for this week’s episode, where she talks about growing up on Harkers Island and starting Seaside general store and restaurant. With nearly 40 years of business, she reflects on the impacts Seaside has had on the Island and the local people, as well as what they’re looking forward to in the future.

Back from hiatus, we are joined again by Joel Hancock to discuss more of his book, The Education of an Island Boy. This time, he shares his family’s story, his time in school on the Island, playing baseball, and working on the water. He not only tells his own story, but the story of Harkers Island through its people and traditions.

For the last Oral History Spotlight of September, we go back to a 2007 interview with Barbara Garrity-Blake and Little Kenny Willis, who lived on the Island and worked at his father's fish house throughout his childhood, then went on to working on a dredge boat, and later a party boat. Listen in as he shares the old ways of Harkers Island, and how things are changing.

Enjoy this week’s Oral History Spotlight, as we hear an interview given by Barbara Garrity-Blake with Bill Lewis in 2009. We hear from him about his years menhaden fishing, many of which he served as a captain on various vessels. He discusses a worker’s strike in the 1950s, some of his memorable sets, and the jobs he had after.

This week's Oral History Spotlight shines on Carolyn Mason, as we hear about the Shackleford horses. Carolyn grew up with a love for animals, especially horses, and had always been told these horses had been there from the start. When they were threatened, she and others faced government and politics in order to save and preserve their legacy.

For the month of September, we will be sharing some of the oral histories from the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center's archives. This interview with Lanier Mitchum, done by Bonnie Hunter, shows the importance of softball Down East. Lanier,  who moved to Davis at 5 years old, has spent many years umpiring girls softball, and has played a huge part in how much this sport has grown in Carteret County. He also highlights the legacy of the late Barbara Yeomans.

In part 2, we speak further with Huckleberry Mudflap. They talk to us about playing for Al Wilson, and share moments where they experienced judgement for their appearance, but also support from their community. This episode is not only a fun reunion, but a chance for them to preserve their story.