The Landing: Where Our Crowd Gathers

Casey Best Reflects on Family Food Traditions and Favorite Recipes

This week we are joined on a call with Casey Best to discuss traditions of food and cooking Down East. From learning to cook as a child living in Straits, to Saturday lunch at Mammy's house, to embracing diverse food traditions, Casey takes us through a flavorful journey of the cooking traditions that bring people together.

Karen Teklinsky & Della Brooks Share Their Hurricane Stories

In this episode, we have two interviews - first, we speak with Karen Teklinsky, a teacher from Ocracoke who lived through Hurricane Dorian. She tells the story of the storm and the aftermath, seeing the resilience in her students and community. Next, we are joined by Della Brooks. On Della's 43rd birthday, Hurricane Florence hit. Her story highlights the love she has for her friends and family, as these are the people she thought of first after Florence hit.

Sarah Laws Shares Her WNC Story

During the East-West Teacher Exchange held at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center in March, we got the chance to speak with Sarah Laws, a teacher dedicated to her students and community. She tells us of Hurricane Helene and the aftermath - how she and her family had to cut their way out of the debris, when she became a caretaker for the animals and pets of the community, and how she continues to see resilience in those around her, especially her students.
We also hear a song that Lane Worrell Hoit shared with Staci - a song written and performed by Erin Williams Banks about the Flood of 1940. This song resonated with Lane deeply after seeing what had happened across Western North Carolina last September.

Lane Worrell Hoit and Terry Worrell Share Their Western NC Story

Last month, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center held an East-West teacher exchange, in which educators from Western and Eastern North Carolina came together and shared their stories of perseverance in the aftermath of hurricanes that have impacted their communities. Only 6 months after hurricane Helene, educators like Lane and Terry are working to uplift their students, fellow teachers, and communities. They share both the fear they have felt through this experience, as well as moments of hope as they work towards a new normal.

Joel Fodrie Talks Seagrass

This week, Joel Fodrie talks to us about something special in the waters of North Carolina, seagrass. An estuarine ecologist, Joel discusses what seagrass is, how it populates, and the declining population of seagrass along North Carolina's coast these last 12 years. He also speaks on what is being done to combat this decline and shares an opportunity for those wanting to get involved in conserving this priceless marine plant.

Corey Lawrence Shares His Special Heritage

Corey Lawrence joins us this week to tell us about his childhood Down East. He reminisces on growing up in Harkers Island - riding his bike around the island, playing to the Landing, and more - and the ways that things have changed since.

Hannah Wrae Nelson Beasley Shares about Growing Up Down East

This week we are joined by Hannah Wrae Nelson Beasley, a former math teacher who grew up Down East. She looks back on her time as a child, playing to The Landing, her days in school, and her years as an educator.

Tommy & Chris Yeomans Reflect on Growing Up on the Island (Part 2)

In the second part of our interview with Tommy and Chris Yeomans, they share memories and stories from school and college, playing sports, and the work that they have done over the years. From working in a body shop to a survey boat, clamming over the summers to teaching in Down East schools, join us as we hear about Chris and Tommy's lives on Harkers Island.

Tommy & Chris Yeomans Reflect on Growing Up on the Island (Part 1)

This week we are joined by Tommy and Chris Yeomans, a father and son who grew up on Harkers Island. They reflect and reminisce about the years they spent growing up on the island, sharing memories of playing on the Landing, school days, and family stories.

Susanne Taylor Reflects on Her Softball Career

This week, we are joined by Susanne Taylor. Over the course of this interview, she discusses her time playing softball, from when she was a child through playing collegiate ball. She recalls some victories as well as struggles, but most importantly, Susanne reflects on her love for Softball and what this sport has taught her over the years.