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Hey Outer Banks, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Beloved North Carolina neighborhood restaurants, Reddit’s best beaches, and an oceanfront cottage stunner + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around the Outer Banks protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Timeless spots for comfort: A new roundup spotlights 13 North Carolina neighborhood restaurants locals call a home away from home, with Sam & Omie’s in Nags Head featured alongside mainstays in Charlotte and Durham — see the full lineup.

Wild shores and hidden gems: Redditors have named 10 North Carolina beaches the Best in America, including Ocracoke’s peaceful stretch, Shackleford Banks, and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a favorite in the off-season for Outer Banks locals — see which beaches made it.

Inside the annual address: Dare County’s chairman will deliver the State of the County on March 21 at 10 a.m. at Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton, highlighting progress and local priorities — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Step up to advanced line dancing
• Immerse in Outer Banks waterfowling heritage
• Join Kitty Hawk’s spring trash cleanup

🫶 We got your back

Overstuffed sandwich fix: When your midday hunger needs two hands, Country Deli has stacked the good stuff since 1990, from overstuffed classics to triple-deckers done right. It’s the weekday standby when leftovers glare from the fridge and your appetite refuses to play nice.

Sand, sky, reset: Jockey’s Ridge State Park answers with towering dunes, steady kite winds, and a quiet Soundside made for sunset strolls. Bring water, kick off your shoes carefully, and roam the soft ridgelines… the Outer Banks will do the rest.

Toy-fueled sanity saver: In Manteo, Kitty Hawk Kites turns “we’re bored” into backyard Olympics. Think kites that actually fly, breezy wind art, puzzles, and tough beach toys that outlast sand and siblings. When cabin fever hits, let the wind choose the next game.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🖼 Practicing Persistence Exhibition @ Dare Arts (Manteo) | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:00 AM – Off-season calls for the good stuff, and the Vault Gallery’s group show delivers ceramics, metals, and wood from three long-term Pocosin residents. Meet Ryan, Hannah, and Henry at the opening reception, then linger like a local while their persistence of craft does the talking.

🎗 Coping with Cancer Support Group @ Outer Banks Health Cowell Cancer Center (Nags Head) | Wednesday (3/11) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’re facing a diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this free in-person group offers real talk, tips, and people who get it. Led by licensed clinical social worker Janet Creef on Cowell Cancer Center’s second floor, it meets every second Wednesday, no platitudes required.

❓ Trivia @ McGrath’s Burger Shack Nags Head | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Give your midweek a purpose at McGrath’s Burger Shack in Nags Head, where Justin Bateman runs free trivia every Wednesday at 6. Flex those useless facts, snag a prize if luck’s on your side, and reward yourself with a proper burger, fries, and bragging rights.

🧹 Downsizing & Decluttering @ Dare County Library (Manteo) | Thursday (3/12) at 11:30 AM – Whether you’re prepping to age in place, flirting with a smaller home, or tired of that avalanche-prone closet, this free decluttering chat with Beverly Mineo at the Manteo Library brings straight talk and practical tips. Join in person or on Zoom, and pre-register at DareNC.gov/Enrichment.

🧶 Yarn Storming @ Hatteras Library | Friday (3/13) at 3:00 PM – Whether you’ve been knitting since the last big nor’easter or still think casting on involves bait, Yarn Storming at Hatteras Library is your cozy crew. Bring needles for knitting, crochet, embroidery, or cross-stitch, swap tips, teach newbies, and enjoy a free, all-ages stitch along.

💼 Outer Banks Trade Expo @ Jolly Roger Restaurant (Kill Devil Hills) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Building season’s knocking, so swing by the Outer Banks Trade Expo for free entry, real connections, and all the cool jobsite toys, minus the mud. Top vendors, OBHBA folks, and Jolly Roger vibes with a cash bar. Bring your crew, talk shop, maybe win something.

🎨 Kellogg Kids 2nd Saturday @ Benjamin Moore – Kellogg Paint Solutions (Kitty Hawk) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Second Saturday means free kids crafts at all the Kellogg Supply spots, plus Benjamin Moore, from Manteo to Duck, Edenton, and the shiny new Coinjock spot. They supply the materials, you supply the supervising, and everyone leaves feeling crafty, not broke. Quick trip, big win.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Outer Banks report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 63°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 0%

Areas of fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Later: Patchy fog before 8pm, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers between 8pm and 2am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 65°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 16%

Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This oceanfront Sanderling cottage offers direct beach access and sweeping Atlantic views. A bright layout features vaulted ceilings, windows, and an open kitchen. Five bedrooms and five baths across two levels include four en-suites. A deck and outdoor shower keep beach days easy. It sits close to Duck dining and shops, with access to Sanderling Pool & Racquet Club amenities.

Take a peek inside →