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A Safier Patlier’s Story
By Dan Law
The community just down the shore from us doesn’t look much hke it once did.
It now closely resembles many other commercialized tourist beach towns all over
the south and east coast. It’s hard to find many reminders of the rich down east
heritage that once existed there. But you can still find a few folks who speak with
the traditional accent that once flourished abundantly in this region. Those who
love reading about the history and customs that once dominated this part of the
coast can find several books in places like The History Place in Morehead City, the
bookstore at Fort Macon or Bogue Banks Library, but the majority of these books
were written from secondhand information.
For those who want to read a book written by a man who experienced that life
firsthand, a retired commercial fisherman who was born and raised in Salter Path,
you’re in luck. Romaine Willis is a descendant of original English settlers, whalers
and fishermen who once scraped out a simple, honest living in Diamond City on
Shackleford Banks and later relocated to our island. When you read Willis’s books,
you can hear, feel and taste the full flavor of the rich accent and heritage of the
original Salter Path settlers. It’s easy to get lost in his stories and for the moment
feel what it was truly like living in a past time now gone forever. Now for just a few
months a year during the winter when all the tourists have gone home does Salter
Path slow down enough that you can almost feel the laid-back peace of days gone
by.
Romaine Willis, now 73, loves to sit back, relax and tell stories of how wonder
ful this little community used to be. He is a faithfCil Christian man, built of strong
moral character, and his Christian faith is evident in his stories. He has written two
books containing stories his friends and family have listened to for many years. He
says, “I started this adventure because my wife asked me to write down some of the
childhood memories for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She
wanted them to know their family heritage.”
The first book, Remembering “Back Yonder” is a collection of short stories set in»
the small fishing village of Salter Path from the 1930s until the late 1950s. He recalls
a childhood filled with laughter, hard times and always love. I found myself laugh
ing often and thinking just how many things about his life and those times remind
ed me of when I was a small boy growing up in southeast Mississippi. Many of the
games they used to play were similar to ones my little brother and I played in the
late ‘50s and through the ‘60s. This book is full of wisdom and teachings that were
once necessary to survive in a time when families had to grow and catch everything
they needed to feed their families and to flourish in an isolated region of the world.
Romaine Willis’s second book, Traditions Gone... But Not Forgotten, is filled
with stories and pictures from people who remember fishing on the beach and a
way of life that is gone forever. It was a life of hard work and always, always laughter
as is evident in the pictures he included. He writes: “It’s sad to know that after my
generation is gone no one will even remember these times, and that’s why I have
tried so hard to get it written down, so it will not be left out when people think of
Salter Path. It’s not just a tourist attraction but a community that lived in the most
interesting and wonderful times of life that is now gone but not forgotten.”
You will find many fishing stories in this book that will help you understand
the history and present logic of how weather and seasons affect the many diflTer-
ent kinds of fishing that we can enjoy on Bogue Banks. In this book, I found subtle
knowledge that can help this old country boy become a better fisherman and a bet
ter, more compassionate person.
Romaine and his sweet wife, Dolly, now live in Sneads Ferry, still maintaining a
simple Christian life. He can no longer fish commercially. That hard, back-breaking
work has taken its toll on his body, but to sit and talk with him, watching him, you
would never guess he was in his 70’s or that his back keeps him from the work he so
dearly loves. These are the kinds of people who built this great country and made
her great.
Willis’s books can be purchased either online with PayPal or credit or debit card
at www.rememberingbackyonder.com or purchased at the convenience store and
gas station in the center of Salter Path.
he Aquarium
The Aquarium is blooming with family fun this spring. In addition to thousands
of animals and dozens of exhibits, enjoy dive presentations, animal feedings and
creature features, all free with admission or membership any day you come. For
example, the aquarium’s three river otters are featured in free programs four morn
ings each week.
April 17-23 brings Party for the Planet, a week of fun focused on conservation
in the spirit of Earth Day. To sweeten the message, bakers compete in the Cakes
for Conservation cake-decorating contest. The aquarium joins other conservation
organizations at Fort Macon State Park on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the
Crystal Coast Earth Day Festival.
Also on April 23, imagination and education combine for a magical new pro
gram for children ageis 4-12, Forest Fairies to Sea Serpents. To enhance your visit
this year, a new lineup of activities includes fishing instruction, paddling excur
sions, behind-the-scenes tours and other indoor and outdoor adventures. These
programs and Forest Fairies to Sea Serpents require advance registration and fees.
Online registration for the aquarium’s popular summer camps for children in
grades 2-7 begins April 1. See the Pine Knoll Shores section of www.ncaquariums.
com or call 247-4003 for more information on these activities and programs.
The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for ages 13-61, $7
for ages 62 and over, $6 for children 3-12; no charge for children 2 and under and
North Carolina Aquarium Society members.
April 2011 Sudoku Puzzle
Difficulty level: medium
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April 2011 I The Shoreline
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