From the field

News from around the region

Sylvia's celebration planned for Feb. 18

The Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant in Morehead City on Feb. 18 will be the site of the annual celebration of the launching of Sylvia, the beloved Core Sounder owned by longtime News & Observer columnist Bob Simpson.

A ceremonial cake cutting is scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. at the waterfront docks. The round-sterned boat will be available for inspection.

Originally a working fish boat for which the keel was laid on Valentine's Day 1933, Sylvia has served from Northern Virginia to South Florida, variously working as a mail boat, seeing government service in World War II and providing ferry service. The boat also has given hundreds of Carolinians the opportunity to experience recreational fishing while in the charter service.

Sylvia also has served in educational tours for youth and schools. Among Sylvia's adventures is being sunk during a Groundhog Day storm in 1976.

For directions to the restaurant, call (252) 247-3111 or visit www.sanitaryfishmarket.com .

Hatteras Seashore studies vehicle use

Outdoors enthusiasts who visit or plan to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore will be interested in public scoping meetings scheduled for discussion of an Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the facility.

On Dec. 11, the National Park Service published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to develop an ORV Management Plan/EIS for the seashore.

The plan/EIS will guide the management of the nation's first national seashore for the next 15 to 20 years.

Superintendent Mike Murray announced the schedule of scoping meetings, each of which will consist of a one-hour, open-house session followed by a brief presentation and an opportunity to provide public comment for the record in a public-hearing style.

The schedule:

* 2-6 p.m. Feb. 26, Fessenden Center, Route 12, Buxton.

* 6-9 p.m. Feb. 27, Wright Brothers National Memorial First Flight Centennial Pavilion, U.S. 158, Kill Devil Hills.

* 6-9 p.m. Feb. 28, McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman St., N.C. State campus, Raleigh.

* 6-9 p.m. March 1, American Geophysical Union Building, 2000 Florida Ave. NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C.

Those who cannot attend a meeting in person can participate by sending comments electronically at http://parkplan ning.nps.gov/caha or by mailing written comments to:

Superintendent, RE: Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan/EIS

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

1401 National Park Drive

Manteo, NC 27954

Senders should include full name, e-mail address or mailing address with comments so they can receive additional information on the planning process. Comments must be postmarked by March 16.

More information will be available as it is developed and will be posted on the park planning Web site http://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha.

Summer camp includes fly-fishing

Teenagers interested in fly-fishing and mountain streams might consider the N.C. mountains for their summer camp choice.

Rivercourse: Coldwater Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp will be offered June 17-22 by the North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited.

For boys and girls ages 13-15, the camp will be conducted at the Lake Logan Center in Canton. The cost is $495. Campers are housed in two-person rooms with their own bathrooms.

Fly-fishing is taught twice daily, and instruction is offered in fly tying, knot tying and nature drawing.

Counselors are in residence to chaperone. Meals are served at a large dinning hall.

For more information, call (828) 654-8725, e-mail rdbjheald@ bellsouth.net or visit www.nctu.org or www.lakelogan.org.