In recognition of over 30 years of unwavering dedication and outstanding service to Nags Head, Dare County, and the State of North Carolina, former long-time elected official Renée Cahoon was honored on Wednesday with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Since its creation in 1963, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine has been awarded to individuals whose exemplary service, extraordinary achievements, and substantial contributions to their communities and to the State, make a significant impact in North Carolina.

A stalwart public servant, Cahoon has played a pivotal role in the managed growth and resulting success of Nags Head. Her three decades of service have left an indelible mark on the community, with a legacy characterized by tireless advocacy, visionary leadership, and a commitment to the betterment of the lives of the town and its neighbors on the coast.

During the presentation, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper provided a video tribute in which he thanked Cahoon for her decades of service and for her work as chair of the State’s Coastal Resources Commission. A member since 2002, Cooper named Cahoon as the Commission’s chair in 2017, a position she still holds.

Throughout her career, Cahoon has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at “keeping Nags Head, Nags Head,” working to preserve the town’s values as a family-oriented beach community.

“Although there has been significant change in the community and throughout the Outer Banks, Nags Head remains true to itself largely due to Renée’s contributions,” said Nags Head Mayor Ben Cahoon. “She has been a driving force in resisting the pressure for Nags Head to become more intensely developed, as can be seen in other beach communities along the east coast.”

The recognition of Renée Cahoon with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine stands not only as a tribute to her decades of exceptional service, but also as an inspiration to all who wish to make a meaningful impact through public service. As we celebrate her remarkable 30 plus years of dedicated leadership, we are reminded that the spirit of community and selfless commitment can truly shape the future.

Renée stands with, from left, Commissioner Kevin Brinkley, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Siers, Mayor Ben Cahoon, and Commissioners Megan Lambert and Bob Sanders.

View a video about Renée's importance to Nags Head at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2dDBs2vVI0

View the video from Governor Cooper at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzdbbPB2vSU

Get ready for winter wonders at Dowdy Park!  Join us for the coolest winter markets, where local vendors will be serving up their handmade wares. 

• Saturday, January 13 | 9 am - 12 pm 
• Thursday, February 10 | 9 am - 12 pm
• Saturday, March 9 | 9 am - 12 pm
• Saturday, April 13 | 9 am - 12 pm

The park is located at 3005 South Croatan Highway and parking is available at Nags Head Elementary School.

The Outer Banks Woman's Club will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank at the event. Items you can shred: tax documents, bank statements, canceled checks, travel documents, paycheck stubs, ATM and credit card receipts and statements, insurance documents, and utility bills.

Please place your undecorated, tinsel-free Christmas trees on the side of the road in front of your property, where they will be collected as part of the Town’s curbside bulk item/brush collection service (available October through April each year).

Be sure to set trees in a separate pile from other bulk/brush items that need to be collected. For more information contact the Nags Head Public Service Department at 252-441-1122.

Start 2024 off by taking steps to recycle right! 

Are Amazon's paper mailers recyclable? 

Good news, these ARE recyclable with TFC Recycling.  They do contain small amounts of Styrofoam padding, but not enough to prevent it from being sorted with paper.

Thank you for recycling right!

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at town hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our public services facility (2200 Lark Avenue), subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $10.33/month thanks to a $5/month subsidy from the Town.