Welcome to the First Flight Rotary Club!
We invite you to learn about Rotary and our club.
We meet at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays at Dirty Dick’s Crab House,
2407 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC
To learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Lobster Fest 2026
Whole Maine Lobster 🦞 or Prime Rib 🥩 dinner with clam chowder, boiled potatoes and dessert. Buy two for the perfect Surf & Turf! Every ticket supports First Flight Rotary’s local service projects.
One ticket = one dinner, any night you choose.
Upcoming Meetings & Speakers
Guests are always welcome. Join us for lunch Wednesdays at 1:00 PM at Dirty Dick’s Crab House in Nags Head.
Signature Fundraisers
Every dollar raised goes back into the Outer Banks and to Rotary causes around the world.
Lobster Fest
35th annual
Nov 19–21 at Shipwrecks
Get tickets →
Holiday Social
Our December holiday fundraiser
Date & location coming soon
Nags Head Woods 5K
41st anniversary
Saturday, May 8, 2027
Mother’s Day weekend
Putt-Putt for Polio
Mini golf for a polio-free world
Date coming soon
Current Service Project
Service Project 2026–2027
More information about our upcoming service project for Rotary Year 2026–2027 is coming soon!
Recent Service Projects
Service Above Self, right here on the Outer Banks.
CYP Outdoor Learning Environment
Spring 2026 · Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County
Club members rolled up their sleeves and built a brand-new Outdoor Learning Environment at the Children & Youth Partnership in Manteo, a hands-on outdoor classroom for local kids and families. We celebrated at the ribbon cutting on September 15, 2026.
Ruthie’s Kitchen
May 2026 · Ruthie’s Community Kitchen, Kill Devil Hills
Members cooked, packed and served a full dinner (main dish, sides, rolls, fruit, dessert and water) for about 100 neighbors who rely on Ruthie’s Kitchen for a hot meal.
Red Sand Project
July 2025 · Soundside Summer Market, Nags Head
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we invited the community to pour red sand into sidewalk cracks, a simple, powerful way to raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation in our own backyard.
Latest News
Lobster Fest 2026 tickets are on sale! Nov 19–21 at Shipwrecks
Our 35th annual Lobster Fest is back the week before Thanksgiving: three nights of whole Maine Lobster and Prime Rib dinners at Shipwrecks in Kitty Hawk. Tickets are $45 and on sale now!
First Flight Rotary is officially relocated!
First Flight Rotary has a NEW HOME!
We have officially moved! Now you can see our sign on the bypass!
Stop by most Wednesdays but check our calendar to be sure we are meeting the day you want to visit us. You are all welcome to visit.
Rotary helps build an outdoor classroom for Dare County kids
First Flight Rotary teamed up with the Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County to create a new Outdoor Learning Environment in Manteo, celebrated with a ribbon cutting on September 15.
Tom Haddon named First Flight Rotarian of the Year
At our June 24 Installation meeting, First Flight Rotary honored Tom Haddon as Rotarian of the Year for 2025–26, recognizing a year of rolled-up-sleeves service.
Celebrate good times! Rotary’s CHAIR-ity night raises $2,475 for the Community Care Clinic
When Kool & the Gang played Roanoke Island Festival Park, First Flight Rotarians were behind the scenes renting chairs, managing trash and running a raffle, all to support the Community Care Clinic of Dare.
40 years of miles and smiles in Nags Head Woods
The Nags Head Woods 5K hit a big milestone in 2026: its 40th running, still on the gravel road through one of the Outer Banks’ most treasured forests.
Rotary helps bring a free dental clinic to Dare County
First Flight Rotary sponsored a two-day free dental clinic in December, bringing NC Baptists on Mission’s mobile dental team to neighbors who need care most.
First Flight Rotary members party to End Polio Now
Making End Polio Now fundraising fun.
Members of the First Flight Rotary Club and the Kitty Hwk Rotary Club got together on Friday, October 24th at Jolly Roger Restaurant for a fun fundraiser in support of Rotary's End Polio Now initiative. Since 1979, Rotary has partnered with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that no child in the world suffers from polio. In 1980 annual worldwide polio cases have been estimated between 300,000 to 400,000. Thanks to Rotary and our partners, polio cases in 2024 dropped to 562. The disease is endemic in only two countries; Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our goal is zero cases worldwide. So, We continue to raise funds to support that goal.
First Flight Rotary Club Volunteers at Ruthies Kitchen
Members packaged 120 meals to be distributed to clients at Ruthie's Community Kitchen.
We are very thankful to member Mike Kelly of Kelly's OBX Catering for preparing the food we packaged. Many thanks to the onsite Rotarians that packaged the food including Diane Denny, Jeremy Miller, John Polk and Hearst Vann.
End Polio Now
Enjoy a night of laughter, fun, and camaraderie — all while supporting Rotary’s global fight to END POLIO NOW. Every dollar raised will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making your impact three times as powerful.
Come as you are or in your best pirate gear — it’s all in good fun for a great cause! Bring your friends, family, and shipmates to join the festivities and help us raise our sails (and our glasses!) for polio eradication.
Together, we can turn good times into great progress — one pint at a time.
Service Above Self!
first Flight Rotary Club announces 24th Annual Oink and Oyster Roast Oct. 11th
This year's event will be hosted at Pigman's BBQ in Nags Head, NC
We are actively seeking sponsors for our 24th Annual Oink and Oyster event. For information on sponsorship and all the perks businesses receive, click here.
For information on this annual event, visit our Oink and Oyster Roast web page.
District Governor Nominee From District 7570 visits First Flight Rotary
The customary banner exchange took place at the end of our August 6th meeting.
Amanda Wilborne, District Governor Nominee from District 7570 accepts the First Flight Rotary Club Banner from Club President Luke Bear. Amanda is a member of the Rotary Club of Roanoke-Downtown in Virginia.
DGN Amanda is a Rotary District Governor classmate of our member, DGN John Polk, District 7720. Both will be serving as District Governor in their respective districts during Rotary Year 2027/2028.
First Flight Rotary Club partners to host
First Flight Rotary Club to Host Red Sand Project Activation to Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, and Exploitation.
First Flight Rotary Club is proud to announce its participation in Red Sand Project on Wednesday, July 30 (World Day against Trafficking in Persons) from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Nags Head, NC at the Soundside Summer Market. Red Sand Project is a participatory artwork installation dedicated to raising awareness about vulnerabilities that can lead to human
Trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation.
Why Rotary?
Some may be tentative when explaining to others why we contribute our time, talent and treasure to this club we call Rotary. Incoming President Luke Baer has a different approach.
2025-2026 FFRC President Luke Baer
Tell them WHY!
We are so passionate about Rotary, yet being able to explain Rotary membership to a relative, friend, co-worker or neighbor seems to have us tongue-tied.
On June 25, 2025, the Rotary Club of First Flight in Nags Head, NC inducted Luke Baer as its President for the 2025-2026 Rotary year. Following the induction ceremony, Luke provided the members with an overview of the plans for the 2025-2026 Rotary year starting July 1, 2025.
2025-2026 Rotary Club President, Luke Baer shared some interesting insights about his plans for the coming year. In particular, he focused on some key concepts that members can adapt to prevent us from stumbling when encouraging friends, neighbors and relatives to join Rotary also.
Often, we tend to tell folks what Rotary does. But, if we start by explaining why we joined Rotary, we have a better chance of attracting folks that believe in what we believe are the right things to do to make our community a better place to live, work and play...
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First Flight Rotary supports Chicamacomico Beach Rescue Drill team
Members Jeff Fischer and Ralph Buxton presented a $1000 Rotary check to the Chicamacomico Beach Rescue Drill team at the weekly reenactment drill.
Chicamacomico was the first of seven Life-Saving Stations built in North Carolina in 1874 and is one of the most unique historical maritime sites on the East coast. The original building at Chicamacomico, commissioned Dec. 4, 1874, was the first Life-Saving Service staffed in North Carolina. It houses all of the equipment for fundamental Life-Saving Service training, such as drill pole, breeches buoy and cart, a rare life-car and original surfboat.
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Welcome to Our newest member Dan Harper
Welcome, Dan. We look forward to serving our community with you.
Dan Harper is a Corporate Associate member of Truist Bank in Kill Devil Hills, NC.
First Flight Rotarians volunteer for beach cleaning duty
The section of beach we were assigned was decently clean. Our volunteers removed chunks of storm-damaged sand fence slats, firewood, paper trash items and a plastic bin.
We are looking forward to more efforts by Outer Banks Tourism to connect local visitors with volunteer opportunities like this. The next opportunity will likely be after July 4th. , per Jeff. Trying to do at least 4 times during the year.
Outer Banks Relief Foundation to speak at July 9th Meeting
The Outer Banks Relief Foundation eases financial burdens when tragedy strikes.
The organization will be represented by Melissa Cox (left), Operations Manager, Patti McKenna (right), Executive Director and a recipient of their services.
The Foundation was born when a group of Outer Banks residents raised funds for leukemia research in honor of a local child fighting the disease. As that child’s family struggled not only with illness but also mounting financial hardship—ultimately losing their home—the community recognized a greater need.
Rotary Means Business, the topic of June 4th Speaker
Members treated to a mini-organizational management seminar at June 4th meeting.
A visiting fellow Rotarian from Royersford, PA spoke at our June 4th weekly meeting.
Jay Browning, owner of Browning Advisors LLC, presented a dynamic people evaluation tool for maximizing an organization's effectiveness,
Using the crest below, Jay walked us through the four qualities members have and how to best manage those skills and and relationships using the Maxwell DISC method for the benefit of the organization.
We have a Winner
Like many Rotary Clubs, First Flight Rotary has a weekly 50/50 Raffle Tradition.
The First Flight Rotary Club Weekly 50/50 is designed to generate funds to support the work of the Club and to have fun at weekly meetings.
Members and guests of our May 28th meeting raffle purchased tickets during the mealtime. At the end of the meeting, a ticket purchased by Ralph Buxton was drawn. The drawing gave Ralph the opportunity to draw the Ace of Spades from a deck of playing cards whose quantity was depleted during the past several weeks when weekly raffle winners failed to draw the ace of spades. The card those weekly raffle winners drew was torn up and thrown in the trash. Ralph drew the Ace of Spades, entitling him to a share of a very sizable pot. Congratulations Ralph Buxton!
First Flight 8th grader, Sienna Black, wins First Flight Rotary Club 4 Way Test Essay Contest
Photo of Club President David Neal providing the award for her essay.
The First Flight Rotary Club proudly announces the winner of their 2025 Rotary 4-Way Test Essay Contest.
This year's winner is First Flight Middle School 8th grader, Sienna Black. We are also proud to announce that Sienna's essay won the 2nd place award from Rotary District 7720. Congratulations Sienna!
Sienna and her mom visited us at our May 28th meeting where
Sienna read her essay for our club members.
2025 Nags Head 5k Run & 1 Mile Walk a Success on many levels
2025 Nags Head Woods 5k & 1-Mile Walk hosted by the Rotary Club of First Flight May 11, 2025
The 39th Annual Nags Head Woods 5k & 1 Mi Walk bought in runners and walkers from throughout the Outer Bank Islands of North Carolina.
Joy Cook to speak at May 21 Meeting
Our May 21st guest speaker is Joy Cook, Superintendent of Jockey's Ridge State Park.
Located in Dare County in the Outer Banks, Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast and provides an ideal location for flying kites and watching sunsets. Hang gliding is a hallmark activity at the park, and a private concessionaire offers lessons. A second access area takes visitors through wetland habitats and allows for swimming, paddling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing on the Roanoke Sound. The park also marks the eastern terminus of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.
Superintendent Cook will bring us more information on the 50th Anniversary Celebration planned for JRSP taking place from June 5th - 8th.
Click here for Jockey’s Ridge 50th Anniversary
Looking forward to seeing everyone at Wednesday's meeting.
Service Above Self!
Volunteering to help our Community Partners
First Flight Rotary Club members volunteered last Friday to help our friends at the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce move several boxes filled with Outer Banks Experience Magazines.
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First Flight Rotary helps Interfaith Community Outreach
First Flight Rotary Club awards donation to the Interfaith Community Outreach at our May 14th meeting.
Photo shows ICO's Executive Director, Jenniffer Albanease flanked on left by club treasurer Hearst Vann and FFRC Foundation Committee Member Tom Haddon.
“Interfaith Community Outreach provides assistance to individuals facing a temporary emergency crisis.” Their vision is “ICO Bridging the Gap: Where no one will face an emergency crisis alone.”
First Flight Rotary Club host several community fundraisers throughout the year, including the recent Nags Head Woods 5k, the Oink and Oyster Roast, Lobster Fest and, of course, End Polio Now events such as the Putt for Polio last week. Our members are committed to helping support our community needs through these efforts.
Who do you know that would enjoy being a Rotary member?
Have you completed your worksheet yet? The worksheet is a "Who Do You Know" for potential businesses, friends or acquaintances who you feel would enjoy learning more about Rotary and possibly consider joining our fellowship.
Roland McDivitt
Fellow Rotarian on the mend at Spring Arbor
Richard "Dick" Calhoun is on the mend.
Members Richard "Dick" Calhoun and Hearst Vann visited earlier this week at Spring Arbor of the Outerbanks where Dick is on the mend participating in physical therapy as he recovers from a recent stroke.
Members of the First Flight Rotary Club will be joining Dick on April 16th at Arbor Creek of the Outerbanks for our weekly meeting. Everyone is looking forward to seeing Dick at our meetings again.
OBX Rotary Clubs supporting Dare To Care
The Rotary Clubs of the Outer Banks are proud to bring FREE Cardiovascular Screenings to residents of our community. These screenings are provided free of charge to those at risk of cardiovascular disease. Learn more about the Dare to C.A.R.E Program in the video below. https://www.daretocare.us/
Executive Director Jennifer Albanese
Interfaith Community Outreach!
Thank you Executive Director Jennifer Albanese and Outreach Coordinator Lindsey Kee for joining us for our weekly meeting.
https://www.interfaithoutreach.com/
Rotary Clubs are making an Impact in OBX Communities
Three Rotary Clubs in the Outer Banks of North Carolina are making an impact on the communities where they serve and in the world.
The First Flight Rotary Club, Kitty Hawk Rotary Club and Manteo Rotary Club make up Area 1 of Rotary District 7720 in eastern North Carolina. The clubs are located in Manteo, North Carolina, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and Nags Head North Carolina.
At the February 4th Semi-Annual meeting of the three clubs, Area 1 Assistant District Governor John Polk reviewed the accomplishments of the three clubs. The list is quite impressive.
Capt Jack Graham
Captain Jack presented the "Challenges of fishing the Gulf Stream".
Click here to see video of Captl Jack Presentation
Capt Jack presented an interesting scenario that he, as a Charter Captain for recreational charters and commercial fishermen, has to deal with because of regulations governing fishing in NC territorial ocean waters.
As a recreational charter captain, he takes recreational fishermen into the Gulf Stream for the thrill of catching tuna. Unfortunately, in recent years, the tuna population has been decimated by an overpopulation of sharks.
First Flight Rotary members made this past holiday season for
First Flight Rotary members made this past holiday season for five Peak Resources Rehab patients a little bit brighter.
Members shopped for 5 angel tree recipients and delivered those goods to Peak Resources Rehab center in Nags Head, North Carolina.
Worldwide Polio Eradication Update
First Flight Rotary provides Backpacks for needy residents of Room at the Inn
While many in our community were getting ready for celebrating Halloween, members of the First Flight Rotary Club were assembling backpacks for the needy in our community that will be residing at the OBX Room in the Inn.
First Flight members initiated a Rotary District Grant Project for Shelter Backpacks for residents at the OBX Room in the Inn. After purchasing needed supplies, members met at the YMCA gym on October 31st to assemble the back packs.
Service is the heart of Rotary and its members. Together we change lives in our community and around the world. 96 Backpacks for the Outer Banks' only homeless shelter-Room in the Inn. Each pack contained personal hygiene kits, socks, grooming items, full body bath wipes, healthy snacks and bottled water. Service Above Self!
The Mission of OBX Room at the Inn is to provide hospitality, food, shelter, and support services to homeless men and women on the Outer Banks during the cold winter months.
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First Flight Rotary volunteers
Rotarians at Work… Providing support to YMCA Volunteers and the Food Bank of Albemarle
Together with YMCA volunteers deliver fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, canned goods, and other groceries to those in need in our community.
First Flight Rotary does the Chicamocomico
No, the Chicamocomico is not the latest dance craze in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The Chicamacomico Historic site is a life-saving station on Pea Island in the Outer Banks that is currently undergoing renovation. According to the sites website, "visitors will find heroes, the early history of US Life-Saving Service/US Coast Guard in North Carolina and the home of the state’s first trained, shore-based rescue responders at Rodanthe’s Chicamacomico Life-saving Station."
The First Flight Rotary Clubs October 16th meeting was held on the campus of the Chicamacomico Historic site.
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First Flight RC members support Ocracoke Dental Mission
The Baptists on Mission Dental Free Clinic began in 2019 after Hurricane Dorian hit the island.
The most recent mission to Ocracoke took place March 22/23. The truck arrived on Thursday the 21st and left on Sunday the 24th. FFRC supported this Dental Clinic mission. Member PDG Stan Keeler participated as one of the greeters.
North Carolina Rotary Districts 7720 and
The magnitude of what is taking place in western NC cannot be fully imagined.
District 7720 is utilizing its dedicated Disaster Relief Fund, and coordinating with District 7670 Governor Connie Molland to pinpoint what the greatest needs are and how District 7720 can assist with ensuring aid is delivered in that region.
Jim Huitt presents on the Kairos Prison Ministries.
If you missed the September 11th weekly Rotary meeting, you missed a fantastic presentation by fellow First Flight Rotary member Jim Huitt.
This writer has never been prouder to be a Rotarian than I was today to hear Jim Huitts passion for helping those incarcerated in one of this countries penal facilities through an organization called Kairos Prison Ministries.
Rotarians bicycle riding 1500 Miles to End Polio Now
Rotarians and friends from Mexico, USA and elsewhere are riding their bicycles 1,500 miles from Juarez, Mexico to Evanston, Illinois to raise money to End Polio Donations.
One of the things many Rotarians love about Rotary, is the international flavor of its membership and projects.
Some of our older Rotary members can recall a childhood where getting Polio was one of there greatest health fears. Thanks to Dr. Salk, polio has been eliminated in most of the world. However, Polio's return is only a plane ride away from countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan where polio is still endemic. We need to totally eliminate the disease worldwide to assure no one anywhere in the world ever gets the disease again.
Register Now for Aug 24 Rotary Leadership Institute in New Bern, NC
Lor
The Albemarle Area United Way Outreach Director Lorri Barrett shared United Way mission and how they partner with organizations in the Albemarle area to achieve that mission.
Jeremy Miller and Carl Classen recognized at July 17, 2024 Meeting
Congratulations to Jeremy Miller and Carl Classen for achieving The Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow +3 status (respectively)
Outer Banks Rotarians help Beach Pantry process a ton of donated Foods
People of Action - We are Rotary!
A collaborative effort by the Rotary clubs of the Outer Banks who processed over 2400 pounds of donated food at the Beach Food Pantry shows Rotary’s commitment to supporting those in need through “Service Above Self.”
Rotary members in the Outer Banks volunteering at Beach Pantry
Fantastic opportunity to show Rotary in action here in our community. Three clubs - ONE Rotary!
We were approached by Elisabeth Silverthorn of Beach Food Pantry about the amazing success of the Dare Nights for Locals Food Drive at Lost Colony on Friday, May 31st. The Beach Food Pantry received nearly 2500 lbs of donated food. Elisabeth asked if we could possibly get a group of Rotarians together to help process the donations by means of sorting and checking expiration dates. An important procedure which allows these items to be made available at the earliest time to those that need them most.
First Flight Rotary Foundation awards grants to Outer Banks non-profit organizations
Throughout the year, the First Flight Rotary Club does a number of signature fundraisers. The money raised from these fundraisers support our First Flight Rotary Foundation.
The First Flight Rotary Foundation shares these funds with Outer Banks non-profit community organizations through grant requests.
Your support of First Flight Rotary through our Signature Events, fundraisers and contributions to the FFRC Foundation, allows us to provide much needed support to those most in need in our community.
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The Annual Essay Contest for Rotary 4 Way Test Winners annouced at May
The three Rotary 4 Way Test Essay contest winners read their essays to our members during our meeting on May 15th.
Competitors prepared an essay on how they view the application of the Rotary 4 Way Test in their lives and the world around them. We heard 3 stellar essays by these very talented middle school writers defining the actual application of the test:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The three contestants are:
First Flight Rotary Club members volunteer at Ruthies Kitchen
Together We Inspire through Service Above Self.
Members attend Rotary Leadership Institute I
First Flight Rotary was well-represented at April 27th RLI Part I session in Kitty Hawk!
Tasting and Pairing of Bourbon and Appetizer Experience for Charity
Buddy Byrum, Owner and Distiller at Buffalo City Distillery, explains the fine points of enjoying bourbon and whiskey when paired with appetizers that enhance the flavor profile of the beverage.
Be a Person of Action
Make friends, grow your network, and serve the Outer Banks.