April 24, 2026

I'm way overdue for a campaign update….so for those of you who’ve been waiting patiently, here’s an update on my activities in February and MarcH....In February, I:

• attended a Waterways Commission meeting in Buxton and a beach nourishment meeting also in Buxton

• participated in a Women in Business conference in Barco

• showed up at the infamous sheriff candidates’ forum in Avon

• attended precinct meetings in Manteo, Kitty Hawk, and Avon (all on the same day!), and then later in the same week, attended more precinct meetings in Duck and Nags Head

• delivered meals several times for my favorite non-profit, Hatteras Island Meals

• played bingo and on-line bridge (a girl’s gotta have a little fun!)
  
  In March, I:

• attended a Women in Business event at Jennette’s Pier, and shared some information on non-violent communication, which uses a simple four-step process to deescalate tension and get to the heart of a conflict gently, so that creative solutions to resolve an issue can be considered

• delivered a few more HIM meals and attended the Outer Banks Community Foundation annual lunch

• had an emotional day attending a heartfelt and moving memorial service for Gee Gee Rosell, owner of Buxton Village Books, and then attending another heartfelt and moving event the same day dedicating the auditorium of Cape Hatteras Secondary School to Braxton Hall

• walked in the annual Kelly’s St. Patrick Day Parade, and had so much fun waving and handing out my palm cards. Several friends ran out from the crowd to hug me, and I loved hearing Bob Muller’s booming voice at the end say, “Here comes Aida Havel, running for Dare County Commissioner at Large!”

• attended the State of the County breakfast at Captain George's, and then two days later, gave my own State of the County address at the Dare Democrats annual convention, in which I described the state of Dare County as “fragile”—fragile economically, fragile environmentally, and fragile in terms of the opportunities we’re losing when we can’t offer housing and healthcare to those who live here and to the teachers, health care professionals, and first responders who want to move here

• attended the Dare Challenge Open House (kudos to my opponent, Ervin Bateman, for having the vision and seeing it through to completion).
  
  I’ll tell you about April once it’s over!

Time for an update. Had a fantastic February (two words that I have rarely used together). Hubby John designed a beautiful new palm card for me, and I was able to creatively reuse donation envelopes from two years ago by covering up the 4 in 2024 and replacing it with a 6. I'm thrifty! Spent a lot of time at precinct meetings, and was blown away be the response. From Colington to Manteo to Southern Shores to Avon to Duck to Nags Head, I received so much support, emotional and otherwise. I attended the monthly meeting of the Dare Dems, too. While at home, I polished up my website, and as you can see, it's now live!