This weekend the Eastern 4-H Center hosted it's first Holiday Party of the year. I heard it was "Great", but I have not confirmed that, though. There is a high likelihood that it truly was very good - but "great"? Great means Mickey Mantle, Michael Jordan, Sweet Potato pie...but a party?
This was the menu...pork loin, roasted beef, mashed red skin potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, salad, and assorted cobblers...the menu does sound very good. It had to be cooked very well. Jillie Swain was the check du jour/weekend. Alright - I will concede that the food was probably great, but what about the rest of the evening - decorations, ambiance, etc.
Well, the tree is 8 feet tall with shimmery red and gold decorations, and when lit, it looks better than the Rockefeller Center's gargantuan fir. So it MIGHT have been great but were there other decorations? Well, the candlelit floral arrangements at each table added to decor and ambiance, so they knock out two birds with one stone. There was some holiday music being pumped through the sound system, this wold have added to the ambiance. Maybe the whole shi-bang was great...Good job to the Kitchen Crew, along with Lee and Charles who pitched in to get everything done as I gallivanted the greater-Raleigh area for my girlfriends birthday.
Speaking of - I nearly tanked the entire thing...Callie loves the Angus Barn at Christmas...the place is very pretty, but I thought she just wanted a nice restaurant...When I couldn't get a prime reservation I nearly selected a different location that she has been not-so-subtle about. This critical error was avoided, so my life was spared...I also got her a new coffee pot that does everything a lady-on-the-go would ever want. It does everything but drive her car to work.
North Carolina's Second Split of Waterfowl season ended Saturday at Sunset...I was able to take in a quick hunt before heading west. Now, waterfowler's should take advantage of the sea duck season. Be very careful and read regulations carefully so that you can avoid a rendezvous with some of N.C.'s renowned game wardens...And if you bag any of these unique ducks, tell somebody and get the word out...more research needs to be done on sea ducks...while they are very revalent in the open waters of our coast, little is know about their breeding habitat. More desire from hunters will equal more research from nerds.
Alabama and Texas are headed for a faceoff in Pasadena for a shot at the National Champioship of college football. Alabama slapped Florida around while Texas barely slipped by Nebraska. Auburn is headed to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida - they'll play the "mighty" Northwestern Wildcats. Auburn should show up to play...Traditional powers like Auburn, unfortunately, have a history of "not showing up" to play teams like Northwestern. Auburn needs to show up and show out.
My Christmas shopping is nearly done. So is my credit limit.
Throughout the week, the Center will be hosting more holiday parties, and this weekend, we'll have two at the same time! I'll be on site to be in charge.
Enjoy the day...
December 7, 2009
December 3, 2009
Holiday Cuts (of meat)
Like every holiday season, the Eastern 4-H Center hosts Christmas parties for a variety of organizations. These groups have the option of selecting their menu...which generally includes several different meat options...pork, beef, and chicken. Today, I will talk about those certain cuts that we serve, and why they are good...
First, let's look at the Chicken. Yard Bird is a great holiday option - it's lean, plain tasting (it can be seasoned in a variety of ways), and easy to cook. One could fry it, bake it grill it, sear it - basically anything. The Center offers up baked chicken during the holidays...it's generally dry-marinated in our secret spices (rhymes with fault and mepper), and then baked at 350...we cook "8 way chicken" - two breasts, two wings, two thighs, two legs - not whole chicken. Personally, when I prepare chicken for friends, I like to cook whole fryers (gutsenall, too)- I start with a dry rub that includes chilli, cumin, paprika, salt, and brown sugar...it sits in the rub for a day. I sear the outsides in a hot skillet to make the skin crispy, then I finish it in the oven (in a roasting pan) at about 250 - I cook it until the internal temp of the thigh bone is around 170. Let it sit for a while before you slice - the juices have to solidify. I serve it with green beans and rice, but the Center offers everything from a "friendly" veggie medley to sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, salad, and even collards.
Pork is also an option...I like pork becuae it has a real "taste." Everyone knows what pork tastes like, because it doesn't "taste like chicken." The Center offers up an "Herb baked pork loin" with gravy on the side. Thin medallions of hog are the best way, and few would argue that there is a better cut from swine. And since North Carolina is renowned for it's pork, there is no better way to support our livestock heritage. The loin is lean by pork standards, so it tends to dry out...we'll sear it to lock in juices and complete it in a 350 degree oven until the internal temp is 170. Cook it under cover of foil! Reserve the juices for a tasty gravy, too. Christmas at my parents' house might include smoked ribs, which are second to none - including famous BBQ joints like Dreamland's and The Rendezvous. I like to make loin for special occasions and I prepare it a lot like the Center. I tried to smoke a pork loin one time...don't waste your time...it comes out tasting like Canadian-style bacon. That's ok, if you like CSB. I don't. I do like to smoke Boston Butts (which is actually a shoulder of pork)...I like to baste it with vinegar, honey and cayenne. Thanks to commercialization hog production has been ramped up, but unfortunately, flavor has been lost. "Heritage" or "boutique" pork products fascinate me. These hogs are part of a long line of hogs that have been unchanged by mass production. Berkshire and Gloucester Old Spot....these breeds are tough to find and you'll have to procure them from local farmers if available...you can also find them on the internet. Their meats are darker and usually a little leaner.
Now - the perennial favorite - BEEF! "It's what's for dinner", if you would like anyway. The Eastern 4-H Center offers beef in two ways of the holiday... Prime Rib and Ribeye Steaks - well, and roast, too. Since Roast beef is boring, I will make you read about it here, or just skip to the next paragraph to avoid it all together. The Center's Roast beef is procured from the "eye of round" - which comes from the hind quarter. We slow dry rub the round, then roast, cool, and slice...gravy on the side. Horseradish sauce is also a good accompaniment, but we generally don't offer that. I like roast cooked pink, but the Center cooks until completely done. It's VERY GOOD.
The Center also offers patrons the opportunity to select Ribeye or Prime Rib for the main entree of the holiday party. Prime rib is my favorite of the two - it has good flavor and is a little easier to prepare for friends. Ribeyes are meant for manly-men and womanly-women who like their beef! We grill steaks based on request, so please order them medium, as this is the universally-known best way to enjoy a steak. I know some people in this office who would eat a steak that had not been grilled at all. I just like mine warmed a little on the top, but for some that is tough to handle. Urban legends state that many restaurants will serve less then prime or choice cuts to those customers who desire "well-done" steaks. We would never do that, and we order only "USDA Prime" and "USDA Choice". We dont't offer Kobe or Wagyu - those are Japanese cattle that are farmed to make fatty, buttery, exceptionally flavored cuts of meat...they are also about $30 a pound, which is the main reason we don't order it or offer it. By the way, there are several different grades that are given to cuts of meat by the USDA...I have displayed them below - the best and most flavorful grades are listed first!
(1)Prime - top-notch...only about 2% of all beef receives this grade.
(2)Choice - over 50% of all beef obtain this grade...this is the most common available in sit-down restaurants and other food service operations that offer "steak." The difference between Choice and Prime is the fat content...Prime has more fat or "marbling".
(3) Select - this is what you may find in the grocery store at the bargain counter...just less juicy than Choice.
(4) Standard - Blahhh...they use this in prisons and schools, I think.
(5) Commercial - This can be found in very low-end restaurants or very high-end dog foods.
(6) Utility - Dog food, plain and simple
(7) Cutter - Bad dog food, plain and simple.
(8) Canner - I don't know about this...I think canner is short for "garbage canner."
Anyway, the Prime Rib is the entire rib roast that is roasted in an oven and served with horseradish cream. The Ribeye is a sliced portion of the rib roast that is individually sliced then grilled.
Other good cuts to enjoy around the holidays (but that are not served by the Center) are the Filet Mignon and the Chateau Briand. I prefer the filet, mainly because of its accessibility. Chateau briand is tough to find around here, though it does have exceptional flavor and tenderness. London Broil is a favorite of one of our summer staff members, and I like it, too.
That's it about meat...well, we also do fried shrimp with Prime Rib or Ribeye - just let Nikki, our Reservationist know when you book...her number is 252.797.4800 ext 224!
Enjoy the day...
First, let's look at the Chicken. Yard Bird is a great holiday option - it's lean, plain tasting (it can be seasoned in a variety of ways), and easy to cook. One could fry it, bake it grill it, sear it - basically anything. The Center offers up baked chicken during the holidays...it's generally dry-marinated in our secret spices (rhymes with fault and mepper), and then baked at 350...we cook "8 way chicken" - two breasts, two wings, two thighs, two legs - not whole chicken. Personally, when I prepare chicken for friends, I like to cook whole fryers (gutsenall, too)- I start with a dry rub that includes chilli, cumin, paprika, salt, and brown sugar...it sits in the rub for a day. I sear the outsides in a hot skillet to make the skin crispy, then I finish it in the oven (in a roasting pan) at about 250 - I cook it until the internal temp of the thigh bone is around 170. Let it sit for a while before you slice - the juices have to solidify. I serve it with green beans and rice, but the Center offers everything from a "friendly" veggie medley to sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, salad, and even collards.
Pork is also an option...I like pork becuae it has a real "taste." Everyone knows what pork tastes like, because it doesn't "taste like chicken." The Center offers up an "Herb baked pork loin" with gravy on the side. Thin medallions of hog are the best way, and few would argue that there is a better cut from swine. And since North Carolina is renowned for it's pork, there is no better way to support our livestock heritage. The loin is lean by pork standards, so it tends to dry out...we'll sear it to lock in juices and complete it in a 350 degree oven until the internal temp is 170. Cook it under cover of foil! Reserve the juices for a tasty gravy, too. Christmas at my parents' house might include smoked ribs, which are second to none - including famous BBQ joints like Dreamland's and The Rendezvous. I like to make loin for special occasions and I prepare it a lot like the Center. I tried to smoke a pork loin one time...don't waste your time...it comes out tasting like Canadian-style bacon. That's ok, if you like CSB. I don't. I do like to smoke Boston Butts (which is actually a shoulder of pork)...I like to baste it with vinegar, honey and cayenne. Thanks to commercialization hog production has been ramped up, but unfortunately, flavor has been lost. "Heritage" or "boutique" pork products fascinate me. These hogs are part of a long line of hogs that have been unchanged by mass production. Berkshire and Gloucester Old Spot....these breeds are tough to find and you'll have to procure them from local farmers if available...you can also find them on the internet. Their meats are darker and usually a little leaner.
Now - the perennial favorite - BEEF! "It's what's for dinner", if you would like anyway. The Eastern 4-H Center offers beef in two ways of the holiday... Prime Rib and Ribeye Steaks - well, and roast, too. Since Roast beef is boring, I will make you read about it here, or just skip to the next paragraph to avoid it all together. The Center's Roast beef is procured from the "eye of round" - which comes from the hind quarter. We slow dry rub the round, then roast, cool, and slice...gravy on the side. Horseradish sauce is also a good accompaniment, but we generally don't offer that. I like roast cooked pink, but the Center cooks until completely done. It's VERY GOOD.
(1)Prime - top-notch...only about 2% of all beef receives this grade.
(2)Choice - over 50% of all beef obtain this grade...this is the most common available in sit-down restaurants and other food service operations that offer "steak." The difference between Choice and Prime is the fat content...Prime has more fat or "marbling".
(3) Select - this is what you may find in the grocery store at the bargain counter...just less juicy than Choice.
(4) Standard - Blahhh...they use this in prisons and schools, I think.
(5) Commercial - This can be found in very low-end restaurants or very high-end dog foods.
(6) Utility - Dog food, plain and simple
(7) Cutter - Bad dog food, plain and simple.
(8) Canner - I don't know about this...I think canner is short for "garbage canner."
Anyway, the Prime Rib is the entire rib roast that is roasted in an oven and served with horseradish cream. The Ribeye is a sliced portion of the rib roast that is individually sliced then grilled.
Other good cuts to enjoy around the holidays (but that are not served by the Center) are the Filet Mignon and the Chateau Briand. I prefer the filet, mainly because of its accessibility. Chateau briand is tough to find around here, though it does have exceptional flavor and tenderness. London Broil is a favorite of one of our summer staff members, and I like it, too.
That's it about meat...well, we also do fried shrimp with Prime Rib or Ribeye - just let Nikki, our Reservationist know when you book...her number is 252.797.4800 ext 224!
Enjoy the day...
December 2, 2009
Winter?
Yesterday I stepped outside around 4:00 am...I was surprised to feel the ice cold wind chill...my ears turned red from embarrassment from exposure. Nevertheless, is Winter here to stay? Temperatures today have warmed to 50 degrees with a south wind. Mother Nature - please make up your mind. How are we supposed to get into the holiday spirit when we are getting out the sunscreen?
Yesterday, the "women-folk" in the office decorated our Christmas Tree - errr holiday tree. They will decorate the other tree today. I wish I knew how to decorate, but the ability to adorn escapes me. My idea of decorating is cleaning up - so I'm a terrible decorator. But, as much as I don't enjoy decorating, I do like to see decorations. I am a staunch traditionalist in virtually every facet. I like white lights, not multi-color. Popcorn and cranberries suits me fine, and it smells delicious. Red ribbons are good, too. With a star on top...of a real tree.
Neverhteless, some people like to decorate their entire yard. This is done for two reasons: Excitement to plug indoor lighting to outdoor sources and to mark territories. It's like putting up a festive fence...and good fences make good neighbors, right? My parents' neighbor has a fence, but it's to keep the neighbor in, not my parents out.
New principles have been established when decorating a yard. A yard is comsidered incomplete without a blow-up Santa Klaus riding in a car. The fairy-tale of Santa is about to be lost with children, but I suppose they can always look up the "origins" on the internet. Kids will soon find out that Santa doesn't exist because he does not have a facebook page...sure their are "groups", but no person. Santa should madernize. Back to yards - decorators must also place lights around old cars in their yards...and make loops around the tires. The light-up icicles are finally being phased out...I can only imagine how messy they are to uncoil. Anyway, icicles in the east are as common as zebras. But if you have a zebra, please put a wreath around it's neck.
Decorating the front door, to me, is nice! I like a piney-cedary wreath! Decorators should also decorate the interior of their homes, and everyone should have a tree...otherwise Santa can't visit, right? Candles in the window are not a good idea, but they look good. Playing holiday background music is always fun, but annoying after you hear "feliz navidad" for the eleventeenth time. Even if you don't enjoy decorations/decorating - do it for kids...
Enjoy the day...
Yesterday, the "women-folk" in the office decorated our Christmas Tree - errr holiday tree. They will decorate the other tree today. I wish I knew how to decorate, but the ability to adorn escapes me. My idea of decorating is cleaning up - so I'm a terrible decorator. But, as much as I don't enjoy decorating, I do like to see decorations. I am a staunch traditionalist in virtually every facet. I like white lights, not multi-color. Popcorn and cranberries suits me fine, and it smells delicious. Red ribbons are good, too. With a star on top...of a real tree.
Neverhteless, some people like to decorate their entire yard. This is done for two reasons: Excitement to plug indoor lighting to outdoor sources and to mark territories. It's like putting up a festive fence...and good fences make good neighbors, right? My parents' neighbor has a fence, but it's to keep the neighbor in, not my parents out.
New principles have been established when decorating a yard. A yard is comsidered incomplete without a blow-up Santa Klaus riding in a car. The fairy-tale of Santa is about to be lost with children, but I suppose they can always look up the "origins" on the internet. Kids will soon find out that Santa doesn't exist because he does not have a facebook page...sure their are "groups", but no person. Santa should madernize. Back to yards - decorators must also place lights around old cars in their yards...and make loops around the tires. The light-up icicles are finally being phased out...I can only imagine how messy they are to uncoil. Anyway, icicles in the east are as common as zebras. But if you have a zebra, please put a wreath around it's neck.
Decorating the front door, to me, is nice! I like a piney-cedary wreath! Decorators should also decorate the interior of their homes, and everyone should have a tree...otherwise Santa can't visit, right? Candles in the window are not a good idea, but they look good. Playing holiday background music is always fun, but annoying after you hear "feliz navidad" for the eleventeenth time. Even if you don't enjoy decorations/decorating - do it for kids...
Enjoy the day...
December 1, 2009
Don't get run over by a (rein)deer...
Or anything else for that matter. Wildlife activity is on the rise, as is human activity. Lots of different things have folks on the go. Holidays, shopping, wildlife watching, and a variety of other endeavors can put animals in front of a vehicle at a highway near you! I to have been the victim of a roadside collision with wildlife...and pets. They all had just one lane to go, but I beat them to it apparently. Nevertheless, I hope they rest in peace and not in pieces...that was wrong.
How can you, the avid reader avoid wildlife? Well, you can just not drive, at all, ever. You could drive really slow, but I have hit deer at less than 5 miles per hour - but fortunately this only scares the deer AND you. Since Tyrrell County has only about 50 miles of primary highway and hundreds of miles of secondary, country roads, encounters with wildlife are not only likely, but certain. Everything from frogs to rabbits, bear, and especially deer.
From roughly October until February deer are in their mating (dating) season...bucks generally only get one girlfriend per year, and will stop at nothing (except your bumper) to find her. When a female deer comes in to estrus, every buck in town is in hot pursuit of her...they are as ready to breed as she is...so anyway, all of the bucks will give chase. And like any other self-respecting lady - she plays "hard to get." Bucks will chase her through swamps, fields, rivers, yards, and unfortunately highways. If you are travelling on any road during the aforementioned months and you happen to spot a doe on the go, proceed with caution, because there is a high likelihood that something is in hot pursuit. Always drive slow when driving at night, especially around dusk and dawn...be very weary around ditch crossings that intersect your artery of travel...these corridors are natural highways for deer.
So let's pretend you have had a smear with a deer...what next?
Stop the vehicle (if it isn't stopped already) on the shoulder of the road if possible, but anywhere out of the highway will do just fine.
Check for personal and passenger injuries, and apply first aid up to your level of training - until the EMT's arrive...they will not show up unless you dial 911, though!
Take a picture of your vehicle and make sure to include closeups with animal hair. If possible take a picture of the deer (but not with the deer).
Call the highway patrol and let them do a report.
You might have to call a wrecker, but let the highway patrol decide for you.
Do not attempt to dispatch the deer, which is illegal.
Do not load the deer into your truk and drive off, either. In Alabama, where I grew up, I have seen many people do this very thing, only to go home, dress the animal, eat it, and in some cases have it taxidermied.
Call your insurance company...set up a meeting to discuss the police report and share all of the pictures you took with your agent. Most insurace agencies are good to work with, some are not.
Get your car fixed.
Drive slow from here on out, but have your insurace company on speed dial.
If you follow these instructions, you can just breathe easy until the next "go-round".
Bears are a tremendous problem, as they are large and are the same color as dark pavement and moonless nights. I have only seen one bear that had been struck by a car, but neither car nor bear were spared in the rendezvous. I have seen lots of bears piddling roadside at prior roadkill, though - so be careful!
Roads are dangerous places for animals, especially possums, since they apparently live there. Nevertheless, roads impede natural animal migrations (such as elk), but also block natural travel corridors that interfere with predator - prey interaction...U.S. 64 has under-road bear crossings to prevent collisions. South Florida utilizes man-made "land bridges" to keep the Florida Panther safe when encountering a road. These multi-million dollar projects save lots of animals and money (for insurance agencies and purchasers). Drive slow and enjoy the drive.
Enjoy the day...
How can you, the avid reader avoid wildlife? Well, you can just not drive, at all, ever. You could drive really slow, but I have hit deer at less than 5 miles per hour - but fortunately this only scares the deer AND you. Since Tyrrell County has only about 50 miles of primary highway and hundreds of miles of secondary, country roads, encounters with wildlife are not only likely, but certain. Everything from frogs to rabbits, bear, and especially deer.
From roughly October until February deer are in their mating (dating) season...bucks generally only get one girlfriend per year, and will stop at nothing (except your bumper) to find her. When a female deer comes in to estrus, every buck in town is in hot pursuit of her...they are as ready to breed as she is...so anyway, all of the bucks will give chase. And like any other self-respecting lady - she plays "hard to get." Bucks will chase her through swamps, fields, rivers, yards, and unfortunately highways. If you are travelling on any road during the aforementioned months and you happen to spot a doe on the go, proceed with caution, because there is a high likelihood that something is in hot pursuit. Always drive slow when driving at night, especially around dusk and dawn...be very weary around ditch crossings that intersect your artery of travel...these corridors are natural highways for deer.
So let's pretend you have had a smear with a deer...what next?
Stop the vehicle (if it isn't stopped already) on the shoulder of the road if possible, but anywhere out of the highway will do just fine.
Check for personal and passenger injuries, and apply first aid up to your level of training - until the EMT's arrive...they will not show up unless you dial 911, though!
Take a picture of your vehicle and make sure to include closeups with animal hair. If possible take a picture of the deer (but not with the deer).
Call the highway patrol and let them do a report.
You might have to call a wrecker, but let the highway patrol decide for you.
Do not attempt to dispatch the deer, which is illegal.
Do not load the deer into your truk and drive off, either. In Alabama, where I grew up, I have seen many people do this very thing, only to go home, dress the animal, eat it, and in some cases have it taxidermied.
Call your insurance company...set up a meeting to discuss the police report and share all of the pictures you took with your agent. Most insurace agencies are good to work with, some are not.
Get your car fixed.
Drive slow from here on out, but have your insurace company on speed dial.
If you follow these instructions, you can just breathe easy until the next "go-round".
Bears are a tremendous problem, as they are large and are the same color as dark pavement and moonless nights. I have only seen one bear that had been struck by a car, but neither car nor bear were spared in the rendezvous. I have seen lots of bears piddling roadside at prior roadkill, though - so be careful!
Roads are dangerous places for animals, especially possums, since they apparently live there. Nevertheless, roads impede natural animal migrations (such as elk), but also block natural travel corridors that interfere with predator - prey interaction...U.S. 64 has under-road bear crossings to prevent collisions. South Florida utilizes man-made "land bridges" to keep the Florida Panther safe when encountering a road. These multi-million dollar projects save lots of animals and money (for insurance agencies and purchasers). Drive slow and enjoy the drive.
Enjoy the day...
November 30, 2009
It's Over
Thanksgiving is over, "Courage" is at Disneyland, and Alabama slipped by Auburn in a thrilling rendition of the Iron Bowl. From all accounts, everyone here at the Center had a safe and fun Thanksgiving - with the exception of Nikki's husband...uber-man fell while retrieving the Christmas tree, but he's a tough guy, and we all hope he recovers quickly....he turned one of his ankles.
My trip was filled with fun and food, and despite the cliche' it really was filled with fun and food.
The menu for the Luker Thanksgiving included Ham, Saffron Rice Casserole, Green Beans, Something else that escapes my memory, and Lemon Ice Box Pie...my mom also likes to cook back-up desserts like Date-Rolls and Hummingbird Cake (which is not made with hummingbirds). It was all delicious. My mother does an amazing job around the holidays - she goes from feeding only my dad, to a whole horde of Luker-folk. I don't see how she holds it together, but she had some help form my sister Amanda...Penelope did not help, but she is a dog...she does help sweep the floor clean after meals, though.
It's now time to look towards Chrishannukwanzaadan. Hopefully, everyone you know will be celebrating some type of gift-giving holiday. Make sure you are on everyone's guest list, and make double-sure that you are not making a guest list...take a year off from throwing your own party.
A lot of folks around here have decided that the staff, food, and amenities of the Eastern 4-H Center are more than capable of throwing to gether a holiday feast, forage, or party. We still have some openings for holiday parties...think middle of the next couple of weeks. Prices range from about $14 - $25 per person...and you can pick from our menu options, or customize your own, if you dare. We will even provide festive decorations and a Christmas tree, complete with lights...Lee has stated that he will NOT be singing carols while diners partake...
The second split of the North Carolina Waterfowl season is about wrap - up...sportsmen and women should take full advantage of the full flight by: (1) buying a federal waterfowl stamp (this is the last year they will only be $15 dollars, thankfully) (2) Properly and safely equip your hunting friends, which hopefully includes a kid or three, and (3) finding a place that holds birds, harvest them, and then enjoy their taste...Gamey meats are traditional around the holidays, as they are rich in protein and go good with the seasonal vegetables like parsnip, collards, and pumpkin.
Enjoy the day...
My trip was filled with fun and food, and despite the cliche' it really was filled with fun and food.
The menu for the Luker Thanksgiving included Ham, Saffron Rice Casserole, Green Beans, Something else that escapes my memory, and Lemon Ice Box Pie...my mom also likes to cook back-up desserts like Date-Rolls and Hummingbird Cake (which is not made with hummingbirds). It was all delicious. My mother does an amazing job around the holidays - she goes from feeding only my dad, to a whole horde of Luker-folk. I don't see how she holds it together, but she had some help form my sister Amanda...Penelope did not help, but she is a dog...she does help sweep the floor clean after meals, though.
It's now time to look towards Chrishannukwanzaadan. Hopefully, everyone you know will be celebrating some type of gift-giving holiday. Make sure you are on everyone's guest list, and make double-sure that you are not making a guest list...take a year off from throwing your own party.
A lot of folks around here have decided that the staff, food, and amenities of the Eastern 4-H Center are more than capable of throwing to gether a holiday feast, forage, or party. We still have some openings for holiday parties...think middle of the next couple of weeks. Prices range from about $14 - $25 per person...and you can pick from our menu options, or customize your own, if you dare. We will even provide festive decorations and a Christmas tree, complete with lights...Lee has stated that he will NOT be singing carols while diners partake...
The second split of the North Carolina Waterfowl season is about wrap - up...sportsmen and women should take full advantage of the full flight by: (1) buying a federal waterfowl stamp (this is the last year they will only be $15 dollars, thankfully) (2) Properly and safely equip your hunting friends, which hopefully includes a kid or three, and (3) finding a place that holds birds, harvest them, and then enjoy their taste...Gamey meats are traditional around the holidays, as they are rich in protein and go good with the seasonal vegetables like parsnip, collards, and pumpkin.
Enjoy the day...
November 20, 2009
Thanksgiving Blog
I haven't had much time to blog...so here is a Thanksgiving Blog, since I will be out next week.
The past 5 days have been spent cleaning up after the storm. Yesterday, we all raked pine straw in shifts so that we could mulch our flower beds. Pine straw is a good choice...any pine oil that is in them will ward of some bugs, but it also keeps roots nice and warm in the winter. Every morning I have arisen at 4:00 am to go and try to "catch some ducks...we have been fortunate for the most part, despite the warm, cloudy, still weather. Next week it is supposed to cool off, so maybe some more ducks will come on down and join me in the Sound.
Today is Friday! It is nasty foggy outside - Today was also Casper and Stephanie's last day on the job. The staff house will be strangely quite for 36 hours, then nicely quite until some one else arrives...in the mean time - the refrigerator is MINE MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Saturday always comes after Friday - I will probably try to "catch" some more ducks somewhere, but I am going to make sure to check out the first ever Hyde County Waterfowl Festival! I love a waterfowl festival - especially those in small towns where waterfowl are woven into the cultural of the place...And Lake Mattamuskeet is probably the second most important sight for waterfowl on the East Coast, with the exception of the Chesapeake Bay. There will be carvers, callers, vendors, oysters, and shrimp - all of which I hold in high regard...I'll use the festival to try and find some campers and instructors for Camp Canvasback 2010!
Sunday I will attempt to knock out some Christmas shopping. My lady friend's birthday is also in December, and she continues to remind me that I cannot "combine" gifts - not that I do. I really try to put a limit on what she spends - so she sets the limit, but goes over it every time because "she likes to do it..." I set a limit for myself and always try to come in under the limit...it's sorta like budgeting.
My Christmas list includes:
A Million Dollars
A beard
Time with family (cliche listing?)
An Honorary Doctoral Degree from an esteemed institution
I will be glad if I get just one of those, while one is highly unlikely - I have to shave for holiday pictures.
Thanksgiving Day will be spent at my parents' house - Turkey, Ham, Saffron Rice Casserole, Green Beans, and maybe a lemon icebox pie....
Friday is the most important day of the year for Alabama residents. Nope - not deer season opener or black friday...THE IRON BOWL - Auburn University vs. The University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. This is also the 20th anniversary of the "first-time ever" game...where UAT located their road map and drove the bus to Auburn, the loveliest village on the plain. For years, the Iron Bowl was played in Birmingham - the name "Iron Bowl" is from the old steel mills and such that the Birmingham economy was based on - I hated going to play Alabama in Birmingham...it was supposed to be a neutral sight, but Birmingham is known as an "Alabama" town - very few Auburn fans...even the vendors and ticket-takers were Alabama hats at Auburn "home" games. Tickets were split 50-50 between the Universities, and teams alternated wearing home colors year in and year out...I have been to every Iron Bowl since 1994, and one in 1990. I went to the second "first-time" game in Tuscaloosa (UAT's campus location).
I have seen them play in snow, rain, sun, and heat. I have seen Auburn win the majority of these games. I have seen games form the field as a student manager. I have many great memories of the Iron Bowl:
1993 - Never saw this game in person - it was the last football game my late grandmother ever saw in person...the game wasn't televised because Auburn was on probation, but we won 22-14, spearheaded by a "back-up quarterback Pat Nix - to - Frank Sanders" touchdown connection...Jason Miska also sacked UAT quarterback Jay Barker for a safety.
2000 - First time in 99 years - Auburn beats UAT in Tuscaloosa - in the snow and sleet...my dad forfieted his ticket to Lindsey Waters, a friend of mine...it was his attempt at bribing her into a "pre-arranged marriage"...we had a blast.
2003 - Auburn was supposed to be whipped in this one...Coach Tuberville had all but "resigned"...then Cadillac Williams (Auburn's running back" scooted 80 yards on the first play...aside from an incident involving acorns, this was a great day...Auburn won 28-18.
2004 - Auburn whips Alabama in Tuscaloosa...my dad told an Alabama fan that he liked his "hair-do", and my best friend Adam Coleman wore Black Patent Leather Shoes...a Classic...Auburn went undefeated and was awarded the "People's National Championship" and "Golf Digest National Championship", adding fuel to the conspiracy - against - Auburn Theory".
1997 - Me and dad made a critical error by leaving when we thought Auburn had been defeated. As we were 300 yards from the stadium, it was an error by a player that made dad and I erroneous...UAT fullback Ed Scissum coughed up the ball, fumbled, spilled the bean, dropped the pill, got butterfingers, with 3 minutes to play...Auburn kicked a game winning field goal.
2005 - This was my last game as a student manager for the football team...managers have the duty of being on the sidelines, carrying microphone cords and telephones for coaches to communicate with players...nevertheless Auburn beat Alabama in dramatic and traumatic fashion...UAT quarterback Brodie Croyle was sacked twelve times...I also walked the "Tiger Walk" (Google it, seriously) as a senior team member and was assaulted by old ladies. My mom even went to this game!
Those are my top Iron Bowl memories, but there are better ones from other generations - "Punt Bama Punt" is one of the most famous for Auburn Fans, but UAT enjoys "Wrong Way Bo" and "Van Tiffin's Kick", both of which UAT fans embraced later in paintings...
Anyway, Dad and I will be back at it again on Friday, hoping to pull out another victory. Regardless of the outcome, I will give "Thanks" that Dad and I can carry on this tradition, and all of the other mischievous traditions it entails on gameday itself...
These are Iron Bowl pictures...
This is from the stands...with 87, 000 of your closest pals...
From the locker room....
That's me on the left! compare me with the players...
I was in the huddle!!!!
This is the game where we sacked UAT 12 times....
Enjoy your Thanksgiving...
The past 5 days have been spent cleaning up after the storm. Yesterday, we all raked pine straw in shifts so that we could mulch our flower beds. Pine straw is a good choice...any pine oil that is in them will ward of some bugs, but it also keeps roots nice and warm in the winter. Every morning I have arisen at 4:00 am to go and try to "catch some ducks...we have been fortunate for the most part, despite the warm, cloudy, still weather. Next week it is supposed to cool off, so maybe some more ducks will come on down and join me in the Sound.
Today is Friday! It is nasty foggy outside - Today was also Casper and Stephanie's last day on the job. The staff house will be strangely quite for 36 hours, then nicely quite until some one else arrives...in the mean time - the refrigerator is MINE MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Saturday always comes after Friday - I will probably try to "catch" some more ducks somewhere, but I am going to make sure to check out the first ever Hyde County Waterfowl Festival! I love a waterfowl festival - especially those in small towns where waterfowl are woven into the cultural of the place...And Lake Mattamuskeet is probably the second most important sight for waterfowl on the East Coast, with the exception of the Chesapeake Bay. There will be carvers, callers, vendors, oysters, and shrimp - all of which I hold in high regard...I'll use the festival to try and find some campers and instructors for Camp Canvasback 2010!
Sunday I will attempt to knock out some Christmas shopping. My lady friend's birthday is also in December, and she continues to remind me that I cannot "combine" gifts - not that I do. I really try to put a limit on what she spends - so she sets the limit, but goes over it every time because "she likes to do it..." I set a limit for myself and always try to come in under the limit...it's sorta like budgeting.
My Christmas list includes:
A Million Dollars
A beard
Time with family (cliche listing?)
An Honorary Doctoral Degree from an esteemed institution
I will be glad if I get just one of those, while one is highly unlikely - I have to shave for holiday pictures.
Thanksgiving Day will be spent at my parents' house - Turkey, Ham, Saffron Rice Casserole, Green Beans, and maybe a lemon icebox pie....
Friday is the most important day of the year for Alabama residents. Nope - not deer season opener or black friday...THE IRON BOWL - Auburn University vs. The University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. This is also the 20th anniversary of the "first-time ever" game...where UAT located their road map and drove the bus to Auburn, the loveliest village on the plain. For years, the Iron Bowl was played in Birmingham - the name "Iron Bowl" is from the old steel mills and such that the Birmingham economy was based on - I hated going to play Alabama in Birmingham...it was supposed to be a neutral sight, but Birmingham is known as an "Alabama" town - very few Auburn fans...even the vendors and ticket-takers were Alabama hats at Auburn "home" games. Tickets were split 50-50 between the Universities, and teams alternated wearing home colors year in and year out...I have been to every Iron Bowl since 1994, and one in 1990. I went to the second "first-time" game in Tuscaloosa (UAT's campus location).
I have seen them play in snow, rain, sun, and heat. I have seen Auburn win the majority of these games. I have seen games form the field as a student manager. I have many great memories of the Iron Bowl:
1993 - Never saw this game in person - it was the last football game my late grandmother ever saw in person...the game wasn't televised because Auburn was on probation, but we won 22-14, spearheaded by a "back-up quarterback Pat Nix - to - Frank Sanders" touchdown connection...Jason Miska also sacked UAT quarterback Jay Barker for a safety.
2000 - First time in 99 years - Auburn beats UAT in Tuscaloosa - in the snow and sleet...my dad forfieted his ticket to Lindsey Waters, a friend of mine...it was his attempt at bribing her into a "pre-arranged marriage"...we had a blast.
2003 - Auburn was supposed to be whipped in this one...Coach Tuberville had all but "resigned"...then Cadillac Williams (Auburn's running back" scooted 80 yards on the first play...aside from an incident involving acorns, this was a great day...Auburn won 28-18.
2004 - Auburn whips Alabama in Tuscaloosa...my dad told an Alabama fan that he liked his "hair-do", and my best friend Adam Coleman wore Black Patent Leather Shoes...a Classic...Auburn went undefeated and was awarded the "People's National Championship" and "Golf Digest National Championship", adding fuel to the conspiracy - against - Auburn Theory".
1997 - Me and dad made a critical error by leaving when we thought Auburn had been defeated. As we were 300 yards from the stadium, it was an error by a player that made dad and I erroneous...UAT fullback Ed Scissum coughed up the ball, fumbled, spilled the bean, dropped the pill, got butterfingers, with 3 minutes to play...Auburn kicked a game winning field goal.
2005 - This was my last game as a student manager for the football team...managers have the duty of being on the sidelines, carrying microphone cords and telephones for coaches to communicate with players...nevertheless Auburn beat Alabama in dramatic and traumatic fashion...UAT quarterback Brodie Croyle was sacked twelve times...I also walked the "Tiger Walk" (Google it, seriously) as a senior team member and was assaulted by old ladies. My mom even went to this game!
Those are my top Iron Bowl memories, but there are better ones from other generations - "Punt Bama Punt" is one of the most famous for Auburn Fans, but UAT enjoys "Wrong Way Bo" and "Van Tiffin's Kick", both of which UAT fans embraced later in paintings...
Anyway, Dad and I will be back at it again on Friday, hoping to pull out another victory. Regardless of the outcome, I will give "Thanks" that Dad and I can carry on this tradition, and all of the other mischievous traditions it entails on gameday itself...
These are Iron Bowl pictures...
This is from the stands...with 87, 000 of your closest pals...
From the locker room....
That's me on the left! compare me with the players...
I was in the huddle!!!!
This is the game where we sacked UAT 12 times....
Enjoy your Thanksgiving...
November 13, 2009
Storm Update with pictures
After last night, winds have picked up...items from the northern shore of the Albemarle have made it down to our side...I am considering starting a "Lost and Found" for this storm...on the list now:
22' section of pier
"I'm Retired, so leave me alone" trucker hat.
Expired Cormorant
Two pink beach balls
Numerous crab pot buoys, two are 10 feet up in the trees
Never have I been so impressed by nature's fury. Those that question the importance of wetlands, I invite you to come down and enjoy the view and work that our on-site wetlands are doing...they are quite a sponge! The normal shoreline has extended up to 200 yards in some places. Local farmers have said that this is the most water they have EVER SEEN!
Here are some pictures of our pier and wetlands...
The picture below is on a "Good Day"
You can see the over wash through the runners on the pier...
Here's a little furious wave action...
You can see where there was some pier...
And here's where the pier ended up...
Some wetland overwash...people should really pick up before a storm!
This is what was in Hertford, now in Bulls Bay...
The waters have finally receded from the top of our Interpretive Boardwalk
This will be a storm that is talked about for quite some time....and now it's Ida, not Lee Scripture who will determine our tasks for some time now. The cleanup will begin as soon as the "mess-up" concludes.
22' section of pier
"I'm Retired, so leave me alone" trucker hat.
Expired Cormorant
Two pink beach balls
Numerous crab pot buoys, two are 10 feet up in the trees
Never have I been so impressed by nature's fury. Those that question the importance of wetlands, I invite you to come down and enjoy the view and work that our on-site wetlands are doing...they are quite a sponge! The normal shoreline has extended up to 200 yards in some places. Local farmers have said that this is the most water they have EVER SEEN!
Here are some pictures of our pier and wetlands...
The picture below is on a "Good Day"
You can see the over wash through the runners on the pier...
Here's a little furious wave action...
You can see where there was some pier...
And here's where the pier ended up...
Some wetland overwash...people should really pick up before a storm!
This is what was in Hertford, now in Bulls Bay...
The waters have finally receded from the top of our Interpretive Boardwalk
This will be a storm that is talked about for quite some time....and now it's Ida, not Lee Scripture who will determine our tasks for some time now. The cleanup will begin as soon as the "mess-up" concludes.
"Walking sideways"
The last 48 hours here have entailed an impressive show of weather...and "Ida" just sounds like a wimpy name...on my excursions yesterday, I found wyself fording "road rivers". Some of the places around here, like Cross Landing and Deep Creek, are so deep in water, that crossing these roads should only be done with extreme care. I have been in coastal North Carolina for 3.5 years, and had yet to see a true storm. We have had some odd snows, some blowing nor'easters, but nothing like this. Field are underwater, ditches are full of water and cars, and some houses look like islands.
I have discovered that walking sideways is the best way to stay perfectly upright in these types of storms. Yesterday morning, the electricity went out, but returned around 2:00 pm. It is certain to go out today. The gusts are up to around 50, but a steady gust hangs in there at 25 miles an hour. My cup of coffee is currntly whitecapping, just like the toilets in the bathroom. We have sustained no damage, but some of the trees have finally buckled. A storm like this gets rid of those dead and dying trees, and creates new habitat on the ground for rabbits, squirrels, quail, and snakes.
Hopefully it will not destroy any human habitat, though some "beach boxes" have washed into the ocean. The storm should break tomorrow. This storm put a damper on all of those bear hunts that many of friends had planned on doing, too. I am not sure what these does for tomorrow's waterfowl opener, but water never hurt a duck. Every piece of land is wet or under water. Ducks should be everywhere, but howling winds, especially those coming from the north can only inspire waterfowl to draft on these winds and head towards calmer waters. Boaters on the southsides of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds should be VERY CAUTIOUS. If I go, it will be because the water is off the roads, but that doesn't look like it's gonna happen. I do not want my boat to float of the trailer while its on the highway.
Nevertheless, stay inside if you can and Enjoy the day...
I have discovered that walking sideways is the best way to stay perfectly upright in these types of storms. Yesterday morning, the electricity went out, but returned around 2:00 pm. It is certain to go out today. The gusts are up to around 50, but a steady gust hangs in there at 25 miles an hour. My cup of coffee is currntly whitecapping, just like the toilets in the bathroom. We have sustained no damage, but some of the trees have finally buckled. A storm like this gets rid of those dead and dying trees, and creates new habitat on the ground for rabbits, squirrels, quail, and snakes.
Hopefully it will not destroy any human habitat, though some "beach boxes" have washed into the ocean. The storm should break tomorrow. This storm put a damper on all of those bear hunts that many of friends had planned on doing, too. I am not sure what these does for tomorrow's waterfowl opener, but water never hurt a duck. Every piece of land is wet or under water. Ducks should be everywhere, but howling winds, especially those coming from the north can only inspire waterfowl to draft on these winds and head towards calmer waters. Boaters on the southsides of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds should be VERY CAUTIOUS. If I go, it will be because the water is off the roads, but that doesn't look like it's gonna happen. I do not want my boat to float of the trailer while its on the highway.
Nevertheless, stay inside if you can and Enjoy the day...
November 10, 2009
Showcasing Johnny Spencer's Shooting Skills
It's mid-November, which means that the leaves have fallen, turkeys are sweating, and Johnny Spencer hosts his annual EWWN meeting...they have a little oyster roast and then the group strolls over to shoot skeet at our 5-Stand. Normally, a group that comes here to shoot isn't overly-noteworthy. What makes Johnny so noteworthy is his ability to show up, talk about his shooting prowess, and find lots of empty air with "Ol' Betsy"...
I have gone afield with Johnny, and find him to be a "fair-to0-middlin" marksman, in fact, he's pretty good. He also claims to be the best Swan Caller on the peninsula, but that's another story. Today, Johnny will have the opportunity to revisit his fate on the dreaded, difficult, and demanding 5-Stand. The 5-Stand is a flurry of clay action, with targets being thrown from machines in all directions...shooters get 5 clays from 5 locations, for a total of 25 total targets...A score of 20 is good. A score of 15 is generally what my personal tally adds up, unfortunately. Yesterday I shot an 18...Nevertheless, Johnny will be able to face his Water Works foes, tournament-style. Good Luck, and thrower number 5 is moving at about 65 miles per hour!
Tonight, the Program Staff and I will visit Plymouth for the first annual "Goodbye You Crazy Hippies, Let's Eat Some Greasy Pizza" celebration. This season's staff looked strangely similar to the Spring Staff. They have done a wonderful job, and proved their versatility by pitching in at virtually every position at the Center, something few can say...So tonight we have decided to go with two different pizzas, one with Stuffed Crust (since I have never had it), sliced tomato and mushrooms...the other pizza will have peppers and ham on it which is TOTALLY GROSS.
Also today, my dad is having his first (and only, I hope) old man surgery...he swears he's getting old, but that's probably long gone...
Tomorrow, Lee and I will journey to Raleighwood, North Carolina to do a display of our Military Programs, which are probably some of the most expansive in the country...when you take into account our Family Camp for Wounded Veterans, our Specialty Camp for dependents with disabilities, and our Operation Purple Camps (for kids whose parents are deployed), it totals up to an impressive reach of campers...
I have to wear a suit...
Enjoy the day...
I have gone afield with Johnny, and find him to be a "fair-to0-middlin" marksman, in fact, he's pretty good. He also claims to be the best Swan Caller on the peninsula, but that's another story. Today, Johnny will have the opportunity to revisit his fate on the dreaded, difficult, and demanding 5-Stand. The 5-Stand is a flurry of clay action, with targets being thrown from machines in all directions...shooters get 5 clays from 5 locations, for a total of 25 total targets...A score of 20 is good. A score of 15 is generally what my personal tally adds up, unfortunately. Yesterday I shot an 18...Nevertheless, Johnny will be able to face his Water Works foes, tournament-style. Good Luck, and thrower number 5 is moving at about 65 miles per hour!
Tonight, the Program Staff and I will visit Plymouth for the first annual "Goodbye You Crazy Hippies, Let's Eat Some Greasy Pizza" celebration. This season's staff looked strangely similar to the Spring Staff. They have done a wonderful job, and proved their versatility by pitching in at virtually every position at the Center, something few can say...So tonight we have decided to go with two different pizzas, one with Stuffed Crust (since I have never had it), sliced tomato and mushrooms...the other pizza will have peppers and ham on it which is TOTALLY GROSS.
Also today, my dad is having his first (and only, I hope) old man surgery...he swears he's getting old, but that's probably long gone...
Tomorrow, Lee and I will journey to Raleighwood, North Carolina to do a display of our Military Programs, which are probably some of the most expansive in the country...when you take into account our Family Camp for Wounded Veterans, our Specialty Camp for dependents with disabilities, and our Operation Purple Camps (for kids whose parents are deployed), it totals up to an impressive reach of campers...
I have to wear a suit...
Enjoy the day...
November 5, 2009
Yankees Win...
The New York Yankees won another World Series las tnight...that makes 27 for the franchise's history. I haven't even lived 27 years. According to the locals here, Yankees can be found everywhere. They talk funny...apparently, but so do I and I am not a Yankee, thank goodness I think.
The Tyrrell County Ducks Unlimited Banquet is fast approaching. Tickets can be purchased at the door if you really can't make up your mind just yet. But here are some reasons to go ahead and buy a ticket (or two).
You love waterfowl.
You love the smell of the swamp, no matter how bad it smells.
You love to see waterfowl in those swamps, no matter how early, cold, and/or wet it maybe.
You would love to have your lineage enjoy the same sights and smells of the swamp.
Over 90% of Ducks Unlimited's funds pour directly into wetland conservation - and in some cases - restoration. The Atlantic Flyway, once a storied locale for migrating waterfowl, is now only the "cradle" of waterfowling. It's where it began, and where it could end first. Draining lands for development has eliminated millions of acres for staging, wintering, migrating, and resident waterfowl. If ducks don't have any places to land, they'll just go to anothr flyway - until it dries up, too.
Another good way to save waterfowling is through the procurement of a Duck Stamp. Not only do over 98% of Migratory Waterfowl Stamp funds go directly into land purchases, they also make great collectors items and works of art. I buy two every year, one to use and lose, and another to use and save. This year, the Longtailed Duck is the centerpiece of the Duck Stamp. All huntable waterfowl species have now been used on the cover of the Duck Stamp. A dog even served as the "model" for one Duck Stamp back in the 1950's. And yes, their have also been "fake" ducks to serve as the "model"...this year's stamp has a live Longatiled Duck sitting with a wooden decoy.
Since the Stamp Program began, over 1.5 million stamps have been purchased in North Carolina. Waterfowl Hunters musy but these stamps to legally hunt. Hunters should buy 2 a year if they want to hunt years from now...the Duck Stamp's prices have not adjusted to the skyrocketing land values...
"Birders" - or birdwatchers - also buy some stamps. The $15 dollar price tag is well worth it. Some money raised from Duck Stamp purchases have directly benefited North Carolina habitats.
Currituck NWR, Cedar Island NWR, Great Dismal Swamp NWR, Mackay Island NWR, Mattamuskeet NWR, Pea Island NWR, Pocosin Lakes NWR, Roanoke NWR, and Swanquarter NWR are all regional National Wildlife Refuges that were funded partly with Duck Stamp funds. These are great places for birders to enjoy, usually for FREE. Hunters can also take part in some regulated hunting opportunities at some of these locations.
Ducks Unlimited dollars are used to supplement these wonderful habitats with conservation plans and tools. Pumps, food crops, and other things are funded partly through Ducks Unlimited. The J. Morgan Fuch Waterfowl Impoundment is a Ducks Unlimited Project. It is also the best place for a waterfowler to spot pintails, mallards, teal, and swans if drawn for coveted permit.
Everyone should buy atleast one Duck Stamp in their lifetime...their addicting to collect. Duck Stamps are not only a great collector's investment, but also an investment in protecting our marshes, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors...
Enjoy the Day...
The Tyrrell County Ducks Unlimited Banquet is fast approaching. Tickets can be purchased at the door if you really can't make up your mind just yet. But here are some reasons to go ahead and buy a ticket (or two).
You love waterfowl.
You love the smell of the swamp, no matter how bad it smells.
You love to see waterfowl in those swamps, no matter how early, cold, and/or wet it maybe.
You would love to have your lineage enjoy the same sights and smells of the swamp.
Over 90% of Ducks Unlimited's funds pour directly into wetland conservation - and in some cases - restoration. The Atlantic Flyway, once a storied locale for migrating waterfowl, is now only the "cradle" of waterfowling. It's where it began, and where it could end first. Draining lands for development has eliminated millions of acres for staging, wintering, migrating, and resident waterfowl. If ducks don't have any places to land, they'll just go to anothr flyway - until it dries up, too.
Another good way to save waterfowling is through the procurement of a Duck Stamp. Not only do over 98% of Migratory Waterfowl Stamp funds go directly into land purchases, they also make great collectors items and works of art. I buy two every year, one to use and lose, and another to use and save. This year, the Longtailed Duck is the centerpiece of the Duck Stamp. All huntable waterfowl species have now been used on the cover of the Duck Stamp. A dog even served as the "model" for one Duck Stamp back in the 1950's. And yes, their have also been "fake" ducks to serve as the "model"...this year's stamp has a live Longatiled Duck sitting with a wooden decoy.
Since the Stamp Program began, over 1.5 million stamps have been purchased in North Carolina. Waterfowl Hunters musy but these stamps to legally hunt. Hunters should buy 2 a year if they want to hunt years from now...the Duck Stamp's prices have not adjusted to the skyrocketing land values...
"Birders" - or birdwatchers - also buy some stamps. The $15 dollar price tag is well worth it. Some money raised from Duck Stamp purchases have directly benefited North Carolina habitats.
Currituck NWR, Cedar Island NWR, Great Dismal Swamp NWR, Mackay Island NWR, Mattamuskeet NWR, Pea Island NWR, Pocosin Lakes NWR, Roanoke NWR, and Swanquarter NWR are all regional National Wildlife Refuges that were funded partly with Duck Stamp funds. These are great places for birders to enjoy, usually for FREE. Hunters can also take part in some regulated hunting opportunities at some of these locations.
Ducks Unlimited dollars are used to supplement these wonderful habitats with conservation plans and tools. Pumps, food crops, and other things are funded partly through Ducks Unlimited. The J. Morgan Fuch Waterfowl Impoundment is a Ducks Unlimited Project. It is also the best place for a waterfowler to spot pintails, mallards, teal, and swans if drawn for coveted permit.
Everyone should buy atleast one Duck Stamp in their lifetime...their addicting to collect. Duck Stamps are not only a great collector's investment, but also an investment in protecting our marshes, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors...
Enjoy the Day...
November 4, 2009
The Clouds have lifted...
And then there was sunshine....After a weekend and Monday full of mist and cool temps, the sky has broken and the sun has passed through. The seasonal temps will be around for quite some time, too. Tyrrell County is beautiful this time of year...The cypress trees have shed their feathery leaves, the poplars and swamp maples are ablaze in orange, red, and yellows, and the wildlife is on the move. The North Carolina Eastern Whitetail Deer season is in full force, and hunters are everywhere - and so are the deer. The Eastern Bear Season is just a few days a way - I hope those that enjoy chasing the bruins get their fill - bear hunting is not for me. But I like that bears are hunted - as it is a great management tool. Our black bear population is one of the densest in the world. The bears are also very healthy, as the weaker bears are generally the ones that are harvested by hunters.
The Eastern Bear Season runs from November 9-14 and December 14-26. Only about three weeks - but that is plenty of time for hunters to find a bear and harvest the animal...they also have time to cook it, which, to me, is a fabulous idea. Bear meat, when cooked properly is very good. Often, it has to be boiled (and that STINKS), but that makes it more tender and less gamy. Folks from all over the country come tou our neck of the woods for a crack at a truly massive bruin. Bears range from 80-800 pounds, but the normal bear is about 200. Of all the bears my buddies have taken, they have all been between 400-600 lbs. MASSIVE! The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission intensively manages for bears, and harvest records are kept. You can read reports on bears at their website (link here).
There are some important things to know about black bears before you go fearin' 'em. Learn these facts, quiz your buddy (or your enemy), and then call them dumb when they miss all of the questions!
1) A Female bear is called a SOW.
2) The world's heaviest wild bear ever harvested was taken in CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.
3) Black Bears are only black...FALSE, THEY COME IN BLONDE, CINNAMON, BROWN, AND BLACK WITH A WHITE CHEST BLAZE.
4) Bears once lived in every state except HAWAII.
5) Bears can sprint at 35 MPH.
Now - here is a good bear recipe...
Two 3 pound rocks
1 old rope
large boiler
Ten Pounds of Bear meat
Fill boiler half way, bring to boil.
Place rope, rocks, and meat in boiling water, reduce heat and cover.
Cook for 2 weeks.
Throw out bear meat, enjoy ropes and rocks with cocktail sauce.
Just kidding, but that's an old joke about bear...here's a legitimate recipe that I like:
Three pounds of ground bear meat
Three cans of Fench Onion Soup
Three eggs
1.5 Cups of Oatmeal
One 10 can of mushrooms
Quarter cp of Ketchup
A little (or a lot) garlic powder
Black Pepper to taste
Just mix it all together and cook at 350 for about 2.5 hours...you can also use swan or snow goose in this recipe!
Enjoy the feast...
The Eastern Bear Season runs from November 9-14 and December 14-26. Only about three weeks - but that is plenty of time for hunters to find a bear and harvest the animal...they also have time to cook it, which, to me, is a fabulous idea. Bear meat, when cooked properly is very good. Often, it has to be boiled (and that STINKS), but that makes it more tender and less gamy. Folks from all over the country come tou our neck of the woods for a crack at a truly massive bruin. Bears range from 80-800 pounds, but the normal bear is about 200. Of all the bears my buddies have taken, they have all been between 400-600 lbs. MASSIVE! The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission intensively manages for bears, and harvest records are kept. You can read reports on bears at their website (link here).
There are some important things to know about black bears before you go fearin' 'em. Learn these facts, quiz your buddy (or your enemy), and then call them dumb when they miss all of the questions!
1) A Female bear is called a SOW.
2) The world's heaviest wild bear ever harvested was taken in CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.
3) Black Bears are only black...FALSE, THEY COME IN BLONDE, CINNAMON, BROWN, AND BLACK WITH A WHITE CHEST BLAZE.
4) Bears once lived in every state except HAWAII.
5) Bears can sprint at 35 MPH.
Now - here is a good bear recipe...
Two 3 pound rocks
1 old rope
large boiler
Ten Pounds of Bear meat
Fill boiler half way, bring to boil.
Place rope, rocks, and meat in boiling water, reduce heat and cover.
Cook for 2 weeks.
Throw out bear meat, enjoy ropes and rocks with cocktail sauce.
Just kidding, but that's an old joke about bear...here's a legitimate recipe that I like:
Three pounds of ground bear meat
Three cans of Fench Onion Soup
Three eggs
1.5 Cups of Oatmeal
One 10 can of mushrooms
Quarter cp of Ketchup
A little (or a lot) garlic powder
Black Pepper to taste
Just mix it all together and cook at 350 for about 2.5 hours...you can also use swan or snow goose in this recipe!
Enjoy the feast...
November 2, 2009
Community Fun day....
Community Fun Day has come and gone...turnout was good, but could have had more if it weren't for Halloween...But there were lots of new faces here to enjoy the facility.
All of the staff embers did an excellent job at their activities...Archery was very popular, so props to AJ for doing such a good job. The Climbing Wall was also very popular. Crafts was run by our very own Sara Biggs, but she partnered with Marsha Cady - Troop Leader and HGSIC of Girl Scouts Colonial Coast Manteo.
The hot dog cookout was pretty amazing, but topping that was the homemade ice cream...There were enough leftovers for the staff to enjoy an impromptu ice cream party at the Staff House afterwards.
Concurrent to Community Fun Day, Auburn played a football game against Ole Miss. The Auburn team elected to show up and compete for the first time in abot a month - and pulled out an impressive victory over Ole Miss. Auburn even scored more points against Ole Miss than in-state rival Alabama...so Bama needs to be ready...
The weather has turned sour, too. In the twelve hours after 3:00 pm on saturday there was a 30 degree drop in temperature...so the good weather held out for Fun Day, but arrived just in time to push migrating waterfowl into our neighborhood. Swans are definietly on the move, especially around Northampton, Hertford, and Bertie Counties...another good north west wind will push 'em on down our way.
This week will be quiet around the Center...this weekend we are hosting a large Christian Men's Retreat. November is traditionally a slow month, but it gives us the chance to catch our breath and prepare for all of the upcoming Holiday parties...
Enjoy the day...
All of the staff embers did an excellent job at their activities...Archery was very popular, so props to AJ for doing such a good job. The Climbing Wall was also very popular. Crafts was run by our very own Sara Biggs, but she partnered with Marsha Cady - Troop Leader and HGSIC of Girl Scouts Colonial Coast Manteo.
The hot dog cookout was pretty amazing, but topping that was the homemade ice cream...There were enough leftovers for the staff to enjoy an impromptu ice cream party at the Staff House afterwards.
Concurrent to Community Fun Day, Auburn played a football game against Ole Miss. The Auburn team elected to show up and compete for the first time in abot a month - and pulled out an impressive victory over Ole Miss. Auburn even scored more points against Ole Miss than in-state rival Alabama...so Bama needs to be ready...
The weather has turned sour, too. In the twelve hours after 3:00 pm on saturday there was a 30 degree drop in temperature...so the good weather held out for Fun Day, but arrived just in time to push migrating waterfowl into our neighborhood. Swans are definietly on the move, especially around Northampton, Hertford, and Bertie Counties...another good north west wind will push 'em on down our way.
This week will be quiet around the Center...this weekend we are hosting a large Christian Men's Retreat. November is traditionally a slow month, but it gives us the chance to catch our breath and prepare for all of the upcoming Holiday parties...
Enjoy the day...
October 30, 2009
HAPPY HALLOWEEN...BOOOOOO
TOmorrow is the big day....a big pagan holiday, but not only for pagans - kids, too...and some childish adults.
These are some rules for trick or treating that mush be adhered to if you want me to be your friend on Sunday morning...
1) Only trick or treater's under 10 years of age are allowable.
2) Just a mask is not a costume...show some effort, and don't hide your face...
3) Do not toilet paper my yard...it is a great waste - unless you are my mom, who recovers the toilet paper and USES IT!! That is the truth....
4) Do not eat candy without letting your parents inspect it (but don't let them pick out their favorites)...
5) Do not dress up as a food item. I detest these costumes...dress scary, or scarier than regular days.
6) Always carry a flashlight and walk with your parents or another responsible adult that your parents approve of...
7) Eggs are breakfast food, not Halloween tricks.
8) Ignore the Purple Man
9) Stay out of graveyards
10) Save some candy for me!
Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday...I am particularly scared of the night between the hours of 11:30 pm-1:30 am and from 2:45-3:30...outside of those hours I am totally OK. Not sure why, but 3:00 am is just plain freaky.
I continued my tradition of dressing up as a fellow staff member for Halloween today...here's the historical facts of my costume...
2007- I dressed as Becky Ingalls
2008 - I dressed as Terri the Housekeeper - I wore Lime green cutoff "Daisy Dukes", a blood drive t-shirt, and white tennis shoes, and walked around saying things like "HOIDE CAINTY", "CHURL CAINTY", and "BAIT TOIME."
2009 - Today I fashioned myself as Charles Midgette...I cut my flowing beard into a goatee, wore some glasses, combed my hair, tight blue jeans, staff hoodie, and carabiner with 100 keys attached. He will strangle before the day is over.
I never dress up as anything else other than staff members..and it helps that they are are very scary. Lee always dresses up as a pirate, and on Halloween he dresses up as a cowboy....but he may not even know that it is Halloween.
Last night, me, Joe, Stephanie, and Sara went to Trick or Treat Under the Sea at the aquarium at Roanoke Island...We had an awesome time showing the costumed kiddies "fish" for goldfish crackers...the kids enjoyed it as much as we did, I'm sure...
Tomorrow is Community Fun Day...please come out and see us...activities are from 10-3...lunch is served, too.
Enjoy the day!
These are some rules for trick or treating that mush be adhered to if you want me to be your friend on Sunday morning...
1) Only trick or treater's under 10 years of age are allowable.
2) Just a mask is not a costume...show some effort, and don't hide your face...
3) Do not toilet paper my yard...it is a great waste - unless you are my mom, who recovers the toilet paper and USES IT!! That is the truth....
4) Do not eat candy without letting your parents inspect it (but don't let them pick out their favorites)...
5) Do not dress up as a food item. I detest these costumes...dress scary, or scarier than regular days.
6) Always carry a flashlight and walk with your parents or another responsible adult that your parents approve of...
7) Eggs are breakfast food, not Halloween tricks.
8) Ignore the Purple Man
9) Stay out of graveyards
10) Save some candy for me!
Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday...I am particularly scared of the night between the hours of 11:30 pm-1:30 am and from 2:45-3:30...outside of those hours I am totally OK. Not sure why, but 3:00 am is just plain freaky.
I continued my tradition of dressing up as a fellow staff member for Halloween today...here's the historical facts of my costume...
2007- I dressed as Becky Ingalls
2008 - I dressed as Terri the Housekeeper - I wore Lime green cutoff "Daisy Dukes", a blood drive t-shirt, and white tennis shoes, and walked around saying things like "HOIDE CAINTY", "CHURL CAINTY", and "BAIT TOIME."
2009 - Today I fashioned myself as Charles Midgette...I cut my flowing beard into a goatee, wore some glasses, combed my hair, tight blue jeans, staff hoodie, and carabiner with 100 keys attached. He will strangle before the day is over.
I never dress up as anything else other than staff members..and it helps that they are are very scary. Lee always dresses up as a pirate, and on Halloween he dresses up as a cowboy....but he may not even know that it is Halloween.
Last night, me, Joe, Stephanie, and Sara went to Trick or Treat Under the Sea at the aquarium at Roanoke Island...We had an awesome time showing the costumed kiddies "fish" for goldfish crackers...the kids enjoyed it as much as we did, I'm sure...
Tomorrow is Community Fun Day...please come out and see us...activities are from 10-3...lunch is served, too.
Enjoy the day!
October 28, 2009
Advisory Boards Meeting Today
The Big Wigs will be intoday...albeit none of them where a wigm and none of them are big, either. Not sure what;s on the docket, but I am sure we will discuss Community Fun Day, our new recreation hall, maybe a bit about summer camp, and probably Dock of the Bay.
Yes, this means I wore a shirt with a collar and buttons.
Yesterday, after work, I spent some time in the deer stand (actually sitting in a shallow ditch in the middle of a beanfield). Deer were ready to move yesterday, especially since the rain and wind ceased for a bit. I saw 8 deer, most of them does and yearlings. Watching deer is a lot of fun...if they don't know you are there - because if they know you are there, they will leave. But if they don't know your watching, well just think of what you do when you think nobody is watching...like scratching.
This morning, the atmosphere was totally steamy and the temperature was a blistering 75 degrees. For the record, that's to durn hot form the last week of October. According to the weathermen and weatherwomen, the winter forescast calls for colder than average in lieu of El Nino, or as I like to call it, El Neeno. I love a cold winter...winter is a season of attrition, but of rebirth. Leaves, mosquitoes, and songbirds dissapear with the natural promise to return, and usually i droves.
According to "Thirtyfoot Terri", the swan migration is finally on...she had 3 swans in her field yesterday. Swans are fun to watch because they are the size of those tiny kit planes that beginner pilots like to build...swans will devastate a wheat field, though...if you google "swan migration" you can find a website that lets you track individual swans on their migration from tundral Alaska all the way to places like Kilkenny, Engelhard, Roper, and Pantego. Swans must love country livin' because those places are certainly in the country, if not past it a little bit.
DO NOT FORGET about Community Fun Day on the 31st...think summer camp mixed with weenie roast, but with parents...it'll be fun!
Enjoy the day...
Yes, this means I wore a shirt with a collar and buttons.
Yesterday, after work, I spent some time in the deer stand (actually sitting in a shallow ditch in the middle of a beanfield). Deer were ready to move yesterday, especially since the rain and wind ceased for a bit. I saw 8 deer, most of them does and yearlings. Watching deer is a lot of fun...if they don't know you are there - because if they know you are there, they will leave. But if they don't know your watching, well just think of what you do when you think nobody is watching...like scratching.
This morning, the atmosphere was totally steamy and the temperature was a blistering 75 degrees. For the record, that's to durn hot form the last week of October. According to the weathermen and weatherwomen, the winter forescast calls for colder than average in lieu of El Nino, or as I like to call it, El Neeno. I love a cold winter...winter is a season of attrition, but of rebirth. Leaves, mosquitoes, and songbirds dissapear with the natural promise to return, and usually i droves.
According to "Thirtyfoot Terri", the swan migration is finally on...she had 3 swans in her field yesterday. Swans are fun to watch because they are the size of those tiny kit planes that beginner pilots like to build...swans will devastate a wheat field, though...if you google "swan migration" you can find a website that lets you track individual swans on their migration from tundral Alaska all the way to places like Kilkenny, Engelhard, Roper, and Pantego. Swans must love country livin' because those places are certainly in the country, if not past it a little bit.
DO NOT FORGET about Community Fun Day on the 31st...think summer camp mixed with weenie roast, but with parents...it'll be fun!
Enjoy the day...
October 27, 2009
Certifiable, Community Fun Day
As I mentioned last week, The Eastern 4-H Center hosted the 2009 Fall Shooting Sports Training...of which I and Casper (we're both Nationally certified instructors - along with Lee) successfully graduated out first group of volunteers. We had an incredible time with archery...and it was good to see volunteers wanting certifications from the EASTERN part of North Carolina, so that they can effectively run and manage their clubs.
The weather has been a little poor around here...humidity is through the rough and temperatures are in the annoying range - to warm for a jacket, but too cold for only a short sleeve shirt.
This weekend will be our 3rd annual Community Fun Day! We have loads of activities including Rock Climbing, Archery, Horseshoes, Volleyball, Putt-Putt, and Arts and Crafts...we also have games for the tiny children and the parents - Bingo!
Community Fun Day is a tricky event for me...I have to bring in staff that are trained by me (or Lee)...most of the staff are away to college to get more knowledge. Alas, many love and adore me, so they return to volunteer. They really love meeting the locals...
The weekend will be awesome - we'll also have ice cream, a weenie roast, good weather, and fall foliage, which - by the way - is the best I have ever seen it down here on the coast...Oh yeah - the whole thing won't cost you a dime to attend...but children must be accompanied by an adult...and no pets...
Most of the Center staff will be here, too - so it is a good chance to put a face with a name of the folks I like to blog about.
The Tyrrell County DU Banquet is coming soon, too - it's the weekend after this...there are only two more days to buy tickets, though - and I have some. Tickets are $40 for a single or $55 for a couple. There will be loads of auction items...and you'll probably hear the patrons talking about our Camp Canvasback program. You should only support Ducks Unlimited if you enjoy hearing geese and swans honking in the sky every autumn or enjoy seeing migratory waterfowl like ducks at Lake Mattamuskeet. Ducks Unlimited funds go to purchase conservation lands that protect not only waterfowl, but shorebirds, eagles, and alligators - as well as the wetlands, migration routes, and wintering areas (about 1/2 of the Atlantic Flyway's waterfowl winter in north Carolina) the need to survive.
Enjoy the day...
The weather has been a little poor around here...humidity is through the rough and temperatures are in the annoying range - to warm for a jacket, but too cold for only a short sleeve shirt.
This weekend will be our 3rd annual Community Fun Day! We have loads of activities including Rock Climbing, Archery, Horseshoes, Volleyball, Putt-Putt, and Arts and Crafts...we also have games for the tiny children and the parents - Bingo!
Community Fun Day is a tricky event for me...I have to bring in staff that are trained by me (or Lee)...most of the staff are away to college to get more knowledge. Alas, many love and adore me, so they return to volunteer. They really love meeting the locals...
The weekend will be awesome - we'll also have ice cream, a weenie roast, good weather, and fall foliage, which - by the way - is the best I have ever seen it down here on the coast...Oh yeah - the whole thing won't cost you a dime to attend...but children must be accompanied by an adult...and no pets...
Most of the Center staff will be here, too - so it is a good chance to put a face with a name of the folks I like to blog about.
The Tyrrell County DU Banquet is coming soon, too - it's the weekend after this...there are only two more days to buy tickets, though - and I have some. Tickets are $40 for a single or $55 for a couple. There will be loads of auction items...and you'll probably hear the patrons talking about our Camp Canvasback program. You should only support Ducks Unlimited if you enjoy hearing geese and swans honking in the sky every autumn or enjoy seeing migratory waterfowl like ducks at Lake Mattamuskeet. Ducks Unlimited funds go to purchase conservation lands that protect not only waterfowl, but shorebirds, eagles, and alligators - as well as the wetlands, migration routes, and wintering areas (about 1/2 of the Atlantic Flyway's waterfowl winter in north Carolina) the need to survive.
Enjoy the day...
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