Dock of The Bay

Hey folks..."On The Dock of The Bay" is just around the corner...the 10 day corner, that is. Sara, our Marketing Director is fast at work shoring up the final details. Here's what I know...

The band will, again, be the world-famous Mighty Saints of Soul. They are known for their smooth tunes and tones, and the beach music beats are the best around.

Beach Music?! Well, when you are on the coast, you absolutely must pound out beachy rhythms so that the men and women can shag.

Shag?! That's right...it's a dance. At first I was perplexed. I thought it was a strange hair do worn to further exaggerate the dance moves, but alas, it is the dance itself. I believe this will be the third year in a row that The Mighty Saints of Soul will provide the background (and foreground) music to hundreds of patrons supporting the Eastern 4-H Center and it's summer camp program.

Support?! Yep...the proceeds go to helping to support the northeast district 4-H programs, so that they can provide camp scholarships to our summer camp program. While supporting the summer camp program, the patrons will also be allowed to eat, or feed, in my instance.

Eat?! Uh-huh. There will be food. Both high in quantity and quality. While I have no knowledge of or input in to the menu (thankfully), I can wager a guess at what will be aboard the buffet tables. Generally, the food procession begins around 6:00. Patrons start by selecting a plate and fork and napkin. After the eating surface and implements are secured, the first mountain of food to conquer is generally spinach dip with assorted premium crackers and wafers. After deliberating at this stop for about 30 seconds, the diner must then overcome the mounds of fresh fruit and gourmet cheeses. This is best done with a bucket, but we do not allow buckets. However tongs can be used to select the fruits of your choice. Traditionally, the strawberries are the highlights, with some as large a kiwi fruit. After succumbing to the fruit mound, the patron will move towards the brie wheel. A wheel of molten cheese is clearly one of the great gifts to humanity. After this, steamed shrimp are made available by the gallon, all on ice. Last year, I steamed and the shrimp and they were reported to be the best ever. I would have to agree, even though I never, ever ate one of the shrimp. After the shrimp, one might find the crab dip, which is usually filled with Albemarle or Pamlico Sound crab meat. It's my personal fave. Following the food corridor to the last stop, one will find the beef and pork loins that are sliced to order. Oh yeah - there's beverages of all types for the adults to enjoy... If you do not like good food, please steer clear of this event. And yes, there will be dessert.

Dessert?! Other than the crab dip, dessert is where I can really help to lighten the load on the legs of the table. There has been a chocolate fountain, surrounded by delicious brownies (and blondies), cookies, macaroons, fresh fruit, and marshmallows. While the torrent of chocolate is certainly good enough to enjoy from a cup, it is proper etiquette to only dip fruit and food in it - not fingers, hands, or steins...I hope to get it right this year.

Nevertheless, for a $40 ticket, one can enjoy the bounty of the beaches on our beautiful shoreline, decide over the top desserts, deliberate over the expansiveness of the buffet, and even have a chance at the gigantic silent auction. I like auctions, especially silent ones...it's a game of cat and mouse. Generally, I come out as the mouse, though.

Please call the Center to make plans to attend. It's the best way that you can spend my birthday...it's on Saturday, May 7! What else would one do on May 7? Other than it being National Roasted Leg of Lamb Day, there's nothing else worthy of competition. Heck, one could even stay the night in Columbia and help me celebrate May 8 - which is National No Socks Day.

So come out and see the Center, eat some great food, shag, and bid on great silent auction items such as vacation packages, spa treatments, and golf retreats...all for a great cause - supporting North Carolina's youth!

Enjoy the day....