Before I go any further with this blog - The 4-H Center is fine. It's battered, but not broken. Others in the county, however, did not fare as well as the Center.
As easy at it has generally been for me to put pen to paper and elaborate on stories I have seen, this one leaves me a little puzzled, humbled, and curious. Hurricanes and other natural disasters look different on TV, than in person. They sound, smell, and feel different, too. And if I wanted to stretch this a bit, they even taste different, than they do in front of a television screen. The easiest way to relate the story of Irene is to help you understand the "sounds" of the storm. I'm not sure what CNN or NBC have said. My connection to the newsworthy world has been local public and simulcast radio...
This ordeal has been curious to me because it's very strange how neighbors fared better than the one's next door. Counties fared better than the ones next door. States fared better than the ones above and below. There will be lots of news cameras and helicopters come and go, but not in Tyrrell County. Or Hyde County. Sorry, you just can't get in Mr. Media. But hey, if you can't help, you can't visit. We don't need cameras, we need compassion, thank you very much. If you want a story, I can tell you about the local farm-to-plate farmer who watched his family pumpkin crop float away with the storm surge. I can tell you about the rural family who could not be reached when the storm became unpredictable. I can also tell you about the families who threw out furniture, carpet, and family pictures.
Anyway, as I grew up in Alabama, we too, were the recipient of frequent tropical weather...usually tropical storms, depressions, or disturbances...and a couple of hurricanes, like Opal. There was and is something very special about the home I grew up in. Mainly, I think, was that it was run by my father and mother...both special in their own ways. The house was a home. We never evacuated. Ever. Tyrrell County is now home to me and it all makes sense, even if it doesn't to anyone else. Me and 3500 other people love this place as much as we do our own families. It's a big home for all of us. There are three seasons for me and most of my friends in Tyrrell County: Summer Camp, Waterfowl Season, and Hurricane Season. I love two and hate the other one because of this. I remember only Tropical Storms Erin, Hanna, and Nor' Ida.
Still, after all of that, I never imagined that it could get much worse. As the insurance companies would have you believe, this is certainly an act of God. No person, or group of 'em could alter the landscape of life so quickly. Cleaning up, too, is an act of God. And us.
So how bad was it? Here's your vocabulary lesson for Hurricane Season 2011...
Outer Bands - Nope, not the opening act at a concert. The first squall lines of rain actually. With these bands came the first of 30 hours of non-stop 39 mile per hour winds or better. I imagine that we had several gusts of 85 miles per hour.
Storm Surge - This is the "wall" of water that comes with a tropical weather maker. Straight from the Cape Verdes off of Africa came 7 feet of extra water. Most of it has stayed behind in low grounds of Columbia.
Welfare Check - Naw, not that "welfare". This term was used to often by rescue teams looking for storm victims. A welfare check is simply checking to determine whether or not someone is well and living.
Curfew - A curfew is serious for teenagers, but for storm-stricken towns, it could keep you out of the jail or hospital. Columbia had and has a curfew. Who wants to walk around in waist deep wastewater in the dark anyway?
EOC - Emergency Operation Center. This place was manned by emergency management and volunteer rescue services. The Tyrrell County EOC ran like a sewing machine, and I am very proud to know the people who run an efficient and empathetic EOC.
CUFN - Closed Until Further Notice, that is. Few things close under this auspice...usually after a fire or other disaster. Tyrrell County Schools are closed until further notice. That means that they have absolutely no idea when families and children can move out of the school and bathe, cook, clean, and live normally. Oh yeah, did I mention the school is the shelter. Yes, I did.
Power Outage - Think two or three hours without power are ridiculous? Yes, you do. I'm going on 56 hours. That means no AC, TV, dishwashing, hot water, internet. But still,I unconsciously turn off light switches when I walk into a room. And unconsciously flip them off when I depart. In the daylight, however, I have been able to help some great friends...and when possible share terrific cups of instant coffee over a barbecue grill and read some terrific books by writers named MacQuarrie, Hochbaum, and Rutledge. Lucky me.
Can Opener - buy yourself one and learn to use it. If it has a plug, you got the wrong thing. Tuna, ravioli, black beans, and more. These are the things that make up the hurricaner's buffet. Oh, and Swedish Fish and granola. And one snickers!
Ice - Yes, it melts after a while.
Red Cross - How surreal is it when you see them in your town? Very. I thought they only went were CNN went.
Salvation Army - Yep, they are here, too - and not to peddle gently used goods. They are giving hot meals away to people who CANNOT find and prepare their own food. It's serious.
Access - This is what you must obtain to reach certain locations in the region. You don't "have" access...you "get" it from someone else. Tourists, locals, and even National Guarders have been denied access from time to time for a variety of reasons. The only thing that stops the Guard, though, is geography. The new inlets on Hatteras Island make road travel tricky...
Flotsam - flotsam is basically floating trash. Bottles, driftwood, plastic parts...this storm has turned jetski's, cars, vinyl siding, cypress trees, pound nets, pumpkins, and piers into flotsam.
In the past 48 hours, I have heard that people lost their: Trees, pets, power, internet, crops, hats, telephone, boats.
Too many people are solving these problems in the next 48 hours: Where will our family sleep tonight? What time is the Salvation Army serving meals? When is the tide going to wash out? Do I have flood insurance? Where do I put my old carpet and furniture?
In the next 48 days, folks in Columbia all be cleaning out, hunkering down, and looking up...come help.
Enjoy the day...
August 29, 2011
August 26, 2011
Here she comes....
Irene is on her way...I captured the outer bands of the storm this morning...but excuse the condensation, because the tropical humidity is already THICK.
The beach evacuation traffic has been tremendous, which is a good sign. The beach is expecting a 10-11 foot storm surge with waves...it's going to wash away some things. Let's hope it doesn't, though. There will be some incredible dune erosion, too. Crab boats and duck blinds need to be self-righting.
Everything will pass through tomorrow. This thing is serious for people in flood prone and open spaces. Do yourself a favor and evacuate is possible...
Do it today...
August 25, 2011
College Football Preview Part 2
As promised, I will now attempt to offer my prognostications on two of the most enigmatic college football teams in America...also, the Eastern 4-H Center will be closed at noon tomorrow and will remain closed until Monday at the earliest, in lieu of Hurricane Irene.
Last year, Coach Tom seemed to capitalize on a down ACC and pull together a winning season and a bowl win over West Virginia. This year, Former QB Russell Wilson is now playing for the Wisconsin Badgers...so the loss at quarterback is tremendous. The absence of some defensive stars, especially Nate Irving, will be felt early and often, too. However, there is some promise on the offensive side of the football with Mike Glennon, a monster of a man, taking the snaps. He'll be handing the ball off to Mustafa Greene, who was one of the highest rated tailbacks to ever agree to a scholarship at NC State. Also, NFL prospect George Bryan is a phenomenal Tight End that could provide another point of attack for defenses to fret over. Defensively, though, this team has some holes. The defense is built on speed and will require lots of pressure from the linebackers to hurry an opposing team's quarterback into making errors against NC State's very average secondary. JR Sweezy is the defensive line anchor, and he'll help to bulldoze the way for blitzing linebackers. NC State could start of at 6-0, but I expect 5-1 as a loss to Georgia Tech seems predictable. And nope, NC State will not be the Tar Heels. I look for a 7-5 season from the pack.
Auburn, on the other hand is replacing roughly 80% of it's starters, including punters and kickers. The spring and early fall camps focused on naming a starting quarterback to replace Cam Newton, who is now taking his licks in the NFL. Barrett Trotter has been named the starter, but is backed up by a very capable Clint Moseley, and a highly touted freshman named Kiehl Frazier who looks the part of Cam Newton. Auburn also replaces several NFL'ers on the Offensive Line and must replace several great receivers, namely Darvin Adams. Still, the backfield will host Mike Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb as it's tailbacks...a tremendous combination of Thunder and Lightning, respectively. Despite Cam Newton's All-World numbers, Dyer quietly racked up 1000 yards rushing...as a freshman...in the SEC. McCalebb, the speedster also racked up nearly 800 yards while touching the ball as few as 10 times per game. Both can change the score and the game very quickly. Auburn's receiving corp will be led by Phillip Lutzenkirchen at tight end and Emory Blake in the slot. Lutzenkirchen is reported to have the best hands on the team, and approximately 1/3 of his receptions terminate in the end zone. Blake is a possession type receiver, but can stretch the field fast. Quin Carr and Deangelo Benton are upper classmen that need to catch lots of balls this year, too.
Defensively, the Tigers lost lots of leadership after winning the BCS National Championship last year. But there is still a tremendous amount of talent, speed, and size on the defensive side of the football. Nosa Eguae is a star-in-waiting and is considered the leader on defense. The linebacking crew is almost a total over-haul, but the middle 3 will need Eltoro Freeman to be a leader on defense. The Secondary looks to be fast and talented, yet inexperienced. I look for Erique Florence to have a solid freshman campaign in the defensive back 4.
I look for Auburn to go 9-3 with losses to South Carolina, LSU, and Arkansas...they're all road games in tough stadiums. Auburn gets Bama in Jordan-Hare this year, and thus, a second consecutive Iron Bowl championship. Auburn will go to the Cotton Bowl, where they'll most likely beat Nebraska 42-31.
There you have it...an unbiased and very realistic approach to collegiate football predictions...now I go have another glass of Navy and Orange Kool-Aid...
For those living here on the coast...if you can evacuate, do so. Living without power and running water is called "surviving." After three days it gets tougher. If you are a visitor to this area, GET OUT NOW. For those staying, hide good in sturdy rooms. Use ground anchors on boats and cars. Do not use them on children...
Enjoy the day.
Last year, Coach Tom seemed to capitalize on a down ACC and pull together a winning season and a bowl win over West Virginia. This year, Former QB Russell Wilson is now playing for the Wisconsin Badgers...so the loss at quarterback is tremendous. The absence of some defensive stars, especially Nate Irving, will be felt early and often, too. However, there is some promise on the offensive side of the football with Mike Glennon, a monster of a man, taking the snaps. He'll be handing the ball off to Mustafa Greene, who was one of the highest rated tailbacks to ever agree to a scholarship at NC State. Also, NFL prospect George Bryan is a phenomenal Tight End that could provide another point of attack for defenses to fret over. Defensively, though, this team has some holes. The defense is built on speed and will require lots of pressure from the linebackers to hurry an opposing team's quarterback into making errors against NC State's very average secondary. JR Sweezy is the defensive line anchor, and he'll help to bulldoze the way for blitzing linebackers. NC State could start of at 6-0, but I expect 5-1 as a loss to Georgia Tech seems predictable. And nope, NC State will not be the Tar Heels. I look for a 7-5 season from the pack.
Auburn, on the other hand is replacing roughly 80% of it's starters, including punters and kickers. The spring and early fall camps focused on naming a starting quarterback to replace Cam Newton, who is now taking his licks in the NFL. Barrett Trotter has been named the starter, but is backed up by a very capable Clint Moseley, and a highly touted freshman named Kiehl Frazier who looks the part of Cam Newton. Auburn also replaces several NFL'ers on the Offensive Line and must replace several great receivers, namely Darvin Adams. Still, the backfield will host Mike Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb as it's tailbacks...a tremendous combination of Thunder and Lightning, respectively. Despite Cam Newton's All-World numbers, Dyer quietly racked up 1000 yards rushing...as a freshman...in the SEC. McCalebb, the speedster also racked up nearly 800 yards while touching the ball as few as 10 times per game. Both can change the score and the game very quickly. Auburn's receiving corp will be led by Phillip Lutzenkirchen at tight end and Emory Blake in the slot. Lutzenkirchen is reported to have the best hands on the team, and approximately 1/3 of his receptions terminate in the end zone. Blake is a possession type receiver, but can stretch the field fast. Quin Carr and Deangelo Benton are upper classmen that need to catch lots of balls this year, too.
Defensively, the Tigers lost lots of leadership after winning the BCS National Championship last year. But there is still a tremendous amount of talent, speed, and size on the defensive side of the football. Nosa Eguae is a star-in-waiting and is considered the leader on defense. The linebacking crew is almost a total over-haul, but the middle 3 will need Eltoro Freeman to be a leader on defense. The Secondary looks to be fast and talented, yet inexperienced. I look for Erique Florence to have a solid freshman campaign in the defensive back 4.
I look for Auburn to go 9-3 with losses to South Carolina, LSU, and Arkansas...they're all road games in tough stadiums. Auburn gets Bama in Jordan-Hare this year, and thus, a second consecutive Iron Bowl championship. Auburn will go to the Cotton Bowl, where they'll most likely beat Nebraska 42-31.
There you have it...an unbiased and very realistic approach to collegiate football predictions...now I go have another glass of Navy and Orange Kool-Aid...
For those living here on the coast...if you can evacuate, do so. Living without power and running water is called "surviving." After three days it gets tougher. If you are a visitor to this area, GET OUT NOW. For those staying, hide good in sturdy rooms. Use ground anchors on boats and cars. Do not use them on children...
Enjoy the day.
August 24, 2011
College Football Preview
For the past several years, I have published my very own College Football outlook - I was 100% successful in picking the BCS National Champions - my very own Auburn Tigers! So I have to pick someone else, as Auburn would never, ever dare winning to in a row for me! I'll give the major three in this state a preview, attempt to crown an ACC Champion, preview Auburn, then the BCS National Championship team...
First - East Carolina...Everyone's favorite proverbial little brother has scrapped it's "traditional" offensive attack in favor of a spread attack that is fairly common in high schools and gaining favor in colleges. Dayon Arrington, one of the most underrated receivers in America can change a game at anytime, but is also great as a possession receiver. He runs good routes and has capable hands...and they'll be needed when QB Dominique Davis takes the field. The offense should be able to score with any of it's C-USA opponents, BUT...the defense was putrid last year. Navy could have made it to three digits on the scoreboard last year...the once gritty, physical defense has been replaced by, well I'm not sure. Coach McNeill was the Defensive Coordinator at a school where a good offense was the best defense. The Pirate defense can muster up big plays, but can also give up lots of big plays. For this team to be successful on defense, they'll have to force a lot of turnovers...Still, I imagine that with a good schedule and some lucky breaks, this team could win the East Division of C-USA...a 7-5 record is my prediction, but Game 1 against South Carolina in Charlotte will helped to paint a better picture of what this team is capable and incapable of...
UNC - After firing Butch Davis only weeks ago, the popular opinion is that this season will be in the tank. I tend to agree, but there have been many teams throughout history who were able to capitalize on the "underdog" role...and last year's team did much better than expected after it's tumultuous beginnineg. This year, Bryn Renner steps in to replace the consistent, yet oft-time maligned TJ Yates at quarterback...he could bring two dimensions to the position and lighten the load on the hulking 250 pound running back Ryan Houston. Houston is a marvel in short yardage, but is he durable enough to go the distance. The defense has a lot of speed in the backfield, but the true star might be Quinton Coples at end. There is a lot of speed on this side of the ball, and it's very similar to an SEC style defense...however the offense will have it's growing pains. I look for an 8-4 record...the ACC is just not very strong and home field advantages in most stadiums make road games less-daunting.
Tomorrow, expect t hear about NC State and Auburn!
Enjoy the day...
First - East Carolina...Everyone's favorite proverbial little brother has scrapped it's "traditional" offensive attack in favor of a spread attack that is fairly common in high schools and gaining favor in colleges. Dayon Arrington, one of the most underrated receivers in America can change a game at anytime, but is also great as a possession receiver. He runs good routes and has capable hands...and they'll be needed when QB Dominique Davis takes the field. The offense should be able to score with any of it's C-USA opponents, BUT...the defense was putrid last year. Navy could have made it to three digits on the scoreboard last year...the once gritty, physical defense has been replaced by, well I'm not sure. Coach McNeill was the Defensive Coordinator at a school where a good offense was the best defense. The Pirate defense can muster up big plays, but can also give up lots of big plays. For this team to be successful on defense, they'll have to force a lot of turnovers...Still, I imagine that with a good schedule and some lucky breaks, this team could win the East Division of C-USA...a 7-5 record is my prediction, but Game 1 against South Carolina in Charlotte will helped to paint a better picture of what this team is capable and incapable of...
UNC - After firing Butch Davis only weeks ago, the popular opinion is that this season will be in the tank. I tend to agree, but there have been many teams throughout history who were able to capitalize on the "underdog" role...and last year's team did much better than expected after it's tumultuous beginnineg. This year, Bryn Renner steps in to replace the consistent, yet oft-time maligned TJ Yates at quarterback...he could bring two dimensions to the position and lighten the load on the hulking 250 pound running back Ryan Houston. Houston is a marvel in short yardage, but is he durable enough to go the distance. The defense has a lot of speed in the backfield, but the true star might be Quinton Coples at end. There is a lot of speed on this side of the ball, and it's very similar to an SEC style defense...however the offense will have it's growing pains. I look for an 8-4 record...the ACC is just not very strong and home field advantages in most stadiums make road games less-daunting.
Tomorrow, expect t hear about NC State and Auburn!
Enjoy the day...
August 23, 2011
Hurricane Irene
Like it or now, it looks like Hurricane Irene is on her way to the North Carolina Coast. Meteorologists, TV Anchors, Neighbors, and Strangers all have their own predictions of what the the storm will hit and just how hard the hitting will be. Meanwhile, I'll take steps to protect my place and stuff. I'm pretty sure that today might be the best day to go ahead and gas the tanks, bake the bread, desalinize the water, and, well...yeah.
Unfortunately, some North Carolinians could stand to have their homes inundated twice in the past 300 days, dating back to last October when Tropical Storm Nicole bilged it's clouds into the low streets of Creswell and Columbia. Driving around in it's aftermath, it was comforting to see levels below doorways, but sump-pumping had to be enacted to empty out the crawl spaces. Hopefully, there's enough time and dire warning for folks to clean out the gutters, the crawl space, and even some lower level living spaces. Right here on Bulls Bay, the high ground as many call it, things should get a good soaking than a good lashing, should the storm follow it's anticipated path. Since the Sound is connected to the Atlantic, the storm is expected to push lots of water inland. I'm sure the rivers and streams and sound will rise a day or so before the storm, yet the wetlands, swamps, and marshes should act as sponges to save lots of low-lying coastal burgs...finally, a good use for wetlands. HA!
Also, I am well on my way to knocking out some items on my bucket list...for those that don't understand the term "Bucket List", it's basically a list of things you hope to accomplish in a certain amount of time, which is generally your life span. Nevertheless, a passport is on mine, and should be checked off very soon. I'm not sure why I haven't had this done already. Sure Alabama might as well be a foreign country, but it's not so there was no need to have a passport to visit neighboring states! Either way, I should be able to travel abroad as soon as I provide a horrible, poorly-lit picture, the details of my parent's birth sites, and my physical description. I look forward to stamping the passport with: Canada(!), England, Scotland, Argentina, South Africa, and Switzerland in the coming twenty years. Other bucket list items include strange foods, tough challenges, and famous handshakes. Should they occur throughout the tenure of this blog, they'll be posted.
So, for those of you in the Carolina coast country - heed the warnings, hope for the best, and help your neighbors...
Enjoy the day...
Unfortunately, some North Carolinians could stand to have their homes inundated twice in the past 300 days, dating back to last October when Tropical Storm Nicole bilged it's clouds into the low streets of Creswell and Columbia. Driving around in it's aftermath, it was comforting to see levels below doorways, but sump-pumping had to be enacted to empty out the crawl spaces. Hopefully, there's enough time and dire warning for folks to clean out the gutters, the crawl space, and even some lower level living spaces. Right here on Bulls Bay, the high ground as many call it, things should get a good soaking than a good lashing, should the storm follow it's anticipated path. Since the Sound is connected to the Atlantic, the storm is expected to push lots of water inland. I'm sure the rivers and streams and sound will rise a day or so before the storm, yet the wetlands, swamps, and marshes should act as sponges to save lots of low-lying coastal burgs...finally, a good use for wetlands. HA!
Also, I am well on my way to knocking out some items on my bucket list...for those that don't understand the term "Bucket List", it's basically a list of things you hope to accomplish in a certain amount of time, which is generally your life span. Nevertheless, a passport is on mine, and should be checked off very soon. I'm not sure why I haven't had this done already. Sure Alabama might as well be a foreign country, but it's not so there was no need to have a passport to visit neighboring states! Either way, I should be able to travel abroad as soon as I provide a horrible, poorly-lit picture, the details of my parent's birth sites, and my physical description. I look forward to stamping the passport with: Canada(!), England, Scotland, Argentina, South Africa, and Switzerland in the coming twenty years. Other bucket list items include strange foods, tough challenges, and famous handshakes. Should they occur throughout the tenure of this blog, they'll be posted.
So, for those of you in the Carolina coast country - heed the warnings, hope for the best, and help your neighbors...
Enjoy the day...
August 22, 2011
Back at it...
Summer Camp has now come and gone...and it was fairly fantastic. This year's staff was one for the record books, to put it lightly. Considered a re-loading year after a mass exodus in 2010 (on account of graduations), the 2011 staff put on a clinic! I hope that many of them return for even greater success next season. Next season will be important - we will go through our ACA accreditation next summer, which is no sweat for us, as last time we passed all applicable standards. Woo Hoo. We had nine weeks of camp this year, down a week from last year, but we hosted lots of full to nearly-full weeks of camp.Other highlights included Ohio State University's Cuyahoga County Youth Ambassadors retreat and the return of the Tyrrell County 4-H Day Camp. Takeoff 4-Health Camp, our healthy weight camp, saw great camper success, too. Canvasback was a hit with guests such as the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild, Allen Bliven of Allen Bliven Calls, Rig'em Right Waterfowl, and Noah's Ark Waterfowl. I have seen lots of those birds that were carved at some of the neighbors homes! A couple of campers have even started carving in wood and cork! Sailing camp was another tremendous hit with Captain Roger Morgan leading the way once again! And last, but certainly not least, 4-H Camp was as strong as ever...and looking to grow to another additional week next year. Our recipe for success? Safe programs, strong programs, and organized programs...it is easy for us to understand and implement - and our tradition is slowly building!
In unrelated, but relevant news, Hurricane Irene appears to be making a run at the coast. Of Florida. Or anywhere between there and New Jersey. Either way, the fickle nature of these storms makes me, and lots of others very nervous...one just cannot plan enough to get the right supplies and equipment. Still, the time to plan is now. You can revisit my older posts to learn about storm preparedness and how to make Survival Paste out of Bottles Water, Milk, Bread, and Eggs.
The Migratory Bird season is also inching closer...Eastern sportsmen and women should begin to gather duck stamps, licenses, and HIP permits, so that everyone is a legal eagle. Also, consider moving to steel shot for Mourning Doves - as it is much more eco-friendly!
Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to get back in to regular blogging. This upcoming weekend will have upwards of 300 people on site...so we'll be slammed with families and friends!
Enjoy the day!
In unrelated, but relevant news, Hurricane Irene appears to be making a run at the coast. Of Florida. Or anywhere between there and New Jersey. Either way, the fickle nature of these storms makes me, and lots of others very nervous...one just cannot plan enough to get the right supplies and equipment. Still, the time to plan is now. You can revisit my older posts to learn about storm preparedness and how to make Survival Paste out of Bottles Water, Milk, Bread, and Eggs.
The Migratory Bird season is also inching closer...Eastern sportsmen and women should begin to gather duck stamps, licenses, and HIP permits, so that everyone is a legal eagle. Also, consider moving to steel shot for Mourning Doves - as it is much more eco-friendly!
Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to get back in to regular blogging. This upcoming weekend will have upwards of 300 people on site...so we'll be slammed with families and friends!
Enjoy the day!
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