Eastern 4-H Center Field Trips and Summer Camp and additional ramblings

50 Year Anniversary

2012-01-04T08:48:00.003-05:00

Today, the members of our staff are honoring the 50 Year Anniversary of one of our associates withing the office. The Anniversay commemmorates 50 years of living life. Some people think that 50 means that you're old. I do. In fact, everyone younger than 50 thinks it's old. However, those older than 50 yearn to feel that young again I suppose. I have over twenty years to grow before I become that old.

While the person who is becoming so old shall remain nameless, that person can rest assured that life will only get easier. For others that old or older, they wax poetic about the discounts available to them, retirement, and great-great grandchildren. The 50 year old generation is important, too. They survived the 80's! They, too, have seen multiple great wars involving many in the world. One day, they'll tell their great grandchildren about the Great Recession. They'll speak of a time when the internet was actually the middle pound net. They'll remember times when talking over a telephone were the quickest and most convenient way to speak with distant friends. Many of those around the mid-century mark will also discuss with their brethren how rapidly the world is changing. We've all either accepted or ignored the general consensus that while change is constant, it is also rapid in this day and age.

So, Congratulations You Know Who You Are In Our Office on turning 50. But I'd never know it unless someone told me...

In unrelated news, I broke one of my New Year's Resolutions by accidentally writing the date as 1/2/11 instead of 1/2/12...lasted less than 36 hours...

Enjoy the day...

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

2011-12-12T08:10:00.002-05:00

December 10th was North Carolina Youth Waterfowl Day...meaning that children under age 16 could hunt waterfowl. The season for adults is right in the middle of it's final split of the year...it'll open back up on December 17th for the adults.

Nevertheless, we had some former Camp Canvasbackers down for the weekend. They went out with volunteer guides on a hunt Saturday morning, along with their dads or granddads. The location they chose to hunt had been holding lots of ducks...until the Saturday morning hunt. Nevertheless, with the urge to migrate so strong in waterfowl, as soon as the front blew through on Friday night, most of the ducks picked up and headed south. Still, the young hunters bagged a few ducks and one redeemed his swan tag! It was a fun hunt that certainly initiated the youngsters into the ways of waterfowling. Cold, wet, long walks in the dark, with gear in tow, is only fun if you're waterfowling!

The holiday season is here, and so are the Christmas parties...we've hosted several right away, with more to come. In fact, I laid the smack down on some of my infamous steaks on Saturday night. I certainly enjoy helping out other departments at the Center, but I really do prefer to help the kitchen - especially when it comes to manning the grill. I can operate a grill much better than a lawnmower, wrench, mop, and telephone.

Enjoy the day...

Post Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T08:47:00.003-05:00

Well the turkey has been roasted, eaten, and leftover...and eaten again. I'm sure I would normally pack on a few pounds, but my recent bout with a food borne illness of less than conspicuous origins put me on the sideline for the better half of a week that generally brings tremendous eating...

Nevertheless, the 4-H Center is gearing up for holiday party season. It's a favorite time of mine...I'm lucky to work in a place where we must peddle the holiday spirit. There's lots of holiday lights, and yes, food to be taken in. However, should the cold weather not arrive, I will refute the season. Cold weather is very important for the holiday season. Otherwise, the big guy in the red suit will certainly overheat as he strikes out for the 3 billion global believers. Milk and cookies? Naw. Leave that joker some Gatorade. Fruit Punch, or course. Also - the holiday sweaters that many of us fawn over will lay folded in their boxes, crammed to the collar with moth balls. The Farmer's Almanac predicted a wet and cold winter...show's what they know. It's been more tropical and tepid. And all that firewood that was either cut or purchased to sentimentally and nostalgically warm your humble abode? Well, if you stack it high enough, it makes a great shady corner to relax in when the mercury tops out.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. Sure, I just told you something you already know. It's when America's retailers go from red to black on their ledgers...and it's when more trees are cut than any other day of the year. Sad times. However, roughly 30 million families will hoist a tree inside their homes. North Carolina is responsible for many of these trees...some, in fact, have even graced Rockefeller Center and the White House. I'm all for tree cutting. Especially if it is done sustainably. Tree farming, from Christmas trees to pine logging, is generally very responsible. Rotational plans, pest control, and prescribed burnings are used in many tree farms...and they're all goof for the environment, and the animals that live within it. Still, it's strange that people will haul a dying tree into their home, set it in water, then hook it to electricity....just before they put hundred of dollars of gifts underneath it. I call those gifts "fuel". Always sit with trees that are lit and unplug them when not basking in their luminescence. Moreover, when the tree is done doing it's duty around New Year's, check with local officials and find a suitable pond of lake to lower your tree in to...it makes excellent fish habitat! Some people have closely guarded the secret whereabouts of their sunken trees. I wish it would give me an advantage in duck hunting. Speaking of which...

The waterfowling has been terrible. For those looking to come down and pursue fowl with either camera or gun - best of luck. The weather has been abysmal and the only thing to see are the swans. But they are great. In other unrelated news, my Auburn Tigers were handily beaten by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the annual Iron Bowl. But hey, every squirrel eventually finds a nut. And Alabama has it's share of nuts.

Enjoy the day...

111111

2011-11-11T10:09:00.002-05:00

It's Vets Day. I'm thankful for the brave men who are much braver than I am, their families who sacrifice more than I could ever imagine, and for those vets who paid the ultimate price so that I have the freedom to worship, think, play, and even blog on my own accord. With that said...

Today is 11/11/11. You can reverse it, and it's the same thing. With the right font, you can turn it upside down and still have the correct date. 11 is a fun number, and here's why...

11 is the number of the jersey worn by my favorite Auburn quarterback of all-time...Stan White. He was the first quarterback I can remember when my dad luckily took me to so many football games. We literally remember each one, but not for the games, but rather the time it rained, the time we saw a guy wet his pants, how many hotdogs I ate, and the time the barn burned. Great memories of #11 and poppa...

11:11 was the alleged favorite time on the watch of my high school, puppy-love girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. Why do I remember this? We talked, well she talked, on the phone all night long and it came up every night back in 1999. Her favorite time was 12:34. I need to get a life...

11 push-ups was my max when I committed to changing my life and habits back in 2005. Now I can do, I swear, 11 times the push-ups of anybody you know. That day I though I was weak.

11-0 was Auburn's record in 1993. the only undefeated and untied team in College Football. We weren't crowned the National Championship because of the 1111 year conspiracy against Auburn.

Eleventeen is my favorite number.

I was eleven years old when my sister told me she would beat me up for tearing of the heads of her Barbie, Skipper, and Ken dolls. I was also 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, and 26 when she said she would do this.

I buy decoys in dozens, but I always pull one aside...I try to always hunt in multiples of eleven decoys. Not really.

Nevertheless, 11/11/11 will be a day for babies to be born and couples to be wed. It should be an easy anniversary to remember. I will get married on 14/14/14...

Enjoy the day...

No Smarter, Waterfowl Season

2011-11-10T08:37:00.002-05:00

Well folks, the reduction in my blg totals in the past week are a direct result of the pain created by my wisdom tooth, which apparently was struck with an infection at the root. I knew it when it hit. And it hit like a ton of bricks. For hours on end I could sit, stand, play, talk...then the sharp pain would sting and remind me that I do in fact have a dentist. In keeping with tradition, my oral health seems to always take a nosedive as the waterfowl season comes in. Either way, removal of the wisdom tooth is imminent, and I actually look forward to it, despite my loathe for the whir of the dentist's drill and the tap-tap of his metallic mouth explorer. But my dentist is great, and he has helped me when friends refused to pull my teeth.

Waterfowl season is around the corner, the corner being Saturday. I look forward to it almost as much as the first day of summer camp. Both can bring surprises, but they both bring lots of fun. I spend nine months of the year thinking about both, and three months of the year living through both. Both leave any true devotee extraordinarily exhausted in it's respective aftermath. As late as the nights are in operating a summer camp, the waterfowl season can bring just as early mornings. But, being able to meet the sun on it's way out of it's wintry bed over the Atlantic is a genuine blessing, just as seeing it set over the Albemarle in the summer. Without getting to mushy, all waterfowlers are required to mention the following things to those who are considered novices to the sport. I am lucky and see lots of waterfowl. But still, I am no expert, however, consider the following tips as published by "experts":

Scouting is important to find ducks. You absolutely must go to where the ducks want to be. I scout as a safety precaution. Finding stumps in the daylight with your eyeballs is a lot better than finding them with your prop in the predawn darkness.

Get an early start. the public boat ramps in eastern NC are a total circus, complete with clowns and donkeys. If you want to beat the crowds and have an enjoyable experience at the boat ramp, try to be there early. You'll also have the best chance of getting to "your" spot. Always drive cautiously and ensure your boat's running lights are operable and that lifejackets are donned. Fire extinguishers, air horns, whistles, and flares are also great in the event of an emergency. I even take a change of clothes for the inevitable spill I'll take.

Make sure your decoys are nice and clean and well-rigged. Many a duck has flared or spooked by the dirt dobber nest that is firmly entrenched on the neck of it's plastic Judas. Decoy lines that are too short will leave you a decoy short in the end. Watching your decoys float away is tough...especially when the birds are decoying to the ill-anchored decoy that is adrift well outside of shooting range.

Duck calling is something that everyone believes they can do and do well. For those that know me and know where I like to set-up, my news to you is: Your calling is terrible. You need to practice in the privacy of your own yard, and not while in your blind. It hurts the ears of your dog, for crying out loud. Call calm on calm days, and call with authority on powerful, churlish days.

Cooking ducks is just as good as hunting them. I like to pick my ducks...that's where the good, flavorful fat is. I like to smoke or grill mine, but some people prefer to deep fry them to a golden boot leather texture. Game is safest when cooked to well-doneness, but I generally like mine medium rare and chewable.

Licenses and stamps are required by law. Make sure you have them all. Mr. Green Jeans will be out to check on you. There is no excuse for pursuing any wild game without purchasing a license. License fees go to management and protection of game species, so you'd actually be doing yourself a favor in the long run. And federal waterfowl stamps are true works of art and are highly valued to collectors.

Take a child hunting. Make sure they have had their hunter safety class before you allow them to carry a firearm. Even if they can't carry a gun, the fellowship in the marsh is second to few others. Give them a whistle and let them toot away. Lots of duck species merely whistle, and it is hard to mess up a whistling routine. Let them have a "part" in the hunt. Also, take a long plenty of snacks for kids...they always get hungry. And when they are cold, it's time to leave. Don't make it miserable for them!

Enjoy the day...

Talkin' Guide

2011-11-03T08:58:00.003-04:00

I have had enough. Enough of the piedmonters and hilltoppers and mountain toppers comin' east and pronoucing everything how they please. It's hard to get rougher than it does in the summer when so many out-of-staters come through on their way to the Banks. But the machismo of those fro Jersey is outmatched by the manly-men of the mid-state and their macho fishing and hunting schemes. Sure the bounty of the fish and game here is impressive...but it we pronounced Raleigh with the recklessness that they all pronounced Tyrrell, there'd be a referendum for sure. If you are from west of I-95, you should practice. One of the most daunting questions ever asked of me in my early days as an immigrant to the Outer Banks was "You ain't from 'round here, are ye?" My response was always "Nawsuh, I'm from Alabammer"...which, it turns out, gets a little more respect than if I had been from Raleigh - or worse Charlotte. I have no idea why...

Nevertheless, I have included a list of words and common places, along with a pronunciation guide that should help all of those living 100 feet above sea level to fit in when ordering at a restaurant, seeking directions, or asking about the nearest Wal-Mart. It's all in the brogue...

Common Places that are generally mis-pronounced:
Perquimans: Say "Purr-kwe-minz"
Tyrrell: Say "Turl"
Pasquotank: Say "PASS-kwo-tank"
Washington: Say "Little Washington"
Beaufort: Say "Bo-fert"
Chowan: Say "CHO-won"
Edenton: Say "EE-din-ten"
Martin: Say "MAH-ten"
Plymouth: Say "Pluh-muff"
County: Say "Cayn-tee"

Common words to practice:
Fish should be pronounced "Feesh"
Water should be pronounced "Wuh-der"
Dinner should be pronounced "Din-nuh"
Tide is pronounced "Toid"...and all long "I" sounds have a deep "oi" sound...

The following names are actual places or towns, not jokes, so don't seem uncertain when asking directions to:
Gull Rock, Nebraska, Frying Pan, Mashoes, Gum Neck, Swan Quarter, Chocowinity, Rocky Hock, Barco, Last Chance, Lowland, Germantown, Hobucken, Old Trap, and of course, Mattamuskeet.

On your way east, it might be helpful to get some mosquito repellant. Tick repellent is a good idea, too, as most of the mosquitoes are so big that when they land on you, a tick crawls off of the mosquito and on to your skin. Consider stopping by a Wal-Mart on your way, too. Once you're in the heart of the Inner Banks, starting at Plymouth, you're at least 30 minutes from a Wal-Mart, unless you live in Elizabeth City, Williamston, Washington, or Kitty Hawk. But the local gas stations generally carry the essentials such as bread, milk, batteries, and mosquito and tick repellent.

Wildlife to watch for when commuting - Red Wolves are easily identifiable by their beautiful satellite neck collar. Black bears are tough to spot at night, mainly because they are as dark as the night. Many a bear and compact auto have met it's maker by being in the road simultaneously. Also, alligators don't normally cross the roads, unless a good blow out of the north empties the creeks into the roads. October is the opossum mating season, so expect to see them cruising the center line looking for other opossums cruising the center line. And youll certainly see deer. Otters, nutria, skunkapes, and the occasional black cougar will also jaywalk in any remote corner of this state. Oh, and hunting dogs are also prevalent through December.

Be prepared for the wind, too. Once it starts blowing in October, it won't blow for long. Starting at sun-up, you can expect the wind to die down around mid-June. If you're driving on HWY 12 along the Outer Banks, the saltspray and sand can punish your face and car. The highway can even have mini-dunes, so be careful. If you decide to go for a swamp hike, leave the breadcrumbs at home...it's like ringing a dinner bell. Instead, tie a rope around your waist and connect it to your car, before hiking into the wilderness. And watch for snakes...they generally begin hibernating around Christmas before majestically re-emerging on New Year's Day.

A few more things: A boat ramp is called a "boat slide", crab trap is called a "crab pot", and the ocean, is always on the right...

Enjoy the day...

A Special Day

2011-11-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

November 2 is a very special day. Other than it being the second day of my favorite month, it is also National Deviled Egg Day. Oh my goodness what shall I do to commemorate this spectacular day...if only I knew how to make deviled eggs! Soon enough, it'll be Thanksgiving, and I surmise that I'll be able to pop as many into my mouth as I please, or at least until the platter goes empty.

First of all, November is a great month for several reasons...the weather finally begins to turn cool and become predictable. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Thanksgiving occurs near the end of the month, and I can eat like I do only twice per year. College football actually becomes relevant for all fans, too. College football, the only sport without a playoff to determine it's national champion, sorts itself out with rivalry games, conference championship games, and visits from bowl representatives...and that matters because all of the good bowl games happen on New Year's Eve or later. Oh, yeah, and waterfowl migration peaks at this time in North Carolina - the Tundra Swans make their first appearances, along with thousands of diving ducks such as bluebills, redheads, canvasback, and buffleheads. And then, of course, there's deviled egg day.

About the cool weather...I have always argued that you can control body temperature much better than in the hot summer months. When you're hot, you cna only take off so many layers before you get to spend a night in the local lockup. However, if it's cool or cold outside, just keep piling on the outerwear...and the only thing I do not like about the cold weather is the annoying frost on car windows...or an ice storm that puts travel on ice. What a clever sentence that was...

Thanksgiving is great because, well, you get to eat Turkey and Ham and Turducken, all in the same meal. Green beans, sweet potato casserole, and deviled eggs round out the savory portion of my plate(s) on Thanksgiving. There's also the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, this overrated and over-the-top performance is worth a look on television, if only for the nostalgia it brings me. Also, desserts can be tackled with as much reckless abandon as the other foods, too. Oh yeah, there's leftovers, too. The Iron Bowl - Auburn and Alabama's rivalry game, which is one of ESPN's Top 10 rivalries in all of sports, commences on the following Saturday. I haven't missed an in-person appearance since 1994, and only one total miss since 1990...all thanks to my dad. I've been able to witness the transition of an Alabama-dominated rivalry, to one owned for the most part by my beloved Auburn Tigers. Oh, did I mention leftovers...

And the waterfowl migration is completely noteworthy because I'll spend the first two hours of daylight for nearly 45 days, watching and aiming at the elusive birds from the north. Each day's sunrise is a minor miracle and I can easily tell my friends that "yes, the sun will rise again." It always does.

Anyway, back to deviled eggs...for the longest time, I had relegated the DE to a dish prepared by only the oldest of women for the oldest of men at the weekly covered dish luncheon at church. There was nary a time, though, when I bypassed the platter of DE's without at least lifting one for my very own. I always assumed that "deviled" was in reference to a possibly spicy filling applied to the eggs. Either way, deviled eggs - or picnic eggs - are hard boiled eggs, which are subsequently peeled, sliced in half lengthwise, after which the yolk is removed and then mixed with a variety of items including, but not limited to or necessarily including all of the following: Mayonnaise, mustard, cayenne pepper, relish, parsley. After the mixture is made, it's scooped up and returned into the egg "cups", which were created by slicing the eggs lengthwise and removing the original yolk. Still, with all the work that is put into them, I can down one wholly. They are a truly southern hors d'oeuvre...

Enjoy the day...

Tricked

2011-11-01T08:11:00.002-04:00

Well, it happened. I got tricked by someone. On Halloween. The second ldest trick in the book directly below the "ol' toilet paper in the treetops" trick. This trick was the venerable, yet silly "ol' Vaseline on the Jeep driver's side door handle" trick. I nearly fell backwards this morning when the momentum I usually apply to open my vehicle's door produced no results. I hope nobody saw me or heard me. Wiping my hands, I used words such as "Dern" and "Heck" several times. And at no time, did producing these words at beyond acceptable decibel levels produce a clean pair of hands.

While Vaselining the door handle has some obvious benefits, it continues to rank low on the scales of greatness. TP in the trees is a trick that all in the neighborhood get to enjoy. The White Halloween, though can be dangerous. Some people have lit the TP on fire to rid the trees of the beautiful drapery. What happens next often ends up setting the tree itself on fire. My mom, embarrassingly enough, welcomed the rolling, as she saw it as a great way to avoid purchasing toilet paper, despite the coupons she had clipped. Instead of driving to the grocer, she could walk to the bottom of our driveway. I imagine that toilet paper was filled with dirt, leaf giblets, and insects, but she never mentioned it...

Vaselining a door handle is a discrete way of embarrassing your victim, all in his or her own privacy. No one, unless lurking in the bushes, will see the ensuing embarrassment though.

Still I got no candy on Halloween. What a disappointment. I never even saw the Purple Man. I did see a black cat in my pursuit of a festive Halloween. But no black bear...

I know who tricked me, though. Revenge is a dish best served cold. In the cold. The trickster will remain anonymous, but one hint should be revealed...it's name rhymes with Bee Cripture.

Enjoy the day...

Halloween and Community Fun Day

2011-10-31T07:59:00.003-04:00

We just had a big weekend...here's the highlights:

Community Fun Day was Saturday and it featured:
A high temperature of 50 degrees with 25 mph winds....BRRRRR!
Despite that, a record crowd of over 300 people...
Approximately 100 of those were costumed...
The Climbing Wall was the most popular activity...
Followed by Bingo...
Then Archery...
And then, the hotdog lunch...
Which featured an attempt at Bill's Hotdog's white bean chili...
There was ice cream and cookies...

Other news from Saturday included:
First migrant waterfowl and shorebirds appear in the Albemarle...
Auburn whipped Ole Miss in football...
East Carolina beat Tulane at Homecoming...
UNC won their game...
And NC State got trounced by Florida State University.

Sunday highlights included:
High Ropes with Edenton Baptist...
Lee Scripture painted his pintail decoy...

Today is Halloween, if you dress as a normal person you can tell people you are dressed as:
An alien from Earth...
A bourgeoisie member...
A Lands' End model...
An onlooker...

Halloween Tips:
Go with your children when they Trick or Treat!
Only accept factory wrapped candy...
Inspect your child's candy, and save some for yourself...
Make all family members brush their teeth two times...
Take a flashlight with you when you Trick or Treat...
Do not look for Tricks...treats only...
Wear plenty of clothes, and layer if possible...it will be cool tonight...
Only visit houses of those you know...
Avoid dressing children in costumes made of plastic that could cause breathing problems...
Ensure that face paints are non-allergenic...
Drive slowly in neighborhoods and watch carefully for other Trick or Treaters...
Ration your child's candy over the coming weeks...

Enjoy the day!

Unconventional Cookery

2011-10-26T08:14:00.002-04:00

Listen up people. Now. Since it gets dark earlier, I find myself at a loss for afternoon activities. Other than constantly painting and rigging decoys, there's not much fun to be had outside in the dark. Tossing the football with a flashlight is about as easy as quantum physics. Still, there are things to do indoors...like cooking. I love to cook. My mom taught me the ways of the kitchen when I was young. I remember making lots of things from scratch. Still, as great of a baker as my mother was, I was often troubled by the rigidity of the recipes and her unwillingness to try something a tad bit different. But I do understand that baking is more science. Cooking, though, is definitely an art. I have prepared some strange dishes for friends, family, and even foes. Bending conventional wisdom has allowed me to impress a lot of folks. Most would agree that I am a decent warmer or produce and meat.

If there are two things I do well, it's grill a hamburger or roast a chicken a la Joel Robuchon. I have all the eastern North Carolina basics mastered, including the sweet potato, collard greens, and peach cobbler. I can even prepare pork parts over flame or through conventional heating. What I have worked on the past several years were ways to "improve" these dishes. I have even created a few more... Either way, here are some I missed or mastered, and some I have recently tried and enjoyed...

Traditional Food: Pork Shoulder
Upgrades: I like to reduce a can of Cheerwine by 75 % and drizzle the pulled meat afterward, along with the traditional vinegar sauce. By the way, I never chop the meat...always PULL the meat!

Traditional Food: Sweet Potatoes
Upgrades: Other than the traditional add-ins such as brown sugar and marshmallows, I find it nice to add applesauce, a bit of molasses, and dried cranberries to the mixture.

Traditional Food: French Fries
Upgrades: I always pull the fries out of the fryer, drain them, then fry them again. They come out crisper. After retracting them from the fryer, they all get a little fresh sage and a bit of salt. Old Bay is awesome on fries, too, but I can't take credit for that.

Traditional Food: Store-bought Pancake Mix
Upgrades: Instead of water, I like to add Orange Juice to the mixture, especially if I'll be adding bananas or blueberries to the pancakes.

Traditional Food: Spaghetti
Upgrades: Most folks, I assume, boil their noodles in salted or plain water. Some do it up right with chicken broth. I like to boil green tea, and then add the noodles. I also do the same with rice. It adds flavor, without the extra sodium from chicken broth.

Traditional Food: Store Bought Dry Cake Mixture
Upgrades: Boxed cake mix is the most versatile dessert in the world. I don't make cake from scratch, because each new cake is an opportunity and adventure. If I'm making Orange Supreme, the cake gets mixed with OJ, and then, upon completion of baking, it gets Orange Jello poured over it and then allowed to set. Chocolate cakes mixes are always infused with coffee. I'll put anything into a cake. I have even put bacon and maple syrup icing on cupcakes, which is 1,000,000 times better than you can imagine.

There's a whole lot more...especially in the sweets portion of my repertoire. English Toffee with mint is great. Just last night I was alerted to the combination of popcorn and candy corn. It was incredible. I imagine that a little homemade caramel stirred into popcorn and candy corn would be supreme. I have to be right on that. I'm also working on a project that will see that ordinary bread pudding parts, such as stale bread, are replaced with Krispy Kreme donuts, bran muffins, and biscuits. That, too, would be stupendous. Or stupid.

Either way, the kitchen is a great way to be creative, as long as you have an unexpired fire extinguisher and a friend or two with an adventurous palette.

Enjoy the day...

The Ultimate Babysitter

2011-10-24T08:11:00.002-04:00

Good Morning World. I hope your weekend was as fair as mine. Apart from my Auburn Tigers getting absolutely throttled by Louisiana State University and spending 4 hours staring at a boat ramp (not tom mention a long story about a sailboat), my weekend turned out OK. We had some great groups over the weekend, including NC-MSEN from Durham, who took part in our Team Challenge Course program and Rock Climbing program. The weather was better than perfect, too. Either way, I heard some interesting conversations this weekend while eavesdropping...apparently, many families are foregoing the use of the television.

Why in the world someone would decide not to employ the use of a television is beyond me. Studies and research prove that the tube can occupy up to 4 consecutive hours of a child's time. Sure, this time could be spent doing homework, but TV is educational on a couple of the 300 channels. The odds alone say there is a 1 chance in 150 that a child will find some great programming. Parents, too, can reap the benefits of the small screen. Tired of family dinners and conversation with your spouse or children? Watch TV and eat dinner, simultaneously. Table setting and clean-up will be another nuisance wiped away by the marvelous television. Experts recommend eating off of paper plates, to eliminate wasted water through dishwashing. All can sit in peace and quiet while Brian Williams or Two Broke Girls remind us of all that is good in the world.

Still, there are those who attempt to villaify the television. Apparently, it can hamper and hinder a child and it's family from participating in a little exercise. That fix is easy....tie a cinder block to the remote. That makes changing the channel a challenge, but only if the remote control is actually lifted with the block. Some say programming is not educational. Are you telling me "The Real World 354" is not good? It's about the REAL WORLD! No, "Dancing With the Stars" is not a show about astronomy, but one could learn the tango and foxtrot!

The Television is the ultimate babysitter. It can entertain children, adults, and even pets, for hours and hours!

Nevertheless, I do watch a lot of television - but only after 9:00 pm and before 7:00 am. I love to catch the news...college football is another great way to relax on Saturdays. I also tivo a lot of items to watch later in the night as I wind down. And yes, many families are reaping the benefits from a reduction or restriction on television viewing. Families are re-introducing themselves to each other at the dinner table. Growing up, supper was the highlight of the day. Sometimes, we'd spend an hour at the table laughing and talking. Or figuring out a way to hide the squash on my dinner plate. Still, the supper table is where I learned about life. I probably didn't learn much, but it's more than I learned from the "Real World".

Anyway, to make a compelling argument for both sides, I have included my Top 10 Television shows of all time:

1) Saved by the Bell - Seems like just a few years ago when this scrubbed-clean teen show told me not to do drugs, drink and drive, or sell my parents home. They don't make 'em like this any more.
2) MacGuyver - There is no cooler show and you know it. Richard Dean Anderson could get out of any house, hole, or hideout with a spoon, breadtie, and saliva.
3) The Real World - Yep, I realize I criticized it above, but it is a classic. It's pure trash, but it has helped to shape what is acceptable. It's probably the Number 1 reason that folks my age are as tolerant as they are. It's had over 600 shows, and it's filmed from houses all over the world - something's working. I just wish it was like the early days, when the "house" had a real job and real problems.
4) One Tree Hill - My newest favorite. Set in North Carolina, it's basically a fantasy land where bad things happen to good people all the time. It's set for it's final season this spring.
5) Full House - Michelle Tanner did for child actors what Hoover did for the vacuum. 'Nuff said.
6) Scooby Doo, Where Are You - I'm very serious about this one. Originally airing on CBS in the early 70's, this gem is found on the cartoon network. Otherworldy ghosts were always discovered to be a character who was introduced earlier in the episode, and nobody - NOBODY - could ever guess who it was. The later stuff with Scooby Dum and Scrappy Doo just didn't hit the mark for me...
7) The original Iron Chef - It gets no better than translation that runs a full 3 seconds behind the actual conversation. Nevertheless, Iron Chefs, like Mosaharu Morimoto turned secret ingredients like Squid Ink in to ice cream in under an hour. Perfection.
8) Road Rules - Almost as good as The Real World, the traveling in this show was probably what lured me into a love for geography. And the dynamics of strangers living in an RV was always interesting. After Road Rules "Semester at Sea", the show became boring. I never, ever saw an episode from Real World "Northwest"...
9) Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears - Most memorable for it's theme-song, these guys bounced here and there from Gummi Glen to Drekmore where the awful Ogres could be found. I always wanted Gummiberri Juice, but to no avail. Cartoon classic here...
10) Marty Stouffer's Wild America - Sure, it lost some of it's intrigue when Marty was accused of illegally pursuing many of the animals he filmed. It's also alleged that he staged many of the animal scenes - mostly just by possessing the animals and releasing them on unsuspecting prey. Nevertheless, the chase scenes were incredible to watch. And, frankly, I'd rather learn about America's animals than those in Africa.

Enjoy the day...

Car vs. Deer

2011-10-17T07:52:00.003-04:00

This past weekend saw the Emmaus Women's Walk #94 come and go, UNC get beat by Miami, the North Carolina Eastern Zone Gun Deer season opener, and Auburn, of course, winning in high style over Florida. Any win over the Gators, is a big deal! Nevertheless, the weather was an absolute dream over the weekend, which meant I got to pull out the smoker and heat some good ol' yard bird. The chickens were shared with my new neighbor, Lee, and his scallops were also practically perfect.

The Gun Deer Opener in the eastern part of the state familiarizes the ears with two sounds...baying and barking hounds and gun shots. Deer season in North Carolina generally runs from mid-September through January 1. The first month (mid-September through mid-October) is allotted for bowhunters, while the gun opener opens, as mentioned earlier, in mid-October. I grew up deer hunting in Alabama - there's little else to pursue down there - but have since relegated the sport to "things you do when you have nothing else to do and you want to fill your freezer with real-deal local food". However, I have plenty of friends to fill that void for me, so I can spend my weekends in early fall painting and rigging decoys, ironing my camouflage, and replacing spark plugs.

Back to deer hunting...dog hunting is very traditional in these "here-parts". Most places in America frown upon the dog-boxed truck...still it survives, if not thrives here. The primary argument against dog hunting falls on the inability of the pooches' abilities to read and understand property boundaries. Here in eastern North Carolina, where farms easily occupy a couple of thousand acres, the worries of a wayward pack are slim. In more populated areas around the sea breeze, though, hunting deer with dogs has taken on a negative connotation. I watched this same scenario transpire in Alabama. Not having a preference either way, it might be wise for hunters using dogs to wisely manage their pack. Keep them close and well-fed and all should be good. Don't clog up our rural by-ways in a creep or crawl pace tracking your dogs, either. Us eastern travelers need to get to the Food Lion, before she shuts down at sundown. Lots of misconceptions abound about owners and their dogs. First of all, these dogs are extremely well-cared for...most get great high protein diets and plenty of exercise. They also sport their own septic tanks within their kennels, too! Almost all hunting dogs make good family pets, too!

Nevertheless, as human and deer populations both grow larger, wise management of our deer heard is needed to prevent animal illness, population explosion and starvation, and the very worst - wildlife and vehicle collisions. This time of year, motorists should be especially weary...deer are in the middle of their "rut", or breeding season. Only this morning did I spot a nice buck standing in the middle of the road with his snout to the ground in hot pursuit of a doe. After slowing to a halt, the normally cautious buck appeared reckless and careless. I rolled down the window to converse with him through snorts...apparently I made him mad,as he turned toward my Jeep and acted as if he would attempt to back me down. Needless to say, I quit snorting and honked my horn. That's when his girlfriend appeared and he sauntered off. Bucks can be dangerous animals when attempting to find a receptive doe. Annually, it's estimated that over 100 vehicles are charged - not collided with - by angry bucks. Just as many hikers and gardeners are charged, too. Nevertheless, deer are crepuscular animals - which means they move most and sunrise and sunset. And the larger bucks are almost completely nocturnal...so if your headlights are on, use extreme caution in rural areas. Still, throughout the rut, bucks are so reckless, that they will move throughout the daylight hours...doing whatever it takes to find a receptive doe! The fall months are obviously when deer encounters rise. Always be careful when in a car...I, too, have struck a deer. I have come close several times, too. The complication of police reports, insurance claims, and body shop debacles are only minor compared to the reckless destruction of one North Carolina's greatest game animals and conservation success stories. And black bears...don't even get me started...

Enjoy the day...

The Common Cold

2011-10-13T08:39:00.002-04:00

I enjoy being sick about as much as you do. The common cold is the absolute worst. There is nothing common about the common cold, either. Every cold is different from one person to the next, and from each cold within one person. The common cold generally affects me for about 4 days. Day one is a sore throat, Day 2 is a day where symptoms seemingly disappear, Day 3 is when I am shushed out of the office from sniffling, snorting, & sneezing, Day 4 is the drying out day, and Day 5 - generally - is the day that all is well again. So, how do I handle my cold? As if you'd like to know...

Step 1 (months and weeks leading up to the cold): People say that the only thing in life that are guaranteed are death and taxes...I would argue that the common cold should be added to the application for those accepting to live on Earth. We all know that the cold is coming, so how do we get ready for it? I like to always keep the cold in the back of my mind...expecting it. Exercising often really works, especially if it's cardio type stuff. I like to keep my energy balanced (think input {food and calories} + output {exercise and calories burned}). that way I don't have enough energy to fuel a cold, but my body isn't weak enough to welcome one right it. Also, I like to eat lots of fiber and protein. Beans and fruits have vitamin C, which many suggest combat the cold.

Step 2 (The sore throat begins): Sometimes, an oral analgesic can help to soothe or flat out eliminate the cold. Always read the directions on medication, though! I like to get the grape flavored and spray down my neck as directed. Generally, it is useless at anything other than eliminating the annoying scratchy throat for about 30 seconds. For my body, I get the best results by eating whatever I want beginning with the onset of the sore throat. I'll continue this trend until the cold passes. Also - hot coffee early in the morning and nice hot showers are also conventional fixes for MY cold.

Step 3 (The calm before the storm): I know it's coming. I continue to eat and drink hot "dranks". Also, I'll try and steer clear of salty items, since they tend to dehydrate me.

Step 4 (Disgusting symptoms): It's here and there's nothing I can do. I try to get plenty of sleep without taking any medication. Medication is for when it gets really bad. A runny nose and a 2 hourly cough are not bad. I try to eat foods that taste bad, since I really can't taste anything at all. Canned tuna is something I eat daily. I hate it sooo much. Nevertheless, I get to "enjoy" it with a cold. I'll also drink about 2 gallons of water throughout the day, along with lots of yogurt and fruit. At the end of the day, I go to sleep early and try to sleep later the next day. I still try to get plenty of exercise throughout the day, too. And chewing lots of gum also keeps the nose clear, too!

Step 5 (Getting Better): After a good night's rest, generally I can wake up fairly symptom free. I might sneeze a bit or have a light cough, but I'm relatively unstuffed. Traditionally, I'll pull a muscle in my neck when I reach around to pat myself on the back for getting over the cold so rapidly. Other than that, I can return to hating tuna.

Step 6 (Getting ready for the next cold): See Step 1.

Tomorrow should be a clearing up day. A lot of it depends on the weather, though. Dry days allow you to get well quicker. It's supposed to dry out around here on Saturday. Still, the tropical conditions that were supposed to persist have for the most part, stayed away from our soundfront locale. We have had less than a .10 of an inch of rain, while neighbors as close as 30 miles away might have received 1.5 inches. But that's Momma Nature for you...

Enjoy the day...

Golf Strategies

2011-10-11T08:21:00.002-04:00

Good day all. Today, the Carolina's will be splattered with additional rain, which we don't need. Why couldn't it rain this summer when all the row croppers needed it? Instead, it rains now, when they need to get the implements in the field. Mother Nature - Thanks but no thanks.

Nevertheless, Lee and I will take place in a charity golf event today. Lee is easily the luckiest golfer in the world. And he continues to get better. I, on the other hand, am totally average. Today, the rain will probably even out the field, which would be to our advantage. As I depart today, I fully expect to win the tournament, but our team has a "ringer" which should amplify our chances. Personally, I am a fair golfer, compared to the rest of the world, but only 1% of the worlds population have ever picked up a 9 iron. Still, that places me in the top 1% of the globe's golfers...a position of which I am proud to hold. The keys to my success are trying to keep my head down, and making sure I'm not too close to golf ball after I have hit it. If I had a strength, I would say it would be my short iron game, but playing within 100 yards was something I did at my parent's house while growing up...I only hit one car, of which I apologized for, and only struck the house 7-8 times, which had gone undetected until the moment my parents read this blog.

Despite playing from the yard, I also spent a lot of time golfing with my dad. For years and years he watched me hit a few good shots, then come completely unglued after a bad shot. Tossing clubs was tacky, and he told me that each time I went to pick one up. Crying, also, was not good. In the past 7 or 8 years I have played so sparingly, that I have learned to enjoy the game, and it has also allowed me to shoot lower scores, regularly breaking 90 on public courses...and never breaking down.

So how do you know when you see a good golfer? I have seen some really good ones and some really bad ones, so here's how I know...and you can spot them, too.

If a golfer has a 1 iron in their bag, you can assume that it has never been used. There's a saying in golf that even "God can't hit a 1 iron." I wouldn't know about any deity's golf game, but if I did encounter them, I'd let them play through. Nevertheless, a good golfer would not have a club in the bag that they could not hit.

How many golf balls does your compadre store in his or her bag? If the answer is more than 10, odds are that after each round, they'll be down to one before the 18th green is putted out. To me, a successful round of golf is measured by a score below 90, and by using only 1 golf ball. That means the golfer stayed in bounds and out of the water...and it's tough to do.

Does your golfing friend have a dirty golf bag? If they are good golfer's then they do...golf bags get dirty from walking courses and laying the bag down...often.

Are there two putter's in your partner's bag? Bad golfer's keep two putters available. Good golfer's keep all of their extra putters at home in an effort to hide their insecurities about putting. All golfers hate putting.

And finally, does your playing pal have one of those gimmicky bristle-top tees? If they do and you don't, you should be playing against them for high stakes sandwiches and pennies. The same goes for those exceptionally long wooden tees, too. They neither traditional, nor serious.

There you go...use those identifiers to differentiate between the gospel golfers and the goofy golfers.

Enjoy the day...

Mr. and Ms. Sova

2011-10-10T08:25:00.002-04:00

Well, the most recent weekend here in eastern North Carolina was a wedding wipeout. Weddings at virtually every place that would take a reservation were conducted. The Center itself, played host to one, too. However Chris Sova and his new bride were married Saturday in Belvidere, North Carolina at the Onley Place...and it was great. Everything from the buffet to the bride were beautiful, and even the groom looked better than normal! As a member of the wedding party, my time was spent posing for pictures, getting in line first for the food, and offering a toast to the new couple. I even had the responsibility of not losing the ring, which I held up admirably. Sara Biggs is now Sara Sova, and Chris Sova is now a pretty lucky dude.

What makes their union so special is that the two of them met while working as Camp counselors atthe Eastern 4-H Center. I was in the remarkable position of knowing each of them before they ever knew of each other, and well before Chris could properly pronounce Tyrrell County. Apparently, the wedding was coming almost too late for Chris who said that he could have married Sara many months ago. Even a Court House wedding would have suited him, but I'm glad he waited. Otherwise I would not have enjoyed what might have been the greatest rehearsal and reception meals of my illustrious groomsman career. Friday night Montero's of Elizabeth City pulled out the good chicken and beef loins and cooked them like I never could have. I ate the share of myself and my date. Saturday night's collards, eastern style barbecue, and fried chicken were phenomenal but fell well short of the most immaculate pie I have ever ate too many pieces of...Magnolia Pie. Lips were sealed on the recipe, but I'm certain I can track it down.

Nevertheless, the two of them were great counselors while here. They have an incredible gift with not only children, but all people. Too kind to care, Chris has always been a wonderful friend of mine, despite the silliness I can conjure on a waterfowl hunt. I wish them both the very best...

The upcoming week at the Center will be busy, especially next weekend with the Emmaus Walk. Our Community Fun Day is scheduled for October 29, and rumor has it that it will be the bggest and boldest yet. As more details emerge, I'll post them here...

Enjoy the day...

The Cool Snap

2011-10-03T08:41:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Fall. We, and it, have arrived. It's my favorite time of year - the mornings are nice and crisp and the days are comfortable. Even the wildlife enjoy this time of year. Torch-hot days mean that animals can actually walk around in the daylight hours, should they choose to do so. Reptiles and amphibians burrow into the warm, awful smelling mud, only to erupt around noon in search of drowsy insects. Birds, too, fly around looking for food, friends, and reclusive resting spots. People, however, create festivals.

If the fall foliage fails to suit you, if the phenomenal fishing falls behind yard-work, then you, my reader, are lost. Still, even you, the morbidly refuter, would enjoy the festivals that befall Fall. I'm not sure where the tradition started, but I like it. The North Carolina Seafood Festival, The Chowan County Fair, the North Carolina State Fair, the Collard Green Festival, and many, many more transpire virtually every weekend from late August right up to Christmas. The Scuppernong River Festival, Columbia's very own version of a festival, will have us all searching for parking, paddles, and popcorn come Saturday. The Eastern 4-H Center will be represented with canoe and kayak clinic in front of the Walter B. Jones Visitor Center. I think there's also a firework show, too. Still, the parade, complete with four-wheelers and motorcycles will strafe the downtown thoroughfare, passing out pre-packaged candy to the kids and to the adults who need to quit acting like kids. The weather should be impeccable for the entire occasion.

A small town parade though is something to behold. Absent are the cartoon character uber-floats. What you will find , though, is a linear display of Columbia's varsity athletic teams (cheer squads included), several tractors, a couple of fire trucks, a giant pirate ship on wheels, ATV's (which become street legal for parades, apparently), and a convertible or two bearing the local politicians and their smiles. And of course, 4-H will have a presence, too. Either way, I also grew up in the cradle of small town parades in Alabama's Rough Country. Our Rockford parade was slightly bigger, only because Rockford's Main Street was four lanes. But the participants were all identical. Blaring sirens, costumed walkers, high school bands, and tractors serenaded our locals in the same fashion. It sure beat the heck out of the New York City parade that appears on television every Thanksgiving Thursday...it was OUR parade.

Still, the cool weather creates a lot of mental confusion...since April, we have all dreamed of cool bed sheets. Last night, cool-turned-cold linens were not so great anymore. There's nothing more comforting than snuggling into the fetal position to warm the bed and body...but toes are an unwarmable object. Sleeping with socks does no better. I could have let the windows up, but that would have been heresy. Perfect weather like this only happens about 10 days a year...so I'll keep trying to enjoy it as warmly as I can...

Enjoy the day...

Reigning Outside

2011-09-26T09:02:00.002-04:00

The rain we have received in recent days is probably equal to what Hurricane Irene brought, but it just hasn't come in two days...instead it's been 7 days of hazy, lazy drizzle, which as many of you know is terrible for the hairdo. Not that it matters to me, but the ladies in the office have doubled the hairspray.

The past couple of weeks have been busy, with NC L.I.N.C., Haw Branch Soul Sister Retreat, Ongoing Tyrrell Middle School, and Wilson Chamber of Commerce Dynamic Leadership. None of which were spared by the rain.

The Wilson Retreat, which features about 12 hours of teambuilding was mostly done indoors, until we ventured out in the inch deep standing water to do some elements on the Challenge Course...the brave souls enjoyed All Aboard and the Whale Watch, despite the thick drizzle and even thicker mosquitoes. Do mosquitoes ever disappear? Mosquitoes generally make their first appearance in April and subside the following March. There is no respite. Either way, High Ropes with Wilson was pretty spectacular, and the mosquitoes don't fly 35 feet into the air where the participants spent the morning. Mosquitoes also can't follow anyone down the zipline, where participants can reach 40 miles per hour...

The Haw Branch Soul Sisters visited over the weekend...we led them through teambuilding, archery, and rock climbing while it rained non-stop. We had to make some programmatic adjustments to accommodate on account of the weather, but it was still fun. We even got to use the "indoor" climbing wall, which is under the roof of the climbing wall, on the interior grotto. I can't explain it much better than that, but it's worth a look if you're interested.

In general life and football news, Auburn pulled out a victory this weekend, while East Carolina defeated UAB. Alabama also beat Arkansas, while the LSU Tigers became the # 1 team in the Associated Press Poll. I'm headed to Columbia, South Carolina this weekend to see Auburn and the University of South Carolina play. It should be fun!

Early Teal and Resident Goose hunting seasons expire this week. I haven't pursued much fowl, but did get into the geese and saw only a few teal. North Carolina's early duck season comes in on October 5, and the Gun Deer comes in on October 15. With the opening of these seasons, Tyrrell County will begin to fill with non-resident hunters who come to experience the remoteness and abundance of this county's wild game.

Enjoy the day...

Teal Season

2011-09-15T09:23:00.004-04:00

According to the weathermen and weatherwomen of Eastern North Carolina's newscasts, today should be out last day of 90 degree weather...and we all know, that those folks only report the most accurate facts. Either way, the month of September ushers in early hunting seasons for North Carolina's sportsmen. The weather is perfect for doves and teal, both of which are migratory game birds that pass right through our coastal communities and sounds.

Teal are a type of duck...they are also America's smallest dabbling ducks....dabbling ducks, unlike diving ducks, feed in foot deep water on plants and seeds. Teal are divided into three differens species...there's the Green-winged teal (a hardy little puddle duck that can withstand the late winter temperatures and is a late migrator), the Cinnamon teal (probably the most beautiful duck in all the world, but an early migrant), and the Blue-winged teal (America's second most abundant duck, behind the mallard, and the earliest of all migrators).

Scientists and researchers eventually discovered that not all species of ducks migrate at the same time. Some, like the Blue-winged teal (BWT hereafter) migrate from their nesting grounds in Canada and the Dakotas as soon as August. For hunters to have a chance at these speedy, tasty, and very abundant ducks, state game commissions created the early teal season, which generally falls in early-September. No other ducks may be harvested, either. It's a great chance to practice shooting and identification skills. But, it's not always that easy. BWT's are tiny for ducks...about the size of a fat cardinal. They also fly at about 40 miles per hour and in the most zig-zaggery of fashions. They commit easily to meager decoy spreads of 10-20 fakes. But they also leave them as quick as they arrive. What complicates teal hunting even more, is that they are "first flight" birds. They fly right at legal shooting light, then no more. Additionally, they are literally here one day, and gone the next. yo uhave to get lucky just to spy them in flight anywhere.

With a continental population of approximately 6 million BWT, many northern hunters will still never see them. I have never bagged one, but I've seen a friend bag one. I've seen less than a thousand in my illustrious career as a waterfowler. Either way, I still try to go and catch teal several times each September...I have harvested early green-winged teal, but not many. Still, I'll have lots of fun swatting the copious amounts of mosquitoes. The pint of blood I'll need after the mosquitoes have fed on me will be tucked gently into the corner of my ammunition bag. Ditto for the spf 50. I don't have alligator repellent, so I'll have the space. Still, it's worth every waterfowler and birder's effort to go out in September, along the coastal marshes to see these tiny, beautiful ducks, that most will never see...for those wanting to pursue these ducks...scout shallow marshes with lots of food. The daily bag limit is 4...

Here are some pictures of the 3 different types of teal...

Green-Winged Teal

Blue-Winged Teal

Cinnamon Teal

Enjoy the day...

A Columbia Icon

2011-09-14T08:10:00.002-04:00

Let's face it, Columbia, North Carolina is about as famous as, well, Creswell, North Carolina. Famous, to many of us has a positive connotation that means likable, good, and happy. Columbia is all of the above, but it's still not famous. Within Columbia, there are likable landmarks, people, and places...all things that make the town so favored by it's residents and so intriguing to the literal millions that strafe through on the major highway. Columbia and it's waterways have long been known as a fisherman's paradise. Some people believe it's a great place to come and see sunsets. And some people like the downtown galleries that are only discovered with a little vacationing gumption. But to me, there is one true symbol that epitomizes the town and it's people.

Mr. Bobby, as he is commonly called, is one of a couple of town barbers. Mr. Bobby is older than most of us will ever live to enjoy. Either way, he's still hard at it, in his shop downtown. It's where I get my hair cuts. For the longest time, I avoided getting my hair cut at a traditional barber shop. I guess I thought the treatment of a salon was what I merited most. Either way, becoming a Columbian rubbed of on me. Sensible, practical, and comfortable is how most people would describe me, and it's how I often describe the good people of this area. They do what it takes to get it done, and they do it at their pace, which is somewhere around a speed of "just right"...not too fast or too slow. And that's why Mr. Bobby is as much a part of this community as he is a representative of it.

Main Street in downtown Columbia is marked by tiny concrete buildings. There's an art gallery, a couple of restaurants, a drug store, a non-profit, and a few skeletons of commerce's past. It's an easy place to navigate. There's always someone walking in downtown, and they are headed somewhere. Mr. Bobby's shop is on the west end of Main Street, just outside of casting distance to the Scuppernong River...the same river that only weeks ago shoved two feet of water through his door and up his wall. So what...he cut my hair two days later. His shop is incredibly non-descript, but everyone knows where it is...parking near the barber shop is tough, though. Still, the other slots up and down Main Street can serve you, if you can serve yourself to walk. Rarely have I gone in for a cut, when Idid not have to wait a bit. But part of that is due to Mr. Bobby's deliberate nature. It's also a place for other men to congregate and carry on, whether or not they will be getting a haircut. More times than not, it's only familiar faces within the walls of the shop. I've been here 5 years, and that's only a minute to a lot of these people. Still, I listen contently to the stories and gossip. Or Rush Limbaugh. While I'm sitting on the red wooden bench that holds the graying customers, I usually occupy myself with a day-old copy of the Raleigh paper. I'm glad that some people still keep quarters and know how to use them!

Nevertheless, while I read the paper, I'll find myself surrounded by relics of yesteryear. Mind you, this place has no decorum. It's a building whose purpose is one. Either way, I'll admire the bottles of hair tonic, which are for sale. There's also a strop hanging on the wall and it hordes dust. Nobody ever asks for a straight blade shave, anymore. I'd like to have just one in my life. There a pictures on the wall of Mr. Bobby's friends and family. Most of which live nearby. There's even a poster which showcases the bust of all of our American Presidents, the newest being Ronald Reagan. It's not a timeless place, but it is a place to pass the time. It's a building built for utility.

After waiting for a bit, I usually just step up, then plop down into the barber's chair. Oddly enough, hair cut recipients don't face the wall-sized mirror. In fact, you face the patient waiters. You can enjoy the conversation without having to stare at yourself. When he asks how I'd like my haircut, I tell him simply. The first time, I tried to raise my voice, because I thought he might not hear me. He whispered back and said "I can do that." My first few cuts were the traditional crew cuts that he doled out while in the military. Each one was perfect and precise. Since then, he has offered to me that women like hair on the "full" side. Now he just trims it.

There's a tremendous gap between Bobby and I. Obviously, our age difference is grand. He's a member of America's Greatest Generation. I know hard work, but all he knows is hard work. He's polite and sincere as if it is the only option, and sometimes, I can be either or neither. Either way, after I pay the grand total sum of $5 for my haircut, I feel a little closer to him and Columbia. And as Bobby would say, I feel "a little lighter", too.

Enjoy the day...

Pocosin Grapes

2011-09-13T08:21:00.004-04:00

This blog is well overdue. Rarely do I write about anything that I don't value. I'm not the great writer that can pick a social topic, hash it out, and walk away. Life's to long to do that, even once. Still, when I go to that Giant Rock Wall in the sky, I hope to find many of the things I love in this galaxy. One of my favorite things is the humble scuppernong grape. It's the perfect snack for those of us who prefer mosquitoes to malls.

Growing up in Alabama, my parents had a few muscadine vines. They were not cultivated by them, and for all I know, they might have just been wild and matured. A muscadine is similar to a scuppernong...it's a wild grape that has a leathery shell. They're purple, though, unlike the greenish-bronze scuppernong. Sometimes, though, Deep Southerner's called muscadines "scuplins" or "scuflins"...I was always confused and cravenous. I even had friends whose parents made muscadine wine. Personally, though, there is no better way to enjoy a wild grape, than to plop the fruit into your mouth, straight up.

Upon my arrival in pocosin country, I quickly got my bearings by cruising the front and back roads of the area. I got lots of tips from new friends on great places to go. Upon crossing the Scuppernong River, I recognized the name from childhood. And so began my quest for the wild grape vine. They were literally everywhere, but finding one that produces sweet fruit was the challenge. I found lots that offered smaller, tarter grapes. I had to learn to like them, and did. On occasion, someone would bring a carton of them by the office - the good kind. I ate more than my fair share, but I had to make up for years lost.

Eventually, I hit the motherload. And apparently, this motherload was from the mothervine, which added additional mystique to this abundant, but almost unknown grape.

Quick Interjection Here: My computer mysteriously shut-off without saving the last 25 lines of this blog, so I'll attempt to finish...again.

Anyway, the grapevines, yeah...so now I don't pick any grapes...I buy them from a local grower, Scuppernong Produce. Gosh Almighty are they perfect. Giant grapes, with minimal seeds. If you want some from Scuppernong Produce, you'll have to let me know, or you can find Scuppernong Produce on Facebook. They'll let you know how you can get them, but I have a connection. They are worth every 250 pennies per quart. But remember the law of supply and demand when purchasing!

Once you pick or buy your grapes, you need to enjoy them the purist's way...that means (1)putting the entire grape in your mouth, (2)squeezing with your teeth until the pulp erupts, (3)sorting (by tooth) the seeds from the pulp, (4)spitting the seeds back to the earth (or into a cup if enjoying indoors), (5) swallowing the pulp, (6) chewing the skin, (7) swallowing, and finally, (8)smiling. If you are going to spit out the skin, just don't bother with the grapes. The skin is where the protein and fiber are...either way, scuppernongs are healthier, tastier, and even less expensive than an equal amount of chocolate.

Most of my favorite snacks are broken up by seasons....here's a calendar year rundown:
January through mid-February: Conversation Hearts
Mid-February through mid-April: Cadburry and Robin Eggs
Mid-April through August: Granola
August through mid-October: Scuppernong Grapes
Mid-October through mid-November: Candy Corn
Mid-November through late December: Haystacks and fudge

Remember, eat all sweets in moderation! Your waistline and teeth will thank you. And it's all just to good to over-do, except for scuppernongs!

Enjoy the day...

The Day the World Changed

2011-09-12T15:00:00.002-04:00

Over the weekend, the somber celebration of 9/11 transpired across America and it's foreign bases. Virtually everyone on Facebook took the opportunity to use the words "we will never forget" in their statuses. Not me. September 11, 2001 was not the day that the world changed. It was the day that changed the world. And there's a difference.

Where were you on 9/11/01? Odds are you know exactly where you were, and research has proven that dramatic events generally mark our minds in a way other than how the trivial things may be memorized. I don't have the slightest idea of what I did on September 10, 2011. I imagine I was preparing for my college-girlfriend-at-the-time's impending birthday, which was on September 13. I think we went to a restaurant. I 'm sure I did as I was asked. Nevertheless, I know exactly what I did on September 11, 2001.

I woke up around 7:30 am Central Time in the morning...I ate a Toaster Strudel, blueberry I'm sure. I cut on the TV, hoping to see good weather for the day. I was planning to go to the marina I worked at after class and wash some boats. The day would be easy, I was sure. Except for Dr. Pulliam's philosophy class. As soon as I cut on the television, I walked to the bathroom for a shower. This shower was just like all the others. I walked out, dressed, and met my dad in the den, where he wasn't supposed to be. He told me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought "what a terrible accident." Then, I watched live at about 8:05 am Central Time as another plane smashed into a skyscraper I had only seen in pictures. I was captivated and confused. Terrorism was something that I never could digest, but my dad mentioned the possibility immediately, and as non-nonchalantly as anyone who would have lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Other planes fell that day. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors died that day. I didn't know anyone in that building that day. I doubt I know anyone that works near that place, either. I was naive enough to think that it didn't matter to me. It was just one terrible incident that I was not affected by...at 18 years old, most young men are fairly dumb. And I had bleach blonde hair at the time.

The rest of the day was a blurry catastrophe. Planes were grounded. Enemies were named. Threats were realized. In the days since then, flags were hoisted on anything with a high point. Even the remnants of the brave skyscrapers held a flag. I had a flag, too. All of a sudden, I was American and very proud of it.

Since that day, it seems as if every day brings a mention to 9/11/01. Our current financial crisis is linked. The long lines at airports, football games, and military recruitment centers are all linked to 9/11/01, too. Everyone became patriotic, and some still are, thankfully.

Unfortunately, the patriotism eroded and was replaced with stoic, ridiculous cautiousness. Many of us have become frustrated with security at large public gatherings, the never-ending forms that must be completed to bear arms, and the continuing war in Asia. But why be mad at American's for doing what American's do best? We are cautious, much more cautious than we used to be. Americans are no longer the braggart-over-the-top-rebellions that forged this country's eastern border. For the past 10 years, we have become nostalgic and careful. I hope that American's can be brave enough to stop looking inside the purses and pockets of it's own country folk, and begin to look inside the countries who harbor and hide terrorists.

9/12/2001 was the day the world changed. It woke up and had to change. On 9/11/2001, we leaned on shoulders. The next day we looked over our shoulders...and haven't stopped since.

Enjoy the day...

Columbia Middle School

2011-09-07T08:47:00.002-04:00

The Eastern 4-H Center is now the temporary home of Columbia Middle School. As much of an inconvenience it is for the students, teachers, and parents to have their school flooded, we hope to provide an easy transition for all of them. I'm glad we can do it...not many places in the county can offer such relief! Extension agents and facilities have really come through for the people of Tyrrell County in the aftermath of Irene...some of them while their own personal lives were turned bottom up. But that happened to lots of folks. They're not feeling sorry for themselves around here. They're feeling helpful.

Either way, the middle school will be here for an undetermined amount of time...but they hope to be out by the 23rd of September.

East Carolina has a big game against Virginia Tech this weekend...here's hoping they can pull of the upset...Auburn is a touchdown dog to Mississippi State AT HOME! But I don't gamble, so I don't care...but never bet against Auburn. Never bet on them, either...

Enjoy the day...

Labor Day Weakened

2011-09-06T09:05:00.003-04:00

The hurricane clean-up at the Center is virtually complete. I imagine we picked up a couple of tons of former flotsam from our beach and yard...the timber that was felled is to numerous to weigh, though. Either way, lots of people in Tyrrell and surrounding counties are putting the left-behind pieces back together...and Katia appears to be steaming away from our coast...thank goodness.

Other notes of interest since my last blog:

The September Resident Canada Goose season came in on September 1st. This is a great way to control the burgeoning population or resident geese. I have blogged several times on the destruction these geese can cause to neighborhoods, fish communities in local ponds, and even destroy themselves through overpopulation and overgrazing. Either way, I was lucky enough to bag some geese with a good friend. My first ever goose was in that mix...additionally, may I please add how delicious a grilled goose is...especially one that has fattened itself on the struggling farmers corn crops. Wild Game is a great way for picky eaters to know where there food came from and to know how it was handled. Yet, grilled a perfect medium rare on Saturday, these geese tasted BETTER than the steaks prepared alongside them...simple preparation is easiest and delivers, to me, the very best results.

The college football weekend has also come and gone, with some surprises. East Carolina was thrashed by South Carolina...very disappointing, but the Pirates still hold lots of promise. UNC-CH won with ease, as did NC State. My beloved Auburn struggled quite a bit with a team that shall remain nameless...Auburn needed two touchdowns with 2:00 minutes remaining...it pulled of the impossible, while making a below .500 season very possible. Auburn will turn many fans into insomniacs this year, and the road only gets tougher with Mississippi State this upcoming weekend.

The 4-H Center is expecting guests now...we even have a big wedding this weekend on our newly-restored waterfront. Speaking of weddings, Charles Midgette, our Maintenance Supervisor was wed this weekend. Congrats to him and his bride!

Ms. Mittie, our glowing receptionist had another birthday...this morning, in fact. Somehow, though, it was she who gifted me with the Krispy Kreme doughnut. Anyway, Ms. Mittie is timeless and ageless, but she does have an age, and she's not telling. I surmise that despite her age, she looks at least 15 years younger...

But with all of this news, work, and play, I was a bit drained for the Labor Day Weekend...I guess I'll have to wait another year for Labor Day.

Enjoy the day...

Vocabulary Lesson

2011-08-29T19:09:00.004-04:00

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...

Here she comes....

2011-08-26T09:18:00.003-04:00

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...

College Football Preview Part 2

2011-08-25T09:04:00.002-04:00

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.

College Football Preview

2011-08-24T08:27:00.002-04:00

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...

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-23T08:34:00.002-04:00

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...

Back at it...

2011-08-22T07:58:00.002-04:00

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!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

2011-07-27T07:43:00.002-04:00

Unfortnately, summer is beginning to wind down at the Eastern 4-H Center. Summer is a time that brings excitement and happiness to hundreds of thousands of people...especially those who had the opportunity to attend summer camp - and more specifically, Summer Camp at the Eastern 4-H Center.

Last week, we hosted our Specialty Week - Sailing Camp for aspiring sailors, Canvasback for future waterfowl conservationists/scientists/hunters, and Cloverbud for aspiring 9 year olds (it's for 5-8 year olds!). Specialty Week could probably be marked as one of the most dynamic weeks of camp in America, in part because of the sheer volume of variety or programming, but mainly because of the diversity of interests represented in our camper population.

Sailing Camp is always highlighted by the Sailing Trip - a Thursday "ride with the wind" that leads campers east into the Scuppernong River, to a picnic on the sandy banks. Often times, wind conditions are less than favorable in mid-July, and that case held true, at least on the embarkation. Nevertheless, a friendly and slow tow by Captain Roger Morgan had the kids their in no time. Yet, on the way back, the easterly wind made for a quiet, brisk, and wind powered returned to the docks at the Eastern 4-H Center. Campers also spent lots of time with ecology - learning about Atlantic Blue Crabs, Flounders, and Rockfish. Campers landed some giant crabs, smallish flounders, and no rockfish - but the campers learned why they wouldn't catch rockfish...it's because they are anadramous. Google it, and learn for yourself.

This year, new life was breathed into Camp Canvasback, thanks to our many new supporters and donors. Still, our sturdy standby, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission provided great education on hunter ethics, safety, and responsibility. Sgt. Mark Cagle was here everyday, along with officers Bryan White and Jim Shreckingost to offer Hunter Education Certification and Boat Safety. Kevin Briggs of Noah's Ark Waterfowl brought some of his ducks to show the campers...always a highlight are the non-native species. With these, campers quickly learn that waterfowl span the globe, and that not all have a greenhead...for which I am thankful. Allen Bliven, of Allen Bliven Calls, came out one night to meet and greet, display his calling prowess, describe the call making process, and to share great hunting stories. His family is very active in promoting safe youth waterfowl hunting. The Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild was also very active this year - they (Mr. Kent Hood and Jerry Talton) came up and helped the campers create their very own duck decoys. They also showcased some of their work, which further cemented their stature as two of the preeminent carvers in the world. Rig'em Right Waterfowl also provided campers with some gear - a great cap, decal, and waterfowl flag, for luring in wary ducks and geese. Rig'em Right is a North Carolina based company - so it's extra special that they are so willing to support our efforts and share our vision.

Cloverbud Camp is should be on every parent's wish list for their child's first overnight camp experience...heightened supervision ratios, along with our phenomenal safe and educational program offerings can comfort parents and satisfy young childrens "adventurous" attention spans. Cloverbud campers get to canoe, kayak, crab, rock climb, create crafts, teambuild, swim, and hone their archery skills. The Cloverbud Talent show is a perennial event that is probably made for TV, but fortunately, we have avoided the media circus that would ensue...30 six year old's cartwheelin' and singin' is definitely fun and heartwarming!

Nevertheless, our final camp is Takepff 4-Health...a camp that illstrates and teaches healthy lifestyle change through sustainable exercise and eating habits. It's a three week residential/immersion therapy program that is quickly becoming a national model for tackling childhood obesity and diabetes. We'll also have a special "Camp Gone Wild" Day Camp for Tyrrell County 4-H'ers, Ohio State University 4-H leadership retreat, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Camp, in the coming weeks. As soon as summer ends, the jubilant shrieks of joy will not cease, only deepen, as adults from several different University, Corporate, and Religious retreats descend upon our waterfront. This fall looks to be very busy...and as much as I miss the excitement of summer, I do look forward to the re-focus due in the fall. Oh, and football season starts at the same time, too...along with a couple of other great seasons!

Enjoy the day...

Grange Camp

2011-07-11T07:41:00.002-04:00

Whew....Blogging has definitely taken a backseat to running what many are proclaiming the best camp on America's East Coast. Last week, summer camp was closed, on account of the holiday. Most children are fortunate enough to spend America's birthday with their family, and our staff did the same.

Nevertheless, week 2 of 4-H Camp, which began 2 weeks ago, and ended approximately 9 days ago could have been our best week ever. Ever. The summer staff is very cerebral, and cautious, which makes our camp as safe as any place you could send your child. Our programmatic upgrades enure that children get a genuine taste for the coast. Running camp programs on the coast is simple...find out what the local youth do for fun, and then offer it. Many of our campers come from over 2 hours away, so experiencing the salty breezes, waves, wind, blue crabs, kayaking, and our phenomenal teambuilding is very important to the staff.

This week is Grange Camp...Grange Camp is different than 4-H Camps, and different means fun. Grange campers are very familiar with their leadership staff, and this is more of a reunion that summer camp. But don't be fooled. Grange Camp has featured a rise in youth enrollment, so lots of new youth are being inducted into the Grange. I suppose that if I didn't love 4-H, and it's values, then Grange might be Number 1. But for now, 4-H is where my heart is...but I am looking forward to a fun week of Grange Camp.

The fun will begin with the Great Grange Challenge, tonight! Basically, the GGC is a "no-frills" water park, where campers, counselors, and unsuspecting bystanders get saturated with water through a series of games. Only the rattiest, yet camp appropriate attire is expected...everyone gets doused, whether wanted or warranted. I'll wear my hip waders, but someone will undoubtedly pour water down the leg stockings. Should the attempt such a bold maneuver, I have outlets for recourse.

Grange also has several songs that they sing during meals. For instance, if one person fails to put a napkin in their lap, another Grange Camper or Staff will begin by saying "Camper, Camper, you're a slouch, put a napkin in your lap. Round the table you must go, you must go, you must go"...until the camper circles the table in front of the entertained dining crowd. I, however, enjoy hiding the napkin in my lap, so that after I am called out, I can reveal the hidden napkin...much to the chagrin of the ambitious, yet misguided campers and/or staff.

So it's a week filled with good, clean fun!

Enjoy the day!

First Camp Blog

2011-06-27T09:31:00.002-04:00

Sorry but the google malfunction from last week really put a damper on my blogging. Nevertheless, Week 1 was a very strong first performance out of, what has the potential to be, the very best staff in the history f both the Eastern 4-H Center and mankind, as well. I know this will cause disagreement from former staff members, but trust me, you, to, would be impressed.

Last week we had the following counties meet us at the coast for a fun week of canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, crafting, crabbing, ballin', archery-ing (?), and teambuilding:
Hyde
Tyrrell
Perquimans
Hertford
Bertie
Gates
Northampton
Chowan

Overall it was a fun week, despite the closure of waterfront on Day 1 on account of 3 foot seas. We capped the week off with a big dance and slide show, but the Talent Show was the scene stealer of the week...

This week, we have a full house with Dare, Johnston, Granville, Pitt, Pasquotank, Lee, and Camden counties being represented. More on the week as it unfolds...

Enjoy the day!

Staff Training Continues

2011-06-15T19:04:00.002-04:00

We are only a few days away from putting the wraps on another fine staff training. Each staff training, old stars are brightened and new stars are formed. Again, I would love to challenge any camp of similar staffing model to a "Camp Staff Olympics"...

Events might include the standard run, swim, rock climbing (I have retained the title for a 5th straight year in this event), and archery. Other events might include multiple camper wakeup calls, schedule reading, whistling, and smiling...we'd win those, too.

The staff were very fortunate to spend the night outdoors last night...fortunate means temps in the high 50's and dry...a rarity in the pocosin. No bears showed up, but my world famous campfire fajitas did make an appearance...

Nevertheless, the blogs will slow, but be consistent. Campers and parents can always reference the blog for updates and pics. Also...if anyone wants to take a sneak peek at the staff (or me), we will be spotted at the Edenton Music and Water Festival, this Saturday, on the Edenton waterfront...

Enjoy the day...

It Begins...

2011-06-06T11:37:00.002-04:00

Summer Staff are on site, and more are on the way...

Here's a snippet of what we'll be doing today and tomorrow:

Icebreakers...so they get to know each other IMMEDIATELY
Site Tour...so they know how to get to where I tell them to IMMEDIATELY
Dinner...so they can get nutrition IMMEDIATELY
Skits...so they can lear to be creative and work together for campers enjoyment IMMEDIATELY.

Tomorrow, they'll be:
Enjoying the Manual Review, with yours truly...they'll know all the rules, and follow them IMMEDIATELY.
Learning to facilitate on the Challenge Course and learneing processing strategies, so that they can help campers to build strong interpersonal relationships IMMEDIATELY
Managing Risk, with Lee Scripture is a perennial favorite...he'll cover everything to keep the facility and it's users safe IMMEDIATELY (and does a great job, as our camp's safety record is among the best in the WORLD!!!!
Learning how to find their way about the community and Inner Banks for all the neccessities IMMEDIATELY.

Staff training is a great opportunity for director's to share information with staff. Ours is among the most thorough...I like to train, expect, and then solve, is challenges arise.

Nevertheless, my optimism is strong...

Enjoy the day...

Last Blog Before Staff Training

2011-06-03T09:12:00.002-04:00

Yep...it all starts on Monday...

Staff begin arriving tomorrow from South Africa, New Zealand, England, and yes, Fayetteville.

Jackson Middle School is here from Guilford County...they are having a blast. Most were fortunate enough to see dolphins and fish and catch blue crabs...we did some rock climbin', kayakin', and wetland walkin' too.

Blogs will be sporadic, as we get super busy, but I'll do my best...

Enjoy the weekend...

Wildlife Weekend

2011-05-31T08:17:00.003-04:00

Memorial Day ushered in summer and it's ridiculous temperatures. By back features the color of a medium cooked sirloin, pink and leathery.

Nevertheless, I started out Friday night by eating Boston Butt that I smoked on Friday. It would have received a minimum of 2 Michelin stars...

Saturday, the day was spent on the Duck Ship Yellow Dog, out and about on the Middle Albemarle. Oh, and ribs were eaten on this day. We also went on a Bear Safari, again. This time, success was great, as I took a different approach. In the past, the Spot and Stalk (more like the speed and brake) was the preferred method of your's truly, yet this time, I decided to play the waiting game. I made certain to approach the feeding fields early enough to catch the bruins slipping out of the pocosin...and slip they did. The evening started with a couple of two year old bears, running and playing in the wheat. Too gain a better a look, my lady friend and I popped up through the sunroof with the spotting scope. At approximately the same minute, "Big Bertha", as Callie would call it, appeared, all 500 pounds. Then, in honor of the hit television show "Swamp People", we were awarded with a tree shaker - another gigantic bear, every bit of 600 lbs, tiny ears and round belly and all, miled up and down the canal shredding trees, evidently showcasing it's strength and stature as the "Top Dog", err Bear of the pocosin. Very Impressive.

Sunday was kind of a disappointment, as the clouds rolled in, yet the boating excursion was still fun. I also took time to prepare my schedules for this week...more on that in a sec.

Yesterday, tired of the boat ride, I took a trip to Virginia's Eastern Shore...just a short little day trip across the Chesapeake for some beach goin', animal lookin', and decoy shoppin'. I had only been to the Eastern Shore in the wintertime, when it's marshes were jammed to the hilt with migratory birds. In a place steeped in history and tradition, it's easy to get a bit carried away. We also elevted to hike to the Assateague Light. 'Twas a short walk, but it was certainly filled with adventure. Mosquitoes immediately swarmed. Callie, with the camera in tow, was warned to please prepare the camera for battle as the very rare Delmarva Fox squirrel was destined to cross out paths. We had only heard of this squirrel. Few people will ever see one, as their are probably only a thousand or so that are living and breathing. Lo and behold, the squirrel does appear, in the middle of our mosquito-bombarding pirouettes. A few pictures were snapped as the squirrel scurried for cover in the pines. Quite a site.
Anyway, we walked the streets of Chincoteague, perusing the uniques and antiques. I was able to lay my hands on decoys made by Madison Mitchell, Ira Hudson, and Chincoteague carver, Cigar Daisey.

On to this week - Today and tomorrow, Tyrrell Elementary will be out to celebrate their End of Grade test success. The pool and gamefields will be their party platter, and our program staff will cater the fun.

Jackson Middle School comes in for some Rec and Ecology...they'll be here on Wednesday and head out Friday...then they are on to help with the clean-up in tornado-struck Bertie County...

Summer Camp Staff training starts next week...then it's on.

Enjoy the day...

Safe Boating Tips!

2011-05-26T08:08:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day and its preceding weekend are rapidly approaching. I like Memorial Day, yet the trips to the boat ramp can be troublesome, ridiculous, and even dramatic.

Most boaters use their boats three times per year...Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. For some reason, those boaters are the ones that launch immediately before I do. The problem with using a boat so little is:

(1) First of all, the boater can't effectively back a trailer - they'll put have the trailer in the ramp and the other half on top of the dock.
(2) Secondly, the boat battery is dead, which holds up progress even more.
(3) Thirdly, the boaters always having a crying baby.
(4) Fourthly, The gas is the boat is "bad", because it has sat up so long.
(5) Novice Boaters then realize that once the gas is bad, that they have also failed to put the plug in the boat.
(6) Obscenities generally follow, regarding the location of the plug or plug hole.
(7) As this is unfolding, my offers to assist are disregarded, as the boater fears revocation of their man-card.
(8) Their stubbornness results in my hysterical bouts of laughter, which is my ultimate undoing, as I miss my opportunity to launch, and another novice boater, who does not understand ramp ethics, snatches my place in line.

Nevertheless, if you are an experienced boater, you can do the following things to avoid such trouble on Holiday weekends...

(1) Avoid boating all together. Cook a pig, instead.
(2) Find a remote ramp or slide that's not so glamorous.

If you are a novice boater and are insistent on making friends and not enemies at the boat ramp, consider these moves:
(1) CHARGE YOUR BOAT BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE!
(2) Use a fuel additive to keep your gas stabilized...all the time.
(3) Locate the plug before you leave your abode. Before pulling out of the driveway, insert the public in the plug hole. Don't confuse the plug hole with the live well hole, either.
(4) Have plenty of ropes and employ family members to hold the boat once the trailer is in the water, but before you unhook the winch straps.

Other great and legal ideas:
(1) PFD's for every soul on board. Have a throwable PFD, too.
(2) If skiing or wake boarding or any of that other incredibly hard mess, always have a spotter to watch your skier.
(3) Do not drink and boat, PLEASE! Most boaters do not know the rules of the water as it is. Mixing alcohol with ignorance is usually an award-winning recipe for disaster and doom.
(4) Do drink lots of water and pack plenty of healthy snacks...especially if you have young people aboard your craft.
(5) If you must be boater certified, ensure that you are before driving a boat or personal watercraft...Ole Green Jeans will be out. And they write tickets to save lives. I'm glad they do it. Know law abiding citizen has ever gotten a ticket. When breaking laws, your odds will increase.
(7) Have a horn or whistle, and a fire extinguisher...make sure that all of your nav lights work, too.

Easy rules for an easy day.

Enjoy the day...

More Bear Safari

2011-05-25T08:02:00.003-04:00

It's one of my favorite times of year (other than waterfowl season)...summer is looming, and bears are, too. This time of year, as the wheat and mosquito population jumps, the opportunity to see a giant black bear is plentiful. Last week, I took the programmites on a dusky and dusty sojourn to neighboring fields to see bears...and see them we did. We saw 6, including 1 at about 20 feet. Pretty amazing how small they look when they are still.

Nevertheless, we went on Bear Safari 2.0 last night. Unfortunately, we only saw 3. One was only about 100 pounds, but one might have been the biggest I have seen on months. The ladies were a little stifled when I wanted to approach closer. The only thing about approaching a bear is to be very careful. Bears can run about 35 miles per hour...even the hefty ones. I run about 20 miles per hour when terrified. Nevertheless, I would never approach a bear to within 100 yards. Generally, the bears are the ones that are terrified. I would hate to get closer, because I'm afraid that the bears would lose their overwhelming fear of humans. And since I would probably only be a light meal, it's best I stay distant. Nevertheless, my shrieking would impede the bears ability from pleasantly enjoying the meal.

Yellow flies are out. I killed three last night. Nobody has a fix for them, yet I do believe I have found something that works. If you are lucky enough to catch and kill one before it removes a square inch of your flesh, lightly plant the bug in the middle of your head. I think it sends a message to the others. They put off a pheromone that says stay away when they meet their maker...well, that's what I am going with...

Camp registrations are beginning to pick up...just as the bear sightings. Our specialty camps are lagging a bit, yet they'll pick up as school lets out.

This week, we are hosting a couple of End of Grade test parties...same for next week, as well as an environmental education camp for a middle school from near Greensboro. Summer leadership staff begin arriving TODAY...

Enjoy the day...

Good for animals and folks...

2011-05-24T08:14:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a bit since the last blog...but we have been busy with LeaderShape - which is one of the greatest groups to visit us, year in and year out...

LeaderShape went well. Usually I help to facilitate with the teambuilding, which is unfortunate. Rachel, blonde-haired programmite learned exactly why: Generally, organizations want to put products out that are very similar, such as McDonalds (a big mac tastes the same everywhere, right?). the Program Staff here are all very similar in their facilitation skills, too...especially since they are under my tutelage. So, yep, they are pretty similar, until I jump in to the ring. I'm not saying I'm the greatest ever, but I'm certainly the best alive, as Rachel found out. Our "competition" between groups was a runaway...still, she, AJ, and Mea are very, very good at it...I'm just a notch or ten better.

Anyway, on to the title...today and everyday this week, the Forestry Commission is enacting it's fuel mitigation program on our facility. Mitigation basically means to recover. The fuel that they are recovering comes in the form of fallen logs and small standing saplings that are found throughout our facility. As many of you know, three years ago, the Evans Road wildfire caused lots of damage to an important ecosystem and caused air quality problems for much of us north of the flame. This year, the Dare County fire is also causing lots of issues, too. Why? The short answer is that there is too much fuel on the ground...lots organic material that can burn for days...

Nevertheless, through grant participation and hard work, we are taking preventive measures to keep fire away at the 4-H Center. Certainly, fire is important for pocsin ecosystems - it clears undergrowth and helps to open serotinous (needs fire to open and sprout) pine cones. However, as is the case in Dare County, fire can get out of hand. the only fires I have ever known to be on site were controlled burns, which, as you know, are actually very valuable to wildlife. It is very helpful to songbirds and squirrels. Game birds, such as bobwhite quail will appreciate the cumbersome shrubs that prohibit takeoff on dense forests. Turkey, deer, and quail will also love the new shoots that are allowed to grow.

The fuel mitigation is also a great way to "mulch" your forests. Essentially, all of the organic matter, vines, and saplings are reduced to chips and pulp, which will eventually convert into soils or detritus...no hot fires once this is done! And a big, dangerous wildfire could be very dangerous to the Bulls Bay Community. Nevertheless, we are very proactive when it comes to conservation of wildlife, and protecting our neighborhood. The Center is a great "living laboratory" for effective wildlife management...

P.S. - A former staffer has started her own cooking blog - and it's about food. Even though she is Australian, she obviously has a lot of talent...click HERE to check out her blog...and it's name reminds me of a remark I made at 5 years old that my parents won't let go of...

Enjoy the day...

Awesome 4-H Video

2011-05-20T08:44:00.001-04:00

Been out for much of the week with busy happenings, but learned about this and wanted to share...

Enjoy the day...

New Look

2011-05-17T08:19:00.002-04:00

I'm tinkering with the look of the blog. It needed some modernization with the background, etc. However, I wasn't able to put my sitemeter on their for tracking...hopefully blogger can get me straight.

Nevertheless, let me know what you think, I can do pretty much anything...except monetize it or sell add space, but the only folks that would want to advertise are, well, nobody.

Leadershape is here...FINALLY! I'm really excited for them - also, Maria, former programmite and lifeguard will be in to hep supplement the staff for some programming. Patrick Kirkman will be in on Friday and Saturday to help us get started, too.

Leadershape is a very busy week...it's also a really cool program run by NC State. I'm glad that they like us as much as we like them, too.

I talked to my dad last night...he finally met my baby sister's (she's 20 - not really a baby) boyfriend, who he affectionately calls "Scrap Iron." I wonder what dad got called by my mom's father?

The daily temps here are starting to rise...an appropriate prelude to summer. Another prelude to summer is that some of my friends tell me about their impending vacations and cruises. While it's kind of a downer, I try to remember that waterfowl season is my vacation, and that my idea of a fun cruise is a boat ride up and down the Scuppernong or in the Croatan Sound to the Oregon Inlet Flats.

It's gonna be spotty showers and sun today...my least favorite weather - please, Mother Nature, have it one way or the other...but we especially need the rain today, and not tomorrow when we are doing programs.

Enjoy the day...

Weekend Highlights

2011-05-16T08:01:00.002-04:00

So that I can stay focused, I'll try to revisit the events since last Thursday in the following order:

Kentucky 4-H Ambassadors Departure
Wild Catfish
Region Q
Bear Sightings
Sun Burn

The Kentucky 4-H Ambassadors departed early Friday morning - like 6:00 am early. I was up to see them and see them off. They were a wonderful group. They certainly would find themselves in the Pantheon of "Greatest Groups of All Time." It's always fun to show off and showcase the Inner and Outer Banks. Rachel, Programmite, really enjoyed herself with the group - they all formed a special bond. I always look forward to their visit. The youth have since posted Facebook Photo albums titled "The time of our Lives"...I can't make that stuff up...what can I say, maybe we are the best place to spend a week. In the world.

Friday afternoon, I took my BFF, Chris (who's now a nurse) to the Alligator. We put over in Gum Neck, and were gonna try to catch some White "Purchase". We took shrimp, feeshin' poles, and cookies. After several casts, I noticed that each pull through the stump field had a special little tug. Not being an accomplished angler, I set the hook, Bassmasters style and hooked a 4 pound blue cat, in the mouth, with the hook. It was fun to play the catfish on ultralight tackle. Nevertheless, I caught and released the behemoth.

Region Q, a collective group of late-teen, early twenty somethings from Beaufort, Washington and Martin Counties came in over the weekend. Our programmites led them through the challenge course, rock climbing, and archery. They had a great time, as did the staff. The rain that was supposed to fall, never did. We need the rain, but they needed to be outside for teambuilding.

As the wheat fields in and around Tyrrell County are getting "ripe" and cut, the bear sightings have increased dramatically. In fact, I have seen more big bears (400 lbs and up) than ever. Just this morning I saw a giant bruin out and about. I'm gonna take my programmites on a bear safari very soon.

Yesterday, when Region Q completed their programming, I took out yella dog out for a little outboard fun. The clouds eventually blew away, which allowed for my spf to get tested. It failed. I am enjoying a good burn, but it's not too bad, I have what the professional tanners call a "base tan". Good for me.

This week, Leadershape comes in for some tremendous fun. They are a perennial visitor and we really look forward to their arrival.

Enjoy the day...

Small Dude Soaked in Albemarle

2011-05-12T07:51:00.000-04:00

The last two days at the Center have been adventurous for me, to say the least. Kayaking with the Kentucky Ambassadors started calm enough. However, as soon as the first boat cut the water's surface, all rip breaks loose. Three foot rollers out of nowhere?! Only to me. M programmites, Rachel and Stephanie also took solace in knowing that I would again be soaked later in the day because they moved my ferry (canoe) that I use to get to my boat (which is anchored in deeper water). when the time arrived for me to pick my boat up, the canoe was gone...my patience, or lack thereof (thanks Dad), had me walking in waste deep water in my "good" shorts. Nevertheless, Lee showed up just in time to enjoy the show, and help out as little as possible.

Yesterday was Interpretive Pontoon Boat Ride Day. This is the day where Murphy's Law generally prevails in all matters concerning the notorious outboard motor. In my life I can count the varying troubles I have had with an outboard motor on my hands - and the hands of my 20 closest friends. Initially, the Pontoon was supposed to be ready on Friday...not so much. Alas, it was finally "fixed" on Wednesday. As we put the boat in, the fired up and roared...Whew. Nevertheless, I have had the boat break down on me in the past, which is absolutely no fun with a boat full of adults.

Yet, I continued, with the wind at my back and the spray in my face. I pulled to the dock, PFD'ed the riders, and took off for calmer waters. The boat performed exceptionally...we also saw the following species:

River Otter
Bald Eagle
Wood Ducks (Aix Sponsa)
Osprey
Turkey Vulture
Red wing blackbird
Bowfin

Fun times, but we all got wet in the 3 foot seas....

Enjoy the day...

My Birthday

2011-05-09T07:50:00.002-04:00

My birthday was Saturday....I turned 28. The Dock of the Bay turned 9, I think. It was a decent birthday for the both of us. Eastern 4-H Center staff are dragging this morning, but a daylight to midnight sojourn (as was the case on Saturday), can leave a dude, or dudette, tired for days. Not me...

This week, the Kentucky 4-H Ambassadors are gonna come in and experience the coastal life...and I'm the unofficial tour guide. I'm lookin' forward to their visit...we'll do Forestry, Canoeing, and Challenge Course (plus a few more things), and they'll also head to the beach because, well, the Eastern 4-H Center does not have a beach...yet.

Out of my Top 10 Favorite people, 8 wished me a happy birthday. Shame on the other two. I'll protect their identity, but they'll know who they are if they read this paragraph.

Here's hoping the fire in southeast Dare County only has a few more hours to burn. Thankfully, the fire is southeast of us, and rarely do we get a breeze from that direction - so I don't have to smell like a chimney. I still easily remember the smoke plumes from the Evans Road fire of 2008...40,000 acres of burning trees and earth can leave smoke and ashes everywhere. The fire also banked all of the yellow flies and mosquitoes in our direction.

Enjoy the day...

Quick Blog

2011-05-06T08:06:00.002-04:00

A big weekend is just beyond the treeline....

- Dock of the Bay, America's pre-eminent beach music and educational center fundraiser will be Center Stage tomorrow....tickets available at the door are $50. Call today and get them for $40 apiece.

- Meeting in Raleigh yesterday was fun. And I gt to eat at Bojangles for the second day in a row. Boom.

- Thursdays meeting with Kent Hood of Rocking H Decoys, and board member for the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild was spectacular, as well. Any time I can talk tactics with a supporter of Camp Canvasback, I'm thrilled. And yes, we ate Bojangles. Kent and crew are looking to help our Camp Canvasback youth carve working, Core Sound decoys. Kent also donated a BEAUTIFUL Canvasback cork decoy for tomorrows auction, that will quickly get out of grasp for me.

- Friend and former Eastern 4-H Center staff, Chris Sova, graduates with his nursing degree on Wednesday. congrats to him. More importantly, he made his first traditional wire-and-canvas decoy yesterday, with my inspiration, of course.

- For those not going to Dock of the Bay, the fishing is allegedly spectacular. I went Thursday and caught nothing, though. They say the sound is filled with white and raccoon perch. Go try it out...and take a kid.

- Now I have to unload the vehicle for all of the Silent Auction items.

Enjoy the weekend...

Big Deals at Summer Camp

2011-05-04T08:08:00.002-04:00

Boom! This summer at the Eastern 4-H Center's Summer Camp program, I am taking extra steps to go above and beyond other programs on the Atlantic Coast. Sure there are some great places to send your children for a week or two...but none better than here.

Here's what I'm working on:
Alligators: Yes, I am going to try to get alligators for the ecology program. It will do two things...confirm that, yes, alligators are present in Tyrrell County and allow youth to see on of the rarer species of animals in North Carolina. Currently, I'm in the process of securing the permits and setting up the tanks and food. No, they are not giant alligators...only hatchlings that were born in captivity. Now they'll be in "camp-tivity". This is the northern most range for the American Alligator. I have seen 'gators on multiple occasions, and even survived stepping on a wild alligator...they are exciting and powerful creatures. But the hatchlings are only about a foot long, so they are really "cute", but nevertheless very unique.

ABC's: Not the alphabet...but Atlantic Blue Crabs. The Programmites (Rachel and Stephanie have just completed the dynamic models, both Jimmys and Sooks for the initial instruction. However, after the "class time", campers will have the opportunity to go crabbin'. It's fairly simple - tie a chicken leg to a string, lower it into the water, wait for the ABC to tug, then list it out and scap it with the net. Voila.

Food Waste: Nope...were not going to waste food. We will, however, try to showcase how much potential food can be saved through a variety of programs before, during, and after various meals. Eventually, one cabin group will be known as the "Food Waste Warriors". Hopefully, they can be inducted into our Secret Scoggin Society. Don't ask...it's a secret.

Other than these, the same quality programs such as rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, teambuilding, target sports, and athletics will still hold their place on the menu of fun. Evening programs such as the Talent Show, International Night, Campfire S'mores, Dance, and Pool Party will also reign supreme as supper and sunsets go down...

Enjoy the day...

Look who's coming...

2011-05-03T07:48:00.002-04:00

Well folks, as Dock of the Bay approaches, so does the end of Dock of the Bay. Sure, it's a big event that take a lot of fun, yet hard work...but it also symbolizes the unofficial beginning of another busy summer of summer camper at the Eastern 4-H Center.

Once Dock of the Bay concludes:
The Kentucky 4-H Ambassadors arrive on May 9...we'll do kayaking, forestry, interpretive boat rides...they'll also go to the beach for some sightseeing...mainly because they just don't have any beaches in Kentucky, unless you count those on the Mighty Mississip'....

As they Depart, the Region Q Youth Group will arrive. No, "We don't need no rest!" We'll be just fine. If anything, the groups that depart here usually leave exhausted from all the rip-romping we put them through. Life in the pocosin is hard, but unique...and showcasing that through fun programs is what we do better than any other similar facility. Nevertheless, I'm certain we'll have some fun teambuilding and outdoor rec to do with Region Q.

The Creswell Prom is also that weekend. I'm certain they'll find our waterfront as the perfect backdrop for Prom Pictures...

When Region Q and the prom cease, we'll open our doors to LeaderShape...one of the best college leadership programs in the state...their here for a week...last year, the NC State student president was on hand...

LeaderShape leaves, but only to drive right past Opening Doors, another NC State breakthrough program that leads diversity training workshops.

Then:
The Tyrrell-Washington Partnership for Children Banquet, followed by Lawrence Academy's activity day wrap up with Opening Doors.

After all of this fun, the EOG celebrations materialize, right at our own pool and gamefields for local elementary schools. This, along with Jackson Middle School finalize May Madness. But Jackson is actually in June.

We have some open days...well, two to be exact. May 23 is totally open, if you're looking to book a birthday party, activity day, or even a "shotgun wedding". But who gets married on a Monday (I could, I reckon). May 28 is the only other open day, and it would be more appropriate for a wedding, as it is a Saturday. However ,we can squeeze groups in to some great dates...just call and talk to our Reservationist - Nikki. She is the Keeper of the Calendar.

After May, Staff Training starts, then Summer Camp.

Enjoy the day...

Weekend notes...

2011-05-02T07:55:00.002-04:00

Another weekend has come and gone here on the Inner Banks. I managed to fill it with some fun times, all while the Center played host to a couple of groups. Notably, the Columbia prom took place...others were wedding guests who took advantage of our spacious Executive Lodges to lay their heads. Stephanie was around to check them out first thing Sunday morning, while Lee was around for the Prom.

Concerning Prom: I'm not sure where all the Columbia boys take their girls for dinner (as is generally customary). I remember taking my prom date to White Villa, an alleged - and now closed - high end dining saloon in Sylacauga, Alabama. I ate trout and she ate the most expensive thing on the menu. Aside from that digression, I would imagine that since their are no "romantic" places in Columbia to eat, that dates would travel to Edenton or the beach. And your guess is as good as mine as to where they rent tuxes and limos. My bucket list includes owning my own tuxedo, yet I'm skeptical about the investment as I might have reached the prime of my life, where my physical condition has peaked. What a joke...I'm virtually invincible.

Rachel, one of the Programmites on staff, coerced myself and Stephanie (the other Programmite) into actually fulfilling her bucket list wishes. However, Stephanie and I believed that we were showcasing the beautiful coast to Rachel for the first time. However, she had snuck away to actually touch the Atlantic Ocean the day prior.

Nevertheless, we went to Ocracoke (where I practiced my "new" dialect) rode the ferry, bought souvenirs, walked the Beach, saw the "wild" ponies, saw 3 light houses, and ate seafood (except for Stephanie, who ate ribs). The trip was fun and we completed it in 12 hours.

Additionally, to cap off a good weekend, I awoke this morning to discover the Osama bin Laden is no longer a member of the human race. Our Armed Forces, and their special forces, do things each day to protect our freedoms and traditions, even our Summer Camp traditions. I'm very proud of what they have done, as this is probably the most significant event thus far in the War on Terror.

Enjoy the day...

Summer Camp Staff Slideshow

2011-04-29T08:28:00.002-04:00

I am very close to wrapping up my staff for the summer of 2011...after combing, literally the globe, I might - MIGHT - have pieced together the perfect staff, at least on paper. They get better every year.

I got up at 4:00 am this morning to watch the Royal Wedding. Yes, Kate's dress was pretty spectacular, the Queen looked regal, and the Prince looked uber-masculine. I had bed-head...so maybe I wasn't dressed appropriately, but I "twern't" on camera, either.

The nostalgia of the Royal Wedding and staffing has led me to publish last year's Staff Slideshow...a compilation of staff pictures throughout the summer coupled with trendy music, and nostalgic Dr. Seuss.

Here's the link to watch and enjoy last year's staff...I have no responsibility for the additional youtube postings that might coincide with it's presence, and I am grateful for the words of Dr. Seuss, Oleander, The Verve, and Alterbridge...

Enjoy the weekend...

Tornadoes

2011-04-28T08:16:00.002-04:00

Good morning folks...if you woke up early like I did - and if you turned on the local news - you more than likely saw some unfortunate and tragic news about a new wave of tornadoes that spun their way through Dixie yesterday. Those same tornadoes are beelining for North Carolina, too...again.

As many of you know, I'm originally from Alabama. The 120 some odd people that have died as a result of this latest outbreak in my old home state is certainly heartbreaking. Tuscaloosa, home of arch-rival University if Alabama, suffered devastation of monumental proportions. Only two weeks ago, my new home state of North Carolina saw disaster and tragedy unmatched until yesterday. The poor souls of Bertie County, Onslow County, and Wake County will only begin their cleanup by the time this next wave comes through. Meteorologists are expecting the outbreak to be severe, but not as bad as two weeks ago. Here's hoping the weatherman is actually correct for the first time. The meteorologist is the only person that can come to work, predict incorrectly, and still be regaled as a genius.

Aside from what has happened, it's time to focus on tornado safety...growing up in Alabama, tornadoes were more common than snow falls. So we were always prepared. My parents even have a storm shelter...the shelter is a sunken concrete building - so it's pretty solid. It is also out in the forest, in a low-lying place. Every year, my mom take sit upon herself to go and run out the snakes, mice, and squirrels, so that we aren't scared to run in...

Nevertheless, in preparation for a tornado, folks must understand that you cannot prepare the day or hours before. This must take place well before tornado season, preferably in good weather. Here are some things to consider:

Make a Tornado Safety Kit: This would include things like a battery powered flashlight, bottles water, and first aid kit, and some non-perishable snacks. Store this kit in a readily available place, but hide it well enough to keep folks from eating the beef jerky. Also - remember to have some gloves and sturdy shoes available, too.

Establish a Safety Zone: The Safety Zone is a place where a person or family can retreat to just as the area is placed under a tornado warning. For folks living in sturdy homes, an interior hallway, bathroom, or bedroom is great place, as long as there are no large windows around. Keep in mind, that it is debris that often injures people, so places where there are lots of picture frames, books, or tolls are not the best places. Mobile homes are especially susceptible to tornado damage. If you live in a mobile home park, speak to the landlord to determine where residents should retreat to during a storm. If you are a t a hotel, shopping mall, or conference center, management of these locations should be prepared to handle such emergencies. While tornado likelihood can be predicted, actual tornado locations cannot...so try to limit travel, if possible, when a severe weather outbreak is predicted.

Concerning homes...it is a recommended to have written instructions on how to shutdown a home's utilities. This can be imperative if a family has to cleanup the area afterward.

So today, as these storms bear down on our area in eastern NC, be prepared and hopeful. Be safe.

Enjoy the day...

Summer Camp Staff Bucket list

2011-04-27T08:55:00.002-04:00

Eastrn north Carolinais famous for its landmarks, barbecue, and easy way of life. Every Spring, Summer, and Fall the Eastern 4-H Center and its summer camp program brings in staff from both near and far. This spring, Rachel and Stephanie have served as program staff - They have done everything from challenge course facilitation, inventory & maintenance, to serving food at banquets. With a working life that busy, it's hard to find time to enjoy the bounties of the coast. Until this Saturday.

This Saturday, I will attempt to reward the hard work with a little Bucket List trip. Sure, they receive a pay check, but with little time to spend it, I have decided that it's my duty to help them squander their money, take cliche photographs, and to touch the Atlantic Ocean.

About two weeks ago, I was made aware of this Bucket List. On the list, the ladies included the following:
See a Black Bear (we can do that almost anytime)
See an Alligator (I have the inside track on these lizards)
Kayak the Sound (Anytime they please, no problem)
Touch the Atlantic (Easy!)
Ride a ferry (not as cool as they think it is...)
See the wild horses at Ocracoke (yep, I know where they feed 'em...)
See Mattamuskeet Lake (My favorite part of the list)
Go Crabbing (Easily arranged...)

There were others, too.

However, we'll depart early in the morning. I have given them the rules of the road. They are allowed 10 stops - we have to this hurriedly - 8 planned, and two unplanned. The trip will be fun...but I take a lot of pride in showing of the neighborhood, too.

This is not the first time a bucket trip has been conducted. Other seasonal staff have taken advantage of my willingness to showcase the coast. Additionally, we have taken "bear safaris" with summer staff, and even had pig pickin's...even the vegetarians on our staff liked to see the pig be cooked...

There are lots of ways to showcase the coast, even here at the Eastern 4-H Center. Obviously, our aquatics program is pretty awesome...we teach children how to kayak, canoe, fish, crab, and sometimes - sail.

I'm currently building new environmental education lesson plans to better illustrate the highlights of the coast. Programs on migratory birds, striped bass, hurricanes, and Atlantic Blue Crabs are the cornerstones of the program. I look forward to seeing them instructed for the first time...it'll be something different than what any other similar facility on the coast is currently doing. Creating unique and sustainable programming has always been on my bucket list...

What does your bucket list look like?

Enjoy the day...

Dock of The Bay

2011-04-26T07:49:00.003-04:00

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....

My Watch and Summer Camp in Eastern North Carolina

2011-04-25T08:30:00.003-04:00

I lost my watch, or somebody has it and will not return it, or it has turned to flesh tone...nevertheless, I'll have to make do without it. If you find a watch, send me a picture message so that I can identify it. I need it. I'm slightly obsessive over not necessarily being on time, but knowing the time. I guess it's a management thing. If you know the time, you know the schedule, you can plan and cross-plan, and you have control. I need my watch for the summer, too.

Summer's just around the corner! On June 6, we'll start our training. Two weeks of in-depth, in yer face trainin'. I'll show all of our summer staff almost everything I know about how to smoothly operate a camp. However, you can prepare for everything, especially the never-seen-before occurrences. However, I'll try to outfit them with decision making skills to be better prepared for those scenarios, should they arise. This year we have staff from as close by as Columbia, NC (2), to New Zealand (1). I also have staff members from South Africa, England, and Plymouth...all distant faraway places.

On June 19 we'll have week 1 of 4-H Camp...I can't wait for that one. Summer is my favorite time of year...warm temperatures, warm water, and warm smiles abound here on Bulls Bay, and I'm the purveyor of fun and nostalgia. We have some openings in our summer camp that week.

One June 26, we will host the second week of traditional 4-H Camp...more of the same, but an opportunity to get better as a camp and a program. And we don't like to squander chances. This session of summer camp is crowded, but reservations can still be made...

The week of July 3 is open for sale...want to have your own camp? Give us a call and we can set you up for the youth camp of your wildest (or tamest) dreams...

July 10 is Grange Camp.While I am probably required to say that 4-H Camp is A#1, Grange is a very close A#2. I love the tradition that they bring to our facility.

July 17 is specialty week...Camp Cloverbud for the littles (ages 5-8), Camp Canvasback for the waterfowl lover (Ages 12-17) and Marine Science and Sailing for the aspiring oceanographer or pirate (Ages 12-17) will all take place that week.

July 24-August 12 is our very own, unique, Take Off 4-Health camp. Health lifestyle camps can be found all over the country, but very few, if any, sport the dynamics that this partnership between NC 4-H and East Carolina's Brody School of Medicine has created...it's available for 12-18 year old campers.

Im also looking to design staff t-shirts. I'm taking any and all considerations. I'm really high on Flesh Tone for some reason...

Enjoy the day...

Good Friday and New School Field Trip Programs for North Carolina

2011-04-22T10:15:00.002-04:00

Today is Good Friday. Most Fridays are good. Often, very good. This one is gooder than most.

Here at the Center, We are hosting the Duke University Nicholas School for the Environment. I'll be around to cater to whims, both expected and unexpected. The Program Staff, or Programites, as I lke to call them will be spending time with their family and friends. Good for them. I'll spend some time with my friends, too.

Also, though, I 'll be working on a new curriculum for our Environmental Education program. Quite frankly, the first one I made bores me a little bit. It's just what everybody else does...and I want to be different. And I will. In the coming weeks, I'll eliminate old ecology and environmental education activities and replace them with some that are more focused on marshes, waterfowl, the sound, and eastern NC culture. Obviously, at this point, I am accepting requests...I'll comsider anything. Nevertheless, every school field trip that arrives here should be able to catch a blue crab or a white perch, as well as meet "Joe Waterman"*.

Enjoy the weekend...

* I am considering creating a "replica" of an old timer Waterman. Waterman are those men (and often times, women) that plied the Sounds for fish, waterfowl, and shellfish. Waterman lore and tradition is deep and rich. This program might include me, Lee, or hopefully, program staff dressing in period clothing for night time discussions on pre-modern times in and around Albemarle Sound...

Tyrrell County Livestock Show

2011-04-21T08:11:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, one of the hallmark 4-H events in Tyrrell County took place. The Livestock Show is the farm animal extravaganza of the Century (annually). What happens at a livestock show, you might ask...

1) Animals (goats, pigs, lambs) are raised by area 4-H'ers. They raise them for this specific competition. How are they evaluated? Well, a child will win the event if their respective animal has the most "marketable" traits...muscle expression, standard appearance, and overall appearance. They'll feed them corn or hay to get them there. Why is it important? Well, livestock is a majr and traditional part of North Carolina's economy, and training children to learn livestock production by doing it is just the 4-H way.

2) On Show Day, animals are weighed and sheared and showed, at Tyrrell Hall. The County 4-H Agent, and other Extension Agents rally together to orchestrate the big undertaking.

3) The animals are finally shown...market class, then showmanship. Showmanship gives the 4-H'ers an opportunity to show what they have learned - and not just how well their animal appears. A successful showman will always keep the animal in between themselves and the judge, will continue to exercise control over the animal, will "set-up" the animal so that it's feet are squared, and will answer some tricky questions about their respective animal. Ribbons are awarded to top placements in market class and showmanship.

4) The fundraising aspect follows the show. There is almost always a catered meal. The catered meal is easily my favorite portion of the festivities. Nine times out of ten, the meal is barbecue with boiled potatoes, corn bread fritters, and cole slaw. It's hard to go wrong with that...but the baked goods that accompany the meal are what I'm there for...

5) The end.

I'm happy to report that Lee, our Director, is alright after his day of weighing lambs and goats and pigs. He is proficient in the ways of the livestock and really loves helping. I like to help, but love to watch. I, too, have shown in livestock shows, but that was 20 years ago. I will accept your congratulations for my Reserve Championdom in my email inbox...

Enjoy the day...

Summer Camp Staff

2011-04-19T07:54:00.002-04:00

So, every spring, I am charged with going and finding the very best staff one could hope to find. these staff are important, as they serve our campers needs and wants throughout the summer. Our summer camp kids vary greatly. The diversity of our programs is conducive to hosting a wide variety of summer camp kids.

Many camps have the luxury of pulling "alumni campers" back in to the fold. We just don't have that, since our summer camp is only about 10 years old. It'll start to pay off soon, but being an alumnus does not necessarily transfer into a great staff member...here's what I look for...

Excited...if a counselor is not excited in an interview and at the opportunity to work at the best place there is, then what do they get excited about. High energy is a must, and children want an excited counselor, as one candidate recently said to me.

Responsible...not just to campers, but to parents, and the Center. The best interest of the child is also the best interest of the parents and Center. Ensuring that all things are safe and fun is part of it, but honesty when things are not going perfect is good, too.

Punctual...all the time. Late for lunch? Not possible in my world, unless certain circumstances occur, like extra swim time or something. Late for flag raising...guh! That starts the day off late. Never, ever should campers be late...

Experience with children and informal education...is very important. A counselor's first interaction with children should not be at summer camp. Tell me something in the the interview that will lead me to believe that you know, understand, and love children.

There's much more, but I don't want to give all of the secrets to the other camps vying for the same great staff that I place every year at summer camp.

Here's where we are...about 5/6 off the staff are hired...contingent on a cleared background check, that is.

I still need an Ecology instructor (interviewing Friday!) and a rock climbing instructor...if you know someone that you would let care for your children, point them in our direction. Eastern north Carolina is not for great beaches, great barbecue, and soon to be, GREAT summer camp experiences at the Eastern 4-H Center...

Enjoy the day...

RYLA Weekend

2011-04-18T09:31:00.002-04:00

Well as many of you know, this past weekend in North Carolina saw events that many would and could call dramatic, traumatic, tragic, and down right nerve-wracking. Tornadoes blew their way through the state, and left notable damage in Sanford, Raleigh, Greene County, and Bertie County.

While there are many tragic stories to tell, some heroics can be found...especially at the Lowes in Sanford.

The Eastern 4-H Center, and Tyrrell County, were placed under a tornado warning, too. Reports stated that a tornado did pass south of Columbia and through the Levels Road area...which is approximately 8 miles from the Center. Nevertheless, the minute the warning was posted our pre-plan became the plan, and it was executed flawlessly. Emergency Action plans are important for all families and businesses, and we take pride in having not only sturdy and modern facilities, but also haveing the institutional knowledge and ability to coordinate emergency situations. You'll never here me say that anything is more important than our visitor's safety.

We only had a few broken limbs in the challenge course area...however during the storm, the 50 mph winds did knock out our electricity. We had electric lanterns and drinking water available 20 minutes beforehand. Anticipation is important when preparing for the worst.

Our RYLA students allegedly had "fun" as they called it during the warning. They were safely tucked away in sturdy bathrooms and hallways, along with our on site adults. The storm cause a little nervousness, but radio communication made it possible to update the children and adults - and to keep them at ease.

Anyway, we have trails to clean...

Enjoy the day...

Summer on the Horizon

2011-04-13T11:57:00.002-04:00

Hey folks...look way out in the future. You might need to squint...see it? That's summer camp. Calling all new and old campers, those that have never camped, and those that will forever camp! We have a few openings. Deliberate too long, and you might be left out! Here's hoping you're not! I'll post the calendar soon!

And, yes, I'm back! And as excited about it as anything possible...

Enjoy the day!

Post-Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T10:15:00.002-05:00

The 4-H Center is starting the annual 60 day slow-down...we have lots of holiday parties booked, though! There are still a couple of dates available, with the last being December 21st, so book soon. We'll also host a 4-H Retreat on the weekend of the 11th...slow is a relative term.

Thanksgiving was great for me, and I hope it was for all of you...Here's what I did, as if you give a toot.

Wednesday 6:00 am - Duck hunted
Wednesday 11:30 am - leave Edenton for Alabama
Wednesday 11:30 pm - Arrive at the Luker Family Compound, sleep on couch
Thursday 7:00 am - Wakeup to two schnauzers licking my exposed fingertips
Thursday 8:30 am - groan at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday 12:00 pm - arrive at Country Club to eat buffet with family. Stuffed my head with oysters, shrimp, prime rib, turducken, a vegetable, and pecan pie
Thursday 2:30 pm - settle in to sleep in recliner.
Thursday 3:30 pm - awake and begin to wish we had the usual leftovers, lounge around for hours on end
Thursday 9:30 pm - go sleepytime
Friday 4:00 am - arise, exercise, feed, and load the vehicle for the Auburn - Alabama game
Friday 6:15 am - watch my dad oversleep, then arise.
Friday 7:00 am - board the car and set out towards Jordan Hare Stadium West, in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Friday 11:00 am - arrive, park, and immediately get misdirected towards the restrooms. I would have done the same to an Alabama fan at Auburn, though.
Friday 1:30 pm - Iron Bowl kickoff. I'll spend the next hour watching Alabama trample my Auburn Tigers and see my dad fall down a bleacher or two, in his own attempt to recover an Alabama fumble.
Friday 3:30 pm - Auburn mounts its comeback.
Friday 5:30 pm - Auburn beats Alabama, overcoming the largest Auburn deficit in 118 years of football. I'll call this game "Choke Bama Choke".
Friday 9:15 - Arrive at home and immediately fall asleep.
Saturday 8:00 am - Wakeup, exercise and feed.
Saturday 10:00am - head to Auburn to find a scoreboard shirt from the game, take pictures of Toomer's Corner, and eat at Country's Barbecue.
Saturday 3:00 pm - return to home, sleep.
Saturday 5:00 pm - begin packing, and the prepare bison steaks on the grill while the rest of the fam apears to be sick or sick of it...
Saturday 10:00 pm - sleep
Sunday 4:30 am - arise, exercise, feed.
Sunday 6:00 am - depart and spend the next 14 hours in a car and traffic.
Sunday 8:00 pm - return to Edenton, the Columbia.

The most important thing about the previous 30 lines of drivel was that Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Auburn "allegedly" couldn't do it. But as allegations have gone for this Auburn football team, even this one was scoffed at. Against a good team in a hostile environment, Auburn cemented it's place in history. War Eagle...

PS - I have used a lot of vacation time to waterfowl hunt...the ducks are around, you just have to know where to go...I have taken more ducks this year (already) than I have the past two years...so buy a duck stamp and licenses and go "grocery shopping"...We feasted on redhead duck last night...they really do taste like bacon!

Enjoy the day...

Sloppy blogging

2010-11-18T10:12:00.002-05:00

I apologize for my absence and tardiness. But, hey, I have been busy taking time off. Friday we did have River Road in for some Challenge Course, Climbing Wall, and Giant Swing...It, as always, is great to have River Road Middle come across the Sound to hang with us. Since their group is soooo large, I had to bring in some help from Summer Staff - but we took care of "bidness."

Last Saturday was the Waterfowl opener (late season, split #1). I took some of my staff for a little fowlin' and we struck out. The marsh was splendid, though and we saw lots of Black Ducks, which come in "season" on December 1, 2010. I'll be ready for 'em...

Since then, I hunted the flats at Bodie Island and had one good "hunt" (more on that later), and one fun hunt. There are few more historical and scenic places to throw your decoys than the Outer Banks, though. Nevertheless my "hunt" was all but...when I arrived at the check station with my crew in tow, it was discovered by the Ranger thatI dod not have my HIP certification. This is required by federal law to hunt mimgratory game birds. It's FREE and I have no idea why it wasn't placed on my license. Nevertheless, I tried to use the smart phone to quickly download it, but alas, the system was down. So I just observed and called. It was fun for me and my blind partner to "snatch" ducks away from other, unsuspecting blinds through my capable calling. My hunting companion bagged a few, though and he is fairly new to the sport. OK, I'm probably just OK at calling, but I was the best on the beach that day! Day two at the flats was hot and all ducks flared at our meager spread of plastic ducks.

Yesterday, I thought that maybe my luck would change if I revisted my bread and butter spots around the Scuppernong. Goose eggs prevailed as no ducks showed themselves within range. To understand why I saw 1000's of ducks but none within range, please google the term "skybusting."

Today I hit the ope water marsh at Swanquarter. My first honest to goodness shot at a pintail would have been legal, had it flown by two seconds later. But I waited for legal shooting time...

Wigeons also flew well this morning, but I never could get them to commit in numbers. I did bag a bluebill, which is by far, my favorite duck to harvest.

Auburn is being rocked by scandal, too - which continues to occupy my mind. Who knows what happened, but Auburn throttled Georgia last weekend, earning a berth in the SEC Championship Game. We get to play Alabama at their stadium before making the trip to Atlanta to play in the title game. Last year I posted my favorite Iron Bowl memories...revisit that fun article with this link.

Enjoy the day...

Skills

2010-11-05T08:50:00.003-04:00

The temps are falling, and so is the rain. Fall weather is here...and to stay, hopefully. Swans are beginning to fill the sky, which is one of the eeriest and most joyful sounds to echo among the clouds.

Yesterday, I took the day off to do some layout hunting. I couldn't get my phone to upload pictures, but it was stupendous. The fog that we encountered on the way to the shooting grounds was thick like a milkshake. But it was salty. However, using my GPS, I was able to navigate the fog and open water. I learned how to use a GPS while in 4-H. It's interesting that 4-H'ers can often trace back personal and professional skills that are in their individual repertoires to 4-H. Through 4-H I also acquired my boating certification in Alabama. I know how to safely operate my boat...and how to light it up like a holiday tree when navigating in low and no lighting. I also learned how to properly anchor and equip my boat with the safest items around. Only two of us hunted, but I could have saved another party of an ill-prepared three had the situation arose. Two fire extinguishers, 5 lifejackets, two throw cushions and two anchorscomfort me, and should now comfort you, the reader, should I ever appear to save you and your helpless craft.

Once we set our decoys - which we instruct at 4-H Camp Canvasback - my hunting partner and I moored the layout boat, checked our radios, and waited until legal shooting time. The fog was so thick, that I could barely read my watch. Thank goodness it has an illuminating function. My companion motored into the milkshake, and I watched, and waited...and watched and waited. Thirty minutes into shooting time, the hidden sunrise finally shown enough water surface for trading fowl to spot the stool of hand painted decoys that I had prepared in the spring. My time in the boat was up, though, and I radioed my pal for a swap.

He got into the layout boat (the layout boat is a boat that is disguised to look like the surface of the water buy maintaining a low profile and flat gray color). Time in the layout boat is best spent watching the horizon, since that's about all there is to look at in a layout. Sitting on a fiberglass, pumpkinseed-shaped saucer in the middle of the Pamlico Sound can be unnerving to some. But it's peaceful to us who anticipate a churlish dawn. Woe is the person afraid of the terrible beauty of Mother Nature in a mood swing. Nevertheless, my pal was the first to expedite cold steel. He bagged a jet black scoter - a tough, heavy bird that prefers the nasty swells. We swapped out and I duplicated his success. Afterwards, the flurry became blurry. We took a heavy bag yesterday.

Roughly 5% of the American population pursues wild game. We do this at the pleasure of the other 95% of American humanity, yet, hunters are the original conservationist. They understand that to have quarry, it must be managed, loved, and yes - hunted. Teddy Roosevelt once said that if you want to save a species, you should make it huntable. I agree. There should be laws that limit takes and methods, though - and there are. Another way to save a species is to buy a duck stamp. Everyone should do it.

Enjoy the day...

Do Whatever You Want

2010-11-03T08:35:00.002-04:00

Today, I proclaim, Do Whatever You Want Day! Other than two stipulations (must be legal and must be appropriate), all else goes.

Why? Well, for the past three months I have lost control over my television. Instead of hearing commercials about a Double Bacon Sandwich from Mc Burger Queen, I have had to hear about how all of these old men and women have broken the law, will improve my life, and improve your life. WHATEV.....

So today, I'll watch TV and know that I will not be grossly grossed out. Moreover, it is funny to see a few late placed commercials about candidates a few days after the election is over! It always happens and proves or reinforces the fact that some people can't pay attention and manage finances or plan accordingly.

While there were lots of races yesterday, most of the Old Guard held on to their seats. I like offensive guards, Right Guards, and yes, the Old Guard. But I'm open to the New Guard, too.

One of the most intriguing, but nonsensical votes of yesterday was to prohibit convicted felons of running for Sheriff in North Carolina counties. The measure passed 80-20. It makes sense that felons shouldn't be sheriffs on two accounts. I don't think felons can have firearms - and I definitely want my sheriff packing heat. Also, the sheriff should UPHOLD the law. Sure people can change, but the sheriff shouldn't wear flip-flops...

South Carolina elected a woman governor. What does she have in common with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal? You find out, but I think it's refreshing...

So today, do whatever you want. I'm probably going to avoid the rain, use the restroom at my discretion (walk out of meetings when I HAVE to do so...), and finish all of next year's camp registration forms. Soon they'll be out and ready for your printing pleasure. Well ahead of the competition...but since I like competition almost as much as I like winning competitions, I'll always be two steps ahead...

Enjoy the day...

Community Fun Day Wrap Up

2010-11-02T08:04:00.003-04:00

Community Fun Day has come and gone. The Annual Weenie Roast, as I like to call it had plenty of visitors, ice cream, hot dogs, and activities. The weather was perfect for Community Fun Day - mid 70's, light wind, and sunny! I enjoyed seeing all of the visitors and staff that came out...the staff did a great job matching the demand of the activities. The climbing wall can always throw a kink in it, though.

Nevertheless, Patrick, Josh, Broadwell, Casper, Kali the Beast, Mea, Kristen, and Sydney came out to help me pull of the unpredictable amount of guests. Everything from the registration table to archery went really well. Hopefully, the community members that attended had a great time.

I won a door prize! My virtual lack of luck seems to have ended as I won the final door prize, which meant that I could had my choice of a coffee table book, too. I like books, so I took that bad boy. Aside from that, it's like a 3 month reunion when I have some of the staff come back. What was most interesting is that all of the staff are considered the "New Guard" at the 4-H Center...yeah - the ones that will set the tone for the present and future and they also are "mine". Yes, I lay claim to people. But they claim me, too!

Auburn / College Football rant:
This week was "Road Block" Saturday. All of the talking heads gave it this name in hopes that all teams would lose and lay a red carpet out for the university of Alabama. Sure the pretenders lost. Oregon and Auburn won in high style, though. Still, Auburn dropped to number two in the BCS, which determines the pecking order of who plays for the national championship. Our week at number one was fun and shortlived, but we will return. If you are an Auburn fan, please enjoy this and brag to everyone you know and don't know. The last time it happened was in 1985 - I was 2 years old. If Auburn wins out, they'llplay for the whole ball of wax. The pundits have all but declared Alabama the winner of the Iron Bowl. One pundit said just yesterday that Auburn can't go to Alabama the day after Thanksgiving and beat Alabama in a stadium named for Bear Bryant. He was wrong. Auburn has won an ASTOUNDING 86% of games against Alabama in the stadium named after Bear Bryant.
Anyway - pundits - let Auburn play it out. End your love affair with the WAC and MW teams. Sure the schedule is not their fault. But it's not mine or yours. A two loss SEC team can beat ANYONE.

Enjoy the day...

Community Fun Day, Auburn, Ducks

2010-10-27T08:06:00.002-04:00

For several reasons and excuses, I have failed to blog in a couple of weeks. Kitchen duty, vacation, and internet connections have hampered my ability to type about nothing.

So here's what you need to know about the northeastern NC, the Eastern 4-H Center, and the Fall Flight of waterfowl.

Our little corner of the state is trying to shake the grip of summer - it's tough when the humidity and the temps mirror each other at 80. Personally, I believe there is a time and a place for everything. These temperatures belong here from June to August. Rapid and confusing weather changes also confuse the body and a lot of people get a little sick. I am getting a small head cold. We also stand to get a little more rain. Where was this stuff when we needed it in the summer? There's nothing worse than pulling out the lawnmower one more time.

The Eastern 4-H Center is on the backside of 8 consecutive busy weekends! It's actually about 35, but I don't count the summer and since the summer doesn't count, the spring's consecutive weeks can't count, but obviously we have just been plain busy, especially on the weekends. I was away this weekend - I went to see Auburn play LSU in football. More on that later. Lee was left to attend to the Wedding rehearsal and reception over the weekend. Nothing says pressure quite like 250 hungry people. Apparently it was one of the finest matrimonious meetings in epochs!

This upcoming weekend implies that if you are a member of the community and you enjoy fun days then you should bring you and yours to the Eastern 4-H Center for Community Fun Day. Here's the thing - you do not have to be from our community. You can come from any community in the galaxy. There will be camp activities, a blodd drive, and a weenie roast. Nope, we are not roasting Lee. But everything is free (for you the visitor) and fun (for you and us). I have a collection of summer staff returning to facilitate the fun. Some of our full time staff will be here, too. The fun kicks off at 9:00 (it used to be 10:00, but 9:00 this year) and ceases at 3:00.

The annual fall migration of waterfowl is officially underway. The Great Lakes Cyclone that swept, then mopped the midwest left blizzard conditions in the upper midwest. Freezing temperatures will freeze up many small lakes, ponds, and rivers overnight! This will create a unique situation many call the grand passage. This is when virtually all ducks, geese, coots, swans, and shorebirds migrate at once. I have never seen this, but I'll be on the lookout. Many birds had already moved down here for the winter - evidence such as the 2000-3000 pintails and wigeons I saw at Pea Island a week ago strengthens that case. I got the banding information back from a wood duck I harvested earlier in the season - it was banded in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - yep, Amish Country. This duck was obviously a migrant and probably moved into North Carolina in mid-September. Alas, it's time to dust of the decoys, check the boat for safety equipment, and secure the honey hole. The first split of the "late" waterfowl season is November 13.

On to Auburn. Three weeks ago, all of the pundits said that Auburn would not make it throug the three game stretch of Arkansas, Kentucky, and LSU. If they did, they would deserve, and thus, receive respect. Well pundits, it happened. The BCS computers have Auburn ranked number 1. Computers have always outsmarted humans. Pundits are barely human. One of the most detestable things about college football (other than the lack of a playoff) if the influence many of these talking head "experts" have on poll voters.

All of a sudden, they have deemed Auburn an "incomplete" team, referring to the apparent lack of defense. I don't know much about football, but I know an offenses job is to score more points than the other team's offense. A defenses job is to restrict the other team from scoring more points than that of their own team's offense. Auburn has scored more points than every team it has played. Using logic, one can determine that Auburn's offense and defense have both been successful...more successful than every team in the toughest conference in the country. Auburn's success seems to peak only when the conference is "down". This makes little sense to me. If traditional powers like Alabama are undefeated, the natural order of things must be correct. Also, pundits on television feel that college football is destined for a Boise State v. Alabama championship game. When Auburn beats Alabama, will Auburn finally be called a "complete" team, or will they determine that Alabama was "down" this year. The point being if pundits believe Alabama and Boise State are the best two teams in the country, please rank them that way now. That way, when Auburn beats Alabama, we can "earn" our top ranking.

It's also interesting that each Friday all of the "experts" predict an Auburn loss. After an Auburn win, all of the pundits are pleased to report that Auburn's latest victim was "overrated". Pundits, you are overrated. War Eagle! Cam for Heisman!

Enjoy the day...

Golf Pro Lee Scripture

2010-10-13T08:25:00.002-04:00

It's tough to blog from behind a stove. That was my excuse yesterday. Monday, my computer had issues with the web...sorry!

Last weekend, we hosted a wedding. And Reception! Receptions are much better than weddings. This is where one can gorge themselves on tiny bits of food, rather than large restaurant style meals and home cooking. The tiny bits of food can be stacked and ordered into a belly much easier, and sometimes at a faster rate. And who dislikes punch? Nobody.

Lee and I played in the Tyrrell County Chamber of Commerce Golf tournament on Friday. I have decided to quit the game for good. But not for the many reasons that many people quit such as injuries and ineptitude. I am healthy and possess enough skill to be a viable partner on any golf course. As my luck would have it, I played pretty good golf. Nice long drives, well-shaped approaches, tack-driving wedges, and better then (my) average putting, Lee still found away to better me. Lee is like the Les Miles of the Golf World. He either knows something we all don't, or is just plain lucky...but certainly not good - and he'll admit it. His swing isn't bad, but his aim at both the ball and with the ball leave something to be desired. On numerous occasions Iwatched my fearless leader clean the dirt clods form his club heads, traipse through jungles, and whiff - if not double whiff - on recurring golf shots. And while starting golf late in life is tough, playing with Lee is even tougher, at least from a competitive standpoint. Conversely, there is no one (other than Johnny Spencer) who can keep you more "loose" on the links. It's always fun to watch him play - he can luck up and make incredible golf shots (as is the case with this blog entry), but he also never gets mad at golf. I stay mad at golf. I know how to make shots, but the 90% of the game that is played between the ears impedes my abilities to often.

Lee's commentary after hitting what I call "German Shots" can be hysterical. His reactions, such as peering into the distance, well beyond his 30 foot tee shot, is down right comical. These poor shots are not fromlack of skill, only practice. And he'll get there - he let some fly, too. But hearing about his failures is much better, right?

However, this tournament also had other games such as "Closest to the Pin" and "Longest Drive". The "Longest Drive" game is played, generally on the longest hole of the course. the person who hits the longest drive, places a sign there to signify the accomplishment. The winner gets a nice prize. The "Closest to the Pin" game is played on par 3's and requires that the winner's shot be closest to the pin while still being on the putting surface...

Now that the semantics are out of the way, here we go. The 7th Hole at the Edenton Chowan Country Club is a 150 par 3 - the site of "Closest to the Pin" fot his year's tournament. I played a nice 8 iron, but put too much "Anglish" on it only to have a nice shot roll back of the front of the green. The rest of the group played their tee shots and then it happened. Lee, addressed the ball (which is comical in itself) and wielding a DRIVER, laces a golfball as straight as an interstate. The 150 yards were covered in short order and the ball came to a stop a 152 yards, not an inch or degree of the straight line between he and the flagstick. Lo and behold, as we approach the green, the "Closest to the Pin" stake was almost identical in accuracy to Lee's. After measuring, it was determined that Lee was in fact the closest to the pin out of the 100 or so people that played the hole prior to us...and with only one team left to play the hole, it looked as if Lee would wear the crown.

At the cookout following the tournament, it was discovered that no one played a shot closer than Lee. A look at the records of all golf might also state that no person has ever one "closest to the pin" while utiliaing a driver. But he's that lucky. I have never had a hole-in-one. I have only holed out one shot from outside of a hundred yards. I have lots of flagsticks from between 50-75 yards, but the Closeset to the Pin when it counts avoids and evades me.

Enjoy the day...

Duck season, wedding season

2010-10-07T08:24:00.003-04:00

This weekend the 4-H Center is hosting another wedding. We must be good at those. It might just be the waterfront location, but there are rumors that our food and service is as good as anywhere...just saying.

Duck season opened yesterday, October 6...me and Casper took some time and hunted at the Futch Tract outside of Columbia. This place is typically a haven for the "big" ducks that arrive in December, but it can hold spectacular amounts of locally hatched wood ducks. Wood ducks were at one time a pretty threatened species - with all of the logging an dpollution in the 60's and 70's. Nevertheless they are considered recovered and a three bird limit is one of the best ever. Nevertheless, I didn't take my limit, nor did Casper but we killed a pair of full plumage woodies. Mine sported a federal band - it's my second banded bird and it's always a nice treat to see a little sparkle on the leg when you recover a duck.

Cooling temperatures are finally starting to cool the water, which will go a long way to getting rid of the duck weed and alligator weed that is choking off our local waterways. The tropical storm of last week brought tooooo much rain and turned Columbia and Creswell into toxic and noxious swimming pools. FEMA personnel has been in the area to assess the damage. Lee, our fearless leader hates that his yard has been flooded, but has thoroughly enjoyed the accessories of a flood. Extra flashlights, knives, axes, and chest waders were donned by Lee and since there was a flood, his wife allowed him to wear the items in public. Yesterday, Casper and I had to help Lee load a lawnmower on a trailer. Pooshing a lawnmower through the mud may sound like fun, and it IS. Sike.

Next week, the Center will cleanup from the wedding and host several groups - Emmaus and the Quilters.
NC State lost to Virginia Tech last weekend. Obviously this old news. Carolina walloped ECU. Everybody has a chance at redemption this weekend and it should be sought. Auburn takes on Kentucky in the BLuegrass. I had expected to go, but I'll be splitting time between the kayak demos at the Scuppernong River Festival and the Wedding....

Enjoy the day...

rainin'

2010-09-30T09:28:00.002-04:00

We have had at least 10" of rain since Sunday. Today is going to add at least 2"...

This weekend NCState plays Virginia Tech in Raleigh. It's supposed to be the toughest ticket in town. Please allow me this opportunity to be smug about Deep South Fotball. Selling out a 60,000 seat stadium once a decade is not noteworthy. It's great for State, trust me. But major Land Grant universities south of here consistenyl sell out 80,000 seat arenas for every game. I hope State can get there one day, especially before UNC! ECU probably has the most rabid fan base, but that's because they don't shoot hoops well in Greenville!

Emmaus comes in today, hopefully under the use of umbrellas...

The weekend is supposed to be dry (except for the ground) and cool, fall-esque temperatures are en route. The first split of duck season opens Wednesday. It's a good chance to take a youngster on a hunt with a chance to bag our most commond duck - the wood duck or Aix Sponsa...I love to use scientific names when speaking with game wardens. There are also lots of local mallards and teal still in the area, which always brighten up a game strap and dinner plate.

Enjoy the day...

More and More

2010-09-29T08:45:00.002-04:00

This week, like last week, is another busy one...Northeastern Workforce d\Development is hosting two seminars this week. Emmaus will be here from Thursday - Sunday. I'll be cooking a lot, including today.

Resident Canada Goose season is on it's way out, just as a tropical depression arrives. I took my last chance at a Canada yesterday. Watching 500 geese pour into a pond is amazing, but disappointing when it happens 300 yards from my handmade decoys. I also might have missed a golden opportunity to dine on goose by failing at a close shot. Sea Duck season comes in on Friday. I look forward to it arriving so that I can take them from my layout boat. I've got 100 handpainted scoter decoys that will fool a genius.

My dad turns 61 years young today....Happy Birthday Poppa! My dad has seen a lot of things, most of them from the Courthouse Doors in Coosa County. I enjoy hearing stories about the Cuban Missile Crisis, Auburn in the late 60's, me in the 80's, and stories about him and his pals. We'll rendezvous in late October to see Auburn beat LSU!

Enjoy the day...

Coastal Fall Fashions

2010-09-27T08:36:00.002-04:00

Listen - err, read-up. Summer is finally over. So is the incessant wave of heat that rode it's coattails on the way out. Fall is here. Fall is the best time of year, in the marshes anyway. The waters stay mild, the air begins to dry out, and the days begin to shorten more noticeably. Here in the pocosin, clothing follows suit. It's fun to analyze what people where in different places and try to understand why they do it. Hopefully, it should all be driven out of function and not fashion, but even better is when it satisfies both categories.

While growing up in Alabama, we had two seasons - summer and Christmas Holidays. It is almost always hot except for a three week period in the middle of December and January. So yeah, we all had a gigantic coat to help us cope. Thermal undies, toboggans, gloves, and fleece lined boots collected dust in closets and retail shelves for most of the year, but were worth their weights in titanium when the cold snap arrived.

The pocosin has, for the most part, four seasons. Summer is dominated by hot and muggy temperatures, mosquitoes, and thunderstorms. Fall is generally mild with cool nights - and hopefully, in my case, lots of ducks. Winter is windy and bitter and spitting snow and rain is not uncommon, but large doses of either are rare. Spring is often early, but still windy and can surprise one with a late burst of airish air.

The fall can usher in noreasters and early cold fronts. These are my favorite. For some reason or another, I have always had an affinity for odd and violent weather. Fall in the marsh grants me this pleasure.

I, like others, have learned to properly outfit myself for the conditions, some of which can change by the hour. Most folks hold on to their bermuda shorts as long as bearable, and I do the same. And while we live near the coast, folks around hear disdain the coastal and tropic print shirts for preppy plaids in nautical colors such as red, navy, green, and white. However, these plaids must be comfortable in windy and cool weather, too. I have stocked my closet with lots of flannel, but not the Nirvana flannel of the 90's. Also - many of the local fishermen like to let the top two buttons go unused. I lack the bravado to allow my chest hair blow inthe wind, but it's an entertaining look.

Sometimes, a light jacket might be needed. Since I am cold-natured, I often wear a hoodie throughout the year. However, I prefer sweaters over jackets as the autumn arrives. No v-necks here, though. Woolen sweaters are an excellent way to sweat your life away, so I prefer cotton. Slim fitting attire appears to be fashionable, though I have mostly always preferred this style (it makes me look taller) and will continue to wear clothing in this manner. Cumersome clothes make one look frumpy and gross. Don't figure out a way to hide that figure! Neverhtheless, I like to wear colors that appear in nature in fall: brown, dark green, and sage (whatever that is). The sartorialist in me also allows the use of a shawl-collared sweater. Men are beginning to wear these, but alas, I have kept one at hand for several years, fashion be danged.

When covering our feet, pocosin men and women are often fairly ambivalent. Boat and deck shoes are acceptable throughout the year, even with tuxedoes, should the topsiders be black. I, too, fail victim to the boat shoe, but have since branched out. I recently procured a pair of red wing chukkas. They are guaranteed for life...but I'm not sure whose life. Nevertheless, they are fashioned after the boat shoe, and have canvas uppers so that my feet don't melt away. folks that know me understand my propensity to wear duck boots, too. These are always acceptable. In my dreams, my dream lady also sports a pair of these sporty boots.

Obviously, one must cover themselves with pants. And as I mentioned earlier in this literary waste of time, many people continue to wear shorts as long as possible - possible meaning above freezing. However, when the time is right, I will prefer long pants over shorts. I have never worn lots of dednim, but have always preferred selvage and dark rinse denim that was straight and slim fitting. this look is also fashionable in more metropolitan areas. Yet, the color of khaki most often appears over my legs. Cargo pants are for cops and forest rangers, and I am neither of those. However, cotton khakis are the most comfortable. I like them in darker colors because they do not show dirt and can be worn several times or months without washing. Like jeans, I prefer that they be trim looking. Frumpy clothes are for the holiday buffet season.

Their you have it...it's interesting how mainstream fashion begins to follow function every time there is a chill in the economic climate. On this blog, I predicted in January of 2009 that beards would be back in force, and I was right. Beards are a primitive way to keep the face and eyes warm. I also predicted that the military crew cut would be back...right again. It's traditional and reminds us of more pleasant times - the 50's! I was not around then... People are looking for a return to normalcy and uniform-style work clothes help folks remember what making an honest living was all about. Now everyone wants to look honest and hard-working - like the folks in the pocosin...

PS - Auburn obliterated South Carolina - although the scoreboard says the game was not quite an obliteration. Nevertheless, Auburn won, the Establishment is restored, and the New Guard is repressed. War Eagle. My sister also passed the bar exam and she's a full fledged attorney.

Enjoy the day...

More fun groups!

2010-09-23T08:28:00.002-04:00

It's been a few days since I have been able to blog, but if I am busy in the morning I will never get around to it by the afternoon - that's when it really gets busy!

Today we have Wilson Chamber of Commerce and the Quilters coming in for for teambuilding and, well, quilting, obviously.

I'll be with Wilson throughout the day...I'll make them sweat! I am so AWESOME at Challenge Course facilitation and that's probably why they (and others) come back so often.

This weekend is survival Saturday in College Football. Auburn plays South Carolina. UNC suspended 2 more players in their tryst with NCAA violations...

Enjoy the day...

Big Weekend, Auburn wins thriller

2010-09-20T07:59:00.003-04:00

This past weekend the 4-H Center hosted the Ironmen Retreat for the guys out of Great Bridge...we also had a wedding rehearsal and wedding reception for Brandy Mann (Basnight before Saturday at 5:00 pm)! The weekend put the wraps on what was a big week. This week will be just as busy, though! Wilson Chamber of Commerce will come in for a Challenge Course "gauntlet", along with a big Friday luncheon for some judges, and the Perquiman's Quilting women!

The wedding was lots of fun, but hectic in the final hours leading up to service. SIKE! We have totally got stress free food service down to an art. But we also have some talented servers and prep staff that make it so much easier. Comments like "SOOO Good!" and "That was the best D@?*# wedding foo I have EVER had" put the proof into the proverbial pudding, though...

Saturday was also a big day in college football, but not the monstrous day that was the prior weekend. Only NC State won and that was on Thursday night. UNC lost to the Ramblin Wreck, while ECU's wheels fell off in Blacksburg. At least Virginia Tech has recovered from their horrific, embarrasing genesis. Duke was also ripped by Alabama.

Auburn, my favorite, played Clemson in Round 1 of the South Carolina State Championship this weekend. Round 2 is next week when we take on the South Carolina Gamecocks, future alma mater of Sydney the Pool Lifeguard.

Nevertheless, ESPN's Gameday Television show was on hand to make the day even bigger. Since Auburn's tradition of "All Auburn, All Orange" was not going to take place (Clemson has the same color and we hate being confused with them), Auburn fans decided to wear all Navy in a operation called "True Blue". I have always like Auburn's navy over Orange when it comes to fan dress. The stadium looked spectacular. Also, fans toted navy shakers, or pom-pom's, which gave the stadium a "black out" feel. I wish I could have been there, but alas, I could not. However my sister and dad apparently had a great time.

Auburn started mortifyingly slow. Clemson did not. Auburn's offense never got going and Clemson was playing over their head. Until about :02 seconds left in the first half. Auburn's Wes Byrum kicked a simple field goal to make the score 17-3 at the half.

Auburn came out in the second half and moved the ball with ease. Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton completed a pass in the endzone. It was to a Clemson defender.

Newton rebounded. Auburn immediately scored 21 more points and in dramatic fashion. Clemson eventually scored scored a tying touchdown which propelled the game into overtime. Auburn could not punch it in and settled for a field goal. Clemson marched directly to the endzone only to have Auburn defenders halt their advances in the closing yards. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker, who was apparently hurt, also missed an open receiver in the endzone that would have nailed Auburn's coffin shut. Clemson kicks a field goal, but was called for an illiegal snap. The do-overhooked to the left and Auburn won. WHEW!

Enjoy the day...

more of the same

2010-09-15T15:18:00.002-04:00

Cooked Breakfast and lunch for out retreat group today...will do the same today. I went overboard with the cheese on my lasagna, but is that a bad thing... I think not.

My playlist for the kitchen:
Pearl Jam
Metallica - From the Load Album
Sparks the Rescue
Bush - the first album
Ryan Bingham
Tom Petty

It adds inspiration to the meal. In the kitchen I'm like a firefighter and a juggler - putting out fires and catching a lot of stuff.

Enjoy the day... Fall Fashion Guide coming on Friday...

Busy morning thus far...

2010-09-14T11:01:00.002-04:00

Here's the Chase Luker highlight reel for Tuesday, Sept 14:

24 eggs
32 honey wheat pancakes
2 lbs. bacon
34 hamburgers
4 lbs of salad
1 turkey burger
2 gallons potato salad
40 Cookies
25 Lemon Bars
Coffee, tea, water

Auburn is playing in 3D on Saturday night!!!!

After lunch clean-up, I'll be the Program Director...

Enjoy the day!

Big Weekend, Football review, Waterfowl season look-ahead

2010-09-13T08:04:00.002-04:00

This weekend we had two class reunions, a youth program group, and a Christian Women's Retreat...WHEW!

Casper and I ran programs for the kids from Kinston who were actually here via the Scuppernong River...they stayed in a river cottage and came on out for some archery, challenge course, and the ever popular climbing wall. The climbing wall is the ultimate challenge for children. The wall has 3 sides, each accelerating in difficulty. I like to belay on the difficult sides and see kids struggle and eventually overcome the challenge of elevation, coordination, and cautious fear. Nevertheless, it was a pretty awesome group and all kids that attempted made it to the top of the wall. Apparently you can see a McDonald's from up there. I never have, though...but I am usually just ready to come back down.

The Class reunions of Columbia High 1960 and Creswell High 1990 turned out to be pretty cool. Yours truly was personally charged with quantitative meat production. I had a mountain of ribeye to climb, but did so with the deftness of Lee Scripture. He is not the only man who can cook 100's of pounds of flesh in short and tasty order. I pride myself on a perfect lattice-work of sear marks, which I happened to achieve this time around. I wish I could cook steaks to order, but it would just involve to much waiting for our hungry patrons. I usually cook half of them medium and the other half well-done - really well-done. Steak should never be eaten well-done, though. But that's my personal preference.

This past weekend was dubbed Monster Saturday by the talking heads on ESPN. Auburn played and won on Thursday night, so my nerves could take a break this weekend and just hope for upsets. The only notable upset was Virginia Tech's loss to James Madison....the Dukes powered out a victory of Tech...much to the Chagrin of our very own Kali Beach. She's our lifeguard/shooting sports/loudmouth du summer. Brittany Farlow, another summer staffer was pleased with the performance of her school and was quick to point out the vistory to Kali via facebook.

NC State and ECU won, which also satisfied the rest of the summer staff, especially Josh Wall who might be one of the greatest sports fans ever to be employed by moi. South Carolina also took it to Georgia (finally), leaving summer staff member Sydney Crawley with tears of joy. Her celebration was apparently interrupted by her duties at the neighborhood smoothie shop. I love to see staffers get "other" jobs during the school year. They are usually begging to come back to summer camp by October.

Waterfowl season is just around the corner, too. Those that know me also know that I will enter a state oc sleepless nirvana as I chase the south-traveling pochards. As automatic as the full moon, so is the annual migration of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other prairie nesting birds. I don't blame them. When the water and shores are frozen, they just head south. Eastern North Carolina is a haven for many wintering waterfowl, most notably the Tundra Swan. Roughly 90% winter in Tyrrell and Hyde counties every year. To see the birds in a field is to think that a snow-white blizzard has blown through. in flight, hundreds of birds sound like a flute and trumpets-only orchestra. Off key, but on point as well. This year should be a great season as the spring of 2009 was very wet in the northern prairies. Breeding duck counts were high. All of the water on the prairies made it tough for predators to eat omelettes, too. Their southern migration in 2009 was met with record rainfall, leaving literally millions of acres (most out of reach to sportsmen and women) under water and providing safety. In turn, more ducks returned to the prairies and were met with wet conditions there, which increased nest success. Some have headed southward already. Mostly teal and some ocean ducks, but soon enough, we'll begin to hear the swans and see the bluebills on the Sound. The addition of a layout boat to my arsenal of paraphenalia will bring added to sport. I also handpainted and burlapped many of my traditional Herter's decoys. The art in this is not painting them specifically, but attempting to mimic nature in the deployment. For those that think hunters have lost touch, I beg to differ. To fool a wary bird into a stool of decoys is like getting a horse to ride a cowboy.

This week we have Opening Doors for several days. The University-based diversity course is pretty cool! I'll also be preparing their daily 1st and 2nd meals. I'll be up early...This weekend there's a wedding, too. Auburn plays Clemson - ESPN's Gameday will be there, which saddens me. I really miss going to the games with my poppa, but we'll rendezvous in late-October for the Auburn - LSU game!

Enjoy the day...

Auburn wins, staff disappointed

2010-09-10T08:14:00.003-04:00

Last night, my beloved Auburn Tigers took the field for a Thursday night prime time game against Mississippi State....a school that is favored by several of my summer staff, ladyfriend, and other friends. In what was supposed to be an offensive showcase for both teams, it turned out to be a dirty and nasty defensive battle. I think. For the past 13 games, Auburn's defense appeared to be the football version of a wet paper sack. Teams tore through them, only impeded by their own incompetence. A new defensive scheme, young ball players, and a host of other things contributed to this abberration. Auburn's defense is usually as stout as a gorilla or 3. Mississippi State has been on tough times since the departure of Jackie Sherril back in the early part of the decade. He was a funny guy. He often accused other teams of filling footballs with helium. He was a good coach and fun to watch, though. Dan Mullen, the new coach at MSU appears to have wrighted the ship, which makes me nervous...there's already plenty of competition in the SEC West.

Nevertheless, Auburn's offense fired up right out of the gates only to stall once the intermission was reached. That's when Auburn's defense stepped up and pushed down the Dogs. I heard lots of cowbells ringing last night on TV, which is supposed to warrant a fine. But the loudest bell that was heard was the poor ball carrier's that was leveled by Auburn linebacker Josh Bynes.

Today, Camtech, a group pf students from Camden County will make their way to the Center for a little teambuilding and a Giant Swing. Casper and I will facilitate lots of fun games and initiatives before the participants have to challenge themselves on the Giant Swing.

This weekend, we are hosting Kingdom Kids for programming, a Christian womens' retreat, a 50 year class reunion, and a 20 year class reunion. I think my 10 year class reunion is next year. I hope I can go to it! Many people in my rural Alabama school system sat in class with me everyday from Kindergarten 'til Commencement...and I haven't seen them since. I know that many of them have already conceded their lives to the mundane hum-drum of adulthood with marriages and baby carriages, but some haven't...their the ones with the tattoos and Lamborghini's. I have a Jeep and no tattoos, but as always, I'm the exception to acceptable.

Enjoy the day...

Mittie turns 21

2010-09-09T07:52:00.002-04:00

On Monday, our beloved Ms. Mittie turned 21 years young, at least according to the sinful cake prepared by Nikki, our Reservationist. We celebrated the occasion with a frying of fish (and fried hotdogs), hushpups, coleslaw, and boiled potatoes. Lee and Terri fried the mullet (nope, it didn't taste muddy), Teresa provided the cole slaw, Charles made the potatoes (which were peeled beautifully), Sara brought decorations (and maybe food), and I made the Coca-Cola.

Interestingly enough, Lee does not eat fish. He does like to take control of virtually every situation to establish dominance. He likes to provide to meet our needs, such as nutrition, when the opportunity arises. Nevertheless, the mullet, which I was terribly skeptical about, was as good as any flounder I've sunk my gums into. The hushpups were a different story, but we'll revisit that on a later blog.

Nikki's cake was the show stopper. Apparently the icing was made with Crisco. I didn't think I liked to eat Crisco, but I'm now willing to recant that statement. With the smug clarity I extend in the culinary arts, I had condemned the icing to less than memorable things. Wrong. It was as good as any buttercream icing that I can beat out...or buy.

Speaking of cooking, I'll be doing plenty of that next week. On Monday night, I'll be cooking for a smallish group. Obviously, it's much easier to cook for small groups - but I like to take it seriously. I'll be baking chicken (Robuchon-style), mashed potatoes (1 lb potato to 1/4 butter) - then I'll put them through a sieve. I'll also crank out some green beans and maybe a cheesecake. I'll also have the opportunity of serving the food, so that I can get immediate feedback. Cooking is an art, not a service. Bernice - one of our cooks - epitomizes this in it's highest regard. Bernice is often requested by user groups to prepare her greens and fried foods...nobody ever requests me. Anyway, Bernice enjoys her work as much as I enjoy being Program Director...I'm glad we have her around.

She'll be preparing food for the upcoming class reunions this weekend, but I'll take my rightful place behind the grill. While Lee contends that he is the Master of the Flame, I hold that he is Master of the Lame. I turn out perfectly cooked Ribeye's, but I hold no responsibility for those who seek a well-done steak. Good luck chewing...

Enjoy the day...

Dogs and Cats

2010-09-08T07:54:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone that reads this has a dog. A cat will do. I also hope that everyone that reads this blog intends on keeping their pet at home and not taking it to any restaurant I'll be dining at in the near future. Why do hold this smug wish? According to the friendly news lady on the television set last night, North Carolina law now allows for folks to take their pets (not service animals) in to restaurants, as long as the restaurant has a pet-friendly atmosphere. You can rest assured that service animals are only welcome at the Eastern 4-H Center...

Don't get me wrong, my favorite little dog in the world, Olivia, can sit below the table I'm eating at, as long as it as at a private residence. Miss Olivia will not be approaching the table looking for dinner. Actually, she will. That's why I wouldn't take her anywhere to eat. Dogs lick, sniff, and bark at any food item. Just like a crying baby, it gets annoying. I will never take a crying baby into a restaurant, either...especially one with dogs.

Who needs to take their dog out to eat anyway? My parents had 30 cows as pets...are they welcome at a restaurant? Animals belong in a restaurant...on a plate....especially livestock.

I once ate at a restaurant that had a proficient amount of felines in and around the restaurant. The former restaurant served decent eats, but I always left sneezing. Sure, the 6-toed cats of Key West may be cute, but they belong on the streets, keeping the rat population in control.

Service dogs should be in restaurants. They can behave themselves, as long as humans can behave themselves. It's not a good idea to touch a service animal, either. They might actually be working. I don't like to be touched while I'm working?

I'll get off that tangent and begin another act of randomness. Fellow Bulls Bay Blogger Mega Jones has "Take it or Leave it Tuesdays"....I look forward to these. And I generally agree with her. And while Megan takes lots of wonderful pictures (www.memory-lane-photos.blogspot.com) her music recommendations always leave me curious. Eric Church is good, but my all time favorite band, Bush, is finally releasing a new record!

Today, I'm trying mullet for the first time. Terri, our housekeeper, says it tastes like Rock (rockfish, striper, whatev) but that it can also taste muddy. Here's to that. I think Rockfish season is just around the corner, too. Prevalent visitors to this blog have read all too much about my shortcomings as a fisherman. However, it is time for North Carolina's resident Canada Goose season. East of HWY 17 (my location) has a generous limit, but it is far more restrictive than those that live in the piedmont and westward. Resident Canada Geese my look docile, but they are far from it. They terrorize local grops and vegetation, as well as golfers. They have few enemies, too. Their willingness to live in your backyard is conducive to keeping predators at bay. Canadas also nudge out other herbivorous species that were long native to the area. They also go to the bathroom too much. So if you have the opportunity to harves a goose or 7, do so. It's help native species out and put a little meat on the table. Also - these are the "Giant" race of Canadas, so they are the biggest. Some scientists think that there are as many as 12 "races" of Canadas, ranging from the 2 pound Aleutian (which numbered only in the hundreds 20 years ago) to the 15 pound giants. The smaller the race, the more shrill the honk, too. Nevertheless, they are all flocked up on big water and feeding on local farmers waste grain fields at the moment. The grain helps to "clean out" the birds normal summer diet of animal matter and swamp seeds. These items give the animal and it's meat an extra strong flavor. The animal matter is high in protein, which is needed to recover from nesting and raising a brood, but it also makes the meat extremely lean...find a way to cook it, though! I once prepared snow goose as I do other species of waterfowl...big mistake. It lacks the fat of other birds, but if there's a way, I'm gonna find it...

Enjoy the day

Labor Day weekend, College football!

2010-09-07T09:26:00.002-04:00

Labor Day has come and gone...but with it, we had fantastic weather and even better college football games! While Earl ruined our early weekend groups (we had to postpone until October 29 for Operation 4-Heroes Wounded Warrior Family Camp), it got out in time for the skies to clear and the temps to cool. Labor Da weekend also saw the Dove season opener, too.

Dove hunting is a great way to introduce a new sportsman - young or old - to hunting. Doves are small migratory birds that feature understated, but beautiful sandy-bronze plumage. They make for challenging targets, especially with an Eastern NC tailwind, but none are too swift for yours truly. Sike. I missed more than I harvested, but how may doves can one dude eat, anyway! All total, I think we bagged around 20 at a public hunting location, pretty good for some of the antics that can be experienced from other hunters at such places. Speaking of eating - there may not be a milder game bird in the sky. Doves taste a lot like chicken wings - just not as greasy. I like them deep fried or wrapped in bacon and grilled to medium rare. One of the highlights was taking summer staff member Kali Beach on a dove shoot. She bagged 3...but her best talent serves as a retreiver. She had a knack for finding downed birds in cover and "huntin' 'em up"...

East Carolina and NC State both had big wins over the weekend. NC State beat an overmatched Western Carolina team - but everybody likes cupcakes on Labor Day weekend. East Carolina sent Hurricane Earl Packing on Friday and welcomed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to Dowdy-Ficklen. The game was back and forth the entire time, but the coffin was nailed shut when an East Carolina receiver caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass with no time left. It was Coach Ruff's debut game...I expected to see a little more defense from a former Defensive Coordinator, but was just as pleased with the final outcome.

UNC took a punch to the guts from LSU. LSU took it to the 'Heels early on, but like all good teams (even those down a pile of starters), they came back and had chances to win in the final seconds.

My Auburn Tigers opened their season with a throttling of Arkansas State - a tricky Sun Belt conference team that's known for taking good teams wire-to-wire. Auburn hung 52 on the Red Wolves, with new Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton Stealing the show and turning in a highlight reel. Auburn plays Mississippi State in PRIMETIME on Thursday night...my lady friend is a Bulldog friend, but proclaims this game a win-win situation for her...not so fast...pick one or the other.

My personal Labor Day activities included the above noted dove shooting, a trip to the flats at Oregon Inlet, and quick ride up and down the Scuppernong, and seeing some friends and watching football...typical, but fun.

The Eastern 4-H Center is celebrating Mittie Hamilton's birthday - I'm not telling her age, though...she's still very feisty! This week, we'll entertain youth groups from Camden and Washington County, as wel as two reunions and a Christian Women's Retreat. The going's on here are really going and breaks are few and far between on the weekends. Weddings are also taking up several of our weekends...so the food is going from good to great (good is ambitious according to camp staff who ate camp food for 10 weeks - but they don't like anything except chicken fingers and iPods).

Enjoy the day...

Earl

2010-09-03T10:30:00.002-04:00

Dear Hurricane Earl,

I really enjoyed your "visit" on Thursday night. I went to the grocery store yesterday to prepare for your visit. It looks like everyone else had invited you, too - they were all at the grocery store with me. I am sure you visited a lot of houses - sorry about the ones that were boarded up, though. I guess they just didn't want you inside the house. You were a big ole' fellow the last time I saw you on television!

I am not sure what everyone was preparing for you...I saw a lot of milk, eggs, and bread...and some water - but you brought plenty of water with you, right? I didn't know hurricanes liked milk and eggs. I planned something special for you...I had coolers of ice water, a lantern, fruit roll-ups, nectarines, pretzels, and spaghetti sauce. I figured you would like the variety...and every time a hurricane visited me in Alabama, we always had spaghetti or soup - we even made spaghetti on the grill...only to have the electricity power back on the minute after we blessed our meal.

Anyway - I put away all of my valuables - I heard that you can be a pilferer. However, I did leave somethings out for you...a sink full of dirty dishes and an old N'SYNC cd...I need somebody to take that away. It's funny, I put all of my things away, tied down the boats, and tied up the decoys and I really believe you didn't stop by our neighborhood...I'm quite alright with that, but you really should have called if you weren't coming. Even the people on the TV set said you would be by here...you were one rude fellow...it looks like you have taken your friends Fiona and Gaston with you, too. Did they not want to come, either? Since you were so rude this time, I have declared that you, or none of your other buddies are invited to return. We got all ready for YOU. Did you think we would not be prepared? Silly you... us folks on the coast are always ready for a guest, wanted or not. I am sorry the boarded windows appeared uninviting. Nevertheless, don't waste your time in New England...they really are ready for you, but are not interested in seeing you come in as a lesser storm, and whisper wind and rain on their prime real estate. Anyway - you may even run into an early Nor'easter up there one day...they make a silly little hurricane like you appear weak. If you do go, please take lot's of pictures. Nevertheless, thanks for not coming by...

Thanks,
Chase

Busy Again / Rendezvous with Earl

2010-08-31T09:01:00.002-04:00

Summer is now considered over in my mind...program groups and conferences the past couple of weeks, along with several meetings, has helped to extradite the FUN summer camp season. This weekend, I'll have several camp staff in as we host Operation Military Kid Family Camp...better knows as our own Operation: 4-Heroes!!!! We have a bunch of families coming over to canoe, swim, hike, and a host of other activities.

Earl is also en route to the Outer Banks...let's hope it stays enough offshore to prevent evacuations, and most importantly, property and personal damage. In the event Earl decides to tango with the Eastern 4-H Center - we have a full action plan that we will put into motion. Basically anything that can take flight will be secured.

This past weekend, we hosted the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Edenton Baptist Church Youth retreat...Rock climbing satiated their energy reserves, and helped to build a spirit of camaraderie.

Nevertheless, it's time to start tying down items - just in case!

Enjoy the day...

A Break?

2010-08-20T10:17:00.002-04:00

So over the past few days, virtually everyone I know has asked me if I was ready for my "break"...the "break" being the time between the end of camp and the pre-camp planning which usually begins in mid-September. My retort is "What break?!"

Sure, I will take some time off when possible, but to be honest, I get a little bored when I have nothing to do. And there is no "break." This weekend (starting at noon Friday), We have 4 different groups using the facility! It is great to be busy...the Northeast Regional Directors are meeting and eating today, along with two overnight groups - the Laymen's League, and The North Carolina Association of Student Councils...following on their heels are the ECU Williams Leadership retreat...we are doing programming for NCASC and Williams...it'll be tons of fun.

The weekend is supposed to have nice weather. Granted, weather has been pretty good for camp activities all summer, we can use the rain, if it is not too late. Most of the corn has shriveled up and beans are still short, like me.

Next week, I'll be in and out of the office tending to a variety of matters...I'll also take some time off, too!

My sister was just up for a visit with my lady friend, who moved from Pittsboro to Edenton over the summer. We hosted my sister and took her all over the region. I even took her out in the D.S. Yella Dog (Duck Ship Yella Dog). We rode throughout the Northwest fork and the lower reaches of the Alligator - in hopes of seeing an alligator. Only one possible sighting occured in the form of a slim wake...when gators plunge from the shoreline muck, they immediately dive and leave a wake much like a ski boat...followed by ominous bubbles. We also spotted several eagles, a few resident wood ducks and black ducks, along with a nutria. I enjoyed describing the pocosin environment to her...she really enjoyed the stark beauty of such a remote and wild place - a place theat Tyrrell County should be proud of...

Nevertheless, it's time to get back to work!

Enjoy the day...

Summer Camp Highlights

2010-08-19T07:59:00.002-04:00

The summer camp season has officially come to an end...Between the start and finish there were hundreds of special moments for campers, staff, and volunteers. Generally, I lean more towards the funny moments as some of my favorites...kid's say the darndest things, right?

The smallest staff I have ever trained strafed right through one of the most dramatic and diverse programs in the summer. I am so proud of the job they did. And while no summer staff is ever perfect, this one came close on most occasions. One of the most difficult jobs I have is to manage 25 different personalities. It is IMPOSSIBLE to manage every one the same way...though that's how many would say it has to be done. When working conditions call for 100 degree heat, rambunctious children, and a healthy, tasty - but redundant - menu, people will become hyper-stressed...all while trying to figure out what the heck they will be doing in school in the coming months. I enjoy the challenge. I like to watch people dig deep. Even better, it's nice to know that they are doing it for me (or the paycheck that I provide to them)...

Nevertheless, the two funniest things I heard a child say this year were:

(1)

"Lemme shoot that boom-a-lang!" This was in reference to our International Night program...our Aussie counselor showcased a boomerang...her New Zealand counterpart was a whiz at tossing it...the results were impressive, obviously motivating a 9 year old American to do the same, and immediately. Obviously because of the dangers, the "boom-a-lang was not tossed by a child, but they were allowed to hold it and examine it...

(2)

"The bottom of the Pool smells like my cat..." Not sure if the kid was being truthful or not. Can you smell the bottom of the pool without taking in a nare full of water? Probably not...though all of the staff, including myself, went to the bottom for a sniff. Also - It would have helped us, though, if we knew what the feline smelled like. The cat might have smelled like nothing. Nevertheless, the campers announcement was made in public...I saw 8 year old children contemplate the blurt...all left scratching their heads...

Also - campers would wear funny shirts, staff had crazy nicknames, and some staff became vegetarians on certain days...There are many joys of operating a summer program, but the Grand Poobah is seeing children have fun and enjoy the freedom of being a kid...

Enjoy the day...

One of the best in the history of the world....

2010-08-06T08:45:00.001-04:00

Here they are...THE BASTE!

Enjoy the day...

Takeoff 4-Health Week 2

2010-08-03T07:48:00.001-04:00

Sorry I haven't put any updates in a while, but I'll catch up soon!

We are smack down in the middle of Takeoff 4-Health - a great summer camp program and partnership between Brody School of Medicine and North Carolina 4-H! We have some of the brightest minds in the world concerning childhood obesity hanging out in our office tackling one of the most important health challenges of the generation!

I'll try and post some pictures soon! Nevertheless, with our reduced staff, Lee and I have spent considerable time in the kitchen, too. Lee made an incredible (and healthy) black bean salsa that the staff and campers are still raving about. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing, Zumba dancing, yoga, swimming, water aerobics and a bunch more!

Enjoy the day...

Canvasback and Sailing Camp, great success!

2010-07-23T10:09:00.006-04:00

Canvasback and Sailing Camp were pretty amazing this week! Special Thanks to Roger Morgan, our Sailing Instructor for the great information, lessons, and fun that he provided to our staff and campers. He is the reason our Sailing camp is SOOO much fun.

Camp Canvasback is not possible with out the hekp of the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission! Hunter Education Specialist David Denton helps recruit instructors and arrange special field trips that add a lot to the camp. Also Kevin Briggs of Noah's Ark Waterfowl and Caro Coviello brought ducks and dogs, respectively, that help to round out the program.

See all the pictures below!

Here's Carl and a Camper with Carl's star retriever, Jack. Find out more about Carl at http://www.blackwaterkennels.com/

Here's Kevin with a "Pillard" - half Pintail, half Mallard. Kevin operates Noah's Ark Waterfowl in Edenton!

Here are our sailors picnicin' at the mouth of the Scuppernong...They really loved Captain Morgan!

Enjoy the weekend!

Lost

2010-07-19T07:37:00.002-04:00

Last week, blogging was totally lost in my mind. I apologize! Last week we entertained the North Carolina Grange Summer Camp. I really look forward to them marching in with their rich tradition and fun campers, who return year after year.

Speaking of returning campers...this week we have Cloverbud Camp, which is for 5-8 year old children. Hopefully they will all be return campers. Marine Science and Sailing is also this week. Many of them are back for a second run. Camp Canvasback, my heavily biased favorite is entertaining many children that have been here three times!

Sailing Camp will learn to sail (obviously)...so I hope they all expect to learn. Roger Morgan is our Sailing instructor and always builds a great rapport with the teens.

Camp Canvasback is for the aspiring waterfowler. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission teaches Hunter Education and Firearm Safety. My staff will teach Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, and a host of other things. Kevin Briggs, a local State Trooper will be bringing live ducks for Waterfowl ID. I will be teaching an activity on decoy history, making, painting, restoring, and tactics. I may know more than anyone because I have learned through trial and error. Anyway - it'll be a fun week. After this, we only have three more weeks of camp to go...

Enjoy the day...

4-H Week 2

2010-07-05T09:55:00.002-04:00

Believe it or not, but just go ahead and believe it when I tell ya' that we are in our FOURTH week of Summer Camp. Yesterday was the anniversary or America's departure from the Queen...better know n as Independence Day.

The weekend around the Sound is always fun on big holidays...especially July 4 weekend. On July 3, I took out the DS Yellow Dog (DS is Duck Ship)...the Sound had a chop, but the river was NICE. That night I went to a pg pickin' on the Sound...beautiful sunset, bug free, and delish...

Yesterday, the 4th, we opened our doors to counties like Hyde, Tyrrell, Durham, Perquimans, Northampton, Halifax, Gates, Bertie, Hertford, and Beaufort to 4-H Camp...last night we had our Opening Ceremony. Afterwards, we all watched firworks on the Boardwalk. The only thing better than a fireworks show is SIX FIREWORKS shows! That's right! Edenton, Hertford, Plymouth, Edenton, Albemarle Plantation, and our friendly neighbors all put on dazzling displays...we could see and hear firworks in a 180 degree plane, all over the Albemarle....

Today, Lee is cooking a pig...another pig picking! This is to much for me to bear, but don't worry about me, I'll "suffer" through... check out the pics...

Enjoy the day...

4-H Week!

2010-06-28T07:41:00.002-04:00

We are already into week 3 of summer camp and our first batch of 4-H'ers is in the house! Last noghts Opening Ceremony was dubbed the Greatest Show on Earth by a multitude of campers. Many of our campers are from the western part of the state and have never seen the flat portions east of I-95.

Big events arescheduled throughout the week...our adventure campers are looking forward to spending the night in the wilderness after paddling one of the great blackwater rivers of the coast.

Talent shows, dances, and Scavenger hunts round out the night activities.

Enjoy the week...

Military Experience Day at Operation Purple Camp

2010-06-23T20:15:00.002-04:00

Some digital images...

Sweltering...

2010-06-22T11:13:00.001-04:00

Heat index today: 103
Heat index tomorrow: 103

It's just so hot down here...this summer we have had 22 days of 90 degree (or better) weather. Last year we had 4 at this point.

Tonight is the Scavenger hunt. Last night, staff members discovered my first name, which to this point, had been as secretive as the Manhattan Project.

The week is going well, despite the heat. Next week, we have 4-H groups coming from several different counties. We are really looking forward to it, but will certainly miss the wonderful campers brought to us during Operation Purple Camp!

Enjoy the day...

Week Deaux!

2010-06-21T11:10:00.002-04:00

Operation Purple Camp is in Week 2! Roughly 105 campers, 29 staff (including Lee and I) are enjoying the warm temps outside and the cool temps inside.... Last night's Opening Ceremony was pretty amazing, complete with a "Purple" sunset. After a quick poll of the campers, I have decided that virtually all children attending here are of the Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army, and Navy persuasion, while few if any are linked to NOAA, the Public Health Service, or the national Guard.

Military Experience Day this week will be akin to last weeks - two or three static displays, an awesome speaker, and Top 10!

Campers will enjoy the Giant Swing, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, teambuilding, ecology, and FEFA soccer (FEFA = Fourh Entertaining "futbol" Activity). Oh yeah, the pool, just as last week, is still abuzz with fun...it's always a hit! Tonight is International Night...Our counselors from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Scotland will lead activities about the homelands...

This week, we'll have the Eastern 4-H Center Hunt for Scavengers, Talent Show, and Dance, too. Me no like dance. Me like talent show. Campers like dance...

I posted staff pictures in digitized format on the Eastern 4-H Ctr facebook page, too - so look at them - and add us as a "fan"...

In unrelated decoy news...I have restled coated my first-ever made from scratch decoys. The are virtually impervious to chemicals, water, and other items of potential destruction in the foul world of fowling. just need to get the paint, matte finish, keel, and heads on and I'm done!

This past weekend, Lee, me, and several staff also went to the Edenton Music and Water Festival. It was hot and we all got a lil' sunburned. We still had lots of fun!

Enjoy the day...

Operation Purple Camp UNDERWAY!!!!

2010-06-14T08:37:00.002-04:00

Operation Purple Camp, a camp for children whose parents are deploy(ed, ing) is well underway. Day 1 was very strong!

A speedy check-in was facilitated by a new process...the Dining hall was nice and quiet...If Summer Camp was a football game, a key to controlling the tempo would be "control the dining hall."

Opening Ceremonies saw the introduction of staff, expectations, meaning of Purple (which is all the colors of the different military branches), an in-depth discussion of Leave No Trace, and more....

Special thanks to the National Military Family Association, Sierra Club, and Sierra Club Foundation for making this week possible.

I'll be brief, but consistent with updates this week...tonight is INTERNATIONAL NIGHT!!!

Enjoy the day...

Staff TRaining underway

2010-06-09T07:46:00.002-04:00

Staff training started over the weekend...so far so good. Long hours has them focused and attentive...and appreciative of that 2 hours of free time at night!

Some of the highlights:

We have a mascot, a black panther as "performed" by Ross, our New Zealand counselor. His international night program dealt with the question "Where is Old Zealand".

Liam our Scottish counselor showed a picture of himself in a kilt. He also showed a picture of an exotic animal in Scotland - a pigeon.

CPR and First Aid was yesterday....special thanks to Lee who taught all day long. I had the lifeguards...so I put them through the rigors of swimming with anchors and such. Raymond set the all time record with the anchor swim - 36 seconds, followed by Maria at 38 seconds, who is recovering from a broken foot in February.

We also have done Rock Climbing, Ages and Stages of Development, and a host of other important activities. The new staff members are adjusting well - thanks to leadership of our returners.

Enjoy the day...

Pre-Season

2010-06-01T08:43:00.002-04:00

Pre-Season is here...Spring training as I like to call it...Summer Staff will arrive later in the week, and we will begin training immediately.

This week, Tyrrell Elementary School will be here today and tomorrow. Thursday I'll head to Greenville to do camper interviews for Takeoff 4-Health...It'll be a busy week. The new cooks are doing well, and survived the Wedding Reception Onslaught, with a great deal of ease, albeit. The reception brought nearly 300 guests to our beautiful facility, and nary a drop of rain fell from the sky as predicted by the Weathermen.

This weekend I managed to take the Yellow Dog out to sea. I put in at Swanquarter Bay, rode the 3 mile ditch into the salty water, took a little used cut through beautiful marsh (the creek is about 2 miles long and 20 feet wide...fun if you have a small nimble craft like the Dog), and turned up in Swanquarter Bay. We rode to Oyster Creek Landing to see all the big shrimp/crab/fishing boats. En Route, we had dolphins playing in the propwash. We also spotted several local black ducks. Black ducks, or Black Mallards, are the wariest of all ducks. They are really tough to decoy, and often look like they don't even trust their fellow flyers. Local ducks are the wariest of all. So decoying a local Black Duck, is virtually impossible...virtually. It has been done.

On the way back a Black Bear, roughly 700 pounds, was spotted in the road. He was absolutely tremendous. We also came across a fox, deer and a 6' Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.

Yesterday, the program staff and I enjoyed a cookout at the Staff House...Boston Butt, Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, Big Girl's Macaroni and Cheese, Watermelon, and Creamsicle Cake. I cooked, the ate. But I am their provider, at least that's what I tell 'em.

I also finished painting my decoys. I completed a Sleeping Bluebill, encased in masticized burlap and painted to perfection. I have gotten better and better. I also finished a Canvasback, 2 other Bluebills, and 25 Surf Scoters. I have 7 more to do...6 of which are from scratch. I will be Restle Coating from here on out. Burlapping and Restleing provides years of use from decoys. You can only burlap the foam ones. I like the foam ones, though...here's why: Cork co$t$ tons of money, plastic is cheap that's what everyone uses, wood is to heavy. I like to hunt over classic decoys, and hand painting and finishing adds to the thrill.

Enjoy the day...

Updates

2010-05-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Since the week began, we have been really busy. The Tyrrell-Washington Partnership for Children banquet was a monumental success. The patrons raved about Bernice's (our cook) Collards and Smothered Chicken. Not sure if you like collards cooked in with a streak of lean and a streak of fat with red pepper and sugar, but 100 folks did that night. The chicken was phenomenal. The group leader wanted to know if we could save the chicken for a Door Prize. Obviously the answer was "NO!" But we were filled with flattery.

Jackson Middle School came all the way from Greensboro for Environmental Education and Rock climbing activities. The 80 os so kids here had a phenomenal time with our great program staff and fun activities...Kali "The Beast" taught Food Webs, while AJ, Casper, and Lil' MeMe belayed their hearts out at the climbing wall.

On top of all of this action, I have been training our 3 new cooks. Training cooks is a long process, but if done well, can save lots of time down the road. Staff training for Camp Staff, a process I am much more familiar with is just days away!

This weekend, we have a GIANT wedding reception here...I'll be busy all day Saturday...There is also a family reunion on Sunday, and I'll be "On Call" for that, too!

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend...

The Week ahead

2010-05-24T08:13:00.002-04:00

This week at the Eastern 4-H Center, one can expect to see people everyday, everywhere. Today, though, we have a break in the action as the crew turns around buildings for Tuesday nights banquet, Wednesday's Program Group, Thursday's program group, Thursday's Board Meeting, and Friday's & Saturday's Wedding reception set-up and carryout. Sunday there's a family reunion, too.

I have about two weeks to put the finishing touches on my summer camp plans. Registration for many camps is so close to being closed that, well, I t is just really close.

The Scuppernong Gazette named it's monthly Man of the Month. It's Lee Scripture, our very own Center Director, Head of all Honchos, and the Biggest of Cheeses. He's no Cheez Whiz, though. One day, I'll be Man of the Month. I have a sparkling resume'. I once completed the "gallon of milk in an hour" challenge. Lee has earned it, and it maybe overdue, so congralations to him. Also in the Scupernong Gazette, one can find interesting readings on the Red Wolf. There are endagered species, and then there is the Red Wolf. Alligators and Eagles were once endangered, but they recovered enough to rob me of downed waterfowl on the black waters of the Hushmouth. I have seen a few Red Wolves, but never in the Duck Blind. Odds are the Rd won't recover like the aforementioned species. There's plenty of room and board for the wolves right now, but they probably will not cross the western boundaries of Tyrrell County's pocosin.

In related news, my vessel now has a new fuel line. I rarely fix things, in the mechanical sense. This could be one for the books. With Memorial Day around the corner, the craft must be ready for the open waters, though. Those were my marching orders from my lady friend. She ordered, I marched.

Enjoy the day...

LeaderShape update

2010-05-21T14:16:00.002-04:00

Quick chance to blog, so I'll take it...

Leadershape is going GREAT....all remarks about the Team Challenge Course, facilitated by our very own Kali, Mea, Casper, and AJ have been stupendous. Even the food is good...which I can take 2/3 credit for, as I have cooked 2 meals a day, every day this week, all while cmpleting staff training lesson plans and hiring. Oh, and planning next weeks activities for Jackson Middle School, 2 banquets, and a wedding. WOW.

In aquatics related news, I took my first 200 m swim of the season yesterday...fininshing at 3:08...that's only 1 minute off the pace of a former world record. Better yet, I demolished the dreams of Kali, professional lifeguard and program staffer. She attempted to beat me. FAIL. In fact, she regailed that it was her best time ever, but it was my first swim of the season. Oh, I beat her in a sprint, too. So, I out-competed a girl! And, YES, I am proud of that. She's not any girl. She's the "beast".

Will try to blog when I can...enjoy the weekend.

3 weeks and counting...

2010-05-17T08:11:00.002-04:00

Only 3 weeks to go until Staff Training starts...things are finally starting to shape up! This past weekend saw the Roanoke Chowan Hospital Board of Directors and the Royal Ambassadors come and go...by all accounts the food, educational programs, and lodgin were fantastic...it's no secret to us, though.

I spent the majority of the weekend in the Kitchen, again, cooking and serving, along with the Program Staff, who offer to pitch in early and often. They are a giant help to me and the Center as a whole. They are talented, or at least capable of doing almost everything here, with the exception of fixing things. But they would if they could.

Leadershape arrives today! The LeaderShape Institute of NC State comes every spring for a week long training on leadership. I, as well as the program staff, will interact with them heavily. Last year, as I was doing icebreakers with a group of 20 or so, astonished the masses by memorizing everyone's name, hometown, and major - while blindfolded - in alphabetical order!!!!! There's only one way to be the best Challenge Course facilitator - beat me.

I'll be doing some food service training this week, as well as programming...so I'll be busy.

In unrelated Boating news, I took my Skiff out yesterday for the shortest bat ride in history. The fuel line coupling was gunked up...I made it about 200 yards, just long enough for all of the fuel in the outboard motor to burn before halting to a stop. I am glad my paddles require no gasoline. I beat the rain by .0002938 seconds. All the while, saying not so good things about the lineage of my outboard motor. A $4 fix alleviated the problem.

I also spent the better part of Sunday night practicing my new hobby - decoy painting. I think I chose the most difficult decoy to paint - the Surf Scoter (see it here by clicking). Although the body is solid black, the face is ornate and colorful. Little is needed to fool these birds, but a nice paint job should make it even easier! I managed to paint about 15, but still have 29 to go. I converted old, damaged, and dilapidated mallard decoys to form the new fakes. Also - They'll all be "longlined" for easy setting and pick-up when pursuing them in the Pamlico.

Enjoy the day!

Return!

2010-05-12T15:05:00.002-04:00

I'm back, but swamped...my blogging will begin to either get shorter or more sporadic!

I enjoyed my trip to Alabama to see my parents. My mom celebrated her 27th Mother's Day, I celebrated my 27th Birthday, my sister graduated Law School, with the Merit of the Order of the Samaritan (whatever that means), I went whitewater kayaking (finally - and I am really awesome at it), a Coosa County Cold Case was solved, I visited my grandfather, ate "real" barbecue, and saw my other sister! Olivia, my lady friend's schnauzer, was bitten by a spider in her mouth. She has been miserable, but is finally recovering.

We have a giant week or three in a row. Opening Doors is here, followed by Roanoke Chowan Hospital doubling with Royal Ambassadors over the weekend. LeaderShape rides in on their coattails Sunday through two Saturdays from now, with two banquets thrown in for good measure. The following Week, Jackson Middle School comes in from the Triad, along with other groups from our local school system. Then Staff Training, then SUMMER CAMP!!!!

I am really excited, but I am also cooking for a lot of our day groups. I am working to train some new cooks and servers, as well.

Enjoy the day...

Early Birthday Treat

2010-05-04T08:41:00.002-04:00

It is May 4. Raining. Finally. It's also 3 days before my birthday, which is not really important to the staff here, since I will be out of town on my birthday.

Not so fast...Sara, Terri, and Teresa, our resident plotters, foiled my escape attempt. Rarely am I here on my birthday anyway...I go to visit my parents and wish my mom and Happy Mother's Day. This year will be no different. Other than my sister graduating from Law School at Bama, the weekend expects to be docile. And I do deserve a break, from work. 500 hundred working hours in two months is quite a bit. But I work for 4-H, so it actually make s working fun, worthwhile, and, well, tough at times.

So anyway, I appear at my office at 7:32 Eastern...from my door, which is on the left side of the narrow hallway, I notice three balloons - pink, red, and blue. Dang! I had hoped to escape without the "celebration" of another anniversary of the day of my birth...Don't get me wrong, I like to celebrate birthdays around here. Employees are usually treated to special treats. Mine was always cheesecake, but I grew to hate cheesecake - which does NOT make me communist. I like to keep my favorite treats a secret, so that I am not deluged with them at every occasion. Chocolate and biscuits, though, are my favorite. And what do you know, I am surprised with those confections on this rainy morn. Molten chocolate, flaky crumbly biscuits, and a giant strawberry or four can turn a birthday into a bright day. I am lucky to work with folks that take the time to recognize big days and treat them as such...

So anyway, if anyone else wishes to surprise me, do so with these:
Chess Squares
Lemon Icebox Pie
1 Dozen Model 72 Herter's BLuebill Decoys or 1 dozen Church's Superstandard Canvasback decoys
4 Fried Quail
1 Car Wash
A phone call

Enough self indulgency. Would like to re-visit Dock of the Bay, but only briefly. My lady friend was able to wander and wonder about on Saturday night, without me asking her to do anything. She wouldn't be voluntold into work, this time around. According to her, she was the hit of the party, but failed to learn shagging...she insisted on dancing "Mis'sippi" style. And she can dance as well as I run from it. By all accounts, the Dock of the Bay was great, as it follows evolutions route into the greatest fundraiser/party in the world. I had rave reviews for my steamed shrimp. I don't like pats on the back for a good job, as I generally expect to do good, and I am generally disgusted by the prevalence of acceptable mediocrity, but those shrimp were pretty incredible. I warned Lee that putting me in charge of them endangered his slef-proclaimed title of Best Heater of Mass Quantities of Meat...You put a boy from the Deep South in charge of the shrimp, and he'll do it right. I call it Voo-doo Magic. Other folks call it Old Bay... Yet, you have to love every meal you cook, especially if you want the folks eating it to love you back. Sure, I steamed 150 pounds of shrimp, but I personally checked each one for appropriateness and afterwards discarded the unacceptable to a vat located in my belly.

Mother's Day is upcoming...my Mom is pretty much the reason I am here today. Mom is a great mom. In my life I have also watched her be a great sister, wife, and daughter. My dad had a Mom like that, too. And while this will be his first Mother's Day without his mom, I know that he'll be happy for my mom. I wrote "mom" a lot in theat paragraph, but mom's are everywhere and everybody has one. Even Lee. And she's a good one, too.

I'll be out for a bit to check on my parents down in Dixie...I will be back next Monday. This weekend, we have the Prom and Elections here...The following week, two retreats, then Leadershape. Before we know it, Summer Camp 2kX. I am still looking for 1 female cabin counselor. Only those interested in working long hours with loud children need apply.

Congratulations to my sister for a storied academic career who will be earning her Juris Doctorate this weekend. We always knew she was special, and almost as smart as me. I feel sorry for any litigant who dares to oppose her. She has always made straight A's - at least until law school. She would have cried over making a B in college, while my parents and I would have celebrated such an occasion for me.

Oh - I'll be 27 on Friday...yes, Dad, that's old - but not nearly as old as you...

Enjoy the day...