There are many annual traditions here at the Eastern 4-H Center...I am also pleased to be a part of them, no matter how clumsy I tend to be from time to time.
Today, Lee, Charles, Bud, myself, and the loyal program staff will be laying seige to the forests around the Center. Our annual "Cull" has us removing dead or dying trees from the forests. We do this with chainsaws, obviously. The best part about the chainsaw, is the sound that it makes...I am especially talented at replicating this sound with my mouth. Otherwise I don't like the chainsaw...it's a series of teeth on a chain that revolve around a bar at 100's of times per second! The sawdust is even a hassle...I just hate it when gets in my hair and ruins my hair products...but, I get to wear a helmet...which is good! The following statement is NOT a joke. I cut a tree (OK, a bush, really) with a chainsaw and it fell on my head. Don't worry it didn't hurt, but I looked like a doofel-dumby. The helmet I wore was probably the lifesaver.
We take a lot of safety precautions when it comes to tree-cutting. We all wear hearing protection...chainsaws are loud. My dad ruined his hearing when he worked at a saw mill in Goodwater, Alabama as a teenager.
We also wear face shields or safety goggles. This keeps sawdust from getting in my eyes...I once went to the emergency room to have a piece removed from the BACK of my eyeball...I was 16 years old (going on 30) and didn't think I "needed" safety goggles...LESSON LEARNED!
My personal favorite are the bright red chaps we wear on our pants...these are briar proof and blade proof...Once I don the chaps, I become a human terminator...I like to forcefully walk through briars and laugh at them when they do not harm me. Here is a taste of what I will be saying all day - "HAHAHAHA! SILLY BRIARS!"
The cutting of the trees is also a safety precaution in itself...a dead tree doesn't last long in these coastal winds...when you cut a tree down, you can dictate where it will fall...so if we do not want it to fall on an Challenge Course element or a road, we cut it...deep in the woods, we let nature take it's course. We also inspect these trees for nesting animals...this can save a tree, unless it is a dangerous situation.
We also cut up the trees into firewood for Summer Camp...it burns quick and fragrant...some trees are left where they lie...this provides important habitat and cover for squirrels, birds, and rabbits.
Nevertheless...the day will be fun...I challenge you to replicate the chainsaw sound with your mouth...but only once...I like to do it when I'm blazing through a long email response or blog post...
February 27, 2009
February 26, 2009
My Worst Ideas
I have always considered myself to be both courageous and creative...this can be good or bad...Many of camp activities have been have been "deleted" by Lee before I even got to talk about them. Normally, Lee will "consider" anything - this means talk about it with you until you are personally convinced that this is a bad idea. He does a good job of entertaining the idea while staring at you the entire time. He placed just outside of the medals at the Beijing Olympic Games in a staring contest - so he's pretty good. But these little gems I dropped on him were thwarted through emails - not even awarded the chance to "consider" the idea with him in his office - which he calls the "parlor." When I do have a good idea, he will let me know that it is good...which is really important. Of course, I like all of his ideas :-)!
So, here are some of my greatest worst ideas ever...
I genuinely thought that cross-country snowboarding would be a good way to fill the Center in the winter months...this was my first ever idea, before I had even participated in an eastern Carolina winter. Lee's email reply was "hahahahahahaha." I thought that he assumed I was joking...so when he asked about it, I said "uhh, yeah, funny joke wasn't it..." and quickly changed the subject to the color of his tie, which by the way, was a neon-flesh tone. Anyway - I thought about it after winter had ended...no snow and no hills make for tough snow sports...and unlike skis, I'm not even sure you can propel yourself on a snowboard.
Hot Air Balloon Rides are always fun, right? I had a guy email me...he was trying to gauge my interest...I though this would be a great idea...The way I envisioned it, kids would slowly rise into the air, being able to see the Albemarle Sound, the swamp, the Town of Columbia, and maybe even the Atlantic Ocean! What an experience...Lee didn't think so...he envisioned children rising through powerlines, fighting stiff ocean breezes, while suspended in mid-air beneath a flaming nylon bag. After I thought about it, he was right. And, I found out that it would cost roughly eleventy thousand dollars to operate a balloon for a day. REALLY BAD IDEA!
The one "idea" I had that I didn't run by Lee was when I decided to go on a special fast one week in the summer. BIG MISTAKE! Other than picking the hottest week of the summer, the idea was virtually fool proof. I would drink lots of coffee to replace the energy lost from eating parsley sparsely...any diet that rhymes is a good idea right?!? Nevertheless, my continuous crying led him to eventually ask what the problem was - and boy did I get it! I was subjected to meat and ice cream poisoning...it is the best remedy for hunger. The diet lasted less than 1 day.
I have had a lot of good ideas, in fact, MOST are reasonable. It's good to have a lot of critical thinkers around here to suppress my creativity from time to time. Being a young professional, I have yet to be subjected to the "On the Job" training of my superiors and co-workers. I am grateful for them...But everybody at the Eastern 4-H Center is susceptible to creating a bad idea. I have seen some doozies - but most are in the realm of fashion - with me the perpetrator of 72.3% of all fashion faux pas'. But, I have a propensity for odd colored pants. Good or bad, all ideas (or lack thereof) are a reflection of your personality. If someone ever comes to you with a "bad" idea, allow them to wonder about it, but as a supervisor you cannot let it come to pass. It is as much fun to have your own ideas as it is to enjoy others' terrible ideas and celebrate their good ones...as long as you are the inspiration behind their ideas. Some people have the ability to inspire creativity...and 100% of the people at the Eastern 4-H Center are the fuel to my creative fire! I enjoy receiving compliments and praise...I also like to impress the staff in the maintenance department, namely Charles. I consider myself blessed to work in an environment were all ideas are encouraged and appreciated, not matter how bad they may seem.
So don't thank me for the "good" ideas, but thank Lee, Nikki, Sara, Teresa, Mittie, Becky, Charles, Bud, and Terri because they either directly or indirectly encourage me...and thank them all for letting me down easy every once in a while, too!
So, here are some of my greatest worst ideas ever...
I genuinely thought that cross-country snowboarding would be a good way to fill the Center in the winter months...this was my first ever idea, before I had even participated in an eastern Carolina winter. Lee's email reply was "hahahahahahaha." I thought that he assumed I was joking...so when he asked about it, I said "uhh, yeah, funny joke wasn't it..." and quickly changed the subject to the color of his tie, which by the way, was a neon-flesh tone. Anyway - I thought about it after winter had ended...no snow and no hills make for tough snow sports...and unlike skis, I'm not even sure you can propel yourself on a snowboard.
Hot Air Balloon Rides are always fun, right? I had a guy email me...he was trying to gauge my interest...I though this would be a great idea...The way I envisioned it, kids would slowly rise into the air, being able to see the Albemarle Sound, the swamp, the Town of Columbia, and maybe even the Atlantic Ocean! What an experience...Lee didn't think so...he envisioned children rising through powerlines, fighting stiff ocean breezes, while suspended in mid-air beneath a flaming nylon bag. After I thought about it, he was right. And, I found out that it would cost roughly eleventy thousand dollars to operate a balloon for a day. REALLY BAD IDEA!
The one "idea" I had that I didn't run by Lee was when I decided to go on a special fast one week in the summer. BIG MISTAKE! Other than picking the hottest week of the summer, the idea was virtually fool proof. I would drink lots of coffee to replace the energy lost from eating parsley sparsely...any diet that rhymes is a good idea right?!? Nevertheless, my continuous crying led him to eventually ask what the problem was - and boy did I get it! I was subjected to meat and ice cream poisoning...it is the best remedy for hunger. The diet lasted less than 1 day.
I have had a lot of good ideas, in fact, MOST are reasonable. It's good to have a lot of critical thinkers around here to suppress my creativity from time to time. Being a young professional, I have yet to be subjected to the "On the Job" training of my superiors and co-workers. I am grateful for them...But everybody at the Eastern 4-H Center is susceptible to creating a bad idea. I have seen some doozies - but most are in the realm of fashion - with me the perpetrator of 72.3% of all fashion faux pas'. But, I have a propensity for odd colored pants. Good or bad, all ideas (or lack thereof) are a reflection of your personality. If someone ever comes to you with a "bad" idea, allow them to wonder about it, but as a supervisor you cannot let it come to pass. It is as much fun to have your own ideas as it is to enjoy others' terrible ideas and celebrate their good ones...as long as you are the inspiration behind their ideas. Some people have the ability to inspire creativity...and 100% of the people at the Eastern 4-H Center are the fuel to my creative fire! I enjoy receiving compliments and praise...I also like to impress the staff in the maintenance department, namely Charles. I consider myself blessed to work in an environment were all ideas are encouraged and appreciated, not matter how bad they may seem.
So don't thank me for the "good" ideas, but thank Lee, Nikki, Sara, Teresa, Mittie, Becky, Charles, Bud, and Terri because they either directly or indirectly encourage me...and thank them all for letting me down easy every once in a while, too!
February 25, 2009
No Blog Today
Sorry, I could not blog today!
I was busy from the minute I walked in...Tomorrow's blog will be about Dock of the Bay Sponsorships...Also, in the coming weeks a FACEBOOK page will be created to store pictures, store camp and Center information, and network with campers, staff, alumni, and anyone that we accept as a friend.
We are also contemplating "Twittering" for big events throughout the summer...probably a fun idea...
Charles and Bud did install a state of the art weather station/clock radio for us today...it will provide real time information on wind speed and direction...this will improve our safety measures! Of course, Lee gets the cool tool in his office...
I was busy from the minute I walked in...Tomorrow's blog will be about Dock of the Bay Sponsorships...Also, in the coming weeks a FACEBOOK page will be created to store pictures, store camp and Center information, and network with campers, staff, alumni, and anyone that we accept as a friend.
We are also contemplating "Twittering" for big events throughout the summer...probably a fun idea...
Charles and Bud did install a state of the art weather station/clock radio for us today...it will provide real time information on wind speed and direction...this will improve our safety measures! Of course, Lee gets the cool tool in his office...
February 24, 2009
Normal People = Weird phrases
Now that I'm back from the dirty south...
For as long as I have worked in an industry that serves young people, I have been continuously amazed by the things that come from the mouths of children...I have long given up the notion that I am smarter than children...the insight they provide makes me better at my job...I am essentially learning from them. A combination that can be intriguing is a smart kid combined with "country" roots...these kids have picked up the sayings of old fogeys, and gladly repeat them...because, as you all know, kids just want to grow up. I will explore several phrases that I have heard children utter...I have also graciously given my translation...Unfortunately, I am to concrete and literal when I hear someone.
A camper once lost his wallet...he said "it's like looking for a needle in a haystack" - I said "who sews in a barn, anyway?"
An employee once said "There's more than one way to skin a cat!" - I said "who does this, and why do you need more than one way?"
Also - an LIT said "Who let the cat out of the bag?" - I said "who put a cat in a bag...that is mean!"
Poor Cats!!! - I once asked a camper if a "cat had her tongue"... and if a cat really had her tongue, then we really had a problem.
I even heard a camper say, during a scavenger hunt, "he pulled the wool over my eyes" - I thought "who brings WOOL to SUMMER CAMP?"
I once heard a kitchen staff employee say "Her eyes are bigger than her stomach!" - I thought "Great, now we have aliens..."
At an opening ceremony here at camp I hear the word "do-hickey"...I immediately blurted out "This is a DON'T-HICKEY ZONE!"
The first camp dance I was ever a part of, I heard "he's a party pooper!" - I thought "keep him away from the bean dip!"
The next time you hear a strange saying or phrase - break it down and take it literally. Appreciate children for their careless wit and knowledge. But just be careful of what you say around them!
I had writer's block this morning, which proves, contrary to Lee's belief, that I am indeed human. I appreciate you assisting me in my self-indulging ramblings on this morning, the 24th of February.
This weeks topics will include "Dock of the Bay", "Tree Cutting", and "My worst ideas ever".
For as long as I have worked in an industry that serves young people, I have been continuously amazed by the things that come from the mouths of children...I have long given up the notion that I am smarter than children...the insight they provide makes me better at my job...I am essentially learning from them. A combination that can be intriguing is a smart kid combined with "country" roots...these kids have picked up the sayings of old fogeys, and gladly repeat them...because, as you all know, kids just want to grow up. I will explore several phrases that I have heard children utter...I have also graciously given my translation...Unfortunately, I am to concrete and literal when I hear someone.
A camper once lost his wallet...he said "it's like looking for a needle in a haystack" - I said "who sews in a barn, anyway?"
An employee once said "There's more than one way to skin a cat!" - I said "who does this, and why do you need more than one way?"
Also - an LIT said "Who let the cat out of the bag?" - I said "who put a cat in a bag...that is mean!"
Poor Cats!!! - I once asked a camper if a "cat had her tongue"... and if a cat really had her tongue, then we really had a problem.
I even heard a camper say, during a scavenger hunt, "he pulled the wool over my eyes" - I thought "who brings WOOL to SUMMER CAMP?"
I once heard a kitchen staff employee say "Her eyes are bigger than her stomach!" - I thought "Great, now we have aliens..."
At an opening ceremony here at camp I hear the word "do-hickey"...I immediately blurted out "This is a DON'T-HICKEY ZONE!"
The first camp dance I was ever a part of, I heard "he's a party pooper!" - I thought "keep him away from the bean dip!"
The next time you hear a strange saying or phrase - break it down and take it literally. Appreciate children for their careless wit and knowledge. But just be careful of what you say around them!
I had writer's block this morning, which proves, contrary to Lee's belief, that I am indeed human. I appreciate you assisting me in my self-indulging ramblings on this morning, the 24th of February.
This weeks topics will include "Dock of the Bay", "Tree Cutting", and "My worst ideas ever".
February 19, 2009
State Headquarters AKA 4-H Command Central
NO BLOG UPDATES THROUGH THE WEEKEND...THIS IS A GOLD PLATINUM SPECIAL DOUBLE DOG EDITION
I want to take a special opportunity to profile some of the ultimate perks of working at 512 Brickhaven. The Brickhaven Building is 4-H Command Central...I mean that is where the State 4-H Leader AKA Commander-in-Clover, Dr. Marshall Stewart, punches the clock! Along with that, working in Brickhaven has other merits. There are some other cool folks at Brickhaven-especially the "Camping Team." I don't want anyone to think that I am biased, but I am..Let me introduce the team:
Larry Hancock, the Camping Specialist, loves 4-H Camp more than any one I know. Larry was the first Camping Specialist I had ever met that didn't wear Birkenstocks (no offense to anyone that wears Birks...but Birks are considered business formal for many camp professionals)...and trust me-that means a lot!
His partner in crime, Ken Burgess, is everyone's favorite giant. When I first met Ken, I was petrified. I soon learned that he is not purposefully terrifying... and now that I know him, I imagine that he probably has a soft spot for puppies and kittens.
However, it's Belinda Niedwick that keeps the "Camping Team" up and running. When I'm not busy, I know Belinda is...she's always busy!
On occasion, I will get a phone call from one of these individuals. Below, I have outlined the first thought that comes to my mind when somebody tells me "Chase - it's __________ from Raleigh!"
Larry: "Oh, no! The Big Boss...act natural..."
Ken: "Oh, no! He's from Louisiana!"
Belinda: "Oh, no! I have really messed up now!"
Still there are other perks for working at Brickhaven...Getting up-and-at 'em is not a problem when working in Raleigh. If you are still tired on your drive to work, just hop on the Beltline, wait for the traffic to stop, and catch a few winks. Also, any campus employee is a short walk away from the world famous Ten-Ten..."The Trough", as I like to call it, has a Chinese buffet that measures 1.3 kilometers (round trip). The .24 kilometer dessert bar is complete with delicate sheet cakes, dinner mints, and gummi bears. The food is good, but enjoy sparingly.
I look forward to going to Brickhaven...Its "Command Headquarters" for an organization that has shaped my life... and I know that there are people there that I look forward to seeing, because they care as deeply about the clover as I do. The Brickhaven Building is chocked full of very smart people...I am glad I'm on their side...
Side note: The Eastern 4-H Center will be recognizing NC 4-H's Centennial Celebration in a wearable format...Our summer camp t-shirts will recognize the centennial.
Alright...tomorrow I have to go to Hotlanta, Joe-juh...and maybe I will make time to meet my parents who live in Alabama (don't worry, they have indoor plumbing). So, no blogs until Monday night.
*Larry, Ken, and Belinda - Lee "suggested" the idea for this blog...please show me leniency.
I want to take a special opportunity to profile some of the ultimate perks of working at 512 Brickhaven. The Brickhaven Building is 4-H Command Central...I mean that is where the State 4-H Leader AKA Commander-in-Clover, Dr. Marshall Stewart, punches the clock! Along with that, working in Brickhaven has other merits. There are some other cool folks at Brickhaven-especially the "Camping Team." I don't want anyone to think that I am biased, but I am..Let me introduce the team:
Larry Hancock, the Camping Specialist, loves 4-H Camp more than any one I know. Larry was the first Camping Specialist I had ever met that didn't wear Birkenstocks (no offense to anyone that wears Birks...but Birks are considered business formal for many camp professionals)...and trust me-that means a lot!
His partner in crime, Ken Burgess, is everyone's favorite giant. When I first met Ken, I was petrified. I soon learned that he is not purposefully terrifying... and now that I know him, I imagine that he probably has a soft spot for puppies and kittens.
However, it's Belinda Niedwick that keeps the "Camping Team" up and running. When I'm not busy, I know Belinda is...she's always busy!
On occasion, I will get a phone call from one of these individuals. Below, I have outlined the first thought that comes to my mind when somebody tells me "Chase - it's __________ from Raleigh!"
Larry: "Oh, no! The Big Boss...act natural..."
Ken: "Oh, no! He's from Louisiana!"
Belinda: "Oh, no! I have really messed up now!"
Still there are other perks for working at Brickhaven...Getting up-and-at 'em is not a problem when working in Raleigh. If you are still tired on your drive to work, just hop on the Beltline, wait for the traffic to stop, and catch a few winks. Also, any campus employee is a short walk away from the world famous Ten-Ten..."The Trough", as I like to call it, has a Chinese buffet that measures 1.3 kilometers (round trip). The .24 kilometer dessert bar is complete with delicate sheet cakes, dinner mints, and gummi bears. The food is good, but enjoy sparingly.
I look forward to going to Brickhaven...Its "Command Headquarters" for an organization that has shaped my life... and I know that there are people there that I look forward to seeing, because they care as deeply about the clover as I do. The Brickhaven Building is chocked full of very smart people...I am glad I'm on their side...
Side note: The Eastern 4-H Center will be recognizing NC 4-H's Centennial Celebration in a wearable format...Our summer camp t-shirts will recognize the centennial.
Alright...tomorrow I have to go to Hotlanta, Joe-juh...and maybe I will make time to meet my parents who live in Alabama (don't worry, they have indoor plumbing). So, no blogs until Monday night.
*Larry, Ken, and Belinda - Lee "suggested" the idea for this blog...please show me leniency.
The Office Season Training Diet
Lately, many of my posts have not been camp related, but rather office related. The reason why is because this is what i like to all "Office Season." Just like Summer Camp Season, the Office Season has it's own schedules, trainings, and diets. Office Season sends the administrators in our complex on trainings, meetings, and conferences. Most of these are what I like to call "Road Games". Summer Camp Season is full of "Home Games", for the obvious reason that everything about Summer Camp Season is done on-site. While the Summer Camp Season sends us outside into the warm temperatures, provides us with plenty of light to moderate aerobics, and nourishes us with hot dogs, burgers, tacos and spaghetti - the Office Season offers little opportunity for over-exertion (physically, anyway), provides little to no aerobic or anaerobic exercise, and nourishes us on items such as deli sandwiches, lasagna*, chicken in various oven-roasted forms, and heavy & decadent desserts.
So that I can attempt to outlast all of my staff members in the summer, I put myself through daily strenuous workouts everyday of the year. However, for this current Office Season, I have found that I am sometimes not up to the task of my administrative duties. I have to retrain myself on the: fax machine, copier, stapler, staple-removing fang thingy, and pencil sharpener.
Making the transition from the Summer Camp Season meals to the Office Season meals is also quite tricky. Feeling largely lethargic after an Office Season meal is both possible and probable. I imagine the different layers of the Chicken Parmigiana served at Conference X spreading throughout my circulatory system...ensuring to coat my interior with gooey & delicious cheese. A blanket of cheese would comfort anybody, right? The cheesecake that would be served as dessert, would make an excellent pillow for my lethargic relaxation period - firm but forgiving. As wrong as these items are for my diet, they certainly feel so RIGHT!
Last year, the Eastern 4-H Center had it's first weight-loss support group, made up of staff members. The results were great! It was nice to see people give up the regular Office Seaon diet for vegetables and fruit. Charles, the Maintenace Supervisor lost the most weight - his diet, coupled with lots of exercise had him looking like a mix of Brad Pitt and Lance Armstrong. While Charles would say that this would be a down grade to his superior good looks, he certainly looked very fit.
Unfortuately many offices are always in Office Season. It is really important to make sure you get exercise while at work. When the weather is pleasant at the Center, most of the ladies will take a stroll around the Center - or "Pull the Loop", as I have heard it called. The most dedicated to an exercise regiment, year round, is Ms. Mittie. She parks her car as far away as possible, and makes trips to the mailbox throughout the day. Terri Spear, our Housekeeper, doesn't even park at the building she works out of...she has to walk 3/4 of a mile just to get to her car...all for exercise! Lee, our Leader has even changed the way he walks, so that he can gain endurance and build massive calf muscles! There are ways that other people can get exercise at work: take the stairs, take short but brisk walks before eating, and even regular stretching are all good ways to get some exercise. I prefer to glue all of my office equipment to concrete blocks...this makes everything really heavy. My stapler ways 32 pounds because of my methods, and since I placed the concrete block on the top of the stapler, it is strong enough to staple two New York City phonebooks all the way through.
It's really difficult to ignore all of the tempting items that are laid before you at an office luncheon or conference buffet. I partake*, but I try to always drink water and regulate my portion sizes. Also - GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE...this is how I survive the Office Season. Enjoy the cornucopia of delights - but save enough room for exercise, too!
* = Lasagna is not good. In fact, I don't even like it, and refuse to eat it. Before I go to any lunch meeting, I prepare a "Lasagna Prevention Plan", or LPP for short. It is made up of fig newtons, a bottle of water, nose clips, and sour gummi worms.
Also - I would like to issue an "across the pond" HELLO! to Jeanette Bennett. Jeanette is responsible for the production and cultivation of one Laurence Bennett, an excellent summer staff member with an affinity for dressing in gold pants and tossing citrus. Jeanette is the most distant follower of this blog. Laurence is English, so its my supposition that Jeanette is, too. Jeanette is "mum" to Laurence...
So that I can attempt to outlast all of my staff members in the summer, I put myself through daily strenuous workouts everyday of the year. However, for this current Office Season, I have found that I am sometimes not up to the task of my administrative duties. I have to retrain myself on the: fax machine, copier, stapler, staple-removing fang thingy, and pencil sharpener.
Making the transition from the Summer Camp Season meals to the Office Season meals is also quite tricky. Feeling largely lethargic after an Office Season meal is both possible and probable. I imagine the different layers of the Chicken Parmigiana served at Conference X spreading throughout my circulatory system...ensuring to coat my interior with gooey & delicious cheese. A blanket of cheese would comfort anybody, right? The cheesecake that would be served as dessert, would make an excellent pillow for my lethargic relaxation period - firm but forgiving. As wrong as these items are for my diet, they certainly feel so RIGHT!
Last year, the Eastern 4-H Center had it's first weight-loss support group, made up of staff members. The results were great! It was nice to see people give up the regular Office Seaon diet for vegetables and fruit. Charles, the Maintenace Supervisor lost the most weight - his diet, coupled with lots of exercise had him looking like a mix of Brad Pitt and Lance Armstrong. While Charles would say that this would be a down grade to his superior good looks, he certainly looked very fit.
Unfortuately many offices are always in Office Season. It is really important to make sure you get exercise while at work. When the weather is pleasant at the Center, most of the ladies will take a stroll around the Center - or "Pull the Loop", as I have heard it called. The most dedicated to an exercise regiment, year round, is Ms. Mittie. She parks her car as far away as possible, and makes trips to the mailbox throughout the day. Terri Spear, our Housekeeper, doesn't even park at the building she works out of...she has to walk 3/4 of a mile just to get to her car...all for exercise! Lee, our Leader has even changed the way he walks, so that he can gain endurance and build massive calf muscles! There are ways that other people can get exercise at work: take the stairs, take short but brisk walks before eating, and even regular stretching are all good ways to get some exercise. I prefer to glue all of my office equipment to concrete blocks...this makes everything really heavy. My stapler ways 32 pounds because of my methods, and since I placed the concrete block on the top of the stapler, it is strong enough to staple two New York City phonebooks all the way through.
It's really difficult to ignore all of the tempting items that are laid before you at an office luncheon or conference buffet. I partake*, but I try to always drink water and regulate my portion sizes. Also - GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE...this is how I survive the Office Season. Enjoy the cornucopia of delights - but save enough room for exercise, too!
* = Lasagna is not good. In fact, I don't even like it, and refuse to eat it. Before I go to any lunch meeting, I prepare a "Lasagna Prevention Plan", or LPP for short. It is made up of fig newtons, a bottle of water, nose clips, and sour gummi worms.
Also - I would like to issue an "across the pond" HELLO! to Jeanette Bennett. Jeanette is responsible for the production and cultivation of one Laurence Bennett, an excellent summer staff member with an affinity for dressing in gold pants and tossing citrus. Jeanette is the most distant follower of this blog. Laurence is English, so its my supposition that Jeanette is, too. Jeanette is "mum" to Laurence...
February 18, 2009
Cleaning the Big Barn
Today marks a monumental day in the history of the Eastern 4-H Center. The "Big Barn will receive it's bi-annual cleaning. Now this special event doesn't necessarily take place as it's titles states. It occurs anytime when hazing would be more suitable...but since hazing has many negative connotations, and cleaning has many good connotations, we will call it cleaning. It is like a rite of passage...when I was a wee little Program Director, I would listen to the romantic tales from Lee as he described his fairy tale encounter with the landmark. He also would allow me the opportunity to rendezvous with the wooden behemoth.
My first cleaning was memorable. I remember pulling out all if the materials that had become misplaced, displaced, and replaced. Usually, when cleaning out any archaic building, you remove items...and while we did that, we also added more items. Lee engineered a system to hold things safely in the rafters...to watch the glimmer in his eyes, as his master plan came to fruition, was an honor. We also built shelves in the big barn...these shelves vary in strength, but do not deviate in terms of aesthetics - they are ugly...nope, you won't find them, or anything like them at an IKEA. But they serve a good purpose...they are strong enough to handle bricks, and the bottom shelves are reinforced to handle the crushing drop of the top shelves. And, like any good Leader, Lee was kind enough to make time for some old-fashioned delegation and observation...I learned a lot from him that day. I even got to see him try to catch a field rat.
So today, as a new program staff is ushered into our hallowed grounds, their rite of passage is merely hours away. While I have no master plan for storage and shelving, we will knock the cobwebs out, sweep the floors, recycle the cardboard, and grow to know each other better. Just like the day I spent with my leader, I hope my staff members will appreciate their time with me, and appreciate that they are participating in a time-honored tradition.
My first cleaning was memorable. I remember pulling out all if the materials that had become misplaced, displaced, and replaced. Usually, when cleaning out any archaic building, you remove items...and while we did that, we also added more items. Lee engineered a system to hold things safely in the rafters...to watch the glimmer in his eyes, as his master plan came to fruition, was an honor. We also built shelves in the big barn...these shelves vary in strength, but do not deviate in terms of aesthetics - they are ugly...nope, you won't find them, or anything like them at an IKEA. But they serve a good purpose...they are strong enough to handle bricks, and the bottom shelves are reinforced to handle the crushing drop of the top shelves. And, like any good Leader, Lee was kind enough to make time for some old-fashioned delegation and observation...I learned a lot from him that day. I even got to see him try to catch a field rat.
So today, as a new program staff is ushered into our hallowed grounds, their rite of passage is merely hours away. While I have no master plan for storage and shelving, we will knock the cobwebs out, sweep the floors, recycle the cardboard, and grow to know each other better. Just like the day I spent with my leader, I hope my staff members will appreciate their time with me, and appreciate that they are participating in a time-honored tradition.
February 17, 2009
Birthday wishes and Food Service Wrap-up
Let me first begin this post with a belated birthday wish to Lara Spruill, former camp photographer and summer camp staff. Lara also taught me that "water" is pronouced "wurder." Lara was a lot of fun to have around the Center for the last couple of years...she is now training to be a nurse...good luck Lara - and "cumpleanos feliz".
Now - it's time to meet Becky...
Hello everyone...please meet Becky....Becky Ingalls....yeah I like her hair, too...WHAT?!?!
In case you do not know Becky, she's our Food Service Supervisor. If you loved the food you were served at the Eastern 4-H Center, blame her. Friendly waitstaff....yep, her fault, too. Pretty much everything great about our Food Service can be blamed on Becky. Becky really loves running the kitchen and meeting our visitors...in fact, I have never heard her tell anyone "I hope you dislike your meal." Becky seems to good to be true, or is she? Let's take an in-depth look at this lady.
Becky's vitals:
Height - between 5'0" and 6'0" (depending on how fashionable her hair has been styled on any given day)
Blood Type - Ketchup
Favorite Activities - Driving, Short walks to the parking lot, and ordering food service products
Alright - enough with the scientific breakdown, Becky Ingalls supervises a lot of staff...like 20! Those guys and gals are responsible for serving and delivering anywhere from 200-800 meals on any day - WHOAA!
I have always thought that there are 2 things you cannot afford to mess up - someone's food and someone's fun. It amazes me that a mom or dad can prepare a meal for a family of 5 and still not please everyone at the table. However, Becky and her staff can prepare 800 meals and satisfy EVERYBODY. So that this is not a biased post, I will say that there are people out there who did not enjoy their meals here. I could not track down either one of those people for an interview, though.
To put Becky and the Eastern 4-h Center's Food Service track record of superiority into perspective, I have included two scenarios:
My friend Steve knows only 10 people, and 8 of them detest him. There is an 80% chance that if you meet Steve, you will also not like him. Conversely, If Becky & Crew serve 800 meals in one day and there is a person who did not like their meal, your percentage of hating your meal will be .125%. AMAZING! If you are a "Glass Half-Full" kinda person, there is a 20% chance you will enjoy my friend Steve, and a 99.875% chance that you will enjoy your meal here at the Eastern 4-H Center...it's pure science.
What makes this feat most amazing is that if you decide to take advantage of our beautiful facility, great programs, and meals service - you will have the opportunity to pick your own menu...so if you want to pick something disgusting, Becky and her staff are sneaky enough to still make it divine!
While Becky is short, she is still friendly. She is a nice lady. Becky takes good care of my campers and staff in the summer, too. She serves meals that are nutritious, but still look and taste like pizza (important when feeding many children). If I were ever faced with the "last-meal" scenario, I would include my mother's Chicken Rustica, Becky's Prime Rib, and Becky's Broccoli Salad...it's all that good! In the meantime, I will stick with Becky's cheesecakes, bacon cheeseburgers, chicken & pastry, has brown casserole, cookies, and barbecue sandwiches to nourish me to the very end.
Becky and her staff prepare meals for conferences, camps, retreats, and even discerning wedding parties and fund-raisers...she has a tough job. Though Becky works on the other side of our facility, I make my way over their daily (OK, hourly) to make sure she is being a good girl...and she usually is...but her and her crew are also very entertaining!
Now that you know Becky a little better, see if she can satisfy your crew...there is a 99.825% chance she can!
Now - it's time to meet Becky...
Hello everyone...please meet Becky....Becky Ingalls....yeah I like her hair, too...WHAT?!?!
In case you do not know Becky, she's our Food Service Supervisor. If you loved the food you were served at the Eastern 4-H Center, blame her. Friendly waitstaff....yep, her fault, too. Pretty much everything great about our Food Service can be blamed on Becky. Becky really loves running the kitchen and meeting our visitors...in fact, I have never heard her tell anyone "I hope you dislike your meal." Becky seems to good to be true, or is she? Let's take an in-depth look at this lady.
Becky's vitals:
Height - between 5'0" and 6'0" (depending on how fashionable her hair has been styled on any given day)
Blood Type - Ketchup
Favorite Activities - Driving, Short walks to the parking lot, and ordering food service products
Alright - enough with the scientific breakdown, Becky Ingalls supervises a lot of staff...like 20! Those guys and gals are responsible for serving and delivering anywhere from 200-800 meals on any day - WHOAA!
I have always thought that there are 2 things you cannot afford to mess up - someone's food and someone's fun. It amazes me that a mom or dad can prepare a meal for a family of 5 and still not please everyone at the table. However, Becky and her staff can prepare 800 meals and satisfy EVERYBODY. So that this is not a biased post, I will say that there are people out there who did not enjoy their meals here. I could not track down either one of those people for an interview, though.
To put Becky and the Eastern 4-h Center's Food Service track record of superiority into perspective, I have included two scenarios:
My friend Steve knows only 10 people, and 8 of them detest him. There is an 80% chance that if you meet Steve, you will also not like him. Conversely, If Becky & Crew serve 800 meals in one day and there is a person who did not like their meal, your percentage of hating your meal will be .125%. AMAZING! If you are a "Glass Half-Full" kinda person, there is a 20% chance you will enjoy my friend Steve, and a 99.875% chance that you will enjoy your meal here at the Eastern 4-H Center...it's pure science.
What makes this feat most amazing is that if you decide to take advantage of our beautiful facility, great programs, and meals service - you will have the opportunity to pick your own menu...so if you want to pick something disgusting, Becky and her staff are sneaky enough to still make it divine!
While Becky is short, she is still friendly. She is a nice lady. Becky takes good care of my campers and staff in the summer, too. She serves meals that are nutritious, but still look and taste like pizza (important when feeding many children). If I were ever faced with the "last-meal" scenario, I would include my mother's Chicken Rustica, Becky's Prime Rib, and Becky's Broccoli Salad...it's all that good! In the meantime, I will stick with Becky's cheesecakes, bacon cheeseburgers, chicken & pastry, has brown casserole, cookies, and barbecue sandwiches to nourish me to the very end.
Becky and her staff prepare meals for conferences, camps, retreats, and even discerning wedding parties and fund-raisers...she has a tough job. Though Becky works on the other side of our facility, I make my way over their daily (OK, hourly) to make sure she is being a good girl...and she usually is...but her and her crew are also very entertaining!
Now that you know Becky a little better, see if she can satisfy your crew...there is a 99.825% chance she can!
February 16, 2009
My Life Story
Throughout this blog, I have discussed several people - describing them in the way that I know them - professionally. I will attempt to reach out to everyone by shedding some light on both my professional and personal sides...bear with me...I tell you my life story because it nearly came to an end this weekend, and you'll find out why at the end of this post.
I was born at a young age to a woman...she turned out to be my mother. My dad was also there, too. He now looks like my Granddad, but it's OK. I arrived on Earth in a tiny town called Alexander City, which is famous for two things - Russell Athletic Apparel and me. I was educated at the finest public school in my town, though it was the only public school in town. My "homecounty" (the towns in my county were not incorporated, so we went by our county) was named Coosa, named after the mighty Coosa River. I joined the 4-H club at my own free-will - my mother was the County Extension Director and 4-H Agent. I did all of the environmental science judging teams (WHEP, Forestry)...and did pretty well at them. I went to summer camp at the Alabama 4-H Center. I liked 4-H.
My homecounty was so small, and I won't bore you with the cliche "we only had one stoplight in the whole county", but I just did...and Coosa County was so small our elected officials were elected through a very scientific method - "rock, paper, scissor." Tyrrell County is smaller, though - and that's why I like it.
I went to Central Coosa County High School - the moniker could lead you to think that we also had North, East, South, and West high schools, but we didn't. Only one high school in the county - and it housed only 300 students. I miss it - those days were easy...bosses are tougher than teachers.
After high school I attended Auburn University, the land-grant institution in Alabama. I was a good student...Both of my sisters (both younger), fretted over making "C's" on report cards...I celebrated them, with my parents...those were the good ole' days. While at Auburn, I made money by working as an equipment manager for Auburn's mighty football team. It was fun being around all of the football players...I made great friends and memories from this...I also have some terrible memories that include dirty laundry.
During my summers at Auburn, I worked at Camp ASCCA (America's Special Camp for Children and Adults). Before my time there, I had never experienced life at its most fulfilling.
After I graduated (not "cum laude", but "thank the laude") I came to the Eastern 4-H Center as the Program Director...I was so nervous...my first "big boy" job. Adjusting to life in Tyrrell County was easy...I was pleased to see a Food Lion so close. Living in a place that harbors more bears than humans has its downsides, though.
I also have a girlfriend. Hard to believe, but true - and even though she is short, she is still nice. Her name is Callie. We have a daughter together - she's a miniature schnauzer named Olivia.
This past weekend was spent with Callie in her village of Sanford, North Carolina. We (she) were celebrating everyone's favorite Hallmark Holiday, St. Valentine's Day - and then it happened. I nearly "met my maker" - "gave up the ghost", so to speak. Callie gave me a nice gift and some chocolate. I gave her a grill...a barbecue grill.
Callie's attack was swift and vicious. There was nowhere to hide...Callie's height deficiency allows her to run under beds and counters without ducking and crawling...there was no escaping this lady. I decoyed her with the chocolates she had given me - great success! I later apologized, taught her how to grill, and ate the delicious meal she prepared for dinner that night. We also had fondue, which is an Italian word for cholesterol (maybe)...the best way to eat 7 apples is by dipping each one in chocolate...I tried it and it was good.
Well, there you have it...my life story. I made it back to Columbia in one piece, too!
I was born at a young age to a woman...she turned out to be my mother. My dad was also there, too. He now looks like my Granddad, but it's OK. I arrived on Earth in a tiny town called Alexander City, which is famous for two things - Russell Athletic Apparel and me. I was educated at the finest public school in my town, though it was the only public school in town. My "homecounty" (the towns in my county were not incorporated, so we went by our county) was named Coosa, named after the mighty Coosa River. I joined the 4-H club at my own free-will - my mother was the County Extension Director and 4-H Agent. I did all of the environmental science judging teams (WHEP, Forestry)...and did pretty well at them. I went to summer camp at the Alabama 4-H Center. I liked 4-H.
My homecounty was so small, and I won't bore you with the cliche "we only had one stoplight in the whole county", but I just did...and Coosa County was so small our elected officials were elected through a very scientific method - "rock, paper, scissor." Tyrrell County is smaller, though - and that's why I like it.
I went to Central Coosa County High School - the moniker could lead you to think that we also had North, East, South, and West high schools, but we didn't. Only one high school in the county - and it housed only 300 students. I miss it - those days were easy...bosses are tougher than teachers.
After high school I attended Auburn University, the land-grant institution in Alabama. I was a good student...Both of my sisters (both younger), fretted over making "C's" on report cards...I celebrated them, with my parents...those were the good ole' days. While at Auburn, I made money by working as an equipment manager for Auburn's mighty football team. It was fun being around all of the football players...I made great friends and memories from this...I also have some terrible memories that include dirty laundry.
During my summers at Auburn, I worked at Camp ASCCA (America's Special Camp for Children and Adults). Before my time there, I had never experienced life at its most fulfilling.
After I graduated (not "cum laude", but "thank the laude") I came to the Eastern 4-H Center as the Program Director...I was so nervous...my first "big boy" job. Adjusting to life in Tyrrell County was easy...I was pleased to see a Food Lion so close. Living in a place that harbors more bears than humans has its downsides, though.
I also have a girlfriend. Hard to believe, but true - and even though she is short, she is still nice. Her name is Callie. We have a daughter together - she's a miniature schnauzer named Olivia.
This past weekend was spent with Callie in her village of Sanford, North Carolina. We (she) were celebrating everyone's favorite Hallmark Holiday, St. Valentine's Day - and then it happened. I nearly "met my maker" - "gave up the ghost", so to speak. Callie gave me a nice gift and some chocolate. I gave her a grill...a barbecue grill.
Callie's attack was swift and vicious. There was nowhere to hide...Callie's height deficiency allows her to run under beds and counters without ducking and crawling...there was no escaping this lady. I decoyed her with the chocolates she had given me - great success! I later apologized, taught her how to grill, and ate the delicious meal she prepared for dinner that night. We also had fondue, which is an Italian word for cholesterol (maybe)...the best way to eat 7 apples is by dipping each one in chocolate...I tried it and it was good.
Well, there you have it...my life story. I made it back to Columbia in one piece, too!
February 13, 2009
My Journey with Lee
First, let me apologize for my absence...I know I have fans out there...and you must receive updates.
The past week I was positioned in the "State of Pleasant Living". I will call it Maryland from here on out...Our purpose was a training for Operation Purple Camp. Operation Purple Camp is a summer camp that is funded by the National Military Family Association and the Sierra Club...it pays for children or dependents of deployed military men and woman to attend camp. the Eastern 4-H Center was one of nearly 70 camps in the country to receive this wonderful honor. We met with people from all over the country...I even met a 4-H leader from Guam. I later discovered that Guam is about the size of a small county.
Monday was the most notable day of the trip and here's why... this is how Monday's adventure transpired:
Monday
5:30 am - Wake-up, eat breakfast, get dressed, spill coffee, change clothes, load car
7:20 am - Depart for Rocky Mount to meet Scott Enroughty (Roughty). Roughty is the Operation Military Kids Program Coordinator for our state.
9:00 am - Arrival in Rocky Mount at Pineview Cemetary
9:02 am - Lee realizes we were supposed to meet Roughty in Nashville (Nash-vegas)
9:10 am - Arrive at Nash County Extension Office.
9:30 am - Roughty reports that he brought granola and banana chips - Lee calls him a "hippie just like Chase".
11:00 am - Lee eats some of Roughty's banana chips
12:30 pm - Fuddruckers Hamburger joint - I ate an ostrich burger, while the "manly men" ate old-fashioned beef. My burger was good - if you enjoy greasy cardboard, but I swore to their face that it was delicious.
2:30 pm - Arrive in Washington DC - I had never been to this place. I asked if we could "go by the Washington Monument" - Lee said "yes"! I was getting excited!
2:32 - Lee takes me by the Washington Monument...at 65 miles per hour, but I did "see" it.
3:00 - Traffic jam, and the water I drank for lunch has run it's course.
3:30 - Traffic moves...finally
4:30 - Arrival at Sandy Cove Conference Center...I got to meet all of the people from NMFA that send me emails...this was exhilirating. I also discovered that my name was left off of the check in sheet - but they gave me a room anyway.
4:45 - So I'm kind of a big deal...I have a room to myself, courtesy of the NMFA. I proceed to place my luggage throughout the room, marking my territory. I also discover that I have the good fortune of being located right above the Sandy Cove Conference Center's "Business Lounge", so I also have wireless internet! I will hold this secret until Tuesday!
6:00 - Dinner time - Roughty, Lee, and myself congregate with other Operation Purple recipients, as well as other 4-H Camp Directors. Our meal is good...for the first time in my life, I am not served Lasagna on opening night of a conference!
7:00 - We are "Welcomed" and "Thanked" by NMFA...we proceed to get in our groups, or squadrons, and I have people from Washington, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and "Alabama the Beautiful" in my squadron. There was even a dude from Scotland in our group...and the ladies loved his accent. We dubiously named our group the "7th Squadron Lucky Charms." Our group's leader was Brittany - she was the Sierra Club Representative! While in our groups, we participated in the Wall of Honor - an activity that Operation Purple Campers participate in. The Wall of Honor requires everyone to bring a picture of a friend/family member that is currently deployed...When it's your turn, you describe the person in your picture - I chose my friend Zack - He's in the Marine Corps....The picture is then attached to a large poster, joined by everyone else's pictures...this is a pretty moving ceremony!
9:00 - Bedtime - I retire to my private chambers to catch-up on emails, eat the remainder of the Gummi Worms I procured in Baltimore, brush my teeth, and then head on off to sleep.
The entire week was a neat experience...I gained a greater appreciation for the military.
Unfortunately, I don't take enough time to remember our brave military and what they do...while I am reading a magazine, losing my keys, griping about television commercials, and cooking dinner there are genuine heroes sacrificing their lives, families, and luxuries, probably wishing that a lost set of car keys was the most important part of their day. Truthfully, all people think too little about these soldiers. Also - the families these folks have to leave at home while they deploy are left behind to do EVERYTHING! Could you imagine your spouse paying bills, buying groceries, packing lunch, dropping the kids off at school, and herding the kids when they come home from school, ALL BY THEMSELVES!?! Our military families make sacrifices, too. Luckily, I work for an organization that supports these heroic families. A week of Operation Purple Camp does many things...first and foremost it allows for children to get away from a television and play outside! Secondly - it gives these same children the opportunity to share this fun time with each other...they also share many of the same situations. They understand, comfort, and enjoy each other...Additionally - the week gives that parent some time to themselves...trust me - they need and deserve it! The very next time you see a news report with a soldier on foreign soil - think about their family...and think about your family and how lucky you are...
The past week I was positioned in the "State of Pleasant Living". I will call it Maryland from here on out...Our purpose was a training for Operation Purple Camp. Operation Purple Camp is a summer camp that is funded by the National Military Family Association and the Sierra Club...it pays for children or dependents of deployed military men and woman to attend camp. the Eastern 4-H Center was one of nearly 70 camps in the country to receive this wonderful honor. We met with people from all over the country...I even met a 4-H leader from Guam. I later discovered that Guam is about the size of a small county.
Monday was the most notable day of the trip and here's why... this is how Monday's adventure transpired:
Monday
5:30 am - Wake-up, eat breakfast, get dressed, spill coffee, change clothes, load car
7:20 am - Depart for Rocky Mount to meet Scott Enroughty (Roughty). Roughty is the Operation Military Kids Program Coordinator for our state.
9:00 am - Arrival in Rocky Mount at Pineview Cemetary
9:02 am - Lee realizes we were supposed to meet Roughty in Nashville (Nash-vegas)
9:10 am - Arrive at Nash County Extension Office.
9:30 am - Roughty reports that he brought granola and banana chips - Lee calls him a "hippie just like Chase".
11:00 am - Lee eats some of Roughty's banana chips
12:30 pm - Fuddruckers Hamburger joint - I ate an ostrich burger, while the "manly men" ate old-fashioned beef. My burger was good - if you enjoy greasy cardboard, but I swore to their face that it was delicious.
2:30 pm - Arrive in Washington DC - I had never been to this place. I asked if we could "go by the Washington Monument" - Lee said "yes"! I was getting excited!
2:32 - Lee takes me by the Washington Monument...at 65 miles per hour, but I did "see" it.
3:00 - Traffic jam, and the water I drank for lunch has run it's course.
3:30 - Traffic moves...finally
4:30 - Arrival at Sandy Cove Conference Center...I got to meet all of the people from NMFA that send me emails...this was exhilirating. I also discovered that my name was left off of the check in sheet - but they gave me a room anyway.
4:45 - So I'm kind of a big deal...I have a room to myself, courtesy of the NMFA. I proceed to place my luggage throughout the room, marking my territory. I also discover that I have the good fortune of being located right above the Sandy Cove Conference Center's "Business Lounge", so I also have wireless internet! I will hold this secret until Tuesday!
6:00 - Dinner time - Roughty, Lee, and myself congregate with other Operation Purple recipients, as well as other 4-H Camp Directors. Our meal is good...for the first time in my life, I am not served Lasagna on opening night of a conference!
7:00 - We are "Welcomed" and "Thanked" by NMFA...we proceed to get in our groups, or squadrons, and I have people from Washington, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and "Alabama the Beautiful" in my squadron. There was even a dude from Scotland in our group...and the ladies loved his accent. We dubiously named our group the "7th Squadron Lucky Charms." Our group's leader was Brittany - she was the Sierra Club Representative! While in our groups, we participated in the Wall of Honor - an activity that Operation Purple Campers participate in. The Wall of Honor requires everyone to bring a picture of a friend/family member that is currently deployed...When it's your turn, you describe the person in your picture - I chose my friend Zack - He's in the Marine Corps....The picture is then attached to a large poster, joined by everyone else's pictures...this is a pretty moving ceremony!
9:00 - Bedtime - I retire to my private chambers to catch-up on emails, eat the remainder of the Gummi Worms I procured in Baltimore, brush my teeth, and then head on off to sleep.
The entire week was a neat experience...I gained a greater appreciation for the military.
Unfortunately, I don't take enough time to remember our brave military and what they do...while I am reading a magazine, losing my keys, griping about television commercials, and cooking dinner there are genuine heroes sacrificing their lives, families, and luxuries, probably wishing that a lost set of car keys was the most important part of their day. Truthfully, all people think too little about these soldiers. Also - the families these folks have to leave at home while they deploy are left behind to do EVERYTHING! Could you imagine your spouse paying bills, buying groceries, packing lunch, dropping the kids off at school, and herding the kids when they come home from school, ALL BY THEMSELVES!?! Our military families make sacrifices, too. Luckily, I work for an organization that supports these heroic families. A week of Operation Purple Camp does many things...first and foremost it allows for children to get away from a television and play outside! Secondly - it gives these same children the opportunity to share this fun time with each other...they also share many of the same situations. They understand, comfort, and enjoy each other...Additionally - the week gives that parent some time to themselves...trust me - they need and deserve it! The very next time you see a news report with a soldier on foreign soil - think about their family...and think about your family and how lucky you are...
February 6, 2009
Survival Guide for new Instructors
The month of March brings several things to Eastern North Carolina, more specifically, the Eastern 4-H Center. Along with the green leaves, blooming flowers, and camp registrations comes a fresh crop of Program Instructors. Program Instructors are generally recent college graduates who love: children, teaching, the outdoors, and living away from the city. They are usually an interesting breed of humans - overly dedicated, yet as relaxed as a banana peel - I consider myself to fall into this category, too.
Our program instructors teach and lead activities that range from target sport skills and rock climbing to Geographical Information Systems and pocosin ecology. Finding success at the Eastern 4-H Center is not difficult - with all of the teaching tools needed to lead good programs, there are only several things that new staff members must overcome, and of course I have diagramed them below...
Yellow flies - This winged creatures have a fancy for finding their way into your face and hair when you do not expect it. But don't worry potential staff members, you recognize their presence soon. Yellow flies enjoy the taste of human flesh, and they look to the forehead region of the human body as a buffet of sorts. The best defense for these guys is to skimp on the "eau de toilette" and run like the wind. Running will create a vortex behind you...so don't run faster than your friends, unless you enjoy seeing them become overwhelmed with yellow flies.
Temperature variations - This occurrence is most common in the spring...a wind shift from north to south can occur in an hour and alter temperatures by up to 30 degrees... clothing layers are important. The summer sees little variation in temps - once temperatures reach 90 degrees, they seem to be perfectly content with staying there.
Mosquitoes - The Tyrrell County bird - as I like to call it "migrates" here every summer. Sometimes in swarms and sometimes by two's, the pesky phlebotomists appear early in the morning and at dusk. Mosquitoes are attracted to the Carbon Dioxide that is exchanged when you exhale...so if you can avoid breathing, you can also avoid mosquitoes.
The Country Life - To many, this is the lure of living and working at a full service camp and conference center. But being a day trip to the nearest shopping center does have it's disadvantages. The only Target we have nearby is located at the archery range here on site.
Bears - Generally these things are little bother...contrary to popular belief, they do not prefer to hunt humans, mainly because around here, humans hunt bears. Bears are opportunistis and prefer to eat farmers' crops and leftover animal carcasses that they didn't kill. Their favorite treat is a honeybun - but who can fault that - with their pillowy sweetness and sumptious icing, but I digress. However, from my own personal experience, if a bear does get too close to you, offer the beast some type of breath mint...they will happily partake...and their breath smells like microwaved garbage scrapings...so you'll both be happy and on your seperate ways.
The Staff House - the comfortable confines of our staffing complex are truly a reward to most staff members accustomed to the other drafty cabins or dorm rooms from which they have previously lived. The only drawback is it's immense size. The immense size makes it tough to keep spotless. The maintenance staff is insistent that it be spotless. Terri, Bud, and Charles are always willing to help change a lightbulb, clean the floors, and remind you how lucky you are to have such a place to call home (if it can be kept clean).
These items, once conqured, can make the life here a good one. There is nothing more rewarding than a walk to work through old-growth forests filled with yellow flies, mosquitoes, and bears. Knowing how to deal with them becomes second nature on the second day. Racing the sunrise to the front offices is a true reward. Seeing Ms. Mittie, our graceful receptionist, is your next reward. Other things that have inspired program instructors to get to work early include: arriving before Terri, being the first to see the often vivid colors of our fearless leader's daily outfit, and seeing the flocks of Canada Geese tip from the horizon and cup their wings near our dock. A term of employment here is more than a job - it's a lifestyle that is both honored and unglorious, yet the most unique reward in our profession. Spring Staff of 2009 - welcome - and I'll race you to the front offices =)!
Chase
Our program instructors teach and lead activities that range from target sport skills and rock climbing to Geographical Information Systems and pocosin ecology. Finding success at the Eastern 4-H Center is not difficult - with all of the teaching tools needed to lead good programs, there are only several things that new staff members must overcome, and of course I have diagramed them below...
Yellow flies - This winged creatures have a fancy for finding their way into your face and hair when you do not expect it. But don't worry potential staff members, you recognize their presence soon. Yellow flies enjoy the taste of human flesh, and they look to the forehead region of the human body as a buffet of sorts. The best defense for these guys is to skimp on the "eau de toilette" and run like the wind. Running will create a vortex behind you...so don't run faster than your friends, unless you enjoy seeing them become overwhelmed with yellow flies.
Temperature variations - This occurrence is most common in the spring...a wind shift from north to south can occur in an hour and alter temperatures by up to 30 degrees... clothing layers are important. The summer sees little variation in temps - once temperatures reach 90 degrees, they seem to be perfectly content with staying there.
Mosquitoes - The Tyrrell County bird - as I like to call it "migrates" here every summer. Sometimes in swarms and sometimes by two's, the pesky phlebotomists appear early in the morning and at dusk. Mosquitoes are attracted to the Carbon Dioxide that is exchanged when you exhale...so if you can avoid breathing, you can also avoid mosquitoes.
The Country Life - To many, this is the lure of living and working at a full service camp and conference center. But being a day trip to the nearest shopping center does have it's disadvantages. The only Target we have nearby is located at the archery range here on site.
Bears - Generally these things are little bother...contrary to popular belief, they do not prefer to hunt humans, mainly because around here, humans hunt bears. Bears are opportunistis and prefer to eat farmers' crops and leftover animal carcasses that they didn't kill. Their favorite treat is a honeybun - but who can fault that - with their pillowy sweetness and sumptious icing, but I digress. However, from my own personal experience, if a bear does get too close to you, offer the beast some type of breath mint...they will happily partake...and their breath smells like microwaved garbage scrapings...so you'll both be happy and on your seperate ways.
The Staff House - the comfortable confines of our staffing complex are truly a reward to most staff members accustomed to the other drafty cabins or dorm rooms from which they have previously lived. The only drawback is it's immense size. The immense size makes it tough to keep spotless. The maintenance staff is insistent that it be spotless. Terri, Bud, and Charles are always willing to help change a lightbulb, clean the floors, and remind you how lucky you are to have such a place to call home (if it can be kept clean).
These items, once conqured, can make the life here a good one. There is nothing more rewarding than a walk to work through old-growth forests filled with yellow flies, mosquitoes, and bears. Knowing how to deal with them becomes second nature on the second day. Racing the sunrise to the front offices is a true reward. Seeing Ms. Mittie, our graceful receptionist, is your next reward. Other things that have inspired program instructors to get to work early include: arriving before Terri, being the first to see the often vivid colors of our fearless leader's daily outfit, and seeing the flocks of Canada Geese tip from the horizon and cup their wings near our dock. A term of employment here is more than a job - it's a lifestyle that is both honored and unglorious, yet the most unique reward in our profession. Spring Staff of 2009 - welcome - and I'll race you to the front offices =)!
Chase
February 5, 2009
Wedding Show countdown
It just hit me this morning, right in my proverbial face and mouth, that the Wedding Show is finally here! It comes together a lot like the "Dock of the Bay" fundraiser we host in early May - and by that I mean that you talk and plan and wait - then all of a sudden you have rooms full of flowers, tables, etc. Event planning intrigues me, so...
Based on what I have learned, I have taken the liberty of outlining the proper steps to planning a BIG event...
Step 1:
Have an idea ( a good one)
Step 2:
Convince friends that the idea is good i.e., is the project providing a service, will it be beneficial to others, etc...if the idea is good, proceed to step 3 - if the you can't convince your friends that the idea is good then get another idea or different friends.
Step 3:
Determine the cost of the event and how it will be paid for...people generally enjoy lavish events, so this makes it tough! And since I misplace my wallet hourly, I will never be responsible for this portion.
Step 4:
Once you have developed the financial plan, marketing opportunities must be discovered...luckily we have Sara Phelps...she is one of the few around here who has a face for TV...and her experience and relationships with local businesses makes this a cinch for the Center.
Step 5:
This step must be accomplished for full enjoyment of the event -Get bogged down with something else...there is nothing more exciting than planning for two fund-raisers at once, trust me. Luckily, no one is getting confused around here with all of the planning...it would be terrible to receive our signs from the print company and discover that they all read "Welcome to the Sixth Annual Dock of the Wedding". Also, playing catch-up is exciting...and since we all drink coffee, it's an excuse to drink more of the stuff! Luckily, Sara keeps us all on track.
Step 6:
Arrive one morning shortly before the event to see delivery trucks and moving vans at the site of the event. This is when the event starts to physically take shape...only yesterday the Conference Room sat in starkness...now it is full of beautiful flowers, exquisite linens, roman-esque columns, and strong men altering their locations. For all of the long meetings, extra projects, and nervous waiting, watching the Wedding Show come together (finally) is a site to behold. I wish I had the fancy tastes of Sara, but I don't. Nikki and Teresa have the fancy tastes, but I just do not. I am thankful to work at a place that is beautiful year-round, and made more beautiful by the people who work in it and on it...
Step 7:
On the day of the event, leave something at home - preferably in the stove. There could be nothing worse or more unavoidable...trust me, it will happen. In fact, if you have ever had any BIG occasion, something will hamper your efforts...I have left for meetings and conferences only to find out (2 hours down the road), that I left my luggage...in the stove. However, once you recover from the mishap, you'll be surprised to find that the event is now underway, and will soon be over, and a slight grief settles in your gut. Curiously, I have always wondered why people climb Mount Everest...months of planning and effort, for a 30 minute view from the roof of the world. But I can say this...for all of the planning and work - Dock of the Bay is AMAZING, I mean it is literally the best party ever - and it serves a mission by providing campership funds. So with that said, and with Sara's track record...this could actually be the best wedding show ever!
Step 8:
Clean-up...a couple of days after the event. Let your success sink in...reintroduce yourself to your family members and pet.
WELL, there you go...just follow the above steps the next time you want to host your very own party, fundraiser, on reunion...and this weekend if your special someone says "Do you wanna go to the Northeast Wedding Show?"...make sure you say "I do"....and check the stove.
Chase
**This post is dedicated to the staff members who put in tons of effort to make this wedding show the "Next Big Thing".
Based on what I have learned, I have taken the liberty of outlining the proper steps to planning a BIG event...
Step 1:
Have an idea ( a good one)
Step 2:
Convince friends that the idea is good i.e., is the project providing a service, will it be beneficial to others, etc...if the idea is good, proceed to step 3 - if the you can't convince your friends that the idea is good then get another idea or different friends.
Step 3:
Determine the cost of the event and how it will be paid for...people generally enjoy lavish events, so this makes it tough! And since I misplace my wallet hourly, I will never be responsible for this portion.
Step 4:
Once you have developed the financial plan, marketing opportunities must be discovered...luckily we have Sara Phelps...she is one of the few around here who has a face for TV...and her experience and relationships with local businesses makes this a cinch for the Center.
Step 5:
This step must be accomplished for full enjoyment of the event -Get bogged down with something else...there is nothing more exciting than planning for two fund-raisers at once, trust me. Luckily, no one is getting confused around here with all of the planning...it would be terrible to receive our signs from the print company and discover that they all read "Welcome to the Sixth Annual Dock of the Wedding". Also, playing catch-up is exciting...and since we all drink coffee, it's an excuse to drink more of the stuff! Luckily, Sara keeps us all on track.
Step 6:
Arrive one morning shortly before the event to see delivery trucks and moving vans at the site of the event. This is when the event starts to physically take shape...only yesterday the Conference Room sat in starkness...now it is full of beautiful flowers, exquisite linens, roman-esque columns, and strong men altering their locations. For all of the long meetings, extra projects, and nervous waiting, watching the Wedding Show come together (finally) is a site to behold. I wish I had the fancy tastes of Sara, but I don't. Nikki and Teresa have the fancy tastes, but I just do not. I am thankful to work at a place that is beautiful year-round, and made more beautiful by the people who work in it and on it...
Step 7:
On the day of the event, leave something at home - preferably in the stove. There could be nothing worse or more unavoidable...trust me, it will happen. In fact, if you have ever had any BIG occasion, something will hamper your efforts...I have left for meetings and conferences only to find out (2 hours down the road), that I left my luggage...in the stove. However, once you recover from the mishap, you'll be surprised to find that the event is now underway, and will soon be over, and a slight grief settles in your gut. Curiously, I have always wondered why people climb Mount Everest...months of planning and effort, for a 30 minute view from the roof of the world. But I can say this...for all of the planning and work - Dock of the Bay is AMAZING, I mean it is literally the best party ever - and it serves a mission by providing campership funds. So with that said, and with Sara's track record...this could actually be the best wedding show ever!
Step 8:
Clean-up...a couple of days after the event. Let your success sink in...reintroduce yourself to your family members and pet.
WELL, there you go...just follow the above steps the next time you want to host your very own party, fundraiser, on reunion...and this weekend if your special someone says "Do you wanna go to the Northeast Wedding Show?"...make sure you say "I do"....and check the stove.
Chase
**This post is dedicated to the staff members who put in tons of effort to make this wedding show the "Next Big Thing".
February 4, 2009
Fire and Ice....
A couple of days ago, the Center was prescribed to do a control burn of some of the wilderness areas on site. What is a control burn, you ask? It's exactly what it says it is...we are firm believers in wildlife management through habitat improvement, and fire is a major tool used in habitat improvement. North Carolina Foresters were on hand to "control" the burn...through a series of test burns and back burns, foresters are able to safely control a fire and maximize the improvements that a fire can produce.
Only days when fire circumstances warrant a burn, will a burn permit be issued. A variety of factors are used: wind direction and speed, temperature, and humidity levels are the most important, as well as man power.
The fire is historically important to pocosin lowlands in eastern North Carolina. Many expanses of swamp in our area will experience a major forest fire. Last year's fire in Tyrrell and Hyde counties burned thousands of acres. The slow buildup of carbon materials in a swamp is a damp fuse, waiting to be lit. When this occurs (usually through lightning), the impacts can be dramatic. Smoke blanketed our area and altered summer camp procedures. Forest fire crews swarmed the area to contain the fire. Interestingly enough, our peat bogs, once ignited can burn for decades. How do they do this? Peat moss is a layer of soil, usually submerged anywhere from an inch to 3 feet below the pedosphere (the ground we walk on) and cannot be reached with a hose...it burns slowly, though. The only way too extinguish these submerged inferno is through flooding the involved areas. These areas could include 100's of square miles!!!!
But still, fire is good. It removes dead or decaying vegetation. It encourages new growth from plants, which in turn provides new food and shelter for animals like rabbit and quail. And before you ask "do animals get burned?" - for the most part they do not. When it gets warm, an animals survival instincts kick in and they head out! Just like humans...
The property at the Center has nw been improved by: removing non-nutritive undergrowth such as briars and weeds (these rob our beautiful old growth forest of energy), burning dead ground matter such as old snags, and with the removal of these things, provides a fresh blanket of early succession grasses and legumes rich in proteins for field mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
But as hot as it was on Monday with the flame - we are now experiencing a light snow to cover these burned areas. Highs for the next couple of days will top out at 35 degrees.
Burning is an important management tool - and we would be glad to talk to anyone considering doing this to their property. Please contact the North Carolina Division of Forestry for information and assistance...they can tell you whether it is needed or not. They can also help you conduct this procedure in a safe manner.
Chase
Only days when fire circumstances warrant a burn, will a burn permit be issued. A variety of factors are used: wind direction and speed, temperature, and humidity levels are the most important, as well as man power.
The fire is historically important to pocosin lowlands in eastern North Carolina. Many expanses of swamp in our area will experience a major forest fire. Last year's fire in Tyrrell and Hyde counties burned thousands of acres. The slow buildup of carbon materials in a swamp is a damp fuse, waiting to be lit. When this occurs (usually through lightning), the impacts can be dramatic. Smoke blanketed our area and altered summer camp procedures. Forest fire crews swarmed the area to contain the fire. Interestingly enough, our peat bogs, once ignited can burn for decades. How do they do this? Peat moss is a layer of soil, usually submerged anywhere from an inch to 3 feet below the pedosphere (the ground we walk on) and cannot be reached with a hose...it burns slowly, though. The only way too extinguish these submerged inferno is through flooding the involved areas. These areas could include 100's of square miles!!!!
But still, fire is good. It removes dead or decaying vegetation. It encourages new growth from plants, which in turn provides new food and shelter for animals like rabbit and quail. And before you ask "do animals get burned?" - for the most part they do not. When it gets warm, an animals survival instincts kick in and they head out! Just like humans...
The property at the Center has nw been improved by: removing non-nutritive undergrowth such as briars and weeds (these rob our beautiful old growth forest of energy), burning dead ground matter such as old snags, and with the removal of these things, provides a fresh blanket of early succession grasses and legumes rich in proteins for field mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
But as hot as it was on Monday with the flame - we are now experiencing a light snow to cover these burned areas. Highs for the next couple of days will top out at 35 degrees.
Burning is an important management tool - and we would be glad to talk to anyone considering doing this to their property. Please contact the North Carolina Division of Forestry for information and assistance...they can tell you whether it is needed or not. They can also help you conduct this procedure in a safe manner.
Chase
February 3, 2009
How to save a life...
With so many concerned and caring people working at the Center, it can become difficult to recount all of the wonderful community service projects that we participate in...one of our most important is the "quad-monthly" (pretty sure I just made that up) blood drive. Terri Spear, our resident Housekeeper to the Stars, helps organize this regular event. I have always wondered why Terri does this, but after knowing Terri for close to three years - I realize that she doesn't really need a reason. I think she likes to do all she can...as long as it is good. Often, she is the first person I see in the mornings once at work...and this morning was no different - but what is usually a happy exchange of "hello's", this morning was different. Threatening to "tie me-down" to take my blood, followed her cheery "good morning". Knowing that I am particularly nervous about needles, she pokes more fun. However, Terri is good at these "scare" tactics - actually putting me at ease about the 3 foot needles...quite a feat considering that I get nervous on any day when phlebotomists outnumber staff members. Point is, I am not scared of the needles anymore...I am scared to let Terri down - if she can open up her heart and schedule for blood drives, the least I can do is open a little vein. So if you're out there, and find yourself a little nervous about giving, come meet Terri - she can convince you! Oh yeah - there's usually cookies at the end of the ordeal!
February 2, 2009
A Star is Born...
As soon as you finish reading this blog, grab your planner and make this note: "Lee Scripture begins ascent to stardom." That's right - The Eastern 4-H Center's Director did a real life interview at a genuine TV station in a real city (Greenville).
Lee was at WITN for their morning broadcast...he was promoting our Northeast Wedding Show. Everybody that knows Lee, realizes that he has a face for radio...Anyway, it all went off without a hitch and Lee did a wonderful job. Now all that's left is for the show to take place...recently we have added lots of new vendors, before long we will be turning vendors away. So if you are still thinking about gettin' a booth...hurry or you'll miss out on this unique show!
Chase
Lee was at WITN for their morning broadcast...he was promoting our Northeast Wedding Show. Everybody that knows Lee, realizes that he has a face for radio...Anyway, it all went off without a hitch and Lee did a wonderful job. Now all that's left is for the show to take place...recently we have added lots of new vendors, before long we will be turning vendors away. So if you are still thinking about gettin' a booth...hurry or you'll miss out on this unique show!
Chase
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