NCCC Atlantic Region Get to the Point Issue 10 Volume XVII by AmeriCorpsNCCCAtlantic Region

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

May 2011

Volume XVII Issue 10

Get to the Point: The NCCC News An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication

Perry Point

Maryland

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Featured on the Cover- Upper left clockwise: Moose 7/Phoenix 2 Bethany Stolz is laughing it while on fire! Raven 1’s Tristian is making it work while on Martha’s Vineyard. The bottom photographs are in honor of our many teams out on disaster. Center: Buffalo 6 getting it done in PA!

Strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service

Inside Issue 10: Buffalo 3 Update

3-4

AmeriCount

Special Thanks

AmeriGourment

Goodbye Glen

6-7

Brain Food

Photo Contest

Recycling

Alumni Spotlight

AmeriWeek

CAP & Media

Bursting Bubble

I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 to 24 years old and spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment.

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Buffalo 3: Back Row Starting Left– Barry Clark Jr, Anthony Wadas, Tenaya Lamon-Anderson, Jamel Murphy Middle Row from Left: Greg Venturini, Andrew Proctor, Chelsea Hurst, Tiffany Solis Front: TL Marlee Cea

B3: “You’re a Hot Mess” The glorious, ambitious, and extremely intellectual team, with a strong and fearless heart (and terrifying flatulence), but with a little piece yet to be added; began their mission to spread, “RESPECT”, on Tuesday, March 12, in the beautiful and prestigious state of Delaware. Although, they were missing two team members the first week, Chelsea and Greg, they still managed to beautify most of the ball fields for the Delaware District 1 Little League during their four weeks in Delaware. Once they had finished their work in Delaware, they dirt biked straight to Maryland and joined forces with Rebuilding Together Baltimore. They had three weeks to clean out, beautify, and prepare homes for the organization’s “Rebuilding Day,” held on the last Saturday of their stay. The houses belonged to senior residents with lower, fixed incomes in Baltimore city and the greater county. Amidst days of beautifying community lots, counting storm drains, and even priming a skate park, they took time to explore the Baltimore area. The team took long walks in the harbor, went to an Orioles baseball game (ask Tenaya for more details), and found a new and exciting way to go downstairs…in a sleeping bag. (B3!B3!B3!) The last day in Baltimore was Rebuilding Day. Mixed in with over 800 volunteers, B3! AmeriCorps NCCC got involved in community beautification and repairs for some of the twenty-fives homes chosen for renovation. After an 80’s flashback brunch with the Rebuilding Together Baltimore staff, they headed back to the Point. During a three-day transition the team accomplished a debriefing, briefing, and they finally added the little piece that was missing in their heart for so long—their new team member, Ashley (B3B3B3B3B3B3B3B3B3B3!).

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Soon though, B3 sped off to Hubbardton Vermont to care for the environment by pulling garlic mustard (invasive species) and caring for The Nature Conservancy’s nursery. They brought peace to the clay plain forests of Vermont by planting native trees, and they got in touch with their inner-Hippies by going on daily hikes, runs, eating strange plants, and wrestling with rattlesnakes (crikey!). Also, they played harmonious melodies with their guitars, mandolins, voices, and constant dance parties to thank the surrounding forests and mountains for their beauty and prestige. Amongst all the wonderful happenings, Buffalo 3 they had a couple of peculiar, “Aha!” moments; and with those, gained more experience and understanding, especially on navigation -we’re still working on MOOSE 1 SHOUT OUT: that one. On the second week of their stay, one more piece of their heart went away Shoutout to M6- Jay says HE MISSES all on emergency, but little did they know, those two missing pieces would be put right of you! Shoutout to Josh and Harley on M6back sooner then later. One day, after less than two weeks of work, Ma Marlee spoke four words that Mama is so proud of your disaster relief work would forever change the course of history: “We’re going to Georgia!” So now, we’re on our way to the Atlanta area to do tornado relief work—holla atcha shawties! Shoutout to P2- I miss you Shoutout to MJ on Thunder 1- RIP IT!!!! B3B3B3B3B3B3B33B3B3B3B3B3!!...Word to Marlee. MOOSE 3 SHOUT OUT: Jamie: *Green Team: Total eclipse of the heart…that is all I have to say <3 *TLT House 1103, miss you girls hope your 2ND round is treating you well. Can we please do a dinner during the next transition? *Melissa, thanks for always picking up the phone. *Roomie, stay safe with all your travels. *To my Moose TLs…always keep your antlers up =D

Michael and Nolan you two are the greatest people on earth. – Mark Brooke, I hope you are warming up to your duty! - Megan

MOOSE PRIDE! Provided by Moose 1

Check out Melissa from Moose 2 enjoying some knitting! Remember that the YouTube Question for the Round is: What do you think to do in your free time? & Team Builders. (All in the A)

AmeriCount Down Brought to you by: Old Man Time

183

Days Until Return to the Point

Days Until Transition

Days Until Summer Break

Days Until Graduation

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner This week we are in the AmeriKitchen with Jason MacFadgen Alumni from 2009 & 2010 Perry Point, MD

Baked Ziti from Raven 4 Class 16 •1

pound dry ziti pasta onion, chopped •2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce •6 ounces provolone cheese •1 1/2 cups sour cream •6 ounces mozzarella cheese •2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese •Vegetables Optional by taste buds of the team •1

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain. 2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes. 3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce Above: Raven 4 Left: Class 16’s Raven 4 getting a Service Learning Cooking Class “Nom-Nom” Can you pick out Class 17 TLs?

mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. 4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted. Finish the meal off with last week’s ice cream from Class 16’s Badger 4!

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Goodbye from Glen Stubbolo “Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave.”- Winnie the Pooh As was reported here last week, I am leaving the Atlantic Region family. I want to thank Laura M and Sam for allowing me space to talk to you about this, as I will not have the opportunity to say good-bye in person. In my mind would be the question- why? Why are you leaving when you just started? Like many things in life, the answer can be complicated, but I am not a complicated man- I have few enough brain cells to spare any of them on complications. I also prefer to use the wisdom and words of far greater minds than mine, so in this column you will here from Winnie the Pooh (AA Milne), Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Col. Of the 20th Maine during the Civil war and hero of Gettysburg), Dr Seuss and Theodore Roosevelt. As I contemplated writing this- saying goodbye to an incredible group of young men and women, I kept in mind the first of my quotes from Dr Seuss: Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened. I had the opportunity to return to my position at Delaware State Parks and a very short window in which to make the decision before the opportunity was passed. Having long discussions with Regina (my beloved wife, my moon and my sun, my very Polaris!), I made this toughest of decisions based on what I thought was best for my family (did you know I have 6 children – 4 of them are your age!). This is probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I love the work we are doing, it is meaningful and I believe in it. I believe in each of you and your ability to make good things happen for the people we serve and for your selves. You live up to the adage of Theodore Roosevelt: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Inside I feel a bit hollow, empty. So many hopes and enthusiasm for so many projects and for so many of you left behind. I am kind of dodging the calendar knowing that next Friday, May 27 will be my last day on campus. I enjoy so many thing here- not the least is hearing of your exploits, seeing your energy and abilities! I am not good at good-byes, so let me say:

1.Thanks to the Atlantic Region staff for all your kindnesses, for your examples of selfless effort to help those in need, for your kind words, gentle guidance and fun.

2.Thanks to the TL’s= WOW is an inadequate adjective for how I feel about each of you. 3.To the Corps: I marvel at your commitments and willingness to serve. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you, seeing your patience when asked for the 100th time “where are you from?”; learning your names, seeing your teams coming together into these incredible units; hearing your laughter in the hallways (B15 is just not the same when you are deployed!)

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

There is much I will miss and regret in not being here, but I am encouraged by being just next door; being a Sponsor and maybe seeing some you again in parks; and returning to see you at graduation, if not sooner. So in closing, I want to leave you with a few things to think on (always remember to reflect and think on what you do!) One of my greatest heroes is Joshua Chamberlain, hero of Gettysburg, Col. Of the 20th Main, Congressional Medal of Honor winner. The words are antiquated, but read them quietly. Look beyond the gender bias in the writing and hear the message that each of you remind me of, each of you model for me, each of you challenge me to be. “We know not of the future, and cannot plan for it much. But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men (and women) we will be whenever and wherever the hour strikes that calls to noble action…” In groping for the right words, I stumbled on a line In AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, which sums up perfectly my hopes for each of you, when Christopher Robin tells Pooh, “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together… there is something you must always remember…you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Please remember this about yourselves. You are GREAT! Don’t be afraid to let it out! And finally to one and all… May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Full speed ahead, Atlantic Region and Class 17!!!

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Brain Food: L&M Trivia Brought to you by: Laura Mack Community Relations STL & Melissa Jabat Programming Office STL

What is NCCC-Activity: First team to get back to CRSTL Laura Mack will win a prize...trust us you want this prize!

Using only horizontal and vertical lines, connect every number to its pair (i.e. 1 goes to 1, 2 goes to 2, etc). The lines must not cross each other. BUFFALO 1 SHOUT OUT:

Who was the first CEO of the Corporation I love you and miss you Moose 4. Understood. Danny for National Service (the Corporation I love watching you sleep at night Aubrey. Love, Lauryn that oversees AmeriCorps Programs)?

Want to be a Team Leader?

Lauryn, I’m sorry your feet hurt but I still love you. – Aubrey MOOSE 7 SHOUT OUT: HEY BETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 moose caboose

This Could Be You! Applications close August 1st Those selected start January 2012

A poor tree, Forced to retire To quiet antiquity. So base, That comfort is wrought, Through which profit, A company sought.

Buffalo 6 wants to remind you to keep hydrated!

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Photo Contest Announcement Brought to you by: Laura Mack CRSTL

Many of you probably didn’t know that I was a photography minor while in college, well I was. I had an obsession of producing the best photographs EVER! To prove to myself that I produced great photos I would send them to any and every type of photography outlet….newsletters, my campus’ website and then gallery competitions. I once had my photography published in a magazine (pictured here)! Proud of me. So now that I just spent the past sentences stroking my own ego I would like to get to the real point to this short article… I would like to have every team submit a Photograph by: Laura Mack

photograph to be part of the first roundly (every round) photo competition. These

photos will be judged by the staff here in B15 (so sucking up to me and Sam won’t work, even though we would be grateful for it). And the top 4 winners will be placed up in B15 hallways, so everyone and admire your work. MOOSE 2 SHOUT OUT: To Brooke: After watching your short film we have decided (I have decided) to make Wes grow/rock a mullet for transition. Mark your calendar accordingly. Speaking of mullets, do they award style points for your haircut at the weenis rodeo? To Caleb & Buffalo 4: Good luck in Alabama…if all else fails, just play Wagon Wheel (trust me on this one). To Rod: Do you feel like the Playdough Fun Factory ever really delivered in the successful manufacturing of fun? To Buffalo 7: You, and me, and Whitney Houston…on the radio baby, on the radio!

Perry Point now has a recycling system. There are two 96-gallon bins behind 9-h, next to the dumpster, that must stay outside, and there are four 32-gallon bins inside of 9-h (two on each floor)

RAVEN 7 SHOUT OUT: Raven 7 is getting fatter by the day as the entire city of Buffalo stuffs wings and pizzas down their throats, and they need Dom to return and get them back into shape. Nicki’s weed-wacking career is over before it even started, Ariel is great at getting people to fill out applications, Carl has a magnificent forehead, Julian might still be on our team but it could be that a homeless guy took his place, Sofa wants to be a full time ballerina, Kitty is slowly but surely becoming a vegetarian but she just loves bacon too much, Gil has been ill, Two Sandwich Rob has equipped himself with more sandwich materials, Colin had a violent encounter with an acorn squash and a produce scale (the squash and scale won), and Zac is greatly missed.

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Alumni Spotlight: Ruben Forsman Alumni Spotlight of the Week is Ruben Forsman from Class XV, Perry Point Campus. Ruben was on the Raven 2 team during his service term here at Perry Point. He spent some time in New Orleans after his service term and is now finishing up his term as a Team Leader with the Vicksburg campus. How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? I found out about NCCC from a friend who served 2 terms (Corps Members and Support Team Leader) at the Sacramento campus. Alumni Ruben Forsman What was the best part of your year? My most memorable service moment was during a disaster deployment in WV. The very first house myself and 2 of my fellow Narwhal 1 team mates went into was owned by an extremely lovely local couple who had lived in the area their entire life and had been married for over 30 years. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met and even though they had almost nothing left after the flood all they wanted to do was find something to give us as a thank you for even the little assistance we were able to provide them at that time. Corps Member Ruben

What are you doing now? Shortly after I completed my term as an AmeriCorps State with Saint Bernard Project in New Orleans I began a term as a Team Leader. Currently I am wrapping up my term as an AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader at the Vicksburg Campus. I am working on my Life After AmeriCorps and am excited for the future, to be able to continue in service. Plus those educational awards are going to come in handy.

Ruben TL with his current team

Reminder: Team Leader applications close on August 1, 2011. Those who apply and are accepted will start as Team Leaders in January 2012. The time will go quickly. It will be August 1st before you know it. Think about it. Talk it over and apply before August 1st.

Happy AmeriCorps Week! May 14-21, 2011 The 5th annual AmeriCorps Week, provides the perfect opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to demonstrate AmeriCorps' impact on critical issues, bring more Americans into service, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. AmeriCorps Week shines a spotlight on AmeriCorps' impact in communities across the country in order to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

CAP & Media Reminders

Brought to you by: the Community Relations Office

CAP– This week is AmeriCorps Week, that means it is prefect time to contact alumni! When you are planning at CAP Event (which you need a minimum of 3) please communicate your plans to your Team Leader and to your Coordinator. Teams should coordinate their dates & times before reaching out to a recruitment partner!- Job Corps, Youth Build, Youth ChalleNGe Academy, Foster Care & Covenant House Reminder to lessen the amount of special events we are going to!

Media– Reminder the YouTube video question of the round is: What do you like to do on your free time? And what team builders to do you do?*all have to be in uniform* Please start posting more photos onto your Picasa site! All teams have been approved with their Project Press Releases, start sending them to news sources in your area. •Please

follow up on releases to ensure they were received

•Search

online to see if the releases were published. Whenever coverage is received a media coverage form should be completed within 48 hours which is found on the portal.

Media social media is even more important than ever! Please tell the world about the great things you are doing on disaster! Put Tweets out, Write on the National Face Book wall, POST PICTURES AND MAKE YOUTUBE VIDEOS! Be proud of the work you are doing and show it off!

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MOOSE 5 SHOUT OUT:Moose Five went searching for our noble namesake in New Hampshire! We haven’t found one yet, but we’ll let you know when we do! Shoutouts for the week: -Dear FS1: May we never part again, last time was too painful! All our love, Kate and Kat -Shoutouts to all the media reps, and to Raven 6 from Ja’Lissa! -Hey to all our friends helping with the disasters down south. We hope to join you soon! Miss ya Megan, Maria, and Katie <3 Haley

RAVEN 1 SHOUT OUT: Congrats to Thunder 1 and all of our other teams who are fighting the good fight down south. Raven One is proud of you and can’t wait to hear your stories. Also, shout out to my mini-spike boos, Katrina & Mat. Miss you!

The Physical Move of the Week The vertical leg crunch is another effective move for the rectus abdominals and the obliques. How to: 1. Lie on the floor and extend the legs straight up with knees crossed. 2. You can place your hands on the floor for support. 3. Contract the abs to lift the shoulder blades off the floor, as though reaching your chest towards your feet. 4. Keep the legs in a fixed position and imagine bringing your belly button towards your spine at the top of the movement. 5. Lower and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps. RAVEN 2 SHOUT OUT: Good Luck to all the corps members sent on disaster! Get things done! We miss you Sean!! Franklin can’t wait to cook for everyone

BUFFALO 4 SHOUT OUT: “She said damned be this wind

it’s still moving on in/to the bones in the bed of my soul.”

BUFFALO 3 SHOUT OUT: B3!B3!B3!B3! Absolutely loved Vermont and is very sad to leave such a great environment and our wonderful sponsors who love cookies just as much as we do :) To all the teams already in MS and AL, Georgia called us for a top secret mission, just know we'll be close by, get ready for a B3! Invasion. Word to Marlee

Check out these Corps Members hard at work! Getting Things Done!

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13 MOOSE 6 SHOUT OUT: Shoutout to Thunder 1: Come back to the campsite! Moose 6 is headed to New Orleans! RAVEN 6 SHOUT OUT: Thanks to Jeff & Gary, as well as the Pouch Camp. Dead deer carcass in the freezer . . . put it on the pizza. -Chris Quirk

As you know from recent news reports, we have had quite an active spring in terms of severe weather. Some storms have been downright catastrophic in terms of the damage to life and property. Our Southern Region campus has responded to the majority of call-ups within their region which was hit the hardest. NCCC has always been a jewel in the Corporations crown for our quick response and deployments to disaster assignments and our campus now has the opportunity to take a significant role in building a foundation to provide long-term recovery to these vulnerable communities. Please wish all the teams that are currently out on disaster the best of luck in their mission! Buffalo 2, 3, 4, 6 Moose 3, 4, 6 Raven 4, 6 Thunder 1 Composite

RAVEN 4 SHOUT OUT: Morgan: Go FS1!!! To all our neighbor teams in the southern states- good luck with your relief efforts. Let’s take the south by storm…. not literally. That’s already been done. Miss you all! Raven 4 would like to give a big hoot to our sister team, Moose 4. We’re stoked to be saving the world with you cool cats. Meow. Danielle- thanks for keeping your sister TL sane. Big fat shout out to our favorite Sweet Tooth and Old Greggggg. Do you love me?

RAVEN 5 SHOUT OUT: Umm….we got handily beat in a made up crap game against Raven 3. It was embarrassing. We found 36 syringes in one day….in one lot. A homeless man asked one of my corps members if she was okay after a brief conversation with her. Asking if she was okay was a nice way of asking if she was slow. BUFFALO 2 SHOUT OUT: Buffalo 2 has rolled into ‘Bama to join our Perry Point brethren. The devastation we saw was of the proportions you imagine when you hear the words “apocalyptic” or “wiped off the map”; In some areas, the few bricks left from a chimney or heaps of house parts are the only things standing above the cleared landscape. Were very eager to get to work!...it is, afterall, what we do best. PHOENIX 2 SHOUT OUT: The Birding Festival was a hoot! 5 times crazy!! Moose Deuce: Trudy misses you like she misses the old country. Good luck in Camden R5! –Wiley

THUNDER 1 (DIASTER) SHOUT OUT: B2, B4, R6, and M3: Welcome to Tuscaloosa! M6: Thanks for being cool coworkers and campmates. Best of luck in New Orleans! M1: Keep up the great work farming! –MJ R4, P2, and FS1: I miss you all! –Aja M4: Meow! I miss ya’ll so much! Have fun in Alabama! – Courtney B5: Representin, I luv my team. I miss ya’ll especially Katie and Raquel B5 Crazy Baby!! –Will Bradley E. G. Lehman: Hold down the fort while Quirk and I are away. -Rod

Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 10

Bursting the AmeriBubble Brought to you by: Laura Mack CRSTL & Multitudes of Media Sources

Fallout from the revelation that former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child outside his marriage has been "very hard" for him, and the actor "is doing everything he can to take full responsibility to take all of the spotlight off his children and wife," a source close to Schwarzenegger told CNN. (cnn.com)

In his speech addressing the Muslim world on Thursday, President Obama will attempt partially to close the gap between U.S. ideals about democracy and its strategic interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It won't be easy. Obama is using the occasion of the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden to recalibrate the United States' relationship with the Muslim world. (npr.org) The hotel maid accusing IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of trying to rape her "has not had a moment of peace" since their encounter made international headlines, her lawyer said Wednesday. (msnbc.com) Suburban Philadelphia police say a DUI stop involving an ice cream truck led to the discovery of water bottles filled with urine, including one in the freezer where treats are kept. Police say 46-year-old Yassir Hassan was visibly drunk when he was pulled over Friday in Middletown Township, Bucks County. When police searched the Trenton, N.J. man's truck, they say they found boxes of wine along with the bottles of urine. (msnbc.com) BUFFALO 5 SHOUT OUT: The skeleton crew that

BUFFALO 6 SHOUT OUT: Billy we all miss you. Jorgito misses

is Buffalo 5 is off to New Jersey!!! Watch out Snookie, here we come… Isaac, Will and Liz, remember who you are and where you come from (that’s a quote from the Lion King, but it seems applicable in this situation).

you and feels better! Always remember GIVING IS LIVING. B6 for life!

BUFFALO 4 SHOUT OUT: “She said damned be this wind

it’s still moving on in/to the bones in the bed of my soul.”

STL SHOUT OUT: Melissa wants to say Raven 5 I LOVE PANCAKES. Laura is busy being eating aspargus and talking to the animals *trust me they know what she saying...okay maybe not but don’t tell her she might cry… * Melissa and Laura have become “those weirdos of B15” between personal theme songs and random dance parties. The teams need to come back to distract the staff. MISS YOU ALL! Knoble says hey to CTM, I’m more traveled than you!

BUFFALO 7 SHOUT OUT: Moose 2: Oh yayeaahhh, do me like a monkey! …Everybody get in the pool! Shout out to P-Money on Phoenix 2. I know you’re not a doctor, but at least you’re burning things. Shout out to Thunder 1 and Moose 6. I wish I was there with you! ~Carolanne Good luck to all the disaster teams out there. And Caleb, it’s always a disaster when we’re not spooning.