Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 22
Get to the Point: The NCCC News
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication September 11-17 , 2011 Volume XVII Issue 22 Perry Point, MD
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 22
Strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service
Inside Issue 22: Faces of the Week
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Buffalo 6 Update
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Shout Outs
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AmeriGourmet
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AmeriCount Down
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Keep Healthy
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Brain Food
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Alumni Spotlight
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Counselorâ€&#x;s Corner
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Brain Food
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Letter to Sriracha
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Iâ€&#x;m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 to 24 years old & spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for & respond to disasters, build homes & help the environment.
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Buffalo 6:The Awesome Adventures of the Adventurous 8 Buffalo 6, has never stayed in one place for an entire round. Word of their amazing work ethic and just general beastliness has spread so much so that members of their team have been whisked away for other composites and such to spread the wealth and inspire the masses. Now, finally, Buffalo 6 has been fully reunited and is back to full strength, hence making them unstoppable. Perhaps this is what made them so ready to face their challenges with such vigor and aptitude, and still come out the other side without so much as a (slightly frazzled) hair out of place. When asked what would be the best description for this round, Buffalo 6 came up with one word: variety. 4 sponsors, 6 housings, 7 project sites, 3 festivals, and a multitude of jobs, all within in the span of a six-week round. Buffalo 6 started Round 3 working with Delaware State Parks (Where in fact, they worked with nearly all the Delaware State Parks) and Valley Forge National Historic Park. The road was long and wearying, but they triumphed through. The Awesome 8 started their adventures at Bellevue, where they worked tearing down everything from invasive plant life to tearing down a building, and then fixing up and painting another to balance out their karma. They then trekked on down to the other end of the state to Delaware Seashore State Park and worked on their tans while playing with kids and being fastidiously festive and fun as well as becoming masters of „faking‟ (a very long, complicated way of winding a large amount of rope) at 2 days of festivals. Then, they chopped wood at Trap Pond for four days to replenish the stock that had been stolen by villainous bandits. B6 to the rescue! They chopped probably close to 18 tons worth of wood. (Beastin‟ it, B6 style.) Back to Delaware Seashore for some time at the beach to further their tans and fix some fencing and they were off! This time to Fort Delaware where, for 3 days, they moved from painting at Killens Pond with a substance that can only be accurately described as a glue the likes of which will never come off of anything and never cease to be sticky, to building a boardwalk at Lums Pond, to boating across the river to Fort DuPont to explore the fort on an epic adventure of ghost-hunting (alas, or fortunately, depending on your view, it was a
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fruitless quest) and bring water, and then truckin‟ on over to clear out an old barracks building from the 1980‟s. Throw in a little grounds work for good measure and they‟re out! After a little reprieve at the Point, the Adventurous 8 returned to an old project of theirs in Valley Forge, PA. This time, they were here to stay. For the final 2 weeks of the round the team was scraping, spraying, scaffolding, and slathering white-wash onto Knox‟s Estate. Hectic? A little. Unbelievable? Not really. Action-packed? You bet your granny‟s walker! “Fly or die!”
Buffalo 7 Shout Out:
Moose 3 Shout Out: I couldn’t think of any
Dear President Obama, Thanks so much for inviting B7 to the White House on Saturday night, it was an absolute blast! You made our time in DC so magical, and the Lincoln bedroom is exquisitely comfortable. Perhaps we could use the bowling alley next time we’re in town? Sincerely, Buffalo 7
other way to do this? Will you marry me Jacob Brewer? – Bethany Holy smoke column! I greatly miss the not so DISMAL phoenix 3 and hope ya’ll aren’t SWAMPed with too much work! - Megan Moose TLs sure do love and miss you all…all of you but Bradley =] oh and “All I do is win” Hunter
P.S. Don’t tell B3 or B5 that we ditched them to spend the night with you. They’ll only get jealous ;)
and Slavics meet me in the middle somewhere or come to Boston! – Jamie
Raven 4 Shout Out: We heard rumors that Hot Wax Party will be doing a reunion tour and we couldn’t be more excited
Moose 6 Shout Out: Why did Bradley cross
Reminder to all CAPs! The Winter 2012 Application Deadline has been extended to September 30th! Follow in Logan’s Footsteps & CAP!
the road? To give the moose some sawyer training. Moose Six is rocking out in Middletown, CT! Harley: Valentine! Brandon: For the last time, Buffalo is not “New Yolk!” Rachel: Eliza, I miss your face! Brittney: Buttscratcha!
Megan TL of Buffalo 1 wants to remind you to get your rest, stay health and keep well! Also enjoy your 4th Round!
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AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people
Curried Carrot Soup
1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 onion, chopped 2 tablespoons curry powder 4 pounds carrots, chopped 8 cups vegetable broth 4 cups water, or as needed
Directions 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. SautĂŠ onion until tender and translucent. Stir in the curry powder. Add the chopped carrots, and stir until the carrots are coated. Pour in the vegetable broth, and simmer until the carrots are soft, about 20 minutes.
2.Transfer the carrots and broth to a blender, and puree until smooth. Pour back into the pot, and thin with water to your preferred consistency.
Greek Fettuccine Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people 3 (16 ounce) packages spinach fettuccine pasta 4-1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 3/4 cup chopped black olives (optional) 2-1/4 cups crumbled feta cheese 3 pinches salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions 1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the fettuccine, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. 2.Place the tomatoes, mint, and black olives (if using) into a saucepan over medium-low heat, and bring to a bare simmer. Stir in the feta cheese, and allow to melt slightly. 3.Place the spinach fettuccine into a serving bowl, and toss with the tomato mixture. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
AmeriCount Down
22 Days until Open House
38 Days until Member for a Day
47 Days until Halloween
51 Days until Return to the Point
64 Days until Graduation
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Keeping Healthy During Disaster By: Hurley Combs, Moose 1 Putting a personal spin on Health Knowledge
Hello fellow Corps Members. I know many of you are working on disaster projects at the moment and many of you are probably moving heavy items and we can‟t have your bones giving you problems now can we? I did a little bit of research on things you can do to keep your bones strong and one of the parts of keeping them strong is nutrition. Your bones need both Vitamin D and Calcium to keep strong. Now I‟m certain many of us know that calcium is in milk and dairy products but let‟s take a look at what other foods have them. Natural foods that have them are Veggies, Nuts, Grains, Fish, and fruits.
Nutrition: Veggies that contain Calcium are: Broccoli, Water Cress, Curly Kale, Okra, Red Kidney Beans, Chick Peas, Green Beans & Baked Beans Nuts that have calcium are: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Hazelnuts, Sesame Seeds, Walnuts &Tahini Grains that have calcium are: White Rice & Whole meal Fish that have calcium in the meat are: Sardines, Whitebait & Salmon Fruits that have calcium are: Apricots, Figs, Currants & Oranges Tofu also has calcium ...And now onto the mysterious Vitamin D... Vitamin D helps your body to absorb the calcium it needs to keep your bones strong and ways to get are simple for a meat eater but slightly more difficult for vegetarians and vegan. Many fish have Vitamin D in them but for Vegetarians and Vegans I could only find that Mushrooms have them through my research. Many foods are fortified with Vitamin D in present times and you can also get it from being in the sun without sunscreen at least 10 minutes but it is a minimal amount of Vitamin D. On the off chance that you don‟t want to eat these foods or can‟t because of the budget just go ahead and take a supplement the idea is to get enough calcium and Vitamin D. Exercise: I also found out that exercise can help keep your bones strong and that when you don’t exercise you lose bone mass but there is such a thing as doing too much exercising and to keep in mind what your body is telling you. If it hurts to do an exercise don‟t participate and figure something else out pain is a way to let you know to take it easy, just as heavy breathing can mean to rest up for a little bit.
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Alumni Spotlight: Peter Winfrey Peter Winfrey, served as a Corps Member in Class XVI: Badger 7 at the Atlantic Region Campus at Perry Point. How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? I first discovered NCCC from going to college in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. My college had a service day, and I went to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity on the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain. At the worksite, I met some gray shirted individuals who were helping out, and it spurred my curiosity, and I found out that they members of a program called NCCC. I thought it was interesting but put it into the back of my mind, until I saw some NCCC volunteering at the T-shirt booth I was working at the New Orleans Jazz Festival two years later. I was just about to graduate from college, and after that encounter, I started to seriously look into NCCC for myself. What was your favorite project with NCCC? With Badger 7, it always seemed like we always got the really interesting projects, and some off-the-wall ones (the mosquito project comes to mind), and all of them had some great moments. However, working with Habitat for Humanity in Portland, Maine, was hands down my favorite project of the year. This was our last round as a team, and we had a great sponsor (shout out to Steve) and an awesome locale (MAINE!) for our project. I feel it really put the exclamation point on our team Getting Things Done! Is there a special memory that sticks out in your mind of your NCCC experience? I think it is the amalgamation of all the different people we met and were able to help in different ways, from St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana to Portland, Maine. I always remember the happiness and sincere gratitude of the people who we were able to help. How has NCCC impacted your life after AmeriCorps? The wide array of experiences I encountered being in NCCC gave me a wide range of skills to work with in different situations. I really think it gave me a mindset that made me ready and prepared...for anything I encounter. What are your current plans? I'm currently finishing up a AmeriCorps State term in Mississippi, working as a volunteer coordinator/land manager for a Land Trust in Biloxi, MS. I'm currently looking doing a SCA internship in a National Park once my AmeriCorps term ends. ‌And any reflection points or recommendations to the general mass of Class 17‌ I remember last year, everyone told us that our year was going to go SO fast, but it really is true. It (Continued on page 8)
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seemed like a whirlwind from Induction to Graduation. But if there is one thing I would say to the current class, is that now that the year is coming to a close, cherish the time you have left in the program, and make good memories and experiences with your team that will last a lifetime. Carpe Diem.
Raven Zero Shout Out: Rod is all by his
Raven 7 Shout Out: Raven 7 has very
lonesome in the great white north. But hey...the Ruminations do not have to end. Case in point: It seems like there are many hot button political issues related to legalizing things. But when you people are arguing about that kind of stuff, think about this. Isn’t taking a taxi somewhere essentially legalized hitch hiking?
quickly formed a New England accent, made friends with the likes of Dale and Richard, and loves the good life at the White Mountains Hostel.
The Situation Shout Out: THE Buffalo 1 Shout Out: Shout out to P3, I miss and love all of you! - from King Sweet Meat Rubicon Ding! Missing all of my TLs, hope 4th round is amazing and get ready for those
SITUATION has taken over New Jersey. There is no Situation 1-3. It’s just THE SITUATION! Watch out Situation because THE SITUATION is here and cleaning New Jersey up one day at a time.
last 3 weeks….!
Moose 1 & 4 Shout Out: -MEOW to all our dispersed Moose 4’s! -Ms. Snyder do I still get paid. Ms. Gougeon said I do! -Hi FRANKIE J, MJ, BECKY HOWs JERSEY..HOPE U GUYS r HAVING FUNN..Can’t wait to see You when we get back J -Bradley where is our chainsaw training?
Raven 6 Shout Out: We miss you
Courtney, Dania & Mia! We are never coming back, so you better get up here soon. Allen: I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.
Buffalo 6 Shout Out: To Nikki R7- Don’t go stircrazy! – Tiffany /To Zac R7 – Happy (belated) Birthday! – Emily It’s business time. – George
Buffalo 5 Shout Out: Dear President Obama, I guess we missed you at the 9/11 event, but not to worry, we’re still in town for another week. Think we could meet up for a hot dog or something? We’d be willing to drive to your place. Sincerely, Buffalo 5
Buffalo 3 Shout Out: Dear President Obama, Soooo, B5, B3 and B7 are all is DC this weekend and I think we ALL would like to have a hot dog with you, hopefully before B3 and B7 depart for PA and DE respectively. We are near subway stops, so we could really meet you anywhere, you name it. Sincerely, B3!B3!B3!B3!B3!
Raven 5 Shout Out: Raven 5 is awesome. I really don’t know what to say. – Rachel Woods
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Counselor Corner: HAWL Edition By: Sophia Neil, Raven 7 Health and Wellness Liaison
Being a Health and Wellness Liaison (HAWL) has been nothing but enjoyable. For three rounds, I have had the great pleasure to do what I love, which is getting to be this specialty role. When I first learned about this specialty role, I knew that it was something that I would love and would be perfect for me. I remember the first official day of becoming a Health and Wellness Liaison. So after getting the role and seeing what it was like I thought to myself “hmmm….I don‟t have paperwork for this role and that part seems easy”. So I started trying different things out and thinking of different thoughts. Although I loved having no weekly paperwork for this role, I felt that this role would not be official unless more action was taken. So I started creating work for myself. It‟s not like I was not important, I just wanted to feel more successful in my work. So I came up with ideas for my team: cooking partners, stress relievers, team dates, check- ins, team discussions, contests and an anonymous box. I also started creating and implementing presentations on remaining stress free and other health awareness. The HAWL role has been nothing but an exciting path for me. To me, being a Health and Wellness Liaison was more than just making sure that my team was hydrated and receiving enough sleep. This is because there is more to AmeriCorps life than that. My advice for other HAWLS is to step up and make this specialty role the best that it can be. I know it may not seem like it right now, but the great efforts and hard work will shine through. If things feel like they are going downhill, kick it up with positivity or take some of the steps that I took. In the end, being a HAWL is more than just fulfilling a specialty role, it is also a wonderful job that is greatly looked upon.
Brain Food: L & M Trivia By: Those Crazy STLs L. Mack & M. Jabat
What is NCCC-Activity:
First team to get back to CRSTL Laura Mack will win!
What is NCCC Mission Statement?
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An Open Letter to Sriracha From Moose 5
Dear Sriracha (aka Hot Rooster Sauce), We, the members of Moose 5, would like to stop for a moment to acknowledge your legendary status as the greatest hot sauce in the history of the world. Other sauces tremble in your wake as you swagger your red rooster bottle past. You make crappy food taste delicious and delicious food taste like ambrosia from Mt. Olympus. We use you on every meal we make and even on some of the ones we don‟t. Sometimes, desperate for a spark to get us through the work day, we‟ll squirt your hot rooster sauce straight into our mouths. As we savor the scalding napalm burn that is your fury, we are reminded of the heat wave of July we endured in Maryland; and we laugh at the comparison. We laugh smoke and flames as we consume our meals of Sriracha and Sriracha, with a side of Sriracha. Saucily Yours, Moose Five Ps-Here‟s a great recipe that goes great with the fabulous rooster sauce: Spicy Peanut Chicken Pasta Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken thighs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ tablespoon Sriracha Sauce
2 green onions
2 cloves garlic
1 green pepper
Directions: Heat up the oil in a large skillet. Cut up the chicken and add it to the pan. Cook 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned. In a bowl, whisk together the broth, honey, soy sauce, peanut butter, cornstarch, ginger, and Sriracha. Pour into the skillet and cook until thickened and smooth –stirring constantly. Add the green onions, garlic, and peppers and cook for a bit. Serve over thin pasta, spaghetti is good. Add Sriracha sauce.
You can substitute vegetable broth for Vegetarians & add any vegetables you want.