Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 23
Get to the Point: The NCCC News
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication Perry Point, MD September 19– 24 , 2011 Volume XVII Issue 23
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 23
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Raven 6: Round 4: It‟s A-Maine-zing Raven 6 is in Maine, and we may not come back. Sorry, Perry Point-ers, but we really love it here. We‟re building two houses with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland in Freeport, ME as well as working with the Freeport Historical Society to construct a shed on one of their historical properties. Working with Habitat is a lot of fun; we‟ve been spending a lot of time safely climbing around on scaffolding 30 feet in the air putting a roof on one of the houses, and helping out at the Habitat ReStore. Everyone at Habitat has been great to work with, and a lot are AmeriCorps alums, so we‟ve been able to talk with them about how to transition back into the real world. Our work with the Freeport Historical Society involves building a historically accurate shed at a place called Pettengil Farm. In this case, „historically accurate‟ means „no power tools‟. We have quickly learned that New England soil is very rocky, and there are a lot of mosquitos in Maine. Although we are having a great time, we‟re sad that Court, Dania, and Mia are off dealing with the situation in New Jersey. It just isn‟t the same without them. Ceci and Lyndsey are currently outnumbered, and all the boys talk about is flatulence and football. If the three of them could come back now, we‟d all really appreciate it. When we‟re not roofing or digging holes, we attempt to pretend that we‟re Mainers. Freeport is a cool town; the L.L. Bean headquarters are there, and it‟s a nice place to hang out. Some of us had the chance to spend a day at the beach volunteering at a triathlon, and we‟ve also spent a day in Portland. We may all wear flannel and have beards now, but we‟re probably not fooling any real Mainers. Before we get back to building houses, we‟d like to thank the always fun Raven 7 for stopping by! We miss you already, as well as Mia, Dania, and Court (hurry back!). That‟s about it from the Great White North, and we‟ll see you soon, Perry Point, if we don‟t become Maine-iacs first. 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 slather-
ing white-wash onto Knox‟s Estate. Hectic? A little. Unbelievable? Not really. Action-packed? You bet your granny‟s walker!
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Freeze 1 Shout Out: Freeze 1 AKA The Perfect 10
RAVEN 6 Shout Out:
have been doing just that freezing. It may even snow this week. Don’t worry about us though there are plenty of thrift stores in town that are keeping us clothed well.
Allen: Went from the slums of hell, to paradise in heaven From a slingshot to a wall of Mack-11s I drank with the devil and ate with the reverend We talked numbers and I told him mine was 7 -Griff
Buffalo 7 Shout Out: We hereby change our name from Buffalo 7 to Sausage 7. We miss you Jill and Steffi! After dominating the boardwalk we were working on in Delaware, Sausage 7 has been pulled for disaster. We will be driving the Man Van to Rhode Island on Monday. More domination will ensue. Moose Deuce: Everybody get in the pool! jealous ;)
Buffalo 3 Shout Out: Letter to the world, Despite limited / none existing cell phone reception, B3! Is alive and well. We await Chelsea's arrival while we garden and make piles of scrap wood. Chelsea, we hope your ready for more stuff to burn:) jealous ;)
Moose 5 Shout Out: Dunder Mifflin 1 is officially out of business! Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island. Good luck Buffalo 7 (or should we say Dilbert 1, you’re welcome for the nickname) enjoy!
Moose 6 Shout Out: Sara Conner…Don’t go crazy on us.
Moose 2 Shout Out: Maria & Haley: We “HEARD” that you got poison ivy… don’t scratch! Also, we learned to make cheese. Buffalo 7: Learn some limits! Dani: Thanks for your help on the farm. Moose 6: Harley, you are my Valentine. -Michael Phoenix 4: Make us proud Steph! -Melissa & Amanda Wes: Hey…
Moose 3 Shout Out: Nick, it’s ironic that you are on disaster because the real disaster is you not being here. Miss you.
Raven 4 Shout Out: Ryan and Kelsey have proven that you can indeed look good in chaps. Hannah has been fighting to preserve her senses so she may one day enjoy the sighs and sounds of her grandchildren. Logina, the gypsy, holds onto his Sacajawea with white knuckles. Big Daddy Webster has taken a liking to the turtles. Jake managed not to drop any sixth graders from the zipline. We’re not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Amelia can’t stop throwing her jacks and jokers. We had a great time with Sam and Vivian at The Loading Dock on Saturday! To our missing members- Home is wherever i’m with you!
Raven 7 Shout Out: Raven 7 has been adopted. We are now living in our new grandparent’s basement. Everyone in New Hampshire is spoiling us rotten with good food and positive reinforcement. We’ve mucked our last house though and are headed south to Schwenksville,
Buffalo 5 Shout Out: Dear President Obama, Buffalo 5 finally made it to Maine! We don’t really know what your schedule looks like, but if you have some free time you might consider a visit to Wells. Maybe we could go out for lobster rolls or something. We have a couple of spare beds if you feel like having a sleepover… Sincerely, B5
Poetry for the Corps By: Hurley Combs Your Time is almost over Your Time is almost done Your Memories Last forever You’ve had a lot of fun You’ve been with your family, made friends, and for some more Who knows what the world has in store Even when you’re gone a part of you stays To stay with us everyday Keep in touch with the ones you truly love The love that goes above Finish and finish strong And hopefully you’ll get the bronze The story never ends But the poetry now ends. Just a friendly reminder to all of you who are already thinking about the end of the program and are stressing out over what you are going to do after the program. Worry only about finishing the program doing the best you can. Cross the bridge when you come to it, not before.
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Alumni Spotlight: Beth Stewart– Corps Member & Team Leader How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? When I was a freshman in college, my sister was Corps Member in Denver Class X. She served in 2005 when Katrina hit the gulf coast and was stationed at the Red Cross Headquarters in Baton Rouge, LA for her final rounds in NCCC. She had some amazing projects in national parks and youth programs throughout the Southwest Region, and I was itching to get involved myself. The spring after Katrina, I led an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Chalmette, LA in St. Bernard parish and gutted homes alongside NCCC members who continued to motivate and inspire me to join. Needless to say, after I graduated from the University of Maryland I signed up right away, and haven‟t got enough since. What was the best part of your year? Since I served two entirely different years, one as a Corps Member and one as a Team Leader, there are almost too many “best parts” covering a wide range of emotions and experiences, highs and lows, etc. BUT I‟ll keep it simple and say New Orleans. I served there in many different capacities as a Team Leader and a Corps Member, and it was some of the most challenging and rewarding work, as it holds some of my favorite memories from each year. It also happens to be the greatest city in America. I also had A LOT of fun my TL year with my team planning and facilitating a Community Meeting during transition (shout out to Carlyn!). What are your current plans? I am currently a Selection and Placement Assistant here at NCCC‟s Headquarters in D.C. conducting interviews for incoming Corps Members. I get to rep the “A” every day! I also live with other TLs, so who says the AmeriBubble needs to end?! …And any reflection points or recommendations to the general mass of Class 17… When I was asked what the “best part” of my year was, the first things that came to mind were the most challenging, and physically and emotionally draining experiences I have ever had. Let just say that during “high low highs” these things that I now look back on as the “best” were once my “lows,” if that makes any sense. Nothing has ever challenged me in the same way that my time in NCCC challenged me, and I am better person for it. So just remember that during your low times, it‟s only a test to see how high you can get. Also, be good to your Team Leader, they are actually cooler than they seem, and really amazing people (so let them know it!).