Volume 7
EASTERN ECHOES
EASTERN 4-H ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE CENTER
2009
Relay for Life 2009 - Camping for a CURE! The Relay for Life of Tyrrell County was hosted at the Eastern 4-H Center on June 5-6, 2009. Throughout the spring, relay teams raised money for the American Cancer Society. For the first time, the event implemented a rain plan that even received attention from the headquarters of the ACS. Teams decorated their area Who has the most AWESOME Summer Staff ever? WE DO! based on their theme in the Conference Center. When weather permitted, relay teams did enjoy their walking time on the trails. As you can see, the event was a rockin’ good time with entertainment, teamwork and a strong dedication to making a difference in the fight against cancer. The Center’s relay team, Camp Relay, won best Rock on Ms. Mittie! theme for the event! Summer camp counselors rallied the troops with their participation during the night too. It was a wonderful event, with a wonderful cause, supported by wonderful people!
Hot Chocolate and Cookie Fundraiser
Opening Ceremony
Relay Kick-Off Dinner
CAMP RELAY!
Summer Camp at the Eastern Center . . . Anything but ordinary! Every summer at the Eastern 4-H Center is great, but Summer Camp 2009 may get the nod for “best summer ever”! Enrollment for summer camp was very high, and our popular specialty camps achieved great successes. Camp Canvasback, our waterfowl conservation camp for 12-17 year olds ensured that 40 youth, with the grateful help of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, received their Hunter Education Card. Take Off 4-Health, our healthy lifestyle camp matched last year’s successes and surpassed expectations. Our partnership with the Brody School of Medicine’s Pediatric Healthy Weight Clinic has allowed for this camp to flourish – we are thankful for their help, and the help of NC State’s Cooperative Extension Service Family & Consumer Science agents in delivering this one-of-a-kind program. Marine Science & Sailing Camp and Cloverbud, our “steady standbys”, eclipsed campers expectations, too! Another important summer camp program, sponsored by the National Military Family Association, is Operation Purple Camp. “OPC”, as it’s called, provides a summer camp experience to children whose parents are deployed to war. This year, the Center hosted 200 of these young heroes and led them through two weeks of fun and exciting summer camping! Of course, 4-H Camp served kids from all over our state for two weeks – campers participated in activities like canoeing & kayaking, crafts, talent shows, teambuilding, rock climbing, archery, riflery, ecology, and swimming. Another milestone in our landmark summer was Camp Kid Courage. Camp Kid Courage, sponsored by Operation Military Kid, was designed to provide military dependents with disabilities a barrier-free, therapeutic summer camp experience. These campers participated in all of the summer camp activities we offer, with some adaptations.
To check out next years summer camp offerings and sign up for YOUR adventure, visit our website at www.eastern4hcenter.org
Summer Camp at the Eastern Center . . . Anything but ordinary! As the summer wrapped up, we looked forward to the fall season. Program staff are preparing for local civic organizations, college clubs, chambers of commerce, church groups, and other youth groups wanting to test their mettle on our great challenge course programs. Additionally, program staff will be supplementing our Albemarle Education programs with new and improved ecology lesson plans. The focus on these new activities will be conservation and “green science� related. We invite you to book your next program with us and meet our experienced and talented program staff firsthand. We hope to see YOU soon!
Thoughts from the helm The fall is upon us and the temperatures are starting to drop. This signals the start of one of my favorite times of the year. The fall is full of nice things; cooler weather, college football, hunting seasons begin, and all of the good holidays are right around the corner. But the fall also seems to bring about a short time of peacefulness to reflect upon the busy summer gone by and the up coming holiday season. The Center experienced one of our most successful summers yet, with the help of a great staff. Over 1000 campers experienced the adventures and friendships of summer camp. No matter which program they attended, they experienced the fundamental joys of summer camp. The smile of a child at camp cannot help but make you love this place. I hope each of you experienced an active, enjoyable summer and will be looking forward to a wonderful holiday season. Sincerely,
Lee Scripture, Eastern 4-H Center Director
On the Dock of the Bay 2009 For the past six years, the Eastern 4-H Center, has hosted its annual beach music party. Aptly named, “On the Dock of the Bay”, the event is important on several fronts. The primary functions are Fundraising, “Friend”-raising, and FUN. A portion of the funds that are generated from Dock of the Bay go directly to camp scholarships that enable many northeastern North Carolina youth to attend Summer Camp at the Eastern 4-H Center. Other proceeds are devoted to the facility’s building fund, critical to the Center’s future growth. ‘Dock of the Bay’ is fun because it can be enjoyed by a variety people. The event showcases the best of the center’s services and facilities, live beach music on the waterfront, and an exciting auction. These ingredients are sure to persuade anybody into a good time. Other ingredients to this successful event are a wonderful network of dedicated corporate and individual sponsors, tireless volunteers, and hardworking staff. “On the Dock of the Bay” optimizes its people resources which makes it the great event it is now. “On the Dock of the Bay” serves up sumptuous, local lump crab donated by Captain Neill’s Seafood, steamed shrimp, beef tenderloin medallions donated by US Foods, Spencer Sausage balls and other local favorites. Obviously, dishes akin to these needed to be washed down with palate cleansing and refreshing North Carolina vintages from Yadkin Valley’s Rag Apple Lassie, which were available. This year’s event featured the traditional S’mores fountain and the 4-H Centennial Ice Cream State Winner – Camp Fire Delight – the winning recipe from Tyrrell County! A fountain of chocolate cascaded among a mountain of assorted cookies, brownies, pound cake, pretzels and some of the sweetest locally grown strawberries ever picked (from Luton’s in neighboring Roper, NC). As event patrons filled their plates at the dinner and dessert buffets, they enjoyed the smooth sounds of The Mighty Saints of Soul. The “Saints” played some famous favorites, and indulged the “shagger” in many of the attendees. They were the perfect musical match for ‘the Dock of the Bay’. As some attendees danced the night away, others enjoyed the silent auction. Items on the silent auction included weekend getaway packages, framed paintings, framed photographs, golfing excursions, spa packages, and even a hand-stitched quilt from one of the quilter’s retreat hosted at the center. The event’s silent auction was orchestrated through a network of great 4-H volunteers that are dedicated to finding the best items that feature Northeastern North Carolina and points across this state. For the first time, a live auction was also available to attendees. Up for bid were autographed sports memorabilia from NC State, ECU and UNC-Chapel Hill. Delicious, homemade specialties, framed artwork and furniture were also awarded to the highest bidders. Additional fun was found at Sunset with the “Dockside Diamond” and Champagne toast. Tied to each flute, a small, sheer bag holds either a treasure or a treat. The treats are 4-H green gems, but the treasure, is obviously the diamond! Beverly Moors, first time guest from Edenton, was the lucky recipient of the “Dockside Diamond.” As guests waited to claim their auction treasures, the winning ticket for the John Deere Lawnmower Raffle was pulled. We congratulate Ricky Spivey of Windsor! He now has a beautiful John Deere Mower – it even has headlights, for pre-dawn landscaping! Raffle tickets are sold by numerous volunteers throughout northeastern North Carolina, especially including those in Bertie County! Last, but by far not the least, special recognition is due to East Carolina Bank, Embarq, and Farm Bureau. These signature sponsors are both consistent and dedicated to the Dock of the Bay, but most importantly, our local youth. We would also like to congratulate the regional farm bureau offices for meeting the challenge set by Tyrrell County. “On the Dock of the Bay” is a great event with great food, great fun, and great support from many of our Northeast neighbors and good folks from all across North Carolina.
On the Dock of the Bay 2009 Gold Clover Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Cahoon NC 4-H Development Fund
Silver Clover Sponsors Columbia Pharmacy Tyrrell County Farm Bureau
Bronze Clover Sponsors Albemarle Boats, Inc. Chowan Hospital Cypress Cove Marina Dare County Farm Bureau Davco Electric, Inc. Joe & Gloria Landino Lake Phelps Grain, Inc. NC Northeast Commission Representative Bill Owens Sawyer & Co. Marine Sales Scuppernong Farm Southern Insurance Agency
Green Clover Sponsors Albemarle Service Center Beaufort County Farm Bureau Dr. Susan Blue Bulls Bay Farms, Inc. Camden County Farm Bureau Cherry Farms Cherry Farms Seed Company Currituck County Farm Bureau Moncie “Punk” & Wanda Daniels Domtar Paper, Inc. Edgecombe County Farm Bureau Gates County Farm Bureau Gregory & Associates, CPA Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland Hyde County Farm Bureau Martin County Farm Bureau Northampton County Farm Bureau Jacob & Arnette Parker Pasquotank County Farm Bureau Perquimans County Farm Bureau Phelps Chevrolet, Inc. Rose Welding & Crane Service Windy H. Rose, Atty at Law Howard Scott South Fork Farms, Inc. Bobby & Frances Voliva Washington County Farm Bureau Woodley Sales & Service, Inc.
Centennial Clover Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Aldridge Beacon Printing Chowan County Farm Bureau Bill & Dianna Haile Faytie Johnston Matcha-Pungo Farms Claude & Bettina Odom Partnership for the Sounds Party & Equipment Rentals
Pledger Auto Parts, Inc.
Breaking ground and building futures . . . In August, the Eastern 4-H Center started construction on a 20,000 square foot Conference and Recreation building. This building will be the largest building at our facility; it will contain three classrooms, a large dining room, a large gym / multipurpose room, catering kitchen and storage areas. Scheduled completion will be spring of 2010. This addition will be a huge asset to the Center, allowing us to expand the amount of guests the Center can accommodate as well as be able to further our program offerings. The building was designed by MHA Works and is being built by Centurion Construction. Funds for this building were provided by the NC General Assembly and private donations. This will be North Carolina State University’s first Leadership in Design and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building. LEED buildings have lower operating costs and use environmentally sound construction practices and materials. The Center is looking forward to the completion of this new building and the opportunities it will provide our guests.
Community Fun Day This year’s Community Fun Day was held on October 31st – Halloween! There’s nothing scary about hosting Community Fun Day on Halloween, with the exception of all of the recreational opportunities that guests could enjoy. Crafts, rock climbing, archery, and even bingo and other games were just some of the activities that were offered. A hot dog lunch with all the fixin’s was complemented with homemade ice cream. The weather was fantastic for late October, and all of our guests enjoyed their visit. A special thanks is due to all of the volunteers that made this wonderful event possible. We are already looking forward to next autumn, with the hopes of a bigger and better Community Fun Day!
Giving the gift of life
Here comes the ... Bridal Show!
Since May 2006, the Center has hosted 12 American Red Cross Blood Drives under the direction of Terri Spear. There have been a total of 435 units collected for a 36.25 unit average for each drive! It is our goal to host a blood drive every quarter to contribute our small part in giving the gift of life. This community outreach program is successful because of its donors – Thank You! We will be waiting for you at the next drive with a cookie and a smile, so come join us!
The first Northeast Bridal Show was held at the Center on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Vendors from around the region participated in the event. Brides & Grooms had a variety of businesses to visit and plan their special day. Participating businesses included: Aimie’s Sweet Treats ~ Robersonville, Any Occasions ~ Greenville, Arbonne ~ Outer Banks, Barker House ~ Edenton, Beach Ball Events ~ Outer Banks, Belk ~ Elizabeth City, Buscemi Video Productions ~ Wilson, Chowan Golf & Country Club ~ Edenton, Currituck County Travel & Tourism ~ Currituck, TNT Travel, Lynn Mason ~ Bath, Kim Kalman ~ Outer Banks, Memory Lane Photography ~ Columbia, Morgan’s Entertainment Productions ~ Rocky Mount, Outer Banks Wedding Ceremony ~ Outer Banks, Party & Equipment Rentals ~ Edenton, Resort Realty ~ Outer Banks, Scuppernong Studios ~ Columbia, Southern Lady ~ Hertford, The Brickhouse Inn ~ Columbia, Vaughan’s Jewelry & Gifts ~ Edenton, Whitecap Linen ~ Columbia, Yours Forever Wedding Chapel ~ Hertford.
Trick or treat under the sea The Eastern 4-H Center participated in the Trick or Treat Under the Sea at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The booth was decorated in a traditional camping theme with information about the Center to parents and children alike. Over 1,500 guests purchased tickets to attend this event with our Outer Banks community partners.
Eastern 4-H Center 100 North Clover Way Columbia, NC 27925 Phone: 252-797-4800 Fax: 252-797-4888 www.eastern4hcenter.org
Giving thanks . . . The entire staff at the Eastern 4-H Center would like to extend a gracious “Thank You� to everyone that has visited and supported the Center this year, and in past years. Because of you, we can continue to enrich the lives of children, and adults alike! We have enjoyed every minute and we look forward to serving you in 2010 and many years to come! Thank you for making our success possible!
Holiday Parties
The holidays are approaching FAST! Let the Eastern 4-H Center take the reins to the sleigh and deliver everything you need for the perfect holiday gathering! From the festive decorations to delicious feasts, we do it all to make your event special and your planning EASY! Reservations and special party packages are still available so call today! Happy Holidays!