Cat-Tales, August 2021

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© 2021 St. James Properties, LLC. Obtain the Property Report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Void where prohibited by law. This product does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or advanced qualification is required but not completed. This is not to solicit property currently listed by another broker. 2 Editor's note By Marilyn Rudolph CONTRIBUTORS The weather at this time of year is tale. And Gina Mancinelli remembers Tom Alderdice often hot, humid and oppressive across when but then can’t remember. She’s not Bob Badertscher the United States, and St. James is alone. I’ve been there, done that. Steve Brocker no exception. According to The Old Ami Brown Arthur Hill’s ICYMI column mentions a Farmer’s Almanac, when temperatures Jim Carey very famous basketball team that many and humidity peak in the Northern probably remember. When reading his Kathryn Copley Hemisphere from early July to mid- column, I thought about my dad. This Nicholas De Gennaro August, we experience the dog days of team starred in the first basketball game Arthur Hill summer. This timeframe coincides with that my brothers and I went to with dad. Catherine Isaacson the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, thus the Reading this story made me whistle. I Jerry Iverson name, dog days of summer. think you’ll know why when you read it. Bob Jensen When thinking about dog days, dog-eared Colleen Jordan This issue features an article written came to mind. Dog-eared usually refers by Nicholas De Gennaro that contains Merry Klinefelter to turned-down pages in a book, but also educational and safety-related Vicki Hamilton Lauziere means worn out. When a day of outdoor information about coastal currents. After Bett Lewis summer fun wears me out, sometimes I Ready to receive multiple reading the article, I perceive the ocean Lynn Maloney happily recall summers of my childhood differently, but as a child, a family beach Dennis Mancinelli but also think wistfully about the endless, vacation was the highlight of my summer. Gina Mancinelli offers on your property? youthful energy I had back then. The ONLY Real Estate Office in St. James Plantation As a kid, you may have thought the same John Muuss I rode my bike to somewhere or nowhere about your beach vacations. Peter Riekstins on summer days. I gathered siblings and Do you recall vacation highlights, special Judy Rubin friends to play freeze tag and pickup events or favorite activities from your Marilyn Rudolph games of baseball and kickball. Mom childhood? If you're feeling creative, James Storey drove us (me, my four brothers and sentimental, ambitious and/or inspired, Jean Toner two sisters) to the swimming pool in please submit a story about your fondest Jane Williams Wurm Your property is worth our Vista Cruiser. Those pool days were childhood memories for publication in a special, particularly during the dog days Russ Yarrow future issue of Cat-Tales. more than you think! of summer, but one was extra special for Inventory is low in this seller’s market. me. It was the July day when I met my Submissions for “Kids Say the Darndest future husband at the pool. Things” was a big hit. Let’s see if we STAFF Call today for a home, homesite or get the same reaction to stories about Sometimes, I’d walk to the river with my editor marina drystack/slip estimate. childhood memories. Stories should be fishing pole, usually with a few brothers Marilyn Rudolph approximately 250 to 500 words in length and sisters in tow, but wouldn’t fish. managing editor and submitted to cattaleseditor@gmail. Instead, we’d skip stones across the Ami Brown com over the next couple of months. water or wade at the edge and turn over photographic editor Lisa Frye | Gail Lendvoyi | MaryGrace Mandaro | Lisa Nieves rocks to see what might swim out. After Cat-Tales magazine is all about your John Muuss dinner (always be on time for dinner), home, your stories. This is a chance to associate editors we’d go back outside to play hide-and- share recollections of your childhood Bertie Belvin Call Us (910) 253-0045 seek and catch fireflies as dusk faded to home, your childhood story. Our staff Pat Broady dark. What a great way to end a day. looks forward to reading about your Jim Campbell youthful adventures and fond memories. Bob Dziuban This issue of Cat-Tales has two stories Don’t be shy, give it a try. Maggie Smith Roedema reminiscent of younger days. If you enjoy associate fishing, don’t miss Bob Badertscher’s www.stjamesplantation.com | [email protected] photographic editor Judy Wagner © 2021 St. James Properties, LLC. Obtain the Property Report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Void where prohibited by law. This product does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or advanced qualification is required but not completed. This is not to solicit property currently listed by another broker. AUGUST 2021 3 4 VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 8 What's inside AUGUST 2021

From the POA Around the area 6 President’s column 28 The Wild Horse Preserve 31 North Carolina backyard For your information naturalist program 33 Southport: A little love story 9 Mayor’s Column 35 Remembering 11 ICYMI 37 A MAD day 13 SJFD 38 The rip and the run Inside the community Just for now 14 The Tour of Ponds was a hit 40 A summer fish tale 17 Photo-Tales ON THE COVER: 43 Blueberries are brain food The winning photo of the 22 Wire, concrete and imagination Cat-Tales photo competition 44 It’s a Split Decision is on the cover this month. 27 Cat-Tales wins a third (photo by Colleen Jordan) national award

Cat-Tales is published FEATURE ARTICLES monthly by the St. James Plantation Property Owners' Association (POA) of St. James, North Carolina to communicate information of interest to its property owners. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission from the publisher, the POA. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect that of the POA. Per the POA communications policy, the POA does not endorse commercial products, services, and does not publish 28 33 38 advertorial, partisan political The Wild Horse Preserve Southport: A little love story The rip and the run or religious belief articles. Take a day trip and connect The charm of small-town life Learn more about the with nature at this little attracts a growing number of dangerous currents of our hidden gem in Supply. residents. Find out why so many coastal waters and how to Advertising By Gina Mancinelli people call Southport home. stay safe in the ocean. By Russ Yarrow By Nicholas De Gennaro Information: Coastal Printing & Graphics 910-754-5929 or Please visit www.stjamespoanc.org to submit Photo-Tales or email [email protected] [email protected] for article submissions or comments.

AUGUST 2021 5 President's column Jerry Iverson / President, St. James Plantation POA

The St. James Plantation Property Owners’ The current POA staff consists of: Association (POA) was established on October 2, 1990, with the signing of the Articles of Incorporation John Thompson Community Manager by the North Carolina Secretary of State. This Jack Noland Staff Engineer document was amended on June 28, 1991, and again on December 17, 1998. The articles provide broad Renee Welsh Assistant to the guidance on membership in the association as well as Community Manager the authority and duties of the board of directors. Terry Ann Bramm ACC Administrator The POA is an association where membership consists Nancy Seyferth Compliance Coordinator of all property owners with one vote per property. The membership elects the board with two of the six Steve Fitzgerald Facilities Manager members being elected every year for a three-year Barbara Ward Client Services term. This staggered election process ensures that we have a minimum of four experienced board members Angie Hilburger Client Services at all times. The board then elects the officers of the Ami Brown Managing Editor, Cat-Tales association annually in the November meeting. The board has broad responsibilities as spelled out in We currently have 13 committees with more than the AOI and the Master Declaration of Covenants, 125 volunteers. These dedicated volunteers put in Conditions and Restrictions. The board exercises countless hours assisting the community manager and its responsibilities through the POA staff, resident advising the board on many different issues. For more volunteers and contractors. information about our committees, please see my The POA board of directors sets policy, establishes article in the February 2021 issue of Cat-Tales. priorities, approves the annual budget, acts as source selection authority for all contracts and has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining the common areas and amenities. The board meets on a monthly basis, has open meetings on a regular basis and hosts an annual meeting every October.

The POA staff mans the office Monday through Friday, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, including Architectural Control Committee administration, compliance enforcement, amenity reservations, facility management, engineering oversight, blast communications, financial management, database management, security oversight, magazine publication, customer support and many more functions. The POA office is located in this building. (photo by John Muuss)

6 The POA has no direct employees. All labor and 3. Security contract - Sunstates Security, located in materials are provided through contracts with outside Raleigh, North Carolina, provides safety and security agencies that we hire to do specific functions or services. The initial contract was awarded in June projects. The Master Declaration requires us to limit of 2018 and covered the period 2018-2020. The the term of recurring contracts to three years. That contract was renewed in 2020 for an additional three means we either conduct an open competition to years for the period 2021-2023. Under this contract, select a new supplier every three years or negotiate Sunstates provides an onsite manager and about 23 a new three-year contract with an existing supplier personnel who man the gates, provide roving patrols based on that contractor’s performance over the and monitor the overall safety and security of the preceding three years. Historically, we have normally entire community. recompeted the contract after the second three-year 4. Ponds maintenance contract - Dragonfly Pond contract and we have often recompeted the contract Works, located in Apex, North Carolina, is an after a single three-year term. environmental service company specializing in lake The one exception is the management contract that and pond management. While this is a small contract has been in place since 2009. Since this contract dollarwise, we include it here due to the number provides the POA staff, we continue to renew this and importance of our ponds within the community. contract every three years, based on performance, to The current contract was awarded in 2018, covering avoid major changes and turmoil in the POA office. the years for the period 2019-2021. They provide a manager and up to three staff members who There are five recurring contracts. monitor the health of our ponds and then provide 1. Management contract - Community Association solutions to ensure that our ponds remain healthy Services, Inc., located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and attractive. employs and provides our community manager and a 5. Roadway contract - Turner Asphalt, located in staff of eight to run the day-to-day operations of the Raleigh, North Carolina, is a full-service provider POA. The contract was last renewed in 2018 for the of asphalt solutions including paving, seal coating, period 2019-2021, and the contract will be renewed repairs and more throughout the southeastern later this year to extend the period of performance United States. We essentially have an indefinite through 2024. CAS also provides accounting services delivery/indefinite quantity type of contract that in their Pinehurst office to include collection of annual provides fixed-price services that can be exercised assessments, oversight of multiple bank accounts and throughout the year. This contract allows us to order payments to vendors and contractors. All invoices are different types of support throughout the year, reviewed by the staff to ensure accuracy and then including full depth reclamation, mill and fill (new forwarded to the Pinehurst office to draft the checks asphalt application), sealcoating and road striping for payment. All checks are then returned to the POA services at fixed prices. The initial contract was office for final review and are countersigned by the awarded in January of 2019 for a three-year period. POA president or treasurer. The contract was renewed this year to extend the 2. Landscape contract - Bland Landscaping Co. Inc., contract for another three years (2022-2024). located in Apex, North Carolina, provides landscaping In addition to our recurring contracts, we also services. Their contract was initially awarded in January conduct a formal source selection process to 2018 for a three-year term for the period 2018-2020. select companies for specific projects such as the Bland personnel were a major factor in our very quick Woodlands Pavilion, the beach club expanded recovery from Hurricane Florence in 2018. As a result, parking, nature walk at Woodlands Park, etc. In we renewed the contract for another three years all cases, our goal is to obtain a minimum of three (2021-2023). Bland provides an onsite manager and a bids to ensure we receive the best value for the staff of about 19 individuals who are responsible for association, and I believe we achieve that goal. maintaining all landscaping within St. James Plantation along the roads and common areas to make the plantation an attractive place to live.

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Town Council and staff are excited to welcome Jeff Jeff currently serves as chair of the professional Repp as the new town manager for St. James. development committee of the North Carolina City & County Management Association, is a manager “I am honored that Mayor Toner and the St. James representative to the North Carolina League of town council selected me to become the town’s Municipalities Board of Directors and a member of next town manager. I have spent nine years in the NCLM General Government Legislative Action Brunswick County and, it will be my pleasure to bring Committee. While in Maryland, he served as president my experiences and knowledge of our area to assist of the Maryland County and City Management St. James in this time of tremendous growth. That Association and was a member of the Maryland growth brings opportunities but also challenges to Municipal League Board of Directors. our town and, working with the council and town employees, it is my hope we can make an already The town will be sponsoring two events for St. outstanding community even better.” James residents in September. The University of North Carolina Wilmington “Living on the Coast Jeff joined us in June after serving nine years as Speaker Series” will resume at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the city manager of Boiling Spring Lakes. He has September 14, with Professor Roger Shew discussing extensive experience in municipal management and “Natural Wonders of the North Carolina Ecosystem – has also served as city administrator for Cumberland, Iconic Species.” Maryland, and town manager for Indian Head, Maryland. I am excited to announce a Town of St. James Environmental Fair will be held on September 21 Jeff holds a Master’s degree in public administration from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the community center. The from the University of South Dakota and is a 2014 event is designed to raise awareness and encourage graduate of the Municipal and County Administration environmental stewardship in our community. Program from the School of Government at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. During his Some of the groups scheduled to participate include career, he has been an active member of several the North Carolina State Cooperative Association, professional associations. UNCW Recycling, Brunswick County Animal Control, St. James CARES, St. James Birders, Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter, Oyster Renewal Living Shoreline, St. James Fishing Club and Computers4Kids (e-cycling alternative). Groups will present reference information and answer questions at a display table. A schedule of guest speakers will be announced at a later date. Many thanks to Town Councilor Jeff Mount for coordinating the event, and to Steve Brennan, community center manager, for providing logistical assistance.

Jeff Repp is the new St. James town manager. (photo by Ami Brown)

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10 In case you missed it By Arthur Hill

The other day, I ran into a neighbor The Washington Generals was formed in 1952 walking his dog. We stopped by Red Klotz, a one-time professional to chat and I noticed his player and acquaintance of Abe T-shirt. On it was inscribed, Saperstein, the Globetrotters’ late “Born in the USA — a owner. According to the Generals’ very long time ago.” website, the team’s name is a tribute to President Dwight Everyone should Eisenhower. My theory is the have a collection of name reflects the terrible pro T-shirts. The more, teams then representing the the better. In addition nation’s capital and its long- to being St. James fashionable, suffering fans. No one would think twice except on the golf course, they’re about another lousy Washington team, comfortable, beach casual and even if it wasn’t actually from DC. often a barometer of the times. Residents could easily ace the Klotz's band of bumblers did win a few. The New York Times’ weekly news team’s website claims the Generals have quiz just by walking around St. won three games in their history — one James and eyeballing T-shirts. each in 1954, 1958 and 1971. The 1971 win is perhaps the team’s most notable game. I have a growing T-shirt The Generals improbably prevailed when collection. Several are sports- the 50-year-old Klotz hit the winning basket oriented, such as, “There’s with seconds left on the clock. The great no crying in baseball!” A few are Meadowlark Lemon missed a shot at the buzzer that grandfather-oriented; others proclaim allegiance to would have given the victory to the Globetrotters. my high school and college. Some are mildly political — “Make corn bread, not war.” I’ve got a T-shirt with The timekeeper, a team employee, tried to add my nickname, Tui, emblazoned across the front. Turns some time to the clock to give the Globetrotters one out Tui is a popular beer in New Zealand. more chance, but he failed. The crowd, according to accounts, was dumbfounded. “They looked at us like I’m always on the lookout for T-shirts that make a we killed Santa Claus,” said Klotz. statement. So, when I came across a “Washington Generals” T-shirt, I was intrigued. Through 2020, the Globetrotters had defeated the woebegone Generals more than 17,000 times. If you’ve ever been to a Harlem Globetrotters game, But amid the wreckage of their record, there’s a you know who the Washington Generals are. They’re flickering glow of achievement. Klotz, who died in the sad sack bunch of roundballers who almost 2014, used to say the Generals were Ginger Rogers always lose to the zaniest and most famous collection to the Globetrotters’ Fred Astaire — always dancing of basketball players on the planet. The string of backwards. losses the Washington Generals have accumulated is legendary, and also purposeful. Their job is to act as You can’t do better than Rogers and Astaire. I bought the setup crew for the antics their far-more-famous the T-shirt. opponents use to entertain millions of fans.

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Recently, a few residents had questions about home with a Knox Box, call the fire station at 910- topics I’ve previously written about, so I’d like to 253-9990 to arrange for a department member to revisit a few of them. determine if a key is in the box. The Vial of Life kit assists first responders when Fire hydrant access is very important when called to your home. Kits are located on a rack firefighters are laying out hoses to fight a fire. on the front porch of SJFD Station 1 and are A trained support crew annually evaluates and available to all. A kit basically consists of a medical maintains every fire hydrant in St. James. By law, a information form and a small container. After three-foot radius must be cleared around hydrants obtaining a kit, complete the form with your so firefighters can access them. If a hydrant is medical information, i.e., medications, allergies, inaccessible, the SJFD will contact the St. James sensitivities and ailments. Place the completed Plantation Property Owners’ Association and town form in the container and store it in the butter tray authorities to address the issue. of your refrigerator. I’d also like to address heavy rains that occur during hurricanes and tropical storms. Rainwater “The SJFD recently welcomed may pool and cause wet brakes or hydroplaning. For wet brakes, ride the brake pedal lightly until several new members: emergency friction dries them. To stop hydroplaning, ease off medical technicians Brenda on the accelerator, let the car sink back to the road surface and avoid hard braking. Also, avoid using Gamba, Rich Agar, Garren Foy cruise control while driving on a wet roadway as and Dorothy Jaeger; firefighter you are giving up control of your car to a device that is unable to respond to sliding, skidding or Dave Reeves; and fire police hydroplaning. Mary Rehfield.” The SJFD recently welcomed several new members: emergency medical technicians Brenda Gamba, Rich A Knox Box is a locked box affixed next to a home's Agar, Garren Foy and Dorothy Jaeger; firefighter front door, and it contains a key to the front door. Dave Reeves; and fire police Mary Rehfield. A Knox Box passkey is on each SJFD firetruck. If If interested in joining the SJFD in any capacity, the SJFD arrives on scene and no one is home, the please call Chief John Dahill at 253-9990 to discuss passkey can be used to open the Knox Box and opportunities. gain entry to the home if needed. If you bought a

AUGUST 2021 13 The St. James Model Yacht Club members demonstrate their skills at the sailing pond on Oceanic Drive. (photo by Steve Brocker)

Scott Blevins of Carolina Pond and Stormwater (second from NC State Cooperative Extension specialist Dr. Diana Rashash left) explains the plantings at the Woodlands Circle Pond. talks to residents about various pond buffer plants. (photo by (photo by Merry Klinefelter) Merry Klinefelter)

14 The Tour of Ponds was a hit By Steve Brocker

On Saturday, June 5, the St. James Plantation Property to improve the health and beauty of a pond. It was Owners’ Association Ponds Committee hosted its beneficial for residents to see these ponds and hear first Tour of Ponds. The concept for this event was more about them from experts. created by Merry Klinefelter, chair of the committee’s The Woodlands Circle pond is a Ponds Committee communications subcommittee, who organized the two- showcase pond. Scott Blevins of Carolina Pond and hour event. Stormwater was on hand to demonstrate planting and talk about the vegetation planted over the last six “It was a day of years. On Oceanic Drive, the pond known as the sailing learning and fun for pond was alive with remote control sailboats. Courtesy of the St. James Model Yacht Club, residents saw club members racing their boats on at least 100 residents.” the pond. They make it look easier than it is. At Woodlands Park, two events were held at The tour included five ponds in our community with the same time. The St. James Fishing Club held a an expert stationed at each to explain what was fishing exhibition hosted by members of the Ponds special or unique about the pond. There were two Committee, and the Woodlands Pollinator Garden private ponds on the tour. The pond on Chadsworth event was hosted by Amanda Kiel and Kathleen Lane was staffed by Amy Mead, Area Agent, Natural Bowman. Both were well-attended. The committee Resources and Environmental Education, who also appreciated a local artist, Bett Lewis, doing an explained the benefits of native plants within the oil painting of the Woodlands Park pond during the pond buffer. event. The other private pond, on Oak Forest Drive, was It was a day of learning and fun for at least 100 staffed by Dr. Diana Rashash, Area Specialized residents. The Ponds Committee thanks all who Agent/Water Quality in Onslow County. Both pond attended this first-time event. buffers are excellent examples of what can be done

Kathleen Bowman (second from left) explains the benefits Artist Bett Lewis works on a painting of the Woodlands Park of the Woodlands Pollinator Garden to residents. (photo by Pond during the event. (photo by Merry Klinefelter.) Merry Klinefelter)

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16 We have a winner

John Muuss, Cat-Tales staff photographic editor, recently Colleen’s daughter, Allison, spearheaded a photo contest for the magazine, and her 2-year-old daughter several amateur photographers responded to John’s Sloane and Allison’s husband, request for photos. Choosing one winner was a challenge, Ryan, live in Wiesbaden, but a decision was made, and the winning photo is Germany. They were visiting displayed on the cover of this month’s Cat-Tales. Colleen and Dave Jordan when the photo was snapped. Ryan John received a wide variety of entries that captured works for the Army Corps interesting scenes around St. James. The staff usually of Engineers supporting our steers clear of recognizable faces on the cover, but John troops in Europe. was impressed with the photo submitted by Colleen Jordan. John said this entry won based on framing, Colleen stated: “I entered the subject and composition. contest because I think it represents how life here in St. James is special. We can share our beautiful community Colleen Jordan said: “It was midmorning at the beach with our family and build memories with photos. It’s club and we were just enjoying our time together. The very important to capture these times together and photo was not staged. It was typically what you do to remember what is important in life. The photo brings joy capture special moments at the beach with your iPhone. and happiness to me and I wanted to share it.” When I saw the photo, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. The setting, the smile, the pose.” Dave and Colleen moved to St. James 6 years ago from Winchester, Virginia.

Photo competition runners-up

The cover photo competition entries showcased some great talent here in St. James. From scenic views to squirrels to turtles to birds of various shapes and sizes, all photo entries captured the beauty of life in St. James.

The editors had a tough time evaluating all of the great entries, and unfortunately, could not choose all of them, but decided two runners-up deserved a spot in the magazine. Runner-up choices are a black and white squirrel balancing on a branch and a pond turtle reaching for the sun. A huge thank you goes out to all photographers who sent in entries. And congratulations to the (photo by Bob Jensen) (photo by Peter Riekstins) winner and runners-up!

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Investment advisory services and products are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 18 While looking for his golf ball in the woods at Members Club, Steve Brocker came across these two trees. They were clearly Summertime provides plenty of tall grasses for this pet "pining" for each other. He may have lost his golf ball but Syberian, named Calista, to explore amidst the local wetland. found a photo-op. (photo by Steve Brocker) (photo by Catherine Isaacson)

It’s dinnertime for this pair of red-tailed hawks in the pines The residents of St. James have watched these two foxes grow above Mariners Way. (photo by James Storey) over the past few months. (photo by Kathryn Copley)

AUGUST 2021 19 20 To kick off post-COVID-19 life, Ken and Vicki Lauziere invited the Waterway Crew to a Gatsby party. This close knit group, residing on St. James Drive, used the password pandemonium to gain access to the secret event. Tobias Levin, pianist from the Wilmington speakeasy, Blind Elephant, played music during the event.

Guests included Vicki and Ken Lauziere, Melinda and Rick Johnson, Carol Mahoney, Don Helen Whittaker, author McGuire, Barb and Fred Acton, Paula and Steve Rosen, Debbie and Bill Mackey, Helen of a book about female aviators, and Gary Whittaker, Janice and John Chesney, Barb and Chris and Charlie McWade, Jack arrived as Amelia Earhart. (photo Lawrence, Chris and Mark Bickler and Stephanie Palmer. (photo by Vicki Hamilton Lauziere) by Vicki Hamilton Lauziere)

Troon generously donated a dinner-for-eight at the Reserve Club to the St. James Service Club to raffle off as their final fundraiser for 2020-2021. The raffle raised nearly $7,000 that was distributed to selected Brunswick County nonprofit organizations.

Last year, Hurricane Isaias swept away this marsh-side dock Linda Hurbanek (r) accepts the winning certificate from Cheryl located on Beaver Creek. It remains in the marsh, now seen Graham, service club vice president. (photo by Lynn Maloney) only by kayakers. (photo by Judy Rubin)

AUGUST 2021 21 Bob Richmond sculpted this garden flower pot out of landscape fabric covered with concrete. (photo contributed)

22 Wire, concrete and imagination By Bett Lewis

Bob and Jo Ann Richmond moved to St. James in Bob and Jo Ann were in Florence, Italy, and saw many 2012. After working twelve hours a day, they were unfinished sculptures. He stated: “They were the most ready to leave Gaithersburg, Maryland, for this beautiful sculptures I had ever seen. I just wanted sunny coastal community. It was in 2020, during to do it, to finish one.” Since then, he designed a the pandemic, that Bob decided he needed sanity concrete cast that involved a mannequin that he cut projects. In Maryland, he had taken a stained-glass up and filled with concrete. He cast arms and hands class and produced a few pieces but was ready to find and covered a Styrofoam head with concrete and other projects. added a base. Voila, “The Emergence of Eve.”

Creative curiosity and personally challenging project Smaller projects followed. Using a soccer ball, Bob choices describe Bob Richmond’s artistic interests, modeled a bowl by covering the ball with a thin layer thus he found a picture of a copper wire sculpture on of concrete, carving it out and painting it. He filled the internet that intrigued his engineering mind. It it with a piece of cypress and an air plant, and it is included basic information; however, he had to plan stunning. In 2020, Bob secretly built a garden art piece it out. to surprise Jo Ann for Mother’s Day. His sculptured flowerpot is made with landscape fabric covered with The sculpture required copper pipes for the torso, concrete. arms, waist and legs. Twelve-gauge copper wire bundles had to be stretched and threaded through Mostly self-taught, Bob’s diverse abilities may have and around the pipes in strands, and then shaped by contributed to his 15 inventions. Bob held the patents wrapping tightly. Next, stainless steel wire covered on those for the maximum 20 years allowed and the copper. each was related to high-speed satellites. Curiosity, precision and design were required for his work but it Bob said the hardest part was shaping the hands seems like creativity is just in Bob’s DNA. and fingers. Thin wire was used to tuck ends into the form to finish the steel pieces. The dancer sits on a wooden base filled with concrete. The entire project had to be calculated in inches to assure the anatomy proportions were correct.

Bob estimates he has 2 to 3 miles of wire in his project, and far more time than he ever imagined was needed. He added, “I don’t think I would have started it had I known the difficulty.” This beauty, called “Exhilaration,” will be placed in their new sunroom.

Jo Ann indicated: “Bob always needs projects. He is one and done. He completes a project and then moves on to another.” Bob explained that he tried painting and became frustrated. He experimented with carving birds and after two, he was ready to move on. Bob's sculpture contains more than two miles of wire. (photo contributed)

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26 Cat-Tales wins a third national award By Marilyn Rudolph Cat-Tales, a St. James Plantation Property Owners’ to see all of our staff and volunteers recognized by Association (POA) monthly publication, has won an their professional peers; great job one and all!” APEX Award of Excellence in the category for printed Cat-Tales is staffed by Ami Brown, part-time magazines, journals and tabloids with more than 32 managing editor, along with volunteer residents pages. Competition included nearly 1,200 entries and contributors. Volunteer staff members include from publishers, editors, writers and designers who Marilyn Rudolph, editor; Bertie Belvin, Pat Broady, Jim create print, website, electronic and social media. Campbell, Bob Dziuban and Maggie Smith Roedema, POA President Jerry Iverson stated: “This is the associate editors; John Muuss, photographic editor; third time that our Cat-Tales magazine has been and Judy Wagner, associate photographic editor. recognized at the national level. Sincere thanks Coastal Printing & Graphics is responsible for the goes to our editors, writers, photographers and magazine’s ad sales, design support, printing and other contributors for winning the APEX award and distribution. providing all of us with an award-winning magazine As editor of Cat-Tales, I’m sincerely appreciative of each month.” Ami, the editorial staff, the Coastal Printing staff and John Thompson, POA community manager said, “Cat- all others who contribute to the success of Cat-Tales. Tales is a fantastic publication, and it is heartwarming Winning this award would not be possible without everyone’s awesome contributions. Thank you, team!

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AUGUST 2021 27 Drea enjoyed her time on horseback. (photo by Dennis Mancinelli)

28 ByThe Gina Mancinelli Wild Horse Preserve

I was blessed this past Easter to have my entire family with me for the first time in several years. Knowing they were coming to visit sent me into Martha Stewart mode, not to mention tour guide and activity director. While looking for something my son, daughter-in- law and two granddaughters (4-year-old Drea and 4-month-old Harley) might enjoy, I came upon Grayce Wynds Farm and The Wild Horse Preserve in Supply, North Carolina. I had an opportunity to chat with Sue Immen, owner and founder of this friendly, clean and nonprofit educational site. Sue and Bill (husband and co-owner) planned to purchase five acres when they moved to Holden Beach from Virginia but ended up with 30 acres for the same price as five. They owned two horses at the time, and now have chickens, several horses and mustangs from different herds. Sue said their mission is to connect people and East Coast wild horses through outdoor education and recreation, thus several events held on the farm are open to the public for an entry fee donation. The Drea enjoyed the horse barrel train ride. (photo by Dennis Immens offer a variety of services and activities such Mancinelli) as birthday parties, farm dinners, carriage rides and horse boarding. We were excited when our granddaughter was given her first opportunity to ride a real horse. She chose My family visited the farm for an Easter egg hunt Ryder and still talks about him to this day. A helmet that was slightly different from what we were used was provided, and off she went with a supervisor. to. When children found an egg with candy in it, they Another favorite activity took place in an area with kept the candy. When they found an egg with a carrot a large amount of fresh, clean hay on the ground. in it, they fed the carrot to one of the ponies. Kids could sit in the hay, grab a handful and feed the The property is an open field with several little ponies. cabin-like structures on it. We first ventured into While I spent some time with Harley, Grandpa the jailhouse with our 4-year-old granddaughter. accompanied Drea on a hayride that took them to She smiled and giggled as she was put behind bars, the chicken coop where she chased and fed chickens. and then dug into a chest of costumes and became There was also a sing-along with Old MacDonald. a saloon girl and bank robber. Another cabin offered I hope to get the family together again in October supervised arts and crafts. Drea chose a heart-shaped to go to the farm’s fall festival. In October, activities box as her craft and painted it with her favorite colors. include hayrides, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting A train takes children around the property as many and, of course, lots of pony petting. times as they like. Its cars are made from old barrels Visit the farm’s website to learn about wild horses and with wooden horse heads. We lost count of how many their care, visiting opportunities and activities. Happy times Drea was aboard. trails.

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Southport: A little love story By Russ Yarrow

On the surface, Southport is a sleepy, coastal village he remembered. There I was, thinking that I’m living the somewhat insulated from the winds of change. But it country life and Danny was complaining about the traffic. is, in fact, an area that is changing rapidly, driven by the My perspective changed a little in that moment. most powerful driver of change — demographics. I came from an urban environment where I could buy Many people in the Southport area have deep, just about anything whenever I wanted it. At first, multigenerational roots. I once talked with a local Southport didn’t seem to offer much beyond a few craftsman about the hot, humid summers here restaurants and some quaint shops. But slowly, as I compared to the cooler, dryer summers out West that started to shed my expectations and biases, the reality of he’d enjoyed in the past. I asked if he thought about Southport presented itself. Almost everything I need is, moving. “Nope. I like it here. Plus, my wife’s maiden in fact, here. And if it’s not, it’s just a UPS truck away. name is Dosher.” Those are some deep roots. After five years, I’m still not used to the heat of August, Southport is experiencing a wave of immigration from but I’ve developed a deep appreciation of Southport’s all parts of the country. People are drawn here by the charm. I love its many quirks, like that little constellation weather, beaches, cost of living and slower pace of life. of streets called Lord-Howe-Dry-I Am, and its delightful With the pandemic accelerating an exodus from urban eating and drinking establishments, live music, areas, Southport is seeing a surge of new arrivals. casualness, entrepreneurship, history and human scale. But most of all, I love its people. Newbies move here with great expectations but little context. Settling in can be confusing. When I first moved My wife and I always enjoyed a night out on the town here, people would mention “Southern time,” the because we would invariably meet someone who seemingly long period of time to get a call returned or surprised, amused, educated or entertained us with an appointment met. I eventually realized it was mostly stories about Southport. If you haven’t taken a tour with non-Southerners who used the term. If you’re from the Rev, you’re missing out. South, it’s just time. At this point, I’m somewhere between a local and an After a while, if you’re patient and pay attention, you outsider. As a local, I’m leery of the development that develop a sense of place. If you continue to be open will occur over the next decade and hope Highway 211 and lean forward a little, you start to develop a sense of doesn’t turn into a little Myrtle Beach. As an outsider, I home with a new perspective. think Southport has opportunity for improvement, like fixing the flooding problem at the Yacht Basin. Several years ago, I went to Danny’s Shoe Repair on Midway Road. As I talked with Danny, an elderly One thing is certain. My appreciation and understanding gentleman whose eyes communicated a long life of of local culture continue to grow, and as they do, memories, he became wistful about the past. “As a Southport feels more like home. With its patience, kid, I could go out in the road in the middle of the funkiness, charm, eclecticism and people, Southport has afternoon, lay down, take a nap and not be disturbed,” changed me, and I’m a richer person for it. I’m home.

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34 Remembering By Gina Mancinelli

Can you remember when you were at a school dance The video made me laugh until I remembered that I or a pajama party with your besties Bristol Stomping recently went to the store to buy eggs and came back your tootsies off? Do you remember listening to a with everything but eggs! Often, like the cat, I’ve been favorite New York radio station with the WMCA Good halfway through a parking lot and had to trek back to Guys or Cousin Brucie on your transistor radio? my car for a mask. Some consolation comes from my friends telling me the same thing happens to them. It’s so easy to remember the '60s. Woodstock, miniskirts and the British Invasion. Who could forget I remedied the situation by purchasing a new purse watching Alan Shepard heading toward the stars? I that has an outside slot for two masks. I have plenty remember when the entire student body was herded of purses, but the new one made me happy after into the auditorium to watch this historic event. So, experiencing many mask fiascos. you’re probably thinking, why is she bringing this up? How is it that I remember so much of the past but I just had my Medicare wellness visit and was asked have trouble remembering today? I vividly remember if I’m tripping on rugs in my own home, ascending the names of my children’s friends, but when I walk a flight of stairs without handrails on both sides or into a restaurant and see someone I know, I fudge the able to recall three words I was asked to remember. conversation so I don’t have to say his or her name I said the words over and over to myself while trying that I’ve forgotten. to draw a clock, also part of the drill. I’m glad to say I I think I finally can give myself a logical answer — I just passed, but now I can’t get those three words out of have way too many important facts or nonessential my head. data already in my brain and it is now on overload. I recently saw a video of a cat that got out of a car and I probably could get rid of all the useless facts that I walked on hind legs. The cat realized it forgot its mask, have retained, but I’m really good at trivia so forget I walked back to the car, rummaged around and found said that. the mask. The cat started walking again but couldn’t remember where it was going or why it was in the car in the first place.

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36 A MAD day Photos by John Muuss

The 15th Annual St. James Military Appreciation Day Golf Bill Morgan, chairman of the St. James Military Tournament fundraiser was led by Richard H. Stewart Appreciation Day Committee, stated: “This year’s Jr. American Legion Post 543. This fundraising activity, support of our annual fundraiser was unparalleled for along with others, recognizes the service and sacrifice of donations, participants, volunteers and community the nation’s military service members, past and present. support. We are extremely grateful to everyone who This year’s golf tournament was sponsored by The Clubs supported us in this endeavor. SJMAD provides Post at St. James. 543 with operating monies to support more than 70 programs that benefit veterans, active duty personnel, Turning out in record numbers, 188 golfers, wearing local youth scholarships and a myriad of other services red, white and blue, participated in the tournament. A we provide for the community.” flag raising ceremony, conducted by the Post 543 honor guard, kicked off the event. The fundraising event ended with announcing winners of the silent auction items and thanking the staff for their superb service throughout the day.

AUGUST 2021 37 This photo of Oak Island beach was submitted for the Cat-Tales photo competition. Although it did not make the cover, the staff thought it was a fitting complement to this article. (photo by Tom Alderdice)

38 The rip and the run By Nicholas De Gennaro

Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, there was the two currents. The cross current is the rip, and the an unfortunate situation where two people drowned perpendicular current is the run. Runs can be 20 to 70 off local beaches. Information was published about yards apart along the beach. the coastal currents that contributed to this horrible Understanding what to look for and what to do loss of life, but some of it was misleading. Considering when swimming in the ocean is important. If you are that, below is information about longshore currents swimming and notice that you are moving parallel to and how to identify them. the shore, you are in a rip. If it is a strong rip, and you As a coastal engineer with more than 30 years of are moving fairly quickly, the run will also be strong, experience regarding coastal currents, and after so get back to the beach. working as an ocean lifeguard, I understand the However, if you are not paying attention and get coastal environment. I'll explain how coastal currents caught in a run, allow it to take you to where it loses are formed, how to recognize them and what to its power unless you are a skilled ocean swimmer. Do notice about currents when swimming in the ocean. not panic, stay calm and do not waste your energy The media presents all dangerous currents as rips, trying to swim against it. When the run stops moving but a rip by itself is not dangerous. A rip is caused you out, swim parallel to the shore and allow the by the angle of attack of the waves onto the beach. waves to bring you back in. In other words, waves come into the shoreline from As a lifeguard, I would identify a run and dive into it so an angle and are not perpendicular; this develops a the run could take me out to a victim quickly. Surfers longshore current. also use runs to take them out past the waves. Runs A rip current is a longshore current that becomes are rather easy to identify. Look for a section of the stronger when larger-than-normal waves pound the surf where the waves are somewhat smaller than the shore. Larger waves are caused by a strong wind. The surrounding surf. Next, watch the water and look for wind can be local, causing chop, or can be farther air bubbles in the water traveling seaward. That is offshore with calmer wind at the beach. Far offshore where a run is located. winds from storms at sea can develop well-formed, Hopefully this article helps you to understand our large waves by the time they reach the beach and coastal environment a little better. cause a rip current. Editor’s note: Thank you, Nick, for making swimming A rip current moves water along the shoreline parallel in the ocean safer. I shared this article with friends and to the shore, and, as large waves come ashore, water family members to heighten their awareness of rips builds up ahead of the tide. It may be a few inches of and runs. water, but that's a lot of water trying to go back out to sea, and some of the water can’t return because the next wave is coming in. The water then moves along the shore to find a spot where waves are not so strong and the bathymetry (shoreline bottom changes in certain locations) allows the excess water to go back to the sea. That is the dangerous spot. It is called a run and is where the water runs out. There are very few references regarding this terminology in the media, but it is important because it defines the position of

AUGUST 2021 39 Bob Badertscher By ABob Badertschersummer fish tale

It was the summer of his 13th year, and the boy was For the boy, catching the big trout that hung out spending it on his uncle’s farm to help with chores. under the bank at the end of this particular pool had Out of bed at 4:30 in the morning to milk cows and become an obsession. On one occasion, he hooked clean the barn, followed by a big breakfast. Next, the fish, but the creature tangled his line on a root getting in the hay was back-breaking work but fun deep in the hole, and the line snapped. for a city kid. The farm chores were done for the day, On this particular day in late June, the boy hurried and the boy looked forward to confronting his old through dinner and set off to face his adversary. As he adversary. slowly worked his way through the brush to the spot The farm sat on a county road in central, upstate he knew so well, he felt this would be the night. New York. To the boy it was paradise, and his favorite He selected a fat nightcrawler and baited his hook diversion from the hard work was fishing for native knowing he would get only one chance. If the fish brook trout in the nameless creek that flowed by the struck, setting the hook and retrieving the fish would farm. As it crossed under the road, the creek formed a have to be swift. There was no room for error in these deep pool where large fish could be found. tight quarters.

40 He gauged the distance and cast the line. Perfect! As the bait was sucked into the current he could see that it would hit the right spot under the bank. He almost burst in anticipation of the strike. When it came, it was ferocious. The rod tip bent almost to the water. The boy knew he had to quickly retrieve his adversary before it could head for the root and escape again. He often thought about pulling the fish from its lair, and now, instinct took over. The short rod and heavy line allowed him to pull in the big fish and swing it clear of the overhanging brush and onto the bank. At last, his conquest was complete! As he lifted the great fish, he was awed by the red spots ringed with blue, the crimson underbelly, the white-tipped fins and beautiful green-gray patterning on its back and sides. The last rays of the setting sun illuminated the prize fish, making it even more spectacular. The boy had dreamed of this day for a long time. He could now return to the farmhouse and show his prize to his uncle, aunt and cousin. The fish would make a fine meal. As he gazed again at the trout, his sense of conquest was replaced by a feeling of reverence for nature and the creator of this magnificent fish. This beautiful creature that had bested him so many times deserved more than ending up as a meal. His decision was swift. He quickly returned the great fish to the stream so it could live on in its habitat and his memory. Reverence for the beauty of nature had replaced the temporary thrill of victory. As the boy made his way back through the brush in the waning sunset, he saw lights in the farmhouse window and knew he would sleep BAKER MASONRY well with a deep sense of satisfaction. over 25 years experience It has been sixty years since that golden day on Block, Brick, and Stone that nameless creek, but the boy, now a man, NO JOB TOO SMALL has never forgotten the lessons learned that summer on his uncle’s farm. SUPPLY, NC

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42 Blueberries are brain food By Ami Brown

A couple of summers ago, when I visited my mother, smaller berries are packed with a higher concentration her garden was overgrown. Her blueberry bushes of antioxidants, and these nutrients help to protect were drooping, overloaded with a huge crop of ripe the body from free radicals, the unstable molecules blueberries that were ready for picking. My family that damage cells in the form of aging, disease and and I unloaded thousands of berries from the bushes, cancer. If that isn’t a good enough reason to add placed them in gallon-sized Ziplock bags and had over blueberries to your diet, here are a few more. 20 pounds of berries. What does one do with that If watching calories or carbs, blueberries are a perfect much fruit? snack. A cup of blueberries contains about 84 calories I found a simple recipe for blueberry jam, bought and 15 carbs and is packed with a generous portion canning jars and made jar after jar of blueberry of the recommended daily intake of fiber, vitamin C, jam. After canning 24 jars of jam, only a fourth of vitamin K and manganese. the berries had been used. Half of the remaining According to Healthline, a website and provider of blueberries went into mom’s freezer and I took the health information, blueberries can help reduce bad other half home. We gave away the jam for Christmas cholesterol and lower blood pressure. A 12-week presents that year, by the way. study of early dementia patients who drank wild When I went home, I looked for blueberry recipes blueberry juice daily showed increased memory and also read interesting facts about the benefits of function, reduced depression and lower glucose levels. blueberries. Blueberries are called brain food, not I turned my abundant stash of these nutrient-rich for some marketing campaign, but for several good berries into muffins, pies, smoothies and more jam. In reasons. Scientific studies have shown these colorful, addition to all the health benefits, they taste delicious, dark berries to be one of the most, if not the most, too. I still have a small bag left in the freezer, and I beneficial fruits you can eat. think it’s time to finish them off. There are two kinds of blueberries — highbush, the most commonly cultivated in the United States, and lowbush, the wild variety that is much smaller. The

AUGUST 2021 43 It’s a Split Decision By Ami Brown

When it comes to word puzzles, crosswords are George passed away in 2012 at the age of 85. Fred some of my favorites. A few years ago, when visiting Piscop, one of George’s former students and avid my mother-in-law, another avid fan of word puzzles, puzzler, took over creating his beloved puzzles for she introduced me to Split Decisions, a word puzzle the New York Times. Upon George’s passing, Fred printed occasionally in the New York Times. told the Times that George was his teacher from September 1958 through June 1960. They stayed in As soon as I caught on, I was hooked and looked touch and were best friends since that time. It was everywhere for more of these puzzles. I found a George who introduced Fred to word games and small book of them on Amazon, as well as a few mathematical brainteasers of all sorts. Fred said, if online. I also stumbled across the story of the not for George, he probably would never have gotten creator of these unique puzzles. into the puzzle business. George Bredehorn, a teacher in East Meadow, New I reached out to Fred Piscop, and he kindly granted York, challenged his students to daily out-of-the-box permission to print a puzzle in Cat-Tales if I sent thinking by doing word puzzles and brainteasers. him a copy of the issue. He told me that when George invented Split Decisions as part of his George was creating Split Decisions, he developed classroom challenges. He also regularly submitted a database, by hand, of word pairings using a word games to a few publications and they were dictionary and a Franklin word finder. He noted that eventually picked up by the Times. Over the years, the process must have taken George hundreds of he also published many of his word games in various hours. Fred computerized the database, but it still word game publications. takes him about 2 to 3 hours to create a small puzzle.

44 Word puzzles have several mental health benefits. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends a daily dose of crossword puzzles to sharpen the mind, especially as you get older. Word puzzles also increase vocabulary Geroge Bredehorn and Fred Piscop are pictured here in 1958. and problem (photo contributed) solving abilities, are entertaining to many people and may stave off boredom on a rainy day. I hope you enjoy this puzzle as much as I do. The answers to this puzzle are to the right.

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Expanding orthopedic care right here in Brunswick

Ted Parcel, DO, and Benjamin Browning, MD, are accepting new patients

Joint, bone and muscle pain can interrupt your life. Are you ready to get back to doing what you love? Like walking, tennis or golf?

Then it’s time to meet our experts at Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Supply. Board-certified surgeon Ted Parcel, DO, is fellowship-trained in adult joint replacements. Benjamin Browning, MD, is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy. Both are experienced in providing high-level care for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. Ted Parcel, DO, FAAOS

Services include: • Hip and knee joint • Total hip and knee • Fracture repairs • Knee arthroscopy replacements revisions • Tendon repairs • Shoulder surgery

Our experts provide the specialty care you need, closer to home, so you can concentrate on what counts most — getting better and staying healthy.

Benjamin Browning, MD We are taking extra steps in our clinics to keep you healthy, including masking, social distancing, screenings and increased disinfecting of surfaces.

Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Brunswick 6 Doctors Circle, Suite 5, Supply, NC 28462

Call 910-721-4370 or visit NovantHealth.org/orthospinebrunswick to make a same-day or next-day appointment. © Novant Health, Inc. 2020 9/2048 • ECA-627232