May 2024 President’s Note/Bill Brettschneider
Nearing the end of my year as president, it was been a rewarding journey – one highlighted by success and surprises, obstacles and opportunities. This past week afforded an unexpected window of reflection.
Our long-planned initial RV exploration for 2024 took us to Roanoke Island in search of the Lost Colony and any “footprint” of the Civil War notable for its impact on Eastern NC leading up to the Battle of New Bern. The town of Manteo presented historic architecture and an engaging village center. The town of Wanchese, while a different character from Manteo, provided a captivating view of the custom fabrication of 75-foot sportfishing yachts – gave new meaning to the word “boat!”
Equally accessible were the beaches of the Outer Banks. Crossing the Roanoke Sound and making a left turn ushered us into Nags Head, NC. While I originally visited as a college student at Wake, Nags Head has surely changed during the ensuing 54 years. Miles of ample, if perhaps excess, commercial and residential development easily eclipsed the dunes and the ocean.
On our final day in the area, I again crossed the Sound though then turned right – and entered a completely unexpected world! Ocean and dunes on the left, marshland on the right – with sand encroaching on the road requiring graders and active removal reminiscent of the snow characteristic of my native northern home.
Mile and miles of open space, wind-driven native vegetation, small towns perched on the edge between the tide and times gone by . . . ah, what had I missed by not spending more time there?
As Newcomers we are surrounded by the new and unfamiliar. Be sure to take the time to turn off the familiar path and venture into the unknown. Maybe a day trip, perhaps an activity you have only heard about, maybe a stranger soon to become a new friend. Lots of possibilities.
As Robert Frost wrote:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Planning ahead – our next General Membership meeting will be on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Newcomers 101 goes from 6:30 PM to 6:45 PM, followed by open social time with the formal meeting beginning at 7:00 PM. Our guest speaker from NOAA will share insights into preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. Good to be “in the know.”
See you there!
Bill Brettschneider, President