According to Ginger Candelora, who is a Mano al Hermano garden steering committee member, "If it weren't for the trust and confidence of the Dare County Aviation Authority Board of Directors we would still be searching for land to use for our community garden. It is remarkable to consider how many different people and organizations needed to come together to bring this idea to life, beginning with grant funds provided by the Outer Banks Community Foundation in 2010. Then there was the fabulous leadership of Susan Ruiz-Evans, Director of Dare County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension who helped to prepare the soil. Many other individuals stepped up and embraced the project to share their support and advice."

The need for the community garden came to light several years ago when past Director of the Interfaith Community Outreach (ICO), Ginger Candelora, noticed the small personal gardens that many of the Latino families grew on their properties. It didn't seem to matter how small the garden areas were - there always seemed to be a variety of vegetables and flowers growing next to the homes of those in need. "We decided then that if we had the opportunity to help organize the Latino community into a more self-sufficient group with the help of a caring community, one of our priorities would be to find suitable land for growing food. There is evidence that a vegetable garden stretches the food budget, but it's also healthy from both a nutritional and physical standpoint as well - great exercise!" 

 
The Diaz family confirmed that they often change residency in our vicinity, and that starting a garden at each new home is difficult. They also stated that this is a great opportunity to gather with family and friends. Also, every summer they would plant their own garden outside their home, but now they have a bigger space to work on. So, instead of just having a few tomato and chili pepper plants, they have the opportunity to plant not just a few things but also potatoes, corn, lettuce and more. When asked what was growing in his garden, Francisco Perez listed tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, chilies, potatoes and lettuce. "We work together with our families and we will share the food when it ripens. We hope to have different plots for growing different things.

People come to work on their plots at all times of the day and evening - whenever they have time for tending their crops; some come early in the morning, others in the evening. A couple of visitor to the garden commented to Robert Perry one morning while he was watering his butternut squash plants that it was hard to believe people actually got out, planted and worked their plots! They were both greatly pleased and much impressed. People are genuinely enthusiastic. And yes, the garden speaks for itself. Who knows where this great undertaking of hands, hearts and soil will lead? "Perhaps we'll have bee hives next year, or fruit trees, or maybe even an urban chicken coop - but with no roosters!" Ginger Candelora quickly adds with a magnificent smile.  For more information please contact Mano al Hermano (My Hand to My Brother) at PO Box 65, CDC Nonprofit Building, 4301 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head NC. Office: 252 261-6160 FAX: 252 480-2798.

211 Helpline Services Up and Active in Dare County

Searches can also be done at www.nc11.org done at and provide the ability to make a printout.  You can add a 211 button logo to your organization's website.  Patty Mckenna of the Collaborative is available to make presentations to civic organizations and churches. Thanks to support from the Outer Banks Relief Foundation 5,000 (bilingual) flyers promoting 2-1-1 in Dare have been placed in the community at locations including the Department of Social Services in Manteo, the Department of Public Health in Manteo, Interfaith Community Outreach, the Baum Center, and the Dare Center. 2-1-1 Flyers were sent home to all Dare County elementary and middle school students and they were included in the final Food for Thought bags for this school year. Paul Taulman of NC2-1-1 has done a great job inputting info from Currituck and Hyde Counties at nc211.org. Although the phone number is not activated in these counties, the resources ARE listed at nc211.org.  For more information contact: Patty McKenna

Coordinator, Community Services Collaborative, a program of the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. The Community Services Collaborative is a group of Outer Banks human services providers and community benefit groups that meets quarterly to work on mutually beneficial projects.  

Post Office Box 545
2510 South Croatan Highway, Suite D
Nags Head, North Carolina 27959
252/255-0530 (direct) outerbankscollaborative@gmail.com

 

Killer Dunes Race

Run the dunes of Jockey's Ridge State Park on Independence Day! It's all about true American grit. The Killer Dunes 2-Miler and Liberty Sands Fun Run is a race on the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States.

 

Whether you run, walk or climb, you'll revel in the sense of accomplishment for conquering the 2 toughest miles on the Outer Banks. How tough is it? We do not call it Killer Dunes for nothing! And for the younger crowd or those in training, we have the �-mile Liberty Sands Fun Run! 

 

Proceeds of the run benefit the Friends of Jockey's Ridge, the volunteer organization that works to preserve Jockey's Ridge State Park. And we remember those who serve so we can run free by also supporting the USO Phone Home program, keeping our troops in touch with their families. When miles apart, hearing the voice of loved ones means the world!

 

Killer Dunes costs $30 for adults, $25 for U.S. Active Duty and veterans, $25 for Outer Banks Running Club members and $20 for youth under age 18. The Liberty Sands Fun Run costs $5.

Deadline to guarantee a shirt is midnight on June 20. This even often sells out in advance so register early. Awards will be given to the overall finisher and the top 3 males and females. Independence Day, July 4, 2012, 8:30 am, Jockey's Ridge State Park

100 Years of Girl Scouts

Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast have partnered in creating an exhibit celebrating the100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. It can be seen in the Visitors Center at RIFP through July 1.  The exhibit includes items from Mariner Girl Scouting, which was a special interest, water-based program for Girl Scouts that started in 1934. This division of Girl Scouts had unique blue uniforms and participated in activities such as charting courses, launching ships, and learning about water safety and boating. The Mariner Girl Scout program remains alive today through water-based badges, camps and activities. 

 

The Wing Scouts are also featured which was another special program started for Senior Girl Scouts in 1942 with a focus on flying.  Prior to becoming a Wing Scout, Senior Girl Scouts were expected to take a standard Red Cross First Aid Course and one related course in school, such as meteorology. Booklets were published as supplements to the Senior Girl Scout Handbook that outlined the program, suggested program activities, and provided technical aviation information. This program was discontinued in 1962 when changes were made to the Senior Girl Scout Interest Patches.

 

Brownie Girl Scouts, organized in 1916, are also represented in the exhibit. In 1951, the Girl Scouts of America published the first Brownie Scout Handbook. By the 1970's, the Brownie program, open to girls in the second and third grade, promoted activities to appeal to the imagination, curiosity, creativity, helpfulness and needs of girls ages 7-8 years old. Activities were based on the three Brownie B's: Be a Discoverer, Be a Ready Helper, and Be a Friend Maker. The Brownie Girl Scouts are still a very active part of scouting today.   To learn more about area Girls Scouts visit http://www.gsccc.org .

 

Our Four Legged Friends

Red Nose Wine Festival

Technology Explained

Dr. John L. Sullivan, MD, vice provost for research, professor of pediatrics and molecular medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester, Massachusetts, will discuss "The Human Genome after a Decade: Impact on Disease and Drug Discovery" at the third Technology Explained seminar at Duck Woods Club, June 25 at 5 p.m.

 

Dr. Sullivan's accomplishments at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and University of Massachusetts Memorial as a teacher, clinician, scientist, researcher, mentor and administrator have helped make this institution nationally and internationally known.  His scientific work as an internationally recognized viral immunologist who focused on the molecular components of HIV beginning in the years when the virus was first being identified was critical.

  

For more information or to RSVP by Friday, June 22, please contact Patrick O'Keefe, CCM, general manager, at (252) 261-2744, ext. 224 or e-mail him at dwgm@duckwoodscc.com.   

 

 

Common Ground