SEPTEMBER 2021 - St. James POA
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SEPTEMBER 2021
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Top Companies — Home and Lot Sales
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tute 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.
2Editor's note
CONTRIBUTORS
Nancy Adelis
Fred Ammann
By Marilyn Rudolph Joe Bonczkowski
Matt Crean
Kirk Davis
This September, ceremonies will be last-minute request. She wrote about
Beth Erskine
conducted across the United States in coconuts and intertwined a few coconut-
remembrance of the September 11, related childhood memories into her Dave Filios
2001, terrorist attacks in New York story, making her article extra special. Jan Gilhooly
City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Peggy Gordon
Pennsylvania. Representatives of the St. Seriously, who has childhood coconut Arthur Hill
James Fire Department and Richard H. memories besides Vicki? Cat-Tales staff Barbara Hunt
Stewart, Jr. American Legion Post 543 got lucky with that double bonus. Way to
Warren Ihde
will once again hold a joint ceremony in go, Vicki! If anyone takes World Coconut
remembrance of first responders who Day seriously and goes cuckoo for Jerry Iverson
perished on 9/11. Details of this event are coconuts on September 2, please send Merry Klinefelter
on page 13. evidence to Photo-Tales. Vicki Hamilton Lauziere
Bett Lewis
In recognition of the 20th anniversary of If World Coconut Day doesn’t offer Becky Lytle
9/11, compelling stories contributed in excitement, maybe hiking the Mountains- Gina Mancinelli
2017 by residents who have memories to-Sea Trail will step things up a notch or
Jay Manning
of that fateful day have been reprinted two. I didn’t know the trail existed until
in this issue. I read them in 2017 and I read Beth Erskine’s article. Thank you, Louise Maravich
again in preparation for this issue. Strong Beth. Since I bought the book mentioned Peter Mattiace
emotions and vivid memories, originally in the article, it's a good bet that MST John Muuss
evoked on 9/11 and during its aftermath, hikes are in my future. Any other takers? Jeanette Nixon
resurfaced as I read the stories. I expect I’ll tell you about mine if you tell me Jennifer Richheimer-
others may have similar reactions. about yours — don’t hesitate to snap Darzano
photos of your MST adventures and send Marilyn Rudolph
Thank you to everyone who shared first- them to Photo-Tales. Jean Toner
hand stories that reflect harsh realities
John Versaggi
spawned that fateful day. May we never Labor Day falls on September 6 this
forget the reality of September 11, 2001. year. Take a few moments to read about
its origins in this issue. Labor (not the
In the August issue of Cat-Tales, readers working kind) is mentioned in the article STAFF
were asked to submit stories about along with labor (the working kind). My editor
childhood memories. I’m delighted to son, Greg, was born on September 6, Marilyn Rudolph
report that we have our first story. Notice 1982, on Labor Day, so the holiday has a managing editor
I said first. Others will follow, right folks? dual meaning for me. Ami Brown
The icebreaker is a recollection about photographic editor
ziplining before ziplining was a thing. It's doubtful that a baby will be born to John Muuss
Thank you, Becky Lytle, for sharing part of a St. James resident on Labor Day this associate editors
your past. year, but if it happens, alert the Cat-Tales Bertie Belvin
staff ASAP because that baby will deserve Pat Broady
Guess what? September 2nd is World a story and cover photo. Baby or not, Jim Campbell
Coconut Day. Cat-Tales staff asked enjoy the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Bob Dziuban
contributors for a coconut story, and Vicki wherever you are, whatever you do. Maggie Smith Roedema
Hamilton Lauziere kindly agreed to our associate
photographic editor
Judy Wagner
SEPTEMBER 2021 34
What's inside VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 9
SEPTEMBER 2021
From the POA 27 Now that you’re here
6 President’s column 29 Nutria in Beaver Creek?
30 The officers Gennari
For your information 33 Photo-Tales
9 Mayor’s column
11 ICYMI Around the area
36 Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Special reprint 39 Zip lining in the backyard
before it was cool
13 Remembering 9/11
41 Traveling during the pandemic
Inside the community ON THE COVER:
Just for now
20 Magnificent crape myrtles St. James is blooming with
43 Labor Day … an oxymoron colorful crape myrtles.
23 Sisters in the air Read more about these
45 The spooky face of coconuts
25 Do fish get carsick? trees on page 20.
(photo by John Muuss)
FEATURE ARTICLES Cat-Tales is published
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,
11ICYMI
25
Do fish get carsick?
36
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
the POA does not endorse
commercial products,
services, and does not publish
advertorial, partisan political
Sit a spell, relax and Learn more about how the Ready for a hike? or religious belief articles.
read Cat-Tales on one ponds are stocked in If so, check out the
of the many benches St. James and the volunteer opportunity to explore
Advertising
placed throughout St. effort that it takes to North Carolina from the
James while enjoying this stock them. Great Smoky Mountains Information:
thoughtful ICYMI article. By Merry Klinefelter to the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal Printing
By Arthur Hill By Beth Erskine & Graphics
910-754-5929 or
Please visit www.stjamespoanc.org to submit Photo-Tales or email CatTales@atmc.net
cattaleseditor@gmail.com for article submissions or comments.
SEPTEMBER 2021 5President's column
Jerry Iverson / President, St. James Plantation POA
Reserve fund: Article IV, Section 7 of the Master In this same three-year period, total reserve fund
Declaration authorizes the Association to establish revenue was $4,513,265 with costs of $5,011,942,
and hold reserve funds. It states, “The Association resulting in a reduction in the reserve fund of almost
may establish reserve funds from its Annual $300,000 over those three years. This reduction
Assessment to be held in reserve for (a) major resulted from three consecutive years with significant
rehabilitation or major repairs, (b) emergency and damage from Hurricanes Florence, Dorian and Isaias.
other repairs required as a result of storm, fire, The most destruction was rendered by Hurricane
natural disaster or other casualty loss, (c) recurring Florence, with an attendant reduction of $1.5 million
periodic maintenance, (d) replacement of, and capital in the reserve fund.
improvements to, the Common Properties, and (e)
initial costs of any new service to be performed by “Having a healthy reserve fund
the Association.”
is extremely important to prevent
There are currently three sources of funding for delayed maintenance actions;
the reserve fund — a planned share of annual
complete capital improvements;
assessments, road access fees and working capital.
Road access fees will continue to decline and will and most importantly, avoid
disappear in about three to four years if construction special assessments.”
of new homes continues at the high rate we are
currently experiencing. Working capital, which
consists of one-fourth of the annual assessment The most important factor in maintaining a healthy
paid by the buyer of a new property, will end at the reserve fund balance is that the Association can
conclusion of 2021. recover from a hurricane event or other catastrophic
event without resorting to special assessments.
Over the past three years (2018-2020), the lion’s Hurricane Florence caused a tremendous amount
share of reserve fund revenue has come from the of damage in our area and many associations had to
planned share of the annual assessment. This amount levy special assessments, some as high as $2,000 per
is determined in the budget process by subtracting membership.
the total operating expense from the total operating
income. In addition, excess funds in the operating Reserve fund study: In many states, homeowner
budget at the end of the year are moved to the associations are required by law to conduct a reserve
reserve fund. If the expenses have exceeded the fund study and to maintain an adequate reserve fund.
income for that year, funds are taken from the While North Carolina has no statutory requirement
reserve fund to cover any shortfalls. to conduct an annual RFS, nor to maintain a reserve
fund, your St. James Plantation Property Owners’
In these last three years (2018-2020), the planned Association (POA) has been conducting an annual RFS
share of the annual assessment has provided 38% since 2011.
of the reserve fund income; road access fees have
accounted for another 34%; working capital and The RFS has two primary components — physical
interest provided 6%; and end-of-year transfers have analysis and financial analysis. The Infrastructure
accounted for 22%. Committee identifies all real property owned by the
6POA to include roads, bridges, buildings, parks and
other property that may require repair, replacement Reserve Fund 30 Year Expenditures (2022-2051)
or refurbishment over the next 30 years. The
committee then develops a time-phased plan that Amounts in $1,000 Costs Percent
identifies when the replacement or refurbishment
of real property is required. The Finance Committee, Roadways $15,560 55%
working with the Infrastructure Committee, then
identifies the costs, by year, to implement the Hurricane & Storm
time-phased plan. The study also includes capital Recovery $6,000 21%
improvements and the funding year that have been
approved by the board. Woodlands &
Waterway Parks $1,539 5%
We use a “threshold funding” approach for the
study. This approach requires that we have sufficient Storm Water System $1,100 4%
reserve funds to cover all known requirements and
still maintain a minimum reserve cash balance at the Beach Club $990 3%
end of each year. This threshold or buffer is necessary
to cover major repairs that may occur earlier than Main Gate $850 3%
anticipated, hurricanes or to cover unknowns. We
established that threshold at $3 million in 2011 Irrigation $750 3%
and it remained constant through 2020. In 2021,
we increased the threshold to $4 million based on Bridges, Buildings,
increased costs and the increase in our budget, which Walkways $665 2%
has grown by 68% over the past 10 years.
Capital Improvements $500 2%
The 2021 RFS (2022-2051) was completed and
approved by the board on July 20, 2021, at our Miscellaneous $359 1%
monthly board meeting. As noted above, there
were net reductions in the reserve fund in 2018 and TOTALS $28,313 100%
2019 due to hurricanes. However, the reserve fund
saw an increase in 2020 with a bump of $965,000.
The reserve fund balance at the end of 2020 was Having a healthy reserve fund is extremely important
$5.3 million. The reserve fund balance at the end of to (1) prevent delayed maintenance actions; (2)
2021 is projected to be $5.6 million. It includes the complete capital improvements; and (3) most
$600,000 paid by the North Carolina Department of importantly, avoid special assessments. The 2021
Transportation to rebuild the front entrance after study confirms we can meet all funding objectives and
widening of Highway 211. still maintain a $4 million threshold buffer every year.
The RFS 30-year outlook (2022-2051) includes receipts POA annual meeting: The annual meeting is scheduled
of $29.2 million and expenditures of $28.3 million with for Saturday, October 16, at 11 a.m. in the St. James
a forecast reserve fund balance of $6.4 million in 2051. Community Center. Your board will provide an update
The largest, single cost driver is the maintenance of 80 on the Association’s projects and finances, announce
plus miles of road, including major repairs and surface the Volunteer of the Year and provide the results of
preservation. The amount for Hurricane and Storm the board election. The doors open at 9:30 a.m., so
Recovery is $6 million and includes recovery from come early, enjoy light refreshments, spend time with
three hurricanes at $1.75 million per occurrence plus your neighbors and vote for your candidates of choice.
$25,000 a year for cleanup from minor storm damage.
Total planned expenditures over the 30-year period are
shown in the following table.
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8Mayor's column
Jean Toner / Mayor, Town of St. James
Water pressure has been a chronic problem in some Town and county staff recently met and proposed a
St. James neighborhoods for a number of years. The plan to address water pressure issues. The plan would
Brunswick County Water Utility has taken measures see the Town of St. James transfer to Brunswick
to address our concerns and mitigate the problem by County our share of the ARP funding in the amount of
extending a water main down Middleton Boulevard $1,991,221 to be used, with sufficient county funding,
and by constructing a 100,000-gallon water tank to conduct an engineering study to identify underlying
at the treatment plant on Highway 211. However, issues and recommend solutions that would lead
the constant growth in our area has placed higher to the design and construction of needed system
demands on the water supply and has resulted in improvements.
continued complaints regarding water pressure.
This proposal was discussed at length by the St. James
Town Council at our July 22 work session. Council
“Town and county staff recently then voted at our August 4 regular public meeting
met and proposed a plan to and authorized me, as mayor, to sign a letter that
officially proposed our plan to the Brunswick County
address water pressure issues.” Board of Commissioners. The town council and staff
look forward to working with the county to ensure
Several theories have been fostered (pipe size, that water system improvements adequately address
landscape irrigation, rapid development, storage current and future needs.
capacity, etc.) as to why the problem exists. It may
Reminder: The Town of St. James Environmental
be one or several issues combined that need to be
Fair will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
addressed. The passage of the American Rescue Plan
September 21, at the St. James Community Center.
and its subsequent allocation of federal funding to
A list of exhibitors and speakers is on the Town of St.
state and local governments, including the Town of
James website.
St. James and Brunswick County, provides a unique
opportunity for the town and the county to partner
to resolve this longstanding issue.
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10In case you missed it
By Arthur Hill
I’ve learned from recent experience that growing
older has benefits and pitfalls. Among the latter is
a tendency for some of us to withdraw from life
around us, a trait that, unfortunately, gained some
momentum during our year of isolation. It’s
a tendency we have to fight.
Maggi and Gary Crowden enjoy one of the many benches
That’s where a good, old-fashioned park bench located in St. James. (photo by John Muuss)
can help.
St. James has many amenities — the beach, golf The idea to populate an area with benches and pay
courses, racket courts, swimming pools, health for their maintenance isn’t new. Cities from Elk Grove,
facilities and a wide array of organizational activities. California, to Newport, Rhode Island, have programs
Any of these pursuits are good for what ails us, similar to St. James. Since the 1980s, New York’s
especially if we need to socialize more. But one of the Central Park Conservancy has sponsored its Adopt-A-
amenities we may have overlooked is the slow, steady Bench program, raising money to maintain more than
growth of benches that dot our common areas. 10,000 benches. To date, donors have adopted some
Making greater use of them is well worth exploring. 7,000 benches.
For the past several years, the St. James Plantation There’s recent evidence to show benches can help
Property Owners’ Association (POA) Landscaping bring people together. On roughly 350 mornings
Committee has administered the Memorial Bench each year, between 6 and 8 a.m., Al Nixon takes up
Program that offers residents acting individually or in his usual position on a bench in Vinoy Park in St.
groups (families, organizations or neighborhoods) the Petersburg, Florida. An article in the Tampa Times
opportunity to purchase and donate a bench to honor states: “For park regulars, he’s as reliable as the
the memory of an individual or event. These benches squirrels or the water fountains. Many who pass by
should be around for quite a while. They’re made from stop to chat. Many just give and receive a little wave.
what the POA describes as a high quality, composite Over and over. Day after day.”
material that will withstand the salt air climate.
Al began his regimen about seven years ago, when
Now, several years after the program launched, the problems at work led him to search for a daily ritual
committee is running out of common areas to place to clear his head. In that time, he’s become something
these sturdy pieces of outdoor furniture, so the of an institution. One day, a woman approached Al
Landscaping Committee will soon end the program. and told him something he says he’ll never forget. “I
know, when I see you sitting there, that everything is
That’s good news for residents. It means we now have going to be alright,” she said.
a passel of great communication assets scattered
across the community to engage in more daily Who could forget that? And to think the incident
encounters, contributing to our mental health and never would have occurred without a bench.
improving the quality of life in St. James.
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12On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four St. James property owners who lived and worked in
planes flying above the U.S. Two were flown into the New York and Washington metropolitan areas at
the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New the time of the attacks (and those who knew people
York City. Another crashed into the Pentagon, while living in those cities) have a unique perspective on
the fourth plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, this infamous event in U.S. history. On the 17th
Pennsylvania. anniversary of 9/11, some of them have agreed to
share their moments of anxiety, fear and reflection
In one hour and 50 minutes, the United States of with us. Here are their personal accounts.
America changed forever. During that period, 2,996
people died, including the 19 terrorists. Among the Editor’s Note: St. James resident Vicki Wade is
deaths were 265 on the four planes, 2,606 in the World a retired member of the City of Miami (Florida)
Trade Center and the surrounding area and 125 at the Department of Fire-Rescue and a former employee
Pentagon. More than 6,000 others were injured. at the Department of Homeland Security.
The St. James Fire Department and
Richard H. Stewart, Jr. American
Legion Post 543 will hold a joint
remembrance ceremony to honor
those who lost their lives on
September 11, 2001. The ceremony
will be held at the St. James
Community Center at 10:00 a.m.on
Saturday, September 11, 2021. All
residents are invited to attend.
SEPTEMBER 2021 13firefighters
Jay Manning is pictured above with Walter
Cronkite at the NYPD Command Center
14Thousands of people walked across the 59th Street Bridge to
leave NYC after the attacks shut down all transportation on
9/11. (internet photo)
SEPTEMBER 2021 15Remembering 9/11
Warren Ihde
Peggy Gordon and her boss, Major General Reuben
Autrey, are pictured above in 1988.
16home; stories of folks who took the day off and
their offices were obliterated; stories of first-day
On September 11, 2001, I was serving on the Army personnel who were killed. All volunteers. Amazing
staff along the Pentagon’s D-ring corridor. At personnel. True professionals. Simply ordinary
9:37 a.m., Flight 77 slammed into and penetrated Americans doing extraordinary things.
the outermost E-ring, D-ring and C-ring and
was completely absorbed by the Pentagon’s Editor’s Note:
infrastructure. Flight 77 struck the heart of the Kirk Davis
Army and Navy staff, killing 22 soldiers, 33 sailors, is a retired
70 government civilians and contractors and all 59 colonel in the
members of Fight 77. U.S. Army.
Throughout the twisted maze of darkness, water and
downed electrical wiring, I brought two civilian co- Kirk Davis,
workers with me as we searched for an exit. All cell wearing a
beret, is in the
phone and communications were lost. All highways center of this
and the Metro were shut down. Once outside, many AP photo taken
simply started walking in the direction of home. It on October
took me eight hours to finally talk with my wife, Donna. 11, 2001, at
the very first
The stories from 9/11 at the Pentagon are horrifying. Pentagon 9/11
ceremony.
Stories of husbands and wives who never made it
My brother loses a colleague
SEPTEMBER 2021 17Sound advice in uncertain times: call us.
At Lohff and Nelson, we have over 30 years combined experience
helping our clients accumulate, distribute and transfer wealth to
make the world better for the people they love and the causes they
care about. Now as always, we are here to inform and support you
with ongoing market updates, investment recommendations and
personalized advice to help keep your plans on track and your goals
clear. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to your financial life.
David C. Lohff Lohff and Nelson
CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® A financial advisory
Financial Advisor practice of Ameriprise
President Financial Services, LLC.
david.c.lohff@ampf.com
910.616.8232
Beth A. Nelson 8509 E. Oak Island Dr.
MBA, CFP®, ChFC®, Unit 2
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Financial Advisor ameripriseadvisors.com/
Senior Vice President team/lohff-and-nelson
beth.nelson@ampf.com
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.
18Michael Prentice
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6131 Oleander Drive, Suite 200, Wilmington, NC 28403
SEPTEMBER 2021 1920
Magnificent crape myrtles
By Bett Lewis • Photos by John Muuss
Known as the most reliable, radiant and popular for the trunks to grow. Pay attention to height when
floral tree in the south, the Lagerstroemia indica is purchasing your tree, and don’t prune to control
more commonly known as the crape myrtle. Tens of height. Pruning too early will decrease the blossoms.
millions of crape myrtle trees grow in the southern
United States, from Virginia to Texas, and in warm The landscaping company hired by the St. James
climates around the world, but crapes (crepes) aren’t Plantation Property Owners’ Association does not
native to the United States. prune the crapes lining our streets, and those trees
are plush with flowers. Cutting them back creates
Their history dates to the Tang dynasty (618 to 907) knobs that weaken the trees, making them susceptible
in China, and their arrival in America dates back to to disease, and also ruins their graceful, natural shape.
Charleston, South Carolina, in 1786. French botanist,
Andre Michaux, introduced seeds here after Marco Trimming seedpods is OK but unnecessary. Hungry
Polo introduced seeds to Europe. Records at Mount birds find crape myrtle seedpods tasty, so leave
Vernon, George Washington’s estate, indicate the them for cardinals and other species that love them.
trees were planted there. A 20-foot-tall myrtle produces a few pounds of
seedpods each year with about 570,000 individual
The crape myrtle is a member of the Lythraceae seeds in 2.3 pounds of crape myrtle seedpods.
family. It’s a deciduous tree with a multi-stemmed,
blotchy trunk that is without bark. Crape myrtles Some myrtles produce edible fruits that are sold
encompass more than 50 species, including dwarf commercially. Asians believe crape myrtles have
varieties. medicinal value. Throughout history, many cultures
believed a crape myrtle could bring love and peace
The tree has a long flowering period of 60 to 120 to a family. The Lagerstroemia indica is favored for
days and blooms all summer. Crapes are drought and bonsai, and florists enjoy using their seedpods and
disease tolerant, require water until established and flowers in arrangements.
minimal care thereafter. They thrive in sun and heat
and are very tolerant of winds and hurricanes, thus Crape myrtle blooms may lack fragrance, but they
favored in the south. Most varieties grow 20 to 50 certainly put on an amazing show throughout the
feet tall with a canopy spread of up to 25 feet. Best of summer. Enjoy it!
all, crape myrtles can live for 50 to 100 years.
Their wow factor is the variety of red, pink, white or
lavender flowers the trees produce. The flowers vary
in size according to the species, have wrinkled petals
that are like crepe paper, and their large, lilac shapes
and small clusters burst with beauty. Dark green
leaves change to brilliant yellows, oranges and reds in
the fall.
Good advice for pruning is don’t do it except to shape
new trees in early February. Prune only small shoots
and suckers on the trunks annually. Choose three,
five, or at most, seven main trunks and leave space
Crape myrtles line many roadways in St. James.
SEPTEMBER 2021 21Sisters in the Air
By Bett Lewis
“As a child, I would get a book and finish it before I
arrived home,” said Helen Whittaker, an avid reader. Her
love of reading started as a child and continued into her
college years and as a public library director.
Helen and her husband, Gary, moved to St. James nearly
4 years ago. Both have a long history of loving airplanes.
On their first date, Gary invited Helen to take a plane
ride with him.
Today, Gary flies their Beechcraft Bonanza V-Tail
airplane for personal travel and to visit their daughter in
Michigan. Helen has gained knowledge about flying, and
with a degree in English, a master’s in library science and Aviator Louise McPhetridge Thaden is pictured here circa 1929.
a master’s in journalism, it’s no surprise that she had (photo courtesy of the Louise McPhetridge Thaden Collection,
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution)
interest in writing about women aviators.
Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, in 1999. A school
Helen’s research on women aviators sparked her and an airport are named in her honor in Bentonville,
commitment, 30 years ago, to take a screenwriting class Arkansas. Helen and Gary were invited by Thaden’s
at UCLA and write a movie script. Her script, “Sisters in family to attend the hall of fame induction, a gala affair
the Air,” is about the first women’s national air race, the that included prominent politicians, astronauts and
1929 Women's Air Derby, later nicknamed the Powder Experimental Aircraft Association officials.
Puff Derby. Louise Thaden won the race, beating her
friend, Amelia Earhart, and 19 other women aviators. Phoebe Omlie was the first woman to receive an airplane
mechanic license and the first female aeronautics
Pilots during the pioneer days of aviation risked their government official. She was also a stunt flier and wing
lives when they flew, and there was a fatality during this walker. The control tower at the Memphis International
air race. Helen was passionate about people learning Airport is named in honor of Omlie.
more about this race, and Louise Thaden in particular,
so for two years, she tried to sell her screenplay in During the pandemic, Helen took classes in writing
Hollywood before abandoning the challenge. children’s books and has written several of them
because she loves the genre. She said, “Everything has
She wrote a book, also called “Sisters in the Air,” that was to mean something to kids in a children’s book.” Helen’s
published in 2002. It is a double biography about Thaden children’s books include a fairy tale, two biographies and
and another derby racer, Phoebe Omlie. Thaden was two nonfiction books, including one about reptiles and
awarded the Harmon Trophy as America’s outstanding amphibians.
female pilot in 1936. Astronaut Eileen Collins, commander
of the 2005 Discovery mission, carried Thaden’s flying She also entered her 30-year-old screenplay in the 2021
helmet into space to honor her achievements and those Scriptapalooza Screenwriters Competition and placed
of other female pioneers of flight. as a quarterfinalist. Over 90 producers, managers and
literary agents read and judged her script.
Thaden was inducted into seven aviation halls of fame,
including a posthumous induction into the National In addition to writing, Helen enjoys speaking at book
clubs.
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24Do fish get carsick?
By Merry Klinefelter
Do fish get carsick? That question popped into my fertilizer) and utilize
head as I watched Jenny Lough, career and technical cafeteria scraps for a
education agriculture teacher and Future Farmers composting project.
of America advisor at South Brunswick High School, Additionally, students monitor bluebirds in the spring
open the lid of a large cooler filled with about 100 on the campus bluebird trail.
fingerling bass that she transported to St. James.
The next time you fish in one of the 15 stocked
Members of the fishing subcommittee of the St. fishing ponds in St. James, you might catch a fish that
James Plantation Property Owners’ Association Ponds is an important part of Brunswick County children
Committee were present to help with relocating these learning how to create a cleaner and more ecologically
bass to St. James fishing ponds. Committee members balanced environment.
selected three ponds for stocking the fish based on pond
size, food and shelter for the small fish. Bass eat smaller Editor’s note: I had to know if fish get carsick and
fish, like minnows, and smaller ponds cannot support a learned that a German scientist did a study to
large bass population. Bass also need cooler water, so determine if fish are affected by motion sickness. His
deeper and larger ponds were selected because they are researchers placed fish in a tank, loaded it onto an
likely to have cooler water in their depths. airplane and observed the fish after the plane went
into a deep dive. The fish appeared disoriented and
The bass were raised by the students in the SBHS swam in circles after their adventure. Hmmm, I think
aquaculture program that is now under the aegis of I’ve observed similar behavior during adult float night
the Natural Resources Management and Sustainable at the SeaSide pool.
Agriculture Production Systems. Jenny Lough has
been a teacher at SBHS for four years and replaced
Barry Bey as program leader. The program instructs
students about soil, water, air, forest and wildlife and
how to protect them.
Sustainability is a buzzword in today’s food culture,
and aquaculture and aquaponics (waste produced
by farmed fish is used to provide nutrients for plants
grown hydroponically, that in turn, purify the water)
are important food production systems globally.
While they have not taken hold widely in the U.S.,
hydroponically grown lettuces are usually found in
grocery stores.
In the coming years, SBHS students will grow more
fish as they study sustainable agriculture production
systems through aquaponics. The students currently
grow a variety of fish to be released into local
waters, raise red wigglers for vermicomposting
(use of earthworms to convert organic waste into Jenny Lough scoops out fish to be introduced to one of the
many ponds in St. James. (photo by Merry Klinefelter)
SEPTEMBER 2021 25Coping with Covid was a challenge, but coping with a
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26Now that you’re here
By Fred Ammann
Now that you have moved to St. James, it’s time to put Always order a side of hush puppies and drink sweet tea.
away your Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, Midwestern or If you have room for dessert, select cobbler or banana
wherever else attitudes and act like a North Carolinian. pudding with Nilla Wafers.
The following information is a basic primer on
everything you need to know about the Old North State. Remain loyal to your hometown teams regarding pro
sports, but know that the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte
The official seal of North Carolina includes two female Hornets and Carolina Hurricanes play in North Carolina.
figures, Plenty and Liberty, and the state motto is esse Major league baseball teams are not located here
quam videri, a Latin phrase meaning, “to be rather but minor league teams include the Durham Bulls,
than to seem.” I am guessing the founders wanted affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Greensboro
full transparency. Grasshoppers, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The cardinal is the state bird, although the Eastern Allegiance to the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State
bluebird should get honorable mention. Many of us Buckeyes, Nittany Lions, etc. will go unquestioned for
have bluebird boxes and have seen nest building, mating proud alumni. However, it is best to recognize North
rituals, protective parents guarding their chicks and the Carolina’s college athletic teams. The Blue Devils, Demon
first flight of fledglings. Deacons, Pirates, Tarheels and Wolfpack have legions of
in-state fans, are competitive in most sports and have
Likewise, while the Eastern gray squirrel is the official garnered numerous national championships. Can you
mammal, the black and white fox squirrel would have name their respective universities? (answers below)
my vote.
As a newcomer 16 years ago, I had a bit of trouble
Local fishermen say red drum fish, found off Atlantic adjusting to the Southern lifestyle but eventually learned
beaches and inland estuaries, are a prized catch. to go with the flow. I recently read excellent advice in
a letter to the editor of the State Port Pilot. “Don’t try
The state insect is the Western honeybee, but no- to change Southport. Let Southport change you.” Wise
see-ums certainly get our attention in this neck of the words indeed.
woods. We also notice when the state tree, the pine,
deposits yellow pollen on our cars and outdoor furniture Answers: Duke University, Wake Forest University, East
every spring. Carolina University, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.
Learn to shag, and at a beach concert, you’ll fit right in
on the dance floor. Speaking of the beach, search for a
Scotch bonnet seashell on walks along the sand. When
you drive home with your First in Flight North Carolina
license plate, remember Orville and Wilbur Wright
launched their Wright Flyer from the dunes of Kitty
Hawk.
Rules for eating like a North Carolinian start with a
breakfast that includes biscuits rather than toast and
grits instead of home fries. For lunch and dinner, choose
slow-cooked, wood-smoked pulled pork BBQ, then
decide what sauce to drizzle over the meat — tangy
Eastern style (vinegar and red pepper flakes) or the
flavorful Lexington style (ketchup added to Eastern).
SEPTEMBER 2021 27St. James NEST Speaker Series
Living Your Best Life is a new speaker series being
rolled out by St. James NEST, a non-profit in St. James
with neighbors helping neighbors to ‘age in place.' The
Series topics include:
When Your Past Becomes Your Future
(Alzheimers/Dementia)
Sept. 28 - 3-4:30 pm
Estate Considerations for Long Term Care Planning
in North Carolina
Nov. 30 - 3-4:30 pm
Mom and Dad Need Care. Where Do I Start?
Jan. 25, 2022 - 3-4:30 pm
Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care - Which One to
Choose? March 29, 2022 - 3-4:30 pm
Senior Fraud Schemes - How to Avoid Them
May 31, 2022 - 3-5 pm
All programs are FREE and will be
held in the St. James Community
Center. Limited capacity. Please
RSVP at sjnest.org or 910-250-8388.
Get more details at sjnest.org, under
the Events calendar.
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©2020 Logan Homes.
28Nutria in Beaver Creek?
By Dave Filios
I’ve had two reports that nutrias have been seen in
Beaver Creek. I also have a report from the “mayor”
of Beaver Creek that he has not seen them. But if they
aren’t there now, they soon will be.
What is a nutria? It is a rodent similar to a beaver but
with a tail like a muskrat. They are often referred to
as swamp rats. Nutrias were brought here from South
America for their fur and are now spreading over
much of the East Coast. They eat swamp grasses in
large quantities, destabilizing the marsh scape.
In Louisiana, nutrias are destroying large sections of
the delicate marshland. They also burrow into dikes
and cause additional damage. Louisiana officials Nutrias have bright orange teeth, as seen here. (internet photo)
placed a bounty on nutrias because they have
become such a problem. They have huge incisors Nutrias are an invasive species and need to be
like beavers, but the nutrias’ incisors are a bright eradicated, so the idea was to put their fur to good
yellowish-orange color. use. I haven’t heard much about that lately. The
hottest thing in fur now, both literally and figuratively,
If someone knows about nutrias, it’s likely that a is faux fur. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to locate
family member owns or owned a nutria coat, also a picture of a faux, and no one knows exactly how
known as a poor man’s (woman’s) mink. The pecking many faux it takes to make a coat.
order for fur lists sable and chinchilla at the top, with
mink, raccoon, fox and beaver close behind. Nutria is Nutrias are nocturnal, so if you hear a strange sound in
at the bottom. Fur coats are out these days, but there the Beaver Creek after dark, it may be nutrias chewing
was a movement about 10 years ago by people like their way through swamp grass. If that’s true, the
Oscar de la Renta to market nutria coats as a way to Beaver Creek marsh could someday become open
help save the environment. water. I guess nutrias are the mammalian equivalent
of kudzu.
Nutrias were farmed in the Outer Banks but migrated
to the Chesapeake Bay and became a serious problem.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife in that area mounted
an eradication campaign that has now largely
eliminated nutrias from the area.
Closer to home, nutrias have been confirmed in Airlie
Gardens and are migrating up the Cape Fear River to
the interior. The good news is that one of the sightings
reported in Beaver Creek may have been muskrats, a
Nutrias thrive in swampy, wet areas and are avid swimmers. first cousin of nutrias but much less invasive.
(internet photo)
SEPTEMBER 2021 29The officers Gennari
By Beth Erskine
My wife was a prostitute when I met her. It’s hard to
imagine a more compelling introduction than that.
Married for 24 years, Frank and Deb Gennari met in
1990 when both worked for the Suffolk County Police
Department in New York.
Frank attended Farmingdale State College and then
entered the U.S. Army. Later, he heard the police
academy in Suffolk County was recruiting. Frank
applied, passed the test and began working as a
police officer in Nassau County on Long Island. He
transferred to Suffolk County and spent a few years in
uniform patrol before being reassigned as a detective Undercover police officers, including Frank, hung
in the narcotics division. out on campus and ultimately made over 300
small-time drug deals with 68 dealers. On June 17,
For 20 years, Frank worked undercover in narcotics.
1968, after collecting enough evidence to secure
During the 1960s, culture wars were well underway
warrants for 38 suspects, an elaborate raid was
and “turn on, tune in, drop out” was a prevailing
launched on the Stony Brook campus, the first to
sentiment of the younger generation. Drug use was
occur within the presumed sanctity of an academic
widespread across college campuses, including the
institution.
Stony Brook State University of New York where
there were widespread complaints of rampant and As such, the raid made national headlines and
uncontrolled drug use. launched a grand jury and two state legislative
investigations. The raid animated a national
debate between the establishment and the
counterculture. And, not surprisingly, Stony Brook
gained the reputation of being a “drug school.”
Inspired by a high school career-day speaker, Deb
studied criminal justice at Farmingdale and then
graduated from the police academy in 1989. She
joined the Suffolk County Police Department and
worked in the patrol division, where learning the
territory was part of the job’s appeal. When the
typical routines of patrol were interrupted, it was
usually for something memorable.
Helping deliver a baby was one such occasion.
Apprehending Poopy, a man high on drugs who
ran naked through a neighborhood, was another.
Also, a mysterious man dressed in a tutu regularly
disappeared into the woods, triggering 911 calls.
Frank and Deb Gennari enjoy Oak Island. (photo contributed) Responding to fatal car accidents and delivering
death notices were always hard parts of the job.
30Frank and Deb crossed paths at the Suffolk County Police Department when Deb became an undercover prostitute in sting operations with Frank’s team. She said it was challenging to avoid entrapping a client and to never enter his vehicle. Confidence in her backup team was essential, as her safety relied exclusively on them. This work was the prelude that ultimately led to wedding bells for Deb and Frank. In 1988, Frank experienced firsthand danger while making a drug arrest. The suspect drove into Frank and tried to escape, but Frank still managed to capture him. However, Frank required major back surgery that led to a medical disability, and in 1991, he retired. By then, Deb had transferred to the pistol licensing division and retired in 2011. Fortuitously for Deb, that work gave rise to a retirement career. She became a consultant who advised people wanting to obtain a pistol license. Frank applied his police background to retirement work by teaching gun safety. After retiring to St. James in 2016, Frank remained involved with the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, an organization for retired and active duty police officers who enjoy riding motorcycles. Frank is credited with recruiting the first five foreign countries (now 33) to participate in the organization and he served as international president from 1991-1992. In retrospect, the Gennaris recognize that placing their lives in the hands of others on a daily basis created lifelong bonds with their colleagues. As retirees, Frank and Deb maintain strong affiliations with active and veteran police organizations, and their home proudly displays a thin blue line flag in support of their brothers and sisters wearing the blue. SEPTEMBER 2021 31
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32(photo by Matt Crean)
These photos of beautiful
double rainbows over
St. James were taken
after a recent summer
thunderstorm.
(photo by John Versaggi)
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34The sunset paints a perfect background as grandkids play and wait patiently for the July 4th fireworks to begin on Oak Island. (photo by Jennifer Richheimer- Darzano) This photo captures a lizard blending in perfectly to his surroundings. (photo by Barbara Hunt) SEPTEMBER 2021 35
36
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
By Beth Erskine
What begins at Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Segment 18: The Outer Banks. This segment includes 62
Mountains National Park, runs 1,175 miles across North miles of sand hiking trails and concludes on a dune in
Carolina and ends in Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Outer Banks? If you answered the Mountains-to-Sea
Day hikers comprise the majority of MST hikers, but
Trail, you are correct.
increasingly, adventurers are thru-hiking the trail
Beginning in 1977, the MST represented an innovative (continuous hike from start to finish). Three to four
partnership among local communities, land trusts, months are typically required to accomplish this feat, not
federal and state land agencies, private landowners, the including time for conditioning prior to the effort.
North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation, and its
Thru-hikers are aided by trail angels, people who
most important advocate and steward, Friends of the
generously offer food, laundry and shower facilities, and
Mountains-to-Sea Trail organization.
even overnight lodging to hikers. Trail angels and trail
Existing trails on public lands provided a framework for towns have well-deserved favorable reputations among
early trail planning that also included a goal to connect the thru-hiker community.
the trail to key, natural features in North Carolina.
Professional trail builders initially constructed the most
Following the planned guidelines, the trail corridor was
difficult parts of the trail, but increasingly, community-
developed to include the state’s geographic diversity
based crews have assumed responsibility for trail
and beauty, and encompass traditional trails, roads,
building and maintenance. Trail support surged over the
and occasionally, a water crossing. In 2000, the trail,
last two decades, and fortunately, volunteer work hours
although not complete, was added to the state park
increase each year, corresponding with increasing use of
system.
the trail.
As an advocate of the trail, Friends of MST created an
A new guidebook, “Great Day Hikes on North Carolina’s
online guide for prospective hikers that categorizes the
Mountains-to-Sea Trail,” was recently published by
trail into 18 segments and includes a description of the
Friends of MST. It features hikes that highlight the most
terrain and degree of difficulty for each segment.
special spots on the trail and is targeted to hikers of all
For example, Segment 1: Peak to Peak begins at abilities. If you read the book, maybe you’ll be inspired
Clingmans Dome and concludes at Waterrock Knob, 47 to sign up the for the 40 Hike Challenge that is ongoing
mountainous miles away, covering 38 trail miles, 7 miles until March 23, 2023.
of grassy shoulder along the Blue Ridge Parkway and 5
The MST is deserving of its designation as North
miles of unpaved roads through woods. Segment 1 is
Carolina’s flagship trail. Why not explore part of it on a
characterized as strenuous and is well-maintained with
future trip?
frequent switchbacks.
Segment 3: The High Peaks & Asheville is the most
frequently hiked mountain section and boasts the most
dramatic change in elevation from the French Broad
River low area of 2,000 feet to the highest point east of
the Mississippi, Mt. Mitchell’s 6,600-foot summit.
Multiple segments traversing the Piedmont region
feature rolling farmland, old textile villages, tobacco
farms and historic sights. Hiking is easy to moderate on
trails, greenways and roads.
The Coastal Crescent Trail covers a 276-mile route that
traverses the coastal plain. The last of 18 segments is
(internet photo)
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38Zip lining in the backyard before
it was cool By Becky Lytle
My daddy invented the zip line. Well, it seems like it As a kid, I always thought our backyard was huge.
now. No, he didn't patent his invention, and I'm not A patio in the back spanned the width of the house
rich because there are now zip line parks around the and was accessed through a door to our unfinished
world, but our backyard in Raleigh, North Carolina, basement. I can still picture my daddy ducking down
was amazing. All the neighborhood kids played at our to exit the basement door on his handmade stilts, but
house. that's a story for another time.
On one side of the patio, a very large hickory had
grown in a hole that was created when the patio was
built. Beyond the patio, the yard sloped down a great
expanse of grass to a large oak tree at the end of the
property. In the far back corner of the lot was another
tree.
Yes, you guessed it. Daddy attached a metal cable
from the hickory tree to the tree at the back of the
lot. He added a pulley that held a tire on a cable, and
voila, we had a zip line. Full disclosure here, he called
it a cable car.
We'd get into the tire and zoom to the back of the
yard, bring it back and go again, and again, and again.
How cool were we? We didn't realize that we were
cool until, as adults, zip lining became the thing to do.
Thanks, Daddy, for giving us such a treat!
Becky and her dad set up a toy train on Christmas morning in
1958. (photo contributed)
SEPTEMBER 2021 39Let us help manage your
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