PHOTO BY BILL FAVER
THE OCEAN is the beginning and end of land and rain and winds and life.
The Beginning And The End
BY BILL FAVER
There is a real sense in which everything begins and
ends in the sea. The land rose up out of the sea when
plates collided or volcanic pressure pushed it up. The
constant siltation of sand and stones
down rivers and into the sea returns
land to the water. The erosion we
experience at the beaches seems to
be the sea biting off some land to
return it to its origin.
The rains that fall on the land
come from moisture pulled from
the sea by the sun. TTie moisture
forms in clouds, condenses as it
cools and returns to the sea by
falling on the land, forming into
streams and rivers and finally, moving back to the sea
from which it came.
The winds move in response to the sea and storms
form because of pressures and currents and gravita
tional pulls, all tied to the sea.
If we believe what some of the scientists tell us,
mammals began in the sea and one day some ancient
creature crawled out on the land to bask in the sun
shine. As the years passed, this pioneering creature
stayed out of water for longer periods of time until it
could live on land as well as in water.
FAVER
Its gills, used to obtain oxygen from water, evolved
into lungs capable of getting that oxygen from the air.
Many people believe man's development is tied to this
same sequence and that this in part explains man's
love of, and dependence upon, the sea.
Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, writes in an
other book:
The sea lives all around us. The commerce of all
lands must cross it. The very winds that move
over the lands have been cradled on its broad
expanse and seek ever to return to it. The conti
nents themselves dissolve and pass to the sea. So
the rains that rose over it return again in rivers.
In its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim
origins of life and receives in the end, after, it
may he, many mutations, the dead husks of that
same life. For all at least returns to the sea ? to
Oceanas, the ocean river, like the ever/lowing
stream of life, the beginning and the end.
This ever-changing sea is deep within each of us,
tied to the rhythms of seasons and life. It is in our his
tory somewhere, no matter where we live. It touches
our lives in many ways and constantly reminds us to
put ourselves in perspective when we feel too power
ful or too important.
It brings us the joys of beauty and happiness. It is
the beginning and end in many, many ways.
Cooking Up The Best Holiday
Thanksgiving is the best holiday.
It is an equal opportunity obser
vance ? people of every faith, gen
der, race and lifestyle can, and
should, find something for which to
be thankful.
And any day given over to the
simple but profound act of preparing
and sharing a special meal with peo
ple we love is a day well spent, in
my estimation.
For several years at our home in
the mountains, Eric and I hosted a
sort of open-door Thanksgiving
feast for the gastronomically adven
turous. No turkey and dressing al
lowed.
One year everyone chipped in for
Maine lobsters and oysters Rocke
feller. Tha/ next year I filled my
enamel yturkey-roasting pan with
enougb^paella to feed a small army,
after having scouted all over western
North Carolina to come up with the
requisite shrimp, clams, mussels and
saffron to assemble the dish in all its
authentic Spanish glory.
One year, it was a Mediterranean
buffet for nine, the preparation of
which nearly killed me. I started
cooking three weeks in advance of
this spread, which must have had 25
dishes, from antipasto trays to
homebaked baklava.
In the same way that people can
remember the details of days spent
traveling, all those Thanksgivings
are vivid to me. I know which meals
I cooked with the kitchen windows
open, the guests gathering on the
pcrch in the sunshin? Hinnpr
was served, and which ones were
eaten by the fire. I remember who
was at each gathering, where they
sat and what they wore.
Some were quiet holidays, with
dinner followed by a walk, a nap or
a football game on television. Others
turned into raucous parties lasting
into the night, with the stereo blar
ing and the guests dancing barefoot
OPEN AN
IRA AND GIVE
YOURSELF A
TAX BREAK
Edward D. Jones & Co.*
ar y
KATHRYN
GOSSETT
Investment _
Representative JL v
Call Today
(910)754-3202
Shallotte
Lynn
Carlson
in our living room.
At any rate, none of those
Thanksgivings will be lost in the
memory as just another rote nod to
the candied yams and pumpkin pie
tradition.
Many of our friends who helped
make those memories have moved
on, just like we did, leaving that suc
cession of November Thursdays as
mental snapshots of a time which in
retrospect was richer and sweeter
than we realized.
We're back to turkey and dressing
these days, thanks to my 15-year-old
son who insists, in this circumstance
only, on doing exactly what we're
supposed to do. He turned thumbs
down on every suggestion I had for
something a little less predictable.
"Well, would you at least consider a
smoked turkey?" I queried. No way
in heck.
He wants oven-roasted turkey and
dressing ("with no oysters or hot
peppers in it") and cranberry sauce
("the jelly kind from a can, not that
stuff you make with the fresh
berries") and homemade biscuits.
And something gooey for dessert.
He shall have it. And as 1 make
that meal, I'll be swept back into
childhood by the smell of roasting
turkey, and I'll understand why
Patrick wanted it.
I'll know as 1 make the dressing
that ' do it just like my n.ama does,
though I can't remember a time
when she actually showed me how.
I'll try to make those perfect biscuits
that came so effortlessly from Aunt
Nora's oven. They'll be good, but
not nearly that good.
I'll cook until I lose my appetite,
but I'll have a great time doing it.
I'll miss my old friends. And I'll be
very, very thankful.
Diamond Cluster Rings
1/2 ct. $399 let. $699
Many other styles available. Lay away For Christmas
stand JezueCers
Est. 19/6 ? River Run Shopping Center
Hwy. 211 & Long Beach Rd.( Southport
457-4407 ? Behind Pizza Hut & McDonald's
On Premise ring sizing
Major credit cards accepted
Trade In Your
Trailer For A
CUSTOM BUILT HONE
? We Build And Finance ? Your Plan Or Ours ?
* 100% FINANCING (On Your Lot) ?
? No Down Payment * No Closing Cost ?
Cuii ruui Grant Today
1-800-331-7053
EASTERN BUILDERS INC.
'"""T* BHUW3WCK BEACON
MORE LETTERS
Quarry Said 'No Deo/'
To the editor:
To my fellow citizens of Brunswick County concern
ing the proposed Martin Marietta limestone quarry to he
operated in the Southport/ Boiling Spring Lakes/ Oak
Island area:
Martin-Marietta has gone to great lengths to prove
that this quarry will have no "ill effects" on us. Let's
think about this.
The quarry itself will be located approximately three
quarters of a mile to one mile south of one of the largest
ammunition terminals in the nation and approximately
one to one and one-half miles north of Carolina Power
and Light's Brunswick nuclear power plant (that has had
more of its fair share of serious problems).
Running the entire length of this area is a railroad that
carries supplies and materials to CP&L, ADM and
Cogcntrix. There is also a six-inch natural gas line that
goes to ADM.
At the pit site, the entire quarry area will have to be
cleared of all trees, brush, bays, etc. This land now
abounds with wildlife: birds, plants and other forms of
life native to our unique area.
In order to mine the limestone, a pit approximately 90
feet deep will be dug. Approximately 10 million gallons
of good, clear, fresh, much-needed water will be
pumped out of the Castle Hayne aquifer per day. Some
people have been told that their wells may go dry, but
would be replaced. (There will also be blasting to free
the stone.)
Where will this water go? I understand it may be put
in the Cape Fear River. How will it get there? What ef
fect will it have on the saltwater life and the overworked
Cape Fear River itself.'
Finally, to those of us who travel the highways in this
area, can you imagine adding anywhere from 40 to 200
large dump trucks per day to these narrow, overcrowded,
unsafe roads?
No, folks, this is no deal! We can live without Martin
Marietta's quarry and other similar industries, but we
cannot survive if we keep wasting and destroying our
fresh water and other vital natural resources!
Ronnie Caster
Southport
Fears Called Unsupported
To the editor:
Ms. Suzanne Osborne correctly declares in her de
fense that "when you feel that your and your neighbor's
quality of life is on the endangered list, you might
scream too."
But most of the fears expressed by the group opposed
to the proposed quarry by Martin Marietta are unsup
ported by facts, and some accusations against the com
pany are inane or easily discounted.
For instance, Ms. Osborne's charge that MM "endan
gers our.. .estuaries..." may be discounted by less than
two minutes worth of simple arithmetic on a hand calcu
lator. The 10 million gallons of water to be discharged
each day into the Cape Fear River is about 15/100ths of
a percent of the water volume of the river from
Wilmington to the ocean ? a negligible dilution.
The additional charge of endangering protected
species and children is a piece of hysteria.
The company has promised to replace any loss of wa
ter from dried-up wells, and this is the only fear not oth
erwise removable which threatens the quality of life.
The "cry of dismay" of so many people is an irra
tional brouhaha in which legitimate concerns could well
be honored with civility and respect. It doesn't fit the ge
nial and friendly nature of most natives of Brunswick
County.
Karl Brandt
Shallotte
St. Brendan's Needs Kneelers
To the editor:
Very few of the members of St. Brendan's Catholic
Church have been told that we are donating monies to a
new church that will be built with no kneelers with our
pews.
This is unheard of and disgraceful. Even though some
one has offered to donate these kneelers. Father Maloney
will not give in. I ask you members for support of these
kneelers. Does our new church belong to him or us?
Maybe if more will do as I have done, and write to
Bishop Gossman and ask for your memorial refund, we
can have our kneelers.
My request to the bishop asked that Father Maloney
be transferred and let us build our church accordingly.
Harry Quick
Ocean Isle Beach
Cancer Center Benefits All
To the editor:
In the Nov. 2 election. North Carolina invested in its
future. Funds from the university bond referendum, to
gether with matching private and federal funds, will ex
pand the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer
Center at the UNC School of Medicine. As center direc
tor, I want you to know that this investment will benefit
all North Carolinians.
The UNC Lineberger serves all of North Carolina.
Patients from virtually every county, from Cherokee to
Randolph to Camden, come to Chapel Hill for diagnosis
and treatment. The center's outreach programs work
with doctors and patients in communities ranging from
Mitchell County in the west to Columbus and Gates
counties in the east.
Our scientists are unlocking the genetic secrets of
cancer, secrets that will produce better treatments and
increased prevention that will benefit people across the
entire state. The center's training programs are produc
ing new doctors and scientists to continue the advances
already made.
Cancer is one of North Carolina's biggest health prob
lems. On average, every 15 minutes someone in our
state has a cancer diagnosed. Every 35 minutes someone
dies from cancer.
North Carolina is fortunate in the resources it has to
fight cancer. We have an outstanding medical communi
ty and centers of excellence at local hospitals. We have
four university-based cancer centers, including three
recognized as comprehensive centers of excellence by
the National Cancer Institute.
As one of the university-based comprehensive cen
ters, the UNC Lineberger is developing the future of
cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The investment of public funds in facilities for cancer
research will pay significant dividends in earlier detec
tion. better treatments and fewer deaths from cancer for
all North Carolinians. On behalf of the center, I thank
the public for their support.
Joseph S. Pagano, M.D.
Chapel Hill
Charleston. S.C.
Praise For Coast Guard
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter was addressed
to the U.S. Coast Guard. A copy was provided the
Beacon for use as a letter to the editor.
To the editor:
On Oct. 30, after our sailboat ran aground on Jay Bird
Shoal at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, we were re
moved from the vessel from the Coast Guard.
This involved attempted by two different boats from
the Oak Island Station, neither of which could approach
closely enough due to the waves breaking near us and
the weather conditions (gusts to 40 knots).
Finally, we were removed by a helicopter team from
Air Station Savannah, who dropped a man in the water
to swim to our boat and tow us to the basket.
It is impossible to express our gratitude to the Coast
Guard in general and to Oak Island Station and Air
Station Savannah in particular. Everyone involved in our
rescue showed extraordinary skills, courage and dedica
tion.
We took the names of the officers from Oak Island
who manned the boats and spoke to us on the radio, and
they are as follows: BM1 Desillier, BM3 Anderson,
MK3 Horsman, SN Miles, SN Pyle, SA Holt and SA
Palmer.
After we were removed from the boat, we were taken
to the Oak Island Station The kindness and hospitality
we were shown here was unforgettable. We were al
lowed to stay for a night and a day, during which time
we were fed, given bunks, allowed the use of the show
ers and laundry facilities, and helped in a thousand other
ways. Every man with whom we had contact at that sta
tion was friendly and helpful in the extreme.
We think you should know what fine men you have
serving at Oak Island Station and we hope that what
they did for us will be recognized and commended. We
won't ever forget our good experience with the Coast
Guard.
Martha K. Knut Hofgaard
S/Y Magnolia
ft I# A\fl You've been waiting for a Cellular
UIVMT i phone offer you COULDN'T
It Doesn't Get Cheaper Than
Talk Free
Weekends
'til 1 994
FREE!
TIME
Isn't It About Time
You Tried Cellular One
And Received Up To
500
FREE MINUTES OR
Uniden 1900
Bag Phone
(includes antennae, lighter cord,
3-year warranty)
Now *99 or $412 per mo.
vy
CELLULAR*
Autkorutd Sain Aftnr
Call
Todd, Strawberry Or Judi
For Details
754-OA'L'L
Limited Time Offer CALL TODAY!!
A-lCCLLULAR Sa?,P?;-4
4802 Main St., Shallotte
ci OBJ THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
Activation Required Thru A-1 Cellular. Some Restrictions May Apply,