Page 6 The Shoreline June 2009
Meet Your Neighbors ~ The Maxwells
By Jacquie Pipkin
services at Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran
Church and also serving as its Choir Director.
In addition, Ron teaches a music class at the
community college and continues providing
private lessons in his home.
After 2 years in retirement, enjoying
Twenty-two years ago. Palm Sunday
weekend to be exact, Jan and Ron Maxwell
vacationed with family in Smyrna, NC.
Having time on their hands, they decided to
tour the area, including Pine Knoll Shores.
Within 6 months, the Maxwells sold their
home and business in Madison, Connecticut,
retired, and relocated to 277 Oakleaf Drive
where they remain today, albeit after much
updating and renovating.
The Maxwells lived in Madison for 30
years and raised 2 sons and a daughter.
Ron's passion is music and, after working
as an insurance agent for a nimiber of years,
decided with Jan to open a music business
that included renting musical instruments to
local high school bands and offering private
music lessons. Ron also played in a Top 40
band at clubs and spedal events on weekends.
Jan, a former dispatcher for a transportation
company, managed the business and kept the
books. Ron credits Jan's business sense and
organization for allowing him to live the life
of a "Happy Musician."
Once retired in PKS, Ron and his guitar
connected with other jazz musicians,
including Dick Cumberland of PKS, and
for several years played at the Sheraton on
Friday and Saturday nights. While the combo
has disbanded, Ron continues pursuing his
passion by playing his guitar at Sunday
the area, fishing, and boating in a skiff
that Ron built in his yard, Jan met Bob
Herbst, the then Executive Director of
Martha's Mission. Martha's Mission is a
non-profit organization, managed and staffed
completely by volunteers, that provides
weeklygroceriestofamiUesinneed. Janbegan
volimteering at Martha's Mission in 1990; she
soon became its treasurer and now serves as
both its treasurer and general manager. What
began as several hours a week of volunteer
work is now a full time job. While the mission
is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays froml0;30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Jan's
responsibilities command much more of
her time than the three days a week that the
mission is open. It is interesting to note that
17 of the 59 volunteers presently working
at Martha's Mission are residents of PKS.
In addition to those who work inside the
mission, there are several volunteers who
provide vehicles to pick up and deliver to
the mission the $9000 woilh of groceries
purchased monthly from Wal-Mart.
The mission is located at 901 Bay St. in
Morehead City in a building owned by the
first Baptist Church who charges the mission
$1 per year for rent. The mission survives
entirely on private contributions, grants, and
4 major food drives per year. The mission
was originally conceived as a response to
the Red Tide of 1988 that left may fishermen
and their families destitute. Presently, the
mission has 361 families that represent 866
people dependent on Martha's Mission for
their monthly groceries.
Jan and Ron feel fortunate that their
daughter. Heather, and son, Paul, live
and work locally. The Maxwells have 4
grandchildren who span in age from 10 to
28 years old.
A gala gourmet picnic celebrating the
35* anniversary of the Pine Knoll Shores
Garden Qub was held on Wednesday, May
13 at the beautiful home of Vice President
Lois Jean O'Keefe. The delicious repast was
catered by Floyd's 1921 of Morehead City
ir.duded shrirnp boats, broccoli salad.
arid
deviled eggs, mini ham salad sandwiches
and turkey wrap. It received A+ ratings by
all 34 diners, including 31 members and four
honored guests. Guests were town Mayor
Joan Lamson and three past presidents of
the club - Becky Moore who presided from
1979-1981, Marty Hare who presided from
1981-1982, and Betty Stanton who presided
from 1993-1995. These early presidents told
fascinating stories about the founding years
of Pine Knoll Shores. The canal had just
been dug, and its water was crystal clear,
supplying the town's few early residents with
their shrimp and crabs. The marinas were
just being built. Getting lost while strolling
the streets was commonplace because there
were so few landmarks in the dense woods.
Emerald Anniversary Celebrated
By Clare Winslow
and there were no street lights till the mid
80's to illuminate the streets at night. And,
of course, they told of the construction of
town hall and the landscaping help of both
Becky and Marty.
Before the feasting, a brief meeting was held
at which President Carol McVitty welcomed
two new members, Arleen Graczewski and
Ginny Stambaugh, to the club. Beautifying
the sluiceway in front of Town Hall, the
successful installation of the new garden at
Oakleaf Drive by Carolina Home and Garden,
and the upcoining installation luncheon to
be held on June lO* at the Coral Bay Club
were discussed at the meeting. At the June
10 luncheon, Carol McVitty will be installed
as President, Martha Edwards as 1®' Vice
President, Helvi Larson as 2"'* Vice President,
Barbara Flynt as Corresponding Secretary,
Kay Howe as Recording Secretary, and Jan
Corsello as Treasurer.
Ecology and Conservation chairman Kay
Howe distributed flyers obtained from the
Environmental Concerns chairman of the
North Carolina Garden Club containing 11
hints to help keep our environment GREEN.
Sheryl Woodbury cautioned about a noxious
vyeed. Eastern poison oak, foimd from Florida
to Karlas. Its active agent is urushiol which
causes itching, blisterin g and eczeiTia and can
be harmful as well as being most unpleasant.
It is a cousin of poison ivy, looks similar
with its three leaves, but tends to grow in a
shrubby clump.
Lois Jean O'Keefe was presented with
a lovely white ceramic pitcher from the
Biltmore Collection in appreciation for
hosting the club's very special 35*' anniversary
picnic.
Following the luncheon, the much
anticipated plant exchange took place.
Members all brought two plants to the picnic,
and the choosing of exdhange plants was
facilitated by a system of color coded dots
on everyone's nametag. The four honored
guests were presented with containers of
zephyr lilies, taken from the Hereth Garden
in front of town hall.
More
Volunteers
Needed
By Jill Cross
In May, 2008, George Dawkins (aged
21) who lives on Arborvitae Drive, joined
the local Fire Department as a volunteer
and now completes 15 hrs of service per
week, even though only 12 hrs per month
is required of new volunteers. He finds
he is able to respond to every call because
he lives in PKS.
George indicates that he joined the Fire
Department to help the community. This
is especially impressive since he attends
college at East Carolina University full
time, majoring in business management
and criminal justice and owns his own
business. Steamer Surfing Instruction,
teaching people to surf at the Iron Steamer
Beach. The department is proud to have
Dawkins as a volunteer.
Faced with the impending retirement
of several long-time volunteers, the PKS
Fire Department needs more young
voiuntcers like Dawkins. Fighting a
house fire typically takes 14 fire fighters,
and since there are only three paid fire
fighters per. shift (around the clock), the
remaining numbers consist of volunteers.
Residents can help keep the taxes low
by volunteering, since paid fire fighters
will have to be employed if there are not
enough volunteers to fill the quota.
New volunteers need only obtain an
EMS or fire certificate. In addition to the
intrinsicbenefit of serving the community,
each volunteer receives a stipend for each
call they are involved with and benefit
from membership at a local gym. If you
would like more information contact.
Chief Bill Matthias at 247-2268. The PKS
Fire Department needs your help.