Page 6 The Shoreline March 2010
Around Town
By Bob Ruggiero
Fred Payne, Ike Pipkin and Fred Fulcher were
sworn in at the January 25 meeting of the Pine Knoll
Shores Planning Board. They join existing members:
Doug Browne (Chairman), Dominic Baccollo, Roger
Middlesteadt, Bill Strube and Kathy Werle.
When Aquarium conservation horticulturist Gwendy
Womble was invited to speak at a regular meeting of
the Community Appearance Commission (CAC), she
immediately accepted but invited the CAC to have the
meeting at the aquarium. On Wednesday, January 20,
the CAC group was met at the front door by Gwendy
who led them on a walking tour of the aquarium
and grounds while she talked about the day to day
operations of Aquarium plant life. She explained that
they use cisterns to collect rain water for plants and
to wash cars because it keeps the pH level down. The
overflow goes into a rain garden where the inkberries
grow. When leaves and limbs fall from the many
native plants in residence, they are left on the ground
to produce organic material. The Aquarium consists
of 265 acres, including a wildlife preserve as well as
an additional natural preserve in Salter Path. The tour
continued to the greenhouse where Gwendy explained
that plants appearing dead are just dormant. In front of
the Aquarium, Gwendy pointed out a variety of plants:
button bush; hydrangea in the wet area; needle rush,
which is native; blue flag iris; heavy metal grass; sweet
betsy; and a French tree from the piedmont.
Although CAC chairperson Bob Curry had served
as a part-time staff member of the earlier facility,
he found the current Aquarium to be a whole new
experience. The array of heavy duty equipment, the
beautiful background murals, the three story waterfall
that greets Aquarium visitors, the tank of playful river
otters, and the numerous exhibit rooms were just a
few of the features that made this meeting a unique
experience. As Bob noted, "The entire experience
carried me back to when times and the equipment
were much simpler."
Overall, the trip to the Aquarium was classified as
a real treat for all involved.
The Winner Is
Put your fins and flippers together to applaud the
finest "fish face" that the North Carolina Aquariums
found in a year-long competition. Kayley Ireland of
Merritt mimicked the mouth on a pjuppy drum that
she had caught to win the "Show Us Your Fish Face"
grand prize. Kayley chose "Big Mouth" as her Fish Face
name. The package for Kayley and her family includes
a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Pine
Knoll Shores, dinner at a local restaurant, a behind-the-
scenes tour at the Aquarium and a family membership
in the North Carolina Aquarium Society.
Throughout the past year, people of all ages puckered,
pouted and puffed their way onto the Aquarium
contest website. Judges scrutinized an ocean of
entries and top vote-getters to choose one winner per
month. Those 12 each enjoyed a $25 North Carolina
Aquariums' gift basket of goodies, and moved on to
compete for the grand prize
The Public Service crew, pictured left to right David
Watts (In the bucket), Ernie Guthrie, and Howard
Henderson had the task of cleaning up broken or
damaged tree limbs after the Big Snow.
The Book Nook
By Dot Miller
Members of the Friends' Board at Bogue Banks
Library are pleased with the success of a recent
innovation, an on-going sale of newer books at The
Book Nook. This gives residents of Pine Knoll Shores
a chance to purchase books before they appear in the
regular April and August used book sales. Since its
inception last spring, sales have been going very well,
enhancing the current year's income and making other
book offerings possible. The Book Nook is across from
the door as you enter the library, and a receptacle for
money is handy. Members of the Friends' Board are
taking turns managing the place, keeping the books
orderly and the shelves well-stocked with a steady
display of new offerings.
Kayley caught the 22-inch puppy drum shown in her
winning photo while fishing with her grandparents.
She didn't know at the time that her pursed-lip pose
could be a potential prize-winner.
"She loves to make people laugh, so she made her fish
face and knew we would get a kick out of it," said her
mother. Heather Ireland. "It wasn't until afterwards,
when I was sharing the hilarious picture with friends
at work, that 1 found out about the contest. It's a great
honor, and we are truly appreciative." .
The announcement of the grand prize winner
ended the competition, but the wirmers and other
fish faces can be viewed for a limited time at www.
showusyourfishface.com.