Page 4 - The Perquimans Weekly, Hertford, N.C., Thursday, July 13,1995
The Perquimans Weekly
1932
119 W. Grubb St., P.O. Box 277, Hertford, N.C. 27944
426-5728
Richard D. Brown, Publisher
Susan R. Harris, Managing Editor
Shirley Pizzitola, Administrative Assistant
Anzie Ziemba, Account Executive
Published each Thursday by The Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C.
Second class postage paid in Hertford, N.C. 27944
Out of the past
The day
hike
LU f»
H uman
beings
have
generally made it
their business to
insulate them
selves as much as
possible from the
natural world. On
the other hand,
humans have
found it fascinat
ing to head off, on
foot, to confront
it. Deep within us
all there is a Davy
Crockett or Robinson Crusoe,
and a surprising number of us
go forth, despite the unknown,
even if it’s for an hour.
Once you’ve made the deci
sion to take a day hike in the
woods somewhere or out in
the countryside, despite poi
son oak, stinging nettles and
flies, snakes, dope growers,
mean dogs, rednecks, electric
fences and little boys with B-B
guns, you might want to
remember these few words of
advice:
Carry nothing in your
hands but maybe a good walk
ing stick. The same applies to
your pockets. Don’t weigh
yourself down with useless
junk. Research your walk in
advance enough to choose a
quiet, safe place. Have a desti
nation. Return by a different
route so you’ll have something
different to look at. Plan ahead
so you don’t have to settle for a
road walk.
Take vegetable juice and
water enough. I’ve found that
chewing on gum keeps my
mouth moist. A bandanna or
handkerchief will be your
most versatile item, useful as a
wash cloth, towel, headband or
cloth, compress napkin, sling
or even as toilet paper. A fan-
nypack is a wonderful way to
carry what you need, but make
certain not to put over five
pounds in it.
Tell yourself you are going
on a walk, not a hike. Walking
is fun. Hiking is hard work.
Take a partner along who isn’t
wimpy and shares familiar
interests. Set a pace but stop
often to inspect natural
“stuff.” Look to the sides, don’t
have tunnel vision. Remember
this walk is so you can see and
experience the outdoors, not
Nature in a Nutshell
Gail Roberson
A s I get older, I find
myself sprinkling my
conversations with
phrases from out of the past.
I’ll be telling Bubba about
some funny incident and my
reaction to it. “I feU out!” ru
exclaim, the memory of it
bringing on a big smile and
wet eyes. Now where did that
come from, I’U ask myself. Oh
yes, now I remember.
I’d overheard that sentence
and many others while I
perched on kitchen chairs or
squatted on front porch steps,
eavesdropping on my grand
mother and aU those other
older ladies and gentlemen in
All over the map
TonyKej
the neighborhoods of my
youth. “I ain’t studying” her!”
someone would say, meaning
the speaker gave little consid
eration to the object of their
scorn. Or, as one lady re-told a
bit of juicy gossip to her neigh
bor, the neighbor might
exclaim “Honey, hush yo’
mouth!”, confirming the thriU
the news gave her and implor
ing the other to, for God’s
sake, continue. But then my
memory goes blank -1 can’t
recall another saying.
New at the Library
In George Plimpton’s latest
book. 'The X Factor - A quest
for Excellence, the man whose
claim to fame is based on
being the world’s best known
professionad/amateur sports
man endeavors to figure out
why some of us are winners
and the others are runners-up;
what’s killer instinct, who has
it, and can any of the rest of us
get it.
He covers some fairly famil
iar ground, especially if, like
me, you are a voracious reader
of self-help books. But take a
chance anyway, if only to read
some words of wisdom from
tennis legend Billie Jean King,
a side-splitting “interview” in
chapter nine, and a fascinating
behind-the-scenes visit with
then President George Bush
and family on a wet weekend
at Camp David. This alone is
worth giving The X Factor a
look-see.
just count down
the miles so you
can say you’ve
done it.
Read the
weather. Be alert
to all changes in
the air and sky.
Before you start
out, let someone
know where you
are headed and
how long you’ll be
gone. They should
know to come
look for you if a
storm arises.
Don’t take the dog. You’ll
spend most of your time call
ing him from the woods or lis
tening to his yelps as he goes
off chasing God only knows
what with outright trespassing
on God only knows whose
property. Many landowners
will allow you access to walk
on their property, but wUl not
tolerate a bouncing, energetic
dog knocking down the tobac
co stalks and eliminating him
self on their truck tires. Don’t
chance it. Leave the dog at
home.
Explore your own farm or a
section of the county near you,
or a hike along the border of
the county creek or river.
There’s no need to leave the
vicinity when you go for a
walk. And there’s no need to
walk all day. You may prefer
just an hour or so at a time,
especially if you don’t do this
often and need to build physi
cal stamina.
Shod yourself well. Break
in, beforehand, a sturdy walk
ing shoe. It’s a myth that high-
tops are essential for ankle
support. Best are the one-
pound nylon running shoes
that have a decent arch sup
port.
I learn a lot each day just by
walking around my own yard.
When I go out on the trails of
the refuge I open a natural
library to my every sense. A
nature hike offers something
for everyone. Yes, there is
much communion with nature
during the walk, but it’s a spe
cial time to unwind, find per
sonal peace and growth and
certainly acts as an ideal way
to exercise. Take a nature
hike. It’s more more than a
stroll until the sun goes down.
What are they for?
Letters
Dear Editor:
To the people of
Perquimans County: Words
can never express how grate
ful Bert & I are to have chosen
this part of North Carolina to
retire.
During my recent “total
knee replacement” experience
we were shown daily examples
of “Love thy neighbor as thy
self’ and “Do unto others as
you wold have them do unto
you.”
We were showered with
prayers, kind and loving
phone calls, visits, cards and
food.
What a wonderful place our
whole world would be if the
rest of the world would be as
loving & caring as the people
of this coimty.
We both know the best
“thank you” we can give is to
pass on these kindnesses and
follow the examples of the
beautiful Christ-like people
here who are our neighbors
and friends.
God bless you all,
Bert & Jimmye Hayes
WinfaU
Dear Editor:
I’d like to thank everyone
involved in the 4th of July
activities in Hertford. The
flags placed in the yards, fire
works, and other 4th of July
celebrations showed a great
deal of patriotism and commu
nity pride.
It was a super day, and
everyone who contributed in
any way deserves our thanks.
Sid Eley
Hertford
Dear Editor:
To each and every person
who was involved in ^e 4th of
July Fireworks Display at
Missing Mill Park - BRAVO!!!
It was the best I’ve seen in our
area and judging from the
enthusiastic response of the
crowd, everyone enjoyed it. I
know it took a lot of money,
hard work and effort and with
out the dedication of a few
individuals, there would’ve
been no fireworks. You
deserve a huge THANK YOU!!
Jonetta W. Long
Hertford
Bring back lazy summers
What happened to those
long, lazy days of summer?
Children long for them in May,
songs have been written about
them, they’re often spoken of
in novels...but I fear they are
gone forever, or until my chil
dren grow up whichever
comes first.
I fear I am becoming selfish.
I want a day just for me. I don’t
want to have to wash a uni
form. I don’t want to have to
worry about what somebody
else eats. I don’t want to have
to kick cleats out of the door
way to enter my den. I don’t
want to hear that infernal tele
phone ring. I don’t want to
have to take anyone to ball
practice or to a game. For just
one day, I want to be totally
alone.
Social creature that I am, I
have learned over the years
that everyone needs a “down”
day. Everyone needs space,
except maybe folks stiU on
their honeymoon. The rest of
RMiblin’with Susan
Susan Harris
us need some time that is ours
alone. Everyone, now and
again, needs to get in touch
with themselves.
I use to hate being alone,
actually fear being alone. As a
teenager, an unpopular teenag
er at that, I always craved
belonging. I always wanted to
be going and doing and in the
middle of everything.
'That feeling followed me
into adulthood, when I still
feared saying, “No.” Civic
duty, professional duty,
Christian duty, family duty
and the responsibilities that I
felt accompanied those obliga
tions kept me in a whirlwind
aU the time. And to teU you the
truth, quite often they stUl do.
But now I know that when
the pressure of my self-
imposed “duties” threatens my
questionable mental health, it
is time to take a “me” day.
There comes a time when one
needs to stop and take a time
out.
I am reaching that point,
where I need a long, lazy sum
mer day. And I’m going to take
one. After swimming lessons.
After All-Star tournaments.
After Bible school. After vol
leyball camp. After band camp.
After football practice. After
cheerleader camp.
Let’s look at my calendar.
Ah! I have found a date at last.
My first free day wUl fall on or
about June 15,2007 - HoUy’s
projected graduation date!
Letter to the
editor policy
The Perquimans
Weekly webomes the
opinion of its readers.
Letters should be lim
ited to 300 words and
should include the
name, address and
telephone number of
the writer. Letters
without signatures or
telephone numbers
will not be printed.
Only the name and
city of residence will
be published with the
letter.
The subject matter
should be of interest
to the community, not
a personal gripe.
Letters may be edited
.for clarity and space
limitations. These
guidelines also apply
to opinion pieces
submitted tor publica
tion.
NOTICE OF FILING FOR NON-PARTISAN 1
ELECTION
^ NOTICE OF FILING FOR NON-PARTISAN 1
ELECTION
TOWN OF HERTFORD
TOWN OF WINFALL
The Perquimans County Board of Elections will conduct a Non-
Partisan Municipal Election for the Town of Hertford, November 7,
1995. Hertford will elect a Mayor and two (2) Town Commissioners at
that time. The filing for candidates begins at 12:00 noon, July 7, 1995
and ends at noon August 4, 1995. The voter registration deadline for
town residents who will vote in this election is October 13, 1995.
Persons already registered do not have to reregister.
The Perquimans County Board of Elections will conduct a Non-
Partisan Municipal Election for the Town of WinfaU, November 7,
1995. WinfaU will elect a Mayor and two (2) Town Commissioners at
that time. The filing for candidates begins at 12:00 noon, July 7,1995
and ends at noon August 4, 1995. The voter registration deadline for
town residents who will vote in this election is October 13, 1995.
Persons already registered do not have to reregister.
Perquimans County Board of Elections
Perquimans County Board of Elections
Hrs. Mon., Wed., Fri., 8:30-12:30
g Phone 426-5598 g
Hrs. Mon., Wed., Fri., 8:30-12:30
g Phone 426-5598 g
oJ