Only two years old, and already a media star!
January 8, 2009

From the front page of this morning's Sanford Herald, we find the headline article featuring young Cooper Riley and his lovely mother about reading. Way to go young reader!

Imagination Library exceeds its goal of free books for children

By ERIN ZUREICK
ezureick@sanfordherald.com
Jan 9,2009

ERIN ZUREICK/The Sanford Herald Holly Riley reads "Pigs Love Potatoes" to her 2-year-old son Cooper at the Lee County Partnership for Children's Imagination Library in Sanford Thursday.

By ERIN ZUREICK

ezureick@sanfordherald.com



SANFORD — Two-year-old Cooper Riley might not be able to read yet, but he has already picked out "Pigs Love Potatoes" as his favorite book.

"He's constantly asking for the pig book," said his mother, Holly. "I just love reading to him. His face lights up."

Cooper received the children's book for free this fall after signing up for Imagination Library, a nationwide reading program that is sponsored locally by the Lee County Partnership for Children.

Imagination Library, started by singer Dolly Parton in 1996, provides a free book each month to children younger than 5 years old.

Since implementing the program in late September, Lee County Partnership for Children has signed up 571 children — far exceeding its goal of 500 children within the program's first year, said Cortney McCullough, the partnership's outreach coordinator.

"I think it's had astonishing success," McCullough said. "It shows that Lee County is really open to a new program that helps the children."

The cost of funding a child for one year is $28.08. With 571 children signed up, that adds up to just more than $16,000.

Lee County Partnership for Children Executive Director Lyn Hankins said the ultimate goal is to reach all of the county's 4,000 children she estimates are eligible.

"Reading and learning don't start when they enter kindergarten; it starts the minute they're born," Hankins said. "The sooner they have exposure to books and listen to someone reading to them, the greater that vocabulary is going to expand and the quicker that vocabulary is going to expand."

The partnership's board of directors set aside some start-up funds for Imagination Library's first year, but the program will rely largely on donations.

Hankins said the partnership has raised about $6,000 since September.

"We certainly have to raise more than that to keep the program afloat over a long period of time," she said. "I think there will be a positive response."

McCullough said because of high demand, the partnership will probably have to cut off sign-ups at some point and add more participants once children turn 5 and leave the program.

"Basically we really hope that through the program parents will take the opportunity to read to children and understand how important literacy is," she said.

Holly Riley said she tries to read to Cooper several times a day. Even though he can't read yet, she said the books help him associate words with pictures.

So far, Cooper has received four books. Holly said that she and her husband, Jay, buy their son other books as well but that the costs can start to add up.

"It's quite an expense once you factor in clothes and food," she said. "It's been wonderful to be able to have that resource."

ezureick@sanfordherald.com

Oh Christmas Tree!

January 7, 2009
Pop turned 87 today and we will celebrate with dinner tonight at Crystal Bluffs. He is having therapy sessions each day and is getting worn out; however I went over there at lunch and he looked great.
Many of you know that we added on the house so that we could display uncomfortable antique wicker furniture and have a nine foot Christmas tree. OK, just kidding, calm down; we have all enjoyed the new rooms. As we are to keep Christmas in our lives year-round I thought I would share that nine foot tree along with some pretty ornaments.
First off, the tree!
An ornament from 10 years ago
Jay's first ornament
Not sure who LE is
Ocean Reef Club north of Key Largo
Another from 1979
One from Dink from 1982, probably the last time I was on skis
Jackson in 1991

One from Earl with our boat name
Jay in 1983
One from San Francisco, not sure what year
A nice picture of Jackson which I'll bet was taken by Pam Jessup. She took several pictures of Jackson and Stuart at the beach one year; one of which is framed and around here somewhere. Great shot!
Lighthouse ornament
Another family ornament, not sure from whom
And one for Jackson from 1991
And a new heirloom from Kevin's wife Heather. See a common denominator anywhere here?
Merry Christmas all year long.

Retirement Day
January 5, 2009

Despite our busy schedule, in honor of Terri's first "real" retirement day (as defined by her first day not going to work) we decided to take a cruise. Here we are pulling away on our cruise liner; uhhhhhhhhhhhh ferry, leaving Cherry Branch to sail the mighty Neuse River.

After lunch at M&M's we came back to our ferry and headed back to reality. It was a nice couple of hours break.

They worked Pop a lot harder today as he took occupational, physical and speech therapy. He is very weak and still a bit confused but we are hopeful he will return to his independent lifestyle with Dink in a few weeks.
Since I discussed Saturday Night Rendezvous and the Fishin Optishin added his comment as to the album title; I thought I would include a picture of the album. As Jackson's friend Reuben would say "that's messed up, man." Wonderful Christmas present, wish I knew how to post the audio.

January 2, 2009

Pop is adjusting to rehab; we've all had the creeping cruds, and we're ready to get to work to make sure 2009 is more successful than 2008.
Got a really unique present from the Highs: a copy of my favorite Mort Garson album from the 60's. Ahhhhhhh, what fishing trip is complete without Saturday Night Rendezvous, "a musical montage of a nightclubbing Saturday night in a light 5/4 jazz interpretation of flute and vibes. The adventurous night life in the big city-flashy evening gowns and liquored swingers-provides a translucent excitement that somehow camouflages the auto exhaust and ugly metropolis monotony." That quote is from the album cover, and I think it pretty well sums up the average fishing trip with me, don't you?

If you grew up in NC, especially eastern NC you'll know that tune from Franc White's Southern Sportsman. Listen for it on all of my fishing videos in the future, no I wouldn't do that, or would I? Probably not as long as I don't know how to put it on this blog; little help Jay?
Happy New Year

Happy New Year
January 1, 2009

It is hard to believe this year is here already. I remember wondering as a kid if I would live to see the year 2000, now that seems a long time ago, well it is. Time does fly indeed.
Pop update: We were fortunate to get Pop into a great and convenient rehab canter called Crystal Bluffs; it's only about a mile from their condo and easily accessed by Dink on her own. It's brand new and clean; while there he will undergo occupational and physical therapy to get him back to his independent way of living.
Highs update: The Durham Highs invaded Carteret County last night for a three day siege. Last night's menu was paella with lobster, shrimp, scallops, chicken and sausage. I kept looking for the spam but none was found. We enjoyed a long night of fun gifts and good champagne. Now back on the mainland we are going to have the traditional New Year's lunch and then go see Pop.
Happy New Year to everyone; and best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2009.

Christmas Week
December 27, 2008

Sorry, no pictures. It's been a different kind of Christmas this year; Pop had surgery Monday morning, came out of the hospital Tuesday afternoon and stayed home for about two hours and had a lot of difficulty swallowing. After he vomited I took him back to the ER and they admitted him and performed an endoscopy late that night. His esophagus was clogged with breakfast items and some of the solids got into his lungs causing aspiration pneumonia. He is stable but very weak from the surgery and compounded problems.

I'm writing this from the hospital on Saturday night and at best he may get to come home on Monday with some home health care. His bladder cancer surgery did go well and although all tests have not been reported, they are confident it is treatable.

Wild one with all that has been going on it has been a great Christmas seeing friends and family, especially Mr. Cooper, who is pretty much running the Sanford show at this point. We look forward to Pop getting better and seeing the Highs next week.

December 19, 2008
Retirement Day

Terri called it quits today after 30 years of teaching NC elementary students. She looks forward to traveling with me and being at the beck and call to fulfill any desire Dink thinks of..............
There was a Middle School party Thursday night, a luncheon Friday, and then a family dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (free plug:Windansea) that evening. All were fun and had lots of good food. I tried to arrange a reception but had trouble finding a restaurant with a room available as it was Christmas party time. A couple of weeks before I decided to have a catered party at the house; thought Friday night might be tough so we could do it Saturday night. I decided to ask Terri about this, since it would involve our house...............good thing, we were scheduled to be in Raleigh that night for a party. If all goes well we'll try to have a drop in during the Christmas season.
Here is a picture of Terri at lunch Friday having her 17th glass of vodka......or was it gin? I forget

The principal asked if any of the teachers had any last minute gripes about Terri and her job performance. Here is a picture of what happened next, some even brought prepared lists. OK, that's not it; they read a poem they prepared especially for the very best teacher they'd ever had
She received lots of gifts, some were chocolate!

And a shot of Kevin bedecked with reindeer antlers on his way to deliver candy to Iraqi children.

Pop came through his surgery and is resting comfortably; we expect him home tomorrow (12/23)
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night