THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406140137
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Linda McNatt
DATELINE: 940615 LENGTH: Long
The appointment was for late afternoon. I have to admit I was tempted to head on out to the Future Farmers of America Camp at Morgart's Beach a couple of hours early, loll on the beach for a while, soak up the sun.
{REST} But I resisted temptation, despite the fact that the old FFA camp is one of the most peaceful places I know, and met Gary Kirts at our appointed time.
Kirts wanted to tell me about the work that's needed on the main building at the camp before the organization can have it fully operational for the summer. The building housing the kitchen, dining hall and recreation hall started leaking last summer, he said. The leak has done nothing but get worse over the winter.
Kirts, who teaches agriculture at Windsor High School, is a member of the board of directors of the state Future Farmers of America/Future Homemakers of America, the organization that has owned the camp since it was built in the 1940s. He commented that the original roof must have been a good one since it's lasted better than 50 years. Let's hope they get such quality workmanship this go-around.
At a recent meeting, the board voted to hold a flea market and craft sale at the camp on June 25. The all-day event will feature 15- by 30-foot lots for setting up sales space, with over 100 sites available on the spacious grounds of the camp. Booth rental is $15 in advance, $20 at the gate.
Maybe I'll be on the beach, renting umbrellas. One more excuse to flaunt my spring fever.
The flea market is just one idea, Kirts said. They haven't come up with others so far. But they thought that locals familiar with the camp would enjoy the idea of meeting other flea marketers and crafters in one location, especially in the peaceful, country setting the camp provides.
FFA/FHA supporters will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, anything to make a buck and put a dent in the $20,000 price tag that's been put on a new roof.
If you're interested in reserving a spot, you can write to Kirts at 400 Kings Point Road or send your reservation, in care of the camp, to 18493 Morgarts Beach Road. Both addresses are Smithfield - 23430. If you reserve by mail, Kirts suggests you mail before next Monday.
Beyond the cost of the booth, the event is free and open to the public, as the FFA camp has always been, for as long as Kirts can remember.
He actually lived there for 11 years. Before he was married, he was sort of bachelor caretaker. And he developed a love for the camp and its purpose, a deep respect for its history.
The camp is on the same property where the old Morgart's Beach Hotel was located. During World War II, it was used as barracks for Army troops. Before that, local Ruritans used the facility as a summer camp for underprivileged children.
``There are still farmers in the area who remember bringing fruits and vegetables to the camp each summer for the children,'' Kirts said.
With the decline of agriculture as a ``career'' choice among young people, the FFA camp saw a decline as well for several years. But within the last three years, Kirts said, the camp is experiencing a kind of rebirth. So many careers are being identified with agriculture now that the camp is being used more and more.
In addition, it's used by local churches, the local Chamber of Commerce, veterans' organizations, civic groups. Kirts feels it's a place we need to keep around and in good repair.
Just the peace and tranquility it provides for people like me is enough for the building to at least deserve a new roof. I remember one recent Chamber Day gathering when it was so cold out there we had to seek the warmth of the building. Had it been raining as well that day, the event would certainly have been all wet.
By the way, contributions will be gratefully accepted, Kirts said.
If there was anybody in this community who enjoyed the beauty, the peace and tranquility of Isle of Wight County any more than I do, it must have been Bobby Clontz.
We all knew it was going to happen. Bobby had been suffering from cancer for several months. Still, it came as a shock when I heard the news Sunday. I know he would have been touched to know that flowers began to collect at the door of his Main Street studio in Smithfield as soon as word of his death was known.
Every writing class I've ever taken has taught me to write about what I know. Bobby painted what he knew and loved, and it just seemed to come naturally. It was obvious in his work.
He was a sportsman, an outdoorsman, a lover of nature first. His art wasn't second. It was joined to everything he was. A natural extension of the man, and, obviously, that was part of his success.
The fact that he was a jovial, peaceful man only added to his talent and fame.
Bobby will be sorely missed in this community. But we can all be comforted by the fact that he left so much of himself behind. That's a mark of true success.
Memorial donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society, in care of Mrs. J.L. Rose, Route 7, Box 468, Walters, Va. 23481.
by CNB