THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510050217
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
There is no question that Dare County's parks and recreation department is an ongoing source of programs we can all be proud of. As the parent of three children and an active volunteer in many of the sports activities, I have watched the programs grow steadily during the past seven years and learned to appreciate the dedication shown by the county commissioners, department employees, the advisory board and many, many other parent volunteers.
Nobody loses. Kids develop basic skills in their chosen sport, experience the camaraderie that comes with teamwork and learn positive values that often go with them for a lifetime. Meanwhile, parents aren't just sitting on the sidelines. They make new friends with folks who are also enjoying the opportunity for ``family fun,'' specially helpful for the growing number of households with a single parent or two parents at work.
This year, nearly 1,000 youths will participate in the soccer program - a record number that speaks louder than words of the parks and recreation department's success. But growth often creates more distance between policymakers and the membership at large. This results in mixed signals, confusion and rumors based on guesswork at the volunteer and parent level.
Somehow, communication between parents and the department has been watered down or lost altogether. For example, parents have been told, without previous discussion, that their children will be traveling long distances to out-of-town games and that established teams have been split. General scheduling policies have been established that can have a negative impact on participating families.
I believe that these problems could be addressed through better use of the Recreation Advisory Board, a group of dedicated people who are in direct contact with the community they represent. Recommendations from advisory board members should be actively sought.
These observations are being offered in a spirit of cooperation and appreciation of the longstanding efforts of Dare County's officials on behalf of our children, who are the foremost concern of us all.
Kathleen Argiroff
Kill Devil Hills A fitting tune
I first met Ray Couch about 10 years ago while vacationing, when I happened by the Cape Hatteras Angler's Club one day to purchase come items symbolizing the Angler's Club.
I had become a member of the club, and it was my first time there, and I just took a chance that someone would be there. The main door was open, and I wandered into the office right inside of the front entrance. There was Ray Couch sorting some papers. I introduced myself and announced my intentions.
He just nodded. The items I wanted were displayed on a large table adjacent to a desk in that office. I picked out the various items and said, ``I don't know how you want me to pay for these things, but the only thing I have is cash.'' Ray said, ``There is nothing in this world better than cash.''
Years later, after I moved to the island permanently, I dropped by Ray's house to pick up a check from him for an ad the Red Drum was putting into the Hatteras Village Civic Association tournament book. We chatted at the kitchen table for awhile, and somehow the conversation got on music. I told him I was a jazz fan and that I owned a large collection of jazz music dating to the early part of the century. That said, he got up from the kitchen table and motioned me to follow him. We adjourned to the downstairs, where he had a music room full of records and tapes that astounded even me. I was awed by his collection.
On Oct. 3, a congregation gathered to mourn the passing of Ray Couch, who was buried with full military honors. But upon leaving the church, the music that played was the jazz he loved. The final number I heard while leaving the church was ``When the Saints Go Marching In.'' I smiled as I left and could imagine that even in death, Ray was smiling too. His sons had Ray go with style.
Jack Hebenstreit
Buxton A nice assist
Our thanks to the volunteer firefighters of Southern Shores for a safe return on Sept. 8 after a total hip replacement. I faced a long trip from New York with a hip-leg brace. Fortunately, a son and hospital personnel would help me into a car, and the airline agreed to provide the necessary help at both airports.
However, I knew that once home, I could not maneuver out of the car or up our stairs. We called Fire Chief David Sanders but could only estimate our time of arrival. We were delayed, and there was a heavy downpour, but as we approached our house there was firefighter Doug Lonon waiting in his pickup.
Doug called in to his backup the judgment that a ``one-man assist'' would suffice. And within a matter of minutes, I was out of the car using a walker and then a cane and then safely inside. Nice work, neighbor.
Michael W. Moynihan
Southern Shores by CNB