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December 10, 2007

To the Editor:

WE did it.  What is more important than “what we did” is that WE indeed brought together a wonderful celebration of heritage at this year’s Waterfowl Weekend – a weekend that reflects an entire year’s worth of good and important work in preserving and protecting the beauty of Down East Carteret County.

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center is a true community project.  Nothing that happens here happens without the commitment of the individuals that bring together our community – the businesses, the families, our partners and all the individuals that give of themselves to make sure that the traditions of Core Sound continue, not only on the first weekend of December but at all the special events, school programs, community gatherings and documentary projects every day of the year.

Waterfowl Weekend this year went without a hitch!  Ah, what a reward it is to see people come together in the days and weeks before the event to clean, move, store, decorate, cook, donate and GIVE to the effort that it takes to make this event possible.  I cannot list all the sponsors, volunteers and contributors to this effort here because it would take pages.  What I can say is that for those of us (volunteers, staff, partners) who do participate in the making of this event, our rewards are greater than you can imagine.  It is a true community effort .... not just the local folks but friends and family from near and far who invest their time, talents and resources to this “homecoming” for our museum family.  So to all of you – and you know who you are – thank you.  WE did it.

All that would be to no avail without the folks who come to share in the celebration.  Our thanks to all of you who came for the day and to the sponsors, members and the larger community once again for helping the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center tell their story to thousands of old friends and new folks too. 

For us, this weekend is more of a renewal and reaffirmation of our commitment all year round to preserve, protect and share this rich heritage of coastal North Carolina.  The financial benefit from the work that goes into this weekend is truly secondary to the spirit that comes about Waterfowl Weekend.  There is nothing that can replace the sight of Mr. Homer’s family who came by the carload on Sunday morning, or Jul’s daughter’s exhibit dedicated to her father, or Mr. Wesley giving just the right presence to David’s room.  So many have given so much in so many ways – and it all comes together during our homecoming weekend.

This year was especially exciting with the opening of Willow Pond.  What a long-haul that has been.  It was, after all that “hole in the ground” that drew the original board to seek the property we now call home.  This progress reinforces our collective belief that important projects take a long time and a great commitment from many people.  We hold that vision for all the Museum’s work, the building, our programming and the difference we are making in Down East Carteret County and beyond.

Waterfowl Weekend brings it all together – our accomplishments of the year passing and the plans for the year at hand.  2008 looks to be “the year” for many great accomplishments that will again take ALL OF US to keep it moving forward.  Our new partnerships with the NC Wildlife Resources and the Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative tell us that we are not only important to our local community but to the State of North Carolina’s cultural and educational resources.  These new partnerships will open new doors for new programs and projects we could never do alone.  Thank you North Carolina and to our elected leaders, Senator Jean Preston, Representative Pat McElraft, Senator Marc Basnight, Senator Kay Hagan, Representative Pricey Harrison and others who helped make this possible. 

So we say to all of you, thank you for all that the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center is and will be, for the traditions we share throughout the year and the many challenges and opportunities we have faced together as we have built this institution, this gathering place for the people, this testament to our past and our determination and commitment to making sure our future does not forget – ever.

And come join us this coming Saturday morning when once again we will gather around a table of good food and folks to give thanks for the heritage we share and the Blessings of the Season.  Rodney Kemp, Sonny Williamson, Connie Mason and a host of others from Down East will come together to sing and remember why we are who we are and to make sure no one in our midst ever forgets.  Breakfast starts at 8 and the stories begin at 9.  Come, visit, shop and be a part of this Core Sound community’s past and future as we grow together in our understanding and appreciation of one another and this place we call home.

Karen Willis Amspacher
Director, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center
Harkers Island