Lynx, America’s Privateer

Apr 132011
 

I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon aboard the tall ship, Lynx, docked from now until April 17th, at Riverfront Park, North Water Street, Wilmington. My friend Chris Lang and I were allowed to shoot on a day on which the boat was closed to tours. Chris had a bridal shoot that afternoon and had arranged with the captain to shoot aboard ship. The Captain and crew were very accommodating.

I will tell you briefly about Lynx. To really read about its history you can go here to the web site of the Lynx Educational Foundation. The ship was built in Rockport, Maine and launched in 2001. It was actually the first square rigger built in Rockport since 1885. Its a wooden ship of 122 foot spar length, displaces 144 tons, has a 23 foot beam and draws 9 feet. Go to their web site and really learn about this wonderful vessel. Once again, the tours aboard Lynx are offered from now until April 17th in Wilmington and are from 10-6. Go have some fun and tour a real tall ship.

Taste The Olive

Apr 072011
 

I recently had the opportunity to meet and photograph Kymberlei DiNapoli, for an article written by Allison Ballard, for Wilma Magazine. Kymberlei is the owner of Taste The Olive, a wonderful boutique shop offering fresh cold pressed olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Kymberlei was one of three entrepreneurial women featured in Allison’s “Tasty Business” article written for the April issue of Wilma. For Taste The Olive, tasty is definitely a key word.

I know this from first hand experience, because after the shoot, Kymberlei gave me a taste tour of the store. This turned out to be one of the perks of doing the shoot before the store opened for regular business hours. When you walk into the store you are greeted by a centerpiece of silver containers containing various types of olive oils and vinegars. They are very sleek and unique. She handed me a small paper cup, which she noted was biodegradable, and proceeded to take me down the line of containers, stopping at each one for a taste and description of its contents. It was really amazing. Now I have experienced wine tastings, and to be honest, had a little trepidation about drinking straight oil or vinegar, but this was really special. The different tastes make you envision how each oil or vinegar can be applied to numerous food scenarios. And if you can’t use your imagination, then Kymberlei will certainly educate you to all the possibilities.

To learn more about Taste The Olive, read Allison Ballard’s article in Wilma, located at stands throughout Wilmington. Most importantly, go and visit Kymberlei at Taste The Olive, located at 1121-G Military Cutoff Rd., in the Forum Shops. It will be worth your time.

Leave A Note. Wrightsville Beach’s Special Mailbox

Apr 062011
 

Yesterday afternoon was producing some really nice cloud formations over the North End of Wrightsville Beach. I felt motivated to take some time for myself, so I grabbed some gear, and headed to the North End. As I walked past the Shell Island Resort I got to thinking about the mailbox that is erected on that part of the Island. Its kind of mysterious, known to some, heard of by many, and part of the local lore. It contains notebooks and pen and beckons the visitor to “Leave A Note”. Many have. Some have lamented over personal issues, loss of loved ones, new love, current love, how special this place is and so on and so forth. Its a place of self therapy, as you can say whatever is on your mind, to no one in particular, and feel better for expressing yourself. We have all been there. Here you can write down your most personal thoughts, anonymously, and know that at some time, someone will read them. I don’t know what becomes of the notebooks that are filled and replaced. I guess that is another story. It has become an almost shrine like space, as people who have visited have added shells and other beach detritus. It has a special feeling.

So, next time you want to take a walk on the beach, start at Shell Island and head North and directly across from Figure Eight Island, look for a small mailbox, stop, reflect, and leave a note. You’ll feel better for it.

Ooh-Rah!!!

Nov 292010
 

I just returned from a great Thanksgiving break visiting with my family members in Manassas,Virginia. We managed to eat, drink and make merry with gusto and to give thanks for everything that has been bestowed on us. We even survived Black Friday with minimal damage and in all the festivities, no one was injured, so all in all it was a successful week end. One of the plans we had was to drive into DC and take in a museum or even the zoo. That Saturday we decided that driving into the city was not as enticing, what with the traffic and the just arrived colder weather. We decided to do something closer to home and after some thoughtful input from everyone we decided to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

It is located at Quantico, just off I-95, about 36 miles South of Washington, DC on Route 1. It opened 4 years ago in November, celebrating over 200 years of Marine Corps history. It is an impressive building.  To be truthful it is not a place that was high on my list of must sees, but with Camp Lejeune so close to where I reside, I was intrigued. The museum told me everything about the Marines, from their first day off the bus as new recruits to the many conflicts in which they were involved. And there certainly were many.

For me, as I walked through each gallery depicting the conflicts and wars, I was moved that so many gave such commitment and sacrifice, without question and with honor, in the most horrible of situations. And this was just one branch of the military. I thought of the special time I was having with my family and how many of the soldiers depicted in these stories were not, did not, and never will, because they answered a call to duty. It was sobering. I think we all need to be thankful for those who serve, not just the Marines, but all our military men and women. They do so that we may do. I think many of us take so much for granted.

The museum is well done and the portrayals and archive footage in the galleries are exceptional. If you are in the area, it is worth a day trip and its free. I have included some photos from the day. Enjoy, and give thanks and remember those who serve.

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