Green Parrot Heads!
Spring is finally here and the color of the month is GREEN! Parrot Heads started celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early at our regular PHirst PHriday PHlocking at the Emerald Club with wearin’ of the green, St. Patty’s themed games, tasty grub from our bud Eddie (at the Piggly Wiggly Deli) courtesy of the E Club, and of course great tunes from those two pseudo sons of Ireland Dicky O’Scearce and Jack O’Ketner. Good weather and great times!
That was just a warm up for the real “offishul” St. Patrick’s Day with our Parrot Head booth at the Town of Emerald Isle’s annual St. Pat’s Festival. Aside from fun loving folks talking about the Club and pumping up the fabulous benefits of membership (like laughter, friendship, and mostly partying with a purpose; having a great time while doing good things in the community), we had a life size pirate cut out for free photo ops that got a lot of use from passersby. We also handed out free Parrot Head bling for the kiddos, and had guest appearances by various Parrot Heads dressed in the role of Party On The Parrot just for giggles. The Riff Raff Raffle took center stage though as this year all raffle items were donated by Club members; some fabulous art work by talented members and a variety of goody baskets that would please anybody. All raffle funds ($540!) were donated this year to the Emerald Isle EMS who do a tremendous job in our community; they are there when we need them and it’s appreciated. Great weather, tons of happy folks, delicious grub available, and lots of good music and of course some beers made the day a fabulous event. Thanks to the Town, the Business Association, Transportation Impact, the Emerald Club and all the other sponsors and volunteers that always make this a marvelous St. Patty’s Day.
To make sure the entrance to the Emerald Isle was all spiffed up again after the Festival and with Spring upon us, the Parrot Head crew was out in force the next weekend picking up a variety of litter along our dedicated stretch of roadside from the 24 & 58 intersection over the bridge with our quarterly Adopt a Highway Clean Up. As usual (sadly) we picked up and disposed of a ton of “stuff” that got thrown or blown out of passing vehicles. C’mon people, STOP LITTERING! Next up on the Club’s agenda is a Town wide Scavenger Hunt on April 14th starting from the Emerald Club parking lot (watch for time details on the E Club marque). Then with summer coming in, our world famous (well maybe that’s a tad exaggerated) Beach Bicycle Poker Run on May 19th with bike decorating contests, rowdiness and fun, and donated prizes and great raffle items with all proceeds being donated to the wounded warriors through the Hope for the Warriors charity . An incredible event for a good cause that no one should miss.
Speaking of missing things, be sure you don’t miss the opportunity to wish a big Happy Birthday to the following Parrot Heads who popped into the world in the month of April. They be: Wendy Merrill, Phyllis Harke, Debbie Doody, Jim Bartell, Walter O’Berry, Annie “Mom” Hughes, Matt “Bartender” Morel, James “Hemingway/Papa Smurf” Hicks, Diane Hulse Wood, Gary Schroeder, James Jeanes, Janice Easley, and Bobby Brink.
If you’re thinking of joining our crew and partying with a purpose, check out our website at emeraldisleparrotheads.com for details, or simply show up around 7:30 the first Friday of the month at the Emerald Club for some fun, frolicking, and friendship. Meanwhile, take a look around you and see what you can do to help out in your community. Fundraising efforts to extend Emerald Isle’s multi-use PATH are underway, Habitat for Humanity needs help, the Sea Turtle Protection program will be starting up soon, and there are a variety of other charities and organizations that need our help and support, so GET INVOLVED and make where you live a better place. Keep smiling, be careful out there, and we’ll see y’all around town! Ken