FROM THE PERCH: Jan Hicks Shares her Thoughts:
May 2018

We are family! Yep, to achieve our goals, we work together and are united in every way. You may not think that we play a part in the “big picture,” but we really do! Our volunteers make amazing things happen when we Party with a Purpose!

James and I just returned from a trip to Margaritaville at Wyndham Del Mar in Puerto Rico. We were excited about visiting San Juan, not only to experience the fun of a vacation, but to see for ourselves the state of the island and its people. Wow, what a welcome we had beginning with frozen Margaritas at check-in. During the week, when asked, folks shared terrifying stories of the hurricane, how they dealt with it and how they feel now. Let me share just a couple…
From Jami: It was devastating, everything was black, no light, no phone, no radio, nothing worked. I have a 3-yr. old and live with my mother. The hotel was closed, and we had no jobs. However, this company (Wyndham) continued to pay those who could not rotate to other jobs. I rotated to Florida and worked for 2 months until I could come back and work here. I am so grateful!
From Roberto: I rushed home to save my dogs. The house was flooding like crazy. I knew we would die if we stayed. I lost everything I worked for all my life. Hey, but I got a job, I have my children and 11 grandchildren. I rent a small apartment and I’m still here (with my puppies)! I’m good.

There were so many more stories I haven’t enough space to share with you. The most memorable part of the trip will be the experience of meeting these brave people and leaving the beautiful island knowing that they have a positive outlook on themselves, their island and their future!

I can’t help but reflect on my family of PH’s and how our work contributes to the elderly, the homeless, the children, the less fortunate, the animals, the environment and so much more. Not only is our local club ranked 5th in the world (for 2017) with 511 members, but the PH Nation together experienced $4,067,644 in fundraising and 197,965 in volunteer hours for 2017! We are so blessed!

Please keep our Puerto Rican friends in your prayers. Oh yeah, we shared our stories and pictures of Parrot Heads with them and they know how to Party with a Purpose!

The Emerald Isle Parrot Head Club will be holding a new member social on April 25th at the Island Time Tavern (across from Rucker Johns in Emerald Plantation). It will be held from 6 to 9 PM. We are inviting all new members who have joined since October, 2017, but all members are invited. You will be responsible for your drinks, but the club will provide pizza. If you did not sign up at the April Phlocking,  please contact Sue (stonesend@gmail.com) or Maggie (maggie.rauschenberg@gmail) so that we are sure to have enough pizza. Email invitations will be sent out to all new members who have joined in the past 6 months.

The EIPHC will celebrate Earth Day with  a clean-up event. This year  the Surf Riders are also doing a sound side pick up and we are hoping to coordinate with them for this event. You can choose to help with the Highway Pick Up or the Boat Based sound side pick up. Details and sign ups were available at the April PHlocking and the boats that signed up are currently full. Please contact Val Johnson at gocoastalgirl@gmail.com if you have a boat, and/or can accommodate an eager crew! Ask your friends and neighbors too!
Our tentative schedule is for Saturday April 21st from 11-1:00, starting in the ICW off the EI boat ramp, heading west, with a gathering on Pelican Island afterwards!
If that Saturday doesn’t work for you, Bogue Banks Surf Rider Organization is planning a similar cleanup on Sunday April 22nd., cleaning the sound islands heading east. Let Val know if you need contact info for them.
If you prefer the land over the sea and have an hour to spare, please let Jean Jensen know that you can help with the Adopt a Highway event, the same day. Meet at the Emerald Club at 11 am for an hour or so for the litter pick up. Jean Jensen at belguimboy@aol.com or phone him at 607-759-7159.

Hi everyone!

Need to congratulate the approximately 30 hard workers, on 7 boats, who made this year’s spring Sound Sweep so productive!

44 large garbage bagfuls of miscellaneous cans, bottles, plastic and foam were collected from the ICW islands. Also several coolers, broken beach chairs and pop up canopies, boards, rugs, hats, etc. etc!

Then the “purposeful partying” continued over lunch on Pelican Island afterwards. Great work everyone!!