Small and large events

Islanders enjoyed two annual events today. Only a small handful enjoyed the first event, while a large group enjoyed the second. I was lucky enough to attend both.

The first event was a celebration of Dr. Seuss, on his birthday. The first grade class, the second grade class, and several parents, friends and volunteers met in Mary Ellen's classroom to learn about Dr. Seuss, read some of his books, and (of course) eat green eggs and ham. Mary Ellen first told the group that, had he still been alive, Dr. Seuss would have turned 103 today. That would have made him just a bit older than the island's oldest resident, Miss Muzel as she is known to everyone, who will turn 103 on March 12 this year. Since she is actually still alive, she's the older of the two, at least in my book!

After talking a bit more about Dr. Seuss, Mary Ellen cooked up the green eggs and ham while the kids read Dr. Seuss books to each other or to their parents and other gathered friends. Then we ate; once I got past the mental factor of the eggs and ham being green, they were both delicious and I enjoyed them thoroughly (especially since I hadn't eaten breakfast, so I was hungry). Mary Ellen then read Green Eggs and Ham to the group, many of whom read (or simply recited from memory) along with her. After the other adults and the second grade class left, I read the first graders a Dr. Seuss book I hadn't seen before, Hunches in Bunches, the hilarious story of a young boy who can't make up his mind which of his hunches to follow. It was an excellent way to spend part of my morning.

This evening, islanders enjoyed the school Homecoming festivities. This is one of the best attended school events of the year (the others are the Halloween carnival and graduation). Ocracoke School does not have a football team, so basketball is our homecoming sport. All of the basketball team members (girls and boys) are part of the Homecoming court, and the entire school votes to determine the Prince, Princess and King and Queen. The ladies dress up in lovely dresses, but the guys are mostly more casual. Still, it's a chance to see Ocracoke's young men and women all spiffed up, and dressed to the nines. But the better part of the Homecoming celebration was learning about the students - their families, hobbies, favorite things, and future plans (all of which were read aloud as each couple was introduced).



I very much enjoyed my day with the young children and the teenagers of the community. One of the things I love about the Ocracoke community is reflected in the fact that 3 of the 4 most attended annual events are directly related to celebrating the future generation.