Ah, What A Life
– Reggie Ponder,reporter for The Daily Advance in Elizabeth City, NC – Thursday, August 19, 2010
Last Weekend was the best I had seen in a long while, reminding me of some of the things I really enjoy about living in
the Elizabeth City area — and some of the things I enjoy most about life itself.
Friday evening I got to hear friend and former Daily Advance reporter Toby Tate sing a few songs at City Wine Sellar.
He actually sang more than a few songs, but I had a few articles to finish at the office down the street, so I only heard
a few.
Once the last story was filed, a refreshing weekend began.
It was fun to hear Toby’s music and see a different side of him than I had known before. Oh, I suppose I had
glimpsed that aspect before, but never really had seen it on full display.
Saturday morning and early afternoon I had the great pleasure of attending the clergy family picnic for the Elizabeth
City District of the United Methodist Church at New Hope UMC in Perquimans County, where I made a few random observations:
- Methodist preachers are more fun to hang out with than you might expect.
- Badminton is harder than it looks.
- Along the same lines as the previous point, I can’t think of anything else that looks as easy as badminton but
is as difficult to do well – or even do at all.
- I think the old saying, or is it song, says new friends are silver and old friends are gold. But I’ll just say
friendships are among the greatest treasures of life, regardless of whether they’re newly made, of more mature
vintage, or in between.
In addition to making these observations, I also heard bluegrass Gospel by the Meekins Family – a delightful family
group from the Poplar Branch area of Currituck – ate barbecue, fried chicken and watermelon, and enjoyed the
company of friends.
I was humbled by the hospitality of the folks at New Hope. The Holy Spirit is doing a great work in and through that
congregation, and though they don’t need me to say so, I’m going to say it anyhow.
Sunday morning we had visitors at our church, Perkins United Methodist in Shawboro. Visitors represent the prospect of
new life, both in themselves and in the congregation. They are one of God’s good gifts.
Sunday afternoon, my wife and I took a walk along the Elizabeth City waterfront in Mariners’ Wharf and Waterfront
Park, and noticed a number of other people enjoying the parks: A young woman was reading on a bench; an older couple was
sitting together on another bench; a lone boat was docked at Mariners’ Wharf and the boaters were talking to
passersby. Over in Waterfront Park, a family was bringing its boat in from an afternoon on the river and other families
were eating picnics and kicking balls in the grass.
It was a rare opportunity to walk hand in hand, just the two of us.
Monday was back to the e–mails and phone messages that connect me to people who know what I need to know.
I’m grateful for it all.
This page was last updated Sunday, August 22, 2010