THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607110197
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 33 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: 84 lines
If you invite them, they will come.
Don't you just hate it when someone steals a famous quote and, worse yet, hacks it to death in the process?
I had a sweetheart once who was a movie fanatic. He not only knew every movie ever made, including who directed it, the cinematographer's name and who starred in every version of it - whether he'd seen it or not. But his language and his personal life were continually splattered with those oh-so-famous quotes.
I'm telling you, it got old. Particularly when he tried them out during romantic interludes. At first I thought he was terribly clever - until I began to broaden my knowledge of movies. After about six years, it began to drive me nuts. Love will definitely give you patience. But it would have been easier had he not been a Mel Brooks fan.
Lets get back to the ``invite'' and ``come'' thing.
For years, Nags Head Woods Preserve has been holding an auction to help support biologists' efforts to conserve the ancient maritime forest. Well-known artists donate works to the effort. It's that time of year again.
On August 4, the Sanderling Inn in Duck will be hopping, starting at 5 p.m. The affair will feature a silent auction, a live auction, food and entertainment by the Laura Martier Trio.
You have to go.
This is a shameless plea to the citizens of Dare County to come and participate - and also a plea to artists to call the preserve to see about donating a work of art.
It is our duty to preserve Nags Head Woods - this container of mankind. Without it, there is no art. Get it?
I've lived in Dare County - at least this second time - for 10 years. I know what goes through people's minds when it comes to asking the public for cash and donations. Most are very generous. My experience comes mainly from being a volunteer board member for the Dare County Arts Council.
I've also heard tales of folks saying, ``Well, I only have so much cash to give for charity. I allotted `X' amount of dollars this year and already have given to the sheriff's organization, the spay and neuter foundation, hospice, etc., etc.''
Well, forget that rationale. You know as well as I do that you probably have a cheeseburger fund you can dip into. You know as well as I do, even the poorest or most frugal of folks easily are tempted to order that delicious cheesecake, even if it is out of budget - both the monetary and waistline kind.
I'm not asking you to dissolve your blue jean fund. Just rethink your impulse-spending this summer. Toss the compartmentalized thinking and try this on for size:
You can help preserve one of the most unique and interesting natural habitats on the face of the earth: the nesting spot for more than 50 species of birds, 300 plant species, live oaks as old as 500 years, and 1,400 acres of land protected by a ridge of ancient sand dunes that reach 90 feet high. And don't forget about the 14 species of frogs and a wide variety of mammals, including raccoons, river otters, gray fox, white-tailed deer and opossums.
Because of its rarity, Nags Head Woods is classified as a globally endangered forest system.
If you come to this auction, it will be preserved. If you come, you can take home Outer Banks culture, via fine art. If you've never attended an auction, all you have to do is put your lips together like this and blow. You may find yourself leaving the event a proud owner of a fabulous trip to Manhattan, a gorgeous 14-karat gold seahorse necklace with a blue topaz in the tail designed by Gail Kowalski, a kayak trip, a golf outing, dinner for eight prepared by the infamous Sam McGann, a portrait of your choice, a Mickey Mouse lithograph, a painting by John de la Vega or a carved swan by Vic Berg.
About 35 artists are donating works. And 40 businesses have donated countless goodies. All money collected will help support educational programs, stewardships and research at the Nature Conservancy-run preserve.
This is our chance to give back to the woods for all the inspiration they have given us. In case I have yet to inspire you to purchase a ticket or donate art, I leave you with the words of Keats: ``A thing of beauty is a joy forever.'' MEMO: If you would like more information about the art auction being
held to benefit Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, scheduled for 5
p.m. Aug. 4 at the Sanderling Inn at Duck, or if you would like to
donate an artistic creation to be auctioned off _ call Janet Owen at the
Nature Conservancy office, 441-2525. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Vic Berg, bird carver, is among about 35 artists who have donated
goodies for the auction. by CNB