Longtime Local Naturalist Honored, Curry Trail in Pine Knoll Shores Dedicated Thanks to Coordination of Two Eagle Scout Work Projects

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1 Longtime Local Naturalist Honored, Curry Trail in Pine Knoll Shores Dedicated Thanks to Coordination of Two Eagle Scout Work Projects Curry Trail was officially dedicated on Sept. 26, (left to right) Mayor Ken Jones, Bob Curry (for whom the trail is named), Lois Jean O Keefe (Community Appearance Chair), joined by Harold Green, Mary MacDonald, Dominic Baccollo, and Sue Ingram (Community Appearance Commission Members). (Photo courtesy of Town Hall, Pine Knoll Shores) Last Friday, Sept. 26 was a proud day for the town of Pine Knoll Shores as they recognized the accomplishments of Robert Bob Curry, a longtime local naturalist, in a noon ceremony dedicating a nature trail in his name. It was also a proud day for Eagle Scout candidates, Jackson Blivin and Bailey Atwood of Troop 446 who were honored for creating this newest trail in the town of Pine Knoll Shores as part of their Eagle project. In Phase I, Jackson Blivin led many scouts from the troop in clearing a large portion of the trail through woodlands donated to the Town of Pine Knoll Shores. He then led scouts in constructing two footbridges over low lying areas of the trail. This conservation area is part of the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area & Nature Trails 273 acres donated to Pine Knoll Shores in memory of our 26 th President Theodore Roosevelt to honor of his well-known commitment to conservation. In Phase II, Bailey Atwood led scouts in the construction of three benches from pressure-treated lumber, digging out footings and installing the benches along the trail. They also created two signs to mark the entrance and the endpoint of the Curry Trail.

2 Looking back at the accomplishment, Bailey Atwood mused: It is very satisfying to look at your Eagle Project and know that you re the reason that it s there. You didn t just make it, but you planned everything that would be done to make it happen. Bailey started planning his project this summer and began work on August 6th followed by a major workday on August 16 supported by other members of Troop 446: Assistant Scoutmasters Mike Castellano, Rick Dougherty and Hank Alexander along with Scouts Ethan Loveless, Marc Grither, Benjamin Meyer, Blake Hyla, Jared Drumm, Riley Atwood and Bailey Atwood. The project was completed on September 6th. Congratulations to both Eagle Scout candidates, Jackson Blivin and Bailey Atwood on completing these worthwhile projects that the Town of Pine Knoll Shores and the surrounding area can enjoy for years to come. Eagle Scout candidates Bailey Atwood (left) and Jackson Blivin (right) collaborated on their Eagle Scout projects to create the Curry Trail in Pine Knoll Shores. They are pictured here at a recent awards ceremony.

3 Troop 446 Eagle Scout candidate Bailey Atwood planned, organized and coordinated efforts of his fellow Scouts in the completion of Phase II of the Curry Trail project. (left to right, foreground) Howard Henderson, PKS Public Services, Scoutmaster John Weidler, Eagle candidate Jackson Blivin, (rear) Assistant Scoutmaster Steve Blivin.

4 Clearing away some of the heavier fallen logs required concerted effort by the Scouts. Eagle Scout Davis Blivin Scoutmaster John Weidler led by example.

5 Post-hole diggers were used to sink footings in order to install the new benches. Scoutmaster John Weidler and his son, First Class Gatlin Weidler demonstrate some of the teamwork necessary for a successful project.

6 The Scouts enjoyed a lunch break and made good use of the new benches they built which were later installed on the Curry Trail. Bailey Atwood (red shirt), Bailey s brother Wayne (center) and Jared Drumm position this newly constructed bench into place along the Curry Trail.

7 Enjoying the camaraderie and satisfaction of hard work and a job well done are (left to right, standing): Riley Atwood- 1st class, Wyatt Atwood (Cub Scout-Bear), Jared Drumm -Life, Benjamin Meyer-1st class, (seated): Bailey Atwood-Life, Ethan Loveless- Star, Blake Hyla-Life, Marc Grither- Star

8 Entrance to the Curry Trail adjacent to the Pine Knoll Shores Town Hall. (Photo courtesy of Town Hall, Pine Knoll Shores) One of two footbridge ramps constructed and installed by Troop 446 Scouts. (Photo courtesy of Town Hall, Pine Knoll Shores)

9 Part of the Curry Trail cleared and marked by the Boy Scouts of Troop 446. Community Appearance Commission Chair Lois Jean O Keefe (left) making remarks. Mr. Curry and his family look on. (Photo courtesy of Town Hall, Pine Knoll Shores)

10 Program from the Dedication of the Curry Trail Pine Knoll Shores 9/26/14 The Town of Pine Knoll Shores and The Community Appearance Commission would like to especially thank Eagle Scouts Jackson Blivin and Bailey Atwood for their help in completing the trail. September 26, 2014 High Noon Pine Knoll Shores is proud to be a part of Tree City USA for the past 14 years. RALEIGH The North Carolina Forest Service announced the winners of the 2011 North Carolina Urban Forestry Awards. The annual program rewards cities, towns, organizations, businesses and individuals for outstanding work to protect and enhance community forests and raise awareness about the importance of urban forestry projects. Outstanding Individual Grand Award: J. Robert Curry of Pine Knoll Shores Mr. J. Robert Bob Curry has served as the chairman of the Pine Knoll Shores Community Appearance Commission for the last 10 years. Mr. Curry has been instrumental in preserving the Town s unique maritime forest ecosystem, even as the area experienced rapid growth. Mr. Curry petitioned the state legislature to have Carteret County join in the protection of sea oats and other flora on Pine Knoll Shores beaches, which is critical for the stabilization of the shifting sands of our coastal communities. Mr. Curry has educated many new homeowners on the benefits that trees and other native vegetation have in the maritime forest ecosystem. Mr. Curry s efforts have resulted in the propagation and protection of Pine Knoll Shores trees, particularly in the maritime forest and natural beachfront vegetation.

11 The following article by Sarah Williams was published in the September 2014 issue of The Shoreline, the monthly newsletter of the Town of Pine Knoll Shores. Trail Dedication Scheduled Bob Curry is a man with a passion for trees who was willing to work hard to preserve the natural setting of Pine Knoll Shores. As most of you are probably aware, Pine Knoll Shores has been the proud recipient of the Tree City USA award for the past 14 years. To even apply for Tree City certification, a town must have a tree board, a tree ordinance, a community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. It doesn t seem so hard now but that is because the groundwork was laid out for us some 14 years ago. Getting started and applying for Tree City USA required vision, hard work and Mr. Curry. He was Chairman of the Community Appearance Commission (CAC) from October 21, 1998 to September 15, 2010, and was instrumental in Pine Knoll Shores receiving Tree City certification. It could not have been done without him. In 2011, Mr. Curry was recognized with the Outstanding Individual Award by the North Carolina Urban Forestry Council. His commitment, along with other past and present CAC members, is what makes Pine Knoll Shores such a special town. We are very lucky to have the kind of volunteer service that we do. To show our appreciation to Mr. Curry for everything that he has done for the town, we are proudly naming the newest trail after him. The trail is located near the front of town hall.