Mark DeLap
The Bladen Journal
ON OUR PLAYGROUND
Putting together our Seasons Magazine that will feature the spring activities in Bladen County was exhausting!
We have so much coming down our pike – in every community! I submitted an exhaustive volume of events, but know that space is limited – so it’s interesting to see what the paginators decide to use.
It’s been a busy year since I’ve been here (happy anniversary to me) and as I look back on all the incredible times with new friends and acquaintances, I am amazed at all y’all have accomplished. There have been over 600 stories and items along with around 30,000 pictures (many of which went into my archives and scrapbooks).
Bladen County has been a hotbed of activity and I feel that I have only scratched the surface and makes me want to do more in the same timeframe.
I found out that this last year I have been fighting two open stomach ulcers, had an umbilical hernia, a bad case of gout and most recently I found out that last April I tore my meniscus and partially tore an ACL and didn’t know it until two weeks ago when I had my doctor make me take enough time off to get an MRI.
I can remember doing some interviews and covering some events with a lot of pain, but… wow. Glad we have found the source of the problem. The good news is healing ulcers, a surgically repaired hernia and after surgery in March I will be on the road to getting back on the road to run again. Something I thought I would never enjoy again.
I may not go too fast, but I will finish the races I run. I always tell people that I have won every race I’ve participated in. Explanation: Any time I get to the finish line without paramedics waiting for me – I win.
I don’t run; I don’t jog. It’s somewhere in between. Let’s just call in ROGGING. Dr. William Huff, orthopedist in Clinton has said that within 10 weeks, basketball may actually be on the menu. (Not watching or betting on it, but actually playing and coaching again.)
As for the spring hit parade in Bladen – From March 20 to June 20 we have some great things upon us.
We have a major concert in April at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery in Elizabethtown with Colt Ford and also Confederate Railroad performing. The next morning in Dublin, is the Lu Mil 5K and wine tasting (actually the last race I ran was there last April – and I may not be ready for this year, but with camera in hand and wineglass at the ready… I will be ready). April 12 brings BCC’s fifth year of Touch a Truck where kids can climb into and learn all about the vehicles in Bladen County – and that includes motorcycles, farm vehicles and even a helicopter.
I will then hop into the car and head to Browns Creek Nature Park & Bike Trail where the North Carolina Scholastic Cycling League will be bringing in close to 1,000 student bikers, parents and spectators will watch the biking competition.
On April 20 the annual Easter buffet and Easter egg Hunt will be taking place at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery and with the price of real eggs this year, I’m guessing a lot of plastic will be painted this year.
As we move into the first weekend in May we have the Lu Mil May Jamboree in the morning where we will eat from some of the finest and unique food trucks in all of North Carolina and will be entertained by the band, Rivermist. You may be able to rush home to grab a nap before the events back in E-Town at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery for the “Kentucky Derby Experience” which is a benefit for the Bladen County Hospital Foundation. The event will include cocktails, the race and casino gaming. The doors will open at 5 p.m., the race begins at 6:45 and gaming begins at 7 p.m. Dress to impress and enjoy ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports’ while supporting vital healthcare services in our community. All proceeds benefit the Bladen County Hospital Foundation, supporting crucial healthcare initiatives and services in our community.
May is also home to the White Lake Water Festival which will be held May 16-18 – not to mention all of White Lake’s other weekend activities including Friday and Saturday night live concerts, people living on their boats for months at a time, water skiing, water parks and an overall traffic jam of fun.
The spring activities conclude with nationally-known band Diamond Rio and North Carolina Bryan Mayer doing an outdoor concert at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery.
And then… the summer activities begin. Oh… ya know? I am going to go take a nap. I am exhausted just writing this column. It will be the ride of a lifetime – be sure you buckle up and stay safe!