MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE

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Returned from WNC and communities of Green Mountain, Red Hill and Relief all on the upper Toe River in Yancey County. Posted up with my fire family at Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department in partnership with Pine Branch Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. We delivered 2 truck loads of winter clothing, pet food, cleaning and medical supplies all collected from donations by members of the Stanley, NC community.

We loaded & delivered dual fuel generators, 20 lb propane tanks, buddy heaters and food supplies in some of the worst hit communities. At 34 days after the storm, progress is slow on the clean-up but there remains no power, no clean water and alot of missing persons. Cadaver dogs are still getting hits and the river banks are marked with orange flags, too many to count.

It's heartbreaking to imagine what a wall of water and trees, 30-40 ft in height and some 80 ft wide, can do to a landscape let alone buildings and the human body that are in the path. Railroad beds, iron rails and timbers, lifted twisted and deposited in the river itself.

I've heard the cost estimate for this hurricane is $158 billion in its total path from Florida to Tennessee. I don't know what that number looks like. I don't own a calculator that has that many digits.

I've stood in dirt, in the remains of a house, on a riverbank, in the mud. I smelled rotting wood and flesh, burnt timbers and mold. I've seen enough devastation to last me the rest of my life.

But the work isn't over. I'm a survivor now and I must go back. To finish the tasks at hand. Not for my glory but His!

If you're reading this and you are outside of NC, can I please ask that you take a moment and pray for all affected by this storm? And perhaps if you are led, make a monetary donation to one of the groups helping in this disaster?

Thanks for reading this far, for praying and making a contribution if possible. Anyone locally that wants to make the next trip, please message me and we'll arrange it.

Because from what I've seen and talking with those impacted, human/human contact makes all the difference and says "I care".

It's been a minute, these last four days. Marooned at home due to downed trees and a temporary power loss kept me out of work and out of service. But after deploying with my 2nd family at Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department I've never been more honored to serve as a firefighter and assist with skills and training learned by working with professionals and life-saving equipment in a post-hurricane world.

We're not out of the woods yet as more water must be moved through the river system from the mountains. I've seen things that will last in my memory the rest of my life. But I've also met the resilience of the human spirit to keep moving forward, that the temporary things are just that, and that by His mercies, we will get through this.

Shout out today to the hard working men and women of Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department who relentlessly serve on the Lake. We know they are actively recruiting for volunteers, particularly those with dive experience and certification. Serving in your Community and Serving your neighbors! Be a part of a professional family!

Had a great conversation with a resident of Stonewater today concerning lake stewardship. Looking for good ideas and community involvement starting with our friend Angie!

Hot wheels on a warm summer night, good friends, great music, food and cold drinks. What's not to like in Downtown Stanley?

Here's a throwback. Anyone new to MIL since the summer of 2014 probably won't remember this group. The Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission was a county-appointment agency of Mecklenburg, Gaston and Lincoln Counties and chartered to encourage clean waters, safe boating and sailing and responsible land management. It worked in cooperation with Duke Energy, NC Wildlife, the respective counties and their public safety officers, and the Catawba Riverkeeper. Some of the previous commissioners still live on MIL and some others have passed. Still others have gone onto serve their communities and counties in different ways.

Good memories of a group of concerned community members seeking the best life possible on Mountain Island Lake.

Counting down the days until the next Coolin' Out Cruise In - Saturday June 25th in downtown Stanley. Show vehicles please enter from North Church Street at North Main. Gates will open at 430P. Event staff on hand to assist. Please be kind. It goes a long way. Cat5 Band to bring the rock n roll! Food trucks and restrooms on site. Mayor's Choice at 7P.

We've just inked a deal with Stanley Boss Steve Denton (Mayor Denton officially) to have a Mayor's Choice Award presented at each of the scheduled Coolin' Out Concert Series Cruise Ins beginning this Saturday May 21st.

So if you'd like some hardware to go with your donk, whip, ride or "insert name here", shine 'em up and bring them to North Main Street this Saturday night beginning at 5P. Show vehicle entry at intersection of Church Street and North Main Street only.

Our Speed Shop elves will be on hand to get you parked quickly so you can enjoy the evening of dancing, great music, food and drink. And so everyone else can oogle at your ride and say "man, that thing deserves a trophy!"

For most, the 4th of July weekend has already started and we're quite certain you are itching to get on the water and the sandbars. And we're right there with you. Before you head out, please take heed to these tips for safe boating, paddling, and sunning:

Gaston County PD and Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD will be on the water. Adhere to safe boating and paddling practices (PFDs for all occupants, no drinking/operating or have a DBD, current registrations on both sides of the hull and your registration card in the boat at all times, working lights and obey the rules of the water at all times including giving wide berth to paddlers and adherence to no-wake zones. Our area fire departments with marine units will likely be out as well.
If you are swimming or sunning with friends, please be aware of your surroundings and your friend's locations, particularly if you have been drinking alcohol. Alcohol will dull your senses and create problems on the water. Be smart when you celebrate!