Fourth of July 2008

July 4th, is a time to take stock in politics, our civic lives and reflect. This day is a special time for the Hunter family.

For the past 17 years, at our home on Shepard Street in Morehead we celebrate Independence Day with our neighbors. The Independence Day celebration kept me from attending a church service in Charlotte and several other parade opportunities. While other Celebrations may be grander, none is better than ours.

Our parade always begins at 6:00PM. This year a neighbor brought his professional sound system and my boom box was retired. 3 teenagers sang the Star Spangled Banner. My 80 something year old friend, Walker Rucker read the beginning of the Declaration of Independence. Walker is the great great grandson of Governor John Motley Morehead who founded Morehead City on July 4th. The speech was followed by the parade which consists of about 100 kids riding bikes, being pulled in wagons by Grandparents and parents, dogs attired for the occasion, and young beauty queens. The parade went the entire block from 21st Street to 20th Street and back again. Many start out, few return.

Every year, there appears to be a large traffic jam in the middle of the block. That too is a tradition we all enjoy.

After the parade, the neighbors bring food, beverages, and desserts which are placed on long tables in front of the Flipp-Ins house and the crowd begins feeding. We had a extra large crowd this year with more 20 year olds than in previous years. The feast included several gate crashers, including a young girl in a bikini who was the talk of the party. Shortly after eating from our shared buffet, she and her companions left on a sail boat. After dinner there was a watermelon seed spitting contest, a chalk drawing contest, balloon dog making and prizes for parading. Every attendee has their own personal favorite.

Since we are in an election year on the Fourth, its seems appropriate that Independence and Indigestion may go hand and hand. But I hope so does the soft glow of a job well done and well appreciated.

My campaign diary duties have been put to the bottom of my to-do list and I apologize to whomever may be reading this. Since I have last written, I have qualified for public matching funds, and been on the campaign trail. My adversary and I have been to various events – the N.C. Bar Association, the Association of District Court Judges, and other similar events to press the flesh. (Videos of our joint appearance may be posted on this web-site latter).