Thanks!

On this day I would like to thank:

God. He gives me peace when I need it most. He gives me a center in world that pulls and pushes. He gives me strength.

My parents. Besides giving me life, they gave me purpose. They laid the foundation and let me build my life. They comforted when I failed and praised when I succeeded. When I was a child they were parents, not friends, and now that I am a parent, they are my friends. Their pride in me is only a tenth of the pride I have in them. They fed me, both in food and in spirit. They gave me direction and then let me find my own way.

My friends. They choose to be with me and can walk away, any time, yet they do not. They laugh with me when it's funny. They cry with me in kind. They support me as I support them. They know I'm there when they need me and I know they are there for me.

My Nation. 13,000 strong, the Arapahoe Nation is an awesome force. There's nothing more special than our dads, giving their time to their children and the children giving time to their dads. In a world pulling families apart, our dads do what's needed for their kids and everyone will benefit in the long run. As the old saying goes "On their death bed, no one wishes they could have spent more time at work." And I can't forget to thank the awesomeness that is Matt, Bobby, Meredith, Renee and Andrew - without them, well, I can't even imagine YGP without them.

My kids. They are precious in every way. Since their births, they have held a special place in my heart. Every day they say or do something that makes my heart swell larger and larger until I think it will burst. I am proud to be their father - and I always will.

My wife. I have loved her since 9th grade and love her more now than I ever have. Each day she amazes me with her smile, her laugh and love back for me. When I am at my worst, she's there for me. When I'm having a bad day, she's there for me. She's my mirror and reflects back to me my moods. When I am happy, she is happy. When I am sad, she is sad with me. She's not my better half, she's my better 90%. She makes me a better man, a better father and a better person. With her by my side I feel superhuman and that there's no way I can fail. She can make me smile at the slightest thought of her. My life is so much richer for having her in my life. I could not imagine a world without her. And it is her that I am most thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

How-How!

Shake-n-Bake brings the dough...

Thanksgiving came early last night.

It was truly a time for giving thanks as the 2008 WeBuildPeople campaign wrapped up last evening, complete with a dinner fit for grandma's turkey day table. Prior to the announcement of our reaching our goal for the Alexander Family YMCA, all the WBP colonels and captains dined on a celebration supper of turkey, fixins and an array of baked after dinner goodies. But the sweetess dessert was the feast full of dollars raised during the last six weeks.

Team Shake-n-Bake (aka Y-Guides & Princesses) was tasked with a goal of $65,000. And once again our Big Braves, tribes and vendors have come through like the champs they are. Nation Tallykeeper Steve "Stepping Stone" Motter proudly announced to the group that after our pledges in hand (and projected pledges for this coming Fall Outing) that the Arapahoe Nation has pledged $90,487!

It's a testimony to the big hearts in our organization that we can pass our goal by over $25,000. The Alexander Y reached beyond their overall goal as well, totaling well over $750,000. That's a lot of good things happening for a lot of good people.

As we have said before, 100% of WeBuildPeople goes directly to helping those that need help most. From the student in after school tutoring sessions to the dad needing assistance in being able to pay for Spring Outing to a family with an autistic child that could benefit from Camp Grace - these funds ALL go to folks that can use some additional support in their lives. And as the economy bobbles and flails, there's more in need than ever before. The fact that we were able to go above and beyond our goal makes me so very proud of everyone in our organization.

Thank you all!

How-How!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today, we celebrate the birth of the most important man in the world and a real hero: Harold R. Winstead.

He has never stepped foot on the Moon. He did not lead the NFL in career rushing yards. He did not sign the Declaration of Independence. He did not invent the flush toilet. What he did do was give me life. And oh, what a life it has been so far.

I am the man I am today because of him. I am the father that I am because of him. I am me because of him.

We did not have Y-Guides in Rocky Mount when I was a kid, or at least I did not know if we did. It did not matter, because I was fortunate enough to have a father that was a Big Brave in spirit if not in a leather vest covered in patches. He talked the talk, walked the walk and was every bit a model dad for what I now know as a Y-Guides dad.

My father always made time for me and my sister and I never can remember a time when he was not available to us. Sure, he worked and brought home the bacon, but he always had his schedule set so he could coach my Little League and basketball teams. He always had time to play catch in the backyard or shoot hoops in the driveway. Not only did he instill in me a competitive drive that stays with me to this day, he passed on to me his desire to put family first.

Back when I was a teen in the 1970s, my family participated in a national program called "Family Time" that promoted families spending quality time together in a world pulling families apart. I remember those fun activities and how much the time we spent together meant to me. Whether it was bowling, shooting pool in the family room, watching old home movies or going fishing, these were cherished family moments that stay with me to this day. And it is this memory of "Family Time" that made me choose "Family First" as my chief's challenge this year.

My father gave me a lot of great advice and taught me a lot of things while I was young. While I probably never would actually admit back then, I fully appreciate all he shared with me and have since thanked him profusely. After college and living in my first house I was faced with fixing something or another that was in need of repair. Upon completion of the task, I could hear my dad's voice inside my head (much like Obi-wan Kenobe) - "Some day you'll appreciate me making you help me fix this..." I immediately called him and said "Thanks for making me help you all those times..." I say those exact words my dad said to me to Ridge and Dylan as I attempt to teach them a thing or two.

Not only has my father taught me to be a good dad, he has been a role model of volunteer behavior and upstanding citizenry. My dad has always given his all to many organizations across city, state and national programs. Whether it was the Rotary Club, his church's Methodist Men or the Jaycees on a national level, my dad has given his time and his heart. People wonder why I volunteer the way I do and how I can make time to be a nations officer while being on a board of directors and coaching the kids' athletic teams and do pro bono web design stuff all at the same time - I can only answer that it's in my genes. Between my Mom and my Dad, I learned to do what's asked of me, give all that I can and never back down from a challenge to do my best for others.

When I see the very heart of our program in action: dads being dads with their kids, I cannot help but think of my father and how great a dad he has been to me. On Sunday at Camp Kanata, I plan on thanking him in front all the new Little Guides and remind them of the inspiration sitting beside them - and the hero that is their own father.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

How-How!

The Power of a Handshake

Just got e-mail from our old friend Salty Dog. Andrew (a huge Obama fan) sent me a note on how cool it is that we both have shaken hands with the President of the United States. He is right, it's pretty dang cool (To the right is my photo of that historic moment).

While I do not agree with President Obama on several topics (I'm a Libertarian by nature, according to a political test I took online), I have to say that I like the man and was impressed by him and Mrs. Obama when I met them back in May. As NC State's director of photography, I am fortunate to meet a lot of neat and interesting people - Sen. Obama being one of those.

Before speaking in Reynolds Coliseum, Sen. and Mrs. Obama met with Chancellor Jim Oblinger in the women's basketball offices in the basement of the venerable old barn. As they walked in, Chancellor Oblinger introduced me by name as I snapped away at the handshakes and backslapping. The group chatted for a 10 minutes or so and then the power couple needed to get a few minutes of alone time before facing the throng of fans upstairs.

As they were leaving for an adjoining room, Sen. Obama stopped and offered his hand to me. I shook his hand and wished him well in the primaries against Sen. Clinton (of whom I met a few days earlier). He looked me straight in the eye and said "Thank you, Roger. I appreciate that." Seconds later, Mrs. Obama grabbed my arm: "It was so nice meeting you, Roger. My best to your family." She acted as if we were old pals from the neighborhood and her words almost gushed with sweetness.

Needless to say, I was very impressed by both Obamas, their casual manner, attitude and the fact they both remembered the name of the low-on-the-totem-pole photographer standing in the corner snapping pix. I've been around some real snobby posers and arrogant wannabes - and I can say from personal experience that the future President and First Lady do not fall into that category. They seemed genuine, down to earth and, well, as we say in Eastern North Carolina like "real good folk."

And as Salty Dog said - "We shook the president's hand! How cool is that?" - Cool, indeed.

How-How!

Ch-ch-changes...

Last night was a big night for me. It was my first real opportunity to be chief of the Arapahoe Nation and what an experience it was. This was my fifth Fall Outing at Camp Kanata - and my how has my view changed!

That first year, Shooting Bull and I shuffled through the crunchy Fall leaves as we made our way, quietly, among the torches. We sat way in the back of the lakeside amphitheater with Ridge on my lap to make room for the huge crowd that followed. My heart leaped from my chest as the bonfire started with a huge "BOOM!" and fluttered as the echo dance across the lake and off into the darkness. While the air was quite chilly that evening, we were all warmed by the hugs and smiles we exchanged as we promised to be better people for each other and committed to the program.

Last night, I sat in the darkness on the opposite side of the lake with Shooting Bull and Sky Walker. We sat in a canoe (with Brown Bear as our paddler) for what seemed like an hour, waiting for the first year tribes to make their way down to the lake. We chatted about all sorts of Guides stories and memories of Fall Outings past. We could hear the faint murmurs and laughs from across the lake - then all went silent. Off in the distance we heard the call of the drum, signaling the start of the procession. We fell silent ourselves as we watched the flames of homemade torches flicker in the water's reflection. Our silence was shattered by our own laughter as a huge fish decided to leap out of the water inches from the canoe, splashing and scaring us all with a surprise visit.

After all the tribes were seated the lights went out and the music began to call to us. Archers fired flaming arrows into the water and I lit my torch as Brown Bear paddled us toward shore. I could barely see anything in front of us due to the brightness of the torch, but I could sense the eyes of all the Little Princesses upon us as we approached. The music ended just as I made the shore. Out-going chief, Red Cloud, called out for the bonfire to begin and I pointed my torch toward the pile of logs and - "BOOM!" - my heart leaped from chest again, just as it had done so many times before.

I guess some things do change, but at the heart of it all, it's all just the same. We rededicate ourselves to one another each year by this bonfire and bask in the warmth of each others hugs and smiles.

How-How!