Mike Parker: 17th ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ takes flight Friday
The second Friday in September has become the standard date for “Wings Over the Neuse,” the single largest fund-raiser for the CSS Neuse Foundation, the caretaker of the full-size replica of the CSS Neuse. This year marks the 17th time “Wings” has taken flight.
The galley crew is ready. Those who make the plates and those who deliver plates are all in place. The cooking kicks off at 0-Dark-30 so Wing plates can be ready to serve at 10:30 a.m.
Last year, the Neuse Foundation prepared 1,000 plates of wings. This year, the galley crew will be cooking up another 4,000 wings to create 1,000 plates. Preparation is one reason this event is such a success year after year.
But the main reason for the event’s growth and success year after year is our sponsors. The Sixth Annual “Wings Over the Neuse” boasted 56 sponsors. The Seventh Annual Edition of “Wings” had 67 sponsors. Today, more than 100 organizations, individuals, and businesses have given their support to the Neuse Foundation by sponsoring “Wings.”
If you drive by the Neuse II on the corner or Herritage and Gordon streets, you will see the 14 boards bearing the banners of this year’s sponsors. We thank each sponsor for supporting our fundraiser.
Although I feel gratified by this support, I am not surprised. Community support has always been the hallmark of the CSS Neuse II from the beginning. Visitors to the gunboat are amazed when we tell them the Neuse II was built over a period of seven years by hundreds of volunteers who worked under the supervision of volunteer and master shipbuilder Alton “Doc” Stapleford.
The Neuse II began as – and still is – a true community labor of love.
Friday offers a time for others in the community to get on board and show some love. Our crew can cook 4,000 chicken wings. They can have carrot and celery sticks, plus an abundance of Ranch Dressing, ready. But none of that preparation means anything without YOU.
Of the 1,000 plates the galley crew prepares this Friday, roughly 600 will go to sponsors. The remaining 400 plates will either go to those who pre-ordered – or be sold to those using the drive-thru service at the Farmer’s Market.
The first plates should be ready around 10:30 a.m. I have no idea when the last plate of wings will fly away. Wing plates are still just $5 – the same price they were when the first “Wings” took flight in 2009.
Some of my friends … um … missed the boat last year. By the time they entered the drive-thru, all the wings had flown the coup. Please come early this year.
Supporters make possible the work we are doing on and for the Neuse II. Our fund-raisers enable the foundation to make improvements, pay utility and insurance costs, and fund repairs. Those of you who visit the Neuse II regularly can easily see the progress that the foundation is making.
But never forget: the Neuse II is still a work in progress.
Your support makes progress possible.
Mike Parker, who serves on the board of directors for the CSS Neuse Foundation, is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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