Guest blogger: Kate Weiss

Day  4, Thursday, Buxton Retreat…. And as most of you may have been following…. We woke up to some torrential rains which unfortunately cancelled out our clamming expedition with Captain Lee. Where this normally may have been a real disappointment, it was actually a welcomed blessing in disguise. With the table covered with all sorts of crafty notions, from feathers to beads and sequins, our ladies adorned bras to be used in a fund raising raffle sponsored by Koru Village, ‘Bras for the Cause’ which will benefit Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. If you are in the Avon, NC area, go to Pangea Tavern during the month of October and vote for your favorite design! This was, no doubt, one of the favorite activities of the week, not only for the cause, but because of the bonding time that was cherished, but especially for when all the hubby’s were such good sports in modeling their bride’s creations!  

    Professional photographer, Daniel Pullen the owner of Pullen Photography, donated his services by sharing his gift of composition. From their mini photo session, each couple will receive a CD of those captured moments in time they will never forget.

    Afterwards we anxiously gathered for dinner …. Picture a beautifully crafted 18 ft wood dining table, all sitting around with just the right amount of elbow room, enough to reach to the center of the table and take however much you wanted of whatever tickled your taste buds …. Besides the typical kielbasa, corn, carrots, and potatoes… Shrimp was a delicious addition, thanks to Buxton Seafood, and Captain Lee with Hatteras Adventures treated us to plenty of tender clams to make our Low Country Boil an absolutely delicious dining experience!

   Unfortunately we had an unwelcome guest at our retreat by the name of Hurricane Joaquin. He is the reason our after dinner mood turned a bit somber. With the storm threatening to bring extreme flooding, our director Kate had to make a tearful decision to bring the retreat to an early close….so the evening of day 4 was our closing evening. The couples headed home Friday morning in an effort to avoid any unnecessary storm hazards…. Several just could not risk the chance of being stuck on the island for extra days.  The bonding, family-like friendships made between these couples, especially after having met only 4 ½ days ago … is truly amazing!