Olanta Highway’s Pied Piper



Tuesday night February 9, 2009 at 7:30PM at the New Hanover County Arboretum auditorium (6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403) I got to experience Stan’s presentation on cold hardy citrus in the southeast.
Because of Stan’s citrus-evangelism I met him several years ago. I had an interest in citrus from the 3rd grade on and was elated to find someone else with a passion for citrus. Stan was my window to the Citruholic Group. He told me about a friend in Charleston, SC that was starting a citrus forum.
I have always appreciated his enthusiasm, knowledge and warm personality. But Tuesday night was special. Stan presented a slide show and citrus ‘show and tell’. Thought I have seen him speak at citrus expos’ and such it was like I saw him for the first time.
He worked the room that was made up of 99% non-citruholics in a manner that would be the envy of any public speaker. His presentation was warm and insightful. He had great eye contact with the group and was careful to not miss anyone’s questions.
He then showed off some of the citrus trees (most with fruit on it) and told colorful anecdotal stories about each.
By then the Olanta Highway Pied Piper had them. The crowd was on there feet pushing to the door. Then Stan lead them out the door so that they could obtain one of the Magical Fruit Trees that he brought with him.
I was caught up in the magic also. After several years of serious citrus management I still felt like a kid in a candy shop when I looked over Stan’s trees to see which ones I couldn’t live without.
Terry

Aw Shucks Terry! Im still laughing as I type this at your comparison of me to the Pied Piper! The part about leading them out the door... just gives me the chuckles. I guess when you are really passionate about something, such as citrus, it just shows thru the rough exterior! The folks in Wilmington were some of the most enthusiastic Ive had the opportunity to speak to. They all made me feel so welcome and seemed so interested in what I had to say. Needless to say, I have made some new friends and possibly created some new " citruholics"! The Pied Piper predicts the Wilmington area will become the citrus capital of North Carolina!