by Pat Winter
When I asked why Lynn and Rick decided to call North Carolina home, their response reminded me of the tale of Goldilocks. Just like Goldilocks and her porridge, some parts of our country are just too hot, and some are just too cold. But if you keep looking, you’ll find one that is just right! Hello, North Carolina!
Lynn grew up in Peters Township just south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State, and worked for a public non-profit corporation as both its CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and CIO (Chief Information Officer). In the evenings she loved to play pinochle on a Yahoo site. She played often and soon was ranked #1 on their ladder of the 20,000 people playing online. Yahoo Pinochle had a built-in directory for its players to post information about themselves with a photo, so in the spirit of the game, Lynn decided to post her information. Soon a man named Rick was visiting her pinochle “room” and chatting with her in the text box located at the bottom of the online room screen. It turns out Rick never played pinochle in his life and was not interested in the game. But he was interested in Lynn!
After serving for 22 years in the Navy based out of California, Rick retired and moved to coastal southern Maryland to work as a manager of Boeing’s experimental aircraft division. After many trips between Maryland and Pittsburgh, Rick moved to Pittsburgh. But the Pittsburgh winters and its endless cloudy days convinced Rick and Lynn it was “too cold” and time to move on. So, in 2008 when the economy tanked, they relocated to Las Vegas and bought a house at a “half-price sale.” But after 12 years in the hot, dry heat, Lynn and Rick agreed this climate was just “too hot,” and Rick dreamed of owning a boat and going fishing.
After managing four children in college at the same time, their kids moved far and wide with Rick’s son settling in Oregon and his daughter in Arizona. Lynn wanted to be closer to her eastern kids; her son lives outside D.C. and her daughter lives in Ohio. So, Rick found Albemarle Planation online and they put an offer on their new home sight unseen. And when Rick came on site to complete the purchasing paperwork, a friend came along and bought a piece of property here before they left town.
Lynn and Rick moved here in late April this year along with their two Great Danes, one of which just had surgery for an ACL repair. Lynn commented that they love animals and “our dogs are our new children.” Day to day Lynn is kept busy with the financials for eight non-profits for which she volunteers. Locally she is one of the newest volunteers helping out at Open-Door Church, Open-Door Food Pantry, and APWC. While learning to play Mah Jongg, she enjoys playing cards with the Tuesday game group. Rick, chef of the household, recently bought an overhauled 25-foot power cruiser that they keep on a boat lift at our Marina. He also has been volunteering his time with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Marina’s Shelter In Place Inspection Team (SIPIT), and they are joining the ranks of the Osprey Yacht Club. Lynn and Rick agree that Albemarle Plantation suits them “just right.”
When you get the chance to meet Lynn and Rick, be sure to ask them about their experiences playing the slot machines! And be sure to welcome them “home!”