Sea Turtle Hospital News

It's good to be queen

Last summer she was learning the ropes. This summer she's holding the reins. Lisa Rodriguez, a Vernon, CT native has returned for a second year to mentor this year's crop of summer interns. Why? Well for one thing, she loved working here last summer. And after weighing the prospect of coming back for a second year she eventually concluded that it would give her a "totally different perspective."

 As this year's leader she's taken on additional responsibilities for the care of the turtles, and the flow of the work. What makes it a "unique experience" for her is that almost every turtle currently under our care has been admitted since she left last summer. All these "new" turtles require a whole new regimen of medication and treatment. And with a significant increase in patients from the same time in 2007 Lisa now declares: "we had it easy last year!" But things aren't too easy for her, because now she‘s assumed supervisory duties, making sure the work is done properly, and making the tough calls when necessary. She said her focus has been on handling all the "little things" that come up so Jean can concentrate on building our new hospital. One of those little things is giving the turtles their shots. Last year they saw her as a friendly face with a bowl of squid; now she's the mean lady with the needle!

 Lisa compares her second year at the hospital to a second year in any job: you're more comfortable because you have more experience. She's generous with her praise of this year's group of interns: "They're a good crew, and I really like them." The one surprise for her has been the astounding increase in the number of visitors coming through our doors. Even though she's a munchkin, this little lady has a voice that carries over the din of the crowd, and she's not afraid to use it. If you didn't get the story on "her" turtle during your tour it's because you just weren't listening!

Lisa returns to her senior year at Eckerd College (St. Pete, Fla.) where she's majoring in Biology. Once there she rejoins the Eckerd College Search and Rescue Squad, and this year she's studying for her captain's license so she can drive "the big boat - a 26-foot Century with twin 200s." Although she spends all of her spare time at the beach, don't look for her up on a board riding the waves. Her one and only attempt at surfing "was not a pleasant experience!"

Topsail Turtle Project

Turtles and volunteers continue this very busy season of walking, nesting, hatching and sitting, and I'll let you match the activity to the species! We've got our flippers crossed that we'll break 100 nests this year. We're very excited, and we know that you are, too. How? Because we get the same question, "where and when," every day during our hospital open house. Short answer - we don't know - the babies pip whenever they're ready.

The TTP's nesting/hatching information included in the rental packages distributed by many of our local realtors is making an impact. Just this week one of our area coordinators reported visitors going door-to-door with the flyer, explaining the importance of turning off outside lights. And everyone gladly cooperated. Thanks to "A Beach Place Realty," for including our sea turtle information in their rental packages. They were inadvertently left off the list last week. Sorry, guys!

You can keep track of all the nesting and hatching activity on our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Report all sea turtle activity (nestings, strandings, injured turtles or hatchings) is our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880.

Flipper salutes to

Glen Pierce, our buddy at www.topsail-island.info. Glen features my weekly article on the website, and he's the techie behind our two turtle cams. If that weren't enough, he (along with Bryson & Associates and Fred Alexander) donates the cool-looking sea turtle hospital business cards that we hand out by the tens of thousands during the summer.

Sheree' Alderman works alongside Glen on the website, writing and making sure stuff is up-to-date and "lookin' good!" She can often be found at our various fundraisers and events, and is a big-time sea turtle cheerleader. Gi-normous flipper hugs to you both from us, our patients and our turtle fans and visitors!

Ending this month

Turtle Hospital open house: Only a few more weeks to see first hand what we do in that mysterious little building behind the Topsail Beach water tank! We open daily from 2 to 4 p.m., except Wednesday and Sunday, through August. Our gift shop is also open during those hours. We occasionally close without notice for incoming turtles and dangerous weather conditions, but generally for only a short period of time. Please note that two incorrect phone numbers appear in various places in the "Coaster" magazine: the correct number for reporting turtle activity/strandings is: 910-470-2880. The correct number for the hospital is: 910-328-3377.

Turtle Talks: If you don't make the August 27 final presentation of this popular introduction to sea turtles you'll have to wait until May of 2009! Lilmar's one-hour talk, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., continues every Wednesday until then. Visuals and handouts are appropriate for ages K-adult, and cameras are welcome so you can capture the smiling faces of your family for the holiday newsletter! The site is the Surf City Community Center, JH Batts Rd. (off Rt. 210 between Docksider and Gilligan's.) Admission is free but donations for our turtles are appreciated. Please leave food and drinks in the car. For more information call the hospital at: 910-328-3377.

Yard Sale just around the corner

We're still crossing our "T's" and dotting our "I's" regarding this year's Labor Day weekend yard sale. Details for drop-off and site next week.

Questions, comments or suggestions for stories

Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com.

Karen Sota is the volunteer media coordinator for the Sea Turtle Hospital in Topsail Beach.