The Mascot

The word mascot has been traced back to colloquial use in Provence and Gascony in France, where it was used to describe anything – animal, person, or object – which inspires and brings good luck. Even a garden!

September 11 is not only a day of remembrance, it has also become known as a "Day of Service", commemorated this year in Raleigh's News & Observer's front-page article: "Doing some good while doing time". It reported how inmates at Johnston Correctional Institution in Smithfield NC work the soil as their part in the "Plant a Row for the Hungry" program. They are learning gardening techniques and using them to raise food for charity. By eating what they produce, you may literally be taking – to quote McGruff the Crime Dog – "a bite out of crime!"

One prisoner said, "It’s like when you’re here, you’re not in prison. It’s like you’re on a little farm, for a couple of hours a day. It gives me something to do, keeps me out of trouble. And at the end of the day, I feel like I’ve done something to help somebody.” The garden has become his inspiration – his mascot.

Around that same time, Fox News reported a similar story from the other side of the world – Japan. The Asahikawa prison, located some 560 miles north of Tokyo has just become the first Japanese prison with a life-size mascot!

"Katakkuri-chan" is a 6-foot 6-inch humanoid with a huge square face and an enormous purple flower for hair. The mascot wears the uniform of a prison warden, (A female version has the same name). Katakkuri-chan made its recent debut at an annual weekend fair at the prison. On Sunday it played with 1,700 children and visitors (up from 1,200 last year) who were able to buy handicrafts made by inmates, ranging from barbecue parts to TV stands and aprons. Katakkuri-chan is spearheading the jail's efforts to warm up their chill and forbidding image.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police has had its own crime-fighting mascot since the 1980s. Pipo-kun is well-loved across the nation and appears on posters and in crime prevention videos as well as on cell phone cases, notepads, erasers, mouse pads, T-shirts and key chains. A combination of several animals, he takes the best parts in order to be the best law-enforcement officer: his large ears help him hear people in trouble, an antennae to catch quick movement and large eyes to watch every corner of society. He even has a stirring song on his website.

Now that's thinking "outside the box". Maybe these are ideas other prisons can try!

Can you think of a way to do your own Day of Service? Here are three ways to think out of the box:

• Draw a picture. Drawing a picture is more right-brained, and can help break your logical left-brain’s hold on a problem.
• Work backwards. Start with a goal and think back through the steps needed to reach it until you get to where you want to be.
• Ask a child for advice. Ask a child how they might tackle a problem in a way they can understand it. A child thinks and speaks with an ignorance of convention that is often helpful.

Think of it – You may solve world peace. You may come up with a new mode of transportation. You may discover a cure for cancer.

You may even come up with a cure for autism.

Now that, my friends, would be a truly extraordinary day of service. And you would be one humdinger of a mascot!

Author Patrick Simpson and his wheelchair-restricted wife Anne uncover their experiences exploring historical and cultural experiences around the world. Visit now to learn how independent travel for disabled persons is not only possible, it can be fun!! www.booksbypatricksimpson.com

The Big Debutante Ball

The annual North Carolina Debutante Ball, which presents debs from all over the state, continued its tradition Friday night at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh.

For 87 years the debs have been chosen based on their families’ contributions to North Carolina economic, cultural, social and civic life.

Long considered the premier social event in the state, it originated in 1923 as the "Raleigh Fall Festival," sponsored by the merchants of the city. Prominent young ladies from throughout the state were presented as candidates for Queen of the Festival before a queen was crowned by the governor. In 1927 the Terpsichorean Club was formed and held the first North Carolina Debutante Ball. The purpose of the club, which derived its name from the Greek mythological muse, Terpsichore, the goddess of dancing and choral song, was to "sponsor annually a ball for the presentation of North Carolina Debutantes to be held in Raleigh on the first weekend after Labor Day."

My wife was once presented there. In fact, she was leader (and "spoke of the wheel") of the ball.

And now it was my granddaughter Raven's turn.

She was one of the 162 young ladies who received invitations this year. They were selected by more than 200 nominators located throughout the state. The final approval of the Debutantes was made by Terpsichorean Club members.

For most debutantes, the excitement starts in the spring, when the invitations – or "bids" – arrive. The season gets into full swing around the first of July and culminates with the Debutante Ball the weekend after Labor Day. In between, there are numerous brunches, barbecues, buffets, cocktail parties, mother-daughter teas and father-daughter cookouts to attend. A young woman who accepts every invitation may go to 30 parties or more in a season.

Last weekend there were eight functions held in Raleigh honoring the debutantes, their families and their escorts. But the ball on Friday evening was the focal point of the weekend. And my eyes were on Raven, my granddaughter (seen here with rose corsage). I have never been so proud of anyone in my life.

"And debutantes, after all, still wear white. They still carry roses. And for at least one breathtaking moment, when they descend the staircase and extend a long white glove to reach for their fathers' hand, all the money it took to get them there must seem worthwhile."
– The News & Observer 9/6/1991

Author Patrick Simpson and his wheelchair-restricted wife Anne uncover their experiences exploring historical and cultural experiences around the world. Visit now to learn how independent travel for disabled persons is not only possible, it can be fun!! www.booksbypatricksimpson.com