The photohunt theme this week is different. New York City has its famous ball which is lowered in Times Square on New Year's Eve. For 16 years my hometown, Raleigh, NC, U.S., has had a different custom. We have a 1,250 pound copper acorn which is lowered by a crane on New Year's Eve. Go ahead and laugh, it is somewhat comical. After you stop laughing, I'll explain the reason for this nutty and different tradition.
Raleigh has had the nickname City of Oaks since the 18th century because of its commitment to preserving parks, forests, and trees. There are over 300 public parks, mini parks and green space areas which are maintained by Raleigh and the city has been nationally recognized for its commitment to environmental preservation within the city (paraphrased from the NCSU site). So although it's a little different to have a 1,250 pound acorn created in honor of the bicentennial celebration of this town in 1992 , the tradition of preserving trees is a good one.Photohunters post here - PhotoHunt, the home of the hunt, on Saturday. Early birds can be found on technorati here -
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72 comments:
I love it Carver! Great idea and in keeping with the area. Happpy weekend
I love that acorn. It is so funny.
I had an acorn or two falling on my head, but this one...
Great shot and thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend!
This is great Carver. At least it means something to you all. I've not posted yet. But saw this on bloglines so came over Later. Have a great weekend.
I LOVE the acorn!! I love your take on Different!
Different and an education for me!
and yes I'm laughing...
Very different and very unusual!
The acorn is so huge! But the squirrel is MIA. =D
That's a nice shot Carver :) Have a great weekend, and happy photo hunting!
My immediate thought was Chicken Little! Blame it on being with kids too much! LOL!
This week's theme is interesting - so many "different" takes on the theme! Thanks for dropping by mine!
A giant Acorn, I love it.
Oh, what a very different tradition. That big acorn looks well, big and I wouldn't want that to fall on my head, lol!
Have a great weekend, Carver :)
1,250 pound acorns is your definitely different from seeing 1 or 2 acorns!
Bet that couldn't be as light as having 1 - 2 drop on your head :P
I admit I laughed! That's certainly different. happy weekend :-)
I think it is wonderful.
This IS different and a fantastic entry for "different" this week. I really think this is a very unique way for your city to celebrate the new year. :D Mine's up now!
That is a great idea! I have to admit I laugh a little at first. :)
I have never seen a real acorn though.
I admire your hometown's dedication to help in the conservation of nature through this unique symbol.
Mines not up yet, but I signed Mr. Linky since I'm here. That is a very different tradition and very much the same as well, don't you think? I have seen where other cities drop something for New Year's--can't remember where or what. Stop by later.
That is perfect....I didn't know that...see I learn't something new....
That is huge acorn. Great shor Carver!!
That's different, but kind of cool!
It is very commendable to preserve green spaces and parks for the people to enjoy throughout generations.
how fun. I love your take on the theme. I think it is pretty. :0
happy Weekend.
This is great and I love your picture of the acorn!!
Have a great weekend
Mar
Kinda different ... and the acorn XD
The movie, Chicken little must have been inspired by that big acorn! I got confused signing up to this and the weekend post...sorry!
nyway, great post! definitely a different size for an acorn! lol.
This is great. A great way to preserve the trees. Great take on the theme and Happy weekend!
That's one huge acorn! It's a great reason for a relatively new tradition - well done Raleigh!
This is a great idea!! I've never seen anything like it! Have a great weekend!
Wow that is one big nut! LOL
Love that photo!
Have a great weekend
L
Wao~ It is an informative post about your city~! Thanks for sharing.
My PH post is up at http://www.lifelongsharing.com/index.php/2008/03/08/photo-hunter-different/
Happy hunting!
Oh I love it - great tradition! :-)
Happy Weekend.
great custom. no accident so far? :)
happy weekend!:)
That's an interesting story behind your different photo! By the sound of it, Raleigh is a place I'd love to see. It's certainly different from our island - we have very few trees here. :(
Have a great weekend Carver!
Nice to read this little history. Great entry for the theme.
Have a good weekend.
Thanks to everyone for visiting. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Very interesting and different photo. Thanks for the explanation. I find tradition to be awesome. :)
It's going to make the squirrels nuts trying to get to the acorn! Thanks for the historical info, i like that.
Have a great weekend.
Never heard of an acorn drop before. Pretty cool.
What a neat tradition! Around here we have some rather different festivals throughout the year- Portageville has a Potato Fest every fall, N. Java has a Pumpkin Launch Contest each fall,Eden has a Corn Fest...but no falling acorns.
My take on "Different is
Here
OMG ! that's a big one ! must be very heavy !!
Hey, in Atlanta, we have the Peach Drop. I enjoy the acorn. :)
Neat shot! Three cheers for your town!
For the sake of preserving trees, I think this is awesome!!! What a wonderful post!!
Wow, I never seen such a huge acorn and the tradition behind it is simply interesting!.
We're planning to tour new york sometime in April actually. How's the weather going to be then?
Pearl - happy hunting
I love that and it is pretty. It is a fun, crazy, tradition that shows they are committed to something-- rather than need to be committed :>. and trees are for us all to enjoy
What a wonderful post, Carver. I think I prefer the acorn to the ball, anyway.
So is Raleigh's other nickname the Big Acorn? ;b
I love this "different" type of information. :D
Hi Carver!
What a great tradition! And yes, it might be different, but it's unique and charming at the same time.
Write From Karen
i'd agree that acorn makes me laugh too!
interesting info.. bet every place has its own story. they can be as comical, or as intriguing, or as different. but they all do have stories to tell.
Thanks again to everyone for visiting. Someone asked about the weather in NYC in April when they will be visiting. I don't live there but one of my sisters does and I've visited her in March. I think it varies a lot but hopefully will be pretty when you're there. It may be chilly or warm. I know that's not too helpful but it varies a lot in the spring. Same where I live although NYC is north of me and cooler in general.
I love that!! Excellent!
I love it! It seems really different, but not too nutty.
Have a great weekend!
That is different... and very novel! Great post for the theme!
That's a great reason for having an acorn!
great pic & info!
view mine if you wish
http://gaj38.wordpress.com/
Thanks to everyone for visiting my photohunt post. Blogger hasn't been very cooperative this weekend and I appreciate your visits.
Oh my gosh, what a great take on different!!! I always like coming to see what you post...my hunt is up, please come and visit
Certainly is different, but it's pretty also. Raleigh is a beautiful part of the country.
I didnt think it was funny, I thought it was cute!
What a great tradition. I don't even know if I have ever seen a real acorn. What a great picture.
an acorn! hahaha! that was indeed funny - and different!
Thanks so much for visiting my photohunt theme. It's been fun seeing all the different posts this week.
oh that made me say WOW!
I hope you don't have a giant squirrel out there.
Well,... THAT IS different! Cute acorn,.. have a good week.
Neat piX! I'm a tardy straggler for this week's hunt, but still wanted to play. ThanX for the Mr. Linky.
Wow! That's something different. It looks funny to me. Haha. (=
Thanks again to everyone for visiting.
Hi,.... thanks for the birthday wishes,..... it was just my birthday,... becci-powerstwinb is just a sister,.... I am not her twin,..lol. Seems everyone thinks that. Have a great week.
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