Few people can even begin to match the boundless energy and enthusiasm of past FODR president, membership chair, and paddle master extraordinaire, Teta Kain.

She has been such a fixture in FODR over the years that her accomplishments and contributions to our organization are sometimes taken for granted: her leadership, her knowledge of nature, her “road show” programs, her exceptional photographs, her contacts with the scientific community, and, above all, her total commitment to the delicate and wild Dragon.

Whether it is organizing paddle trips, putting together a stable of kayaks, providing them loaded on a trailer, penning and editing FODR publications, being an advocate ambassador for the Dragon, this woman knows no slow speed. Skydiving at the age of 65 and post first hip replacement surgery is characteristic of her zest for life.

After a long rehab and recovery from recent shoulder surgery, Teta had become optimistic about a full season of paddling this year. Unfortunately, back and hand pain intervened. She underwent hand surgery on March 13 and is in a cast for several weeks. Then back surgery is scheduled for April 16. The other hand will need surgery too.

About the time physical problems were becoming nearly unbearable, the Kain’s remaining dog died.

Teta is sleeping in a chair to help ease her back discomfort.

Throughout all, she has worked on Christmas bird count records, and maintained FODR membership updates, even though talking on the phone and using the computer are both painful.

Teta, typically, has been worried about the continuation of FODR paddle trips. Gordon Page stepped up to the plate as interim paddle master, and will lead the spring trips so as not to disappoint those wishing to experience the Dragon from its waters. For information on the trips, contact Gordon at 804-445-9017 or pagegr@hotmail.com

On behalf of the board and membership, I want to pause and thank the phenomenal Teta Kain for all she does for us, and to wish her a speedy and complete recovery. -