It all started when I was a little boy. We subscribed to the Dr. Seuss reading club, and received a new hardback book each month in the mail. I'm sure you are familiar with titles like 'Green Eggs & Ham" or "Hop On Pop," but other titles included books like "Pirates!" I loved that one because it was for older readers. We Vaughan Boys often turned our old metal swingset into a pirate ship and played the day away.

Fast-forward, a long ways. Around 2000, our church (Lexington Baptist Church) began offering the community a special Halloween carnival for our community. Church families were invited to choose a theme and decorate for Halloween, passing out candy to guests in the church parking lot. Our family chose a pirate theme (because it's what I wanted to be since the swingset days). What started as a simple Halloween dress-up has become quite a family project. In addition to our well-decorated truck (now a pirate ship once per year), we've invested in costumes for me, Vicki, and each of the boys. Vicki has used her sewing skills to make some of the costumes, including William's get-up as a British naval officer now a captive of the Sea Jackal and his band. The photograph, right, does not include Andrew, who was away at college. But, he is expected to make periodic annual appearances. Girlfriends are expected to dress up with us, too.

Do we make special appearances?

We have made appearances beyond the Halloween carnival. I've been to special events at area elementary schools, and I've even read a bit of Treasure Island at a day care or two. I am occasionally asked about birthday parties. It's $100 for me; $150 for me and William (as the Naval prisoner or a ship's mate) and we'll hang around for about 30 minutes. The appearance includes a short performance. Just keep in mind that I ain't Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles. Interested? E-mail me.