SENC Magazine - Winter 2020 by APG Eastern NC

SE WINTER 2020

North Carolina

Country Star ON THE RISE

Warsaw’s Danielle Johnson is making all the right moves in budding singing career

IN THIS ISSUE: KINSTON CHEF SPICES UP FAMILY DINNERTIME THALIAN HALL: A JEWEL IN WILMINGTON’S CROWN FARMER & THE DAIL GIVES OLD FAVORITES A NEW TWIST POLLY SLOCUMB: REVOLUTIONARY MYTH?

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Editor’s Note

Somehow, it always works out

SE North Carolina www.sencmag.com

Issue No. 21 / Winter 2020 Staff / Credits / Contributions PUBLISHER Jim Sills EDITOR Abby Cavenaugh PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC DESIGN Jillian Williams CONTENT & PHOTOGRAPHY Abby Cavenaugh Lauren Branch CONTRIBUTING WRITER Thomas Byrd ADVERTISING Jillian Williams Alan Wells CONTACT sencmagazine.wordpress.com acavenaugh@ncweeklies.com 1.910.296.0239 ON THE COVER Danielle Johnson is a native of Southeastern North Carolina, and a country singer who dreams of superstardom. At just 19, she’s already performed for huge crowds at Madison Square Garden and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, so she appears to be well on her way. SouthEast North Carolina Magazine is a publication of the Duplin Times and APG Media of Eastern NC. Contents may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

Correction:

In our Fall 2019 issue, we incorrectly reported a few facts in the story, “Harry Potter’s Quidditch flies in to Goldsboro.” The real-life version of Quidditch got its start at Middlebury College in Vermont in 2005. The U.S. Quidditch Cup will be played in Charleston, West Virginia, April 18-19, 2020. We apologize for the mistakes and any confusion they may have caused.

Sometimes, everything just comes together easily, and it all works like clockwork. Other times, it’s a struggle to get even the bare minimum. That’s definitely what it’s like when you’re editor, not only of a magazine, but a weekly newspaper as well. Sometimes, you have a plethora of stories to choose from, great ideas flow ... and then, there are times like putting this issue together, where multiple stories fall through and your deadline is rapidly approaching and you have no idea how you’ll fill the space. But somehow, some way, it always works out. And here we have another chock-full issue of Southeastern N.C. goodness for you. Aspiring country singer Danielle Johnson is our cover story this issue. At just 19, she’s already starting to make a name for herself in Nashville. A native of Warsaw in Duplin County, she hasn’t forgotten her roots, and recently played her first “hometown” show at Wilmington’s famed Thalian Hall. Speaking of Thalian, this gem of downtown Wilmington was a last-minute addition to this issue, but so worth taking a closer look. It’s one of the oldest operating theatres in the country, with a fascinating history, and it’s headed up by Danielle’s fellow Warsaw native, Tony Rivenbark. Another fascinating history is that of Mary “Polly” Slocumb, a woman who’s legendary in Southeastern North Carolina for her actions during the Revolutionary War. Legend has it that Polly dreamt her husband had been killed in battle, and she woke up, saddled a horse and rode through the night to find him and make sure he was all right. Contributing writer Thomas Byrd, however, had his doubts about the truths of this legend, and he shares with us a thorough investigation of the history, myths and realities of this storied woman. As anyone who’s been in Southeastern North Carolina for any period of time knows, food is a big part of our culture.

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So, we always like to devote a portion of each issue to some of the down-home cooking that makes this area such a great place to live. This time, we profile Chef Frank Crowley, owner of the Spice Bouquet in Kinston. He recently celebrated his 86th birthday, but still regularly hosts cooking classes, in hopes of reviving the quickly fading tradition of family dinners. Family is also big at Farmer & the Dail, a bakery outside Snow Hill, in Greene County. Husband-and-wife team Stacy Dail Bailes and Zachary Bailes started this business in their kitchen, whipping up new takes on classic Southern dishes. Now, people drive for miles to sample their biscuit bombs, specialty cakes, cookies and muﬃns, and much more. I can honestly say it’s worth the drive. Check out our Snapshots for more on some of our area’s most notable folks, and take a trip down memory lane to those years we actually got snow — and lots of it! Best wishes for a fantastic Christmas season, awesome New Year and swoonworthy Valentine’s Day. Here’s to the 21st century’s version of the Roaring ’20s!

Abby Cavenaugh, Editor

SINCE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, HERE ARE SOME SELECTED PHOTOS OF DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA ON INSTAGRAM

#southeasternnorthcarolina #southeasternnc

White Lake Finding peace amongst the storm. #sundayfunday #weekendvibes #afternoon #onthelake #boating #superairautique #waitingfortheraintopass #naptime #southeasternnc @papa.vance

Dad’s #1 fan! Watching my daddy play ultimate frisbee this weekend was a blast, even if it poured down rain all day Saturday. Totally worth it! @ruff_life_of_meeko

Guides to the Good Stuff Join us on social media for insider tips from Southeastern North Carolina natives...

Wrightsville Beach Always worth getting up to see the sunrise ... #wrightsvillebeach #northcarolina #sunrise #intracoastalwaterway @jandrewsoutdoors

Figure 8 Island Love a blustery autumn day at the beach #figure8island #northcarolina #easternseaboard #southeasternnc #outaboutnc #igersnc #sundays @9one0_photo

Southport Wednesday afternoon on the ICW. #Southport #welovenc #southeasternnc #coastalliving #intracoastalwaterway #deadtree @the_chickenist

SENCMAGAZNE.WORDPRESS.COM Our staff conceived this publication with a very basic idea in mind: to highlight interesting people, places, and events in Southeastern North Carolina in a way that honors the history and idiosyncratic spirit of the region.

Want your photo featured? Simply post photos of what you love about Southeastern North Carolina on Instagram and use the hashtags at the top of the page! Follow us, too!

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Contents

WINTER 2020

Features

Spice Bouquet

EXTRAS

Farmer & the Dail

Play Dates

From music legends in concert to unique Chef Frank Crowley keeps things New Year’s celebrations, we’ve got your social spicy with cooking classes in hopes The husband-and-wife team of Stacy calendar covered this winter. of reviving the nearly lost tradition of and Zachary Bailes have perfected Snapshotsfamily dinnertime. the art of putting a new twist on oldJacksonville native makes history with space walk fashioned sweet and savory treats. NASA Astronaut Christina Koch took one Their rural bakery draws hundreds ON THE COVER small step and one giant leap for womanevery Saturday to taste biscuit bombs, kind in October, when she and Jessica Meir Aspiring singer signature cookies and muﬃns, cakes took part in the first all-female space walk. and much more. Danielle Johnson SnapshotsWith dreams of country music SENC’s Top Chefs superstardom, Warsaw native The legend & Although the winners of N.C.’s top culinary Danielle Johnson is well on her way competition were from the western part of the myth of to topping the charts. the state, a few SENC chefs made it the top

Polly Slocumb

Thalian Hall

One of the oldest theatres in the country, Thalian Hall is an architectural and eye-popping jewel of Southeastern North Carolina.

Mary (Polly) Slocumb is a legend of the American Revolution in eastern North Carolina, but are the stirring stories about this woman’s heroics actually based in truth?

20 — and their food is worth a taste.

FolkDreaming of a winter wonderland

Snowfall is rare in Southeastern North Carolina, but that can’t stop us from dreaming...

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PLAY DATES Thalian Hall Wilmington

One of the oldest theatres in the United States, Thalian Hall has been in almost continuous use since its opening in 1858. The theatre has been under the management of the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. since 1963. Last year there were over 250 shows, events, and films for a total of 495 performances, attracting more than 85,000 people. Read more on Page 27 of this issue. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 12-22, various times; $28. The Theatre Exchange’s adaptation of the timeless story of Christmas redemption transports us from London to a Depression-era “Hooverville.” Actor, historian and Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts executive director, Tony Rivenbark, will once again bring Ebenezer Scrooge to life. Merry Country Christmas, Dec. 19, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; $15-75. Songs of fun, faith and hope are presented by musicians and singers steeped in the traditions of American country music. From the fun of Old Saint Nick to the profoundly moving “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” they cover the gamut in this captivating production. New Year’s Eve Gala, Dec. 31, starting at 7 p.m.; $165 per person. An evening of dinner, drinks, dessert and the Broadway classic, “La Cage Aux Folles.” After the show, ring in 2020 with a live DJ, dancing, karaoke, and when the clock strikes 12, a champagne toast to celebrate! “La Cage Aux Folles,” Dec. 31, Jan. 2-5, Jan. 9-12, Jan. 16-18, showtimes vary; $25-33. Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, this musical focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction. The adventures ensue when Georges’s son, Jean-Michel, brings his fiancée’s ultra-conservative parents to meet them. Malpass Brothers, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.; $15-50. The Malpass Brothers’ music is steeped in the legacy of Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, the Louvin Brothers, Hank Williams, Sr. and others. You can count on classic country, brand new tunes, traditional gospel and some good-natured ribbing between the two. Beanstalk! The Musical,” Jan. 26, 3 p.m.; $10. A new twist on the classic children’s fairy tale, “Jack and the Beanstalk,” this original musical follows Jack as he learns lessons in friendship and responsibility when an errant Giant destroys the public portions of his town and steals his multi-talented, tap-dancing cow Bossy. Skippy and the Comedy Warriors, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.; $15-50. Marc Price, “Skippy” from the 1980s TV series “Family Ties,” joins real-life heroes, wounded combat veterans John Kashnow and Bobby Henline, for a night of comedy.

SE PICK

Blueberry Drop Historic Train Depot,

DEC

31 TUE

Last year, the town of Burgaw and the N.C. Blueberry Festival began a new tradition to ring in the New Year — they dropped a giant lighted blueberry at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31, which is midnight Greenwich Mean Time. This year, they’ll do it again, with the second annual Blueberry Drop planned for New Year’s Eve at the Historic Train Depot in downtown Burgaw. Last year, an estimated 1,000 people turned out to watch the blueberry drop, and organizers expect an even bigger event this year. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. More at www.ncblueberryfestival.com/blueberry-drop/.

don’t drop the ball this new year’s eve A Gatsby New Year Starting at 9 p.m., Terrace Room, 104 S. Center St., Goldsboro

Celebrate the new Roaring Twenties with an open bar, including free beer and wine, signature cocktails, hand-rolled cigars, free caricature artist, live music and much more! Tickets at www.gatsbygoldsboro.com.

Mount Olive Pickle Drop

The New Year’s Eve Pickle descends the flagpole at the stroke of 7 p.m., which also happens to be midnight Greenwich Mean Time. Great family fun with live music and free refreshments. Because of a major construction project going on at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine – where the drop is usually held – the Pickle Drop will be held at the University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena.

Island of Lights

This free family-friendly event will feature a DJ and dancing with refreshments and party favors available for purchase. There will also be a Beach Ball Drop at midnight, followed by a fireworks display. More info at www.pleasureislandoflights.com/.

New Year’s Eve Block Party & Bear Drop

The town of New Bern is hosting a block party at the corner of Craven and Pollock downtown. The party will include a Kids Zone, food trucks, contests, live entertainment and a Bear Drop at midnight. More at www.newbernnc.gov/departments/special_events/. Pride of Kinston’s NYE Masquerade Starts at 8 p.m., Masks are encouraged and some will be available on-site at this party to benefit downtown Kinston revitalization. Business dress or black tie required. Live music by Trainwreck. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com. *All events are on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

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FEB

28 FRI

DEC

“Child of the Promise” 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday

Diana Ross

20-22 FRI-SUN

7:30 p.m., Wilson Center, Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington Tickets: $58-168

SE PICK

This beautiful and unique Broadway-style musical tells the story of Christ’s birth like never before. The music presented was written from the perspective of diﬀerent major characters in the story like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Gabriel, and Mary and Joseph, among others. Tickets and more info at www.goldsboroparamount.com/upcoming-events/.

DEC

Diana Ross is considered one of the most successful recording artists and entertainers of all time. 2019 was a milestone in history with a year-long Diamond Diana Celebration, marking the 75th birthday of the iconic superstar.

19-22 THU-SUN 7 p.m. Dec. 19 & 20, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Dec. 22 $14.50-71.50

Hit the road with Mickey and his pals for a high-octane ride in “Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures.” Travel with Moana to the sun-soaked Motunui, set oﬀ on a safari to the Pride Lands with Simba. Discover a whole new world as you’re swept up in Aladdin’s princely parade. Tickets at www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/disneyon-ice-presents-road-trip-adventures.

From her landmark solo career to the early days as lead singer of The Supremes, Ross helped shape the sound of popular music, changing the landscape and paving the way for contemporary music. Ross’ international achievements were acknowledged by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. in 2007, celebrating her lustrous career of excellence in music, film, television and theatre, as well as her cultural influences, humanitarian work and her contributions to American culture. She was also honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, which is the most prestigious civilian award given to a U.S. citizen. Visit https://wilsoncentertickets.com/show/?id=12801 for tickets and more information.

warm up this winter with hot events! Carolina Chocolate Festival Feb. 1-2, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday Morehead City

General Admission Tickets $2-9 This festival features numerous vendors providing chocolate cakes, cookies, ice cream and other chocolaty treats. There’s a 5K race, hourly pudding eating contests, chocolate spa treatments and much more. More at www.carolinachocolatefestival. com. “We Shall Overcome” (A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring Damien Sneed) Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $20-50 Inspired by the words and actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “We Shall Overcome” is a joyful celebration of music from across African-American music traditions, interwoven with spoken word from Dr. King’s recorded speeches. For more information and tickets: wilsoncentertickets.com/show/?id=9001

Engelbert Humperdinck March 1, 7:30 p.m. Wilmington

Tickets $39-108 In a career spanning more than 50 years, Engelbert Humperdinck has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold and 35 platinum albums. Visit wilsoncentertickets.com/ show/?id=4201 for tickets and more info.

Battle of the Badge Axe Throwing Competition Feb. 22, 1-5 p.m. 127 Sound Rd., Holly Ridge

Hosted by Holly Ridge Police Department, this is an axe throwing competition between the Holly Ridge, Surf City, North Topsail Beach and Topsail Beach police departments. The compettition will be a fundraiser for a local charity. For updated details, visit the event page on Facebook.

Activities to get your heart pumping Every January 1, thousands of people gather on the beach in Surf City to plunge into the frigid ocean in a symbolic washing away of the previous year and a fresh start to the new one. All funds raised from sponsorships are donated to charity. It’s free to participate, and you can even bring your pets. More information at http://dolphindip.net/. The 17th annual Penguin Plunge benefits the Salvation Army of Carteret County. Minimum donation is $10 ($5 for kids under 12). T-shirts and hoodies are available for a $20 and $35 donation, respectively. More info: http://penguin-plunge.org/. Fabulous 5K/Fit4U Fitness & Health Expo Jan. 25, 8:30 a.m., A fitness and health expo that showcases the many options to become healthier and fit. Event includes giveaways, demonstrations, vendors and the Fabulous 5K, which starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration for the 5K is $5 and is available at www.eventbrite.com.

Wrightsville Beach Valentine Run

Treat yourself this Valentine’s season to a heart-themed race with spectacular views of Wrightsville Beach. Distances include a 5K or 10K, or make your heart beat a little faster and run both the 5K and 10K in the Double Trouble event. More info: its-go-time.com/wb-valentine-run/.

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SE Snapshot

North Carolina

Jacksonville native makes history in space Christina Koch is part of first all-female space walk

ecoming an astronaut is She is currently a part of three NASA missomething many chilsions— Expedition 59, 60 and 61. She’s scheddren dream of at some uled to remain in orbit on the International point in their lives. But Space Station until February 2020. Christina Koch, who “While onboard, she participates in scientific grew up in Jacksonville, research, station maintenance, outreach, visiting has made that dream a vehicle operations and space walks,” according reality. And as of Oct. to her biography on NASA’s website. 18, she made history, too. Koch and It wouldn’t be surprising to see Christina fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir Koch continue to explore and surpass new took one giant leap for womankind, as frontiers in space. they participated in the first all-female You can read the latest on her Twitter space walk. page, @Astro_Christina, where she often Christina Koch, who grew up in Koch and Meir ventured outposts photos from space, and on Oct. 20, Jacksonville, took part in the first side the International Space Station shared this inspiring tweet with her followall-female space walk in October. together to replace a faulty battery ers: “To all those reaching to new heights: charge-discharge unit. yes you can. #AllWomanSpacewalk.” SE They are the 14th and 15th women to do a space walk, but prior to Oct. 18, female astronauts always did space walks alongside a male astronaut. The all-female walk was originally scheduled for March, with Koch and astronaut Anne McClain, but it was called oﬀ because there were not properly fitted suits available for two women. “One could say that the first all-female spacewalk was worth celebrating simply because it overcame history,” Koch and Meir wrote in an article for the Washington Post. “It was the story of two girls who gazed at the stars with an improbable dream, who as women were given the ‘go’ to egress the airlock. But there’s more than that.” “The real achievement is the collective acknowledgment that it is no longer OK to move forward without everyone moving together,” the astronauts added. “NASA’s mission is to answer humanity’s call to explore. If there is any part of humanity that’s not on that journey, we are not achieving our mission. The eﬀorts to equalize exploration are what really ought to be celebrated.” Koch was born in Michigan, but grew up in Jacksonville, and most recently resided in Livingston, Montana with her husband, Robert Koch. Her parents are Barbara Johnsen of Frederick, Maryland and Dr. Ronald Hammock of Jacksonville. On Oct. 20, Astronaut Christina Koch shared this photo She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from N.C. on Twitter, along with the message: “To all those reaching State University, and graduated from the NASA Academy to new heights: yes you can. #AllWomanSpacewalk.” program at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in 2001. WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 13

Adding a little spice to life Story & Photos By Lauren Branch These days people are so busy that cooking is becoming a thing of the past, but Frank Crowley, owner of Spice Bouquet in Kinston, believes that cooking should be a top priority for everyone. Cooking at home has so many added benefits, according to Frank. It helps ensure that your food is healthier than fast food, lowering salt and sugar amounts, it helps you save money by cooking one meal that can last multiple days instead of buying one entree that only lasts for that meal. Frank started cooking at an early age when he lived in his native Brooklyn, New York. He was one of five boys, and the second oldest. The oldest brother had hopes of becoming a priest, so he had other

focuses in life, making Frank next in charge to help his mom out around the house. His mom was the assistant to one of Wall Street’s top dogs, and his dad was a city commissioner, so they were very busy business people and leaned on him for help with his siblings and in doing house chores. At 8 years old, he began assisting his mom in the kitchen with small tasks, such as cutting up vegetables and doing prep work on the foods his mom planned to cook. Frank remembers cutting carrots a lot and helping to prepare the meats like roasts, which he said they ate quite often because of their large family size. Crowley said he remembers how happy he was as a child after he cooked his first turkey for the family,

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and by about age 10, he could cook a full Sunday dinner. Cooking family dinners and actually sitting down around a table as a family was the norm during those times, and Frank feels that it is a sad loss that we do not do those things as often anymore. “Family dinner is a history lesson and if they don’t have dinner together, they miss out on family history and getting to know your family. Where is our world going to be in 15-20 more years?” he stated during a recent cooking class. Although Frank had an early start when it comes to his love for cooking, he has not always been in the business, although he has mostly worked in the food industry. For many years, Frank worked as a financial

manager for international operations at General Foods, so he had his hands into foods— but just in a different capacity. That job took him all around the world. He even lived in Brazil for many years. His international travel has helped expand his taste buds and cooking styles, which is one reason people enjoy his cooking so much. He also taught history and economics at Boston College at one point. His mother’s health began to decline, causing him to make the decision to move back to New York, so that he and his wife could help take care of her. He left his corporate job, and eventually decided to start a business, in his words, “to keep busy, and make some money.” His spice company developed in 1984 when he hired a couple of sales reps. Someone in Canada who was having trouble with his original distributor wanted Frank and his team to give him a hand. He also knew a man that decided to move back to India but wanted to start some sort

“Family dinner is a history lesson and if they don’t have dinner together, they miss out on family history.” of food business. He also asked for Frank’s help. So after some research and business negotiations, Frank’s spice business began its journey. He spoke about the process of getting spices from India, which took up to 21 days to ship to the U.S. “The spice business has certain complications, but it’s certainly a lot simpler than running an oil refinery,” he laughed. In 2003, Frank decided to move his business to Kinston, where it still resides today. He

decided to move the business to North Carolina for several reasons. One, the Long Island commute to his plant was taking between an hour and a half to two hours each way, everyday. Also, where he lived, the schools were not great and he and his wife had begun to have kids and wanted their kids to go to a good school. They looked at a couple different states when comparing. Now 86 years old, Frank is still working with his company and even teaches cooking classes to the community. The classes began because once his rubs became popular, people would ask him a lot of questions about how to use them. As a result, he began inviting those people to his business on Saturdays, where he would do free tutorials. They became so popular that he began teaching official cooking classes. Now, Spice Bouquet offers classes all year long. Class sizes vary anywhere between 15-30 people. Over the last five years he has been teaching the classes,

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more than 30,000 people have attended a class with him. All types of people and groups attend his classes, including church groups, businesses groups, car clubs, groups of families or friends, and even kids. Frank also works with the Kinston Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturing Association, doing things like manufacturing days to help educate youth. He participates in those activities by doing tours with the schools, but one day decided to do a class with the kids. It was a huge hit, with one child even asking to take a selfie with him. “It brightened my day,” he said. Now, classes with the middle schools and high schools are a regular occurrence. He mentioned that there are times that kids come to class not even knowing how to use a fork and knife properly. “Apparently, family dinner is passing out in our culture,” he said. “A lot of it is that we have a lot of young women with a couple of kids, and a heavy percentage of those women have to work outside of the house in order to help pay the bills.” But he believes there is a solution. “In a positive sense, with the rubs and all that we do, you can do meals quickly if you know what you’re doing.” Frank said that his original motivation for the starting the Spice Bouquet was to have a business, but after seeing the effect and the smiles on people’s faces, his motivation changed. “When you read the comments that we have ... The people really enjoy the food immensely.

To see that the product and the work that you are doing is really getting a very warm reception, and doing a positive thing. It’s really a nice feeling for yourself. Plus it keeps you off the street.” When asked if he plans to retire anytime soon, Frank responded, “I turned 86 on August 1, and I can’t imagine not doing something. Not having something to get out of bed for, and to feel a degree of satisfaction at the end of the day. I just don’t know how people can do that.” During his classes, students get to taste samples throughout the two hours, and at the end, get to eat a full beutifully aranged plated meal prepared by him and his staff. One thing that Frank always says is that you have to visualize your plate before you start to cook amutjomg. “Cooking is kind of like an artform. So try to visualize the plate and cook to that so that it’s presented and is attractiv,” Frank stated. One unique thing about Frank’s cooking class that you might not expect, is that he teaches a lot about healthy eating and how to save money. He gives very detailed information on these topics. For example, he gives the price breakdown and savings on buying chicken cutlets vs. slicing your own cutlets from whole chicken breasts. He also teaches you about how much salt an average person intakes versus how much they should have per day. Frank believes in eating good but also eating healthy. The purpose of Spice Bouquet classes,

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according to its website, is to demonstrate techniques on how to prepare quick, easy, inexpensive, and healthy meals using Spice Bouquet rubs and seasonings. Spice Bouquet offers 120 different seasonings and blends. He even does custom blends for restaurants and businesses. They do all of the blending and packaging in house with his small staff, that he says is more like a family to him than employees. Frank Crowley and the Spice Bouquet have been adding spice to the lives of the Kinston community and beyond since 1993, and he does not plan to stop anytime soon.

more than 30,000 people have attended a class. All types of people and groups attend his classes, including church groups, businesses groups, car clubs, groups of families or friends, and even kids. Frank also works with the Kinston Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturing Association, doing things like manufacturing days to help educate youth. He participates in those activities by doing tours with the schools, but one day decided to do a class with the kids. It was a huge hit, with one child even asking to take a selfie with him. “It brightened my day,” he said. Now, classes with the middle schools and high schools are a regular occurrence. He mentioned that there are times that kids come to class not even knowing how to use a fork and knife properly. “Apparently, family dinner is passing out in our culture,” he said. “A lot of it is that we have a lot of young women with a couple of kids, and a heavy percentage of those women have to work outside of the house in order to help pay the bills.” But he believes there is a solution. “In a positive sense, with the rubs and all that we do, you can do meals quickly if you know what you’re doing.” Frank said that his original motivation for the starting the Spice Bouquet was to have a business, but after seeing the effect and the smiles on people’s faces, his motivation changed. “When you read the comments that we have ... The people really enjoy the food WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 17

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immensely. To see that the product and the work that you are doing is really getting a very warm reception, and doing a positive thing. It’s really a nice feeling for yourself. Plus it keeps you off the street.” When asked if he plans to retire anytime soon, Frank responded, “I turned 86 on August 1, and I can’t imagine not doing something. Not having something to get out of bed for, and to feel a degree of satisfaction at the end of the day. I just don’t know how people can do that.” During his classes, students get to taste samples throughout the two hours, and at the end, get to eat a full beutifully aranged plated meal prepared by him and his staff. One thing that Frank always says is that you have to

visualize your plate before you start to cook anything. “Cooking is kind of like an artform. So try to visualize the plate and cook to that so that it’s presented and is attractive,” Frank stated. One unique thing about Frank’s cooking class that you might not expect, is that he teaches a lot about healthy eating and how to save money. He gives very detailed information on these topics. For example, he gives the price breakdown and savings on buying chicken cutlets vs. slicing your own cutlets from whole chicken breasts. He also teaches you about how much salt an average person intakes versus how much they should have per day. Frank believes in eating good

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but also eating healthy. The purpose of Spice Bouquet classes, according to its website, is to demonstrate techniques on how to prepare quick, easy, inexpensive, and healthy meals using Spice Bouquet rubs and seasonings. Spice Bouquet offers 120 different seasonings and blends. He even does custom blends for restaurants and businesses. They do all of the blending and packaging in house with his small staff, which he says is like a family to him. Frank Crowley and the Spice Bouquet have been adding spice to the lives of the Kinston community and beyond since 1993, and he doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. SE

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Danielle

Big dreams of country stardom:

JOHNSON

Photo Courtesy of Danielle Johnson

Story & Photos By Abby Cavenaugh You may not know the name Danielle Johnson yet, but the 19-year-old up-and-coming country singer is confident that you will soon. With influences from Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire to more contemporary country stars like Carrie Underwood and Taylor

Swift, the country pop style of Danielle Johnson has her poised for stardom. She grew up in Warsaw with supportive parents, Bill and Lisa Johnson, and twin brother, JohnDaniel. She attended Harrells Christian Academy, and that’s where, at the age of just 8 years

old, Danielle knew she was destined for greatness. “Growing up, I was always a shy kid. I really was, but I was 8 years old and I was in music class at Harrells Christian Academy and Margo Bowker, my music teacher at the time, said that she heard this voice singing in the class, and she was

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ABOVE: Danielle Johnson performs with her band to a near-capacity audience at Thalian Hall in Wilmington. BELOW LEFT: Lead Guitarist Corey Lawson, Danielle Johnson, Bassist Matt Higgins and Slide Guitarist Tim Aven at the Nov. 10 Thalian Hall show. BELOW RIGHT: Danielle Johnson gives a heartfelt thank you to the audience for coming out to her first hometown-area concert.

like, ‘Who was that?’” Danielle recalled. “She realized it was me, and she told my parents, ‘I don’t know if y’all realize this, but your daughter has a God-given talent.’ They were like, ‘What is it?’ And she said, ‘Singing!’ We had no

idea; I had no idea.” After that, Danielle made her stage debut singing “Castle on a Cloud” from “Les Miserables.” “I remember performing onstage and having no nerves whatsoever,” she said. “It was like, I was no

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longer shy after that. It was insane, that experience. I was just like, ‘OK, this is my place, this is home for me.’ Ever since then, I have been singing.” Now 19, Danielle splits her time between country music mecca,

Nashville, and Warsaw. Her parents and twin brother travel with her whenever possible. Of growing up in Warsaw, she said, “It was great, honestly. It’s nice being from a small town, because it really feels like a family. Everyone knows everyone. I’m really proud of where I come from.” A few years after Danielle discovered her natural singing talent, she was cast in a production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden in 2012. “I mean, Madison Square Garden at 12 years old,” she said. “It was like, ‘what is happening?’ So we lived in New York for four months. That was a surreal experience for me. I’m very, very grateful for the Broadway community.” Danielle had previously performed in numerous musical theatre productions with Sampson Community Theatre in Clinton. But after the Grinch, she decided country music was her true passion. “I’ve always loved country music, too,” she said. “I grew up listening to all the iconic artists, Dolly Parton, Reba.” “My dad would always listen to the Beatles and the Eagles, and they weren’t considered country, but I would always listen to music around me,” she continued. “I never really realized how much music was a part of my life until then.” She moved to Nashville in 2014, and began writing and recording her own original music. She released her debut EP about a year and a half ago, featuring her popular single, “Let It Be You.” Danielle said that songs like this, ones that capture young love, are her true passion.

Duplin Times file photo

At just 12 years old, Warsaw native Danielle Johnson was cast in a Madison Square Garden production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

“Before you start writing, you don’t have a real understanding of it, but then all your experiences and all your thoughts just pour out onto a piece of paper and that translates to an audience, which is an amazing feeling”

“I grew up listening to Taylor Swift,” she explained. “I remember hearing ‘Teardrops on My Guitar’ for the first time, and I was so young, and I was like, ‘I’ve never been through this but I feel this!’ This is what I want to do. I want to write songs that touch people. Something that really resonates with them.” Danielle has been writing music for about four years. “Before you start writing, you don’t have a real understanding of it, but then all your experiences and all your thoughts just pour out onto a piece of paper and that translates to an audience, which is an amazing feeling,” she said. She’s had people come up to her after shows to say things like, “Wow, this song really touched me” and “I went through this when I was younger.” “It just makes you feel really good that your lyrics, your feelings, are translating to other people,” she said. She wrote a new song, which she debuted during her November 10 show at Thalian Hall, about her grandfather, called “Papa.” “I think it’s appropriate that I sing this song for the first time at my first hometown show,” she told the audience. Though she admits she was nervous before her first-ever performance at Harrells Christian Academy, nerves are no longer a problem for Danielle. “I can honestly say this: I’ve never been nervous,” she said. “I’m very ‘in my zone’ before a show. My family and friends know this, but I don’t really talk much before a show. I’ve always been like that. What I say is, the more people,

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the better for me. I would rather have 50,000 people than five or 10 or whatever it is. I just thrive on an audience, like the adrenaline from them.” Madison Square Garden and Charlotte Motor Speedway were “great” for the performer in Danielle. She has sung the national anthem before the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which can seat 84,000. “Performing in front of so many people. I was just like, ‘what is my life? This is crazy!’” she said. Since she’s already performed in a couple of the country’s biggest venues, one might wonder what Danielle’s dream venues would be. “Madison Square Garden would be one of my highs, because last time I performed there, it was a production, it was a group, it was a play,” she said. “I would love to be there as my own artist. That would be a fullcircle moment for me.” Iconic arenas like the O2 in London and the Staples Center in Los Angeles also rank high on Danielle’s list. She’s not adverse to playing smaller venues, of course. She’s played several legendary places in Nashville, and played her first hometown-area show at Wilmington’s famed Thalian Hall in November. “I’m so excited and very fortunate that I get to perform there,” she said before the show. “All my friends and family will be there, so that will be the first time many people have seen me perform since I was like, 10, because I’ve been in Nashville and

The poster at Thalian Hall in Wilmington, advertising Danielle Johnson’s Nov. 10 show.

New York.“ The show was about two hours— two 45-minute sets with an intermission. In addition to her sweet-sounding vocals, Danielle also played guitar. “It’s mainly all original music, so people will hear all of my written songs,” Danielle said. “My first show in North Caro-

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lina, just me and my band.” Her band includes Corey Lawson on lead guitar, Matt Higgins on bass, Tim Aven on slide guitar and Jon Car on drums. So, when does Danielle think she will have truly “made it” as a successful musician? “I think traveling the world, touching so many people, and

Rising country music star Danielle Johnson gave a special thank you to her music teacher at Harrells Christian Academy, Margo Bowker, far right, who first helped her discover her singing talent. “I wouldn’t be here without her,” Danielle said.

experiencing that with the fans, and to look out in the audience and see that many people paid to see only you,” she said. “I

always think about that when I go to concerts. You know, ‘Wow, that must be a crazy feeling to know that all these people,

thousands of people, came to see you.’ They saved their money to spend a couple of hours with you. That would be an extraordinary feeling.” Danielle said someday, if the opportunity presented itself, she may return to community theatre. But right now, she is 100-percent focused on pursuing her country music career. “I’m very passionate about the gifts that God has given me,” she said. “My gifts that I get to share with people, I just think that’s an amazing thing” For more information on Danielle Johnson, visit her website at daniellejohnsonsinger.com. The site includes her music, videos, a link to the EP, and upcoming show dates. SE

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“I really enjoyed the class. I have been several times and it “I enjoyed all the cooking tips, it was very gets better each time. I really informative. I loved the stories and jokes appreciate the healthy ways and the food was delicious. The salmon that you prepare the food. Keep was out of this world!” up the good work!” - Pine Tops Red Hatters- Pine Tops, NC - Lenoir Co. Retired School Personnel- Kinston, NC

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Internet photo: thalianhall.org

The living history of Thalian Hall Story By Abby Cavenaugh Since its opening in 1858, downtown Wilmington’s Thalian Hall has hosted countless theatre productions, concerts, city government meetings, and other parties and events. Thalian Hall has the unique honor of being Wilmington’s City Hall, as well as its entertainment hub. It remains the only surviving theatre designed by one of America’s most prominent 19th-century theatre architects, John Montague Trimble. At that time, Wilmington was the largest city in the state

and was “experiencing unparalleled growth and prosperity,” according to the history of Thalian Hall provided by Tony Rivenbark, executive and artistic director for the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Thalian Hall officially opened on October 12, 1858, with “The Honey Moon,” a popular romantic drama produced by the G.F. Marchant Stock Company of Charleston, S.C. One of the highlights of the evening was the unrolling of a painted stage curtain, which is still on display

in the theatre’s lobby. Somewhat surprisingly, Thalian Hall remained in use throughout the Civil War, hosting 254 separate productions in 1864 alone. From 1860 until 1936, the theatre was leased by private entrepreneurs, the most famous of which was John T. Ford, formerly of Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, some big names performed at Thalian Hall, including Lillian Russell, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa, Joseph

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Jefferson and Maurice Barrymore, as well as lectures given by Oscar Wilde, William Jennings Bryan, and Booker T. Washington. When it wasn’t hosting world-famous entertainers and leaders, Thalian Hall was home to community concerts, amateur drama productions, recitals, meetings, graduations, exhibitions, and even roller-skating. The building underwent several ownership and name changes over the years, before the name was changed to “Thalian Hall” in 1936. More than once, the future of the building has been in question, but says Rivenbark, “In each case through the lobbying efforts of prominent individuals, civic organizations, members of the Thalian Association, and the City of Wilmington, [we] undertook the necessary repairs for its preservation.” In 1963, a special commission, now known as the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (THCPA), was chartered to restore and manage the theatre. Following a small fire in the auditorium in 1973, the theatre was restored to its turn-of-the-century appearance. After reopening in 1975, Thalian Hall saw a dramatic growth in the number of entertainers and productions utilizing the facility. A plan to renovate and restore the theatre was overwhelmingly approved by the citizens of Wilmington in 1985. Under the direction of the city and THCPA, construction began in 1988, and the expanded Thalian Hall/City Hall complex reopened on March 2, 1990.

In the decades since, area arts groups, civic organizations and educational institutions often use Thalian Hall, providing a range of performances in music, theatre, and dance.

The complex is owned by the city of Wilmington and it continues to serve as City Hall and the offices of Wilmington’s city government. Thalian Hall operates year-

Thalian’s treasure trove of architecture In 2010, Thalian Hall underwent an extensive interior renovation and restoration to return the interior of the grand theatre to its original look. Some of the architectural and artistic details are shown here.

Main theatre seating area

Period chandelier

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round with over 400 events and 85,000 people entering its doors each year. In May 2010, the interior underwent an extensive renovation and restoration, which included

new floors in the auditorium, new theatre seats, repainting, installation of a grand period chandelier (known affectionately as “Alice”), and upgrading of all the technical systems.

For a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit www. ThalianHall.org. To order tickets or for more information by phone, call 910-632-2285. SE

Mural of cherubs above the stage

Gold-plated etchings and columns

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The man behind Thalian’s modern success

Photo courtesy

Story By Abby Cavenaugh 1978, he directed The Liberty Cart, Since the 1960s, one man has an outdoor drama in Kenansville. been synonymous with WilmingIn 1979, he became the first exton’s Thalian Hall Center for the ecutive director of the Thalian Hall Performing Arts. Center for the Performing Arts, Tony Rivenbark was born and a position he has held ever since. raised in Warsaw, and made his Rivenbark was Thalian Hall instrumental in debut soon the design and after graduatdevelopment of ing from James the expansion Kenan High and renovation School. of Thalian Hall “I did my completed in first show on 1990 at a cost the Thalian of $5 million. Hall Stage in In 2010, he also the fall of 1966 spearheaded a after graduatsecond renovaing from JKHS Photo by Abby Cavenaugh tion and restoin the spring,” ration, at a cost he says. of $3 million. He earned a In addition to his administrative B.A. in History and Theatre from and promotional duties with Thalthe University of North Carolina ian Hall, Rivenbark remains an acWilmington. He completed gradutor and often appears in productions ate work at UNC-Chapel Hill, at Thalian Hall. where his thesis focused on a hisThis year, he will continue his tory of the James Adams Floating run as Ebenezer Scrooge in ThalTheatre. ian’s production of “A Christmas Following graduate school he moved to New York City, where he Carol.” He’s performed the role for became the assistant to noted artist the past six years at Thalian, and at the Harwich Theatre on Cape Cod and sculptor Dorothy Gillespie. in 2008. In the summers of 1977 and 30 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | WINTER 2020

This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” moves the timeless story of Christmas redemption from London to a Depression-era “Hooverville” on the outskirts of St. Louis. “A Christmas Carol” will be performed Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 12-22. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. To date, Rivenbark has appeared in over 200 theatrical productions. In addition to “A Christmas Carol,” he’s also set to appear as the Senator in “La Cage Aux Folles,” which will run Dec. 30 through Jan. 18. He has been the producer of Thalian Hall’s Pied Piper Theatre for Children for 30 years and is also the founder of Thalian Hall’s Cube Theatre, which stages productions in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre inside Thalian. Not only is Rivenbark a theatre director and actor, he’s also an author and historian. His recent book of vintage photographs of Thalian Hall, “Images of Thalian Hall,” has been published by Arcadian Press, and is available at Thalian Hall and on its website. Over the past four decades, he’s also amassed numerous awards for his work at Thalian Hall. He re-

of Tony Rivenbark

Internet photo: thalianhall.org

Internet photo: thalianhall.org ceived the Lower Cape Fear Historic Society Cup in 1996 for his research on Thalian Hall and the Thalian Hall Archives Collection. He was also awarded Wilmington’s Lifetime Achievement for the Arts Award in 2004. Rivenbark is a past member of

the Board of the League of Historic American Theatre (LHAT) and was the second recipient of the LHAT Individual Award 2005. He was also honored in 2014 by the Wilmington Star News as the recipient of the 2014 Enduring Contribution to Wilmington Theatre Award.

“ As to my life in Thalian Hall, no day is ever like another,” Rivenbark says. “It has one of the most interesting histories of any theatre in America, and it is held with such affection by so many people. I would like the think that I have added to that affection.” SE

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North Carolina

SENC’s Top Chefs

Three chefs, one mixologist are finalists in North Carolina Chef Showdown

lthough none of the finalists from Southeastern N.C. were named North Carolina’s Chef or Mixologist of the Year, our area did see some of its top chefs compete in September for the title. The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Chef Showdown was held Sept. 30 at the Angus Barn’s Bay 7 in Durham. According to the NCRLA website, those competing in the showdown were encouraged “to use as many local N.C. ingredients as they can to create a dish and drink to earn them the top titles.” All of the winners of this year’s competition were from the western part of N.C. However, our local chefs and mixologist had a great showing, and by all accounts, a great time.

Amanda Ezzell Ezzell’s Catering/Somethin’ Good Food Truck, Warsaw

Jake Vollmar Village at River Landing, Wallace

Amanda Ezzell, who owns the Somethin’ Good food truck and Ezzell’s Catering, earned the right to compete at the state level after being one of four chefs chosen at a regional competition. “This competition requires chefs to use their knowledge to use local produce and local proteins to create a delightfully delicious dish,” Ezzell said. Of course, she was disappointed not to win, but she wrote in a Facebook post: “I would go through this entire process all over again.”

Jake Vollmar started as executive banquet chef at River Landing just before Hurricane Florence struck last year. A native of Ohio, he is a classically trained chef. He’s lived in Burgaw for about four years, and has been cooking for the past 15 years. “I didn’t expect all this,” he said of the Chef Showdown. Vollmar made it to the final round of the competition with a dish called “Three Little Pigs.” “What I love about this competition is that it showcases North Carolina farmers,” he said. “It’s about paying homage to that farmer, being the last person to touch that product before it goes to a consumer.”

Urban Street Eats, a food truck based in Cedar Point, is described as “bringing exciting new flavors to our area using quality ingredients with an urban flare.” Urban Street Eats serves “oldschool classic street food from around the world with a modern twist.” Popular items include Korean barbecue tacos, Cuban sandwiches and more. Brandon Shepard and his wife, Elizabeth, originally started in Swansboro in 2017. The food truck quickly expanded into other areas, and was named in the Top 10 for Rookie Food Truck of the Year in 2017 by Mobile-Cuisine. com, a nationwide website focusing on food trucks.

Head of beverages at famed Chef and the Farmer in Kinston, Hannah Forde-Smith has created a wide variety of original cocktails, using Mother Earth Spirits. Some favorites include the Benedict Cu-Cumberbatch, Little Jack Horner and Crazy Aunt Mildred, to name a few. The cocktails change with the seasons, so you can always find something fresh and new — and unique. “Mother Earth Gin is the most contemporary and dangerously delicious spirit to come out of North Carolina,” she says. “Simply put, it’s the gin that made me love gin.” SE

Brandon Shepard Urban Street Eats, Cedar Point

Hannah Forde-Smith Mother Earth Spirits, Kinston

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Old-fashioned treats — with a twist Story & Photos By Abby Cavenaugh When Stacy Dail Bailes and her husband Zachary Bailes started experimenting in their home kitchen, they had no idea that their “old-fashioned treats with a twist” would become so popular that folks would come from miles around to get a taste of their biscuit bombs, chew breads, fried pies, and specialized cookies and cakes. “We started posting on Facebook about what we made at home,” Stacy recalls. “People

liked it so much that we started a pop-up shop. We both worked fulltime jobs at the time, and now we feed a lot more people than I ever thought we would.” In fact, now, on any given Saturday, the couple’s bakery, Farmer & the Dail in rural Greene County, serves up to 500 people before noon alone, with lines often stretching outside the door. “We both enjoy baking,” Zachary says. “We always have. In fact, our engagement photos were taken

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in the kitchen.” “Basically we still make everything we used to make on Sunday mornings, just on a larger scale,” Stacy adds. “I think it’s something that people appreciate, that everything is made from scratch.” Zachary came up with the idea for the wildly popular biscuit bombs. One morning in the kitchen, he had the thought, “What if we just cooked the bacon and cheese into the biscuit dough?” And voila, the biscuit bomb was

born. The tasty treat is a huge biscuit with cheese and bacon or sausage baked into the middle, so that when you bite into it, the flavors explode in your mouth. Zachary is also the mastermind behind the bakery’s fried pies. “We started out just making these things for ourselves, but it turns out people really wanted them,” he says. Farmer & the Dail uses all-local ingredients, including locally grown sweet potatoes, pork and dairy products. The menu is ever-changing, a fact that keeps customers coming back to try something new. “It’s also nice to bake with the WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 35

seasons,” Stacy says. “Everybody likes to visit and see what we have on Saturdays.” On Fridays, Stacy posts that Saturday’s menu on the bakery’s Facebook page. It might be something with pumpkins in October and November, or strawberries and blueberries in the summertime. “It’s all kind of old-school,” Zachary says. “We make new things, but we also go back to old influences.” “I love thinking that we’re

making things that people enjoyed that maybe their grandma made,” Stacy adds. Farmer & the Dail is the only bakery in Greene County, the Bailes say. Stacy is originally from Snow Hill, and Zachary is a native of Kentucky. “I decided if I was going to stick around eastern North Carolina, I wanted to make sure I’m helping the community,” he says. And the bakery helps the community by bringing in peo-

ple from as far away as Raleigh and Charlotte on the weekends. “We know it’s out of the way, but it makes it a special experience,” Zachary says. In fact, if you don’t know exactly where Farmer & the Dail is, you can easily miss it. Outside the small town of Snow Hill, it’s in a rural, agricultural area with a relatively small sign by the road. It’s behind a brick house that belongs to Stacy’s parents, and looks like a farm building from the outside.

LEFT PHOTO: The Farmer & The Dail specializes in unique takes on bakery mainstays like whoopie pies and scones. MIDDLE PHO daughter, Ruby James. RIGHT PHOTO: The goodies at Farmer & the Dail change with the seasons. For instance, these pumpkin ch 36 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | WINTER 2020

In addition to the baked goodies, Stacy also regularly hosts cookie decorating classes. Again, these fluctuate with the seasons, though they are yearround. The classes often sell out, and are a good way to have a mother/daughter day, or even do for a wedding shower, Stacy says. Baking runs in Stacy’s family. Her mother Debra Dail used to have a restaurant in the building and now has a catering business. “I learned baking at home

from my mom,” Stacy says. “For us, it’s not just about making something and sharing it on Facebook. We also share the story behind it.” “We do try to tell a story with our food,” Zachary adds. “Whether it’s on your table, or at a restaurant, food is part of the people.” “At the end of the day, we’re always happy to see the line, but also happy to see each and every person,” Stacy says. “It is very humbling,” Zacha-

ry says. “Eastern North Carolina has a lot of food that’s legendary, and I’m glad we get to share in that story in people’s lives.” “Our customers share a piece of their lives with us,” Stacy agrees. “So, when you’re here, you’re treated like family.” The Farmer & the Dail is located at 771 Middle School Road in Snow Hill. Weekly menus are posted on the Facebook page, and more information is available at the website, farmerandthedail.com. SE

OTO: Zachary Bailes and Stacy Dail Bailes are the masterminds behind Farmer & the Dail. They’re shown with their 6-month-old heesecake muffins were available in October and November. WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 37

Kinston-Lenoir County Visitor & Information Center

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Wilmington: (910) 473-6831 Jacksonville: (910) 459-4182 Dunn: (910) 292-3448 Kinston: (252) 653-4405 NC License #31589, 29077, 32508 & 30936

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Illustration from The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times

The legend & the myth of Polly Slocumb Story By Thomas Byrd When I was growing up in the Faison-Calypso area of northern Duplin County in the 1930s and 1940s, going to Goldsboro was always a treat. Somewhere north of Mount Olive, after we had crossed the Wayne County line, was a monument by the highway — US 117 — that had

a lot of writing on it. We must have stopped on one of our trips and read the writing because there was too much to read from a passing car. The writing said a Mary (Polly) Slocumb once lived in a nearby house and that she jumped out of bed one night and rode a horse all the way to

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Moores Creek after dreaming her husband had been killed in a battle there. After graduating from Calypso High School in 1950, I went down to Wilmington and worked a couple of years for the (old) Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. On free Sunday afternoons, a

buddy and I would explore the surrounding countryside, and one of our excursions took us to Moores Creek Battleground. We saw trails, signs and monuments. The tallest monument had the statute of a woman on top and writing below about Polly Slocumb’s ride, and in front of the monument were the graves of Polly and her husband, Colonel Ezekiel Slocumb. Thus, by age 20, I had seen where Mary (Polly) Slocumb began her ride and I had seen where she ended it. What fur-

ther proof did I need that Polly Slocumb was once a flesh-andblood, horse-riding woman? I now fast-forward to April 2017 when Christopher Fonvielle, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, spoke to members of the Sampson County Historical Society. His topic was the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, fought 27 Feb 1776, in the opening days of the American Revolution. In his address, Dr. Fonvielle mentioned Mary (Polly) Slocumb, and then added, “As you know, Polly was from here in Sampson County.” Later, I told Dr. Fonvieville I had always heard Polly was from Wayne County. “In fact,” I added, “there’s a monument to her a few miles north of Mount Olive.” “Is the monument still there?” he asked. “I’ll find out the next time I’m over that way,” I promised. After two slow drives along what is now US 117 Business, and one on-the-ground search, I gave up on finding Polly’s monument and called Kenneth (Ken) Dilda, retired history professor at the University of Mount Olive and president of the Mount Olive Area Historical Society. Ken said the Slocumb monument was now on the grounds of Southern Wayne High School. Ken then told me the story of Polly’s ride dates back to 1848, when New York writer Elizabeth Ellet published it in her book, Women in the American Revolution. “But,” he added, “many people down this way no longer

believe Polly’s story.” When Ken finished elaborating on that bombshell, I knew I had lots of catching up to do. I began catching up at Southern Wayne High School, where I read for the first time in about 70 years the following words on Polly’s monument: NEAR HERE WAS THE COLONIAL HOME AND BURIAL GROUND OF COLONEL EZEKIEL AND POLLY SLOCUMB OF REVOLUTIONARY FAME, DURING TROUBLESOME TIMES, POLLY, DISTURBED BY A DREAM, AROSE AND THROUGH THE DARKNESS ON HORSEBACK, SOUGHT HER HUSBAND ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF MOORES CREEK SEVENTY MILES AWAY, WHERE SHE FOUND HIM SAFE AND THE PATRIOT FORCES OF THE COLONIES VICTORIOUS OVER THE TORIES. THE REMAINS OF EZEKIEL AND POLLY SLOCUMB WERE REINTERRED IN MOORES CREEK BATTLEFIELD PARK IN SEPTEMBER NINETEEN TWENTY NINE TO EVERMORE QUIECAS IN PEACE.

Legend debunked? Over the next two years, my “catching up” took me to the Wayne County Library and Courthouse in Goldsboro, New Hanover County Library in Wilmington, North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, and back to the Moores Creek battleground in Pender County. Then after spending hours online studying public documents and newspaper articles, I no longer

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believed the story about Polly either. The legend had been debunked, to my satisfaction, by people like Clyde B. King, J. Michael Hubbell and John Braxton Flowers III. Then I began wondering how the myth got started in the first place? I had

always heard, “Where there’s smoke, there is fire.” Thus, I began looking for the fire beneath Polly’s story. I began my search by looking at the life of writer Elizabeth Ellet. Mrs. Ellet was born Elizabeth Fries Lummis in 1818

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at Sodus Point, N.Y., married William H. Ellet in 1835, and moved with him in 1836 to Columbia, S.C., where he was a professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina. Continued on page 44

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Continued from page 42 While living in Columbia, Mrs. Ellet began writing for literary and historical publications. In 1845, Mrs. Ellet moved without her husband to New York City, which at the time was feeling the first stirrings of the women’s suffrage movement. She contributed to that movement by publishing three volumes on women in the American Revolution. The first volume, published in 1848, contains stories of 34 women, the first of whom was Mary Washington, mother of President George Washington. The 29th woman was Mary (Polly) Hooks Slocumb. Polly was born 10 Feb 1760, in Bertie County, a daughter of Thomas Hooks, Sr. and his wife Ann. In January 1771, when Polly was 10, Thomas Hooks purchased 657 acres of land on the south side of Goshen Swamp in Duplin County. (Deed Bk. 3, p. 464.) On a current map, the land would be in the Friendship Community, about five miles southeast of Faison. Hooks was an officer in the Duplin militia and a justice of the Duplin Court. Apparently, Mrs. Ellet never met Polly, for she said her information about her came from someone who “enjoyed the honor of ... [Polly’s] intimate friendship” ...(and) “I am permitted to give his account, copied almost verbatim from notes taken at the time.” Mrs. Ellet’s goal, as set forth in the preface, was to tell stories of women from all walks of life and from

all 13 colonies. But, she added, finding good source material on many of the women was a challenge.

Dead Men’s Field Much to my surprise, Mrs. Ellet wrote two stories about Polly. It seems that Polly had two traumatic experiences during the American Revolution, and each of them provided the imaginative Mrs. Ellet with a “peg” on which to hang a story. Here is the background for the first Polly story: After the battle of Moores Creek Bridge, North Carolina stayed relatively free of troublesome Tories and British troops for five years. Then in February 1781, British troops under the command of Major James Craig seized Wilmington to set up a supply base for General (Lord) Charles Cornwallis, who was preparing to move his army from South Carolina into North Carolina and on to Virginia. On 26 Apr 1781, His Lordship with about 2,000 soldiers set out once more for Virginia and in early May the British passed a mile or two west of Ezekiel and Polly Slocumb’s plantation in Wayne County. Circulating around Cornwallis’ “regiments of foot” were about 250 dragoons, commanded by 27-yearold, flamboyant Lt. Colonel Banastre (Bloody Ban) Tarleton. Most Patriots fled in terror as the British approached, but not Polly, for here is how she met the “invaders,” according to Mrs. Ellet: “Polly is sitting on the piazza of her ancient-looking mansion

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one beautiful spring morning with her sister, child and servants when a splendidly dressed British officer [later identified as Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton] dashes up, accompanied by two aides and a 20-man guard. Tarleton raises his cap, bows low, and asks Polly if she is mistress of the plantation. “No,’’ answered Polly, “it belongs to my husband, who is away.” “Is he a rebel?” Tarleton wants to know. “No sir,” Polly answers. “He is in the army of his country, and fighting against our invaders; therefore not a rebel.” “I fear, madam, we differ in opinion,” Tarleton responds. The British colonel then informs Polly that “the services of his Majesty require the temporary occupation of your property.” Later Polly excuses herself to oversee the preparation of an elegant meal for her unwanted guests. She then presides over the partaking of the meal with dignity, grace and barbed wit. When a captain asks Tarleton if he might have the Slocumb Plantation “when we conquer this province,” Polly injects, “The only land in these United States that will ever remain in the possession of a British officer will measure six feet by two.” Sounds of gunfire interrupt the meal, and Tarleton orders a captain to investigate. Soon, Polly sees her husband, accompanied by two other men, and her 13-year-old brother Charles Hooks, turning their horses into the plantation

lane. But by jumping a fence, Lt. Slocumb and his companions escape into a nearby woods amid a “shower of bullets.” By this time, Colonel Tarleton, astride his horse, is charging with his full command into the battle. When the fighting ceases nearly half of his men are on the ground, and the place they fell is forevermore known as Dead Men’s Field.

The ride to Moores Creek Although Polly had made her alleged ride to Moores Creek over five years earlier, Mrs. Ellet tells that story last. Here is the gist of what she wrote, again using many of Polly’s words: “The men [militia] left on Sunday morning... More than 80 went from this house with my husband ...I slept soundly...that night and worked hard the next day.” On Monday night, Polly wakes from a dream in which she sees a “body covered by her husband’s great-coat, bloody, dead, with other dead and wounded on the ground around him.” She leaps from bed and says aloud, “I must go to him.” Polly hands her child to a servant, saddles her mare and gallops down the road taken by the militia. “About sunrise I came upon a group of women and children, standing and sitting by the road, each showing the same anxiety I felt.” When asked “if the battle had been fought,” they didn’t know but thought Caswell had taken the road to the right of the Wilmington Road. Polly takes the road to the right, also, and

about 9 a.m. begins to hear cannon and musket fire, and those sounds guide her to the battlefield. Polly sees a body, just as she has seen in her dream. But when she pulls back the coat, she discovers the dead man is not her Ezekiel. She then starts caring for the Patriot wounded, which she numbers at about 20. Caswell stops by “and ... is about to pay some compliment, but I interrupt him by asking, ‘Where’s my husband?’ To which he replied, ‘Where he ought to be, Madam, in pursuit of the enemy.’” Then Caswell asked Polly why she was there, to which she replied, “I thought you would need nurses as well as soldiers.” As Polly is lifting the head of a wounded soldier to give him a sip of water, she hears a familiar voice. Looking up, she sees her startled husband, Lt. Ezekiel Slocumb, “bloody as a butcher and muddy as a ditcher,” who asks, “Why, Polly, what are you doing here, hugging Frank Cogdell, the greatest reprobate in the Army?’” “I don’t care,” Polly replied. “Frank is a brave fellow, a good soldier.” “True, true! Every word of it,” said Caswell. “It was his company that forded the creek, and penetrating the swamp, made the furious charge...which decided the fate of the day.” Sometime after dark, Polly ends her nursing duties, and Caswell promises her an escort if she will wait until daylight to return home. But determined to see her child, Polly leaps

again on her mare and gallops 70 miles back home, where her child “runs to meet her.”

Truth meets legend Each Polly story contains snippets of truth. Caswell, with whom Polly converses at Moores Creek, was Colonel Richard Caswell (1729-1789). Frank Cogdell (1743-1786) was a sergeant in the Dobbs Militia, which was part of Caswell’s command. Polly had a brother, Charles Hooks (1768-1843), who would have been 13 years old in 1781. Mrs. Ellet correctly states that Charles later served in both the N. C. General Assembly and the U.S. Congress before moving to Alabama, where he died in 1843. But, most of what Mrs. Ellet wrote about Polly was false. Mrs. Ellet says in the preface to her book that her goal was to write “with tenderness and feeling, something that only another woman could understand.” Having two Polly stories enables one to see a pattern in Mrs. Ellet’s writings that could be missed by examining just one story. They are basically love stories, set in a time of war, which is still a winning formula for selling books and movie tickets. In both stories, Ezekiel is a hard-driving lieutenant taking the fight to the enemy, while Polly is the dutiful wife supporting Ezekiel to the hilt. In her ride to Moores Creek, she supports him with her bravery and stamina. In her encounter with Tarleton, she supports

WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 45

Ezekiel with her “cool head” and fidelity, for the dashing British Colonel was said to be “oh-so” handsome with a wellused eye for the ladies. Yet, in the presence of 21-year old Polly, whom Mrs. Ellet described as “charming,” Tarleton remains the perfect gentleman. But to find the fire beneath the Slocumb stories, I had to delve deeply into the military records of Polly’s husband, Ezekiel, and her father, Thomas Hooks, Sr. In August 1832, Ezekiel went before the Wayne Court and proved his eligibility for a

federal pension for his service during the Revolution. (National Archives, File No. 7526) Those papers show that Ezekiel’s first tour of duty began in April 1780, or over four years after the battle of Moores Creek Bridge. Furthermore, Ezekiel’s pension papers, which total 19 pages, suggest Mrs. Ellet invented the fictitious tale of “Dead Man Field” to show that Polly’s beloved Ezekiel was a better soldier than “Bloody Ban” Tarleton. Ezekiel Slocumb was two months shy of his 19th birthday with a 2-year-old daughter and

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a pregnant wife when he began his first Revolutionary War service, as a private, in April 1780. Presumably, Ezekiel hurried home to Polly, who had given birth to their second child, Jesse, on 20 Aug 1780. Ezekiel reported to Hillsborough as ordered and continued serving with the Wayne militia until discharged in November 1780. Ezekiel’s second tour began in August 1781 and lasted 10 months. This time he was a sergeant in a mounted troop of Wayne militiamen who rode through the counties of John-

ston, Wayne, Lenoir and Duplin, quelling unrest among disappointed Tories as the war came to a close. Needless to say, no one has ever found a place called “Dead Men’s Field” in Wayne County or anywhere along Cornwallis’s line of march through North Carolina. After the Revolution, Ezekiel Slocumb became a man of affairs in Wayne County. He was appointed captain of his local militia district, which corresponded roughly to what is now Wayne’s Brogden Township. Eventually, he rose to the rank

of lieutenant colonel, which made him commander of all militia forces in Wayne. Thus, upon his death on 4 Jul 1840 at the age of 80 years and 16 days, his tombstone rightfully identified him as “Colonel Ezekiel Slocumb, a Patriot in the Revolution.” In 1810, the editor of the Raleigh Star asked Jesse Slocumb, Ezekiel and Polly’s only son, to write a brief history of Wayne County, and he was asked specifically to comment on events that occurred during the Revolution. Here is what Jesse wrote:

“Nothing remarkable occurred during the Revolution. The British under the command of Cornwallis marched through the county and with the aid of Tories (of which the county afforded no inconsiderable share) did some mischief by plundering and destroying stock. I must, however, do the County the Justice and myself the pleasure to say that it afforded opportunities too for Brave and worthy Patriots at a time when the word Patriotism meant love of country and not love of Party.” SE

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Our corner of North Carolina offers much more than just scenic beauty... Here are some great places you can appreciate for the good food, good times, history, and old-fashioned SENC hospitality!

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The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center offers state of the art exhibits that invite visitors to larn about the ironclad gunboat. The Confederate Navy launched the Neuse in al ill-fated attempt to gain control of the lower Neuse River and the occupied city of New Bern.

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SE Folk

North Carolina

Dreaming of a winter wonderland...

Southeastern North Carolina rarely sees snow, so when it does, it’s big news. The left photo shows a young man in downtown Goldsboro in 1927, while the right is from Wilmington in 1989. The Christmas Snowstorm in 1989 still holds the record for the most snowfall in Wilmington, 15.3 inches.

have experienced exactly one white Christmas in my lifetime. Of course, growing up in Southeastern North Carolina, it’s amazing I’ve even had that one. But I do remember that one particularly well. The National Weather Service calls it the “Coastal Christmas Snowstorm of December 22-24, 1989.” It snowed a lot. I remember our dog walking through the snowdrifts and I could only see his tail. I was 14, so Santa didn’t visit, but there was still something so magical about the snow falling and warming by the fire with the light from the Christmas tree. It was the largest snowstorm in history for the Southeast U.S. coast. The National Weather Service says, “This storm broke all-time snowfall records in Wilmington (15.3 inches), Cape Hatteras (13.3 inches), Charleston (8 inches), and Savannah (3.6 inches).” Wow —15.3 inches in Wilmington! That’s insane. Marine Corps Air Station

(MCAS) Cherry Point recorded 16 inches during that storm, while MCAS New River in Jacksonville had 12.7 inches. Clinton and Warsaw recorded 10 inches, and Kinston got a mere 6-7 inches. Good thing we were already out of school for Christmas break. We would’ve missed weeks of school! Of course, 1989 isn’t the only time our state has seen a blizzard. In 1980, a record winter storm hit Southeastern N.C. on March 1-2. “Widespread snowfall totals of 1218 inches were observed over Eastern North Carolina, with localized amounts ranging up to 22 inches at Morehead City and 25 inches at Elizabeth City, with unoﬃcial reports of up to 30 inches at Emerald Isle and Cherry Point,” the National Weather Service reports. “This was one of the great snowstorms in Eastern North Carolina history. What made this storm so remarkable was the combination of snow, high winds, and very cold temperatures.” Blizzards also occurred in Wilmington in February 1973, which dropped 12.5 inches, and in February 1896, measuring

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12.1 inches. A more inland snowstorm in 1927 also blanketed Southeastern North Carolina in snow, with one photo from Goldsboro showing a young man standing with snow drifts reaching above his head. I’ve always wanted to have another white Christmas. I’m no meteorologist, but I do have a feeling that this season, we’re going to get another winter storm. Of course, my feelings don’t account for much, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few snowflakes fall. The National Weather Service is noncommittal on my untrained prediction: “During a typical winter, minimum temperatures will drop into the upper teens or lower 20s at least once. Snow is a rare event across the coastal portions of North and South Carolina, only averaging 1 to 2 inches per year. Given the relatively weak magnitude of the factors aﬀecting our climate this winter, it is not possible to predict how seasonal snowfall might vary from normal.” I guess time will tell. SE

WINTER 2020 | WWW.SENCMAGAZINE.WORDPRESS.COM | 51

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SENC Magazine - Winter 2020

Articles inside

The legend the myth of Polly Slocumb

Folk

Play Dates

Spice Bouquet

Thalian Hall

Snapshots SENC’s Top Chefs

Farmer & the Dail