Eastern Living

EASTERN

LIVING N O RT H

C A R O L I N A

All in the

FAMI F AMIL LY Y Multi-generation

Businesses

Spruill Farms

McKellar Law

Powell & Stokes

Family roots run deep in Tyrrell Co.

Father & Sons serve Northampton

Serving neighbors for over a century

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3

LET’S EXPLORE.

WE COVER THE PLACES YOU KNOW & LOVE AND THE PLACES YOU SHOULD GO & LOVE!

o rt f u a e B

Gates

Hyde

PG. 46

PG. 50

on N o r t h a m p t PG. 44 4

B e rt i e

PG.34

Halifax

PG. 6

H e rt f o r d

PG. 18

M a rt i n

Tyrrell

Edgecombe

PG. 24

PG. 10

Nash

PG. 32

PG.28

PG. 14

Washingto

nPG. 38

FEATURES

ROANOKE RIVER

50. PARTNERS

Organization supports Roanoke River Region

ON THE C OV E R

54. REEL STORIES

Top Water Largemouth Fishing with Mike Sweeney

All in the Family Cover Design by Becky Wetherington

VOL. 12, NO. 5 SEPTEMBER 2020 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

56. DAY TRIP

Craven county has a surplus of hiking trail destinations

68. PLYMOUTH

Rediscovering a hidden gem

Publisher

Staff

Kyle Stephens

Gene Metrick

kstephens@ncweeklies.com

gmetrick@rmtelegram.com Sarah Hodges Stalls

Editor

shstalls@ncweeklies.com

Thadd White

Miles Layton

twhite@ncweeklies.com

mlayton@ncweeklies.com

Creative Services Director

dgriffin@ncweeklies.com

Deborah Griffin Michelle Leicester mleicester@ncweeklies.com

72.

GRANDMA’S KITCHEN

Generations of recipes handed down

76. BIOGRAPHY Tom VanStaalduinen: A Legacy of Love

Editorial Contributors Sandy Carawan

Layout & Design

Sarah Davis

Becky Wetherington

Sylvia Hughes

lotuscircusdesign@gmail.com

Gene Motley John Walker

Photo Editor

Todd Wetherington

Jim Green

William F. West

jgreen@ncweeklies.com

Lewis Hoggard Mike Sweeney

Advertising Executives Lou Ann Van Landingham

80. MARK IT!

82. PARTING SHOTS

Hyde County part of original North Carolina colony

Places and people you’ve known for generations

lavan@ncweeklies.com

Eastern North Carolina Living

Jessica Mobley

Magazine

jmobley@ncweeklies.com

P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983

Kelly Ayscue

252-794-3185

kayscue@rmtelegram.com

twhite@ncweeklies.com

Eastern North Carolina Living is published by APG Media Eastern NC, and is a subsidiary of the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald, Tarboro Weekly and Rocky Mount Telegram.

5

Bertie

Powell & Stokes grows, changes Story by Gene Motley Photos by Gene Motley & Contributed

6

O

f the nearly 30 million small

100th anniversary of the original business in

“And while he says he’s not – he’s checking

businesses in this country, almost 20

2019, three more generations have added

up on us from 7:30 to 5:30 every (work) day,”

percent are family-owned.

their names and influence to the rolls.

chimed in Jeff. “But with 50 years experience,

As that type of business grows and

“Our word is our bond, and our handshake

evolves, it begins to benefit from the

is still good,” says president Jack Powell Jr.,

many generations running the day-to-day

who represents the third generation of the

Those who have operated a business

operations.

business. “We treat folks like we want to be

for decades can teach their children or

treated. If it weren’t for our customers we

grandchildren in it the importance of

wouldn’t still be here.”

structure, customer service and workplace

While the older generations possess the skill and insight that comes from lived

he knows a little bit of something about everything.”

experience, the younger generations are

The fourth generation are company vice-

etiquette. This sharing of entrepreneurial

often familiar with current trends in the

presidents - and Jack Jr.’s sons - Jon and Jeff,

values is what keeps many family businesses

marketplace. Once joined together, these

both of whom returned to Bertie County

up and running.

assets become a collective strength that

after several years away from Windsor

enables the family business to reach a wider

pursuing other career ventures.

audience.

“We’re doing our best to maintain and build what we’ve got, and we want to put

“I think it’s difficult to roll immediately into

things in position for our kids if they ever

Powell & Stokes, an agricultural supply

a family business and assume responsibility

want to come back and work it,” Jon noted.

business in Windsor, and it’s subsidiary -

too early,” says Jon. “Whether it’s your

“But at the same time they know they have

Bertie County Peanuts - is a good example.

mother, father or grandparents, you’ve still

Founded in 1919 by brothers-in-law W.L.

got to prove your worth to a certain extent.”

Powell and J.T. Stokes, Powell & Stokes is an

Though their father as company president

agricultural icon in the region. In the early

is the one most older farmers in the region

1930’s, Powell & Stokes was located in a giant

rely upon, Jon mainly oversees Bertie

warehouse in downtown Windsor on King

County Peanuts’ ever expanding footprint

Street (across from Bunn’s Barbecue) and

in the snack-food trade, while Jeff deals with

remained there until 1978 where it moved to

agricultural sales (fertilizer, pesticides, seed).

its present location on US 13 North.

Over a century later, having celebrated the

“Dad’s still here, and he’s the boss,” jokes Jon.

“

Our goal since our grandfather started this business was to do everything we can for our farmers and our friends. We do everything we can to make things as easy and financially affordable for our customers. And that’s what we’ve done for over 100 years.”

- Jon Powell

7

to bring something to it. They need

uptown and bought an old popcorn

to learn something that will help and

popper,” recounted Jack, Jr. in an earlier

that’s important because our business

interview. “He bought some oil and

is so diversified.”

began frying peanuts in that popper

“It’s all about growth,”adds Jeff. “If

during peanut harvest season. We’d

we stay where we are it’s going to be

then take a newspaper, fill it with fried

awfully hard to make it.”

peanuts and daddy would stand over

As much as the farming landscape

From that legendary beginning,

to mention challenges offered to

Bertie County Peanuts now offers

farmers in the Roanoke-Chowan

dozens of varieties, many named for

region, the Powell’s feel they’re in

recognizable county landmarks like

position with their businesses to

“Smoky San Souci,” “Batchelor Bay,”

adapt to the changing times.

“We’re in a part of the state that’s seeing a decline in population,” acknowledged

Jon.

“That

affects

everyone in the farm industry, and we see that. As your elder farmers retire you see farms consolidating into larger farms and there’s more competition than there used to be.

“Our goal since our grandfather started this business was to do everything we can for our farmers and our friends. We do everything we can to make things as easy and financially affordable for our customers. And that’s what we’ve done for over 100 years,” Jon said.

“Bottom line is if the farmer’s not successful, then we’re not successful,” stated Jeff. “So we do everything we can to help them seven days a week,

or “Weeping Mary Ghost Pepper.”

The Powell’s are proud of how their product promotes their home county.

“We put that name on (the products) to try to help advertise the county,” Jeff said. “Peanuts have been very good for Bertie County and one of the reasons we chose that name Bertie County Peanuts, was to try to help advertise the county and to do what we could to market the area, and people appreciate it. We figured if it did well, maybe we’d have something to be proud of.”

In December 2018, Powell & Stokes and Bertie County Peanuts was selected runner-up in Business North Carolina magazine’s annual Small Business of the Year competition.

The publication called the family

and not many companies can say

company “rich in history, but not stuck

that.”

in the past.”

When Jack Powell Sr. decided

“We continue to make products

to blister fry peanuts in a popcorn

that make us proud to be from Bertie

popper, he probably didn’t know he

County,” Jeff said. “We’ve been able

was creating what would go on to

to distribute our peanuts to several

become a Bertie County tradition.

markets, here locally and outside our

“I wasn’t here when it all started,

region, and have received positive

but I come along pretty quick,” jokes

feedback. That fact alone makes all of

Jack, Jr. “One hundred years is a long

us here strive to do even better.”

time, and I probably won’t see the next one.”

“Back around 1980 or so, my dad (Jack Powell Sr., aka, “Papa Jack”) went

8

it and salt ‘em down,” he revealed.

has changed in the 21st century, not

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and

a regular

contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

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COMPLETE YOUR SURVEY TODAY! You don’t have to wait to receive your questionnaire by mail! You may complete your 2020 Census questionnaire by phone or online, using your address (you do not have to have a code):

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BERTIE COUNTY 9

Martin

Six decades and still going strong...

Story & Photos by Jim Green

S

o many businesses have left, yet

sons of a man named Doc Chandler, who had

one has remained – for more than

died a few of years earlier. Scraping together

60 years.

Robersonville

Furniture

Company,

a

family-owned Main Street business during its entire tenure, is still going strong six decades after its inception in 1959.

didn’t want it sitting here with nothing in it.”

Business

was

good

in

downtown

what money they could and securing a loan

Robersonville during the late 1950s and early

with the help of Martin Savings and Loan, the

1960s.

Forbes had their own business.

“There were a lot of people downtown

“They wanted to sell the building,”

walking the streets,” Glenn said. “We had

Magnolia remembered. “There were a lot of

restaurants, a hardware store, a clothing store,

The business is currently run by the

businesses on Main Street at that time. Oscar

a shoe store, banks, a drug store and a jewelry

mother-and-son team of Glenn Forbes and

Roberson owned the business down the

store. There was quite a bit of business, and

his mother, Magnolia. Glenn’s sister Gail also

street and J.R. Crandall owned the insurance

having the tobacco market nearby had a lot

helps out, along with some delivery people.

office across the street.”

to do with what went on here in town.”

Magnolia, of Gold Point, and her husband,

Roberson and Crandall, close friends of

Guy, of Spring Green, took a chance in

the Forbes, convinced the couple to become

1959 when they moved from Williamston

partners in a new business venture.

to Robersonville and bought the existing

“Oscar and J.R, were trying to get more

Robersonville Furniture Company from the

businesses downtown,” Glenn said. “They

10

The gamble paid off.

In just three years, the Forbes bought out their partners and the building – which was constructed in 1872 when Main Street was just a dirt road – was theirs.

“

Expansion became pretty much a necessity because we were storing things in mom’s garage because we didn’t have room here for it.”

- Glenn Forbes Magnolia and Guy Forbes married in 1944 right before Guy headed off to war

the mainstay of the Forbes family, it has also been the mainstay of Robersonville.

expansion over the years.

In addition to a storefront showroom,

with the United States Army. After returning

Glenn took over the reins of the business

Robersonville Furniture Company has added

to Williamston, he worked for the small

upon his father’s passing. Glenn was only 6

two additional rooms in which to house and

furniture company in Robersonville making

when his parents moved to Robersonville.

store their furniture.

deliveries for Chandler.

Guy left town again to attend Kings

“Ever since I was old enough to lift a chair, I’ve been working here,” he said.

necessity because we were storing things in

Business College in Raleigh (now defunct).

After playing baseball at East Carolina

When he returned, he worked at Olin

University, Glenn returned to Robersonville

Matheson Fertilizer Company in Williamston

in 1975 to help with the family business.

(now defunct). When the opportunity came to

“Expansion became pretty much a mom’s garage because we didn’t have room here for it,” Glenn said.

Magnolia added, “I couldn’t keep a car

He has stayed since then.

in the garage, but when we built the new

buy into the furniture store in Robersonville,

“Glenn helped deliver furniture, and after

building, we brought everything back up

he took the chance and moved his family

he came back from East Carolina, he wanted

there.

to see if he liked it and he did,” Magnolia said.

The furniture business has not only been

Continued

success

has

led

to

here.”

Glenn believes the way the family treats their customers is what has kept the business

11

alive, even during an economic

added. “The stimulus check may

Company was awarded the

Furniture Company has not only

downturn more than a decade

have helped as well.”

Outstanding Business of the

survived, but thrived.

ago as well as the current

Word-of-mouth and regional

Year in 2001 by the Martin

COVID-19 pandemic which has

advertising have also helped the

County Chamber of Commerce,

forced the closure of many mom

business grow.

an award Magnolia called “such

and pop businesses.

“I’d like to think our secret has been customer service,” he said. “Because of the area

here who say they’ve seen our ads,” he said.

Robersonville

Furniture

we live in, we have to rely on

Company is known for its

repeat customers, so we have to

higher-quality furniture and it

provide good customer service.

draws customers from as far

“In 2008 and 2009, when

12

“We have gotten people in

away as Raleigh.

the housing market went down,

“It’s challenging sometimes

we had a bad couple of years, but

being in this area, but it’s not

we survived because our good

like in Raleigh, where you lose

customers who would come

a customer but there are a

back. During this pandemic, the

million other people you can

first couple of weeks we didn’t

sell to,” Glenn said. “That’s why

do anything because people

customer service is the key for

were staying home. Since then

people coming back.”

though, we’ve been busy,” Glenn

Robersonville

Furniture

an honor.”

In

an

era

where

the

Pretty good for a couple who arrived with next to nothing.

Jim Green is Interim Editor of the Martin County Enterprise &

economy is struggling and so

Weekly Herald and a Staff Writer

are downtowns, Robersonville

for Eastern North Carolina Living.

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13

Nash

Bulluck auto dealership remains in the family Story by William F. West Photos by William F. West & Bryan Wilson

A

sk the senior member of the Bulluck

And Don Bulluck Jr. said, “I think that had

Don Bulluck Chevrolet is located along

Chevrolet dealership family in Rocky

a lot to do with it. People came to us because

the busy North Wesleyan Boulevard corridor

Mount how he and his sons have been able

we were hometown. They knew us and they

between U.S. 64 and N.C. Wesleyan College

to keep the business in the same clan and he

trusted us — and we treated ‘em like people.”

in Rocky Mount. The dealership has 50

will quickly reply with two words: personal service.

“It also takes a unique person,” Trey

employees.

Bulluck said of being an automobile dealer.

The dealership dates back more than a

“We were here,” Don Bulluck Jr., 90, said.

“Not that we’re special, but there’s been a

century, with D.O. Bulluck, more commonly

“We were always here. You didn’t deal with

lot of people that have gotten into the car

known as Don Bulluck Sr., having been a

somebody, you dealt with the owner. And we

business thinking it’s easy — and not knowing

door-to-door gramophone salesman.

gave personal service to ‘em.”

it, they don’t do very well.”

One of the sons, Don Bulluck III, 60, and better known as Trey, also is quick to say the dealership has “an open door policy.”

14

“They lose a lot of money,” Bill Bulluck, 57, said.

“Yeah, quickly,” Trey Bulluck added.

Don Bullock Sr. also had a race car and he and his wife also would go to Richmond, Va., to get used cars to sell locally.

Eventually, General Motors asked Don

Bulluck Sr. whether he would like to be

been a Rocky Mount city

Chevrolet dealer.

councilman from 1981-

Much of the early history of the Bulluck

84 and his having served

dealership is not recorded, but the family’s

as president of the Rocky

official history of the dealership says the

Mount Area Chamber

business began in 1917 at what was a vacant

of Commerce in 1982.

lot along Tarboro Street.

In

2000,

he

was

The business was there until being

named the Chamber’s

relocated in 1924 into a building along South

Distinguished Citizen of

Washington Street and named Bulluck Auto

the Year.

Sales.

Presently

at

Don

A couple of years later, the business was

Bulluck Chevrolet, Bill

relocated to a former livery stable along

Bullock is the dealer,

Sunset Avenue and was there until 1931.

while Trey Bulluck is

After the Great Depression resulted in the

in charge of the parts

foreclosure of a building nearby along South

and service side of the

Church Street, Don Bulluck Sr. acquired that

business as well as the

location.

body shop.

By the start of the 1961, Don Bulluck

With their father

Jr. had purchased the business from his

present,

father and another family member and had

Bulluck sons recently

renamed the location Bel Air Chevrolet. The

spoke freely — and

new name was a play on the-then popular

quite candidly — about being able to stay

full-size model of Chevrolet.

Bill Bulluck said, “They say the first to

in the automobile business so long and at

second generation is the easy move. The

the same time keeping that business in the

second generation is the one that tends to

family.

lose it because they’re complacent. They

A grand opening advertisement of Bel Air Chevrolet in the Rocky Mount Telegram

the

two

included a special in which one could

Trey Bulluck said, “We’re here every day.

purchase a 1961 six-passenger sedan by

We’re hands-on here every day, rather than

paying $1,995, plus 1 percent taxes and

being an absentee owner and let someone

tags, or by putting up a down payment of

else run it for you.”

$295 and by following with 36 payments of

didn’t have to work. The dad gave ‘em everything.”

In the Bulluck family’s case, Bill Bulluck said, “Dad didn’t just sit here and run the

$62.68.

In 1968, the business was relocated to the then-new facility along North Wesleyan.

By 1977, the dealership was renamed Don Bulluck Chevrolet.

Don Bulluck Jr. is long since retired from the day-to-day operations, but his experience in the automobile business can be traced to when he was 10.

And he can talk about as a young man when the dealership was downtown, filling motorists’ cars with Gulf gasoline at a full service island and selling them soft drinks.

He worked his way up in the parts and service side before eventually entering the management part of the business.

He also has been active in civic and government affairs, as shown by his having

15

whole place and one day say: ‘Here,

“We get to make decisions,”

worked in it. We had to learn the

Bill Bulluck said. “I make a decision

trade.”

good, bad or indifferent. I’m

Trey Bulluck noted when he

Bill Bulluck also spoke of the

students, “We started out in the

ability to be flexible in providing

parts department, dusting parts

customer satisfaction.

bins. Then we eventually worked in

He said if a customer is planning

the service department. Then we

to drive to the beach for the

worked in the F and I (finance and

weekend and cannot wait until the

insurance part of the business).

start of the next week to get his or

so that we knew what was going on before we actually ever came out of college and became a manager,” Trey Bulluck said.

The Bulluck men were asked about how having a family-owned business gives them an advantage in earning profits and also setting and achieving goals for the future.

“People are price conscious, I’ll give ‘em that,” Trey Bulluck said.

Trey Bulluck made clear he is all for potential customers going to the

“

- Bill Bulluck 16

allowed to make a decision.”

and his brother were high school

“We worked in each department

Dad didn’t just sit here and run the whole place and one day say: ‘Here, y’all have it.’ We came in here. We worked in it. We had to learn the trade.”

of what a manual says.

y’all have it.’ We came in here. We

dealerships in the big cities, getting price quotes and then coming back to Don Bulluck Chevrolet.

And Trey Bulluck said when they walk onto the dealership’s lot and into the showroom, “You’re going to deal with us one on one.”

He also said that potential

her vehicle serviced, his approach is not to tell the customer the dealership is sorry, closing time is at 5:30 p.m. and to return on Monday.

Instead, Bill Bulluck said he is going to pass the word to the employees, “Hey, guys, I may need a technician to stay over an extra half-hour to get this customer out of here.”

Trey Bulluck also said he has told customers, “You’ve got my cell number. You can call me.”

And

Trey

Bulluck

said

he

has even told customers, “If it’s midnight and you’ve got a problem, call me. I don’t have a problem with that.”

The Bulluck men were asked what advice they could offer to a family business that is either

customers and customers and the

starting or that has been in business

employees are not just a number

as to how to stay in business.

and that he believes this adds to

“Take care of your customers.

much repeat business.

“That’s

the

difference,”

Bill Bulluck was quick to reply:

Bill

Bulluck said.

Take care of your employees.

Employees are the key. You can’t

And Bill Bulluck said when a

do it by yourself. Employees,

customer phones with a problem,

employees, employees. That’s 90

he or she is going to be speaking

percent of our thing here — is get

with the man who can make the

the right people.”

decision.

William F. West is a Staff Writer

And he emphasized that he and

at the Rocky Mount Telegram and a

his brother do not have to check

regular contributor to Eastern North

with a committee or follow the text

Carolina Living.

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17

Halifax

Like father, like son times four Story & Photos by Thadd White

D

18

o whatever you can to be of service

“Each generation of our family has treated

fought in World War II and then returned to

to your customer.

several generations in this community.”

Halifax County with a desire to help people

While customer service is something

Thomas McDowell added, “We are here

many business operators talk about, its

for our customers. We have time to talk

something four generations of McDowell

to them. We try to be the most accessible

generations of McDowell men going to the

pharmacists have taken to heart.

health care providers.”

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,

as his father had.

Norfleet

McDowell

began

four

“Our family has always striven to take

While there have been four generations

all earning a pharmacy degree. He finished

care of Scotland Neck and its people,” said

of pharmacists among the McDowells,

requirements for the degree in 1922 and

Thomas McDowell, the fourth-generation to

there have been five generations of medical

returned to Scotland Neck.

operate McDowell’s Pharmacy.

professionals in the town.

Once in town, he purchased what was

“I always wanted to help our customers

Joe’s great-grandfather, William Owen

then E.T. Whitehead Drug Company from

the way my dad did,” added Joe McDowell,

McDowell, was a physician in Scotland

the family of the late E.T. Whitehead. He

who still works every day in the pharmacy.

Neck. His son, Norfleet Owen McDowell Sr.,

began operating the business in the same

facility it occupies now – a turn of the century storefront in downtown Scotland Neck.

The McDowells said they believe the business itself began in the 1880s or 1890s, but records make pinning down a date difficult.

Norfleet McDowell operated the business while paying off his debt, which was accomplished in 1957 – and the business officially became McDowell’s Pharmacy.

“I think because his father had been in the medical field and he had a medical background, he was influenced into staying in the medical field,” Thomas McDowell said of his great-grandfather.

Norfleet McDowell was an ambulance driver in the 319th Ambulance Company in World War II. While Norfleet McDowell was working as a pharmacist, his son N.O. “Spec” McDowell Jr. graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1944 – at the age of 20 - and joined his father in the Scotland Neck business.

Spec McDowell served as a Corpsman in the United States Navy and worked at Bethesda Naval Hospital in the psych ward.

“He saw things in war that were unbelievable horrific,” Joe McDowell said.

Following his time in service, he joined his father’s business and eventually bought out the older McDowell.

In addition, he was a longtime public servant as a Scotland Neck Town Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem. Spec McDowell had a reputation as one of the hardest working men in Halifax County, and worked tirelessly in

“

I always wanted to help our customers the way my dad did.

Each generation of our family has treated several generations in this community.”

- Joe McDowell

the pharmacy. At that time, no medicine was prepackaged and the McDowells made all their own pills. That required working from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. most days, only closing long enough to attend church.

Joe McDowell followed in his father’s footsteps, but he didn’t always know that would happen.

“I did think about doing something else,” Joe McDowell said.

Joe said he considered architecture, but also knew he was the last of Spec’s children who might take over the family business.

“I was the last of the three children because my brother and sister went into their own careers,” he said. “Even so, my dad never pressured me, but I knew once I decided he was appreciative and proud of the fact I did.”

As for Joe, he has never been sorry for his decision.

“I never regretted it – not for one minute,” he said. “I found out being able to help people was so rewarding – something that was the same for my father and grandfather.”

Joe McDowell followed his father and grandfather to Chapel Hill, graduating with his pharmacy degree in 1981.

19

He returned home and began working with his father, but Spec allowed him to lead the store – as Joe has done for Thomas currently.

“When I came back they were still typing on a typewriter,” Joe McDowell said. “We transitioned into computerization.”

In fact, Joe McDowell worked with a programmer at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro to write their own software.

In addition, Spec McDowell had renovated the building during his tenure leading the business and Joe McDowell returned a large portion of the business to how it was beforehand.

One thing that some people still ask about is the old fountain that used to be a staple at the drug store. Joe and Thomas McDowell said though it has been gone for more than 30 years, people still remember it.

“It was a lot of maintenance and my dad decided it had run its course,” Joe McDowell said. “We still have it, but fountain drinks aren’t even done that way anymore, so it wouldn’t be feasible to restore it.”

Despite that, both McDowells said they are glad people have such fond memories of it being part of the business.

While Joe McDowell wasn’t sure about following in the family business, Thomas McDowell decided in his teens he wanted to come back and be part of the tradition.

“I decided about 16 or 17 to pursue pharmacy and come back and work here,” he said. “I saw the impact my dad made as a pharmacist. It’s a very rewarding field and I enjoy the customer interaction aspect of it as well.”

Thomas

McDowell

became

the

fourth

never had before.”

Those new services include

packaging

medication for patients, giving flu shots, and medication reviews.

He

also

led

the

addition of a gift shop in the store, helping the people of Scotland Neck since no true gift shop was serving the town.

While

McDowell’s

currently has a younger group of workers, the family has had many employees who spent

decades

working

for

generation to earn a pharmacy degree at UNC-

them, including Peggy Joyner

Chapel Hill, finishing his credits in 2016 and

Duke, Blanche Newsome, Harry

immediately returning to Scotland Neck to join the

McDaniel and Flora Dickens.

family business.

What

hasn’t

changed,

is

While he had offers from large companies, he

customer focus. That has led

said he never considered leaving his home or his

McDowell’s to nearly 100 years

family business.

of serving their community, and

“I never wanted to work anywhere else,” he said.

I loved growing up here. I care about our neighbors.”

When Thomas McDowell returned, his father

the future appears to be much more of the same.

McDowell’s

Pharmacy

is

gave over day-to-day operations and let his son

located at 1004 Main Street in

put his on stamp on the business, just as his dad

Scotland Neck.

had done for him.

“Thomas brought in new services and ideas,” Joe McDowell said. “He has opened up avenues we’ve

20

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.

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Tyrrell

Spruill roots deep in Tyrrell County soil Story by Deborah Griffin Photos by Deborah Griffin & Contributed

S

pruill roots run deep farming the

bordered on the north by the Albemarle,

back 109 years, where records show his

Tyrrell County soil.

and the east by Alligator River.

grandfather,

Harry Spruill, a third generation

Because of the proximity to the ocean,

farmer, admits, “If farming ever gets in your

the tides here affect farming as much as the

blood, you can’t get it out.”

weather, said Harry, 74.

Walton

Spruill,

Mary Alice Davenport Spruill, in 1911.

Harry’s father, Charlie, was 6-years-old

Records show the first Spruill in North

He has farmed ever since he was old

Carolina was Dr. Godfrey Spruill, an

enough to wield a hoe. One of his earliest

When Charlie was in the 10th-grade,

immigrant from Scotland, who owned a

memories is chopping weeds in the corn

he lost his father (Claudius). One of nine

plantation where the Scuppernong River

with his mother, Grace.

children — including three sets of twins—

empties into the Albemarle Sound.

Nine

generations

later,

At five or six, “I wanted to be out there,” Spruill

descendants still cultivate land in the county,

24

Claudius

purchased 53 acres of land, with his wife,

he said.

He can trace the original “homeplace”

when they moved to the farm.

Charlie dropped out of school to help his mother.

“My daddy quit school, stayed home and

“

When I was a boy, there were about 50 different farms in the Scuppernong Community area.

Today, there are two.”

- Harry Spruill helped his mama. He helped pay

where they originally were found

the debt off the farm, and put his

growing wild.

two sisters through high school

“Most of our land drains into

and college; and his younger

the river,” which is less than a mile

brother through high school,” said

away, he said.

Harry.

He

remembers

when

he

“He and his mother, went

was a young boy, on Saturday

through a lot trying to keep the

mornings, he could hear boats,

place together,” he said. “After

“with

his mama died, he bought the

whine engines, going up river.

farm back from his brothers and

Then, about an hour later, you

sisters.”

would hear an explosion – they

Harry has that same sense of farming tenacity.

those

high-pitched-

[authorities] were blowing up a liquor still,” he said.

Over the years, he has invested

Now, Harry and his son Daniel,

in land, expanding the farm out

33, cultivate Scuppernong Farm

from the original homeplace.

together, growing corn, soybeans

“When I was a boy, there were about 50 different farms in the Scuppernong Community area.

Today there are two,” he said, with his being one of them.

“The land that we cultivate different farms,” he said.

Their annual crop acreage said, with soy beans and wheat being farmed in the same year.

To ensure the land will be fit

For years, Harry and his Thomas,

“This is what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Daniel. averages about 4,500 acres, he

now, used to be about 46 or 47

brother,

and wheat.

farmed

together. In 1979, they named the expanded farm Spruill Brother’s Farms.

for farming for generations to come, the Spruill’s have moved away from traditional farming.

In an effort to conserve the topsoil, Harry turned to “no-till

In 1992, they split the farm,

farming,” several years ago, as

and Harry renamed his portion

opposed to tilling, which breaks

Scuppernong Farms, a nod to the

up the land, overturns the soil,

nearby river.

and digs rows for seeds to be

Scuppernong grapes, the state fruit, are also named for the river,

planted.

“About 25 years ago, we

25

became 100 percent no-till, in order to help preserve soil and water,” he said.

When he was growing up, “There were

He estimates land he farms has been

two gas stations, two grocery stores, a

tilled for at least 200 years. In that time, he

feed mill, a fertilizer store, which also sold

figures about 16 to 18 inches of topsoil has

gas, a small restaurant, three churches and

eroded.

a dairy,” he said. “There was also a train

“The average soil erosion for this area, in conventional tillage, is about 10 tons of topsoil per year,” he said. “Sixteen to 18

station. None of its there now. The only thing that is there now is us.”

Almost

90

years

ago,

Harry’s

inches of topsoil has been lost. When I saw

grandmother, Mary Alice, started the annual

that, I thought, ‘somethings got to be done,’”

Spruill Family Reunion on the farm, which

he said.

still endures.

No-till has more advantages than disadvantages, he explained.

But over the years, attendance has dwindled.

“We’ve got about five different soil types and it is working in each of them.”

“All of the brothers and sisters (of Harry’s father, Charlie) are gone,” he laments. “I

In 1994, he won State Champion for

am one of the youngest grandchildren (of

the highest wheat yield in the state – with

Claudius). Now, a lot of the grandchildren

119.29 bushels per acre.

are gone.

“The good Lord has greatly blessed us,” Spruill said.

“At one time it was huge. There is no telling how many Spruills there are directly

To give back, the father-son duo devote

from Claudius Walton and Mary Alice

about two acres to raising sweet corn,

Davenport Spruill. We’ve never been able

yielding about 1,500-1,600 ears.

to get a complete, solid count,” he said.

The Spruills keep around 200 ears, and give the rest away.

The reunions would bring in as many as 100 to 125 family members.

“He has blessed us, so we try to share,” Harry said.

“At the last reunion, we had 65. Even though that’s a good number, it is not as

“We give it to friends, family and people

many as there should be. If the reunion

we rent land from,” he said. “A lot of people

makes it to 100 years, it will surprise me,”

look forward to it each year.”

said Harry. “It’s really hard to keep the

Sharon, his wife of 45 years, said around

interest going, because we are talking about

50 people come to the farm to enjoy the

fifth and sixth cousins – not first and second

bounty.

cousins. We are talking about great, great,

Over the years, Harry and his brother,

great grandchildren.”

Thomas, have had strong ties with the

He was especially disappointed when

community. Harry was County Farm

the reunion had to be cancelled this year,

Bureau president for over 40 years, and his

the first time in 90 years, due to the

brother was the county’s longest serving

COVID-19 pandemic.

commissioner, with 28 years.

Harry has hopes that one day, one or

“There is so much history within the

more of his four granddaughters may want

Spruill family,” Harry said. “It is hard to keep

to to farm. His daughter, Ashley, has two

up, because there is so many of us.”

girls and lives in Benton with her husband.

According to records, Godfrey Spruill

Daniel and his wife of 9 years, Debbie, also

had three sons, then each of them had six

have two girls - Savannah, 7, and Aubrey,

or seven sons.

1-1/2.

“That

really

Daniel and his family live in the house

mushroomed. The land stayed within his

where Harry, along with his two brothers

direct descendants for 170 years,” he said.

and two sisters, grew up.

His

26

Harry.

is

when

grandparents’

the

clan

homeplace

was

Deborah Griffin is a Staff Writer for Eastern

located near a crossroads called Travis, said

North Carolina Living and The Daily Reflector.

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Hertford

Thoughtful Care and Dignity Story by Sarah Davis Photos by Thadd White & Contributed

F

28

or more than seven decades,

Parker and Cindy Ruffin -have worked for

ability to retain heat and dirt, so he opted

members of the Hunter family

all the generations of the Hunter family.

for white ones; likewise, he preferred white suits.

have ensured that the motto of

Ruffin is described by Howard Hunter III,

Hunter’s Funeral Home - “Thoughtful Care

the present owner, as being “the first to

Saying that his grandfather founded the

and Dignity Characterize Our Service” -

arrive and the last to leave each day.” Both

business to serve the people, Howard, III,

is obvious to each and every family they

Chavis and Ruffin say it is an honor to work

explains that the same tradition still exists

serve.

at Hunter’s Funeral Home.

today. The Hunters have always done what

Office Manager Carla Chavis, who first

Currently, the group is led by Howard,

they do for others, and he is no exception,

worked for Howard Hunter Sr., said that he

III, following in the footsteps of his father,

declaring, “I’m not going to put anyone

taught her that the work is “all about the

Howard, Jr., and grandfather, Howard, Sr.,

away in anything I wouldn’t put my family

families we serve,” helping them in their

who founded the organization in 1949.

in. I’ll pay the difference if necessary.”

time of grief; that no matter how small or

Howard, III, notes that, in addition to

Howard, III, inherited a long history

how large the service, each family is to be

carrying out its motto, their business has

of service to the community through

treated the same - with care and dignity.

been distinguished by white hearses and

business and politics. His great-uncle,

In addition to Chavis, three other

white-suited morticians. Howard, Sr., did

Julius Watford, was also a Hertford County

current employees - Gene Futrell, Milton

not like black hearses because of their

businessman, operating Watford’s Motor

the community through politics. As did his father, Howard, Jr., he served as a Hertford County Commissioner (20042014) before being elected to the N.C. General Assembly, serving the 5th District (Hertford, Gates, Bertie, and Pasquotank Counties), beginning in January 2015.

Service. Julius’s sister, Madge, married Howard Hunter, Sr., in 1945. In addition to the funeral business, each had a remarkable presence in the area.

An art teacher, named art supervisor for Hertford County in 1965, Madge’s work is still visible in many places in the area, including a mural at New Ahoskie Baptist Church, and the work of her students, the recipients of local, regional, and national honors, attests to her influence.

In 1976, a drawing by Ahoskie High School senior Ricky Lassiter was selected as the official seal to represent the Hertford County

Bicentennial

Commission.

A

President of the Ahoskie Arts Council and a member of the board of directors of The Gallery Theatre, in 1989 she was selected as a “Woman of the Century” by the Hertford County Council on the Status of Women.

Howard, Sr., was the first African-

He, too, works for the people he serves and is known for his quick responses.

One

Hertford

County

High

School

teacher still tells the story of Howard, III’s accompanying his son, Montario, to her classroom one day. It was a particularly warm day, and the school was particularly hot because the air conditioning was not working. Taking off his coat, Howard, III, then a county commissioner, disappeared for a moment. Finishing their business, he and his son left, and very shortly, the

“

Just as Howard, III is the third generation to serve the community through business, he also has a long family history of

serving the community through politics.

teacher could feel air conditioning in the building.

From the maternal side of his family, Howard, III also inherited the concept of service through business and politics. His great-grandfather owned a funeral home in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where Howard, III’s grandfather established the first hospital for African-Americans in Mississippi.

Howard, III’s uncle, Mike Espy, was the

American to serve on the Hertford County Public School Board, and both sons, who assisted him in the funeral business, were politicians - Andrew, serving on the Ahoskie Town Council, and Howard., Jr., first serving as a Hertford County Commissioner and then in the State Legislature.

During his years in the legislature, (1989-until his death in 2007) Howard, Jr., worked tirelessly for this area, gaining an immediate reputation with one of his early bills, one designed to improve the health of the area by eliminating outhouses. At that time, North Carolina led the nation in the number of in-use outhouses per capita population.

Just as Howard, III, is the third generation to serve the community through business, he also has a long family history of serving

29

first African-American from Mississippi

Andrew), working for their fraternity, Kappa

Howard, Jr., to Howard, III, and now to the

to be elected to the U.S. Congress since

Alpha Psi, (Howard, Sr., Howard, Jr., and

next generation (Montario, Zaria, Kayla

Reconstruction; he later became the first

Andrew), establishing recreational activities

and Mariah), the Hunter family brings to

African-American

Deep

for youngsters (Andrew and Howard, Jr.) or

Southerner to serve as Secretary of

playing Santa Claus (Andrew for the Zodiac

Agriculture and is currently a candidate for

Wheels Motorcyle Club), or inspiring art in

the U.S. Senate from Mississippi.

its many forms (Madge), the Hunter family

and

the

first

Whether working as a referee (Howard, Sr.,and Howard, III) or Boy Scout Troop Master (Howard, Sr., Howard, Jr., and

30

has served the community in a myriad of ways.

From Howard, Sr., (and Madge) to

Hunter’s Funeral Home whether in Ahoskie or Murfreesboro or Gates County or even Suffolk, Virginia, thoughtful care and dignity.

Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.

31

Edgecombe

Boyd’s: A Tarboro mainstay for 81 years Story by John H. Walker Photos by William S. Manley

F

or more than 81 years, the corner of

Jerry’s son, Leslie, works at the station part-

Over the years, Boyd’s pumped gas

Main Street and Howard Avenue in

time when he’s off from his full-time job with

branded for Pure Oil, Sinclair, B-P and Shell,

Tarboro has been home to Boyd’s

the Tarboro Fire Department.

with Shell being the last.

Service Station.

At Boyd’s one can get his or her vehicle

“We stopped when the state said the tanks

Thomas H. “Mr. Tommy” Boyd, opened

washed and waxed, have the oil changed, get

had been in the ground 20 years and we’d

the business on March 1, 1939, and in the

the engine tuned up, brakes repaired, batteries

have to replace them,” Jerry said, adding, “So

ensuing decades, the family-run business has

replaced, flat tires fixed or purchase new tires.

we dug ‘em up.”

developed a reputation as a place where the

But one can’t get gasoline.

service is reliable and the prices are reasonable.

In fact, the pumps have been gone long

“We pretty much do any small job,” said

enough that neither Jerry nor T.H. could

Jerry Boyd who, along with brother T.H., are on the job most of the time.

In addition, they are joined by T.H.’s sons, Mike, Tee and Tim, and Jerry’s grandson, David.

32

remember when they came out.

“Gosh, I guess at least 20 years,” Jerry said after T.H. gave a definitive “Nah” when Jerry asked if he remembered.

At one time, Boyd’s operated out of different building that was located closer to the corner.

“There was a shelter on it and Daddy sold watermelons, Christmas trees ... whatever,” Jerry said.

Jerry said that the current building was

“

We work hard to take care of our customers and to give them a quality product at a fair price. We stand behind our work and appreciate the support we’ve gotten from the community.

- Jerry Boyd being built while the business was being run out of the other.

“When the new building was finished, the other one was torn down,” he said.

But for some, Boyd’s was better known for bicycles.

“He was the bicycle man,” Jerry added.

“That’s what he was known for. He sold so

and they never took the picture,” he added.

“Mr. Tommy” took care of bicycle tires and bicycles for generations of Tarboro youngsters, as is evidenced by posts on Facebook as people reminisce.

Boyd’s corner always seems to be busy with cars and trucks covering the pavement as their operators seek help.

Jerry said if a customer needs a tire, Boyd’s can get it.

“We work hard to take care of our customers and to give them a quality product at a fair price. We stand behind our work and appreciate the support we’ve gotten from the community,” he said.

He said Boyd’s tries to support local causes.

many one Christmas that he had to rent a

“It seems like a hundred cars come in here

“You do your best to support your

building to store them. And Schwinn ... one

on a busy day,” T.H. told Welcome to Tarboro

community like it supports you,” he said. “You

year, he was named 'Dealer of the Year' for

magazine back in 2015.

can’t always help everybody, but you do your best.”

Schwinn and they sent a photographer down

Jerry said tires are the station’s No. 1 item.

here to take a picture of him in front of his

“We sell a lot of ‘em, both new and used,

John H. Walker is a Staff Writer for the Rocky

and we’ve got a lot of faithful customers," he

Mount Telegram and regular contributor to

said.

Eastern North Carolina Living.

dealership.

“He told them he didn’t have a dealership

33

Beaufort

(left) Curtis Potter with sons Brian and Brad and extended family/employee J.L. Overton.

Tragedy Did Not Stop One Family Story & Photos by Sarah Hodges Stalls

O

ne tragic night could have easily

“Potter Oil Company as we know it today

been the end of a Beaufort County

started in 1954 when my father bought it,” he

business. Instead, it became the next chapter in one family’s legacy.

said. “It was up on Main Street in Aurora.

“On Dec. 28, 1968, there was a fire down

the driver over ran the tank. There were two open flame gas heaters in the office.

“The liquid never hit,” Potter paused, “it exploded.”

On Dec. 28, 1968, Curtis Potter was an 18-

there and three people – my father, the

One of Curtis Potter’s four younger

year old freshman at East Carolina University.

secretary and the truck driver – died as a result

siblings was brought out by their father and

“I was home on break, and (I’ve) been here

of that fire,” explained the original owner’s

fortunately was not really hurt.

ever since,” he explained.

That is because he took over Potter Oil &

eldest child. Including their father, there were only four employees at the business.

The Washington Daily News reported on Dec. 30, 1968, those burned included H.C.

Tire Company, Inc. after disaster struck his

Potter explained the Potter Oil & Tire

Potter Jr., owner of the company; Preston

family and the town of Aurora on that fateful

Company, Inc. office was next to a service

Jones, a company truck driver; and Doris

day.

station. The fill port was in the doorstep and

Fulcher, secretary and office manager. The

34

“They let an 18-year old boy keep right on servicing them. That was good of them.”

As a teen, he delivered fuel oil to the future site of the company when it was being cleared, before it was built. One contractor once told him “one day son there will be lights and paved roads down here like a city.”

Potter laughs now, but he did not believe the man then.

“They stuck with me and the family,” he said.

Since he had time to stop and realize all the support he received as a fledgling businessman, Potter has never forgotten Dec. 31, 1968 edition listed the fourth person injured as Thomas Turner of Morehead City, a long distance tanker truck driver.

Curtis Potter said at the time of the explosion, which was reported to have been just before 9 a.m., Turner was sitting in the bay window of the office and was blown out into the street.

Fulcher succumbed to her injuries first.

Potter survived 15 days, according to his son.

Jones died later.

The oldest son would not return to East Carolina University. Even though he was no old enough to write checks, he took over the

“

The secretary had to sign all the legal documents and checks until I was old enough.”

- Curtis Potter

business after his father’s death.

“The secretary had to sign all the legal documents and checks until I was old enough,” Potter said.

At the time, a person had to be 21 to even write a check.

He found it difficult to run a business and not even be able to borrow money if necessary. But the Aurora community rallied around him, some even threatening to pull their money from the bank in question if they declined to support the young

what the kindness of others meant.

Whether or not it resulted in a good outcome, Potter has never hesitated when given the chance to help another business in the area.

Later on Potter would bring two of his sons into the business. First as young teens working around the shop and today as leaders responsible for different aspects of the company.

Reminiscing about what it was like to bring a couple of his sons into the business which he grew up in, Potter answered calmly, “it was a relief.”

After a brief pause he began laughing and completed the thought, “eventually.”

“No really, they took a lot off me,” he said of Brad and Brian Potter who were sitting nearby and never even flinched at their father’s kidding.

Brad Potter said he once thought it “pretty cool” when his father said he would show him how to do payroll.

“Twenty years later I can’t give it to nobody,” Brad lamented. Curtis Potter simply giggled.

businessman.

When asked how it felt to have the community rally around him at that time, Potter’s answer was heartfelt and honest.

“I was so busy I didn’t even realize it,” he admitted.

Potter said he must give credit to the company then known as Texas Gulf, now Nutrien.

“We had sold them fuel oil,” he said.

35

The brothers began working

since

1974,

but

began

his

around the shop at around 11 and

relationship with the Potters

13 years of age and they point

when he went to work for Brad

out they did not start in any air

and Brian’s great-grandfather at

conditioned offices.

his oyster house.

Today, they have divided responsibilities

to

continue

running the company while Dad comes and goes as invested

needs to in a given day.

Antique Mall, Art & Craft Gallery, Designer Outlet, & Furniture

Overton’s most memorable to

the

family,

Brad handles the tire shop

according to Brian and Brad, were the years he spent putting

Brian oversees the fuel and

together

lubricant operation. Since 1974,

gifts on Christmas Eve. “He

children’s put

Christmas

together

our

has also been in operation.

presents, our kids presents,”

Today they are down to 11 trucks

Brian explained. “But they are

from 18.

getting big enough we don’t have

Attention Farmers

Brian explained the next

generation, ranging in ages from

enough from him to do during the holidays.”

13-18, make appearances around

Overton was even there the

the business getting a taste of

night of the fire that took Curtis

the family business. He and his

Potter’s father, responding as a

brother agree that taste is a bit

fireman.

milder than the one they got

Spacious Antique Mall - Over 50 Dealers

“Worse thing I have ever seen,” Overton said shaking his

early on.

Potter Oil Company has provided jobs for many in the general area, which includes close

So Much More!

mission doing “whatever” he

and front of the building while

Potter Transportation Company

and

Today he’s a man for any

contributions

years have earned.

ANTIQUES • CRAFTS • GIFTS

neighbors

in

Pamlico

head. “I will never forget it, and I have tried.”

To hear the Potters and Overton together, it’s obvious they have a special relationship.

County.

“Most of the shop employees

“They are good to work with

are pretty local,” said Brad, “from

or I wouldn’t have been around

Beaufort or Pamlico counties.”

this long,” Overton said.

Furniture, Rugs & Accessories

Parker Fittings:

“We’ve got good employees,”

And when Overton speaks of

2 wire, 4 wire & 6 wire hoseheassembly the business, takes pride in it as if his name were on the door.

1/4” up to 1 1/4” hose “Our biggest thing is to please take a lot of pride or maybe Bolts 1/4” to 1” & metric sizes ” he said. more like comfort knowing the the people, A way 8 of business that has company has helped 5 the to local 16 - Grade Curtis Potter added.

The elder Potter said he does

economy all these years.

One employee of the 44

made Potter Oil & Tire Company,

Inc. a cornerstone of southern

Open Monday-Friday Beaufort and neighboring 8AM-5PM Inc. falls into a Pamlico county for decades.

employees at Potter Oil & Tire Company,

category all his own. J.L Overton may not be a blood relation,

Authorized Dealer

but it is clear he is family to the

1294 Potters.

Sarah Hodges Stalls is a Staff

Greenville Avenue, Writer forWilliamston The Enterprise and Eastern North Carolina Living.

252-789-1150

Overton has worked onsite

36

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37

Washington

Womble Drug Company:

where everybody knows your name Story & Photos by Thadd White

W 38

hen a customer walks into the Womble

Drug

Company

And while the pharmacy is clearly a

in

place of substance and history – complete

Plymouth, it is easy to see the

with deer mounted on the wall – it is also

store harkens back to yesteryear. There is a

a place of innovation and somewhere the

pharmacist whose family has taken care of

future is being embraced.

Washington County citizens for 80 years.

Currently Kerri Lundy and her husband,

There is a staff who knows exactly which

Jonathan, own the pharmacy which has

regular customers like a cone of ice cream

been in her family since 1940. She is the

and which wants a diet soda.

third generation of the Womble family to

own and operate the facility in Plymouth.

Lundy said her family has always put their customers first.

“We have an interest in how we treat people,” Lundy said. “We treat people well because we want them to come back. Our business is built on return customers.”

Lundy said some big chains treat customers as numbers and they don’t worry so much about getting the same people to return each time.

“We are more accessible,”Lundy added. “You can see us working. We’re not stuck around the corner somewhere out of sight.

“We know people by name and a lot of times we’ll have their stuff waiting for them when they get to the counter,” she added.

Lundy’s grandfather, Logan Nyal Womble, was known by the entire community as “Doc” and took care of the

“

We see them. They see us. If someone comes in they know what kind of drink the customer wants, what ice cream they prefer and even what brand of test strips they favor.”

- Kerri Lundy

pharmacy needs of Washington County from the purchase of the business in 1940 until the 1970s. “Doc” then sold the pharmacy to his three children – Logan Womble, Ed Womble and Nyal Watson.

“My mother and my two uncles purchased the pharmacy and all worked together from the 1970s until the store was bought by the Lundys in 2009.

Lundy’s mother, Nyal, worked as a pharmacy technician and accounts receivable clerk.

It was Lundy’s uncle, Logan, who was the pharmacist.

He had been working in the pharmacy for many years, and was even licensed to help his father before going to pharmacy school.

“He wasn’t licensed, but was working in the pharmacy to help his dad,” Lundy said. “The board said they knew he was needed, but couldn’t without a license. They helped by letting him be licensed to practice just to help his dad.”

Logan then went off to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – just like his father – and earned his pharmacy degree and returned to Plymouth to work.

“He got out of pharmacy school and then came back and worked with his dad. He went to pharmacy school to do that.”

Lundy was one of six grandchildren and the only one to follow in her uncle and grandfather’s footsteps.

Instead of following her family to Chapel Hill, however, Lundy went to Campbell University where she completed the Pharm D program, which at the time was the only one in North Carolina.

Unlike her uncle, Lundy didn’t return immediately to Plymouth. She went to work for a national chain and then moved to Florida where she worked for both a national

39

pharmacy and an independent one.

Eventually,

Lundy

and

her

husband moved back to North Carolina and she began working at Womble’s Drug Co. for her family.

Then, in 2009, she and her husband purchased the business.

Logan Womble, who passed away in 2012, continued to help out in the pharmacy, but Lundy’s mother and other uncle retired “almost immediately.”

While working in the family businesses has its rewards, it also has its challenges.

“Any

time

you

deal

with

insurance, things change,” she said.

While holding on to family traditions – such as the mounted deer heads, bobcat and bear on the walls of the pharmacy – the Lundys have also embraced the future.

wakers and even hospital beds.

Lundy currently does most of the pharmacy work, but she does have someone to fill in when it’s needed.

Many of those working with the Lundys are longterm employees, some of whom have been with the business for more than 10 years.

“It makes a difference to see the same faces,” Lundy said. “We see them. They see us. If someone

The couple put a drive-thru

comes in they know what kind of

window in their current facility –

drink the customer wants, what ice

located at 454 U.S. 64 in Plymouth.

cream they prefer and even what

In addition, the pharmacy also has a

brand of test strips they favor.”

delivery service available.

It

is

that

dedication

and

“We wanted to do things to make

attention to detail that has allowed

it easier for our customers,” Lundy

the Womble family to serve the

said.

Washington

And, while they have added those additions, the pharmacy still

County

community

for eight decades, and what keeps customers coming back.

offers the durable medical supplies

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern

that could be needed by residents.

North Carolina Living and the Bertie

Those supplies include wheelchairs,

Ledger-Advance.

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43

Northampton

Three Northampton-born lawyers continue local legacy Story & Photos by Gene Motley

W

hen Northampton County attorney

From first generation lawyer Angus

loaded with lawyers,” says John. “After working

John McKellar hired his sons over

McKellar, through son John, and later

for my Dad one summer, in the late sixties,

several summers while the two boys were

grandsons Scott and Joe, the roots of the legal

I was struck with how he loved what he was

in college, to run errands, do bookkeeping

profession runs deep within this family.

doing and I just took it from there following in

and housekeeping work, it wasn’t a case of favoritism.

From his compact office located on Bragg

his footsteps.”

Street in Jackson – right in the shadow of the

Sadly, the elder McKellar passed away

“We always admired our father,” said

Northampton County Courthouse – John

before he and his son could enter practice

younger son, Joe. “He’s an independent

McKellar has specialized in general practice

together. John spent several years in the

person, a critical thinker, reader, writer and

and more than a dozen other areas of law for

western part of the state before returning

someone who always thought for himself, and

over 45 years.

home and re-opening the McKellar Law office.

that was admirable for us.”

44

“Jackson, like most county seats, is just

On the wall overlooking John’s desk are

framed copies of four generations of law licenses, which he points to and beams with pride.

held it temporarily.

“When Charles Vaughan retired in 2014, there was a chance to become

“This is who we are,” he noted,

the county attorney, and if this would

gesturing towards the certificates.

have happened in 99 other counties I

“I tried to get these boys to come in

wouldn’t have thought twice about it,”

with me, and we discussed it quite

recounts Scott. “But the only reason I

a bit, but all I and their mother, Nan,

applied was because it was home and

ever insisted was that they be good

it’s turned out to have been one of the

students and to keep their options

highlights of my career.

open.”

“I remember Dad stressing the

As for his sons, Scott McKellar is the

importance of education,” he said.

Northampton County attorney, while

“And while law school was hard

also practicing in nearby Rocky Mount

sometimes, (the law) was a natural

for the past 19 years. His brother, Joe, is a 14-year trial attorney, also based in Nash County. Counting the years the boys’ grandfather, Angus, practiced, that totals nearly 100 years (97) in the legal profession throughout the four generations.

“Someone once said the practice of law is like murder and marriage,” joked John. “It carries a life sentence.”

The elder McKellar admits his sons are more in tune with modern times (computers, social media, etc.).

“Mine is just a small practice with walk-in traffic; people who need deeds drawn up and maybe just want to talk,” he acknowledged. “It’s probably more of a personal one-on-one relationship than maybe they are used to. They’ve got six or seven other partners in the firm, and I’m here working alone.”

progression that I just found my way into.”

John McKellar says part of the beauty of his work is the selfdetermination

and

being

self-

employed. Though not necessarily driven by that, he won’t give even an inkling as to when he might retire.

“Right now I have no intention of stopping,” he maintains. “But, naturally it depends on health. Simply put, this is who I am and what I like to do.”

While the brothers admit deep respect and a love for their hometown and for the county, they won’t commit to returning to carry on the tradition in Jackson. A fourth generation of McKellars – also boys – are still a few

“

Mine is just a small practice with walk-in traffic: people who need deeds drawn up and maybe just want to talk.”

- John McKellar

years off from making a decision on following in the profession.

Joe McKellar probably has the most

“Part of Dad’s legal education was

trial experience of advocacy in the

that critical thinking he passed onto

courtroom, practicing as he has with

us,” said Joe. “In a way, that was the

Batts, Batts, and Bell in Rocky Mount.

biggest influence for both of us.”

Older brother Scott, while a

“I hope the people of Jackson

member of the firm of Battle, Winslow,

realize what a treasure Dad is,”

Scott & Wiley, LLP, also based out of

echoed Scott. “He’s served these

town, saw an opportunity to return to

folks for many, many years and that’s

Jackson and serve his hometown six

something I truly, truly admire.”

years ago. His application to become

Gene Motley is a retired Sports

Northampton County attorney made

Editor and Sports Director and a regular

him the third generation to hold the

contributor to Eastern North Carolina

job, though his father and grandfather

Living.

45

Gates

Lilley Brothers oversee Gates County

farm and truck needs

Story by Gene Motley Photos by Gene Motley & Contributed

T

hey’ve been a six decades-old fixture

“The fact that our customers utilize

Currently they have four locations from the Capital to the coast.

southern Virginia for more than 66

our products and services to earn their

While the ‘International’ in their name

years now, and Lilley International wants to

living gives purpose to our lives,” said

doesn’t yet represent a global footprint. At

continue that tradition.

Laurence Lilley Jr. on his business’ web site.

the pace the company has expanded in the

“The ultimate goal being to exceed our

last 40 years, conquering the world can’t be

customers’ expectations on a daily basis.”

far behind.

That’s how long it’s been for what began as a tractor sales and service business and

46

in the region.

across eastern North Carolina and

grew into one of the top truck, trailer and

Laurence Jr. is president of the company

Lilley’s dad, Laurence Lilley Sr., together

farm equipment sales and service providers

while younger brother, Jim, is vice-president.

with several other business partners,

“

It’s been great to have a partner. We both agree it’d be really challenging if you didn’t have a partner to talk with, share ideas, discuss things and hold each other accountable.”

- Laurence Lilley purchased the local International Harvester dealership in Williamston, then known as Martin Tractor and Truck Co., in 1953.

“There were five (partners) at the beginning,” Laurence Jr. continues. “But the others just sort of lost interest over time, and by the late fifties, Dad ended up with sole ownership.”

The younger Lilley boys both began working at the dealership as teens, then after college came more responsibilities within the company.

“I came back after finishing the University of North Carolina in 1976 and became a full-time employee, and Jim came on board in 1989,” Lilley noted. “We had good people and good customers and more opportunities came along.”

One of those first opportunities was the acquisition of their second dealership in Rocky Mount in the early 1980s.

It came at the time I.H. Case bought International Harvester’s farm equipment division, and also when the Lilley franchise had it’s next expansion into Scotland Neck in 1997. Their third expansion was to Gates County in 1999. Despite closing the Halifax County location in 2015, four years later came their largest expansion with the purchase of the International dealership in Raleigh in 2019.

The siblings are proud of the bond their business relationship has forged.

“It’s been great to have a partner,” Laurence acknowledged.

“We both agree it’d be really challenging if you didn’t have a partner to talk with, share ideas, discuss things, and hold each other accountable.”

The Gates County facility had an original farm equipment dealership in a little building in Gates called Carroll’s Garage, owned by brothers Bob and Jack Carroll. After Jack retired in

47

the 1990s, his younger brother Bob – by then in his mid-70’s in age – began to discuss an exit strategy of his own.

“He didn’t have any children involved in the business, so he contacted us and we went and looked at it,” Lilley said. “We liked the people and thought the area offered a good opportunity to continue on and that’s how it came to be.”

Following the closing at the end of the century, Lilley International built a brandnew building on US-13 North in 2005.

“Most of the time, these opportunities just sort of present themselves and things just kind of happen,” Lilley acknowledged.

“Raleigh was a big acquisition for us, and in the times of this pandemic more things are challenging. We’re going to concentrate on refining and perfecting what we have right now.

“For the farmers, our business is essential, and our customers are essential,” he stated.

While the company has realized significant growth in broadening their primary product offerings to meet the needs of a changing

customer base, Lilley International has added a variety of trailer lines, that also include Isuzu trucks, and Maintainer service bodies.

While the elder Lilley passed away in 2009, the combination of his 56 years in the business plus the work of his two sons represents 73 years of experience in the truck and farm equipment business in Williamston, Gates, and beyond.

“We want continue a legacy Two FAto Photo Adof innovative leadership and a deep appreciation

Maximum of two financial for our employees and the customers we advisor photos. serve, and have built relationships with in

the many decades of our business,” Lilley

Ifmaintains. more financial advisors should be included, use the Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and community name listing or Sports Director and regular contributor to 1-800-ED-JONES version.

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48

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49

Hyde

Spanning Four Generations of Mercantile Heritage Through Three Centuries

Story & Photos by Sandy Carawan

G

ibbs Store, LLC not only provides

Once you pass through the metal-

an important service to an

framed glass doors and your foot meets the

Engelhard community historically

creaking of the wooden floor as the door

Gibbs Store, LLC, founded in 1895, is

steeped in agriculture and commercial

bell chimes, it’s as if you have crossed the

owned by siblings Greg Gibbs, Charles

fishing, but through its years in operation it

threshold of a time machine.

Gibbs and Regina Gibbs Jones. While Greg

boasts a rich history of its own.

50

the aisles and walls divert your attention to a familiar but different way of living.

As you peruse the aisles, the experience

manages the store, Charles manages

The historic building sits in the rounding

is like shopping in the twenty-first century;

different properties, surveys land, and

corner of Highway 264 where it lies along

however, the merchandise and objects of

supervises the hunting management for

Far Creek.

the two preceding centuries displayed along

duck impoundments.

“

Stores were built for folks within walking distance and people who could jump on the back of a horse and ride a bit.”

- Charles Gibbs With products appealing to the needs and interests of men,

Road and North Lake Road less than a mile from U.S. 264.

women and children no matter if

In addition to horse tack and

they are locals or tourists, much

farm implements, the Hyde

like

Gibbs

County History book states that

Store sells products to make

C.E.P. sold “... buttons, laces,

the workload easier, the home

threads and items for sewing,

life and living more modern

also men’s work shoes and high

and comfortable, and recreation

top buttoned shoes for the

more pleasurable.

ladies. Tools for the farmers and

its

predecessors,

They

sell

electrical, building

hardware,

harnesses for stock were popular

lumber,

items. Crackers packed in barrels,

painting

cheese and butter in tubs, flour

plumbing, materials,

supplies,

commercial

and

packed in barrels, molasses in

supplies,

barrels, coffee beans in barrels,

clothing, footwear, appliances,

and other household items.

food products, jewelry, knick

Candies were stocked for the

knacks and everything wanted

children.”

recreational

fishing

in a hardware and general merchandise store.

C.E.P.’s son, Closs Cordon Gibbs (1879-1943) worked in

These fourth generation store

his father’s business and about

owners and brothers know their

1895, with help from his father,

store and its history like the back

he built his business along Far

of their hands having grown up

Creek where the present store

in the business and exploring

stands today and more than a

its space and contents left from

century ago freight would be

decades gone by.

delivered by boats and hauled

According to Greg, their great-

by wagons.

grandfather, Charles Ebenezer

“They didn’t have a channel

Pettigrew (C.E.P.) Gibbs (1839-

dredged in,” said Greg. “They

1933), one of seventeen children

had shuttle boats or schooners

born

Gibbs,

that would go out in the creek in

was the founder of what their

Pamlico Sound to the company

business has become.

vessels and then shuttle the

to

Washington

As early as 1877 and until

cargo back into the village.”

1903, C.E.P. Gibbs operated a

“Everyone lived outside of

general merchandise store in a

the village, and they just come

barn near the corner of Swamp

to town to trade,” he continued.

51

“Stores were built for folks within

thicker rough cut. A lot of these boards

walking distance and people who could

are twelve inches wide and plus, right on

jump on the back of a horse and ride a

up to sixteen inches because I measured

little bit,” adds Charles. “As roads got

one of them. They crisscrossed the

better and the state took over a lot of

boards and left a little gap in between

roads in the thirties, tar and gravel, then

them. The only thing we can figure was

folks got cars.”

that if they had a storm or water in there

As a result, Charles notes, business started leaving in the county.

Greg and Charles are uncertain about

a very solid built building. There’s a bunch of rough-cut pine in the structure itself.”

exactly when and how long it took for

Closs sold merchandise similar to that

Closs to build the building, but they know

of his father, but offered a much larger

that his father, C.E.P., helped him.

variety.

According to a Washington Progress

During the 1920s and 1930s, Closs

article dated September 24, 1908, it

was the first dealer in Engelhard for

states: “Mr. Closs Gibbs is finishing a large

the John Deere Plow Company and

warehouse and getting ready to erect

International Harvester Company selling

a large store 40x70. He is thinking of

different

building a department store.”

as discs, plows, stalk cutters and corn

Then, another article dated April 1,

farming

implements

such

planters.

1909 states, “Mr. Closs Gibbs is putting

Closs sold groceries as well as

up a skyscraper, its floor space will be

country produce. In addition to stock

large enough, if used as a wholesale

garden seeds and seed potatoes, he sold

house to hold enough goods to furnish

Pocomoke Guano for fertilizer.

the retail trade of Hyde County.”

He also sold stag paints, oils, putty;

According to the brothers, the store’s

beds, mattresses, springs; galvanized

square footage is about 13,000 square

roofing and juniper shingles; stoves and

feet, with later additions added by Closs

fixtures; enamel ware; and piece goods

and later his son, Gilbert.

such as flat crepes, velvet, and other

Charles elaborates, “When Hurricane Isabel came through we had to take up

decorative prints ranging from 10 to 50 cents per yard.

portions of the tongue-and-groove floor

Ladies could buy coats, sport sweaters,

where it had buckled. The store was built

Jersey dresses, and hats especially

with a double-lap crisscross floor and

designed in the millinery department.

the cypress planks were a true inch or

52

it would drain back through the floors. It’s

Men

could

not

only

purchase

Craddock Terry Shoes and Lion Brand Work

But he stayed on top of his business and

Shoes, but also shirts, hose, caps, hats, ties,

watched it closely.”

winter underwear, three-piece slicker suits and suit ranging from $3.75 to $35.00.

get in.”

Other glass counters offered penny candy

He, too, sold merchandise similar to that

and cookies for a penny.

of his father, but with the changing times he

He also sold Hackney wagons, buggies, harnesses, cart wheels, horses and mules.

offered more modern products backed by popular name brands.

While the upstairs offers a variety of merchandise, Charles and Greg like to think of it as a museum. Down through the

In February 1930, Closs traveled to St. Louis,

In the 1940s, Gilbert sold Glidden Paint

Missouri and purchased a train carload of

products, a gallon costing $2.98. Throughout

horses and mules that were shipped to

the decades, he sold McCullough Chainsaws,

Belhaven and later shipped to him.

Evinrude Outboard Motors, self-propelled

them. Those vintage items on display consist

heavy duty Lincoln Power Mowers and

of rotary telephones, a wood burning stove,

Snapper Lawnmowers.

electric radios, wooden wheels, harnesses, an

During Closs’s ownership, the store included a Social Security office, Drivers License office and a space upstairs for

“We both worked behind the counter in

Lawrence Roper who sold World War 1

here when we were little guys,” Charles says.

military surplus.

“Greg went off to school in ’78, and then

Greg says, “Closs was a big civics guy. He liked the Rotary Club and community events.”

when he’d come back I pretty much stayed outside.”

When he died, his son, Charles Gilbert

According to the brothers, the store sold

Gibbs (1923-2001), assumed ownership of

groceries such as meats, canned and dry

the store and renamed it as C. Gilbert Gibbs

goods until the late 1980s.

decades different items were discarded when newer and improved items replaced

old Coca Cola machine, and miscellaneous vintage items.

The Gibbs’ brothers have continued what their forefathers have done —staying committed to their community for three centuries

by

providing

top-of-the-line

merchandise for everybody.

“We had counters that were lined with

Sandy Carawan is an English Language

“Gilbert’s passion was to be outside,” says

metal and kept all the flours and meals in

Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College

Greg. “He liked to call himself a farmer. He

factory bags,” continues Charles. “But we had

High School in Swan Quarter, and a regular

liked to create things and develop the land.

those doors metal-lined so the mice wouldn’t

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55

Roanoke

River

P a rt n e r s

Story by Lewis Hoggard Photos by Lewis Hoggard & Contributed

T

he formation of Roanoke River

River Partners are involved with the section

Partners over 20 years ago was

of the river that is located in North Carolina

not only to establish a water-

and is less the 100 miles long. This area is

based

Roanoke

one of the last remaining that has hundreds

River Basin in North Carolina, but to spur

trail

on

the

of years-old cypress trees still standing in a

sustainable economic development in the

hardwood forest bottomland.

region surrounding the Roanoke River.

The communities and counties joined

sixteen camping sites located in six counties

together to provide support to Roanoke

along and close to the Roanoke River. The

River Partners in their effort to build and

majority of these campsites were built by

maintain platform campsites along the

volunteers at the direction of Roanoke

Roanoke River. Merging a natural resource

River Partners. The campsites are generally

with an economic need takes advantage of

platforms built above the swamp water with

what this region has to offer.

primitive facilities. These sites are rented for

The Roanoke River runs from the Appalachian Mountains to the Albemarle Sound covering over 400 miles. Roanoke

56

In 2020, Roanoke River Partners has

$25 a night per two individuals with $10 per additional person per night.

People from all around the United States

and foreign countries visit and spend the night at these campsites. It is important to note that these quests get off the river and visit the fifteen towns that are along the river. The approximate economic impact of the trail is half a million dollars a year to the region.

The Roanoke River Basin with its pristine swamps provides a unique opportunity to see wildlife and old growth Cypress trees. Over 250 species of birds can be found during the year in the basin. Truly a birdwatcher’s paradise awaits the canoeist or kayaker.

White tail deer, Black Bears, red and gray foxes, river otters may all be spied on the banks of the Roanoke.

Northampton, Bertie and Hertford counties contain some of the largest population of deer in the state of North Carolina. Washington County has one of the largest populations of Black Bear in the United States. And, if you time your trip right, you can take in the Black Bear Festival in Plymouth, adjacent to and on the Roanoke River.

“

T h e s u p p o rt o f o u r local communities and municipalities serve as our primary financial backing...”

- Carol Shields 57

The busiest time of the year for visitors

use of the Roanoke River in

is the spring, but people come all twelve

the underground railroad is

months of the year.

documented

The executive director of Roanoke River Partners is Carol Shields.

Roads.

by

Freedom

Freedom Roads is

a state wide trail system

She states, “while Covid-19 may have

recognizing the roads, rivers

slowed downed traffic a little, that getting

and ports in North Carolina

away from everyone is an ideal adventure

that were crucial to the efforts

during these socially distancing times.”

of enslaved African Americans

These trips are normally self-guided with

seeking freedom.

basically no contact with other individuals

The right mix of history and

besides passing the occasional boat on the

nature combining with local

Roanoke River.

communities supporting and

Roanoke River Partners is 501(c)3 non-

using their resources is part

profit corporation that exists from local and

of what makes the Roanoke

grassroots fundraising.

River

Partners

and

their

“Our typical fundraising amounts range

trail unique to Northeastern

from $1,500 to $100.” remarks Shields.

North Carolina. The spirit of

“The support of our local communities and

recognizing what is in the

municipalities serve as our primary financial

region and how to use it is trait of rural life that

backing, while we will apply for a grant where

is embedded in the culture. More information

applicable and are constantly looking for

and info on the Roanoke River Partners may be

alternative revenue streams.” Shields moved

found at their website – roanokeriverpartners.

Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce and a

from volunteer to board member to director

org or on their facebook page – facebook.

contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

com/RoanokeRiverPartners.

Reservations

may be made online for the campsites.

Lewis Hoggard is Executive Director of the

out of a love for the organization and the area.

The Roanoke River is a fast-moving river that should be traversed with some care.

2809 NC Highway 903 Stokes, NC 27884 252.717.5671

The original Indian name of the river was “Moratuck” which supposedly means “bad river or river of death.” Beyond the fall line in Halifax and Northampton counties there are no more rapids, but the river is to be respected. There is also flooding along the river at different times of the year which can

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The campsites can become flooded, but that usually only happens with tropical storm/ hurricane activity. Each campsite is placed in different sections of the river and basin, so that one can come all the way down river in North Carolina at a fast or leisurely pace. Or one can go across the Albemarle Sound to Chowan County and stay there. Approximately 1,200 guests stay on the platforms each year.

The river also served as a giver of freedom with the smuggling of slaves down the river across the sound to the Outer Banks, where slaves were then ferried North. The

58

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59

Top Water

I

Largemouth Fishing

love top water fishing in the Albemarle region.

This is a simple statement, but I truly believe that if everyone who ever wanted to fish did just one good day of top water fishing they would be hooked on fishing for life. It is an exciting feeling to be focused on a lure that you can see and to watch a largemouth explode out of the water and attack a lure. There have been times when it startles me and I jump back and set the hook too soon and miss the fish and it never gets old.

There are a variety of fishing lures in the top water world some of the best are a hollow body frog, a Pop-R popping bait, buzz baits and the latest craze over the past couple of years is the Whopper Plopper. These are just a few but we can talk about each one and how to use them.

The hollow body frog came out years ago and since catching on the industry has discovered new ways to improve the lure and to make other lures like ducks, snakes, and rats. Each

60

one has a chance of catching a fish, but I always seem to favor the old frog when I am out on the local waters.

If you are on a boat you want to throw the bait upright on the bank if you can and work it back towards you.

Because of the design, it is weedless so you can put it in lily pads or thick brush and it will come through no problems. I like to give the frog a steady pull with the rod tip then pause the bait. You want it to look like a frog that just jumped into the water and it is working its way down the bank.

The fish will usually hit on the pause, but whatever you do don’t set the hook till you feel the fish pull on your line. You want the line to get heavy then set the hook. This can be a frustrating thing to do but trust me it will increase your hookups.

The legendary Pop-R is a lure made by Rebel and has been catching fish for generations now. Its simple design makes a popping noise when you jerk the rod tip forward and the sound seems to drive bass crazy because they simply try to kill the

bait. Your best bet for a lure like this is to create a cadence with the noise so you snap the rod tip twice then pause the bait. The colder the water the longer the pause so pay attention to your electronics.

This bait is armed with a pair of treble hooks so it is no good around heavy cover but it works great as a scouting bait when you are working your way down the bank. There have been a number of knock offs over the years but I always have a Pop-R in my box.

A buzz bait is simply a spinner bait that has had the blade change to a propeller type design and when you throw the bait out you want to start reeling immediately to keep the bait on the surface. Your retrieve speed depends on the action of the bait.

While some buzz baits you can creep along others you have to burn the reel to keep them on top.

A lot of people think you just throw and reel these baits which will catch fish but the true expert varies his retrieve so it changes the pitch

or sound of the bait. It’s is called a buzz bait because that is the sound it makes coming through the water so you can pause it for a split second or pop the rod tip to speed up the bait or bounce it off a stump or stick if possible. It will draw an amazing strike when it happens and you will have a smile on your face when you catch one.

The Whopper Plopper is a relatively new design in the industry and was created by a legendary angler Larry Dahlberg for musky fishing. It is a floating bait with a tail that spins while the body is stationary. This bait is as close as you can get to a throw it out and reel it in bait, but I still change the retrieve speeds to give it a more injured look.

It comes in a couple of different sizes and I have caught fish on all of them but the large bait needs to be thrown on a heavier rod. Another tip on this bait is if you tie on a small swivel above the lure it will keep the line twist down and make your day easier.

All of these lures will jump start your heart when you get a strike but remember don’t set the hook till you feel your rod get heavy and if you have a rod with braided line it will help pull the fish out of heavy cover. The line is out of the water so line size doesn’t really matter so go big or go home.

Ask anyone who loves to bass fish and they will tell you that top water is their favorite way to catch fish.

Mike Sweeney is a regular columnist for The Daily Advance in Elizabeth City and a contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

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61

ALL IN A

Day’s Trip These trails were made Story & Photos by Todd Wetherington

for walking

E

astern North Carolina is a veritable paradise for walking trail enthusiasts and nature devotees of all ages and

experience levels. In addition to providing an invigorating way to enjoy the region’s national forests, trail walking also offers an isolated but relatively accessible route for those looking to shed a few pounds during the COVID-19 lockdown.

For trail seekers in Craven and surrounding counties, local parks and nature preserves offer a bounty of options for both the fleet of foot and the slow and

Glenburnie Park, New Bern

steady ambler.

Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park, one of the newest parks in Craven County, opened to visitors in 2011. Located in a quiet eastern section of New Bern a few miles from Fairfield Harbour, the park is a popular destination for wildlife fans of all varieties, including hikers, kayakers, birdwatchers and fishermen.

Latham-Whitehurst

Nature

Park

comprises 133 acres of pristine coastal land. The park features a series of nature trails which range from .16 miles to .8 miles long that can easily be combined for a longer trek. The trails offer a range of amenities, including a 2,000 foot boardwalk

overlooking

Broad

Creek,

restroom facilities and picnic shelters.

62

Island Creek, Pollocksville

For those looking to explore Craven County’s wartime history, Battlefield Park in Taberna, just east of New Bern off of U.S. 70, includes over 30 acres of original Civil War battlefield.

The New Bern Historical Society received the core 24.65 acres of the battlefield from the Civil War Preservation Trust, and additional acreage adjacent to that site was later acquired. The ground where nearly one third of the Battle of New Bern occurred is in near pristine condition, allowing visitors to walk in

and signage providing an overview of the

the footsteps of Confederate and Union

entire Battle of New Bern and a starting

soldiers who faced off on March 14, 1862.

point for the guided and self-guided tours.

Around the park’s visitors center and

Just down the road from Battlefield

along the battlefield trails are arrayed

Park at Flanners Beach, walkers can

36 interpretive panels that recount the

stretch their legs on an accessible one-

impact of the Civil War on the city’s

mile trail that winds through the mixed

inhabitants and infrastructure.

pine-hardwood forest near both the

The Gateway Plaza at the trailhead

campground and picnic area. More than

provides seating for interpretive talks

five additional miles are also available

and serves to orient visitors with a 20

to bikers and hikers, but no motorized

foot concrete color-coded ground map

vehicles or horses are allowed.

In addition to providing an invigorating way to enjoy the region’s national forests, trail walking also offers an isolated but relatively accessible route for those looking to shed a few pounds during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Lantham-Whitehurst Nature Park, New Bern

63

ALL IN A Lantham-Whitehurst Nature Park, New Bern

Day’s Trip Travelers heading east from

in the state’s second-smallest

Flanners Beach on U.S. 70

national forest, the Croatan.

will find Neusiok Trail, a lightly

North Carolina’s easternmost

trafficked point-to-point trail

forest consists of 160,000

located near Havelock that

acres bordered on three sides

winds more than 20 miles,

by water, including the Neuse,

from a sandy beach on the

Trent, White Oak and Newport

Neuse River to a salt marsh on

rivers, and by Bogue Sound,

the Newport River. In between,

which separates it from the

it crosses cypress swamps and

Atlantic Ocean.

hardwood

ridges.

Walkers

The

forest

contains

a

should keep an eye out for

variety of natural habitats,

signs of those who walked

including freshwater pocosin

the area in centuries past —

(an Eastern Algonquian word

from Native Americans to

meaning “swamp on a hill”),

early settlers, woodsmen and

longleaf pine savanna, and

moonshiners.

saltwater marsh, and is home

Located near Pollocksville

to a wide range of wildlife,

in Jones County, Island Creek

such as waterfowl, deer, bears,

Forest Walking Trail is a 3.7

snakes and alligators. The area

mile loop that features a

is also known for its population

number of activity options and

of

is best used from March until

eating, plants, including the

October.

pitcher plant and the Venus

carnivorous,

The Island Creek Forest

flytrap.

Walk is one of the shorter hikes

This

corner

or

of

insect-

Eastern

North Carolina also provides a number of shorter nature walks.

The Johnny Monroe Ward Memorial Nature Trail in Cove City Park is found 13 miles west of New Bern at 110 Trenton Road. This park has a rustic .4 mile grass path trail that encircles local tobacco fields.

An Eagle Scout project has provided numerous markers throughout

the

tree-lined

trails detailing local wildlife and fauna.

Located along the Neuse River in New Bern, the 0.8 mile

64

Lantham-Whitehurst Nature Park, New Bern

Glenburnie Park Trail offers hilly terrain and trees draped in flowing Spanish Moss. The trail encircles

Plan a hike that is suitable for everyone in your party and let the slower person set the pace.

the perimeter of the park, once the site of a WWII

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, park hours may

POW camp, and winds through woods for scenic

be subject to change. Hikers should check online or

views of the river.

call ahead to make sure the trails are open to visitors.

One of New Bern’s most popular summertime

Todd Wetherington is a Staff Writer for the New

boating sites, Lawson Creek Park also features a

Bern Sun Journal and a contributor to Eastern North

.8 mile trail with views of both the Trent River and

Carolina Living.

surrounding nature. Walkers will encounter a mix of wooden walkways, gravel and grass as the trail winds through the park, which encompasses 140 acres located west of Tryon Palace.

As with any outdoor activity, trail walkers should take precautions to protect themselves from the elements. For longer treks, use hiking sticks to take stress off your legs. Wear well-fitting and broken-in hiking boots. Drink often to stay hydrated.

Other helpful tips include: Bring snacks to keep energy levels up rather than waiting for a meal after you’ve emptied your body’s reserves.

Keep a small amount of surplus food ready, just in case.

Lawson Creek Park, New Bern

Use sunscreen and a hat to prevent sunburn, even on cloudy or cold days.

Lantham-Whitehurst Nature Park, New Bern

65

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67

Washington

Plymouth

Rediscovering a hidden gem

Story by Jim Green Photos by Tom Harrison

*Due to a technical error, a portion of the Washington County Plymouth feature was missing from the July 2020 edition.

We wanted to ensure this hidden gem was rediscovered in its entirety, and have reprinted it for your reading pleasure.

T

om Harrison walks along Water Street and looks out onto the Roanoke River. He sees so much potential in the town of Plymouth, which is why he fell in love with the area many years ago when he moved from upstate New York.

“If you ask me why I love Plymouth, the easy answer is the people – but that’s true anywhere you go in America,” said Harrison, 63, who has lived in the town since 1984. “If you ask people what they like about their town they say the people. But this is where my roots were put down at a very young age and why I fell in love with this area.

“It’s rural, and I created the tagline ‘where traffic ends and adventure begins,’” he added.

“That’s what this is – there is no traffic here. There is something to be said for the fact that this (town) is crowd free, traffic free and has so much nature all around you.”

Established in 1787, Plymouth is older than Washington County. For 70 years prior to Plymouth’s founding, generations of the Rhodes family had been planters in the area. Arthur Rhodes founded what was to become Plymouth from land he acquired through inheritance, gift deeds and purchases. This collection of property became his plantation and was called Brick House.

From that property he sectioned off 100 acres, subdividing them into 172 lots, which he would sell. The 16 lots he sold were the beginnings of Plymouth.

In 1807, Plymouth became the first incorporated town in the newly-formed Washington County.

68

Several theories exist about how Plymouth got its name. Early in its history, Plymouth was a thriving port. The most popular theory supposes that sailors on ships from Plymouth, Massachusetts, regularly stopped there for cargo – thus the name Plymouth Landing. Later, the name was shortened to Plymouth.

Water has played a major role in the development of the town. Flatboats floated down the creeks and rivers loaded with goods and produce to be reloaded onto sailing vessels.

Early in the 1800s Plymouth was one of six main ports in North Carolina and ranked ninth in population among towns.

In 1790, the United States Congress established Plymouth as a port of delivery, complete with a customs house. Schooners bound for the West Indies sailed from the port heavily loaded with hogsheads of tobacco, barrels of tar, pitch and turpentine, masts and spars, corn and rice.

The town prospered and grew, the first public school was formed in 1810 and the first two churches were established in 1830 (Methodist Church) and 1837 (Episcopal Church).

By 1840, there were 1,123 inhabitants, but 10 years later, there were only 951, as a ship stopping at the port brought an unknown fever to the town, taking the lives of many residents and causing others to live in fear.

A few years later, Plymouth’s location on the Roanoke River, which had been such an asset, suddenly became a liability. It was one of the ports targeted for blockade by Union forces

during the Civil War. Plymouth has the historical distinction of being the site of the second-largest battle in North Carolina and its last Confederate victory, the battle of Plymouth (1864), during the Civil War. The Port O’Plymouth History Museum, located in the circa-1923 former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station in downtown Plymouth, has a nationally-recognized collection of Civil War artifacts, including one of the most complete belt buckle and button collections in the U.S., and a model of the ironclad ram CSS Albemarle.

The primary industry for the region is Domtar Paper Company, LLC, a paper manufacturer. The paper mill and its related facilities have been the largest employer since 1937. It was owned

by Kieckhefer Container Company, which was merged into Weyerhauser in 1957. Weyerhauser sold its paper interests to Domtar in March 2007. However, when Domtar announced the end of paper machine operations in 2009, the workforce was reduced by 33 percent, to about 360 employees.

Over the past few years, the town has been re-branding itself as a tourist destination to offset the reduction in paper-making employment, by taking advantage of its natural environment being surrounded by tracts of forests and swamplands.

“We’ve been trying to reinvent ourselves,” said Harrison, the town’s local historian who has also worn many hats as he has served in leadership roles with the downtown development

association,

the

downtown

merchants

“We haven’t done a good job of attracting

association, the chamber of commerce and

the resources to develop that,” Harrison said.

the Washington County travel and tourism

“Our downtown has struggled – we have ebb

authority, among others.

and flow like waves crashing on a beach. We’d

In 2015, Harrison started the Black Bear Festival because he wanted to bring attention

have this crash of momentum and then that wave recedes back into the ocean.”

to a North Carolina superlative that most

The town is riding a wave right now, as

in the area weren’t aware of. With just three

Riverview Café and an artisan’s market in

months preparation, the festival earned

addition to a French café that’s opening,

Best New Festival from the N.C. Association

as is an antique market, a Bears and Birds

of Festival and Events. The next year, it was

Shoppery (retail), The Black Bear Discovery

named the best festival in the state, and was

Center (Bear-ology), pontoon boats for rent

third best in the southeast in its third year.

and others are looking to make Plymouth

In 2019, it won again for Best Festival in the state, and Harrison has received Festival Director of the Year honors as well.

“The Black Bear Festival has really put Plymouth on the map,” he said. “We have had estimates of 30,000 attend. Last year, we had people come from 28 states and four foreign countries, and the year before, we had people from 18 states attend. We continue to grow.”

Other added attractions during the festival since its inception have included a 5K race, a motorcycle stunt show and a fireworks show held on the river.

This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced festival organizers to make it virtual and save the money earmarked for this year to be saved for 2021.

“The branding process (in 2017) prompted us to ask, ‘What do we want to be in our second act?,’” Harrison said. “What do we want to be when we grow up?”

Plymouth adopted the black bear in 2018, just months after the rebranding started.

“One of the criteria was, what do we have that none of the surrounding towns

home.

“The rebranding is an accelerator. There’s nothing anyone can really do to stop Plymouth from being developed because of its half-mile waterfront,” Harrison said.

“Development is coming – I just want to be a catalyst for it and see it here in my lifetime.”

The goal, Harrison said, is to make the town a destination – not just a stop along the way.

To that end, the town has hired a code enforcement officer to help facilitate the cleaning up of downtown, according to Joanne Floyd, who serves as the town manager and has been a resident for 21 years.

“There is more to our town than driving on Highway 64 from one end of town to the other,” she said. “We want to present a better aesthetic. One of our biggest assets we can utilize is the riverfront. We have so much going on here and so many businesses and places to explore and we have new businesses coming. The town is in the middle of revitalization and revival, and the Black Bear Festival has been a big part of that.”

have, something that makes us unique and

Harrison concluded: “This is a wonderful

different? We have the most black bears and

little town steeped in history, strategically

arguably the best public black bear viewing in

located on the banks of the Roanoke River

the state if not North America,” Harrison said.

and the Roanoke River Delta. We encourage

“I’ve done bear tours where we’ve seen 100

people to come and visit us, and do business

bears in three hours.”

here because we feel like this is a place of

With so many resources – the wildlife, the

opportunity.”

migratory birds and a half a mile of buildable

Jim Green is Interim Editor of the Martin

waterfront – what Plymouth is aiming to do is

County Enterprise & Weekly Herald and Photo

bring more businesses to its downtown area

Editor and Staff Writer for Eastern North

located on Water Street.

Carolina Living.

69

COVID-19 Let’s Stop the Spread As the economy begins to reopen, it’s important we continue to stand up for eastern North Carolina and work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your health – and the health of your loved ones – depends on it.

Stay home as much as possible

Avoid large gatherings

Wash your hands often

Wear a mask when out

Practice social distancing

We are here for you Vidant has taken steps to provide you and your family with a safe environment. It’s important not to delay care. This includes emergency visits or treatment for other health conditions. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about scheduling a surgery or procedure.

Not feeling well?

Call our Community COVID-19 Helpline at 252-847-8000 or see a doctor from the comfort of your home – visit VidantHealth.com/VirtualCare for more imformation.

Help flatten the curve and stop the spread.

For more information visit

VidantHealth.com/StaySafe

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71

Grandma’s

Kitchen Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.

Well heat and humidity are a part of

I may have mentioned this before, but I

summer in Eastern North Carolina and we

remember my grandmother trying to write

have had quite a bit of it this year. If you are

down a recipe for someone in the family

out in it at all, you come home hot and sticky.

and it went like this: You take a piece of

Many times the last thing you want is a hot meal for dinner. There are good options such as chicken salad, ham salad, deviled eggs, potato salad, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, corn salad, cucumbers in vinegar and so on.

In this issue of Eastern Living, we learn

butter about the size of a hen egg and add two handfuls of flour. Mix until it looks like small pebbles. Add milk until you have a soft dough. Really it is not hard to follow, but not what we are used to in a recipe.

about many businesses that have survived

Sometimes in this column I have tried to

for generations. The recipes we all love

put down measurements from the things

for summer have also been around for

I saw them do. This time I think I will go

generations. Sometimes we have cooked

with one recipe I have used for many years

alongside older members of our family and

and enjoy during the summer months

learned to make the recipes the way they

and another I have kind of put together by

did. Sometimes we just enjoyed what they made and have not been a part of putting it together.

The problem I have most often is that I have seen how my mother or grandmother make things but don’t have the measurements

taste. Since I am a grandmother and greatgrandmother, maybe it can count as multigenerational.

The coleslaw recipe is one I’ve had so long I don’t remember where it came from, but it

so it is difficult to tell someone else how to

is called Susan’s Coleslaw. It is one I get many

prepare it. They sometimes used a recipe but

compliments on. The recipe for ham salad is

often made things the way they had it passed

a combination of what I make and finding a

down to them.

recipe I could adapt to what I prepare.

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.

72

S u s a n ’ s C o l e s l aw Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon sugar 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons milk

nded.

Beat with a fork until well ble Refrigerate Slaw

ed celery, 1/3 cup 4 cups cabbage, 1/3 cup dic ishes. grated carrot, ¼ cup sliced rad (Add in’s are optional) dy to serve.

Store in refrigerator until rea u are ready to eat.

Do not add dressing until yo

Ham Salad 1 pound ham (You can buy small cooked hams at grocery store) 1 cup mayonnaise ½ cup sweet pickle relish 1 stalk celery, diced Dice the ham and swirl a few times in a food processor until fine Mix all ingredients together Some people like green pepper or onion in their ham salad. If you do, you can add a small diced onion and a sma ll diced green pepper.

73

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biography •

Story by Sarah Hodges Stalls Photos by Sarah Hodges Stalls & Contributed

Tom VanStaalduinen

Mr. Bill would rather talk about his family, his faith and the industry he loves -

Petals,

Produce &A

Legacy of

Love

yet his own story is the stuff movie scripts are made of.

At six years old, Bill Van Staalduinen and his family left Holland. His mother and nine of the 10 children crossed the ocean on the last boat available before Hitler declared war in 1938.

“Some of his relatives said look, you better get your wife and nine children out of here or they will be stuck in Holland for the duration of the war,” Van Staalduinen explained. “So they loaded us on the boat there and we took off.”

The large portion of the family headed for Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where the family was reunited with their father and brother.

Dad and brother, Hank, had gone ahead to find a place to live for the family of 12.

This is where Mr. Bill’s English education began and he had little choice.

“From Dutch to English just like that,” he explained. “Not a word of Dutch anymore.”

Van Staalduinen Patriarch’s Life Story Could be a

Movie Script 76

He went to school for the first day with one of his brothers and when they were told it was time to go home, neither knew what they were telling them.

“But you learn fast that way,” he smiled.

His mother spoke English pretty well and their father spoke mainly Dutch, so the children were able to retain both languages.

After four years, they left Canada and brought the gifts of flower and produce growing down south.

smiled. “I’ve got to meet this girl.”

In 1943, the family boarded

He did manage to get early

a train bound for Rocky Mount,

Christmas leave and met that

North Carolina and then on to

Dutch girl.

Terra Ceia in Beaufort County.

Martina spoke no English and

His father, Leonard, purchased a

learned much while writing letters

240-acre farm in the area where

to Bill when she had to return to

there were a lot of flower growers.

Holland for a year.

Mr. Bill went on to serve his

“She learned better English

new homeland for 15 months

than I did writing me letters,” he

during the Korean War, stationed

added.

in Seoul.

The children in the home

“I enjoyed it really,” he said.

helped worked with her after

“They signed the truce as I

dinner using their Dick and Jane

crossed the ocean.

books.

“They heard I was coming and quit fighting,” he laughed.

He would come back to his new home of Terra Ceia to meet the love of his life, Martina.

While he was still in Korea,

Today, they have been married 63 years with 10 children and 105 in their immediate family.

“I’d do it all over again,” he said smiling. “I have to give her a lot of credit.”

Martina’s brother helped arrange

Now Mr. Bill is caring for his

her relocation to Terra Ceia. She

best girl after decades of her

had lived in Holland through the

doing the same for all the family.

war.

Youngest son Tom says, “We

“She came over from Holland

might have been an exceptional

to help a family that needed help

family because of the numbers. I

at home,” Mr. Bill said.

know we were poor but you never

“I heard there was a Dutch girl here in North Carolina and I said Captain, I’ve got to go home,” he

knew it. All I knew growing up is we were happy.”

Mr. Bill ran Terra Ceia Farms for

“Some of his relatives said look, you better get your wife and nine children out of here or they will be stuck in Holland for the duration of the war.”

- Bill Van Staalduinen 77

20 years after returning from service. Today it is still being operated by his nephews.

In 2000, Mr. Bill joined forces with son, Tom, to open Petals and Produce, which began in Yeatesville, providing flowers, produce and more to the area.

Four years in they would add the Washington location.

“Work is my middle name,” he explained as son Tom nodded in agreement. “I never really retired.”

“The Lord has blessed us,” he said. “Money was never the biggest thing, but service was.”

Tom explained that in that spirit, it was not unusual to come home to find you have been volunteered for a task their Dad felt strongly about.

To talk with Mr. Bill, it’s obvious his family, their happiness and his faith are the most important things in his world.

At 87 years young, his servant’s heart is not even derailed

by COVID 19. He still works to share that faith he holds so dear.

For more than 20 years before the pandemic, Mr. Bill has been an active part of a prison ministry at the Hyde County Prison and, at times, the Beaufort County Jail.

Today he still makes out Bible lessons and mails to the facility.

“It’s been a big part of my life the past 20 years,” Mr. Bill said.

Sarah Hodges Stalls is a Staff Writer for The Enterprise in Williamston and Eastern North Carolina Living.

78

79

County: Hyde Marker ID: B-7 Original Date Cast: 1938

MARKER TEXT

GRANVILLE GRANT Formed northern half of colony of North Carolina. Survey of southern boundary began 28 1/2 miles east across sound, 1743.

MARK IT! Title To Begin Here

Rabore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam Information courtesy of the voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources ea rebum.

Stet clita kasd gubergren, no

O

n March 24, 1663, King Charles II granted eight men, the Lord Proprietors, the charter for a tract of land called

Carolina in the American colonies. The charter was renewed in 1665. By 1729, seven of the eight Proprietors (or their heirs) had sold their interests back to the English government. The eighth Proprietor, John Lord Carteret, inherited from his grandfather the title of Earl Granville and one-eighth of the Carolina territory, which ranged from modern-day Virginia to Florida and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Granville refused to sell his territory back to King George II, and his one-eighth of Carolina became the Granville District.

John Carteret retained his interests and, from 1729 until 1742, representatives of Earl Granville and the Crown met sporadically to address Granville’s claim. In September 1742, King George II and the Privy Council officially approved

the

Granville

grant.

Although

Granville’s claim was to one-eighth of Carolina as a whole, it was decreed that it be measured from

the

southern

border

of

Virginia.

Therefore, the Granville Grant included lands within sixty-five miles of the southern Virginia border, comprising the northern half of present-day North Carolina.

Following the establishment of the Granville

Location: US 264 at Engelhard

District, survey of the grant began in 1742 at Cape Hatteras. The assessors took several REFERENCES

William S. Powell, ed., Encyclopedia of North Carolina (2006) William S. Powell, North Carolina through Four Centuries (1989) Thornton Mitchell, “The Granville District and Its Land Records,” North Carolina Historical Review (April 1993): 103-129 Helen F. M. Leary, ed., North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History (1996) Margaret M. Hoffman, The Granville District of North Carolina, 1748-1763: Abstracts of Land Patents (1983-1984)

80

years to complete the project, continuing only as far as Bath in its early years. The southern boundary of the tract may be traced across modern-day North Carolina: from Engelhard in Hyde County, to a point in Beaufort County near Bunyan, to the Haw River near Moncure, to points along the Cabarrus/Rowan county

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Lord Granville relinquished his control in government in 1742, but retained the power to grant land which was done through local agents, including Francis Corbin and Thomas Child. Between 1748, when the granting office was established, and 1763, when John Carteret died, the

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agents granted land, collected rents, and surveyed for settlers. The largest tract of land granted in the Granville district was to a Moravian colony led

by Bishop August Spangenberg, and included 98,985 acres, later called Wachovia.

The Granville district had many problems stemming

throughout from

the

it

history,

corruption

of Granville’s local officials, and culminated with the Enfield Riot of 1759. After John Carteret’s death in 1763, the granting office closed under Carteret’s heir, Robert Earl Granville. The office’s problems soon became irrelevant with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War when the district was dissolved by the North Carolina state government. In the

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early 1800s the heirs of Earl Granville attempted to sue for reinstitution of their land, but the suit was rejected and the appeal dropped in 1817.

81

PARTING SHOTS Thadd White on the Tar River in Rocky Mount

T

given us their all generation after generation.

This edition also contains an excellent

We’ve been there as have our

For me, I have been walking in the doors

story from a first-time contributor as Lewis

parents before us. And, sometimes, even our

of Powell & Stokes in Windsor since I was

Hoggard explains the mission and work of

grandparents.

a child. It is still a place that is warm and

Roanoke River Partners. The organization

inviting and where they welcome you with a

and its director, Carol Shields, have done an

smile and warm greeting.

excellent job of growing RRP and making it

hey are places we all know.

They are businesses who have survived generations in our neighborhoods. Places where people receive genuine customer

Each of you probably has similar

benefit the entire Roanoke River region.

memories, whether it involves your parents

You also can learn recipes handed down

That’s why we chose multi-generation

buying a car from Bulluck in Rocky Mount,

through generations from Sylvia Hughes in

businesses for our theme for this edition. We

getting a tire changed at Potter’s Oil & Tire or

the latest edition of Grandma’s Kitchen.

service. Where they are known by name.

wanted to celebrate the families who have

We wanted to celebrate the families who have given us their all

generation after generation.

82

getting a prescription filled at McDowell’s or Womble’s.

We’ll be back in November with our next edition which will feature stories on men and

You also may remember taking the

women of faith. We look forward to sharing

hand of your grandfather as you walked the

those stories with you, and introducing our

hardwood floors of Gibbs Store in Englehard

readers to people from across our 12-county

or bought a bicycle at Boyd’s or a new piece

region and their faith.

of furniture at Robersonville Furniture Company.

What we often don’t know is the story behind the business. The pages of this

We are already working on themes for next year’s six edition so we welcome any ideas you may have. Just drop me an email at twhite@ncweeklies.com.

magazine are filled with those stories – from

Until then, remember… all who wander

the people who are part of the history for

are not lost. Continue joining us as we wander

generations.

through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe, Gates,

In addition, there are multi-generation

Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash,

businesses who have taken care of us. They

Northampton,

include places like Hunter’s Funeral Home in

counties.

Ahoskie or the Spruill family farm in Tyrrell County.

Tyrrell

and

Washington

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.

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