May 2015
IN THIS ISSUE: Willow Tree Celebrates 1 Yr Anniversary Chippendale Dudes Opening up Antiques Event?! Really?! Book Review Tip o’ Our Hats to All Our Veterans
Fishing the North Carolina Outer Banks Area and Southern Shores 1
Experience NC Barbecue from Mountains to Coastline
What Fun Stuff is Inside May? NC Surf Fishing .................................................... 3 Rolling Thunder Veteran’s Memorial Day Celebration.................................... 6 NC Barbecue from West to East ......................... 8 Willow Tree’s 1st Year Anniversary .................. 13 Male Strippers Kickin’ Off Antiques Event in Texas Has Everyone in a Tizzy ..................... 18
Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders is an eclectic mix of unique items, passions, events and bargains and the people who love them. Our mission is to provide more exposure on a monthly basis for antique and collectible dealers in order to connect to consumers who want to find those dealers. There’s always this unquenchable thirst to add to one’s collection and to find that ever elusive item, whether it be a piece of period furniture, a doll, a tea pot, or a vintage piece of farm equipment. We just want to connect folks so that everyone can buy and sell the things that we all love.
Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders is a NC-based publication.
Book Review ....................................................... 26
FRONT COVER.... Shot at sunset from balcony of private house on the Intercoastal Waterway side of Figure Eight Island, just north ofWilmington and Wrightsville Beach, NC. Photographer - Mr. Eric Warren of Raleigh, NC is a long-time native of North Carolina and has chronicled his trips to his home state’s coastline for decades. 2
Mailing address... PO Box 578 Rolesville, NC 27571 Publisher... M. Dale Swiggett 336.340.6299 Editor... Renee Warren 919.880.5217 rtwdesigns@embarqmailcom Find Us on Issuu.com
Surf Fishing for Trophy Stripers on the Outer Banks November, December, and January are the prime months for some of the most exciting striper fishing experiences ever. Surf fishing in the winter months at the Outer Banks is not for the weak at heart. This is for hardcore surf fishermen who have never caught large trophy stripers at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The best time to catch these monsters is on the cold, dark, overcast, and just plain nasty days of winter. Stripers love to feed on the kind of days that most people would rather be home watching a sporting show or game on the tube. The prime fishing spots are the areas located on the Outer Banks on State Highway #12 from Nags Head to Ocracoke. There several ways to get to the Outer Banks. Most people take I-85 or I-95 into North Carolina. Take US-64 East toward Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Plymouth and continue on US-64 East to Roanoke Island. Take North Carolina State Road #12 at Kitty Hawk to the Outer Banks. The other way is to take US-70 out of Morehead City to State Road #12 North to Cedar Island where you
Editor’s Note... Fishing is not just a popular hobby for folks who live in a state with a generous coastline. The act of fishing represents different things to different people. A grandfather passing down ancient knowledge to his grandson. A group of school girls going noodling (Google it and then be amazed!). A bunch of guys hopping into their boats to hit their honey holes to land top prize in fishing tournament. For us Deep South coastal states residents, fishing is a deeply spiritual experience and catch the Cedar Island Ferry to Ocracoke. This is a toll ferry, and it is recommended that reservations be made for this ferry. You continue north down #12 to the Hatteras Island Ferry. Take the Hatteras Island Ferry from Ocracoke. Check ferry schedules for departure and arrival times. After reaching Hatteras Island travel down State #12 to your destination on the Outer Banks. North Carolina now requires all fishermen to purchase a saltwater fishing license. Most tackle shops
yes, a beloved passion, whether it is fresh water dangling or salt water angling. This month launches the mid Spring season of outdoor activities. And all of us here at PPP&B wish all of our readers luck Marchmuch 2015 in all their passions. Remember that it’s not only important to preserve history as we do in antiques/collectibles but it is equally, if not more so, important to CREATE history by living our lives fully. And besides, fishing creates great memories. - Renee Warren offer these licenses, as well as size ctors & Samples and limit regulations, While you are
there you can pick up a tide schedule which you will find to be most helpful. Most of the beaches on the Outer Banks allow driving with an off-road vehicle. A four-wheel drive vehicle is a must to getting the prime fishing spots. For those who have not driven in the soft sand on the beach, it is a good idea to run your vehicle in 4wheel high range and follow the tracks and ruts made by others. This allows you to travel the sand that has been packed down by others and helps you from getting stuck. Even the most experienced four-wheelers have trouble from time to time, and if you get stuck, you will find that other fishermen will go out of there to help you. Always carry a heavy rope or chain, a shovel, and some pieces of carpet that would help to dig you out and give you some extra traction. Lower tire pressure of 20 pounds or less is recommended for driving on Fishing cont. next pg
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Fishing continued
the sand. Some run as low as 12 pounds of pressure. When you leave the beach, inflate your tires to normal tire pressure as soon as possible. Beach access areas are clearly marked to let you know where you can enter and exit the beach. Normally there are a lot of vehicles traveling up and down the beach, and you can observe others fishing. Good areas to fish are evident by the number of vehicles backed up to the fishing holes along the beach. There are several ways to find the stripers on the beach. Start at Oregon Inlet at the Bonner Bridge on #12. There is a beach across just before you get to the bridge on the left. Look up and down the beach and look for parked vehicles to determine which direction you want to travel. Observe what is going on, and even when you see fish being caught, find an open space to set up to fish. Most striper fisherman use an 8- to 11- foot surf rod with either a bait casting or spinning reel with at least 20-pound test line. Having a good real with a good drag system is a much. When you hook up with one of the monsters, he will take lots of line before you turn him. If the stripers are feeding in the surf, a heave plug like a large Hopkins will work. You will also need a good set of waders to keep you dry. You made have to wade out into the surf to get to the fish. The fish will normally move the beach depending on the direction of the bait fish. The frenzied birds diving into the bait is your signal to find feeding fish. Watching all the other fishermen running up the beach and frantically
This stretch of road across the Bonner Bridge at Pea Island does not have beach access for vehicles. The striper fishing here can be fantastic. Look for diving birds to let you know where the fish are located. Park along the road and walk over the sand dunes to the ocean. You will probably not be only fisherman there. The hike over the dunes can pay big rewards especially if there is a striper run on the beach. Travel with your waders on and your rod rigged with some type of metal bait. Be sure to take spare plugs in case of those large strippers breaks your line. Continue up #12, and you will pass several small towns such as Rodanthe, Salvo, Avon, and Buxton. There are beach access signs on the highway to locate the access ramps. The ramps are numbered so you will know where you are. Get off the road and on to the beach access ramp. Be sure that your vehicle is in in 4-wheel drive and your tire pressure adjusted. Pay Cited http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ particular attention to areas that saltwater/part93.php have vehicles parked, as they are more than likely proven fishing and rod holder and set up on the areas. beach near a hole that is visible. Look for landmarks, so when you At Oregon Inlet, a lot of fishermen find a good place to fish, you can prefer using live eels on a rig that there at a later time. Marking your allows the bait to move up and down hole is a good idea for future your line. You can purchase these eels reference. Learn your way around at several of the tackle shops at Nags and remember where the beach Head. Others like to use a drum rig access areas are located. Keep notes with enough weight to hold it on the and logs because these beaches look bottom with a large chunk of fresh alike, and finding a favorite hole is mullet. Usually there are other sometimes difficult. fishermen lined up on the beach, and There are many tackle shops when a run starts, several hook up at located on Hatteras Island. Most the same time. While waiting for the have updated fishing reports posted stripers to bite, drum or blues usually daily or weekly. Just give them a call, keep you busy. casting into the Blitzing fish will certainly get your heart pumping and your adrenalin flowing. This type of striper blitz is what we all dreamed of and will create memories that will last for a lifetime. This is the best for striper fisherman. For those who like to set up and wait for the fish to bite, get a lounge chair
Fishing cont. next pg 4
Fishing continued
and they will give you a weather report and fishing update. These shops should have fresh bait and meet all your tackle needs, as well as offer advice on where and how the fish have been caught. After Thanksgiving, the availability of accommodations and restaurants are slim because some are closed for the season. The outer banks Motel in Buxton, located near the Cape Hatteras light house, is considered a must stop for all. The road continues past the lighthouse, and the access ramp is clearly marked. Enter the beach, and follow the tracks to the right. You will see vehicles all along the shoreline. It is usually very crowded at the point. Parking places are at a premium the closer you get to the point. The rough waters and the ability to fish both sides of the point make it a great consideration in determining a place to fish. The wind speed and direction is a major consideration in determining where to fish. Observe
the happenings carefully if you decide to fish the point. The better the fishing, the more crowded the point becomes. It can become dangerous at times when a lot of fishermen are throwing plugs or metal into the surf. Don’t be afraid to get right in there and make yourself a spot to fish. It will not take long to figure the drill. When the fish run, the excitement is unbelievable, and the fishing is fantastic. Some fishermen set up camp on the point day and night and wait for a run. Your equipment is most important while fishing at the point. Most use at least an 11-foot still surf rod with surf casting reel or very good spinning reel with at least 20-pound-test line. A few yards in casting length can make the difference in your fishing success. Large drum are also caught at the point, although mostly at night. I promise you the wait will be worth your time. The sunrises and sunsets are like something you have ever seen. You will meet folks from all over the country. Share some fun, swap some
lies, and you will have the fishing trip of your life. If you are a surf fisherman, you must experience the happenings at Cape Point and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It just does not get any better. - Story by Wes Hair, an avid fisherman who lives by the water in North Carolina.Reprint from Waterfront Sportsman 2008.
PPP&B Tip of the Month: Guys (and gals, too), please don’t be like THIS guy. No kissing your bait for good luck. Newbie landlubbers just don’t understand this tradition.
Enertia® Building Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 845, Youngsville, NC 27596
enertia.com 919-556-2391 or enertia@mindspring.com 5
Events....
We encourage our readers to check out groups like PTSD Foundation of America in support of our military men and women 6
Events....
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Passions....
World’s Record Barbeque Grill-Off to Raise Awareness for PSTD Victims
So, I have this dream that involves traveling the entire length of my home state to experience all kinds of variations of good ol’ North Carolina barbecue. Heavens know there are a few different ways of spelling the sacred word, mush less different ways of prepping and fixing it for consumption. And consumption of NC barbecue IS a huge passion amongst native Tar Heels and all those who pass through our great state. The North Carolina BBQ Society has a great map featuring several BBQ haunts and then I added a couple of my own to complete the BBQ run from Murphy to Manteo. In this issue of PPP&B, we take you from West to East and point you to the first half of NC BBQ Society’s list of restaurants to be sure to visit. - Dale Swiggett
Starting point for What Could be World’s Record BBQ Grill-Off began May 2nd, 2015
http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/bbqmap/trail_map.html NC BBQ Trail continued next pg 8
#1...Rib Country in Murphy, NC
Some great humorous quotes (true or not, we have no clue but they sound plausible enough) thanks to noexcusesbbq.com/ bbq-quotes
#2...Herb’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Murphy, NC
Picture of an antique cast iron pig feeder
I have never let my schooling interfere with my barbecue. – Mark Twain
#3...Bridges Barbecue in Shelby, NC
Raising hogs
It’s not the barbecues in my life that count, it’s the life in my barbecues. – Mae West NC BBQ Trail continued next pg 9
#4...Switzerland Cafe in Little Switzerland, NC Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried to barbecue anything. – Albert Einstein
#5...Carolina Bar-B-Q in Statesville, NC
Picture of an antique bacon press
#6...M&K Barbecue in Granite Quarry, NC
Glory is fleeting, but barbecue is forever. – Napoleon Bonaparte
NC BBQ Trail continued next pg 10
#7...Wink’s Barbeque in Salisbury, NC I never hated a man enough to give him his barbecue back. – Zsa Zsa Gabor
#8...Richard’s Bar-B-Que in Salisbury, NC
NC Map of Pork Farms
#9...Barbecue Center in Lexington, NC What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within our barbecue. – Ralph Waldo Emerson NC BBQ Trail continued next pg 11
#10...Smiley’s Lexingon Barbecue in Lexington, NC
The better part of one’s life consists of his barbecues. – Abraham Lincoln
#11...Speedy Lohr’s BBQ in Arcadia, NC
Time honored tradition of the men folk smoking a whole hog
#12...Little Richard’s in Lexington, NC We are all here for a spell; get all the good barbecue you can. – Will Rogers
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We will feature the remainder of the BBQ Trail list next month!
Willow Tree Consignment Celebrates 1st Anniversary If you haven’t been to Willow Tree Consignment, you are really missing a treat. Willow Tree, the brainchild of Sherry Stobaugh, is not like other consignment stores. You will notice the difference the minute you walk in. It’s clean, smells good and everything is tastefully decorated. Sherry worked for a concrete manufacturer for 33 years. When she found herself without work and had the opportunity to do something different, she immediately thought of a consignment store. But not just any consignment store. Willow Tree Consignment is the culmination of several years of research spent looking for the right combination of products to carry and what retail floor design to use. In a nutshell Sherry took all the things she liked about other consignment stores and combined them to create Willow Tree Consignment.
Sherry’s main criteria was a friendly fun atmosphere. You will absolutely be greeted with a smiling face that conveys appreciation for stopping by the shop. Willow Tree Consignment knows that you have many options of how to spend your time so it is a great honor for you to visit their shop. Willow Tree Consignment carries
furniture, home décor, wall art, crystal, china, small kitchen appliances, small electronics, etc. One difference in Willow Tree from other shops is the addition of a women’s boutique. In stock are better brands of clothes and shoes (in all sizes), handbags and jewelry. Add in local Alamance County artists and craftsmen, terrariums (and classes) and collectibles you have a one of a kind consignment experience. Willow Tree Consignment has
approximately 12000 sq. ft. of shopping and display space. In addition to the types of items Willow Tree Consignment carry, the way everything is artfully displayed is unusual. You will not find the normal rows of sofas, chairs, bedroom suits, etc. Willow Tree sets everything in small vignettes so you can envision what this item might look like in your home. Each grouping of furniture has lamps, pillows, wall art and other decorative accessories placed around that coordinate. O n e h u g e benefit to working with Willow T r e e Consignment is their on l i n e inventory system. Once your inventory is entered into Willow Tree’s inventory system you will be able to track the initial selling Willow Tree cont. nest pg
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Willow Tree continued
price and sales of your items. You will also know what monies are owed to you based on the actual selling
price. It is the most sophisticated system I have seen in consignment software.
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A Girl Has Just Got to Have Her Baubles! In the course of researching curthe Denisovan people who were a rent events and how those cross over mysterious species of hominins.” into the land of the ‘old and moldy,’ we come across some really cool news. Just like this great story...”Scientists have discovered the world’s oldest piece of jewellery in a cave in Siberia. The 40,000 year old bracelet has surprised both scientists and archeologists alike by its level of sophistication which is at least 30,000 years ahead of its time. The sophisticated Cited as per http://yournewswire.com/worlds-oldestbracelet was made by piece-of-jewellery-astounds-scientists/
A & A FLEA MARKET
Furniture & Collectibles It doesn’t get any better than this! We have Collectibles, Glassware, Lamps, Furniture, Gun Cabinet, Stereo Equipment, Hand Tools, Movies, Appliances, Christmas Decorations, Books, Records, etc.
Also a wide variety of collectible
COMIC BOOKS !
S. Main St. & Railroad St., Sharpsburg, NC (seen from Hwy 301 N) Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 8 am – 4 pm
252-883-1028
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- See more at: http:// yournewswire.com/worlds-oldestpiece-of-jewellery-astounds-scientists/ #sthash.NaauhaXl.dpuf So, let the new jokes ensue about how even a cave gal was concerned and set the course for all females to pay attention to her accessories! This now gives me a conveninent excuse for my penchant of collecting old jewelry, ‘it’s a female genetic trait thing.’ ☺ Even a cave woman had to have her trinkets and baubles! - Renee Warren
Booth Vendors... Don’t Get Lost in the Crowd! You have one or more booths (space rental) in a mall or store but the problem is how to get customers to find you and your wonderful items for sale. We have two options: a 3 mo. commitment, only a $60.00 investment, you get a picture of your booth, short description of items, and booth location or for $200.00, you can get a full page featuring up to five photos of your booth and past events, more detailed description of items you have to sell and more importantly, a calendar listing of upcoming events where your customers can find you. Minimum commitment is for two months for a total of $400.00 investment to drive traffic to your booth(s) location(s) and events you plan to be an exhibitor. For more info on these two great advertising offers, contact...
Dale Swiggett call 336.340.6299
Pedals....
Vintage Bicycles Bring Back Fond Memories...Here’s a Buyers’ Source For those who aree really into collectible antique bicycles, there is a person in the Triad (North Carolina) area who specializes in offering good to excellent quality items. Currently there are the following items being offered..... 1. His & hers 1954 maching pair black & red (please inquire) 2. Gold Jaguar $1,400.00 3. Green & White $1,800.00 4. Columbia Pope $1,500.00
Look for Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders Featured Items & Upcoming Events! Our e-zine is currently a ‘workin-progress’ since we are evolving it to better serve our community. Thank You to all who have given us great feedback!
For more details, please contact Dale Swiggett, cell 336.340.6299. 16
Events....
Franklin County, NC’s very own Norris Creek Outdoor Entertainment Complex Upcoming Events
....meets Passions I have the coolest business neighbor not even 1 mile as the crow flies out where I live in rural southeastern Franklin County, NC. There is a humble outdoor entertainment complex located within easy driving distance of Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Zebulon areas called Norris Creek. The genesis of this complex is an example of a phenomenom sweeping across
the country where struggling farm families not aligned with Big Ag are searching out other business models for the highest and best use of their assets. I can recall moving into the area decades ago and remembering when it was just a family farm. Over the years, it evolved to a very nice family oriented entertainment complex hosting great events from antique farm 17
and tractor shows to Bluegrass concerts to food-n-music productions. Have I ever attended a concert there? Actually no. I much prefer to sit on my front porch with my bottle of wine and enjoy the sound of music drifting on the whispering winds. One day I will attend a concert but so far I have thoroughly enjoyed this great perk of living in Cowtown, USA. - Renee Warren
Male Stripper s At Antique Strippers Show Get A Rise Out Of Round Top op,, Texas Everything old is blue again? It is in Warrenton, Texas, where a woman is hoping to capitalize on an upcoming antique show weekend have a male stripper revue along with the typical old lamps, rusty advertising signs and scuffed-up furniture, UPI.com reports. Stephanie Welch saw the American Cowboy Las Vegas Revue at another antiques show, and decided to book them on the same weekend as the 47th Original Round Top Antiques Fair, a popular event in the area. The revue is a Chippendales-like performance featuring muscular men dressed in jeans, boots, cowboy hats and, occasionally, shirts. The fair is April 1-4 in Round Top, but the revue will be in Warrenton, about eight miles away. Still, the proximity is enough to get a rise out of the residents of Round Top — population: 90. What’s really arousing controversy is the fact that the come hither cowboys are set to perform Easter weekend. “I find all of it pretty distasteful to begin with, the fact that they’re actually having it on Good Friday and Holy Saturday across the street from the church really makes it distasteful to me and the vast population,” Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka told KXAN TV.
Welch said she doesn’t want to offend anyone, but the event just happened to fall on Easter weekend, according to And this is the image I saw instantly upon reading this story. Hey, if CBS12.com. chaps looking like Tatum Channing and Matthew McConaughey In addition, are involved, I might could see my way clear of going. Even if just in the cowboy a reporting-the-story capacity. Oh, who am I kidding, right? ☺ dancers won’t CORRECTION: An earlier be fully nude and will perform in a version of this story incorrectly said closed tent for only women over the the American Cowboy Las Vegas age of 21. No alcohol will be served. Revue would be a part of the the That is not enough to satisfy the 47th Original Round Top Antiques concerns of folks like Kiki Teague. Fair, and that Welch is an organizer “I see what they’re saying, but with that show. Welch is not then it comes back to me that that’s connected with the antiques show just not really what Round Top’s been and her event is taking place in about,” Teague told ABC13.com. Warrenton
Editor’s Note... How could I not resist the urge to include this bit of colorful news in what our oft considered ‘stodgy’ industry to be shocking?! When one of our PPP&B staffers spotted this story and forwarded to me for consideration in our e-zine, I opened the email, snorted my sweet iced tea through my nose all over the filing cabinet next to my laptop. (Who says martial arts training
doesn’t pay off in lightning-like reflexes?!) After wiping my cabinet down and drying off my nose and chin, I immediately decided that this news story deserved featuring for our wonderful readers having a great sense of humor. I am thinking that there’s a very lucrative verticle business model in the making with this unique promotional idea. ROFL!!! - Renee Warren
We Need Contrib uting Writer s! Contributing riters! See this picture to the left? Yes, that is me the Editor of this e-zine, when it comes to all the fun things that editors face...writer’s block, deadlines, computer crashes, travel plans going haywire, etc. That is why I am putting out a call to all our readers who have a flair for writing and would like to become contributing writers for Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders. Drop my an email if interested!....Thanks, Renee 18
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Events....
Big Goings-On in Brimfield, Massuchusetts Even though we focus on the Southeastern part of the US, we definitely don’t want to leave out any shout-outs and info on upcoming events in the northern part of our nation. Up in Brimfield, Massuchusetts, they have a huge event for antique lovers, the next one is set for May.
BRIMFIELD ANTIQUE AND COLLECTIBLES SHOWS Show Dates for 2015 May 12 - 17 July 14 - 19 Sept 8 - 13 General Information about the Show: The Brimfield shows operate three times a year during May, July and September and are open for a six day period begining on a Tuesday and ending on a Sunday. Some operators open all days while others choose to open for just a few days during this period. The show schedule will provide you with this information. Please note that the weeks change from year to year so verify the dates on our home page before booking any travel arrangements. Check Helpful Hints below for more specific details. Show Times: Look at the show schedule for opening times. Closing time is officially at sunset, however many dealers close at between 5-6pm based on weather conditions. Go visit http://www.brimfield.com/html/brimfieldfaqvisitors.htm for more event details! 20
Consignment Connection in Burlington, NC 2679 Ramada Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 221-8888
Booth #10284
Booth #10287
Booth #10005
Booth #10192
Booth #10110
Booth #10005
Be sure to go to Issuu.com to check out Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders February edition for more info on Consignment Connection located in Burlington, NC. 21
Consignment Connection in Burlington, NC
Booth #10003
Booth #10015
Booth #10152
Booth #10247
For info on our advertising packages and rates, email Patricia Dowdy, pickerpassion@gmail.com for details. 22
Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders Lesson for the Month... While out enjoying nature, if you come across what you think is an unknown site that could be historically significant, contact the proper agency(s).
Consignment Connection in Burlington, NC 2679 Ramada Rd, Burlington, NC 27215 (336) 221-8888 www.facebook.com/CCBurlington
Booth #10179 / 10180
lots of great items We have a lot of vintage toys, artwork, legos, action figures, statues, comic book supplies.
• Vintage Toys • Non-Sports Cards • Comics Old & New • Subscription Services • and more
Come on by to see us, or call about specials we are running.
2208 WILLIAM ST. • GOLDSBORO, NC 27530
919•252•1987
FACEBOOK: Rick’s Comics/Toys
Memorial Day is for Remembrance The unofficial start of the Summer season is always Memorial Day weekend. Many do not view it as a ‘holiday’ but as a day ‘to remember and pay respects’ to our service men and women no longer with us. No matter what a soldier thinks about the policies (good or bad) they are representing, our military took Oaths to protect and serve. Be sure to thank a Veteran for their service. 23
Upcoming Car Shows in NC and Indiana
Pedals (as in cars)....
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One of PPP&B’s People Behind the Scenes Patricia Dowdy is our graphic artist, an eastern NC sales contact and contributing writer. Her endless passion for antiques and collectibles was inherited from her grandmother, born 1888 in eastern NC, and at age 90 continued to go picking! She loves the
stories behind the history of each antique or unique item. She enjoys collecting old bottles, pre 1940’s magazines and enjoys being on the water as much as possible. Her email is pickerpassion@gmail.com. 25
Book of the Month ‘That’s The Way It Was’ by Capt. Burton Drum Since I am the Editor of this e-zine, I allow myself a few indulgences and am providing this edition’s Book of the Month review which will hopefully bring home the poignant point that the founders of Memorial Day did so with the original intention of honoring those of our military service men and women who have passed on. I am an Army brat, therefore have a deep and abiding love and respect for our military. Please do not misconstrue this declaration to mean that I support the policies that others create and then send our enlisted to the various world theaters to implement those policies. Any student of history and who is also a criticial thinker knows that this has been the way of the world for time eternal. Perhaps USMC Major General Smedley Butler said it best many decades ago, ‘War is a racket.’ But nevertheless, I am a supporter of our military and wanted to share with our readers my Uncle Burton’s book of his memoirs ranging from his birth, becoming a WWII aircraft carrier torpedo bomber pilot, to traveling the world. Burton was married to my Aunt (on my father’s side) and was quite the character. always regaling stories of his adventures as a pilot and of his many travels. Several years ago after my Aunt passed away, Burton was able to finish his book and get his manuscript and photos to the publisher for final printing. I was delighted to find in my mailbox a copy of his book. And as I read through it, there were several times where I had the thought, ‘oh, so THAT’S why we never talked about so-n-so or such-n-such! NOW, I understand!’
It was with great relish that I tore through Burton’s book learning about the times that he grew up in, what our country was like before I was born, how he adapted to an ever changing workplace environment and the many different places around the world he literally fell in love with. I recall scratching my head upon learning my uncle’s father was ‘someone who worked at the White House’ and how Burton recalled many White House Staff Christmas parties. I gasped at his tales of combat flying over the oceans and seas. I remember picking my jaw up off the floor at his description of what it was like to time his push forward on a plane’s throttle during take-off in perfect sync with the herd of cattle rocking in tandem rhythm in the belly cargo hold to prevent crashing into the side of a mountain. I fondly remember laughing out loud at my too-human uncle’s confession of having lived by the consequences of his certain choices and had very little regrets. My uncle, Captain Burton R. Drum, passed away April 3, 2014, he was 90 years old. 26
As per Burton’s obit....”He was an airline pilot of great experience and had flown everything from a Stearman Bi-plane to the Boeing 747. As a WWII veteran, he flew the TBM torpedo bomber off carriers in the Pacific then transitioned to commercial flying and rounded out his carrier as an FAA check pilot. Captain Drum lived in or visited over 80 countries during his lifetime and his thirst for knowledge never diminished.” My very colorful uncle was one other thing - one of the last few remaining members of what is known as ‘the Greatest Generation.’ Renee Warren is the Editor of Pickers Pedals Passions & Blunders. She grew up around antiques and collectibles while living in both NC & SC but just wishes she had paid more attention to her grandmothers about their love of antiques and collectibles. Her favorite category is anything Asian or Oriental.
Thank You to all of our Veterans, those with us still and those who are not.
The Conservative Mind: A New Model for Government by James E. Snyder, Jr. (Universal Publishers) Synopsis Following his race for the U.S. Senate, during which he finished second to now Senator Elizabeth Dole in the North Carolina Republican Senatorial Primary, the author wrote this book outlining his plan for "A New Model for Government". Issues discussed not only are those of a political nature (including reduc-
ing the size of the Executive Branch of the federal government by onefourth); but, also discussed are the subjects of "God" ,"Race", and the joining of the nations of Canada and the United States. The author was born, reared and educated through secondary school 27
in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina. He received his BA degree in history from Wake Forest College in 1967 and his Juris Doctors degree in law from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1970. He has been a practitioner of law in Lexington from his admission to the bar. He is married to Sandra Craver Snyder, and they have two daughters and six grandchildren. He is the author of seventeen books (three are multiple editions).
Don’t Forget the Greensboro Wyndham Golf Event Coming Up in August 2015
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