Tyrrell County’s Country Magazine
September 2009
Issue # 25
www.ScuppernongGazette.com
Cover Photo by Neli Lemme
STEAMED BLUE TO RED-HOT, LIVELY! HARD CRAB DINNER AND ART AUCTION
September 19th, 2009 Pocosin Arts Folk School & Gallery For more information call 252-796-2787 www.PocosinArts.org
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PUBLISHERS: INGRID AND NELI LEMME
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Quote of the Month
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“Life isn't about waiting for the storm will pass - it's about learning to dance in the rain.” - Author unknown
DEAR READER Please allow me to compliment you to the highest for thevery handsomely and quality monthly magazine you're publishing! With scenic photos and printed articles-I think it would be rated among some of the nation's top medium to small town publications. A very classic magazine you're giving uskeep up the great work. Milton Bullock, The Golden Platter “ ONLY YOU”
Did you know?
The blue crab is common to all North Carolina coastal waters, but the largest populations tend to live in the Albemarle and nnn
We are grandparents! Our grandson David was born 3 weeks early last and of course he is the most beautiful baby we have ever seen ;) Besides, there is so much else going on this fall in Tyrrell and our neighbor county of Hyde, that I don’t think we will get bored. How could we with mother nature at our doorsteps and ... well you have Pamlico sounds. It is popular commercially and recreationally, topping the list of the state’s economically important species in 2004 over 34 million pounds
to read the story “Land of the Free, Home of the Bear.” and fall in love with Tyrrell County all over again. We hope to see ya’ll at the Pocosin crab dinner; as a proud sponsor we will be reporting in the next issue from this oneof-a-kind annual art event. Please e-mail us your ‘catch of the month’, ’couple’ ‘teacher’ photos to nelip@mac.com ! xox- IL of blue crabs were harvested commercially, with a dockside value of $23 million.
Lady of the Month
Elisabeth Hopkins
Wife of Roy (Buddy) Hopkins, proud parents of three children, Mike & Kathy & Derek and three grandkids. Elisabeth is Deputy Clerk of the Tyrrell County Court House.
Photo by Neli Lemme
...On the Boardwalk... Kid of the Month
Kid of the month: Tyler Clark, he is 9 years old and got a cool haircut!
Lady of the Month
Tyrrell County Court Deputy Clerk Elisabeth Hopkins, wife of “Buddy” Hopkins
Man of the Month Durwood Cooper Jr. - here with his father Durwood Cooper Sr.
Movie of the Month
Cloudy with a chance of meet balls. A scientist tries to solve world hunger ...animation
Pet of the Month
Is ‘ Moses’ - Artist of the Month, Billy Scripture’s little dog, who seems to like him a whole lot.
Catch of the Month
A 16 lbs Skate caught of Albemarle Sound.
Get Well Soon of the Month for
Randy Williams “Fuzzy”
Couple of the Month Lisa and Mike Armstrong
Artist of the Month Baseball Legend Billy Scripture
First Annual Mattamuskeet Decoy & Waterfowl Festival in Swan Quarter, NC at Mattamuskeet High School, Hyde County November 21st & 22nd 2009. The Festival will be held in the honor of Ferrell A. Berry and Percy Carawan, two men who have contributed so much to Hyde County’s waterfowl heritage, FEATURING: • The Mattamuskeet Duck, Goose & Swan Calling Competition • Carvers & Antique Decoys • Books & Local Waterfowl Art • Retriever Demonstration • Antique Tractors • Activities for Children • Locally Cooked Favorites • Saturday Night Oyster Special - Located minutes from the historic Mattamuskeet Lodge, Wildlife Refuge and Lake. Saturday 9:00AM – 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM – 4:00PM One Day Pass $5.00 Adults/Children under 12 free Two Day Pass $8.00 Adults/Children under 12 free www.hydewaterfowl.com
Photos by Neli Lemme
Photo by Neli Lemme
Decoy-Man Billy Scripture Billy Scripture and his wife Glenda moved to Columbia 2 years ago. Not many know that he is the baseball legend Billy Scripture, former Baltimore Orioles and former New York Mets player, former Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals Minor League manager, and Kansas City Royals former roving instructor Billy Scripture! He used to tear off the cowhide off a baseball with his teeth and do chin-ups from a light fixture in the outfield and did a couple of hundred pushups and sit-ups daily in his prime. “Dalkowski110” did an interview with Billy just recently for The Baseball website http:// tbebaseball.com/index.php?showtopic=6045 - you really can get a lot of insight from that fantastic interview. In 1987 reporter John Garrity wrote a major feature for Sports Illustrated about Billy, who lived and worked in Florida at the time. Since then it has been kind of quite around Billy, until recently, at least, that is how it looks on Google. Or maybe he had just chosen a quieter lifestyle, less limelight and more serenity, but that’s just my speculation. Earl William (Billy) Scripture was born November 20, 1941. He grew up on a South Carolina tobacco farm surrounded by woods and game and his father taught him a lot of what he knows including shooting, he told the Sports Illustrated reporter. The Baseball Reference website states “biographical article is missing the person's birth place”. I decided not to ask him. Billy Scripture was a college star who later played and managed in the minor leagues for over 15 years. He was an outstanding collegiate player for Wake Forest University in 1962-64 and named an ABCA AllAmerican outfielder as both a sophomore and junior. He was the oldest player named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. Scripture played minor league ball from 1964 to 1972. He debuted professionally with the Stockton Ports, hitting .242 with 40 RBI and 11 home runs, the most he would hit in his minor league tenure. In 1965, Billy batted .242 with 8 HR and 86 RBI for the Tri-City Atoms as they won the Northwest League pennant. He tied Bill F. Southworth for 6th in the NWL in RBI. Scripture split 1966 between Stockton (.253/.339/.399 in 74 games) and the Miami Marlins (. 288/.373/.351 in 55 games. In 1967, Billy was with the Elmira Pioneers, hitting .257/.349/.317.
He led the Eastern League in times hit by pitch (16) and led the EL's third basemen in assists (266), double plays (25) and fielding percentage (.949). Given that it was the heart of a pitchers' era, he just missed the top 10 in the EL in average, trailing #10 Bobby Bonds by .004. He was named to the EL AllStar team at third base. In 1968, Scripture made it to AAA with the Rochester Red Wings and hit .230/.307/.332 in 121 games, back in the outfield primarily. In 1969, Billy batted .265/.362/.392 for Rochester. He then moved to the New York Mets chain. Scripture hit .276/.389/.441 in 152 AB for the Tidewater Tides, as a backup 3B-OF and a top pinch-hitter. He also pitched two games, allowing five runs, 4 hits and 3 walks in two innings of work. He saw even less playing time in the field in 1971, getting 80 at-bats in 57 games and hitting . 250/.375/.475. Scripture wrapped up as a player in 1972, hitting .213/.260/.255 in 32 games for the Tides. The next year, Scripture began a minor league managerial career that lasted seven years. Willie Wilson, the Royals centerfielder, played for Scripture at Jacksonville in 1976. "He had the most impact of all the coaches and managers I've had," Wilson says. "He was a wild man, but he never did anything to show off. He did it to teach you." – wrote reporter John Garrity when he interviewed him in Florida on the shooting range. Continuing: “Another shooter, who has just come from the scoreboard, watches with admiration as Scripture hops into the truck. Scripture is the winner of that afternoon's 50 pairs doubles, an event in which the shooter fires at pairs of targets released simultaneously in different directions. His score: 99 out of 100. "Earl put the hurt on 'em, didn't he? Ninety-nine, that's damn good shooting." “Scripture is no local club shooter. His Amateur Trapshooting Association classification is the highest, AA-27-AA. The double A's mean he averages at least 97X100 in singles competition and 93X100 in doubles: the 27 means he shoots from 27 yards, the longest distance, in handicap events. From 1981 to 1983, during a sabbatical from baseball, Scripture won four Virginia state championships—two singles and two all-arounds. (He took the 1982 singles trophy with a perfect 200X200.)” When Neli took the photos of Billy Scripture in their house in Columbia and at his wood-shop, she met a man completely in his element, a wood carver creating with big hands delicate work. Ducks and Swans, “The heads always first,” he explained “and then later on, I choose the body that fits best”. He hit a home-run by moving with his wife to Columbia on the Scuppernong. Welcome home, Billy! Reference Sports Illustrated http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/topic/article/Willie_Wilson/1900-01-01/2100-12-31/ mdd/index.htm
Tyrrell County’s 28th Annual Tyrrell County Ducks Unlimited Banquet will be held November 7th 2009 at Tyrrell Hall Doors will open at 6pm Dinner will be catered by Nixon's Catering Tickets: Single $40 Couple $55 Youth $25 Tickets must be purchased by October 28, 2009 Early Bird cut off is 10/21/09 A drawing winner will receive a credit for $100 to be used at Banquet No tickets available at the door For more information call: Carl Willis 252-796-6131 Rudy Patrick 252-796-4120 Kim Davenport 252-796-0355
"Duck Blind Heaven," by Robert Childress North Carolina Ducks Unlimited www.nc.ducks.org
Ilyde County Waterfowl Association P.O.Box 9l SwanQuarter,NC 27885 www.hydewaterfowl.com
August10,2009 DearExhibitor, TheHydeCountyWaterfowlAssociation(HCWA) invitesyou to be partof the First Annual Decoy& WaterfowlFestivalon November21 and22,2009in SwanQuarter,NC Mattamuskeet Lake,Wildlife Refuge High School,just a few milesfrom the historicMattamuskeet at Mattamuskeet andLodge. The Festivalwill be heldin the honorof Fenell A. Berry andPercyCarawan,two men who havecontributedso muchto HydeCounty'swaterfowllegacy. It is the goalof HCWA to maintaina standardthat supportsthe art of decoycarvingandcollecting. The eventwill striveto conveyto the publicthe bestof thetraditionsandart of waterfowling. FestivalHighlightsinclude o The Mattamuskeet Duck, Goose& SwanCallingCompetition o
Carvers& AntiqueDecoys
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Books& Local WaterfowlArt
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RetrieverDemonstration
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Antique Tractors
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Wildlife Refuge Toursof Mattamuskeet
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Activitiesfor Children
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SaturdayNight OysterRoastSpecial
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Locally preparedregionalfood
directions,localchurchservices,additionalformsandbasic Informationaboutset-up,eventschedules, To informationaboutthe areawill be availableon the HCWA websitewww.hydewaterfowl.com. receiveby mail pleasecall. A registrationform and lodginginformationis attached.Pleasereturn registrationformsandpaymenton or beforeSeptember15,2009. will be availableon our websiteSeptember15,2009. Floor For your use,postersandpressreleases planswill be postedOctober1,2009. If you needusto mail them,pleasecall. pleaselet us know. If you haveany questionsor suggestions
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Festival Committee
BradGurganus President
GregoryBerry VicePresident
CallingCompetition Brett Mason (2s2)943-87s4
(2s2)e44-s636 (2s2)944-30e0
www.HydeWaterFowl.com
JIMMY
SHE-CRAB
SOOK
SPONGE-CRAB
Blue Crabs in our Albemarle Sound The blue crab is common to all North Carolina coastal waters, but the largest populations tend to live in the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds. It is popular commercially and recreationally, topping the list of the state’s economically important species - in 2004 over 34 million pounds of blue crabs were harvested commercially, with a dockside value of $23 million. In order to grow, a blue crab must shed its shell and form a new one. As crabs shed, they emerge from their old shells with a very thin, soft shell which hardens after several days. These softshell crabs are delicacies that are eagerly awaited by crab lovers
each season. The shedding process is repeated up to 25 times during a crab’s life span, which seldom exceeds two to three years. When environmental conditions are favorable, large numbers of crabs can be produced from a relatively small spawning stock. Females can spawn twice in their life-cycle and release up to two million eggs at a time. If a crab loses a leg or claw, it is able to regenerate, or grow a new limb to replace the one lost. In addition, the crab possesses the power to throw off limbs voluntarily. If a crab is seized and held by a leg, it may release that leg and escape. The leg is regenerated during the next shedding cycle. A mature male crab is called a "jimmy" and is easily recognized by the brilliant blue shading on his shell and claws. Female crabs are called "sooks" (adult) or "she-crabs" (immature) and can be distinguished by the rounded aprons on their underside and red tips on their claws. The "sponge crab" is a female that has an egg mass on her abdomen. http://www.ncfisheries.net/bluecrab/ "Jimmy" - Mature Male, "She-crab" - Immature femalE. "Sook" - Mature Female, "Sponge Crab" - Female with eggs
Blogs - Blogs - Blogs People love blogs, who would have thought? “Just wanted a simple way for everyone to keep up with Crewe. I will try my best to add pictures and fun facts whenever I can. I hope you enjoy what I do!” wrote Crewe’s mom (or dad) and we sure love to
SCUPPERNONG GRAPEVINE
OTHER BLOGS OF INTEREST
INNER BANKS EAGLE
www.innerbanks.blogs pot.com
ALBEMARLE SERVICE CENTER www.albemarleservice center.com/blog
CREATE YOUR OWN BLOG FREE
www.blogger.com/start
TINY FARM BLOG http://tinyfarmblog.com
see this cute little fellow growing up, on-line too. “A blog is usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse.” WiKi
CREWE JONES
http://crewejones.blogspot.com
CYPRESS COVE
Cypress Cove Marina blog, about boats and An interesting blog with boats and things http:// green’ tips and advise cypresscovenc.blogspot.com www.thescuppernonggr apevine.com
THE 4-H BLOG
Columbia’s summer camp director Chase Luker has posted already over 100 entrees & counting http://eastern4h.blogspot.com
CAPT. ANDY’S FISHING BLOG
http://fishobx.blogspot.com
There are lots of these awesome fishing photos
MEMORY LANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Megan Jones updates her blog frequently with amazing photos http://www.memory-lanephotos.blogspot.com
Benefit for Randy Williams “Fuzzy” Friday, September 11th from 4 to 7 pm ‘Fuzzy’ has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Corner of Main & Broad Street
Leon Nixon’s Catering is serving Delicious BBQ & Chicken Plates with Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies and Potatoes ~ $7~ per plate Deserts will be sold separately! Sponsored by Fuzzy’s Friends
Photo by Neli Lemme
A GOLDEN PLATTER LETTER Dear Ingrid and Neli
First of all please allow me to compliment you to the highest for the very handsomely and quality monthly magazine you're publishing! With scenic photos and printed articles - I think it would be rated among some of the nation's top medium to small town publications. A very classic magazine you're giving us - keep up the great work. My name is Milton Bullock, formerly of The World's Famous Platters, now performing solo as "The Golden Platter" paying a much needed musical tribute to my former group. I take much pride in being blessed to have been an essential part (vocalist-1st tenor) with the group. I also wish to sincerely thank you very, very much for including me in this month's issue (no. 24). I would be honored to give you an interview should this be your wish for publication-as you may have surmized; I have numerous stories of and during my tenure with The Platters back in the 50's and 60's even so much to have a few stories revolving around "The Jackson-5" and the late icon 'King of Pop' just for starters. Editor’s note: Milton is invited for an interview on Ingrid Lemme’s TV Show American Dream, she is the co-publisher of the Scuppernong Gazette and Swan Quarterly and since the shows, aired to 5 million households, are also aired on YouTube, ya’ll will be able to watch it! www.AmericanDreamShow.com My dear and special friends Frank and Sandy Hughes of Columbia forwarded me the issue and pointed me to page (5) with a photo of when I came there for Cypress Cove's 1st Boat Show. With little to no advertisement, the word traveled fast and wide in the short time I was there on the waterfront in Columbia! Making it worthwhile, and giving me the golden, rare opportunity to meet, greet and sing to a few of my fans impromptu. I deem and treasure the friendship of the 'Hughes' with the greatest esteem. They are the perfect host in every aspect. Sincerely,
Milton Bullock / "The Golden Platter" FYI. Milton Bullock / "The Golden Platter" is confirmed to appear and sing at our annual Scuppernong River Festival which is scheduled for October 10th & 11th. Then the following weekend (Oct 18th) at "Edenton's Music in the Park" where he is invited to help close the series for the year by headlining a special nostalgic 'Old School Doo-wop' concert.
I'M HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A SEMI-FEATURE IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL AND WELL COMPILED "THE SCUPPERNONG GAZETTE"! GOD BLESS AND PLEASE KEEP ON PUTTING OUT THE 'GOOD STUFF' AND YOUR (NELI’S) PICTURES ARE JUST AWESOME!
Mark: October 10th, 2009 18th Annual Scuppernong River Festival The Scuppernong River Festival celebrates our community! Come join the locals for a full day of celebration and fun, followed by evening fireworks. The day starts with the parade at 10:00 AM. Vendors, food, all day entertainment at numerous locations. And, after the fireworks, dance the night away at our street dance. Phone: 252 796-2781 or 252 796-1371
Photo by Neli Lemme
Scuppernong River Festival Vendor Applications
www.visittyrrellcounty.com
Photo by Neli Lemme
Vendor applications for the Scuppernong River Festival are now being accepted at the Town Municipal Building in Columbia. For information call Ellen Bell at 252-796-2781.
Business of the Month Columbia’s
LAWNMOWER REPAIR On Highway 64 between Food Lion and EXPRESSIONS
Photos by Neli Lemme
Tyrrell County Land of the Free Home of the Bear Welcome to Tyrrell County, Land of the Free, Home of the Bear. While many humans only recognize Tyrrell County as the blank place on the map between Raleigh and the beach, other species find this place to be home, sweet home. While Tyrrell County lacks Wal-Mart, Target, and coffee shops, it has all of the appointments necessary for a successful wildlife community. As the Recession recesses, many people are finding great deals on real estate. Bears, ducks, deer, and wild turkeys are experiencing the same recovery in their own “real estate�. Tyrrell County still abounds with great opportunities for wildlife. While elk and bison once roamed here long ago (yeah, really), bears still flourish in the coastal plains and mountains of our state. Bears only recently disappeared from the piedmont -
they ran out of real estate. Those bears had to move elsewhere to find suitable real estate. A real estate listing for a bear would read like this, if bears could read or write: 100 acre studio, no people around. Outdoor plumbing, food everywhere. Tall trees, occasional bee hive. River views, farms nearby.
If you give a bear that option, he's there. So if you look out your Tyrrellinian window, you'll probably see the same thing. That's why bears outnumber people 2 to 1 in this county. There are about 3,500 people, so that means there are 7,000 bears. By the way, never approach a bear while you are eating a honey bun. Every September, mallards, scaup, redheads, and canvasbacks leave the prairie breeding grounds in what is called the Prairie Pothole Region. The PPR’s landscape is a lot like Tyrrell County only it exists in North and South Dakota, and the prairie provinces of Canada. This habitat is all wetland or agricultural fields with 5 to 500 acre potholes (tiny ponds) about every mile. The potholes are often shallow and have islands of cattails and bulrush, which is great for a duck to hide, lay eggs, and hide some more. Tyrrell County (and some of Hyde, Dare, Washington, and Beaufort) has a lot of the same habitat...so there are also breeding and resident waterfowl here! I have seen these ducks...mainly wood ducks...these amazing birds can live anywhere there is a hole in a tree over water. "Scuppernong Squealers" is what I prefer to call them...they are a sporting bird and are totally palatable. Notably, my favorite of the resident species are the mallards and black ducks I have found...they are in Hushmouth Creek. Tyrrell County also hosts approximately one million ducks, geese, and swans every winter. What about the white-tailed deer? There are plenty of those around…most city slickers believe that deer live in or around the highway, but this is a total fallacy. In the fall, one way to pass away the dusky hours of the afternoon is to ride the back roads and check out the cut corn fields and bean fields. These fields are like a buffet to deer, as well as other wildlife. Some deer in live deep in the swamp…this is where the really big bucks live and grow their antlers. The pocosin provides ample cover for many species to both hunt and hide. Don’t forget about the red wolves, either! While estimates say that there are roughly 200 endangered red wolves in the wild, they are all in our neck of the woods. Pop Quiz – Where are the only 2 “Red Wolf Crossing” highway signs in the world? Tyrrell County is the proud owner. The wolves aren’t a danger to humans. Secretive in nature, these things are rarely seen unless you participate in the Red Wolf Coalition’s “Howling” programs. Locals have compared the red wolves likeness to that of a coyote. While they appear similar, coyotes lack the radio collar that most red wolves wear around their neck. Another animal of contention is the American Alligator. I have seen plenty of alligators around to know that they exist. A general rule in alligator safety is to avoid catching the reptiles. The only places I have ever seen the alligators are in and around the canals of Gum Neck. They are beautiful animals with a brain smaller than their eyeball. The Eastern 4-H Center does it's part to conserve native wildlife. Camp Canvasback is the premiere hunter education and conservation camp for youth. Campers get Hunter Education cards, which are needed to acquire a license. Wildlife Officers lead many of the classes during Camp Canvasback...
...so you can rest assured that we are cultivating ethical and responsible outdoor enthusiasts. Also – the Center installs lots of Wood Duck nesting boxes around the neighboring swamps. This is important for two reasons. Wood Ducks need a tree with a cavity, or hole in it so that they can lay their clutch. Secondly, the nest boxes fill the void left by old cypress trees that uprooted by hurricanes. Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers also need trees with cavities. This endangered species can be spotted around the Palmetto Tree Preserve. While many people relegate Tyrrell County as an outta-the-way place...I prefer to be here as opposed to the beach or Raleighwood. Bears, deer, and alligators are much better neighbors. I want geese and swans flying over my "pizer" much more than 747's. A traffic jam here almost always includes a bear crossing the road. And with 2 bears to every person, that's a lot of bear to go around.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY CHASE LUKER HTTP://EASTERN4H.BLOGSPOT.COM
"Connecting culture to environment through art since 1994" STEAMED BLUE TO RED-HOT LIVELY! Photo by Neli Lemmejoin us for our annual benefit auction Please Saturday, September 19, 2009 4:30 pm: Registration - In the Studio Exhibit of Live Auction Items - In the Gallery, Bar, Music, & Silent Auction Items - Under the Tent 6:00 pm: Hard Crab Dinner & Buffet 7:30 pm: Live Auction 8:30 pm: Dessert & Dancing 'til 10 pm with
Blackwater Dinner and bus seating are by reservation only due to limited seating. www.pocosinarts.org
252-796-2787 Photos by Ingrid Lemme
Our!2009!Community!Yard!Sale!will!be:!
Saturday,!October!3! (Rain!date:!Saturday,!October!10)!
Each!year!our!event!continues!to! grow!!This!year,!we!are!going!to!be!featured!in!the! fall!edition!of!the!Down!East!Magazine!!We!also! advertise!in!surrounding!counties!and!that!helps! our!attendance.!Last!year!we!had!over!30!families! participating.!Please!let!us!know!if!you!would!be! interested!in!participating!this!year.!We!are!adver" tising!this!as!the:!!!!!!!!!!Swan!Quarter!!
!!!!!!Community!Yard!Sales! We!ask!that!each!family!(even!if!2!or!more! families!are!together!in!the!same!yard)!that! plans!on!having!a!yard!sale!contribute!$5.00!to! help!pay!for!the!paid!advertising!and!for!the! signs!on!US!264.!Please!get!your!$!to!either! Margie!Brooks!or!Patsy!Jo!Newman!by!September!15,!so! we’ll!know!how!many!yard!sales!to!advertise.!! ! Questions?!Call!Margie!at!926"9311!or!email!yardsales@embarqmail.com!!
Whether!you!have!items!for!sale!or!not,!please!make!plans! to!visit!your!friends!and!neighbors’!yard!sales!on!this!date!!! Message sponsored by the
www.SwanQuarterly.net
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436 Bridepath Road Columbia, NC 27925 252 796 4513 www.ScuppernongGazette.com nelip@mac.com
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