Posted by Bettina on August 11, 2009
I grew up in the Guideway community of Columbus County, which used to be big tobacco-growing country. Luckily for me, I came along a little late in the game, and didn’t have to work on the family tobacco farm like my siblings did. So most of my summer work revolved around the big family garden. Because my mother was a schoolteacher, she had summers off and devoted a large portion of her time to our garden. She grew all the things a good southern woman grows in the garden; cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, butter beans, squash, zucchini, okra, watermelons, and of course, corn.
Apparently, my mother didn’t trust my “picking” skills, because I wasn’t required to perform that task very often. However, she seemed to be very sure of my “shelling” skills and I spent many summer afternoons shelling butter beans and peas. And that wasn’t so bad. It was definitely cooler in the house shelling butter beans than it was outside. But there was one garden job I dreaded EVERY summer and that was shucking corn.
When Daddy felt the corn was properly filled-out, he and Mama would wake up early and load the back of the pick-up truck with the ears. Then, they would make me get out of bed *gasp* and go outside to help them shuck the corn. It was terrible!! The wet, dew-laden grass stuck to my feet and the sticky corn silks clung to my hands, not to mention the constant mosquito and gnat-slapping that was required throughout the morning. But the absolute worst part of the whole process was peeling down a cornhusk and discovering a fat, juicy, worm, lethargic from his carbohydrate-induced coma …it still makes me shutter!
As I get older, it’s amazing how that dreaded summer chore has turned into a fond family memory. I realize, now, how fortunate I was to have my parents available and willing to work together as a family to prepare home grown vegetables; how fortunate I was to grow up in rural Columbus County where the worst part of my summer was having to wake up early a couple of mornings to shuck corn.
Posted by Justin on August 3, 2009
As I visit local manufacturers on behalf of the economic development commission, I am constantly amazed at the wide variety of products made in Columbus County. Area businesses produce everything from sythetic yarn to sledge hammers to horse trailers.
Our industries range from family-owned businesses that employee less than a dozen workers to nationally known industry giants that employ more than 700 people.
Visit the directory on our website to see the list of manufacturers and what they produce. You might be surprised at what you see!
Posted by Lisa on July 24, 2009
Posted by Justin on July 20, 2009
Almost every Columbus County town throws an annual celebration for a fruit or vegetable, and this weekend is Fair Bluff’s turn to honor the watermelon.
Beautiful downtown Fair Bluff, along the banks of the Lumber River, will host a food court, variety show, legs contest and even a watermelon seed spitting contest Saturday. And don’t forget the parade, which starts at 11am. A full schedule of events can be found on the festival’s website.
Posted by Bettina on July 15, 2009
I’m a reader. I love bookstores and could honestly spend hundreds of dollars in one visit. But in an effort to be more frugal, I have begun visiting the Tabor City and other Columbus County Library branches. And I have to say, I’m very impressed with the selection of books available. My current obsession is London, England so I’m always looking for authors whose characters live in that part of the globe. Authors like Jane Green and Sophia Kinsella, with their modern day plots or Philippa Gregory who leans toward historical fiction, are easy to find in our local libraries.
I’ve also begun to check out the books-on-CD that are available at the Carolyn T. High Memorial Library branch. I’m not the most patient traveler and I’ve found that books-on-CD make any drive less tedious.
For a complete listing of books available in the Columbus County Library system visit their online catalog.
Posted by Lisa on July 10, 2009
(reprinted from the News Reporter)
Forum to feature crime prevention expert
Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:01 PM EDT
A former New York City detective, who is now an education specialist with the state, will be the next guest speaker at the Greater Whiteville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Lunch Forum.
The forum will be held Tuesday, July 14 at the Interim Centre meeting room on North J.K. Powell Blvd. in Whiteville. The program starts at 11:50 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 1:15 p.m.
The guest speaker, Bob Poisella, is a member of the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission Unit. He will address the lunch meeting on crime prevention at home and in businesses, and hold a free in-depth seminar on crime prevention.
Poisella is a certified criminal justice instructor at both the state and international levels. A graduate of the State University of New York, Poisella helped develop North Carolina’s Amber Alert regimen in 2003. In addition to his years as a detective, Poisella taught college in the Triangle area.
Tuesday’s meal will be catered by The Todd House. The workshop and forum are open to the public. Reservations are required, and lunch is $8.50. Contact the Greater Whiteville Area Chamber of Commerce, at 642-3171, for additional information.
Posted by Bettina on July 8, 2009
I was a child during the 1980’s and loved the music of that era, so when I heard that Pat Benatar was playing at the Myrtle Beach House of Blues last week, I knew I had to be there! The concert was on a Tuesday and I normally don’t go out on a “school night” because my busy weeks require me to be well rested. But I needn’t have worried about being tired the next day, because I didn’t miss a minute of sleep. My friends and I left Tabor City at 5:30pm, had dinner in a restaurant near the concert venue, had a great time listening to Pat Benatar ROCK OUT, and were back in Tabor City by 11:00pm. The perfect evening trip!
An instance like this reminds me why Columbus County is a perfect place to live and work. On a daily basis, I can enjoy all the great aspects of living in a small town, but can also enjoy the amenities of larger areas within a matter of minutes. I feel fortunate to have the best of both worlds!
Posted by Justin on July 6, 2009
In my mind, downtown Whiteville has three public crown jewels - the NC Museum of Forestry, the Columbus County Arts Council and - in betwen - is Vineland Station, a historic train station that was masterfully renovated a few years ago.
Below if more information from the station’s website.
The Vineland Station Historic Train Station is Whiteville, N.C.’s civic center. Built originally in 1903, it is one of North Carolina’s original brick depots. It got its name Vineland from the expansive grape vineyards that once covered the area. Vast quantities of these grapes were shipped from the station.
It sat in disrepair for a number of years until a joint effort by Columbus County, the City of Whiteville, the N.C. Department of Transportation, Carolina Southern Railroad and a non-profit committee came together to extensively renovate the building to its original luster.
The main room, or warehouse, has the original exposed brick walls, slate roof and restored heart pine flooring and ceiling timbers. The offices and history gallery have much of the original bead board wall and features of the original train station.
Vineland Station hosts a number of public events such as art shows, music performances and fund-raisers, as well private events such as weddings, receptions and seminars.
Posted by Lisa on July 3, 2009
A lot is happening in Columbus County to celebrate our nation’s independence.
Two especially exciting celebrations on two nights are:
FRIDAY NIGHT at South Columbus High School, Tabor City. Entertainment begins at 7pm and fireworks at dark.
SATURDAY NIGHT at Lake Waccamaw ~ just find a place to park as the sun sets and get ready for a show you’re sure to remember.
So you have a weekend FULL of celebration right here at home. Hope to see you THERE!
Posted by Christopher on June 30, 2009
Being a historical figure and all, I really enjoy learning as much as I can about the evolution of this great world we live in.
One good way to do that is to discover more about your family history and to learn about the fascinating stories of the families that settled here and helped mold Columbus County, NC into what it is today.
A great way to learn more about the history of this area and to get started with your family research project is to attend a meeting of the Southeastern North Carolina Genealogical Society.
Their next meeting will be held at the North Carolina Museum of Forestry, 415 South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 2:00 P. M. Those who wish may gather at 1:00 P. M. for conversation and sharing of family histories.
John Hall Formy-Duval will present a program on the Hall-Formy-Duval house and the Hall and Formy-Duval family history.
Society members and those interested in genealogy/history are encouraged to attend. Come on out! You won’t regret it!
