October 2010 Tyrrell County‘s Country Magazine Published Monthly, in print and online! www.ScuppernongGazette.com
October 2010
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Cover Photo by Cory Furlough
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
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PUBLISHERS: INGRID & NELI LEMME / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: SUNNY LEMME
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Quote of the Month
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“Tyrrell County is for Lovers! “- The Scuppernong Gazette
DEAR FRIENDS
Ducks
Ducks Unlimited banquet will be held November 6 at Tyrrell Hall. Social starts at 5 and dinner will start at 6. It will be catered by Nixion's. Single tickets are $35 and a couple ticket is $50 with one membership. Early bird ends on October 16.
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Some people say that Tyrrell County is for nature people. We say “Tyrrell County is for Lovers’ !” Just look at the romantic wedding photos of Brandy & Aaaron and ya’ll agree with us! October is our favorite month in Tyrrell, we love the Scuppernong River Festival and can’t wait to eat NC’c famous
Funnel Cake with lots of whipped cream and hot cherries. Yummy! Ingrid and Sunny visited Germany last month and got to hold their grandson David for the 1st time. Please meet our brand-new Baby of the Month and see the Man of the Month on the cover Thanx Cory for a great shot!! xox Ingrid & Neli
Trunk or Treat !
“Calling all kids for "Trunkor-Treat" at Columbia Missionary Baptist Church, Saturday evening, Oct. 30th, beginning at 5 p.m.” writes Ms. Vi Crowder
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October 2010
...On the Board Walk...
Teen of the Month Miss
Chelsea Gerhart
Baby of the Month
London Haley Brickhouse, as photographed by Megan L. Jones
Couple of the Month
Brandy & Aaron Mann of Tyrrell County
Lady of the Month
Gifted photographer Megan Jones, above with her daughter Grace
Website of the Month: www.coryfurlough.com Lasting Impressions Photography
Man of the Month
Business of the Month
Photo by Cory Furlough Lasting Impressions Photography www.coryfurlough.com
Devin Craddock, on the cover, a Tyrell Co. Vol. Fire Fighter
Kid of the Month
Flower girl Miss Codi Mann, here dancing at her father’s wedding.
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Tyrrell County, NC
Organization of the Month Legion Beach
October 2010
Baby of the Month London Haley Brickhouse
Photo by Megan L. Jones Megan Lane Photography www.meganlanephoto.com 252-706-0025 www.ScuppernongGazette.com
Parents: Jenn and Brandan Todd Brickhouse The absolute best time to have your newborn baby photographed is within the first 5-10 days of life. Seem early? Getting pictures taken this early will ensure your baby will be at its sleepiest state – therefore allowing the your photographer to mold and fold your baby into all those irresistibly cute poses. Plus, baby acne has a tendency to develop later, so an earlier appointment offers this added benefit. Although you might be a bit tired, this early appointment will be worth it when you experience a very easy baby photography session and receive a beautiful piece of art. Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
BLACK PANTHERS IN TYRRELL COUNTY? BY
WILLIAM WEST Over the years I have heard many accounts of black panthers having been seen in Tyrrell County. However, in all of my ramblings around the county, rambling shorelines, driving miles of timber company roads and fishing in remote areas, I have never seen one. That, in itself, doesn’t mean black panthers do not exist in the county. Bobcats are plentiful in the area but I have seen bobcats in the wild only four times in my life, once in Tyrrell, once in Washington County, and twice in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The native wild cats, both bobcats and cougars (panthers), are secretive by nature and most active at dusk, dawn or at night. Many of the reports of black panthers originated in Alligator. One young deer hunter, an outdoorsman who had lived in Alligator all of his life, told me that from a deer stand he had watched a black panther walking along the shaded edge of a large field for several minutes. His description of the large cat was remarkably similar to the cougars www.ScuppernongGazette.com
(panthers) that I have seen many times on television. The young man’s father also told me that he had observed a black panther with binoculars on the opposite side of the same large field on another occasion. While rambling along the shoreline at Pledger Landing in Alligator I observed a large footprint deeply impressed in sand. The track was cat-like but much larger than that of a bobcat and there was no indication of claws. Cats can sheathe their claws and dogs cannot sheathe theirs. If the track had been left by a dog, there should have been claws marks. Did I see a panther track? Knowing of my interest in wild animals and nature in general several people have told my brother-in-law to tell me that they had seen black panthers in the county. A trapper reported that he had caught a black panther in an otter trap in Alligator but fearing reprisal from federal authorities he had buried the carcass. In his account of his epic journey into the heartland of North Carolina early in the eighteenth century, John Lawson reported that panthers were common and that he and his party often heard them caterwauling during the night. Were all of these people spinning
Tyrrell County, NC
yarns or did they really see or hear panthers? I first heard of black panthers in Tyrrell County from an authority in 1949. At the time I was a junior in Columbia High School and on a trip to a Beta Club convention in Raleigh, my first visit to the state capital. While I was rambling along a hall in the Museum of Natural History, a silver-haired gentleman came out of his office and began a conversation. Upon learning that I was from Tyrrell County and a hunter/rambler he invited me to join him in his office for a chat. He asked had I ever seen a black panther or heard of one in the county and went on to say that there had been reports of them in the area since white men first visited the area in the 1580s. Dr. H. H. Brimley, then the museum’s director and a trained zoologist, said that he believed that people had been seeing otters or feral house cats rather than panthers. In low light conditions one can easily misinterpret what one sees. Professional biologists have told me that black panthers, or panthers of any kind, do not exist in Tyrrell County or in the surrounding counties. Some years ago a local hunter was fined for having shot two cougars in the county. According to the reports that I heard, the animals were October 2010
young cats that had hung around a dumpster and had been seen by several people. Apparently the cats had been pets that were released when they became too difficult to handle or an attempt by wildlife personnel to reintroduce the animals into the area’s wild lands. A wildlife biologist vehemently denied that suggestion when I asked him about it.
even black in shade or subdued light. Mutations occur in the coat colors of many creatures. For example, there are melanistic, or dark-coated, specimens of leopards and jaguars and lions with white coats. It is therefore possible that a dark or blackcoated strain of cougars could have evolved in Tyrrell County, that is, if there were cougars here in the first place.
So, what am I to gather about the information that I have been given about black panthers in Tyrrell County? I have never seen one nor have I seen the photograph of a black panther in the county. I am sure that if someone had run over a black panther or killed one being run by deer hounds there would have been newspaper or media reports about the fact. Panthers or cougars did occur throughout the state until they were eliminated as a threat to people and their domestic animals. Cougars have tawny coats but they might appear dark or
Do black panthers roam Tyrrell County’s swamps, pocosins, and wild places or have people misinterpreted what they have seen? I, for one, hesitate to say that what hasn’t been proven cannot be. As a youngster I was
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Tyrrell County, NC
laughed at when I told people that I was “fishing” for pearls in Scuppernong River. They evidently thought that I wasn’t playing with a full deck because they had neither seen nor heard of pearls having been found there. Incidentally, I found pearls both in Scuppernong River and Albemarle Sound. I hope that someone likewise proves beyond doubt that black panthers really do roam around my home county.
BY WILLIAM R. WEST A NATIVE OF TYRRELL COUNTY
October 2010
BLACKSMITHING & DECOY WORKSHOPS AT POCOSIN ARTS October 16th (9:00-4:00pm) Pocosin Arts Folk School hosts Randy Hodges to teach Beginning Blacksmithing, a oneday workshop for beginners to learn basic blacksmithing skills. Tuition is $65 (+ supplies, payable to instructor approximately $10). Students age 14 and up are welcome. Randy Hodges has taught blacksmithing for a number of years and operates his forge and resides in Manteo, NC.
October 22nd & 23rd (4:00-8:00pm Fri., 9:00-4:00 Sat.) Charlie Reber, a well known decoy carver from Engelhard, NC will teach Water Bird and Decoy Carving. Participants will construct, carve and paint their own rustic original water bird work of art. Learn from this spirited teacher Reber who has a special touch in www.ScuppernongGazette.com
making working style decoys and shorebirds and can tell a story too! Tuition is $60 (+ supplies, payable to instructor). Charlie Reber’s work, including decoys, shorebirds, and wood model boats will be on display in the Pocosin Arts Gallery exhibit,
more information and to register. Pre-registration is required. Limited class size. Pocosin Arts is located at 201 Main Street, Columbia, North Carolina. Scholarships are available for those in need of financial assistance. The Pocosin Arts Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Thank you for helping to promote our educational programs. Blacksmithing w/Randy Hodges (October 16) Decoy Carving w/Charlie Reber (October 22 & 23) One image is of Randy Hodges teaching blacksmithing. The other is of some shorebird carvings by Charlie Reber.
Landscapes and Waterbirds, October 8th through November 20th, 2010.
Hilary Anderson, Program Director, Pocosin Arts Folk School Phone: 252-796-2787 Website: www.pocosinarts.org
Visit www.pocosinarts.org for details about all workshops offered or call 252-796-2787 for
Tyrrell County, NC
Email: hilary@pocosinarts.org Photo by Hilary Anderson, Pocosin Arts Program Director October 2010
Photo by Hilary Anderson Pocosin Arts Program Director www.ScuppernongGazette.com
Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
6TH ANNUAL CULINARY CONFECTIONS CONTEST
The Tyrrell County ECA and Scuppernong River Festival are sponsoring the 6th Annual Culinary Confections Contest.
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Prepare your favorite culinary confection-cakes, pies, candy, cookies, jams/jellies or other sweet treats and submit them to the Tyrrell County Cooperative Extension Center at 407 Martha Street in Columbia between 8 am and 12 noon on Friday, October
Tyrrell County, NC
8th. Ribbons, certificates, and Scuppernong River Festival merchandise will be awarded. For more information, contact Dee Furlough at 796-1581. Applications can be downloaded from this website. www.visittyrrellcounty.com
October 2010
Couple of the Month Brandy & Aaron
Scuppernong Gazette
Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Brandy & Aaaron’s Dream Wedding Brandy + Aaron attended the same school but Aaron was 2 years older and they didn't know each other. Brandy told me that she made a list of guys she thought was cute and that she'd like to meet when she was in 9th grade and Aaron happened to be one of the boys to make the list. For some reason, Aaron was later crossed out and a note saying "odd" was by his name. She still has the list today. Fast forward to many years later and something changed as they ran into each other at Poor Richards in Manteo, watching a friend Ty, and his band play. Brandy knew who he was but Aaron didn't know her. She told me that she sat next to him all night flirting with him and he kept trying to run her away but it didn't work! They soon began dating. Brandy planned a gorgeous wedding for the past 9 months and everything seemed to go very smoothly. She didn't seem nervous one bit. I hope you enjoy the pictures from their amazing day! On Christmas Eve, Aaron had planned to take Brandy to Waterman's and had even called to set up a proposal there that the staff would be in on, but, Brandy insistent on going to Mac's for oysters on the half shell. Aaron continued with proposing but did it at Mac's Back Door Oyster Bar instead in front of lots of strangers. A few detail shots as Brandy's bridesmaids are helping her get ready:
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Brandy & Aaaron’s Dream Wedding Brandy & Aaron decided to do a sand ceremony during the service because they wanted to include his daughter Codi into the ceremony, beyond having her as flower girl. It was a very symbolic and special moment of joining the three of them together as family.
A 1940's Chevy
Brandy got a 1940's Chevy to take her and her Dad to the church. It was also her and Aaron's transportation to the reception. I could have done a whole session with this car, but the reception was calling!
The 'Bulls Bay' Diamond
Both Brandy + Aaron's rings are extremely special to them. Aaron had bought the diamond at the May 2009 Dock of the Bay, a yearly event that he held at the Eastern 4-H Center in Bulls Bay (same place as their reception). Someone at the event actually won the diamond and Aaron bought it from the winner. He knew Brandy loved the yellow diamond when she had seen it the year before at the same event. She kept calling it the 'Bulls Bay' diamond. Aaron designed the setting himself and Brandy was so pleasantly surprised. His ring has even more significance. It was his dad's first wedding band with his mom. His dad bought them a yellow gold set years after they were married and that is what his mom wears now. His mom gave Aaron the original white gold band which is very special to him because his dad passed away from cancer in August 2009.
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
"SOMEWHERE OUT THERE" Brandy and Aaron chose to dance to Brad Paisley's "Then" as their first dance as man and wife. Brandy said that they felt this song rang true to their relationship. Other special songs were used throughout the ceremony too. "Somewhere Out There" was the song used when the mother's were escorted in. When Brandy was a kid and would go stay with her mom in Virginia she would make her play the "American Tale song" (as she called it) over and over again on the piano. The song that the bridal party came into was "When You Say Nothing At All" by Keith Whitley. Aaron wanted to teach her how to two step and one night under the stars that was the song he played on the car CD player as they danced outside for the first time. Brandy said it isn't uncommon for them
to turn on the car radio and dance underneath the stars. She also referred to the song in her vows by saying "I knew I loved
you the night that you asked me to dance with you underneath the stars." She said that was the moment when she realized that he appreciated the simple things in life the same way she does. The reception was so much fun with lots of dancing by all! Brandy + Aaron, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me and trusting me to capture the beginning of your journey together! I'm so blessed to call you two friends! xoxo Love, Megan www.MeganLanePhoto.com 252-706-0025
TAP DANCING CLASSES IN TYRRELL
Columbia, NC -In addition to its after-school dance program, Pocosin Arts Folk School, now offers a tap dancing class for adults (students age 18 and up) taught by Paula Donahoe. The class will be held in the Madge Van Horne Auditorium (by the Columbia High School), Friday evenings from 6:30-7:30. Students enroll for one month
be Friday, October 1st. Call (252-796-2787) or stop by Pocosin Arts Folk School to register
(four classes) at a time. Cost: $30/month. The first class will
Visit www.pocosinarts.org for a complete schedule of classes and workshops offered. Pocosin Arts is located at 201 Main Street, Columbia, NC Carolina. Scholarships are available for those in need of financial assistance. The Pocosin Arts Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
www.townofcolumbianc.com
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
NC ESTUARIUM OCTOBER 2010 CALENDAR Art Exhibit- Bird photographs are on display by Bill Majoros, a scientist, author, musician, and photographer who works at Duke University . He is the author of The Season of the Osprey and Secrets of Digital Bird Photography among other titles. His nature photography can be viewed at www.ThirdBirdFromTheSun.com River Roving Educational River Tours - Learn about the history and habitats of the Washington waterfront. These boat tours cruise the Pamlico River Wednesday through Friday at 10:30 and 12:45, and Saturdays at 10:30. No admission fee or other cost is involved for the tour, but advance reservations are required. Riders should check in 15 minutes in advance. Children must be at least 6 years old to ride; a responsible adult must accompany children under 16. Call 252-948-0000 for reservations. October 1st - Big Sweep River Roving Clean up - 12:45 - 3:00. Help clean up the beaches along the Pamlico -Tar River . Wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves. Children must www.ScuppernongGazette.com
be at least 8 years old to ride; a responsible adult must accompany children under 16.Call 252-948-0000 for reservations. Contact the Beaufort County Coordinator, Linda Boyer, at the Estuarium or www.ncbigsweep.org if you are interested in participating in NC Big Sweep in your community. October 9 - Nature Photography Seminar - 10:00-4:00 - $50.00 program fee. This seminar is taught by Sol Levine, a professional nature photographer. The program is open to beginners as well as advanced photographers. It includes a morning classroom session, and an afternoon photography session on the river aboard the Estuarium’s River Rover pontoon boat. Pre-registration and prepayment required. Bring a bag lunch. Call 252-948-0000 for more information, or check out www.naturesimagesbysol.com October 14 - “Paddle for Clean Water”- 1:00 - 2:00 - $2.00 program fee - Pamlico Tar River Foundation Riverkeeper Heather Jacobs Deck paddled down the Tar River to Washington to raise awareness of the need for clean water. This program offers highlights of her trip.
October 21- Washington’s Constructed Wetlands and the Positive Impact it makes on the Community. 1:00-2:00- $2.00 program fee - Mike Apple, Washington ’s storm water management technician, talks about the history and the success of the constructed wetlands project adjacent to the Estuarium. The Estuarium is located at 223 E. Water Street, Washington, NC, and is open Tuesday Saturday, 10:00-4:00. Admission is $4.00 adults and $2.00 students. Please call ahead for program information as space may be limited. The Estuarium is a Partnership for the Sounds facility, an organization promoting eco-tourism and sustainable economic development in the AlbemarlePamlico region. www.partnershipforthesounds.org For more information, contact estuarium@embarqmail.com or 252-948-0000. Photo by Sol Levine is of black bears of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.
Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Reunions and Other Events: Class of 1975 35th reunion Oct. 9th at Columbia Theatre Our feature writer William West will return to Tyrrell for his 60th High School class reunion and River Festival on Oct. 8 and I hope to ya’ll you there. The Greater Tyrrell County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Tyrrell County Fall Bazaar on November 13, 2010 at Tyrrell Hall on Highway 64 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Vendors with antiques, arts and crafts, homegrown and handmade items, flea market and yard sale items are encouraged to participate. Booths are $20 for the inside and $10 for the outside. The Breakfast Bake Shop sponsored by the Columbia Medical Center will offer breakfast items for sale. Lunch of soup and sandwiches will be sponsored by the Inner Banks Hotline. Admission is $2 for adults and children are free. Proceeds will be used for community activities supported by the Chamber of Commerce.
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RIDE TO A WISH
"/% 5)& 1"35/&34)*1 '03 5)& 406/%4 PRESENTS
THE 2010 RIVERFEST 1M/5K 4BUVSEBZ 0DUPCFS UI t ". 5IF 'JSTU "OOVBM 3JWFSGFTU .JMF 'VO 3VO 8BML BOE , 3VO 8BML XJMM CF IFME JO $PMVNCJB /$ For more information please contact %PO $PCFSMZ at dcoberly@ridetoawish.com. All proceeds benefitting Tyrrell County Public Safety
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Labor Day 2010 at Legion Beach “Barbara (Fleming) said you might want some pictures of todays event at Legion Beach.....It was an awesome day....You should have been here....” wrote Ms. Sandra. Lookin’ at the photos we will definitely attend next year! - Legion Beach held an Open House / Fun Day on Labor Day Montauk Sept 6, 2010 and many followed the invitation. Carolina BBQ 1/2 Chicken plates were sold for $7:00 and our local Blackwater band jammin’. They played Volleyball, Cornhole and Horseshoes all day and had a grand, grand ol’ time!
Remember when?
- playing pool, dancing in the big room or having a wild time at Legions?
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Teen of the Month Chelsea Gerhart Looking at Chelsea Gerhart’s Facebook page it becomes quickly clear that is an easy going person who has a lot of friends and makes friends easy. We had been announcing on the Scuppernong Gazette Facebook page that we were looking for suggestions for a ‘tenn on the month’ and Ms. Genevieve Litchfield answered promptly. Chelsea Gerhart is 17 and ‘In a Relationship with Andrew Swain’ it says on her FB page. She goes to Columbia High.
A nice girl.
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Photos by Cory Furlough Lasting Impressions Photography www.coryfurlough.com
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
Photo by Cory Furlough Lasting Impressions Photography www.coryfurlough.com
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
TCVFD JR Simmons 4-Wheel Rally Riders from all over the east descended upon the fields and farm paths of Tyrell County to ride in a benefit 4Wheeler Rally held by the TCVFD in memory of their fallen friend JR Simmons. 75 riders braved the 45 mile course and had a ball in the process raising money for a very good cause.
Photos by Cory Furlough Lasting Impressions Photography www.coryfurlough.com
These photos are for sale and come in sizes ranging from 4x6 to 24x30. Simply click the "buy" button above the large picture on the right, pick your size, and follow the
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010
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Photo by Cory Furlough Lasting Impressions Photography www.coryfurlough.com
SCUPPERNONG gazette 436 Bridgepath Road Columbia, NC 27925 Tyrrell County www.ColumbiaNC.com 252-796-4513 NeliP@mac.com
megan lane jones
If you would like to order a print copy of this issue, please order it online @ http://www.magcloud.com search words: Scuppernong Gazette!
252.706.0025 tel megan@meganlanephoto.com email www.meganlanephoto.com
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Tyrrell County, NC
October 2010