Notes from far away friends

This week I once again reach into the email bag for comments from my readers. I am truly amazed at the ability of the internet to reach far away friends who once called Polk County home.
Bob Dempsey writes from Shreveport, Louisiana, “Steve, what a great story about a place I had forgot about, Benny’s discount store in Landrum. Benny’s was my mother’s first stop anytime we needed clothes. I’ll never forget the blue jeans I got there. They were so stiff you had to wash them for a week before you could wear them and bend your legs! You had to wash them separately for about a month because they would turn anything washed with them blue!”
Bob also remembers another “landmark” in Green Creek. Polly McGinnis’ shoe store was located in a huge wooden building. They sold nothing but shoes. Mr. Dempsey recalls going outside to play while his mother shopped for shoes. He notes that it was like playing on a farm!
Pat Pruette Barber, a former classmate, writes that she is now a resident of Apollo, Pennsylvania, about forty-five miles northeast of Pittsburg. Tryon residents will remember Pat as a bank employee in Tryon for many years. She recalls those days in the sixties and our “Markham Road” circle of friends consisting of Pat, Jack Layne, Phillip Davidson, Carolyn Smith Fisher, and yours truly. According to Pat, Carolyn Fisher still lives near Markham Road. Sadly, both Jack Layne and Phillip Davidson are no longer with us. Hearing from Pat brought back many pleasant memories.
My next contributor to the email bag hails from the other end of the continent. Nancy Edwards writes from Monroe, Washington to thank me for the story on her Uncle Herb Edwards (see “Where are they now? “August 24, 2007). She says that a family member emailed he the link to the story on the TDB website. Nancy had moved to the west coast in the late seventies.
Our final dip into the email bag brings forth a letter from Madelyn Dedmondt Meyer, who moved to Brevard several years ago. She read my “Where are they now?” column on Billie Spivey Begg. Amazingly they later met at a knitting circle. Madelyn is planning a class reunion for the Tryon High School class of 1957. Class members may reach her at 828-883-2725. Finally, Madelyn spoke of Lula Burrell the guru of Tryon High School. She was amazed that Lula remembered so much about everyone who either went to or taught at the school. I would love to hear from Lula.
To Madelyn in Brevard, North Carolina; to Pat in Apollo, Pennsylvania; to Robert in Shreveport, Louisiana; and finally to Nancy in Monroe, Washington; I thank you and others for your readership and for your emails. s.hefner@comcast.net
Postscript: I still have not seen a Polk County Wolverine picture in the “Asheville Citizen Times!”

Far away Wolverine fan wants photos

This week I digress from my usual "remember when" column to express a personal concern.
One year ago I wrote a column about the old days when Tryon High School football games were played on Friday night at Harmon Field (see "End Zoning", August 2006).
Now, I have become a far away high school football fan, and have been following the Polk County High School "Wolverines" for two years now.
Each Saturday morning I eagerly google the internet for news of another great Polk County win. My first stop is usually the "Asheville Citizen Times" online edition.
There, if I am lucky, there will be a short blurb with the score and one or two sentences about how each team scored. Of course this recap is hidden beneath numerous paragraphs about the "big school" teams in and around Asheville whether they won their game or not. Even smaller schools like Cherokee, Swain, and Andrews (Polk county has beaten two of these teams this year) have numerous game photos posted each week.
I have yet to see one picture of the Wolverines in action. I guess three wins over tough competition and a state ranking mean very little to the Asheville sports writers.
To get any statistics about the Wolverine's game I usually am forced to go to the "Charlotte Observer" online or the NCHSAA website. I would like to see Polk County fans flood the "Asheville Citizen Times" sports department with game photos and demands for better coverage (I have written a letter to the editor).
If their reporters are afraid to take the short drive down the mountain or too elitist to do so, Polk's proud parents and coaches should send the photos to them.
Maybe that would force them to give a little recognition to one of the best teams in Western North Carolina.
I would if I had a long, long telescopic lens. Go Wolverines.