Richard & Clara Lupton

Clara and Richard Lupton

     I grew up attending Warden’s Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Lowland.  I remember Earl Sadler Jr., Henry Rice, Sandy Popp, Roxanne Watts, and so many others including myself, singing in the youth choir, participating in the annual Christmas programs, and other church activities..  One of the things I fondly remember as a child when I went to church was getting a piece of chewing gum after Sunday school from Mr. Richard Lupton.  At the conclusion of Sunday School, Mr. Richard would be at the rear of the church and each one of us children would be offered a piece of chewing gum on our way out of the sanctuary.  I always remember it being Wrigley’s Double Mint or Juicy Fruit. 

     Mr. Richard and Ms. Clara Lupton owned the small grocery store next to their house in Lowland.  They were both faithful members to the church and also to the community.  I remember many times we would go to the store for ice cream or a candy bar and then go into their side yard and swing on their swing.  The store and their home are long gone, succumbed to the perils of the recent hurricanes. However, when we reflect back to our youth, folks like Richard and Clara Lupton are distant reminders that the people of Goose Creek Island were good people. 

Family Preserves...A Legacy

Three months ago today, on April 27, 2012, my grandmother Audrey Potter Lewis left her earthly home.  It was sudden and yet, it was a peaceful exit.  In lieu of my weekly, Islander of the Week, I share with you the remarks that I made at her graveside service in Lowland on April 30, 2012.  

Audrey Potter Lewis, July 20, 1933 - April 27, 2012

You know Aunt Alberta asked me yesterday was I gonna say something today.  I told her I didn't think I could, but during my drive back to Harkers Island last night I got to thinking.  You see Granny was a preserver and we are like jars of preserves that she carefully put together.  She has influenced all of us here.  She has served as a nurturing mentor in our lives.  She served not only as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, or sister, she was also farmer, fisherman, cook, seamstress and ......a preserver.

I have always embraced and readily absorbed all the stories and traditions that she has told.  I've always wanted to know who we are and who we came from.  She shared her stories and her directives.  See, she was leading us by her example and I will explain. 

She told me about the time Aunt Glendine called...she needed her and Granddaddy right away in Norfolk.  Granddaddy secured the boat, a couple of phone calls were made, and off to Norfolk they went.  

Hubert called when Aunt Joy Mae had her life-altering event.  He needed her to come to Florida. The bags were packed and off to Florida they went.  You see, she didn't ask “why”or "for how long"....it didn't matter…nothing became more important at that moment but the needs of her family.  When she told me these stories, what she was doing was instilling in me by example that nothing is more important than taking care of your family.

It was this nurturing nature she had that has shown how we are supposed to treat family.  I have never witnessed a closeness like her, Hubert, Joyce, Muff and Judy.  Even the cousins are close as well.  This crowd is one close bunch of family!  And there is nothing that each of them wouldn't do for each other.  And she lead by this example, and I will tell you...if Granny didn't like what was going on or she disagreed with you, she'd tell you.  You might not want to hear it, but one thing was for certain it was the truth....we experienced a taste of that last night didn't we Bill?

So with that said, Alison said last night that we've all got some jobs to do now.  Some body is gonna have to cook the collards when we all get together again. Somebody is gonna have to learn to cook her rutabagas and coconut cake.  Somebody is gonna have to pick up ALL of the pecans this fall and open them...boy those pecans were good Christmas presents weren't they? 

All of us are gonna have to take care of our family by her example.  Granny, Granddaddy, and Hubert would want it this way,  You see, our family has been seasoned with salt….we are a product of her teachings and we need to preserve those traditions of "who we are".  Lets recognize what is important in our family and continue to preserve those humble roots from which we came.  And lets value the willingness to share and care for one another as Granny did all of us.

The Fire House That Fried Chicken Built

Goose Creek Island Fire House dedication, July 10, 1982 

     L-R, Earl Sadler, Sr., Blaine Rowe, Sr., Charlie Jones, Jeff Potter

     30 years ago, on Saturday, July 10th, 1982, the Goose Creek Island Volunteer Fire Department opened the doors to their new fire house.  With a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house, over 60 people participated in the celebration.
      The Goose Creek Island VFD was created in 1969, however it was re-organized in 1979 with 15 charter members.  Those members actively began to pursue building a fire house and procure equipment that was needed to provide emergency services to the citizens of Goose Creek Island.  A ladies auxiliary group also formed to assist in the fund-raising efforts for the reorganized department.
     Earl Sadler, Sr., seeing the need for a fire house, graciaously donated the land for the building.  The Goose Creek Island Ruritan Club actively went to work to help the VFD with fund-raising efforts.  For approximately 2 years, the Ruritan Club sponsored fund-raising fried chicken dinners on the 4th Saturday of each month.  Over $10,000 had been raised in those 2 years by the many fried chicken dinners the Ruritan Club served.  Even after the building opened, the Ruritan Club continued their monthly dinners to help support the efforts of the VFD.  The ladies auxiliary group also raised money by sponsoring a Spring Festival, participating in the Annual Homecoming activities, and a Haunted House.

      With the building complete and equipment purchased, the fire house was dedicated on July 10, 1982.  Participating in the ceremony was Blaine Rowe, Charlie Jones, Earl Sadler, Sr., and Jeff Potter.  Blaine Rowe, President of the Board of Directors, summed up the consensus of the occasion by stating, " We're new, but we're strong.  And if anybody needs assistance anywhere, we're capable and ready to go.  It has taken a lot of foot work and hard work and thank the Lord, our efforts have paid off."
     So many people were involved in the establishment of the VFD over 30 years ago.  Many of those folks are no longer with us, yet there are so many who have stepped up and carried forth the need for emergency services on the island.  As Audrey Popperwill, 1982 President of the ladies auxillairy group stated at the dedication ceremony 30 years ago, "We are proud to be a part of this organization and have a fire department.  Like all the members, it's a privilege to work for the betterment of our community."
     To all the former members and current members, thank you for a job well done and thank you for continuing to keep Goose Creek Island a wonderful place to live.

Chief, Jeff Potter and Audrey Popperwill, President of Ladies Auxiliary cut the dedication cake.

Folks enjoying the refreshments served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

In Memory of Ruth Jones Potter of Hobucken

It is with regrets that Ruth Jones Potter, 84, of Hobucken died Sunday, July 22, 2012. 

Ruth was the wife of the late James "Flunky" Potter.


She is survived by one son, Daniel E. Potter of New Bern; three daughters, Jean Henries and Betty Chancey, both of Aurora and Donna Jones of Mesic; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday night, at Bryant Funeral Home.

Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Crematory, Alliance.

In Memory of T.B. Tompkins, Jr. of Hobucken

     Theodore Benjamin Tompkins Jr., 82, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.
He was a member of Hobucken United Methodist Church. He served two years in the U.S. Army and retired from the U.S. Navy after serving twenty-two years. He was a member of the V.F.W. and The American Legion.
     He is survived by his wife, Diane Sadler Tompkins; three daughters, Julie Tompkins Potter, Sara Tompkins Woolard, and Rebecca Tompkins Atkins, all of Reelsboro; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
     His funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Roach officiating. Interment will follow in Barnett Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Crematory, Alliance.

Islander of the Week is June Hathaway Lane

June Hathaway Lane is our Islander of the Week.  June is the daughter of the late Ray Hathaway and Lillian Louise Lupton Hathaway and grew up in Hobucken. She is now retired and resides in Orange Springs, Florida with her husband Arthur Lane.

In recent correspondence with June, she has vividly recalled growing up on the island in the 1940's. Participating in the 4-H Club was something new and exciting at that time.  She worked on several projects with the 4-H Club and her workbooks from that era are on display in Raleigh.

June also worked at the Hobucken Fire Tower from 1972 to about 1977.  Before June left Hobucken, she was one of the many volunteers that helped keep Hobucken Post Office open when it was slated to be closed.  

GCIJ:  You were involved in the Goose Creek Island 4-H Club during your youth.  Do you remember how many were in the club?
JHL:    There were about 20 in the club.  I remember Mrs. Joella Sadler invited us to her home for dinner one time.  About 5 of us went. All I can remember is we had mashed potatoes in bell peppers.

GCIJ:  You were employed to man the Hobucken Fire Tower.  What was your job?
JHL:    I worked up in the Hobucken Fire Tower starting in 1972 and worked there for about 5 years.  It was interesting work. Predicting sea breezes was part of my job and I had to keep logs.  When sea breezes occurred, I had to call in and let the Forestry Service know so they could close a fire in or surround the fire with fighters. At night during high fire seasons, we had to go back up the tower at night.  One time I spotted a fire that burnt many acres between Aurora and Grantsboro.

GCIJ:  Did you ever spot any marsh fires on the island?
JHL:   When a marsh is on fire, it burns as a black fire.  Other woodsy areas burn other colors. I did spot a fire behind the home of Mrs. Rena Sadler.  It didn't take long for the Forestry Service to put it out.

GCIJ:  What is your favorite traditional Goose Creek Island meal?
JHL:    Going to Clarence Potter's house for a good ole island oyster roast.  We'd carry our own oyster knives and a plate of fried or baked cornbread.  These oyster roasts were spur of the moment things, but lots of people showed up.  Mr. Clarence and Ms. Margie were good hosts.

GCIJ:  Are you planning to come home for Homecoming in October?
JHL:   Unfortunately, I we won't be able to make Homecoming this year.  Me and Arthur took part in many of the island Homecoming plays when we lived there.  I have them on video tape and miss not being able to attend them now days.

GCIJ:  Your memories of growing up in the 1940's in Hobucken has to include when you first learned how to ride a bike.  Would you like to share that memory?
JHL:  In the 1940's, the Hobucken Rd. was getting ready to be paved for the very first time.  The construction crew had put lots of sand on the existing dirt road.  Odell Spain taught me to ride my bike when the construction had started.  The sand was so thick that the wheels of the bike sunk deep. I could sit on the bike and never fall. 

Capt. Roland "Rookie" Leary and North Carolina Shrimp

 

click play button in center of video to play

Signs, radio spots, billboards and television commercials are all elements of grocery store advertising.  So when BI-LO Grocery stores wanted to do a television commercial to promote their seafood sales, they didn't hire a professional actor, they scouted the North Carolina coast until they found a real shrimper.  Capt. Roland "Rookie" Leary of Hobucken fit the bill.  Pitching fresh North Carolina wild caught shrimp was a perfect fit for the Goose Creek Island waterman.  And to make the commercial even more salty, Capt. Michael "Jimbo" Ireland's trawlers serve as the backdrop in the promotion.