The Corduroy Falls Gazette

While the dust settles from last week's pie contest controversy, the Ladies' Auxiliary of First Baptist Church took matters into their own hands Thursday afternoon. Ernestine Polk graciously opened her diner after the lunch rush for what Mavis Lucille Greene called "a healing meal among friends."

The gathering brought together nearly two dozen residents, including Pearl Odom, who arrived with her husband Franklin Price despite his well-known differences with Dr. Harold Whitfield over proper medical protocols. "We're not here to rehash old business," Pearl declared over her coffee cup, "we're here to remember we're neighbors first." Dorothy Lee Campbell provided fresh rolls from the grocery, while Luther Washington brought a basket of early spring vegetables from his farm.

Reverend Amos Thornhill offered a brief blessing before the meal. Ruby Nell Simmons and Violet Mae Jessup arranged flowers from the library garden as centerpieces, and Curtis Leroy Hayes helped his wife carry them over during his lunch break. Sheriff Clayton Boggs stopped by long enough to sample Ernestine's famous chicken and dumplings, pronouncing them "better than any blue ribbon."

The afternoon concluded with Loretta Faye Bingham suggesting a quilting bee for next month. Odell Rayburn, overhearing the plans while sweeping his shop next door, volunteered his back room for the gathering.

While the recent pie contest debacle might have left some feeling a bit sour, the Ladies' Auxiliary at First Methodist pulled off a magnificent recovery with their Reconciliation Pie Social on Wednesday afternoon. Ernestine Polk brought her famous buttermilk pie, which "tastes better than any blue ribbon," she declared with characteristic warmth. The church hall overflowed with neighbors eager to put recent unpleasantness behind them.

Mavis Lucille Greene was the guest of honor, entertaining the crowd with tales of pie contests past when "judging was done by taste, not by politics." Her sister Ernestine nodded vigorously throughout. Pearl Odom and Franklin Price arrived together, bringing a lovely coconut cream that disappeared within minutes.

Ruby Nell Simmons and Violet Mae Jessup organized the children's table, where the youngest set enjoyed their own mini tasting contest. Curtis Leroy Hayes helped his wife set up while James Earl Tucker and Dorothy Lee Campbell arranged extra folding chairs. Even Reverend Amos Thornhill made an appearance, sampling three different varieties before pronouncing the afternoon "a testament to Christian forgiveness."

The event raised forty-seven dollars for the church roof fund. Loretta Faye Bingham collected donations at the door while her father Thaddeus Monroe regaled anyone who'd listen with stories about railroad dining car desserts. Luther Washington donated fresh cream from his dairy, and Dr. Harold Whitfield pronounced the gathering "good medicine for what ails us."

Campbell's Grocery will undergo a modest expansion this month to accommodate increased demand for fresh produce and canned goods. Dorothy Lee Campbell announced plans to add a storage room to the rear of the building, which will allow for larger weekly shipments from regional suppliers.

"We've been turning customers away when we run out of staples mid-week," Mrs. Campbell explained, "and that's simply not good business." The expansion will cost approximately $800 and should be completed by month's end.

While construction proceeds, the grocery will maintain regular hours. A position for a stock clerk has also been posted at the post office, offering $0.75 per hour for afternoon and Saturday work. Luther Washington, whose farm supplies much of the store's seasonal produce, praised the decision. "Dorothy runs a tight ship," he noted dryly. "This town needs reliable merchants."

Interested applicants should inquire at the store between 9 a.m. and noon on weekdays. Experience handling inventory is preferred but not required.