FRED SMITH GOVERNOR 2008 - "A Little Extra Effort" Statewide BBQ Tour
Catawba County, November 3, 2007-- We arrived a few minutes late into Catawba and our staffers Dodie Renfer and George Erwin whisked Fred off to the Lenoir Rhyne College football game where the Athletic Director introduced Fred from the field. Kay and Jim Schmucker also hosted his visit to the game. Meanwhile, after Sheriff Huffman got us situated to watch the parade from the RV, he headed to the football game for a few minutes. He returned in time to be the first car behind the color guard in the Shriners' Day Parade through Hickory and before we knew it, he was standing next to us sharing information about all the WNC units from Surry, Buncombe, Caldwell. We watched and waved as hundreds of men scooted around in their midget trucks, mini-racecars, alligators, motor cycles and golf carts. As Joe and I waved, parade participants gave us thumbs up, asked where Fred was, "the football game" I'd yell back. "I read the book," several Shriners called. I ran out to greet them and invited them to the BBQ. Shriners raise money for children's hospitals and they are at the forefront of medical treatment and research in orthopedic, burn and spinal cord injury treatment. The police car signaling the end of the parade was in sight and Sheriff Huffman said he'd get his car and to follow him. We did and when I looked up and saw all the people lining the downtown streets I realized we were the parade's caboose and I could hear people saying, "Oh look, Fred Smith got in the parade." "There's Fred Smith." "Yeah Fred Smith." What fun to be part of the Shriners Parade. Wish I'd had some candy to throw. Sheriff Huffman led us out to the Shriners' Club in Newton where Bobby Deal gave so much extra effort that Joe commented if each county had a Bobby Deal, we'd be out of a job. Bobby is a Fred Smith Champion along with a growing legion of supporters. Over 200 people joined us at the BBQ and enjoyed the beautiful songs of "The Cockman Family Band." Fred's speech was punctuated by guest applause nearly two dozen times. Great week! God is good all the time. All the time God is good!
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Fred Smith, November 3, 2007
We left Clayton around 8:30 in the morning for Catawba County and arrived in Hickory at noon. The first stop of the day was a tailgate party at the Lenoir-Rhyne football game where a very enthusiastic group of about 40 people attended including Jim & Kay Schmucker, Sheriff David Huffman, Senator Austin Allran, Dennis and Vicky Bruns, CCGOP Chairman Chip Canupp, Rodney Cain, Dr. Felicia Cain, Jessica Cain, John Goodell, Dr. Jim and Ann Peoples, and Bishop Leonard and Rita Bolick. It was also great to see Lenoir-Rhyne Athletic Director Neal McGechy who escorted me onto the football field and introduced me to the crowd.
After we left the game I visited with a group of farmers and cattlemen at Murry's Mill in Newton, N.C. I talked with them about issues related to farming, listened to their concerns, and answered some of the questions they had for me.
Later in the afternoon, after meeting with the farmers, I attended an event hosted by Rik & Lynne Wall at The Rock Barn, then went to the BBQ which was held at the Shrine Club in Newton.
When we arrived at the BBQ we were welcomed by a full parking lot and a multitude of Fred Smith campaign signs. The crowd of almost 200 was full of energy, as the Cockman Family Bluegrass Band played. Among those in attendance were Senator Austin Allran, Sheriff David Huffman, Register of Deeds Donna Spencer, District Attorney Jay Gaither, Rep. Mitch Setzer, Rep. Mark Hilton, Rep. Dale Folwell, County Commissioners Dan Hunsucker and Barbara Beatty, Caldwell County GOP Chairman Walt Land and CCGOP Chairman Chip Canupp. The Catawba County audience was receptive to my message and many expressed an eagerness to help with the campaign. As we visit more and more counties, our message appears to be spreading and it is evident that North Carolinians across the state are ready to bring conservative change to Raleigh.
Fred
November 3, 2007
PICTURES FROM CATAWBA COUNTY
To view additional pictures from Catawba County click HERE.
