FRED SMITH GOVERNOR 2008 - "A Little Extra Effort" Statewide BBQ Tour
What a day! Odd in ways; yet most rewarding. Fred spoke at a Rotary luncheon at the Cape Fear Country Club. Driver was asked to move the RV to the mall where security asked us to move to a different mall. No time for shopping. Team made side trip to the Board of Education to conclude some business and call came that Fred was ready for pick-up. An unexpected private meeting with a local entrepreneur after which, we were off to Grace Baptist Church to meet with the pastor and religious school educators. What a beautiful facility, with both parking and a young attendant waiting to direct us. Homebuilders were next prior to a successful fundraising event in Wrightsville Beach. While setting up the BBQ at Roland-Grice Middle School, I met a man whose wife had been mentored as a young teacher by Fred's mother, Eudell. Our team greeted over 200 guests and Miss Eudell surprised us at the New Hanover BBQ where she visited with many old friends from the family's days in Fort Caswell (Oak Island). It was good to see her. As Fred held his arm around her, he was clearly proud to introduce her to the packed room of supporters. A sweet picture! Add New Hanover County to a growing list of great days.
Fred Smith speaks from the campaign trail in New Hanover County
Monday we kicked off a full schedule of barbeques and county visits which by the end of the week will take us to six counties stretching from New Hanover on the coast to Clay and Cherokee counties at the furthermost western tip of the state on the Tennessee and Georgia borders.
This week's Extra Effort tour began at lunch in Moore County where I spoke to a group of 86 people at the Pinehurst Women's Club. I then met with Moore County business men and women and toured an area tool and die factory. I was interviewed by the Pilot, an area newspaper, and attended a fundraising event before the barbecue. The barbeque was held at the Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines and we had an excellent crowd of approximate 150 people in attendance.
Yesterday I started in Benson at 8 a.m. giving a legislative report to a Chamber of Commerce group. I had lunch in Dunn with 30 business men and women of Harnett County. Following lunch I met with Tom Woener of The Harnett County News for an interview, then attended a meeting with County Commissioner Tim McNeil and others at the Johnsonville Community Center. I then attended a fundraising event in Angier hosted by Jim Burgin. The barbeque was held at the Erwin-Coats Middle School. Harnett County GOP Chairman Jayson Lemons presided over the evening where I was fortunate to be able to talk with 130 Harnett County citizens in attendance. I especially enjoyed meeting with a group of college Republicans from Campbell University also in attendance.
Today I traveled to Wilmington for our New Hanover County barbeque. I enjoyed speaking at a Rotary Club luncheon at noon, then touring Wilmington Christian Academy, before meeting with the New Hanover business men. Before the barbeque I attended a fundraising event at the home of George and Sylvia Roundtree in Wrightsville Beach. The barbeque began at 6:30 at the Roland-Grise Middle School and was not only a sizeable crowd of over 200, but an enthusiastic one. . It was a pleasure not only to have my wife Ginny's brother and his wife and children in attendance, but also to have my mother there. It was a great night, but there are still many miles to travel this week. I leave the beautiful coast tonight and will visit the western North Carolina mountain counties of Clay and Cherokee tomorrow before traveling to Davidson County on Friday.
Fred
October 3, 2007
IN PICTURES
