Kudos!

Hats off to our local newspaper team for really getting the story right this time.
I'm very proud to say that our journalists are searching out the best possible resources with all the right credentials for the most accurate information (when it comes to major news in the back country.)

Let me begin by telling you about the most recent update to the backcountry. The state of South Carolina has decided to restrict semi-trucks from passing through Highway 92 from I-26 and Highway 221. This is good news for most residents of Enoree because of our infamous "Sumner's Curve." The 90 degree turn has always been unfavorable for large 18 wheeler trucks. There have been numerous wrecks throughout my short lifetime and if one should happen to meet one of the trucks in the curve...well, just pray that you will have a little bit of the road to keep your tires on. So after dealing with crumby SC DOT engineering for years, the state has finally decided to lessen our chances of colliding with a semi or seeing yet another 18 wheeler flip over the bank and land in the river.
Brilliant!
But not so says the CEO of Inman Mills..."This will hurt our business tremendously!" By JOVE!

Now, to the most important part of this discussion. I will describe two very familiar backcountry characters and then show their significance to the road dilemma.

Gerald Wright. A short, squatty man that drives a very old and battered, black van. The van even has his handpainted "Golden Eagle" on the side. If you hold your head slightly at 45 degrees to the right and squint your left eye, you may see a slight resemblance to the Ruger Bird (known here in the backcountry as Hank Williams, Jr.'s signature logo--a must have for dedicated fans). Gerald has lived his entire life in Enoree and has earned a reputation of the town....well, the town...rambler. Gerald has switched between Holy Roller on a mission from God to literally the best source for reefer and other harmful substances in one month's time. Currently Gerald is in his rambling state, he says that he claims disability (the drugs, man, I'm telling you, the drugs) he wears flip-flops and shorts year round and very dark sunglasses. He spends most of his time riding in his van or sitting in front of one of my retailers conversing with whoever may pass his way. Yesterday, Gerald just happened to be in the only restaurant (if it could be called such a thing) in Enoree. He got his chance to make himself and his comments known to the entire county.
Lo and behold, THE SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL walks in and decides the THE CLOCK of ENOREE would be the BEST source of information for their story on the unfavorable road situation.
They ask who else but GERALD for a quote. I will insert his comments below.

Gerald Wright has lived in the Enoree area for most of his life, and he knows the curve on Highway 92 well.
"We've got a lot of trucks that come through our town," Wright said Monday while eating at the Clock Drive In, a few hundred yards from the textile plant.
"They come through our town pretty quick sometimes."
Wright said at least one resident circulated a petition seeking to bar big trucks, such as those with 18 wheels, from the town's main stretch.
Often when a vehicle meets a truck in the curve, the smaller automobile has to back off or move to the side of the road, he said.
Wright said he understands that Highway 92 is the most direct route to the plant, but "they could watch their speed when they come through."

See the story here!

Classic. Not very informative, just his own personal opinion. But it just amazes me that the local paper would send out its journalists to seek and record comments from this type of source. Do they not know that there are other people who live here? This is why we are known as the backcountry, this is why when you visit our rivers and creeks you can hear the faint sound of "Dueling Banjos" off in the distance.

Theodore Papadonikos is a native of Greece. He has also lived in Enoree for many years. He has operated the only restaurant in Enoree since I can remember. His "cafe" has only merited an "A" rating from the SC DHEC office, once. And he was leasing the building at the time. Theodore as we all call him, drives a ragged, dingy Nissan "Z"...possibly a late 80's model. He owns several goats and one pony which eat the ragweed and broomstraw around his house. He is from a different culture but as I said earlier he has been here with us in the States for quite some time, yet he still refuses to bathe or brush his teeth. Once we got to meet his wife that he brought over from Greece...she too did not care too much for the toothbrush. So aside from the sweaters on their teeth and the strong body-odor scent that wafted your way after a brief close encounter, the two owned and operated the CLOCK of Enoree. The place is barren...only a handful of locals eat there and I think its from lack of brain capability to understand what they are about to put in their mouth and partake as "food". Theodore is a classic Enoree "staple" as I call them...someone that everyone knows about and makes the backcountry a little more flavorful. (Hmm, no pun intended).
Theodore, as well as Gerald, just happened to be in the right place at the right time on the fateful day of May 10. He too was allowed his own "two cents" worth in the story.
I will share his remarkable feedback below.

Theodore Papadonikos, owner of Clock Drive In, said he sees large trucks coming off Highway 92 all of the time.
He said he's seen several wrecks in the curve.
"And most of the time, I don't think it's the big trucks that cause the wrecks over there," Papadonikos said. "Cars mostly have wrecks in the curve."

Priceless.

Thank you to the Spartanburg Herald for uncovering the truth and really getting to the bottom of the story out here in Enoree. Way to write Woodward & Bernstein!

Thanks for all of your patience readers and may the force be with you!