Published Sunday, July 05, 2009

July 4 tradition continues in big way in Moreland

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

Just before 8 a.m. Saturday, the train zipped through Moreland.

As the cars flashed through the town, vendors for the Puckett Station Arts and Crafts Festival arranged their wares. Volunteers from three churches -- First Baptist of Moreland, Moreland United Methodist and White Oak Associate Reformed Presbyterian -- stirred pots of Brunswick stew and prepared pork for the annual barbecue.

A mother dressed in red, white and blue helped her daughter -- also attired in patriotic style -- from their car. Someone from the Erskine Caldwell Birthplace and Museum put up some signs about the free showing of "Tobacco Road" on the town square next Saturday at 8 a.m.

Moreland is a town where tradition is strong, and never more than on July 4. The barbecue has been going on for more than 60 years, and the arts and crafts festival has been around more than a quarter century.

People from throughout the area come -- year after year -- for the plates of pork. Many of the vendors are repeaters.

The railroad has been a part of the town's evolution -- causing little Puckett Station to transform into Moreland, named for a railroad doctor. The town flourished for a time as a place where plows were manufactured and farmer's wares shipped.

Now a bucolic bedroom community, Moreland shines its small-town best each Independence Day. Flags fly proudly throughout the town -- a tradition begun by the late Bill Miller and continued by Deborah Smith and her children.

Scouting is also a big thing in Moreland. McKenzie Smith sold lemonade to raise funds for her Silver Scout project during the day, while brother Josh Smith hawked watermelon slices for his Eagle project.

The day officially began about 8:30 when youngsters with bicycles, tricycles and other non-motorized conveyances gathered in front of Moreland United Methodist Church for the annual bike parade. The bikes and trikes were festooned with bunting, flags and patriotic symbols.

Moreland Mayor Josh Evans welcomed the 30 children. He presented a patriotic pencil to each participant and awarded cash prizes -- on behalf of the Moreland Community Historical Society. Winners were, first, Courtney Carrington of Newnan; second, Cameron Rogin of Moreland; and third, Ben Shirley of Newnan.

About 15 folks brought their dogs for the annual dog walk. Winners of that event were -- Craig Adams' Slider for large dog, Zoie Jones' Uncle for small dog and Becky McElreath's Prozac for most spirited dog. Dr. Nicole Andrews, Moreland's veterinarian, and Joan Whitley were judges for both the bike and canine contests, and Andrews provided prizes for the pooch competition.

At opening ceremonies just after 9 a.m., Evans welcomed everyone. "We're glad everybody could come out and chose to come to Moreland," he said.

He also asked for a moment of silence to remember those past and present who have served in the U.S. military. "We have a lot of troops fighting overseas," he said.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 48 -- Sam Coody, August Exner, Josh Pelletier, Chaz Wiles, Dylan Wiles and Austin Willis -- raised the flag on the town square. Local resident Darrell Hester then sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Lines formed for the barbecue early. Damage to the Moreland Mill from early spring storms closed the area of the historic building usually used for eating, but large tents were provided. A cool breeze periodically swept the area near the Lewis Grizzard Memorial Barbecue Pavilion.

Jean Capes found a spot to sit, watch and remember. Capes attended the very first Moreland barbecue more than 60 years ago. "It was at the Masonic Lodge. They cooked the meat outside there. I remember it vividly," she said.

A baseball game and a street dance followed the barbecue in those days.

The barbecue has been "a generational thing," Evans noted. The mayor observed that Moreland's July 4 events often serve as a kickoff for the day -- with people heading to Newnan or Grantville later in the day.

Vendors on the grounds of Moreland United Methodist Church and in the Moreland Mill displayed a wide range of items -- crafts, art, collectibles, homebaked goods, handmake white oak baskets. Brendon Grimm stayed busy drawing stick figure scenes, and the Moreland Community Historical Society did a brisk business in T-shirts and other patriotic goodies.

Members of Moreland United Methodist Church held a quilt raffle, which was won by Lisa Ferrell. Church members also offered tickets for a golf cart to be given away at Moreland Methodist's fall car show.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the Cannonball Express -- a miniature train that proved popular with the younger set -- made one of its last laps around the town square. As it chugged and tooted, the real train zipped through town once more.