Ten or Free

Although it’s North Carolina’s smallest county at 221-square miles, Clay County is not the poorest—but it’s close.  Perhaps that’s why graduates look for ways to move elsewhere and why retirees are flocking this way.

Many of the residents are what they call “half-backs”: people who migrated from the North down to Florida and have moved halfway back.

   

Combine those on fixed incomes with locals, who simply don’t make much money, and you get a fair share of things that are ten-or-free.

Ten dollars will buy a straight-from-the-smoker barbecued pork (or chicken) plate with homemade sides and a sweet tea—sometimes even a slice of pound cake thrown in—at most of the free, and frequent, music festivals around here.  One favorite venue is the monthly concert on the square, where people bring their lawn chairs to sit and listen to local bluegrass bands play in the gazebo on the courthouse lawn.  They close off the street for those who’d like to dance.

 

Ten dollars will buy an all-you-can-eat plate at the Friday-night fish fry at the local VFW, where they hand you a Styrofoam plate and point you toward the steadily-replenished buffet of fish, fries, hushpuppies, and the homemade slaw and baked beans that seem to come with everything here.  Of course, tea is included, but if you’re a big spender, you can get a pitcher of beer for $5.00 more.

 

Ten dollars will buy a week of fresh-from-his-garden produce at Mr. Jimmy’s.  He grows more than he and the wife can eat, so the rest is for sale under the honor system.  Most things are a dollar a pound; some things are cheaper.  There’s a large coffee can glued down with a slit cut in the top to deposit your money.  “What if somebody doesn’t pay?” I asked.  Mr. Jimmy, who is also a Baptist preacher, responded:  “If they need it bad enough to steal it, then they need it worse than I do.” Last week I was looking for some potatoes, but he was sold out.  “If you got a minute,” he said, “I’ll dig you some right quick.”  It doesn’t get fresher than that.

The women’s golf league I play with had their monthly luncheon last Tuesday, yep, ten dollars.  There was a fabulous salad bar that included ham, turkey, and boiled shrimp.  While some stuck with tea, the tables were also plied with frosted glasses and pitchers of beer.  Claudia, who runs the snack bar, also whipped up a delicious chocolate cake.

When folks aren't eating, some are playing cards.  Tables are available at the Senior Center or at most of the golf course club houses.  Depending on which day you can play, there’s bridge, or the local favorite, Hand-and-Foot, a game somewhat like Canasta.

 

And this year, everyone is playing Pickleball, a game that combines badminton, ping-pong, and tennis.  Everyone’s first question seems to be, “Do you play Pickleball?  Want to learn?”  This is quickly followed with, “It’s free.”  I've already ordered my paddle from Amazon.

It’s always been free to walk the winding path atop the Chatuge Dam, or to float in Lake Chatuge’s cool waters, or to simply sit and watch the sunset dip behind the mountains.

 

Tonight, I’m busting the budget a bit.  I’m going to see the local production of Annie at the Peacock Playhouse. Tickets are twenty-bucks apiece.  I guess I’m doing my part to support the local economy.