Newsletter

Hello friends!

We are in the dog days of summer again, and this year we are DEEP in.  Seems like those hot humid days came weeks early this year, and of course the reporting is that this is the hottest year ever recorded. The grass has taken advantage of the humidity, and I’ve been mowing here about every five days.  I’m on the third set of Z-turn mower blades!

Crops and gardens have done pretty good this year.  Farmers here in the country have started to pick corn, which puts off that sweet aroma I love to smell.  When he’s not working at Layden’s Supermarket, Gene has been busy canning pickles, fig preserves and banana peppers.  And we picked blueberries and peaches here at The Onley Place.  (I even have some peaches fermenting for wine too……). 

It seems like it has been a very busy summer, even though we haven’t had weddings or shows here, though September will start it all off for another season.  We did manage to get away a couple of weekends, one to Asheville & Knoxville, and one to Mount Airy to visit Mayberry.  We are still wanting to get to visit friends at the OBX and Delaware.  We hope to take a “Big” trip next year, as we like to do every other year.  It takes us two years to save up for one of the big trips…lol. 

The big news here is that we no longer have the horse “Jesse” and the mule “Jack”.  I decided to find them other good homes last September, about the time I needed to buy and store hay for the winter.  I do miss them, but I don’t miss going out every morning and every evening to feed them in the cold.  The bantam chickens are doing good.  “Old” Bill Johnson has taken a back seat to the new “Young” Bill Johnson.  They tend to avoid each other.  The hens raised about 20 chicks this year, which most have been given away.  And our beagle “Highball” is as sweet as ever.  He spends his days chasing rabbits in the mornings, and laying under the porch the rest of the day.  The two beehives swarmed in the Spring, and I was able to catch both.  Then a few weeks later, a bear got into them and we lost one of the hives.  Of the other three, they have been working like crazy.  We are planning to take honey next week. 

I had my book “Nicanor” printed last fall.  (Nicanor is the township I live in).  I’ve sold about 40 of them, which is pretty good since it is only about this community.  I really had LOTS of other information I wanted to add, but just thought I had better go ahead and print it.  So now I’m working on Book #2. 

The old 1791 Willis Riddick house, which I brought to The Onley Place in 2021 is now complete.  The inside trim work, floors, stairs and doors are original. Even the paint on the inside trim is mostly original.    I had to replace the laths and horse-hair plaster with sheetrock, as it was beyond repair and I had to replace most of the windows.  All the weather board on the back and sides has been replaced, however, the front weather boards are original and still held on by “rose head” nails.  The circa 1850 Anber Eason house is complete also, with a lot of the original woodwork.  The 1765 White/Rountree house is also complete, at least the main portion.  The rear “shed rooms”, which were added in the mid 1800’s is still being used for a staging area.  The old James Stallings kitchen is complete, but the Abner Eason kitchen is now where I am devoting my time to. 

In September, the Perquimans County Restoration Association is hosting a “Jollification”, where they raise money by having several old homes open for touring.  This year, the houses at The Onley Place will be on the tour.  All five of our old houses, and the barn, will be open for folks to view. 

If you are planning on coming to one of our Christmas shows, the houses will also be open.  If you want to view them, come a little early and walk through them.  We are planning on having them decorated for the Christmas season. 

We have several weddings scheduled before the end of the year, and several more for next Spring.  Gene has begun to offer his services for wedding planning, and “Mister” of ceremonies.  If anybody knows how to plan and run a wedding……it’s Gene.  For all my old friends who helped build the barn, I wish you could see it all set up for a wedding.  It’s beautiful!  Gene usually posts pics of each wedding on our Facebook page, “Friends of The Onley Place (no spaces).  Check us out!

Our October show last year was turned upside down just a few weeks before the date.  We lost our caterer and the band that was already booked.  Garland Abbott and Tee Maroney had to back out, as Garland suddenly was diagnosed with advanced cancer, and they could not make the show.  In just a few months, Garland passed away, we will miss that beautiful voice of his.  The caterer decided to take another gig…and didn’t even inform me.  We scrambled again, and luckily, our friends Earl and Norma at Topside came out of retirement and did the meal for us.  Bob “Muskrat” Reams (steel guitar) was in Garland’s band, and another band called “Band It”, who jumped in and did the show for us.  And they did a GREAT job.  Muskrat’s daughter Lacy Jean also sang in the show.  They will again do the show for us this October. 

We had a GREAT Christmas show last season with the “Halleluiah Crew” and our regulars.  And of course, Valentine’s was with our talented friends “Out-N-The Cold”.  And in April, the great voice of Sammy Morris from Chowan County gave us all a wonderful show.  So, check out the dates for our upcoming season and make your reservations.  The price is still $30 per person. 

That’s about all for now.  Fall and cooler weather is just around the corner.  “See you in the neighborhood”.

Steve & Gene

Upcoming Events:

October 21st        “Carolina Moon” show with “Band It”, Lacy Jean, and the TOP crew

Dec. 1st & 2nd      “Country Christmas” with Adam Nixon & the “Halleluiah Crew”, Connie Riddick & the TOP crew

Feb. 9th & 10th    “Valentines Show” with “Out-N-The Cold”, Connie Riddick & the TOP crew

April 2024            TBA

Steve Casper   252.297.2347                                    Gene Baker     252.297.2068