Dale works at the Post Office, and is a source of some great island stories, many that he heard from his grandmamma Ollie and other older ladies "down point." Following is a funny story about Dale, as told by one of his former school teachers. Enjoy!
One day when Dale was in high school he was working on a shop class project, but ran out of glue. In those days his teacher simply sent Dale down to the Community Store to buy some epoxy. After gluing his work, he became nauseated from breathing the fumes. Dale left the shop classroom and wandered into the main building. As he was passing the main office, Dale decided to make his concerns known to the school's brand new principal.
Dale burst into the principal's office, threw his hands down on the desk, and looked Ben Utley square in the eye. "Dey Blessed Father," he blurted out, "I'm dee-sgusted some. That damned ole ee-poxy's got me right quamished to the gut!"
With that Dale turned and walked away, leaving Ben scratching his head and wondering what he'd gotten himself into.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a list of traditional island remedies. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032111.htm.
So, what's new? Dale talks like that everyday in the Post Office.
ReplyDeleteDale is an Ocracoke treasure. Bless his heart.
ReplyDeleteAmusing story! My guess would be Dale is a Howard since the positon of postmaster was usually held by a Howard. You all seem to have a P.O.B.- does that mean you have to pick up your own mail ,or do you have home delivery?
ReplyDeleteDale likes to tell me he's kin to the Howards. Though I don't like to admit it, it's true. Susannah Howard was Dale's g-g-g-g-g-g-g-grandmother.
ReplyDeleteWe do not have home delivery on Ocracoke. We all get our mail at the post office.
That doesn't seem fair-you pay the same rate-you should get the same service. My bills would be sooo overdue. THANKS.
ReplyDeleteThe great part about getting our mail at the post office is that it nurtures a sense of community. It is at the post office that all the notices are posted about meetings, pot luck dinners, islanders who are in the hospital, items for sale, etc. The post office is also where we see neighbors. We stop to chat, share stories, ask about family and friends, and so forth. Most of us would sorely miss our daily visit to the post office if we had home delivery. Besides, then we wouldn't have a chance to tease Dale or listen to his stories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful outlook!
ReplyDeleteHow long had Dale been the postmaster?
ReplyDeleteDale? Postmaster? Ha! You see that guy mopping the floor? That's Dale. Bless his heart.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is right. Dale is not the postmaster...but he does much more than mop the floor. Heck, I own Village Craftsmen, but I'm the one who takes the trash to the dump!
ReplyDeleteDale actually has a much more important position than Postmaster. He is the one who smooths out the parking lot when it is full of craters.
ReplyDeleteI loved talking to Dale while I was visiting this winter! He knew exactly where each one of my postcards were going!!! Even the one to Cullowhee!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the story, Philip! Too funny! Sounds like that Dale is an Ocracoke treasure!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Post offices....you are so right, Philip, that the post office is THE place to socialize and learn all the community goings on. My family have a long history of being post masters in Maidens, VA. For decades, it was "THE" place to come, visit and discuss the world problems. People laughed together, told stories and cried when a neighbor died. Too bad some people don't have such a place to go now.