Musings with Jeff Vuncannon
CELEBRATING con't from p. 36 MUSINGS continued
of E. E. Vuncannon’s Inc
Summary of Ellerbe? In Ellerbe we are
community minded; we are a small community
with a population of 1,000 residents. The town
enjoys a 4th of July celebration at the local
Lion’s Club and has a fireworks display. It’s
disheartening when you see your community
not really the same as it was when you were a
child.
Son & Father, Luke & Jeff Vuncannon.
Describe growing up in Ellerbe. It’s
nothing like it is today. When I was growing up,
everybody knew everybody else’s business. If
you did something wrong, then it quickly got
back to your parents. Parents didn’t have to
worry about their children. We were off on bikes
going around town, and we enjoyed a wonderful
childhood.
E.E. Vuncannon’s in Ellerbe.
“We are a community–minded, family–
run business who puts our customers first,”
summarizes Jeff. “We give our customers the
best price with the best service. It’s because of
our customers’ faithfulness that we’ve been here
for 100 years. We feel very fortunate! Normally,
they say the first generation builds the business;
the second generation holds onto it; and the
third generation loses it. We’re into the fourth
generation now with Jason and Luke."
As the Vuncannon family looks forward to
the next 100 years, Jeff tells, “It’s just one day
at a time as we strive to do all we can to earn
our customer’s business. As for 5th generation?
Jason smiles, “My little boy Weston at six months
old comes to the store to crawl around. Time
will tell, but I would love to see my son carry on
the dream!”Pete sums up his work at Aberdeen
Supply, “It’s been my life! And getting to know
the customers has been the most rewarding,
most valuable part of the story!”
Jason Vuncannon manages Aberdeen Supply Co.
Celebrating 100 years of seed, feed, and family
this 2019, E.E.Vuncannon, Inc, remembers the
early days, recalls the changes in the industry,
and recognizes their greatest reward remains a
happy customer. Cheers for the next 100! ☐
• E. E. Vuncannon,150 Railroad St,
Ellerbe, NC 28338 • (910) 652-2791
• Aberdeen Supply, 201 N Sycamore St,
Aberdeen, NC 28315 • (910) 944-1422
MUSING con't. next column
Ellerbe Springs Inn.
Similar to the famed healing waters of Jackson
Springs, the springs at the Ellerbe Springs Inn
property attracted many. Recording as far back to
1790, documents show that Mr. William Webb was
the owner at the time. In 1820, Captain William
Farr Ellerbe purchased the property of over a 1,000
acres. In July 1905, the “Ellerbe Springs Company”
became established and included a hotel, houses,
and facilities to promote the healing mineral
waters. New owner Mr. T.C. Leak opened the doors
of the hotel in 1906. Enjoyed by many prominent
people, the Ellerbe Springs Inn welcomed First
Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940.
Local business today? In town, there’s
Mama Noi’s and Dixie Burger on the other end
of town. We have the Ellerbe Springs Inn where
Eleanor Roosevelt visited. We draw customers to
Vuncannon’s from Rockingham, Mount Gilead,
Biscoe, and Candor.
What do locals do for work? Go out of
town. Many work in Richmond County. The
young people go to college, get a good job, and
move on to a different area. I was fortunate
to continue with the family-owned business,
because I got to raise my children in a small
community.
Life on the family farm? I grew up on my
grandfather’s farm, but we leased the land to
others who grew tobacco. Farming teaches you
how to work hard. There are not as many small
farms as there used to be, but we still have some
farming left.
What do you wish you would have
known when you started out? One of the
most important things I’ve learned is how to
relate to people.
Advice for the young person starting
off? Keep doing your best. Work hard. Don’t
get excited if you’re not treated right from the
beginning. As long as you keep working hard,
then you will be noticed in time.
How long have you been with E. E.
Vuncannon’s? I grew up working with my
grandfather, but I’ve worked full time since I was
22; now I’m 59.
In looking back, would you change
anything? No. I wouldn’t change anything.
Maybe I would have made better decisions as a
young person, but I’ve enjoyed a good life.
Family is? Everything! ☐
By L.S. Crain, S.Pines resident 1989-2017,
now lives in Taylors, SC, his birthplace.
JOHN COLE’S
PLUMBING
PROFESSIONALS
ER E
24 service.hour
a a7
7 week.
days
Mon - Fri
8a - 5p
910
639
4933
Licensed
Bonded
Insured
Family owned
Call us for all of
your plumbing needs!
Free estimates!
A Bug In Trouble
by Mark Price
Flitting here and flittering there
To escape a deadly avian,
Or on a thorn impaled I’ll bear
The wrath of Jackie Hangman.*
This world is callous to prey like me
Who lack exquisite vision
The bird and bug, though they be
Neighbors, have not like provision.
Am I born to live thus fearfully
Under leaf or in the air
Or to try to sleep less fitfully?
Let none dare call it fair!
What am I saying; will I self victim see
And always flee in retreat?
No, I’ll buzz up the courage to brave heart be
And stand up on all six feet!
* A South African shrike
No. 135 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.37