Derita Post Office Will Not Be Closed
The Derita-Statesville Road Community Organization takes pleasure in announcing
the news that the Derita Post Office will continue its 139 year history of serving
local residents and businesses.
In a letter, dated October 15th, Representative Mel Watt writes:
"Thank you for contacting my office about the possible closure of the Derita Post
Office in Charlotte.
"In its initial announcement in May 2009, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) listed
3,105 post offices being considered for closure or consolidation. The list was
subsequently reduced to 677 in July, 413 in September, and most recently, to
371 on October 9th. According to the most recent list, the Derita Post Office has
been removed from the list of post offices being considered for closure.
"I hope you find this information helpful. If I or my staff can be of
further assistance, please contact my office." --- Melvin L. Watt
---------------------------------------------
We appreciate the many, many DSRCO area folks who emailed our House of
Representatives and the Postal Consumer Affairs Office here in Charlotte. We
are thankful for the support that we received from the Charlotte news media,
both on-air and in-print.
We are proud that so many of our neighbors signed our petition letters, many also
photocopied more and shared them with other friends to use. The Allen Hills -
Carrie Hills Neighborhood, just one of our 40+neighborhoods, collected and mailed
well over 300 letters. Two Derita Merchants invited customers to take part and they
submitted more than 150 more letters for mailing.
We are sure that many others participated as well and we are pleased with the result.
Regular Mail Service for the Derita Community began in the 1860's when local
storekeeper Amos Rumple distributed mail out of a bureau drawer in his home.
When local residents came into his store to trade, they also picked up their mail.
Two Rural routes were started in 1907, with a single carrier using a one-horse
dog cart.
Mail for distribution arrived first by horseback from Charlotte, then later by horse
& buggy and in still later years by train. Over the 139 years, there have actually
been five different actual Post Offices in Derita --- with the locations and Post-
masters appointed by the political party in power, Democrat or Republican.
The current branch location on Derita Ave. opened in 1961 with Ann Boovy Gunson
as the Postmaster and has continued to serve our Community well. There have
been two previous attempts to close this branch, but residents have been vocal and
quick to point out that this is more than a building. It is an integral part of who we
are and will continue to be. --- Bernie Samonds, President, DSRCO
============================
"Congratulations! I was so happy to read your e-mail about the Derita Post Office
not being closed. Like you said the Post Office is a big part of the community.
I just can't picture Derita without it. I know there is a lot of relief in Derita now,
as there should be.. Again, Congratulations!!" --- Ruby Bickett, DSRCO Past President
"I am so glad that this (contact information to help prevent the closing) was sent
around so that I was a part of keeping the Derita Post Office from closing. Good
job, keep up the great works." --- shugc
"Great News! Thanks once again for a job well." --- The Brents Family
"Good News indeed that it has been spared closure. I am sure some of the
residents will remember my mother. Thanks, --- Ann Gunson
========= Community Calendar ===========
See you at the Polls this Tuesday!
Thursday, November 5th
Derita Area Business & Service Providers Meet
9am, Maria's Grill, West Sugar Creek Rd. Open to Everyone, business or not.
Brainstorming to improve our local business economy. Come meet the owners of
other businesses. Bring a handful of business cards and be prepared to tell us who
you are and what you do in just a couple of minutes. Those participating will be
featured in a special Newsletter about local businesses that will go out to our FULL
mailing list later this month. Together, we are working to help local businesses grow.
Last meeting, former City Councilman & radio talk show host Patrick Cannon
dropped by. We talked about the business challenges ahead and he gave us all
some "insider insight" on road projects planned for our area. He's running for City
Council at Large and is definitely the right choice.
How long is this going take? We'll be done in under 60 minutes, that's the rule.
Even if you have to duck out early, it will be worth your time.
"Promoting the Local Businesses and Service Professionals Serving Our Area."
--- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
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Saturday, November 14th
Turning Point Academy Fall Festival
8am - 3pm, Turning Point Academy, 2300 West Sugar Creek Road
We will have Family fun games and Good Food, Attic Sale & more. Something for
everyone. Spaces available for Craftspeople and other vendors. Contact Lonnie Hall
980- 343-5231
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Saturday, November 14th
Mother's Morning Out
Cole Memorial United Methodist Church, 2022 West Sugar Creek Rd.
10am - 12:30am, FREE CHILDCARE.
Your children, age 5 to 5th Grade, will be treated to crafts, singing, games,
stories and a short movie. You need to call 704 596-2356 (weekday mornings)
to pre-register your child.
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Saturday, November 21st
UMW Fall Bale Sale
8am - Noon, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Rd
A wide variety of home-made baked goods just in time for your holiday meals.
Pies, Cookies & Snack Treats, Cakes & Cupcakes, Breads, even some great
casseroles. While you're here, enjoy a sausage biscuit with a coffee, milk or juice
Proceeds help sponsor projects of the United Methodist Women.
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Poplar Springs Neighborhood Association will meet at
Statesville Avenue Presbyterian Church the 3rd Saturday of each month at
12:15pm.
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What your Neighbors are saying:
Remembering
Good Morning Bernard....just a refresher as to who I am...My name is Clara Donahue,
who lived with my husband, Jim, on Manning Road in Allen Hills from 1963 to 1982...
Two children, Terri and Keith Donahue. Just had a copy of the DSRCO newsletter
dated 10/15/09 emailed to me by my son, Keith who now lives in Ohio.
Seems he had talked to Joey Rusher, thru Facebook, and now what a wonderful
surprise to get this..! I remember some of the names mentioned, but the street
addresses were the most familiar..and certainly you, Bernard. You used to do some
printing for us when I worked for Dr. Don Culp in Derita. Sure remember some
good times with our 'small town' Derita...makes my heart feel good. Would LOVE
to be on your mailing list..just to keep my mind refreshed of the 'Good 'ole Days..!
I now live in Ellerbe, N.C., retired, and very happy.. Thanks for making my day.!
--- Clara Donahue
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Free Friday Funny Mail (our email)
Thanks, Bernie, several of your jokes made me laugh out loud today - especially
the cartoon about dinosaurs that missed the Noah's Ark! Blessings. -- Ellen Eich
=============================================================
Local Rain Totals
September rain totals 2.70 at CRN-54 Derita Alternative and
2.55 at CRN-58 Mallard Creek Elementary. --- Jack Brosch, Cell (704) 622-6995
============================================================
Derita Athletics Basketball
I want to get George Griffin's contact information for the upcoming basketball
season. I used to play for Derita Athletics Association years ago and I would like
to volunteer to coach a team. --- Justin Phillips, Poplar Springs
George Griffin, President
P.O. Box 26483
Charlotte, NC 28221
704 575-7904
704 509-9056
g4ggriffin@aol.com
Relive some of the memories and link up with former team mates on the
Derita Demons Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62450135238
and at
The Derita Reporter Archives albums
http://community.webshots.com/user/DeritaReporterArchive
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Typo or Proof-reading Slip-up
I'm thinking that Craft Show should have been Oct. 17th, because the 19th is on
a Monday. Does anyone proof-read your newsletter before you send it out?
As much as we have time. Just pulling all of this information together is a job in
itself. . . After all, I never actually took a typing course in my life.
Then again, I could have done it on purpose.
I used to work for a Lt. Commander in Washington DC. He was an up-through-the-
ranks "Mustang." Got his commission after earning an English degree on-line.
He used to rip apart everything thing I would write, until a kindly old Navy Chief
told me the secret. "He's got to find something wrong, so throw in a couple of
obvious errors. An incorrect date or some misspelled words. Once he finds those,
he will be satisfied and send your stuff right on through to the printer."
Worked like a charm, and a good thing too. I've writing professionally for more than
44 years and I still don't know what a dangling participle is. So maybe I was just
falling back on my old habits and didn't realize that Oct. 19th is a Monday.
--- Bernie
============================================================
Light Rail - Commuter North Rail
Light rail is still a foreboding demon. From Alexanderana Rd. northward, new (1,500 ft
section) rails have been put in, a shorter rail line has been added, and a huge
MX zoned parcel is being developed with two bridges over the rail line, off 115 (across
from JM Alexander Jr. High). It's coming; I just hope I can get out of Charlotte before
it's implemented.
This is their baby; a huge complex of residences and businesses (AKA "village,"
AKA MX Zoning) with their dream of a walk-to village/light rail distopia. Since
Graham St. lies between this and the current system, it's a cinch that they
"forgot" to tell us this was on the way. --- Doug Hanks, Allen Hills-Carrie Hills
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Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Bates
Enjoyed your article on George & Lillian Bates last newsletter. You must have a
good memory, because you described him the same way I recall, right down to
the blue handkerchief hanging out of his bib-overhalls pocket. --- Jerry
I was born in 1947, moved to Derita in 1952. First met Mr. & Mrs. Bates shortly
after when we started attending Cole Memorial United Methodist. Lillian & my Mom
became good friends. They were in the same Women's Circle at Cole. Both of them
were "Country Girls" and it made for a good friendship.
I knew Mr. Bates that way, from involvement at the Church, and from serving as a
Scout Leader at Cole for over 30 years. I was President of the Methodist Men for
6 years and an MYF Advisor for a year. Mr. Bates was Chairman of the Trustees or
the Finance Committee much of that time, and was also a volunteer on the local
Boy Scout Executive Board. So we saw a good bit of each other. Professionally, I
also did some photography for him, shooting photos of large antique fixtures that
he was having restored and re-wired. --- Bernie
============================================
You can find Contact Info for many Derita Businesses and
Service Providers in our FREE Business Card Listings at:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564074079xONVEq
You will save money by shopping for services already in the Derita area.
=============================================
Some Good News --- from Susan Burgess
"Information Request for our Elected Officials --- This month is a good time to issue a
District Update or a State of the City message. Perhaps there's a little Good News that
the local Media missed reporting." --- Bernie
Dear Derita-Statesville Road Neighbors,
Your fearless editor invited elected officials to provide some Good News about
our city to celebrate. We are sometimes too hard on ourselves, so I want to let
you know how others see the City of Charlotte. These are a few of our recent
recognitions:
Best Place to Live - Relocate America
One of the 10 Best Places to Live - Money Magazine
One of America's 32 Most Livable Cities - Partners for Livable Communities
Best Walking City in North Carolina - Prevention Magazine
2nd best city to start and grow a business - Entrepreneur Magazine
Charlotte Region is the 6th largest urban region and 18th largest city, over
700,000 population,
More than half of Fortune 500 companies are represented in our region,
We are still the 2nd largest banking hub with $2.3 trillion in assets,
#1 industrial hub in the South,
4th largest manufacturing hub nationwide.
In these tough economic times, let's not forget our successes. We have to work
together to make OUR city a great place to live for everyone.
Susan Burgess
Mayor Pro Tem
============================================
Allen Tate Sponsors “Ultimate Fan Package” Sweepstakes
The Grand Prize package (retail value $1,760) includes 4 lower-level seats and
4 field passes to the January 3, 2010 Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans game at
Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte; a signed, framed Carolina Panthers jersey;
and a 42-inch LG Plasma HDTV.
The contest is open to all North and South Carolina residents who are 18 years of
age or older at the time of entry. Contestants must provide a valid e-mail address.
No purchase is required.
Contestants can register online at allentate.com, or stop by any Allen Tate sales
office for assistance. Limit one entry per person and per e-mail address.
(Sorry – Realtors and employees of Allen Tate, immediate family members or
company vendors are not eligible to enter or win.)
Registration for the Ultimate Fan Package Sweepstakes ends at midnight on
Nov.15, 2009. Prize drawing will be held on or before December 4, 2009. Official
rules may be found on the registration page at:
http://www.allentate.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?pageid=27&pagealias=contest
Theresa McDonald, Realtor
Serving buyers and sellers throughout the Charlotte region.
704 236 9340 www.theresamcdonald.com
PS. Who do you know that is thinking of making a move, but is unsure about the
market? NOW is a great time for both buyers and sellers - let me explain why -
call or email for a consultation, no obligation.
===========================================
The Derita Lions Club
meets the 2nd & 4th Monday of most months
Visitors & New Members Welcome
6:30 - 8 pm Maria’s Grill in Derita 2801 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
I just returned from the VIP Fishing Tournament on the Outer Banks of N.C.
and I had a great time. The Derita Lions Club sponsored two blind of visually-
impaired citizens to go. The Lions send more than 520 people each year.
We traveled in a Parks & Recreation bus to Manteo, where we were assigned
a motel, two to a room. We then went to the Manteo gym, where we met all
of the other participants, and where all of the events were held. After the introduct-
ion of dignitaries, we had a great meal and also received our boat and pier
assignments for the tournament. All of this followed by a dance that evening.
After breakfast Tuesday morning, we headed to our assigned places so that the
Tournament could begin at 10:30am. Later, at 3pm, all our fish were weighed. We
cleaned up and dressed for the evening as Motorcycle Riders. Some of the outfits
were great. A dance with live music followed another great meal.
Wednesday morning after breakfast, we attended several programs about blindness
and then we took the afternoon off to visit the Aquarium. It was really something
so see. That night, an awards ceremony was held following a wonderful dinner of fish
and fixin's. Awards went to the ones who caught the most pounds of fish. Our State
had 518 participants and 409 volunteers. A Great Time was had by all.
This is one of the things that Lions Clubs do. "We Serve" with your contributions.
We enjoy what we do.
Our Annual Peanuts Sale is going on now. You can find them at Gary's Barber
Shop, or from any Derita Lions Club member. So help us help others. Please
Buy our Peanuts.
--- Howard Blackwelder, President
============================================
As I Recall . . . memories of a growing up in Derita
WOODSTONE
Q. I live in a house on Old Wagon Road in the Woodstone Neighborhood.
My Realtor says this is part of "West University," but my Neighbors say we live in
Derita? Can you clear this up?
Well, even though my Realtor friends weren't around in the early 1960's when Charlotte
College was first relocating here on Hwy. 49 from its original classrooms in the old
Central High School (now the site of CPCC), they had never heard this area called
"West University." Good marketing ploy, one of them thought.
Trust me, you live "IN" Derita. The University is centered between Hwy 49 & 29, with
the University City centered at the crossroads of WT Harris Blvd & Hwy. 29 (North Tryon).
Even folks who take the "broad view" tell us that the "University Area" spreads NORTH
of WT Harris into Mallard Creek, but not south into Derita --- and that suits me just fine.
We don't want to be gobbled up into yet another new property tax district someday.
But on to the history of the Woodstone Neighborhood itself. Your houses haven't been
there very long. I remember a few years ago when some residents in Hunter Acres were
so upset that your cars would be using Starmount Ave. to access the your new homes.
(You see, a traffic study had just indicated that over 16,000 cars a day (mostly cut-through
traffic) were using Christenbury Rd. and the number was growing daily). But they got over
it.
Speaking of cut-through traffic, as a kid, I often used your street (Old Wagon Rd) to access
my favorite swimming hole. Long before Allen Hills Pool was built, I would ride my bike
over to a friend's house so that I could swim in Hunter Acres Lake. Saved riding all of the
way down to Christenbury Rd and then back up Starmount to cut across to the lake beach.
The upper end Starmount ended at a barbed wire fence back then. Bud Alexander's field
lay on the other side, and a dirt wagon road angled off towards the railroad tracks and
followed the edge of the field. Most folks nowadays probably remember the old farm-
house beside the tracks as "Cat Alexander's Place." . . . Parks Alexander was Bud's
son and Cathleen (Cat) was his daughter. Their farm sat across Gibbon Road from
the huge Stephens Farm (now the Poplar Springs Neighborhood) and was accessed
across the railroad tracks. (Talk of the Commuter North Rail has been slowly closing
down crossings like those, so Woodstone developers didn't have much choice.)
I figured that I wasn't the only one that used the road. Rick Hyman, who lived in Hunter
Acres, carried The Charlotte News each afternoon and used the same shortcut heading
into Derita to pickup his newspapers. In fact, he says a lot of the Hunter Acres boys all
played up there because there was like a drainage "tunnel" under the railroad tracks to
keep the water from standing and they would crawl through there.
Rick writes, "One of the things that made it so unique was that it had a huge rock that hung
down in the middle (of the tunnel) which narrowed the passage route so that it became a
great challenge for us. It was one of those double dog dare you things, if you know what
I mean." He adds, "I'm also thinking this is the same dirt road I used to take that led me
over by the barn with all the antique cars in it. It has been so long since I thought about that
area, I probably need some prompts to jog the old memory."
Naturally, Rick & I talked about great camping spots up in the woods thereabouts, but I
tried to steer us back on topic by asking if he had ever worked the field where your house
sits. A lot of local boys used to pick crops or work hay. Since I knew that Stephens Farm
also had a big dairy, I figured that might be a possibility. Rick had done a bit of that, but all
of it at Mr. B.J. Hunter's farm. Particularly learning how to milk cows. (P.S., if you're in the
Atlanta Area during the holidays, Rick starts another season as Santa at the Bass Pro Shop
on Nov. 8th. After Nov-Dec, his legs will probably be so sore, he won't be able to walk
again until Spring.)
Hoping to learn still more about the Alexander place, I contacted Fred Boovy who also
grew up in the area and was prone to do some field work to earn some spending money.
"I never did work for Mr. Bud Alexander, but I remember him. I went to school with Glenn
Stephens and Mr. B.J. Hunter paid me to take one of his cows to the Stephens Farm
one time for a little
time we got within sight of the Stephens' barn, that cow was dragging me.
"Mr. Bob Stinson, Who owned-operated: Stinsons' Pure Service before the Dwyer
brothers (Frank and Ray) took it over, lived in the same area as Earl Shook's parents.
(Just across the tracks in front of the Alexander Farm fronting Gibbon Rd.) I never did
get in on it, but almost every Thanksgiving for years (I was told) Lots of the fellows who
lived in that area would get together & have what they called a 'Bunny-Bop'. They got
lots of wild rabbits without guns." --- Fred
I had hoped to hear back from a few other folks before this issue emailed out, but
it didn't happen. You see, that's one of the interesting things about living in Derita.
There are a lot of great little stories here that will probably never make it into a
history book . . . Stories that will never be earth-shaking or on the "front page."
It was all just a part of Growing Up here, and we never thought any different.
--- Bernie Samonds
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HOT DOGS EVERY THURSDAY
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
6440 Old Statesville Road, 11am - 2pm
Fix'em the way you like'em, Eat In or Take Out
Not a Hot Dog fan?
Skip the dogs, choose the Homemade Soup & muffin
or Pinto Beans and cornbread (ketchup & onions available)
Warm friendly atmosphere. Wonderful conversation readily available
========================================
Your Questions and Some Answers
Q. Improvements to Graham Street Corridor? -- A Update
On the way out to run an errand Friday at lunch time, I noticed that either CATS or the
City had returned to our end of North Graham with a grader and had leveled the hump
and ditch between the curb & railroad track from Allen Rd. South south to the bus stop
sign in front of Custom Pallet Co. Not sure what their intention is. There are orange
cones at the site now, so we'll watch to see what comes next.
"I just spoke to a coworker, Robert McCorkle, who lives in Derita Woods. He said
they also tried to do something about the bus stops on Graham St., but to no avail.
"I believe that the railroad would grant CATS right-of-way to pour a concrete pad at
each bus stop and secure a metal bench to the concrete. It doesn’t have to be a
shelter. That would be fewer weeds to mow, look a bit nicer and keep riders out of
the weeds and mud as well as giving them a place to sit.
"This project can be done in phases over a few years. It doesn’t have to happen
immediately. I have seen the City do this before so as not to impact one fiscal year
too heavily." --- Deborah Rowe, Nevin Community
Before moving on, DSRCO would like to commend Rob Carroll & the crew at Truck Tech
for keeping the trash picked up and their yard on Allen Rd. South mowed all the way up
to the railroad track. A little less to do this year because the railroad broadcast a chemical
weed killer this year taking out some of the grass and actually over-spraying on to some
of the shrubbery at Truck Tech. Fortunately, it looks like they will recover.
=======================================================================
Q. On the way home last week, I spotted three uniformed officers and one
street clothes with vest on, talking and taking photos of a house on Hubbard
Rd., just off Mallard Creek Rd. What was happening?
DSRCO VP Jack Brosch followed up with Capt. Lafreda Lester of the University
City Division. An Alert Neighbor saw something suspicious and called 911. The
result was that Officers nabbed a suspect trying to break into the house.
The incident happened about 2pm, --- the start of what Officers call the prime
period for break-ins, auto theft, and vandalism. Because that's when students
arrive home from school and are often left unsupervised until their parents get
home.
==================================================================
Q. We moved into our "next step-up" home here in the Community this summer
and a neighbor was nice enough to tell us about your newsletter, Your information
has been a god-send in learning about the area. Could you maybe write something
about what DSRCO is and how much it costs to join?
First, let me say, we are not an HOA, or even trying to be a "boss over HOA's."
We are just plain, simple non-political folks trying to maintain and improve the quality
of life where we all live. It's done mainly by communicating with the residents of the
40+ neighborhoods in our area and sharing their concerns with our local government
and elected officials.
Derita-Statesville Road Community Organization was organized in October, 1973
by local residents who opposed annexation by the City of Charlotte. We collected
about 1,600 signatures on a petition (presented by Nevin resident John Dunn) that
convinced City Council to back off for a few years. I won't go through the whole list
of DSRCO accomplishments each year since then. What we do in a single year
often fills up several typed pages.
We are an all-volunteer group. No one receives a salary. Dues are voluntary, but
help us pay the operating expenses. We receive NO tax money. We meet the
third Thursday of most months at Derita Presbyterian Church, 7pm.
DSRCO serves the area bounded by I-85 to the South and East, North to
WT Harris Blvd, East to I-77 (and several neighborhoods outside that area).
Over the years, we have evolved into an umbrella organization representing the
many neighborhoods, HOA's, Condo's, Apartments, businesses, Churches and
individual residents who have grown within our boundaries. Many have chosen to
support us with an annual dues contribution ($20). We appreciate their generosity.
Our success and longevity comes from establishing a good working relationship
with local government, staff, and elected officials. We strive to keep the Community
well informed and focused on issues that affect our quality of life.
We publish an extensive community email newsletter twice each month,
highlighting Community News, issues affecting our area, a Community Calendar
of Events, local history notes, and a far-ranging Queston & Answer column.
It's FREE. Sent to well over 3250 local families and businesses.
(Write: deritarep@aol.com to be added to our email list.)
We sponsor a Derita Area Businesses & Service Providers group. The group
meets on the first Thursday of each month, 9am, at Maria's Grille in Derita. It is a
good networking opportunity and members frequently share advertising opportunities,
business - to - business specials, and more.
DSRCO also publishes a FREE Bargains Galore WANT - BUY - SELL - TRADE
email each Wednesday evening. There is No Charge for participants, residents, or
businesses. List up to 10 items each week, and don't forget to announce your yard
sales here, too.
Current President: Bernie Samonds, 704 806-3813, deritarep@aol.com
VP's are: Sylvia Cannon, 704-596-7059, slcannon3@gmail.com and
Jack Brosch, 704-622-6995, jbrosch@carolina.rr.com
====================================
Today's Funny (From our FREE Friday Morning Funny Mail)
3 Kid Jokes.
A school class was asked to write a 50-word essay on the subject of cars.
One small boy handed in the following: "Once my uncle bought a car and took
us for a ride in the country. After 15 miles, it broke down and wouldn't start
again. This is only 26 words. The rest aren't fit to write."
And then there was the boy who bragged that his little brother could imitate
a chicken . . . Almost that is. He couldn't lay an egg, but he does eat worms.
A mother and small daughter were sitting in a dentist's office waiting their turn
when a hippie came out of the inner office. He was dressed in sandals and tunic,
draped with beads, and adorned with long hair. . . As he left, the little girl turned
to her mother and asked, "Was that the tooth fairy?"
Our Friday Morning Funny Mail (jokes, cartoons, funny pic, and Calendar
Reminders) emails each week. It's FREE! Email me, if you'd like to have
it sent to you. deritarep@aol.com
Derita Reporter Printing Services
Business Cards, Carbonless Forms, Envelopes, Letterheads,
Wedding Invitations, Magnetic Signs, Banners, Rubber Stamps,
Raffle Tickets, Receipts, Advertising Fliers, Laminating
2600 Allen Road S 704.806.3813 Pls Lv Msg deritarep@aol.com
============================================================
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