Myrtle Hall discusses her life as a resident of Montgomery County, N.C.A relative, Bobby Hall, is also present and adds some comments. Ms Hall explains her grandfather's description of the area dividing it into a Northern (upper) community and a Southerner (lower) community with a cemetery in between. Her grandfather owned the land she is currently using, and more. Her father built the house when he married in 1900. Ms Hall explains that she had 60 acres which she has signed over to her two nephews, Franklin, Jr. and Jimmy Hall. She retains lifetime rights to the land and does not know what her nephews will choose to do with the land after she dies. She recalls Franklin walking around the land when he visits and Ms Hall knows that someone is hunting on the land. Ms Hall reports often seeing wild turkey and deer. Ms Hall remembers her family growing corn, cotton, and beans where pine trees now grow. She describes Duncan Creek as flowing behind her property and into the Uwharrie River. Ms Hall speaks at length about her church life. She explains that the Methodist preacher is responsible for four churches, and so visits two each week. She recalls a tradition of families (including herself) of welcoming the preacher into their homes on Sunday and providing a meal for them. She says this is no longer done. Ms Hall claims responsibility for having a patio and swing set added at the church. She reports having taught Sunday School to kindergarteners for 50 years. She discusses her membership in the United Methodist Women and their quilting and singing activities. Ms Hall admits that the church is her favorite place in the community. Ms Hall also speaks of her activity in county politics. She states that she is a past President of the Democratic Women. She recalls working very hard for Bob Jordan and meeting and kissing Bill Clinton. She repeats a story that spread about her fainting after kissing Clinton. She confesses to voting for a Republican, Reggie Dickson, but is very happy because he has improved roads in the area and gone on to become a County Commissioner. Ms Hall goes on to express pride in the Ophir Community Building, the construction of which was her responsibility. Ms Hall does not see people in the community coming together as they did in the past. She describes neighbors helping each during the harvest. She believes that now people are too busy watching television to visit each other. When questioned about growing up in Ophir, Ms Hall describes doing both housework and fieldwork. She recalls having apple and peach trees but not having to care for them. All roads in the area were dirt. She remembers her father's old Model T and driving home one night using an umbrella to keep dry. She recalls neighbors Wade and Willy Grampert who lived next door and the Claude Morris family whom she saw at church. She claims the Gramperts went to a prescription school, although she admits that she does not know what that is. Ms Hall touches on other childhood memories, including giving first aid to her father after he was bitten by a pilot snake, being christened on the front porch by the Methodist minister, and her strong dislike of snakes. Ms Hall shares some family history which dates back to the Civil War. She tells of her grandfather joining the army when he was 16, being captured, and walking home barefooted from Lookout Point in Virgina. She continues that another relative had his leg shot off and another lost his finger. Ms Hall also relates an event that took place in her grandfather's house in 1912 resulted in her brother, Franklin being struck and killed by lightning. Ms Hall ends the interview by summarizing the events that continue in Ophir, including fund raisers with suppers and auctions, BBQs at the volunteer fire dept. and the Harvest Sales, which have quilts, birdhouse, woodwork, dolls, stuffed animals, and baked goods. Bobby Hall adds that it is becoming more difficult to find authentic quilts which are made from scraps of reused clothing.
