This is a tale of not one, but two North Carolina towns. And a business. And a rural institution.
Country auctions are a staple of rural communities. Most of them are the same; the estate of a deceased member of the community laid out in rows on their lawn, driveway, and anywhere else there’s space. A troop of local Boy Scouts, the Ladies’ Auxiliary, or some other community group with a stand selling food and drink. An eager throng of potential buyers eyeing the goods for that elusive “treasure”. And the auctioneer’s chanter; part salesman, part showman and on-the-spot expert on anything and everything being sold. If you’ve never been to an auction, I highly recommend it.