"Pioneer Day" will be held Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park. The event is sponsored annually by the Lincoln County Historical Society and features living history demonstrations, fabulous food, buggy rides, musical entertainment, and much more. Pictured preparing for the onslaught of customers at the F.M. Hogan General Store on Saturday is storekeeper Nina Albea. This year's festivities are being dedicated to the memory of James B. "Buddy" Marlow, Sr. "Pioneer Day" will take place Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park, located on Lumber Street.

Sponsored annually by the Lincoln County Historical Society, the event is being dedicated to the memory of James B. "Buddy" Marlow, Sr., who died on October 17.

A founding member of the historical society, Mr. Buddy served as its president and as a dedicated member of the "Wednesday Morning Gang" (work crew) at the park.

The newest addition to Pioneer Day's long list of attractions is the F.M. Hogan General Store, which was moved from the Woodlawn Community, where it sat for the past 100 years, to the park last September.

The store was selected for inclusion in the park to represent all the country stores in the county that served to meet a vital need in their day (circa 1800 to 1950).

Hogan's Store was the hub of activity in the small communities of Woodlawn and Amity. It had a potbellied, wood-burning stove in the back where men came to play checkers and card games and catch up on the local news.

Eventually, the post office and postmaster Don Steed moved from the thriving metropolis of Leathersville to Hogan's Store. In many ways, the store served as a link between that part of Lincoln County and the outside world.

Although renovations are not yet complete, the historic structure will be open for business on Pioneer Day. Storekeeper Nina Albea and her helpers will be selling canned preserves and pickles; honey; candy, cookies, and bread, made by the best cooks in Lincoln County; fresh sugar cane syrup; picnic baskets and covers; freshly-ground cornmeal and grits; homemade bonnets, towels, aprons, tote bags, beeswax candles, etc.; and a few "yard sale" items.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help with the restoration of the historic landmark is heartily encouraged to do so.

Other attractions at the park include:

.. Salem Academy -- Salem Academy, a one-room schoolhouse dating back to the early 1900s, was relocated to the historical park from Salem Baptist Church in July of 2006. Also making the trip was a "fourholer" outhouse.

The school is furnished with antique desks, old primers, and a potbellied stove.

Although there is some dispute as to whether the school was built in late 1902 or 1910, it is still a rich part of Lincoln County's heritage.

.. Bunch-Poss Gristmill -- Built in the late 1920s, the mill was moved from its home on Ward Avenue to the historical park in the summer of 2005, and since then, has undergone extensive renovations.

Donated by Jackie and Alex Willingham, the gristmill was in operation until the late 1970s.

.. Hogan Blacksmith Shop -- This building contains two forges, one run with bellows and the other with a hand-turned blower. It is a replica of the old blacksmith shop on the "Hollenshead Place" on the Augusta Highway.

.. Pine Log Cabin -- Built around 1800, the 16' x 22' structure boasts two porches, wooden-shutter windows, an open-face fireplace, and a variety of period furnishings. Al- though the builder of the cabin is unknown, records show that it was once the home of Andrew Jackson Reid, who fought for the South in the Civil War.

The cabin was donated to the historical society by Dr. Robert Williams.

..Corncrib -- This 8' x 10' log structure came from the "Old Frank Hardy Place" on the Augusta Highway. In days gone by, workmen used pitchforks to dig the unshucked corn out of the crib. Two sides of the building have been converted into a concession stand.

.. Groves-May House -- Built in the 1870s and appointed with period furnishings, the two-story house serves as the focal point of the park. Quilts will be on display here during Pioneer Day.

To place a quilt in the show, contact Nobie Dean Hawes at 706-359- 1056.

.. Doctor's Office -- Built by Dr. E.R. May, the office houses medical equipment donated to the historical society by the late Dr. and Mrs. Weems Pennington, Sr. and others.

.. Estes, Lake, & Ferguson Smokehouse -- The smokehouse was one of the first buildings acquired by the society. Built around 1790, it was previously located on the "Estes Place" on Lovelace Road.

..Cotton Gin -- It is believed that this animal-powered cotton gin dates back to the 1830s or 40s and was manufactured in Clinton, Georgia (Jones County). Apparently, there are very few gins of this type in the United States.

This special antique was a gift from L.E. Reese.

.. Two-Horse Wagon — This wagon originally belonged to the late J.C. Hollenshead. In fact, there are still two chairs in the wagon; one of these was occupied by Mr. Hollenshead's son, Wright Hollenshead, as he road around town. Croaker sacks continue to hang on the sides of the wagon.

.. Sawmill — The historical society bought the portable sawmill (circa 1950) in Royston, Georgia, approximately 10 years ago and brought it back to Lincoln County where it had previously been owned by Frank Glaze. The sawmill is still used for various projects around the park.

.. Lewis Family Pavilion -- This 60' x 60' multi-purpose structure features a stage, restrooms, storage rooms, a sound system, and slatted wooden pews purchased from the Union Grove Campground in White County, Georgia.

While viewing the various historical buildings at the park, visitors may also enjoy talking with historical society members, who will be on hand in pioneer dress, to answer questions about life in the olden days.

"We invite everyone to come to the historical park for Pioneer Day," said Nelson Brooks, a spokesman for the historical society. "Basically, it is a hands-on, museum-quality experience for the entire family. What Lincoln County has in the historical park is a 'baby Williamsburg.'"

The event will likewise feature:

.. Day-long entertainment, spotlighting some of the CSRA's best singers, dancers, and instrumentalists.

.. Lectures concerning matters of historical interest in the Salem Academy schoolhouse.

.. Fresh apple cider, pressed by Murray and Mickey Norman. Free samples will be given to one and all.

.. Free cotton candy for children of all ages, spun by Jerry and Frankie Phillips.

.. Washing clothes the old-fashioned way, demonstrated by Jane McWhorter

.. Corn grinding at the grist mill — Wayne Beggs.

.. Cotton ginning — Wyatt Albea and Larry Pinson.

.. Blacksmithing — Mark Davis.

.. Sawmill operations — Jerry Stone.

.. Buggy rides and hayrides.

.. An antique tractor, car, and engine show. To enter, contact Buddy Hawes at 706-359-1056 or Russell Reese at 706-359-4483.

.. An exhibit of Model As from the 1920s, sponsored by the Old 96 District Model A Club in Greenwood, South Carolina.

.. Book-signings by native Lincoln Countian Tom Poland and historian Robert M. "Skeet" Willingham of Washington.

Poland will also be interviewing members of the Wednesday Morning Gang, past and present, and their families for his regular column in The Lincoln Journal.

.. A costume contest for all attendees, complete with prizes in a variety of categories. For more details on the costume contest, contact Jamie Reese at 706-359-3528.

.. Members of the Junior Lincoln County Historical Society will be featured doing commercials for participating merchants throughout the day on the PA system at the park. To sign up, contact Sherry McKellar at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (706-359-7970).

And when stomachs start growling, would-be pioneers may eat their fill of apple fritters, a historical society specialty; Ben Ross' ham and sausage biscuits from the smokehouse; red beans and rice; steaming turnip greens; fried corn bread patties; chicken and dumplings; boiled peanuts; hamburgers; hot dogs; and hot coffee.

Local residents and guests are encouraged to visit the historical park on Pioneer Day to get a sense of the county's past, long before the days of electronic voting, hybrid cars, and Dipping Dots. The event promises to bring local history to life for children, adults, and those in between.

There is no admission charge.

In other items of information, event planners indicated that parking will not be allowed behind the Groves-May House. Instead, visitors are encouraged to park in the lot at Lincolnton Baptist Church. Shuttles will be provided.