By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — For the past 15 years, the Rev. David Rankin has been serving up fried fish and other homemade foods and desserts during the JC Price Post 107 Memorial Week Celebration.
Rankin and others with South Iredell AME Zion in Troutman will spend a week at the 92nd annual event.
Several churches and organizations began selling food and other items Saturday for the event.
Church members also make homemade desserts including peach cobbler, pies and cakes.
Rankin said they use 27 cases of fish, seven of which are whiting. They’ve had many successful years selling the same items they’ve sold since the beginning. He estimates they’ve made anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 through the years.
He compared the fellowship and activities to a family reunion.
“It’s good fellowship,” he said.
“People ask about it. They love good food,” Rankin said.
Fred Miller is a regular customer. He has attended every year for the last five years and makes his stop at the South Iredell booth.
“I always stop here. I like the fish,” he said.
Sheryl Everhart, a member of South Iredell, said the event is good.
“It’s a way for people to fellowship. They come, sit and eat,” she said.
Julia Allison, also a member of South Iredell, said the event is also an opportunity to tell people about the church and invite newcomers to a service.
Sharon Corpening takes her lunch break to partake of the food vendors’ offerings during the week.
“I’ve been coming for more than five years to get some good hot fish,” Corpening said.
World of Faith Outreach Ministries, located at Cottage Street, also will be on hand this week to sell food.
The Rev. Kimberly Bost said the church has food items from popcorn, snow cones, chicken to ice cream.
“It helps with recognition of the church. You meet different people,” she said.
Bost said it’s also a chance for the church to witness to people.
She said she’s also grateful for her church family who volunteers their time throughout the week.
“We appreciate them for their time and patience,” she said.
The people who patronize the vendors are also what makes the week a success, Bost said.
While members of Open Door Outreach Ministries in East Spencer were frying fish, others took time out for singing and reading scriptures.
There were many amens as Apostle Karen Foxx talked about how to treat your neighbor.
“We have regular customers who look for us,” said Tanda Misenheimer, who also attends Open Door.
Estella and Larry Connor attend every year and make a stop at many of the vendors.
“We come out to some of the other activities,” Estella said.
It’s part of her tradition to partake in the week’s activities.
“This is the only fundraiser we do,” said Post Commander Mae Carroll.
Carroll said the money raised benefits the programs they host and sponsor during the year, many of which are geared to youth.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.
Festivities continue
Upcoming activities for the JC Price Memorial Week:
• Post Everlasting Service, 11 a.m. today, White Rock AME Zion Church in Granite Quarry.
• Gospel Festival today and Monday, 6:30 p.m., in the upstairs auditorium at the Post?.
• Rides by Inners Shows, Wednesday through June 5.
The Legion Post is located at 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road. The activities end June 5.