Miss Norma C Forde dies — end of a Laurinburg NC era.
In the early 70s, I often ate at Miss Forde’s Coffee Shop, but even better on special occasions I would be treated to one of her unique train cakes. The cake — actually several smaller cakes representing an engine, some utility cars and a caboose — was handed to me on a 4 foot long board covered with tin foil. She insisted each time that I bring back the board in good repair within a week. I always did.
On one occasion, Miss Forde upset by my waist length hair snuck up behind me with large pastry shears. Clicking them loudly and clicking her tongue to add to the sound and drama, she grabbed my hair into a pony tail. I leapt up and beat it to the other side of the table quickly. We made peace and she would often give me an extra cookie with my lunch.
She and her shop were landmarks of Laurinburg for decades.
Her obit here: http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/7483520/article-Norma-Cannady-Forde?instance=lead_story_left_column and here http://fayobserver.com/articles/2010/06/06/1001783?sac=Col
Associated Realty of Laurinburg has, since Miss Forde passed away, assumed renting responsibilities on behalf of the Forde family. My wife and I will be, I believe, only the second set of tenants to live in the home since the Forde family moved into the house during the 1920s. Thank you for such a wonderful anecdote about the spirit of the woman in whose home I will be living. (omqe@live.com)
I also thank you for posting about Norma.
Her core was gold, but she was brash (even about herself when you got to a one to one level). And I think that is one reason we all love her.
She could get you out of trouble, but she would also smack you in the back of your head if you rocked back in one of her chairs. The funny thing is that she was always a child at heart.
Take care,
Les