Roanoke Rock Muddle
is Lucia Peel Powe's first novel but was first written in 1976 as a play
for the celebration of Martin County's bicentennial. The leading family
in the story is that of Dr. Chase Haughton. Who knows? The Haughton
family might have lived right here at 203 N. Haughton Street. Set in
Williamston, along the banks of the Roanoke River in easte rn North
Carolina,
Roanoke Rock Muddle
tells the story of a town with secrets that everyone knows -- and no one
talks about.
Infused
with a rich sense of Southern culture,
Roanoke Rock Muddle
is an unforgettable story. The tale, beginning in 1927, centers around
Mary Cavett Haughton, a former teacher married to a local football hero.
Mary Cavett's increasing dissatisfaction with her home life leads her to
seek the attention of a sensitive traveling salesman, Dwight Carter. The
aftermath of their relationship will change Mary -- and her hometown --
forever.
Williamston is the kind of town every Southerner knows -- the kind of
town filled with people you could never forget, even if you'd like to.
People like Tiny Monroe, the six-foot matron with the acid ton. And
people like Bransom Jenkins, the deacon whose dalliances with young
girls would go unnoticed if not for others; like Beulah Bazemore, the
heart of the church; and Ben-Olive Bazemore, local chef and philosopher.
As their lives intertwine,
Roanoke Rock Muddle
chronicles their story with uncommon detail and grace. In the end, all
roads lead to an extraordinary event for which Williamston will never be
the same.
The
author, Lucia Peel Powe, earned her BFA in speech and drama at Wesleyan
Conservatory in Macon, Georgia and later attended UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke
and East Carolina University for graduate work. Eastern North
Carolinians remember her as "Miss Lucia" on the syndicated program,
"Romper Room," produced in Greenville, NC. Over the years, the former
Miss Georgia has taught creative writing, drama, music and art history
at both the college and high school levels.
Along
with her first husband, Judge Elbert "Junie" Peel of Williamston, Lucia
reared four daughters, one horse, six Golden Retrievers and three cats.
Widowed for ten years, she married another attorney, E.K. Powe of
Durham, who had three girls. Together the Powes now enjoy seven
daughters, ten grandchildren -- all Carolina fans.
Roanoke Rock Muddle
is available for purchase at Haughton Hall, Regulator Bookstore on 9th
Street in Durham, Quail Ridge Bookstore in Raleigh, Barnes & Nobles,
Martin County Travel & Tourism Authority, and the Martin County Chamber
of Commerce. It may also be ordered directly from Lucia Peel at lucia@haughtonhallnc.com
or by calling 252/792-0070. Priced at only $12, it makes a wonderful
gift for anyone who likes reading about southern culture, intrigue and,
particularly, life in eastern North Carolina. Proceeds from the sale of
Roanoke Rock Muddle
will
benefit the Roanoke River Partners |
