To the Editor:

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the community for their support this fall for the two most recent fundraisers that were held by the Urquhart-Gillette Camp #1471 Sons of Confederate Veterans.

In September, Heritage Day Weekend’s Fish Fry and Mahone’s Tavern Open House was a tremendous success.

More than 250 patrons visited the tavern when it was opened for the first time to the public. I especially would like to thank Blair Bunn of Newsoms for coming to the Ag and Forestry Museum and providing the mule and wagon rides to historic Mahone’s Tavern.

I also appreciate the Ag Museum and all they did to help make our events that day so successful. Everybody had fun.

The Fish Dinner on Friday night was a big hit. The camp made money and then was able to deliver 30-plus Love Meals into the community afterward.

Last weekend’s Bruinswick Stew sale was another example of continued community spirit. The Urquhart-Gillette Camp sold well past 535 quarts of stew. The Old Brunswick Camp out of Lawrenceville headed up by Tracey Clary, Tommy Lee and Oliver Wells, lent us their helping hands. They did a super job, too.

Volunteers Roland Chapman and Everett Marsh were back again this time as early as 4:30 am and 5 a.m., so the camp appreciates their help in peeling potatoes again.

We netted $2,400 after expenses on this stew go around. The money will be used by the camp as it continues the process of acquiring Mahone’s Tavern from our benefactor.

In September the camp became incorporated and several days later received IRS identification.

Very soon the camp hopes to have it’s own nonprofit “charitable” status separate from the SCV National.

Rest assured, everything you do and have done is going for the cause intended and that is acquiring , step-by-step, Mahone’s Tavern.

It is a process that we have taken on and are currently involved in. Our ultimate goal is ownership outright of Mahone’s Tavern.

Between now and the end the year, our benefactor has agreed to match dollar for dollar proceeds we put forth to pay off the debt.

So, with that said, thank you all for your support both now and in the future.

We appreciate everything you have done to help us get where we are today.

Tommy Simmons, commander,

Urquhart-Gillette Camp #1471, Inc

Mahone’s Tavern