To The Editor:
I would like to thank all my Dillon County neighbors, organizers, and especially the local sponsors who made this year’s Dillon County Tomato Growers’ Contest a huge success.
Our local Clemson Extension Agent Grady Sampson, plus long-time Dillon County public servant Tom Rowland, and event Secretary Charles Scott, along with all the great banquet food contributors, and especially the Dillon County merchants and friends who donated the great prizes deserve a big round of applause.
I was inspired to enter this fun-for-all contest by my life-long friend and classmate James L. “Tubby” Alford, and I must confess I was skeptical at first at having any chance of success since I am not a farmer and only had room for the minimum number (4) of tomato plants in my back yard flower beds, but the snickering I got from some of my kinfolks and good-ole-buddies made me want to grow the best tomatoes I possibly could.
Now, in addition to the pride of growing a good crop, the great banquet and prizes awarded and especially the camaraderie with old and new acquaintances, my family and friends are now enjoying some of the best tasting, vine-ripened, homegrown tomatoes we have ever eaten.
Thanks, again to all involved in this great local Dillon County project for bringing its citizenry closer together. I look forward to seeing you all in next year’s contest.
Respectfully,
Melvin U. Edens,
Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)
408 E. Harrison St.
Dillon, SC 29536
