THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 12, 1995 TAG: 9507110129
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Allison T. Williams
DATELINE: SURRY COUNTY LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
IN 1976, WHEN THE first Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival was staged in Surry County, Paul Harte and his wife were among the first people there.
Over the years, the couple kept going back to the event designed to promote the products of the county - pork, peanuts and pine, as in lumber.
But this year, Harte, 36, has spent more than 100 hours simply getting ready to go.
He has taken over as pork chairman and publicity coordinator for this weekend's 20th annual Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival.
His roles include arranging special entertainment, recruiting corporate sponsors and some volunteers, and he was instrumental in arranging the pork exhibits. And Harte lined up corporate sponsors for two new events this year: pig racing and professional lumberjack exhibitions.
``They are the fun side of two of the county's main products - pork and lumber,'' he says.
Harte, married to Surry native Amy Edwards Harte, works for S.W. Edwards & Sons Inc. meat processing and packing plant just outside of Surry Courthouse. When he started working for the company five years ago, it became his responsibility to organize pork exhibits for the local festival. Gradually, he got more and more involved.
``I've been taking more and more responsibility every year since then.''
Harte is just one of the strong network of volunteers from the Surry community responsible for the festival's success.
It takes tons of volunteers to direct, park, entertain, feed and satisfy the hordes of people who traditionally come to Chippokes Plantation in midsummer every year expecting the best of what the county has to offer.
And if Harte has anything to do with it this year - and he does - nobody will go away dissatisfied.
What brought you to Surry County? I was born in Sussex County and raised in Sussex and Surry counties.
Birthdate/hometown: June 23, 1959, in Waverly.
Fondest childhood memory: Visiting my grandparents in Surry County, helping my grandfather on his farm and spending time on the beaches at Claremont.
Pets: A lhasa apso named Bandit.
First job: Gas station attendant.
Occupation: Resource manager at S. Wallace Edwards and Sons Inc. in Surry.
If you had the chance to change your career, what type of work would you be doing today? I'd be a cabinet maker, restoring 17th century furniture.
What is your favorite way to spend a night out on the town? Harbor cruises.
Favorite food and drink: Pecan pie and freshly brewed iced tea.
Favorite hangout: My garden.
Favorite movies/TV shows: World War II movies and ``This Old House.''
A book you wish everyone would read: ``Guide to the Buildings of Surry and The American Revolution.''
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Any beach.
I can't resist: Anything chocolate.
Few people know that I . . . enjoy photography, woodworking and gardening.
What's your most embarrassing moment? I can't recall.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would buy a big houseboat.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Help those who help themselves.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I work hard and am considerate of others.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? Nobody.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My certification as a paramedic and my volunteer service to various fire and rescue departments as a teenager and young adult.
Something you wish to say but haven't: Thank you to all the Pork, Peanut & Pine Festival volunteers. MEMO: PLEASE SEE FESTIVAL STORY/ 6
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB