Engelhard event brings community together: ‘They’ve been here for us, every step of the way’

Published 10:54 am Saturday, June 26, 2021

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Martelle’s Feed House Restaurant hosted a Community Fun Day in Engelhard on Saturday, June 12 to show appreciation for the community love and support expressed to the Marshall family after the tragic loss of Brandon Marshall in a hunting accident in January.

Said Abigail Marshall in a May 29 Facebook post, “The people of Hyde County have been so good to our Marshall family over the years and especially in the last couple of months. We are forever grateful for each and every one of you . . . This is a day of showing our appreciation to all our family, friends, and neighbors near and far!”

The event, held outside at Martelle’s, featured a bouncy house, a DJ, a bubble machine, cornhole and face painting. There were display tables set up with information and representatives from the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, NC Marine Fisheries and Wildlife, the Engelhard Volunteer Fire Department and Hyde 4-H.

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Martelle’s passed out free hot dogs, French fries and drinks, with homemade peach ice cream provided by Gaylon Ambrose. The daytime festivities were free and well attended by the community.

After 4:30, admission was $20. Martelle’s brought in The Mighty Saints of Soul band at 6 p.m. for the evening festivities. Visitors could purchase t-shirts and a pig roast meal, both which benefited the Hyde Youth Sports Complex. The remainder of the proceeds, including a raffle drawing, benefited Brandon Marshall’s family.

People were dancing to the music, children were laughing and the mood was one of gratefulness. “Everyone looks like they’re having fun. It’s good to see everybody out. With Covid . . . nobody’s wanted to do anything, so it’s been good to have something like this to let people get outside and do what they want to do,” said Brian Marshall, Brandon’s brother.

“Without the community, we wouldn’t have nothing,” said Brian Marshall, as he reflected on the last several months. “It’s amazing what they’ve done here for us. They’ve been here for us, every step of the way.”

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