Mr. James Vetere "Jim" Perdew, 83 of Pittsboro died Tuesday (10-7-03) at UNC Hospital.

Graveside service was held 2 p.m. Friday (10-10-03) at Chatham Memorial Park

Mr. Perdew was an industrial engineer, and last worked for National Electric Coil in Columbus, OH, Pittsburgh, PA and Tulsa, OK. Jim served with the US Coast Guard in the Merchant Marine in 1945. He was a member of Pittsboro Baptist Church where he was a member of the three "L's", and also sang in the choir.

Surviving are his wife, Lila Matthews Teague Perdew , of the home; sons, James G. Perdew of Des Moines, IA, John M. Perdew of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter, Rozane P. Logan of Columbus, OH; step-daughter Patricia Burns of Bear Creek; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Audrey Martha Oldham, 77, of 3170 US 15-501, North died at her home Thursday, (10-9-03).

She was a native of Chatham County and a homemaker. Audrey was married for 61 years to Chapin Oldham.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Saturday in the Griffin Funeral Service Chapel conducted by Rev. Ray Gooch and Chaplain Jan Clark. Burial followed at Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Surviving are her husband, Edward Chapin Oldham; two sons, Pierre Oldham of Asheboro nd Gene Oldham of Pittsboro; one sister, Emma Dell Ritter of High Point; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Clay Van Johnson, 72, of 4444 Old Liberty Road, Franklinville died Thursday (10-12-03) at Randolph Hospital.

Funeral services were held 4 p.m. Sunday (10-12-03) at White Memorial Baptist Church in Franklinville with Rev. Jeff Joyce and Rev. Arlen Johnson officiating. Burial followed in church cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was a native of Chatham County, an Army veteran of Korean Conflict and was of the Baptist faith. He retired from Gregson Furniture Company, Liberty.

Surviving are his wife, Dessie Johnson Johnson of Franklinville; son, Zendal Ray Johnson of Franklinville; daughter, Lydia J. Parsons of Asheboro; brother, Larry J. Johnson of Staley; sisters, Jewell J. Lineberry of Staley, Mildred J. Lineberry of Staley; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 434 Fayetteville Street Mall - Suite 1600, Two Hannover Square, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Mrs. Margaret Lambert McPherson, 84, of Siler City died Thursday (10-9-03) at Universal Healthcare Ramseur.

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday (10-11-03) at Loflin Funeral Home Chapel of Liberty.

Surviving are her daughter Kay Holmes of Liberty; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Will Maynard Heiser, 86, died Thursday, (10-9-03).

He is survived by his wife Audrey O. Heiser; one daughter, Marcia L. Heiser of Westminster, Colorado; two sons, David M. Heiser of Fuquay-Varina and Charles D. Heiser of Sanford; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He has been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers for many years. He served as Chair of the Chatham County Board of Elections for 11 years, and in 1998 was presented an award of Outstanding Republican of Eastern North Carolina by Senator Jesse Helms.

A celebration of life will be held at Amity United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill on Sunday (10-19-03) at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Amity United Methodist Church or to Croasdaile Retirement Village (Chapel Fund) in Durham.

Mrs. Oza Smith Upchurch, 92, of 360 Carthage St., Bennett died Tuesday (10-14-03).

Graveside Funeral Services will be 4 p.m. Thursday (10-16-03) at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, NC with Rev. Tim Strider officiating.

Mrs. Upchurch was a Franklin County native and member of Bennett Baptist Church.

Mr. Winfred Earl Buckner, 83, of 1631 Jessie Bridges Road, Siler City died Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Funeral services were held 2 pm Thursday, October 16, at Rocky River Baptist Church in Siler City with Rev. Greg W. Burriss and Rev. Dr. Tommy E. Steele, Jr. officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. Buckner was a native of Chatham County, an Army/Air Force veteran of World War II and was former owner-operator of a service station. He was retired from Bradshaw Supply Company in Siler City.

Survivors are brother, Lynn Buckner of Siler City; sisters Myra B. Brady, Doris Buckner and Peggy B. Kirby all of Siler City; special nephew and two special nieces, Ray Woodburn, Diane Smith and Terry Brooks with whom he made his home with in earlier years; aunt, Veola Griffin of Falls Church, VA; and other special nieces and nephews

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to, The National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, 5950 Fairview Rd., Suite 708, Charlotte, NC 28210 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

Rev. Max Gardner Reece, Sr., 72, of 145 Old Mill Rd. died October 11, 2003 at River Landing at Sandy Ridge.

Rev. Reece was born March 12th, 1931 in Boonville, NC, a son to Joe Henry and DeEtte Johnson Reece. He was a graduate of Wingate College and was a retired Southern Baptist Minister of 38 years. During that tenure he pastored Deep Creek Baptist Church in Wadesboro, Oak View Baptist in High Point, Oakley Baptist Church in Siler City, Hillcrest Baptist Church in Greensboro and Allen Jay Baptist Church in High Point. He was currently a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. On July 1st, 1950 he married the former Virginia Weaver who survives of the residence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Reece Melton, and a brother; Roderick Reece.

Also surviving are three children; Deborah Lynn Reece Robbins and husband Councill of High Point, Max Gardner Reece, Jr. and wife Susan of New London and Frederick Joel Reece of Thomasville, two sisters; Jannes Reece Bradley of Elkin and Bertha Reece Lewis of Ronda, two brothers; Fred Reece of Trinity and Tommy Reece of Boonville, three grandchildren; Max Gardner Reece III, Willis Councill Robbins III and Madison Elizabeth Robbins, and numerous nieces & nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday at Oak View Baptist Church with Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Mark Corts officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Garden Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7-8:30 pm, Monday at the Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point and other times at the residence.

Memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Bob Hope Rd., Miami Fla 33136.

Online condolences can be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.

Mr. Jack Emerson Powers, 97, of 295 Phillips Rd., Bennett died Monday (10-13-03) at SunBridge Care in Siler City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday (10-16-03) at 11:00 a.m. from the Fall Creek Baptist Church where he was a member with Rev. Bob Gelsthorpe and Rev. Ron Chaney officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mr. Powers was a Chatham County native who lived in Durham for many years. He retired from Duke Power as a Linesman in 1968. He was a member of the Men's Sunday School class.

Survivors are daughters, Mrs. Ruth Phipps of Bennett, Mrs. Kay Simpson of Carthage, Mrs. Joyce Bissette of Durham; son, Joe Powers of Bennett; thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Bleach Iverson Johnson, 86, died at Sun Bridge Care and Rehabilitation of Siler City.

He was a native of Alamance County and worked with the sanitation department for many years.

Funeral services were held 4 p.m. Tuesday (10-14-03) in St. Matthews AMEZ Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Several weeks ago my knitting buddy Anna Key brought me a cookbook, Start Your Ovens, which was published by the Junior League of Bristol. Her daughter, Susan Key-Higinbothom, was a co-chair of the cookbook committee.

I talked with Susan several days ago and she said when they began to discuss the cookbook that a natural theme for them was a racing one and they have received a lot of support from the Bristol Motor Speedway in this endeavor. Because of this theme they have been able to market this book nationally to racing fans and their families.

I have a lot of the various Junior League cookbooks and this is one of my favorites for several reasons. The ingredients are easily obtainable locally and I think this would be true anywhere. The recipes are imaginative -- despite all the cookbooks I own, there are recipes in here that are new as well as some creative twists on old favorites. But they are recipes that any of you should be able to follow and be proud of your results.

I also like the size of Start Your Ovens -- it will comfortably fit in a standard sized bookcase and not have to be relegated to a coffee table somewhere.

Even non-cooks might enjoy browsing through the book to see the black and white racing photos and reading about the speedway and its history and trivia.

Look for Start Your Ovens when you make your leaf pilgrimages this fall. It is also available through at least one national chain or you may order it from the Junior League of Bristol, P.O. Box 1599, Bristol, VA 24203-1599 (540-669-8445). The book retails for $19.95. If you order add 4.5% sales tax ($.90) and $4 for shipping and handling.

Susan gave me permission to share a couple of recipes with you. She says that one of her favorites is the Spicy White Bean Chili. The feedback has also been very enthusiastic about the Checkered Flag Brownies.

2 medium white onions, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

5 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked,

chopped (about 4 cups)

3 (16-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained

5 cups chicken broth

2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, drained

2 tablespoons cumin

1½ teaspoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon paprika

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Sauté the onions and garlic in the oil in a stockpot until the onions are tender. Add the chicken, beans, broth, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, cloves and paprika and mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat.

Breakfast: Cheese Toast, Assorted Juice