Albemarle Tradewinds July 2016 Web Final Optimized

LEGION BEACH ... A Summer Reflection
By Jimmy Fleming mrflemz@embarqmail.com
How anyone can grow up in Tyrrell County and not learn to swim and love the water is hard for me to comprehend.
I first learned to swim on my own ( I heard that my dad just threw me off the pier at Legion Beach) when I was very
young. I later took swimming lessons at a Red Cross swimming class held at Colonial Beach. During the summer, as
soon as Dad got home from his job at the Post Office, my brothers and I would nag and torture him until he would
give in and take us swimming. We always wanted to go to Legion Beach and most of the time he not only had to take
the three of us but half the kids on Green Street. I always thought a lot of Mr. Frank Spitzig who was in charge of the
beach in those days. He operated the beach house and lived in the little cottage right on the property. There was always
a bunch of folks at the beach, especially on weekends. Sometimes Mr. Frank would set a mullet net or let the kids put
out crab lines and catch fresh fish and crabs to cook in the evening. Some of the best fried fish and steamed crabs I ever
ate were cooked at Legion Beach by Mr. Frank. I remember he liked to steam his crabs using the vinegar from empty jars
of hot sausages, pickled eggs, or pickled pigs feet. There was always a diverse group of people at the beach. There would
be kids, teenagers, young adults, and older folks who all came to enjoy the water, sun, and fun at Legion Beach. The old
juke box was always playing songs while folks were swimming, sunning, or conversing. Mr. Frank gave me a puppy once
and I named him after a song that was popular at the time ( Wooly Bully). As I got older and spent summers working in
potatoes, Legion Beach was the first stop after work. Even though the beach house burned completely down in the mid
1960’s, the beach was still a very popular place. The 4th of July was also a huge day at Legion. There would be boat races,
fireworks, live music, and large crowds of people who came early and stayed late. A new beach house has been built now
and several folks have operated the beach since Mr. Frank, but no one has ever duplicated the atmosphere that I remember
about Legion Beach as a youngster. Some of the fondest memories that I have of Tyrrell County are times spent at
Legion Beach. The other day I attended a fish fry at the beach that reminded me a great deal of the good times I’ve had
the pleasure to spend there. I hope that Legion Beach remains a place where many more generations of Tyrrell folks have
the opportunity to create great memories just as I have.
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