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Every year on the Fourth of July week, Marshall Todd Singleton and wife, Brenda, get ready for a mini-reunion.  Brenda is a cousin to Nora Lynn Caldwell whose husband was the former offensive line coach at Clemson and NCSU under the late Dick Sheridan. That is where the familiarity begins.

Marshall Todd has known me all of my life as all the Singletons have.  The Singleton family lived behind me and you have heard me mention Uncle Bonnie and Mrs. Sallie many times in articles.  Marshall Todd and Robbie are two of kind.  The two have the same body statue and are large men and they have never met a stranger.  Robbie by necessity, in recruiting and Marshall Todd through his business.

Brenda is so kind, and is from Troy, N.C. and tells me all I need to know about my dad.  She taught school in Chocowinity with my mother-in-law Mrs. Reba. Nora Lynn seems to be the perfect coach’s wife.  The two ladies make a good pair, like Marshall Todd and Robbie do.  Nora Lynn’s father comes down just to sit in chair and watch the Pamlico River. The Caldwell’s sleep at a local hotel and Nora Lynn’s father sleeps in the basement of Brenda and Marshall Todd’s home.  He likes it down there, so Brenda loves her uncle staying with her.

Together, they fish, eat, ride jet skis and sail on the Pamlico for a week!  They bring nephews and nieces along to share in the fun. On the fourth of July they BBQ a pig.

Robbie has many former players from NCSU and Clemson University in this area and alumnae from both schools that will visit.  That seems to break the trip up and Robbie is now the High School Relations Director at Clemson. Has been for nearly two years now and could not be more perfect fit for the job!

I have told Brenda many times how much influence Marshall Todd has had on my life.  I get to reconnect with Marshall Todd and now, Brenda, through picking up clothes for Roberson’s Cleaners every Monday.  I cannot be my dad, but I am the little boy that Marshall Todd picked up from football practice in a dump truck!

If you need more books or if you have not gotten one yet, there will be a signing at the Bank Bistro from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday. They will make ideal Christmas presents! Help us promote Washington, N.C.

They were the best of times with the best of friends and in the best places, Washington, N.C.! The Original Washington!!!