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By Jim Buice

When Mike Combest, a retired brigadier general from the U.S. Army, has time away from his duties on the Clemmons Village Council and his many other interests, he likes to run.

“I’m reluctant to claim I’m good enough to be classified as a ‘runner,’ but am still putting in good miles at a reasonable pace,” he said. “I have been fortunate to complete some excellent races lately.”

Combest was telling me this after a council meeting last month just before heading to New Mexico for the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Plains Missile Range in the southwestern part of the state.

This isn’t exactly what I would call a “run.” It’s a 26.2-mile marathon through the desert with massive elevation changes while wearing a 40-pound rucksack. Even Combest called it a “brutal run but a great adventure.”  

And he was happy to be there with over 4,000 participants at an event to honor the sacrifices of U.S. and Filipino service members during World War II.

The record books reference this as the largest surrender of U.S. troops in history, encompassing both American and Filipino soldiers. It occurred at Bataan in the Philippines, with 76,000 soldiers surrendering to the Japanese on April 9, 1942. This surrender led to the Bataan Death March, a horrific event in modern history.

Combest, who is 72, plans to participate in two more marathons this summer, noting the best will be the Wales Marathon through the Preseli Mountains.

Upon further review, I learned this one is called the Preseli Beast with picturesque views and steep slopes. You know, another walk in the park.

I just wanted to give you a sampling of part of what Mike Combest is all about in this column, but you can read the rest of the story on this multi-talented man, whose work ethic and intense preparation serves him well in all facets of his life in our upcoming Progress Edition. It will be included in the April 17 edition of the Courier.

• • •

There are so many N.C. House bills that come along that are met by opposition, but I think everyone can agree that the legislation filed to make “The Andy Griffith Show” the state’s official television show should pass unanimously.

According to the language in N.C. House Bill 557: “The positive character and awareness of North Carolina make ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ must-see TV for anyone who loves North Carolina.”

I don’t know about you, but I can sit down and watch anytime and enjoy this classic show based on the fictional town of Mayberry, N.C., and say most of the lines in advance.

And a visit to Mount Airy, the home of Andy Griffith, is just like being there with him when you take a stroll down North Main Street.

Of course, it starts with Snappy Lunch, Andy’s favorite diner which is the town’s oldest eatery and the home of the famous pork chop sandwich.

Right next door is Floyd’s City Barber Shop. And it goes on and on.

The official Mayberry squad car is also in place along the street, and it’s available for a nostalgic ride. 

It’s all worth the trip.

• • •

Mayor Mike Brannon of Bermuda Run brought up in the March council meeting about speaking at the opening ceremony for the Davie County Senior Games and shared a funny story about keeping score in last year’s shuffleboard tournament at Bermuda Village:

“Council member (Rae) Nelson and I had the unique opportunity last year as first timers to do scoring for shuffleboard,” he said. “Let me caution you that you really shouldn’t volunteer to keep score for a Senior Games event if you don’t know how to keep score. You will get incredible feedback from those who are playing. So it was a learning opportunity for both of us.”

“Kitchens, I mean who knew?” Nelson interjected. 

Brannon said he knew what a kitchen was, but there’s also a kitchen in shuffleboard.