The enticing fragrance of spring flowers was but a memory yesterday as Triangle Florist owner Bill Granger wandered through the pungent veil of charred wood on this the eve of one of his busiest days of the year, Mother's Day.
The Halifax florist was still in shock yesterday as authorities investigated the 10:23 Wednesday evening fire called in by a passerby.
Triangle is closed until further notice and Granger said yesterday that he is looking for a temporary location.
Damage was estimated at $15,000 by Halifax Volunteer Fire Department Chief Wayne King.
"Once the adjuster looks at it, we'll have a better idea," added King.
The HVFD chief said the fire started outside the building around some boxes. "It went over the door inside the building," added King.
Although King described fire damage inside the structure as minimal, he said smoke damage was heavy.
Yesterday, a fistful of Mother's Day orders still hung on the hook inside the shop, business Granger is forwarding to other florists.
"Everyone will be contacted," stressed the florist. "We are contacting the customer and forwarding orders to other florists. We will take care of them one way or the other."
The fire wreaked havoc in the fresh flower section of the shop. Charred wood, destroyed Christmas decorations and a non-functioning fresh flower walk-in cooler all stood mute testament to the fire's path.
Even worse, the pungent fire odor permeated the entire shop.
"Thank goodness there was not a wedding or a prom this weekend," said the businessman.
Quick to praise firefighters for containing the blaze inside the business to one small area, Granger was obviously touched by their efforts, which included securing the building after extinguishing the fire.
Customers may contact Granger at 476-7246.

Halifax County recorded its fifth fatality of the year as a Vernon Hill man died April 30 of injuries resulting from a single vehicle traffic accident that occurred April 25.
Investigating State Trooper D.J. Cline said that Lonnie Lee Ewell, 35, of Vernon Hill, died at Duke Medical Center, Durham, N.C., April 30, as the result of massive head trauma.
Virginia State Police reports indicated that Ewell was injured shortly after 6 p.m. April 25 when he was thrown from his 1983 Toyota after he ran off the right side of Rodgers Chapel Road (Route 607), lost control, ran off the left side of the road, struck a fence and overturned one mile north of U.S. 360.

In other reports, a man and an infant were injured in an accident Wednesday evening when the driver apparently fell asleep behind the wheel.
Trooper D.J. Cline charged James M. Sweeney, 30, of Nathalie, with reckless driving after the man allegedly fell asleep while driving along Hunting Creek Road (Route 603), ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree approximately one half mile west of Route 626.
Both Sweeney and a one-and-a-half-year-old infant were injured in the 9:55 p.m. accident.
Damage to the 1984 Subaru was estimated at $1,200.

Highway construction Wednesday afternoon sliced through a Sprint fiberoptic cable carrying telecommunications traffic through central Virginia, disrupting some services for nearly six hours.
Location of facilities had been requested for the project, but digging apparently took place before the utilities locator had arrived. The cut occurred about 28.5 miles from Halifax between Halifax and Whitmell.
The cut disrupted numerous services between Charlottesville, Va, and Elkin, NC including data circuits for Sprint's Repair Service, and other switch and data access. The outage also affected operator services in Elkin, N.C
Sprint cable splicers completed repairs and restored the route by about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Cable cuts are responsible for many service outages, so Sprint reminds local contractors, farmers and homeowners that free assistance is available to help locate buried telephone or other cables to prevent damage during plowing or digging.
"Every effort is made to mark all buried cable locations, but signs sometimes are removed or knocked down without the telephone company's knowledge," said Louise Jamerson, Sprint's area public affairs manager.
Jamerson said anyone planning to plow or dig in areas suspected to be cable locations can call "Miss Utility" toll-free at 1-800-552-7001, for assistance in pinpointing underground cable locations. Locators are dispatched as quickly as possible, and contractors or homeowners are asked to wait until the locator marks the digging site before proceeding.
"As our customer base continues to grow, and as new services are added, we are installing more and more buried fiberoptic cable throughout our service areas," Jamerson said. "This type of cable is less likely to be damaged by storms and requires less maintenance than aerial cable, but it is susceptible to being severed if struck by digging tools.
"Calling Miss Utility at 1-800-552-7001, which also is listed in the front of your phone book, is the best way to make sure you don't dig in the wrong place."
Sprint is a global communications company - at the forefront of integrating long distance local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint has $17 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 17 million business and residential customers.

More than a dozen South Boston residents gathered at the South Boston Council Chambers to show their support for the local Neighborhood Watch Program Tuesday night.
"We're getting ourselves reorganized, getting Neighborhood Watch reorganized, and getting things back where they should be," South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall told the audience, most of whom have been active members of Neighborhood Watch for some time.
Virginia State Trooper and Crime Prevention Officer D.J. Cline and South Boston Crime Prevention Officer Ronnie Clark joined Hall to listen to the citizens' concerns and thoughts about crime prevention and reactivating the Neighborhood Watch Program in and around South Boston.
"We want to establish regular meetings, assign block captains, and get the Neighborhood Watch Program active once again," Hall said. "Extra eyes in the neighborhood are one of the best things you can have. The police department can't do it all."
"We need citizens working with us to stamp out crime and help make our neighborhoods safe," Clark added.
Jake Mills, one of the original Neighborhood Watch members, spoke out in support of the program.
"I'm one of the oldest men here in Neighborhood Watch. I remember when the dope was so bad in the Sinai/Grubby Road area. I started putting those Neighborhood Watch signs up in all the yards, especially around the old theatre, and it helped clear up the whole thing," he said. "Now we need the Neighborhood Watch more than ever before. Keep this up and let us help make it strong!"
The three officers said they would

William Thomas Oliver of South Boston died Monday, May 3, 1999 at Berry Hill Nursing Home.
Mr. Oliver was born on December 26, 1905 the son of Mamie Oliver Stokes and was married to Caroline Oliver. He was 93 years of age at the time of his death.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three children, Preston and Juanita Oliver of Mt. Clair, NJ; Thelma Oliver of South Boston and Sallie and Willie Ewell of South Boston; three grandchildren, Fernandeg Bruce of South Boston, Sygnid Bruce of Fort Washington, MD, and Sherry Younger of Killeen, TX; one great-granddaughter; one brother-in-law, Herbert Long; two sisters-in-law, Lizzie Fields and Pearl Morgan; a cousin that was just like a sister, Ardelia Fields; a devoted family friend, Kimberly Adkins and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Oliver will be held today, May 7 at 1 p.m. at Cross Road Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis White officiating. Burial will follow in the Bold Springs Church Cemetery.

Rosa Mitchell Mosley of 2111 Ashcake Creek Road, Scottsburg died Sunday, May 2, 1999 at Duke Medical Center at the age of 71.
Mrs. Mosley was born in Halifax County on November 20, 1927 the daughter of Ralph Mitchell and Jerlean Mosley Mitchell and was married to Walter Mosley. She was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Daniel Edmondson, Lawrence Mosley and Leon Mosley, all of Scottsburg; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three foster sisters, Havana Garden of Scottsburg, Mary Lacks Gatling of New York, NY and Verneta Warren of Peekskill, NY; two foster brothers, Giles Richards and Shirley Richards, both of Peekskill; and three daughters-in-law.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mosley were held Thursday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist with Rev. Dr. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial was in the family cemetery.

Susie Carr Cage of South Boston died Sunday, May 2, 1999 at Duke Medical center in Durham, NC. She was 83 years of age.
Mrs. Cage was born in Halifax County on October 31, 1915.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Carrington of Frederick, MD and Loretta Vass of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Cage were held Thursday, May 6 at 3 p.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with Rev. William Carr officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mary Estelle Barksdale of New York died Saturday, May 1, 1999 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in NY. She as 84 years of age at the time of her death.
Ms. Barksdale was born in Halifax County on February 9, 1915 the daughter of Adron Barksdale and Rosa Bailey Barksdale. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in NY.
Survivors include one son, Stanley Barksdale of NY; two grandchildren, Tyrone Barksdale and Devonia Brown, both of NY; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ursula Coleman of Halifax and Rosa Edmonds of North Babylon, NY; one sister-in-law, Yaoko Barksdale of Aberdeen, MD; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Barksdale will be held Saturday, May 8 at 2 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Michael D. Terry.

Melvin Evans of Chicago, IL, formerly of Halifax County, died Friday, April 30, 1999 in Chicago at the age of 80.
Mr. Evans was born in Halifax County on March 25, 1919 the son of Edmond 'Ed' Evans and Harriet 'Hattie' Yancey and was married to Vanessa Potts Evans. He was a member of Spanish Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Gwendolyn Evans and Quiera Potts Evans, both of Chicago, and Melbalenia D. Evans of Cleveland, OH; two sons, Curtis E. Evans and David Andrew Evans, both of Chicago.
Funeral services for Mr. Evans were held Wednesday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at A.A. Rayner Funeral Home in Chicago. Burial was in Oak Ridge Hillside Cemetery.

Sadie Godsey Vaughan, 93, of South Boston, formerly of Chase City, widow of Hon. George Vaughan, died Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
Survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Dickerson; one son, Nelson Vaughan and wife, June, all of South Boston; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; devoted friends, Jeannette Vaughan of LaCrosse, Omalee Vaughan of Richmond; and all friends at the Woodcrest in South Boston. She was preceded in death by one great-grandson.
Funeral services will be held at Newcomb Allgood Davis Funeral Home in Chase City today, May 7 at 2 p.m. with Revs. W.R. Thornton and Coy Terry officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Chase City Rescue Squad Auxiliary.

William Anson Grosch of 308 Dunncroft Court, South Boston died Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at his home. He was 82 years of age.
Mr. Grosch was born September 14, 1916 in Bronx, NY the son of William Grosch and Vera Anson Grosch and was married to Vivian H. Watts Grosch. He was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church and a former member of the Lions Club in NY, Long Island Salesmen Association and the Cluster Springs Ruritan Club. He was also a retired salesman for Weyerhuser Co.
The funeral will be held at Shady Grove United Methodist Church Thursday, May 6 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Don Davidson officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
Surviving Mr. Grosch are his wife; one son, William Neil Grosch of Albany, NY; one daughter, Virginia Ann Kowalski of Huntington, NY; one sister, Vera DeAugustinis of Ossining, NY; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home tonight, May 5 from 7 until 8:30, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Shady Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Lacy Edward Hammock of South Boston died Thursday, April 29, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Hammock was born in Halifax County on September 25, 1953 the son of Lacy Edward Hammock Sr. and Elsie Wilson Tomlin.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Hammock Miles of South Boston; one son, Lacy Edward Hammock III of Halifax; five grandchildren, Matthew James Day, Danielle Nicole Miles, Michael Allen Hammock, Breanna Nicole Hammock, Daniel Cornelius Miles Jr., all of the home; three brothers, Daniel Raymond Hammock of Mobile, AL, Randy Lynn Hammock of Collinsville and Larry Davis of Ringgold; one sister, Betty Jean Stevens of Nathalie; one aunt, Christine Duffer of South Boston; one uncle, Lawrence Wilson of South Boston; one son-in-law, Daniel Miles Sr. of South Boston; one daughter-in-law, Melinda Day Hammock of Halifax; one brother-in-law, Richard Barbour of Bassett; and one dear friend, Mary Christine 'Chris' Samms of Keeling. He was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Hammock Barbour.
Graveside services were held Sunday, May 2 at New Bethel BaptistChurch Cemetery with Rev. Michael Terry officiating.

Rhoderic Filmore Garner of 1171 Hendricks Road, Halifax died yesterday at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 78.
Mr. Garner was born in Halifax County on January 12, 1921, the son of Joseph Frank Garner and Lucy Long Garner. He was married to the late Sallie McDaniel Garner and was a member of McKendree United Methodist Church and a World War II Army Veteran.
Mr. Garner is survived by: daughters, Joyce Garner Patrick, Meridena K. Carel, Jeanette K. Brown all of Halifax, and Eva K. Lacks of Clover; sisters, Nell Garner Guthrie of Nathalie and Betsy Garner Reese of Springfield; 10 great-grandchildren, and he was preceded by a grandson, Stephen Younger.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at McKenderee United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Earnhardt conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Wednesday from 7 until 8:30 p.m. and other times at the home of his daughter Joyce Patrick 7110 L.P. Bailey Highway, Halifax.

For memorials Please consider the American Red Cross.

Beatrice Hall Wilkerson of 1624 Ridge Street, South Boston died Sunday, May 2 at the Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 85.
She was born in Richmond on December 7, 1913 and was the daughter of the late George Hall and Emma Hall. She was married to the late Jack Wilkerson and was a member of the Owens Grove Baptist Church.
Mrs. Wilkerson is survived by a devoted sister and brother-in-law, Virginia Person and Clarence Person; niece, Ann B. Rogers of Baltimore, MD; nephew, James "Monk" Bailey of Baltimore, MD; cousins, John Hall and Lloyd Bernard Hall of Richmond; Freddie Lee Hall of Chesterfield, Hugh Wilkerson of Woodbridge, Gloria Wilkerson Gosling of Reidsville, NC, Tonia Wilkerson and Cynthia Wilkerson of Washington, DC, and Yvonne Outlaw of Roxboro, NC.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wilkerson will be held Friday, May 7 at noon with services at the Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leonard Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the Owens Grove Baptist church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of the deceased.