Over the Rapids: Support a good cause, good people

Next month, I will have known Henry for seven years.

With Henry came the introduction of many trips to Nags Head and my first meal at Captain George’s, metal detecting, fishing on Lake Gaston and the Roanoke River, and lately, bird watching. But the main thing he was into and still is — darts.

Because of him, I made new friends, and I picked up my own set of darts. Back then, he used to go to the home of his friends — Tony and Kim Floyd — on Thursday nights to play in a dart tournament.

This was so popular that the “dart room behind his house” became too small, so they opened up Crickets Dart Room at 310 Roanoke Ave. in Roanoke Rapids, where they have been for five years now. Henry even helped them paint it black and red — the colors of a dart board.

I have enjoyed going there for live music, watched Henry play darts, a New Year’s Eve celebration, and, of course, to enjoy the meals Tony cooks.

Tony is an excellent cook and prepares meals right up my alley — good old-fashioned home cooking is what I like to call it. My favorite has been the barbecued chicken — which is usually part of some fundraiser he is holding.

That’s the thing, Tony and Kim are always so considerate and try to help those less fortunate or have fallen on hard times. They have held fundraisers for cancer patients for medical bills and travel, a veteran who needed a new water well, collected supplies for natural disaster victims, and was a drop-off spot for toys at Christmas for children who wouldn’t normally get anything.

They are just good people, and now they need our help!

Recently, they purchased the former Eagles Club at 1037 Roanoke Ave., becoming part of the Main Street community. I think it’s wonderful that once again someone is going to make something out of our history — revitalizing and restoring another old building on the Avenue.

According to a Facebook post from Tony, they will continue to offer live entertainment, and in addition corn hole, three regulation pool tables, “and last but not least a wall designed for darts — darts are what made us what we are.”

He said there will also be a VIP section upstairs with a private bar for those who want to come and watch the band from a different point of view.

It’s now going to be Crickets Sports Bar & Grill. Yes, you read that right. They added grill on to the end of the name of their business. Tony told me he will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am so excited folks will have another place to grab some food on the Avenue. There is a variety to choose from within walking distance of The Herald — Carini’s Italian Restaurant, The Mill Coffee and Eatery, Nikis Italian Bistro, The Grub Hub and Joe’s To Go.

There’s a lot to be done to the new Crickets, including getting the kitchen ready for Tony to do some cooking. So, they are holding a plate sale fundraiser on Feb. 18.

“We love doing benefits and helping our community in any way possible!!! We have taken a break from doing that, trying to get the move going,” Tony said on Facebook. “We now have the space to do it up right with plenty of parking! We have a great following of people! We try to have a place where you feel like you’re family in a laid-back environment.

“We want you to know that Crickets is not just a bar! It’s where family and friends get together and fellowship with no drama! We have been in business for five years with no problems. I think that says something for the way we run our businesses! I want you to feel like you and your kids can come to Crickets and have a good time with no worries — that’s the place we are! We are going to have a full operating kitchen, and if you know me, you know I love to cook. It’s always been a dream of mine to own a restaurant! Unfortunately, it takes a lot to get the kitchen redone so we are going to have a plate sale to help with the remodeling of the kitchen! We appreciate all the support and love we get from Roanoke Rapids and friends, and we can’t wait to see what is in store for us.”

So, that’s where our community comes in — please buy a plate on Feb. 18 and give back to a couple who have given so much of themselves. Not only that, this will support a new business trying to improve an old building on the Avenue. I personally enjoy seeing the improvements happening. I mean, who wants to see buildings crumbling? I certainly do not.

Tony said the plates will feature barbecue, coleslaw, baked beans and rolls for $10, which will be ready about noon at the old location. Not only that, he said he was going to try to have live music that day.

To order one of the plates or if you just want to make a donation, call 252-541-3611.

Henry and I will be eating barbecue that day. We try to support all of Tony’s fundraisers — not only because it is a good cause, but we know it will be some good eatin’ because Tony is doing the cooking.