Dear Ted,What can we say? How can we thank you? In no way could we ever say or thank you enough for the great times we had at what became known simply as "Ted's Lot," your property on Ellis Island.
You opened your door to all your friends, and there are many. We hung around when you wanted us there...and longer! You entertained us and you laughed with us. We whiled away many a lazy Saturday and Sunday afternoon together gazing out at the Big Muddy river from the shaded comfort of your shed.
Sunday was always race day. We could count on you to have the race on and to be screaming for the number three car. But Earnhart found the wall on many an occasion and we enjoyed kidding you about his misfortunes as our cars sped around his smoking wreck! But our cars wrecked too, too many times, and you never failed to laugh about it.
You fed us from your massive grill, and most of the time we brought no food. You let us have parties on the lot. We even struck up a band a few times along the way. What a great host you were!
Now that the lot has sold, we know a great era in the history of Wilcox County has come to a close. As they say, all good things must come to an end. It is sad but true.
We wish you luck raising horses at your new residence in the Grampion Hills south of Camden. And don't be surprised if you look up one day and see a parade of trucks towing boats headed to your pasture to spend another lazy afternoon in your company!
Sincerely,
Your fellow River Rats
"As of yesterday afternoon (8/4/1998) at a little after 6:30 PM CST the boat left the home of Ted Tait when Captains S. J. and Little Ralph and Boat Owner Vivian Henderson pulled the 28 foot (on the first floor) vessel away from the dock headed down stream to Millers Ferry to the boat's new home. Shortly after leaving the dock there was a moment of silence while everyone remembered all of the wild and fun times that were had by ALL at Ted's lot during the 90's. After a brief conversation with Ted out in the river, the boat owners thanked him and they turned the mighty vessel around and headed down stream and into the beautiful sunset for the hour and fifteen minute cruise to the schooners new home, the Miller's Ferry Marina." --- Little Ralph Martin, III.