‘Tacky’ fireworks signs mar lovely Port Royal

Another letter to the editor concerning Port Royal. As some may know, I have a soft spot in my heart for Port Royal and would love to see it return to its former glory as a community/tourist attraction along the Rt. 17 corridor. The town has a wonderful history and some beautiful homes. Unfortunately it also have a good number of empty lots thanks to a fire that swept through the town in the 1770’s, and a bunch of trailers that have taken its place:

I was so surprised when I read a summertime Free Lance-Star article [“Fireworks fascination sparks family business,” July 3]. Every year the sight of the fireworks stand and all the homemade signs nailed to many abandoned sites made me feel ashamed to say I live in Port Royal. This town has so much history and potential for revitalization.

I always thought that some out-of-state fireworks company set up shop here without regard to our town. I was embarrassed to read in the article that a local family ran the shop.

Now, once again, I am ashamed to say I live in Port Royal. It is now almost three weeks after Labor Day. The stand and tacky signs are still here. They just add to the eyesore of a town called Port Royal.

I do have one item of conern though. Most folks travel to Port Royal to get fireworks, not to see dilapidated homes and empty lots. Sure it may not look like Colonial Williamsburg, but neither does the motel on the corner lot of 207 and 17. Talk about an eyesore that could be converted into a museum! Rather than spending all that money on the old Lodge (which you could probably go to the Masonic Lodge in Arlington and get money for its restoration), citizens of Port Royal should really consider revitalizing the old motel as a museum. I could even buy some fireworks while I am there. . .