Willington on the Way November-2025

Hi everyone,

As we close out the month of October and head into November, the leaves are starting to fall, the trees are changing colors, and the air is getting cooler. This time of year always brings something special to mind — October and November are the cotton harvest months.

I think of Willington in the early 1900s, when it was surrounded by miles and miles of cotton fields. At this time of year, if you were old enough to walk, you were old enough to pick. The fields came alive with people — farmers, sharecroppers, and family members — all working side by side. It was a busy, bustling time.

When the wagons were loaded, they made their way into town to the train depot. The cotton buyers were there to grade and purchase the cotton before loading it onto trains bound for Augusta. Some loads went north to the mills in Greenwood. It was truly a lively time in Willington.

For many farmers and sharecroppers, the harvest meant they could finally pay their bills at the local stores — debts that might have built up over the past month or two. It must have been a joyful time, perhaps buying new clothes, a pair of shoes, or even putting a little money in the bank.

Willington’s history is filled with such stories, and I love reading about the people who lived and worked here. It was quite a large town in its day. I grew up in a small town myself, and while we didn’t have cotton, we had miles of potato fields. When I came to Willington and learned about its cotton heritage, I felt like I had come home.

This has been an exceptionally good year — we’ve accomplished a great deal, and there’s more to come.

Barry J. Russell

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

— James 1:17