It was an August night in the South--humid, sultry, and hot. The Verdict restaurant in Graham, NC, is on a block that borders Courthouse Square, and in the center of Courthouse Square is a tall column bearing a statue of the Confederate soldier. All evening long, as we played our three 45' sets on the patio, there were mutterings, motorcycle drivebys, and some concerned whisperings amongst local citizens out enjoying dinner on the patio. By the time we wrapped up our set at 11:00, the four streets leading intot he square had each been blockaded by a squad car with flashing lights. There was a small, sullen crowd around the base of the memorial column, presumably there to defend it, although I couldn't see anyone against whom it required defending. The evening's entertainment was well received, and the borrowed sound-system worked well, and the manager appreciated us and we got paid. She said she closed a little early out of concern for the safety of customers. So there was a certain amount of tension in the air, but no brickbats or strident yells of any kind. I drove home without any problem. But August isn't over yet. North Carolina was a reluctant addition tot he Confederacy--the last one to sign aboard--but the old judgements still ripple through the bloodlines of some locals. Few, but enough to make you stay alert.