N.C. Rep. David Guice and Polk County commissioner Tommy Melton were the first people to purchase tickets for a new fund raising raffle for the House of Flags Museum.

The House of Flags is raising funds to renovate the old Columbus Fire Hall across from the county courthouse in Columbus and move the museum there from its current location in Green Creek.

Representative Guice said, &uot;I was honored to be the first person to purchase a ticket for the raffle which is being held to help raise funds for the House of Flags museum. I was able to work with Paul Sutherland to get a resolution passed in Raleigh honoring the late George Scofield, who founded the museum and hope this recognition will help promote the museum. I look forward to seeing the necessary funds raised to build a permanent home for the House of Flags.&uot;

Melton was visiting the recent Green Creek Heritage Festival, as was Guice. Melton said he fondly remembered the founder of the House of Flags Museum and said, &uot;I miss George Scofield and I miss his enthusiasm for the House of Flags. I sincerely hope in my heart that as citizens we do all we can possibly do to make his dreams come true.&uot;

The raffle, which will officially kick off in the early Spring of 2010,&bsp; is the museum&39;s major fund raising effort scheduled for the forthcoming year. &bsp;