People all around Scotland County took time on Tuesday to watch the inauguration, with many gathering at others' homes.
Hazel Boatwright helped organize a formal ball Tuesday night at the Highlands to celebrate the inauguration. She said the event would not be deterred by the weather.
"If I had a thesaurus, I don't think I could find a word for how I feel today," Boatwright said. "I was thrilled to see the first black president, but I also was thrilled with the kind of president I think he will make for every American regardless of race."
Jan and John Schmidt had people over to their Laurinburg home — which also served as a the Scotland County Barack Obama headquarters during the campaign — to watch the ceremony on television.
The crowd of about nine people sat in rapt attention as the new president spoke.
Ray Fidler made no secret that he is expecting a lot of the new president, noting that he had already gotten to work even before the inauguration.
"There's been a lot of effort - a lot of reaching across the aisle," Fidler said.
Fidler's wife, Sue, said Obama hit just the right chord with the current economic gloom hanging over the nation. Sue Fidler had worked for Obama during the campaign.
"His strength came from humility instead of posturing," she said.
Ray Fidler said he also saw Obama as a symbol of racial unity.
"He represents coming a long way in social integration," he said.
Boatwright voiced a similar idea. She said she didn't cry at the thought of how far the nation has come, but she came close.
"When you think of Michelle Obama's mother, you realize that she may have experienced some form of racism and now to have her daughter be the First Lady of the land, it is hard not to get emotional about that."
Several county officials did have a chance to make it to Washington for the swearing-in. They included Sheriff Shep Jones, state Rep. Garland Pierce and Maxton Town Commissioner Vivian Morrison Brown.
Also in Washington this week were Helen Nelson and her five-year-old son, Victor Stoneburner. While the pair did not stay for the main event, they did take in several pre-inaugural activities.
"It was wonderful," Nelson said. "I think we picked the perfect day to go."
Nelson said there was a large turnout to the events.
"It was very crowded," Nelson said. "There was a 45-minute wait to get on the Metro."
She added that normally there is no wait.
This didn't bother Nelson, though.
"Everyone was there for the same reason - everyone talking to everyone," Nelson said. "It wasn't like when you're in the big city and take the train and no one talks to you."
Nelson added that she wanted her son to be a part of the historic event.
The child who collected a bevy of Obama collectibles appeared to be an ardent supporter of the president.
"I think Barack Obama got elected because he is the best ever president and because he is the first ever brown president."
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