byStevenJones/Times-Journal Writer

For the Smiths of Hale County a robin doesn’t herald spring, crawfish do.

Three weeks ago, crawfish season began, and it’ll last until the first week in July. Until then, Selmians can enjoy the cajun flavor of mudbugs, crawdads or crawfish. Whatever you call them, it’s safe to just call them good.

Using a secret recipe of imported Louisiana spice, Ricky and Betty Smith will supply Selma with all the crawdads they can eat, for only $3 per pound.

Going into business for the first time, the enterprising couple seems to have found a niche market in Selma. They even had one Selma couple drive to Hale County last week for crawdads only to drive back to Selma and buy from them again.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Smiths plan to be at the Old Wal-Mart Parking Lot on Highland, selling crawfish for their business, Crawdaddy’s Crawfish.

They’ll even teach the

rookies how to eat crawfish, cajun style.

When she’s not selling crawfish and working on a farmer’s tan, Betty’s a nurse at Greensboro Jail and Detention Center and Ricky is a shift supervisor for Southern Pride Catfish Farms.

Right now, the Smiths are just one of the vendors at the parking lot.

Shelia and Buddy Gant, who run a produce stand, plant nursery and leather store on the lot, are trying to drum up a little business out on Highland.

Along with crawfish, leather and plants you can pick up some decorations for your home at a space rented by Rachel Tabb.