Stan and Norvell simply doesn’t sound as funny as Stan and Ollie for the escapades of Laurel and Hardy even if their 1930 movie “Another Fine Mess” is just as silly.  

Laugh your way through that one and 105 other Laurel and Hardy films at the official memorabilia museum in Harlem, Georgia, just 20 minutes west of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Ollie was named Norvell at birth but changed to his father’s name Oliver when he was 18.

He was 10 months old when his mother moved from Harlem after his father’s sudden death, but they claim him proudly in this 8,000-population town.

 Ulverston, England is the home of sidekick Stan Laurel’s museum, but Oliver’s official memorabilia headquarters is in central Georgia.

Harlem was founded as an art center and named after the New York neighborhood.  

Most people discover this Harlem when they come to the Laurel and Hardy Festival, the first Saturday in October since 1989.  Look-alike contests, Ollie and Stan skits, humor historians and all those movies distinguish this festival.

Relatives too.  Ollie married three times with no children but the family tree, according to museum manager Linda Caldwell, is filled with cousins around the world and they like to document their lineage in the laughter.

Jolted me a bit to think of his father Oliver as a Confederate soldier, wounded at Sharpsburg, Maryland—such a serious subject instead of hilarity. That’s the trouble with learning things at museums.

         His father is buried in Harlem; Ollie never lived there again but he’s watching no matter where you go. 

Been any other place where a portrait Oliver Hardy peers down at you from the water tower?   

Probably a good idea to book a room at Red Oak Manor in downtown Harlem to have enough time to watch the 106 Laurel and Hardy films in the Museum collection. Easy walk between the two.

Built in 1885, this bed and breakfast inn has a full restaurant with four beautifully appointed second floor rooms and one handicap accessible on the first floor.  

Between flicks, or marveling at the memorabilia fan clubs (called tents) like to showcase here, check out Etc of Harlem on Louisville Street, the main drag, for some fine regional art: wood turning, gourd painting, oils and water colors and jewelry.  

Antiques and items fill the thrift shop across the street where a whopping $19,507 was raised for local charities last year.  Attic Treasures is an enticing non-profit totally staffed by volunteers.  I bought a big bucket of children’s alphabet blocks for $5.00. 

High-end consignment clothing and home furnishings are the focus of My Sister’s Loft, next door to the Red Oak Manor. 

Lucky Lady Pecans fills a block, surrounding pecans with flavors from key lime to praline and mesquite barbecue to cinnamon spice. Enjoy there or mail order for pecans made with recipes started by the great grandparents of owner Ruth Tracy Blackburn. 

Order a tin and you’ll have original art of the Augusta National 11^th green with the 12^th tee in view.