Saturday June 7, 2003
by Beverly Guthrie Lougher

Going to bed with the sound of rain on the old farmhouse roof lulled me quickly to sleep.  I  awakened in the early dawn to the sound of dueling roosters across the way.  These sounds carried me back in time, sweet memories, dear faces - flooding my mind as I listened to the roosters proclaiming another day. 

What better way to start this new day than to have breakfast with some friends at the Dining Hall.  One of my favorite events of Homecoming is the Farm Family Breakfast.   Dr. Ritchie’s Farm Family Program was one of the best parts of the early school years.  I wonder if there was ever another school that operated this kind of program.   In the Archives you can find volumes of information about the people who participated in the program and the determination of those people to make a better life for their children.  They were extraordinary people and to have breakfast with their descendants is to me an honor. 

We filled the tables and were soon eating sausage gravy and biscuits, bacon, eggs, French toast… need I go on?   The only thing missing was dear Aunt Mary.  I can’t go into the Dining Hall without thinking of her.  The laughter of good fellowship filled the room. 

Here we caught the Ward Brothers and James and Lee Smith chowing down.



  Hazel could not stand it and ran for the juice pitcher so she could serve James and get another hug.  Shameless hussy!



Alice Hempel Kamin is explaining why she has a headache to her husband and Verlon McDowell.



Odelle Kelly Hamby and Wilma Kelly Hoilman enjoy Bob Welden’s company.  I asked Wilma why they were sitting with the Farm Families and she proudly informed me her Mother, Sarah Elizabeth Mize - class of 1925, was a part of the Farm Family Program.



Dwayne Ward and his friend, Macy Brown, were enjoying breakfast.
  Macy said it was a unique and heartwarming experience watching RG Alumni come together.   In the background you can see some serious eating going on.
 


Tim and Pat Dickerson are enjoying farm living in South Georgia and both are great fun to be with.  I asked Tim if his family had been a part of the Farm Family Group and he said no, his father farmed in Wolffork Valley but not on a school farm.  At the cookout, I joined Pat, Tim and Ruth Dickerson Williams at a very scenic table on the upstairs porch.  We shared our meal and I had a chance to talk with Ruth.  Hazel, you are right, she is special.



Dr. Anderson and Libby chose to eat with the Farm Family members and as I was leaving the Dining Hall I noticed that he was addressing the Farm Family group.  It was obvious he holds this group in high esteem and wanted to pay his respects to them. 



Reluctantly leaving the Dining Hall, the warmth of friendships and all that good food, we once again greeted the rain and headed to the Alumni Art Show at the A&T Building.  The Ritchies seemed surreal in the mist.

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The Alumni Art Show at the Arts & Technology Building was a fun stop.  As you entered the exhibit hall you were greeted by Charlie Underwood’s rendition of the Dairy Barn.  Janie had set this up to beckon you into the exhibit and it certainly did.  Great barn Charlie!



Harold Thurmond '60 had submitted a painting of the Loudermilk Mill at Mt. Airy, a poem, and a photograph taken at his parent’s house in Wolffork Valley.  Harold is so multitalented.  My favorite was the photograph.  Unfortunately I did not get a good picture of his painting and this picture of his photo does not do it justice.  I hope all who attended saw these first hand.



  His poem was full of warmth and passion and I loved it as I do all his poetry. 

THINE EYES

Thine eyes are sheer mirrors
Reflecting my countenance,
Revealing your soul.
Deep, languid pools
Astir with laughter,
Warm with desire.

Images still and sharpen,
Glimmering moonlight traces
Tranquil contentment with
Sheens of devoted wonder.
The depths swirl into
Sleepy dreams floating away
Under sails of dark lashes.
Thine eyes are sheer magic.

J. Harold Thurmond
 2003


Carol Dickerson Dunbar '52 had submitted two paintings.  One of the Wolffork Valley Baptist Church as viewed across the valley from her parent’s home and a painting of her daughter.   Again your photographer did not capture the quality of the work.   I was fortunate to have my mill pictures displayed with Carol’s paintings.



Beth Dickerson Shaw '50 had submitted three beautiful ceramic pieces.  Dale had delicately transported those to the show for Beth.



Aunt Mimi (Miriam) Dickerson’s '17 folk art rooster was wonderful and Janie was delighted to have it in the show.  She did it at age 86 in a nursing home. Mimi was the postmistress at Rabun Gap for many years and was aunt to Beth, Carol, and Dennis.



Nance Turnage Douglas '70  had many entries in the Art Show.  She is a wonderful artist and displayed her talents in the art show through many different mediums.  Nance was kind enough to send us this photo of herself showing a portion of her work in the Art show.   
 


This notecard cover is another example of Nance's artistry. 



A gentleman from the Class of '41JC, Victor C. Nix, had entered woodcarvings of birds.  I thought they were marvelous as I am an avid birder.  Dale and I were fortunate to meet the artist – a delightful man.



I saved Keith Sutherland '75 for last.  His pictures taken out West in Red Rock Country just knocked my socks off.  They were awesome.   He is a marvelous photographer.   Unfortunately my pictures do not come close to showing you his artistry.



Dale and I left the Art Show and hurried to the Heritage Center to see if we had any new arrivals.  Hugs were waiting!
The Heritage Center is a perfect gathering place for the alumni.   Janie and Kathy made sure we had coffee and soft drinks and food to tide us over until our next meal.    We mingled, munched, reminisced, and rocked away the morning.

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My day was complete when Jack Ayers arrived.  What a grand fellow he is!  He and Twigg Smith were quickly chatting with Jane Tanner Bridges and Cleo Dodson.  



You should have seen Phil and Ron’s faces where they found out Thomas Poe had come to Homecoming.   They quickly made Mr. Poe feel like an honored guest and they really enjoyed reminiscing with him.  Phil reminded Mr. Poe that he made him his official sign painter for four years.   Thanks to Hazel and Charlie for letting Mr. Poe know how much some of his old students wanted to see him.  I think he was very pleased with the reception he received.  Maybe he will come back next year.



The Thurmonds were well represented this year.  Not only Harold but also Annette Thurmond Pressley and William came by.  Annette still has that same sweet smile.  Gail tells me that Annette is an artist also and that Harold had composed a poem that morning.  I did not realize the significance of that statement until later.   I am a great fan of William’s stories.  He remembers everything we did at the Gap.  Maybe that is a good thing and maybe not.  Jim Darnell and William catch up on the local gossip.





Soon it was time to eat again so off we go to the big tent by the Dining Hall.  The tent kept the rain from overhead but had little effect on the river running through the tent.  Janie told us the 1930’s, 40’s and J.C. alums would be eating in the dining hall and all us “young” folk would eat under the tent.  It was slightly damp but the fried chicken was very good and we had a great time and to top it off, we had Jimmy’s ice cream for dessert.  This particular table was very loud and rowdy and we were all jealous because they were having more fun at their table. 
 


Terre and Don Kelly, Patsy Rice Cunningham, Beverly Burton Struble, Dave and Ann Mays Brooker.