This is somethin brand new that Toby Dick is working on.  Its in the early stages, but I’m enjoying listening to it so much that I figured I had to share…
A.

Hodges, James & Smith were originally known as Hodges, James, Smith & Crawford (former Motown artist Carolyn(Caroline)Crawford).They later became a trio..Pat Hodges, Denita James & Jessica Smith… all originating from Los Angeles. Denita James had a solo single on Flip around ‘63 and Pat Hodges had a solo release Keymen around ‘66. The group was the brainchild of William “Micky” Stevenson and they were intended to rival The Supremes which is hard to believe because H, J & S’s sound was more aggressive and a lot more Soul/R&B oriented. Their first single was ‘Nobody’ on the Mpingo Label(previously a hit for Kim Weston on MGM). They updated it later for one of their 20th Century albums in the 70s. So there are two versions released by them.

Tracks
Side A

1 Nobody (3:18)
2 Power Of Your Love (3:12)
3 Momma (3:05)
4 Monkeyshine (3:18)
5 He Did Me Wrong, He Did Me Right (3:04)

Side B
1 I Who Have Nothing (5:35)
2 Sexy Ways (4:20)
3 Rusty Old Halo (4:27)
4 West Virginia Symphony (3:31)

Esto es Inglaterra, estas son sus credenciales. Una manera de entender el género absolutamente inimitable.

¿qué diría Dios?

Asesino implacable (Get Carter)

Director: Mike Hodges

Año: 1971

País: Gran Bretaña

Fotografía: Wolfgang Suschitzky

Música: Roy Budd

Guión: Mike Hodges según la novela de Ted Lewis “Jack´s return home”, 1970

Reparto: Michael Caine, Britt Ekland, Ian Hendry, John Osborne

Perfecto ejemplo del “thriller” tal y como se entiende en las islas y en muchos aspectos el formón del género: sordidez ambiental, violencia restallante, cutrez y anti-glamour.

En compensación a una dura trama de cintas pornográficas y gangsters de 2ª división pródiga en sexo puerco y asesinatos sin miramiento alguno, Caine crea un personaje icónico que es la esencia del “cool”, como el “Bullit” de McQueen, “Le samuraï” “melvilliano” de Delon o su propio Harry Palmer (además de haber conocido un fardona versión “blackexploitation” titulada “Hit Man“), que acaba por crear una especie de distorsión entre la presencia sofisticada del actor y el ambiente cochambroso que le rodea, un efecto que quizás sea lo mejor de toda la película.

Violentísima, carismática, magníficamente ambientada, a veces desmañada pero siempre enérgica, con una perfecta captación de un clima de deprimente miseria moral a juego con el aspecto sucio y destartalado de la fotografía, supone el mejor intento de Mike Hodges, un director muy irregular que alterna cosa tan interesantes como la extrañísima  “El hombre terminal” adaptando a Crichton o la magnífica e injustamente desconocida “Croupier” con ridiculeces del tamaño de “Flash Gordon” o “Historias peligrosas” una memez coyuntural y metalingüística también con Michael Caine encabezando el reparto. Aquí acierta por completo apurando un ritmo en aumento que evoluciona desde el mortecino inicio (perfecto para reflejar el desagrado que los ambientes producen al protagonista) hasta el brutal tercio final y deja un puñado de momentos memorables por el camino, desde la persecución en el aparcamiento, hasta el estilizado final, pasando por las contundentes ejecuciones con parada en ese apuñalamiento gratuito que puntea las palabras con las que interroga a un pobre tipo arrodillado. Y sobre todo la ya legendaria escena de Carter/Caine saliendo en pelotas a la calle portando un escopetón con el que amedrenta a unos matoncetes que no saben con quien se están metiendo.

Un film fundacional que sirve además para comprobar donde estaban los estándares y la permisividad del cine de los 70 con respecto a la crueldad, la perversidad, y sobre todo a la libertad creativa y la posibilidad de mostrar personajes amorales que se comporten como auténticos hijos de puta sin ninguna necesidad de justificación más allá de la propia película y el mundo que esta crea.

El largo viernes santo (The long good friday)

Director: John MacKenzie

Año: 1979

País: Gran Bretaña

Fotografía: Philip Meheux

Música: Francis Monkman

Guión: Barrie Keefe

Reparto: Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Eddie Constantine, Dave King

A un “gangster” londinense más bien cafre, amenaza con caérsele abajo un negocio inmobiliario con unos inversores tirando a sospechosos y un concejal untado, debido a una serie de atentados contra sus intereses que van dejando un reguero de sangre. El asunto es que uno de sus hombres ha estado trapicheando con el IRA a sus espaldas causando la detención de un par de gerifaltes por culpa de que la policía ha seguido la entrega de un dinero. La cosa no sienta bien a los muchachos irlandeses y así comienzan los problemas.

Quizás la obra maestra del correoso cine mafioso inglés y desde luego el mejor título de MacKenzie, director pronto diluido (aunque con algún trabajo interesante, “El cuarto protocolo” por ejemplo, buena intriga de la “guerra fría” un pelín pasada de moda ya en la época) pero que aquí logra un film dinámico, compacto y muy influyente (el cine de Guy Ritchie no deja de ser la vulgarización de sus logros por la vía de la banalización vampírica y la bisutería estética), tanto por sus maneras violentas, nacidas, no ya, de lo gráfico de sus estallidos sino del fango de amoralidad pringosa que retrata con verismo, como por un extraviado humor negro nacido de la observación del ambiente y de las maneras horteras de unos matones “cockneys” venidos a más, pretenciosos, cutres y bestiales. 

Deja momentos de una violencia desmesurada que muestra bien a las claras como se las gasta el “noir” británico, con la justamente mítica escena del matadero la cabeza (Harold manda buscar al resto de los jefes locales y todos ellos acaban colgados boca debajo de unos ganchos de carnicero mientras les lee la cartilla), pero también la crucifixión al suelo o especialmente el sangriento uso de una botella durante la confesión de la traición. 

Una joya fea y bruta, cínica y rabiosamente social, que sabe usar el género para diseccionar un entramado de corruptelas políticas y económicas parasitado por ejemplares como al que Bob Hoskins presta su físico de bulldog (antológico su rostro final). Rebosante de autenticidad, muy bien escrita, rodada con estilo y estupendamente musicalizada, ennoblecida además por las presencias del venerable Eddie Constantine o de la siempre espléndida Helen Mirren (casi una Lady MacBeth para una cinta que  puede verse como un Shakespeare atravesado y sin despiojar), amén de un reparto cuajado de caretos patibularios que meten miedo entre los que se incluye un jovencito Pierce Brosnan como implacable “killer” que no tiene miramientos en seducir en las duchas de una piscina a uno de los hombres de Hoskins.

Los Altos. Off early. Arthur. Bad DJ. Gazebo. Parents married. Ian. Liz. Queso. Weird. Fit in. Bats. Bridge. Skyline. Bathroom.

Joshua Hodges rides unicycle at Andrews University

Shortly after graduating May 2009 at Andrews University, Joshua Hodges traveled to Jamaica to serve and minister to the people.  He graduated with a Master’s of Divinity, and lost his life (August 26, 2009) at the age of 25.

After hearing Joshua’s story, I remember having a strong pain in my stomach.  Why?  I thought in my head, why?  How could Joshua be so passionate and be so persistent in his goals.  How could he be so determined to follow the will of God?  What made him different that he was able to withstand trials upon trials.

You see I was a student missionary in the Marshall Islands from 2006-2007; teaching: PE, Health and Drama for the first semester.  For the second I transferred to an outer island teaching multi-grade subjects.  Three years after my year away, I’m hearing Joshua’s compelling story and  I couldn’t help but ask myself, Did I do enough?   Then after badgering myself around for hours I keep coming back to the conclusion that God is the one in control.  He is the one that plants the seeds and its hard for me to see them growing.

I want to challenge any of you that is involved in ministry to keep focused on what God is doing in your life.  Don’t worry about how many people have gotten baptized, and how many went to church last week.  God is working, we just can’t always see it.

Read more at:  http://operationgetjoshuahome.wordpress.com/

Written by: Bradley Austin

See the following Star Wars Fan Days III update from attending artist Tom Hodges posted over in our official Fan Days III forums:

“I’m now taking pre-orders for SWFD3. The commissions for Pre-Order are 2 different sizes:

**NOTE: This is completely separate from the “Draw-A-Thon” so please be sure to order as directed. Thanks you! **”

Be sure to visit Tom’s website as well as the Official Fan Days III website

Pat Hodges, Denita James and Jessica Smith were recruited to form a soul/disco group with the name of a mid-century Wall Street law firm, Hodges, James & Smith. The group was put together by William “Mickey” Stevenson, an esteemed Motown musician, songwriter and producer. Stevenson was responsible for many of the more robustly soulful classics in the Motown catalog, like Martha Reeves & The Vandellas “Dancing In The Street” and Marvin Gaye’s “Stubborn Kind of Fellow.” What Have You Done For Love? is half uptempo disco/funk and half soulful ballads. Although there is a persistent cabaret vibe that does not suit the girls at all. In particular, the title track is showtune-y disco co-written by Stevenson and the girls. Elsewhere, “That’s The Way” and “The San Francisco Rag” are buried under campy cliche. However, the trio is undeniably soulful and come up with some great harmonies, particularly on “You Can’t Hide Love”, the Skip Scarborough tune popularized by Earth, Wind & Fire but recorded many times over the years by divas in need of love. HJ&S come up with a unique take that features wailing and scatting. “You Know Who You Are” is a tender Benard Ighner ballad and HJ&S sing the hell out of it. Stevie Wonder’s “Seems So Long” is another winner. My favorite is “Here Is Where Your Love Belongs” a silky midtempo with a jazzy arrangement and ace vocals.

Side One
What Have You Done For Love?
The San Francisco Rag (Everytime)
You Can’t Hide Love
Falling In Love
Hide-A-Way

Side Two
You Know Who You Are
That’s The Way
Here Is Where Your Love Belongs
Seems So Long
Darling, I Promise

Listen

Historically, Hodges Dam is one of my favorite races as I have ridden it many times, second only to Winding Trails. The course is made up of dusty fire roads, rocky and rooty single track, and the occasional stream crossing. With the season we have been having and the fact that the dam is a tool for flood control, the stream crossings were more like river crossings! Reports were coming in all week that there was 1+ft of water on many parts of the course. The US Army Corps of Engineers released 3-4ft of water from the dam on Tuesday and it was hoped that by Sunday it would be dry.

For the most part, letting the water go did the trick. On the deeper parts though, the water was still hanging around. The first obstacle we ran into was a nice wooden bridge that was floating in about 3ft of water. Since it was too dangerous for us to try and ride it, a marshal was there to make sure we followed the mandatory dismount rule. Stepping up onto the floating bridge created quite a wave as the whole bridge sank down from the weight! We rode through some minor mud (compared to last week) and then turned a corner to see a long stretch of single track covered in water. Now, my buddy Graig called me on the way to the race and gave me the report that all the puddles were ride able. What he left out was that this one “puddle” was about 3ft deep! I did take his advice and rode through the whole thing, but I’ve got to say, water that deep was not meant to be ridden through! After three laps of splashing through the water, I wound up 5th of 12 in my class. I had a good race, but I am finding that my legs run out of steam before my lungs do. I’ll have to take a look as solutions with training to help with that endurance because the races coming up will be important for me to hold onto the series points lead.

I’m reading an excellent book at the moment, A High View of Scripture?: The Authority of the Bible and the Formation of the New Testament Canon, by Craig Allert.

From the introduction, Allert describes Louis Hodges’s assessment of two options for approaching biblical studies: inductive and deductive.

Rarely do evangelical doctrines of scripture take these [canon-formation] historical issues seriously, assuming that a “high view” of scripture starts with the doctrine of inspiration.  Consider, for example, one recent summary of the state of an evangelical doctrine of scripture.  Louis Hodges states, “The starting point for the evangelical view of scripture is the doctrine of inspiration.” According to Hodges, one issue that arises in forming a doctrine of scripture is the relationship between the divine and the human in the authorship of the Bible.  He argues that the evangelical must affirm both.  Hodges then claims that there are two methodologies one may adopt with regard to tensions between the dual authorship of scripture; that is, between the divine and human elements in scripture.

First, there is the inerrantist perspective, which works “deductively from the self-teaching of Scripture . . . as well as the attributes of its divine author, and interpret[s] the phenomena associated with human authorship in light of scripture’s own claims. This method begins with certain theological assumptions and arranges the human phenomena within that grid.” The other perspectives are those of the noninerrantists, who begin “with their exegetical and historical understanding of the phenomena and work inductively toward a view of the nature of scripture, even if it requires modifications of its self-teaching.” For Hodges, the choice one makes between these two mutually exclusive methodologies is of “momentous importance.” “Deductivists, who begin with the express claims of scripture, inevitably end with a ‘high view’ of its authority, and inductivists, who begin with the phenomena, conclude with a correspondingly lower view.”

This is a fairly typical example of evangelical approaches to bibliology. In it, a certain view of inspiration is argued as the “high view of Scripture” with the implication, often explicitly stated [as is by Hodges], that failure to hold this verbal plenary view of inspiration results in the propagation of a corresponding “low view of scripture.” Essentially what has happened is that the definition of a high view of scripture has simply become synonymous with the verbal plenary doctrine of scripture. [...]

The problem here is [...] that a high view of scripture has been usurped by verbal plenary theorists—the determination of what is “high” and what is “low” comes from them. The difference between a high and low view of scripture has been reduced to the difference between what the Bible says or teaches (“high” view), and what the Bible is or its phenomena are (“low” view).  Yet surely what the Bible is has much importance for what the Bible says, and a “high view” needs to take this into consideration.

[...] I am not here denying the inspiration of the Bible, but rather I am arguing that we evangelicals have come close to deifying this collection of texts with little to no understanding of how they came to be collected into the Bible.  Even when evangelical treatments of scripture cover the issue of canonicity, this near-deification of the Bible sets the agenda. [...]  The very real and important work and judgment of the early church is glossed over in favor of God virtually forcing these documents on the church so that even the process of canonization is deified. (pp.10-12)

Allert proposes that he will “build an argument for an alternative to Hodges’s two mutually exclusive perspectives.”

Here is also a good footnote:  “N.T. Wright argues that most evangelical approaches to biblical authority are actually ‘low’ because the Bible is not taken on its own merit. That is, the Bible is made into something that it is not.”

I think that the last sentence in the extended quote above is very important.  This is the same logic that King-James-Onlyists employ for saying that their translation is divinely and authoritatively guided by God.

This book is so fascinating that I could not put it down last night, I just kept reading and reading!  The implications of canon formation are so fundamental that it was like reading a riveting and action-packed suspense novel or something—I had to know what comes next!  I don’t know if this is a testimony to the book’s epic levels of awesomeness, or my epic level’s of theological nerdiness.  I would argue the former, my wife would argue the latter.

This fall we should be launching our new website with the help of DMInsite for web design and Adobe’s Scene 7 rich media platform. Great change is coming and it’s something we hope that all our customers will appreciate.

The website we have currently was first built over 7 years ago and has evolved rather slowly over those 7 years into what you see today. During these 7 years a great deal has changed on the internet.

The following figure from Internet World Stats is a table showing the number of internet users in the United States over the past 8 years.

As you can see; the internet usage in the US has just about doubled over the past 8 years. Since our switch to Verndale in 2002 the site has had one real face-lift that only changed the look of the site and didn’t really affect the underlying capabilities of it – this was four years ago. We hope that with this new website we can make it easier for you to get what you want in a much improved manner.

In 2008 alone our website brought 10.51% more visits than 2007 and generated 1.66 million pageviews. These numbers are nothing compared to Amazon or Google but if you look at how far we have come; the first year that we had analytics running on our website it had 90,000 visits but in the past 6 months of 2009 we have had almost 70,000 visits. With an increase this big in visitors it’s definitely time for a change, we realize that it isn’t the easiest thing to purchase off our website and we hope to improve customer experience come this fall.

Along with the new website we will be rolling out a personalization system for some of our most popular products which we hope will not only give you a way to preview your product before you get it, and at the same time reduce any discrepancies between what you want and what you get.

For a little bit of nostalgia and to take a peek at what our website looked like many years ago you should check out the “Wayback Machine”, specifically here. You can even see what our website looked like when it first launched way back in 1997.

Having a new website not only makes the job easier for the web team here at Hodges but it improves the experience you have when you buy something off our website.

We are looking for customer feedback; what sort of things would you like to see on the new website, and what sort of things could we change to make purchasing your awards on www.hodgesbadge.com an easier task for you? Put your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section, we would love to hear them.

We are starting July off with a Pool Party at the Hodges.  We will meet there at 5pm and it will last til 7pm. The guys should bring soda and the girls bring chips or cookies.  Both guys and girls need to invite a  friend, or five.  Make sure you bring an appropriate swim wear.  Guys no speedos (that’s disgusting), girls please wear one pieces.  It’s going to be fun and you wont want to miss out.  Even if you don’t want to swim, come and hang out.  Nothing is better than food, friends, and swimming.

Click here for directions to John & Trish Hodges from the church

It was a decent episode, not much substance though. Basically were introduced to the new group which will be taking over atleast 4 of the following episodes of 24. Everything went as planned in E20, nothing really went off course. Jack Bauer’s condition spontaneously got better during his interrogation of Jonas Hodges. He got the infamous anonymity agreement, which means that everyone thinks he’s dead. We also see the return of Chloe O’Brian, so the episode does become a bit fun.

Jonas Hodges really had nothing to add, because we already knew everything he said. Except maybe he hyperbolized the false lawyer. The lawyer is somewhat attractive, or atleast Almeida finds her so. Robert Galvez became the typical asset, where they want more and more. Almeida rid us of his, weak character pretty quickly. The way he died wasn’t new, but i don’t recall where i saw that.

Chloe O’Brian sparks allot of anger against her parallel character Janis Gold. Janis is almost an alter ego of Chloe. She throws a fit when she finds out that O’Brian is back, and she’s rendered useless. Season 7 makes us appreciate Chloe more and more, because she shows us the incompetency of the Bureau. Makes CTU look like some über l33t agency. The integration of CTU makes advent 24 viewers feel at home again. Were all a bit separated by all the soft rules and regulations, and we just thirst for more dynamic results. With Jack’s failing health we probably won’t be seeing much of that.

Jack does something absurd where he repeats Palmer’s name, thus showing the deterioriation of his nervous system. This all points to Jack’s certain death at the end of Season  7. They might spontaneosly bring him back like Tony, but i don’t know. How long will Jack take these anti-virals? For another 4 hours? I don’t think so, they have to make some new medication or disguise the stem-cell treatment as an anti-viral and give it to him without his knowledge. Jack is really dieing, and it’s really a matter of time. Or is it?

Coming back to the whole Traitor Tony thing, i’m still speculate. Unfortunate for me, when i was catching up on 24, i stumbled upon a blurb from SkyHD which is a UK broadcasting network’s. This blurb was about 24 and it said that Tony Almeida is a bad guy. So me, watching Season 1 am anticipating Tony to go evil, or show signs of going evil but for the next 6 seasons there’s nothing. Tony is as clean as a whistle, which only begs the question, “is he really on the dark side?”. Yes, he was affected by Michelle’s death but to the extent he wants to kill American civilians? I don’t think so, but i think he’s willing to take collateral damage for a higher purpose. Kill 1, Save 1000? Isn’t that what the film Wanted was trying to say ?

 This cemetery is located in the Readyville Quadrangle in Cannon County.  E. on John Bragg Highway (US 70), right (S) on Bradyville Road (Hwy. 64), at the Curlee Community left (W) on Curlee Road.    Photographed by:  Patsy Paterson   2pats2cats@comcast.net

The cemetery as it appeared April 7, 2007 

Betty B. Alexander   1895 -1972

Oscar D. Alexander   1898 – 1972

Hazel Rogers Beck   Jan. 25, 1928 – March 30, 2004 

Linna Finley Bethel   Nov. 27, 1885 – Jan. 9, 1941

Wife of Ed Bethel

Annie Maie Bowling   Oct. 12, 1916 – Dec. 22, 1990

Joe Edward Bowling   Aug. 29, 1953 – April 5, 2000

Robert H. Brandon   March 27, 1877 – Feb. 7, 1956

Jimmie E. Brandon   Dec. 23, 1878 – Dec. 31, 1939

Frances Gaither Carnahan   Dec. 14, 1856 – Aug. 25, 1934

Wife of N. C. Carnahan 

 N. C. Carnahan   Jan. 30, 1818 – Oct. 8, 1906 

T. B. Carnahan   July 9, 1879 – Nov. 24, 1942

Sarah Gladys Cody   Oct. 18, 1928 – Jan. 23, 1985

Bettie Curlee   Oct. 11, 1855 – No Death Date

Wife of T. B. Curlee

 T. B. Curlee   June 3, 1854 – June 25, 1904

 C. E. Curlee   May 22, 1825 – Aug. 23, 1899

Calvin Curlee   1791 – 1851

Rebecca Faulkenberry Curlee   1791 – 1856

Calvin D. Curlee   Oct. 4, 1828 – Aug. 5, 1904

Dr. J. P. Curlee   Nov. 15, 1857 – Aug. 11, 1934

Addie L. Patton Curlee   Feb. 8, 1866 – Nov. 24, 1915

M. E. Lyon Curlee   Nov. 10, 1837 – May 12, 1902

James Walker Curlee   1913- 1973

Monroe C. Curlee   1887 – 1942

Nellie T. Curlee   1892 – 1968

R. G. Curlee   July 30, 1868 – Aug. 23, 1878

W. D. Curlee   May 7, 1874 – Jan. 20, 1956

Estelle W. Davenport   May 28, 1930 – Nov. 2, 2006

Ernest H. Davenport   Aug. 10, 1933 – July 17, 1996

PFC  U. S. Army Korea

Lloyd Brent Davenport   June 6, 1963 – June 12, 1963

James Bridges Dobson   July 5, 1939 – Jan. 9, 2006

Oldest Son of Ruby Mitchell Dobson

Erwin Dunn   April 26, 1869 – Jan. 13, 1939

Lizzie Dunn   Jan. 23, 1876 – Feb. 6, 1911

Wife of E. Dunn

Abrilla J. Finley   Feb. 14, 1860 – March 23, 1828

Isaac J. Finley   Nov. 29, 1850 – April 14, 1903

Chloe Hope Finley   1905 – 1990

Howard W. Finley   1907 – 1933

Christie S. Finley   1884 – 1962

Herbert T. Finley   Aug. 28, 1883 – Aug. 17, 1963

Homer R. Finley   Sept. 1, 1918 – May 5, 1968

Esther Finley    Jan. 25, 1894 – Feb. 20, 1957

Howard Finley   Oct. 12, 1890 – July 29, 1975

   Children of J. T. & Florence Fowler

Herchel Fowler   Aug. 6, 1924 – Nov. 6, 1925

Pauline Fowler   July 2, 1928 – Jan. 2, 1929

 Hershal F. Fowler   Aug. 3, 1908 – June 25, 1909

Son of J. C. & Maggie Fowler

John William Fowler   Dec. 17, 1918 – Sept. 10, 1934

Alma P. Gaither   April 14, 1888 – Feb, 7, 1973

Claud A. Gaither   March 15, 1885 – April 25, 1971

 Albert Thomas Gaither   Sept. 24, 1878 – June 18, 1954

Amelia E. Gaither   March 25, 1841 – Aug. 31, 1915

W. P. Gaither   Oct. 11, 1833 – Nov. 20, 1914

Amelia L. Gaither   1823 – 1864 

 Bazzel Gaither   March 19, 1824 – May 9, 1904

Mary Ann Cox Gaither   Feb. 13, 1830 – April 13, 1877

Wife of Bazzel Gaither (Dates are confusing on plate)

C. H. Gaither   Nov. 11, 1882 – Oct. 23, 1920 

Henrietta Curlee Gaither  Nov. 27, 1859 -  May 18, 1941

Wife of Cullen C. Gaither Buried in Durham, Oklahoma

James Franklin Gaither   1816 – 1893

Jessie Myrtle Gaither   Nov. 29, 1917 – May 3, 2000

Ladye Cullie Gaither   Oct. 30, 1901 – Jan. 1, 1978

Laura Elizabeth Gaither   April 9, 1866 – June 6, 1888

Daughter of W. P. & Sarah A. E. Gaither

Sarah A. E. Gaither   Dec. 9, 1834 – Aug. 25, 1873

Wife of W. P. Gaither

Sarah Gaither   Aug. 13, 1861 – March 31, 1931

T. A. Gaither   July 21, 1841 – April 23, 1917

Martha J. Gaither   Dec. 12, 1850 – Nov. 19, 1911

Sarah Elizabeth Gaither   Jan. 23, 1849 – July 20, 1911

Thomas Franklin Gaither   Feb. 3, 1828 – May 27, 1906

Children of Robert and Jimmie Brandon Hall

Floyd Brandon Hall   1904 – 1927

Ray Hall   1909 – 1932

Melissa D. Harrell   1872 – 1941

Tom Harrell   1867 – 1939

Flaudia Reed Harris   July 16, 1923 – March 1, 1963

Barry Randall Harris   Oct. 15, 1941 – Feb. 20, 1993

AB   U. S. AIR FORCE

Alfred J. Helton   1881 – 1963

Mary I. Helton   1872 – 1950

Belinda Hodges   May 18, 1820 – March 1, 1884

Comer Hollis   1895 – 1973

Denzil O. Hollis   1860 – 1893

Emily F. Curlee Hollis  Jan. 31, 1865 – Dec. 28, 1884

Wife of D. O. Hollis, Daughter of C. E. and M. E. Curlee

Nannie B. Lasiter Hollis   Jan. 12, 1875 – Feb. 14, 1946

Bertha Hoover   March 5, 1897 – May 15, 1975

Charlie D. Hoover   Jan. 3, 1898 – July 26, 1946

Willie H. Hoover   Nov. 29, 1892 – March 18, 1954

Charlie Thurman Hoover   Oct. 21, 1917 – Feb. 4, 1974

Mary Jane Curlee Hoover   June 15, 1916 – Sept. 14, 1989

Robert S. Hoover   March 17, 1938 – Sept. 10, 1991

Sue Hoover   Feb. 19, 1868 – Oct. 29, 1909

Anna Knox    July 15, 1898 – Feb. 9, 1908

Hessie Suggs Knox   Feb. 1, 1868 – April 5, 1902

?? R. Knox   June 25, 1866 – Aug. 21, 1931

Catherine Knox   Feb. 2, 1838 – June 30, 1896

R. A. Knox   July 2, 1838 – March 4, 1914

 Elizabeth Knox   Sept. 11, 1830 – June 26, 1887

J. H. Knox   May 25, 1851 – March 12, 1912

J. W. A. Knox   Sept. 6, 1820 – Nov. 5, 1878

 Jim Roe Knox   July 25, 1913 – Feb. 9, 1988

Lacy Lorene Knox   Aug. 4, 1916 – July 5, 2002

L. R. Knox   Aug. 22, 1851 – Feb. 13, 1903

 Roberta L. Knox   May 17, 1915 – July 26, 2002

Robert Paul Knox   Sept. 19, 1911 – Jan. 28, 1976

Aline R. Lasiter   March 18, 1902 – July 12, 1982

N. H. Lasiter   Oct. 2, 1898 – Oct. 9, 1975

J. B. Lasiter   sept. 6, 1849 – March 10, 1903

John Lasiter   May 25, 1867 – May 17, 1926

P. C. Lasiter   1839- 1936 

Mary F. Bowen Lasiter   1849 – No Death Date

S. E. Lasiter   June 22, 1879 – Dec. 22, 1896

Samuel Lasiter   March 7, 1869 – Dec. 21, 1940

George E. Lassiter   Dec. 29, 1887 – Sept. 17, 1957

Maude J. Lassiter   Sept. 13, 1892 – July 15, 1975

 Horace P. Lassiter   1912- 1986

Mamye K. Lassiter   1925 – 1968

Lurette C. Lassiter   April 20, 1911 – Oct. 15, 1997

Payton B. Lassiter March 3, 1910 – July 15, 1982

 John A. Lowe   Dec. 19, 1870 – Nov. 24, 1902

Henry McBroom   June 14, 1832 – Oct. 20, 1904

Mary C. McBroom   Oct. 6, 2839 – Aug. 3, 1909

Wife of R. C. McBroom

Charles McMillen   Nov. 5, 1826 – July 21, 1877

Mary McMillen   Aug. 24, 1826 – June 15, 1913

Carl Mears  SP4  U.S. Army  Vietnam

Nov. 14, 1944 – Aug. 11, 1989

Elizabeth Mears   Oct. 7, 1835 – Nov. 6, 1921

J. R. (I think) Mears   Dec. 30, 1823 – June 8, 1922

Cleamtine Mitchell   May 27, 1858 – Oct. 11, 1934

John Mitchell   April 11, 1848 – May 29, 1921

Joe T. Mitchell   June 5, 1908 – Aug. 7, 1989

Nannie C. Mitchell   May 29, 1908 – Feb, 29, 1989

Maybelle Brandon Mitchell   April 17, 1879 – April 24, 1922

Lou N. Mitchell   1872 – 1913

Monroe D. Mitchell   1874 – 1959

Burley Moss   No Dates  

Florence Moss   1882 – 1946

Hall Moss   No Dates

Mary D. Moss   Feb. 17, 1934 – Jan. 18, 1981

Gladys Moss   Oct. 12, 1922 – No Death Date

Spence Moss   1877 -1943

James Youree Nichols   Sept. 25, 1916 – March 3, 1990

Willie Mae Youree Nichols   March 18, 1920 – Feb. 18, 1988

Jimmy Youree Nichols   April 22, 1941 – July 2, 1998

Dr. D. F. Orr   June 6, 1859 – Jan. 16, 191?

Edward M. Ownby   Oct. 21, 1898 – July 24, 1945

E. S. Ownby   Oct. 24. 1870 – Sept. 5, 1958

Eliza O. Ownby   Nov. 9, 1869 – Dec. 5, 1923

Wife of E. S. Ownby

Ruthie Jane Ownby   1835- 1927

S. M. Ownby   1846 – 1927

 B. F. Pinkerton   April 11, 1833 – April 10, 1920

Malinda Gum Pinkerton   Feb. 9, 1835 – Aug. 26, 1901

Julia Gaither Rawlings   Feb. 21, 1893 – March 31, 1982

Aileen Youree Reed   June 8, 1918 – Nov. 23, 2006

J. Malcolm Reed   Sept. 7, 1916 – Oct. 6, 2006

Sarah Lou Reed   Aug. 16, 1894 – March 6, 1949

James S. Reed   July 16, 1883 – Oct. 26, 1970

Ovie C. Reed   1891 – 1962

Vernon L. Reed   1891 – 1967

Beatrice Reed   April 29, 1913 – Sept. 24, 2003

Sam L. Reed   April 15, 1912, Feb. 8, 1986

James M. Roberts   Dec. 28, 1814 – Nov. 11, 1895

Louisa J. Roberts   Oct. 16, 1819 – No Death Date

Becky Anne Rogers   1955- 1983

Lera White Rogers   1932- 1983

J. C. Rogers   1932- No Death Date

Louise Hollings   May 16, 1879 – Sept. 19, 1939

Wife of Will Hollings

W. D. Rollings   July 8, 1862 – May 19, 1942

Clara M. Rollins   1908 – 1977

Josh B. Rollins   1905 – 1955

Will Rollins   April 19, 1880 – May 6, 1968

Wiley Sagely   June 27, 1842 – Sept. 7, 1925

Jimmie E. Smartt, Daught of James & Mary Hollis

Sept. 6, 1864 – Nov. 27, 1892

John C. Smith   July 20, 1871 – Dec. 4, 1923

Dr. Edmond J. Taylor   May 17, 1831 – Dec. 5, 1901

Elizabeth Carnahan Taylor, wife of Dr. E. J. Taylor

June 3, 1844 – July 6, 1896

Cleburn W. Taylor   1918 – 1992

Pearl R. Taylor   1912 – 1965

Ernest Neil Taylor   March 7, 1911 – May 9, 1997

Mary A. Finley Taylor   Aug. 27, 1914 – May 9, 1998

Bersie Whitfield Todd   1888 – 1908

Grover C. Todd, Son of W. C. & Maggie Todd, Killed in France

Feb. 27, 1893 – Sept. 25, 1918

James D. Todd   Jan. 16, 1861 – June 18, 1920

Annie Lasiter Todd   Feb. 14, 1871 – No Death Date

Juanita J. Todd   Feb. 15, 1933 – March 26, 1973

Lilburn Todd, Jr.   Sept. 4, 1924 – March 13, 2005

Maggie J. Brewer Todd   April 8, 1856 – Sept. 7, 1925

W. C. Todd   Feb. 26, 1854 – Jan. 6, 1844

Marget A. Todd   July 20, 1837 – July 6, 1851

Maggie Gray Todd, Daughter of B. S. & Mary Todd

Sept. 27, 1910 – June 8, 1921

Roma Todd   Jan. 28, 1918 – Aug. 4, 1997

Thomas B. Todd, Son of Lilburn & Juanita Todd

April 12, 1958 – July 21, 1991

Thomas Brown Todd, Son of W. C. & Maggie Todd

Nov. 7, 1881 – Feb. 10, 1894

Bob Tompkins   1866 – 1904

Myrtle A. Perry Vassar   March 7, 1890 – Aug. 29, 1967

Jewel Reed Vintson   May 24, 1914 – Aug. 30, 1992

James Belton Vintson   Oct. 18, 1908 – Sept. 20, 1982

Charles Whitfield   May 11, 1905 – June 11, 1939

Imogene Whitfield   Jan. 28, 1910 – Dec. 7, 1970

Clifford T. Whitfield   1891 – 1959

Willie Y. Whitfield   1910 – 2003

Fred Whitfield   1902

Hershel Whitfield   1900

J. C. Whitfield, PFC  US Army

March 4, 1934 – Feb. 8, 2006

Gracie Mae McMahan Whitfield   July 9, 1899 – Feb. 28, 1987

Jesse B. Whitfield   Nov. 16, 1901 – Nov. 22, 1993

A. J. Whitfield   Jan. 10, 1859 - March 13, 1942

Ophie Gaither Whitfield   June 13, 1866 – Dec. 6, 1894

 Jimmie Knox Whitfield   March 14, 1867 – Oct. 2, 1953

Vernor Whitfield   1893 – 1895

Irene V. Whitfield   July 15, 1914 – Dec. 30, 1993

W. R. (Bill) Whitfield   HAI  US Navy  World War II

April 8, 1907 – Oct. 17, 1982

J. P. Wilburn   March 3, 1853 – June 14, 1892

James F. Williams   1859 – 1946

Orphia B. Williams   Dec. 23, 1890 – July 7, 1893

Alta C. Youree   1896 – 1963

W. Campbell Youree   1894 – 1964

G. C. Youree   Feb. 24, 1834 – March 12, 1907

Below is quite a list of  others mentioned in the Rutherford County Cemetery Book that I either didn’t see or couldn’t read.

• Jane Brown, Wife of John A. Brown  July 20, 1796 – Dec. 13, 1860
• Mary C. Brown, Dau. of John A. & Jane Brown   May 21, 1835 – Oct. 12,1847
• Minnie E. Burk, Dau. of T. M. & M. J. Todd, Wife of S. L. Burk   Aug. 4, 1868 – April 3, 1890
• Lou P. Burkett, Dau. of D. E. & D. R. Burkett  Feb. 20, 1877 – July 27, 1896
• B. L. Carnahan   May 29, 1815 – Sept. 22, 1872
• James Carnahan   Oct. 18, 1786 – Feb. 2, 1864
• S. F. Carnahan   Jan. 19, 1813 – Jan. 12, 1876
• Mary M. Curlee Cawthon, Dau. of C. D. & E. L. Curlee,Wife of W. P. Cawthon   Oct. 4, 1854 – March 20, 1903
• Naoma Brown Cox   1826 – 1892
• John F. Curlee   Nov. 11, 1822 – July 14, 1862
• John P. Curlee, son of J. P. & A. E. Curlee   b & d April 17, 1892
• Infant son of J. P. & A. E. Curlee   b & d Dec. 5, 1900
• Nathan G. Curlee, Son of C. E. & M. E. Curlee   Dec. 29, 1866 – July 4, 1892
• Ogro Floyd Curlee, son of Dr. J. P. & Addie Curlee   Aug. j9, 1902 – Aug. 29, 1902
• Capt. T. G. Curlee   March 22, 1833 – March 23, 1883
• Infant Dau. of H. T. & Christie Finley   Jan. 2, 1910 – Jan. 13, 1910
• Azariah Gaither   April 17, 1804 – May 19, 1885
• Emanuel Gaither, son of T. A. & M. J. Gaither   Feb. 12, 1869 – April 24, 1897
• Elizabeth Gaither, Wife of A. V. Gaither   March 3, 1799 – Feb. 11, 1866
• Jane P. Gaither   Feb. 25, 1861 – April 11, 1879
• John H. Gaither   March 14, 1839 – Dec. 29, 1923
• Laura Elizabeth Gaither, Dau. of W. P. & Sarah A. E. Gaither   April 9, 1866 – June 6, 1888
• Leba Gaither, Dau. of C. H. & Lizzie Gaither   Jan. 28, 1910 – May 1, 1911
• Lizzie Gaither, Wife of C. H. Gaither   May 28, 1885 – Nov. 20, 1910
• Mary Nina Gaither, Dau. of C. C. & R. H. Gaither   Oct. 7, 1899 – June 9, 1901
• W. H. Gaither   March 8, 1856 - Nov. 13, 1885
• Infant of D. O. & E. F. Hollis   No Dates
• Jimmie Hollis, Infant of D. O. & Mary Hollis   Dec. 15, 1892 – Dec. 23, 1892
• Mary A. Hollis   Jan. 3, 1884 – May 20, 1896
• M. J. Hollis   Aug. 8, 1857  No Death Date
• S. T. Hollis   Feb. 4, 1857 – Jan. 21, 1900
• Mary Lou Hasiter Howerton, Wife of J. A. Howerton   Oct. 14, 1876 – July 15, 1905
• Infant son of J. T. & Nettie Jernigan   Dec. 17, 1900 – Dec. 23, 1900
• William M. Knox   March 15, 1815 – July 11, 1887
•  Luke Lasiter   Feb. 2, 1824 – Nov. 19, 1892
• L. Lucinda Lasiter   Feb. 8, 1832 – Nov. 30, 1893
• Isabella A. McBroom   Feb. 9, 1854 – July 30, 1879
• J. E. Moore, Son of G. T. & S. J. Moore   Dec. 19, 1873 – Sept. 20, 1874
• Dr. N. T. Paschal   Oct. 8, 1844 – May 24, 1877
• E. G. Pinkerton   July 28, 1836 – Oct. 11, 1862
• Joseph Pinkerton   1802 – No Death Date
• Nancy Pinkerton   May 7, 1806 – Nov. 20, 1884
• William A. Pinkerton, Son of Joseph & Nancy Pinkerton   Nov. 8, 1831 – Dec. 17, 1853
• Tennie Prater, Wife of J. D. Prater   July 18, 1861 – April 12, 1890
• Calvin W. Roberts   Oct. 24, 1824 – Feb. 15, 1876
• Dr. Granville B. Roberts, Son of James M. & Louisa J. Roberts   Aug. 17, 1850 – March 17, 1874
• Granville Roberts   March 10, 1817 – July 12, 1855
• Mollie E. Roberts, Wife of J. Roberts  Dec. 26, 1867 – Feb. 13, 1904
• Patsy Roberts   May 3, 1778 – March 30, 1876
• Murtia Smartt, Infant of D. C. & J. E. Smartt   Aug. 13, 1885 – March 24, 1885
• Willie May Smith, Dau. of W. D. & Elizabeth Smith   March 22, 1895 – March 22, 18 __
• Thomas M. Sullivan   Aug. 24, 1833 – April 17, 1862
• Jimmie Todd, Dau. of T. M. & M. J. Todd   April 17, 1885 – Dec. 1, 1895
• Luther M. Todd, Son of W. C. & Maggie Todd   Aug. 28, 1880 – Jan. 9, 1881
• Sinthia A. Todd, Dau. of T. M. & M. J. Todd   April 30, 1875 – July 9, 1896
• W. F. Todd, Son of T. M. & M. J. Todd   Jan. 16, 1880 – Feb. 15, 1906
• Sarah J. Williams, Wife of J. F. Williams   Feb. 5, 1857 – Aug. 15, 1911

World Vital Records recenlty added the full text of The History of Watauga County by John Preston Arthur.  All databases they add are free for 10 days, so at the time of this writing, it looks like it wil be available freely for another 6 days. 

Just doing some searches, I ran across a tidbit that a woman named Nancy Dougherty died in Blount County in 1913.  Page 318 gives a biographical sketch of her parents and siblings.   Nancy was the daughter of Ransom Hayes of Watauga County who died in 1868.   Ransom was married to Sallie Green (daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Shearer).  Their children were:

1. Joseph (d. 1911)  - married Eliza Hodges. 
2. Elizabeth (d. 1875) – married Thomas Storie
3. Robert – married Rebecca Hately
4. John – married Eliza Cook
5. William – married Clorinda Brown
6. Thomas – never married
7. Nancy – married Harvey Dougherty of Johnson County, TN. 
8. Sarah – married W.L. Bryan
9. George – married Emily Hodges, then married Louisa Bumgarner
10. Ransom – died in 1910. 
11. Richard – married Delphia Hayes

More details about the family are provided in the sketch.  I posted this here because I did not find Nancy listed in the Blount County Records Database – who knows who may be looking for her one day?  If you miss the free access period, you can do limited searching of the book via Google Books.  See something you want to read more about? Look it up at a library near you or order the pages using your local library’s interlibrary loan program.

Individuals profiled in the Cyclopedia of Eminent and Representative Men of the Carolinas of the Nineteenth Century (published 1892) with connections to Lenoir County.  Click on thier names to read the biography. 

Hon. William Turner Faircloth - born 1829 in Edgecombe County, NC.  Husband of Evelyn Wooten, daughter of Council Wooten of Mosely Hall (now LaGrange).  William & Evelyn were married in Lenoir County on January 10, 1867.  

Dr. Henry Tull – born in 1855 in Lenoir County.  Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1876.  Married to Myrtie Wooten, daughter of W.T. and Elizabeth J. Wooten in 1882. 

Dr. James M. Hodges – born in 1862 in Lenoir County.  Son of Simon E. and Persis S. (Harper) Hodges.  1st married to Nancy Turnage, 2nd married to widower Addie G. Mosely; and thirdly, to Emma E. Fields. 

Dr. John Pollock – born in Onslow County in 1884; practiced medicine and retired in Lenoir County.  Married 1st to Olivia B. Humphrey, 2nd to Annie Loftin, and thirdly to Agnes P. Jones. 

Dr. Jacob M. Hadley – born in Chatham County in 1835, son of William Penn Hadley & Hannah (McPherson) Hadley.  Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1860.  Married Lizzie E. Kirkpatrick of Orange County in 1860. 

Hugh M. McDonald – druggist in LaGrange born in 1840 in Moore County.  Established his business in LaGrange in 1873 .  Married Mattie N. Hall in 1880. 

Hon. George W. Sanderlin — born in 1843 in Camden County, NC.  Was a lawyer, military man, religious leader, and one time an agricultural editor for the Kinston Free Press.  Married Eliza Wooten of Lenoir County, daughter of Council Wooten.

Prof. Joseph Kinsey – principle of the Kinsey female seminary in LaGrange.  Born in 1843 in Jones County. Came to Lenoir County in 1869 and established the seminary in 1886.  In 1868 he married Fannie Kinsey, daughter of J.H. Kinsey of Jones County. 

James F. Taylor – born in 1864 in Lenoir County. Secretary & treasurer of Orion Knitting Mills of Kinston. 

John D. Walters – born in 1858 in Lenoir County, son of Hawyood & Sally (Rouse) Walters.  Established a mercantile business in 1882.  In 1877 married Julia E. Hardy of Lenoir County. In 1886 married Kate E. Woolard of Lenoir County. 

Samuel H. Abbott – born 1839 in Lenoir County, son of Thomas J. and Lucinda (Phillips) Abbott.  Was a leading merchant in the county, owning a general grocery store, a brick and tile factory, manufactured and patented a plow, investor in the Orion Mills and a real estate investor.  Married Nancy Brock in 1873, daughter of Daniel & Caroline Brock. 

William L. Kennedy – born in 1845 in Lenoir County. Married Emily Hardee in 1874.  Was an established farmer and a stockholder in Orion Mill Knitting Co. 

Albert D. Parrott – born 1853 in Lenoir County, son of James M. & Elizabeth (Waters) Parrott.  Graduated from the University of Virginia with a civil engineering degree.  Served as Justice of the Peace. In  1876 married Elizabeth M. Karnegy.

Second on Sixth is StrataTX’s annual Anniversary Party. The networking/social group for creatives in the arts, culture, and economy (that’s what the “about” says on the website …) uses this event to drive membership for the upcoming year. Hosted at Este (2235 East 6th Street), this event features free food and drinks and is great for networking, meeting new folks, and seeing a variety of different forms of art, including:

- John Pointer in the Members-Only Lounge
- Bboy City Dancers with DJ Lo-Res
- Video art curated by Austin Museum of Digital Art
- Artwork from Young Master Katie Pipkin
- Improv Troupe Paralellogramophonograph
- Live graffiti art from Slok

RSVP here.

Não é de hoje que vemos artistas exporem em suas músicas acontecimentos de sua vida pessoal. Nesse post quero postar alguns casos que viraram ótimas músicas, pena que conheço poucas histórias como essas, porque são essas músicas que passam as melhores e mais sinceras emoções!

I´m OK

I´m Ok Stripped Christina Aguilera

Primeiramente queria falar sobre uma das músicas mais marcantes que já ouvi. I´m OK é uma composição de Christina Aguilera que retrata uma das piores fases vividas pela cantora: a violência doméstica causada pelo seu pai quando ela era apenas uma criança.

Em uma entrevista, Aguilera disse que um dia queria cantar essa música, mas que seria extremamente difícil para ela, já que a música realmente a atinge emocionalmente. Ela completou dizendo que teria que ser um momento extremamente especial para ela.

Quando a cantora era uma criança, seu pai agredia fisicamente sua mãe, o que criou nela um grande trauma e a levou a escrever, futuramente, a letra de I´m OK para o álbum Stripped (o qual contém várias músicas que retratam as experiências de Christina).

Link para a letra de I´m OK (vagalume)

F.U.S.S.

Continuando com as letras da Aguilera, temos também a música F.U.S.S. (sigla que significa “Fuck You Scott Storch”). Scott Storch era um produtor que trabalhava com a cantora durante o álbum stripped, porém ele criou alguns inconvenientes para a cantora, como pedir um jatinho particular. O que culminou com a demissão do produtor e a música F.U.S.S. no álbum seguinte: Back To Basics.

Letra de F.U.S.S. (vagalume)

Never Again / Just A Little Girl

Kelly Clarkson Never Again

David Hodges Just A Little Girl

Esse foi um conflito ocorrido entre os cantores David Hodges e Kelly Clarkson.

David Hodges, ex-vocalista do evanescence – podemos ouvir sua voz melhor nas músicas “Fall into you” e “Breath” ou como segunda voz em Anywhere – e também compositor, namorava Kelly Clarkson (tendo produzido Because Of You e Breakaway), até que, num dia, ele foi flagrado pela cantora beijando uma outra mulher. Então um dia ele escreveu uma carta se explicando para a, já, ex-namorada. Porém, ao receber a carta, Kelly Clarkson se sentiu nervosa e, no banheiro do camarim do show que ela ia fazer, escreveu a letra de “Never Again”, o qual se tornou single do seu álbum My December.

Ao ver o single, David respondeu com a música “Just A Little Girl” em seu My Space.

As duas músicas são ultra-sinceras, mas eu prefiro muito mais Never Again…

Letra de Never Again (vagalume)

Letra de Just A Little Girl (vagalume)

Hurt

Linda Perry compôs essa música com Christina Aguilera e Mark Ronson sobre a perda de um ente querido.

Linda Perry havia perdido seu pai quando escreveu a música. A melodia, o acompanhamento e a letra da música, na voz de Christina Aguilera, emocionam!

Letra de Hurt (vagalume)

Tears In Heaven

Eric Clapton Tears In Heaven

Eric Clapton canta essa música, extremamente triste, sobre a morte de seu filho.

A letra fala mais do que eu poderia escrever aqui

Letra de Tears In Heaven (vagalume)

Eu poderia ficar séculos aqui escrevendo sobre essas músicas, mas vou parar por aqui mesmo.

comentem…

Over on Google Books is a book titled  Norfolk; the Marine Metropolis of Virginia: And the Sound and River Cities of North Carolina. A Narrative.  Published in 1888,  the book gives short accounts of several cities in Virginia and the coast of NC – Kinston included.

According to author George I. Nowitzky, these were the prominent businesses in Kinston as of 1/1/1888.  Many of these names appear in the newspaper:

Bakers & Confectioners

• McRae & Bizzell, Queen street

Dentist

• H.D. Harper, D.D.S., office in Opera House

Drugs, Patent Medicines, Perfumery, etc.

• R.F. Whitehurst, Queen street
• Henry Dunn, Queen street
• John E. Parrot, Queen street

General Merchandise

• S.H. Abbott, Queen street

Dry Goods, Clothing, Books & Shoes

• C.W. Burt, Queen street

Hardware, Stoves, Building Material

• B.W. Canaday, Queen street

Jewelry, Watches & Clocks

• C. Bailey, Queen street

Manufacturers

• E.M. Hodges, Wagons & Carts
• Geo. B. Webb, Carriage Maker and & Undertaker
• J.C. Hay, Cabinetmaker & Undertaker
• S.H. Abbott, Bricks & Tiles

Machinery, Engines, Buggies, & Wagons

• J.W. Granger, Queen street

Navigation Company

• Neuse & Trent River,  J.M. White, Manager

Restaurant

• “Mays”, J.D. May, Proprietor

Real Estate & General Auctioneer

• C.W. Burt, Queen street

I just happened to be thinking of my father the other day and writing this blog made me think of our connection with baseball and how the sport has helped make a connection with my eldest son.  He passed 10 years ago and I do think of him often but this is the only time I ever expressed anything “publicly” (to the one or two people who may read this).

Whenever I hear the quote “Most men live their lives in quiet desperation” I think of my father.  A high school baseball legend in my hometown, he went on to play ball at St. Joseph’s College with Gil Hodges and finished his baseball dream with a Class D minor league team.

He went on to hold many jobs but his most important was as a teacher to others and to my brothers and sister.  I don’t think he ever felt successful but he never understood what we should all understand.  Being there for your family through thick and thin, never giving up and being a source of strength to those you love is a success every man can achieve, should achieve but many still fall short of anyway.  By that measurement my father was a champion.

A man of a generation that was not supposed to talk much about feelings and love, particularly with sons we still shared a passion for baseball that we used to speak volumes to each other.  At one point, he held three jobs and still found time to coach my youth teams.  As any grown son of coaches will tell you, a child doesn’t always appreciate the time his father spent.

As baseball helped my father communicate with his son, it has helped me communicate with mine.  Even when I fought the same sort of battles with my son that most fathers have waged with their child he and I have always been able to discuss baseball, its teams, players and strategies.  Maybe that’s a big reason I love the game, the neutral ground it gave me to talk with my loved ones.  Maybe many fans love it for those same reasons.  Like many family relationships it endures and while the names involved change as they do from generation to generation, the dynamic remains the same. 

Baseball is different from our country’s other major sports in that it has not really changed.  The game is played with virtually the same rules in 2008 as it has in 1908.  It has been a touchstone for generation after generation with youth baseball being something of a rite of passage in many families.

Can you be a good father without baseball?  Don’t be silly.  Can fathers communicate without it?  Of course.  But like any good allegory, baseball means more than balls and strikes, hits and doubleplays.  It is a struggle mimicking a life where failure occurs more than success for an individual.  It champions the achievements of individuals, celebrates self sacrifice and stresses the importance of team play.  Great life lessons for anyone.

I loved my father and wished I could tell him so again.  He gave me many gifts such as his time and love and baseball.