Auditorium of South Norfolk Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Virginia
The display pipes above the choir loft are part of the Henry Pilcher’s Sons pipe organ, and actually “speak.” They belong to the Open Diapason stop. They are in front of the Swell box (Swell division) with shutters that open and close (right side) with the Great division on the left, also behind the screen. The console was renovated some years ago, and moved to where the baby grand piano is shown. The piano was then moved to left side, opposite. The current pastor and church leadership, as of 2012, decided they didn’t want to use the organ (having, unfortunately, opted for "contemporary" worship), and the console has been moved to the right side classroom, out of sight. The Virginia State Flag (to left of American Flag) was given in memory of Trooper James R. Hughes. The City of Chesapeake Flag stands to the right of the Christian Flag. The four large stained glass windows are beautiful, especially on a Sunday morning, when sunlight illuminates the pulpit area around the time of morning worship at 11 a.m. (This architectural feature was studied by a former Art History Professor from Old Dominion University). The balcony is of unique design, with no visible means of support, and is called a “floating balcony.” The lower floor slopes downward, and is so designed that the congregation feels very close to the preacher.
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Knotts Island, N.C. Baptist Church where he became a member:
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Information about one of Rev. Hughes' Knotts Island Baptist Church Sunday School teachers, John Thomas Lassiter, written by Artwell L. Pierce:
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Methodist Church where he accepted Christ during a revival service:
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Picture of first South Norfolk Baptist Church building:
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Church service letting out, late Fall:
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Young Men's Sunday School Class, late 40's or 1950s:
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Henry Pilcher's Sons Pipe Organ,
Church Musicians
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Dr. Hubert M. Poteat Organist for Installation Recital at South Norfolk Baptist Church.
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Dr. Poteat at the organ console,
Wake Forest Baptist Church,
where both
Rev. Hughes and his son Joe, worshiped.
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Dr. Hubert M. Poteat was the Organist for the Installation
Recital of the Henry Pilcher’s Sons Pipe Organ at South Norfolk Baptist
Church. He was organist and choir
director at Wake Forest College, N.C., where Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr. and his son
Joseph attended. Both attended services
at the Wake Forest Baptist Church, where Dr. Poteat was Organist.
In a rare recording found recently, we hear Dr. Poteat
delivering an address to a Wake Forest College graduating class. In this recording, we hear the introduction
of Dr. Hubert McNeill Poteat and the commencement address delivered by Poteat.
He proposes that the College's foundation stones include "hard, solid
work," "the open mind," "faith," and "the
lordship of Christ."
This project was supported by a Recordings at Risk grant
from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program
is made possible by funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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Joe Hughes at the Henry Pilcher's Sons Pipe Organ. He was often asked to substitute when Gwen had to be away:
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Some who Served at
South Norfolk Baptist Church:
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Two of the many superlative musicians
who played the Organ and Piano at South Norfolk Baptist:
Mrs. Betty LeBlanc
and Mrs. Gwen Whitehurst.
Both were outstanding keyboard artists
on either instrument!
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Mrs. Harvey Whitehurst, Sr. ("Gwen")
at the Henry Pilcher's Sons Pipe Organ,
South Norfolk Baptist Church. She served as Organist for over 25 years, retiring on April 2, 1976, and moving to Lynchburg, VA.
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When Gwendolyn Roberts was born on May
3, 1913, in Gordonsville, Virginia, her father, John, was 32, and her mother,
Lucy, was 24. She had 11 siblings. She died on April 13, 1999, in Chesapeake,
Virginia, at the age of 85. She was married to Harvey A. Whitehurst, Sr.
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Gwen Roberts (Whitehurst) at age 9
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Gwen Roberts (Whitehurst), 1931
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Gwen Whitehurst with some of her family and friends:
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John Marshall Roberts, Jr. (Johnny) was brother of Gwen, and served for some years as Music Director at South Norfolk Baptist Church.
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An early picture of Betty LeBlanc at the Baldwin grand piano:
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Betty LeBlanc playing the Henry Pilcher's Sons Pipe Organ:
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Betty served 42 Years as Church Organist
at Kempsville Baptist, before retiring. Betty and Ernie have two wonderful children, Barry and Bonnie, who are also talented musically; Barry is also Pastor of a Church.
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Mrs. Betty Miles LeBlanc, Director of Student Work, Radford College, news article:
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Betty
Miles
LeBlanc
1930 - 2015
Betty Miles LeBlanc, 84,
went to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on April 20, 2015. A native
of South Norfolk, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Wesley and Lucille
Grimes Miles and wife of the late Ernest George LeBlanc, Jr. She earned her BS
degree from Madison College and a Masters of Music from Southwestern
Theological Seminary and taught private piano lessons for many years. She was
organist of Graham Funeral Home for 30 years and retired as organist of
Kempsville Baptist Church after 42 years of faithful service.
Surviving are her
children, Bonnie L. LeBlanc and Rev. Barry E. (Cynthia) LeBlanc; four
grandchildren, Cristen (Karl) Hepler, Lauren Thompson, Joshua (Susie) LeBlanc
and Charity (Chris) Olney; two great-grandchildren, Wesley LeBlanc and Emmett
Olney; and a sister, Ellen Fogel (A.J.).
Her life will be celebrated
on Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Kempsville Baptist Church with Rev. Barry LeBlanc and
Rev. Ken Carlton officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home, Chesapeake on Thursday
from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Kempsville Baptist
Church.
Betty served as Educational Secretary, Church Secretary, Children’s Choir
Director, and Church Pianist and Sub-Organist at South Norfolk Baptist Church
for many years, before becoming Organist at Kempsville Baptist Church.
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In Memory of
W. Russell Mathews
Organist at South Norfolk Baptist Church
for 10 Years
Portsmouth - William Russell Mathews, 72, died May 6, 2016.
A native of Portsmouth, he was a retired warehouse manager at the Navy Exchange
Command in Norfolk. Russell was a member of Cradock Baptist church and a Navy
veteran. He was an organist and choir master for over 50 years, currently
serving as organist at Cradock Baptist Church. Music was his passion, life and
ministry. He touched many lives.
Survivors include his wife, Linda A. Mathews; and brother, R. Earl Mathews.
A celebration of Russell's life will be held on Tuesday, May 10, at 11AM in
Cradock Baptist Church by the Rev. David Phillips, Rev. W. Thomas Wood, Dr.
Derek Harbin, and Dr. Hugh Litchfield. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery
with military honors. A time of fellowship will follow at the church. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Music Ministry of Cradock Baptist Church, 96
Afton Pkwy., Portsmouth, VA 23702.
Published in The Virginian Pilot on May 10, 2016.
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"Celebration of Life"
William Russell Mathews
Worship Service Bulletin:
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Stop
List and Information about the M.P. Möller, Inc., Opus 11169, 1977:
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Russell Matthews, Graduation Organ Recital at Old Dominion University:
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Some who Ministered, or were Ordained at South Norfolk
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John D. Tripp Educational Director
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John Pruitt, Educational Director
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Oscar S. Whitescarver,
Educational Director
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Oscar S. Whitescarver (2 pictures below) He was born May 11, 1926 in West Virginia. The family moved to High Point, North Carolina. He attended NC State.
He was married to Sarah Patrick Peacock, July 26, 1955, High Point, NC.
Served as the third Educational Director: 1956-1958. He started the first Royal Ambassadors (RA's) for boys and Girls Auxillary (GA's) for girls, a Southern Baptist program. Jim and Joe were members of the RA program.
He left to go to Providence Church, Charlotte, NC.; later served at New Palestine Baptist Church, Picayune, MS, and elected as President of the Pearl River Association Pastor's Conference.
He visited our family at Kitty Hawk, NC one summer and showed Jim some of his campcraft skills he learned while serving in the Army (He had enlisted in 1944). Jim was interested in how a pup tent could be put up and stay up. So Mr. Whitescarver showed him how to put it up and let it stay for one night to see if it could withstand the wind coming across the sand dunes.
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W. Bruce Meriwether, Minister of Music
(pictured below)
came to South Norfolk Baptist August 18, 1963 as Minister of Music. He had previously taught music at Shawnee High School, Oklahoma. He held two degrees: B.M.Ed. from Oklahoma Baptist University, also the M.M. (Master of Music).
He felt called to return to classroom work, and left South Norfolk to work first, at Twin Rivers High School, Nashville, TN; then later on the faculty of David Lipscomb College, Nashville, TN.
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Rev. Jerry Odom Minister of Education, pictured below, served as Minister of Education, 1964. His wife, Lana, worked with the Youth Choir and they hosted a monthly youth Bible study at their house:
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Michael Dale Hopkins and
Cathy Ellen Boyd Hopkins,
served as Minister of Music and Education, respectively. It was one of the few husband/wife combination ministry teams employed by SNBC. Here are several pictures of Michael, who attended Campbell University, and was born 1952, Rowan, North Carolina:
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Other staff members,
some not pictured:
Ronald Hicks: Minister of Education, May 1963
W. Bruce Meriwether: Minister of Music, July 1963 Kay M. Mt.Castle, served a short tenure as organist during the 1960s.
Jerry Odum: Minister of Education, June 1964
T. Russell Hughes: Minister of Education, February 1970
Rev. William A. Richardson: Outreach Minister, 1972-1981
Hollis C. Frazer, Jr.: Minister of Music and Education,
August 1, 1971-August 27, 1972. He went to a church in Tylertown, MS.
Milton Fisher: Minister of Youth and Music.
Robert Clements: Minister of Youth and Music, August 1973-
Scott Foxwell: Organist, August 23, 1974-
Bonnie Ray Smith: Music Director, January-October 1976.
Michael D. Hopkins: Minister of Youth and Music; and Cathy
Hopkins: Minister of Education, May 9, 1979-October 1983. (They moved to
Wallace, NC).
Ray Jones: Associate Minister, June 1986-
David L. Pierce: Minister of Music and Worship Leader,
September 1986-
Rev. Scott Chafee: Minister of Students and Singles, April
1990-August 1993.
Rev. Jack Wilder: Interim Supply Pastor, January 1993-August
1993.
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Ministers ordained at
South Norfolk Baptist:
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George William Wollett, was Vice-President of his Junior Class, South Norfolk High School.
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George Wollett, Senior Class, South Norfolk High School.
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George Wollett, Wake Forest College photo.
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Sam Tatem, at Columbia Bible College, prior to attending Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.
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Sarah Margaret Rogers, South Norfolk High School photo:
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"Prophecy 1942" for the South Norfolk High School yearbook, written by Sarah Margaret Rogers:
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Rev. and Mrs. Sam Tatem wedding, South Norfolk Baptist Church. Jim was the ring bearer, standing in front of Sam; Joe is on left holding his father's hand, Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.
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Jim, as ring bearer, standing on left; Joe is peeking out the door, right side.
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James Winnen Russ, Junior Class, South Norfolk High School.
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Jimmy Russ was in the Monogram Club, South Norfolk High School, 1942 and 1943:
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James Russ, Senior Class, South Norfolk High School. He was Vice-President of his 1943 Class.
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Jimmy Russ attended Columbia Bible College seen in this senior photo. He coached basketball there for two years. He then went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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William Claude Russ (Billy), Senior Picture, South Norfolk High School.
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Eddie Griffin, 8th Grade Class:
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James Edward Griffin (Eddie) in 1951 photo, South Norfolk High School.
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Eddie Griffin on
JV Basketball Team,
South Norfolk High School.
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Eddie Griffin in 1953 South Norfolk High School photo.
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Rev. Mark Midgette Alexander, Jr. born December 27, 1927, was ordained at South Norfolk Baptist Church, and served as Missionary to Argentina. The church family was always present to hear him speak and show slides of his work there. Audio of his sermons and testimony can be found on the "Audio" page of this website. He is pictured below:
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Mark Alexander, early High School photo, Junior year.
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Mark Alexander, 1946 High School photo. Nickname: "Buddy."
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Some of the High School activities Mark was involved in:
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Mark Alexander, Junior Year photo, Wake Forest College, NC.
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Mark graduated in 1950 from Wake Forest College, with the B.A. degree.
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Eddie Boyd, Maury High School photo.
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Edward R. Boyd, in 1950 Sophomore Photo, University of Richmond.
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In Memory of Rev. Edward R. Boyd,
who went to be with
the Lord,
March 9, 2016
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Rev. Boyd was ordained
in South Norfolk Baptist Church. He graduated from Maury High School,
Norfolk; University of Richmond, Virginia; and The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He served three churches (Alabama, North
Carolina, and Kentucky) in 50 years. He,
along with Dr. Mac Brunson, preached the funeral sermon for Rev. Frank Hughes,
Jr. (Sermons by Rev. Boyd can be heard on the "Audio" webpage).
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Other men ordained to the ministry which Rev. Hughes either attended or participated in:
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N.J. Babb recognition service:
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Harvey M. Brown, Minister of Education
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Harvey M. Brown and wife Carol
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At Azalea Gardens, Norfolk: L to R: Harvey Brown, Jim, Carol Brown, Mrs. Hughes, Joe:
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Carol Lenora Booker Brown Davis was born April 4, 1936 to Edwin Bryon Booker and Edna Lenora Allen. Married to Harvey McCord Brown, then David C. Davis. Was killed as a passenger in an auto accident, 1983.
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Herman May,
Minister of Music
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Herman May: Minister of Music
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Hammond Coates,
Minister of Education
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T. Russell Hughes,
Minister of Education and Music
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Jerry Odom,
Minister of Education
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Rev. Jerry Odom, former Minister of
Education (1964-1970), sits next to Jim Hughes, across from Mrs. Hughes, next to Joe.
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Rev. W.A. Richardson, Sr.
Outreach Minister at South Norfolk Baptist Church; formerly the first Pastor of Great Bridge Baptist Church
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Rev. Hughes with Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Morgan. Mary Morgan served many, many years (34) as Church Secretary:
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Rev. Hughes served as Moderator of the Norfolk Baptist Association:
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Bulletin: Service of Commission, Pulpit Committee, April 15, 1984:
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Pastors following Rev. Hughes' retirement: Dr. Mac Brunson (July 1985-May 1992), Rev. Roger Mardis (September 1993-November 1997), Dr. Dennis Culbreth (June 1998-2001) Rev. Scott Harris (August 2002-October 2006), Rev. David Slayton (July 2008-April 23, 2017), Rev. Kyle Rader (June 2018-).
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Dr. Mac Brunson and family
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Dr. Brunson next served First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, then First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida; and now is pastor at Valleydale Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama.
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(Information about Rev. Clyde S. Sawyer (who followed Rev. Black and preceded Rev. Hughes) and his family, with family histories of other early pastors, is now found on the first webpage, "Sermons from S.N.B.C")
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South Norfolk Baptist Church 75th Anniversary
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Revival Services and Other Church Activities
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Rev. Hughes, prior to coming to South Norfolk Baptist, started the Broad Creek Village Baptist Church which met in the local school there and later became Virginia Heights Baptist Church. Here is a picture taken in the Spring of 1946. Rev. Hughes sits on the front row, right side.
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Rev. Hughes stands with the Women's Missionary Union Girl's Auxiliary at the Broad Creek Village Baptist Church.
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Some of those identified in the "Student Night at Christmas" photo: Eddie Boyd (in the center), Betty Miles LeBlanc (to his right), and Christine White (on his left).
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Rev. Hughes' prayer of dedication for the new
South Norfolk Public Library:
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Rev. Hughes at the dedication service for the new Oscar F. Smith High School, South Norfolk, Virginia.
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Rev. Hughes performed marriage ceremony for the oldest couple.
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Rev. Hughes stands on steps of South Norfolk Baptist Church:
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Photograph taken of congregation awaiting the ribbon cutting of the new South Norfolk Baptist Church Educational Building:
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Congregation gathers for Cornerstone laying of new Educational Building, 1954.
(Rev. William M. Black, only living former Pastor, attended)
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Rev. William M. Black (on left) with Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.
(Photo courtesy of Ron Alexander)
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Rev. Hughes in the newly completed Pastor's Study, Educational Building:
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SNBC Choir in rehersal with Gwen at the organ
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SNBC auditorium, pictured above, is set for a wedding. Although dark, it gives a good idea of how it looked before air-conditioning, with dark paneling on the choir rail and inside the choir loft; showing the original position of the pipe organ console.
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A photo (above) from the 1940s: the Lord's Supper table and pulpit platform is decorated for a Christmas music program, which includes chairs on the platform; a poinsettia plant can be seen on the choir rail on the right side, with the pipe organ console just to the left. With the dark paneling, you can still see the two lights at the rear of the choir loft, where the men sat; which could be turned on/off with pull strings. The dark paneling would stay until the early 1960s, when Minister of Music, Herman May, enlarged the choir loft to extend it to the left, and also right side over the baptistry and the paneling was covered in a white non-glare plastic. (Seen in the photo below). The front area had folding doors that would open to reveal the baptistry when a baptism would take place.
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The above picture shows the choir loft redone in white, with the extended doors on the left and right sides; piano on the lower right; and organ console in the same position as the previous picture; also, now with metal folding chairs. The 2 Electro-Voice microphones were used to broadcast the evening service live on WXRI-FM.
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In the above picture, taken from the balcony, Rev. Hughes at the pulpit, with a clear view of the Christmas decorations, the piano on the lower right, and organ console in it's original placement. At this time, the carpet was gold and the pulpit chairs had matching color. This architectural style would remain until the tenure of Rev. Brunson, who allowed the choir rail to be dismantled and removed. The choir was then exposed to the congregation. The baptistry was moved and placed directly behind the choir loft area. Unfortunately, this later led to it becoming a "stage" for bands, praise singers, and dancing, under Rev. Slayton.
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The above picture with the Junior Choir was taken when there was still a red-patterned carpet in the aisles, in the foyer and at the front/platform area. If you look at the side classroom in the rear of the picture, you will see the wooden folding chairs which were inter-locked together. This was the type of chair used in the choir loft until Mr. May came and the choir loft was improved with metal folding chairs, of the type still used into the 2st Century, and in the Hughes Fellowship Hall. There was one of these wooden chairs placed sideways right behind the organ bench in the loft for the organist. Joe stands in front of the white pillar in the rear of the picture.
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Men's Quartet sings in the Fellowship Hall. L to R: Gayle Harrell, Charlie Harper, Jimmie Scott, and Hammond Coates:
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Rev. and Mrs. Hughes visited with former church members, Walter and Virginia Garner, who moved to Florida:
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Rev. Hughes at a VBS (Vacation Bible School) Commencement on Friday night:
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Joe and friend take a break during VBS:
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Vacation Bible School for Intermediate Department, 1962:
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Dad in his study at church after a wedding:
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Jim and Joe attended a Boy Scout Troop at the South Norfolk Christian Church:
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The Boy Scout Troop would periodically go camping at Camp Baker, Chesapeake:
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Chesapeake Avenue Methodist Church, seen in picture below, closed it's doors on the last Sunday in 2017. You can see the former Parsonage for the South Norfolk Baptist Church on the left side of the picture, where the Hughes family lived.
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The Methodist Parsonage was across the street, and Jim and Joe were able to meet and play with the Methodist pastor's children.
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Chesapeake Ave Methodist Church, original building on the corner of Chesapeake Ave and Ohio Street:
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News story about Methodist Church closure by Raymond Harper in the Virginian Pilot Newspaper:
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Drawing of South Norfolk Baptist Church by Mark Carey, presented to Rev. Hughes
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Rev. Hughes gives Dedication Prayer for the new
South Norfolk Memorial Library, November 8, 1958:
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Certificate of Appreciation to Rev. Hughes for his service on the Sunday School Board
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A Tribute presented to Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr. on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination, written by Mrs. Betty LeBlanc
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Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr. is named "Pastor Emeritus" by the South Norfolk Baptist Church
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Next 2 pictures: Frank Hughes, Jr., taken at Church's Point, Knotts Island.
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Early picture of Frank Hughes, Jr. (on right side) and next to him is his sister Violet. Other two girls are unknown.
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Dad's elementary school, Knotts Island:
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Frank Hughes, Jr. was born in Gibbs Woods, N.C. Here is a story about Indian archeology in that area. Dad told me that when growing up, he had found old pottery and Indian arrow heads in the area.
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Frank Hughes, Jr. sits center just behind the bat boy in this photo of his Kempsville High School "Chiefs" baseball team. He was Captain of the team.
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The winter of 1969-70 was harsh. Here is a picture of Dad I took that winter:
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The parsonage and church in Winter:
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Snow drifts were over the fence:
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Rev. and Mrs. Hughes with Betty LeBlanc visiting with Rev. and Mrs. Mark Alexander, Art Pierce and family members:
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Dad arrives back from a meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention:
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In retirement, Rev. Hughes served as Interim Pastor at some area Baptist Churches. Here he, mother, and I, standing outside Lake Drumond Baptist Church:
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Thanksgiving dinner. L to R: "Pa" Hughes (Frank Hughes, Sr.), "Mama" Hughes, Mrs. Frank Hughes, Joe, Sue, and Jim.
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Joe and Jim strike a pose while Mother sets the dining room table for a Christmas dinner:
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Rev. Hughes with his mother:
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Deacons were invited by Mother and Dad for a Christmas party, 1974:
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After cleaning up and washing the dishes, I was ready for a nap:
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Every New Year's Day, Mr. and Mrs. E.Z. Horton would invite us over to their house across the street for lunch:
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First Grade Class, Rena B. Wright Elementary School, South Norfolk, VA. Miss Jane Harris, teacher on left. Joe stands on back row, right. Photo also includes his future wife, Rita Elliott.
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Truitt Junior High School (formerly the South Norfolk High School) where Jim and Joe attended. Jim served as a AAA Student School Crossing Guard. Mrs. Forhand was sponsor for the group.
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L-R: Mrs. Hughes, Joe, Lexie, Rita at Skyland:
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Joe and Rita at First Baptist, San Antonio, Texas:
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RITA'S GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS KILLED IN THE CARROLL COUNTY COURTHOUSE SHOOTOUT. HE WAS THE FORMAN OF THE JURY, AND DIED THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE SHOOTING.
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"THE RED EAR OF CORN" IS THE DEFINITIVE STUDY OF THE COURTHOUSE SHOOTOUT:
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The courthouse as it looks today:
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In Memory of David Elliott (1951-2018):
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Early pictures of Rita Jean Elliott Hughes, and her brother David Edwin Elliott, his wife Linda Gilbert, and son Jonathan:
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Lexie and her daughter Rita:
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Rita (Age 5) and David (Age 2):
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Rita and David with their grandmother Elliott at Easter:
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Linda Gilbert and David Elliott wedding at South Norfolk Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.:
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David with Katie and Stetson:
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Rita and David with their mother Lexie:
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In Loving Memory of
Mrs. Lexie Harmon Elliott Jones
Long-time, faithful member of
South Norfolk Baptist Church, and
Mother of Mr. David Elliott and
Mrs. Rita Hughes
(May 22, 1922-October 20, 2018)
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Lexie in South Norfolk Baptist Church Choir, 3rd from Left:
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Rev. Melvin J. Hughes
(Sermons by Rev. Melvin J. Hughes are now being added to the "Audio" webpage).
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Rev. Melvin J. Hughes
Ordination Service:
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Rev. and Mrs. Melvin Hughes at home:
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Princess Anne Plaza Baptist Church:
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Early pictures of Princess Anne Plaza Baptist Church:
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At Princess Anne Plaza Baptist Church. Starting second from Left; L to R: Mrs. Frank Hughes, Jim, Grandmother Hughes, Joe, Connie.
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L to R: Connie, Rev. Melvin Hughes, Mel, Mrs. Thelma Hughes, Mrs. Frank Hughes, Joe, (unidentified lady), Jim:
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Christmas Dinner at Grandparents. L to R: Irving Hughes, Rev. Melvin Hughes, Mrs. Thelma Hughes, Mr. Frank Hughes, Sr., his wife, Mrs. Virginia Hughes, Mrs. Katharine Hughes:
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Easter Sunday visit to Grandparents house. L to R: Sue, Rev. Frank Hughes, his mother ("Mama" Hughes), Charlie, Jim (partially hidden), Everett, Irving E. Hughes, Mel Hughes, "Pa" Hughes, Joe, Mrs. Thelma Hughes, Connie Hughes, Rev. Melvin Hughes.
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Joe visits Aunt Thelma, May 2024:
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Rita and Joe visit with Aunt Thelma, 2021:
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Joe with his Aunt Thelma Hughes, 2019:
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Aunt Thelma Hughes celebrates her 90th birthday on June 15, 2019.
Pictures include: Mel and Connie, Connie and her family, and Connie, Mel, Michele, and 3 ladies to her right are Aunt Thelma's youngest brothers' daughters:
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Mrs. Thelma Hughes 4 Generations:
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Thelma Hughes and daughter Connie, November 2020:
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L-R: Mel and his wife Michele, Aunt Thelma, Connie:
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L-R: Mel, Connie, Thelma, Michele (2024):
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Christmas 2022 with Aunt Thelma L-R: Will, Jamie, Mel, Aunt Thelma, Connie, Michele:
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Mel, Aunt Thelma, and Connie:
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Mel and Michele with Will and his family:
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Mel and Michele with grandchildren:
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Mel and his family, Thanksgiving 2023:
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AUNT THELMA HUGHES - OBITUARY
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Melvin, Irving, Sue: Hughes family pictures
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Melvin and Irving Hughes at
Kempsville High School:
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Melvin is on front row, left end; Irving is on extreme right side:
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Melvin is on left, end; Irving is 3rd from right:
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Melvin served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.
His time in the Navy was aboard two different ships, the USS Harold C. Thomas DE-21 (Seaman Second Class, Seaman First Class) and on the USS PC 1563 which was a PC 461 Class Submarine Chaser (Gunner's Mate, 3rd Class). This assignment on the PC 1563 was a very dangerous assignment in the Pacific Theater of War. Not that the Harold C. Thomas was a picnic; it wasn't; but the Sub Chaser was extremely hazardous duty. Pictures of both vessels are below, as well as specifications for the USS PC 1563 and a special note on why it was so dangerous to serve on that particular ship:
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USS PC 1563 Submarine Chaser specifications:
Specifications:
· Displacement 280 t.(lt), 450 t.(fl)
· Length 173' 8"
· Beam 23'
· Draft 10' 10"
· Speed 20.2 kts.
· Complement 65
· Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun
mount, one 40mm gun mount, three 20mm guns, two rocket launchers, four depth charge
projectors, and two depth charge tracks
· Propulsion: Two 1,440bhp General Motors
16-278A diesel engines (Serial No. 14278 & 14279), Farrel-Birmingham single
reduction gear, two shafts.
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Special Note:
As testimony to their vital role as control ships, the Japanese had assigned
entire squadrons of suicide boats to destroy, or disrupt, the PCCs during
future landing operations.
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Early picture of Frank Hughes, Jr,
brother of Violet, Irving, and Melvin.(Sue thinks this is her mother, Violet Elizabeth Hughes, Frank's sister and not Frank himself):
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Moyock High School, Class of 1935; Violet is on top row, left side:
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Violet's report card, Summer School, Maury for Moyock High School:
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Violet, Class of 1927, Moyock High School:
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Violet Elizabeth Hughes Vann with daughter Sue:
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Violet Vann obituary
(Irving E. Hughes name in family list is misspelled as Ervin).
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Easter Sunday, at Pa and Mama's on Lilac Ave: Front row, L-R: Sue, Jim, Joe, Mel; Back row, L-R: Mrs. Frank Hughes, Jr., Mama Hughes, Pa Hughes, Thelma Hughes:
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Early pictures of Frank Hughes, Sr.:
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Sue sitting in front of the Pembroke House:
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Photos of Pembroke Manor House and map:
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Sue with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr.:
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Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr. with Sue and Sonny:
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Sue and Sonny in 1945, Broadcreek Village:
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Joe, Sue, and Jimmy; Mamma and Pa Hughes look on:
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Melvin Hughes holds Sue; Katharine Hughes holds Jimmy. Here is the picture identification for the next two photos:
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L to R: Pa Hughes, Sue, Aunt Thelma, Connie, Uncle Melvin (sitting behind her), Mel, Joe Jim, Mamma Hughes, Mrs. Katharine Hughes:
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Dad and Mother visiting Irving Hughes family on Christmas Day:
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Sue and Jerry McCollum and family:
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Sue, looking great as ever in 2021:
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Early picture of Everett and Charlie Hughes:
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5 Cousins, L to R: Everett, Mel, Jimmy, Charlie, and Joe:
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L-R: Charlie, Jim, Everett, Joe, Mel
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L-R: Melvin, Frank, Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr., Irving
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Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr.
with daughter Violet, 1912:
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Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr. on left side with relatives at Pembroke Farm, Lynnhaven, VA.:
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Golden Wedding Anniversary:
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Frank Hughes, Sr. (Rev. Hughes' father) in U.S. Navy uniform.
(He served during World War I).
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The ship Frank
Hughes, Sr. served on during WW 1
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While in the Navy, Frank Hughes, Sr. carried
a New Testament and he wrote this
inside the front cover:
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Frank Hughes, Sr. was the son of
James Taylor Hughes
James Taylor Hughes was born December 1873, in North Carolina.
In 1900, he was 27 and living in the Washington District, Norfolk, Virginia, and had been married for 2 years to Minnie L. who was age 20 and born February 1880, in Virginia. (Her father was born in New York and mother in North Carolina). Living with him was a son James, age 1, born 1899, in Virginia; also Leaner Hughes, a son, born 1894, age 6, born in North Carolina; a son Frank Hughes, born March 1896, age 4, born in Virginia, and Maggie Hughes, an unmarried sister, age 23, born September 1876, in North Carolina.
In 1910, he was age 36, living in the Pleasant Grove section of Norfolk, Virginia and married to Minnie l., who was age 30 at the time. His daughters were: Lessie Nevada, age 16, Annie, age 2, son Frank Hughes (Sr.), age 14, James Hughes, age 10, Joseph Guliford Hughes, age 8, Clyde Hughes, age 6, Earl Hughes, age 4 (all sons and daughters were born in Virginia); also living with him was a sister, Maggie Hughes, age 32, born in North Carolina. Lessie (who died April 27, 1966) would marry Willoughby Cary Lockhart (1974-1939) and have the following children: Lessie Lockhart Rudiger, Lillian D. Lockart Hartzell, Margaret Lockhart Stewart, and Doris Lockhart Land.
Joseph G. Hughes married Belvia Mae Stewart, age 18, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He was age 24.Her father was Solomon Stewart and mother, Addie Stewart. She had been born in Currituck County, NC.
In 1930, he was living in Blackwater, Princess Anne, Virginia. He had a son Zack, age 18, born in Virginia; also living with him at the time, Mary Hughes, a daughter-in-law, age 18, born in North Carolina; also Arnie Frost, a male lodger, age 19 born in Virginia; also an adopted daughter, Edith Ralder, age 7, born in Virginia.
In 1940, he was age 66, living in Blackwater Magisterial District, Princess Anne, Virginia with his wife Minnie L., age 59; also a daughter Patsy Anne Hughes, age 2, born in Virginia, and a brother-in-law, James T Miller, age 51, born in Virginia.
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On front porch, next 2 photos, with Dogwood tree in full bloom:
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Dad sitting on back porch steps with a grill I gave him for his birthday:
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Charles Edward Hughes
Norview High School, 1966
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Irving Everett Hughes, Jr.
Norview High School, 1964
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Everett and Charlie, early picture:
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Early pictures: Charlie's wife Marie:
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Aunt Virginia and cousin Sue
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Irving Hughes family, while he was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, CA
(L-R: Everett, Irving, Virginia, Charlie)
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Every Christmas, Aunt Virginia would invite Rita and I up to her home in Matthews for lunch. Here is one picture I took:
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These next pictures were taken on a family Christmas get-together at Aunt Virginia's house, with 4 Hughes first Cousins: Charlie, Joe, Sue, and Everett; along with their spouses and children:
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McClain family tombstones at Riverside Cemetery
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Explanation of the McClain-Doxey-Hughes family relationship as outlined by Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.:
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Isaac Woodhouse Doxey death certificate:
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Notes transcribed from the original Doxey Family Bible,
by Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.
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North Carolina
Troops 1861-1865, A Roster Granby B. Doxey, Private Born in Currituck
County and was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Currituck County at
age 21. May 13, 1861. Present or accounted for until transferred to
the C. S. Navy on or about Nov 1, 1861.
Haywood Doxey, Private Born in Currituck county and was by occupation a
farmer prior to enlisting at Oregon Inlet at age 19. July 28, 1861. Transferred to the C. S. Navy on an unspecified
date. John Thomas Doxey, Private Born in
Currituck County and was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting at Oregon
Inlet at age 22. July 28, 1861. Transferred to the C. S. Navy on an unspecified
date.
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Isaac Doxey, who worked for Mr. Joseph P. Knapp, on Mackay Island, Currituck, NC.
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Aunt Lessie Lockhart, sister of Frank Hughes, Sr.:
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Charlie Doxey's death certificate and picture of Protestant Hospital in Norfolk, where he died:
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My Great-Grandmother: Laura Virginia Doxey, who lived to age 99:
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Doxey/Hughes Families
at home of Frank Hughes, Sr, Chesapeake, VA.
Some were taken at a picnic behind the house; some were taken at Granny Doxey's home:
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From L to R:
Grandmother Doxey, Joe Hughes, Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr., Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr.
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Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes, Sr. house on Lilac Ave, in snow:
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Joe at the Haddorff piano, which was a birthday gift to his mother by his father:
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Rev. Hughes learned to play the violin while attending one
of the Currituck County, N.C. schools. He told me that it was through the financial generosity of Mr. Joseph P. Knapp, that funds were available for the schools to teach music.
I took this picture in our front room. One of his favorites was “Danny Boy.” I would play the piano and he played the violin. It is a ballad written by Frederic Weatherly and set to the Irish tune of "Londonderry Air." The song was a message from a parent to a son going off to war. The line which says "the pipes are calling" is a reference to the use of bagpipes in wartime, and that the son is being called away to war, while the parent remains behind. Here, the Irish Tenors sing this famous song.
Oh, Danny boy,
the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flow'rs are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye
back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.
And when you
come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall
hear, though soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warm and sweeter be
And then you'll kneel and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
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It was through the generosity of Mr. Joseph P. Knapp that the Currituck County Schools in North Carolina were able to provide a better education for the children. Dad said he learned to play the violin because of Mr. Knapp providing a music program in the schools there.
Dad also said that every Christmas, Mr. Knapp provided gifts for the children and had a man dressed as Santa Claus for the occasion.
Photo of Mr. Knapp:
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Dad mentored me on the correct way to conduct a funeral service. In addition to what he had prepared to say at the
church, funeral home, or graveside, he always closed with the scripture from 1
Corinthians: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus
will God bring with him."
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He would follow this with the poem:
"Crossing the Bar."
"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the
boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of
farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time
and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the
bar." (Alfred Tennyson)
Dad would then follow this with the
words...
"Now the laborer's task is o'er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
Lands the voyager at last.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave me now Thy servant
sleeping."
He concluded with a Prayer.
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Remembering our family and the state where we lived
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REMEMBERING SOME OF OUR READ ANCESTORS
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Honoring the Past Riverside Cemetery
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While studying British Literature at Old Dominion, I discovered that Dad was well acquainted with the British poets and writers. He was able to quote from memory, Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard." Dad often used poetry in the funeral messages he wrote. He always included something of a personal note about the individual, always the Scripture, and how the individual lived out their life in service to God. I offer "Elegy" here as a tribute to him.
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Elegy Written in a
Country Churchyard
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THE Curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind
slowly o'er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world
to darkness and to me.
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight, 5
And all the air a
solemn stillness holds,
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
And drowsy tinklings
lull the distant folds;
Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tow'r
The moping owl does
to the moon complain 10
Of such as, wand'ring near her secret bow'r,
Molest her ancient
solitary reign.
Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the
turf in many a mould'ring heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
15
The rude Forefathers
of the hamlet sleep.
The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn,
The swallow
twitt'ring from the straw-built shed,
The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse
them from their lowly bed. 20
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife
ply her evening care:
No children run to lisp their sire's return,
Or climb his knees
the envied kiss to share.
Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, 25
Their furrow oft the
stubborn glebe has broke:
How jocund did they drive their team afield!
How bow'd the woods
beneath their sturdy stroke!
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys,
and destiny obscure; 30
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple
annals of the poor.
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r,
And all that beauty,
all that wealth e'er gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour: 35
The paths of glory
lead but to the grave.
Nor you, ye Proud, impute to These the fault,
If Memory o'er their
Tomb no Trophies raise,
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem
swells the note of praise. 40
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion
call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flatt'ry soothe
the dull cold ear of death?
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
45
Some heart once
pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have sway'd,
Or waked to ecstasy
the living lyre.
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll;
50
Chill Penury repress'd their noble rage,
And froze the genial
current of the soul.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathom'd
caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
55
And waste its
sweetness on the desert air.
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of
his fields withstood,
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell
guiltless of his country's blood. 60
Th' applause of list'ning senates to command,
The threats of pain
and ruin to despise,
To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land,
And read their
history in a nation's eyes,
Their lot forbade: nor circumscribed alone
65
Their glowing
virtues, but their crimes confined;
Forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne,
And shut the gates
of mercy on mankind,
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide,
To quench the
blushes of ingenuous shame, 70
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled
at the Muse's flame.
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes
never learn'd to stray;
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life
75
They kept the
noiseless tenor of their way.
Yet ev'n these bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial
still erected nigh,
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture deck'd,
Implores the passing
tribute of a sigh. 80
Their name, their years, spelt by th' unletter'd muse,
The place of fame
and elegy supply:
And many a holy text around she strews,
That teach the
rustic moralist to die.
For who, to dumb Forgetfulness a prey, 85
This pleasing
anxious being e'er resign'd,
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day,
Nor cast one longing
ling'ring look behind?
On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the
closing eye requires; 90
Ev'n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Ev'n in our Ashes
live their wonted Fires.
For thee, who, mindful of th' unhonour'd dead,
Dost in these lines
their artless tale relate;
If chance, by lonely contemplation led, 95
Some kindred spirit
shall inquire thy fate,
Haply some hoary-headed Swain may say,
'Oft have we seen
him at the peep of dawn
Brushing with hasty steps the dews away
To meet the sun upon
the upland lawn. 100
'There at the foot of yonder nodding beech
That wreathes its
old fantastic roots so high,
His listless length at noontide would he stretch,
And pore upon the
brook that babbles by.
'Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, 105
Mutt'ring his
wayward fancies he would rove,
Now drooping, woeful wan, like one forlorn,
Or crazed with care,
or cross'd in hopeless love.
'One morn I miss'd him on the custom'd hill,
Along the heath and
near his fav'rite tree; 110
Another came; nor yet beside the rill,
Nor up the lawn, nor
at the wood was he;
'The next with dirges due in sad array
Slow through the
church-way path we saw him borne.
Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay 115
Graved on the stone
beneath yon aged thorn:'
THE EPITAPH.
Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A Youth to Fortune
and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy
mark'd him for her own. 120
Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,
Heav'n did a
recompense as largely send:
He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear,
He gain'd from
Heav'n ('twas all he wish'd) a friend.
No farther seek his merits to disclose, 125
Or draw his
frailties from their dread abode,
(There they alike in trembling hope repose,)
The bosom of his
Father and his God.
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The Elegy was written
in the churchyard of St. Giles, Stoke Poges, near where Gray lived with his
relatives and where he is buried. Nearby is a dramatic memorial to Gray
designed by James Wyatt, positioned by Humphry Repton and erected by John Penn
(a son of William Penn.)
St. Giles’, the Parish Church of Stoke Poges, dates from
Saxon times with remains still existing in part of the Chancel Wall and windows
There are parts still surviving from three later periods, Norman (1086) the
pillars, part of the Chancel and part of the Tower; Early Gothic (1220) the
nave reconstructed on the Norman pillars and Tudor (1558) the Hastings Chapel,
built in red-brick.
The Church and Churchyard were formerly enclosed within the
grounds of Stoke Park, 200 yards away from the old Manor House, hence their
remoteness from the centre of the village.
Many notable people who occupied the Stoke Park Mansion
supported the Church. The Chancel contains the tomb of Sir John de Molyns,
Marshal of the King’s Falcons and Supervisor of the King’s Castles. Sir John
founded the Chantry in 1338 and it contains a Piscina with two basins, a rare
feature.
The Hastings Chapel was built in red brick with stone
mullioned windows in 1558. Lord Hastings of Loughborough, son of the first Earl
of Huntingdon, founded an alms house in 1557 and built the Chapel to serve as
its oratory, also as his burial-place and for other members of the Hastings
family.
The tomb of Thomas Gray is outside immediately below the
east window of the Hastings Chapel, which is the dark red building on the left, in the photograph.. A tablet on the wall also records that his
mother Dorothy Gray and her sister Mary Antrobus are buried in the vault below.
Gray died at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge and requested to be buried next to his
mother.
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A recently discovered picture taken by Rev. Hughes of Rev. J. Leighton Read with his eldest daughter (Mrs. Frank Hughes, Jr.) He had just arrived at the airport
for a visit to our home in South Norfolk, Virginia,
after his wife had already passed:
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Grandmother Read would go out in her Norman, Oklahoma neighborhood and invite the children into her home and teach Bible stories with flannel graphs, and sing songs while she played the piano.
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"He Owns the Cattle on a Thousand Hills"
(Words and Music by John W. Peterson)
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell -
He is my Father so they're mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -
I know that He will care for me.
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(NOTE: Extensive information about the Read and Wauchope families may be found on the webpages: "Read Family Story" and "Wauchope Family Story.")
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Katharine Rutherford Wauchope (mother of Mrs. Frank Hughes, Jr.) was born in Capon Bridge, WVA.
Here are some more pictures from that town:
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Additional Hughes, Read Pictures/Information
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"How does the Story End?"
was the theme of my remarks at my father's funeral service.
I had come down for a visit shortly before he passed and played for him an audio recording of a sermon with that title, by Rev. Will Willimon, a Methodist minister, preached in the Duke Chapel, which I thought had an outstanding idea, and Dad agreed. After listening to it, he told me that, in especially the last part of the sermon, that deals with life and death and how we view it, that that idea could provide an excellent text for a funeral service. I thought this a prophetic statement, as I noticed he was a little teary eyed. This was the last audio sermon my father ever heard preached.
I found a video and written transcript of the sermon, provided by Duke Chapel, and have included it below. -Joe Hughes
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Central Presbyterian Church, Arkansas, where Rev. J. Leighton Read ministered: Letter, Church history, Session Minutes that reference him:
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Rev. W.C. Wauchope and Rev. J. Leighton Read served as Missionaries in Colony, Oklahoma. (See list below:)
The ordained
Indian missionaries who served at Colony were: Frank Hall Wright, 1895-7;
Walter C. Roe, 1897-1913; Arthur Brokaw, 1904-5; L. L. Legters, 1905-6; Richard
H. Harper, 1907-9; W. C. Wauchope,
1909-10; John H. Baxter, 1910-13; Henry A. Vruwink, 1913-17; J. Leighton Read, 1917-23; John H. Baxter, 1923-6 (second term);
Richard H. Harper, 1927-9 (second term); Peter Van Es, Jr., 1930-2.
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Rev. J. Leighton Read served
as Supply Pastor of Minco Presbyterian Church, Minco, Oklahoma, February
1941-1945.
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Additional Read, D'Antoni, Dillon, Hughes pictures and information
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Betty and Bob Dillon with Judy:
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Aunt Teeny with Katharine Hughes
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L-R: Jim, Dad, Aunt Teeny, Joe, Uncle Dan.
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L to R: Joe, Aunt Teeny, Uncle Dan, Jim:
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Katharine Read Hughes (in red) at Read family reunion:
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(NEW UPDATES FOR THE READ AND WAUCHOPE FAMILIES, WILL BE PLACED ON THE "Read Family Story" and "Wauchope Family Story" WEBPAGES)
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Frank Hughes, III ("Sonny") (Rev. Hughes first son): Additional Pictures
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Dr. William L. Lumpkin: Funeral Message for Jim
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Jim (Rev. Hughes 2nd son) and Joe (Rev. Hughes 3rd son)
(Genealogists
have traced these two sons back to be the 22nd and 23rd
Great Grandsons of Henry III of England, on their Mother’s side)
Additional Pictures:
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Joe and Jim on their first bikes:
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Early Portrait of Sonny
(Frank Hughes, III):
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While traveling, Dad would take pictures of
Jim and Joe at state, and other unusual signs:
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Joe on steps of McLean House, Appomattox Court House:
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For a birthday present, Dad took me to the 100th Anniversary of the surrender at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1965, where we heard Professor Bruce Catton speak.
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A 1958 vacation trip to Washington, D.C. I remember we were staying in the Hay-Adams Hotel and one morning before breakfast, Jim wanted to "go exploring." So we got on the elevator and as he looked at the rows of buttons for the floors, he remarked that "there is no button for the 13th floor." And a maid, who happened to be on the same elevator with her laundry cart, said, "No, there is no 13th floor in this hotel."
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Here is a video tour a couple put online about a visit to Bluffs Lodge/Coffee Shop. Since the video was made, the facility has been renovated and is being made ready to reopen in 2020.
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Mom, Joe and Jim looking at tumbleweed:
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One thing, I appreciated most about my father, who had a busy schedule as a minister, was how he gave us children quality time, on vacation as well as at home. We were a very close knit family. Time together was important to our parents, who modeled Christian values and virtues each day. And when on vacation, away from South Norfolk, we always stopped at a local church on Sunday. -Joe Hughes
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Joe next to Tweetsie Railroad train. On this trip, I got a cinder in my eye; couldn't get it out; got infected; got Dr. Jennings to get it out back in South Norfolk:
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Joe riding the stage coach:
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Grand Canyon National Park Early sighting of the start of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:
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"Duck on the Rock" formation at Grand Canyon:
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With the car Mr. Stillman loaned Dad to use for the trip, which had air-conditioning:
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Near Sunset Crater National Park:
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Jim stands beside car in Glacier National Park:
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Mom, Jim, and Joe, at Mather Lodge, Arkansas:
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Joe and Dad at FDR's cottage, Warm Springs, Georgia:
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Jim, Mother, Joe in front of Mattie VanVleek's cottage,
Kitty Hawk, NC
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Notice
in the above picture that there are no cottages adjacent to this one. The earliest built was a small group of 2
cottages on the right side, one behind the other. Eventually, one of the Van Vleek family built
a laundry mat on the left side, with a large house just down from that. There were two prominent North Carolina
families who had cottages across the road: the Maddry and Clayton's. There are
also no buildings or roads for miles behind the cottage. You could sit in the
front bedroom on the left side of the cottage and look for miles and miles to
the South and see no commercial buildings.
In fact, you could look out the window at night and see the revolving
light on top of the Wright Brothers Memorial. The beacon is the original three-sided Fresnel lens that was installed when the monument was dedicated in 1932. Revolving 6 times a minute, the beam is visible for about 6 miles on a clear night. Jim and I had no trouble seeing it. Another thing we became interested in was the weather of the area. Jim got some books and we read about how to forecast when a storm was due to come in.
The area was isolated and the closest telephone was
at Shannon and Beacham's store in old Kitty Hawk Village (which operated from 1949 to 1964); an
old store that had a wooden floor. I
remember once when Mr. Shannon (Lionel James Shannon, Sr., who's wife Melba was born in South Norfolk, VA.) came to the cottage to give Dad a message about
a death in the South Norfolk Church family.
He went to the store and took the call.
Then came back to the cottage and left for South Norfolk to conduct the
funeral, returning to us in two days.
This cottage was located at Mile Post 4 and "Miss"
Mattie Van Vleek told Jim and I about the early history of Kitty Hawk during
World War 2.
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A short edited film that explains what happened and why:
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Recommended Reading for further study:
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Professor Michael Gannon has written the definitive book about the U-Boat war along the North Carolina coast.
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A
longtime favorite of several generations of Tar Heels, Taffy of Torpedo
Junction is the thrilling adventure story of thirteen-year-old Taffy
Willis, who, with the help of her pony and dog, exposes a ring of Nazi spies
operating from a secluded house on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, during
World War II. For readers of all ages, the book brings to life the dramatic
wartime events on the Outer Banks, where German U-boats turned an area around
Cape Hatteras into 'Torpedo Junction' by sinking more than sixty American
vessels in just a six-month period in 1942. Taffy has been enjoyed by
young and old alike since it was first published in 1957.
The
late Nell Wise Wechter, an Outer Banks native, was a widely admired author,
storyteller, historian, and journalist. As a schoolteacher near Cape Hatteras
during World War II, she could look out her classroom window to see ships being
sunk by the Germans. Her story of Taffy was inspired by these real events and
the courage of the people who lived through them. Her other books include Swamp
Girl, Betsy Dowdy's Ride, and Teach's Light.
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True life story of the author of "Taffy of Torpedo Junction":
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Joe and Jim play in the sand at Kitty Hawk, NC
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Joe on Hatteras Island, NC (lighthouse in distance)
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Dad surfcasting on Kitty Hawk beach.
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Dad was careful in requiring us to wear the orange life jackets when we were younger:
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Jim and Joe on beach with friends:
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Jim and Joe coming down Jockey Ridge Sand Dunes:
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Another treat was to visit the used bookshop of David Stick, the well-known author who lived on the Outer Banks. He had lots of interesting books for all ages, and the prices were reasonable. Having been raised to enjoy reading, we always enjoyed a visit to his shop. It was located in a small building beside Wink's Supermarket in Kitty Hawk. Here is an aerial photo from 1957:
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Bodie (pronounced 'body') Island Lighthouse......
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We did not climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse as it was being restored when we were there on the beach.
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Another side trip from Kitty Hawk we always looked forward to was going to Manteo and visiting the waterfront, museum, library, and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Dad and Mom always made sure that Jim and I had the opportunity to see and experience every educational opportunity which was available when we traveled on vacation.
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Mom, Jim, and Joe at Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island:
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The booklet on Fort Raleigh, pictured above, is now available in public domain:
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A short history of The Lost Colony and the Roanoke colonization efforts, produced by National Geographic:
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Prior to the current outdoor drama, "The Lost Colony," a silent film was produced by the North Carolina State Board of Education in 1921, which told the story of the Lost Colony. This film is now available to the public:
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We also would try to make a trip over during one evening in the week to see the outdoor drama, "The Lost Colony." Back in Kitty Hawk, we sometimes saw some of the Indian actors on the beach with their "Mohawk" haircuts.
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FDR is the only President ever to visit a performance of The Lost Colony:
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I remember attending The Lost Colony as a
child, with the music accompanied by a Hammond Organ and the
Choir which was from the Westminster Choir College, Princeton. There was a low-hanging shed on the left side
of the seating are where the choir sat.
Then, there was a small cubicle where the Historian stayed, giving the
dialog and setting the scenes. Dad and Mother had been invited to go as guests
of one of the members of South Norfolk Baptist.
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The Westminster Choir provided the music for the drama through several seasons:
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"A historical travel film dealing
with the first English colony in America, Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony, and
with Virginia Dare. Also portrays Orville and Wilbur Wright's first
power-driven plan flights in 1903-1908 at Kitty Hawk and the Lost Colony Drama.
The acceptance of the challenge of these two "New Worlds" took place
in what is now Dare County, North Carolina." Description taken from the
North Carolina Public Library Film Service Catalog of 16mm films, 1972 edition. This is an iPhone version:
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When I returned as a
teenager, much had changed and improved, although we still sat on bench
seats. The scenery was much improved and
the choir was part of the cast. Although
they were using wireless mikes, which I thought was distracting, they had
brought in a professional director from New York and the Costume and Light
Designers were also professional.
The third time I attended
was with Dad (Mother stayed in the cottage with Jim) and we sat in new seats that had been installed, on the right
side, near the side stage where Old Tom and Agona performed.
It was also where Queen Elizabeth I sat on her throne. Dad got a kick out of seeing Old Tom perform
up close, and at one point, threw his hat in the air, which landed perfectly on
a little tree next to the stage!
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Here are some scenes from the drama and information about the authenticity of the scenery, costumes, and historical background. The script used follows the history of Raleigh's Expeditions precisely.
(Some photos are courtesy of the Roanoke Island Historical Association and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill):
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Foster Fitz-Simons as Uppowoc, in 1946:
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The Indians in early 1990s production:
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"The Lost Colony" is fortunate to have William Ivey Long as Production Designer. He has ensured that all the costumes are historically correct. This is a must for a production of such magnitude as this.
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Another comparison: the original drawing on the left; the actress on the right:
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Over 100 actors, technicians, designers and volunteers
gather each spring to begin rehearsals to bring The Lost Colony to life for
another summer season. The stage itself is over three times larger than most
Broadway stages in New York. You will be seated in the center of the stage area
with action happening on three sides of you and even sometimes, right next to
you in the aisle.
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From the original 1937 script of The Lost Colony, used by director Samuel Selden:
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from my book, "The Lost Colony," autographed by Paul Green:
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The Indians meet the Colonists for the first time:
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Wanchese and Manteo were presented to Queen Elizabeth I:
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After the Indians and Colonists returned to Roanoke Island, things didn't go so well, both there and back in England. Here the actress playing
Queen Elizabeth I explains:
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Sir Walter Raleigh and John White express their feelings about England and the Roanoke Colony:
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Wanchese and Manteo discuss Chief Wingina's death; they have different views of what that means for the tribe:
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After the death of Wingina, the Indians decide, to avenge his death and attack the colonists.
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Some Indians, friendly to the Colonists, were also attacked and killed:
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Roanoke colonists leave Fort Raleigh at the
climax of Paul Green's dramatic recreation of their story in The Lost Colony.
Photograph by Aycock Brown. North Carolina Collection,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library.
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What Happened to the Lost Colony of
Roanoke? A prominent American mystery, the lost colony of Roanoke has
captivated historians and archaeologists for generations. Learn the facts
behind the disappearance of the settlement and its inhabitants and how modern
technology continues to uncover new clues as to what happened on Roanoke
Island.
I highly recommend this outdoor drama for anyone, especially for young people, from the 7th Grade upward. They will learn a lot about the early history of our country. But, continue to study the original sources and pay attention to the new ongoing developments about the research on Hatteras Island.
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What happened to the Lost Colony? There has been much research in recent years, and Scott Dawson, born and raised on Hatteras Island, was interviewed in 2019, about what he has discovered.
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Scott Dawson, pictured above, examing Croatoan pottery, was interviewed in 2020, on the Virginia History Podcast where he presents an update on the ongoing research:
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I highly recommend Scott's book, pictured with him, below:
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One of our relatives, Dr. Robert Wauchope, did research in this area and his conclusions do not agree with all that is being described concerning the Lost Colony, especially concerning the "Dare Stones" controversy. His work DOES agree with the major conclusions of Scott Dawson and Dr. Mark Horton about the Colony relocating to Croatoan Island, which is modern-day Hatteras Island.
Unfortunately, there is much 'speculation' and 'fakery' being peddled to the unsuspecting public. The program, "American Unearthed: Unearthing Roanoke," is a pop-culture-type of Lost Colony theory, which was supplemented by a YouTube program put online by, of all people, an architect/city planner, who has no educational background in the area under discussion:
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.....written and narrated by Richard L. Thornton, the Architect/City Planner:
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Thornton misleads his audience with dubious information about the so-called "Dare Stones" theory and what happened to the Lost Colony. He openly denigrates the work of Dr. Robert Wauchope as a whole; and specifically because Wauchope wouldn't accept the "Dare Stones" theory. Indeed, Thornton casts him as being dishonest in his work as an archeologist in general terms, and in specifics reference his position as a professor. In his YouTube presentation, Mr. Thornton continually mispronounced Dr. Wauchope's name, which shows his ignorance of the man he is describing.
Thornton has his own website which supports the "Dare Stones" theory to the exclusion and preponderance of evidence to the contrary. He even states he knows where Virginia Dare is buried, among other preposterous statements.
In fact, the "Dare Stones" were found to be a hoax perpetrated by a man who was a stonecutter by trade and was out to make money off of 'reproducing' the stones. This revelation made newspaper headlines:
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You can see
factual information about Dr. Wauchope and his work on the "Wauchope Family Story" webpage elsewhere on this website.
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I have found some TV programs to be riddled with unsubstantiated theories. One such is the "America Unearthed" series with Scott Wolter, who, in one segment, has completely bought into the "Dare Stones" theory and dismissed out-of-hand the truth from archeology findings on Hatteras Island. I would be careful not to swallow whole the material presented on that program in particular. The host seems to use a script with dramatic license where he uses individuals at pre-planned locations to prop up his belief in the "Dare Stones" authenticity, while dismissing the facts presented to him by Scott Dawson during his visit to Hatteras Island. The careful editing, (including his apparent disappointment of not finding the so-called fort which was hidden on a map of the period) of the material shown tries to pawn off to an unspecting public a theory that has already been proven to be a hoax. He continues to press the "Stones" hoax by going to a location where the same stone-like material is found, which to him, proves the "Dare Stones" authenticity. Viewer beware.
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John White's color drawing of Manteo appears below:
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"Indian Religion," an article prepared by the National Park Service:
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Explore Coastal Algonquian
culture and history in American Indian Town, an exhibit that’s new to Roanoke
Island Festival Park. The town represents an American Indian community similar
to what the English explorers investigated and surveyed during their voyages to
Roanoke Island and the surrounding area in the late 16th century. Visitors
follow paths that wind through the park. Homes, agricultural areas, and work
shelters line the paths and await visitors’ discoveries.
Two longhouses represent the
historical homes of American Indians from the region. One of the longhouses
interprets the home of a leader from the community, and stretches over 30 feet
long. A smaller and partially completed longhouse includes an interactive
component that invites visitors to help complete the structure. Both areas
contain interactive exhibitry that focuses on the developing relationship
between the American Indian and English peoples during the late 16th century.
The ceremonial dance circle is also located here.
The exhibit has a planting
and harvesting area where visitors can learn the advanced nuances of American
Indian farming techniques. Three work shelters include activities like cordage
(rope) making, mat and basket weaving, net mending, food preparation, tanning
hides, fishing, boat building and gathering.
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Here is a short film that describes the Indian Town at Roanoke Island Festival Park:
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The Settlement Site features costumed
interpreters from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585. They show visitors what daily
life was like for the soldiers and sailors who traveled across the Atlantic
Ocean to build a permanent colony for England. I found the site an excellent resource for adults and children alike. The following short film explains:
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The Settlement Site features costumed
interpreters from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585. They show visitors what daily
life was like for the soldiers and sailors who traveled across the Atlantic
Ocean to build a permanent colony for England. You are given an opportunity to ask questions and explore the ship at length.
The following short film explores the Elizabeth II ship anchored at the Roanoke Island Festival Park.
Rita and I could not believe how small this replica ship was which brought the colonists to Roanoke Island.
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If you wonder about what happened on the
Outer Banks after the Roanoke Voyages, discover 400 years
of Outer Banks history in the interactive Roanoke Adventure
Museum. Guests amble through the museum at whatever pace they like on a
self-guided tour through the historical developments of Roanoke Island and the
area at large.
Children enjoy playing dress up with costumes
from the 16th century while grown ups gaze at portraits of England’s first
explorers. Everyone learns about 16th century navigation when they site the
North Star with an astrolabe or plot a course with a cross staff.
Land in 16th century North America and
discover the culture of indigenous people who lived on Roanoke Island. Read
quotes from Thomas Hariot's journal, and view a miniature version of a
longhouse. Read about the Lost Colony—including a list of names of the settlers
from England—and about the birth of North Carolina. Move on through the
museum and ahead in time to the 18th century when pirates trolled the coast of
the Outer Banks. Listen to Stumpy the Pirate as he jokes about the infamous
Blackbeard down in Ocracoke. Learn about another “lost colony” on Roanoke
Island—the Freedmen’s Colony. Imagine what it must have been like to
participate in the Battle of Roanoke Island during the Civil War.
Study a map of shipwrecks that go back in
history through generations and give this stretch of the Atlantic Coast its
notorious nickname, “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” View a shad boat that designer
George Washington Creef built in 1887 and volunteers and staff from the Roanoke
Island Maritime Museum restored over a century later. Find out about the
boatbuilding, hunting, and fishing traditions of the Outer Banks, and encounter
the beginnings of the tourism industry that made the islands what they are
today.
Rita and I found this museum excellent for adults as well as children and young people.
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There is also a 50 minute film that runs constantly in this
visitor center about the Native Americans who lived here before the colonists
came, titled, "The Legend of Two-Path." Rita and I thought it was a good film for
adults, as well as young people.
The
friendship of three young Native Americans is shattered with the arrival of the
first English settlers in North Carolina in the 1580's. This historical feature
was filmed on Roanoke Island on the Atlantic coast, Directed by Harrison Engle.
Produced by Sam L Grogg and the North Carolina School of the Arts.
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“The Legend of Two-Path” is a docu-drama
illustrating the American Indian perspective of the Roanoke Voyages. It
is based on facts as recorded by Europeans, the only written information
available. The Legend of Two-Path captures the main themes of the history
and dramatizes the meeting of two very separate and distinct cultural groups.
North Carolina School of the Arts students produced and directed this film and
developed the relationships and dialogue between the characters.
The main theme that can be taken from this
film is the concept of choice. The American Indians were faced with a
choice of embracing the western culture or rejecting it. The choices they
made then, the path they chose, helped determine their history.
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The Lost Colony takes a bow to the "Woke" stage-left agenda
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The
Virginian-Pilot news article by Jeff Hampton of April 2021, revealed that white
actors are now persona non grata and need not apply for acting roles at the
Lost Colony. Chairman of the RIHA Kevin
Bradley has decided that it has become necessary in order to “do the real stuff
here.” If only the RIHA Board had taken
the time to do their homework instead of bowing to the pressure of one college
student who admittedly wanted to close down the entire production with his Woke
online petition. There are always going
to be the Dare Stones enthusiasts and those of the Hatteras colony movement. Are they next? Where does accommodation to the
Woke end?
Unfortunately,
in an effort to make the production more “authentic,” it has, in turn, become
more racist. And, it takes the original
script to un-original proportions.
First
and foremost, the Board that made the decision to “go Woke” didn’t take into
account the history behind productions of the symphonic dramas produced over
the last 30 some years in our country and what happens which you deviate from
the script and its intent. Case in
point: Kermit Hunter’s drama, “Unto
these Hills” which ran successfully until someone in the late 1990s decided to make
major changes there. Proceeds dropped
off with waning attendance, until someone caught the clue that maybe ‘we need
to return to the original script’ which they did in 2017. Things are better now in Cherokee, NC.
Then
we have Paul Green’s formerly successful “Texas,” which has almost died on the
vine thru off-script changes (read: major), use of other titles for the drama,
some lawsuits thrown in for good measure, and now they are attempting to reexamine
where they went wrong. When I visited
there in 2003, they didn’t even acknowledge that Green had written the original
script. As some commentators are now
saying about institutions and corporations, “Go Woke, Go Broke.”
But,
back to our subject, The Lost Colony has advertised for actors that deviate
from the original script. Case in point: the part of the Historian is now a ‘Storyteller’
and, Oh yes, it has to be a female….we mustn’t offend or be labeled ‘sexist,’
never mind what Mr. Green had in mind.
Then
the newspaper article stated: native
actors will speak their lines in Algonquin, the language used by the people
living in Eastern North Carolina in the 1500s.
“If Native Americans attended the show, it would ring true to them.” Really?
How many native speaking Algonquin are going to show up out of the
expected 40,000? How many White, Black, Hispanic
Americans are going to understand that language? How will they relate to that? Will the program
have a libretto? Again, this goes off the
Paul Green script.
Returning to the ‘no white Indians’
actor problem, a lot of work will be necessary on your part to find actors as
good as Fitz-Simons, Eddie Greene, or Fred Howard to take the lead Indian
roles. College students like Griffin must
think that good actors grow on trees.
Wokeism is now rampant in our institutions
and we are facing a war on our American History and values. "To twist history to fit a political
project is to write lies, which is why so many historians have criticized the
1619 Project, whose agenda is to make our America an object of contempt." The people who do this understand that Edmund
Burke was ultimately right when he wrote, 'To make us love our country, our
country ought to be lovely.' And they want to do the opposite." The 1619
Project is one example of Wokeness gone wrong when it asks students to find
"...examples of hypocrisy in the founding of the United States... and
about evidence that...this nation was founded not as a democracy but as a
slaveocracy..." It’s so fashionable
to feel offended.
This Wokeism is now invading religion, arts
and music. The Paul Green script is
based on historical documents and includes music that he and Stringfield carefully
researched. Now that the script and
actors are changing, is the music also out the window?
The organ was replaced some time back with
electronic music; then actors with no ‘command voice’ had to have microphones,
and when I attended the 2013 performance, it was obvious; with the static and
voices going in and out over the speaker system. I sat next to a gentleman who had acted in
the production as a teenager and he agreed that it was distracting.
Unless
you have been living in seclusion somewhere, you will have noticed that a
radical putsch is currently underway to get the uninformed on-board with
doctrines borrowed from Black Liberation Theology, Critical Race Theory,
Intersectional Feminism, and other ideologies that are currently stylish in the
left-leaning secular academy. All of these things are being aggressively
promoted in the name of "racial reconciliation."
Having
lived thru the time when Dr. Martin Luther King was alive, I can only wonder
what he would say about the BLM and ‘racial equity’ which is not the
same as ‘equality.’ “Wokeness”
has become a blight on our country. Look
what happened last summer when the “Woke” BLM organization, founded by three
self-identified Marxists took center stage?
And many Americans didn’t know they were supporting a Marxist
organization; not that ‘all lives’ don’t matter….they do.
But
an artistic symphonic drama of such proportions as The Lost Colony, does not need
nor deserve major changes. And in my
opinion, the production has been creeping slowly away from the author’s
original intent, pushed by a few Wokesters.
-Joe
Hughes
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On Sunday's, we worshiped at
Manteo Baptist Church:
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The first Pastor Jim and I met at the Manteo church was a Rev. Charleton, who had been a former missionary and lived across the street in the church parsonage. He invited Dad to occasionally preach on Sunday nights when we were there. He also took us around in the Manteo neighborhood and introduced us to Mr. Drinkwater, who, still living at the time, was the telegraph operator at the weather station, who sent the news of the Wright Brothers first flight to Norfolk, VA. He gave Jim and I a "first day cover" stamped envelope of that event. His father was a lighthouse keeper.
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The Manteo Public Library was always on our list of places to visit.
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It was during a Saturday visit, when we discovered that they were holding a used book sale, that Jim purchased The Hardy Boys, "The Secret Panel" and "The Great Airport Mystery," which introduced us to that series. These books were family-friendly, and did not contain violence or bad language.
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We later found other Hardy Boys titles at Stick's used bookshop in Kitty Hawk.
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As Jim got older, he read the Tom Swift adventure stories.
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When Jim bought his first car, a 1965 Ford, he took me on two road trips: one to Richmond, Virginia, where we visited all the Civil War sights; and one to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. We both loved the beach in Kitty Hawk and the rustic landscape. We got to know the Outer Banks before it became commercialized and overrun with tourists. Our family got to know many of the local seasonal and year-round residents. There was no bi-pass road at that time; only the two lane road that followed the beachfront. Here are some pictures I took on the N.C. trip:
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Duck, N.C. before it was developed:
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The Kitty Hawk Beach area:
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Judy-Rand Appartments (formerly the Kitty Hawk School):
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Old house with kitchen on left side, in Kitty Hawk Village:
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A new house in Kitty Hawk Village:
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An old store in Kitty Hawk Village, closed:
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Shannon and Beecham Store, still open:
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We saw this odd tree in Kitty Hawk Village:
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Dead-end of road in Kitty Hawk Village:
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Jim driving in with his first car:
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On two occasions, our family saw storm damage at Nags Head. First 3 pictures of the Ash Wednesday storm; then 1 of a "waterspout" which started over the water and went inland:
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Is
a water spout dangerous?
Some
can be just as dangerous as tornadoes. Waterspouts fall into two
categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move
from land to water. ... By the time the funnel is visible, a fair
weather waterspout is near maturity.
We actually saw this Waterspout come inland. If you look at the center of this photo, you will see a refrigerator which was tossed up into the air from a cottage that was demolished to the left of the ditch. A woman who was home at the time, had rushed outside and jumped into this ditch to avoid the storm. Unfortunately, the refrigerator dropped right on top of her.
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After a trip to Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in North Carolina, Dad used part of his vacation time to take us to Boone, NC, to see the outdoor drama, "Horn in the West."
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We enjoyed this play about the
founding of the American frontier, frontiersman Daniel Boone, the
Revolutionary War's effect on the area, and the colonists who settled in
the mountains. The Battles of King's Mountain and Alamance are
re-enacted on stage.
North Carolina was 'the West' in the 1700s. The drama follows the story of a family seeking freedom from British rule. Here is another video from 2011, produced for UNC TV which gives more information about the drama:
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(The Battle of Alamance was
the final battle of the War of the Regulation, a rebellion in colonial North
Carolina over issues of taxation and local control. The Regulator Movement, also
known as the War of the Regulation, involved the violent actions of
discontented North Carolinians from several western counties who were fighting
what they viewed as corrupt and unfair practices of the colonial government.
The uprising culminated in a battle three miles south of the town of Alamance
in present-day Alamance County.)
(The Battle of Kings Mountain
was a military engagement between Patriot and Loyalist militias in South
Carolina during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War,
resulting in a decisive victory for the Patriots. The battle took place on
October 7, 1780, 9 miles (14 km) south of the present-day town of Kings
Mountain, North Carolina in what is now rural Cherokee County, South Carolina,
where the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British
Major Patrick Ferguson of the 71st Foot. The battle has been described as
"the war’s largest all-American fight".)
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Information and maps, courtesy of the American Battlefield Trust, tell the background story of the
"Horn in the West" drama:
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After surrender at Charlestown,
southern defense was primarily led by local militias under the command of
backcountry men. At the Battle of Waxhaws on May 29, 1780, American forces were
massacred by the ruthless British under Colonel Banastre Tarleton despite their
efforts to surrender. This instance of British brutality inspired many Patriots
in the area, leading many fresh militiamen to join the American cause. Such
impassioned recruits contributed to an inspiring Patriot victory at the Battle
of Hanging Rock in August of 1780. Shortly after, Patriot forces drew a
numerically superior British force into an ambush at the Battle of Musgrove’s
Mill. Although an American victory, the battle’s end was greeted by news of
American defeat at Camden and forces dispersed to aid the diminished army.
Providing an air of confidence for the Patriots, the Battle of King’s Mountain
saw a victorious American militia from the Carolina backcountry, the
“Overmountain Men,” brutally ambush and decimate a Loyalist militia in October
of 1780. Seen as an act of vengeance for Waxhaws, Patriot victory at King’s
Mountain was a factor that led the British to abandon the North Carolina
campaign.
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Dad especially enjoyed the actor who played the role of "Preacher Sims."
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The man who played Daniel Boone was very realistic:
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Ethan Polson, an actor, who is excellent in acrobatics, is seen below in the photos, then in the film he put on line for the public to see:
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Another outdoor drama we saw as children, was "Unto these Hills." This was put on in Cherokee, NC. For some reason it didn't have the impact on me as did the other two dramas previously mentioned; although Jim's first grade teacher, Mrs. Glenn, had recommended it.
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From their website, here is information about the play:
You can feel a slight chill
run up your spine; but not from the mountain winds shifting their direction in
anticipation of the coming dusk. It is from your anticipation of the coming
drama. Unto These Hills drama is the tragic and triumphant story of the
Cherokee that traces back to the years before the heartbreak of the Trail of
Tears to the present day. Millions of people have witnessed America’s most
powerful drama, which rewrites the Cherokee’s place in the world. A place based
on traditional Cherokee values and modern sensibilities.
The play opens with the
arrival of the Spanish Conquistador, Hernando DeSoto in 1540. The appearance of
DeSoto and his army establishes an ominous portent of what will befall the
Cherokee Nation during the next three-hundred years. Early on the famous
Cherokee leader, Yonaguska deliberates the fate of all Native peoples, and yet
charts a peaceful course with his white neighbors and the American government.
He even joins forces with Andrew Jackson at the famous Battle of Horseshoe Bend
where another famous Cherokee leader, Junaluska saves Jackson’s life. Despite
this, Jackson will later develop policies as President that usurp previous
promises of Cherokee sovereignty and deliberately charts a course for the
removal of the Cherokee from their traditional homelands. The discovery of gold
in Cherokee County in 1835 sets the stage for tribal lands to be overrun by the
whites, who illegally occupy lands, build settlements and town, and generally
disregard the cultural practices and freedoms of the Native population. Also
during this time, unscrupulous land agents descend upon area, carrying out the
Manifest Destiny ideology, as well as creating deep divisions among the
Cherokee people. It is at this point where the heartbreaking story of Tsali and
his family begins to unfold. His unrelenting mistrust of the United States
Government, along with his intense love of his people and their traditional
ways, gives rise to an inevitable – and ultimately deadly - clash between him
and the over-powering forces of the United States Army. Tsali’s resistance to
removal leads to the untimely death of his beloved wife, Wilani, as well as him
and his sons near the end of the play. They sacrifice themselves so that a
small group of Cherokee will be able to remain in their homeland. But sadly,
shortly following the men’s execution, the infamous Trail of Tears begins.
Despite this dark and tragic episode in the lives of the Cherokee, the ending
of the play is filled with beautifully sculpted imagery and effective emotional
symmetry, symbolizing the re-emergence of a people whose spiritual fortitude,
social complexities, and human courage will never be broken.
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The Cherokee Eagle Dance as
seen in the outdoor drama Unto These Hills of Cherokee, North Carolina, 1968:
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A news article about what happens when you change the original script for a play:
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A visit to Walton's Mountain:
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Joe in front of Oscar Smith High School
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Joe in Oscar Smith High School Play
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Joe stands on left, behind Tommy Styron, in High School play.
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Joe walks behind Beverly Taylor in High School play.
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Joe (third from right, back row) sings with Boy's Chorus in High School play.
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Joe in High School Graduation cap and gown
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Joe dressed for the annual May Day event at Rena B. Wright Elementary School, South Norfolk
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Joe dressed for Children's Christmas Choir event
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Joe and Jim with Bibles in hand, going to Sunday School and Church:
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Standing in parsonage front yard; Chesapeake Ave. Methodist Church in background:
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Joseph Hughes, Ordination service at South Norfolk Baptist Church, October 12, 1980, (pictured below) receives Bible from Dr. Walker Stockburger. On platform, L-R: Mike Hopkins, Minister of Music; Earl Todd, Chairman of Deacons; Rev. Sam Tatem; Dr. John Brown, Executive Director, Norfolk Baptist Association.
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Rev. Glenn G. Davis and wife Patti, with Joe Hughes, in front of Parsonage at conclusion of Ordination Service:
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Joe, Mother, Jim leaving the White House
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Rev. Hughes took this picture in the 1950s, of Jim and Joe at the entrance to one of Jesse James' hideouts in Oklahoma. (Mrs. Hughes' parents and grandparents were missionaries to the Indians in Oklahoma Territory, and the children were told to be careful and not stray far from the Indian school or church where they ministered; that the James Brothers did have a hideout nearby. This has been verified by other original source material).
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Jim, Mother, and Joe, stand outside the oldest house in the United States. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (La Casa Vieja de Analco: an 800+ year old home, later inhabited by Tlaxcaltecan Indians, who came to Santa Fe with the Spanish Conquistadors and helped construct San Miguel Mission, located nearby).
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How the Oldest House looked in 1885.
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Joe, Mother, Jim outside Hopi House, Grand Canyon, Arizona
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Joe outside an Indian Hogan:
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Cabin on top of Sandia Crest where we spent the night; and had a black bear visit us at the door during the night:
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Holliwell
Bridge is a wooden covered bridge in Madison County, Iowa. It was built over
the Middle River in 1880 by Benton Jones.
The
bridge is no longer in use, but was renovated and restored in 1995 at a cost of
$225,000 ($361,000 today). It is
featured in the film The Bridges of Madison County. It was added to the National Register of
Historic Places in 1976.
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Outside Moorehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill, NC
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Jim in little car at Disneyland, 1962:
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Skyland was one of our family's favorite places to visit and stay. It had a relaxing atmosphere without the distractions of telephone and television. Jim sometimes brought along his shortwave set to listen to overseas programs. Several videos featured in this section were courtesy of the National Park Service.
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Every evening we would leave the motel room and hike up the short paved trail to the main lodge and dining room:
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Meals in the Pollock Dining Room (named after Skyland's founder George Freeman Pollock) were reasonable and the wait staff were from the local
Luray area. We got to know several of them by name; one in particular, was Jane who lived in Luray and was able to travel quickly to Skyland by using the Fire Road
available to employees.
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Off from the Dining Room was a porch area with a beautiful view of the Valley:
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In the evening we would sometimes stay for a local folk music program just off the main dining hall area. The program would begin at 9pm and was hosted by Madeline MacNeil, who played the guitar and dulcimer and sang songs from the mountain area. Maddie was born in Norfolk, Virginia, attended Douglas Freeman H.S. in Richmond, then went to Longwood College and earned a Music/Education degree. She taught at Warren County H.S. for some years. She was brought up a Methodist and was a Christian with a radiant personality.
From her obituary: Her solo career in singing began at
Wayside Inn in Middletown, Virginia. She
also worked as the assistant to the director at Wayside Theater. Maddie sang
regularly at Skyland Lodge on the Skyline Drive. It was there that she was introduced
to the dulcimer. She performed regularly at Waterford Festival, Museum of
the Shenandoah Valley, Handley Library, and many other Shenandoah Valley
locations. She subsequently taught, and performed
throughout the United States,
and the British Isles.
Maddie recorded more than seventeen LPs/CDs, singing, as well as playing both
the mountain and hammered dulcimers. She was the best-selling author of
mountain and hammered dulcimer books for Mel Bay Publications. She was the
publisher of Dulcimer Players News for twenty-eight years.
Maddie received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Longwood College, and an
Indie Award for string music, as well as other awards.
It was only recently that I learned that she passed away this year, age 80. She wrote several books on how to play a dulcimer and produced several CDs.
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Here are some of my favorites she put online in public domain:
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If there was a Ranger program at the conference room in lower Skyland, we would descend the trail back from the dining room and enjoy the one hour program which a Park Ranger would present on a topic appropriate to the park, usually with slides which were configured uniquely on Kodak carousel projectors with a light-dissolve unit, so that the program photos changed smoothly.
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I learned to ride a horse at Skyland:
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Joe prepares to ride "Goldie" at Skyland National Park
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Joe on Goldie coming out of corral at left in the distance:
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Here is another video tour a couple put online about Skyland:
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One must-do trip for anyone visiting Shenandoah National Park is seeing "Hoover's Hideaway." This was the summer home of President Herbert Hoover. Every August on the weekend closest to his birthday, the Park offers bus transport to visit this unique area. Check first to see if it's open.
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National Park Service information about Shenandoah:
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Shenandoah Park provides an excellent area for backpacking and camping:
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Shenandoah Park is Beautiful:
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One of our favorite hikes, was the Little Stony Man Nature Trail
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Next two pictures taken on Little
Stony Man Nature Trail, at the "Moose" stop. Tree fashioned by
natural elements looked like a Moose. Aprox. 3 years ago, an ice storm
knocked off the Moose "head" leaving only the tree.
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Jim, Dad, and Joe at the top of Little Stony Man Mountain:
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On another hike up to Little Stony Man Mountain: Joe, Jim, and Dad:
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Joe on Stony Man Nature Trail:
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There are trail markers you can use with a one-dollar guidebook which tell about something interesting about the forest, geology, flowers, and animals on the mountain:
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The Nature Trail crosses the Appalachian Trail. Here is the marker:
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At the summit, you have a spectacular view of the Shenandoah Valley, town of Luray, the Skyline Drive winding down the mountain, and the mountains beyond:
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Jim at Petrified Forest National Monument
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Joe at Petrified Forest National Monument
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Close to Petrified Forest National Park, was Sunset Crater National Park:
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Joe and Mother at the
General Sherman Tree, Redwood Forest National Park
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Joe and Dad look down into the Grand Canyon
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Joe, in striped shirt riding:
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Jim and Dad at Yosemite Falls
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Therapy Dog visits Joe at Portsmouth Naval Hospital following surgery.
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Little Brother was a 3 1/2 year old registered PBR Bull. He qualified for the PBR
in the spring of 2006. In August of 2006, he was in a PBR Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming, when he broke his back. Little Brother was never ridden for the full 8 seconds. The photographer who made this picture, bought him and then had him mounted so that his memory would live on.
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Joe at Stock Barn. Many people come together to support the annual San Antonio Stock Show which provides scholarships to deserving high school students, who otherwise could not attend college.
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Joe with PRCA Rodeo bareback champion, Kaycee Feild
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Joe with Buck Taylor, actor on Gunsmoke and also an artist:
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Information about Jim Hughes and Virginia State Police Memorial Service:
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40th Anniversary Memorial Service
Trooper James Read Hughes
killed in the line of duty
Joseph Hughes attends brother Jim's Memorial Service, at the Virginia State Police Headquarters.
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Joe with the Governor of Virginia,
the Honorable
Terry McAuliffe,
special guest speaker at the Memorial Service.
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Joe with the Superintendent of Virginia State Police,
Colonel W. Steven Flaherty
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Jim's basic school class: he is on back row, third from right.
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"Carry Me Back
to Old Virginny"
(A family picture
album of memories)
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"The Lord Bless You and Keep You" (Occasionally used by the South Norfolk Church Choir at the close of a morning service).
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