RABUN
GAP
The
invitations went out and the
Alumni Heritage House was ready for the party.
The weather cooperated with a beautiful mountain day.
Janie and Harold had
hopes
for a
good turnout and they were not disappointed. Those who came
shared their stories,
met the new Headmaster and his family, and had a
wonderful lunch.
Good fellowship, many memories, and promises to meet
again next year.
John Marshall, our new Headmaster, with his wife, Rebecca,
and their new son, Luke.
The lovely lady to his right is Rebecca's mother, Diane Billingsley. John immediately set out
to meet everyone there and welcome them.
Fred Williamson and William Thurmond with Ruth Adams Cabe. Many
stories, some true,
were told between Fred and William.
Janie greets Betty Coleman McEachern, Carol Coleman McDougal, and
Fred Williamson.
The Coleman Farm Family was well represented
today. Carol Coleman McDougal,
who is a gentle and kind lady, always
enjoys these parties.
The Farm Family members share a common heritage and they
truly enjoy getting together.
Many hugs, much laughter, a few tears
for those lost since their last meeting.
Janie had arranged for the Music Director, Matt McGee, to
present a program.
These four talented students were going to perform for us. L-R Emily
Abel,
Tanja Pavlovic, Clara Jean Quigley, and Mariah Cousineau.
Fred is still telling William about the time.......
Harold listens with a smile as William wonders....
Janie, checking with Theresa Halcomb, Dining Hall General
Manager,
to make sure everything
is on schedule.
Jackie Oliver graciously allowed Janie to use her heirloom
tablecloths.
The antique lamps added a beautiful touch.
We were all delighted to meet the newest Rabun Gap future
alumnus.
Luke Alexander Marshall.
John Marshall, with Frank Wheeler, proudly holds Luke.
Frank is the hardworking Assistant Headmaster for Advancement.
Carol Coleman McDougal, Reba Adams Childers, and Lucy
Wilson
get acquainted with Rebecca Marshall.
Janie asked some of our fifties group to come and
participate and take pictures.
The school photographer, Laura Schott,
could not attend. Needless to say,
this group jumped at the chance to
hear Farm Family stories and eat Theresa's
fried chicken. Jim Lougher,
Charlie Underwood, Dale Denham Shaffield,
and Hazel Guthrie Underwood joined J. Harold Thurmond,
the Farm Family President, on the porch.
William Thurmond listens as Betty Coleman McEachern tells Beverly
Guthrie Lougher
that her son-in-law had just returned from Afghanistan.
Beverly had taken a picture
at Homecoming of Betty's granddaughter to send to
the father in Afghanistan.
Martha and Gordon Adams enjoy the Farm Family History Boards that
Billy Joe
had put together for the gathering.
James Childers is looking for his family.
Rebecca Marshall greets Dale Denham Shaffield, Hazel Guthrie
Underwood,
Charlie Underwood and Jim Lougher. Hazel tells Rebecca how
proud
we are that they chose Rabun Gap.
Susan
Houghtaling Odom had helped Billy Joe with the boards earlier in the
week and was enjoying seeing everyone. Here she greets Frank Wheeler.
Hayward Bryson, William Thurmond, and Grady Wilson are happy to see each other.
Fredda and J. T. Coleman. J. T. recently stepped down
as Farm
Family President after serving for many years. His service was
appreciated
by the school and all the Farm Family members.
Farm Family member, Carolyn Carnes Brewer with Frank Wheeler and Janie Owens.
Janie welcomes the members by honoring Dr. Ritchie and his
dream of
the Farm Family program.
The Farm Family Program worked because Dr. Ritchie
carefully chose the families.
The program benefited the school and the families who
participated.
A common note was heard from all - the pride in their
parents
for sharing Dr. Ritchie's dream.
Many families are represented here and every family is respected for their
contribution to the heritage of the school.
A most enjoyable music program from the students.
A beautiful solo was performed by Clara Jean Quigley.
Everyone joined in the singing. John Marshall seemed to
enjoy the sounds
of music. The last song was "God's
Keeping", a song dear to all of us.
The Dills family spilled over into the gallery area.
Apraha Henry-Fisher, a ninth grade student with her mother,
Brenda Henry. They proudly represent the Stiles Farm Family.
Apraha,
who is attending Rabun Gap on a Farm Family scholarship told us what
it means to her to attend Rabun Gap and
how proud she is of her
heritage.
She was a very poised and charming young woman.
John Marshall told the group that he chose to come to Rabun Gap because of
the rich heritage of the school and the excellent academic standards.
He believes in Dr. Ritchie's dream of Work, Study, Worship. His
wife,
Dr. Rebecca Billingsley Marshall, has a very successful career
of her
own which she will continue to pursue. John wanted to meet the
Farm
Family members and hear their stories. He appreciates a good story but
more
importantly, he appreciates the hard work done by these families
to better
themselves and their children.
One of the first Farm Families was the William (Will) Thurmond family.
His grandson, Harold, is the new
President of the Farm Families.
Harold's father, Clarence, operated a
dairy for the school for many years.
Here Harold is relating a
story of Farm Family life that John Marshall certainly is
enjoying.
Harold asked which families were represented this day
and for a member of
the family to share with the group a little of their history.
Carolyn Carnes Brewer is enjoying listening to
Harold.
Susan Houghtaling Odom is pondering the situation.
Grady Wilson tells about his family and their years in the program.
Marjorie Carpenter Robinson was filled with memories of her family.
She went on to graduate from the Junior College in 1940.
Fred Williamson had the room in stitches as he rambled on about Farm Family life.
The Adams Farm Family was well represented. James Adams spoke for the family.
G. Donald Foster recalls happy days with his family at Rabun Gap.
Carolyn Carnes Brewer was the youngest of 12 children. She
remembers hard times
but happy times with her parents in the little house on
Wolffork Road.
She loved sharing the day and memories with everyone.
Hayward Bryson was the hit of the day. His story of
his father and the
out-house brought down the house.
Everyone was ready for Theresa's fried chicken
lunch. She and her able
assistant, Darlene Chastain, cheerfully made us welcome and fed us
in style.
The food was very, very good.
Plates full of fried chicken, potato salad, pasta salad,
coleslaw, and rolls.
Hot apple pie with ice cream for dessert.
My oh my! Just like back on the farm.
Marjorie Carpenter Robinson with her son Morris Robinson
and members
of the Dills family checking out the Farm Family boards after lunch.
Billy Joe Stiles put a lot of work and love into these
memories.
He could not be with us and we all missed him.
The last event of the day was a group picture.
This very special group had a great day visiting
old friends, remembering
old times, and reaffirming their belief that they had the best of it all
at Rabun Gap.
With pride in our common heritage, we hope you have enjoyed our presentation of the 2004 Farm Family Gathering.
J. Harold Thurmond '60, Dale Denham Shaffield '59, and Beverly Guthrie Lougher '58.