Letters to Editor
Thanks, DOOR

Editor:

The 'Boro Beach Blast was a huge success largely due to excellent planning by DOOR (Downtown Organization of Retailers).

Everyone there had a great time and the entire community may have shown up, or at least it appeared that way. As an invited entertainment, The Home Grown Band shared in the celebration. The band would like to say thank you to the people of Waynesboro for your support in our effort to make your evening a little more pleasant.

Home Grown is a ministry outreach of Waynesboro First United Methodist Church and, through our music, we hope to accomplish this. We want to thank you for your contributions to the Stained Glass Renovation project at First Church, our sponsoring agent. You have certainly aided in this effort through your generosity. The windows are a legacy in our community and have been for 70 years. From these and other contributions, they will quite possibly continue to be.

John Hamilton The Home Grown Band

First United Methodist

Church

Thanks, Historians

Editor:

This letter is written to commend the Burke County Historical Society, Rev. Leonard Quick of Midville, Mrs. Mary Ann Smith of Swainsboro, and scores of individuals and firms that gave material, free of charge or in many instances at reduced prices, and the members of the Bark Camp Baptist Church Association that has kept things moving forward since the old church near Midville was first snatched from decay about five years ago by the historical organization.

The old cemetery, too, was cleaned up and made to appear as the resting place of so many old spirits and even that of an old Revolutionary War general.

This individual first became aware of the project when an article was printed in the local weekly. Since then, many of those who have ancestors buried in the cemetery have donated funds on a regular basis.

In April of 2007 the members of the association gathered at Bark Camp for the 4th Annual "Meetin' and Eatin'" on a beautiful Saturday at 11A.M.

Rev. Quick, who served as a deacon and was ordained a minister at Bark Camp prior to its closure in the late 1950s, served as the new association's first secretary treasurer. He has since been succeeded by the able Mrs. Smith.

The 2007 gathering, to me, seemed to have just a few less in attendance.

It is remarkable what has been done to the church and cemetery. Besides a 50-year roof, the edifice, as we've said, has been brought back to life from the pits of decay.

As much can be said for the cemetery, which before it was cleared and now is mowed on a regular basis, looked like a wilderness.

The grounds as of a couple of years ago has separate bathroom facilities, for men and women. Now we need some of the younger members of the families who worshipped there since it's founding in 1788, many of whom are buried in the cemetery.

My kin there include a brother, Robert Lowe Gordy, age 22 when he died about 1914; grandparents, Nathan Gordy and his wife, Frances Sconyers Gordy; aunts, uncles, and as the saying goes, "cousins by the dozens," including Battle of the Bulge veteran Levin Clayton (Lev) Gordy, who suffered a wound and frost-bitten feet in the huge battle that we nearly lost.

For one, I'm grateful for each and all who have played a part in reclaiming this historic church and cemetery.

If anyone wishes to give toward the continuing upkeep of the church and cemetery, send donations to:

Bark Camp Association; c/o Mrs. Mary Ann Smith; 259 Lake Luck Dr.; Swainsboro, GA, 30401.

Bob L. Gordy

Louisville