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Column
Sherry
Lewis
The Banks County News- July 7, 1999
A history lesson
on family vacation
I have always been a history buff and
became quite intrigued with the "low country" when
I read a book by the same title by Anne Rivers Siddons.
The author's note at the beginning of the book said that she
created a fictitious island on which the book is based, but the
Gullah people that she talked about in her book were for real.
Rivers' book told of the plight of the Gullahs to keep their
territory safe from a major land development, and that is what
got my attention on a recent trip to Hilton Head Island.
It was not the fact that I thought she based the book on that
development but the fact that the Gullah culture has long been
a part of that island and other sea islands along both Carolinas,
Georgia and Florida.
While on the island, I learned a little bit of their history.
The Gullahs and another similar group, the Geechees, came to
the United States from the west coast of Africa as slaves. Due
to their isolation from the mainland, these slaves were able
to maintain much of their culture and the language from the homeland.
The sea islands were actually given to the now freed slaves following
the Civil War.
There is a month-long Gullah celebration on Hilton Head each
February to recognize the legacy of the people. The island also
offers Gullah tours on a continuing basis and there is a Gullah
flea market where the people still sell their arts and crafts.
I know most people go to the island to visit the ocean, play
golf or tennis and enjoy the scenery. The island is beautifully
landscaped and many of the old trees were left during the development.
So when you drive down W.M. Hilton Parkway, which could also
be called "outlet heaven," there is a beautiful border
of trees and other greenery between the road and the shops.
I also got a lesson in "low country cuisine." For instance,
when I go to a restaurant, the side items are usually a baked
potato and a salad. If you visit Hilton Head, you can bet on
being served new potatoes and steamed vegetables. While their
cuisine includes your basic fried, broiled or blackened seafood,
you can expect to see " a creamy dill sauce" tagged
onto many of the entrees. A staple item on most every menu is
the She Crab soup and the Low Country Boil that comes in a metal
pot with corn, new potatoes, smoked sausage and a heaping pile
of boiled shrimp on top. I didn't try the soup but did find out
that two major ingredients are crab meat and sherry.
When I go on vacation, I am usually happy as long as I have a
beach and seafood. My lesson in the history and the culture of
the low country were just an added attraction.
Sherry Lewis is news editor of The
Banks County News.
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Editorial
The
Banks County News
July 7, 1999
Reports of home invasions distressing
It's distressing to see how common home invasions are becoming
in our area. Two Banks County homeowners were recently victimized
by burglars who broke into their home and terrorized them. Similar
incidents are being reported in neighboring counties.
It's even sadder when most people can easily remember the days
when it was not necessary to even lock your doors at night or
when running to town for just a few minutes.
The woman victimized by the most recent home invasion took the
action that most people would when they hear someone trying to
get into their home. She grabbed the phone and tried to call
911. Unfortunately, the phone lines had apparently been cut and
she was unable to make the call.
There is probably not a lot that could have been done to prevent
this home invasion from happening. But there are things we can
all do to be more careful. If you see a car in your neighborhood
that appears suspicious, call authorities. If at all possible,
without endangering yourself, get the tag number. It's also important
to keep a phone near your bed at night. In this recent incident,
the phone lines had been cut, but that is not always the case.
If you have a cellular phone, it would also be a good idea to
keep this near you at night.
Letter
to Editor
The
Banks County News
July 7, 1999
Thankful for men coming to Argentina
Dear Editor:
I grew up in Maysville and am now a missionary with the Southern
Baptist Convention in Argentina. At the end of May, a group of
four men from the Maysville Baptist Church came and spent several
days with us. They prayed in several of the neighborhoods where
we work, encouraged local pastors and visited children's ministries
in our area. They also met the mayor of the town in which we
live.
I just want to thank Maysville Baptist Church for sending Brian
Stowe, Eddie Herring, Donnie Jacks and Mike Jackson to help us
that week. Their kindness and enthusiasm in reaching out to others
built good will in the community. May God bless everyone in Jackson
and Banks counties.
Thank you,
Randy and Kathy Jackson
Argentina
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