Www





ROBERT

McKAY

CLAN

NEWSLETTER

Vol. 47 #1 Michael L. McKay, Editor,

115 Morgan St., Winchester, VA 22601

Phone (540) 667-1243 | mike@

Kimberly A. Price, Co-Editor,

66 E 7660 S, Midvale, UT 84047

Phone (801) 567-1190 | kim@

Betty I. Powers, Mailing,

996 Ashby Station Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630

Phone (540) 636-7356 | betty@

Circulation 324 1st May 2006

Also serving Sowers, Kerfoot and other related families.

GREETINGS

Welcome to my second edition of The Robert Mackay Clan Newsletter. I would like to send a big thank you to Mary (Babb) Levo who supplied me with a bunch of newspaper articles about the Collett-McKay Picnic.

Mary supplied me with Collett-McKay Picnic articles from the years 1996-1937. I am currently missing news articles for the following years: 1995, 1977, 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962?, 1958, 1948, 1939, and all years prior to 1937.

If you have any of these Picnic newspaper write-ups please send copies of them to me. My address is on the top right corner of this page. Thank you.

NEWSLETTER NOW ONLINE

For those of you interested, the Robert McKay Clan Newsletter now has an online edition through Yahoo! Groups. If you would like to receive the Newsletter as an electronic file please go to this URL:

You will need a Yahoo! ID in order to join and view the Newsletter online.

MYSTERY PHOTO

[pic]

Who are these kids getting water for cups from a water barrel at the Collett-McKay Picnic in 1939? Answer on the back page.

ANNUAL VIRGINIA McKAY REUNION

(McKay – Sowers – Kerfoot)

Plans for the 61st annual family reunion

in Virginia have been finalised!!

Greetings cousins,

It's almost time for our 61st annual reunion (McKay-Sowers-Kerfoot). This year, our gathering will be held at the upstairs Banquet Hall of the Best Western/Lee Jackson Motor Inn in Winchester, VA on Sunday 25th June 2006 beginning at 12:00 noon with dinner at 1:00 p.m.

Please bring something of interest to share with the rest of us. Tables will be set up for display of photo albums, genealogy records, and other family related items. A wall is available to use as a screen for a projector if needed.

Plan to come early and stay later to meet and socialise and to view the items on display. Also, if you have an item that you would like to donate as a door prize please bring that as well. A reunion attendance card is enclosed for your convenience. Please fill out the card no later than 15th June, whether you are planning to attend or not. This helps keep the addresses in our mailing list accurate.

We will be having a buffet style luncheon featuring entrees of Steamship Round of Beef and Baked Chicken. Other items on the menu are: Green Beans with Country Ham, Fried Apples, Escalloped Potatoes, Fresh Garden Salad, Dinner Rolls, Assorted Desserts, Coffee, Tea and Soft Drinks. A Cash Bar will also be available for those who wish to make use of it. The cost will be $15.00 per person for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

Perkins Restaurant is located in the same building as the banquet hall and is available for your dining pleasure.

[pic]

Map of Reunion Location

.

There is an elevator to the banquet hall located to the right side of Perkins Restaurant for those who need it.

A swimming pool is located on the premises for those interested in using it.

For more information please visit their webpage at:

. More details on the Motor Inn and the reunion are enclosed in a separate paper for your convenience.

Tours of two McKay homes scheduled

We are privileged to be able to tour both the home of Robert McKay Jr. & Patience Job and Fairview, the Civil War home of Thomas Buck McKay & Ann Elizabeth LeHew. This is courtesy of the Warren Heritage Society. The tours are going to be conducted on Sunday 25th June, both before and after the reunion. The schedule is as follows:

10:00 a.m. Tour of Fairview: If you want to tour Fairview please meet at Best Western/Lee Jackson Inn (reunion location)'s parking lot where we will proceed south on U.S. 522 to Fairview.

4:00 p.m. Tour of Robert McKay Jr. Home: If you want to tour the Robert McKay Jr. Home please remain after the reunion activities are completed and we will proceed south on U.S. 522 to that location.

Saturday evening social gathering

As has been the custom for the past few years, I am also planning a Saturday evening social gathering. This year I have selected the Irish Isle Restaurant & Pub as our gathering place for Saturday evening. The Irish Isle is located on Main Street (U.S. 11) in Middletown, VA just south of The Wayside Inn which is about 10 miles west of the reunion location. On some evenings the owner of the restaurant, Brian Coughlin, will get on stage and sing a few Irish folk songs, as well as others you may be familiar with. I've been there several times and enjoy the Irish cuisine.

If you would like to meet on Saturday evening please indicate by checking the appropriate section on the reunion attendance form. For those of you planning to meet on Saturday we will meet at the Irish Isle at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, other activities can also be considered if time permits. A map is located below for your convenience.

[pic]

Map to Irish Isle Restaurant

* * * Hope to see you at our annual gathering!! * * *

COLLETT-McKAY PICNIC

The annual Collett-McKay Picnic held every year since 1866 is scheduled to be held on the family picnic grounds at the corner of Inwood and Gurneyville Roads in northwestern Clinton County, Ohio on Saturday 12th August 2006 beginning at 12 noon. There is the possibility that a group photograph will be taken this year as tradition dictates every ten years a group photograph is taken, weather permitting.

To get to the picnic grounds from I-71 take U.S. 68 South and turn right onto Gurneyville Road. Follow Gurneyville Road for about three miles. Picnic grounds are on the left at the corner of Inwood and Gurneyville Roads.

BETHEL MEMORIAL INC. MEETING

The annual Bethel Memorial Incorporated Meeting and Traditional Service will be held on Sunday 27th August 2006 at Bethel Church south of Millwood, VA beginning at 11:00 a.m. with a picnic under the oaks immediately following the service. The details have not yet been completed as to whom the guest speaker will be but will be posted on the Robert Mackay Clan website once they become known. Bethel has been the home church for many generations of our Sowers and Kerfoot families.

To get to Bethel on U.S. 50 between the Shenandoah River and the U.S. 340 interchange at Waterloo turn onto State Route 622 (Red Gate Rd.). Follow 622 (Red Gate Rd.) for about a mile or so and turn left onto State Route 624 (Swift Shoals Rd.). Drive about a half mile or so and turn right onto Bethel Lane. Bethel Church is located on the top of the hill. The road encircles the building.

NEWS ITEMS

'Just perfect': Former teacher Doster turning 100

by Rose Cooper

(The Wilmington News Journal – 27 Mar 2003)

Remembering the days when she was a student and recalling her 50-year career as a teacher brings back special memories to Esther Underwood Doster as she nears her 100th birthday. She's looking forward to visiting with many of her 41 descendants and dozens of friends and neighbors during an open house on her birthday Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., in the Ellis Room at Friendly Center in Wilmington. The public is invited, but she requests no gifts.

Doster was 26 and teaching in the village of Highland when she received her Ohio High School Life Certificate in 1929 for teaching high school English, history and home economics. She also coached basketball and directed class plays at the school.

Though she is now retired from teaching, she continues to teach life skills to her family, says her son Howard.

Doster has a great love for family and their memories. With that thought, in December she provided the money for Jonah's Run Church to purchase two acres of her great-grandfather Underwood's former farm adjacent to the church sanctuary.

Her schooling began in a one-room school near her home on Brimstone Road. At that time she says she was "shy, hesitant to speak and easily embarrassed."

In the fifth grade she went to consolidated Kingman School and was "really scared" when she realized that each student had to speak before the whole school once a month. Somehow, Esther gave her first speech. Harley Smith, principal, personally critiqued Esther's presentation by saying, " ... Esther Underwood was ... just perfect." The next month, teacher Lila Inwood said, "And, of course, Esther Underwood was ... just perfect."

Esther was pleased but she realized she must work hard to maintain this new reputation, and she did.

Speaking at her 70th high school alumni meeting, Esther remembered her high school principal made bleachers above their basement gym floor, and the fans had to climb a ladder to their seats for the women's basketball games. She noted that Kingman had a real gym, and didn't have to play their home games in an outbuilding or barn.

Also at the 70th alumni gathering, she related the titles of three topics she and her teammates debated. The first, women's suffrage: "Once women get to vote, we just knew there would be no more wars." The second was on prohibition: "Once prohibition was in effect, we just knew there would be no more crime." And, third was League of Nations: "But our country wasn't ready for that yet."

Esther remembers she and her three sisters riding to Kingman in a horse-drawn school wagon driven by two older Doster boys. Recalling this experience, she remembers that the day before her first alumni meeting one of them called to see if he might pick her up to go to the gathering. That was her first date with the man who later became her husband, William Doster.

Initially Esther planned to study chemistry after receiving a $25 scholarship from Wilmington College. When she heard her father asking the registrar if he might pay the tuition monthly, Esther realized the hardship on her family so she dropped the expensive chemistry lab class.

After her freshman year at college she took her first teaching job at White Chapel, a one-room school in southern Greene County for $600. She recalls students drinking water from a bucket using the same tin cup. Esther says she showed her students how to fold a paper to make their own drinking cup.

After a year, she returned to Wilmington College where she graduated second in the class of 1926. While on campus she helped found her sorority and the college drama society and played basketball.

Later she was a teacher at Harveysburg and Clinton-Massie High School.

The skills learned in studying home economics she also used in her home. In 1933, Esther and her husband budgeted $490 for family living, including $90 for savings. She remembers that they made their budget. In 1937, their farm record book entries show they realized the highest return on investments among Clinton County farmers in the Ohio State Analyses.

Esther and William raised four children on their farm.

Over the years Esther has enjoyed having dozens of former students share how they have been influenced by her teaching, including what they learned both in and out of the classroom.

Another highlight of her life was that she was still teaching her adult Sunday school class on her 90th birthday.

She was a founding member of many local groups. When asked what was the first group she founded, she answered: "The Anti-can't Society when I was in the fourth grade."

Undoubtedly she has guided her life and influenced the lives of her family and friends with that attitude.

(Esther Doster recently attended the 2005 Collett-McKay Picnic at age 102. She was the oldest person present. Howard Shambaugh was the oldest descendant present at age 99.)

Simon McKay Creates Civil War Brochure

Simon Burch McKay, son of Branson McKay & Maral Kalbian and a 6th grade Clarke County student has created a brochure highlighting the CIVIL WAR BATTLE MONUMENTS IN CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

It includes the location and explanation of the Civil War actions they commemorate.

Copies of this brochure should be available at our annual Virginia McKay Reunion in June. More on Simon’s brochure can be found on pages 8 & 9.

Group hopes to restore historic McKay house

By William C. Flook

(Daily Staff Writer-Northern Virginia

Daily Saturday 13th Aug 2005)

[pic]

Dennis Grundman/Daily

Susan Jeffery stands outside the McKay House on U.S. 522 north of Front Royal. Jeffery is a descendant of the original owners of the house.

FRONT ROYAL -- The Warren Heritage Society is applying for grants to stabilize and restore a historic home built in the early 19th century.

The McKay house, also called "Fairview," on U.S. 340-522, is one of two local structures bearing the name. The two-story stone dwelling was built by a member of the first family to settle the county, according to Patrick Farris, executive director of the Warren Heritage Society.

Before the house, built circa 1820, is opened to the public, stairs, stairwells, chimneys, and stonework need to be examined and "shored up where needed," according to Farris.

"We are going to go steadily in the right direction, taking care of the appropriate things first before throwing the doors open to general tourism," he said.

The property also is where the remnants of the Union garrison were captured in the Battle of Front Royal, which is considered the end of the battle, Farris said.

The restoration would be an attempt to return the structure to a semblance of its original construction, he said. The society would remove a wrap-around porch built about 30 years ago, and retain the rest of the house, he said.

Because of degraded mortar, chimneys already have been taken apart and laid on the side of the house, he said. During the restoration, those chimneys would be reconstructed.

The house, which is "mostly safe and sound," would still present a safety and liability concern if it were opened now, Farris said.

"You can imagine if there was a regular flow of visitors in that structure, and it was not structurally sound, then we would be risking the public's welfare," he said. "And we do not want to do that."

To pay for the restoration, the society is seeking between $100,000 and $400,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Farris said. The group should know the status of the grants within the next three to five months, he said. If adequately funded, he said the restoration could take two years.

The land is currently owned by Sysco Corp., and will be transferred to the county within the next few months, according to County Administrator Douglas P. Stanley. The corporation proffered the approximately 1-acre tract during a rezoning in 2002, he said.

"It's one of the most historic structures in the county," Stanley said. "The county wanted to preserve the site for future interpretation."

Farris would like to see one of two outcomes for the house. Ideally, he envisions a center for tourists to acquire information about Warren County. Short of that, the house could be opened seasonally or operated as a living history site, he said.

The other building in Warren County called the McKay house also sits on the U.S. 340-522 corridor. The land was recently purchased jointly by the Front Royal Town Council and the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

"You've got an extremely important piece of history in the north end of the county with the McKay houses," Farris said.

Contact William Flook at wflook@.

Lessons and Carols Service Old Bethel

Baptist Memorial Program Fills Church

By Sarah A. Reid

(The Winchester Star – Monday 19th Dec 2005))

MILLWOOD — It wasn’t Bethlehem, but it was closer than most will get to the manger all year.

There was no heat to draw them and little light to guide them, yet people packed Clarke County’s Bethel Baptist Memorial Church Sunday for the 25th annual Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service.

|[pic] |

|John Lathrop reads the First Lesson, |

|Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, during the |

|Christmas at Old Bethel Lessons and |

|Carols Candlelight Service Sunday |

|evening. |

|(Photo by Ginger Perry) |

“I have been doing it since I was wee high,” Simon McKay, 12, said about coming to Bethel Baptist Memorial Church’s Sunday Colonial candlelight Christmas service.

McKay, his brother Evan, 9, and his parents, Branson McKay and Maral Kalbian, sat in a pew historically reserved for men — across from a plaque recognizing his great grandfather, Beverly Brownley McKay.

Packed tightly across the aisle from them, the Bielawski family, Cedric and Mary of Berryville, brought their son and grandson, Britt and Henri of Stephens City, for their first Colonial candlelight Christmas service.

“This is unique,” Cedric said, his breath forming little white puffs. “There are other old churches like this around here but they don’t have something like this — with candlelight.”

The candlelight drew in a variety of people — from ladies in fur coats with sharp suited men by their side to casually dressed families complete with young children.

The standards, that probably came over on the Mayflower, brought a familiar melody to the service.

A baby issued a singular cry during the chorus of “Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head.”

The congregation fumbled some words — in this case in the colonial version of the Christmas carol “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

And a few women took the high notes a little higher than some would have liked.

But the high ceilings and worshippers were forgiving as darkness fell around what colonial Baptists knew as God’s Acre on the Hill.

Attorney Ian Williams, chairman of the Old Bethel Board of Trustees, led the lay service with Episcopal morning prayers.

Organist Mark W. Steiner interspersed the readings, called lessons, with Colonial Christmas carols sung by worshippers.

The 6th Dimension Handbell Ensemble chimed in with carols that were softly hummed to.

The hum was traded for soft gasps when flames were passed from usher to worshipper to worshipper during the song, “Silent Night.”

Smiles spread with the flames and spread wider when worshippers greeted each other after the church’s sole service.

“It has gotten bigger and bigger every year,” Williams said as he balanced on the thin edges of the pews, blowing out kerosene lanterns that just a few minutes before had provided dim yellow reading light. “It is more and more popular by word of mouth. People enjoy the setting and they enjoy the simplicity.”

Like the McKays, Williams has a link to the church through a relative — his father, James L.B. Williams.

Beverly B. McKay said James was instrumental in renovating the 19th century church.

He was also instrumental in starting the Christmas service and passing along its meaning to his son.

“You only go through life one time,” Williams said. “The best you can do is leave a part of yourself behind. If someone picks it up, that is how you make traditions.”

Levos to celebrate 50th wedding

anniversary at open house Sunday

(The Wilmington News Journal – 1st Nov 2005)

Paul and Mary Levo will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hillsboro Senior Citizens Center on Muntz Street.

The event will be hosted by their son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Linda Levo.

Paul and Mary were married on Nov. 6, 1955 at the Wilmington Methodist Church.

Mr. Levo is the son of the late William and Anna (Johnson) Levo. Mrs. Levo is the daughter of the late Seibert and Mozelle (Hodson) Babb.

The couple request no gifts, only the presence of family and friends.

[pic] [pic]

Mary and Paul Levo now and on their wedding day in 1955

Frank and Judy McKay celebrate

40th wedding anniversary Aug. 14

(The Wilmington News Journal – 19th Aug 2005)

|[pic] |

| |

|Judy and Frank McKay |

| |

Frank and Judy McKay celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Aug. 14.

Frank McKay and the former Judy Cross were married on Aug. 14, 1965 in the First United Methodist Church in Xenia, with the Rev. Conrad O'Diehmon officiating.

The couple have two children, Tim [Julie] McKay of Beavercreek, and Krista McKay of Westerville. They also have two grandchildren, Nicole Elizabeth and Madison Marie McKay of Beavercreek.

Frank worked at Wright-Patterson AFB for 25 years. He is now employed by Adtech, a contractor at Wright-Patterson.

Judy is a housewife. She was an aerobics instructor for several years at the YMCA.

During their 40 years of marriage, they were stationed in Germany while Frank was serving in the U.S. Army. While there, they took a trip to Austria, Italy and Switzerland. In later years, they made a trip to the country of Holland.

They are planning a trip to Niagara Falls and the eastern states of the United States.

Engineers In Training

Area LEGO Team Builds Robots For

State, Regional Competitions

By Linda McCarty

(The Winchester Star – Monday 6th Jan 2006)

[pic]

Erich Engel (from left), 11, Jacob Cardillo, 11, James Kerby, 13, and Simon McKay, 12, experience some difficulty with the robot built by the Bricksters, a Clarke County-based team that participates in competitions held by the FIRST LEGO League. (Photos by Scott Mason)

BOYCE — LEGOs have taken on a whole different meaning for eight Clarke County boys.

Although they still enjoy constructing the usual things with the small plastic bricks — buildings, vehicles, bridges, and animals — they also put many hours each year into designing and programming a LEGO robot for the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League competitions.

The boys, ranging in age from 9 to 14, are members of a FLL’s affiliated team, the Bricksters, based in Clarke County.

Although the competition season ended in December, the boys, dressed in their team’s T-shirt, gathered at one of their member’s houses in Boyce last week to demonstrate the talents of the robot they built for this year’s FLL’s regional and state contests.

The Bricksters formed in 2004 and merged with another team, the Robo Raiders, which Julie Kerby coached for three years.

Pete Engel, who has a son on the Bricksters, was that team’s first coach. Kerby is now a coach for the Bricksters along with Branson McKay.

Kerby said parents helped form the teams because they wanted an opportunity to provide an activity that was “mentally stimulating and would get their kids to start thinking and problem solving, while learning to work in teams.”

“It has turned out to be as exciting as a sport’s activity,” Kerby said.

The eight-member team — James Kerby, 13, Evan McKay, 9, Ryan Hofmann, 14, Simon McKay, 12, Erich Engel, 11, Gregory Kruza, 9, Max Cardillo, 9, and Jacob Carroll, 11 — began working on the 2005 FIRST-designed challenge project, Ocean Odyssey, in the fall.

The purpose of that challenge was to help participants learn about the earth’s oceans, while studying computer programming, mechanical design, and problem solving.

Activities began with ordering a $150 challenge kit that came with a FIRST LEGO League membership and included everything but the robot and a table the kids helped build to hold the components.

The robot was built with the LEGO MINDSTORM kit, which included a microcomputer called the RCX, as well as motors, lights, and touch and rotation sensors.

“They built the robot with LEGOs to house the RCX and motors and sensors to run it,” Kerby said.

The team members also wrote a computer program telling the robot how to navigate through the tasks of the challenge project, provided by FLL, and laid out on the tabletop.

“After writing the program, they downloaded it into the RCX,” Kerby said.

Once the robot begins its job in the competition, the team can not touch it until its mission is complete.

In addition to building a robot, team members had to prepare for a technical interview by the judges and had to do a research project on the underlying science and how robots could be used to solve oceanography problems.

“Our team opted to present their project in a skit,” Kerby said.

In December, the Bricksters competed at the FLL’s state tournament in Blacksburg, after placing at the regional event a month earlier in Harrisonburg.

Although they didn’t win at the state level, the Bricksters’ robot placed ninth in the state event.

“There were only three teams that went to the state competition from our regional event,” Kerby said. “There were about 65 teams competing at the state [level].”

“We were big fish in a little pond at regional,” Kerby continued, “but when we got to the big pond at state, we were a little fish.”

Still, Kerby, Branson McKay — who is also a coach for the Bricksters — and the team members were proud of their showing.

“We had a great time,” said Evan, a fifth-grader at Boyce Elementary School. “I think we did pretty good this year.”

Ryan, a 14-year-old homeschooler, agreed with Evan, but James, a seventh-grader at Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, thought they could have done better.

“But I certainly am looking forward to this year’s competition,” James said.

PAINTED PANES FROM RAZED BUILDINGS DEPICT SHUFFLETOWN HISTORY

Windows to yesteryear

Women's project illustrates past to contribute to future park

STEVE LYTTLE

slyttle@

(From the Charlotte Observer – Saturday 28th Jan 2006)

Two local women are using artwork to open a window to the past of a western Mecklenburg County community -- and to help build the future.

Jodi McKay and Dawn Strouse are using window panes from now-demolished homes and a former crossroads grocery store to tell the story of Shuffletown, a 19th-century farming settlement on the banks of the Catawba River.

"It started after I saw someone at the beach painting scenery on window panes," said McKay, a former schoolteacher who, like Strouse, is not a professional artist. "We realized we had plenty of scenery in our own area."

The women are using a portion of the sales to buy playground equipment at a park to be built at the site of the old Shuffletown Dragway.

McKay and Strouse are neighbors in a subdivision not far from Shuffletown, which was centered near what is now the intersection of Rozzelles Ferry and Mount Holly-Huntersville roads.

The community, which dates to 1746 was a thriving farming and trade center in the 19th century. It also was a stepping-off point for the Rozzelle's Ferry, a vital link across the flood-prone Catawba River for people traveling between Charlotte and Hickory.

The art project took off last summer when McKay and Strouse learned that Anne Rozzelle Edwards, a descendant of the family who operated the ferry, was planning to demolish three old homes along Rozzelles Ferry Road.

"We asked if we could get the windows from those houses," said Strouse, a speech therapist.

She and McKay also got the windows from the grocery store operated by the Rozzelle family for 60 years until it was closed in July 2004. They ended up with 99 windows and have painted more than 40.

"People started asking us to paint windows that were related to Shuffletown's history," Strouse said. "They'd give us photos and say, `Here's the house I grew up in. Can you do that?' "

McKay and Strouse are giving 20 percent of their proceeds to buy playground equipment for the park, which will be built on the site of Shuffletown's most vivid memory among longtime Mecklenburg residents -- the dragway.

The drag strip, a subject of controversy among some Shuffletown residents who complained about the noise, closed about a decade ago. County officials are building a regional park there, and McKay and Strouse already have raised $1,000.

The painted windows depict a Shuffletown that has changed, Edwards said, with new housing subdivisions springing up everywhere. "Most of the open fields are gone," Edwards said.

"There's construction everywhere.

"We loved Shuffletown. But Shuffletown is gone."

About Shuffletown

The location: Its center is the current intersection of Rozzelles Ferry and Mount Holly-Huntersville roads.

The beginnings: Historic records of Shuffletown date to 1764. Sam Spurrier built the community's first store, sometime in the mid-1800s.

Saving Charlotte: A military confrontation at Shuffletown is credited with saving Charlotte from an invasion by Union cavalry in the spring of 1865. Union troops were advancing southeast from Lincolnton but were stopped at the Catawba River by Confederate forces led by Gen. R.D. Johnston. Union troops couldn't find a way to cross the river and dropped the idea of moving against Charlotte.

Shuffletown Dragway: The drag strip attracted thousands of fans every weekend until it was closed more than a decade ago. Among those who raced there was Robert Yates, now one of NASCAR's top team owners.

The Artwork

Some of the windows painted by Jodi McKay and Dawn Strouse are on display at Dilworth Coffee House, at Mount Holly-Huntersville Road and N.C. 16; and at Cottage Chic, an art shop on East Boulevard in Dilworth. They can be contacted at (704) 393-0836 or at rmckay@carolina..

[pic]

Jodi McKay & Dawn Strouse working on a painting.

Windows mirror their artistic talents

STEVE LYTTLE

slyttle@

(From the Charlotte Observer – Sunday 29th Jan 2006)

(Part 2 of the earlier article)

Jodi McKay and Dawn Strouse didn't plan to be successful artists.

They just wanted to see if they could do as well as a woman at the beach.

"We saw an art stand near Holden Beach last summer, and a woman there was painting scenes on windows," McKay recalls. "I saw it and thought, `I wonder if I can do that?' "

Apparently, the two west Mecklenburg residents can. They already have painted about half the 99 window panes they were able to pry from old buildings in Mecklenburg County's Shuffletown community. And now they're getting orders from people who want window-pane scenes from other places.

"Somehow, this grew on us," McKay said. "It's taken over our lives."

Well, not yet all the way.

McKay, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle school teacher with no formal art background, still has time to rear two young children. Strouse, who took a few college art classes, finds time for a full-time job as a speech pathologist.

But make no mistake about it, their artwork -- which they call "reverse glass art" -- is a big part of their lives.

"I find myself spending more and more time with it," said Strouse, who lives two doors down from McKay. "Originally, it was a Shuffletown project. But now we're getting calls from people who want us to do scenes from Dilworth or other places."

The two, working from Strouse's garage and a room in her house, follow a involved process in painting the windows.

They begin by painting details with oil paints. That's where they get the "reverse" in the title they've given their artwork.

"Most people paint the background first, then the details," McKay said.

Then they use acrylic paint to fill in the details, spray the window with acrylic varnish, and finally add latex paint for the background.

"It took us a while to develop this process," McKay said.

"But it works great," Strouse added. "It's fade-resistant."

Their styles also changed as the Shuffletown project unfolded.

"Initially, we painted what we wanted to do," McKay said. "We call it a folksy, whimsical style."

"Then people who grew up here started giving us photos of their old farms or houses," Strouse said. "They wanted us to paint those scenes on the windows."

McKay said the two still add a bit of their "folksy art" to the projects, though.

The neighbors took a few of their early window projects to festivals last fall and were surprised at the number they sold. Then the Dilworth Coffee shop at N.C. 16 and Mount Holly-Huntersville Road -- near the center of the old Shuffletown community -- began displaying the windows. The two women sold even more.

They are donating some of the money to help buy playground equipment at the new county park planned for property that formerly was the Shuffletown Dragway.

McKay and Strouse said their husbands -- Bob McKay and Thomas Strouse -- have been extremely supportive. The two men did most of the window-removal work from old homes and stores in the Shuffletown area.

The two women also said their contrasting personalities have helped.

"I must have attention deficit disorder," McKay said. "I jump from project to project. I always have ideas.

"Dawn is the organized, centered, structured person. She keeps things moving in the right direction."

Their work has caught the attention of local artists, and there are plans on the horizon for displays at art galleries in the Charlotte area.

"We did this because it was something we wanted to do," Strouse said. "We're having fun.

"But people love it. We find it hard to believe sometimes."

McKay said she is stunned by the reaction of some people who have bought their painted windows.

"People tell us these will become family heirlooms," she said. "How exciting is that?"

Dawn Strouse

Age: 31.

Family: Husband, Thomas; two dogs, Sidney and Tucker.

Background: A Florida native, she and her husband have been in the Charlotte area about five years. She is a speech pathologist.

Art background: She has taken several art classes and specializes in wall murals, glass art, personalized letter art and hand-painted furniture.

Jodi McKay

Age: 35.

Family: Husband, Bob; children, Brady, 4, and Quincy, 1.

Background: She and her husband moved to the Charlotte area about 10 years ago from northern Virginia. She is a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg teacher.

Art background: A self-taught artist, she prefers "funky colors and folk art designs."

Details

Jodi McKay: (704) 393-0836, rmckay@carolina.

Dawn Strouse: (704) 905-3510, ddstrouse@

Dilworth Coffee shop: N.C. 16 and Mount Holly-Huntersville Road.

Goldsmith Chandlee Surveyor’s Compass

formerly owned by Andrew McKay

[pic]

Pictured above is a Goldsmith Chandlee Surveyor’s Compass that once belonged to Andrew McKay, son of Robert Mackay Jr., and grandson of Robert Mackay Sr.

This Compass is now in the possession of Jeff Locke who restores and sells antique instruments such as these. Mr. Locke would like to see this compass returned to members of our family. If you wish to inquire about this compass please call Jeff at 1-330-633-2909 and tell him that Michael McKay referred you to him. The Compass is listed at $17,000.

Mr. Lock and I have discussed different financing options that could be presented to us to help in acquiring the compass. I think it would make an excellent exhibit at our local Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA.

I believe that this should be discussed at our annual Virginia Reunion and also presented at the Collett-McKay Picnic in order to gain more feedback on a possible course of action.

One option Jeff presented to us was that if we could collectively raise $13,500, he would underwrite the remaining balance. Jeff feels strongly that this compass should be returned to our family’s possession. I believe that it would be best enjoyed by us if it were displayed in one of our museums and what better place than the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, or perhaps in one of the McKay Homes in Warren County once it’s been refurbished.

More discussion is definitely needed in order to pursue the right course of action regarding this device.

For more information on the compass visit this URL:



Clan Mackay Society Bi-Centenary

Chief

The Right Hon Hugh William Mackay,

Lord Reay

President

The Hon Elizabeth Fairbairn MBE

Dear Kinsfolk, Clanfolk agus mo chàiraidean

  Clan Mackay Society Bi-Centenary- 20th–21st / 22nd July 2006

  The Clan Council warmly invites you to celebrate the Bi-Centenary founding of “The McKay's Society”, which took place in Glasgow in July 1806 and is proposing to mark this occasion by organising a weekend of events:

• Thursday - Civic Reception; to be held in the City Chambers, Edinburgh

• Friday - Bi-Centenary Dinner to be held in the St Mungo Museum, Glasgow

• Saturday - Ceilidh (at venue to be advised)

• Sunday or Monday - (if enough people request this) a historical tour of Linlithgow and Falkland Palace .

  The whole event will be to ‘meet and greet' clansfolk, kinsfolk, friends, relatives and all interested in Clan Mackay.

  We are proposing to have the Dinner in Glasgow in the Mungo Museum . This venue is as near to the actual site of the historic meeting of the original ‘The Mackay's Society' as we can get. The Ceilidh and other events will be held in Edinburgh . The Society proposes to make provisional reservations for accommodation in Edinburgh (the telephone numbers of which will be posted and members can then make their own bookings). It is also proposed that a bus will take members (and friends etc.) through to Glasgow for the Bi-Centenary Dinner. The ‘Celebrations' will take place over the period of 20th – 21 st / 22nd July 2006 . It is not expected that everyone should attend all events organised, but it would help the organisers if an early response could be given.

  The optional historical tour, which would be a ‘Linlithgow and Falkland Palace ' Tour, which features two palaces which were built at the same time, but evolved in very different ways. The ceilidh on the Saturday evening, at a venue to be advised soon, continue the pattern of many successful ceilidhs in Edinburgh , with entertainers of a high standard.

  Friday 28 th is the date of the Durness Games, in the heart of Mackay Country (Dùthaich Mhic Aoidh), where the Clan tent is set up every year. A number of Council Members are going to be in attendance there.

  We look forward to meeting you all.

Yours sincerely,

Elizabeth Fairbairn,

Hon.President

Please reply to:

Mrs Shiona Mackay

80 Strathearn Road

Edinburgh EH0 2AF

(email: shionamackay@)

Tel: 0131 447 0631

(For more information and a list of their scheduled programme, visit this URL: )

Lucille Fritts Woodford turns 98

By Betty Powers

[pic]

Rockland Schoolhouse where Lucille taught for many years.

Lucille Fritts Woodford turned 98 on her birthday, 2nd April 2006. She taught school for 43 years, retiring in 1970.

During her 43 years as a schoolteacher she taught at the following Warren County Schools: Cedarville, Reliance, Milldale, Rockland until it closed down in 1965 and finally at E.Wilson Morrison for 1 year.

In between Rockland School shutting down and working that last year E. Wilson Morrison, she taught lessons to shut-ins.

Lucille is still thriving at 98. She still lives on her own, attending Rockland Community Church regularly.

She has taught many of the Mckay, Sowers, Powers and Bowen cousins over the years.

Lucille always has a kind, encouraging word for everyone who crosses her path. She is well loved by her family and her many friends.

(Lucille is a descendant of Rachel McKay who married Winder H. Kenner through their daughter Harriet who married Tyson Cobb Gore. Rachel is a great-great-granddaughter of Robert Mackay Sr.)

12-Year-Old Creates Brochure

Clarke County Historical Markers

Listed for Civil War Battle Sites

By Val Van Meter

(The Winchester Star – Thursday 20th Apr 2006)

BERRYVILLE — If Simon McKay ever makes headlines, digging up an ancient city along the Euphrates, we can say we knew him when.

The 12-year-old Clarke County resident has created a brochure on historical markers set up before 1920 to point out Civil War battles in Clarke County.

Anyone interested in county history is invited to meet McKay at a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Clarke County Historical Association museum. His brochure, which includes a description of the Civil War actions and precise co-ordinates to find the granite markers, grew out of a 5th-grade project last year.

“We had to do a project on a war Virginia was involved in,” said McKay, who divides his school hours this year between Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville and the Classical Cottage home-school in Boyce.

While other students took World War I or Civil War battles in other parts of the state, a trip to Berryville gave McKay the idea for his project, Civil War fights that happened in Clarke County.

It was marker 7, that caught McKay’s eye. It stands along U.S. 340 south of the county seat.

“I’d seen it so many times,” he said, and he wondered what it was.

He sought information from an expert.

His mother, Maral Kalbian, is an architectural historian who has done much work for Clarke County on its several historic districts.

She sent him to a 1964 copy of the Proceedings, published by the Clarke County Historical Association. There, taken from resident Thomas Gold’s 1914 book, was a list of 10 markers.

“They were put up by the Jeb Stuart Camp of the Sons of the Confederacy,” McKay explained.

T. J. Orndorf, who owned a monument works on East Boscawen Street in Winchester, created the markers.

McKay can point to a picture of Orndorf’s establishment in the book, “More Images of the Past,” recently printed by the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society.

In the Proceedings, McKay read about the marker on Lord Fairfax Pike that first intrigued him, and then others that were not so prominent.

There was the “Fight at Mount Airy,” for example.

“Mom said she knew of a Mount Airy farm,” McKay said. So, mother and son decided to go look at all the monuments on the list.

“It was so hard to find them,” McKay said.

The article in the Proceedings didn’t give any directions to the markers.

Kalbian speculated everyone then knew where they were by the place names. “The roads were narrower, not as much traffic,” she added.

“Most people then had been driving by those little marker for years. You could stop your buggy and read them,” said Mary Morris, archivist for the Clarke County Historical Association.

But times have changed, as have vehicles and roads.

“We went looking for the Berry’s Ferry fight,” McKay explained.

The current bridges carrying U.S. 50 across the Shenandoah weren’t there in 1914.

“We looked under the bridge, we looked across the bridge.” They finally located the marker, about 100 yards west of the bridge.

At some point, Kalbian said, her son remarked, “I wish there was a map,” and a new project was born.

With mom as chauffeur and photographer, they tracked down every monument and photographed it.

For his school project, McKay created a display board with pictures and descriptions and also a power-point program. That computer program, printed out, became the basis for the brochure.

McKay said the project, which won him an A in class, “creeped some of the kids out, because they thought they were gravestones.”

Some of the markers, McKay said, are in better shape than others.

Those located near private homes, have apparently been cared for by the property owners.

Some are covered in weeds. One is leaning, thanks to a resident groundhog. Several show damage, perhaps from vehicles.

While McKay was pointing out the gouging on the marker at the site of Mosby’s attack on Sheridan’s wagon train, north of Berryville, he located two metal teeth from a bar mower, lying at the base of the monument. They could explain the rusty brown scratches on its surface.

Morris suggested McKay turn his project into a brochure.

“People still come in asking about the battles,” the markers recall, she said.

In fact, Morris said, the Confederate Camp had planned to print a brochure explaining them, when the markers were erected. “I have never seen one,” Morris noted. “Did they ever do it?” If not, McKay has.

Thanks to a donation from the CCHA, and from his parents, McKay printed 1,000 brochures giving locations and historic information on the markers.

Numbers tie the markers to a map, produced by Gordon Russell of the Clarke County Planning Department.

The brochure constitutes an easy driving tour of the markers, although Kalbian warns that only a few have safe pull-off parking.

McKay hopes his information will raise awareness of these historical treasures.

“I hope it gets people interested in them,” McKay said, “So they will improve their upkeep.”

As for the young author, he hopes to get a master’s degree in anthropology someday. Now, he’d like to specialize in the early periods of human history in Mesopotamia and Egypt, both sites which have suffered from human vandalism and neglect.

Speaking from some experience, McKay said, “(That) really stinks.”

Morris called McKay’s effort, “really neat. It shows that, if you can get kids interested in history, they really enjoy it.

Accompanying photos to the story

[pic]

Simon McKay completed a brochure of Civil War battle site markers in Clarke County. This one is along U.S. 340 near Va. 7 in the Berryville area. A reception will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Clarke County Historical Association museum in Berryville. The public is invited to meet the author.

(Photo by Jeff Taylor)

Simon McKay, 12, of Boyce created this display board featuring 10 Civil War markers he has documented in Clarke County.

(Photo by Jeff Taylor)

OBITUARIES

Bernard Kenner, 90, EPA Scientist

and WWII Navy Veteran

November 13, 2005

Bernard A. Kenner, a retired EPA microbiologist and WWII Navy veteran, died Sunday at the Western Reserve Hospice House in Cleveland, OH. He was 90.

Mr. Kenner was born (Sept. 2, 1915) and raised in Covington, KY. He attended the University of Kentucky on a full music scholarship as a clarinetist, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology and medical technology in 1940.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate and later was commissioned as an Ensign. He served aboard the minesweeper USS Conqueror in the Atlantic theater.

After leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant in 1945, Mr. Kenner returned to Cincinnati, OH and worked as a research microbiologist for the William S. Merrill Company and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he retired as Chief Microbiologist of Water Pollution Research in 1974. He was noted in the Who’s Who in the Midwest.

He and his wife, Grace E. Kenner, moved to Destin, FL (1974) where he served on the Destin Water User’s Board and volunteered in other community activities. Upon the death of his wife in 1994, he moved to Pensacola, FL to be near his daughter, Nancy, and son-in-law, Michael Holliday. From 2004 until his death, Mr. Kenner lived in Cleveland, OH under the care of his daughter, Marti, and son-in-law, Kurt von Boeselager.

Survivors include his seven children: Bernard F., Bonnie, James, John M., Marti, Nancy and Steven, 9 grandchildren: Leslie Kenner, Tammy Storch, Jeffrey Storch, John A. Kenner, Andrew Kenner, David Kenner, Alex Kenner, Erich von Boeselager, Gretchen von Boeselager, and 2 great-grand children: Jacob Storch, Adam Kenner.

Howard Shambaugh

(From The Wilmington News Journal – 17th Jan 2006)

Howard Shambaugh, 99, died 11 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 15, 2006) at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Jones Shambaugh, who died Nov. 15, 1997. They were married for 58 years.

Mr. Shambaugh was born July 9, 1906, near New Burlington, son of Joseph and Bertha Hurley Shambaugh. He was a pioneer turkey farmer and hatcher in Warren and Clinton counties. He also was an organist, composer, poet and published author. He was a member of the Middlerun Primitive Baptist Church near Waynesville for 80 years and had served as a deacon and trustee. He graduated from Kingman High School and Miami Jacobs Business College. He also attended The Ohio State University, where he studied agriculture.

He is survived by a daughter, Camilla (Larry) Bennett of Maineville; a sister, Rachel (George) Parker of Texas; four grandchildren, Starla (Jeff) Minner of Cincinnati, Kip Bennett of Cincinnati, Jeremy Bennett of Maineville and Glory (Michael) Clark of Blanchester; and five great-grandchildren, Joshua, Brandon, Alexandra, Brooke and Nicholas.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Walter, who died in infancy; and six sisters, Agnes (Willis) Thompson of California, Ella (Samuel) Gardner of Florida, Grace (Don) Henderson of Dayton, Ernestine (James) Moore of Harveysburg, Dorothy (Heber) Ellis of New Vienna and Josephine (Fred) Bogan of Waynesville.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the FISHER-EDGINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 97 W. Locust St., Wilmington, Pastor Keith Dimbath officiating, with burial in the New Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. For more information and to access the funeral home's online register book, visit .

Lillian Caroline (McKay) Dudeck

(From The Washington Post – 9th Mar 2006)

On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, LILLIAN CAROLINE DUDECK of Arlington, VA. Beloved wife of Raymond F. Dudeck of 62 years; mother of Joyce J. Dudeck, Gerald R. Dudeck and Barbara D. Nocera; sister of Ellen Gardner; grandmother of Thomas and Joseph Dudeck, Christopher, Jennifer and Heather Nocera; great-grandmother of Lillian Theresa Grady. Friends may call at the Crossman United Methodist Church, 384 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA, where the family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10 a.m., Friday, March 10 and where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal, VA. Family requests contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Jane C. Anderson

(From The Winchester Star – 9th Nov 2005)

Jane Clevenger Anderson, 73, of Winchester, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2005, in Winchester.

Mrs. Clevenger was born Jan. 16, 1932, in Clearbrook, the daughter of Robert Brent Clevenger and Annabelle Tharpe Clevenger. She was a graduate of the College of William & Mary.

Surviving are, two daughters, Gwen Carter and Nancy Shiley, both of Winchester; a son, James Anderson of Clearbrook; two sisters, Idel Marie Clevenger Hoover of Brucetown and Lucie Clevenger of Woodstock; and nine grandchildren.

A brother, Robert Brent Clevenger Jr., is deceased.

A funeral will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Jones Funeral Home, Winchester.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Winchester.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 300 Fort Collier Road, Winchester 22603.

Matthew Wade Hampton

(From the Wilmington News Journal - Tuesday, 23rd Mar 2004)

Matthew Wade Hampton, 42, of Chicago, Ill., formerly of Blanchester, died Thursday (March 18, 2004) in Chicago.

Mr. Hampton was born Dec. 2, 1961, in Cincinnati, son of William H. Hampton of Blanchester and the late Nancy McKay Hampton, who died July 2000.

In addition to his father, he is survived by two brothers, Mark William Hampton of Cincinnati and Michael Wayne Hampton of Blanchester; and Robert Dale McKay and family of Woodville, Billie and Curt Bandow and family of Blanchester and Dawn Spicer and family of Georgia.

Services will be held 6 p.m. today at the Grace United Methodist Church, 201 E. Center St., Blanchester, the Rev. Mac Nicholson officiating. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today at the church. The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Hampton be made to the donor's favorite charity. Arrangements were under the direction of TUFTS SCHILDMEYER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 120 W. Main St., Blanchester. For more information, visit the funeral home's Web site at .

(It is unknown at this time how he connects to the rest of the Robert Mackay family.)

SOME FAMILY RECIPES

Key Lime Pie - Quick and Easy

(Posted on the website’s forum ‘What’s Cooking’ on

31 October 2003 at 9:04 AM by Betty Powers.)

• 1-8 oz. Cool Whip (thawed)

• 1 can condensed sweetened milk

• 1/2 cup "Key Lime" Juice

• 1 small Graham Cracker Crust

Mix the Cool Whip, sweetened milk and Key Lime Juice thoroughly with a mixer, being sure to scrap the sides of the bowl or you will may end up with some tartness throughout your pie. Place mixture in Graham Cracker Crust and refrigerate for about 4 hours prior to serving.

*** Key Lime Juice is hard to find - try Martin's or Safeway

Baked Mostaccioli with sausage and peppers

(Posted on the website’s forum ‘What’s Cooking’ on

11th October 2000 at 10:23 PM by Michael McKay)

Here's a recipe for a dish that we usually have at our annual little McKay family Summer picnic. This goes over so well that if you were there you better not skip it and hope to get some the second time around else you won't find any. [pic]

• 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

• 1 green pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings

• 4 cups meatless spaghetti sauce

• 1 cup water

• 16 ounces MUELLER'S ridged mostaccioli (riggatoni is an acceptable substitute) cooked 8 minutes, drained

• 16 ounces (4 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large skillet, stirring frequently, brown sausage with pepper and onion over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in spaghetti sauce and water. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Spread 1 cup sauce in bottom of 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Top with half the mostaccioli, 2 cups mozzarella and the Parmesan. Spread on 2 more cups sauce. Then layer remaining mostaccioli, sauce and mozzarella. Bake in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven 30 minutes or until heated. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Enjoy!! [pic][pic][pic]

FOR THE EARLY ARRIVALS AT

THE VIRGINIA McKAY REUNION

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

For those of you who come early enough, The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is now open. They are located on Amherst Street (U.S. 50) west of Winchester on the grounds of historic Glen Burnie. Their Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their website is: .

Admission:

Adult: $12 combination ticket (house & gardens, and museum); $8 (house & gardens, or museum); $6 (gardens only). Youth (7-18), Seniors & Groups of 10 or more: $10 combination ticket (house & gardens, and museum); $6 (house & gardens, or museum); $5 (gardens only). Children age six and under are admitted free. The museum participates in the AAA Show Your Card and Save Program and the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program.

Directions:

From points north: Take Interstate 81 south to Exit 317. Follow signs for Route 37 south. Travel south on Route 37 to Route 50 (Winchester/Romney exit). Turn left onto Route 50/Amherst Street. After approximately one mile, the entrance is on the right.

From points south: Take Interstate 81 north to Exit 310. Follow signs for Route 37 north. Travel north on Route 37 to Route 50 (Winchester/Romney exit). Turn right onto Route 50/Amherst Street. After approximately one mile, the entrance is on the right.

From Washington, D.C.: Take Interstate 66 west to Interstate 81 north; follow directions above from points south.

If there is any other site you would like to visit during your stay here just contact me and I'll try to direct you to the location.

A MEMORABLE QUOTE

[pic]

Alexandra McKay

At the Miss Clarke County Fair Pageant for 2005, the Master of Ceremonies asked the finalists this question: ‘what is your one favourite feature of living in a small community and why?’ to which Alexandra McKay replies:

‘My favourite thing about living in a small community, especially Clarke County is the feeling of togetherness we feel here.

When I worked in Congress one of my best friends was from New York City and he was very “New York” and every morning we’d walk together to the Hill and I would say “hi” to every cop and every policeman and every member of the security team that was out and one day Max finally turned around and looked at me and goes “why do you say hi to everyone?” and I’m like “because that’s what we do”.

That’s the only way to survive in the world is to get to know everyone and there’s no better way to get to know anyone than live in a community where everyone loves each other. Thank you’.

Alexandra was awarded 2nd runner-up in the pageant. Congratulations!!

ANSWER TO MYSTERY PHOTO

[pic]

Mary (Babb) Levo & Howard Doster

The two kids pictured on the front page are Mary Babb & Howard Doster. Mary says ‘every five years she and Howard get a picture of themselves taken at the picnic. Pictured above is the one from the 2005 picnic as they are holding a copy of the picture of themselves from 1939.

OUT OF THE PAST

[pic][pic][pic]

George Henry and Martha Virginia Sowers

Martha Virginia Sowers and George Henry Sowers had a total of nine children. They lived most of their lives in Southern Clarke County, VA and also in Warren County, VA. They are buried in the Rockland Cemetery, Rockland, Warren County, VA. Their grandson, Hunter Branson McKay wrote the following about his grandparents: 

‘Martha's life was a reflection of the vicissitudes and successes of her husband, to who she was a contrast not only in personal appearances, but also in disposition as well.  She was a small woman with dark hair and eyes, deep set as he remembered them and of gentle, nonaggressive but voluble disposition whereas her husband, George, was light and florid of skin and eyes (eye). His hair tended towards being red. He was very energetic, was more of the martinet to outward appearances and there was no mistaking in the household that Mr. Sowers, as she called him, was its head. Yet she managed, I believe, to eventually always have her way, not only with him, but with the various retainers of the house, by who "Miss Mat" was well liked.’ 

From Hunter McKay's notes, it states that George went to school in Berryville, leaving school at 16 to go to Cuba. In Cuba, he worked on a sugar plantation for 3 years and while there became engaged to a Spanish girl. During his stay, there he had the misfortune of losing one eye which made it necessary for him to wear a glass eye.  From his adventures in Cuba, he acquired the nickname ‘Cuba George’.  

‘While home on a visit, he met and fell in love with his second cousin, Martha Virginia Sowers. He married Martha and became a speculator in cattle and other livestock. They moved to Nelson County, Va and remained there until after the Civil War, when they came back to Clarke County‘

  ‘Mr. Sowers was an extremely energetic type of a man. This energy expressed itself more in keeping others busy and on the job early and late than by any personal manual effort. I do not recall ever seeing my grandfather doing any work himself, other than ride or drive cars around the farms, he had two or three as I recall, seeing that things were going according to his plans and wishes. At this period, he was a very prosperous farmer of the lower section and the best for farming in Warren County. It was not always so with him. He did have three financial reverses in his life, losing everything he had and apparently causing loss to his sureties, as it intimated in the will of his father-inlaw, John W. Sowers, however, his energy and resourcefulness enabled him to make a comeback after each reverse.’ 

It is told in a book entitled "History of Clarke County" that the famous General George Custer had been in command ordering the burning of George's parents home "Rose Hill" in 1864.

Llewellyn featured in Clarke County

Historic Garden Week Tour

Llewellyn, located just north of Millwood on U.S. 340 was featured in the Historic Garden Tour in Clarke County, VA on Saturday, 22nd April, 2006 and again on Sunday 23rd April.

This home was said to be originally built by Werner Washington, Jr. but was later owned by Alfred M. Kerfoot.

For more information on Llewellyn visit this URL:



SEND US YOUR NEWS

Your donations help to support our Newsletter. Please submit any news you may have to help add to the next issue. I have a backlog of news that will hopefully be added to the next issue. This Newsletter covers happenings in the entire Robert Mackay family from Virginia to Ohio and beyond. If you would like to donate to help with our expenses please send a cheque to: The Robert Mackay Clan

% Jeffrey A. McKay

2965 Cedar Creek Grade

Winchester, VA 22602

NEXT ISSUE

Autumn 2006

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download