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96thdayofrage · 3 years ago

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(1865) HENRY HIGHLAND GARNET, “LET THE MONSTER PERISH”

On February 12, 1865, Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, a former slave who was pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., became the first African American to speak in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. His sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 12, 1865 within days of Congress’s adoption of the 13th Amendment banning slavery. A number of Republican leaders thought the occasion merited a public religious service to commemorate the event. They extended the invitation to Rev. Garnet. His sermon titled, “Let the Monster Perish,” appears below.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.—Matthew 23:4.

IN THIS CHAPTER, of which my text is a sentence, the Lord Jesus addressed his disciples, and the multitude that hung spellbound upon the words that fell from his lips. He admonished them to beware of the religion of the Scribes and Pharisees, which was distinguished for great professions, while it succeeded in urging them to do but a little, or nothing that accorded with the law of righteousness.

In theory they were right; but their practices were inconsistent and wrong. They were learned in the law of Moses and in the traditions of their fathers, but the principles of righteousness failed to affect their hearts. They knew their duty but did it not. The demands which they made upon others proved that they themselves knew what things men ought to do. In condemning others they pronounced themselves guilty. They demanded that others should be just, merciful, pure, peaceable and righteous. But they were unjust, impure, unmerciful—they hated and wronged a portion of their fellowmen, and waged a continual war against the government of God.

Such was their conduct in the Church and in the state. We have modern Scribes and Pharisees, who are faithful to their prototypes of ancient times.

With sincere respect and reverence for the instruction, and the warning given by our Lord, and in humble dependence upon him for his assistance, I shall speak this morning of the Scribes and Pharisees of our times who rule the state. In discharging this duty, I shall keep my eyes upon the picture which is painted so faithfully and lifelike by the hand of the Saviour.

Allow me to describe them. They are intelligent and well-informed, and can never say, either before an earthly tribunal or at the bar of God, “We knew not of ourselves what was right.” They are acquainted with the principles of the law of nations. They are proficient in the knowledge of Constitutional law. They are teachers of common law, and frame and execute statute law. They acknowledge that there is a just and impartial God, and are not altogether unacquainted with the law of Christian love and kindness. They claim for themselves the broadest freedom. Boastfully they tell us that they have received from the court of heaven the Magna Charta of human rights that was handed down through the clouds and amid the lightnings of Sinai, and given again by the Son of God on the Mount of Beatitudes while the glory of the Father shone around him. They tell us that from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution they have obtained a guaranty of their political freedom, and from the Bible they derive their claim to all the blessings of religious liberty. With just pride they tell us that they are descended from the Pilgrims, who threw themselves upon the bosom of the treacherous sea and braved storms and tempests that they might find in a strange land and among savages free homes where they might build their altars that should blaze with acceptable sacrifice unto God. Yes! they boast that their fathers heroically turned away from the precious light of Eastern civilization and, taking their lamps with oil in their vessels, joyfully went forth to illuminate this land, that then dwelt in the darkness of the valley of the shadow of death. With hearts strengthened by faith they spread out their standard to the winds of heaven, near Plymouth Rock; and whether it was stiffened in the sleet and frosts of winter, or floated on the breeze of summer, it ever bore the motto, “Freedom to worship God.”

But others, their fellow men, equal before the Almighty and made by Him of the same blood, and glowing with immortality, they doom to lifelong servitude and chains. Yes, they stand in the most sacred places on earth, and beneath the gaze of the piercing eye of Jehovah, the universal Father of all men, and declare that “the best possible condition of the Negro is slavery.”

In the name of the Triune God I denounce the sentiment as unrighteous beyond measure, and the holy and the just of the whole earth say in regard to it, Anathema maranatha.

What is slavery? Too well do I know what it is. I will present to you a bird’s eye view of it; and it shall be no fancy picture, but one that is sketched by painful experience. I was born among the cherished institutions of slavery. My earliest recollections of parents, friends, and the home of my childhood are clouded with its wrongs. The first sight that met my eyes was a Christian mother enslaved by professed Christians, but, thank God, now a saint in heaven. The first sounds that startled my ear and sent a shudder through my soul were the cracking of the whip and the clanking of chains. These sad memories mar the beauties of my native shores and darken all the slaveland, which, but for the reign of despotism, had been a paradise. But those shores are fairer now. The mists have left my native valleys, and the clouds have rolled away from the hills, and Maryland, the unhonored grave of my fathers, is now the free home of their liberated and happier children.

Let us view this demon, which the people have worshipped as a God. Come forth, thou grim monster, that thou mayest be critically examined! There he stands. Behold him, one and all. Its work is to chattelize man; to hold property in human beings. Great God! I would as soon attempt to enslave Gabriel or Michael as to enslave a man made in the image of God, and for whom Christ died. Slavery is snatching man from the high place to which he was lifted by the hand of God, and dragging him down to the level of the brute creation, where he is made to be the companion of the horse and the fellow of the ox.

It tears the crown of glory from his head and as far as possible obliterates the image of God that is in him. Slavery preys upon man, and man only. A brute cannot be made a slave. Why? Because a brute has not reason, faith, nor an undying spirit, nor conscience. It does not look forward to the future with joy or fear, nor reflect upon the past with satisfaction or regret. But who in this vast assembly, who in all this broad land, will say that the poorest and most unhappy brother in chains and servitude has not every one of these high endowments? Who denies it? Is there one? If so, let him speak. There is not one; no, not one.

But slavery attempts to make a man a brute. It treats him as a beast. Its terrible work is not finished until the ruined victim of its lusts and pride and avarice and hatred is reduced so low that with tearful eyes and feeble voice he faintly cries, “I am happy and contented. I love this condition.”

Proud Nimrod first the bloody chase began, A mighty hunter he; his prey was man.

The caged lion may cease to roar, and try no longer the strength of the bars of his prison, and lie with his head between his mighty paws and snuff the polluted air as though he heeded not. But is he contented? Does he not instinctively long for the freedom of the forest and the plain? Yes, he is a lion still. Our poor and forlorn brother whom thou hast labeled “slave,” is also a man. He may be unfortunate, weak, helpless and despised and hated; nevertheless he is a man. His God and thine has stamped on his forehead his title to his inalienable rights in characters that can be read by every intelligent being. Pitiless storms of outrage may have beaten upon his defenseless head, and he may have descended through ages of oppression; yet he is a man. God made him such, and his brother cannot unmake him. Woe, woe to him who attempts to commit the accursed crime.

Slavery commenced its dreadful work in kidnaping unoffending men in a foreign and distant land, and in piracy on the seas. The plunderers were not the followers of Mahomet, nor the devotees of Hinduism, nor benighted pagans, nor idolaters, but people called Christians, and thus the ruthless traders in the souls and bodies of men fastened upon Christianity a crime and stain at the sight of which it shudders and shrieks.

It is guilty of the most heinous iniquities ever perpetrated upon helpless women and innocent children. Go to the shores of the land of my forefathers, poor bleeding Africa, which, although she has been bereaved and robbed for centuries, is nevertheless beloved by all her worthy descendants wherever dispersed. Behold a single scene that there meets your eyes. Turn not away either from shame, pity or indifference, but look and see the beginning of this cherished and petted institution. Behold a hundred youthful mothers seated on the ground, dropping their tears upon the hot sands, and filling the air with their lamentations.

Why do they weep? Ah, Lord God, thou knowest! Their babes have been torn from their bosoms and cast upon the plains to die of hunger, or to be devoured by hyenas or jackals. The little innocents would die on the “middle passage,” ? or suffocate between the decks of the floating slave pen, freighted and packed with unparalleled human woe, and the slavers in mercy have cast them out to perish on their native shores. Such is the beginning, and no less wicked is the end of that system which Scribes and Pharisees in the Church and the state pronounce to be just, humane, benevolent and Christian. If such are the deeds of mercy wrought by angels, then tell me what works of iniquity there remain for devils to do?

This commerce in human beings has been carried on until three hundred thousand have been dragged from their native land in a single year. While this foreign trade has been pursued, who can calculate the enormities and extent of the domestic traffic which has flourished in every slave State, while the whole country has been open to the hunters of men.

It is the highly concentrated essence of all conceivable wickedness. Theft, robbery, pollution, unbridled passion, incest, cruelty, cold-blooded murder, blasphemy, and defiance of the laws of God. It teaches children to disregard parental authority. It tears down the marriage altar and tramples its sacred ashes under its feet. It creates and nourishes polygamy. It feeds and pampers its hateful handmaid, prejudice.

It has divided our national councils. It has engendered deadly strife between brethren. It has wasted the treasure of the Commonwealth and the lives of thousands of brave men, and driven troops of helpless women and children into yawning tombs. It has caused the bloodiest civil war recorded in the book of time. It has shorn this nation of its locks of strength that was rising as a young lion in the Western world. It has offered us as a sacrifice to the jealousy and cupidity of tyrants, despots, and adventurers of foreign countries. It has opened a door through which a usurper, a perjured but powerful prince, might stealthily enter and build an empire on the golden borders of our south-western frontier, and which is but a steppingstone to further and unlimited conquests on this continent. It has desolated the fairest portions of our land, “until the wolf long since driven back by the march of civilization returns after the lapse of a hundred years and howls amidst its ruins.”

It seals up the Bible and mutilates its sacred truths, and flies into the face of the Almighty, and impiously asks, “Who art thou that I should obey thee?” Such are the outlines of their fearful national sin; and yet the condition to which it reduces man, it is affirmed, is the best that can possibly be devised for him.

When inconsistencies similar in character, and no more glaring, passed beneath the eye of the Son of God, no wonder he broke forth in language of vehement denunciation. Ye Scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites! Ye blind guides! Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful without, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness!

Let us here take up the golden rule, and adopt the self-application mode of reasoning to those who hold these erroneous views. Come, gird up thy loins and answer like a man, if thou canst. Is slavery, as it is seen in its origin, continuance and end, the best possible condition for thee? Oh, no! Wilt thou bear that burden on thy shoulders, which thou wouldst lay upon thy fellow man? No. Wilt thou bear a part of it, or remove a little of its weight with one of thy fingers? The sharp and indignant answer is no, no! Then how, and when, and where, shall we apply to thee the golden rule, which says, “Therefore all things that ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so unto them, for this is the law of the prophets.” Let us have the testimony of the wise and great of ancient and modern times:

Sages who wrote and warriors who bled.

Plato declared that “Slavery is a system of complete injustice.” Socrates wrote that “Slavery is a system of outrage and robbery.” Cyrus said, “To fight in order not to be a slave is noble.”

If Cyrus had lived in our land a few years ago he would have been arrested for using incendiary language, and for inciting servile insurrection, and the royal fanatic would have been hanged on a gallows higher than Haman. But every man is fanatical when his soul is warmed by the generous fires of liberty. Is it then truly noble to fight in order not to be a slave? The Chief Magistrate of the nation, and our rulers, and all truly patriotic men think so; and so think legions of black men, who for a season were scorned and rejected, but who came quickly and cheerfully when they were at last invited, bearing a heavy burden of proscriptions upon their shoulders, and having faith in God, and in their generous fellow-countrymen, they went forth to fight a double battle. The foes of their country were before them, while the enemies of freedom and of their race surrounded them.

Augustine, Constantine, Ignatius, Polycarp, Maximus, and the most illustrious lights of the ancient church denounced the sin of slave-holding.

Thomas Jefferson said at a period of his life, when his judgment was matured, and his experience was ripe, “There is preparing, I hope, under the auspices of heaven, a way for a total emancipation.”

The sainted Washington said, near the close of his mortal career, and when the light of eternity was beaming upon him, “It is among my first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country shall be abolished by law. I know of but one way by which this can be done, and that is by legislative action, and so far as my vote can go, it shall not be wanting.”

The other day, when the light of Liberty streamed through this marble pile, and the hearts of the noble band of patriotic statesmen leaped for joy, and this our national capital shook from foundation to dome with the shouts of a ransomed people, then methinks the spirits of Washington, Jefferson, the Jays, the Adamses, and Franklin, and Lafayette, and Giddings, and Lovejoy, and those of all the mighty, and glorious dead, remembered by history, because they were faithful to truth, justice, and liberty, were hovering over the august assembly. Though unseen by mortal eyes, doubtless they joined the angelic choir, and said, Amen.

Pope Leo X testifies, “That not only does the Christian religion, but nature herself, cry out against a state of slavery.”

Patrick Henry said, “We should transmit to posterity our abhorrence of slavery.” So also thought the Thirty-eighth Congress.

Lafayette proclaimed these words: “Slavery is a dark spot on the face of the nation.” God be praised, that stain will soon be wiped out.

Jonathan Edwards declared “that to hold a man in slavery is to be every day guilty of robbery, or of man stealing.”

Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing, in a Letter on the Annexation of Texas in 1837, writes as follows: “The evil of slavery speaks for itself. To state is to condemn the institution. The choice which every freeman makes of death for his child and for every thing he loves in preference to slavery, shows what it is. The single consideration that by slavery one human being is placed powerless and defenceless in the hands of another to be driven to whatever labor that other may impose, to suffer whatever punishment he may inflict, to live as his tool, the instrument of his pleasure, this is all that is needed to satisfy such as know the human heart and its unfitness for irresponsible power, that of all conditions slavery is the most hostile to the dignity, self-respect, improvement, rights, and happiness of human beings. . . . Every principle of our government and religion condemns slavery. The spirit of our age condemns it. . . . Is there an age in which a free and Christian people shall deliberately resolve to extend and perpetuate the evil? In so doing we cut ourselves off from the communion of nations; we sink below the civilization of our age; we invite the scorn, indignation, and abhorrence of the world.”

Moses, the greatest of all lawgivers and legislators, said, while his face was yet radiant with the light of Sinai: “Whoso stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.” The destroying angel has gone forth through his land to execute the fearful penalties of God’s broken law.

The Representatives of the nation have bowed with reverence to the Divine edict, and laid the axe at the root of the tree, and thus saved succeeding generations from the guilt of oppression, and from the wrath of God.

Statesmen, Jurists, and Philosophers, most renowned for learning, and most profound in every department of science and literature, have testified against slavery. While oratory has brought its costliest, golden treasures, and laid them on the altar of God and of freedom, it has aimed its fiercest lightning and loudest thunder at the strongholds of tyranny, injustice, and despotism.

From the days of Balak to those of Isaiah and Jeremiah, up to the times of Paul, and through every age of the Christian Church, the sons of thunder have denounced the abominable thing. The heroes who stood in the shining ranks of the hosts of the friends of human progress, from Cicero to Chatham, and Burke, Sharp, Wilberforce, and Thomas Clarkson, and Curran, assaulted the citadel of despotism. The orators and statesmen of our own land, whether they belonged to the past, or to the present age, will live and shine in the annals of history, in proportion as they have dedicated their genius and talents to the defence of Justice and man’s God-given rights.

All the poets who live in sacred and profane history have charmed the world with their most enchanting strains, when they have tuned their lyres to the praise of Liberty. When the Muses can no longer decorate her altars with their garlands, then they hang their harps upon the willows and weep.

From Moses to Terrence and Homer, from thence to Milton and Cowper, Thomson and Thomas Campbell, and on to the days of our own bards, our Bryants, Longfellows, Whittiers, Morrises, and Bokers, all have presented their best gifts to the interests and rights of man.

Every good principle and every great and noble power have been made the subject of the inspired verse and the songs of poets. But who of them has attempted to immortalize slavery? You will search in vain the annals of the world to find an instance. Should any attempt the sacrilegious work, his genius would fall to the earth as if smitten by the lightning of heaven. Should he lift his hand to write a line in its praise, or defense, the ink would freeze on the point of his pen.

Could we array in one line, representative of all the families of men, beginning with those lowest in the scale of being, and should we put to them the question, Is it right and desirable that you should be reduced to the condition of slaves, to be registered with chattels, to have your persons and your lives and the products of your labor subjected to the will and the interests of others? Is it right and just that the persons of your wives and children should be at the disposal of others and be yielded to them for the purpose of pampering their lusts and greed of gain? Is it right to lay heavy burdens on other men’s shoulders which you would not remove with one of your fingers? From the rude savage and barbarian the negative response would come, increasing in power and significance as it rolled up the line. And when those should reply, whose minds and hearts are illuminated with the highest civilization and with the spirit of Christianity, the answer deep-toned and prolonged would thunder forth, no, no!

With all the moral attributes of God on our side, cheered as we are by the voices of universal human nature–in view of the best interests of the present and future generations–animated with the noble desire to furnish the nations of the earth with a worthy example, let the verdict of death which has been brought in against slavery by the Thirty-eighth Congress be affirmed and executed by the people. Let the gigantic monster perish. Yes, perish now and perish forever!

Down let the shrine of Moloch sink, And leave no traces where it stood; No longer let its idol drink, His daily cup of human blood. But rear another altar there, To truth, and love, and mercy given, And freedom’s gift and freedom’s prayer, Shall call an answer down from heaven.

It is often asked when and where will the demands of the reformers of this and coming ages end? It is a fair question, and I will answer.

When all unjust and heavy burdens shall be removed from every man in the land. When all invidious and proscriptive distinctions shall be blotted out from our laws, whether they be constitutional, statute or municipal laws. When emancipation shall be followed by enfranchisement, and all men holding allegiance to the government shall enjoy every right of American citizenship. When our brave and gallant soldiers shall have justice done unto them. When the men who endure the sufferings and perils of the battlefield in the defense of their country, and in order to keep our rulers in their places, shall enjoy the well-earned privilege of voting for them. When in the army and navy, and in every legitimate and honorable occupation, promotion shall smile upon merit without the slightest regard to the complexion of a man’s face. When there shall be no more class legislation and no more trouble concerning the black man and his rights than there is in regard to other American citizens. When, in every respect, he shall be equal before the law, and shall be left to make his own way in the social walks of life.

We ask, and only ask, that when our poor, frail barks are launched on life’s ocean,

Bound on a voyage of awful length And dangers little known,

that, in common with others, we may be furnished with rudder, helm and sails and charts and compass. Give us good pilots to conduct us to the open seas; lift no false lights along the dangerous coasts, and if it shall please God to send us propitious winds or fearful gales, we shall survive or perish as our energies or neglect shall determine. We ask no special favors, but we plead for justice. While we scorn unmanly dependence; in the name of God, the universal Father, we demand the right to live and labor and enjoy the fruits of our toil. The good work which God has assigned for the ages to come will be finished when our national literature shall be so purified as to reflect a faithful and a just light upon the character and social habits of our race, and the brush and pencil and chisel and lyre of art shall refuse to lend their aid to scoff at the afflictions of the poor or to caricature or ridicule a long-suffering people. When caste and prejudice in Christian churches shall be utterly destroyed and shall be regarded as totally unworthy of Christians, and at variance with the principles of the Gospel. When the blessings of the Christian religion and of sound religious education shall be freely offered to all, then, and not till then, shall the effectual labors of God’s people and God’s instruments cease.

If slavery has been destroyed merely from necessity, let every class be enfranchised at the dictation of justice. Then we shall have a Constitution that shall be reverenced by all, rulers who shall be honored and revered, and a Union that shall be sincerely loved by a brave and patriotic people, and which can never be severed.

Great sacrifices have been made by the people; yet, greater still are demanded ere atonement can be made for our national sins. Eternal justice holds heavy mortgages against us and will require the payment of the last farthing. We have involved ourselves in the sin of unrighteous gain, stimulated by luxury and pride and the love of power and oppression; and prosperity and peace can be purchased only by blood and with tears of repentance. We have paid some of the fearful installments, but there are other heavy obligations to be met.

The great day of the nation’s judgment has come, and who shall be able to stand? Even we, whose ancestors have suffered the afflictions which are inseparable from a condition of slavery, for the period of two centuries and a half, now pity our land and weep with those who weep.

Upon the total and complete destruction of this accursed sin depends the safety and perpetuity of our Republic and its excellent institutions.

Let slavery die. It has had a long and fair trial. God himself has pleaded against it. The enlightened nations of the earth have condemned it. Its death warrant is signed by God and man. Do not commute its sentence. Give it no respite, but let it be ignominiously executed.

Honorable Senators and Representatives, illustrious rulers of this great nation, I cannot refrain this day from invoking upon you, in God’s name, the blessings of millions who were ready to perish, but to whom a new and better life has been opened by your humanity, justice and patriotism. You have said, “Let the Constitution of the country be so amended that slavery and involuntary servitude shall no longer exist in the United States, except in punishment for crime.” Surely, an act so sublime could not escape divine notice; and doubtless the deed has been recorded in the archives of heaven. Volumes may be appropriated to your praise and renown in the history of the world. Genius and art may perpetuate the glorious act on canvas and in marble, but certain and more lasting monuments in commemoration of your decision are already erected in the hearts and memories of a grateful people.

The nation has begun its exodus from worse than Egyptian bondage; and I beseech you that you say to the people that they go forward. With the assurance of God’s favor in all things done in obedience to his righteous will, and guided by day and by night by the pillars of cloud and fire, let us not pause until we have reached the other and safe side of the stormy and crimson sea. Let freemen and patriots mete out complete and equal justice to all men and thus prove to mankind the superiority of our democratic, republican government.

Favored men, and honored of God as his instruments, speedily finish the work which he has given you to do. Emancipate, enfranchise, educate, and give the blessings of the gospel to every American citizen.

Hear ye not how, from all high points of Time,— From peak to peak adown the mighty chain That links the ages—echoing sublime A Voice Almighty—leaps one grand refrain. Wakening the generations with a shout, And trumpet—call of thunder—Come ye out!

Out from old forms and dead idolatries; From fading myths and superstitious dreams: From Pharisaic rituals and lies, And all the bondage of the life that seems! Out—on the pilgrim path, of heroes trod, Over earth’s wastes, to reach forth after God!

The Lord hath bowed his heaven, and come down! Now, in this latter century of time, Once more his tent is pitched on Sinai’s crown! Once more in clouds must Faith to meet him climb! Once more his thunder crashes on our doubt And fear and sin—”My people! come ye out!

From false ambitions and base luxuries; From puny aims and indolent self-ends; From cant of faith, and shams of liberties, And mist of ill that Truth’s pure day-beam bends: Out, from all darkness of the Egypt-land, Into my sun-blaze on the desert sand!

* * *

Show us our Aaron, with his rod in flower! Our Miriam, with her timbrel-soul in tune! And call some Joshua, in the Spirit’s power, To poise our sun of strength at point of noon! God of our fathers! over sand and sea, Still keep our struggling footsteps close to thee!

Then before us a path of prosperity will open, and upon us will descend the mercies and favors of God. Then shall the people of other countries, who are standing tiptoe on the shores of every ocean, earnestly looking to see the end of this amazing conflict, behold a Republic that is sufficiently strong to outlive the ruin and desolations of civil war, having the magnanimity to do justice to the poorest and weakest of her citizens. Thus shall we give to the world the form of a model Republic, founded on the principles of justice and humanity and Christianity, in which the burdens of war and the blessings of peace are equally borne and enjoyed by all.

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berwicktimelines · 6 years ago

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The Brown Bear

The Brown Bear is one of the most important pubs in Berwick, if only for its name. The bear and tree are a symbol of Berwick since at least the early 13th century. Many remember it from the past. I remember Saturday nights 10 years or so ago when there would be queues outside of eager young things looking for, and finding, a fun night out!

The Brown Bear is first mentioned in 1806 as being run by Joseph Brown but earlier Bears prowled the streets of Berwick! In May 1724 and 1725, we find adverts in the Newcastle Courant advertising the annual Lamberton Races instructing entrants to bring their horses to be shown at the house of George Temple at the Sign of the Bear. And between 1724 and 1788 there is a White Bear in Hide Hill. The coincidences continue as George Temple owned the brown Bear site and was instrumental in building Berwick’s first Presbyterian church in 1719—the Low Meeting House—now the ruined structure at the rear of the yard. Was there also a pub on the site? Could the White Bear have been the same as the Brown Bear? We may never know.

The Low Meeting House in 1972.

The site layout has remained unchanged since medieval times. The early pub was little more than a dingy back room of the building fronting Hide Hill, accessed down a narrow passage but it later expanded to take in the shop at the front.

Detail from map of Berwick, 1590 showing the Brown Bear site. Note the opening in the street frontage where the archway leading to the back yard is today.

The Moor family outside The Brown Bear. George Moor ran the pub between 1864 an 1897. The central door led to the pub at the rear. Based on the apparent age of the children, this may have been taken in the 1870s. George and Elizabeth stand in the doorways with “Willie the outdoor porter” . Their youngest sons, Thomas (left) and George (right) stand by their mother. The identity of the elderly gentleman is not known but may be another family member.

The front building was rebuilt in 1898 by local architect Robert Marshall and reopened by Thomas Morrallee in 1901. The new look Bear incorporating all the trappings of the Victorian pub was greeted with mistrust by the locals.

“When the new place was built the critics pronounced it a white elephant. Townspeople had for so long been used with the old order, that they looked with suspicion on the new up-to-date building, the first of the modern licensed houses in the town. Under Mr Morrallee the house soon became a success.”

Berwick Advertiser” 22nd April, 1922

The Brown Bear in the 1910s.

Thomas Morrallee was well suited to the new Brown Bear. He knew the wine and spirit trade by heart and the Brown Bear soon became a success. Despite early reservations from the old clientele, the premises were in an ideal situation to take advantage of the age. His stables and yard offered ample space for parking horses. It was a major centre for farmers to congregate on market days to discuss the news and business. His food was a major draw serving hundreds of meals a day. He was described as a model landlord and did not tolerate drunken behaviour from anyone whatever their status. This meant that some of the less desirable elements of Berwick society quickly learnt to stay clear of “Morrallee’s”. He seems to have been a stickler for punctuality and attention to detail and while described as brusque, he had a sense of humour perhaps bordering on the black.

Thomas Morrallee died in 1922 and the pub was run, less successfully by his son Henry until he retired in 1942. And so what might be called the “golden age” of the Brown Bear came to an end.

There followed a succession of later landlords, most notably Alex Gibson and his wife Margaret, who created the famous “Tartan Lounge”. Alex Gibson is remembered for his charity work within the community. Whilst he was behind the bar, money was raised for the mentally disabled; for the children at the Grove Special School and Northumberland County Council Adult Training Centre in particular. He was also recognised for his fund-raising for the Aberfan disaster in South Wales in 1966. Of all the recollections of Mr Gibson, the most common is the large mirror at the side of the bar which would be steadily filled with coins stuck on by dipping them in beer. He also kept a chamber pot behind the bar into which, people would toss spare change. At his retirement, it was estimated that £33,000 (over £150,000 by today’s standards.In 1978 he was presented the Local Life Award. This was organised by the Brewers Society and administered by the North East Brewers Association in this region. Licensees were nominated by their customers and then assessed on their level of contribution to the local community.

Alex Gibson with the chamber pot and mirror used for charity collections.

Margaret “Peggy” Gibson poses for a photographer in the front bar which faced the front door. The charity collection mirror with coins can be seen in the background.

The 1960s and ‘70s saw many upheavals in society and pubs were not immune. Young people were looking for their own identity. Not for them the “spit and sawdust“ pubs their fathers had frequented. The idea that you might take your wife or girlfriend out to the pub led to improvements in cleanliness and the general presentation of pubs throughout the country. The pub was no longer the preserve of labourers and businessmen. It was now a place of fun for all; a place to meet new people and enjoy the liberation of the last quarter of the century.

These young people demanded greater entertainment. Pool tables and other new distractions such as gambling machines and electronic video games were seen as a useful extra source of income. The old layout of the Brown Bear could not accommodate any of these. And so, the entire building was opened up with a completely new layout to cater for this younger clientele.

The dividing wall between the front room and the Tartan Lounge was ripped out and a bar laid along much of the length of the north wall. Gone were the traditional stools and tables. In came a more relaxed banquette seating around the walls. This extended into the old Tartan Lounge and the rear room which had been the landlord’s sitting room was added to form an area for the pool table.

In 1995, Kim Riley, Susan and Alan Wakenshaw and family took over the pub. Kim left the business in 2000 and Alan Wakenshaw died in 2005 leaving Susan and her son, Graeme to create the local legend the Brown Bear was to become amongst young people at the weekend. Live music and discos as a “warm up” to the serious clubbing in Golden Square was always a huge pull. So popular was it, that people would regularly be queueing outside waiting to be admitted.

The Brown Bear had always been associated with charitable work but on a personal note, their entries in the Tweedmouth Feast Float Parade were outstanding; consistently the most imaginative and the most fun. Another favourite annual fund raising event was the all day “B in The Bear” music event. A long range of decking was erected in the rear yard and a stage erected for local bands to perform on.

B in the Bear, 2010.

The Wakenshaws retired in 2013. It was a hard act to follow and while others tried, they were not able to and the pub was open intermittently until it closed in 2016.

It reopened in December 2016 by pub campaigner Mark J Dodds. He had a vision of how a pub might be run with the community at the heart of it. I was involved with it from an early stage being asked to look into the history of the pub. Mark had the wholly admirable idea of revitalising the rear space for markets, pop-up shops, artisan crafts and so much more. The Low Meeting house might be rebuilt as a music venue and so much more. And until recently, it appeared to be a thriving venture: regular music nights and pub quizzes.

Crowds in the “new look” Bear.

Sadly, funding sources did not match the dream. There were problems from the start, not least of which was based on an unrealistic comparison to upmarket London pubs, and an inadequate kitchen for serious provision of food and thus greater revenue. The Brown Bear closed on 28th July, 2018. It’s a sad end.

I do hope someone will attempt to save what really could be once more the pub it used to be.

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nicks-lunchbox-service · 7 years ago

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12.8.17 Lunchtime drawing: The Village Presbyterian Church (rebuilt twice due to fires in 1855 and 1902) at 143 West 13th Street is just a facade of its former many-columned Greek Revival self, it was converted into apartments, but still has the old message board out front.

#architecture #villagepresbyterianchurch #greekrevival #art #drawingaday #church #sketchbook #drawing #greenwichvillage #west13thstreet #nickslunchboxservice #columns

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thisdaynews · 5 years ago

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BREAKING!!! Abia State Govt. Shuts-down Over 50 Schools, Gives Reasons

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/breaking-abia-state-govt-shuts-down-over-50-schools-gives-reasons/

BREAKING!!! Abia State Govt. Shuts-down Over 50 Schools, Gives Reasons

Abia State Government has shutdown over fifty illegal schools in the State.

In a statement sent to THEBIAFRASTAR by the Commissioner of Education, Kanelechi C. K Nwangwa, said the closure of the schools is part of the efforts of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, through the Ministry of Education to give the Abia Child Quality Education in the right environment.

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According to the statement, the over fifty schools which have been shutdown have been discovered to be operating in residential buildings, warehouses, halls and in very unconducive environments.

“To save the situation and further serve the Abia Public and give the Abia Child Quality and right education, the Ministry of Education has decided to start publishing the names of the Closed Schools for the attention of members of the public. This will be a continuous process till all the Local Government Areas are covered. The Schools, their locations and other information are as follows :”

1. UMUAHIA NORTH LGA AS AT MONDAY 13TH JANUARY, 2020.

1. Name of School – Salem Mission School Address – No 3, Eme Ikwueche Street, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia. Type of School – Creche/ Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Residential building with multiple campuses, classrooms too small and properly ventilated. Remark – Close

2. Name of School – Emmanuel Presbyterian Academy Address – Road 2, Low Cost , World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia. Type of School – Creche / Nursery and Primary Observation – School in demarcated Church Hall, Noise interference. Not conducive for learning. Remark – Close

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3. Name of School – Rich God Address – Bende Road, Umuahia. Type of School – refused to open their door Observation – Refused to open their door Remark – Close

4. Name of School – Confidence Christian Academy Address – Amuzukwu Ibeku Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – Running combined classes in a very small space Remark – Close

5. Name of School – Princeton Golden Schools Address – Amuzukwu Ibeku by Rail, Umuahia. Type of School – refused to open their gate Observation – Uncompleted Building Remark – Close

2. UMUAHIA SOUTH AS AT MONDAY 13TH JANUARY, 2020.

6. Name of School – Best Brain Academy Address – Isicourt Umuahia Type of School – unconfirmed Observation – The School is in warehouse upstairs with shops downstairs. Unconducive, environment for teaching and learning. Remark – Close

7. Name of School – Free Grace Academy Address – Old Umuahia Type of School – Refused team access Observation – The School is in a batcher – not a learning environment. Remark – Close

8. Name of School – God’s Time International School Address – Nsirimo Village Type of School – Observation – Inside a residential building Remark – Close

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9. Name of School – Rock Catholic School Address – Nsirimo Village Type of School – Refused team access Observation – Inside a hall not well demarcated. Remark – Close

10. Name of School – Star N/P School Address – Nsirimo Village Type of School – refused team access Observation – In an uncompleted building not a learning environment. Remark – Close

11. Name of School – God’s Will Academy Address – Nsirimo Village Type of School – refused team access Observation – In a batcher and not well demarcated Remark – Close

12. Name of School – Divine N/P School Address – Umuerim Nsirimo Type of School – refused team access Observation – In the village hall not conducive for learning. Remark – Close

13. Name of School – Jane Micheal Memorial School Address – Nsirimo Type of School – refused team access Observation – In a residential building, part of the building is kitchen and some living rooms. The environment is not conducive for teaching and learning. Remark – Close

3. ABA NORTH AS AT MONDAY 14TH JANUARY, 2020.

14. Name of School – Grace Life Academy Address – 129b Omuma Road Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – Dilapidated building, a hall with board d emarcations, no ventilation and not conducive for learning, within a residential compound and in a dirty environment. Remark – Close

15. Name of School – Xam Globals Address – 131 Omuma Road Type of School – Secondary JSS 1 – SSS 3 Observation – Make shift accommodation with hall walls, some classes no ventilation. No space, environment not conducive for learning. Remark – Close

16. Name of School – New Life Christian Academy Address – No. 20 Mbagwu Street off Omuma Road Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – The School occupies a warehouse, ground floor of a two storey residential building Remark – Close

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17. Name of School – Royal Nogates Schools Address – Umuola Egbelu Civic Hall, Ogbor Hill Aba Type of School – Creche, Nursery and Primary School Observation – The School is in a Community Civic Hall, housing both school and Baptist Church in the same Hall. Remark – Close

18. Name of School – Conquering Grounds Academy Address – Umuola Egbelu, Ogbor Hill Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary School Observation – Conquering Ground International Church is using the same church hall as school with demarcated board classes. School not approved. Remark – Close

19. Name of School – Gold Miners International Schools Address – Umuola Egbelu, Ogbor Hill Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – School in an uncompleted rented accommodation also housing a Church. Not approved . Remark – Close

20. Name of School – Rhema Foundation School Address – No. 1, Chief Ubani Street Umuola Egbelu, Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – School in same building with church Remark – Close

21. Name of School – Glorious Christian School Address – Opposite 7up bottling company, Ogbor Hill Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – The school is in an uncompleted building not conducive for teaching and learning Remark – Close

22. Name of School – Kingdom Covenant International School Address – No. 2 Nkire Street, Powerline Omuma Road Type of School – refused team entry Observation – The Building and environment is unconducive for teaching and learning Remark – Close

23. Name of School – Anita Jones International Address – Nkire Street, Powerline Omuma Road Type of School refused team access Observation – is in a batcher, inadequate for teaching and learning Remark – Close

24. Name of School – Precious Kids International School Address – No. 9 Ogbuji Street off 104 Omuma Road Type of School – refused team entry Observation – Environment not conducive for learning Remark – Close

25. Name of School – Delight of Xtian International School Address – Ibere Street off 19, Powerline Type of School – Refused team access Observation – is in an open uncompleted building not conducive for teaching and Remark – Close

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26. Name of School – The Presbyterian Academy Address – No. 35 Glass Industry Extension Type of School – refused team entry Observation – School in an open hall. Not okay for teaching and learning Remark – Close

4. ABA SOUTH AS AT MONDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2020.

27. Name of School – Millennium Modern International School Address – 4b Obohia Road, Aba Type of School – Creche, Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – School unapproved. On a Town Union Hall with board demarcation and dirty environment Remark – Close

28. Name of School – Prevailer Academy Address – Wonder Working Ministries no.8, Obohia Road Type of School – Tutorial and Remedial Studies, Adult Education School Observation – Uncompleted building, housing both the school and a Church Remark – Close

29. Name of School – Rich Spring Model Academy Address – Assemblies of God Church no. 16 – 20, Obohia Road, Aba Type of School – Creche, Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Questionable approval, dilapidated structures very dirty and unhygienic environment, in a Hall with board demarcation and environment not conducive for teaching and learning Remark – Close

30. Name of School – Mary Ann’s International Academy Address – No. 19 Onyeri Street by 18 Obohia Road, Aba Type of School – Creche, Nursery and Primary Observation – Hall with board demarcation and in a residential building Remark – Close

31. Name of School – St. Anthony ‘s School Address – no. 10 Nnewi by 24b Ngwa Road, Aba Type of School – Creche, Nursery and Primary School Observation – Campus 2 unapproved. The School is in a Church Hall with board d emarcations. No ventilation. Remark – Close

32. Name of School – Divine Lift International Academy Address – No. 8 Mbanasa Street by 81 Obohia Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – A storey building and a 3 storey building with both residential accommodation and a Church. Church activities on week days interfere with the school. The environment is too noisy. Remark – Close

33. Name of School – God’s Faithful Academy Address – No. 1 Tenant Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – One storey building housing a Church upstairs and the school downstairs. School hall with board demarcation, overcrowded, no ventilation. Remark – Close

34. Name of School – Bright Future Academy Address – No. 6 Obuda Street, Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – Hall with board demarcation housing both the school and Uvuru Mbaise Community Development Union. Remark – Close

2. ABA SOUTH AS AT 22ND JANUARY, 2020.

35. Name of School – The Way of Life School Address – 26 Ugwuatu Street off Ibadan Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – the school operates in a batcher with demarcation. There are noise interference Remark – Close

36. Name of School – Learned Christian School Address – 34 Niger Street, 3 Ezeagu by Degema Type of School – refused team entry Observation – The School operates in a batcher with demarcation, very dark no ventilation and noisy Remark – Close

37. Name of School – Elegant Kids Christian Academy Address – 15b Emenike Street Aba Type of School – Nursery and Primary School Observation – Operating in a very small batcher, no ventilation, very dark and dirty. Remark – Close

5. ABA NORTH LGA (SCHOOL ROAD BY OHANKU ROAD, ABA) AS AT TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY, 2020.

38. Name of School – Soldiers of Christ Academy Address – 111b, Item Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Operating in a Church Hall Remark – Close

39. Name of School – Genesis International Schools Address – 33 Mbaise Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Operating in a Community Hall with a Church Remark – Close

40. Name of School – Kingdom Stars International Address – 57, Umunneato Road Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Site Inspection done but has not done approval Inspection Remark – Invite

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41. Name of School – Best Kids International School Address – 6, Dikenafai Street Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Operating in a butcher Remark – Close

42. Name of School – Brilliant Model Schools Address – 21 Item Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Operating under the canopy Remark – Close

43. Name of School – Palatable Jesus Model Address – 7 Umunneato Street Type of School – Nursery and Primary Observation – Operating in a batcher Remark – Close

44. Name of School – Danstars Academy Address – 61, Dikenafai Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Poorly developed and uncompleted building. Remark – Close

45. Name of School – Moria Christian College Address – 52 Mbaise Road / 81 Ogwe Road, Aba Type of School – Secondary Observation – Operating with a Church / business centre in the same building. Remark – Close

46. Name of School – Life Gate Manager Schools Address – 92 Item Road, Aba Type of School – Nursery, Primary and Secondary Observation – Congested classes, operating in warehouse / church building. Remark – Close

OSISIOMA LGA AS AT THURSDAY 16TH JANUARY, 2020.

47. Name of School – Rehoboth International Schools Address – 100d, MCC Road, Osisioma, Aba Type of School – Team refused access Observation – This School operates in a Church Hall, with a dwarf wall, poorly demarcated. Remark – Close

48. Name of School – Christ the King International Academy Address – 10 Rev. Nwulu Street, World Bank Housing Estate, Osisioma, Aba Type of School – refused team access Observation – This School operates in a residential building Remark – Close

49. Name of School – Christ Church Academy Address – 40/42 World Bank Housing Estate, Osisioma, Aba Type of School – refused team entry Observation – The School operates in a Church Remark – Close

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50. Name of School – Wellspring of Wisdom School Address – Redeemer Street, World Bank Housing Estate, Osisioma Aba Type of School – refused team entry Observation – Operates in a residential building though they refused to open their gate for us. Remark – Close

51. Name of School – Royal Genius Academy Address – 69 Umuatako Street, Osisioma, Aba Type of School – refused team access Observation – Operating in a batcher Remark – Close

The afore listed schools are hereby directed to close down forthwith, failure to which government shall employ all necessary legal means to enforce compliance.

Sources: Igbere TV

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the-record-obituaries · 5 years ago

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July 10, 2019: Obituaries

Nella Blackburn, 89

Mrs. Nella Mae Durham Blackburn, age 89 of Roaring River passed away Monday, July 8, 2019 at her home.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Macedonia Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will be in Durham Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 12:30 prior to the service at the church.

Mrs. Blackburn was born August 20, 1929 in Wilkes County to Erastus Jones and Dossie Clementine Wiles Durham.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband; Jesse Eli Blackburn, one sister; Evelyn Durham Welborn and one brother; William Cody Durham.

She is survived by seven sisters; Darlene Durham Grit of Roaring River, Susie Durham Hawkins of North Wilkesboro, Violet Durham Jolly of Winston-Salem, Perdetha Durham Transou of Gaffney, SC, Betty Jo Lovell of Princeton, WV, Mary Ann Casey of Bolvia, and Patsy Ingram of Raleigh and two brothers; E.J. Durham and wife Patricia of North Wilkesboro and Hayden Durham and wife Linda Sue of Roaring River and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Durham Family Cemetery, c/o Anita Tharpe, 2580 Greenhorn Road, Roaring River, NC 28669.

Dorothy Poole, 92

Dorothy Lee Poole, age 92, of Wilkesboro, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village. She was born January 2, 1927 in Catawba County to Vance and Minnie Thomas Poole. Dorothy was a lifetime member of St. John Holiness Church in Wilkesboro, holding many positions in her church, including Treasurer. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Rachel Reddick, Ethel Short, Eula Mae Brown, Bessie Poole, Leon, Burgan, Harold and Jessie Poole.

Surviving are her sons, Steven Poole of Wilkesboro, Larry Poole and spouse Carrie Bell of South Carolina; granddaughter, Stephanie Parker and spouse Josh of Jacksonville, N.C.; great granddaughter, Elizabeth Watkins of Greensboro; host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Miller Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Scenic Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 Tuesday night. Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Jenkins, 77

Mrs. Betty Jean Billings Jenkins, age 77 of Hays, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were July 9, at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Donnie Shumate and Rev. Shane Jenkins officiating. Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Jenkins was born August 28, 1941 in Wilkes County to Ulen Billings and Juanita Wingler Billings. She retired from CATO's and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband; Robert Lee Jenkins of the home, two sons; Richard Lee Jenkins and wife Lori of Yadkinville and Gregory Scott Jenkins and wife Jeanne of Burlington, three grandchildren; Cammi Leigh Jenkins, Emma Michelle Jenkins and Trevor Scott Jenkins, step grandchildren; Zach Hollar and Justin Gambill, step great-grandchildren; Kelsey Grace Hollar and Allison Faith Hollar and a sister; JoAnn Huffman of Statesville.

Pallbearers will be Jared Wiles, Jacob Wiles, Trevor Jenkins, Joseph Wiles, Joshua Thornton and Zack Hollar.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Pruitt Health Hospice 924 Main Street Suite 100 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Kathy Miller, 55

Kathy Louise Miller, age 55, of Millers Creek, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Curis of Wilkesboro. She was born April 20, 1964 in Wilkes County to Carl and Ennis Barthenia Jarvis Miller. Kathy attended Maple Springs Baptist Church.

Surviving are her parents, Carl and Bartha Miller of Millers Creek; sister, Crystal Miller of North Wilkesboro; and brothers, Michael Miller of North Wilkesboro, Tim Miller and spouse Sheila of Taylorsville.

No service will be held. The family has requested no flowers. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9956.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

Jerry Hamby, 81

Mr. Jerry Gray Hamby, age 81 of Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services were July 5, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Brady Hayworth officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Hamby was born September 7, 1937 in Wilkes County to Arvill Henson and Pearl Claudine Rhymer Hamby. He retired from Carolina Mirror after 37 years of service and joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 1958 and became a Deacon in 1967 where he served until his death.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother; Gary Hamby.

He is survived by his wife; Shirley Parsons Hamby of the home, two daughters; Cheryl Church and husband Scott of Wilkesboro and Angela Gray Hamby missing since October 1982, two grandchildren; Adrienne Church and Elizabeth Cooke and one great grandchild; Julian Aoki and a sister; Brenda Trivette of North Wilkesboro.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Wade Parsons, 240 McGlamery Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or Mtn. Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt. Airy, NC 27030.

Carolyn McDowell, 73

Mrs. Carolyn Jane McGrady McDowell, age 73 of Moravian Falls, passed away July 1, 2019 at her home.

Memorial services were July 8, at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Steve Snipes officiating.

Mrs. McDowell was born May 5, 1946 in Ashe County to Dwight Isaiah McGrady and Grace Dean Lovette McGrady. She was a member of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church and a Realtor with Realty One.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother; Jerry McGrady.

She is survived by a daughter; Amanda McDowell Crafton and husband Jeff of Mooresville, a son; Raymond Anderson McDowell and wife Gina of Raleigh, four grandchildren; Maxwell Crafton, Gabrielle Crafton, McKinley Dawn McDowell-Santiago and husband Hector and Olivia Grace McDowell and a brother; Roger McGrady and wife Katherine of Wilkesboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Wilkes PO Box 306 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Berlene Gant, 93

Mrs. Berlene Pearson Gant, age 93 of Moravian Falls passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were July 4, at Moravian Falls Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Sturgill and Rev. Arvil Perry officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Gant was born February 7, 1926 in Wilkes County. Mrs. Gant was a special education teacher, she began her career in Welcome, NC, she then moved to Wilkes County and ended her teaching career in the Wilkes County School System after teaching for 27 years. Mrs. Gant attended Guilford College where she played on the basketball team, she was one of the bell ringers for the chapel, active in Christian organizations, a Sunday School Teacher at Moravian Falls Baptist Church for many years and she was the oldest member of Moravian Falls Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her mother; Martha Naomi Pearson Smithey and step-father; William Shafter Smithey, her husband; William "Bill" Arthur Gant, one daughter; Martha Jolaine Barlow and one son; Daryl Lee Gant.

She is survived by two daughters; Linda Jeanette Gant of Wilkesboro and Marcia O'Donnell of Moravian Falls, and two sons; William Ronald Gant of North Wilkesboro and Norman Dewayne Gant and wife Paula of Cutler Bay, FL, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Park Road, suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Truman Gaultney, 78

Mr. Truman Arlin Gaultney, age 78 of Boomer passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at his home.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Mr. Gaultney was born July 17, 1940 in Williamsville, MO to Frank and Della Mae Luke Gaultney. Mr. Gaultney was a hardworking, loving husband, father and grandfather. He lead by example and was a member of Boomer Advent Christian Church. He enjoyed his grandchildren. He was respected and loved by those who knew his kind and gentle nature, he helped others and loved all members of his family, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter; Angela Gaultney and two sisters; Lois DeShaney and Dorothy Livingston and one brother; Cledis Gaultney.

He is survived by his wife; Ollie Sandlin Gaultney of the home, one daughter; Carolyn Jones of Boomer, five grandchildren; Robert and Ross Rushin, Emily Brooks, Mark Brooks, Jr. and Shawna Swaim, three great grandchildren; Jacob Swaim and Camron and Christian Brooks.

Robert Pearson, 49

Mr. Robert Pearson, 49, of Morganton, passed away on Saturday June 29, 2019.

Robert was born on November 2, 1969 in Wilkes County to Alton Rayvon Pearson and Lilly Carolyn Triplette Pearson.

Robert is survived by his parents; brother, Dennis Ray Pearson of Wilkesboro; nieces, Amanda Parish, Raven Pearson, Amber Pearson; nephews, Colton Pearson, Dallas Pearson; great nephew, Jameson Parish and great nieces, Kimberlyn Pearson and Lillian Brittian.

The family will conduct a memorial service at 2 p.m. on July 13th 2019 at Boomer Advent Christian Church in Boomer.

Pastor David Jones will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes P.O. Box 396 Moravian Falls, NC 28654 to help with final expenses, or Mt.Valley Hospice Elkin, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin NC 28621.

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Pearson Family.

Timothy Johnston, 68

Timothy Leon Johnston, age 68, of Hays, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone. He was born October 27, 1950 in Wilkes County to Carey and Mabel Fern Owens Johnston. Timothy was a member of Hinshaw Baptist Church and was All Conference in football at Wilkes Central High School. He was involved with the local Jaycees. Timothy enjoyed singing, golf and helping anyone in need. Mr. Johnston was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Kenneth Johnston.

Surviving are his daughters, Deidra Dickens and spouse Eddie of Charlotte, Carey Barefoot and spouse Brian of Huntersville, Meredith Hayes and fiancé Mitchell Weot of Millers Creek; sister, Mary Ellen Edmiston of North Wilkesboro; brothers, Larry Johnston and spouse Oma Lea of North Wilkesboro, Joe Johnston of Wilkesboro, Mike Johnston and spouse Cheryl of Haymarket, Virginia; sister-in-law, Sherry Johnston of Knoxville, Tennessee; six grandchildren; and his canine companion, Blue.

Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, upstairs at the Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro (please enter thru back entrance). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 9, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Fairplains Baptist Church, 141 Fairplains Church Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

David Jackson, 85

David L. Jackson, 85, of Chattanooga, TN passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019. There he was a retired teacher and a member of Brainerd United Methodist Church. Formerly a member of the Masonic Lodge and The Shriners. Born in Lenoir, NC, David was the son of the late George T. Jackson (Helen J. Jackson), Grandson of the late Arthur Jackson (Ila Laws Jackson) all of Wilkes County.

David graduated from Pearisburg High School (VA), Hiwassee College (TN) and attended Emory & Henry College (VA). He worked in Advertising for many years and eventually taught Graphic Arts.

David was an imaginative soul who handcrafted various items for friends and family. His sister recalls a painting he made of her as a child sitting on the porch of their family home. From reproducing a model of his grandmothers house to painting a mural on a restaurant wall, his creative talents spanned many platforms. He was a Music Director for various churches in his early days.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy M. Jackson; daughter, Pamela S. Jackson; sister, Hope Jackson Bowen of Charlotte, NC; brother, George T. Jackson Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held Wednesday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m. in the Moravian Falls Cemetery.

Miller Funeral Service is handling the committal.

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strike-back-now-info · 6 years ago

Link

History of the Democrats and the KKK..... (Why the Democrats started the KKK) Posted on 8/6/2009 11:59:36 AM by Irish Mike The original targets of the Ku Klux Klan were Republicans, both black and white, according to a new television program and book, which describe how the Democrats started the KKK and for decades harassed the GOP with lynchings and threats.

An estimated 3,446 blacks and 1,297 whites died at the end of KKK ropes from 1882 to 1964.

The documentation has been assembled by David Barton of Wallbu and published in his book "Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White," which reveals that not only did the Democrats work hand-in-glove with the Ku Klux Klan for generations, they started the KKK and endorsed its mayhem.

"Of all forms of violent intimidation, lynchings were by far the most effective," Barton said in his book. "Republicans often led the efforts to pass federal anti-lynching laws and their platforms consistently called for a ban on lynching. Democrats successfully blocked those bills and their platforms never did condemn lynchings."

Further, the first grand wizard of the KKK was honored at the 1868 Democratic National Convention, no Democrats voted for the 14th Amendment to grant citizenship to former slaves and, to this day, the party website ignores those decades of racism, he said.

"Although it is relatively unreported today, historical documents are unequivocal that the Klan was established by Democrats and that the Klan played a prominent role in the Democratic Party," Barton writes in his book. "In fact, a 13-volume set of congressional investigations from 1872 conclusively and irrefutably documents that fact.

"The Klan terrorized black Americans through murders and public floggings; relief was granted only if individuals promised not to vote for Republican tickets, and violation of this oath was punishable by death," he said. "Since the Klan targeted Republicans in general, it did not limit its violence simply to black Republicans; white Republicans were also included."

Barton also has covered the subject in one episode of his American Heritage Series of television programs, which is being broadcast now on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Cornerstone Television.

Barton told WND his comments are not a condemnation or endorsement of any party or candidate, but rather a warning that voters even today should be aware of what their parties and candidates stand for.

His book outlines the aggressive pro-slavery agenda held by the Democratic Party for generations leading up to the Civil War, and how that did not die with the Union victory in that war of the rebellion.

Even as the South was being rebuilt, the votes in Congress consistently revealed a continuing pro-slavery philosophy on the part of the Democrats, the book reveals.

Three years after Appomattox, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting blacks citizenship in the United States, came before Congress: 94 percent of Republicans endorsed it.

"The records of Congress reveal that not one Democrat either in the House or the Senate voted for the 14th Amendment," Barton wrote. "Three years after the Civil War, and the Democrats from the North as well as the South were still refusing to recognize any rights of citizenship for black Americans."

He also noted that South Carolina Gov. Wade Hampton at the 1868 Democratic National Convention inserted a clause in the party platform declaring the Congress' civil rights laws were "unconstitutional, revolutionary, and void."

It was the same convention when Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, the first grand wizard of the KKK, was honored for his leadership.

Barton's book notes that in 1868, Congress heard testimony from election worker Robert Flournoy, who confessed while he was canvassing the state of Mississippi in support of the 13th and 14th Amendments, he could find only one black, in a population of 444,000 in the state, who admitted being a Democrat.

Nor is Barton the only person to raise such questions. In 2005, National Review published an article raising similar points. The publication said in 1957 President Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican, deployed the 82nd Airborne Division to desegregate the Little Rock, Ark., schools over the resistance of Democrat Gov. Orval Faubus.

Further, three years later, Eisenhower signed the GOP's 1960 Civil Rights Act after it survived a five-day, five-hour filibuster by 18 Senate Democrats, and in 1964, Democrat President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act after former Klansman Robert Byrd's 14-hour filibuster, and the votes of 22 other Senate Democrats, including Tennessee's Al Gore Sr., failed to scuttle the plan.

Dems' website showing jump in history

The current version of the "History" page on the party website lists a number of accomplishments from 1792, 1798, 1800, 1808, 1812, 1816, 1824 and 1828, including its 1832 nomination of Andrew Jackson for president. It follows up with a name change and the establishment of the Democratic National Committee, but then leaps over the Civil War and all of its issues to talk about the end of the 19th Century, William Jennings Bryan and women's suffrage.

A spokesman for the Democrats refused to comment for WND on any of the issues. "You're not going to get a comment," said the spokesman who identified himself as Luis.

"Why would Democrats skip over their own history from 1848 to 1900?" Barton asked. "Perhaps because it's not the kind of civil rights history they want to talk about perhaps because it is not the kind of civil rights history they want to have on their website."

The National Review article by Deroy Murdock cited the 1866 comment from Indiana Republican Gov. Oliver Morton condemning Democrats for their racism.

"Everyone who shoots down Negroes in the streets, burns Negro schoolhouses and meeting-houses, and murders women and children by the light of their own flaming dwellings calls himself a Democrat," Morton said.

It also cited the 1856 criticism by U.S. Sen. Charles Sumner, R-Mass., of pro-slavery Democrats. "Congressman Preston Brooks (D-S.C.) responded by grabbing a stick and beating Sumner unconscious in the Senate chamber. Disabled, Sumner could not resume his duties for three years."

By the admission of the Democrats themselves, on their website, it wasn't until Harry Truman was elected that "Democrats began the fight to bring down the final barriers of race and gender."

"That is an accurate description," wrote Barton. "Starting with Harry Truman, Democrats began that is, they made their first serious efforts to fight against the barriers of race; yet Truman’s efforts were largely unsuccessful because of his own Democratic Party."

Even then, the opposition to rights for blacks was far from over. As recently as 1960, Mississippi Democratic Gov. Hugh White had requested Christian evangelist Billy Graham segregate his crusades, something Graham refused to do. "And when South Carolina Democratic Gov. George Timmerman learned Billy Graham had invited African Americans to a Reformation Rally at the state Capitol, he promptly denied use of the facilities to the evangelist," Barton wrote.

The National Review noted that the Democrats' "Klan-coddling" today is embodied in Byrd, who once wrote that, "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia."

The article suggested a contrast with the GOP, which, when former Klansman David Duke ran for Louisiana governor in 1991 as a Republican, was "scorned" by national GOP officials.

Until 1935, every black federal legislator was Republican, and it was Republicans who appointed the first black Air Force and Army four-star generals, established Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday, and named the first black national-security adviser, secretary of state, the research reveals.

Current Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has said: "The first Republican I knew was my father, and he is still the Republican I most admire. He joined our party because the Democrats in Jim Crow Alabama of 1952 would not register him to vote. The Republicans did. My father has never forgotten that day, and neither have I."

Barton's documentation said the first opponents of slavery "and the chief advocates for racial equal rights were the churches (the Quakers, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc.). Furthermore, religious leaders such as Quaker Anthony Benezet were the leading spokesmen against slavery, and evangelical leaders such as Presbyterian signer of the Declaration Benjamin Rush were the founders of the nation's first abolition societies."

During the years surrounding the Civil War, "the most obvious difference between the Republican and Democrat parties was their stands on slavery," Barton said. Republicans called for its abolition, while Democrats declared: "All efforts of the abolitionists, or others, made to induce Congress to interfere with questions of slavery, or to take incipient [to initiate] steps in relation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most alarming and dangerous consequences, and all such efforts have the inevitable tendency to diminish the happiness of the people."

Wall builders also cited John Alden's 1885 book, "A Brief History of the Republican Party" in noting that the KKK's early attacks were on Republicans as much as blacks, in that blacks were adopting the Republican identity en masse.

"In some places, the Ku Klux Klan assaulted Republican officials in their houses or offices or upon the public roads; in others, they attacked the meetings of Negroes and displaced them," Alden wrote. "Its ostensible purpose at first was to keep the blacks in order and prevent them from committing small depredations upon the property of whites, but its real motives were essentially political.The Negroes were invariably required to promise not to vote the Republican ticket, and threatened with death if they broke their promises."

Barton told WND the most cohesive group of political supporters in American now is African-Americans. He said most consider their affiliation with the Democratic Party long-term.

But he said he interviewed a black pastor in Mississippi, who recalled his grandmother never "would let a Democrat in the house, and he never knew what she was talking about." After a review of history, he knew, Barton said.

Citing President George Washington's farewell address, Barton told WND, "Washington had a great section on the love of party if you love party more than anything else, what it will do to a great nation."

"We shouldn't love a party [over] a candidate's principles or values," he told WND.

Washington's farewell address noted the "danger" from parties is serious.

"Let me now warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism," Washington said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR93wQm-YDk#t=17

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klubhead76 · 6 years ago

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On February 12, 1865, Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, a former slave and now pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., became the first African American to speak in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. His sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 12, 1865 within days of Congress"s adoption of the 13th Amendment banning slavery. A number of Republican leaders thought the occasion merited a public religious service to commemorate the event. They extended the invitation to Rev. Garnet. His sermon titled, “Let the Monster Perish,” appears below. Fo…

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girlieinterns · 8 years ago

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Festival Season ft Girlie Action

Festival Season is upon us! And you’ll be able to catch Girlie Action artists everywhere you go. While you’re perusing the line ups for your festival of choice keep an eye out for these Girlie Bands! Make sure you follow them to get all the latest updates.

last update: 3/7/17

SXSW

All Our Exes Live In Texas @allourexesliveintexas

>Hilton Hotel Austin Taco Project March 16th 7:00pm

>Brush Square Park (East Tent) March 16th 2:35pm

>Cooper's BBQ March 16th 9:30-10:30pm

>Plum Creek Sound March 17th 3:30pm

>BD Riley’s March 18th 2:00pm

>Licha’s Cantina March 18th 6:15pm

Communist Daughter @communistdaughterband

>Lambert's March 15th 10:00-11:40pm

>Central Presbyterian Church March 16th 11:40pm

Downtown Boys @downtownboysmusic

>The Sidewinder Outside March 15th 1:15am

Gabriel Garzon-Montano @gabrielgarzonmontano

>Elysium March 15th 8:00-8:40pm

>Waterloo Records March 15th 4:00pm

>Space 24 Twenty March 16th 2:00pm

>Karma Lounge March 16th 11:00-11:40pm

>1621 E 6th St March 17th 1:45pm

>Antone’s March 17th 3:45pm

>Lucille March 17th 10:00pm

>The Main March 18th 9:00pm

Hippo Campus @thehalocline

>Scott Inn March 15th 2:00pm

>Empire Garage March 15th 9:00pm

>Mohawk March 16th 4:30pm

>Blackheart March 16th 11:00pm

>Austin Convention Center March 17th 1:00pm

>COLLiDE House March 17th 6:00pm

>Waterloo Records March 18th 3:00pm

Leopold & His Fiction @leopoldandhisfiction

>Hotel Vegas March 13th

>Hot Burrito Booze Cruise March 14th

>Palm Door on Sabine March 17th 12:00-12:40am

>Hotel Vegas Annex March 17th 2:30am

>Shiner’s Saloon March 18th 5:15pm

Mise En Scene @miseensceneband

>Swan Dive Patio March 16th 9:00pm

>Esther’s Follies March 18th 11:00pm

Nicole Atkins @nicoleatkins

>Weather Up March 15th 6:00pm

>The Parish March 16th 1:00am

>Blackheart March 16th 10:00am

>Blackheart March 17th 4:00pm

>Weather Up March 17th 8:00pm

Nina Diaz @ninadiazmusic

>Palm Door on Sixth Patio March 18th 1:00am

Sharkmuffin @sharkmuffin

>Wolfshield Ranch March 15th 4:30pm

>Cigar City Management Showcase March15th 7:15pm

>French House Cooperative March 16th

>Dozen Street March 18th 2:40pm

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>Spider House March 19th

Slotface @slotfaceofficial

>Lucille March 16th

>Maggie Mae’s March 17th

Sweet Spirit @sweetspiritband

>Maggie May's Rooftop March 15th 12:00-12:40am

>The Main March 16th 11:00-11:40pm

Talib Kweli @talibkweli

>Banger’s March 17th 11:00pm

Tall Heights @tallheights

>800 Congress March 16th 8:00pm

Woodes @woodesmusic

>The Backyard @ Sheraton Hotel March 13th 7:00pm

>Brush Square Park (East Tent) March 15th 4:00pm

COACHELLA

Porter Robinson + Madeon @madeon / @porterrobinson

Sunday, April 16th & 21st

Presevation Hall Jazz Band @preshallband

Friday April 14th & 21st

BOTTLEROCK

Hippo Campus @thehalocline

Sunday May 28th

SASQUATCH

The Radio Dept

BONNAROO

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @preshallband

Hippo Campus

Firefly

Kevin Garrett

#girlietraction #kevin garrett #hippo campus #Preservation Hall Jazz Band #the radio dept #porter robinson #madeon #porter robinson + madeon #all our exes live in texas #communist daughter #downtown boys #gabriel garzón-montano #leopold and his fiction

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nycreligion · 28 days ago

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October 29 Dangers of Pulpit Political Prophecy Day

Grover Cleveland and James G. Blaine. unidentified artist, 1884 / Chromolithograph /National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Milton and Ingrid Rose CCO. This day is marked in the history books as the day that preachers should remember to be careful about delivering prophetic voices about controversial things like politics about which they may know very little. On Wednesday,…

#13th Street Presbyterian Church #1884 presidential race #Greenwich Presbyterian Church #Grover Cleveland #Houston Street Presbyterian Church #James G Blaine #John Roach Stratton #Rum Romanism Rebellion #Samuel D. Burchard

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marybromley · 6 years ago

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Brian Minter: Garden clubs' plant sales deserve a (green) thumb's up

A couple weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of speaking to the B.C. Council of Garden Clubs at its annual general meeting, marking its 75th year as an association.

It made me realize how valuable individual garden clubs are to each community in our province. They maintain a connection to plants, teach gardening to folks of all ages and provide added colour and food to their respective cities and town. In addition, they provide scholarships to students in the field of horticulture, as well as perform many other community services.

To raise funds for these various services, garden clubs often organize local plant sales and special horticultural events. The following are just a few of the garden club plant sales happening around B.C. over the next few weeks. I hope you will support them.

For more information on each event, please contact the association directly. (Note that some events are cash only. Be sure to contact your local garden club to ask if they have something special happening soon, too!)

PoCo Garden Club Plant Sale

When: April 27, 9 a.m. to noon

Where: Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam

What: From herbs and edibles to annuals, perennials and shrubs, all plants are grown by members and Organic Master Gardeners on hand to provide advice. Bake sale and garden-themed yard sale, too.

Langley Garden Club Annual Spring Plant Show and Sale

When: April 27, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: United Church of Langley, 21562 Old Yale Rd. (216th St. & 48th Ave.)

What: Juried plant show, plant sale, garden-related items and baked goods/preserves, too.

More info: langleygardenclub.com

Gibsons Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: April 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Gibsons Community Centre, 700 Park Rd., Gibsons

What: Featuring plants lovingly started and potted by members as well as a bake table and garden decor.

More info: gibsonsgardenclub.ca

Checking out what’s on offer at a community plant sale.

Park & Tilford Gardens Spring Plant Sale, presented by the Friends of the Gardens

When: April 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 333 Brooksbank Ave. and Main Street, North Vancouver

What: Plants for sun or shade, annuals, edibles and more. Master Gardeners, Wild Birds Unlimited, a Beekeeper and Herbalist will be there to answer questions about the plants too.

More info: parkandtilfordfogs.ca

Maple Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale

When: April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: St. Pat’s School Gymnasium, 22589 121 Ave.

What: Excellent varieties of perennials and annuals. Bake Sale. Raffle Table — lots of fabulous prizes — and vendors with garden-related products.

More info: mrgardenclub.wixsite.com/mapleridgegardenclub

VanDusen Botanical Garden Plant Sale

When: April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5151 Oak St. at West 37th Avenue.

What: Thousands of plant favourites will be for sale, as well as new and different ideas for your garden. It’s a celebration of their love of plants.

More info: vandusengarden.org

South Burnaby Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 4.

Where: All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave.

What: Locally grown perennials, hostas, flowers and fruit, bee houses, refurbished tools and much more.

More info: Southburnabygardenclub.ca

Dogwood Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 4, 9 a.m. to noon

Where: Centennial Room, Dogwood Pavilion, 624 Poirier St., Coquitlam

What: Will be offering a wide variety of plants including perennials, annuals, shrubs, grasses and more.

More info: dogwoodgardenclub.weebly.com

Vancouver Rhododendron Society Show & Sale

When: May 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Park and Tilford Gardens, 333 Brooksbank Ave., North Vancouver

What: Shop from species and hybrid rhododendrons not typically found in stores. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.

More info: rhodovanbc.org

The New Westminster Horticultural Society’s Plant Sale features mostly vegetables, shade and sun perennials. It goes May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New Westminster Horticultural Society’s Plant Sale

When: May 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: New Westminster secondary school, in the breezeway on 8th Street at 8th Avenue

What: Featuring mostly veggies, shade and sun perennials and other plant material. The athletics department at New West secondary will be selling bags of manure for $5.

More info: newwesthortsociety.org

Dunbar Garden Club Annual Perennial Plant Sale

When: May 4, 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: 3806 West 37th Ave. at Highbury Street, Vancouver

Castlegar Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 4.

Where: Station Museum, 400-13th Ave.

What: Featuring a “collector’s corner” with rare and unique plants, as well as plant contributions from club members, including their favourites. Garden experts will be on hand to answer questions.

More info: castlegarculture.com

Chilliwack Garden Club

When: May 4, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Chilliwack Mall, 45610 Luckakuck Way

What: Offering perennials, fruit bushes, vegetables, herbs and annuals. Learn from area experts while you’re there.

More info: chilliwackgardenclub.com

Mission Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale

When: May 4, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 8469 Cedar St.

What: Find hostas, hydrangeas, hardy fuchsias, assorted perennials, edibles, a few trees and check out the “rare” section, too!

Fraser Valley Dahlia Society Tuber Sale

When: May 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Otter Co-op Parking Lot, 3650 248th St., Langley

Armstrong and District Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Odd Fellows Parking Lot, 3005 Wood Ave.

What: Featuring locally grown annuals, houseplants, perennials, shrubs, edibles, black diamond soil and silent auction. Master gardeners will be on site to answer questions.

More info: Armstrong & District Garden Club’s Facebook web page.

South Surrey Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 11, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 12953 20th Ave.

What: Unique plants grown by members and specialty growers. Mother’s Day gifts including hanging baskets and teacup succulents. Gently used books and tools. Tool-sharpening demonstrations. Master gardeners on site.

More info: [email protected]

Community plant sales are popular across B.C. in the late spring. For Brian Minter gardening column in The Vancouver Sun on April 20, 2019. (Photo: New Westminster Horticultural Society) [PNG Merlin Archive]

Seed to Sky Plant Sale

When: May 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: City View Baptist Church, 4370 Sophia St. (near Main Street and East 28th Avenue), Vancouver

What: Great selection of perennials, ground covers, veggie starts, grasses, trees and shrubs. Cash only.

Richmond Garden Club’s Annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale

When: May 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: South Arm United Church, No. 3 Road at Steveston Highway

What: Perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, veggie starters, houseplants and more. Back by popular demand, budding gardeners: Kids plant their own pot for mom!

More info: richmondgardenclub.ca

Mt. Lehman Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale

When: May 11, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: 5889 Mt. Lehman Rd., Abbotsford.

What: Offering a wide variety of locally grown plants, including perennials, and a lovely selection of delicious, home-baked items.

More info: Call 604-856-2851

London Heritage Farm’s Annual Plant Sale

When: May 11 and 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 6511 Dyke Rd., Richmond

What: Featuring a selection of London Heritage Farm’s perennials, annuals, herbs, hanging baskets, tomato seedlings, succulent arrangements and garden accessories.

More info: londonheritagefarm.ca

Lynn Valley Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 1360 E. 24th St. at Mountain Highway, North Vancouver

What: Offering a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, ground covers and hundreds of veggies plants. Cash only.

More info: [email protected]

David Douglas Botanical Garden Society Annual Plant Sale

When: May 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: UNBC Parking Lot A, 3333 University Way, Prince George

What: Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, specialty plants, compost, gardening advice, memberships and much more.

More info: ddbotgarden.bc.ca

UBC Botanical Garden Peonies, Pelargoniums & Prized Perennials Courtyard Sale

When: May 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: 6804 SW Marine Dr. at West 16th Avenue, Vancouver

What: A plant sale worth waiting for. Spice up your garden this spring with prized peonies, unique pelargoniums propagated by the Friends of the Garden volunteers, hardy perennials and more.

More info: botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/events

Gwynne Vaughan Park Annual Plant Sale and Garden Party

When: June 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 46181 Hope River Rd. (at Williams Road), Chilliwack

What: A community-focused event featuring plants and plant-related vendor booths and attractions for all ages (including the Rotary train) and the ever-popular strawberry tea.

More info: gwynnevaughanpark.ca

West Coast Bonsai Society Plant Show and Sale

When: June 8 and 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Harry Jerome Recreation Centre (North Vancouver Recreation Centre), 123 – 23rd St., North Vancouver

What: One of the finest collection of bonsai, cultivated by their artists, in the Pacific Northwest. Hands-on demonstrations of training and pruning trees; plants, pots, books, wire and soil for sale.

National Peony Show

When: June 21 to 23.

What: Save this weekend for the National Peony Show in Castlegar. Visit castlegarpeony.com for details, including workshops, displays, a dinner and live auction, plus more.

Brian Minter: Timing in spring is everything