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REMEMBERING: CEDAR GROVE FOLKS CLING TO MEMORIES |
| (08/16/2005) |
They returned one more time to remember those By Bob Weaver 2005 The Cedar Grove Church Homecoming is a quiet affair, little announced. A gathering of families whose lives centered around the tiny church along the banks of the West Fork of the Little Kanawha, south of Creston near Cremo. The church is over 100 years old. About 75 folks gathered this past Sunday to remember the old days, look at photo albums and enjoy some good food. The numbers are dwindling as the older folks have died.
The homecoming has been a continuous event for about 75 years. "I came to the homecoming here when I was a boy seventy years ago," said Duskey, who says "There are no spring chickens around here now." "The old church was a sacred place," he said. The long-closed Baptist church being "stern and strict." "When they would have a revival you couldn't find a place to stand," he said. "You could count the Model A Fords on one hand, and the rest got there the best way they could from Little Rowel, Beaver Dam and Honey Run." Many of the families who went to church at Cedar Grove were from Roane County, just across the West Fork, like "Sweet Potato Dan" Connolly, who decided in the early part of last century he could make lots of money growing the root and selling it around the country. Roane residents would walk through the water or use a john boat to get to the church. The Jim Bell Fish and Pickle Company, accompanied by Duck Stevens, assisted with the satisfying of appetites. Pauline Cunningham Garretson brings her well-known version of a carrot cake, the mouth-watering favorite goes quickly with other country food from the big spread.
Joe Nutter, who grew up near the old church, didn't make it because of illness in the family, having to go to Florida. Historian Nutter has always been able to recall most of the families who lived at the mouth of every holler. Also absent this year was the Rev. Edgar Cooper of Creston, who once was asked by the Herald how old he was, replied, "Old enough to sleep by myself." He is about 90. Duane Poling and wife Willa came. Duane and his dad operated a country store at nearby Cremo during the 20th century, delivering groceries and feed up and down the West Fork hollers. The Mowery bunch was represented and lots of other folks who cling to the roots of their community. Jim McCormick, now of Grantsville, said he used to "ford" the river on his horse, even when the water was up. "Some of those horses knew how to swim, even in the current," he said. McCormick grew up on lower Barnes Run in Roane County. Boyd Duskey always concludes "We hope to meet again next year."
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Boyd Duskey (pictured left), whose roots are deep in the tiny community, often leads the service, which includes hymn singing, a little preaching and testimonials. The church, sometimes opened up for a meeting once a year in the winter, is lit by kerosene lamps and heated by a wood stove.
Victor Kerby (pictured left) an old-timer from Roane County who farmed up and down the valley for many years, returned for a visit. He is 93.