| Send your memories or email to: info@rockinghamremembered.com |
| From: Greg McNair Date: 09/23/04 13:14:45 To: Joel RR Subject: Re: e-mail, postal addresses Joel: Thanks for adding me to your list of e-mail contacts. I do enjoy checking out your website from time to time. It revives some old memories of growing up in Rockingham. I remember you. You may recall I had a brother, Nick, who was murdered back in 1979 at his home in Hamlet. We used to play ball with you and some of your neighbors over at Geoffrey and Mark Hewitte's and some other nearby yards. Geoff and Mark are my "first cousins through marriage," with their mom, Virginia, having married my uncle (now deceased) Ray Kime. I'm sure you remember they lived on the northern end of your Five Points neighborhood, up on the big hill on Old Ellerbe Road where it runs into U.S. Highway 220 just north of Rockingham. John Kime is my first cousin and Mark and Geoff's stepbrother. He didn't live with them, but they spent a lot of time together on weekends. In fact, we all did --- us at their house and them at our house on East Washington Street. Mark now lives in Burgaw, down toward Wilmington, and Geoff lives in one of the North Carolina beach communities not too far from Wilmington. Their mom moved from "Hemlock Hill" a year or two ago to Sunset Beach to be closer to them after Ray's death. Cousin John now lives in Rhode Island, after having lived in Concord, N.C., and Charlotte for quite a few years. We moved to Alabama in April from Bandon, Ore. Before that, I lived in New Hampshire, North Carolina and Florida, after first leaving the Sandhills of North Carolina back in 1977. From my high-school and college days until a little over a year ago, I worked in the newspaper business until we decided to sell the paper and set up a bed-and-breakfast inn to operate. We aren't open yet, but we are shooting for late this fall. Hurricane Ivan last week set our opening back a bit. We were fortunate to have almost no damage to our home, but it is going to take a while to get the grounds and adjacent woods tidied up again. We lost many trees and tree limbs, so there is still a huge amount of storm debris to deal with. These items are unrelated to the hurricane, but we still have some carpentry, painting and decorating work to do before we can open our doors to guests. When we get it online, in a month or two, our website address will be www.montrosehideaway.com. I just turned 50 recently. I can remember when that used to be "ancient." Heck, I can recall when I used to consider 30 pretty old. Our perspective on age sure changes with the passage of time, doesn't it? Oh, did you know that Rick Thames the new top editor of The Charlotte Observer is a Rockingham High School graduate? Until a few months ago, he was the editor of The Wichita Eagle in Kansas. Rick graduated with me in the class of 1972. I do know that Rick worked at The Observer for several years before going to Wichita. I know that Ken Kindley, another member of my class, is the head of the chamber of commerce up in Lincolnton, N.C. I believe he has been there for a number of years. Keep up the good work with the "Rockingham Remembered" website. I'll keep checking in from time to time. Best regards, Greg |
| From: Joel RR Date: 09/24/04 10:44:23 To: Greg McNair Subject: Re: e-mail, postal addresses Hey Greg I'm glad you enjoy the website.Sorry to say, my memory probably leaves a lot to be desired but I don't remember you when I was growing up. But if you visited Mark and Geof, I'm sure I was in your company a lot of the time. I've been trying to rack my brain to remember the murder of your brother Nick, but nothing rings a bell. But I give you my condolences. Recalling Mark and Geoffrey, I remember their mom Virginia well. We spent many afternoons playing ball at their house that stood at the end of the road above Cuzzu hill (don't know if that is spelled right but I remember it used to grow all over that hill). And I remember your uncle Ray Kime (it seems he was an insurance salesman or car salesman, I can't remember which) and his son John. I didn't know that he has passed on. Sorry to hear that. I would love to hear from any of them, so if you ever talk to them, let them know of the website and my email. I know the Maskes also moved from their house a while back, which was right up from the Hewittes. I believe about the only original people that still live in that neighborhood are my mom and Mrs Jenkins. Best wishes for getting your new business up and running. Hopefully Ivan is finally gone. But now we have to watch out for Jeanne. Looks like Alabama will not have to worry about this one. Talking about growing old - it is tough. I'm 56 now and seems like yesterday I was in high school. But all I have to do is look in the mirror for a reality check. I have a 14 yr old daughter and 4 grandkids that help keep me young. (or worn out!) Sounds like you have been traveling the USA quite a bit. Any particular area you like best? We lived in Jax Fl for 8 years and then St Pete for about 4 yrs. I loved it in St Pete/Clearwater. Winters were the best down there. Afraid I don't remember Rick or Ken - but I wish them luck in their endeavors. Guess I'll end now. Take care and have a great day Joel |
|
|