Gadsden GAB
A
P u b l i c a t i o n
o f
B i s h o p
March 2011
G a d s d e n
View the Gab in color on-line at
http://www.bishopgadsden.org/community_life/newsroom.html
Darkening Shadow: No Longer America
but North and South...and War
V i n c e
L a n n i e
Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Civil War (1861-2011)
This is the first of a five-part series by Vince Lannie on the Civil War or The
War Between the States: its origins; Fort Sumter as the trigger for actual warfare; the
First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas as a bloody prelude to an even bloodier War; the
burning of Columbia, SC as part of Sherman’s scorched-earth war strategy; and Gone
With The Wind as a transitional novel linking the old and new south.
This is an interpretive investigation and, inevitably, it exhibits conscious and
even unconscious biases. Facts alone are objective; interpretation always subjective.
The ultimate hope is to fuse fact and interpretation into a balanced and understandable
picture. To this end, Lannie reminds us that he is a northerner by birth, a southerner
by choice, and a Charlestonian by the grace of God.
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
President’s
Message
From the
Development &
PR Office
2
5
Activities /
Events
6
Birthdays
6
Chaplain’s
Corner
11
Change was in the air in mid19th century America as national unity
fragmented into a blundering northern
and southern sectionalism. Both sides,
on a collision course, failed to understand the consequences of their rigid
positions.
The industrial revolution expanded into northern society just as
thousands of European immigrants
landed on American shores and flooded
crowded northeastern and midwestern
cities. Rhett Butler, the ostracized
Charlestonian in Gone With The Wind,
described what he had observed in his
visits up north. “The Yankees have
thousands of immigrant [workers]
…,factories, foundries, shipyards, [and]
iron and coal mines-all the things…[the
south] hasn’t got.” Butler was accurate
in this assessment but he overlooked the
serious social problems associated with
this new industrial economy. Irish, German, French, and Italian newcomers
spoke foreign tongues, worshipped different brands of Christianity, and practiced strange folkways. These Ameri-
cans exhibited no cultural assimilation
with Protestant and Anglo-Saxon
Jamestown and Plymouth Rock, and
were seen by many as corrupting traditional American values and symbols. As a result, nativist sentiment
emerged to curb this ostensible immigrant defilement. The anti-foreign and
anti-Catholic Know-Nothing political
movement of this period stained
American integrity with its intolerant,
though understandable, yearning for a
simpler age of religious and ethnic
purity,
The south, on the other hand,
identified itself as an agrarian and rural society based on a cotton economy
and an unlimited slave labor force.
Slavery was considered indispensable
for its flourishing cotton plantations
which shipped raw cotton to northern
ports and then across the Atlantic to
profitable English textile mills. But
just as new immigrants alarmed northerners, throngs of black men and
women unnerved white southern racial sensibilities.
Continued on Page 2
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Volume 254
President’s Message
C .
W i l l i a m
Many of
you know I was
an English major and particularly
enjoy
words and the
“turn of a good
phrase.”
Recently, as I listened to a program
on NPR about types of music, it
was said that a certain style of
music lost its “cachet” when it
lost a certain following. “Cachet”
is a word I have always liked, but
never once used; so I pondered it
as I think it relates to Bishop
Gadsden.
Growing up, there were
two situations that come readily
to mind where I was particularly
impressed by individuals, with
their stylish or interesting homes
and surroundings. One was a
lady friend of my mother’s who,
with her family, lived in a white
two-story country home, complete with lake, circle drive, and
American flag flying on the lawn.
She was blonde and beautiful and
prided herself on being an intelC i v i l
T r aw i c k
lectual. Their home was a social
hub and there were lively discussions of art, history and politics.
It was always fun to be invited
there.
The other was a man who
owned “The Country Squire,” a
restaurant where I waited tables
during college. He and his wife
lived on the same property as the
restaurant in an old-brick home
with double porches and columns, and filled with antiques.
Joe was a perfectionist in every
detail and a consummate restaurateur. He was handsome and
“cut a dashing figure” as he wandered through the dark, torch-lit
rooms visiting with diners. The
patrons were always complimented when Joe would join their
table for a few minutes. Whether
a guest at his home or restaurant,
you always felt special.
As the years went by,
these individuals died. Revisiting
these settings, the home of my
mother’s friend and Joe’s home
and restaurant, I have found that
they have lost their appeal, their
W a r
c o n t i n u e d
Though institutional slavery was an acknowledged reality, slaves clearly understood that they were property (“chattel”)
owned by white folk. Blacks survived this
involuntary servitude by reluctantly accepting their slave status and imploring God for
ultimate liberation.
“Lord, we need you now, Lord, we need
your prayer, Stop this wicked slavery,
Stop their wicked ways.”
This prayer was echoed by northern abolitionists (always a minority) who attacked
slavery as a fundamentally immoral institution. Henry Beecher Ward, a famous and
powerful
preacher,
judged
an
“irreconcilable difference between liberty
energy, and their glamour. It has
become apparent to me that it was
not the physical settings, but the
“personalities” of the individuals
who inhabited them, that gave
them their “cachet.” In fact, the
places now seem rather ordinary
and lifeless.
I search out retirement
communities wherever I go and
we have one of the most beautiful
communities I have ever seen.
However, I firmly believe that
Bishop Gadsden’s appeal is found
in the diversity, energy and interesting personalities of our residents. This is what gives Bishop
Gadsden its “cachet” for those of
us who already live and work
here, those who are considering a
possible move to a community
such as ours, or those just coming
for a visit. People often say that
Bishop
Gadsden
is
“different”…”special”…” wonderful”…”like no other.” I believe
that what they are sensing is the
distinct “cachet” that the residents
of this community have given it.
f r o m
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and slavery” and abhorred the south as an
insidious “Empire of Slavery.”
Southerners viewed slaves primarily
in humanitarian and economic terms and felt
responsible for their gradual “civilization”
and “Christianization” from African savagery. To strengthen their case, southern
apologists contrasted the economic conditions of slaves with northern and English
urban workers (“hirelings”). This defense
cited Charles Dicken’s vivid portrayal of a
brutalized English working class and at the
same time responded to Harriet Beecher
Stowe’s trenchant attack on slavery as a
moral and economic blight upon the land.
The Hireling and the
Continued on Page 8
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Volume 254
Meet your NeighborMary Newton
K a t h e r i n e
Last spring saw the arrival of Mary Newton
from Greenville, SC. As a young women, she
studied at Erskine for 2 years, then was accepted at
UNC in Chapel Hill where she graduated with a major in English. With that
behind her, she married and had 3 children. After her first husband died,
Mary moved to Columbia and earned
her Master's and then her PhD in psychology at USC. All this plus raising
her 3 little girls, all by herself. After
receiving her degrees, she was employed by the SC Dept. of Mental
Health at Morris Village in Columbia
where she applied her psychological skills for 20
years.
Her second husband took her back to the
upstate. Having grown up in South Carolina,
Mary, like most Carolinians, has many South
Carolina relatives. To her surprise, she found out
that the receptionist who worked for the dentist her
husband recommended, was her cousin!
Mary is the family historian and is in
charge of all the records. Her Stewart family has
had reunions for over 100 years and the total rela-
H a r m s
tives number over 5000. That degree in English
kicked in, and she compiled a large family history
complete with genealogical records, anecdotes and
thumbnail sketches of ancestors. After a
heart valve replacement this fall, she is returning to her hobbies of travel, music, reading and writing.
Her second husband promised that
they would travel.
And travel they
did. Mary has gone on 5 world cruises. She
recommends the Crystal Cruise Lines as one
of the best. And perhaps she might have chosen to live in Honolulu and please go to Tahiti, her favorite place of all. Mary says that
our clothes are better made, more stylish and upscale
than in other countries. “So, come on. Let's go shopping!”
In 1965, Mary was accepted into Mensa. To
her surprise when she moved to the Columbia
branch, the national office said, “Congratulations,
President!” She was the first state president - over a
total of 10 members in the entire state!
She loves opera, particularly Verdi. She was
listening to it when I arrived and then Verdi followed
me down the hall when I closed the door to apt.123.
The Story of Anglicanism and the Episcopal Church
This year’s Lenten study will focus on the history of the Church of England and the Episcopal
Church. In addition, the distinctive features of Anglicanism will be explored, such as tradition, scripture, bishops, authority, sacraments, worship and liturgy. The five-part study will be held on the following Wednesdays: March 16, 23 & 30, April 6 & 13 at 11:00 a.m. The meeting place will be the
Myers Hall Activity Room. We hope you will attend!
I N
L ov i n g
Caroline Lown
September 13, 1920 ~ February 5, 2011
Jim Scott
May 4, 1929 ~ February 5, 2011
Chilton Johnson
September 18, 1923 ~ February 7, 2011
M e m o ry
Bud Klauser
April 26, 1923 ~ February 14, 2011
Hazel Parker
February 20, 1922 ~ February 19, 2011
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Volume 254
Bishop Gadsden Woodworking Shop
D r .
A number of years ago some
residents of BG had woodwork tools,
and needed a place to use them. They
appealed to Bill Trawick and he found
an area for that purpose. It
was originally housed in
the area where Eliza's Attic
is now located. George
John and Jack Bretherton
found that a new prospective resident, Tom Uffleman, had a large number
of woodworking tools in
Atlanta, and was willing to donate
them. So, George and Jack made the
trip to Atlanta and brought back the
tools. It wasn't long before the shop
outgrew the space. It was moved to the
Environmental Services area where it
now resides. Over the years tools have
been donated, and others acquired until
now there is a marvelously equipped
shop available for residents to use.
A number of residents have
used the shop to make some beautiful
furniture. Marcelle Furchgott says that
some of the furniture made by Dr.
Swenson could be compared to furniture made by Thomas Elfe (the renowned 18th century cabinetmaker of
Charleston). A number of others have
used the shop to make marvelous
items, and to restore others. Among
frequent users in the past have been:
Dr. Orvar Swenson, George John, Jack
Bretherton, Hal Aronson, Dr. Herb Arnold, Al Benjaminson, Bill Whitener,
and others. They built the podium that
Bill Trawick still uses, and a beautiful
chest for the Sacristy in BG Chapel
where silver and other items used by
the priest are stored. At one time this
group was hired by St. Philip's Episcopal Church to build an altar and altar
rail. They used the money to buy more
tools and supplies.
In the past there has been a
place residents could list an item that
Wa l t
E c t o r
needed repairing; these men would take the damaged piece, and
restore it beautifully. They made no charge for this work, but
did accept donations that were used for tools and supplies.
They built the two Christmas tree stands for the lakes, and the
Manger scene. These men began to bond, and meet
for drinks, etc. It became a sort of club.
The shop is extremely well equipped, with all
sorts of tools, including a lathe, planers, belt and disc
sanders, a joiner, jig saw, band saw, and grinders. It
has a vacuum system, and has plenty of work space.
Unfortunately, several of the residents who
were actively using the shop are no longer able to do
so; therefore, the shop is lying fallow most of the
time. The BG staff do use it for some of their needs.
It is a shame that the shop is being used so little and it is
hoped that some of the new residents, who may not know about
this equipment, will be encouraged to begin using the shop
again. It would be nice to revive the list of items needing repair
that woodworking residents could restore.
If you have any interest in knowing more about the
shop, call Daniel Larrabee, staff, @ 406-6282, or Jack Bretherton, resident, @ 406-6329. However, please realize that these
power tools can be dangerous for a novice. Therefore, BG requires that shop users sign a waiver statement before using the
equipment. Also, users must sign in and out.
We hope this well-equipped shop will see more use in
the future, and that once again damaged items can be restored
by the shop users.
Woodshop located in Environmental
Services Building
Page 5
Volume 254
From the Development & PR Office
K i m b e r ly
“What exactly does your office do?” This is a
question I receive frequently from new residents
and sometimes from not-so-new residents. So, I
thought the Gab would be a perfect spot to talk a
little about the responsibilities of the Office of
Development & Public Relations.
Fundraising / Charitable Activities
First and foremost, we are responsible for
the philanthropic spirit associated with fundraising for the Resident Assistance Fund, the Guerry
Endowment for Resident Assistance, capital campaigns and special projects that may occur, and
the Century Society, which is made up of individuals who have included Bishop Gadsden in
their estate plans. In addition to fundraising for
Bishop Gadsden’s internal interests, the Office of
Development & Public Relations manages the
Generous Spirit Program which benefits other
Charleston area non-profit organizations.
Resident Assistance Fund - The heart and soul
of our ministry here at Bishop Gadsden is our
Resident Assistance Fund. This fund provides for
community members who could not otherwise
afford to live here or who deplete their funds due
to extended life expectancy and/or unanticipated
healthcare needs. We have appeals throughout
the year to support this fund and all monies collected are used to meet our on-going resident assistance needs.
The Guerry Endowment for Resident Assistance In addition to the annual needs of the Resident
Assistance Fund, Bishop Gadsden also operates
the Guerry Endowment for Resident Assistance.
In this fund, the principal is restricted; however,
the interest generated by the principal can be
used to meet our on-going resident assistance
needs.
Fa r f o n e
Capital Campaigns and Special Projects - As Bishop
Gadsden continues to address the current and future
needs of our community, capital campaigns and special
projects are initiated. These “item” specific fundraising
campaigns are critical to the community’s quality of life.
In recent years, we have seen the Dog Park and our naming opportunities for the Bistro, the Wine Cellar, the Sun
Porch, etc., as examples of these special projects.
The Century Society - The Century Society helps to
ensure a positive future for Bishop Gadsden. Most gifts
established by Century Society members go into the
Guerry Endowment for Resident Assistance and can include, but are not limited to, bequests, charitable gift annuities, donations of life insurance or property.
The Generous Spirit Program - Begun in late 2009, the
Generous Spirit Program offers both the residents and
the staff of Bishop Gadsden opportunities to jointly support area charitable organizations. Nearly every month
throughout the year, an area non-profit is chosen as the
beneficiary of the program. Past organizations include
Pet Helpers, Trident United Way, Ronald McDonald
House and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Public Relations/Branding
The Office of Development & Public Relations is
responsible for the promotion of the public image of
Bishop Gadsden, as well as the press and media coverage
of the community. We generate the concept, design and
writing for all of our advertising materials, including
those that are printed and/or on-line. Additionally, all
social networking activities including those for Facebook, Twitter and our Bishop Gadsden Blog, are generated from our office.
All in all, the Office of Development & Public Relations has a wonderful time fundraising for our community and for other area non-profits which we support, as
well as using our creative energy on promotional and
branding materials.
The Beginning of Lent:
Ash Wednesday Service
Join us on the first day of Lent for the Ash Wednesday communion
service with the imposition of ashes. The service will be held in our chapel on
Wednesday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. During the days prior to Ash Wednesday,
please return the palm crosses and fronds from last year’s Palm Sunday.
Page 6
Volume 254
W h a t ’ s
H a p p e n i n g !
B Y K a t i e J a y n e , C y n t h i a M a r t e r r e ,
C h r i s t y S m i t h a n d S h e i l a H o w l a n d
3
2
1
M a r c h
Stella Barnett
Jean Rodgers
Marjie Mengedoht
Betty O’Connor
Polly Graustein
Louise Dougherty
Jeanne Herndon
Wilhelmina Wright
Margaret Wieters
Elizabeth Leonard
Herb Arnold
Geoff Place
West Woodbridge
Colton Smith
Betty Parker
3
5
5
6
7
7
7
8
10
11
11
11
11
12
12
4
1. George and Louise Thorne with
their daughter, Diane.
2. Violet Dawson and Jean Simmons enjoying each other’s company.
3. Ann Zlatoper, Margaret
Meynardie and Al Benjaminson
dressed in red for the “Everything
Red Party”.
4. Charlotte Harrell and Mildred
Rooke are all smiles at the “Smile
Social”.
5. Best friends, Elise Scarborough
and Dottie Ewald, smile for the
camera.
5
B i r t h d ays !
Min Richardson
Marcia Weiss
Fred Thomas
Frances Melton
Taki Andriadis
Dottie Ewald
Martha Walder
Jean Howe
Lillian McGougan
Betty Murrell
Jan Beebe
Connie Hare
Pat Sporn
Charlotte Harrell
Septima Murray
14
14
15
16
17
17
19
19
19
21
25
25
26
27
29
Mr. Emmons was blown away by
the balloons his family ordered for
him through our Valentine’s Day
delivery service to benefit Employees Helping Employees.
Page 7
Volume 254
W h a t ’ s
H a p p e n i n g !
B Y K a t i e J a y n e , C y n t h i a M a r t e r r e ,
C h r i s t y S m i t h a n d S h e i l a H o w l a n d
Clarice
Foster
mixing her
homemade
granola in
one of the
Myers Hall
Country
Kitchens.
You Don’t Want to Miss…
March 2 — 4:00 PM
Traveling Serendipity Singing Group - Blackmer Hall
March 3 — 10:30 AM
Traveling Serendipity- Morse Activity Room
March 3 — 3:00 PM
Baking Dog and Cat Treats for Pet Helpers
MH Gathering Room
March 8 — 12:00 PM
MH Lunch Out: Jack’s Cosmic Dogs - MH Front Door
March 9 — 4:00 PM
Improv Group from Yale: Just Add Water- Blackmer
March 11 — 4:00 PM
Two Thousand Years of Botanical Art Lecture -Blackmer
March 16 — 2:30 PM
Jewelry Making w/Black Market Minerals
MH Living Room
March 16 — 11:00 AM
BINGO w/Nativity School 8th Graders
Morse Activity Room
March 17 — 3:00 PM
Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt - MH Activity Room
March 17 — 8:00 PM
An Evening of Irish Songs - Polly’s Pub
March 18 — 3:00 PM
Wild West Party with Country Line Dancing
MH Activity Room
March 22 — 5:00 PM
Oyster Roast - Palm Court
March 24 — 3:00 PM
Spring Gardening: Planting a Mini Vegetable Garden
MH Activity Room
March 28 — 11:00 AM
Piano Music w/Nancy Union - Morse Activity Room
(Above) Betsy Ferguson & Carol enjoying
the sing-a-long during
Hat Ladies Valentine Social.
(Right) Marjorie
Peale in the Hat Ladies
Promenade as part of the
Valentine Social with the
date
p
U
t
n
e
Resid etings
Me
Hall
Myers t 11:00 AM
3/10 a ttages
y
a
d
s
Thur rtment/Co 0:00 AM
Apa
16 at 1
/
3
y
a
ter
esd
Wedn Read Clois 1:00 AM
17 at 1
/
3
y
a
d
Thurs
Page 8
Volume 254
C i v i l
W A r
c o n t i n u e d
Slave was a stinging poetical rebuttal to Uncle
Tom’s Cabin, insisting that a plantation slave’s
status surpassed his northern and English counterpart. “In hireling states” hordes of workers “suffer
from want of food and clothing” while no slave
“suffers from want.” The poem ended in an edifying epiphany:
“The negro learns each civilizing art
That softens and subdues the savage heart.
And slowly learns but surely, while a slave
The lessons that his country never gave.”
The Mexican War (1848) elevated, unintentionally, the slavery issue and its extension into the
larger and more volatile political arena. Mexico had
been forced to cede a large tract of western land to
the United States-land divided into territories and
eventually into states. This resulted in north and
south jockeying for increased political power in
Washington, especially in the Senate where each
state, regardless of size or population, had two seats
and only two. It was primarily in the Senate that the
south sought equal political power with the north.
Several decades earlier this equality had been solemnized by the Missouri Compromise (1820)
which mandated the existence of slavery south of
36 30’ latitude and forever excluded it above that
line. But this compromise was thunderingly upset
by the Mexican land surrender, much of which fell
below the Missouri latitude. Renewed sectional bitterness exploded over this issue and a titanic struggle raged in Congress. Once again another compromise was crafted to solve the issue, but its most important provision remained controversial. Deceptively simple, “popular sovereignty” ruled that the
people of any territory could exclude slavery even
though it was constitutionally protected as legal.
Yet the Compromise of 1850 became law as the
“olive branch” temporarily conquered the “sword.”
But not for long. A few years later the Supreme Court litigated the issue and all hell broke
loose. In its landmark Dred Scott Decision (1857),
the Court decreed that slaves remained property
protected by the Constitution and enjoyed no legal
rights in any part of the country. No governmental
law or compromise or group of people could exclude slavery from any federal territory. All compromises to the contrary were null and void and
“popular sovereignty” was a dead legal issue.
The north’s hostile response was to condemn, and even ignore, the Dred Scott Decision,
f r o m
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and some even appealed to a “higher law”
that transcended the Supreme Court and
even the Constitution. The newly formed
Republican Party voiced absolute opposition to the extension of slavery into any
territory. The Democratic Party, on the
other hand, split into two separate wings
over the issue. The Northern wing advocated “popular sovereignty” as the only
practical solution while southern Democrats appealed to the Supreme Court’s decision for its position. To further strengthen
its case, the south framed the slavery
question within the broader and more controversial issue of states rights as the ultimate question for solution.
The presidential campaign of 1860
was waged, not over the institution of
slavery per se, but over the preservation of
the union and whether an individual state
could “lawfully get out” of it. The Republican platform promised not to interfere
with slavery in the existing southern states
and Lincoln admitted that he had neither
the “right” nor the “inclination” to do so.
But at the same time he denied that slavery was free to extend into the territories.
The south understood the implications of
this position and warned that Lincoln’s
election meant certain secession from the
Union. Lincoln won a divided election and
South Carolina seceded in December.
A dark shadow now clouded national unity and sectionalism was about to
tear it asunder. “The Union First” proclaimed the north. “Secession Forever”
countered the south. War!
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Volume 254
The 7 Dimensions of Wellness
Wendy DeBona
Bishop Gadsden has so many activities to offer you balance
and a better quality of life. Have you driven down the road
with a flat tire? Did you ignore the signs and keep driving?
It’s a “bumpy ride” when something is “out of whack.” How
many Dimensions of Wellness are you working on every day?
Physical Wellness Optimal physical health is more
than the absence of disease. It includes a variety of behaviors
including regular exercise, proper nutrition to maintain a
healthy bodyweight, and limiting poor habits such as smoking
and excessive alcohol. Our Wellness Center and swimming
pool are open 24 hours a day for a “no excuses” addition to
your busy schedule.
Social Wellness The ability to effectively live up to
the demands of our personal roles without harming others. We
are sons/daughters, mothers/fathers, friends/neighbors. This
means practicing good communication skills, developing intimacy with others and satisfying our need for companionship.
Check the weekly calendar and get involved in a club or support group. Have fun and meet interesting people!
Environmental Wellness The awareness of the state
of the earth and our immediate
surroundings.
Being socially
responsible by reducing pollution, reusing containers and bags
and recycling paper, glass and
plastic. Although you may feel
overwhelmed by all the “green”
efforts, if every individual made
adjustments in their life, the impact on the environment would
be great. Shhhhhhh! Insider’s
Tip: Watch for a limited edition,
fabulous, one of a kind tote bag
to be handed out at the Wellness
Walk this year on May 26th!!
Practice walking and enjoying the green surroundings on the
walking trails here on campus! Walk with a friend to include
Social Wellness!
Emotional Wellness This is the core of Wellness,
known as our feelings. If our life is going smoothly it is contentment, ease, confidence and hopefulness. Things out of balance? Anxiety, depression, mood swings and a darkness takes
over our general demeanor. Learning how to deal with the ups
and downs of life. Being able to recognize emotions, understand them and then deal with them in a constructive manner.
Our informed and loving staff are available at every turn to
give advice and guide us through the “bumpy” times and
“celebrate” our accomplishments!
Need help? Just ask.
Spiritual Wellness This very
personal dimension is a set of guiding
beliefs, principles and values that help
give a dimension to one’s life. It involves a high level of faith, hope and
commitment that provides a sense of
meaning and purpose. We can express
our spiritual side through nature, music, art, meditation and good deeds towards others. Next time you exit the
front gate, pause for a minute and look
up at the steeple on St. James Episcopal Church. It is a beautiful sight as
the skies and seasons change. Simple
things that can improve our feeling of
wellbeing. Take a walk to the Chapel
and “kill two birds with one stone”.
Intellectual Wellness Focused
on learning, this is any activity that
helps explore the world around you
and expands your mind. To include
reading, using a computer, hobbies,
taking any new course to sharpen your
mind. Attending a lecture or seminar
on campus, using one of our bountiful
libraries, using the Dakim or Posit Science Brain Fitness systems or reading
the morning paper. Try to learn something new every single day!
Occupational Wellness My
father always said to find my passion
and you’ll “never work a day in your
life!” Do what you love and love what
you do! So many of our residents are
still working, serving on committees,
consulting, tutoring, teaching and volunteering. This is finding where you
“fit” and answering “a call to serve”.
There are many ways here at BG to
make a difference by sharing your talents to enhance a wide variety of experiences. Step up and volunteer!
You’ll feel good about it. Honest.
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Volume 254
Meet Yo ur N eighbor:
Mary Mahony Raht-Smith
B y
Mary Mahony Raht-Smith
was born in Charleston in 1920, the
third child in what was to become a
family of TEN children! Her childhood was a very happy and fun one!
Her education was obtained at Craft
School, Ashley Hall and The College of Charleston. She added to
this with a pilot’s license after flying
lessons and a navigation course at
The Citadel.
In 1940 Mary married Graham Raht of San Antonio, Texas and
began her life as a Navy wife. The
war years were spent in Carmel, CA
as her husband was serving in the
Pacific Theatre aboard Destroyer
Escorts, first as executive officer and
then as skipper. It was here Mary
learned to play golf, her favorite
sport, at Pebble Beach. In 1945
Mary returned home to give birth to
their son, Scott, with her mother’s
caring support.
Graham arrived
three weeks later after bringing a
destroyer back to the US from
China. He found mother and child
doing quite well. Now, a nomadic
life truly began and Mary enjoyed it
all as it suited her adventuresome
spirit and her pleasure in meeting
interesting and dynamic people.
Duty stations took her around the
perimeter of the US and to Southern
France. Two of these tours were favorites with Mary. Graham was
given command of a destroyer home
ported in Charleston! When his destroyer was sent to join the Sixth
Fleet in the Mediterranean, Mary
was able to follow and visit many
interesting and beautiful places.
An outstanding event during
this time was when Graham’s ship
was sent to Monte Carlo to be an
American presence honoring Bastille
M a ry
S m i t h
Day, the Rahts were invited to attend church services in
Monaco and a dinner dance given by Prince Rainier - very
exciting! Following this, Graham was ordered to the Staff
of the 6th Fleet aboard the USS Salem home ported in
Villefranche - scarcely a hardship
tour! Mary lived at Cap Ferrat for
the next 2 1/2 years and once again
did a lot of Fleet following - the flagship was seldom in it’s homeport.
Europe became very familiar and
loved. Graham’s final tour was with
the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC. Sadly, he died suddenly
and unexpectedly in February 1960.
Thus ended a very special chapter in
Mary’s life.
Mary returned to Charleston
and began another chapter. During
the next 18 years she was a “Pink
Lady” at Roper Hospital, worked at
Historic Charleston Foundation as Assistant to the Director,
was Director of Volunteers at Roper and lastly managed the
rebuilding of a plantation on an uninhabited island near
Beaufort. The latter was a true challenge.
Lured by her love of travel, Mary returned many
times to Europe. On one of these occasions she met Traver
Smith, then Managing Director of Ford in Portugal, and several years later they were married. They settled in Charleston and still managed travels to Portugal and to Traver’s
farm in New Hampshire. In 1998 the Smiths moved into
Bishop Gadsden when it opened its first independent living
apartments. Traver died in 2003 but Mary continues to
spend summers in New Hamshire and enjoys visits from her
wonderful step-children and grandchildren. Mary is a bit
limited by macular degeneration but keeps a favorite saying
in mind:
To sigh, to weep, to scream,
All are equally cowardly.
One must follow down the path of life
Where destiny has led you, with faith and courage,
And afterwards, like me, die
Page 11
Volume 254
What is Lent?
F r a n k
Lent, taken from the
La t i n t e r m m e a ni n g
“springtime,” is the preparatory season for the great
feast of Easter. It is forty
days long in keeping with
Jesus’ forty day sojourn in
the wilderness when he
fasted and prayed, and was tempted by Satan. Ac-
R u s s ,
C h a p l a i n
cording to the calendar the season of Lent is actually
forty-six days long, but the six Sundays of Lent are
always considered as feast days because they are
commemorations of the resurrection of Jesus from
the dead, and therefore are not fast days as the weekdays of Lent are. The season of Lent begins on Ash
Wednesday and continues through Holy Saturday of
Holy Week (the day before Easter Day).
Going Green at Bishop Gadsden
Can We Do More?
Warren Watts, Admin & Finance Committee
As most of you know, BG considers itself a green community. Management over the last several years has made a concerted effort to conserve natural
resources and costs to the benefit of us all. They have reworked electrical systems; gone to more efficient lighting; changed air conditioner chilling systems;
metered water sprinklers better; separated waste; used biodegradable containers
in the café; and a host of other things that skip my “old” mind.
Yet with all of these improvements the cost of electricity and water is up
more than 15% since 2008. This is our 3rd largest cost after payroll and food.
Inflation? Yes! But with the resident turnover of nearly 40% since 2008, we
should again remind ourselves of the things we did when we lived in our own
homes. Doing these things will cut that inflation!
1. When you go on vacation remember to turn up
your thermostat a few degrees in the summer and
down in the winter.
2.When you leave your residence in the daytime
remember to turn out the lights.
3.When you go to dinner in the evening, leave only
one light burning until you return.
4.When you’re on vacation unplug your TV and
computer. Unplug items on your kitchen counter
that you don’t use daily.
5.As you replace incandescent bulbs, buy florescent
bulbs. (Remember that three fluorescent bulbs use
less electricity than one 100 W incandescent.)
6. Cottage residents check to see if your outside
porch lights are burning 24 hours a day. (The
switch is at the entrance door.)
7. Call environmental if your faucets or toilets are
leaking or running.
8. Make a concerted effort to separate trash and
plastic containers.
“Go Greener BG!”
Welcome New Residents
Mayo & Ellen Read
Elizabeth Darling
Helen LaPorte
Jack Lillich
The Gadsden Gab is a monthly publication written by and for the residents of Bishop Gadsden.
Submissions are welcomed from all residents and are used on a space-available basis. Committee members
are:
Katie Jayne, Managing Editor
Marilou Watts, Editor
Vince Lannie
Suzanne Mersereau
Kent Freeman
Walt Ector
Katharine Harms
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