A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-21-04....Virginia, the "Old Dominion State"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine,

We're
"On the Road Again"...

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past several months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state for the Finest Thread. The remaining states are being presented, about one a month, in random order. We hope you are enjoying these visits to our beautiful United States. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would appreciate your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia

10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming 04-13-04 Mississippi 04-27-04 Missouri 05-25-04 Indiana

Today we are visiting Virginia, the "Old Dominion State", and we salute the Fine FReepers who call Virginia home. Thank you all for making FreeRepublic the best conservative forum on the internet.

Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I,
Virginia entered into the Union on June 25, 1788,
the 10th of the original 13 colonies.

On April 17, 1861 Virginia would secede from
the Union and Richmond would be named
as the Capital of The Confederate States.






"The story of Virginia is the story of us all. It is the story of rich and poor, farmers and industrialists, men and women, black and white. It is the story of successive struggles for freedom and equality that both foreshadow and mirror the story of America. It is the story of individuals who through the centuries forged new identities through compromise and conflict."....excerpt from a book review of "The Story of Virginia", By James C. Kelly.

A condensed timeline of
Virginia's rich history...

1607—The first permanent settlement is established at Jamestown...

The Story of
John Smith and Pocahontas

The Jamestown colonists decided that only one man had enough leadership or experience to lead them. That man was John Smith. Smith took responsibility for exploring the surrounding environs, traveling up several of the region’s many rivers. He prepared a remarkably accurate map, based on his excursions. Smith also became the chief contact with the neighboring Native Americans, Algonkian-speaking members of the Powhatan Confederacy. In December 1607, Smith was abducted by tribal members. According to one of Smith’s accounts, he was rescued from execution by the pleas of the chief’s daughter, Pocahontas. Later authorities have speculated that Smith simply misinterpreted an Indian adoption ritual.

Pocahontas ("playful one"), maintained friendly relations with the Jamestown settlers, bringing them food and warning them of an impending attack by her father’s warriors. In 1613, an English official attempted to retrieve settlers imprisoned by Powhatan by luring Pocahontas aboard a ship and holding her hostage. Although she was reputedly the chief’s favorite daughter, he refused to exchange prisoners. Pocahontas remained in captivity, was converted to Christianity, took the name Rebecca and in 1614, with her father’s consent, married colonist John Rolfe. This marriage ushered in an eight-year period of improved relations between the Indians and the colonists.

Officials of the Virginia Company seized upon the Pocahontas story and devised an early form of a public relations campaign. The Rolfes, their infant son and several other natives were taken to England as guests of the company. Pocahontas was a sensation in English social circles. The Virginia Company hoped that interest in their colony would be enhanced by their proof that Indians could be "civilized."

Pocahontas died in 1617 at the age of 22 while preparing to return to Virginia and is buried at Gravesend. Her son Thomas Rolfe was educated in England, but later went to Virginia where he enjoyed great business success and was the forebear of many of the colony's most distinguished families.

1619—Establishment of the House of Burgesses.

1624—Virginia Becomes a Royal Colony (Virginia Company charter revoked).

1674—The Bacon rebellion fights for colonial rights in Western Virginia.

1693—The College of William and Mary founded at Williamsburg.

1698—October 31, A fire destroys Jamestown, the seat of government is moved to Williamsburg (in 1699).

The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm in self-defense, closing his appeal (uttered at St. John's Church in Richmond, where the legislature was meeting) with the immortal words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

Click here to listen to
Patrick Henry's Famous Speech
(performed by Richard Schuman as the character
of Patrick Henry for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.)

1776—Virginia adopts its first constitution and declares independence.

1788—Virginia becomes the 10th state.

1831—Nat Turner leads a slave revolt.

The Civil War in Virginia

Richmond was capital of the Confederate States of America from May 1861 until April 1865 - only one hundred miles or so separated the two warring capitols, and thousands died fighting at places no one had heard of before, places like Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Spotsylvania, Brandy Station and the North Anna River. More fell during encounters at places that had no name.

"First Manassas" is remembered as the first major land battle of the Civil War, won by inexperienced Confederates who routed an equally raw Union force. Confederate Gen. Thomas J. Jackson became "Stonewall" for his role in the fighting. The second battle at Manassas, the battle of Bull Run, also a dramatic Confederate victory, was much bloodier. More than 3,000 soldiers were killed during the battle.

Richmond Falls.....

"Through the winter and early spring of 1865, while Union armies ranged at will across the South, Richmond still glittered with the hard defiance of a city long at war. But this last flicker of resolve only made the city's fall all the more devastating. On the night of April 2, faced with the inevitability of northern victory, Jefferson Davis and his cabinet fled, leaving Richmond to its fate—fire, capture, and the end of hope for a southern nation."....excerpt from a book review of "Richmond Burning", By Nelson Lankford.

1870—Virginia re-enters the United States with Richmond as her capital.

Famous Virginians

Virginia has supplied more presidents to the United States than any other state. The following were born in The Old Dominion.....

* George Washington
* Thomas Jefferson *
* James Madison *
* James Monroe *
* William Henry Harrison *
* John Tyler *
* Zachary Taylor *
* Woodrow Wilson *

More Fine Virginians...

Richard Arlen actor, Charlottesville
Arthur Ashe tennis player, Richmond
Pearl Bailey singer, Newport News
Warren Beatty actor, Richmond
Richard E. Byrd polar explorer, Winchester
Roy Clark country music artist, Meaherrin
William Clark explorer, Caroline Cty
Henry Clay statesman, Hanover Cty
Joseph Cotten actor, Petersburg
Ella Fitzgerald jazz singer, Newport News
Patrick Henry statesman, Hanover Cty
Sam Houston political leader, Rockbridge Cty
Robert E. Lee Confederate general, Stratford
Meriwether Lewis explorer, Ambemarle Cty
Shirley MacLaine actress, Richmond
John Marshall jurist, Germantown
Cyrus Hall McCormick inventor, Rockbridge Cty
Opechancanough Powhatan leader
John Payne actor, Roanoke
Walter Reed army surgeon, Gloucester Cty
Matthew Ridgway Army Chief of Staff, Fort Monroe
Bill Bojangles Robinson dancer, Richmond
George C. Scott actor, Wise
Sam Snead golfer, Hot Springs
James Jeb Stuart Confederate army officer, Patrick Cty
Thomas Sumter General, Hanover Cty
Nat Turner leader of slave uprising, Southhampton Cty
Booker T. Washington educator, Franklin Cty

July in Virginia means it's that time again for some of the most popular festivals known around the world.

And with the unveiling of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia presents 17 historic sites to honor "The Greatest Generation" on the World War II Heritage Trail.

After having visited this state on my recent vacation, I can attest to the fact that Virginia is a perfect vacation destination!

Click on the region you plan to visit, and be
sure to allow LOTS of time and wear comfortable shoes:

Shenandoah Valley | Eastern Shore | Central Virginia
Northern Virginia | Heart of Appalachia
Blue Ridge Highlands | Chesapeake Bay | Hampton Roads


And while you are visiting Virginia,
keep your eye out for their state symbols...

The following websites provided
graphics, information and text...

Virginia is for Lovers
50 States.com
Virginia - America's Story
The Civil War Traveler - Virginia

Have a Fine Wednesday!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-19-04 Military Monday 07-20-04 Fly Me To The Moon

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

CLICK

[Gabz]

Crisscrossed America all the way due north into Canada (2 years in Rochester, NY) - twice in Ohio - in South Dakota and Fairbanks, Alaska, going northwest all the way above the Arctic Circle - circled all over the Deep South - so have had a lot of wonderful American Experiences.

I am so envious. I grew up in NYC, as a teenager I spent my summers on the west coast of Florida, moved to Delaware at 22 and now live in Virginia. I did spend a summer in South America in the 60s, but beyond that my movements have been rather humdrum compared to yours.

I don't ever want to live in a big city again.......I knew that when I was a teenager and I'm coming up on 44....

It's a good thing I love both chicken and fish, living in this area.

South Carolina is a state I've always wanted to spend some time exploring in - but have not yet gotten the chance.....one of these days.

When we first started coming to the Shore after we decided to move here, we always laughed about the nam of one "town," Temperanceville......joking about the reaction any of our friends in Delaware would have to us living in such a place .....we both like beer. We don't live in an incorporated area, but our mailing address is............yup!!!!!

I love the Finest threads and do a great deal of lurking, but rarely post. Just couldn't resist today.

[Gabz]

If you post it somewhere, be sure to ping me to it. :-)

If I find it I will check with LadyX to make sure I have the right one and then I will post it on that day's Finest thread.....so of course you will get pinged to it!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

70 acres, with a 2 story house..........all new siding, new central heat/ac system, new roof, etc......$159,000

70 acres??? Do you have any idea what real estate prices are out here on the left coast? I can tell you that $159 thousand won't buy much out here, and the closer you get to the coast, the less it buys. LOL. (My son just bought a house up in the Bay Area.......paid four times that amount and the house is on a postage stamp size piece of property....it is on a golf course, but still....)

If we didn't own a business here, we would be seriously considering relocating.....but we can't relocate all of our customers along with us, so we are going to have to stay put, I guess.

[Gabz]

I will FReepmail you when I know exactly when I'm going over to the island so you can give me the location again.....

I'm a seriously lazy person and do not want to sift back through this entire thread to find the post where you specified it's exact location!!!!

I may be lazy - but at least I'm honest about it!! LOL!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Someday, I'll make it to Virginia ... I have a feeling it'll be like coming home.

You know, that is exactly what it is like!

Happy day to you, johnnyfox.

Colonial Williamsburg...

[Gabz]

Understandable about not relocating.

I remember when we bought our house in Delaware in 1992. It was a 4 bedroom end unit townhouse with a 150x35 lot. We paid $45,000 for it. The previous year my brother had bought a 2 bedroom house with a garage on a postage stamp lot in Brooklyn (NYC) and had paid more than 3 times what we paid.

None of my friends still in NYC or even in Delaware, for that matter, can believe what we paid for what we have now. I do admit, the house is small, only 2 bedrooms, but it sits on 2 acres and we paid only $54,000 for it.

[Gabz]

Assateague Island Lighthouse

I have yet to figure out why it looks "bent" in the pictures I took that day.......it just does.

[Gabz]

[Gabz]

I've got to scoot - gotta run to the store (out of milk) and then fix dinner.

I'll be back a bit later this evening.

Thanks again for the wonderful tribute to Virginia.

[LadyX]

"I may be lazy - but at least I'm honest about it!! LOL!!!!"

I, for one, consider 'The Art of Lazy' a worthwhile pursuit and definite virtue - - LOL

Having my moments, I now *choose* to go outside and do a little damage with my trusty weed eater before the rains come - - hate to slip and slide my way around, ya know..:))

Look forward to your being here, Gabz - here's to peace of mind, and to all of His Creations and their infinite variety - -

[Mama_Bear]

I have yet to figure out why it looks "bent" in the pictures I took that day.......it just does.

LOL. It does look a tad curved. Were you using a wide angle lens? That will often distort things.

Very pretty lighthouse.

And, I saw your post about wanting to visit SC. Charleston was one of the places we visited last month. What an interesting place! Just be sure to allow more than a couple days in order to really feel like you've seen it.

One of the things we wanted to do there was take one of the "Ghost Tours" around old downtown Charleston. It's a walking tour after dark where a narrator tells "stories" from years ago - legends and stories about things that happened in and around the old houses. But we were just too tired in the evening to go. I think it would have been very interesting.

[jkphoto]

Once again you have done a beautiful page. But, it sure is mean pinging me to coffee and donuts when I am trying to stay away from the carbs. :-)

[lonestar]

Yes, and I thought it was beautiful. My friends are at the Homestead for golf and cooler temps.

[lonestar]

Sounds good to me, too. So does a nap!

[Mama_Bear]

....... it sure is mean pinging me to coffee and donuts when I am trying to stay away from the carbs. :-)

LOL.......sorry PapaBear. How's this? A carb free dinner tonight. Chicken with a side of chicken. ;-)

Once again you have done a beautiful page.

Awww.......thank you. SMOOOOOOCH!

[Mama_Bear]

I need to leave for awhile. I will pick up where I left off as soon as I get back.

Bruton Parish Church - Williamsburg, VA

Among the men of the Revolution who attended Bruton Parish Church were Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, George Wythe, Patrick Henry, and George Mason.


photo by jkphoto

[jkphoto]

LOL.......sorry PapaBear. How's this? A carb free dinner tonight. Chicken with a side of chicken. ;-)

I have a better idea . . . they are serving ALL-U-Can-Eat Tri-Tip and 1/2 Chickens at the Rotary Night with the Oaks. Dinner should be good, but I understand that the Oaks haven't learned how to play baseball yet.

[Mama_Bear]

What a beautiful presentation!

Thank you so much!

And thank you for posting the link to Monticello. It's a nice addition to this thread. I've been taking the on-line tour there. What a beautiful house!

I think I visted there when I was very young, too young to appreciate what I was seeing. Would have like to have toured it again on our recent trip to Virginia, but we ran out of time.

Another interesting house to tour. I remember going here on a class trip.

Mount Vernon Virtual Tour

[Mama_Bear]

Thank God for our military!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Have to overlook poor Wolfie-from-the-Midwest and his affection for 'noodles' - yuck...:((

Wolfie knows a 'noodle' from a dumpling. : (

Drop dumplings are nothing but a ball of dough. I'm sure 'you' will say 'fluffy'. LOL