There’s an old legend that says back in the early days of
Davidson County there was a well on Washington Square in Lexington. (I don’t know why we dropped the name
“Washington,” but I’m in favor of reclaiming it) The story goes that if a stranger came to
town and drank the water from the well, he would always return to Lexington.
Almost 30 years ago
I came to Lexington and drank the water—I’ve never left! I love calling Davidson County home, although
I am occasionally reminded that I’m really an “outsider.” Evelyn Harris and I produced a big historical
celebration for the City of Lexington back in 2003. We were celebrating our 175th anniversary
and Joe Sink, who was then Editor of the Dispatch, had secured a bunch of money
from the New York Times to finance the festivities. We were having a grand old time spending
Joe’s money and the Civic Center was packed twice to witness a spectacular
performance.
Not long after the
event a lady stopped me in a store and in gushing terms told me how much she
enjoyed the production. Then she added,
“It’s just a shame that an outsider had to come in to do something like that.” Well, here’s an “outsider” who loves calling
Davidson County home!
Our county has one
of the richest histories in the state. Did
you know that one of the early revolutionary movements in the American Colonies
started here? Benjamin Merrill led a
large group of “Regulators” in protest to oppressive taxes by the British. Merrill became an early martyr for freedom
when he was executed by the British in 1771.
Four years later the town of Lexington was named by brave Patriots just
weeks after the “Shot Heard Round the World” was fired.
Did you know our
county was a leader in race relations as far back as 1929 when the Davidson
County Public Library became the first County Library in the entire south (not
just the state, the entire south!) to open its doors to citizens of color?
It is fitting that
the most significant and distinguished landmark in our county is a historical
treasure—our antebellum Courthouse.
Standing tall and proud, she is the shining light in our county, the
symbol of our spirit, the herald of our history, and the visible declaration of
our democracy.
Even greater than
our rich history is our generous spirit.
I love calling Davidson County home because people truly care about
others. This is a community with a
caring heart. I’ve seen miracles great
and small as Davidson County citizens have responded with generous hearts to
Davidson Medical Ministries, the YMCA, Crisis Ministry, our Hospitals, the
Community College, Cancer Services, the Hospice house, Pastor’s Pantry, our
Children’s Homes, the United Way, and many more. But by far the most amazing fundraising effort
was the drive led by Ardell Lanier and Max Walser to build a chapel at the
prison. It was one of the worst times
for our community economically, yet the true heart of our community emerged
above every obstacle and conventional wisdom and today a beautiful chapel
stands as a symbol of hope and forgiveness in the middle of our prison camp.
There are times that living in Davidson County
is like being in a Norman Rockwell painting, like stepping back in time,
sampling a juicy slice of authentic Americana.
It happens every year in the third week of September at the Davidson
County Agricultural Fair. Where else can
you find cows, horses, chickens, rabbits, pumpkins, pies, pickles, cakes,
quilts, crafts, country ham, pinto beans, candied apples, babies, politicians,
cotton candy, and a beauty pageant!
It happens every
year on the 4th Saturday in October when close to 200,000 people
descend on downtown Lexington to celebrate BBQ.
It happens every Friday night in the fall when high school bands play
loud and proud and the football team runs on the field for another run at
glory. It happens on hot summer nights
as a glorious sunset illuminates the sky above the baseball diamond while the
crowd cheers their team and jeers the umpires.
It happens every summer when over 150 deserving children get to spend a
week at Kamp Kiwanis thanks to the generosity of strangers.
Remember that old “outsider?” Well, I get to bless the BBQ each year at the
BBQ Festival, I get the take up tickets and work at the fair, and I get to
share the joy of Kamp Kiwanis with those special children because I belong to
the Kiwanis Club. I have been privileged
to serve on many of the committees and boards raising funds for caring
agencies. I was able to write a book on
the rich history of our county and was honored to speak at the rededication of
our historic antebellum Courthouse. For
over 10 years I broadcast American Legion Baseball games on hot summer nights
and Lexington High football games on crisp football Friday nights with my dear
friend, Harold Bowen. And for almost
three decades I have been able to share my thoughts and reflections through a
monthly religion column in the Dispatch.
Not bad for an “outsider!”
And I didn’t even
mention my day job. My greatest joy is
serving as the Senior Minister of the First Baptist Church of Lexington. Did I tell you that I have been there almost 30
years? This should not surprise
you. I’m only the third minister since
the Second World War. And guess
what? All three of us were
“outsiders!” But we did drink the water
and that’s why we love calling Davidson County home!
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