The discovery like many happened by accident.
I was moving an old table at the church when I noticed writing under the top. Written in cursive with a pencil were the words, “Robbinsville M.E. South Church Sept 5, 1917 Ice Cream Supper at Court House.” Our Methodist Church was once known as the Robbinsville Methodist Epsicopal Church, South.
In 1917, the United States was at war. “The War to End All Wars” started in 1914 and would not end until Aug. 11, 1918. Woodrow Wilson was president and on April 6, 1917 Congress declared war.
Sadly, at least six of our young men from Graham County died fighting in the war.
Sept. 5, 1917 was a Wednesday. Growing up in my hometown, many businesses closed at noon on Wednesday and you went to church in the evening. I imagine the whole community of Robbinsville gathering at the old wooden courthouse for the ice cream supper. Ice buried since winter may have been used with rock salt. I’m sure farmers brought the fresh cream and folks brought fruit and other flavors.
I had a friend who remembered his family having a two-gallon ice cream churn. There must have been a number of churns.
I can see men taking turns on the hand cranked churns with the children pleading for a turn at the crank.
I am not sure of the significance of the Sept. 5 date. Was there a celebration? Was harvest completed? Was this a gathering to wish the young men Godspeed who were going off to war?
Whatever the reason, it must have been a celebration the whole community came out for. The fellowship had to include good conversation, singing and prayers for peace and goodwill unto all.
I miss community gatherings like this. Our nation has become so polarized and divided, it seems all we hear is different sides complaining about and accusing the other. Does this help anyone or anything?
In the Gospel of Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”
I am often asked about how to create or build community among people. Some ways are simple such as finding people with common interests or finding a need in the community and inviting folks to join together to take care of the need.
Jesus offered the best way, part of the greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will not be pointing out differences all the time. We will not be criticizing and instead look for ways to find common ground and work together to make our community better. It is easy to point out differences and create division. It is harder to work through differences and create hope.
Let’s sit down together with a bowl of homemade ice cream, and talk about our love and hopes for our community.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. Email him at ereece@wnccumc.net.