WELCOME


~ The pieces are all sewn together, stitched with love.........and a quilt tells a story and the story is our past ~

The Arrowood family immigrated from England to Maryland in the 1700's. They went south, eventually settling in the mountains of North Carolina. Later , some went further south, into the Piedmont of North Carolina, in search of work and a better way of life.



I am in search of my family.

I search for those that came before me, and lived their lives as best they could. I am in search of their stories, how they lived, and how they loved.


I shared this love of seeking the past with my Dad, sharing each new finding with him, the thrill in his heart intermingling with mine. I continue this search in his honor, and hope to know these people of ours when I join up with them all in heaven.

~ Steve Lewis Arrowood 1932-2008 ~


Come with me, back to a simpler time and place. A place far removed from the hectic pace of today. To a time when life was hard, but the rewards were great. When your quality of life was determined by your own sweat, your own toil, and your own ingenuity.


Would you like a glass of sweet tea? Let's sit out on the porch where we will catch the sweetly scented breeze of summertime. Maybe Grandma will fry up some of her wonderful chicken... Time slows here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We shape our lives not by what we carry with us, but what we leave behind."

~You live as long as you are remembered.~


"Our most treasured family heirlooms are our sweet family memories. " Author: Unknown


"But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year ~ 2011




May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be...
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you...

May you be content knowing you are a child of God...

Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to

sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you...

--Author Unknown

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Carmine Coletta ~ Ice Cream Man

This is the man that saved my father, Steve Arrowood, by placing him on his ice wagon and taking him home after a bicycle accident in Lineberger's Park, Gastonia, N.C.


(Picture also appears on Tony's Icecream website).
The original horse drawn wagon is on display at the Gaston County Museum in Dallas, N.C.



The following  article ran on Thursday, May 22, 1941 in the Gastonia Daily Gazette.



Carmine (Charlie) Coletta, erstwhile subject of  "His Imperial Majesty", Victor Emmanuel, 3rd, has been trading ice cream cones for the pennies and nickels of children and adults ever since he shook the dust of Italy from his heels 54 years ago, when he was 15 years old.

He hails from the little mountain town of Viticuso in Central Italy, situated 111 miles from Naples and about 150 miles from Rome. He still owns half interest in the family farm in Viticuso- that is if the farm is still there, which he doesn't know- along with a brother, whom he hopes is still living.

Mr. Coletta was born in Viticuso on Nov. 8, 1872, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Antonina Coletta and is now 69 years old.  His father was a farmer.  At the age of 15, young Coletta decided to leave Italy to seek his fortune in the fabled countries to the north. He first went to France and after a short while there, journeyed on to England and then after a short while, to Glasgow, Scotland where he used to sell the palate pleasing flavors to Glasgow factory workers.

All in all, he remained in England and Scotland for 18 years.
He went back home to Italy once, during that time but did not stay.

*******
More about Tony's~

What began in the 1920's as a push cart business, owned and operated by Carmine Coletta, has stood the test of time and remains one of the landmarks of Gaston County. In search of a better life for his family, Carmine came to America in 1911 from Glasgow, Scotland. He made and sold ice cream from carts and horse-drawn wagons. One of the wagon's has been restored and is located in the Gaston County Museum of Art and History in Dallas.


Ice cream was produced at two locations, Tony's Ice Cream on Willow Street and City Ice Cream on Morehead. Tony's was run by Antonia Janetta, the husband of Maria Coletta. They would take horse-drawn wagons to mill villages, ball games, carnivals and camp meetings. Their presence became a part of everyday life in Gaston.


In the early 1930's, trucks replaced wagons and in 1947 Antonia Janetta built the present location on East Franklin Boulevard and another one on West Franklin. Anthony Coletta, or Tony as he is known, was the youngest son of Carmine Coletta. He managed the two locations until the death of Antonia Janetta and his wife Maria in 1971. Tony passed away in 1976, and ownership passed to his two sons, Robert and Louis.


Carmine Coletta is buried at Belmont Abbey Cemetery, Belmont, North Carolina.
Rest in Peace, kind man.


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Town, USA ~ McAdenville




The whole town is aglow with the spirit of Christmas.
Tonight was the last night of the 2010 season.

Going to see the lights was a big part of our Christmas growing up.
Still get excited everytime I go.

Christmas Magic.



White Christmas in the Carolinas ~

Our first White Christmas in many years.

It frosted the trees in white sugar icing.
Snow can magically transform everyday things, into things of wondrous, enchanting beauty.









Christmas of Yester Year ~


Back Row, L -R, Stevette, Lewis, Leonard,
Front Row, L-R, Becky , Donna, Robin
Cousins

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas ~

In the midst of the shopping and the wrapping and the arranging of presents under your tree this Christmas, may you not forget the gifts you cannot yet hold in your hands.


T. D. Jakes



Reflections ~ Christmas Time


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas on the Square ~ Dallas, NC










Dallas was incorporated in 1863 and is the oldest incorporated town in Gaston County, N.C. It served as the original county seat for Gaston County from 1846 until 1911. The old Gaston County courthouse, renovated in 1868 after a fire, still stands in the main square of the town and serves as the Police Department.




The Dallas Historic District, bounded by Holland, Main, Gaston and Trade Streets, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The District consists of eight buildings, including the former Gaston County Courthouse (built in 1848), former Gaston County Jail (1848), the Smyre-Pasour House (1850), Rhyne Store (1850), and the Hoffman Hotel (1852). The Hoffman Hotel is now home to the Gaston County Museum.
Old Hoffman Hotel, Currently the Gaston County Museum ~

Friday, December 3, 2010

Burnt Biscuits and Love ~


This reminds me SO MUCH of my Grandmother..Just had to share it with you all.

Maude Rose Hull Arrowood ~

She put an extra dose of love into each and every thing she did for others.
She loved to feed people - with showering love, lots of food, and a little scripture.
She was a woman of a great, deep faith.

She would not always cook the greatest meals, but it was always done with the biggest helping of love.

Dad would always say to get to his parent's house, 'Just turn down Laurel Lane and go until you smell bread burning, and you are there'!

Dad understood that there was love in those burnt biscuits.
*****************************************


Copied~


When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school.

I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things...and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket -- keep
it in your own."

So... please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just
fine!

*************************************

Thursday, December 2, 2010

'Looking Back Toward Home' ~ Happy Valley ~ Story by S. Correll


Awhile back I told you about our cousin who had found me . He is a descendant of the Correll family that lies buried in the Boone Cemetery , up in Happy Valley, Tennessee.


Our Isabell's family. (Isabell Correll married Welzia A. Arrowood)

His tree traces back up the same main root as ours does. He was separated from his father's family at a young age. His parents split up and he had little contact with his father's side of the family. The years passed and he married and had a family of his own.

He began to think about his roots, as most folks do, and began the search to find them. He got in touch with a girl that I had emailed, during my search, and she pointed him in my direction. Sure enough, he was from our line. He was so excited! And so was I !

He logs onto my little blog and leaves it up at work, to listen to the old-timey music. He says it feels homey and comforting to him. It does that same thing for me. :-) Must be our roots. Grin.


Well, he made it ' back home' all the way, this fall. He did it!

He went to Happy Valley and stood there on that knoll over looking that beautiful valley and touched his past.

He wrote and told me and you could just feel his emotions pouring out of that email.

Before I could finish reading it, I was crying, too.


Excerpt from Steve's email:

**************************************************

Martha, I think if we grew up in 'them there hills' and down in the valley, we would/could have known each other a long time ago.


I pretty much see that yours, and mine, pretty much take up, make up, Boone Cemetery, and OOOO, but what a great place to be buried in.


Trees, fresh air, and a view.. What a view..When the trumpets sounds, it looks like our kin as high up on the mountain, as they are, could very well be the first in line, at the Pearlie Gates.


I think 'Our Kin' were hard pressed to the land with tough times and tougher life styles, I just pray they looked up and around them, at the wonder and beauty of this place, somehow I think they did..

Cus Steven
***************************************************

Reading what this dear cousin wrote, and how the experience of visiting Boone Cemetery and Happy Valley affected him, enforces that he is, without a doubt, one of us.. Kindred Blood - A Correll. GRIN

He sent me pictures of his adventures and I would have dearly loved to have "went back home" with him.

What a wonderful trip that had to be. I know how special it was to me.. A 'never forget' moment!
***************************************************

Message From Cousin Steve:

Hello Martha:
Happy Thanksgiving Day, and for your upcoming holiday's. Yes, I would love for you to write some more about my journey, Looking 'back toward home' ... :)

Your writings are good for the soul to me/all who read, its a gift you have and share with the world, thru your blog. (thanks so much, Steve! that means the world to me)

Some notes I jotted down from the trip, hope they help some ...
With your help, and the Arrowood / Correll website, I have learned more in the last six months, about my Mountain Heritage and our kin folks, than I have known for the past 60 years of my life.

I been away from there so long, and I only have the memories as a small child, in Happy Valley, way back in the early 50's .... It's just I wasn't running from my past, I just never went looking for it either.

I started down this path, equipped only had a few fond memories of the faded faces, and soft voices, the few faint remembrance's of my distant family now long past.
I remember a few places too, but most have been lost in time from my Happy Valley past.

But now with some help of some new found friends and some newly found family, I have enough information, to start into my family tree. I planned a short trip, to Happy Valley, and the Cade's Cove area, for the ending of the fall break. Its been some 55years, before the Mountain Valley tugged hard enough for me to take notice, and come...back toward home.


You see, on my grandfather's side are the Corrells from Happy Valley, and on my grandmother's side are the Tiptons, from Cades Cove, so the tug is pretty strong.


It was the last weekend in October, over the fall break, that I returned to the Mountains and the Valley, I once called home.




I drove down from Indiana to Tennessee, and arrived in Pigeon Forge late in the afternoon, on Saturday.


Armed only with the knowledge obtained from a few emails, and information from your website, on the Arrowood/Correll family ties, along with Find-a-Grave website, and Goggle Earth maps, I drew out a plan to search and find four cemeteries.


Lower Chilhowee cemetery, Upper Chilhowee cemetery, Happy Valley cemetery, and Boone Cemetery.


As you say Martha, I was another 'rabbit' turned loose, and in need of searching and finding information about those who footprints I followed from my past ancestors.


I wanted to find, and see my ancestors for the first time, close up and personal, so to say.


I wanted to kneel and touch their Tombstones and feel the soil they were laid to rest in.


I wanted to see where I was from, and where my people were from.

I left Pigeon Forge, about 3 in the afternoon, heading toward Townsend on route 321.
I found the Foothills Mountain Parkway and drove down southwest toward Chilhowee.

I made an important discovery right then as I viewed out my car window, why our ancestor's might have stayed in this area.

I found out while driving that high parkway road, that I needed to stop a few times, it was an area southwest, what is called Look Rock on my map, I needed just to gaze out the car window, over the Happy Valley area landscape.

The Valley is deep down, and runs for a ways out of sight, both left and right of my view.

It's backed up, on the far side, by the mountains and just over those mountains, with what I pictured in my minds eye, is Cades Cove, not much farther away.


From my reading and research, our kin moved into this area, thru the Cove, down along the Abram's creek into the Valley area.


As I was standing there with tears in my eyes, I was seeing what our ancestors must have seen, to me it's one of the most beautiful areas or places on Earth, God has made.

It was late afternoon, the sun was just right, shining from behind me, down on the leaves, they were the bright colors of fall, there was a glint of a stream down low in the bottom land, and there was peace in this valley.


I could feel, it's hard to describe, but am sure our ancestors must have felt it too, and that's why they made this this area, their home.


Down the road, at both Chilhowee cemeteries, I found names of my uncles and aunts and cousins I had not known, but now will do some research on.


Up the road in the Happy Valley cemetery, I found Nancy Clementine (Tipton) Correll, who is my Grandmother, buried there. I was only 6 months old, when she died, but as I knelt and prayed at her grave, I think I could see her, as she smiled down at me. Boone cemetery was my last stop for the day and it was getting late.


You get to it from the Valley road, and its location is somewhere between Chilhowee Baptist church and Happy Valley Baptist church. The cemetery of Boone is located high up on a ridge, with only a small sign along the road, to let you know where the path starts up.


I parked along the bottom of Happy Valley road, because the road heading up to the cemetery, was washed out with ruts and groves, I was sure I could not drive up, with my 'city-fied' car. I walked up the road to the top, not knowing what I would find and along the way up, there were some billy-goats grazing along the side of the mountain there.


I could here gun shots in the distant, and it make me think of past times our ancestors hunted deer, turkey, and wild bore, just to have something to eat, to survive in this area. It was a steep climb, but soon made it to the top of the hill, up the old dirt path road, and once there, I found this very small cemetery right on top.

Its a small fenced in cemetery, maybe no more then 30 or 40 tombstones, buts it's ours, the Corrells, the Arrowoods, and the Borings. I thought, neighbors we were in life, and longer still are we neighbors, in Death.

There was my grandfather, Joe Thomas Correll, who I remember calling "Daddy Joe", and not many paces from his grave, was my Great Grandfather William (Bill) Correll, (brother of Isabell Correll) and GGGrandfather David Correll.

I had to stop a moment, I couldn't see where I was going, I wiped my eyes with my shirtsleeves, and started to look around behind me, to my surprise there were my footsteps too ...... mixed in amongst my ancestors.

I stood still while looking at all around me, the tombstones, the view from high up on the mountain, and thought, I found what I came looking for, here are my ancestors, my kin, my roots, it's an Honor to walk among them.

These graves are shaded by some huge old oak trees, and I gathered a few of the acorns that had fallen on the graves, to give to my daughters, and to the grandchildren, and to remind me of this place, as I retell my story to them.


As I looked out again once more, over the valley, before heading back down the mountain to the car below, I think I gained a lot more respect for what some people call "Hill-folk", some my say 'Hill-Billy'.

I was proud of my Heritage.

This Mountain and Valley with all its beauty and splendor, demanded a lot from all those that lived here once, long ago. It had to be a tough existence, just to live and get by, making a living out of the daily struggles you and your family experienced.

Respect for them, you bet, these folks were tough, I was so proud just to think I came from them, it just about made me do a little buck dance, just like I did when I was 5 for my daddy. I traveled to Cades Cove the next day and did the loop road.

I was lucky to be at the Cades Baptist Church about 10:30ish on Sunday morning, there was a small group of local Baptist, who comes there the third or forth Sunday of each month, and they played a little music and preached a bit. I thought, so strong in their faith, our ancestors were, too.

The service was short and to the point, but as I sat there in the old pews, it's as though loved ones from the past were there, too, and with tears in my eyes again, I prayed and thanked those who came before me. As the service ended, we sang 'Amazing Grace', I sang it so those above could hear me.

Afterwards, I walked the path behind the church to the old cemetery, and sure enough there were the Tipton's tombstones there, too, I felt a kinship to them, too. The drive around the Cove was as beautiful as the mountain tops and Valley drive, the day before.

I made the complete circle and left the Cove back out thru the park, and again thought what a beautiful place it would have been to grow up in. The next day I started the journey back up North, but now my heart is much fuller and richer than it was just a few days before. I am energized and feel a need to do more research and dig deeper into our roots.

I will to return in the Spring, but this next trip I am bringing my two daughters, and three grandsons, so they too, will see the footsteps that have gone before us. I hope they begin to feel the tug of their Heritage sooner then I did, and to explore their roots before time passes by, too quick.

I hope to give and share with them, some of this same feelings I have received and felt over these last few days.

As the cold winter moves thru Indiana this year, I will continue to 'Look Back Toward Home', thinking on family and places time has gone by....

Wishing you all Traveling Graces, this Holiday season, Hoping you all share with those young ones, that follow us, stories of old times, of by gone days, so they know what steps to follow, as we all 'Look Back Toward Home'.

To all the readers of Arrowood Through the Mountains, if any one has remembrance's of the family or friends, of Kenneth Correll < Joe Thomas Correll & Nancy "Clemmie" Correll please email me thru a 'comment' on the blog. Martha will see that I get the message. Steve Correll Thank you so much, Steve, for allowing me to share this with the family!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Fall Colors In the Mountains~


A beautiful shot of fall descending on the mountains, off the parkway.
Photo courtesy of Correll descendant, Cousin Steve Correll. Thanks, Steve~

Friday, November 26, 2010

Visit To The Mountains ~ Garrett and Nora


This is Hilda Arrowood, Garrett Arwood, Nora Hughes Arwood, and Virginia "Ginner" Long.

Aunt Hilda and cousin "Ginner" Long went up to visit Garrett and Nora. The visit was a wonderful one, according to Hilda. She told me she enjoyed the time so much. Garrett played the fiddle for them, while Nora danced about. She danced what Hilda called "buck-dance" style. I would have absolutely loved to have been there with them, that day.

Today, Hilda is the only soul still living from this group.
She celebrates her 80th birthday today.

God Bless you, Hilda.
Happy Birthday to you!

****************************************

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving ~




There is one day that is ours.
There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to.

Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.

~O. Henry

**************************************************

Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
~Wilbur D. Nesbit

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wordless Wednesday ~ Beautiful Sunrise at Myrtle




“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

In Search of Uncle John Henry and Aunt Nora ~





I went again, to visit the final resting place of Uncle John Henry and Nora Arwood.
I have wanted to see it once again, for such a long time. I feel I have gotten to know the man through my searching and also through the stories that family has relayed to me.


Reading what the "Sage of Pigeon Roost" has written about John Henry and his life, has opened my eyes to the way that circuit ministers must have lived their lives during those early years .
It was not an easy life, but one that was well rewarded.



Arwood family are also buried there, alongside of John and Nora.

Son Robert Henry, and his wife Vertie Ann. Robert was a twin to Henry Robert.



Robert Henry and Vertie's son, Dallas and his wife, Alice.
Three generations of Arwoods are resting here in this small country cemetery.



Harvey Miller, himself a nephew of Aunt Nora, knew well how important saving memories is. And for his many wonderful writings, in the Pigeon Roost news, I am very grateful.


I entered that cemetery the same way I enter most cemeteries these days, with tears welling up in my eyes. I just can't seem to help it, I get so very emotional with each "meeting" of our long lost family. This search has become so important to me.


The setting of Sinking Creek is ideallic for a cemetery. There are distant mountains and colorful trees all around. The ride up to the scene is so picturesque. Anticipation was building as we made our way in to where the cemetery is located.




Along the main highway, alongside of Sinking Creek, we pulled over to take pictures.




I stood admiring a home overlooking the creek, through the trees, with a large "A" framed foyer with large glass panes, and as I moved in closer for a look, something rolled underneath my foot. I looked down in amazement and saw a buckeye lying there.



This elusive nut was the first thing my Dad sought out when we went up to Pigeon Roost. We searched the trees near the old cement factory but could not locate any buckeyes. Finding this buckeye was very exciting for me, I smiled and said, "Thanks, Dad".


He was right there beside me in spirit, I felt for sure.


I am sure that John Henry chose this setting because Nora wanted to be buried here. Her parents are right behind their graves. There are also other Barnett family members buried here. I felt right at home, among our family.




A buckeye tree is watching over them all. Grin.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Old St. Paul's ~ Revisited






We took advantage of a beautiful October afternoon and revisted Old St. Paul's Lutheran.






Views of the church's interior.


Worship Services are held every Sunday in the month of October.



This is a shot of the balcony pews. Visible on the right hand side, back pew, are stains from apparent hard scrubbing and possible sanding, making it appear a lighter color than the rest of the wood.

Could this have been an attempt to remove the blood stains left by the murder of the slave?

One can only wonder....

*******