Cross from the chapel.

This is the cross that was on top of the chapel at Nazareth.  It was stored by one of the members of the Knights of Columbus that helped support the orphanage but had been forgotten.  The picture was provided by Jim Shaughnessy, Treasurer, K of C Council 2546

What a wonderful find!

Tom Peatross, brother, and Floyd Pope

Another picture of Tom Peatross, his brother and Floyd Pope.  This was taken in the early 70s.

Tom Peatross family and Floyd Pope

Tom Peatross, his brother and his sister Barbara.  The gentleman in the middle is Floyd Pope.  All of us remember this kind man as our cook.

Nazareth Children 1937-38

This picture was provided by Tom Peatross.  It was probably taken in 1937 or 38 and shows the children of Nazareth on the steps of the main building.

Response for Judy

Judy,

I'm receiving your emails but for some reason when I try to reply back to you it rejects.  Is there another email you can provide me?

In response to your question, my sister Deborah and I were placed in the orphanage in 1958.  I was four and she was five.  We stayed there 7 years.  I was placed in an uncle's home as a foster son and she, along with my other siblings were placed in an aunt's home.  We stayed there for a couple of years until my maternal grandmother adopted us and changed our last name to Laton.

I'm currently working on a book about the history of the orphanage and my experiences there.  I'd love to hear from you about your memories.  One thing I hope to do is include memories from others in the book.

Please don't hesitate to call me.  My home phone is (334) 361-7783. 

Dave

Many of us will remember the wonderful mural at the front of our chapel. It was a picture of Jesus sitting beside a well with children around him.  I always enjoyed the picture but as I've studied Matthew 18 and other such scriptures where Jesus specifically wanted the children to come to him and how heaven was made of those who expressed the humility of children, it has come to mean much more to me.  If anyone has a picture of the mural I pray you will share it with us. Please send it to me. I will share it with everyone with special appreciation to you.

Mike Carpenter shared this photo.  It is a shot of North Carolina State University from the air.  The orphanage is barely visible in the upper left hand corner.  The three buildings are the New Orphanage.  I'm not sure but the likely date of the photo is mid to late 60's.  If anyone knows, please share.  Thanks Mike for this great photo.

Contact

Philip,

Please feel free to contact me.  My email is:  latondave@gmail.com

Recent visit

I enjoyed a visit this week at the Diocese of Raleigh office.  I visited with Kathleen Walsh and Rod O'Connor.  Most of you will remember him as Father O'Connor.  He is very spry and healthy for his age.  It was enjoyable looking through some of the archives and sharing memories.  My book project is progressing and will be enhanced by some of the additional information found out.  I've included an updated picture of Rod below.

Sliding on the Banisters

        With so many boys in the dormitory it was quite a feat to keep everything clean.  Each boy had age appropriate chores to perform.  In addition to dormitory chores some of the older children helped with other activities at the orphanage such as working in the kitchen or the orphanage laundry.  But I enjoyed my assigned chores tremendously.  I was responsible to sweep the stairs from our second story down to the first floor.   I was also responsible to polish the banisters. 

        Now this might seem a mundane activity but it was perhaps one of the most important chores in the dormitory.  The banisters were made of a dark stained wood and curved around at the bottom instead of having a finial at the base.  They were on top of concrete sides and ran the full length of the stairs.  They offered an irresistible temptation and were perfect for sliding down.    No self-respecting boy, unless he was in the presence of his dorm nun, would ever walk down the stairs.  Instead we would mount the banister and slide down to the landing at breakneck speed onto the landing.

        As a young and unskilled boy I would straddle the banister and slide down backwards.  But I soon joined the ranks of true banister pilots by learning to sit side-saddled facing the bottom of the stairs.  This allowed me to go even faster and land on my feet.  To a boy this was as good as flying.