About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2017)
Lake Oconee News Friday, October 20,2017 ill A long standing red oak tree at Buckhead's "Rock House" crashed to the ground during Tropical Storm Irma in early September. James M. Morton/Staff Family says goodbye to a big part of their history James M. Morton james@lakeoconeenews.us “Wasn’t that a peculiar storm?” Gail Wade said about Tropical Storm Irma that hit Lake Country on Sept. 11. “I have hummingbird feeders out there that weren’t touched. And then it blows this enormous tree down.” When officials said that there were no deaths as a result of Irma, they didn’t take into consideration The Tree, a Red Oak that was located on the property of “The Rock House” in Buckhead. The Tree, as it was affectionately called, was like a member of the family to Gail and John Wade. “This tree is just...” Gail pauses to try and find the right words. “I can’t tell you what it means to us. My children — both of my girls with their children — have been by this week to tell it goodbye. That ought to tell you something. ... I imagine the value of the house is greatly decreased,” Gail says. Seven years ago, Gail’s daughter got married under The Tree. “She had always envisioned she would get married under thattree,” Gail said. “The wedding itself was just what she wanted.” When the Methodist preacher who married Gail’s daughter, Rebekah, went back to his church, he told his congregation about the wedding in Buckhead — and The Tree, and Gail and John, and Rebekah, and the rest of the family and the memories gained at “The Rock House.” A member of the his congregation instantly knew the preacher was talking about her uncle John from the description of The Tree. Gail says Rebekah now has two children, 6 and 5. “Do you think her life has changed?” she comments. John and Gail were high school sweethearts who rekindled their love in 1992. Before retiring, he was a vascular surgeon in Savannah and she was a fourth grade school teacher. She was also on the Buckhead city council. “There was this tremendous crash,” Gail said about The Tree falling. “It did shake the house,” John said. “...We looked out [the door] and we just couldn’t believe it,” said Gail. “I just felt a tremendous sadness. I felt a great loss. ... It’s somehow connected to this house.” “The Rock House” was built in 1886 as a tavern, Gail said. The railroad was coming through at that time, and they couldn’t go straight through to Augusta to Atlanta, so they turned around in Buckhead and that created the need for a tavern. However, Gail continued, when the original owner, John O’Flaherty, married, the house was soon converted into a Baptist church. After the church, O’Flaherty began to renttherooms. It is likely that O’Flaherty built The House in its location because of The Tree, which was situated between the house and the railroad. Now, without The Tree, the train can be seen and heard more through the small woodedarea that has grown up, separating house from the railroad. “All kinds of people have lived here through the years,” Gail said. “I’ve been here 50 years. John’s been here 25. The Tree has been a part of our family forever.” She emphasized the ‘forever’ in a heavy southern drawl. The Rock House and The Tree were passed through Gail’s family — and the families before her’s — throughout the years until 1967, when Gail and her late husband, Herbert Howell, moved in, renting the home from her mother, who later sold the home to Gail. Sheraisedherthreekids, Kennon, Leigh and Rebekah Howell, in The Rock House. And all through those years, The Tree was a staple in their lives. “I knowit’s over ahundred [years SEE TREE » B2 Lake Oconee Eye Care V/^/OkJ WETREATYOU LIKE FAMILY 706-453-4535 www.LakeOconeeEyeCare.com Located inside the entrance to Harbor Club Vision Source is the largest optical retailer in the United States. Our incredibly large network gives us access to the best products, at the best prices, and we pass the savings on to you.
