The Breaking of a New Dawn

AS we stand on the brink of a new year, wondering what life ahead will hold, I am reminded of this poem and picture that always hung in our home when I was a child.

This time it speaks to my heart, as I face an unknown future. Stripped of the ones who held my hand and my heart for so long, it's now a journey inward as well as outward. "I want to stand alone with God," I wrote a long time ago, expressing a future yearning. Now that is my reality. Not one filled with apprehension, but rather an excitement to be on this path that will take me home.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!"

And he replied:

Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night

And He led me toward the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So, heart be still!

What need our little life,

Our human life, to know,

If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife

Of things both high and low

God hideth His intention.

Minnie Louise Haskins

A Different Christmas

This year our Home Group (Bible Study group) decided we wanted to spend Christmas Day reaching out to those in need in the community, instead of the usual traditional family dinner. We joined with many other volunteers at Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. to serve Christmas dinner to needy or destitute folk in the neighborhood who would otherwise not have had a Christmas.

As people came in, we sat and shared a meal with them, and they were also invited to choose a generous supply of gifts to take home. We packed up dozens of delicious meals and then had the fun of delivering them plus gifts to families in the area. Sharing Christmas in this way was really spreading God's love in a very practical way, on this, the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ.

Jane Murray, Director of Gallatin C.A.R.E.S.

Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. (Christian Association for Relief of Economic Suffering) is a non-profit charitable organization that offers short term emergency relief to those in economic crisis or need in the Gallatin and Sumner County area. There are many opportunities for individuals or groups to get involved and give time or resources reaching out to people who really need a hand up, or simply encouragement and genuine caring from a loving heart. (http://www.gallatincares.org/).

Two of my friends (Mandy & Sarah) visiting from Australia drove down from Cincinnatti to be here for this. Marysol & DeWet, home from their YWAM base in South Africa for Christmas, also came along with their parents, Sam & AG, to participate. It was a true Christmas in every sense of the word.

The official unveiling of Bill Fergusson's Aviation Art Exhibit was rather a patriotic event, with representatives of the Gallatin and Hendersonville Civil Air Patrol presenting the colors, followed by USAF Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers (Ret.) leading us in the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. She is committed to upholding the Constitution, and paid tribute to Bill's talent, and service to God and country as a World War II pilot. For a copy of her prayer go to http://www.theamericanprayer.com/

    Sumner County Executive Anthony Holt
joins in the Pledge of Allegiance

Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers (USAF Ret.)

talks about patriotism

Family members shared many poignant memories of Bill's life and guest speaker Claude Reese explained in entertaining detail boyhood adventures with Bill, and the likely track Bill took through his years as a WWII pilot and flight instructor.

Special thanks go to local historian, John Garrott, Sumner County archivist Kay Durham Hurt, WWII pilot and historian Claude Reese, and the Sumner County Regional Airport Authority for making this permanent exhibit possible.

                    

 Dave Fergusson (son)

signs in

Don Fergusson

related tales of  early days with his brother Bill

Speaker Claude Reese wrote

the detailed captions for the sketches

To read more about Bill's life and adventures, click on this link 

"Here's to Whatever Comes Next!"

Thank you for visiting the Bill Fergusson Aviation Art Exhibition at Sumner County Regional Airport, Gallatin, Tennessee.

Bill penned these sketches in the 1930s and '40s while a student at Gallatin High School, Georgia Tech, and during his five years as a WWII aviator.

                      Mr. Claude Reese at the presentation speech.

In 1986 Bill and his Australian-born wife Dayle moved to the Fergusson family homeplace (circa. 1915) in Hendersonville. The Fergusson adventures continued with a sailboat charter business on Old Hickory Lake for 20 years. The duo has traveled the world as a writer/photographer team, and been active in the Goodlettsville and Hendersonville communities for many years.

Regrettably, Bill passed away on March 30, 2008, but his vibrant spirit and love of life continues on. He was a true Southern Gentleman, adventurer, and free spirit, who lived life on the edge. He loved and inspired all who knew him, with his irrepressible optimism and infectious joy.

After Bill’s passing on, many of these intriguing sketches were re-discovered.

As true soulmates, our toast in life has always been "Here's to Whatever Comes Next!"

To inquire further, purchase prints, or learn more details about the book currently in progress of our adventures, email me at   DayleFergusson@gmail.com

I trust that as you visit and return to this site, you also may be inspired to embrace life and reach for the stars.

   - Dayle Fergusson