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[Back to index of December articles] Horsepower meets history By Paul Donnelly NANJEMOY - The bend in the road has been on the map since the 1600s. The parish itself began meetings in the 1670s, so it makes one wonder what the sainted Thomas Bray, a principal 18th century organizer of the Anglican church in this country, would have made of this year's Nov. 12 gathering in a place he knew so well. But surely William Smallwood, who became senior warden here in 1775, not long before duty called him away, would have felt a kinship with the crowd-particularly Bill Snyder, the bearded biker in the vest with his veteran's decorations all over it. Though it is possible that Smallwood, George Washington's chief of staff during the Revolution, might not have appreciated the lovingly cared for Victory motorcycle Snyder was sitting on. Along with his wife Mary (who rides a Triumph), Snyder now owns the former rectory, built in 1732, which is how they became members of Christ Church, Durham: "We came out of curiosity, because we had bought the old house. Then we stayed because these are such nice people, it's a wonderful feeling of community," Mary Snyder explains. This year marked the second annual Veterans Weekend Oyster Feed and Motorcycle Show at Christ Church Durham, in Nanjemoy. "Last year, we got about 150 people," says today's senior warden Bernie Torreyson, collecting for the all-you-can-eat buffet of chicken and fried oysters, cole slaw, beans and rolls inside the parish hall. "This year, we expect about 200." Next to Torreyson at the card table, handing out tickets, was Lawrence Kendall, a remarkably hale man in his 70s inexplicably known as "Chubby," a master craftsman who before he retired had built houses and now does woodwork-like the 9-foot solid walnut cross watching over the hall-and restores cars. Kendall has been a member of Christ Church for 12 years. Parishioner Mabel Bowie's breathtaking 1941 straight 8 Buick is his handiwork: "He had to make the fenders from scratch," says Torreyson, shaking his head. But most of the internal combustion-driven peacocks at this show were motorcycles: Hogs. Choppers. Outlaw machines that, perhaps, might have caused the late 17th century founders of this parish, the oldest in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, to worry about compatibility with the Gospels. Not to fear. Walking around looking at vintage Triumphs and Harley-Davidsons and Victories, one saw signs everywhere: bright guardian angel pendants dangling from leather jackets; biker helmets with stickers "SFCC 2005 Blessed," from the annual "blessing of the hogs." The star of the show was clearly a spectacular vintage Indian restored from a pile of rusted parts by Chris Robey. "It's all original, even the gauges," he says. "That's the original key - I left the chain rusty to show what the whole bike was like when I found it - it leaks oil, though. I'm going to have to fabricate a gasket - they don't make them anymore." A high note of another sort was the heartbreaking 2003 Harley frame with the gas tank painted with barbells and a football, and the message: "Derek C. Wood 2-14-80 12-5-98." That's Ken Wood's bike. "Derek C. Wood is my son," he says quietly. "I lost him just down the street about half a mile from here, a car accident." The painting is also a tattoo on Wood's thick arm: "We lifted weights together, and he loved football." The father quietly points to the 3:16 lovingly stylized at the center of the memorial: "You know what that means, right?" "… whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Inside for dessert, Marsha Back wants to talk about soap: Along with Millie Hamman, "It's an M&M project!" - they make perfumed soap marked with Celtic knots and symbols to raise money for a Celtic cross to be erected from donated Indiana limestone in the centuries-old churchyard, past the ancient millstones embedded in the grass beyond the bikes. "I do it all in my kitchen," Back says. "It's all a fundraiser." Gloria Hamilton and Agnes Davis work in their kitchens, too - and were actively working the crowd with Boston cream pies, pumpkin and pecan and cakes, huge slices for a dollar. A table full of hunters in full camouflage was delighted. Two tables over, laughing with Mabel Bowie - the proud owner of the Straight 8 Buick - was another hearty looking older gentleman with an impressive trophy on his thick fingers: an NFL championship ring. Buzz Nutter explains, with a grin, that he played center for the old Baltimore Colts: "But I don't say I played with Johnny Unitas, you know," he smiles. "I was the center, so Unitas played with me." The Rev. David MacDonald, the 41st rector of Christ Church, Durham, is thrilled with the growing success of the Veterans Day Weekend bikes and buffet event. "We're looking forward to next year, and we hope to make it even bigger and better." [Back to index of December articles]
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