Beneath ancient boughs.

Still enjoying robust good health, the oldest resident at Baptist Village in Waycross, Georgia, is, as the saying goes, "old as the hills." With estimates ranging anywhere from 300 to 1,000 years old, the oldest resident of this retirement community is a glorious live oak tree (Quercus virginiana). Born in a primeval forest long before there was a Georgia, a United States, or a North America, it wasn't until the 1800s that the land this tree stands upon was ever anyone's property.

From sheltering a farmhouse to becoming part of a county prison landscape, this great oak continues to endure. When the prison closed in 1955, the land was purchased by the Georgia Baptist Convention to establish a senior retirement community--Baptist Village. As the Village grew, so did its affection for this anonymous tree. In 1967 the Great Oak at Baptist Village was officially named Village Sentinel and became a member of the National Live Oak Society. Today, it is recognized as the largest live oak tree in Georgia and was featured as part of the series Big Trees and the Lives They've Changed on National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

Situated on a lovely 172-acre property accented with the 35-acre Village Lake and a large pecan grove, many dwellings at Baptist Village offer their residents a view of the Village Sentinel and the many events that take place under its leafy expanse. As resident Frances Rudisail comments, "It's the first thing I see every day when I walk out my door." The Sentinel is a welcoming host for many types of social gatherings, some of which are uniquely Southern in nature, such as our annual peanut boil when raw, green peanuts are cooked in a pot of boiling water for several hours. Residents gather under the coolness and shade of its 160-foot crown spread of boughs to tell stories and socialize, while snacking on this regional delicacy. Other events have included Easter egg hunts, various entertainers, and horse-drawn wagon rides. On the Fourth of July, watermelon rules the day. Following a patriotic service in the chapel, residents gather around the Sentinel to enjoy summer breezes and eat the cold, sweet slices.

The Sentinel not only serves as the backdrop for resident activities; staff events are hosted there, as well. During the Christmas season, a canopy of lights was strung on the lower boughs to provide atmosphere for the staff Christmas party. The heavenly effect of the tiny overhead lights filtering their soft light through the leaves was so beautiful that the canopy remained for the entire season for the residents' enjoyment.

But on our campus, the Sentinel is not just a decoration, it's a destination. Conveniently placed benches and a circular walkway around the tree offer residents a chance to stroll, meditate, visit with each other, or simply enjoy feeding and watching the antics of the fox squirrels that scamper about, while listening to birdsong in the branches overhead.

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Because of its magnificence, longevity, and history, the Village Sentinel's evolution from an acorn to the place it now holds in many hearts was chronicled by two of our residents, Bryant and Lillie Leveritt. Their The Great Oak Tree at Baptist Village was published in 2000. Along with the tree's history, the book also contains poems and essays in its praise. In fact, some of our residents have strong bonds with the Sentinel. Resident Henrietta Lewis has sweet memories of climbing the tree with her friends as a child. The late Dr. Wynton L. Hall owned this land at one time and recalled for the Leveritts how his hogs were fed acorns that fell from the tree and how delicious those hams were. Baptist Village President-Elect Delos L. Sharpton recognizes the spirituality the tree inspires, saying, "The beautiful oak tree on the Waycross campus is a living reminder of the greatness of God. Only a great God could design such a marvelous tree."

This centerpiece of our community has survived for centuries on its own but, since 1957, The Davey Tree Company has been its primary caregiver. Cables have been installed to help support the weight of the limbs, lightning rods are used to protect the tree during storms, and the Sentinel is trimmed and fertilized every other year.

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Many times I've sat under the tree and just wondered, how has it survived? Why wasn't it cut for firewood decades ago? How did it escape disease? How did it survive the Civil War? What history this tree could teach if only it could talk!

Jane Crawley is Director of Activities at Baptist Village. For further information, phone [phone]. To comment on this article, please send e-mail to [e-mail].