The Dogwood is the state tree and flower for the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia

[philleas]

... it is also the state tree of Missouri and the state flower of North Carolina.

[pablocruze]

And isn't there some folk history about Jesus' cross being made from the dogwood?

Yes, in fact, here it is:

Question: "What is the legend of the dogwood tree? Was the cross Jesus was crucified on made of dogwood?"

Answer: The Bible does not tell us what type of wood the cross Jesus was crucified on was made of. Roman history does not go into specifics as to how the crosses were made or what type of wood they were made of. As a result, we cannot know for sure what type of tree was used to make the cross. There is a legend that it was made of dogwood. This is unlikely considering the typical size of a dogwood tree. The legend of the dogwood tree, author unknown, is as follows:

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

Again, this is just a "legend." It is a nice poem, but there is no Biblical basis to it. The legend of the dogwood tree is very likely not accurate.

[philleas]

given the possible religious connection, i think it only fitting now that mr. paquet sculpt a statue out of Dogwood.

...AND HE SHALL BUILD IT UNTO HEAVEN !!!

[William Paquet]

ummm...well uhh....hmmm....

okay then, we have great peanuts here too and the state bird is the cardinal.

Frank Miller used to live about a half hour from me.

My town was used extensively in the crappy film, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS.

Sissy Spacek lives just over the mountain from me.(but I don't know her)

I have to drive close to an hour to get decent pizza, and it still pales to NY/NJ pie. (Bagels have apparently been outlawed statewide, but they enforce it in a tricky way...they just make them here like crap)

The Statler Brothers live in my town.(if you don't who the Statler Bros are, you are forgiven)

[Gothiken]

Bill's a Jersey guy..

can take the man outta Jersey..
but cant take the Jersey outta the guy

Kenny =)

[William Paquet]

I believe the proper phrase is-

"You can take the @sshole out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey out of the @sshole."

[William Paquet]

Jersey by birth, Virginia by choice.

But damn I miss the food.

[Gothiken]

LOLOLOL.. I like that one much better..

its fits..

common... who doesnt miss White Castles
@ 3 AM.. by Hudson Cty Park =)

Kenny

[William Paquet]

Originally Posted by Gothiken

... who doesnt miss White Castles
@ 3 AM.. by Hudson Cty Park =)

Kenny

When I do business in NYC a few times a year, I take the ferry over from Jersey, and on the way home I drive through North Bergen and always hit WC. Love those gut bombs.

But what I really miss is the Italian food.

[Gothiken]

nothing can sober a man up faster then
a few gut bombs..

and Im thinking Virginia is seriously lacking
in the Chicken Parm or Baked Ziti dept.

=(

Kenny