Cancer benefit held at Hughes Barn

TRINITY — Last Saturday night invited guests gathered to enjoy seasonal fun for a good cause at Donna Hughes’ restored dairy barn. Nearly $1,000 was raised for Lisa Hill, an area bladder cancer patient.

Hughes, a singer/songwriter/recording artist/realtor, told those gathered inside her grandfather’s old dairy barn, “Shane Hill has been our farrier and got hurt on the job. He hasn’t been able to work for 11 months and his wife has cancer.” 

Shane knows the unrelenting effects of the deadly disease. His first wife passed away from cancer.

An auction, conducted by Andy Kearns, was held on Saturday night to generate funds to assist with medical costs. Items auctioned included a barn quilt painted by Hughes and a tobacco stick star she had constructed. Also, up for bid was a limo ride with the top down in her classic Cadillac plus a $50 gift card to Crossties Restaurant in Thomasville, a romantic carriage ride drawn by Hughes’ Belgian horses, a hayride for 15 people, and a Mark Blair print of the Prayer Chapel on Highway 62. There was also a basket for donations.

The autumn evening began outside the barn with hot dogs and hamburgers served by the Trinity Booster club, along with corn hole games, hayrides and classic cars on display. Inside the barn after the live auction, music was performed. 

Caroline Owens of Denton was the first to entertain. The twice-nominated IBMA Momentum Vocalist offered a variety of tunes that included bluegrass, country and gospel. The rising songstress invited Hughes to join her to sing a song Hughes had penned, “Where Are You, Darling?” That song will appear on Owens’ upcoming album.

Next on the program was a performance by Wood Family Tradition from Statesville. The band is comprised of the offspring of well-known banjoist/singer/songwriter A L Wood. A highlight of the evening was when Wood’s 12-year-old great-grandson, Carson Aldridge, stepped up to the microphone, played guitar and sang a variety of classic Elvis Presley tunes such as “That’s All Right, Mama” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” Special guest sitting in with the Wood Family was dobroist Nathan Farlow of High Point.

If you would like to assist the Hill family, mail donations to: Bethel Baptist Church, 4836 Robbins Circle, Asheboro, NC 27205. The church, including Hughes’ donation, has raised approximately $64,000 thus far.