Sarvis and redbud trees are in bloom

Spring Weather

The month of March has marched out pretty mild. Mostly rain is all we have experienced. Now April showers are in the forecast which is normal. We have had a wet winter and now spring is about the same.

Sarvis and Redbud Winter

Gary and I were returning from Wise on Friday, a beautiful warm day.  I noticed in the mountains a white blossom tree sparsely seen and then all the redbud blossoms on the trees. Then it became clear, sarvis and redbud winter. When these two trees bloom it turns colder a few days and we have two winters and sure enough it got colder this week! You cannot fool Mother Nature!

We have the dogwood tree to bring us dogwood winter and this brings cold temperatures in April so keep an eye on the dogwood tree blossoms.

April Birthdays

One thing for sure, we all have a birthday each year and so for the month of April we have bunch of friends celebrating!

Our longtime friend Bob Hartley starts the month on April 3. “Big celebration”. All your friends and family wish you a great birthday.

Another Appalachia resident is celebrating on April 5. Sam Green is a very unique man, very quiet, with a smile and a joke and a prayer on his lips. Sam has lived and worked his entire life with his family business in Appalachia.

We know the Green family will make a “Big” family birthday celebration on Sunday, April 5.

A lady in Appalachia became a “Bulldog” with the marriage to her high school “love of her life”, Johnny Aistrop. That man would like to wish the love of his life Sue Lane Aistrop a happy blessed birthday on Sunday, April 5.  They have been married 56 years and trust God will take care of them in more years to come.

Happy birthday to Sally Dunton on April 7.

Passing of Childhood Friend

We were sorry to learn of the passing of an Inman childhood friend, Darrell Smith.

We all attended church together when we were younger living in Inman. Darrell was preceded  in death by his father, Lloyd Smith, 47 years ago this April. Darrell leaves behind his wife and son in Pound where they made their home.

Voting by Mail

Gary and I are going to do something this year we have never done before! You guessed it,  vote by mail. Absentee voting is urged for May  Council elections. This is another way we can stay quarantined or stay at home due to the COVID 19 virus. April 28 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to you.

Exercise your right to vote and stay home and be safe.

No Church Services

In a conversation with a family member last week the topic of no church services came up. Down through the years I have urged them to attend church but always an excuse was given. Now the doors are shut and there is “No” excuse, no where to go. Quarantine yourself and stay indoors.  Lots of time now to think and like to see the doors open and people attending the church services.

Coal Mines Closing

The latest bad news  we thought we would never hear. The coal mines are closing and the miners will have to go home and stay quarantined with their families. Very little coal coming out of Wise County! This is due to COVID 19. How much more can our area take?

Social Distancing

The President, Governor and other officials have urged people to “stay out of crowds and remain at home.” Social distancing, wash hands frequently. This is hard but when this period of time has passed and we have survived this virus we will say it was worth the effort we put into it.

Trust God to deliver us.  I think of Him delivering the people out of Egypt and all they had to do was apply the lamb’s blood over their doorposts and the plague would pass over them. God will protect his people when the Blood is applied to their heart.

Surgery Cancelled

Susie Richardson is effected by the COVID 19. Her cataract surgery was cancelled due to the virus. Her church was closed and she does the cleaning each week. Her beauty shop was closed, the Lions Club which she cooks for will not meet due to more than 10 people in a crowd so no meeting is scheduled through April. Now the closing of these meetings has effected Susie greatly!

I talked to her last week on the phone. She is scheduled for a 4 hour stress test soon, so remember Susie in your prayers in this trying time in her life.

Grocery Store Trip

A well looked forward to trip now is to the grocery store. We are anxious to see who is out to shop. A friendly hello and just seeing friends we know and knowing we are all in the quarantine due to the virus. Be patient, it will pass.

Visits Mom

The COVID 19 virus didn’t stop the family of Anna Lee Smith from visiting their Mom. They camped outside her window so they could see her last Sunday through her window.

Roy shared a kiss with Anna Lee through the window pane between them but he got to kiss his bride! Anna Lee is in rehab following her hip replacement. I am sure she will be home with her family to take care of her soon and Roy also.

They are a very close family.

Mowing Time is Here

The time of year for mowing is here! The cemeteries will need out donations of money to pay the mowers.

These are contract mowers due to the large area that has to be mowed.

It is important for our cemeteries to look good in honor of our lost loved ones. Due to many circumstances we cannot do the mowing and keeping our loved ones graves looking well manicured.

It is an opportunity we have to send a money donation to help offset the cost of the mowing for the next six months, April – October.

Randal Hicks is the treasurer for the Riverview Cemetery. His address is Box 162, East Stone Gap, VA 24246. Randal will be glad to receive all donations.

Veterans Flags

The flags for our veterans have arrived to be placed on our veterans graves for Memorial Day.

If anyone has lost a family member or friend who served in the military and has no marker please contact Randal Hicks or Gary Bush.