Mother Nature rules again with one more ‘winter’

Mother Nature Rules Again

Mother Nature ruled again this spring! Last week the “cold” temperatures was Blackberry winter! Thus is the last winter named in our area. 

Our brother Danny lives in Oak Ridge, TN and he said the blossoms on the blackberry briars are in full white blooms. This is the last spring winter I have heard of from our grandmas. They were right on to know the changes in the moon and when to plant your gardens by the signs. Mrs. Bush always told us frost can come until May 15th. We will see this year!

I catch myself thinking about and watching for these old sayings and seems I remember them more with my age. Out Grannies knew their stuff when it comes to signs.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day for “all of us” who have lost their Mother is a sad day. We have our memories and pictures of the joy we had when they were with us. Today Mother’s Day is celebrated in different ways for various younger aged mothers. It was a good Sunday Mother’s Day for us. We were out of a 14 day self-quarantine at our home.

Enjoying Fishing

Rick and Randy are fishing and catching lots of fish for all the fish fries they have in Andover. The lake is the best place to be and avoid crowds and enjoy what you are doing also. The Blair boys love to fish.

Remember in Prayer

Remember Mike Ben Ford in prayer. He had the Corona virus and came home from the hospital with oxygen. He got worse and was med flighted to Johnson City. Remember him and Una Faye in your prayers. Una Faye gave a brief update on her Facebook message.

Condolences 

We send condolences to Mark and Pam Hutchinson in the passing of Mark’s mother.

Saddened by Loss

We were saddened to hear the news about Tex Parson’s passing away on Friday last week. Tex was one of the seven cases of the Corona virus hospitalized from the Appalachian Towers in Appalachia in March. He was transferred to Holston Valley and put on a vent to help him breathe several weeks ago.

Tex was well known for his generosity to help people in need with the food bank in Appalachia. Remember Tex’s family in prayer.

Reunion Rescheduled

Blair Family and Friends Reunion has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 at the Andover Community Center in Andover beginning at noon with a pot-luck/covered dish luncheon to follow at 1p.m.

The “Blair Reunion” in Scott County will be on Sunday, Sept. 27 for those who travel and want to attend both reunions.

These dates were selected to coincide with both reunions. So put it on your calendars, gather your pictures and bring your delicious food dishes for a time of reminiscing and family fun and fellowship.

Town Council Election

May 19 is the date for this year’s Town of Appalachia’s Council election. The Governor of Virginia is highly recommending we vote by mail ballot. We mailed our ballot this week. Staying six feet apart will be the rule you have to follow at the poles. Long lines can be avoided if you vote by mail. Appalachia has three seats for town council election.

Pleasant Phone Call

I had a very nice phone call from Raymond Davidson last week. He is cancer free after taking his latest rounds of chemo and radiation. He is a very happy man and thanks God for giving him the strength to be able to undergo all the treatments.

On May 18 Raymond will be celebrating his 81st birthday. He plans to celebrate as big as he can. Probably a home cooked meal by his lovely wife. Happy blessed birthday Raymond.

Birthday Wishes

We have a very dear lady we have been friends with for 50 years. Sally Gibson is her name. Sally is a dedicated Christian woman, loves the Lord and loves to do good for people.

Sally’s birthday is May 18. Her daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Jim Collier wish their dear mother a Happy Birthday.

Friday, May 22 Mike Ben Ford will be having his 75th birthday. We pray this will be a healthy, happy birthday for Mike.

Graduating Seniors

It is bad for our graduating seniors not to be able to attend their graduation due to our current word problem. I really feel bad about the situation.

The spring events in our school years are the most looked forward to. The sports, field trips, senior prom is a big event for every student to attend and the thrill of wearing a cap and gown and attending class day and knowing you have finished the last year. I don’t believe taking classes online is like meeting fellow classmates and attending school functions and meeting new people and this is hard to do online.

I hope this will not take the place of a teacher teaching a class in our school systems. People need people to make the world go around, not a laptop.

Lions and Lioness Club Meeting

Attention all Lions and Lioness Club members in Appalachia, the time for your next meeting is 7 p.m. on June 11 at the Senior Citizens Building on Main Street in Appalachia,

President Ben Hooper looks forward to seeing all his friends at this first in a long time meeting.

Susie will be serving the following menu: Pinto beans, kraut & weenies, fried potatoes, cornbread, killed lettuce/onions, deviled eggs, punch bowl cake, ice cream.

KAREN VANWINKLE

My nice, Karen VanWinkle was taken off the vent on Friday of last week after three days. She is making improvements daily. Her youth is in her favor and prayers are going up in her behalf.

We are trusting she will make it through in the time it takes for her recovery.

Cancellations

The Inman Reunion for this year has been cancelled due to the Corona 19 virus. This is the reason for the cancellation.

The Stonega Veterans Banquet normally scheduled in August each year is cancelled this year due to the Corona 19 virus.

Donations Needed

There is a need for your donations to help finance the mowing of the grass at Riverview Cemetery in East Stone Gap. This is a very old and well known cemetery. If you live out of state and are unable to visit the cemetery but want to make sure the graves of your family and friends are kept mowed and the markers are kept in place you can send in the mail your donations to the treasurer, Paul Randall Hicks, P.O. Box 162, East Stone Gap, VA 24246.

Visiting the cemetery is now the time more visitors pass through the grounds. If every family who has graves located in the cemetery would send a donation to help pay for the upkeep there would be no problem in paying the mowers.

Send your donations to help this need.