Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
A former resident of Sugar Grove returned Saturday afternoon to be with many friends and relatives who had assembled at the VFW Pavilion to help him celebrate his 90 years of age. “Junior” Grogg had a grand time at his birthday party, despite the weather being rather rainy.
Junior was the youngest boy (Russell, Everett, Curtis, and Otis) born on May 15, 1932, to William Harry and Cadie Waggy Grogg who lived in Stony Run. It was here that he attended his grade school years, and where he still enjoys coming to stay at his trailer.
During the Korean War, he joined the service and served his country from 1951-1953. During that time, he was in the 101st Airborne and was stationed in Kentucky where he was in the military police. Following his service, he drove a truck, did mechanic work and did lot of a contract work in building houses. Junior always lived in Raleigh Springs, Virginia. Over the course of time, he found he needed to live with his daughter, Dana, and husband.
He married Maxine Joseph in 1954, and the two had six children, Keith, Dawn, Kevin, DeeDee, Dana, and Dorrie. Junior has 17 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren with the 24th on the way.
The characteristics of Junior are quite enviable. He is a strong family man, very determined and a hard worker. Throughout the years, he enjoyed “setting out” a garden, which helped to support his family. An endearing quote he has is “Another beautiful day,” which he has said every day when he comes in the door.
His pastimes are to restore old tractors, read The Pendleton Times every week, the Daily News-Record every day, watch the news and westerns, as well as hanging out with his buddies. He always feels so much better whenever he gets the chance to go to West Virginia. Whenever he reaches the top of the Shenandoah Mountain he says he feels so much better.
To make his 90 years a lasting memory, Evelyn Varner made him a quilt which everyone signed at his party. This “guest book” is a wonderful way to cherish each person who was there to celebrate with him. Ninety years is quite a milestone, and for someone who is enjoying good health, it is terrific! The writer hopes the next birthday brings him more of everything he wants. Junior is truly a role model and it’s important for his children and family to learn from him. Happy birthday!
Life’s instructions come from Roy Rogers’ rules include the following:
- Be neat and clean.
- Be courteous and polite.
- Always obey your parents.
- Protect the weak and help them.
- Be brave but never take chances.
The Sugar Grove community and surrounding areas have been enjoying showers and rains. The creeks and rivers are taking on a muddy look, swelling “at the seams.” Hay making will soon be the topic of the farmers, with lawn mowing a continual chore.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Only people who aren’t happy with themselves are mean to others.” — Unknown
“Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement, and action have an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent.” — Bob Keshan
“When you see the right thing to do, you’d better do it.” — Paul Neuman
“If you can do more, you should.” — Robert Redford
“My father instilled in me the attitude of prevailing. If there’s a challenge, go for it. If there’s a wall to break down, break it down.” — Donnie Osmond
Life is so much better now that the front porch is available to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Nancy Hodges of Harrisonburg, Virginia, came to the Sugar Grove Maple Leaves 4-H Club meeting to teach the members how to cook over an outdoor fire. They made blackberry cobbler, bears, solar tea and bird poop (Oreo and whipped cream dessert) and cooked an egg.
Mike and Robin DelBiondo of Waynesboro, Virginia, were Sunday visitors in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
Phil Downs enjoyed the visit of Gaye Stafford of Lorton, Virginia and Rose Smith of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, who was an overnight guest.
Elden and Mary Puffenbarger, Robert and Nancy Hodges spent Mother’s Day at the home of Becky and Wes Puffenbarger. Wes grilled and made dinner for the mothers. Emma, Ben and Nathan helped cook. On Saturday, Wesley and Becky went to Hazy Mountain Winery and Valley Road Vineyards.
Visitors of Rosalee Grogg were Marleta Wimer, Steven Grogg, Hendrix Bogan and Leana Leap.
Tuesday’s voter turnout was very low.
Chris Woods of Michigan paid a visit in the home of Evelyn Varner this past week. Spending Saturday night with her were Judy Costello and Geneva Varner.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Pennies minted in 1944 and 1945 were made from empty army shell casings.
- Ducks stay afloat because a special gland waterproofs their feathers with oil.
- There are bats that have a wingspread up to 6 feet.
- All crabs have five pairs of legs.
- Uranium is more common in the earth’s crust than silver.
Concerns for this week are many, and they are as follows: Charles Anderson, Bill Brackman, Scherry Chambers, Charlotte Copley, Jeff Craig, Jeff Evick, Lee Roy and Ina Evick, Mary Eye, Ron Gilkeson, Lola Graham, Marlene Harman, Ramona Harman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Rose Hinkle, Virgil Homan, Jr., Charlie Marie Hoover, Lorena Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie Horst, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Margaret Kiser, Rex Landis, Angela Lung, Linda Malcolm, the Morris Mallow family, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Neil McLaughlin, Naomi Michael, Joe Moats, Lincoln Moore, Ernie Morgan, Aaron Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Ken and Ruth Nelson, Bennie Nesselrodt, Betty Hoover O’Donnell, Cheryl Paine, Sutton Parrack, Betty Lou Propst, Kara Propst, Linda Propst, Nathan Propst, Sheldon Propst, Pam Rexrode, Donna Ruddle, Barbara Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Charlie Sites, Ona Smith, Stanna Smith, Steve Smith, Berlie Sponaugle, Patricia Swecker, Harry Lee Temple, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Jack Vogel, Amby Waybright, Jr., Ron White, Judy Williams, Junior Wimer, Larry Wimer, Carol Windett and the people of Ukraine.
Cutline:
The family of “Junior” Grogg helped him celebrate his 90th birthday Saturday at the VFW Pavilion in Sugar Grove.
