By Paula Mitchell
The swinging bridge is a timeless legacy in this area. At one time, this unique and fascinating piece of infrastructure hugged the rugged and breathtaking landscape; and it was born out of necessity to the community.
Long before roads and bridges crisscrossed the landscape, the rivers and ravines posed challenges to travel and trade. The pioneers were resourceful and very adaptable to provide a solution to this challenge. The devised structures which were typically constructed from wood and cables, provided the vital crossing to the farmers, and homeowners to access the neighboring communities, markets, and resources.
However, building the swinging bridge was labor-intensive, requiring cooperation and skill from the community. There was limited formal training for the local craftsmen who used readily available materials such as vines, timber, and hand-forged iron. These were impressive structures which relied on an intricate balance of weight distribution and balance to ensure safety and stability.
Walking on a swinging bridge requires caution and common sense. Ensure oneself by holding on to the railing, taking time and never looking down! The swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the swinging bridge is also essential.
At one time, there were several swinging bridges along the South Fork in the Sugar Grove community. Wear and tear of the structure, along with the introduction of modern roads and bridges brought that to a halt. At the height of installation, swinging bridges spanned the South Fork River in this community at the Homan field, Luther Simmons, Roy Wilfong, Wilson Mitchell, Luther Todd, and Tut Simmons properties. There are a few swinging bridges still remaining — the Homan to the Propst, along the Lower Thorn, the infamous Nelson Rocks and the Judy bridge down on the South Fork below Milam.
A part of history is all but gone. Walking on the swinging bridge is quite an experience!
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- If one borrows it, return it to its rightful place.
- If one breaks it, admit it.
- If one turns it on, turn it off.
- If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
- Give a compliment every day.
Temperatures have warmed into the twenties, with rains melting a lot of the snow. A slow melt it was as the creeks and rivers were somewhat swollen. Schools have had delays due to the flooding. This week sounds as though there is a reprieve from the wintery weather.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“If you do the right thing in the here and now, the future has a way of taking care of itself.” — Dolly Parton
“Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves. Everything flies and goes away.” — Frida Kahlo
“I never forgot that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.” — Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” — Harriet Tubman
“Do what you do with all your might. Things done by halves are never done right.” — Marjorie Raw.
Sitting by the fireplace to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Grey and Mary Catherine Cassell have enjoyed watching the birds at their buddy feeder. Visitors have included the beautiful house finch and the Northern Cardinal.
Eddie Rader visited Friday in the home of Willard and Judy Rader. Lorena and Greg Hoover were visitors Sunday afternoon. Willard and Judy enjoyed celebrating Linda’ s birthday Saturday at the Longhorn Restaurant in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with Linda and Benny Custer.
Liam Gumm, son of Brittany and Brad Gumm and grandson of Kent and Jennifer Simmons, has a puzzle library located at St. John Lutheran Church.
Jacob and Maggie from Fairmont arrived at the home of Marie and Mike Simmons. The occasion was to celebrate Jacob’s 20th birthday. Happy birthday!
Wesley, Becky, Ben, Emma and Nathan Puffenbarger visited Sunday with Nancy and Robert Hodges, Robby and Matt Hodges of Harrisonburg, Virginia. They enjoyed a family dinner.
Virginia Propst will be celebrating her 102nd birthday on the 12th. She is celebrating with the Full Snow Moon!
Elementary school ball games have been keeping parents and grandparents on the go.
Richard Ruddle has daffodils up about 3 inches at his Ruddle farm homeplace. Guess they don’t know that it is still winter! Perhaps they will bloom in time to herald in spring.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- The space between a person’s eyebrows is called a glabella.
- Iceland is considered very conservative. The locals have a serious attitude towards marriage.
- Elephants weigh less than the tongue of a blue whale. The heart of a blue whale is the size of a car.
- The average housefly lives for 2-3 weeks.
The “dot” over an “i” is called tittle.
Birthdays for February include the following: David Gillispie, Danny Snyder and Brandon Smith, first; Denise Sroka, second; Pat Sites, third; 4…Vanessa Simmons, Bernie Sasscer, Steven Grogg, Tom Mitchell, Ed Smith and Jennifer Sager, fourth; Joelle Huntsberry, Patsy Bennett and Rhonda Stump, fifth; Carolyn Smith, Charles Cook, Liz Armstrong and Leonard Vaughan, sixth; Hannah Koontz, seventh; Lannie Mitchell and Mary Eye, eighth; Danny Gillispie, ninth; Patsy Hoover (90), Violet Aumann and Dennis Hull, 11th; Virginia Propst, 12th; Madison Grogg and Peggy Bodkin, 13th; Jennifer Simmons, Donna Ruddle and Dick Rexrode, 14th; and Calvin Ruddle, Lisa (Mike) Jamison, Yoland O’baugh, Joyce Moates and Judy Vance, 15th.
Concerns are for Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Patty Chapman, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, the Elwood Harman family, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Donald Hedrick, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, George Hevener, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Pastor Angela Lambert, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marie, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Terri Parker, Diane Pennybaker, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Natalie Stephenson, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Gary, Carol, and Jon Swecker in the loss of their home, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer, New Orleans victims, individuals and families who continue to be affected and displaced by the fires in California, the flood victims in the south and the plane disasters in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.