Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
This cold spell has found the residents in Sugar Grove huddling in burrows to keep warm. This weather has been testing endurance and pioneer fortitude; but then, there are reminders that West Virginians are survivors.
It is true that the forefathers were not afraid of hardship. That blood running through the veins can certainly adapt to adverse conditions. In fact, some cling to the dialect that was common a generation or so ago.
To mean a large amount, the word “slue” was used. Such as, “We caught a slue of fish.” Not too many years ago, “galluses” were used, not suspenders. Clothes were packed in a “poke” or small suitcase.
There were a lot of expressions that meant to beat someone up, such as, “I’ll clean his clock for him,” and who could blame him if someone hit him “smack-dab” in the face with his fist?
When someone visits and they are taking their leave, one always says, “Come back, you all.” It is an invitation to visit again, and meant sincerely. The writer has even heard more “clever” used when someone visits. “They sure are ‘clever’ about the house” which meant they were friendly and hospitable.
Some words were taboo; they were too sacred to use in ordinary conversation. Instead of saying “God” or “Lord,” the term “The Good Man” was used instead. “God” or “Lord” were used in prayer or in church.
Times have changed; the speech has changed.
Life’s instructions include the following:
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Listen to old people.
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Hug a friend.
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Giggle with children.
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Take lots of naps.
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Swing as high as a person can on a swing set.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
“January sees past mistakes with kinder eyes, offering new paths from lessons learned.” — Eleanor Roosebelt
“There’s a thin line between to laugh with and to laugh at.” — Richard Pryor
“I think I’ve discovered the secret of life—you hang around until you get used to it.” — Charles Schulz
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” — Joseph Campbell
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Cat grief can last for up to six months after another or human passes away.
•Greenland is colder than Iceland.
•Flamingos are pink due to eating shrimp.
•China was the first country to use paper money.
•The Great Barrier Reef, an Australian formation, can be seen from space.
The fireplace is the best place to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Saturday, some of Charles Anderson’s work buddies, Jonny Lee Puffenbarger and Jason Wisman, came from Virginia. He hadn’t seen them in more than 25 years. A good time was had by all.
On Friday, Bob and Marti Fisher of Romney were visiting and enjoyed lunch in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
William and Donna Arrington had dinner with Robin and Mike DelBiondo Saturday evening at their red barn on Little Stony. The DelBiondoes made the barn into a beautiful home.
Weekend visitors of Tom and Paula Mitchell and Brandon, Cara, Macie, Carson, and Carly Mitchell were Richard and Mary Helon Ziehl of Huntingtown, Maryland, Rich and Alexis Ziehl of Edgewater, Maryland, Cary and George Hevener and Barry and Jacqueline Ziehl of Simi Valley, California.
Nashland recently hosted a “birthday soiree” when Vickie Nash of Fredericksburg, Virginia, came to celebrate with Helen for their mutual birthday. Todd Nash of Kinston, North Carolina, also came to join the festivities. Helen appreciated all of the birthday greetings, cards, phone calls, messages, and gifts commemorating her special day.
Birthdays include Wayne Price, 18th; Andy Hott Collins, 19th; Cary Hevener and Zion Brubeck, 20th; Noah Nelson and Catherine Eye, 21st; Jackie Smith and John Dorsey, 22nd; Charles Kiser, 24th; Myra Mitchell and Scott Rightsell. 25th; Violet Eye and Sue Ann Sites, 26th; Jarrod Nelson, Marian Williams Smith and Brandon Simmons, 27th; Jamie Hoover, 28th; Lainey Simmons and Nancy Pitsenbarger, 30th; and Jamie Watson, 31st.
Concerns are for the Mike Adams family, Charles Anderson, the Alfred Armstrong family, Joan and Roger Ashley, Mike Baker, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Bobby Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, the John Burns family, Larry Byers, Doreen Calhoun, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Kim Crane, the Ronnie Crisco family, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Tommy Davis, Phil Downs, Steve Durham, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Nan Goland, Kevin Gonshor, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Wayne Harman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Karen Holsten, Julia Homan, Charlie Marie Hoover, Keith Hoover, the Debbie Horst family, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Shannon Maloy, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Yvonne Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Dave McConnell, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, the Carroll Mitchell family, the Curtis Mitchell family, Dottie Mitchell, Dennis and Jamie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Sherri Moyers, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dominique Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Linda Reese, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Vesta Ruckman, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Iva Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Carolyn Thomas, Riley Thompson, Linda and Larry Vandevander, the Judy Vetter family, Peggy Wade, Junior Waggy, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Patty Willis and Ann and Ed Wimer.
Samuel Henry Moats, Sr. (March 23, 1892 – June 2, 1973) was the son of Harvey (July 13, 1848 – April 1910) and Elizabeth Margaret “Betsy” Smith Moats (May 1855 – Nov. 14, 1929). He was the husband of Martha Rona “Mattie” Eckard (March 20, 1899 – Sept. 5, 1993). They are buried at the St. Michael Lutheran Church Cemetery.
