Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
February is the shortest month in the year; yet sometimes it seems longer. It can be cold, downright miserable, and often dreary. Indeed, this past week the cold swooped out from somewhere and froze this neck of the woods. School and church services were cancelled due to the icy grip. The sleet resulted in sleet avalanches in this county, as well as Pocahontas County. This is something unheard of for the residents. There were majestic ice formations of jagged crystals with nary a hope for wooded animals to find nutrition. The babble of rivers and ponds have been hushed by a crust of snow and ice that stretches from bank to bank, reminding one of the Old Timey Winters that grandparents spoke of. Children were bundled from head to foot in heavy coats, toboggans, and gloves to make snow forts, sledding (sliding), and have general fun before trooping back into the house.
The road crews are to be commended for their determination to clear roads under the circumstances. Thank goodness, the power remained intact with the hills protecting one from many natural disasters.
February brings on Groundhog Day which always holds the promise of spring. The popular Feb. 2 legend was brought to North America when the European settlers arrived. There being no hedgehogs here, they transferred the predictive role to groundhogs. Early settlers hoped for signs of an early spring so they could begin planting their crops and thus shorten the time for harvest.
Winter doesn’t plan to last much longer. Digging of sassafras roots for the enjoyment of sassafras tea and sending Valentine cards are all traditions to look forward to. While the cold weather persists, inspirations of fixing hearty soups and general baking to whet the appetite are welcome. An oatmeal cake is a worthy recipe to try.
Oatmeal Cake
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Grease and flour 9 x 13 pan; preheat oven to 350°. Pour boiling water over the oatmeal and let stand 20 minutes. Cream butter, brown sugar and sugar together. Add eggs, vanilla and oatmeal and beat well. Add cinnamon and flour; mixing well. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
Life’s lessons include the following:
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Be a team player not a game player.
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Don’t behave like one is in a soap opera.
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Make oneself necessary and one will always be needed.
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Don’t judge people on first impressions.
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A person doesn’t have to win every conversation.
The Snow Moon has been bright despite the low temperatures. This area had -4° temperature. But with the warmth of the sunshine, the area is reminded that spring will soon be here. Groundhog’s Day will no doubt predict that decision. According to weather folklore, the length of the icicle on Jan. 31 indicates that there will be more snow coming for all to enjoy.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Life is hard; it’s harder if you’re stupid.” — John Wayne
“Thirty-one percent of all churches in the United States have an average attendance of below 50.” — Jordan R. Willard
“Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” — Maori proverb
“February days are a marketing gimmick; love happens every day.” — Randeep Hooda
“Though February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.” — Charmaine J. Forde
Staying inside to enjoy the warmth is a good place to hear the “Talk of the Gove.”
Shaun, Ava, and Leslie Bowers spent the weekend in Thomas with Brian, Reshella, and Hudson Leary, and Laura George. They woke up Saturday morning to -20 degrees. Despite the cold temperatures, they went sledding at Blackwater Falls. They walked down to see the falls. Charlie and Tammy George drove out to have dinner and cake with them to celebrate Hudson’s 10th birthday. It was a great weekend with family.
Donna and Bill Arrington have returned from babysitting their youngest grandsons in Morgantown. Despite the cold, they enjoyed the visit.
Emma, Ben and Nathan Puffenbarger spent a few days with grandparents, Robert and Nancy Hodges, while out of school.
Helen and Rhonda Nash ended the very frigid and snow/sleet-packed week with a warm weekend visit from grandson/nephew, Lucas Hidalgo, and wife, Alayna from Spotsylvania, Virginia. The time together included their delayed Christmas celebration, which still leaves a couple more to go.
Birthdays for February include the following: Dave Gillispie, first; Vanessa Simmons Moats, Tom Mitchell, Bernie Sasscer, Ed Smith and Steven Grogg, fourth; Patsy Bennett and Rhonda Stump, fifth; Liz Armstrong and Charles Cook, sixth; Hannah Koontz, seventh; Mary Eye and Lannie Mitchell, eighth; Danny Gillispie, ninth; Pat Hoover, Violet Aumann and Dennis Hull, 11th; Madison Grogg and Peggy Bodkin, 13th; Jennifer Simmons, Donna Ruddle and Dick Rexrode, 14th; and Joyce Moates, Buddy Ruddle, Yolanda O’Baugh and Judy Hott, 15th.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Serena Williams won the Grand Slam while being pregnant.
•Bananas are technically berries.
•Russia has more surface area than Pluto.
•Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders.
•There are 88 keys on a standard modern piano.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, Joan and Roger Ashley, Mike Baker, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Doreen Calhoun, Marie Cole, Judy Costello, Kim Crane, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Tommy Davis, Phil Downs, Steve Durham, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Nan Goland, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Wayne Harman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Karen Holsten, Julia Homan, Charlie Marie Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, the Helen June Lambert family, 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, Dottie Mitchell, Jamie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Sherri Moyers, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dominique Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Joni Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy 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, Carolyn Thomas, Riley Thompson, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Peggy Wade, Junior Waggy, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Patty Willis and Ann and Ed Wimer.
