Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
This being the 250th year of celebrating the nation, most Americans know virtually nothing about the origins of the place they currently live. How about Pendletonians? Let’s delve into that subject. Edmund Pendleton (Sept. 9, 1721 – Oct. 23, 1803) is who the county’s name honors. He was born on a plantation in Caroline County, Virginia. He was married twice having no direct descendants.
Edmund Pendleton was an American planter, gaining great eminence in the profession of law, a moderate politician, and judge. He was a member of the House of Burgesses (from 1752 until the Revolution), becoming the first speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. (In March 1777, he dislocated his hip in a fall from a horse which caused him to miss the first session. He used crutches the rest of his life.) Pendleton was also a delegate to the Continental Congress.
He protested against the Stamp Act, became president of the Committee on Public Safety, and in 1775 he presided as president of the Virginia convention which framed the first state constitution, drawing the declaration of Virginia in favor of American independence. Pendleton proposed the modification in the statement of universal right in Virginia’s declaration to exclude slaves, thus winning support of slave owners. In 1778, he became judge of the High Court of Appeals, becoming the first Chief Justice of Virginia. When Virginia created a Supreme Court of Appeals in 1778, Pendleton was appointed its first president and served until his death in 1803 at the age of 82 years. Thomas Jefferson said, “Taken all in all, he was the ablest man in debate I ever met.”
Pendleton lay in state in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried at his home, Edmundsbury in Caroline County. Because of the ravages of time upon the estate’s buildings, his body was removed in 1907 and moved to Bruton Parish Church in what became Colonial Williamsburg.
Pendleton County was established in 1787 from portions of Augusta, Hardy, and Rockingham counties. Being formed in 1788, the county was named for Virginia statesman and jurist Edmund Pendleton. Formed in 1798, Pendleton County in Kentucky was also named in honor of Edmund Pendleton.
And now one, the reader, “knows the rest of the story” of how Pendleton County came to be honored with the name Pendleton.
Life’s little instructions to help one along are as follows:
1. Shine a light on those who need it most.
2. Always be willing to laugh at oneself.
3. Don’t be afraid to age.
4. Remember a person’s roots.
5. Give back to the community….do it on purpose.
The Thursday night show was live entertainment without admission. Little rain fell but the 100-degree temperatures have been lowered as a result. The rains still continue to circle like a plane over the countryside. September appears to be having difficulty saying “goodbye” to the July heat and temperatures.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“I also think that what’s wrong with all of us is that we don’t show enough love toward each other.” — Little Richard
“How smartly September comes in, like a racing gig, all style, no confusion.” — Eleanor Clark
“Inspiration is finding something that excites you.” — Connie Smith
“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.” — John Denver
“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson
Enjoying the patio with a cool drink is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Bide-A-While Park has taken on a new look. It’s a great relaxing place to enjoy swimming, grilling, swinging, and just plain picnicking. Thanks to Garber’s Painting Company for this “new” look.
On Sunday, Judy Rader and Natalie Nieves of Huntington visited Benny and Linda Custer of Verona, Virginia, and enjoyed a delicious lunch with them.
There is a beautiful array of flowers at the home of Steve Stump.
Sunday, Jim and Sharon Puffenbarger of Maryland had a family cookout to which Phil Downs was one of the guests in attendance.
All but five of Gordon and Lula Smith’s grandchildren were in attendance for the Saturday reunion. This reunion has been well attended for more than 75 years, which is a mark in history. The oldest attendee was Cleo Simmons (102) and the youngest Riley Leo Adamson being 7 weeks of age.
Spending the weekend with Eugene and Evelyn Varner were Cheyenne and Bentley, grandchild and great-grandchild.
Bringing beautiful flowers to Brenda Fisher (who greatly appreciated the gesture) were Patty Sponaugle, Carolyn Wilfong, Thelma Puffenbarger, and Gary Simmons, all from the Harrisonburg, Virginia, area. They had a great time visiting on Sunday.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Since 1985, Costco has sold more than 2 billion hot dogs.
•The Flintstones made its television debut on Sept. 9, 1960.
•One of the best-known Starbucks flavored drinks in the early fall is the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
•In September 1620, the Pilgrims sailed toward North America on the Mayflower.
•The Price is Right, the television game show, began on Sept. 4, 1972, with Bob Barker as host.
Concerns are for Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, family and friends of Jimmy Bowers, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Clinton Eye, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Chip Harper, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Mickey Huffman, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Stanley Kile, Keith Kimble, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, the family and friends of Nettie Losh, Skip and Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Harold Michael, Dottie Mitchell, Helen Nash, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, family and friends of Everette Puffenbarger, Willard Rader, Jimmy Rexrode, Robbie Sites, Kitty and Curtis Waggy, Jr. and Edwin Wimer.
