Sugar Grove
by Paula Mitchell
The Moyers community received news of another person passing away. Henry Mahlon Pitsenbarger, Jr. was 88 years old and made his home at Pendleton Manor for several years. He was born June 17, 1933, to Henry M. and Nora Alice Smith Pitsenbarger, with siblings, Louella Lynwood, Mary Alice, Fred Anderson and Betty Shay.
While attending Franklin High School, he played basketball, was well liked by his classmates and was always full of life. Following his graduation in 1952, he joined the U.S. Air Force becoming a Korean veteran with his service spanning 1952 – 1956.
Henry’s employment career touched on a variety of ways to earn a living for his family, which included daughter, Angela (Bill) Nelson, and son, Mark (Jodi). A few of his employments were Army Map Service in Bethesda, Maryland, Union heavy equipment operator at the Mt. Storm Dam Project, Bath County Pump Station Project, Sugar Grove Naval Base construction project, WV Department of Highways, Sites Chevrolet, Mullenax Lumber Company in Franklin and his family farm at Crummett’s Run in Moyers.
He enjoyed the outdoors, taking delight in hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed cheering on his West Virginia Mountaineers.
Henry had a quick wit and sense of humor, with his smile being a trait of his. He loved flowers of every kind, especially doting on the snap dragons. Besides his children and a sister, he leaves a grandson, two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Henry was also descendant of many pioneers of the county, namely, sixth generation to Abraham Pitsenbarger, seventh generation to John Nicholas Simmons, Patrick Sinnett, and Christopher Eye, eighth generation to Johannes Rexrode and ninth generation to Michael Propst.
Towards Henry’s waning years, which included prolonged health issues, he resided at Pendleton Manor. Angie and Bill faithfully took care of him. Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Henry during this difficult time.
“Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion, with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before; In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting, Beyond the sunset for evermore!”
Daily instructions include the following:
1. Be there when people need one.
2. Never underestimate the power of love.
3. Make new friends, but cherish the old ones.
4. Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, “Someone who thinks you’re terrific.”
5. Commit oneself to constant improvement.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work.” — C.S. Lewis
“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you’re going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“Middle age is when you’ve met so many people that every new person reminds you of someone else.” — Ogden Nash
“Only those who will risk too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” — T.S. Eliot
“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details that distinguish one man from another.” — Ernest Hemingway
Life is so much better by the fireplace to hear about the “Talk of the Grove.”
Happy news arrived Friday, Jan. 28. Wilder Lane Christensen arrived at 11 p.m. He tipped the scales at 5 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. Wilder is the son of Hillary and Evan Christensen, who are vicars of the five-point Mountain Lutheran Parish. Congratulations!
Will Hosier was a recent visitor of Evelyn Varner. Last Sunday visitors were Janet Judy and Terry Harper.
Marleta Wimer was visiting her mother, Rosalee Grogg. Her granddaughter, Madison, is having a birthday on Feb. 13. Rosalee excitedly told the writer that she gained another great-grandchild on Jan. 31. Vance Stephen Grogg, son of Tyler and Dora Grogg, weighed in at 5 pounds, 18.4 ounces and was 19 inches long. Congratulations!
The arrival of the lady bugs has been driving community residents crazy. Perhaps this cold weather will drive them to southern regions!
Pidge Anderson reports having flocks of robins in her yard this past week.
Bridgewater, Virginia’s, time stood still this past week. But, through it all, the prayers and hugs will somehow bring the community to rise up and continue on the path of being a peaceful and caring community. They will rise above the storm.
Mike and Robin DelBiondo were Saturday visitors in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
Delayed from last week: What a crazy week with the weather that came this way. Snow again Friday night which heralded a windy, blustery Saturday. Sunday morning temperatures were -3°. Br-rr-rr-rr! Although the weather forecast can change, this week is promising milder temperatures. Who knows what Old Man Winter will do next?
School was cancelled Friday due to the flooding, which caused the rivers to rage as they meandered to the Potomac River. Saturday, snow flurried in the mountains with temperatures hovering around the high 20s.
The snowdrop are up and blooming. The daffodils are making an effort to do so as well.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Nike shoes were born in 1972.
•The oldest existing church is thought to be a brick-and-mud structure in Jordan from around 300 CE.
•Niagara Falls is the waterfall with the greatest mean annual flow.
•Alaska is the most sparsely populated state, with only one person per square mile.
•Henry VII was the first king to be called “Your Majesty.”
The remainder of the February birthdays are as follows: Buddy Ruddle, Joyce Moats, Judy Hott Vance and Lisa Jamison, 15th; Brian Jamison and Randy Roberson, 17th; Clona Mae Brown and Allen Willfong, 18th; George Hevener and Kent Simmons, 19th; Diana Smith, 20th; Debbie Reedy, 21st; Carolyn Sponaugle and Karen Simmons, 25th; Charles Rexrode (92) and Terry Ryan, 26th; Patty Marshall and Phil Downs, 27th; and Clinton Eye, 28th.
Concerns for this week are as follows: the Bob Armentrout family, Larry Byers, Scherry Chambers, Charlotte Copley, Joy Darnell, Jeff Evick, Lee Roy and Ina Evick, Andy Eye, Mary Eye, Ron Gilkeson, Lola Graham, Marlene Harman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Winona Judy Hewitt, Lorena Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Michael Jamison, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Margaret Kiser, Angela Lung, Linda Malcolm, Willard May, Naomi Michael, Dennis Mitchell, Joe Moats, Ernie Morgan, Aaron Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Ken Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Sutton Parrack, the Henry Pitsenbarger family, Betty Lou Propst, the Eston Propst family, Garry Propst, Nathan Propst, the Sadie Belle Propst family, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Puffenbarger, Willard Rader, Donna Ruddle, Barbara Simmons, Eva Simmons, Ona Smith, Steve and Greg Smith, Stanna Smith, L. Hal Stickley, Patricia Swecker, Charlotte Thompson, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Jack Vogel, Ruthene Warble, Amby Waybright Jr., Ron White and Judy Williams.
