Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
As I listen to the melodious song of the birds, feel the gentle wind on my cheek, see the forsythia blooms in a shower of gold, my mind goes back to long ago events that changed the course of mankind.
Perhaps it was a sparkling spring day, full of joy and gladness, when Jesus called for the donkey that He would ride through the streets of Jerusalem. It was a festive crowd who came to meet Jesus as He rode into the city. Many had broken off palm branches and spread them in the roadway while others threw off their garments and cast them before Him. I am sure that children even got caught up in the excitement and threw spring flowers in the way.
I wonder how many of that vast multitude took part on the mocking and reviling as He hung on the cross. Had we been living in that day, I wonder what part we would have played.
I am glad that Easter with its message of hope and life, comes with the return of spring. It is not the date that is so important, but the fact that Christ was crucified, laid in the tomb, and rose triumphant over sin and death.
Easter is not colored eggs, new clothes, and baskets of goodies. Children love this aspect, but instead, it is the risen Savior, offering hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak, comfort to the bereaved and life to the dead.
To all my readers, may you have a blessed Easter.
Life’s instruction this Easter include:
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Watch a sunrise/sunset.
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Treat everyone a person meets like one wants to be treated.
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Overtip waitresses.
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Plant flowers.
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Always, always keep one’s promises.
Spring can’t quite make up its mind when it comes to weather. It stays warm for a few days, with the residents getting accustomed to that, and then it dips to lower temperatures, allowing for change of clothes and complaints of the weather being so changeable. Spring can’t win! The daffodils are wearing their Easter bonnets, though. They look lovely as they dance in the wind.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet, especially your family. Be holy.” — Mother Teresa
“The great gift of Easter is hope.” — Basil Hume
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” — Anne Frankteh
“In all this world, there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child.” — L. Frank Baum
“Every day is a renewal, every morning the daily miracle. This joy you feel is life.” — Gertrude Stein
Sitting around the table is a good place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Linda Rexrode has been busy making lots of donuts…530 dozen to be exact. That’s a lot of delicious donuts.
Another young lad has been added to the community. Jameson Travis Bowers was born March 10, weighing in at 9 pounds and 9 ounces. He measured 22.25 inches in length. His brother, John, along with parents, Melinda and Justin Bowers, are “over the moon” with joy. Congratulations!
Ben Puffenbarger won first place in West Virginia for Future Business Leaders of America. Congratulations, Ben! He is the son of Becky and Wesley Puffenbarger.
Friday evening found Janet Judy, Terry Harper, Evelyn Varner, and Eugene Varner motoring to the Harrisonburg Baptist Church to enjoy the Kingsmen Quartet from Tennessee. Judy Costello joined them there. On Saturday, Joyce Marshall visited with her mother, Evelyn.
Congratulations to Glenn Dahmer who was honored for 82 years of being very active in the Mt. Zion Methodist Church he attends.
Brenda Fisher reports having seen a few snow flurries this past Saturday morning. Br-rr-r!
Charlotte Hoover had the good fortune of having six calves born within a 24-hour period.
Cary and George Hevener are the proud grandparents to Reya Millie Ronek, daughter of Jordan and Quinn Ronek of Lebanon, Tennessee. She was born on March 24, weighing in at 8 pounds 10 ounces, and measuring 21.5 inches. She appears to be a very good baby. Congratulations!
Benny and Linda Custer of Verona, Virginia, were visiting Friday in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
On Sunday, Willard and Judy Rader enjoyed visiting with family and friends at Chad and Amber Kimble’s and celebrating Bella and Amber’s birthdays.
Jack and Cindy Bowers are pleased to report that as of March 1, they have become great-grandparents to Lily June Bastian. She weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces, and measured 21 inches. Lily lives in Seattle, Washington.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•The cuckoo bird once delivered Easter eggs in parts of Switzerland.
•Polish people celebrate Easter by splashing friends and family with water as a symbol of renewal.
•Bermuda is famous for flying kites on Good Friday.
•The Easter Bilby is sometimes promoted instead of the easter bunny in Australia.
•Pretzels were once linked to Easter because their shape resembled arms folded in prayer.
Concerns are for the family and friends of Richard Arbaugh, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, the family and friends of Marlene Harman, Armanda Heavner, Charlie Marie Hoover, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, the family and friends of Logan Jackson, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Dottie Mitchell, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites, Kitty Waggy, the family and friends of Rene White, and Ed Wimer.
