Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Oftentimes, the writer receives “gems” worth adding to the Sugar Grove news. Jane Eye of Franklin has reminded the writer of the “older version” of vocabulary that was once kosher to use, but has pretty well vanished from every day use. It goes like this:
The children of the fabulous 50s were given one of the most precious gifts: living in the peaceful and comfortable times which were created by the “greatest generation.” Discovered are the words that have vanished with scarcely a notice from one’s tongue and pens, and the keyboard.
Remember “Heavens to Mergatroyd?” The spell-checker doesn’t recognize the word.
Long gone: Pshaw; in like Flynn; living the life of Riley. Life used to be swell but then swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys, spats, knickers, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers.
Here are some more. The milkman did it; Hey, it’s your nickel; Don’t forget to pull the chain.; Knee high to a grasshopper; Oh, Fiddlesticks; Going like sixty; I’ll see you in the funny papers; Don’t take any wooden nickels; Wake up and smell the roses.
Phrases included the following: Don’t touch that dial; Carbon copy; Not for all the tea in China; You sound like a broken record; Hung out to dry; Straighten up and fly right; Put on your best bib and tucker; Heaven’s to Betsy; Gee whillikers; Jumping Jehoshaphat!: and Holy Moley!
Ever heard of driving a Jalopy? Or I’ll be a monkey’s uncle; and this is a fine kettle of fish. See ya later, alligator! Okidoki crocodile.
These lost words can be very disturbing stuff. There are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills. No one can be accused of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill.
The writer hopes her readers are “Hunky Dory” after reading this. Hope chuckles have abounded in the process.
Life’s little instructions to make one’s day better include the following:
- Floss one’s teeth.
- Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
- Take lots of photos.
- Remember that all news is biased.
- Don’t mess with drugs and don’t associate with those who do.
Crisp mornings and warm days have been enjoyed by the community residents. Lots of furnaces have been fired up, and lots of soups have been made to enjoy. A dreary Sunday was enjoyed; especially since there was some moisture delivered to the area.
Good to hear that there were no mishaps during the hunting season.
The end of the year has galloped along, and one finds Christmas here already. Lots of decorations have gone up for everyone to enjoy. It is the most wonderful time of the year!
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.” — Plautus
“Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic.” — Dan Rather
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
“What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?” — George Eliot
“Animals are such agreeable friends; they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.” — George Eliot
Sitting by the fire is definitely the place to be to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
On Thanksgiving day, Willard and Judy Rader, C. J. Eckard, Robin and Lindsay Reed and Kevin and Malintha Custer were visitors and enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in the home of Benny and Linda Custer of Verona, Virginia.
The families of Tracy and Bobbie Armstrong celebrated Thanksgiving at their home.
Derek Crider came home for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday with Danny and Sharon Crider and April, Colby, and Chloe Simmons.
Wesley and Becky Puffenbarger and their family hosted Thanksgiving dinner. Attending were Butch and Mary Puffenbarger, Zara Huffer, Robert, Nancy, Rob and Matt Hodges of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Andrew, Josh and Natalie Hodges of Lorton, Virginia.
Robert and Judy Grimm enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with Rodney Kiser and family, who live in Preston County.
Wesley, Becky, Ben, Emma and Nathan Puffenbarger spent the weekend in Morgantown celebrating Emma’s birthday.
Phil Downs motored to Romney to spend Thanksgiving with friends.
Robby, Linnea, Logan and Michael Fisher enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Robby’s parents, Bob and Brenda Fisher.
Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed at the Rosalee Grogg home by Terri Grogg, Claude Casselbury, Junior and Marleta Wimer, Leana Leap, Hendrix Bogan and Clint Davis and daughter, Addie.
Evelyn Varner had a Thanksgiving gathering at her home which included her children and their respective families. On Saturday, she accompanied Janet Judy, Terry Harper, and Judy Costello to the Antioch Church in Woodstock, Virginia, to enjoy an evening of music by The Thomas family, Danny Siegins family, Robys family, Crestmen, Miller family, and the Promised Land Quartette.
The Felici family of Franklin had lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Joining the big sister, Emma, and big brother, Eli, was Noah James who was born Nov. 11. There was lots of excitement over the welcome home for Noah James.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Cinnamon comes from the bark of certain evergreen trees native to Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
- Sideburns get their name from Civil War General Ambrose Burnside.
- When alarmed, lobsters can jump backwards up to 25 feet at a time.
- Skis believed to be 4,000 years old have been found in Scandinavia.
- A one-penny stamp issued by British Guinia in 1856 is now worth over $50,000.
Concerns for this week are many, and they are as follows: Mercedes Aumann, Vernon “Fuzzy” Baldwin, Lynn Beatty, Jack Bennett, Jimmie Bennett, Bill Brackman, Jeff Evick, Ina Evick, Dan and Margaret Ferrell, Ron Gilkeson, Lola Graham, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Gary and Jackie Hills, Virgil Homan, Jr., Charlee Marie Hoover, Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie Horst, Doris Hull, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Lisa Dawn Jamison, Alice Johnson, Kim Kline, Richard Judy, Melissa Lambert, Tammy Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Angela Lung, Linda Malcolm, Betty Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Naomi Michael, Gary Mitchell, Gloria Moats, Joe Moats, Melvin Moats, Aaron Nelson, Ken and Ruth Nelson, Bennie Nesselrodt, Cheryl Paine, Sutton Parrack, Shirley Pratt, Betty Lou Propst, Kathy Propst, Sheldon Propst, Mary Puffenbarger, Verla Puffenbarger, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Pam Rexrode, Donna Ruddle, Annie Simmons, Barbara Simmons, Barry and Phyllis Simmons, Davey Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Tom Simmons, Robbie Sites, Ona Smith, Stanna Smith, Patricia Swecker, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Ron White, Judy Williams and Larry Wimer.
