Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
A recent Fox News national report highlighted a study that found West Virginia to be the most festive state in the nation.
It all began in 1882 when Edward Johnson created the first strand of electric holiday lights and installed them (powered by a generator) in his parlor window for everyone walking by to enjoy. These lights were far safer than the fire risks posed by attaching lit candles to an evergreen tree. Within 50 years, Johnson might be astonished to see that this form of lighting became well established in most homes throughout the United States.
The Parade of Lights results (given by the judges who traversed across the Sugar Grove district) are as follows: Brandon and Cara Mitchell and Tom and Paula Mitchell, tie for first place; Jason and Martha Smith, second place; Benjamin and Dinah Mitchell, third place; and Helen and Rhonda Nash, honorable mention. Congratulations to the winners!
The judges hope that next year brings about more holiday lights for all to enjoy. There is that warm feeling when getting in the car to tour the neighborhood to enjoy the Christmas lights.
On the heels of Christmas comes New Years.
New Year traditions may include attending parties, eating special foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks.
However, at one time in the Sugar Grove community, of which the population was predominately German, there was a custom of “shooting in the New Year.” Households were reminded of a new year by being awakened during the wee hours by the loud voice of the captain of the New Year’s Shooters, who would call out, “Hello_______!” When a response was given, the captain recited a greeting which consisted of a series of verses, beginning with “Awake, Awake, my neighbors dear,” after which the “shooters” would fire their guns and make loud noises.
As the greeting cards became popular, “belsnickling” and New Year’s greetings gradually faded out of practice.
The writer wishes her readers peace, health, and endless happiness in the coming year. May the year be kinder, brighter, and full of joy! Let’s make it happen this year!
Life’s daily instructions include the following:
- Read more books.
- Make time to rest.
- Check on homebound neighbors.
- Start a daily gratitude practice.
- Show kindness to a person who is struggling opening a door.
“Spritzes” of rain have been falling during the holidays. Forecasters are telling one and all that the temperatures are dropping. Tuesday’s thunderstorm brought hail amidst the rain. By the weekend, winter once again visited.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, to all the people you can, in all the places you can, as long as ever you can.” — John Wesley
“How you talk to your parents says a lot about you. I don’t care how old you are.” — David Richards
“Behind every stack of books is a flood of knowledge.” — Jacek Yerka
Sitting around the fireplace is where one can hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Christmas Eve afternoon and evening had Phil Downs spending time with K.D. Puffenbarger and families. He was able to see K.D.’s great-grandson, Charlie. Then on Christmas day, he motored to Bridgewater, Virginia, to spend the afternoon with Eric Tichenor and family.
Enjoying the family Christmas time together at Tom and Paula Mitchell’s home were Jennifer, Tim, Morgan Hoover of Bridgewater, Virginia, Allison and Damian Morris of Fulks Run, Virginia, Janelle Mitchell, Jace and Ben Sroka, and Destiny Redman of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Brandon, Cara, Macie, Carson, and Carly Mitchell.
Bob and Judy Grimm had a wonderful Christmas with Rodney and family who reside in Preston County.
Brenda Fisher enjoyed Christmas with Robby, Linnea, Logan, and Michael Fisher.
Natasha Nieves of Boca Raton, Florida, visited with her grandparents, Willard and Judy Rader during the Christmas holidays. Willard, Judy and Natasha enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner at Benny and Linda Custer’s and Christmas Eve dinner at Willie and Donna Rader’s. Natasha enjoyed staying a couple days with Chad, Amber and Bella Kimble and Benny and Linda Custer before returning home to Boca Raton, Florida.
Donna and Bill Arrington went to visit with their son, Evan, and family in Morgantown for Christmas. They had a great time with those precious grandsons.
Sunshine, sand and surf. Jim and Karla Moats were joined by the rest of the family, Tuesday, Brian and Cedar Simmons and Montana and Troy Hise for an adventurous trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They all enjoyed swimming in some beautiful and refreshing cenotes, the clear waters of the beaches and walking along the famous 5th Avenue. Grandmama and papaw had a fun day with Cedar while the others took a trip to the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá which was built between 600-900 AD. They filled their bellies with delicious Mexican cuisine and their hearts with love from spending time together.
The Saturday after Christmas, Evelyn Varner hosted her family Christmas dinner at her home. Everyone enjoyed the delicious meal and fellowship.
Leslie, Ava, and Shawn Bowers hosted their family for Christmas dinner. Those attending were Tammy, Charlie, and Laura George, Brian, Reshella, and Hudson Leary, Dareld Puffenbarger, Brian, Melissa, Daisy, and Kaleb Moyers and William and Donna Arrington
Helen and Rhonda Nash spent a quiet Christmas at home, followed by a weekend filled with family. Nashland was host to nearly half of the Virginia clan, including Vickie Nash and her canine, Coba, Terri Lowery, Holly Lowery and children, Kinsley and Levi, and Calli, Hannah, Madalyn, Nolan, and Tucker Fox. Then all was quiet again as they said farewell to 2024 and ushered in the New Year.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- The first documented New Year’s celebration was 2,000 B.C. in Mesopotamia.
- Auld Lange Syne means “For Old Time’s Sake.”
- One billion people around the world tune into the Times Square ball drop.
- The original Times Square New Year’s Eve ball weighed 700 pounds.
- In ancient past, loud noises at New Year’s celebrations were said to ward off demons and evil spirits.
January birthdays include Janelle Mitchell, Jason Kimble, Carol Propst, Lisa Hull, and Linda Sheffer, first; Lowell Simmons, second; Wendall Marshall, fourth; Ivan Lam and Kathy McKenzie, fifth; Laney Bowers, seventh; Bridget Nelson, Sue Kimble and Jeff Pitsenbarger, eighth; Richard Morrison, Ronnie Kimble and Bonnie Holloway, ninth; Charles Nelson, Julie Koontz and Helen Nash, 10th; Joeann Moyers, 11th; Donna Bowers and Bob Hoops. 12th; Patsy Hammer, Margaret Hedrick and Amy Gardiner, 13th; Tammy Mitts, Joyce Burgoyne and Richard Bennett, 14th; Gaye Neil Hull and Junior Crider, 15th; and Danny Wilburn, 16th.
Concerns are as follows: Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, “Bo” Boggs, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, the Benny Evick family, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Donald Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, George Hevener, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Tim L. Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marie, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Terri Parker, Diane Pennybaker, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, the Greta Rader family, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, the Geneva Simmons family, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, the family of Donna Wagner, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer, New Orleans victims, and individuals and families who continue to be affected and displaced by the natural disasters.
