Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
There is nothing quite like a freshly manicured lawn. Folks in this community were busy Friday and Saturday doing just that, and the result was quite amazingly eye-catching. Flowers are enhancing the landscaping and nature is taking its course. The rains earlier in the week have given a lush touch to the already lovely countryside.
Farmers are beginning to do their annual chore of making hay. The days have been very conducive to that chore.
Before the invention of the push mower, keeping a neat lawn was an expensive, labor-intensive luxury reserved for the wealthy. There were several ways that most folks used, depending on where they lived.
Using livestock like sheep and goats to graze the area was very cost-effective. The animals grazed the grass to a low level and provided natural fertilizer.
Estate workers used large, curved blades called scythes for open fields. Smaller handheld knives known as sickles and shears for precision trimming were used in the yard area. This required immense skill to ensure an even height. Often, skilled scythe handlers left swirls or sear marks on the grass, because the scythe was swung in a half circle, and the blade was often serrated. Can you imagine using a scythe and muscles to address the mowing aspect of life?
Everyday citizens didn’t maintain manicured turf; they left their yards natural or tilled the land for farming and survival.
For larger properties, families used draft horses to pull a team of rotating blade cylinders or “gang mowers.” Sometimes, older modifications involved pulling a motorized or gear-driven snipping tool with a horse.
Thefirst lawn mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding. And ever since, life has been much easier when it comes to mowing the lawn.
Instructions to help others include the following:
1. Volunteering is one of the most amazing things to do. Call a charity to volunteer.
2. Donate something one doesn’t use.
3. Stop and ask if help is needed when one sees someone pulled over with a flat tire.
4. Do a chore like cleaning or washing the car, doing the dishes or cutting the lawn.
5. Call a school and offer to volunteer one’s tutoring services.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Life is like an ice cream cone; you have to lick it one day at a time.” — Charles M. Schulz
“What a luxury, to do something you love to do.” — Amy Tan
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
“Out of limitations comes creativity.” — Debbie Allen
“You can observe a lot just by watching.” — Yogi Berra
Sitting out on the patio is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Saturday afternoon was when family and friends of Bob Puffenbarger gathered at the VFW pavilion to celebrate his life and share memories. The VFW Honor Guard was present for the celebration.
The Brandywine Elementary sixth graders are officially now seventh graders as of last Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremonies. They have had a great start from the excellent staff and should be able to continue doing well. Best wishes to them all!
Eric Tichenor of Harrisonburg, Virginia, spent Sunday evening with Phil Downs.
Calvary Lutheran Church held a Vesper Service at the Old Propst Church pavilion at 3 p.m. Sunday. Music was provided by Jake and Melinda Lohr, with Ray Lambert as backup. Light refreshments followed.
The state road department workers have been busy now that the weather is conducive to freshen up the roads. Ditches are being cleaned, fixing up the patched roadways is ongoing, lines are being painted, and the roadways mowed. All is good for the motorists either on their way to work, or for tourists enjoying the beauty of the landscape.
The year is fleeting with June here. That means that 2026 will soon be halfway through.
Over the weekend, Wesley, Becky, Ben, Emma and Nathan Puffenbarger visited Droop Mountain Battle Field and Bear Town State Park. This family always enjoys exploring their “whereabouts.”
Judy Costello of Verona, Virginia, spent Saturday night with her mother, Evelyn Varner.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•The world’s most populated city is Tokyo, Japan.
•Hawaii grows coffee beans.
•Add salt to water to make things float easier.
•The earth spins roughly 1,000 mph.
•In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, family and friends of Dillion Armstrong, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Junior Grogg, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Armanda Heavner, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Dave McConnell, Jamie Mitchell, Willa Nelson, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, the family of Nancy Sims, Robbie Sites and Edwin Wimer.
