Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
During the 1800s, common sources of light were the fireside, candles and kerosene lamps. As the century progressed, kerosene lamps became more prevalent. Candles were still a familiar form of illumination with them being long-standing. Following the discovery of kerosene from petroleum, kerosene lamps became widespread in adoption as they offered a brighter, safer and more efficient alternative.
Candles were made from beeswax or tallow (animal fat) and were widely used where kerosene lamps were unavailable or used for special occasions. They were bulkier and less effective in producing a consistently strong light. They were more prone to dripping and causing fires; whereas kerosene (oil) lamps were not. Candles were homemade ranging from simple to ornate. Some featured mechanisms to raise them as it burned down.
In the early 1800s, before kerosene was discovered, there were various oil-based lamps using whale oil. These could cause a dim, smoky light, and were quite expensive. With the introduction of Abraham Gesner’s discovery, the kerosene lamp revolutionized lighting in the home and elsewhere.
There were various designs of lamps that emerged, including flat wick lamps with glass chimneys and more elaborate styles such as “Gone with the Wind” lamp. This gas lighting was namely reserved for the wealthy. Electric and, in time, the lighting was just catching on in the rural areas. The kerosene lamp became the primary source of household lighting and a common fixture. As the century progressed, businesses adopted this superior light output and efficiency.
Even after electrification, people still retained the kerosene lamps for emergency uses. To this day, many homes carry the candle and kerosene lamp as nostalgia. Perhaps the reader even has one or the other.
Some good instructions for a better life include the following:
- Follow traffic laws.
- Don’t smoke or do drugs.
- Keep company with good people.
- Help to clean up after a meal.
- Think good thoughts of others.
Friday morning through the weekend, found weather conditions most receptive. Cooler temperatures embraced the community with humidity all but gone. This has been most welcomed.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.” — Bill Watterson
“You don’t need directions. Just point yourself to the top and go.” — Dwayne Johnson
“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, the youngest you’ll ever be again.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” — Helen Keller
“Possession isn’t nine-tenths of the law. It’s nine-tenths of the problem.” — John Lennon
Sitting around the picnic table is a good place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Ava and Leslie Bowers, along with Laura and Tammy George and Reshella and Hudson Leary, traveled across West Virginia last week. They made it through 19 counties and checked off some fun spots and several WV swings. They visited Cranberry Glades, Rail Explorers, Marshall University, a fun pitstop at Hillybilly Hotdogs, Mothman Statue and Museum, and Blennerhassett Island. It was a great week with family.
“Pidge” Anderson attended the Pratt reunion at the VFW park. She wishes to give a huge “shout out” to Allen Moats who cleaned up the park prior to the reunion.
Jim Rexrode, along with his wife, Linda, attended his class reunion of 1970 Saturday at the Wood Grill in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- The burr is the visible part of the rivet commonly found on the pockets of jeans.
- In human anatomy the big toe is called the “hallux.”
- There are 52 cards in a standard deck of playing cards.
- The plastic or metal tube found on the ends of the shoelaces is known as an aglet.
- Venus is the only planet in the solar system that rotates clockwise on its axis.
Concerns are for Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Phil Downs, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Sharon Harr, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Henry Hodges, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Julia Homan, Keith Hoover, Delbert Olin Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Jim Moats, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Daniel and Debbie Propst, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Virginia Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle and Don Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Amby Waybright, Jr., Mike Waybright, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer and victims of crimes.
NOTE: Photo in folder but no cutline…can use or not use…your choice
