Rev. Jess Felici, Judy Waggy, Rev. Jason Felici, Lois Riggleman, Jim Rexrode, Paula Mitchell and Jennifer Simmons; and back row, Tom Mitchell, Donna Hoover, Vicar Evan Christensen, Linda Rexrode, Janet Boggess and Sam Waggy. Absent from the photo are Beth Felton, Missy Harrison and Stephanie Harman.
Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Knotting quilts was the “order of the day” for several weeks in the St. John Lutheran Church basement. These quilts are highly regarded throughout the world because of their quality and consistency. Often, when natural disasters strike, or war drives families from their homes, hearts ache with compassion, but oftentimes, one doesn’t know how to help.
Making these quilts is a tangible way to express love to neighbors in need. Quilts are used as warm bedding, simple tents, floor coverings and room dividers. Each quilt reflects God’s loving presence in a world rife with suffering.
An ingathering is a regional collection event where boxed quilts are dropped off to be delivered to either New Windsor, Maryland, or to South St. Paul, Minnesota, warehouses. Online tracking can be used to follow their journey to people who will enjoy them.
Lutheran World Relief distributed its first quilts in 1945 to families in war torn Europe following World War II. Within a decade, the ministry was reaching around the globe to villages far removed from the world’s attention. Today, an average of 3,000,000 quilts are lovingly given worldwide each year.
Prior to having the quilts ready for knotting, tops are sewn together throughout the year. Two tops, measuring 60” x 80” each, with a filler in between, are hemmed and ready to be knotted. The quilters who gathered weekly to knot the quilts came from all parts of the community. The mornings began at 9 a.m. with music for background enjoyment. At the conclusion of the morning, soup and sandwiches were served. This past week was the conclusion of the quilting process with 200 being completed and boxed, followed with a church service blessing, and then, will be sent to the Weyers Cave, Virginia, warehouse in April. From there, the journey begins for the needy persons all over the world.
Even though this year’s quilting project is completed, tops are already being sewn together for next year’s project. Perhaps one doesn’t have the opportunity to knot; however, dropping off material pieces, sheets, or blankets at the church basement is one way to be of assistance. And so, the cycle of love continues.
Life’s daily reminders to be kind to each other include the following:
- Smile when a person greets others.
- Call to check on someone living at home.
- Bake some “goodies” to take to someone grieving.
- Be kind to one’s neighbor.
- Volunteer for an organization — to make this world a better place!
The chorus frogs have been singing their praises for several weeks. Tom Mitchell has been enjoying their songs. Snow drop flowers are blooming everywhere. Jonquils (daffodils) have peeked their showy heads, as they sway in the breeze. This certainly is a sign that the earth is awakening and spring is on its way.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” — J.F. Kennedy
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.” — Mark Twain
“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” — Charles Dickens
Life is better by the fireplace to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Butchering hogs took place at the Mitchell homeplace. Everything but the “squeal” was used. This is an old tradition that once roamed this community for many, many years. Few persons take part in this art today.
Justin Simmons and Sharon Crider planned an early surprise 40th birthday party for April Simmons. The writer wishes her many more birthday surprises.
Hendrix Bogan celebrated his fifth birthday Sunday at Rosalee Grogg’s home. Helping him with his big day was Rosalee Grogg, Terri Grogg, Marleta and Junior Wimer, Leana Leap, Clint Davis, Madison Grogg and Asher Mauzy.
Evelyn Varner motored to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to attend the service for Sharon Smith. Joining her was her daughter, Judy Costello of Verona, Virginia.
Glad to hear that Diana Smith is feeling much better, following her surgery.
Clickety-clacks for the chin wagers are as follows:
- Quilting dates back to 3400 BC in Egypt.
- Paducah, Kentucky, claims the title of “Quilt Capital of the World.”
- The United States Postal Service has featured Amish and Folk quilts on its stamps.
- The largest quilt is located in Antla, North Dakota. It is 11,390 square feet, depicting the state.
- The quilts of Gees Bend are the most famous American quilts.
Eugene and Evelyn Varner had their first mess of dandelion greens over the weekend.
The remainder of the March birthdays are as follows: Julie Smith, 16th; Gernon Hoover, 17th; Allison Hoover, Brad Gumm and Jaden Mitts, 18th; Jean Thompson, 19th; Jennifer Hoover, Sharon Harr, Robbie Sites, David Marsh and Cindy Wilkins, 21st; Shirley Pratt, Mike Eye, Christy Harper and Wanda Messerly, 22nd; Connor Armstrong, 23rd; Debbie Cayton, 25th; Krista Walls, 26th; Patty Harper, 27th; Andrew Kiser, 29th; Rudy Mitts, 30th; and Gene Boggs and Doyle Moats, Jr., 31st.
Concerns for this week are as follows: the Larry Blankenship family, Scherry Chambers, Charlotte Copley, Jeff Craig, Joy Darnell, Jeff Evick, Lee Roy and Ina Evick, Mary Eye, Ron Gilkeson, Lola Graham, Marlene Harman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Winona Judy Hewitt, Virgil Homan, Jr., Lorena Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, the Ressie Kimble family, Margaret Kiser, Rex Landis, Jay Linaberg, Angela Lung, Linda Malcolm, Morris and Sue Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, the Lanny Marshall family, Naomi Michael, Joe Moats, Ernie Morgan, Aaron Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Ken Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Sutton Parrack, Betty Lou Propst, Garry Propst, Nathan Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Puffenbarger, Willard Rader, Don Rexrode, Bishop Matt Riegel, Donna Ruddle, the Janet Runion family, Barbara Simmons, Chloe Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Ona Smith, Ona Smith, Stanna Smith, Patricia Swecker, Harry Lee Temple, Charlotte Thompson, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Jack Vogel, the Ruthene Warble family, Amby Waybright Jr., Ron White and Judy Williams.
