Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Neighbors were essential for survival and community during the pioneer days. They relied on each other to overcome the challenges of settling in a harsh environment.
They interacted and supported each other by relying on mutual aid. Oftentimes someone had a surplus of food and they would share with neighbors. The demanding tasks like building barns and houses gathered folks in the neighborhood to come and help. This would be called “raising bees.” Then there would be various tasks like fetching water, protecting crops, and managing livestock.
Close bonds were formed which included social gatherings and parties. There was a strong sense of unity in the shared struggle of existence. What was crucial was knowing and supporting one’s neighbors for survival in times of danger. Actually, the neighborly relationships were built on interdependence, cooperation, and strong sense of community. This was the essence and heart of pioneer life.
Older siblings cared for younger siblings. Pioneer families stayed close together in later years as well, with multiple generations sometimes living under the same roof, or close by.
There was always work to do. Women had “workings” where they helped each other harvest beans, peas, and vegetables. And it held true that when people gathered together, they talked and developed close ties to each other. Their survival depended on it.
Yes, the pioneers enjoyed getting together, by visiting and building family relationships. Reunions and Christmas were important traditions. Reunions instilled a sense of pride in family, distant kin, and cousins.
As time marches on, traditions, customs, and neighborliness have been affected by the changes of society. Has it been for the better? Let the reader decide.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- Never talk bad about the food when a person is the guest.
- Don’t eat the last piece of something one didn’t buy.
- Dress well, no matter what the occasion.
- Never be ashamed of where one came from.
- Attend a reunion.
What a change there has been in the weather. This week’s prediction of temperatures in the 90s calls for one to pull out the summer clothes. Last week’s rains brought 6 inches in some areas, and nearly 4 inches in others. That alone will bring on the second cutting of hay and the gardens.
Quotes for the week are as follows: “Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken.” — Amy Poehler “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.” — Mark Twain “Do you ever wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it?” — F. Scott Fitzerald “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt “I avoid looking back. I prefer good memories to regrets.” — G. Kelly
Sitting with feet in the creek is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
The blue wildflower has spread all over the bottom field of the Homan farm. It is quite a sight to behold. Mountain laurel continues to bloom on Reddish Knob, but the prettiest happens to be almost to the end of the Black Thorn Road, next to the Virginia/West Virginia border.
Ronnie and Tammy Lambert, along with Justin, April Colby and Chloe Simmons, enjoyed a week at Holden Beach in North Carolina. While there, they had fun searching for shark teeth, sea biscuits and shells. Ronnie and Colby also enjoyed surf fishing, with each of them catching several sharks and a few other fish.
The Sugar Grove Lions Club members met at the VFW pavilion Thursday evening for their regular monthly meeting.
Bill and John Rader have returned to their respective Floridian homes, following a brief stay.
The estate auction of Other (Dick) and Naomi Mitchell took place Saturday with a sunny warm day. Many bidders were present, enjoying the food prepared by Linda Rexrode. Items went to their new homes with a high bid for the kidney bean baskets at $1,000 each.
The Benjamin Mitchell reunion was held Saturday at New Market, Virginia. Those attending from this area were Benjamin, Dinah, and Myra Mitchell, Gernon Hoover (along with nephew and niece, Michael and Rachel), Barbara Mitchell, Sam and Brenna Cockran, and Tom and Paula Mitchell.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- West Virginia has more Methodist churches than any other state or place in the world.
- Canada has more lakes than any other country, with more than 2 million lakes.
- Abraham Lincoln was a licensed bartender.
- During his lifetime, Vincent Van Gogh is known to have sold only a single painting.
- In 1971, Alan Shepard played golf on the moon.
Concerns are for Mike Adams, the Bob Adamson family, 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, Phil Downs, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Sharon Harr, Steve and Armanda Heavener, 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, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, 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, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Janis 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, the Sylvia Schrader family, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, 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 and Ann and Ed Wimer.
