Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Continuing the “old days” theme, one can take a look at the spring-cleaning ordeal.
One recalls that homes were once lit by oil or kerosene lamps and heated by wood fires, thus leaving a thick layer of grime and soot on the furnishings, walls and ceilings.
Homes were kept tightly sealed to conserve heat and to prevent drafts during the cold winter months. This led to dirty and stuffy interiors that really needed airing out in the spring.
There were common tasks that needed to be followed, namely:
Windows needed to be thrown open to air out the house. This allowed fresh air and sunlight to circulate and kill germs. Heavy winter curtains were washed and then replaced with lighter summer ones. The rugs and carpets were taken outside to be beaten and hung to air and freshen them.
Ceilings and walls were scrubbed, and oftentimes repainted when the family could afford it. The mattresses and bedding were also aired out. Oftentimes, the mattresses were re-stuffed or treated to kill the bed bugs. Floors were scrubbed, and the wooden furniture was wiped down and polished.
The heavy winter clothes and blankets were packed away. Winter stoves were cleaned.
Oftentimes the spring cleaning would take up to a week or more to complete. The more children or adult hands to participate in the cleaning would make the work “lighter.” Everything would definitely have an air of freshness!
Living in the “old days” meant a lot of hard work. Imagine if one were to take on the task today of spring cleaning!
Life’s little lessons include the following:
- Wash one’s hands.
- Return the shopping cart.
- Listen to anything a persons’ children want to tell one.
- Be aware of wonder.
- Put things back where one found them.
The writer doesn’t recall being so hot in years. Wednesday’s rains were a pause that refreshed everything. The rains have circled like a plane over the countryside. Lawn mowers have been busy with their immaculately cut lawns. Farmers continue to try to dodge rains to make their second cutting of hay, and the countryside continues to remain a verdant green.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“A crown, if it hurts us, is not worth wearing.” — Pearl Bailey
“Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” — Moliere
“Anger can teach us forgiveness, hate can teach us love, and war can teach us peace.” — Le Ly Hayslip
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.” — Yogi Berra
“I love being part of nature. I love walking alone. It is therapy. One needs to be alone, to recharge one’s batteries.” — Princess Grace
Sitting with one’s feet in the river to cool off is the best place to be to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Charles and “Pidge” Anderson, along with Willard and Judy Rader, enjoyed Windy Mountain Bar and Grill Saturday evening. They reported that the food was really good.
Friday night’s family night brought many friends and members for the Sugar Grove Lions Club’s regular meeting.
Ronnie and Christene Bowers’ granddaughter, Ella, moved into her dorm at West Virginia University Saturday morning. Granddaughter, Megan, husband, Troy, and great-grandchildren, Laura Jean and Varley, stopped in Saturday for a visit
The 74th annual Noah Eckard Family Reunion was held Sunday at Oak Dale Park in Bridgewater, Virginia.There was a good attendance, and everyone enjoyed the fellowship, sharing lots of memories to cherish for years to come, and all the delicious food.
Carl Larry of Virginia Beach, Virginia, spent the weekend with Wes and Becky Puffenbarger and family.
School has begun again for the 2025-2026 school year. The students are very excited, with most of them eager to share how their summer went. The students are wished a year full of learning each day!
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press.
- The average basketball hoop’s diameter is 18 inches.
- Yellowstone National Park was America’s first national park.
- Aside from the Nile, the Amazon is the longest river in the world.
- Richard Nixon was the first president to visit all 50 states.
Concerns are for the following: Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, Alfred Armstrong, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Joyce Calhoun, Christy Cole, Marie Cole, Austin Conn, 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, Woody and Libby Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Ginger Kimble, 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, Vesta Ruckman, 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, Carolyn Thomas, Riley Thompson, 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.
Cutline:
“Siamese twin cucumbers” grown in Evelyn Varner’s garden.
