Tractor Parade Honors Queen Pitsenbarger
By Paula Mitchell
Ushering the Saturday 4:00 p.m. tractor parade was Wanda Pitsenbarger, queen. She looked regal. As she made it to the rescue squad building, she saw so many friends. Actually, she is known for not meeting one person that she couldn’t learn to have as a friend.
Wanda, along with her twin sister, Wilda, was 28 days old when her mother, Lula, passed away. Her father, Gordon Smith, raised the 12 children, along with the help of the older ones. Life was not easy for this family.
While attending the Stoney Run one-room school, some of her teachers were John Puffenbarger, Leona Mitchell, Fred Simmons, and Arthur Eckard. When the school merged to Sugar Grove, she was a fourth grader, with her teachers being Warren Propst, Dewey Wilfong, and Cameron Eckard. Due to the fact that there was no bus system in place to further her education, she began to work.
She began her career as a housekeeper for Ella and Walter Mitchell. She and her sister, Wilda, went to Byrd’s Restaurant to have a bite to eat before seeing a movie, and it was there that she met her future husband, (William) Harvey. She found him to be very persistent in his endeavor to marrying her. After getting married in Oakland, Maryland, they lived with his parents, Oliver and Virginia Pitsenbarger.
Wanda worked at Hanover Shoe Factory for 33 years, and after the homeplace burned, she and Harvey moved to town where she presently lives. In 2004, Harvey passed away, succumbing to cancer. She then worked at Brad Mitchell’s greenhouse, which became Donolough’s and finally Tracy Ruddle’s. It was here where she met many persons and enjoyed the socializing.
She very much enjoyed the friendship of Carroll Kile, and during the years, they enjoyed life. She loved his children, and they in turn loved her. Lots of good memories are had over the years, but especially the strong bond she has with her family, are treasured most.
Her health was jeopardized recently, to the point of the hospital sending her home (without medicine) to live out her days. It was short of a miracle, many prayers, and her trust in the Lord that she has recovered. Her health has been restored. Indeed, a miracle! Wanda says that the Lord still had need of her, here.
She loves people and loves the fellowship and socializing that goes with that. She attends St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church, and the senior center. As she stated, she never met a person she couldn’t learn to have as a friend. Her infectious smile allows one to be very comfortable, and happy.
Wanda is a very good cook. She also has a green thumb when it comes to gardening.
Her son, Ronald, and granddaughter, Jodi, along with Myles, Luke, and Audrey, great-grandchildren, are a joy to her.
So, a well-deserved honor as queen of the tractor parade leaves Wanda very happy. When paths cross, be sure to congratulate her.
Life’s little daily instructions include the following:
- Wave at police.
- Give children a thumbs up.
- Be kind to a stranger.
- Hold doors open for strangers.
- Say “Good morning.”
Rain fell and was it well received; bringing about 5 inches over the course of a few days. Little Stoney Run had some issues due to the amount of rain with the local residents having difficulty motoring to the main road. The river was muddy and swollen, as it traveled to meet the Potomac. Pastures have greened up overnight, and all seems to be much better.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.” — Dale Carnegie
“Today is the first day of August…summer passes, and summer friends will melt away like snow in spring.” — Rolf Van Der Wind
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
“Maybe I should just go home and ride my tractor.” — Chuck Grassley
“Some of us grow up playing with tractors, some still do.” — Unknown
Enjoying the tractor parade was the place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Judy Rader and Natasha Nieves spent the weekend in the home of Benny and Linda Custer in Verona, Virginia. Natasha returned to her home in Boca Raton, Florida, after spending several days visiting family and friends.
The 11th annual tractor parade is now history. The weather was balmy, bringing in a record crowd, to enjoy seeing the variety of tractors and to take in the lawn party. Tractor count recorded was 63 with Ava and Leslie Bowers receiving the People’s Choice Award.
Motoring to this area on Saturday to take in the tractor parade/lawn party were Debbie and Paul Morre from Piney Point, Virginia. They also visited with Evelyn Varner.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- In 1971, the helmet became mandatory in the major leagues.
- In 1794, Eli Whitney patented his cotton gin.
- The harp is the official national emblem of Ireland.
- At age 16, St. Patrick was captured from Britain by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland in 432.
- The first modern shoelace was invented in 1790 in England by Harvey Kennedy.
- Hummingbirds weigh less than a nickel, and they will remember your face forever.
Concerns are as follows: Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Richard Bennett, “Bo” Boggs, the “Marty” Bowers’ family, Marie Cole, Christian Dasher, Benny Evick, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Marlene Harman, Missy Harrison, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Grace Hedrick, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, George Hevener, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Adalbert Hoover, Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Lisa and Mike Jamison, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Ginger Knight, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Ronnie Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Walt Pitsenbarger, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, John O. Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Charles Rexrode, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Pam Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Mike Roberts, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Greg Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Elizabeth Terry, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Rene White, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer and Margaret Wimer.
