Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Everyone knows Southerners are friendly and welcoming, but what else sets them apart?
Southerners are known for their amazing sense of humor. Southerners are always smiling and take pride in going with the flow. They have a patient ear to what others have to say, and little gestures like holding the door out for others which elicits classic Southern charm. They pretty well know how to behave in any situation.
A confident personality probably comes from the social conditioning they receive growing up. They are usually well-dressed. They know how to be courteous, and how to keep a straight face in any situation. This is known as “the bless your heart” method of dealing with difficult people.
But Southern hospitality is a trait that can’t be learned or acquired off the shelves.
In the deep South, guests are always welcome at home and in people’s hearts. People love to cook grand dinners for friends and family. They are never shy at presenting the most delicious dishes at a short notice. They simply love to chat and spend unlimited time entertaining their visitors. A new acquaintance will receive a warm welcome with refreshments and a cold drink.
And, if a Southerner is visiting one, a person most certainly will be getting a beautiful “thank you” present from one’s guest. A generous spirit is what identifies true Southern character. They won’t think twice about extending a helping hand, with no favors attached. They expect nothing but a thank you in return.
So, Southerners have a variety of ways to say “hello.”
’Lo.
Howdy.
Hey there.
How y’all doin’?
Workin’ hard or hardly workin’?
How you folks getting’ along?
Pull up a chair and sit a spell.
Howzit going’?
What’s the news?
So good to see you!
Well. Look at what the cat drug in!
How’s your mama?
Make yourself at home.
Life’s daily instructions includes the following:
Make friends with people who want the best for a person.
Never give up on anybody.
Be kinder than necessary.
Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.
Relish small pleasures.
Last week, temperatures were hitting close to the nineties; a most unusual phenomenon for this time of the year. The residents didn’t remember being this hot in years! Just overnight, the air had miraculously devoid of heat, and instead filled with “snap, crackle, and pop,” providing good sleeping weather. Snow showers were reported Monday morning on Reddish Knob, with early Monday morning temperatures rated at 20 degrees. By the end of the week, the weather person predicts warmer temperatures.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“Dear IRS, I am writing to you to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list.” — Snoopy
“Librarians save lives; by handing the right book, at the right time, to a kid in need.” — Judy Blume
“One of the most beautiful things in the world I’ve ever seen or heard is people laughing.” — D.L. Hughley
“April prepares her green traffic light, and the world thinks: Go.” — Christopher Morley
“The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April Day.” — Robert Frost
Sitting around the fireplace is a good place to hear the “Talk of the Grove”
Saturday, Judy Rader enjoyed visiting in the home of Benny and Linda Custer.
So good to see the younger generation getting involved with the “trash pick-up” in the Sugar Grove District. The 4-H club did an outstanding job! This better serves the “Hardly Able” crew who have been diligent every year in completing this task. (There was a lot of huffing and puffing as if one had done the Nags Head Wood Run!)
Friday evening, St. John Lutheran Church held its annual sleepover. There were lots of activities that kept the children quite busy all night. All in all, it was a spiritual success.
Ken Roberts was seen in the area last week. He was here to take care of business before returning to his Raleigh, North Carolina, home. While here, he visited with Tom and Paula Mitchell. Other visitors in the same home were Eugene and Cheyenne Varner, Lucas Baldwin, Evelyn Varner, and Judy Costello.
Hummingbird lovers…get ready. “Pidge” Anderson has sighted a hummingbird. They are on their way.
The dogwood has been quite showy this year. They have put on their awesome showy spread all along Sandy Ridge.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
• The skin is the human body’s largest organ.
• According to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the best-selling book of all times.
• Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” was penned for Marilyn Monroe.
• Abrahm Lincoln was a licensed bar tender.
• The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France.
Concerns are for Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, family and friends of Larry Cantu, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, family and friends of Marlene Harman, Armanda Heavner, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, family and friends of Naomi Michael, Dottie Mitchell, Kinsley Price, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites, Kitty Waggy, family and friends of Wayne Waggy and Edwin Wimer.
Albert Clay Mitchell (June 8, 1888 – July 28, 1969) and Myrtle Malinda George Harman ((Sept. 22, 1890 – May 10, 1965) are pictured. Albert was the son of George Samuel and Mary Etta Cook Mitchell while Myrtle was the daughter of Susan Rebecca Ratlief George. Albert grew up in the Moyers area and when he and Myrtle got married on December 27, 1907, they moved to the hollow area where the late Ralph Dunkle lived. Together, Albert and Myrtle had 13 children.
