On Saturday, a little piece of “Americana” took place at the village of Sugar Grove. Sixty-one registered tractors hummed south to the South Fork Rescue Squad building for the 13th annual tractor parade. Candy was thrown in abundance to the delighted crowd along the roadway. This was followed by the lawn party which was enjoyed by the crowd hailing from various parts of the country…Florida, California, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia. The shower of rain following the parade didn’t inhibit the crowd who stayed late into the night, enjoying the food and music at the lawn party. This was a good time of “catching up” with folks one seldom sees. All in all, the night was a success. Another chapter was added to “Americana.”
Leading the tractor parade was the honor guard followed by the queen. Rhonda Nash reigned as queen (in honor of her mom, Helen Nash) for the parade. “Peachie,” as she is lovingly called, smiled and waved regally as she headed the parade.
Born at Wise, Virginia, to Helen and the late Robert Nash, she was one of five children. Her paternal grandfather had a hunting cabin in the area, and it was here that the family came more than 60 years ago.
Rhonda attended the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, specializing in drama and French. She took on the challenge of doing mission work in Tanzania, East Africa, followed by one year as the activity director at a nursing home in Norton, Virginia.
She felt called to the ministry, and so she attended seminary for three and one-half years. Church Campus Ministry was truly for her, a ministry of 20 years. She also spent a year on the mission field at Lae, Papua, New Guinea. It was there that she worked with Martin Luther Seminary.
In 1999, her parents moved to the present home where she and her mother live in Sugar Grove. However, it wasn’t until November of 2011 that Rhonda joined them. They became entrenched in the community lifestyle. Rhonda has “many hats” which she wears to the various activities in which she is involved. She attends St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church and is involved in the Pendleton County Committee for the Arts and Friends of the Library. She is a substitute teacher for the county school system, works at the polls, and assists with the local rescue squad’s activities. She and her late father were well known for the Anna Lee candles which she sells at festivals.
Rhonda loves helping children with their various activities. She always wears a smile and is willing to help wherever needed. She presently cares for her mother, Helen Nash.
Rhonda deservedly earns the title, “Queen,” for this year’s tractor parade. Congratulations, Rhonda!
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Try, for a little while, to walk in someone else’s shoes.
2. Communication breaks down barriers.
3. Talk things out.
4. See someone needing assistance? Step up to the plate and help.
5. Be humble and kind.
A community is built on human connection. It forms when people share common values, goals, or experiences that bring them together. And that’s what took place this past Saturday when the South Fork Rescue Squad and the Sugar Grove Lions Club had the 13th tractor parade. It took many hands to bring this to fruition…people helping people. That’s what makes Sugar Grove’s community quite unique.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“How quick time goes by, compared to when you were a kid. Summer used to last forever. Now it’s twelve weeks.” — John Goodman
“May you always have a shell in your pocket and sand in your shoes.” — Unknown
“If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.” — Italian Proverb
“The biggest lie in the world is the answer to the question, “How are you?” — Brittany Howard
“Of all our sunny world, I wish only for a garden sofa where a cat is sunning itself.” — Edith Södergran
Sitting under an umbrella is the best place to be to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
On Saturday, Bob and Marti Fisher visited with Willard and Judy Rader and enjoyed going to the tractor parade and the lawn party.
Good to hear that Brenda Fisher and Jimmy Rexrode are at home.
Storms have been raging in the area. Hope each motorist is careful when motoring as trees are making for hazardous driving conditions.
Clickety-clacks for the chin wagers are as follows:
•Tractors were once powered by steam.
•John Deere, one of the most famous tractor brands, is over 180 years old.
•The fastest tractor in the world hit over 165 mph.
•A tractor can plow a field the size of a football pitch in minutes.
•Tractor pulling is a competitive sport.
August birthdays include Dolly Rexrode and Philip Simmons, ninth; Brandon Mitchell and Becky Rightsell, 11th; Doug Simmons, Pat Godfrey, Sam Harper and C.J. Eckard, 12th; Moni Harman and Katie George, 14th; Denise Neil and Bobby Shanholtz, 15th; Lynn Nelson and Wanda Rexrode, 16th; Jeff Simmons and Josh Owens, 17th; Rhonda Nash and Sheldon Waggy, 18th; Helen Wimer and Trace Lambert, 19th; Donna Brady, 20th; Logan McMillen and John Eye, 22nd; Mike Jamison, 23rd; Kenny Simmons, Bret Reel and Anna Sevier Mitchell, 24th; Debbie Thompson, Greg Simmons, Pat Simmons, Jerry Snyder and Lois Jean Riggleman, 25th; Isaiah Kobetic, 29th; Lucy Shumaker, 30th; and Kathy Bowers, Kinsley Armstrong, Brad Kile and Dianne McConnell, 31st.
Concerns are for Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Brenda Fisher, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, George Hamel, Clyde Hamilton, Albert and Grace Hammer, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Mickey Huffman, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, the family and friends of Ruthalene Judy, Tara Kelley, Stanley Kile, Keith Kimble, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Skip and Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Dottie Mitchell, Helen Nash, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, the family and friends of Janis Propst, Sheldon Propst, Jimmy Rexrode, the family and friends of Bernie Sasscer, Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites, the family and friends of Ann Wimer and Edwin Wimer.
