Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
One could call it piece-n and patch-n. The hands of the ancestors were never idle. There was a sense of determination in order to survive. Even when there were a few stolen minutes, one would find busy hands piece-n and patch-n. Scraps and pieces of material were turned into palettes of color by the artist’s skillful fingers and made into beautiful quilts.
Many of the German ancestors in this community worked with cotton, calico, and broadcloth. Many of the favorite patterns that were used were Pickle Dish, Jacob’s Ladder, Rail Fence, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Wedding Ring, Log Cabin, Crazy, Broken Star, Checkerboard, Lattice, Diamond Patch, and Bow Tie to name a few. Old worn-out clothes were cut up and made into quilts.
A big part of the pioneer’s social life was the sewing circles or quilting bees. It was during this time that the women gathered to quilt, sing, and chat. Those were the happy moments. The friendship quilt was made by friends who each pieced a square at home and then came together to join them into a large quilt or comforter for a newlywed or betrothed. These quilts were often accented with different colored threads and fancy stitches. Some of those stitches were turkey-track, vine and leaf, loodedy-loop, ziggety-zag, feather stitch, and stem stitch.
These quilts and comforters were a necessity in those days. Homes were not insulated, and consequently, the bedrooms were quite chilly. Nevertheless, these crafty women combined art, beauty, and versatility to create beautiful bedlinens for their loved ones. They are heirlooms today.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- Offer to help carry someone’s heavy bag.
- Give someone a high-five or thumbs up for a job well done.
- Help set the table or clean up after a meal.
- Say “I’m sorry” when a person makes a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings.
- Leave profane language for the less educated.
Somehow winter keeps hanging on. There have been many three-hour delays, making it a nightmare for the school staff to shuffle schedules around, whilst making every effort to teach what is necessary for up-coming testing. Last Thursday morning found the area residents confronted with the results of an ice storm. Fallen trees and limbs were everywhere causing roads to be closed. It appeared to be a “war zone.” Luckily, no one lost their life. Work crews have been diligent with the clean-up, even though power and electricity were off. Many thanks to these crews. Life will soon be normal, only to be bracing another storm on Tuesday.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“While it is February, one can taste the joys of anticipation. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch.” — Patience Strong
“I guess the only time most people think about injustice is when it happens to them.” — Charles Bukowskie
“When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.” — Abraham Heschel
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.” — Hans Christian Anderson
“Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter.” — Maya Angelou
Sitting by the fireplace to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Kenneth Wilfong who lives at Lilly, Virginia, and formerly at Stoney Run, reported sighting a robin on Jan. 28. Many others have followed suit.
When referring to last week’s photo, William Luther Simmons’ age was listed erroneously. It should have stated Jan. 19, 1895 – Jan. 26, 1982. The writer apologizes for any inconvenience.
Doug and Brisco Reedy were up to see “Pidge” and Charles Anderson this week. Her Easter lillies are up about 3 inches, and she is looking forward to their blooming for Easter this year. They are getting the greenhouse ready for spring.
Robert Hodges spent the weekend with Becky, Wesley, Ben, Emma, and Nathan Puffenbarger.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- There are more chickens on earth than humans.
- Canada is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup.
- Only female mosquitoes bite.
- Australia is the only continent in the world without an active volcano.
- Cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 permanent teeth.
Concerns are for Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, Bill Arrington, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Patty Chapman, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, the Elwood Harman family, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Donald Hedrick, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, George Hevener, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Pastor Angela Lambert, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marie, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Cornelia Nelson family, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Terri Parker, Alma Pennington family, Diane Pennybaker, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Natalie Stephenson, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Gary, Carol, and Jon Swecker, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer, and individuals and families who continue to be affected and displaced by the fires in California, flooding in the south, and the plane disasters.
Cutline:
Phoebe Jane Snyder Puffenbarger (Sept. 8, 1913 – July 17, 1941) was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin (Feb. 2, 1843 – Jan. 26, 1915) and Mary E. Helmick Snyder (Aug. 4, 1842 – May 3, 1907) and wife to George Washington Puffenbarger (Aug. 8, 1856 – Dec. 18,1931).