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Echo From The Hills
By: Alyce Faye
Yellow and black swallowtail butterflies hover above the Rose of Sharon bush which is so loaded with double blossoms that the boughs are drooping downward. It does resemble a giant rose bush, with a mass of heavy, deep pink blooms. Although it is mid July, it is beginning to look more and more like autumn.
The seasons seem to have begun earlier this year, with wildflowers blooming sooner than usual and garden crops maturing quicker. The melancholy cry of the katydids has been sounding for the past two weeks, and the fall cicadas make their mournful sound each nightfall.
Time just doesn’t fly by—it gallops. Sometimes I feel as if I am on a runaway horse and can’t get off. Spring just arrived, and now it feels like late summer galloping into autumn. I received a poem from the Rev. Dr. H. J. Rogers of New Martinsville that I thought was very good.
SPRING FORWARD
“Behold the lilies of the field . . .”
It’s late June, I think
Near the end of spring
That every roadside
(Or so it seems)
Is lined with
Those pale orange lilies,
Which mark
The end of spring
Or the start of summer.
For two, maybe three
Weeks, I cut them down
And bring them home,
A cheap boon
For wife and daughter.
Then, just as suddenly
As they sprang into existence
They as quickly disappear.
So I am left bereft
Of those things of joy,
Beauty’s not forever.
I am still learning that everything you can see, hold in your hands, or cling to in this life—can’t last. Our loved ones who are so precious to us don’t really belong to us—they belong to God. When He is ready, He will call them home. It is useless to place our faith or base our security on material things, which will fade away.
The Bible is very specific in this, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and thieves do not break through and steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
And so our life goes along, just like the seasons, seemingly faster and faster—especially as we grow older. It’s not a straight road, but has many curves and obstacles. It is an uphill journey, and sometimes we grow tired and weary. (Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6:9.) There are also many blessings and unexpected joys along the way.
Here is a poem I’ve always loved:
UP-HILL
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s-journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin?
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you waiting at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labor you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti
**************
There was a sad sequel to the column about dogs that I wrote a few weeks ago. Andy and Jennifer had a Jack Russell terrier named Rowdy that was the special pet of the whole family. He was especially close to Andy, who took him just about everywhere he went. He loved riding on the farm equipment and accompanied Andy while he did farm chores.
He was docile with the family, but quite protective of his territory. He stayed with us during the day in cold weather while the children were in school and Andy and Jennifer worked. He would perch on the couch arm and watch for his family to come home. Then he would practically dance with joy when they came in the house.
He was a smart dog. When the family watched TV and had their snacks before bedtime, he would go to the pantry and bring Andy a can of food. To begin with, he might bring soup or canned beans, but he soon learned to distinguish the canned dog food. If Andy ignored him, or pretended to, he would nudge Andy’s arm until he opened it for him.
They had him for over four years, and he was part of the family. They even took him on vacation when they went. He often slept at the foot of Taylor’s bed, and one morning a few weeks ago, she came down here complaining that she hadn’t slept good that night. “Rowdy snored all night long,” she griped.
His snoring got worse, and he began making a rattling noise when he breathed. Andy took him to the animal hospital, and the veterinarian examined him and told Andy that he had “prolapse of the trachea.” There was nothing could be done short of surgery, and it was not always successful because the trachea could collapse in another place.
The next day he couldn’t eat or drink water. It was heart-breaking. He was suffering, so Criss called Andy at work to come take him to the animal hospital. The vet advised Andy to have him put to sleep. Andy held him until the shot took effect and brought him home for burial.
Criss make him a little cedar casket, and amid many tears they buried him under the weeping willow tree. Andy was so heartbroken that he stated he would never get attached to another dog. A couple of weeks passed, and Jennifer and Taylor brought home a four pound ball of energy. He is a four month old sleek black miniature Pinscher named Jasper.
Jennifer explained, “We didn’t want another Jack Russell, as it would remind us too much of Rowdy.” They certainly got a complete opposite. He bounces through the house like he has springs on his feet, and cuddles close to your neck and goes to sleep. I don’t know if Andy will get attached to him or not, but I am!
WV Yesterday and Today
by Mildred W. McKenzie
Roger Lee Vaughan of Quick, a son of the late Ray Harold & Glada Bragg Vaughan was born January 15, 1935 and passed away February 26, 2010.
Roger was born into a family who believed in God & Country & Higher Education.
Some of Roger’s relatives who made their mark as teachers in Clay County were: Golda Bragg; Glada Bragg; Warden Bragg; Pearle Bragg White; Joda Bragg Sears; Cora
Bragg Mullens; Sarah Bragg; Raymond Bragg as well as others.
Roger Vaughn
While speaking with Roger’s sister Shyrle recently she has shared “Memories” of Roger and the family with us.
Having lost two brothers of mine, I share their sorrow.
Roger graduated from Clay County High School in 1952.
Roger’s first job was carrying the mail for Dad, from Ivydale to Frametown, the summer of 1952, and then enrolled in Glenville State College to get a degree in Elementary Education. Before finishing the course, he was approached by a member of the State Board of Education, Preston Hickman, asking him to consider a teacher job for the following school year at Dille in Clay County, which he accepted, and the next year he taught at Dog Run. After that school year ended, he went to work for a local newspaper, The Messenger, for Shirley Dodrill, who pointed him toward his next job at the Widen Coal Mines. Nearly every day on his way home from the mines, he would stop at the company store and buy cracker jacks and animal cookies for his younger brothers and sisters. We thought we had to count the coal cars of the passing trains throughout the day for Roger and were faithful at it. In 1956, he joined the United States Air Force at which time he attended Yale University to learn the Chinese language for his job performance in Korea as an American Spy.
Roger in Korea
In 1957 he married the love of his live, Carol Nottingham, and they became the parents of three sons: Robert Maurice, Brian Kent and Lawrence Edward. Once he got the boys lined out in school, he decided to go back to college himself. He graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Computer Programming and he programmed the first computer of Kanawha County while working for United Fuel. He was thoroughly amazed through the years as his first computer, which complete filled four rooms, evolved into the small hand-held computers we know today. He always refused to have a computer in his home. He then enrolled and graduated with honors from Morris Harvey College, now known as the University of Charleston. In 1983, at the age of 53, he retired from WV Department of Education as a data processor. With too much idle time one his hands, he went to work as a census taker for Kanawha County for the next ten years. From there he worked for the Leonard Johnson Funeral Home in Marmet, his favorite of all his jobs, for about six years at which time failing health forced him to retire completely.
After retiring, he spent a lot of time in his garden and on his front porch in a rocking chair, watching the birds, entertaining visitors, and waving at the many passing, horn blowing cars. He loved attending bluegrass festivals, especially the ones in Cherokee, NC, with his brothers Larry, Garrett, Richard and brother in law Charles, and knew a lot of the stars on a first name basis: Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Bill Monroe and lots of others.
Roger with Ralph Stanley
He was full of knowledge and information that he loved to share with anyone interested. We enjoyed listening to his childhood stories he shared with us at our many family reunions. I liked hearing about him as a little boy walking the half mile to Log Shoal every Sunday with Mom, Dad, Larry and Jean to Church. Right up to the last, if there was anything about our childhood and the people of old we had questions of, just ask Roger. He not only answered our questions, but always provided a complete explanation.
Although Roger left Log Shoal in Clay County early in life, he never forgot and frequently returned to his old stomping grounds. He especially liked going to Harold or Shyrle’s house because they both lived at the old home place. Here is a good story on him and his brothers Larry and Garrett. The winter of 1997 they all got metal detectors and could hardly wait for spring to go exploring. The day came in early May they planned a trip to a familiar childhood playground, Sara Duffield’s old home place. The house, barn and outbuildings had long been gone, but they know exactly where they were, standing right where the kitchen used to be and the excitement was raging. They carefully removed the new toys from their protective cases, flipped the on switches, but nothing happened with Roger’s. after a good examination they realized he had not put batteries in his. It turned out to be a wonderful day anyway.
He was born a leader and was highly respected in his Church, community and family. When the Quick United Methodist Church was dwindling down in membership and a decision needed to be made as to exactly what had to be done next, it was Roger who stood up in one of the many meetings and told the members they needed to unite with Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church and continue on the journey and that is exactly what they did.
He was always available to the children of the community who needed help with homework as their personal tutor. He had a library with a variety of books that held the interest of children, teenagers and adults that he started sharing with us in the last few years.
Every summer, for years, he would lead a convoy of us, brothers and sisters, to Kure Beach in North Carolina. Taking back roads and scenic routes, he always turned the eight hour trip into twelve and if he ran off the road, the rest of us did the same; after all we were following the leader. I remember, from a timid little girl into my awkward teenage years, spending a week or two every summer at Roger and Carol’s house. They took me lots of places I had never been before, but I felt as long as I was instep with Roger I was fine. If I made one of those embarrassing mistakes kids make, like mispronouncing a word or going the wrong way, he just politely and unnoticeably corrected me. Roger was such an intellectual and liked to expose us to the important things our state had to offer, so one time when I was about ten years old he decided to take me to the State Capital for a personal tour. The first interesting thing I remember seeing was a flea with a dress on under a microscope. I was infatuated! The tour continued with him explaining everything we approached, but my mind kept going back to that flea. Without showing any frustration he took me back to the microscope and let me look as long as I wanted. Roger and Carol too me to my first drive-in movie when I was about six. Harold and Sharon were along also and we were so excited. I don’t think I had ever seen a television, so Harold was explaining to me and Sharon that the horses in the movie would look like they were running right at us and that scared the daylights out of me. My thoughts were, “I can’t do this”, so before we reached the destination, I climbed into the back window of the car and went to sleep missing the entire movie. They also took me to my first theater show, The Ten Commandments. Having never been in a theater, that was the darkest place and most uncomfortable seat I had ever sat in until Carol discreetly reached over and pushed my seat down for me.
Roger snapped a lot of pictures throughout the years and looking through his family albums, there are lots of pictures of us from childhood to adulthood, ranging from babies sitting on cows backs to adults accepting diplomas and degrees.
His death has left such a heart wrenching emptiness in our lives, but our memories are never ending. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Glada; his oldest son, Robert; sister, Wilma Jean (Don Sirk) and her son Terrance Lee; brothers, Larry Atwell (Jean Goad) and James Holt “Bimbo”; a nephew, Donald Ray Vaughan, son of Teddy and Darlene. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Nottingham Vaughan; sons, Brian Kent and Lawrence Edward; granddaughter, Sarah Marie; great grandchildren, Callie Jo, Evan Vaughan and Khloe Marie; sisters, Gloria Angeline (Delbert Woods) Lily Joyce (Charles Samples), Shyrle Gay (Dave Mullins), Sharon Rae and Jewell Hope (Mitchell Browning); brothers, Garrett Neal (Betty Jo Hardman), Terry Lynn (Darlene Connolly), Richard Lewis (Lisa Knuckles) and Harold Lawson (Robin Boggs); also lots of nieces and nephews.
The family & friends of David Alex White of Columbus send their love & prayers to Alex who recently suffered a heart attack.
Alex is the son of Basil and Naomi White of Wayne County.
Sympathy & prayers to the family of Agnes Beckett. Agnes was the sister to Clay County’s Gene King & a daughter of the late Robert Preston & Mamie Woodrum King.
Best wishes to Jean Shamblin & Juanita Gray.
Happy Birthday to Margo Firkhousen, Ivydale, Victoria Ward, Ivydale, Eric White, Columbus, Syble Parsons & Inez Westfall.
Roger teaching with class at Dog Run.
Harrison in the Rear View Mirror
by William Canfield
Harrison is located on the ridge between Widen and Clay. An apology is in order from last week’s article. I stated that Widen days were this past weekend. That was not supposed to read that way. It was supposed to read the last weekend of the month. It was no ones fault but mine. I didn’t proof read it good enough. I got a call to see if I had a good time at Widen last weekend. I got a call that a couple went to Widen and ended up there all by themselves. I’ll be more careful next time. I do apologize.
The streets of Widen were named after counties mostly with at least one exception. Clay Street, Braxton Street, Fayette Street, Kanawha Street, Nicholas Street, Roane Street and from some info that I received, Wood Street. Ronald Cottrell said he couldn’t remember Wood Street. Buffalo Street and Rich Run were two more streets. As you went up Braxton Street, you were going up Brush Fence which was just a small stream. Clay Street was probably considered the main street.
Widen was named after L. G. Widen who was head of railroad construction at the beginning of it all. He was liked by both the men and management. He came from Sweden in 1882. He lived in St Albans after his time at Widen and died there in 1945.
Two of the buildings on Kanawha St were the ice house and depot. The ice house was also used as a jail. It was called the ‘tater hole’.
Electric lights were first used in Widen in 1913. They had their own power plant. It was that way until 1948 when the Monongahela Power Company took over.
The first theater was built in 1918. Another building that was built a year earlier was the Y>M>C>A. 5 years later it burned down. A new building went up almost immediately because the people had nothing else to do. It was called the ‘Y. It became the social center of Widen. It had a barber shop, bowling alley, soda fountain, skating rink, beauty shop, and a pool room with several tables. Movies, dances, and parties were also part of the activities at the “Y. There was the annual 4th of July celebration which was the top yearly event. There is a C.D available with some of those pictures. I don’t know for sure who has it.
Dundon was the beginning of the history of Widen. From there to Swandale and the lumber mill was needed to build houses and the many buildings, and Widen began with its first load of coal being shipped out in July 1911. Widen would now be history.
One serious question before I close. Why does a chicken stand on one leg? If she picked it up, she would bust her bottom. See you Saturday.
Email me at wllmcnfld@gmail.com or call 286-2705
What's Cooking
by Beulah White
Almost Heaven Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 (20oz) can crushed pineapple
1 (4oz) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
2 c. milk
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
12 oz. whipped topping
Pecans or coconut, or both
Prepare and bake cake mix using directions for 9x13x2 inch pan. Pierce cake with fork. Pour undrained pineapple over hot cake.
Combine pudding mix and milk; mix well. Blend in cream cheese. Spread over pineapple. Spread whipped topping over top. Garnish with chopped pecans or coconut. Chill.
WV Apple Black Walnut Cake
4 c. apples, chopped
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
¾ c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. black walnuts
2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
Combine apples and sugar; let stand. Beat eggs slightly. Beat in oil and vanilla. Sift flour, soda, salt and spices. Stir in alternately with apple sugar mixture then nuts. Pour into greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
Food For Thought:
A popular pizza restaurant that caters to children advertises itself as “a place where a kid can be a kid.” Actually a child should be able to be a child anywhere. But creating a child’s world goes beyond letting a kid be a kid. Parents must understand their responsibilities in guiding that child. And for that we need to look at what the Bible says about parenting: Parents must teach God’s truth (DT. 4:9, 32-46) Parents must lovingly discipline children because they are immature and need guidance (Prov. 22:15; 29:15) Parents should not exasperate their children (Eph. 6:4) Parents’ wise decision bring blessings to their children (DT. 30:19-20) Parents who are godly teach their children to obey (Eph. 6:1; Tim. 3:4) Parents who faithfully train their children can be confident that their efforts are not in vain (Prov. 22:6).
Above all, to create a child’s world, your home needs to be a place where you serve one another through God’s Love (Gal. 5:13) and it doesn’t hurt to have some pizza now and then too.
A parent’s greatest responsibility is to point the way to God.
O speak the truth to these your precious ones
For guidance tell your daughters and your sons
Of one who loves them even more than you,
Who wants to be their guide a lifetime through.
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