News for the week of March 19, 2014

We ended up with between three and four inches of very unwelcome snow at our house on Sunday. It's just a little bit redundant to say I am tired of winter. I keep remembering when I was a youngster, reading about the “Year Without a Summer”. I thought it was in the time of the pilgrims so I looked it up and it actually happened later, in 1816, due to a number of reasons, including low sunspot activity and a volcanic eruption that cooled the atmosphere. I have always remembered the subject of the story although I didn't have all the details right. It just seems like a horrific story to me, I guess because I don't enjoy cold weather at all. Of course, at that time it was truly horrific since people had to rely on what they grew in the warm weather to survive through the winter. I know in my head that we haven't had any of those conditions and spring and summer will eventually get here, but in the back of my mind I keep remembering this story. Sometimes I am just a pessimist, I guess.

Construction is still going on at New Mansion Church. It is really shaping up and going to provide many more seats in the sanctuary. I went over to clean last Saturday and really had to look to find anything to clean. Don and Robyn Whittaker had been there before me and cleaned and vacuumed. I appreciate the help cleaning during the dusty construction phase.

Congratulations to B.J. and Tara Russell on the birth of their daughter, Raelynn Michelle. Raelynn was born on March 12 and weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 inches long. I saw a picture of her on facebook and she is beautiful and has lots of dark hair.

I ran into Deb Hall while in Ava last Saturday and it was good to speak with her. We were going opposite directions in the parking lot so didn't have a chance to visit much but it was still good to see her.

Hope to see everyone Saturday at the benefit for Wanda Whittaker at the Bradleyville School. Wanda recently lost her home to fire and is living with her sister at this time. Eating will start at 2:00 and an auction at 3:00. There will be a table set up to receive any shower items such as clothes, household goods and food which won't be auctioned but go directly to Wanda. Any donations of crockpot food for the benefit or items to auction are greatly appreciated. The doors will be open at noon for convenience if you have anything to drop off. For more information you can call Cindy Marsh, Belinda Wyman, Gerald Yeary, Boone Hodges or Gary and Barbara Casey.

Birthdays for the coming week include: March 20: Rebecca Campbell, Emma Hampton, Linton Rentfro, Sue Swadley; March 21: Kelsey Adams, Ron Hunsaker, Riley Kisling; March 22: Garrett Lawson; March 23: Sammi Jo Gailey; March 24: June Boyd, Dustin Tilley; March 25: Buddy Compton Jr., Danny Flannery, Clessie Hurst; March 26: Leon Combs.

I missed two anniversaries last week. Happy belated anniversaries to Dustin and Lisa Tilley on March 17 and also to Cecil and Stella Beeler who celebrated 53 years on March 17.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: March 25: Tim and Ann Blair.