Dogwood Acres, 12/06/10

DOGWOOD ACRES, 12/06/10, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Here ‘tis, less than three weeks until Christmas and activities are in full swing. The kids from Sandy Church visited the nursing home in Ava Sunday afternoon. They took cookies for everyone and sang carols to several residents.

Next Sunday will most likely be the first Sunday service in our new building and the Community Christmas Dinner in our “new” fellowship hall. As Pastor Neal reminded the congregation of these things on Sunday morning, he also mentioned that it would be the last service to be held in the building built in 1949. Our granddaughters are 5th generation of the Hodges family to attend Sandy Church. Several members shared memories of growing up in the church and gave thanks for their spiritual heritage. Thankfully, that is something that will continue as we have many young families with small children, new babies and more on the way. That is a wonderful way to see our church grow.

Another tradition that continues is the Lone Star Christmas service to be held this Saturday, Dec. 11. Glen said it will start at 7:00 p.m., but come at 6:30 to visit. Snacks and finger foods are also welcome. Looking at the forecast it appears that the weather will be kinda frosty come Saturday night, so as folks gather in, be thankful for the toasty wood fires that will warm your toes.

There was a nice article about North Lone Star School in the White River Valley Historical Quarterly, winter edition. The church as we know it was built in 1901, but the first school building was built prior to that and then rebuilt several times for various reasons. I always enjoy the quarterly put out by the WRVHS and was reminded to go by the museum and see the cooking exhibit.

On my way to Ozark this morning I was happy to see that Violet Laughlin has her beautiful nativity scene set up near Pine Ridge Rd. It sits in a grassy spot beneath a backdrop of tall pine trees and is such a wonderful reminder of the true “Reason for the Season”. I do appreciate her sharing it for all to see.

Saturday was “Round-Up” day for LeaAnn’s folks. Rick likes to help with that and Martin’s in-laws made a special trip from Illinois to be there for it. I don’t feel like much of a cowgirl so stayed at home and tried to clean house and did a little decorating for Christmas. Ashton and Erin came home with PaPa Rick and spent the evening playing on my computer. Rick has little patience with computers and asked what we ever did without them. My answer was that we read books and watched TV, which we still do, but just have to find a balance.

Justin Fisher has been busy cutting wood on his days off. The huge mimosa tree that stood behind the log house died, so he cut that up and is also working up some dead trees on our place. I am glad to see him and Kasie with a good woodpile. If there should be an ice storm and power outage this winter, maybe they will let Rick and me stay warm at their house. Bye for now.