DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/10/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/10/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Just when we were convinced that August was going to sizzle, this day has turned cool and rainy. How rainy depends on where one happens to be. In Branson and on my way home, it rained so hard I could barely see. When I got home, the dust had hardly settled, but we will take what we get.

The yard sale days were sizzlers, sunny and hot. I spent more time sitting in the sun than any other time all year long. Ashton and Erin came over Thursday night and were great yard sale helpers. Not only did they work hard helping to set up, but also sold neck coolers and ice-cold bottles of water.

Rick was impressed with the amount of stuff I got rid of and added some clothes and fishing rods to the sale. He, the doubting Thomas who did not see how it could possibly be worth all the work, had more fun than anyone did. While I knew that the best part of a yard sale is visiting with all the folks who come by, he was usually working and had missed most of our previous sales.

I cannot even begin to name everyone that came to see us, for I surely would leave someone out. We were so busy that I never got a chance to visit Christie’s sale, but they had a good time over there too. Marty and Sean helped and had an interesting variety of items to sell.
Well, it is over for this year; most of my leftovers are going to a thrift shop, but there will be more next year; there always is.

Late Saturday afternoon we went to the wedding of a young couple at Sandy Church, Eli McDowell and Amy Isaacs. There was a huge crowd, almost standing room only. I must say, the Isaacs family sure knows how to pack a church house full! It was a beautiful wedding and their Amy was a stunningly beautiful bride.

Just when life at our house seemed to be going along in a smooth and orderly manner, something new came along. Five dogs and four cats made for a pretty level playing field, but now it has changed again. Oscar and Carolyn Cook took one of the squirrel dogs, but then someone gave Rick a little housedog. According to Rick Crum, a housedog was the last thing I would have expected, but a man has the right to change his mind.

She is just a little thing, with a face that looks like a fox and tail that curls over her back. Foxy seemed an appropriate name and she has him wrapped around her sweet little paws. She is afraid of the squirrel dogs and the cats do not like her. This will be an ongoing story, just watch for next week’s sequel.

Sunday, August 16, will be the 25th Annual Bilyeu Family Concert at Ridgecrest Baptist in Springfield. Hosea and his family have been practicing for months, occasionally teasing us with a practice video on FaceBook. There will be three service times, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church and 6:00 p.m. just down the street at the Remington’s Event Center.

White River Valley Historical Society at 297 Main in Forsyth, kicks off “New Harmonies” this weekend. The traveling Smithsonian Institute Exhibit offers so much in the way of entertainment and opportunities to explore America’s Musical Roots. I have signed up to be a guide for the exhibits and am looking forward to that new experience.

In addition to the exhibits, there will be lunchtime concerts, children’s programs and special weekend concerts. The big kickoff concert will be BIG SMITH @ SHADOWROCK, on Sunday, August 16, 5:00 p.m. There will also be blues by Pokey Lafarge & The South City 3. That is just the first of many groups that will be performing at various times and places until September 26. Watch the newspaper and website, www.wrvhs.org for more details. Bye for now.