DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/07/09

Erin Crum, age ten, and her Mom, LeaAnn Crum

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/07/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Labor Day weekend turned out to be a busy one for our family. I had floor duty Saturday and Rick went with Neal and family to a Black Powder Rendezvous near Gainesville. Sunday was a full day with church, family and Sunday Dinner at Bill and Mary Lou’s table. Amy Hodges parents, Keith and Candy Cremeens, were visiting for the weekend and enjoyed the big country meal. The Sunday meal included meatloaf, fried squirrel, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies fresh from the garden, raisin cobbler, peach pie and homemade ice cream.

After the dinner dishes were done, we were entertained with Sunday Bluegrass by Martin and LeaAnn. Ashton and Charlie played the WII all afternoon, Erin and I made homemade paper, and Little Fox romped and played in the grassy yard. The new litter of fluffy kittens also got their share of attention. Mary Lou says they have to find new homes soon and I think Rick has his eye on one that should make a good playmate for Little Fox.

The kids met us at Silver Dollar City on Monday afternoon. The first thing we did was visit Birdle Mannon’s cabin. LeaAnn got so excited looking at the pictures of Birdle, who was one of her first vacation bible school teachers at Caney Church.

The guys spent too much time in the knife shop, and then we had lunch in front of the waterfall. Rick and I found a shaded bench to sit on while the kids rode Wildfire and Fire in the Hole. Our evening finale was the Isaac’s Concert in Echo Hollow Amphitheater. It was the first time Rick and I had seen them in person and we were not disappointed.

Last week was another busy one with activities at White River Valley Historical Society. I was at the museum Thursday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed the music of Irene Johnson and friends, Bill and Barbara Starrett. Both ladies played the autoharp and Bill played the fiddle. What a pleasure it was to hear them play.

Friday night we went to the “Jam Session” and potluck dinner at Taney Center. Before going to work Friday morning, I fried up some Venison burger and made a kettle of Taco Soup to take for my contribution to the meal. Alice Wyman brought in a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls, still warm from the oven, and we both managed to nab one of them. They were definitely the kind that melt in your mouth and make you want to eat another one or two.

There were a lot of good pickers and singers there, many that I did not know, but some that I did. We enjoyed hearing Ronnie Timmons sing, especially enjoyed his recitation about the preacher! Our daughter-in-law, LeaAnn, was there with 5-string banjo and guitar. She and ten-year old Erin sang a special and then Junior Lawrence backed her up with his guitar while she picked some banjo tunes. Junior has played with LeaAnn and her brother, Martin, since they were little kids. We enjoyed seeing him again.

Patsy Kenyon from Hollister called and asked me to announce the Kenyon Reunion to be held on September 19 at Shadow Rock Park. They will meet at 5:30 at the pavilion near the playground for a potluck meal.

Glenette Brown wants me to remind the Bilyeu Family and friends about the Bilyeu Reunion on September 19 at Spokane High School. It begins at 11:15 with potluck meal served at noon. There will be a good time of visiting and some singing after lunch.

My sister, Christie Biggs, celebrated 25 years at Bank of America earlier this year. Most of her time was in Forsyth and just the last two or three years she has been at the branch next to Wal-Mart Supercenter at Branson West.

Many local people will remember that it has not always been Bank of America, but began as Bank of Taney County in September of 1958. Christie was almost three years old when they opened and sixteen years old when she opened her first checking account with $5.00. She remembers ordering a box of checks that was $2 and that left her $3 which she soon spent and closed the account. She has written more fond memories of her banking days in Forsyth, which I will post on my blog, http://www.dogwoodacresonline.blogspot.com/
Bye for now.