Dogwood Acres Weekly 10/05/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 10/05/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. October’s first week is a busy birthday one amongst us. Birthday girls are Abigail Biggs, Kasie Fisher, Christie Biggs and our Granny Nettie, whose trademark birthday cake was strawberry. I believe Abby’s family had a party down on the creek for her, Justin took Kasie to visit the Cabelo’s store in St. Louis, and Christie had about a hundred happy birthday wishes on facebook!
Ashton and Charlie, Erin and I had a big day on Saturday. The Harvest Moon Festival and Car Show in Shadowrock Park caught their eye, so that was our first stop. I handed Erin the camera and she took dozens of pictures. I took pictures of all of them by the orange Lamborghini, which seemed to be their “fave”!
After the car show we went to the Farm Fest in Springfield where there was more farm equipment and supplies than I could imagine even existed. Our favorite exhibits were the animals, including Hairy Cows and miniature donkeys. It was a huge show, terribly crowded and so much bigger than I had expected.
Rick and I went to church in opposite directions on Sunday. He took the girls and made our usual journey across Swan and Beaver Creeks to Sandy. I went down County Line Road, over the hill by the Chapman Place, past Copperhead Corner and the Snow Place, and crossed Bull Creek at the Anderson Ford. The last leg of my trip up memory lane seemed to take forever as I looked for old and familiar house places. The journey ended just short of Hwy 65 at New Haven Church.
The first Sunday of October has been Homecoming Sunday at New Haven General Baptist Church for fifty years. The church was formed in 1941 when congregations from Meadows and Enterprise joined together and built a new church building in Dry Hollow, just west of Bull Creek. In 1959, the congregation moved a little further up the ridge with a new building just east of Hwy 65 and began holding an annual homecoming.
There have been updates and changes to the building over the past fifty years. Many that I knew have gone on to Heaven; many have moved away and are part of congregations elsewhere. I have tried to think of those who were there Sunday who were also there when I was a child. There was Aunt Bonnie Bilyeu, Ruby Frazier Brafford, Buddy Bilyeu, Shirley Dye, Glenette and Adrian Brown, although Adrian was not there long as they were newlyweds just a short time before we moved away. I hope I have not forgotten anyone.
Maxine Lund is the pastor now and Sunday morning’s guest speaker was Frieda Holt, who was also pastor there for many years. Many cousins, friends from the community and visitors from other churches were there to celebrate the special day. The underlying theme of this homecoming seemed to be the reminder that we all look forward to another day of homecoming which will be more special than our minds can conceive. As the song says, "I Can Only Imagine".
Next Sunday, October 11, will be the annual Lone Star Homecoming, with David Koenig preaching in the morning service. I think there is a hitching post or two if anyone wants to ride their horses to church. Just got word that Patsy Kenyon had a heart attack Saturday night, but have not heard how she is doing. Glen and Patsy never miss Lone Star Homecoming, so we are praying for the best for her.
Another special service on Sunday, October 11, will be the dedication of Taneyville Community Church’s beautiful new building at the corner of Hwy 76 and FF. They welcome everyone to share this special day with them in a service from 2 -4 p.m. There will be refreshments and lots of good singing, including special music from the Burns Sisters. Many of us “old-timers” can remember when these ladies were young girls who sang together all the time. It will be a wonderful afternoon of celebration and thanksgiving. Bye for now.