4A The Mountain Messenger, Tuesday, January 2, 1990
, Ide
O
O
il
~rade 1
Irs Han
Water --- that glorious "universal solvent" we learned about in
high school chemistry. Two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. One of
the simpler compounds.
Water -- that beautiful clear liquid that is supposed to gurgle
merrily from the faucet whenever you turn it on.
Water to drink, water to wash dishes, to bathe in, to cook with.
Water to brush your teeth, water to shave with, water to flush the
toilet.
Water --- running happily out the tap and sadly down the drain.
Gurgle, splash, bubble, swish, splatter.
Isn't it strange how much for granted we take running water --
piped to us in our kitchens and bathrooms -- always there at our
command. It is almost as if God ordained that every American
household should have running water!
Can you imagine my chagrin a few days before Christmas when I
turned on thefaucet in the kitchen to draw the morning coffee water
and, instead o! being greeted by the customary diamond-clear
stream of liquid, I was accosted by a rude sound which can be
politely described as a --- a cough! Less delicately, the spigot
belched at me! What it did not do is provide me with any water!
One of the pure joys of living in the country is the feeling that
whatever happens to go wrong on the farm, you can fix it. I hate to
admit it, but $297.93 and over a week later, I still don't have running
water. In order to restore the water supply to normal I have resorted
to practically everything --- short of burning the house down. There
is an assortment of wrenches, pipe fittings, heat guns, screw drivers,
Teflon tape, and hammers strewn over the basement floor next to
the two pumps I now proudly own (neither of which are able to break
the glacier lurking somewhere between the house and the spring.
I have come to learn that ice is wonderful in lemonade on a hot
summer's day; its also nice to skate on in the dead of winter. Ice is
not bad as a whimsical sculpture medium and it is rather pretty when
it hangs from the eaves and sparkles in a bright winter's sun. Wher
ice is not nice us in your main water line.
Oh, well. I have cleaned up the old enameled pails and I make
the trek several times a day to the horse trough where there is a
hole in the thick crust of ice just big enough for the bucket.
Its amazing how thirsty you can get when you have to tote your
own water. All of a sudden I've decided I must have the recom-
mended eight glasses of water a dayt And the old dog, who hardly
ever drinks water, has developed a thirst you'd think she could only
have developed alter spending a week in the Sahara.
Oh, yes. I almost forgot, another pure joy of living in the country is
that you know you can make do with whatever comes your way.
However, I do look forward longingly to the January thaw when
there'll be less "making do."
I hope all is well with you and that 1990 will bring you happiness,
health and good cheer throughout the year.
--Chas. A. Goddard
fl i'~l i l i
Dear Editor,
Amtrak? What kind of railroad is
it? I have not traveled on a railroad
since steam engines went out of
style. Sometime ago I decided I
wanted to take a sentimental jour-
ney from Greenbrier County to
Charleston. I can 0nly say I was
very, very disappointed.
Since pioneer times my family
has lived from Glen Lyn, Virginia
down New River and from White
Sulphur down the Greenbrier to
Point Pleasant, i'm as familiar with
these two rivers as I'm the back of
my hand.
I had to buy my ticket a couple of
weeks in advance. When I went to
the depot (it was very cold and snow
was on the ground) it was locked
until about two minutes before train
time. I had to sit in my car to stay
warm. Train, 30 minutes late.
When I got on that train of nine
coaches, I was as thrilled as a
young boy with his first ride. It was
loaded with passengers trying to re-
turn home for Christmas.
There is no use to tick off and
name each station which I went by.
Christmas lights were everywhere.
Remember, you can't go home
again but you can go and take a
look. Sometimes it makes you sick.
The railroad crew was overly
courteous and I enjoyed the ride.
But, what a crazy way to run a rail-
road on the return trip.
Train. nine hours late and then it
was discontinued at Cincinnati. For
three days I kept calling trying to get
on the train. The tracks were in too
bad of shape to trust them in cold
weather. Engines were too cold to
run. Ohl I heard a dozen reasons. In
disgust, finally, I got on the Grey-
hound bus and came home.
Should Amtrack have its name
changed to the "Fair Weather Spe-
cial"?
Paul R. Lilly
Lewisburg
Dear Editor and all the Staff:
Webster has no words to use for
the thanks to your paper for the
wonderful coverage you gave our
town on the "Christmas Light Din-
ner" December 17.
It was a great success. We ran
1:30 p.m. -- serving
200 p ople (in very bad
i
All the totals have not been run,
but we believe we only fell short a
few hundred dollars paying for our
lights.
Our sincere thanks to you for the
grand coverage to "Lite up our
town."
We wish you and the staff the
best and a very Merry Christmas
and wonderful New year.
Sincerely
Sandy Manspile,
Publicity Chairman
Rainelle
Dear Editor:
Let's put Ed McMahon out of
business, along with that .company
he represents -- American Famly,
or whatever it is. This is surely the
worst scheme to delude good..
people into sendirtg them money
that I have ever heard of. I pray
none of you good friends will be de-
ceived by the slick:tongued and odi-
ous McMahon and the greedy and
heartless bigwigs who, prey upon in-
nocent, gullible people. Their victims
The Mountain
STAFF
Chas. A. Goddard, Editor
Dottie Braekenrich, Office Mallager ]
Troy Forren, Advertising Sales
Terri Boone, Advertising Sales
Debbie McClung, Ad Design
Betty Morgan, Ad Design
Jonathan Wright, Staff Writer
Lou Burroughs, Typesetting
I~ra Smith, Production
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n
From the
Congressman Harley Staggers
U.S. Representative Harley Stag-
gers Jr (D-W,Va.) said the U.S. Mili-
tary action in Panama was neces-
sary and an apparent success. He
said steps must now be taken to
continue meaningful democratic re-
forms.
"There are times when it is nec-
essary to commit military forces, and
the situation in Panama is one of
those times. Given the threat to
American citizens and Noriega's
declaration that a state of war ex-
isted with the U.S., I believe it was
something that had to be done. The
success of the operation is a credit
to the U.S. military forces. The Pan-
ama mission has cost American
lives, and we should never forget
their sacrifice," said Mr Staggers.
The Second district congressman
said steps should be taken to
strengthen democracy in Panama.
"The freely elected government
that Noreiga refused to recognize al-
ready has the support of the Pana-
manian people. The administration
and our allies in the region should
support this government and work
with them to promote Democracy in
Panama. The perception that
changes in Panama are rubber
stamped "Made In America" will only
undermine democratic progress in
Panama and the region, given the
historical involvement of the United
States in Central America," Mr Stag-
gers said.
This New Year's Day, we cele-
brate not only a new year, but a new
decade as well. The last decade of
the 20th Century. As we prepare to
write the final chapters of this cen-
tury, we can't help but refl0ct on the
accomplishments of the "Modern
Age" and the challenges of the fu-
ture.
My father, who was born near the
beginmng of this century, can recall cans. There are many other chal-
his father talking about some crazy lenges as well.
men m North Carolina trying to fly. As we begin a new year, we can
Earlier this year, I was at ~he Ken- resolve to just do it; to settle down to
nedy Space Center for the spec- the job at hand and meet the chal-
the 20th Century, For my father and
his generation these were times of
great change and challenges. We
can admire our parents and grand-
parents because they made no ex-
cuses. They adapted to the rapid
changes, met the challenges, and
created opportunities for genera-
tions to come.
As a new father looking ahead, I
know that my daughter will likely one
day tell her children about my see-
ing the launch of a space shuttle,
and her children may look upon a
space shuttle launch in the same
way we think of the maiden flights of
the Wright brothers. We can expect
rapid change and new challenges in
the coming decade and in the 21st
Century. Like our parents before us.
we can meet the challenges and
create opportunities for generations
to come.
Following the example of those
who during the 20th Century made
America the greatest nation in the
history of mankind, we need to ac-
cept the challenges with open arms.
We can't be afraid to make the hard
choices that are necessary for our
future.
If we are not afraid to make edu-
cation a number one priority, we can
look forward to the next generation
being better educated and prepared
for the new opportunities that tech-
nology will create. If we are not
afraid to build roads and improve
our "infrastructure," we can expect
to have the transportation network
and industries to effectively compete
in the international economy. If we
are not afraid to address the crisis m
health care, we can expect to re-
duce infant- mortality, extend care to
the uninsured, meet the needs of
the elderly and veterans, and im-
prove the quality of life for al Ameri-
tacular launch of the space shuttle lenges and create opportunities.
"Discovery." The accomplishments Opportunities not only for this year
are mostly the elderly, in manned-flight are symbolic of the and this decade, but for our children
It is the shame of our government
to permit th~s cheap, trickery to lure rapid changes that have oc~/urred in in the 21st Century.
trusting people into thinking this or- , " ..... ------- - =,- ; ,-~ --
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ganization,will actually give us
twenty million dollars or even ten
dollars. Thee only winners in this
ruthless "giveaway" are the owners
of this sinister corn pany and McMa-
hon, of course, who speaks the cun-
ning words they put in his offensive
mouth. They probably pick out some
people at random, pay them a few
dollars to scream "Wow! I'm a win-
ner of --- twenty million dollars."
Do you know any person who
has won this phoney money? No?
Nor will you. Folks, please do not
send any money to these merchants
of deception. They are greedy, un-
kind, ill-favored and un-Chdstian.
And, don't believe a word of the
infamous "Publishers Clearing
House" who belabor us with their
fancy and dramatic letters of your
chances of winning -- which are...
none.
Sincerely,
Henry Dunn
By Roberta Patton Rod
A WHITE CHRISTMAS!
For all of you who have been
dreaming of a White Christmas, in
Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia,
U.S.A. -- you can stop, because
your prayers and dreams along that
line, have been answered. Please
stop immediately, as it is now snow-
ing again, and according to the
weather forecast, it won't stop be-
fore Thursday -- December 29,
1989!
I have been discouraged, be-
cause I arn a coward on the roads in
this type of weather, and overjoyed
at its beauty beyond words to de-
scribe! So many people cannot re-
member such a big snow, but I can.
Last night Gaye and Beth came and
brought our dinner. After eating, with
Gaye at the wheel of a 4-whee
drive Subaru, we toured main roads
and back roads to look at the beauti-
ful lights. We drove all around
Fairlea. We really agmn appreciated
the second annual lighting of the
Fairgrounds! It is worth the effort. As
we started our tour, we stopped and
looked at the barn, with the hand-
made star(b~, Frank himself), and
underneath it -- Mary, Joseph and
Baby Jesus. Each night from our
apartment window, that scene is so
peaceful and colorful! While it Js
lighted, we have taken a couple of
pictures and also the mural in color
just down Christmas street. Here is
hoping they turn out beautifully. Al-
though the Christmas Village as
had planned it wasn't completed,
the Good Lord covered everything
with snow and icicles! A perfect
Christmas Village as far as an eye
can see. All the snow-covered junk
became art treasures Trash was
not seen. We know West Virginia, in
its snow covered beauty, was hiding
any and a litter. The flood lights did
not show off the 40 or 50 foot pines
as they should have, but the white
snow enhanced their beauty, a com-
plete Christmas Village!
Lewisburg with its restoration
was emphasized with green
wreaths, red bows, and candle-
lights. Lots of lights decorated
Echols Acres, McLaughlin's Tourist
Court, Underwood Estates, Garden
Heights, Buckingham Acres and
many other places. We went up
Teaberry Road, came back by the
Lawson Hamilton Estate, on through
Fairlea south and into Ronceverte
via the old road. We saw church
steeples, snow men, stained
windows and all the rest.
Christmas art in every form{
Out Organ Cave way
tion Edna and Virgil
porch with Mr and Mrs Santa
laughing, sitting side-by-side
porch swing! They
out, but happy I am sure!. It
their fault if someone didn't
them for their gifts and
supplied.
We've enjoyed all the fami
prises and get togethers,
west, north and south! Ging~
family of Tucson, Arizona are
ing 75 degree weather tod
Christmas snow (in about
brought some of the
prisoners from their prison
outside White Sulphur S
help open Rodgers Road,
get the folk out to the hi
brought pictures and memor
their families near Cologne,
many. They also brought
an¢ black bread to share wi
This is a chapter in our lives
to be forgotten. Excerpt from
to us when Wilhelm Krengel
note in English to us goes
Dear Frank and Roberta
We the children of Wilhelm
want to inform you about the
of our father who worked
during the war. He was alwa
happy when he heard
from you. Now he is gone.
you once again for everything.
His son and
Herrn
Henrietta Zlegeggeb
I found my new friend,
Lassiter, wife of Dr Denny
She is a German woman
light to talk to. She was so
to take time from her garden
terpret our letter.
People are basically the
the world over They want
derstanding, friends, food and
rag.
The average person
no more and as the song
not "study war," let's study
everyone. Auf Wiedersehn
P.S. That envelope also
black cross on the outside.
balls to .you with vanilla,
top. Sprinkle coconut on top,
choose.
The chances of it happening
were nothing short of astronomical.
rm sure as we look back on it in the
years to come, my family and I will
remember Christmas 1989 as one of
the most unusual ones ever: the
Christmas of the Florida snowstorm.
My brother David and his wife
Linda live in Lakeland, Florida,
about 30 miles east of Tampa, with
their 3 1/2-year-old son James.
They were planning to join the rest
of our family at our parents' home in
Dahlonega, Georgia, for Christmas.
The possibility of winter weather foil-
ing their plans never entered our
minds. Well, I guess there could al-
ways be some snow or ice as they
approached north Georgia, but who
would have ever thought they would
run into it in Florida? Incredible!
On the afternoon of December
23, when they were to begin their
500-mile journey, the rest of us were
snugly nestled at my parents' home
in front of an open fire. The tele-
phone rang. My mother answered.
As soon as the rest of us realized
who was on the other end, we be-
gan guessing what the call was all
about. Pessimists as we were at that
moment, we whispered, "They're not
coming!" We figured there must be a
problem if David was calling us this
late.
Sure enough, there was. He told
my mother they had driven as far as
Dade City, about forty minutes
of Lakeland, and all
warned against gmng north.
part of Interstate 75,'w
would be traveling, had been
due to freezing rain,
snow. This was in Flori,
parts of central Florida.
nomenal wintry mix of
had slammed a formidable
to prevent thousands of
from either bxiting or enterir
state.
David and his family did th
thing possible: they turned
Their holiday would be cold,
and a bit lonely (as would
at least it would be safe.
they would have encount~
raasing dangers trying to
secondary roads in a
unprepared for such
missed having them with us,
least we could relax and
were all right.
What is so amazing
entire incident is its
timing. Occurring in Florida
the sand and palm trees, is
enough. Hitting smack-dab
middle of Christmas
wreaking havoc with
travelers, makes it an item
record books.
Yes, we'll remember
1989 for many years. It will
tough one to beat in our
Meetings
All at town halls, unless noted othq
Alderson Second Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Hillsboro Second Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Fire Dept.
Lewisburg Third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
[Lewisburg Planning Commission: First Thurs., 7:30 p.m.]
Marlinton First Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Quinwood First Monday, 7 p.m.
Rainelle Second and fourth Mondays, 7 p.m.
Renick First Monday, 7 p.m., Mt. Harmon
Methodist Church
Ronceverte i-0rst Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Rupert Second Thursday, 7 p.m.,
Union First Wednesday, 7 p.m,
White Sulphur Springs Second Monday, 7:30 p.m.
