The Sentinel
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022
Lewistown, PA—29
JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE
Fortunate to have known them
Ruth Eddy
Ruth Eddy is publisher of quite an adventure that we enjoyed. The Sentinel. I could tell you stories As I think about my about how my Gram took grandparents, I was fortu- care of her family despite circumstances, nate to know three of mine difficult about how she owned and very well. My maternal grand- operated two restaurants, mother was “Grammy about how she took in a Davis” or “Gram” to her nephew when he didn’t 18 grandchildren. Gram’s have a place to stay, and house was always filled about how sweet and kind with fun, laughter, love she was. As for me, I will aland the best aromas of ways remember how wonfood. I think there was al- derful it was to spend time ways something cooking with her. As for my paternal or baking in her house ... homemade bread, cakes, grandparents, we moved pies, and complete meals. in beside them when I was It didn’t matter if she was just 4 years old. Gram and using an old ceramic stove Pap Shearer lived there at her cabin or the regular until I was in college. They stove in her kitchen, every- had a farm in Juniata County prior to that. They had a thing always tasted great. I remember many Sun- very large garden between day afternoons spent en- our house and theirs. One whole section of joying a marvelous meal at Grammy’s house. One the garden was plantof my favorite dishes was ed with strawberries. My stuffed beef flank and she brother and I picked a lot would often make it for me of strawberries over the years. A ripe strawberry, on my birthday. Grammy and I shared a fresh off of the vine, has love for shopping. There such a sweet taste. We were many trips to stores would make homemade where we would shop for strawberry ice cream and clothes. Gram and my strawberry shortcake. We mother would take turns would also cut and freeze a entertaining my brother lot of strawberries. Despite who wasn’t fond of shop- eating them nearly every day in my youth, I still love ping. We would usually end up strawberries. Gram and Pap Shearer eating a pretzel or popcorn along the way. I just loved also had a lot of flowers being with her. I remember planted around their house. traveling to State College to One of my jobs was to washop and going to a restau- ter them. I still enjoy the rant known for its burgers beauty of flowers around and milk shakes. The wait- my own home. Gramma Shearer and I resses came to your car to get your order. That was worked on a lot of projects.
I painted ceramic plaques, made jewelry, canned food and learned how to sew there. She had worked in a sewing factory and could sew about anything. In fact, she made beautiful wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses. I never became that proficient at it, but I did make a sun dress in 4-H. Pap was a quiet man, who worked hard. He taught himself how to play an organ/piano without reading music, or as some might say, “to play by ear.” I loved to hear him play. He and my grandmother would sing at church. Given that he wasn’t outgoing, I know it must have been difficult for him to sing in front of people, but he had a pleasing deep voice. I didn’t inherit the ability to sing, but I did take a few Ruth, center, sharing a moment with her brother and her Grammy Davis. piano lessons and I could muddle through some basic songs on a piano. I always enjoyed going to Gram and Pap Shearer’s house and all of the projects we would get into. It was fun to hear about stories from their childhoods and the farm. I knew how much they loved us and that they were always there for us. It is interesting to see Stephen D. King-Supervisor, Director how each of the three grandparents helped to Roger G. Barr, Director shape my life. I feel so very fortunate to have had each of them play a significant role in my life. If I am ever 120 Logan Street, Lewistown PA a grandparent, I hope I am 717-248-5486 • kingbarrfuneralhome@yahoo.com able to be that close with my grandchildren. I would Serving Central PA families since 1841 love for them to have those treasured memories of me.
