free!
Winter 2015
Charlie Pennybacker & his Thomas House
ALSO • A home for Justin IN THIS • Year-end resolutions ISSUE • Spotlight on Garrett Thompson
www.valleyliving.org
Give books for Christmas.
If you always do What you’ve always done, You’ll always be
Storybooks for all ages.
Where you’ve always been...
Visit our bookstore near the corner of Chicago Avenue and Mt. Clinton Pike. Open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday–Friday. Call 540-434-0768 for a free catalog.
Christian Light Publications
1064 Chicago Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA
540-434-0768
2 living • Winter 2015
97 Railside Drive, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 (540) 234-9246 or Toll Free @ 1-866-224-9246
Contents 4 Editorial 5 Community Connections 6 Charlie Pennybacker and his Thomas House 9 Tinsel, terror and toenails 10 A home for Justin 13 Storms pass, so hang on 14 Year end resolutions: a financial check up 16 Meaningful Advent or “Merry excessment”?
10
17 When you can’t be together at Christmas 18 Go tell it on the mountain 20 Ham (or Sausage) and Cheese Souffle 22 The Christmas tree: an ancient tradition 24 Shenandoah Spotlight: Garrett Tyler Thompson 26
22
Tick Tock
28 Life is their teacher now 30 Fun educational websites you won’t want your kids to miss 32 Don’t give a puppy for Christmas: Finding the right dog 35
18
Word Search
In Every Issue
Community Connections pg. 5
Money Matters pg. 14
Family Forum pg. 16
Cooking Corner pg. 20
Shenandoah Spotlight pg. 24
Living can be found at these locations, and more, throughout the Valley: Harrisonburg DQ Grill & Chill, Carlton St. DQ Grill Harmony Square Friendly City Food Coop Fox’s Pizza Den Gift and Thrift Golden Corral Hardesty Higgins Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market Kate’s Natural Products Massanutten Regional Library
Mercy House Mr. J’s Harmony Square Red Front Supermarket Sentara RMH Clinic Sentara RMH Medical Center Rt. 11 North Exxon Salvation Army Store Sharp Shopper Shenandoah Heritage Farmers Market Styles Unlimited
Bridgewater/Dayton Dayton Farmer’s Market Bridgewater Foods Supermarket Broadway/Timberville Broadway Supermarket Crider’s Store Mac’s Superette Turner Ham
Elkton/Shenandoah Countryside Market/Exxon 340 Market & Deli/Liberty Elkton Grocery Mamma Mia Restaurant Linville Mac’s Market
Mt. Crawford Joy Foodmart Exxon
Penn Laird 7-Eleven On The Run
Mt. Solon/Augusta Co. Zach’s Country Store North River Country Store
Singer’s Glen Grandle’s Glenview Market
New Market 7-Eleven
Weyers Cave Weyers Cave Super Save
COVER PHOTO BY ALLEN LITTEN, SEE PAGE 5 FOR FULL DESCRIPTION
Winter 2015 • living 3
Interconnected
We’re still all about helping families
Melodie Davis, editor melodie@valleyliving.org
4 living • Winter 2015
© BRADLEY STRIEBIG PHOTOGRAPHY
Valley Living is poised to begin its 25th year in 2016. Founder Eugene Souder wanted to bring a positive light and give families a free publication to assist in the sometimes challenging work of not only raising families, but thriving in helpful and constructive ways in our communities. It’s a vision we still hold high. You know what—families still need help! Surprise, surprise. Not because Valley Living hasn’t done its job, but because more than a generation has passed. New parents are now raising their families. And just living means there are ongoing family and community issues with which we all struggle. Family members needing better jobs—or even transportation to jobs. Drug issues. Fooling around outside of marriage. Housing needs. Crime and punishment. Racial conflict. Violence. Terrorism. It would not be hard to get discouraged, even depressed. But putting together each quarterly issue of Valley Living (and yes, we used to be just called Living, then Living for the Whole Family, and now Valley Living) is a wonderful opportunity to focus on worthwhile, positive, heartening, uplifting stories and news in this marvelous and scenic Shenandoah Valley. This has always been a lean operation—for many years run out of Souder’s own rent-free basement. It’s been a side gig for most of us who’ve worked on it—because of our own needs to combine raising our families with income and creative outlet. For the last seven or eight years, we’ve operated without an actual director. Our board is all volunteer. We have a small rented office space but most of us do most of our work on Valley Living from our homes and kitchen tables. In this issue, for the first time ever, we’re dedicating a whole page giving you the opportunity to join in a meaningful way with this mission and challenge. We’ve always asked you to help support our advertisers, because our advertising revenue is an essential part of paying for printing, paying writers and photographers and our very part-time staff. But we could do more if our budget were bigger. To expand this effort, we need your help. We’d love to place more racks in this area where you can pick up Valley Living in new locations, increase our online outreach, continue featuring local persons on the cover and add even more local stories. This all takes time and people. And time + people = money. I hope you’ll consider sending a gift this Christmas season to help us continue far into the future—and have a significant part in truly reaching out to hurting and distressed families throughout our communities. As always, I’m delighted to bring you stories like those in this issue: the Hammer family in rural Rockingham County who has adopted a son who is blind, autistic and with some cerebral palsy; interesting local history and personalities such as Charlie Pennybacker, longtime owner of valley landmark Thomas House Restaurant in Dayton; a profile of an outstanding young man making waves in the theater scene he loves so much, both at JMU and Valley Theater—and many additional features from here and there. We thank you for this opportunity to come into your home and invite you to help us continue in any way you can: by giving, supporting our advertisers, liking us on Facebook and sharing our posts there, and most of all, by telling others how much you get from the magazine! We wish you a most blessed and safe Christmas and New Year holiday season in the days and weeks ahead.
Volume 24 No. 4
Valley Living inspires hope, encourages faith and builds positive relationships in the home, workplace and community. Media for Living, Publisher Melodie Davis, Editor Ivette Churney, Sales Representative Peter Churney, Sales Representative Mary Jo Veurink, Layout & Design Lindsey Shantz, Production & Finance Manager
Advertising
To reserve space in future editions (540) 433-5351 or info@valleyliving.org
Media for Living Board of Directors Trisha Blosser, President David Rohrer, Vice President William J. “Bill” Troyer, Treasurer Tracey Veney, Secretary Jonas Borntrager Steven C. “Dusty” Rhodes Jessica Hostetler David Slykhuis LaDawn Knicely Bonnie Hamilton
Opinions expressed in Valley Living are not necessarily those of Media for Living. Published cooperatively with Media for Living, a non-profit corporation, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 433-5351 • info@valleyliving.org www.valleyliving.org Printed in the USA by Engle Printing, Mount Joy, Pa. © 2015 by Media for Living
Community Connections Letters, local events, news Two news sales representatives for magazine
Ivette Churney is the new lead sales representative for Valley Living. She has a degree in communications media and her past work experiences include sales and marketing in television, newspaper, and radio, including WMRA/WEMC, WVPT and Clear Channel Communications. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Communications Media. She coordinates all aspects of advertising for Valley Living and enjoys helping clients reach their advertising goals. She and her husband Peter have two children, Orian and Nick. She also takes pleasure in spending time with her family in outdoor activities and reading. Peter Churney has also joined the sales team for Valley Living. Originally from Maine, he has lived in the Shenandoah Valley since 1999 and teams up with his wife Ivette in finding and working with advertisers for the magazine. Pete works for WSVG radio in Mt. Jackson, with whom he is producing a pilot syndicated current affairs radio program “This Week!” He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in English and currently is taking graduate Bible studies at Christian Kingdom College in Winchester. He has worked for a variety of radio and TV stations, nationally as a Broadcast Meteorologist.
Support groups for nursing mothers
La Leche League of Harrisonburg, a breastfeeding education support group, has two monthly meetings and locations in December: • Daytime meeting: Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on the corner of Wolfe and N. Main streets in downtown Harrisonburg. • Evening meeting: Held the first Monday of December at 6 p.m., at Brookhaven Birth Center, one tenth mile from the new RMH/Sentara campus at 1461 Brookhaven Drive. Starting in Janurary, there will only be the daytime meeting at Blessed Sacrament. Each month, new and seasoned nursing mothers are invited to bring questions, stories, experiences, ideas, books, magazines, blogs, smartphone apps, website URLs, strategies on various related topics announced ahead of time. In the second half of the meeting, participants share ideas and wisdom, questions and
concerns on any breastfeeding-related topic. Expectant mothers and new faces always welcome. For more information contact website: https://sites.google.com/ site/lllofharrisonburg/, or e-mail (checked daily by on-call leaders): lllhburg@gmail. com.
Letter from readers
A real ministry “Thank you so much for Living. It’s a blessing to read these wholesome and inspiring articles. We get so excited when we see your new edition of Living in the rack. Publishing this magazine is a real ministry. We all need to find ways to reach out with uplifting means of reaching God’s children. Blessings and joy.” –Rich and Pat Armstrong, Harrisonburg
About the group on this issue’s cover: Allen Litten, longtime award-winning photographer for The Daily News-Record, is part of the “4th Saturday Breakfast” group which has enjoyed meeting at Thomas House Restaurant for seven to eight years, and agreed to take the cover photo for this issue of Valley Living. Some of the “regulars” starting with the bottom, in the festive “Santa” hats are Barbara and Seymour Paul; following in sequence up the left hand side of the table: Rodney Bolton, Jean Litten, Karen Craun, Don Craun, Jim Sanders, Betty Campbell, Ann “Alive again” is favorite article from fall Ridder, John Weir. Others issue’s Word Search respondents present but not pictured The Fall issue of Valley Living brought in completed included Michelle, David word search puzzles from 264 readers. The runaway and Wes Van Pelt, Betty favorite was Dave Huyard’s article, “Alive again: How and Harold Haines, Jim volunteering made life worth living once more,”–90; Bishop, and Delaney and “Baby surprise: A father’s perspective,”–58; “How Todd Brenda Hopkins. Many of the cat taught us about healing,”–51; “When parenting this group also volunteer at roles reverse,”–47; and “Playing with clubbed feet: My most valuable parents,”–43. To check or read the articles the museum in Dayton and gather frequently for coffee listed here, you can find them and the Word Search and goodies at The Dayton puzzle online at valleyliving.org Market.
Word Search Notes
Responses from readers
Winter 2015 • living 5
Charlie Pennybacker and his Thomas House by LAUREE STROUD PURCELL
T
homas House, the Town of Dayton’s oldest restaurant, has a long, interesting history dating back to 1818 when the main house was built. Looking at it from the outside, one might not guess it contains 26 rooms, 10 bathrooms and 10,000 square feet. Charlie Pennybacker, its 78-year-old owner, has a rich local history of his own with many ties to friends and family in the Shenandoah Valley. Charlie, who lives in an apartment adjoining the restaurant, gets up around 3:45 Monday-Saturday mornings to mix up an assortment of fresh bread. Then he prepares all the pies and helps his main grill person, Theresa Smith, who works 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. It isn’t unusual for Charlie to prepare 20 gallons of vegetable beef soup by early afternoon. While diabetes sometimes slows him a bit and keeps him from devouring the delicious pies he prepares, he has no plans to retire. “I just take a little rest for an hour around 10 a.m. and then get back to work,” he says. “I can’t imagine what I would do if I retired, I enjoy the fellowship and relationships I’ve made with my customers over the years.” Charlie has many regulars who come for the home-style menu with country favorites like baked chicken, tenderloin and gravy, freshly peeled mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, pea salad, cranberry salad, biscuits, rolls and pies. “I always paid attention to what my mother was doing in the kitchen,” he remarks. Pamela Bell of Harrisonburg likes going there with her family because “it’s home-cooking comfort food similar to the way my Grandma used to cook.” Charlie bought his restaurant in August 1994 in a foreclosure sale. No stranger to hard work, he got busy right away rebuilding the kitchen, turning living quarters into dining rooms, installing new floors and ceilings, and replacing windows and bathrooms to meet health inspection requirements. Then he and his six employees opened for business November 10, 1994. They started out serving only breakfast and lunch and closing at 2 p.m. But in July 1995, Charlie started serving dinner, too. Lunch is cafeteria style with the menu on a white board and the pies and cobblers set out to tempt everyone in the serving line. Charlie gets his fresh produce from the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction two to three times each week. Every Monday morning, he meets with his vendors so they can resupply his kitchen on Tuesdays. For the annual Dayton Autumn Celebration, a popular arts and crafts festival also known as “Dayton Days,” It is not unusual for Charlie Pennybacker, owner, to cook up 20 gallons of vegetable beef soup by early afternoon at the Thomas House restaurant in Dayton, Va. PHOTO BY LAUREE PURCELL
6 living • Winter 2015
Charlie sells pork barbecue sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, brown beans and cornbread, donuts, peanut butter pie, hot chocolate, coffee, sodas and bottled water all from his front porch facing Main Street. Charlie caters many private parties and class reunions and has four private dining rooms customers reserve for groups of 10, 20 or 40 people. One Friday each month, he brings lunch to 70 members of Asbury United Methodist Church, and he feeds 300 employees of Packaging Corporation of America four times each year. Bible
Pamela Bell likes going to Thomas House because “it’s home-cooking comfort food similar to the way my grandma used to cook.” study groups from five area churches take turns meeting in his dining rooms on Saturday mornings for breakfast and fellowship. Many groups reserve his private dining rooms for Christmas parties in the evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. in December. Charlie provides a special holiday menu with a choice of entree, sides, salad, cobbler or fruit pie. He has a player piano and a regular piano that can be used for carols during or after the meal. Charlie hosts a men’s fellowship group each month for some of his friends and their wives. He looks forward to their
nights of eating together and having planned programs that may involve a speaker and slide show or a group of musicians. When he turned 75, his family had a fun surprise party for him at the American Legion. He fondly remembers an even larger surprise party at Evers Restaurant when he turned 67. Among those helping him with the business are his brother, Carroll, sister-in-law, Jackie, their daughter Valerie, and another niece, Debbie. Sometimes cousins, nieces and nephews from West Virginia come to stay with him in the rooms above the restaurant. He loves how his work and home life intermingle to make his days very full. Charlie remembers making a living in other ways before getting into the restaurant business. After graduating from high school in Franklin, W.Va., he immediately took a job clerking in the brick department of the Bethlehem Steel Company in Baltimore. “I was one of their 30,000 employees for 11 years!” he recalls. He came to Bridgewater to be near his mother when his father passed away. After six months of pulling skin off of turkey legs at the Shenmar Foods poultry plant where she worked, he became the night plant foreman over sanitation and packing. During the days, he worked for Rockingham Co-op as a sales clerk, ordering and stocking shelves and, after two years, became the manager of their Bridgewater Store during the late 70s. From 1974 to 1993, Charlie leased two chicken houses and gathered eggs each day. Before Charlie, Lottie Thomas owned the Thomas House from 1942 to 1988. In addition to living there, she and her husband John Wilbur Thomas operated a large bakery that eventually employed 24 people. Shenandoah College students needed a boardinghouse and a restaurant, especially when their parents came to visit. So the Thomas House evolved to fill those needs, too. Lottie cut back on baking after John died in 1958, but she kept her boardinghouse. By 1962, she had also opened a full-service restaurant serving meals similar to those Charlie serves today. When Shenandoah College moved to Winchester in 1960, rooms once rented by college students were used by construction workers, salesmen and poultry plant workers. At age 84, Lottie still took care of 16 boarders and kept her restaurant open for three meals every day. Her grandson, Tom Watkins, operated the business for four to five years after she passed away in 1988. He sold it to the Neff family who operated Old Virginia Ham Café in downtown Harrisonburg. But soon the property became available in a foreclosure sale, and Lottie Thomas’ nephew, Rudolph Evers, recommended Charlie buy it. Rudolph worked for his Aunt Lottie until 1955 when he focused on his own catering business and Evers Restaurant in Mount Crawford. Charlie had met Rudolph in 1976 when he came to Evers Restaurant to sell an overabundance of potatoes from his family’s garden. As Charlie continued supplying Evers with potatoes and worked as his meat carver, he and Rudolph became best friends. So Rudolph encouraged Charlie to bring back the Thomas House to its former glory when it became available. He gave Charlie some of his aunt’s recipes and taught him how to buy from vendors. Charlie had worked
The original “founders” of the informal “4th Saturday Breakfast” fellowship group, (from left to right) Betty Campbell, Allen, and Jean Litten, pause on the front porch of Thomas House Restaurant, which is full of beautiful ferns and flowers much of the year. PHOTO PROVIDED
several restaurant jobs in the past, so the transition wasn’t too difficult for him. Another close friend, Margaret Wenger, played a big role in Charlie’s purchase of the Thomas House. Margaret, former owner of the farm on Route 11 now used as the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, met Charlie one day while he was gathering eggs on the Winston Weaver Farm. “I noticed a little old lady walking through the buildings there and asked her if she needed help,” said Charlie. “She told me she was looking for her old Tom cat who had escaped when Doc Weaver was about to perform an operation on him.” Charlie helped Margaret find her cat, and they became close friends. He looked after Margaret until her death, and, grateful for his help, she left him some money in her will. Nina Goodrich and Charlie became good friends in the early 1980s as she talked with him each week when she came to buy her eggs at the farm where he gathered them. Nina’s husband, Carroll Goodrich, was the pastor of Bridgewater United Methodist Church at that time, and they retired in Bridgewater. When Charlie opened his restaurant in 1994, Carroll and Nina became regulars. They had Charlie to their home for supper every Sunday evening, and Nina and Charlie remained close Continued on page 8
One of the Thomas House waitstaff takes the breakfast order from Betty Campbell while Jim Sanders looks on. PHOTO BY ALLEN LITTEN
Winter 2015 • living 7
Continued from page 7
friends after Carroll passed away in 2007. Charlie had dinner with her each Sunday in her Bridgewater Retirement Home cafeteria and helped manage her affairs until her death in 2014. “Charlie is a very generous and helpful member of our church, and we appreciate him,” says Jim Tongue, the current pastor of Bridgewater UMC. “He does far more than anybody really knows.” Jim’s wife Judy adds “he watches over a lot of people.” Charlie has many antiques and old dishes he has collected from the estate sales of friends and inherited from family over the years. An entire glass cabinet in his personal dining room is full of pink Depression glass friends brought to his 67th birthday party. Auctioneer Charlie Wetzel has kept an
Buy 1 Entree & Get the 2nd Entree 1/2 OFF
865 Port Republic Rd. Harrisonburg, VA 540-433-1702 Catering & delivery available.
soups made from scratch 8 soups daily • hot teas • pastas deli sandwiches • salads
eye out for pieces he knows Charlie would like, and Charlie has enjoyed buying from auctions held by WVPT over the years, too. Many of the 500 plates Lottie Thomas brought back from her vacations all over the United States and around the world are hanging on the walls of the Thomas House. A scaled replica of Silver Lake Mill, which Charlie commissioned in 2006 to pay tribute to one of Dayton’s most historic landmarks, is on display just inside the restaurant’s entrance. The Thomas House, and the hundreds of people who eat there each day, have been in good hands with Charlie Pennybacker and his friendly staff these past 21 years, and he hopes to keep serving up delicious food to please his customers for many years to come. He enjoys running a successful restaurant and finds his interaction with the local community to be very rewarding. LAUREE STROUD PURCELL serves as an editorial consultant for Living. She and her husband Steve have two daughters.
www.greensandgrainsva.com
ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL
Shop Your Values. Support Fair Trade. Clothing, Jewelry, Coffee, Chocolate, and more
March 9-10, 2016
“Philadelphia Flower Show ... and More”
Fulton Theater - Lancaster, PA “Sister Act” (drama based on 1992 film & original music) Bird-in-Hand Restaurant Buffet and Overnight Philadelphia 187th Annual Flower Show! Theme “Lights, Camera, BLOOM!”
May 24 - June 3, 2016
“The Best of Ireland”
Waterford, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliff Moher, OsUofT LD Country, Connemara, ” Galway, SO“Yeats Sligo, Hills of Donegal, Cavan, Dublin, and more.
July 11-25, 2016
“Exploring Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana in West Africa”
With James Krabill of Mennonite Mission Network. Visiting missions, micro-business, venture on dug-out canoes to Ganvie, Africa’s ‘Venice,’ experience Elmina slave castle, Accra, and more.
November 9 - 18, 2016
“Holy Land Adventure”
Make the Bible come alive as we visit Haifa, Tiberius, Capernaum, Nazareth Village, Caesarea, Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and more.
For More Information contact Ed & Edie Bontrager 540-438-8304 (Office), 540-209-7457 (Cell) ~ Harrisonburg, VA www.travelventuretours.com ~ eebontrager@comcast.net 8 living • Winter 2015
20% OFF Entire Purchase *Some restrictions apply
821 Mt. Clinton Pike
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.facebook.com/ArtisansHope
Tinsel, terror and toenails I n many ways, that particular Christmas was typical. We had a tinsel-trimmed tree, an overabundance of Christmas cookies and a pile of presents for the kids. But that year, as we gathered with loved ones around our table, we also had a funny story to share. On Christmas Eve morning, thanks to the wood-burning stove in the basement, our house felt cozy and warm. My husband, Jory, and I were tidying up in preparation for our guests. He vacuumed the basement and I made the beds, while Leah and Chloe, our 4-year-old twins, ran naked around the living room, giggling and wiggling to “Jingle Bell Rock.” When I came out of the bedroom, I saw smoke in the kitchen. That’s strange, I thought. Is something burning? But I hadn’t even turned on the oven yet. Still more curious than alarmed, I called down to Jory. At the same time, I opened the service door to the garage. And there it was: a room full of hazy, white smoke. “Jory, there’s a fire!” I screamed. He came pounding up the stairs. “What do we do?” I panicked. The films I’d seen in high school health class came back to me. “I’ll call 911.”
I panicked. The films I’d seen in high school health class came back to me. “I’ll call 911.”
on the back wall of the garage, the repository for our wholehouse vacuum system. “Did you check that?” I asked the sheriff, pointing at the canister. “My husband was vacuuming around the time I noticed the smoke.” Jory mounted a ladder and lifted the lid. As smoke drifted out, he started calling himself all kinds of names. Apparently, while vacuuming, he had sucked some live ashes from the stove hearth and they’d started smoldering. That was the extent of our “fire.” The firefighters were nice about it. They helped Jory remove the canister and dump its contents in the snow by the curb. After running a high-powered fan to blow the smoke out of the house, they began packing up. As they waited for the final allclear, Jory and I stood in the entryway with several of them. These were big, strong country guys—men who looked like they’d be at home chopping down a tree or downing a beer in a single gulp. We soon ran out of small talk, and, as people do when they’re standing in a circle with nothing to say, I looked at the floor. I studied the firemen’s heavy boots, my beat-up shoes and a small stain in the carpet. Then I noticed something else: my husband’s toenails. They were bright pink. A few days earlier, Chloe had received a bottle of strawberry-scented polish in the preschool gift exchange. After she painted her own toes with it, her good-natured daddy had let her paint his, too. Christmas Eve night. After opening our presents with the family, we nibbled more cookies and laughed again over those toenails. And I’ll bet as our firefighter friends gathered around their own Christmas tables, they had a funny story to share, too! SARA MATSON is a freelance writer from Minnesota. ©THINKSTOCK
My voice shook as I gave our address to the dispatcher. Immediately after hanging up, I ran to the bedroom and pulled open a drawer. The girls should at least be wearing underpants before we left the house! Jory worked on Leah while I thrust Chloe’s legs into the garment’s openings. Then I wrapped her, mummy style, in a comforter I’d wrenched off the bed. As I slung her over my shoulder, Jory snatched Leah up. “But what about our presents?” she cried. We left the girls at a neighbor’s house and returned, full of adrenaline, to pace the sidewalk outside the house. With the garage door open to the driveway now, the smoke seemed to have cleared, and we saw no flames. Within minutes the sheriff pulled up in a squad car, and he and Jory went into the garage to find the source of the fire. Soon after, three fire engines clanged up the hill, sirens blaring, and fifteen or so firefighters jumped out in full dress—fireproof jackets, suspenders, pants, boots and hats. After speaking with the sheriff, they piled into the house. But they couldn’t find the fire. The commotion drew our neighbors outside. I saw friends across the street and ran over to fill them in on the situation. Other neighbors waved and asked if we needed help. Finally, I returned to my position in front of the garage. As I chatted with the sheriff—still no fire—I glimpsed the vacuum canister
by SARA MATSON
Indulging your child in a little craziness may bring temporary embarrassment—but bonds thus formed with kids make the cringe moment a great story to share later on.
Winter 2015 • living 9
A home for Justin Knowing you are loved by MELODIE DAVIS
I
magine raising a blind child. The child is also autistic and non-verbal, with some slight cerebral palsy in his feet. You adopted this child by choice, because you fell in love with him, and he desperately needed a loving home. Meet Mabel Hammer and her husband Eddie who live in Rockingham County and have done just that. They had two daughters and seven grandchildren, but were looking for another child to love. In fact they had been in the process of contacting a surrogate mother when Mabel came across
a photo of Justin, on a website showing children open for adoption. She saw the picture and said, “Oh my goodness, this is my son.” They have a big heart for children—especially those caught in a difficult situation. Now meet Justin. His birth mother was mentally ill and used drugs to deal with multiple traumas she experienced in her native country in the war torn Middle East. Thus she took drugs while pregnant with Justin. Justin was born in the U.S. and his father ran several businesses. He was eventually jailed, so Justin ended up in a foster home. Unable to express his fears, feelings and rage, he communicated the only way he knew how—by lashing out. Mabel says Justin would cower and cover his head because he never knew from his prior living situations (and couldn’t see) when someone was going to hit him or burn him with cigarettes. He was confined to a closet and not given enough food by abusive foster parents and was extremely malnourished and small for his age.
Justin would cower and cover his head because he never knew from his prior living situations (and couldn’t see) when someone was going to hit him or burn him with cigarettes. Mabel says when she saw Justin’s picture she felt “God placed him in my heart.” She began tracking down how to locate him for adoption. He was in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. When she called the agency, she told them, “You have my son. I’m ready to bring him home.” Mabel and Eddie arranged to meet Justin with a case worker at a McDonalds in northern Virginia. They hung out together for about four hours getting to know one another. The match seemed like a go from both ends. He stared into their faces, even though he couldn’t see. They told him of their love for him, their home and how they wanted to be his parents, even though he couldn’t say anything back. They wanted to take him home right then, but there was much to be done to prepare for Justin. They saw him two more times as they worked through paperwork. Then Mabel got a call. The social worker said, “Are you sitting down?” Mabel did not sit down but the worker’s next words took her to her knees, saying they had become aware that Justin was being abused in his foster home—the adoption Justin Hammer, now 13: “Isn’t he handsome!” his mother often says. PHOTO BY JOHN KNEPPER
10 living • Winter 2015
and a cardboard pizza triangle, to express an interest in a choice of foods. An iPad would be an immense help with a special grid for the blind but so far Mabel’s efforts to apply for grants have not worked out. Many times kids with autism use iPads at their school but the equipment then needs to stay at school. At the private school he attends for kids with special needs, Justin works on learning basic life skills like brushing teeth, toileting, signs and other means of communicating; they hope he can eventually learn Braille. The Broadway and Timberville area Lions Clubs purchased a special adaptive swing for Justin last summer. One of his teachers wrote of how just being able to swing helps Justin. “He requires stimulation in many different ways, due to his unique needs. Justin needs activities for motivation and pleasure. Due to his From a family scrapbook: Eddie Hammer, left, looks on while Mabel, right helps blindness, Justin does not feel safe on a regular swing. their son, Justin with one of his communication devices. PHOTO ORIGINALLY BY NBC4-TV’S An adaptive swing is much more comforting and safe “WEDNESDAY’S CHILD” (WASHINGTON, D.C.) PRODUCTION CREW for Justin.” The Hammer family was featured on the was on hold for an investigation. “Wednesday’s Child” segment on NBC4 local affiliate The way was eventually cleared for the adoption to go in Washington, D.C. in 2013, which highlights families who through and the Hammers were able to go and pick up Justin have chosen to care for children in desperate need of a loving in a parking lot to finally take him home. While the love and family. “Justin made our house a home again after we moved commitment were always there, the Hammers also have done here,” Mabel says. “I’d like to emphasize there are many kids much to adapt their home and lives to accommodate Justin’s out there in need of a home. There is hope for these children.” special needs. They replaced their windows with shatterproof Mabel also would like to call attention to the fact it wasn’t glass so Justin wouldn’t be able to break windows which he just they who chose Justin, but he chose them, too. “The love banged on because the smooth glass surface fascinates him he shows is like none other. It’s genuine and is the best feeling (as it also reflects heat and cold). They got a large poodle and in the world. Justin gives back just as much love towards us.” fenced in part of their property to accommodate an Alpaca Even though Justin is considered non-verbal, at times he (similar to a llama) and a lamb, so Justin could enjoy their does say a few words such as yelling “Mom.” One evening textures. They turned an old chicken house into a room where after work when Eddie and he were doing the father-son- armhe could have a drum set, as he has always enjoyed rhythm wrestling-horsing-around thing, Eddie, enjoying the moment, and tapping out intricate rhythms with his hands. They asked Justin, “Do you know how much I love you?” winterized a porch for a hot tub because he loves water play. Justin responded, “I know.” He is able to use a “talk box” to communicate some of his Continued on page 12 needs, where you point to objects or pictures on a screen. Mable also made their own talk box, using textured objects such as a pretzel, feather for chicken, grains of rice Broadway Lions Club members in yellow shirts from left to right: Bob Hughes, Mary Beth Schwab, and Elaine Long, with Justin, Mabel and Eddie Hammer earlier this summer. The actual swing the Broadway and Timberville Lions Clubs purchased for Justin is shown in the inset photo. PHOTO BY JOHN KNEPPER, BROADWAY LIONS CLUB
Winter 2015 • living 11
Continued from page 11
Both Eddie and Mable sat stunned for about five minutes in their living room, not believing what they thought they’d heard. Eddie finally broke the silence. “What did you think he said?” “I think he said ‘I know,’” replied Mable. Eddie affirmed, “That’s what I thought too.” MELODIE DAVIS, editor of Living, is the mother of three young adult daugthers, and lives wih her husband near Harrisonburg, Va. She also blogs at www.FindingHarmonyBlog.com.
The Hammers are seeking funds to purchase the iPad with a special adaptive grid that would eliminate needing to transport or carry around three different tools Justin uses for communication and enjoyment (the standard talk box, the talk box Mable made, and an MP3 player with music Justin enjoys). A new iPad came out in November that is larger and will accommodate this grid. To help, contact Mabel Hammer at littlehoot1@gmail.com or call 540-200-5066.
MultiQuip, Stone Construction, Diamond Products and Bil-Jax Scaffolding
RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE 540-434-8338 • 800-296-8338
el es im
(540) 432-TOYS
Located in the Shenandoah Heritage Farmer’s Market 121 Carpenter Lane • Harrisonburg, VA timelesstoys4u@yahoo.com el es im
s
T
To y s
To y s
Rent To Own available!
Commercial & Residential Site Work Concrete Work Including Footings, Slabs, Curb, & Sidewalk
Call (540) 432-0584
Wendell Maust, owner 140 A LeRay Circle, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Class A Contractor License #2705-028041A
Quality Toys for Girls & Boys
s
T
Fax: 540-432-9298 600 N. Main Street • Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Mabel Hammer points to a photo of Justin with a birthday hat; the inscription on the photo reads from Isaiah 8:18: “Behold, I and the children whom Thou gavest me...” PHOTO BY MELODIE DAVIS
Save! $5 off $20 Must present this coupon. Exp. 12/31/16
(540) 833-BARN
Purchase
(Lakeside)
90 Days Same as Cash 30 miles free delivery (buildings only)
Outdoor Lawn Furniture Available! www.helmuthbuilders.com
www.GrandmasPantryVA.com
(540) 434-8876
• Homemade Cheese Spreads • Cheeses • Homemade Fudge • Soup Mixes • Specialty Grains & Flours • Spices • Snack Mixes • Nuts • Dried Fruits • Candy (Sugar-Free too) • Local Homemade Crafts
540-438-8344
We carry hundreds of different products ranging from cookware sets to aprons to all the little gadgets and timesavers you need for your kitchen
121 Carpenter Ln., Harrisonburg, VA Rt. 11 South of Harrisonburg • 540.433.3929
12 living • Winter 2015 540-438-8344
We carry hund cookware se times
©THINKSTOCK
Storms pass, so hang on!
by NANCY HOAG
T
rusting the skiing would be excellent and hoping the frequently fickle weather would cooperate, my husband and his brother had pulled out early in the morning. Meanwhile, I had decided to stay home to work, read and set goals because tomorrow we would open our eyes to a brandnew year. The past year had not gone well; I looked forward to a fresh start. There’d been a painful estrangement from my son. My youngest daughter, married just over a year and now with her first baby, struggled with unexpected changes and too little money. Then my grandmother died, and a family member had announced he and his wife would be divorcing. Meanwhile, my husband had prayed and applied for his present position, but suddenly he was questioning his decision and talking about our going somewhere else. We’d been here before—staying, moving and moving again. But what if I couldn’t do it this time? Maybe I had been stuffing my sadness and even anger for far too long; maybe I really had been asked to make one too many moves. Worse, what if I would not be snapping out of the blues I did not want to label Depression? “What I need today is a little space and quiet,” I whispered to my spouse. Giving me one of the hugs I so often seemed to need, my husband made it clear he understood. So he would pack his lunch and his brother’s, and then they would be off to ski the hill while I retreated to my study up under the eaves. Sitting quietly in my wicker chair, I recalled all the promises I’d made to myself about not giving in to the doubt and down days that had too often plagued me. “You’ve worked this out before, and you can do it again,” I said, wrapping myself in my oldest sweater. Hadn’t God always been faithful? Hadn’t He seen me through other seasons when I’d considered giving up? The answer to both questions was yes. Yes, God had always been faithful. And, yes, just about the time I’d think I could no longer cope, I would rediscover life really was so very good as the clouds lifted and the sun had come out. Only now—in my private retreat—I had spotted a foullooking, foreboding fog that had bumped up against the mountain to creep over, down and across the snow-packed peaks and runs. No doubt my skier would be hitting the slopes about now, and because I’d also been there, I knew he would be
Life’s storms bring disappointment and grief: time and encouragement to forge ahead can help keep you going.
thinking the entire Rocky Mountain Range had been swallowed up in merciless weather. The wind would be whipping, the unpleasant gusts biting and bluenose cold. Maybe my spouse and his brother would be thinking they might as well head for home. But from my window, the mountains seemed close enough to touch, and I longed to throw open the sash—and then I would call to my husband as I’d once called to my children when they were about the business of playing in the dark. “Don’t quit!” I would call out. “Don’t quit,” I said for just me—because very soon there would be a blue sky sweeping in behind the heaviness that seemed to have entirely taken over and ruined what was to have been my husband’s day. “This is the day that the LORD has made!” I longed to sing for my husband, and then I would encourage him with the news that soon he and his brother would be warmed again by a full sun … and the snow would glisten and dance in great plumes of silver as the duo soared down one expert run and then another. Drawing my knees up and tucking my feet, I laid my head back into my chair. “And about me...” I whispered. Hadn’t I also become an expert of sorts at making these “runs” to follow my husband’s work and to fit in as we felt God had directed? Wouldn’t I also soar above any of these disappointing setbacks if I simply hung on?
Sitting quietly in my wicker chair, I recalled all the promises I’d made to myself about not giving in to the doubt and down days that had too often plagued me. Life is like that. It bumps up against us like winter and brings with it sick babies, an angry offspring, disillusionment, depression, divorce. But just as my spouse has skied other days in bitter weather and learned to wait it out, so would I keep going and, in due time, see the sun shine again. There are many things we can actively do to feel better when we find ourselves in a depressed state. Sometimes our decisions and behavior can change our state of mind. Sometimes we need a professional to help us see how we can change to bring happiness back into our lives. Changing our state of mind can actually change our circumstances, too. And for those of you who’ve been buffeted by what you can’t seem to do a thing about? Those of you who are on the verge of giving up? To you, I open my window and call, “Hang on! Be strong! Be courageous! Storms last for a little while, and then…” NANCY HOAG is a freelance writer from Montana. Though partially rewritten, “Storms Pass, So Hang On!” was excerpted from the book by the same title (“Storms Pass, So Hang On!” Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1994) with author Nancy Hoag’s permission. Winter 2015 • living 13
Money Matters
Guidance on family finances
Year-end resolutions: a financial check up by ROY M. BERGEY
T
©THINKSTOCK
improving, jobs are more plentiful, and gas is reasonably he factory where Sam works shuts down for inventory the affordable, it could be just the right time for you to be resolute last two weeks of the year. He welcomes extra time with about reviewing your finances. his family over the holidays and the time fills up quickly. I’m not speaking about beating yourself up about a As he looks at the growing pile of quarterly 401(k) statements household budget or arguing about where the money went and the recently received annual life insurance summary on last month. Just choose two or three areas that affect or could his desk, his first inclination is to catch up on his filing. Then affect the financial plan for your household and be intentional he begins to wonder how his investments are performing given about discussing them. the recent stock market correction. Sam also realizes that two Here is a list to consider: of his children weren’t yet born when his life insurance policy How much life insurance do I have? Is it portable from my was issued. Have they been added as beneficiaries? Time to workplace? Is it permanent (until I die) or term (expiring at the review! end of 10 to 30 years)? Do I want to consider life insurance for Many people make New Year’s resolutions. How about my children that they could assume as adults? Life insurance making a year-end resolution? I suggest finding some time has become an to assess, review, additional tax free consider, evaluate, investment class contemplate or in the current discuss your environment of finances. low interest rates. We’ve all heard, How much today is the first am I saving for day of the rest of unplanned or your life. Well, planned changes today is also the in employment, first day of the rest medical of your financial emergencies, life. We don’t vehicle usually wake up replacement, mornings and say, additional “Today, I’m going You may want to set aside time to go over your finances with a financial planner--a wise idea at any education, to determine if retirement, travel, I’m saving enough age. or home repairs? for retirement.” or How is my credit score looking these days? When did I last “Today I’m going to review my life insurance.” access my free credit report? This review might reveal that I When times are good, work is plentiful, gas is less have more credit cards than I need. expensive, and we are healthy, there is less perceived need to When am I going to start drawing Social Security? How check in about our finances with our mentor, our spouse, or a much difference does deferring my benefits for one or more financial advisor. When we experience goodness, we tend to years make in the monthly amount? How much additional tell fewer people than when we experience hard times. income do I need to supplement Social Security? The “Great Recession’ began in 2008. The years following Will I outlive my assets? When will my savings for were a time to cut back, hold on, become lean and mean retirement run out? Have I planned well enough to protect my … you remember. But now that the economy is slowly 14 living • Winter 2015
nest egg from the high costs of skilled long-term care if I need to rely on professional nursing care in my later years? Is my will current? Do my various designated beneficiaries reflect my current wishes? Do I need a trust? Have I made provisions for the charitable organizations I wish to support?
Today is also the first day of the rest of your financial life. If your answers to any of the above series of financial planning questions have prompted you to take action, congratulations, your year-end review has begun! If you want to consider how a trusted financial advisor could help you with the needs you have identified, many advisors offer a “no-cost or obligation” initial consultation. Some of the needs you identify may require the services of other professionals. Your financial advisor can usually make recommendations to meet those needs as well.
If you are successful in meeting the challenge of a year-end financial review, you will have given yourself and your loved ones a significant gift. ROY M. BERGEY is the guest Money Matters writer for this issue of Valley Living. He is licensed to discuss and/or offer financial services and products to residents of Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wyoming. Contact him at 901 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, or 574-361-6263, or Roy@BergeyFinancial.com or www.BergeyFinancial.com.
Roy M. Bergey, Financial Advisor
901 Parkwood Dr., Harrisonburg, VA 22802
574-361-6263
Anyone can sell you a policy. We want to grow Anyone can sellAnyone can asellpartnership. you a policy. Anyone can sell you a policy. We want to grow you a policy. We want to grow a partnership. We want to grow Roy M. Bergey a partnership. a partnership.
turner pavilion, south liberty street
www.harrisonburgfarmersmarket.com
Winter Market Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec 5, 12, 19 and Jan. through Mar.
Roy@BergeyFinancial.com • www.BergeyFinancial.com
Roy M. Bergey is a registered representative with and offers securities through Kovack Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. 6451 North Federal Highway Suite 1201, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308. Tel: 954-782-4771. Advisory Services offered through Kovack Advisors. Bergey Financial is not affiliated with Kovack Securities, Inc. or Kovack Advisors, Inc.
Financial Advisor 901 Parkwood Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22802
EBT & credit/debit cards welcome!
574-361-6263 Roy@BergeyFinancial.com www.BergeyFinancial.com
Anyone can sell you a policy. We want to grow a partnership.
Roy M. Bergey is a registered representative with and offers securities through Kovack Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. 6451 North Federal Highway Suite 1201, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308. Tel: 954-782-4771. Advisory Services offered through Kovack Advisors. Bergey Financial is not affiliated with Kovack Securities, Inc. or Kovack Advisors, Inc.
Meet ERIE:Meet 90% customer loyalty customer year over year.* Since 1925, ERIE: 90% loyalty yearservice over year.* S has been ERIE’s hallmark. Our goal is to provide you great auto, home, has been ERIE’s hallmark. Our goal is to provide you grea Meet ERIE: 90% customer loyalty year over year.* Since 1925, service business and life protection with no surprises at rates you can trust. has been ERIE’s Our life goal protection is to provide you great home, at rates you business with noauto, surprises Let us serve you.hallmark.and business and life protection with no surprises at rates you can trust. Contact your local ERIE agent today. Let us serveLet you.us serve you.
Contact your local ERIE agent today. Contact your local ERIE
agent today.
LD&B Insurance and Financial Services Meet ERIE: 90% customer loyalty year over 205 South Liberty Streetyear.* Since 1925, service VA 22801-3638 LD&B Insurance and Financial has been ERIE’s hallmark. Our goalHarrisonburg, is to provide you great Services auto, home, Fax: 540.434.9670 205 South Liberty Street LD&B Insurance Financial Services Toll: 800.366.3846 business and life protection with noHarrisonburg, surprises at rates you canand trust. VA 22801-3638 205 South Liberty Street Fax: 540.434.9670 Let us serve you. Toll: 800.366.3846 Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3638
Meet 90% customer loyalty year over year.* Since 1925, service Fax: 540.434.9670 * Based onERIE: year-over-year retention rate data compiled by ERIE as of December 31, 2012.
Erie Insurance Eriehallmark. Insurance Co., Our Erie Insurance & Casualty Co., Flagship City Insurance and Erie Contact your local ERIE agent today. has beenExchange, ERIE’s goal Property is to provide you great auto, Co. home, 800.366.3846 Family Life InsuranceToll: Co. (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Details at erieinsurance.com. ERIE life andlife annuities are available in by NY.ERIE business and protection with no assurprises at2012. rates you can trust. *insurance Based onproducts year-over-year retention ratenot data compiled of December 31, CM237 3/14 © 2014 Erie Indemnity Company Co., Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co., Flagship City Insurance Co. and Erie Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Let us serve Co. you. Family Life Insurance (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Details at erieinsurance.com. ERIE life insurance products and annuities are not available in NY.
Contact local CM237 3/14 © 2014your Erie Indemnity CompanyERIE agent today. LD&B Insurance and Financial Services * Based on year-over-year retention rate data compiled by ERIE as of December 31, 2012. 205 South Liberty Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3638 Fax: 540.434.9670
Toll: 800.366.3846
Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Co., Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co., Flagship C Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Details at
LD&B Insurance and Financial Services insurance products and annuities are not available in NY. 205 South Liberty Street CM237 3/14 © 2014 Erie Indemnity Company Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3638 Fax: 540.434.9670
Toll: 800.366.3846
* Based on year-over-year retention rate data compiled by ERIE as of December 31, 2012. * Based on year-over-year retention rate data compiled by ERIE as of December 31, 2012. Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Co., Erie InsuranceErie Property Casualty Flagship City Insurance and Erie Insurance&Exchange, ErieCo., Insurance Co., Erie Insurance PropertyCo. & Casualty Co., Flagship City Insurance Co. and Erie Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie,NY). PA) orDetails Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, at erieinsurance.com. ERIE lifeDetails at erieinsurance.com. ERIE life insurance products and annuities are not available in NY. insurance products and annuities are not available in NY. CM237 3/14 © 2014 Erie Indemnity Company
CM237 3/14 © 2014 Erie Indemnity Company
Winter 2015 • living 15
Family Forum
Strengthening family relationships
Meaningful Advent or “Merry excessment”?
by HARVEY YODER
S
begins on Christmas Eve and then continues for the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. So in keeping with that time honored Christian tradition, maybe we shouldn’t be greeting anyone with “Merry Christmas” anyway until it actually arrives, on December 25, at which time we celebrate with abandonment. But not necessarily with excessive quantities of soon-to-be landfill and yard sale “stuff”—manufactured in slave-wage Bangladeshi factories, wrapped in fancy packaging, and piled around our Christmas trees. According to Dr. Wood, in defending today’s kind of “Merry Excessmas” we may be unwittingly waging a war on Advent, and miss what Jesus’ birth is all about. What it’s really about, of course, is a promised child being born in the dark of a Bethlehem stable, forced to flee as a refugee to Egypt and then grow up as a son of a lowly carpenter. It’s about one whose life mission was to announce good news to the poor, bring healing to the sick, offer release to prisoners, bring an end to violence and bloodshed, and to sacrificially give his life for all. Feliz Navidad! HARVEY YODER is a family counselor and teaches parenting and marriage classes at the Family Life Resource Center. Questions relating to family concerns can be addressed to FLRC, 273 Newman Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 or to Harvey@flrc.org. His blog can be followed at harvyoder.blogspot.com. Chad B. Nesselrodt 540-434-1792 800-289-2445 Cell 540-476-4342 bigltireco@aol.com
4040 Early Road Harrisonburg, VA 22801 bigltireco.com bigltireco@aol.com
ALSO Gay & Liberty St.
TRUCK AND AUTO SERVICE CENTER
Harrisonburg • Elkton • Warsaw • Kilmarnock • Charlottesville
FIRESTONE • CARLISLE MICHELIN RETREADS
16 living • Winter 2015
PHOTO: CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG / ALEX HARDEN
arah Palin, in her book “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas”, laments the fact that holiday shoppers are no longer greeted with a “Merry Christmas” but with the more generic “Happy Holidays.” To her, this is a sure sign that “zealot-like atheists” are waging a “war on Christmas” and are taking us down a road toward secularism and the loss of our Judeo-Christian heritage. William C. Wood, local professor of economics at James Madison University and a member of the Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, sees it differently. He believes our national celebration of Christmas has become so pagan and antiChristian that we ought to just call it what it is, a “Merry Excessmas,” and name the original Christian celebration something else, like “Holy Nativity,” or “Feliz Navidad.” Dr. Wood had a piece promoting this idea published in the Wall Street Journal a number of years ago, and has been crusading for this change ever since. Just separating the two celebrations, he believes, would make things a lot cleaner and clearer. Let the rest of the world have the greed-based holiday that Christmas has become, he says, and have the rest of us observe a true “Christ-mass,” an authentic “Holy-day.” Of course, if we are really serious about observing Christmas, we should remember that according to the Christian calendar most of December was never intended be “merry” anyway, but a hopeful and prayerful time of waiting we call Advent. The Advent season ends with Nativity, which
by AUDREY CARLI
I
couldn’t get my widowed mother off my mind on Christmas Eve. She lived over a thousand miles away and there was no way I could leave my husband and four children to ease her loneliness on her first Christmas without Dad. But we each talked to her by phone. She seemed cheered about going to the nearby shopping mall to do some last minute browsing before attending the Christmas Eve church service at 7 p.m. Mom said, “At the mall, there’ll be music in the background. The decorations will be bright and cheerful. I’ll have a cup of tea while sitting at a table in front of the shop. It’ll be enjoyable to watch smiling children go by with their parents. The decorations will be bright and cheerful. Some people will be alone like I am—so I’ll not feel alone!” After we returned from church, our family watched Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” on television; I thought about Mom. I prayed for her to have an unexpected surprise that would make her holiday special. Her small town was friendly and most people knew each other. She could have a peaceful time at the mall chatting with others. She would visit with people after church, too. But I knew she would miss Dad and shed some lonely tears. I hoped the tears would be few and smiles would replace them. I awakened early on Christmas morning and phoned Mom. I knew she would be awake early. She wrote poetry for her enjoyment and expressing thoughts. She answered the phone with such cheer, I felt inspired. “Honey,” she said. “I had a family Christmas last night!” Joy sang in me. “How, Mom?” She said she had been sitting, having tea and a cookie at a mall shop when Cindy Mitchell and her 6- and 7-year-old daughters, Carrie and Tina, stopped to chat. “Cindy’s husband died from cancer as I mentioned and she longed for a family
Will you have—and seize—the opportunity to reach out to lonely folks spending holidays alone?
Christmas. Her parents were driving from Montana but were delayed by a snowstorm. So they took refuge in a motel. Cindy asked me to go to church with them as her parents had planned to do. She also asked me to join them afterward in their home for Christmas Eve snacks. So I did. It was glorious! I had a family Christmas, after all. And so did Cindy and her children. They hugged me good-bye when I left. We’ll visit again in their home and in mine. Her parents will be there by noon today.” “Mom, in church last evening I shut my eyes and closed my hand like I’d be holding yours. And you got hugged by that young family who needed you as you needed them.” Sharing friendship can lead to family-like affection. The American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who lived until 1882, wrote: “Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.” We realized caring hearts link people. Despite our loneliness, Christmas can become a cheerful time when we connect and show love to others. AUDREY CARLI is a freelance writer from Michigan.
Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 434-8450 e-mail: services@flrc.org
“COUNSELING FOR HOPE, HEALTH AND HEALING”
I
f you’re interested in knowing your next home better before you purchase it, then having a pre-purchase home inspection is what you want. From the top to the bottom and inside and out Shenandoah Home Inspection Service will help make your next home purchase a more knowledgeable experience. Each client will receive a combination checklist and written inspection report on the condition of each home when it was inspected. Water Testing and Septic Inspections also available. —Insured—
Shenandoah Home Inspection Service 1911 Smithland Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 433-9844 • 1-888-594-6555
- Addressing marital, family, parenting and other relationship problems - Coping with losses, grief and major life adjustments - Dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges - Overcoming substance abuse and other addictions - Providing educational resources for congregations and other agencies Contact services@flrc.org or 434-8450. Ad sponsored by: Layman, Diener & Borntrager Insurance Agency
Winter 2015 • living 17
©THINKSTOCK
When you can’t be together at Christmas
MARYLANDSTATER / WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Go tell it on the mountain by JANE SCHROEDER Editor’s note: At Christmas, many of us enjoy singing a rousing and hearty carol with somewhat different origins than many carols. “Go Tell it on the Mountain” emerged from the work fields of the South, born from the inspiration of a slave’s Christmas; how this music came to prominence in many hymnals with its joyful expression of the exuberance and meaning of Christmas is a history that needs more telling.
W
e all know the tragic legacy of slavery especially in the American south which has affected our whole nation, even today. But it was the contribution of unknown African American slaves who, while longing for freedom and suffering incredible cruelty and humiliation, that many somehow managed to encounter the powerful touch of God’s spirit and love in ways that manifested themselves in songs of unparalleled magnificence and beauty. Even more amazing than the songs themselves is the fact any of them even survived, simply because many of these composers weren’t able to read or write. For the most part, their works were unpublished for decades and passed along only in the oral tradition. A few songs were spread from the fields to small slave churches along roads via work gangs, and eventually to white churches and even large concert halls in both the South and the North. Many of them, however, were lost, their inspirational lessons in song forgotten, as were the testimonies they contained. Had it not been for a very special American family and the dynamic voices of a college choir located in Nashville, Tenn., perhaps all of them would have been gone. Not long after the Civil War, John Wesley Work, an African American church choir director and scholar in Nashville, felt the new generation of black southerners could best understand the importance of spirituality by learning the songs their forebears sang during the dark days of slavery. In Work’s church choir there were several students from nearby Fisk University. The school opened in 1866 as the first American university to offer a liberal arts education
18 living • Winter 2015
to all, irrespective of color. As a way of earning money for the university, George L. White, Fisk treasurer and music professor, created a nine-member choral ensemble and took them on tour. The group headed out October 6, 1871. Work desired to share with the world uplifting arrangements of Negro spirituals. During an era when few blacks were able to travel more than a few miles from their birthplace, these singers toured the world, appearing in England before Queen Victoria, and at the White House for President Chester Arthur, 21st President of the U.S. While on tour, the group became physically and emotionally drained. As a gesture of hope and encouragement, Mr. White named them “The Jubilee Singers,” a Biblical reference to the year of Jubilee from the Biblical Book of Leviticus, Chapter 25. Their music expressed a passion for life and living that few people had ever experienced, and they became a monumental force in first exposing the musical gifts of these early African Americans.
With no hope of earthly freedom, probably unable to even read the Bible, this unknown slave imagined the shepherds’ emotions as a powerful light from heaven shone down on them. John Work passed his love for music and history on to his son, John Wesley Work II. The latter became a folk singer, composer and collector of Negro spirituals, and, eventually, a professor of history and Latin at Fisk College. His wife was the music teacher for the Jubilee Singers. Along with Work’s brother, Frederick, this second generation of Works kept the flame of spiritual music burning brightly and managed to save a huge number of spirituals from being lost or forgotten. One of these songs was “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” There remains some debate as to who initially uncovered this song,
but Frederick Work was one of the first to note the song’s power and potential. The song had emerged from the fields of the South, born from the inspiration of a slave’s Christmas, and it was unique in that, of the hundreds of Negro spirituals the Work family saved from extinction, few had been written about Christmas. Most of the spirituals had centered on earthly pain and suffering, and the joy and happiness only heaven seemed to offer. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was a triumphant piece that embraced the wonder of lowly shepherds touched by God at the very first Christmas. With no hope of earthly freedom, probably unable to even read the Bible, this unknown slave imagined the shepherds’ emotions as a powerful light from heaven shone down on them. Frightened by a power they couldn’t begin to understand, they were greeted by angelic voices trumpeting the birth of a Savior. Leaving their flock, uncertain as to why they were going, these confused shepherds went to see a baby in the most humbling of surroundings. It was in that place they found understanding, knowledge and love. As the crowds listened to the Jubilee Singers perform this song, many were brought to tears, others to their knees. When I was a seeker I sought both night and day, I asked the Lord to help me, And he showed me the way.
John II and Frederick rearranged the music into an anthemlike structure that would suit choirs such as Fisk’s Jubilee Singers. In 1909, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was published in Thomas Fenner’s book “Religious Folk Songs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations.” Still, without the continued contribution of a third generation of the Work family, this song, and scores of other spirituals, would probably have been forever forgotten. Like his father and grandfather, John Work III, a graduate of Julliard School of Music, was a devoted student of history and music. He continued to uncover and save unknown spirituals, many times traveling hundreds of miles to seek out elderly slaves who had sung them. He devoted years of his life documenting this important facet of American culture. In the midst of the Great Depression, Work took another look at what his uncle and father had done with “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Using their notes and arrangements as well as the materials he had dug up through interviews and research, he took the old song and reworked it one more time, adding a new arrangement and at least one new stanza. Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.
WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Chorus: Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.
A little history lesson here about a beloved Christmas carol also reveals a strong connection to traveling choirs from our nation’s first college to offer a liberal arts education irrespective of race.
It isn’t known if Work composed these new lyrics or simply found them during his research, but they were a perfect fit to the words the Jubilee Singers had sung 50 years before. John Work III’s arrangement—the one we know today—was published in “American Negro Songs and Spirituals” in 1940. Over the past 50 years, the song’s popularity has continued to grow. While the melody is infectious, it is the spirit of the words that seem to provide the song’s real power. As an unknown humble slave revealed his own prayers and faith, he had little knowledge the inspiration he felt would eventually touch millions around the world. Truly, this humble servant didn’t tell the glorious news only on the mountain, but “over the hills and everywhere.” JANE SCHROEDER is a freelance writer from Indiana.
Black’s Paint & Floor Covering
625 W. Market St. • Harrisonburg, VA 22801 ht (540) 433-9207 Foresig Ab
be y Carpet CUSTOM FLOOR COVERINGS CERAMIC & HARDWOOD FLOORS WINDOW TREATMENTS • SIKKENS WOOD FINISHES MURALO AND PRATT & LAMBERT PAINTS
In g Floorin
Winter 2015 • living 19
Cooking Corner
Recipes and tips for cooking at home
Ham (or Sausage) and Cheese Souffle F It’s best when it sits in the fridge for an hour (or even overnight) before baking. Make for breakfast or dinner. We eat it for dinner at home and occasionally make it for a larger group for breakfast on vacation. This dish is hearty and will feed eight easily. 16 slices whole wheat bread, cubed 1/2-1 pound cooked ham, cubed; or sausage browned and crumbled 1 pound cheese, shredded (cheddar, monterey jack, Swiss or a combination) 6 eggs 3 cups milk 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. dry mustard 2 cups oat and honey (corn-flake-type) cereal, crushed a bit (generic brand works just fine) 1/4 cup melted butter Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. Spread half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the cooked ham or browned sausage over the bread. Spread cheese over that. Lay the rest of the bread cubes over the cheese. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt and dry mustard until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, cover and refrigerate for an hour (or overnight, or any length of time in between). Just prior to baking, combine cereal and melted butter and spread over the top. Cover loosely with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the souffle has set and the topping is nicely browned. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. From the blog Thy Hand Hath Provided, written by “Jane,” www.thyhandhathprovided.com.
DAN’S BODY SERVICE, INC. 2591 Harpine Hwy. Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Phone (540) 434-8889
dansbodyservice.com 20 living • Winter 2015
THY HAND HATH PROVIDED
or a special Christmas, weekend or other holiday breakfast, try this Ham (or Sausage) and Cheese Souffle. You make it up the night (or afternoon) before and it is ready to pop in the oven while you begin to open gifts, or whatever your tradition is!
More than just a beautiful place to live.
Our strong community has long held beliefs in ethical living, strong families, volunteerism, active faith, and making a positive difference.
Valley Living needs your help.
Valley Living is part of what makes this a great valley and has made a positive impact on life here. Because it is provided at no cost to readers through the support of faithful advertisers and friends like you, we hope you’ll help strengthen our vibrant and caring community by helping us continue! “I read, I laugh, I cry, I enjoy. Every [story] is great. Also you deal with current issues very well. We need this paper.” –Jimmy Kite, Elkton
v Uplifting v Wholesome values v Positive v Enlightening v Touching
“Thank you so much for treating us with Valley Living. The wholesome stories and articles are so uplifting. We always feel uplifted when reading and sharing from the delightful publication.” – Rich & Pat Armstrong, Harrisonburg The mission of Valley Living is to bring light and hope to homes, communities and society through media. With positive values reflecting our Christian base, we strive to convey ideas which can be broadly appreciated regardless of faith. Please give whatever you can to help Valley Living continue. Use this form and send with your special year end gift by mail. (We also will welcome your gifts throughout the year.) Give online with a credit card using PayPal at valleyliving.org. Make checks payable to Valley Living. Yes, I will help Valley Living to bring light and hope to our community! __$500 __$100 __$50 __$25 ___$10 Name _____________________________________ Email address (optional) ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone ________________________ (This will be used only if there is a problem with your check.) Okay to use your name in a list of contributors in the magazine? yes no Mail to Living, 1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Winter 2015 • living 21
The Christmas tree: an ancient tradition
I
PHOTO PROVIDED
n 1851, Mark Carr, a logger from New York’s Catskill Mountains, created the first Christmas tree lot. In order to make a little extra money over the holiday he rented sidewalk space in New York City. For the whole season was a mere dollar. Day after day he sold his cut trees to city dwellers. Carr’s business venture was so profitable the following year the owner of the sidewalk increased Carr’s rent to $100. Placing a holiday tree inside the home expanded across the country making the Christmas tree an American tradition. Although the Christmas tree is associated with a major Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ, the origin of placing a festive tree in the home is an ancient tradition and goes back centuries before the advent of Christianity. Plants and trees which remained green year round, including the coldest months of winter, came to be associated with overcoming adversities. As the darkness and coldness of winter arrived, ancient people began to decorate their homes with evergreen branches over their doors and windows believing the evergreens would protect the household from illness and misfortune. Among the Vikings living in Scandinavian countries, winter was cold, bleak and days were short. In their areas, the sun disappeared for weeks at a time creating a perpetual night. Winds howled, snow piled up and temperatures remained below zero for days. Every community experienced the death of several villagers and many animals. It was a brutal time of the year. Yet, the Vikings found a point of hope and comfort in the evergreen tree. They noted the evergreen not only survived one harsh winter after another but continued to grow and thrive in spite of the season. Consequently, the Vikings began to cut down evergreens placing them in their homes. There, the tree would be a daily symbol of hope and a reminder that the winds would cease, and new growth would begin again. Europeans were also intrigued by the mystery 22 living • Winter
by VICTOR M. PARACHIN
of the trees and plants which remained green throughout the winter. Many of them included the evergreen as part of their pagan religious practices. It is through those pagan customs the evergreen made its way into Christianity. There are various legends which offer explanations for the origins of the “Christmas tree” as it came to be called. One is tied to Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther (1483-1546). On Christmas eve, he was walking through the woods when the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of the fir trees moved him deeply. He decided to cut down a small tree and bring it home for his family. Luther covered it with lit candles and then used the tree as an object lesson to explain the faith. He taught his family that the tree, whose evergreen color never faded, was like God’s love which would never fade away no matter life’s circumstances. The lit candles were representative of Jesus Christ, who was the “light of the world.” The earliest historical reference to a Christmas tree first appears in Germany. In 1561 at Alsace a law was passed limiting each “burgher” or resident to only one Christmas tree. The law further stipulated the tree could be no more than “eight shoes” in height. Evidently, the custom of bringing a live tree into the home was so popular that deforestation was becoming an issue. A little later in 1605 a visitor to the city of Strasbourg was impressed by the German custom of bringing a fir tree into the home and decorating it. The traveler said German ornaments included apples, wafers, paper roses, gilt and sugar decorations. Interestingly, some Christian religious leaders were opposed to the custom arguing the tree detracted from the real reason for the season. Their objections, however, were largely ignored by Christmasloving Germans. From Germany the custom of a Christmas tree spread all over western Europe. In the United States, the
A local family enjoys finding and cutting their own perfect tree at Ratliff Tree Farm near Timberville, Va.
first Christmas trees were introduced during the American Revolution by German mercenaries fighting for the Colonial army. The concept of using a live tree at Christmas did not catch on with the early Americans and the tree returned to Germany with the mercenaries at the conclusion of the war. Around 1820 German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought the tree back and this time it caught on. By the 1840s the Christmas tree was widely known in the United States. An 1845 children’s book, “Kriss Kringle’s Christmas Tree,” helped further propel the popularity of the tree. The earliest American trees were short and small often displayed on tables. Americans gradually switched to larger trees placed in stands on the floor because they had an ever increasing variety of ornaments to place on them. Those early trees were decorated with gingerbread, pretzels, cookies, apples, lemons, oranges, figs, strings of cranberries or popcorn, candy, dolls, paper roses, glass balls and ornaments made of egg shells or cotton. As the Christmas tree made its way into American homes and hearts, some clergy voiced opposition to what they declared was originally a pagan custom. However, the Christmas tree began to appear in churches during the holiday season. In 1856 Franklin Pierce became the first U.S. President to celebrate Christmas in the White House with a
It was a brutal time of the year. Yet, the Vikings found a point of hope and comfort in the evergreen tree. They noted the evergreen not only survived harsh winters but continued to grow and thrive. decorated tree. As the Christmas tree popularity expanded, President Theodore Roosevelt expressed ecological concerns over the national consumption of evergreen trees. Advisors sought to reassure the President telling him they believed America’s forests could survive the yearly harvest. Hearing the President’s concern, some companies began introducing artificial trees, a concept which would take decades to catch on. Other presidents became involved with Christmas trees. Woodrow Wilson presided over the first national Christmas tree ceremony on Christmas Eve, 1913. The ceremony took place near the Capitol Building. Later, President Calvin Coolidge moved the national Christmas tree to the area of the White House and, in 1923, led the first ceremonial lighting of the national Christmas tree. That ceremonial lighting has
Quality Vehicles
Reasonable Prices
Swope Auto Sales, L.C. 3986 Linville Edom Road Linville, VA 22834 Edwin Swope 540-833-5212
become a yearly tradition with exception of the years between 1942 and 1944 when wartime blackouts prohibited the use of festive, outdoor lights. As the Christmas tree became more and more popular across the country, concerns about ecology and environment as well as the issue of fire prevention has prompted the majority of Americans to use artificial Christmas trees. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, only 31 percent of households displayed a real Christmas tree while 49 percent use artificial. Twenty-one percent had no tree (statistics from 2002-2007). From it’s humble beginnings as a symbol of hope and strength for the ancient Vikings, the Christmas tree has evolved to become the central symbol of the world’s most celebrated holiday. Today, the Christmas tree is displayed during the holiday in stores, malls, churches, businesses, on streets, in yards and in millions of homes. VICTOR M. PARACHIN is a freelance writer from Oklahoma.
Affordable Style for Your Floors. Introducing a new concept in buying rugs.
No hassles. No haggling. Just a great selection of area rugs & accessories at everyday low prices. At Weaver’s Flooring America, you can find a beautiful rug to fit any budget. Stop in today and discover how easy it is to cover your floors with affordable style. BRING THIS AD WITH YOU AND RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF OUR ALREADY LOW PRICES!
Weaver’s
(Area Rugs only)
3245 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia • (540) 433-1517 2530 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia • (540) 943-3231
On Route 721 1/2 mile East of Rt. 42 Winter 2015 • living 23
Shenandoah Spotlight Young adults to watch
Garrett Tyler Thompson by LAUREE S. PURCELL
A
s JMU sophomore, Garrett Tyler Thompson, grew up in Harrisonburg, teachers at Keister Elementary, Thomas Harrison Middle (THMS), and Harrisonburg High School (HHS) all influenced his decision to follow a career path in musical theatre. Recently Garrett performed the lead role of Matt in Valley Playhouse’s The Fantasticks at Court Square Theater. He will be singing all over the east coast with JMU men’s a capella group, Exit 245, over winter break. On the album they released last April, Garrett has a solo called “Sugar.” Last year, his favorite experience at JMU was working as an understudy, or “swing,” for the musical Sweet Charity. He had to learn the lines for five different roles and practice all the choreography in the rehearsals. During performances, he “ran the lines” by controlling some of the ropes to raise and lower the sets. Garrett thought it was a dream-come-true when Don Rierson, Director of JMU’s school of music, asked him to sing tenor on Forbes’ Center’s Main Stage production of the opera “La Boheme.” Of the 200 students who audition for JMU’s Musical Theatre program, only 10-12 get accepted each year. There are about 40 total students in the program. Garrett felt fortunate when associate professor Kate Arecchi welcomed him into the program. “I’ve learned to push myself beyond what is comfortable and lose my social inhibitions. Theater is good training for any field of study, because we learn that everyone is weird in some way. It’s part of being human,” says Garrett. “Theater is just an exaggerated form of being.” When he was attending Keister elementary school, physical education teacher Barbara Cavanaugh noticed his singing talent and had Garrett sing a solo of “I Saw Mommy Kissing
sod • mowing • flower beds leaf removal • retaining walls trimming trees • mulching line stripping • pressure washing stonework • hydroseeding snow removal • planting trees flagstones & pavers parking lot sealing • deck staining (540) 564-0185 Fax (540) 564-2505
P.O. Box 2396, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Garden Center & Office at 5003 Spotswood Trail, Penn Laird
www.janddlandscape.com
24 living • Winter 2015
Santa Claus” at Keister’s winter assembly. Seeing everyone’s appreciation gave him the confidence to try out for the middle school musicals at THMS led by theatre director Michael Strawderman and to sing the national anthem at many sporting events. As Garrett played clarinet in the HHS marching band under the leadership of J. R. Snow, and acted in all HHS musicals with the help of choir director Bethany Houff and theater director Stanley Swartz, he gained the necessary training and experience to sing, dance and act competitively in JMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and to take a lead in a Valley Playhouse production. Garrett is happy to see a resurgence of community theater with the success of Harrisonburg’s Valley Playhouse and Court Square Theater because it allows more people to see many local productions rather than having to travel to a big city for quality theater. He contends that theater makes us think and contemplate our lives as real people draw us in emotionally. He believes audiences become more attached to characters in a live play than watching a movie. The spontaneity can be exciting as actors might make a mistake or have to improvise at any moment. For Garrett, singing, acting and dancing are more than fun pastimes, he’s passionate about performing professionally throughout his life. LAUREE STROUD PURCELL is an editorial consultant and writer for Living.
Know someone 30 or under to nominate for a future Shenandoah Spotlight? Requirements are: Valley resident or grew up here, outstanding for their job, community, or church work, and the model they provide. Contact us at info@valleyliving.org.
New Beginnings Church 101 Pike Church Road Harrisonburg, VA
Worship Services Sundays at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. King’s Kids Children’s Church, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. — Dynamic, and exciting Bible teaching, using music, puppets, skits, videos, humor, games, & more. Adult, Youth and Children’s Sunday School Classes — meet at 9:50 a.m. Care Groups meet throughout the area during the week.
Website: www.newbeginchurch.org Call 540-434-1555 for more information
You are warmly invited to...
We built our name on TRUST One BANK. One COMPANY. Since 1979.
Grace Mennonite Fellowship Pastors Richard K. Early & Brad Kolb Youth Pastor Kinley Simmers gracemennonite@comcast.net • www.gracemennonite.net
Two Worship Services Each Sunday: Service 1 @ 8:30 a.m. Sunday School @ 10 a.m. Service 2 @ 11 a.m.
First Bank & Trust Co. The Bank That Puts You First www.firstbank.com
Member FDIC
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
HARRISONBURG 120 University Blvd. • 540-434-0671 BRIDGEWATER 610 B North Main St. • 540-828-2020
209 Lacey Spring Road Rockingham, VA 22802
SERVING VIRGINIA: Abingdon | Bridgewater | Bristol | Christiansburg | Fairlawn | Harrisonburg | Lebanon| Lynchburg | Norton Staunton | Verona | Waynesboro | Wise | Wytheville Loan Production Offices: Rocky Mount | Winchester | Woodstock TENNESSEE: BRISTOL | GRAY | JOHNSON CITY | KINGSPORT
(540) 442-6235
FIRST BANK & TRUST COMPANY • A BETTER WAY TO BANK
Ken Copeland GIFT & THRIFT Family Dentistry • Personalized Dentistry • Outstanding Service • Advanced Care
Large Variety of Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Clothing● Household items ● Books ●Crafts ● Linens ● Electronics ● Furniture ● and More!
Serving the local and global community for over 32 years 731 Mt. Clinton Pike Harrisonburg, VA 540.433.8844 www.giftandthrift.org
SHOP DONATE VOLUNTEER
$3,200 Implant Special including implant placement, custom abutment and crown Crowns & Bridges ~ Laser Dentistry ~ Implants ~ Oral Surgery Root Canals ~ Gum Therapy ~ Cosmetic Dentistry Checkups & Cleanings ~ Conscious Sedation for Fearful Patients
New hours:
Monday 8:30 am - 5 pm • Tuesday 7 am - 4 pm Wednesday 10 am - 7 pm • Thursday 8:30 am - 5 pm Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm
Accepting new patients 590 Neff Avenue • Suite 100 • Harrisonburg 540-437-4090 Winter 2015 • living 25
by CAROLE CHRISTMAN KOCH
M
y husband and I decided to entertain five children, ranging in ages 6 to 13, New Year’s Eve 1997. Our creative plans started weeks before New Year’s Eve. We wanted the children to know they could have fun without TV. We decided TV and videos would be off limits. It was exciting planning the games, food and entertainment, which included a birthday bash at midnight. The youngest child was going to have her seventh birthday New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve finally arrived. My husband picked up his niece and nephew. I picked up three of my grandchildren. We wanted them here by late afternoon so the parents would have the freedom to do whatever they wished without children. 4 p.m. – Tick Tock There was a “getting to know you” period, but once the giggles started we knew the task was accomplished. First we fed the children pizza. No problems with this treat. We gobbled down as much pizza as our tummies would hold, threw away the paper plates in the trash and off we were. Party time! 5 p.m. – Tick Tock Since I was a church secretary, and the church was next door to our home, what better place to party but in the gym area of the church? What fun! Old sheets served as ghosts while we switched lights on and off. Sheets also served as slides pulling one or two children across the expanse. There were all kinds of ball games with no particular rules. Nothing mattered. We ran, chased the evening away until we were all exhausted enough to return home. My husband and I gave each other “we know how to do it” smiles as we all left for home. 7 p.m. – Tick Tock The night was indeed young. We relaxed in the living room area with parlor games. We did pantomiming, guessing games, “I see a ghost” and “Simon says,”—games my husband and I recalled playing as children. And then we ran out of games! 8 p.m. – Tick Tock I whispered the time to my husband, who grimaced, “It’s too
We offer you CHOICES for your home!
Serving Harrisonburg families for 30 years!
©THINKSTOCK
Tick Tock
How creativity and a little ingenuity help this couple survive their attempt to throw a New Year’s Eve party for the grandkids.
early for the birthday party. What shall we do?” Our prayers were answered. The children used their creative skills and invented games, plus the games they played at home or at school. 9 p.m. – Tick Tock We were all getting hungry. The party treat was to make up your own ice cream concoction of ice cream flavors, cones or dishes, assorted toppings, bananas, cherries, whipped cream and peanuts. What a sight to see! We ate or licked every morsel, even if it landed on the table. 10 p.m. – Tick Tock Both my husband and I glanced at the clock at the same time, when he announced, “Everyone into the living room. We’re going to have a short meeting and we’ll be right there.” What to do was on the top of our discussion list. We had run out of everything we had planned so carefully. Should we allow the TV or a video they brought along? We relented—one video or a Disney movie. They were all agreeable and excited about the Disney movie. My husband and I, now exhausted, were in need of a break. We promised a surprise at midnight. As a matter of fact, it was going to be a double celebration—New Year’s Eve and the youngest child’s birthday. After a short respite in the kitchen, we heard someone yell, “The movie is almost over. Is it midnight yet?? 11 p.m. – Tick Tock We both glanced at the clock which was now nearly 11pm. “It will be,” my husband shouted, “once you get here!” With that, he did what any normal parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle would do. He reached up and turned the clock ahead one hour! 12 p.m. – Tick Tock (really 11 p.m.) We both smiled and called the children, “Hurry. It’s midnight. It’s New Year’s Eve.” I propped a bag on the floor filled with hats, horns and paper throwers. We then marched through out the house with fierce noises. Once the parade was over, we ended the evening with cake and candles and a Happy Birthday to our 7-year-old—no one the wiser about the time. Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock CAROLE CHRISTMAN KOCH is a freelance writer from Pennsylvania.
26 living • Winter 2015
Loving Your Pet
Overhead Door Company of Shenandoah Valley
Means Helping her
Be Healthy
(540) 433-9174 1685 Garbers Church Rd Harrisonburg (Off Rt. 42) South of Garbers Crossing
433-3903 • Toll Free 877-359-3667
10 OFF %
(540) 433-9174
your first visit invoice! www.ashbyanimalclinic.com
Valid thru 12/30/2016 on veterinary examination services only. Excludes purchases.
www.overheaddoorsv.com • 1573 C F Pours Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 • Prompt & Courteous Service • Free Estimates • 24 Hour Emergency Repair • Doors & Operators in Stock • Residential • Commercial • Industrial
Family Christmas Getaway, Church Retreat, Men’s/Women’s Groups, Youth Retreat Highland provides welcoming facilities, outdoor settings, and engaging experiences designed to revitalize the spirit and strengthen bonds of Christian community.
Now is a great time to schedule a meaningful winter or spring retreat for your group.
Red Oak Lodge
for groups of 18-60 people • Two wings of bunk style lodging and a suite for special guests • Two spacious meeting rooms with equipped kitchens and a separate game room
Mountain View Retreat Center
for 2-60 people • 14 motel style rooms with a queen, bunk, and private bath • A large and small meeting room each with an equipped kitchen
For more information and availability visit www.highlandretreat.org or contact us at 540-705-0554.
Winter 2015 • living 27
Life is their teacher now
There will be times in their lives when their spirits will be so elevated, (high on life, NOT drugs) and then times when they won’t feel like they have the heart or guts to go on. That’s when something inside of them will kick in, and raise them above the turbulent times. That something can be a connection with God. Life is a series of risks, a barrage of tests. And how we handle those detours will determine how life turns out. A disconcerting thing happened in the classroom this year. I made reference to the word conscience, and one young man asked seriously, “Conscience? Hey, what’s that?” I was tempted to cram a chalk eraser down my throat to keep from screaming, because I thought, “We’re really in trouble here.” But then about a month later, something so surprising and incredible happened, that it almost brought me to my knees. It also reinforced my belief young people do indeed know what a conscience is and as a bonus, a kind act, too. If nothing else ever happens again in my life that is so poignant and endearing, I will always believe in what I once read—”One moment of joy is worth living a lifetime.” I was writing notes on the blackboard with my back to the students when I felt something tugging at the back of my sweater. As I quickly spun around, I was appalled and infuriated that a bruiser of a football player was fondling the label on my sweater. “Get back into your seat, NOW!” I ordered, but the kid didn’t budge. Maybe I should have said please? I thought to myself.
by KAREN WHITE-WALKER
A
He had the audacity to reach again for the label, and I was just about to bop him over the head with my pointer stick, and risk being on the national nightly news. disruptive in class. Sure I’ve had to yank those stinkin’ iPods out of their ears, and practically arm wrestle them for their cell phones, but without structure, order and their ability to hear in the classroom, they might as well be learning their studies at the circus with a clown as their instructor. As this year’s seniors prepare to embark on the outside world and leave the security of hearth, home and school, I’d sure like my little talk with them to take on the theme of “The Test.” Okay, so this is where I might be losing them because you mention tests and they yawn so wide and long you can see clear down into their tonsils. But this is a different kind of test—a test of character. I wish I could tell more of today’s teenagers that anybody can do well and look terrific when things are going their way. Big deal. Where’s the test in that? For just like it’s so easy for the educator to gravitate toward the more cerebral and beautiful kids who never seem to have disciplinary problems, it’s the less favorably endowed students who need the love and attention the most. That’s the real challenge in a classroom and in life. Teaching—or living with teens can be challenging, but keeping your eyes and ears open sometimes leads to unexpected moments.
28 living • Winter 2015
©THINKSTOCK
s a high school teacher, I know teens can be exasperating: those adolescents who expose their bare feet to the freezing cold by wearing summer flip-flops in the winter, and who think they absolutely know everything! And we adults can say, “yes” to them a hundred times, but let us just say “no” once, and they roll their eyes back into not yet fully developed brains and whip their necks back like the MGM lion. But guess what? Teenagers are my all-time favorite students. Oh I know, I know, as a teacher I’ve caught some sticking out their tongues at my photo ID tag, but they instinctively know I like them—a lot, so for many years now an equilibrium has been established between us. I’m sorry now for instilling guilt into those few would-be-troublemakers when I’ve asked them if they wanted my cerebral hemorrhage on their conscience, because I thought there might be a chance of them becoming
He had the audacity to reach again for the label, and I was just about to bop him over the head with my pointer stick, and risk being on the national nightly news, when he softly said, “ Yep, Mrs. W., just as I thought, this label reads ‘Made in Heaven.’” And he was sincere, not brownnosing or showing off. A teacher knows. How can a teacher that’s overcome with emotion continue to write notes on the board after that? She can’t. I’m not sharing this to illustrate how loveable and good I might be, for I’m no better than the next person. I just want to stress that even before this incident, I’ve never paid much heed to disparaging remarks about today’s youth. Some young people will soar to great heights because of their staunch determination and tireless work. Others will remain status quo because they won’t have that fire in their belly, that hunger that propels them to accomplish wondrous things. But you know something? It’s okay, because they’ll be the stabilizers, that calm that is “as constant as the North Star.” I don’t even worry about those who may fall on the fringes of society, because some of them may just be late bloomers and late bloomers have contributed greatly to society—those who have given much but were not the brightest and best in their class. Edison and Churchill, both ranked in the lower half of their classes—way low. And wasn’t there once a father who asked his son’s seventh grade teacher how he should direct his son’s studies? The teacher, disgusted and impatient, dismissed the question by saying something like it didn’t matter much because the boy would never amount to much. That boy just happened to be Albert Einstein. I wonder if those who will be graduating next spring can recall how over the years their teachers, in their sometimes whining, sing-song, nasal-sounding voices, would say, “Now class, class, pay attention, and all eyes up here on me.” Well, now all eyes are on them as they prepare to go out into the world, and after that “Made in Heaven” incident, how can I not have hope in what I see?
Take a News Break 90.7FM WMRA App · wmra.org
Enjoy Classical 24
WE MC 91.7FM
WEMC App · wemcradio.org
KAREN WHITE-WALKER is a freelance writer from New York.
Specialists in Automotive Paint & Reconditioning Supplies
The family that prays together stays together.
Home Office: 2860 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-2471 www.emautosupply.com
Branch Offices: Staunton, VA 24401 • (540) 885-1217 Waynesboro, VA 22980 • (540) 943-4574 Charlottesville, VA 22901 • (434) 979-6336
Winter 2015 • living 29
Fun educational websites you won’t want your kids to miss:
websites that take the work out of learning
L
imiting the time kids spend on the computer in this digital era can be a daunting task. But there are plenty of fun educational sites kids will love and that make learning a blast. Try these entertaining sites, but as a parent, set time limits for all of your child’s screen usage time: TV, DVD, video games and online. Space is a Blast At NASA’s Star Child there’s plenty to discover. Do fun activities, and learn which orbit each planet belongs to, match planets to their descriptions, and even calculate what is your own weight and age on each planet. Teens, also, can click on a link to NASA’s teen site and explore web pages to solve problems. starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html Pop, Dong, Kerplunk This site will keep you busy for hours. Brain Pop is a fun site dedicated to health, science and technology. Thrill at the awesome background sounds, and find experiments, activities, cartoons, quizzes and animated movies. www.brainpop.com/
Go on Whiz over to Energy Quest and learn about fossil fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and more by playing games, doing experiments and projects and entering an art contest. www.energyquest.ca.gov/index.html
Basics & Beyond FunBrain.com offers all levels educational games in every subject. Play Grammar Gorillas, connect the dots by ones, fives and even backward, or take the Brain Bowl quiz. There are even parent-kid challenges and parent quizzes. Click ‘search for games’ and discover many more awesome activities. funbrain.com/ Forest Fire Facts Visit Smokey Bear and get the “Bear Facts,” learn fire safety and help Smokey in one of the interactive games. www.smokeybear.com/ Discovery! At DiscoveryKids watch fascinating videos about alien planets, play a selection of games such as Build Your Own Rollercoaster and explore interesting topics. discoverykids.com/ Sensational Animal Sounds Kids Planet by Defenders of the Wild is an animal sound delight. Calls from the wild welcome you while you choose between taking an animal quiz, touring the “Web of Life,” learning how to defend the environment or playing a game of “Who Am I?” www.kidsplanet.org/
©THINKSTOCK
30 living • Winter 2015
©THINKSTOCK
Math, Money & More Math has never been so cool as at Coolmath4Kids.com. Do brain benders, jigsaw puzzles and play the lemon-aid stand game to improve your math and money skills. www.coolmath4kids.com/ Online Adventures Take a journey to The Greatest Places and visit the Amazon, Tibet, Greenland and other fascinating countries. Learn neat facts, watch videos, send postcards, play games and find great activities to do at home. www.greatestplaces.org/
Road Safety Fun Are you going on a trip? Then visit AAA’s The Otto Club for some great travel games. Print out cards for a game of License Plate Bingo to learn what road signs mean and find links to other neat sites. www.ottoclub.org/ Presidential Probe There’s plenty to learn at The American Presidency—even for parents. Do activities and read fun facts about the campaign trail, life in the White House and assassinations. Then, take a poll, and share your thoughts. http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/home.html KIMBERLY BLAKER, of Arizona, is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S.
H. LEE STOVER RANDALL STOVER (540) 828-6763 Fax (540) 828-4426 3889 Dry River Road Bridgewater, VA 22812 www.millcabinetshop.com Old World Craftmanship and Quality Materials
On Route 42 South of Harrisonburg Open Thurs-Sat 9-6
Kitchenwares & More McMULLEN FUNERAL HOME, INC. Serving Rockingham County for over 100 years • Family owned & operated since 1897 • Cremation services available • Pre-need planning • We invite comparison
Directors - William L. McMullen, Mgr., Andrea McMullen Strawderman www.mcmullenfh.com
833-2891
mcmullenfh@comcast.net
Come in and see our great variety of unique and quality kitchen gadgets.
540-879-9893
Lone Pine Lighting Light the Way This Holiday… Brass Lamps Fabric Shades Glass Shades Chimneys Ultra Pure Lamp Oil
879-9899 Winter 2015 • living 31
©THINKSTOCK
Medicine Madness At PBS’s A Science Odyssey, take an interactive visit to the doctor, play a game show called “That’s My Theory,” read comic stories about scientists and learn about the discovery of penicillin. www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/
Don’t give a puppy for Christmas: Finding the right dog by KIMBERLY BLAKER
E
very year thousands of dogs are turned over to animal shelters because they were given as a gift without first consulting the gift recipient, or families discover they brought home a biter, barker, digger or jumper. When pets are given away, the pets, their owners and children all suffer. So before selecting your dog, do your homework. With a little pre-planning, you can find the dog that most closely fits your family’s or recipient’s lifestyle. Variety of dogs, variety of nuisances Dogs can create many nuisances some of which are more common in particular breeds. A barking dog helps protect against intruders. But excessive barking can become a problem. Some breeds known for their barking include the Alaskan Malamute, American Water Spaniel, Bassett Hound, Finnish Spitz, Fox and other Terriers, Great Pyrenees and Miniature Schnauzer. A playful, energetic puppy can make a great playmate for your child. But as your puppy grows, that hyperactivity could become overwhelming. High-strung dogs often jump on people and tear through the house. Certain breeds tend to maintain that high energy level well into their adult size bodies. Such breeds include Airedale Terriers, Boxer, Brittany, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Pointer and Schnauzer. Dogs dig for many reasons—to bury a bone, to escape from a fenced yard, to keep cool or out of boredom. A tornup yard can be the last straw for many dog owners. Diggers include Fox Terriers, Norwich Terrier and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Dogs can be aggressive for a variety of reasons. Poor breeding, physical abuse and even disease can cause aggression in a dog. And certain dominant breeds can tend toward aggressiveness if not handled properly. These dogs should be chosen with caution and the understanding they
require strong leadership: Akita, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky and Weimaraner. Grooming is another consideration. While it may sound painless, the upkeep of certain breeds can be overwhelming. In addition to keeping claws trimmed and an occasional bath, some dogs require lengthy daily brushing to remove tangles or trapped fur in double coats. High maintenance breeds include the American Eskimo, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Llaso Apso, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle, Schnauzer and Terriers. Traits to look for in a family dog Finding a dog that’ll be easy for your child to handle and assist in training will reduce many unforeseen problems. Easy trainers include American Water Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter, Italian Greyhound, Maltese and Shetland Sheepdog.
No matter how careful you are in selecting your pet, chances are, your puppy will develop a problem or nuisance behavior.
©THINKSTOCK
Calm, gentle breeds are important for families with small children. Keep in mind that size doesn’t dictate these traits. Gentle breeds you might consider are Bassett Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Chinese Crested, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland and Mastiff. Playful and energetic puppies work well for older children who won’t feel threatened by the dog’s full-grown size. These breeds include American Eskimo, Bloodhound, Brittany, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, Poodle, Saint Bernard and Schnauzer. There are many other traits to consider in choosing a new dog. Before bringing home your puppy, read a book or articles about the breed that interests you to determine if he or she will fit your family’s lifestyle. For personalized assistance in choosing a breed, go to www.selectsmart.com/DOG/ or one of the many other breed selection sites. You’ll be guided through a series of questions and receive a free personalized list of matches. Special considerations The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate What is your family’s dog type? A little research, observation of pets your friends or family have, and visits to local animal shelters can pay off with a pet best suited to your needs.
32 living • Winter 2015
that 800,000 people, mostly children, are bitten annually severely enough to require medical attention. Infants and small children shouldn’t be left alone with a dog. It may be difficult to picture your lovable Fido as capable of hurting your child. However, even the gentlest dogs have been known to bite. Little ones sometimes get too close to a dog while he’s eating or chewing a bone or startle a dog while she’s sleeping. Sometimes, small children hang on dogs, pull their tails or threaten a dog’s safety. In addition, dogs view their family as part of its pack. A properly trained dog should view adults and older children as alpha (top dog). However, a dog isn’t likely to view a small child in this light and may wield his authority when no one’s around. Apartment living is another consideration. The size dog you choose is important to both your dog’s well being and to maintaining your sanity. High energy and medium to large breeds generally need large areas to romp. Without it, your apartment could become a round-the-clock racetrack. Planning regular walks for these dogs may not be sufficient. You’ll tire long before your dog, and there’ll be occasions when you just won’t be able to accommodate your puppy’s need to exercise. The costs of pet ownership should also be weighed out. First, there are the obvious costs such as purchasing pet food and annual vaccinations. Other expenses include licensing, monthly heartworm pills, chew toys, damaged belongings, fencing, training, veterinary expense, grooming, kenneling and more. If your family has members with bad allergies or asthma, check with your doctor before bringing ANY furred, feathered or finned pet into your home. You may want to consider fostering an adult dog—usually through a rescue organization—to help determine if the dog is a good fit for your family. Puppies are cute, but require much
work and patience. Consider giving a mutt a chance to win your heart. They are unique, one-of-a-kind breeds only their owners are lucky enough to enjoy. Finally, keep in mind that no matter how sincere your child’s intent to care for his new pet, it’s a big responsibility and ultimately, parents take the brunt of the work. The holiday season may not be the best time of year to bring home a new puppy, according to Marta Diffen of the Michigan Humane Society. Families are generally too busy during the holidays to give a new pet the attention it needs. Choose a season when you’ll be able to spend plenty of time with your new dog as she adjusts to her new home. Most importantly, try to understand and accept your pet’s imperfections and adjust your home accordingly to reduce aggravations. In time, your dog will accept the household routine and become a part of it. KIMBERLY BLAKER, of Arizona, is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S. I have planted … but God gave the increase. 1 Cor. 3:6
• Poinsettias - Several sizes and colors • Cyclamen • Also mulches for winterizing roses and perennials Taking orders now for churches & businesses (540) 828-2434
257 West to Montezuma, 1 ½ miles left on Thomas Spring Road
Biblically Responsible Investing Investing that seeks to please and glorify God as an act of worship. Focusing on investments that promote: Life • Liberty • Purity • Sobriety Family • Longevity • Marriage • Stewardship
Is your portfolio of investments Biblically Responsible? Call today for our Complimentary Portfolio ‘Moral’ Review
Glenn Financial Services 3955 Singers Glen Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 820-8633
www.biblicallyresponsibleinvestments.com
Todd Glenn,CEP, CFCA®
Member of: National Association of Christian Financial Consultants Advisory services are provided through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Securities are offered through cfd Investments, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC Glenn Financial Services is not associated with the CFD companies.
We have roots here ... not just branches. As the largest locally based credit union, we’re proud to be improving the financial lives of our members. 540.434.6444 | www.pvfcu.org 540.434.6444 | www.pvfcu.org
Winter 2015 • living 33
Congratulations…
to those who successfully completed the word search from the fall issue of Living. Bergton Woody Brown Terry & Victoria Dove Dorothy Fitzwater Dana & Geraldine Hartman Emma Wittig Bridgewater Opal Alt Hensel Armentrout Nancy Dagen Charlotte Fifer Carolyn Freeman Virginia Furry Anna Keller Christina Moyers Cliff Rohrer Glen Thomas Ed Wade Margaret Ann Wheelbarger June White Brightwood Virginia Coppedge Broadway Helen Brunk Jane Conley Carolyn Cubbage Virginia Good Pearl Keister George Lampron Juanita Lantz Eldon & Bettie Layman Dessil May Dorothy Miller Karen Mongold Amy & Breanna Ours Aileen Pettit Hunter Shipe Darlene Runion Sammy Runion Dennis Shoemaker Eleanor Showman Kim, Paisley, Rilee & Sierra Showman Evelyn Shultz Autumn & Cathy Slifer Churchville Ethel Ernst Criders Carroll Coffman Bernice Keplinger
Doug Propst Doc Ritchie
Sue Boone Jonas & Barbi Borntrager Dayton Norma Bowman Debbie Billhimer Ruth Burkholder Christine Hill Mary Cline Chuck Mathias Alma Conley Brenda Miller Hirut Dadebo Norman Mongold Clarence Davis Julia Rhodes Wilma Davis Sue Ann Ringgold Shirley Didawick Esther Wenger Jeanie Diehl Trevor & Ferne Wenger Geraldine Eaton Joyce Foltz Edinburg Sally Fravel Donna Shafer Jackie Golladay D. M. Goshey Elkton Florence Green Leon & Elizabeth Bailey John & Linda Hamilton Debbie Cooper Merlin Harman Linda Cooper Mildred Hensley Wayne & Brenda Dean Cindy Howard Julie Dearing Don Hunsberger Joann Foltz Lowell Kauffman Alison Galvanek Naomi Kniss Linda Gooden Charlotte Landes Martha Gooden Louise Layman Maxine Hines Virginia Martin Vivian Hitt Susanna McMurray Bernice Hutton Delores Merrick Patricia Knight Audrey Metz George Lam Beverly Miller Joyce Lam Mildred Miller Vivian Lam Sara Grace Miller Buddy Merica Dena Moyers Lebert & Janet Roach Erma Mummau Joyce Sheets Iona Pennington Joeseph & Mary Lou Linda Propst Shifflett Carol Raymond Yvonne Tincher Frances Ritchie Elizabeth Roach Fulks Run Arlena Rogers Anna Dove Juanelle Simmons Hope Ritchie Alice Souder Cindy Suter Grottoes Betty Troyer Nancy Diehl Phyllis Vandevander Marie Marston Herb Warble Angel Moore Billy Wright Genevieve Ritchie Shirley Young April Simmons Darlene Williamson Hinton Vada Brooks Harrisonburg Marion & Patsy Eleanor Armentrout Thompson Rich & Pat Armstrong Dolores Barnett Keezletown Clair Basinger Kennis Armentrout Loretta Blank Lewis Omps
Ramona Ritchie
Linville Sherrie Carr Lola Dove Sheila Fitzwater Carolyn Taylor Donnie Taylor Anita Whetzel Luray Katrina Buracker Alma Dyer Bonnie Fox McGaheysville Helen Breeden Anita Dove Walter Gerner Beatrice Horst Ashley Landes Courtney Landes Angela Shifflett Mitchells Nathan Burkholder Mt. Crawford Charlotte Campbell Mattie & Rebecca Hopkins Sandra Hottel Dimple Moyer Doris Stone Mt. Jackson Carol Lutz Mt. Sidney Bernice Ruff Travis Wilberger Mt. Solon Edna Hosaflook Thelma Michael Elizabeth Selkirk Elsie Shull Patricia Wichael Edna Wine New Market Rachel Derrow Jackie Emerick Susan Finlaw E. J. & Shirley Laughlin Jo Ann Martin Shirley Moomaw Randie Parker
Ina Richards Irene Silvious
Penn Laird Edwina DuBose Lana Hartman Dona Hinkle Port Republic Shirley Miller Lou Stover Quicksburg Peggy Neff Rockingham Janet Barnes Lois Burkholder Nancy Callahan Anna Mae Cline Greta Cooper Luke Drescher Pamela Hensley Judy Liskey Randy & Teresa May Brenda S. Rhodes Warren Riddle Patricia Sponaugle Nancy Stultz William Wright Shenandoah Mertie Blakemore Trudy Comer Catherine Good Mikey Good Janice Jones Mary Frances Nichols Annie Olaker Annie Pierce Joyce Warren Singers Glen Betty Demastus Elaine Donovan Ann Heatwole Frank & Linda Mundy Stanley Mary Hunkley Strasburg Janet Smith Timberville Jean Ankers Blanche Collins Pricilla Pence
Deborah Porter Patsy Ryman Laura Simmons Marie Stroop Waynesboro Peter Grimm Weyers Cave Janet Bush Lucretia Carter Patricia Early Charlotte Hopkins Jay & Fran Hite Dorothy Ann Keener Melony Lambert Woodstove Mary Estep Harrisonville, MO Esther Hartzler Yorktown, NY Hedwig Marti Valley City, OH Martha Johnson Ephrata, PA Ruby Styer Lancaster, PA Eileen Wenger Gaston, SC Judy Carper Antioch, TN Lisa Meyer Bartow, WV Julia Bauserman Baker, WV Janet Dove Mathias, WV Merlin & Patsy Delawder Rebecca May Gary Miller Betty Smith Upper Tract, WV Karen Kimble
Yearly subscription to If you would like to receive this quarterly publication in your mailbox, it is available by subscription for $16 a year. To subscribe, return this form with your check or money order made payable to Valley Living, or go online to valleyliving.org. ❏ Payment of $16 is enclosed for 4 issues (or $32 for 8).
❏ I would like to make an additional donation of $ ___________.
Name: _________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________ (include in case we have questions. We will not use for any other purpose.) Address: ________________________________________ City: ___________________ State: _____ Zip: ______________ 34 living • Winter 2015
Film stars from FILM STARS FROM THE age GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD the golden of by Jeanette Baer Showalter Hollywood by JEANETTE BAER SHOWALTER Lasting from the late 1920s through the early 1960s, the Golden Age of Hollywood produced many magnificent films and featured scores of dashing actors and beautiful actresses. Whether you shivered with Bela Lugosi’s Dracula or wept with Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind, you will thrill to find twenty-five of these notable stars forward, backward, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
K
M
G
A
R
H
M
A
R
L
O
N
B
R
A
N
D
O
R
A
I
R
O
L
Y
A
T
H
T
E
B
A
Z
I
L
E
ALAN LADD
JOHN WAYNE
A
R
T
U
A
G
B
E
L
A
L
U
G
O
S
I
F
C
BELA LUGOSI
M
I
S
H
H
C
R
E
L
F
R
Q
U W
V
T
A
T
D
L
E
K
A
G
E
A
J
T
H
D
V
I
X
R
R
M
BURT LANCASTER
KATHARINE HEPBURN
I
Y
W
Y
T
R
N
K
L
H
G
I
A
L
Y
A
N
N
CARY GRANT
MAE WEST
W
N
E
E
S
L
I
A
E
A
I
D
S
G
G W
A
O
D
M
A
V
A
H
N
N
R
L
E
C
R
O
Y
E
M
T
CHARLTON HESTON
MARILYN MONROE
R
O
M
D
Y
C
R
Y
E
H
L
A
B
A
I
T
G
R
DORIS DAY
A
N
D W
A
Y
C
N
A
H
N
Y
D
Q
Z
S
R
U
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
MARLON BRANDO
H
R
Z
S
F
O
Y
V
M
T
E
S
K
J
D
Y
E
B
GARY COOPER
C
O
T
O
O
A
I
Y
Y
R
I
P
K
U
E
M
B
D
GRACE KELLY
I
E
N
P
W
L
R
T
H
R
V
T
B
P
Y
M
D
R
HENRY FONDA
RICHARD BURTON
R
D
E
N
L
N
B
P
O
Z
I
Y
T
U
O
I
I
A
A
R
H
A
A
D
M
D
G
T
V
I
U
O
R
J
R
H
HUMPHREY BOGART
RICHARD WIDMARK
U
O
N
L
A
U
R
E
N
B
A
C
A
L
L
N
G
C
RITA HAYWORTH
J
D
O
C
H
A
R
L
T
O
N
H
E
S
T
O
N
I
INGRID BERGMAN
T
Y
V
F
U W
H
T
R
O W
Y
A
H
A
T
I
R
Mail your completed puzzle and your name will be published in the next issue of Living. _________________________________________________ name/please print
_________________________________________________ address
MYRNA LOY OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
VIVIEN LEIGH
What stories did you find most interesting in this issue?
1. ______________________________________________ 2. ______________________________________________ 3. ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________ city
JIMMY STEWART
LAUREN BACALL
state
zip
Share comments or suggestions on separate sheet. Please advise if you do not want this to be published.
Print off additional copies of this puzzle at valleyliving.org. Mail by January 27, 2016, to Living, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Winter 2015 • living 35
”Love Christmas Love was born at
, Stars and angels gave the sign. from God to all of us!” —Partial lyrics from an old Christmas carol by Christina Georgina Rossetti 1830-1894
As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child born at Christmas more than 2000 years ago, may we all nourish and share the love God gives so freely to all! These sponsors, along with the board and staff of Valley Living, wish you and your family a blessed holiday season. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
92 N. Liberty St. • Harrisonburg 540-433-2601
Clark & Bradshaw
John & Mary Ann Heatwole
Dorothy Hartman
Bernard & Joan Martin
Park View Appliance Service, Inc.
Living Board & Staff:
540-434-8179
Suter Engineering
205 Dry River Rd. • Bridgewater 540-810-3239
Glendon Blosser Whitmer’s Tire & Service 611 North Main St. • Harrisonburg 540-434-4486
Doctor & Mrs. Byard S. Deputy 36 living • Winter 2015
Trisha Blosser David Rohrer William J. “Bill” Troyer Tracey Veney Jonas Borntrager Steven C. “Dusty” Rhodes Jessica Hostetler David Slykhuis LaDawn Knicely Bonnie Hamilton Melodie Davis Ivette Churney Peter Churney Lindsey Shantz Mary Jo Veurink