Whenever we went on vacation during my elementary years, my parents kept me well supplied with activity books. Not only did this occupy my attention over long stretches of newly constructed interstate highways, but it also reduced the frequency of the most annoying trip question ever, “Are we there yet?”…
I’m sure all of us have enjoyed the craftsmanship of a woodworker displayed in a finely turned bowl or candlestick holder. My brother Dale has an incredible gift to work with wood and regularly produces items of exquisite beauty from his hands and his lathe. I have been fortunate to…
This past spring, Nancy and I had the privilege of visiting the Hawaiian Islands and enjoyed the trip beyond words. As you already know from a previous column, I baptized my cellphone but thoroughly enjoyed the waterfalls, the beaches, the flowers, the culture, and the food. One day, God willing,…
Now that Thanksgiving leftovers occupy our refrigerators, our thoughts turn from orange and brown to red and green and from Plymouth Rock to Bethlehem. In just four short weeks, we will be celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Christmas Day is the highlight of the year for many families, children,…
What a joyous time is Thanksgiving! It is one of my favorite holidays! Not only does it offer a great opportunity to visit with family and friends, but the traditional menu includes many of my all-time favorites! The main reason I love Thanksgiving, however, is its intentional focus on gratitude…
These last couple weeks, our driveway has been on fire. The bright reds and oranges of the Sweet Gum trees that line each side of it light up the path and almost seem to glow in the dark. I always look forward to this time of year for driving under…
This Saturday marks the beginning of firearms season for deer with the advent of the early muzzle loading season. Hunters will be taking to their blinds and stands in their quests for the bucks of their dreams, or at least some meat for their tables. November always brings nostalgic memories…
Five hundred years ago next week, Martin Luther inadvertently started a movement that not only shook the 1500s, but continues to impact our world today in significant ways. While I am no expert on Luther and his theology, the long-lasting effects of his actions strike me as very powerful. Little…
I always enjoy reading local history and recently finished Glimpses of the Past in Shenandoah County published by the Woodstock Museum in 1984 and edited by Joseph B. Clower, Jr. This small volume is a collection of memories of many long-time valley residents, most of whom have now passed on…
Every year about this time, thousands of eastern hunters head west on quests for elk, mule deer, and other western game species not found in these parts. They generally return in a week or two with either antlers and meat or stories about the ones that got away. One year,…