Valle Crucis News
by Callie and Ethel Foss

August 25, 2010

It’s sad to think that summer is coming to a close. We can tell only because everything is coming in from the garden….all at the same time. Isn’t it amazing that you try to plant some things so there’s a bit of a lull in harvest time, and it never fails that the corn (or whatever) you planted two weeks later than the other corn still comes in at the same time. Maybe we ought to try a time period greater than two weeks.

Ethel and I enjoyed our favorite summer meal Sunday evening while sitting on the porch. It’s an M and M sandwich. For the uninitiated, that’s a “Mater and Mayonnaise Sandwich.” We’re convinced that it’s the food of the gods.

We heard some news just the other day that we wanted to share with you. Do you remember John Buchanan? He was the director at the Valle Crucis Park before Caroline. His wife, Jillian, was injured in an accident a few weeks ago. It was a head injury and she was, last we heard, in the hospital in an induced coma to allow the swelling to go down and for her brain to heal.

Just as I put the period on the last sentence, I got a phone call with more information. Jillian is conscious now, but having trouble remembering things. She is also struggling against the tubes and other treatments that the doctors are administering to help with her recovery. They hope to have her in re-hab soon. They are living in Florida now. Please keep the both of them in your thoughts and prayers. We’ll try to get an update to share with you as soon as we can.

Speaking of the Park, the annual auction was this weekend. Ethel and I went and picked up some great items at the flea market including a nice French press coffee pot. We don’t know how to use it yet, but everyone raves about how good coffee is when it’s prepared that way that we just had to try it. Maybe LC can help us figure out what we do.

We bid on a bunch of stuff in the life auction, too. It’s easy to get carried away in the bidding process. We got so carried away one time that we didn’t realize that we were bidding against each other. Oh, well, who cares, it’s a donation to the Park. I haven’t heard from Carolina yet, but I think the event was pretty successful. We’ll fill you in as soon as we know more.

Friday night was the first home game for Watauga High School at the new stadium. From what we understand, there were 5,000 fans in attendance. That’s one of the biggest crowds ever!  The outcome of the game was great, if you are a Watauga fan. The Pioneers made short work of the visiting Ashe County Huskies ending the contest with a score of 35-0. The next home game is Friday, September 3 against Avery County.

Did you notice the extra people everywhere this weekend? ASU students arrived in town and started classes on Tuesday. WOW! Welcome back Mountaineers.

We were out riding around with LC a week or so ago and saw Howell Cook’s garden. It looked like a giant had taken a stroll through it. Tomato plants were laying on the ground and corn stalks were broken. We think that the cattle got out and made a feast of what they found in the garden.

This week’s Music in the Park concert is The Wild Rumpus. The description is “Wide Open Fun Bluegrass.” Would you expect anything else from a band called The Wild Rumpus? Ethel and I will have to make it out to the park for this one. Don’t forget to make a contribution when you are at the concert. We all need to support our community park.

Have you seen the posters for the Boone Fair on September 1-4 at the Fair Grounds? From what we can find out there will be music, carnival rides, and food (we love cotton candy!). Maybe we’ll see you there.

Happy Birthday to Hugh Bennett on August 28, to Joy Flint on august 29, and to Catherine Tester on August 30. Happy Anniversary to Steve and Beth Loflin on August 27. My best wishes to all of you for fine celebrations and lots of fun!

Please let us know about things that you  know are happening. Just send us an e-mail at callieandethel@hotmail.com or send snail mail to:
Valle Crucis News
c/o Sandy Shook
Watauga Democrat
474 Industrial Park Drive
Boone, NC 28607

Here’s a good quote about football (and one that I hope doesn’t befall any of my favorite teams this year): Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck. Don Shula. Have a wonderful week!