Weekend in West Virginia

After the board meeting on Thursday, November 12th I traveled with Craig Dial, the director of Economic Development at RBM, heading towards Falling Water's WV. We spent the night in Bristol and then traveled north on 81 on Friday. We had an hour to spare - Craig stopped at a antique store and I found two plates in my china pattern & a green tablecloth for Thanksgiving. Craig called his wife Karen, who is the pastor at Beverly UMW, while I shopped. We arrived at Harmony UMC around 5pm; were greeted by a group that helped unload the van & trailer; set up for the craft show; and enjoyed a dinner of KFC. Our gracious hosts for the weekend were Sam & Pat - Sam is a diabetic new to insulin and shared a sugar free apple pie - Pat has lots of antique glass items so we enjoyed talking antiques. Sat am we all went to breakfast that some organization was putting on of biscuits, sausage, sausage gravy and pancakes. The craft show ran Sat from 9 to 2 and Sun after the early service until after the late service. I ran the cash register - thanks Tim for the training at Stoughton Farm - I used a scanner. The Church was also holding a pig roast lunch - I enjoyed a lunch good sandwich and visit with pastor Terri Cofiell. Sun the UMW and Youth group helped us pack up and we were on the road by 2pm - arrived safely home by 10:30. I really enjoyed my first craft show trip - meeting new people and sharing about Red Bird.

Sam, Craig, Linda, Pat, Terri

Appalachian crafts set up for sale

Flying to London for Lunch

On Saturday, November 7th my cousin Kathy and her husband Dave flew from Knoxville, TN to London, KY with Dave piloting this plane. The London-Corbin Airport has a nice little restaurant where we enjoyed a tasty and very leisurely lunch. Dave & Kathy really enjoy these little flights - this plane is one they rent. Kathy and I have really enjoyed getting reacquainted since I moved to KY. It is so nice to have relatives (and friends) so close by. Kathy and Dave arrived in London I took a few pictures of Dave moving towards takeoff.

It was hard to capture the moving target.

Perfect Autum Day

I have been working on the 2010 Mission budget for a while, learning lots with a few longer days. Friday was a rainy day but cleared and warmed in the evening - I treated myself to a nice dinner in Manchester of steak, tilapia, and shrimp at Starwood Mountain Dining Co - a nice little locally owned place I have been to before. Sat was cool and I worked. Today was beautiful and after Church at Beverly UMC I joined a group going to Pine Mountain State Park for lunch. The picture below is from the top of Red Bird Mountain where we pulled off and took pictures.

The lodge where we ate a buffet lunch was busy today so we were able to put our name on the list and walk around outside for a while. This state park has some trails that I would like to go back to sometime. This was our view from our dinner table from Pine Mountain - looking in the direction of Frakes. What a glorious day! A quick stop at the grocery in Pineville on the way back. Tonight I had dinner with Chris and Karen and friends of theirs from New York. A great day spent with friends and now watching the Yankees - hopefully winning this series tonight and on to the World Series. Go Yankees!

Corny Stuff

Last weekend I had a chance to attend the Berea Spoonbreat Festival. A Corn Hole Tournament was being held as part of the festival. I did not have any idea what a Corn Hole Tournament was. The corn part comes from the four pound, 6" X 6" bags of corn seeds (pretty much like a bean bag). The boards are 2' X 4' in size and have several 6" diameter holes in them. The boards (decorated by the teams in various themes) are placed 27 feet apart. There are many other rules as to scoring, fouls, and team elimination. I believe the man in the light blue T shirt below is a official/judge of the tournament. Maybe something new for the corn maze??

A couple of other corny items - I just couldn't resist buying the carmel corn in the shape of a corn cob. Very funny and did not taste to bad either - purchased at a gas station.

Rainy Saturday

Saturday it rained all day and into the night. On my trip to London to the grocery store on Route 66 I saw many waterfalls where their are usually none. The second picture is of the Red Bird creek near my mailbox in the afternoon - very muddy - I was suprised to see it quite clear Sunday morning. Today (9/28) was the first cooler day when I actually wore a sweater.

Movie Premier

Friday, September 25th at 6 pm Mission Appalachia - The Story of Red Bird Story had it's premier showing in Pineville Kentucky at the Bell Theater. Todd Scoggins the director of the documentary and his family were in attendance. Todd was given a dulcimer from the Mission in appreciation of all his effort in creating this film. The women that plays the guitar in the trailer was in attendance and really enjoyed watching herself on the film. The film was GREAT! This afternoon Todd said that the DVD of the movie will be available in about a month for sale on the Red Bird Mission web site from the Craft Store.

Marching Band

Wednesday afternoon brings the Schwan's man every other week. This week after taking orders - while bringing in our food - I thought what is that I hear. The Red Bird School marching band was practicing. Twenty two in the group and leader Mark Smallwood. Mark and his family attend the Beverly UMC where I have been attending some - he is a very talented musician and reminds me of Bill Lavine.

Mission Appalachia - The Story of Red Bird

Todd Scoggins has directed a documentary film about Red Bird. On Friday, September 25th a private showing will be held for employees and other guests. On Thursday, September 24th the film will premier at The Bell Theater in Pineville KY. Please watch the trailer - link attached. If you are in the area I hope you will come to the premier. If you are unable to attend the premier follow the Clay Bornes Studio for future DVD releases

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi790495769

The following information is from the Facebook page of Mission Appalachia - The Story of Red Bird

Website: http://www.claybornestudios.com/welcome.htm
Directed By: Todd Scoggins
Awards: Official Selection - Louisville's International Festival of Film
Plot Outline: SYNOPSIS
Deep within the forests of Appalachia is a storied community of refuge and hope. The mountain people refer to it simply, and affectionately, as Red Bird. This mission has been in operation for nearly one-hundred years. The scattered populations and cultural uniqueness make it difficult for many service organizations to operate in this rugged, unforgiving land. But Red Bird has worked exclusively in this area since the 1920’s. The Red Bird Mission has been described as the most comprehensive mission site in the world. Nearly 3,000 people journey annually from across the United States to bring support to fellow Americans in this breathtaking landscape. These volunteers are frequently humbled and inspired by the richness of Appalachian culture. This documentary follows very personal stories of hope. The filmmaker was granted unprecedented access into the private, symbiotic relationship between Red Bird and the mountain people it serves. Highly protective of this relationship for decades, mission leaders grew to trust the filmmaker over the course of several years before allowing this project to proceed. Using discrete audio/visual equipment out of respect, the filmmaker captured inspiring stories of strength and resilience. While poverty in this part of the country is staggering indeed, this documentary looks beyond the broken houses and deep into the very soul and spirit of the people who so graciously revealed their homes and hearts. The result is a story of amazing faith and humbling compassion set in a backdrop of awe-inspiring beauty

Rain, Rainbow, and Software demo

This morning was dark and a rain storm rolled through - sunny by noon - when I left work tonight there was a very light rain and still sunny so I looked around and found a rainbow - did not see the pot of gold - but did capture it in this photo. At work today had the first of three online demo of accounting software - today was Financial Edge by Blackbaud. On the 15th Sage MIP and Accufund will demo. Any feedback or opinions on these would be greatly appreciated.

Pine View Farm

Saturday, September 5th I visited Pine View Farm again on my way to Manchester. The farm is on Rt 1524 just south of Rt 80. I have been told the family that runs this farm is Mennonite. To get to the farm you drive accross this creek on the little bridge shown below. This is the only place I have found to get fresh sweet corn. I went on to the Clay County Days Festival in Manchester - mostly food and games for children. I listened to one guy sing and then part of the Clay Co Idol but should have gone later as the better music did not start until 6:30 and I had seen the whole thing before that. Sunday I went to church at the Pineville Methodist Church and later went to the Matinee at The Bell Theatre for the One Acts of the Middlesboro Little Theatre and Southeast kentucky Community and Technical Collage. One was "Who's on First" which was the best of the six one acts.

Nice mums

High Point and Antique Finds

Sat, Aug 29th I went to London for an oil change, had a chili dog at Weaver Hot Dogs (a local eatery for over 30 years), and visited a antique shop and a flea market. Scavenger Hunt, in London, I visited previously with Eric and Sarah and today purchased the postcard holder pictured below. At the flea market I found a blue casserole dish with a daisy flower and leaves etched in it for $2 - great find. Then I traveled south to Corbin to another shop where I looked through a few postcards and found a few to add to my collection. Found a neat shop in downtown Corbin with antiques, jewelry and some new items - purchased a new apron and a Christmas gift. Next week is the moonbow at Cumberland Gap Falls and this store and some others are having sales and staying open late. Had dinner at The Depot on Main Street, ate here with E & S in Nov-07 - their are a lot of chain restaurants here but managed to find to local places today!Took these two pictures from the high point on Route 66 from Pineville to Beverly. I was talking to Mom & Dad and they said is was dark in NY but in KY it was just dusk. The setting sun could not be seen from the high point but the moon was out.

Campus Sites

Tonight it is sunny but cooler, maybe lower 70's, just right for a walk - so I took a walk around campus and took some pictures. This one is from the bridge that you cross from Rt 66 onto Queendale Campus. I took several pictures of a butterfly here - but nothing printable - so use your imagination.

One of the homes has some chickens and guinea hens in a pen in the side yard.

This nice flower and vegetable garden is growing on the hillside.

Work Camp Team from New York

On Sunday, August 16th a work camp team from upstate NY arrived at Red Bird Mission. One of the Churches they are from is Homer UMC (near Cortland that I just moved from) so I went to welcome them and introduce myself on Sunday evening. To my great surprise one of the members was a good friend from a time when we both were attending East Berkshire UMC. I have really enjoyed hearing about the great work they have done this week and joining them for some of their evening activities. These pictures are of part of the team at the DQ.

Linda and Linda

Jackson Browne Concert

Sat, Aug 1st I enjoyed a wonderful Jackson Brown Concert with my sister Joan, son Eric, and daugher-in-law Sarah. Joan and I saw him in 1980 together for the first time. We enjoyed a picnic at Stewart Park in Ithaca on the way to the concert in Canandagua. Beautiful day, great company and super music. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Dairy Show at Broome County Fair

Friday, July 31st I enjoyed going to the Broome County Fair. I went with my parents - main attraction for us was the Dairy Show. My sons were both helping their father show three Jersey heifers - they have shown cattle since a very young age and enjoy it a lot - though it is serious business. It rained for the whole show but was a great time anyway and a chance to see friends and family.

Apartment in Kentucky

I moved to Kentucky the first part of July. Here are some pictures of my new apartment. My apartment is on the left in this shot of the front entrance.