Betty’s Week

    After delivering papers to the stores Wednesday morning Betty Davis and Becky Crow took me to renew my drivers license. Betty, whose birthday is early in September, had called to tell me that I was due for a renewal. Hers, Ed’s and mine were always due the same year, so she’s always kept us with a current license
. This year my renewal came down to the wire, because Betty had gotten this chore out of the way before her birthday and I’d just let mine slide until the very last day. We stopped by the license bureau and a very nice lady waited on me in short order, wished me a “happy birthday” and sent me on my way.
    I renewed for eight years—was glad to find out that this was an option. It seems that four years just zips right by. Earlier Jim had told me that in New Mexico he was afforded the opportunity to renew for an even longer span—and he did. I was happy to just get the eight year plan.
  After we’d gotten me legal in the driving department, we went out to Hunter’s Hollow to check out their new facilities. It’s fabulous. I’ve never seen so many camouflage clothes—from tiny infant sizes to both adult women’s and men’s, and all the children’s and teen’s in between. Also if there’s  a sporting product made I believe they  have it. They also have a shooting range and an archery range. Didn’t have time to check these out, but sounds interesting. Will be a great place to buy Christmas gifts if I get one of the boy’s names. However, they’ll have to tell me exactly what they want—I don’t know enough about hunting or fishing to buy equipment and not even enough to buy camouflage  clothing.         They don’t need any of those coolers that I checked out—and if they do I can’t afford them. One of my brothers can damage or loose any cooler made. These high-dollar coolers do have great guarantees, but I’m not sure it covers loss.
  After this excursion we went for lunch at Zaxby’s. I enjoyed my favorite, a Cajun chicken club and onion rings. They do make the best onion rings.
  Then it was back to the office, where we were getting out statements. Was a nice birthday break, though. Thanks Betty and Becky.
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  For the past two weeks I’ve been coming to work by way of Camp Ground Road and then crossing the by-pass onto North Main. For many years we often traveled these roads, but I’ve just gotten use to coming down 315 and on to Main.
  Starting watching the houses on these roads and realized that when we moved out on 315, I think the only houses on the Camp Ground Road were the two Bevels homes—may have been one or two more.
  Then on the Grinder Switch Road there were the three Jones brothers’ homes. First was Jimmie’s and Shirley’s on the left, then L. D.’s and Mary Alice’s on the right and next Jack’s and Nita’s, still on the right. The old Sartain home was on the left and maybe a couple of older homes on the right. When you look at all the homes on these two roads today, you wonder why our population figures are not higher. And it seems to me that there are more houses all over the county.
  Of course I passed Camp Ground Church, where we were members for over 40 years and I remembered so many great times enjoyed there. Where the parsonage now sits was a picnic area and we had food out under the trees on a regular basis. Often it was only hot dogs and hamburgers following night services, but it was so much fun.
  Then as I’d pass L.D. and Mary Alice’s house I’d think about all the nights we visited there. With the four boys, their house was bigger than most of ours and it was more convenient to just go there. We had no children and several others had children that were teens or older.  We’d often eat meals and if it was after church on Sunday night it might just be an ice cream supper.
    First pastor Ed and I were under was Harold Adams and his wife, Elaine. They had a young daughter, Sari, whom we all just adopted. Other regulars were Huck and Faye Wilbourn, Frank and Robbie Wilbourne, Ernest and Betty Shelton, Ed and Betty Hill, the Hollis Lee Tutors, and others. Mary Alice also had an advantage over us other wives—she had a cook, Dora, who was great. That house is empty now with a “for sale” sign in the yard., but as I drive by I  see the four Jones boys (Bobby, Billy, Jerry, and Ricky) playing there. Memories are great.
  Even after crossing the by-pass I was amazed at the houses that have sprung up there over the past 50 years, along with two churches, Woodland Hills and Friendship.
  The first house along this street that I remember was the house just past Woodland Hills, which was owned by Ernest and Betty Shelton – we spent a lot of time there, also. They were great friends.
  I’ve enjoyed traveling this route and will be sorry when the work on 315 is finished and I go back to my regular path to work.
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  I was so sorry to learn of the death of long-time friend, Wilma Black. Wilma’s youngest son, Jerry, and Jim were classmates and we always enjoyed catching up on what was going on in their lives. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by everyone who knew her. Sympathy is extended to Joe, Ann, Bobby, Jerry, and their families.
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  Was so disappointed in the U.S. Ryder Cup Team last week. We need to come up with some more outstanding golfers. The European team has won too many of the last meetings.
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  Thanks to all of you who ask about Mom each week. She is doing fine physically and when you’re past 100, guess that’s a good report. Her physical therapist says she’s making progress and she’s still eating well.
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  Had a good night for homecoming weatherwise. Also, it was a good night for the Blue Devils as they defeated Winona and we congratulate them on the win. This week they will meet  Charleston in the first division game.
    Played at home on Bobby Clark Field, the game will begin at 7 p.m. Good luck, team.