Today, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day. But this date was formerly known as Armistice Day.

World War I, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles in France.

However, fighting has actually ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day. In 1938, by an Act of Congress, November 11 became a legal holiday.

In 1954, following World War II and the Korean Conflict, the Congress amended the 1938 Act to change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.

Today, in these troubling times of world unrest, we should remember our troops – past and present – and their families and honor them.

Friends and Neighbors

On Oct. 15, the Abilene Community Club held their annual stew. As always, the stew was delicious.

Also, on Oct. 15, the Abilene Homemakers Club held their annual bake and craft sale and the drawing for the quilt raffle. The winner of this year's quilt was Suzan Bryan, of Forest.

The Abilene Homemakers Club met on Oct. 18. We put together Halloween “treat bags” for the children of the Piedmont Juvenile Detention Center. On Oct. 31, I delivered the treats to the Detention Center.

On Oct. 20, I met with the Jolly Dollies Homemakers Club in the home of Judy Philbrook. I gave them an update on the planned Prince Edward County cottage of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation. Current plans call for a late spring opening of the Hope for Tomorrow Counseling Center. The “Dollies” gave me a couple of large bags of school supplies for the children at the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation.

On Nov. 6, Violet Thackston celebrated her 92nd birthday. Of course, she celebrated with various family members. On Nov. 8, I took her to Lynchburg to visit with her niece Hazel. Unbeknownst to Violet, Hazel had organized a “surprise” luncheon for Violet at the Cracker Barrel restaurant. Seven of Violet's nieces – coming from Lynchburg, Appomattox, Concord, etc. – were there to greet her when she walked in. Violet was surprised and delighted to see everyone.

On Nov. 9, the Cardinal Quilt Guild of Prince Edward County met at the Douglas Presbyterian Church. Having delivered 12 quilts to two of the boys cottages at the Brookneal campus of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation on Sep. 27, we are already hard at work on the next group of quilts that we will take to them. This is an ongoing project of the Quilt Guild. We have previously provided quilts to the girls at the Wylliesburg and the Rustburg Cottages.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can get in the spirit by attending the Beulah United Methodist Women's Annual Turkey Dinner, Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Abilene Community Center. Take-out will be available from 4 to 5 p.m.; eat-in from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults. Tickets will be available at the door.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Marshall Thackston who celebrated on Nov. 5 and to Violet Thackston who celebrated on Nov. 6th.

Birthday wishes are extended to Stephen Nelson who will celebrate Nov. 12; Ralph Neilson and Barbara Acton on Nov. 16, and Glenn Johnson on Nov. 20.

And best wishes for a wonderful anniversary go out to David and Barbara Acton who will celebrate on Nov. 18.

If you have any news or announcements that you would like to share, please call me at 223-2271 or e-mail me at kz5ro@kinex.net.