March 22 – Back in February when the groundhog predicted that we would have six more weeks of winter, he was absolutely right because six weeks later, spring did arrive. But that old groundhog isn't so smart – spring always arrives on the 20/21st of March.

So spring has arrived but it feels more like the middle of June including all the bugs, mosquitoes, ticks, grass mites, etc. And I saw my first snake of the season last week! What happened to winter? There is something fundamentally wrong with being tempted to run the A/C in the middle of March here in central Virginia.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

The women of the Beulah United Methodist Church would like to thank everyone in the community who attended the Spaghetti Supper held at the Abilene Community Center on March 17. The food was good and the fellowship even better.

The Abilene Homemakers Club met at the Abilene Community Center March 20. We made little Easter baskets to take to the children at the Piedmont Regional Juvenile Detention Center. We will deliver them the week before Easter.

In addition to the Easter baskets, the ladies have already started work on the quilt that will be raffled in the fall. We were sorry that Shyrl Marston was not feeling well enough to join us and hope for her a speedy recovery.

Speaking of quilts, the Cardinal Quilt Guild of Prince Edward County will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 10 a.m. – noon at the Douglas Presbyterian Church. They continue to make quilts for the children of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Homes. Visitors and guests are always welcome and we are always looking for new members. You do not have to be a master quilter to enjoy this group.

On Tuesday evening, March 20, I attended the regular monthly meeting of the Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society. The speaker was Dr. William E. Thompson who spoke on Stonewall Jackson and Prince Edward County. As always, Dr. Thompson's program was most enjoyable.

If anyone has an interest in local history, the Historical Society meets the third Tuesday of each month, at 7 p.m. at the Farmville Train Station. Guests are always welcome. But we are always happy to welcome new members as well. One of the benefits of membership is that you will receive the monthly program announcement which gives more detail of the upcoming program, and a listing of “This Day in (month) in Prince Edward County History,” e.g., on this day, March 23rd, in 1861, the tobacco factory of Peters & Blanton burned.

Also on this day, March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech in St. John's Church in Richmond: “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” A ringing reminder that freedom is not free and must be defended.

If any of you are looking for something to do to get out in this beautiful spring season, Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's “other” house over in Bedford/Lynchburg, has opened for the new season. They are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. If you would like to learn about special things going on at Poplar Forest call 434-525-1806 or go to www.poplarforest.org.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Shyrl Marston who celebrated March 5, Barbara Armentrout on March 7, Norma Kernodle on March 9, Wynelle Fox, of Farmville, on March 11, and Donna Thackston on March 16.

Birthday wishes are extended to Nancy Nelson who will celebrate on March 28.

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