Raines Tavern News

Published 5:45 pm Thursday, May 29, 2014

Family members are receiving congratulations related to recent accomplishments and celebrations. Grandmother Anne N. Varner, parents Lawrence and Linda Varner, and grandmother Dorothy J. Tucker marked recent milestones: On Saturday, May 10, Joe Varner received the Master of Divinity Degree from Duke University Seminary. Previously he received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Randolph Macon College. During the summers he has assisted various churches.

John Marshall Varner has completed a school of diesel mechanics in Southside Virginia and has begun employment at James River Equipment Company, Burkeville.

Robert Tucker Varner was born last month to Thomas and Megan M. Varner, becoming a cause of another celebration to the above families.

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Betty A. Foster, along with family members, attended graduation exercises on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at James Madison University, Harrisonburg. Her grandson, Foster Woodburn, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business, with emphasis in accounting. He plans travel, an accountant job, and graduate studies toward a Master of Science Degree.

Over the years Betty has returned to programs at JMU, which is her alma mater as Madison College. On Sunday, the family group had a Mothers’ Day gathering at Betty’s home.

Diane C. Young is receiving congratulations as daughter Sarah Y. Bass of Colorado Springs received a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from Cornell University.

Diane looks forward—with modern communications—to helping granddaughter Violet Watson of Charleston, SC, celebrate her third birthday in June.

Hunter Young, of Troutville, spent a recent weekend here with his mother, Diane.

The Antioch United Methodist Women met May 12 at the church. Hedy Thomas, Farmville District UMW vice – president gave an interesting talk. In sharing life experiences she wove into the presentation her gratitude for helpers along life’s way. The April guest speaker was Helen Mein hard, explaining Women’s Prison Ministry. Recent program leaders within the Antioch group include Marjo Mullens, Lynn Hill, Joan Page, and Faye Asal. Faye, president announced a large amount of non-perishables have been collected for the food bank in Cumberland.

Antioch Church’s representatives to the Cumberland Clothes Closet continue to explant their hours of volunteering. Included are Faye Asal, Joan Page, Lynn Hill, Judy Oren and Alice Higgins. Faye, Alice and Lynn represented the group at their business meeting on Monday, May 19.

Amanda Giles, an employee of Gemini, of Cumberland County, was selected to travel to the company headquarters in Texas as a representative of the local employees to help select charities for the current year that the company would support with donations.

One of the highlights of the school year at Cumberland High School was a trip by the FBLA – Future Business Leaders of America – for a luncheon cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk. Chelsea and Rebecca Giles attended as student and chaperone. Last week Chelsea completed the ninth grade and was awarded a certificate as being the top student in the U.S. History class.

Ruth T. Easter – mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – has set a local record in our area for her Easter Egg Trees. There have also been Valentines, Halloween, or other seasonal trees. The Easter Egg Tree is a family tradition she began in 1964, and now marks 50 years. As the family has grown, so has the number of willing hands to help prepare the tree. Ruth usually uses a live tree cutting with suitable branches sometimes over hundred-colored eggs are attached.

First, the contents of each raw egg are blown out of small holes on the ends. After dying, a ribbon or yarn is glued on at each end at the hole to form a hanger. The family members share the finished product and some have now begun this tradition in their own home.

A few days of Blackberry Winter – the white blooms covering the berry plants like snow – were a respite from the recent high temperatures. Also noted are the lovely flowers that never gave up during an extreme winter, but apparently thrived on the extra moisture.

Family and friends with local connections who attended the wedding of Allie Robinson and Curtis Gibson at the Lawn by the Lake of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (see The Herald) on Friday, May 23, page 8A) included: Reverends Al and Marsha Davis; Reverends John and Sarah H. Burgess, with children Kekoa, Kanoa, Kaeo and Dylan Burgess; Nathanial Davis; Judith Anderson; Margaret I. Atkinson, Edith McReynolds, Homer and Marjorie White, David and Helen Meinhard and Lily, Ronnie Stutler, Ralph and Rita Beverly, Cody Beverly, Jovan Petty, Michael Whitlow, Bill and Ginger Downes, Travis Downes, Ellen Milligan, John and Betty Sanderson, Matt Alford, John A. Robinson, Joe and Betty Robinson, Lloyd and Sherri Robinson, Roger and Sharyn Billings, David and Debbi Grant, Nathan Grant, Miranda Grant, in addition to the wedding party. The extended wedding party, not mentioned in the article include: Bridesmaids Lauren I. Whitlow, Tara Milligan, Chelsea Davis, and Shamerine Barber; Groomsmen Kyle Posey, Michael Ebbert, Justin Bongard, and Ben Harding; Flower Girls: Lanna and Suzanne Robinson, Kaedyn and Khylin Barber; Ring bearer Stuart Robinson; Guest book attendant Caroline Robinson; Program attendant Grace Robinson; Reader Sam Burton; Wedding coordinator Joanna Lewis; grandparents of the groom Larry and Louise Spring, Mary Jean Gibson, John Gibson Sr.; grandmother of the bride Audrey S. Robinson.