Valle Crucis News December 1, 2010

Valle Crucis News
By Callie Foss

December 1, 2010

Ethel and I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed spending a little quality time with LC and Weezy. Everyone ate way too much, but how could we resist? It was so good. But we worked it off in the afternoon with a mean game of Cranium. Have you ever played that? It combines several games into one – charades, Pictionary, Scrabble/Balderdash, and Trivial Pursuit. A good meal followed by a good laugh makes for a great gathering.

It’s nice to have some rain. We are really needing it, but I feel bad for the ski slopes. They are trying to get open for the season, and the weather thus far just hasn’t been cooperative. Last year, if you remember, they were open early and could have probably skied well into April. We’re hoping that they are able to get some snow down soon – the ski shops, slopes, and tubing runs employ so many people in the winter season.

I spoke with a gentleman at the Department of Transportation just a couple of days ago concerning the marking on Highway 194. Ethel and I are concerned that there are lengthy areas that are not marked. It is extremely hazardous when it is raining and/or foggy and there are no reference points to lead drivers. We followed a driver part way up Valle Mountain last week, and he was all over the road. Anyway, what I found out is that it will not be marked until the Spring. They didn’t realize the amount of patching that was done on this section and that it covered the lines. Right now it is too cold for the paint to dry. So, please, please, please take extra care in the rain, snow, and fog, and well, just every day on all of our roads. And remember to follow the speed limit.

Did you see where North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers have committed to giving over 1,000 trees to our soldiers. Trees will be sent to Camp LeJeune and to Fort Hood. It’s part of a nationwide campaign to provide military service personnel with a free tree. Thank you, tree growers, for giving to this cause. The members of the Junior ROTC from Ashe County helped load the Federal Express truck in Fleetwood with the first shipment earlier this week. Federal Express is one of the partners in this campaign.

We were sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Sgt. Pat Baker with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department. He has served this county for a long time, and he will be missed.

This weekend, you can stop by the Mast General Store for your pet’s annual picture with Santa Paws. The nice folks from the Watauga Humane Society will be at the Little Red Schoolhouse from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday snapping photos for your Christmas card, your scrapbook, or your mantle. We heard that one year, someone showed up with a lizard. Somehow, Ethel and I just don’t find a lizard to be a cute, cuddly pet, but I’m sure that he was big on personality.

Also, on Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the folks at Mast Store are hosting a Kids’ Make-and-Take Craft activity as part of Christmas in the Valle. Children 12 and under are invited to make a craft to take home. I’m sure it will be something great for either on the tree or something to put under it. They are asking that all participants, if possible, bring a pair of mittens, a scarf, or a toboggan to help out with this year’s Share the Warmth.

Local author Francie Hall will also be reading her Appalachian ABCs book this Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse. Gosh, it sure sounds busy!

Happy Birthday to Richard Owens, Jim Moore, and Kincheloe Hard on December 6 and to Joe Harmon, Scott McDonough, and Alex Pendolino (Sr.) on December 7. Happy Anniversary to Bob and Judy Bondi on December 7. My best wishes to all of you for fine celebrations and lots of fun!

Please let us know about things that you know are happening. It takes your input to make this column more interesting, and we’d love to hear how you are decorating and preparing for the holidays. Just send us an e-mail at callieandethel@hotmail.com. We want to know and report your Valle Crucis News. If you need to send it by the postal service, mail it to:

Valle Crucis News
c/o Sandy Shook
Watauga Democrat
474 Industrial Park Drive
Boone, NC 28607

Here’s a great quote for December: God gave us memory so we can have roses in December. James M. Barrie. Have a wonderful week!