Valle Crucis News November 24, 2010

Valle Crucis News
By Callie Foss

November 24, 2010

It’s the countdown to the big day, Thanksgiving. This is our favorite holiday. We always gather with LC and Weezy and their family to celebrate. Everyone shares his or her best recipe and there’s lots of great conversation around the dinner table. Afterward, we might watch part of one of the football games and then play a board game. Ethel always likes to play Scrabble, and LC’s favorite is Pictionary. I enjoy Trivial Pursuit. All of these keep our minds nimble, and that’s a very good thing.

Weezy is making her famous pecan and pumpkin pies. Ethel is making a cranberry and walnut salad. LC is working on the turkey, and I’ll be doing some potato salad and a sweet potato casserole. Those are our favorites, each of us will also bring another side dish. It’s a big gathering, but we always, it seems, have a little food that’s leftover for sandwiches the next day.

Eileen Gaddy sent us a note. She used to have the Valle Café at the Valle Landing, but now has moved her restaurant over to Cook’s Cafeteria in Mountain City. It’s only a 20-minute or so drive. She said that they are serving Thanksgiving Dinner this Thursday, if you don’t want to cook at home. It sounds pretty good – turkey, ham, roast beef, green beans, corn, broccoli casserole. Yum.

We didn’t get a chance to stop by Tellabration at the Mast Store on Saturday. Mary said that it went really well. We hope that they have it again next year. Ethel and I remember our granny telling us stories. The Taily-Po was our favorite. You can find recordings of it – David Holt does a good one..he calls it the Taily Bone. Ray Hicks told some of the same ones that granny did. After she passed away, it always made us think of her to listen to Ray tell.

LC took us to town for a treat just the other night. We went to dinner at Pepper’s then he took us to an ASU women’s basketball game. Ethel and I used to play in the backyard, but it wasn’t anything like what we saw on the court. These young ladies can play. If you get a chance, try to take in a game this season.

The Valle Crucis Community Council met on November 16 at Bishop Johnson Hall at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. The members of the council are Howell Cook, Scott Jenson, Bob Ward, Bobby Yates, Lee Hyde, Susan Musilli, Tom Eshelman, and Allen Culler. The group heard a report from Kelly Redmon from the Sheriff’s office about break-ins in the local area, speeding, and meth labs. John DeCapra gave a report on the Valle Crucis Park. They also received a written report from DOT about the Highway 194 road project. Many thanks to this group of people that serve the community and help us maintain our rural character.

Alta Vista Gallery is having its Annual Christmas Open House this Saturday, November 27. The gallery will be serving hot cider, Christmas cookies and other seasonal treats, and wines from Shelton Vineyards and will also be hosting acclaimed artist Bennette Rowan. Art always makes a great gift.

Have you noticed the beautiful trees in the Yates’ yard? I thought the fall color season was over. Apparently, it’s in “full color” in their yard. Take a gander next time you pass by.

We appreciate the Thanksgiving wishes from Florida and South Dakota, Robin. Travel safely!

Happy Birthday to Francis Pressly on November 24, to Beth Loflin on November 25, to Lynn Tester and Kayla Morton on November 26, to Audrey Tester on November 28, to Thomas McDonough, Jr. on November 29, to Walter Pitts and Randy Blake on December 2 and to Tory Jensen on December 3. 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. 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 Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. W. J. Cameron. Happy Thanksgiving and have a wonderful week!