Washington
Tiger Valley gathering
Today’s families, more than ever, need to relax and spend time together. And as kids grow, marry and go their separate ways over the years, family gatherings can be a way to bring everyone together.
Danny and Hope Huff, from Tiger Valley, held a family gathering for about 15 people at their home on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 16).
After cooking breakfast at the Washington fire hall on Saturday morning, Danny and Hope still had energy on Sunday to have the family over.
Italian food was on the menu, which included spaghetti made by Mary Gochnour, lasagna by Hope and Danny along with the Italian bread and tossed salad.
Mae and her mom brought green beans and a dessert. This time Mae did not make her famous rice pudding — that will knock your socks off. Mae always get talked into bringing that dish. Guessing that no one asked for it this family gathering.
As I say every time when there is a gathering of families and friends, there are three things that one cannot recover: The stone after it is thrown; the word after it is said; and, most importantly, time after it’s passed. Remember, families don’t last forever. So bring back the family gathering and enjoy an afternoon with good food, family and friends.
Breakfast success
You could smell the sausage and bacon frying at the Washington Volunteer Fire Department last Saturday morning at its annual fundraiser breakfast.
Serving about 50, the team was sweating up a storm in the back kitchen getting everything in order for the customers to walk through the door.
Danny Huff on the other hand was calm as a culumber, cooking the sausage patties and hash browns. Hope Huff was swifting those giant biscuits and frying the bacon and making the gravy. I cannot leave out their son, Austin, who loves to cook. He was in charge of the scrambled eggs. I have heard through the grapevine that he is one great cook. He loves to watch cooking shows on TV. Who knows, maybe he will turn out to be a chef and open a restaurant here in Rappahannock County. Austin, we can dream, right! Your eggs were so fluffy. I wanted to go back for more but did not want to make a pig of myself. Doug Exline was busy makingsure all the chafers dishes were filled with hot food.
I really enjoyed the breakfast guys. Looking forward to the next one.
Reunions
Reunions are a time to get in touch with old friends and family and catch up on the latest news. The Bowen family is having their reunion on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washington fire hall. Bring a dish and drink to share. For more details, give Loretta Clater a call at 540-727-2862 or email her at grandmawred@comcast.net.
The Norman reunion is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Washington fire hall on Sunday, Aug. 30. Please bring a dish and drink to share. For more information call 540-9375147. Come and enjoy the day with family and friends, and eat some of the good food.
Movie time
RAAC's fall movie season begins on Friday, Sept. 4, at 8 p.m. at the the Theatre at Washington with a screening of "The Imitation Game," a PG13 biography-drama-thriller that stars Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch as World War II codebreaker Alan Turing. Admission is $6; popcorn, candy and water are available for purchase. The Theatre in Washington is getting its new coat of paint. From my view from the window, it sure does look nice and fresh.
Sympathy
Sympathy go out to the family of David Harold Baker, age 59, of Culpeper. David passed away on Thursday, Aug. 13, at UVA Culpeper Hospital.
He retired from a 23-year career in law enforcement and later owned and operated Baker's Lawn Service. His passion was the outdoors, hunting and fishing.
David and I attended the same church, Gid Brown Bible Baptist Church, Washington. We always talked about our children and grandkids. That is how I got to know him. A man who really loved his family and grandkids so deeply. A man with a heart of gold.
God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain, he knew that you would never get well on this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids, and whispered peace be thine.
David you will be missed by everyone who knew you. I will sure miss you on that back pew, chatting with you and your lovely wife, Sheila.
Sheila, remember he will be in your heart and your memories always.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, with Rev. John Burke officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Labor Day bag sale
Firehouse Treasures Thrift Shop operated by the Washington Ladies Auxiliary will be holding its end of the season bag sale on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 and 6. Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. The first bag for an individual shopper will be $10 and any additional bags for the same customer will be $5. All of the proceeds from this sale are dedicated to the purchase of a new facility for the Thrift. Recently the Thrift has had to turn away several generous clothing donations. After the bag sale, they will be closing for one week from Sept. 8 through the 12 and will reopen on Sept. 15 with an all new inventory of winter clothing. They will be happy to accept donations at that time.
Hours of operation are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 540-683-6499.
Earthquake recovery update
Surja Tamang and Medge Carter’s son, Amrit, is back from Nepal. Amrit will give a slide presentation on his relief efforts and the status of his extended family and their two villages in a remote area impacted by the Nepal earthquakes on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Rappahannock County Library. Everyone is welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.
Stay cool and have a wonderful week.