WASHINGTON
A winter trip to France
After Trinity Episcopal Church's annual pilgrimage group landed in Paris in early February, 15 excited pilgrims were primed to walk all over France – in 20- degree weather. Some days snow accompanied the cold, but the group forged on, teaching and learning as they went. There was no guide ( the participants do all of the work ahead of time). Each person chooses a saint and a church or other place of interest and instructs the others in what they are about to see. Veterinarian Noel Laing always chooses St. Francis of Assisi, the animal protector, and Jane Kane, organist and music director of Trinity, opts for the patroness of music, Saint Cecilia. The Trinity sojourners learn quickly how to spot saints because of the various symbols associated with each one. Whenever a man with a cross shaped like an X appears in paintings, everyone knows that is St. Andrew because legend has it that St. Andrew was crucified in that manner because he said he wasn't worthy to be crucified in the manner of Jesus.
Trinity’s Rev. Jenks Hobson arranges logistics down to the minute, and he shepherds his flock with love and devotion. Merrill Strange is his able guide and the group’s traveling art historian. Most trips to European cities last three days at the most, and that's the beauty of Trinity pilgrimages. Having a full eight days to see Paris and other nearby points in depth offers a soul- and brain-enriching experience, and most of the shepherd's flock are eager to see what destination is chosen for next year.
Trinity Arts and Crafts
Festival
In conjunction with the second annual Trinity Arts and Crafts Festival scheduled for the Fodderstack Race weekend ( April 20- 22), 100 tickets will be raffled at $ 20 each for dinner for two at the Inn at Little Washington. The drawing will be held at 6 p. m. on Friday, April 20, at Trinity Episcopal Church. The tickets are going fast, so if you want to take a chance on two fabulous dinners at our local world- renowned Inn at Little Washington, call the church office at 540- 675- 3716 and get your ticket.
Washington Mayor John Fox Sullivan will also conduct an auction of donated items, including a stay at the Middleton Inn accompanied by a Sunday brunch at the Thornton River Grille, a photograph by National Geographic editor- in- chief Chris Johns, a large ceramic piece by Merrill Strange and other paintings and photography.
Clocks forward
Time to spring forward with Daylight Savings Time. Moving clocks an hour forward will give everyone time to enjoy more of those sunny spring and summer evenings.
Be certain to set clocks forward one hour this Saturday night ( March 10).
Special wishes
Birthday wishes for the month of March go out to my grandson, Jackson Brady Carter Clatterbuck, who will celebrate his special day on Thursday, March 22; to Barbara Hudson, who will celebrate her day on Friday, March 23; Ivy Racer and Charmaine Lee, on March 24; and Frances Foster, who will celebrate her special day on March 28.
Also wishes go out to my daughter, Christie Kay Ralls, who will celebrate her special day on Friday, March 30.