Know what a froe is?
Historical society program features old tools
Helen Williams wrote to me about a presentation that the Rappahannock Historical Society is giving April 17 on “Old Tools from Home and Barn:”
Do you know what a froe is? Should it be sharp? Can it be curved?
What about trammel points? Are they decorative or plain? Or can they be both?
What does a spill plane do? What is a cloth bird? Who needs a thread winder?
If you would like to know the answers to questions like these, and others you haven’t thought of yet, come to hear Dr. Noel Laing, DVM (retired), and his wife Charlotte at the April 17 program of the Historical Society. This program, “Old Tools from Home and Barn,” will be presented at the Washington Town Hall on Gay Street at 2 p.m., and both presenters will also be happy to try to identify any strange tools you may have found or discovered or wondered what their purpose was.
Dr. Laing, a longtime resident of Amissville, is now retired after a life lived around the world. He became interested in old tools when he was in his twenties. A family member collected them. He has been gathering them up from auctions, old barns, and other interesting places ever since. Planes, saws, hammers are still familiar hand tools to all of us but most had purposes now unnecessary. Their histories speak of those who made them and used them in their lives and professions. Seeing handmade tools, with their worn wooden handles, and realizing all the beautiful and useful things they have made, makes us even more appreciative of our ancestors, and the hard work they did to settle this country.
Mrs. Laing will bring part of her collections of sewing and needlework, also gathered through a lifetime of interest in all sorts of fabric and craft work. The women of the house were no less inventive and clever in their undertakings than were the men, making beauty out of fabric scraps, and inventing solutions to problems that we no longer understand.
The historical society is 50 years old and proud to bring Rappahannock residents programs that honor their past, and those who made it possible for our lives today.
GUSTY WINDS/COLD TEMPERATURES
I hope that everyone survived those quick moving powerful winds that swept through on Saturday night. When I got up Sunday morning and saw that we had a little snow on the decks, I opened the door, felt the gust of wind hit my face, and closed it really quick. A series of arctic fronts had come through this week and brought some cold air through the county, although we had one warm day in the 70s on Monday.
RELAY FOR LIFE MEETING
The Rappahannock County Relay for Life committee meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, at Washington Baptist Church. For more information, call (540-635-4673), Phyllis Grogg (540-364-2640) or Ellen Timbers (540-9878402). Relay For Life is on Saturday, May 14, starting at 5 p.m. and continuing through Sunday, May 15 at 7 a.m. at the Rappahannock County Elementary School, 34 School House Road, Washington.
CIRCLE THE DATE IN RED
Well, are you kidding me? You haven’t marked your calendar for the 38th Annual Fodderstack 10-K race that will take place on Saturday, April 23. Get your pen out and circle that date in red on your calendar.
The race will begin at the north end of Flint Hill on Route 522 at the Packing Shed with the finish line at the courthouse in Washington. You can choose to run or walk. This is one of our county’s most hallowed traditions. Longtime local runners, Rappahannock weekenders and dedicated runners travel to our county for what is often the first great day of spring.
APPRECIATION DAY
On April 22, Girl Scouts in Rappahannock County are honoring their adult leaders on Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day during National Volunteer Week. For Rappahannock, let’s recognize and thank the following leaders for the hard work and long hours they have given to our community.
Our current leaders are: Amo Merritt- Community Manager; Joelann Gilmore and Julie Banks- Troop 519 (Daisies); Janet Robey and Amo Merritt- Troop 590 (Ambassadors); Angela Wood and Mary ArthurTroop 628 (Ambassadors); Heather Keyser and Suzanne Torosian- Troop 692 (Juniors); Beth Gainer and Sherry Cillo- Troop 890 (Cadettes); Beth Gainer and Sherry Cillo- Troop 2329 (Brownies); Janet Robey and Kathy Thornhill- Troop 1059 (Cadettes) and Laura Good and Tracy Abdullah- Troop 1092 (Brownies).
Girl Scouts: remember to thank your leader with a note or a personal phone call. Let her know how much you appreciate her.
At the recent Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council’s annual meeting, Amo Merritt of Boston received the Thanks Badge, the most prestigious award presented to an adult in Girl Scouting. The badge recognizes Amo is a lifetime member and has been a strong voice for Girl Scouting for more than 15 years. Congratulations Amo!
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Belated birthday wishes go out to a friend, Sherry Cillo, the Branch Manager at Union Bank & Trust. She celebrated her special day on April 1. Every time I go to the bank, she greets me with a friendly smile and is ready to help with anything. Really, all the ladies at the bank are friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Belated birthday wishes go out to Zachary Huff, who celebrated on April 2. More birthday wishes go to Sean Michael Knick, who will celebrate his special day on April 14.
Best wishes go out to Paul and Cucie Baldwin of Washington who will celebrate their wedding anniversary on April 15.
Stay warm and have a wonderful week.