Let’s Read It continues at the Zanesville Community Church of God. It was reported to me that they may have a few spots left for their Centershot Archery Program that begins on Monday, July 10, and continues to Monday, Aug. 28. There also may be some openings left at the Nine Mile United Methodist Church and they shoot on Tuesdays beginning July 11 and continuing through Aug. 29.
You can participate if you are 10 years old. Adults are also welcome. This is a basic training program teaching the fundamentals of archery. There will be a Bible study and a lot of fun and a chance to make new friends. No archery experience is required and we would like for you to sign up by July 1.
Contact Pastor Steve at the Zanesville Community Church of God, 638-4239, or Lori Slea at Nine Mile United Methodist Church, 452-9869. This is an eight week program and the time is 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays.
Everyone is getting ready for the upcoming Lions Summer Festival/175th Birthday of Zanesville on July 29. That is not very far away so get your garage sale things organized.
Looking forward to August a summer picnic has been planned to be held at the Lions Club Park on Saturday, Aug. 26, in the afternoon. This is sponsored by the Zanesville Community Church of God and the Zanesville Lions Club. All will be invited for a program, games and food so mark your calendars and save the date.
In September of 1998 we had a 150 year celebration that lasted over the Labor Day weekend. We had Spike and the Bulldogs for Friday evening with an estimated crowd of 1,000 people. On Saturday, the crowd grew to more than 3,000. On Sunday more than 200 came for the church service and in the evening 200 again came for the program, ice cream and the sign dedication.
It was estimated that 900 volunteers put this celebration together. Have you volunteered yet? Please call me if you want to.
As I have told you before the worst part of writing this column is reporting deaths. This death was unexpected and happened to be my only sister.
Mary Lou passed suddenly in her home supposedly after going to Huntington for groceries. It happened on Friday, June 9, and she already had the table set for Sunday dinner with the kids. It was a shock to all as she was not sick but she went the way we all want to go skipping pain and suffering.
My kids and grandkids will always remember the chickens in her barn that laid Christmas presents, her turkey that ran them around the yard, the suckers that were waiting at Legge Elevator for them when we went through Uniondale, the homemade noodles, delicious corn, deviled eggs, that she provided at Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings of the McBride Family.
I remember her as my baby sister. Living on the farm growing up we spent lots of time together as we were the only girls in the family. Five of our brothers, Darrell, Cedric, and Doug Botts, and Roger and Maurice McBride are deceased. Dave and I are the only ones living. He owns the family farm.
In the summer we had lots of town friends who came to the farm to swim. In the winter they came to skate and even sometimes to work as they liked to work on the farm. Dad never left us ride the tractor as he felt that was no place for girls. We, however, helped with every other farming activities and mind you most of our time was spent when Dad farmed with wild mustang horses!
Sundays were not meant for work only milking the cows. Other families and friends came to Sunday dinner and we kids would make a hike north wading across the Eight Mile Creek and touring the cemetery. We also took a look at the Zanesville Dump that was then south of the creek and there we found lots of treasures that the townspeople had throw out.
We were considered lucky kids because on Saturday night, after the chores were done, we ventured to Huntington and while Mom got the groceries and Dad talked to the old guy across from the A & P, we went to the movie. When they were done they joined us for a second movie and then on the way home we ate a whole grocery sack of Coney Island hot dogs!
Those were the times when things were simple, there was no using the phone only for important things. There was no internet or cell phones or television. We shared one bicycle and the few toys we had. Mary Lou and I always got a doll for Christmas.
As I look back I cannot remember that we ever fought with each other in the 84 years that God gave me this great sister. Along with many others I will greatly miss her.
Mary Lou’s memorial service was held at the Clear Creek Community Church just outside of Huntington. She loved this church!
As I close this column I realize that I could write a book of all the things we did together!
