I have never had as much fun with a yard sale as I did Friday! That was the first day of our Patriot Bargain Alley and I got to meet some very nice people face-to-face who read my article and introduce them to my critters and yard full of flowers and weeds, and I even sold some stuff! There were four of us set up in the alley: Sarah Hoffman, Sondra Stave, the Cooleys and I. Ron and Phyllis Christman made all of the struggles worth it when they came by and visited. What lovely people! Debbie Allen was here about the same time. Sonny and Debbie Henry just missed his cousins, Dollie and Billie Green. Of course there was the normal swapping of goodies between the neighbors but we also did have our fair share of sales. Saturday unfortunately was a complete washout but we are already making plans for May’s sale on Friday, May 26th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 27th from 9 a.m. to Noon. Hopefully even more people will take advantage of the sale and join in. The alley runs between Highway 156 and Front Street in Patriot and beside the Patriot Baptist Church. There are four residences, three garages, a carport and the church that utilize that alley. Anyone who wishes to join in is more that welcome. Feel free to contact me at (812) 594-2281 with suggestions or questions.
Carol Ann Armstrong is back from Florida and recently traveled to New Castle, Indiana, where she visited with former Patriot resident Deanna Brammer and attended the rodeo to watch granddaughter Josie Hoagland compete. Josie’s older sister Jessie Hoagland came over from Purdue University and they celebrated her 20th Birthday. Carol Ann’s daughter Angela and family friend LaVern Reybolt came from Eckerty Indiana, with horses and a trailer. Despite the bitter wind and sudden cold, a good time was had by all.
I’ve gotten great reports on both Richard “Rocky” Hutchinson and Bruce Hutcherson and I hope they continue to improve. I believe Marilyn Cook may finally have a date for her back surgery. I enjoyed a phone visit with Carolyn Hankins, retired postmaster at Versailles Sunday when she called to check on Marilyn.
My friend June Lack and I ran into Fritz and Judy Korn, beloved members of our church family, at the Bob Evans Restaurant on the way back from tests and x-rays at Dearborn County Hospital last Thursday. We talked so much, I wasn’t sure any of us would get a chance to eat! Prayers please for Judy, June and another church member Ron Moenter.
It’s official! I am completely too busy to ever go back to ‘work’! This past week concludes my very first month of complete ‘retirement’ and I am so exhausted! My friend Judy Callahan came down from Indy and spent a few days with me this week and we had great fun driving around Switzerland and Ohio counties seeing the sights. I was even able to introduce her to Goody’s where we both utilized sale coupons. And of course, Switzerland County would be nothing without its occupants, so Judy got to meet many: Wendy at AJ’s (of course!), Brian Morton, Mike and Anita Danner, Mary Christiani, Sharon Ward, Dick Yanikoski, Gerry Peters, Mike Bear and Lisa Fisher to name a few. And she loved the Art Center, the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Church, the Schenck Mansion, the Markland Dam and Locks, the Ridge Winery, the Patriot Museum and the Antique Mall. Between the buffets at Rising STAR, AJ’s, Jack’s in Rising Sun and the half-priced Easter candy from Dollar General, I felt more like an overstuffed Easter bunny than a person I am afraid.
I attended the Concord Community Church services and dedication Sunday with my friend Mary Christiani. Everything about the day was perfect! The seven mosaic arch windows designed by Jerry Belew are breathtaking. The program was designed around the seven windows and featured Biblical references and songs for each. Memorable performances by Sharon Coplin, Rick Patrick, Lulu Belle and Donald Thomas and Reverend Stephen Ward highlighted the day. It was all topped off by the attendance of Reva Johnson and her son Larry. Jim was not able to attend.
My yard work is still my favorite way to exercise and I was able to spend last weekend preparing for Judy’s visit. The massive quantity of rain recently has knocked a lot of the buds off of my mock orange bush but the iris are all out in their splendor. They miss my neighbor Jim who actually used to tie the iris up for me when they began to get too tall.
If you have anything for me to include in this article, please send it to me. Information can be received any day of the week but normally my deadline is Sunday at noon for that week’s issue of the paper. Any news received later will appear in the following week’s article. If you need something in on a particular date be sure and give it to me early. Thank you for sending me what you do every week – I couldn’t do this without you!
You may contact me several ways: by leaving a note of message inside the cat mailbox in front of 1995 Front Street in Patriot; or by calling my home at (812) 594-2281; or dropping me a note at P.O. Box #01, Patriot, Indiana, 47038. In addition, contact KAY E COOK on Facebook or online at PatriotNews1995@gmail.com.