If Memorial Day is actually the beginning of Summer, then it certainly ushered in Summer with some hot temperatures and some beautiful weather. I hope that all of you got to enjoy this holiday weekend that you spent some time with your family and friends. I know that many of you got your boats out and headed to the water.

 

I  hope that you got to visit the cemeteries. We visited the Holy Cross Cemetery and the Stonewood Cemetery. I always like to walk around the cemetery and read the headstones. If you take the time there is a lot of history on these  markers. It made me think of the visit we made to the cemetery in San Giovanni in Fiore.

 

On the way to the cemetery Dave and I stopped in Anmoore to visit the newly redone World War Two Honor roll. It is located right in the center of Anmoore in front of the Old Carbon Plant. It contains about 250 names of individuals from Anmoore who served in World War Two. At the top of the list are six Anmoore women who served their country during this time. As you read through the list you will  note that there are six  names that have stars along side them, this indicates that they were killed in service. I noted the names of the Fisher boys, who were cousins to the Queens, the Johnson boys along side the Renzelli's. Alonso's, the Frederick's, the Ovies, the Fernandez's and many familiar names of established Anmoore famililes.  In this small community many were proud to serve our country. The marker is lit and is a shining point in this small town. I encourage you to take the time to visit it. You can conveniently park right in front of the memorial. I know there were several people who worked on getting this monument restored, but I especially want to thank Bill Renzelli for his spearheading the project. Bill is a born and raised Anmoore boy, who has returned home. He and Nancy now live in Anmoore. If my memory serves me right, back then the young men had two options, one if they could afford to go on to college or else they "joined up" and served our country. Even many of those who had opted to go to college, dropped out to join one of the Armed Services. Many made the sacrifice as did their families. A big thank you to all who serve our country and keep it safe for us.

 

Since the Strawberry Festival  has just ended I wanted to share a little information about the strawberry. Did you know it is a member of the rose family and was cultivated in Rome? It was a originally used as a medicinal herb and it is full of Vitamins C and K and potassium. If you ever visit Belgium, there is a museum dedicated to the strawberry. So do not feel guilty about that extra piece of short cake. It is good for you.

 

I hear a lot of talk about the Mike Queen Radio Show. He is on every morning at 9 a.m. You can hear his show on 103.3FM, 93.5FM and 95.7FM. You can even call in with questions or comments and each caller on Friday is registered for a chance to win a gift certificate to The Wonder Bar Steakhouse. So if you enjoy talk radio, tune in tomorrow.

 

I learned that Jason Young and his family made a trip to Cass Railroad this past weekend. We are also going to plan a trip there in July. Dave's neice and her family will be visiting us from Alabama and we hope to take them on some sightseeing trips in West Virginia. Be sure to include some of our beautiful WV spots on your summer itinerary. Visit our local Visitors bureaus for information on what is available here. The friendly staff will be most happy to assist you.

 

The gardens should just about all be in and now they will require our tender loving care and especially the watering every night. But just think about that first zucchini and tomato. My mouth is watering with just the thought.

 

A happy anniversary to Lisa and Andy Lang. This past week we were visiting Arnett Burnside at the Meadow View Manor and I ran into Julie Starkey Chessire who was there visiting her father in law. It had been many  years since I saw her and I was so glad to see her again. She and her husband live in Indiana, where he is the fire chief. Julie grew up with my girls and her father and mother were my very dear friends. I hope she will visit us on her  next visit home. Last week I ran into Joe Defazio and his lovely daughters who were enjoying dinner with their father. More families should do this more often and Joe looked great. I want to send out get well wishes to Emory"Joe" Lehosit and Patty and Joe Mills. I hope they all mend soon.

 

Enjoy the summer; be careful on your travels and keep in touch. Until next week, "Now You Have  Heard It Through The Grapevine."