April 22 – Having been absent from these pages for a few weeks, let me wish each of you a very happy spring.

Of course, with the coming of spring come the outside chores like gardening, mowing, raking, etc. And washing the green haze off everything. That little wind and rain storm we had last weekend took care of some of it, but I expect we will have a couple more weeks to deal with the green fog.

On Sunday, April 10, Violet Thackston and I, along with members of the surrounding communities, attended the annual Madisonville Presbyterian Church dinner for the widows, widowers, and other senior citizens in the area. The oldest attendee was 105 years old; there were a couple of other centenarians as well as many in their nineties and eighties. The food was delicious, the gospel music enjoyable, and the fellowship outstanding.

On Sunday, April 17, Madeline Slaydon's brother, Norman Gryder, and his wife Helen, from North Carolina, visited with Madeline and had a delicious lunch. They were joined by Betty Gryder and Madeline's daughter, Norma Kernodle. Everyone was happy to see Norman feeling and looking so well following an illness last year.

We were happy to hear that Doris Jones has returned home after a stay in the hospital last week. We hope that she continues to improve.

On Thursday, April 14, Jean and Shyrl Marston delivered a cake to the Piedmont Juvenile Detention Center as part of the community outreach program of the Abilene Homemakers Club.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Abilene Homemakers Club on April 19, we made and filled little Easter baskets for the children at the Piedmont Juvenile Detention Center and I will deliver them on Friday, April 22. Also, we worked on the quilt that we will be raffling off in the fall. The next meeting of the Abilene Homemakers Club will be at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, May 17. Visitors, guests, and new members are always welcome.

The Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society met April 19 at the Farmville Train Station. The program “Slavery, War, and Abolition” was presented by the Rev. Dr. William Thompson. If you are interested in learning more about local history, the Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at the Farmville Train Station. At the May 17 meeting, Ruth Doumlele will speak about her recent book, The Randolph Women and Their Men. At the June 21 meeting, Linda Lipscomb will speak about the progress on the Appomattox Museum of the Confederacy and period events related to Prince Edward County. And the July 19 program, Bob Gillette, will speak about Hyde Farm, a World War II Jewish refugee camp just south of Burkeville.

The Cardinal Quilt Guild of Prince Edward County will hold its last meeting until fall on May 3 at the Douglas Presbyterian Church. We continue to work on quilts for the children at the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Beth Howard who celebrated on April 5.

Birthday wishes are extended to John Lavra who will be celebrating his 85th birthday on May 2 and also to Rodney Harris who will celebrate his birthday on May 2.

Mark your calendar: On Saturday, May 21, at 7 p.m., the Abilene Homemakers Club and the Abilene Community Club will co-host a program with the children of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation choir. Light refreshments will be served.

If you have any announcements or news that you would like to share, please contact me at 223-2271 or e-mail me at kz5ro@kinex.net.