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The Spiker Gazette |
Oxford, WV Volume 2 Issue 2 February 3, 2008 |
Searching for Peace Written by: Paul A. Miller, Adjunct Professor of Rural Sociology, University of Missouri, January 2008 |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Submitted by Paula Nolan -- Click here to view photos of the newest addition to our family -- Evan and Jennifer Thrush's son, Liam. (EDIT - photos no longer available after merge.)
Submitted by Bobbi Conley -- Mother has spent four of the last five winters "vacationing" for several months at my home in Florida. This year, she limited her stay to only two weeks (deciding to spend the rest of the winter with her girlfriend in North Carolina). Making the most of her time here, I do believe that she may have set a new record -- combining three months of activities into two short weeks!
Escorted by Cathy and Larry in their motor home (a mode of travel that Mom now says is "the only way to go"), the trio was "on the run" from the moment their feet hit the sand at our home. They trotted through Sea World, cheered at the Arabian Knights Dinner Theater, flew across East Lake Toho in an airboat, enjoyed the turquoise blue of the Gulf and dined at some of the best restaurants that Central Florida has to offer. While Gary introduced Larry to the racing in Daytona and casinos in Tampa, I took Cathy and Mother on "girls-day-out" trips for manicures, pedicures, hair styling and souvenir shopping. The few hours actually spent AT our home consisted of shooting pool, playing darts, and viewing old home movies and photos.
There is more to this story. Please check your e-mail for the next chapter of Mother's trip to Florida.
As shared by Paul Miller, Melanie Fouse and Paula Nolan -- We are sad to report that Forrest, Tom Miller's delightful Sheltie dog, died about a month ago.
Paul Miller told us, "Francena and I are crestfallen, indeed devastated is a better word, by the sudden death of our little dog, Forrest, whom you will recall. He was Tom's beloved pet. He had some sort of strange ailment that struck him in the Spring, from which he recovered with medical help, but, even with the same aid this time, he did not make it. But we go on from here."
Melanie Fouse shared in their grief saying Forrest "truly was a part of Tom....Wherever you saw Tom, you saw the dogs. Just like children...They were always at the family reunion...They were family (too)."
"It was incredibly difficult to lose Forrest," added Paula Nolan, "and we are still adjusting to that. We still felt that we had a piece of Tom."