Hello from Geauga County, Amish Country
It was a beautiful afternoon on Dec. 16 – it felt like an Indian summer
It was a beautiful afternoon on Dec. 16 – it felt like an Indian summer. It seemed more like October weather than December, but I’ll take it.
I spent a quiet day on Sunday at home catching up on some reading. The past two weeks, I’ve spent time with my sister Fannie Yoder while her daughter and family were spending time in Cleveland Siedman Center with their very sick son, Marlin. He was diagnosed five weeks earlier with leukemia. He passed away on Dec. 7, with the funeral on Dec. 10. Marlin was 27 years old and married to Rachel, daughter of Martha and the late Dave Byler. They had been married for five years and had no children. They had built a new house on Agler Road. Marlin’s folks are Enos and Laura Hershberger and also live on Agler Road.
Eight more days until Christmas and I have some shopping left to do. Our family won’t have our Christmas until New Year’s Day. There are too many other family gatherings with married grandchildren. We plan to get together at son Wayne and Judy’s.
Our school’s Christmas program is Dec. 21.
Born to Matthew and Betty Miller, a son, Issac, on Dec. 11. This makes son number five. Grandparents are Joe and Saloma Miller, of Shedd Road, and Ray and Laura Miller, of Girdle Road. This is also one of my great-grandsons. Joe and Saloma now have 12 grandsons and one lone granddaughter.
The evening of Dec. 16, daughter Sylvia, Dan, Timmy, Richard, Sue and children, Ray and Judy, Mark and Fan and children were at son Perry’s for David’s 16th birthday. He loves McDonald’s cards and money. He was very happy with his gifts.
Sister Emma, of Jasper, N.Y., called me last week saying our brother Melvin is not doing so well. His lungs are bad from the many years of making furniture, sanding and varnishing. He’s on oxygen during the night. He is 80 years old.
Our church families plan to get together at Joe and Betty Yoder’s for our annual Christmas gathering the evening of Dec. 30. Also, the church ladies got together the evening of Dec. 17 for our fun evening and gift exchange.
Yes, Christmas gift giving has changed very much from when I was growing up. The Christmas I remember the most as a teenager was when us four youngest girls all got Auto-Valve harmonicas. At that time, that was quite a gift. Our family all loved music.
From Out of the Past
Middlefield, Ohio: New Year 1891
Weather outside is nice, with about an inch of snow on the ground. On Christmas night, it began to snow and we had about ten inches and made for good sledding. But, it only lasted about a week.
Quite a number of visitors were here during the holidays. 22 from Holmes County and Tuscararawas County and three from Indiana.
J.C. Slabach has bought a nice 77-acre farm for $1,800 and has made a good selection.
Christmas greetings to all and a happy New Year. Remember the sick and lonely this Christmas season.
