Going Away Luncheon at Providence UMC

One thing you could always say about the 3 churches on the mount Airy Charge was that they knew how to eat well. Before our last Sunday, Providence UMC had a Going Away luncheon for us.

There was enough food to feed a church very much larger and no one ever leaves hungry.

The BBQ was excellent, to be truthful everything was and trust me I tried most of it, knowing I wouldn't get it any more for at least a year, until Homecoming Sunday 2012.

Now, I want you to notice something, Do you see the two pies and two cakes? That's almost a half a cake or pie per person. They have come to know my weak spots so well.

St Andrews UMC Yard Sale

St. Andrews UMC had a yard sale. It served two purposes; to raise some finances for the church and to make the church visible to the community.

We sold hot dogs and drinks, along with baked goods. A.J. Nuckols cooked the hotdogs. We had folks leaving with more hot dogs than yard sale items.

We had everything from tools to toys.

We had homemade cakes and homemade jewelry.

It's always a good day of fellowship, when you're with good friends.

Crimson Clover

One of the most amazing sights for me is the Crimson Clover. It turns the fields red and is a wondrous sight in the Spring.

Last year it appeared right on Pentecost Sunday. This year it was a bit later, but it always reminds me of tongues of fire.

I love being able to witness God's artistry.

The Pumpkin Patch 2010

Another beautiful weekend at the White Fall Farm Pumpkin Patch of A.J. and Lisa Nuckols. You couldn't have asked for a better day. Obviously people realized that and they came out to enjoy the day in the Hay Bale Maze and Castle, Corn Maze, Pumpkin Hunt, Hay Ride, and more.

Tommy Castle and his son Grady were enjoying feeding the chickens.

Folks were having fun with the antigue corn kernel remover, picking from a variety of pumpkins and gourds, and taking Hay Rides.

The day was cool enough and warm enough, just what you would have asked for. The sky was clear and the leaves were changing to a full range of colors.
 

They have pumpkins and gourds like I have never seen. I had no idea that some of these varieties even existed.
 

The corn maze is a lot of fun. Joanne and I went through with Tommy and Carrie Castle and their children. Even in places where it isn't too tall, you still get turned around and have to retrack. Grady loved running ahead and running back to tell us that that wasn't the way to go.

 
Over the top of the sorgum you could see the Hay Bale Castle on the top of the hill..

I guess you've figured out that the corn maze is actually made from sorgum, but it doesn't change how much fun it is for the smaller kids or the adults.

 Joanne and I enjoying our afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch.

The Castle family; Tommy, Carrie, Grady, and Max enjoying the Hay Bale Maze and Castle.

 This is a portion the Hay Bale maze which surrounds the castle, that you have to work your way through so you can then work your way to the top of the castle.

 The sun setting behind the Hay Bale castle.

When the sun starts setting, the fire gets lit. Its a nice time to sit back, enjoy the warmth of the fire as the evening cools down. Its a nice time for friends to sit a talk.

 Joanne and I enjoying the last Hay Ride of the day.

 Another wonder filled day at the Pumpkin Patch. I really can't get too many of these.

The White Fall Farm Pumpkin Patch in Mount Airy

It's time for the White Fall Farm Pumpkin Hunt of A.J. and Lisa Nuckols in Mount Airy, Virginia. The Pumpkin Patch is 10 miles east of Gretna on route 40 and then 1/4 mile south on route 640. If you want to plug it into your GPS use this: 6001 Riceville Road, Gretna, Virginia, 24557.

The hay bale castle is a whole new design this year with a hay bale maze around the outside, that you have to find your way through before you can get up into the second and third levels of the castle. But the view from the top is worth the effort. It took me several tries to find the correct way through the maze, but I do tend to be a bit directionally challenged.

The view to the front of the castle is great, looking back at the picnic area on the left and the corn maze on the right, and the view from the back of the castle is acres of bright orange pumpkins. They also have white pumpkins and gourds of varieties that I have never seen before.

They have farm animals for the kids to see, petting not recommended. Their is the mobile chicken coup, with a rooster who never heard that crowing was supposed to be done only when the sun comes up. There is Stu the pig, Tessie the goat, and two Angus calves #53 and #14.

They have tractor pulled hay rides, that take folks all over the area. Its also used to take people out in the field to pick a pumpkin. Which is a really good idea since some of those pumpkins are huge.

Joanne, Jean Shelton, and I manned the St. Andrews United Methodist Church Hot Dog Stand. The proceeds from the sales go to the church's "Community Help Fund". Last year the church assited several families in the area with groceries, elctric bills, and other personal needs. All the people that were helped were not members of the church. We are really excited about this opportunity to reach out beyond the walls of our church and to be the hands of Christ to others.

You'll notice in the above picture that when it was slow between lunch and suppertime, Joanne got on the computer and checked her Facebook. Okay, I checked mine too.

There were organized Tug-o-Wars throughout the day. There is also a small hay bale maze for the little kids. The corn maze for the adventurous. Don't plan on coming and spending a few minutes, think about staying for the afternoon and evening.

There was also pumpkin painting for the kids. Some of the kids were minimalists and some were way over the top, with barely any space not painted. They had volunteered Joanne to judge the art works, but in the end did the wise and safe thing, rewarding all the kids for their efforts.

It was an abolutely georgous day in the country. The forecast was for chilly temperatures, but it warmed up nicely with barely a cloud in the sky.

This is A.J. Nuckols, the owner and designer of the Pumpkin Patch, carrying the American flag out to plant at the top of the castle. I have to admit, that as I watched him placing it on the upper hay bale, I had chills.

In the evening we had a Blue Grass music played. Some very talented musicians got together to entertain folks at the Pumpkin Patch. There is music scheduled every Saturday through the month of October.

As the sun goes down, the sun peaks through the tree and the fire is lit. We had hoped to roasting marshmallows, but that will have to wait for another week, when we remember to bring them

When the sun went down, the outline of the castle was on the horizon.

It was a really nice, nice weather and good firends. I tell folks that this is my Walt Disney World in Pittsylvania County. I look forward to this every year andtry to visit as often as I can while its going, because then I have to wait another year to do it again. If you get a chance come on out and experience it for yourself.