Welcome to the Pumpkin Patch, which almost didn't happen. See previous post. http://mountairyjournal.blogspot.com/2008/09/oh-dear-oh-deer.html It seems that as soon as the acorns started falling the deer lost their appetite for pumpkins. Thank heaven for acorns!
A.J. and Lisa Nuchols, along with A.J.'s mom and step-dad, man the gate early on Saturday morning.
The Pumpkin patch is down Riceville Rd., about a quarter mile from route 40. 
It's a tad bit hard to miss the huge hay bale pumpkin at the intersection of routes 40 and 640.
Saint Andrews UMC sells hot dogs, chips, and drinks on Saturdays at the Pumpkin Patch as a fund raiser. I was elected the first first hot dog griller of the season. I would like to think that the news of my skill as a griller preceded me, but if it had I wouldn't have been asked.
Mattie Wyatt and Jean Shelton post the sign with our prices. It was a breezy day so we had to pin the sign to the canopy.
Rufus Shelton loaded the ice and drinks into the cooler.
A.J. set up a picnic area with bales of hay for the seats and table legs.
The children of all ages had fun finding and picking their pumpkins.
Lisa would weigh the pumpkins.
The Nuchols crew, Rachel, Daniel, and Katie, filling in at the front gate.
Now, where else would you find a camouflaged port-a-pottie.
Emma Jean Johnson dropped by for a visit and one of my charred hot dogs.
Sometimes it looked like the pumpkins were almost as big as the kid carrying them.
They had Pumpkins Hunts and hayrides during the day.
They had two corn mazes, a small one for little children and and a big one for the older folks. Actually, I should have done the little one.
They also had a maze made from the big round hay bales. Though most folks preferred to climb on top of the bales and walk/jump their way around the maze.
On September 28th we had Homecoming Sunday at Republican Grove UMC. I got to preach and who can't look good preaching in front of that incredible mural. Just think, they may be listening to me, but who would watch me when they can gaze on that. 
Homecoming this year was a celebration of the lives of four of our members who died this year; Dickie Abbott, Charles Anderson, Dewitt Fisher, and Anna Wilborn. Each hymn we sang was a favorite of theirs. The message was taken from Psalm 100 a memorized favorite scripture of Dickie Abbott. 
The children's message was about the "Good Shepherd".
First I showed them pictures of sheep, which they correctly identified. I told them I had shown the picture to a boy in the city and he thought it was a dog. I heard a quiet voice, "silly boy". Then we had some pictures of shepherds. Finally I had several artist interpretations of Jesus as the "Good Shepherd". I gave each them a small picture of Jesus as the shepherd for them to take home and remember.
At the close of the service we sang Amazing Grace and during the singing someone from each of the four families came up and lit a candle for their loved one. It may sound like it was a sad service, but it wasn't. It worked out to be what we all wanted it to be and that was a time of remembering and celebration.
Brain Daniels form Providence UMC did an excellent job reading the scripture, as always.
We had a great crowd. For a church that normally has 12-15 on Sundays, we were very pleased to see so many friends and family. 
After service the fellowship gets rolling. Seeing folks you haven't seen in a long time. Seeing how the children have grown and the rest of us have aged.
And of course, what would Homecoming be without some seriously good food.
Mary Margaret Crews with her grand-daughter.
Patricia Fisher with her grand-daughter
Heidi Dawson sitting with her mom.
The "Drink and Dessert Patrol".
"Charlie, I'm tired of waiting for you to take pictures. I'm hungry and I'm getting in line! You too, right now!" Yes, dear.
Now that's how you eat a cupcake, face first!
Patricia chasing her grand-daughter through the cemetery. Run Patricia Run! Do you remember playing in the cemetery when you were a kid? Hiding behind and climbing over the tombstones. Oh, you didn't do that. Never mind.
"Okay, when the music stops the first one in the chair gets it. Go!"
Betty Jo Dawson with grandchildren and friends. Better known as "Grandma's Posse".
It was beautiful day outside and folks took advantage of it. 
A.J. and Lisa Nuchols, along with A.J.'s mom and step-dad, man the gate early on Saturday morning.
The Pumpkin patch is down Riceville Rd., about a quarter mile from route 40. 
It's a tad bit hard to miss the huge hay bale pumpkin at the intersection of routes 40 and 640.
Saint Andrews UMC sells hot dogs, chips, and drinks on Saturdays at the Pumpkin Patch as a fund raiser. I was elected the first first hot dog griller of the season. I would like to think that the news of my skill as a griller preceded me, but if it had I wouldn't have been asked.
Mattie Wyatt and Jean Shelton post the sign with our prices. It was a breezy day so we had to pin the sign to the canopy.
Rufus Shelton loaded the ice and drinks into the cooler.
A.J. set up a picnic area with bales of hay for the seats and table legs.
The children of all ages had fun finding and picking their pumpkins.
Lisa would weigh the pumpkins.
The Nuchols crew, Rachel, Daniel, and Katie, filling in at the front gate.
Now, where else would you find a camouflaged port-a-pottie.
Emma Jean Johnson dropped by for a visit and one of my charred hot dogs.
Sometimes it looked like the pumpkins were almost as big as the kid carrying them.
They had Pumpkins Hunts and hayrides during the day.
They had two corn mazes, a small one for little children and and a big one for the older folks. Actually, I should have done the little one.
They also had a maze made from the big round hay bales. Though most folks preferred to climb on top of the bales and walk/jump their way around the maze.
