In 1985 started working at the United States Postal Service in Harrisonburg Va until 1993. Then assumed the roll of Postmaster of Quicksburg VA until 2013 when I became Postmaster of Fulks Run VA until my retirement in 2014. Finished my full time working career at Central Valley Truss in Fulks Run, retiring from full time employment October 2021. Since 1999, I occasionally fill the pulpit in local churches. Married to Cammie Anderson for 41 years, and we have two adult daughters, Rebecca and Sarah.
Dog days end August 11th for those who care.
August is here and its back to school. The halls have been polished, windows washed, rooms cleaned, and lesson plans made. The teachers and students stand in disbelief of how fast the summer went and can’t believe its over. For some parents they again now have a baby setter and for others it brings a tear as they watch that little one climb up that big step on the bus for the first time, but for both I coin a phrase I heard years ago, “today is the first day of the rest of your life. It sure goes by fast.
I have heard that it is hard to find good used cars, so I have pulled up an ad from Myers Ford in Elkton. The ad states save up to $1000.00 on demos. I’ll name a few, Ford LTD light green, 400 V8 engine all extras PB, PS, Vinyl Top rear window defog, buy it now $900.00. One I would be interested in is the Torino Cobra Red in color traction lock, bucket seats, laser strips, mag 500 wheels, tack, 4 speed with a gas sipping 429 4V engine at a unbelievable move it now price of $681.00. If that is out of your price line then we can fit you into a Mustang Grande with a 351 4V tinted glass, PS and other extras for only $500.00.
Now your attention please, the ad that I have shared was dated Saturday August 21st 1971, so some models may not still be available. So don’t rush out to Myers Ford to pick one of these up before calling. And if you don’t feel like going out this evening (Saturday August 21st 1971) you can stay home and at 6:30 watch Petticoat Junction at 7:00 Dick Van Dyke, and of course at 7:30 Lawrence Welk Show. If you are fortunate enough to get more than one channel. Over 50 years ago, I told you time goes fast.
Another August event is the “Biggest Little Fair Anywhere” of course the Bergton Fair, this year August 8th thru the 12th. Fun, Food, and Fellowship second to none. As I reflect back over the years I remember when they had livestock exhibits, chickens, rabbits, and even cattle, they were located behind where the bathrooms are today. The Fulks Run Ruritans had a food booth, with Polish Sausage, Italian Sausages, Cheeseburgers, and ice-cold drinks in a cup with ice. If my memory serves me right one year, we had Cherry pies by the slice. The Ruritans did not have fried ham at first, that came a little later. The first year they had a little booth out in front of the stand frying ham, but with that set up it was impossible to keep up with the demand.
There was also some misunderstanding that the little booth qualified as a second stand and a larger amount of profit sharing was required for a second stand run by the same organization. So, the next year the old existing stand was remodeled. The Fair Association supplied the materials and the Fulks Run Ruritans supplied the labor, and with the remodeling the club was able to have everything under one roof. The ham sandwiches sold as fast as we could make them, and the rest is history. There is one thing about the Bergton Fair, you never know what the weather will be from year to year. One-year fair goers would come late to beat the heat, and I remember one year in the early to middle 70’s that there was a downpour. There were people standing under overhangs and heads hanging out the exhibit building listening to the live music still playing on the stage. Everything was good till an announcement was made on the loudspeaker that the river was rising and was starting to come out into the road at the Bergton Grocery store. Boys and girls when we heard that we knew it was time to head home. Also, more than one year when the sun set, we sold more coffee than soda. It was so cold that people were wearing winter coats and when they approached the window to order you could see their breaths. Yes, the memories of days long past, my ride of choice was the Hobby Horse, I just didn’t like a ride that went in two directions at the same time. Also, I like to browse thru the exhibits and especially the Forest Service Booth. This was outside behind the exhibit building; it was because, if I remember, they had a live Copperhead or maybe it was a Rattler I can’t remember, which but they had it in a glass display, could you imagine that getting loose in the building. I could imagine the announcement “if anyone sees a large Copperhead in the exhibit building, please notify one of the fair association members”. Back then we could have called in Piney Moyers, he was security. Remember that big gun he carried on his hip? Reminded you of that Marty Robbins song “Big Iron On His Hip”
A more recent memory is the long line of lawn chairs that were placed below the exhibit building, and the people that sat in them. Sadly, each year there is someone that is missing from the previous years, but another takes their place. I always try and attend at least one night because you never know when it is your last opportunity to talk to someone you may never see again, so see you at the Bergton Fair.
Believe it or not.
Until next time
Ronnie
