Happy Thanksgiving!

 * Celebration Is In Order *

    Soon the snow is accumulating and temperatures are dropping as moody Old Man Winter raises his gray head and shakes his wind rattled staff. We are nearing those tinsel and manger days of Yuletide with the seasonal changes of the solstice. This brings gifts and unfortunately, higher electric and fuel bills too, (Boo, hiss!) Also, introspection of the passing of another year of our lives.

    In this late fall period, let's not yet jump on the December bandwagon, as we may have a few prayers of gratitude to whisper in earnest and a special holiday right in front of our noses.

   For those of you in foreign countries that read this blog, you are probably aware this is an American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November with autumnal harvest traditions of religious overtones in giving thanks to God for providing for us and any abundance we have gathered. It has become a federal and public holiday here.

The First Thanksgiving, Wiki Media Commons, Lib. Of Congress

   The very first Thanksgiving celebration must of been something really special. It was said to of been celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621 in New England with various Native Americans.

   What are your youthful, idealistic impressions?

   President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation through the efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, in 1863 for a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", making it extremely official. You would have to seriously doubt this kind of thing could be considered in our times with the modern misunderstanding of 'the separation of church and state doctrine, etc. Let it be stated clearly, there was no thought given toward a 'freedom from religion' back then.

   The father of our country and first President George Washington, an ever present subject on this website, which could hardly be avoided for whatever reason, first signed a proclamation on October3, 1789, with proper homage to you know Who, God bless old George...

The Frost is on the Pumpkin

   I can still recall the bustle of my grandmother and Mom in the heart of my childhood, preparing the turkey, stuffing and dressing, and the all encompassing aroma, and those grand pies, (my grandmother was the best cook I honestly ever knew of; her coconut cream pies were absolutely perfect!). Ah, no, I'm not quite old enough to remember the one horse open sleighs, bells on bob tails, or muskets and wearing of brown with high white collars. Can't comment there.

   But, I do get an inner glimmer of those mornings with early frost on the windows, bundling up in jackets and galoshes for some early sled riding. The doodles in school, a cozy hearth, drawing turkeys and a history lesson of the old days with stern Mrs. Laughrey at the Central Grade school. The solemn Thanksgiving prayers round the table before a scrumptious dinner that my Dad led us into every year, and the humble amens. While the orange and brown leaves whirled outside, fantasizing already of the coming Christmas magic and the hunting season and blending in...ahhh, it is a fair time ago and the nostalgia is palpable. I hope yours is not that much different, except for those tough old teachers! Some were kind of nice though, weren't they?

  These days, that tradition surely includes turkey, parades and college, (and Pro), football! Don't forget the stuffing and pumpkin pie either.

    I want to personally wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends and all the trimmings that come along with it for this November the 27th, 2014!

    In such changing and uncertain times as ours, here's to a grand old holiday with deep and abiding traditions.

West Overton Plans Whiskey Smash!

   I expect you all had a good Veteran's Day!

   This is just a Quick Update for an extravaganza slated for Thursday, November 19, a week before Thanksgiving. Imagine the distilling of liquor in our neck of the woods, what a thought! Without going into explanations too deeply, the nature of this website calls for more meaningful posts, with a limited amount each month. I found myself working on a few other posts in a sporadic fashion as time would permit. Recently my blog moments were spent mostly between various stages of different plans, and thus I got caught in the crossfire figuring out which would be in what order while none was yet completed. On the bright side, this will allow a few needed weeks to perfect things and the next will be available close to the end of the month.

   Thanks for your understanding and patience.

   First up, unfortunately I didn't make it to the Annual Membership Meeting and could kick myself for not being flexible enough to fit this into my schedule as I really wanted to be there in person. The point is, there is likely a better perspective to what will go on there if one would of heard things from the inside.

      

         

   Not to long ago, I reported on West Overton history with a tour that included a brief interview for a blog post. Now there is an intimation at the upcoming Whiskey Smash mania of a big  announcement. Besides the proposed whiskey tasting from other regional distillers and lots of good food, my guess is this concerns the thrilling details of distilling and whiskey production at, or near, West Overton in the near future. It's not that they did much to keep the idea a secret!

 
   I haven't yet been able to wrangle a proper commitment to this engagement for a certainty, as it would be easier for a weekend to be more sure, BUT, don't let that influence you one iota. This event does appear to be an exciting one! If I can get to it, I would love to have the opportunity to meet up with you there.

    Here's hoping those that do take the opportunity for this special experience, thoroughly enjoy themselves!