Good Valley People

by   August 18, 2023 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Six years ago my wife Mary Ann and I moved from the Valley to Lake Norman, N.C. We returned two weeks ago. When we lived here before, we lived on a seven-acre plot of land in a house built in 1890. Now we live in a house built in 1990 which is located in Woodstock. In a way we have moved from the country to the city. Before our return move, we appreciated that our new home would offer more modern conveniences and accepted the fact that we no longer would enjoy the three-acres of woods, old corn crib, a fine view of Short Mountain, and open field out back. Regardless of those “losses”,  we were thrilled at having such city services as trash pick-up and sewer. But more than anything, we eagerly anticipated renewing old friendships.

Six years is not, in the annals of the world, a long time. However, we knew that the Valley we left in 2017 would not be the Valley to which we returned. Certain features such as Great North Mountain still watch over the Valley, and the North Fork continues to flow through its banks. But some, ones that I had come to regard as Valley Originals, are no longer present. I had known that Gary, the fine mechanic who repaired our vehicles, had died. And just before our return move, I learned that Robert would no longer traverse up and down The Pike in his Flintstone-looking, two-toned, brown work van as he built and repaired the buildings of the Valley. And after our move I learned that no more classic automobiles would David re-build to their original splendor. Cancer stilled his skills a few weeks ago.

Much is made, and rightly so, of the natural beauty of the Valley. It is majestic, and we are pleased to be able to enjoy its panorama. And while we have already shared time with Wendy, Brittany, Terry, Jennifer, Mike, Bill, Jess, Hank, Arnell, and more good Valley people, we are eager to begin sharing life again with so many good folks.

As we get our new home organized, we will begin to venture out to enjoy the varied Valley views. In time we will re-acquaint ourselves with the ride to Shrine Mont and other great drives through the Valley.  But as much as we enjoy the natural beauty of the Valley, we cherish its Good Valley People more. To paraphrase Mr. Rogers: People are like shuttles on a loom. They join the threads of the past with threads of the future and leave their own bright patterns as they go. We will miss those departed threads of the Valley but rejoice in the new patterns we find. Gary, Robert, David, and all those before us would want as much.

Newbern and More…

by   August 17, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Whiteville was my last stop on July 3, probably the hottest day of my statewide challenge so far. Whiteville is the county seat of Columbus County. Whiteville is centered around the old courthouse, built in 1914-1915 and currently undergoing a major remodeling.

Columbus County was created in 1808. In 1810, a community was planned on land owned by James B. White and originally called White’s Crossing. A post office called Whiteville started in 1821 and the town was incorporated in 1832. The Union army sacked the town late in the Civil War. Whiteville hosts the Pecan Harvest Festival annually. Vineland Station, the town’s depot built in 1903 and one of the state’s first brick depots, serves as Whiteville’s Civic Center. Several old churches and a bank building caught my eye, as did some historic houses within a couple blocks of the courthouse.

Nashville, county seat of Nash County was first called Nash Court House and then became Nashville in 1780 and got a post office in 1805. Nashville features many historic homes. The town and its county were named for Francis Nash, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania while in command of N.C. troops during the Revolutionary War. The first courthouse was completed in 1778 and a historical marker denotes the ghost of the pastor convicted for murder who still inhabits it. The next Nash County courthouse was built in 1921 and a newer one is now in use. Nashville hosts the Blooming Festival each spring and Gov. Roy Cooper was born here.

Next up was the town of Washington, county seat of Beaufort County. I had heard of it for years but had never stopped in. Washington is located on the northern bank of the Pamlico River. It is commonly called “Original Washington” or “Little Washington” to distinguish it from Washington, D.C. Established in 1776 on land donated by Col. James Bonner, Washington is the first city named after George Washington, the first United States president.

Washington has many historical buildings, some from colonial times. The North Carolina Estuarium has more than 200 scientific exhibits along the Pamlico River that includes a ¾-mile boardwalk. The waterfront area is beautiful and had plenty of boats parked in the dock areas.

The courthouse was built about 1786 and was originally 42 feet by 42 feet but expanded later. It is one of the oldest public buildings in N.C.

The 1913 Turnage Theatre has been renovated from a vaudeville/movie theater to a center for performing arts. A cannonball from Union Army guns during an attack on Washington is displayed in an attorney’s office downtown. Dominique Wilkins, NBA Hall of Famer, who was called the “Human Highlight Film” for his thunderous dunks in the NBA, is from Washington. The Bank of Washington, built in 1852, is still in use but I don’t think it’s still a bank. Washington was seized by Union troops in March 1862 and Confederate efforts to recapture it failed. The Union troops withdrew in April 1864. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1823, rebuilt in 1871 and restored in 1954.

My next county seat was Bayboro. Bayboro is the county seat of Pamlico County, located at the headwaters of the Bay River. Bayboro is a small residential, agricultural, fishing and commercial community. Bayboro was named for the Bay River and settled long before it was incorporated in 1881. It is the oldest incorporated town in the county and was the first to have town water. Its location is based on waterway commerce and commercial fishing associated with the town’s Bay River Harbor during colonial times. During that time, waterway traffic was the main source of moving goods and commerce to Pamlico County. The courthouse did not appear to be historic.

I drove on to New Bern, county seat of Craven County. New Bern was founded in October 1710 by Swiss colonists who named their settlement after Bern, Switzerland where many of them came from. New Bern is the second-oldest European settled colonial town in North Carolina, after Bath. It served as the capital of North Carolina from 1770 to 1792. After the Revolutionary War, New Bern became wealthy and quickly developed a rich cultural life. When Raleigh was named the state capital, New Bern rebuilt its economy by expanding trade routes to the Caribbean and New England. James Davis was the first printer and first postmaster of the colony of North Carolina and owner of the North-Carolina Gazette, North Carolina colony’s first newspaper.

In 1862, Union forces captured New Bern and held it until after the end of the war. Over 10,000 slaves escaped under the protection of the army. By 1890, New Bern had become one of the largest lumber producers in the south, but that business gradually dried up.

New Bern has an especially interesting fire department history. The manned fire service began in 1845. It was taken over by Union soldiers during their Civil War occupation, and then service moved on to steam fire trucks and then motorized trucks in 1914. All this can be seen in a fantastic fire museum.

Late in the afternoon, I tried to get some pictures of Tryon Palace, used by the British governors from 1770-1775. It was seized by American patriots early in the Revolutionary War and accidentally burned in 1792. The palace has been restored for tours, but the gates were closed for the day.

I made my last stop of the day in Trenton, the county seat of Jones County, and another very small town with little information available. Jones County is the fourth least populous county in N.C. The Jones County courthouse was built in 1939. The economy has been based on lumber and tobacco. Late in the afternoon, I found a historic church under construction and a historic water powered mill.

At the end of the day, I had completed 85 county seats and 9.3 miles on my feet. See you soon with more eastern counties!

Day 9

by   August 17, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

 Bigger miles with the Mississippi source in sight!


  I had a wonderful room last night at the Super Eight at Baxter. I didn’t sleep especially well due to the activities of those in the room above me. Hopefully I can make some of it up tonight. This morning had some pressure because I had to get to Grand Rapids and it was a longer ride.


   The ride began at first light, about 6:15am. My plan was to mix the Great River Road and a slightly shorter route where sightings of the river and towns were less likely. Towns are far apart in this area anyway. The whole ride for the next few days will be in Minnesota.


   First towns visited were Ironton and Crosby, almost touching each other. They are considered twin cities but both are very small.I asked several people where the Mississippi was and no one seemed to know. Big lakes are scattered throughout the day’s route. I rode on and found the river just north of Crosby, and I was shocked at how small it is.


  Iron mining was a staple of the economy for many years locally and a beautiful mural depicts the miners.


   I visited a little town called Emily. Very small, I stopped only to eat a breakfast biscuit that I already had. As soon as I left town, a major thunderstorm hit hard. With the long route planned, I rode it out, complete with lightning and heavy rain for about an hour. And with serious rumble strips forcing me into the lane constantly during the low visibility.


   I rode north on State Road 6 for more than 50 miles. During that time, I revisited Remer, which earlier called itself the Bigfoot Capital of the World. Instead of a life size Bigfoot stationed at each town entrance, there was only a small sign. The Bigfoot store is still open. I stopped in Remer on my Washington to Wisconsin ride several years back.


   After leaving Remer on the way to Grand Rapids, I was hit by a second storm not nearly as intense as the first. After both storms, the sun came out and my clothes dried quickly. The afternoon especially had lots of small hills that slowed the pace but I did finish 86 miles.


   I made an agreement for a room last night here in Grand Rapids, at a remodeled older motel now called Hotel Rapids. Upon arrival, I had to argue for the rate given last night, and although it is now a trendy and upscale place with its own grill and bar, I would have preferred the simpler place down the road.


   Tomorrow, I will end up in Bemidji, the last real town and jumping off point to visit Lake Itasca. This large lake is the source of the Mississippi and I will see it again in two days.


  I had a tailwind today amid the rain storms. It was also the coolest day so far. The forecast calls for warmer temperatures for the rest of the week. No ice cream tonight, but I will resume that practice tomorrow. Join me back here for the latest update.

Always Welcome

by   August 16, 2023 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

  • We have access to God’s throne in the Holy of Holies, because of the completed work of our Lord Jesus.
  • We enter and come to Him with confidence, because of this wonderful salvation. 
  • We receive grace in any time of need and we ought to go to Him into that place when we do have a need. 

Prayer:  Help me Lord to always direct all my need and my immediate solutions to You rather than to man.  Help me to lean on You I pray in the name of Jesus.  I look to You and praise You for all the times You have helped me.  I can not even count.  You are a faithful God in every way.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Day 8

by   August 15, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Still searching for the perfect day, but with some improvement!


   I keep thinking I am going to hit my stride one day soon. There have been unusual challenges often with the first seven days, but I felt better about things in general today.


  I left Sartell with the Great River Road right in front of my motel. I had a nice night and a good breakfast at the AmericInn. Heading east, the first 5 miles or so were right along the river with good viewing almost constantly. I passed a big dam and an old paper mill in the Sartell area.


   Then came a long ride to Little Falls through the country, most of it through farmland with little traffic. Good riding with only a few hills. I rode in the cool morning temperatures starting in the mid-50s and didn’t take my long sleeved shirt off for a couple hours. I spotted the river occasionally but more often as I neared Little Falls, some of it with the river within 20 feet of the road.


   Little Falls was named after some former falls near the town. Apparently some industry had changed the low falls. Just before reaching town, I saw the state park that includes the boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh, one of the most famous aviators for his first ever solo flight across the Atlantic. The home was built by his dad, Congressman Charles A. Lindbergh.


   I followed the GRR signs all morning and rode into the town of Little Falls. I stopped at the Speedway convenience store and asked the clerk if the GRR continued straight. Rather smugly, he said, “Oh, the GRR stops right here at our store.” I told him that wasn’t right snd showed him the map, but he was defiant that it did stop. I just continued straight through the town and soon found more signs that told me to turn, and rode on about 10 miles following them. I thought of calling that store back and telling the guy he was wrong. The GRR does continue all the way to the source.


   I passed Camp Ripley, the National Guard base that specializes in winter training. It had a beautiful main gate entrance and encloses 53,000 acres. Most guardsmen train 2 weeks a year at Camp Ripley. A frontier fort used up until the 1870s is still maintained within the camp.


   Next, I got my big challenge. I continued on following the signs and the map. Just on the other side of Camp Ripley, the GRR signs directed me onto the interstate. I noticed right away the signs forbidding bikes on the interstate in Minnesota, and reluctantly rode back off the ramp. I asked Siri for a bike route to Brainerd, the next town. The distance was about the same, which seemed fine. Until, I saw that the first road was gravel. A loaded bike is almost impossible to ride on loose gravel, but I made it a mile, then found that she wanted me to turn on another gravel road for seven miles. I simply couldn’t control the bike and it wouldn’t climb in the gravel.


    A US Postal Service vehicle passed me, and I wished I had stopped her for information. I walked up and coasted down another hill with both feet out to keep from crashing. I spotted a white truck ahead parked next to a corn field. Andy Eller, who works for Steffes Power, had an iPad that showed the available roads. Andy had been having lunch, a good thing for me. We had a very enjoyable talk about things, before he gave me a route out of the mess. First he hauled me to the end of that road, where I had a paved option and a similar distance ride to avoid the gravel roads. Andy told me about the major drought in the area, and added that lots of the roads in the area were gravel. Fine for vehicles, terrible for loaded bikes. Thank you, Andy!


    I made it to Brainerd and then into Baxter where I am spending the night in a wonderful Super Eight. I have eaten a huge load of food, including today’s ice cream flavor, Drumstick, the Original Sundae Cone by Nestle.


   My legs came around today and I felt good all the way, finishing in 69 miles. Tomorrow, I am going for Grand Rapids, which if successful will be the longest ride of this journey so far. I don’t expect to see the river much tomorrow as the GRR doesn’t look close.


    Thanks for following along! See you tomorrow!

Equipped

by   August 15, 2023 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

I’ve been thinking about a word I saw in Scripture, and praying it for my husband and me. You see, we’ve just let go of a lot of security and left jobs we had at the same school for the past twenty years. Yep. We are that crazy. Anyway, he was a middle school teacher [math, Bible, & culinary] and I was the school secretary. And we really loved it. But the Lord kept nudging us to step out of the boat and do a little wave walking.

A while back I heard a teaching series through the book of Nehemiah. The pastor said. “Don’t allow fear to be bigger than your God.” It was at that point that I had real confirmation that God wanted us to do something more. That was in January. So in March, when it was time to sign contracts for the next year, God gave us both peace and assurance that we needed to be done there. And we let go.

One day I was reading and came across the word equip. It’s contained in a prayer at the end of Hebrews. Chapter 13:20 says, “And now, may the God of peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will.” Since we are definitely old dogs in need of new tricks, equipping by God sounds like a great request. So this has become my prayer for us. Today, I saw an interesting commentary on that word. The writer, Dennis Fisher, says it is the same word used in several contexts. Stay with me, this is pretty cool. Ephesians 4:12 uses it to describe what pastors and teachers do for us as they bring us God’s Word. Galatians 6:1 speaks of restoring [equipping] a fallen brother. And my favorite is in Matthew 4:21. Mending [nets] is the same word.

God is so practical. He never asks us to do anything without equipping us to do it. And if we fall, and odds are pretty good we will, He reaches out His hand for us. And when we need mending, He’ll do that too. People may think we are not worth the effort, but God never gives up on us. And the coolest part of all is that the power He uses to equip us is the same power He used to RAISE CHRIST FROM THE DEAD! Ephesians 1:19-“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead!” Strong stuff! Makes me think we can do anything He asks!

So the prayer for today is for equipping. Lord, strengthen us with the tools we need to build Your church. Put in our hearts what You want us to do. Then give us the knowhow, stamina, and understanding to do the things You want done. Help us remember that we cannot rely on ourselves. Then strengthen us to stay so close to You, that when the waves get big, we instantly call to you like Peter did when he stepped out on the water. Hold us by Your strong and mighty right hand! Equip us to do great things we’ve never done before!

More: Psalm 18:16-20; Matthew 14:22-33; Isaiah 43:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Isaiah 48:17- “The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says, I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling like waves.”

Blessed

by   August 14, 2023 with No Comments

Beatitude. Beatitude. Beatitude. Say that three times really fast. Something about that word never got my proper attention until recently.

If I heard the words ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ I envisioned a lovely mountainside, picnic baskets, and Jesus.

There were picnic baskets, right? It WAS the longest sermon on record.

But hearing the word ‘beatitude’ did not sound nearly as special – until I saw the definition. Beatitude means supreme blessedness.

We all want supreme blessedness, right?

Well, the beatitudes are the key.

Blessed are:

The Humble. Humility means to have a modest view of our own importance. Not to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less.

The Mourners. We are in a world that believes in happiness at any cost. But – Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 says that it is better to go into the house of mourning than the house of feasting. Sorrow is better than laughter. By the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

The Meek. Meekness is about our behavior toward others. The word is meekness- not weakness. It is meek – not EEK! Moses was described as meek in Numbers 12:3. Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart,” in Matthew 11:29. They had great power – but it was power under control.

The Hungry for Righteousness. Righteousness is the desire to do what is right. It is desiring God. It is pursuing God. We should be hungry for righteousness – and go after it!

The Merciful. Mercy is what you give to someone who does not deserve it. Compassion. Forgiveness. Surely the word mercy originated at the cross – as the greatest show of mercy possible was extended to us – the sinner.

The Pure in Heart. Man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

The Peacemakers. Jesus gave His life to make peace between us and God. We are to carry that message of peace to the world. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15

The Persecuted. Persecution often refers to those who are mistreated because of religious beliefs. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

The beatitudes say that if we do these things: We are blessed. We will receive the kingdom of heaven. We will be comforted. We will inherit the earth. We will be filled.

We will obtain mercy. We will see God. We will be called the children of God.

That, my friends, is supreme blessedness.

*8 beatitudes from the Lord that teach us how to live.

*Beatitudes – my new favorite word.

*Godly examples for us to follow.

*Teach them to our children and grandchildren.

*Let the beatitudes be a part of our family legacy.

*That sure was some great preaching on the hillside near Capernaum.

*Brought to you by: Jesus in ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ in Matthew 5:3-12.

Day 7

by   August 13, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Still looking for the perfect day!


 The day dawned cool and pleasant this morning at the Regency Inn in Anoka, Minnesota. I hoped to make significant progress while Ethan Horne was again riding with me. Ethan is from China Grove and we are longtime fiends. Ethan lives in Minneapolis, so he took the time to ride with me Saturday afternoon and part of Sunday morning before heading back home.


   We checked out the town, interesting since the Rum River empties in the Mississippi near the town. They are building a 20 mile trail that includes both rivers and the town. Lots of historic buildings still remain in Anoka.


    We road north on the Great River Road through Dayton, Otsego and into Monticello through a few hilly segments but some easier riding as well. Turkeys were abundant in the area. Ethan turned around at Monticello, which was incorporated in 1855, and headed back home. It was fun to have him along, especially with his own  outstanding list of endurance cycling accomplishments.


   After some light rain, the sun came back out and so did a consistent headwind. I passed the edge of Clearwater and then rode into St. Cloud, a city of about 51,000. I had a dilemma, wanting to continue riding on to Little Falls about 35 more miles but the only listed regular motel was full. I decided to continue on to Sartell and AmericInn. I had tried to talk Ileen Geisel into a deal, but still stopped here for the evening. We had a very pleasant conversation about my rides and about her bike. This is the nicest motel so far on this ride. Sartell has one of the few sets of rapids on the Mississippi.


   Tomorrow, I am hoping for at least Brainerd, Minnesota, where I will complete three bridge crossings. Those crossings will continue the rest of the way to Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi. At each crossing, I am seeing the smaller size of the river as I head north. There will also be less towns coming up too. Right now, I think it will be three more days to the source.


   Following the Lake Itasca stop, I will ride east to Lake Superior and hope to ride into Canada briefly at Thunder Bay. I understand that the area is called the Northwoods and will have some interesting stops along Lake Superior, the biggest of the Great Lakes.


   Thanks to David Post for sponsoring again this year.
   See you back here tomorrow! I am sure it will be another interesting journey.

Long Term Lessons from the 2nd Grade

by   August 13, 2023 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Armed with the most adorable puppy-themed green Trapper Keeper, a zipper pouch of brand new pencils and crayons, I marched into the 2nd grade of my new school. Though shy, I always looked forward to the first day of elementary school. Mrs. Deal met me at the door with a smile and the look of someone well-acquainted with children.

We each have a favorite teacher or grade, like Mrs. Deal and the 2nd grade. To this day, I can recall songs she taught us, though I can barely make out most words in many worship songs on the radio today. I can remember Bible verses we worked through, though now, I cannot give you more than three digits from the phone numbers of my dearest contacts.

She made completing schoolwork a joy, rewarding those who finished well and early enough with time at a quiet table enjoying puzzles or games. I still employ that tactic with myself on mundane housework. “After this load of laundry, I’ll read one more chapter from my book while sitting on the porch.”

Likewise, character development had rewards with a merit system for multiple categories, sometimes resulting in a small cup of ice cream with a tiny wooden spoon as a sweet reward. Today, the benefits of pursuing godly character are sweet and long-lasting.

Mrs. Deal planted the first seeds of international missions into my 2nd-grade heart. Stories about Amy Carmichael thrilled my soul and made me wonder about others worldwide. I have since served on missions teams at local churches, supported friends on long-term and short-term missions, and read many biographies to my children, including the one about Amy Carmichael.

I know she is a Christian and well acquainted with Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I wonder how many students she has had through the years who can attest to that truth and her part in their lives?

Caregivers who send their children off to school, if you have done the work of finding a good teacher, as you entrust them, pray for them regularly. Thank them often and tell them when and how their influence translates at home. Parents who teach from home, the children are soaking up so much that you are well-equipped to teach them. Enjoy the gift and pray through the hard seasons, trusting a good harvest in the years ahead.

Teachers in traditional school buildings, you may only sometimes get to see the long-view results, but your work matters and is shaping each child. A child’s one year with you may instill something unique that stays with him for a lifetime. Though not immediately, when looking back, they will one day see the many hands God has used to shape them, and I pray they one day give you a delayed, but well-earned thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Deal!

Ashlie Miller is a homeschool teacher of 5, often using the tools she learned from Mrs. Deal in 2nd grade. You may reach her at ashliemiller.com.

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