What a beautiful setting for an anniversary party. This is an early 20th Century Girl’s School that survived into the 1960s and then was acquired by the UM church and used as a gathering place. Thus its name: Virginia United Methodist Church Assembly Center. I would guess the main structure is circa 1915. It has been updated to codes and the high ceilings have been lowered to accommodate mechanical cooling and fire suppression systems. Bea Arthur (Maude and Golden Girls) is the last graduate of note from Blackstone College. It is quite stately sitting here in the quiet town of Blackstone just down the road from Fort Pickett.
But, ah the people…that’s what makes it special this weekend. There are Lutzes and Williams here. Bruce’s brother Jim and wife Wilma are here from Oklahoma. His sister Anne and her son Scott’s family are here from our old stomping grounds of South Jersey.
On the Lutz side, Kent, Amy and Parker from Fredericksburg; Jill and Brian Fries from Winchester represent Dave’s family. Kris and Philip Burkhead from Cincinnati and Jim and Nancy from Pittsburgh represent their family; of course Aleene and I from MI and Phyllis’ three daughters and their kids are here…Cindi, Rob, Meg and Carrie as well as Tammi, Tyler and Logan. Kye, Cheri and their three, Olivia, Josiah, Noah are here from Alta Vista, VA are here....I am sure I have missed someone...or more. Just a great mix.
There are some extended family and Chick's maid of honor and her husband from PA are here too. About 30 adults in all.
The Center accommodates 400 and it is all ours for the weekend. The staff of five act like our improgada (Portugese for servants) and even got me set up with a wireless connection in the activity room we hang out in.
Had a great hymn sing this morning....as you might expect the blend was great...not pitchy at all. And Philip rocked a few of the hymns in his jazz manner.
Some of these folks will be in Gaylord in three weeks...as will the sisters from Winona, MN...more and more are signing up to drive in....whew.
Not much else. I have to charge my battery.
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