Curryville Road: The Kennedys and Bechtels

Toward the end of the Curryville road lived the Kennedys, who had a daughter, Shirley, with whom I often played. They had horses. I did not like to ride them. I didn't like being so far off the ground. My brother, Dean, loved them. The Kennedys had a service garage.

Down further on the main Curryville road were fields of beautiful crops, which changed with the seasons. Just like most of the Cove, majestic fields show off the magic of its farmers and their God.

Back the lane to the right, through those fields lived the Bechtels. They had a large farm with many buildings. For several summers I was the hired girl there. Mr. Glenn Bechtel would pick me up at my house early in the morning after they delivered milk to Abbotts Dairy located behind Curry Supply. I helped get breakfast ready for all the men who would be coming in from the barn and field work. The menu was usually eggs, buckwheat pancakes, bacon, sausage, and fresh-made applesauce. I sat with Mrs. Bechtel (Tina) and her mother (Mrs. Keith) for many hours pealing apples, peaches, and pears to can. It took me a long time to get the peelings as thin as they desired, but I was determined. I can peel with the best of them now because of that.

Mrs. Bechtel was a very proper lady and had a special tailor come to the house to fit her with her corsets. One day, we were out in the field to pick corn when a rain storm came up. We ducked under a wagon. The rain made drips of mud come down through the wagon slats and over her head and face. I near fainted from holding my laugh inside. She was just not a person mud should touch.

I pulled weeds in their garden and gathered eggs from under the chickens. Hams hung in the smokehouse ready to be sliced. There was always a sense of satisfaction in all the work they were able to do. I tried to be part of it all and learned the call to duty that a farmer's life demanded.

The Bechtels had twin sons, Bobby and Donny. Donny died when he was very young. I went to his funeral and that was the first time I saw an open casket. I did not like to see that, but somehow I knew that if I hadn't I could not believe that he was dead.