Newcomers to the Cove: Time for a New Cove

The title of this article must be a bit confusing. How can we simultaneously be newcomers and yet be saying goodbye?

Well, even though we have only lived in Morrisons Cove for the last three years, it’s time to bid adieu. Our health is changing as we grow older. Circumstances are such that we are not as physically robust as we’d like. It’s time for us to enjoy more of life and less of the demands of home ownership. We are moving to a retirement community in another county. This is a decision we have not taken lightly. Prayerful consideration of our children and grandkids also entered into our move to another cove. They live either out of state or overseas and are creating their own successful and rewarding careers.

But we certainly have not been alone in Morrisons Cove. We have other family members in the area including a brother and sister-in-law and a few cousins. We also have many friends here. Church and neighbors have been great sources of fellowship. The new relationships Nancy and I now enjoy will long be fondly remembered. As I reflect on the privilege of having my thoughts about life in the Cove published, I think of the subjects we collectively explored.

I say this because more than a few readers have called or emailed me to graciously clarify or otherwise answer questions I’ve raised, whether rhetorical or direct. Here’s a short list of subjects we’ve explored: why geographic places in the Cove are so named; boiling apple butter which remains a tradition in my family; the harvest (mainly corn); annual events like the Williamsburg Farm Show or Cove Dairy Show; buggies versus cars as a means of conveyance; holidays like Christmas, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving; the Bulldogs, Scarlet Dragons, Black Panthers, and Blue Pirates; Pennsylvania’s seasons; US citizenship and how precious it is; patriotism; camping in the beautiful Pennsylvania woods; discovering how folks lived in days past; changes in our educational system; giving back; the Pledge of Allegiance; and the good nature of people in this area.

Of course, as a columnist, I have a list for future articles. These ideas are gleaned from conversations with unnamed Covites. Some ideas are amusing, such as the list I have on home remedies. Apparently yellow mustard is good for stopping a charley horse (otherwise known as involuntary muscle cramps). How can a teaspoon of yellow mustard stop leg spasms? I don’t know. But I do know people - good people, intelligent people - who recognize this actually works. I do not discount it although I don’t understand how it is possible.

A bar of Ivory soap under the sheets apparently cures Restless Legs Syndrome. Hey, I don’t judge. It probably works. Soap does contain hydrocarbons and magnesium which may be the catalyst to stopping spontaneous and involuntary leg movement. Who knows?

Other remedies I’ve learned about include teabags for tooth extractions and infused copper shirts that stop back pain.

Wouldn’t these be great topics for future articles? I leave these ideas for others to investigate.

To our neighbors, friends, and associates, Nancy and I thank you for many memories and much laughter.

Finally, thank you, (Editor) Anna Baughman and (Morrisons Cove Herald Publisher) Allen Bassler for allowing my thoughts and observations to be printed.

We no longer feel like newcomers. To all the kind Herald readers in the Cove, Godspeed.

Editor’s Note: The Herald will greatly miss Mr. Walk and his Newcomers to the Cove column. Walk began writing for the Herald a few months after I became the editor. Having Walk as a columnist was one of the first things I felt I did “right” at the Herald. Though he is moving along, I am grateful for his contributions and hope the Herald hears from him in the future.