Hope everyone enjoyed your Labor Day weekend. I think moving the Bicentennial/Caramel Festival to the previous weekend was a good idea and the beginning of a new tradition.

We are having a Caramel Festival meeting this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. We will be discussing the finances from this year’s festival. We are very appreciative of our many volunteers, vendors and folks who purchased books and t-shirts. Patsy did a great job with the book and has received many compliments for her hard work. We still have some Bicentennial books for sale at $25 each.

We appreciate those ladies who donated baked goods for the culinary contest. We didn’t have quite as many items this year but thanks to the generous donations by our local businesses and residents, we had a successful year. We are appreciative of Sam Bolender who donated his time for the auction. As always, he did a great job.

Sam Osborne has already begun making plans for next year’s toilet bowl race to make it bigger and better. If anyone has a toilet to donate (he prefers one that is clean but perhaps that is negotiable) let him know. I guess Shirley Naylor will start driving the back roads again to see what she can find.

I know we have several folks who have paid for their crocks and I have not forgotten about them. A partial order came in late and some were broken. The bottom line is that we still have not received the initial order. When they come in, we will deliver them to you and apologize for any inconvenience. The orders taken during the Festival were placed on the 31st so hopefully it will not take as long to get them in. We will let you know when they are received.

Stephen Caraway did a great job recruiting our politicians to participate in the opening ceremonies. It just reminds me how much better things go when we all work together for a common goal.

Sympathy is extended to the Hitchcock and Tumbleson families in the death of Sandy (Yockey) Hitchcock, 74, of Georgetown. She leaves her husband, Joe Bill Hitchcock of Georgetown, her mother in law Betty Jo Hitchcock and her sister in law, Betty Ann and Bill Tumbleson of Winchester and several nieces and a nephew. Services were at the Peace Lutheran Church at Arnheim.

Winchester’s Past (Florence Bryson): The Winchester United Methodist Church was founded in 1824 although a class was organized in the home of James Kendall in 1812 which means it predates the founding of Winchester. On Friday and Saturday of the Bicentennial Celebration, the women had their annual Rummage Sale in the annex. On Saturday the Bicentennial Committee had a quilt show and a display of memorabilia from Winchester’s past in the main church.

The church won second place with their entry in the toilet bowl race on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning the church had a Homecoming during morning worship. Two former pastors, Reverend Darrell Loar and Reverend Rossman attended and the Pastor read letters from some others who sent their regrets. Several former members who were from out of town also attended. After the service, Ruth Huffman hosted a reception so people had a chance to meet and greet the visitors and the youth could eat before getting on the float in the parade. In 2024 the church will observe its Bicentennial.

Remember that I depend on Information from others which is due by Sunday evening and can be sent by calling 937-695-9977 (leave a message) or by email @ japorter45697@sbcglobal.net.

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By Joyce Porter and Florence Bryson