Cove Community, Virginia

FIRE!

2012-04-14T19:35:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday night, just before 5:00, I opened the back door to let the dogs outside and, as usual, I stepped onto the porch and glanced around the valley...just in case. I always do this, no matter the time of day or night. I noticed black smoke pouring from the far side of Russell's house and wondered if they were burning brush. I grabbed the binocs and telephone and began walking to the driveway, dialing Daniel, our Fire Chief, on speed dial. He didn't answer so I left a message, "I might be crazy but I think Russell's house is on fire" with my unease growing leaps and bounds. It took me about six seconds to remember brush smoke is white; this was black smoke and that meant the house was on fire so I dialed 911. Bless the woman who answered the telephone! It took only one sentence for her to understand exactly the location. She asked my name, I told her and then said, "not all our firemen have pagers, I have to make other calls" and hung up.

I called our former Fire Chief and when he answered, I gave him a terse message, "Russell's house is on fire!" and hung up on him and the proceeded down my list calling people.

The Cove Volunteer Fire Department responded within fifteen minutes (perhaps less) which is pretty excellent when you consider all are volunteers and most men were still at work somewhere in the pastures or on the mountains.

The water hoses are heavy and tend to fight and snarl; it takes two men to direct the spray of the heaviest hose. The CVFD equipment is old and was second hand when it was handed down some twenty-six years ago; some of our men were even sharing gloves! Additionally, the CVFD covers thousands of acres including all or portions of Ward's Cove, Witten Valley, Wardell, Thompson Valley and Laurel Gap.

Morgan, Ashley and I directed traffic and I took the opportunity to take photos but from the road where I wasn't in the way of firefighters. I let two cars go by before it dawned on me...DONATIONS! So, every vehicle that, slowly, passed, I would tell them, "the people and animals got out alive but everything else is lost, please donate." Most people did and some folks, from a neighboring fire station, stayed to help. In time, Thompson Valley Volunteer Fire Department was called in and they brought two more trucks plus a pick-up outfitted with specialized gear. Thank God, there was a pond nearby and pumps were put into place so water could be sprayed onto the fire once the trucks were emptied of their H2O.

The fire raged from around 5 until after 9 and I had collapsed onto my pillow when the telephone rang. It was Ashley, "they just got called out again; can you go and put another set of lights on the house?" I used the truck because it's higher off the ground and would, hopefully, shine more light than the smaller car. When I got to the house, the fire was, mostly, at the back of the house and it was impossible for me to get into position to be of any help. This time, our men didn't get back to the fire station until after 1:00 a.m.

I've lost count of how many times the VFD's have been called out although, at 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning, as the CVFD was leaving the scene, the antifreeze hose burst on the firetruck. According to procedure, the Fire Chief called it in so the County would know the CVFD truck was out of commission until it could be repaired. I saw the Fire Chief around 9 a.m. Thursday while he and other men were working on the truck. They still had to go into town for parts and that made a long job longer.

As soon as they repaired the truck, they called the County and said, "back on duty!" We only have a single bay 1 pumper 750 gallon truck and it was second hand (possibly third hand but I'm not sure) when we got it almost thirty years ago. At this point in time, having a second truck is a luxury we can only dream of; in the meantime, we dream of new fire fighter's suits but they cost $2,200.00 helmet to boots and that's money our small community just doesn't have.

It worries me sick our men are lacking in basic safety equipment; no man's life is worth shoddy equipment. Heck, a life isn't worth brand new equipment but old equipment makes an already dangerous job more hellish. Fortunately, no one was injured, either residents nor fire fighters; all proved their merit and, once again, volunteers are the unsung heroes.
Especially the Cove Volunteer Fire Department fire fighters; THANK YOU! You make me proud to be a member of this community!

April 10 2012 Cove Community meeting

2012-04-11T11:14:00.000-04:00

~ view toward the head of the Cove ~

The Cove Community Association meeting was held 10 April at 6:30 and was a pot luck supper. We always have plenty of food, have never run out and, indeed, always bring home food for the next day or three.
Generally, we have one supper a year and that's at our annual membership meeting in September. Last night, we wanted to honor and thank Red Marrs, our Cove Volunteer Fire Chief for the last couple of decades. He's done a fine job but stepped down in November and Daniel Miller was elected new chief.

Red is at the head of the table, Clinton Bell, our Treasurer, is standing while Charles and Cassie Horn are on the right and Daniel Miller, left, holds one of our little ones. Cindy Gillespie, CCA President, is standing at the blackboard.

As you can see we have two tables loaded with food, most of it homemade but, always, with some chips for the little folks. They seem to balk at cole slaw, pasta salad and cowboy beans. -smile-
After we ate, we had a short meeting and talked about neighborhood watch posts. Each week someone volunteers to be eyes and ears for the community although all of us are always watching out for each other. Hillary was wrong; it doesn't take a village, it takes a community!

We also talked about our books, The Cove at Maiden Spring, that we're selling to raise money to repair our leaking roof. The books are 8.5x11 soft cover, 66 pages and loaded with photos and historical notes on the Cove and Maiden Spring. They cost $20, plus shipping, and if you're interested, please send us at e-mail at the address upper right. If you'd rather pick up your copy, send us an e-mail and we'll make arrangements.

~ two Cove homes ~

Dave Bricker is in the book; here, he's picking ramps at Clinton Bell's farm. It was a spring activity Dave and I, Sandra, both enjoyed...especially, after we got the ramps home and I fried them with garlic, onions, potatoes and sausage.
The last order of business was discussing our Trail Ride on 19 May from 1 to 5 p.m. It's going to be on horseback, you supply your own horse and equipment. We'll end the day, where we begin, at the Cove Community Association and will have prizes and food for everyone. The cost is $25 per person and, please, no dogs or stallions and all horses must have current Coggins test. Again, we're raising money to repair the Cove Community Association roof.
That about wraps it up; any comments or questions, let us know.

Cove Volunteer Fire Department

2012-04-04T18:15:00.000-04:00

Our CVFD has been active both in terms of calls and in getting things accomplished. We're having monthly meetings, last Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. and usually have at least half our members attend. I make cookies, do you think that helps attendance? -smile-

At each meeting we do something that helps the men familiarize themselves with the equipment. At this meeting, we cleaned the firehouse, organized the gear and, generally, put things right.

As it says in our title, we're all volunteers and no one receives any money, not even the Fire Chief. Red Marrs was our Fire Chief for more than two decades and at our last election, he stepped down and Daniel Miller was elected Fire Chief.
On 10 April 2012, Tuesday night at 6:30, we're having a pot luck supper to thank Red for his years of service. It's a tad early for those folks who have to work late but we have young couples with small children and we're trying to accommodate everyone.
We're trying to get new equipment for the men; their gear is outdated but you know how it is for an all volunteer organization. Money is tight, this community is small and I'm hoping grant applications we're writing will be successful.
Did you know it costs about $2,000.00 per man to outfit him in new firefighter gear? That does not include the helmet which is an additional $200.00. We've got about fifteen men who are young and able, ready and willing to fight fires; we've got a few older gents who have no business fighting fires and then there are the women...we're good for traffic control.
It takes a community to staff a volunteer fire department; we're all in this together.

NOTE: As you can see from the last few posts, 2011 was a difficult year for our community. Four residents of the valley, two from the same family, passed away and we are devastated. Doug, Wanda, Dave and Susie are mourned and missed tremendously; their passing has left us bereft.

Susie Barns Bell

2012-04-02T15:59:00.000-04:00

Susie Barns Bell, age 89 of The Cove in Tazewell VA died Monday, December 26, 2011 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA. Born October 15, 1922 in The Cove in Tazewell, VA she was a daughter of the late Clinton Newberry Barns and Mary Byrd Taylor Barns. She was a US Coast Guard Veteran of World War, II. Mrs. Bell was born and raised on the family farm in The Cove where later she and her late husband, Hugh Bell operated the Barns and Bell family farm. She was a member of the Tazewell Presbyterian Church in Tazewell, VA. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary B. Bell; two sisters, Mary Taylor Brittain and Virginia Barns; one brother, Bill Tom Barns.

She is survived by her son, Clinton M. Bell and wife, Loretta Duncan Bell of Horsepen, VA; grandson, Chase Elisha Bowman; nephew, Bobby Brittain of Tazewell, VA; three sisters in law, Hope Bell and Katherine Bell both of Davidson, NC, and Lina Bell of San Francisco, CA; brother in law, George L. Bell of Burlington, NC.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA with the Reverend Greg Wood and Walter Schwitzerlett officiating. Burial will follow at the Barns Cemetery on the family farm in The Cove. Pallbearers will be Jessie Asbury, Tom Bowen, John Fisher, Jessie Lawson, Bob Moss, and William Pridgen.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9 PM Friday, December 30, 2011. The family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands, PO Box 545, Wytheville, VA 24382.

Forrest David Bricker

2012-04-02T15:55:00.004-04:00

Forrest David Bricker, age 66 of The Cove in Tazewell, VA died Saturday, November 5, 2011 at his home on Thistle Cove Farm. Born May 7, 1945 at Ravenna Arsenal, OH, he was a son of the late Forrest Davis Bricker and Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker. He was a graduate of Beaver High School and graduated with honors from West Virginia University. Dave was a US Army Veteran, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was a retired stock broker, and currently served as President of Sibley Coal & Coke Company, Manager of Sibley Communications & Energy, and was Director of Logistics for Sibley Communications all of Bluefield, WV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Wirtz Bricker.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Bennett; one sister, Carol Bricker Pharr of Earlysville, VA; many family members including, nieces, a nephew, cousins, an uncle, in laws and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA.

Graveside services and interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with Pastor Jerome Hancock of the Southside Church of the Nazarene and Pastor George Dewey Ferguson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Dave’s request was that you take someone special out to dinner.

Wanda Davis Miller

2012-04-02T15:54:00.000-04:00

Wanda Davis Miller, age 64 of Tazewell, VA died Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, WV. Born January 15, 1947 in Tazewell County, VA, she was a daughter of the late Howard William Davis and Florence Lilly Martin Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Franklin Miller; son, Douglas Hyter Miller; four brothers Albert Wayne Davis; Johnston Hyter Davis, Sr., David Robert Davis, and Howard Davis.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Lowe and husband, Gerald of Meadowview, VA; six sons, David Miller, Donald Miller and wife, Sandra, John Miller, Michael Miller, Daniel Miller and wife, Meredith, and Charles Miller all of Tazewell, VA; one brother, Mac Davis and wife, Irene of Winchester, VA; two sisters, Irma Mitchell and husband, Les of North Tazewell, VA and Edith Stephens and husband, Rondo of West Jefferson, NC; ten grandchildren, Sheila Brett, Marc Lowe, Natashia Davis, Morgan Miller, Arlie Miller, Nathan Miller, Jason Gillespie, Teddy Flemings, Cheyenne Miller, and Savanna Miller; four great grandchildren, Hunter Brett, Skylette Lowe, Tyler Chase Gillespie, and Haley Nicole Gillespie; and very special friend, Daisy Remines.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA with the Rev. Kelvin Seabolt officiating. Burial will follow at the Gillespie Cemetery in Thompson Valley, VA. Pallbearers will be Robbie Davis, Junior Sheppard, Roy Boardwine, Oakie Bogle, Cody Jackson, Marc Lowe, Nathan Miller, and Arlie Miller.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9 PM Friday, September 2, 2011.

2011-01-27T15:39:00.003-05:00

~ The Cove ~

Douglas Hyter Miller, age 44, of Tazewell, Va., passed away Saturday, January 22, 2011 at his home. Born December 31, 1966 at Richlands, Va., he was a son of his loving mother Wanda Davis Miller of Tazewell, Va. and the late Arlie Miller. He was a graduate of Tazewell High School and was a devoted member of the Cove Fire Department along with being a hard working employee of Gillespie Cove Farms. Doug was devoted to his family and loved his home in The Cove. He was an avid sportsman and was often remembered for his sense of humor.

Survivors in addition to his mother include his loving wife of nine years, Marcella Miller; and the two joys of his life were his son and daughter, Teddy “Slick” Miller and Cheyenne “Dub Dub” Miller; six brothers, David Miller, Donald Miller and wife, Sandra, Charles Miller, John Miller, Michael Miller, and Daniel Miller and wife, Meredith, all of Tazewell, Va.; one sister, Mary Ann Lowe and husband, Gerald of Meadowview, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Sissy and Connie; two special nieces who dearly loved him, Natasha Davis and Morgan Davis-Miller; other nieces and nephews include Sheila Brett, Savanna Miller, Arlie Miller, Nathan Miller, Mark Lowe, Hunter Brett, and Joseph Miller.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va. with the Reverend Kelvin Seabolt officiating. Burial followed in the Gillespie Cemetery Thompson Valley, Va. Pallbearers were Daniel Miller, David Miller, Donald Miller, John Miller, Charlie Miller, and Robbie Davis. Honorary pallbearers were Oakey Bogle, Arlie Miller, Garland Boardwine, and Walter Bogle.

The family received friends at the funeral home 6-9 p.m., Monday, January 24, 2011.

Doug is sorely missed and our sincere condolences go to his wife, children and extended family.

Cove Volunteer Fire Department

2010-09-20T20:49:00.005-04:00

Our small valley has an all volunteer fire department and, almost, everyone plays a part. We have a Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Fighters, traffic controllers, people who keep the paperwork and many others. We all have pagers and when those pagers go off, we go running. It's usually Daniel and his brother, Doug, who are first at the station and then, first at the scene. Depending upon where the rest of the volunteers are, they come as they are able.

It's a real community affair and one of which we're exceptionally proud. You see, there are only about twenty-six people who live in the Cove and we're all doing our part.

The beautiful autumnal decorations at the station were put in place by Bogey and Doug, the same Doug who is a Fire Fighter and brother to Daniel. Bogey decided, and then put into action, her plan of decorating the fire station. Isn't it lovely? Most of the decorations came from neighboring farms and add to the loveliness we view every day. Bogey, with her sister-in-law, Meredith who is married to Daniel, handle the paperwork that comes with every call.

The door needs painting, it seems, every year and we're rushing to get it painted before cold weather sets in.

Thanks, Bogey and Doug; it looks great; well done!

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm and Volunteer Traffic Controller -smile-

Making Hay

2010-09-16T14:59:00.006-04:00

Tuesday of this past week we cut hay at Thistle Cove Farm and had every intention of putting it up on Wednesday or Thursday. When I awoke on Wednesday morning I, as usual, let the dogs out and then stepped onto the back porch to check the weather. The slight rustling, I thought, was the wind in the trees but within thirty seconds the skies opened and rain began to pour, absolutely pour!
Remember Andy Griffith? "It rained and it rained and it rained; it was a real frog strangler!" So it was and my heart sank as I thought of our beautiful hay, now becoming beautiful wet hay. I did the only thing I could do, the only thing any sane person would do -smile- and looked to the sky. "Well God, if you want your hay to get wet, that's okay with me." And I really did mean it...sort of. I meant it as much as possible under the circumstances and thinking of all the animals this hay was supposed to feed this coming winter. Do you remember the man who told Jesus, "I believe Lord. Help me believe"? Like him.
It rained all day Wednesday and into the night but Thursday dawned bright, sunny, hot and...no rain! I kept looking at our hay field, wondering if the hay could be saved but the men who help us weren't available Thursday. Friday was much the same as Thursday, bright, sunny, hot and no rain. About 11:00 a.m. John M. came and began cutting our hay, later on Red kicked and baled it and about 2:00 in the afternoon men began picking up the square bales and stacking them on the wagon for the trip to the barn.
We put up 377 bales of beautiful, sweet smelling, lovely hay and it was all dry! The rain held off until Saturday morning...thank you God...and it's all in the hay loft now.

Why is this so important and how does it pertain to you? If you've eaten today, thank a farmer. If you've used electricity or driven or ridden in a vehicle, thank a coal miner. Of all the industries in the world, those two affect our lives every single day of every single week of every single year our entire lives! There's no escaping it. Every single day a farmer and a miner get out of bed, put on their boots and go to their potentially dangerous job and the rest of us benefit. Think about it the next time you buy groceries or, better yet, visit a farmers' market and then...

THANK A FARMER!

Grace and Peace,
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

Cove Winter 2010

2010-02-16T13:05:00.008-05:00

~ waiting for breakfast at Thistle Cove Farm ~

~ view going towards head of Ward's Cove ~

~ Morris Knob ~

~ old walnut tree at Thistle Cove Farm ~

Although the first Cove snowfall was in November, it's been since 18 December 2009 we've had snow, continuously, on the ground. We've not seen a winter with this much snow since January 1996 and there are times I've waded through three foot drifts to get to our barn.

I wouldn't change it for the world and I bet there are millions who would give years off their life to live in the Cove. The air is clean, the sky is clear and the seasons are beautiful, each in their own right.

We are blessed indeed.

Cove Eye Candy

2009-05-19T11:35:00.004-04:00

Morris Knob as seen from my back porch. Morris Knob is the highest point in the county, standing at 4455 feet.
This view, from a different vantage point, is near what used to be called Half Mile Tree. The Half Mile Tree is no more as it's gone the way of all flesh but the view is still magnificent. I stopped while coming in from Wardell to take this photo.
Across the road from our house, someone is working Bill's field. I think they are planting corn in this field as crops vary from year to year.
This is one of my favorite views of the Cove, looking towards the head of the Cove proper, named Ward's Cove on maps. This is also the current header photo for Thistle Cove Farm blog and the view from our sun room.

Dry Run has a goodly amount of water this spring due to the many rainstorms we've had. Even though at one point, we had fourteen days of rain, our water table is still low. We didn't have much snow this winter so are dependent upon rain to raise the water table.
Moving cattle, horses and sheep from one pasture to another is common place in the Cove. Sometimes folks ride horses, here they are riding ATV's.

If there's anywhere more beautiful than the Cove, I've not been there. While Dave's people, the Bowen's, came here in the mid 1700's, I'm a new comer of fourteen years. My people have been in the Appalachia's for a bit longer but I'm still a new comer to the Cove.

It's spring in the Cove, Blackberry Winter actually, and days are perfect for working outside and nights are perfect for sleeping. Due to frost, the herb garden has taken a hard hit and my basil has died. The other herbs are still alive as are my flower gardens so, as always, hope springs eternal.

Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm

2009-03-25T17:48:00.010-04:00

Samuel is wearing a 100% virgin wool red scarf I designed and knitted.

Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm is an annual event and takes place, this year, on April 4th. Weather and shearer permitting, we get started around 9 a.m. and by 1 p.m. our small flock of rare, primitive Shetland sheep and Romney, Merino and crossbred sheep are nekkid. -smile-

Lost Arts Guild members demonstrate and sell traditional Appalachian crafts and you'll see spinners, weavers, basket makers, broom makers, gourds decorated, quilters, blacksmith and more. Each person will explain how they do what they do as well as why they make their items. Each has a story to tell and most, if not all, are rooted in these beloved Appalachian Mountains.
Family roots go deep, are often intertwined and always connected.

Mary will take photos of your children with my 'children', bottle fed lambs.

Cove Community folks sell hot food and drink with proceeds benefiting educational programs. If you want The Real Deal Ham Biscuit, better get here early as those are Quite Popular! Everything is home made and desserts are especially wonderful. Be sure to ask Cindy about future Cove Community events.

Dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes and plan on having the time of your life! It's the only time of year Thistle Cove Farm is open and free to the public.

For directions, visit Thistle Cove Farm; for more information, visit Thistle Cove Farm blog.

Service dogs only, please and thanks.