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By Betty Etchison West

Cana/Pino Correspondent

The members of Wesley Chapel United Church have appreciated having Joey Yokely fill the pulpit for the last three Sundays in June.  The new pastor, Randy Perdue, will preach his first sermon there on Sunday, July 9.  Everyone in the community is invited to welcome Rev. Perdue.

On Thursday night, June 22, Jody Howell was honored on her 50th birthday at a dinner at The Farm at Gemini Branch. Hosts were: Jody’s husband, Ronald Howell; her father, Rick Wilson and wife Judy; her sister-in-law, Kathy Miller and husband Patrick; and friends, Kathy and Bob Ellis. A large crowd enjoyed the dinner in the venue which was absolutely lovely with its decorations. The guests showered Jody with many gifts.

The Cujas family returned from Ford City, Pa., where they went for the wedding of Al’s niece, Catie Cujas. Those who went to Pennsylvania were:  Susan, Al and Oliver Cujas of Cana, Ryan and Amy Cujas Applegate of Charlotte, and David and Missy Cujas Michalski of Lewisville.  Anthony and Melody Cujas, who are staying with Susan and Al in Cana while they complete the remodeling of the house they are buying, also made the trip.  Amy and Missy were bridesmaids in Catie’s wedding.

I completed a bucket-list item last week when my friend, Jane Carrigan Testerman, took me to Aiken, S.C. to see my college roommate, Pat Stanfield Dickey, who I hadn’t seen in more than 50 years.  We roomed together for three years while students at Woman’s College in Greensboro, now named the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, from 1950-1954. I told Jane the one thing I wanted to do before I died was to go to see Pat. Jane made that visit happen, and we had a delightful time reminiscing.   

After spending time with Pat Dickey and her husband, Jerry, we went on to Greenville, S.C. for a tour of the city with a college professor of history and architectural design.  At one time, Greenville had a dozen or so factories and each owner built a mansion,, which has probably been restored because each of them looks beautiful today. Two of the companies that began in Greenville were Dukes mayonnaise and Lay’s potato chips. The guide showed us the mansions owned by the rich, and the houses mill owners rented to their workers.

The main street of Greenville is delightful with attractive stores, shops, art studios, restaurants, etc.

We stayed at a hotel on the river that runs through Greenville. We enjoyed seeing the ducks playing on the river. The whole trip was delightful except for the trip home in the pouring rain with heavy traffic on the interstate.  That was a bit nerve-wrecking.

I am content. No more trips.