Cooperative Living April 2022 - 34

RURAL LIVING
Blossoming into Spring
A long-delayed festival is on the horizon
by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
A
s I sit here
in February,
closing out
a snowy, icy month
of gray days, I simply
cannot wait for spring.
By the time this gets to
you, spring will be bursting forth in glory.
T.S. Eliot wrote, " April is the cruellest
month, " but I don't agree. After the
winter we've slogged through, April
can be nothing but splendid, right?
Th fl wers are peeking out of the longfrozen
ground, the birds are flitting
everywhere, green grass is beginning
to grow and begging to be mowed.
We don't need to wonder which heavy,
warm winter jacket to wear. Bring it on.
Here is what I'm most excited about
this April: the Shenandoah Apple
Blossom Festival in Winchester. Th re's
plenty of " something for everyone "
during the 10 days of the festival. And
this year, I hope to be one of those
" somethings. "
Due entirely to this column, a kind
reader invited me to speak to a group
at a luncheon. Th re could be more than
100 women there, all of them with an
interest in horticulture.
I do not fail to see the irony in
speaking to a roomful of women with
horticultural interests. Thank heavens
they will never see my yard. (It can't even
be called a " lawn. " ) I chuckle at the very
idea.
This plan wa fi rst hatched in early
2020, before we were beset by one COVID
strain after another. Before we wore masks
wherever we went. Before we jockeyed for
position in a vaccine or testing queue.
Well, obviously the Apple Blossom Fest
did not happen in 2020. Or even in 2021.
It simply wasn't the time to celebrate much
of anything, especially with thousands of
people. The theme for this year, the 95th
of the festival's history, is " Bloomin' Good
Times. " And aren't we all more than ready
for that? Yes. We are.
Th festival runs from April 22 through
May 1. There are many wonderful and
exciting sights and entertainments on tap.
You can see them all and get event tickets
at thebloom.com.
I guess one of the most exciting things
to me will be the big parade. I've been told
I can even ride on a float. I don't recall ever
riding on a float, although I've longed to
do that.
I did march in the Apple Blossom
Parade when I was a majorette at VCU.
College students and their antics being
what they are, I recall very little of that
day ... except the nonstop fun.
Th celebrity grand marshal this year
is Terry Bradshaw. I like him, although I
Keep your face toward the sunshine
and shadows will fall behind you.
- Unknown
don't know one thing about football. What
I remember best are his appearances on
Johnny Carson. He was always downright
hilarious. I hope I get to meet him. I have
no idea what I might say, but it will be fun
to give him a big smile, nonetheless.
Another odd tidbit: For several years,
my parents used to shepherd Miss Bath
County and her court to the festival. One
story I remember was that Miss Bath,
Aldene Byrd Fry, got to dance with the
marshal that year, Gene Barry, who played
Bat Masterson on TV. " Th only thing
I remember is, he was one handsome
man. " she says. If I get to dance with
Terry Bradshaw, I will endeavor not to
trip over my feet. Can't remember when
I last danced.
Truth be told, one thing I'm also
excited about is to get out of town,
stay in a hotel (first time in two years),
and join in a big festival full of fun ...
it's apple blossom time. 
To order Margo's book, " A Party of One, "
call 540-468-2147 Mon-Thurs, 9-5,
or email therecorderoffice@gmail.com.
CL WHEREZIT?
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the pages of each issue of Cooperative Living.
Submit the page number where you found it
along with your name, email and phone number
to WherezIt, c/o Cooperative Living, P.O. Box
2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340 or
go online at co-opliving.com under " Contests. "
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JESSA HOWDYSHELL, SWOOPE, VA
32 ● Cooperative Living ●
April 2022
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Cooperative Living April 2022

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