Cooperative Living June 2022 - 34

RURAL LIVING
I Had the Time of My Life
by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
Looking fondly at the Apple Blossom Festival
I
truly had one of
the top times of
my life the weekend
of the Apple Blossom
Festival in Winchester,
Va. I am writing this
May 1, the day after
my return from a whirl of wonderful
people, great food, huge crowds and,
yes, adulation. What a life-affirming
experience!
When I finally found my rural way
around the major arteries of big-city
Winchester, the fun began. I was treated
like a queen, not the Apple Blossom
Queen, but still. The people of
Winchester are a ver fi ne, friendly
bunch and amazingly organized. The
way they pull off this major festival is
astonishing.
I had no idea that some 100,000
or more folks turn out for this bloomthemed
hullabaloo. And it goes off
seamlessly.
I was surprised to learn I had escorts
to take me everywhere I needed to go.
That was good; big cities
hopelessly confuse me. I quickly
learned to love my escorts, a couple still
obviously in love after more than 40
years. They took care of, and anticipated,
my every need, and made it happen.
As one of the " celebrities, " I learned
we traveled to the big events in a
smallish, plush bus with police escorts.
Yes, two sheriff's cars in front, blue lights
blazing, sirens screaming and two cars
behind doing the same thing. Traffic
pulled to the side. Red lights did not
stop us. We went everywhere swiftly,
without a hitch, and arrived happy and
ready to party again.
Ah, the parties. My adventure
began when I was driven to a venue
that accommodated 300 ladies with
horticultural interests. Th y were attired
in the ABF customary pink and green.
Many wore festive hats, like one might
see at a royal wedding. Th y were
wonderful and welcoming, and
expressed their love of my Rural Living
columns. " Wow! " I spoke. And they
laughed, just how I'd hoped they
would. Th y lined up to buy
my book.
I didn't have to deal with
anything but signing the
books, because a bevy of young
ladies from the Future Farmers
of Virginia had been enlisted to
deal with the money. God bless them.
Th y were excellent marketers.
Th re were two parades, and while
I've never ridden in one, I know I'll
never be in another like these. People
in celebratory moods wearing pink and
green packed every street in the lovely
town. They waved, they hooted, they
shouted. I didn't think anyone would
know who I was, but they hollered out
my name and waved. " Hey, Margo! "
" We love your columns! " " Keep
writing! " What a kick to the psyche!
I waved and shouted back until I was
hoarse, from classy Mustang
convertibles, with my escorts and a
friendly, helpful driver.
It was truly one of the best times of
my life, and I am grateful to the people
of Winchester for having me. I will never
forget it. Funny thing, though; I don't
recall spotting a single apple blossom.
There were too many happy people.
Back home, my pink azalea was
suddenly blooming to welcome me.
That will have to do. Simply: " Wow "
to Winchester and its people! 
To order Margo's book, " A Party of One, "
call 540-468-2147 Mon-Thurs, 9-5,
or email therecorderoffice@gmail.com.
READER PHOTO: BRADLEE BLOSSER, ELKTON, VA
32 ● Cooperative Living ●
June 2022
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Cooperative Living June 2022

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