Family Gathering in Pearl River

Saturday, March 20

After lunch on Saturday, we joined Jeff for a visit to what is called the "Radio Road" property which they have a contract on to buy, subject to zoning permissions. It is an amazing large solid house, built as one of three reportedly identical communications centers for Chiquita Banana, the other two in Costa Rica and Panama. It is built to withstand storms and to have its own power supply to maintain communications even during a hurricane.

The house is not presently occupied, so Jeff had to get us through the secure gate. Ashleigh, Jordan and Luke went with us, so it was an interesting time of exploration.

We are still learning the interesting history of this remarkable communication center which we understood was mainly a telegraph station in its first years, and still has an old telegraph unit in it. We found records up to 2014 for Globe Wireless, but we didn't hear about the history as radio station WNU.

Jordan and Luke play around on the grounds of the property, in view of the large garage that is situated close to the house. It was filled with all kinds of parts, some of which appeared to be for the large generator that is located in the house to provide power when commercial power is lost.

Triple Birthday Gathering at the Moyle Home

A birthday gathering for Diane, Darla, and Jeff Moyle had been planned for 5pm, so we began to gather. Judy and Brenda work on vegetable and fruit platters. Leslie gets to visit with Lindsey and Bethany, both of whom are off in college, so she doesn't get to see them that often.

Early on the agenda was dinner with fine hamburgers grilled by Tom. We had an adult table with Brenda, Judy Moyle, Jeff and Leslie Moyle, Darla and Jeff Nave. Then one youth table with Jonathan Ringo, Lindsey Moyle, Jordan and Ashleigh Nave, Bethany Moyle. Others were scattered around the house.

More of the dinner group on the couch: Luke Zell, Elyse Nave, Caleb Wells and Bethany's very friendly dog.

The fellowship quickly took precedence over the food as the group mixed and talked. Jeff Moyle, Jonathan Ringo, Lindsey Moyle, Darla and Jordan Nave, Bethany Moyle, Ashleigh Nave. The ever-present phones are part of the fellowship.

Ashleigh, Luke, Elyse, Jordan, Caleb, Josiah. It was great to see the excited fellowship of these family members who have known each other since they were born.

Bouncing back and forth from table to couch, the family had a great time of fellowship.

After dinner, about 6pm, we adults became aware that the younger generation was disappearing from the house. It became evident that there was some kind of conspiracy going on outside!

It may well be that Grammy Judy is a part of this conspiracy, so we gathered to see what was going on.

It turned out that what they had come up with was a scavenger hunt to celebrate Darla's 50th birthday! They had a large number of copies of the number "50" hidden around the front yard of the house!

Darla searches the front yard with this youthful escort. At least she has found one! But there are many more to be found!

Now just where might those big 50's be? Under the license plate of Jonathan's Sheriff's car? On the dog's collar? In the corner of the roof gutter?

On a beautiful afternoon in the front yard of the Moyle home, this birthday "scavenger hunt" produced a wonderful opportunity for family interaction and conversations.

We treasured the opportunity to visit with Luke, Jordan, Ashleigh and Elyse.

The next part of the agenda on this day of family celebration was the lighting of the candles on the cake for the celebration of the birthdays of Darla, Diane and Jeff Moyle.

Debbie has gotten the cake lit, including the letters for "Fifty". The challenge was to blow out the "Fifty" candles without blowing out the others!

Time for the birthday celebrants to blow out the candles!

The candles are out. Now it's time for some cake and ice cream!

After cake and ice cream, the time for gift giving in the traditional location of the living room with the recipients on the fireplace hearth.

We gather for the fun of gift giving.

Diane, Darla and Jeff, we enjoyed celebrating with you!hearth.

The blessings of a fun family time.

It was a great blessing to us to be able to join the family fun of this gathering, particularly since we had to miss the Christmas gathering this year. We look forward to the next family gathering!