names carved into field stone. You have to really

names carved into field stone. You have to really look close to find them, otherwise you would only see the field stones standing. Mr. Poke Atkins was one of the last buried there. He was the grandfather of Mr. Clyde Atkins.

There were two service stations. Mr. Homer Atkins had one at Turn Bridge and sold Essohne gas as well as apples. His wife, Mrs. Lavana Cornell Atkins, always had such beautiful flowers and some remember how pretty it was with plants all around.

The other station belonged to Mr. John R. Atkins along with a store. Mr. Jake Dodson and Mr. Penn Curtis also owned stores. They would have a keg of salty fish for sale, and to get the salt out of them, the ones that bought them would put them in a sack and place them in a running stream of water. They were just right for breakfast the next morning.

An up and down sawmill was located close to the Penn Curtis store.

All the places of business and homes were still in existence when the park took over the land. Each one had to find another place to live and it became a different way of life.

“Dido” Atkins was living on Hazel Road and the park allowed him a lifetime residence there, but he left before he died.

I often wondered how ‘Dido” Edward Atkins got such a nick name. I’ve learned he said, “I’ve got the Di-Doe, meaning money. There were several unusual names such as John Saturday Atkins who lived on Pullen Hill and Lemon Atkins. He lived behind the old Parkway Gift Shop or the Emporium now.

Their lives were changed forever because of the establishment of the park.

The Sperryville United Methodist Church has worship services each Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Everyone is invited.

We wish Mr. Ray Pullen a happy birthday on March 14, and also all those with birthdays in March.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Keyser spent Sunday in Winchester with their family and friends, Ms. Debbie Keyser, .Josh Smallwood, Mr. Spencer Sullivan, Mr. and