Worldwide Spin in Public Day - Saturday September 18, 2010

The Fiber Addicts, who meet here at The 123 once each month have announced their participation in the WORLDWIDE SPIN IN PUBLIC DAY [note the acronym: Spin in Public (SIP). Susan pointed out the appropriateness of this for the Coffee House ;) ].

On Saturday September 18th between the hours of
10:00am - 3:00pm
at The Grafton 123 House of Coffee
123 W Main St
Grafton, WV

these awesome ladies will share their skills with the public!

"If you spin, come join us; if you don't, come and we'll show you how!

Bring your wheel, spindle & fiber and join us for the World Wide Spin in Public Day!

for more information call Susan at 304-265-3266

SPIN with us or just come and WATCH."

I can tell you, personally, that I find this process fascinating. An incredible fusion of old-time skill and modern creativity.

Stop in!

Mother's Day - Update & other events

At the request of several loyal patrons, we have revised out Mother's Day hours.
We will be open beginning at 10:00am and stay open until 4:00pm.
Breakfast Specials will be served all day and regular menu items will be available beginning at noon.
The Mother's Day Special Menu is undergoing the final draft and I'll post it as soon as possible.

Because the observance of Mother's Day as a national holiday began here in Grafton, there are several other events of interest this weekend. Check out this post at The Taylor County Blog Project.

Railroad Night Report: The Past & Future

We had a double turn out.
An early crowd:

And a later crowd:

A woman engineer/designer for the B&O when women in jobs of such import was unheard of, jewelry/watch shops in downtown Grafton, cinders covering the town...

Our railroad history is a fascinating and valuable part of our past; it can be a part of our future, too.

While the railroad memorabilia (The Wonder Drink Company!) and memories were worthwhile & fascinating....

...the greatest part of the evening, for me, was what can best be described as 'generativity.'

To use Erik Erikson's word, 'Generativity' is the need to do something productive and worthwhile with one's life in order that there be something to give to the next generation.

The past: Grafton was a railroad boom town that burgeoned with industry & ideas.

The future: Grafton's rich history is the foundation for building a solid tourism-based economy that will allow us to share our memories and keep them alive.

We can look over our shoulder at where we've been, but we have to look toward the future to give something worthwhile to our children and grandchildren.

Grafton was, is, and will be a good place to call home (or if you're not so lucky, just stop in for a visit when you can).

Thank you, Ray, for sharing with us.

I hope that you'll consider doing it again.

Tonight is Railroad Night

Remember:

7:00pm
Railroad Enthusiasts

See you here.

Need more details? Here's the link to the original post.

Railroading Night

It was 62 years ago this month that the Grafton Railroad Shops & Yards became the home of streamlined locomotives that powered the Baltimore to Cincinnati daylight luxury train, "The Cincinnatian."
Several lavishly illustrated books describing the make-up, appearance, and route of this train that passed through Grafton between January 1947 and July 1950 have been published. Included photographs show the train in various scenes all along the Baltimore to Cincinnati route. Because it was the location of changes of locomotives and crews, Grafton is featured in many of these photographs.
On Friday January 30 beginning at 7:00pm Ray Shaw, a Grafton native and B&O Railroad enthusiast will be present at The 123 to share insights and photographs from these books and lead discussion about this train that made a significant contribution to Grafton life and economy in the immediate post World War II period.
All are invited to join Ray Shaw in remember a "DE-LUXE ALL COACH STREAMLINER" passing through Grafton.

Thank you, Ray!

*to be cross-posted at the Taylor County Blog Project