Side trip to Ronda,N.C.and Raffaldini Vineyards

What a beautiful day we had. The temp was in the low 60's this AM and did warm up to the high 80's off the mountain. Nancy and I started out with our dear friends(Helen and Joe) and headed to where their mother was raised around Ronda,N.C. There we saw the headstone in the old Macedonia Church built in 1867, where their grandfather Money(his last name) was buried........ We then ventured to the old Tharpe Mill where their mother walked to have their corn ground for their cornmeal. The son of the original owner who by the way is 93(Ralph Tharpe) just happened to be there when we drove up. He is such an interesting gentleman and so full of history is was almost beyond my imagination that he could remember with clarity dates in history. I must say he is the only man I ever shook hands with who voted for Alf Langdon in the presidential race almost 70 years ago. The mill was used for grinding corn(cornmeal) and wheat(flour) up until 1981 for both private and commercial use. His sons now own the mill but it isn't on any historical register. The building is in very good shape. He lives up on a knoll above the mill with his wife of 60 years. She is 87. He served in the Army in WWII in Germany, France England and Africa. He routinely saw Gen. George Patton. What an interesting person and to think he works everyday at the mill doing something. As a matter of fact Joe asks him what did he contribute his longevity to and he quickly responded working and keeping busy. He grew up with 4 brothers(he is the oldest) in Ronda and has 2 great- grand children. He told of the big flood in 1940 that wiped everything out for miles and again in the 60's. I could have listened to a man with so much history and real life experiences all day but he said its almost dinner time and his wife would be expecting him home....... We left there and headed out to Raffaldini Vineyards. On the way there we came up on some longhorn cattle, for a moment I thought we were in the great state of Texas. Wow do these "doggies" have some horns. Raffalini Vineyards date back 650 years in Italy and is renow for its Italian wines. The grounds are absolutely beautiful along with a breath taking view. I tasted a white and a red and found them to be exquisite. I think I will take our Florida friends there for a day trip....... After leaving Ronda we headed back to Elkin for lunch at Matties diner. A small place with great food recommended by Joeand Helen........ We then headed to the biggest Wal-Mart we have ever been to. There we made some much needed purchases (for Annsley) as she will visit in July........ Well it was HOT in Elkin and we could hardly wait to reach the mountains and the cool air........ I just want to respond to a couple of comments to this narrative regarding our dear friend and retired Baptist pastor, Joe and the full wine bottle he is holding at the Childress Winery in Lexington, N.C.. Anyone who knows Joe(I have the privilege to) knows he is not a wine drinker. The photo of Joe, Helen and Nancy holding a full bottle wine was just for fun. After the photo the wine was put back on the self. It seems Joe's younger sister, Martha A.K.A. Mabeloski has shared with Joe her fondest for the fruit of the vine, often in the past. We are sorry if we have presented a poor witness on behalf of Joe and the farthest thing from our intentions where to denigrate his reputation. Its a shame and a travesty others who know him well are attempting to malign his integrity...... Closing for now missing our babies and grand babies.