We are a bit behind on sharing some of our late June activities, including a visit to Keyser, West Virginia to celebrate the long and beautiful life of Mimi (aka Dorothy/Dot - Sheri's maternal grandmother). We arrived in Keyser on a Friday afternoon along with Sheri's family, including siblings and spouses, cousins and Aunt from Texas and many friends. We were all able to stay at the Candlewyck Inn in the heart of Keyser. The Candlewyck was a favorite place of Mimi's for lunch and dinner and we have enjoyed several dinners there with her over the years. Fred Engel who is the owner and chef was a great host and we were not disappointed with dinners on both Friday and Saturday night.
The celebration began on Saturday with a gathering at the Keyser Presbyterian Church starting with the performance of Dorothy's Medley, a collection of her favorite songs, followed by a tribute from a few friends and relatives. In particular a highlight was a recollection from Mimi's friend Kenny, who she met in the first grade, which told a tale of friendship and love that lasted nearly a century. After singing together a favorite song of Mimi's by John Denver, "Country Roads Take Me Home (to the place I belong, West Virginia)", the celebration continued in the church annex. There we enjoyed cupcakes (made by Fred of course) and a slide show of Mimi's life that captured her true spirit and that twinkle in her eye that everyone that knew her, loved so well.
The weather was spectacular and we enjoyed being in the mountains for the weekend. It was fun to visit the local sites in Keyser, and just beyond It is a place that hasn't changed much in many years.
Our journey back to the airport took us from glorious blue ridge mountains, to rolling hills in Northern Maryland, and eventually to the coast. We stopped at the Virginia State Arboretum to stretch our legs and were pleased to find a peaceful place to stroll and appreciate the local flora.
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