Newburgh to Boonville; Distance = 15 Miles; People Met = 9+
The first person we met today was Pastor Paul Cavender of the New Faith Fellowship Church north of Newburgh. He was coming out of Chiropractor’s office as we were walking by and we randomly approached him for directions. He ended up sharing a tale of kindness involving his Church. They were renting space from a larger church, Tree of Life Fellowship, that was having trouble. They established a very good relationship. When Tree of Life sold their church to a growing church down the road, Riverwind, they made as a condition a “trade-in” of their old church building that they then gave in its entirety to New Faith Fellowship. Pastor Paul offered this as an example of how he was in agreement with us about kindness abounds.
Pastor Paul Cavender of New Faith Fellowship
Our celebrity status continued. We stopped at Buhler’s Buy-Low supermarket for lunch. Carol knew about us and started to make a little fuss, including extending a $20 bill towards us in fully outstretched hand, which drew the attention of all the deli clerks in the area who were gathering around. You can imagine what kind of image a person offering $20 to two scruffy looking people in a grocery store conveys. We balked, as I usually do when someone offers a donation, quickly adding that we are not seeking them, but I accepted as I almost always do.
Carol knew all about us
At the check-out we spoke with Teresa, who informed us she was all about kindness. She had a personal goal of having the people who come through her line leave with a smile. She succeeded with us.
Teresa at check-out
Soon after we were on the road again a car came to an intersection up ahead and just remained there until we came through. Sara was eager to take our picture, and we took hers in turn.
Sara waited for us to come by
Cars continued to wave and beep as they drove by us. One car was all decked up as the business car for Menke, whatever that is. Well, we soon found out about Menke. Barbara and Vernie Menke were ready and waiting for us by the time we passed their place and beckoned us to come inside. Menke is a very large and remarkably clean auto shop, rated first in the nation by Motor Age magazine. Everyone in shop, mechanics and all, stopped what they were doing for a photo op with us. As Barbara was taking pictures she repeated: “What an honor!”
The Menke crew
The final celebrity moment came when Liz Gilles turned around her car in order to speak with us. She had read the newspaper article and wanted to contact us but did not know how. Before the day was done she entertained us at her home for a little while (it was close to our route) and she then hiked with us for our final stretch of the day. Liz is an avid walker and an ideas person. She had been formulating a variety of ideas around walking and community and discussed them with us.
Liz Gilles and Cindy
At the end of both this evening and the one previous we stayed in the home of Reverend Dan Kennedy of the Zion United Church of Christ. Unlike Pastor Paul, Dan was not as inclined to believe in natural kindness which led to some good discussion between us. Ironically, we connected well even as we differed on this defining issue. We both thought it would be a blast if I was a member of his parish providing a little fun and spirited counterpoint.
Reverend Dan, grandson Mike and wife Amy
Other photos.
Would you go to this church for marriage counseling?
Is this an auto garage or a drive-in hospital ward?
