By Leigh Ballard
On Sunday October 13, 2013 members of the Nashoba Carriage Association participated in a carriage drive through La Grange, TN, in conjunction with the Harvest Eucharist celebration at historic Immanuel Episcopal Church. Ten carriages drove through the streets of the historic district, past antebellum homes with colorful fall leaves accumulating on the lawns and fluttering in the mild breeze. Bob Martin guided the drive through the La Grange Cemetery with his stately Friesian team leading the way on the winding lane past huge old oak trees and lovely stone monuments.
The Nashoba Carriage Association had planned to participate in Immanuel’s celebrations several times in past years, but rain hampered their efforts, usually causing cancellations. But finally this year, the club was able to enjoy full participation! Church members and visitors enjoyed a picnic on the church grounds after the Harvest Eucharist worship service, while carriages traveled the streets, and children climbed aboard for rides. Nora Witmer, organizer of the event for Immanuel said, “We have been waiting for a long time for this. These beautiful carriages and horses are so stunning driving through town with the historic church celebration going on at the same time. It’s just a beautiful event!” Immanuel, the first Episcopal Church west of the Tennessee River and the mother church of the West Tennessee Episcopal diocese, is celebrating 181 years of service.
Nashoba members were well represented, with ten carriages and around thirty drivers and passengers. A few extended families were present, notably the family of the late Sonny Foster. Three generations of the Foster family drove three carriages, all hitched with Sonny’s ponies. Walter Foster drove a carriage with a pair of Sonny’s Haflingers. Behind him came Andrew Foster’s wife Valerie with their daughter Sarah. And behind them was Sonny’s widow, Mary Liz Foster with her grandson, Drew. Andrew Foster said, “All of these were Sonny’s ponies. He had them so well trained. All we have to do is clean them up and drive them!”
Horse breeds are well represented in Nashoba. Among the horses on the drive were Friesians, Haflingers, a Gypsy Vanner, some Morgans, and some Welsh ponies.
On Sunday October 13, 2013 members of the Nashoba Carriage Association participated in a carriage drive through La Grange, TN, in conjunction with the Harvest Eucharist celebration at historic Immanuel Episcopal Church. Ten carriages drove through the streets of the historic district, past antebellum homes with colorful fall leaves accumulating on the lawns and fluttering in the mild breeze. Bob Martin guided the drive through the La Grange Cemetery with his stately Friesian team leading the way on the winding lane past huge old oak trees and lovely stone monuments.
The Nashoba Carriage Association had planned to participate in Immanuel’s celebrations several times in past years, but rain hampered their efforts, usually causing cancellations. But finally this year, the club was able to enjoy full participation! Church members and visitors enjoyed a picnic on the church grounds after the Harvest Eucharist worship service, while carriages traveled the streets, and children climbed aboard for rides. Nora Witmer, organizer of the event for Immanuel said, “We have been waiting for a long time for this. These beautiful carriages and horses are so stunning driving through town with the historic church celebration going on at the same time. It’s just a beautiful event!” Immanuel, the first Episcopal Church west of the Tennessee River and the mother church of the West Tennessee Episcopal diocese, is celebrating 181 years of service.
Nashoba members were well represented, with ten carriages and around thirty drivers and passengers. A few extended families were present, notably the family of the late Sonny Foster. Three generations of the Foster family drove three carriages, all hitched with Sonny’s ponies. Walter Foster drove a carriage with a pair of Sonny’s Haflingers. Behind him came Andrew Foster’s wife Valerie with their daughter Sarah. And behind them was Sonny’s widow, Mary Liz Foster with her grandson, Drew. Andrew Foster said, “All of these were Sonny’s ponies. He had them so well trained. All we have to do is clean them up and drive them!”
Horse breeds are well represented in Nashoba. Among the horses on the drive were Friesians, Haflingers, a Gypsy Vanner, some Morgans, and some Welsh ponies.
