[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 130 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF MABEL ZIRKLE AND JOHN IRVIN

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                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, there's a special event held every year in the 
Shenandoah Valley town of Edinburg where friends and neighbors get 
together to celebrate the good things about living in small town 
America. And every year the Edinburg Ole Time Festival dedicates its 
celebration to memorable people from their community.
  I want to share with our colleagues an article from the Shenandoah 
Valley-Herald of September 17 which honors two of Edinburg's finest 
citizens: the late Mabel Zirkle and the late John Irvin. Mrs. Zirkle 
and Mr. Irvin both passed away earlier this year, but their legacies 
live on in the foundations they laid to make their native Edinburg a 
better place. It is a fitting tribute that the annual Edinburg Ole Time 
Festival honored their years of dedication to their hometown.

          [From the Shenandoah Valley-Herald, Sept. 17, 1997]

          Festival Honors Zirkle, Irvin for Dedication to Town

                          (By Lisa G. Currie)

       For the past two years the Edinburg Ole Time Festival has 
     dedicated the annual weekend celebration to memorable people 
     from their community.
       Last year, the late Louise Evans and the late Milt Hoffman 
     received the honor.
       Evans was a local artist who created the art show which 
     remains part of the festival today. Dedicated to teaching and 
     art for art's sake, Evans is remembered as the beloved and 
     faithful art teacher who offered adult classes for years.
       Hoffman was a Woodstock citizen with Edinburg roots. His 
     Edinburg-based Christmas tree farm was one of the first in 
     the county and his ``Jackson Stew'' was a favorite during 
     Edinburg Ole Time Festival events. Hoffman is remembered as 
     the flavor and character of the annual festival.
       This year, the committee has selected two long-time and 
     well-loved community members for dedication--the late Mabel 
     Zirkle and the late John Irvin.
       Zirkle, selected to be the 1995 grand marshal at age 100, 
     lived in her family home next door to the former Edinburg 
     Middle School.
       She watched, listened and participated as a century of 
     events changed Edinburg from a one-horse town to a thriving 
     community adjacent to a major interstate highway.
       She was the symbol of small town Edinburg--a familiar face 
     among the people. She taught school at Pine Woods School, a 
     one-room schoolhouse in town at the turn of the century. She 
     was active in her church and concerned about the welfare of 
     her community.
       Her daughter Rosemary McDonald said her mother would be 
     very pleased at the honor bestowed in her memory.
       She remembers her mother as being very concerned about her 
     Edinburg homeplace, dedicated to making it a better place.
       ``She would love this,'' said her daughter of the 
     dedication.
       McDonald said while her mother would be honored, Zirkle 
     balked at being in the center of attention and was hesitant 
     to step forward--even when she deserved the credit.
       Zirkle was born Mabel Stoneburner, the middle child of Rosa 
     Grandstaff and Robert Edward Lee Stoneburner. At one time she 
     was the oldest living native in Edinburg, a town she grew up 
     in and lived as a young adult.
       It was the same town she grew old in, enjoying the views 
     from her window as the town continued to change.
       She lived to be 101 years old, dying May 26, 1997.
       Sharing the honor with Zirkle is John Irvin.
       Irvin was a man who helped prepare Edinburg for the next 
     century while paying attention to the past.
       President and owner of Irvin Inc., Irvin will long be 
     remembered in Edinburg for his loyalty and perseverance 
     concerning the town.
       He was a man with a smile, known to most everyone in the 
     community. He is remembered as one willing to fight for what 
     he wanted.
       Irvin was well-versed on local history, enjoying the debate 
     of historical and controversial issues for debate sake. He 
     kept abreast of community issues, always maintaining a smile 
     and working for an outcome which best suited the community.
       He helped establish and support the former Edinburg 
     Library. He was instrumental in establishing the Madison 
     District Recreation Authority and the Edinburg park and 
     swimming pool which are in place today.
       He played an active role in the development of the town 
     museum and served on both the planning commission and the 
     town council.
       An Edinburg native, Irvin is the second son of Mary Grove 
     and the late George Robert Irvin. He grew up in Edinburg, 
     leaving only long enough to obtain an education and serve in 
     the United States Navy. He returned to teach school and work 
     in the family business, where he was later made president.
       When he died in April, his funeral drew a crowd 
     unprecedented for the Edinburg community.
       ``I know he would be proud,'' said his mother Mary Grove 
     Irvin. She was the 1996 Grand Marshal, riding in the parade 
     in a horse drawn carriage.
       She said her son loved the festival, always taking time to 
     visit the stands and watch the parade.
       ``He would have been very honored,'' she said.

       

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