My daughter and her husband, Emily and Kris Hisel, had a beautiful baby boy on May 6 after two months of bed rest, two bouts of early contractions and numerous trips to the hospital for nonstress tests. All the wait, the doctors’ appointments, the worry, and the extra precautions were worth every minute for my first grandchild, whose name is Charles Payton Hisel. This baby is truly an angel sent from heaven.

Our daughter’s family is staying with us while they finish building their new house. The wonderful part of this is that my husband I get to listen to Charlie’s adorable baby noises, watch his marvelous little baby stretches and cuddle him to our hearts’ content – when we can pry him out of his parents’ arms. We’ve all gone to a new level of love.

Circumstances change, and babies grow up so quickly right before your eyes. I am grateful I have the time to form a close bond with him at this most precious stage of his life. Being a grandparent, and going through the fun, pride and heartbreak of my own child, makes me treasure every facet of this experience, even the crying in the middle of the night. Have no doubt I am absorbing every priceless minute in Gramma Heaven.

All grammas are biased, but this baby is beautiful indeed. Watch out if you see me coming, because I’ll force my grandbaby pictures on you!

Congratulations on Coal Country Feud

Congratulations to Burning Mountain Festival co-chairwomen Judy Gordon and Karen Wood for a successful first annual Coal Country Feud. Teams participating were the New Castle Chamber, with captain Russell Talbott; New Castle Seniors, with captain Virginia Erickson; New Castle Lions Club, with captain Leslie Morse; New Castle Town Council, with its captain Mayor Bill Wentzel; Garfield Re-2 School District, with captain Bill Zambelli; and Town Staff, with its captain Town Administrator Steve Rippy. Town Council won the contest and has the impressive traveling trophy to brag about until the annual event next year.

The event raised more than $4,000 for the Burning Mountain Festival and other community events and projects. Ten percent will be given to the town to help with the purchase of the granite miner statue to be placed in Burning Mountain Park.

A print of “Peach Valley School House 1894” was the grand door prize for the event. The print was won by Dale Gray and was donated by Johnny and Christine Patterson, and PBS Motorsports.

Burning Mountain Festival committee members are reminded there is a meeting at the Apple Tree Community Meeting Room at 7 p.m. today.

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

Kay Vasilakis’ column “New Castle News” appears every other Thursday. For news tips and inspirations, please call 984-2308.Kay Vasilakis’ column “New Castle News” appears every other Thursday. For news tips and inspirations, please call 984-2308.