It’s Raining Candy

by Doug Grider

My name is Arnold Douglas Grider. Most call me Doug. I was a member of Epiphany United Methodist Church when it was built. I was the scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 969 which was sponsored by Epiphany. I recall I was scout master in the period around 1970-1975.

As scouts, one of our main activities was hiking. There were numerous interesting places for hiking in the northern Virginia/DC area. One of these was the Chesapeake and Ohio canal tow path. This canal and tow path runs from Cumberland Maryland to Washington DC (some 85 miles). It follows the Potomac River. The tow path is between the river and the canal. The tow path was for the mules that pulled the barges along the canal. There are railroad tracks next to the canal in some sections. Some parts of the canal had been restored and filled with water.

One weekend we were hiking along the canal. We had several adults supervising a large group of scouts. As we were walking along I noticed that a group of scouts were leaving the tow path and running down to the water edge of the canal. When I got to where they were I saw the reason. People on the other side of the canal were throwing things at the scouts.

On the other side of the canal (which was filled with water)there was a train track. There had been a train wreck some time earlier and a box car had overturned and broken open. It’s cargo was strewn all over the tracks. The cargo was boxes and boxes of different kinds of candy. Spectators who had gathered to look at the wreck were throwing boxes of candy across the canal. They were throwing them to the scouts, not at them. The scouts were quick to see what was happening and were intent on getting as much candy as they could. It was like Halloween and a giant Easter Egg hunt rolled into one.

I tried to get the scouts back on trail and out of temptation’s way best I could. It was like herding cats. Wen I got one group back on the tow path other groups were in the woods scarfing up candy as fast as they could. I did my best to explain that they shouldn’t take it. I didn’t prevail.

I have many fond memories of experiences with Troop 969. The scouts (about 50 in number) were a great bunch of boys from the community. Most were not members of Epiphany. Adults in the community as well as those from Epiphany, were ready to help as required. The congregation supported the troop. I had the opportunity to see, and help, many boys develop into fine young men.

Epiphany United Methodist Church gave a lot to the community. I am sorry to hear that it is closing. It will be missed.

Doug Grider 11121 Lantern Way N. Chesterfield, Va. 23236