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Every little
girl dreams of being a princess, living in a
castle.
That’s what
Cherie Warzyniak wrote in an email to
www.maybole.org a couple of years ago.
She added, “At
age 69, I decided to search for ‘my castle’ It
had to be relatively unknown. A castle my
friends wouldn't recognize. After all its age,
grandeur and history, it had to stand proudly.
Around this imposing edifice, I wanted to see
life, animals or a town. This is hard to find in
old castle pictures but Maybole, Scotland had it
all - especially pride in its castle. Many are
surprised to find a gold framed photo of a
castle in my kitchen!”
Cherie
continued, “The heirloom qualities I want to
express are in this picture. People on their way
to market, passing their castle with the morning
fog in the background. A carriage sitting
horseless in the street. Why is it there, who
owns it ? A picture filled with wonder and even
though the castle stands in partial glory, there
is a continuing pride.
“I have
researched the wonderful spirit of Maybole and
saved the information for my friends to enjoy my
castle - Maybole Castle.”
She also asked
if anyone wanted to be a “Pen-pal - or whatever
they are called nowadays --- email friends.”
She lives in a
small community in western Colorado, USA and is
a retired teacher and her husband is a retired
fireman. They have two adult children and her
father was in the US Navy during WWII.
Having made
friends with people from here Cherie’s next
ambition was to visit Maybole. Maybole’s Heather
Muir takes up the story.
She said, “The
friendship started with a picture – a Ruscoe
family heirloom – an original photo of Maybole
Castle taken in 1870, still in its original
frame.
“This was
spotted on the Maybole website by Cherie’s
brother John who thought it would fulfil
Cherie’s childhood dream of a fairytale castle.
She then decided to research the history of the
castle and the town and has compiled a scrapbook
of information.
“Having lived
in Maybole all my life, I am ashamed to admit
that this lady knows more about Maybole history
than I do.”
Heather
continued, “After Cherie’s message was shown on
the web, she was contacted by four Minnibolers,
David Kiltie, Margaret Davidson, Karen Barclay
(nee Paterson) and myself. Over the next couple
of years, e-mails, photos, cards and phone calls
led to Cherie being invited to stay with my
husband Duncan and me so that she could see the
real thing hanging in our dining room.
“When she
arrived, she had a list of things to do which
included Maybole Castle, Crossraguel Abbey,
black faced sheep and lambs (a rare sight in
Colorado) and Highland cows - she now calls them
Heilan coos!
Cherie
celebrated her birthday during her visit and was
quite overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity
of local people.
Last Wednesday
evening there was a get together at the Muir’s,
when Cherie was able to meet everyone face to
face, after only knowing their voices. She said,
“Highland cows, wild daffodils and the wonderful
generosity of all the Scottish people I have met
are a lifetime memory.” |
Cherie's
first email to Maybole: Every little girl dreams of being a
princess, living in a castle. At age 69, I decided to
search for "my castle" It had to be relatively unknown.
A castle my friends wouldn't recognize. After all its
age, grandeur and history, it had to stand proudly.
Around this imposing edifice, I wanted to see life,
animals or a town. This is hard to find in old castle
pictures but Maybole, Scotland had it all - especially
pride in its castle. Many are surprised to find a gold
framed photo of a castle in my kitchen! 