Sunday, February 25, 2007

Raising the Level of Literacy!

In recent years...thanks to the cooperative effort of the Patrick County Adult Education Department and the Patrick County Education Foundation...great strides have been made in raising the level of adult education in our community. Much work remains to be done though. There are more Patrick County residents than you might think who still cannot read. Thankfully, though help is available! Last year, a group of many comunity organizations, including the Patrick County Retired Teachers Association and Stuart Rotary Club, joined forces to create the Patrick County Literacy Council which is offering free assistance to older Patrick Countians who have a genuine desire to learn to read. Right now, many volunteers are standing by to offer instruction in reading, but there is a need for people to serve. If you know of someone who cannot read, please direct them to this program. Think of the wonderful world of opportunity that reading can open up to those who, for various reasons, never learned to read as children. Many people would love to be able to read the Bible, read the newspaper, read to their children and grandchildren, and read product labels, important documents, traffic signs, directions, etc. Reading can positively change and enhanse your life in a dramatic way. If you have friends, loved ones, and acquaintances who might benefit from Patrick County's literacy initiative, please call the Patrick County Adult Education Department at 694-6542 or visit the office at 108 E. Blue Ridge St., Stuart. Mrs. Ursulla Allen is the director of this program and she will be happy to discuss it with you and steer new participants onto...the road to reading!

Speaking of reading, this Friday, Mar. 2nd, will mark the 103rd anniversary fo the birth of Theodore Seuss Geisel, the famous American writer and cartoonist best known for his classic children's books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His works include "The Cat in the Hat," "Green Eggs and Ham," and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Dr. Seuss' books have become beloved staples for many children and their parents. Each year to celebrate the anniversary of Dr. Seuss' birthday, Patrick County's elementary schools participate in the Read Across America program, inviting local government, community, and business leaders, and interested citizens to come into the schools to read to the children. Speaking from personal experience, this is a very rewarding experience for both the adult readers and the students themselves. I commend those caring citizens in our community who invest their time in our future, the young people of Patrick County, in this reading program and many other endeavors! Parents, please encourage your children to read! Set a good example for them by reading regularly yourself, and set aside time periodically to read to your youngsters. It will make a world of difference for you both.

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss! Enjoy your "green eggs and ham"!

Richard-I-Am

Sunday, February 18, 2007

This Peter Pan Won't Fly!

After hearing the news last week about the salmonella outbreak linked to the Peter Pan and Great Value brands, I checked the cupboard in my home. Sure enough, there, right beside my regular Jif brand, was a single jar of Peter Pan peanut butter with the product number "2111" on the lid. The thing is, the jar was three-quarters empty! I've been blessed though because I haven't been sick in any way in months (knock on wood!). Normally I eat Jif but the one time I decide to try another brand, you might know that there was a possibility that it might be tained. Anyway, I'm going to take my almost consumed jar of Peter Pan back to the grocery store for a refund.

I commend local grocers who reacted quickly to the announcement Wednesday that jars of Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter with the number 2111 on the lid had been recalled after being linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened nearly 300 people in about 40 states. Thank God I wasn't one of them! A telephone survey Friday morning on "The Great Day in the Morning Show" showed that Lowe's, Foodlion, and Wal-Mart in Stuart had all acted promptly and responsibly in pulling the suspect brands from their grocery shelves. Ironically, the Peter Pan brand had just been put on sale at one of the local stores when the announcement about the salmonella threat was made. Now, it's headed for Neverland! Be sure to check you pantry or cupboard to make sure that you don't consume something that might make you ill.

Be healthy and blessed!

Richard

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Thanks for a Happy Birthday!

Thanks to my friends and faithful listeners who helped to make Thursday, Feb. 15th, a happy 56th birthday for me. I appreciated the many phone calls, gifts, cards, and other kindnesses that I received as I celebrated the anniversary of my birth in 1951, a very good year indeed! We had fun on "The Great Day in the Morning Show," answering 1951 trivia questions and reminiscing about the past. My how times have changed! As noted on my birthday show, a gallon of gasoline cost 27-cents in 1951...a new car, $1,800...a house, $16,000...bread, 16-cents a loaf...milk, 92-cents a gallon...postage stamp, 3-cents...average annual salary, $4,200...and minimum wage, 75-cents. I'll bet they complained about the high cost of living back then just like we do today!

I'd like to especially thank my friend Faye Hazelwood Staples of Ridgeway for presenting me with the most delicious chocolate, heart-shaped birthday cake. I love chocolate, Faye! The icing on my cake had to be at least 2-inches thick, just the way I like it. Faye is the "Queen of the Kitchen" and has truly mastered the art of baking (Ivan Thomas is pretty good too). Faye is a faithful listener and a dear friend. I also enjoy her music. Faye is a member of the accapella gospel group One Accord. Faye, we are all in "one accord" that this was one of the best birthday cakes ever, and it was mine! However, I'm glad to share the bounty of Faye's labor over a hot oven.

Thanks again for all of the thoughtful gestures afforded me on my birthday. Thanks most of all for your treasured friendship! I am now 56-years-old, more than double the age of my transplanted 25-year-old heart which has been ticking perfectly and serving me well since I was fortunate enough to receive it almost 10 years ago. I have truly been blessed by the Lord, and it is my desire to try to reflect His presence in my life by the way I live the rest of it. It is a daily struggle for me, but I keep trying. Your prayers are appreciated. You always have mine. I say a prayer that I'll be able to serve my radio listeners well every morning before I go on the air. Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!

The ancient one,
Richard

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Caring Hearts Come Together!

Accompanied by my mother, Willie Mae Ray, who just celebrated her birthday last week, I was priviledged to attend the Saturday night, Feb. 10th dinner and auction to raise funds for one of the most wonderful programs in our community, the Caring Hearts Free Clinic of Patrick County. Almost 100 people attended the annual fund-raiser for the clinic at the Historic Star Theater in Stuart. In addition to helping the clinic raise funds through their banquet ticket and auction sale purchases, the free clinic supporters enjoyed a catered meal and music by one of the most popular gospel groups in our area, the Southern Prophets.

Last year, the auction raised more than $5,000 for the clinic which provides free medical care to persons who fall through the cracks between public assistance and private insurance. It is hoped that this year's auction proceeds will exceed that total. Please support the free clinic with your donations and by volunteering your time, if possible. The free clinic would not be possible without the team work health care providers and caring volunteers, individuals, and organizations in the community at large. Last year, the clinic served almost 850 people, double the number served in its first year of operation in 2005. Still, there many, many more people in our community who qualify for the clinic's free services but have not been served. Let's all do our part to assist the clinic as it seeks to expand its operations to offer daytime hours (it currently meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month) and other enhanced services. This program is a blessing to Patrick County, which is truly a community of "Caring Hearts"!

Proud of Patrick,
Richard

Friday, February 9, 2007

Welcome to My Blog!

Hi, Hope you like the look of my new blog. Thanks to my friend and co-worker Daniel Louis for his assistance in creating this new blogspot.

Join me Saturday morning @10 as I broadcast live from the Just Plain Country Antique and Crafters Mall in Stuart during the 174th anniversary celebration of the birth of native Patrick Countian and Civil War hero J.E.B. Stuart, the namesake of our country seat in Patrick County. Historian and author Tom Perry will be there to autograph his new book about the J.E.B. Stuart birthplace at Laurel Hill in Ararat. Refreshments will be available. Y'all come!

Saturday night, I urge you to join me in supporting the Caring Hearts Free Clinic by attending their annual fund-raising dinner and auction at 6 p.m. at the Historic Star Theater in Stuart. I can't wait to hear the Southern Prophets sing during this event to aid this wonderful organization that provides free medical care to those who have no insurance in Patrick County.

Coming up on "Community Converation" will be an interview with representatives of Stuart Elementary School (Valentine's Day), Cooking with Paul (Thursday, Feb. 15), and Diane Edwards of the Patrick County Education Foundation (Friday, Feb. 16). On Wed., Feb. 14, join me for a special one-hour edition of "Everyday Christians" as 4 ministers answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. Joining Rev. Bucky Hunsicker and Rev. Clint Hopkins, our regular guest ministers, will be Rev. Jim Churchwell and Rev. Clyde DeLoach. You may also call in questions during the program by dialing 694-3114.

More coming up soon. Until then, may God bless you with a "great day"!

The transplanted "heart of Patrick County,"
Richard Rogers