The Hunt Is On!

As the flowers and trees gradually return to their springtime brilliance, the 15th annual WHEO Great Easter Egg Hunt is underway this week. This is by far the radio station's most popular contest of the year and the one that gets the most participation by listeners and citizens in the community. It is not uncommon to see a crowd of people gathered at one location searching for an egg once they are able to zero in on the location after several clues have been aired. This year there will be even more incentive to get "in the hunt"! This will be our largest Great Easter Egg Hunt ever with a total of 18 plastic eggs to be found, including the top prizes, the "platinum egg" sponsored by Wanda's Jewelry and the "golden egg" sponsored by the 2007 Wayside Park Bluegrass Festival (July 11-14). Each of the eggs found entitles the finder to a valuable prize from one of our participating sponsors.

Thanks to our other sponsors: Brown's Automotive, Bennett Baskets and Bows, Christmas In the Meadow & Meadows Mercantile, Collin's Tractor, Collins HVAC, Cooper's Mill, Hamm's Garage, Just Plain Country Store Antique and Crafter's Mall, Leon Jones Garage, Marilyn's Florist, Old Dominion Toy Shop, Sheppard's Body Repair, Steefer's Flower Shop, Subway, Tex Barbecue, and United Country Lambert Realty.

I feel like the Easter Bunny, having been out hiding Easter eggs this weekend. Listen to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" each day Monday through Friday of this week for clues to the whereabouts of each egg. I'll announce a new clue each morning. If you find an egg, please bring it to the WHEO business office at 3824 Wayside Road, Stuart, during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A word of caution, please be careful when you are out in the community hunting for Eggs and be courteous and respectful of others and both public and private property.

While I was traveling to various places in Patrick County this weekend hiding eggs for the contest, I was awestruck by the natural beauty of our county, especially in spring. We are blessed to live in this wonderful place that many of us call "God's Country"...where the people are as warm-hearted and friendly as the country is indescribably beautiful. The magnificent scenery that we enjoy here in Patrick County is a striking testament to the masterful artistry of our God who created it and all things. It is nice to enjoy the traditions of the season such as the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, etc., but, my drive in the country this weekend reminded me of the real meaning of the Easter season, the Resurrection of our Lord and precious Savior, Jesus Christ! Because Christ paid the debt for our sins at Calvary and rose from the dead on the third day, we as Christian believers have the hope of eternal life! That truth should fill our hearts with joyfulness and excitement about helping the lost, through our Christan witness, to realize this joy too!

Happy Easter and God bless you, my friends!

Full of joy in serving Christ and you,
Richard

P.S. Thanks so much for the many positive comments and compliments that you have given me with regard to the just completed series of 10 "Richard on the Road" feature reports titled "Patrick County: Building for Tomorrow". The fact that many of you have said you really enjoyed the series and learned something about our country gives me encouragement and makes the vast amount of time that I have invested in that series of stories (approximately 50 hours) worthwhile. My next series of "Richard on the Road" reports will focus on my recent trip to Ohio with the Southern Prophets. I recorded many hours of interviews with and live performances of the group during its 3 church appearances during the weekend. It will take awhile to put it all together so be patient and stay tuned for this series later this year. It is my desire to document the untiring efforts of this fine local gospel quartet to minister to others around the country through their outstanding music. All of the love offerings that their music ministry generates are put back into our community to help others in need and members of the group never pocket a dime. I am honored to be their friend! The Southern Prophets...Denny, Dwayne, Mike, and Bobby...have a chemistry, closeness, and harmony (as humans and as singers) that is unequaled and I want to portray that in this next series of stories. Pray for me in this endeavor.