As the New Year comes in, let me express my deep gratitude to all of you who listen to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" each weekday on WHEO. I feel blessed to be able to serve the people of Patrick County while doing what I really love to do at the same time. I certainly have a passion for my job but I will never take it for granted. My work is a blessing to which I will always give my very best, constantly God's guidance and direction that my service to you will be pleasing in His sight and a blessing to you too!
As we enter the New Year, the radio station is still on the market for sale. Please pray that God will place it in the hands of responsible new management that will continue its rich tradition of service to the local community. This little country radio station is one of our most valuable community resources that we should all use and strive to support.
I am always looking for ways to improve the morning show. Please let me know if you have ideas and suggestions. Thanks for the very positive feedback that I constantly receive to what we are trying to do.
I hope to welcome many interesting guests to my show in the coming year to keep you better informed about what's happening in our county. In January, I have already invited or plan to invite all of the newly elected public officials to appear on "Community Conversation." I have already received commitments to appear on the show from newly elected Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Brenegar, new-elected Sheriff Dan Smith, and new-elected Blue Ridge District Supervisor Carl Weiss. Ronald Knight, the new Mayor River District Supervisor, and to Smith River District Supervisor Crystal Harris, have both told me that they would welcome the opportunity to be on the show but the dates of their appearances have yet to be established. I also plan to invite Jonathan Large, the chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, and members of the Patrick County School Board to appear sometime during the coming year. Of course, Lock Boyce, the newly-elected Peters Creek District Supervisor, is my guest each Monday morning on "Patrick County Topics".
I believe that we have seated a group of highly qualified individuals who will lead our county into a bright 2008. I urge everyone in the county to keep abreast of what is happening through the news media or other means and to communicate your desires frequently to your elected officials. They have been elected to serve us, the taxpayers of the county!
I plan to continue my series of "Richard on the Road" reports in the coming year as I travel the county in search of interesting people and places. Coming up in January will be a series of features based on my visit to Ohio last spring as a guest of the popular local gospel group, the Southern Prophets. This 8-part series will include profiles of each of the 4 members of the group, Denny Archer, Bobby Gardner, Dwayne George, and Mike Hall, as well as serious and light-hearted aspects of our trip to the Buckeye State, which was one of my personal highlights of the year. This series will be titled "The Southern Prophets: A Ministry of Minstrels." Following the Southern Prophets features, I plan to do a series of stories on the popular hobby of postcard collecting based on interviews with members of the Reynolds Homestead Post Card Club. If you have an ideas for features in the "Richard on the Road" series, please let me know. I have met many interesting people and made lots of new friends in my travels around the county in this series. It sure would help, though, if the price of gasoline would go down instead of in the opposite direction in which it seems to be headed as the New Year begins.
Speaking of travel, if you plan to party on New Year's Eve or anytime, please drink responsibly if you have to drink at all and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
I am praying for your prosperity and peace in the coming year. Happy New Year, my friends and neighbors. Have a "great" 2008!
God bless you all.
Richard
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Pressing on in the War on Cancer!
As we experience the joys of the holiday season and look forward with hope to the New Year, let's remember that there are many in our community who are less fortunate and in need of our prayers. Having a passion to defeat cancer, the dreaded disease that took my wife Sandra from me almost a year and a half ago, I am especially mindful of those who are battling cancer today and requesting your prayers on their behalf.
One such person is my long-time friend, Mr. Don Sall, one of the most dedicated community servants that I have ever met. Even though Mr. Sall is not a native Patrick Countian, he has certainly become one of us since he and his late wife, Eleanor, who was an equally wonderul person, came here from "up north." Don has done marvelous things for our community. Most notably, perhaps, he has made the Red Cross blood collection effort in Patrick County one of the most successful programs in the region, an exemplary effort that other communities can only aspire to duplicate. Mr. Sall is also a member of Mountain Home Masonic Lodge No. 263 in Stuart. He is a most caring and concerned individual who would do anything within his power to help others in our community.
Mr. Sall is suffering from a rare bone cancer, and, like so many other cancer patients in our community, he is in need of our prayers. Mr. Sall is preparing to go to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD, one of the top 3 medical facilities in the country, to get a second opinion about the next phase in his treatment for his cancer. He says that doctors have told him that radiation and chemotherapy will not help him, and that his best option now may be to have his left hip and leg removed to prevent gangreen from setting in. He is going to Johns Hopkins to get a second opinion and to explore whether there have been any recent breakthroughs that might be effective in the treatment of his cancer. Mr. Sall's situation looks bleak but he is a man of great faith and optimism and has a wonderful attitude. He has turned his situation over to God's wisdom and grace. We can all look to Mr. Sall as a great example of courage and determination as well as of brotherly love and service to one another. Please remember Mr. Sall in your prayers. Get well cards may be send to Mr. Sall at his residence at 1410 Hazelwood Dr., Stuart, VA 241712.
I am personally honored to know Mr. Sall, to work with him in promoting blood drives and other worthwhile causes in our community, and to call him my friend. I strive daily to be more like Mr. Sall in my dealings with others. He is truly an example of what I, as a Stuart Rotary Club member, strive to offer to others, "service above self" (our club motto). God bless you, Mr. Sall, we are behind you and building a "wall of prayer" around you.
I would again like to urge you to pray for 3-year-old Samantha Mota, who has been diagnosed with a cancerous left eye that will be removed at Duke University Hospital in Durham on Jan. 2nd. While this little girl will be covered with health insurance, provided by her father, Marcus Mota, effective Jan. 1st, and has secured Medicaid coverage through the local social services agency, as I understand, there are still expenses related to her treatment and travels to and from the hospital, that this family of limited means, may have difficulty handling. An account has been opened at SunTrust Bank in the name of Samantha's mother, Amanda Adkins, if you feel led to assist monetarily. If you would like to send Samantha a get well card, send it to: Amanda Adkins, P.O. Box 536, Patrick Springs 24133. Amanda has requested nothing other than our heartfelt prayers for her daughter's recovery and good health. Please lift this little girl up to the "Great Physician" in prayer.
I would also ask that you continue to remember our friend Sandra Health, a breast cancer patient, in prayer as she prepares for the first of 6 rounds of chemotherapy in January. We praise God that Sandra's last report from her doctors was a good one. Pray for Sandra and her husband, Randy, their two children, and other family members as they face this "stumbling block" in what we hope will be a long and happy life for all. Sandra lives at 1993 Elk Creek Rd., Stuart, VA 24171, if you'd like to send her a card. Hang in their, Sandra, you are on your way to victory by KNOCKOUT in your personal bout with cancer.
Cancer is so pervasive in our community and throughout our society. One of every 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their life. It doesn't have to be so. I am confident that more effective treatments will be perfected and that ultimately a cure for cancer will be found. But it is up to us to battle back! We can all have an impact in the fight to eradicate the world of cancer, both individually and as a community. I humbly ask all concerned persons in our community to join me and other American Cancer Society supporters and Relay for Life volunteers in the fight against cancer. The 2008 Relay for Life campaign will be launched in January with a goal of $52,000. Let's continue the momentum started in 2007 and more than exceed that goal. Please consider forming a new Relay for Life team to represent your school, business, civic organization, club, family, or other organization in our community, or by becoming a member of an existing Relay team.
The local Relay for Life teams will be providing concessions at the Patrick County Music Association Jamboree on Jan. 26th at Rotary Field, Stuart, as one of our first fund-raisers. Our annual WHEO radio-thon, which contributed almost $18,000 to the $62,000 plus Relay for Life total raised in 2007, will be held just before the Relay for Life event at DeHart Park in May 2008. Please support these and other Relay for Life fundraisers in the coming year by the more than 30 Relay teams in our community. Most of all pray for the success of Patrick County's outstanding Relay for Life program, which earned the county national recognition as the program with the largest increase in funds raised, a jump of over 425% in 2007. We can't rest on these laurels, though, it is time to get to work to raise the money needed to serve those like Don Sall, Samantha Mota, Sandra Health, and other cancer patients and their caregivers, and, most of all, to find a cure so we will never have to face this devastating disease again! Thank you for you prayers and your support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2008 in Patrick County.
An enthusiastic WHEO "Kilowatt for a Cure,"
Richard
One such person is my long-time friend, Mr. Don Sall, one of the most dedicated community servants that I have ever met. Even though Mr. Sall is not a native Patrick Countian, he has certainly become one of us since he and his late wife, Eleanor, who was an equally wonderul person, came here from "up north." Don has done marvelous things for our community. Most notably, perhaps, he has made the Red Cross blood collection effort in Patrick County one of the most successful programs in the region, an exemplary effort that other communities can only aspire to duplicate. Mr. Sall is also a member of Mountain Home Masonic Lodge No. 263 in Stuart. He is a most caring and concerned individual who would do anything within his power to help others in our community.
Mr. Sall is suffering from a rare bone cancer, and, like so many other cancer patients in our community, he is in need of our prayers. Mr. Sall is preparing to go to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD, one of the top 3 medical facilities in the country, to get a second opinion about the next phase in his treatment for his cancer. He says that doctors have told him that radiation and chemotherapy will not help him, and that his best option now may be to have his left hip and leg removed to prevent gangreen from setting in. He is going to Johns Hopkins to get a second opinion and to explore whether there have been any recent breakthroughs that might be effective in the treatment of his cancer. Mr. Sall's situation looks bleak but he is a man of great faith and optimism and has a wonderful attitude. He has turned his situation over to God's wisdom and grace. We can all look to Mr. Sall as a great example of courage and determination as well as of brotherly love and service to one another. Please remember Mr. Sall in your prayers. Get well cards may be send to Mr. Sall at his residence at 1410 Hazelwood Dr., Stuart, VA 241712.
I am personally honored to know Mr. Sall, to work with him in promoting blood drives and other worthwhile causes in our community, and to call him my friend. I strive daily to be more like Mr. Sall in my dealings with others. He is truly an example of what I, as a Stuart Rotary Club member, strive to offer to others, "service above self" (our club motto). God bless you, Mr. Sall, we are behind you and building a "wall of prayer" around you.
I would again like to urge you to pray for 3-year-old Samantha Mota, who has been diagnosed with a cancerous left eye that will be removed at Duke University Hospital in Durham on Jan. 2nd. While this little girl will be covered with health insurance, provided by her father, Marcus Mota, effective Jan. 1st, and has secured Medicaid coverage through the local social services agency, as I understand, there are still expenses related to her treatment and travels to and from the hospital, that this family of limited means, may have difficulty handling. An account has been opened at SunTrust Bank in the name of Samantha's mother, Amanda Adkins, if you feel led to assist monetarily. If you would like to send Samantha a get well card, send it to: Amanda Adkins, P.O. Box 536, Patrick Springs 24133. Amanda has requested nothing other than our heartfelt prayers for her daughter's recovery and good health. Please lift this little girl up to the "Great Physician" in prayer.
I would also ask that you continue to remember our friend Sandra Health, a breast cancer patient, in prayer as she prepares for the first of 6 rounds of chemotherapy in January. We praise God that Sandra's last report from her doctors was a good one. Pray for Sandra and her husband, Randy, their two children, and other family members as they face this "stumbling block" in what we hope will be a long and happy life for all. Sandra lives at 1993 Elk Creek Rd., Stuart, VA 24171, if you'd like to send her a card. Hang in their, Sandra, you are on your way to victory by KNOCKOUT in your personal bout with cancer.
Cancer is so pervasive in our community and throughout our society. One of every 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their life. It doesn't have to be so. I am confident that more effective treatments will be perfected and that ultimately a cure for cancer will be found. But it is up to us to battle back! We can all have an impact in the fight to eradicate the world of cancer, both individually and as a community. I humbly ask all concerned persons in our community to join me and other American Cancer Society supporters and Relay for Life volunteers in the fight against cancer. The 2008 Relay for Life campaign will be launched in January with a goal of $52,000. Let's continue the momentum started in 2007 and more than exceed that goal. Please consider forming a new Relay for Life team to represent your school, business, civic organization, club, family, or other organization in our community, or by becoming a member of an existing Relay team.
The local Relay for Life teams will be providing concessions at the Patrick County Music Association Jamboree on Jan. 26th at Rotary Field, Stuart, as one of our first fund-raisers. Our annual WHEO radio-thon, which contributed almost $18,000 to the $62,000 plus Relay for Life total raised in 2007, will be held just before the Relay for Life event at DeHart Park in May 2008. Please support these and other Relay for Life fundraisers in the coming year by the more than 30 Relay teams in our community. Most of all pray for the success of Patrick County's outstanding Relay for Life program, which earned the county national recognition as the program with the largest increase in funds raised, a jump of over 425% in 2007. We can't rest on these laurels, though, it is time to get to work to raise the money needed to serve those like Don Sall, Samantha Mota, Sandra Health, and other cancer patients and their caregivers, and, most of all, to find a cure so we will never have to face this devastating disease again! Thank you for you prayers and your support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2008 in Patrick County.
An enthusiastic WHEO "Kilowatt for a Cure,"
Richard
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Christmas Is....
As Christmas and the New Year draw near, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each of you who so faithfully listen to my radio show each morning. Spending those precious hours at the start of each new day with you and in service to you is my passion and my life! I am not the most talented radio personality in the world but I can truly say that I always try to do my job to the very best of my ability, and to gratefully, wisely, and productively use the gifts that God has given me. Each morning before I go on the air I say a prayer for you, my listeners, and ask God to empower me to say and do those things that would be an encouragement to you and to be pleasing in His sight. I am truly blessed to do what I love to do and to serve others in so doing. Thank you all so much for listening to me, praying for me, and showing me so many kindnesses. I hope that God will allow me to continue to serve you and to be his witness on the radio for many years to come. I wish I had the time and resources to send each one of you a personal Christmas card and gift to show my appreciation. Since that is not possible (small market radio annoucers work long hours but don't make a lot of money), I can only send you this sincere message of my gratitude and love. Thank you again, each member of my beloved radio audience for your caring, concern, and support. You are as much a part of my family and my life as are my own biological family members. God bless each of you at Christmas and in the coming year!
As is more and more evident each holiday season, Christmas is extremely overcomercialized. Be that as it may, however, there is nothing wrong with retailers trying to make our dollars and us spending them to give nice gifts to the ones we love, and, hopefully, to those less fortunate. I hope that you all receive the Christmas presents that your hearts most fondly desire and that you will long treasure. Let's all just remember to put this material side of our lives into proper perspective, and do not let it overshadow the most important part of our being, our spiritual lives. Unlike the worldly, material aspect of our lives which is temporary and fleeting, the spiritual side of our lives is the part that has everlasting value. This is the aspect of our lives that we should nourish and cultivate. It is eternal!
Christmas, first and foremost, is about Christ! It is all about Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was born in Bethlehem of a teenaged virgin to live on Earth for some 33 years as God among men, setting an example of sinless love and service to mankind before He, out of love for each of us, died on Calvary's cross to atone for our sins and to deliver the promise of eternal life to all who place their faith and trust in Him. As we renew the tradition of the giving of gifts to those that we love this Christmas, let's remember that the greatest gift that we will ever receive is the blessing of Jesus. To joyfully embrace Jesus and to put Him above all else, especially over our selfish human desires, is to experience what Christmas is all about. This year, really experience Christmas, experience Jesus!
Happy birthday, my precious Jesus! Merry Christmas, my dear listeners and friends!
Love in Christ,
Richard
As is more and more evident each holiday season, Christmas is extremely overcomercialized. Be that as it may, however, there is nothing wrong with retailers trying to make our dollars and us spending them to give nice gifts to the ones we love, and, hopefully, to those less fortunate. I hope that you all receive the Christmas presents that your hearts most fondly desire and that you will long treasure. Let's all just remember to put this material side of our lives into proper perspective, and do not let it overshadow the most important part of our being, our spiritual lives. Unlike the worldly, material aspect of our lives which is temporary and fleeting, the spiritual side of our lives is the part that has everlasting value. This is the aspect of our lives that we should nourish and cultivate. It is eternal!
Christmas, first and foremost, is about Christ! It is all about Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was born in Bethlehem of a teenaged virgin to live on Earth for some 33 years as God among men, setting an example of sinless love and service to mankind before He, out of love for each of us, died on Calvary's cross to atone for our sins and to deliver the promise of eternal life to all who place their faith and trust in Him. As we renew the tradition of the giving of gifts to those that we love this Christmas, let's remember that the greatest gift that we will ever receive is the blessing of Jesus. To joyfully embrace Jesus and to put Him above all else, especially over our selfish human desires, is to experience what Christmas is all about. This year, really experience Christmas, experience Jesus!
Happy birthday, my precious Jesus! Merry Christmas, my dear listeners and friends!
Love in Christ,
Richard
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Way to Go, Kenny & Amanda!
Congratulations to bluegrass artists and Patrick County residents Kenny and Amanda Smith! Their bluegrass and gospel group, The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, has been nominated for a Grammy, one of the most prestigious awards in the music industry, for their first gospel CD "Tell Someone".
"I started crying," said Amanda when she first heard the good news from a representative of Rebel Records for which they have recorded 3 albums including the Grammy nominee. "It just seems like a fairytale," she added, noting that the honor probably won't sink in until their plane touches down in Los Angeles. Kenny and Amanda will fly to L.A. for the 50th Grammy Awards on Sun., Feb. 10th. They'll go up against some very stiff competition including multiple Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and others. However, their Grammy nominated recording is outstanding and could well take the award for Best Southern Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, the category in which they are nominated. Win or not, the nomination is a monumental accomplishment for any artist and will only boost the career of a very fine and deserving band. "It's such an honor," said Kenny of the Grammy nomination. "That's one of the highest honors" we've ever gotten, he added.
Kenny is no stranger to awards. He is a 2-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Guitarist of the year. Kenny Smith is also widely considered one of the most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation. Amanda has a wonderful voice, having grown up singing in church choirs and participating in talent contests at local fairs. To me, it seems that their voices were meant for each other, as the duo create some of the tightest and most beautiful harmonies imagionable. The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band was nominated for the IBMA's prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003. With their Grammy nomination, the band has truly emerged!
About 400 music fans braved the cold rain and threat of icy weather Saturday night to hear two live performances by The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, the headlining act at the Patrick County Music Association's (PCMA)Holiday Jamboree at Rotary Field in Stuart. Kenny and Amanda love performing before enthusiastic and appreciating PCMA audiences. While neither Kenny nor Amanda have families in this area, they have many friends and supportive neighbors. "We feel like we have family here," said Kenny. Kenny and Amanda are genuinely wonderful people and I am glad that they chose to make Patrick County (Vesta) their home. I am very proud of this talented couple and their band (Aaron Williams of Blacksburg, VA, on mandolin and Zachary McLamb, a Benson, NC native who plays bass), and honored to play their music and interview them on my radio show. Go get 'em, Kenny and Amanda, and bring home a Grammy to Patrick County!
Until next time, may God bless you all a "great day"!
Richard
"I started crying," said Amanda when she first heard the good news from a representative of Rebel Records for which they have recorded 3 albums including the Grammy nominee. "It just seems like a fairytale," she added, noting that the honor probably won't sink in until their plane touches down in Los Angeles. Kenny and Amanda will fly to L.A. for the 50th Grammy Awards on Sun., Feb. 10th. They'll go up against some very stiff competition including multiple Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and others. However, their Grammy nominated recording is outstanding and could well take the award for Best Southern Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, the category in which they are nominated. Win or not, the nomination is a monumental accomplishment for any artist and will only boost the career of a very fine and deserving band. "It's such an honor," said Kenny of the Grammy nomination. "That's one of the highest honors" we've ever gotten, he added.
Kenny is no stranger to awards. He is a 2-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Guitarist of the year. Kenny Smith is also widely considered one of the most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation. Amanda has a wonderful voice, having grown up singing in church choirs and participating in talent contests at local fairs. To me, it seems that their voices were meant for each other, as the duo create some of the tightest and most beautiful harmonies imagionable. The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band was nominated for the IBMA's prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003. With their Grammy nomination, the band has truly emerged!
About 400 music fans braved the cold rain and threat of icy weather Saturday night to hear two live performances by The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, the headlining act at the Patrick County Music Association's (PCMA)Holiday Jamboree at Rotary Field in Stuart. Kenny and Amanda love performing before enthusiastic and appreciating PCMA audiences. While neither Kenny nor Amanda have families in this area, they have many friends and supportive neighbors. "We feel like we have family here," said Kenny. Kenny and Amanda are genuinely wonderful people and I am glad that they chose to make Patrick County (Vesta) their home. I am very proud of this talented couple and their band (Aaron Williams of Blacksburg, VA, on mandolin and Zachary McLamb, a Benson, NC native who plays bass), and honored to play their music and interview them on my radio show. Go get 'em, Kenny and Amanda, and bring home a Grammy to Patrick County!
Until next time, may God bless you all a "great day"!
Richard
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Spreading "Cheer" to Hundreds
Thanks to the generosity of many caring people in our community and the tireless efforts of a troupe of dedicated Christmas Cheer volunteers, Christmas will be much brighter this year for a total of 577 disadvantaged children (in 279 families) in Patrick County. The recipients...children ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old...were selected based on applications that were distributed through the Patrick County Department of Social Services and Patrick County Public Schools.
Distribution of the Christmas Cheer gifts to these children will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18th. Each applicant will receive a letter regarding the exact date, time, and place of pick-up, said Brenda Strum, a spokesperson for Christmas Cheer. Gifts will not be wrapped or delivered. All unclaimed items will be distributed to other families, she added.
If you would like to support Christmas Cheer with a monetary donation, please make your check payable to Patrick County Christmas Cheer, PO Box 222, Stuart, VA 24171. Christmas Cheer will accept new, unwrapped toys along with new clothing with tags still attached. You may drop off your clothing and toy donations at the Patrick County Extension Office in the Patrick County Veteran's Memorial Building, Suite 316, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (office closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch). Donations must be received by 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14. The Patrick County Extension Office is strictly a drop off point for new donations. Please do not call the office regarding information about your child's application, said Strum.
Thanks to the many businesses, individuals, and organizations in our community who have supported the 2007 Christmas Cheer campaign that will truly be a blessing to hundreds of Patrick County children whose Christmas might have been rather bleak otherwise. God will reward your generosity and assistance in this and other charitable projects that make our community a better place in which to live!
Merry Christmas!
Richard
Distribution of the Christmas Cheer gifts to these children will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18th. Each applicant will receive a letter regarding the exact date, time, and place of pick-up, said Brenda Strum, a spokesperson for Christmas Cheer. Gifts will not be wrapped or delivered. All unclaimed items will be distributed to other families, she added.
If you would like to support Christmas Cheer with a monetary donation, please make your check payable to Patrick County Christmas Cheer, PO Box 222, Stuart, VA 24171. Christmas Cheer will accept new, unwrapped toys along with new clothing with tags still attached. You may drop off your clothing and toy donations at the Patrick County Extension Office in the Patrick County Veteran's Memorial Building, Suite 316, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (office closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch). Donations must be received by 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14. The Patrick County Extension Office is strictly a drop off point for new donations. Please do not call the office regarding information about your child's application, said Strum.
Thanks to the many businesses, individuals, and organizations in our community who have supported the 2007 Christmas Cheer campaign that will truly be a blessing to hundreds of Patrick County children whose Christmas might have been rather bleak otherwise. God will reward your generosity and assistance in this and other charitable projects that make our community a better place in which to live!
Merry Christmas!
Richard
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Employing the Power of Prayer!
As I have said many times in the past, prayers requests are always welcome on my radio show. I also plan to use this blog spot to address needs for prayer in our community. I would like to request your prayers for several folks in our community who are facing health issues.
I was shocked and saddened to learn on my radio show this morning that one of Patrick County's finest public servants, Buddy Dollarhite, has been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing treatment at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. His tearful mother, Ola Dollarhite, told my radio audience this morning that Buddy learned of his disease Tuesday and was hospitalized immediately.
Buddy is one of the most humble, kind, and community-involved persons in our community through his job as manager of Lowe's Foods, his position as chief of the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and as a supporter of many worthwhile community causes, including Patrick County United Fund and others. Buddy has never sought any personal glory for what he does for our community. He simply works tirelessly outside the glow of the limelight to make our community a better place in which to live and a safer one too. Buddy is a community treasure indeed.
I am so sorry to hear this distressing news of Buddy's illness. However, I am encouraged that God responds to our prayers and that "all things work together for good" to those who place their faith and trust in him.
Please lift Buddy up to our Heavenly Father asking that God bless him, his mother Ola, and his family, and that the Lord will give his physicians the knowledge and skill to care for him and nurse him back to good health.
If you would like to send him a card, you may bring them to Donna Rogers, secretary at Stuart United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. You may also send them directly to the hospital: WFUBMC, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, Attn: 9 Reynolds, Buddy Dollarhite. Thank your for your prayers for Buddy and his family, your cards, and other kindnesses that you feel led to offer him during this time of uncertainty in his life.
I would also like to convey to you a request for prayer from my friend Sandra Health. She made this prayer request known to me in a nice letter that accompanied a very thoughtful Christmas card from her family to me.
At age 38, a wife and young mother of boys, ages 4 and 1, Sandra was diagnosed with "DCIS Stage 0 breast cancer" in October. She had surgery last month to remove cancer cells, tissue and 3 sentinel nodes. The pathology report, Sandra said in her letter, "showed that it had moved out of the milk duct and a small cell was found in tissue and in 1 of the sentinel nodes, therefore it is Stage II now."
Sandra has surgery scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. to remove lymph nodes and more tissue to be sure that it hasn't moved thus far. Sandra noted that she will still have to have chemotherapy (probably beginning in January) no matter what the results are. "I am trying to maintain a positive attitude and have a great support system around me. Let's all pray that Sandra will have a "Praise Report" next week following her surgery and pathology report.
Sandra asked me to let everyone know that she would like special prayer sent up for her, the surgeon, and that the pathology report comes back "clear." "I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, cards, calls and visits," said Sandra.
Both Sandra and Buddy relatively young community leaders who are in the prime of their lives and their careers. I am sure that God is working through them and others like them to accomplish His will and to bring overall good to our community. We can all draw inspiration from their courage and determination to defeat their diseases and resume their normal lives. Please keep both Sandra and Buddy in your prayers. God bless you both!
If you too would like to enlist the priceless resource of a caring community to put up a "wall of prayer" around others like Sandra and Buddy, please contact me. You may call me at the station at (276) 694-3114 or at home at 694-7856. My email address is rrogers@sitestar.net This blog and my radio show are both avenues that I invite everyone in our community to use in "employing the power of prayer"!
Proud of Patrick,
Richard
PS: Again I would like to ask you to pray for Winnie Smith who will also undergo surgery Thursday, Dec. 6, in connection with the broken ankle she sustained recently while stepping off her porch.
PSS: Keep me in your prayers too, asking that God will guide and direct me and strengthen my faith.
I was shocked and saddened to learn on my radio show this morning that one of Patrick County's finest public servants, Buddy Dollarhite, has been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing treatment at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. His tearful mother, Ola Dollarhite, told my radio audience this morning that Buddy learned of his disease Tuesday and was hospitalized immediately.
Buddy is one of the most humble, kind, and community-involved persons in our community through his job as manager of Lowe's Foods, his position as chief of the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and as a supporter of many worthwhile community causes, including Patrick County United Fund and others. Buddy has never sought any personal glory for what he does for our community. He simply works tirelessly outside the glow of the limelight to make our community a better place in which to live and a safer one too. Buddy is a community treasure indeed.
I am so sorry to hear this distressing news of Buddy's illness. However, I am encouraged that God responds to our prayers and that "all things work together for good" to those who place their faith and trust in him.
Please lift Buddy up to our Heavenly Father asking that God bless him, his mother Ola, and his family, and that the Lord will give his physicians the knowledge and skill to care for him and nurse him back to good health.
If you would like to send him a card, you may bring them to Donna Rogers, secretary at Stuart United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. You may also send them directly to the hospital: WFUBMC, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, Attn: 9 Reynolds, Buddy Dollarhite. Thank your for your prayers for Buddy and his family, your cards, and other kindnesses that you feel led to offer him during this time of uncertainty in his life.
I would also like to convey to you a request for prayer from my friend Sandra Health. She made this prayer request known to me in a nice letter that accompanied a very thoughtful Christmas card from her family to me.
At age 38, a wife and young mother of boys, ages 4 and 1, Sandra was diagnosed with "DCIS Stage 0 breast cancer" in October. She had surgery last month to remove cancer cells, tissue and 3 sentinel nodes. The pathology report, Sandra said in her letter, "showed that it had moved out of the milk duct and a small cell was found in tissue and in 1 of the sentinel nodes, therefore it is Stage II now."
Sandra has surgery scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. to remove lymph nodes and more tissue to be sure that it hasn't moved thus far. Sandra noted that she will still have to have chemotherapy (probably beginning in January) no matter what the results are. "I am trying to maintain a positive attitude and have a great support system around me. Let's all pray that Sandra will have a "Praise Report" next week following her surgery and pathology report.
Sandra asked me to let everyone know that she would like special prayer sent up for her, the surgeon, and that the pathology report comes back "clear." "I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, cards, calls and visits," said Sandra.
Both Sandra and Buddy relatively young community leaders who are in the prime of their lives and their careers. I am sure that God is working through them and others like them to accomplish His will and to bring overall good to our community. We can all draw inspiration from their courage and determination to defeat their diseases and resume their normal lives. Please keep both Sandra and Buddy in your prayers. God bless you both!
If you too would like to enlist the priceless resource of a caring community to put up a "wall of prayer" around others like Sandra and Buddy, please contact me. You may call me at the station at (276) 694-3114 or at home at 694-7856. My email address is rrogers@sitestar.net This blog and my radio show are both avenues that I invite everyone in our community to use in "employing the power of prayer"!
Proud of Patrick,
Richard
PS: Again I would like to ask you to pray for Winnie Smith who will also undergo surgery Thursday, Dec. 6, in connection with the broken ankle she sustained recently while stepping off her porch.
PSS: Keep me in your prayers too, asking that God will guide and direct me and strengthen my faith.
Monday, December 3, 2007
A Parade to be Proud of!
Thumbs up for the parade! Saturday's (Dec. 1st) annual Patrick County Christmas parade in Stuart was the best I've ever witnessed! Actually, it's hard to see the parade when you're walking in it, but I know it was a premiere parade because of the smiles on the faces of the many people that lined the streets of Stuart to watch the holiday procession on a beautifully crisp, ideal afternoon for a parade. As a parade participant, I was among those "footsoldiers in the fight against cancer" who walked in the parade in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
The parade reviews have been universally favorable with everyone commenting about the high quality and variety of the approximately 125 entries. I commend Galen Gilbert and the many others who assisted in organizing the parade and especially those that participated in the event and watched it. It was especially wonderful to see the joy in the eyes of children as they get into the holiday spirit and anticipate the coming of Santa Claus in just 3 weeks. I've never seen so much candy flying as was tossed to parade spectators by the participants from the floats, cars, and other vehicles entered.
Congratulations to these winning entrants: Best Float--Stuart Concrete...Best Religious Float, Peter's Creek Baptist Church (Way to go guys and gals...this is my church and the float promoted the upcoming outdoor drama, "Hallelujah Praise the Lamb" to be presented Sat., Dec. 8 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. Y'all come and see this inspirational outdoor drama.) The top 3 fire department entries were: Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department, Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department. The top 3 rescue squad entries were: JEB Stuart Rescue Squad, Smith River Rescue Squad, and CCDF Fire and Rescue.
In addition to putting everyone in the Christmas spirit, the parade was apparently good for hometown businesses. The estimated 3,000 people or more that crowded the town's streets boosted commerce in the town business district Saturday. One merchant said it was his busiest day of the year.
It was wonderful to see Sheriff David Hubbard who rode in the Patrick County Sheriff's Department cruiser that escorted the procession. Hubbard told me that it was great to be out on such a beautiful day. Please continue to keep this retiring public servant in your prayers as he continues to recuperate from a long and very serious illness.
Another delightful highlight was seeing Gladys Akers, a soon-to-be 98 year old resident of the Landmark Center in Stuart, who rode in the parade. Ms. Akers was the first Miss Patrick County in 1935! What a dear lady!
I also enjoyed the Pride of Patrick County, the Patrick County High School Marching Cougars, who ushered in the holiday season by marching and performing in the parade.
It was a great start to the Patrick County Christmas celebration and a parade of which we should all be proud.
While Christmas gifts, parades, Santa, lights, decorations, tinsel, and other aspects of the Yuletide season are nice, let's keep firmly in our minds this Christmas that we are celebrating the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom God has given us as believers the greatest gift that we will ever receive, the gift of salvation and the hope of eternal life! Now that is something to celebrate!
Be joyful,
Richard
The parade reviews have been universally favorable with everyone commenting about the high quality and variety of the approximately 125 entries. I commend Galen Gilbert and the many others who assisted in organizing the parade and especially those that participated in the event and watched it. It was especially wonderful to see the joy in the eyes of children as they get into the holiday spirit and anticipate the coming of Santa Claus in just 3 weeks. I've never seen so much candy flying as was tossed to parade spectators by the participants from the floats, cars, and other vehicles entered.
Congratulations to these winning entrants: Best Float--Stuart Concrete...Best Religious Float, Peter's Creek Baptist Church (Way to go guys and gals...this is my church and the float promoted the upcoming outdoor drama, "Hallelujah Praise the Lamb" to be presented Sat., Dec. 8 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. Y'all come and see this inspirational outdoor drama.) The top 3 fire department entries were: Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department, Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department. The top 3 rescue squad entries were: JEB Stuart Rescue Squad, Smith River Rescue Squad, and CCDF Fire and Rescue.
In addition to putting everyone in the Christmas spirit, the parade was apparently good for hometown businesses. The estimated 3,000 people or more that crowded the town's streets boosted commerce in the town business district Saturday. One merchant said it was his busiest day of the year.
It was wonderful to see Sheriff David Hubbard who rode in the Patrick County Sheriff's Department cruiser that escorted the procession. Hubbard told me that it was great to be out on such a beautiful day. Please continue to keep this retiring public servant in your prayers as he continues to recuperate from a long and very serious illness.
Another delightful highlight was seeing Gladys Akers, a soon-to-be 98 year old resident of the Landmark Center in Stuart, who rode in the parade. Ms. Akers was the first Miss Patrick County in 1935! What a dear lady!
I also enjoyed the Pride of Patrick County, the Patrick County High School Marching Cougars, who ushered in the holiday season by marching and performing in the parade.
It was a great start to the Patrick County Christmas celebration and a parade of which we should all be proud.
While Christmas gifts, parades, Santa, lights, decorations, tinsel, and other aspects of the Yuletide season are nice, let's keep firmly in our minds this Christmas that we are celebrating the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom God has given us as believers the greatest gift that we will ever receive, the gift of salvation and the hope of eternal life! Now that is something to celebrate!
Be joyful,
Richard
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