The great American game of baseball has certainly been tainted by the steroid scandal this past winter, but, as spring training approaches and a new season looms on the horizon, die-hard baseball fans like me tend to forget the game's negatives (the cheating, exorbitant salaries, an influx of foreign players, etc.) as the warmth of spring and summer rekindles our passion for this game that many of us grew up playing in backyards, playgrounds, and cowpastures. Despite the game's many problems and its apparent decline in popularity relative to professional and college football, collegiate basketball, NASCAR auto racing, and perhaps other sports, there is something about baseball that is truly special. Like ballpark hotdogs and mom's apple pie, it is part of the fabric of American life and a sport that is still to be revered as our National Pastime, in my humble opinion.
Baseball has always been a strong and popular sport in Patrick County, which has become noted for its outstanding youth baseball program over the years. We are quickly gaining respect in football, basketball, soccer, and other school sports here, but Patrick County has always excelled in baseball. This athletic reality stems from the fact that the baseball progam has been developed in our county from the ground up. We have an outstanding recreational program that allows youngsters to play baseball (and related games) at an early age and to develop sound fundamentals taught by first-rate coaches, parents, and citizens who are highly involved in the positive physical, mental, and spiritual development of our children.
One great example of the stellar baseball program that exists in Patrick County is the Virginia Tribe, the traveling Triple A baseball team for 14 year olds in our community. This team is comprised of many talented young Patrick County baseball players who have been playing together for much of their young lives. In fact, assistant coach Michael Hall, said some of the current members of this team have played together for 6 years. He added that six Virginia Tribe teammates had the unforgettable experience of playing together as a team that went to the Dixie Youth World Series several years ago. Members of the Virginia Tribe have developed such a close relationship over their years playing together that they consider themselves "brothers." In fact, Hall said team members often wear t-shirts stating that they are "Tribal Brothers."
These years of playing together as a team has certainly paid off. Hall said the Virginia Tribe is ranked #1 among 14-year-old Triple A teams in Virginia and #11 in the United States of America in its category. The team travels around the region participating in tournaments in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and other states. The Tribe will begin the 2008 season on Mar. 15th when it competes in a tournament in Greensboro, NC. Last fall, the team compiled a 20-5 record, winning tournament after tournament. The coaching staff includes assistants Michael Hall and Don Durham and head coach David Ratliff. These outstanding achievements are remarkable accomplishments in which our whole community can take great pride and draw inspiration.
The baseball program (and other youth sports programs, for that matter) in Patrick County are about much more than just athletics. Virginia Tribe assistant coach Michael Hall noted that many valuable lessons are taught on the baseball diamond. "Many life lessons are learned on the baseball field," said Hall. These include teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, integrity, responsibility, and countless other lessons that will benefit these young ball players for a lifetime in all walks of life.
I commend the Virginia Tribe and its players, coaches, fans, and community supporters, individual and corporate. I urge our community to rally around the team as it begins what should be another championship season. As young ambassadors for our county, members of this team have generated great community pride and inspired Patrick Countians with many uplifting moments over their years of playing baseball and learning the lessons of life together.
Play ball!
Richard
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
A 95-Years-Young Community Treasure!
One of Patrick County's most beloved citizens, Mrs. G.I. McGhee, was honored by the Patrick Springs community and citizens throughout Patrick and surrounding counties on her 95th birthday, Saturday, February 16th. The guest of honor at a gala birthday celebration, Ms. Etta McGhee, smiling and full of life, greeted hundreds of friends, admirers, and family members during a reception in the new Ministry Center at her beloved Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, she had received a buttered nose from owner Denny Alley during a family birthday breakfast at the Coffee Break Cafe in Stuart.
Ms. McGhee received a tablefull of gifts and cards from citizens who enjoyed family fellowship, food, birthday cake, and a video highlighting some of Ms. McGhee's memorable moments as they joined in celebrating her remarkable life. On display in the spacious new Ministry Center were many of the handmade quilts that Ms. McGhee to which she has devoted countless hours and her enormous talents. I was proud to be among the many folks who honored Mrs. McGhee on this very special occasion.
Ms. McGhee joined Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church when it was founded in an old garage in 1943. Today, it is one of the largest churches in Patrick County having recently dedicated a new multi-purpose Ministry Center. Ms. McGhee and Ms. Ruth Martin are the only two surviving charter members of the church. Her husband, the late G.I. McGhee, and her brother Elmo Hopkins, served as the first pastors of the church of which she is so proud.
Ms. McGhee brought up her 7 children in the church. "That's the first place I carried them was to church, and they didn't know anything but to go to church," she said of her children during a recent interview. Ms. McGhee's 7 children are (from oldest to youngest): Gerald, Pearlie, Elaine, Naomi, Nadine, David, and Tommy. David and Tommy McGhee, the two youngest, both followed in their father's footsteps and became ministers. Bishop Tommy McGhee serves as the conference superintendent of the church.
Ms. McGhee is truly proud of her family, her church, and her community. "There's no place any better than Patrick Springs," she said.
At 95, Ms. McGhee still leads a relatively active life and is full of playful humor and good cheer. In fact, she recently renewed her driver's license for another 5 years. Happy motoring well into your 100s, my dear lady!
What is her secret to her long long life? "Just keep going. Keep going, keeps you going," Ms. McGhee told me in our interview. I wish her many more happy and productive years of life. Ms. G.I. (Etta) McGhee is truly an inspiration to her family, friends, church, community, and to the many near and far who have come to know and to love her dearly. I am among her many admirers. Happy 95th birthday to my friend, Ms. Etta McGhee, and many happy returns of that blessed day. God bless this dear lady and community treasure!
I celebrated my 57th birthday the day before Ms. McGhee's birthday. It was one of the happiest I've ever had thanks to my radio listeners who called in on my show to wish me a happy birthday and sent cards and gifts of all sorts. During my birthday show (along with my frequent radio co-host Vernon Harris) on Fri., Feb. 15th, I received a beautiful birthday cake from my friend Faye Staples, a tasty heart-shaped cake from Amy Fain and her mother Ann Burnette, a half of a beehive cake from Wanda Ayers Slate of Wanda's Jewelry, as well as sweet treats from my friends Cheryl Gunter and Phyllis Eastridge. Thanks to these and to many others for your birthday cards and your many kind words and deeds as I began a new year in my life. Please pray that God will continue to bless me with the opportunity to serve these beloved listeners, our caring citizens, and this wonderful county that we affectionately call "God's Country" on WHEO for many years to come. Thanks again for your kindness; I love you Patrick County!
Still "cuttin' the mustard",
You friend, Richard
Ms. McGhee received a tablefull of gifts and cards from citizens who enjoyed family fellowship, food, birthday cake, and a video highlighting some of Ms. McGhee's memorable moments as they joined in celebrating her remarkable life. On display in the spacious new Ministry Center were many of the handmade quilts that Ms. McGhee to which she has devoted countless hours and her enormous talents. I was proud to be among the many folks who honored Mrs. McGhee on this very special occasion.
Ms. McGhee joined Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church when it was founded in an old garage in 1943. Today, it is one of the largest churches in Patrick County having recently dedicated a new multi-purpose Ministry Center. Ms. McGhee and Ms. Ruth Martin are the only two surviving charter members of the church. Her husband, the late G.I. McGhee, and her brother Elmo Hopkins, served as the first pastors of the church of which she is so proud.
Ms. McGhee brought up her 7 children in the church. "That's the first place I carried them was to church, and they didn't know anything but to go to church," she said of her children during a recent interview. Ms. McGhee's 7 children are (from oldest to youngest): Gerald, Pearlie, Elaine, Naomi, Nadine, David, and Tommy. David and Tommy McGhee, the two youngest, both followed in their father's footsteps and became ministers. Bishop Tommy McGhee serves as the conference superintendent of the church.
Ms. McGhee is truly proud of her family, her church, and her community. "There's no place any better than Patrick Springs," she said.
At 95, Ms. McGhee still leads a relatively active life and is full of playful humor and good cheer. In fact, she recently renewed her driver's license for another 5 years. Happy motoring well into your 100s, my dear lady!
What is her secret to her long long life? "Just keep going. Keep going, keeps you going," Ms. McGhee told me in our interview. I wish her many more happy and productive years of life. Ms. G.I. (Etta) McGhee is truly an inspiration to her family, friends, church, community, and to the many near and far who have come to know and to love her dearly. I am among her many admirers. Happy 95th birthday to my friend, Ms. Etta McGhee, and many happy returns of that blessed day. God bless this dear lady and community treasure!
I celebrated my 57th birthday the day before Ms. McGhee's birthday. It was one of the happiest I've ever had thanks to my radio listeners who called in on my show to wish me a happy birthday and sent cards and gifts of all sorts. During my birthday show (along with my frequent radio co-host Vernon Harris) on Fri., Feb. 15th, I received a beautiful birthday cake from my friend Faye Staples, a tasty heart-shaped cake from Amy Fain and her mother Ann Burnette, a half of a beehive cake from Wanda Ayers Slate of Wanda's Jewelry, as well as sweet treats from my friends Cheryl Gunter and Phyllis Eastridge. Thanks to these and to many others for your birthday cards and your many kind words and deeds as I began a new year in my life. Please pray that God will continue to bless me with the opportunity to serve these beloved listeners, our caring citizens, and this wonderful county that we affectionately call "God's Country" on WHEO for many years to come. Thanks again for your kindness; I love you Patrick County!
Still "cuttin' the mustard",
You friend, Richard
Saturday, February 9, 2008
God Bless Brandon
The story of little Brandon Dillon...the 6-year-old Stuart boy who is courageously battling an acute form of leukemia...has captured the hearts of citizens in our community in recent months. Our continued prayers are especially needed now as Brandon battles for his life at Brenner's Children's Hospital at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Here is an update on Brandon's condition based on an email from Stuart Elementary School teacher Taryn Scruggs that was forwarded to me by Kathy Conner on Friday afternoon, Feb. 8, 2008. According to the email, Ms. Scruggs had just talked to Brandon's mother, Tammy Dillon, who also has a less severe form of leukemia, prior to sending the 1:48 p.m. email. Ms. Scruggs said that Brandon's blood counts are too low right now for doctors to continue chemotherapy treatments. Since Brandon is behind on his treatments, there is an immediate "pressing need" to stabilize his blood, so that chemo can resume. Ms. Scruggs email added "The doctor said the bone marrow transplant was his only/last hope, and it can't be done until the cells are burned out through chemo." Brandon is on morphine for the intense pain resulting from his condition. Brandon is scheduled for another treatment on Tuesday if his blood counts are up. Let's pray that God will strengthen Brandon and work through him to accomplish his Divine will.
Brandon is in need of a bone marrow transplant that doctors hope will prolong his life. Brandon's 8-year-old sister Tiffany is the potential donor for the transplant. According to Ms. Scrugg's email Tiffany has a video and book about her prt in the transplant process, and is well informed on what is going on.
Brandon is one of three children with cancer or rare disease who are being served by a new faith-based, non-profit organization known as "Faith for the Miracle." This group, founded by Tammy Bowman and Jane McAlexander, is planning several upcoming fund-raisers to assist and support these children and their families. Please help to support this organization in its fund-raising endeavors, the first of which will be held Sat., March 1, 2008, at Rotary Field in Stuart. Musicians and singers Bill Banks, Sue Nester, and Tina and Herbert Conner are spearheading the effort to organize this benefit that will run from 1-5 p.m. with food, fellowship, and live gospel music. I strongly urge everyone to attend this event which will be an "old fashioned gospel singing with dinner on the grounds." Those attending are invited to bring a covered dish and some drinks to cut costs so that all of the money raised can go to help Brandon and his mother.
The other two children who will benefit from this worthy cause are 3-year-old Samantha Mota, daughter of Amanda Adkins of Stuart, who is recovering from surgery to remove one of her eyes that was lost to cancer. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with this sweet little girl and her mother on my radio show last week. Samantha is doing well as she awaits the prosthetic eye that she will receive later this month at Duke Medical Center. The third child identified for support by this organization through this and other fund-raisers is Thomas Smith, the 8-month-old son of Anthony Smith and Dawn Barnard of Meadows of Dan. Thomas suffers from Hirschsprungs Disease, a chronic disorder of the digestive system. This child was born without nerve cells in the intestinal area that would normally send messages to the brain to move digested food/waste material throught he bowel system. As a result, Thomas can't dispose of bodily wastes like a normal person. Thomas is a candidate for a transplant that will be conducted in Cincinnati, Ohio, when he is 1 1/2 years old to surgically restore his digestive system. He has had 6 surgeries already and has spent most of his 8 months of life at Brenner's Children's Hospital. The transplant is said to be crucial to his survival. Please help support these children and their families in their time of need. Most of all join us as we build a "Wall of Prayer" around them through our personal petitions and prayers to the Lord God Almighty, the Great Physician.
If you would like to offer your support for these families and the work of the "Faith for the Miracle" organization or for more information, please call Brad and Tammy Bowman at 276-694-3886 or Jane McAlexander at 276-694-7842. You may also contact Faith Image Evangelistic Ministries online at faithimage@hotmail.com.
Jane McAlexander told me in a recent radio interview that since Brandon Dillon will probably not be able to realize his dream of a trip to Disney World, plans are in the works to bring Disney World to him and other children in our community on Apr. 19, 2008. Details of that event will be announced later. Please listen to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" for updates on these children and other citizens of our community who are in need of prayer. If you would like to add a name to my radio prayer list, please click on the comment section of this blog, call me at the radio station or at home, email me at rrogers@sitestar.net, fax me at 276-694-2241, or contact me in person. I want to use my radio show as a ministry for Christ and to help citizens in need in our community. Please help me. Listen too for details about future benefits and fundraisers to assist those in need and to offer the unequaled and incredible community support that the woulderful citizens of Patrick County are always so willing to lovingly provide as they have demonstrated many times through their responses to calls for help and their acts of kindness and generous monetary donations for countless worthwhile causes in our community.
My personal passion is to work today for a cancer-free tomorrow. I am an avid supporter of the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Relay for Life in memory of my late wife and "Sweetie" Sandra Merritt Rogers, who died of cancer in July 2006. I urge you to join me and hundreds of other volunteers in the community who are working to raise funds for research to find a cure for cancer and to serve cancer patients and their caregivers in our community with many helpful and timely ACS programs. Many individuals, clubs, churches, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations are already involved in supporting the mission of Relay for Life. I plead with others in our community to get involved on behalf of those loved ones, friends, and neighbors in your life who now are battling cancer or in memory of loved ones who have succumbed to cancer but whose deaths were not in vain. It is time to Celebrate...Remember...and Fight Back! Let's "Celebrate" the victory over cancer by the many survivors in our community who inspire us to action. Let's "Remember" those who have lost the battle to cancer but whose courage and determination continue to serve as an example to us all. Let's "Fight Back" for Brandon, Samantha, Thomas, and the multitude of others in our community who are battling cancer and need our encouragement and support.
For more inforamtion on how you can get involved in supporting the mission of Relay for Life in our community call me at 276-694-3114 or call the American Cancer Society's toll free line at 1-800-ACS-2345. Listen to my radio show for details on upcoming Relay for Life fundraisers including the annual "12 Hours for a Cure" Radio-thon on WHEO on Fri., May 16, 2008, and the Relay for Life Family Festival and Walk at DeHart Park in Stuart on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Please join us! And please pray for us! Our community can not sit still, we must take action as a community united to fight this deadly disease which is so rampant in our community and which threatens the lives of our loved ones, the quality of our life, and the futures of our children and grandchildren. Please join Relay for Life volunteers in the fight for a cancer-free tomorrow. We can do it with your help. Let's do it for our precious loved ones. Let's "Fight Back" now. Patrick County!!!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "Great Day"!
A Kilowatt for a Cure,
Richard
Here is an update on Brandon's condition based on an email from Stuart Elementary School teacher Taryn Scruggs that was forwarded to me by Kathy Conner on Friday afternoon, Feb. 8, 2008. According to the email, Ms. Scruggs had just talked to Brandon's mother, Tammy Dillon, who also has a less severe form of leukemia, prior to sending the 1:48 p.m. email. Ms. Scruggs said that Brandon's blood counts are too low right now for doctors to continue chemotherapy treatments. Since Brandon is behind on his treatments, there is an immediate "pressing need" to stabilize his blood, so that chemo can resume. Ms. Scruggs email added "The doctor said the bone marrow transplant was his only/last hope, and it can't be done until the cells are burned out through chemo." Brandon is on morphine for the intense pain resulting from his condition. Brandon is scheduled for another treatment on Tuesday if his blood counts are up. Let's pray that God will strengthen Brandon and work through him to accomplish his Divine will.
Brandon is in need of a bone marrow transplant that doctors hope will prolong his life. Brandon's 8-year-old sister Tiffany is the potential donor for the transplant. According to Ms. Scrugg's email Tiffany has a video and book about her prt in the transplant process, and is well informed on what is going on.
Brandon is one of three children with cancer or rare disease who are being served by a new faith-based, non-profit organization known as "Faith for the Miracle." This group, founded by Tammy Bowman and Jane McAlexander, is planning several upcoming fund-raisers to assist and support these children and their families. Please help to support this organization in its fund-raising endeavors, the first of which will be held Sat., March 1, 2008, at Rotary Field in Stuart. Musicians and singers Bill Banks, Sue Nester, and Tina and Herbert Conner are spearheading the effort to organize this benefit that will run from 1-5 p.m. with food, fellowship, and live gospel music. I strongly urge everyone to attend this event which will be an "old fashioned gospel singing with dinner on the grounds." Those attending are invited to bring a covered dish and some drinks to cut costs so that all of the money raised can go to help Brandon and his mother.
The other two children who will benefit from this worthy cause are 3-year-old Samantha Mota, daughter of Amanda Adkins of Stuart, who is recovering from surgery to remove one of her eyes that was lost to cancer. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with this sweet little girl and her mother on my radio show last week. Samantha is doing well as she awaits the prosthetic eye that she will receive later this month at Duke Medical Center. The third child identified for support by this organization through this and other fund-raisers is Thomas Smith, the 8-month-old son of Anthony Smith and Dawn Barnard of Meadows of Dan. Thomas suffers from Hirschsprungs Disease, a chronic disorder of the digestive system. This child was born without nerve cells in the intestinal area that would normally send messages to the brain to move digested food/waste material throught he bowel system. As a result, Thomas can't dispose of bodily wastes like a normal person. Thomas is a candidate for a transplant that will be conducted in Cincinnati, Ohio, when he is 1 1/2 years old to surgically restore his digestive system. He has had 6 surgeries already and has spent most of his 8 months of life at Brenner's Children's Hospital. The transplant is said to be crucial to his survival. Please help support these children and their families in their time of need. Most of all join us as we build a "Wall of Prayer" around them through our personal petitions and prayers to the Lord God Almighty, the Great Physician.
If you would like to offer your support for these families and the work of the "Faith for the Miracle" organization or for more information, please call Brad and Tammy Bowman at 276-694-3886 or Jane McAlexander at 276-694-7842. You may also contact Faith Image Evangelistic Ministries online at faithimage@hotmail.com.
Jane McAlexander told me in a recent radio interview that since Brandon Dillon will probably not be able to realize his dream of a trip to Disney World, plans are in the works to bring Disney World to him and other children in our community on Apr. 19, 2008. Details of that event will be announced later. Please listen to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" for updates on these children and other citizens of our community who are in need of prayer. If you would like to add a name to my radio prayer list, please click on the comment section of this blog, call me at the radio station or at home, email me at rrogers@sitestar.net, fax me at 276-694-2241, or contact me in person. I want to use my radio show as a ministry for Christ and to help citizens in need in our community. Please help me. Listen too for details about future benefits and fundraisers to assist those in need and to offer the unequaled and incredible community support that the woulderful citizens of Patrick County are always so willing to lovingly provide as they have demonstrated many times through their responses to calls for help and their acts of kindness and generous monetary donations for countless worthwhile causes in our community.
My personal passion is to work today for a cancer-free tomorrow. I am an avid supporter of the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Relay for Life in memory of my late wife and "Sweetie" Sandra Merritt Rogers, who died of cancer in July 2006. I urge you to join me and hundreds of other volunteers in the community who are working to raise funds for research to find a cure for cancer and to serve cancer patients and their caregivers in our community with many helpful and timely ACS programs. Many individuals, clubs, churches, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations are already involved in supporting the mission of Relay for Life. I plead with others in our community to get involved on behalf of those loved ones, friends, and neighbors in your life who now are battling cancer or in memory of loved ones who have succumbed to cancer but whose deaths were not in vain. It is time to Celebrate...Remember...and Fight Back! Let's "Celebrate" the victory over cancer by the many survivors in our community who inspire us to action. Let's "Remember" those who have lost the battle to cancer but whose courage and determination continue to serve as an example to us all. Let's "Fight Back" for Brandon, Samantha, Thomas, and the multitude of others in our community who are battling cancer and need our encouragement and support.
For more inforamtion on how you can get involved in supporting the mission of Relay for Life in our community call me at 276-694-3114 or call the American Cancer Society's toll free line at 1-800-ACS-2345. Listen to my radio show for details on upcoming Relay for Life fundraisers including the annual "12 Hours for a Cure" Radio-thon on WHEO on Fri., May 16, 2008, and the Relay for Life Family Festival and Walk at DeHart Park in Stuart on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Please join us! And please pray for us! Our community can not sit still, we must take action as a community united to fight this deadly disease which is so rampant in our community and which threatens the lives of our loved ones, the quality of our life, and the futures of our children and grandchildren. Please join Relay for Life volunteers in the fight for a cancer-free tomorrow. We can do it with your help. Let's do it for our precious loved ones. Let's "Fight Back" now. Patrick County!!!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "Great Day"!
A Kilowatt for a Cure,
Richard
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