Stuffed in Stuart!

I've been traveling alot lately in my "Richard on the Road" series of news features, and I must say that everywhere I go my hosts offer some of the most delicious food that is almost impossible to resist. Though I may have to go on a diet here in the near future, I have really cherished my travels in search of important places and interesting people in Patrick County, and I have really enjoyed the hospitality and the food as well.

This beautiful autumn weekend has left me "stuffed" but "satisfied" headed into the new work week (unfortunately radio hosts don't get the Columbus Day holiday off). My weekend began last Friday when I joined radio/TV chef Paul Farrar at Food Lion in Stuart. We did a remote broadcast and Paul prepared some of the most unusual and mouthwatering apple dumplings that I have ever eaten. Paul wrapped a whole Granny Smith apple (cored and filled with butter and cinnamon) in dough and baked it at 350-degrees and then topped it with a caramel topping that brought ecstacy to the taste buds. Thanks to Jane McAlexander at Food Lion for the hospitality and those of you who stopped by and enjoyed Paul's apple dumplings with me.

Saturday, I started the day with a big gravy biscuit at the Coffee Break before I set out on a round of weekend events that I covered for the news and my series. I really like the Canine Convention for the benefit of Patrick County United Way at the Landmark Center. About 20 pure bred dogs participated in the "pooch parade" and various categories of competition with their proud owners. As part of the fund raising effort, Doris Martin did a great job organizing a bake sale and I left with a huge calory-laden butter pecan pound cake in my hands. What a dessert! That'll last a day or two!

Then it was on to the first Farm and Outdoor Safety Program (sponsored by Patrick County Farm Bureau and other groups in the community) just across the way and down Woodland Drive at Rotary Field. There I enjoyed the safety demonstrations conducted by our fire and rescue units, Farm Bureau Safety Director Bruce Stone, and other safety experts. For lunch, I decided to help out the 4-H Shooter Education Club so I purchased a delightful cheeseburger at their concession kitchen at Rotary. Great burger, guys and gals!

I figured that would hold me until I got to my next destination...the annual Civil War Encampment and Reenactment at Laurel Hill, Confederate General JEB Stuart's birthplace and boyhood home in Ararat. What a beautiful facility and a wonderful event that attracts people from all across the eastern part of the United States and beyond. I really enjoyed watching the battle reenactment (hoping that the armies would get it right almost 150 years later and that the South would win... but I guess it ain't gonna happen though). I should have taken my earplugs because the noise from the cannon fire was almost deafening. Anyway, watching the soldiers go through their paces helped my appetite to build, so Tom Bishop, the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and I decided to have some lunch and to try some of the Civil War era food that was available along with the regular festival fare of burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc. So we had lunch at the Old South Cookery, one of the encampment vendors that specializes in serving Indian Fry Bread stuffed with or topped with various tasty treats, including breakfast items; fruits (apple, peach, or cherry), or meet and vegetables. Chef Billy Shealey learned to make this bread from the Cherokee Indians but wouldn't dare divulge the recipe. Tom and I tried the best-selling item on the menu, the Navajo Taco which was outstanding in its palate pleasing tastiness. More than a meal, it featured the Indian Fry Bread topped with seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatores, cheese, and sour cream...washed down with root beer and cherry soda. After consuming all that I was sure that I probably wouldn't want or need anything else to eat for a week. By the way, thanks Tom for buying my lunch...and thanks to everyone in the JEB Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust of which I am an honorary member for your graciousness, hospitality, and the free gate pass!

Saturday night, I was at the radio station working on my Civil War Encampment feature when Herbert, Tina, and Catherine unexpectedly came calling. They were on their way home from the High Point Baptist Church's Chicken Stew and they stopped to give me a big container of this incredibly tasty chicken stew served at the event. That was so very nice of the Conners. They are such caring and considerate people, like so many of my friends who look out for this single widower who doesn't see much point in cooking for one person at home anymore. Thanks Tina, Herbert, and Catherine for your thoughtfullness and thanks to the High Point Baptist Church member who made the stew! I wish I'd had some of that about a month ago when I took this cold that I am just beginning to shake off.

You'd think I'd had enough to eat! No so. Sunday brought my biggest feast of all. I was invited to attend the Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church's Homecoming and Dedication of the church's new Ministry Center, to enjoy lunch, and to hear the Southern Prophets sing. (I'll have a "Richard on the Road" feature series in the near future.) What a meal it was! In the multi-purpose Ministry Center facility, they had 2 tables that each seemed to be about a hundred yards longs completely filled with scrumptuous home cooked foods and desserts prepared by members of the church. I have never seen that much food under one roof in all my life. Of course, I consumed freely, just like everyone in attendance on this historic day in the history of one of Patrick County's largest churches. After completely stuffing myself, my friend Vernelle Trent insisted that I take home a big plate of desserts which she so thoughtfully prepared for me. What a great day it was with a touching sermon, wonderful music by the Southern Prophets, terrific fellowship, and all my favorite foods and sweets galore. Thanks to Pastor Trent Wall and the congregation of Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church for your impeccable southern hospitality. It was especially wonderful to see and to interview former pastor, the Rev. Jack Foley, and to hug and to interview one of the charter members of the church that was established in 1943, Ms. Etta McGhee, who is as spry as she can be at age 94. God bless this sweet little lady with a heart of gold! This was a wonderful day in the Lord that I will treasure for years to come.

Well, it's almost time to get in bed to get a few hours of sleep before the alarm sounds at 4 a.m. You'd think after all that food during the weekend, that eating would be the last thing on my mind. Well, I'll say this, it's not a major priority right now, but I think I'll have my usual bag of microwave popcorn and a soda before I turn in. Good night and God bless.

Until I meet you on the airwaves bright and early each weekday morning on 1270 WHEO, may the Good Lord bless you with a "great day"!

Stuffed in Stuart,
Richard

Take Pride in Patrick County Schools!

Congratulations to Patrick County's seven public schools on a remarkable achievement. All of our public schools in Patrick County were honored on Fri., Sept. 28th for having achieved Full Accreditation and having met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) benchmarks. During an assembly in the Patrick County High School auditorium to celebrate the accomplishment, Patrick County school administrators, teachers, and school staff and support personnel were joined by dignitaries from the state and federal governments who came to town to offer their personal congratulations to our schools for their academic excellence. Among the special guests were Virginia's Secretary of Education, Dr. Thomas Morris, who, with ties to Horsepasture, is the 5th cousin of Patrick County School Superintendent Dr. Rogers Morris; Fred W. Hutchins, Regional Representative of U.S. Senator Jim Webb, and State Sen. Roscoe Reynolds.

To quote that noted observer of American society Barney Fife, Dr. Thomas Morris said, "this is big, this is real big!" Indeed it is "BIG"! Dr. Roger Morris, School Superintendent, said that of the 132 school divisions in Virginia, Patrick County is one of only 23 school systems in which all schools meet AYP and one of only 18 divisions where all the schools and the division as a whole meet AYP. Dr. Roger Morris added that Patrick County is in an "elite group" in terms of outstanding educational performance! Superintendent Morris attributed the phenomenal achievement to the "combined effort" of all personnal in the Patrick County Public Schools, not just the teachers. We are all part of a puzzle that when put together makes a "beautiful picture," Dr. Rogers Morris noted.

This accomplishment demonstrates that, by working together, Patrick Countians get the most out of their school dollars. Being a relatively poor rural county, we are not blessed with the enormous resources that some of the larger, more affluent counties have, but an excellent staff of outstanding veteran educators and promising young teachers working closely with parents, local officials, and citizens of the community has made Patrick County Public Schools the pride of our country, our state, and our nation. Let's all get involved and stay involved to insure that our public schools maintain and build upon this stellar record of educational excellence. It truly does take a community to educate a child. Keep up the good work, Patrick County!

I am also proud of Patrick Countians for their caring, compassion, and generosity that has been demonstrated time and time again. The latest example came last Thursday when listeners of "The Great Day in the Morning Show" on 1270-WHEO pledged and donated $2,200 to help fight Alzheimer's Disease in our community. That was a big part of the total of more than $5,000 raised by the 4th annual Memory Walk and Ride, sponsored by the Patrick County Alzheimer's Group LLC Sat., Sept. 29th at Dominion Valley Park. Thank you so much Patrick County for faithfully supporting this and many other worthwhile fundraising causes. Please mail donations to: Patrick County Alzheimer's Group, P.O. Box 1301, Stuart, VA 24171.

With pride in Patrick,
Richard Rogers

Go Hokies!

This past Saturday, I did something that I haven't done, I'm sorry to say, in 30 years...attended a Virginia Tech football game in Blacksburg. Since I graduated from Tech in 1973, every time I've had the opportunity to return to the campus for a game, other commitments have stood in the way. But last Saturday, I was determined that nothing was going to stop me (just like nothing stopped the Hokies in their 44-3 stomping of William and Mary Saturday).

Thanks to my friend Al Brammer, an avid Tech fan who attends all the home games, for inviting me to use a free ticket that he had and go to the game. We had a delightful day...enjoying the drive north on Rt. 8...tailgating in the parking lot outside of stately Lane Stadium before the game...and then enjoying seeing the Hokies tune up for their upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference schedule which begins when Carolina comes to town this coming Saturday. VT's signature strong defensive and special teams play, an exciting performance by new quarterback sensation Tyrod Taylor, and the excitement of the crowd were highlights of a beautiful autumn afternoon in Blacksburg. Although this wasn't a marquee game for Tech, Lane Stadium was virtually packed with 68,000 screaming fans. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric! It was a thrill to experience the excitement of big time college football on the campus where I spent 4 years of my life, pulling for the university that owns my heart. Watching the game and experiencing the grandeur Saturday, I was proud to be an alumnus of Virginia Tech. We are the maroon and orange! We are the Hokies. We are Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!

The most impressive thing about going back to Blacksburg occasionally is how much it and the surrounding area in Montgomery County have grown and developed commercially over the years. The economic impact of Tech is tremendous and extends much further to outlying counties including Patrick County. On game days in autumn, it is a frequent sight to see vehicles heading north on Rt. 8 with their VT flags flying headed for the game. These travelers often stop in Patrick County and spend money on food, fuel, etc.

It is wonderful to live in a beautiful place like Patrick County which is only about a 60-90 minute drive (whether it be north on Rt. 8 to Blacksburg or south on Rt. 8 to Winston-Salem) from big time Atlantic Coast Conference football and basketball, arguably the best in the country. It you have the opportunity, enjoy cheering for your favorite ACC school in gridiron action this season. It will help you to better appreciate the game of collegiate football whether you're a die-hard fan or just a casual one like me. Fall and football are truly great companions!

Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day!"

Richard

Come to the County Fair!

A mid-September chill is in the air. That's a pretty good sign that it's time for the Patrick County Agricultural Fair, a rich tradition in our county that dates back more than half-a-century. Since I was a child who looked forward with wonder and anticipation each year to the coming of the fair, I remember that the fair always seems to bring with it chillier weather. This rite of fall almost always demands that we pull out those sweathers and jackets that have been mothballed during the hot weather of summer.

The Patrick County Fair is truly a autumn tradition that is well worth our support as a community. Many other counties no longer offer their citizens a county fair. Thanks to teamwork and the partnership of many groups and individuals in our community working with the sponsoring Stuart Rotary Club, our fair continues to thrive and to grow. That's why it is important for us all to support our fair and to ensure that many generations to come have the opportunity to enjoy the those chilly nights at the fair. It is much more than funnel cakes, cotton candy, chill bumps, ferris wheels, steak sandwiches, and blue ribbon quality exhibits. It is a part of who we are and the wholesome family values that we support in this community. The fair gives many of us an opportunity to renew friendships and acquaintances that tend to get neglected in the haste of our busy everyday lives. So this week, take a little break from the ordinary, load up the family, and come and make new friends and renew old friendships at the Patrick County Agricultural Fair. For a daily update of activities going on at the fair each night...start your day with me from 6-10 a.m. on "The Great Day in the Morning Show" in the "Heart of Patrick County," 1270 WHEO.

I am proud to be a member and an officer (President Elect) of the Stuart Rotary Club which sponsors the fair each year and puts all proceeds back into the community for such projects as local student scholarships, recreation and education through our club-owned facilities at Rotary Field, and other Rotary projects that make our community a better place in which to live. The Stuart Rotary Club also provides financial assistance to a variety of other community organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Hospice of Patrick County, the Caring Hearts Free Clinic, the Patrick County Music Association, Citizens Against Family Violence, and many others. For example, this past week, the Rotary Club board of which I am a member voted to provide donate money to help ship schools supplies donated by many individuals and organizations in the community at the requiest of Brian Stone, the son of Patrick County Deputy and Mrs. Ward Stone who is serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzaniz in Africa. The Stuart Rotary Club also supports international efforts through Rotary International to bring clean drinking water to underdeveloped countries and to eradicate polio from the face of the earth. As a proud Stuart Rotarian, I cordially invite everyone to enjoy this labor of love of our respected club, the 55th annual Patrick County Agricultural Fair...Tue., Sept. 18th through Sat., Sept. 22nd at Rotary Field in Stuart. By the way, don't forget that sweather or jacket!

See you at the fair....
Richard

P.S. Congratulations to Denise Leigh Pendleton, the newly crowned Miss Patrick County Agricultural Fair 2007, and to Lashawnda Mae Weatherspoon, the new Junior Miss Patrick County Agricultural Fair. Enjoy their beauty and smiles as they greet you at the fair!

Baptism is Beautiful!

Baptism is beautiful...especially the old-fashioned kind! And when the person being baptized is a young new Christian, it is even more beautiful. This past Sunday, on a brilliant late summer afternoon in one of the most scenic places in Patrick County, i.e. "God's Country", I was honored to be among approximately 50 people who gathered on the banks of the Dan River in the Kibler Valley for the old-fashioned baptizing in the river of young new Chrisian, Catherine Conner, the precious daughter of Herbert and Tina Conner of Stuart and a student at Stuart Elementary School. The ceremony, conducted by Rev. Jim Churchwell and Mark Collins, was a beautiful and touching experience that reminded me of the day long ago when I accepted Jesus into my heart, was baptized, and had my sins washed away as a new-born Christian.

Coming to know the Lord and to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is most important decision that a person can ever make in his earthly life. It is the greatest act that we can accomplish in this life. Baptist, it seems to me, symbolizes the covenant that we make with God when we receive Jesus into our hearts and being our walk in newness of life with Christ as the focus of that life. It is particularly wonderful that when a person who accepts Christ at a young age, as Catherine did, has virtually a whole life ahead of them to rejoice in their eternal salvation and to serve and to glorify Him.

As Catherie's parents, who are popular local gospel singers, sang "Shall We Gather at the River" before her emersion in the chilly waters of the Dan, it occured to me that there is something about an old-fashioned river baptizing that touches the heart and brings us closer to God. I felt the Holy Spirit in our midst Sunday afternoon, and I am sure that the fellow Christians who were gathered with me felt God's presence too. It is a shame that the old timey baptizings of the past are so rare in today's modern, hurry-up world. It was nice to just sit on the banks of the river enjoying the beauty of God's creations and taking time to allow him to speak to the heart while welcoming a young new soul into the family of God. The beauty of the setting for Catherine's baptisimal ceremony in the picturesque Kibler Valley was overwhelming, reminding me that as Christians we have the hope by grace through faith in Christ of enjoying eternity in an even more beautiful paradise, the paradise of Heaven.

Let's all keep Catherine in our prayers as she embarks upon her new life in Christ...and try to reflect Jesus' presence in our hearts by the way we live our lives, that others may come to know him through us. "Let your light so shine among me that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!

Love in Christ,
Richard

Congratulations Clyde!

I commend the Stuart Park and Recreation Association for naming the new 3-acre, multi-purpose ballfield at Dehart Park in Stuart in honor of Patrick County Recreation Director Clyde Crissman, who, to me, is truly "Mr. Recreaton" in our county. Clyde has been with the recreation department from day one (when it was started in 1972) and has served so very capably as our recreaton director for the past 22 years (since 1985). No one has done more for recreation in Patrick County than Clyde Crissman, in my opinion. As my friend Bill Banks so insightfully noted this week on my "Community Conversation" program, Clyde is a doer. He gets things done for our young people and the community at large. If fact, Clyde can get more done with less resources than anyone that I know. He has certainly given the county a bargain for its money when it comes conducting a great but modestly-funded recreation program, maintaining our facilities, and providing opportunities that promote and encourage the positive development of our county's youth. It is altogether fitting that a recreational facility that Clyde envisioned 20 years ago be named after him. Clyde put together the partnership or coalition of citizens and businesses in our community that made this wonderful new athletic facility possible. He is a tireless worker who always goes above and beyond the call of duty!!!

Clyde Crissman is truly "Mr. Recreation" in Patrick County...but he is much more than our recreation director. He is a community leader! Clyde loves this county and works as hard as anyone I know to help others. He has sold more raffle tickets and helped to raise more funds for worthy causes over the years than anyone that comes to mind. Patrick County High School students and staff recognized this fact earlier this year when they honored Crissman with the school's prestigious Public Service Award. Clyde is to be saluted for his community-mindedness as well as for the top-notch job that he has always done for our recreation program. He is also a good Christian who is dedicated to God and his family as well as our community and its young people (of all ages).

We will all remember the many contributions that Clyde has made and will continue to make to our county's well-being and high quality of life each time that we attend and enjoy a soccer or baseball game at the new "Crissman Community Field"! Thanks Clyde and congratulations on your well-deserved honor, "Mr. Recreation"!

With regard to another respected community servant in Patrick County, I rejoice in the good reports that I have heard of late about the improving condition of Sheriff David Hubbard. He is now taking therapy, talking, and showing many signs of gradual improvement, according to Chief Deputy Garry Brown, who updated us on the sheriff's condition in a live telephone interview Thursday morning on "Community Converation." God has certainly answered many prayers for the sheriff, blessing him with what is beginning to look like a miraculous recovery. Let's continue to keep Sheriff David Hubbard in our prayers, and as he retires as one of the county's top law enforcement officers, thank him for his many years of dedicated service protecting lives and property in Patrick County.

Until next time, may God bless all of you with a "great day"!

Faith be yours,
Richard

A Labor of Love!

I'd like to personally thank Cecil and Barbara Hall and their family for the gracious hospitality shown me and almost 2,000 gospel music fans and campers who enjoyed one of the most successful Labor Day Weekend Gospel Singings in the history of their scenic venue, Dominion Valley Park. I enjoyed emceeing the Friday evening portion of the 3-day event that featured some of the top Southern and bluegrass gospel performers in the country. The Labor Day Weekend Gospel Singing is the largest of three major Dominioin Valley gospel music presentations each year, including the Memorial Day Weekend and July Gospel Singings.

As usual, the park was imaculately prepared, and Cecil, Barbara, and other members of the Hall family went out of their way to make sure that their treasured guests thoroughly enjoyed their stay at the park. In addition to being thankful for her own family, Barbara said she considers all the many fine people who keep coming back to Dominion Valley Park year after year to be "family" as well. The people who come here from far and near agree that the family atmosphere and fellowship at the park is as much a part of their enjoyment as the gospel music. One wheelchair bound patron from Rural Hall, N.C., told me he'd been coming to Dominion Valley and sitting in the same spot for 21 years. Many other folks like coming here just as much and are no less faithful.

The Hall family is to be commended for the effort, time, and commitment involved in opening their beloved property to the public and providing safe, wholesome family entertainment to thousands of local residents and visitors. The park's popular shows also attract tourists to our county from all over the country. The economic impact of Dominion Valley Park on the local economy over the more than 20 years it has been in operation is incalculable but most certainly highly significant.

As folks took a break from their daily labors and bid an unofficial goodbye to the summer season during the Labor Day weekend at Dominion Valley Park, it became clear to me that Cecil, Barbara, and family do no consider all the hard work that goes into presenting top-notch Christian entertainment here to be labor at all. It's obviously a labor of love!

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Dominion Valley Park, Cecil and Barbara Hall, and your loving family for your warm hospitality. Your family is an assett to this wonderful county which loves you dearly!

Until next time, may God bless you all with a "great day!"

Sincerely,
Richard Rogers,
Host of WHEO'S "The Great Day in the Morning Show"