A hometown "classic", the 2008 Patrick County Agricultural Fair concluded Saturday night at Rotary Field, having been visited by thousands of patrons during the successful 5 night run.
"This certainly weill be among the top fairs we've ever had, maybe the best," said Henry Ayers who is a veteran of 43 of the 56 Patrick County fairs that the Stuart Rotary Club has sponsored since 1952. The fair apparently took in increased revenue despite the economic gloom and high prices that have forced many consumers to be very selective in their spending. "There has definitely been an effect," commented Ayers on the economic impact on the fair. Ayers theorized that many families and fair visitors were forced to cut back a night or two from their usual fair attendance due to the sour economy and tight finances.
Ayers reported that the fair ran very smoothly with few problems. However, one thing that the Stuart Rotary Club will have to rethink, noted Ayers, is the shuttle service that didn't work out as well as fair officials had hoped. Ayers said there the shuttle needs a dedicated route to the fairgrounds from the distant parking areas because it was very difficult to maneuver around the parked vehicles that pushed the parking capacity to its limits on the heaviest nights, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The sponsoring Stuart Rotary Club would welcome your constructive suggestions on ways to improve the fair.
Ayers said the most memorable thing about this year's fair to him was the people. "The crowd that we did have seemed to be having a lot of fun. It was a very congenial crowd," said Ayers. He added that the fair was blessed with good attendance, absolutely beautiful weather, great exhibits and entertainment, successful grandstand events, and many riders on the midway.
From what riders told me, the "Zipper" was one of the more challenging rides on the midway. "It makes you throw up," said young fairgoer Kelsey Rakes, "it's great"! The food was also great. Despite my newly adopted healthy lifestyle that includes trying to eat nutritious foods and exercise daily, like most folks, I endulged during the fair sampling a little of everything that was available from the various vendors and trying to support as many worthy causes in the community as possible through concessions purchases. Among the treats of my fair menu were a Cattlemen's Assocition steak sandwhich, several polish sausages smothered in sauteed onions and spicy mustard served by Providence United Methodist Church, ribbon fries, a cheesburger and fries from the PCHS band boosters, hotdogs all the way from the Boy Scouts, etc., etc. My best meal, as a Stuart Rotarian, was the night fellow Rotarian Jimmy Morrison's wife Barbara served to the workers of the Stuart Rotary Club pinto beans and onions, corn bread, potato salad, cole slaw, homegrown tomatoes, lemonade, and pound cake for dessert. I ate plenty but I'll return to my healthy lifestyle this week! Hopefully!
Well, isn't that what the Patrick County Agricultural Fair is all about....enjoying one's self and wholesome fellowship with others in a "family reunion" type atmosphere? Yes, that is the essence of this more than 56-year-old tradition that is the Patrick County Agricultural Fair. Perhaps, Kelly Owens, one of the young ladies who enjoyed the midway attractions on opening night, summed it up best when, brimming with laughter and pride, she exclaimed in reference to our beloved fair, "it's a classic, it's a classic"!
Congratulations to these fair winners. The Clogging Contest winners were": Madison Stowe ("My Little Radio Buddy", first place, Junior...Glenda Hubbard, first place, Adult...and Billy Woods, first place, Seniors. The Flatfooting Contest winners were" Kenadie Hutchens, first place, Junior...Verna Shepherd, first place, Adult...Billy Woods, first place, Seniors. The top exhibitors were: PCHS Jr. ROTC, first place, Junior Educational...Patrick County Alzheimer's Association, first place, Adult Educational. In the Commercial division...Blue Ribbon winners were: the JEB Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Hospice of Patrick County, and PAWS. Red Ribbon commercial exhibit winners were: the Patrick County Historical Society and Clark Gas & Oil. White Ribbon commercial booth winners Merritt Farm and Garden Supply and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
On behalf of the Stuart Rotary Club, I would like to thank the thousands of participants and patrons who made the 2008 edition of the Patrick County Agricultural Fair one of the best ever, a true "classic"!
Until next time, I leave you with all my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a great day!
:O)
Richard~
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Rotary Pride!
As the Stuart Rotary Club conducts its 56th Patrick County Agricultural Fair this week, as president of the club, I take deep pride in our club's more than half-a-century-old tradition of outstanding community service in Patrick County and around the world through Rotary International. Throughout its rich history, Stuart Rotary has adopted a proactive leadership role in an effort to effect positive change and development while maintaining and preserving the traditional values that have distinguished Patrick County as a caring and compassionate community and a wonderful place to live, work (wish we had more jobs but we're working on it), and raise a family.
The infrastructure and physical facilities owned by the Stuart Rotary Club and leased to the County of Patrick figure prominently in the county's recreational and educational programs and provide forums and meeting places for public and private functions year round. In order to provide these facilities and to carry out our mission of community betterment, Stuart Rotary is widely noted and acclaimed for its annual signature project, the Patrick County Agricultural Fair, a thriving community tradition that dates back, as far as our involvement is concerned, to 1952. As well as providing wholesome family entertainment and the opportunity for fellowship to residents of the community and attracting tourists to Patrick County, the fair is one of the major lifelines that provides funds for Stuart Rotary Club's exemplary community service work. All of the proceeds from the fair and other club projects are reinvested in our community and our facilities, providing a sports/educational complex used by citizens throughout the community and support and financial assistance to other organizations and community partners that serve a cross section of the residents of Patrick County.
Stuart Rotary is especially honored to provide annual educational scholarships for deserving youth, assisting students in furthering their education beyond high school. Stuart Rotarians are also proud to invest club resources in these partner organizations that also serve the county with great distinction: Boy and Girl Scouts, Caring Hearts Free Clinic, 4-H, Hospice of Patrick County, Patrick County Education Foundation (GED graduation), Community Food Bank, Patrick County Music Association, United Fund, and many others. Stuart Rotary also sends students to youth leadership training programs annually as well as a variety of toehr worthy causes in the community.
This proud tradition of community service would not have been possible without the dedication of many community-minded individuals who have graced our club's membrship rolls over the years. Sadly, this past year, our club lost to death three distinguished Rotarians whose names became synonymous with service during their many years in the club. I have dedicated my year as president of Stuart Rotary Club to honor the memory of Curtis Carter, Bill Staples, and Bub Stanley. These Rotarians can never be replaced but we can draw inspiration and determination from their dedication to God, their famileies, this club, and our community. Let us see to follow their example of "Service Above Self," which is what being a Rotarian is all about.
I encourage everyone to come to the 2008 Patrick County Agricultural Fair (Sept. 16-20) and enjoy what "Mr. Patrick County Fair" Henry Ayers accurately described as a "one big homecoming"! Great care has gone into making this a safe, entertaining, educational, wholesome family-oriented event that showcases the very best of Patrick County including its agricultural products, educational institutions, business community, civic organizations, churches, and talented citizens. It is with great pride that, for the 56th consecutive year, the Stuart Rotary Club presents one of the premiere rural fairs in the country, the PATRICK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR! Enjoy! I know I will!
Until next time, I leave you with all my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a "great day" and us all with a wonderful fair!
At your service,
Richard Rogers :O)
The infrastructure and physical facilities owned by the Stuart Rotary Club and leased to the County of Patrick figure prominently in the county's recreational and educational programs and provide forums and meeting places for public and private functions year round. In order to provide these facilities and to carry out our mission of community betterment, Stuart Rotary is widely noted and acclaimed for its annual signature project, the Patrick County Agricultural Fair, a thriving community tradition that dates back, as far as our involvement is concerned, to 1952. As well as providing wholesome family entertainment and the opportunity for fellowship to residents of the community and attracting tourists to Patrick County, the fair is one of the major lifelines that provides funds for Stuart Rotary Club's exemplary community service work. All of the proceeds from the fair and other club projects are reinvested in our community and our facilities, providing a sports/educational complex used by citizens throughout the community and support and financial assistance to other organizations and community partners that serve a cross section of the residents of Patrick County.
Stuart Rotary is especially honored to provide annual educational scholarships for deserving youth, assisting students in furthering their education beyond high school. Stuart Rotarians are also proud to invest club resources in these partner organizations that also serve the county with great distinction: Boy and Girl Scouts, Caring Hearts Free Clinic, 4-H, Hospice of Patrick County, Patrick County Education Foundation (GED graduation), Community Food Bank, Patrick County Music Association, United Fund, and many others. Stuart Rotary also sends students to youth leadership training programs annually as well as a variety of toehr worthy causes in the community.
This proud tradition of community service would not have been possible without the dedication of many community-minded individuals who have graced our club's membrship rolls over the years. Sadly, this past year, our club lost to death three distinguished Rotarians whose names became synonymous with service during their many years in the club. I have dedicated my year as president of Stuart Rotary Club to honor the memory of Curtis Carter, Bill Staples, and Bub Stanley. These Rotarians can never be replaced but we can draw inspiration and determination from their dedication to God, their famileies, this club, and our community. Let us see to follow their example of "Service Above Self," which is what being a Rotarian is all about.
I encourage everyone to come to the 2008 Patrick County Agricultural Fair (Sept. 16-20) and enjoy what "Mr. Patrick County Fair" Henry Ayers accurately described as a "one big homecoming"! Great care has gone into making this a safe, entertaining, educational, wholesome family-oriented event that showcases the very best of Patrick County including its agricultural products, educational institutions, business community, civic organizations, churches, and talented citizens. It is with great pride that, for the 56th consecutive year, the Stuart Rotary Club presents one of the premiere rural fairs in the country, the PATRICK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR! Enjoy! I know I will!
Until next time, I leave you with all my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a "great day" and us all with a wonderful fair!
At your service,
Richard Rogers :O)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Historic Patrick Powwow!
It is not everyday that we can participate in an historic event in our county. But this past Saturday provided just such a rare opportunity and I seized the moment! I spent a very enjoyable afternoon in the company of hundreds of other local residents and Native Americans from across the country who attended an historic event in Patrick County. "This is the first Cherokee Powwow that has been held in this area since the 1700s when the Cherokees held them at Fairystone," said Little Wolf, wife of Chief Griffith of the Wolf Creek Cherokee Tribe of Stuart, which hosted a 3-day intertribal powwow at Rotary Field Friday through Sunday (Sept. 5-7).
Native Americans from as far away as Oklahoma (perhaps further) came to Patrick County to participate in the 3-day celebration of Native American culture. One family from Oklahoma came back to this area for the first time since the forced relocation of their ancestors during the infamous westward march known as the "Trail of Tears." Little Wolf said that during that unfortunate episode of Native American history in the 1830s, Native Americans were abruptly driven from their homes by the "white man" and forced to march to Oklahoma in the snow, at a cost of the lives of the approximately 4,000 Native Americans who died during the sorrowful sojourn.
The Cherokee powwow also attracted many local residents (some with Native American ancestry) and hundreds of school children. On the first day of the Cherokee powwow, almost 500 Patrick County students also had a chance to participate in the making of history when they visited the Cherokee tribe at Rotary Field which was dotted with tee pees and merchandise vendors. The youngsters loved what proved to be a fun learning experience. "They didn't want to leave," said Little Wolf, noting that the students really enjoyed learning about Native American customs and touring the vendors who sold American Indian merchandise. "The vendors loved the children coming," she added.
I too can say that I learned much about Native American culture, etiquette, music, dance, and native foods while enjoying the fellowship of many of my friends and the new Native American friends that I made during my visit.
As many of you know, I really enjoy the food at these celebrations and festivals. It was tough to choose, but I finally decided to try the fry bread for which Native Americans are noted. This huge piece of fried bread was topped with lettuce, hamburger, onions, and cheese which could be called an Indian taco. It was delicious but would have been even better with a few tomatoes, some salsa, and a dash of sour cream. Oh well, I'm not complaining! The Native American fare also included Buffalo Burgers, a smaller fry bread with powered sugar, and mouthwatering corn on the cob grilled in the shuck and smothered with butter. By the way, folks from the Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department did a great job preparing and serving the food which everybody enjoyed freely. Fortunately, folks had a chance to walk off a few of those calories in the spacious setting of the powwow in the outfield of the softball diamond at Rotary.
I was amazed at the rich pagentry of this event that featured Native American dancers and musicians performing during tribal ceremonial events. The Indian dress worn by these dancers was magnificent!
One of the things I learned Saturday was never to call a Native American dancer's outfit a "costume." This special dress is properly called "regalia." I was told by Native American dancer Keith Smith from Dinwiddie, VA, "a costume is something you wear when you are pretending to be something you're not. We're not pretending; we're the real thing. We are American Indian"!
It was my pleasure to spend a delightful Saturday afternoon in the company of these authentic Native Americans, enjoying their fellowship, participating in their historic Patrick powwow, and learning about their customs and way of life. At the end day, we were all proud , not only of our varied individual ancestries, but proud too to be AMERICANS, native or not!
Until next time, may God (or "Creator" as the Native Americans refer to the Divine Being) bless you with a "great day"!
:O)
Richard
Native Americans from as far away as Oklahoma (perhaps further) came to Patrick County to participate in the 3-day celebration of Native American culture. One family from Oklahoma came back to this area for the first time since the forced relocation of their ancestors during the infamous westward march known as the "Trail of Tears." Little Wolf said that during that unfortunate episode of Native American history in the 1830s, Native Americans were abruptly driven from their homes by the "white man" and forced to march to Oklahoma in the snow, at a cost of the lives of the approximately 4,000 Native Americans who died during the sorrowful sojourn.
The Cherokee powwow also attracted many local residents (some with Native American ancestry) and hundreds of school children. On the first day of the Cherokee powwow, almost 500 Patrick County students also had a chance to participate in the making of history when they visited the Cherokee tribe at Rotary Field which was dotted with tee pees and merchandise vendors. The youngsters loved what proved to be a fun learning experience. "They didn't want to leave," said Little Wolf, noting that the students really enjoyed learning about Native American customs and touring the vendors who sold American Indian merchandise. "The vendors loved the children coming," she added.
I too can say that I learned much about Native American culture, etiquette, music, dance, and native foods while enjoying the fellowship of many of my friends and the new Native American friends that I made during my visit.
As many of you know, I really enjoy the food at these celebrations and festivals. It was tough to choose, but I finally decided to try the fry bread for which Native Americans are noted. This huge piece of fried bread was topped with lettuce, hamburger, onions, and cheese which could be called an Indian taco. It was delicious but would have been even better with a few tomatoes, some salsa, and a dash of sour cream. Oh well, I'm not complaining! The Native American fare also included Buffalo Burgers, a smaller fry bread with powered sugar, and mouthwatering corn on the cob grilled in the shuck and smothered with butter. By the way, folks from the Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department did a great job preparing and serving the food which everybody enjoyed freely. Fortunately, folks had a chance to walk off a few of those calories in the spacious setting of the powwow in the outfield of the softball diamond at Rotary.
I was amazed at the rich pagentry of this event that featured Native American dancers and musicians performing during tribal ceremonial events. The Indian dress worn by these dancers was magnificent!
One of the things I learned Saturday was never to call a Native American dancer's outfit a "costume." This special dress is properly called "regalia." I was told by Native American dancer Keith Smith from Dinwiddie, VA, "a costume is something you wear when you are pretending to be something you're not. We're not pretending; we're the real thing. We are American Indian"!
It was my pleasure to spend a delightful Saturday afternoon in the company of these authentic Native Americans, enjoying their fellowship, participating in their historic Patrick powwow, and learning about their customs and way of life. At the end day, we were all proud , not only of our varied individual ancestries, but proud too to be AMERICANS, native or not!
Until next time, may God (or "Creator" as the Native Americans refer to the Divine Being) bless you with a "great day"!
:O)
Richard
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Raising the Community's "Cougar Consciousness"!
As the Patrick County High School football, volleyball, and golf teams begin their seasons, many citizens are working to generate public support for PCHS athletics and to raise funds to benefit the high school. These groups should be commended for their work to raise our community's "Cougar Consciousness", a spirit of community support and pride in our PCHS teams.
This enthusiasm for PCHS athletics was apparent Friday night as the Patrick County High School Alumni Association hosted a tailgate party before the Cougars took on cross-the-border rival North Stokes High in a preseason game that served as a tune-up for this Friday night's regular season opener against Carroll County at home. "We're here looking for another great season (last year the PCHS football team finished as the Piedmont District runner-up and went to the regionals)," said Rickie Fulcher, President of the PCHS Alumni Association, adding, "we're excited to be here and be a part of it."
"We're staying busy," said Fulcher, noting that the PCHS Alumni Association, formed just a couple of years ago, is conducting fund-raisers for various PCHS projects. The alumni organization has already raised money to provide scholarships, upgrade the sound system at John D. Hooker Field, and to install a utility shed at the field. The group's main project now is to raise money for renovation of the PCHS auditorium, an ambitious $100,000 project that is being supported by other groups in the community including the Patrick County Partnership for the Arts.
As part of the fund-raising activities, the Patrick County Cattlemen's Association served steak sandwiches at the tailgate party and the PCHS Alumni Association served hotdogs and hamburgers during Friday night's 59-22 victory by the Cougars over North Stokes in a scrimmage game for the Cougars and an official regular season game for the Vikings.
"We want everyone to think of us as an organization that's here to help other organizations," said Fulcher of the PCHS Alumni Association. For more information, visit www.patrickalumni.com.
"There seems to be a lot of community involvement now," said Fulcher with regard to work being done by the alumni association and other groups to support the Cougars academic and scholastic programs and our public schools in general.
Another key supporter that is raising "Cougar Consciousness" is the newly-renamed Patrick County High School Cougar Club (formerly the Athletic Boosters Club) which is guided by Kelly Witt. I am scheduled to interview Kelly and the school system's new activitities director Todd Purdham this week.
In his newly-created position, Mr. Purdham will oversee the PCHS athletic program and serve as the coordinator of athletics throughout the Patrick County Public School System, working closely with Recreation Director Clyde Crissman.
Always know as a baseball power, the Patrick County High School athletic program, fueled by rising "Cougar Consciousness" in the community, is emerging as comprehensive, well balanced operation that fields teams and individual athletes that are highly competitive in all sports.
Be a "Cougar Conscious" cheerleader! I urge you to don your green and gold and come out Friday night, Aug. 29th, to cheer for the Cougars as they go against a touch Carroll County team in their regular season and home football opener. Go Cougars!!!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!
Richard Rogers,
A proud Patrick patriot
This enthusiasm for PCHS athletics was apparent Friday night as the Patrick County High School Alumni Association hosted a tailgate party before the Cougars took on cross-the-border rival North Stokes High in a preseason game that served as a tune-up for this Friday night's regular season opener against Carroll County at home. "We're here looking for another great season (last year the PCHS football team finished as the Piedmont District runner-up and went to the regionals)," said Rickie Fulcher, President of the PCHS Alumni Association, adding, "we're excited to be here and be a part of it."
"We're staying busy," said Fulcher, noting that the PCHS Alumni Association, formed just a couple of years ago, is conducting fund-raisers for various PCHS projects. The alumni organization has already raised money to provide scholarships, upgrade the sound system at John D. Hooker Field, and to install a utility shed at the field. The group's main project now is to raise money for renovation of the PCHS auditorium, an ambitious $100,000 project that is being supported by other groups in the community including the Patrick County Partnership for the Arts.
As part of the fund-raising activities, the Patrick County Cattlemen's Association served steak sandwiches at the tailgate party and the PCHS Alumni Association served hotdogs and hamburgers during Friday night's 59-22 victory by the Cougars over North Stokes in a scrimmage game for the Cougars and an official regular season game for the Vikings.
"We want everyone to think of us as an organization that's here to help other organizations," said Fulcher of the PCHS Alumni Association. For more information, visit www.patrickalumni.com.
"There seems to be a lot of community involvement now," said Fulcher with regard to work being done by the alumni association and other groups to support the Cougars academic and scholastic programs and our public schools in general.
Another key supporter that is raising "Cougar Consciousness" is the newly-renamed Patrick County High School Cougar Club (formerly the Athletic Boosters Club) which is guided by Kelly Witt. I am scheduled to interview Kelly and the school system's new activitities director Todd Purdham this week.
In his newly-created position, Mr. Purdham will oversee the PCHS athletic program and serve as the coordinator of athletics throughout the Patrick County Public School System, working closely with Recreation Director Clyde Crissman.
Always know as a baseball power, the Patrick County High School athletic program, fueled by rising "Cougar Consciousness" in the community, is emerging as comprehensive, well balanced operation that fields teams and individual athletes that are highly competitive in all sports.
Be a "Cougar Conscious" cheerleader! I urge you to don your green and gold and come out Friday night, Aug. 29th, to cheer for the Cougars as they go against a touch Carroll County team in their regular season and home football opener. Go Cougars!!!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!
Richard Rogers,
A proud Patrick patriot
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Where's the Beef?
Clara Peller, the little old lady who gained fame in the 1984 advertising campaign for Wendy's Restaurant in which she inquired "Where's the Beef?", would have exclaimed "Eureka" (Greek for "I have found it.") if she had visited Salem United Methodist Church in Patrick County Saturday night (8/16/08). Grilled to savory perfection by chef Wilbur Walker of Critz, the beef was in plentiful supply at Salem's annual $25 per person steak dinner.
Pastor Sarah Doss and the congregation of the beautiful 182-year-old little country church welcomed a large crowd of hungry patrons that filled the church fellowship hall to near capacity during much of the 2 and 1/2-hour dinner. What a lovely church and a friendly bunch of members.
My friend Wilbur Walker told me that he and assistants Chris Caviness and Tom Doss, the pastor's husband, grilled more than 125 steaks that were cooked to order by each of the people who enjoyed the feast. The tender, juicy steaks were huge 1 and 1/4 inch hunks of expertly grilled meat 'dripping with love' and bursting with flavor, and were served with baked potato, 7 layer salad, apple and pineapple casserole, Texas toast, team, lemonade, coffee, and a wide variety of desserts including coconut pie, banana pudding, pecan pie, and many more. The meal was well worth the wait as chefs sought to grill every steak to the exact doneness requested by each customer, many of whom come to this event year after year.
In addition to grilling an excellent steak, Wilbur Walker is also widely noted for the blackpot chicken that is another of his signature dishes. He and the Patrick Springs Ruritans cook up to 800 pounds of blackpot chicken each fall at the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival at Ferrum College. Wilbur also teams up with his dear friend and mine Clyde Brown, WHEO's Critz weather spotter, to make molasses from the cane that they raise each autumn. "He's a pretty good cook," said Mr. Brown of his pal Wilbur.
Wilbur enjoys cooking at the church dinners that Salem United Methodist Church holds regularly. Each of these nearly monthly dinners is planned around a central theme...Tex-Mex, Puerto Rican, Italian, etc. Wilbur has been cooking since the mid-1970s when he learned to make blackpot chicken from his uncle in Franklin County. A member since he came here from Franklin County in 1974, Wilbur finds great joy in being a member of Salem United Methodist Church. "There is a lot of love here," said Walker, adding boastfully "we have the best cooks in Patrick County." After enjoying one of Wilbur's mouth-watering steaks Saturday night, he may not have been just 'shootin' the bull' when he made that tongue-in-cheek claim!
Thanks to Pastor Sarah Doss and everyone at Salem United Methodist Church for your gracious hospitality. Special thanks to my buddy Wilbur Walker who always brings me back blackpot chicken from Ferrum each year and remembers me in many other kind ways. Wilbur gave me a free ticket to Saturday night's dinner which I appreciate very much. I must say, though, that I worked for my meal because, like most places I go on weekends, right after I eat, I am transformed into "Richard on the Road" doing interviews and gathering information for my radio news features. My Saturday night visit to the steak dinner at one of Patrick County's oldest churches resulted in a 3-part series of "Richard on the Road" reports titled "Salem United Methodist Church: a Praying Church" (and, as Pastor Doss says, "an Eating Church") that will air this week.
Until next time, may God bless you with a great day!
At your service with love :O),
Richard
Pastor Sarah Doss and the congregation of the beautiful 182-year-old little country church welcomed a large crowd of hungry patrons that filled the church fellowship hall to near capacity during much of the 2 and 1/2-hour dinner. What a lovely church and a friendly bunch of members.
My friend Wilbur Walker told me that he and assistants Chris Caviness and Tom Doss, the pastor's husband, grilled more than 125 steaks that were cooked to order by each of the people who enjoyed the feast. The tender, juicy steaks were huge 1 and 1/4 inch hunks of expertly grilled meat 'dripping with love' and bursting with flavor, and were served with baked potato, 7 layer salad, apple and pineapple casserole, Texas toast, team, lemonade, coffee, and a wide variety of desserts including coconut pie, banana pudding, pecan pie, and many more. The meal was well worth the wait as chefs sought to grill every steak to the exact doneness requested by each customer, many of whom come to this event year after year.
In addition to grilling an excellent steak, Wilbur Walker is also widely noted for the blackpot chicken that is another of his signature dishes. He and the Patrick Springs Ruritans cook up to 800 pounds of blackpot chicken each fall at the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival at Ferrum College. Wilbur also teams up with his dear friend and mine Clyde Brown, WHEO's Critz weather spotter, to make molasses from the cane that they raise each autumn. "He's a pretty good cook," said Mr. Brown of his pal Wilbur.
Wilbur enjoys cooking at the church dinners that Salem United Methodist Church holds regularly. Each of these nearly monthly dinners is planned around a central theme...Tex-Mex, Puerto Rican, Italian, etc. Wilbur has been cooking since the mid-1970s when he learned to make blackpot chicken from his uncle in Franklin County. A member since he came here from Franklin County in 1974, Wilbur finds great joy in being a member of Salem United Methodist Church. "There is a lot of love here," said Walker, adding boastfully "we have the best cooks in Patrick County." After enjoying one of Wilbur's mouth-watering steaks Saturday night, he may not have been just 'shootin' the bull' when he made that tongue-in-cheek claim!
Thanks to Pastor Sarah Doss and everyone at Salem United Methodist Church for your gracious hospitality. Special thanks to my buddy Wilbur Walker who always brings me back blackpot chicken from Ferrum each year and remembers me in many other kind ways. Wilbur gave me a free ticket to Saturday night's dinner which I appreciate very much. I must say, though, that I worked for my meal because, like most places I go on weekends, right after I eat, I am transformed into "Richard on the Road" doing interviews and gathering information for my radio news features. My Saturday night visit to the steak dinner at one of Patrick County's oldest churches resulted in a 3-part series of "Richard on the Road" reports titled "Salem United Methodist Church: a Praying Church" (and, as Pastor Doss says, "an Eating Church") that will air this week.
Until next time, may God bless you with a great day!
At your service with love :O),
Richard
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Congratulations Wood Brothers!
Congratulations to the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team! After struggling for much of the season and failing to make the field for several races for the first time in their storied history, apparently the team is turning its season around. With promising young Australian driver Marcos Ambrose behind the wheel, the Wood Brothers' no. 21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion finished a remarkable third in the Sprint Cup road course race at Watkins Glenn, N.Y., on Sun., Aug. 10th.
It was one of the team's best finishes in years. The last victory for Wood Brothers Racing was in 2001 at Bristol with Elliott Sadler behind the wheel.
What was even more remarkable about this top 5 run was that Ambrose, who started dead last, worked his way through the field from the 43rd positon to finish 3rd in just his third Sprint Cup race. Ambrose is a "road racer extraordinaire," said one ESPN announcer after Sunday's Spring Cup race. The strong run in the Wood Brothers Ford was part of a great weekend for Ambrose. Driving for another team, he piloted the STP Ford to victory in Saturday's Nationwide Series race, his first NASCR victory.
Sunday's performance marked the second week in a row that the Wood Brothers have been very competitive. Bill Elliott drove the Wood Brothers entry to a 20th place finish in the Spring Cup race at Pocono Speedway on Aug. 3rd.
It looks like the team's hard work is paying off and its run of bad luck in recent years is turning around! Again congratulations to Wood Brothers Brothers racing on their recent success. Even though the team was forced to move from its Stuart shop to the Charlotte, N.C., area several years ago in an effort to remain competitive, members of the team still call Stuart and Patrick County home and maintain residences here. I see Glenn and Bernice Wood of Stuart and other family members in the Coffee Break quite often. As pioneers of the sport of auto racing, the Wood Brothers have done much to promote our community and I extend my personal appreciation and congratulations.
It was one of the team's best finishes in years. The last victory for Wood Brothers Racing was in 2001 at Bristol with Elliott Sadler behind the wheel.
What was even more remarkable about this top 5 run was that Ambrose, who started dead last, worked his way through the field from the 43rd positon to finish 3rd in just his third Sprint Cup race. Ambrose is a "road racer extraordinaire," said one ESPN announcer after Sunday's Spring Cup race. The strong run in the Wood Brothers Ford was part of a great weekend for Ambrose. Driving for another team, he piloted the STP Ford to victory in Saturday's Nationwide Series race, his first NASCR victory.
Sunday's performance marked the second week in a row that the Wood Brothers have been very competitive. Bill Elliott drove the Wood Brothers entry to a 20th place finish in the Spring Cup race at Pocono Speedway on Aug. 3rd.
It looks like the team's hard work is paying off and its run of bad luck in recent years is turning around! Again congratulations to Wood Brothers Brothers racing on their recent success. Even though the team was forced to move from its Stuart shop to the Charlotte, N.C., area several years ago in an effort to remain competitive, members of the team still call Stuart and Patrick County home and maintain residences here. I see Glenn and Bernice Wood of Stuart and other family members in the Coffee Break quite often. As pioneers of the sport of auto racing, the Wood Brothers have done much to promote our community and I extend my personal appreciation and congratulations.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Food, Fellowship, and Fund-Raising Go Together!
Let's fact it. We live in a relatively poor county where fund-raising by dedicated volunteers helps to generate many of the funds needed by many community organizations in order to serve our citizens. We are certainly blessed by the spirit of volunteerism and the let's-get it done attitude of citizens that pervades our county. In that regard, a healthy combination of food, fellowship, and fund-raising are a common weekend activity for Patrick County churches, clubs, civic, and community organizations. This past Saturday, for example, 3 Methodist churches in Patrick County conducted events of this sort, and "Richard on the Road," a hungry Baptist, attended all of them.
My first stop, shortly after 8 a.m., was at Providence United Methodist Church which serves breakfast to the public on the first Saturday each month to raise dollars for the church building fund. I was warmly greeted by Pastor David Westmoreland and members of the congregatoin, who served a mouth-watering home-cooked breakfast (complete with eggs, sausage, biscuits, 2 kinds of gravy-regular and Kevin Polachek's spicy "Northern" version, apples, blueberry bancakes, coffee, juice, jellies, and jams). The church does not charge but accepts donations from their patrons after they've enjoyed their meal. Why, if your put a $20 bill in the basket, it would still be a bargain for this breakfast along with all of the good fellowship that goes with it.
Pastor David pointed out that this event is part of the church's outreach ministry, noting that it had just hosted as special guests the Adam Willard family of 5 that lost its mobile home in a fire last week and is residing temporarily in the Penny House in Patrick Springs. I commend the "church with the big red doors," as I often call it, for its community-mindedness, hospitality, and an excellent breakfast.
After my breakfast wore off several hours later, I decided to have a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs with my friends at Concord United Methodist Churchh, site of a Saturday morning yard and bake sale. Sure Concord is famous for its delicious homemade ice cream, but members of this little country church are as good on the grill as they are with the ice cream freezer. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived around midday, a heavy thunderstorm had abruptly forced curtailment of this fund-raiser. Although I didn't get lunch, I did get a news story! Senior member Jesse Mae Vernon and her grandson Keith Vernon told me that Saturday's fund-raiser had been planned to raise money for a new project in the church's outreach ministry. Members of the church are preparing packages that will be sent to our troops abroad (especially those from Patrick County) later this month. Jesse Mae and Keith said the church wants to let our soldiers know that they are loved and supported back at home. I commend Concord United Methodist Church for this wonderful effort to reach out to our troops on foreign battlefronts with loving kindness. Let's all keep America's soldiers and military personnel in our constant prayers! By the way, my Concord friends, I'll take a rain check on the lunch I missed! :O)
My third and final church visit of the day came Saturday evening when I attended the 14th annual Pig Pickin' and Gospel Singing, a summertime tradition at New Hope United Methodist Church. Member Henry Ayers said the event offers wholesome family entertainment and raises money for the church's Lord's Acre fund. Member Shirley Collins added that although the crowd was off a little this year, the event attracted a large number of hungry people. I'll say! Here's proof! By the time I got in line for a take-out about 2 1/2 hours after serving had begun, all of Burton Conner's barbecue...200 pounds of it...had been consumed by the ravenous crowd...every bit of it! Thus, for the second time that day, uncharacteristically, I had missed a meal! Fortunately, for me, however, I'd eaten earlier that afternoon at the annual volunteer appreciation banquet for Patrick Share and the Patrick County Community Food Bank (I commend the volunteers of these organizations). What a spread...barbecued chicken, regular barbecue, barbecue with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roles, coleslaw, sweet tea, and coconut pie and pound cake for dessert.
Still I missed two out of the three church meals that I attended. Oh well, I'll have many more opportunities in months to come to indulge as Patrick County churches, clubs, civic, and community organizations offer food, fun, and fellowship to aid in their very worthy fund-raising efforts.
Until next time, you have all of my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a "great day"!
Your "Great Day in the Morning Show" host,
Richard
My first stop, shortly after 8 a.m., was at Providence United Methodist Church which serves breakfast to the public on the first Saturday each month to raise dollars for the church building fund. I was warmly greeted by Pastor David Westmoreland and members of the congregatoin, who served a mouth-watering home-cooked breakfast (complete with eggs, sausage, biscuits, 2 kinds of gravy-regular and Kevin Polachek's spicy "Northern" version, apples, blueberry bancakes, coffee, juice, jellies, and jams). The church does not charge but accepts donations from their patrons after they've enjoyed their meal. Why, if your put a $20 bill in the basket, it would still be a bargain for this breakfast along with all of the good fellowship that goes with it.
Pastor David pointed out that this event is part of the church's outreach ministry, noting that it had just hosted as special guests the Adam Willard family of 5 that lost its mobile home in a fire last week and is residing temporarily in the Penny House in Patrick Springs. I commend the "church with the big red doors," as I often call it, for its community-mindedness, hospitality, and an excellent breakfast.
After my breakfast wore off several hours later, I decided to have a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs with my friends at Concord United Methodist Churchh, site of a Saturday morning yard and bake sale. Sure Concord is famous for its delicious homemade ice cream, but members of this little country church are as good on the grill as they are with the ice cream freezer. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived around midday, a heavy thunderstorm had abruptly forced curtailment of this fund-raiser. Although I didn't get lunch, I did get a news story! Senior member Jesse Mae Vernon and her grandson Keith Vernon told me that Saturday's fund-raiser had been planned to raise money for a new project in the church's outreach ministry. Members of the church are preparing packages that will be sent to our troops abroad (especially those from Patrick County) later this month. Jesse Mae and Keith said the church wants to let our soldiers know that they are loved and supported back at home. I commend Concord United Methodist Church for this wonderful effort to reach out to our troops on foreign battlefronts with loving kindness. Let's all keep America's soldiers and military personnel in our constant prayers! By the way, my Concord friends, I'll take a rain check on the lunch I missed! :O)
My third and final church visit of the day came Saturday evening when I attended the 14th annual Pig Pickin' and Gospel Singing, a summertime tradition at New Hope United Methodist Church. Member Henry Ayers said the event offers wholesome family entertainment and raises money for the church's Lord's Acre fund. Member Shirley Collins added that although the crowd was off a little this year, the event attracted a large number of hungry people. I'll say! Here's proof! By the time I got in line for a take-out about 2 1/2 hours after serving had begun, all of Burton Conner's barbecue...200 pounds of it...had been consumed by the ravenous crowd...every bit of it! Thus, for the second time that day, uncharacteristically, I had missed a meal! Fortunately, for me, however, I'd eaten earlier that afternoon at the annual volunteer appreciation banquet for Patrick Share and the Patrick County Community Food Bank (I commend the volunteers of these organizations). What a spread...barbecued chicken, regular barbecue, barbecue with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roles, coleslaw, sweet tea, and coconut pie and pound cake for dessert.
Still I missed two out of the three church meals that I attended. Oh well, I'll have many more opportunities in months to come to indulge as Patrick County churches, clubs, civic, and community organizations offer food, fun, and fellowship to aid in their very worthy fund-raising efforts.
Until next time, you have all of my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a "great day"!
Your "Great Day in the Morning Show" host,
Richard
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