Despite the economic hardships that are persistent in our community and across the country and the many personal problems and challenges that we all struggle to deal with every day, we have so much for which to be thankful. So let's count our many blessings during this Thanksgiving season and make the practice a part of our daily routine. Sometimes we as humans tend to take our good fortunes for granted. So let's all take time this Thanksgiving Day and in each and every day to come to reflect upon our many blessings and to return to God the thanks that He so richly deserves as our Creator and the supplier of our needs!
I am especially thankful for the opportunity to serve our community as the host of WHEO's "The Great Day in the Morning Show". Even though I have to get up long before sunrise occasionally work until dusk or beyond, I am truly blessed and honored to have the opportunity to visit you in your homes, autos, and places of business via the medium of radio. Each morning before I go on the air, I make a point to thank God for my treasured listeners and ask Him to empower me to say and do those things that would be uplifting to you and pleasing in our Lord's sight. Sometimes, at the end of my 4-hour airshift, I don't feel that I have succeeded in doing that but I do take satisfaction in knowing that I always do the best that I am capable of doing.
We are blessed to live in this beautiful County of Patrick with such caring friends, neighbors, and loved ones. We are blessed with loving families and dear friends. Most of all, we, as Christians, are truly blessed and will be eternally grateful that God gave as a sacrifice for our sins His precious son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Have faith!
As my friend Denny Archer masterfully sings in one of my favorite Southern Prophets' songs, "I've got so much to thank Him for." We all do! So lets be grateful this Thanksgiving and every day with which we are blessed beyond.
God bless you this Thanksgiving and always!
Richard
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Our Heroes, America's Veterans
Veteran's Day serves as an annual reminder of the many sacrifices that have been made by courageous American soldiers to secure and protect the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of these great United States of America. Let's all strive to make this more than just a one-day per year tribute. I challenge everyone to express their thankfulness everyday to those veterans who paid the price for the way of life that we sometimes take for grated and that is the envy of much of the world. Don't wait for Nov. 11th each year, seek every day to recognize and express thanks to the veterans of our county and our country. America's veterans, these are our true heroes. Let's seek to honor them everyday! God bless America!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Time to United as Americans
Thankfully the election is over! After a shockingly negative and very divisive campaign (there way too long and expensive), whether or not the candidates we supported were elected to office, it is now time to put aside our political differences and unite as a country behind our new leaders. Only in an environment of non-partisan cooperation, especially in times of unprecedent crises like our country now faces, can we effectivey do the work that will bring the better times that the candidates have promised. It's time to put aside politics and effect the "CHANGE" that the electorate mandated in Tuesday's election. We Americans and our elected leaders need to put our country above our political interests. As hard as it may be to do, given the passion that some of us have for our political viewpoints, it is important that we PRAY for our leaders and ask God to bless them and our country. So, as Christians, let's lift them up in prayer (even if they represent an opposing political party or viewpoint)...and then, as responsible citizens, DEMAND that all of our elected officials work together applying good old-fashioned common sense to solving the many problems that threaten our country and the well-being of "we the people", the still-proud citizens of the United States of America. God bless America! I know that I have been blessed to be able to call her my country...and Patrick, my county!
Richard
Richard
Monday, November 3, 2008
Decision '08
Thank goodness the political rhetoric is about done and it is now up to the voters of America to decide who will serve our country as the 44th president of these great United States of America. No matter how your stand on the candidates and the issues, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or other, I think we would all agree that we need a change from the policies of the last 8 years which has seen our nation plunge into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and spend trillions on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when many Americans are suffering hardships and need help here at home. President Bush, as unpopular as he is, should not have to shoulder the full blame for the miserable circumstances that the country finds itself in. Congress...which, many feel, is more responsive to lobbyists and special interests than it is to the constituents back home has performed miserably as well. Its public opinion approval is even lower then the President's pitiful approximately 24% approval rating. I am not publicly endorsing a particular candidate (I will do my talking at the ballot box or, I should say, the electronic voting machine) but I do think we need to restore some good old- fashioned COMMON SENSE to our government. In is my intention to do my part to try to make that happen by exercising my right to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 4th election. I urge all of registered Patrick County residents to do the responsible thing and to practice good citizenship by making your choices known at the polls. We will all be participating in the making of American history when we vote in this year's election.
Mock elections in our public schools are often indicative of how our county as a whole will go on election day. Principal Ann Fulcher of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School told me that the straw poll at her school is often a bellwether or a leading indicator of the election trend in the country at large. If that is true, the Republicans will again carry Patrick County Tuesday. Monday morning, on the eve of the election, Hardin Reynolds Memorial School students participated in their annual mock election. With all 12 homerooms reporting, Republican John McCain outpolled Democrat Barak Obama 178-86. The students at HRMS and other Patrick County schools are participating this year in a nationwide mock election involving students from across the United States. "The results are not final due to some of the polls having not opened," said HRMS teacher Gwen Murphy in a Monday morning press release. "We would like to encourage everyone to get out and vote," she added.
Mock election results from other Patrick County schools had not been reported to WHEO at the time of this blog update.
I echo Ms. Murphy's sentiments...please participate in the democratic process that we enjoy as one of our many freedoms in this country. Help protect our liberties, please vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, registered Patrick Countians, even if you have to stand in line due to the expected heavy voter turnout in this historic election! America calls upon her citizenry to be concerned and involved in our government! Personally, I am going to ask God to guide me when I step behind the curtain to register my votes. When we do that trusting and believing, whatever life's situation, we can never go wrong! God bless America!
A patriotic Patrick Countian,
Richard T. Rogers
Mock elections in our public schools are often indicative of how our county as a whole will go on election day. Principal Ann Fulcher of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School told me that the straw poll at her school is often a bellwether or a leading indicator of the election trend in the country at large. If that is true, the Republicans will again carry Patrick County Tuesday. Monday morning, on the eve of the election, Hardin Reynolds Memorial School students participated in their annual mock election. With all 12 homerooms reporting, Republican John McCain outpolled Democrat Barak Obama 178-86. The students at HRMS and other Patrick County schools are participating this year in a nationwide mock election involving students from across the United States. "The results are not final due to some of the polls having not opened," said HRMS teacher Gwen Murphy in a Monday morning press release. "We would like to encourage everyone to get out and vote," she added.
Mock election results from other Patrick County schools had not been reported to WHEO at the time of this blog update.
I echo Ms. Murphy's sentiments...please participate in the democratic process that we enjoy as one of our many freedoms in this country. Help protect our liberties, please vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, registered Patrick Countians, even if you have to stand in line due to the expected heavy voter turnout in this historic election! America calls upon her citizenry to be concerned and involved in our government! Personally, I am going to ask God to guide me when I step behind the curtain to register my votes. When we do that trusting and believing, whatever life's situation, we can never go wrong! God bless America!
A patriotic Patrick Countian,
Richard T. Rogers
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Voiceless Radio Announcer
To use some familiar sports analogies...it's like a baseball power without his Louisville Slugger; it's like a race car driver with a blown engine. Yes, it's been a bit frustrating the last few days to be a radio show host without a voice. Since Friday, Oct. 24th, I have been battling a flu-like illness and the laryngitis that took my voice away in the midst of my radio show that morning and reduced me to just a whisper. I guess going full steam at work and in my community activities and personal life in recent months has finally taken its toll, sending me a warning to relax and take better care of myself. That's what I've tried to do this past weekend. My main problem is that I don't get enough rest, so I have been trying to catch up in that department lately.
I can tell you that it is helpless feeling to lose the physical ability that serves as the source of my livelihood, my voice. Sometimes we tend to take the talents, skills, and personal gifts that God has given us for granted. All too often, it seems, we don't really fully appreciate something until it is gone. That has been the case with my voice. So, henceforth, I have resolved to be more thankful each day for the blessings that God has given me. Mine may not be the perfectly pitched voice of a national network announcer but it has been good enough to earn a living for me for more years than I care to remember. As I ask God to fully restore it, I am determined to be more thankful for it and the many other gifts that He gives me each day. In fact, I think we would all be wise to do that, don't you?!
What has made battling this illness even more difficult is to look outside and see the beautiful autumn weather and the leaves reaching their peak. How nice it would be out there to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the beauties of nature in the fall. However, I have resisted the temptation to get out there and enjoy the blue skies, green grass, radiant sunshine, and glorious foliage. These are more blessings that God brings to us each fall that we tend to take for granted. Take time this autumn to enjoy them while you can!
I would like to thank those of you who have called to check on me, brought food, or sent get well cards. I appreciate your genuine kindness and concern. My ability to speak is slowly coming back and, hopefully, this voiceless radio announcer will be back on the air in a day or two.
I leave you with my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a great day!
Richard
I can tell you that it is helpless feeling to lose the physical ability that serves as the source of my livelihood, my voice. Sometimes we tend to take the talents, skills, and personal gifts that God has given us for granted. All too often, it seems, we don't really fully appreciate something until it is gone. That has been the case with my voice. So, henceforth, I have resolved to be more thankful each day for the blessings that God has given me. Mine may not be the perfectly pitched voice of a national network announcer but it has been good enough to earn a living for me for more years than I care to remember. As I ask God to fully restore it, I am determined to be more thankful for it and the many other gifts that He gives me each day. In fact, I think we would all be wise to do that, don't you?!
What has made battling this illness even more difficult is to look outside and see the beautiful autumn weather and the leaves reaching their peak. How nice it would be out there to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the beauties of nature in the fall. However, I have resisted the temptation to get out there and enjoy the blue skies, green grass, radiant sunshine, and glorious foliage. These are more blessings that God brings to us each fall that we tend to take for granted. Take time this autumn to enjoy them while you can!
I would like to thank those of you who have called to check on me, brought food, or sent get well cards. I appreciate your genuine kindness and concern. My ability to speak is slowly coming back and, hopefully, this voiceless radio announcer will be back on the air in a day or two.
I leave you with my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a great day!
Richard
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Autumn Clean-up
We have a beautiful county, even more so in its autumn splendor, and we want to make sure its unmatched natural beauty is not marred by unsightly litter at the peak of the tourist season in Patrick County. That's why I urge my fellow Patrick Countians to join me and other individuals, businesses, churches, civic clubs, and other organizations as we launch the Community-Wide Litter Pick-up for Patrick County this Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading this effort, urges us all to collect litter surrounding our homes, businesses, organiations, roadsides, or other designated locations...and to get our families, friends, and neighbors involved in the campaign too. Keep a litter bag in your vehicle and remember to use it instead of tossing trash our the window. Let's try to condition ourselves and get in the habit of keeping our county clean year round.
This is an ideal time to spruce up our county because the month of October is when the county draws the largest number of visitors to participate in our many fall festivals and other events. The Apple Dumpling Festival and Pancake Days are coming up! This is a self-directed effort to make a real difference in the appearance of our community and encourage visitors to return to our picturesque county. Let's keep it pretty...by getting involved in the Litter Pick-up that starts this week.
There will be another public meeting on the eve of the campaign...Tuesday at noon to 1 p.m. at the community room at Patrick Henry Community College, Patrick County Site in Stuart. Please come if you can get away during the lunch hour.
So far, these individuals have signed on to help make the campaign a success: Vicki Hutchens-Bennett, Tom Bishop, Terry Tilley, Blair Clark, Jay Scudder, Clyde Crissman and Patricia Crissman, Sheriff Dan Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie vipperman, Jonathan Large, Wilma Pendleton, Kathy Gravely, Peggy Rogers, Eric Sheppard, Dean and Steve Goad, Robert Foley, Allen Ullring, Cindy and Gary Hoback, Patrick and Crystal Powell, Brenda Simms, Jim Marion, Charlie Bowman, Wayne Cook, Roger Hayden, Jim Keesee, Shirley Keene, Pamela Nowlin, Lemont Bryant, Kevin and Paula Polachek, Laurie Boyd, Tina Collins, Barbara Wagoner, Laura Smith, Lonnie Dillon, Janie Lankford, and yours truly. Won't you join us? I commend everyone who is or will become involved in this Community-Wide Litter Pick-up for making a difference. Let's all make sure that litter and debris will not detract from color spectacular that is transforming our woodlands, landscapes and vistas into an autumn wonderland.
This fall and year round, remember that cleanliness is Godliness. Patrick County is "God's Country"! Let's keep it clean!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!
Richard
R
The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading this effort, urges us all to collect litter surrounding our homes, businesses, organiations, roadsides, or other designated locations...and to get our families, friends, and neighbors involved in the campaign too. Keep a litter bag in your vehicle and remember to use it instead of tossing trash our the window. Let's try to condition ourselves and get in the habit of keeping our county clean year round.
This is an ideal time to spruce up our county because the month of October is when the county draws the largest number of visitors to participate in our many fall festivals and other events. The Apple Dumpling Festival and Pancake Days are coming up! This is a self-directed effort to make a real difference in the appearance of our community and encourage visitors to return to our picturesque county. Let's keep it pretty...by getting involved in the Litter Pick-up that starts this week.
There will be another public meeting on the eve of the campaign...Tuesday at noon to 1 p.m. at the community room at Patrick Henry Community College, Patrick County Site in Stuart. Please come if you can get away during the lunch hour.
So far, these individuals have signed on to help make the campaign a success: Vicki Hutchens-Bennett, Tom Bishop, Terry Tilley, Blair Clark, Jay Scudder, Clyde Crissman and Patricia Crissman, Sheriff Dan Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie vipperman, Jonathan Large, Wilma Pendleton, Kathy Gravely, Peggy Rogers, Eric Sheppard, Dean and Steve Goad, Robert Foley, Allen Ullring, Cindy and Gary Hoback, Patrick and Crystal Powell, Brenda Simms, Jim Marion, Charlie Bowman, Wayne Cook, Roger Hayden, Jim Keesee, Shirley Keene, Pamela Nowlin, Lemont Bryant, Kevin and Paula Polachek, Laurie Boyd, Tina Collins, Barbara Wagoner, Laura Smith, Lonnie Dillon, Janie Lankford, and yours truly. Won't you join us? I commend everyone who is or will become involved in this Community-Wide Litter Pick-up for making a difference. Let's all make sure that litter and debris will not detract from color spectacular that is transforming our woodlands, landscapes and vistas into an autumn wonderland.
This fall and year round, remember that cleanliness is Godliness. Patrick County is "God's Country"! Let's keep it clean!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!
Richard
R
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Cougars Win Battle of Battle of Big Cats!
In a landmark moment in the school's football history, Patrick County High School defeated powerful Bassett High School Friday night in a dramatic come-from-behind road victory that boosted a once paltry program to the pinnacle of the Piedmont District.
The Cougars battled back from an 18-point second half deficit to beat the Bengals in the "Battle of the Big Cats" in Bassett in the PCHS Piemont District season opener. In a clash of 4-1 teams, the Cougars claimed district superiority, rallying from a 24-6 deficit midway through the third quarter to get their first win over Bassett in six years. The Cougars phenomenal senior running back John Harris led the amazing comeback, rushing for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns to power the PCHS football program to the next level of competition.
Not only did the win firmly establish PCHS as a Piedmont District football power, it gave us all as Patrick Countians something to be proud of in these very difficult economic times. The Cougars have definitely given our community a much needed lift, and I urge citizens throughout our county to rally behind the team and give them the support that they have earned and that they will need to remain the "Top Cats" in the topsy-turvy world of high school football. Here's to the green and gold! Go Cougars!!!
Beaming with Patrick pride,
Richard
The Cougars battled back from an 18-point second half deficit to beat the Bengals in the "Battle of the Big Cats" in Bassett in the PCHS Piemont District season opener. In a clash of 4-1 teams, the Cougars claimed district superiority, rallying from a 24-6 deficit midway through the third quarter to get their first win over Bassett in six years. The Cougars phenomenal senior running back John Harris led the amazing comeback, rushing for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns to power the PCHS football program to the next level of competition.
Not only did the win firmly establish PCHS as a Piedmont District football power, it gave us all as Patrick Countians something to be proud of in these very difficult economic times. The Cougars have definitely given our community a much needed lift, and I urge citizens throughout our county to rally behind the team and give them the support that they have earned and that they will need to remain the "Top Cats" in the topsy-turvy world of high school football. Here's to the green and gold! Go Cougars!!!
Beaming with Patrick pride,
Richard
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