God is certainly gracious and generous as he blesses us daily by supplying all of our needs and even some of our desires. The latest example of how he has blessed me was revealed Monday, Oct. 29th, when I went for my semi-annual check-up at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where I have been a patient since I successfully received my transplanted heart 10 years ago. After a battery of tests including a heart catherizaton during my day-long stay in the hospital, my cardiologist informed me that I am doing fine and that I remain the "poster boy" for the Baptist Hospital heart transplant program, one of the most respected in the country. God has lifted me up from a state of near death with a failing heart 10 years ago to where I am today as a highly active healthy individual who has been blessed me with new life through the gift of a transplanted heart provided by dear 16-year-old donor and received on Oct. 1, 1997. The Lord still performs miracles. I am one of them!
This blessing of a new heart is even more profound when I consider that the longest surviving heart transplant recipient in the country, according to my doctor, has survived with a near heart for almost 30 years. I am one-third the way to matching that mark, and looking forward to using my new heart to help me serve the Lord however long he allows me to remain here before bringing me home to be with Sandra in Heaven.
I am blessed not only with good health but a supportive family. For instance, my mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Mae Ray, transported me to and from my appointment Monday since doctors won't let heart cath patients drive immediate after the procedure. I am also greatly blessed with the ability to work and to support myself. (By the way, thanks Marcie for doing my show Monday while I went for my medical exam.) I am particularly thankful to be the host of "The Great Day in the Morning Show" on WHEO since I returned to my beloved home county ofPatrick 13 days after I received my transplanted heart a decade ago. I am blessed to be able to continue a more than 30-year broadcast career that began at this precious little radio station in the late 1960's when I was in high school. In addition, I have been richly blessed and surrounded by many faithful friends who have offered up prayers for me, send gifts, and shown me many other kindnesses. I am blessed in a myriad of other ways that I will leave unspoken for now but for which I am truly thankful to God. My blessings are countless. Consider yours. I am sure you can say that yours are countless too!
Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day." He has me...
Full of gratitude,
Richard
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
"It's a Gas"!
On behalf of the PARC Workshop, I'd like to thank everyone who supported the recent Duck Derby, a major annual fund-raising project for the sheltered workshop for the handicapped and disabled. This year a record 4,500 tickets (each representing one plastic duck entered in the race) were sold. Proceeds of an estimated $13,000 to $14,000 were generated by the ticket sales this year to help meet capital improvements and needs at this "Special Place for Special People," PARC Workshop. A total of 282 prizes were awarded based on the outcome of the plastic duck race.
As you have probably heard by now, lucky me won a much coveted prize (PARC Director Henry Ayers says this has popular prize for years) of 100 pounds of pinto beans with chow chow in the Derby. I've heard and made a lot of jokes about it but that is a nice gift if you love this southern culinary delicacy as much as me (pintos, corn bread, and onions is a meal fit for a king where I come from). When thinking of my good fortune, for some reason, words from the rock 'n' roll classic hit "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones come to mind. "It's a gas, gas, gas," wails lead singer Mick Jagger in that rock standard. "A gas" indeed! I am still "quacked up" over my good fortune. As much as I like pinto beans, I feel that there is a much better use for them than just my personal consumption (If you had them once a week, how long it take to eat 100 pounds of pinto beans?). I've had several responses to my offer to share them with others in the community. After careful consideration, I have decided to donate my Duck Derby pinto beans to upcoming benefit events for Sheriff David Hubbard. The first one will be on Sat., Nov. 10th from 1-8 p.m. at Hardin Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
The Nov. 10th "Stars of David" Benefit for Sheriff Hubbard is being organized by co-workers in the Patrick County Sheriff's Department, friends, community leaders, churches, and other interested citizens who respect Sheriff Hubbard and commend the job that he has done as our sheriff before illness forced his early retirement and precluded a run for re-election. Proceeds will be used to help defray the enormous medical expenses that David has incurred and will continue to face during his recovery. The Nov. 10th event promises to be a great day of fellowship, music, auctions, raffles, and food (including Richard's pinto beans & chow chow). Among the entertainers will be Tammy Newman, the Singing Directors (Kelly and Ruth), the Country Boys, One Accord, the Southern Prophets, Cornerstone Grass, Tina, Herbert & Catherine Conner. An auction, a silent auction, and raffles will also featured. To donate money, items, and services, call Herbert Conner at 694-4578, Linda Martin at 692-5112, or Darryl Smith at 694-7801. Send monetary donations to Naomi Pilson at 202 Bob Kat Lane, Stuart, VA 24171.
According to Deputy Ronnie Cox of the Patrick County Sheriff's Department, there will be a second benefit for Sheriff Hubbard after the holidays around the first of next year. I'm sure that there will be plenty of pinto beans to be served at both benefits...and then some!
I personally plan to support these fund-raisers because I know personally how devastating long hospitalizations can be on one's family budget even when you have health insurance coverage. Let's all pull together and help out our neighbor...who has served his county well as sheriff...David Hubbard. Continue to keep David in your prayers! Prayer is powerful. Please join me and many others in the community who are supporting this benefit effort for such as worthy cause and...enjoy the pinto beans!
Beanless but blessed,
Richard Rogers
As you have probably heard by now, lucky me won a much coveted prize (PARC Director Henry Ayers says this has popular prize for years) of 100 pounds of pinto beans with chow chow in the Derby. I've heard and made a lot of jokes about it but that is a nice gift if you love this southern culinary delicacy as much as me (pintos, corn bread, and onions is a meal fit for a king where I come from). When thinking of my good fortune, for some reason, words from the rock 'n' roll classic hit "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones come to mind. "It's a gas, gas, gas," wails lead singer Mick Jagger in that rock standard. "A gas" indeed! I am still "quacked up" over my good fortune. As much as I like pinto beans, I feel that there is a much better use for them than just my personal consumption (If you had them once a week, how long it take to eat 100 pounds of pinto beans?). I've had several responses to my offer to share them with others in the community. After careful consideration, I have decided to donate my Duck Derby pinto beans to upcoming benefit events for Sheriff David Hubbard. The first one will be on Sat., Nov. 10th from 1-8 p.m. at Hardin Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
The Nov. 10th "Stars of David" Benefit for Sheriff Hubbard is being organized by co-workers in the Patrick County Sheriff's Department, friends, community leaders, churches, and other interested citizens who respect Sheriff Hubbard and commend the job that he has done as our sheriff before illness forced his early retirement and precluded a run for re-election. Proceeds will be used to help defray the enormous medical expenses that David has incurred and will continue to face during his recovery. The Nov. 10th event promises to be a great day of fellowship, music, auctions, raffles, and food (including Richard's pinto beans & chow chow). Among the entertainers will be Tammy Newman, the Singing Directors (Kelly and Ruth), the Country Boys, One Accord, the Southern Prophets, Cornerstone Grass, Tina, Herbert & Catherine Conner. An auction, a silent auction, and raffles will also featured. To donate money, items, and services, call Herbert Conner at 694-4578, Linda Martin at 692-5112, or Darryl Smith at 694-7801. Send monetary donations to Naomi Pilson at 202 Bob Kat Lane, Stuart, VA 24171.
According to Deputy Ronnie Cox of the Patrick County Sheriff's Department, there will be a second benefit for Sheriff Hubbard after the holidays around the first of next year. I'm sure that there will be plenty of pinto beans to be served at both benefits...and then some!
I personally plan to support these fund-raisers because I know personally how devastating long hospitalizations can be on one's family budget even when you have health insurance coverage. Let's all pull together and help out our neighbor...who has served his county well as sheriff...David Hubbard. Continue to keep David in your prayers! Prayer is powerful. Please join me and many others in the community who are supporting this benefit effort for such as worthy cause and...enjoy the pinto beans!
Beanless but blessed,
Richard Rogers
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Hope for Our Hospital!
The R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital is one community resource that we can ill afford to lose. It is an integral part of the high quality of life that we enjoy today in this beautiful county and our hopes for an even brighter tomorrow. That's why it is important that the citizens of our community unite behind the financially-struggling hospital and to let it be known to its owners, our county leaders, appropriate state and federal officials, and all concerned that this is one priceless community resource that we will not, and indeed, can not do without. I commend the efforts that are being made by many in the community right now to try to save the hospital.
In coming days and weeks, I plan to encourage community discussion and dialogue with regard to this crucial issue on my radio show. I urge citizens to call in on "Community Conversation" as we better inform ourself and try to apply that knowledge to positive community action to ensure that the day will never come when this hospial no longer exists. As a community of citizens many of whom contributed their hard earned dollars to establish the hospital 45 years ago and who deserve quick access to medical care especially in emergency situations we can not afford to lose the hospital. So let's maintain hope and have faith that our community and all the key players concerned will act responsibly and do what is best for our county: work to save and to restore the financial viability of the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital.
I welcome positive suggestions such as the proposal put forth by Patrick County banker and former state delegate and county administrator Barney Day. On Friday's "Community Conversation," Day proposed and invited public dialogue on his suggestion that a Patrick County Hospital Task Force be formed. The task force, Day said, "would be a group of unpaid, volunteer citizens from a cross-section of Patrick County appointed by no one, beholden only to our consciences, who are interested in the long-term viability of RJR-PatrickCounty Memorial Hospital." Day proposes that this citizens group gather information with regard to the hospital, its ownership structure, contractural obligations, licensing agreements, budget, financial condition, staffing, and other pertinent information about the hospital's current status. Once the fact finding phase of the task force's mission is finished, Days says "we will make this information available, in full, in writing, to the citizens of Patrick County." He adds that "we will digest it (the gathered information), understand it, and based upon it, make improvement recommendations to the current ownership and staff of RJR-Patrick County Memorial Hospital, and offer insight and advice to any interested entity, private or public, contemplating investment in, or subsidization of, RJR-Patrick County Memorial Hospital." This, I believe, is a constructive proposal and a prudent way of addressing one of the most important issues facing our community.
It is vitally important in addressing this issue that we gather all the facts and pertinent and accurate information that is available. As a concerned citizen who loves this county and our way of life, I have been doing a little investigating myself in recent days and can offer this information with regard to the hospital's current status based on discussions with sources whose requests for anonymity I will honor. From what I have been able to determine, the hospital was purchased by an investment group known as PCH Investors LLC (headed by Charles Trexler) which contracted the operation of the facility to a company known as PCH Operations LLC (headed by Gene Woodward and Steve Womack). This is the group that runs the hospital. In answer to a question I posed on the radio Friday, there is no community board that oversees the hospital like the group of prominent local citizens and community leaders who used to govern the hospital. Instead, the current hospital board is made of just 3 voting members, Mr. Woodward, Mr. Womack, and Dr. Ralph Kramer, chairman of the hospital medical staff. While the current hospital administrator, the director of nursing, the hospital executive secretary, and the ownership group's bookkeeper attend board meetings, they have no vote.
The R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital is a critical access hospital, licensed by the state of Virginia as a 25-bed acute care facility. Hospice of Patrick County is also covered by licensure but under a different contract. Our local hospital also maintains contracts with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Patrick Henry Community College which periodically may send medical students to gain experience and training under a medical assistance program affiliated with our hospital. The hospital is also subject to contractural agreements in such areas as insurance, liability, food perchasing, pharmacy, radiology (for the rading of x-rays), and other contracts.
The hospital currently provides an amazing array of quality services, including 24 hour per day, 7 day per week Emergency Room (ER), ambulance and x-ray and lab services. Our hospital provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Hospice and Palative Care services, a Rural Health Care Clinic (a doctor's office in the hospital), and provides flu shots to residents. This hospital also provides the only Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ALS) service available in Patrick County on a 24-hour basis.
Amazingly and remarkably, the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital provides every medication box carried by every rescue squad on every ambulance in the county. These boxes cost $450 each. When the medications in the boxes expire or their contents are depleted, these medication boxes are continually replaced by the hospital at no charge. The hospital also supplies linens, oxygen, and other supplies to every rescue squad at no charge. If the county taxpayers had to pick up the tab for Emergency Medical Services now provided by the hospital it would likely cost millions of dollars.
According to a reliable source, to date no county taxpayer funds have been spent in an effort to keep the hospital afloat, "not a penny." I am told that $16,000 in financial assistance offered by the Caring Hearts Free Clinic to cover malpractice insurance to keep the ER open will not be needed afterall and will be returned because a Raleigh, NC, insurance group will continue to provide the coverage.
The hospital now employs 85 full-time employees and a total of 145 employees including full-time, part-time and those employed on an "as needed" basis. Our hospital and our community are blessed to have many dedicated employees who choose to serve here because they love our hospital and our people rather than take higher paying jobs in other localities. We are all human and occasionally make mistakes, but our hospital by all accounts provides excellent service through this dedicated staff despite the uncertainties and the hardships that they continually face. It is the dedication and grace of this staff of local people who have a genuine love and concern for their fellow Patrick Countians that we should all use as a guide and example in our own professions, in particular, and in our lives, in general.
It is apparent, however, that the current "for profit" private ownership group has failed to restore the hospital to financial viability, let alone profitability. The fact that the Patrick County Board of Supervisors has indicated that it is poised and ready to intervene in an effort to save the hospital speaks volumes about the depths to which the hospital has sunk under its current owners. In order to succeed this hospital must be managed and run like a business, but I am told by a reliable source, for example, that the hospital has not formally prepared a 2007 budget. A budget is a must if any business, government agency, or household is to be operated as efficiently and economically as possible.
Sources close to the hospital also say that the financial deterioration of this most needed medical care institution has been precipitated by the outsourcing of the hospital's billing and the closing of the business office. Without notice to the local staff, the local billing was turned over to a company in Mobile, AL, almost a year ago. Approximately $5.6 million in accounts receivable due the hospital currently needs to be collected and funds have been slow to come in causing cash flow problems.
A highly paid consultant, I am told, has been brought in (at the expense of the jobs of several long-time and highly capable local staff members) by the ownership group to oversee the hospital insurance coding and billing process. However, the hospital's financial decline has continued or accelerated and complaints about hospital billing have increased..
The good news is that there is a prospective buyer that is quite interested in purchasing our local hospital. A slow process of negotiations between the current and the proposed ownership groups have been going on since May. I am told that the prospective buyer is a Roanoke physicians group that is quite interested in the imporoving the medical care system in our county and has the recources and working capital that is needed to invest in a business in order to help it to grow and thrive. It is "hoped that the sale of the hospital is imminent," a source that has requested anonymity told me. Let's hope so! Let us also pray that God will bless our community with the continued high-quality, loving care that we have we have come to expect from our local hospital team of professionals who proudly serve the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital and the county that they love.
Call in to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" or comment on this website to express your views on the local hospital and other issues.
Until next time, my God bless you with a great day.
Richard
In coming days and weeks, I plan to encourage community discussion and dialogue with regard to this crucial issue on my radio show. I urge citizens to call in on "Community Conversation" as we better inform ourself and try to apply that knowledge to positive community action to ensure that the day will never come when this hospial no longer exists. As a community of citizens many of whom contributed their hard earned dollars to establish the hospital 45 years ago and who deserve quick access to medical care especially in emergency situations we can not afford to lose the hospital. So let's maintain hope and have faith that our community and all the key players concerned will act responsibly and do what is best for our county: work to save and to restore the financial viability of the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital.
I welcome positive suggestions such as the proposal put forth by Patrick County banker and former state delegate and county administrator Barney Day. On Friday's "Community Conversation," Day proposed and invited public dialogue on his suggestion that a Patrick County Hospital Task Force be formed. The task force, Day said, "would be a group of unpaid, volunteer citizens from a cross-section of Patrick County appointed by no one, beholden only to our consciences, who are interested in the long-term viability of RJR-PatrickCounty Memorial Hospital." Day proposes that this citizens group gather information with regard to the hospital, its ownership structure, contractural obligations, licensing agreements, budget, financial condition, staffing, and other pertinent information about the hospital's current status. Once the fact finding phase of the task force's mission is finished, Days says "we will make this information available, in full, in writing, to the citizens of Patrick County." He adds that "we will digest it (the gathered information), understand it, and based upon it, make improvement recommendations to the current ownership and staff of RJR-Patrick County Memorial Hospital, and offer insight and advice to any interested entity, private or public, contemplating investment in, or subsidization of, RJR-Patrick County Memorial Hospital." This, I believe, is a constructive proposal and a prudent way of addressing one of the most important issues facing our community.
It is vitally important in addressing this issue that we gather all the facts and pertinent and accurate information that is available. As a concerned citizen who loves this county and our way of life, I have been doing a little investigating myself in recent days and can offer this information with regard to the hospital's current status based on discussions with sources whose requests for anonymity I will honor. From what I have been able to determine, the hospital was purchased by an investment group known as PCH Investors LLC (headed by Charles Trexler) which contracted the operation of the facility to a company known as PCH Operations LLC (headed by Gene Woodward and Steve Womack). This is the group that runs the hospital. In answer to a question I posed on the radio Friday, there is no community board that oversees the hospital like the group of prominent local citizens and community leaders who used to govern the hospital. Instead, the current hospital board is made of just 3 voting members, Mr. Woodward, Mr. Womack, and Dr. Ralph Kramer, chairman of the hospital medical staff. While the current hospital administrator, the director of nursing, the hospital executive secretary, and the ownership group's bookkeeper attend board meetings, they have no vote.
The R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital is a critical access hospital, licensed by the state of Virginia as a 25-bed acute care facility. Hospice of Patrick County is also covered by licensure but under a different contract. Our local hospital also maintains contracts with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Patrick Henry Community College which periodically may send medical students to gain experience and training under a medical assistance program affiliated with our hospital. The hospital is also subject to contractural agreements in such areas as insurance, liability, food perchasing, pharmacy, radiology (for the rading of x-rays), and other contracts.
The hospital currently provides an amazing array of quality services, including 24 hour per day, 7 day per week Emergency Room (ER), ambulance and x-ray and lab services. Our hospital provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Hospice and Palative Care services, a Rural Health Care Clinic (a doctor's office in the hospital), and provides flu shots to residents. This hospital also provides the only Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ALS) service available in Patrick County on a 24-hour basis.
Amazingly and remarkably, the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital provides every medication box carried by every rescue squad on every ambulance in the county. These boxes cost $450 each. When the medications in the boxes expire or their contents are depleted, these medication boxes are continually replaced by the hospital at no charge. The hospital also supplies linens, oxygen, and other supplies to every rescue squad at no charge. If the county taxpayers had to pick up the tab for Emergency Medical Services now provided by the hospital it would likely cost millions of dollars.
According to a reliable source, to date no county taxpayer funds have been spent in an effort to keep the hospital afloat, "not a penny." I am told that $16,000 in financial assistance offered by the Caring Hearts Free Clinic to cover malpractice insurance to keep the ER open will not be needed afterall and will be returned because a Raleigh, NC, insurance group will continue to provide the coverage.
The hospital now employs 85 full-time employees and a total of 145 employees including full-time, part-time and those employed on an "as needed" basis. Our hospital and our community are blessed to have many dedicated employees who choose to serve here because they love our hospital and our people rather than take higher paying jobs in other localities. We are all human and occasionally make mistakes, but our hospital by all accounts provides excellent service through this dedicated staff despite the uncertainties and the hardships that they continually face. It is the dedication and grace of this staff of local people who have a genuine love and concern for their fellow Patrick Countians that we should all use as a guide and example in our own professions, in particular, and in our lives, in general.
It is apparent, however, that the current "for profit" private ownership group has failed to restore the hospital to financial viability, let alone profitability. The fact that the Patrick County Board of Supervisors has indicated that it is poised and ready to intervene in an effort to save the hospital speaks volumes about the depths to which the hospital has sunk under its current owners. In order to succeed this hospital must be managed and run like a business, but I am told by a reliable source, for example, that the hospital has not formally prepared a 2007 budget. A budget is a must if any business, government agency, or household is to be operated as efficiently and economically as possible.
Sources close to the hospital also say that the financial deterioration of this most needed medical care institution has been precipitated by the outsourcing of the hospital's billing and the closing of the business office. Without notice to the local staff, the local billing was turned over to a company in Mobile, AL, almost a year ago. Approximately $5.6 million in accounts receivable due the hospital currently needs to be collected and funds have been slow to come in causing cash flow problems.
A highly paid consultant, I am told, has been brought in (at the expense of the jobs of several long-time and highly capable local staff members) by the ownership group to oversee the hospital insurance coding and billing process. However, the hospital's financial decline has continued or accelerated and complaints about hospital billing have increased..
The good news is that there is a prospective buyer that is quite interested in purchasing our local hospital. A slow process of negotiations between the current and the proposed ownership groups have been going on since May. I am told that the prospective buyer is a Roanoke physicians group that is quite interested in the imporoving the medical care system in our county and has the recources and working capital that is needed to invest in a business in order to help it to grow and thrive. It is "hoped that the sale of the hospital is imminent," a source that has requested anonymity told me. Let's hope so! Let us also pray that God will bless our community with the continued high-quality, loving care that we have we have come to expect from our local hospital team of professionals who proudly serve the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital and the county that they love.
Call in to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" or comment on this website to express your views on the local hospital and other issues.
Until next time, my God bless you with a great day.
Richard
Sunday, October 7, 2007
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
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
Sunday, September 30, 2007
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
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
Monday, September 24, 2007
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
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
Monday, September 17, 2007
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!
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!
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