A Good Thing Going On...

In a community that continues to struggle economically and to wrestle with such major issues as school renovation, jail construction, water and sewer extension to Patrick Springs, and other expensive propositions, the Patrick County Music Association (PCMA) is one of many good things Patrick County has going for it. In its 5-year history, the PCMA has become one of the most popular entertainment venues in the history of the county and a key player in the effort to develop the county's tourist economy.

On Saturday night, Jan. 26th, the PCMA attracted an estimated 1,400 people to its January jamboree, almost filling the large exhibit building at Rotary Field in Stuart. PCMA shows each month provide good wholesome down home musical entertainment and fellowship for local residents. These jamborees have also proved to be just as popular with folks outside the area. A sizeable portion of the crowds that attend PCMA shows each month come to Patrick County from the surrounding region, other states, and, occasionally, even foreign countries. These gospel and bluegrass music enthusiasts are always treated to top quality musical talent that some folks have said can't even be matched in Nashville, Branson, or other music capitals. Thanks to the fact that a corps of the most talented musicians in the world who call Patrick and surrounding counties home are willing to donated their time and talents and the PCMA's many corporate and individual supporters, these shows can be presented free to the public. When it comes to promoting tourism in Patrick County, the PCMA, along with popular private venues such as Dominion Valley Park and Wayside Park, are at the forefront.

Not only does the PCMA attract local residents and tourists to its shows, it helps to support an array of non-profit organizations and churches in our community who regularly use the music association as vendors to raise funds to operate their essential programs in our community. Funds raised through concession sales at PCMA events are the lifeblood of many non-profits who provide invaluable services to our local citizens. For example, during the January PCMA Jamboree, Patrick County's American Cancer Society Relay for Life teams raised over $1,400 to help fight cancer in our community through the sale of food and beverages. The Patrick County Partnership for the Arts made over $70 to help promote the arts and music in our schools and the community by selling popcorn ($1 per bag). The music association also collected donations to assist the Vernon Harris family which recently lost all their belongings in a fire that destroyed their home. A total of $625 in money donated by concerned citizens attending the show was given to a grateful Vernon and Linda Harris at the end of the evening. The Patrick County Community Food Bank was also on hand to collect donations to help relieve hunger in our community and to inform the public about the hunger crisis in our community. Many other local organizations also partner with the PCMA in their effort to raise funds, including Hospice of Patrick County, the Patrick County High School Athletic Boosters, the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, the Girls Scouts, and many others. What a win/win situation for all these organizations and individuals and the music association itself.

I am not advocating that Patrick County donate public money to help support the Patrick County Music Association. Right now we have too many other critical budgetary needs in Patrick County. I am, however, hopeful that the new board of supervisors will realize what a great asset the county has in the PCMA and give it the respect that it deserves as one important component in the county's overall economic development program as it relates to tourism. I am also hopeful that the board will be supportive of efforts by PCMA to secure grant funding from various sources to further its operations and ultimately to obtain a permanent home that is so desperately needed. I commend Peters Creek Districk Supervisor Lock Boyce who regularly attends PCMA shows as an avid supporter of one the organization and its corps of faithful volunteers who serve so tirelessly for free and out of a genuine love for our county! I extend my prsonal invitation to other members of the board of supervisors and citizens throughout the community who are unfamiliar with the PCMA to attend the monthly shows and see what a good thing we have going on in our community.

In addition to the PCMA, I would also like to reiterate my enthusiastic support for other great entertainment venues in Patrick County. I am eager to support, to promote, to attend, and to emcee events at Dominion Valley Park, Wayside Park, and the myriad of festivals spread throughout the year that are so important to our comunity. Together, these are all good things going on in our community that make Patrick County such a wonderful place in which to live and an increasingly attractive place for tourists to enjoy and to spend their money.

Blessed to live in "God's Country,"
Richard Rogers

Celebrate...Remember....and Fight Back!

"We live in the 'Bible Belt,' and we also live in a "Cancer Belt," said Relay for Life volunteer and cancer survivor Garland Cockram at the recent kickoff of the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay for Life Campaign in Patrick County. Cockram noted that his church, Woolwine United Methodist Church, has recently lost 3 of its members to cancer. "We have to fight this thing," he added with determination. Garland is right! It seems that the incidence of cancer in our community is rising rapidly, and it is time once again to do something about it.

This statistic is numbing. One of every three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Even if you are one of the two lucky ones who are fortunate enought to remain cancer free, almost certainly a loved one or dear friend of yours will have hear the chilling words, "you have cancer." Cancer affects us all in some way, shape, form, or fashion. It is time to "fight back" and come together as a community to do our part in the effort to wipe out this dreaded disease.

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life cancer crusade in Patrick County is underway as teams of volunteers throughout our community hold fund-raising events to raise money to fund the research that it will take to find a cure and to provide vital services to cancer patients and their faithful caregivers in our community. The theme of the 2008 Relay for Life drive is "Celebrate...Remember...and Fight Back! Please join the fight against cancer locally, and "celebrate" the lives of our many cancer survivors and caregivers who serve as an example of courage and determination to us all; "remember" those who have fought so galantly but have lost their lives to cancer and in whose memory we battle for a cure; and "fight back" against cancer so that our children and grandchildren and succeeding generations can enjoy their lives free of this killing scourge.

You can "fight back" against cancer in many ways here in Patrick County. Please join one of the existing relay teams which have been formed by individuals, churches, businesses, schools, civic organizations, government agencies, and other groups in our community. Better yet, start a new team by recruiting your friends, colleagues, peers, and neighbors as members and plan some activities to raise funds and to educate the community about cancer prevention. Be creative! You can also "fight back" by supporting the fund-raising efforts of other teams (car washes; spaghetti dinners; bake and yard sales; and any number of other events that could be used to raise money for this cause). The goal for the 2008 Relay for Life fund drive in Patrick County is $52,050, which American Cancer Society Community Manager Robin Minter called "very attainable." With your involvement and just a little bit of work by everyone, we can far exceed that goal and even top our $62,000 plus record total of last year.

One of the first fund-raisers of the 2008 cancer crusade here will take place Saturday, Jan. 26th when "Relay for Life" volunteers will provide the concessions at the Patrick County Music Associaiton Jamboree at Rotary Field, Stuart. Doors open at 4 p.m. We will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs, chips or fries, barbecue, grilled chicken, along with homemade desserts and soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and Russian tea. Come hungry and enjoy the food, fellowship, and down home music.

Also mark your calendars for Friday, May 16, when WHEO radio's Relay for Life team, the Kilowatts for a Cure, presents "12 Hours for A Cure," the second annual radio-thon to raise funds to fight cancer. Last year's radio-thon...a day long event featuring live music by local artists and interviews with cancer survivors....raised well over $17,000. I think we can reach $20,000 this year with your help. Musicians that would like to perform during the radio-thon may call me at 694-3114 to schedule a time to perform on the radio. The radio-thon will be followed by the annual Relay for Life event on Sat., May 17th at Dehart Park in Stuart, a touching family-oriented event that everyone will enjoy.

The most important way that you can support the Relay for Life cancer crusade in our community is to pray for the event, for the many Relayers, the volunteers who devote their time and energy for this wonderful cause, for the teams that are participating, and for the researchers who are continuing the search for a cure that is being funded by dollars raised here in our community.

Not only does Relay for Life money go to research for a cancer cure, it benefits many cancer patients and caregivers in our community through programs and services that are available to help them. One such program is "Road to Recovery" that is available to any cancer patient undergoing treatment. Volunteers provide free transportation for cancer patients to and from their treatment appointments. Another such program funded by dollars raised by Patrick County Relayers is "Look Good...Feel Better" which benefits female cancer patients. This program teaches beauty techniques to women undergoing treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. "Reach to Recovery" provides one-on-one visitation for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Trained breast cancer survivors offer support and information. "Man to Man" is a program for prostate cancer patients. This is an education and support group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their loved ones. It offers information about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management of prostate cancer. "Dietician-on-Call" is available to cancer patients, family members, caregivers, and health professionals and provides nutritional information regarding the management of cancer treatment side effects. The "Cancer Survivor's Network" provides an outlet to cope with the challenges and emotions of living with cancer. Patients, survivors, and caregivers can join and network with others going through similar experiences from around the world.

Those are just some of the good things that are possible because of our involvement in the fight against cancer in our own community. Won't you get involved! Please join me and others who are passionate about defeating cancer and "Celebrate...Remember...and Fight Back"! For information on how you can get involved in in the war on cancer in our community, call me at (276) 694-3114 or call 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit www.cancer.org. Let's get "ready to Relay". It is going to be a banner year in the fight to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth.

I am personally involved in the fight against cancer in loving memory of my wife Sandra Merritt Rogers, who passed away on July 25, 2006, after a long and courageous fight against cancer. Her struggle against cancer was not in vain because she serves as an example of courage, grace, and love that inspires me to "fight back"! What is your reason for getting involved, a spouse, a child, your family, for everyone in the community, for whom or what? Please consider why you too should "fight back" and join me as a Relay for Life volunteer crusader.

May God bless our efforts to make a way for a cancer-free tomorrow!

Kilowatt for a Cure,
Richard Rogers

Have a Great 2008!

As the New Year comes in, let me express my deep gratitude to all of you who listen to "The Great Day in the Morning Show" each weekday on WHEO. I feel blessed to be able to serve the people of Patrick County while doing what I really love to do at the same time. I certainly have a passion for my job but I will never take it for granted. My work is a blessing to which I will always give my very best, constantly God's guidance and direction that my service to you will be pleasing in His sight and a blessing to you too!

As we enter the New Year, the radio station is still on the market for sale. Please pray that God will place it in the hands of responsible new management that will continue its rich tradition of service to the local community. This little country radio station is one of our most valuable community resources that we should all use and strive to support.

I am always looking for ways to improve the morning show. Please let me know if you have ideas and suggestions. Thanks for the very positive feedback that I constantly receive to what we are trying to do.

I hope to welcome many interesting guests to my show in the coming year to keep you better informed about what's happening in our county. In January, I have already invited or plan to invite all of the newly elected public officials to appear on "Community Conversation." I have already received commitments to appear on the show from newly elected Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Brenegar, new-elected Sheriff Dan Smith, and new-elected Blue Ridge District Supervisor Carl Weiss. Ronald Knight, the new Mayor River District Supervisor, and to Smith River District Supervisor Crystal Harris, have both told me that they would welcome the opportunity to be on the show but the dates of their appearances have yet to be established. I also plan to invite Jonathan Large, the chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, and members of the Patrick County School Board to appear sometime during the coming year. Of course, Lock Boyce, the newly-elected Peters Creek District Supervisor, is my guest each Monday morning on "Patrick County Topics".

I believe that we have seated a group of highly qualified individuals who will lead our county into a bright 2008. I urge everyone in the county to keep abreast of what is happening through the news media or other means and to communicate your desires frequently to your elected officials. They have been elected to serve us, the taxpayers of the county!

I plan to continue my series of "Richard on the Road" reports in the coming year as I travel the county in search of interesting people and places. Coming up in January will be a series of features based on my visit to Ohio last spring as a guest of the popular local gospel group, the Southern Prophets. This 8-part series will include profiles of each of the 4 members of the group, Denny Archer, Bobby Gardner, Dwayne George, and Mike Hall, as well as serious and light-hearted aspects of our trip to the Buckeye State, which was one of my personal highlights of the year. This series will be titled "The Southern Prophets: A Ministry of Minstrels." Following the Southern Prophets features, I plan to do a series of stories on the popular hobby of postcard collecting based on interviews with members of the Reynolds Homestead Post Card Club. If you have an ideas for features in the "Richard on the Road" series, please let me know. I have met many interesting people and made lots of new friends in my travels around the county in this series. It sure would help, though, if the price of gasoline would go down instead of in the opposite direction in which it seems to be headed as the New Year begins.

Speaking of travel, if you plan to party on New Year's Eve or anytime, please drink responsibly if you have to drink at all and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

I am praying for your prosperity and peace in the coming year. Happy New Year, my friends and neighbors. Have a "great" 2008!

God bless you all.

Richard

Pressing on in the War on Cancer!

As we experience the joys of the holiday season and look forward with hope to the New Year, let's remember that there are many in our community who are less fortunate and in need of our prayers. Having a passion to defeat cancer, the dreaded disease that took my wife Sandra from me almost a year and a half ago, I am especially mindful of those who are battling cancer today and requesting your prayers on their behalf.

One such person is my long-time friend, Mr. Don Sall, one of the most dedicated community servants that I have ever met. Even though Mr. Sall is not a native Patrick Countian, he has certainly become one of us since he and his late wife, Eleanor, who was an equally wonderul person, came here from "up north." Don has done marvelous things for our community. Most notably, perhaps, he has made the Red Cross blood collection effort in Patrick County one of the most successful programs in the region, an exemplary effort that other communities can only aspire to duplicate. Mr. Sall is also a member of Mountain Home Masonic Lodge No. 263 in Stuart. He is a most caring and concerned individual who would do anything within his power to help others in our community.

Mr. Sall is suffering from a rare bone cancer, and, like so many other cancer patients in our community, he is in need of our prayers. Mr. Sall is preparing to go to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD, one of the top 3 medical facilities in the country, to get a second opinion about the next phase in his treatment for his cancer. He says that doctors have told him that radiation and chemotherapy will not help him, and that his best option now may be to have his left hip and leg removed to prevent gangreen from setting in. He is going to Johns Hopkins to get a second opinion and to explore whether there have been any recent breakthroughs that might be effective in the treatment of his cancer. Mr. Sall's situation looks bleak but he is a man of great faith and optimism and has a wonderful attitude. He has turned his situation over to God's wisdom and grace. We can all look to Mr. Sall as a great example of courage and determination as well as of brotherly love and service to one another. Please remember Mr. Sall in your prayers. Get well cards may be send to Mr. Sall at his residence at 1410 Hazelwood Dr., Stuart, VA 241712.

I am personally honored to know Mr. Sall, to work with him in promoting blood drives and other worthwhile causes in our community, and to call him my friend. I strive daily to be more like Mr. Sall in my dealings with others. He is truly an example of what I, as a Stuart Rotary Club member, strive to offer to others, "service above self" (our club motto). God bless you, Mr. Sall, we are behind you and building a "wall of prayer" around you.

I would again like to urge you to pray for 3-year-old Samantha Mota, who has been diagnosed with a cancerous left eye that will be removed at Duke University Hospital in Durham on Jan. 2nd. While this little girl will be covered with health insurance, provided by her father, Marcus Mota, effective Jan. 1st, and has secured Medicaid coverage through the local social services agency, as I understand, there are still expenses related to her treatment and travels to and from the hospital, that this family of limited means, may have difficulty handling. An account has been opened at SunTrust Bank in the name of Samantha's mother, Amanda Adkins, if you feel led to assist monetarily. If you would like to send Samantha a get well card, send it to: Amanda Adkins, P.O. Box 536, Patrick Springs 24133. Amanda has requested nothing other than our heartfelt prayers for her daughter's recovery and good health. Please lift this little girl up to the "Great Physician" in prayer.

I would also ask that you continue to remember our friend Sandra Health, a breast cancer patient, in prayer as she prepares for the first of 6 rounds of chemotherapy in January. We praise God that Sandra's last report from her doctors was a good one. Pray for Sandra and her husband, Randy, their two children, and other family members as they face this "stumbling block" in what we hope will be a long and happy life for all. Sandra lives at 1993 Elk Creek Rd., Stuart, VA 24171, if you'd like to send her a card. Hang in their, Sandra, you are on your way to victory by KNOCKOUT in your personal bout with cancer.

Cancer is so pervasive in our community and throughout our society. One of every 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their life. It doesn't have to be so. I am confident that more effective treatments will be perfected and that ultimately a cure for cancer will be found. But it is up to us to battle back! We can all have an impact in the fight to eradicate the world of cancer, both individually and as a community. I humbly ask all concerned persons in our community to join me and other American Cancer Society supporters and Relay for Life volunteers in the fight against cancer. The 2008 Relay for Life campaign will be launched in January with a goal of $52,000. Let's continue the momentum started in 2007 and more than exceed that goal. Please consider forming a new Relay for Life team to represent your school, business, civic organization, club, family, or other organization in our community, or by becoming a member of an existing Relay team.

The local Relay for Life teams will be providing concessions at the Patrick County Music Association Jamboree on Jan. 26th at Rotary Field, Stuart, as one of our first fund-raisers. Our annual WHEO radio-thon, which contributed almost $18,000 to the $62,000 plus Relay for Life total raised in 2007, will be held just before the Relay for Life event at DeHart Park in May 2008. Please support these and other Relay for Life fundraisers in the coming year by the more than 30 Relay teams in our community. Most of all pray for the success of Patrick County's outstanding Relay for Life program, which earned the county national recognition as the program with the largest increase in funds raised, a jump of over 425% in 2007. We can't rest on these laurels, though, it is time to get to work to raise the money needed to serve those like Don Sall, Samantha Mota, Sandra Health, and other cancer patients and their caregivers, and, most of all, to find a cure so we will never have to face this devastating disease again! Thank you for you prayers and your support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2008 in Patrick County.

An enthusiastic WHEO "Kilowatt for a Cure,"
Richard

Christmas Is....

As Christmas and the New Year draw near, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each of you who so faithfully listen to my radio show each morning. Spending those precious hours at the start of each new day with you and in service to you is my passion and my life! I am not the most talented radio personality in the world but I can truly say that I always try to do my job to the very best of my ability, and to gratefully, wisely, and productively use the gifts that God has given me. Each morning before I go on the air I say a prayer for you, my listeners, and ask God to empower me to say and do those things that would be an encouragement to you and to be pleasing in His sight. I am truly blessed to do what I love to do and to serve others in so doing. Thank you all so much for listening to me, praying for me, and showing me so many kindnesses. I hope that God will allow me to continue to serve you and to be his witness on the radio for many years to come. I wish I had the time and resources to send each one of you a personal Christmas card and gift to show my appreciation. Since that is not possible (small market radio annoucers work long hours but don't make a lot of money), I can only send you this sincere message of my gratitude and love. Thank you again, each member of my beloved radio audience for your caring, concern, and support. You are as much a part of my family and my life as are my own biological family members. God bless each of you at Christmas and in the coming year!

As is more and more evident each holiday season, Christmas is extremely overcomercialized. Be that as it may, however, there is nothing wrong with retailers trying to make our dollars and us spending them to give nice gifts to the ones we love, and, hopefully, to those less fortunate. I hope that you all receive the Christmas presents that your hearts most fondly desire and that you will long treasure. Let's all just remember to put this material side of our lives into proper perspective, and do not let it overshadow the most important part of our being, our spiritual lives. Unlike the worldly, material aspect of our lives which is temporary and fleeting, the spiritual side of our lives is the part that has everlasting value. This is the aspect of our lives that we should nourish and cultivate. It is eternal!

Christmas, first and foremost, is about Christ! It is all about Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was born in Bethlehem of a teenaged virgin to live on Earth for some 33 years as God among men, setting an example of sinless love and service to mankind before He, out of love for each of us, died on Calvary's cross to atone for our sins and to deliver the promise of eternal life to all who place their faith and trust in Him. As we renew the tradition of the giving of gifts to those that we love this Christmas, let's remember that the greatest gift that we will ever receive is the blessing of Jesus. To joyfully embrace Jesus and to put Him above all else, especially over our selfish human desires, is to experience what Christmas is all about. This year, really experience Christmas, experience Jesus!

Happy birthday, my precious Jesus! Merry Christmas, my dear listeners and friends!

Love in Christ,
Richard

Way to Go, Kenny & Amanda!

Congratulations to bluegrass artists and Patrick County residents Kenny and Amanda Smith! Their bluegrass and gospel group, The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, has been nominated for a Grammy, one of the most prestigious awards in the music industry, for their first gospel CD "Tell Someone".

"I started crying," said Amanda when she first heard the good news from a representative of Rebel Records for which they have recorded 3 albums including the Grammy nominee. "It just seems like a fairytale," she added, noting that the honor probably won't sink in until their plane touches down in Los Angeles. Kenny and Amanda will fly to L.A. for the 50th Grammy Awards on Sun., Feb. 10th. They'll go up against some very stiff competition including multiple Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and others. However, their Grammy nominated recording is outstanding and could well take the award for Best Southern Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, the category in which they are nominated. Win or not, the nomination is a monumental accomplishment for any artist and will only boost the career of a very fine and deserving band. "It's such an honor," said Kenny of the Grammy nomination. "That's one of the highest honors" we've ever gotten, he added.

Kenny is no stranger to awards. He is a 2-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Guitarist of the year. Kenny Smith is also widely considered one of the most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation. Amanda has a wonderful voice, having grown up singing in church choirs and participating in talent contests at local fairs. To me, it seems that their voices were meant for each other, as the duo create some of the tightest and most beautiful harmonies imagionable. The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band was nominated for the IBMA's prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003. With their Grammy nomination, the band has truly emerged!

About 400 music fans braved the cold rain and threat of icy weather Saturday night to hear two live performances by The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, the headlining act at the Patrick County Music Association's (PCMA)Holiday Jamboree at Rotary Field in Stuart. Kenny and Amanda love performing before enthusiastic and appreciating PCMA audiences. While neither Kenny nor Amanda have families in this area, they have many friends and supportive neighbors. "We feel like we have family here," said Kenny. Kenny and Amanda are genuinely wonderful people and I am glad that they chose to make Patrick County (Vesta) their home. I am very proud of this talented couple and their band (Aaron Williams of Blacksburg, VA, on mandolin and Zachary McLamb, a Benson, NC native who plays bass), and honored to play their music and interview them on my radio show. Go get 'em, Kenny and Amanda, and bring home a Grammy to Patrick County!

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

Richard

Spreading "Cheer" to Hundreds

Thanks to the generosity of many caring people in our community and the tireless efforts of a troupe of dedicated Christmas Cheer volunteers, Christmas will be much brighter this year for a total of 577 disadvantaged children (in 279 families) in Patrick County. The recipients...children ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old...were selected based on applications that were distributed through the Patrick County Department of Social Services and Patrick County Public Schools.

Distribution of the Christmas Cheer gifts to these children will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18th. Each applicant will receive a letter regarding the exact date, time, and place of pick-up, said Brenda Strum, a spokesperson for Christmas Cheer. Gifts will not be wrapped or delivered. All unclaimed items will be distributed to other families, she added.

If you would like to support Christmas Cheer with a monetary donation, please make your check payable to Patrick County Christmas Cheer, PO Box 222, Stuart, VA 24171. Christmas Cheer will accept new, unwrapped toys along with new clothing with tags still attached. You may drop off your clothing and toy donations at the Patrick County Extension Office in the Patrick County Veteran's Memorial Building, Suite 316, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (office closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch). Donations must be received by 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14. The Patrick County Extension Office is strictly a drop off point for new donations. Please do not call the office regarding information about your child's application, said Strum.

Thanks to the many businesses, individuals, and organizations in our community who have supported the 2007 Christmas Cheer campaign that will truly be a blessing to hundreds of Patrick County children whose Christmas might have been rather bleak otherwise. God will reward your generosity and assistance in this and other charitable projects that make our community a better place in which to live!

Merry Christmas!
Richard