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
Monday, October 27, 2008
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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