I have some comments concerning the Parks and Recreation Department of Wytheville and the Wythe County Recreation Department.  The town of Wytheville has a beautiful Recreation Center and Meeting Center and a paid staff to operate and run the facility and recreational programs. They offer a really great organized recreational program and have a lot of kids that participate mostly within the corporate limits of the city. This is a great opportunity especially for the youth of Wytheville. To help pay for the new recreation center in Wytheville the county residents have to pay more in fees then the “In town residents” do and are limited in the recreational opportunities provided. 

At the Wytheville Community College Fall Esprit on October 8th, it was a pleasure to see my favorite local band, Lucky 65, whose concert served as the event’s main attraction.  With the departure of bassist Mindy Jackson, the band is still in search of a full-time replacement.  Filling in for this particular show was their good friend, Drivn bass player, Ben Caudill.  This electrifying performance was their last for the year and it is safe to say that they have ended 2008 on an extremely high note.  First of all, the release of their debut self-titled CD was highly successful.  Secondly, the band their first music video for their original song, “Lights Out.” After making the video at VPS Studios in Roanoke, they were approached by station producers about shooting a local promotional ad for the popular sitcom, “Two and a Half Men,” starring Charlie Sheen.  They readily agreed and the ad is expected to be airing on FOX by the time this column is published. 

Tots who are in the age range of 2-5 year olds MUST BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES.  The responsibility rests totally on YOU the parent or guardian to ensure safety and not on Tot.  When speaking to Tots, it is essential that you give your Tot the information and provide the security needed for them to feel safe and secure without frightening Tot.  It is very important to gradually begin emphasizing safety lessons using the rules and reminding before an occasion may arise rather than a constant harassment of warnings and threats.  Safety lessons can be taught by using puppets, situational role playing, and by telling stories and coloring to emphasis points you wish to instill in your Tot.  Always remember the word “Stranger” rhymes and denotes danger.  It can also be defined as a friend you haven’t met as yet. 

Paul Brewster was riding his wooly worm and chasing a frog.  The frog leaped across the green meadows hanging just below Horse Heaven Mountain.  Paul heard music coming from nearby Cripple Creek.  To him it seemed people were dancing in the street. 

Recently I read an old facsimile edition of the first Girl Scout handbook—How Girls Can Help Their Country. Originally copyrighted in 1913 by Juliette Low, it offers spunky, can-do, often-hilarious advice for grappling with life’s troubles—and thus helping the entire country.

When I think about conspicuous consumption, I think about my pocketbooks. I have too many.  I also have multiple bags working at one time.

Huge digital signs have recently been erected on I-81 throughout Southwest Virginia.  These signs can be used to alert motorists to accidents and road construction ahead, spread an Amber Alert for a missing child, and re-direct traffic in times of emergency.  When nothing is going on, they spell out catchy slogans like “Be ready.  Be buckled” or “Click it or ticket.”

His jingling spurs broke the morning silence.  The cowboy hat was so wide it blocked the sun coming through the barn door.  Larry McPeak didn’t care.  On his shoulder, he toted a bass fiddle studded with rhinestones bright enough to make Glen Campbell look Amish. 

For the first time since 1988, Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church held a homecoming celebration on Sunday, October 5th in honor of our church’s 180th anniversary.  Special guests included Rev. Wiley Neal, 90, who served as Mount Pleasant pastor from 1973-1977, Jean Booth Painter and Evelyn Booth Ness, daughters of the late Rev. J.T. Booth who ministered at Mount Pleasant from 1938-1941.  This was the first time I had ever attended a church homecoming and it was a truly blessed experience.

My retirement statement arrived in the mail yesterday. I chose not to open it when I saw that it came enclosed in a sympathy card, a very cheap sympathy card.