With the arrival of October, many are heading into the woods in pursuit of big game. Squirrel and dove seasons have been in for several weeks and today marks the opening of archery season for deer, bear, and turkey. The drop in temperatures certainly is a welcome change as…
As we approach October, more and more orange and black butterflies flit by without a care in the world. These beautiful creatures are aptly termed Monarchs and they certainly reign as some of the most stunning insects in existence. What many do not realize is the incredible complexity…
When my son, Allen, was in middle school, he started lifting weights at The Gym in Woodstock. Although his DNA never gifted him with extraordinary size or strength, his determination and disciplined workouts, combined with Roy Marshall’s coaching, maximized his ability. At one point, he held various state records…
Much has been bantered around lately about a “Constitutional Crisis” in America. Questions regarding the behavior of leaders, agencies, and legislators have challenged judges to rule concerning recent revelations and allegations. How do they know what to base their decisions upon? They must consult our nation’s founding document, the…
Last week, a story broke about an emergency dispatcher’s lack of compassion for a caller who was drowning in her car. Debbie Smith was on her morning paper route in Fort Smith, Arkansas when she drove into a flooded area. When she dialed 911, the dispatcher immediately sent rescue personnel…
August 31 would be my dad’s 97th birthday. As I reflect back on his life, I’m more and more grateful every day for this very good gift with which God blessed me. Dad loved Jesus and people and worked hard to set a good example for us kids as…
Mud Puddles and Slimy Pits Have you ever fallen into a mud puddle? When we were kids, we not only fell into them, we jumped into them with much joy and enthusiasm. As adults, we generally try to avoid these and view them as obstacles rather than recreational opportunities, but…
God has blessed me with two wonderful careers. My current job pastoring was preceded by seventeen years teaching Agriculture, Natural Resources and Leadership in the public schools. With the first two years in Culpeper and the last fifteen at Central, I made many friends and learned much about myself, others,…
According to Wikipedia, a vehicle assembly plant in Russia encloses nearly 230 acres under roof and claims the title of the world’s largest building. As enormous as this is, however, it is not the biggest structure made by living organisms. That honor is held by the Great Barrier Reef…
It’s hard to believe but summer unofficially ends for Shenandoah County students this coming week. It ended this past week for teachers and it never really began for administrators. As the annual ritual of heading back to school stares us in the face, it’s a good time to revisit some…