One of my favorite classes to teach was Natural Resources Management. I had the privilege of not only helping students learn to identify, describe, and appreciate many aspects of the created world, but also to provide instruction in their wise use. During the course, we covered forestry, fish, wildlife, surface…
I’m thankful to have the privilege to write a column for the Northern Virginia Daily that runs every Friday. My deadline for submitting this article, however, is on Wednesday of each week. I have to pace myself to have it written, proofread and formatted by midweek or it won’t appear…
Last Spring, Shenandoah County witnessed a resurrection that many never thought possible. After over 31 years of absence, Bible classes returned for students enrolled in Weekday Religious Education at each elementary school! What began last year with fourth graders expanded to include second graders this year and will grow even…
You better be careful because your shoe’s untied! There’s also some dirt on your jacket and a spider is crawling up your leg. Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day and gags like these will make the rounds along with many on social media poking fun at politicians and other popular individuals.…
The time is fast approaching for me to get both a new laptop and a new cell phone. I have been delaying this pain dreading the learning curves involved with both as well as the associated expenses. Nevertheless, age and obsolescence are catching up with each of these devices as…
I remember when I was a child how intrigued I was by magnets. My brothers had removed some from something they tore apart and they got passed down to me to play with. In fact, I don’t know of any child that isn’t fascinated with magnets. Magnetic rocks, or lodestones,…
As our thermometers gradually rise, most of us are thankful for warmer weather that accompanies March. It won’t be long until we shed our coats to don shorts and sandals. Imagine, however, trying to survive temperatures at the boiling point. A certain species of microorganism actually thrives in 212 degree…
The month of March is here and we are already several races deep into the NASCAR season. Fans have been looking forward to this ever since the last race at Phoenix in early November. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr held off challengers to win the Daytona 500 to inaugurate the official beginning…
As the days begin to lengthen and some temperatures top seventy, Spring Fever begins to spread more quickly than COVD-19. It infects everyone from preschool students to senior citizens and from accountants to pastors. I say, “Bring it on!” As the crocuses and daffodils herald springtime’s approach, most of us…
Mom’s Story: Preparation Provided Peace (This account was originally published in early 2015 soon after these events occurred. It is reprinted in honor of Mom’s birthday which was February 19.) About 8:30am on Christmas Eve, 2014, our mother, Violet Bowers, had a serious accident with her gas stove resulting in…