Share your good news with us
…As we count down the days until the first official day of spring (34 days and counting), I can’t help but feel good about what lies ahead. Soon the days will be getting longer, the weather will be warmer, and I will finally be able to kick Old Man Winter to the curb and get ready to enjoy some pleasant weather with a “spring” in my step.
(Of course, my positive vibe is also met with a few unpleasant realities: That I need to lose some weight before I even think about putting on a pair of shorts, that I will probably be hit with a horrendous spring allergy attack, and that my wife is already putting together her exhaustive list of spring and summer “Home Improvement” projects. Oh joy.)
Ah, spring, a wonderful time of year. It’s also a time when the rest of the county thaws out from hibernation and we start to see a wide array of events being held.
For example, it was brought to my attention that the 24th annual Miss Greene County Pageant will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, in the Waynesburg Central High School auditorium. The pageant is open to Greene County girls ages 2 to 17. The age categories are as follows: Tiny Miss, 2 to 4 years; Petite Miss, 5 to 7 years; Junior Miss, 8 to 11 years; Young Miss, 12 to 14 years; and Teen Miss, 15 to 17 years. Age categories are determined by the age of the contestant on the day of the pageant. A queen and a first runner-up will be awarded in each age category. For more info, call 724-852-5323, or e-mail pageant@co.greene.pa.us.
It was also brought to my attention that the Cornerstone Ministry Center in Jefferson is inviting elementary students (grades 2-6) and teen students (grades 7-12) to “Saturday Happenings” on the third Saturday of each month. The next “Happening” will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 15 and will offer many activities, including dodge ball, nine square, carpet ball, checkers, air hockey, crafts, ping pong, archery and more. The cost for attending is $5 and lunch is provided. For more info, call the Cornerstone Ministry Center at 724-966-9157.
I was also informed that Thistlethwaite Vineyards is hosting their first Paint n’ Sip Party on Sunday, March 2. Painting and wine tasting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Vine Room. Doors will open at 1 p.m. Admission will be $45 per person, and includes painting, wine tasting, one glass of wine and cheese and crackers. Reservations are required. For more info or to make reservations, call 724-883-3372.
And folks, that’s just the beginning. This spring season will feature many other events that offer fun for folks of all ages, such as the annual Ramp Festivals, the annual GNP concert, Relay For Life, and much more.
This leads me to my long-running battle cry: If you are scheduling an event or are involved in the planning of any events this spring, and you would like community residents to find out about them, LET THE MESSENGER KNOW. We will be happy to help you promote and publicize your special event; our award-winning news publication provides many different options of helping you get the word out, from coverage in our popular County Calendar to a variety of sizes for advertisements that are available at very reasonable rates. Our contact info can be found in the helpful info box at the bottom of this page.
And this battle cry doesn’t just apply to event announcements. On many occasions I look in other news publications and see articles and photos of “good news” that are happening in our communities, that have been submitted by residents, schools or organizations. And I have to be honest, I get frustrated when those same “feel good” articles and photos are not submitted to the Messenger.
Quite frankly, I feel that one of the Messenger’s strengths as a community paper is the strong emphasis on community news. Throughout the paper’s 24-year existence, we have devoted literally countless pages to focusing on the good news that happens here. Whether it’s a student winning scholastic awards or a local couple tying the knot or celebrating a milestone anniversary, this publication has always, ALWAYS prided itself on shining well-deserved spotlights on the “ordinary folks who are doing extraordinary things.” And we will continue to do so, but we can’t shine the spotlight if we don’t have the info.
So, I will repeat it again…Attention all residents! If you know someone who is doing good things and you feel they deserve some recognition, LET THE MESSENGER KNOW. Whether it’s academic or athletic achievements, receiving honors or awards, getting hitched, celebrating an anniversary – anything that shines a spotlight on them, please let us know so we can share the good news with others. It is frustrating to see the “good news” in other newspapers when we don’t receive them.
Having said that, I want to thank the many folks who do send us their share of “good news” week in and week out. In fact, just as I type this column I have received quite a few emails from folks who have some “feel good” stories to share with us. Please keep ’em coming, because we love to share the good news with our readers…
…I just realized that this Feb. 14 will mark the 24th Valentine’s Day that I will spend with my wife. And the more I think about that, the more I realize just how lucky I am that I found someone who’s been willing to put up with me and my nonsense for nearly a quarter of a century.
I know we’ve had our share of highs and lows over the years (and most of the lows were admittedly caused by me), and the fact that we’ve been able to weather the hardships and still be standing here today, together, makes me smile…and very, very grateful.
After reflecting on the past 24 years, and how much she has meant to me, I have come to the realization that my life would be empty and meaningless without her…and that every day I should get on my hands and knees and thank God for blessing me with her heart, which is the SECOND greatest gift I could have ever asked for. (The greatest gift I have ever received from her was given to me on October 8, 2012, when she gave birth to our son Bryson.)
So, to my beautiful, caring and compassionate (and admittedly long-suffering) wife, I just simply say this: Thank you. For being my lovely and amazing Valentine for the past 24 years, for being the best thing that ever happened to me, and for wanting to continue being my Valentine for many more years to come…