The giving of thanks
Column by David Cox
Some old-timers will remember Emily Penick Pearse, a doyenne among other things among Lee Chapel docents. As such, she once met a monk named David Steindl-Rast who happened to be a noted author on matters spiritual. One of his books was called, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. His explanation indicated to me why this feast of Thanksgiving is so important: It draws us out of ourselves and into a larger scope, all based upon gratitude. Read more
Being grateful
Column by David Reynolds
Tomorrow is truly an American holiday. It is one of the few which remains faithful to its origins. Thanksgiving 2009 will be like Thanksgiving 2008 and all the other Thanksgiving’s before it.
Thanksgiving is always a peaceful day. So, peace is on my “Thank you” list. Did you know that “9/11″ happened 2,998 days ago? Did you live each one of those days as if it were your last? Some did. They have no regrets. I have a few, but too few to mention. Read more
Sometimes, the best thing is to get outa town
Column by Jim Bishop
Many who actually read these weekly ramblings are aware that I’m a creature of habit. I operate by a regimented timetable with little elbow room for alteration. When I come home in the evening and tell my spouse that I “had a good day,” she replies, “So, you got a lot done, huh?”
So, when it behooves me to make a sudden change in the game plan, it’s difficult to adapt. I don’t easily go with the flow, while fretting over that which remains undone.
This process was again set in motion on receiving word a week ago of the death of cousin Stan Bishop, age 69, of Long Island, N.Y., a recently retired long-time high school English teacher. While not the oldest of the 19 Bishop first cousins, he was the first of the next generation to pass from this life to the next. Read more
Charity wrestling show on tap for Dec. 12
Staff Report
LTW Entertainment and Spotswood High School are teaming up to put on a professional wrestling show Saturday, Dec. 12, with a 7 p.m. belltime.
TNA Wrestling’s Awesome Austin Creed will be the featured attraction, with NWA legends George South and Preston Michaels joining Doink the Clown, Spotswood special-education teacher Chris Dodson and more. Read more
VMI falls at UNC-Wilmington
Gore scores nine off bench for Keydets
Staff Report
Junior center John Fields poured in 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead UNC Wilmington past VMI, 115-95 in college basketball Tuesday night at Trask Coliseum.
The Seahawks (2-4) snapped a two-game losing skid and overcame Keydet scoring surges throughout the game led by sophomore guard Keith Gabriel, who finished with a game-high 25 points, and freshman forward Stan Okoye, who produced his first double-double in a VMI uniform with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Read more
Evans leads Dukes to win in homecoming
Staff Report
Playing in her hometown, James Madison junior guard Dawn Evans (Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast) scored a game-high 26 points to pace the Dukes (3-0) to an 83-56 win over Austin Peay (1-3) in women’s basketball at the Dunn Center Tuesday night.
JMU led 35-27 at halftime and extended its lead by holding Austin Peay without a field goal for nearly six and a half minutes. During that span JMU outscored the Governors 17-4 as the Dukes built a 22-point (64-42) advantage with 9:38 to play. Evans was the Dukes’ top scorer during that run with nine points. Read more
Moats, Thorpe honored by CAA
Staff Report
James Madison senior defensive end Arthur Moats (Portsmouth, Va./Churchland) was named conference defensive player of the year and Dukes’ redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Thorpe (Richmond, Va./Varina) league rookie of the year in the Colonial Athletic Association Monday.
Moats during the 2009 season led JMU in tackles with 90. He tied for the CAA lead in quarterback sacks with 11 and is the national Football Championship Subdivision leader in tackles for loss with an average of 2.14 per game.
Thorpe this season ran for a team-leading 654 yards and five touchdowns, threw for 1,260 yards and six scores and compiled 1,914 yards of total offense.
JMU’s first-team all-league honorees included Moats on the defensive line and senior offensive guard Dorian Brooks (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) on the offensive line.
Three Keydets named to Big South football first team
Staff Report
VMI’s George Handler, Tim Maypray and Marc Ray were named to the 2009 Big South Football All-Conference First Team, as released by the league office Tuesday.
Handler, a fifth-year senior offensive lineman, earned his second career All-Conference honor and initial First Team accolade. He was also named to the conference’s All-Academic team for the first time. Read more
Weekend Watchdog | Turkey Day football
Column by Mike Judge
Do you have your Thanksgiving turkey? The NFL sure does.
First, you have 2-8 Detroit hosting Green Bay.
Then, it’s 3-7 Oakland visiting Dallas. (And it took fluke plays Sunday to give them such lofty records).
And NFL Network offers the Giants and Broncos in primetime. Both teams will be happy to see November end. Read more




















Giving thanks for our veterans and the freedoms they defend
Posted on November 25, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Column by Bob Goodlatte
www.goodlatte.house.gov
It is fitting that while we observe this anniversary of the spread of democracy and freedom that we also pay tribute to our nation’s veterans, many of whom served in Berlin and other parts of Germany. America was founded on the principles of liberty, opportunity and justice for all, and we recognize the men and women of our armed forces who have valiantly defended these values throughout our nation’s history. Read more
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