RMH employees contribute more than $95,000 in annual Employee Gifts Campaign
RMH employees have donated more than $95,000 in the 2011 Employee Gifts Campaign, smashing the campaign goal of $80,000.
This year’s Employee Gifts Campaign, centered on the theme “Be a Champion,” began May 17 and concluded June 24. Employees exceeded the campaign goal by 20 percent, raising more than $7,000 than last year.
A total of 675 employees participated in the campaign, including 110 who had never made a gift before. Over 150 more employees than last year gave to this year’s campaign, an increase of 30 percent
“I am really proud of our employees for ‘being champions’ by donating to this year’s campaign,” said RMH President Jim Krauss. “To have this many employees give back to RMH clearly shows how committed they are to the hospital’s mission. What’s gratifying for all of us is knowing the benefit these gifts will ultimately bring our patients.”
To encourage participation, the hospital’s Senior Leadership Team agreed to participate in the third consecutive RMH gurney tourney if employees met the $80,000 goal. Now that the goal has been met, a victory celebration and gurney tourney will take place on Thursday, July 7, at 3 p.m. outside the Mountain View Cafe.
During the gurney tourney, teams of two senior leaders each will square off against each other in head-to-head races as one member of the team rides a wheelchair while the other pushes. The rain date is July 21.
Employees have been supporting the hospital through an annual gifts campaign since 1975. During this year’s campaign, employees had the option to support various needs throughout the hospital. According to Merv Webb, vice president, Foundation, the need receiving the greatest support was the Employee Relief Fund, a fund set up by the hospital to assist employees who are facing a personal financial crisis due to serious illness or another catastrophic situation.
The need receiving the second highest level of support was the hospital’s equipment and program fund, Webb said. These funds will help provide critical equipment and technology to improve patient care.
Webb thanked the campaign co-chairs and the department representatives for their help in encouraging employees to donate. “Once again our employees are taking a lead in helping to create a healthier community for all our families, friends and neighbors,” he said.
Kim Phuc to speak at Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
The 26th annual Baptist Peace Fellowship Summer Conference will be held on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) July 4-9.
“The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America’s (BPFNA) annual conference, which we affectionately refer to as Peace Camp, gathers together hundreds of ordinary people of all ages who are interested in living a life of peace rooted in justice,” program coordinator Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski said. “The week offers us the spirituality, inspiration, skills, knowledge and community to live peacefully in the midst of a culture that is violent in both obvious and subtle ways.”
The conference is sponsored by the BPFNA and will feature several prominent speakers and workshops throughout the six days including Monday’s keynote speaker, Kim Phuc.
Phuc’s village of Trang Bang, South Vietnam, came under attack during the Vietnam war on June 8, 1972. Planes mistakenly dropped napalm on the Buddhist pagoda with several children perishing in the attack, while others, including Phuc, sustained injuries.
In fleeing from the attack, Phuc’s picture was taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning Associate Press photographer Huyng Cong Nick Ut. The image became a symbol of the Vietnam War and the tragedy that ensued in Trang Bang.
Rob Voyle, whose work is based on Appreciative Inquiry (AI) will serve as the guest leader for the week. Voyle, a native of New Zealand, uses unique teaching styles that focus on being helpful, humorous and healing.
There will be morning sessions with Voyle and an optional intensive afternoon workshop.
“Being together in this way nurtures, affirms and equips each of us to do the particular work of peace to which God calls us,” Polaski added.
Admission is free to the public. Tickets for the Jennifer Knapp concert Friday evening are $15.
For more information on the conference contact Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, 704-521-6051; e-mail: ledayne@bpfna.org.
ShenanArts announces summer camps
ShenanArts is now accepting registrations for summer camps and workshops. Camps will be held in July for children of all ages. A series of workshops is also be offered, for children and adults.
Does your child love to perform? Want your child to have some fun this summer? Come sing, dance, and act your way through some of the greatest moments in Broadway’s history! This camp is perfect for beginning performers interested in getting an introduction to the wonderful world of musical theatre!
Elementary School Camp (rising 1st-5th graders) will be held from July 18 – July 22 | 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Cost is $125. Showcase performance will be held at Noon on July 22. Instructor: Sara Meinhofer
Middle and High School Camp (rising 6th-12th graders) will be held July 11- July 22| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost is $195. Showcase Performance will be at 7:00 pm July 22. Instructors: Lindsey Walters and Hanna Walters.
Workshops
Stage Make-up: Tuesday, July 19 – 5:–7:00 pm. Cost is $25
How to Audition: Monday July 11, Friday July 15 and Monday July 18–5:00 – 7:00 pm. Cost is $50
Stage Combat: Tuesday July 12th – Thursday July 14th 5:00-7:00 pm. Cost is $50.
Multiple child discount available for camps! Scholarships are available, inquire for details.
For a complete schedule or to download a registration form, visit www.ShenanArts.org or call 540-712-0001
P-Nats clinch series with Dash
The Potomac Nationals rode a dominant start from Paul Demny and a two-hit, two-run effort from series-clinching 4-2 win over the Winston-Salem Dash on a gorgeous Thursday night at Pfitzner Stadium. With the win, the Nationals improved to 4-4 in the second half and set up a chance to earn their third series sweep of the season on Friday.
Demny (5-7) was outstanding for seven innings, striking out a career-high eight and allowing just one run on five hits without a walk.
After Potomac scored the first run of the game in the opening inning, the Dash did the only damage against Demny in the second. A one-out single by Nick Ciolli became a run when Austin Yount doubled to left field. The Nationals had surged ahead on Justin Bloxom’s RBI single in the first, which scored J.R. Higley, who walked with one out.
Souza led off the fourth with a walk. After Sandy Leon popped out, J.P. Ramirez singled to right to put runners at the corners. Eury Perez then grounded to short to score Souza and push the Nats ahead 2-1.
They added two more runs in the sixth, and again Souza was involved. A leadoff double by Thursday’s designated hitter was cashed in when Ramirez doubled with one out. After Perez struck out, Francisco Soriano singled to center to make it 4-1 for Potomac.
The Dash got a run back in the eighth inning: Tyler Saladino hit his eighth home run of the season off Josh Smoker to draw the Dash within two.
But Hector Nelo got the last out of the eighth and retired Winston-Salem in the ninth for his sixth save. The three Nationals pitchers struck out 12 Dash hitters.
Jake Petricka (0-1) made his Carolina League debut and lasted three and a third innings, allowing two runs on four hits with a strikeout and a costly three walks (two of them would score).
Potomac will look to open the month of July with a series sweep Friday at 7:05. Cameron Selik takes the mound for the Nats against lefty Joe Serafin.
Lynchburg falls, 4-0
The Hillcats were able to record eight hits against the Frederick Keys pitching staff Thursday night. However, they weren’t able to come up with hits when it mattered most, and fell 4-0.
Hillcats starter Blaine Sims got into trouble in the second inning. Sims (2-2) allowed four doubles in the inning, including a two-run double to Brian Ward. Three runs came across the plate to give the Keys an early 3-0 lead.
Nick Haughian had a strong start for the Keys. He pitched six innings, giving up just five hits, and striking out five. Haughian (5-4) faced runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and sixth innings, but got out of each jam unscathed.
The Keys tacked on another run in the seventh inning against reliever Andy Russell to make it 4-0. Despite Lynchburg threatening again in the eighth, the Keys bullpen pitched a scoreless three innings to preserve the shutout and the Frederick win.
Lynchburg fell to 2-5 in the second half, and Frederick improved to 4-4. Keys closer Sean Gleason pitched the last one and one-third innings to earn his 21st save of the season.
The Hillcats and Keys wrap up their three game set Friday night. Righty Aaron Shafer (2-0) will take the mound for Lynchburg, and Bobby Bundy (7-5) will pitch for Frederick. First pitch is at 7:05 pm and gates open at 6.
The Hillcats On-Deck Show presented by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40 pm. Tune in to 105.5 KD Country or go to lynchburg-hillcats.com to listen live to all the action.
Salem wins third straight
Bryce Brentz homered for the second straight day and the Salem Sox won their third consecutive game, downing the Wilmington Blue Rocks 5-3 on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium.
Brentz blasted a three-run dinger in the top of the first off All-Star righthander Jake Odorizzi, and Chris Hernandez, buoyed by a dominant performance from the bullpen, pitched well enough to earn his sixth win of 2011. Kendal Volz retired all seven men he faced over two and a third scoreless innings, while Will Latimer tossed a perfect ninth to earn his third save.
Hernandez allowed a pair of runs with two outs in the first, but then settled in and held the Rocks scoreless over the next four innings. Although Joey Lewis doubled home John Whittleman to scratch Hernandez once more in the sixth, the All-Star southpaw improved to 6-5 with five and two-thirds innings pitched, allowing three runs on nine hits, with four strikeouts and two walks. In relief, Volz stranded a pair of inherited men in the sixth to preserve the two-run lead, initiating a seven-batter onslaught of domination. Volz induced two fly-outs before striking out five consecutive Blue Rocks in the seventh and eighth innings. Latimer created two ground-ball outs and one shallow pop-up in the ninth to slam the door shut.
Offensively, Brentz’ three-run bomb set the tone, and Salem added one more in the second when Shannon Wilkerson’s two-out single plated Alex Valdez to make it 4-2. Brentz nearly crushed his second homer of the night in the sixth, but his leadoff blast remained in the yard, deflecting off the top of the wall for a double. After Dan Butler singled him to third, Brentz scored on a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Miles Head.
Brentz finished 2-4 with two runs scored and three RBI, while seven of his eight comrades in the Sox lineup chipped in with one hit apiece. Both squads finished with nine hits overall, with Wilmington paced by Nick Van Stratten, Tim Ferguson, and Lewis, who all went 2-4.
Following an 0-5 start to the second half, the Salem Sox have won three in a row to finish June strong. It’s the first three-game winning streak since Salem took three consecutive one-run decisions from Myrtle Beach on May 5, 6, and 7 at LewisGale Field, a stretch that brought the Sox to 20-7 on the season.
Salem is gunning for the sweep of Wilmington in Friday’s series finale, as Ryan Pressly is set to duel with Justin Marks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
Y partners with Silver Sneakers
The Waynesboro Family YMCA has been a location for the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program for many years. SilverSneakers® is an innovative health, exercise and wellness program helping older adults live healthy, active lifestyles. The Waynesboro Family YMCA offers several fitness classes to get you moving.
Now, Healthways SilverSneakers® has made the process to get active even easier. When you receive your NEW SilverSneakers® Card in the mail, bring it to the Waynesboro Family YMCA and our friendly Front Desk Staff and Fitness Staff will help you get started. The NEW SilverSneakers® Cards are operational on July 1, 2011.
SilverSneakers group exercise classes offer you the best opportunity to stay on track toward your health and fitness goals. SilverSneakers is a fun, energizing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events.
“Exercise is fun.” says Mary Beth Robb, YMCA fitness instructor. “SilverSneaker Classes are designed to energize the mind body and spirit while having great time.”
The Waynesboro Family YMCA offers these signature classes and taught by specially trained, certified instructors. You are sure to find a class that suits your need and abilities at the Waynesboro YMCA.
SilverSneakers® Muscular Strength & Range of Movement
Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a SilverSneakers ball are offered for resistance. A chair is used for seated and/or standing support.
Tuesdays and Thursday at Noon
Instructor: Mary Beth Robb
SilverSneakers® YogaStretch
YogaStretch will move your whole body through a complete series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility, balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity.
Tuesdays and Thursday at Noon
Instructor: Mary Beth Robb
SilverSplash®
Activate your aqua urge for variety! SilverSplash offers lots of fun shallow-water moves to improve agility, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. No swimming ability is required, and a special SilverSneakers kickboard is used to develop strength, balance and coordination.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am
Instructor: Barbara White
For more details and class times, contact the Waynesboro Family YMCA at 540-943-9622.
Webb: Post-9/11 Bill has helped 500K
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) today made the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the Post-9/11 GI Bill being signed into law:
“Today marks the three-year anniversary of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. I was privileged to introduce this landmark legislation on my first day in office. We began with a simple concept—if we continue to call our veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan the next ‘Greatest Generation,’ then we should as a nation express our appreciation in a proper way by giving them the same educational benefits as those who served during World War II.
“Our idea was to provide those who have served since 9/11 the most comprehensive educational benefits since World War II, and we did just that. As of today, more than 875,000 students have applied to receive their new benefits and more than 500,000 have enrolled in classes on the Post-9/11 GI Bill. That’s half a million men and women who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to attend college.
“The United States has never erred when it has made sustained new investments in higher education and job training – and its veterans. Educated veterans not only have an easier transition and readjustment experience, but they boast higher income levels, which in the long run increase tax revenues.
“We can all take pride in saying that we have brought about a proper investment in the future of those who, since 9/11, have given so much to this country.”
Signed into law on June 30, 2008 and implemented two years ago, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers returning service members up to 36 months of benefits including payment of tuition, fees and educational costs, plus a monthly housing allowance while enrolled in full-time training.
Center for Politics to host Afghan leaders
A delegation of government officials from Afghanistan will arrive at the U.Va. Center for Politics on Sunday, July 3 to begin a three-week session focused on foundational principles of democratic governance as well as citizen participation and civic engagement in a democratic society.
This U.S.-Afghanistan Professional Partnership Program is part of the Center’s international outreach program, Global Perspectives on Democracy, which was launched in 2009. This is the second delegation from Afghanistan to participate in this program; the first was in Virginia from June 6 to June 25.
The 14 delegates are primarily female officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and Bureau for Reconstruction and Development.
Delegates will participate in lectures and presentations by prominent American legal scholars, jurists, and political figures, including Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, Virginia Supreme Court Justice William Mims and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. The group will also visit key sites related to the foundation of America’s democracy at a time when Afghanistan is building its own democratic government.
Delegates will participate in lectures at Virginia landmarks including Monticello, Montpelier, Jamestown and Williamsburg and make visits to Richmond, Virginia Beach and the Shenandoah National Park.
Delegates will also receive hands-on experience through job shadowing at Charlottesville-area nonprofit organizations. Class sessions will feature presentations by minority groups and dialogues on interfaith understanding.
The program is designed and run by the Center for Politics, as part of its Global Perspectives on Democracy initiative, in partnership with Relief International and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This is the second of four groups from Afghanistan who will participate in the program over the next two summers.
Weekend Watchdog: Breakfast at Wimbledon
For your holiday weekend, spend some days at Centre Court.
NBC has two days of “Breakfast at Wimbledon,” with the women’s final Saturday at 9 a.m. and the men going for their title Sunday at 9 a.m.
Getting down to the final two, there’s lunch at Wimbledon. Thursday, the women’s semifinals are on at noon, and the men have their semifinals Friday at noon. Both days, ESPN2 starts its live coverage at 7 a.m.
Fourth of July weekend means NASCAR returns to Daytona. TNT has the race Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Nationwide racers hit the track Friday at 7:30 p.m.
It’s the final weekend of interleague play in baseball, so we get Yankees vs. Mets Saturday on FOX and Sunday afternoon on TBS. Fox also shows the Cubs vs. White Sox and Indians-Reds, while the ESPN Sunday night contest matches the Dodgers and Angels.
The Orioles face St. Louis Thursday on MASN before heading to Atlanta for the weekend. The Nationals take on Pittsburgh in a four-game series, with a doubleheader Saturday on MASN2.
The PGA tour is just outside of Philly this weekend, with CBS covering the AT&T National Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.
Pool play continues in the Women’s World Cup from Germany. Thursday, ESPN has Canada taking on France at 11:45 a.m. followed by Germany-Nigeria. Friday, Japan plays Mexico at 8:45 a.m. and it’s New Zealand against England at noon.
The United States women go for their second win of the tournament against Colombia Saturday at 11:30 a.m., then Brazil meets Norway at noon Sunday. ESPN2 has the early weekend games, with North Korea facing Sweden at 7:45 a.m. Saturday and Australia-Equatorial Guinea.
For more soccer, the Under-17 World Cup is in Mexico. ESPN2 has the quarterfinals Sunday starting at 3 p.m.
The MLS is on ESPN2 Saturday as New York visits San Jose at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Houston takes on Colorado at 9 p.m.
In France, the Tour de France gets underway Saturday. Versus has live coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m.
Former JMU player to start for Canada in Women’s World Cup
Former JMU women’s soccer All-America Christina “Corky” Julien (JMU ’10) was in the starting lineup for Canada in its match vs. France Thursday in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Julien played 60 minutes in the contest for Canada, which lost 4-0 to France in the team’s second game of three matches in group play.
Julien made her 29th international appearance with Canada since joining the team in February 2009.
She is the first JMU player to participate in a World Cup competition.
Canada is now 0-2 in the tournament, including a defeat to tournament host and two-time World Cup champion Germany on June 26.
Canada is making its fifth consecutive World Cup appearance. The 22-day event is being held in nine cities across Germany and concludes with a July 17 final in Frankfurt.
Canada’s remaining match in group A play is July 7 vs. Nigeria in Dresden.
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David Reynolds: What an idea!
Posted on June 30, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Being kids they had nicknames. One was called Peace. The other was known to his friends as Freedom. The soldier made a bet with himself. He bet that Peace would get the better of Freedom. His boss, the king, did the same.
Both lost. For a far bigger game was brewing beyond the green. And who else won that day not so many years ago? You and I. Everyone wins when freedom wins.
And so it has been in the short history of this great land that God has blessed. Every day is filled with events, both big and small, which shape our nation. And every day the same freedom or peace question is raised: How much peace are we willing to sacrifice in order to maintain our nation’s freedom?
Peace was a pleasant boy, but he had his limits. That is why he lost the game. Freedom has no limits. Yet, too many of us can not distinguish between Peace and Freedom. They see the two as one. Pray for those who are nearly blind.
Sure, Peace has a good selling point. But only one. It is the opposite of war. Peace keeps telling us that If we would only love one another this would be a perfect world. His game is to tap into his goodwill and have everyone share in the world’s riches. World peace is his goal. How he gets there is of lesser importance.
But Freedom will always win because he is willing to pay any price. Freedom is highly contagious. It’s the common cold. One day the entire world will all get it. Freedom is also a journey, albeit a difficult one. Yet Freedom reaches out and invites us to travel his hard road. His fuel? The human spirit. That is his secret weapon.
On Monday, on a day known simply by its date, we will take the time to appreciate the peace we currently enjoy. But the real meaning of the day is a celebration of freedom.
Our celebration of the Fourth brings us together. We don’t care about your religion, how you spell your name, what’s in your bank account or how you vote. But we do ask, “Do you believe in freedom?”
Freedom is the unifying force behind the Fourth. It is what draws together a heterogeneous country of over 310 million individuals. Maybe that is all we have in common. Maybe that is enough. Maybe that is why there will be no strangers in the crowd on Monday when the sun goes down and the fireworks go up. Because we are family.
However, families do not always stay together. They have a habit of breaking up. The American family is breaking up because securing the immigrant vote is more important to the Republican and the Democratic parties than uniting a nation. This nation does not have an immigration problem, at least not on the Fourth — it has a serious assimilation problem. The old melting pot that has served has so well has turned cold. We need to put a firecracker under it.
What else do we need to do on the Fourth? Oh yes, every Fourth of July we need to ask ourselves if the rest of the world is better or worse off because of us. Did those words signed by 56 men on a hot July day in Philadelphia change anything for the rest of the planet? Remember, they were no-nonsense folks. They “mutually pledged to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
If you need to think for more than a nanosecond whether our world role is positive or negative I will include you in my prayers, along with those who can’t distinguish freedom from peace.
None of the above is a slap in the face at our British cousins. They, too, enjoy freedom. They, too, have a positive balance of trade by exporting democracy, capitalism, the rule of law and personal responsibility. But Britannia no longer rules the waves. We do. Whether we like it or not, the United States of America has grown to become a world power. And we are a role model for the rest of the world. There is no need to apologize that the great experiment has been a success.
That’s it. Wrap everything up after the fireworks and tie it together. Carry it home. It’s easy. You can put it all in your head. For America is no more than an idea. But what a idea!
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with david reynolds, peace freedom, war peace