*Editor’s note: Happy birthday wishes to Virginia M. Freeman, April 29, Saxe. May you enjoy your day! I hope it is wonderful and that you have many more birthdays to come. Thank you for all you do for The Charlotte Gazette!

Happy belated birthday wishes to Brenda McBride, April 16, Skipwith; and Mary Alice McAllister, April 23, Charlotte Court House.

Happy birthday wishes to Lisa Walton, April 27, South Boston; Elaine F. Walton, April 27, Charlotte Court House; Marlene Davis, April 27, Teaneck, N.J.; Rosalee Skipper, April 28, Red Oak; Janiyah Friend, April 28, Keysville; Cindy Inge Atkinson, April 29, Saxe; Virginia Gregory, April 29, Drakes Branch; John Austin, April 29, Keysville; Lillian Jones, April 29, Farmville; Mary Nicholas, April 30, Keysville.

Happy birthday! Enjoy this year and use it as a launchpad.

Birthday winners for April are Phyllis Gee, of Charlotte Court House, and Elaine Friend, of Charlotte Court House.

Get well wishes to all of the sick and shut-in. I hope you are up and well soon. You are in our prayers.

Sympathy to all of the families who have lost a loved one recently. Sympathy to the family of Raymond Smith, of Saxe. Our heartfelt prayers and good wishes go out to your family in your time of need. You have our deepest sympathy.

Thought of the Week: Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.

Intelligence

Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you. There is no method, but to be very intelligent. There is no greater evidence of superior intelligence than to be surprised at nothing.

There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination and wonder. The intelligent man or woman is one who has successfully fulfilled many accomplishments, and is still willing to learn more. Be as smart as you can, but always remember that it is always better to be wise, than to be smart.

News is due by Saturday at 1 p.m. News will be accepted by call or text.

Virginia Freeman is a community columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at vstars@pure.net.