Birthday wishes to Cindy Nichols, Sept. 27, Randolph; Louise Brogdon, Sept. 27, Philadelphia; Russell Dailey, Sept. 27, Saxe; Senessa Reed, Sept. 28, Charlotte Court House; Harold Banks, Sept. 28, Drakes Branch; Tanya Webb, Sept. 28, Keysville; Cartrelle Farrar, Sept. 29, Chase City; Levar Jennings, Sept. 30, N.C.; Paxton Surrett, Sept. 10, Charlotte Court House; Zack Daniel, Oct. 1, Scuffletown; Gerard Williams, Oct. 2, Atlanta, G.A.; Scott Garnett, Oct. 3, Randolph; Cleo Noblin, Oct. 3. I wish each of you many more happy birthdays. Happy birthday!

Anniversary wishes to Willard and Gayle Inge, Sept. 26, Saxe, 47 years. Anniversary wishes to David and Ruth Walker, Sept.28, Charlotte Court House, 26 years; Violet and Bennie Mosley, Oct.3, Saxe and Lewis and Naisha Carter, Oct.3, Keysville. May God bless you with many more happy years together. Happy anniversary!

Get-well wishes to all of the sick and shut in. I hope all of you are well soon, up and about. You are in our prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery.

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

Thought for the week: Life is like a river, it keeps flowing, flowing and flowing till it merges into the sea. Nothing can stop the flow of life, but you can enjoy the journey.

GIVING GIFTS AND RECEIVING GIFTS

The old saying goes it’s better to give than is to receive. Their may be someone out there you wanted to give a gift to, but you just didn’t have time or you forgot. Go out and buy it. The gift doesn’t have to cost a lot. Buy that gift now.

It doesn’t matter when you give that gift — it can mean a lot no matter when you receive it. It can be a friend, a loved one, or someone that has helped you along the way. Make this week a week of giving and you will be receiving gifts when you give.

When you give, let me know if you received a gift. I want everyone to go out buy a gift for someone. They will be surprised and when you get one back, you will be surprised too. You don’t have to, but I will. I love giving gifts and receiving them.

News is due by noon Friday. Any news received after this time will not be included in this column. News can be submitted by calling Virginia Freeman at (434) 568-0596.

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