Birthday wishes to Marie Freeman, May 25, Randolph; Ruby Gee, May 25, Drakes Branch; Mitch Watts, May 25, Scuffletown; Davonta Davis, May 25, Randolph; Wayne Lee, May 25, Saxe; Natasha Shepperson Vaughan, May 26, Farmville; Betty Fulp, May 26, Mediview Nursing Home, Clarksville; Tom Lewis, May 27, Randolph; Ruth Moore, May 28, Saxe; Peggy Masters, May 29, Randolph; Monzie Faulkner, May 30, Meherrin; Joyce Moon, May 30, Saxe; Paul C. Hamlett, P.C., May 30, Rice, son of Paul Hamlett Jr., Saxe; Viola Jeffress Jackson, May 30, Richmond; A’darius Ahmad Spencer, May 31, age 2, son of Tameka and Andrew Spencer, Drakes Branch, grandson of Virginia M. Freeman and Paul Hamlett Jr., Saxe.

May your birthday be filled with sunshine, smiles, laughter, love and cheer. Happy birthday!

Get well wishes to all of the sick and shut-in. I hope you are up and well soon. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Get well wishes to Larry “Wolf” Sherrill Jr., Prince Edward County.

Congratulations to James Callahan and Nicole Hairston on their upcoming wedding on May 27. Party by Palmer starts at 6:30 p.m.

Thought for the Week: The past is a nice place to visit, but certainly not a good place to stay.

Religion

The more powerful and original a mind is, the more it will incline toward the religion of solitude. The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.

Prayer is the spirit speaking truth to truth. Our Father and our God, unto thee, we lift our souls. Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, we cannot live without spiritual life. Always trust in God; he said he will never leave us. He is always by our side; just have faith and your prayers will be answered.

News is due by 1 p.m. Saturday. 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.