Happy belated birthday wishes to Effie Stovall Townsend, June 13, Rice; Tyler Knott, June 14, Saxe.

Birthday wishes to Wade Goodwin, June 15, Red Oak; James A. Jones, June 16, Drakes Branch; Belinda Gee, June 16, Darlington Heights; Willie E. Tucker, June 16, South Boston; Nadya Pettus, June 17, Red Oak; Nasheim Pettus, June 17, Red Oak; Gracie Saunders, June 17, Saxe; Mable S. Walton, June 18, Drakes Branch; Steven Toombs, June 18, Randolph; Chantel Pulliam, June 18, Fort Mitchell; J’dren Roberts, June 21, Drakes Branch.

I wish you many more happy birthdays!

Anniversary wishes to John and Judy Hedrick, June 17. I wish you many more happy years together with God’s blessings.

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. Check on the elderly to see if you can lend a helping hand.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads in our community. I hope each and every one of you has a happy Father’s Day.

Thought for the Week: Start each day with a happy thought.

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

A loyal friend laughs at your jokes even when they are not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they are not so bad. Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends. A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart. There are big ships and small ships, but the best ship of all is friendship.

Things are never as scary when you have a best friend.

A best friend is like a four-leaf clover — hard to find and lucky to have. Best friends can turn a horrible day into one of the best days of your life.

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. Talking to your best friend is sometimes all the therapy you need.

News is due by 1 p.m. on 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.