Birthday wishes to Tremaine Pugh, Oct. 18, Charlotte Court House; Britney Foster, Oct. 18, South Boston; Rosetta Griffin, Oct. 18, Randolph; Ella Moore, Oct. 18, Wylliesburg; Megan Parker, Oct. 18, Baltimore M.D., 6 years old, granddaughter of Virginia Lee, Drakes Branch; William Andrews, Oct. 18, Phenix; Alfreda Davis, Oct. 18, Charlotte Court House; James White, N.C.; Mildred Gee, Oct. 21,Charlotte Court House; Jessica Tharpe, Oct. 21, Saxe; Kelvin Helmick, Oct. 22, Bylinda Dailey, Oct. 22, Saxe; Marcie Goldman, Oct. 24,Taro; Rayiana Williams, Oct. 24, N.C.; Trevor Pugh, Oct. 24, Charlotte Court House; Juanita Johnson, Oct. 24, Charlotte Court House. I wish each of you many more happy birthdays. Happy birthday.

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 for a quick 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: Somebody is praying for you.

HOME

Love begins at home and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in that action. There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. The home should be the treasure chest of living. The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are not to be questioned.

When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn›t the old home you missed but your childhood. Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love. Home is where you feel at home and are treated well. Home is where one starts.

Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment all you have is all you need. My home is in heaven. I›m just traveling through this world. Spend some time this weekend on home improvement. Improve your attitude towards your family. There is no place like home.

The Singing Stars Gospel Singers from Saxe will be celebrating their 27th anniversary on Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. at Central Middle School in Charlotte Court House. Participating groups include the Golden Stars of Gretna, Freeman family of Gretna, Patrick family of Gretna, Blessed Few of Charlotte Court House, Lamations Gospel Singers of Farmville, Gospel Jublee and others. Everyone is welcome to come. There will be a $5 donation at the door. Prizes will be given away.

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.