Happy New Year!

Wow, I can’t believe 2009 is already here. I wish everyone a very successful and healthy year.

BIRTHDAYS

Belated happy 84th birthday to our "Memaw," Ethel Moore, of Bob White, on Dec. 27. We love you, Memaw, from Emily, Bethany, Robbie and Mandy Moore.

Belated happy 40th birthday wishes go out to our "Sissy,” Sheryl Kessinger, of Turtle Creek, on Dec. 28. We love you, Sissy, from Emily and Bethany, Bub and Mandy, too!

A very special belated happy sixth birthday to Emily Moore, of Bob White, who celebrated her birthday with family and friends on Dec. 29. We love you very much, Emily, from Mommy, Daddy and Bethany.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Gavin Weaver, of Bob White, on Jan. 3.

Happy belated 63rd birthday to Kathy “Mamaw Gail” Johner, of Greenwood, on Jan. 6.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Jason and Elise Peters, of Van, who welcomed their second son, Bryson, on Jan. 2. Bryson weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Bryson has one older brother, Brandon.

Congratulations to Chad Barker, of Holly Hills, who was sworn in as the new police chief for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 2. We are very proud of you, uncle Chad, love Garrett, Chandler, Jagger and Maddiex.

Congratulations to Eddie “Coach” Hendricks, who was sworn in as a new county commissioner on Jan. 2.

GET WELL

Get well wishes go out to Cambri Barker, of Holly Hills, who has a double ear infection. We love you, Cama, from Uncle Moosie, CaCa, Bubby, Chan, Jag and Maddiex.

SYMPATHY

Deepest sympathy wishes go out to the family of Jennifer Lynn Gibson, 23, of Wharton, who passed away Dec. 24 after a fatal automobile accident near her home.

Condolences go out to the family of Ray “John” Ferrell Jr., 82, of Wharton, who passed away Dec. 28.

Deepest sympathy wishes go out to the family of Carlos Lee “Peanut” Harris, 45, of New Haven, who died unexpectedly at Jackson General Hospital on Dec. 28.

Condolences go out to the family of Elbert Ardith “Hard Tail” Warner, 78, of Van, who passed away Dec. 29 at Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Hospital.

I am so sorry for each of your losses. I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

CHURCH NEWS

The Star of Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church at Twilight and its pastor, Rev. Melvin Messer, invite everyone to attend their services Sunday mornings at 10:30, Sunday evenings at 7 and Wednesday evenings at 7. The church will have dinner at noon and afternoon service at 2 on the second Sunday of each month. This Sunday, for example, Jacob's Ladder will sing and Rev. David May will preach. Bob Deal now drives the church van throughout the community. Anyone who wants a ride to and from church services should call Deal at 247-6317 or Ricky Bailey at 245-8493.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Van Flower Shop recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and wants to say thanks to all of its customers. The longtime business looks forward to many more years of service to its loyal customers.

Chapter No. WV571 of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets on Tuesdays with the weigh-in at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting at 6 p.m. at the Wharton Community Center. The chapter has 31 members and it still is growing. The members encourage anyone who is having a problem losing weight to join us weekly for support. The chapter is open to men and women and children ages 7 and older. The members are proud to say they have lost almost 300 pounds since the chapter was formed on Aug. 5. The leader, Marilyn Green, has lost 25 pounds and she said she couldn't have done it without TOPS. Call (304) 247-6376 for more information.

If you have any information you want to see in this column, please send it to me at vanwhartonnews@yahoo.com or 467 James Branch Road, Wharton, WV 25208. You also can call me at (304) 247-6917. If I am not home, please leave me a message. I need your information by 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

Until next week, take care.