I think one of the most

important things that we as

parents can teach our children is the importance of values.

If we don’t have values and we don’t do what’s right, we are failing our children. It isn't always easy to do what’s right.

We have those who think that rules don’t apply to them. More often than not, they get away with it. It’s hard to teach our children to stand up for themselves and to be strong in their beliefs when you have others doing the exact opposite.

If we don’t have values and don’t stand up for what’s right, then we really aren’t as good as we want others to believe. We have to realize that we as parents have to be held accountable for what happens in our children’s lives. I think the following quote is perfect for this.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to

displease the people by doing what you know is right than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.”

-- William J.H. Boetcker

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Scottie Kingery, of Wharton, on Oct. 7.

Amanda White, of Van, will celebrate her birthday on Oct. 8.

Birthday wishes go out to Audra Lovejoy, of Gordon, on Oct. 8.

Happy birthday to Shelvie Dunlap, of Bigson, on Oct. 11.

Josh Brown, of Bob White, will celebrate his birthday on Oct. 13.

Birthday wishes go out to Candi Osborne, of Van, on Oct. 13.

Happy birthday to Tawnya Harvey, on Oct. 13.

SYMPATHY

Deepest sympathy wishes go out to the family of Michael Shawn Cook, 28, of Foster, who passed away Sept. 26 as a result of an automobile accident.

Condolences go out to the family of Archey Darrell Price, 78, of Mineral Wells, formerly of Madison, who passed away Sept. 27 at his residence.

Deepest sympathy wishes go out to the family of JoAnn Perry, 70, of Oceana, who passed away Sept. 28.

I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

SCHOOL NEWS

Van Elementary School will have a QVC auction on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. inside its gymnasium to help raise money for new playground equipment. Everyone is invited to attend.

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. Children's Church is held each Wednesday. The church will have dinner at noon and afternoon service at 2 on the second Sunday of each month. Ricky Bailey drives the church van throughout the community. Anyone who wants a ride to and from church services should call Bailey at 245-8493.

The Van Church of God will have a clothing giveaway on Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. If anyone has any clothes to donate, please call Jenny at 245-8857 or Tracy at 245-5737. Please leave a message if there is no answer.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Van-Wharton Cub Scouts will have a sign-up night on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Van Methodist Church.

If you have news you want to share, 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 a message. I need your information by 5 p.m. on Thursdays. This column needs all of you to keep it full of information.

Until next week, take care.