Lewisburg, WV

As a child growing up in Bluewell, WV, I remember my mother getting me and my sisters and brothers ready for church on Sundays, as well as for the Wednesday night service. My mother was a founding member of Bluewell United Methodist Church (BUMC) and her family attended regularly and sat in the same pew each Sunday. My mom sang in the church choir, taught a number of children and adult classes, and was a member of the women's circle. We were faithful church members of the BUMC. The Rev. John Mendez was our pastor. We lived on a hill in Bluewell, WV, and could see the church from our house.

At my brother Donald's funeral last year, a former neighbor and church member said, "I can remember looking up and seeing the Vasvary family coming down the hill all dressed for church on Sunday". Yes, I remember that so well, we would have a line of kids going down the hill. Most of the time it would be all the seven girls, and sometimes one of the four older boys would go with us.

Today, I attend the Lewisburg United Methodist Church (LUMC) located in Lewisburg, West Virginia . My husband and I joined the church in 2007. We had attended some of the churches in the area before joining LUMC. What we found at LUMC were two great pastors, Rev. Dr. Joseph "Joe" S. Kenaston, Senior Pastor, and Rev. Jeffrey C. Kanode, Associate Pastor.

What I like are the three services. On Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. a service is held by Rev. Kanode. Attendees can enjoy a meal and socialize before service. Two weeks ago, I attended a Saturday night service since I would not be able to attend the regular Sunday morning service. It was indeed very nice with around 30 in attendance. After talking with some of the members, I thought what a great idea and a great way to socialize and meet other church members.

I especially like the Sunday morning service at LUMC, both pastors participate in the service, and the church is filled to capacity. I am looking forward to meeting many more of the members. And, I am excited about sharing God's love with my new church family.

I know my mom and dad would have loved this church with the service and the many different activities for all ages. I think of them each time I attend church. I remember well...my mother's singing, teaching, and attending church with my family. Now, as an adult when I go to church I think of my childhood days when we walked to church.

My husband, Claude, and I are embracing this next chapter in our life because God told us that we will part from our teaching, but we would return to them later in life. Proverbs 22:6 We have indeed !!!

Walking to church to hear the word of God and sing his praise. Yes I remember when...........

When I first moved to Lewisburg, WV, my neighbor, Maribeth Irwin, asked if I could "Be a Friend of CASA" and be on the fund raising committee. Of course, I said yes, and have been helping to raise money since moving here in 2006. We support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. So successful was this program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.

Today, CASA has grown to a network of more than 50,000 volunteers that serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices nationwide. CASA advocates, also known as volunteer guardians, ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed members of the court. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.

The CASA volunteer's primary responsibility is to serve as the "eyes and ears" of the Court, gathering information from the child, his/her biological parents, foster parents, teachers, counselors, etc. and making recommendations to the judge as to what is in the child's best interest.

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time-and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

We are planning our next CASA Fund-Raising event, "A Child's Hope" on April 24, to be held at the Cooper Gallery, Lewisburg, WV. I will be writing a post on this upcoming event in the next few days.

To find out how to help, donate money, become a CASA volunteer, a friend of CASA, become a corporate partner, or start a CASA program, go to West Virginia CASA Association at http://www.wvcasa.org/howtohelp.html

Please help support this worthy cause and check your area for a CASA program

As the nation collectively watches for signs of recovery in the real estate sector, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today began the multimedia roll-out of its 2009 marketing campaign highlighting the company's experience and innovation, while offering consumers messages of hope about the future of real estate.  Elements of the campaign will appear across a wide range of mediums, including television, print, online and mobile devices.

The first spot, "Iconic Homes," features notable properties - from the historic White House and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater to the space-age Jetson's residence - mixed in with homes of different architectural styles. The announcer says, "For 103 years our agents have helped people find the houses they'll call home. Now, more than ever, it's important we never stop moving." 

Additionally, at the end of the "Iconic Homes" commercial,  an informative timely tagline that directs consumers to www.coldwellbanker.com for important information on the recent-enacted $8,000  federal tax credit for first-time home buyers.  This tagline message will be updated to keep consumers informed on key housing issues, including future stimulus measures and consumer benefits. 

The other new spot builds upon the Coldwell Banker "Portraits" campaign first launched in 2008, and is narrated by the company's dynamic (albeit deceased) founders, "Coldwell" and "Banker."  Their humorous banter focuses on the company's continued commitment to innovation - spotlighting a new smart phone listing platform that enables customers to find listings, photos and detailed information about homes for sale while on the go.

The television commercials will air on such shows as ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," A&E's "Sell This House," CNBC's "The Suze Orman Show," CNN's "Opening Bell," and TNT's "Raising The Bar."

On March 26, Coldwell Banker Stuart and Watts had their grand opening on the new subdivision, Pinnacle.  It was a huge success.  There were approximately 125 in attendance for this grand opening event. 

Coldwell Banker Stuart and Watts would like to thank everyone for coming out for this event.  Special thanks to the following:

Chamber of Commerce for hosting this Business After Hours Event.

Leisa Campbell for furnishing all the decor and for staging this house;

The Mason Jar for the delicious food and,

Gillespie's for the flower arrangements.

This event made the local news (Channel 59), and as you see below, there was a lot of traffic coming into the subdivision. 

The door prizes were from the local Lewisburg businesses:

 Prizes went to the following:

1. Phyllis Tuckwiller 
2. Luther Lewallen  
3. Frank Tuckwiller 
4. Beth Evans   
5. Dr. Tom von Dolen 
6. Mardi McMillan
7. Ruth Miller
8. Marie Goodwin
9. Pat Bauserman
10. Terri Baker
11. Heather Roques
12. Margaret Hambrick
13. Caitin McFerrin
14. Bob Baker

This was such a fun evening, even though we had some rain showers, the public still came out to visit this new subdivision, "Pinnacle", and gave Coldwell Banker agents the opportunity to mingle with potential customers.