Excuse me, can I tell you something?

The Incredible Parkie Pet

2018-09-21T17:34:00.001-04:00

HERSHEY! Our chocolate lab is featured in a short "Incredibles" film on today's column published on healthunion.net! Here is the link...

https://parkinsonsdisease.net/caregiver/comfort-pets-super-heroes/

I want to hear about your special fury friend too.

Nightmare on Parkinson's Street

2018-09-07T16:50:00.000-04:00

I kinda don't like reading this article; makes my stomach upset. But here is the link to today's column posted on ParkinsonsDisease.net. Check it out...if you want..., click below:

Nightmare on Parkinson's Street

(Thanks for reading. And, please share, maybe someone will sleep a little better tonight!"

Hershey...the Wonder Dog is Featured in Health Union Article

2018-08-24T16:13:00.001-04:00

Kinda excited about this article!

It's about our Chocolate Lab, Hershey!....Check it out here, and please do share on the article about your special pet too!

(click here:) "Parkie Pets"

love,
a

Sing Big Review with Black Cat Music Coop

2018-07-30T12:52:00.003-04:00

Your Turn! We're Counting "Blessings"

2018-07-23T18:19:00.001-04:00

parkinsonsdisease.net graphic of Pap singing "Showers of Blessings"

I know.

Sometimes we need to look really hard, right?

That's why I am excited to share my last article from ParkinsonsDisease.net. Check out the super cool picture of my Pap singing that old time song "Showers of Blessings" then click on the link to connect both to the article and, a storm of blessings and connections waiting for you.
Parkinson's Disease: A Blessing in Disguise

Susan "Wazowski's" Train Wreck of a YouTube Channel +TanaCon

2018-07-16T14:05:00.001-04:00

A Levi Hott Film...from his youtube station.

Man Tries Food For The First Time | EVERY BUZZFEED VIDEO EVER

2018-04-28T10:23:00.001-04:00

Sharing and sending a big thank YOU to Shamus Cleveland for inspiring students following his Art Integration Film Class with the Morgan Arts Council: A Levi Hott Film

Morgan County, WV, Proclaims April 2018 as #Parkinsons Awareness Month

2018-04-27T13:06:00.000-04:00

Joining the nation in an effort to raise awareness for those living with Parkinson's Disease, Morgan County, WV, proclaims April 2018 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month"!

Thank you to the residents of this county for supporting the Hott Family! As we personally advocate for federal funding for research with the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Dan and I are happy to share our community's Proclaimation of support! Thank you Joel Tuttle, President of the Morgan County Commission, for placing this on your busy agenda!

Dan and I with Morgan County's Proclamation

The proclamation looks like this:

Pretty cool, right!?! I can't wait to show the students in Positive Actions this beautiful example of a community that cares!

Stay tuned for future pictures of Dan with our County Commissioners! (I promise not to talk too much and miss you next time!)

#WearGray4PD

2018-04-10T16:35:00.000-04:00

#WearGray4PD

Link above published today on HealthUnion.net! Check it out!

And, here we are in 2012 wearing our gray....

Small Town Advocate for Big Time Issue

2018-03-21T08:09:00.001-04:00

Small Town Advocate for Big Time Issue

Sharing the above article that published on Health Union's ParkinsonsDisease.net while Violet and I are attending the Parkinson's Policy Forum in Washington, DC. Today, March 21st, is Parkinson's Advocacy Day where 300 people from across the country will contact our Members in Congress to fund critical research for NIH and DOD.

More cool news to come!

Martinsburg Journal Parkinson's Feataure

2018-03-18T16:25:00.000-04:00

Family to Attend Parkinson's Forum

(Link above) Thank you to reporter Tricia Strader for talking with us about our experience with Parkinson's Disease and participation in the upcoming advocacy forum in Washington, DC.

Advocates for Parkinson's disease go to D.C.

2018-03-16T19:53:00.001-04:00

Advocates for Parkinson's disease go to D.C.: Families have their ups and their downs, but sticking together when times get rough makes bonds stronger than ever.

In preparation to attend the Parkinson's Policy Forum, Dan was interviewed by local WDVM. Check it out

My Dad Has Parkinson's

2018-03-15T18:01:00.000-04:00

My Dad Had Parkinson's

Health Union published my second article today on ParkinsonDisease.net! Woot Woot! (Link is above...please comment/and share!)

This features a very adorable Film Director, Levi Hott, sharing his story. We are excited to share this for the Parkinson's Policy Forum in Washington, DC, and show our representatives!

2018 Entry: Why I Think Neuroscience Is...™ Cool Levi Hott

2018-03-12T17:09:00.001-04:00

Parkinson's Advocacy is All in the Family

2018-03-12T16:05:00.001-04:00

As Dannypoo and I prepare to return to the Parkinson's Policy Forum for Advocacy Day March 21st with Violet and Levi, I am excited to share this feature on the Michael J. Fox Foundation's blog:

Advocacy Is All in the Family

How to Disagree using Positive Actions

2018-03-04T16:47:00.004-05:00

The craziest coincidence occurred to me this morning.

I was preparing my weekly Positive Action lesson plans and Daily Community Vlogcasts. For the second week in a row, I was unsure whether or not there would be school tomorrow due to the teacher strikes occurring here in West Virginia. I am not an employee of a county Board of Education; however, I am an hourly facilitator for character education class provided by our Morgan County Partnership. So, inadvertently my job has also been affected by the stike too (and, I have two students in WV public school).

Please allow me to explain. In the school where I work, I write a daily vlog with content concerning character education and material related to raising student assets with promoting students social and emotional well being in order to achieve academic success. Much of the content I prepared happened over the summer months before school even started; writing blogs, filming videos, and researching videos to correlate with daily themes that encourage students to make positive choices, being kind to one another, and creating a caring climate.

Imagine my surprise when this week's feature scheduled for March 8th is Kid President talking about "How to Disagree"...check it out.

Pause.
Breathe.
LOVE.

To see the vlogcast in its entirety that is scheduled to post THIS Thursday, March 8th, click here: How to Disagree by Kid President

Crazy how this vlog was scheduled this week!

An American Pie Parody Returns for West Virginia Teachers, and Tax Payers

2018-02-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

As I was writing our Community Vlogcasts for Positive Actions this week, not knowing if I would get to go to work while waiting to hear if the teacher's strike would continue here in Morgan County, well... here in West Virginia..., all the news of unions, PEIA, teacher's salaries, health coverage, WV public employees, tax payers,... it all got me thinking about a little parody I prepared nearly five years ago.

Here is my revised version, now sadly #2 version, of American Pie, utilizing a little liberty with the "levee" and hoping we all will start "thinkin' past tomorrow."

Sing along with me. Come on....I know you know the melody!

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that teacher used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those students dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But now May 8th makes me shiver

With every Facebook post I quiver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take more more ed-

itorial in the Morgan Mess

When I read about the other side

But something touched me deep inside

The day the teachers cried

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the Levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

Did you vote for the Levy then

In the 50's it was when

Morgan County they began

Do you believe in your success

Can schools save us from the rest

And can you teach me how to do with less

'Cause I saw you spendin in the store

You both bought brand news shoes and more

Man, I want some of those too

I was a lonely tax payin' broncin buck

With bills and kids in a Suburban truck

But, I knew I was out of luck

The day the levy died

I started singin'

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the Levy

But the Levy was dry
Banks left town, with others not far behind

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

For five decades, we've been on our own

Now, May and his teachers strikin' all alone

But that's not how it might soon be

With the levy gone jobs at the Dairy Queen

will be all our kids have seen

Said a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the King was looking down

And Brooks tried again to steal His thorny crown

The courtroom was adjourned

Kate's verdict was returned

And while Lenin read a book on Marx

The band still practiced in the park

Parents sang dirges in the dark

The day the levy dies

We'll be singing...

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys are drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

I met a mom who sang the blues

And I asked her for some happy news

But she just smiled and turned away

I too have bills at the sacred store

Where my kids need fed like yours before

But the man there said the levy wouldn't pay

And in the streets the students screamed

The teachers cried, and the parents dreamed

But not a word was spoken

School buildings all were broken

And the three men I admire the most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the levy died

And they were singing

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Have we learned anything?

With the Levy gone dry?

And the ole Sheetz boys still drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

It's Time

2017-12-30T12:23:00.000-05:00

"It's time."

It's time for school. It's time for work. It's time to buy groceries. It's time to pick up the kids. It's time to go to town. It's time to run a load of laundry; get dinner started; clean the house; take a shower; look at lesson plans; get up, go here, get dressed, go there, brush teeth, take a pill, eat, sleep, breathe, pee!...

It's time...

...for a D.B.S.!

Holy crap! Really? Like the rest of the world rolling ever closer to the end of 2017, this now 52-year-old-gray-haired-PD bloggin'-hott-mama-of-4 with an endless tirage of time for stuff to do came to a screeching halt recently when she heard a very smart doctor say to my hotthubby, Dannypoo, "It's time for a D.B.S."

Wait....what?

I've heard of DBS, or Deep Brain Stimulation, before. Of course we have. A DBS is a surgical therapy for people with Parkinson's Disease. Sure, we have even met a few PD friends who have undergone this procedure.

But, like normal...I decided to file DBS away and pretend it is only for people with crazy symptoms, super rich, and well, last resort ditch efforts to maintain a "normal" quality of life. Besides, from the little I heard, getting a DBS is a super scary BRAIN surgery where the patient stays AWAKE! Nah....not my hotthubby, right?

Wrong.

After tweaking a wide range of medications and watching stinking Parkinson's Disease symptoms creep up for the last 10 years since his diagnosis, in 2017 we heard "It's time for a DBS."

"In DBS surgery, thin wires called electrodes are placed into one or both sides of the brain in specific areas (either the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus interna) that control movement." Deep Brain Stimulation for Dan has been on the horizon for a few years now. However, over the past few months, we have been to a number of appointments with neurologists and, just before the holidays, met (get this) virtually with a neurosurgeon at the Richmond Veteran's Administration, Dr. Kathryn Holloway. According to the DBS nurse, Dr. Holloway is a "rock star" when it comes to DBS surgery. She has done 500 Deep Brain Stimulation procedures with success. And as a US Air Force Veteran, the surgery can occur, ironically, as part of Dan's VA "benefits". Wow.

Time to ramp up advocacy for Parkinson's awareness, funding for research, and development of a cure! Maybe the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research can fix PD before Dr. Holloway drills a hole in Dan's head!

All the nerves aside, want to know something pretty cool about DBS? In one of Dan's many appointments, I heard someone say (and I don't remember who said it) that a successful DBS can "set the clock back 10 years" on Parkinson's symptoms.

10 years!

Levi, our youngest, was only 2 years old ten years ago! Both our sons have no idea of what their daddy was like before the physical limitations of Parkinson's Disease. A DBS?

It's about time.

"There is a appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every event under heaven..."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

(Return for more "It's Time" blogs to journal our 2018 DBS Journey... Your prayers and support are needed and encouraged!)

"Parkinson's Sucks!"

2017-10-31T12:34:00.002-04:00

Hearing Michael J. Fox say "Parkinson's Sucks" on CBS Good Morning America, well, made me teary and took me back to 2011. I don't have PD but Dannypoo does. Michael reminds me of stuff that sucks that I find hard to think about some days (like Deep Brain Surgery...yikes!). It's the days that suck less for which we live!

The Emmy-winning actor, who says his neurodegenerative disorder "sucks,"

CBS NEWS

I found my blog post that was published on "Moms of Faith" in 2011. To this day, it is unclear the source of the issue; however, stupid Parkinson's managed to complicate the matter. Here it is:

"Parkinson's Sucks"

Have you ever had one of those moments when you hear something come out of your mouth, and the moment you hear yourself say the words, you immediately wish you could take them all back? Earlier this year, I was standing in front of, well the entire congregation at First UMC, maybe 150 people, and out of my mouth came the words, “Parkinson’s Sucks!”

It was during the time when the Pastor invites you to make prayer requests. Yeah. Our church calls it “Joys and Concerns”; probably similar to several other services happening across the country on any given Sunday morning. I just couldn’t believe what I heard myself say; I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl under the pew.

“Parkinson’s Sucks.” From the bottom of my heart, I have to apologize for using such lingo. And please, please, please don’t tell my mom that came out of my mouth. And for a prayer requests! How could I be so inappropriate!? What a knuckle-head I am!

But it does. Every last stinking symptom; the rigidity, the bradykinesia, the loss of so many things I once took for granted… the unknown, the uncertainty. During the time I stood in front of my congregation, my husband Dan was suffering from severe Parkinson symptoms and, well, I.was.scared. His left leg was so severely cramped that my six foot tall husband was shorter than I. And I am a whopping five feet tall.

I was scared. And,… I was angry. And you know what? I still am.

Was I praying? Oh, yeah! You better believe it! And so was just about everyone I knew. Finally, Dan found a new neurologist that increased his levadopa. Through meds, prayer, and physical therapy, he has been able to walk once again (as well as regain his height back to six feet).

Am I thankful? Oh yes, I am thankful. Am I thankful for the Parkinson’s? Absolutely N.O.T.! But, I’m working on that.

I am thankful to my God who listens and answers prayers; because I know that living with PD makes my heart ache daily, it makes His heart ache even more. I am thankful that He understands and hears my cries. I am thankful that he will be there for comfort and to carry not only Dan but me too when Parkinson’s decides to be ugly again, as we know it will.

To expect the unexpected — that’s how I live. I never planned that our lives would be this way as we live with something called Parkinson’s Disease. So many things have changed: Dan is now unemployed. He had to close his business. Dan will never coach soccer for the boys. The kids will never see their daddy jump park benches like he used to. I will never understand why our family has had to change as it has; as would any other family forced to deal with loss of health, or any other unfortunate circumstance.

Which brings me once again to that scripture! 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I am to “give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is the will of God.” Even for the bad stuff too!… even Parkinson’s Disease! Even the mounting medical bills, the failing physical capabilities, the falls up the steps, trips on the rug, even the day I went to work and Dan was stuck for hours on the bathroom floor.

Here is what else though. Have you ever heard Martina McBride’s new song called “I’m gonna love you through this”? Check it out. There is this huge biker dude that has an enormous tattoo on his arm that says “Cancer Sucks”. (I’m thinking of getting one too; except it would say “PD Sucks!” – Just kidding mom!) The song deals with the circumstances of people living, and dying, with cancer. Simply, they are going “to love them through” the pain. Amazingly, sometimes that’s just enough.

You know what? Without a doubt, I know that God is going to love me through this. In the song, each “I” is a different caretaker. For me, my caretaker is God. With God loving me through Parkinson’s, I somehow feel stronger. Pretty cool miracle, huh!? I now know how to rejoice for all the better days and be grateful for the really little things, all the little miracles around me, from sunsets to new freckles, too precious to waste on worry and work. I am thankful for God that he as taught me to appreciate each new day; for Dan is only as healthy as he is right now at this moment. Aren’t we all? That’s the gift of Parkinson’s.

for that, i am thankful.

Original Moms of Faith post here:Parkinson's Sucks

"The Ask" for Parkinsons Advocates

2017-07-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Imagine my surprise when I opened an email from Caitlin Jurman of the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research!

She said the picture for their blog post is "seriously perfect" and "I will love it."

Hmmmm...wonder what it is?

"Advocate this August Using MJFF's New Resources" features our US Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, with non other than this never-to-be-52-year-old-grey-haired-Hott-bloggin'-mama...me! Check it out:

Senator Manchin receives my "ask" during the Parkinson's Policy Forum. (Picture from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.)

Holy cow! (He's tall!) Here's what happened: In February, Dan and I attended the Parkinson's Policy Forum on Capitol Hill with, you guessed it, Michael J Fox, and 200 other people with PD from across the country. We spent a day in advocacy training before we ventured the Capitol halls with our new Parkinson's friends from West Virginia and our Fox Foundation escorts, Lydia and Jamie. It's still hard for me to fathom lil' ole me from Hott Mountain hanging out with elected officials (and Michael J. Fox) in Washington, DC. I had to wear my big girl clothes!

Prior to our arrival, we were asked to prepare an impact statement, for something they called the ask, for the Representatives, and encouraged to share our personal stories. This was a question on which I thought long and hard. Why is it important to fund brain research? Why do people with Parkinson's Disease need their health benefits protected? Oh my goodness...where do I start! Initially, I was a bit nervous to share my story. These people are way too busy to listen to me!

But, I told our senators that it was important for them to fund brain research happening at the National Institute of Health and to protect health coverage for people with Parkinson's. I asked for their support as I shared with them my "ask" in the form of a special picture.

See the special picture? Senator Manchin is holding it in his hands posted on the Fox Foundation blog.

Special? Oh it sure is! Look....

This is our Hott family the day Dan walked Caity down the aisle to marry Brian on a sand dune in Duck, NC, June 8, 2014.

A walk. For most of us, walking is not such a big deal, right? For most of us, we just walk from here to there...simple as that.

But, for people with Parkinson's Disease, just a walk requires all the elements to be exactly right. Rest. Diet. Weather. Heat. Stress. And, not to mention, the careful timing and combination of medications.

So, add in levodpoa to control muscle movement, and walking becomes natural!... Sometimes.

As you can see, this day was a celebration. Dan proudly walked Caity to their next "step" in her young life.

Notice others in the picture?... Caity has a little sister. With a lump in my throat, I asked our representatives to help people with Parkinson's Disease because before we know it, ....

Dan will be walking her down the aisle too.

"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God in the light of life" (Psalm 56:13).

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7).

Nice Bucket Challenge Needs YOU!

2017-03-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

Attention Parents! I have a "challenge" for you!

Ironically, I stumbled across an article from Today's Parenting Team which magically partners with the Positive Action "word of the week." This week, we are talking about KINDNESS! The blog discusses two magical words that can change not only a student's day, but also yours too!

I facilitate a class at our local elementary school where approximately 380 children participate in a series of lessons to raise student's assets called Positive Action with the Morgan County Partnership.

This final nine week term, we are focusing on becoming a school "community that cares" by following the Golden Rule. Each week, we discuss a new "code of conduct word." "Positive Action is a systematic education program that promotes an intrinsic interest in learning and encourages cooperation among students. It works by teaching and reinforcing the intuitive philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you do (or choose) positive actions."

Warm Springs Intermediate School has been challenged by Positive Actions to seek, recognize, celebrate, and perform random acts of kindness this week. We have asked the children to be kind by using "nice" words at school - and at home!

As we return to school, we will be asking students to participate in the "Nice Bucket Challenge" where a classmates will fill a bucket with "nice" words describing another student.

So, by beginning your child's day with these two little words, "Be Kind," you will help Positive Actions to encourage students to follow the Golden Rule to "treat others the way you want to be treated!"

Do you accept the "challenge"?

Third Grade Girl Is Curious About the Brain

2017-01-30T20:33:00.001-05:00

Meet Miss Snyder. A third grader in (yes!) Mrs. Fox's class at Warm Springs Intermediate School. And, guess what!? She.is.curious!

Yes! She is curious "about people that have Parkinson's disease brains, like Mrs. Hott's husband."

And, she says, "I love Mrs. Hott's shirt, Team Fox!"

As a facilitator for a program called Positive Actions, it is my job to encourage and inspire elementary students in grades 3, 4, and 5 to consider their unique qualities, diverse gifts, and special talents. We learn that every child can choose a positive path. Recently, we asked nearly 400 children, "What are you curious about?"

Since my audience is a mix from rural West Virginia, we often challenge each to overcome their obstacles with encouragement that with positive actions, even those from an itty-bitty town in the Appalachian foothills can dream big and provide exciting and positive contributions that can change our world. Yes, with positive actions today, third graders are preparing to improve their tomorrows!

Wearing my "Team Fox" shirt on our day when the Positive Action word is the coolest ever (in my book): "curiosity." Digging deep in my heart for a message of hope to encourage children to talk about what makes them curious and why "curiosity" can contribute to their futures, improve their quality of life, and, ultimately, provide a resource to propell them not just to the next day or grade, I offered that with "curiosity" young students can begin a journey, much like Katherine Johnson! Have you heard of her? Her story can be found in the new movie, Hidden Figures, another West Virginia girl, who was curious, about.... numbers! With math, Ms. Johnson calculated the formulas to send John Glen in to orbit! Pretty cool curiosity!

As a black woman leaving small town West Virginia in the 1960's, Katherine Johnson had plenty of struggles. Rather than wallow in negativity, Katherine chose a positive path. She followed her curiosity all the way to NASA!

That's me. At barely 5 feet, I am a 51-year-old-gray-haired-PD-blogging-Positive Actions teacher who, like Katherine, and like Michael J. Fox, is "Always Looking Up". I have to. After telling the class about my adorable, hott-hubby Dan having a chronic brain illness, I share that it is indeed possible to remain positive, rather than wallow in all the yucky changes that came once Parkinson's Disease moved in our house in 2008.

With research, exercise, healthy choices, education, policy, and inspiration for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) I advocate for positive choices not only for PD and but also our youth. Who knows? Maybe by encouraging students to be curious, they will seek a cure to this disease that "affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine" I shared this with a room of 3rd graders, then...I shared that I am curious about the brain so I understand more about Dan's symptoms.

Can I just say "wow!" A third grader made me this paper. She is curious about the brain. Want to know that I think? These students are going to cure Parkinson's someday...

...soon!

So, watch out Capitol Hill! Dan and I are coming to the Parkinson's Policy Forum in late February to advocate for people with PD. We will be meeting with representatives, sharing our story in support of benefits and research for Parkinson's Disease.

Fund science.

Cure Parkinson's Disease.

(And, stay curious!)

Advent Light

2016-12-17T12:22:00.000-05:00

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

and his glory appears over you.

Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Isaiah 60:1-3

This Christmas season, our Hott family was invited to read for the first Sunday of Advent. Having last read for Advent many years ago, this now 51 year old, gray (?,) haired, hott-blogging, mama of four was once again nervous about reading in front of the congregation on November 27th. The situation was not helped at all when called, I was left standing all alone, my kiddos and hotthubby, left me up there all by myself!

Not in the dark for long, I managed to read the Advent scripture from Isaiah (see above) for the service, and in all honestly, it wasn't so hard. A story teller at heart, I feel honored to share from the best stories of all, the Bible.

So, in "light" of the darkness covering our world, from recent world events to community concerns here at home, sharing a picture from my phone from this week's GoFriend's Jesus Celebration, an afterschool program on Thursdays, brings both goosies to my arms and tears to my eyes.

So I wanted to share.

Looking closely at this picture, are approximately 100 small praying children who gather on a weekly basis to be loved and hear the word of God. Here, their worship leader leads them all in a quiet prayer of praise for the season that celebrates our baby Jesus.

As I opened my phone to observe a moment captured, I was struck by the "light," and realized we had an angel among us at GoFriends. Do you see her?...

...I do.

And seeing her shine over these children, this light leading each to the heart of Jesus, I just want to thank God for these little hearts that now know love and will hopefully never, never feel excluded, insulted, disenfranchised, or dismissed.

Thank you Ms. Jenny, for sharing the "Good News" about baby Jesus to so many children in Morgan County.

"One Last Time?" Really?...

2016-12-09T00:31:00.000-05:00

“One Last Time”

Are you sad about the news today? Would you like the opportunity to express your sadness? Show the Ellis Family how much you will miss them. Hug a kid today that will never experience “The Movement” or “Section 208.” Rich and Jenny have opened their hearts and home to a youth ministry that has changed the nature of our community and your world.

Express your love peacefully as we demonstrate our sadness with a Community Circle of youth, parents, friends, this Sunday, December 11^th, 8:00 a.m. outside the steps of First Church on Green Street, Berkeley Springs, and 10:00 a.m. at “The Blue” as our community and youth will gather “one last time” to say “goodbye” to the beloved Youth Pastor, friend, and brother of First United Methodist Church, Rich Ellis and family, who have been “let go”… for "one last time"

... where we were never allowed the chance to see Rich in church one last time,

... where the congregation and administration will hear from, some of us, one last time.

Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree

And no one shall make them afraid

They’ll be safe in the church that we’ve made

I wanna sit under by own vine and fig tree

A moment alone in the shade

At home in this church we’ve made

One last time

The congregation will hear from me

One last time

And if we get this right

We’re gonna help the youth say “goodbye”

One last time.

“One Last Time,” say a prayer for us

One last time,

The congregation will hear from us

One last time

And if we get this right

We’re gonna teach kids how to say

Goodbye

You and I

One last time

(Writing this post pretty late last night, I woke up this morning with Lin-Manual Miranda's melody and lyrics still repeating in my head. I must thank Hamilton (and Lin) for the words to heal the hurt, understand the process, and appreciate this shade as we sit under a vine that was planted by a pretty special servant of God whose fruits I am hearing from my young children as they also wake up with expressions of sadness at the reality of things like not going to Lighthouse, experiencing Anchor Camp, or a house for homeless children and lost hearts.)

"Gotta Catch 'Em All!" Run for Robots 5K at the Morgan County Fair

2016-07-14T19:44:00.000-04:00

“Gotta Catch ‘Em All” Run for Robots 5K at the Morgan County Fair

Call it a frenzy! Call it a fundraiser! Call it family fitness! Call it whatever you want! But be sure to also call it Run for Robots 5K and Pokemon Go! Now, while out on your walk or Run for Robots 5K coming up this Saturday, July 23rd, to launch the Morgan County Fair, be sure to capture a Pokemon, or two! The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. from Berkeley Springs High School.

What?! Just how does the popular Pokemon Go! virtual game collide with a new event this year in Berkeley Springs? Well....I’ll tell you. Community running club at First United Methodist Church, or FUMC Go Run for God, is hosting an event to help Morgan County students raise money for STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For a donation of $10 per person, all ages and abilities are encouraged to join us for a fun filled 5K run/walk through historic Berkeley Springs, from following the path of George Washington to creating a new Pokemon Go team, tie up your running shoes, bring the kids, and prepare to “Catch “Em All!”

Run for Robots 5K at the Morgan County Fair is for both athletes competing for personal times as well as others looking for a leisurely fun walk/run. It is all about family fitness and fun under the watchful eyes of Morgan County safety officials! Official times will not be taken nor awards for age categories. Rather, meet Pastor Doug Hoffman of First United Methodist Church who will present the first six runners with wood “Run for God” medals hand-crafted by students of Berkeley Springs High School wood-shop.

For Pokemon Go enthusiasts, characters are waiting to be captured all along the route! From Oddish, Gloom, Psyduck, Magikarp and more, runners and walkers will not want to miss surprises waiting at George Washington’s Bath, Portals, to Gifts & Souvenirs at Berkeley Springs Memories, and more. Return to visit merchants following the race for wonderful local arts and crafts, visit the Fair, stop by the park later for live entertainment at 5:30, then stay for dinner downtown at one of Berkeley Springs fine restaurants.

Run for Robots is a gentle, flat, 5K which after starting from the high school, will proceed north on Concord where Oddish was spotted, north on 522 passing the Berkeley Springs State Park, crossing Fairfax Street, toward the Star Theater. Turning there, the route then enters the park for refreshing healing water break, passes George’s bath, and circling West Virginia’s smallest State Park for a return south on 522. After passing BSHS, meet more characters along Widmeyer Way’s south playground for a return to the finish line where refreshing water will be provided by Berkeley Springs Water, the original natural spring water!

Proceeds go to benefit the Morgan County Robotics Program, a county wide STEM initiative to help students have classroom robotics opportunities and Relentless Robotics 4H Clubs, an after school program to build and program robotics technology as well as competitive teams with FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.

Registration begins at 8:00 at Berkeley Springs High School. Run for Robots will begin at 9:00 a.m. For early online registration, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/run-for-robots-5k-at-the-morgan-county-fair-tickets-25625368166 or call Angie Hott at 304-582-8696. Morgan County Robotics and Relentless Robotics 4H Programs are administered by the WVU Extension Office and Morgan County Schools with generous support from community sponsors like State Farm Insurance, Tom Seely Foundation, Gat Creek Furniture, FAST, STS International, and the Eastern WV Community Foundation.

The WVU Extension Office in Morgan County has hosted an annual fair and 5K for some time now. It was five years ago when this now 50 year old grey haired PD bloggin hott mama of four decided to sign up the Hott family for their first family 5K. For some reason, I got the crazy idea from Dan's neurologist that exercise is a good thing. Well, until one attempts their first 5K in the mountains of West "by God" Virginia.

With two then little boys in tow, I cheated and finished early; however, my hotthubby Dan finished the race my hero! (It's true! See here: http://excusemecanitellyousomething.blogspot.com/2011/07/hott-family-finishes-5k-and-kicks-pds.html) Believe it or not, this day began a journey that not only includes a few more 5Ks, a couple 10Ks, and yes (I kid you not), two, dare I say TWO half marathons!

Just how crazy is that?!