July 12 – “Respect can never be learned or acquired, it can only be earned.”

Friends, Flora Bolt, Alice Bartlett and France Southall met July 3 for lunch at Merk's Place.

Mr. and Mrs. John Fulcher along with Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mottley attended the Fourth of July celebration in Scottsville. They enjoyed the parade and flee market.

One hundred twenty four family members gathered for the 8th quinquennial reunion of the descendants of Ruby and Philander Kelsey on the weekend of July 6-8. Reunion events were held at Appomattox P.E. Presbyterian Church beginning with appetizers, pasta dinner and a program which included tributes to Jean Palmer, Raeford Newman and Ray Kelsey (who passed away since the last reunion) and introduction of new members in attendance including Carl Kelsey, Robin Dickson, Elizabeth Jackson, Michael Rivenbark and Josh Whirley (who married into the family since the last reunion) and Sage Simpson, Kasey Williams, Bree Bappert, Lanna Robinson, Mason Early, Bryson Kelsey, Camden Whirley, John Shirley, Suzanne Robinson, and Avery Simpson (born since the last reunion). Friday evening concluded with ice cream including Philander's favorite orange pineapple (a reunion tradition) and cake.

Saturday morning started with breakfast followed by outings including fishing, amethyst hunting, swimming, shopping at Green Front, or air-conditioned visits with shut-ins. An indulgent feast of barbeque pork and chicken, sides and desert was presented on Saturday evening along with a trivia contest based on The Book (information gathered from families and printed quinquennially). Afterwards live music was provided by bobfloorjunior at the Schember home in Farmville.

Many attended Sunday church services at Appomattox P.E. and made a deal with Dr. Klotzberger. Festivities concluded with a catered meal by Matt Hurley and Shorty Osborn at the Weyanoke. Family members attending from out of state included Charlie Palmer, Philippines; Kenneth and Vickie Kelsey, Rocklin, CA; Phil Kelsey, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Charles and Jean Kelsey, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Chip and Carol Kelsey, Pembroke, FL; Debbie, Danielle and Nichole DeHowitt, Cooper City, FL; Gerald, Leah, and Kevin Palmer, Sarasota, FL; Jim Adams, Savannah, GA; Cindy Gurley, Hernando, MI; Kevin Palmer, Buffalo, NY.

Philander Kelsey of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and his grandson Bryson Kelsey of Richmond spent last Friday night with Mrs. Peggy Kelsey. They all attended the Kelsey reunion.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Noblin have returned home from visiting their son and his family in Chesapeake last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They especially enjoyed the visit with the grandchildren.

Recent visitors of Mr. and Mrs. William Amos and Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Newcomb and Travis at Pamplin were Mrs. Barbara McLaughlin, Mrs. Ruby McFarland of Columbus, OH. While here they enjoyed walking the High Bridge Trail, shopping, cook-outs and dinner at New London Steak House near Lynchburg. Mrs. Amos accompanied them home where she spent three weeks with her daughter, Barbara McLaughlin, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

William Amos spent Father's day with his daughter, Mrs. Vicki Johns and grandson, Jason Covington at Amelia.

Deborah Lundeen and her Living History Group spent the Fourth of July in Stanton at the Frontier Culture Museum where they took part in the living history activities at the museum. They stayed in the 1850 American Farm House.

On July 6 Flora Bolt visited Margaret Banko and others at the Watkins Center at the Woodlands.

Debbie Woodson has been in the area this past week visiting with her father, Garland Woodson. On July 5 there was a birthday celebration of Debbie. Her birthday would be after she returned home. Those helping her celebrate a little early were her father Garland Woodson, Flora Bolt, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Bolt, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Bolt, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Southall and Ann Parker.

Friends and neighbors are wishing a speedy recovery for all those who are sick at this time: Judy Mottley.

Appomattox P.E. Presbyterian Church at Tuggle invites everyone to Sunday School at 10 a.m. with worship at 11 a.m. The Rev. Chuck Klotzberger will be in the pulpit this Sunday.

The membership of Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church at Prospect invites you to come and worship with them every Sunday; Sunday School is at 10 a.m. with worship at 11 a.m. The Rev. Otis Worley will be in the pulpit this Sunday.

Calvary Chapel-Farmville invites you to worship with them on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. They invite you to join them each week on Wednesday evening for Bible Study for all age groups at 7 p.m. Calvary Chapel-Farmville is located at 45 Simpson Road in Prospect, two miles west of Dowdy's Corner just off of US 460.

If you would like to contribute something to the News, call 392-6431 or email to mom@moonstar.com.