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Words to the Wise
Can These Bones Live? (copy)
Mark Sage
It’s incredible to think about the scene Ezekiel found himself in—a valley filled with dry bones, a stark reminder of a lost hope. When God asked, "Can these bones live?" He wasn’t looking for Ezekiel’s report. He wanted Ezekiel to reflect on the situation through the lens of faith. It’s almost as if God was saying, “Look at the impossible and remember who I am.” And Ezekiel, in his wisdom, opted for the hopeful uncertainty: “Lord, you know whether these bones can live.”
Now, isn’t that relatable? Many of us have parts of our lives that feel just as desolate. Maybe it's a dream that seems dead, a relationship that’s been fractured, or a health issue that feels insurmountable. Like those bones, it’s easy to think we are beyond repair. But here’s the beautiful truth—God specializes in reviving what we deem lost.
When God instructed Ezekiel to preach to the bones, that’s when God’s power happened. Piece by piece, those bones came together, muscle and skin formed, and eventually, life was breathed back into them! So, I want to encourage you: Whatever valley you’re in, hold onto that hope. Trust that if God can restore a valley of bones into a living army, He can certainly breathe life back into your dreams or circumstances. It’s never too late for a revival!
If you are not a Christian here are the ABCs to becoming one:
Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Believe that Jesus died for you and rose from the dead.
Confess your sins to God, ask Him to forgive you, and commit your life to Him.
Friends of Southwest Virginia launches Regional Tourism Workforce Training Initiative (copy) (copy) (copy)
SPorter
Friends of Southwest Virginia announced the launch of a comprehensive Regional Tourism Workforce Training Initiative across Southwest Virginia. This initiative supports the organization’s broader mission to strengthen the region’s creative economy by investing in workforce development, enhancing visitor experiences, and building long-term capacity within the tourism sector.
The initiative will deliver high-quality professional development and customer service training for frontline tourism employees while expanding regional knowledge of Southwest Virginia’s attractions, experiences, and communities. By fostering a welcoming, service-oriented culture, the program aims to enhance visitor satisfaction and encourage longer stays, while also strengthening collaboration and shared regional identity among tourism partners. Participants will be equipped with practical marketing tools and resources to more effectively promote the region and elevate the overall visitor experience across Southwest Virginia.
"The launch of the Regional Tourism Workforce Training Initiative represents an important step forward in strengthening hospitality and tourism collaboration across Southwest Virginia,” said Kim Davis, executive director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “By investing in the people who shape the visitor experience every day, we are expanding our collective ability to market Southwest Virginia as both a world-class destination and an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.”
Funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and GO Virginia, the Regional Tourism Workforce Training Initiative is part of a broader creative economy and destination marketing initiative designed to strengthen Southwest Virginia’s cultural and economic vitality. This initiative supports efforts to build a sustainable creative economy, highlight the region’s rich heritage and natural assets, create jobs, and welcome new visitors and businesses.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open for qualified firms interested in completing the initiative. Firms are encouraged to review and apply at www.friendsofswva.org/opportunities.
475 NRCC students named to fall 2025 President’s and Dean’s Lists
In recognition of their academic excellence during the fall 2025 semester, 475 New River Community College students have been placed on the President’s List and Dean’s List. Certificates will be mailed to the recipients in the coming weeks. Dual enrollment students on either list will be announced after the spring semester.
To be placed on the President’s List, a student must have completed 12 college-level semester hours or more, attained a grade point average of 3.5 for any one semester, and earned a minimum of 20 semester hours at NRCC.
Dean’s List requirements include 12 college-level semester hours of credit or more and a grade point average of 3.2 for any one semester.
Those named to the President’s List are: Bishoy Abdelsayed; Gabriel Adams; Swati Aggarwal; Megan Akers; River Alexander; Graham Alley; Ibraheem Alsmadi; Lisa Altizer; Osman Amaya-Aguilar; Nora Anderson; Ryan Ankrum; Alaina Antcliff; Lindsey Apisa; Jonah Arnold; Spencer Averett; Zander Ayers; Chevy Bailey; Joseph Baines; Laura Baker; Daniel Bandera; Jessica Bane; Amanda Banks; Anabel Barry; Zachary Baxter; Christopher Bears; Gary Bears; Ian Bears; Isabella Bennett; John Biggs, Jr.; Lydia Biviano; Melony Blankenship; Rachel Blankenship; Tristan Bowden; Lajae Bradley; Sydney Bradley; Stephen Brookman; Madisyn Brown; Toni Brown; Tyler Brown; Gin Brunson; Munich Bruschz do Nascimento; Alyson Bryant; Ethan Bulls; Lance Burnett; Olivia Burton; Sarah Burton; Gabriel Caldwell; Kasey Caldwell; Grace Cameron; Jonathan Campbell; Logan Camper; Kendall Carpenter; Monique Carr; Peyton Carter; Edwars Casique; Cesar Castro-Johnson; Brandon Chaney; Azalee Chase; Holly Chase; Skyler Clark; Ainsley Clubb; Madison Cole; Novambressa Collier; Alyssa Collins; Eisen Colon-Arroyo; Ayden Conley; Joshua Conner; James Copeland; Matthew Corcoran; Aiden Cox; Roland Crickenberger; Kira Crockett; Hannah Dalton; Emily Davis; Katelynn Davis; Clemente Delgado; Molly Dempsey; Angel Doss; Lily Dowd; Juana Duarte; Samuel Duncan; Jessica Dunn; Leah Edmondson; Ryan Epperly; Jennifer Estes; Katelyn Farley; Ava Feit; Harmony Fentress; Max Fessenden; Luke Fithian; Jordan Fizzano; Letitia Fox; Paulina Franco; Ashley Frost; Seth Gautier; Lorelei Gerow; Alessandra Giamberardino; Jeremy Gilmore; Trinity Golladay; Isabella Gore; Cassidy Goumenis; John Graves; Asher Greenough; Nathan Haga; Delaney Hale; Mitchell Hale; Parker Hanshew; Gentry Harding; Jacob Hardwick; Kelsey Harless; Jeremy Harstine; Benjamin Hendricks; Joshua Hill; Jude Hitzelberger; Monica Hitzelberger; Brandon Holbrook; Caleb Holland; Breanna Hollins; Joseph Hollins; Cole Howard; Hunter Howard; Jax Hudson; Gabriel Huff; William Jarvis; Moses Johnsen; Jessica Johnson; Alexandria Johnson; Jacob Johnson; Sarah Jones; Louis Juidici; Brandon Karas; Brodie King; Miranda Kirk; Lydia Kiser; Jesse Kline; Garrett Knick; Caleb Knoll; Stefan Knott; Kevin Lam, Jr.; Jaden Lawson; Mia Leahy; Hannah Lester; Whitney Lewis; Rachel Light; Brenden Lineberry; Kennedi Linkous; Samantha Linkous; Ryan Litos; Alexander Mann; Caitlyn Manning; Jeremy Marcus; Colton Marshall; Flint Martin; Landon Martin; Layla Martin; Sharmeta Martin; Zachary McGlothlin; Jason McIrvin; Alaina Meadows; Sandra Mendez-Hernandez; Asher Mercier; Richard Miller; Kelly Mills; Bianca Monika; Oliver Mook; Jessica Moreno Torres; Addison Moye; Jade Musick; Grace Myers; James Nelson; Olivia Nepper; Alexa Neumann; Andrew Newberry; Morgan Nolen; Reese Nolen; Isabelle Nunn; Hunter Orey; Edgar Ortiz Rios; Gavin Osborne; Madelyn Owen; Shane Owen; Hunter Owens; Ansh Patel; Rishi Patel; Grace Patterson; Ashton Paul; Frank Peng; Brogan Pennington; Nicholas Penny; Sydney Phibbs; Paul Pitzer, Jr.; Holly Plaugher; Jaden Porter; Alex Potters; Hannah Pratt; Jocelyn Prochaska; Delia Provenzano; Austin Purcell; Chandra Puryear; Orie Quesenberry; Sadie Quesenberry; Ethan Ratcliffe; Abigail Redden; Alexandra Redden; Elizabeth Reed; Gracyn Reilly; Dominic Rescigno, Jr.; Grace Rich; Austin Richards; Charlotte Richards; Cherise Riley; Sarah Roberson; Logan Roberts; Crystal Robertson; Sophie Roethlisberger; Sam Roman; Destiny Rorrer; Boston Rosborough; Jacob Rupe; Sheffin Sam; Jonie Sarver; Nathaniel Sarver; Zoe Sarver; Adan Shaw; Tracie Shumate; Robert Singleton; Evan Skinner; Danelle Slaughter; Austin Smith; Cassie Smith; Drew Smith; Jacob Smith; Vanessa Smith; Emma Snyder; Macy Sowell; Datria Spennacchio-Parker; Marley Spennacchio-Parker; Eli Spraker; Unika Stallings; Andrea Stowers; Bennett Surface; Camden Sutphin; Garrett Sutphin; Nathan Teaters; Sarah Thompson; Gabriel Tibbs; Ethan Tickle; Sage Tiemeyer; Michael Tingler; Ella Tolbert; Alexander Turner; Sarah Underwood; Samuel Vaden; Salome Valdes Mendoza; Gabriel Vaughan; Jason Vaughn; Colin Vice; Jacob Walters; Ying Wang; Raelynn Watson; Rosalind Weeks; Ryan Wesdock; Lukas Wheeler; Elizabeth Williams; Kelsey Wingfield; Katherine Womack; Kaylee Wood; Jared Wynn; Drew Yopp; Salma Yousufzai; Samuel Yu; Natasha Yuvanavattana; Katheryn Zander; and Emanuel Zarate.
Those named to the Dean’s List are: Bernadette Abadias; Connor Adams; Destiny Adams; Azizgul Ahmadi; Johana Argueta; Jordan Atwell-Purcell; Raymond Bailey, Jr.; Toni Baldwin; Pedro Bernardino; Benjamin Bianchi; Ashlyn Bibb-Johnson; Alyssa Bishop; Kingston Bland; Tavian Blythe; Oliver Boughner; Chelsea Boykins; Charles Brenneman; Nicole Buckner; Alicia Burby; Joel Burchett; Braden Burrus; Sara Campbell; Julio Candelario, Jr.; Madisyn Carder; Allen Castaneda; Wyatt Caudell; Lilia Chaffee; Jesus Chavez-Manjarrez; Isabelle Cleland; Vanessa Cline; Kelly Collis; Katie Combs; Cecilia Conner; Adelina Coronado Barbee; William Covey; Chelsea Cox; Anna Craighead; Brandi Cregger; Chandler Dalton; Caden Darnell; Haylei Daugherty; Nathan Deas; Ryan Dejohn; Harley Delorie; Fjolla Demiri; Ellen Dobbins; Maxwell Doss; Hadleigh Doyle; Tyler Duke; Sean Duncan; Dylan Farmer; Liam Farmer; M'kayla Ferrell; Jeremiah Finney; Paul Fonner; Laura Foretich; Paige Foster; Garrison Franco; Gavin Frost; Marcus Gallagher; John Ghra; Simon Gibson; Tupper Gillie, Jr.; Manish Giri; David Goad; Javier Gomez Montanez; Reed Guess; Taylor Gutierrez; Phillip Hale, Jr.; Natalie Hall; Kylene Hamblin; Ashley Hardin; Emily Hardin; Stephanie Harris; Chris Hay; Thomas Head; Jamie Henley, Sr.; Jacob Henry; Logan Hensley; Jean Baptiste Hester-Dorbe; Andrew Hicks; Katelyn Hines; Jared Hobbs; Allie Hockett; Gehrig Hodges; Patrick Holder; Macy Honaker; Jonathan Howlett; Samira Grace Ismatov; Shawn Isom; Rylee Johnsey; Matthew Johnson; Brett Jones; Tanner Jones; Samantha Kapalka; Rhett Keffer; Nathan Kellogg; Lakota Kennedy; Benjamin Kimzey; Benjamin King; Poetry Kirk; Valerie Kirkpatrick; Valerie Knapp; Aynsley Krum; Taliah Lark; Whitney Lester; Heather Lieggi; Andrew Lineberry; Hannah Livingstone; Nguyen Cat Tuong Lo; Eli Long; Michael Lowry; Katie Lytton; Sheyenne Mabe; Alexander Maldonado; Chitraputhran Malhotra; Sarah Martin; Isaiah Maxwell; Hunter Mays; Laney McCarter; Neal McLeod; Clara McMahon; Ayden Mcphee; Alayna Michael; Zaiden Morris; Sarah Myers; Elijah Nechayev; Bryson Nester; Hailey Neumann; Dylan Odom; Ash Olmstead; Justin Osborne; Spirit Palmer; Logan Panther; Myasia Pareno; Cody Pennington; Jordan Perfater; Abigail Perkins; Natalie Phillips; Sylas Phillips; Kayla Poff; Brooke Powell; Tahj Pryor; Thomas Purvis; Makenzie Quesenberry; William Radford; Christian Ramirez; Mariah Reed; Dominic Resto; James Rich; Justin Ridpath; Max Riley; Savannah Roberson; Gavin Roberts; Avery Robins; Jaydyn Sams; Isabela Sanchez Zapata; Zoe Schombert; Gavin Sebring; Tessa Shaffer; Travis Sheets; Dalton Shelor; Lynn Sleem; Samia Sleem; Kathleen Smith; Whitney Smith; Dylan Snider; Mia Speed; Alexia Spencer; Nathan Starr; David Stevens; Issac Stiltner; Naomi Strange; Leda Stubbs; William Swinney; William Tanner; Candice Taylor; Graham Taylor; Emma Terry; Giavonna Thrasher-Gill; Shiyu Tian; Jaime Torres Lugo; Natalie Tuck; Geo Tucker; Jacob Umberger; Jileane Umberger; Aidan Uttich; Leah Vance; Jasmine Villegas; Nicolas Wagner; Audrey Wall; Alvin Ward, II; Judith Weber; Gavin West; Elisha Wilkin; Drake Wilson; Luke Wilson; Austin Wright; and Haylea Wright.
Light One Candle
Blindness leads to new purpose (copy)
Tony Rossi
Columnist
James Palmaro believes that God is using his blindness to help others see. This is a remarkably optimistic perspective from the husband, father, and grandfather, who began losing his vision at age 24 due to the incurable eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. Rather than retreating into despair, James found that his diagnosis ignited his passion for creativity and service, guided by his deep faith in God. Today, he is an active poet, musician, and teacher, and he discussed his life recently on “Christopher Closeup.”
James grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in a house which included his extended Italian-Catholic family. In 1981, when he was out playing basketball, he noticed his peripheral vision was decreasing. Doctors told him that he would eventually go blind. But James didn’t crumble. He accepted the news with a positive attitude, even as the disease slowly progressed over two decades. “Everybody carries a cross,” he reflected. “That’s the message of Jesus. What do you do? You give up, or you get up.”
James continued working at the post office while he and his wife, Diane, raised their son and daughter, and cared for Diane’s parents in their later years. Eventually, James gave up the post office job because he could no longer read and sort mail. But the man who grew up loving words redirected his focus. He had always dabbled in writing poetry that he would read at church events and other functions. But it wasn’t until blindness reshaped James’ world that poetry truly took root. “Because I’m blind, I look at life metaphorically,” he explained. “I have to imagine the world around me. That’s where the words started coming.”
In addition, James learned to play the harmonica and discovered a gift for teaching, volunteering in public schools, Catholic schools, public housing, and programs for children of incarcerated parents. As someone who can aptly be described as a people person, James never considered shutting himself off from life because of his blindness. “We are living in a time of disconnection,” he stated. “But volunteering brought life. I tell anybody out there who’s retired: don’t stay home. You’ve got so much to offer.”
James also believes his journey has been guided by something greater than chance. After Mass one Sunday, when his vision was mostly gone, James went to pray at the altar, saying, “Jesus, God, tell me what You want from me because I’m going to be just blind.” He noted that he wasn’t sad about it; just that he wanted some divine help. Soon after, his life opened up to music, poetry, and teaching.
One of many providential encounters in James’ life came in 2017 when a friend invited him to a talk by Sister Ave Clark, a popular speaker and author. After her presentation, James introduced himself and mentioned that he writes poetry. That meeting blossomed into a creative partnership that has led to him contributing poems to more than a dozen of Sister Ave’s books.
James’ advice for those struggling with the difficulties that life inevitably brings is simple: make connections, embrace challenges, and cultivate gratitude. “When I finally lost my sight,” he recalled, “I said, ‘Let’s go, Jimmy. You’ve got life. You’re a miracle. Everybody who’s born is a miracle’…Would I like to see my wife and grandson again? Of course. But I’ve got so much to be thankful for…If you lose your sight today, are you any different a person? The talents you have are still in you. Why not share them?”
For free copies of the Christopher News Note Turn Your Brokenness into Holiness, write: The Christophers, 264 West 40th Street, Room 603, New York, NY 10018; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org.
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