Christmas Program Reminder

The South Fentress Elementary School will present their Christmas Programs tomorrow evening with "Christmas At Our School" which involves the Pre K, Kindergarten, 4th, 5th & 6th Grades, starting at 6:00. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade program will start at 7:30 and their program is called "The Littlest Christmas Tree."

Allardt Christmas Program

I just got home from Allardt Elementary where I just directed my Pre K-2nd Grade Christmas Program. The kids did an awesome job and I was pleased with their behavior and performance! That completes our holiday programs at Allardt. I have two more to do at South Fenress Elementary next week. Be watching for a new website coming soon that will highlight the music departments at these two schools where I teach!

What Are You Thankful For?

Thanksgiving Holiday is almost over but the "thankfulness" shouldn't end. In one of the songs we did at the Allardt Program last week there was a line that said, "What are you thankful for?" So, I have to answer the question this way. I am thankful for my salvation and God's grace and good health. I am thankful for a great wife and two awesome, wonderful girls that I am very proud of. I am thankful for my church and pastors at Trinity Assembly in Algood. I am thankful for a job. I am thankful for my country where I am free to worship. Last, I am thankful for a great mother who made sure she gave me good moral guidelines by example when I was growing up. This is my short list. So now the ball is in your court! Just what are you thankful for?

Allardt School Presents "A Time To Give Thanks"

Last night, Allardt Elementary 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades presented "A Time To Give Thanks", a music program expressing what Thanksgiving is all about. Allardt students did an awesome job and I am very pleased with their performance and behavior! Thanks to all the teachers that helped with any part of the program. I couldn't have done it without your support! Last, thanks to all the parents for coming and supporting your child at the program and for your encouragement as well!

Upcoming Events

The Schools that I teach at are currently preparing for Holiday Music Programs and the performance schedule is as follows:

Allardt Elementary Grades 3-5 will be presenting "A Time To Give Thanks" on Monday, November 23rd at 6:00 p.m.

In December, Allardt Elementary Grades Pre K-2nd will be presenting their Christmas program. The date for this program will be Tuesday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Also in December, South Fentress Elementary Grades 1st-3rd, 7th & 8th will be presenting their Christmas program "The Littlest Christmas Tree" and Grades Pre K, K, 4th-6th will present "Christmas At Our School". The date for these programs will be Thursday, December 17th. Pre K, K, 4th-6th will be at 6:00 p.m. The 1st-3rd, 7th & 8th program will be at 7:30.

Soar Like An Eagle

I heard this recently...."Attitude determines Altitude". I think I will "chew" on that awhile!

Healthcare or Health-Beware?

As I have watched all the reports about health care, it's becoming more and more clear to me that we don't need the government in control of our health care. I will be the first to admit that our system needs an overhaul. I have insurance through my employer and I'm pleased with what I have. However, I have a close relative that is disabled (yes they are disabled with severe arthritis). They are allowed to make a certain amount and still be disabled. This person made $50 over the allowable amount and had their Tn-care pulled. They are in their 60's and can't afford to go out and purchase a policy. So what are they going to do? Who knows. Granted they should have stayed under the amount but they didn't. They could have lied but they were honest and reported their earnings...a whopping $50 over! My goodness! They should come and repossessed the car and house too! It's Crazy! Yet there are people who have tn-care or other "public" options that are abusing the system to obtain medication they can sell on the streets. It's not going to be any different if the government gets involved on a national level. If you are a scammer, you will still be able to beat the system. Those that are honest will go without. I don't believe we need to allow Uncle Sam to be in control. It will be a move in the wrong direction! Let's fix what we have first! Beware!!!!!

To Rest Or Not To Rest!

Well Fall Break is over and I'm sure most teachers spent most of the break watching it rain as I did. Not the greatest way to spend your vacation. I know with me this type of weather during the Fall season tends to get me down (the sunshine today was awesome). I didn't get a whole lot accomplished except resting. That in itself is something to be thankful for. In this day and time, life can become so hectic (even on the Cumberland Plateau) that we seem to seldom rest like we need to. Taking the kids to all their destinations mixed with work, church, and family responsibilities can eat up our time. Then figure in email, facebook, blogging, etc. We usually end up borrowing time on the next day to make up for using our "rest" time the day before. That's the way it is with me. We have to work and take care of our families and we need spiritual guidance. However, I know I would be less stressed if I took time to rest and let some of the things that don't matter like email and facebook wait till another time (don't go ballistic on me fellow facebookers)! So, I'm trying to do that as well. With that said, I'm calling it quits for today and going to work on resting for tomorrow!

Theme Parks Gone Wild & Crazy

I guess most of you have heard about Kings Island's recent Halloween display of dead celebrities. Is it me or have some people (and in this case companies--still run by people) simply lost all sense of common respect? Seriously, I don't care if you liked Michael Jackson or Steve McNair or not. Their families don't deserve this kind of treatment! The display also had McNair's dead girl friend and plans to add Farrah Fawcett and others were in the making. Their response was they did not intend to offend anyone. Excuse me? What were you thinking? Call me old fashioned but I believe we all should show more respect than this to those who have passed on. I guess for the most part, we do....the display is coming down!

Wow! What a weekend!

Last week was a packed week for the Trinity Assembly Choir & Band. Filled with rehearsals, concerts and Sunday morning services. Be watching for information and video of this weekend where we did a joint effort with Christ Tabernacle from Queens New York!

Musical Things...

Here is some videos from our Easter production 2009 at Trinity Assembly in Algood. I am playing trumpet in these clips.