Celebrating 20 years of “Strictly Observing”
It is staggering to think I have been writing this column for 20 years. I am overwhelmed by the readership and support I have received. I share my deepest personal gratitude with you all. Let’s have a look at some of the focus who have had the greatest impact on “Strictly Observing” over the last decade. As a Wytheville native who studied sports journalism in Greensboro, Woody Wilder left home to become a successful producer in Los Angeles, CA for the NFL Network. In my field of work, he epitomizes success. As much of a hero as Woody is to me professionally, he is even more so as a fellow human being. Rooted in a deep religious faith and an incredibly alluring personality, the kindness he expresses to me as a friend is invaluable to me. He carries with him the fundamental values Wytheville has given him and blended them with his resilient perseverance, which has given him limitless opportunities for success, making us proud to call him one of our own. A lifelong friend, Jared “J.T.” King, was the first person I came to when I launched EmBell Publishing. I knew he was the best undiscovered writer in our area, and I wanted to bask in the glory of having made such a revelation in the writing world. With his unprecedented writing ability and incredible insight and wisdom into the business, he now has his ever-growing fan base captivated by such gripping works as his Michael Black adventure novel The Gray Man and the horror short Building 1935. I am at the top of that list. As both a writer and a friend, J.T. King is unbeatable. Trent Crewe served as mayor of my hometown of Wytheville, VA for 28 years. When he announced his retirement in early 2018, he gave me first crack at printing his story in local news. It was the biggest story of my career, reaching over 10,000 people online. However, Trent Crewe has been more to the citizens of Wytheville than a leader. He has been a constant friend to the town and everyone in it when approached. During the most difficult periods of my life, he offered a personal hand and legal support, which my wife and I shall never forget. He is the rare sort of politician who has a heart to match his winning smile, and his brilliance has contributed irreplaceable effort in making Wytheville the best place to call home. To me, he will always be “Mayor.” Jackie King has been the first woman in a leadership role in several aspects for Wytheville, including her current position as Vice Mayor, which she held 28 years. She was also the first female president of the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce. When she received the “Citizen of the Year” award from the Chamber of Commerce, among other honors, it was my blessing to cover her legendary life and career. I am fortunate enough to know that people like Jackie King only come along once in a lifetime. I am abundantly blessed that she has been a significant part of mine. Jackie, 84, died on August 30, 2020 of ovarian cancer. Robert Fallon went through more in his brief life than most people who have lived four times as long. With his kidneys functioning at less than a half-percent, his then-fiancé Krystal Sparks started a painted rock campaign that attracted global attention. Robert found his donor, survived the transplant, and continued to share his story, promoting the importance of organ donation, inspiring me to become a donor. It was an honor to cover his incredible story, but most of all, to become his friend. His presence in my life was a divine gift. Robert died on August 5, 2022, of renal failure. He was 24. Not only one of the greatest local musicians our area has ever seen as a member of the band 3 Shades of Grey, Max Meadows resident Michael Clinch is a true American hero. His volunteer efforts in New York City saved countless people whose names he will never know on September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed at the hands of terrorists hijacking airplanes. The retired police chief of Hyde Park, New York granted me the most stirring interview I had ever done, and I barely had to speak a word. His kindness and friendship are among my greatest blessings. A local legend who is still sadly unknown to many locals in his native Smyth County, Jack “Jarata” Taylor’s surrealist art, which is displayed, sold, and admired around the globe. “Rainy Night Blues” and “Blue Moon,” a painting inspired by conversations with Billy Joel and a meeting with Dr. John, are among his most renowned creations. Hearing of his brushes with Disney animation, President Gerald Ford, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Presley, made for some of my greatest-ever interviews. Meeting gubernatorial Chief of Staff William H. “Bill” Leighty led to my biggest career honor to date, when he invited me to the Library of Virginia in Richmond to host a presentation on his bestselling memoir, Capitol Secrets. His exceedingly generous friendship has become one of the most treasured of my life and I am eternally grateful for our interviews, which included subjects ranging from planning Queen Elizabeth II’s 2007 visit to Virginia to his outstanding leadership abilities that gracefully guided our state through its darkest hours including the Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007. Another local and statewide treasure, mutual dear friend Linda DiYorio, introduced me to Bill. I have admired Cory Parker and his amazing talent as a photographer for the last quarter-century. We have always been friends, but the last year has made us close friends. With his self-established MountainCap Media, Cory has brought some of the best and brightest photography Wythe County has ever seen. Personally, Cory has offered me the thrill of flying a photography drone and has a concert featuring my wife at the Millwald Theatre. As a friend and professional partner, Cory…