Relay for Life a success

This year's American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event was a huge success. Pahrump raised the highest amount of money for this event in all of Southern Nevada.

Seventeen teams participated in this year's event, over 400 people raised over $80,000 so far for the American Cancer Society's research, education, advocacy and service programs. The outstanding support received proves that the people of Pahrump are truly committed to the fight against cancer.

We are still collecting money until Aug. 31, 2007, so contact Manon Rodriguez or go the Web site www.pahrumprelay.org if you would like to donate.

The survivors kicked off the relay by walking the first lap and then the care givers walked the second lap with them. They are the reason we continue the fight because each year more and more people are living wonderful and productive lives following a diagnosis of cancer.

There were over 600 luminaria bags purchased, which lined the track "in honor of" or "in memory of" a loved one battling or who has lost the battle with cancer. It was a constant reminder of why we do this event each year.

The Boy Scouts of America, Troop 808 were on hand to help the luminaria bags and the presenting of the flags at the beginning of the event.

Bernie Toy and Aurora Greco were at the event and they are the longest survivors with cancer.

Butch Davies, who is a survivor and on the Valley Electric Association team walked 12 straight hours for the cause. Congratulations Butch.

John Konochick raised the most money by single handedly hosting a golf tournament that raised over $4,000.

Countyline and Dave Yoder, and Chuck Jeffries provided the live music for the event on the stage donated by Mike Reeder.

High Impact Signs and Cameron McRae donated a beautiful "Hope and Cure" sign that definitely made a statement throughout the entire event.

We would like to thank our speakers: Paula Elefante, Michael Brown, Linda Meads and Karen Jackson from KNYE radio.

Singers Nichelle Robbins and Ann Marie Valenti did a fabulous job.

A special thanks to the many Relay For Life volunteers who worked hard to make this event a success. The Relay For Life committee did an outstanding job of putting the event together, especially our fearless leader, Manon Rodriguez.

Committee members are:

Event Chair -- Manon Rodriguez

Co-Chair -- Tracie Dreyer

Team Recruitment -- Carla Konochik

Entertainment -- Dan Rodriguez

Accounting/Registration -- Jesse Vick

Advocacy -- Nancy Phillips and Barbara McCulloch

Mission Delivery -- Aurora Greco

Luminarias -- Dennis London

Survivor Chairs -- Donna Torelli and Johanna Viggiano

Publicity -- Staci Behnke

American Cancer Society Staff -- Andrea DeLucia

We also appreciate the generosity of this year's corporate sponsors. Relay For Life would not be possible without them. Our corporate sponsors are:

First Move Fitness

Valley Electric Association

High Impact Signs

Pahrump Nugget

Desert Valley Regional Medical Center

Rural Health Group

Super Wash

Knights for Molested Children

Pahrump Elks Lodge

Canyon Concrete

Abatix Corp.

Mountain Falls Development

NS Tec

Wal-Mart

Bella Pictures

Extreme Finish, Inc.

Floyd's Ace Hardware

Saitta Trudeau Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Spring Mountain Raceway

Pahrump Family Dental

Romeros

McDonalds

Pahrump Valley Disposal

Pahrump Party Supply

Wells Fargo

KNYE Radio

Channel 41

Channel 30/62

Pahrump Valley Times

Mirror

We would like to thank the residents of Pahrump for their generosity and support.

Again, thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society, and remember, it's not too early to become involved in Relay For Life for next year.

STACI BEHNKE

Publicity Chair

I agree

In recognition to the letter on Aug. 17 "Great Grooming" by Sarah Ravin, I agree that as Pahrump continues to grow, new businesses with highly capable folks are settling in.

"D is for Dog" is one of the best for grooming in Pahrump; however, "Artistic Pet Grooming" on South Pahrump Valley Boulevard, run by Carol and Donna, is in that same class.

They have years of schooling, experience and provide outstanding care to their pet customers and attention to detail of their owners' wishes. What I immediately noticed in both of these businesses is the cleanliness, clean-smelling atmosphere and pleasing attitudes of the owners.

We are lucky to have competitive businesses that support each other by showing that, when they refer certain type specialty dogs to one another for the best results.

Thank you both for residing with us in Pahrump.

WARNER OWENS

Keeping up the spirit

I have been part of the Pop Warner Youth Football Organization since it started three years ago here in Pahrump. I have coached cheerleading every year and enjoyed it very much. The family that brought Pop Warner to Pahrump, Joe and Holly Clayton have been nothing but awesome.

We have many families that have coached and supported Pop Warner Football since the start that need to be thanked for all of their efforts and hard work. Tom and Racheal Walker, Mingo and Karen Pena, Jeff and Gege Murphy, Susan Brown, Mark Duvall, the Lyons' family, the Rodriguez family, the Worden family and the many other families that have continued to bring their children night after night, run the snack bar, help with bake sales, plan the spectacular banquets, etc. are so great.

Youth sports take a lot of time and effort. With our "main office" in Vegas, all of the football coaches and myself for cheerleading have to go in to Vegas almost weekly to attend meetings, certification clinics, cheer clinics, equipment pick up and a plethora of other tasks. Most parents realize the dedication we have to have as coaches. We want to have youth football in Pahrump for our kids. We want our children to learn to work as a team, build character, learn dedication, and become stronger individuals after putting in all the hard work, sweat and tears it takes to be an athlete. We want to strive to be better role models for our own kids as well as the kids we coach.

As a coach I realize that I won't like every parent and most likely some parents won't like me. But my heart is to take their young ones and make them want to be better, for them to know that as a team they can accomplish more. I want all of my girls on my squad to learn how to focus on a goal and achieve it. There are going to be tears and complaints but the end result of their hard work everyday puts smiles on all of these girls' faces.

Of course there are always one or two parents every year that choose to take all of the focus off of the children and put it upon themselves. There is always someone that feels the need to be "in charge" of something to feel their own self worth. Even if to the detriment of their own child's happiness and possibly well-being. When a parent shows up automatically bragging about what they can do to "help the squad" I am almost gun shy. Because I have found that 9 times out of 10 they want the focus and praise to go to them and not their child. I am here to coach the girls and do not expect anything in return except hard work and dedication from 10 girls who have already committed to cheerleading for 12 weeks.

When a parent tries to sabotage an entire organization that we have been building for three years then I become a little protective. As parents we all want to be there for our children. We want them to be happy and fulfilled. But I will not stand by and let someone try to tear down Pop Warner Football, the names of all the great families involved with us, and try to keep us from doing something we love. We watch these kids year after year grow in their abilities and the excitement they always have at sign ups every year. And we will continue to be there for them every year - the TRUE Pop Warner family; the ones that have been here from the start, the ones that have joined us the past couple of years, and the ones that know the wonderful reputation our organization has and cannot wait until their son or daughter turns five and can participate and be part of something so awesome.

So to those one or two who tried and failed to break our spirit and hinder our goals, all I can say to them is too bad your heart wasn't in the right place, because you are really going to be missing out on something great. And I feel bad for your children.

Sincerely,

ALICE WHITE

Pahrump RUSH Cheer Coach

Left out of Reid meeting

I read the article in the PVT from Aug. 17 titled "Reid says he will fight coal plant."

While I often think many of Sen. Reid's positions are not good for the U.S.A. or Nevada, your article left out the only commitment and positive action the senator made during the meeting. Your article also scarcely identified the credit to VEA that Sen. Reid provided.

Your article did not review any of the questions posed regarding renewable energy and specifically left out the only follow-up that Sen. Reid had with the audience, namely to investigate what actions the federal government could do to encourage the use of residential energy.

I certainly think you should publish a follow-up article reviewing the questions on renewable energy and identifying the only actual action that Sen. Reid and staff took during the meeting in response to citizen input.

DAVID SWEETMAN

Dyer

An awesome town

I have just returned from two weeks at the Best Friends Animal Society's compound and rescue operation in your town.

Having returned to North Carolina, I now want to praise the folks of Pahrump for their help and general good wishes and happy faces and understanding comments and praise.

Especially, I would like to thank the good folks that brought us food to the cat compound in order that we were fed so that we could continue the work with the cats. They were Billie and Dena and John. The food was delicious and well received by those of us who had worked from ten to 14 hours each day.

I am sure that more people have done this since the rescue started and I would like to thank them also.

In town, the employees of Best Western, Wal-Mart and Terrible's were all so gracious to me, and their attitudes made my day a lovely one.

The volunteers who helped with the animals and the persons who have donated and continue to donate to the cause are awesome. Thank you so much.

Hopefully, a situation like the present one will not happen again in your town, but I shall always remember the town with fond memories.

Thank you, Pahrump.

MARGARET (PEGGY) SUTTON

Fairview, N.C.

To the people of Pahrump

Thank you very much for your generous response to the food drive conducted at Albertson's supermarket Aug. 10-19, 2007 by Catholic Charities.

These items were donated to Our Lady of the Valley Food Bank.

ROBERT F. GAVAN

Food Bank coordinator/

Our Lady of the Valley