CHIEF: He's the top -- Rusty Armstrong, a 2001 Paul G. Blazer High grad, has been promoted to chief of the Catlettsburg Fire Department, where he has been employeed for almost four years. He received a fire science degree from KCTC in 2006 and has been a member of Summit-Ironville Volunteer Fire Department since 1999. Rusty also has been an EMT with the Kenova Volunteer Fire Department since 2001. He was a dispatcher at the Ceredo Police Department nearly three years. Congratulations for making it to the top, young man.

STRIKE UP THE BAND: Kenova Towne Square is the place to be Saturday, July 4, as the C-K Alumni Band, directed by Charles M. Oshel, performs patriotic music. Admission is free. Seating is limited, so tote a lounge chair and come on down.

GAMES: Monopoly, Scrabble, Waterworks, Yahtzee, Life, Apples to Apples, Sorry and other board games, along with puzzles, are featured during family game night from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church, 5747 Pea Ridge Road. Participants may also bring favorite board games and refreshments to share with others. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

FIRST TIME: For his very first time, Nathan Wellman directs a play, "Two Rooms" by Lee Blessing this weekend in Ashland. The play begins at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3; 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Boyd County Fairgrounds Community Center, 1758 Addington Road. Admission is $7 and $5 students and seniors.Nathan, a Paul Blazer High grad, is a junior theater major at Morehead State University, where he also is a creative writing minor. One of his short stories is scheduled for publication in the British magazine, "Morpheus Tales," in January. Others in the production are Adam Poe, a senior theater major at Morehead; Barbara Delaney, Paul Blazer High grad; and Shannon Hall, Paul Blazer High grad and Marshall University student.

FAREWELL: Timothy Watts resigns from his position as organist and choir director at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, effective Sunday, July 5. Timothy has accepted another music job in Louisville, Ky., to be closer to his aging parents and family members who are growing older. There's no doubt this fine man and his musical talents will be missed.

BREATHE EASY: Take a deep breath. Although Dr. Harry Tweel doesn't necessarily like being singled out, he has been given the utmost praise and highest honor from the American Lung Association for his years of lung disease prevention efforts. The director of Cabell-Huntington Health Department since 2004 received the Will Ross Medal during a special event in San Diego, Calif. Before becoming the health department director, he retired with more than 40 years in clinical practice, where he served as a pulmonary and critical care specialist. Congrats Dr. Tweel on this most-deserving award.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Aaron Henson, Richard Elkins, Lori Keyser, Adam Wood, T. Bramblette, Paw Taw square dancer, Marki Collins, Lucille Washington, Kevin Phillips, Koneta Gast, Debbie Jackson, Hoyt Burdick, Gary Hoyer, Janie Mason, Alex Williamson, Theresa Blankenship, Jon Thomas, Shirley Funderburk, Matt Perry, Helen Robbins, Ruth Bragg, Eric Sargent, David Jordan, Robert Clay, Rachel Rohrbach, Rachael Williamson, Ryan Harmon, David Tarter and Julie Quodala. Marie Smith may be the youngest of today's list at 101.

TODAY'S ANNIVERSARIES: Joe and Melissa Hunt (2005), the Rev. Todd and Kim Adams, Bob and Betty Blankenship (1992), George and Margaret Kastanas.

FRIDAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Betty Clarke, Roger Woomer, Logan Caldwell, Lisa Cornwell, Gabriel Lee Jarvis, Brian Belcher, Imo Sexton, Eric Springer, Debbie Somuano, Sherry Harden is three over 50 or seven under 60 (53), Henry Sheils, Julie Morrison and Leroy Dillon.

CHUCKLE: A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the atmosphere, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make an offering. "Great idea!" the chicken replied. "Let's offer them ham and eggs!" "Not so fast," said the pig. "For you, that's an offering. For me, it's a sacrifice."

Send items to Brenda Lucas, P.O. Box 596, Ona, WV 25545; fax to 304-526-2857; or e-mail to bklucas53@aol.com.