It's a long trip from Westminster, MD to the far corner of the Capital District's Southwest Region, but Governor Art and his wife, Vickie, spent the weekend prior to Thanksgiving doing just that -- as part of their official visits to Region 2, 3 and 8.

By all measures, the trip was a success. The turnout was excellent, the fellowship and entertainment were enjoyable, the governor's inspiring remarks were well-received, and the Rileys even found time to tour a new children's hospital in Roanoke on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Dr. Clinton Cavett, to see where some of our Ducky Derby and Caring Corner dollars have been put to work.

For the Division 8 event on Saturday evening (Nov. 17), LTG Brian Wills of Wise and his club were the hosts. It was held at the Lonesome Pine Country Club near Big Stone Gap in Wise County, about 450 miles from the governor's home! The BSG Kiwanis Club once was part of our district. However, since the 1930s, it has been in the Kentucky-Tennessee District and its area was ceded to the K-T District, even though it is located in the same county as our Wise, Norton & Coeburn clubs. Members of the BSG Club were present Nov. 17 as invited guests.

Dr. Joseph C. Smiddy (upper right) entertained after the Saturday night dinner and was a big hit. He is a 55-year Kiwanian and Hixson Fellow who, at age 87, still is going strong. He is best known state-wide and beyond as the founding chancellor of the University of Virginia's College at Wise. For that, he has a wall full of honorary doctorate degrees, along with his own Ph.D. in biology from Vanderbilt.

However, thousands know this man simply as Papa Joe Smiddy who has been playing mountain music since he was a young boy. He often plays with his son, Dr. Joseph F. Smiddy (Joe Frank), an eminent pulmonologist from Kingsport, TN and a band called the Reedy Creek Boys.

After spending Saturday night at the Abingdon home of Regional Trustee Jack White and his wife, Sylvia, the Rileys drove to Roanoke on Sunday for a combined Division 2 and 3 meeting hosted by the Roanoke club. Sixty-two people attended Sunday evening's gala, coordinated by LTG Tulane Patterson (Division 2) and Jim Mitchell (Division 3). Jim was not able to attend, as his daughter was giving birth to a new grandchild, but PLG John Fox was an able substitute. Tulane's four daughters -- Anne, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Alexander -- provided Sunday evening's wonderful entertainment, performing during the social hour as a first-class string quartet.

Special guests at Sunday evening's event included Roanoke Kiwanians Carol and Vern Danielsen, who now live in Fredericksburg, but have maintained their Roanoke memberships. (Vern is a past Roanoke club president and treasurer; Carol is a past Roanoke club secretary.) Coincidentally, Carol and Gov. Art have been close friends since they grew up and the Danielsens took the opportunity to combine a Roanoke visit with the chance to see the Rileys.

Gov. Art was most impressed with the children's floors at the newly opened Carilion Clinic, where many thousands of Kiwanis dollars have been shared. (Pictured left Gov. Art tours the Clinic with wife, Vickie, John Montgomery, Dr. Clinton Cavett and Roanoke club president David Helmer.) Gov. Art has hopes of returning to the hospital in a few weeks along with international president Dave Curry. President Dave is scheduled for an official visit to the Capital District in January.