Appreciation to Rappahannock
Rappahannock County embodies true “family values.” When Buddy Darden, my best friend and partner for nearly 21 years, came to Rappahannock 16 years ago, we were quickly accepted for ourselves and what we brought to the community. When that time came when help was truly needed, Rappahannock citizens and friends stepped forward without hesitation or invitation to offer compassion and understanding. And so it was that people we knew and even those we didn’t know when Buddy died tragically last month, came forward to offer a helping hand in many different ways. This heartfelt support and concern, starting with our fine Sheriff, Connie Smith, and her deputies, helped me get through some very difficult days. I will always be grateful as well to my closest friends Fran Krebser, Barbara Adolfi, John Luthi, Deputy Robbie Fitcham and many others who stepped forward to provide support and understanding.
I also want to acknowledge with special thanks Head of School Kathy Grove and the Wakefield Country Day School community for providing the most beautiful auditorium in the county for Buddy’s memorial services last weekend. Wakefield’s staff worked untold hours to make that room resplendent with newly-shined floors, beautiful decoration, and grand acoustics and graphic displays. I am grateful, too, for all those who participated in Buddy’s memorial, including the speakers led by the Rev. Jenks Hobson, Jon Heddleston, and the singers and musicians, including Linda Orfila, Nan Butler Roberts, Everetta Lewis, and Donald Chandler.
Finally, I want to recognize the dedication and talent of Eve Willis and Cheri Woodard and their husbands for their extraordinary kindness in decorating Wakefield’s auditorium with beautiful flowers. The auditorium, with colorful flags of many nations flying from its soaring cathedral ceiling, looked almost like St. James Cathedral decorated for a solemn occasion.
Rappahannock County stands out as peerless among communities and deserves the highest accolades.
Richard Lykes
Flint Hill