One of my favorite pictures of all time is of my son in his blue cap and gown graduating from preschool at Abingdon Presbyterian. A broad smile graced his face while his hands were wrapped around a diploma like an upright baseball bat. A perfect picture if there ever was one of the happiness and… Read more »

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Austin, Texas to attend the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) Summer Leadership Conference. Bank CEOs, leaders of state Bankers Associations and ABA staff spent time discussing legislative, regulatory, cyber security, COVID and other issues impacting our industry. The all-day sessions were thorough and very informative (what you… Read more »

This month my wife and I returned to being “physically” at church. With family members at risk, we have been careful about reintegrating into society and had spent the last 18 months attending services via the internet. It was great seeing folks, and pastor Mike’s lesson was, as always, meaningful. As we left and returned… Read more »

As a young lad, we used to often roam the mountains and hollows, especially in the fall. The smells, the colors of the trees, the refreshing coolness of the day. Every fall these sensations take me back to a time of fun with my cousins. On occasion during our days of fun, we would play… Read more »

I recently attended the opening of Virginia’s newest and most unique state park, the Clinch River State Park. As I stood on the hill overlooking the beautiful river and vista, I was reminded of my own trip navigating the Clinch one early June day many years ago – a canoeing trip with two good friends… Read more »

On a regular basis, I receive calls or emails from consultants, investment firms or other bank product salespeople saying they will be “in the area” soon and would like to stop by PVB to meet with me.  I like to learn and meet new people, so I respond, and we schedule a time to meet… Read more »

Earlier in my life I was a hero. I was a pioneer. I was “Daniel Boone”. Inspired by Fess Parker’s portrayal of Daniel Boone in the 1960’s, my cousins and I would play “Daniel Boone and family”  – me as Daniel and my cousins as other members of the show. We played with old kettles, pots,… Read more »

You have just settled down to watch your favorite TV show (live or on demand) or Ball Game. You turn on the TV, and you have no signal. Or maybe you have tickets to see your favorite team play live. You head out the door, and your car won’t start. Undoubtedly in your lifetime you… Read more »

Last week was, well, shall we say – reinvigorating. Gaining more confidence knowing that my COVID vaccine has taken hold, I have been “visiting” a little more. Some visits were planned – My trips to our Jonesville and Abingdon Offices. A visit to an old friend and successful businessman in Norton. Talks with the local… Read more »

Life can be about routines. Though we often complain about boredom, regular routines ground us in our daily lives. In the past, one of my regular routines was getting the oil changed in Bank car at least quarterly (or more often if my travels were a bit more). So, there I was one morning this… Read more »