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Last year at this time, I was spending a week at Bethany College coaching the West Virginia All-Stars in preparation for the annual OVAC All-Star Football Game. I must admit that serving as the defensive coordinator in that game was one of the highlights of my coaching career. That career began in 1995. Since that time, I have coached in Notre Dame Stadium, coached with some incredible former Notre Dame coaches in an all-star game, served as a high school head coach, and have coached in and won seven state championship games. But the annual OVAC Charity game has a special meaning to me. It brings together the best that our Valley has to offer for one night. On that night, Wheeling Park and John Marshall fans root for the same team. Bellaire and Martins Ferry residents sit side by side as they cheer for the Buckeye state. And, players that battled each other for four years now put aside former rivalries to take on players from the other side of the river. This year, for the first time, I will have a different perspective on the game. After serving on the coaching staff in the game for the first time last year, I now understand the bonding that goes on amongst the players and coaches in the week leading up to the game. Total strangers, or in some instances former enemies, become teammates. During that week, they not only practice together, eat together, and live together, but also become lifelong friends. This game has everything that is great about high school football --- talent, hard work, team work, dedication, and fun. There are cheerleaders, band members, and queens. In short, it is just an unbelievable experience. I am proud that my law firm has been able to sponsor this event for a number of years. But, I now understand so much better exactly why that sponsorship is so important. As I return to the bleachers this year as just another fan at the game, it will be with a smile, fond memories, and a deeper appreciation for everyone involved.

That time of year has finally arrived. It's time to get your Jambo on. Get the week started the right way with Jamie Bordas and Chris Regan on the Bordas & Bordas Legal Review's very special Jamboree in the Hills edition. Learn about the pitfalls, dangers, and opportunities to wind up on the wrong side of the law in this highly produced, carefully polished, and surprisingly popular television program. You can view the Bordas & Bordas Legal Review locally on Comcast Channel 14 or also online, both streaming and in the archive. The current episode is embedded within this post. Click here to view the program on vimeo, or watch the embedded version if your browser supports it. Click this link to see the WLUTV schedule so you can view a live-stream of WLUTV and check this page for a schedule of when the program airs.

This year finds me unable to run in the race I have participated in for the last two years due to a family commitment. That sent me on a hunt to find some other worthy cause that would allow me to give back to the community in my own small way. I didn't want the summer to go by without participating in something, so I started researching other activities in the local area supporting worthy causes. Drum roll please! I have decided to participate in the 7 th Annual RunWalkRoll Race for Mobility on July 19 th. All proceeds go to the Free Wheelchair Mission. What a worthy cause! Many people unable to afford a wheelchair can receive one through the Mission, not only in the United States but all over the world. To restore dignity and independence to people who are unable to walk is indeed a race worth running. You can sign up by filling out the registration form here: http://www.runwalkandroll.net/docs/2014_race_application.pdf Also, there will be no more walking races for me. I am running this year, along with my son, Adam. We are busy training nearly every day after work and on weekends too. You'll see us running up and down the bleachers at the Bellaire Football Field on any given day or running around the track. Come join the fun! I promise, it's addictive! If running around the track and scaling the bleachers doesn't sound like enough incentive, Bordas & Bordas is going to donate $5.00 for every participant up to 300 people. Come and help me fill up those 300 spots and help those less fortunate become mobile. You will be glad you did.

My youngest daughter is 5-years-old today. While Mamma is at work, she is busy making Oreo pudding cups with her brother, Charles, and sister, Aleigha. Later, we have a special evening planned: she is getting a new bike and a hula hoop. What's the big deal? Kids celebrate their birthdays all the time, but this is very different; it's extra special to me. On July 15, 2009, in another county and state, my daughter was born and I didn't even know it. She was 5 pounds, 2 ounces and born in the middle of the afternoon. At that time, I think I was away at the beach. I had no idea what the next year would bring and where it would leave me and my family today. In November 2009, my husband and I decided we would like to help the children of West Virginia, which led us into foster parenting. On March 5, 2010, I received a call here at work and that was the day that our daughter came to us. She was 7 ½ months old. Instantly, we readied the house for this infant as our youngest at the time was 9. Over the next 2 ½ years, under the watchful eye of The Honorable Judge Ronald Wilson, we cared for Shauney. During this time we celebrated holidays and birthdays in every way that a family would. Little did we know that we would one day be lucky enough to have her as our very own daughter. In December 2012, that became a reality. My family gathered in front of Judge Wilson where he granted the adoption of Shauney to the Dodd family and here we are today. I look back on her last five years and realize each and every day, whether it's a good day or a rocky one, we have been so blessed to have this gift from God: our little angel, Shauney. July 15 is and always will be a happy day. Happy 5 th Birthday Shauney Rose Dodd!

LeBron is coming home. And you should care. Yes, you. Those of you who have never seen an NBA game should care. Those of you who hate everything about anything associated with Cleveland should care. And especially those of you with kids, you should really care. I have never been enamored with LeBron James. I have always respected his ability as a basketball player. I have been amazed by his combination of size, power, and agility. And, I have been impressed by his championships and MVP awards. But, as someone who grew up in the heart of the Michael Jordan era, I found it difficult to root for LeBron. When MJ was sick in The Finals, he put together an unbelievable performance. LeBron had always made me think that he would check out of the game under similar circumstances. After struggling to try to win a championship early in his career with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan stuck it out until they had all of the pieces in place to turn out six titles. LeBron bolted at the chance to play with other All-Stars. And perhaps most significantly, Michael transcended his sport. Almost everyone wanted to "Be like Mike." Jordan looked and spoke the part in his press conferences, commercials, and even starred in the movie "Space Jam." LeBron seemed as though he couldn't care less about his image and never had non-hoopsters wanting to be like him, other than perhaps when it came to his bank account. All of that changed on Friday. In a move that surprised many that was delivered in an essay that had the power of a two-handed dunk, LeBron announced that he was going home to Cleveland. Athletes change teams in the free agency era of sports as often as some people change socks. But, this was different. This wasn't an athlete leaving for more money, better endorsement deals, or a better shot at winning a championship. This was the best player in the game going to a team for the people in that city. I'm not sure that has ever happened before in professional sports and if it has, you would certainly be hard pressed to say it has happened with such a high profile player. But, that's not why you should care that LeBron is returning to Cleveland to play for the team that drafted him just after he had finished high school at nearby Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's. The reason you should care is because of all of the life lessons that can be learned from this Remake on the Lake. Forgiveness. Selflessness. Maturity. So many of our youngsters, and adults for that matter, can learn so much about these principles and others. After all, just four short years ago, LeBron left the city of Cleveland behind in one of the most bitter break-ups between player and city in professional sports history. Not only did he betray the city that thought he was the one that would finally end its title drought, but he did it on a national television special where he announced that he was "taking his talents to South Beach." Cavs owner Dan Gilbert responded with stinging words about his prized player. Cleveland fans did worse, burning his jersey and leaving no words behind when describing him. The relationship quickly and unmistakably had turned from love to hate. Now, after two championships, four Finals appearances, and all that South Beach has to offer, LeBron is returning to Cleveland. And that is where the life lessons come into play. LeBron had to forgive Cleveland and Gilbert. And they had to forgive him. How many times in our own lives do we have trouble forgiving others who have hurt us? How quickly are we able to set aside the pain and say let's be friends again? How often do we struggle to give our children an example of someone in recent times who has been a model of forgiveness? We now have that case in point. LeBron had to act selflessly. Let's be honest. How many people would rather live in Cleveland than Miami? How many people would go from playing for a first place team to a team that couldn't make the playoffs? And, how many people would leave playing with two other perennial all-stars to play with a team filled with inexperience? The answer is a guy who is more concerned about others than himself. Finally, LeBron demonstrated incredible maturity compared to that which he showed in 2010. There was no TV special announcing his decision this time. Instead, there was a well-crafted, thoughtful essay that thanked Miami but emotionally described why it was so important for him to go home. He explained why bringing a championship to the people living where he grew up means so much to him. There was his admission that he didn't understand how important these things were four years ago, but he does now. How many world-class athletes do we see admit their faults? How many celebrities care so much about their hometowns? How many famous people write an essay rather than choose the bright lights of national television to make a big announcement? LeBron James did. In short, LeBron correctly did all of the things he had done wrong four years ago. In the process, he exemplified what it means to grow as a person and learn from your past mistakes. I'm not exactly sure what the future holds for LeBron James as a Cleveland Cavalier. But as a person, I am quite certain that he gained a lot of fans. I count myself among them. LeBron reminded us all of a number of important life lessons. All of these have to do with putting others ahead of ourselves. If we can all strive to do that, what a better place the world would be. My hat is off to you, LeBron. It is so rare that we get to be pleasantly surprised by famous athletes. Not only did you surprise us with where you will be playing basketball next season, but you surprised us with just who you really are.

In Exodus, chapter two, we learn the story of the birth of Moses. Endangered in his own homeland, his mother hides Moses for three months. As time goes on, she can no longer keep him safe -Pharaoh had declared that all Jewish children would be drowned - so she placed him in a basket of papyrus to hide him amidst the reeds of the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter discovered Moses, took pity on him, and protected him, eventually treating him as her own son. Ex. 2:1-25. Some years later, Moses saw a burning bush, and the rest is history. When I was young, I remember being troubled when our parish priest would read from the Gospel of Matthew and preach about the famous parable of the sheep and the goats. That parable of course teaches us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers, we have done that for Jesus: "For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me . . . And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." I took the words too literally; and since I had only one brother, a big brother who beat me up regularly, I had a hard time understanding what I was supposed to do for him or what good it would do me to feed him. He was already twice my size. Last night the news covered the situation at the United States' southwestern borders. NBC interviewed a rancher working the borderlands who has placed watering stations on his land. He puts these in his fields because it is not uncommon to find children dead there if he doesn't. There is no shade there and temperatures reach 120 degrees. A county sheriff estimated that for every body found, there are several more of those who die in the desert, but are not found. Another news agency, the right-leaning Breitbart, reported that a four-year-old had crossed the U.S. border alone. Many of the children (and adults) at the border are coming from exceedingly violent places in Central America, not just Mexico. For example, the murder rate in Mexico is more than four times the United States, but in Honduras, it is close to 20 times as high. The primary danger in both places is gang activity related to drug trafficking. As one church organization official put it, "For many people the choice is to flee or to die." Americans might wonder what the problems of these other countries have to do with us. One thing it has to do with us is the fact that we are paying for it. American money pays for both sides of the drug war south of our border, and has for decades. American money is spent by the billions to buy drugs, and this money finances the cartels and the gangs. Likewise, American money pays for the government action against the cartels in the form of weapons and cash given to the impoverished governments of the region. So whether a Central American citizen is killed by a gang member, or the gang member is killed by police, we paid for the weapon and the ammunition. So the children fleeing the violence in Central America and trying desperately to get into the United States are actually running from a situation America created. The appetite for drugs in America, and the war-on-drugs-response of our political leaders are the reason the immigration crisis exists in the first place. This might be one reason Colorado's governor recently called the drug war "a disaster." In any event, what are we going to do? Some people, calling themselves "militia," say that they will go to the border and force crossers back at gunpoint. A militiaman covered a few days ago in the Washington Post explained his view this way, "You see an illegal. You point your gun dead at him, right between his eyes, and you say, 'Get back across the border or you will be shot.'" As a lawyer, I can tell you, that's not legal. A rising star among conservative writers, Charles C.W. Cooke, thinks the key is for the President to communicate a strong immigration policy telling Central Americans that they won't be allowed to remain in America, so there's no point in trying. Many reports indeed indicate that Central Americans believe they will be allowed to stay. But considering the deplorable violence and danger they are fleeing, I wonder if a speech would persuade them to give up? And since when do conservatives think President Obama making a speech would help anything? Before deciding how we might stem the tide of immigration in the southwest, we should first consider whether we are right to turn these people away, particularly the children. Cooke has written, "If sovereignty is to mean anything, then a country is entitled to decide whom it wants to join its ranks and whom it wishes to exclude from them." Well, let's decide, then. Considering that American appetites and American policies are what so many of these people are fleeing in their own countries, what are we saying about ourselves if we send them back into a hell we've created? Is that what "the rule of law" requires? There has been much talk of enforcing immigration law more vigorously to meet the immigration crisis. But different laws apply when the immigrants involved are refugees. If a person crosses the border illegally, simply as a matter of preference about where to live, that is one thing, but if they are in serious danger where they come from, they are eligible to apply for refugee status and protection in this country. The law also entitles them to a legitimate process to determine their rights before they are deported. How should we do justice to these human beings who have placed themselves in our hands? That brings us back to Moses, and a four-year-old child who walked across a desert alone to get into America. Moses was, undoubtedly, a refugee. Due to the circumstances of his birth, he faced immediate harm at the hands of Egyptian death squads. His mother took the only chance she thought she had, and was fortunate enough that a powerful patron, Pharaoh's daughter, took pity on him. Few in America face such a devastating choice. But other mothers and fathers are sending their children away from their homes, often alone, fleeing death and destruction. Here's three questions for us on immigration: Who are "the least of our brothers" right now? What will we do for them; and how will we answer for it?

Bordas & Bordas is happy to call the friendly city of Wheeling, West Virginia home. The attorneys and staff of the firm are committed to giving back to the community that has given and continues to give so much to us. Below are just a few of the many recent philanthropic sponsorships that Bordas & Bordas is honored to be a part of. The Strand Theatre opened its doors to the public on November 15, 1920 at the corner of 5 th Street and Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville, W. Va. It operated regularly for many years until its final curtain call in 1996. Today, the Strand Theatre Preservation Society, a 501c non-profit organization, strives to restore the Theatre's original majesty and grandeur through various productions, tours and musicals. Bordas & Bordas recently contributed to the Theatre's upcoming performance of "Chicago" on August 1 - 3. We are proud to be aligned with such a wonderful organization. The American Cancer Society hosts multiple Relay for Life events in more than twenty countries throughout the course of the year to raise much-needed funds for cancer research and treatment. Monies procured by Relays save more than 400 lives a day. The Ohio Valley boasts many local chapters of this outstanding event, one of which is set to take place at Wheeling Park on August 8. We were happy to contribute again this year. Bordas & Bordas fully supports local sports teams and events year-round and the 2014 Pinto Challenge is no exception to that rule. The Pinto Challenge is a coach-pitch tournament for children seven to eight years old. The event is being held at the I-470 complex on July 16 -20 and will give young players a chance to experience healthy competition in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Bordas & Bordas was happy to sponsor the tournament. The annual St. Michael Parish Community Festival is a summer tradition in the Woodsdale area and will be held on the weekend of July 10 this year. The generosity of community partners, Bordas & Bordas included, will allow for another successful installment. May 7, 2011 changed everything for all those who knew Eric Carder. While the car crash took the life of the 38-year-old father, husband, son and friend, his loved ones refused to let his memory die with him in the accident. As Carder was an avid golfer, a group of his closest friends established the Eric M. Carder Memorial Golf Tournament in his honor. The event will see its fourth installment on July 11 at Oglebay Park's Crispin course. We are happily sponsoring and participating in the event this year. Bordas & Bordas is honored to be involved with such outstanding organizations and events. We will continue to reach out to community partners who are passionate about making a difference. As always, we encourage everyone to support these very worthy causes in any way possible.

I was so excited when I heard the announcement that Bordas & Bordas was sponsoring Jamboree in the Hills once again. Jamboree has become such an important event for many of my family, friends and for this area in general that I can't help but wish for its continued success. With my firm's announcement, the memories of my first Jamboree in the Hills began to stir in my mind. I have to be honest and admit that rock music has always been the music of my soul. Throughout my life it has been the music that spoke to me, inspired me, moved me and made me want to dance. As a matter of fact, as I sit here writing this blog, I can hear a base guitar, joined by the lead guitar, then the drums and finally Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane singing "White Rabbit" in my mind. The fact that I have chosen this song and group probably gave my age away immediately. Yes, I am from the Woodstock generation, the original Woodstock that is. For those of you who don't know, Woodstock was the music festival that drew an unexpected attendance of approximately 500,000 young people on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in the small town of Bethel, New York in August of 1969. It was such a pivotal time in our country's history. The young people in the country, my generation, were not very happy with the status quo and some actually set out to change it, or had the audacity to think they could change it. Our young men were still living under the threat of the draft and a very unpopular Vietnam War was escalating by the day. A lot of the guys I knew and grew up with had already been drafted to fight in that war and unfortunately, a lot of those brave young men did not come home alive. Many of us began to believe we should not have been involved in the Vietnam conflict in the first place. Trying to get the leaders of our country to agree was causing a lot of conflict. Unrest, constant sometimes-violent protests, and forever-long social justice debates were as synonymous with my generation as our slogan of "Peace and Love." In the summer of 1969, I graduated from high school and was chomping at the bit to begin experiencing some of that peace, love and freedom that my generation stood for. I remember lying stretched out on the living room floor in front of the television, watching the news as they showed clips of the now famous music and art festival called Woodstock. As I watched the clips shown on the news, I wanted nothing more than to be in the crowd. The bands in the lineup included many of my favorites, like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sly & the Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joan Baez, Santana, Canned Heat, and Grateful Dead; it was a downright rock and roll fantasy come true! I was 17 years old and it seemed like the perfect weekend road trip. But rolling around on the hillside of Max Yasgur's farm with a bunch of hippy freaks for a few days was more of a fantasy than a reality. Instead, I was more apt to take a family vacation with my parents riding down through the hills of West Virginia, which is exactly what I did that summer. Riding in the car with my parents reminded me of one thing that I couldn't stand, country music. I did not like country music because it was the music that my mom and dad listened to. Instead of listening to the rock stations I loved, I was forced to listen to their country music stations and suffer in silence. Of course we didn't have iPods back then and although I did have a small transistor radio, as most kids did, it never occurred to me to use earphones. So when the first Jamboree in the Hills was held back in 1977, I didn't give it as much as a passing thought. As a matter of fact, the very first memory I have of Jamboree in the Hills occurred in the emergency room at the Ohio Valley Hospital on one very hot and muggy July afternoon in 1979. I remember there were dozens of people coming in from Jamboree in the Hills suffering from heat exhaustion. My thoughts at that time were, "Why in the world would anybody want to sit or stand in an open field, on a humid afternoon, listening to country music?" This probably seems comical coming from the woman who thought it would be perfectly divine to roll around on a muddy hillside listening to rock music in 1969! During the 80s and 90s, the wide divide between rock music and country music began to narrow and there were even a few artists that I was able to enjoy, like The Eagles, Alabama, The Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson and even Dolly Parton. As the music itself began to evolve, so did my feelings about country music. There were some country songs that I actually did like, along with some fun line dances that you could do without needing a dance partner. Jamboree in the Hills was steadily gaining popularity and it was hard to find anybody who didn't enjoy it. Eventually I came around to wanting to go, not so much for the music, but just to experience the fun. So in 1997, when a friend of mine asked me to join her and offered me a free ticket for the Saturday show, I couldn't refuse. I would finally have a chance to experience this exalted event that was now nicknamed "Jambo." We got up very early on Saturday morning to prepare for the drive to Morristown, Ohio. Fortunately for us, her daughter and a few of her daughter's friends had gotten there earlier for the gate opening to claim a good spot for us on the hillside. I learned later on that they refer to this event as the ever so famous "Redneck Run." I've watched it several times on YouTube videos and it is something to behold; I'm really not sorry that I missed that part. It was such a beautiful sunny morning as we sat, sipped our drinks and watched others arrive to find their area on the hillside. There was such a fantastic party atmosphere, everybody was there to have a good time. As the day progressed and the entertainers took the stage, a lot of people were lavishly enjoying their favorite refreshments and the happiness of the crowd increased. Everyone was just there to have a good time and listen to the music. Thinking back to it, I honestly didn't meet a person there who wasn't friendly. It has been quite a few years since I have actually gone to Jambo, but I have family and friends who attend it yearly and stay at one of the campsites for the entire weekend. Everyone insists that staying in the camp area is a special adventure in and of itself. Nowadays, I enjoy watching it on the television from my recliner in my air conditioned home. Not as much fun, I know, but when they scan over the hill and show the crowd, I can appreciate how much fun they are having. If you have never experienced summer's biggest party, I suggest you do. There is still time to purchase tickets and from what I hear there is an excellent lineup this year! Although I enjoy reminiscing about my first Jamboree in the Hills experience, it never did make up for missing Woodstock in 1969! I feel it's safe to compare Jamboree in the Hills as a smaller, more mature and definitely more organized version of Woodstock with one major difference, country music, but I can rock with that.

When we were children we were always looking up to people like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and anyone else who inspired us. But who are our heroes now? Football stars, Olympians, our parents, inventors? A hero is someone who does something to help improve mankind or to execute the intention of helping others in difficult situations. We applaud these people because of the changes they may make in our lives. It's not just the people who make the headlines of the evening news or the front page of the paper that are heroes. Being a hero can be as simple as volunteering at the local homeless shelter or even helping an elderly individual cross a busy street. I've never considered myself a hero until two weeks ago at Boys State when I saved a fellow camper's life. At approximately 2:30 a.m., I woke up to my friend having a seizure. I checked for his pulse, but he did not have one. If you study your surroundings in any building you can almost always find an Automated External Defibrillator, also known as an AED. Earlier that day I remembered seeing an AED in the dining hall, so when my friend wasn't responding, I started running to retrieve it. Upon returning, I administered two shocks that brought his heartbeat back. Right after I had followed the AED's instructions that helped me bring my friend back, the emergency personnel arrived. They immediately called 911 and had him taken to the local hospital. I am happy to say that my friend returned to camp the next day and made it home safely to his family at the end of the week. The concept of a "hero" has changed drastically throughout the different generations. Today, a hero is measured by a person's character, their inner being, and their integrity no matter what their age, race, or gender may be. Whereas before, the term "hero" was a descriptive word primarily describing a male figure. No matter what kind of hero you are, doing the right thing is all that matters in the end. I would like to encourage everyone to take the time to study their surroundings when entering an unknown building; by spotting anything that could help in an emergency situation, you could save a person's life and be their hero.

I've thought about this time in my life for a while now, and it has finally crept up on me. On July 11, I will turn 50 years old. As the day approaches, I find myself wondering, "Where has the time gone?". The most famously asked question, "If you could redo life, what would you do differently?" keeps being asked and has me thinking long and hard about my past 50 years. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't change anything in my life. Of course, there are a few things I would do better than I did back then, but that's only because I've lived and learned through my mistakes. First, I have to give thanks to God for this life He has given me and how very blessed I am. A few of those blessings include having my mother, father, and amazing sisters still in my life. Another one of my many blessings is my wonderful husband of almost 30 years, who will always be my rock and anchor in my life. Of course, I cannot forget my two adult children who are and will always be my pride and joy. I am also thankful for my nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, very good friends, my four-legged fur children, and my job at Bordas & Bordas. Overall, my life has been pretty awesome, and I can't thank you all enough for making my life so special and loving me unconditionally. Turning fifty is a milestone in anyone's life. It's a sign of getting older, becoming wiser, and receiving our AARP cards, also known as discounts that many learn to love. Fifty should be the time when we look at our lives and say, "Let the party begin, let's rock and roll!" and that's exactly what I plan on doing. I'm going to try new adventures, go to new and exciting places, and not be afraid of what others think of me. Many people spend a long period of time in their lives worrying about being judged, and I say, no matter what you say or do, people are going to think what they want, so why worry about it? As I turn fifty and start a new chapter in my life, with once again the best husband in the world, I want to enjoy everything that life has to offer. I'm going to take this world on, embrace every minute of it, and have some real fun. For those of you who don't know, fun is my favorite "f word." I encourage you youngsters who may be reading this blog to use it more often than that other f word you tend to use. So, for those of you who have said turning 50 means that your life is halfway over, get out of your rocking chairs and get back in the game of life. I have decided that turning 50 means that my life has officially taken a turn into awesomeness. You only live once, so I'm going out to live this life, and when I die, I want to be able to thank God for the awesome ride that he has given me. How do you want people to remember you? I want people to remember me as the one who had a lot of fun in her life, and I can only hope that I've touched others in my life and reminded them to have as much fun as they can. I also hope people will remember me for being kind and caring to others, but most of all to animals who have no voice. Life is for the living, so go out and live your lives, I know I am. I don't call it a "bucket list," I call it a "living my life to the fullest list." With all of this being said, I hope you all enjoy my blogs about my adventures for the next fifty years. So here's to my next fifty years. Yes, I'm planning on living to be 100. Rock on Bordas & Bordas Family & Friends, Rock on...

Fourth of July Safety Tips from Michele Rejonis and Jeanne Dedo Fireworks, barbecues, swimming, fun times with family and friends...that's probably what comes to mind with thoughts of the 4 th of July. But without precautions, those fun times can quickly turn tragic. We are fortunate in the Ohio Valley in that there are many opportunities to view fireworks displays put on by professionals, but if you feel that you want to conduct your own displays, please keep in mind the following safety tips for a happy celebration: Don't let small children handle fireworks and remember that sparklers are not necessarily "safe" as they burn to temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that haven't full ignited. Light fireworks one at a time. Never throw or point fireworks at another person. Keep a hose or a bucket of water handy in case of a mishap. Youngsters should always supervision. Fireworks and alcohol don't mix. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. While celebrating the 4 th, please remember that the canine members of your family may not be as excited about the fireworks displays as you are. As crowds "oohh" and "ahhh," the sound of "bombs bursting in air" may cause your four-legged friends to become stressed. Bordas & Bordas dogs, Barley and Guinness, would like to remind you that more dogs run away from home on July 4 th compared to any other day of the year as they attempt to seek shelter and escape the loud noises. The safest place for your pet during all fireworks displays is inside your home. Certainly, no one wants to think about their best friend running away, but it's good to be prepared just in case. It could ensure their safe return home. Make sure your dog is wearing dog tags. Terrified animals could end up miles from home. Have a recent picture of them ready in case it is necessary for distribution and never leave your dog outside. Even if your yard is fenced in, dogs may still try to escape and could become injured in the process. Before the fireworks kick off, many of us will be partaking in plenty of great food. As we dig in, be cognizant of proper food preparation and storage. Be sure those burgers are cooked thoroughly to temps that will kill illness-causing bacteria and keep the picnic foods like potato salad cool to avoid spoiling. And remember, when in doubt, throw it out. As we look towards the coming days of friends, family, food and fireworks, have fun, but do it safely. Happy 4 th!

There is a quote floating around the Internet that talks about the impact that people have on your life. The message indicates that every person, independent of the length of time that they are with you, serves a purpose. That every individual, for that time, is an important character in that chapter of your story. It says that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I believe this is true. REASON PEOPLE There are plenty of people that have come into my life for a reason. Traci Maurer, an instructor at Bethany College, showed me that my best was something that people deserved always, even when "half-assed" (her words, not mine) would probably still be sufficient. I recall her giving me a B on an assignment that was visibly superior to my peers work ...she told me that she knew I could do better than what I turned in and while it might have been an A for someone else, that it was just a B for me. As angry as I was that day, it is a conversation that I will never forget. That assignment lowered my average in the course and cost me from graduating with honors. Lesson learned professor Maurer. Lesson learned. I became friends in college with a guy who was in almost all of my classes. We got stuck sitting next to each other on a plane to a conference in Dallas, TX and the rest was history. His friendship, which has faded as life and time and distance took their toll, was something I sincerely needed. I was struggling at the time, something not unheard of when you're figuring out who you are and where you are going when you're in your early 20s. He taught me to not care what other people thought about me, that sometimes you need to cut loose and have a little fun, what I deserved from my own relationships and friendships and he introduced me to the Clarks. So Brian Geatano, thanks... Most recently, I met a man who quickly became one of my most trusted confidants. Since he lives far away, our time face to face has been limited. A dinner here or there while he is passing through town on business. But the hours of conversation have taught me more lessons in a short period of time than many get in a lifetime. We've debated religion and discussed relationships and family and careers. Andy Hinkley came into my life for a reason, just when I needed him most. He taught me that it's ok to think differently and that you need to surround yourself with people who "get you". Andy gets me. And I am thankful. Reason people teach you must needed lessons that without them specifically you might not discover. SEASON PEOPLE There are some people that come into your life for a season. A person who in the movie of your life has a significant role for at least part of your story. There are lots of seasonal people that I could mention that have impacted me positively (and negatively). Seasons, like chapters in a book, are defined by time. It could be time at a job or in school or living in a certain place. Season people are easy to spot...they blow in and out of your life depending on circumstance. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 10 years. This season brought into my life many people who had impact. Rick Ferguson, who taught me that if I wasn't making people mad that I wasn't working hard enough, Kim Foster, who was my good cop, in our good cop/bad cop scenarios with clients, and Claudia Gironda and Kelly Komorowski, who set the bar with regard to how I wanted to conduct my business shaped my life tremendously. Frank Brawner, my favorite sales partner of all time, made my job fun and I would like to think that my season in his life was also impactful and positive. I was older (and wiser) and Frank was younger and, well, less wise and we shared all kinds of twisted and witty insight into not just how we should approach our business, but how we were conducting our own lives. Frank and I have both since moved on from our days pushing drugs but I am happy that at that time, I had Frank-Furter, drug rep extraordinaire as my counterpart. All of these people, and many more, truly don't know what an important role they played in my life during that season of my professional life. Now my professional season includes former students and interns, an IT guy who has a sick sense of humor and a third floor group of colleagues that keeps things interesting...oh, and a family of Bordas's...I hope this season is a long one as I am sure these people have a lot to add to my experiences. Personally, there have been many people who shared a season of my life. Staci Jones was one of my childhood best friends. We drove around in her vintage purple VW beetle convertible for hours talking about boys and music and where we would go to college. We laughed more than most people probably should about things that were ridiculous and silly and off the wall. We made up our own song lyrics. We worked at Grand Vue Pool. We trick or treated far long after it was age appropriate. We also got arrested. Nothing but a small fine of course. She burnt her eyeball ironing her hair. I will never recall my high school days and not think about Staci Jones. After my divorce, when it was finally time to date again, I went out with a guy who was very important to that season of my life. He let me know it was ok to move forward independent of how damaged your heart was, he taught me to appreciate hockey, he encouraged me to jump out of a plane. He also taught me what I need (and what I don't need) moving forward. He also showed me that there are others who have gone through the same circumstance. Mike Breeden and I commiserated...but we had a ton of fun doing so. Mike's season was one of transition for me, and I wouldn't want to share that period of my life with anyone else. Brian Maddich changed my life. In a good way. Never before, in such a short period of time, has someone impacted me so relevantly. Brian set the bar for honesty and I can without hesitation say that my time being close with him will forever be my benchmark for how I want my future relationships to be. His kindness was unparalleled, the way he treated his friends, unrivaled. Brian opened my eyes to things that I hadn't wanted to look at in years and showed me that you should never, ever settle for less than your dreams. He also introduced me to golf and the jury is still out on whether or not I am thankful for that. Thank you Bri...a million, million times thank you. Seasons aren't always long, but they are significant. LIFETIME PEOPLE Lifetime people are the main characters. These are the people that without them, your life story would forever be changed. I am close with my family. As an only child, you can't help but be. Clearly your family is with you for a lifetime, but I can honestly say that my parents have far exceeded their obligation to me as their daughter. They have always had my back and told me the truth regardless of whether or not it was what I wanted to hear. They have been my best friends and I hope that someday my children will look at me and feel the same way. My lifetime list is long, but there are some that rise above. These are people who came in my life, stayed and that I can count on to be there through the remainder of this story. Jennifer Golden is one of these people. Jennifer is the strongest woman I know. Hands down. Nobody even comes close. My life is forever changed because of her friendship and there is no way I would have navigated the last three years without her. I don't know what or why or how either of us ended up in Marietta, OH but I am so glad that we did. Jennifer Golden is proof that everything happens for a reason. Otherwise how would a gal from Toronto, Canada end up becoming best friends with a girl from Moundsville, WV? Our friendship happened because it was supposed to. Michele Rejonis, Jessie Sutphin, Wendy Clutter. These are the women who I will end up living in a beach house with in Florida someday. The golden girls revisited. Jessie has dibs on being Blanche, however. I'll stick to Sophia. Michele can be Dorothy and Wendy, Rose. I've got it all figured out. These girls, while all came into my life at different times, all have been there for me when others have not been. Personalities...all different, but for me, they all add something that I have needed in my life. There are others, Robb, Mark, Monique...people who you had no idea at the time of your meeting that they would hold such an important place. But they do, and they always have, and you have no doubt that they always will. I am certain that there are many more reason, season, and lifetime people to come into my life. I am so thankful that my eyes are open to the blessings that each deliver to me with their words and their experiences. I can only hope that my presence brings some level of significance to theirs as well. Embrace your friends. Listen to their words. Learn from their teachings. Friends help you to write your story so recognize and appreciate the role they play. I'm happy for the cast of characters that have blessed my life so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how this story ends for all of us.