COP open house

Editor, Smithfield Times
The Christian Outreach Program Inc. (COP) is having an open house on Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its headquarters, located at 402 Grace Street in Smithfield. COP is blessed to have so many donors, which has enabled us to help those in need for over 25 years. The members and recipients are so appreciative of all the donations that have been given, whether it’s canned foods, furniture, diapers, home furnishings, monetary donations, etc.
To show appreciation to all, COP members are inviting everyone to come and tour “your” building and see what goes on behind the scenes and also to see the facility and the improvements that have been made to the actual building. It is something for everyone to be proud of. COP has been truly blessed over the years and with God’s help and your continued support, we hope to see it continue to grow and make our county a wonderful place to live for all who call Isle of Wight County home.
Don’t forget: Saturday, May 12, 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., open house. Christian Outreach Building. Come, enjoy a hot dog and fellowship!
Becky Farmer
Smithfield

A sad time for region

Editor, Smithfield Times It’s a huge loss to our community and it’s being felt from Richmond to North Carolina.
After 61 years (or 72 years if you count Lou Smith Supermarket), Farm Fresh was deliberately starved to death and then sold off in pieces by its corporate owner in Minnesota. On behalf of 3,500 employees and countless thousands more former and retired employees like myself, we thank you for an amazing run.
Farm Fresh was more than just a grocery store. Founded in 1957 by David Furman, the Farm Fresh name literally came from you, the citizens — many submissions were sent in from people across the region. When Gene Walters joined the company, it grew overnight. If you don’t remember Gene, his famous catchphrase “Tell a friend” was legendary. Gene was a guy who knew employees by name everywhere he went, and cared for everyone as if they were his own family. 

For generations, Farm Fresh was the gathering place and second home to many. I think that is truly what “Tell a Friend” was really about: Even in the Richmond area, locals came together at their favorite store to connect with others and employees. 
Lessons learned from my time at our Smithfield store still guide me today. I’m frequently told how exceptional my customer service is when at work, and I have Farm Fresh and Judy Thompson to thank for that. So many Isle of Wighters called Farm Fresh their work home for decades, literally giving 20-40 years until retirement. The record is held by Ellis in Gloucester, who worked at that store just months shy of a full 50 years!
Things will change, and maybe the exclusive fried chicken recipe will return. Six stores remain open at least through June, but it’s a sad day full of very happy memories. Those memories will last all of us a lifetime. Tell a friend.
Dave Lyons
Chesapeake

Patients are told

Editor, Smithfield Times
I read with interest the April 18 letter from Wendy K. Smith regarding the patient with terminal cancer and his treatment. Ms. Smith stated that the patient received a feeding tube, had surgery and was “robbed” of his speech and ability to eat or taste food. She also stated that he is “one of thousands of patients who yearly undergo non-beneficial treatments …”
I am a retired registered nurse (over 37 years of hospital nursing), and wish to remind Ms. Smith and the public that these procedures require a signed consent from the patient or his family. To imply that these procedures were done to the patient without his knowledge or without any discussion of risks and benefits is absurd. The physician and family have opportunities to discuss in detail the plan. Hundreds of times I was required to read a consent for invasive or surgical procedure over the phone to a family (many times out of state) who had power-of-attorney, when a patient couldn’t communicate. Surely this patient or his family understood what he was about to undergo.
Reputable physicians explain in detail what the procedures will involve and are required to list the risks, which frequently include bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to medication, worsening of the condition and even death. If the family is present, they use diagrams or sketches to further explain, if the family doesn’t understand.
Unfortunately, with a cancer diagnosis, and especially with metastases, a patient will agree to extensive procedures or surgeries hoping to beat the cancer. Many times the family will demand that everything possible be done to help the patient, even when the physician advises against further intervention. Hospice care is an option for keeping the patient comfortable and allowing them to avoid complicated surgery or painful procedures which probably won’t make a difference in their prognosis. Perhaps this patient should have chosen hospice.
Cathy Kirkland, R.N.
Midlothian