“Stay young... always pack your bathing suit!”

We have gotten and are still getting a wonderful, wonderful rain that is so needed. Thank you, dear Lord!
    The latter part of last week Bruce and I, along with Mama and Daddy, took off to the mountains and ended up meeting Bertie and Leon in Gatlinburg, Tenn. We first went to Maggie Valley, N.C. where it was so cool, nice and peaceful.  It was very cool up there, especially at night.  We all went to see a bluegrass music show and during intermission, we were all going on and on how cool it was; it was even chilly in the building.  Daddy, who will be 92 years old in October, up and said, "I don't think I am going to need my bathing suit."  His remark took us all by surprise so, we all looked at him in amazement and nearly rolled in the floor laughing.   I said, "Did you bring one?" He replied, "Yes, I brought two. I wasn't sure which one fit, so I just put both of them in."  He never ceases to amaze me!  My Daddy is definitely young at heart. We should all take lessons from him is my thinking!
    Another amazing thing that happened was that we saw three elk on the drive over from Cherokee to Gatlinburg, Tenn.  That morning when we were loading the car and getting ready to leave Maggie Valley,  Mama, (who you remember never meets a stranger!) was talking to another man in the parking lot.  He told her that he had seen an elk the day before and it just made his day.  When Mama told us this, we all said, "An elk?  There's not any elk in Tenn. 
    He must not know what he saw...it was probably just a deer."  Well, lo and behold, we were driving along and suddenly you could see cars slowing up and really looking at something. I thought for sure they had spotted a bear. (I really wanted to see one!), but no, out in this field were three elk just grazing away.  I told Bruce, "Stop the car!  I want to take a picture!"  He did and Mama and I got out and they just started walking up toward the road as if to cross it. Do you know that when they came up to the road, they turned their head first one way and then the other to check to see if a car was coming and then crossed. I swear to you that it’s true!  I did get a picture! Leon told us that they had brought elk in 5 or 6 years ago to get them started in Tenn. I had missed that news, but elk are in Tenn.  My son told me another interesting fact about elk...their canine teeth are made of ivory.  He said  he thinks they are the only animal outside of the elephant that has ivory teeth.  I didn't know that, either. 
    We left Mama and Daddy with Bertie and Leon since Arthur and his family were coming over later so they could all visit together. 
    They will be driving down and bringing them home this week.
    On some of our drives in the Smoky Mountains, we were right up there in the clouds... it seemed we were so close to heaven that we could just reach out our hand and be there; so close, yet so far away.
    Dan and Sally Porter also enjoyed the mountains and some good trout fishing for a few days.
    Clay Porter competed in the SCTP state sporting clay shoot in Gay, GA. this past weekend.  He and his squad placed 4th in the state and Clay was the 4th high senior varsity shooter and also the overall highest shooter for LOST.  This coming weekend he will be traveling to Georgetown, SC to compete in the Jr. World Open sporting clay competition.  If any of us need anything shot, I believe he is the man to call!
    This Friday, Will Porter is leading a history field trip where anyone interested can travel to Covington, and listen to stories from Claude Adams granddaughter about 4-H and will also have the opportunity to tour Sandtown Place, Shannon Porter's parents home.  Anyone interested may call the Morgan County 4-H office to sign up for the trip. Adults are also welcome.
    Our granddaughter, Raegan Wilkins, who  turned 9 on June 12, celebrated with a birthday party at her home on Saturday afternoon.  She had friends, cousins, classmates and gymnastic friends over for ice cream, cake, swimming and water sliding which they all really enjoyed. Happy, Happy Birthday, sweet girl!
    Hayden Roling also celebrated his 5th birthday last week.  He celebrated his birthday with a swimming party at the Aquatic Center here in town.  Happy Birthday, Hayden!
    Oscar Strange of Buckhead also celebrated a birthday this past weekend also.  Around 50 family members all gathered at Bonners Restaurant on Saturday night to help him celebrate.  Happy Birthday, Mr. Oscar.  We all hope you have many, many more!
    Howard and Dale Thompson attended the 111th meeting of the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star in Macon last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They had a great time renewing old friendships and making some new friends.  32 members from their District 22 attended.  They are also very proud to have Carl Grady Stewart as their Grand Sentinel for the 2012-2013 year from the Madison Chapter 335.
    Sympathy is extended to Holly Roling in the tragic and sudden death of her brother this past weekend.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family at this sad time. His name was Brian and there will be a memorial service at Buckhead Baptist Church on Saturday morning at 11:00.   
    We all send our sympathy to Karen Harper and Gail Stewart in the death of their mother, Mary Johnson Harper this past weekend.  A graveside service was held at the Bethany Baptist Church cemetery on Sunday afternoon.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them also.
    We also send out get-well wishes and prayers to William Crew of the Bethany community as he has been experiencing some health problems as of late. 
    We are praying he has better days ahead.  We are also thankful that Joan and Raymond Gilbert were not seriously hurt in a car wreck this past week.  They are very sore and we are all sending up get-well wishes and better days for them.

Printed in the June 14th edition.