Some people are known as the ‘Salt of the Earth’

I do hope that all of the father's had a nice Father's Day.  I am blessed that I had a wonderful father, my children had a wonderful father and my grandchildren are blessed that they have wonderful, loving fathers.  They have done and are doing the absolute best they can to raise their families.  Anybody can have a child, but it takes a lot of love, time, and patience to be a real Daddy and a Father to your children.  My family has been blessed with real Daddy's and Father's.
    Bob Moorhead, who, I believe, has been a member of the Bethany community all his life, was honored on Saturday, by his family and extended family on the occasion of his 85th birthday.  It was held at the Bethany Baptist Church fellowship hall and many, many family and friends called during the afternoon to wish him a very Happy Birthday.  It was a lovely afternoon of meeting old friends and neighbors, and seeing many friends and relatives that you had not seen in a good while.   It was nice to see everyone in a joyous occasion.  Annette Eaton catered the party and guests were treated to a wonderful array of refreshments and punch.  There were many pictures and much of Bob's woodworking projects  also on display, which everyone enjoyed marveling over.  He is a talented woodworker.
    My husband, Bruce, started milking for Bob and Alec Moorhead in 1965 while he was in high school and continued milking for them even after we got married in 1971 and for a year or two after that until he went in with my daddy.  We set up our trailer, our first home, on their place after we married and he milked morning and afternoon even while  we commuted to school in Athens to finish up our college education.  He has always had the highest regard for them as did everyone else; they were always very good and considerate to him and us.  Alec passed away several years ago.  Bob was always like a granddaddy to Alec's and Jan's girls, since he had always made their home with them.  Bob had been a bachelor until he married the former Sarah Smith in 1976 at the age of 48.  Then he became Big Bob to Carolyn and Roger Bruce's family as well as to Sarah's son, Richard Smith and his family, who live in Columbus.  Bob has been an admired and trusted member of the Bethany community as well as to Bethany Baptist Church all his years.  He is one of those people you refer to as "the salt of the earth."  We all wish him a very Happy Birthday and we sincerely hope he has many, many more to come!
    Bob left after the party to enjoy some time at the beach with the Richard Smith family to continue celebrating his 85th. 
    Mary and Frank Eaton have returned from an enjoyable and relaxing vacation in beautiful Aruba with their daughter and her family, Sandy and Martha Maddox, Matthew and Mary Martha.  Now back to reality!
    Raegan Wilkins is spending this week at Gymdog camp on the University of Georgia campus.  On Saturday, her gymnastic's team spent the day in Helen where they and their families enjoyed tubing down the river and having a picnic.
    The John Richard Wilson families enjoyed some vacation time recently down at St. Simon's Island.
    The Eaton families all enjoyed a Father's Day get-together at the home of Olena Eaton on Sunday.  Hannah Eaton was also home for the weekend from Rock Eagle.
   The Jake Wilson families all enjoyed a Father's Day get-together also on Sunday at the home of Jake and Blanche Wilson.
    We want to congratulate Billy and Jeannette Brewer as they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
    Clay Porter with his shooting team traveled to Georgetown, SC this past weekend where they participated in the Jr. US Open Sporting Clay Tourney.  The team came in second place.  Congratuations, boys!!
    I entered a new decade this past week and my wonderful son-in-law, Mark, fried some fresh caught fish for all of us and everyone else in the familiy provided the trimmings.  We ate outside by the pool and the weather was perfect; just like being in the mountains.  It was a delicious supper.  They did their best to ease me into a new year; it worked really good, too!
    Frances Brewer is now making her home at the Lake Oconee House Assisted Living facility.  She is adjusting well and she is welcoming visitors.
    We are wishing Harriette Wade a speedy recovery from her attack of shingles that she came down with last week and also Abby Bruce as she underwent gall bladder surgery on Monday morning.  We have also heard that Charles Huff is doing well at home where he is continung to have therapy and William Crew will also begin therapy this week where we are praying that he will soon be on the mend.  It was good to see him out at Bob Moorhead's birthday celebration as well as Joan and Raymond Gilbert as they are also on the mend with their bumps and bruises from their car wreck. Nell Porter was also able to come out to the celebration and she is doing well also.   We have also learned that Mrs. Frances Huff, formerly of this community, is also recuperating from recent hip surgery and is taking therapy for that.  We all wish her a speedy recovery.
    I want to congratulate my sister, Bertie Alligood, as she has been named the principal of Walton Ferry Elementary School in Hendersonville, Tenn.  The school houses grades K - 5.  She is very excited about this new time in her life.  We wish her all the best in her new endeavor.

Printed in the June 21, 2012 edition