Extremes in the seasons may have us burning lots of firewood

I have been told of an old folk's saying about the weather that says, "One extreme is followed by another extreme."  If it turns out to be true that this extreme hot we are having is followed by this much extreme cold this winter, we are going to be burning a of firewood in a of fireplaces and heaters this winter!

The Cronic family was saddened again this week with the passing of  Lloyd Pittman at the High Shoals Nursing Home where he had resided as of late.  He had just turned 90- years-old in April.   He was first married to Catherine Cronic Pittman and they set up housekeeping on Barrows Grove Road, right up the road from Catherine's mother and father, Hillary and Bunie Cronic, where they ran a dairy farm.  They had two children, Mary Elizabeth and Ray. Catherine developed leukemia when she was only a young housewife and later died as a result from it at the young age of 32, at a time when doctors knew hardly anything about that dreaded disease.  She spent a lot of time at the hospital in Augusta and at Emory where they were just grasping at straws, hoping for anything that would conquer that terrible disease that was ravaging her body.  Mary Elizabeth was 12 and I think Ray was around 8 or 9 when they lost their mother.  In 1971 Uncle Lloyd was again devastated when he lost his daughter, Mary Elizabeth and his granddaughter, Cathy, who was three years old, in a terrible wreck just outside of Lake Butler, Fla. on July 6th; ironically, on the same day he was laid to rest in the Bethany cemetery beside his first wife, Catherine in a graveside service last Friday morning.  I am more than certain there was a glad reunion day in Heaven on July 4, because he has missed them terribly all these many years and longed to be with all of them.   Mary Elizabeth was survived by her husband, John Harrison, and a baby boy, Kent.  John and his wife, Janet, along with their son, Chad, and Mary Elizabeth's son, Kent, were all at the services, along with Lloyd's step-daughter, Anne Small.   I am sure that Kent doesn't even remember his Mama, but she would be proud of the young man he has grown into.  He had been up here the previous week when his grandfather had taken a turn for the worse and had gotten to spend some time with him and Ray.  It was so good for the rest of the family to see them and to be able to reconnect with them after all these years.   Uncle Lloyd dearly loved Ray and Linda's daughters, Brooke and Jennifer,  when they came into his life.  God also sent another love blessing into his life,  Brooke's little girl, Gracie, as she really lit up his life and he loved seeing her and watching her grow up. She brought him much joy through the years.  Ray, along with Carolyn, have both looked after Uncle Lloyd with all the love and care you could ever ask for.  Ray was always trying to do what was best for his daddy.   We all extend our deepest sympathy to all of them at his home-going.

It will be a sad day today (Monday) for our class of 1970 as we lay to rest our classmate, Buddy, (O.T.) Hanson. We were all shocked and saddened when we heard of his sudden death this past week.  Buddy, as we all called him in school, was one of the most popular students at MCHS.  He was very talented and played in a band, "The Glass Menagerie."  This was a "bona-fide" band that actually went a lot of places and played for groups and events.  His band was also named "Knights of Sound," and played for many dances in the old gym.  Buddy went on to the University of Georgia. Pharmacy School and became a very successful pharmacist.  He had been with the Rite-Aid pharmacy for 29 years and just a few years ago had been promoted to the manager of the Rite Aid Pharmacy there in Toccoa.  He evidently came to a bridge or time in his life that he just could not find a way to keep going.  It is always extremely sad when you just don't have any answers to explain a loss at a time when your loved ones desparately need answers.  He is survived by his wife, Glenda and two daughters, Brittany and her husband and another daughter, Megan and also grandchildren. and of course to  loving mother, Bea Hanson. Hanson had just recently gone to live at an assisted living home in Toccoa in order to be close to her son and his family.  The last time most of us saw O.T. was at our class reunion the summer of 2010.  We had a great turnout and everyone so enjoyed seeing one another and playing catch-up with our lives.  You never, never know what the future holds.  Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.  May you rest in peace, our friend and classmate.

We also extend our sympathy to Jennifer Hilsman Baade in the sudden death of her husband, Brian Baade, this last week.  Brian was originally from Oklahoma.  He was called home at the young age of 42.  I have heard that he was an exceptionally friendly person who always had a smile for everyone.  He and Jennifer were also very involved with Buckhead Baptist Church where they were members.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
On a happy note, John Richard and Emelyn Wilson are again great-grandparents as Mattelyn Ripa Atkinson was born to Tori and Eric Atkinson this past Tuesday.   Leigh and Matt Wilson are the little girls grandparents and Mrs. Christine Leitch of Buckhead is the great-grandmother.  She is named for her granddaddy Matt Wilson and her great-granddaddy, Rip Wilson.  Mother and baby are doing well and are now at home, where Braylee, her big sister, is having fun taking care of her.  She will probably be a little cowgirl, too.

Blanche and Jake Wilson, Marty and Connie Wilson, along with the Mark Fortson's enjoyed a Fourth of July cookout down at Lake Sinclair with the Stewart Thigpen's.

Bob and Lydia Bennett, Karen and Cotton Cummings, along with Sally and Arnold Hoge entertained at a Fourth of July cookout at the Bennett's home on Plainview Road on Wednesday night for neighbors and friends, complete with fireworks.

Karalyn Clifton participated in a swim meet at the Aquatics Center this past Saturday and won 1st place in all her events.  Congratualations! 

Joe and Lynn Hanson were among many who attended a beautiful engagement party for their granddaughter, Ashley Baldwin and Clint Johns last weekend at the lovely home of Ronnie and Cindy Stapp near Rutledge.  Ashley and Clint will be married on September 15 here in Madison.  Ashley is the daughter of of Cindy and Gene Baldwin here in Madison.
Chuck, Jeri and Charles Smith of West Point. were guests this week of Jeri's parents, Jack and Joann Cathey  during the Fourth of July holidays.

Stephanie Craig of North Carolina was the weekend guest of her parents, Steve and Sara Nell Craig. Nell Porter was able to come out and visit with them while she was here.

On Friday, Nell Porter and Janice Philippi visited with Frances Brewer down at the Lake Oconee House Assisted Living facility.  Nancy Mitchell and Mary Ann Shannon also visited with her recently.

Prayers of thanksgiving went up for Mary and Frank Eaton as a huge tree fell on the back part of their house last week during a wind and rain storm that passed through their way.  It completely demolished their den.  Mary had just got up from the couch when the tree caved in the roof right over it.  God is good!  Martha with her family came down on the Fourth for a few days to help her parents with the clean-up.  Now for the rebuild to get started.  Thoughts and prayers are sent their way.

Lightning also started a wood fire by hitting two or three pine trees this past week on Jim and Faye Sisson's property here on Baldwin Dairy Road.  Thank goodness Bob Bruce spotted the smoke and called it in.  If it hadn't been caught soon enough, it could have gotten out of hand.  Praise the Lord!

Bethany Baptist Church will have mini-summer Vacation Bible School on Friday night, Saturday morning and the conclusion on Sunday morning of July 20 - 22.  Friday night will be from 6 - 8:30 p.n., Saturday Am will be from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and the Sunday portion will start at 10:00 with Sunday School.  They would like for you to pre-register if you can by calling the church at 706-342-2213.  The pastor's wife, Ruth Ann Ventrello is directing it.  All children are welcome and they want to invite all of them to come.

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition