Rutledge Academy ‘87 graduates get together

The other week, Willie Ann Johnson, who writes the news for Union Springs quoted the Greer's Almanac as different dates for Dog Days than I did.  I got mine from the Farmer's Almanac. Like her, I am confused, too; it  does look like they would be the same.  It has to do with the Dog Star and when it rises. I haven't looked all that up, but I think we are definitely in Dog Days because there is rain here and all around us about every day now, for which we are so thankful.  Grass is growing like crazy, in the yard, in the hayfields, and in the garden.  Bruce had our garden clean as a pin, but not anymore!  We are having wonderful tomatoes, so I am going to tell the secret.   Mike Herndon, who is the tomato king,  said  to dig a hole with the post hole diggers, as deep as the blades on the postholes; put a handful of the dirt you have dug up back in the hole; next add a handful of pure  potash; put in your tomato plant and finish filling up the hole with the dirt; sprinkle some Miracle Gro pellets around your plant and water all of your plants really good and keep them watered every day. It worked!  We have had some beautiful tomatoes.  Bruce got his wish; he wanted to grow a tomato that when sliced would cover a whole piece of bread for his sandwich!   They have been wonderful!  Sad to say  Mike had nematodes get into his soil and he hasn't had any this year.  His son-in-law has had to furnish him with tomatoes!  I heard that Mike usually plants enough for all of his neighbors and friends!

We extend our deepest sympathy to the  family of Curtis Benford who was killed in a freak lawn-mowing accident  last Wednesday morning.  He was 51 years of age and grew up in the Fairview community, the son of Amy Lee and Rufus Benford.  Funeral services for Curtis were held on Sunday afternoon at Springfield Baptist Church.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families.

We also extend our sympathy to the family of Patricia Alford Paschal who passed away on Friday morning at  Serenity Place in Dublin, after an extended illness.  She was the daughter of the late Mary Sue and Claude (Buster) Alford and the sister of Claude Alford.  She is also suvived by a daughter Kelly Steuber, and a grandson Cole Steuber.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Harold Alford Home Place at 2821 Kingston Road in  Buckhead.   Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family.

We also want to extend our sympathy to the family of William Armour who passed away last week.  He was a brother to Frank Armour here on the Bethany Road.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Lois, as well as the other family members.

We also want to extend get-well wishes to Peggy Armour as she underwent shoulder surgery this morning (Monday) in Athens.  She has been battling shoulder problems for quite a while and we hope this will really help her.  She is a busy woman and likes to be active.  We are all praying for complete healing, Peggy. 

Andrew Ainslie is now at the Greensboro hospital Rehab Unit where he will receive therapy after his hip surgery last Wednesday.  His daughter Beth is a nurse at the hospital, so will be able to keep a close watch on her father.  We all wish him godspeed on a complete recovery.  Our thoughts and prayers are with him.  Garvin Prickett has now been moved to the TCU at Morgan Memorial.

The Rutledge Academy Class of 1987 had a very enjoyable 25th high school reunion on Saturday evening at Sandtown Place, the home of Chip Porter's in-laws, Bill and Sue Hodges, in Covington.  There were 17 of the class that were able to come and join in the festivities as well as almost all of the teachers that taught these students.  Those from this area attending were Donna Bruce Trice, Deann Gilbert Cook, Esther Bruce Curry, Chip Porter, Emily Brewer, as well as Chip's mother, Beryl, who taught at Rutledge during those years.  Thanks to modern technology, the group was able to Skype with Effie Bruce Powell at her home in Vicenza, Italy, which was quite a treat, so she wouldn't be left out of the reunion.  A wonderful time was had by all who attended.

We have a real star in our midst right here in the Bethany community!  Gracin Wilkins, daughter of Luke and Emily Wilkins, had the lead role as Freckleface Strawberry in "Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical" this past weekend, put on by the Oconee Youth Playhouse at the Oconee County Civic Center.  She was absolutely wonderful!  It was absolutely fantastic.  I have never seen  such  talented children!  Gracin, who will be 12 years old in a couple of weeks, sang, danced, and more or less did it all!  Carrie, Mark, and Raegan Wilkins, Harriette Young, Millie Henson, Charles and Anne Young, Teresa Thrasher, Jeffrey Thrasher along with one of Gracin's cousins from Atlanta, attended the Sunday matinee performance.  It was truly enjoyable!  Her little brother, Thrasher, said, "Hallelujah!"  as we were leaving... it took a lot of practices and a lot of time of taking his big sister to  pull this performance off, but it was well worth it!  Other family members attended other nights as well.

Our own local performers with the local theater group here also put on exceptional plays and musicals, which I have seen.   
Will Porter traveled to Clemson, S.C., this past weekend where he participated in the South Carolina Jr. Beef Show at Clemson University Shannon Porter's dad Buddy Adams and her sister Jennifer Moss, accompanied him. Adams is a Clemson alumni.  Will received third place in showmanship, fourth place in class, and eighth place in the stockman's quiz.  Congratulations, Will!

Marc and Laurie Fortson treated Marty and Connie Wilson to a special night out in Buckhead, Atlanta, on Saturday night to celebrate her recent retirement from 35 years of teaching children.

Bobby and Emily Brewer attended a Brewer reunion this past weekend in the North Georgia mountains.
The Fairview Club members and their spouses are reminded of their summer picnic that will be held at the home of Bobby and Emily Brewer this Friday night, Aug. 10.  It will be a weiner roast with the members bringing an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.  We're trying to revive an old tradition!

Ben Watson of the Source of Light Ministries was the guest speaker at both services at Trinity Baptist Church this past Sunday.
Dale and Howard Thompson along with Dawn, Chris, and Cole Epps have returned from Fayetteville, Tenn., where they visited Dale's sister, Pattie, and Joe Frank and also Dale's niece, Valerie Jo Frank-Sack, who was visiting from Machester, N.H.  They all enjoyed a nice visit together.

Printed in the August 9, 2012