Time to watch for first big fog of August!

Hello again friends!  It's that time of year again when we should be watching for the first big fog in August that in around 60 days from that date,will most probably come the first big frost of the year.  We had a light fog here on Saturday and another light one on this Monday morning.   I don't really think it counted, but I am going to mark it down anyway. I do need to cover my bases, you know!!   It makes life interesting!

My Class of 1970 has suffered another loss in the passing of our classmate, Mark Roling.  Mark had been battling several health issues for many years, but he did it bravely and quietly, never complaining and just taking it all in stride whatever his lot.  He was a true, genuine Christian man who loved life and wanted to live it to the fullest whatever his circumstances.  He was a very talented and gifted person who could paint, act, sing and was also a very good cook and he loved to cook for family and friends.  He taught school for many years and I am sure he touched many children's lives through the years in his capacity there.  He was a very active member of Madison Baptist Church where he played in the handbell choir, sang in the choir and was a member of several singing groups in the church.   I know one thing and that is that he did know Christ as his Savior and that he was sure of his destination when his days on this earth were over.  He is free of his ills and his ailments and is walking good as new on the streets of gold in his heavenly home.  I know that his wish and prayer would be that all of you would be that sure also.  Being a member of good standing in a church and doing good deeds does not get you into heaven, only by asking Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins will get you there;  knowing Mark, he would really want you to understand what you have to do.  It's never too late.  Even though Mark had his own health issues to deal with, he still looked after his own mother and step-father on a regular basis, making sure they were all right and their needs were taken care of.  I have heard many people say that they are sure God greeted him with the words, "Well done thy good and faithful servant," when he stepped onto Heaven's shores.  Rest in peace, Mark.  We all extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this time.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

William and Gloria Crew attended the Malcom family reunion up at Hard Labor Creek this past Sunday.  We are glad that William is doing better and is able to return to his job at Walmart.

Dale Thompson's sister, Pattie and Joe Frank of Fayetteville, Tenn. came on Thursday afternoon and spent the weekend with Howard and Dale Thompson.  It was Pattie's birthday, so they celebrated with a pool party on Saturday afternoon with Dawn and Tony Epps and their children, Miriah, Chris, and Cole, Amanda Thompson and Derrick Mealor, Brian and Chase Thompson and friends, Vic and Colleen Sims and their chidlren, Victoria, Katie, and Jordan.  Everyone had a wonderful time of visiting with each other.  Pattie and Joe returned home to Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

Emelyn and John Richard Wilson hosted a family get-together on Saturday evening at the home of Brownie and Tammy Wilson.  It included all of their children and grandchildren, and all of Emelyn's cousin, Evelyn Adcock's children and grandchildren.  Around 60 people enjoyed a picnic supper, the children enjoyed swimming, and all the cousins enjoyed visiting.

Becky and George Haley visited Frances Brewer on Thursday down at The Lake Oconee House Assisted Living.  That evening they along with others of the Haley family, James Melvin and Inez Brewer and Dwight and Dorothy Eaton of Eatonton all met for dinner and a get-together.

Crew and Hilda Brewer of Conyers visited with Frances Brewer last week.  On Monday afternoon Larry Brewer and Judy along with Harriette Young and Millie Henson enjoyed a visit with  Frances Brewer down at The Oconee House.

Blanche and Jake Wilson, the Mark Wilkins, Jennifer and J. D. Bonner and Maggie and Nathan Harper were our Sunday dinner guests.
Lydia Bennett is visiting her sister Amy and her husband, Jerry in White, Washington.  Amy has every day planned with sightseeing, shopping, and everything possible complete with her famous caramel cake to give them energy!!  I know they are having a ball!

I accidentally left out Hannah Eaton last week as one of the communities's college students who has returned to her studes up at North Georgia College where she is in nursing school.  We wish her well this school term.

Larry and Maxine Bruce accompanied their daughter, Greta Partain, to Allentown, Penn., recently where they are helping Greta and her husband move into their new home.  They have moved on account of her husband's job.  We wish Greta and Joey much happiness there and for a smooth transition.

We also congratulate Trey Bruce as he will graduate from the United States Army Ranger  School on this coming Friday.  This is quite an accomplishment and we wish him well in his further endeavors.

Gatewood Academy played a scrimmage game against Frederica Academy on Friday night at a high school football jamboree down at John Hancock Academy in Sparts and won 24 - 10.  Ben Porter is a freshman on the team.

The Morgan County Lamb Show Team competed in the Block and Bridle Summer Classic this past weekend at the Univ. of GA.  The team did very well, winning several classes and also had some division winners.  The team consists of Will and Ben Porter, Segars Hunt, and Claire and Will Woodard.   This Thursday night is the Morgan County Farm Bureau Lamb Show at 6 p.m. at the Agricultural Arena on the Athens Highway.

Patrick and Deann Cook entertained the Madison Baptist Youth at a swim party at their home this past Sunday night.
Bethany Baptist Church family enjoyed homemade ice cream after the evening services last Sunday night.

Printed in the August 23, 2012 edition