By Amanda Vernon
Staff Writer

Morgan County's new Aquatic Center has attracted adults in search of exercise, young swimmers, and now Fanta-Sea Divers, a brand-new business offering scuba diving certification.

Fanta-Sea Divers was opened by Jerry Thompson and Veronica Fallin, instructors, and Dave Olcatt, a Dive Master and a DAN (Divers Alert Network) Dive Medic Technician. "I've been wanting to do this for eight years," said Thompson, who lived in Madison before opening the dive shop. "I found out the aquatic center was open, and I said, this is the time to open."

Thompson began his years of diving in 1982, after a late night watching television. "Seahunt," a show whose original broadcast ended in 1969, was his favorite show. "I watched every one of them," he said. "I sat down, eating a sandwich before I went to bed, and I saw Seahunt. I said, I want to do that." The next morning, he called his friend and set up his certification, and the rest, as they say, is history. Thompson met Fallin and Olcatt at a dive shop in Covington, and after working there together for several years, the three decided to open their own shop.

By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

    Looking for a deal?
    The local MOMS Club is hosting The Kids' Clothesline Sale, offering up low-prices on "gently used" baby and kids clothing and toys.
    The sale is set to take place at the Madison Rec Center on College Avenue in Madison from Thursday, Sept. 10 to Saturday, Sept. 12.
    On Thursday, the sale will be open from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a $5 entry fee. The Kids' Clothesline will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. (Most items at the sale will be half-priced on Saturday.)
    Reusable shopping bags will be available. For more information on The Kids' Clothesline, visit thekidsclothesline.blogspot.com.
    Looking to get involved with the MOMS Club? The organization will hold an open house on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Heritage Park. Call Angie Lublow at (678) 458-1980 for more information.

Story and Photos by: Angelina Bellebuono

The perfect size for fun is often smaller than one might think. In Buckhead Saturday morning, residents of Morgan County’s smallest municipality gathered with their friends and families. They watched as a smattering of antique tractors ambled past the town’s brick storefronts, they ate hot dogs and hamburgers cooked by the town’s volunteer firefighters. Children played on the swings in the town’s park and parents talked of church and school and the football team’s loss the night before.
There was bluegrass music and twangy country covers sung by local Timmy Saye. Dogs got gussied up and showed off their owners with pride. Lady bugs, looking suspiciously like balloon insects, were the rage among the young ladies, and the boys ran and acted like young boys will.
It wasn’t a big event, at all. Nothing like the production the town pulls off on July fourth each year. But it was enough to remind Buckhead residents and their guests that their town may be old, but it’s still young at heart.

By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

It's got a title that makes you wonder. And it's got a local actress.

Morgan County native Faith-Antionette Sewell is set to star in the Social Circle Theater production of the musical comedy "False Profits! God Don't Like Ugly!" this weekend.

"The show is basically about so-called [prophets] that use God's name to take advantage of the church body. The moral is 'Never place man before God'," Sewell said, in an e-mail.

Further, the daughter of "Rerun" from the '70s television series "What's Happening" and Kebo Cyrus, uncle of Miley Cyrus and brother of Billy Ray Cyrus, will also be in the production.

Sewell is part of the opening act of "False Profits!"

"It begins with me singing," Sewell said. "I have fun. I am a comedian anyway. I have so much energy and you see it throughout this play. I play a sassy woman who, in secret, is a victim of abuse."

A 2002 graduate of Morgan County High School and graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelor's degree in Theater, Sewell has been acting throughout high school and college. "I think my favorite moment was writing two one-acts that were used in a Georgia State University production," she said. "I also enjoyed being a part of BET productions and working on camera."

Sewell has gained experience as a model, singer and actress in numerous plays and television shows, including "October Road" filmed in Madison. In addition, she has authored productions.

The production of "False Profits!" will take place at the Social Circle Theater on Friday, September 4 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, September 5 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, September 6 at 4 p.m. Directions can be found at socialcircletheater.com.

By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

Prepare yourself; "beer drinkin' gospel" is set to come to Madison.

Morgan County's own The Bearfoot Hookers will take the stage at Round Bowl Springs Park on Thursday, September 10 in a benefit concert for Hand in Hand Ministries, Inc., "a non-profit organization that envisions a community of homes serving adults with developmental disabilities, with the ultimate goal of creating a total-life living concept where self-worth and dignity can be promoted."

According to e-mail correspondence with Meredith Holloway of Hand in Hand Ministries, the non-profit wishes to create residential homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Through this community, the organization hopes to be able to foster growth in everything from education and daily living to social, vocational and recreational skills. Initially, they plan to build two group homes--one for men and one for women--to be located in Rutledge through a partnership with Camp Twin Lakes, who has provided the site for the structures.

The show begins at 6 p.m. and is set to run until 8 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but this is a fund-raiser; attendees are encouraged to contribute donations of any amount.

Additionally, raffle tickets (for products from local businesses) will be available for purchase and concessions will be sold at the show.

For more information on Hand in Hand Ministries, visit handinhandministries.com.