Time capsule

As reported in The Columbia News 17 years ago on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 1984.

Buchter named health department director

Diane Buchter will take her position as the new director of the Columbia County Health Department on Nov. 1, succeeding Carol Davis, who served 25 years.

She was recommended by Dr. Maurine Patton, regional health director and approved by the county board on Oct. 18, said John Huffman, county health department chairman.

"As chairman of the Board of Health, I look forward to working with Diane and I am sure she will continue the outstanding leadership that we have had in the past," Huffman said.

Buchter, of Appling and a Columbia County native, began her career as a staff nurse in 1973 before being promoted to senior nurse, then lead nurse. She spent ten year working for the health department before transferring to Humana, where she has earned 30 hours toward her Master degree at the Medical College of Georgia in community health. Her husband, Ted, is a registered nurse and has an MBA in hospital administration.

Still new to the job, Buchter is just looking to get familiar with issues and get her feet wet.

"My first plan is update myself on all that is going on," Buchter said. "This county is growing so fast and I have to get an update on the needs of the community."

Library received gift of shrine

The Warren C. Gibbs Memorial Library in Evans is displaying an exhibit that will enhance education, civic pride an patriotism for everyone who visits the library.

The Columbia County Exchange Club donated, unveiled and dedicated a "Freedom Shrine" in the library's entryway last Wednesday. The Freedom Shrine is a program that Exchange clubs make available to various public institutions. Others have been presented to local elementary and high schools among others.

The shrine is a collection of 27 documents relating the struggles and battles that Americans participated in throughout history including letters, documents, signatures and transactions. Laminated copies of the most precious documents include The Gettysburg Address, the Mayflower Compact and the American General's answer to the proposed World War II surrender, "Nuts!"

The shrine is co-sponsored by Georgia State Bank and The Medicine Cabinet.

Middle school holds mock election

Columbia Middle School pupils participated in a statewide Student Mock election last week complete with actual voting machines and ballots from the Board of Elections.

Pupils in Marian Marshall's seventh grade Georgia history class had to keep a scrapbook of newspaper articles concerning candidates and current issues on federal, state and local levels. The class also discusses the election process and how election decisions can affect their lives in the future.

The reason for the election was to get pupils familiar with the election process, tape recorders and the candidates who are running.