Sunday, September 7, 2003

America's laws are to protect minority from 'tyranny of the mob'
I take exception to last Sundays column by Mindy Jeffers about removal of the Ten Commandments monument in Alabama, and I consider the Gallup Poll she cited to be irrelevant. The majority of people look for simple answers to complex problems. Studies show that Americans will vote against the Bill of Rights today.

Ten Commandments monument expresses religious favoritism
In Mindy Jeffers Aug. 31 column, Questioning monument removal, she asks why 77 percent of people in favor of the monument depicting the Ten Commandments have to bend to the 19 percent of those who dont. She then preceded in a most un-Christian way to insult those who oppose her views.

Monument's removal 'latest in a series of attacks' on traditions
Should the day come when some rotten federal court rules that Christianity is incompatible with American patriotism, it is my sincere prayer that God will bless this poor sinner with a faith strong enough to have me labeled a traitor. That would be an honor.

Firefighters to honor Sept. 11 attack victims
Firefighters are members of an exclusive brotherhood.

Pretty hats top off church tea party
Straw hats. Frilly hats with lace. Red hats. White hats.

Library ground-breaking is set for Sept. 16
Jeff Hardin has been waiting more than six years for the first shovel to strike dirt on the site of Columbia County's next library.

Student is politically motivated
Chris Baugh might have a future in politics.

County adjusts to wet season
The severe change in weather from the drought of the past few years to torrential rains beginning this spring affected anything and anyone working with water.

Friends rally for victims after fire
During times of tragedy, community support can make it easier to recover.

Couple adopts great-grandchild
Suzanne Scott paced the waiting room seven years ago eagerly awaiting the birth of her great-grandchild six weeks premature.

Firefighters take the heat for charity
Martinez Fire Department Lt. Todd Caron and firefighter Paul Casey braved last Sunday's humid weather outside a local grocery store to raise funds for children with neuromuscular diseases.

For airman, training is about survival
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - When the son of a Martinez woman reports to class, he's not asked to bring a calculator, a protractor or Cliff notes, and he doesn't have to worry about going through metal detectors to get to his classroom.

Riverside Military cadets promoted after camp
Riverside Military Academy, an all-male college preparatory boarding school for young men in grades 7-12, has awarded promotions to cadets after the academy's annual leadership camp.

Game faces
Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau and Grovetown Middle School principal Carolyn Fries watch the first home football game for the new school.

Police blotter
Following a tip, officers with the Grovetown Department of Public Safety set up a surveillance operation on the afternoon of Aug. 29 that resulted in the arrest of a Grovetown man for drug charges.

On vacation
Jessica (left) and Sarah Stokely of Martinez stand on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in July. The Stokelys also visited the Smithsonian Institution, Mt. Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery.

Wal-Mart donations
Tim Miller, assistant manager of the Evans Super Wal-Mart, presented grant checks to several local organizations Tuesday. The store donated $22,500 last year and has contributed $16,000 so far this year.

Time capsule
As reported 43 years ago in The Columbia News, Sept. 8, 1960:

Property transfers
E. Blackburn Construction Company Inc. to James R. Maxwell and Janna L. Maxwell, 222 Newland Circle, $231,500.

To the rescue
Grovetown Public Safety Officer Wayne Welch and Lt. Wayne Kent hold a puppy rescued from the dryer vent of a Grovetown apartment building.

School lunches
Columbia County school lunch menus

Get up and go
The Columbia County Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting Monday at the Government Center Auditorium in Evans. For more information, call party chairman Terry Holley at 868-0959.

Columbia County Newsmakers
Adrienne Popplewell, a rising Augusta Christian senior, was awarded the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit for superior scholastic endeavors, as well as the Augusta State University certificate of Academic Achievement for outstanding academic performance.

Lasting legacy in library card
It took a little reflection on Grandparents Day for me to realize something: I know very little about my grandmother.

Good progress on sports travel
Columbia County School Board member Roxanne Whitaker has the right idea for improving travel to school sports: I wish we could wink, and thered be a bus, Whitaker recently told fellow trustees.

Through a child's eyes
When the Old Testament prophet wrote, A little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6), his words had overtones beyond their primary meaning that the Messiah would come to earth in the form of a child. Who hasnt heard this phrase, or quoted it, when a child displays wisdom that eclipses their own?

High school sports schedule
Monday Softball: Evans at Cedar Grove, 5 p.m.

Sports briefs
The Evans High School baseball program is constructing a locker-room facility and is soliciting community assistance. Individuals, suppliers or contractors interested in donating materials or services are asked to contact Evans head coach Ricky Beale at 863-1198 or Dan Armstrong at 863-2932.

Panthers get reacquainted with winning
Football fans can be fickle, but right now it's time to jump on the bandwagon at Lakeside High School.

Local teams move up fast in rankings
Who would have thought that after one week of the 2003 high-school football season that Greenbrier would be ranked ahead of defending Class AAAA state champion Thomson?

Football era begins at Grovetown Middle
There was no scoreboard, no game clock, no fancy logos and just a few portable bleachers on the sidelines, but that didn't matter.

Beloved softball coach honored
John Eckenroth reluctantly made his way through the dugout, onto the softball field and stood behind home plate facing the bleachers.