Time capsule

As reported 28 years ago in The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, June 30, 1976:

Wildwood celebration

The Columbia County Recreation Department will hold an "Old Fashioned 4th of July" bicentennial celebration at Wildwood Park.

There will be activities and games, and admission is 25 cents.

Patrol prepares

The Georgia State Patrol says the July 4 holiday period may be the busiest holiday of the bicentennial year from a traffic and enforcement standpoint.

Georgia Public Safety Commissioner Col. Herman Cofer said the holiday by its very nature would likely create unprecedented situations and problems for traffic officers statewide.

The patrol is predicting 17 highway deaths during the holiday period.

One more for Blanchard

John Pierce Blanchard, unopposed candidate for superintendent of schools, announced that he would not run for the position again after he is elected for the coming term.

After serving Columbia County for more than 27 years, Blanchard said, "You're going to turn me out to pasture." The announcement was made at the second "meet the candidates" program sponsored by the Martinez-Evans Citizens League.

Post names officers

American Legion Post 192 of Evans has named the following men as officers for 1976-77: Richard (Dick) Costello, commander; Leon Connor, senior vice commander; David Billi, junior vice commander; Tom Kane, adjutant; Bob Nelson, finance officer; Larry Kempter, sergeant-at-arms; T.C. Kelley, service officer; and James Brassell and James Moore, executive committeemen.

Jack Reese, a member of Post 192, has been elected as commander of the 11th District of the Georgia American Legion.

Columnist pens book

The Rev. Jim Ransom, a columnist for The Columbia News, has published a book of devotionals based on a series of telephone meditations.

Titled "Words of Encouragement," the booklet includes 70 messages presented over a two-year period as telephone devotionals in Greensboro, Ga., where Ransom has served as a minister for four years at the First United Methodist Church.

Cattle show

Shane and Shannon Coley of Grovetown will be among 333 exhibitors from 29 states showing Polled Hereford heifers at the third National Junior Polled Hereford Show and Forum in Louisville, Ky., July 12-16, 1976.

Nearly 600 heifers have been entered in this event, sponsored by the American Polled Hereford Association.