Monday, March 12, 2007
'New standard' for county government: not bad as Richmond County
Hello, Columbia County voters. Good news; we now have a new standard against which to measure the excellence of our county commissioners and county school board.
Columnist's comments on thriftiness bring back memories of saving
I loved Barbara Seaborn's Feb. 28 column about saving tinfoil and Baggies. We didn't have Baggies, but we sure had tinfoil. I grew up in England during World War II and afterward. We saved everything!
Post happenings
Post Happenings lists events, programs and other community notices from Fort Gordon.
Civilian receives equivalent of military's Purple Heart
The events of Dec. 21, 2004, will forever be etched in John Grant's mind.
Time is right for flowers
As the weather begins to turn warm, it's time to start thinking about adding a little color to the yard.
Teenager takes on task stitch at a time
Greenbrier High School senior Taradee Hagan is an accomplished photographer, artist and softball player. But her senior project led her into unknown territory - quilting.
Get rid of critters as soon as possible
Last week, I was pruning shrubs around the foundation of my home. As I pruned my Dwarf Yaupon Hollies, I reached into the center of the plant to remove a long branch. That's when I saw the white blob.
Military milestones
Air Force Airman Terry S. Whitby Jr., son of Shenella Whitby, of Fort Gordon, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
County offers virtual tour
Bookworms and event planners can now take a 360-degree glimpse at the Columbia County Library from almost anywhere in the world.
Special MP unit returns from duty in Middle East
Angela Konerman shed a lot of tears March 1 in anticipation of a welcome home ceremony at Fort Gordon's Gym 3.
Adventures include dress-up
Jennifer Craig has always believed that dreams can come true. Her aim is to do just that for young children with a business she opened last year called Fairytale Adventures.
Evans High STAR student excels in writing, literature
With a little more than 300 students in her senior class, Leanna Wenger couldn't have been more surprised to learn that she was the STAR student at Evans High School.
New range keeps soldiers in form
Brig. Gen. Ronald Bouchard was among the first to brush up on his marksmanship Monday at Fort Gordon's newly revamped pistol range on North Range Road.
Students witness cow kissing
Euchee Creek Elementary School pupils got what they paid to see Wednesday, and it grossed them out.
Grovetown approves opening of in-house probation office
Those given probation in Grovetown Municipal Court have to drive to Evans to check in and pay fines.
Greyhound of the week
Ripley, 2 years old, is a beautiful, loving girl who seems to love everyone - cats, small dogs and kids. If you are looking for a cuddle-bug, this is your girl.
Property transfers
Frank C. Burpee to Tommy M. Harp and Patricia E. Harp, 1536 Joy Road, $98,700.
Photo: Literary nuptials
Ruth Masella's kindergarten class along with pre-K and all kindergarten classes at River Ridge Elementary School celebrated the marriage of Miss Q and Mr. U. Miss Q (Katie King) and Mr. U (Evan Cadle) were united as Assistant principal Dr. Wanda Richardson officiated.
Time Capsule
As reported 38 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, March 13, 1969:
Newsmakers
Erin D. Beasley, a third-year early speech communication major at the University of Georgia, has been named president of the executive board of the Panhellenic Council.
DUIs
Bryson Lane Smith, 23, of the 1900 block of Courtney Drive, North Augusta, was charged with driving under the influence on Jan. 22, 2007, and was fined $1,224.
Photo: Partying with Paula Dean
Dana Samples (left) and her sister, Lynn Huff, both of Evans, were invited to appear in January on Paula's Party with Paula Deen on the Food Network.
Divorces
Robyn Seigler Halcame and David Anthony Halcame, Feb. 13, 2007.
Newsmakers
Larrie Reece, of Evans, has been named to the University of Mobile's President's List for the fall semester for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while taking at least 15 semester hours.
School Lunch Menus
School lunches in Columbia County schools.
Photo: Gymnastics winners
Hayden's level 8 gymnastics team won first place at the Hard Rock Invitational in Phoenix on Feb 10. In addition, Taylor Blanton took first and Jasmine Brown took second individually. Team members are Sydney Umstead (from left), Taylor, Jasmine and Rita Payne.
Get Up and Go
The Columbia County Library holds tutoring sessions for adults interested in improving their reading skills. For information, call (706) 863-1946.
Current events
A benefit for the 93rd Signal Brigade Family Readiness Group will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St., with a raffle, silent auction, door prizes, entertainment, video conference to soldiers in Iraq and information on adopting a soldier.
Police blotter
The owner of a Martinez drywall company told deputies Tuesday someone forged his business's checks and cashed them for thousands of dollars.
Photo: Grovetown Merchants cut Aaron's ribbon
Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau and Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership general manager Larry Shuler cut the ribbon March 3 during the store's grand opening. Aaron's was the first business to celebrate its ribbon cutting with the new Grovetown Merchants Association.
Set the clocks 'till races over
Check your clocks. In case you forgot, we were all supposed to switch last night a month early to Daylight Savings Time.
'Profound lesson' from a loving son
It took two visits to the small stone cottage overlooking the ancient city of Ephesus (now Efes), Turkey, before I saw the connection between "Mary's House" and the third "word" Jesus spoke from the cross.
D'Oh! Impact fee foes run out of excuses
The debate shouldn't be about whether to have an impact fee, but on how big it should be. Time for stalling is over, commissioners. It's time to get moving.
Prep Calendar
The Evans baseball team travels to Burke County on Monday.
Harlem baseball opens with best record
Here it is, March 11. We're two weeks into the baseball season, and guess which Columbia County team has remained undefeated the longest.
Athlete turns his focus to baseball
It's been a long winter for Josh Whitaker. The Augusta Christian Schools senior is a multiple-sport athlete, but he trimmed his resume by one sport this year. After signing a baseball scholarship to Kennesaw State last fall, Whitaker chose to skip basketball season and concentrate solely on baseball.
Sports Calendar
The 11th annual golf tournament to benefit the Fisher House will take place March 23 with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The tournament will be at Gordon Lakes Golf Course, and costs $55 a person or $220 a team. Deadline for registration is March 16. For information, call (706) 787-7100.
Harlem feels range of emotions in win
Emotions ran high in both dugouts last Tuesday when Evans traveled to Harlem for a non-region rivalry game. The Bulldogs ran the gamut of emotions through nine innings of hard-fought baseball.
Wolfpack win at home
Exactly nine months and two days after Greenbrier won its fourth baseball state championship on its home field, the Wolfpack returned to the Greenbrier diamond last Monday for its 2007 season opener.
Bulldogs showing they have some bite
Harlem should start to get some consideration for the Class AAA top 10 rankings when the new polls come out this week. Jimmie Lewis's squad is riding high following two huge wins against Columbia County rivals, and Class AAAA opponents, Lakeside and Evans.