Sunday, June 5, 2011

Parents should seek other options with county's pre-kindergarten cuts
Editor: I was disappointed to hear that Columbia County schools chose to close half of their pre-kindergarten classrooms, citing budgetary reasons.

Sassy Brass starts series
A new concert series kicks off on Saturday.

Art with meaning
During a trip to Washington, D.C., as a child, Lillian Brisson recalls her amazement at seeing beautiful works of art hanging in a tunnel below Congress.

Heat wave prompts opening of cooling centers in county
Nearly two weeks earlier than usual this year, Columbia County cooling centers have opened to provide residents without air conditioning some relief from unseasonably high temperatures.

Time is right for retirement, outgoing administrator says
After more than two decades, Columbia County's top non-elected official says he's ready to move on.

Four county students will get Merit grants
Four Columbia County students were named 2011 National Merit Scholars last week by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

Teacher uses camping trip as educational opportunity
A teacher by trade, Becky Bresnahan uses everyday experiences to teach her 4-year-old son, Joseph. She says a camping trip is a great way to not only bond with her son but to bring learning to a new level.

With proper planning, landscape can look great and save on water
This is four or five summers in a row where we have been short on rainfall. But we still can have a great looking landscape and garden if they are planned right.

Speller undaunted after falling short in bee again
Just four points separated Rachael Cundey from achieving her goal of making it into the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Police Blotter
A Hephzibah man was arrested Thursday for taking up-skirt photos of unsuspecting women in an Evans retail store.

Divorces
Rosa L. Pentecost and Robert E. Pentecost, March 29, 2011.

Ribbon-Cuttings
Special Photo Milton Ruben Superstore held a ribbon cut with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on April 13. They are located at 3514 Washington Road in Augusta. [CAPTION] Special Photo ServPro Martinez/Thomson held a ribbon cut with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on April 28. They are located at 1 Randolph Court in Evans. [CAPTION] Photo by Jim Blaylock Gregory Baker, vice president and general manager of Computer Masters of Augusta, cuts a ribbon with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to mark the opening of the Business and Technology Center on Commercial Boulevard in Martinez.

Pet Adoption Showcase
Heartsong Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on donations to continue the rescue effort. Located in Martinez, Heartsong rescues from 10 counties. Animals are current on their vaccinations (age appropriate). Dogs are microchipped. Pets are spayed/neutered and cats are litter-box trained before placement. To adopt, donate or for information, contact Loretta at (706) 855-1241, or go to www.heartsong animalrescue.com.

Property Transfers
Chris Evans Construction Co. Inc. to Edker W. Smith, 204 Ansley Place , $144,900.

Working so kids can play
Jimmy Austin measures the top of a playhouse being built for Raymond Lee's three children at their home in the Tudor Branch subdivision.

Current Events
The Clarks Hill Beekeepers will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in Appling at 6343 Yelton Road. The topic of the meeting will be how to raise honeybees using fewer chemicals. The presenter will be UGA Honeybee Research Farm Manager Jennifer Berry. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, call Charles Phillips at (706) 541-2152.

Lewiston Elementary School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Ryan Ash, Chase Beall, Skylar Bernstein, Hailey Briolat, Abby Brooks, Anna Burnett, Jackson Cason, Sarah Cook, Justin Cranata, Adin Daniels, Ariadna Diaz, Kiersten Dutrow, Bailey Eubanks

Marriage Licenses
Dustin Edward Reddick and Amanda Christine Bugg applied for a marriage license on March 21, 2011, and were married April 9, 2011, in Athens, Ga.

North Columbia Elementary School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Trent Bruyninckx, Cameron Carr, Shelby Hankal, Laney Johnson, Aaron Long, Jayce Swim, Dylan Williams, Gabby Willis, Will Simons, Kam McDaniel, Chase Johnson

Cedar Ridge Elementary Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Avin Alexander, Sheyfer Bilbao, Jessie Brown, Harley Carroll, Sam Carter, Olivia Cason, Clarence Charatain, Gisselle Cortez, Clifton Cunningham, Sarah Currey, Stephanie Dawson

Time Capsule
As reported 22 years ago in The Columbia News-Times, June 7, 1989:

Newsmakers
Tommy Norris, a financial professional with The Prudential Insurance Company of America's Southern Star Agency at 228 Baston Road, Martinez, has been named a qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. MDRT life membership is based on a career of excellence. Only a small percentage of life insurance professionals are named life members.

Happiness needs actions, attitude
There are a lot of unhappy people in America today. They don't agree with anything the government is doing. They don't agree with the way their children are turning out. They argue with just about anybody they're talking to because they definitely know better than anyone else. And worst of all, they are unhappy at home and make their entire family miserable.

Summer supervision is essential
Perhaps more than any other institution, public schools serve multiple roles only barely related to their core function.

Editorial Cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, June 5, 2011

It's frustrating to see misuse
It's enough to make a grammarian scream.

Cavalier football could be left in dark
Without permanent lights to illuminate potential Friday night games, Augusta Preparatory Day School's football program is scrambling.

Sports Calendar
The 2011 Georgia Underclassmen Showcase for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors will be held at Westside High School on Wednesday. The top 100 players at each of 12 sites throughout the state will advance to the Top 100 event July 1 at Kennesaw State University.

County champions
Riverside Middle School's golf team won the Columbia County championship. Members of the team are Hayden Stencil (from left), Luke Bright, Taylor Peel and States Fort.

Summer swim season brings stars, newcomers to the pool
By now, Elliott Triplett rarely loses a swim race.

Ex-Lakeside pitcher was exception to rule
College scouts see a high school player's statistics and project what he'll do when he steps up in competition. They might assume, for example, that a player with a 2.00 ERA would have one in the 3.00 or 3.50 range as a college pitcher.

Upstate Junior Classic's finest
The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour played host to the Upstate Junior Classic April 16-17, at Cobb's Glen Country Club in Anderson, S.C. The three top finishers in the girls 14-18 division were Eunice Yi (from left), of Evans, third place; Riley Lovorn, of Anderson, first place; and Taylor Dodson, of Aiken, second place.

Ex-Greenbrier pitcher receives award in SAL
I recently detailed the amazing turnaround of former Greenbrier High baseball star Brandon Cumpton, who is with the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League. Cumpton struggled mightily in his first three starts but has been the best pitcher in the league since.

Camp Calendar
The Evans High School Youth Baseball Camp for ages 5-14 will be held Monday through Thursday and June 20-23 at the school. The camp will run from 9 a.m. until noon daily. The cost is $80 per session or $140 for both sessions. For information, e-mail coach Ricky Beale at rbeale@ccboe.net.