Feeling for those devastated by storm in Northeast

There was some frost last Thursday morning!  It was pretty heavy in low-lying places and spotty on the higher levels, but that wind that blew incessantly all last week died down some on Wednesday night and come Thursday morning, there was some frost. 

We all feel so sorry for all those in the Northeast that bore the brunt of Hurricane Sandy.  What a mess those folks are in.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost so much and those who did not lose their homes, but have no electricty, water, or phone service.
The community extends our sympathy to Tony Stephens and his brothers and sisters in the loss of their brother, George  Douglas (Doogle)  Stephens.  He was 59 and lived in North Carolina with his older sister, Sandra.  A beautiful memorial service was held on Saturday morning at the Carter Funeral Home chapel.  Steve Wallace, a good friend of Doug's, gave a lovely eulogy.  Steve told of going to school with Doug, working at the Wallace car dealership together, and many escapades they had together growing up.  After the service, the family gathered at the home of Sally and Tony for a wonderful lunch, visiting and reminiscing together.

 We need to remember Dot Fordham on Barrows Grove Road as she is experiencing  some health issues recently.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her.  Dean Strange of Godfrey is also back in the hospital at St. Joseph's in Atlanta.  We pray for the doctor's wisdom and for healing for him.

Bruce and I were glad to see Cole Rolader the other day as he stopped by to visit with us a while.  He is doing really good since his accident and the doctors don't think he is going to need additonal surgery of which he is so thankful.  He wants to thank everyone for their prayers during his ordeal.

We want to wish Ernest Ward of Madison a very happy birthday as he will celebrate his 99th birthday this week.  He is still in very good health and is at home with around-the-clock help.  Blanche and Jake Wilson stopped in to see him for a while on Saturday.  His parents lived at one time down in the pasture below where Mama and Daddy live now and where my brother, Marty, and Connie have built their house.  I remember this old house being there when I was growing up and I think Daddy used to store hay bales in it.  We always called it "the Ward House."  I have a mantlepiece from that house in my kitchen today.  Daddy said that Ernest had already grew up and moved out when his parents lived down there.  Daddy also told me that Mr. Ward, my Uncle Dick Wilson, and Thomas Trotter built the annex at Bethany Baptist Church back in the '60s.  This would be the annex on the left side of the church and was built in dedication of my Aunt Catherine Cronic Pittman after her death.  Daddy also remembers Uncle Dick telling how he and Mr. Ward laughed and had such a good time as they worked on that project.  Bruce rents land on Barrows Grove Road now for his heifers that has always been known as the Ward place.  I remember years ago we would always see Mr. and Mrs. Ward and perhaps a grandchild or two come driving down Baldwin Dairy Road on their way over to their place on Barrows Grove to feed and check on their cows there.  Mrs. Ward passed away several years ago, but Mr. Ward is still ticking right along.  Happy Birthday, Mr. Ward, and may you have many, many more!

All of the Wilson families along with some other close friends and relatives traveled to Daytona Beach, Fla. this past weekend for the wedding of Brownie and Tammy's daughter, Maggie, to Steve Lamb, son of Debbie and  Tim Lamb.  They were married on Saturday evening on the beach there at Daytona.  We all offer up our congratulations to this newlywed couple!

Zach Massey participated in the Ironman Triathalon this past Saturday down at Panama City, Fla.  He ran, he biked, he swam and he finished in a little over 11 hours.  Congratulations!! All the Masseys and little Ellie were there to cheer him on.

Will Porter spent the weekend in Louisville, Ky. where he was with the Senior 4-H Dairy Judging team of Morgan County. They were judging at North American International Livestock Expedition.  They won this trip in May when they won the State competition here in Georgia.  I haven't found out their placings as of yet.

Ben and Shannon Porter are also in Louisville, Ky. this week to compete in the North American International Livestock Show in the lamb category.  This is the biggest show in the U.S., with over 5,000 lambs this year.  To place is a big, big honor.
Clay Porter spent the weekend at home from ABAC.  He wanted to see Gatewood's last home football game of the season.  They won, so they will be playing again at Gatewood on Friday night in the first round of the state playoffs.

Kristy and Kenneth Davis have returned from a wonderful and enjoyable trip abroad where they visited Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome, and of course Effie, Doug, and Rose Powell at their home in Italy.  On their return they have purchased their first home in Hampton, Ga. and are busy packing, moving and getting settled.  Congratulations to them!

Ben and Joanie Bruce are hearing from their son, David, who is in Marine boot camp at Parris Island, S.C.  He is doing well and making it, althought he says it is a great challenge!

Dan and Sally Porter were planning on going down to Warner Robins on Saturday to see their grandson, Jake, play in his football game.  They were almost to Monticello when the traffic started getting backed up and was only inching along.  Come to find out, it was the Deer Festival in Monticello.  They tried to hang in there and wait it out, but finally gave up and just turned around and came back home.  They said it was awful!  They were disappointed and I know Jake was too.

Bruce and I ran into the same situation the other weekend when we went to Young Harris to watch the Hughes family make sorghum syrup.  Going up that morning was a breeze, no traffic at all, but late that afternoon when we were starting home, the closer we got to Helen the worse the traffic got.  We were just barely moving; come to find out it was Octoberfest in Helen!  You have never seen so many people' they were elbow to elbow the entire town and they  were all wearing those little green German hats!  We finally got through and we were able to get on the "home road."  People love those festivals!

Don't forget the Godfrey Community Barbecue will be held this Saturday, Nov. 11, with the serving being from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.  This will be a "whole hog barbecue."  Plates are $9 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.  For information call Esther Curry at 706-474-5963.

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition