Reflecting on Newtown tragedy

There is just too much sadness in this world.   My heart aches and hurts for all those parents, grandparents, and families affected by the terrible tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut this past week.  It seems like life becomes too, too hard sometimes.  The Devil is really at work these days, running to and fro seeking whom he might devour.  I thought of the verse in the Bible that I think explains what is happening in our world.   Ephesians 6:12, 13:  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."  Some of those adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School  had to stand this week, to protect innocent little children's lives. Some gave their very lives.  My heart and my prayers go out to those families.  I know that God Almighty Himself will comfort those families as only He can do.  We know firsthand....It is a hard road to travel.
We are glad that Raynor Cathey is home where she is recuperating from knee replacement surgery on last Thursday.  We pray she will have a quick recovery.  We are also sending our thoughts and prayers out to Nancy Christian Phelps Welch, the wife of Lee Welch, here in our Fairview community as she suffered a stroke over the weekend and is now in St. Mary's Hospital in Athens.
We extend our sympathy to the family of Grady Calvert of the Godfrey community as he passed away this past week.  Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon at the Godfrey United Methodist Church.  Mr. Calvert worked at the Experiment Station in Godfrey until his retirement.  His daughter, Mary Lynn, is married to my classmate, Ray Harwell, and another daughter, Becky, was a college friend of Bunnie Schmitt as they used to attend Georgia Southern College together and ride back and forth on the weekends to come home.
Jack and Karen Lindsey had a going away party for their son, Matt, on Saturday night at their lovely home here on Baldwin Dairy Road for friends and family.  Jack had been busy cooking stew and barbeque and it was delicious!  Matt will be leaving for Fort Benning near Columbus on January 8 where he will join the US Army.  We all wish him the best in this next step in his life.
Roy Lindsey and his son, Clay and two of Clay's friends were up this weekend for the party and to get in some deer hunting as well.
Karen's mother and father, Carey and Marge Williams of Greensboro, were there and I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with them, as well as Karen's cousin and Karen's sons.  Mr. Williams is the editor of the Greensboro Herald Journal and has been for a long time.  He knows as much about Madison as we do!  That is the newspaper man in him!   He is good friends with Junior Rogers of Buckhead and he knew the late A.T. Bray and had many good conversations with him.
   The night they had the party, Karen and Jack were very concerned about one of their little dachshund dogs who they called, "Little Man."  Little Man did not feel well at all and the night before they had to take him down to the Durham Vet. Clinic at Greensboro where he had to receive a blood transfusion.  I am sad to report that after the party later that night, he got worse and they had to take him back.  Little Man passed away on Sunday afternoon.  We all send our thoughts and prayers out to Jack and Karen in the loss of their beloved pet. He was indeed a member of the family. 
When they told us  that he had to have a blood transfusion, some of us looked at one another and said, "Where did they get the blood to do that."  Karen said that Dan Durham called his father who lives right next door to the clinic and asked him if his bird dog was close by.  He said, Yes, he's right here." So, he brought his dog over and they took the blood from him.  Roy, Jack's brother, who was there, said that he used to keep a dog in his vet clinic in Douglas, just for that purpose; in case they were needing to transfuse another dog.  That dog had free rein of the clinic and just hung out there, being a very important member of their medical team.  I and the others had never even thought about an animal needing a transfusion and where you would get it from.  We all learned something new.
The Fairview Club had their annual Christmas luncheon on last Wednesday at the home of our President, Emily Brewer, on Pierce Dairy Road.  She had all of her Christmas decorations out and everything was decorated so pretty.  Gerald Wood, the husband of Jean Wood, one of our members had grilled chicken as our main course and it was melt in your mouth delicious!  He has a secret recipe that he has used for years and I know part of it involves marinating it for 24 hours before he grills it.  He could market it!  The other members all brought delicious side dishes and desserts to complete the meal.  Afterward, Pat Stinchcomb led the group in games and a carol sing-a-long.  A very enjoyable time was had by all.
Bethany Baptist Church had their Christmas program on Sunday where the children did readings and a re-enactment of the Christmas story.  The ladies also joined in with Christmas hymns.  Afterward, the congregation enjoyed their annual church Christmas dinner after the services on Sunday in the fellowship hall.  Annette Eaton and her helpers catered the delicious traditional Christmas meal and it was enjoyed thoroughly.
Karalynn Clifton attended the Candy Cane Sprint Swim meet in Douglasville on Saturday.  She and the team did well in placings.
Before they left for the swim meet, Maggie, Karalynn, Katie and I went to the Chophouse to have Breakfast with Santa.  Maggie was waiting on him to tell him what she wanted.  She wouldn't tell the Santa that was at the Christmas Parade on last Saturday; she must not have thought he was "bona fide."  He looked bona fide to me.  The Christmas parade was very good.  Sally Stephens and Jennifer Pennington help to coordinate the parade along with Ann Huff and her staff at Madison City Hall.  They did a good job!
Clay Porter is home from ABAC for the Christmas break and has been enjoying duck hunting.  Shannon said that the tour of her mother and step-dad's home, Sandtown, on last Sunday afternoon raised $2500.00 for Bitsy Robbins, a sick lady in their community.  Bitsy is the daughter of the former Viola Alford and her husband who is the pastor of Oasis Baptist Church in the Mansfield community.
Katja Sieger of Germany  is here visiting Scott Porter and  friends at Southern Cross Ranch over the holidays.
Ben and Gladys Watson will hopefully be moving to their new home in Oklahoma this week.  Carolyn and Don Darrow will be driving them to their new home in route to visit relatives in Texas.
The Buckhead Station Restaurant and Grill opened for business on last Friday and business has been booming.  Hours will be from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday.  They are offering a full breakfast as well as all kinds of breakfast biscuits, short order menu items such as chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, etc.  with sides of salad, fries, and onion rings as well as everyday they will have a special lunch plate.  For instance, on this Monday they are having grilled pork chops, mac-n-cheese, black eyed peas, fried green tomatoes and cornbread.  Check them out, they will be glad to serve you!

Printed in the December 20, 2012 edition