Schley County Family Connection meets
The Schley County Family Connection held its monthly meeting  Oct. 22 at the Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 American Legion
John Greene, coordinator, called the meeting to order and  Michael Johnson asked the blessing. A delicious dinner was served.
Guest speaker was Adam Hathaway, Schley County Schools superintendent, who spoke on making an addition to the elementary school. The board of education has approved a wing to be added for the pre-k and kindergarten children. He said that they have been in mobile units, and he would fill much safer with all students under one roof.
He also said not to worry about any taxes going up because the school has enough money from SPLOST to pay for the addition.  There will be 14 classrooms added. He showed a map of the school and spoke about fixing up some other things. The board of education has approved building a new baseball field and a new softball field and track field.
All teachers in  the system got brand new computers last week. He said if anyone would like more information to call him.
All people that serve on the Family Connection made their monthly reports. Michael Johnson, chair, Family Connection, announced that this is Georgia’s 25th anniversary for Family Connections.
Sharon Watson, president, Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce, announced the Downtown Trick or Treat event in Ellaville, and that Santa Claus will see children in the rotunda of the newly renovated courthouse at Christmas.
Wayne Morrow of the Ellaville Lions Club announced the Fall Barbecue and Festival on Nov. 14 at the American Legion. He also explained the purpose of that the Lions Club and is helping with vision and sight projects.
The American Legion Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 will have a special event on Nov. 8 for all veterans.
Fran Kinservik with the Schley County Department of Children Services spoke on Medicaid  program.
Nancy McMath Young spoke on behalf of the Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society and how they are helping repair the doors in the courthouse renovation as well as the statue in the park. She also announced the annual dinner party.
Karen Albritton with the Lighthouse Children’s Advocacy Center in Americus also spoke.  This center works with sexually abused children. They have received hospital beds and Dr. Wallace Mays will be their physician.
Linda Adams with the Schley County Foundation spoke about the effort to raise money for a playground for children. They need $10,000.
Kristy Smith, Schley County Health nurse, gave a report on flu shots and free breast exams.
Gary Moore with USA Health Care announced that it is time to apply for Social Security and how he can help people sign up.
Brenda Welch, Schley County Extension Service, announced that she had been working with sixth- through eighth-grade students through the 4-H Program on the subject “Where Do Crops Go?” They visited Wells Grain & Peanuts.
Stephen Woodson, Schley County truancy officer, announced that he had not had any trouble in the schools this year.
Leslie Minter, Ellaville City Council member, reported on the  Street Scape project and park.
Elaine Gillispie reported  from Congressman Sanford Bishop ‘s office.
The time and place will be announced for the next Family Connection meeting.

Braswell Family holds reunion
On Oct. 24, the descendants of Georgia and Janie Braswell got together at St. James Pennington Episcopal Church (the little log church) in Andersonville for a reunion.
Family members traveled on Ga. Highway 195 to the original site of the little church where their grandparents and great-grandparents are buried as well as other relatives.
Everyone met back at 1 p.m. in the Village Hall in Andersonville where a delicious meal was served by Kimberly and Jarod Ward at the Anderson Station. Some family members walked across the street to April Zimmerman’s and Stephen Hillard’s home for the children to play.
They shared family photos, albums, letters and told special stories. They laughed, cried and had a fantastic visit. They had not held a reunion since 1996. Last October, a handful of cousins met, so the idea came up for a reunion this year.
On Sunday, Oct. 25,  they all assembled at the little church for church services led by the Rev. Terry Braswell Sr., son of George W. Braswell. Music was provided by a trio, Inheritance. Malinda Davis of this group is the granddaughter of George W. Braswell. Other music was provided by Jerry Braswell, son of George W. Braswell, as well as the entire congregation. It was truly a sweet sound, said Vicki Justice, that filled the air with the Holy Spirit.
George and Janie Braswell  had nine children: Mary Elizabeth Buchanan, Myrtle Virginia Mitchell, Janie Rose Ragsdale, George W. Braswell, Gertrude Cordelia Causey, Susie Anna Wesleyan Hurst, Frances Lois Barron, Dora Pearl McCall and Mattie Lou Brown.
The descendants of the Braswell children that attended this special event were Wilbur and Vicki Justice, Ellaville; Jim and Jodi Featherston, Byron; Iris Menendez, Greeley, Colo.; Robbie and Kay
Brown, Ellaville; Barry Hall, Richmond Hills; Bill Hall, Marietta; Larry and Abby Paine, Memphis, Tenn.; Brain and Sandy Justice, Ellaville; Anna Justice, Columbus; Keith Simms, LaGrange; Conner Justice, Macon; Jason and Dawn, Liberty and Dixie Justice, Ellaville; Douglas and Malinda Davis, Mableton; Melody Mabry, Powder Springs; Jerry and Gloria Braswell, Douglasville; Robbie and Sara, Eva Zimmerman, Brunswick; April Zimmerman, Stephen Hillard, Hadley Tanney, Tyler and Madison Hillard, all of Andersonville; Virginia Newcomb, Ellaville; Joey Mennendez, Osan, Korea (USAF; J.C. McCall, Leslie; Mike and Julie King , Andy King, all of Lithia Springs; Terry and Stephanie Braswell Jr., Villa Rica.

Special Thanksgiving dinner planned in Ellaville
We are inviting the elderly, homebound, needy and homeless to come from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and have Thanksgiving dinner free with us at the Ellaville City Center.
Every year a group of our caring community volunteers serves Thanksgiving dinner to special people. Again this year it’s being led by Neil Snyder.
If you would like to come or if you are home bound please call by Nov. 19 so they will have enough meals for everyone who wants to eat at the Center or at home. They will deliver the meals to home bound people, but they must be contacted so call Neil Snyder at 942- 4968 or Carlene Beckwith at 937-5767 by Nov. 19.
Neil and Carlene need some extra help with the food so if you will, be so kind enough to call and volunteer a extra dish or two  help feed these people. They surely would appreciate your help. Let’s all help others.

The Youngs host special guest
On Oct.  28, Ernie Jones called from Americus that morning and was going to Warner Robins to see his sisters there and wanted to come by to see Bobby, Nancy and Frederick Young on his way back home.
He was supposed to have been our guest speaker at the annual historical society dinner party, but wasn’t able to attend. Ernie loves history and he is retired from the U.S. Post Office, and lives in Missouri. He left on Thursday flying home from Atlanta.
Most people know that Ernie was raised here in Ellaville  and knows a lot about our history. It’s a real short visit each time that he comes and I do wish he could stay longer.

Don’t forget Ellaville Methodist Church barbecue, bake sale
Today Ellaville United Methodist Church is having its annual Barbecue and Bake Sale in the Social Hall. This begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.
Barbecue is $7 per pint. You may buy tickets  from most every member. Please tell your family and friends and come on down and buy a cake for Thanksgiving as well as barbecue. Remember you can always freeze your cakes and barbecue.
We hope to see you today at the church.