Schley County Family Connection honors 2016 graduates with awards
On May 26, Schley County Family Connection held its annual Technology Awards Ceremony for the graduates of 2016.
This special event was held at noon at the Ellaville City Center. John Greene called the meeting to order with Carleen Beckwith opening with the blessing of the meal.
The senior citizens joined the Family Connection for this special recognition of the three highly honored graduates. John introduced each graduate from the Class of 2016, Schley County High School.
The STAR Student is Karen Weathersby, who gave a speech of appreciation for being chosen for this honor.
The STAR Teacher is Coach William Rooks, named by Karen. He spoke about students being ambassadors for schools, family and mainly for God and Jesus, especially when they leave home to go to college ,and he praised the school and thanked Karen for selecting him as STAR Teacher.
Karrisa Campbell, salutatorian, gave  a short speech on behalf of the Schley County High School Class of 2016.
Michael Leeder was introduced as valedictorian. He said he is going to Emory University in Atlanta to major in political science  and he will play baseball as well.
Congressman Sanford Bishop was represented by Elaine Gillespie who presented certificates of recognition to the honorees.
John Greene  each student with a check to be used to buy themselves a laptop computer, and presented Coach Rooks with a gift.
Todd West, principal of Schley County Middle and High School, praised the students and recognized how the school receives so much help from the community.
Adam Hathaway, Schley County School superintendent, praised  the Family Connection for all it does to help the schools as well as the whole community.
Greene recognized  many people that helped out with this special event: Jimmy and Martha Harrison, Eddie and Sharon Watson, Ameris Bank, Dr. and Mrs. Dwight McLaurin, Tony and Jan Whitney, Partners Propane, Joseph Eason, Ellaville Floral and Gift Shop, state Rep. Mike Cheokas, Congressman Sanford Bishop Jr., Jason Hoch, Flir, Jerry Cook, TCI Powder Coating, Peoples Bank, Linda Adams, Schley County Community Foundation, John and Lisa Greene, and Schley County Family Connection for making the technology awards possible  and the Senior Center for providing  the decorations.
A delicious meal was served . Tables were covered with black table cloths with a senior centerpiece at each table. Black napkins were place at each plate setting with “Graduates of 2016” written on them in white lettering.
Sixty people attended this special event.

Congratulations to Anne Marie DeVane
Congratulations, Anne Marie DeVane.
On May 12, the Schley County Board of Education hired Anne Marie to replace Lou Chase as the new assistant principal at Schley County Elementary School in Ellaville.
Superintendent Adam Hathaway said that they were real happy to have Anne Marie  and that she well start her new position on July 1. He also said that she will be a real good assistant principal.
Anne Marie, we all are very proud for you.

Special thank you dinner given to family
Last week, Anna Justice, Keith Sims, and Mary Katherine Justice  all of Columbus, hosted a special “Thank You  Dinner” for Brian Justice and Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Justice.
Anna Justice and Keith Sims will be married on June 25 at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus.
The couple began looking for a home to rent. They found a lovely little place that needed some work done on it, so all of the family members pitched in to help renovate this little place. Vicki said it’s so charming now.
Anna graduated from college in 2015, and Keith graduated last weekend.
The young family wanted to honor their father and grandparents with something special so they gave them a dinner.
They served a delicious Pioneer Woman Black Bean Burger with all of the trimmings, corn on the cob, potato chips and guacamole,  and watermelon. Vicki said they were so full that they walked around the new neighborhood  down Oak Avenue toward Lake Bottom Park about a mile and half from their home.
When they all returned back they were served warm pastries  with vanilla Ice cream.
Mary Katherine  will be living with Anna and Keith in her own suite  in the house. She still has two more years of college.
They all enjoyed the visit and dinner with each other.

Holloways vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida
On May 22, Jason and Lesley Holloway and their children, Molly and Cooper Holloway, all of Ellaville, spent five days on vacation  at Panama City Beach, Florida.
When they arrived they stayed at the Princess Condominiums. Lesley said that this resort is close to the ocean. She said they mainly stayed on the beach.
The children loved making sand castles and playing in the ocean. One of the most exciting things they all enjoyed was crabbing at night, shining their flash lights and seeing crab running everywhere.
They took the children to St. Andrews Park so they could on the playground.
They ate at a real good restaurant called Dusty’s. Lesley said the seafood was so good and they had to wait before they could be seated.
She and Molly went out to the beach early one morning about 7 a.m. and saw so may sharks.
They all returned home on May 26.

Ellaville Boy Scouts place flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day  weekend
On May 27, the Ellaville Scout Master Randy Powell took his Cub Scouts and Webeloes to the Ellaville City Cemetery to place flags on all the graves of the veterans in the cemetery.
They placed over 100 flags in the cemetery. The flags were donated by the Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 American Legion Ellaville.
There were 10 boys from Pack 24 and Troop 24 that placed these flags on the graves. The boys also placed flags downtown around the square as they have done for years. These flags really highlight downtown. The large flags are placed in memory of local veterans.
Let’s all thank our Scout Master and the boys from Pack 24 and Troop 24.