Americus and Sumter County continue to bustle with activity from all corners. All eyes focus on Plains today at the annual Plains Peanut Festival, featuring a multitude of activity with something of interest for everyone from road races to a fun parade, arts/crafts, food and President and Mrs. Carter will sign copies of their books.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, two gigantic yard sales will be uptown. Sumter Players will offer multiple bargains at 308 N. Hampton St. along with barbecued chicken ,while Habitat for Humanity International employees’ yard sale will be at the HFHI parking lot on West Lamar Street.
Incidentally, during the Sumter Players yard sale Ray Mannila, Rylander Theater technical director, will demonstrate making “prop Halloween blood” to use the night the ghosts and witches fly. Demonstration is 10 a.m. and it sounds like fun to me.
Calvary Episcopal Church hosts its second annual Art Show featuring more than 20 artists exhibiting a variety of mixed media Oct. 13-15. Opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 13 features jazz in the courtyard and yummy goodies. The event also includes a student’s chalk art fest beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14.
Out and about: When Shelby Teaford and Justin DeCusati were married last weekend at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in the North Georgia mountains near Dahlonega, they were upstaged by Shelby’s  nephew, two-year-old Henry Teaford, the ring bearer.
Young Henry is great-grandson of Bob and Jenny Lashley of Americus. He is the grandson of Tammy Lashley of Gainesville, Ga., and Dr. Henry and Joanna Teaford of Americus.
Henry was serious about ring bearer duty but he amused wedding guests as well, showing his prowess as a future quarterback for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Holding the pillow for the bridal couple’s rings close to his chest, he took off running down the center aisle of the church, bypassed the two flower girls delicately sprinkling petals along the way, took a quick left and threw the pillow for a successful touchdown pass to the groom who caught it and Henry in his arms. Thankfully, the wedding rings were safely in the pocket of the best man.
Henry is the son of George and Dana Teaford of Macon. Incidentally, George is following the family tradition in the medical field that goes back generations. He is a senior at Mercer School of Medicine, Macon.
Those from Americus attending other than named above were Steve and Susan Lashley, Mimi Blaine, Dexter Lashley, Madison Griffin, and Mickey and Connie Wise.
Elsewhere, alumni of Eta Theta chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity at Georgia Southwestern State University enjoyed a fun reunion at Destin, Florida, last weekend where they enjoyed rekindling friendships made during student days here on campus. A welcome reception was held at the beach home of Atlanta alum Tom Giddens and his wife, a dinner party at the Ocean Club and a meaningful memorial service for Bruce Poudrier and David Purvis. Of course, there was plenty of beach and poolside time. A total of 39 alums and their wives attended. Eta Theta alum from here for the event were Jody and Judy Wade, Ricky and Jane Arnold, Johnny and Rebecca Gladden, Guy and Janie Holloway, Carson and Mary Lyn Walker, Ricky and Connie Haugabook, Johnny and Rebecca Gladden, and Mike and Carol Denham. When the UGA Bulldogs met the University of Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri, last Saturday, Dr. Lou and Candy Riccardi and Don and Sybil Smith were in the stadium cheering for the ‘Dawgs. Thankfully, the ‘Dawgs scored the winning point in the last two minutes of the game, making it a 28-27 win, but it was a nail biter. The couples flew into St. Louis, where they enjoyed a couple of days sightseeing before game day. Can’t wait till noon today ‘cause it’s game day for the Dawgs and the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississipi. There for the kick-off are Dr. Alex Riccardi, Brandon Horne and Morgan and Jimmy Whaley, Jean and Wes Wheeler, John and Lydia Ann Fowler, John and Rachel Shealy, and Greg and Karen Austin. Elsewhere, Jean Buchanan and four Agnes Scott College classmates (class of ’71) renewed their 43-year friendship at a mini reunion at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, last weekend, an outing they all look forward to annually. They enjoyed visiting together, a little shopping and dining out. Jean was in Valdosta earlier this week at the September board of governors meeting of the National Society of The Colonial Dames-Georgia Society. Jean is incoming town chairman for the Americus Town Committee. Smile and say “hello” to Mary and John Isbell who have moved from Atlanta to make their home here with their daughter, Anne Isbell on the Macon Road. Happy birthday wishes ring out for Fr. Jeff Wallace, pastor at Calvary Episcopal Church, and congratulations to Ralph and Nancy Harvey, and George and Sue Hall who recently observed wedding anniversaries. And best wishes are extended to Haley Jones of Americus and Brian Roberts who begin a happy life together today — they will be married during a twilight ceremony at Sally Run Plantation.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.