Ellaville Christmas Parade, Hoopla a big success
At 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Ellaville held its annual Christmas Parade and its second annual Christmas Hoopla.
Everyone lined the streets waiting and watching the Parade as it went by.
Winners in three categories were: Marching Units – First Place, Schley County Marching Band; Second Place, Schley County Middle School Cheerleaders. Floats – First Place Winner, Cornerstone Church of Americus; Second Place Winner, Shema Baptist Church. Other winners were: First Place Winner, SOWEGA Big Wheelers; and Second Place, Wall’s Trucking.
The City manager said they had 42 entries in the parade this year.
After the parade, the Christmas Hoopla started with air castles and walking air units for all the children to enjoy and other big entertainment for children of all ages. Music was everywhere.
As the Hoopla continued in the park, guess who was in the newly renovated courthouse? Santa Claus and all his elves! The elves helped Santa Claus give out peppermint candy canes to all the children who came to see Santa. These elves were Taylor Beamon, Kassi Rees, Erica Dixon, Brianna Dillard, Carolina Longstone, and Madison James, all of whom attend Schley County High School. We also had our big helper Santa — Jeff Gibson of Richland.

Blue ribbons placed all over Ellaville
The City of Ellaville is placing blue ribbons in the City Park as well as the downtown area in honor and memory of the two police officers killed last week in Americus. They are also being placed in honor and support of the Ellaville Police Department and Schley County Sheriff’s Office as well as other law enforcement who live in Ellaville, Schley County, Americus and other communities.
Our love and prayers are with all the law enforcement here.

Caring Hearts of Pleasant Hill Baptist honor special departments
The woman’s group, “Caring Hearts,” of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Schley County recently honored four special departments here in Ellaville and Schley County — the Ellaville Police Department, Schley County Sheriff’s Office, Schley County Fire Department and the Schley County EMS — with some homemade goodies. A total of 45 boxes were distributed in honor of these men and women who serve our city and county.
These special gifts were prepared with love and support for each member of these departments in Ellaville and Schley County.
Living in a small community is not for everyone, but we are proud to be a part of this community and our prayers for the safety of all will continue as they serve us all.  This special recognition was planned before the two officers were killed  in Americus.

Pleasant Hill Baptist returns from mission trip
A group from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church went to Topmost, Kentucky, to deliver Christmas gifts to children who otherwise would not have anything for Christmas. The shoe boxes were delivered to the school and will be given out at a later date.
This is the church’s third mission trip to this small community which has been devastated by the closing of the coal mines. There are two small stores in the area, and they are desperate for any help.
Those who made this trip to Kentucky were the Rev. Jimmie Chapmanl Charlotte, Stan and Linda Poole; Illean Bullock; and Oscar and Cheryl Harbuck. Cheryl said it is very difficult to see these people who have so little when we are so blessed. So we want to help and bless them in any way possible.
Bless you, from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Nancy Young lives in Ellaville