Schley Health board holds quarterly meeting
On Sept. 20, the Schley County Health Board held its annual quarterly meeting in the Conference Room.
David Theiss, chairman, called the meeting to order. Dr. Beverly Townsen gave her District Director’s Report in which she reported that several shelters opened in Columbus when “Irma “ came through. She said one shelter had 600 people during this time.
Karen Bush gave the Environmental Report for Lincoln Mitchell. They had found two dogs and two foxes that had rabies. Please watch out for foxes. They are not pets and are dangerous
If you notice your pet not drinking or eating or becoming lethargic, disoriented or aggressive at any time, you should have them checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible. They are dangerous to children and adults if they have rabies.
Kristy Smith, Schley County Health nurse, gave her quarterly report on total visits from July 1-Aug. 31.
She reported on community awareness activities. She attended the monthly meeting of CHINS (Children in Need of Services) and MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) for the Southwestern Judicial Circuit. She attended the monthly Family Connection meeting. She held the quarterly CHEART (County Health Emergency Response Team) meeting. She attended the quarterly nurse managers meeting in Columbus. She also attended the monthly nurse meeting on VICS conference calls.
She reminded everyone not to forget to get a flu shots, especially those over 60 years and young children as well.
Berta Cox gave the financial overview for the past year through the beginning of the new year.
A new Schley County Health board member was welcomed —Sharon Watson.
The next meeting is Nov. 29.
Schley County Health board members present, in addition to those previously mentioned were Karen Montgomery, Nancy McMath Young, Larry Wall andAdam Hathaway.

Ellaville-Schley Historical Society auction is next weekend
The Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society has its annual Auction Oct. 7 at the American Legion in Ellaville.
A barbecue supper is served at 5:30 p.m. There will be a bake sale as well. An Antique Car Show will be earlier that afternoon in front of the Legion. If you want to enter your car contact Jason Holloway.
If anyone would like to make a donation to the Auction you may do so. You don’t have to be a member and it’s tax-deductible. This special event helps us to raise money to preserve and renovate history in Ellaville and Schley County.
There will be three raffles that night. You can view the quilt in the Gill’s Drug store window. There is also a raffle for a Ruger 22 Rifle. You may buy your tickets before the Auction at the Ellaville Floral Shop, Gill’s Drugs or The Pizza Place. That day and evening there will be a 50/50 Raffle at the Legion.
For more information call Nancy McMath Young at 937-2116.

Smoke on the Square BBQ Cook-Off is smokin’
Schley Community Foundation and Chad’s Paint & Body sponsor the second annual “Smoke on The Square BBQ Cook-Off” event on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Ellaville. With prize money totaling $1625, amateur barbecue teams can show off their talents and win big.
Entry forms can be picked up at Ellaville Floral & Gift Shop or Chad’s Paint & Body. Forms can also be downloaded from the Facebook site for the Cook-Off which is “Ellaville Schley County Smoke on the Square.” Only non-professional teams can enter the contest. Judging will be done according to Kansas City Barbeque Society rules. Entry fees:  $125 for all three meats — ribs, butts and chicken; $100 for two; $65 for one.
Organizers are calling out to vendors to fill the streets with a variety of merchandise and informational booths and activities for kids. Vendors can pick up forms at the same locations. One 12 x 12-foot space is $40; a double space is $60; a triple space is $75.
Sponsorships for the event are available. The premier sponsorship has been claimed by Chad’s Paint & Body of Ellaville. Boss Hog Sponsorship is $500; Smoker’s Alley Sponsorship is $250 and BBQ Buddy Sponsorship is $100. Contact Ryan Brown at 938-2158 for more information on sponsorships. Sponsorships, entry fees and vendor costs for the event are tax deductible as the event is sponsored by the Schley Community Foundation which is a public charity and is designated as a nonprofit organization.
Proceeds from the Smoke on the Square BBQ Cook-Off will go toward the Schley County Foundation project of building a community playground at the center of the Ellaville-Schley County Recreational Complex. The public will be able to cast a vote for the playground they like at the Foundation booth.
The musical group Simon-Sez will perform in the evening. Opening acts are Lizz Faith and Megan Fowler.

DeVane family holds reunion
The DeVane family reunion was held Sept. 24 at the Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 American Legion in Ellaville.
This is a special event that the DeVane has family have every year and they all look forward to it.
Elaine Barwick was in charge of this special event. Around 30 family members attended. The family that came the furthest was Ken and Deloris Hill from Atlanta.
A variety of delicious foods was served.

Ellaville Methodist Choir sings at Perfect Care
The Ellaville United Methodist Church Choir visited Perfect Care in Americus Sept. 7 to sing for the residents.
The Rev. Jonathan Beckum sang several songs and Wayne Morrow played several songs on his harmonica.
Other participating from the church choir were LeeAnn Beckum, Nora Morrow, Jimmy and Marianne Phillips, Olivia Mallichek, Sharon Wall, Judy McClellan, Darlene Lewis and Mary Nan Pilcher.

Irma visits Ellaville, Schley County
Ellaville and Schley County made it through Irma. Schley County was declared a state of emergency, but great planning prior to the tropical storm helped.
Schley County Sheriff Shane Tondee said officials working at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) worked really well. They set up the EOC at the Ambulance and Fire Departments and open from 8 a.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Tuesday, and operated by Schley County EMA Director and Fire Chief Duane Montgomery. Shelia Hewitt was off duty at the 911 Center and worked communications at the EOC, assisted by Jason Hock. Pre-storm planning led to some preventative measures. The county closed a number of roads that didn’t have homes on them as well as having a curfew from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Sunday through Monday.
The City of Ellaville had electricity throughout the storm, but there were a lot of people out in the county without power. Some people didn’t get electricity until around 8 p.m. Thursday.
There were trees and limbs down in the city and some wires down but not as bad as the county. Several roads were closed for a short while after trees had fallen into the road.
We praise our Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, city and county workers, EMS, citizens who volunteered to help, and City Manager Lynne McChargue and County Manager Bill Sawyer for all they did.
People were getting their generators out and lending them to those without power. A local businessman said people came to buy generators, but they sold out.
The community thanks all who provided emergency shelters, even though no one has to use them. Ellaville United Methodist Church, Over Flow Church and the Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 American Legion all kept their doors open and were ready to help others in the time of need.

Schley County 4-H’ers honor law enforcement
Schley County 4-H’ers recently put together “Snacks for the local Police and Sheriff’s Departments.” Bags were decorated by the 4-H’ers with each officer’s name and the bags were filled with snacks that each officer could carry while on patrol.
The 4-H’ers delivered the gift bags to the City Hall and to the Sheriff’s Office. The 4-H’ers told them how much each one of them wanted to do something special for each officers and others.
If any student would like to be a part of Schley County 4-H Club, see Brenda Welch at the Schley County Extension Office at the Courthouse or call 229-937-1180.

Nancy Young lives in Ellaville.