Leila Case: There’s never a dull moment around here

Published 5:01 pm Saturday, October 21, 2017

What a lovely week this is. It’s sweater weather. Mother Nature has sent us cooler temps that actually have a bit of a nip in the early morning.
Our week has been filled to the brim and on-to-the-next thing.
It began with a taste of history.
And it started by delving into the interesting archives of the historic Lee Council House (circa 1902), the present headquarters of Sumter Historic Trust; a tour of the charming country home of Jimmy and Nancy Poole (circa 1940s) in the New Era community; The Kinnebrew Co.’s Peter Millar trunk show featuring the 2017 men’s collection as well as the store’s ladies wear displayed throughout the historic barns on the Kinnebrew farm in the same community, and Calvary Episcopal Church’s art show and sale and related activities in the church parish hall at 308 S. Lee St. in Americus.
The third annual event, dubbed Calvary Creative Cornucopia, certainly lives up to its tag line: “A Feast for the Eyes.” The show continues through the weekend so you still have time to peruse, admire and purchase a piece or two of the three-dimensional art. Congratulations to Mary Beth Rogers, Carey Wooten, Joni Woolf, Elise Miller, Lynn Marchant and their large committee in organizing the event. Of course, it takes team effort to pull off something of this scope.
And last but certainly not least was the opportunity to meet Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods of Atlanta, the featured speaker at the Americus Rotary Club Tuesday who, along with his wife, Leisha Woods, were honored by Mike and Gaynor Cheokas at their home overlooking Lake Collins.
There are still more places to go and people to see, including  Sumter Historic Trust’s annual Halloween party tonight at the Lee Council House. Tickets are available at the Kinnebrew Co., Minick Interiors and The Look Salon, as well as at the door.
Jimmy and Nancy Poole celebrated fall at their New Era house on Tom Summers Road and I was happy to see the fruits of their tireless labor put into the remodel of the two-story red brick home (circa 1939) built by his Jimmy’s grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Summers. The house was later the home of his parents, E.L. and Montine Poole.
The weather was cool and crisp and the Pooles did an awesome job updating the family home. The industrious couple did much of the work themselves, beginning about18 months ago. Every detail sparkled to perfection, an outstanding fete. The rooms are tastefully appointed with family furnishings, memorabilia and window treatments and the kitchen is bright and cheerful and updated with newly installed granite counter tops and appliances.
Flower arrangements throughout the interior rooms of the New Era house were created by Betty Ellis while Allene Reeves did those outside, using the bounty of fall from orange and white pumpkins, red berried hollies, cotton and other native plant materials.
Throughout my travels in Sumter County this week, I’ve enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones that are too many to name but some include Kathy Ray of Auburn, Alabama, Jane Comer, Jane Sullivan, Nancy Hayes, Blue Argo, Jane Myers, Gary and Diane Reeves, Jordan Moses, talented musician from Marion County, David Theiss of Ellaville, Jenny Crisp, Jean Sheffield Buchanan, JoAnn and Ed Pope, Wilma Kinslow, Angie Trollinger, Kara Riccardi McMickle of Macon, Lou and Candy Riccardi, Mary Torbert, Elizabeth Kuipers, Sparky Reeves, Charles and Kim Christmas, Beth Alston, Dee and Plez Hardin, Dr. Harvey and Jody Simpson, Susu Eskedor, Angela Calhoun, Elaine Thomas, Don and Sybil Smith, Paul and Holly Farr, Lee Yates, and huge congratulations to Bardin and Hayden Hooks who welcomed their son George Bardin Hooks, who was born Tuesday, Oct. 17. He is the grandson of George Hooks. And get well wishes to Kay Tye.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.