John Greene has a special announcement
John Greene has announced that the Georgia General Assembly increased the annual budget for all of the Family Connection Collaboratives to $50,000 for fiscal year of 2019. This will begin July 1, 2018.
He said that this restores funding to the amount we were getting prior to furlows and budget cuts that were caused by the recession and economic downturn a couple of years ago.
The Schley County Department of Family Children Services will remain as the fiscal agent for the next year.
John gave a special thank you Director Kathy Detamore and acting Regional Director Stacy Barfield for helping to make this happen.

Ellaville Methodist Women meet
The Ellaville United Methodist Women had their monthly meeting on April 12 in the church social hall.
President Barbara Usry called the meeting to order and opened with prayer.
Secretary Ann Gill gave her report, and Treasurer Judy Gattis gave hers.
Business was discussed as well the big plans for the upcoming 160th church anniversary celebration to be held on Oct. 14.
Judy McClellon gave the program — Worship Genuine. She was also the hostess and served a vegetable tray with dip, potato chips and dip, homemade candy and soft drinks.
In addition to those mentioned above, those present were Mary Ellen McCorkle, Nora Morrow, Carol Streetman and Nancy McMath Young.

Springtime Ellaville a big success
On Saturday, April 14 the Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Springtime Ellaville Festival.
Rachel Stephens coordinated this special event along with her husband Joey Stephens.
Sheila Bivins, president of the Chamber and the Festival Committee helped get everything ready and set up for a big day.
I was told that there were about 60 vendors. The day started off with a one-mile Fun Run/Walk. There were around 100 people who participated.
The Deep South Canine Rescue held its second annual “Rescue to the Runaway” dogs. There were three judges for the Dog Show and they had a first- second- and third-place winner.
There was entertainment all day. Liz Faith sang and was accompanied by Greg, Ronnie and Preston Streetman, who are members of “Mama’s Kin.”
All children had many events for their entertainment all day.
There was a Car Show sponsored by Chad’s Paint and Body Shop was a huge success. They also had a Tractor Show from SOWEGA.
Billy Lightner demonstrated grinding corn into meal and showing how things were done years ago.
This year they had a Cowboy Shoot Out across the street from Miller’s Auto which really drew a crowd.
There were some former residents that come from other states to the festival and it was nice to see these people again.

Ellaville Methodist Church Anniversary Celebration Committee says thank you
On April 17, the Ellaville United Methodist Church Anniversary Celebration Committee held a Pancake Supper with all the trimmings. This was held from 5:30-8 p.m. in the church Social Hall. The food consisted of Pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, fruit juice and coffee.
All proceeds go to upcoming 160th church anniversary celebration on Oct. 14.

Ellaville-Schley County Chamber holds reception
The Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce board of directors held a lovely reception from 6-8 p.m. April 19 in the courthouse.
Sheila Bivins, president of the Chamber, invited all guests to go upstairs into the court room to hear the guest speaker, Molly Giddens, Regional Manager of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Tifton.
She spoke on viewing Georgia now and how it will be in 2030. There are eight priorities for Georgia Chamber. She said visionary leadership is critical for the future of Georgia’s elected officials and they must focus on the priorities: business, infrastructure, prosperity and diversity, workforce, trade and commerce, health care, rural Georgia, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
After the program, guests were invited downstairs for the reception.
Black linen tablecloths covered the serving table and the beverage table.
Different businesses donated lovely trays of food. These were the new seafood market, Piggly Wiggly, The Pizza Place, Watson-Giddens Funeral Home, Ameris Bank, People’s Bank and Tammie Wainwright.

Nancy McMath Young lives in Ellaville.