The American and Georgia flags fly at our house daily; however, they began to look tattered and torn as if they had been through several battles. Although they hadn’t been on an actual battlefield — daily exposure to the elements and the passage of time led to their deterioration and in need of replacement.
We display the flags daily because they symbolize our beliefs: God, country and justice for all.
Now thanks to the generosity of our son and daughter, Mark Barrett and Lori Shivers, the flags have been replaced and they are flying high at our house. Oh, and grandson John Barrett got into the act, too. Thank you, guys.
I hope your American flag is prominently displayed, especially this weekend to commemorate Memorial Day — the time set aside to pay tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country.
Long may Old Glory wave over sky, earth and sea.
Meanwhile, last weekend was jam-packed again with one activity after another beginning with the crowd pleasing “Classic Nashville Roadshow” presented by the Friends of the Rylander at the historic Rylander Theatre last Friday night, which was a huge success drawing a large crowd of enthusiastic music lovers.
Saturday evening, the Americus Rotary Club hosted the annual and very important Sheffield Leadership Society Award gala that again lived up to its name for it was indeed gala, drawing a large crowd of local Rotarians as well as the 2017-2018 Rotary District 6900 Governor Alec Smythe and his wife Donna of Atlanta and other state district leadership.
The Sheffield Leadership Award, established in 1994, is presented by the Rotary Club of Americus in honor of three past District Governors — all from the same family and the Americus Rotary Club — John West Sheffield (District 39, 1926-27), John W. Sheffield (District 690, 1961-62), and Langdon Sheffield (District 690, 1975-76), who have each served this Rotary District as District Governors. The award is presented annually to the District 6900 Club presidents (from each of the club size categories) who best exemplify the extraordinary leadership traits represented by the Sheffield family and execute their responsibilities in an exceptional manner.
The 2018 Sheffield Award recipients are: Ceasar Gaiters, Rotary of South DeKalb; Gena McCombs of Lake Spivey/Clayton Rotary Club; Jay Gill, Rotary Club of Carrollton, and Teri White, Rotary Club of Thomasville.
This year the gala took place at The Carnegie and also included a silent auction of almost 90 quality items that had been generously donated, including an Italian Vacation: three nights at the Palazzo del Vice Re on Lake Como given through a former District Governor.
Other than Smyth, those representing district leadership and their spouses attending were: 2018-2019 District Governor Elect Court Dowis and his wife Annette, from Pine Mountain; Jim Squire, District Governor nominee 2019-2020 year and his wife Donna of Sandy Springs; and Kirk Driskell, District Governor Designee, 2020-2021 and his wife Deena of Alpharetta. Past District Governors attending were Raymond Ray of Griffin, Bob Hagan of Roswell, Cheryl Greenway of Roswell, and Steve Stanfield and J. Marion Franklin, both of Americus.
Local Rotarians present were Justin and Rachel Arnold, Peter Banse and Bobbi Orris, Mary Beth Bass, Joe Brownlee, Mike and Gaynor Cheokas, Thurston and Gail Clary, Emory and Elizabeth Greene, Barbara Grogan, Ellen and Bill Hanson, Patrick Kay, Brandi and Todd Lunneborg, Kenny and Teresa Phillips, Cindy Pryor, Dr. Lou and Candy Riccardi, Reda and Kelly Rowell, Rene and Angela Smith, Don and Sybil Smith and Steve and Jeanie Stanfield. Incidentally, the Stanfields’ hosted a brunch at their lovely home Sunday morning for out of town Rotarians and their spouses.
Elsewhere on Saturday evening, the Americus Sumter Arts Council had an informative lecture/demonstration featuring segmented woodturning artisan Keith Petersen at the Americus Arts Center on West Forsyth Street, the Council’s new home. Petersen retired in 2014, as the CAO at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, and now enjoys his long-time hobby of woodworking. His art is currently displayed at the Arts Center and it is absolutely stunning. He lectured on the details of creating a wood segmented product. Incidentally, Petersen won first place at the Georgia National Fair in Perry and also captured two other awards. Drop by the Arts Center soon to view the stunning segmented wood art Petersen creates.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.