Have you ever heard that everyone has a guardian angel?
I have, but I’m not so sure my guardian angel’s been paying attention lately, having experienced a string of what some folks refer to as bad luck. I say misfortunate incidents.
However, I recently encountered some real, live, walking-talking angels in our midst who have hearts of gold. The list is countless: there are so many. And if I name them I’ll surely leave someone out, but they all wear stars in their crowns, which may not be visible but they’re there alright and twinkle brightly.
I, however, will identify one of angel. He is Tyler Anderson who stopped his truck in front of our house in the midst of a bad thunderstorm to clear away monstrous branches and tree limbs the wind had blown down, littering the lawn and street, blocking one lane.
During a jaunt to Plains the other day, I encountered many angels. One includes Plains’ most famous resident — former President Jimmy Carter. Although I didn’t see him up close and personal I did learn that his efforts helped lead Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, to open a primary clinic in the town since there has been no practicing physician there in months. But now that is changing.
Michael Raines, M.D. has relocated his practice there and others will soon join the medical staff. A grand opening ribbon cutting was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the clinic located right next door to the post office on Main Street. Watch for more news about this much needed medical clinic in our community thanks to the Man from Plains who helped make it happen.
Americus residents Sparky and Allene Reeves and Randy and Nancy Jones celebrated their respective wedding anniversaries cruising the Hawaiian Islands earlier this month. The Reeveses observed their 47th anniversary and the Jones’ their 49th. Congratulations to this fabulous foursome. The cruise ship docked at the islands of Maui, Kauai, Kona, and Hilo which they found lush with brightly colored tropical flowers, plants and trees. They explored the different islands and learned about their history as well as a traditional luau at an island plantation. Returning to Honolulu, they had an interesting tour of Pearl Harbor led by an 88-year-old guide, who as a young child was in a sugar cane field with his parents who were working the soil and witnessed the horrifying Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world, Herschel and Pam Smith and their friends Bill and Leslie Lahneman of Ormond Beach, Florida, were vacationing in France. The first leg of their three-week trip began with a delightful river cruise on the Rhone and visits to many cities along the way. The Smiths were very complimentary of the cruise line, AmaWaterways, the delicious meals, competent staff and accommodations. After docking, the couples rented a car and drove through Provence, one of the most beautiful regions in France, where they saw vistas of lavender in full bloom, and traveled along the Alps to visit other cities including Strasbourg, before returning to Paris for four days. They had visited Paris previously when Herschel served on active duty with the Air Force but Pam said they loved returning to see it all again.
Dr. Ray and Sheila Williams took their adult children, Jason and Amanda, and their families on a Baltic Sea cruise, visiting Estonia, historic St. Petersburg, Russia, and Germany, which they all thoroughly enjoyed, especially St. Petersburg, once the capital city of Russia before World War II.
And happy birthday to a lovely lady — Frances Moon — who turned 97 on Aug. 2. She celebrated the milestone at a party hosted by her daughters, Ruth Sanders of Americus, Kay Reeves of St. Simons Island, and their spouses at Magnolia Manor’s garden apartment club room. Guests included Frances’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
More congratulations ring out to Jim and Billie Gatewood of Americus on the arrival of a granddaughter, Millie Virginia, who was born Aug. 11. She is the daughter of Frances Gatewood Raybon and her husband Robbie Raybon of Columbus. Millie Virginia will be welcomed home by two brothers, Hawkins, 8, and Gates, 5.
And Candy Riccardi celebrated her birthday at Lake Arrowhead surrounded by family: Dr. Lou Riccardi, their daughter, Dr. Alex Riccardi of Americus, and friends, Wes Turner, and Scott and Hayden and their children of Atlanta, and of course, the Riccardis’ grandsons, Louis McMickel, 10, and Miles McMickle, 7, of Macon.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.