When it comes to newspaper deadlines, you either meet them or the person on the copy desk leaves the story out — I have never missed a deadline. Former Times-Recorder publisher Billy Blair taught me well.
Space is limited but I want to feature two different subjects: Round Table, the annual fall board meeting of the Georgia Society of the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America here this week, and our weekend house guest — Lachlan Herndon, 14 months.
Round Table, hosted by members of the Americus Town Committee, was a huge success. Almost 70 from cities across the state fell in love with our town, especially the venues where they were housed: the historic Windsor Hotel and the Hampton Inn, the historic Rylander Theatre for meetings; entertained with a beautiful reception at the fabulous circa 1850 home of Mike and Andrea Powell; a delicious dinner at the circa 1902 Lee Council House where Candy Riccardi and Ken Dinella, M.D., performed after dinner entertainment while accompanied on the piano by Cameron Cumming. Everyone went out of their way to accommodate. Also, tours of Café Campesino Roastery, the historic district, and a mini reception at The Kinnebrew Co. were squeezed in the mix.
It’s risky to list all the chairmen or committee heads in fear of leaving someone out, except for Jane Arnold, town chairman; Kathy Ray and Jean Buchanan, co-chairs; and Mary Tolbert, who created all printed material.
But it was the children who stole the show. Eight sixth graders from Southland Academy who were a part of the Why America is Free program last year as fifth graders looked very authentic in Colonial-era costume as they greeted at the Rylander. The students opened the meeting with a brief stage performance, singing two songs and performing a dance from the era. They drew a huge applause.
As mentioned last week, grandson Zachary Herndon and his wife Jessi Queen of Atlanta, professional chalk artists, left us in charge of their 14-month-old toddler Lachlan while they plied their art in the Albany Museum of Art’s Chalk Fest last Saturday. It was a fabulous day; we’re also thankful my instincts for caring for an active toddler returned. I suppose you don’t forget some things — it’s like riding a road bike. They both leave you with sore muscles.
However, I didn’t do it alone. It took our entire family but the main gal was Courtney Minnix, our friend and Georgia Southwestern State University business school senior. She was amazing and a back saver for sure. Of course, everyone had a hand in keeping up with this happy, busy little bee — he was all over the place. Just learning to walk, Lachlan was taking more steps alone when he left us — thanks to Courtney, John, and me.
After a morning with the on-the-move little guy, we headed to the Chalk Fest where we met Mark and Anne of Leslie and grandson Beau Barrett, who drove from Macon especially for the event and see his cousin Zach and Jessi.
The first annual Chalk Fest presented by the Museum of Art in partnership with the City of Albany, was more than outstanding and declared a huge success. Although it was hot as blazes, we survived and enjoyed watching the artists at work while being entertained by Greenfield, a great band comprised of high school students a few being the sons of the original members of the Kinchafoonee Cowboys. There were also quality arts, craft beer sampling, and tasty food.
I chatted with old friends including Kirk Rouse, former insurance exec turned professional chef; Anna Belle Stubbs, who makes the most delicious pralines I ever tasted; and David Goodson, co-owner of Goodson Pecans in Leesburg; and Jim Hendricks, former editor at the Albany Herald, now public relations director for the Museum.
We remained to the bitter end and then headed home with Lachlan in tow for a family dinner at our house which they consumed with gusto.
Sadly, we said farewell to Lachlan, Zach and Jessi Sunday morning but our tears soon turned to joy at another family event at the home of Andy and Lori Shivers: the combined birthday celebration honoring daughter Lori, as well as Aaron and Brook Shivers.
And congratulations to Beau Barrett, CPA ,associated with a Macon firm. At the invitation of the GSW School of Business, Beau addressed accounting students last Monday. Afterwards we celebrated at dinner at La Hacienda. Joining us were Andy and Kristen Gordon and Natalie Mitcham of Macon.
Elsewhere, Yasmin Hasnain is back after spending two weeks in Houston visiting her sister and brother-in-law, Shermeem and Asfar Zaidi.
The University of Georgia-Missouri football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens Saturday attracted many local Bulldog fans including John and Gaye Hayes, who said it has a different feel since their daughter Sydney is a freshman. Sydney’s brother, Jackson Hayes, a senior at Georgia Southern, and her close friend, Burton Shealy, GSW freshman, rounded out the group. Then at Southland’s homecoming Friday daughter Emma Kate Hayes attended her first dance as a freshman and Sydney crowned the 2018 Homecoming Queen Sydney Payne of Weston.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.