Ellaville Methodist’s Wesleyan Group meets
The Ellaville United Methodist Church Wesleyan Group held its monthly meeting on Dec. 3 in the church Social Hall.
Sharon Wall, president called the meeting to order and the meeting was opened with prayer. Sarah Tondee gave the devotional.
Old business was discussed and new activities for next year.
The Wesleyan Group sponsors year-round kitchen utensils, flavorings, knives, spoons and other items for sale. If anyone would like to see a catalog or purchase an item contact any member of the group call Mary Ellen McCorkle at 938-9975.
After the meeting, Mary Ellen McCorkle, hostess, served red velvet cake, fruit, peanuts and coffee.

December Yard of the Month chosen
The Ellaville Rainbow Garden Club chose the Yard of the Month for December: the Rev. Haynes and Michelle Martin’s yard at the Ellaville United Methodist Church Parsonage.
Haynes and Michelle have decorated the parsonage with Christmas wreaths on the windows and lights on the house.
The couple was excited about receiving this honor. Ride by some night and see the yard and you’ll see the Rainbow Garden Club sign.

Schley County Schools ready for Christmas holidays
The students will attend a half-day on Dec. 20 before getting out for the holidays. They will return to classes on Jan. 7.

Schley Family Connection announces news
Schley County Family Connection held its monthly meeting on Nov. 29.
John Greene, coordinator called the meeting to order and Coach William Rooks opened with prayer.
John announced that Schley County Family Connection had applied for a grant to purchase a new industrial food steamer for the Schley County Senior Center. The grant came from Flint Energies Foundation will also provide exercise equipment, puzzle and manipulative activities for seniors. The grant has been approved and will be awarded in January.
The Collaborative is also preparing a grant for Deep South Canine Inc. Rescue to purchase food, housing and equipment for the no kill animal shelter in Schley County.
Earlene Hamilton, a recruiter for Georgia Youth Challenge, spoke to the group about at the National Guard program that accepts high school students from ages 16 to 18 who are having trouble completing traditional high school and are drug free and have had no problems with the law. This is a free program and students can leave any time in the program, but the strict military-style regimen, which has the goal of instilling the values, skills, education, and self-discipline, is necessary to succeed as adults. Following a residential program of 22 weeks, the students are mentored for the following year.
Coach William Rooks attended with Student Council Vice President Sidney Granados, and Schley Schools
Superintendent Adam Hathaway. Sidney has been on the Student Council since she started middle school. She plans to go into the medical field. They told about the school’s new website, the success of all the school sports teams. and the One Act Play. The superintendent also told about the upcoming trip that the entire school board will take to Atlanta for a Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) conference. The GSBA Governance Team of the Year Award Honors the top Board-Superintendent team that best demonstrates commitment to maximizing students achievement and enhancing trust and support for public education in their community. Some 33 School Districts qualified to submit applications to be considered for this award. After the stringent applications were submitted, an impartial review team visited the School Districts to select 10 finalists. Schley County is joined by Bleckley, Dawson, Effingham, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Jefferson, Lumpkin and Pierce counties, and Chickamauga City Schools in contention for the award.
Kristy Smith, Schley County Health Department Nurse, reminded everyone of the importance of getting the flu vaccine, and if they have flu symptoms, to see a doctor.
Dr. Kayin Robinson of the West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition said that the group could help cancer victims who are under insured or don’t have any insurance at all.
John Shaw and Jim Outlaw of the Georgia Department of Labor in Americus said that they had more jobs than than they can fill. They talked about the skills gap between the jobs and the applications and behavioral gap also. They said, “We need to do a better job teaching young people to have ethical values.”
Eric Jackson of the Kinship program in the Georgia Division Family and Children Services Region 8, spoke of the increasing number of grandparents and other relatives who have assumed responsibility for raising their relatives’ children. This program gives support and assistance help the caregivers find the resources they need.
Karen Albritton, program director, Southwest Georgia CASA reported that the organization has received a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Prevention Grant to purchase new play yards for infants who are at a higher risk for SIDS. Play yards can be easily transported for use by a family caregiver.

Nancy McMath Young lives in Ellaville.