After a dry, dry September, we finally got some rain, thanks

to tropical storm Tammie. Norris Ware says he recorded 3.9 inches from Tuesday, October 4, through Tuesday, October 11. The rain threatened to cancel Mule Day at Callaway Plantation Saturday, but stopped early that morning. It was super muddy, but reportedly was a good day, with 1251 paid visitors plus around 200 volunteers.

. . Postmarked Wilkes County was rained out Friday night, but had about 60 at the presentation Saturday night.

E-mail from Vicar Via of the Church of the Mediator reads: “Steve Blackmon recently noted that one charity is definitely not another charity – Cancer Research vs. Cancer Society. And is he ever right! Do you know the website Charity Navigator? It has detailed reports on virtually every significant charitable organization in the country. The address: www.charitynavigator.org. It’s well worth a look.”

About two weeks ago, a memorial service was held at the First Baptist Church for Isabell Trantham who died September 5 at the home of her daughter, Carolyn, in Missouri. This week comes word that Mr. Trantham (Elmer) died unexpectedly Thursday, October 6, at Carolyn’s home. He was 94 years old and had lived in WashingtonWilkes from 1947 until December 2004 when he and Mrs. Trantham went to Missouri. We will have more details next week.

Smoke on the Mountain, a musical comedy, opens at The Playhouse Thursday (tonight) at 8 p.m. Then we skip Friday night to see the Tigers beat the Devils in Tiger Stadium. Saturday night’s performance is at 8:00 and Sunday’s is at 3:00. It’s a good show. I’ve seen a dress rehearsal, and I know you will have a good time laughing. I left Anna Norman’s name off of the list of performers when I mentioned the musical in last week’s paper. She and Rosemary Hopkins don’t have speaking or singing parts, but they are a big presence in the show.

I have seen many out-of-town shoppers in Downtown Washington during the past week. Saturday afternoon there was not a parking place to be found. I parked at The Rider House on Court Street. The nice thing about it is that they seemed to be buying things. I went in several stores and they were buying. . . . Pam McCarty at Southern Bee, newest Downtown store, says that she and Angie (Strother) have been amazed at the response to their store; and Petal Pushers Christmas has been pleased with business there and it’s just the first of October. . . . Monday afternoon I noticed lots of strangers Downtown and while shopping in one of the stores, found out that they were a group from South Carolina just passing through on their way to Camp Pinnacle, a Baptist camp near Clayton. One lady said they had already gotten together and decided they were coming back and spend a whole day because they had not had nearly enough time to see “everything.” They seemed to be in their 40s and 50s.

As a member of the Georgia Historical Foundation’s Speakers Bureau, Dr. Mark Waters has been invited to speak at the Hartwell Historical Society on October 25. The meeting will be held in the Hart County Adult Learning Center in Hartwell and his topic is “Confederate Treasury Gold.”

Lawrence Hyde is a hero! While vacationing on the Carolina coast, hurricane Ophelia skirted the coast, bringing high waves, wind, and rain. On the beach one day, a threeyear old boy was sitting with his back to the ocean when a ferocious wave came ashore and washed him into the surf. Others watching “just froze” but Lawrence dived in and went to his rescue, pulling him to safety. Lawrence had thought about canceling his trip because of Ophelia but decided not to. It’s good that he didn’t. (Lawrence didn’t tell me about this. Somebody else did.)

Carol Cartledge called to say that the segment of “If Walls Could Talk” which was made in Washington-Wilkes will be aired on HGTV (Home and Garden) on November 13 at 10 p.m. Carol’s house is one of two selected from Wilkes County. The other one is the home of Selena and Eddie Walker, but they have been out-of-town and I haven’t found out if their house will be on at the same time.

Knowing that the outside of the Antique Exchange building at the corner of East Robert Toombs Avenue and Jefferson Street has a new look, I went to visit one day last week. It was a real surprise. Robert and Ed have really expanded the business and are opening a new Washington Gourmet Section.

I’m sure many of you have heard rumors about the Barnett House next door to First Baptist. It’s true that it has been sold. Roy Kirkland and Jason Drury are no longer the owners.