It pays to advertise in The News-Reporter

Ross and Louise Maynard have sold their Maynard’s

Manor Bed and Breakfast across the street from the Robert Toombs House to Guillaume Slama and Sokunvathany NuonSlama. They have chosen LaFayette Manor Inn as the new name. Both are from France and have been living in Atlanta for about eight years. Sokunvathany is originally from Cambodia but moved with her family to France when she was six years old. She is a chef and they will be serving a combination of French and Cambodian cuisine to their guests at lunch and dinner. They have installed a very large commercial kitchen in the house and Washington-Wilkes decorator Joe Barnett is installing the drapes downstairs. They have used a combination of oriental and French decorating throughout the house. Guillaume is an accomplished pianist, has a grand piano, and an extensive art collection. His parents visited Washington-Wilkes during the Christmas holidays and were impressed with the hospitality of the town – so much so that they are planning a return visit. . . . The open house and ribbon cutting for LaFayette Manor Inn will be held Wednesday, February 1, at 10 a.m., with open house and tours of the house.

Mr. Claude and Miss Inez Vinson celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on January 14. . . . No. That’s not a typographical error. They really have been married for 72 years. They were married on January 14, 1934, by Rev. Julius Kirkland, pastor of the Greenwood Baptist Church. Miss Inez is the daughter of a sweet little lady named Mrs. Gennie Strother who attended the wedding. . . . They had a good day Saturday with friends and family visiting at their home on West Liberty Street.

Terry Clark is home from Iraq for a visit. He was at church at First Baptist Sunday and everybody was glad to see him. He’s David and Peggy’s son. . . . John Gentry, sonin law of Susan and Edward Pope, husband of Katherine Pope Gentry, and daddy of Anna and Caroline Gentry, is home from Iraq for two weeks.

Rainfall since Tuesday of last week, January 17, was 1.85 inch. Total thus far for January is 3.6 inches.

One Washington-Wilkes lady knows that it pays to advertise in The News-Reporter. She lost her car keys last Monday, retraced her steps, but didn’t find the keys. She came to The News-Reporter and put an advertisement in the paper. The papers were “on the street” at five o’clock Wednesday. At 5:30 she got a call from someone who had found the keys and saw the ad in the paper. That’s a quick response.

After visiting for nearly a week, the beautiful pigeon who set a rigid schedule for himself (or herself) at the home of Chrean and Archie Brown on Court Street, left on Thursday. . . . David Slaton called Thursday afternoon after seeing the item in this column and said that he knew a man in Thomson who kept pigeons, raced them, and supplied them for fly-offs at weddings and funerals, but the pigeon had already left. Chrean is just hoping that he found his way home.

We had an “Easter crowd” at First Baptist Sunday morning (meaning a very large attendance). During regular conference at the end of the service, the congregation voted to call Dr. Charles Strickland of Ailey as interim pastor while the church searches for a pastor to succeed Dr. John Childers who is pastor of a church in St. Louis, Mo.

Even though we’re just getting over Christmas and the New Year, it’s that time of the year when the annual Tour of Homes gets going to assure a successful tour. This year’s tour will be on Friday, March 31 (Evening only), and Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2. Among the homes on the Day Tour will be the homes of Jerry and Kay Robinson, Debra Rainey’s Downtown Loft, Southern Elegance (Jean Davis Blair), and LaFayette Manor Inn (former Maynard’s Manor). Two others are pending. The Dessert Soiree on both evenings will be at Holly Court Inn. Other homes will be Kathy Overstreet, The Rider House, and Washington Plantation.

Saturday, February 11, is going to be a busy day in WashingtonWilkes. That’s the evening for the ‘From the Heart’ Valentine benefit sponsored by the Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Washington-Wilkes Humane Shelter Association at the WashingtonWilkes Country Club; and it’s also the annual Commemoration of the Battle of Kettle Creek in Wilkes County. Other activities are also scheduled.

In preparation for the Kettle Creek Battle celebration, there will be some activity on The Square in Downtown Washington this Friday, January 27. At 11 a.m., the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Color Guard and the Col. Elijah Clarke Militia will be present with their colorful Revolutionary War flags. A proclamation by Wilkes County Commission Chairman Sam Moore and City of Washington Mayor Willie Burns will be read. . . . Many activities for all ages are planned for the actual celebration on February 11.

The ‘From the Heart’ Valentine benefit on February 11 will not only feature entertainment by Debbie McLeod, all the food, including delicious desserts, will be homemade, locally produced, and donated.

The First United Methodist Church is developing an Early Response Team to be prepared in case of a natural or otherwise disaster in Wilkes County. Training for members of the team will begin on Saturday, February 4, at 8 a.m., in the fellowship hall of the church. Gale Seibert, pastor, says all members of the community, regardless of religious affiliation, are invited to become members of the team and receive certification.