During the weekend and on Sunday at church, lots of

people were talking about the two airplanes flying constant patterns over the southeastern part of the county all day Friday and Saturday. The only ones I know who were curious enough to go to the airport to see what was going on are Henry and Shay Harris and my spouse and me. I know that the planes were not "crop dusters" as we know about in south Georgia and that they were spraying nitrogen on timber in the county. Each plane carried 1500 lbs. of fertilizer and would then return to the airport to restock and refuel. One source of information said that the process of spraying would make pine trees "grow five years quicker." It was interesting to watch the planes, pilots, and ground crew as they worked together to make the best use of time and effort. They were all quite busy.

Have you noticed that the flags around The Square and in the Downtown area are a bit cleaner and brighter than they were last week this time? A midnight band of elves thought they were anonymously getting away with their deed without anybody knowing about it, but somebody "ratted" on them. It seems that Lloyd Johnson III of Master's Wildlife hatched the idea and with the help of Boots Gunter and Bobbi Johnson, in a late night foray, gathered all the flags, walked them through the alley between Lloyd's business and Petal Pushers, Too, through Watchmakers kitchen to the Fitzpatrick Hotel's large washer and dryer. Laura Purdy, Fitzpatrick manager, made arrangements for the equipment. Then they put the flags back on their poles. It must have taken a long time.

Several Downtown businesses have purchased the flags offered by The News-Reporter and they are looking great. We can still get them at a reduced cost, but have to buy a specified amount in order to get that price. Call us at 678-2636 if we can get one for you. Homeowners are eligible, too.

Dr. W.C. Branan and Mark Waters, who don't own Downtown businesses but want to see the flags up and flying, have contributed money to buy three flags. We thank you, Bill and Mark, for the flags and for your support of the community.

When we get new flags, we need to properly dispose of the old ones. We can't just put them in the trash can. If you will bring your old flag to The News-Reporter we will get them to Scoutmaster Vincent Price and he and his Boy Scout Troop will burn them in a special ceremony.

Mike Scarborough has bought from John Singleton the building on Spring Street which used to house Dr. Branan's office. Mike says he's always liked that little building and doesn't yet know what he's going to do with it, but for the present, he's just going to rent it.

It's just three weeks until tour time and here at The News-Reporter we are working on getting the annual Tour Supplement printed to include in the paper March 30 and to distribute to visitors at the tour. The deadline for getting advertisements in the supplement is TODAY, March 9, at 5 p.m. If you want to be included, call us at 678-2636.

Aonia Pass MX Park has a big weekend coming up with Round 2 of the 2006 Grand National Cross Country Series scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

In last week's column I mentioned that a Southern Living article had mistakenly used a picture of Poplar Corner, the home of Bernie Pope, in an article about Tom and Barbara Chase's Washington Plantation. This week the Chases received a note from the writer of the article, apologizing for the mistake, and enclosing a gift. The note began by saying, "I realize that Washington has the distinction of having been the first place in Georgia to hang a woman. I'm sincerely hoping that it doesn't happen again!"

A note from Terry Roberts at Mayflower Coffee Co. says that she was going through some things of husband Milton's grandmother, the late Clifford Latimer Roberts Arnold, and found a receipt for her News-Reporter in 1928. It cost her $2.00, and with it was a receipt from the Washington Country Club for $1.50 for the quarter. "They paid both bills and got change back from their $5.00!," Terry says. She also said that Milton's grandmother saved everything.

Brittany McMahan, a seventh grader at Washington-Wilkes Middle School has won first place in the fourth through eighth grade category of the Georgia Department of Agriculture 2006 Annual Agriculture Day Art contest. She will have breakfast in Atlanta March 15 at the Agriculture building and then go to the Capitol for a proclamation signing by Governor Sonny Perdue. Awards will be presented at this time. Brittany's artwork was submitted by her teacher, Gloria Rhodes, and was to be shown on Good Day, Atlanta, Fox 5 television, Wednesday morning. Brittany is the daughter of Jackie McMahan of Tignall.

Don't forget to check out the Tour of Homes website at www. wwtourofhomes.com.