Thank you, State Senator Jim Whitehead and the 2006 Georgia General Assembly for taking a position (House Bill 1313, to strengthen Georgia's eminent domain laws) to protect private property rights in Georgia. Since the Supreme Court missed this one by a long shot, the General Assembly can now authorize an amendment to the constitution; however, it will take a "Yes" vote when we go to the polls in November. Yes, spring is here and what a beautiful weekend for the Tour of Homes. Not only was our county beautiful (redbud and dogwood trees, wisteria and azaleas), but the City of Washington was outstanding with all the shops, restaurants and streets looking beautiful and full of visitors. Also, if you did not make it down to the Spring Artists Market at Court Street Livery Gallery you missed a real treat. The artwork, pottery, jewelry, glass and woodwork were outstanding. I can't wait for the Washington-Wilkes Festival of Music (yeah) and Art set for April 28-30. For those of us who no longer have children to participate in the Little League program, it really brings back fond memories of when our children played. One such memory is a certain father who was coaching and had a little fellow by the name of Jimmy Fuller who played centerfield; however, he kept turning around watching the game on the field behind him. The coach warned him several times to pay attention to the game. Sure enough, a ball was hit out to centerfield and hit Jimmy Fuller in the back of the head (non serious injury). After that, the coach would warn all the outfielders, "Don't turn your back to the game or you might get 'Jimmy Fullered'." Oh, what fun times! Please keep remembering Beth Keener in your prayers. She is now undergoing chemotherapy. Maybe we can jog some old memories out there of Tignall - or jog some memories out there of old Tignall. Traveling down Independence Street, on the corner was the Bank of Tignall. Above the bank was the old telephone office where Mrs. Stella Wilson sat at the upstairs window and repeated the familiar, "Number please." Times were when you would give her your number and she would say, "Honey, they are not home. I just saw them go in L&L Superette." Now traveling on down Independence, there was the post office, then the steps leading up to the old hotel; then Frank Warren' store (later Thornton's store); then George Harrison's shoe and clock repair shop; then empty shops. Across the street, which is now the Kum Back, was Tom Blackmon's Service Station (formerly Mr. Hill's). Now let's travel down Hulin Avenue (the main street) starting at Willis Arrington's shop, where he also housed the one and only movie theater in Tignall. Call us with your help and corrections. Mandy Derrick of Ramstein, Germany, visited with Mr. and Mrs. Dave Derrick for a few days. Joining them over the weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Mike Derrick of Loganville. Visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Alex Tyler for the weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Greg Tyler, Jordan, Caleb, and Sydney of Hoschton; and Jeff Tyler of Washington, D.C. They celebrated Alex Tyler's birthday. On Sunday afternoon Carolyn Gammon and her granddaughters, Kara and Kaci, joined the Tyler grandchildren for an Easter egg hunt. Carolyn spent the weekend with her granddaughters since Craig and Sandra Gammon and son Curt spent the weekend at the University of Alabama for fan day.

The annual Easter egg hunt at the Tignall Baptist Church will be on April 15 from 10-12. Pre-school and children's departments are sponsoring the egg hunt. Church members are asked to donate stuffed plastic eggs and parents are asked to please label each child's basket with the child's name. If anyone is interested in participating in "Mothers Morning Out' On Thursday and/or Friday from 9:00-12:00 for the summer, please contact Tena Blakey at 706-2852853 or Brooke Dawson at 706285-3434. Saturday, April 15, at 6 p.m., there will be a Community Youth Service at The Livery on The Square in Washington. There will be a youth concert band and a dynamic testimony from Shannon Ridgeway. Parents please plan to provide finger foods and drinks. Contact Tena Blakey at 706-285-2853 for information. The Tignall Baptist Youth Group will be walking on May 5 and 6 for the Relay for Life. They are the only youth group signed up for this and there are 17 members of the group participating. We are extra proud of them. The community is saddened to hear of the death of Willard Blakey. The community will miss seeing him walking up town to get his coffee every day. His sister, Estell, from Marietta just passed away also. She was buried on Sunday and Willard will be buried on Wednesday. Visiting with Albert and Eudora Huyck for the weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Huyck of Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Rhodes Jr. of McDonough spent the weekend in their home in Beulah. Joining them were Mr. and Mrs. Derrick Rhodes of Kentucky and Sheree Mills of McDonough. We wish a speedy recovery for Doris Rhodes who just had a second knee surgery on Saturday. Her doctor has ordered six weeks of bed rest for her. Let's hope Doris will then be able to enjoy her retirement. Beulah Baptist Church is planning a groundbreaking on May 5 for a family life center. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Denard, Shane Denard, Jesse and Coty went to Hephzibah to see Tana Banks dressed for her junior-senior prom at Hephzibah High School on Saturday.