Scott Connelly was the guest speaker for the Tignall Homemakers at their April meeting. The Tignall Homemakers held their April meeting at the North Wilkes Library in Tignall Thursday afternoon, April 20, at 2 p.m. President Sally Kennedy presided over the meeting which was opened with the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. Afterwards, members and guests were welcomed.

Dr. Sophia B. Bamford introduced the speaker for the meeting, Scott Connelly, Ph.D. candidate, University of Georgia. Scott is a native of upstate New York, on Lake Ontario, and got his degree in Economics and Accounting at State University of New York. After working a while, he studied Electrical Engineering and became interested in Biology and Ecology. After enrolling at UGA, he earned a degree in Ecology, and then enrolled in the master's program, studying plant-insect interactions.

Scott gave an interesting lecture on frogs and amphibians, noting that Wilkes County is a hot spot of diversity for these creatures - with the sand hills, grass land, the coast several hours away to the south and the mountains to the north. Scott brought several kinds of frogs and salamanders and mentioned that one of his research goals was looking at the effects species losses (extinctions) have on ecosystems processes. Working in Ecuador, Costa Rica, and mainly Panama, he concentrated on the loss of amphibians in stream processes (production and decomposition).

The refreshment table was laden with flavored ice tea, cucumber sandwiches, and strawberry shortcake.

Members present were Celeste Adams, Sophia Bamford, Evelyn Bunch, Faye Butler, Billie Carroll, Becky Dixon, Betty Jean Guin, Sally Kennedy, Edna Lamar, Pat Mack, Ouida Maney, Henry Moone, Edna Rhodes, Jane Roberson, Louise Smith, Genevieve Thurmond, Louise Harper, and Joan Baker.

Guests were Paula Butts, Carolyn Gammon, and Hugh and Nobie Keener.