A gun that sold for $23,000!! That's what happened at The Livery on Court Street a couple of weeks ago. Hawkins Auction Company of Waynesboro conducted the auction which brought buyers from six different states to Washington-Wilkes. They came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The highlight of the day was two people bidding on a First Model Morse Carbine which went for $23,000. A cherry huntboard/brandyboard from Tennessee brought $5,200; and a Thomas Chandler jug from Edgefield,S.C., brought $4,500. The buyers and "lookers" came to view and bid on items right out of homes here in Wilkes County, plus other areas. It was a good day for Washington-Wilkes with people visiting the Downtown shops, restaurants, and requiring overnight accommodations.

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Friday is Ernie Harwell Day in Washington-Wilkes. Activities get underway at the Pope Center at 12 o'clock and tickets are still available at the Chamber of Commerce, The News-Reporter, or at the door. But they'll cost a little more at the door. Braves announcer Pete Van Wieren is the keynote speaker and Loran Smith (see Smith's column on page 9) is the emcee. Ernie Harwell is most widely known as the Voice of the Detroit Tigers and is a native of Washington. He is being honored here on the occasion of his induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

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Reminiscent of the "Big Bird" flapof several years ago, an emu caused a big stir in McDuffie County (and possibly Wilkes) last week. Allen and Patricia Burton (as well as other Wilkes Countians) saw the big bird just past Aonia on Sunday (of last week); and then it began to cause problems with traffic on I-20. Brave law enforcement officers tackled the capture of the bird which is rumored to be quite strong and aggressive. He (or she) was taken to a good home.

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Those of us who get up and out about sunrise have special treats from time to time. Thursday I was walking from the west on Robert Toombs Avenue with Venus shining brightly in a bright blue cloudless sky. I got to The Square and looked east to see a spectacular sunrise with the steeple of the Presbyterian Church silhouetted against all that beauty. I stood there to watch it for a while, then made my way on to Grandview (south Jefferson St.) where there is nearly always something "out of the ordinary." I wasn't disappointed. A flock of hundreds of birds, chirping loudly, and flying northeast came over. . . . The very next morning, in that same spot, there was a flock of robins feeding on something in Betty Reese's yard. Both sightings are forerunners of spring. But we've not had much winter. In going though some old papers Saturday, I came across something I had written in February 1988. It said: "It's hard to believe that last week we had temperatures in the 80s and this week, we're in the teens." . . . I think I heard that the groundhog saw his shadow on February 2 and so we're in for six more weeks of winter.

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The annual Washington-Wilkes

Tour of Homes is set for Friday and Saturday, April 4-5. You can read all about it elsewhere in this paper. I'll just give you the names of the homes or lofts on the tour. Lofts on Friday night are Stephen Saunders and Linda Lurwig (over Pop-Lahr Possibilities), Renee Brown (over Master's Wildlife); and Roger and Vivian Walker (next door to The Fitzpatrick.) Mark and Emilie Waters on East Robert Toombs Avenue will host the Dessert Soiree. . . . Homes on the Day Tour will be Bill and BJ deGolian (Peacewood) and the home of Debra and David Denard on the Tignall Road; Gail Boyd, North Alexander Avenue; Beth and Frank Petersilie (former home of Lairee and Wallace Rodgers) on Water Street; and Pamela and Rodney Eaton at the corner of Water and Jefferson streets. . . . Fiddler on the Roof will be the musical presentation at the Bolton Lunceford Playhouse that weekend.

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When I visited the Chamber of Commerce recently I saw a framed picture of the late (Miss) Hattie Lou Hendricks, along with some information about Hendricks Florist located on Spring Street. Hendricks Florist is the first florist established in Washington, in 1932. Miss Hattie Lou began it in the lower part of her home at the corner of Water and Spring Street (now the home of Wanda, James, Dixie Lee, and Katie Trimm.) The florist was moved across the street in 1943 to its present location, and after 75 years is still in business. Jeana Reville Worley is the present owner. For many years it was the only florist in Washington.

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Because of the Ernie Harwell event at the Pope Center Friday, a funeral, and other things, The News- Reporter and Radio Shack will be closed Friday, February 15, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

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The Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter has entered a contest to win a makeover of the shelter buildings. Winners may receive from $5,000 to a million dollars. The top 20 entrants are declared winners. The Washington shelter is currently number 32 out of 3,500 current entrants To findout how to earn points for the shelter, go to zootoo. com/makeover and sign on, or call the shelter at 706-678-2287. The contest ends March 31, so sign on now. The contest is promoted by the owner of Meow-Mix Cat Food.

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Nita Edwards Riley brought a front page of the March 28, 1974, issue of The News-Reporter showing the planting of the willow oak trees on The Square at that time. There is a picture of Nita, Hartrelle Pate, and Hoyt Higdon planting the trees. . . . Also on that front page was an article and pictures about high winds ripping through Washington and the damage that was done. Wind gusts were estimated at 90 miles an hour and property damage at $300,000.