School shopping has almost become a big holiday in which you spend lots of money for the kids to get them ready for a new school year. I remember using a book bag until it fell apart and a metal lunchbox until the paint wore off. When I was teaching I made a child clean out his book bag because it had such an odor. He had put the banana that I told him to take out of his desk the week before into his book bag and left it there. I guess he was attached to that banana. Now that's when one needs a new book bag! Now it's best to stay home on the weekend before school because of the crowds at the stores.

Aunts and uncles are very important in a child's life so we want to announce that the Dawsons' new baby Molly also has an Aunt Karla Dawson and an Uncle Josh Bufford. I understand that Jordan Dawson, Brooke and Myles Dawson's middle child, has tried smacking Molly to get her pacifier, but is being very helpful in other ways. Great-grandmother Esther Dawson has been a tremendous help as she stayed with the family all last week. Whitney and Jordan Dawson went camping with Keith and Phyllis Dawson at Big Hart.

Morgan and Jackie Waters of Buford spent the weekend with Vivian and Louie Wolozin.

Rev. Dale Fincher visited with his mom, Ernestine Fincher, in Rome last Wednesday and Thursday. Mrs. Fincher is having some health problems but is doing all right as long as she is on her medication.

James Nix of Gainesville visited last Tuesday and Wednesday with Mary Ann Williams and Sara Grimes.

Mike and Miriam Bobo of Mc- Donough spent the weekend with Graydon and Pat Bobo.

Spending the weekend with Alex and Kay Tyler was their granddaughter, Sydney Tyler of Hoschton.

Kara and Kaci Gammon spent the weekend with their grandparents, Richard and Carolyn Gammon. The highlight of their weekend was their visit with their cousin, Sydney Tyler, at the Alex Tylers' home. The girls also baked their first cake Saturday night. The kitchen looked like two five-year-olds had been baking. Kara wanted chocolate icing and Kaci wanted white icing. So Carolyn let them have chocolate icing on half of the cake and white icing on the other half. They ate cake for dessert at breakfast! Of course their parents say that any problems they have with them is Carolyn's fault.

Mark and Heather Hammond, Brock and Camden, enjoyed a vacation at Tybee Island Beach from Friday to Tuesday of last week.

Dawn Moore and son Jackson of Forsyth visited with Sanders and Doris Rhodes Sunday.

Beulah Baptist Church had a fish fry/ chicken strip supper Saturday night. The money made on this supper went toward the building fun. Their pastor, Rev. Rick Markham, is still having back problems. Let's hope he is back soon.

Tignall Baptist Senior Adults are looking forward to their get-together on Tuesday, August 19.

Fishing Creek Baptist Church had a good revival last week ending with an ice cream social Friday night. Rev. Ben Glosson was the visiting pastor.

Cole Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Turner of Hartwell, spent Saturday night with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Turner. Cole was at church with Robin Sunday morning.

Hill Jackson's sister, a teacher in Macon, died suddenly at a teacher breakfast last week. We extend sympathy to Hill and Marlene Jackson.

Sympathy is extended to Debbie McGee McLeod, once a North Wilkes resident. Her mother, Mrs. Rachel Owensby, passed away last Friday.

Let's keep the following people in our prayers: Myrtice Harrison, little Brianna O'Shields, Sara Grimes, Nita Riley, Shirley Roberson, and Myrline Thornton. Myrline Thornton has been transferred to Wills Memorial Hospital and is in room 310. She has improved tremendously. We are glad George Dixon is doing better after his surgery.

Leon and Linda Aycock visited with Martha Aycock Brangenberg in Lincolnton Saturday night. Her husband Jim just passed away.

Story Time at the North Wilkes Library will be at 2:30 on Saturdays now that school has started.

The postal service reminds everyone with new addresses to please put your new numbers on your mailboxes.

About 60 friends and relatives celebrated Rose Ware's 87th birthday Sunday with a covered dish dinner at Fishing Creek Baptist Church. All her children and grandchildren were there to be with her. Out-of-town relatives were Benjie Steed of Atlanta and Holly and Mike Waller of Alabama.

The Tignall Homemakers will sponsor an AARP Driver Safety Program on Tuesday, August 19, and Wednesday, August 20, at 1 p.m. in the Tignall lunchroom. Call Joan Baker at 706-285-2619 to register and for further details. Numbers are limited.