We had a wonderful time at Sardis Baptist Church Sunday morning. We enjoyed having several visitors among us. The church was decorated beautifully for Christmas. Rev. Newsome asked the children as they were having their message if they saw anything that looked different today. As they observed and answered with the Christmas tree, the wreaths, the poinsettias, the communion table which was set up for the Lord's Supper, and the Advent candles, one little boy piped up and said "The people look different." (Very interesting.) Mike and Tina Boatwright and Cody lighted the Advent candle of hope. The music was directed by Joyce Fry with Pam Hall as pianist. The children departed to the annex for children's church with Denise Armour and Jackson Armour. Rev. Newsome brought the message, "From the Cradle to the Cross," from Luke 2.The Lord's Supper was observed at the end of the service. Another good service Sunday evening was held with Courtney Gunter as pianist. ƒDenise Armour announced that Sardis is planning to participate in the Christmas parade in Washington December 14 and would like anyone who would like to help with ideas and the planning to call her at 706-274-3308. ƒCourtney Gunter, Jessica Murphy, Jackson Armour, and Denise Armour joined other youth groups in Wilkes County and helped prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals in the community. ƒThe family of Gary Echols has our heartfelt sympathy. He was the son of the late Harold Echols and stepson of Peggy Echols. Norman Echols was his uncle. He lived in our community for many years before moving to Texas. He spent much time here with his grandmother, the late Berda Echols. He was awaiting a liver transplant at his death. ƒOur hearts go out to the family of Melvie Esco who passed away Saturday at Quiet Oaks Nursing Home in Crawford. She lived in our community for many years and recently celebrated her 99th birthday. She was Peggy Echols' aunt and will be greatly missed. A graveside service was held at Bethesda Monday. ƒSympathy also goes out to the family of Jeanette Barnes who passed away last week. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones and many friends. Our prayers go out to the family. ƒFriends and family gathered at the home of T.J. and Karen Bowen, Roy, Trey, and Sara in Jackson Heights Saturday, November 15, for a Thanksgiving dinner. Attending this happy occasion with the Bowens were Nell Shedd, Tommy and Nancy Bowen, Allen Bowen, and friend, Mary Ann, Roy's friend, Avery Slotterback, Gene Palmer, Trey Palmer and his friend, Kiki. ƒSusan Amason of Flowery Branch and Billy Amason spent from Wednesday to Sunday in Winder with their aunt, Kate Nicholson. They helped Kate around the house and in the yard and helped her decorate for Christmas which is a tradition every year. They had a wonderful Thanksgiving together. ƒ Remembering in prayer: Jo Ann Slaton, Manuel Wheatley, Jack Saggus, Phyllis McAvoy Paulk, Karen Newsome's sister Donna, Denise Adams Blaschke, Shane Echols, George Casey, Jennifer Armour's dad, Priscilla Maxwell, Duncan Johnson (Cheryl Edwards' grandson), David Hutchins, Nancy Gillfillan Pluch, Linda Stevens, Nancy Moon, Cindy McCarty, Gary Rogers, Dorothy Callaway, and Sallie Mae Arnold. There are many others who need prayer and we pray for them also. ƒMany from our community attended the beautiful wedding and reception for Alyssa Stewart and Jeffrey Roth at the First Baptist Church in Washington Saturday evening. Among them were Pam Hall, Lindley Hall, and Josh Callaway. Lindley and Josh were attendants in the wedding. ƒA Thanksgiving Day dinner at the home of Peggy Echols and Johnny Adams included Bill and Hope Remsen and Delaney, Sybil Hayes, Tim and Allison Hayes, and Harley Grace, Clay and Vicky Stevens, Zack and Kayla and Kitty Guest. ƒJ.W. and Bonnie Boatwright enjoyed supper Thanksgiving Day with Lamar and Kay Berry and Trey. Joining them also were Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn and Bryson Porter. Visiting later were Ruby Arnold and Kim Berry. ƒRuby Arnold, Kim Berry and Aaliya spent Thanksgiving Day with Robert and Crystal Byron in Commerce. Aaliya stayed on with the Byrons until Saturday. On Friday she celebrated her 13th birthday and got a shopping spree at the mall. ƒGuests of Tracy and Denise Armour, Justin, Ethan and Jackson on Saturday for Thanksgiving dinner were Cheryl Broome of Lawrenceille; Rusty Callaway of Columbus; Randy and Marian Callaway of Warner Robins; Wesley and Laura Ann, Jessica, Tony, Joshua, Richard, Bryan, and Jason of Virginia. Dwayne and Debbie Callaway and Grayson, Jim and Elaine Wheatley, Johnathon Wheatley, Brandon Wheatley, Brittany Armour, Danny and Traci Bussey, Brett, Ashleigh, and Meagan of Lincolnton, Scott and Angie Wheatley of Homer, Manuel Wheatley, Marian Poss, Sudie Kennedy, Jack Armour, Audra Chapman and Taylor Echols.

ƒBrent and Deana Sherrer had as their guests for Thanksgiving dinner, Mary Hawes, Marshall and Mablean Sherrer, Jake and Linda Buff, and Adam and Britney Howard. ƒFaye Johnson of Gray came up and spent Wednesday to Saturday with Ruby Arnold and her other sisters, Nell Hubbard, Kitty Williford, Sallie Mae Arnold, and Dorothy Callaway. Nell and Faye enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Michelle Arnold and children and other family members. ƒBill and Hope Remsen spent Thursday through Sunday with Peggy Echols and Johnny Adams. ƒZachery Frankel spent Friday night with Clyde and Sandy Whittington. Kyle Frankel spent Saturday night. Fred Weidner of Lexington spent from Wednesday to Sunday with them. ƒBonnie Boatwright joined James and Kathleen Canup and Fran Thaxton in Lexington and went to Athens to Chick Fil-A where they enjoyed breakfast and playing bingo. They came back by the senior center in Lexington where they joined Wallace and Martha Woods as guests of Barbara Palmer for a nice Thanksgiving dinner. We were glad to see many people we know and see that they are doing well. ƒA Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Betty Berry was enjoyed by Sybil Vaughn, Tom and Sandra Parker, Lee and Shelley Parker, Bradley, Tristan and Lila, Josh and Samantha Parker and Hallie, Donnie and Kris Berry, Jessica and Abbie. ƒAllen and Tammy Shuler, Meredith, Sara and James had Thanksgiving supper with Johnny and Kathryn Shedd. Joining them also for supper were Rodney and Betsy Shedd, Mil, Matt, and Mortan. Thanksgiving dinner their guests were Tim and Gail Stewart and Alyssa, Paul and Hannah Wright and Ave, Darrell and Laura Shedd, Laura's sister from Florida, Lyn Shedd, ricky Shedd, Chad and angie Williams, Cody Paul, and Ashtyn, and Kathryn's brother, Franklin Poss. ƒCharles and Nina Boatwright enjoyed having their children, Randy and Deena Boatwright, Lee, Mike and Tina Boatwright, Cody Boatwright, and Carmen Echols on Sunday with them for a Thanksgiving dinner. ƒBonnie Boatwright traveled over to Bogart Friday and spent the day with her sister, Martha Jones. Their other sister, Frankie Jones of Athens, also spent the day with them. It was decided to break the tradition of shopping and not to get out in the hustle and bustle of traffic and all the people so we just spent a quiet day at Martha's house. We went to Winder for a nice lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. ƒA Thanksgiving Day gathering at the home of Nell Shedd was enjoyed by Barbara Davis and Amber Davis, Adam and Nina Posey, Jacob and Alex, Laura West and Hope West, T.J. and Karen Bowen, Roy, Trey, and Sara, Avery Slotterback, and Shirley Dunn. ƒA Thanksgiving celebration and dinner at the home of Bobby and Debra Armour included Frances Fendley, Chris and Heather Armour, Amber, Rebecca and Raeleigh, Dwayne Armour, Joan Perez, Greg and Jennifer Glenn, Daniella, Dominique, Trinity, Ishima and Greg Jr. ƒBonnie Boatwright enjoyed her usual Sunday dinner with Lamar and Kay Berry, Trey Berry, and Kaitlyn and Bryson Porter. ƒJoining Buck and Linda Echols for Thanksgiving dinner were Scott and Sissy Smith, Greg and Angela Armour, Cody and Hunter, Will and Samantha Callaway, Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank, Mark and Bes Moore, Sam and Dawn Moore, and Jason Darracott. ƒA Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Troy and Shirley Chafin and Haley included Mack and Susan Chafin, Wendy Harper, Keith Wolfe, Ronnie and Racquel Chafin, Ken and Sheila Arnold, Blake Arnold, Mandy and Walker, Rocky Nation, Terri and Domingo, Doug Casey, Tommy Fong, Ricky Donnagan and Kenny Prak. The Chafins had a fish fry Saturday of last week with family and friends. ƒJack and Ruby Armour enjoyed having all their children and their families and guests with them Sunday for a Thanksgiving dinner. ƒSunday guests of Mildred Sisson were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sisson Jr. of Madison, Ala., Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Wheatley, Mr. and Mrs. Richard McAvoy and Amy, Chris McAvoy and Mrs. Bobby Bunn. Carl and Vickie had arrived Wednesday for a Thanksgiving visit with family and friends. ƒMildred Sisson and Carl Sisson Jr. enjoyed dinner Thanksgiving Day and Saturday's Georgia-Georgia Tech game with family and friends at the home of the Richard McAvoys. One Tech fan in the group was very happy.