Jenny Davis, who grew up in Washington-Wilkes and is a 1998 graduate of Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School, has been accepted as a student at Yale University. Jenny will receive her doctorate in medicine from the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon on May 9. She is currently serving her Internship at a hospital in Savannah. She received word last week that she is one of 13 students in the United States who has been accepted for Residency training at Yale and is the only student from the South!! . . . Jenny is the daughter of JoAnn Arnold and the late Lewis Davis. Her aunt, Rachel Arnold, is employed at CVS Pharmacy in Washington.

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If you've been down West Robert Toombs Avenue since Friday, you have probably noticed that the building across the street from the Tupper-Barnett House has been torn down. Ellis and Pat Thornton bought the building which housed Bonner Auto Parts in 1977 and were in business as Thornton Auto Parts for the next 30 years. Ellis and I were trying to remember some history of the old building. We think it was built about 1947 by Tom Nash for his Buick Auto Sales. I remember the building being built when I was a teenager, so that date sounds right. Mr. Tom lived in the big twostory columned house back of the building (where Royal Foods is now located.) After he sold the business to Oliver Walton and Oliver moved it to the Lincolnton Road, there were several other businesses in the building, including Purina, a used furniture store, a service business operated by Connie Mansfield, and Meadows Grocery Store. Pat says they have many good memories associated with the building and hated to see it go.

Johnsy Hopkins teaches at the Genesis Education Center in Greenwood, S.C. He has been selected as the school's Teacher of the Year for 2009. Information posted on the internet about the selection said the teachers selected were presented the award "in honor of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to education." Johnsy is a graduate of Wilkes Academy and is the son of Rosemary Hopkins and Billy Hopkins.

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Jim DeWeese on the Lundberg Road saw a hummingbird at his feeder on Wednesday, March 18. . . . Somebody else told me they had seen one, but I was not where I could write it down and so I don't remember. Call me.

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Morgan McLeod was also a member of the Clovers and Company performing group when he was a member of the Wilkes County 4-H. . . . I mentioned Matt McGee last week, and am reminded that Matt is doing quite well professionally in the entertainment field.

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Hunter Bentley, 11-year-old great-grandson of Ann Hardy and the late Wood Hardy of Washington, has won a distinct honor with his artwork at his school in Evans. Hunter placed first in his class and then statewide placed Best in the State of Georgia. His work will be on display in the State Capitol for one year. He is the son of Russell and Karen Bentley of Evans; and grandson of Helen Hardy Bentley of Martinez. It's hard to realize that his Grandmother Helen is a grandmother. She has been a special friend to us since she was born.

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China-painting Artist Glenda Blackmon will be showing her work at the Mary Willis Library during the Day Tour of Homes on Saturday, April 4. Glenda has participated in the Georgia-Carolina Fair and received many affords including three "Best of Show." She has also won the prestigious Pansy Dixon Award three times. Pansy Dixon is the grandmother of Jim DeWeese of Washington-Wilkes. She founded the Pallette and Porcelain Guild in Augusta in 1960. The award is presented every year at the Exchange Club Fair in Augusta.

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We were sorry to learn this week of the death of Jeff Dees of Flat Rock, N.C. He and his family lived here for many years where he served as Certified Public Accountant for many individuals and corporations. He and his wife Bonnie, daughter Anna Kate (Brown), and sons, Nathan and Matt, were active in the community.

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Nona Caroline Quinn Bunce grew up in Washington in the house on the southeast corner of Water and Jefferson streets. She and her husband, Isaac Bunce, have lived in Statesboro for many years and have always been subscribers of The News-Reporter. We hear from them occasionally and they are always complimentary of the newspaper. In a note last week, Nona writes, "My husband, who is a pretty good writer himself, (his letters won my hand in marriage and I still have them), says that it (The News-Reporter) is the best news weekly publication in the State of Georgia. I agree. Thank you for good reading every week. I am a former resident who carries Washington-Wilkes in her heart." She likes to hear from friends in Washington. Her address is 13945 Georgia Highway 67, Statesboro 30458.

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One of the most elegant affairs that I have seen occurred Saturday in the Mary Callaway Burton Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church. A Mother-Daughter Luncheon was held and the program and decorations featured the life of Annie Armstrong, a Baptist Missionary of many years ago. Ten round tables were set up and each was assigned to a lady of the church who used her fine china, crystal, and silver, along with beautiful center arrangements of flowers. Eighty mothers and daughters attended the luncheon. I won't name the ladies in charge for fear of leaving somebody out because there were many, but I will mention two men who assisted the ladies. Kermit Hocutt and Michael Wells helped with serving, setting up, and other jobs, and Kermit even made the delicious chocolate dessert. Their frilly aprons brought many comments.

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Some changes have been made in the houses and events for the Tour of Homes April 3, 4, and 5. The Dessert Soiree will be held at the home of Mark and Emilie Waters on East Robert Toombs Avenue instead of at The Fitzpatrick Hotel. . . . On the Candlelight Tour, Lafayette Manor on East Robert Toombs Avenue has been replaced by the

Hurd (Dyson) House next door to the Manor. . . . On the Day Tour, the home of Travis Reed and Michael Kriethe off the Tignall Road has been replaced by the Tupper- Barnett House on West Robert Toombs Avenue. . . . On the Sunday in the Country Tour of the Danburg area, the home of Bobby and Amy Heffner has been cancelled.