Our "Where in the World is The News-Reporter" feature has become quite popular and we have all kinds of people sending us photographs from all over the world. Last week we set a record with seven pictures in the paper and two of The News- Reporters pictured were almost 7,500 miles apart (one in Hawaii and one in Germany). But this week,

John Peddar's News-Reporter set a new record. At the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, John and his paper were 9,147 miles from home. . . . Incidentally, the farthest city in the world from The News-Reporter is Bunbury, in Western Australia (11,370 miles). The farthest point is about 1,060 miles almost due west of Bunbury in the Indian Ocean, a distance of 12,420 miles. . . . Keep the pictures coming. They're fun.

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Canadian Christian vocalist Melanie Hart will be presenting a concert Saturday, August 22, on The Square from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. In conjunction with her visit again to Washington Wilkes, a crew from Nashville, Tenn., will be in town making a video of her singing "Good Jesus" and will include scenes from around the town. Fifty to 100 volunteers are needed to be in the congregation and choir to be filmed at either the Methodist or Episcopal church. If you are interested, call Becky Stover at 706-678-1189 or the Chamber of Commerce.

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We've had rain! Lots of it! After several weeks of dry, hot weather, pushing the 90s and sometimes reaching 100 degrees, we got some rain last week and Sunday. Sunday's rain was the most I've seen in many months. Norris Ware says his gauge recorded 1.45 inches Sunday; .75 of an inch Friday; and .55 on another day, for a total of 2.75 inches for the week. Sonny Johnson at Tyrone recorded 2.24 inches last week. Some of the showers that have come during the daytime have come when the sun was shining brightly. I always heard that that meant the devil was beating his wife. . . . Get ready to cut some grass.

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Norae Early, one of our faithful and efficient student workers at The News-Reporter for the past two years, graduated from Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School this year. Following graduation, Norae joined the United States Army and has been going through basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. We have been sending her a copy of The News-Reporter each week and received a note from her. Norae writes: "Thanks so much for the paper and the notes. It's good to know what is going on back home. My stay at basic training has been an experience I will never forget, although it's not completely over. I have only three weeks to go, so I won't give up now. I've made it this far through the grace of God and I know that he hasn't brought me this far to leave me." Her graduation is set for September 3. A postscript to her notes says, "The News-Reporter is a more enjoyable job than the ARMY."

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We've had some beautiful and cool early mornings the last few days. On one of those mornings as I arrived in front of the courthouse I heard a loud honking. I looked up in time to see a gaggle of geese (17) in perfect formation flying from northeast to southwest. It was a beautiful sight. . . . I don't think they were our year-round local geese. . . . The two cats who seemed to be on a collision course atop the Simpson building on The Square have taken up peaceful residence on top of one of the chimneys on the building. Are we maybe going to see kittens? Apparently the dove who gives its mournful call in the mornings from the Confederate soldier's hat has joined the cats because I have seen it sitting there with them, cleaning its wings.

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Lloyd Johnson at Master's Wildlife (taxidermy) on The Square Friday shipped out two huge elephant tusks which he had cleaned up, polished, and whatever else he does to make the ivory tusks look so pretty. His client had specified that they be mounted on black marble and they were. The client had killed the elephant on a hunt in Tangenia. (Why does anybody want to kill an elephant?) . . . Lloyd says he probably will be making umbrella stands or wine coolers out of the elephant's feet when they arrive form Tanzania.

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Have you noticed all the doors that have been placed on the lawn at the

First United Methodist Church? The doors have been gathered by

Kay and Ralph Bray, , painted, and made to signify all the ministries of service in which the church is involved. Included are music, food service, Bible study, home repair tools, the angel tree, and other ministries. They are very interesting. You might want to take a look.

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E-mail from Dolle and Dave Olmstead reads: "Kudos to Ashley Barnett, Director of Tourism, for her imagination and creativity in putting our little city on the map. Snowing on The Square is a great idea. We appreciate all you do for our city and the progress it has made under your direction."

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Steve Echols, who is a rider with BRAG -- Bike Riders Across Georgia -- says that BRAG has posted the results of its post-ride survey for the recent ride through Washington-Wilkes and other locations. Steve says that Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School and Washington were both voted as the group's favorite overnight stop and that many commented on how nice Washington-Wilkes is and how ready and happy to see them we were. . . . Steve is principal of Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School.

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Lindsey Callaway, daughter of Brenda Bailey and the late Gary Callaway, has returned from Kazakhstan where she has been a Peace Corps volunteer for about three years.

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The F&M Bank (Farmers & Merchants) has expanded its service and now has a beautiful office complex at Martinez in Columbia County. The bank now has branches in Tignall, Crawfordville, Lincolnton, and Martinez. The grand opening is set for Tuesday, August 25.

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Dan Maxey writes a column for The Oconee Enterprise weekly newspaper in Watkinsville, titled "All About Books." He is a collector and book dealer and keeps readers up-to-date on what books are selling for what price and what to be on the lookout for when purchasing books that will probably be collector's items in the future. Last week his column was about Georgia Bulldog collectibles. Included in the review was Touchdown by John Stegeman and Skeet Willingham of Washington-Wilkes. Maxey says a copy of the book recently sold for $150 and that ít is a good investment with quality narrative and excellent photography." He also said that collectors are increasingly acquiring "Pandoras", the UGA yearbook, as good records of Georgia football. Maxey says "the 1947 edition that records the Sugar Bowl exploits of Georgia's finest player ever, Charlie Trippi, when signed by No. 62 will bring at least $150." . . . He also says that if the annual bears the signature of Charlie (Choo-Choo) Justice, the University of North Carolina star of that game, the annual will fetch about $250. . . . All you Georgia grads, go check your bookshelves.