The Office Cat

Oleta and Marvin (Hoppy) McAvoy on the Greensboro Road had the misfortune of having their hay barn destroyed by fire Monday night of last week. But they also had a very fine experience that day. A young man and woman from Sweden were riding their bicycles on the Greensboro Road about 5 p.m. When they saw

Bruce McAvoy in his truck, they asked if he knew a field in the area where they could pitch their tent and spend the night. They didn't know how lucky they had just become! Bruce directed them to Oleta and Marvin's house and they helped the young couple set up their tent in their backyard. The McAvoys invited the couple to have supper with them which they all enjoyed. The visitors were from Ulricehamn, Sweden, and were on a camping trip to see the United States. They had started riding from New York City and it took them three weeks to get to Washington-Wilkes. They had come that morning from Greenwood, S.C. Their plan was to travel through Alabama to New Orleans where they were to board a ship for a cruise. On their return to New Orleans they planned to ride their bikes to California, then back across the Rockies and Mid-West to New York. He is 23 years old and she is 20. The McAvoys became concerned about them when the fire was discovered around 11 p.m., and went to their tent to reassure them. They invited the travelers to breakfast the next morning and after having seconds, they were off on their journey.

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Through the efforts of County Commission Chairman Sam Moore, the members of the Board of Commissioners, and others, Washington- Wilkes now has its Robert Toombs House back in operation. Except for a few token openings, the House had been closed for several months, but as of October 1 it is back to its regular hours. The Washington-Wilkes Payroll Development Authority will be operating the facility with the House open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Marcia Campbell, longtime onsite facilitator, will again be in the same position. This turnaround is a real boon to tourism in Washington- Wilkes.

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Do you remember that the area around Sharon and Raytown has gained notoriety as being the darkest and best spot for astronomers and stargazers to view the sky? The area is called the Deerlick Astronomy Village and it will be host to the Atlanta Astronomy Club's Peach State Star Gaze 2009 October 11-18. Amateur astronomers and stargazers will fill the village beginning this Sunday to take advantage of the dark skies. There will be speakers, vendors, and workshops -- and remember it's all in the dark. . . For more information go to www. AtlantaAstronomy.org

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Mike Eskew called to tell me that when the old bricks on the sidewalk at the Mary Willis Library were replaced by newer bricks last month, some of the original bricks were left as a tribute to the old sentimental bricks. If you will drive by or walk by, you will see that the area around the original steps and door have been repaired and left intact. It looks great. Thanks.

ƒ Nine-year-old Grant Denard, like many of us, was saddened when he learned of the theft of the dogfood at the Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter last week. Grant will celebrate his tenth birthday on October 12 and has asked that his family, friends, and relatives make a donation to the Animal Shelter instead of giving him a birthday gift. That's a very thoughtful and generous gesture, and especially for one so young. Maybe others could do the same. Grant is the son of Sherrye and Ernie Denard.

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One day last week I saw one of the City's recycle trucks making the rounds to homes to pick up the bags that homeowners had put out. A worker got out of the truck, picked up the recycle bags, then threw his drink can into the shrubbery around the house. That was not a very thoughtful gesture.

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Gracen Ware was named Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School Homecoming Queen during Friday night's halftime program at Tiger Stadium. Gracen is the daughter of Dean and Cristy Ware, and has just recently served a year as Miss Wilkes County.. . . . Kristen Lukich was crowned Miss Wilkes County during the Miss Wilkes County Pageant September 26. She will be introduced at Mule Day which is coming up this Saturday, October 10, at Callaway Plantation.

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Norris Ware says that here in town we got .9 of an inch of rain Sunday night and Monday. He also says that some others recorded an inch or more. . . . Sonny Johnson at Tyrone didn't report his rain for Sunday and Monday and says he didn't record any last week. But he adds that during the month of September he got rain on eight days for a total of 14.9 inches for the month. In September 2008, he recorded only 2 inches of rain. He expects 2009 to break the 1994 record of 57.7 inches which is the most he has recorded since 1985.

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Cheney Gebing Bunch for several months has been collecting donations for packages of items to be sent to her husband Steven and other members of the 1st Battalion, Fifth Marines now fighting in Afghanistan. Cheney says that she has sent 12 big boxes to the Marines and has two more to send. She has received word that this group of Marines will soon be coming home, so hold your donations until they are reassigned. She says a big thank-you to everybody who contributed to the project.

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The Georgia Baptist Association, with its Mission Center located on North Jefferson Street in Washington, will begin an eight-day celebration of its 225th anniversary on Saturday, October 10. The celebration will begin at the First Baptist Church of Greensboro and will end on October 18 at the First Baptist Church, Washington. The services will include a variety of activities and will conclude with the 225th annual meeting at three o'clock October 18 at the Washington Church. . . . Rev. Andy Perryman is Director of Missions for the Association.