It’s not far to this ‘Valentine’s Treat’

Sunday night was the first fifth Sunday in the new year and youth church leaders in the county took advantage of it to begin what they hope to continue on every fifth Sunday during the year.

First Baptist Church was host to “Fifth Worship “ Sunday evening in the Mary C. Burton Fellowship Hall of the church. There was a local praise band providing music, many refreshments, and all kinds of inspiration and fun. There were 125 people in attendance and 84 of them were youth from all over the county, including First Baptist, First United Methodist, Tignall Baptist, Ebenezer Baptist, Independence Methodist, Sardis, and many others. “It’s not a Baptist thing; it’s not a Methodist thing; it’s a God thing,” says Chris Townsend, First Baptist Minister to Students. Churches from all over the county are encouraged to participate in the “Fifth Worship” services with the next one scheduled for May. Anybody who would like to join in can call Chris at 706-678- 2912 for information.

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If you are one of our online subscribers and would like to register your opinion as to whether or not the City of Washington has a “strong mayor” type government, you can go online at www.news-reporter. com and vote. Many interested people have already done so.

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"The Cafe at the Fitzpatrick” opened for business Monday morning and will be open Monday through Saturday at 7:30 each morning and into the evening. I looked in the window Monday morning when I was walking and it is truly elegant. Karen Carter and Rita Horton did the decorating. In case you don’t know, the Cafe is not inside the Fitzpatrick. It’s across the alley from Master’s Wildlife on the west side of The Square. The big windows on the front look out on The Square which will soon be covered in blooming things. . . . Do you remember that it hasn’t been many years ago that our cry was, “But there’s no place to dine on The Square!” And now we have five “topnotch” places -- The Sandwich Shop, The Jockey Club, Talk of the Town, Alfred’s on The Square and now The Cafe at the Fitzpatrick. And just up the street is Subway and Fievet Pharmacy, and the Chinese Restaurant; and around the corner on Court Street, Mike’s Place.

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Holly Court Inn on South Alexander Avenue is one of five bed and breakfast inns in Georgia that are listed by “Best Romantic Inns” on its website as “A Georgia Valentine’s Treat.” The inn is owned by Phil and Maggie Rothman. The description in the listing reads, “Fully restored historic Inn with all the modern conveniences. Situated on two landscaped acres, two blocks from Washington’s historic town square.”

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We didn't get that freezing rain and snow that was predicted for us last weekend. We got some rain but mostly we just got the cold temperatures.

Norris Ware in town says he recorded 1.95 inches last week for a total of 2.6 inches for the month. . . .

Sonny Johnson at Tyrone recorded .47 of an inch of rain Saturday, making a total of 4.7 inches for January. (Last January he recorded just 2.6 inches.) . . . Lawrence Burton at Upton Mill (a few miles east of Washington) topped it all. He recorded 7.25 inches for January! It was that way all over the county. Some areas got it, some didn’t.

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I have enjoyed the sky during these super cold days and nights. Have you noticed the moon? I don't know about "stages of the moon," I just know that the moon has been high in the sky and beautiful at 10:30 at night, and when I get out to walk at 6:30 a.m., it's beginning to "go down" in the southwest. . . . The early morning sky is so interesting. When conditions are right, jet trails are stacked up everywhere. They often look like they are just two feet apart and are stacked five or six deep. The trails start off like thin pencils making their way through the sky and then begin to fan out into pretty patterns. One morning, in the eastern sky, (I guess the jets were leaving Augusta or Columbia), the show began with one trail, then another joined in, and still others, until there were six trails making a pattern like a fancy fan. They reminded me of the Japanese fans we used to make in the fourth grade of

Miss Annie Sue Wynne. We drew them and colored them, then cut notches in them and folded them. I still have mine which was the cover for my spelling papers for the month of May.

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I'm sure you readers already know that I don't have many “live” items for this column this week. I guess nobody is doing much in this cold weather. But you can stay warm in your house or office and give me a call at 706-678-2636 to tell me what you know.

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One more item about the weather. The frost in the mornings has made fields and lawns, and shrubbery look like snow. Monday morning's frost was especially heavy.

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Tire Warehouse celebrated its 25th anniversary of service to customers in Wilkes County and elsewhere on Thursday, January 28. Owner Leslie P. Smith said in his thank you in last week’s News- Reporter, “We hope to serve you for the next 25 years, then I’m going to quit and go fishing.” . . . Tire Warehouse is located on the South By-Pass.

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Georgia Respiratory Homecare has been nationally accredited and bonded by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc. The staff is looking forward to continuing their efficient service to the community. Owners are David and Karen Chafin and Tony and Kelly Powell. Jean Gunter is a member of the staff.

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Two Washington-Wilkes Band students received honors at the University of Georgia JanFest clinic bands during the weekend. Both students auditioned for positions. John Pope made second chair baritone saxophone; and Michael Pharr made third chair trumpet. Students from all over the state attended the clinic. They attended master classes on their instruments, attended concerts, and performed in their band Sunday afternoon. The Tiger Band majorettes and color guard also attended a clinic Saturday and received help to sharpen their skills.

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The Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation is planning an interesting meeting Sunday afternoon, February 7, at the Robert Toombs House. Griffith (Dip) Lamkin Polatty, historic Preservationist, will present a program on the importance of historic preservation.

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