Rev. Jim Newsome brought a good Fourth of July sermon, “Temptations Americans Face,” from the book of Mark at Sardis Baptist Church Sunday morning, July 4. Courtney Gunter played the piano as Joyce Fry led the congregation in the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and other old time favorites. Pastor Newsome gave the children their message at the altar. We were glad to have several visitors. Prayer meeting was held at the Echols Home Wednesday evening. ƒSunday morning, July 11, George Pate was guest speaker at Sardis in the absence of Rev. Jim Newsome. Denise Armour led the singing as Pam Hall played the piano. ƒA baby shower for Samantha Armour Callaway will be given by the ladies of the church in the annex at Sardis Sunday, July 18, from 2 until 3 p.m. Will and Samantha are expecting a baby girl August 24. ƒMany of the community attended the Fourth of July barbecue at the home of Danny Cosby and family on the Centerville Road Saturday, July 3, due to the Fourth being on Sunday. Approximately 200 or more friends and neighbors turned out for this annual event. Many of the community and surrounding areas enjoyed the day with the Cosbys. I would love to mention names, but there are too many. ƒPrayers continue for the family of Walter Standridge, Tim Echols, Tommy Garrett, Grady Rogers, Jack Armour, Charles Blakey, Kenneth Callaway, Ricky Dawson, Wilda Boatwright, Judy Wright, Tracy Bussey, Marvin Weaver, Rev. Roy Cates, Judy Thornton, David Bufford, Becky Thomasson, Marilyn Newsome, Jack Newsome, Randall Smith, Elizabeth Denard, Edythe Harper, Thelma Favor, Graham Eason, Thomas Shultes, Maude Mauldin, George Wideman, Nancy Moon, Frances Vinson, Reece Smith, Brooke Bentley Pearson, Patsy Epps, Morrison and Priscilla Maxwell. ƒLove and sympathy go out to the families of Lavonia Sparks Ricketson, Reba Brown Baggett Bounds, Loretta J. Kilgore, Earnest Glen Webb, Gale Martin Hall, Ted Richard Knowles, and Robert Dean Butler. They will be greatly missed. Prayers are for the families. ƒBirthday wishes to my sister, Martha Jones of Bogart, whose birthday was July 1. I spent the afternoon with her Wednesday, June 30, and we went to Longhorn's in Athens where our sister, Frankie Jones of Athens, and our brother and his wife, James and Sharon Smith of Stephens, and Martha's friend, Wayne Williams of Watkinsville, joined us for the evening meal in honor of Martha's birthday. After the delicious meal the waiters and waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" to her and gave her a delicious dessert. ƒBonnie Boatwright attended a birthday dinner Friday, July 2, in Crawford at the Methodist Church in honor of Gertrude Jones who was 91 years old on July 1. Gertrude's daughter, Helen Smith, hosted the affair and the others attending with Gertrude, Helen, and Bonnie were Carole Morgan, Joyce Silvey, Roz Echols, Dorothy Wallace, Jane Pettis, Deborah Archer, Penny Thompson, Jimmie Lou Sharp, Nelle Tucker, Lottie England, James and Kathleen Canup, Virgil and Beverly Caldwell, Tom and Renee Gardner. After everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and the delicious meal and ice cream and birthday cake, Gertrude opened her gifts. ƒRuby Arnold's guests over the Fourth of July weekend were Faye Johnson of Gray, Gerald and Mary Grace Owen of Rossman, N.C., and David Owen of Florida, and Kim Berry, Aaliya and Aniyah. They visited other relatives during this time and attended the fireworks in Washington Friday night, July 2. They also attended the barbecue at the home of Danny Cosby. ƒThe Armour and Wheatley families enjoyed getting together Saturday, July 3, for a Fourth of July celebration at the home of Tracy, Denise, Ethan and Jackson Armour. About 50 family members and friends were there for the fun-filled day and delicious meal. ƒBonnie Boatwright was glad to have Deborah Prince of Tignall join her for breakfast at the Huddle House in Washington Friday morning of last week. It was good to chat with her and catch up with all the news. ƒBoyce and Pam Hall and Avery spent four days touring Washington, D.C. They had a great time and saw many interesting sights. ƒBonnie Boatwright joined James and Kathleen Canup and Fran Thaxton in Lexington Tuesday afternoon, July 6, for a trip to Elberton to play bingo with other seniors at Wendy's. It was Bonnie's birthday and to her surprise everyone at bingo sang "Happy Birthday" to her. When Bonnie got home her husband, J.W., took her out to dinner at the Huddle House in Washington. ƒBoyce and Pam Hall, Lindley and Avery, Josh Callaway, and Hunter Armour spent last week camping at Elijah Clark Park. ƒWednesday, J.W. and Bonnie Boatwright went to Thomson for Bonnie's echogram. Afterwards they ate at Ryan's for another birthday celebration. ƒPeggy Echols and Jason Echols spent Sunday with Tim and Allison Hayes and Hayley Grace in Stephens. Many other relatives were there. ƒ Bonnie Boatwright joined Helen Smith, Gertrude Jones, Joyce Silvey, Roz Echols, Jane Pettis, and Jimmie Lou Sharp in Crawford for a dessert party and fellowship Friday evening. ƒSudie Kennedy joined the Armour and Wheatley families at the home of Tracy and Denise Armour for a Fourth of July celebration on July 2. ƒAll of Shirley Chafin's children and their families were at her house Sunday for dinner. ƒSudie Kennedy joined the Williamson family for the Fourth of July for lunch. ƒSunday afternoon, Helen Smith and Gertrude Jones of Crawford came by for Bonnie Boatwright and they rode through Philomath, Crawfordville, Sharon, and Washington, stopping at McDonald's for tea. ƒ JoAnn Perez, Greg and Jennifer Glenn, Danielle, Dominique, Ishima, Trinity, and Greg Jr. spent a few days in Myrtle Beach, S.,C. ƒ Spending Sunday with Buck and Linda Echols were Greg and Angela Armour, Cody and Hunter, Will and Samantha Callaway, Scott and Sissy Smith and Abby, Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank. ƒDebra (Bobby) Armour had a meeting at Quiet Oaks Nursing Home in Crawford and Frances Fendley accompanied her to visit the residents. ƒGeorge and Mozelle Casey spent Saturday afternoon with Frances Fendley. ƒBryce Frankel spent Thursday and Friday nights with his grandparents, Clyde and Sandy Whittington. Saturday and Sunday nights, Zachery Frankel spent with them. ƒClyde and Sandy Whittington, Neil and Kim Frankel, Zachery, Kyle and Bryce attended the fireworks in Washington Friday, July 2. ƒKim Frankel, Zachery, Kyle and Bryce, and Logan Bradshaw spent the Fourth of July with Clyde and Sandy Whittington. ƒDoris Walker went to Anderson, S.C., Wednesday and spent the day with her sisters, Louise Smith and Lucile Edmonds. ƒTommy and Fran Thaxton attended a Fourth of July celebration and supper at the firehouse in Philomath, July 4. ƒBilly and Doris Walker attended a Fourth of July celebration and supper at the fire department in Philomath, hosted by Sonny and Linda Bryan. ƒRuth Flynt attended a supper on the Fourth of July at the firehouse in Philomath, hosted by Sonny and Linda Bryan. ƒTommy and Fran Thaxton went to the car show in Elberton Saturday and enjoyed supper with Dr. and Mrs. Thompson Holloman at Papa's Pizza.