Stamps have gone up to 45 cents a stamp now. Maybe that is one reason for a considerable change in communication, but I think technology is the main reason. This younger generation is missing out on something big ... love letters and pen pals. We treasured those letters and saved them. I guess maybe now they can send a love text, but no, that is not the same. If I received a love text, I wouldn’t know what it says. I remember I looked forward with anticipation when I was in college for a letter or letters. I couldn’t wait to get that mail box open. I wrote home at least twice a week. There was no such thing as calling home. It cost too much. When I was a teenager the big thing was writing to pen pals. It was so much fun to hear from someone from another state or country and compare their lives with ours. Now when I open the box, there are no letters, it’s only bills and junk. You would think with the price of stamps now there wouldn’t be as much junk, but it doesn’t seem to bother the junk mailer. It’s still nice to get a birthday card of Christmas card. I think that tradition is disappearing too. What a shame. Just thought I’d share a letter I confiscated from a second grader many years ago: “Dear Matthew. I love you Mathew very much. You are cute. You think I like Tubby but I like you. Many people say your ugly but it don’t matter. Love You.” And another one sent to me: “Dear Mrs. Gammon, You are the best teacher in the world! I love you dearly. You mite have liked this better with crayon. Love Teresa.” .Alex and Kay Tyler went to Athens last Wednesday afternoon to see their granddaughter, Sydney Tyler, play in a tennis tournament. Everyone in their family plays tennis. Richard and I attended basketball games Saturday that our grandchildren participated in. The noise was deafening and the only sounds we are used to hearing are the birds singing and an occasional vehicle passing by. We thought we would have a break at the halftime but this loud music, "Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof," started playing. Babies were crying and we wanted to cry too. Our grandchildren's parents, Craig and Sandra Gammon, were very smart. They had ear plugs. .David and Nancy Hilley had lunch at the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant in Social Circle last Tuesday. They visited with Stacy, Owen and Warren Hilley in Commerce Thursday afternoon. David and Nancy attended Deep Creek Baptist Church in Elbert County Sunday morning for the baptism of Audry Duck, their great-niece. . Mary Will Denard and JoAnne Danner visited a relative, Rosa Smith, in Toccoa last Wednesday and took her out to lunch with them. .Frances Johnson of North Augusta came to Beulah for several days and was there for Cecil Rhodes' funeral. Also coming for that funeral were Randy and Karen Rhodes of Danielsville. .Mike and Miriam Bobo of Mc- Donough visited with Graydon and Pat Bobo Monday and Tuesday. .Kathy Ware spent Tuesday through Thursday of last week in Chapel Hill, N.C., on a job-related trip. .Larry and Pam Pullen enjoyed the annual stew Saturday for lunch at the cabin of Gene Standard which is across a pasture from Almond's cabin. Others invited were Almond and Bonnie Standard, Rick and Laura Standard of Hull, Bobby Blakey, and Malcolm Chafin. .Attending the funeral in Royston for Peggy Truitt were Dr. Bob Nash, Donald and Peggy Ware, Dolly Mitchell, and S.A. Ware. .Members of Independence Methodist Church had their fifth Sunday covered dish lunch after the service Sunday. .Senior adults will have a luncheon on Valentine's Day, February 14, at Tignall Baptist Church. Cousin Coy will be entertaining beginning at 11 a.m. Let Pat Bobo know if you plan to attend. .The Youth Department at Tignall Baptist Church will be sponsoring a soup and sandwich luncheon immediately following the morning worship service Sunday, February 5. There is no charge for the meal but donations will be accepted and will be used for the MissionFuge trip this summer. Come join us for delicious

Fellowship Day held on Sun., Jan. 29, at Pole Branch Baptist

Pole Branch Missionary Baptist Church held a Fellowship Day Sunday, January 29, with plenty of good preaching, good singing, and plenty of delicious food.

The guest speaker for the day was Rev. Eric Lundy of the Redemption World Outreach Center, Greenville, S.C. Rev. Lundy was introduced by Pastor Joe L. Glaze. He delivered an inspirational message from the book of Joshua, encouraging the congregation to be strong and courageous, obedient, and to read and study the Bible. He explained that all the above will help one to be blessed and successful. He also referred to the books of Genesis, Jeremiah, John, Philippians, Proverbs, and Psalms. A job well done.

The choir, along with Pastor Glaze, sang several hot numbers throughout the service. Several members of the guest speaker’s church were in attendance for this great program. soups prepared by some great cooks at Tignall Baptist Church. .There was an inspirational message in music Sunday night at Tignall Baptist Church by Rev. Gary Purvis and his family. I could listen to Margaret Purvis on the piano all night long. Gary, their daughter Courtney, and her friend Tracy, sang many songs with Courtney giving a testimony. Everyone is looking forward to this family being here again with the music for the spring revival in the Spring. .Robert (PeeWee) Armour will be doing poems and mini-sermons at Tignall Baptist Sunday, February 12, at the evening service at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. .The Tignall Baptist Adult II and Adult III Sunday School classes are anxiously looking forward to seeing how nice their Sunday School classrooms will look. These two rooms have been in the process of being renovated for the past month. The Adult II Class was happy to have 100 percent present Sunday morning with 30 members present. . Happenings at Beulah Baptist Church include a youth trip to Augusta for Winter Jam on February 9. There will be a pancake supper on February 18 at 6 p.m. Plates are $7 each which goes toward their scholarship drive. Members of Beulah Baptist are preparing for their annual 'coon hunt which will be on February 25. .We extend sympathy to the family of Peggy Truitt of Royston. She was the wife of Billy Truitt and the sister of J.P. Dobson. . Our sympathy also goes out to Warren, Dean and Elliot Nunn in the death of Lois Nunn, Warren's wife, and Dean and Elliot's mom; and to the family of Sherry Vinson Jones, mother of Karen West and Keith Pate, and daughter of Mrs. Inez Vinson. .We were saddened to hear of the death of Sandy Rogers, a police office in Aiken, S.C., who was shot and killed Saturday. She had been an officer for 27 year, and was a cousin of Clyde Rogers. .Let's keep the following people in our prayers: Dottie Norman, Bessie Lindsey, Melanie Lindsey, Pat Grimaud, Simon and Agnes Bridges, Jean Rhodes, Carolyn Smith, Frances Vinson, Oleta McAvoy, Kathy Lindsey, Roger Walker, Rose Ware, John Yochim, Louie Wolozin, Becky Thomasson, Jessica Mathias, Elizabeth Chafin, Aiden Tidwell, Angel Lindsley, Charles Blakey, Gail Craddock, Tommy Johnson, Ronald Snider, G.B. Newsome, Dr. Kuppuswamy, Dr. Finch, Ray Pye, Jo Helen Frazier, Sara Dees, Bob Marett, Sonny Howard, Ronald Paschall, Zella Bennett, Hugh Teems, Frances Shank, Edna Lamar, Arnold Adams, Phil Tanner, Nita Allen, Frank Turner, Sheena Kopecky, Rosalyn Adams, Rev. Wade Palmer, Louie Gene Hubbard, Edythe Armour, Taylor Echols, James Harper, Marvin Wilson, Lisa Franklin, Alex Price, and Elko Noggles. .The movie, "Courageous," will be shown at Tignall Baptist Church on February 25 at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who wishes to bring finger foods for a short fellowship before the movie begins at 6 p.m., you are welcome. Other churches are urged to come see this good family movie. .North Wilkes Steering Committee members, don't forget the meeting Thursday night, February 2, at 6:30 p.m., in the Tignall Lunchroom. At this meeting the annual Bingo Night will be planned. ."Whines are the products of sour grapes."