A t the Washington Little Theater Company STARZ Awards program Saturday night, everything was going smoothly until someone realized that the trophies were not at The Playhouse. They were still at Tena’s, and, of course, Tena’s was closed. The phoning began. Donna Chafin was at a ball game; Gretchen Lamar was in Athens; Debbie Jackson was away from home. Finally, Gretchen’s sitter gave them Gretchen’s cell phone number. She was still in Athens at the time. After several calls, Gretchen got Jeana Worley who manages the Tena’s store in Hartwell. Fortunately Jeana was at home in Jackson Crossroads, so she drove to Washington, got the trophies, and handed them over to Shay Harris. They made it to The Playhouse just in the nick of time. Only in a small town ... with people who go the second mile.

According to Washington-Wilkes Tourism Director Erin Pollock, 134 visitors signed the guest book at the tourism office during January of this year, compared to only 68 who signed in January 2011.

And Andy Rooney says: “I’ve learned that I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.”

If you try real hard, you may be able to get a ticket for the John Duggan Memorial Scholarship dinner Monday, February 13, 7 p.m., at the Woman’s Club. Try calling Carol Jackson at 706-678-2332. Tickets are $12.00 each. Augusta Chronicle columnist Bill Kirby is the speaker.

This weekend is the time for Revolutionary Days and the celebration of the Battle of Kettle Creek and its significance. In addition to all the usual activities for the Revolutionary weekend, the Washington Little Theater Company will present “The American Revolution Musical” on two occasions – Saturday, February 11, at 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 12, 3 p.m. The musical is directed by Ginny King and will be presented at The Playhouse. The cast has children, teenagers, and adults, and puppets, too. You will be surprised and delighted. Tickets are $10 and $5.00, or Little Theater members may use their cards.

Twenty-two members of the First Baptist Youth Group and four adults – Chris and Tara Townsend and Paula and Robert Stevens – had an exciting, but somewhat frustrating, weekend. They left Washington Friday afternoon for a ski trip to Asheville, N.C. All went well and they had a great time, until the church bus conked off on the way home. They were supposed to arrive back in Washington about 3 p.m. Sunday. Instead, they were in Saluda, S.C., trying to get the bus fixed. Three men from American Truck Repair in Hendersonville, N.C., left their church service and came to the rescue. They brought the church bus (a converted school bus) and transported the Washington group to a mall while the men worked on the bus. Kevin Madden, First Baptist pastor, announced at the evening worship service that the travelers were still about three hours from home about 7 p.m. They got home shortly before 11 p.m. They were most appreciative of the three men who gave up their Sunday afternoon to help them.

Barbara Mize of Elberton was traveling through Wilkes County last week on her way to Augusta. She had slowed her speed as she passed Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School and had not yet resumed the regular speed when a cougar crossed the highway in front of her. Barbara says that there was no doubt that it was a cougar because she got a close look at the animal as they both were traveling at reduced speeds. I would love to see a cougar, but not in my yard.

Have you heard about Me-Ality, the fitting room of the future? The service has already arrived in Atlanta and is a revolutionary new technology which enables consumers to find their best fit, with its free, fully-clothed, 10-second body scan. In just minutes, shoppers receive a personalized shopping guide recommending styles that fit them best, what size to buy, and where to purchase the items. Because there is no sizing standard for clothing manufacturers, shoppers typically purchase different sizes depending on the brand. That’s why most people have two or three different sizes in their closet. Me-Ality aims to eliminate this problem.

I haven't had any measurable rain for the past week; and Norris hasn’t either. Sonny says he measured a tenth of an inch. He also said that last February he measured 4.3 inches, but doesn’t expect that much this year.

I have noticed around town that several large "tulip trees" are in full bloom. (I'm sure there is another name for them, but that's what I've always called them.) These are the beautiful trees that are usually the earliest bloomers of the spring season and frequently the cold gets them before they reach their full potential with blooms. Maybe this will be the year that they have that chance. .

John McPherson, former pastor of the Tignall Baptist Church, was one of the ministers who conducted the funeral of Bessie Standard Lindsey Saturday, and his daughter, Mary Kay Smith of Macon, sang several special hymns and gave a very beautiful rendition of The Lord’s Prayer. Mary Kay is a former voice and piano student of the late Troupe Harris Jr.

In the Monday issue of The Augusta Chronicle the weekly inserted “American Profile” magazine had an article titled “The Power of the Pen” and the illustration accompanying the article featured an old-fashioned “fountain-pen.” That pen and title quickly caught my eye because I like to write with a pen. The article begins by saying, “In an age of emails, texts, blogging, and tweets, the art of old-fashioned letter writing remains a powerful tool to enhance people’s lives, whether through daily journaling (a new word for me), communicating with a pen pal, or composing a love letter.” The article told of three kinds of journaling – love letters, between friends (pen pals), and diaries or journals. Most of the people had been journaling every day for as long as 40 years and more. Author James Pennebaker summed it up by saying, “Writing down your thoughts is a good way to maintain emotional and physical health. ... People who write daily about their experiences ‘go to the doctor less and are psychologically healthier.’” You will never get that from your computer.