Have you noticed that skunks are really prolific now? They don’t seem to be in danger of becoming extinct any time soon. In fact many of them come into danger when they cross the road that goes into Pecan Grove Road from Tignall Road. That must be their favorite meeting place. Many people lately have had problems with them getting under their homes or wandering across their yards. I have heard that skunks make wonderful pets and are very intelligent. I’d rather have an animal that is not quite that intelligent. Celeste Adams said that when she was a child she always wanted a crow, a raccoon, a monkey and a skunk for pets. If anyone finds any of these animals, just take them on to Celeste. A few years ago Alex and Kay Tyler’s grandchildren went skunk hunting every time they came to visit. They would ride around the farm on a Kubota calling, “Here skunk!” and it was so much fun until their dog ran after a skunk and then hopped up onto the Kubota with them after being sprayed. They all three quickly scattered away from the dog. That was the end of skunk hunting for them.

. How many of you may have seen the shrinking of the food from the fast food restaurants? We now receive about half of the French fries as usual. Many of the containers are getting smaller. It seems the price of everything is going up and the product is shrinking. One would think that this would cut down on eating too much. Maybe restaurants are trying to help with obesity, so I guess we should thank them, but I’m still waiting for my change.

. Visiting Thursday of Feb. 9th with JoAnn Danner were Robert, Opal and Dave Echols of Gainesville. I think the last time I saw Opal Norman Echols was when she and my aunt Ann Dunaway McKinney and Billie Harper Hines went horseback riding with all three on the horse at the same time and the horse sat down with them. I guess he was letting them know…only one at a time.

. I received a call from Robbi Mauldin of Hoschton who asked me about how she could get a copy of the News Reporter so she could see pictures of the Tough Mudder. Her son, Greg Mauldin of Hoschton entered the Tough Mudder and evidently he had picked up one of the News Reporters when he was in town. She wanted to see any pictures that might be in the paper the following week. We had a nice conversation. I meet so many people by phone.

. Hugh and Nobie Keener spent Friday through Monday of Feb. 10-13th in Bakersville, NC with Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas. Mrs. Thomas is Hugh’s cousin. Old Man Winter visited while they were there. They had lots of snow and temperature of 8 degrees. I don’t want their winter.

. Frances Johnson of North Augusta, SC spent several days in her Beulah home and was joined by her aunt, Pat Mack.

. We are all so glad to know that Jessica Mathias is home from Afghanistan. She had been stationed there since last summer. Her father, Danny Price, has now shaved off his looong goatee that he kept growing until she got home.

. Sydney Tyler of Hoschton spent Thursday and Friday, school holidays, and the weekend with her grandparents, Alex and Kay Tyler. Sydney and her Nana enjoyed going on a shopping spree.

. Donald and Peggy Ware attended the 50th wedding anniversary Celebration Saturday of Warren and Ann Newsome at Court Ground School. Also attending the anniversary celebration were Daisy Parker, Esther Dawson and Margie Rogers.

. Daisy Parker and Esther Dawson visited with Elbert Parker in Gray Wednesday of last week.

. Pam Pullen, Lacey Fincher, Debra and Jennifer Hardy attended the wedding of Jeremy Pullen and Laura Christian last Friday in Las Vegas at the chapel in the Luxor Hotel. They went out on Wednesday and came home Saturday.

. Laura Ashe of Rock Hill, SC spent several days with Tody Derrick.

. Gloria Harris, Robbie Tanner and Marti Harris attended a wedding shower Saturday in Elberton at the home of Sybil and Buz Ragsdale. The shower was given for Addyson Harris and Reed Scarboro.

. Don’t forget the movie, “Courageous” will be shown at Tignall Baptist Church on Saturday Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge. This movie is from the creators of Fireproof and demonstrates how honor begins at home. Anyone who wishes to bring finger foods for a short fellowship at 6 p.m. before the movie begins, you are welcome. Other churches are urged to come see this good family movie. On Sunday night of Feb. 26th ladies from Heart Ministry will be here to share about their ministry which offers a healing environment for alcohol and drug abuse recovery and training.

. We extend sympathy to the family of Frank Turner, Jr. He will really be missed at Fishing Creek Baptist Church. We also extend sympathy to Louise Denard in the death of her aunt, Janell Fulbright, of Elbert County.

. Let’s keep the following people in our prayers: Pat Mack, Linda Jordan Cosby, Marjorie Gibson, Dottie Norman, Melanie Lindsey, Pat Grimaud, Simon & Agnes Bridges, Jean Rhodes, Frances Vinson, Oleta McAvoy, Roger Walker, Rose Ware, John Yochim, Louie Wolozin, Becky Thomasson, Elizabeth Chafin, Aiden Tidwell, Angel Lindsley, Gail Craddock, Tommy Johnson, Ronald Snider, G. B. Newsome, Dr. Kupperswamy, Dr. Finch, Ray Pye, Jo Helen Frazier, Sara Dees, Nita Riley, Bob Marett, Phyllis Dawson, Sonny Howard, Zella Bennett, Hugh Teems, Frances Shank, Edna Lamar, Wilbur & Ouida Maney, Nita Allen, Louie Gene Hubbard, Taylor Echols, James Harper, Marvin Wilson, Reese Smith, Bobby Lamar, and Alex Price.

. “Be careful about reading the fine print….There’s no way you’re going to like it.”