Tourism Director Erin Pollock reports that 236 visitors have already signed the guest book at the welcome center and tourism office for the month of February. ... There were about 200 people who attended the Revolutionary War ceremony at War Hill on Kettle Creek last weekend, and that is the most we’ve had in attendance.

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The Wills Memorial Hospital Big Deal Casino Night to benefit the hospital is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, at the Washington- Wilkes Country Club. The evening will include Vegas-style gaming for gifts, appetizers, and live music by Erin Thomas. All proceeds will help buy a new X-ray machine for the hospital. Tickets are available at Tena’s, Bee Southern, and the administrative office at the hospital.

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A Public Hearing Notice posted by the City of Washington in this week's News-Reporter advertises a hearing for considering a request for “a variance in zoning” for property on Campbell Street (near the Wilkes County Stockyard) to allow a skating rink. A skating rink would be a big boon for children, teenagers, and young people – and oldies, too. I hope it works out. The property is owned by three brothers – Joe C. Barnett Jr., Francis D. (Danny) Barnett, and James E. (Jimmy) Barnett.

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Rosemary Hopkins stopped at the Huddle House one day last week to pick- up lunch for her mother, Rose Talbert. Later in the day, someone called from Hopkins Funeral Home to tell Rosemary that her billfold had been found at the Huddle House. Seems that members of the Huddle House staff had been calling “all around town” to find her and she had not even missed the billfold. Oh, the benefits of a small town! I’m glad I live in Washington- Wilkes. Rosemary is, too.

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We had a good soaking rain over the weekend. Tyrone reports one inch, and I got 1.5 inches. Hill Street also got an inch.

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Gas prices are predicted to be the highest on record this summer, climbing to the high $4.00-plus range. Prices on U.S. 78 through Washington as of Tuesday morning ranged from $3.53 to $3.69.

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We've got two more weeks before Daylight Saving Time begins. We're already getting more daylight on both ends of the day.

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The annual Miss Wilkes County Pageant is Saturday, February 25, at 6 p.m. at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School. There is only one pageant this year with competition for all ages.

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And Andy Rooney says, “I’ve learned that we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.”

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I'm so glad I know Jasper Davis and his D&H Service business. He has rescued me from near disasters on several occasions. At my house, I have a furnace that was installed in 1967. It has served me wonderfully well for 45 years with only minor repairs necessary, but to me they were pending disasters. During the recent cold weather, my furnace went off and wouldn’t come back on. All I could think of was “Call Jasper.” Which I did, but it was at night and I knew he wouldn’t get the message until the next morning. So, the Beagle and I put an electric heater in the den (12 ft. ceilings and no way to close off one side of the den.) But it’s a tight house and within an hour the temperature was up to my usual 63 degrees. Jasper came the next morning and found that the pilot light had gone off. He says that this furnace is the last of the furnaces made that were made to last, and that since that time, they were made to sell. So I’m thankful for Jasper and for my old furnace.

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Scott Michaux has been a sports columnist for The Augusta Chronicle for many years. In his Sunday column, he declared himself to be guilty of being a hypocrite. He says, “We flock to coliseums to watch our modern-day gladiators wage staged battles for our viewing pleasure. We crave the violence that is at the heart of the game.” Michaux admits to all his adult life having watched high school football games on Friday nights; college games on Saturdays; NFL on Sundays; and Monday Night football. ... But then he declares that he would never let his own son play football. “No way. Absolutely not. Football is not worth the danger to players,” he said. “Risk is part of life, but there are a lot of other great sports out there which don’t so routinely jeopardize life and limb.” To that I say, “Amen.” I wish he had written it 40 years ago.

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Nineteen members of the Acteens and Girls in Action (GA’s) at the First Baptist Church met Saturday morning with nine adults to make fleece-lined blankets for the Project Linus program. (Remember Linus in the Peanuts comic strip?) They made 12 blankets and have plans for making more. The blankets will be given to patients who need them.

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