Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Southside 'big boxes' spark rift

Providing for "big box" retail development south of Fayetteville sparked a rift in the final Southside Task Force meeting last week. The sheer size of the commercial aspects of the plan nearly 125 acres also caused concern throughout the task force at the final meeting among residents and developers.

Authority members decline to resign

To say the Development Authority of Peachtree City was caught off guard by last week's request from Mayor Steve Brown for a mass resignation might just be an understatement.

F'ville increases police presence to deter Pavilion crime

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the Fayetteville Police Department has stepped up its presence at the Fayette Pavilion.

Christmas services abound locally

Churches throughout the Fayette area are preparing for one of the holiest times of the Christian year, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

McIntosh's Huefner wins High School Heisman

While the nation's sports reporters debated the merits of the five finalists for the Heisman Trophy last week, McIntosh High School's Robert Huefner won the Wendy's High School Heisman Award, beating out 13,500 students nominated in October.

Fayette awaiting comments on Lake Mac reservoir plan

The public comment period for the proposed Lake McIntosh reservoir project is slated to close at the end of the month.

County deputies arrest armed robbery suspect

The Fayette County Sheriff's Department has arrested a Fayetteville man for the armed robbery of a woman at her north Fayette home last week.

PTC council to fill vacancies, consider rezoning properties for land use plan

The Peachtree City Council will consider filling several impending vacancies on the city's Recreation Commission, Airport Authority and Water and Sewerage Authority at its regular meeting Thursday night.

County OK's radio system

The Fayette County Commission gave approval last week to a $9.9 million lease-purchase agreement for the county's new radio system from Motorola.

PTC police still investigating death of Tyrone woman involved in crash on Hwy. 74 at Ardenlee

Officials still haven't determined whether to file more charges against a motorist for an auto crash that may have led to the death of a Tyrone woman.

Memory Walk raises over $133,000

It was wrap-up time recently for organizers of the annual Alzheimer's Memory Walk.

Sheriff's helicopter relocating to Falcon Field

The Fayette County Sheriff's Department's helicopter unit will move its base of operations to Peachtree City's Falcon Field the first of the year.

Young writers win patriotic essay competition

Three aspiring writers from Rising Starr Middle School are the winners of this year's patriotic essay competition sponsored by the Peachtree City Veterans of Foreign Wars.

DAR chapter teams up with Project Linus

Members of the Augustin Clayton chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have joined other service groups around the United States in supporting Project Linus with unbridled enthusiasm.

Kiwanis, students form partnership

The Metro Fayette Kiwanis Club, a noontime organization in Fayetteville, is serious about its partnership with area high school students.

Kwanzaa celebration at library

The Fayette County Public Library and Association of Village PRIDE, Inc. (AVP) will host a Kwanzaa celebration Thursday, Dec. 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the library at 1821 Heritage Park Way in Fayetteville. Students who participate in AVP's programs as well as community leaders will present the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Presentations will be made in song, music, dance, poetry or testimony. Following the program there will be the Karamu, or feast.

Red Cross explains how to send military greetings

In past years, the American Red Cross was instrumental in channeling thousands of holiday greetings and quality of life boxes from school children and other citizens to military personnel stationed worldwide. Due to increased security concerns, that tradition has been suspended.

Toy drive continues at Publix

The 8th annual "12 Days of Caring" campaign, sponsored by Children's Restoration Network, continues through Dec. 24.

Chipper' program transforms trash trees into treasures

Wondering what to do with that towering tree that stood as the focal point of the season's festivities but once Christmas is over can't be taken down and gotten rid of fast enough?

CCSU Inspirational Voices of Unity to sing at MLK event

Clayton State's gospel choir, Inspirational Voices of Unity (IVU), will be performing at the University's Third Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration Day, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003.

Police Blotter

Dining Guide

 

New choices for the new year
By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

 

As the year winds down and we start looking to 2003, it looks like the upcoming year will be a good one for Fayette's foodies.

Get creative with Roly Poly's rolls

Even the name "Roly Poly" piques your interest.

Buck's Pizza comes to town

Roberta O'Steen is the owner and operator of the newest Buck's Pizza in Georgia, in the Wilshire Pavillion Shopping Center, 1200 Highway 74 South, next to Publix, in Peachtree City. Nationally, Buck's Pizza has grown from one store since 1994 into 80+ locations.

Georgian Terrace stages a holiday feast

The opulent Savoy Bar & Grill at The Georgian

Chocolate plum thumbprint cookies get thumbs up

Thumbprint cookies have been a favorite of cooks for generations, and for good reason. They're easy to make, look great and can have a variety of tasty fillings.

How to make Cajun fried turkey

Frying turkeys is gaining in popularity. According to the National Turkey Federation, only one percent of U.S. consumers fried turkeys in 2000. By 2001, that number jumped to 14 percent.

Reading, writing and flavored milk

One of the most important lessons to teach children one that's reinforced at home, rather than in the classroom is that a well-balanced diet, particularly one that includes milk on a regular basis, is an essential ingredient for school success.

A tasteful way to help others

There's an art to celebrating the "everyday" and creating a special occasion.

FCFT presents Dickens holiday classic

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserable, old miser but he wasn't always that way. Three spirits, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future, visit him on Christmas Eve in an attempt to show Scrooge the error of his ways.

More holiday events to attend as Christmas nears

We are one week away from Christmas 2002. People all over the world are putting the final touches on decorations, finalizing holiday plans and wrapping up their Christmas shopping and baking.

Twas the week before Christmas

Oh man, another Christmas column. I promise that next year I won't write one of these until the actual holiday. But this is Holiday Weekend and I must stick with the theme, so here we go.....

Movies

Religion

The true 'colors' of Christmas ...
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Our church just completed its annual presentation of some sort of special Christmas play. For the last two years we have presented renditions of A Cricket County Christmas. It's about two sets of cousins city and country who interact with one another and in all their cultural mix-ups, they experience the true meaning of the Christmas Story.

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran to offer series of services on Christmas Eve

In celebration of the very heart of Christianity that God came to earth as a human infant the congregation of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will hold a series of worship services on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Tyrone First Christian will present special music program Dec. 22

The Chancel Choir of the First Christian Church of Tyrone will present an evening of secular and sacred Christmas music Sunday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. The program is under the direction of James Shelton, minister of music.

No. Fayette UMC sets Christmas services

North Fayette United Methodist church will have three services Christmas Eve, beginning with a family and children's service at 6 p.m. in the Activities Center. It will feature carols with drum and guitar accompaniment and will end with candle lighting by the entire congregation.

Prince of Peace plans Christmas Eve services

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church invites the community to Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services, offered at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 p.m.

First Christian of Tyrone announces services

The First Christian Church of Tyrone will host a Candlelight Communion service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, featuring carols, scripture and special music.

St. Mary Magdalene announces Masses

St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Mission in Sharpsburg has announced plans for Christmas and New Year's Masses. All events will be held at East Coweta High School, 400 McCollum-Sharpsburg Rd. (Ga. Hwy. 154).

Senoia UMC sets Christmas services

Senoia United Methodist Church will have Christmas Eve candlelight services, Tuesday, Dec. 24. at 5 and 11 p.m. Both services will include the singing of traditional Christmas carols, a brief Christmas homily by the Rev. Steve Davidson, pastor, Holy Communion, and will conclude with candle lighting.

Coweta ministry seeks donations for local, international missions

The Lord's Place Thrift Store in Grantville, a personal ministry of the Roy Smith family, is still seeking donations for support money and materials for missionaries in the U.S. and abroad. The facility offers saleable throwaway items donated by individuals and churches. Smith states that 100 percent of the money raised from the sale of items goes to missions.

Clayton County's Performing Arts Christmas production starts Friday

A community Christmas musical, "In the Fullness of Time," will be presented at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20, 21 and 22. The play is written, directed and choreographed by Clayton County native, Melly Meadows, and performed by a cast of hundreds. Admission is free.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Southside plan has model water quality goals
By DENNIS CHASE

Fayetteville is fast approaching a decision on the plan for the Southside development. The proposed development of this area has caught the attention of many of us that use Ga. Highway 92 or Ga. Highway 85 from the south as we travel to and from Fayetteville.

All I want for Christmas . . .
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

Remember the simpler days of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"? Well, with everything today just short of prenatal orthodontics, getting just two teeth for Christmas is a naive notion. Our "gotta have it all" attitudes seem to be worse than ever. The quaint days of caring and unselfishness during 9/11 seem like a lifetime away now.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let's cool down about Development Authority

Councilman Murray Weed and I have represented the city in negotiations with the Peachtree City Development Authority for the past several months, and after at least a dozen meetings over a period of months, we managed to hammer out an agreement that was passed by the City Council, subject to clarification of how the debt was incurred and finding the most prudent way of financing the $1.4 million debt.

PTC mayor seems carried away with his new authority

I have lived in Peachtree City for the last seven years. Peachtree City was and is a wonderful, safe,amenities rich, place to raise a family.Since we arrived, a world-class tennis facilitythat has helpful and knowlegeable employees has grown into what could easily be considered one of the best facilities and staff in the South.

Christmas sensitivities: Let's take back the holy day

This past weekend I performed at a large corporate Christmas party in Atlanta for 1,500 people. Before taking the stage, the event coordinator took me aside and instructed me not to play Christmas music. He told me that "Silver Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" were appropriate but I was not to play any secular Christmas melodies or any songs that contained the word Christmas.

Parent furious about deputy's display of weapon in school

My 11-year-old's fifth grade science teacher sent home this little evaluation regarding his in-class report [that] found his topic of guns objectionable. I fired right back at her about the school's DARE instructor. This is a desk-bound deputy who comes into the classrooms a few times a week with a loaded Glock 21, a high-capacity .45 caliber pistol, to "instruct" our kids.

Fayette Chamber of Commerce chief gives failing grade to PTC Mayor Brown

[The following was submitted Monday evening by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce to The Citizen for publication as a letter to the editor.]

Mayor Brown, this letter is a critique of your first year in office.

What ol' Strom said, and what Lott should do now

Here's what Ol' Strom had to say while running for president at the head of the State's Rights Democratic party (Dixiecrat) in 1948: "On the question of social intermingling of the races our people draw the line. And all the laws of Washington and all the bayonets of the army cannot force the Negro into our homes, our schools, our churches, and our places of recreation and amusement. No decent and self-respecting Negro would ask for a law to force people to accept him where he is not wanted."

May whoever stole Camille's tree receive a blessing this Christmas

In February of this year we were blessed with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Camille. Life was beautiful, life was wonderful, and our ideal picture of family was complete.

Radar on Hwy. 54 West in PTC: Is this a bad joke?

Just when I thought I had seen it all from Peachtree City's greatest minds, the Peachtree City Police Department decides we need a radar speed detector to remind us to slow down when entering the city from Coweta County on Ga. Highway 54.

Let uninsured workers, others, buy into Medicaid

If you are lucky enough to have health insurance, do you wonder why your premium goes up each year and in some years the raise is 15 percent or more? Much of the cost is due to prices hospitals are charging.

What it takes to be a builder?

To be a home builder, it takes no more than registering a business licence and leaving your conscience and scruples at home

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