Local builder creates mini-Dwarf House for annual fund raiser

It’s never too hot for members of Boy Scout Troop 309 to go camping. Recently, Scouts from this active Peachtree City Scout troop went hiking and camping at the Doll Mountain Camping Area at Carter's Lake, near Ellijay, Ga. In spite of the warmer-than-normal temperatures, the Scouts enjoyed trail hiking, dutch oven cooking and practicing traditional Scouting outdoor skills. Troop 309 is a smaller designed troop, sponsored by the American Legion Fayette County Post 105. Meetings are held at Oak Grove Elementary School on Monday evenings. Pictured are Scouts Justin Derden, Derrick Weeks, acting patrol leader Colin Schmidt, acting troop chaplain Alex Davison and adult volunteer Mark Davison. Photo/Special.

There are only a few days left to purchase tickets to see Voices 2007: Canto ad una Terra: Song to One World. Voices opened last weekend to a rousing, enthusiastic audience. “The music presented in this show was nothing short of awesome,” said Ada Hewell.

As many students look forward to relaxing by the pool in the summer, Colin Brooks of Senoia and Dylan Vires of Peachtree City, were very busy this summer. The boys gave one day (and sometimes up to three days) a week in helping the patients and staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Brooks and Vires are both students at Arlington Christian School in Fairburn, Ga. Photo/Special.

Four local residents recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Charles D. Chambers, Tyler P. Dohallow, Christopher A. Taylor and Christopher M. Handy each received a bachelor of science degree and were commissioned as second lieutenants.

Fayette County Post 105 Commander Dave Niebes, R, congratulates Joe Bowers, who was honored for his 60 continuous years of membership in the American Legion. Bowers served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and joined the American Legion in 1947. He has served the post in many positions including 40 years as finance officer, post director and most recently on the audit committee. At their September meeting, members of Post 105 voted to make Bowers a life member. Photo/Special.

The Southern Crescent Chorale has been holding auditions for its second annual performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one hour opera sung in English.

The Fayette Art Center has been hosting home school pottery classes for the PTC Fun Schoolers (younger kids) and the Catholic Home School Connection. The ages range from 5 to 14 years old. For more information on home school classes being offered, visit the website, www.fayetteartcenter.com, or call 770-631-2780. Pictured is (back row, l-r): instructor Melanie Bowen, Matthew and Mady Hillebrand, instructor Rachel Cold; (front row, l-r): Ian Durelli, Sydney Hukin, Lexy Hillebrand, Ava Durelli, Elise Durelli and Niky Hillebrand. Photo/Special.

The oldest national professional organization for educators, Kappa Kappa Iota, is present in the state of Georgia through seven conclaves and Mu Conclave serves Fayette and Henry counties.

Riverside Military Academy has selected students for the top leadership positions within the Corps of Cadets for the 2007-2008 school year, and a local resident is among those selected.

St. Paul Lutheran School staff were recently commissioned for the 2007-2008 school year. Back row (l-r): Principal Dan Palisch, Pastor Daniel Schepmann; middle row: Cathy Bradshaw, Joanne Poole, Brenda Dobler, Brenda Spieler, Linda Anderson, Tom Stroud, Mark Abresch; front row: Brenda Flegler, Doris Palisch, Jessica Anderson, Tamie Worthington, Jill Boldt and Dave Boldt. St. Paul Lutheran School is a parochial school in Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-486-3545. Photo/Special.

• Gessler graduates from basic military training

Air Force Airman Stephen V. Gessler has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Gessler earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Marvin Gessler of Peachtree City, Ga. and a 2003 graduate of Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, Ga

Mary Allen, better known as “M.T.,” has been a steady presence at the Peachtree City Library despite its many changes. Allen began her service as a volunteer in 1978, filling in for the library’s sole employee, Willard Bryant, when he needed a day off. She was hired as a part-time employee in 1979 and took over the operation shortly thereafter when Bryant retired.

My good friends, Mary Jean "M.T." and Glen Allen met the year I moved to Georgia, 1959. They were employed at the Atlanta airport, Glen as an air traffic controller and M.T. as a teletype operator for Delta Air Lines.

Glen was born in Fulton, Mississippi and reared in Alabama. He is one of eight siblings, their father had a saw mill company and they moved often to where the timber stands were best. When Glen was a teenager, his father started a coal mining company. So Glen is the son of a coal miner, and I'm the granddaughter of a coal miner. There is one connection.

The Southern Crescent Chorale is holding auditions for its second annual performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one hour opera sung in English.

The Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department will offer dance lessons beginning Sept. 15. The first class, which will be from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., will offer East Coast Swing.

Five year old Kavya Ramesh, of Peachtree City, is all smiles as she continues her violin lessons this fall with Kay Fry, director of the Fayette Fiddlers. Fayette Fiddlers is comprised of young people, ages four and up, who play the violin using the Suzuki Method. Students enjoy playing for the community and will be performing at the Shakerag Arts and Crafts Fair this fall. For more information about the program, call 770-487-8943. Photo/Special.

Jillian Martin was awarded a 1,000 Day Club medal at her spring recital for practicing her flute for 1,000 days. Martin, daughter of Arnold and Gina Martin of Fayetteville, began her study at age six. For more information on the Fayette Suzuki Flute program, contact Karen Collins at 678-364-0837. Photo/Special.

Square dancers promenade home to start a new set of calls. New classes are being offered at Fayette Presbyterian Church, on Ga. Highway 92, on Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. No experience is needed, the caller tells you what to do. Classes are $4 per session and casual attire is recommended. For more information, call 770-478-2233 or 770-716-7966. Photo/Special.

Two Fayette County teens were among 157 youth who graduated from the Georgia Youth Challenge Academy on Saturday, Aug. 25 at the James Brown Arena in Macon.

The Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) is funded by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly to make sure that all Georgians have access to the arts activities which enrich all of our lives. Arts Clayton has once again been named by the Georgia Council for the Arts as the fiscal year 2008 re-granting agency for GAP in Clayton, Fayette, Henry and Spalding counties and has announced that Coweta County has been added to the re-granting area for 2008.

After the first Voices concert in September 2006, Maria Pia Ugarte listened to the recording and was moved by one number in particular: “Sale, ascende l'uman cantico.” “I listened to that song, and heard a mix of voices that worked beautifully,” said Ugarte. “So I called Alison Chambers and proposed the idea of a female trio that would perform an eclectic mix of music. We discussed it for several months, and each time we talked about it, the enthusiasm grew until finally we decided to do it: to put together a trio of women who perform what Alison calls ‘a combination of Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, and The Three Tenors.’”

Students from the Fayette Suzuki Flute program perform during the spring recital in June. Pictured are from left to right: (front row) Jamesie Lussos, Tucker VanEgmond, Brooke Schumacher, Noemi Gentzke, Sally Worst, Erin Landry, Jillian Martin; (second row) Alexis Cason, Rachel Dwyer, Sarah Holland, Lauren Holstein, Jim Long, Josh Mejia; (third row) Hannah Smith, Katie Patrick, Bethany Abresch, Jake Pullias. For more information on the Fayette Suzuki Flute program, contact Karen Collins at 678-364-0837. Photo/Special.

If you enjoy plants and community service, you may want to consider becoming a Master Gardener. South Metro Master Gardener classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2-4:30 p.m. beginning January 7, 2008 through March 19, 2008.

Ashley and Kyle Evert, of Fayetteville, Ga., visit United States Congressman Lynn Westmoreland while in Washington, D.C. on a family trip. Both are students at Peeples Elementary School in Fayetteville. Photo/Special.

• Bright receives Christian Leadership Scholarship

University of the Cumberlands announced that Jared Bright, of Fayetteville, Ga., has been named as a 2007 recipient of the Christian Leadership scholarship. To be eligible for the scholarship, an incoming student must demonstrate exceptional Christian service and leadership and be an active member of his or her church. Bright is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stacey Bright and attends Providence United Methodist Church.

His life spared, he now helps others

Four years ago in a murky April dawn, Vince Bonura fell under the screeching wheels of a CSX railway car, an accident that severed both his legs. But miraculously, his life was spared and now he and his wife Pauline lead All Saints Anglican Church of Peachtree City in reaching out to care for the needy.

“The good Lord obviously has things for me to do,” said Bonura. “Outreach is one of those things I can do to help others through the work of the church. That has been a blessing to me and my wife.”

If you are fairly new to Fayette County and would like to begin contributing to the community, there are a number of crochet and knitting groups that would be glad to have you join them.

Tyler Case, a sixth grader at Rising Starr Middle School, has been spending time with some high-wattage celebrities lately, and he’s getting paid to do so.

Case has been hard at work on the set of his new film project, “Good Intentions.” The Fayette resident’s credits include over a dozen regional and national commercials comprised of work for Papa John’s Pizza, Rooms To Go, and a “featured” Mother’s Day Publix Supermarket spot as well as a costarring role on an episode of “8 Simple Rules.”

Natures Landscape Services Inc. has renewed their commitment to the American Cancer Society’s annual Cattle Barons’ Ball with a $3,000 corporate sponsorship.

“We’ve had personal experience with cancer,” said Phil Jackson Sr., president of the 30-year old company. “My father-in-law died in 1995 of esophageal cancer, and my mother has had lung cancer and survived.”