Ernie Johnson Jr., longtime studio host for Turner Sports’ NBA telecasts, will be corralling “Reel Cowboys with a Real Cause” on Nov. 3 as master of ceremonies for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society’s fifth annual Cattle Barons’ Ball.

Second lieutenant Jonathan (Mac) Byard graduated from the US Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program and was awarded his Pilot Wings at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas. His wings were awarded after a year of training that included classroom instruction, simulator training and flying both the T-6 and T-38 aircraft. He has been selected to fly F-16s and will be initially assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz.

Thirty-four local area high school seniors are receiving a helping hand for college in the form of $1,000 scholarships from the Comcast Foundation. The 2007 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program, one of the Comcast Foundation’s signature community investment programs, recognizes students who have demonstrated leadership skills, academic achievement, and a commitment to community service. This year’s local recipients are: Fairburn resident Callie Hamilton, a graduate of Creekside High School; Fayetteville resident Rachel Spencer, a graduate of Whitewater High School; Peachree City residents Victoria Alaimo, a graduate of Landmark Christian School; Krista Czoik, a graduate of Starr’s Mill High School; and Craig Western a graduate of McIntosh High School.

Award winners and attendees were enchanted at the annual Meeting Professionals International Georgia chapter’s Phoenix Awards held on June 27 at the Sheraton Atlanta hotel. The “Enchantment” theme set the stage for cutting-edge design, five-star food and beverage and a decadent after-party, taking guests from the ‘70s to present time in high style.

Peachtree City resident Hannah Calamoneri, a senior at McIntosh High School, was named as a Samsung American Legion Scholarship national finalist. Calamoneri was selected by the staff of Georgia Girls State which was held at Georgia Southern University on June 10-15.

Commander Daniel McLaughlin relieved Commander Robert Tarantino as Commanding Officer of CGC SPENCER during a ceremony held on board CGC SPENCER, Boston on July 6.

Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) has announced that Jill Prouty, library administrator for Peachtree City, has been selected to attend the inaugural class of the Pinnacle Institute.

The 2007 freshman class at the University of Georgia will include 154 undergraduates who have been awarded Charter Scholarships by the office of undergraduate admissions, and four of the recipients are local residents.

On behalf of The Southern Nights Chorale, a men’s precision acappella chorus, chorale director, J.D. Holmes, R, presents Clemene Ramsey, executive director of The Joseph Sams School, and Nick Harris, development director, a $753 check. As a partner of The Joseph Sams School, The Southern Nights Chorale collected this donation through a love offering at the chorale’s recent Friends and Family concert. The Joseph Sams School is a private non-profit school located in Fayetteville, Ga., and serves children who have mild to severe intellectual, physical or diagnosed developmental disabilities from birth through high school. For more information on The Joseph Sams School, please call 770-461-5894.

Georgia Southern University recently awarded local students scholarships. Area recipients include Kathryn Carter, of Fayetteville, membership in the COBA Corporate Leadership Council; Jonathan Jaurigue, of Fayetteville, $4,000 President’s Scholarship; Andrew McColister, of Fayetteville, membership in the COBA Corporate Leadership Council; and Rachel Nelson, of Tyrone, $2,000 President’s Scholarship.

Fayette Senior Services (FSS) is looking for talented people to join their Life Enrichment faculty at the new senior center slated to open in mid-November. Life Enrichment faculty members will teach classes to mature learners at the new senior center. Details of classes, including fees to be charged will be set in cooperation with FSS.

While the general public usually recognizes the initials of AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons, many are not familiar with the organization’s purpose. AARP exists to serve its community rather than to be served and as such is part of the machinery that is The Power to Make it Better. AARP is a service organization and as such local units contribute time, money, and efforts to local causes. AARP 2936, Fayette County’s chapter, recently participated in AARP’s National Day of Service.

The nation's capital welcomed more than 3,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their 116th annual Continental Congress. The opening night ceremony’s keynote speaker was presidential historian Robert Norton Smith, scholar in residence at George Mason University. In attendance were Fayetteville's James Waldrop Chapter DAR members Betty Harrah and Carolyn Balog.

• McAbee graduates from basic military training

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Justin A. McAbee 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. McAbee earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Nancy and Wallace McAbee of Fayetteville, Ga. and a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High School, Fayetteville.

Local girl stars in first feature film

Logan Browning never owned any Bratz dolls before she was cast to play Sasha in the movie adaptation of the doll series. “I had played with them when I babysat,” she said, but she now has several in her room at home. Browning, a recent graduate of Fayette County High School, spent her freshman and sophomore years in Los Angeles working in television but returned home to complete high school. When she heard about a potential role in “Bratz” she flew out to Los Angeles several times for auditions and got the part. “Bratz” debuted last Friday in tenth place with $4.3 million, but Browning’s career seems nonetheless on the rise.

The Peachtree City Chapter of New Neighbors League Club (NNLC) recently announced their summer/fall officers. Pictured from right to left: new president Beth Tatum; first vice president Kristine Niehaus; second vice president Maureen Holloway; recording secretary Mary Brunso and corresponding secretary Carole Pakulski. Not pictured is treasurer Melodie Rauhof. NNLC’s purpose is to bring together newcomers to the area so that they may meet and become friends while adjusting to new surroundings. It is a not-for-profit social organization that has a wide variety of special interest groups. If you live in the Fayette-Coweta county area and would like more information, please contact Carol Jensen-Linton at 770-486-9116. Photo/Special.

Clayton International, Inc. of Peachtree City has made a commitment to the American Cancer Society’s 2007 Cattle Barons’ Ball in the form of a $3,000 cash sponsorship.

The 2007 High Noon Toastmasters Club officers were installed by Peachtree City Toastmaster and Area 16 Gov. Harry VanderKrabben on June 26 at the regular Toastmasters meeting. The Toastmaster year started on July 1.

To honor the housemothers at the Home For Children at Christian City, Ici Paris Day Spa and Salon at The Avenues in Peachtree City, recently gave each "mom" the special gift of pampering. Seven ladies enjoyed facials, massages, manicures, pedicures or hair cuts at no cost.

U.S. Navy Ensign Jeremy J. Garner, son of Jay and Karen Garner, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. on May 25, and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Peachtree City’s First Presbyterian Church Comfort Quilters surprise Louise Wilhite with a quilt at The Quilter's Guild of the Southern Crescent quilt display at the Peachtree City Library in honor of her 88 birthday. Forty quilts made by local quilt artisans will be on display through August 21 at the Peachtree City Library. An opportunity drawing quilt is also on display. Photo/Special.

Macey Wiley, of Fairburn, Ga. recently participated in the 2007 national American Miss State Jr. Teen Pageant. Wiley, 14, attends Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Her accolades in this year’s pageant include: state finalist, first runner up Cover Girl Model, most ticket sales, first runner up Best Thank You Note, Portfolio award, first runner up Most Recommendations, Spirit of America Award and fourth runner up Talent. For the talent portion of the competition, she performed her unique acappella Rhythm Tap routine. Wiley has been invited to compete in the nationals for the Jr. Teen division to be held in California in November of this year. Photo/Special.

Kelly Lange, 14, smiles for the camera while underwater. This shot was taken by her father Jeff Lange while trying out his new waterproof camera case in their backyard pool. Photo/Jeff Lange.

Fayetteville resident Lionel “Papa” Jones has been nominated for a Stellar Award, the Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists, for his recently released album, “Papa Jones.” Jones has been nominated for both “Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year” at the Stellar Awards as well as an En Sound Music Award for “Best Jazz Album.” Jones was featured in The Citizen in April of this year.

• Boyles recognized as outstanding student-athlete

Jon Boyles, an upcoming junior at the University of South Carolina, Aiken, was recently named to the Peach Belt Conference All-Sportsmanship team and the 2006-07 Peach Belt Conference presidential honor roll. To qualify, each student-athlete on the all-sportsmanship team had to demonstrate consistent good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in their daily participation in PBC athletics and good citizenship outside of their sports setting. To be named to the PBC presidential honor roll, a student-athlete had to maintain a 3.0 GPA for the full 2006-07 academic year. Boyles is a scholarship player for the USC Aiken men’s soccer team and also serves as a team captain. He is actively involved in the USC Aiken community, serving on the Student Athlete Committee as well as the USC Aiken Judicial Board. Boyles will be the supervisor of USC Aiken Intramural Sports beginning this fall. He is a 2005 graduate of McIntosh High School and the son of Jim and Tricia Cullen of Peachtree City.

He made it through “Pearl Harbor,” he’s left the “Rat Race” behind him, and he touched America’s hearts through “Radio,” now he’s asking theater-goers to show him the money with their purchase of tickets to his new film, “Daddy Day Camp.”

This summer, The Citizen invited our readers to participate in a Summer Fun Activities scavenger hunt. Readers submitted photos of the things they did this summer based on the list of 44 items The Citizen specified. Check out results of this year’s summer fun:

Putting the moves on Fayette County

When she was ten Pasty Alewine contracted rheumatic fever, and a heart murmur resulted. The doctor ordered bedrest and was startled when he discovered his precocious patient had been practicing dance several times a day at her bedside. When she lacked the energy to do this, she arrayed her dolls and taught them how to dance. Her condition improved, perhaps due to the mysterious therapeutic powers of dance, and she returned to the craft a year later. Alewine began to feel indebted to dance and has for the last 50 years dedicated herself to sharing it with others.

Alewine was born in Greenville, S.C. on May 14, 1941 to W.D. and Sarah Reynolds, their first child. As war stalked much of the old world and would soon come to the United States, she recalls the Upstate as scarcely having recovered from the Great Depression.

Fourteen year-old Brandon Eagleson and 18 year-old Trevor Eagleson attended the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA’s) annual summer camp, themed “Every Day is a Holiday,” July 8 through July 13. The Eaglesons are among 21 children and young adults with neuromuscular diseases from Georgia and Florida who were at Cape San Blas at William J. Rish Park in Port St. Joe, Fla.

Enjoy the sounds of local jazz musicians the Rick Massengale Trio as they perform at the Villages Amphitheater on Sat., Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission and are on sale at the Historic Train Depot and Welcome Center in Fayetteville.