Local resident heads to Canada for military training

By Dona Fair
Special to The Citizen

When the son of a Peachtree City couple arrived recently at Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, a remote prairie setting where it seems like the sun never sets, it was like stepping back in time – a time of no four-lane, congested highways and full service gas stations.

Bray receives Conservation Medal from national DAR

Jeanie Choi and Craig D. Handy, both of Peachtree City, Ga., are two of approximately 2,800 outstanding high school seniors to have won National Merit Scholarships, financed by about 200 companies, foundations, and other business organizations.

Meagan Hogarth, a 2008 graduate of Starr’s Mill High School, has been awarded the Trustee’s Scholarship from Winthrop University in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership and citizenship.

Daisy Lee, eldest daughter of Gary and Lesley Lee of Senoia, Ga., has been named to the dean's list for Emory College for the spring semester, 2008. The Emory College dean's list recognition of the top 20 percent, by semester grade point average, of all college students enrolled for that semester. Daisy is a 2007 graduate of Simsbury High School, CT.

There's no fast way of "getting back" to normal for soldiers who are deployed away from home for more than a year. Separation from loved ones and friends, along with an accustomed way of life, can be hard for even the toughest GI.

Diana Palmer, best-selling author of popular novels of romance and suspense, will visit the Fayette County Public Library on Thursday, June 26 at 1 p.m. She will give a brief talk, after which the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. The author will sign copies of her new book, “Fearless,” which will be on sale at the event.

When Peachtree City residents Ian and Cathy Tracy’s 15 year old daughter Ashley came to them last spring and announced that she wanted to move to Costa Rica for a semester of school, they had no idea what her proposal would mean for them over the course of the next year.

In the spring of 2007, Ashley Tracy made up her mind that she wanted to experience a little more of the world and to immerse herself in a new culture, so she got online and found AFS Intercultural Programs.

Jalen Starks, a student at Bennett’s Mill Middle School in Fayetteville, Ga., graduated on Saturday, May 17 from the Out of the Box Youth Financial Literacy Program. The 8 a.m. Saturday classes and graduation were held on the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

American Legion Fayette County Post 105 annually honors the outstanding members of the community law enforcement and emergency services with their 2008 Public Safety Awards.

Arthur J. Depatie has been specifically identified for early promotion to senior airman in the U.S. Air Force.

The airman was awarded the new rank ahead of other Air Force members by a "Below-The-Zone" promotion board, which considered the airman's time in grade, time in service, job performance, military knowledge, bearing, exceptional qualifications, self-improvement efforts and best overall record.

The Augustin Clayton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Jonesboro awarded the DAR Conservation Medal to Vauna Bellury, a Callaway Gardens volunteer.

Dance Contempra studio in Peachtree City has recently announced that many of its current student dancers have been recognized for their skills.

Maynard Brown, the eldest member of the Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA), received the 2007-2008 Leadership Award from the members of FCREA. Presenting the award certificate is Carol Love, president for 2007-2008, Mary Maud Hiestand, immediate past president, and Jim Haymans, incoming 2008-2009 president.

Recently, Pack 409’s Den 3 Tiger Scouts visited The Dixie Wing Museum of the Commemorative Air Force, located on Echo Court near Falcon Field in Peachtree City.

On May 13, Congressman Lynn Westmoreland spoke at the Grace Christian Academy chapel service. Representative Westmoreland spoke to students in the 7th-12th grades.

• Rhodes graduates with honors
Rebekah Denise Rhodes of Fayetteville graduated magna cum laude from Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, Ga., in the school’s 60th annual commencement on May 17. She received an associate in arts degree with a concentration in education.

Dozens of fathers were nominated, all amazing, but in the end only three could be named The Citizen “Father of the Year,” and along with our advertising sponsors, we are pleased to announce the winners of this “first-in-many-years” contest.

Daniel V. Kling, a resident of Peachtree City, Ga. since 1989, will retire from the United States Civil Service on July 4, 2008 after 39.4 years of service. He was born and raised in Washington, D.C., the seventh of nine children of the late Dr. and Mrs. Albert E. Kling.

Four elementary schools were well represented at the Peachtree City Combined fifth grade band concert at Booth Middle School last month. The Booth Jazz Band showed the younger students what they have to look forward to. The elementary schools included Crabapple Lane, conductor Jennifer Brinson; Huddleston, conductor Jennifer Brinson; Kedron, conductor Mitchell Birnbaum; and Peachtree City Elementary, conductor Leslie Minor.

The Fayetteville MOMs Club enjoyed dinner with some Fayette County firefighters on May 10. The moms provided the food, with plenty of leftovers to leave with the firemen, and the firemen provided the trucks. The kids even got to witness the firefighters in action as they were called out on three separate incidences during dinner. This is an annual project to show support for the local heros.

Experts tell us that an increasing number of Americans can expect to live as many retirement years as they have had in their vocational careers. On this “second time around,” retirees are not seeking financial benefit and career advancement. Many, having secured a measure of financial freedom, now seek to invest their time in activities that bring lasting meaning and purpose. They realize that finding a passion for making a difference makes all the difference in both their emotional and physical well being.

Amy Hebel, soprano (student of Nan Burnett), and Alan Liow, piano (student of Pamela Martin), are the 2008 Louise S. Heely Memorial Scholarship winners sponsored by the South Metro Atlanta Music Teachers Association. Both high school seniors will use their scholarships to continue their music studies.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) held its annual Sand Arts Festival last month at Tybee Island. Thousands of visitors viewed temporary sand art masterpieces created on the island’s north beach. More than 300 SCAD students competed for cash prizes and several local residents were among the winners.

BJ's Wholesale Clubs in Georgia are assisting the Augustin Clayton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Jonesboro, Ga.

• Wallace graduates with honors
Karen Denise Wallace of Fayetteville graduated summa cum laude from the University of West Georgia on May 10, earning a master’s degree in middle grades education. She is a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High School and a 2007 graduate of the University of Georgia, and is the daughter of Kenny and Nancy Wallace of Fayetteville.

Three young ladies from Brownie Troop 557 have earned the God & Me award from Pastor Scott Pickering at Hopewell United Methodist Church, Tyrone.

Offshoot Productions, the Southside’s oldest professional theatre, has successfully recreated itself as a touring and special event company. In addition to touring the current children’s participation play, “Tales from Near and Far,” and preparing for its upcoming mystery, “Rehearsal for Murder,” Offshoot has increased the cast size of its improvisation troupe, The Gallery Players.

While most area teens spent their spring break sleeping-in, playing video games or shooting hoops, Riverwood High School freshman Jabari Simmons, 14, joined a group of enthusiastic students who spent their spring break brainstorming, researching and developing business ideas. Twenty-three teens participated in the Rod Coleman’s Foundation Youth Entrepreneur Camp and competed for venture capital for their start-up ideas. Over the course of the business camp, the students engaged in a “60 hour mini MBA” according to Juan Casimiro, the business trainer who facilitated the workshop. The students were charged with developing a business idea, researching, developing a marketing plan and then making a presentation before a panel of judges which included Atlanta Falcons Rod Coleman and two other local business men.

Keep Newnan Beautiful has received the Georgia Department of Community Affairs “Away from Home Recycling” grant in the form of a fully loaded trailer. The trailer encourages recycling at community events and education on recycling for the community. The trailer comes fully loaded with containers, bags and signs to encourage people at public events to recycle. It will be available for the public to use at community events. To find out more about using the trailer for events, please contact Cynthia Gill-Wall at cgill-wall@cityofnewnan.org or call 678-855-5058.