This column was first published Jan. 27, 1999.

Henry C. Drake, M.D., was Peachtree City’s first doctor, and long after he opened his office here in 1971, the only physician practicing in the county besides Helen and Ferrol Sams.

[This column was published Jan. 24, 2001.]

When the officers of Peachtree City Fire Department asked me to speak at the department’s awards banquet earlier this month, they said they wanted the newer members to hear how things used to be, to give them an idea of our beginnings.

[This column was published March 6, 2002.]

Continuing with C.J. Mowell, Jr.’s memories of the Fayette County’s mid-20th century fire service:

[This column was published July 3, 2006.]

Talk about deja vu all over again.

For the first time in many, many years we had dinner at Flat Creek Club in Peachtree City. We were there twice in the past month, actually.

I remember that when Flat Creek Golf Course was built, I worked for the local newspaper and was sent to cover the first tee-off. It was on Labor Day, 1968.

[This column was published July 23, 2008.]

With the reality of Pastor John Weber’s retirement finally sinking in, I know I have to seek my usual therapy of writing about it. No one could possibly deserve the rewards of his good life more than Weber.

[This column was published April 5, 2008.]

Less than a week ago, a couple of us were forming plans to “do” one more lunch together, as sister and brothers in a unique family. We’ve tried to do this annually, but this time we waited too long.

The bid by Charter Schools USA to establish a K-8 charter school in Senoia was defeated June 25 by a unanimous vote of the Coweta County School Board. Charter Schools has the option of presenting the petition to the Georgia Charter Schools Commission for consideration later this summer.

For East Coweta High School student Kristina Matheny, summer vacation has been far from average.

Instead of lounging by the pool or watching television, the 17-year-old – who recently returned from the 2009 Washington Youth Tour (WYT), a leadership program sponsored by the electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) of Georgia, including Coweta-Fayette EMC – visited Congressional leaders in our nation’s capitol.

It was as professional a photography exhibition as anything you would see in Buckhead, as the photographic and interviewing skills of 12 Palmetto youngsters were displayed at the Palmetto Community Center June 27 and 28. Their efforts culminated in “Our Lives, Our Land, Our Legacy,” an exhibition of the Palmetto Cultural Arts Project funded in part by the Fulton County Arts Council and the City of Palmetto.

Bryan M. Cavan of Newnan was sworn in as president of the 40,000-member State Bar of Georgia on June 20 during the organization’s annual meeting at Amelia Island, Fla. Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears of the Supreme Court of Georgia administered the oath of office.

Residents of Coweta and Fayette counties lost another local bank with the June 26 closing of Neighborhood Community Bank (NCB) by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (DBF). The Newnan-based bank operated two branches in Coweta County, along with branches in Peachtree City and Tyrone. NCB deposit accounts were transferred to CharterBank of West Point.

The Coweta County Commission last week gave unanimous approval to support proposed improvements to Newnan-Coweta Airport. The improvements are expected to be funded largely by federal dollars.

The Georgia State Board of Education has approved a revised charter for the Central Educational Center (CEC), a National Model High School, which will govern the charter school in its second decade of operations. The 10-year charter came with a unanimous vote at its June 11 meeting.

Peachtree City Councilmember Cyndi Plunkett this morning announced she will run for mayor of Peachtree City.

Plunkett, whose four-year term on council is expiring in December, will face off against fellow councilman Don Haddix and political newcomer Scott Rowland.

Peachtree City’s venerable July 4th parade will continue its tradition Saturday at 9 a.m., but with a special nod to the city’s 50th anniversary.

As such, the city’s former mayors have been invited to serve as co-grand marshals of the parade. Scheduled to lead the parade are former mayors Joel Cowan, Ralph Jones, Chip Conner, Howard Morgan’s widow Dolly, Herb Frady, Fred Brown Jr., Bob Lenox and Steve Brown.

If you live in Peachtree City, get ready to pay more to get your trash picked up, courtesy of the City Council and Keep Peachtree City Beautiful.

Residents of Peachtree City and Tyrone lost another local bank with the June 26 closing of Neighborhood Community Bank (NCB) by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (DBF). The Newnan-based bank also operated two branches in Coweta County. NCB deposit accounts were transferred to CharterBank of West Point.

Volunteer firefighter Les Dyer has announced he will run for a seat on the Peachtree City Council this November.

Dyer, a 20-year resident, will vie for the Post 4 seat currently occupied by Councilwoman Cyndi Plunkett. Plunkett previously has said she was considering a run for mayor but yesterday she declined to comment on her future plans.

Two men were honored last week for their heroic efforts in saving three others whose boat capsized in Lake Horton April 29.

Derk Mueller and Mike Shaffan were congratulated for intervening after seeing three men struggle in the water after the boat overturned. While 911 was called by other witnesses, Mueller and Shaffan quickly responded to the area and assisted the victims.

Peachtree City’s Ryan Housley has been named one of 30 community All-Stars by Major League Baseball and People Magazine.

For the second week in a row, a bank that does business in Fayette County has failed.

Late Friday afternoon, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance took possession of Neighborhood Community Bank, headquartered in Newnan. NCB has operated a branch in Peachtree City near the intersection of Ga. Highway 54 East and Walt Banks Road.

The manager of a local shipping store was arrested Wednesday after police determined he was stealing items shipped through the store.

A server at La Hacienda in Peachtree City was arrested Thursday after police caught him serving alcohol with a phony alcoholic beverage handling permit.

Plans to allow remote controlled vehicle track

Peachtree City and Fayette County officials have agreed to a land swap that will provide the city with a 7.81 acre tract direct across Kelly Drive/McIntosh Trail from Lake Peachtree.

Peachtree City is going to undertake significant repairs and upgrades at its four fire stations along with resurfacing the City Hall parking lot in the coming year at a cost of $1.08 million.

A grandiose proposal to bring sewer service to one of Peachtree City’s oldest neighborhoods has fallen by the wayside.

City officials were looking into the feasibility of building the necessary improvements for the Hip Pocket Road area to the west of Lake Peachtree.

The Peachtree City Fire Department has released a map showing the 700-800 feet safety zone established for the annual July 4th fireworks show over Lake Peachtree.

To ensure a safe environment for residents and visitors viewing the fireworks presentation, a buffer of 700-800 feet in all directions from the area of discharge must be maintained, fire officials said.

Crackdown for July 4 holiday centered on safety

Peachtree City police officers are reminding residents to use caution when driving over the July 4 holiday.

Tom Langley has decorated his home for the holidays for over 40 years. It was a tradition that his father started one Christmas and now Langley decorates the front yard of his home in Morallion Hills in Peachtree City on as many holidays as possible. Last Christmas, Langley, who has a background in engineering and electronics, decided to try light animation for his Christmas display. It was challenging, but ultimately successful. In order to get a little more practice and display his patriotism, Langley has created a six minute light animation display to celebrate the Fourth of July.