Adrian “Kali” Turner,” a former student at Peeples Elementary School and a part-time Fayetteville resident, is getting a taste of Bollywood and Hollywood.

Karts for Kids to benefit orphans in Uganda
Waking Giants—a local movement to combat extreme poverty—is teaming up with Children’s HopeChest to bring a life-changing event to Peachtree City.

Being funny paid off big for one French student at Sandy Creek High.

Michelle Melear, along with 33 fellow French students from the school, participated in a cartoon competition sponsored by the French Consulate, Alliance Francaise and the American Association of Teachers of French, Georgia chapter. Melear finished second in the high school category and won several prizes including a full scholarship to attend a French Immersion Camp that will take place in February.

January is National Mentoring Month and the Fayette County School System’s Friends Mentoring program is inviting the community to get involved.

If you’re like most parents, you might experience a bit of “sticker shock” when you hear how much it could cost to send your teen to college, however, according to Larry Sussberg of Huntington Learning Center of Peachtree City, there’s no need to panic.

Something contagious is going around at Inman Elementary, the love of reading.

Funded by a grant from Target and the Coweta-Fayette Bright Ideas Program, 20 teen mentors, who also happen to be chronic readers, from Whitewater and Our Lady of Mercy high schools are sharing their passion with Inman’s After School Program students through a new initiative called “Reading is Contagious.”

Jerry Doyle, independent conservative radio host and author of “Have You Seen My Country Lately?: America’s Wake-Up Call” will signs copies of his book at Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville Monday, Jan. 11

Dan Garcia’s color pencil drawing titled Summer Breeze received the distinction of being the Best in Show during Fayette Society of Fine Arts (FSOFA) Autumn Harvest art show.

Aida Villegas, adult education student with Fayette County Adult Ed. – Griffin Technical College was nominated by her ESL and GED instructors as Fayette County EAGLE representative (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education).

Tires are not the typical gift on most people’s Christmas lists, but it was at the top for a parent on the Fayette County school system’s Angel Tree.

Work has begun on publishing a book on the former Fayette County Training School, which existed from 1955 to 1968. After integration in 1968, it became the Fayette County Junior High School and later East Fayette Middle School.

The South Metro Rose Society, an affiliate of the American Rose Society, has elected new officers for 2010.

Installed at the annual Christmas party were: President, Virginia Landrum; 1st Vice President, Linda Reed; 2nd Vice President, Steve Bell; Secretary; Carmen Flippen; and Treasurer, Barbara Tornow.

The Fayetteville Rotary Club recently held its annual Community Gifts celebration. The club’s fundraising efforts enable them to give back financially to several local charities in Fayette County. In attendance as donation recipients were Becky Davenport, executive director with Leslie Wade the board president of Fayette Youth Protection Homes, Gerald Sudduth from Fayette Samaritans, Debbie Britt, executive director of Fayette Senior Services, Marie Sams, executive director with Dale Georgia board president of the Joseph Sams School and Rotary Club President Tony Fritz.

The Annual Whitewater Creek Ladies Holiday Charity Gathering was held in the community clubhouse recently with over 550 items collected for different charities. For several years now the WWC ladies have collected for local charities which include; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Fayette Samaritans, USO Atlanta, Fayette Care Clinic, and Hope House Children’s Respite & Southwest Christian Care Hospice. For those who could not attend the gathering, drop off locations were provided.

Anna Reid (C) of Chef Anna’s Market Café in Fairburn recently prepared a free holiday meal for military veterans. She served hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst, barbecue chicken, beans, coleslaw, cookies and doughnuts. Children from Kreative Kidz, an after-school program based in Union City, prepared signs thanking the veterans for their service. Anna’s Market Café is located in The Shoppes at Oakley, on Ella Lane in Fairburn, off Ga. 74 at I-85 behind Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s.

Students in Oak Grove’s first grade classes were treated to the customs of the Japanese New Year by several of our Japanese mothers. Pictured are Mrs. Price and some of her 1st graders in Japanese Kimonos. Photo/Special.

Whitewater Creek children recently collected over 200 items for Gracie’s Closet while enjoying a photo opportunity with Santa in the neighborhood’s community clubhouse. Doughnuts, chocolate milk, candy canes and surprises were handed out by Santa. Many of the children voiced their requests and brought Dear Santa letters concerning their “wish lists” for Christmas. Long time WWC resident, Mr. John Slaton, graciously played Santa while listening intently, reading all letters received and making his notes.

Former members of the Peachtree City Youth Council visited current youth council members recently at The Gathering Place. Photo/Special.

On Monday December 21st The Peachtree City Youth Council Alumni were “Home for Christmas” and home from College to attend the Inaugural “Peachtree City Youth Council Alumni Reunion.”

On Tuesday Dec. 29, the Peachtree City Library in cooperation with the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department will be offering a FREE Literary Juggling Performance by guest performer Ron Anglin from Quite a Catch Juggling.

John Barrow’s Christian-based A Better Way Ministries helps men learn a career, find God and remain on the “straight and narrow.” The company operates several businesses in Peachtree City. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Sometimes there is just a better way of confronting and defeating life-controlling and life-altering issues like drug and alcohol addiction. For John Barrow and the staff at A Better Way Ministries the solution comes when a life is surrendered to Christ.

Kids Club members at Fayetteville Intermediate School are reaching out to help other kids in need throughout the Fayette County Public School System.

Three longtime employees in the field of aviation were honored recently by the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, stationed in Peachtree City.

Dave Becker, Fayetteville, Elmer Koldoff, Peachtree City, and Ray “Pop” Wilson, Marietta were given high honors bestowed upon them by the Federal Aviation Administration. They each had served over a half-century of service in the industry. Becker and Koldoff held FAA certification as airframe and power plant mechanics and are only the 14th and 15th Georgia residents to receive the maintenance award.

On December 13, 2009 girl scout troops from service unit 618 in Fayetteville, troops 430, 19507, 19157, 564, and 10102 collected 47 new pajamas to donate to Gracie’s Closet for Fayette Youth Protection Homes. All items will be delivered on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Troop leaders were proud of their girl scouts for contributing to this wonderful organization in Fayette County. Photo/Special.

Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA) has honored Chrystine Peeples with the Emeritus member award during the association’s Retired Educators Day in Georgia celebration.

This summer Fayette County’s Gracen O’Neal (9) and Katie Wright (12) competed in The Pre-Teen America scholarship program.

John Calvin Graves and a replica of the Liberty ship he served on, the S.S. Stephen Leacock. Photo/Carolyn Cary

Fayette County, Georgia native, John Calvin Graves, 84, is believed to be the last surviving sailor who served on board the US Merchant Marine ship, the S.S. Stephen Leacock.

The ship was one of only two named in World War II for someone outside the United States. Stephen Leacock was viewed as Canada’s “Mark Twain.”

Crosses of Military Service and National Defense Medals were presented at a Veteran’s Day Service sponsored by the Frankie Lyle Chapter No.2074, United Daughters of the Confederacy. The ceremony was held at the Fayetteville First Baptist Church in appreciation for their service to our country.

Thanks to a $1,000 grant Fayette Senior Services, Inc. (FSS) is pleased to announce the launch of “Ani-Meals™” — a new pet program to help homebound seniors feed their pets. The grant funds were made available through the “We All Love Our Pets” (WALOP) program; a partnership between the Banfield Charitable Trust and the Meals On Wheels Association of America. The grant funds will be used to purchase pet food and other supplies needed to support the program.

Cancer struck just at the time Sara Keene was entering that wonderful stage in life: young, beautiful, smart, creative, and so full of potential. Leukemia was not part of the plan for a 21-year-old Georgia Tech honors student. Those who knew and loved Sara experienced such joy as she danced through life and now hope to honor her memory by giving back to the community.