Heavy smoke filled the air in Westminster on Wednesday morning. I heard Wayne Morton announce on WGOG Radio that there had been a Control Burn in the Sumter National Forest and smoke had come to us in the Long Creek, Westminster, and Oakway areas. The odor was strong too. It is amazing to me how far and wide some things travel!

The 9th Annual Senior-Led Revival Services will be held April 9- 11, 2007, 10:45 a.m., (Morning Services) at Faith Baptist Church, 407 Hall Road, Westminster.  A different retired Minister each day bringing the message. Sponsored by the  Beaverdam Association Senior Adult Ministry Committee Ruth H. Canupp wrote, “ We welcome you and promise you will be blessed.” 

Remember: The FINAL walk through of Westminster Middle School will be on May 1st from 6:00-8:00 p m. 

David and Geneva Smith told me that their grandson Conner ran in the Tiger Relay last Saturday in Clemson representing Westminster Elementary School. I did not hear from that school before deadline so I do not have all of the participants’ names.

I did get the following from Katie Rohletter, Physical Education Teacher at Orchard Park Elementary, concerning that school’s participants, “WE finished in 9th in all three grades. This was the first time I did it along with the kids. We had ALOT of fun!”  Those who went to the event were: 5th graders Clay Johns, Haley Tyler, Charlie Terrill, Cody Eller, Alex Dickert, Kelsey Graham, Kailey Carper, Houston Lanning; 4th graders Gage Cox, Jacob Wilson, Peter Dorsey, Jamie Stephens, MaKayla Burton, Brett Smith, Chelsea Halseden, Haley Medlin; 3rd graders BJ Greenlee, Ryan Marcengill, Bradley Moore, Chris McGuffin, Jasmine Hoover, Hunter Moore, Savannah Kelley, Savannah Lanning.

Gene and Millie Nicholson visited Elizabeth Palmer and her son Calvin Lee Palmer last Friday. The Nicholsons spent several days this week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Joining for lunch in Seneca on Friday were Susan Morgan, Lorraine Harding, Jennifer D. Adams, Caroline and Lauren Lee and Rolann Lee.

It was good to chat with Bruce McGuffin recently. He told me his brother Broadus was doing much better now. That is so good.

I saw M. L. and Gwen McGuffin recently too. They are doing well.

Ruth Sheriff called me Sunday night to tell me that pitcher Jared Burton, son of Pam and Tony Burton signed with the Cincinnati Reds on April 1st .We in Westminster are cheering with The Burton relatives as Jared is loved by his hometown. Jared played baseball from the time he was old enough to play tee ball and finished West-Oak earning a baseball scholarship to Western Carolina. From there he has done well. Tony and Pam are visiting with him in Cincinnati this week. 

Get-well prayers are sent to Cody Lee, Janice Deal, Alice and Glenn Cox, Tony Snow, Velma Miller, Bill ‘Skeet’ Jones, Nell S. Hambrick, Hazel Derrick, Don Wightman, Kim Crow, Patsy Knight, Dan Smith, Frances Spearman, and Dorothy Ruff.

Happy birthday wishes are sent to Debbie Lyles, Melissa G. Barry, Amanda Fowler, Olivia McKenzie, Julia Capps, and Bill Bright.

Sympathy is extended to the families of Wilma Brewer and Cheryl Lee. God bless you.

Wanda Meyers from Summerville e-mailed, “ -Been busy last few days trying to get things taken care of before Mom (Sara Cain), Devan and Diana (Cain) get here tomorrow! The weather is so nice and hot but not too humid yet.

Should be a great weekend for the Flowertown Festival and shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall! Summerville is covered in beautiful colors right now - the pear trees and dogwoods are in bloom along with. the Wisteria...and azaleas...What a beautiful time of the year God created for us to enjoy!!!”

The Robert A. Thompson Chapter of the UDC will meet at the home of Jennifer D. Adams on Saturday, April 7, at 10:45 a m. Speaker will be Bill Smith. Hostesses will be Ruth Brown and Gloria Prater. 

Jo Wise told me how much fun she and her and family had during the three weeks they spent at Amistad Lake near Del Rio Texas in February. It was so good to meet Jo and to see the pictures of her husband and son and the four big fish they caught.

I enjoy going in The Girls Wilderness Way Camp Store on East Main. I understand they are always in need of items to sell. As you do your spring-cleaning, remember to share with them.

John Kelly and his mother are moving to Columbia I hear. John has been such a valuable asset to the to the Oconee County School District through the years. 

It is always good to see Linda Kay and Michelle Cohn. I happened up at the same place they were while walking the other day.  They are so sweet.

Jay and Sallie Lee and their three children spent their Spring Break in Phoenix Arizona.

Sue Senn spent several days in Augusta with her daughter Susan Davis. The two went to the Jewelry Mart in Atlanta where Susan showed her handmade jewelry line.

My cousin, Sue Senn, and her sister Joyce Wimberley of Nashville Tennessee traveled to Amsterdam this spring. 

It was good to see Kristin Holbrooks and Melanie McGuffin Sanders in Seneca one day recently. I remember them at WES. How time flies! Melanie told me that she and husband Brad have three children one of whom will be a teenager soon.

Treva and Doraine Lee of Greenville visited us on Sunday afternoon. Doraine attended the Masters on Tuesday. 

Speaking of golf, several of us are began golf lessons on Monday afternoon and have signed up for a tournament in October…Watch out for news of our progress!!!!! Should be VERY interesting!

My how fast cute little Junior Duncan is growing. I saw him last week with his mom Kathy and sister Denise. Junior looks just like his sister Amber.

I saw Mrs. Bruce Lockaby last week and she is doing better after having suffered a fall.

Frances Robinson of Lawrenceville Georgia visited her son Marvin Dover in Walhalla recently. She attended several events at Coneross Baptist Church and visited with friends in Oconee.

I met Barbara Pope and her husband on Wednesday. They were at one of the Urgent Care facilities in Seneca where I was. I know their daughter Laura because she is a home mate of Suzanne Cain at Poplar Ridge.  Barbara told me they had just about a year ago located in Seneca from Piedmont.

I had a nice conversation with Carol Miles Purcella on Wednesday. She told me she lives in Seneca now and that her husband Richard is a resident of Lila Doyle. She said she lived in Westminster for lots of years and still enjoys the paper. She is a good friend of Martha Ann Bright and she knew I knew her too.  Yes Martha Ann and I are friends from way back.

Sissy Richardson told me that she was in Columbia recently to update of her Certified Municipal Clerk training.  

Amy Cribb e-mailed, “Well we made it to Kearney NE Friday night after leaving from work Wednesday night.  We stopped in TN Wednesday and outside of St. Louis Thursday.  It was 1300 miles.  Shelby did great.  She rode the entire trip with Larry in the new Jeep.  I think they had as much fun as you can when you spend 22 hours in a car!  We are currently residents of a hotel but we have found three houses we like and are going back to look at them tonight.  We still haven’t sold our house in SC.  I hope all is well with each of you!”  Amy is now Manager-Organizational Development Eaton Automotive Engine Air Management Operations in Kearney, NE 68847. Our best wishes go to her and her family.

The April meeting of the Walhalla Chapter NSDAR met Tuesday, April 3, at the home of Marge Pope. Don Bickers, Chaplain, Lt. Col. USAF (retired) was speaker.

I enjoyed a by mistake telephone chat with Carol Blackwell on Wednesday. She said her oldest granddaughter would graduate from SHS next spring. Does not seem possible.

Seems everyone usually has a hard time finding the Post Office number in the phone book. I can usually remember it because it is so near ours. The Westminster Post Office number is 647-2428. We get lots of calls for the P O because ours is 647 -2824.

Here is a recipe I like.  It is so easy and it is good.  Several have asked me to share it. Hope you enjoy it. Beef Taco Skillet: 1 pound ground beef, I can tomato soup, ½ cup sour cream, 1/2 cup salsa, ½ cup water, 6 flour tortillas (6”) cut into 1” pieces, 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Cook beef in 10” skillet until well browned and broken up. Pour off any fat. Stir in soup, salsa, sour cream, water, and tortillas. Heat to boil. Reduce hear and cook for 5 minutes. Stir. Top with cheese. Makes four servings.

Susan Gainor who is the WES Teacher of the Year sent me the following information: Countdown to Kindergarten: Attention parents of children who will attend kindergarten during the 2007-2008 school year. Westminster Elementary School is offering you a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your child while helping him or her to prepare for kindergarten. *Countdown to Kindergarten is a program designed for both parents and children to attend together. The course will provide opportunities for your child to strengthen motor skills, reading readiness, math readiness, and sensory stimulation. You, as a parent, will be actively involved with your child during the learning experiences. Countdown to Kindergarten will meet on Tuesday April 17th and Thursday April 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Westminster Elementary School.

Susan also sent the following:  Kindergarten Registration is under way at Westminster Elementary School. In order to register for kindergarten, your child needs to turn five years old before September 1, 2007. Please bring your child's birth certificate, immunization record, and social security card. You will also need to bring proof of residency.  At registration, parents will sign their child up for a 30-minute mandatory screening session on April 17th or 19th. A parent needs to attend the screening session with their child. During the screening, parents will be asked to fill out a parent survey. We look forward to seeing you at Westminster Elementary.

Bobby Miller e-mailed, “I am doing much better.  I was released from the rehab hospital last Wednesday.  They have indicated that I may complete out patient therapy as early as next week.  I don't know when I might be able to come back to Oconee County.  Soon I hope.” 

The Priebes from Michigan were at Foxwood Hills last week and were with us again at Westminster United Church on Sunday.  

Peggy Morgan shared with me that her granddaughter Holly Garant in on the International Honor Society List and The Dean’s List.  That’s great!

Your comments have been so kind this week. My heart is delighted that you enjoy NN.

I am sure that you, as I am, are giving thanks for the empty cross and the empty tomb as we are celebrate Holy Week. Roger Thrift and Tony Moore have erected three crosses up on a hill out on the Dr Johns Road near the Moore’s home. . It is so touching…well worth the drive out that way to see it. I have seen it already several times and the sight brings to mind the familiar scene from the Bible of the “a hill far away and the old rugged cross-where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.”

God Bless you one and all. Thank God for Easter!
“NOTE” to Remember: “Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.”