JULY If you want to have a good time, it is just one day away. The biggest fireworks display that will be in this area will take place Thursday, July 3. It's time for the Fabulous Fourth Celebration on July 3. Make your plans to come to Spring Creek Recreation Park for a great evening of fun for everyone. - - - -

As the year 2009 begins, the news of 2008 is now history. To recap last year, here is summary of the articles found in the Miller County Liberal.

This final glimpse of 2008 will appear in four installments, covering three months in each segment. Here is the third installment.

Birth Announcements: Merritt Victoria Middleton, Trinity Leslie Sanders, Thomas Mark Miller, Mary Calin Rackley, Aleson Bre Fletcher

Deaths: Isabell McFarlane Glenn, Ruby Barrett Austin, Frances P. Lane, Jeanette Gibson, James Ferrell Davis, Betty Jo Hill Clark, Bessie Lee Braswell, Patricia Ann Simonton Roland, Billy Williams, James Hamilton Hilburn, Delores Tipton Bowen, Johnnie Lee Harrell, Edison "Ed" Rudolph Todd, Louis Jest Haire, Irene Sawyer Bridges, Gordon Thomas Toole, Benjamin Heath Schnitker, Jeannine Brooks Wester Davis, Sarlaton Chester Moore Sr., David Leslie Phillips, Leroy Walters Jr.

The news came fast that the Colombian military had freed 15 hostages from the leftist FARC rebels. Included in this release were three Americans, former Miller County resident, Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes who all worked for Northrop Grumman and were captured in 2003 after their light aircraft crashed in the jungles during a counter narcotics operation. They have been in captivity in the jungles of Columbia. Among those who were also rescued was former Colombian presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, who was released after six years in captivity on Wednesday, July 2, along with 11 other hostages.

Birth Announcements: Brinson Kade Gowan, Mary Michael Bush, Abigail Elizabeth Beaty, Emma Grace Donley

The Grand Opening/ Open House/Viewing of the newest and most up-todate Georgia State Patrol headquarters in the state was held Tuesday, July 1.

Deaths: Julia Tassie Grimsley, Michael "Frog" Tully, Ginger McNease Warren, Marcine "Bo" Widner, Lilla Doris Haire, Johnnie Lee Harrell, Beulah Bundy Mc-Corkle, Emmitt Henderson, Wilma Hilburn Hamilton, Shirley Elaine Sheffield, Hattie Sheffield, Bill Shingler, Jane Clarke Wisham, Sara Batson Willingham, Marjorie Davis Zipperer, Robert Martin Peek, Hugh M. Fletcher, Sarah Joyce Ard

Birth Announcements: Brayden Dewell Eugene Raulerson

Deaths: James (Snookie) Cobb, Mittie Johnson Tiner, Audley B. Daniels, Mollie Heard Griffin, Will Lindley, Marvin Leon "M.L." Jones, Richard Varnum, Lloyd Henry "Buttercup" Faust Jr., Patricia "Pat" Parish, Billy A. Parish, Levander Bradley, Geary Lynn "Pork Chop" Coomer, Jr., James (Snookie) Cobb, Jaden Jamar George, James Lamar Bynum, Henry Earl "Trey" Cook III, Alphia Laverne Newberry Cook, Earline Middleton Worthy, Duward E. Turner, Mikyna Stolze, Lynwood George Tucker, Ed "Too Tall" Freeman, Mildred Ingram Bullock Trawick, Margie Callie Mock Houston, Mary Ethel Pipkin Bush

Forty-five people from all over Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida formed a mission team led by Rev. David Thompson of Colquitt United Methodist Church. The team was based in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in the rainforest in the north central part of Costa Rica. They worked on two different church facilities doing construction to help build a new sanctuary for the Agape Methodist Church in the village of La Guardia and Sunday school rooms at the Monte Verde Methodist Church. On Friday August 1,officials from the City of Colquitt held groundbreaking ceremonies on the new $3 million wastewater treatment plant that is to be constructed in the city. At a recent meeting of the Colquitt City Council, Officer Chris Medina of the Colquitt Police Department was presented an award. He received an award for his excellent service to the community for his role in apprehending two suspects involved in burglarizing Red's Liquor Store on East Main Street. In what could be best described as a rags-to-riches story, Colquitt-Miller County Fire-EMS Chief, Craig Tully, a 30-year veteran of the Georgia Fire Service, was unanimously elected as president of the statewide Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC).  SEPTEMBER Talking about the city coming to town, Hollywood descended on Colquitt, Blakely and Camilla, August 29-31 for the third Jokara-Micheaux Film Festival. There were stars, producers, directors, writers, authors, cameras and journalists all over the place. The Film Festival has become an annual event, but this was a really special one, since the first full-length movie, The Lena Baker Story, was to premiere right here in Colquitt where most of it was produced in the 22,000 square foot sound stage. The Black Death Defense came on strong and stayed strong, causing a major upset as the Pirates defeated the Early County Bobcats. It has been a long time since this has happened. Miller County has always had to play both sides of the field. The determination and willpower that shown out on that field last Friday night was extremely awesome to watch, and the many Pirate fans are proud of our coaching Staff and team. Miller County Middle School received the Superintendent's Award for improvement in the area of sixth grade math CRCT scores. On the Spring 2008 CRCT, math scores increased by 32 percent, with over 86 percent of our students meeting or exceeding the state standards. "We are doing great things here at the middle school, and it is very rewarding when the Department of Education recognizes the hard work by our students and teachers like Mrs. Nancy Davis," said Principal Frank Killingsworth. Mrs. Nancy Davis is the sixth grade math teacher for Miller County Middle School. "Aint No Tellin" continues Swamp Gravy's rich tradition of storytelling as true stories are brought to the stage and served up with a side of original music and traditional hymns. Swamp Gravy's world renowned cast of 100 volunteers brings these stories to life in Georgia's Official Folk Life Play. - - - -