Most catastrophes that happen to people bring out the good and the bad in people. Thank goodness, so far, I have heard nothing but good reports from our area on Hurricane Katrina relief. Just Friday, two semi truck loads of supplies went to help those who have lost so much on the Gulf Coast.
Wednesday evening the call came in the office from a Boykin resident that some of Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Mississippi were staying in the old Smiley Bailey home on U.S. Highway. 27 south of Colquitt.
"I don't know who to call, so I called you to tell you that there are six folks who have lost their homes and are in the ‘old Smiley Bailey home,’" the caller stated.
"I'll go see about them," I told the lady from Boykin.
I'm not sure that's the way other folks check, but I told my folks I'd be late for the Wednesday evening meeting at church and went looking for our evacuees.
I got to the house they were staying in and knocked on the door. A young man came to the door and told the others that I was there. I introduced myself and told them that they had been reported by a neighbor, and I was to check on them to see if we could help.
Michele stated that they had been to the Salvation Army store and had gotten some clothes. She stated that the people around here had been so nice. “Martha and Tyrone Williams have really been our friends and helping us,” she said.
I asked how they came to Colquitt from Mississippi.
Don stated that he had worked in Eldorendo in a shop a number of years ago, and since they had lost everything in the storm, this seemed like the place to come to.
He told how they had left their home in Biloxi and Saucier, MS, and had gone about 10 miles inland to a shelter.
"The shelter was almost blown away that we were in," Don continued. He told that the massive storm was worse than the news could describe. He also said people were fighting, raping, stealing, looting and killing each other. It took his family three days to get enough money to buy gas and over six hours to get enough gas to get out of there at $4.40 per gallon.
Don stated that all of us were sick for two or three days due to the contaminated water and filth of the water. We are all feeling better with good food and water.
He told of people standing in line for hours to get water and ice. One woman was killed because when she got the last bag of ice, one of her relatives shot her in the head and ran off with the ice.
I asked what we could do for them, and they said the people in this area were wonderful, showing them love and support. They said they got out of Mississippi with a few clothes and what they could load in their car. Their home and belongings are gone. They said that they might just try to stay in Georgia and this area since they don't have too much to go back to.
The six Mississippi evacuees have been welcomed to the community and invited to stay among us if they could.

It was a hot, windy Oklahoma day in June of 2003, when they said their last goodbyes. Because of approaching old age and declining health, Cecil McLendon and Lee Cook figured that this would be their last visit on this side of eternity. However, one never knows what tomorrow holds.
Their friendship goes way back. They first met in Belgium in 1944. Lee Cook was the tech sergeant of the unit that Cecil served in. They fought together in the Battle of the Bulge. Those bitter days in the Hurtgen Forest were the toughest because their division was pitted against both cruel weather and a fanatical enemy. Both men experienced frozen feet. When Cecil was shot in the hand, Lee rounded up some French liquor, and a medic sewed up the wound. The stories go on and on.
After leaving service, Cecil moved to Wisconsin, and Lee went home to Alice, Texas. They exchanged Christmas cards for a number of years. Then Cecil moved his family to Georgia in 1960. The move brought about new challenges, and the two men lost contact. Cecil tried every way he knew to get back in touch, but to no avail. It seems that Lee had left Alice, Texas, and nobody knew where he was.
Then in early 1992, Cecil’s niece, Eloise Loyless, told him to give her all the information he had on his old friend, and she would do a search by internet. Sure enough, after contacting American Legions all over, she located Lee in Randlett, Oklahoma. Within a month of contacting him, Cecil and Dot, along with their niece, Waver Perry, made the trip to Oklahoma to see Lee in person for the first time in 47 years. Cecil and Lee had a wonderful visit and stayed up all night the first night talking and recalling old times.
Although they talked often by phone, Cecil felt sure his second trip to visit Lee in 2003 would be the last time they’d see each other. By then Cecil was completely confined to a wheelchair as a result of injuries in the war, and Lee was experiencing declining health himself.
The surprise came last Thursday evening when Cecil’s nephew, Pete Loyless, from Byers, Texas, arrived at Cecil’s home. To Cecil’s utter surprise and delight, in walked Lee Cook who had come along with him. They have enjoyed each other’s company immensely this last week, attending church together on Sunday and the American Legion supper on Tuesday night. Cecil, age 82, and Lee, age 87, will soon say their farewells again with some uncertainties about future visits. But one never knows what tomorrow holds.

Brandon Miller is a sophomore linebacker on the University of Georgia Bulldog football team . A starter this year as a linebacker, he registered five solo tackles and forced a fumble in Georgia’s 48-13 victory over Boise State.
Miller played well in the game against South Carolina, where the Bulldogs won 17-15, a win, but not so decisive as the first game.
Miller was named Most Improved Linebacker following spring drills and was poised to make an impact on defense this season, which he is doing.
Brandon Miller is one of the best football players to come out of the Miller County School System. He not only was named as one of the best locally but on a state and national level, too.
As all the coaches stated, he is big, strong, smart and a great kid. He will be an asset on any team because he is good; he gets to be better, and he is a team player who wants the team to win.

The Colquitt/Miller County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Mayhaw Pageant Saturday night, September 10, at the Miller County Elementary School Auditorium.
The theme for this year’s pageant was “Roundin’ Up Miss Mayhaw.” The decor was carried out by the roundin’ up theme.
Laura Fink, 2004-2005 Miss Plantation Trace, served as the mistress of ceremonies for the pageant which featured 36 lovely ladies vying for the title of Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss National Mayhaw.
The evening began with the singing of the National Anthem by Larry King, followed by the reigning queens’ production number to “These Boots Are Made For Walkin.” The 2004-2005 queens are Tiny Miss, Ivey Pope; Little Miss, Kaitlin Adams; Junior Miss, Maggie Bridges; Teen Miss, Kayla Cook; and Miss, Ashton Miller.
“A Little Patch of Heaven” brought to the stage the Tiny and Little Miss contestants as each of them were introduced.
The Junior Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss were welcomed to the stage as they boogied to a “Country Medley” and introduced themselves to the audience.
Laura Fink, emcee of the evening, then introduced the judges and the auditors for the pageant.
After the Tiny Miss and Little Miss walk and on-stage question, the audience was entertained by the reigning Junior Miss, Maggie Bridges.
The Teen and Miss contestants were then welcomed back to the stage as they did their verbal communication on “I kick up my heels when...” followed by a song by Laura Fink, emcee.
Before crowning the Tiny Miss and Little Miss, Ivey Pope and Kaitlyn Adams gave their farewell speech and took their final walks.
In the Tiny Miss division, Most Photogenic was awarded to Mallory Middleton; Prettiest Dress, Sydney Thompson; and People’s Choice, Olivia Craft. Second runner-up was AnaLeigh Cook; first runner-up was Sydney Thompson, and the new Tiny Miss Mayhaw is Savannah Hall. Others competing were Hannah Lee and Loulie Hattaway.
Little Miss winners were Most Photogenic and Prettiest Dress, McKenna Locke; Overall Spirit Line winner, Jordan Temples; and People’s Choice, Summer Sheffield. Third runner-up was Baylee Everson; second runner-up, Julia Grimsley; and first runner-up, Amber Watson. The new Little Miss Mayhaw is McKenna Locke. Others competing were Lindsey Roney, Mallory West, and Maggie Smith.
After a 10 minute intermission, Ashton Miller, the reigning Miss National Mayhaw, introduced the visiting queens to the stage.
The Junior Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss contestants competed in their on-stage walk and question, followed with more entertainment by Maggie Bridges.
Before the crowning of the Junior Miss, Maggie Bridges gave her farewell speech and walk. The Photogenic award was Rachel Grimsley; Prettiest Dress award was a tie between Ashley Wadell and Macy Moulder; People’s Choice was Morgan Rogers. Third runner-up was Macy Phillips. Second runner-up was Macy Moulder, and first runner-up was Morgan Rogers. The new Junior Miss Mayhaw is Rachel Grimsley. Others competing in this group were Shelby Gordon, Morgan Everson, Haley Grier, Ahlya Branch, and Bailey Atkinson.
Kayla Cook, the reigning Teen Miss Mayhaw, gave her farewell speech and made her final walk before crowning the new winners. Prettiest Dress award went to Audrey Runnels. Photogenic award was Shelby Miller, and People’s Choice award went to Amber Pickett. First runner-up was Audrey Runnels, and the new Teen Miss Mayhaw is Jordie King. Other contestants were Kanesha Register.
Miss National Mayhaw, Ashton Miller, made her final appearance to the stage as she gave her farewell speech and took her final walk before the new queen was announced. Prettiest Dress award and first runner-up was Jenna Fulghum, and Jessica Parks was the People’s Choice winner as well as the new Miss National Mayhaw Festival. Others competing were Amy Lashley, Leah Hall, and Susan Mulliford.
These five new queens will reign over the 23rd National Mayhaw Festival, which will be held the third Saturday in April, 2006, at Spring Creek Park. They will also promote the festival as guests in other parades and events.
"We greatly appreciate the efforts of all the girls to make this pageant memorable. The participation of all the volunteers, family and sponsors have come together to make the National Mayhaw Festival Pageant a highlight of the chamber's year," stated Veryl Garland Cockey, chamber president.

Next week’s edition will be filled with information on how and why our farm industry should be as careful as possible while harvesting this crop.
The farmers and farm equipment are already in the fields and on the roads getting from one area to another, starting to gather what looks to be a fine crop. Most of the corn crops have been harvested. Some of the peanut crops have been plowed and picked. Next week harvest should be in full force with some the largest tractors and gathering equipment imaginable. Some of the equipment is so large that it is hard to get it down some of the dirt roads, and it takes up both lanes of traffic on a two lane highway when it goes between fields.
Please be patient and courteous as our farms move this equipment from one area to another.
Farmers, please be as careful as possible. We need you for another crop. Don’t get in too big a rush and don’t break the law by pulling too many trailers to market and between fields. If you must move those trailers and equipment after dark, make sure the lights are working properly.
Farm Safety make good sense and saves lives. It could be your life or your loved ones.

Week of September 11, 2005