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The ACMS and ACHS golf teams recently held a raffle to win a handmade quilt donated by Rhoda Warren and Sarah Varnadore. [Full Story »] 

All girls interested in trying out for middle school softball should meet on August 1 at the Appling County Recreation Complex field number two. [Full Story »] 

By Robert Morrison

Many Americans are aware that NBC deliberately cut out the reference to Under God during a broadcast segment of the Pledge of Allegiance during the recent U.S. Open in Washington. NBC responded to the flood of criticism by offering what can only be described as a non-apology apology. NBC has continued to ignore inquiries as to why or how the pledge was edited. NBC, which broadcast on the public airwaves, has also refused to make amends for their disrespect of the pledge and the tens of thousands of Americans who have served our nation in uniform. [Full Story »] 

The Kentucky Wonder beans are canned, the garlic dried and put up, the potatoes are keeping well, and the tomatoes are ready for canning.

This leaves me with the okra and what a job it has turned into. I am not one to waste the bounty of the garden I have worked so hard to have what with the drought and hot weather, so the okra must not be wasted. It has become somewhat comical, though, when I go up to a neighbor’s house with a bag of the fresh okra to give away. They have got to where they won’t answer the door. I guess they are as tired of the okra as I am. I have pickled it, stewed it, fried it, boiled it, and have taken to eating it raw if it is small and tender. I wish it would stop bearing, but it won’t. You can literally see it grow. Like any weed, it loves chicken manure. If anyone wants a mess, they can come and get it, please. [Full Story »] 

When I was a child, I considered myself my mother’s slave and knew her to be the cruelest task master on the planet. She rarely left me alone so I could read to my heart’s content. Before I could finish one task, she’d be calling me to do another. “Mary Ann, aren’t you finished with those dishes yet? You don’t have your book in the kitchen with you, do you? I want you to sweep the living room floor. And the kitchen floor needs to be mopped sometime today. You’ve put it off long enough!” [Full Story »] 

Brenda Beach, 66, died Sunday, June 26, 2011. Brenda was born Sept. 4, 1944 in Appling County to the late Allen Thomas and Mary Louise Stroud Beach. She was a member of Friendship Congregational Christian Church. Brenda was retired from Southern Bell after 30 years. [Full Story »] 

David Andrew “Buddy” Carter, 64, died Friday, June 24, 2011 at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. Buddy was born March 30, 1947 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to the late Ellis B. Carter and the late Thelma Carter. He attended First United Methodist Church in Baxley. Mr. Carter served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1971. He had lived in Baxley since 2006. [Full Story »] 

Shirley Hardwick, 71, died Saturday, June 18, 2011 at her residence. Shirley was born Jan. 22, 1940 in Appling County and had resided here all of her life. She was retired and before her retirement she was employed as a supervisor at D. L. Lee in Alma. Ms. Hardwick was a member of Church of God of Prophecy. A son, Jimmy Underwood and a brother, Earl Surrency, preceded her in death. She was the daughter of the late Allen Surrency and the late Verdie Bohannon Surrency. [Full Story »] 

Richard D. “Pappy” Hilderbrand, 77, died Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the Pavilion in Baxley. Mr. Hilderbrand was born Aug. 3, 1933 in Atlanta to the late Erastus Delette Hilderbrand and the late Eva Mae Trimble Hilderbrand. He was in the United States Marine Corp. having served in the Korean Conflict where he received the National Defense medal, Korean Service medal and the UN Service medal. Pappy was a former employee of Georgia Power in the maintenance department as a supervisor. He was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Birdsong. [Full Story »] 

J. M Vaughn, longtime resident of Appling County, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in the Hospice Suite of the Appling Healthcare System at approximately three o’clock p.m. He was 81 years old.
J. M. is survived by his wife, Edna Orvin Vaughn of Baxley; one daughter, Jan Vaughn Letoha of Baxley; two sons, Mike Vaughn of Baxley and Jimmy Vaughn of Atlanta; two sisters, Geneva McKinney and JoAnn Vaughn Rentz, both of Baxley; two brothers, Billy Vaughn of Baxley and Leon Vaughn of Alma and two grandchildren, Michael Vaughn and Genie Nall. [Full Story »] 

Jeffrey Allen Tuten, 50, of Macon, died June 24, 2011 in Macon (Bibb County). Mr. Tuten was born Feb. 16, 1961 to Allen and Marilyn B. Tuten. He was a member of Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Macon. Jeffrey loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. [Full Story »] 

In response to a letter sent by Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack determined that, due to the ongoing drought, Appling County is one of 22 Georgia counties that suffered production losses great enough to warrant a secretarial natural disaster designation. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

Baxley City Manager Jeff Baxley read a resolution in recognition of Councilman Eugene Walker, Jr. for his years of service to the city at the regular Baxley City Council meeting held June 29. Councilman Walker gave his resignation at the last meeting. Mayor Steve Rigdon announced that Councilman Walker was in the hospital due to illness and was unable to attend the recognition. He also added the council will present the resolution to him at another meeting. Council members gave favorable comments about serving with Walker. The council chamber meeting room was full of city employers and citizens who came to pay their respects in honor of Walker’s recognition. [Full Story »]