Highlights of second half of 2006 recapped

A crowd of approximately 250 people attended the Olde Lincoln Towne Players' production of "The Life of Elijah Clark" held July 8, 2006, at Elijah Clark State Park. Pictured are members of the cast and crew: (first row, l-r) Alexis Hohlwein, Cason Bentley, Catherine Drew Beggs, Hugh Arthur, (second row) Olivia Hohlwein, Neely Gibson, Devin Willgus, (third row) Jaime Turner, Macy Moss, Clay Turner, (fourth row) Linda Willgus, Nancy Hohlwein, Marcene Powell, Benjamin Beggs, an unidentified park volunteer, (fifth row) Beth Antonakos, Michelle Moss, Mickie McGee, Gloria Brooks, Mickey Norman, Emma Collins, (sixth row) Bill Bufford, Herbert Powell, Clay Antonakos, Hunter Smith, John Rhodes, Murray Norman, Chris Hohlwein, Nelson Brooks, Todd Willgus, and Emmye Collins.

JULY 6 - The EPD declares a level one drought across the state; Georgians are required to follow a more stringent outdoor watering schedule...Elijah Clark State Park will celebrate the Georgia State Park System's 75th anniversary and the park's 53rd anniversary on July 8; a highlight of the day will be a performance of the historical drama, "The Life of Elijah Clark," by the Olde Lincoln Towne Players...The fireworks extravaganza, held as part of the "Thunder Over Thurmond" Independence Day Celebration, will take place July 8 at Clark's Hill Lake...Crystal Corey wins a $7,000 garage make-over from an Augusta radio station.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held November 3, 2006, for Medac, the Lincoln County Industrial Park's newest tenant. Pictured at the park are John Memar, president of Medac, and Governor Sonny Perdue.

JULY 13 - The city works to help pave the way for two new subdivisions...A ceremony is held designating the intersection of Highway 378 and Old Petersburg Road as "Wright's Crossing"...Five qualify for seats on the BOE...A meeting is set for July 15 to determine the future of the Thomas Lane American Legion Post 597...A manufactured home belonging to Scott Stephens is destroyed by fire...The General Primary will take place July 18...The county approves a tentative budget, with a possible roll-back.

JULY 20 - Marcy Remsen resigns from the BOE citing legal

considerations...Recreation Director Kathie Davis, who is recovering from a ruptured brain aneurysm, is welcomed back to work by the county...All three Lincoln County schools as well as the system make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)...The membership elects to keep American Legion Post 597 open...Larry Collins defeats Elton Lawson to retain his commission seat...Twins Lizzie and Rebekah Long record their first CD together...The Lewis Family is scheduled to appear on CMT's weekly magazine show, "Insider"...Free immunizations will be offered at the health department July 24-29.

JULY 27 - School bells will ring for approximately 1,400 Lincoln County students on August 7...Marion and Tamika Mason answer God's call to "plant a church" in Boston...Jeff and Sheri Easter are guests on the "Grand Ole Opry Live"...Congressman Charlie Norwood is one of the recipients of the 2006 Thomas Jefferson Award...LCHS revises its quality point system to address state guidelines and the issue of equity...Georgia's sales tax holiday begins on August 3 and continues through August 6.

AUGUST 3 - The city is prompted by GEFA (Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority) to raise sewerage rates...A July 28 storm causes substantial property damage at the park...The BOE hears the first reading of the new School Wellness Policy..."River of Life" volunteers make improvements to 16 homes...Lake levels are expected to continue to drop...Tyler Beale and Brandon Barden play for "Team Georgia" in the CSRA Prospect Showcase Baseball Game.

AUGUST 10 - The BOE appoints Connie Arthur to fill the seat vacated by Remsen; Remsen is presented with a plaque of appreciation by School Superintendent Randall Edmunds...A microburst of wind, associated with a thunderstorm, damages property on Soap Creek Lodge Road...The city adopts a resolution stating its desire to provide sewage treatment services for a proposed subdivision on the McCormick Highway...Dennis Sanders is named "District Attorney of the Year"...Marion Aycock retires after serving as chief of the Lincolnton VFD for over 31 years.

AUGUST 17 - The county reaches a huge milestone: for the first time ever, the fair market value of all real property in the county totals $1 billion...Twenty-one women are screened for breast cancer at University Hospital's mobile mammography unit...Jimmy Bedford, master distiller at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, visits Lincolnton...Connie Lively wins the "Fish With a Champion" Sweepstakes...A controlled burn on the McCormick Highway gets out of control...Family Connection's SLAPP (Summer Learning and Participation Program) is an unqualified success...In response to inquiries and complaints, the sheriff offers tips to help citizens avoid telephone fraud.

AUGUST 24 - The county's industrial parks are bustling with activity...The Lincoln County Development Authority receives a $99,000 grant from USDA-Rural Development (RD) to pave a parking lot in the Lincoln County Industrial Park on Old Petersburg Road...Members of state and local NAACP organizations voice questions about the hanging death of an inmate in the Lincoln County jail...The Toombs Judicial Circuit's FAST START Program will offer early intervention services for juveniles...The jail will receive increased revenues for housing federal prisoners.

AUGUST 31 - The Red Devils are set to face McCormick in the season opener September 1...Governor Sonny Perdue visits Lincolnton to meet with members of the Clark's Hill Lake Partnership of Georgia...An editorial addresses strife in the community created by rumors and a lack of communication, mixed with some truth...A collection of cathedral bird houses, handcrafted by Wylie Dallas, is on display at the library...iParent gives students access to progress reports via the Internet...Due to declining lake levels, the United States Army Corps of Engineers is forced to restrict water flow from the Hartwell and Thurmond dams.

SEPTEMBER 7 - The county's new state-of-the-art E-911 center will become operational September 12...A ceremony is held at the park commemorating the 179th anniversary of the death of Hannah Clark...Kaitlyn Howard is recognized for her volunteer work at Classic Re-Runs...Sara Anne Remsen is crowned Miss LCHS...Carole Bufford finishes a three-week run in an off-Broadway play...Congressional candidate R. Terry Holley makes a campaign stop in Lincolnton...Sheriff Lawson attends the 91st Session of the National Sheriffs' Institute in Colorado.

SEPTEMBER 14 - The BOE approves an application for state funding for renovations and modifications at LCES...The city approves the final draft of an agreement with the county calling for the city to accept sewage from the Blackjack Community...The "Elijah

Clark Bluegrass Festival" will take place September 15-17 at the park...Morningside Baptist Church will sponsor a festival to raise funds for foster children and children living with relatives in the county.

SEPTEMBER 21 - City sewerage customers will see a rate increase November 1...Local officials designate October 10 as "Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness Day" in the city and county...Al Bean addresses the county commission concerning impact fees for developers and valuation freezes...The 24th District Fall Rally, sponsored by State Senator Jim Whitehead, is set for October 3 at the historical park...The LCHS Cheer Devils capture first place in the Class A Division at the Apalachee Wildcat Invitational Tournament...Midway UMC will celebrate its 100th anniversary September 24.

SEPTEMBER 28 - Martin's Crossroads VFD hopes to lower ISO ratings in District 4..."Spirit Week" is celebrated at LCMS...Tesa Gunby joins the Peace Corps to help the destitute in Malawi...Family Connection will host a food drive in connection with "Hands on Lincolnton Week"... The PTO raises about $5,000 for new playground equipment at its fall carnival...A town hall meeting is scheduled to discuss the state's Communities of Opportunities Initiative...Emma Collins performs with the Suzuki Strings of Augusta.

OCTOBER 5 - The mayor presents the proposed FY 2007 budget to the city council...The police department purchases two used patrol cars for $1,000 each...Larry Campbell, head football coach at LCHS, will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in May...State Legion officials close American Legion Post 194...The Second Annual Youth 4 Christ Fall Jam is set for October 7 at the fairgrounds.

OCTOBER 12 - The commission approves its final FY 2007 General Fund Budget and levies taxes for the operation of the county...The Lewis Family is inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Hall of Honor...The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) plans to establish limits on summer workouts for athletes...An estimated 1,000 people attend the Graves Mountain Rock Swap and Dig.

OCTOBER 19 - The sheriff receives a grant to automate the records system at the law enforcement center...A federal inmate escapes from jail; his absence goes unnoticed for 14 hours...The 54th Annual Lincoln County Fair is in full swing...Megan Saggus is crowned Homecoming Queen and Franquell Sherman, Homecoming Princess, during homecoming festivities at LCHS...An investigator with the office of Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine will visit Lincolnton to offer citizens assistance with insurance dilemmas.

OCTOBER 26 - The city votes to keep its millage rate at 5.6 mills...Compensatory damages are awarded to the family of murder victim Ricky Lavender...StandOff Studios, the county's first production company, begins filming...American Legion Post 194 is re-opened following a meeting with state and district Legion officials.

NOVEMBER 2 - Law enforcement officials make arrests for drug, weapons, and hunting violations...Bruce Beggs is selected as the grand marshal for the 2006 Lincolnton Holiday Parade...Amanda Gay is crowned Miss Lincoln County...Family Connection seeks volunteers to help with its Secret Santa Program...Leah Partridge will sing the role of Rosina in The Atlanta Opera's production of "The Barber of Seville."

NOVEMBER 9 - Governor Sonny Perdue announces that Medac will create 300 jobs in three years in Lincoln County during a special groundbreaking ceremony held at the industrial park on Old Petersburg Road...American Legion Post 194 will host a Veterans Day service at the courthouse...The first-ever "Haunted Halloween Spooktacular" is held at the home of Renee and Ernie Guthrie...Local races are decided in the November 7 General Election...The city will impose a water and wastewater availability fee on future developments...The park will host a "Log Cabin Harvest Festival" November 11...The LCMS/LCHS Band ends its competitive marching season with a flourish...StandOff Studios presents a $1,000 check to the Lincoln County Recreation Department.

NOVEMBER 16 - "Pioneer Day" is set for November 18 at the historical park...The county will continue to subscribe to QPUBLIC's property tax website; Traci Bussey is hired as the county's new finance director...The BOE recognizes the "Teachers of the Year" for 2006: Pam Norman, Teacher of the Year for the Primary Grades and Lincoln County Teacher of the Year; Bridgette Cliatt, Teacher of the Year for the Elementary Grades; Benton Willis, LCMS Teacher of the Year; and Randy Smith, LCHS Teacher of the Year...The home of Mary and Ralph Searles is destroyed by fire...J. Thomas "Tommy" Drinkard, Sr., a former editor and owner of The Lincoln Journal, dies at the age of 58...The annual Community Thanksgiving Service will be held at Lincolnton UMC...The choral music departments at LCMS and LCHS will present a concert at Lincolnton Baptist Church November 18.

NOVEMBER 23 - The BOE hears proposals for a new school...Chief Justice is recognized for his outstanding leadership and organizational skills...The food pantry gives away Thanksgiving turkeys...Rev. Keith Etheridge donates blood using the ALYX system...Students at LCES discuss the origin of the cranberry.

NOVEMBER 30 - Coach Campbell hits another milestone with 400 wins...The countdown to Christmas begins on December 2 with the annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival and the Lincolnton Holiday Parade...The Lincoln Iron Horse Motorcycle Club will hosts its fourth annual Lincoln County Christmas Toy Run December 9.

DECEMBER 7 - The Red Devils head to Atlanta for their eighth semifinal playoff game in the Dome...Flo Pursley is named Family Connection's "Mother of the Year" for 2006...The "Help a Child Smile" mobile dental program is offered for the first time in Lincoln County...The chamber of commerce announces the winning entries in the holiday parade...The Lewis Family tapes its annual Christmas special at The Fitzpatrick Hotel in Washington...The LCMS and LCHS bands are scheduled to present their annual Christmas concert in the school auditorium.

DECEMBER 14 - The Red Devils will face Clinch County for the state

title at Buddy Bufford Field December 15...The BOE votes to build a new school at a cost of approximately $27 million...The chamber hosts "Breakfast With Our Legislators" at The Lincoln Center...Jessica Rickerson receives a scholarship to play soccer for Emmanuel College...The city adopts alcoholic beverage fees for restaurants...Artifacts belonging to Darryl Boyd are on display at the library.

DECEMBER 21 - Commissioner Alcye Hawes and Beth Antonakos, finance director, are presented with plaques of appreciation at the regular meeting of the county commission; the county also purchases property for additional office space...The Red Devils defeat Clinch 21-14 to win back-to-back state championships...Local residents are encouraged to view the festival of lights at the home of Loillette and Ray Brown...Brittany Perkins is crowned Miss LCMS.

DECEMBER 28 - Senator Ed Tarver will speak at the 144th Annual Emancipation Proclamation Observance set for January 1...The LCHS Debate Team makes a phenomenal showing at the Cairo Central Forum...Students at LCMS and LCHS are given a time machine and share their thoughts on what year they would visit and why.