The 2009 "Step Back in Time" calendar, produced by the Lincoln County Friends of the Library (FOL), is dedicated to Dianne Poteat, genealogy librarian. Pictured with the new calendar are: (l-r) Marie Smalley, library volunteer; Shela Bentley, FOL president; Poteat; and Shirley Dawkins, library director. The calendars cost $6 each and may be purchased at the library. When copies of the Friends of the Lincoln County Library's (FOL) keepsake calendar for 2009 arrived, Dianne Poteat, genealogy librarian, was shocked to learn that her photograph appeared on the dedication page.

The page contains the following tribute to Poteat:

"What would the genealogy department at the Lincoln County Library do without Dianne Morgan Poteat? In the 11 years of her association with the library, she has helped the department grow from three shelves of books to a full room. She has donated many of the books and documents herself, recommended the purchase of certain materials, and encouraged others to give to the library's growing collection of books, documents, and artifacts.

"Dianne has an uncanny ability to remember names as she works on her genealogy projects, and library patrons continue to benefit from her research and many hours of study. Her expertise with the genealogy programs available through the library is extensive, and she is well known on the 'Web' as a reliable source.

"She gives generously of her time and expertise to people, who come from all over the United States to work on their family histories at the Lincoln County Library. When people ask about genealogy at the library, you immediately think 'Dianne Poteat.'"

In addition to her duties at the library, Poteat has taken a major role in restoring the Wright House, owned by the Mildred Estes Fortson Foundation. She is also a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society and Double Branches Baptist Church, and member-elect of the Fort James Chapter of Colonial Dames.

She was married to Johnny D. Poteat, Jr., who passed away in 2006.

In conclusion, the dedication page states: "Say 'chocolate' and Dianne will come running. She collects mugs, commemorative plates, old church fans, and she especially loves Depression glass. But best of all, she loves helping people trace history and their family roots. People, who seek her out, are all the richer for it."

As was the case in previous years, the "Step Back in Time Calendar" features vintage photographs and informative and sometimes humorous tidbits about people and places from Lincoln County's past.

The photographs appearing in the calendar were reproduced in such a way that they can be framed and enjoyed by all who appreciate Lincoln County history.

Appearing on the cover of the calendar is a photograph of Professor C.V.A. Grier, who retired in 1947 at age 81 after 68 years as an educator. Prior to his retirement, he walked 13 miles each way to and from his home near Lincolnton to the White Rock Grammar School where he taught.

He lived in Lincoln County for 51 years but was born the son of a slave near Raytown in Taliaferro County in 1866 on the plantation of Thomas Grier. Alexander Hamilton Stephens, who later became a congressman, vice president of the Confederacy, and the governor of Georgia, also lived on the plantation with his Uncle Thomas after the death of his mother. "Little Alex" and Grier's father, Deedham Grier, were raised together and became close friends.

As time passed, the younger Grier became known as one of the best educated men in this area of the United States and could still read Greek and Latin when he retired.

It is said that he derived his chief satisfaction from the accomplishments of his students.

Also included in the calendar are photographs of:

.. The 1924 fourth-grade class at Lincolnton Grammar School. The class photo includes Edmond Kelley, Benjamin Harnsberger, Doris Bunch York, Rem Remsen, and Woodrow Spires. The teacher was Miss Lois Matthews.

.. The Lincolnton High School Class of 1956's trip to Lurray Caverns in Lurray, Virginia. The teachers were Tracy Fortson, Mrs. Willie Ruth Freeman, and Miss Mattie Lou Bonner. Principal R.A. Langston is also pictured.

.. The Lincolnton High School Class of 1940. Some of the students pictured are Marjorie Mims, Elizabeth Talbert, Theron Florence, Edith Remsen, Allen Goldman, Myrtle Partridge, Tom Steed, William Estes, and Maudelle Dawkins. The mascots were Billy Harmon and Mary Linda Stevenson.

.. The students at Liberty Hill School in 1908. Among those pictured are Guy Smalley, Ruth Smalley Bentley, Clarice Cox, Rosa Broome Cartledge, and Tom Smalley. The teacher was Professor Welcome Smalley.

.. A group of Lincoln County bus drivers, including Frank Goolsby, Clyde Ivey, Leonard Tatum, and others.

.. P.W. Norman's Grocery near Graves Mountain on Highway 378. Also pictured are Peyton W. Norman and Mary Sally Norman.

.. The students at Four Points School (circa 1941). Among the children pictured are Tom Quarles, Ed Crook, Joanne Haynes, Olin Reed, Marietta Reese, Johnny Freeman, and Lemuel Glidewell. The teacher was Miss Bernice Guillebeau.

.. The 1952-1953 sixth-grade class at Lincolnton High School. Among the students pictured are Patsy Cliatt, Buddy Dallas, Tommy Holloway, Barney Aycock, Jr., Henry Will Holloway, and Annie Kate Dill.

.. Students of Miss Virginia Wilkes, who took part in a "Piano and Expression Recital" in the spring of 1954. The recital featured Lou David, Betty Pope Spratlin, Betty Jean Goldman, Fran Stewart, Ramona Norman, and many others.

The historic tidbits appearing in the Step Back in Time Calendar were first published in The Lincoln Journal, The Augusta Chronicle, or The Augusta Herald. A sampling of these tidbits is as follows:

.. 1923: "Bicycle riding is slowly but surely gaining favor in our community."

.. 1941: Mr. Murray Deason opens a new mercantile establishment in the old Lincolnton Mercantile Co. building.

.. 1959: Judge B.S. Florence, Lincolnton's oldest citizen, passes away at the age of 95. He was one of the original directors of Farmers State Bank.

.. 1959: "George Story, popular attendant at the Shell Service Station here, happened to the misfortune of breaking his right arm while changing a tire. The break was a fracture of the wrist, and although painful, has not prevented him from continuing work."

The Step Back in Time was calendar compiled by Library Director Shirley Dawkins and Keats Thackston, assistant librarian.

Local residents and others who love Lincolnton are encouraged to drop by the library and purchase the 2009 keepsake calendar. The cost is $6 each.