Gwinnett Roadrunner – On The Run February 2014

 

 

 

 

•US Presidents born in February: William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States, was born on February 9, 1773; Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, was born on February 12, 1809; George Washington, 1st President of the United States was born on February 22, 1732.
•George Washington was born in 1732 and James Edward Oglethorpe set forth from Gravesend, England with the first British settlers to come to America in 1732.
•Georgia born poet Sydney Lanier was born on February 3, 1842. Lake Lanier and many other places in Georgia were named for Sydney Lanier.
•Valentine’s Day is February 14.

 

FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS
•The News-Herald, February 23, 1933: “John Bryant well known minister and janitor at the Gwinnett Courthouse celebrated his 95th birthday last Thursday.”
•The News-Herald February 1, 1934: “The Lawrenceville basketball teams defeated the Jasper teams. Quill Smith and Powell Smith were stars on the boys team and Mary Everlyn Garner and Katherine Montgomery were stars on the girls’ team.”
•The Gwinnett Journal, February 4, 1936: “In a 2 day sale of mules in Atlanta during the past week around 1,600 mules were sold.”
•The February 11, 1936 issue of the Gwinnett Journal reported that “Anything Goes” was playing at the Colonial Theater in Lawrenceville. Acting in the movie were Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman and Charles Ruggles.

 

HISTORY OF LAWRENCEVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN Ann Still was the first director of the church kindergarten which was established in 1969 and after two years Jackie Archer became director. At first, four and five year olds were enrolled but when the public school began kindergarten programs the church kindergarten accepted four year olds. Some of the early teachers were Eunice Sells, Marie Talbot and Nancy Segars. Nancy Segars taught in the program for 20 years. The program has been an outstanding one through the years and enrollment has steadily increased.

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR JACKIE ARCHER Jackie Archer is retiring after forty-four years as the director of the Lawrenceville First Baptist preschool. Jackie was honored at a reception at Lawrenceville First Baptist Church on January 19. Jackie was given special presentation at the conclusion of the morning worship service on January 19, 2014.

GWINNETT ANIMAL SHELTER VOLUNTEER Jerry Skeel of Lawrenceville volunteers at the Animal Shelter 2 or 3 days a week. Jerry says that he likes animals better than people. The shelter is located at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. Anyone wishing to adopt a dog or cat can look at the available animals and make a selection after 11 a.m. Information about the shelter can be found at http://www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com

DOG GONE TO SNELLVILLE A Cocker Spaniel named Frank went missing from his Lawrenceville home in January 2014 and after putting up signs, searching all over Lawrenceville and advertising the loss of this pet Debbie Rigdon put us in touch with a lady named Robin Herres. Ms. Herres called from Snellville to say that she picked up Frank to keep him from getting out on Highway 29 where the zipping traffic is not kind to animals. We drive down to Snellville through the dark rain and Frank was brought home because Robin was kind enough to take him out of harm’s way and keep him overnight. Thanks to Robin Herres and Debbie Rigdon. P.S Frank lives at my house where he can get his mail if you wish to write to him.

CENTRAL GWINNETT CLUSTER FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS The 2013 scholarship winners recognized by the Central Gwinnett Cluster Foundation and received $500 scholarships: Tany-Sue-Gazader a graduate from Central Gwinnett High School now attending Oglethorpe University, Victory Fejokwo, Central Gwinnett High school grad now attending Kennesaw State University and John Power, graduate of Phoenix High School now attends Georgia State University. The foundation also awarded six grants to teachers and schools to enhance instructional programs in the Central Gwinnett Cluster.

 

 

This photo of Gwinnett couples taken in 2003 represents over 300 years of marriage: Left to right, Grace and Robert Cain, Ferris and Martha Frances Hutchins, Marvin and Jo Brownlee, Joe and Dottie Shafer, Betty and Bob Powell, Peggy and Jack Britt, Sara and W.C. Corley.

  

Ray Sosebee established Sosebee Auto Supply Company in Lawrenceville on July 1, 1958 and the business is still in the original location facing South Clayton Street. The service celebrating and honoring the life of Ray Sosebee was held at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Grayson, Georgia on January 12, 2014. The photo shows Ray fishing with his grandson Daniel at their lake in Grayson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia House Representative Karen Bennett, Dr. Miley Mae Hemphill and Retired Educator Mary Sims at the January 4, 2014 event honoring Dr. Hemphill’s many years as a Georgia Educator. Representative Bennett presented Dr. Hemphill a proclamation from the Georgia Secretary of State. The proclamation recognizes Dr. Hemphill’s outstanding career and service to young people. Karen Bennett represents District 94 which includes part of Gwinnett County.

The dinner honoring Dr. Miley Mae Hemphill was held at the Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Lilburn and the emcee was Deacon Gregory Bailey. On the program were Representative Bennett, Mary Sims and Betsy Ross. Rubye Neal planned the event and the delicious food was catered by Linda and Landy Henderson owners of “Celebrate the Occasion.” 

This group gathered on South Clayton Street for this photo taken in the late 1930’s. Kneeling left to right Gene Etheridge, Jean Kelley, Margaret Monfort. Standing left to right: Geraldine Williams, _____, Betty Oakes, two unidentified, Martha Sue Holland, and last one Barbara Jordan.