It is August already. Of course I knew it was coming, but I still can't believe how quickly it arrived. The buzz words for today are "hot, hotter and dry". Music to the cotton farmer's ear, I am sure. Maybe something else to the rest of us.

We are down to the last few weeks of summer vacation, so make the most of them. School starts in a couple of weeks. Then it's back to the grindstone for all you school and college kids. We adults have not stopped grinding so it is more of the same for us.

I know you heard that Brittany Shelton and James Hemphil got married last Saturday. Wasn't she a beautiful bride? Her grandmother, Earlene Robinson, is so proud. She says the wedding was beautiful and she had a good time with everyone.

Billy Bert Bracken is back in town. Good to have you back, Billy Bert. He is currently residing at Evergreen Nursing Home. I understand he did make it to the Gaither concert when it was here. We are glad you are feeling better.

Speaking of the Gaither's performance, April Lindsey's letter to the editor last week was especially moving. Thank you, April. There really is such a feeling of community here. We can't help but feel the love, if we open ourselves up to it. I am so proud to be part of a community like this. No, I mean I am proud to be a member of THIS community, this town.

Vacation Bible Schools are going on all over right now. The Methodist VBS was a huge success, with more than 40 attendees and about that many helpers. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Let me know about the other church's VBS so I can mention them in the column.

Just an update on Gaylan Cope; he is home in Boonville now and taking it easy.

Just so you know, Paula Benton's son is doing his part for Arkansas University even though he lives in Texas. Jeff Ham is a girl's volleyball coach and recently let us know that one of his volleyball girls will be going to the University of Arkansas this year. Go Hogs!!!

Lane Wozniak has been traveling again, this time purely for pleasure. She drove to the Upper Peninsula of MI to attend an all school reunion at her old high school in St. Ignace. On Friday, July 25 she gathered with alumni of La Salle High School and reminisced with all her former classmates. She went looking for a fish dinner afterward

Saturday she reunited with 14 members of her graduating class (of '62) at their class president's cottage on the lake. That was a lot of fun too. She then went to the "Fish Feast" where she pigged out on all the locally caught fish she could hold.

Lane was also able to stop in Saganaw going and coming to visit with some old friends there. She ate more fish. Are you getting the picture? She likes fish.

She got to see her Aunt Gladys Fraser Pomeroy who is now 91, and two of her cousins while she was there and walk around her childhood home. It all brought back lots of wonderful memories.

She encourages all of you to make at least one trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula in your life. It is truly beautiful. "A Place in Time" with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour was filmed there at Mackinac Island in the early 60's. It is still a lovely pristine island. Try the fish if you make the trip. If there is any left.

Today, Monday, is Jessie Malin's birthday and a bunch of us will take her to dinner and a movie this afternoon so look for details next week.

Candy Hill is truly moved in now although she says she will be setting things up for quite a while. Who else is new in town?

If you haven't looked at the Clay County Democrat blog, "Speak Out" you might want to check it out. There are some articles with really good information concerning bio fuels, both the pros and cons. You need all this information to form a good opinion. So take a look and let us know what you think.

Well, I've got to end this now. Please share your goings on with me so I can share with everyone else. My phone number is 595-3173 or you can drop me a note at 514 West 3rd St. My email address is: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.