Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Unusual Things in Ordinary Places







Georgia Highway 29 - Curl's Country Store - Minter, Georgia
Not far from Flatrock (Between Dublin and Soperton)

Albino Deer killed October 16, 2004, by nine-year old Graham Stevenson. Mounted in Outdoor Setting surrounded by glass.Permanent exhibit at the store. Friendly folks, too. The Georgia white tail weighed 208 pounds. The fur has naturally darkened since the kill, but witnesses and photographs prove that it was snow white when Graham bagged it near his home a few miles north of I-16. Graham was a student at East Laurens School at the time.

I'm interested in posting other unusual things, like the albino deer. Send me your suggestions.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

New Signs for 10/31




It's over. The children have gone to bed, but we really had funfor Halloween 2007.

Happy Birthday, Jacob Rogers. Hope you hada good one!

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

New Signs for 10/30




Happy Birthday Pamela Powell. Young as always. Thanks for the many songs.

Psalms 118:24
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (KJV)

In Contemporary English (CEV):
This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today.


Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)

In Contemporary English (CEV):
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,
Footnotes:
Romans 8:28 God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him: Or " All things work for the good of everyone who loves God" or " God's Spirit always works for the good of everyone who loves God."

Good words from the Lord and a good message from the Sign Man.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Boo, Again! Halloween Season Continues



This is how scared people were entering the Jaycees' Haunted Warehouse Horrors. Imagine what it was like when they left! The Soperton Jaycees were very active for the few years the organization continued. Thanks, fellows, for all the good things you created that live inside of us to this day.

Other photos that week: Football game, Vacation Readers Awards, City workers erected a downtown sign for the Million Pines Festival, Homecoming Queen and Court, THS dress-up during Homecoming week, Formal erection of the All-Star Community Sign, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gillis and Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Hutcheson - special guests of the Lions Club.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

New Signs for 10/26 and 10/27




The Sign Man has completed repairs on the southeast face, so Martha Wilhite's family could wish her a happy birthday.

Steve Grinstead's birthday will be Monday.

The Lady Vikings did us proud in the state softball competition. They lost their first game to the powerful pitching of Eagles Landing Christian Academy. The second game ended with our ladies one point short, 7-6 with Taylor County. The team is young, so watch for continuing success.

It has been mostly cloudy and very cool in Soperton today. I bumped up the contrast for the sign photos.

Now for some fun stuff:

RULES OF THE SOUTH
Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators...and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.

NORTH & SOUTH
In the South, we have found that the best way to grow a lush green lawn is to pour gravel on it and call it a driveway.
AND REMEMBER: If you do settle in the South and bear children, don't think we will accept them as Southerners. After all, if the cat had kittens in the oven, we wouldn't call 'em biscuits.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM GEORGIA IF:
You carry jumper cables in your car...for your OWN car.

ATLANTA
If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.

REMEMBER WHEN
They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . . and they did?

REARRANGED LETTERS
THE MORSE CODE:
When you rearrange the letters: HERE COME DOTS

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Friday, October 26, 2007

A Message from Bernie

Even on regular email I hardly ever forward a "forward". I do send back opinions or other comments to the senders. I don't know the author of the following, but it was sent by Bernie of NAAV, and I think it offers seasoned advice:


-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------

>>> > > TWENTY THINGS TO REMEMBER
>>> > > ==========================
>>> > >
>>> > > 1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
>>> > >
>>> > > 2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.
>>> > >
>>> > > 3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every
>>> > > day.
>>> > >
>>> > > 4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of
>>> > > shape.
>>> > >
>>> > > 5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants
>>> > > us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
>>> > >
>>> > > 6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
>>> > >
>>> > > 7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
>>> > >
>>> > > 8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me. (my favorite)
>>> > >
>>> > > 9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
>>> > >
>>> > > 10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.
>>> > >
>>> > > 11. The most important things in your home are the people.
>>> > >
>>> > > 12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
>>> > > (Preach it!)
>>> > >
>>> > > 13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
>>> > > Come on in.
>>> > >
>>> > > 14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
>>> > >
>> > > > 15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
>>> > >
>>> > > 16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so
>>> > > enjoy your precious moments.
>>> > >
>>> > > 17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise
>>> > > it's just hearsay.
>>> > >
>>> > > 18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again.
>>> > > Just be sure to flush when you are done.
>>> > >
>>> > > 19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires
>>> > > courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage
>>> > > and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress
>>> > > when it sticks out its neck.
>>> > >
>>> > > 20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.
>>> > > Your character is what you really are, while your reputation
>>> > > is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm,
>>> > > when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
>>> > > Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the
>>> > > angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life
>>> > > and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have
>>> > > lived the width of it as well.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

New Signs for 10/24




All eyes and ears turn toward Columbus, as the Treutlen High School Lady Vikings softball team is in the top eight of the state in the playoffs. THS will face a formidable opponent, Eagles Landing Christian Academy whose season record shows less than one point average per game allowed by opponents. See GHSA website for more info.


Treutlen (22-5)
Head coach: Brent Korn
Seed: Region 2-A No. 1
Key players: Chankia Taylor (.493, 35 runs); Jessica McDaniel (.301, 15 RBI); Casi McDaniel (.345, 18 RBI); Breanna McLendon (20-2, 1.30 ERA, .475, 35 RBI)
Outlook: The Vikings had shutout wins in four of their last six games heading into the state tournament. Treutlen won its first 11 games. The Vikings are ranked seventh in A.
--- From the Macon Telegraph (www.macon.com)

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

New Signs for 10/23




Noted local author Cynthia Reese is home and recovering nicely.

We wish all the best for Michelle Edge as she competes at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Hope she will bring home an autograph from Peyton.

FFA was the acronym for Future Farmers of America but the organization, in an effort to broaden its potential membership beyond youth working in traditional "production" agriculture, changed its official name from Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization in 1988; it is still commonly referred to as FFA. High school students compete in various events, in several major areas including Career Development Events (CDE's), Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (SAE's), and Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers in cooperation with parents, employers and other adults who assist individuals in the development and achievement of educational and career goals. ---Wikipedia

Monday, October 22, 2007

SOPERTON'S FREE PICTURE SHOW



Mr. Harvey Spivey was doing what many of the local people do, checking out Soperton's Free Picture Show in the Morings windows. He found his picture in the good-looking group who celebrated their Class of 1937 reunion 30 years ago.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

New Signs for 10/21, 10/22




Christopher Barwick's family and friends are so proud their announcement is on the sign for two days.

Actually you can print any kind of digital photo down the street at Wesley Crowe's. It's not too late for rattlesnakes, big fish, or anything in season.

We had a beautiful Sunday. How about that sunset!

Bill Ricks of Soperton

Sunday, October 21, 2007

BOO! IT'S HALLOWEEN



October 1977 fourth week: Mrs. Radford's first grade presented an enjoyable program. The students are, in random order: Cheko Baldwin, Jason Calhoun, William Canady, Clifford Hamilton, Jerrod Posey, Larry Sumner, Trampas White, Tony Gainey, Melissa Akridge, Rosie Figueroa, tonya Hooks, Michelle Hudson, Lucy Lanford, Mandy Mills, Maxie Ricks, Renee Shivers, Rena Snead, Marsha Taylor, Tara Williams, Alice Worthen.

Other photos that week: Nursing Home, Douglas - Hopkins Reunion, Rattlesnake with Mark Mimbs and Bruce Spearman, FBLA group, Fowler Warehouse where the Jaycees were holding a haunted house, Cheryl Peterson with the Nashville South trophy, Football game, B-Team game, Forestry Royalty: Beth Tanfield and Krystal Dennard.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

BACK WHEN SOPERTON HAD A POLICE DEPARTMENT



Since January 2007, the City of Soperton has operated without a Police Department, as the city funds alloted for Police protection have been turned over to the Treutlen County government, while the Sheriff's Department has assumed the duties.

In the third week of October 1977, the Police Personnel posed in front of the reburshised downtown Police Office, as the new Fire and Police building was being finished. The site in the center of town was for many years the location for weighing the deer during the annual Sportsman's Club contest.

Left to right are: Dispatcher Charlie Phillips, Officer Lonzie Rolison, Officer E. M. Martin (retired), Officer Henry Edge (retired), Officer Don Gaddis, Chief A. J. Posey, and Officer Talmadge Powell. Not shown: Sgt. Lewis Moxley and Dispatcher Ricky Durden.

Other photos that week: Football- Treutlen 20, Montgomery 0, Mt. Zion Church, Atkins family reunion.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Thursday, October 18, 2007





Joshua Bell, we are always glad to welcome a soldier home.

Wesley Crowe at Soperton Pharmacy has brought our hometown in to the digital world. His Sony Picture Station delivers high quality prints in just a few seconds and a very low price.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

New Signs Today




Grahl Moxley's birthday will be Saturday, and we are celebrating already.

We send our best wishes to Herman and Velda Beasley on their special day.

GOOD WITHOUT GOD IS 0 (ZERO)

We will miss Mr. Glisson who died last Friday. Click on my obituaries link and leave a comment with the Sammons website. He escorted me to the places where so many of my blog photos were made (Brantley Ricks and Holmes Thigpen are two). He was certainly legendary.

For reflection:
If you think that the statements below are inaccurate, explain why:
You can tell a Republican by the e-mails that he or she forwards.
You can't tell a Democrat that way, as he spends more time on CSPAN or NPR than on e-mail "forwards".

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Webbs' Firestone Store



The color slide was made in 1970. I played around with the density, contrast, and saturation. The location was also the site of Soperton's first fire station --- a shed of corrugated metal, covering the hose wagon, a few of those pointed-bottom buckets and a few other items. In my child's mind I believed that the store was named Firestone because it was the Firestation. The building once housed Fisher and Lowrey's mule business. Maybe one day when I'm in a better writing mode, I will say more about the great couple who gave Soperton one of its best businesses.

Now, a collection of fun stuff:

RULES OF THE SOUTH
The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season or dove season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, cane syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.

So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?


NORTH & SOUTH
If there is the prediction of the slightest chance of even the smallest accumulation of snow, your presence is required at the local grocery store.It doesn't matter whether you need anything or not. You just have to go there.

Do not be surprised to find that 10-year olds own their own shotguns, they are proficient marksmen, and their mammas taught them how to aim.

NOTES ABOUT GEORGIA
You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good pinto-bean weather.

You only own four spices: salt, pepper, Tabasco and ketchup.

ATLANTA
I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of 55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500."

Don't believe the directional markers on highways: I-285 is marked East and West but you may be going North or South. The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop."

REMEMBER WHEN
Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?

It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?

REARRANGED LETTERS
ELEVEN PLUS TWO
When you rearrange the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE

DESPERATION
When you rearrange the letters: A ROPE ENDS IT

SOUTHERN JOKES
A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight o f an eight-point buck.
"Where's Henry?" the others asked..
" Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.
"You left Henry laying out there and carried the Deer back?" they inquired.
" A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Congratulations, THS Students





Over the years I've noticed that there is always something to feel good about in our local schools. Do you remember those years when Stuart Stanley's marching bands brought more fans to the stadium than the football team did? June Harrelll's majorettes, Louise Hall's flag corps, the cheerleaders, John Lee's announcing and the efforts of many other band boosters brought wide acclaim to the school.

We have a similar situation today, as the football team is not having it's best season, but the Softball Lady Vikings and Vikings Cheerleaders are making a great showing.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Sign Man Experiment




We're testing a new way of posting The Sign Man's signs. Wonder why we haven't been doing it this way all the time? I write this, we haven't seen the results. I hope they are good.

Here goes.............

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

PS - You can tell your friends if they use Google, all they've got to do to find my blog is type Bill Ricks of Soperton or Ricks Soperton or even Bill Ricks, and they should find it on the first page.

Addendum:
Seems to work okay. Congratulations Jessica McDaniel! The Sign Man welcomes another new business, Hub Communications, to Main Street (in the next block south of The Signs) It's across the alley from Wesley Crowe's Soperton Pharmacy, which is an outlet for Cynthia Reese's Harlequin Romance novels. Wesley has just put in a Picture Station - a considerable investment in Soperton. It includes high tech equipment from Sony and Epson. The prints are done almost instantly, and they are fine quality for affordable prices.
It accepts all camera cards and sticks and CD's. You digital images can be preserved on a CD for a modest price. It's going to be a great asset for my work and that of the Sign Man. Just about everybody is going digital nowadays, and it is great that we don't have to leave town for such an outstanding service.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

CYNTHIA'S BOOK NOW AT WAL-MART



ROMANCE AUTHOR CYNTHIA REESE'S LATEST BOOK FROM HARLEQUIN IS AVAILABLE AT SOPERTON PHARMACY AND AT WAL-MART NATIONWIDE FOR A LIMITED TIME. IF YOU MISSED BUYING A COPY OF CYNTHIA'S "THE BABY WAIT", IT ALSO MAY BE ORDERED FROM EHARLEQUIN.



QUOTES FROM THE INTERNET ABOUT "WHERE LOVE GROWS":

When Becca Reynolds heads for rural Georgia to investigate a suspected crop insurance scam, she's concerned about her career, not her heart.Chief among the suspects is handsome Ryan MacIntosh, who isn't telling everything he knows. Could his involvement possibly be deeper than his devotion to his grandmother and the small farm that's been in the family for generations?

Becca can't be sure, even though she knows Ryan intimately--at least online. She's certain he's the charming stranger with whom she's exchanged countless e-mails--and fallen in love. But she can't admit the truth any more than Ryan can--nor predict what it will cost them in the end.
-- Mobipocket


CRAIG ANDREWS WAS moving in for the kill.
He'd trapped Becca Reynolds as neatly as any hound would trap a rabbit.
She swallowed hard, her mouth dry. To reach for the tumbler of water in front of her would be a sign of weakness, wouldn't it?
Yes. Better to have a mouth that felt as if a sandblaster had let loose in it than to have her actions prove it.
"Miss Reynolds…"
Andrews pivoted on his Testoni dress shoes and held up a single sheet of paper. The corners of his mouth lifted, but the expression bore about as much resemblance to a smile as a shark's chompers did.
"You based your conclusions on weather patterns and the very scientific NASA photographs."
"Yes. Yes, I did. It is my—"
But before Becca could explain how she knew the hailstorm had been nothing but cocktail ice and a few migrant workers beating plants down in the field, he held up one perfectly manicured hand.
Really. The fop spent more on his appearance than she and her father spent on their monthly office lease.
And now she was stuck on the stand, testifying in the first federal criminal-fraud case she'd investigated. The case was a slam dunk, or so she'd assured the feds and the insurance company who'd hired their firm.
It certainly didn't feel like that now.
"You even went so far as to say there were no tomatoes planted—"
She gritted her teeth. "No. I said there weren't as many tomatoes planted as Mr. Palmer said. His insurance claim forms indicated he had several hundred acres—"
"Yes, yes." He waved away her answer. "How much do you know of the weather in this part of the state?"
"I'm a private investigator, Mr. Andrews. I'm not a meteorologist."
"Ah, but you based your findings on meteorological evidence. So is it going to rain today, Miss Reynolds?"
With the prosecution's objection offered and sustained, and the laughter in the courtroom finished, Andrews came back. "Were you aware, Miss Reynolds, that this part of the county had heavy spring rains?"
Her stomach clenched. "No. My…recollection of the rainfall levels indicated that they were a little above average but not inordinately heavy."
"But if your recollection—" Andrews's emphasis of the word dripped with sarcasm "—was faulty, would that impact your analysis?"
Becca swallowed hard again and this time succumbed to the call of the water on the witness stand. No way had she goofed those rainfall levels. She'd looked at them, standard procedure. She glanced at her father, the senior partner of Reynolds Agricultural Investigations. It was only after he glowered at her in a way that screamed "Don't screw this up!" that she answered Andrews's question.
"Possibly. It depends."
"You based your entire opinion on the analysis of photos. You said that you would be able to see evidence of tomato crops from satellite photos taken the week before, right? Isn't that correct?"
"Uh, yes. The red—"
"Would show up." Andrews spun again on his Testonis, this time to face the jury. "But if the fruit was unripened? If the tomatoes were still green on the vine…"
Becca wanted nothing more than to run from the courtroom and make it to the nearest bathroom stall. She didn't have the luxury of that option, so she stuck it out. "If the rains were heavy enough to delay planting, the ripening could be delayed, as well. But it would have to be extremely heavy rains—"
"Something like these?" Andrews turned back and dropped the printout into Becca's hands.
It was worse than she thought. She'd never seen this report—it totally contradicted her own research. If these figures were accurate, the farmers in the area would have needed an Evinrude on the back of their tractors to navigate these rains.
After he'd dragged the offensive numbers out of Becca and retrieved the printout, he said, "Your Honor, I would like to admit into evidence rain reports from the county extension agent in the early spring of that year."
Becca sat, numb, twisting her hands in her lap, her fingernails digging into her palms. Andrews smiled again.
"Did anyone from Reynolds Agricultural Investigations—um, how did you put it—go on-site?"
She closed her eyes.
When would I have had time? Would that have been between visiting my dad in ICU and keeping the firm open while he was out? But she bit back the words, which she knew would open a whole other can of worms with Ag-Sure, their client. Opening her eyes, she forced out, "I did not personally go on-site, no."
"Did anyone from Reynolds Investigations—eh, how did you put it—go on-site?"
"No. The satellite images showed clear evidence—"
"Of unripe tomatoes. Oh, yes. Right. Perfectly understandable. I mean, you just get paid to rip apart farmers' lives. We wouldn't want you to get dirt under your pretty little fingernails. You should leave that to the farmers who are trying to scrape out a living."
Even before the prosecution could get out its objection, Andrews withdrew the question. "I'm done with this witness," he said.

* * *

"NOT GUILTY."
Becca's blood pressure spiked as she heard the bite in her father's voice.
"The jury's back already?"
"Yeah, while you dashed out for a bite to eat."
Her fingers tightened on the fast-food bag she had in her hand, supper for the both of them. "Dad, I wasn't gone—"
But her protest that she had truly been gone for only ten minutes got interrupted by another of his impatient growls. "The federal prosecutor isn't happy, and neither are the insurance-company suits. This verdict torpedoes their earlier turndown. They aren't happy in the slightest, Becca. They're talking about using another firm."
---ereader.com

"Where Love Grows" is on Harlequin's top ten of "small town" novels. Cynthia Reese, a native of Emanuel County, lives with her husband Ricky and daughter Kate just outside Soperton, Georgia.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Monday, October 8, 2007

MOST LIKELY TO BE FORWARDED

This is very long, but if you have a love-hate relationship with e-mail, you will identify with the writer's words. It's the most need-to-be-forwarded e-mail I've ever seen.

Summary of My Last Year On the Computer

I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258 th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat at KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to my e-mail friends, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking a man along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.

I no longer have any sneakers -- but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

Thank you too for all the endless advice Andy Rooney has given us. I can live a better life now because he's told us how to fix everything.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up the $5.00 I found dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

Oh, and don't forget this one either! I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's nephew's friend's beautician.

Have a wonderful day.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Thanks for noticing

Sometimes I think that nobody is reading this blog, but we have to have faith that there's water down below. I another life I wrote a weekly newspaper column, and the comments, letters, even cussing was very spare.

Lately some people are checking my blog frequently enough that they actually miss it and say so. Whatever reason, they never respond on the blog comment provision, only by writing to my Google e-mail address.

Anyhoo, I do appreciate their missing my words and pictures.

After weeks of getting things in order, Dr. Bobby Smith of Cardiology of Georgia (Piedmont Hospital) presented me with an ICD (Implanted Cardiac Device) also known as a defibrillator. One friend asked "Does that mean you can't tell fibs anymore? I hope not, or my communications will become even duller than they are already.

The President vetoed the CHIP legislation, setting the stage for next year's election, testing the knowledge of today's generation about the U. S. Constitution and history. Only a few are still living who remember the state of the nation 75 years ago. The question is whether or not the majority prefer a Herbert Hoover or a Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Posted by Bill Ricks - the Snapshooter of Soperton

October 1977 Second Week




J. D. Webb's cow gave birth to twins, and it was the same week that Charles Webb harvested two near-100-pound pumpkins.

Other pix that week: The Vikings went all the way to Taylor County to lose a game. Your snapshooter remembers the torrential rain on the way back. Only the reflectors on I-16 lighted the path. A Train and 18-wheeler tangled at the Ga. 46 crossing, and guess who won? Troop 56 held a big camporee at their campground at the intersection of U. S. 221 and Ga. 86.The new Retired Teachers organization met. Lots of students won awards at the state fair. TES lunchroom staff had their pictures made.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

October 1977 First Week



Open House at the new Roydon Wear plant. Mayor Pro-Tem and Chamber of Commerce President Jack Pournelle was emcee.

Other pix that week: Sheriff Joe Mulllis led the motorcade to ECI
and the Vikings came up short. Pond draining at Juke Braddy's yielded many catfish. It was the photographer's first sight of an orange Asplundh tree trimming truck, and he made a picture it.City employees pictured with a yellow jacket nest. New Gergia Power substation. New THS Social Science Club. Photo of Chester Kyle Little.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

SEPTEMBER 1977 4TH WEEK



Ellie Hadden was honored on his retirement for 29 accident-free years of service. Readers are invited to try to identify all of the bus drivers. Click onthe comment ikon at the end of this post.

Other pix that week: Roydon Wear snapshots inside and outside. Lions Club new members Gary Walden, Bill Ironside, George Vestal. Football- Vikings lost 7-6 at SCD. Little majorettes. THS Marching Band. Lee Powell. Mason Mosley.

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Signs by the Sign Man since September 6

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUAYSHON SMITH. WE LOVE YOU! MOM & FAMILY. 09/07

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUAYSHON SMITH. WE LOVE YOU!MOM & FAMILY. 09/08

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY RILEY BRADDY ON 9-9-07. LOVE MOMMY/DADDY. 09/09

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY TO JANE HESTER. 09/09

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WANDA GAIL AND LARRY WILLIS ON 9-10-07. LOVE MONICA/LEANNA.09/10

ESPN TURNS 28. 09/11

WELCOME HOME CAROLYN W. GET WELL SOON. LOVE SABRINA & FAMILY. 09/11

BENEFIT SPAGHETTI DINNER $5 EACH FOR CANCER PATIENT SAMMY GRAHAM. CALL 529-6876 TO ORDER. 09/12

PLEASE HELP SAMMY GRAHAM'S FAMILY. GIVE TODAY! 09/13

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BISHOP LAMPP ON 9-14-07. LOVE GRANNY & TIFFANY. 09/14

LAST CHANCE TO GET FFA BBQ PLATES. GO BY JENNIFER'S FLORIST TO BUY YOURS. 09/14

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY TIFFANY LAMPP ON 9-16-07. LOVE GRANNY.
09/16

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDORA. LOVE JACK. 09/18

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JANIS & BOBBY CONE. 09/19.


FALL 2007 COMES IN SUNDAY THE 23RD. LET JENNIFER'S FLORIST MAKE THAT FALL CENTERPIECE FOR YOUR TABLE. 529-6761. 09/20

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREANNA MCLENDON. STAR PITCHER. LADY VIKING SOFTBALL. 09/21

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY JOSEPH O'MALLEY. LOVE MOM & BRITTANY. 09/25

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY DELOSH. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW POWELL. FROMNICOLE, LES, BRANDI, FRED, CRAIG AND MEL. 09/25

GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM ADVANCES TO 2ND ROUND PLAYOFFS. GO TEAMS!! 09/26

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY HOLTON WRENN. LOVE MOM DAD AND KAITLYN. 09/27

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANNE BYRD. LOVE YOUR FAMILY. 09/27

"WHERE LOVE GROWS" BY CYNTHIA REESE. GET HER NEW BOOK NOW AT SOPERTON PHARMACY. 09/27

LIKE A FINE WINE DIANA HAS AGED TO PERFECTION. HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY. O9/29

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILBERT HESTER. DOING GREAT AT 58. 09/30

GEORGIA/SOUTH CAROLINA GIVES NEW BOOK BY CYNTHIA REESE TWO THUMBS UP! 10/01

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE BREWTON. 10/01

HORSESHOE THROWING TOURNAMENT IN LOTHAIR HAS GREAT TURN OUT. 10/02

LADY VIKINGS SOFTBALL 10-0 IN REGION. STARS MEGHAN PROCTOR, CASI MCDONALD, JESSICA MCDANIEL. 10/02

LADY VIKINGS SOFTBALL FINISH 12-0 INREGION. THE STARS MEREDITH AVERY, CHANIKA TAYLOR, CHELSEA GARNER. 10/03

THS VIKING CHEERLEADERS BRING HOME 2ND PLACE. SR. JESSICA PHILLIPS TAKES 1ST PLACE IN JUMP OFF. 10/04

Posted by Bill Ricks of Soperton