News For the Week of January 9, 2012

   It is still pretty nice weather for January; it was so pleasant a few days I could almost imagine it was spring. I don’t think I was alone because the smell of burning leaves was strong in the air. We used to burn leaves but anymore I just rake the leaves up or mow over them and let them compost, and use the compost in my garden and flower beds.

   I know some are wishing for snow, but I think there are probably more out there like me who don’t want any. I like to watch it snow, if it would just melt before it covers the ground I would like it better. Kayla Combs told me once that she likes to drive in the snow and she likes to make the first tracks. And there are those who maybe don’t especially like it, but it doesn’t bother them but I am not one of them. I’ve lived this long without driving in it much, and I don’t expect that to change.

   Congratulations to Kambria Todd on getting a big doe in the January youth season. It looked huge in the picture I saw on facebook.

   Congratulations to Aubrey Rogers and Shon Raney who will be getting married at New Mansion Church this Saturday morning, January 14 at 11am. Aubrey and Shon will be living in Louisiana after they are married, where Shon is in the military.

   SPBGMA is the acronym for “Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.”  The Midwest convention and awards ceremony will be held January 13-14-15 in Jefferson City. This area has some nominees for some of the awards.

   Bob Hammons was born and raised and lives in the Bradleyville area. His group, Bob Hammons and Wildwood are nominated for Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year and also for Vocal Group of the Year. They are also nominated for Bluegrass Album of the Year. In addition to these nominations, Bob Hammons is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, and his daughter, Laura Pilant is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

   Another Bradleyville area man, Greg Potter is also nominated for Songwriter of the Year. Greg and his wife Lisa and three boys have lived in Bradleyville for several years and attend church at New Mansion Church. Congratulations to all the nominees and hope you bring home the awards, but your music will still be enjoyed either way.

   Julie and Scott Lawson still have the dog at their house that was on DD Highway for a while. If it is your dog they are more than happy for you to come and claim it and take it home. It is a very cute and friendly dog, a little on the large side, maybe the size of a hound. It is mostly white with large light brown spots and a spot around one of its eyes. It has a blue collar if that helps identify it as your dog.

    The boys had an unsuccessful run in the Seymour tournament and the girls had a similar outcome in the Sparta tournament, but both teams will continue on with games this week. The girls have a game at home with Gainesville on Thursday, January 12, and the boys will play Mansfield at home on Friday, January 13. The girls will play at home again on Tuesday, January 17 against Greenwood.

   Birthdays: Jan. 12: Martie Boyd, Denise Flanigan, Everett Sartin; Jan. 14: Kaitlynn Hunsaker, Corey Ridings; Jan. 15: Linda Black, Jim Crouch, Manny Nelson; Jan. 17: Kim Compton, Edie Puckett, Candy Schreier, Robyn Tweedy; Jan. 18: Sue Bettis, Carla Braden, Marlana Bryne, Brad Hodges, Brittany Lumley.

    Anniversaries: Jan. 16: Alva and Edna Mae Johnson, Brenton and April Whittaker.