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Posts published in “Food/Features”

CJ to lead Christmas parade as Grand Marshal

CJ to lead Christmas parade as Grand Marshal

By Walter Geiger on December 5, 2023

Former Trojan star and current Georgia Bulldog freshman phenom CJ Allen will lead this weekend’s Christmas parade as grand marshal it was announced Tuesday.

The Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Parade will wind through the streets of Barnesville Saturday evening, officially ushering in the Christmas season.

Staging will begin at the Gordon parking lots off College Drive at 4 p.m. with preliminary judging beginning at 5 p.m. The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. and follow the usual Buggy Days parade route.

Both golf carts and floats will be judged. Entry forms must be submitted to city hall by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The top float will win $250 with second place getting $150 and third place getting $100. The first place golf cart will win $120 with second place receiving $75 and third place taking home $75.

Entry forms are available at city hall or by clicking on the parade ad on barnesville.com.

For more information, call 770.358.2789.

Help ‘Miss Merle’ get 100 cards for her 100th birthday

Help ‘Miss Merle’ get 100 cards for her 100th birthday

By Walter Geiger on November 30, 2023

Merle Childs, the undisputed queen of Johnstonville, will celebrate her 100th birthday on Dec. 15. Family members say Miss Merle is still very much aware and active but does not want a big party for her centennial celebration.

The family has a big box and is seeking birthday cards to fill it for a celebration to be held Christmas Day. The goal is 100 cards

“Mom has made many friends and touched many lives in here 100 years, so no box is big enough. We would love for everyone to join us in surprising her,” daughter Susan Childs Davis reported.

Cards may be mailed to Merle Childs, c/o Susan Childs Davis, 4850 Ivy Ridge Dr., Unit 303, Atlanta, Ga. 30339.

For more information, contact Davis at 404.998.1040.

Festival of Scarecrows downtown Saturday

Festival of Scarecrows downtown Saturday

By Walter Geiger on November 3, 2023

The Festival of the Scarecrows will be held on Saturday, November 4 at 3 p.m. around the fountain in downtown Barnesville. Stroll through downtown and visit with all the scarecrows created by members of the community.

Local clubs and citizens are also using this opportunity to raise funds that, in turn, benefit the community. The 4-H club will sell cotton candy, the Boys & Girls Club will offer apple cider and boiled peanuts and popcorn are also being sold to raise funds for charity.

Families are invited to enjoy handmade fall games, activities and treats. First, second and third place scarecrow winners will be announced along with the people’s choice award.

Operation Christmas Child effort underway here

Operation Christmas Child effort underway here

By Walter Geiger on November 3, 2023

November 13-20 is national collection week for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). Shoeboxes filled with simple gifts for children are distributed in over 170 poverty stricken countries around the world. This project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international disaster relief organization, is headed by Franklin Graham.

OCC provides gift filled shoeboxes to children in war torn, poverty stricken countries to share the love of Jesus Christ. This year OCC is celebrating its 30th year of delivering shoebox gifts to children in need and it recently delivered its 200 millionth shoebox gift to a child in Ukrain. In addition to the gift, children are invited to participate in a 12 week Bible study ‘The Greatest Journey’.

Everyone is invited to pack a shoebox for a child in need. Simply chose a boy or girl and age range, 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Fill the box with simple gifts a child of that age or gender would like. Suggestions include: stuffed animals, small dolls, balls (soccer balls deflated with a pump), toy cars, books, school supplies, crayons, and hygiene items (bar soap and toothbrushes), clothing (socks, t-shirts, etc.) A monetary donation of $10 is encouraged to help with shipping costs, training leaders and material used for the Bible study.

Some items are inappropriate for this project. Please do not include: war related type toys or camouflage clothing, liquids or creams, food or candy, vitamins or medication, glass, toothpaste, used or soiled items.

Shoebox gifts may be dropped off at First Baptist Church November 13-20. For more information call Nancy Cloudt at 770.584.4521 or the church office at 770.358.2353.

Book sale at library Saturday

Book sale at library Saturday

By Walter Geiger on November 3, 2023

The Barnesville library will host its fall book sale and basket raffle Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.-noon.
Book lovers can fill a milk box full of books for $5.

For more information, call 770.358.3270.

Ben Hardy family here for service

Ben Hardy family here for service

By Walter Geiger on November 2, 2023

Direct descendants of Benjamin Hill Hardy, Sr. (1867-1943) were here last week for the internment of the ashes of B.H. Hardy, III, 84, in the family plot at Greenwood Cemetery. Hardy, Sr. was editor of the News-Gazette and the first ordinary when Lamar County was formed in 1921.

Pictured are B.H. Hardy, IV (third from left) and his brothers (l-r) Brian, Rick and Bill. They visited the Old Jail Museum where their ancestor’s chair is on display (right).


The family was escorted by Sarah Suggs, who oversees the cemetery for the city.

Biggest crowd ever?

Biggest crowd ever?

By Walter Geiger on October 31, 2023

Trick-or-treating along Thomaston Street and its tributaries drew record crowds Tuesday night as ghosts, goblins, ghouls and other assorted characters paraded the streets collecting treats.

Here is a pictorial.

(Photos: Walter Geiger)

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