In the holiday spirit

The members and guests of the Rotary Club of Effingham County were entertained by the Barbershop Quartet Fully Invested at their last meeting of 2008. The club meets at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rincon, on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and will resume their meetings on Jan. 8.

McGahee commissioned

Gregory P. McGahee graduated from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn., and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air National Guard.

Woodcock graduates from CBA compliance school

Lisa Woodcock of Citizens Bank of Effingham recently completed graduation requirements for Compliance School, sponsored by the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA). She has been with the bank since its founding in 1998 and currently serves as a compliance officer overseeing deposit controls and various aspects of the Bank Secrecy Act set forth by Congress.

The Chamber’s Holiday Classic

Riecke earns promotion

Army Spec. David M. Riecke has returned to the 164th Military Police Company at Fort Richardson, Alaska, after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Explorers visit Rotary

The Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club President Bonnie Dixon congratulated Sgt. Ramsey Mannon of the Effingham County Sheriff's Office for his work with the Law Enforcement Explorers program.

Rotary hosts Treutlen House

Effingham Sunrise Rotary President Bonnie Dixon thanked members of the Treutlen House board, Mose Mock, Joyce Anne Tuten and Rebecca Boston.

Collins graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Bradley M. Collins has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Rogers and Westmoreland complete Georgia Academy

The board of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development announces the local graduates from the 2008 Region 12 Multi-Day Training Program. Effingham County graduates at the Nov. 20 ceremony included Amy Rogers of Effingham Hospital and Kia Westmoreland of the city of Rincon.

Rotary helps fill Empty Stocking Fund

Effingham Sunrise Rotary donated $1,000 for the Effingham Empty Stocking Fund. Reggie Loper and Donnie Rahn accepted the check that was presented by President Bonnie Dixon.

Former Guardsmen gather once more

On Dec. 6, retired former members of the old Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 214th Field Artillery, a Georgia Army National Guard Unit from Springfield, had a reunion at Rahn's Pond. The old unit became Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 214th Field Artillery in the reorganization in the summer of 1968. This unit remained as the same artillery unit until its deactivation in August 1993 (a total of 25 years of continued service).

McPherson named 165th senior NCO of the quarter

Senior Master Sgt. Reginald McPherson has been named as the senior non-commissioned officer of the quarter, fourth quarter 2008, for the 165th Airlift Wing.

Red Hatters mark ‘Reduation Day’

The Red Hatters of Rincon recently had a two-fold celebration. It was "National Cookie Day" and "Reduation Day" for one of their members.

Shearouse: system is 'on track'

Effingham County School System Superintendent Randy Shearouse spoke to the Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club and gave a positive update on the current state of the school system. Shearouse told the group that they are "on track" with all initiatives such as new schools and better test scores while remaining within budget.

Historic Effingham Society’s fall festival

Local GOP to hold public meeting on T-SPLOST

The Effingham County Republican Party will hold a public meeting Monday at 7 p.m. with Brad Saxon of the state Department of Transportation and Effingham County representatives on the proposed transportation-special purpose local option sales tax.

History comes back to life at Camp Davis

Effingham County will step back in time next weekend, thanks to the Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of Confederacy.

Sanford completes basic training

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Malcolm K. Sanford graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Blanks graduates from basic, advanced training

Army National Guard Pvt. Joshua D. Blanks has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., which included basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

It’s heart health for Girls Night Out

The numbers surrounding cardiac disease are frightening and they continue to tell a story that women need to hear. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in four women die from heart disease, making it the number one killer of women in the United States.

Applications taken for Centennial Farm designations

Farms hold a central role in the heritage of our state, having formed the economic, cultural and family foundation for generations of Georgians. Some farms have been continuously operating for over 100 years and deserve recognition for their historical importance.

Tyson named Effingham County conservationist of the year

Bill Tyson is the Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District Conservationist of the Year in Soil and Water from Effingham County.

YMCA pays visit to Exchange Club

Kim Dennis, director of the YMCA of Effingham County, spoke to the Exchange Club of Effingham County about the history of the YMCA and how it evolved into the worldwide organization that helps strengthen the community through its programs for people of all ages.

Property assessment appeals can be filed until April 1

Any Effingham County taxpayer who disagrees with the current value of their property can file a property tax return between Jan. 1 and April 1 with the Effingham County Board of Tax Assessors.

Waller honored as member of the year at HES banquet

Historic Effingham Society celebrated another productive year at its annual banquet Saturday at New Ebenezer Retreat Center.

Getting into the game

The residents at Effingham Care Center love playing their rendition of the game show "Minute To Win It." Pictured playing the M&M game are Dena Carter, Norma Exley, Edna Palmer, Edna Powell and CNA Deborah Goldwire.

Price talks recycling

Wanda Price from the Effingham County Sanitation Department came and spoke to the Effingham Exchange Club about the new county recycling program.

Vaughn graduates from basic training

Army Pfc. Ben G. Vaughn III has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning.

Ponton completes basic training

Air Force Airman Roderick Ponton Jr. graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Lee attends Leadership Institute

ATLANTA-Rincon Mayor Ken Lee was recognized at the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Mayors' Day Conference in Atlanta on Jan. 22 for participating in the annual Robert E. Knox Leadership Institute for Elected Officials.