CASA representatives make pitch to lawmakers for support

Three people representing the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program for the Ogeechee Circuit attended the annual "CASA and Foster Youth Day at the Capitol" event in Atlanta on Feb. 12 as they met with senators and representatives to ask for support of a funding increase for the CASA organization in Georgia.

Gallmeier deploys to Persian Gulf

Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Gallmeier has deployed to Southwest Asia in the Persian Gulf region to support the mission of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. The servicemember is normally assigned to the 116th Maintenance Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins.

Green gets commissioned

William Green was recognized at a commissioning ceremony Feb. 15 where he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Sweet treats for burn victims

Girl Scouts with Troop 848 donated Girl Scout cookies to Imperial Sugar employees recovering from their injuries in the Feb. 7 explosion at the Port Wentworth refinery and their families.

Dancing with the stars

The residents at Effingham Care Center enjoyed an afternoon outing filled with dancing and music as they watched the University of Georgia Ballroom Group perform on Saturday. The residents said, "It was wonderful."

Sunrise Rotary hears central command briefing

Members of the Effingham Sunrise Rotary heard an unclassified briefing from retired Master Sgt. Michael LeFlamme of the U.S. Central Command Communications Group. LeFlamme described the major components of the communication system that supports U.S. operations at home and abroad.

Effingham Care Center crowns Valentine's king and queen

Shriners say thanks

Members of the Effingham Shrine Club, Richard Gormley, Mike Stanley and Cle Lynes, show their appreciation to S.L. Rutland, owner of Rutland Tire and Wheel, for letting the club use Rutland's parking lot for boiled peanut sales from May through November. The money raised went to support Shrine Club activities and projects. The Effingham Shrine Club is an affiliate of the Alee Shrine in Savannah.

Sunrise Rotary donates to YMCA

Effingham Sunrise Rotary President Ace Herring presents a check for $1,000 to the YMCA of Effingham. Accepting the check on behalf of the YMCA were Patrice Morris and Bonnie Dixon. Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Guyton Christian Church activities building. Anyone interested in joining this progressive and philanthropic organization should come join them for breakfast next Tuesday. For more information, call Lonnie J. Pate at 1-888-395-0440.

Time to line up for Girl Scout cookies

Brownie Troop 358 is ready to sell Girl Scout cookies. They will join with other area Girl Scouts to make the cookies available over the next month. The cookies will be available for purchase at the Wal-Mart and Kroger on Friday evenings from 4-8 p.m. at both locations; Saturdays at Wal-Mart from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Kroger from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and on Sundays beginning at noon.

Oglesby gets garden club lifetime membership

Brenda Helmly, current president of the Rincon Garden Club, honors Annie Oglesby with a lifetime membership in the Georgia Garden Club. Oglesby has been an active member in the Rincon Garden Club since 1955. The club normally meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1 p.m.

Girl Scouts pitch in at Manna House

On Jan. 29, the girls and leaders of Junior Troop 549 had the wonderful experience of volunteering at the Manna House. They had an attendance of 14 out of the 16 girls in the troop.

Ellison graduates from basic

Air Force Airman Brandon J. Ellison has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Exchange Club honors business, individuals

The Exchange Club of Effingham County honored a citizen and a business in the county for their daily display of patriotism - flying the flag every day. James Sapp of Rincon was awarded the plaque as the citizen flying the flag in 2007. Springfield Ford was awarded the plaque as the business for the daily display of the flag at their business.

Keeping the Guard up

Sen. Jack Hill of Reidsville, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former Air National Guardsman converses with Col. David Lee, commander of the National Guard Training Center at Fort Stewart during the annual National Guard Legislative Dinner held recently in Atlanta. More than 30 ranking legislators met with Georgia Air and Army National Guard leadership from around the state to review the accomplishments of the 13,000-member Georgia National Guard.

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.

Earning his Wings

Airman First Class (A1C) Jason L. Burgstiner of Rincon recently graduated from the 12 week Air Force Cryptologic Technical Training School at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.

Gomez earns promotion takes the reins of 165th Operations Group

Lt. Col. Rainer "Speedy" Gomez has been promoted to the rank of colonel and has taken command of the 165th Operations Group, a unit of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard.

Farm Bureau pitches in for FORCE

In celebration of the Farm City week Nov. 18-24, the Effingham Farm Bureau held a food drive for the local food banks.

Hospital’s new beginning at sunrise

Effingham Sunrise Rotary President, Solomon Smith, is shown here thanking Betsy Tallent RN, BSN of Effingham Hospital. Tallent is the chief nursing officer and spoke to the group about the modernization project at Effingham Hospital. If you have any questions for Tallent, contact her at (912)754-6451 or visit www.effinghamhealth.org.

MedBank makes house call

Liz Longshore, executive director of MedBank, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Effingham County. MedBank helps eligible patients access the Patience Assistance Programs of large pharmaceutical companies to obtain free medications. Through their staff and volunteers, MedBank provides assistance with applications and they work with referrals from physicians, hospitals and social service agencies. MedBank operates on- site services at several area clinics, including one in Effingham County.