ELLAVILLE — Local resident had first eye surgery in Ga.

Jackie Carswell of Ellaville is having vision problems that started in October 2010. She went to an emergency room in Columbus to see about her eyes in 2010. The doctor there transferred her to the West Eye Care Center in Columbus.

When the doctor diagnosed her problem as macular degeneration, he started giving her shots in her eyes.

She had surgery on her eyes in November 2012, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.

Macular degeneration happens to the older generation.

According to Jackie, she was the first person to have had this kind of eye surgery for macular degeneration that has ever been done in the state of Georgia.

She has to go every Monday to Atlanta for therapy and while there once a month, she sees her doctor.

She has made history. She will be in the Emory Health Magazine that will come out soon. The surgery was done by Dr. Kim of Emory.

Jackie is trying to find a way that she can get herself a MagnifiFactor CCT Machine. She hoping to get some help from the Lions Club and other kinds of assistance that will help with the purchase.

If anyone would like to get in contact with Jackie call her at 938- 8515. Let's all keep Jackie in our prayers.



Be prepared for severe weather

The spring months are about here in Georgia and can bring severe weather, as we've already seen this in a light form this past week.

Today is the day to prepare for tornadoes and other severe weather.

Get your emergency preparedness  kit together with a three-day supply of food and water for each member of your family (and don't forget your pets).

Include flashlights and extra batteries, a weather radio, first aid supplies and essential medications to be in your kit. Have a plan for what to do before, during and after severe weather hits.

Know the your plan at your work place as well your children’s school and practice your home plan and drills at least once a year.

Know where to turn to get severe weather information. Have a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio with battery back-up and tune into media outlets to know what severe weather is around you. Keep your family and yourself prepared for severe weather.

For more information call the Schley County EMA or Schley County Fire and Emergency Services at 937-9093.



Former resident returns home to visit family

On Jan. 11, the former Barbara Heath Neill and her husband Russ came from Lake Melton, Ohio, to visit with her brother Danny and Diane Heath.

This was a special trip; they came to see about Danny who is sick and she wanted to be with her brother and his family. After a week visit they returned back to Ohio.

People are blessed to have family and friends that love and care for each other. Let's keep Danny in our prayers.



Adult GED classes going strong

The Ellaville-Schley County Adult GED Classes are going strong here each week. Connie Hammack, the head instructor, said that she has 40 on roll and two came in this week to return and start school again.

The morning hours are 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday. Afternoon classes are 1-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Evening classes are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

Carleen Beckwith is teaching part-time with students on an Individual basis, helping students that need extra help in their subjects.

There is a Carita Mathews Foundation that helps the students when they need support for paying for their test. This money goes to the highest GED score that a student receives for their test. Students must attend all classes and have all parts to receive this help. The Foundation has just received a special donation from a local individual.

All five subjects are taught, but next year in 2014 there will be new rules. You must have taken all parts of each subject before taking the test or you will have to start all over again from the beginning.

Each person that goes back to school and works hard to receive their GED is someone that really cares for themselves. The oldest student that they have taught was a 72-year-old woman. Congratulations to her and all others that receive their GED and graduated.



Wilder-Ornelas marry

MaryLynn Wilder and Braulio Hernandez Ornelas Jr. of Ellaville were united in marriage on Nov. 20, 2012, in Dallas, Texas.

The bride is the daughter of Vicki Willie Wilder and the late Benny Wilder, and the groom is the son of Margarigo Ornelas and Braulio Hernendez Ornelas Sr. of Dallas, Texas.

The groom is the pastor of New Life Worship Center in Macon and is a part-time farmer. The bride is employed with the Houston Health Care in Warner Robins as an X-ray technician.

The bride’s son Ryder Garner is attending kindergarten in the Schley County School System.

A reception will be held at a later date. The couple plans to make their home here in Ellaville.



Schley 4Hers attend District

Three students represented Schley County at the Southwest District Junior-Senior 4-H District Project Achievement Feb. 1-3 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Approximately 500 seventh- through 12th-grade 4-Hers from 44 counties attended the annual Project Competition from Georgia.

The Junior 4-Her from Schley County Middle School in the seventh-grade was Joseph Crumbly. He participated in the Crafts Project. He gave his demonstration on coin collecting.

The Senior 4Hers, ninth-12th grades, representing Schley County High School were Brenda Eggers and Destiny Baker. Eggers’ project was photography and Baker’s was communications.

To compete at Distinct level each 4-Her must complete a 4-H Portfolio of their activities during the past year in their project. These projects are submitted prior to the contest for judging. At the competition they presented their demonstration on one subject in their project area. The portfolio and demonstration scores are combined to determine the winner.

All 4-Hers, in addition to their individual project demonstrations, participated in group discussions, recreational activities and special assembly programs. Campaigning and election for the Juniors and Seniors District Board members are held during the weekend. Other special events for the weekend included the District slide show and the most favorite of all, the 4-H Dance, that was held on Saturday night after the winners were announced. The weekend concluded with an assembly where the Junior District Board members were installed and the Senior Board members were announced.

Attending wit the Schley County 4-Hers were Brenda Welch, Schley County Extension associate, Joan Rodgers of Marion County 4-H PA and Roger Sinyard, Schley and Marion counties Extension coordinator.

This could not have been possible without the bus driver, Peggy Skotsky of Marion County. Thank you goes to “Ms. Peggy” who took time and effort to see that the group arrived safely and going and coming.

If you would like more information about getting involved with the Schley County 4-H program, call Welch at the Schley County Extension Office 229-937-2601.