It's graduation time in ye ol' hometown. The Pre-K at Smithville Elementary School held their graduation last Thursday. Each of the four classes performed separately in their individual classrooms and gave each child a diploma. Most of these children will go on to Kindergarten when school resumes inAugust. Then the Pre-School classes at First Methodist held their graduation ceremony on Thursday evening in the sanctuary at the church. The sanctuary was packed with parents and relatives as the children shared their songs and poems from this past year's curriculum. Emily Bass and the staff directed the program. Reta Steffee, who will be retiring this year, was awarded a photo wall-hanging depicting the children. Jennifer Roller and Lauren Hansford will also be leaving to pursue their college training.
Congratulations to couples celebrating anniversaries. Kelly and Brandon Burton celebrated their 10th anniversary on May 18. Brandon’s parents visited them in Knoxville for the occasion. Celebrating next month are Kenneth and Darla Moore on their 60th wedding anniversary on June 7. Also celebrating are Audrey and Rev. Donald Owens on their 60th on June 9.
The last day of school this year is today (May 23). It will be a short day as the children return to receive their report cards.
I had a busy weekend. A group from Woodlawn Methodist in Crossville came down to enjoy a picnic in my shady backyard on Saturday. They wanted to see my historical home The best part of having guests is it motivates me to clean up my house.
Then Sunday morning I attended worship services at Gainesboro Methodist. It was Ingram Scholarship Sunday when six young people received scholarships. Afterwards, the congregation enjoyed a bountiful, delicious covered-dish dinner. It was good to have seen Betty and Harold Martin there, former Smithvillians. My husband established these scholarships as he believed strongly in education. Both of us received sholarships while in college.
An ice cream social was held in the Methodist Christian Fellowship Bldg. on Sunday evening for the high school graduates who attend church here.  They were Adam James (DCHS Valdictorian), Laura Pafford, Matthew Cain, Erin Colwell, Lela Ambrose and Allison Little. All of these students received many honors at their graduation Friday evening. Also congratulations to Amanda Cain who received a B.S. degree from University of Tennessee at Martin in Agriculture. There were lots of homemade ice cream and cookies for the graduates and their families. I'm sure other churches will be honoring their grads, so give me a call.
The United Methodist Women gathered at a private lake home, Paradise Inn, on Monday, May 14 for an indoor picnic. After a tour of the home, each lady enjoyed their sack lunch, and then the president, Lillie Vaughn, conducted the brief business session.
Also congratulations to my nephew, Robin Driver and Kristie Campbell, who were married in a private ceremony at Big Pine Key in Florida on May 10. They are now residing on BackBone Ridge.
Letter to God from a young child: Dear God, I  read the Bible but nobody will tell me what begat means.
Can you tell me??? Dear God, Is it true that my daddy won't go to heaven if he uses his golf words in the house?  Amen.    
Dear God, Thanks for the baby brother, but I asked for a puppy. Can we exchange them? Have a safe and pleasurable Memorial Day weekend. Amen.