By the time this issue is read, school will be officially out and all is left is handing out report cards. Passed or failed is the verdict!
Congratulations to Anderson Webb who received a Bachelor of Art/Science in biology, pre-med at Belmont College, Magna Cum Laude, last week. He is the son of Lora and Alan Webb.
Get -well wishes to  Joyce Poss, Suzanne Prater, Bea Garrison at the Sew  Fabulous Shoppe, Charmaine Mitchell and many others.
Belated anniversary wishes to Kristy and Robin Driver on their first anniversary.
Sympathy to Betty Jo Forkner in the loss of another sister, Mabel Bea Landwher in New Jersey.  Betty Jo and Holly attended the funeral.
Retirement wishes to Dr. Scott Little and John Cain upon their retirement from WCTE Council. They were recognized at the TV station’s 2013 annual dinner.  Good citizens!
Also retirement wishes to Jan Thomas (35 years); Sue Driver (39 years) and Mary Pugh (30 years), teachers at Smithville Elementary School. I have worked with these ladies and the school will miss them and their dedication to teaching.
Oleta Stanton has returned home after spending a busy week with her daughters, Donna Clement and Sonata Rayburn in Nashville last week.  On Saturday, she attended a family reunion in Athens, Alabama. On Mother's Day she was treated at a brunch at the Sunset Grill and a Sounds baseball game that afternoon. She also attended her grandson, Duke's, graduation from Belmont Methodist Day School and then her granddaughter's, Katy's, graduation brunch from Franklin Road Academy.
Then I invited Oleta to attend Ingram Scholarship Sunday in Gainesboro with me since her late husband, Fowler Stanton, had been band director in Gainesboro many years ago. I presented scholarship awards to two students, Brooke Loftis and Rose Newman, and recognition to Lucas Spivey on his enlisting in the Army.  They were the church's three high school graduates this year.  There was a bountiful dinner afterwards.
Several Methodists in this district attended the pre-conference briefing at Friendship UMC on Sunday afternoon.  Later that afternoon there was a farewell reception for the outgoing district superintendent and his wife, Rev. Jay and Christine Archer.  The new D.S. is Rev. Max Mayo, now pastor at Cookeville First.
I had intended to attend the Sunday morning breakfast at Bright Hill Methodist Church in honor of Lane and Tanner's baptism and church membership but the inclement weather changed my plans. They are the sons of Jim and J.J. Poss. Best wishes to these fine boys.
May 23 will be a busy day with the Older American's program at the Justin Potter Library that morning and the Caney Fork Appreciation Day program from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Hope the weather cooperates.
Congratulations to all the graduating high school seniors. The congregation at First Methodist honored their graduates with an ice cream social last Sunday evening.  This included Cohen Brown, Ben Driver, Ben Pafford and Emily Webb.
Memorial Day will be observed next weekend. This is a time to pause and remember our military men and women who served our country.  Ceremonies will be held and some families save this weekend for family get togethers and picnics.
My closing could apply to these graduates. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  Eleanor Roosevelt.
Amen.