RFD
By Bonnie K. Taylor General Manager The True Citizen

I am saddened over the recent announcements of Marshall Singletary and Steve Rice leaving our community.

Both are columnists for The True Citizen and will be sorely missed by their readers.

Both are pastors at local churches, Marshall, First United Methodist, and Steve, St. Michael's Episcopal.

Their parishioners, too, are saddened.

Marshall is retiring and Steve is taking a pastorship at a church in Winston-Salem, N.C.

When a door is closed, the Lord always opens a window.

Thanks guys, for your spiritual and community leadership!

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Folks, it's almost here ... the third annual Boss Hog Cook-off sponsored by DOOR (Downtown Organization of Retailers) ... Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at Mr. Golf Carts Warehouse and Distribution Center (old Perfection Products) at Highway 56 and the Bypass.

A big thank you is extended to James Eastmead, owner of Mr. Golf Carts, for allowing this event to be held on his property.

It is an ideal location for the event. Close to town, bathroom facilities, shade trees and plenty of parking spaces.

Georgia Power Company and the City of Waynesboro have assisted is getting electricity and water set up for the two day event.

Nearly 30 teams have registered for the Boss Hog Cook-off vying for the title sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

This is a big deal event! Sanctioning by the Kansas City Society is bringing teams from all over to stay in our community for two days, possibly longer. Some of the teams make it a minivacation.

If there is one thing we have learned through all of the events that have been held in Burke County over the past 15 years, it is we know how to be a gracious hostess. Just ask any of the bike riders who were with Bicycle Ride Across Georgia who stayed in Waynesboro.

Ask the folks who come here with the Field Trials ... Folks who come here looking to locate industry ... Ask locals about events sponsored by DOOR ... Christmas on Liberty Square, 'Boro Beach Blast, Open House in Downtown Waynesboro ... the First Liberty Art Show ... Wimberly House Gala, to name a few ... and don't forget all the Sunday "Dinners on the Ground" at area churches.

The two day event is for the entire family. Friday night's advance tickets for The Hushpuppies will go fast, so get yours at Capital City Bank, First National Bank, Queensborough National Bank & Trust, Regions Bank and Southern Bank.

If you want to know more about the event, look for the Boss Hog ad in this week's True Citizen or log onto their web site: www.bosshogcookoff.com.

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A happy belated 50th birthday to my brother-in-law, James Taylor. He turned 50 April 26.

Seems he was just 11 years old only a few years ago. Where have the years gone?????

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Don Lively, one of our columists is home recuperating at his mother's from bypass heart surgery. He is doing remarkably well.

Read about his recent days in his column on page 5A of this week's True Citizen.

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Condolences is extended to Mrs. Linda Bailey, superintendent of Burke County Schools.

Linda's father, Mr. John Bussey Smith Sr., of Lincolnton died April 22.