From staff reports

From the Annals of 1958

The Flint River Beagle Club held its first licensed field event at the Spalding County track. The four-day meet attracted entries from throughout the United States. Clubs were allowed to hold only one licensed event each year. Before a club could hold a licensed event, it must have met rigid qualifications set up by the American Kennel Club, which authorized all licensed trials.

Roy C. White, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. White of Griffin and husband of the former Brenda J. Shavers of Griffin graduated from recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.

The Hampton Kiwanis Club entertained their families with a Family Night Supper in the Hampton Park. Hamburgers, hot dogs and watermelons were the main dishes on the menu with the Kiwanians doing the cooking and serving.

Nancy Doberteen, formerly of Griffin, received her degree from Georgia Southwestern College School of Nursing. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitley, formerly of Griffin. Doberteen was a Griffin High School graduate and was elected to Who’s Who during her senior year.

Griffin’s Tommy Gene Hollis and Allan Brown Imes completed the six-weeks leadership training course conducted at the 1958 Fort Benning ROTC Camp.

From the Annals of 1987

Gracie Parks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grady Parks, won the American Legion Post 546 Oratorical Contest and third place in the District competition. The title of her speech was “America, Your Country and Mine.” Jerald Dewberry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dewberry, won second place. His subject was “Implied Powers of the U.S. Constitution.” Both were Griffin High School juniors.

Approximately 90 Girl Scouts from Spalding and area counties participated in Career Day at the First Baptist Church Family Life Building sponsored by the Griffin Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Pine Valley Girl Scout Council.

Verena Chance, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Chance of Griffin, was placed on the fall semester president’s list at Faulkner University.

Daphne L. Robertson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin F. Robertson of Griffin, pledged the Delta Iota chapter of Delta Gamma Sorority at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Joni Clare Melin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Melin of Griffin, graduated cum laude from Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn. with a bachelor of business administration degree and a major in music business.

Susan Elizabeth Benfield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne R. Benfield of Griffin, was named to the University of South’s dean list for the fall semester.

From the Annals of 1998

Stephen and Sharon Vinson celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Las Vegas. Their children are Bryan and Sabrina Hollingsworth of Milner, Tiffany M. Vinson of Griffin, and Jeremy Vinson of Griffin.

Thomas Dunphy was the first to get an associate degree in applied technology from Griffin Technical Institute through the management and supervisory development program. Dunphy, who works for Federal Express, was nominated for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. During his studies for the MSD program, he maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Betsy Cobb, daughter of Beverly and Larry Cobb of Griffin, was named recipient of the Ben F. Cheek Jr. Memorial Scholarship at Young Harris College in Young Harris. The scholarship is presented by 1st Franklin Financial Corp. to a Young Harris College Freshman who lives in a community served by the company. Cobb was a 1998 Grace Academy graduate.

Navy Seaman Recruit Latasha D. Griffin, daughter of Clarissa Negron of Griffin, completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. She was a 1997 Griffin High School graduate.

David J. Crawford, son of James E. Crawford of Griffin, completed the cadet basic training program at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY. Crawford was a 1998 Griffin High School graduate.

From the Annals of 2003

COII Brian Ogletree was selected as Security Employee of the Quarter at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County. Officer Ogletree was nominated for this honor by his supervisor and chosen from security staff nominees. Ogletree began his career at GDCP in 1985 and resides in Griffin.

The Spalding County Farm Bureau held its annual essay contest. The fifth grade first-place winner was Brittany McKemie from Futral Road Elementary School. The theme of the contest was “What Does Agriculture Mean to My Future?” The runner-up was Skye Criswell, also from Futral Road Elementary.

Thanks to proceeds raised by the Run For Griffin 5K run, four local charities received a hefty donation. More than 57 sponsors supported the year’s 10th annual 5K run, which netted a record $18,000. More than 444 people participated in the race. The proceeds were equally distributed to the Salvation Army’s House of Hope, Hope Health Clinic, Meals on Wheels, and Abundant Life Soup Kitchen.

Mr. and Mrs. Winston Moore celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. A celebration in their honor was given by their children and grandchildren and hosted by Stan and Deborah Allen of Williamson.

Jimmy and Barbara Estes celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were the parents of Debbie (Allen) Smith, Connie (Robbie) Owens and Mike (Sandi) Estes. The couple rented a house in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. with family and celebrated their anniversary.

From the Annals of 2007

The Spalding County Steelers and Spalding County Saints met in the SCPRD Pee Wee Division Football Tournament finals at Memorial Stadium in Griffin. The Saints rallied late to take the lead, but the Steelers rallied to win 16-14.

Members of four local congregations converged upon Red Oak United Methodist Church for a work session. Red Oak UMC, with a largely elderly congregation, was victimized by copper thefts. It was an all-day effort to support a sister church.

As part of the Griffin Rotary Club’s Literacy Initiative, dictionaries were purchased and given to every eighth-grader in the Griffin-Spalding County School System. Club members worked together to distribute the 825 dictionaries and encourage the students about the importance of a strong vocabulary and solid education.

The Spalding County Raiders and Spalding County Bulldogs face off in the SCPRD Junior Division Football Tournament finals at Memorial Stadium in Griffin. The Raiders prevailed 12-6 in overtime.