From staff reports

From the Annals of 1958

David Thaxton, George Linney, Jr., Henry Gossett, and Bobby Cheatham were the guest speakers at a joint meeting of the WMU of the First Baptist Church at the Cheatham Auditorium. The young men gave reports on their recent trip to Fort Worth, Texas, to attend the National Royal Ambassador Conference. Nine thousand boys from all over the nation attended the conference.

The Cowart Building at the Georgia Experiment Station was dedicated in the Stuckey Building auditorium, honoring Dr. Fred F. Cowart, director of the Experiment Station from September 1950,until his death in April 1957.

Seven Griffin golfers played in the annual fall tournament at Ida Cason Gardens. Don Grissom, who lost in the championship flight, tied for medalist honors. E. A. (Doc) Craddock was runner-up in the first flight, Richard Hawkins was runner-up in the fifth flight and Dr. R. L. Cook won the seventh flight. Ray Simonton, Willie Brannon and Everett Beall played in the fourth flight.

The team of Barbara Jenkins and Nancy Goldstein won the monthly scotch foursome tournament held by the Griffin Ladies Golf Association. The winning team fired an 81. Joy Caston and Shirley Turnbull placed second with an 83. Betty Norvell and Carol Goldstein won the low putt prize.

Griffin’s Howard Collier was reelected president of Gordon Alumni Association, Atlanta’s Julian Tidwell was reelected vice president, Barnesville’s Frances Holmes Graves was elected secretary and Quinton Moore was elected treasurer.

From the Annals of 1987

Griffin Independence Day Committee received a $5,000 donation from Coca-Cola. The money was to be used to pay part of the loan For Roy Clark’s concert fee. The entertainer appeared in concert on July 4.

The Griffin High Academic Bowl team won for the fourth consecutive week in WSB-TV sponsored competition. Winning the fourth straight time qualified the Griffin team for the next round. Only one other school in the state, Norcross, won four consecutive times. Students and faculty members involved in the program were Gayle Goodin, Scott Mayfield, Kay Pursley, Rusty Garman, Matthew DeLucas, Packy Evans and Principal Dr. Harold Barnett.

Griffin Bears’ quarterback/defensive back Broderick Allen signed to join three of his former teammates at Clemson University. Allen joined former Griffin players Wayne Harps, Stacy Long and Ted Harris at Clemson.

Doug Taylor was promoted to director of personnel for the Georgia Division of Signal Mills which includes the Griffin and LaGrange Mills. He worked with Signal since 1978. William J. Slagle was promoted to plant manager in Griffin. A native of Harriman, Tenn., he had been with Signal since 1979. He was plant superintendent before being promoted.

Pike County Journal and Reporter editor-publisher Rachel McClelland was nominated as an “Outstanding Young Woman of America” for 1986 by state Rep. Marvin Adams, Thomaston. This national honor recognized women for professional achievement and community service.

From the Annals of 1998

Griffin Technical Institute opened its new Community Services Center in the former State Patrol barracks on North Expressway. The facility offers training, as well as three conference rooms, seating from 16 to 40 people.

Franklin E. Davis, son of Ruth Davis of Griffin, was promoted to master sergeant in the U.S. Army. Davis was the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Panama District Veterinary Command located at Fort Clayton in Corozal, Panama. He was a 1981 Griffin High School graduate.

Susan Normand, the owner of Complements, a gift and interior design shop, won “The Best Dressed Retail Store in the USA and Canada.” Awarded the honor by Home Accents Today magazine and AmericasMart Atlanta, Complements was chosen over hundreds of other entries from across the nation.

Four Griffin area youths, members of the Spivey Hall Children’s Tour Choir, traveled to Sweden to participate in a week-long workshop for choral directors from around the world with master choral director Doreen Rao. Before returning home, the youths sang at the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm. They were Christy Durham, Patrick Cash, David Stelling and Latimer Brooks Christie.

From the Annals of 2003

First United Methodist Church pre-school students enjoyed “Hat Day” while playing in class. As a donation to the March of Dimes, First United Methodist Church pre-schoolers gave $1 to the March of Dimes and as a reward, were allowed to wear a hat all day and received a sticker.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Woody Rogers spoke to Spalding High School ROTC students about the dangers of speeding and the consequences association with breaking driving laws. Also participating in the discussion were Trooper Donny Boyd and Trooper 1st Class B.M. Stone.

Rachel McClain, Jessica McClain and Brian Wolcott took part in the state American Legion Rifle Championship at Fort Benning. Rachel shot a 632.9 (15th overall), Jessica a 677.9 (2nd overall) and Brian a 646.2 (11th overall). There were 24 shooters at the event.

The Gordon College Foundation, which helps defray the cost of higher learning for more than 250 students, annually awarded scholarships to three area high school seniors. The Spalding County Gordon College Foundation scholars are Melissa Darsey, Jawon Davis and Brandon Smith.

Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Co. announced plans to close its Griffin warehouse and distribution center and move employees to Atlanta and Macon. All 42 Griffin employees worked their final day April 25 in the facility at 410 E. Taylor St. before they were asked to report to new locations outside of Spalding County.

From the Annals of 2007

Moreland Road Elementary School kindergarten classes painted shirts to be worn on Native American Day. The shirts were provided by one of Moreland Road’s Partners-In-Education, Hamp Russell, who was the owner of The Smiling Mallard.

Dr. Alfred Eme Onyeuku, a volunteer at Moore Elementary, wasa native of Nigeria and explained to the students that children in his country do not have books for school or to read for pleasure. So the K-Kids Club spearheaded an effort to collect books for the children in Nigeria. Over 500 books were collected and sent to their “adopted” The Igbere Central School in Igbere, Abia State in Nigeria.

Jackson Road Elementary School students enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal while being dressed as pilgrims.

University of Georgia-Griffin assistant dean and assistant provost Gerald F. Arkin presented Spalding County Board of Commissioners Chairman Eddie Freeman with a shovel to commemorate the groundbreaking of the Student Learning Center.

Students of CrossPointe Christian Academy and CrossPointe Connection homeschool group joined together to recreate the first Thanksgiving on the grounds of the school.