MILLIANS: ‘There’s a bear in my pool’

Published 10:00 am Saturday, September 21, 2024

Even bears are trying to get in some swimming time in these final days of summer.

I’m not going to use the homeowner’s name because I don’t want a circus outside her house on Lake Sinclair.

But here’s the bottom line: a bear’s been swimming in her pool. To add insult, the bear then dries off by sunning himself on her chaise lounge.

So far, no damage other than some bear poop to clean up. 

But her great grandchildren sure like to visit more often in hopes of seeing that bear. . . 

In other news around town, two new restaurants have opened here, according to Visit Milledgeville, a great website when you are looking for somewhere to eat or something to do.

Flavor of Texas BBQ is located at 800 N. Wayne Street, and is open 11 a.m. til 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

It offers brisket, pork, ribs, savory sausage, and smoked chicken. The sauce on the BBQ can be spicy or mild.

The other new restaurant is Da’Ville Breakfast and Brunch at 128 N. Wayne Street. It specializes in chicken and waffles, as well as mega-omelettes.

I’ll do some research and report back to you. . . 

Ed Robinson sent me and Janet Ferguson, who headed up last week’s Heritage Day at the First Baptist Church, a great email. He wrote:

“I enjoyed your article about Heritage Day at the First Baptist Church. I knew all the names and songs you wrote about, for the Baptists have always been my dear friends.

“I grew up in a house where my yard and the “Old” First Baptist joined. I knew many Baptist ministers and families for whom I still have great affection.

“Some of the Baptist boys I grew up with were Nat Smith, Kenneth Moody, Richard Moody, Wayne Page and John Page. I attended for many years “Sunbeams” and Royal Ambassadors and sometimes Sunday school and church. 

“The old Church, located on North Wayne Street, was not air conditioned in those days, of course. Services in hot weather were held with the windows wide open and my sister and I would sit on the wall next to the church and listen to those great Baptist lessons.  Brother (James) Teresi was a great and powerful orator. I can in my mind’s eye still hear his stirring words.

“Rev. John Hughston’s family were especially good friends and we as well as the Baptist congregation were so sad to see them move on.

“Alas, what else was left for me but to marry a Baptist, Marcia Moore, whose family goes far back in Baldwin County’s Baptist history. We were married in 1967 in the new church on Liberty Street.”

Thanks, Ed . . . 

Going back a little further, I got a couple of emails from people who commented on my column about life in Milledgeville and at Baldwin High in the early ‘60s.

Mona Betzel wrote:

“Thank you so very much for the column (“News from the ‘60s).  The ‘60’s were my coming-of -age years and I appreciated the walk back through those years. Even though I grew up in Eatonton, we were close enough to Milledgeville to be very familiar with many of the people and activities you included.  

“Also, my deepest appreciation to Jeff Owens and son for bringing Jane Stone’s collection to you. Today so few people see the value in saving newspapers and periodicals and so much of our history is lost. Your article was a pleasure to read.”

 And, Beth Ellison wrote:

“A Milledgeville friend recently sent me your article based on the newspapers provided by Jane Owens. I am a 1961 graduate of BHS and all the names brought back many memories. If I remember correctly, my mother Mary Ellison was the faculty advisor of Smoke Signals at the time. 

“At age 80, nostalgia is a wonderful thing! Thank you for the memories.”

I am going to pull out these emails and show them to Wanda every time she complains about all the old newspaper I have saved. . . .

In sports news this week, I’m glad to see two former Baldwin Braves football players doing so well at the next level.

Micah Welch, a freshman at the University of Colorado, led the Buffaloes in rushing against Colorado State last Saturday with 65 yards.

Javon Bullard, a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, was an instant starter and is second on the team with 16 tackles, behind only another former Georgia Bulldog, Quay Walker.

Impressive performances by both. Having these connections makes it fun to follow those two teams.

Rick Millians, a 1970 Baldwin High grad, is retired after working at newspapers in Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina. Reach him at rdmillians@aol.com.