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Sandersville Scene. 3


contentsVOLUME II ISSUE II

8 A Lifetime Student of ArtWe look at how one local artist is working to makesure the world around her is left a better place than

when she found it.

14 Traditional, Classic StyleLocal designer Al Woods takes Warthen LaneInteriors all across the southeast.

20 A Caring & Sharing

CongregationUnion Hill Baptist Church celebrates 160 years of

worship.

26 Herb’s Fish PlaceWhere the best folks gather for the best seafood.

30 The Good Ole DaysOld Warthen school still holds cherished memories

for many residents.

34 Preserving History & Community

Women of Warthen Community Club add value to

community through their legacy.

In Every issue

6 Editor’s Note6 Readers’ Letters25 Worship Guide36 Arts & Entertainment40 Photo Galleries46 A Picture Worth 1,000 Words

8

14

2620

30


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Visit THE CITY OF SANDERSVILLE141 W. Haynes Street • P.O. Box 71 • Sandersville, Ga 31082 • 478-552-2525 • www.Sandersville.net

s a n d e r s v i l l e

Established 2008Volume 2 No. 2

scene

P u b l i s h e r

K e i t h B a r l ow

W r i t e r s

N ata l i e Dav i s

J o n at h a n J ac ks o n

S t e p h a n i e M i l l e r

Editor

NATA L I E DAV I S

A dv e rt i s i n g D i r e c t o r

E r i n S i m m o n s

A dv e rt i s i n g S a l e s

M a n ag e r

K a r e n M e rt z

C i rc u l at i o n D i r e c t o r

M i c h a e l E va n s

G r a p h i c D e s i g n e r

H a m p j o n e s

COVER PHOTOJ o n at h a n J ac ks o n

Sandersville Scene magazine is published byThe Union-Recorder biannually at

165 Garrett WayMilledgeville, GA 31061

For more information on submitting stories or to advertise in Sandersville Scene, call

(478)453-1436

MANAGING EDITORC r e at i v e M a n ag e r

B ro o ks H i n t o n


“An artist is always a student of art — it’s just that we

are all at different levels in our learning.”

Tonia Marynell contends she’s just as much a student of art as she is a teacher. The localtalent who spreads her gift like King Midas’ touch, enlightens and inspires her studentseach day, but she seems as equally content learning from their gifts as they do in dis-

covering hers. This relationship, or so it seems, is one of the many paradoxes of the arts. Anartist, as Marynell puts it, is always a student of art, and we all are constant learners.

There are many who contend that art, particularly the fine arts and a greater appreciation forthem, is exclusive to particular parts of the world — parts unseen by many of us and worldsaway from Washington County. But Marynell, a homegrown artist, is proof positive that art anda culture and appreciation of it, has no geographic bounds. It’s not restricted to the metropolitanregions of the globe or to grandiose marble galleries.

We all possess personal passions, though not all of our individual gifts and interests requirethe stroke of a brush. We are all students in some form or variety each of us with gifts to share. Itwould be a shame for any of us to bind those unique passions and limit our gifts’ exposure.Through our sharing, we cultivate learning and inspire others, and in turn discover new possibili-ties and potentials ourselves.

With each issue of Sandersville Scene, we aim to share and inspire in some form through thestories of local folks — some more widely recognizable, others little known and undiscovered —each with gifts they so graciously share with us and you our readers.

Marynell and the local faces and places we feature here on the pages of our magazine areproof positive of the diamonds in the rough that reside in our region. Inside this edition, we hopeyou’ll not only be inspired by Marynell’s story, but the stories of Union Baptist Church, one ofthe oldest African-American congregations in Washington County; Herb’s Fish Place and itsdown-home goodness; the Warthen Community Club and the old Warthen school their goodworks helped to restore; and designer Al Woods, who shares his talents and keen eye for designthroughout the region.

We appreciate their stories and we celebrate their gifts — and we certainly hope you do aswell.

We’d love to hear and share even more of your stories, so continue giving us feedback. E-mail us at [email protected] and tell us what you think of this edition and what otherstories you’d like to see featured.

Thank you, Sandersville and Washington County, for allowing our magazine to be an avenuefor local stories to shape and hopefully inspire. By sharing these inspirational gems with you, ourreaders, we can all leave a lasting positive impact for generations to come.

READERS’ LETTERS

Congratulations on a very fine SandersvilleScene Vol. 2, Issue 1. Just a minor correc-tion on Mr. Jackson's article on the BrownHouse Museum. The patent models are noton loan from the Patent Office, the modelsare on loan from the personal collection ofJim and Diane Davie.

Jim DavieSandersville

I Love, love, love the magazine for ourcounty! Y’all are doing a great job onsomething that is so dear to all of us — ourcounty!

Connie S. NorrisSandersville

We love to hear fromyou! You can contact ourEditor Natalie Davis [email protected] let us know what youthink.


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lifetimestudent

a

of

ARTARTTonia Marynell won't tell you she is a fine artist. She prefers the term illustrator. Anyone who knows her will tell

you that not only is she in fact an artist, but one of the good ones. She is passionate about art, its reach and theability of art to appeal to everyone, but she is also in possession of a secret that the world sometimes loses sight

of; artists rule the world.“If you stop and think about it, almost everything you see, touch, smell, eat or hear was created by an artist,” she said

recently. “Artists truly do rule the world and have for centuries.”Her reach in the Sandersville community is wider than most realize and her abilities to create great art stretches into the

international realm through another one of her passions — horses.She has spent her life dedicated to the animals and has honed her efforts into painting them, drawing, riding and caring

for them. The late Sandersville Progress Publisher Bob Garrett called her horse Flash the most famous horse in WashingtonCounty, even running an obituary with a photo in the newspaper when Flash succumbed to pneumonia in 1999. Today,Marynell operates a horse rescue with two horses with famous bloodlines that once spent time on the race track.

Though she is hesitant to admit it, the touch of this master artist's hand is all over her community.Tonia is one of four daughters born to the late Frank and Edith Marynell. Frank was an Italian immigrant and master

musician who spent his early days as a performer playing piano in Chicago during some of the city’s jazz heyday. Edith wasa creative dress designer and seamstress.

“My father never took me shopping for toys or clothes,” Marynell said. “But twice a year he would take me to the artstore and let me get anything I wanted. My mother taught me about color and design.”

As a child, Tonia says her sisters could never bring books home that had pictures of horses in them because she wouldcolor them. Her first drawings were of horses and she longed to have one of her own. Then at age 15, Frank Marynell giftedTonia with Flash, a beautiful paint that many area residents may remember seeing at the Marynell home on Church Street.

feature story

story and photos byJONATHAN JACKSON

Marynell rode Flash in the “To Be anAmerican” July 4 celebration in Sandersvillefollowing Operation Desert Storm. Flash waswith her for 25 years.

After high school, Marynell attended theprestigious Ringling College of Art and Designin Sarasota, Fla.

“Ringling College of Art and Design is thenumber one art school in North America andone of the top three in the world,” she said. “Itis the only art school that in 2009 to ever belisted on the U.S. World and News list of topcolleges in the U.S.”

Her passion for art, at times fueled by herlove for horses, results in a symbiotic relation-ship that originated through years of dedicationand excellence with both. After college, shetook that drive and created a masterpiece thatevidenced a strong love for two of the mostdominant influences in her life. The portrait ofyoung Frank and Edith Marynell hangs in hersister's home and shows a dapper Frank inwhite dinner jacket, standing next to Edith,seated and wearing one of the dresses shedesigned. The piano, chair and lamp appearingin the portrait all sit in the room with the obvi-ous absence of her parents.

“They knew the value of the arts and knewthat one could earn a living with the arts,”Marynell said.

As an artist, influence is found in manyplaces. Two influential artists weigh heavily onher work, one at Ringling and one almost in herbackyard.

“Mr. Vernon Layton from Riddleville was aworld famous portrait artist and was my mentorin high school and while I was at college,”Marynell said. “His greatest compliment was hetold me 'I had the best color sense of anyone hehad ever seen' and 'We were part of the brother-hood.' That was the greatest compliment as anartist anyone has ever given me. Mr. Joe Knoxwas my college mentor. He taught me magazineand book design and illustration. His pushingme and pushing to achieve the highest goalsdrove my talent to a superior level and I havenever looked back.”

Always maintaining a faith in the ability toprovide for herself through art, Tonia made aname for herself especially in the equine com-munity.

Through her sign business, she creates signsfor Old Friends equine rescue where racingstallions retire. The farm contacted her recentlyabout creating signs for another farm inSaratoga, N.Y.

When the farm was recently in the news, herwork was seen around the world on the CBSEvening News with Katie Couric, the RFDChannel and HRTV. The carved and gildedsigns will mark the new Old Friend's facilitynamed after horse trainer Bobby Frankel whorecently passed away from lymphoma.

“He was very respected and loved andknown worldwide in the racing and sportingcommunity,” she said. “He was one of the


Above: Mayrnell honored her parents with a portrait, combining seperate photos of each of them,along with a piano, lamp and chair that remain in the family today. Marynell’s mother made thedress in the photo herself and Tonia took a photo of herself in the dress to use to paint the portrait.

Bottom: Marynell’s equine art finds frequent use in the world of horses.


greatest trainers to ever live.”Old Friends will eventually welcome another famous horse as Lava-

Man, the offspring of Seattle Slew will retire to the stallion retirementfacility.

Marynell's love for the equine is rooted in her love for the famousMan o' War, a racehorse so beloved and admired that he was embalmedand given a televised funeral. Man o' War was the father of WarAdmiral and the grandfather of Seabiscuit of cinematic and worldwideracing fame. The Man o' War line continues to appear in racing todayand eventually led to Marynell's acquisition of a direct descendant.

“The first time I saw Frank he left the herd and just ran up to see meas if to say 'where have you been — I've been waiting for you',”

Marynell said. “He rubbed his head all over me — like somethingout of a movie. His foster family said many people had wanted him andthey had turned everyone away — but when they saw that they said, 'heneeds to go home with you — he has been waiting for you to come gethim.' His foster family turned him over to me as a free adoption andthey brought him to me along with his little paint buddy Doodlebug. Hehas been with me nearly a year.”

Frank, also known as Grumpo or Harvey, is a retired racehorse and

is the son of 1986 Breeder's Cup Classic Champion Skywalker, whotook the title in 1986. As Marynell got to know the horse's personality,she was reminded of her father. She changed his name and Frank joinedthe herd along with Bud's Jessi, another retired racehorse, once ownedby New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

“Frank is sweet and loving but has a cantankerous side to him andhe can have a temper if you don't do what he wants and get it donequick enough,” she said. “He does not realize how big he is at 17 handsand follows me around like a puppy dog.”

Marynell's art covers many subjects and media and horses frequentlyappear. She was requested a few years ago to paint a mural on a friend'sdaughter's bedroom wall. The mural features the friend's eight horses ina pasture.

“Horses have inspired artists since the beginning of time,” Marynellsaid. “The oldest known drawings are of horses in the Lascaux caves inFrance.”

Marynell's art has made it all the way to the U.S. capitol. In 2004,she illustrated a book entitled “Buck's Heroes.” The picture book tellsthe story of dogs used by U.S. military forces during the Vietnam war.

The book was honored by Congress, marking the service of the dogs


in the war.“Those dogs were not allowed to come home,” Marynell said. “They

either stayed or were destroyed.”Most recently, Marynell has turned her love for art into another outreach

— teaching art classes to aspiring local artists.After giving some classes through the county recreation department, an

interest grew in the community. She received permission from the localPresbyterian church to use Sunday School space to give classes, and now theclasses meet several times per week with small classes of four to eight stu-dents.

One of those students is finding a new passion and is a budding artist him-self — at age 85.

Bill Phillips started taking art classes in January and already, Mary Nellsays, is the class pet.

“He just inspires the whole class,” she said. Phillips started out as all stu-dents do, drawing eggs, shapes, then progressing to buildings and perspec-tives. Phillips recently drew the Thiele Kaolin 7W drag line in class and soldseveral prints at the Kaolin Festival on the square.

“She's got a lot of talented students. I'm not one of them,” Phillips saidwith a smile. “The classes keep me busy and out of trouble. She's an out-standing teacher, too.”

Phillips has drawn the Washington County Courthouse and his grand-daughter's first home. Once members of the family saw that sketch, Phillipshad to do more. He even drew a dogwood tree that a friend had growing inhis front yard. The piece is titled “Mr. Lever's Graft.” His neighbor, Mr.Lever, grafted a white dogwood branch onto a pink dogwood branch, produc-ing white and pink blooms on the same tree in the spring.

One of his favorite subjects, though, rarely leaves his side. His caninecompanion Charlie “has his ways,” as Phillips puts it, but apparently doesn'tmind being the subject of Phillips's art.

Two acrylic pieces are portraits of Charlie, whom Phillips rescued.“We think he may have been abused,” Phillips said of the older Labrador

Above: Marynell recently completed a series of murals at Washington Co. HighSchool including this one that allows the school’s theatre department to advertiseupcoming shows.

At Right: Bill Phillips, along with companion and frequent art subject Charlie,discuss technique with Marynell. Phillips is one of Marynell’s art students.


mix. “But he found a home.”Charlie sometimes attends classes with Phillips and is as much of a

community pet to the class as he is to Phillips. He sits patiently as MaryNell helps students see the world in shapes and colors.

“One of the biggest challenges is teaching the students to see. If youcan learn to see in shapes, you can learn to see proportions,”

Marynell said. “I figure out how I can help each of them. I love mystudents and all of them have talent. They are motivated and really enjoylearning art. For me, I love watching them grow and progress and seeingthe confidence and joy it brings them. They look at me as their teacherbut really, an artist is always a student of art — it’s just that we are all atdifferent levels in our learning.”

If Marynell, her students and a growing community consortium havetheir way, there may one day be a permanent home for art classes, theaterperformances and other cultural events. A grassroots movement is under-way to transform the old Sandersville Elementary School into a culturalarts center that could house creative space as well as a number of govern-ment entities. Classrooms could be used for any type of classes rangingfrom adult education to watercolor painting.

Colleges could use space as satellite campuses. The former cafeteriacould be used for culinary arts, the auditorium for performance and muchof the space could be utilized for special events. The possibilities are end-less, according to Marynell.

Sandersville City Council and Washington County Commission havebeen charged with exploring the idea of transforming the school buildingon the mostly empty campus. Members of the community have askedgovernment entities to get involved with the concept and following mod-els in nearby Eatonton and Swainsboro may pave the way, although itwill take more than government to make the center a reality.

“I am so glad the city council and the commissioners have been soopen-minded and receptive,” Marynell said. “Now other businesses needto partner with them and the arts community needs to get organized.”

The first step on behalf of the arts community is the creation of anartist's guild that Marynell says has already gained traction from withinher group of arts students. The remaining work will be the task of a com-munity that Marynell hopes is organized as well as motivated.

For now, art classes continue at the church.“I would not be able to teach my classes without the generosity of the

First Presbyterian Church,” Marynell said.In addition to her art classes, community involvement and horse res-

cue, Marynell operates her own gallery.“I decided to name my freelance business after my father's Italian her-

itage and for my white horse, Flash,” she said. “My father was an Italianwho came to this country from Sicily as a young boy. He played the vio-lin. My friend in Italy, Salvatore Antonacci, helped me correctly translate'white horse' into Italian, hence the name Cavallo Bianco Gallery.”

Marynell's loves are evident in her passion for horses, a passion shesays is embedded in her DNA and her love for art that she nurtures in stu-dents and her own work, but her greatest accomplishment, she says is fol-lowing in her footsteps.

Gable Marynell is a gifted musician and gives private music lessons athis home, just like his grandfather. He is a gifted artist and creates art-work in multiple media, and he is attending Ringling College of Art andDesign in Sarasota, just like his mother.

“My son Gable is my life,” she said with obvious pride.Marynell is thankful for the Lions Club for helping her obtain surgery

to remove toxic cataracts from her eyes. The club also paid for two oper-ations for her son.

“Without their help in paying for my eye operations after being diag-nosed with toxic cataracts I would not be working as an artist and wouldhave lost my eyesight,” she said. “They paid for two of Gable's eye oper-ations as a child and he would not be attending The Ringling College ofArt now, majoring in computer animation if not for their help.”

The artist spends a lifetime doing good work, and while balancing apassion for horses, a love for art and being a dedicated mother to a thirdgeneration artist, Marynell is working to make sure the world around heris left a better place than when she found it.


Local designer Al Woods takesWarthen Lane

Interiors all across the southeast.

story and photos byJONATHAN JACKSON


visit to Warthen Lane Interiors in Sandersville will almost bowlpatrons over as a spectra of color and endless textures, shapes and prod-ucts all demand the attention while at the same time point to a singulartheme — traditional, classic design. Owner Al Woods credits an atten-tion to detail and a tasteful approach to classic decorating as secrets to

the success of his design business. As far as the business goes, hesaid he almost came to it accidentally.

“Grandmother Woods thought everybody in the town ofWarthen should have plastic flower arrangements for

graves in cemeteries,” Woods said. “She would fixthem and I would help.”

Woods went to college and earned a degreein adolescent psychology and found that the

job was not a good match.“It just wasn’t fun,” he said of hisprevious career. “In 1999 I opened

Warthen Lane Interiors inWarthen. For the past two-and-a-half years, we’ve beenopen in Sandersville and livingby our motto, ‘Let’s do some-thing fun’.”

The scope of the businessranges from antiques to flow-ers, gifts and interior design.

Woods has a network ofantique selectors who scourestate sales, antique stores andother locations throughout thesoutheast who find pieces forhim. He said he doesn’t buy anyantique that can’t go right intosomeone’s home. Finishing,repair work and restoration areactivities that the busy designerdoesn’t engage in, but the searchfor the perfect piece is alwayssomething that he is up for andwhen decorating a home, heworks to sometimes match theright piece to the right home.

Many people aren’t awarethat Warthen Lane Interiors isalso a full-service florist.

“We love to do events, corpo-rate, personal from small dinner

parties to huge weddings,” he said.“For the larger events, I call in everyfriend I have.”

Warthen Lane performs a greatdeal of sympathy, wedding and special

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occasion work with flowers.Inside the store, gifts and home interior items abound. A fabric selection area,

antique silver, candles, high-end gourmet gifts and small decorative pieces blendflawlessly with each other as everything offered in the store is meticulously dis-played.

Woods said that a customer can come in with inspiration and leave withitems and better yet, ideas.

Interior design is Woods’ strong suit and the loyalty of repeat customersspeaks to a rapport developed through years of interaction.

“We have beautiful items for homes and we do many client homes, aswell as corporate work, from the ground up,” he said.

Consulting a designer early in a project’s phase will save money in thelong-run and will increase satisfaction with the final result, whether it be asitting room or an entire home or business.

“If you work with a designer from the ground up, you’ll get betterresults with the aesthetics,” he said. “We’ve had good success and haveeven had people come in with blueprints to select paint and fabrics,wallpaper and custom drapes at the beginning of a project. Custom, cus-tom, custom. That’s what we’re kind of known for.”

Woods’ approach doesn’t vary far from the classic, but within clas-sic decorating, he said, the elements are present to gauge what a cus-tomer wants.

“One of the biggest challenges is this; I have my own taste. Thebiggest challenge is to figure out what you like,” he said. “I’ll haveseveral meetings to discuss elements, styles, customs and furniture totry to get a big feel for what a customer likes.”

Following those meetings, Woods moves ahead with design workthat regular customers come back for again and again.

With clients all over the southeast United States, Woods spends agood deal of time traveling for design jobs.

Competency in historical design has landed Woods in several jobsthat require a special touch with an awareness of maintaining the



Above: Christmas decor fillsthe showroom of WarthenLane Interiors along with tra-ditional, classic offerings thatpunctuate and capture Woods’theme.

Above right: A recent decorat-ing job at Dr. Rick Halvorsen’sdental practice welcomespatients into a calming, aes-thetically pleasing atmosphere.


integrity of the historic home or business.He has renovated four historical buildings and each

time took them back as close to original as possible. Anhistoric preservation degree compliments his designwork. The aptitude to work on historic structures issomething that is beneficial in a town like Sandersville,which has an abundance of historic structures.

For the past three years, and since the renovation ofthe Old Governor’s Mansion on the campus of GeorgiaCollege & State University in Milledgeville, Woods hasturned his attention to historic design into the reintroduc-tion of period Christmas decorations at the historic man-sion. In addition, he decorates Lockerly Hall at theLockerly Arboretum, another Milledgeville site and whatmany call Baldwin County’s best kept secret. The plan-ning phase begins during summer months and Woods,along with community liaison for the mansion decorat-ing, Dr. Harriett Whipple, are ready to begin on theMonday following Thanksgiving each year.

From spending time in cities like Williamsburg andCharleston, Woods has developed a good feel for thesouth and all things southern when it comes to decorat-ing, especially traditional work.

“Overall, our success has been based on traditionaldesign,” he said. “We steer toward classic design andaway from trends. I like to put things in peoples’ homesthat they are going to enjoy for years to come.”

Two facets of Warthen Lane Interiors that keepWoods busy many weekends throughout the year areweddings and events. “We do a great deal of weddingand event planning from the ground up,” he said. “We’lldo as much or as little as you want us to.”

A network of caterers and wedding services providersare utilized by Warthen Lane as the business serves as aone-stop wedding or event shop.

“We can really turn a wedding from a ceremony intoan event,” he said.

Recently, Woods provided a wedding in the Atlantaarea for a bride whose mother told him “I do not want todo anything.” Woods handled the wedding fromannouncements to invitations to reception, and the eventtook place without any complications.

A recent high-profile wedding in Atlanta for a profes-sional football player landed Woods and Warthen LaneInteriors in the pages of a magazine. The wedding forpro football player Keith Brookins and bride HollyIngram took place at St. Mark’s Methodist Church inAtlanta with a reception at the Biltmore Hotel.

“We coordinated all aspects of the wedding,” Woodssaid. “I Do for Brides featured the wedding as the coverstory.”

To date, that wedding is the biggest nuptial event thatWoods has handled. Commercially, a recent renovationand interior design job at a doctor’s office is the biggestundertaking the company has completed.

With a non-stop work schedule surrounding the holi-days, a loyal Repeat customer base and one-of-a-kindofferings to the Sandersville community, the futureappears bright for this designer looking for just the righttouch.

“Whether you are decorating for Christmas or forinterior design,” Woods said, “it just needs to be the‘right’ thing.”


story byNAtalie Davis

photos byjONATHAN JACKSON


The road to Union Hill Baptist Church may be off the beatenpath both literally and figuratively, but for members who wor-ship among this small Tennille congregation, the journey and its

rewards are great.Just a stretch up Deep Cut Road from the white congregation that off-

shot its establishment, Union Hill Baptist’s journey to the present is sto-ried, as one of the oldest African-American congregations in WashingtonCounty.

The church’s founding dates back 160 years, but its roots actually liein joint worship services of both black and white congregants in the area.

While the original church minutes have been lost through the years, anabstraction of the minutes from Ohoopee Baptist Church, indicates howUnion Baptist was established back during in the 1800s.

“The first church where the older members worshipped on their ownwithout being among the white people, was located a quarter of a milefrom this church and it was located on the same ground. The church wascalled ‘Hoopie, which is the nickname of Union Baptist Church,” churchhistorical records read.

According to church history, the first worshippers were not only work-ers, but laborers for their church. Led by the pastor and deacons, thechurch moved and rebuilt three times, and in 1860 a new sanctuary wasconstructed. In this 40 by 60 foot house, both blacks and whites wor-shipped.

In 1849, the only period that indicates a total for the number of blackmembers, there were 16.

Later on, an arrangement was made where black worshippers acquiredland to establish their own house of worship.

“They organized themselves and built a church,” the church historyindicates, “which they called Union Hill Baptist Church.”

In the years since the separate African-American church’s founding,many developments have been made. Through it all, the biblical wordsustains this church’s shepherd and his flock.

“The membership is a very friendly, welcoming group of people,” saidpresent pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Martin, the 22nd pastor in Union Hill’shistory. “We’re still pretty much family oriented.”

Present membership stands at around 200, mostly among familieswhose names have been longstanding in the church’s history family

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Sandersville, GA 31082

www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

“Understanding Others’ Needs”

(478) 552-2501


names such as those on the branches of Enoch Walters’ fam-ily tree.

Walters has been an active member of the church formore than 50 years. He can still look back on a time whenthe church had no functioning kitchen or air conditioning.Homecoming services, as Walters can recall, were held eachAugust as they are today, and baptismals were held.

“My grandmamma, my great-grandmamma, my greatuncle … that was just the thing to do,” he said of attendingUnion Hill.

Central heat and air, wall to wall carpet, a new roof aswell as several other amenities were added during the 1970sunder the leadership of pastor J.L. Baker, the church historydenotes.

“It was traditional that we would baptize every Fridaynight after Homecoming,” said Walters, adding that whilemuch of the foundational traditions have come and gone,some elements of old still remain at Union Hill.

“It still has its flare of an old time Baptist church.”As members trickle in for a recent Wednesday evening

Bible study, they describe their church much as their pastordoes, while the church theme and mission prominently dis-played on facing walls indicates the same type of warm andfriendly atmosphere to which all of the members present saycongregants ascribe.

“Developing a Caring Sharing Fruit-bearing Church,”reads the mission statement that banners the walls.“Touching Families and Changing Lives.”

For Eugenia Kay, it was that giving and caring spirit thattouched her own family.

When she and her husband James moved to the area theysought a church home that would be in close proximity towhere they lived. They soon realized they had found just theright fit at Union Hill.

“He [James] just fell in love with this church,” recallsEugenia, adding that both she and her husband, parents oftwo, were particularly impressed with the church’s youthprograms. “They sold me. It just felt like home.”

Wanda Pierce was also moved and inspired upon herfamily’s first visit to Union Hill as well.

“The worship service was very inspiring and spiritual,”she said. “It’s really been a learning experience for me.”

Added Kay: “You had the word — the [biblical] wordwas here. When you have a good shepherd, that reallyentices you to stay.”

Members say the word from the Bible trickles downthrough example from the leader of their flock — Rev.Martin.

“It’s not always in the number [of members],” said mem-ber James Pierce, who calls Martin a preacher and teacherwho makes a concerted effort to not leave his membershipbehind and sets a strong example for others in the church tofollow.

“If you’re looking for a church where you can be taughtthe word of God,” said Pierce, “come visit and you mightlike it.”

Services are held at Union Hill Baptist on secondSundays at 11:15 in the morning and fourth Sundays at 8:30a.m. Bible study is held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. for adultsand Wednesdays at 6 p.m. for youth members. The churchhas an active youth membership and is actively involved inthe 2nd Washington Baptist Association, the 12th DistrictBaptist Convention and the General Missionary BaptistConvention of Georgia, all aspects that Pierce says keepsmembers in close fellowship with other churches and helpsto strengthen the bonds within.

“We’re just a big happy family, sharing and enjoying oneanother.”

WHERE WE WORSHIPHarrison SpringsBaptist Church127 Mills St.Harrison, GA 31035(478) 552-8967

Bay Springs BaptistChurch319 Bay Springs RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-3545

Bold Spring BaptistChurch3177 Poole RoadSandersville, GA 31082 (478) 552-0464

Camp Spring BaptistChurch9919 Old SavannahRoadSandersville, GA 31082 (478) 552-8511

Church Of Christ101 E 2nd Ave.Sandersville, GA 31082 (478) 552-0356

Church Of TheNazarene619 S Harris St.Sandersville, GA 31082 (478) 552-5300

Deepstep UnitedMethodist Church9744 Deepstep RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-6825

Deliverance Center OfJesus Christ401 Hall St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-1030

Faith Temple HolinessChurch334 Railroad Ave.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-8965First Baptist Church316 Mathis LaneSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-2371

First Christian Churchof Sandersville166 E Church St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-3495

First PresbyterianChurch Of Sandersville521 N Harris St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-1842

First SouthernMethodist Church5998 Ga. Highway 24WestSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5442

Gardner Church of God& Christ450 Grand St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 553-0331

Gideons International118 S Smith St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5075

Gordy Grove Church ofGod In Christ10466 Ga. Highway 272Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 240-0092

Grace EpiscopalChurch114 E 2nd Ave.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5295

Green Grove BaptistChurch5030 Highway 242Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-0260

Jehovah's WitnessesKingdom Hall ofSandersville1567 Ridge RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-6789

Kendall HeightsChurch Of God829 Jordan Mill RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5483

Mount Zion A.M.E.Church379 Suburban DriveSandersville, GA 31082(478) 348-6514

New Baptist Church941 Yank Brown RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 553-0515

Oak Grove MissionaryBaptist Church45 Oak Grove RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-0330

Pine Hill BaptistChurchP.O. Box 6014Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 348-5223

Poplar Springs BaptistChurch14139 Ga. Highway 24WestSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-7450

Poplar SpringsChristian Church13580 Ga. Highway 24WestSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-4747

Ridgeland HeightsBaptist Church305 Ridgeland DriveSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-3171

Robin Springs BaptistChurch3178 Deepstep RoadSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5612

Saint Galilee HolyFelowship Church613 Temple DriveSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-8280

Sandersville UnitedMethodist Church202 W Church St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-3374

Second CommunityBaptist Church511 Martin Luther KingJr. Ave.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-7738

Second WashingtonBaptist Association402 Evans St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-1313

Sisters Baptist Church1807 E McCarty St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-2473Springfield BaptistChurch415 W Church St.Sandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-5317

Saint Galilee BaptistChurch316 Augusta AllySandersville, GA 31082(478) 553-9220

Saint Williams CatholicChurchSandersville, GA 31082(478) 552-3352

Bethany BaptistChurch1132 Hartsford RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-7563

Bethesda ChristianChurch2740 Buckeye RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-4166

Bethesda ChristianChurch720 Hurst RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-0063

Burnett Grove A.M.E.Church157 Hurst RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-0510

Faith Apostolic140 Knight LaneTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-8911

Genesis New LifeApostolic Faith Church 4573 Grady Mertz RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-9555

Georgia Grove BaptistChurch4574 Old SavannahRoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-1605

Good Shepherd Churchof the Nazarene316 E South CentralAveTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-2424

Hubbard ChapelChurch22 Old WatermelonRoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 864-2015

Mount Gilead PrimitiveBaptist Church154 Mount Gilead RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-1013

Mount Moriah BaptistChurch1183 Mount MoriahTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-1942

Piney Mount UnitedMethodist Church3065 Old SavannahRoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-5394

Samuel Grove BaptistChurch11651 Ga. Highway 68SouthTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-9955

Smith Grove BaptistChurch3659 Tennille HarrisonRoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-1990

Saint James ChristianFellowship Church210 Chaloux RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-3451

Saint John Church ofGod And Christ320 E. 3rd Ave.Tennille, GA 31089(478) 240-9713

Swint Spring BaptistChurch6623 Tennille OconeeRoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-9811Tennille BaptistChurch SBC203 N Main StTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-7350

Tennille ChristianChurch402 N Main StTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-5557

Tennille Grove BaptistChurchGreta StTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-0083

Tennille UnitedMethodist Church297 W Adams StTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-7883

Union Hill BaptistChurch2389 Deepcut RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-9578

Victory Central Church320 N Main StTennille, GA 31089(478) 553-0891

Zion Hope BaptistChurch4507 Watermelon RoadTennille, GA 31089(478) 552-5838

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478-453-1436

Sandersville Scene.25


As sure as Thursday night rolls around Doyle and Nellie Brown of Dudleywill be driving the 45-minute trip to Herb’s Fish Place located near Oconeeat 1625 Highway 272, Tennille.

“We have had something else come up, but we still came on Friday night,” saidNellie, who prefers the catfish filets at Herb’s. The Browns have kept their Thursdaynight tradition for at least three years.

“It’s the best fish I’ve eaten,” said Nellie, adding the meal is worth the drive. As the doors of Herb’s open at 4 o’clock on Thursday through Saturday like they’ve

done since 1971, the Browns are not the only regulars who come each week to eat. “I’ve been coming since they opened,” said Annie Loyd of McIntyre, who was there

on a recent evening with her husband, Bo. “It’s good food,” said Bo. The couple also prefers the catfish, only they like small

whole catfish. Robert Fountain and his mother, Bettie, of Adrian said they make the drive to Herb’s

on average about two times a month. “It’s consistently good,” said Robert, adding he likes the “nice, family environ-

ment.” Jerry Meadows, his wife Bobbie, and Martha Tomlinson, all of Milledgeville, travel

to Herb’s every third Thursday. They also like the catfish. “It’s the best we’ve found,” said Martha. Such patrons are just a sample of the draw Herb’s has from across Georgia. Owner

Bess Bailey said it’s not unusual for people to drive from Atlanta, Macon or otherplaces across the state just to eat supper at the restaurant her parents, Herbert andBelinda Johnson, started in a one-room gas station.

“It was 20 by 24 (feet),” she said of the gas station her dad decided to close so hecould cook and sell fish out of it. “We had three six-foot long tables that would seatabout 30.”

Bailey said her father never intended to have a “sit down” restaurant. He originallyintended to cook the fish and sell them from a fast food window that is still today oper-ational. And, he didn’t intend to have such a thriving family restaurant. He just loved tofish and talk to people. He thought he would just cook the fish he caught each weekand that would be enough to meet the local demand. But, it turned out that this lovingcountry preacher and his wife made people feel at home when they stopped in to eat. Totop that off, the cooking was pretty good too.

“Actually he was going to have just take-outs, but that didn’t work out,” said Bailey.“He always fished. He thought he could catch enough fish, but it didn’t take longbefore he had to start buying fish.”

Her mother helped with the process by making the accompaniments such as home-made slaw, good ole’ country grits cooked to perfection, French fries, onion rings andhush puppies. Today all the food is still cooked using Belinda’s recipes. Bailey takespride in making the hush puppies herself each day.

Food and fellowship keepscustomers coming back tosecond generation eatery

story and photos by

Bailey estimated the restaurant now buys about 400 pounds of fish aweek in addition to the shrimp, oysters, crab and other seafood sold atthe restaurant. She believes about 500 people visit the restaurant eachthree-day weekend of Thursday through Saturday.

The restaurant is never open on Sundays.“Daddy was a minister — that’s the reason we couldn’t be open

on Sunday,” she said. Although both her parents are now gone, the restaurant is still run

the way her parents intended. It’s a family operation with each childin the family having taken their turn in the kitchen and in the diningarea serving customers. Bailey’s 16-year-old grandson, Justin, has just

taken over the job of frying the fish after his older brother, Ashley,earned his nursing degree

and took a job at a hospital. Then there are Bailey’s children,Michelle Willis, Nikki Bailey and Jonathan Bailey, who have allworked at the restaurant. The family believes in starting the childrenoff early learning about the business. On a recent evening, Bailey hadher granddaughter, Meghan, 5 1/2 months old, at the restaurant goingfrom table to table with her meeting and speaking to guests.

It’s a very important part of the restaurant’s atmosphere. “Mama and Daddy would always come speak to the customers,”

she said. “That was an extension of their ministry.”She said people came to cherish the love her parents showed their

customers. “I can’t tell you the number of people who literally got out of their

death bed because this was the last place they wanted to go,” she said,adding there is a secret as to why people love the place so much.

“They dedicated it to God the first weekend they opened and that’sbeen the secret all these years,” said Bailey.


When her parents died some customers believed the restaurantwould close because surely the children could not keep it the wayHerbert and Belinda had.

“My daddy would come out of his grave if we closed it,” saidBailey. “We couldn’t change a thing.”

She said customers soon learned the family would be preservingthe recipes and atmosphere, and they came right on back.

“We had to regain their trust. They had to see we could do it,”Bailey said, explaining the loyal customers still come. “Some of thesame people who came that first weekend are still coming.”

She believes the food is only part of the reason they still come. “They come here for the food and for the fellowship,” she said. As the crowd poured in early on a recent Thursday night the

sounds of soft, happy chatter could be heard throughout the restau-rant. The aroma of fresh fish frying drifted from the kitchen. And, therestaurant that bears the slogan “Where the best folk gather to eat thebest seafood” began one more weekend of feeding middle Georgia.

The restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m.until 9:30 p.m. and can be reached by calling 478-552-0226.

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story and photos byStephanie Miller


Warthen School may have changed a lot over the last sevendecades, but Donald Walker, 74, can still describe everydetail of how the old building was when he started school

there as a first-grader. “I went through nine years here,” said Walker, on a recent sunny day

as he, his wife, Elizabeth and neighbor, Betty Kicklighter, walkedaround the old school talking about the repairs that are needed to itsroof.

Walker pointed out where the children used to line up to start theday by marching into the school to have devotion, a morning prayer, apledge to the flag and then sing the national anthem and popular chil-dren’s songs. He could also point out where the boys met under an oldtree to pick sides for game of basketball and tag. The memories camespilling forth as though they had happened yesterday, not 60-plus yearsago.

Walker described every detail of the old school from the location ofthe principal’s office, to the library, to the classroom shared by at leasttwo grades with one teacher.

“Those were the good ole days,” said Walker. Despite its many changes the old Warthen School is still loved by

the community and serves a purpose no other local building couldserve. It has been used as a community house for various meetings, fes-tivals, family reunions, weddings and even a funeral.

Although the city of Warthen is well known as the location of theoldest jail in Georgia, the Warthen School is not the first school thatwas built in the area. The original school for the community appears tohave been a one-room building of hand-hewn logs that originally wasplaced at Keg Creek and moved to Warthen around 1787 to be placed

on land donated by Robert Wicker, according to an old newspaper arti-cle. The re-location placed the school in a scenic spot between WarthenMethodist Church and Bethlehem Baptist Church a few hundred yardsoff the main roadway. That building burned around 1904 and wasreplaced with a two-room, two-story structure in 1905 with the auditori-um upstairs. Through the years the Washington County Board ofEducation added onto the building, moved the auditorium downstairsand added a fully functional kitchen. Today the three white-washedbuildings still present a picturesque scene of a bygone era.

Yet, the old school was not through undergoing changes. After it wasdeemed a junior high by the board of education, the top floor of thebuilding was removed and the roofline changed.

“Why they tore it off I don’t know,” said Kicklighter, a local histori-an who has done extensive research about the school and is responsiblefor having preserved its historical records for future generations.

Kicklighter moved to the Warthen area in 1955. Her children startedschool at there and were attending school when the board of educationclosed the building. She remembers as a young wife going to localhomes for monthly visits by the county home demonstration agent, nowcalled extension agent or home economist, to learn how to do thingssuch as properly preserving food. The group of ladies who attendedthose meetings soon officially organized and became known as theTown and Country Club of Warthen. Their meetings were moved to theold school. Other groups such as the Warthen Farm Bureau used thebuilding for its monthly meetings.

“Back then the Farm Bureau meetings were the thing,” she said. After the school closed the women continued meeting there while

Farm Bureau moved to another location. But the monthly women’smeetings revealed something else to the ladies. They soon began to


notice the building was slowly showing its age. “When the school discontinued there were

five men who bought it for $25 to be adminis-trators over it,” said Kicklighter, adding at thetime it was believed the men owned the build-ing.

“We began to notice different things thatneeded to be fixed up,” she said, adding thewomen’s club decided to try to get thingsrepaired.

The Town and Country Club, which changedits name to the Warthen Community Group inthe early 1990s, began to research ownership ofthe building and soon learned the board of edu-cation still owned it. The men who had paid $5each to oversee the building had all died and noone was actually caring for the building at all,except the Town and Country Club, and becauseof that, the building needed lots of work. Thewomen were up for the challenge. The board ofeducation gave the club a quick claim deed tothe property in 2002 believing the womenwould care for the building as well as could bedone, and also knowing the club had cared forthe building for years without ownership.

“We had to have all kinds of sales,” saidKickligher, who talked about some of the workdone on the building before it even belonged tothe group.

Repairing and keeping up the old buildingwas a big job.

“This is a big building. In 1987 it needed anew roof. It cost us $4,500. That was a lot ofmoney back then.”

She said the women set out to raise thefunds and while doing so it was learned thebuilding could possibly be eligible for a desig-nation on the National Register of HistoricPlaces as the Warthen area had been deemed ahistoric site with the old jail. That designationcould place the club in the position to get grantsfor the building’s upkeep and restoration.

The building was placed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places in 1997 to thedelight of the women. It meant now the buildingwas as important to the history of the nation asit was to the history of Warthen. Fundraisersand grants have provided the money needed to

upkeep the building all these years. The kitchenwas updated to handle large events. An accessramp was added to the side for those with dis-abilities.

Now the Warthen Community Club facesanother challenge. The building is once again inneed of a new roof. Kicklighter cringed whenshe quoted the latest bid of $16,000 to replacethe roof.

“We haven’t made enough money yet, butwe will,” she said, adding the group has saved$12,000 thus far.

She hopes more money will come in fromthe rental of the building for various events.

“We don’t discriminate,” she said, addingthe building is available to anyone who willagree to the rental contract.

And, she hopes those who care about the oldschool will send donations. The last alumni din-ner at the school was attended by more than 300people. She said some came from as far away asCalifornia.

The old school is alma mater for such gradu-ates as former United States District CourtJudge B. Evans; Mell Duggan, former stateschool superintendent; and Ivy W. Duggan, for-mer president of Shorter College, according toold newspaper archives.

Those who would like to make donationstoward the upkeep of the old Warthen Schoolmay do so by mailing them to WarthenCommunity Club President Elizabeth Walker,560 Walker Road, Warthen, GA 31094.

The school as it was when it was a two-story. This picture rests on the fireplace mantle in thedining area of the old school.

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In 1967 when 28 young women began to meet with the WashingtonCounty Extension Agent to learn how to preserve food, they probablynever dreamed that they would create a legacy that would preserve somuch more for the community than a few jars of canned beans or jellies.

While the women of Warthen, who officially organized March 27,1967, worked at learning to be better homemakers by mastering the tasksof sewing, preserving vegetables, understanding nutrition and developingtheir skills at arts and crafts, they also laid the foundation for historicpreservation.

Warthen Community Club records show the group met each month indifferent homes under the name Town and Country Club of Warthen. Theaim of the club was to grow on three levels — personally, intellectuallyand spiritually — while working to improve the home and community.

“We had a home demonstration agent come once a month to talk tous,” said Betty Kicklighter, a charter club member who compiled a bookof the history of Warthen. “We finally developed into a club.”

While the club eventually grew to include as many as 40 members andthen to fell back down to its current membership of 20, the ladies havenever backed away from a challenge whether big or small. The club setout to save the old Warthen School and leaves the preservation of theschool for the community as its legacy.

“As the building began to need repairs, the ladies would sell notecards, have spaghetti suppers, make quilts for sale, organize yard salesand many other ways to keep up the building,” wrote Kicklighter in herbook.

After all the years of hard work it would seem there could be no onein Washington County who would not know about the WarthenCommunity Club and its work, but Kicklighter said that is not the case.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re here,” she said. “We need them toknow the building is still here and we’re trying to take care of it.”

The club is also open to new members. “We charge $10 a year dues,” she said.

While the Warthen Community Club may have started for the purposeof bettering home life, the women believe a better home life starts with abetter community life. A visit to the community makes one think of a stepback in time as the historic beauty of the old school and two nearbychurches create a scene that seems frozen in time.

The memories of children who passed through the doors of oldWarthen School just seem to add to its importance in the community.Kicklighter said things that happened at the school long ago have notbeen forgotten.

“There are people 70 and 80 years old who remember all those things.They don’t forget things like that,” she said of their school days.

She has tried to save all those events in a book she compiled on thehistory of the area. One page from the book names the charter membersof the Warthen Community Club: Mrs. Kathryn (Josh) Akridge, Mrs.Freddie (Lamar) Brown, Mrs. Bulah (A.R.) Burgamy, Mrs. Murrel (T.C.)Burrell, Mrs. Della (Bolton) Cobb, Mrs. Elizabeth (T.R.) Duggan, Mrs.Stella (Earnest) Hawkins, Mrs. Edna (Ed) Holton, Mrs. Mary Johnson,Mrs. Betty (Dwight) Kicklighter, Mrs. Mary Sallie King, Mrs.Vera (W.O.)Cummings. Mrs. Inez Johnson, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann (John) Barker, Mrs.Pansy (J.A.) Marsh, Mrs. Annie Mary (Hubert Sr.) May, Mrs. Pinkie(Tom) May, Mrs. Sammie Lou (Kinch) May, Mrs. Bessie (A.J.) Mincey,Mrs. Blanche (Loyd) McDonald, Mrs. Bertie M. (Lonnie) McDonald,Mrs. Evelyn (James) McCullum, Mrs. Virgie Mae (A.A.) Sargent, Mrs.Sallie (Herman) Snider, Mrs. Vinice, (Joe) Sparks, Mrs. Bessie (JewellSr.) Turner, Mrs. Elizabeth (Donald) Walker and Mrs. Adeline (Ralph Sr.)Walker.

While Kicklighter considers the old Warthen School valuable to thecommunity, her words also apply well to the value of the WarthenCommunity Club to the area.

“Although it’s old and has gone through the ages, it’s still of real valueto the community.”

Arts & Entertainment

December

December 17Town & Gown Garden ClubChristmas Decorations ContestJudging. 6 to 10 p.m. Ribbonsawarded the following morning.Please leave lights on until 10p.m. to be considered for judging.

December 17Santa Claus visits Geo. D.Warthen Bank (Main Office).North Harris Street. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

December 17Candlelight Memorial Service.Early Sunset Grief SupportGroup. Ridgeland HeightsBaptist Church, 305 RidgelandDr., Sandersville. 7 p.m. A spe-cial service to remember lovedones who have passed on. Allare welcome. Contact CyndeMcLester (478) 552-3790.

December 20Christmas Cantata. “Come, LetUs Worship the King.” PleasantGrove Church, 8287 LintonRoad, Sandersville. 11 a.m.Created by Sue C. Smith andRussell Mauldin.

December 20Christmas Cantata. RidgelandHeights Baptist Church, 305Ridgeland Dr., Sandersville. 6p.m. Christmas music by RHBCChoir. Contact Rev. L.T. Logue(478) 232-1992.

December 23Special CandlelightCommunion Service. RidgelandHeights Baptist Church, 305Ridgeland Dr., Sandersville. 7p.m. Contact Rev. L.T. Logue(478) 232-1992.

December 24Christmas Eve HolyCommunion Service.Sandersville United MethodistChurch, 202 W. Church St.,Sandersville. 5:30 p.m. Carolsinging, special music,Christmas sermon, communionand candle lighting.

December 24Christmas Eve CandlelightObservance. Pleasant GroveChurch, 8287 Linton Road,Sandersville.

December 24Christmas Eve AnnualCandlelight CommunionService. First Baptist Church ofSandersville, 316 Mathis Circle.6 p.m.

December 31New Year's Eve Celebration.Ridgeland Heights BaptistChurch, 305 Ridgeland Dr.,Sandersville. 7 p.m. Come cele-brate the coming year withsinging, eating and fellowship.Contact Rev. L.T. Logue(478) 232-1992.

January 2010

January 4Annual Breakfast. WashingtonCounty Chamber of Commerce.Washington EMC Civic Room,258 N. Harris St. 7:30 a.m.Guest speakers, Rep. MackJackson and Sen. J.B. Powell.Chamber members, $15. Non-members, $20. RSVP(478) 552-3288.

March 2010

March 172nd Annual St. Patrick’s DayCelebration. Family Eye Care,203 Medical Arts Drive.

April 2010

April 29Annual Education Meeting.Washington County Chamber ofCommerce. WCHS Cafeteria. 7 p.m. (478) 552-3288.

Arts & EntertainmentC A L E N D A R


September 2010

September 18Harvest Festival. HamburgState Park. Arts, crafts, milltours, games and more. (478) 552-2393.

October 2010

October 9Kaolin Festival on theSandersville Square. Featuringarts, crafts, antiques, food andlive music. Sponsored by theWashington County Chamberof Commerce. For more infor-mation, call (478) 552-3288.

October 9Kaolin Festival Parade.Downtown Sandersville. TBA.

Attractions

Old City CemeteryFirst documented burial in1831. Located on the corner ofWest Church Street andVirginia Avenue inSandersville, the site is on theNational Register of HistoricPlaces for its significant CivilWar history. Features federalera, Greek Revival andVictorian grave markings.Historical figures buried at the

site include former Ga. Lt. Gov.Thomas W. Hardwick, world-renowned surgeon WilliamRawlings, Central of GeorgiaRailroad president BenjaminJames Tarbutton, the Rev. J.D.Anthony and Coleman R.Pringle, known as the Father ofProhibition in Georgia. Formore information, visitwww.sandersville.net or call(478)552-6965.

Hamburg State ParkWith modern-day facilitiesamidst reminders of days goneby, Hamburg State Park offers amix of history and outdoorrecreation. Anglers can enjoylake fishing for largemouthbass, crappie and bream, aswell as boat ramps and a fish-ing pier. Campers will findshaded campsites along theedge of quiet Hamburg Lakefed by the Little OgeecheeRiver. A restored 1921 water-powered grist mill is still opera-tional. The 741-acre park alsofeatures a country store andmuseum.

Charles E. Choate ExhibitA look at the life and work ofthe architect and builder and theofficial Georgia HistoricalPlates Display. Washington

County Chamber of Commerce,131 W. Haynes St.,Sandersville. For more informa-tion call (478) 552-3288.

Oldest JailVisit Georgia’s Oldest Jail onstate Route 15 North inWarthen. For more information,call (478) 552-3288.

Brown House MuseumA private residence during theCivil War where Gen. Shermanspent the night of Nov. 26,1864, 268 N. Harris Street inSandersville. For more informa-tion, call (478) 552-3288.

Revolutionary War ParkVisit the Revolutionary WarPark on state Route 15 South ofTennille. For more information,call (478) 552-3288.

Genealogy Research CenterVisit the Genealogy ResearchCenter, 129 Jones Street,Sandersville. For more informa-tion, call (478) 552-6965.


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WELCOME TO

HERB’S FISH PLACE“Where the best folk gather

to eat the best seafood”

facesPHOTO GALLERIES

KAOLIN FESTIVAL

2009Images from Sandersville’s annual

fall industry celebration

��Kaolin Festival 2009 Grand Marshals Hugh Tarbutton and Ben Tarbutton Jr. make their way through the downtownstreets of Sandersville during the annual festival held in October.

��TheBrentwoodHigh cheerlead-ing squadgets intothe paradespirit asthey ridealong ontheir floatduring the2009parade.


�� T h eTe n n i l l eT i g e r sr i d ealong ont h e i rp a r a d ef l o a tentry.

facesKAOLIN FESTIVAL 2009

Images from Sandersville’s annual fall industry celebration

��TheWashingtonCounty HighSchool FootballandCompetitionCheerleadersmake their waythrough thestreets ofSandersville.



facesHamburg State ParkScenes from the annual Hamburg Harvest Festival

��As September rolls around each year, Hamburg Sate Park transforms for its annual Harvest Festival, featuringmusic, arts and crafts and fun and enjoyment for the whole family. Pictured, visitors peruse some of the handmadecrafts for sale during the 2009 festival.

��HamburgState Parkvisitorsexaminehandmadejewelry dur-ing theannualHarvestFestival inSeptember.

��Music filled the air atHamburg during the weekendHarvest Festival as area bandsand musicians performed.

��The day alsoprovided anopportunity topark visitors tosee the grist millin action duringthe annualHarvest Festival.

faces HAMBURG STATE PARKScenes from the annual Hamburg Harvest Festival


facesTrick or Treat on the SquareImages from the fall downtown Halloween event on the square

��Some of the area’s smallest Trick-or-Treaters line up downtown to fill their bags with goodies during the Trick-or-Treat on the Square event. The event was sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority, the DowntownMerchants Association and the City of Sandersville.

��Far right: A GeorgiaBulldog joinsAlice inWonderland,a UGAcheerleaderand abedeviledTrick-or-Treater geton the funas a pirate(left) pre-pares todevour hercandy loot.


��Washington County ushered in the opening of one of its newest facilities and efforts to support local educationwith a Chamber-sponsored ribbon cutting ceremony at Ridge Road School. The new facility houses Ridge Road Primaryand Ridge Road Elementary schools. Pictured alongside local Chamber representatives is Carla Hutchings (front row,left), principal of Ridge Road Elementary School and Dexter Wansley (front row, right), principal of Ridge Road PrimarySchool and Ridge Road students.

�� The Washington County Chamber ofCommerce held its annual Adopt-A-School lunch-eon in September. Pictured (right), Dr. LloydHoradan, president of Sandersville TechnicalCollege, speaks to the audience. Above, guestshelp themselves at the event buffet.

faces CHAMBER OF COMMERCEScenes from recent Washington County Chamber of Commerce events and programs



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FALL FOLIAGE

Photo By Luanne Brookers

We accept e-mail submissions of digital photographs for this feature. Photos need to be at least 300 DPI. We alsoaccept digital submissions on cd. Please include your name with a brief description of your photographic background,

daytime phone number, the type of camera used and the location and or subject of the photo(s). E-mail photos and information to [email protected].

Mail photos to Milledgeville Scene, 165 Garrett Way, Milledgeville GA 31061

We want your pictures


Citizens Bank of Washington County ..........................2

City of Sandersville ......................................................5

Country Buffet ..........................................................38

Emily Merche Interiors ..............................................39

Farm Bureau Insurance ..............................................38

Georgia Military College..............................................2

Geo’s Quarters .............................................................7

Herb’s Fish Place ........................................................39

Karol’s ........................................................................29

May & Smith Funeral Home.....................................23

North Pointe Pharmacy & Gifts ..................................7

Queensboro National Bank..........................................5

Sandersville Technical College....................................48

Studio Designs Printing .............................................39

Sturgis Studio.............................................................38

The Hair Palace .........................................................39

Warthen Lane Interiors ................................................7

Washington County Chamber of Commerce.............35

Wells Fargo ................................................................33

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