Two ladies in the Smith family have just returned home after an experience of a lifetime. Linda Mendenhall and Jean Badgett left on June 3 to tour some places of interest. They rented a car and drove to Denver, Colo., to visit a college friend of Linda. Their next stop was Jackson Hole ,Wyo. Anita, a first cousin who lives in California, joined them for a three-night stay in the area. They visited Yellowstone, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and then to Casper, Wyo. After two nights in Salt Lake City, they went to Shingletown, Calif., to deposit Anita at her home, so she could get back to work!

On the way to Anita’s home, they toured Redwood National Park, and yes, they drove through a tree.

Then it was on to Lasson National Park where they saw snow. Next they stayed one night in Las Vegas. Then it was Hoover Dam, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon and finally Petrified Forest National Park.

AND THEN ….it was onto I-40 and headed for home. It was a good four weeks of seeing some great sights and eating some good food. And they were glad to get back to North Carolina.

Mark and Jeannette Hege entertained the youth from the Baptist church recently by having a “camp-out” at their home. It was a big success and they just might get some much needed sleep soon.

Ritchie Day and his family are at the beach and our preacher just thinks that Ritchie went up and down the beach shaking everybody’s hand on Sunday morning. He is the “hand-shaker” in our church.

Please remember Betty Hemmings, Brian Scott and Crystal in your prayers.

As I type this I am hearing thunder. Maybe rain is on the way.