About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2013)
Thursday, June 6 • 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Issue 23 Covering Byron & Peach County email: byronbuzz@pstel.net Thursday, June 6, 2013 On hand to celebrate Patricia Hodges’ 15th an niversary for Ms. Patricia’s School of Dance and Gymnastics from left standing are: Charlotte Smith (teacher), Jamie Arrington (teacher), Tiffany Peavy (Director of Byron Better Hometown), Ms. Patricia, Leslie Smith (teacher) and Beth Rigdon (teacher). Peavy presented Hodges with a plaque of recogni tion from Byron Better Hometown. The annual re cital will be June 8th at Wesleyan College in Macon. Today, June 6th, the gymnastic students will demon strate some of the schools they have learned during the year at Byron Middle School gym. Ms. Patricia’s Celebrating 15 Years By Victoria Simmons The Byron Buzz Patricia Hodges, aka Ms. Patricia, of Ms. Patricia’s School of Dance and Gym nastics on Main Street in Byron, grew up dancing, starting at the age of three. Fiftreen years ago, she started the studio in Byron to share her love for dance and gymnastics with others and to continue the legacy of her own instructor years ago. Dance and gymnastics, she says, teaches not only grace, poise and coordination, but dedication and commitment as well. ’’The best thing about having a dance studio, is making a difference in a child’s life,” she said. Patricia and her dedi cated teachers, Beth Rigdon, Jamie Arrington, Lisa Keys, Leslie Smith and Charlotte Smith, encourage students to be the best they can be in the classes. Smith will be leav ing at the end of this dance season as she graduated from Middle Georgia State College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and will be transferring and continuing working on her Master’s degree. With the economy as it is, Patricia said, ”1 feel so blessed to still be open after 15 years.” She believes the reason for her success is ’’great parents who spread the word” about the studio. Gym students will par ticipate in a gym meet to demonstrate some of the skills they have learned throughout the year on June 6th. It will be held at the Byron Middle School Gym and is free and open to the public. On June 8th, the stu dents and staff will present an annual recital. This year it is entitled ’’Once Upon a Time” and will show case students performing a broad range of dance styles including tap, ballet, pointe and jazz and represents a variety of techniques learned throughout the year. The recital will be held at Wes leyan College in Macon. Senior dancers this year are Jade Green and Sara Pate. Jade is an honor gradu ate from PCHS. Sarah is an honor graduate from Perry High School. Looking forward to the future, Patricia said, ’’The success of this studio would not be possible without the loyal support and patron age from great students and parents. The students are the greatest. I love them all and am proud of each of them. I couldn’t have asked for a more cooperative, support ive and enthusiastic parental group.” What the future holds is anyone’s guess but Patricia said, ’’With 15 years behind us, I can’t wait to see what is in store for us next!” Patricia and her husband, Scott, have one son, Ross. Byron Farmers & Artisans Market opened Saturday and will be open Saturdays through August 17th. You can get fresh vegetables, honey, handmade items and lots of great stuff. At right, Glenda Myers returns as a vendor to the market this year. Step Back In Time At BAHS Luncheon By Victoria Simmons The Byron Buzz Joe Sullivan’s Gas Station was a local hangout in Byron for the menfolk anyway. The ladies tended to hang out at the drugstore. Though some of the history is incomplete, Sinclair gas was sold at the station, along with air for bike tires, strawberry ne hi, hook cheese, can goods and pinwheel cookies. Five other people had owned the station before Joe Sullivan purchased it. After Sullivan, Mary Jane Grinsley bought it and turned it into a beauty shop. The Method ist Church ended up owning it and the building was tom down. The gas station is the basis for this year’s skit sponsored by the Byron Area Historical Society. This year’s annual lun cheon will be held on Friday, June 14, noon at the Byron United Methodist Fellow ship and will feature fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, broccoli salad, biscuits, peach cake and tea. There will also be door prizes. Tick ets for the event are just $15 each and if you are the first person to comment on the Byron Buzz facebook page and have the answer right to this question, ”in addition to a gas station, what else took place at Joe Sullivan’s sta tion?” you will win two free tickets to the luncheon. The luncheon is an annual event and a skit from local history has become an integral part of the luncheon. You are sure to lean something about Byron’s history and share a laugh or two with those in attendance, as well as good food. Well-known residents of the area will be making ap pearances through the cast members and include, of course, Joe Sullivan, Carl Ferguson and Toon Moseley. Joe Sullivan’s daughters and their family will be hon ored guests at the luncheon. For tickets you can see a BAHS member, or call Para Vinson at 478-214-5560. Proceeds from the lun cheon are put back into the community in various ways and also help with upkeep on the old jail and depot. The Byron Area Historical Soci ety also holds a free com munity appreciation cookout annually. You do not want to miss this year’s luncheon. Feel free to wear your favorite 50’s attire. The Georgia Peach Festi val kicked off Saturday at North Peach Park in Byron with lots for the whole fam ily to do and enjoy. Many kids preferred the splash park at the park (left). There was food, arts and crafts and entertainment ending with fireworks. The Peach Festival continues this week and will conclude Saturday, in Fort Valley. —
