a t the NEWS San to s r e t Let
Dec. 20, 2014 Volume 6, Issue 37
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Serving Rockdale County and Conyers
SHOPPING WITH COPS About 140 local kids woke up early Saturday morning, not to watch cartoons but, to participate in the seventh annual Shop With A Cop event, organized by the Conyers Police Department. SWAC gives each child an opportunity to go on a shopping spree through the Conyers Wal-Mart, accompanied by an officer from the Conyers Police Department, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol. Each child was given $100 to use at their disposal. Watch the video at rockdalenews.com
HHS
boys rolling
The Patriots are on a four-game winning streak
RCSO Deputy Deanna Burke looks on while Brianna, 4, picks out a stuffed animal. Martin Rand III/The News
Page 12
The fairest of them all Kathleen Eidson, proud marine.
Page 10 RMC expands Social Circle, South Rockdale
Page 4 Like us at facebook.com/ rockdalenews Follow us @rockdalenews
Kylee vs. Kikuchi
Conyers family seeks community help to battle rare disease By Michelle Kim
mkim@rockdalenews.com
When Conyers Middle School sixth-grader Kylee Davis began breaking out in painful lesions in August, it threw his mother, Felicia Davis, for a loop. Kylee had experienced a less intense version of the same painful symptoms back in 2008 when he was a second grader at Barksdale Elementary. Then, the disease had thankfully and just as mysteriously faded. But now, it came back “with a vengeance,” said Felicia.
“He had the lesions on his head, ulcers in his mouth, also his ears and nose,” she said. He also had crippling body pain, trouble breathing and a fever that lasted for weeks. Even now, Kylee stays at his aunt’s house because he has difficulty walking up stairs at his home. After weeks of hospitalization, a revolving door of doctors from Children’s, Emory, Grady and other facilities and a battery of tests and biopsies, Kylee was finally diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease.
See KYLEE, Page 13 & 15
Felicia and Kylee Davis support each other through their battles with Kikuchi disease.
Darrell EveridgeI/The News
ees a 4 percent increase based Tuesday morning. CREDC Di- al for the increase. on performance evaluations, rector Marty Jones requested In previous board meetproposed by Van Ness and the increase in funding to help ings, Nesbitt rallied to give the Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 2014 the council refrain from taking CREDC even more than $25,000 by Dec. Oden.20, 22 ••supported Saturday, Nesbitt voted against the a large amount out of its re- additional dollars, but says the measure still believing his plan serve fund in 2015. increase now will suffice. Conyers of 5 percent across the board Conyers The increase in funding will “This is a step in the right diRotaryPresPresRotary increase of salaries across the raise the county’s total contrirection,” Nesbitt said. “WithidentThua Thua ident board was the best solution. This bution to the CREDC, a joint out question $25,000 is more Barlay, State Barlay, State plan would have cost $982,682. economic Sen.Ronald Ronalddevelopment entity than enough at this time.” Sen. “At the end of the day we’re between In her initial amendments Ramsey, the City of Conyers Ramsey, all saying the same thing in and the county, to $150,000. last week to the county budget Most-viewed stories Rockdale MOST-VIEWED STORIES Rockdale terms of let’s give our employees The Clerkcity of has paid $60,000 an- proposed by County Chairman Clerk of an increase,” said Nesbitt. “I say nually CourtsRuth Ruth also recently decid- and CEO Richard Oden, Van but Courts let’s give a large amount edWilson. Wilson. Dec.them 13-19 to increase its total contri- Ness proposed a $15,000 inDEC. 13-19 and then move forward.” Martinto $75,000 in 2015. ((Martin bution crease, but was quick to add Heritage student arrested Heritage student Rand, III/ Van Ness said arrested her plan is a Rand, JonesIII/says he’s thrilled to that was still doing research. The News) News) after assaulting assaulting teacher The blend of the twoteacher salary incen- hear after the county will provide The only board member tive plans proposed by Oden Gastroenteritis outbreak the additional funding. Gastroenteritis outbreak that didn’t support giving the and Nesbitt. “We’ll be able to continue CREDC additional funds was closes Oak Hill Hill Elementary Elementary closes Oak Following the completion of our work as it is,” he said. “It Oden, due to the fact that Friday Friday performance evaluations at the says a lot about how serious Jones hadn’t provided him Springfield Baptist gives want- the county and city is about with information related to the end of JuneBaptist 2015, gives Oden Springfield ed to give employees away 100,000 pounds of2 per- economic development.” CREDC that Oden requested away 100,000 pounds aof cent increase based on those Post 1 County Commissioner from Jones in November 2013 food food performances while also giving Oz Nesbit, vice-chairman of the and again in August. employees an opportunity to CREDC, has been the BOC’s sey Oden during the Nov. 18 said said to the the Conyers Rotary Discount. sey said to Conyers Rotary By Martin Martin Rand, Rand, III III Discount. By receive further raises if the em- biggest supporter of the inbudget hearing that he hadn’t Club Thursday afternoon. mrand@rockdalenews.com Club Thursday afternoon. mrand@rockdalenews.com Discount. ployee earned specialized certif- creasing funding to the CREDC received information Discount. “It’sgoing going tohappen,” happen,”related he said. said.to “It’s to he icates, degrees and/or diplomas and says that he’s pleased Post Discount. the CREDC’s exact return on Ramseycouldn’t couldn’tspeak speakspecifspecifThere are are three three words words Georgia Georgia Discount. Ramsey There relative to their job position. 2 County Commissioner JaNice ically investment to the county, exact on how how significant significant the the tax tax State Senator Senator Ronald Ramsey on Ronald Van Ness’ plan also called State Van Ness supported hisRamsey propos- ically number of jobs created, new 1009 Milstead Ave., Ste 200, 200, 1009 Milstead Ste increase will be. wants people people of of Rockdale Rockdale to to increase for the hiringAve., of three new em- wants will be. Conyers, 30012 Discount. Conyers, 30012 “I don’t don’t know know what the the study study remember for for the the coming coming year: year: ployees for the Recreation and remember “I what WallyWally Taylor, Agent committee results are going to Office 770-787-6397 FAX Maintenance department at transportation, transportation, transit and taxes. Taylor, Agent Get them all with Discount. committee results are going to Office 770-787-6397 ,, FAX transit and taxes. 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And it’ s free. tives it’s going to require some proved and there’s a continuing tives it’s going to require some rockdalenews.com // Circulation Circulation proved and there’s a continuing rockdalenews.com Like a good Like neighbor, a good neighbor, and a part-time administrator effort by the state to take overState kind of tax increase,” he said. the Farm is there. kind of tax increase,” he said. effort by the state to take over the State Farm is there. 770-728-1414 Advertising/ 770-728-1414 // Advertising/ in the Management and Infor- MARTA transit system in order CALL ME TODAY . CALL ME TODA Y. what that is “We haven’t seen “We haven’t seen what that is MARTA transit system in order Wally Taylor, Agent Sales 770-728-1436 Get them all with Sales 770-728-1436 mation department at $20,000. 885 Honey Creek Road Discountknow Double Check. just yet. We We should should within Wally Taylor,it Agent to expand it to other counties in Conyers, GA 30094 just yet. know within to expand to other counties in Get them all with Subscribe to The News for The total cost Bus: 770-483-4134 Subscribe to Theplan Newswould for 885 Honey Creek Road a quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com the month.” month.” It’s the metro-Atlanta area. Discount Double Check. the the metro-Atlanta area. Conyers, GA 30094 home delivery: $15 year to make sure you’re saving $909,355 in $15 2015. home delivery: aa year Bus: 770-483-4134 all you can. And it’s free. The only way to raise enough The only way to raise It’s enough Call 770-728-1418 770-728-1418 a quick and easy way Like a good neighbor, Call wally@wallytaylor.com Seesaving rockdalenews.com for money to achieve achieve either either of ofmake thesesure you’re State Farm is there. for See rockdalenews.com to these County ups CREDC funding money to or subscribe subscribe online at rockrockor online at CALL ME TODAY. Wally Taylor, Agent the full story tasks is with a tax increase, Ramby $25,000 the full story Get them all with tasks is with a tax increase, Ramall you can. And it’s free. dalenews.com 885 Honey Creek Road
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“We gave him the budget for $260,000 in funding from city, the past six years,” said Jones. county, Rockdale County De“He felt like it was incomplete velopment Authority and addiThe News The and wanted justification for tional revenue. Jones saysNews that expenses. I wasn’t here then.” still falls about $10,000 short of News Brief full stories at rockdalenews.com NEWS BRIEF || full stories ROCKDALENEWS.COM Jones started work asat directhe CREDC’s proposed operator of the CREDC on Novem- tion budget for next year, so the ber 18, 2013. board may still have to dip into Also, even though the its reserves. CREDC receives taxpayRockdale County Public Sat., May 23, 23, 2015, 2015, 88 a.m. a.m. High -- Sat., County Public May erRockdale money, they don’t have to High Ethics board Schools announced high school school Schools announced high share certain information with The board approved a new graduation ceremonies will bea ethics Flu hits FSE, JHE hard the publicceremonies because it’s notbe board ordinance that will graduation will held at the the Ga. Ga. entity. Int’l Horse Horse Park Park replace governmental its current ordinance Rockdale public schools were held at Int’l Rockdale public schools were Now as that which passed intocases law and in in spring spring as thethe threeorganization high school school hit hit with withwas wave of flu flu cases and in the three high aa wave of has more funding, Oden wants other 2008, but never in initiated. stadiums have their grass grass replaced other sicknesses sicknesses in the the week week bebestadiums have their replaced to more accomplished by the fore Thewinter new ordinance will have with artificial turf. break, which which starts with artificial turf. fore winter break, starts CREDC. aDec. three-member board with Dates and and times times are: are: Heritage Heritage Dec. 20. On Thursday, Flat Shoals Dates 20. On Thursday, Flat RockShoals “My budget proposal did not appointments from 10.6 the Elementary reported reported percent High -- Thurs., Thurs., May May 21, 21, 2015,be10.6the percent High 2015, 66 Elementary call for an increase mainly dale Bar Association, Coof students students were were absent absent and JH JH and p.m.; Rockdale County High Rock- of p.m.; causeRockdale I want County to see High more// Rockvalue nyers-Rockdale Chamber of House Elementary Elementary hadRockdale 10.2 perperHouse had 10.2 dale Magnet School for Sci. and Tech. for the county taxpayer’s current Commerce and the dale Magnet School for Sci. and Tech. cent absent, absent, while other schools schools other to CREDC,” said cent Coalition ofwhile Homeowners and Fri.,May May22, 22,2015, 2015, p.m.;Salem Salem --contribution Fri., 66p.m.; had 8 to 9 percent absent. 8 toAssociations. 9 percent absent. Oden in a released statement. had Civic
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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 2014 •• 33
NEWSBriefs BRIEFS| full | fullstory storyatat News
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Suspected Suspected serialkiller killer serial haslocal local has history history AnAtlanta Atlantaman manaccused accused An fatallyshooting shootingfour fourpeopeoofoffatally ple- two - twohomeless homelesspeople, people,a a ple mentallyillillman manand anda aCobb Cobb mentally Countyhairstylist hairstylist- -was wasa a County Rockdale County County resident resident Rockdale overa adecade decadeago agoand andhad had over run-ins with with law law enforceenforcerun-ins mentwhile whileininthe thearea. area. ment Aeman Lovel Lovel Presley, Presley, Aeman now34, 34,was was involved involved inin now family violence violence dispute dispute a a family RockdaleononApril April 19, 19, ininRockdale 2003,where wherehehethreatened threatened 2003, shootand andkill killhis hismother, mother, totoshoot herfriend friendand andthe thedeputies deputies her calledtotothe thescene. scene. called Presleywas wasalso alsoarrested arrested Presley December2002 2002when whenhehe ininDecember threatenedemployees employeesatatthe the threatened Conyers Carmike Carmike Cinema Cinema Conyers anda adeputy deputyafter afterhehewas was and firedthere. there. fired MartinRand Rand - -Martin
Melinda Hawkins Hawkins was the first to Melinda find our our Santa Santa figurine figurine in the Dec. 6 find hunt at at the the Lorraine Lorraine Trailhead to the hunt Rockdale South South River River PATH trail and Rockdale the winner winner of of the the $50 prize. No isisthe Santa was was turned turned in for the Dec. 13 Santa hunt. For For fresh fresh clues clues this week on hunt. Santa’s location, location, turn turn to page 9. Santa’s
Ga.Association AssociationofofChiefs ChiefsofofPolice PolicePresident Presidentand and Monroe Monroe Police Police Chief Chief Keith Keith Ga. Glass,CPD CPDOfficer OfficerStephen StephenJ.J.Blanchette, Blanchette,Gov. Gov. Nathan Nathan Deal, Deal, Conyers Conyers Police Police Glass, ChiefGene GeneWilson. Wilson.Submitted Submittedphoto photo Chief
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The News
4 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
RMC’s Year of Accomplishments RMC Expands services News Brief | full story at rockdalenews.com
A
s 2014 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings I have received throughout this year. Each day I have the opportunity to witness joy, grief, miracles and compassion. I often tell the staff at Rockdale Medical Center, “We are human beings taking care of human beings,” and I truly believe we have some of the best people in the industry Deborah working here at RMC to care for Armstrong CEO, you and me. Rockdale Our commitMedical ment to develCenter oping our staff is a point of pride. In 2014 we graduated our first Leadership Academy class. The class consisted of both clinical and non-clinical employees that, I believe, are the future leaders of this organization. Their mandatory classes included topics such as Dealing with Difficult Employees and Emotional Intelligence. Our second class is well under way
and I look forward to watching these new leaders grow over the coming years. I am also proud of the support we, as an organization, provide for our community. Since 2010, Rockdale Medical Center has contributed over $2 million dollars annually in taxes which support our city, county and state. With over 1,200 employees, RMC is one of the largest employers in the region. We are committed to ensuring the delivery of needed healthcare to all members of our community, regardless of the ability to pay. In 2013, RMC provided over $9 million in uncompensated care. In September we finalized a partnership with Piedmont Healthcare. Our shared commitment to high quality healthcare available close to home for our patients made this an ideal collaboration. During this same time, we received approval from the State of Georgia to pursue an Interventional Cardiology program. We will work with Piedmont to build this program at Rockdale, and beginning in April 2015 patients in Conyers and surrounding communities will no longer need to drive into Atlanta for this service. We were also recognized by The
Joint Commission for the second year as a Top Performer in services for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Surgery. In November, the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care recognized Rockdale Medical Center as a Chest Pain Center. Each of these accomplishments signifies our continued commitment to providing the best we can in services to our community, as well as our relentless pursuit of excellence in the services we perform. I believe that good health begins with having access to primary care services, and we are fortunate to partner with local physicians that support our vision. I am pleased to announce that we are continuing to expand primary care services into Social Circle and, soon, in south Rockdale with a new urgent care location. While I am thankful for all of the many accomplishments we, as a hospital, have achieved throughout the year, I know that it is because of you, the patient, that we are successful. Your support and belief in our organization is the reason we exist. I am humbled that you allow us to share in some of your happiest and saddest moments. It is with a grate-
1301 Sigman Rd NE #230, Conyers, GA 30012 • 678-609-4912
Rockdale Medical Center is looking at opening a second Georgia Primary and Urgent Care location in the first quarter of 2015 in south Rockdale at the corner of Ga. Highway 212 and Ga. Highway 20. The hours at the second location will help patients access medical care after work hours, according to a hospital spokesperson. RMC is also expanding its internal medicine general practice in Social Circle. Dr. Anne Grant, who practices out of Covington, is currently at the Social Circle office on Wednesdays and will also be there on Tuesdays starting January 6.
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Opinion the
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Our Thoughts Christmas Spirit If you’re like us it’s even harder to get in the spirit of things with the economy still in the pits, a government we can’t trust and crime everywhere. If you don’t feel in the spirit, let us suggest a few things you can do that we are pretty sure will make you feel good. If you know someone that is struggling this year, go by a couple bags of groceries and leave them at their door. You don’t have to tell them who left them such a nice surprise. If you’re in the grocery store and the person in front of you is struggling to pay their bill offer to pay half or all of it. Instead of speeding through your neighborhood to go anywhere or to get home slow down if you see a neighbor stop and tell them Merry Christmas; it’s sure to bring a smile. If you have children or grandchildren hug them a little tighter. Make time to visit church, and thank the Good Lord for the many blessings you do have. These are all some thoughts to help your spirit this Christmas season. You might also call someone if they had done something for you this past year and tell them thanks again for helping you. If you know someone in the military, and especially if they are serving away from home, make sure their family has what it needs to enjoy their Christmas away from the family member they love. All of us here at the paper smile and enjoy the spirit when we think you might be enjoying our efforts to bring you a true community newspaper. So with days left, it’s time for you to get the spirit. We will watch for smile a true give away of a true Christmas Spirit.
I
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 RockdaleNews.com/opinion Page 5 Thoughts of a Baby Boomer
A Christmas to Remember
have always loved Christmas and its traditions; even as I have grown older, I find that really deep in my heart I still believe in Santa Claus and the spirit of the whole season, and I just can’t wait until I see the “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” re-runs at this time of year with the g r an d ch ildren. When I T. Pat was young Cavanaugh we had tradiPublisher tions as I am sure many of you have. For instance, the tree didn’t go up until Christmas Eve. Now that I look back, I think that tradition started because the trees were cheaper on Christmas Eve. When my dad brought the tree home, usually in the evening on Christmas Eve, the excitement was almost too much to bear. The duties of the day included going down to the water and gathering a wet bucket of sand for the tree, and my brother and sisters and I would decorate it. I know we didn’t always do it to the right specifications, and the truth of the matter is I still don’t according to Molly, but we knew then and I know now that Santa would straighten things out, and he always did and still does. We then would leave Santa some home-baked goodies. It’s funny. I never thought about it, but the goodies always turned out to be my father’s favorites. Off we would go to bed. I never could go to sleep it seemed, but somehow I would drift off for a couple of hours, and I would always awaken about 2 a.m., and the house would be pitch black, but I could smell the toys — such smells. I don’t think you can smell toys anymore. What a shame because the smells of a new bike or a wagon or Davy Crockett gun and hat are forever etched in my mind. The fact that Santa always came when I was in my short fitful sleep just made him seem even more real. We had a rule at our house — we could not get up until 6 a.m.
The four-hour wait to see my toys and gifts was almost unbearable. In fact, one year I couldn’t stand it. I set all the clocks ahead one hour and woke everybody up at what turned out to be 5 a.m. I can still hear my parents talking to each other about how dark it was outside. Soon it was time for us to go to morning Mass and for the first time that I could remember we did not have to stand up for the entire mass because of the Christmas crowd because we were there a full hour before everybody else, including the priest. My parents finally had to tell me at the age of 13 that there was no Santa Claus, and they gave me the old “he is a spirit” speech. I don’t know why I listened because later when they gave me the old sex speech I barricaded myself in the bathroom until they gave up. Of course, I knew Santa was really a spirit. That’s why he knew what I wanted every Christmas and how he knew to come to my house when I was in a fitful sleep. I think I was told because I was starting to become an embarrassment to my parents, since I was the only kid in eighth grade at St. Mary’s that still believed there was a Santa and still wrote him on a regular basis. The following spring, when my parents had to tell me there was no Easter Bunny, they probably started thinking I could use some help in dealing with reality. In fact, I probably still at times have that same problem. Later, when I had my own family, we continued my Christmas traditions. To this day, the kids still feel Christmas is not Christmas unless they are with us, and seeing my grandchildren with the sparkle in their eyes after Santa has come brings tears of joy to my eyes and makes my heart skip a beat. I had one tradition that always made my season. One year the kids were all gone, and Molly’s mother talked us into going on a cruise, so we booked one from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta with stops at other famous Mexican resort destinations along the way. I could say this cruise was really the cruise from the deepest parts of hell, but believe me that would not even touch how bad it
really was. At first I was excited to go. I brought my shorts and bathing suit and my little snorkeling mask. I was ready for a week of some Coronas and scenery watching. First it took us three hours to board the ship because we ended up in a line that included seven people in wheelchairs, 14 with canes and six with walkers. Our room turned out to be a 10-foot by 10-foot dark cave, but we did have a porthole and a toilet at the foot of the bed that covered up to make a nice chair. Unfortunately, the porthole didn’t open, which later proved a blessing as we went through a terrific storm, and at times the waves were higher than the porthole, and as I watched the fish swim by during this storm, even they looked scared. The first day out to sea I put on my bathing suit collected my favorite book and preceded to the pool deck, surprise, there was no water in the pool. The pool had broken on the last trip and the promised warm Mexican Riviera temperature was about 55 degrees. I’m still not upset, because after all, it was Christmas. Soon it was time to go get our assignments for meals. Either you received an assignment for the early seating or the late one. In those days I had stomach problems and I needed to eat at the early setting. That’s when I found out, after standing in line for some time, that the average age of the people on the ship was 83.4, and every one of those folks were there to sign up for the early seating. No matter how many Rolaids I took for the rest of the trip, my stomach never adjusted to those late seating’s. Later I found out more things about this ship. I had actually seen it being towed into the harbor in Norfolk, VA. While I was on a boat watching fireworks a few years earlier after it burned and nearly sank off the Virginia Coast, I also found out that this was the last trip for this ship, as it was going to Russia to be used as floating hotel for Eskimos. The entertainment was nice, but I didn’t know how to do the
Charleston, nor did I ever learn, and I was never very good playing checkers. Finally I started getting up early so I could be first in line for bingo. If you were part of the first 50 in line you received extra cards. Molly had to rescue me on my first and final visit to bingo because after I had a few (dozen) Bloody Mary’s, I thought I would lighten up the crowd. So I started yelling Bingo soon after the numbers were called. Actually I thought my sarcasm was funny and I really thought my fellow bingo players were being amused; they weren’t. I still have scars on my legs from the canes, and do you know that some of these older folks with walkers have great upper-body strength? On Christmas Day we stopped at Mazatlan and spent the day at Señor Frogs, and so did the crew, which should have been scary. But I was glad to be with them because they were the youngest faces I had seen for almost a week. I fell asleep that night dreaming not about the ship from hell but the great times Christmas had brought me, and I was so glad that there was a Santa spirit or not. I hope you and your families have a great Christmas, and no matter where you are, give everyone a great big hug for me. Merry Christmas. Here is a little toast for you. “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.”
HAVE YOUR SAY We welcome letters to the editor. Letters must be 350 words or less. They should be limited to issues of public interest and may be edited for content, grammar, spelling and length. • Mail: Editor, The News, 1009 Milstead Ave., Suite 200, Conyers, GA 30012 • Email: news@rockdalenews. com
The News
6 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
Letters to Santa
Eastminster’s first grade and kindergarten students make requests from jolly Ol’ St. Nick
For more letters, visit rockdalenews.com
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The News
10 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
The fairest of them all
“I celebrated my 95th birthday this September,” Kathleen said proudly, then crooned in a robust voice, “Sometimes PETE MECCA I grew weary COLUMNIST and wearier, and life became dreary and drearier, but then I was told, ‘you’re not getting old, you’re just chronologically superior.’ And it’s nice to be superior in at least one category, don’t you think?” Kathleen Eidson, originally in Norwegian, Ejdson, shoulders superiority in the noblest category of all: a superior human being. She is also a United States Marine. The little town of Coffeeville, Alabama received Kathleen, the youngest of 10 Eidson children, into the community on Sept. 15, 1919, the same day her oldest brother, also a Marine, came home from The Great War, better known as World War One. A sister later served as a Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps and a brother, Tom, lost his life while serving as a Captain on Anzio Beach in the spring of 1944. Kathleen’s physician father passed away when she was 6 years old. She said, “We moved to LaGrange, GA in 1925. One of my brothers worked as the high school principal then accepted a position at the old Atlanta Boy’s High School, so we moved to Atlanta to keep the family together. I graduated from the old Atlanta Girl’s High School when I was 15 years old.” Kathleen found employment at a local bank. She recalled her decision to join the Marines. “When my brother, Tom, lost his life on Anzio Beach, I decided it was time to do my part for the war effort. Since my oldest brother was a Marine, and lived the creed of ‘once a Marine, always a Marine,’ I admired him and wanted to be like him. I enlisted in February, 1945, in the United States Marine Corps Women Reserves, called the USMCWR. We enlisted for the duration of the war.” At 26 years of age, Kathleen Eidson traveled by train to Camp Lejeune, NC. “I thought that place was huge,” she said. “It gave me an insight into military service. I eventually became a paymaster because of my banking background.” Asked about her transition to military life, she responded, “Well, you learned to live by a timetable, you answered the call to duty every morning
when the bugle sounded reveille or played the colors. We slept in bunk beds, and you had better be sure a quarter could bounce off your sheets in the morning after you made your bed.” On training assignments: “I had to take care of the Head (latrine). That included the open shower stalls and the ‘facilities’ that were not open for public viewing. One time I came back from paymaster duties to find my name listed for EPD, extra police duty. I was in trouble; The Head had not passed inspection. A bar of soap was discovered in a shower soap holder. Well, I knew something was wrong, but when the D.I. asked, ‘Do you have an excuse, private?’ Of course I answered, “No excuse, sir!” That was always the official response. Another Marine had returned from mess duty and took a shower after I’d cleaned and inspected the Head, but you don’t rat on your group, you accept the discipline and work as a team, because a unit has more influence than an individual. Anyway, I picked up cigarette butts around the area for over a week.” On Marine Corps Drill Instructors: Kathleen crooned another ditty, “His voice is rough, he’s tough and gruff, he calls us down when we strut our stuff, and he’s salty, oh me oh my, the D.I. from P.I. (Paris Island).” She added, “We considered the D.I.s to be, ‘in a class by themselves.’ Once a new D.I. came in for training by the older D.I. The new D.I. lined us up and kept demanding ‘Heads up, shoulders back, step out!’ The old D.I. just kept watching. The new D.I. said things like, ‘number 3, step forward, now, number 8, step back a little,’ in his mind we didn’t line up properly. The old D.I. finally told him, ‘line them up and gaze down their backs, not their fronts, and they will be in order.’ You see, some of us were better endowed than others so there was no way to line up perfectly in front.” On military chow: “I thought it was good. I remember the first time we went to mess. I got my food and took the tray to a table, sat down, and ate at my normal pace. Well, I finished and looked around. Patrol 45, my unit, was gone. I hustled outside and there they were, all lined up waiting for me, and singing, ‘Here we stand like birds in the wilderness, waiting for our chow hound.’ From then on I was never the last one out of the mess hall.” Kathleen observed hand to hand combat training, flame throwers and a wide variety of weapon demonstrations. “We
ran an obstacle course but it sure wasn’t as challenging as the men’s course. After completing the 6 week basic training course, I stayed on as paymaster but a lot of the girls fell into jobs normally held by male Marines. Early in the war lady Marines could be assigned about 20 different duties, but by 1945 the ladies were holding down over 300 types of duty to free up more men for the final push of the war.” On being a lady Marine, Kathleen said, “The Commandant ordered ‘no cutsie acronyms for the lady Marines, but every day going back to the barracks some smart mouth would make a noise like a rocket, one for each lady Marine, like, ‘Fire one, Fire two……fuueeewwwwww….. Bam!’ Well, we thought BAM meant Beautiful American Marine, when in fact it meant Broad A_ _ Marine. We protested to the camp newspaper and they actually printed an article about how male Marines should respect us for holding down jobs so they could fight, that we were critical to the war effort, and we perform admirably. The paper said we were WR’s, which meant Women Reserves. Well, the very next Monday my friend and I were walking back to our barracks when suddenly, ‘Fire one, Fire two…………fuueewwwww…. Bam!’ Another male Marine told the guy, ‘Hey, we can’t do that anymore. We’re to call them WR.’ The smart mouth said, ‘Well, it the same thing, Wide Rear-ends.’ Sometimes you just can’t win.” Corporal Kathleen Eidson was discharged in June, 1946. She worked 1 month for the same bank then accepted a position at the Lathem Time Corporation as Company Comptroller. She retired as Vice-President of Finance after 37 years. She has a permanent affiliation with the Women Marine Association, has addressed the Georgia legislature, sings with a Lady Marines Glee Club called the ‘Sometimes Singers’: “We will sing for thee, sometimes, even sing on key, sometimes, when the notes you hear fall on your ear, we will bring you cheer, sometimes.” Kathleen presents programs at retirement centers, AARP groups, civic organizations, and considers herself a professional ‘Humorist-Story Teller.’ Her attitude, “Live Happily Ever Laughter.” She writes original poetry and instructs classes at the Senior University of Greater Atlanta at Mercer University and the Emory Academy of Retired Profes-
sionals at Emory University. Her motto: “We don’t stop laughing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop laughing.” She’s climbed the Great Wall of China, has taken a hot air balloon over the Serengeti in Kenya, took a month long trip to Tahiti on a cargo freighter, shot the Chattahooche in a raft, and has bragging rights of visiting all 50 states and all 7 continents. “I love people,” she said. “And I love to laugh; and love people with a sense of humor. One lady without a tooth in her head from Cabbage Town once told me, ‘I guess I’m at that awkward age: too young for Medicare, and too old for men-to-care.’ What a lovely sense of humor she had.” A devout Methodist, a patriot, and great American, Kathleen broke into another song she wrote before the interview concluded: “When I was in boot camp, I really was slimmer; With marching and work-
outs my figure was trimmer; But now that I’m older, I face a dilemma, Because I am no longer fair. When I was in boot camp, the men were attentive; To ward off their passes took measures inventive; Now getting an escort, I need an incentive, Because I am no longer fair. When I was in boot camp, a cute smile I crinkled; Now all of my facial and neck skin is wrinkled; My once raven tresses with gray hairs are sprinkled, And so I am no longer fair.”
I disagree. This journalist had the honor and privilege to meet and interview the fairest one of all: Corporal Kathleen Eidson. Pete Mecca is a Vietnam veteran, columnist and freelance writer. You can reach him at aveteransstory@gmail.com or aveteransstory.us.
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Sports PATRIOTS on a ROLL By Shakeem Holloway
T
sholloway@rockdalenews.com
hings got off to a rocky start for Heritage early on in the season. The Patriots boys basketball team lost their first two games, one of which was a region game. But now the team is on a fourgame winning streak at 4-2 overall and 3-1 in Region 8-AAAAA. The Patriots’ season opener against Newton resulted in a 51-41 loss. A loss that Vernon Denmark, Heritage head coach, says allowed Heritage to take a look in the mirror and fix themselves. “We’re steadily improving,” Denmark said. “The Newton game was good for us because it showed us a lot of our deficiencies that we went back and we tried to work and did a lot of things better, especially on the defensive end. I feel like the first six games we played, thus far we’ve played some pretty good defense. We just got to get our offense going a little better.” The Patriots could easily be 5-1 and on top of the region if it wasn’t for their 62-59 loss to Gainesville (8-0, 3-0 region). However, Denmark is still content with the team’s start. “It’s a combination of things,” Denmark said when asked what area he’d give credit to for the team’s recent streak. “We definitely play well together as a team. Being able to bring back eight of our top 10 guys from last year’s team helped out a lot. We’ve got a lot of team chemistry. But at the same time, defense is definitely carrying us in games at this point in the season. I think only one time this season we’ve cracked 60 points (twice actually) and it’s one of our goals to at least get 60 points in a game. But at the same time the fact that we’re 4-2 overall shows that we’ve been holding other teams under 60 points. Defensively we’ve been doing a pretty decent job thus far.” Decent is probably an understatement. The Patriots held Butler (7-1, 1-0 Region 3-AAA) to its lowest points total of the season in a thrilling 59-58 victory. That same defense held strong against Lanier by making stops in crunch time as Heritage escaped with a 63-62 win. “Everything is a learning experience. I think that having those close games is going to help us even more so than if we would have won by larger margins of victory. Now we’re going to understand in the future that we can play in close games, that we can execute in the and and pull of a victory in a close game when we need to,” Denmark said. “In the Butler game they actually had the lead with about 20 seconds left or maybe a little bit less and we were able to execute at the end and
get a bucket to go back up by one on them,” he added. “In the Lanier game we had to get a couple of stops at the end, so we’ve kind of shown that we can finish a game offensively or defensively. I’m pleased about the fact that we were able to pull those wins off, but hopefully we’ll be able to learn from those situations and be more prepared to handle games like that down the stretch.” Denmark says offensive growth is the team’s focus right now. At a Thursday practice the team ram through a number of plays on offense – halfcourt sets and inbounds plays. Jordan Thomas, a 6-foot-1 sophomore and the team’s leading scorer at 12.2 points per game, has been playing really well offensively as of late. Thomas has scored 14, 22 and 18 points in his last three games. “Right now offensively I think our most consistent scorer has been Jordan Thomas,” Denmark said. “He’s kind of getting his groove going offensively.” Thomas isn’t doing it alone, Isaiah Banks and Makyle Wilkerson have been key contributors as well. “Isaiah Banks has been very consistent for us offensively and rebounding the basketball. Isaiah is very athletic so he’s that type of kid, who can have a breakout game at any given time,” Denmark said fondly. “Makyle Wilkerson, our junior center, who controls the boards for us. One thing that I’m really pleased with out of Makyle is that he doesn’t mind taking charges. I think right now he’s averaging about three charges a game. With us not being very big, not having a lot of shot blocking – him taking those charges allows us the opportunity to still be able to get shots on the defensive end,” Denmark added. Despite currently being third in the region and two games above .500, Denmark says his team can still improve. “We want to get better at making sure we pay attention to the details – the small things. Making sure that we minimise our turnovers and things like that, making sure that we box out and rebound the basketball well. All those things,” Denmark said. “In all of our games so far we really haven’t dominated any team that we’ve played. A part of that is we’re not doing the small things right now. I think that if we get back to a lot of the basics, get back to a lot of our fundamentals we’ll be able to be a little bit more successful. Even in our victories, we can have more decisive victories.”
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 Page 12 rockdalenews.com
HHS athlete of the week: Jordan Thomas
Shakeem Holloway/The News
Jordan Thomas has had an incredible run the past three games. He’s scored a total of 54 points in that timespan, helping to lift the Heritage Patriots to a 3-0 record in each game.
13 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
KYLEE
From front page
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The News
Despite reaching out to hospitals such as Johns Hopkins, St. Jude’s in Memphis, and the Centers for Disease Control, Felicia was left with more questions, equally baffled doctors and what little information she could find on the web. “All I have is Google, and Google is not telling me nothing,” said Felicia. “I’m not a doctor but I’m a mother and I know
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See KYLEE, Page 15
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besides finding someone with information for a KYLEE: cure, he said, HOWTO TOHELP HELP KYLEE: HOW
The News The News The News with a glint in his eye, he’d also love a go-cart.
GoFundMe account for Kylee Davis: www.gofundme.com/enhxik GoFundMe account for Kylee Davis: www.gofundme.com/enhxik Wells Fargo, donate to the Research Kylee’s Kikuchi Disease Wells Fargo, donate to the Research forfor Kylee’s Kikuchi Disease account account MajorLeague League Barbershop, 1427 Hwy 138, Conyers, will donate Major Barbershop, 1427 Hwy 138, Conyers, will donate 50 percent of all proceeds during Jan. 5-10 50 percent of all proceeds during Jan. 5-10 CopyCentral Central will print a sponsorship banner the name any Copy will print onon a sponsorship banner the name ofof any businessthat that donates $50 more business donates $50 oror more T-shirts,hats hats and hoodies for sale T-shirts, and hoodies for sale
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15 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 15••Saturday, Saturday,Dec. Dec.20, 20,2014 2014 15 fixing her vehicle for the doc- your son suffer and you can’t tor’s office visits. The Major do nothing about it,” she said. League barbershop is also hold- “I wouldn’t want nobody’s child From page 13 CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS ing a fundraiser, donating half to suffer the way Kylee has sufFrom page 13 From page 13 Courtesy Ford and managerRicky RickyRutledge, Rutledge,for forfixfixtheir proceeds Jan.and 5-10. fered.” Courtesy Ford manager and painful from the steroids, ing But she soldiers on for Kylee. Kylee, who turned 13 a few their truck so she can transport Kylee for doctors’ their truck so she can transport Kylee for doctors’ single mother, looking her ing“When but his mother, muscleslooking are weak single atat and her he wakes up and I see weeks ago, wants to get back visits;Discount DiscountTire Tireand andmanager managerHugo HugoVeliz Velizfor forproprosonwith with loveininher her eyes.ther“It’s visits; leave him love needing physical son eyes. “It’s him, that’s pretty much what to being just a normal child. He viding new tires;said Churches including Crawfordville just trying tryingtotoget getthe thepieces piecesofof viding apy. new tires; Churches Crawfordville just keeps me smiling,” the sin- including is homeschooled with a tutor the“It’s puzzle. We’ve gotback talk been a battle and the puzzle. We’ve got tototalk toto Baptist, Baptist, GFCC, New Hope Baptist, Eastside Baptist; gle mother, looking at her sonBaptist, provided by Rockdale County GFCC, New Hope Eastside Baptist; theright right person.” She saidshe she forth, in and out theShe hospital, in with the person.” said love in her eyes. “It’s just Public Schools but misses beSoundPro; Lightning Pawn, Coneyrs; Real Cherry’s Ice Lightning Pawn, Coneyrs; Real Cherry’s Ice hasout faith that God is is going going and thethat doctor’s office. He’s has faith God toto SoundPro; trying to get the pieces of the ing in school and being around CreamatatStonecrest; Stonecrest;Outback OutbackSteakhouse SteakhouseininConyers; Conyers; put the the rightnew person herlife life Cream been getting symptoms evput right person ininher puzzle. We’ve got to talk to the other children. He likes to draw Discount. Discount. who willknow knowmore moreabout abouthow how Copy Discount. ery day.” Copy Central; Conyers Middle School who will Central; Conyers Middle School right person.” She said sheDiscount. has and create and build things and Discount. treat thisweeks disease. A few ago Kylee’s faith that God is going to putDiscount. tototreat this disease. Discount. the Discount. dreams of attending the SavanDiscount. Discount. “It’s hard motherturning see right person in her life whoDiscount. hands and feet began “It’s hard asas mother totosee Discount. will nah College of Art and Design Discount. Discount. Kylee isis indeed indeed a a normal normal mationfor fora acure, cure, said,with witha a Kylee mation hehesaid, Discount. your son son trembling. suffer and andAfter you can’t can’t know your suffer you white and rushDiscount. Discount. more about how to treat someday. Discount. 13-year-old.For ForChristmas, Christmas,bebe- glint glintininhis hiseye, eye,he’d he’dalso alsolove lovea a do nothing nothing about it,”she she said. 13-year-old. do about it,” said. ing him to the hospital, doctors this disease. Kylee is indeed a normal sides findingsomeone someonewith withinforinfor- go-cart. go-cart. finding wouldn’t want nobody’s sides “I“I wouldn’t want found Kylee had beennobody’s bleeding “It’s hard as mother to see 13-year-old. For Christmas, child suffer the the way Kylee child suffer Kylee in his toto stomach andway needed a Discount. Discount. Discount. hassuffered.” suffered.” has blood transfusion. Wally Taylor, Agent Wally Taylor, Agent Wally Taylor, Agent Wally Taylor, Agent Get them all with Discount. Get all with Discount. Wally Taylor, Agent Get them withthem Get them allall with Wally Taylor, Agent Get them all Discount. with 885 Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road Get them all with Kylee, whoturned turned 13avisits afew few Kylee, who 13 The constant doctor’s 885 Honey Creek Road Discount Check. Discount Double Check. 885 Honey Creek Road Discount Double Check. Discount Double Check. Double Conyers, GA 30094 Conyers, GA 30094 Conyers, GA 30094 Conyers, GA 30094 Discount Double Check. Discount Double Check. Conyers, GA 30094 Conyers, GA 30094 Bus: 770-483-4134 Bus: 770-483-4134 Bus: 770-483-4134 Bus: 770-483-4134 Discount. Discount. weeks ago, get weeks ago, wants wants getback back Bus: 770-483-4134 and vigilance have toto taken their Bus: 770-483-4134 Discount. It’sIt’s a quick and easy It’ seasy away quick and easy way a quick and way It’ s a quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com It’s a quick and easy It’ s away quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com to to make sure you’re saving make sure you’re savingsure to make you’re saving to make sure you’re saving toto being aa normal being just normal child. to make sureto you’re saving sure toll. Feliciajust is struggling tochild. make make you’re saving all all you can. And it’s free. you can. And it’s free. can. you And it’s free. all you And it’s free. all you can. all And it’s free.can. all you can. And it’s free. He with aa He is is homeschooled homeschooled with Like a good neighbor, Like a good neighbor, ends meet and to keep the lights Like aa good neighbor, Like good neighbor, Like a good neighbor, good neighbor, State Farm is Like there. State Farm is there.a Farm isis there. State there. tutor tutor provided by Rockdale Rockdale State FarmState is there. Farm on. Sheprovided had not by been able to State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY . CALL ME TODAY. CALL ME TODA Y.Y. CALL ME TODA CALL ME TODAY . County Schools but CALL Y. all with Wally Taylor, Agent County Public Schools but Wally Taylor, Agent ME TODA work full Public time since the disease Get them Get them all with Wally Taylor, Agent 885 Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road Get them all with Discount Double Check. Wally Taylor, Agent 885 Honey Creek Road Discount Double Check. Wally Taylor, Agent Conyers, GA 30094 misses being in school and beConyers, GA 30094 misses being in school and beGet them all770-483-4134 with Discount Double Check. Get them all with flared back up. She is apprecia- 885 Wally Taylor, Agent Conyers, GA 30094 Bus: 770-483-4134 Bus: Get them all with Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road It’s a quick and easy way Bus: 770-483-4134 It’s a quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com Honey Creek Road ing around other He Discount Double Check. ingof around other children. He 885 It’s a quick and easy way Discount Double Check. tive the help fromchildren. the commuwally@wallytaylor.com Conyers, toto make sure you’re saving Conyers,GA GA30094 30094 make sure you’re saving Discount Double Check. Conyers, GA 30094 to make sure you’re saving Bus: 770-483-4134 allall you can. And it’sit’s free. likes toto draw and create Bus:770-483-4134 770-483-4134 you can. And free. likesfrom draw and create and and nity, various fundraisers to wally@wallytaylor.com Bus: all you can. neighbor, And it’s free. It’s a quick and easy way It’s a quick and easy way Like a good Like a good neighbor, wally@wallytaylor.com It’s a quick and easy way build and dreams atLikeFarm a good neighbor, buildthings things andGoFundMe dreamsofofacat- wally@wallytaylor.com State is is there. donations to the State Farm there. totomake makesure sureyou’re you’resaving saving CALL State Farm is there. ME TODAY . . to make sure you’re saving tending the Savannah College CALL ME TODAY tending the Savannah College Wally Taylor, Agent count and Wells Fargo account Wally Taylor, Agent CALL ME TODAY. Get them all with all you can. And it’s free. Get them all with Wally Taylor, Agent allyou you can.And And it’sfree. free. 885 Honey Creek Road Get them all with 885 Honey Creek Road all can. it’s of Art and Design someday. of Art and Design someday. Discount Double Check. 885 Honey Creek Road to help from local businesses in Discount Double Check. Check. 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16 • Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
The News
The Rockdale Rockers A 55 & Older Social Club
Rockdale Medical Center Social Gatherings, Monthly Lunches, Health Education, Screenings & More!
The Rockdale Rockers will meet on the third Thursday of each month 11:30-1:00 for lunch, guest speakers, bingo and much more! Meetings are located in the East Tower Classrooms Annual ‘VIP’ membership $15 for one year; two year membership $25 For More Information: Deanne Mance 770-918-3908 • Jessica Smith 770-918-3190 Marianne Freeman 770-918-3111 • Charlene Rodriguez 770-918-3124 2015 SCHEDULE January 15 .............................................................. Darrell Huckaby, Local Author February 19 .......................................................................................... Heart Healthy March 19 ...............................................................................Don’t be Scammed... April 16 ....................................................................On the Move; Staying Active May 21..................................................................................Home Improvements June 18 ..................................................................................... Medication Safety July 16 ........................................... Estate Planning, Living Wills, & Funeral Planning August 20 .........................................................................All About Hospice Care September 17............................................................................All About Urology October 15 .................................................... All About Supplemental Insurance November 19 .............................................................................All About ‘Joints’ December 17 ............................................................................... Christmas Party
RSVP 1-800-424-3627 • Please RSVP one week in advance