WEDNESDAY’S LIST . . . of beans ’n greens ’n other things: * * * WOODLAND’S “Social Center” is back in business.

And the long table that holds early morning sessions on all things of little importance (with a good bit of “storying” thrown in), seldom has a vacant seat for latecomers.

I’m talking about the old Citgo station on Alabama 46 just outside town. It has re-opened and, to paraphrase an old line, is a place where “if you don’t know what you’re doing, somebody (at the table) does.”

The new name is “Tidwell’s Bobcat Den,” which of course is a bow to the town’s athletic teams at Woodland High. In early morning there is a steady stream of teen-agers stopping in on their way to school.

The owner is Donald Tidwell. I didn’t get to talk with Mr. Tidwell the morning of “my homecoming,” but H.E. Daniel, assures me “he’s pretty nice fella, I’ll tell you that.”

* * * IN SUNDAY’S column, I told you about a free coat program initiated by Debbie Young at Smith’s Cleaners in Saks. The deal is if you have a coat you don’t need, drop it off at the cleaners. Debbie cleans the coats and then they are available at the Calhoun County Baptist Service Centers.

What I didn’t have for you are the hours, 10-2 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

One center is at 65 Colton Drive in Friendship, the other on Lenlock Lane in Saks.

The column brought an email from a William Cagle, who lives in West Covina, Calif., some 20 miles from Pasadena. Cagle spent his childhood in Oxford, White Plains and DeArmanville.

“I have some fond memories from there,” writes William, “and I may retire to the South in a couple of years.”

I had suggested “Coats for The Cold” for Debbie’s program, but there is a similar deal where Cagle lives. It’s called “Jackets for Jesus.”

That sounds better than mine.

* * * OUR CHOIR director at Blue Mountain Baptist soldiers on ... despite a broken arm from a driveway fall last week.

By “soldiering” on, I’m referring to our annual Christmas Cantata Sunday, a lovely and well-done program scripted and directed by Sandra.

The lady is special ...

* * * BIRTHDAYS: Dec. 10 — Christine Burton; Dec. 11 — Destiny Welch, Hannah People, Eddie Tankersley and Leigh Wadkins; Dec. 12 — Hules Middlebrook, Anne Craft, Woodrow Wood and Dallas Johns; Dec. 13 — Banks Cotton; Dec. 14 — James Williams, Fran Nolen, Kathy Pool, Rev. Finley Holdbrook and Ray Parris; Dec. 15 — Anna Laurie Cotton.

* * * TOP TEEN: The spotlight this morning is on Alexandria, where Sara Ashton Reaves holds center stage.

Ashton carries a 3.98 GPA toward an advanced with honors diploma. Her ACT is a solid 28 off studies in pre-calculus and English 12 in dual enrollment.

A member of the National Honor Society, Ashton is president of the FCCLA, a member of the Principal’s Club, Christian Club, Key Club, and on the math team. Her math studies have her in that honor society, Mu Alpha Theta.

She has been yearbook editor for two years, is on the school newspaper staff, was a majorette and co-captain for two years, and was the senior class homecoming representative.

Ashton is Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a Relay for Life and Soup Kitchen volunteer.

She has been accepted to the University of Alabama Honors College, and will enter UA in the fall.

“Ashton is an outstanding leader in our school and community,” says counselor Kelli Johnson. “She excels both academically and in extracurricular activities. Our school has been privileged to have such a wonderful young lady in our student body.”

Proud parents are Randal and Gina Reaves of Alexandria.

Let the applause begin ...

-----

George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or email: gsmith731@gmail.com