See Ya 2011

See Ya 2011. For some it has been a good year and for others it's just another year. I don't know if you have any one thing that really sticks out most in the year of 2011. For me, well to tell you the truth, I can even remember too much of this past year. But there were a few things that come to mind as I watch all these new year's bowl games on the tube tonight.
As for college football, it's been a good year for me being a Tiger fan. Clemson won the ACC and reach as high as number 7 in the AP polls of college football. Now I await to see if the Tigers can post an 11th win to cap off this season this coming Wednesday night in the Orange Bowl. Great season Tigers!!
As for baseball, this article isn't all sports but starts that way, the Braves did their usual job of stinking towards the end of the season. Baseball for me wasn't a total loss however as Madison County's Jake Westbrook made us proud by winning a key game in the world series paving the way to the Cardinals winning it all. Way to go Jake!
As for more of my highlights of this year, I have been able to get back into writing for the local newspaper here where I live. I have been writing opinion columns and helping cover a few sporting events. So subscribe to the Madison County Journal (http://www.mainstreetnews.com/) !!!! There's some free advertising!

My daughter Hannah is wrapping up her final year of middle school. She has loved playing volleyball and tennis for the Mustangs and now keeps her fingers crossed hoping she'll be part of the high school volleyball and tennis teams in the next school year. Thanks to Michelle Garrison and Shelley Parham for introducing Hannah to volleyball!! I had hopes for basketball but hey, I can't complain and I am gonna brag on my daughter in this article because it's not published in the paper so I can do that! I am very proud of Hannah!  She has enjoyed playing volleyball and tennis and has played really well. I can do without her playing basketball because I just want her to play something she can enjoy! She is also making good grades most importantly!!!!!!!
 Thank you to coach Rusty Beasley for allowing her to be part of the Mustang tennis team as well. And I thank you even though you are a former Georgia Bulldog.
Hannah celebrated her 13th birthday in 2011 and has started her teen years. Wow, where have the years gone!

In 2011 my niece Emily has been part of the Georgettes dance team at UGA and has done a really good job performing. Again, I am not and will never be a Georgia Bulldog but I am proud of her.
In 2011 I have logged in 22 years with my job with the Athens/Clarke County Government. I had to say farewell to my supervisor of 21 years this year as well. She was more than just a supervisor to me, she became family.

On a sad side of 2011, we lost an outstanding young man Tyler Moon. Even though I never got the opportunity to meet him-I know he was one special guy. I have never seen someone so young have such an impact on a community and a school as he did. His baseball and football jerseys were retired at the middle school as a tribute to him.
We also lost Buddy Christian this year. Buddy was a Madison County resident and a officer with the Athens/Clarke County Police. He was shot and killed in March of 2011 in the line of duty. Again, I am amazed at the impact one person can have on not just his community but the Athens area as well. I stood on side of the roadway watching as hundreds and hundreds of police cars from all over lined the Atlanta Highway following Buddy's funeral. A great tribute to a man that lost his life protecting and serving. It has also been amazing to read and hear of how not only this community but places all over the southeast have pulled together in support of Buddy's wife Melissa and their two small children.

Well I hear fireworks cutting loose outside-scaring my dogs to death so the hour must be near. So long 2011. Happy New Year to all my friends and God Bless!