Amanda Long has been named "Teen Volunteer of the Year" by the Georgia Health Care Association. (Photo contributed) Amanda Long was named "Teen Volunteer of the Year" by Georgia Health Care. There are more than 300 nursing homes who are members of the association. Amanda is the daughter of David and Tina Long and the granddaughter of Marilyn Reddick.

She has a Millen connection, as she is the granddaughter of Anne Long and the late Olin Parker Long Jr., also known as "Trixie." Mr. Long served in public service in the area for many years.

Amanda entertains with song and dance. She is involved in the pet therapy, as she brings "Buddy" to visit. She escorts residents to and from activities. She helps serve refreshments, assists with the bulletin board decorations and helps with Bingo in the summer months. She takes part in the special events including valentine balls, pageants and the Christmas galas. She will be recognized at the State Awards Luncheon in October, to be held in Columbus.

The mission group of Memorial Baptist Church will receive honors at the same luncheon, as they were named "Group of the Year" by the state.

Syl-View will also receive first place in "radio," with state honors. They are in the top three in Special Events and Total Community Involvement. They will be recognized in October and learn if they placed first, second or third.

We had a great time at the Flip-Flop Party. Lee Baker played the keyboard and sang, as residents, staff and volunteers kept time to the music. There were staff members wearing flip-flops with matching uniforms. There were men and women volunteers helping to serve the chicken wings, pimento cheese sandwiches, lemonade and cookies decorated like flip-flops by Glinnice Parker. This was a recreational activity, with fun for all.

Dorothe and Bill Garrett led an educational program on the "cliff dwellers" for the residents recently. They were able to travel out West by armchair as the DVD was shown. Memorial Baptist Church members joined the Garretts as we celebrated Cecil Pye's 91st birthday with ice cream and cake. The activity cart was decorated for the occasion.

The courtyard is a rainbow of colors with the flowers in full bloom. We are so grateful for all of the rain that has fallen, but we are still in need of rain.

Thanks to all who have helped to provide the flowers with your gifts to the Activity Fund. It will soon be August, and we will have a "Flowering Fling" theme.