The B.B. Johnston Shelter at Racine Park has been reserved for the 13th annual Brush Creek Grade School Reunion on Aug. 15. Bring a covered dish and your soft drinks and spend the afternoon with former classmates, friends and teachers.

I received an e-mail from Harold David Eastep, of Jay, Fla. He has had a pacemaker put in and is on the mend from that. He says he gets the Coal Valley News to read the B.A.R.N. column and keep up with the news “back home.”

Don’t forget the Nellis Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization auction March 14. It will begin at 6 p.m. Some of the items up for bids are trips to Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Myrtle Beach and tickets for the March 21 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Harold Lee “Boo-Gay” Graley, of Clarksville, Tenn., formerly of Ashford, says hello to all of his friends in this area. He relocated to Tennessee after he was laid off from Peabody Coal in 1987. He says he enjoys the B.A.R.N. news because it is his link to home.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Jeremy and Hannah Hudnall, of Ashford, on the birth of their daughter. Cayleigh Addison was born March 3, weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Proud grandparents are Mark and Kathy Hudnall, of Montgomery, and Brian and Kim Graley, of Ashford. Great-grandparents are Jerry and Jean Graley, of Ashford; Wilkie and Sue Barker, of Nellis; Dottie Hudnall, and Curt and Nancy Jones.

Patrick Ray Bowles earned a 4.0 grade point average on his report card. Congratulations, Patrick. He is the son of Kevin and Drema Bowles, of Costa.

SYMPATHY

Sincere sympathy to the family of Arlie "Ray" Kinder, of Nellis, who passed away March 3 at the age of 72. Ray, a lifetime area resident, will be sadly missed by his family and many, many friends, who loved him.

ANNIVERARIES

Happy 50th wedding anniversary wishes to Luther and Wanda Smith, of Nellis, on March 11. They have five children.

GET WELL

C.W. Dunfee, of Ashford, has been in the hospital. He had stents put in after a heart attack. Please pray C.W. soon will recover.

Special get well wishes to 2-year-old Brayden Mooney. Brayden has been diagnosed with cancer of the eye and will be traveling to Philadelphia for the next six months for chemo treatments. Brayden is the son of B.J. Mooney and Kara Huffman. Daughter Karleigh also needs to be tested. Grandparents are Mark and Melissa Lockhart and Roger and Linda Barker. Remember Brayden in your prayers because he has a lot of visits and treatments ahead of him.

BIRTHDAYS

Josie Bona Plumley, of Racine, will celebrate her 55th birthday March 17. Happy birthday, from your mom.

Happy birthday to Roger Parsons II, of Ashford, on March 16, from your family.

Happy birthday to Diane Elkins, of Ashford, on March 11.

Belated happy birthday to Sherry (Nan) Hager, of Seth, who turned 52 on Feb. 25, from “guess who?”

Frankie Butcher, of Seth, who works very hard, celebrated his 59th birthday Feb. 9. Happy birthday with love, from your daughter, Elizabeth.

Happy birthday wishes to Rachel Shaw, of Culloden, who will celebrate No. 40 on March 11.

Happy 11th birthday to Gracyn Taylor Graley on March 16. She is the granddaughter of Doris Graley, of Elkview, and Curtis Graley, of Jacksonville, Fla.

Happy 16th birthday to Garrett Michael Gaunch on March 17. He is the grandson of Eddie and Marilyn Gaunch, of Charleston.

Jerry Wills will celebrate his 22nd birthday March 14. He is the son of Jerry and Sue Wills, of Nellis, and the grandson of Russell and Betty Barker, of Costa, and the late Bob and Margaret Wills.

Delores Cook, of Ridgeview, will celebrate her birthday March 17. Happy birthday, from your friends and neighbors.

Happy birthday to Nancy Barker, of Ashford, on March 14.

Happy 23rd birthday to Teresa Stringer, who will celebrate March 17.

Happy birthday to JoAlice Lutsy, of Ashford, who will celebrate March 11.

Happy 21st birthday to David Bowles, who celebrated March 4, from Mom, Dad and Ray.

Happy birthday to Rexell Green on March 11, from all of your family. May you have many more.

Happy 19th birthday to Jeffery Weddington Jr. on March 17.

Happy 17th birthday to Jacob Kinder, son of Danny and Missi Kinder, on March 13.

Teddy Bowles Jr. sends happy birthday wishes to his mom, Libby Bowles, who celebrated March 9.

Happy birthday to Renee Graley on March 13. Renee is the daughter of Ernie and Diane Graley, of Nellis.

Ernest Ray "Tags" Barker will celebrate his birthday March 17. Happy birthday, from your family, who wish you a very happy birthday.

Happy birthday to Walter McDerment, of Ashford, on March 15.

Happy 15th birthday to Samantha Jean Tackett on March 15. She is the daughter of Jerry and Martha Tackett, of Nellis.

Christi Lutsy will celebrate her birthday March 16. Happy birthday from Bob and Ev.

Double birthday wishes to Brian and Gina Griggs on March 15 (Brian will celebrate No. 35 and Gina will celebrate No. 38). They are the son and daughter of Randall and Arbutus Griggs, of Ridgeview.

Happy 41st birthday to Dewayne Pauley Dunlap, of Foster, on March 15.

Happy 11th birthday to Jeremy Chad Wagoner II on March 16.

Birthday wishes to Gale Dangerfield, of Ashford, on March 15.

Happy birthday to Terry Holstein, of Ashford, who will celebrate another birthday March 12.

Double birthday wishes to twins David Reagan and Michael Reagan, of Costa, who will celebrate their 40th birthday March 13.

Sammy Terry will celebrate his 33rd birthday March 15. Happy birthday.

That's all for this week. Don't forget to call me at 304-836-5379 or write me at P.O. Box 102, Nellis, WV 25142 with any news you want to share. You also can e-mail me at ntmccomas@suddenlink.net. The deadline is 6 p.m. Thursday.

Take care until next time.