Local

Skip Johns’ gold-adorned custom Gibson banjo arrived in Florida on Christmas Eve 1971. Fifty years later, Johns still is playing the instrument. (COURTESY)

Skip Johns’ gold-adorned custom Gibson banjo arrived in Florida on Christmas Eve 1971. Fifty years later, Johns still is playing the instrument. (COURTESY)

A man and his banjo: Johns’ custom Gibson arrived 50 years ago

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 23, 2021
A half century ago, Skip Johns’ long wait was over. On Christmas Eve 1971, Johns received the call he had been waiting on. His custom-built Gibson banjo had arrived at a Greyhound bus station in Jacksonville. Just one problem.

90 years of delivering Christmas

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, December 23, 2021
It began as the brainchild of a reporter with the Lake City Reporter. Ninety years later, the Lake City Elks Lodge #893’s Christmas program is still going strong. This year’s visit from Santa Claus and toy giveaway at the Lodge will take place today at 6 p.m.

LifeSouth seeks donors

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 23, 2021
The blood supply in the United States is dangerously low with covid-19 continuing to impact donor turnout and recent tragedies and increased demands adding additional strain to the national supply. Locally, there is also a severe blood shortage, and blood donors are asked to donate soon.
Adams and Thomas are the final candidates for the open city manager position.

Adams and Thomas are the final candidates for the open city manager position.

Council is down to 2

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
And then there were two. Following virtual interviews Wednesday morning, the Lake City Council narrowed its search for a new full-time city manager to two candidates: Glen Adams and Thomas Thomas.
CHS FFA Alumni president Kelly Trimble (center) helps unload supplies with FFA members in Kentucky. (COURTESY)

CHS FFA Alumni president Kelly Trimble (center) helps unload supplies with FFA members in Kentucky. (COURTESY)

Good tidings: CHS FFA delivers supplies to tornado victims in Kentucky

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
A trio of Columbia High School FFA officials were able to bundle up some of the Christmas spirit in Lake City and carry it up the road to Kentucky to aid tornado victims in their recovery efforts.
The Lake City ABC Fine Wine & Spirits employees Evelyn Alexander (from left), Sharde Chairs, Teresa Sullivan, Annettee Baker, Tom Stauffer and Chris Moll stand near the toys they purchased for the Toys For Tots program after a recent toy drive. (COURTESY)

The Lake City ABC Fine Wine & Spirits employees Evelyn Alexander (from left), Sharde Chairs, Teresa Sullivan, Annettee Baker, Tom Stauffer and Chris Moll stand near the toys they purchased for the Toys For Tots program after a recent toy drive. (COURTESY)

ABC gathers donations for Toys for Tots

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Receiving a hand up, a former Toys for Tots program client extended that good fortune forward.
A collection of Carol Cieslik’s work is displayed in the entryway of the Columbia County Library’s downtown location. (COURTESY)

A collection of Carol Cieslik’s work is displayed in the entryway of the Columbia County Library’s downtown location. (COURTESY)

Library hosts local artist Cieslik

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
The Columbia County Library in downtown Lake City is hosting a one-artist show by award-winning local artist Carol Cieslik. A collection of Cieslik’s pastels and watercolors is housed in the library entryway. Cieslik is largely self-taught as an artist but has always loved art.
Christmas Dream Machine volunteers Jennifer Munroe (from left), Janet Stanford, Angela Towns and Walker Munroe, organize toys for the Christmas Dream Machine Toy Distribution which took place Sunday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Christmas Dream Machine volunteers Jennifer Munroe (from left), Janet Stanford, Angela Towns and Walker Munroe, organize toys for the Christmas Dream Machine Toy Distribution which took place Sunday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dream Machine provides for 550 children

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Bags of toys sat on the floor of a Main Boulevard building Sunday, the remaining pieces to deliver Christmas to several area children. Some bags contained toys, balls, dolls, Nerf guns, makeup or books. Others even contained a television, fishing rod and reel or an electric organ.
Toys and games sit outside the Kids Feeding Kids Thrift Store as volunteers worked to assemble Christmas baskets for children in need. (COURTESY)

Toys and games sit outside the Kids Feeding Kids Thrift Store as volunteers worked to assemble Christmas baskets for children in need. (COURTESY)

Kids Feeding Kids gives out presents for holiday season

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Saturday and Sunday afternoon weren’t the traditional business days at the Kids Feeding Kids Thrift Store. Rather, a large contingent of volunteers had amassed at the store, putting the final touches on Christmas baskets that would be going to area families for the holiday.