Golden Anniversaries common place at Soapstone... continued from page 1A flourished, and children wife must understand.” learned the importance of Soapstone also has faith and commitment. played a vital role in the lives In a day an age when of the Buttrill children. divorces are a dime a dozen, Each year, Marc and the Buttrill children and their Athelyn gather their grandchil- parents are more than unique dren at Soapstone – no par- for achieving Golden Wed- ents allowed – for 10 days or ding Anniversary status. Pappy and Pat celebrate 50 years. so of celebrating nature and Marc and Athelyn cord with his wife. the importance of family. made it; his sister Barbara “Business-wise, we’ve “They love this beach, and her husband Jack Bar- been very blessed over the they love the woods,” Marc ber got there too. So did sis- years and we’re not com- said. “The biggest thing is ter Macy and her husband plaining,” he said. “But, we’ve that as they grow older, they Duncan Roush. Pappy and Pat married in 1925 had some challenges. I know still like to come here to cel- Now, they’re all wait- it hasn’t been easy for her liv- ebrate family.” unique, Pug is the youngest ing for Saturday when Pug ing with me for 55 years.” At Thanksgiving, the Athelyn and Marc Buttrill were married on Dec. 18, 1955 child of Pappy and Pat’s four and Emily reach that trea- Athelyn said that as Buttrill family celebrates children. He’s also the fourth sured milestone. Pug and Emily approach with the entire family under to plow. My mother finished Athelyn said the secret of four Buttrill children to cel- “I do think it’s very their 50th anniversary, that one roof at Soapstone. high school. is working through the good ebrate 50 years of marriage. unique in this day an age,” they have faced the great- “Also at Thanksgiving, “They appreciated times and the bad times. Pappy and Pat started said Athelyn Wade Buttrill, est challenges a couple we light our Christmas education for the next gen- “You have so many the golden nuptials tradition couples nowadays who de- th the first daughter-in-law of faces in marriage. tree,” Marc said. “Family eration because they did not on Nov. 25 , 1925 as they Pappy and Pat. “I also think “They’ve lost two has been a big part of our have a whole lot of formal cide when they get married were wed in holy matrimony. it’s a blessing.” children over the years,” life. We have a lot of family education,” Marc said. “It that if it doesn’t work out, “Pappy,” or Marcus She acknowledges that she said. “Those losses reunions up here.” was important to them to see that it’s not hard to get a di- W. Buttrill, was a builder of getting to 50 years of marriage have been very difficult For the Buttrill family, their family do better than vorce,” she said. “I think churches, more than 200 to isn’t all strawberries and cream. times for the entire fam- the key ingredient in 50 years they had.” years ago when people mar- be exact. His eldest son, “There have been ily. But Faith has helped of marriage is family. The real secret to 50 years ried, they were marrying for Marc Buttrill, now 80, fol- some times when circum- us all overcome the ad- “The family being to- of marriage begins during the life. That has to be in your lowed in his footsteps. stances were tough,” she versity over the years.” gether is essential,” Marc dating process, Marc said. mindset when you take the But the most enchant- said. “Times were tough, fi- “Faith is a tremendous said. “My Dad was raised “You look at this young step of marriage. ing path ever followed by this nances were tough and situ- part of the marital equa- on a farm and that’s a strong lady and you ask yourself ‘is “And bottom line, you family was to a quiet place ations were tough. But tion,” Marc Buttrill said. link to family. He had very this someone I want to have to have a relationship Pageoff Ga. 10A 17/75 THE in TOWNS a commu- COUNTYthrough HERALD it all, we’re August still 4, here 2010 “Also, there will always be little education. He once told spend my life with?’ You with the Lord,” Athelyn nity known as Soapstone. It and still together.” a certain level of compro- me that he only went to have to make that decision said. “That’s how things wasTowns here that family values MarcCounty Buttrill is in ac- mise that both Sportshusband and school when it was too wet before you marry,” he said. really work out.” Schools open...continued from page 1A YHCTown’s Open County’s House Leader In... Sportscontinued from page 1A County Indians’ football said. “I’m excited about this things from our students,” he The new recreation President Cox would recreation center at YHC team began practicewww.townscountyherald.net in year, the prospects of new said. “This is a good group• E-mail: [email protected] T center also contains mul- go on to thank members in the near future. shoulder pads and shorts at kids and the challenges that of seniors and we look for- tiple classrooms, a fitness of the Young Harris City The center plans to The Refuge in Plott Town. we all face.” ward to see what they end area, fitness studios, and a Council who have been operate Monday through Indians“It’s great to befootball back Early onpractice some of those up accomplishing.” begins; first37-foot gameclimbing wallAug.very helpful27 inversus the pro- Friday Union from 7 a.m. to noon, out here with the kids,” In- challenges are traffic jams At least one new face placed in the recreation cess of constructing the Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 dians’ Head Coach Kyle as young parents look to is on board. Dr. Mark center for the use of stu- new recreation center. p.m., and on Sunday from Langford said. “We can’t make sure their little ones Stallings, a two-time Teacher dents. Members of the noon until 11 p.m. For more wait until the lights go on for get settled in the classroom of the Year in Gilmer County, “We are very excited community also will have details on recreation cen- real on Friday nights.” as the first couple of days who retired in the area, will about opening this to our stu- the opportunity to obtain ter operations, call (706) The Indians had 43 of school get underway. teach science part-time, Dr. dents,” said President Cox. gym memberships to the 379-7742. football players out on the “The parents of the young Behrens said. practice field this week and students want to make sure their “We’re extremely Coach Langford said he children are safe, so, they’ll bring lucky to have Mark on pleased. them into the school,” Dr. board,” he said. “Hey, we’ve got some Behrens said. “It takes a little Also, Daniel Isaacs great kids, who are very tal- extra time for the younger ones will step into the shoes va- ented,” he said. “We’re go- to get acclimated. cated when Towns County Indians get ready for a long day of practice ing to have some depth.” “Getting through the Marching Band Director On Monday, the signs rush of the first two or three Frank McKinney retired of a new school year were days is probably the biggest last year. even more evident as new challenge,” he said. “After “Daniel has been with technology equipment was that, we all fall into a pat- us for a while working with being transferred from the tern and we do well.” Frank,” Dr. Behrens said. Central Office on Lakeview Dr. Behrens is expect- “He knows are band and our Quarterbackto the schools. Jackson Noblet gets ingloose big things from the Class Quarterbacktalent and we Zach are Stroud expecting plays catch with Noblet “There’s a lot of activ- of 2011. big things from that group Byity Charlesgoing on,” Duncan Dr. Behrens On“We Aug. always 27, theexpect Indians big this year.” Towns County Herald kickoff the 2010 high school [email protected] football campaign against the The Towns County Indi- Union County Panthers. The ans are in deep preparation for Indians haven’t played the Pan- their 2010 home opener versus thers during the regular season Coach Thomas Boyd is working hard too arch rival Union County. since 2007. The 43-man squad cur- “We’re really excited rently is going through four- about the home opener,” Coach a-day practices at The Refuge Langford said. “Union County off Plott Town Road. Practices has a solid Class AA football will become more routine when program and they’ll be a good school starts Thursday. measuring stick for us early in Coach Kyle Langford the season.” Running drills never gets tiresome and his staff are being patient The Union-Towns The clash between the ans receiver Jimmy Pierce. “It with the squad and making matchup is the renewal of an Panthers and the Indians also makes the hard work worth it sure each player keeps hy- historic border rivalry between expects to attract a crowd to all.” Photos by Lowell Nicholson The morning routine remains the same drated with plenty of fluids and the two traditional rival schools see the two non-region oppo- plenty of food.