Julia Eubanks, a long standing HGA member, passed away on May 19th, 2006. Not many of our current membership knew Julia, but she was a wonderful person. Health issues prevented her from coming to many of our meetings the past few years, but she continued her membership in HGA at the contributing level of membership. Julia also helped HGA by mailing letters to those who called HGA to find out more about Humanism.
Her accomplishments in life were many. She was born in Dublin, Georgia in 1924 and served in the Marine Corps during World War II. Julia was a graduate of Valdosta State University and University of Georgia. She was a medical microbiologist and retired as a Lab Unit Director after 34 years with the state health system. She loved travel, gardening, reading, music, and watching televised games of UGA football and Braves baseball.
Julia will be missed by all who knew her.
Dorothy Larson, an HGA charter member and also a member of the Atlanta Freethought Society passed away on July 4th, 2005. She was born on February 12, 1921, a day like the 4th notable for its place in history. February 12th, was the day both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were born. If you are a newer member of HGA, you may have never met her, because she could not attend our meetings due to her declining health. We will miss her warmth and her intelligence. Priscilla Vandecar was Dorothy's closest friend in HGA, and helped her when she was no longer able to get by on her own. Priscilla met Dorothy many years ago at an American Atheist Meeting in Atlanta and they became close friends. Priscilla described Dorothy as the best read and educated person without a college degree that she had ever met. Dorothy did not have a funeral, and was cremated on the weekend following the 4th.
Keith Stallings, a long-time member of the Humanists of Georgia, who was president of the organization for two years, has had to resign from the board to devote more time to business and family matters. We hope to see Keith at our meetings occasionally, and we wish him and his family all the best.
On a happier note, it was great to see the Guerras at our last meeting and to have a chance to meet the newest addition to the Guerra family, Alex. Steve and Roseanne Guerra were members of our group a couple years or so ago, and we hope to see them at future meetings.
After 13 years of suburban life in Duluth, Sue Garland has moved to new digs in Virginia Highlands! She is very excited about her new in town lifestyle! It was a lot of work, but Sue can now be reached at (404) 875-7288. Her mailing address is P.O. Box 8056, Atlanta, GA 30306.
This month the membership spotlight will not be about any single member, but rather the membership of The Humanists of Georgia as a whole. I have been a member for about three and a half years now. I've met lots of good people during this time. People who in general are easy to talk to, intelligent, well educated, and open minded. We've had difficulties keeping our membership up however. It seems part of this is due to people moving for one reason or another. Another reason is that people don't become involved enough. Personally, I have found that my membership experience with The Humanists of Georgia became more rewarding as I became more involved with the group. Spend some time thinking about what you can do to help build a dynamic and interesting Humanist Community. The Humanist movement in the Atlanta area could truly become something special if enough of us are willing to contribute. Don't be afraid to get to know each other better and to make a difference. Supporting a cause that you believe in can be one of the most empowering experiences a person can have. Thanks to all of our board members and others such as the O'Neals, our group is again weathering a period of transition. Hopefully, with the additional involvement of more of our members, both old and new, we can do more than just survive as a group; we can thrive as a group.
Wanda says that things are going well for her in Tennessee. She spent Thanksgiving weekend unpacking from her move and getting settled. She is working as a social worker with the Western Mental Health Institute State Psychiatric Hospital caring for long-term patients. When I last spoke with her, she was preparing to go do her Christmas shopping in Jacksonville, the nearest big city with a decent-sized mall and bookstores. Her new home is a little remote, but Wanda is looking forward to camping and hiking through the scenic parks that are plentiful around Beech Bluff. She is adjusting to her new life, but from time to time she misses our little group and her old life in Atlanta. She said that she may even visit us some day...it certainly would be a treat.
Wanda Randall has accepted a job in Jackson, Tennessee. Wanda has worked tirelessly as the president of HGA. We will miss her terribly and wish her good luck in her new job. Dave Patterson has accepted a full-time position with Creative Outlets doing computer work. He is in his last quarter at the Art Institute completing his portfolio. Kathy Brooke is now employed at Marcor Environmental as an Administrative Assistant. The Graves Family enjoyed a trip to London and Paris in late October. Congratulations to Keith Stallings, who was honored with a plaque at our October meeting as "Humanist Extraordinaire"!
Sue Garland is spending the month of October in Santa Fe visiting her daughters and exploring the culture of the area. Janet Jordan is going to Paris October 15th and to tour Normandy. Dorothy Larson has been missed dearly at our meetings. Dorothy has been in poor health recently, but we hope to see her back soon!
Keeve Stallings was one of 30 out of over 800 eighth-graders chosen for the gifted Math class. Good going, Keeve! Roberto Moraes is going back to Brazil for September and October. We'll miss you! Dave Patterson had hundreds of dollars stolen from him by his former roommate - we wish him luck in his efforts to recover it.
Upon returning from their fabulous Florida vacation, during which they visited Lori's parents and Busch Gardens (in that order), the O'Neals became the proud owners of Frizzle, an adorable gray kitten. Frizzle is being thoroughly enjoyed by the entire family, though having their feet attacked in the middle of the night is taking some getting used to.
Pierce Mahony had another good checkup in May. He underwent prostate surgery last year. Keeve Stallings was accepted into the Advanced Honors track for high school after passing the entrance test with a 100! Congratulations to Greg Graves who was recently made partner in his actuarial firm! Kate Graves will have a full summer. Kate is going to Space Camp in Huntsville in mid-June and Girl Scout camp in July. Congratulations to Steve Bromley who is a proud new home owner! He'll be moving into his home in Gwinnett County in June. The AJC published a strong favorable review for The Frog and Peach - the new Bistro co-owned by our Secretary, Janet Jordan. Congratulations! Janet enjoyed a trip to Buloxi in May to do some gambling. Sue Garland began taking French lessons in April. Bonne chance! Amanda O'Neal starred in her 2nd grade play as Horton in Horton Hears a Who. She then went on to perform Freight Train on the piano at a school talent show after only 7 months of piano lessons!
David is originally from Mississippi. Eighteen years ago he enrolled at Columbia University to pursue his masters degree in history. He and his wife Linda moved to Atlanta fourteen years ago. Until recently, David taught history and social studies at Woodward Academy. This month David accepted a new teaching position at a public school in Cherokee County. In addition to a change in employment, David and his family have just moved into a new house in Kennesaw.
David and Linda have been married for twenty-one years and have two children, Joel and Stephen. David's hobbies include travel and playing blackjack at his favorite haunt, Dave & Busters. He also intends to resume hiking now that he will be living relatively close to Kennesaw mountain. David was raised as a Southern Baptist, but now considers himself an agnostic. One of the reasons that he became interested in Humanism was that he wanted to "belong to a caring community of people living thoughtful lives". A better definition of the ideal humanist community would be hard to find.
Our featured member this month is Julia Eubanks. Julia has handled the Kroger coupon program for HGA for about two years now. This has been a valuable source of income for our organization. We are very appreciative of her efforts. The following is a short summary of her life to this point.
Julia was born in Dublin, Georgia, in 1924. She served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She was stationed in Washington, D.C., and her duties included the auditing of payrolls. She attained the rank of corporal. After the war, Julia was "a jack of all trades" at the air base where her husband trained pilots. She worked in the pharmacy, as a lab assistant in a doctor's office, and in the infirmary. After leaving the Marines, Julia was employed with the Georgia Department of Health as a medical microbiologist and virologist. She was employed there for thirty four years. Julia has three daughters. All of her daughters live in Georgia; one lives in Roswell, one in Decatur, and one in Tiger. She loves to spend time with her five grandchildren. A cancer survivor, Julia has overcome ovarian cancer.
A couple of years ago, hurricane Opal had felled a huge oak tree in her yard. The Humanists of Georgia came to the rescue. I was part of the crew that helped to wheelbarrow, saw, and chip this enormous tree (it had to have been at least nine feet in circumference). In return, Julia generously donated $500 to the Humanists of Georgia. Not only did the group get that donation, but many of us got to cart away all the firewood we could possibly need!
In closing, thanks Julia for all you have contributed. We are glad to have you as a member.
Sue has recently volunteered to become a Board member of HGA. She has had much experience in community outreach as a member of the Sierra Club, and in projects involving helping the homeless and battered women. She should prove to be a worthy addition to the Board.
I live in Lawrenceville, am single and my only dependent is one hermit crab.