Moultrie Scene has always delighted in uplifting the successes of people in our community, but this issue goes above and beyond in that regard.

Our cover story salutes the top two graduates at Colquitt County High School: valedictorian Elizabeth Funderburk and salutatorian Patti Mitchell. Daughters of educators, the pair have excelled not only in academics but also in athletics. Learn more about how they balance the demands on their time and who they look up to as they prepare to begin the next phase of their educations.

In 1992, Brad Bailey was the first black senior class president at CCHS. After leaving Moultrie, he moved into journalism and filmmaking. The combination has resulted in “Hale,” a 20-minute documentary about a pioneer in the effort to help people with disabilities live and work alongside the rest of the community. The film has received the top award at the 44th annual Student Academy Awards, and it’s garnered international attention from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Cannes Film Festival.

With Father’s Day right around the corner, The Moultrie Observer and Moultrie Scene set out to find the oldest dad in the county. We don’t know if we succeeded, but the search led us to 95-year-old Clifford Anderson. Anderson, who followed his World War II duty with 36 years of federal civil service, makes his home just outside Moultrie with his daughter and stays in contact with his three other children across the country.

And finally, Moultrie Scene continues its tradition of spotlighting a local business in each issue. This edition features Three Crazy Bakers, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by expanding its menu and its hours of operations. Learn more about what Hart and Maggie Brown have planned for the downtown gathering place in the story by Wayne Grandy.

Moultrie Scene is published five times a year to tell the story of our community. If you have a story to tell, contact us at The Moultrie Observer, (229) 985-4545 or by email at kevin.hall@gaflnews.com.

Sincerely,

Kevin C. Hall

Managing editor

The Moultrie Observer