On the job

During the November meeting of North Augusta/Belvedere Board of Realtors, one of those attending gave kudos to the local law enforcement agency. The person speaking said she was recently in an automobile accident in which her vehicle was hit from the rear. "Your officers were great," she said to Chief John Thomas, who was guest speaker at the luncheon. "Three officers came," she said, explaining the driver of the offending vehicle apparently was DUI. "They tracked [the driver] by the radiator fluid (apparently damage from the crash) and caught the person before we finished writing up the [incident] report," she said. "They were polite, professional and did wonderful follow-up."

Negotiation breakdown

At Business, By the Book, Dr. Gary Redding reported that his earlier announcement that he could be a dancing angel in this year's "Festival of Christmas," alas, did not work out. "My agent and Larry Grayson couldn't come to terms," he said of the First Baptist Church music director.

Not old but really old?

During this month's Leadership North Augusta class, North Augusta 2000 Chair Tom Greene introduced speaker Fred Humes. Greene mentioned that Humes was a pilot during the Vietnam conflict. As he read off the names of the planes, Greene -- who was a pilot during World War II -- announced, "These are all after my time ... All [my airplanes] are in museums somewhere."

The fear of God

Terri Gibbs introduced her companion dog, Bertie, to Grace United Methodist Women last week. She explained the dog is very intelligent and at some point, having spent a great deal of time in church services, Bertie was made an honorary deacon ... "because he hears things but has promised to keep his mouth shut," she said. Gibbs added that at some point Bertie decided he wished to be referred to as "Brother Bertie," in part because of his role in soul-winning. She explained that many-a-time she has come around the corner with the imposing guide dog leading the way, only to encounter someone who, startled, looked at the dog and said, "Oh, Lord Jesus."

He can't read

Terri Gibbs said her guide dog Bertie wears a sign that says, "Please don't pet me; I'm working." She invited the gathering at Grace UMW to greet Bertie. "He can't read the sign," she joked.

No Braille on the wheel

As Terri Gibbs related a story about a trip she had taken, she said, "My husband and I were driving to Nashville." Later, she said, "Let me clear this up ... My husband was driving, not me."

Things could change

Terri Gibbs said when someone asks her if she has been blind all her life, her response is, "No, not yet."

Buzz on Biz with Tucker

Did you know that Chamber President Brian Tucker is now spending five minutes every Monday with "Chamber Chat" on the Neil Gordon show, Buzz on Biz, at 12:20 p.m. at WRDW-AM, 1630 on the dial?