SANTA IS ON OUR LIBRARY BOARD!

     That's right!  Santa is on our Odom Genealogical Library Board!  Has been for several years and will continue to be for years to come!  And I just thought it was about time you knew!
     But first let me tell you a little about the Odom Library.  It was made possible by a bequest from Ellen Ashby Payne Odom, who was a Trustee of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and very interested in genealogy.
     At her death, it was revealed that she had bequeathed the proceeds of the sale of her land and home to the library for the purpose of building a genealogy library in Moultrie.
     Today, the Odom Library operates on the interest from her estate.  The endowment is managed by a Moultrie banking firm.  The Odom Library is governed by a Board of Trustees.
     So, let me tell you who is on the Board of Trustees and, if you live in Moultrie and know some of these people, you just might be able to figure out who Santa is in disguise.
     Board Chairman is Lauren Howell and the Trustees are Merle Baker, Virginia Horkan, James Jeter, William McIntosh, Paula Neely, Brooks Sheldon, and Doug Strange.  I've left out the name of the person Santa is impersonating.  Do you know who it is?
     Santa has been coming to the Odom Library Board meetings for as many years as I've known him.  He's a retired educator.  When Mr. Bert Harsh resigned from the Board in February 2003, Santa (in his disguise) was elected May 2003 to serve as a Trustee.
     He comes to every meeting with his lovely white beard, sharing his happiness and wisdom with all in his presence.  He's a rather quiet gentleman, but a deep thinker.  And his sense of humor is displayed when (and if) his cell phone sounds during a meeting.
     Many of us see him all around town.  He is always helping at the Colquitt County Museum of History, where he is available to lead tours or talk to out-of-towners about the many exhibits.  Of course, we see him in his sleigh during the Christmas events.  And many parents have pictures of their children with him displayed on the walls of their homes.
     As a teacher, the students called him "Mr. B." and some of us continue to call him that.
     So...any ideas who Santa is in disguise?
     Well, I'll never tell.  I don't want to be on his Naughty List!!!