Students competed in three patriotic categories.

For the second year, Read2Me partnered with the Rotary Club of Franklin to host a county-wide writing contest. This year's patriotic theme was broken up into three different categories. Students were able to participate in either the “Greatest President” or “If I were President” essay writing or the “When I am President” poetry writing categories. Winners were selected based on grade level, writing quality, content, and creativity. Members of the Franklin Rotary Club judged the essays.

All first place winners received $50 for their submissions, and the first place winner's classroom teacher also received $50 to go toward purchasing classroom supplies. All second place winners and their teachers each received a $25 prize.

The Wayne Proffitt Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Carrie Doster and William “Corbin” Hawkins III. Both Doster and Hawkins will receive $1,500 toward their first year in college.

Pictured are (front row, L-R) Carrie Doster, Corbin Hawkins, Jenny Collins, Chuck Sutton; (back row, L-R) Ronnie Beale, Carl Gillespie, Tex Corbin, Marcie Jones and Bill Fouts.

The Summer Food Service Program will provide free meals to children 18 years and under. The program will begin operating on June 5 and continue until Aug. 13. The sites will be:

— Care Net, 130 Bidwell St., (828)369-2642, Sandra Queen
— First United Methodist Church, 66 Harrison Ave., (828)524-3010, Marti Patterson
— Holly Haven Apartment, 55 White Pine Circle, (828)369-0444, Michael Hilldale
— Danny Antoines, 236 Cunningham Rd., (828)349-0328, Ian Sears,
— Franklin High School, 100 Panther Dr., (828)369-2411, Betsy Shepherd
— Children’s Discovery Center, 185 Sloan Rd. (828)369-7021, Terri Slavens
— Cowee Baptist Church, 6301 Bryson City Rd., (828)524-3469, Cyndi Bohner
— Mulberry Methodist Church, 124 Mulberry Ln. Otto, (828)371-1342, Lena Cabe
— Trimont Christian Academy, 98 Promise Lane (828)369-6756, Tammy Hovis
— Franklin Covenant Church, 265 Belleview Park Rd., (828)524-8854, Stephanie Campbell
— Legacy, 365 Allman Dr. (big shed at rec park), (828)421-5545, Gary Viar

Dates and time vary; call sites for information. Sponsored by Macon Program for Progress and USDA. For more information, contact Susie McCoy or Crystal Nix at (828) 524-4471.

First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, celebrated a 10-year commitment to feeding the hungry through participation in the Heifer International Organization on Sunday, April 21. As part of the celebration, the Service and Missions Team served cheese and other dishes made from goat’s milk, and gave attendees the opportunity to “get up-close and personal” with visiting baby goat, Beatrice, owned by Joel and Arvil Scott of Otto.

Team member Nick Potts, who visited the Heifer International ranch with the First Presbyterian youth group as a teen, explained why goats are so important in helping the hungry and relieving poverty.