WEDNESDAY'S LIST . . . of beans 'n greens 'n other things: I'M IN THE drive-thru lane at McDonald's in Lenlock. A couple of McMuffins are on order for breakfast.

It is when I reach the "pay-here" window that the day really lights up:

"Your order is paid for," I was told.

"What?!"

"The lady in front of you paid for it."

Pulling away was a lady in a light gray Ford mini-van.

I don't know her name, but she sure made my day . . . and the next time I go through McDonald's, the car behind me has a free meal coming.

One other thing. The people at most McDonald's are consistently polite and cheerful ... and most of the time actually say, "Thank You" or "Have a nice day."

*** WARD PELL, who has made Southside home for a number of years, has returned to her Kentucky roots from whence the late Charley Pell fetched her in 1969 when he became the head football coach at Jacksonville State University.

Following head coaching stints at Clemson and Florida, the Pells settled in Southside. Charlie, a close and dear friend, died of lung cancer in 2001.

What is not generally known is that on several occasions Florida coach Urban Meyer sent the UF plane to pick up Ward . . . for the purpose of talking to the Gator football team.

I'll miss her a bunch.

*** IF YOU'RE in the mood for a country Christmas, point the buggy toward Woodland Saturday morning.

Woodland is kicking off the holiday season at 11 a.m. with its annual Christmas parade and if you love small-town America, this is as good as it gets.

Enjoy . . .

*** BIRTHDAYS: Nov. 28 — Jan Beal; Dec. 5 — Linda Crow; Dec. 6 — Kitty Bussey; Dec. 7 — Sandra Triplett; Dec. 10 — Bevan Cross; Dec. 11 — Eddie Tankersley and Leigh Wadkins.

*** TOP TEEN: Meet Laura Marie Dennis, a senior at Trinity Christian Academy where she is on the A Honor Roll and a member of the Christian Honor Society.

As a junior, Laura was selected to represent Alabama and the Alabama Christian Education Association in Washington as a Student Ambassador. She is also vice-president of the SGA and a graduate of the Calhoun County Youth Leadership program.

There's more than a bit of athletic ability, too, as she has played both volleyball and basketball.

TCA Counselor Pam Cason says, "Laura is a great example for the younger girls at Trinity. Moving to this area during high school was difficult for her, but she has done great here and will really be missed."

Proud parents are Kenny and Melinda Dennis, Airport Road, Oxford.

Take a bow, young lady . . .

--- George Smith can be reached at 239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com