Early County News

PUBLIC NOTICES

11/19/2008

102908-02 NOTICE STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF EARLY TO ALL DEBTORS AND CREDITORS OF OLIVIA WEAVER DAVENPORT: All debtors and creditors of OLIVIA WEAVER DAVENPORT, deceased, late of said county,

Early voting is underway

11/19/2008

Early voting is underway for the Dec. 2 General Election Runoff to determine the winner between candidates Cynthia Levatte and Ronnie "Rat" Ashley in the county-wide race for the Board of Education District 5 seat. In the Nov. 4 General Election Levatte received 2,173 votes, Ashley 1,831 and Jackie Love 1,120.

The eagle has landed

11/19/2008

A number of bald eagle sitings have been reported across Early County in recent years. However, it is rare to get a photo opportunity like the one Hal Hobbs came across south of Blakely Nov. 12. "I saw him sitting beside the road ahead and stopped to get my camera out," Hobbs stated.

SGRITA: Schools are connected, wide-area wireless coming soon

11/19/2008

The South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority — SGRITA — has completed Phase I in the deployment of a wireless broadband network to service Baker, Calhoun, Early, Miller and Mitchell Counties.

City severing firefighting ties with county Jan. 1

11/19/2008

The Blakely City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance rescinding a mutual aid agreement for fire protection with Early County. The resolution rescinds any associated agreements relating to fire service between the city and county. The council will hear a second reading of the ordinance and vote on the measure in December.

ECES earns "Distinguished" school label with AYP record

11/19/2008

Early County Elementary School has been named a Title I distinguished school, in acknowledgement of making Adequate Yearly Progress five consecutive years. AYP — a measure of year-to-year student achievement — is one of the cornerstones of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Thanksgiving Services

11/19/2008

The Blakely Ministerial Association will host the annual Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday evening, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. This year's service will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, located at the corner of Church Street and River Street in Blakely. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall immediately after the service.

Alzheimer's seminar

11/19/2008

Early Memorial Hospital physician Luis Murrain, D.O., will present a seminar today to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's and to offer help for those affected by the disease. The seminar will be at 12:30 p.m. in the conference room at Early Memorial Hospital. A light lunch will be provided. Please register for the event by calling 724-4232.

Holidays

11/19/2008

The holidays are here! Early County Schools will be out next week, Nov. 24 - 28, for Thanksgiving. The Christmas holidays are set for Dec. 22 - Jan. 6.

"The Jungle Book"

11/19/2008

"The Jungle Book," a One-Act play, will be presented by the Early Co. High Drama Dept. tomorrow, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at Mangham Auditorium. Come see Kipling's production and characters, featuring 23 drama students, come to life. Admission is $3.

Wish Tree

11/19/2008

Christmas decorations are beginning to appear all over town including the Christmas Wish Tree at Bank of Early. Each year, the "wish lists" of needy children are placed on the Wish Tree at Bank of Early. As members of the community shop for a child, Christmas wishes come true for children who otherwise would not have gifts under the tree.

Food for Fines

11/19/2008

Take care of overdue fines at Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library by donating canned food to the library's annual Food for Fines food drive. One can of food equals $1 in fines. For more information call 723-3079.

DOT announces lane change on U.S. 27

11/19/2008

The Georgia DOT has announced a traffic shift on U.S. 27, south of Blakely, is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20. At that time, traffic will be shifted to the new southbound lane, just South of Crystal Springs Rd. This shift will extend to just south of S.R.

Relay teams tee off

11/19/2008

Keith Gandy, Robert Harrell and Jay Holman won the Relay for Life golf tournament hosted by this year's committee Saturday, Nov. 1. They received a $300 grand prize. Second place was Charles Jenkins, Ritchie Wilbourn and Michael Allred.

Put a tasty turkey on the table

By Faith Peppers University of Georgia — 11/19/2008

For generations, Americans have sought the secret to cooking the perfect turkey for holiday meals. Some have abandoned the time-tested roasting ritual for fast frying or other cooking methods, but a tasty bird can still be found in the oven.

Blakely Senior Center

11/19/2008

Daily Events Nov. 24 — Rhythm band practice - 10:30-11:30. Lunch: Sausage patties, steamed cabbage, green limas, biscuit, pears. Nov. 25 — Physical fitness - 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. Games - 11 a.m. Lunch: Meatball stew, mixed veggies, herbed potatoes, wheat roll, hot spiced peaches.

Time for turkey thawing, selection tips

By Faith Peppers University of Georgia — 11/19/2008

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's time to talk turkey. There are many questions surrounding the age-old tradition: Should you buy fresh or frozen? How do you safely thaw a turkey? What's the best stuffing? How do you cook the turkey without drying it out? How will you know when it's done?

Gifts for the gardener on your list

By Sharon Dowdy University of Georgia — 11/19/2008

Avid gardener Charlie Christian says people like him enjoy getting gardening related gifts for Christmas. But if you have gardeners on your shopping list, whatever you do, don't give them cheap tools. Give them something they'll remember.

Time to sign up for Part D

By Robert Goldbert Special to the News — 11/19/2008

From now until Dec. 31, Medicare Part D is offering an "open-enrollment" period, meaning that seniors can change their prescription drug coverage to pick a new plan that better meets their needs. Seniors should jump at this once-a-year opportunity.

HERE & THERE this WEEK

11/19/2008

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19 CHAMBER of Commerce board meeting, noon BIRTHDAYS: Vivian Willis, Glenda Wright, Cooper Reese THURSDAY, NOV. 20 ROTARY CLUB, noon, Blakely Town & Country Club COUNTY Planning Commission, 7 p.m.

Political Cartoon

11/19/2008

Mumbles

Billy Fleming — 11/19/2008

Don't turn to the news unless you want to hear the TV talking pundits and the self-proclaimed "experts" argue both sides of the auto industry bailout. You and I already have an idea about what the solution should be, but we're only taxpayers � the minions who are expected to pay for all of congress's shenigans.

Other Voices

Mitch Clarke — 11/19/2008

It's probably not one of the signs of the apocalypse, but it does prove the old P.T. Barnum saying that there's a sucker born every minute. Apparently now you can buy bottled water for your dog. I discovered this quite by accident while I was searching for something else on the Internet.

All That's Fit to Print

Brenda Wall — 11/19/2008

Imagine receiving a letter from Nigeria asking for money for a relative you didn't even know existed. Imagine believing that such is true and that, over a period of time, you sent over $400,000 in order to share $20 million with this imaginary relative.

You're my president, make me proud

Alex McRae — 11/19/2008

President-elect Barack Obama Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. Dear Senator and President-elect Obama, Congratulations. If you've read any of my previous letters, you're probably surprised by how this one begins. You shouldn't be.

Shipp's Georgia

Bill Shipp — 11/19/2008

The moment the TV networks declared Barack Obama the president-elect, something wonderful happened. The perception of the United States changed around the world. America was the international good guy again. There was dancing in the streets of the great cities of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Other Voices

Kelly McCutchen — 11/19/2008

It was not Webvan or Pets.com this time. It was Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG and Wachovia. Gone or sold for pennies on the dollar. It was $700 billion � taxpayer dollars � rushed through Congress to avert the "greatest crisis of our time." What actually happened, and what can we learn from it?

From our Files

News from the past — 11/19/2008

10 YEARS AGO Nov. 19, 1998 ERIC BENTLEY, assistant superintendent at Kolomoki Mounds State Park, has now been named superintendent of the park. THE FIRST Habitat House for our community was completed this week for Calvin and Emma Barber.

Juanita Turner

11/19/2008

Juanita Fleming Turner, 76, of Blakely died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, in Dothan, Ala. Mrs. Turner was born in Blakely Dec. 6, 1931, to the late Corrie B. Jones and J.C. Fleming. She was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and retired as a licensed pratical nurse from Early Memorial Hospital in 1989.

Johnnie Jackson

11/19/2008

Johnnie Florence Sailor Jackson, 90, of Blakely died Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, in Augusta, Ga. Mrs. Jackson was born in Sylvester, Ga., Feb. 21, 1918, to the late John Sailor and Sallie Martin Sailor. She was a homemaker and member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Gail P. Anderson

11/19/2008

Gail Prince Anderson, 80, of Blakely died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala. Mrs. Anderson was born in Phil Campbell, Ala., May 16, 1928, to the late Charlie Prince and Vera Mallett Prince. She was a member of Zion Free Will Baptist Church and a homemaker.

Eleanor Sheffield

11/19/2008

Sophia Eleanor Pyle Sheffield, 77, of Blakely died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at her residence. Mrs. Sheffield was born in Early County Feb. 2, 1931, to the late Jim Sanders Pyle and Sophia Letha Davis Pyle. She was a member of Cedar Springs Free Will Baptist Church and spent her life in Early County.

Janice Marshall

11/19/2008

Janice Oleta Suggs Womble Marshall, 54, of Blakely died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at her residence. Mrs. Marshall was born in Houston County, Ala., June 5, 1954, to Mattie Lorelle Aplin Suggs and the late Aubrey Howard Suggs. She was a member of Oak View Assembly of God and a homemaker.

Crop insurance deadline approaches

11/19/2008

USDA's Risk Management Agency reminds farmers of the Nov. 30, 2008, sales closing date for crop insurance. This sales closing date is applicable for the following programs in Georgia: Apiculture-Rainfall Index. The sales closing date is the last date to purchase a new policy or to change the level of coverage for an existing policy.

Grant - Richardson

11/19/2008

Clinton and Joyce Grant announce the engagement of their daughter, C'eria L. Grant, to Trent S. Richardson of Donalsonville. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Minnie B. James and the great-granddaughter of Minnie L. James, both of Blakely.

Durham - Medlin plans complete

11/19/2008

The wedding plans for Hannah Irene Durham and Joshua Cole Medlin are complete. The ceremony will be at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Colomokee Baptist Church with the reception immediately following at Camp Hicita, Kolomoki State Park.

BIRTHS

11/19/2008

Allison and Rob Rust announce the birth of their son, Chase Mitchell Rust. Chase was born Oct. 24, 2008, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. James Allen Howard and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barron, all of Blakely, and Col. and Mrs.

Lee celebrates fourth birthday

11/19/2008

David Julian Lee turned four years old Oct. 22. He is the son of Perry and Denise Lee. His grandparents are Marie Hanks and David and Catherine Lee. David is also the brother of P.J. Lee. He celebrated his birthday with friends and family Nov. 15.

THANKS

11/19/2008

The family of Mrs. Annie Ree Graham wishes to express our appreciation to our many friends as well as relatives for all the kind acts and deeds rendered during our bereavement. We send special thanks to Wiregrass Hospice and Peoples Funeral Home who helped to lighten our burdens in any way they could. God bless each and every one of you.

FFA Team wins state title

11/19/2008

The Early County FFA Chapter brought home another state title for the 2008-2009 school year on Nov. 6 the Early County FFA took a junior division and senior division wildlife management team to Swainsboro to compete at the state FFA career development event. The junior division won first place in the state.

A and B team Cats have exciting year

11/19/2008

The Early County Youth Football League traveled to Marianna, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 15 with all three of their cheerleading squads and two of their six football teams for a day of cheerleading competition and championship football.

Early County High School honor roll announced

11/19/2008

Early County High School Principal List Ninth grade Bush, Cody Dunngian, Ashley Farrell, Danielle Knox, Dallas Redding, Sydney Sumner, Catherine Yarbrough, Ladonis Tenth grade Hallmon, Trenisha 11th Grade Castro, Mariela McClendon,

Sunday School Lesson

Rev. James Temples — 11/19/2008

2 Timothy 2:1-3; 3:14-4:5 It has been said that the church — "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) — is never more that one generation from extinction. Granted, the religious social clubs can survive for centuries.

The Gospel Truth

Dr. Charles F. DeVane Jr. First Baptist Church — 11/19/2008

The truth needs to be told about heaven and earth. And, those who are truly going to heaven need to be of true earthly good. Colossians 3:1-11 tells us this truth. The true ticket to heaven Before you can be heavenly minded or earthly good you better make sure that while you are on earth you have made your reservation for heaven. Almost everyone believes in heaven.

Let the Bible Speak

Robert Argersinger, Hentown Church of Christ — 11/19/2008

The new and living way of Christianity brings hope, peace and joy into a drab society overwhelmed by sin and shame. We are able to be eternally thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, as he died on the cross for all humanity.

CHURCH NEWS

11/19/2008

New Prospect A.M.E. The New Prospect African Methodist Episcopal Church will host the Pleasant Grove singing convention Friday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. St. John M.B.