Fire Damages Office at Tift School System

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

Tifton firefighters respond to a fire Monday night in an office at Tift County Schools' administrative building on 12th Street.

FIRE DAMAGES OFFICE AT TIFT SCHOOL SYSTEM POSSIBLY SPARKED BY HAND-HELD RADIO BATTERY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

An office in the Tift County School System's administrative building was significantly damaged by a fire Monday night, and school officials are praising the Tifton Fire Department for containing the blaze.

The fire apparently began in one office shortly before 8:20 p.m. Monday in the building constructed in 1927 that once housed the Annie Belle Clark School. The structure at 506 West 12th St., in Tifton's Historic District underwent a $2.8 million extensive restoration in 2021 to house the school system's administrative offices.

Dana R. Spurlin, Tift County Schools' chief information officer, told the Tifton Grapevine that the fire was contained to one office in the building's main hallway.

"There is significant damage in the office the fire originated in along with minimal water damage in adjacent offices. As with any structure fire, we are dealing with smoke-related issues throughout the building," Spurlin said.

She said it is believed that the fire was caused by a battery in a hand-held radio that was charging in the affected office, but "we cannot confirm that, however."

Tifton Fire Chief Bobby Bennett also said that "our preliminary findings look like a hand-held radio that was on the charger caused it. ... All in all, very blessed it wasn’t worse."

No one was injured in the incident, and the building will be closed until further notice. Through this week at least, the administrative offices will be temporarily located at Tift County High School, 229-387-2400.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tifton Fire Department for their speedy response. They did an amazing job containing this fire and saving this historic building," Spurlin said.

"We would also like to commend Tangela Coney with Facilko (Services) for her quick thinking in calling 911 to get help. We are thankful the fire didn't cause more damage to the building."

Photos by Bonnie Sayles

Annie Lucille Greene with some of her art on display at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center in Tifton. Her exhibit runs through July 23.

TIFTON ART EXHIBIT DEPICTS SCENES IN SEGREGATED SOUTH

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

A former art educator, Annie Lucille Greene discovered her chosen medium in the early 1970s, making colorful paintings from yarn.

She was teaching the style of art to her high school students in Troup County when she found it appealing and adopted it as her own, using colorful knitting yarns outlined in black embroidery thread.

A Georgia native, Greene recreates images from her childhood and youth, mostly showing segregated schools and churches, reflecting life as an African American in the rural South.

More than 40 of her original pieces are on exhibit at Tifton's Syd Blackmarr Arts Center for public viewing now through July 23. An opening reception with Greene, her husband, and a cousin from Adel was held Saturday.

One of Greene’s pieces shows children playing in front of a Rosenwald school. At least 5,000 of these schools were built across the South by the wealthy industrialist Julius Rosenwald in a partnership with Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee University. The purpose of the schools was to reverse years of inequality in education because of slavery and segregation.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Tift County native Dr. Titus Brown will speak on the history of the Tift County Industrial School, a Rosenwald school, built on land donated by Tifton’s founder, Capt. Henry Harding Tift.

Greene, who taught art in Thomasville for a year and 34 years in Troup County, studied abstract impressionism art styles and earned a master’s degree in fine art from New York University in 1961.

Her exhibit, “What Color is Water?: Growing up Black in a Segregated South,” reflects on the inequities many would like to forget – racial segregation of all public and private facilities.

The exhibit continues 4-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. She said she’s done about 40 cotton fields, and all of them have sold. She gets a lot of commissions, and it usually takes her a month to six weeks to do a piece.

Greene describes her technique in the video below:

Below is a CBS Morning News report on the impact of Rosenwald schools on education and how they changed the lives of black Americans:

Tifton First United Methodist Church youth and volunteers prepare to host seven churches and more than 100 participants this week as TFUMC hosts 'River of Life,' a community-wide mission’s project aimed at assisting local homeowners with repair and improvement projects.

'RIVER OF LIFE' BRINGS 100 YOUTH TO TIFTON FOR MISSIONS PROJECT

By TOM MARK

First United Methodist Church

After more than two years in the planning, "River of Life" is coming to Tifton.

Hosted by Tifton First United Methodist Church (TFUMC), River of Life is a community-wide mission’s project bringing in more than 100 participants from eight churches who will assist local homeowners with small repair and improvement projects.

The project begins Wednesday as youth groups arrive in Tifton. The work gets underway Thursday and will go through this Saturday. The week ends with a sendoff Sunday morning at FUMC's 9 a.m. service.

“River of Life mobilizes the church to get into the community to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Derek Harrison, youth ministry director at Tifton First United Methodist Church.

In addition to the more than 100 youth participants, there will be 50 to 60 adult leaders and volunteers, Harrison said. These are individuals who will supervise the building and improvement projects as well as provide food, water, and transportation to the home sites.

River of Life in Georgia was established in 1990, and churches have conducted many events since its beginning. Tifton youth have participated in River of Life projects in Savannah during the past two years.

During the past year, the River of Life project has been taking applications and vetting projects from local homeowners to determine the suitability of projects for teenage volunteers. Harrison said most of the projects will involve rebuilding wheelchair ramps, painting, landscaping, and yard cleanup.

There are nine properties scheduled to be worked on. River of Life leaders secured an experienced contractor to assist with the vetting process in determining if projects were viable and appropriate.

The project's importance has not been lost on local participants.

“It’s a time for us all to come together and watch what the power of God can do when we all come together, making small miracles happen,” said Blair Golden, a rising senior at Tift County High School.

Abigail Harvin, a rising junior at Tiftarea Academy, said, “I’m thankful that we can help people in our community.”

This has turned into a true community-wide project as River of Life leaders and Tifton First United Methodist have partnered with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, which will provide housing for the youth and chaperones. ABAC will also provide breakfast. Lunch each day will be provided by Chick-fil-A. Supper will be provided by volunteers who cook the Wednesday night supper at TFUMC.

Each day will begin with an early breakfast on the ABAC campus before participants go to work until 4 p.m. At the end of each day there will be supper, games, and worship on the TFUMC campus.

The youth will be divided into teams and will focus on one home throughout the week.

If a team finishes its home before week’s end, the youth will then assist with the Peanut Butter & Jesus ministry and a shelf-building project at the Salvation Army.

TFUMC Senior Pastor Chip Grantham has hopes that more will be accomplished than home improvement and repairs: “We hope that the homeowners see Jesus through the efforts of the youth and the volunteers,” he said.

Mims Kids Inc. will hold its 12th annual Stay In School Rally on Saturday,

July 22, 2023, from 12 noon until supplies last. The event will be a drive-by conducted in the parking lot of 41 South Farmers Market, 2505 Main St. South. Children will have to be present to receive school supplies and clothing items.

For more information, contact M.Jay Hall, Executive Director, (229) 392-2071

TIFTON THANKS FOX THEATRE INSTITUTE FOR GRANT HELPING RESTORE TIFT THEATRE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton officials and local business people gathered Monday to formally thank the Fox Theatre Institute for its $70,000 preservation grant to help fund repairs to the neon lights and the purchase of two LED marquee boards for the Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The Fox Theatre Institute is an outreach program created by Atlanta’s Fox Theatre offering historic preservation aid, consultation, and education to performing arts venues in Georgia and the Southeast.

The Tift Theatre also had been awarded a $77,027 Fox Theatre Institute grant in 2017 to help repair and restore the Tift's seating.

"We are excited about the continued efforts to restore the landmark, historic Tift Theatre and have the community enjoy local performing arts," the City of Tifton posted on social media.

TIFTON'S MCELROY RECEIVES TOP GA OPTOMETRIC AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Dr. Ted A. McElroy, a Tifton optometrist, recently received the Georgia Optometric Association's highest award.

McElroy was honored with the Georgianne Bearden Excellence in Leadership Award for 2022, presented to an individual who exemplifies leadership through service, vision, and tenacity. It is given to an individual that, if the history of the Georgia Optometric Association were to be written, it would be impossible to omit their name.

He began his Tifton practice in 1994. McElroy served as Georgia Optometric Association president in 2004, was the organization's Young Optometrist of the Year in 1997, was its Optometrist of the Year in 2005, and in 2009 received its Bernard Kahn Award in recognition of his service to the profession of optometry.

McElroy currently represents the Georgia Optometric Association as the trustee to the Southern Council of Optometrists.

TIFT GOVERNMENTS TO MEET THURSDAY FOR SPLOST WORKSHOP

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Board of Commissioners and the city councils of Tifton, Omega, and Ty Ty have scheduled a joint workshop to discuss a list of projects for a proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum.

The workshop will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce office at 1001 Love Ave. in Tifton. The public may attend.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Applications Are Invited by All Qualified Persons for

THE POSITION OF: Marketing/Public Relations Professional

ANNUAL SALARY: Commensurate with Experience

GENERAL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS: This grant-funded position will work with faculty and staff at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health on developing and promoting a citizen science data collection program for invasive species (www.wildspotter.org). This position will also lead the promotion and marketing of all Center programs and services (www.bugwood.org).

Specific job responsibilities include working with center leadership and leading a team that will promote or create an intended public image for Wild Spotter and Center, collaboratively developing marketing and fundraising campaigns affiliated with this project and the Center, producing marketing/PR content across a variety of mediums, and establishing/maintaining relationships with representatives of the Federal/State/Local partners.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field with experience interpreting scientific material into accessible messages and stories, and designing effective communication campaigns tailored to specific target audiences.

INQUIRIES: For more details and to apply, go to: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/326869. You may also contact Chuck Bargeron at cbargero@uga.edu with any questions.

TIFTON TOURISM ACCEPTING GRANT PROPOSALS FOR COMING YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association is now accepting grant proposals under the Community Partners Program to financially assist projects, events, and conferences that bring more visitors to Tifton and Tift County.

Proposals are limited to two typed pages with a maximum of five pages of supporting materials.

During the past 30 years, the Tourism Association has granted more than $1 million in this successful partnership program.

“We believe that one of the best ways to use local tourism funds and increase visitors to Tifton is to assist the volunteers who have successful events and programs, helping them to grow and expand,” said Frank Sayles Jr., Tourism Board chairman.

Tourism Coordinator Tyron Spearman said the Community Partners Program has been "very successful and groups are very appreciative. We’ve developed guidelines to help evaluate the proposals. Points are granted based on economic impact on tourism, investment by the sponsoring organization, and the committee favors multi-day events that bring overnight visitors.”

Projects must actively promote more visitors from outside of Tift County and not be a project for local citizens that simply improves quality of life. Funds are required be used to promote Tifton and the event through marketing and advertising only.

Additional grant proposal guidelines include listing the anticipated attendance of an event or conference, as well as expected hotel room nights to be used. The marketing and advertising plan must also be clearly stated in the proposal.

Deadline for receiving proposals is noon Friday, July 28. All grant funds must be requested at this time. Requests for funds will not be considered throughout the year unless they are for a new event just organized.

Proposals may be mailed to the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, P. O. Box 273, Tifton, GA 31793, delivered to the Spearman Agency at 148 Ridge Ave. S., emailed to spearmanagency@friendlycity.net or faxed to 229-386-8757. Questions and proposals should be directed to Coordinator Tyron Spearman or Assistant Coordinator Angela Elder at 229-386-0216.

TIFTON EXCHANGE CLUB GIVES GRANTS TO GROUPS ADDRESSING CHILD ABUSE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Exchange Club of Tifton recently presented grants to local organizations on the front lines of treating and preventing child abuse in the community. The funds for the grants were raised during the club’s annual Bids for Kids virtual auction.

Organizations receiving grants were: Alliance for Children, Called to Care, Coastal Plain CASA, Kids Advocacy Coalition, Maggie Campbell’s Gingerbread House, Patticake House, Peanut Butter & Jesus, PLIGHT, Lifehouse Ministries/Pregnancy Care Center of Tiftarea, The Kalos Academy, The Salvation Army, Tift County Commission on Children & Youth, Tift County Needy Children’s fund, Tiftarea House of Hope, and United Way of South Central Georgia.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Bandit” is among the kitties available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Bandit and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Pets of the Week are sponsored by:

Branch's Veterinary Clinic

205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055

TIFTON PLANS CELEBRATION FOR

TIFTON, THOMASVILLE & GULF RAILWAY

~ JULY 11, 1899

A group of Tifton businessmen gathered on July 11, 1899, to begin planning a "grand celebration and barbecue" to mark completion of the first 15 miles of the Tifton, Thomasville & Gulf Railway. Briggs Carson was elected chairman of the planning committee, which hoped to have "barbecue enough to feed South Georgia, free lemonade, plenty of ice water, and amusement enough to fill the day."