Fulwood Park Stage Being Replaced

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Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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An architect's plans for rebuilding the stage at Tifton's Fulwood Park.

FULWOOD PARK STAGE REPLACEMENT GETTING UNDERWAY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Syd Blackmarr Stage at Fulwood Park was demolished last week to make way for a new stage to be built.

Construction of a new, more modern stage is expected to begin next week. The $605,000 project is a collaboration between the City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association.

“Originally, there were plans to renovate the old amphitheater, but engineers found that the stage foundation was in too poor of shape to salvage," said Larry Lawrence, acting city manager. "This discovery led to the decision to demolish the old and build a completely new amphitheater.”

The Fulwood Park stage has not had any improvements made in more than a decade, city officials have said.

Plans are to increase usable stage flooring from 900 to 1,200 square feet, add sound and lighting with better access to electrical power, and install a door on the backside of the stage to assist bands loading and unloading equipment.

“The City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association are looking forward to the future events that will now be possible with the new amphitheater in Fulwood Park. This will bring our community together while welcoming guests and tourists to our downtown,” said Hillery Culpepper, Tifton Main Street manager.

The project is expected to be substantially completed by Aug. 14 and operational by Sept. 14, city officials said. Barber Contracting Co. is constructing the new stage.

Representatives of the Tiftarea Homeless Coalition include, bottom row from left, Pat McKinnon, United Way of South Central Georgia; Lynda Turner, Williams Hotel Group; Leila Dollison, The Salvation Army; and Terry Bennett, The Bridge of Tiftarea/Tiftarea House of Hope. Middle row, from left: Jill McIntyre, Tift Regional Medical Center; Renee Cannady, Hope Dealers; and Tony McBrayer, Tift County Board of Commissioners. Top row: M. Jay Hall, Tifton City Council; Larry Lawrence, interim Tifton city manager; Debra Cannon, The Salvation Army; and Tom Hocutt, Mell Baptist Association/Tift Area Ministerial Association/coalition chairman.

LOCAL COALITION HOPES TO OPEN HOMELESS SHELTER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

In an attempt to address local homelessness, the Tift Area Homeless Coalition hopes to open a homeless shelter in Tifton with a program designed to help homeless individuals rebuild their lives.

"We have not found a building as yet, but we keep working on it," said Tom Hocutt, Homeless Coalition chairman, associational missionary for Mell Baptist Association, and a representative of the Tift Area Ministerial Association.

"Those who are working directly with the homeless agree there are probably about 150 homeless here, but there could be more," Hocutt said.

The Homeless Coalition, a Christian-based organization, plans to provide a 90-day program offering a lifeline to the homeless, providing a supportive environment and resources. Each resident will receive personalized assistance from a caseworker who tailors their programs to address specific needs.

The plan is for caseworkers guiding individuals in their journey to stability, such as aiding in school enrollment, obtaining documents such as birth certificates, and assessing government benefits available.

As part of Tift Area Homeless Coalition’s comprehensive approach, it plans to offer a short-term entrance shelter with 50 beds divided into areas for men, women, and families. Shelter residents would be provided dinner and breakfast daily, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.

The shelter would operate from 4 p.m.-8 a.m. seven days a week.

"We estimate our first year of operation budget to be approximately $200,000. This would include paid personnel, program costs, utilities, and insurance. The Tift Area Homeless Coalition is currently receiving donations," Hocutt said.

The Homeless Coalition has been incorporated is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It was formed in October 2023 and includes representatives from organizations across the community, including The Bridge of Tiftarea/Tiftarea House of Hope, Brother Charlie’s Rescue Center, Diversified Enterprises, First United Methodist Church, Hope Dealers, Mell Baptist Association, The Salvation Army, Tift Area Ministerial Association, Tift Regional Medical Center, United Way of South Central Georgia, Williams Hotel Group, the City of Tifton, Tift County government, and Tift County Schools.

For more information, contact Hocutt at 229-733-8911 or at thocutt@gmail.com.

AREA GROUPS JOIN TO PROVIDE DICTIONARIES TO TIFT THIRD GRADERS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Representatives of the Jay Deason Fund and members of Harold Harper Sr.'s family visited the Tifton Woman’s Club on Tuesday to unbox 700 dictionaries they purchased for Tift County third graders.

The Jay Deason Fund, a memorial foundation by the friends of Beth Lewis’ late son, and the family of the late Harper donated $2,784 to purchase the dictionaries from The Dictionary Project.

Volunteers with the Tifton Woman’s Club and Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County will visit elementary school classrooms to distribute the dictionaries to all third graders in the county.

Pictured with Woman’s Club members are (front row, from left) former Literacy Volunteers Director Lillie McEntyre, and Harper family members Donna Ross, Debra Harper Folsom, and Dot Harper, along with Beth Lewis and Bert Ponder with the Jay Deason Fund.

Tifton Woman’s Club members, from left, are Tonja Tift, Shirene Daniell, Marilyn Burks, Pat Guill, Debbie Thompson, Leila Dollison, Susie Jones, Jamie Stewart, Gail Merlin, Corine Alt , Kathy Kerst, Genie McCook, and Bonnie Sayles.

Club members affixed labels in all of the books, designating the project donors, and counted out the books for each Tift County public and private school third-grade class.

IRWIN HOSPITAL OPENS URGENT CARE CLINIC

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla opened a walk-in clinic on Monday.

"We are excited to be able to offer a walk-in clinic/urgent care to our rural community," the hospital announced.

Urgent Care of Irwin County Hospital offers services without appointments needed and is open late on weekdays. The facility is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 602 N. Irwin Ave., in Ocilla.

Tifton Exchange Club Student of the Year finalists, from left, are Frances Allene Nelson, Jasmine Olson, Sarah Grace Kozma, Award Recipient Thomas Holt (rear), Abbey Harris, Rhett Rogers, Lindsey Carter, Bryce Roberson, Lexi Connell, Kate Marie Womack, Brynna Burke, and Bill Nguyen.

EXCHANGE CLUB NAMES STUDENT OF YEAR, HONORS TOP LOCAL SENIORS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Thomas Holt, a Tiftarea Academy senior and the son of Jason and Abby Holt, was named the top Youth of the Year by the Tifton Exchange Club, and 11 other area top high school seniors were honored as finalists at a luncheon Monday.

Holt received a plaque and a $500 scholarship to further his education. He now competes at the Exchange Club Georgia District Convention in June. Winners of state competitions will compete nationally for a $10,000 scholarship.

Holt served a year as Georgia 4H president. He is a member of the National Hispanic Honor Society, a four-time regional champion in impromptu speaking, and is a Georgia College and State University Presidential Scholar.

“This isn’t just about me,” Holt said after receiving the Exchange Club award. “This is about our future. Each of the 12 of us have a lot of great things to look forward to. I know we’re all going to do great things.”

The 12 local high school finalists were judged on their extracurricular activities, grades, a short essay about one of their activities, and a longer essay required by the National Exchange Club. All participants received plaques and a monetary award in recognition of their achievements.

Tift County High School students named as finalists were: Kate Marie Womack, daughter of John and Erin Womack; Brynna Burke, daughter of Shaye and Anthony Burke; and Bill Nguyen, son of Andy and Bich They Nguyen.

Tiftarea Academy students finalists were Lindsey Carter, daughter of Joy and Dennis Carter; Lexi Connell, daughter of Jessica and Dustin Connell; Abbey Harris, daughter of Felise and Rusty Harris; Sarah Grace Kosma, daughter of Hope and Marton Kozma; Frances Allene Nelson, daughter of Ginger and David Nelson; Jasmine Olson, daughter of Daryl and Maryjane Olson; Bryce Roberson, son of Paula and Jamie Roberson; and Rhett Rogers, son of Erin Bean.

WOMAN'S CLUB DONATES TO

TIFTON MEALS ON WHEELS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Woman’s Club President Debbie Thompson, at left in photo, thanks Diane Cowart on Tuesday and presents her with a donation for Tifton Meals on Wheels.

Cowart said that she has worked with Meals on Wheels since 1984.

“We feed 60 people a day on six routes,” five days a week, Cowart said. “A different person delivers that route every day.”

Volunteers drive one hour a week every other week. Meals are paid for by donations.

“Many times that volunteer is the only human being that individual sees that day,” Cowart said. Often, she said, the volunteer reminds the client to eat.

“We don’t base the service on financial needs,” Cowart said. Clients may donate to support the program if they are able.

KEEP TIFT BEAUTIFUL NAMES

'BEAUTY SPOTS' FOR MARCH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial "Beauty Spots" for March.

The home of William and Kelly Bowen on Murray Avenue, pictured above, is this month's residential Beauty Spot.

The Syd Blackmarr Arts Center on Love Avenue, pictured below, is the commercial Beauty Spot of the month. Pictured in front of The Syd are, from left, Rosemary Hightower of KTB, and arts staff Chelsea Webster, Georgia Smith, and Bruce Green.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Chapo’s Tequilas & Grill

3310 U.S. Highway 82 W., Tifton

March 7

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Mack" is a fun-loving, people-adoring kitty with a playful spirit. This guy is always ready for an adventure, whether it’s chasing toys, pouncing on imaginary foes, or soaking up all the attention he can get. Visit Mack and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON BOYS HOME NAMES DIRECTOR

~ MARCH 12, 1964

St. Anne's Episcopal Home for Boys in Tifton on March 12, 1964, named W. Glenn Mathis as director. Mathis was a state highway engineer and scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout troop. The needy boys home was located at 1608 N. Central Ave.