Moving The Syd into 21st Century

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

STATE GRANT WILL MOVE 'THE SYD' INTO

'21st CENTURY' ALAPAHA, FITZGERALD, NASHVILLE, ADEL RECEIVE GRANTS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tifton Council for the Arts has been awarded a state cultural facilities grant to update the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center.

“These funds will provide much-needed updates to our beautiful 120-year-old building to bring it into the 21st century,” said Cindy Hammond, president of the Tifton Council for the Arts.

“We will now be able to install professional exhibit lighting, audio/video equipment, add more storage space, and ensure that the building is safe for visitors," she said.

"We are so excited about the new types of events we will be able to hold in the space, including new exhibits and opening up the building for business meetings and special events for the community.”

The Syd is located in the former First United Methodist Church building built on Love Avenue in 1900-01 by Tifton Methodists. It replaced previous wooden structures that were burned. First United Methodist relocated to its current location on 12th Street in 1954, and the old downtown structure eventually fell into disrepair. The Rotary Club of Tifton began efforts in 1990 to restore the building.

The Syd's $58,901 grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, an arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is for fiscal year 2024. Cultural facilities grants support capital improvements to or construction of buildings to be used for arts programming.

“These grant dollars will allow arts organizations in Georgia to focus on their primary mission to bring art and cultural events to their communities by ensuring their facilities are in good condition,” said Tina Lilly, director of the Georgia Council for the Arts.

As part of this year’s awards, 87 entities in 59 counties will receive a total of $1.45 million in cultural facilities and vibrant communities arts grants. Among those receiving arts grants are Alapaha Station Celebration in Berrien County, the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Arts Council, and the cities of Nashville and Adel.

Tifton First United Methodist Church

invites everyone to come out and enjoy an evening of Family Fun as the Fall Festival returns to Tifton First on Wednesday, October 25th.

107 12th Street West

Tifton, Ga.

REP. SCOTT LOSES 2nd BID FOR U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER

LATE TUESDAY, GOP PICKS 4th NOMINEE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, lost his second bid Tuesday for U.S. House speaker as turmoil continues within the GOP to elect a new speaker to run the House of Representatives.

Scott was eliminated in the third round of closed-door voting by the Republican caucus when he received just 12 votes, according to national news outlets.

"Last week, I supported and voted for Rep. Jim Jordan to be the speaker of the House. Now that he has withdrawn from the race, I am running again to be the speaker of the House," Scott had announced in the run-up before Tuesday's closed-door secret balloting.

"Our nation and Congress need healing, and I believe I can lead us through that process so that our government can serve the people's best interests," Scott said.

"I am running to create a Congress that functions properly and to ensure that power is shared."

The Tifton Republican had previously sought the speaker's office on Oct. 13 but lost that nomination to Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who was one of four nominees who were initially recommended to the full House. Scott had gotten 84 votes to Jordan's 124 in that nominating process.

Late Tuesday, following a series of nine rounds of voting, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson is the latest nominee. Johnson was picked after Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota was chosen as a candidate for speaker, but dropped out just hours later after a backlash of ultra-conservative House members and criticism by former President Trump.

Emmer had followed Jim Jordan as the nominee, who dropped out of contention after losing votes on the House floor. Before Jordan, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., was the nominee but he withdrew when he realized he didn't have the support of 217 members, the number needed to be elected speaker.

The speaker's job has been vacant since Oct. 3 when an ultra-conservative faction in the House led the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Since then, the House has been paralyzed.

As of late Tuesday, Johnson was expected to be suggested to the full House on Wednesday for a vote as speaker.

Call 229-848-2366 for information

STATE STOPS SALE OF 'CONTAMINATED' KEROSENE IN FITZGERALD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it has halted the sale of what it calls "contaminated kerosene" that was being sold at Planters Oil No. 1 at 803 East Central Ave. in Fitzgerald.

The kerosene is possibly contaminated with gasoline and has the potential to cause an explosion or fire if used in home appliances. The agriculture department is instructing consumers who may have purchased kerosene from the location on or after Oct. 17 to avoid using the product in kerosene heaters or lamps.

“The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s fuel and measures team works tirelessly to inspect fuel quality and ensure consumers across Georgia receive a safe, quality product at the pump,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

“We are asking any and all Georgians who may have purchased this contaminated fuel to use the utmost caution and avoid using it in their homes. Georgians can return the contaminated fuel to the store for a full refund.”

Agriculture Department officials discovered the contaminated fuel during a routine inspection and placed a “stop-sale” order on the kerosene pump at the store. The pump will remain closed until the tank and lines have been cleaned and a new shipment of kerosene has been tested and approved by the state.

ABAC FEATURED ON AMAZON PRIME'S 'COLLEGE TOUR' SERIES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is one of 14 colleges in the nation featured in Season 9 of "The College Tour," which debuted on Amazon Prime Video last week.

Each episode focuses on a single college, including campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities and more. Life at ABAC is told in 10 vignettes featuring students, who provide an inside look at what it is like to be a Stallion.

“We are thrilled to be featured on 'The College Tour' so people around the world can get an idea of what makes ABAC unique,” said Chris Beckham, ABAC public relations director. “Our students did a phenomenal job telling their stories. The passion they have for their school is evident, and it’s easy to see how their time on campus transformed their lives.”

The show’s Emmy-nominated production team spent a week at ABAC during February filming segments for the show. Alex Boylan, winner of CBS-TV’s "The Amazing Race," hosts the show and was impressed with what his team found in Tifton.

“ABAC offers students an extraordinary experience, and we’re so excited to share that on 'The College Tour,'” he said. “For students, choosing which college to attend is a monumental decision, and this episode gives prospective students a first-hand look at what makes this school so special.”

Among students participating in the show are Tifton’s TJ Acree, Warner Robins’ Alecia Dumas, Germany’s Alex La Sala, Fitzgerald’s Daniel Montiel, Climax’s Miracle Rogers, Perry’s Bryce Roland, Baconton’s Sara Shiver, Irwinville’s Laura Wiley, Hazlehurst’s Karli Williams, and Middleburg, Fla.’s Caitlynne Youmans.

“I think 'The College Tour' will open a lot of people’s eyes about what ABAC has to offer,” Beckham said. “Because the students featured have different interests, different schools of study, and were involved in a variety of activities, viewers will be able to see why ABAC is thriving and continuing to grow.”

"The College Tour" episode can also be seen here.

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

It’s beginning to look and feel a bit spooky around Tifton!

Among the local fun, fall events are:

Kids Spooktacular Hour, Tift Theatre for Performing Arts, 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Oct. 26-28, and Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 30 & 31. Recommended for ages 4-12. Adults $5, Kids $2, on purplepass.com.

Tift Theatre’s Haunted Mansion: Welcome to Warwick Manor, 7:15 p.m.-midnight, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Oct. 26-28, and Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 30 & 31. Recommended for ages 13+, $7 on purplepass.com.

Haunted House benefiting Steadfast Wildlife Rescue, 215 E. Second St., 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Oct. 26-28, and Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 30 & 31. Admission $10. Children under 6 -$5.

Terror on the Tracks, ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture, 8-11 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27. $10 per person/$5 for ABAC students. Tickets sold at Museum Country Store the day of event. Not recommended for under 13 years old. Restless spirits of a tragic train crash on the outskirts of a small South Georgia Village return to wreak havoc on the living.

Tifton Historic Haunted Tours, Friday & Saturday, 6-9 p.m., Friday & Saturday, Oct. 27-28. Reservations are required and limited. Visit Savor the Flavor or call 229-445-7151. Tickets $12, Students $6. Starts at Historic Myon Courtyard.

Trick or Treat in the Village, ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. A safe, educational, and family-friendly, fun-filled day with treats, games, food trucks, and more. Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6 for children ages 5-16, and free for ages 4 and under.

Cross The Line Paranormal Tour of the Tifton Library, 6 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Oct. 28. Reservations required by calling Tifton-Tift County Public Library, 229-386-7148. Limited admission.

Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Tifton will be 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Children in costume with parents walk along Main Street and Third Street, collecting candy from businesses and organizations.

TRMC OFFERING ROBOTIC-ASSISTED LUNG CANCER DETECTION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) says a "significant advancement in the field of pulmonary medicine and critical care" is now available at the Tifton hospital.

Dr. Rubal Patel is now offering state-of-the-art robotic-assisted lung biopsies, what TRMC calls a "groundbreaking procedure (that) revolutionizes early lung cancer detection, emphasizing the importance of early intervention."

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, affecting both men and women," Patel said. "The five-year survival rate for all stages of non-small cell lung cancer, the most prevalent form of the disease, averages only 23%. Unfortunately, most cases of lung cancer are diagnosed after the cancer has already spread beyond its initial site; therefore, early detection is crucial as it significantly improves survival rates and outcomes."

The procedure combines advanced technology with Patel's expertise, addressing the challenges of performing biopsies on abnormalities detected in chest imaging, especially those situated deep within the lungs. Such abnormalities are typically found in the outer third of the lung, in regions characterized by tight spaces and narrow airways.

"Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to navigate an ultra-thin and very flexible tube with a camera at the end of it into the lungs to pinpoint suspicious nodules," Patel said. "The increased dexterity of the steerable tube makes it possible to reach areas of the lungs that we could not access before with standard bronchoscopes."

Patel practices with Southwell Medical in Tifton and serves as TRMC's medical director of pulmonary medicine and critical care. She earned her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Netherlands-Antilles and completed residency and fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

COOK COUNTY FARM NAMED A GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Stone Family Farm in Cook County, represented by Freddie Stone, is one of 13 Georgia farms recognized recently as a Georgia Centennial Farm.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture recognized this year's farm recipients during the 34th Annual Georgia National Fair.

"As a seventh-generation farmer, I know full well the relentless commitment and unwavering dedication required to keep a generational farm in operation for over 100 years, and I’m proud to congratulate the 13 recipients of this year’s Georgia Centennial Farm Award,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper of Ocilla.

"These generational family farms play an integral role in the success of Georgia’s agriculture industry; we’re grateful for their contributions to Georgia’s rich agricultural history and look forward to continuing to empower Georgia farmers to help ensure their success for generations to come."

The Centennial Farm program was created in 1993 to recognize historic Georgia farms that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years and is a collaborative effort by the state Agriculture Department, the Ga. Department of Natural Resources, the Ga. Department of Community Affairs, the Ga. Farm Bureau Federation, the Ga. Forestry Commission, the Georgia National Fairgrounds, and Georgia EMC.

AREA ROTARY CLUBS JOIN TO BATTLE POLIO GLOBALLY AT 'PINTS & PINOT' FUNDRAISER THURSDAY IN SPARKS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A chance to win a two-night stay at a cottage on Lake Hartwell that sleeps six is among the prizes in a drawing Thursday at the first "Pints & Pinot to End Polio" fundraiser at 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Horse Creek Winery in Sparks.

Sponsored by four area Rotary Clubs, the event is a fundraiser toward eradicating polio globally. Tickets are $40 each, and each ticket holder receives a ticket to place in a bucket in front of about 20 items valued at hundreds of dollars. Extra tickets may be purchased at $10 each.

A live auction will include a three-night stay in a three-bedroom condo at Mexico Beach valued at $1,200, secured by the Nashville-Berrien Rotary Club. The Tifton Rotary Club has a $650 Michael Kors backpack in the auction. Other clubs with prizes and auction items are the Valdosta and Valdosta North Rotary clubs.

Tickets may be reserved by calling or texting Tifton Rotary Club President Bonnie Sayles at 229-848-2366.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, was World Polio Day, a day to believe that eradication of polio is possible and urgently needed now, Sayles said. Every dollar raised at Thursday’s fundraiser to End Polio will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rotary International has been a partner in the effort to vaccinate the world’s children against polio since 1979, starting with vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippines.

“Twenty million children are walking today who would have otherwise been paralyzed,” Sayles said. “Only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, remain endemic with wild polio in 2023.”

People who don’t attend Thursday’s fundraiser may donate to the Rotary Foundation at https://www.endpolio.org and have donations tripled as well.

“Please join me in giving $25, $100, or $250, to End Polio Now,” Sayles said.

More information may be found at https://makepoliohistory.org/

“We have a historic opportunity to get to zero cases, but if we don’t keep working, polio could quickly make a comeback, paralyzing hundreds of thousands of children again in our lifetime,” according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Candy Corn" is an adorable kitty seeking a good home in time for the upcoming holidays. Come visit her at the Tift County Animal Shelter and also see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

BOWEN BUILDING/OPERA HOUSE

COMPLETED DOWNTOWN

~ OCT. 26, 1896

E.P. Bowen completed his brick building facing Second Street on Oct. 26, 1896. The two-story downtown building was constructed to house three stores on the ground floor with an 800-seat opera house on the top floor.