Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

TIFTON, IT'S TIME FOR SOME 'R&R' RHYTHM & RIBS BBQ FEST EXPECTED TO BE BIGGER THAN EVER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

While showers are in the forecast, that possibility is not dampening spirits for this weekend's annual Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival in Tifton's Fulwood Park.

"We are excited for a fun weekend. We are rain or shine! Vendors are already filling the park, and they are ready to serve you. All of the shows are still scheduled to perform," says Angela M. Elder of the Tifton Tourism office.

The "Party Under the Pines" gets underway tonight with live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. with the bands Heart of Pine followed by Granville.

Then, all day Saturday from 10 am.-10 p.m., Fulwood Park with be buzzing with constant live entertainment, a car show, a Ferris Wheel and a KidZone with interactive activities, approximately 150 vendors, and of course, the tantalizing aroma of barbecue on the grill.

The professional barbecue competition is sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association with teams from all parts of Georgia and surrounding states cooking at the park. And 16 barbecue vendors will be selling ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and chicken to satisfy taste buds.

Entertainment includes the headliner Travis Denning, whose song "After a Few" hit No. 1 on the country music charts. The Warner Robins native has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and has toured with such performers as Brothers Osborne, Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, and Dierks Bentley.

A fun family show, the Disc-Connected K9's, will perform near the dog park. The internationally acclaimed professional Frisbee dog touring show includes 24 world finalists among its Frisbee-fetching dogs.

Also:

• Steve Gryb, the Pied Piper of Percussion, will invite folks to participate and play instruments with him that include tambourines of all shapes and sizes, Remo hand-drums, and colorful maracas.

• Family fun includes the Ferris Wheel, South Georgia Gellyball, mini golf, water balls, rock walls, and inflatables.

• The BBQ awards will begin at 4 p.m. on the main stage.

• The Think Tifton tent by the main stage will be selling festival T-Shirts.

• Restrooms will be near the playground, near the car show, and near the main stage.

• A wristband for alcohol must be purchased at the Think Tifton tent by the Main Stage, at the aqua blue tents on the north side of the park and by the professional judging tent. They will not be sold at the bars. Cash and Venmo are accepted; IDs are required.



• The Rides & Ribs Car Show from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. will close Tift Avenue between 8th and 12th streets.

• Golf carts, coolers, and fireworks are not permitted within Fulwood Park.

An artist rendering of the Lenox Veterans Park when completed. The arch itself has been redesigned and is nearly finished.

WORK PROGRESSING ON VETERANS PARK IN LENOX

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Plans for a Veterans Park in Lenox are taking shape as an arch nears completion, which is just the first phase of the ambitious construction project.

"We're pretty proud of it," said retired Lenox banker and Vietnam veteran Warren Robinson. "A lot of people are willing to donate to the project."

Robinson is helping lead the initiative along with Lenox City Councilman Billy Mauldin. "It was his dream for quite a while," Robinson said.

Mauldin told the Tifton Grapevine that there has been an outpouring of support from throughout the community – not just in Lenox and Cook County but from the surrounding area.

"Most of the stuff we got to build our arch has been donated," Mauldin said, along with concrete and 2,800 bricks.

"We've come a long way so far," he said. Getting the arch built has "lit a fire in folks; things are picking up."

An 11-foot wide granite sign with 10-inch letter proclaiming "Lenox Veterans Park" is being inscribed now and should be placed on the arch within the next two weeks, Mauldin said.

Robinson and Mauldin noted that next step is acquiring a Huey helicopter to place behind the arch. A request for a decommissioned helicopter has been made to the military disposition services office.

Other plans for the park include a water fountain lit at night with red, white, and blue LED lights, a decorative metal fence around the park, flag poles with flags honoring the military branches, and benches and bricks than can be purchased and inscribed with names.

Three of the six benches in the park have already been sponsored, Robinson said. Benches are $500 each and will be engraved with the sponsors' names. Bricks are being sold for $100 and can be engraved with the name of a veteran or with the sponsor's name to honor veterans.

Veterans honored are not limited to Lenox and Cook County. Robinson said the park is a tribute to all veterans; "it just happens to be in Lenox." Mauldin said he engraved a brick honoring Tifton's Jack Stone, for whom Tifton's Veterans Memorial Park is named.

The Lenox park is bring funded through the sale of engraved bricks and benches, through a recent shotgun raffle, and from numerous donations. The City of Lenox donated the site in the middle of town next to the Post Office.

"It's going to pretty special for our town and really for our part of the state," Robinson said.

Mauldin added that "we've got big plans. We'll have something in South Georgia that people will be proud of."

To purchase a brick or sponsor a bench for the Veterans Park, call Lenox City Hall at 229-546-4252.

GDOT OK's TIFTON EV CHARGING STATION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has approved another electric-vehicle (EV) charging station in Tifton through a federally funded program.

EnviroSpark Networks Inc. has been chosen to build the charging station at the Waffle House at 706 W. Seventh St./ U.S. Highway 82 near the Magnolia Drive intersection in Tifton.

The Tifton charging station is one of five that GDOT recently approved.

"These electric-vehicle chargers will be deployed through a public-private partnership utilizing federal and private funding," GDOT said in a press release. "Each team listed ... will design, install, finance, operate, and maintain electric-vehicle charging stations equipped with Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports for a minimum of five years in compliance with federal rules."

Other cities receiving charging stations under the Georgia National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan include Fort Valley, Dublin, Metter, and Brunswick.

“Georgia DOT’s mission is to provide a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. "Deploying these first five charger locations is a good start to ensure the fast-charging infrastructure is in place as more and more electric vehicles are on the road. We look forward to the next round of procurements starting very soon."

Georgia is among the top 10 states for EV sales, and three of the top five largest investments in the EV supply chain are in Georgia. The Peach State has approximately 1,193 publicly available EV charging stations, but only 14 have DCFC ports that meet both the distance and power requirements under federal rules.

The Georgia program is derived from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program provides nearly $5 billion nationally during five years, which began in fall 2022. Georgia’s allotment from the formula program is approximately $135 million to develop its portion of the national network.

COOK COUNTY OFFERS WARRANT AMNESTY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Cook County Probate Judge L. Chase Daughtrey is offering a second warrant amnesty period through March 31, allowing eligible individuals to present themselves to pay outstanding fines and clear their warrant in Cook County without facing a physical arrest.

Based on the charges, the prosecutor may offer a reduced fine to settle the case. A majority of defendants with active warrants are from Northern Florida, South Georgia, and the Metro Atlanta area, Daughtrey said.

Eligible individuals are those who have received citations in Cook County Probate Court for traffic violations or select misdemeanor state charges and have failed to appear in court or pay their fines, resulting in a warrant for their arrest.

There are some charges that will still require a mandatory court appearance such as driving under the influence, and fleeing and eluding. Those individuals will have the opportunity to post a cash bond, remove the warrant, and receive a new court date.

To confirm one's eligibility and fine amount, calls to 229-896-3941 are required before arrival. Those eligible and wishing to participate in this program, must visit the Cook County Courthouse, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays during March.

The Probate Court cautioned folks to be aware of scams involving warrant payments, and that no Cook County official will call, and no payments will be accepted over the phone.

For questions, call 229-896-3941.

Albany State University President Marion Ross Fedrick, left, and ABAC President Tracy Brundage sign a joint agreement allowing ABAC criminal justice graduates to enter ASU's master's degree program.

ABAC, ASU PARTNER FOR STUDENTS' CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Officials from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and Albany State University (ASU) signed an agreement Tuesday creating a cooperative relationship to benefit students in the institutions’ respective criminal justice programs.

The articulation agreement streamlines the path for ABAC criminal justice graduates to join ASU’s master's criminal justice degree program, providing guaranteed admission for qualified ABAC graduates and waiving application fees.

ABAC began offering an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2022.

“This is an exciting possibility for our students majoring in criminal justice to further their education and better position themselves going into the workforce,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “We appreciate the partnership with Albany State and look forward to more opportunities like this for our students in the future.”

To qualify, students must be in good academic standing and meet ASU admissions requirements. ABAC students must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications admitted on a provisional basis must pass nine hours of ASU criminal justice courses and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

“Student access and success is one of the key pillars of ASU's strategic plan. The partnership with ABAC expands educational access and creates additional career opportunities for its criminal justice graduates,” said ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick.

TIFT COUNTY HIGH NAMED

AN AP HONOR SCHOOL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County High School has been named a 2024 Advance Placement (AP) Honor School by State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

TCHS met the qualifications in two of eight categories based on results of the 2023 AP courses and exams: AP Expansion and AP Access and Support.

AP Expansion Schools show 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2022 to May 2023 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2022.

AP Access and Support Schools show at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified as African American and/or Hispanic (a minimum of 16 students) and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

AP exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning at the high school level; students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam may receive college credit.

The Ga. Department of Education began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008.

ABAC 'FIRST TUESDAY' CONCERT

ALL ABOUT JOURNEYS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's "First Tuesday Concert" March 5 will feature the ABAC Community Choir in its first solo concert.

Conductor Marti Schert, ABAC choral and applied voice lecturer, said the community choir is an all-volunteer group.

“They’re very dedicated,” she said. “It’s all members of the community who either were music majors or just love to sing, and we’re always open to new voices joining us. We’re in the process of growing as a community choir and have plans of performing a large-scale choral work with instruments in the future.”

Schert said the concert at 7 p.m. in ABAC’s Howard Auditorium is all about journeys.

“We have quite a variety of pieces,” she said. “All of them talk about journeys in some way. So, if I were to say there is a unifying theme for this concert, it’s about different types of journeys. Our students are starting their own individual journeys here at ABAC and we’re excited to be a part of this.”

Several pieces are centered on nature and journeying through nature, Schert said.

“We’re doing a lovely German piece, ‘O Schoene Nacht,’ that talks about the beauty of the night sky, and we’re performing ‘The Road Not Taken,’ which was inspired by the Robert Frost poem,” she said. “We’re going to end with ‘Alleluia’ and ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo,’ both of which turn toward the spiritual journey, which we thought was appropriate as we approach this Easter season."

NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER SYMPOSIUM RETURNS TO TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The annual South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium is returning to Tifton on March 20, says the Coastal Plains Native Plant Society of Georgia.

Co-sponsored by Coastal Plain Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and Camellia District of the Garden Club of Georgia, the symposium will begin at 9 a.m. at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture's Conference Center.

The program's theme is "Gardens for All Reasons: Establishing and maintaining a healthy native plant garden for multiple objectives."

The educational event will feature expert presentations on plant selection, landscaping, ecological garden care, and insect management.

A plant sale starts at 8:30 a.m. March 20, and registration begins at 9 a.m.

Advance registration is $50, including lunch. After March 7, the cost is $60 with a lunch option available until March 15. Student registration is $25 including lunch.

To register, visit www.sgnpws.org

SHERIFF'S OFFICE OFFERS DROP BOX FOR EXPIRED, UNUSED PRESCRIPTIONS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Sheriff's Office reminds residents that the sheriff's office has a prescription-drug drop box just inside the lobby to dispose of outdated, unused/unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

The sheriff's office encourages residents to use the drop box rather than flushing medicines down the sink or toilet.

"It is very important to note that this drop box is not designed to accept needles, sharp syringes with needles, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, empty containers, inhalers, medical equipment, or hydrogen peroxide," the sheriff's office said.

"Before disposing of your outdated, unused or unwanted drugs, please tear off or mark through any personal identifying information on the container."

The drop box is for individuals and not for business waste from nursing or group homes.

Individuals may drop off prescription and over-the-counter drugs in the drop box between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Southwell Registered Nurse Chrissy Dent talks with attendees of the Hands-Only CPR Class during Monday's event at Tifton's Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

SOUTHWELL INSTRUCTS ATTENDEES AT HANDS-ONLY CPR CLASS IN SENIOR CENTER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

In recognition of American Heart Month during February, Southwell teamed with the Leroy Rogers Senior Center in Tifton to hold a free Hands-Only CPR Class on Monday.

Cardiologist Dr. Anthony Burke with Southwell Medical Clinic also talked with the attendees about cardiac health during the event.



Jill McIntyre, a registered nurse with Southwell's employee health, and Chrissy Dent, registered nurse with the medical system's learning and development area, coordinated the community event at the senior center.

HEARTS & DIAMONDS GALA TO HONOR JOYCE MIMS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) Foundation’s 19th annual Hearts & Diamonds Gala will honor the memory of longtime hospital board member Joyce Mims. With a tropical paradise theme, this year’s black-tie optional event will be held 6:30-11 p.m., March 16, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

All proceeds benefit the TRMC Foundation. 

“This special night will serve as a tribute to Ms. Joyce, who recently passed away,” said Mandy Brooks, TRMC Foundation executive director/CEO. “A retired educator, community advocate, and businesswoman, Ms. Joyce had been an active board member of our healthcare system since 2003. She served in the role of board secretary for many years.”

Brooks said the Hearts & Diamonds Gala will feature live music from The Mighty Kicks, a silent auction, cocktails, a seated dinner and a diamond giveaway. Tickets are $125 per person and can be considered a tax-deductible contribution to the TRMC Foundation. 

“Funds generated by the gala will support the Foundation’s Community Fund, which includes the donation of live-saving chest compression machines, automatic defibrillators, and 12-lead EKG equipment to local first responders,” said Brooks.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 229-391-3310.

MULTI-VEHICLE WRECK SNARLS TRAFFIC

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 82 at Salem Church Road in Tift County shut down all lanes of traffic stretching past Carpenter Road and Lowe’s for about two hours Thursday afternoon. 

Authorities said that at approximately 2 p.m., an SUV yielded to a fire truck, and a semi-truck hit the stopped SUV. The SUV then crossed the highway and struck another SUV.

Minor injuries were reported.

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To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

COVID-19 data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of Feb. 28:

TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 7,281 ....................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 181

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 33 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks: 96

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 235 

_______________________________________________________________

GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,453,339

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - Past week: 6,035

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 36,338 ...................................................... GA DEATHS - Past week: 29 

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, March 1, is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. Peanuts, of course, are part of the lifeblood of South Georgia, and peanut butter is among the best ways to enjoy peanuts. Although the Incas were the first to grind peanuts into a paste, true peanut butter is an American concoction. The doctor, nutritionist, and cereal pioneer John Harvey Kellogg filed the first patent for a proto-peanut butter in 1895. Peanut butter became widespread when, during WWI, it was promoted as a healthy meat substitute during meat rationing. But peanut butter became a mainstay in homes with the advent of the partial hydrogenation process in 1921 that maintained a peanut-butter blend without frequent stirring to keep oils from separating.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

• First Friday Concert, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tifton Gardens stage, Downtown Tifton
• Dusty's All-Star Circus, 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton
• Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival Kickoff Party, 6 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

• Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton
• 2nd Annual Blessing of the Bikes, Warriors of Faith Motorcycle Ministry, 11 a.m., Harley-Davidson, Tifton
• Dusty's All-Star Circus, 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

• Circus on Ice Magic Tour, 3 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Tift County High School, Tifton

ADVERTISE YOUR

YARD SALE HERE!

TO ADVERTISE YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE, CONTACT US at 

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Monty" is a charming German shepherd who is joyful, affectionate, loyal, and devoted. Visit this happy guy and other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).