There's a New Statue in Town

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Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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Seven descendants of Tifton founders Henry H. Tift and Bessie W. Tift gather at the new statue of the pair on Love Avenue. Tifton's Mike Brumby, in the ABAC Tennis Camp shirt, is a great-grandson of Tifton's founder. Next to Brumby in blue is his sister Mary of Athens. Another sister, Cordelia of Atlanta, is at right wearing the white visor. They are surrounded by some of their grandchildren, another generation of Tift descendants.

STATUE HONORS TIFTON'S FOUNDERS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Once again, Capt. Henry Harding Tift and his wife Bessie Willingham Tift are looking out upon the city they founded.

During the past couple of weeks, a statue of Tifton's first couple has been installed between the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center and the Tifton-Tift County Public Library. A public dedication is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

The idea of a statue honoring Tifton's founder picked up steam after the unveiling in August 2021 of the sculpture downtown of Harold G. Harper, who began the revitalization of Downtown Tifton in the 1980s with the Myon Complex renovation.

At that statue unveiling, Jack Stone, who owned and ran the Western Auto store on Main Street for more than 60 years and knew Harper even longer, gazed at Harper's likeness and said, "Captain Tift built the town, and Harold saved it."

After Harper's statue was dedicated, Tifton Arts Director Bruce Green said "We need something like this for Captain Tift," according to Tift's great-grandson Mike Brumby of Tifton.

"Certainly, I was part of a voice that Captain Tift needed to be honored," Green said Tuesday. He credited Brumby with making it happen.

Green said Brumby took the lead to rally Tift descendants from all over the country to support funding a statue to honor their ancestor in the town he founded.

"I called up key members of the Tift family," Brumby said. "Tift relatives are scattered all over the place, all the way out to California."

The Tifton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also contributed to the project. "Essentially, we contributed the base" of the statue, said DDA Chairman Dr. Steve Rigdon.

"One of the duties of the Downtown Development Authority is to foster economic development through the arts, through cultural activities and the cultural awareness of our history," Rigdon said.

Nationally recognized artist Susie Chisholm of Savannah crafted the Tift sculpture. She also had created the sculpture of Harper on a downtown bench (she is pictured at left with her Harper sculpture).

Green said the initial plan was to place the statue of the Tifts outside the Tift County Courthouse. However, the county plans to soon begin a two- to three-year project building a courthouse annex and complex; there was concern the heavy construction work could damage a statue there.

Green noted that the ultimate placement of the Tift statue between The Syd and the library is fitting, as Capt. Tift built the brick structure where the arts center is located, which was built as the Methodist Church in 1901-02, and as Bessie Tift was instrumental in starting Tifton's first library.

"The Tift family founded Tifton, and, in the early years, was underwriting key initiatives, such as the Experiment Station, the college, churches, the property the schools were on, Fulwood Park – it just goes on and on," said the DDA's Rigdon.

"The Tift family's investment created this town and its spinoffs – lumber mills, cotton mills, transportation, banking; we appreciate so much the Tift family," Rigdon said.

He said the statue honors the Tifts' legacy and will be "downtown forever."

"Downtown can never be Interstate 75," Rigdon said. "We have to recognize and magnify that which makes us unique, our history, our architecture. You can't have a healthy community if you don't have a healthy downtown."

TYLER RIDDLE SEEKS SEAT ON TIFT COUNTY COMMISSION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

T. Tyler Riddle, a lifelong resident of Tifton and a local businessman, is running for the vacant District 5 seat on the Tift County Commission.

A special election is set for Sept. 16 to fill the unexpired term of the late Fred "Buck" Rigdon, who died May 12 after serving more than 20 years on the commission.

Riddle is CEO of MRS Homecare Inc., a provider of home medical equipment that has served Georgia communities for 45 years.

He said his work in the private sector exemplifies a commitment to fiscal responsibility, compassionate service, and strategic growth.

“As a lifelong member of this community, I am deeply invested in Tift County’s future,” Riddle said. “I believe in making thoughtful, responsible, financial decisions that reflect our community’s needs and priorities. I want to help foster a stronger working relationship between the City of Tifton and Tift County and ensure that all residents of District 5 have a voice in how we move forward together.”

Riddle said his platform focuses on fiscal responsibility, stronger city-county partnerships and collaboration, sustainable growth, and community representation.

“I’m running because I care about where we’ve been and where we’re headed,” Riddle said. “Tift County is home. I want to make sure our community continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Qualifying for the District 5 seat on the County Commission will be from 8 a.m. June 16 until noon June 18.

TIFTON SENIOR CENTER GETS GRANT TO IMPROVE FOOD ACCESS TO SENIORS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Leroy Rogers Senior Center has been awarded a $2,500 Senior Hunger Innovation Grant from the Southern Georgia Regional Commission.

The grant will be used to launch an initiative aimed at improving food access and promoting wellness among older adults in Tifton and Tift County.

With the grant, the senior center will implement a four-month pilot project for seniors: the "Dining and Grocery Voucher Program." The program will provide vouchers to at least 50 local seniors aged 60 and older, allowing them to get nutritious meals at participating restaurants and purchase healthy groceries from local stores.

“Our goal is not only to alleviate food insecurity but also to encourage social engagement and healthy choices among our seniors,” said Natasha Patrick, center director. “This program is a step toward addressing a real need in our community with dignity and support.”

EXCHANGE CLUB NAMES TIFT CAPT. AS OFFICER OF YEAR

The Exchange Club of Tifton has presented the Officer of the Year Award to Capt. Christi Brannon with the Tift County Sheriff’s Office.

Brannon has been with the department for more than 18 years. In November, she was promoted to captain and became the first female commander of the Criminal Investigation Division at the sheriff’s office.

She graduated from ABAC with a criminal justice degree and completed the professional management program at Columbus State University. In 2022, Brannon became the first member of the Tift County Sheriff’s Office to graduate from the FBI National Academy.

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough said that Brannon provides outstanding service to the community and there is no one more deserving of the award.

Pictured from left is Brent Conner, Exchange public safety chair; Scarbrough; and Christi Brannon.

STATE REFUNDS START COMING THIS WEEK, GOV SAYS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Gov. Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Revenue announced Monday that the state will begin issuing one-time, special tax refunds this week.

Most eligible taxpayers who filed their 2023 and 2024 returns before the filing deadlines can expect to receive their refund within the coming weeks, the governor's office said.

“Because we’ve managed our state’s resources wisely, we're again able to return money to hardworking Georgians who know how best to use it,” Kemp said. “Along with our acceleration of the largest income tax rate cut in state history, this latest refund is just one more way we’re working to support the people of our state, their families, and their businesses, because that's not the government's money, it's theirs.”

This marks the third time Georgia has returned a portion of its revenue surplus to taxpayers, with previous refunds issued in 2022 and 2023. To be eligible, taxpayers must have filed both 2023 and 2024 individual income tax returns, have paid into the system, and do not owe the state Department of Revenue.

An individual filer's refund amount will depend on their tax liability from the 2023 tax year and is capped at:

$250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately
$375 for head of household filers
$500 for married individuals filing jointly

For details, including Frequently Asked Questions and refund tracking, Click Here.

Tifton General Manager John Alec McKinnon of SpringHill Suites Tifton heads to the stage after his hotel was announced as Marriott's SpringHill Suites Hotel of the Year.

SPRINGHILL SUITES TIFTON NAMED MARRIOTT'S HOTEL OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Stafford-owned SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Tifton has been named the 2024 Hotel of the Year for Marriott International’s SpringHill Suites brand.

In addition, Tifton Manager John Alec McKinnon was one of just six SpringHill Suites general managers worldwide to receive the Diamond General Manager Award for 2024.

Both awards recognize outstanding achievement across brand culture, leadership, financial performance, crisis management, sales, service, guest satisfaction, and overall hotel operations.

SpringHill Suites Tifton also earned a Diamond Circle Award, placing it among the top 3% of hotels within the brand globally.

“These awards are a testament to John Alec’s exceptional leadership and the hard work of every associate at SpringHill Suites Tifton,” said Kirk Tullos, Stafford's executive director of hospitality. “Together, they have built a culture of excellence that consistently delivers outstanding guest experiences.”

Opened in 2019, SpringHill Suites Tifton is Tifton’s only all-suite property with 104 suites.

SENIOR CENTER TO HOST AARP DRIVERS REFRESHER COURSE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton's Leroy Rogers Senior Center is hosting an AARP Smart Divers Refresher Course from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 25.

Fees are $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Attendees who complete the course may be able to save on car insurance.

The classroom course allows drivers to refresh driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road; learn techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way, and roundabouts; learn proven driving methods to help keep everyone safe on the road; and discover proven safety strategies to maintain confidence behind the wheel.

To reserve a space, call Tasha at 229-391-3956.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Magnolia Villas

2776 E.B. Hamilton Drive, Tifton

June 3

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CATS OF THE WEEK

"Eenie, Meanie, Miney, and Moe" want you to know that it’s "Kitten Season" at the Tift County Animal Shelter. These sweet faces are just a few of the many kittens currently seeking loving homes. The shelter is overflowing with playful, snuggly, and adorable kittens — all waiting for a family to call their own. Now is the perfect time to adopt. Visit them between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

FIRST MONKEY BORN IN TIFTON;

FREE ICE CREAM OFFERED FOR BEST NAME

~ JUNE 1, 1938

The first monkey ever recorded being born in Tifton occurred June 1, 1938, when a baby monkey was born to the two monkeys at the Tifton Ice Cream and Creamery. The proprietor, R.C. Wilson, offered a free gallon of ice cream for the best name for the baby monkey.

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