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Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

GrapeNew
478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

Tiftarea YMCA photo

Sam Wright of Tifton, raising money for Brother Charlie's Rescue Center while dressed as a hot dog, takes the Polar Bear Plunge Jan. 1 at the Tiftarea YMCA pool. Wright was the top fundraiser for the event.

'POLAR BEARS'

SET RECORD

WITH NEW YEAR'S POOL PLUNGE

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Nine "polar bears" were spotted at the Tiftarea YMCA on New Year's Day, and they gathered to raise a record amount of cash for local nonprofit organizations.


The annual "Polar Bear Plunge" at the Tiftarea YMCA pool on Monday was the most successful ever, said Jason Bishoff, CEO of the YMCA, with a record $15,530 raised for participating organizations.

 

“This year’s Polar Bear Plunge went fantastic. We had nine contestants representing nine organizations,” Bishoff said. “It was cold on Monday, but not as cold as Sunday.”


Sam Wright, representing Brother Charlie’s Rescue Center, was the top fundraiser for the annual plunge. Dressed in a hot dog costume to represent feeding the homeless at Brother Charlie’s (and his restaurant, Checkers in Tifton), Wright raised $8,750 with his plunge into the icy water. As the top fundraiser, his organization – Brother Charlie's – will keep that entire amount.



The other eight “plungers” split their fundraising totals between their representative organizations and the YMCA. They were: Mike Beeman, representing the ABAC Foundation; Nick McClellan, Families for Christ; Bret Wagenhorst, Meals on Wheels; Mac Sims, Steadfast Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation; Vicki Taft, Tiftarea Hospice; Russ Flowers, Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence; Kim Royal, Union Dream Center; and David Pollack, YMCA Pickleball Scholarships.


In addition to fundraising, the event builds awareness for the participating nonprofit organizations, Bishoff said. People have been plunging from the slide into the pool on Jan. 1 for years, but the fundraising aspect of the Plunge began in 2015, the brainchild of the late Rick Hawkins, who was the YMCA's operations manager.


Bishoff also noted that a grand opening will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, for the YMCA’s newly rehabilitated and furnished Women’s Only Exercise Area.


Also, the pickleball courts in the Y's airnaseum adjacent to the pool area will be dedicated in March or April. Six new courts with new flooring are already in place with pickleball play two nights a week – 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

NINE DIE ON GEORGIA ROADS DURING HOLIDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Nine people were killed in traffic accidents on Georgia roads during the New Year’s holiday weekend, the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported.


That was fewer deaths than were reported during the Christmas holiday and during last year's New Year's holiday.


There were 14 people killed in traffic accidents during the recent Christmas holiday period, the DPS said.


During the New Year's holiday period during the previous year, 18 people died on the state's roads.


Authorities did not say if alcohol played a role in any of the recent deaths; many of the accidents remain under investigation.

'GNAT DROP' SEES LARGER AUDIENCE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The annual Tift County Gnat Drop at the American Legion Fairgrounds on New Year's Eve was one of the best, says organizer Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes.

 

"The crowd was larger than past years,” Hughes said, with about 250 in attendance.


“All the performers were great. We had a new kid on stage, Jax Fowler, son of Tift County Fire Chief/EMS Director Joey Fowler. This 13-year-old is someone for us to be looking out for,” Hughes said.


Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith shared with attendees that Tifton's Gnat Drop was mentioned on an Atlanta radio station as a place to mark the new year, along with Perry’s Buzzard Drop.

 

During Sunday night's celebration in Tifton, fairground supervisor Dale Gay presented Hughes with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of American Legion Post 21.


Hughes said she shares the award with the Gnat Drop Committee, consisting of Leila Dollison, Joey Fowler, Garfield Rhaney, Lynn Burnett, Dennis Reese, and Norris Drayton. 


“We are looking for volunteers and sponsors,” Hughes said. “Anyone interested can contact any Gnat Committee member or me at 229-326-0241.”

KTB NAMES JANUARY BEAUTY SPOTS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful has selected its "Beauty Spots" for January.


In the top photo is the Residential Beauty Spot: The home of Dr. Gary and Tina Baxter on Lone Pine Road.


The Commercial Beauty Spot is the newly renovated Pope Real Estate building on John Howard Way.


Keep Tift Beautiful is a city-county advisory board promoting recyclingcommunity gardeninglitter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

A local service business in Tifton, Ga., has an immediate job opening for an administrative position


This position is responsible for answering phone calls, scheduling and dispatching service calls, ordering parts, collecting payments, processing payments, and assisting in all day-to-day aspects of the business. 


We offer competitive pay, paid holidays, vacation, 401k, and health insurance. 


To apply, please email your resume with references to fiveinformation5@gmail.com


You may also email any inquiries to the email address above. 

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Noel" is a charming kitty that adores snuggling up on cozy blankets and batting at playful toys. Visit Noel 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 CITY COUNCIL DECLARES

ELECTION WINNERS, SETS MAYOR'S PAY

~ JAN. 2, 1893

Tifton City Council met Jan. 2, 1893, in the office of Capt. H.H. Tift, and opened and read the results of the recent city election, declaring that J.C. GoodmanJ.A. McCrea, and W.T. Hargettas were elected to serve two years on City Council.


Councilman E.P. Bowen was elected mayor pro tem, and J.H. Goodman was named city clerk and treasurer. Council voted to set Mayor W.H. Love's salary at $100 a year.

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Tifton Grapevine

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Frank Sayles Jr.

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Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor

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