Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

GrapeNew

G. PAIT WILLIS

J.M. "BUTCH" DAVIS

CHAMBER NAMES LATE BANKERS TO WALL OF FAME

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two former Tifton bankersG. Pat Willis, who died in 2018, and J.M. "Butch" Davis, who died in 2021 – were named to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's Wall of Fame during the Chamber's Annual Meeting & Banquet Thursday night at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.


Other honorees Thursday included Richard Golden of Golden Environmental, who received the Stafford AwardBecky Smith of Ameris Bank, named the Prince Business Woman of the YearBuddy Bryan with Utilco Railroad Services, named the John Hunt Entrepreneur of the YearAshley Mobley of Labor Finders, recipient of the J. Lamar Branch AwardConger LP Gas Inc., which received the Rotary Club of Tifton's Ethics in Business Award; and Amanda Brack of Quality Employment Service, named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.


The Chamber's Wall of Fame recognizes those individuals who are integral to the history of Tift County.


Pait Willis in 1970 helped form South Georgia Banking Co. (SGBC), beginning business in Omega with just three employees. As CEO and chairman of the board of SGBC, Willis helped grow the bank, which today has more than 125 employees and locations in Tift, Turner, Crisp, Colquitt, Dooly, and Worth counties.


Willis served on committees with the Georgia Bankers Association, chaired the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, served on the ABAC Foundation Board, and served as deacon, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and other leadership roles at First Baptist Church of Ty Ty.


Butch Davis had a 43-year career with First Community Bank in Tifton, serving as the president and chief executive officer. He later served as chairman of the board for the Tifton Branch of Colony Bank. An athlete in high school and college, Davis worked with the Tift County Recreation Department before he entered the banking business.


Davis served on numerous community boards through the years, including at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, and the Tiftarea YMCA, where he was among the founders. Davis was honored to be the recipient of the DeNean Stafford Distinguished Service Award in 1998. He was a member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church.


Outgoing Chamber Chairman Chris Efaw of Southwell noted that the Chamber of Commerce had more than 70 new members in the past year and held more than 65 functions.


Charlie Yawn of Coca-Cola United is the incoming Chamber chairman for 2024.

Chamber award recipients included Dan Richardson of Conger LP Gas at left; Ashley Mobley of Labor Finders, fourth from left; and, beginning fourth from right, Becky Smith of Ameris Bank; Richard Golden of Golden Environmental; Buddy Bryan of Utilco; and Amanda Brack of Quality Employment Service. Also pictured are members of the Pait Willis and Butch Davis families.

SOUTH TIFTON NATIVE TO HOST 'STOP THE VIOLENCE' RALLY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A fatal shooting Monday night is the latest instance of gun violence in South Tifton, and an educator who grew up there is hosting a "Stop the Violence" community rally to address the issue.


April D. Slade grew up in Unionville on Martin Avenue off Golden Road. A former teacher at Tift County High School's Northeast Campus from 2006-2009, Slade is now an educator in Jacksonville, Fla., schools.


Her parents and in-laws still live in South Tifton.


"I decided to do this rally as a way to give back to my community and recognize the issue of violence that continues to eradicate the innocent lives of those that deserve a chance at life," Slade told the Tifton Grapevine. "It’s our civic duty as citizens to gather as a village and take control of our communities.


"I am a product of Tift County, and I will always support and stand for the citizens to have a safe and peaceful environment."


The "Stop the Violence" rally will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20 at Tifton's Mott Litman gym. Slade said the rally is being hosted with support of the Tift County Recreation Department, and she is seeking support and assistance from other local organizations and individuals.


Those interested in helping may contact her at aprildslade@gmail.com and at 229-308-5204.


"South Tifton has had far too many moments of violence. Our children and community deserve real action to stop the epidemic of gun violence in our county," Slade said. "The surge in incidents and deaths demands that we respond immediately and that we remain united in our effort to hear and serve our community and prevent future violence by investing in those most impacted: Young men who are disproportionately black and brown."


She said there is "reason to have hope that we can prevent gun violence before it happens again by rallying the community and focusing on ways that we can positively lessen the number of fatalities affecting our community."


The rally will promote non-violence and provide parents and youths with the "information, resources, and tools they need to remain safe," Slade said.

ALAPAHA WOMAN NAMED NATIONAL TREE FARMER OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A Berrien County forest landowner has been awarded one of the nation’s highest honors for her commitment to the sustainable management of trees.


Heather Brasell of Alapaha has been named the 2023 Tree Farmer of the Year by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Brasell was recognized for her stewardship of the Gaskins estate.


Brasell took over management of her property from her late husband, Murray Gaskins, in 2009. The property has been in the Gaskins family for almost 200 years. She was the Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year for 2022.


Brasell was chosen as national Tree Farmer of the Year from a group of four regional winners. She will be recognized at a national Tree Farm event in March.


In addition to managing forest operations on her property, Brasell spends much of her time doing prescribed burns, controlling invasive plants, and restoring a diverse groundcover of native plants to improve wildlife habitats.

 

retired educator, Brasell developed the Gaskins Forest Education Center on part of her property as a resource for environmental educators who need a place for field-based workshops, field trips, research, and educational outreach activities. The center has an arboretum, pollinator garden, bog garden, fernery, grasses garden, and a variety of sites that demonstrate varied groundcover restoration and forest management strategies.  


She also collaborates with environmental organizations in presenting outreach programs for children, teachers, landowners, and biologists. She organizes two community events each year. "A Day in the Woods," close to Earth Day in spring, brings more than 40 presenters who share activities and interactive demonstrations related to forestry, wildlife, and traditional crafts using natural materials. The annual Pollinator Census event is held as part of the statewide community science program.


As an active member of the Coastal Plain Chapter of Georgia Native Plant Society, Brasell volunteers with conservation projects around the state to rescue plants from roadside construction sites, replant them in protected public sites, restore degraded habitats on public areas, and protect endangered species. 


The American Tree Farm System program promotes the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry. The Georgia Forestry Commission works with Georgia landowners to support standards of forest stewardship and partners with ATFS across the state.



“Ms. Brasell’s roots are in forest ecology in Australia. She came to Georgia and earned a degree in science education, and has been passionate about the beauty and benefits of Southern forests ever since,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore.


“Our agency commends her dedication to sound forest management and is proud to help celebrate this outstanding achievement.”

ASHBURN-TURNER CHAMBER GIVES AWARDS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Ashburn-Turner County Chamber of Commerce recently held its 67th Annual Chamber Banquet.


Turner County Sheriff Andy Hester was named Citizen of the Year at the banquet.


Other award recipients were:

  • Community Service of the Year: Diane Saylor
  • Farm Family of the Year: David Young Farms
  • Volunteer of the Year: Sami Mastrario
  • Small Business of the Year: Tracy McCann Edwards/Asa Health & Wellness/Medspa

READ ALOUD WEDNESDAY ON WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Wednesday, Feb. 7, is World Read Aloud Day, and the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth is encouraging Tift Countians to promote reading and literacy by reading aloud to an audience of any age. 


“The event is meant to highlight the importance of literacy and the role that reading aloud plays in promoting literacy and fostering a love of reading in children and adults alike,” said Lillie McEntyre, executive director of the commission.


“This is the first year we have participated community wide, and we would like to see as many as possible reading aloud,” she said. “Please let me know what you and your organization are doing regardless of how big or small your event or audience is. 

 

“I will be watching for posts that use the following hashtags especially the one for Tift. If possible, please take a picture and post to Facebook, make it public, and use the hashtags #WorldReadAloudDay and #WorldReadAloudDayTift for everyone to see.”


Tift County Schools will be participating, so McEntyre suggests parents ask their children what they read at school. 


“How can you participate? Plan to read aloud to the children (or adults) around you,” she said. “Read to your child or have them read to you – or better still, do both. We'll be celebrating the power of reading aloud with millions of readers, writers, and listeners worldwide, and we hope you will join us.”


For information, contact McEntyre at 229-388-1000 or email Tc3y@friendlycity.net


World Read Aloud Day was founded in 2010 by the nonprofit organization LitWorld to position literacy as a foundational human right. More information may be found at LitWorld.org

FOR SALE   
Tift Memorial Gardens:
Four-grave plot in the
Garden of the Sermon on the Mount – 59B 1-4
  $2,200
229-382-0017

TIFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKES PROMOTION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman, left, congratulates MSgt. Eric Hughes on his promotion to the rank of lieutenant in the Tifton Police Department. Hughes has served more than seven years in the department for the City of Tifton.

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COVID-19 data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of Jan. 31:


TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 7,210 ....................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 181

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 32 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks: 127

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 311 

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GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,438,970

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - Past week: 8,842

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 36,183 ................................................... GA DEATHS - Past week: 54 

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Feb. 2, is Groundhog Day, when we ask if are we in for six more weeks of winter. Originating with German settlers, who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and brought their seasonal superstitions with them, legend has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, the winter chill will continue. Oddly, if the weather is cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, we can expect an early spring. While the most famous groundhog prognosticator is Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Penn., we in Georgia have the wisest of all furry forecasters, General Beauregard Lee, who resides at the Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. Gen. Lee is the only groundhog in the country with honorary doctorates from the University of Georgia for “weather prognostication” and from Georgia State University for “Southern groundology.” Post-prediction, Gen. Lee is known to savor a unique Southern delicacy: Waffle House hashbrowns. Several other states have their own groundhog forecasters: New York has two groundhogs – Pothole Pete and Staten Island Chuck. Michigan has Woody the Woodchuck, and Ohio awaits the weather forecast rom Buckeye Chuck.

FRIDAY, FEB. 2

  • Tift County High Girls Basketball vs. Northside Warner Robins, 6 p.m., TCHS, Tifton
  • Tift County High Boys Basketball vs. Northside Warner Robins, 7:30 p.m., TCHS, Tifton


SATURDAY, FEB. 3

  • Tift County High Girls Basketball @ Lee County, 6 p.m., Leesburg
  • Tift County High Boys Basketball @ Lee County, 7:30 p.m., Leesburg

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

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

"Valentine," a heart-stealer, is a sweet girl is on a mission to fill your days with love. With her gentle eyes and a wag that could rival Cupid's arrow, Valentine is the perfect companion for cozy cuddles and lots of adventures. Visit Valentine 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).

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JAN. 24

Ranice Anderson, 63, Tifton

J'Lyn Smith, infant, Tifton

Tammy Tucker Parker, 63, Fitzgerald

Norman Ray Mears, 71, Tifton


JAN. 25

Carl Dwight Moore, 69, Tifton

Ruth Delenda “Linda” Turner Thompson, 76, Tifton

Judith "Judy" Clements Griffin, 81, Ocilla

Vernell Vaughn, 93, West Berrien

Cortney Nichole Peacock, 33, Fitzgerald


JAN. 26

Carol Bramblett Johnson, Athens, formerly of Tifton

Helen Marie Blythe McNally, 80, Valdosta, formerly of Fitzgerald 


JAN. 27

Kenneth “Kenny” John Connell, 64, Mystic


JAN. 28

Marguerite Hendley Keeter, 87, Tifton

Elizabeth Ann “Bette” Prewitt, 68, Adel

Joyce Harper Burley, 82, 

Osierfield

Ron Daray Purvis, 27, Adel

Shelty James Canty Sr., 69, Tifton


 JAN. 29

Sara Nell Webb Harnage, 86, Tifton

Bobby Faulkner, 62, Nashville

Claude Long, 77, Tifton

Shirley Gibbs Gaines, 75, 

Ben Hill County

JAN. 30

Joyce Mims, 71, Tifton

Juan Lopez Chavez, 67, Tifton

Linda McKinnon Hall Mathews, 74, Moultrie

Marilyn Louise McLaughlin, 56, Ocilla

Mary Frith Snyder, 97, Fitzgerald


JAN. 31

William Austin McLain Jr., 59, Tifton

Avery “Flay” Carpenter Jr., 88, Arden, N.C.

Jim “Pony” Whidden, 85, Nashville

W.H. "Bill" Livingston, 83, formerly of Fitzgerald

Pamela Denise Williams, 50, Tifton

Tifton Grapevine
e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.
Editor & Publisher
Bonnie Sayles
Managing Editor
A Service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC, Tifton, Georgia
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