Friday, November 14, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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LOCAL DANCERS PART OF NYC THANKSGIVING PARADE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton will be represented at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Twenty dancers from the Mallory Ward School of Dance in Tifton have been invited to be part of the 2.5-mile parade on Thanksgiving morning.

The local dancers, who are from Tifton and Sylvester, will be among a group of 500 dancers from around the nation coordinated by Spirit of America Productions.

The Tifton dance school last participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade eight years ago.

"We’re beyond excited to be a small part of this wonderful tradition with (Spirit of America Productions)," the dance school said. "Make sure to tune in on Thanksgiving morning to see these Georgia girls dancing in the Big Apple."

The Mallory Ward School of Dance has evolved from what was originally the Carolyn Ellis School of Dance established in 1973. Ellis turned the reins over to Ward in 2016 – although Ellis still lent support – and the dance studio has continued, serving generations of local young dancers.

The studio has appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade more than a half dozen times since 1998.

Photos by Bonnie Sayles

The Velcro Pygmies perform Friday at the formal opening of the J. Tyron Spearman Stage in Fulwood Park. Spearman is a longtime promoter of Tifton and for decades has been the face of The Friendly City around the state and beyond.

FULWOOD PARK STAGE DEDICATED TO TYRON SPEARMAN

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association formally opened the new stage at Fulwood Park last Friday, dedicating it in honor of Tyron Spearman, longtime Tifton Tourism director and community supporter.

“Tonight, we unveil the J. Tyron Spearman Stage,” said Tourism Board Treasurer William Bowen. “We honor not just his years of service, but his unwavering love for this city and its people.”

 Bowen paid tribute to “Mr. Tifton,” whose vision and dedication, he said, have helped make the city not just a hometown, but a true destination.

“What a perfect night to be here in Fulwood Park, a place that welcomes people from near and far to experience the charm, hospitality, and spirit of Tifton," Bowen said. “Tonight, we gather to honor someone who has spent his life making sure the world knows exactly why Tifton is such a special destination – Mr. Tyron Spearman.

"For over 30 years, Tyron has served as the director of our Tourism Association, but his impact goes far beyond his title. He has been the voice, the cheerleader, and the heart behind so many of the events and traditions that make Tifton what it is today. From promoting our festivals and local businesses to shining a light on our small-town charm, Tyron has worked tirelessly to share the spirit of Tifton with the world," Bowen said.

Spearman was visibly surprised as he stood with Tifton Tourism and Tifton city officials, preparing to cut the ribbon on the stage.

“I’m flabbergasted. It’s a big surprise,” Spearman told the Tifton Grapevine. “I’m humbled. All the years we spent, it’s been a joy. It’s been exciting for Tifton, and I’m proud to represent us all over the world.”

A plaque being affixed to the new stage reads: “The J. Tyron Spearman Stage at Fulwood Park. Honoring 'Mr. Tifton,' a tireless Tifton supporter for more than a half century.”

Preceding the ribbon cutting was a performance by the popular Page Brothers Band. The energetic band, The Velcro Pygmies, performed following the ribbon cutting and going strong until 10 p.m. 

The stage, a joint project of the City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, was built anew after the former stage was razed, its foundation beyond salvaging. Among its improvements over the former facility, the new Spearman Stage's usable stage flooring has been enlarged from 900 to 1,200 square feet, sound and lighting is improved with better access to electrical power, and a door and lift on the backside of the stage is now available to assist performers and bands in loading and unloading equipment.

LENOX CELEBRATES LEAN-OX FESTIVAL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The 43rd Annual Lean-Ox Festival gets underway tonight (Friday) in downtown Lenox.

The two-day event begins today with a free community concert in the park at 6 p.m. with the Bootleg Stereo band "rockin' into the Southern sunset."

Saturday's festivities begin with the festival parade at 11 a.m., followed by activities and entertainment for all ages, including a car show, KidZone, cake auction, and more than 50 local vendors with handcrafted goods, food, and gifts. Food trucks will also be available.

Established in 1980, the festival started as a project to construct a fire station through the Governor’s Local Incentive Program. Almost a half a century later, the vision of using the festival to improve the community continues. 

The Festival Committee has used festival proceeds on such projects as a walking track, playground equipment, fire and police equipment, new park gazebo, veterans park, and more.

This year’s proceeds will go toward a renovation of the Lenox Athletic Field. New fencing for the field was recently completed through state appropriations secured by Reps. Jaclyn Ford, R-Tifton, and Chas Cannon, R-Moultrie.

TIFTON MAN, WHO EXCHANGED GUNFIRE WITH DEPUTIES, DIED OF SELF-INFLICTED WOUND, GBI SAYS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton man who died after exchanging gunfire with Crisp County deputies Nov. 7 has been determined to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Thursday.

"Preliminary information from the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, as well as other evidence gathered during the investigation, indicates (the Tifton man) died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. GBI agents have met with Calhoun’s family to share facts from the case," the GBI said in a press release.

Deonte Rashad Calhoun, 25, of Tifton, died at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with deputies following a traffic stop in Cordele, according to the GBI.

According to Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock, the Sylvester Police Department had alerted the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office that Calhoun was traveling to Crisp County High School to pick up an acquaintance.

Calhoun was wanted on four felony counts of aggravated assault and for possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, the sheriff said.

Crisp County authorities set up an operation on Frontage Road in Cordele to intercept and apprehend Calhoun before he got to the school, Hancock said. 

At approximately 3:15 p.m. Nov. 7, deputies spotted Calhoun on Frontage Road. Seeing law enforcement, Calhoun parked his vehicle at a Frontage Road hotel and fled on foot, the sheriff said.

"A short chase ensued where gunfire was exchanged, and the subject is deceased," Hancock had said.

ABAC NAMES NEW POLICE CHIEF

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) has a new police chief.

Mike Tompkins, who was appointed effective this week, has served ABAC for more than 17 years, most recently as assistant chief.

“Chief Tompkins brings a rare combination of operational expertise and a deep understanding of the student experience,” said Deidra A. Jackson, vice president for finance and operations. “His longstanding commitment to campus safety and his collaborative leadership style make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the ABAC Police Department."

ABAC President Dr. Tracy Brundage said that “Chief Tompkins has consistently demonstrated the professionalism, compassion, and leadership that reflect ABAC’s commitment to providing a secure and supportive environment for our campus. I am confident that under his leadership, our Police Department will continue to foster a culture of trust and service that empowers our students and strengthens our community.”

In accepting the position, Tompkins expressed both gratitude and enthusiasm. “It is an honor to be selected to serve as chief of police at ABAC. This college community means a great deal to me, and I am proud to continue working alongside such a dedicated team of officers who serve with integrity and care every day.

"Together, we will build upon our strong foundation of safety and community engagement to ensure ABAC remains a place where everyone feels welcome and protected.”

WALK THIS WAY FOR COOKIES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Miss Ethel Memorial Cookie Walk returns from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Peace Lutheran Church, 604 Tennessee Drive in Tifton.

The event features holiday cookies, which you mix and match for $2.50 per pack of four, homemade cakes, breads, peanut brittle, candies, and homemade German pastries.  

Proceeds from the bake sale go to the USO (United Service Organization) in Georgia, Meals on Wheels, and House of Hope Tifton (emergency and transitional residence for homeless women).  The USO helps transitioning troops and deployed troops, military families, and wounded warriors.

The long-time annual event was renamed to honor the late Ethel Walker, who worked on the project for more than four decades.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Ashley Furniture

612 Virginia Ave. N., Tifton

Nov. 7

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER

TIFTAREA

Saturday is National Recycling Day, which was established nearly 30 years ago and began as "America Recycles Day." According to National Geographic, Americans send 64 tons of waste to landfills during their lifetime. National Recycling Day encourages folks to purchase recycled products and recycle more waste. In 1960, the recycling of product waste in the United States was less than 7%. In 2023, it was about 35%.

Born on Nov. 14: Robert Fulton, steamboat engineer, 1765-1815; Claude Monet, French artist, 1840-1926; Joseph McCarthy, U.S. senator, 1940-1957; McLean Stevenson, actor: "M*A*S*H," 1927-1996; King Charles III, United Kingdom, 1948- ; Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State, 1954- ; Josh Duhamel, actor, 1972- .

FRIDAY, NOV. 14

• Homeschool Hangout: Georgia History, 11 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton

• Deck the Door Painting Experience, 5:30-7 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

• Crime & Coffee, 5:30 p.m., Irwin County Library, S. Beech Street, Ocilla

• ABAC PCA Pro Rodeo, 6 p.m., ABAC Rodeo Arena, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Lean-Ox Festival Opening Live Concert, with Bootleg Stereo band, 6 p.m., Downtown Lenox

• "Harvey," live play by the Acting Company of Tifton, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing arts, Downtown Tifton

• Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricane football vs. Academy for Classical Education Gryphons, GHSA playoff, 7:30 p.m., Fitzgerald

• Cook County High Hornets football @ North Murray High Mountaineers, GHSA playoff, 7:30 p.m., Chatsworth

• Worth County High Rams football vs. McNair High Mustangs, GHSA playoff, 7:30 p.m., Sylvester

• Berrien County Hugh Rebels @ Lamar County High Trojans, 7:30 p.m., Barnesville

SATURDAY, NOV. 15

• Chase the Turkey 5K, 7:30 a.m., City Hall, First Street, Tifton

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• Ocilla Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 460 W. 5th St., Ocilla

• Lean-Ox Festival, parade, cake auction, car show, Kid Zone, arts & crafts, food trucks, 11 a.m., Downtown Lenox

• ABAC PCA Pro Rodeo, 6 p.m., ABAC Rodeo Arena, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Chocolate and a Canvas, 6-8 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

• "Harvey," live play by the Acting Company of Tifton, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing arts, Downtown Tifton

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TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

Astra is about one year old and came into the animal shelter as a stray. She is very sweet and likes the company of other dogs. She also loves humans and is ready for a home. Visit Astra 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).

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