Dec. 31, 2014

Tifton Georgia

www.tiftongrapevine.com

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(478) 227-7126 Sayles Unlimited Marketing, LLC

2015: MAKE IT A GREAT YEAR!

The beginning of January is a time to take stock of the past 12 months and to look ahead to the clean slate of a brave new year.

As you have probably heard said, one definition of insanity is doing the exact same thing again and again, and

Frank Sayles Jr.

expecting different results. In other words, to make 2015 a better year, we need to make changes in the things that we do; otherwise, if we continue with the same modus operandi, we can expect similar results a year from now.

It is up to us to spark change, to make something happen, to create the future. Each one of us has the power to help improve the world; it is up to you and me, and it starts with our attitude. I was privileged to hear the late Keith Harrell speak a few years ago. He was known as "Dr. Attitude" and was the best speaker I have ever heard in a live setting. During his talk, he said, "People with a positive attitude are influenced by what goes on within them; people with a negative attitude are influenced by what goes on around them."

I am reminded by a line in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," -- "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Our attitude directly affects how we see our world. Our own thoughts have a profound impact on our lives, for what we think about, we do; and what we do, we become.

Change your thoughts, and you change your world, said Norman Vincent Peale. Can it really be that easy? Let's give it a shot. In 2015, let's be mindful of what consumes our thoughts. Let's see every obstacle as an opportunity. Let's get busy.

As that great philosopher George Carlin once said, "Always do what's next." So, let's get started; and let's make it a great year.

TIFTON, BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER

This Saturday, Jan. 3, local residents may recycle their Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to noon by "Bringing One for the Chipper" at Fulwood Park in Tifton.

Live Christmas trees may be dropped off to be chipped into mulch or used as a wildlife habitat. The event is going on at more than 300 sites around the state and educates the public on recycling and environmental conservation. It also allows communities to put discarded Christmas trees to good use. The program has been a holiday tradition in Georgia for more than 20 years and is the largest tree recycling program in the nation.

The local sponsor is Keep Tift Beautiful and other sponsors include the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation and the Georgia Forestry Commission.

For informaiton, contact Houston Shultz at 229-445-0068.

ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING

Long live the King!

Elvis Presley would be turning 80 years old in January, and the Town of Sumner is holding an Elvis 80th birthday party celebration at the Sumner School auditorium, 706 Walnut St., at 7 p.m. Jan. 10.

Music, cake and balloons will be available. A special appearance by Elvis tribute artist Jeff Vandenberg will be the highlight of the evening.

Call Sumner City Hall for ticket information -- 229-776-7384.