THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS
At Christmas 2015, we are still seeking "peace on earth and goodwill toward men," as mankind has for centuries. They are ever elusive, yet can be found briefly in quiet moments.
Our world is in turmoil, but it has always been so. Wars and disasters -- both natural and manmade -- have occurred around
the globe since the very beginning. There is evil in the world as real as the goodness that exists. Perhaps we cannot have one without the other, just as we cannot have sunny days without rainy ones, or even day without night.
With the problems that abound around us, we could choose to remain huddled in darkness, shy and fearful, or we can step out into the light and boldly face the world head on. We can choose to see the good and the true all around us, and to lend our hands toward making each day a little better and a little brighter for others.
Christmas is a time for joy, of merriment, and it should also be a time for reflection. Among the hustle and bustle of gatherings and gifts and feasts, find your quiet moment of peace. Reflect upon your blessings and upon that which truly matters in life. In serving others, we ultimately serve ourselves.
Say a prayer for those who are lonely, who are sad, who grieve, and who are huddled in the darkness. Help pull them into the light and to feel God's warmth.
For it is Christmas, and it is a time of hope and promise. And let us live each day by the credo that God's work on Earth must truly be our own.
--Frank Sayles Jr.
|
|
|
| Gibbs Patrick, at left, John Berry with the raffled guitar, and Gary Vowell at the Tift. |
JOHN BERRY CONCERT AUDIENCE
RAISES MONEY FOR CARMICHAEL FUND
Country music star and former
Tifton resident
John Berry ended his
19th annual
Christmas touring show at the Tift Theatre on Tuesday night.
Along with Berry's heart-felt renderings of traditional and non-traditional Christmas songs, the show had another special element: A raffle raised more than $5,300 for the Mac Carmichael Fund, named for a toddler who died
suddenly last weekend.
Seventeen-month-old
Mac Carmichael choked on food at a mall in
Nashville, Tenn. His father,
Hunter, is a Nashville
musician
originally
from Tifton. The Carmichael family created  the
Mac Carmichael Fund for donations in Mac's honor to be made to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Williamson Medical Center in
Nashville.
At Berry's Tifton concert, organized by Austin McAlpin, local businesses donated items for the raffle with all proceeds going toward the fund.
Among
items raffled were a guitar donated by Don Dove's Music Store and signed by John Berry.
Former Tift
County
Sheriff Gary Vowell originally won the guitar but decided to auction it in front of the audience to raise even more money. Gibbs Patrick made the winning bid of $1,100.
"Mac will live on forever. The Mac Carmichael Fund has been established to bring 'Mac-sized Miracles' to children and families who find themselves in need. Mac was the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational little boy. We were blessed to have him in our lives and know that his life will continue to bless others," his family wrote.
His grandparents include David and Mandie Carmichael of Tifton.
Local photographer Hope Baldwin captured the images at left of John Berry's Tifton concert. For a sampling of his Christmas show, click the link below to hear music from a past holiday performance.
|
|
VIDEO:
A John Berry Christmas
|
|
LOCAL TOYS FOR TOTS SERVES 1,400
DONORS, SANTA'S HELPERS, UNITED WAY MAKE CHRISTMAS BRIGHTER
The United Way of South Central Georgia's "Toys for Tots/Santa's Helpers" Christmas toy campaign was a resounding success this season. More than 1,400 local children were remembered with toys for Christmas because of the generosity of donors and participants in the area. Pictured above, from left, are local United Way board members Ebony Rowell, Frank Sayles Jr., Crystal Reese, Charleston Carter, Donnie Gilder, Sharmilee Joyner, Denise Verdesoto, Glen Fogle and Executive Director Pat McKinnon. The United Way of South Central Georgia, based in Tifton, serves Tift, Irwin, Ben Hill and Cook counties. You may contact the United Way at 229-382-2881.
|
 |
|
EIGHTH STREET MIDDLE REMEMBERS OTHERS
The Connections Classes at Eighth Street Middle School in Tifton recently made Christmas trees and decorated them as a project. They presented the Tifton Police Department, Tift County Sheriff's Office, National Guard and Army Reserves, Tift County Fire Department, Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia nursing home and Southern Care Assisted Living with trees designed by ESMS Connections students. The students wanted to show their appreciation to law enforcement personnel and
first responders, and to remember some of the community's seniors during the Christmas season.
|
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
COMING IN JANUARY
|
|
|
Cat Lewis with Brooke Sanders of the Chamber.
|
Catherine "Cat" Lewis of the Tifton Liberty Tax Service Community Outreach Team is the latest member of the
Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's 2016 Leadership Program.
Becky Elder, Liberty Tax franchise owner, says Lewis possesses the " kind of tenacity ... we are looking for in leaders of our organization and in our community."
The
Leadership Tifton 2016 program will provide participants the opportunity to learn and grow professionally and personally through interactive, hands-on experiences. The sessions will spotlight many community assets and opportunities for participants to have continued leadership growth.
The program covers topics such as understanding leadership roles, communicating effectively and leading community change. It will also include topics such as local government and economic development.
|
Introducing the
World's Newest Weight-Loss System
Backed by Science
Recharge and rebalance your body's internal weight management system
with proven PhysIQ. Used as a system, and combined with a balanced diet
and exercise, PhysIQ is a safe, long-term solution that starts
burning stubborn fat today.
Want to Know More?
Call Before Dec. 31
229.848.2366
Sayles Unlimited Health Promotions
|
SYCAMORE'S FESTIVAL OF TREES HELP FAMILIES
Sycamore's Festival of Christmas Trees has
received two truckloads of food and toys, and cash to buy hams and extra items needed for several area families.
Volunteers are wrapping the
toys
and delivering the items to families on Christmas Eve. In the photo above, Ray Jordan on the left and Rodney Brown, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Ashburn, prepare to haul some of the donated food and toys.
This has been the eighth year for Sycamore's Festival of Christmas Trees, with contributions helping give a Christmas celebration to needy families.
More than 150 decorated Christmas trees have been on display.
|
|
from the
Tifton, Georgia
e-published every Tuesday & Friday
It's Free!
|
|
YOUR WEEKEND
...at a Glance
- MERRY (DAY AFTER) CHRISTMAS!
|
DEC. 17
Becky Howell Bullard, 74, Sylvester
Ronald Barnard, 64, Hahira
DEC. 18
Ethelene Newell Tucker, 86, Thomasville
Adele Williamson Land, 88, Fitzgerald
Thomas Michael Croft, Fitzgerald
Larry Oswald Luke, 62, Ocilla
Jacqueline Jones, Ashburn
DEC. 19
Melissa Dean Wishum, 46, Tifton
Gary Anderson, 70, Tifton
Flora Catherine Countryman, Sylvester
DEC. 20
Margaret Thompson Clifton, 88, Perry
Karleen M. Lane, 86, Chula
Dorothy Cherry Newbern, 90, Nahunta
Howard Maxwell Reese, 80, Fitzgerald
Rufus Hayes, Jacksonville, Fla.
DEC. 21
Martha Juanita Brickle, 78, Tifton
DEC. 22
Darwin "Dock" Johnny Dees, 68, Adel
DEC. 23
Patsy Delours Frazier, 64, Fitzgerald
|
SERVING YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
$159,900
117 Pinewood Drive,
Tifton, GA
MLS #: R124992A
Move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. Adorable ranch-style home with fenced-in back yard. Nice landscaping, modern kitchen, tile bathrooms, good floor plan. Make your appointment to see today.
|
|
|
 |
|
Dwana Coleman
|
Call Us Today!
229-386-4222
Blue Skies & Sunshine Through Each & Every
Real Estate Transaction!
|
|
|
|
|
