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Jan. 31,
Tifton Georgia
A service of
(478) 227-7126 Sayles Unlimited Marketing, LLC
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TEXTILE CO. EXPANSION WILL RESULT IN 200 JOBS IN TIFTON
American Textile Co., a leading provider of sleep solutions since 1925, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, Jan. 30, at its Tifton production and distribution facility, kicking off an expansion that will bring its total space to more than 400,000 square feet and will represent 200 jobs in the next five years.
Just three years after opening with 100 employees, American Textile is growing ahead of plan at its Tifton location. It is one of four U.S. plants for the company, in addition to operations in China and El Salvador.
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VIDEO: Tifton Grapevine -
Tifton Plant Expanding
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"Our expansion so soon after opening is fueled in part by consumer demand for our allergen barrier and temperature regulation bedding products, but also by the positive business climate we've seen in Tifton," said Lance Ruttenberg, president and CEO of Pennsylvania-based American Textile.
"Access to a skilled workforce and strong community support were key factors in choosing to expand here."
Representatives from the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, the Tift County Development Authority, Mayor Jamie Cater and County Commission Chairman Grady Thompson were on hand to celebrate the expansion, scheduled for completion this summer. The facility is located inside Magnolia Industrial Park.
"It's exciting to see American Textile Co. increase capacity and investment in our community while also creating new jobs," said Brian Marlowe, president and CEO of the Tift County Development Authority and the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.
"With American Textile Company's diverse product line and sound business model, we are confident that our business-friendly environment, strategic location and exceptional quality of life will continue to offer opportunities for growth in the future."
Ruttenberg said "Tifton has been an integral part of our growth but perhaps most importantly, we enjoy doing business here. Tifton is the southern home for us now. It's a great place to make investments that create jobs and contribute to the quality of life in the community. The hospitality, friendliness and charm complement the business dynamics."
The Tifton facility produces and distributes millions of bed pillows annually.
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| From left are, Karen Kramer, Curtis Akins, Lanier Carson, Chris Cutts, David Bridges, and members of the late Edd Walker's family. |
TIFTON CHAMBER HONORS FORMER SHERIFF EDD WALKER
Former Tift County Sheriff Edd Walker was posthumously inducted into the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's Wall of Fame on Thursday, Jan. 30, during the Chamber's annual banquet held at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Walker's induction was the highlight of the evening, which also honored several community leaders  for their leadership efforts. The Stafford Award was presented to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President David Bridges; Karen Kramer was named the Prince Businesswoman of the Year; Kelley Manufacturing owner Lanier Carson was named the John Hunt Entrepreneur of the Year; Curtis Akins received the J. Lamar Branch Award; and Chris Cutts was named the Ambassador of the Year.  | |
VIDEO: Tifton Grapevine -
New Chamber Chair
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Walker had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, all in Tift County. He began under Sheriff Tom Greer and was elected sheriff in 1973. He served in that role for 24 years, amassing many local and state awards. He was particularly dedicated to the Georgia Sheriffs Association, which had awarded him the Distinguished Humanitarian Award and the Outstanding Service Award. The state association also honored Walker on numerous occasions for his contributions and dedication to the Georgia Sheriffs' Boys Ranch, where he also served as chairman. At Thursday's Chamber of Commerce dinner, Chamber Chairman Wanda Moore of Colquitt EMC welcomed the 2014 Chamber Chairman Mike Davis, president of First Community Bank of Tifton.
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This icy 'snowman' was seen Wednesday on Tift Avenue in Tifton exhorting us to 'Think Snow.' Instead, there was scattered ice.
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TIFTAREA GETS ICED
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
Snow in deep South Georgia is about as rare as a summer's day without gnats. Yet, each winter we hope to see a few snowflakes and perhaps, just maybe, to see enough snow to turn the pine trees white.
This week was our best chance in years; a snowstorm was heading toward the Deep South and the Tiftarea was right in its path. We stocked
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Photo by Charles Styer, Tifton
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up on milk and bread and firewood. We kept stepping outdoors, craning our necks and gazing skyward, searching for a swirling flake or two.
Aa the evening wore on, a few wispy flakes may have tumbled to earth but our skies were mostly filled with sleet and our world became covered in the ensuing slippery ice.
Children had "snow days" away from school without the snow. Some of us even had a day away from work as some roads and bridges were deemed hazardous for travel.
But soon enough, the short winter break is over and temperatures rise into the 60s and 70s. Our world is back to normal and filled once again with those recurring seasonal dreams of possible future snowfalls and magical winter wonderlands.
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FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT ON FEB. 4
The music faculty of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will kick off the 2014 First Tuesday Concert Series at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Chapel of All Faiths.
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Susan Roe
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The series spotlights regional professional artists on the first Tuesdays of five months during theyear. Dr. Susan Roe, director of music for the School of Liberal Arts, is the First Tuesday program director. All First Tuesday performances are free and open to the public.
ABAC music faculty members scheduled to perform include Claire Majette Jurs, soprano; Dr. Doug Jurs, piano; Michael McCallie, guitar; Chris Walker, soprano and alto saxophones; and Gina Lawhon, piano.
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U.S. FARM BILL PASSES HOUSE,
HEADS TO SENATE
BILL WOULD CUT $8 BILLION FROM FOOD STAMPS
More than two years behind schedule, a new federal farm bill is on the verge of passing Congress. The U.S. House OK'd the $956.4 billion farm bill on Wednesday, Jan. 29; Senate approval is likely within the next few days.
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VIDEO: U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., of Tifton, Praises Passage of the Farm Bill
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The compromise cuts $8 billion from food stamps in the next decade and replaces farm subsidies with more extensive crop insurance. The measure passed 251 to 166 amid opposition from liberals, who said that the food stamp cuts go too far, and conservatives concerned that the bill failed to further curtail government spending.
Congress last passed a farm bill in 2008 and the new measure continues the congressional tradition of marrying the nation's agricultural policy with money for the food stamp program, which usually accounts for about 80 percent of the bill's funding.
This week's vote caps more than three years of negotiations on a new five-year agreement. The 939-page bill authorizes the end of direct government payments made to farmers, revamps and consolidates dozens of federal conservation programs, tweaks several subsidy programs for the nation's crops and cuts billions of dollars in federal food stamp money.
The final savings in the food stamp program would come from cracking down on some states that seek to boost individual food stamp benefits by giving people small amounts of federal heating assistance that they don't need. That heating assistance, sometimes as low as $1 per person, triggers higher benefits, and some critics see that practice as circumventing the law. The compromise bill would require states to give individual recipients at least $20 in heating assistance before a higher food stamp benefit could kick in.
The measure is expected to cut federal spending by $16 billion during the next decade, according to official government estimates by the Congressional Budget Office.
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COASTAL PLAIN CASA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Coastal Plain CASA's volunteer training begins Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at CASA's office, 126 First St.
This training course covers everything a new volunteer needs to know to begin advocating on behalf of foster children.
The class meets every Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. for about four weeks. Becoming an advocate with CASA means spending a few hours a month helping a foster child find a safe and permanent home.
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HEALTH SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS
HEART HEALTH MONTH
To note National Heart Health Month, Southern Care Assisted Living Center in Tifton is presenting a Health Seminar with certified personal trainer Denise Googe at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7.
Southern Care Assisted Living is located at 1934 Whiddon Mill Road. Googe will speak on cardiovascular exercise and heart health. The event will include door prizes and free blood pressure checks.
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MISS TIFT FORESTRY PAGEANT
FEB. 22 AT THE TIFT
Applications are being accepted for the 24th Annual Miss Tift County Forestry to be held Feb. 22 at the Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Tifton.
No pageant experience is necessary. To enter, call 229-238-2851 or 229-386-2681.
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Incoming Tifton 20th Century Library Club President Brenda Rose, at right, puts finishing touches on the artwork that new officers made as they were being installed.
CLUB INSTALLS OFFICERS
At its January meeting, the Tifton 20th Century Woman's Club selected Brenda Rose as president for the 2014-2016 term.
The club is a part of the statewide network of Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs.
Genie McCook installed new officers using an "Artist's Palette of Colors" to honor Rose, who is a local artist. As they took office, each officer added to the painting that McCook started and Rose finished.
Other officers installed included First Vice Presidents Shirene Daniell and Bonnie Sayles, Second Vice President Mary Harmon, Recording Secretary Connie Pannell, Treasurer Karen Franks, Corresponding Secretary Faye Massey, and Parliamentarian Genie McCook.
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 WHERE THERE'S 'SMOKE,'
THERE'S A MUSICAL
Cast members have been selected for Connie Ray and Alan Bailey's off-Broadway musical "Smoke on the Mountain," the Baldwin Players' upcoming spring production at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Dr. Brian Ray, director of the theatre troupe, said the production dates are March 6-8 at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village. Tickets are free to faculty, staff, and students with ABAC ID. The general public can purchase tickets at the door for $7.
Ray said local residents as well as ABAC students will be part of the production. Cast members include Gavin Barnes as Burl Sanders, Holly Huggins as Vera Sanders, Jonathan Meadows as Stanley Sanders, Slayten Carter as June Sanders, Alena Phillips as Denise Sanders, Ryan Norton as Dennis Sanders, and Tre'mon Mills as Mervin Oglethorpe.
Barnes is an undeclared major from Brookfield; Huggins is a P-12 special education major from Fitzgerald; Meadows is an agricultural education major from Moultrie; Carter is a political science major from Willacoochee; Phillips is a music major from Richmond Hill; Norton is a Tifton resident who recently graduated from ABAC with a degree in political science; and Millsis a speech communications major from Blakely.
For information, contact Ray, 229-391-4969, [email protected]
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NEWS FROM ELSEWHERE
SOME THINGS WE FOUND INTERESTING...
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478-227-7126
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YOUR WEEKEND
At a Glance....
- Ya Ya Sisterhood Road Trip - Tiftarea Foundation for Women's Health, 7 p.m., UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.
- Tift County High Basketball vs. Lowndes (Senior Night), 7:30 p.m., Tift County High School, Tifton.
SATURDAY, FEB. 1:
- Seed & Plant Swap, 9:30-11 a.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton.
- Tift County High Basketball vs. Valdosta, 8:30 p.m., Tift County High School, Tifton.
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Jan. 24
Linda Sus Larosa, 60, Tifton
Virginia "Gin" Lucille Hackett, 83, Nashville
Clovis Amelia Kelley Ray, 81, Sycamore
Jan. 25
Larry E. Wright, 68, Ashburn
Jan. 26
Bruce Wayne Latham, 65, Hawkinsville
Mary Sally Nelson Gray, 60, Enigma
William Otis "Buddy" Dowdy, 56, Ben Hill County
Jan. 27
Lucy King Griffin, 91, Albany
Lizzie Kate Wilson, 100, Nashville
Robert Beall, 89, Lakeland
Jan. 28
Hannah Mary Clark Lentz, 33, Ty Ty
Lila Creamer, Tifton
Ralph Lee Parker, 65, Sylvester
Lois G. Watson, 88, Nashville
Ronnie Hogan, 61, Fitzgerald
Jan. 29
Larry Sisson, 50, Fitzgerald
Jan. 30
Grace Lawhorne, Tifton
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BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
$193,600
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