GrapeNew
   
    Dec. 20, 2016
Tifton, Georgia

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THE SHORTEST DAY 
WINTER BEGINS WEDNESDAY WITH WARMING TREND

Winter arrives at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday with the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of sunlight during the whole year.

But although winter is arriving, in the Tiftarea we can expect mild weather during the next few days; Christmas Day is forecast to be partly sunny and 73 degrees, and the day after reaching a high of 76 degrees.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the word  solstice comes from the Latin words for "sun" and "to stand still."  At the winter solstice, the sun's path reaches its southernmost position. The next day, the path will advance northward. 

Here in Tifton , on Saturday -- Christmas Eve -- the  high temperature will be near 70  with a low about 54. Sunday,  Christmas Day, will be partly  sunny, with a high near 73. and a low of  58.

But we know that although our weather may be temperate now, a big chill is coming this season. Charles Dickens, author of "A Christmas Carol," could have been writing about South Georgia weather when he penned: "It was one of those ... days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

Enjoy the season for it is, as Edith Sitwell wrote, a " time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home ."

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

~Frank Sayles Jr., Tifton Grapevine



CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON TIFT HIGH ADDITION

The Tift County Board of Education broke ground Friday on the expansion at Tift County High School. The $21.4 million project will add approximately 114,000 square feet to the high school. The addition is scheduled to be completed in spring 2018.

"This project is an integral step in the continued growth and success of our system and our students," said Board Chairman Kim Rutland. "It will make it possible to bring our ninth graders to our high school campus as well as increasing programs we can offer to our students."

Once completed, the project will add 42 regular classrooms, four new science labs and an auxiliary gym. The Commons and office areas will be expanded to accommodate the additional students. 

The project will also add space for the newly approved College and Career Academy.

The expansion project at the high school is the first piece in a grade reconfiguration for the system. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, all current primary and elementary schools will become Pre-K -through fifth grade, Eighth Street Middle School and Northeast Campus will house sixth-eighth grades, and Tift County High School will become a true high school for ninth - 12th graders.

TIFTON ROTARY SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR ETHICS IN BUSINESS AWARD

The Rotary Club of Tifton is seeking nominations for its Tifton Rotary Ethics in Business Award to recognize a local business that has demonstrated exceptional ethical behavior.
 
Criteria for the award, which will go to a business physically located in Tifton or Tift County, were  developed by a committee of Tifton Rotary Club members. The nominated business must have consistently demonstrated high ethical standards of honesty and integrity in dealing with employees, customers and contractors while enhancing the economic well-being of the company and providing local jobs, opportunity and profits. 
 
In addition, the business must have participated in activities beneficial to the community beyond the provision of economic benefits of the business and must adhere to fair and truthful business practice reflected in the  Rotary Four-Way Test
 
1.     Is it the TRUTH?
2.     Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3.     Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
4.     Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 
Nomination applications are available from the Tifton Rotary Club, which meets for lunch each Wednesday at noon at the  Tiftarea Conference Center on  Highway 82, and are on the club's Facebook page, Click Here!
 
Applications must be submitted and received by  Jan. 10, and may be sent to: Tifton Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1354, Tifton, GA  31793.






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Available exclusively from LifeVantage -- no  one else has it. 

For Information, call:   229-848-2366



HOLIDAY LUMINARY TO
LIGHT UP NEIGHBORHOOD

Beginning at dusk this Friday, Dec. 23, a Christmas luminary will light the area from  Emmett Drive to Love Avenue, and 20th to 30th streets, including Willingham Way in Tifton .

The  neighborhood invites folks to drive through and experience the candle-lit route.

For information, call  229-894-1374.



Christmas is more than presents, lights, and flying reindeer. It's the birth of our Savior and God's hope for the world.

The people of St. Anne's Episcopal Church warmly invite you to worship with them at their Midnight Mass this Christmas Eve. 
Doors open at 10 p.m., followed by a Christmas concert at 10:30 p.m. 
The Mass begins at 11 p.m. 

A Tifton tradition for over 30 years, St. Anne's Midnight Mass 
is a  unique way to celebrate the true reason for the season. 
Expect candlelight, scripture, and beautiful music featuring 
St. Anne's choir and a brass ensemble under the direction 
of Minister of Music Stan Smith. 
The Rev. Lonnie Lacy,  Rector of St. Anne's, will preach. 
A free, festive reception follows in the Parish Hall.

St. Anne's is located at 2411 N. Central Ave. Admission is free. 
Seating is offered first come, first served. 
A professionally staffed nursery is available at no charge. 

For more information, contact the church office at (229) 382-7505 


A BIG SEND-OFF WITH THANKS
Tifton city firefighter  Henry Taylor , center, was honored  Thursday night by  Tifton City Council upon his retirement after  27 years of service.

In the photo, Taylor is surrounded by family, friends and firefighters at Tifton City Hall.

SANTA'S WORKSHOP OPEN AT TIFT LIBRARY

Ho, ho, ho -- Santa's Workshop is opening its doors today, Tuesday, Dec. 20, and will be open Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 2-4 p.m. each day.

The workshop is for kids ages 2-18 who may come by the library's Multipurpose Room to make gifts for their friends and family.


"Best-Selling Truck for 39 Straight Years"
511 West 7th Street
(229) 382-1300
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS HAS
BOSTON BUTTS FOR HOLIDAYS

Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County has a few Boston Butts for those
 who would  like them for their holiday parties or for gifts.  Call Bonnie Sayles at 229-391-2527 to pick up for a $25 donation .

Proceeds help fund tutor training and materials to help local people learn to read or prepare for their GED exams.
 

McGRIFF WAS ON TCHS STATE CHAMPION TEAM

Tifton native and former Blue Devil Wesley McGriff, who also played and coached at Savannah State, has been named defensive coordinator at Ole Miss.

McGriff has coached at four different SEC schools, including Ole Miss. He has been credited as a big part in recruiting the Ole Miss Rebels' 2013 class that brought several eventual first-round draft picks.

In two previous stops, Vanderbilt and Baylor, McGriff served as recruiting coordinator. He held the title of co-defensive coordinator while at Ole Miss previously. He also has been  co-defensive coordinator at Auburn.

McGriff was a member of Tift County High School's 1983 state championship football team.

 
ABAC NAMED A TOP SCHOOL
FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

Military Advanced Education (MAE) has awarded Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recognition as a top school in the 2017 Military Advanced Education and Transition for the fourth year in a row.

ABAC has also been named a 2016 Military Friendly School by Victory Media for a second time.
MAE's Guide provides potential students with information about institutions that give back to our men and women in uniform.
 
"Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is honored to again receive these military accolades," said Jessica Swords, Veterans Affairs certifying official and Student Veterans Organization advisor.

"Our military and veteran students have served our country, and now we are privileged to serve them through assisting in their educational success.  The addition of the Freedom Gallery this year only helps to illustrate our commitment to veterans and military members, as well as their families."

UGA TIFTON AGRONOMIST NAMED TO 
EPA SCIENCE BOARD

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper will soon share his expertise with the Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board.

Culpepper, an agronomist on the UGA Tifton Campus, is one of 19 scientists recently chosen for the board's Agriculture Science Committee. While working with the EPA,
CULPEPPER
Culpepper will provide  advice on matters that have impacts on farming and agriculture-related industries.

"My goal in helping our amazing farmers feed and clothe the world will not change with this new appointment," Culpepper said. "In fact, this position will foster an even stronger relationship with the EPA, enhancing our ability to help them in the use of sound science and practical experience when making decisions that impact agriculture."

Culpepper said he views his appointment as a way to improve the agricultural community's communication with the EPA, which will "benefit everyone" and help the EPA better understand potential issues faced by American farmers.

Culpepper joined UGA Extension on the Tifton Campus in 1999 .


SERVING  YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE 

2202 Rutland Road, Tifton, GA
MLS # 126616

Beautiful home  on west side of Tift County with 3 bedrooms/2 baths, 
2,461 square feet, with a utility building.
                              
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Dwana  Coleman
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It's a Great Time to Sell Your Home!
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Call us TODAY!   229-386-4222

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Sunshine Through
Each & Every 
Real Estate  Transaction!
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FRANK SAYLES JR.
Editor & Publisher

iheardit@tiftongrapevine.com

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478-227-7126