Cyndi Thomson Coming Home

Jan. 31, 2017

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

CYNDI THOMSON TO PERFORM AT STORM BENEFIT

TIFTON CONCERT INCLUDES JOHN BERRY, BUDDY JEWELL

Tifton's own Cyndi Thomson, who had a No. 1 country hit with "What I Really Meant to Say," has been added to the lineup of the "South Georgia Strong" benefit concert for area storm victims.


CYNDI THOMSON

The concert, being put together by Austin McAlpin of McAlpin Entertainment in Tifton, will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. McAlpin says 100 percent of all ticket sales are going to victims of the recent deadly storms and tornadoes that devastated several areas in South Georgia.

"I've been working really non-stop since I decided to put it together," McAlpin said Tuesday. "I'm excited and thankful to have Cyndi (Thomson) join us."

Thomson, a Tifton native, skyrocketed to country music fame upon the release of her debut album in 2001. Her single, "What I Really Meant to Say," spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard music charts. Thomson then spent the next year in a whirlwind of performances and high-profile appearances on "The Tonight Show" and the Grand Ole Opry. She then temporarily stepped away from recording, later getting married and raising children.

Thomson joins other Nashville, Tenn., artists John Berry, Buddy Jewell and Ray Scott, along with

local artists Anne Cline, Derrick Dove, Daniel Parrish, Landis Frier, Ben Wells, TJ Mauldin, Faith

Jackson and Ryn Crider at the benefit concert.

"There will be some more artist announcements," McAlpin told the Tifton Grapevine.

Tickets are $30 and are available by Clicking Here.

"We ask that you play a helping part by supporting this event. Let's show those in need what it means to be ' South Georgia Strong,' " McAlpin said.

Tennessee artist Gale Hinton paints a Read Aloud mural Friday at Northside Primary in Tifton.

TIFTON CONTINUES

TO 'READ ALOUD'

AND TENNIS PLAYERS READY TO 'RALLY FOR READING'

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE) continues its "Read Aloud" initiative, promoting the reading aloud of books to children. This past week, muralist Gale Hinton was back in Tifton painting another "Read Aloud" mural, this one at Northside Primary School.

Last year, Hinton painted murals at several other Tift County schools and at the Tift County Housing Authority and at Quailwood Animal Hospital.

Meanwhile, the TCFEE has scheduled its annual " Rally for Reading" tennis tourney Feb. 12 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Rally is limited to the first 36 players; entry fee is a $100 donation to the TCFEE. An ABAC tennis player may also be sponsored with the sponsorships benefitting the ABAC tennis teams.

For information, call Mike Brumby at 229-382-7515.

CALLING ALL CHOCOHOLICS!

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS TO HOLD 5th ANNUAL CHOC-IT-UP FOR LITERACY

Once again, to set the mood for Valentine's Day, Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County is sponsoring Choc-It-Up for Literacy, An Evening of Chocolate Indulgence, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Spring Hill Country Club.

Not only will attendees sample and judge Tifton's best chocolate desserts from among local restaurants, caterers and bakeries, but they also will bid in an auction conducted by Phil Moody on items such as tickets to see Tony Award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel sing "Let it Go," the Oscar- and Grammy-winning song from "Frozen;" beautiful jewelry; a pheasant hunt; a

Savannah vacation; and a mountaintop stay near Dahlonega.

Also, restaurant tickets, massages and other potential Valentine's Day gifts will be offered for bidding in a silent auction.

The fifth annual event will showcase local vendors and their chocolate creations. Each vendor will feature a chocolate display of their desserts, along with samples for party-goers to taste. Merrymakers can sip milk, coffee and wine, while voting on Best Taste, Best Presentation, and Best in Show. So far, the participants are BJ's at Spring Hill, Cakes by Audrey, Espresso 41, Hilton Garden Inn employees, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday and Small Cakes a Cupcakery.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For advance ticket locations, check the Facebook page or call 229-391-3537 or email tiftlv@gmail.com

Tickets are on sale at Cakes by Audrey, Spring Hill Country Club, Literacy Volunteers office at SRTC and from Vickie Horst at the Tifton-Tift County Public Library.

"If you have always yearned for an incredible chocolate dessert from your favorite restaurant, now you have no excuses," said Liz Carson Keith, Literacy board member. "You can feel good about indulging because it is helping people better their lives."

Choc-It-Up for Literacy will benefit programs that Literacy Volunteers sponsors. The agency helps adults prepare for the GED test, as well as helping indigent students pay for GED test fees. Literacy Volunteers also collaborates with Southern Regional Technical College - Tifton Campus with English language classes and basic skills instruction.

For information, contact Literacy Volunteers, 229-391-2527.

TIFTAREA ACADEMY

SWIM TEAM MAKES

A BIG SPLASH

SOPHOMORE WINS 3 STATE TITLES

Tiftarea Academy has a triple state swimming champion at the end of its first season with a swim team.

Sophomore Kirsten Murphy, seen at left, is the GISA State Champion in the 200-Yard Individual Medley, the 100-Yard Butterfly and the 500-Yard Freestyle.

Kirsten and teammate Carrie Engram, an 8th grader, finished sixth out of 20 teams in the state swim meet this past weekend.

Join Us for a Romantic Dinner

with Musical Entertainment by the Jerry Moss Trio

Thursday, February 14

in the Ballroom

Reservations available 6-9 p.m.

BJ's at Springhill is OPEN to the PUBLIC

for this Special Evening!

Join us for this romantic adventure:

BJ's at Springhill
(Located inside Springhill Country Club)

"Where Everyone is Welcome!"

5 E. Springhill Road, Tifton

Call BJ for Reservations: 229-382-2913

BARITONE TO PERFORM AT

'FIRST TUESDAY' CONCERT FEB. 7

Baritone Earl Coleman will perform during "A Night of Wonderful Singing" at the First Tuesday Concert Series at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Chapel of All Faiths at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

He will be accompanied on piano by Susan Hoskins. The free concert is open to the public.


COLEMAN

The First Tuesday series, now in its 15th year, features regional professional artists on the first Tuesdays of five months during the year.

Coleman will perform selections from G.F. Handel, Henry Purcell, David Shire and Frederick Loewe, as well as Mark Hayes' arrangement of 'There is a Balm in Gilead," John W. Work's arrangement of 'This Little Light o-Mine" and Hall Johnson's arrangement of "Ride On, King Jesus." Coleman will also perform "Three Shakespeare Songs" by Robert Quilter and "Five Mystical Songs" by Ralph Vaughn Williams.

Coleman holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in voice and violin from the University of Missouri-Columbia, with further studies at The Julliard School, the University of Michigan, the Aspen Music Festival and the Chautauqua Institute. The William and Isabelle Curry Eminent Faculty Scholars Chair in voice at Columbus State University, Coleman has performed in operatic, musical theater and jazz venues throughout the United States and Europe.

As a singer, Coleman has appeared as a soloist with more than 60 orchestras including those of Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Kansas City, Chattanooga, Chautauqua and the Colorado Philharmonic. In 2004, he taught at the internationally renowned Santa Fe Opera. He has performed as a soloist under noted maestros Leonard Bernstein, George Solti, Robert Shaw and Gustav Meier.

For more information, contact Dr. Susan Roe, sroe@abac.edu

Church Secretary

Position

Tifton First United

Methodist Church

The position is responsible for running the church office, handling administrative tasks and functions, and supporting the pastor and staff.

The position also schedules events on the church calendar, manages telephone services,

prepares all church mailings, organizes and prepares publications and handles correspondence.

This person serves as the public face of the church and the first line of contact for members of

the church, visitors and newcomers. This person needs to be a flexible, proficient communicator, be able to work as a team player and be able to use office technology.

This is a full-time position and includes benefits. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

To be considered, submit your application no later than close of business on February 14, 2017.

Please see http://www.tiftonfumc.org/ for information about Tifton First United Methodist Church.

To apply, submit:

1) a cover letter to include why you are interested in this position;

2) a current resume; and

3) contact information for three references.

Applications and specific questions related to this position should be addressed to:

Tifton First United Methodist Church

Attn: Lisa Forshee

Lead Church Secretary Search Committee

107 W 12th St.

Tifton, GA 31794

Email: lbforshee@gmail.com

"Best-Selling Truck for 40 Straight Years"

511 West 7th Street

(229) 382-1300

griffinford.net

YMCA PLANNING TOUR de TIFTON

ANNUAL BIKE RIDE IS FUNDRAISER

The Tiftarea YMCA's 8th Annual Tour de Tifton / Ilse Boyette Memorial Charity Bike Ride will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the YMCA Hunt Park Campus, 1823 Westover Road.

There will be a beginner's 11-mile course, intermediate level 25 and 45 miles, and 62- and

100-mile century routes for advanced riders.

All pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt; event-day registrants will be eligible for T-shirts while supplies last. Participants completing either of the century courses will receive a special gift. Lunch will be provided.

Proceeds will benefit Tiftarea YMCA programs and scholarships for underprivileged youth, and the book fund for the ABAC nursing students in memory of Ilse Boyette.

Bike riders are invited to gather on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. for afternoon rides to train for the Tour de Tifton.

For information, call 229-391-9622 or e-mail dpeavy@tiftareaymca.org

'GRAPES OF WRATH' TAKE

ABAC STAGE THURSDAY

The Olney Theatre Center's National Players will perform John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in Howard Auditorium at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The play is a part of the 2016-2017 ABAC Presents! Performing Arts Series.

In the play, Tom Joad returns home from prison to find his family farm in ruins. The family leaves the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma behind for a better life in sunny California. During their trip, the Joads discover others on the same path, all striving for their own piece of the American dream.

Steinbeck's novel is one of perseverance against all odds.

Individual tickets are $20 for adults and $10 each for students under 18 years of age. Tickets can be purchased online at www.purplepass.com/abac or by phone at 229-391-4895.